Captivated By You (Twisted Love #1)

by Wanitta Praks

  I crawled out of bed, feeling a sharp pain in my lower region. I rested a bit and got up again, walking on wobbly feet to find some water for my parched throat. I must have been screaming so hard last night. My throat felt like dry sand in the Sahara Desert. I only made it halfway across the room when I collapsed on the floor due to my weakened legs.

  Suddenly, I was hauled off my feet, carried to bed by Julian, fussing around me like I was a baby.

  “Julian, stop. I’m fine.” I stopped him when he continued to pat pillows and tuck me into bed.

  It was so hot I was roasting. How could he bundle me in bed knowing I was sweating like a pig? And the air-conditioner wasn’t helping one bit to improve the temperature in the room.

  “Kimberly.” He looked sad, regret reflecting in his eyes. He pulled me in for a hug. My face squashed against his bare chest with his arms tightly secured around my neck, which just made me even hotter. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I’m sorry.”

  I tried pushing him back, but thinking I was angry because of last night, he clamped me back into his embrace.

  “Julian, let me go. I’m hot. I can’t breathe.”

  Julian immediately released, giving me enough room to breathe. He stared at me, searching for any hatred or disgust in my eyes.

  “I’m not angry,” I said, sitting up straight. “I’m just a little sore. You were quite aggressive last night. You should have told me in advance.”

  “I’m sorry, Kimberly.” He grabbed my hands and kissed them passionately. “I won’t do it again. I promise.”

  “Why are you always like this?” I asked. “You’re aggressive and dominant during sex, but when we talk normally, you’re so careful, so polite. It’s like you’re two different people.”

  Julian looked down, clenched his jaw, took a deep breath, then looked up at me again. “I promise I’ll be less aggressive when we do it next time.”

  That was all he had to say about his strange split personality?

  I cracked a smile and shook my head. He was so adorable, like a child trying to win back his prized toy. I traced his lips, those kissable lips I’d been dreaming of for three years.

  His jaw clenched and his lips pressed into a firm line, as if he didn’t want me to touch him, yet he didn’t say anything to stop me. He let me run my fingers along his face, tracing his jawline, touching his eyelids, and feeling for that pulse at the base of his throat.

  I smiled and cupped his chin, pressing my own lips against his, slowly tasting him for the first time, slowly probing my tongue in for the first time. We weren’t in a hurry. We took our time. We had all the time in the world.

  The sounds of the crashing waves outside and the cars zooming in this busy part of Mermaid Bay were blocked out. We were a million miles away from that busy life. Here, inside this room, we took everything slowly, relishing the feel of our tongues entwining together, our lips binding together, and hands gliding across our bodies.

  I was feeling it again. Sparks of fire on my skin, a throbbing need at my core, and breaths that came out in short fits. I wanted him right now, so bad it hurt, but I knew I couldn’t let Julian take me so soon. I was too sore. So I pulled back, missing the feel of his lips on mine.

  “Sorry. Not right now.” I panted.

  “Shit!” Julian cursed. He pulled away from me abruptly and disappeared off somewhere. Sounds of crashing bowls and running water were heard before he appeared before me again, carrying a bowl of steamy warm water and a washcloth.

  Julian peeled away the bed sheets, revealing my naked body in front of his eyes. He clenched his teeth together and took deep, slow breaths. He put the bowl on the nightstand and dipped the cloth into the water, then sponged my legs, slowly removing traces of dried fluids. Every swipe, every movement on my skin, took him so much effort to perform. He even refused to look at me, instead focusing all his energy on the task at hand and controlling his breathing pattern. I took this chance to view him.

  He really was a magnificent gentle beast. His shoulders were so broad, his chest so wide, his muscles bulging in the right places. He looked so fit and virile, like a man that was proud to own this body. I bet he spent so much time in the gym to achieve that stature.

  My eyes travelled down his body. His arms were strong. I had the pleasure of experiencing that when I tried escaping from his trap whenever he pinned me down during sex. I couldn’t even move an inch, let alone try to escape from those arms. Down to his legs, I could make out his small bush of hair where his lovely cock rested. It was long and big. And that’s when it wasn’t erect.

  How did I ever accommodate him when my body is so tiny against his?

  Julian was still washing me clean after I had a good survey of him. Which just reminded me… How many orgasms did I have last night? It was taking such a long time to remove the evidence.

  And his swirling action really didn’t help cool me down. It only increased my lust for him, my pleasure spot throbbing so that I almost cried. I buckled back a bit and panted.

  Julian flicked his eyes to mine. He saw the fire crackling in my eyes. He ignored it and swiftly got back to work. The only difference was now he was more determined. His pace was quicker. And his fingers trembled.

  I couldn’t help the illicit moan that escaped my lips when Julian made a swirl in my inner thigh.

  “Jul—”

  I skidded across the bed sheets, legs being jerked apart by the sudden force of Julian parting my legs. Then his tongue hotly licked my skin.

  His tongue was like velvet, silky smooth, igniting all the embers within me.

  “Julian,” I panted again, arching my back when his tongue licked higher and higher up my thigh. “You’re not helping.”

  He didn’t listen nor respond to my comment. He just continued with his job, diligently cleaning away at my thighs. And then—

  “Ahhhhhh… Julian,” I screamed when his mouth found my slit. He licked and sucked my lips, making my pleasure spot throb against his dexterous tongue.

  I tugged at his black hair to stop, but I should have known by now that whatever Julian wants, Julian gets, regardless of where we are and what situation we’re in.

  I still tried though, pulling at his hair, but that too soon turned into a vigorous tug for him to dig deeper into me, for his tongue to probe farther.

  And like many times before, I exploded with a fierce bang. A spectacle of fireworks, bright blue, green, and red, danced before my eyes. Thunder drummed in my ears and the sea bashed onto the land, making my body feel like I was floating in an empty void before crashing back down to earth with a big thump.

  “Julian,” I said weakly when I opened my eyes again.

  But I did not expect from this man who now owned my heart and soul those two words coming from his mouth.

  “I’m sorry.”

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  “You must be hungry. Let’s go out to dinner,” Julian announced, caressing my cheek after giving me another amazing earth-shattering orgasm.

  “That would be nice. I’m sure I’d pass out if I were to climax again.”

  Julian chuckled. “Sorry about before. The temptation was too strong.”

  “The temptation is always strong whenever it’s with me, Julian.”

  Julian only shook his head and then lifted me off the bed, carrying me like a bride into the bathroom.

  “I’ve set the towels already. Have a shower or bath. Then we’ll head out,” he said, staring at me.

  “That would be lovely, Julian, but if you could put me down, I’m sure I could get to work with that bath,” I said after a full minute in his arms.

  “Oh, sorry.” Julian bashfully apologized, setting me on my feet.

  I giggled at his red face. “Temptation again, I suppose.” I tapped at his nose.

  “Yes. Temptation again.”

  “Okay, okay.” I wiggled my butt out of his arms and walked towards the bathtub.

  Julian just stood there by the door, adm
iring me. “You’re not embarrassed I’m seeing you naked like this?”

  I scoffed. “Julian, we’ve had sex. Many times. Why would I be embarrassed in my own skin with you as audience? Now if you were a stranger, that’s another story.”

  “You really are beautiful, just as they say.”

  “What was that? Did you say something? I didn’t catch that.”

  “It’s nothing. I’m just trying to refrain from wanting you. I’m gonna go wait outside.”

  “Julian, wait.” I strode towards him. Standing on tiptoes, I kissed his nose. Julian’s face turned even redder than before. “You don’t look too bad yourself. Especially when you blush.”

  “I don’t blush.”

  “Okay then, what’s that red-hot color on your cheeks, then?”

  “That’s just blood rushing to my cheeks to help cool down my body temperature because this room is too hot.”

  “Yes. A bodily reaction to a hot room.” I smiled.

  “I’m going to go. You’re distracting me big time.”

  “Stay a little longer and I’ll distract you even more.” I laughed as Julian shook his head again and disappeared out of the bathroom.

  I turned to the warm bath and got in right away. I made quick work of cleaning myself, not wanting Julian to wait long. Also, I was feeling so famished I might really pass out if I stayed in here too long.

  Grabbing a towel, I set foot outside the tub and felt my head spin a little. Okay, definitely needed to eat something quick. I hurried out of the bathroom and stopped short when I realized I had no clothes to wear. All my clothes were ripped in Julian’s car.

  “Julian,” I called.

  “Mmmm?” Julian must have been waiting outside the door, because he came running in an instant.

  “I don’t have any clothes.” I moaned.

  “Oh, they’re in here.” Julian went into his wardrobe and pulled out a dress.

  I frowned. Where did he get the dress? Did he know I was staying at his place in advance?

  “Here.” Julian wedged his glasses up his nose. “This is for you. I bought clothes just for you.”

  I beamed, then realized something. “You ripped my clothes on purpose?”

  “No. That was temptation again. You tempted me, Kimberly. I don’t like it when I lose control.”

  “And I made you lose control?”

  “Yes.”

  “Isn’t it good, then? To lose control once in a while?” I smirked and snatched the dress off his arm. “That shall be all, Julian. You can go back now. I’m getting changed.”

  “Didn’t you say you’re not embarrassed to be naked in front of me?”

  I jerked my head to Julian and gazed at him. “What are you implying?”

  “I want to see you dress.”

  “And give you the chance to take me again? No. I’m still sore. Not tonight.”

  “I promise I won’t take you tonight.”

  “Well, I can’t promise that. You’re too beautiful, Julian, and if you look at me while I’m getting dressed, I might just attack you myself.”

  Julian chuckled. “Okay, you win. I’ll wait outside.”

  I smirked and turned to change. Not ten minutes later, I was ready.

  I found Julian sitting on his back deck overlooking the beach. His back was so broad I couldn’t help but run to hug him from behind. Julian caught my arms and wrapped his hands around them.

  “You smell lovely.”

  “Was that the sniff test?”

  “Yes. But you do smell lovely and fresh.”

  “Thank you. That’s all thanks to the bath of course.”

  “No. It’s your very own scent. I love your smell. Now turn around so I can see you.”

  I did as he bid, feeling beautiful when his gaze hungrily surveyed me. His eyes stopped at my breasts, seeing them punctuated by the way the dress was designed. His fingers caressed my arms, lingering at my throat, then traced down to the swell of my breast.

  “You’re so beautiful, Kimberly. That dress doesn’t do you justice.”

  “Even when I’m naked?”

  “Even when you’re naked.”

  “Come on. You’re making me hot and bothered again. I almost passed out in the bathroom from hunger. My need to eat ranks higher than my need to be one with you at the moment.”

  “Okay, Miss Henderson. I’ll take you to a lovely place with good food and good atmosphere.”

  Julian clasped my hand, and together we started walking to our destination. We kept quiet for some time, me relishing the feel of his warm palms holding mine.

  “How old are you, Kimberly?” Julian asked out of the blue.

  “I should ask the same of you.” I played hard to get.

  “I asked you first.”

  “Okay. I’m twenty-two. You?”

  “Twenty-nine.”

  “Ow, you’re old.” I teased him.

  Julian looked wounded. “Really?”

  I laughed. “You’re so adorable like that. If you want to know my secret, I’ll tell you.”

  “What secret is that?”

  “Promise me you’ll tell me one secret as well. Then I’ll tell you mine.”

  “I don’t have any secrets.” Julian turned away suddenly.

  “Okay, okay. You don’t have to tell me yours. I’ll tell you mine. I like my men old. Especially ones that are in the twenty-eight to thirty-year range. Young ones don’t do it for me.”

  Julian clasped his hand to mine, a smile playing on his lips.

  “And I was only kidding. You’re not old at all. No grey hair just yet.”

  Julian chuckled again.

  We talked about random stuff as we walked. Before I knew it, Julian stopped walking and I stood staring at the beach restaurant.

  It was a nice restaurant with exceptionally nice food. The only thing I wasn’t happy with was the waitress. She just wouldn’t stop gawking at Julian. I had to claim him as my own when the ogling wouldn’t stop. Finally, the food arrived. We ate in peace, with Julian’s hand holding on to mine.

  It was such a lovely warm atmosphere. A live band was playing out on the beach. I watched as people danced with their partners. I glanced at Julian a few times, signaling I wanted to dance too, but he didn’t seem to notice.

  Maybe he wasn’t as romantic as I thought. Feeling a little jaded, I stood and Julian caught my hand and led me out to the beach dance floor.

  “I thought you were never going to ask me to dance.”

  “I was waiting for the right opportunity.”

  Everything was beautiful and romantic. And that was what I was feeling right then when Julian enclosed his arms around me and danced. The music wafted into my ears, lighting my mood, and with Julian sensually touching the small of my back too, I felt safe. I rested my head on his shoulder, taking in his manly scent. It made me dizzy with want. I realized I could never get enough of this man.

  When the music stopped, Julian took me to an isolated spot on a sandy piece of land.

  “This is my secret place,” he said, sitting me down.

  “So you do have secrets.”

  Julian didn’t say another word, but just looked out into the dark sea.

  It was a beautiful area overlooking the city. On one side, the city stood, with lights illuminating the dark night. On the other, the gentle sounds of the beach washed over the sandy shore. Everywhere I turned, I found peace.

  “There are times when I want to be alone, and this is the place I think. I feel at peace here.”

  “It’s beautiful, Julian. Thank you for showing me your secret place,” I said, laying my head on his chest in serenity.

  “Can we talk?” Julian’s raspy voice alerted my senses. I propped my head up and gazed at him in curiosity.

  “What about?”

  “You.”

  I froze. What did he want to talk about?

  “Yes. I’m listening.”

  “When are you leaving to go back home?”

  My chest hu
rt a little when home was mentioned.

  Home. I almost forgot about home. Only a few more days. I’d have to head back home to Auckland. This, after all, was just a business trip turned holiday. I knew it was imminent, but I wanted my time with Julian to be filled with only sweet memories. I didn’t want to think about home just yet.

  “I love you, Kimberly.”

  Julian said it all too suddenly and it made my heart swell up with undue happiness. I held his hand tight, looking up into his dark pupils, which in return gazed down at me with love. I gently caressed his cheek with love and whispered softly to him my true feelings.

  “I love you too.”

  Julian grasped my hand and held it still. He inhaled air, as if he were having a hard time trying to explain himself. I sat up, wanting to comfort him of whatever trouble he was having.

  “Julian. What is it? Tell me. You’re worrying me.”

  “I love you, Kimberly. With all my heart. That’s why I want to have a proper relationship with you. Even though you live far away, I can visit you. Or you could visit me. We could take turns. Or I might just move to Auckland to be with you.”

  My eyes shimmered, tears threatening to leak out. I kissed his cheeks, then his nose, forehead, and finally lips. “I would never imagine you saying that, Julian. And for that, I’m so happy. I want us to have a proper relationship too. When I leave here, we could start with a long-distance relationship. If that doesn’t work, then we’ll talk about moving in together. Either Auckland or Brisbane. I’m sure Papa wouldn’t mind. He’ll own half of Devereux Enterprise anyway.”

  Julian nuzzled my nape, then took out something from his pocket. I gaped, seeing the gold necklace with a rose pendent at its center.

  “Then if you accept me and the start of our new relationship, could you wear this?”

  “Julian, it’s beautiful.” I marveled at the stone. Despite hardly having any light to illuminate the stone, it still shone brightly, reflecting off the many streetlights around us.

  “It will be more beautiful on you, my Kimberly.” Julian fastened the necklace around my neck.

  I lay back to rest against his steel chest and played with the pendant. Julian’s baritone voice hit deep into my heart when he whispered into my ear, “No matter what happens in the future, just remember I will always love you.”