“Shh.” He smoothed a hand along her torso. “Just relax. Let me take a few photos. If you’re still uncomfortable, I’ll untie you.”
She willed her body and mind to unwind. Her physical relationship with him had been beyond wonderful. Chances were, she would enjoy what he was introducing to her now.
He picked up the camera and began snapping pictures, focusing more on her face than the intimate parts of her body. As he clicked the device, he would occasionally murmur his approval, and between shots, his gaze drifted to her sex and breasts. She glanced to his crotch, where his erection strained against his jeans. Knowing this excited him aroused her even more.
“Put down the camera and join me,” she suggested, giving the scarves around her wrists a tug. “I’m getting chilly and I can’t use my arms to pull up the covers.”
His mouth slid into a grin. “Do you want me to warm you with my body or the blankets?”
“Your naked body. Take off your clothes.”
He set down the camera, then pulled off his shirt. “You’re pretty bossy for someone who can’t move their arms and legs,” he said, stepping out of his jeans. Staring at her, he stroked himself for a moment, then crawled onto the bed.
Smiling, her breath quickening with anticipation, she watched as moved between her outstretched legs. When he swept his tongue along her labia, she shivered. “More,” she said, pulling at the restraints, and wishing she could run her hands through his hair. Curious about fooling around this way, she’d wait a little longer before demanding he remove the scarves.
His gaze on hers, he licked her again. Then he closed his eyes and kissed her sex as if he were kissing her mouth. His tongue drove her crazy, had her writhing and pressing her pelvis toward his face. He shoved his hands under her rear and held her still. Feasted off her body. Goose bumps rose along her skin as a sensational ache coiled low in her belly where the butterflies danced. And when he flicked his tongue over her clitoris, she tensed, moaned his name and shattered.
As she rode out the glorious sensation, he moved to his knees. With a hard thrust, he buried himself inside her, then ran his palm along her breast. “You look so sexy this way,” he said, and taking one end of the scarf around her neck, he teased the soft material across her nipples.
She drew in a breath. “Oh, God. You’re killing me.” She pulled harder at the restraints. “Untie me.”
“Patience.” He reached over and picked up the camera, then aimed the lens at her face. “Fucking beautiful,” he said, pressing himself deeper toward her womb.
When she closed her eyes and groaned, the camera clicked. She snapped open her eyes. “Ash, put that down and hold me.”
He leaned forward slightly, then placed a hand around her throat. “Just a few more.”
That familiar, sinfully wicked glint darkened his eyes. With his hand tightening around her throat and his hips rocking to their own rhythm, he somehow snapped a few pictures.
The pressure against her neck increased. “Ash.” The camera clicked. “Ash, this doesn’t feel good.” Click, click. Panicking and worried Grandma had been right all along about him, she tried bucking her hips. “Ash,” she shouted as loud as the pressure from his hand allowed.
Blinking a few times, he moved the camera from his face and stared at it. Then he quickly pulled his hand from her throat. “I’m sorry, baby. I didn’t mean to get carried away.” He made a few adjustments to the device. “I’ve taken thousands of photos, but none will ever compare to these,” he said, setting it aside. When his gaze met hers, worry filled his eyes.
“What’s wrong?”
“The way you’re looking at me.” He moved off her, and quickly untied her wrists and ankles. Once finished, he had her in his arms. “We’re never doing that again.”
“Fine by me, but how was I looking at you?”
“It’s how you weren’t. I…I don’t ever…I’m deleting these.”
She stopped him before he reached the camera. “Honey, talk to me.”
He wiped a hand down his face. For someone so strong and confident, the shame etched in his eyes surprised her. “I want you to look at me the way you always do.”
“Like in the photos you took earlier?”
He nodded. “As if you love me. But I fucked it up and…” He sat up and moved his legs over the side of the bed. “I never want to see fear in your eyes again.”
She rose to her knees and, pressing her breasts against his back, wrapped her arms around him. “I wasn’t afraid of you.”
“No lying.”
“I’m not.” She slid off the bed and straddled his lap. When he kept his focus on the wood floor, she nudged his chin. “Hey, look at me.” Tears misted her eyes once he did. His gaze held misery and apology. “Ash, I do love you. How I feel about you scares me. You don’t. I trust you and know you wouldn’t hurt me.”
“I know what fear looks like.”
Unsure what to do, or how to convince him, she climbed off his lap. “I think I should go home.”
“You are home.”
She shook her head and picked up her robe from the floor. “I’m not joking. I think we should do what I suggested earlier and take a short break.”
“I don’t want a break and I don’t want you leaving.” He stood. Still naked, still erect, he approached her, crowded her space, yet he didn’t touch her. “You love me?” he asked, tension vibrating from his body.
“Everything about you.”
“But you’d still leave?”
“I don’t want to go. I thought maybe you needed time to deal with whatever is going on in your head.”
“No, Ivy, I need you,” he said, his gaze tender and imploring.
She’d come to realize Ash was more complex than she had originally thought. She couldn’t imagine what it had been like for him growing up without the love of family or anyone. For as strong and confident as he was, she believed his mother and her coldness had broken part of his heart. That there was a child inside him waiting to be nurtured and loved. Unfortunately, she didn’t like children. But she loved him and would do what she could to help mend him, to teach him to love.
“I think we need each other.” She let the robe drop to the floor again. “And since we’re both still naked, I think we should get back to having sex.”
“I don’t want to have sex.” He caressed her cheek with the tips of his fingers. “I want to make love to you.”
Her breath caught. She searched his eyes and found the love of her life. The only man who would ever touch her again and would stay with her until death parted them.
Men left, but this one wouldn’t. She’d make certain of it.
Chapter 10
Mason Jewelers, Norfolk, Virginia
Sunday, 2:38 p.m. Daylight Saving Time
ASH IMPATIENTLY TAPPED his fingers against the glass case. He still had to pick up flowers and dinner and had promised Ivy he’d be home by four. He probably should’ve waited and planned this out better. After yesterday, he couldn’t.
The moment he’d seen fear in Ivy’s eyes, that something he hadn’t been able to identify had hit him square in the head. He loved her.
He’d intended for the playful photo shoot to result in hot sex. Instead, it had been life changing. While he had taken a few photos of her with his cell phone previously, he’d had yet to use his camera until the day before. Once he had, once he’d seen the first still shot of her—lying on the bed, the sheets barely hiding her breasts, her auburn hair spread on the pillow and her loving gaze directed at him—it’d rocked his world. At the time, he hadn’t been sure of her feelings, and it hadn’t mattered. He’d simply loved the way she looked at him. As if he was all she would ever need, the only person who would ever matter.
The scarves… Damn, had she been a sexy sight. But he’d taken it too far, had lost himself in the pleasure. And when he’d viewed the pictures of her, the last of the concrete surrounding his black heart had disintegrated. Even now, and even though she’d
reassured him dozens of times she didn’t fear him, he hated himself for having scared her. Based on the photos, the look in her eyes, he’d definitely scared her.
When he’d gone to the auction last Thursday, he’d planned on finding his next victim. Not the love of his life. At Abernathy Manor, he’d spent two days contemplating what to do with the woman he’d originally intended to kill. Kill her or keep her. Ten days later, and he was buying her an engagement ring.
What choice did he have? There was no way he could kill her. His world wouldn’t be the same if he couldn’t look into her eyes, see the life, the love… He also couldn’t keep her locked in the attic. He doubted she would love him if he kept her prisoner, plus, he traveled and moved around too much. What would he do with her then? Pack her in a moving truck or suitcase? Absurd. No, if he wanted her to remain in his life, to bind her to him and make sure she never left, marriage was the only way.
“Here you are, Mr. Wolfe.” The jeweler approached with paperwork and a red velvet box. “You’ve made a beautiful and unique choice. When I brought this piece to the store, my wife claimed that no one would be interested in an emerald and diamond engagement ring.”
Ash opened the delicate box and studied the platinum ring. “My woman is beautiful and unique. The first time I saw her she wore an emerald dress. The color matches her eyes,” he said, unsure why he told the man this. “They were bewitching.”
The jeweler smiled. “Spoken like a man in love. Best wishes, Mr. Wolfe. I’m sure you and your future bride will have a wonderful life together.”
As Ash left the store, it occurred to him Ivy could decline his proposal. What would he do then? Before worry grabbed hold of him, he shoved the ridiculous thought aside. She would say yes to him. After all, only death would part them.
“Ash?” a woman called from behind him.
He turned and smiled as Nadine Marx exited a coffee shop. “How are you?” he asked, then kissed her cheek.
“Great. How did your weekend date go? I hope it wasn’t a dud.”
“Hardly.” He pulled the velvet box from his pocket and showed her the ring. “I’m proposing to Ivy tonight.”
Her eyes wide, she looked from the ring to him. “But it’s only been…” She ticked off on her fingers. “You’re getting engaged after only knowing each other for ten days?”
He pocketed the ring. “Why not? I love her, she loves me…I see no point in waiting because society believes couples should date for months on end before making a commitment.”
She frowned. “Then I guess congratulations are in order.”
Anger brewed beneath the surface. Fuck this woman. He didn’t need her congratulating or judging him. “Thank you for being happy for us,” he said, not bothering to make his tone sarcastic. He didn’t care what ‘Nads’ thought of him. He currently tolerated her presence because if she hadn’t asked him to take part in the auction, he would have never met Ivy.
“Ash,” she said when he continued toward his car. “Sorry, I am happy for you. It’s impulsive and crazy, but it’s also exciting and romantic.”
He glanced back at her and forced a smile. “I hope one day you do something impulsive and crazy that will lead to an exciting romance.”
She smiled back. “You never know.”
During the next hour, as he stopped at the florist and restaurant, he thought about how he would propose. But Nadine kept invading his thoughts. Was he being too impulsive, too crazy? Did it matter? If the marriage tanked, and he came to hate Ivy, he’d kill her.
He parked in his garage, then brought the packages into the house. After setting the food and flowers on the kitchen counter, he went to the staircase. “Ivy?”
“Right behind you.”
When he turned around, his mouth went dry. Ivy wore nothing but a tiny emerald green string bikini. And it was a good thing there were strings because, in about two seconds, the bikini would be off her, and he hated to tear up something so sexy.
“Do I smell Italian food?” she asked.
He tore his gaze from the way her nipples pierced the scraps of material covering her breasts. “What?”
She grinned. “I asked if I smelled Italian.”
“Yes, I picked up dinner. It was supposed to be a surprise. I thought you were working upstairs in our room.”
“I finished early.” She stepped close and ran her hands along his chest. “Then I got to thinking about this bikini. I bought it this week and planned on wearing it yesterday. But someone kept me in bed all day.”
He moved his hands to her rear and cupped her bare ass. “There is no way you can wear this out in public,” he said, suddenly possessive and jealous.
“Prude.” She gave him a teasing pout. “Then what am I going to do with it now? I’m not allowed to wear panties and—”
“You are most certainly allowed to hang around the house in this,” he said, testing the string buried in the crevice of her ass. Before the need to fuck blocked out everything else, he stepped away from her. “Head back to our room so I can salvage my surprise.”
With excitement in her eyes, she closed in on him. “Okay, but I need a kiss first.”
He held up his hands to avoid touching temptation. “Not a good idea.”
“Sure it is.” She ran her hand along the front of his jeans, then applied pressure to his erection. “I just want a little kiss,” she said, unzipping his fly and sneaking her hand inside. “Feels like you want that, too.”
God, yes. He loved when she took him in her eager mouth. “I do. After my surprise.” He sucked in a breath when her fingers wrapped around his hard length. Although he’d had an agenda for the evening, he could postpone his plans long enough for her to give him a little kiss. Plus, she’d gone through the trouble of putting on the sexy bikini and he didn’t want to disappoint her.
“You’re sure?” she asked, unbuckling his belt. “I promise this won’t take long.”
“I don’t know.” He ground his teeth when she went to her knees and brought his erection to her lips. “I guess I can spare a few minutes.”
“Gee, thanks,” she said with a sultry smile, then she licked him.
“Yes,” he hissed, and pushed his pelvis forward. “I love your mouth.”
“Is that all?” she asked, before sucking him deep.
He should tell her to stop. They had all night, and the food would go cold. Then she drew his testicles into her mouth and sucked hard. Fuck it. He owned a microwave.
As he moved her hair to the side so he could watch her, she slid her hand over his thigh, then stopped. “What’s this?” she asked, her hand on top of the ring box inside his front pocket.
Damn it. “Nothing. Keep going. I love having your mouth on me.”
Holding his erection in her hands, she looked up at him. “Are you hiding something?”
“No, just let it go.”
She licked him again, then sat back on her heels. “If you’re not hiding anything, then just show me what’s in your pocket.”
“Ivy, let it go. It’s part of your surprise.”
“This is going to bug the crap out of me.” She pulled him into her mouth again, then just as quickly released him. “Now I can’t concentrate on what I’m doing.”
He joined her on the floor and pulled out the red velvet box. Their entire relationship had been unconventional, so why would his proposal be any different? Because she was unique and special, he’d still try to do this right. “Ivy,” he began, holding the box between them. “I love you.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I love you, too.”
“You taught me what love is about. Now that I know, I can’t imagine my life without you.” He opened the box. “Will you marry me?”
As she stared at the ring, a tear slipped down her cheek. “Ash, it’s beautiful. The emeralds are…I love it.”
“They remind me of your eyes and the dress you wore the night we met.”
She rested her palm along his jaw, and her loving, tearful gaz
e upon him. “You were trying to surprise me and I ruined it.”
“The only way you could ruin anything is if you tell me no.” He took the ring from the box and placed it at the tip of her finger. “Will you be with me always?”
She helped him slide the band into place, and the fit was perfect. “Only death can part us.” She kissed him, then twined her arms around his neck.
He hugged her back. “Was that a yes?”
Laughing and looking at the ring again, she nodded. “Absolutely.” She rested her newly bejeweled hand against her breast. “Look how well the ring matches my top.”
His gaze was on her nipple, which wasn’t far from the emerald and diamond ring. He reached behind her and tugged at the string holding the bikini top in place. “It won’t for long,” he said, then kissed her.
Later, after they’d made love and eaten, then made love again—this time in their bed—he held her in his arms. “I had no idea what it was like to be truly happy until I met you.”
“I didn’t, either. Every time I’m with you or think about you, I get butterflies in my belly. I hope it never stops. I love that feeling.”
“They aren’t going anywhere, baby. Not if you’re with me.”
Three days later…
The Split Bean, Norfolk, Virginia
Tuesday, 3:44 p.m. Daylight Saving Time
Ash wasn’t sure why Nadine wanted to meet him for coffee. The only reason he could figure was she’d wanted to do a follow-up story to the auction.
Not going to happen.
While he wanted her charity to do well, and he liked the free promo, what he had with Ivy was private. He wasn’t interested in sharing their relationship. He was only interested in making his fiancée happy, then making her his wife.
He sat at a table and waited for Nadine, the word ‘wife’ still on his mind. Never, not in this lifetime, had he considered falling in love, let alone marriage. After growing up without love, he hadn’t thought it was possible.
Stab at Love: Bid on Love: Bachelor #6 Page 9
