Out of the Ashes

by S. M. Lynn

  Chapter 23

  The night after my confession to Ian, I have a long talk with Gavin. He agrees that with everything with Rebecca and my fear of being found that it’s for the best that I stay with Ian. “Gav, you have to know that I love him. I would go even if there weren’t any crazies out there looking for me.”

  “Darling, I know. I didn’t mean it like that. It’s just… The man loves you; he would lay down his life for you.” Without knowing it, Gavin has landed on my biggest fear; I know this about Ian but could not endure if something happened to him especially if it were because of me.

  ~

  I’m so excited to see the house that I’m practically bouncing in my seat. I knew the apartment wasn’t Ian’s “permanent” residence but it’s the only place I’ve ever stayed. When we pull up to the gate, I’m stunned. Connor enters the code and we make our way up the stone drive to the beautiful Tudor style mansion. The house has everything; five bedrooms plus master suite, six baths, a spacious sunken living room, billiard room, office, elegant dining room, gourmet kitchen, full gym, and indoor and outdoor pools. The master bedroom is devastatingly beautiful. All dark hardwood flooring to match the furniture. Sheer fabric drapes the bed like at the apartment only this time in white and when the light hits them, they give off just a hint shimmer. There’s a large walk-in closet with a dressing room and then the bathroom. I’m not really sure you could call it a bathroom though, spa maybe; it’s got to be half the size of Gavin’s whole apartment. All marble and travertine tiles, with his and hers floating sinks. A waterfall shower with multiple jets but the thing that really had my attention was the sunken spa tub that was probably big enough for 4 people. I couldn’t wait to sink down into it with some of those bath oils that ran along the edge.

  Ian’s breathes in my ear, “Do you like it?”

  “Ian, it’s the most beautiful house I have ever seen.”

  “Even more than my mother’s?” He smiles at me. We finish the tour back in the kitchen and Ian opens the wine fridge and pours me a glass. “Love, I think we should live here.” He’s tentative unsure of what my reaction will be. “I think we need a home and I can keep you safer here. Security here is state of the art and Connor is working to hire someone to drive you and act as your security detail.”

  “Ian, I would love to live here but what about the commute? In heavy traffic, it could take you over an hour to get to the office. And then I would have to get a car. Not that I’m complaining it might be nice to have one again but…”

  He cuts me off. “You don’t need a car and I don’t care about the commute. I can work from here and in the car on the way there.”

  “Okay I see that but Ian, I will need a car.”

  “No, with the additional security you’ll have a driver or you’ll ride with me.” I want to roll my eyes but he’s only doing what he thinks is best.

  “I don’t know about all this security. I mean if you’re worried about Rebecca, I definitely don’t think all this is necessary. She has threatened me several times. But do you really think she’s capable of something like that? And if this is about him, well… We have already discussed all of this but there’s nothing that will keep him from me if he finds me and wants me back. You think you can keep me safe but you can’t and I won’t have you at risk to keep me safe.”

  “Celeste, look at me. I need you to understand how serious I am about this and about us. He will never touch you again. I’ll do everything in my power to keep you safe from him and any other threats to your safety. This is not up for debate.” Oh, I’ve woken the caveman. Next he’ll be taking his club out to bring home dinner for me to cook.

  I laugh inwardly and smile at him. “Have I told you today how much I love you?”

  “You have but I don’t ever get tired of hearing it.”

  “I love you, Ian Paul Jacobs. Now there’s a lot of space here so if we are going to christen this place properly then we better get started.” There’s a mischievous glint in my eyes.

  “Sweetheart, are you trying to kill me?” He picks me up and I wrap my legs around his waist as he carries me across the entryway and up the stairs to our room. Our room, oh, I like the sound of those words. We make love for hours before finally falling asleep in each other’s arms.

  The movers have been busy. I really only had my clothes to move as I didn’t have a lot of stuff at Gavin’s; at least I didn’t think I did. However, by the time they were done, my side of the enormous closet was almost full. “Holy hell, woman. Do you have a shopping addiction you’ve been hiding from me?” His joy in having me here is unmistakable. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile so much. Unfortunately all the happiness only makes me more anxious; I’m just waiting for it all to come crashing down.

  “Ian, stop it.” I swatted him lightly on the arm.

  “Well, how am I supposed to buy you anything if your closets already full?”

  “Mr. Jacobs, I don’t want you to buy me anything. I have you; that is plenty, sometimes more than I can handle.”

  “I think you, um, handled me very well this morning.”

  “I did, didn’t I?”

  “Hmm… Well, my memory might need some refreshing as to just how well you handled me.”

  I walk across the room holding his gaze. Those blue eyes are my complete undoing; I don’t want to ever look away. I stop in front of him and slowly start undoing the buttons on his shirt. His lips part and he runs his tongue along his bottom lip. His breathing has increased and his eyes are growing darker. Never losing his eyes, I remove his shirt and run my hands over his taut chest. I take my time exploring running my hands over his biceps. I feel his muscles flex under my touch. I bend down and run my tongue over his eight pack and up his chest tasting his salty sweetness. When I’m back at his mouth, I don’t wait as I plunge my tongue into his mouth. He wraps his tongue around mine and my hands fist in his hair. I feel his fingers running through my loose waves and then trail lightly down my spine.

  I’ll never get enough of him; this man is the air I breathe. Breaking our kiss, I lock onto his eyes again, running my tongue over my lips. My hands reach down and slowly begin to undo his belt and push down his pants. I motion for him to sit; placing my palms on his thighs I lower myself slowly in front of him, removing his shoes and socks before pulling his pants off the rest of the way. Ian looks fabulous in his Armani suits but he looks even better out of them. I give him a nudge to lift his hips as I peel his boxer briefs down his legs. “Well now that you have me here, Ms. Brooks, what are you going to do with me?”

  I simply smile down at him. “You stay there. If you move I’m going to find another use for all those ties you have in the closet.”

  His smile spreads at my threat. “Yes, ma’am.” I carefully remove my jacket and then begin on the buttons of my top. Agonizingly slow, I’m not even sure I can handle the torture. I stare at his body as his cock throbs wanting me but I am going to make him wait. Finally I reach the last button, but I don’t push it from my shoulders. I let it hang there, open, giving him small glimpses of what’s beneath as I start to work the zipper of my skirt down. When the skirt is in a pool at my feet, I push my top down my arms so it joins the skirt on the floor. This is where it gets tricky; the odds of him staying seated much longer without restraints aren’t very good. So I turn, knowing he finds the view from behind just as enticing as the one from the front, and walk to the dressing room. I pick two ties and drape them around my neck so he knows that I’ll make good on my threat if he doesn’t behave. “Ms. Brooks if this how we’re going to play, I think I might have to reprimand you for your behavior today.” I don’t say anything; just walk back so I’m standing in front of him.

  I bend down very slowly, my body turned to one side so he gets the full effect of the bend, and undo the clasps from one stocking then move to the other. “You’re fucking killing me, sweetheart.” His jaw is clenched; and I’m testing his self-control probably more than I should.

  “Pa
tience, my love.” I continue with my strip tease working the stockings one at a time down my legs and then shimmying out of the garter belt. I unclasp my bra and using my arms as cover for my breasts, remove the bra. I slowly let my arms drop to my sides allowing him full view of my breast; my nipples achingly erect. I part my lips and inhale as I slide my hands down first into my panties and then I push them down. I stand for a moment in front of him naked except for the ties draped around my neck. Like a lioness stalking her pray, I climb up onto the bed and move over his body.

  This is when his patience runs out. He grabs my hips and flips us so that I am underneath him. “So my girl wants to play?” He says it lightly but I can see the question in his eyes. He’s been very careful to make sure I’m okay with everything since the night of my confession.

  “Ian, please.” That’s all I can manage. My desire is turning me into one giant ball of nerves.

  “In that case, Ms. Brooks, I think I’ll make use of these. He takes each wrist and using a tie, restrains me tying them to the bedposts. Now I’m the one who can’t touch; with Ian, the sensation of being restrained is more erotic. I can feel the wetness grow between my thighs. “Oh you like that. I can see it in how your breathing quickens, your pupils dilate, and your body responds to me.” His eyes run the length of my body but he doesn’t touch me. Then his mouth is on mine. His kiss is ferocious. Then his mouth is on my neck and then at my ear. “Sweetheart, tell me you know how I feel about you.”

  “Yes, Ian. Oh god!” This is not the answer he’s looking for but if he’s going to torture me then I’m going to give it right back to him. His breath against my skin is almost more than I can handle.

  “Now Ms. Brooks, you know that isn’t the answer I want. Am I going to have to show you?” I pull my lower lip in with my teeth and nod at him. “Okay if that’s how you want to play.” His mouth starts to trail south. Nibbling my neck and then over the swell of my breasts. He lightly bites down on each nipple before running his tongue over each of them in turn. “I think it’s time I marked you again.” He takes one breast in his mouth and then bites down hard. At jolt runs through me, straight to my soaked pussy. I let out a light scream at the pain and pleasure of this act.

  Lower he goes, skimming his tongue over my entire stomach and dipping it into my belly button. Then he kisses his way down each of my legs. I’m writhing in ecstasy and I can feel the silk of the ties begin to rub at my wrists. “Ian.” I plead with him but he smiles and throws my words back at me.

  “Patience, my love.” Once he has nibbled and sucked on my toes, he makes his way back up to my inner thigh. “You smell like heaven.” His tongue flicks out over my clit and I completely loose it. My orgasm comes rushing out of me. “Oh, Ms. Brooks, you make this too easy. Guess we will start on the next one.” He plunges his tongue inside me, licking up my juices. He places each of hands on my hips to hold me down as he continues the torture with his tongue. He moves his mouth to mine in one quick movement. “I want you to know how wonderful you taste.” His tongue runs along my lower lip and then enters my mouth and I taste my arousal. As his tongue is plundering my mouth, his hand slides down to the apex of my thighs. He teases my clit before putting one and then another finger inside me. After pumping them in me several times he brings his hand to my lips. I am panting for him. When his fingers are close enough, my tongue darts out and licks my juices from them. When he puts them in my mouth, I suck them greedily.

  “Fucking perfect. You know just how to undo me, Celeste.” He is between my thighs and I feel him plunge into me, deep and sharp. He gives my body a minute to adjust to being filled so violently. “Your pussy is so tight. I don’t want to leave.”

  “Ian, oh god, Ian.” I thrust my hips up trying to get some friction but he continues to hold still.

  “Sweetheart, tell me how I feel about you?”

  “You love me. Oh god, you love me.” I scream out. Giving him what he wants, he gives me what I want and begins to move, thrusting his hips in slow exaggerated movements. I feel like I’m being ripped in two. Every time I get to the edge he stops. I don’t know how much more I can take. He leans back on his heels, and pulls me up so I am almost sitting on him. His mouth finds my breast and he takes the nipple in his mouth as his hands move to my hips. He lifts me and slams me back down his hard length over and over again. My screams are so loud now if we had neighbors they would probably think someone was being murdered.

  “Shit Celeste.” I can tell he’s close and so am I. He slams into me a couple more times as I come apart in his arms at the same time as he spills himself inside me.

  “Ian… That was… You are… Oh everything… Amazing.” I’m babbling incoherently but I couldn’t care less. This man is my world.

  ~

  We get in the Audi to head to the office. Life seems unreal right now. Oh, I’m not going to lie getting up an hour earlier to give time for the commute sucks, but it’s a small price to be here with him. “Oh, I almost forgot,” he pulls me from my thoughts, “I have a housekeeper and chef starting on Monday. So if you plan to keep your promise to christen the whole house we’d better get to work this weekend.” I’m sure my face is as red as his shirt; I look into the front at Connor and even though all I can see is the back of his head, the grin that he has on his face is unmistakable.

  “Ian. Stop it.” My eyes flicking to the back of Connor’s head. I can tell he’s trying to stifle a laugh.

  “Just wanted to give you a heads up, love.”

  As we pull up to the office, Ian takes my hand and starts drawing small circles on it. I recognize this as a nervous habit of his so ask him what’s going on. “Celeste, just hear me out.” I do roll my eyes at that. Oh god, what now? “You know we have that San Diego trip next week. Well, I sort of did something and now we’re going to have to head out a few days early.” Why was he always fucking with the schedule and telling me at the last minute?

  “What did you do?”

  He squirms uncomfortably in the seat and meets Connor’s eyes in the rear view mirror. “Oh no, Mr. Jacobs, you are on your own for this. I won’t get involved.” Connor laughs at him.

  “Celeste, since your birthday was kind of sprung on me, I didn’t really have time to prepare anything for you.”

  “What are you talking about? You got me that gorgeous necklace.”

  “Yes, but if I had time we could have planned a party or a trip somewhere to celebrate.”

  “Ian, I told you I don’t like to celebrate my birthday.”

  “I know but I want to change that so as a belated, a very belated, gift. I pulled some strings and got you tickets to Maroon 5 in San Diego this weekend.” The last part comes out in a rush of breath and I almost don’t catch what he said. I heard something and then Maroon 5 and then San Diego and weekend but it still isn’t registering in my brain. When it all finally clicks, I let out a squeal and throw my arms around him. “See Connor, you should be glad I waited until we were at the office or you would’ve had to listen to this noise all the way here. I may have to move offices for the day.” He hadn’t really been nervous to tell me; just agitated because he knew what the reaction would be. It still bothered him a bit that I had a crush on Adam Levine, like that could ever happen, which is why what he said next was even more shocking. “And I got backstage passes so you get to hang out with the band.”

  When I remove my mouth from the floor, I press my lips to his. “Have I ever told you that you spoil me?”

  “Anything for you, sweetheart. But know that I will be right by your side and backstage you will never be out of my sight.”

  “Ian, what if I have to go to the bathroom?”

  “When I said never I meant NEVER; I’ll just have to come with you.” Oh, he’s impossible but wonderful at the same time. I wipe my lipstick from his face as we step out of the car. There’s no way I’m going to be able to work today between my excitement at the concert and wanting to properly thank Ian; my brain has completely checked out.<
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  The weekend arrives quickly. We board the jet and the flight attendant hands us each a glass of champagne. “This is really too much. A private jet?”

  “Sweetheart, it’s the company’s and this is technically a business trip after all.” He clinks his glass to mine. The concert is tonight so we have made an early start because I explained that it would take me several hours to prepare for this. I’m very grateful for the champagne because I definitely need something to ease my nerves. In less than 7 hours I will be able to meet, talk to, and touch Adam Levine. Hmm, how will that go over? Okay maybe not touch.

  I spend the day at the hotel spa having every treatment under the sun. I am glowing when I arrive back in the suite. I have had the stylist leave my hair down because Ian likes it that way. I slip into my dark denim jeans and pull my knee-high boots over them. Then I put on my sweater; it hangs slightly off one shoulder and hugs all the curves I have. “Oh no!” Ian points to the closet. “Go back and find something else. Don’t you have some sweat pants and a baggy t-shirt or something.” I don’t know why tonight has him so uptight but at least this outfit covers all of me unlike some of the others that I have worn out with him.

  “Ian, what are you so worried about?”

  “Love, I can see everything in those jeans and that sweater. Every curve of your breasts and your ass. Dear lord, are you even wearing underwear?”

  Just to torment him, “Ian, these jeans are so tight the panty line would show.” I think his eyes are going to come out of his head. Okay, I need to tone it down. I wrap my arms around his neck. “There’s only one man who’s going to get to peel these jeans and boots off me later.”