by Simone Elise
Maybe it was the fact I had my dad’s blood running through me, but I didn’t think much of the law. Just something that got in the way of what you wanted. And that was exactly what it was doing now: getting in the way of something I wanted.
“Do you trust me?” I asked, looking him in the eye.
“I don’t trust myself near you.” He took one hand off me and tucked my hair behind my ear, as if it was annoying him that he wasn’t able to see my whole face.
“I didn’t ask you that. I asked do you trust me?”
“You know I do.” He frowned, not understanding my point.
“Then trust me when I say I want this. I want you.” I leaned my forehead against his. “I just want one night. That’s it. No strings. No arrests. No consequences. Just one night.”
He knew I wouldn’t tell anyone. He had to know that, right? He said he trusted me. Well he had to trust that I really wanted this. He knew how I felt now. I wasn’t hiding it. But I wasn’t holding him to have relationship or anything with me. I just wanted one night.
“No consequences. Just one night,” I repeated. And it would be one perfect night. I knew he was taking a risk on me. “Like you said, I’m sixteen. So it’s only illegal if you are my caregiver or teacher. And you aren’t either. It’s legal if I agree.” I knew the law well because I studied it. I had class in the law and its consequences. So I knew the facts. And right now I was telling them to him. I kissed his frozen lips. “And I agree.” I looked him in the eye.
He was thinking. Maybe weighing up what sort of death he would get if Dad found out.
“No one has to know. I won’t get you in trouble with Dad.” He had to know I wouldn’t go running to Dad when he went back to Andrea tomorrow. I wasn’t some lovesick puppy that would be brokenhearted when he eventually picked a woman much better looking than me.
“So tomorrow you go back to life as normal. That means Andrea. I won’t be needy, I promise.” Just because I was giving him my virginity didn’t mean I would be obsessed with him. I wasn’t expecting a relationship. I never expected him to acknowledge me in public as being his.
“I’m the one that will be needy, Hannah.” He cupped my face. “It’s not healthy what I feel for you.”
“One night. That’s it.” I took his hands from my face and linked them with mine. “You can get me out of your system.”
He groaned, “You should be illegal.”
“In some countries and states, I am,” I smirked. “One night, Brad? I won’t ask for anything more.”
“You might not be. But I will be.” He kissed my shoulder. “You’ll have me begging for more.”
“Or you will just get me out of your system,” I reminded him. Which was more likely to happen. I doubted Brad would ever be begging me for more than one night.
My hands went to his shoulder holster-straps and I started to push them down his arms.
He shrugged them off and then his hands were back on me. And this time they were willingly running up my body.
“You sure you want this?” His hands were just under my breasts.
“I want you.” I kissed his cheek. “Do I have to beg?” Would he make me? I thought I had broken his self-control by telling him he wasn’t breaking the law if I agreed.
“Nah, sweetheart. But I’m going to be begging you tomorrow morning not to push me away.” He kissed along my collarbone. “What about the age difference? Doesn’t that repulse you?”
I was enjoying his lips on me so much I nearly missed his question. “Let’s just say it’s in my blood to be attracted to older men.”
Mum is way younger than Dad. And her mum, my grandmother, well, she had been younger than Granddad. Though I would be setting a new record for the age difference.
I smiled at that and that Mum thought I was the easy one out of us kids.
His lips were off me and I opened my eyes. I didn’t even realize I had closed them, enjoying his kisses way too much.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, reading his expression. He was thinking of something hard.
“I’m not fucking you.”
I groaned. I thought we were past this! I looked in his eyes and I had never seen him more determined. He wasn’t fucking me. I went to get off him. There was no point. I had made my argument and I had lost the fight.
A squeal left my lips as his hands gripped my hips and he flipped me onto my back. I frowned, looking up at him. I was getting off him. I knew by his expression he wasn’t fucking me. So what was he doing?
He ran his knuckles down between my breasts, the coldness of his rings sending a wave of delight through my body. I ached for him. It was physically painful now that he was holding back.
“Why tease me if you aren’t going to do anything about it?” My voice came out breathless. This is what happens when he touches me. I become breathless. Did he realize the pull he had over me? And my body? It was shameful.
“I’m not fucking you, Hannah.” He kissed in between my breasts. “But I am making love to you. All night. Over and over. Till you are worn out.”
My eyes lit up. That meant… “Do you mean that?” My hands went to his shoulders; he was kissing slowly down the center of my body, like he was following an invisible line. He stopped at my belly button and looked up at me.
“You up for it?” He had a wicked grin on his face. Like he was about to live every fantasy he’d ever had.
I locked my legs around his waist. “You had me at over and over.”
Chapter Twelve
Hannah
I never really pictured who I would lose my virginity to. Never really ever had a crush on a boy, or wanted to take that step with anyone. I wasn’t confident like Eve when it came to boys. I knew now why I hadn’t pictured losing my virginity to a boy. Because I was going to lose it to a man.
I couldn’t stop my back from arching as he kissed down my body. It would seem Brad’s stride for perfection was also the same in the bedroom. When it came to anything that Brad did, he made sure to do it well.
“So, who was it?”
I opened my eyes, what did he mean? I was so lost with the feel of his lips on me. Did he know it was mesmerizing, his lips on me? I sighed. Yeah, now that he had started, all I wanted was more. More of those kisses.
“Hannah?”
“Mm?” I would admit right now I just wanted his lips back on me. It was like every kiss he planted on me left an invisible mark on my body and a real mark on my heart. I frowned; why wasn’t he kissing me? I leaned up on my elbows, looking at him.
Why was he smiling at me? His lips twitched up just slightly, his eyes locked on me.
“You didn’t hear me, did you?” He kept looking at me with a small smile.
Well, what did he expect? Kissing me like that? Branding me? Marking me as his? How was my reaction not expected?
“No,” I pouted, embarrassed. “My mind may have been somewhere else,” I admitted. “Ask me again?”
His smile dropped a bit. “Nah, don’t worry about it.” Suddenly he looked hesitant. Brad didn’t do hesitation. “I think it is better if I don’t know.” He was going to go back to kissing me till I sat up completely.
“Tell me what you want to know.” My words were soft. “There isn’t anything I wouldn’t tell you.” He had to know that. If there was something he really wanted to know about me then I would tell him. I didn’t understand what he meant by “I think it is better if I don’t know”.
“I just wanted to know…” His eyes went off me and he stopped mid-sentence.
“What?” I was really interested now.
He looked back at me, his eyes showing jealousy. “Who it was.”
I frowned, not understanding. He seemed to realize that I was confused. I had no idea what he was talking about.
“You know, who…” he prompted me, but I still had no idea what he was saying.
I frowned. “Okay, I think I’m having a blonde moment, c
ause I have no idea what you are talking about,” I admitted. Tyson always said my blonde hair made me miss the obvious, but saying that little fact to Brad or mentioning Tyson at all felt awkward.
He sighed, “Who your first time was with?” He finally made it clear what he was talking about. “Reaper said he wanted to kill the kid, but he couldn’t because of Abby.”
Sex? My frown deepened. “Dad thinks I’ve had sex?” God, if Dad thought that for a second, I’m sure he would be tracking down whomever I had had it with and would be killing the boy responsible.
I saw Brad’s tightened expression, how he was looking into my eyes, but I saw the heat in his eyes—and the jealousy. It was so clear. He was really angry right now, but was trying to contain it.
“I think whoever told Dad that, got me mixed up with Eve,” I started to explain, making my words clear. “I, um…” Okay this could ruin my chance of being with Brad altogether. I sighed. “I haven’t had sex with anyone.” I felt like I needed to add something to that quickly. “I just haven’t wanted to.”
And that was true—I hadn’t and even now I wasn’t sure if it was a good idea if Brad and I did have sex, because I didn’t want his feelings to grow for me. But as soon as that thought ran through my head I reminded myself that wasn’t going to happen. Brad would go back to Andrea come morning and I’d go back to being invisible.
Brad and I weren’t about to start a relationship and I had to remind myself of that fact twice more before I looked at him.
His expression was blank. Well, what should I have expected? Suddenly, I felt like a brick wall had just been built between Brad and I. I knew no guy really liked taking a girl’s virginity, thinking the girl would automatically be clingy.
I crossed my arms, trying to cover myself. I should really put a top on. This wasn’t going to go anywhere.
“You’re a virgin?”
I wanted to scoff. Had I not made that fact really clear? I couldn’t even look at him.
I was in a position no girl wanted to be in: with a man that you really care about who is too scared to make a move on you because they don’t want a girlfriend or a relationship—or for you to turn into a clingy machine.
“Hannah.” Suddenly his hands were cupping my face. “Look at me.”
I was staring to the side, not meeting his eyes. I could feel my heated cheeks—I couldn’t be more embarrassed. It was impossible.
“Darling, look at me.”
There was something in his tone, the slight plead and also my need to do what he said. So my eyes slowly went to his; the anger and jealousy that had consumed them were now gone.
“Let me get this straight: I was going to be your first.” He spoke clearly. Like making sure I hadn’t lied.
He spoke like that wasn’t possible. No, in fact, the way he said it would make you think it was impossible!
“What, do you want a doctor to inspect me to confirm it?” I snapped at him. “I said I was a virgin! Why would I lie about that?” I normally never got angry and the only reason I was angry now was because I was embarrassed.
“You want me to be your first?”
I rolled my eyes, pouting. “Obviously.” I tightened my arms across me. “Just forget it already. I get it. You don’t want the strings. You can’t handle it if I get clingy. You can’t take the risk. Blah. Blah. Blah. I get it.”
I went to get up. I should have just kept my fucking top on. Actually, come to think of it, he shouldn’t have shown up! He should have just stayed away. Bloody hell, I should never have let him have access to my phone—darn that tracker!
Just as I picked up my top, he took it from me.
I turned around, not understanding why he would stop me from getting dressed.
“You want it to be me?” His words were soft. “You’re comfortable with me being your first?”
“Well, yeah. Clearly. I’ve spent most of the night begging you to be the one!” God, had he not heard one word I’d said tonight?
He shook his head. “Nah, darling. I didn’t realize what you were really giving me. Now I do.” His eyes were focused on me and it made my heart beat that bit quicker under his intense eyes.
“Let me guess,” I swallowed sharply. “Now you’ve realized, you want nothing to do with me?”
He stepped in closer to me, taking my hand. “I told you I’m a greedy and selfish man when it comes to things I love.” His other hand went to my back, pushing me into him. “I just need to hear that you really want me.”
I sighed, looking in his eyes, my hand linking with his and my other hand going to his cheek. “I love you, Brad. Is that what you need to hear?” My words were soft and honest. He had to know by now I loved him.
He took my hand off his cheek, kissing the back of it. “Darling, I need to correct a few things if this is going to happen.”
I frowned and then he left me completely, heading into the bathroom.
“Um, is there a reason you’re leaving me topless and begging?” I sung after him. I just told him I loved him, and his reaction was to what? Correct a few things? What the hell did that mean?
Was I having another blonde moment? Just as I was thinking that, Brad was back and handing me a dressing gown.
“Put that on,” he said before picking up the phone for reception.
“Why do I have to cover myself?” I said to his back. “And who are you calling?”
“Put it on,” he said, and then was talking in the phone. I couldn’t hear what he was saying though. I only caught the end of the sentence and he was listing numbers.
I was so confused; he turned and saw I hadn’t done what he said, so he mouthed ‘now’ to me. God. Why did I have to cover myself up? I slipped the expensive dressing gown on. Okay, maybe I might steal this.
So this is why people stole dressing gowns from hotels. It was so plush and warm.
“Is this all yours?”
I turned around, and Brad was picking up my bag.
Okay. Clearly I was missing something. “Um, yeah, why?” But as soon as I confirmed it he was throwing my phone in the bag and picking up my top and throwing that in as well. His vest and guns were also thrown in. Then his eyes were on me.
Before I could even say a word, he was taking my hand, dragging me out of the room.
As soon as the room’s door shut behind me, and knowing the room key was still on the desk, I was pissed off.
“So, this is your reaction, is it?” I snapped at his back. Who was I kidding, thinking he would want to still have sex with me!? “Dragging me home! Really, Brad?” I was furious as he dragged me down the hall. “You could have at least let me get dressed!”
Seriously, I was in a dressing gown!
He passed the elevator, which caused a frown on my face. Okay. What was he doing? We then stopped at another elevator and he was punching in a code into the keypad. The doors opened and he pulled me so quickly I basically tripped into his open arms. I wasn’t sure if the doors were even closed when he dropped my bag, wrapping his arms around me and lifting me in the air and backing me against the now closed elevator doors in one fluent movement.
I was startled by his sudden movements; it took a few seconds till I realized his lips were back on me. He was gently pushing the dressing gown off my shoulder, his magical lips on my bare skin.
I had questions but at the same time I was losing my ability to voice them as his lips kept moving on my bare skin.
I locked my hands around the back of his neck. “Brad, I’m confused.” I managed to get out a sentence but the elevator doors opened behind me. He balanced my weight with one arm, and picked up my bag while still holding me.
My fingers started to trace the tattoo on his neck. God, did he have any idea how perfect he was?
It was when he took a step out of the elevator that it occurred to me that my dressing gown was parted, and anyone could see I wasn’t wearing a top underneath. I went to cover myself up, but then rea
lized we had stepped into a room.
Brad placed me on my feet and I took in the room—well, it wasn’t a room. I was speechless. The sunken lounge, the expensive and perfectly placed furniture, the beautiful decor. This couldn’t be? Could it? I turned to look back at Brad, my lips parted.
“Is this the penthouse?” I looked around the suite. It had to be because I had never seen anything like this.
I turned back around and then I saw the view. It was stunning. My feet just naturally directed me toward the city lights.
I had never seen the city like this before.
My hand went to the glass door. I was so tempted to go outside, but as soon as Brad had dragged me out of my overheated room. I was cold. So even though it was summer I knew my body would think it was freezing if I stepped outside.
I wrapped the dressing gown tighter around me, just thinking about it.
“You cold?”
I was quick to turn around. “No, I’m fine,” I lied. Brad had made a comment about me having the heat up too high in the last room. I didn’t want him suffering with the heat just because I felt the cold.
He didn’t seem to listen to me though, picking up a tablet on the table. I noticed the gas fire come to life. Wow, that was beautiful. I then heard the heating system turn on.
My eyes went to Brad. “You didn’t have to do that.” I felt guilty. “Really Brad, this…” I looked around the suite and then a question floated in my head. and I knew immediately where it was coming from. My self-doubt. My expectation that no one would do anything this nice for me.
“You’ve done this before,” I muttered, my eyes dropping to the ground. He knew who to call. He knew the pin code. He even knew this hotel had a suite like this. So the answer to my question was obvious. But was I going to let that little fact ruin my one night with him?
I had to swallow my pride. Really, it made sense that Brad had been in this situation before.
I wasn’t the first girl to notice his amazing qualities and fall in love with him. I wished now I hadn’t told him I loved him. Come tomorrow it was going to be harder to act like I hadn’t told him that.
“Stop it.” He had moved across the room and was now standing in front of me with one of his hands stopping both of mine from the nervous fiddling. “Look at me.”
