ONE To Watch Me (The ONE Series, Part 1, Book 1)

by Alicia Maxwell

  The dreams return throughout the night. I wake to his hands holding me gently, and I fall back asleep. This night is unlike any other I've had in my life. I dread the morning as it approaches and the sky lights up with the first rays of the rising sun. But deep inside, I feel calm and safe. I nuzzle back into Alex's chest and return to sleep. This time, it’s a deep sleep that takes me well into the late morning.

  Eleven

  I wake to the smell of coffee and a room filled with sunshine. It must be after ten for sure, as the sun is already high above the ocean. I’m alone in the bed, wrapped in layers of thin white sheets. I get up, picking up the loose ends, and move in the direction of the aroma. Making a quick stop in the bathroom, I pass the living room and head to the kitchen. Alex is behind the counter, looking deliciously fresh in just his jeans. He looks up and smiles.

  "Hello, sleepy angel!"

  "Morning. What time is it? When did you get up?"

  "It’s around eleven. I've been up for a while, working from my phone, trying to get as much done as I could. There’s still stuff I have to finish."

  Then it hits me: it’s Monday. He needs to work, and I need to call the office and check on things as well. Our weekend affair is over, welcome back to reality. The dreams, they were just that, dreams. We have our own lives to live.

  I force a smile onto my face, hoping he missed the kaleidoscope of emotions before it—emotions he inexplicably reads so well. Too late! As usual, he is on top of his game.

  "Hey now, what's with the look? I know nobody likes Mondays, but it seems you hate them.” His voice is playful, yet it rings with cautious notes.

  “Do you want to pretend it’s still Sunday? I can stay and take you to the beach, and lunch, and shopping, and whatever else there is to do on Sundays." He lifts my chin up and searches my eyes.

  So we’ll pretend it's Sunday, and then what? Monday still comes next. I have to let him go. I can't let myself get attached to him. I’m getting lost in him. There is no me again. I’m trying to build another us. I am leaving in a couple of weeks. Time is running out.

  "No, it's ok, go on to work, do your stuff. I have to call the office myself, and I have no idea how long it will take." I do my best to sound collected and hide the turmoil going on inside. For a change, it works.

  "Ok, how about I call you when I’m done and we get together?"

  "You don't have to do that. I realize this is not a vacation for you, and you have to get back to your life." Or maybe he doesn’t.

  "I know I don't have to, I want to. Remember, I said you could see me again if you simply wanted to. I meant it. If you want to, then you will see me again, and again, and again." His eyes hold mine.

  I nod before I even have time to consider. My mind screams stay away, but my heart begs for more. More of this simple human interaction, more of the happy times we seem to have together.

  I’m walking on thin ice. I’m attracted to him, so how do I manage to keep from getting hurt, given I’m leaving soon? I guess it’s a chance I have to take. Suddenly, I understand the metaphor of a moth flying too close to the flame all too well.

  He kisses my forehead again, a simple show of affection I’m now accustomed to. Every time I have troubling thoughts, he literally kisses them away. These moments feel incredibly intimate. I take his face in my palms and smile.

  "I want to."

  "Then you will. It’s that simple." He punctuates his promise with a kiss.

  Strong arms lift me up and place me on the counter top. I'm still wrapped in layers of sheets. Handing me a cup of coffee, Alex turns to the stove and I notice he's made eggs and toast. This is awesome. I try to remember the last time someone made me hot breakfast. It’s been about a decade, for sure. Seems like an eternity, considering I'm only 27.

  "I didn't know you cooked." What else don’t I know?

  "I’ve been living on my own since I was pretty young. Pizza and take-out get old pretty quickly, so I learned. I like good food. Maybe one day I’ll cook a dinner for you, some fish or shrimp, with a nice sauce and a good wine to pair with it." Who would have thought? Then again, there’s still so much I don’t know.

  "Wow! Sounds fancy. I can't cook too much, just a few quick dishes, maybe some salads. I never had proper culinary training. My mother doesn’t cook at all; we’ve always had a person living with us." My mom never even ate breakfast in the kitchen. All her food was served in the dining room.

  "Like a housekeeper?" He sounds surprised, as if I don’t pass for a kid raised wealthy, with stuck-up parents.

  "Yeah, something like that. When I was little we also had a live-in nanny who took care of me. Then I grew up, and my mom let her go."

  I remember my nanny, Sophia, and how she used to be the closest thing I had to an affectionate mother. My own never took any time to spend cuddling with me, opting instead for regular lectures about what a real lady should and should not do. I can still hear her condescending tone. It hasn’t changed, all these years later.

  "You loved her, didn't you?" I’m confused for seconds, looking at him in question.

  “Your nanny.” His words sound tender, a perfect match for the way I feel about Sophia.

  "Yes, we were incredibly close. She was like a mix of a mother and a grandmother to me. My mom isn’t big on affection." I sigh forlornly. Nothing I can do about it now, or could have done in the past, regardless how hard I tried.

  "Why did your mom let her go?" There is curiosity mixed with surprise in his voice—more proof her decision made no sense. I always thought so too, but never argued with her logic.

  "She thought it was improper to have such a close bond with hired help, as she put it.” Alex eyes go wide, but he stays silent, letting me finish.

  “I think I was depressed for a year after that. She never let me see her again. I can't even imagine what Sophia must have thought about me. She put her heart and soul into me, and never once was I allowed to call her, not even on holidays. Never." I play with the folds of the white sheet wrapped around me to avoid looking at Alex. Unshed tears are burning behind my eyes. I was never allowed to cry then, and I am not going to cry now.

  "Wow! Your mom is an interesting character.”

  “To say the least.”

  “Surprisingly, I can somewhat relate to this. I spent my time in private boarding schools, then colleges and dorms. I missed out on the warm family ties and domestic upbringing."

  Now a shadow runs through his face, and I know we have come upon a sensitive topic for both of us. Most of our conversations yesterday were lighthearted and didn’t touch on any sensitive issues. I try to lighten the mood a little.

  "And look how well you turned out, Mr. I-can-cook-and-do-everything-myself!" A playful smile and a wink finish the job, his face relaxing a bit.

  "Well, huh? You think I turned out pretty well? You aren’t so bad yourself." The lopsided smile and mischievous eyes are back.

  "Yeah, I think so. Whereas you think I’m not bad, huh? So, it's not that I'm good or great, just not so bad." I tease him for his word choice.

  "Well, I’d have to see you in action in the kitchen first, before I could give my final assessment…"

  “In action?” It’s clearly flirtatious innuendo. Alex chuckles softly and takes two steps in my direction. Narrow hips wedge between my knees, and I spread them just enough to make room for him.

  “Let’s see some action.” Alex whispers softly, before swiping his lips gently against mine. I wrap my arms around his neck and deepen the kiss, completely ignoring my falling sheets. Our bare chests touch, and I feel momentarily aroused. His fingers trace along my bare back, sending shivers down to my toes. My fingers are tugging the wavy locks of his hair. I push against his chest to leave no space between us. Then I break the kiss.

  “Didn’t you cook me breakfast?” I'm teasing him now, rubbing my nipple against his bare chest. His eyes are glued to our skin-to-skin connection.

  "It can wait, first I'm going to have my desert, An
gel-cake."

  His lips are back on mine, fingers teasing my nipples into hard peaks. A moan escapes my mouth and I spread my legs wider to let him in closer.

  He trails wet kisses down my neckline and sucks on my already-hard nipples, biting down on them gently. My head rolls back, and I put my arms behind me to support myself. My chest pushes further into his face, and he buries himself between my heavy breasts, pushing them together with both hands.

  Slowly kissing his way down, he makes it to my hips; they’re wrapped in layers of sheets. I wiggle my butt in an effort to free myself from them. Alex lifts me up and off the counter. The sheets pool at our feet with a whisper, and I’m stark naked. Planting me back on the kitchen counter and spreading my legs wide, he pushes me to lean back on my elbows, and I watch his lips trail kisses to my center. He blows a warm breath of air, and I shudder inside in anticipation of his delicious lips on me. He’s teasing me, using the very tip of his tongue to run a slow circle around my clit. I shake and release a loud whimper.

  "Are you wet for me?"

  "Why don't you check?"

  "I will, in a minute."

  Alex pulls his face away and blows more air at my core, this time with more force, so it comes out chilly. I tremble, and he puts his hands over the round globes of my butt to hold me in place. Then in one rapid move he drops his lips on me and sucks my already-too-sensitive nub fiercely. I’m screaming his name loudly now. His strong hands keep my body from jerking, and I beg for more.

  I’m getting close, and he feels it. His sucking slows just a bit, and I relax and get frustrated all at once.

  "Don't stop, please!"

  "What would you like me to do?" His voice vibrates against me, sending small shockwaves.

  "Please, go on. Please!"

  "Tell me more."

  "Please kiss me again." I’m ready to start begging and not even ashamed of it.

  "Do you want me to kiss you like this?" He runs his lips along my swollen folds.

  "Or would you like me to suck you?" His mouth is back on my nub, sucking it hard into his mouth.

  I scream and can barely hold up on my elbows, but it’s not enough to make me come.

  I look at his mouth on me, and the view is amazing. He looks up again.

  "What would you like? More kisses?" He is playing with me, and I can barely contain myself.

  "Please make me come with your mouth, please," I’m begging for release now, my whole body in tight coils, ready to explode.

  "Since you’re asking so nicely." He puts his hand flat on my stomach and glides it up, pushing my back flat on the counter top. I relax and spread my legs wider for him.

  "Put your legs on my shoulders." I oblige immediately.

  Alex lowers his head down, out of my line of sight, and I tremble in anticipation of his lips.

  His fingers plunge deeply into me as his mouth crashes down. I scream and instinctively buck my hips up. The sensational overload takes me to the edge, and I cry out.

  "More, more, don't stop, I'm so close, so close."

  He keeps the frantic pace, and I feel my walls clenching around his fingers. The orgasm is so strong, I’m drowning in it. Gasping for air, I scream his name over and over, until I have no more energy. Alex slows down gradually to let me ride out the last wave. I am spent, on the counter top, unable to lift a single limb. Alex gently cradles me in his arms and carries me to the sofa while kissing my mouth ever so lightly.

  We settle onto the luxury leather and I’m on his lap, naked and exhausted. He continues to kiss me while I regain my senses. I taste myself on his lips, caressing his mouth. My limbs are soft and boneless.

  Slowly my senses return, and I’m no longer dizzy. I kiss him harder, still tasting myself all over his mouth, and whisper into the kiss.

  "That was unbelievable."

  He chuckles softly and kisses me, exploring my curves with his hands.

  I lift up to straddle him and go for his belt. Never mind that I just came, I want him again, and even more than before. He helps me out and lifts his hips to push the jeans down.

  I lower myself, teasing him right at my entrance, circling my hips and rubbing my nub against his swollen head. He groans louder and gets a stronger hold on my hips, lifting me up just enough to enter.

  "Easy, easy, not so soon," I laugh and say into his kiss as I lick his lower lip.

  "You’re driving me crazy. I’m going to fuck you so hard now, you’ll scream."

  "How about we start really slow? I want to feel you inside of me."

  I look straight into his eyes as I lower myself down, feeling Alex bury himself inside of me. The moment is so intense, neither one of us dares to break the eye contact. Once I sit on his lap, I push down a bit more to leave no space between us, to take all of him in as deep as I can. I feel this connection, although purely physical at the moment, start to transform into something new. We are drowning in each other's eyes. I make the tiniest of circles with my hips, feeling him deep in my core. In this moment, we are one being, breathing as one, feeling as one. Slowly, we find our own, unhurried rhythm, and begin to move in complete unison, as if dancing.

  I hug him closer and our chests are pushed together. My lips are on his, noses touching, while our eyes remain locked. I feel Alex's hands gripping me tighter as we continue our slow, torturous pace.

  Even this slight friction starts to build with undeniable force inside of me. I clench my inner walls tighter as I strive to prolong this moment of pure bliss between us.

  "You are incredible, breathtaking. You are my precious Angel." Alex's words are a faint whisper against my lips, but I feel the deepest sincerity in them.

  "Alex, oh Alex…"

  I don't know where it came from, but I have the deepest sense I belong with him. Moreover, I feel a claim to him; he is mine. I couldn’t bear losing him, or sharing him with anyone. Oh god, my fear is being realized. I’m falling for the wrong guy, again. But it feels unbelievable. I’m alive again. So be it. I’ll fall down the rabbit hole.

  I guess another whirlwind of emotions goes through my face. Alex breaks eye contact to plant the softest and gentlest kiss on my forehead. I melt at the touch of his lips and lift my chin up, offering a kiss. Our mouths lock, and the intensity of the kiss grows by the second. We are devouring each other shamelessly, moaning and groaning into each other. His strong arms guide me around his cock faster as he lifts his hips with more force to meet my every thrust. Gone are the gentle touches, replaced by pure, raw desire that is uncontainable. Our pace is frantic, our moves quick and sharp.

  Lifting up, I plunge back down with force and am met by his raised hips, stroke for stroke. He is filling the deepest parts of me, penetrating so far, to the virgin parts of my inner core that seem to never have been touched by anyone. I am oversensitive, my previous orgasm putting me on the edge, making me tremble with the onslaught of another one approaching and rendering me barely able to control myself, yet afraid to let go.

  I feel him shaking underneath me, and I know he must be struggling the same way I am. I want to prolong the moment, and in an effort to do so, I try to slow down, looking him straight in the eyes. He understands without words. My pleading gaze is enough. We are slowing down, eyes locked, embracing the moment.

  I feel him buried deep inside and clench my muscles around his length in a final, hopeless attempt to take control of my body. He releases a deep breath he must have been holding and pushes me deeper against himself.

  "I want you, I can't slow down. Move with me, dance with me."

  He takes his hands off my hips and we press our palms together, fingers interlaced. I lift my hips and sway lightly from side to side, then I lower them down again and grind against him. We’re moving in complete unison, like we’ve been doing this our entire lives. Our tempo increases slowly, and soon enough, we’re going at it again. I watch his cock pull out of me almost all the way, only to be swallowed right back in.

  Soon, there’s no more prolonging the in
evitable. With each thrust the orgasm unravels deep in my core, sending tingling sensations across my whole body.

  I get louder and louder, screaming Alex's name over and over. My head keeps falling back, eyes rolling, but I try hard to keep them locked on Alex’s.

  "Look at me, Angel!" My head jerks up again and I look him straight in the eye.

  "My Angel!"

  "Yours!"

  The orgasm sends an electric current traversing our bodies, our hands still locked together in a white-knuckled hold. The last wave passes through my body, and I’m jelly in his hands. Collapsing over his chest, I hide my face in the nook of his neck and place a wet kiss on his pulsing vein. Alex wraps one of his arms around my shoulders, while the other one snakes around my waist. I feel completely engulfed in him. I feel safe. Two loose pieces of a puzzle have finally fallen into place.

  He pulls me closer and I fully relax against his muscular chest, resting my head on his shoulder, hugging my arms around his neck, and inhaling his scent—the one I found so arousing from the very first time I breathed it in. Now, it is also deeply familiar. I would recognize it unmistakably among dozens of others.

  His fingers draw lazy circles along my lower back while I run mine through his hair. We enjoy the silence, neither of us wanting to break the fragile bond that seems to be building between us. Our breaths come in unison, in and out, two parts of one whole.

  A phone call comes from somewhere close, and I don't recall the ringtone. Alex stirs under me slightly and relaxes back.