Velvet Exhale

by Beth Mikell

  I raised my hand and placed it over his heart, his muscles flexed under my fingers. "I'm terrified that whatever you have to say to me will...destroy the beginning of..." I couldn't finish. I can't place a label on the unknown between us.

  "Dammit Reyna..." he whispered, gathering me into his arms. "Please give me a few days to work out some lingering situations. After I get back, we'll delve into the deep--expose all the skeletons. Trust me, baby."

  Reluctantly, I nodded my acceptance and he exhaled slowly, his fear evident.

  A tender smile pulled over his lips, tugging at my heart. "Okay."

  He nodded, gathering me back in his arms hugging me so tight I think my ribs may crack. "Okay, Ms. Lourde." He brushed his lips over mine.

  I realize I would do anything he asked of me and it's a heavy revelation--my no bounds man.

  Noah drew back. "Where were we?" His blue eyes smoldered with heat and I acquiesced, resolved to push aside my fears if only to wrap his warmth around me one last time.

  I wind my hands around his neck, threading my fingers through his hair, lifting my mouth up to his. "Mmmm, somewhere close to exotic, I believe. Take me there...now."

  Noah rid me of my underwear and lay me on the bed, atop pink rose petals and I noticed he pulled his boxers back up. Hmmm, removing temptation? Crap! Not going there and I opted for a mind gear switch, fast.

  "I hope you know you owe me more flowers?" I whispered.

  He smiled, turning away to change the song on his phone...it's classical...a little dark and nothing I recognized, but he turned it down to softly play in the background. "I'm sure I can manage to send my new girlfriend some more flowers, after all she's very sweet...and tolerant."

  I lifted a brow. "Maybe I know her?"

  He flashed a wolfish grin. "You do," he said, standing up and moved away. He came back holding leather cuffs and an eye mask, dangling them in front of me. "I believe you requested exotic, Ms. Lourde? Let me see what I can do. On your knees."

  I gulped as Noah's whispered command held a ring of dark authority, his blue gaze hooded. God, what I see in the depths of his gaze moved me as if he could see right into my soul. He seemingly could anticipate me, know me and even enslaved my heart without meaning too. While my Adonis-slash-often-dark-angel had been romantic, intimate and very caring, I knew there was more he had yet to show me. And I wanted him too.

  I stared at him wide-eyed, unmoving. Paralyzed.

  "Sooner, rather than later, Ms. Lourde. And face the mirror."

  I scrambled awkwardly to do his bidding, shuddering with anticipation rather than fear. I trusted him or at least I reassured myself that I did as my heart pounded double time against my ribs. I watched Noah ease onto the bed behind me, tossing his implements beside us, running his hands up my arms to my shoulders.

  His eyes met mine in the mirror. "Who commands your pleasure?"

  For a stunned moment, my mind tried to work out where he's going with this. Apparently, I waited too long, and he swatted me on my behind. I gasped. My shocked expression met his in the mirror and a hint of a smile touched his lips before vanishing. He's playing. He's in charge...he's my Dom (sort of).

  His jumpy cheek action returned. "Answer me," he whispered, his voice gruff and not his usual velvet tones, but somehow I'm turned on.

  I've never experienced this kind of authority in the bedroom, ever. It's somewhat...hot. I tried not to squirm. "You,” I breathed and Noah smiled, rubbing the sting out of my skin. I whimpered. The sensation radiating from his touch mollified his obvious displeasure.

  "And who owns your pleasure?"

  I'm quick to answer this time. "You."

  "Good girl." He grinned, smoothing down his hand over my backside and over my anus. I jumped. "Stay still." His hand traveled further, I close my eyes as he lightly skimmed over me, feathery and wanton. "So ready, baby?"

  "Yes." I shuddered against my need for him. Oh how I wanted Noah...all of him. I wanted every deep, raw and animalistic side of him and my arousal spiked, meeting his gaze in the mirror and his eyes were hot, hungry and intense. God, I wanted to beg. My equilibrium spiraled out of control, while silently praying for sweet release. I moved against his hand, seeking to end my torment, yet he withdrew, shaking his head.

  "You're not ready for more, Ms. Lourde."

  "But, I am," I protested.

  Suddenly, he wound his hand through my hair from behind, tugging me back gently against his chest, his hot breath grazing my ear. "It's the anticipation...your pounding heart...how to come by my command. I won't stop until you're shaking...then...and only then will you be ready for more."

  I cried out. "Noah..."

  "I'm right here, baby." He whispered, reaching around to cup my breast, thumbing my nipple with a small, stinging pinch and I moaned deep in my throat. Hot pleasure burned out my stomach, lighting up my veins, so warm, so tingly. He could easily make me fly apart, but in an instant, his warm hand released me, caressing down over my stomach with his palm flat up against me. Noah tugged my hair more, exposing my neck for his wicked mouth, burning over my skin with quick, fast licks of his tongue.

  Oh sweet heaven, I'm drowning in sensation, anticipating Noah's next touch. I've realized his brand of sensual torture took many forms...and all of them amazing. From his voice, his feral gaze to the masterful way he stroked over my body, even his jealousy and fear of losing me. I've literally become his submissive in our few days together, but I wanted it. I ached to please him, take him, and love him all at once. He pulled an erotic, carnal mask out of my spirit, shaping it into wild pleasure by his sexy presence alone. I no longer recognized my vanilla girl past, nor did I want anyone else, but him. In this moment, I didn't care where he took me...as long as he took me with him.

  Noah laid me down, straddling my hips and his gaze raked over me, burning me. He picked up the leather cuffs, his expression impassive. "You've graduated, Ms. Lourde. Are you ready for these?"

  His implement of desire hung in the air, taunting me. Leather...metal...lockdown. Am I ready? Of course, I am, but I'm also a little nervous. "Yes..." I said a bit breathlessly.

  A brief smile touched his lips. "Good girl. Give me your hands."

  I offered them like a sacrifice, trembling--even shaking with his brand of expectancy. Carefully, he locked my wrists together. The sensation of being bound was foreign, scary, tripling my arousal by a million, but I didn’t care. I wanted this. I wanted this man. I wanted everything he'd offer, served up inside his mouth, touch and possession.

  Noah raised my cuffed hands over my head, resting innocently on the pillows. He wasn't finished, and he took the eye mask in hand. "You've seen quite enough...time to enter the dark."

  My breathing escalated, my breasts heaving in the air with my nipples tightening until painful. "Noah..."

  "Shh...trust me." He slid the mask over my face, taking his deliciously handsome face away. "It's your ultimate pleasure I seek, baby. Keep still." He leaned forward, his mouth inches from my ear. "You're so fucking beautiful, Reyna."

  A throaty moan escaped my lips. He's the only man on the known planet that made the word 'fuck' hot and inviting. I arched my back, scraping my nipples through his chest hair--seeking release as pinpricks of pleasure shot through my veins.

  "Still."

  His lips and tongue skirted over my cheek, jaw, worshiping my flesh without touching my lips. I'm so achy, panting and I had zero control. "Please," I begged.

  "No, not yet." Noah blew his warm breath over my lips, teasing me. My tongue lashed out, ready, but I only came back with his hidden essence upon my taste buds. "You can't enjoy the fire until you enjoy the burn..."

  Damn! I shivered. "I promise, I'm burning, Noah. Please." I squirmed, lifting my hips off the bed, bucking against him.

  "Stay still or I will tie you to the bed."

  Instantly, I quieted down, willing my muscles not to move, though the fire flaming my blood broiled with every slice of his tongue rasping against my throat.
Down...down...down he went, blazing a trail and I'm powerless but to endure. Noah hovered over one nipple, blowing his breath over my aching peak.

  "So beautiful..." He flicked the bead with his finger and I swallowed...hard, stifling a moan. "You were made to adore. So responsive--so sensitive," he breathed, blowing again and then took me by surprise as he fit his mouth over me.

  "Jeez...!" I cried out, shaking my head side to side. Noah nipped, licked, and sucked every bit of my skin until I'm sure I'll come...but he pulled away. I'm delirious. Then he...began the same for my other breast, taking me to the climactic point, only to retreat his ministrations leaving me frustrated.

  His hand skimmed down over my belly, flicking over my clitoris and my hips shoot off the bed, hoping for a little more, but he withdrew. "Tsk, tsk. Still not hot enough."

  And I'm ready to bellow a string of curses at my no bounds man tormenting me. Who the hell ever said vanilla was the only flavor never met Noah Alexander! Every nerve ending thread throughout my body had melted into one fine, sensitive strand plucked by my master lover of sensual perfection.

  "Oh..." I ached to see him...touch him. Oh how I ached.

  Noah shifted lower, his mouth braising my stomach...hips...and legs. He avoided my center--evaporating my tolerance a second at a time until he traveled north, parting my flesh in a 'about time' welcome.

  But, still he didn't touch me.

  He blew his breath across my sex. "You're so fine, Reyna. All mine baby. Exclusively mine," he whispered, blowing again and the sensation drowned my breath until I'm quivering.

  I couldn't take anymore! "Dammit, Noah--" My cry was lost as his mouth covered me. Holy hell, I bowstringed into his mouth and he held my hips down. Control was fleeting as his wicked mouth maneuvered and I came apart. God, light exploded within my eyes behind the eye mask, shaking uncontrollable. His tongue pushed the limits, besting every erotic moment I've ever had into one second of his lethal mouth, but before I slid through the ambrosia, Noah flipped me over on my stomach.

  "On your knees baby." In one carnal moment, he's inside me, full and hot, while he wound my hair around his hand with my hands still cuffed and on my elbows. "Who commands your pleasure?" he asked gruffly, easing slowly out of me, tipping the scale of dark insanity.

  "Noah!"

  He plunged deep and I cried out in ready pleasure, yanking my hair back gently. "Who owns your pleasure?" He pulled out slowly.

  "Noah! Noah! Noah!" I ripped his name out through clenched teeth as he took me over and under pleasure with his pounding reverie.

  I'm on the fringe again...so ready...so...so...

  "Let go baby!" And I did...and he followed, crying out my name until the darkness receded and we fell into each other, leather cuffs unfastened, blindfold raised, and entwined in a blaze of mingled breath and panting hearts.

  "My sweet, sweet, Reyna..."

  All I remembered was falling asleep with my cheek resting over his dagger tattoo, safe and sated inside the arms of my no bounds man.

  "Noah..."

  ~~~

  Gently shaken awake I stretched underneath the covers, all my muscles a pile of wasted flesh, euphorically of course. I cracked my eyes, finding Noah bent over me with a smile...and nothing else...okay boxers, but he looked like sin in need of forgiveness. I felt a bit shy under his live wire, blue stare, though he knew every inch of my body better than anyone did. On one hand, I'd love to kiss him, on the other--I hid from my wanton desires. Wow. He took my breath away.

  "Hungry?"

  I chuckled. "Loaded question?"

  He lifted a dark brow. "Why Ms. Lourde, you are totally insatiable. Whatever shall I do with you?"

  I sat up, dragging the sheet up as I went. "Go thermonuclear exotic? I would totally do you," I said playfully, winking.

  He inhaled sharply, a laugh vibrating through his chest. "And I would totally reciprocate, but as tempting as that is, you need to eat and so do I," he said, tipping the end of my nose affectionately with the end of his fingertip. Noah reached from behind and retrieved a tray laden with cheese, apple wedges, and grapes, various strips of deli meat and crisp, fresh bakery bread...as well as hot chocolate?

  I'm floored and I lifted a brow. "How did you manage this?" I knew I hadn't been to the grocery store in a week and Claire never went--so?

  He gave a sheepish smile. "Shem is a godsend." He rolled up a slim stick of cheese inside a slice of ham and slipped it inside a hunk of bread, offering it to me.

  I took it. "My compliments to the chef...and his delivery man. It looks delicious." It tasted wonderful too--I'm starved.

  Noah poured us each a cup of hot chocolate, and he settled cross-legged across from me, we enjoyed our meal. We played as friends; spoke as lovers ignited by a look or soft caress. We sit for over an hour testing out our phones for video calls, delighting in the prospect of seeing each other via technology while he's away in New York. As the hours passed, heaviness took root and the only calm we found was in each other's arms while the night slipped into morning.

  Our blissful weekend concluded...but we had just begun. My only hope was...please let it last.

  Chapter 16

  Someday, someone will walk into your life and make you realize why it never worked out with anyone else. ~ Unknown

  I somehow made it into work right on the dot overall...amazing weekend syndrome Noah Alexander style. The last couple of days with my mega super hottie far exceeded my current bad attitude and internal whining of wishing back time. He made me...a woman in every possible way, toe curling and magnificent. I can't remember a time in all my years with the craptastic four where I felt complete and whole. And dammit all, I missed Noah. Really and truly.

  I entered my office and powered up my computer as the ding of my phone alerted me to a message. I smiled because I knew it was Noah and a thrilling zing threaded through my veins, making me so hot knowing his words were waiting for me faster than my hands could fish my phone out of my purse. Of course, it's on the bottom and I hurriedly opened the message button, holding my breath with anticipation.

  *What have you done to me? I'm sitting on the runway ready to fly thousands of miles away from you and I've never felt more alone. Is it too mushy boyfriend to say how much I miss you? Because it's a fucking lot! I need you, Reyna, more than I can say. This morning with you...God baby...how will I...? Fuck, how will I make it through the next few days??? Dammit!*

  Beautiful thoughts of our luscious kitchen sex emptied as I exhaled a painful breath. Crap. I imagined Noah saying these words to me inside his deep, velvet voice with his wild, blue eyes intently staring into mine. Oh my. His words were thread with fear and cutting want that made my heart skip several beats with pain. Drama or not, the man was my super hottie and I really adored him, angsts and all. I hit the reply button.

  *First of all, breathe and relax (I learned that over the weekend). And remember, I'm waiting for my mushy boyfriend and miss him just as much. Thank you for the most amazing weekend. You turned an ordinary time, into extraordinary, kinkery included. I'm not sure which time exceeded expectation? The chocolate mousse? The hammock? Dancing to Frank or all the times in between. I just know it was wonderful. Be safe, Noah and call or message me after you land--I'll worry.*

  Within two minutes, he replied.

  *I'm ready to throw hell a finger and return, baby! Stop being so wonderful--my toleration is negative zero and my pissed level is Defcon 1!! I'm happy to know I made a lasting impression on you (Thank God) and will do so again when I see you on Friday, promise. Oh and kinkery included! I'm about to take off. Take care, Reyna--you're exactly what I need day to day and night to night. Think of me... --N*

  "Hey, what a megawatt smile! Somebody must’ve had a great weekend!"

  Startled, I looked up to find my coworker and friend, Jenna, standing in the doorway beaming with a smile. Hastily, I shoved my phone in my desk drawer as if she will rip my new device out of my hand and read my sexy text messages from Noah. In
ternal eye roll, I'm so whipped and drowning in adolescent stupidness, I know! I wanted so much to act all serene and grown up, but find myself flushing hot with embarrassment, something a redhead shouldn't do--red cheeks clash with my hair. Somehow, I find my voice, though where, I don't know.

  "Hi Jen, how are you?"

  She huffed and crossed over to my desk in her cute, pink floaty skirt and white top, ever the diva fashionista with her blonde hair thrown up in a messy knot. "What are you hiding?"

  Crap! My reaction set off her intrigue, I shrugged. "Nothing." But, I squealed, instead of going for calm. Another crap. The last thing I needed was questions I didn't have the answers too.

  She pointed an accusing finger my direction. "Oh no, I saw you with a phone in your hand and hid it as soon as I popped around the corner. What gives, Rey?"

  I rolled my eyes. "Not much. I just don't want to be caught fraternizing with personal calls on company time--you know the drill. You...startled me--that's all." I'm a sucky liar and knew it would take her a millisecond to smell my blatant load of bullshit and go in for the kill.

  Jenna nodded. "Uh-huh, try again, missy. We went to high school together and I've known you longer than sin--I smell fear. So spill." I'm so sure she could. "Besides, you were off on Friday and supposedly went to Tampa with Claire and then I find you in your office with a cell phone grinning like an idiot with wet panties, which I might add is a first since you've always vowed never to have a cell. Barf it up Lourde or I'm coming in after it!"

  I sighed, resigned to spill the beans, though which ones, I'm not sure. "God...how do you do that? How do you know I might be hiding something? Not that I'm admitting to anything, mind you, but you always know. Do I have a tell? Do I have some funky facial expression that shouts louder than my offense?"

  She folded her arms in front of her and preened with her blue eyes flashing wicked happy. "No, but you just shot yourself in the foot, baby, by this reaction. Now, I know for certain you're hiding something and I'm not leaving until I bleed you dry."