“Rest.” He interrupted me. “I’ll wake you up when lunch is ready. Come on.” He continued, offering me his hand. I took it in my palm, and then he pulled me up.
“I think I can walk.” I told him, putting my weight on my feet. I staggered forward, with him following right beside me. Upon reaching my room, Ivan turned away from me and went back to the living room.
“Refined, yet messed up gentleman.” Those five words summed him up perfectly. How else could I describe someone who was being so nice to me, but hesitated to touch me? I turned on the faucet, before starting to take my clothes off. In a matter of seconds, vapors filled the bathroom. I lifted my legs one at a time over the tub wall, feeling the hot water on my skin. The wonderful scent of almond oil rushed into my nostrils as I poured some foam bath in the tub. I scooted across the bathtub floor and laid back, closing my eyes.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that Ivan was right to suggest this. In truth, the bath served as an escape from reality. I was alone with my thoughts, without worrying about what he would do next to upset me. I knew he wasn’t doing anything on purpose, but that made little difference. Ivan Peterson was a mess. Gorgeous and sexy, but a mess nonetheless. It didn’t matter whether I wanted to fix him or not. All that mattered was his wish to stay that way. He was a grown man; I couldn’t force him into anything.
Later on, I stepped out of the bathtub, reaching for the towel rack on my left. But, it was then that the vapors destroyed that beautiful experience. They managed to hide a small pool of water on the floor. I slipped, letting out a scream of terror. I banged my head against the floor as my body fell with a thump. Opening my eyes, I tried to focus my blurry gaze on the mirror across from me. Ivan yanked my bedroom door open, sending a wave of terror wash over me.
“What the hell happened this time?” He wondered, strutting into the bathroom.
“I fell.” I whispered, thrusting my arms up to cover my nudity. “Could you please pass me the towel?”
He didn’t speak. Scanning my body from top to bottom, he sucked in a deep breath. Ivan bent down, locking his gaze with mine. In a quick move, he grabbed me by the shoulders and lifted me up from the floor. A gasp of shock escaped me as he turned and pinned up against the wall. The green in his eyes darkened with lust, sending my heart in a flurry of wild beats. Before I could react, he pressed his lips against my mouth, running his palms down my body. His passionate touch shattered my will to resist him. In a mere instant, I surrendered to him, longing for more. I reached forward, his fingertips going past my hips. I yanked his shirt open, ripping off buttons in my impatience. Ivan swiped the tip of his tongue along the seam of my lips, squeezing my outer thighs. I wrapped my legs around his waist, letting off a low whimper. Gripping the firm muscles on his chest, I pressed myself into him.
“So fucking sexy…” He whispered in my mouth, tightening his grip. Before I knew it, we were making our way out of the bathroom and into my room. Ivan led me to my bed, gently biting my lower lip while my hands crept around his chest. Easing me down, he leaned back, giving me a prime view of his incredible body. Chiseled abs and bulging arm muscles were right there in front of me, just like the other day. But, this time, he wasn’t trying to get rid of his drenched clothes. Ivan undid the button on his jeans, forcing me to lower my gaze. Goosebumps raced down my body at the sight of his big, stiff cock. I licked my lips at the curve, eager to taste him. That stud hadn’t just aroused me. He had made me behave like a lust-filled woman who couldn’t control herself. Bending towards me, he trailed his fingers up my calves. His mouth landed on my stomach. Ivan made his way up, laying open-mouth kisses on my skin, collecting tiny drops of water. Squeezing my thighs at the same time, he added to my anticipation. I could feel the liquid heat between my legs increasing by the second.
“Awwww, yeah!” I whimpered, squeezing my eyes shut as his mouth reached my breasts. I curled my arms around his shoulders, sensing those full lips just below my left nipple.
“I love it…” He whispered, teasing the flesh around my nipple, his flattery turning me on even more. The feel of his strong hands on my breasts had me breathing harder. I tilted my head back as he squeezed them together. I dragged my long fingernails up his shoulder blades, the moment his lips made contact with my nipple. Ivan sucked it into his mouth, letting the tip of his tongue dance around it. I bucked my hips, a soft moan leaving my mouth. I felt every muscle of his stomach against my skin. I wished I could stay like that a little longer. Ivan’s thumb rubbed circles around my other nipple, pulling me deeper into his sensual world. My mind was urging me to tell him to stop. I couldn’t know how he would take this. Yet, my body was aching for his touch. And he was taking his time with me, teasing me, paying attention to all the right areas. I opened my eyes to slits, willing to catch a glimpse of his chiseled face on my body. I exhaled hard, watching as his mouth traveled down my stomach. Much to my pleasure, he wouldn’t let go of my breasts. He pushed them upward, and then rolled my nipples between his thumb and index fingers. My legs twitched when he passed my bellybutton. I couldn’t wait for him to do what he had in mind. It had been too long since I had a man willing to go down on me like that.
“Oh, my God!” I moaned, throwing my head back as I felt his warm, wet lips on my clit. Darting his tongue against it, he slid his palms down my body. I bit my lower lip, my moans audible over his grunts. Ivan planted a long, fiery kiss on my clit, before pulling it into his mouth. I reached out and put my hand on his head, losing myself in the moment. I ran my fingers through his hair while he sent me closer and closer to heaven. I moved my legs apart further as he guided his hand toward my pussy. He flicked his tongue against my clit, teasing my entrance with his thumb.
“More…” I groaned, grabbing a fistful of his hair. “Give me more.”
His response was a quick chuckle. Trapping my clit between his teeth, he slipped his index finger into me, driving me crazy with lust. I tossed my head back, my loud moan echoing throughout the walls of my room. Ivan wrapped his free arm around my thigh, his slow, deep penetration making me writhe beneath him. I bucked up against him, desperate to feel every single twitch of his mouth. He ran deliberate circles around my clit, French-kissing it every few seconds. Never before had I seen a man so determined to satisfy me. I couldn’t believe his drive. His passion overflowed like a stream of lava, burning everything in its wake. And it was that delicious passion that coaxed me closer to my orgasm. My entire body shook violently as wave after wave of delight ripped through me. I cried out his name, feeling my juices rush out of me and onto his finger. He pecked a kiss on my clit, and then crawled up the bed while I breathed in gasps.
“I was right.” He spoke, his voice raspy with desire, his lips curled into a smug smile. “You do taste sweeter than honey.”
“Oh, you bastard…” I whispered, thrusting my arms up. I grabbed him by the hips and pushed with all my might. Of course, I was aware that I couldn’t move him, but Ivan took the hint. He rolled over on his back, his eyes glinting with mischief. I swung my leg over him, unwilling to play his game. I felt his large, throbbing cock rubbing against my pussy as I bent towards him. Yet, Ivan didn’t allow me the initiative. Throwing his arms around my shoulders, he pulled me close. Our mouths joined in yet another, fervent kiss. Not wasting any time, he trailed his hands down my back. By then, I couldn’t care less if his beard stubble scratched me or not. I craved him. I needed him more than ever. He smoothed one hand over my ass, and used the other to pull his cock out from under me. I hissed in his mouth, sensing the swollen tip around my entrance.
“Awwww, baby…” I moaned as his manhood parted my soaking wet folds. Little by little, his ample inches filled me up while he grabbed and held onto my ass. With his huge shaft stretching me out, I pushed my tongue into his mouth.
“Fuck, Scarlet.” Ivan grunted. “I can’t believe how wet you are.”
“Give it to me.” I urged, my voice dripping with lust. I tilted my head back, feeling him all t
he way in. His long strokes began to quench my desire. Within seconds, his lips were back on my breasts, his sweet tease blowing my mind. He wouldn’t stop playing with me, showing to me just how much he loved my body. I meant to take control, but I didn’t have the heart to lean back. I’d hate to put an end to his worship. Because that’s what it was. A worship. He kissed my breasts all over, licked their undersides or flicked his tongue over my nipples. Ivan had gone crazy over them. He was pulling almost his entire length out and then sliding back into me with a deep grunt. I lifted my hips to meet his thrusts, dragging my fingernails across his shoulders. With our bodies synchronized, I was feeling completely filled and more wanted than I’d ever felt in my whole life. His rough hands returned to my ass, just before he leaned forward. Ivan crashed his lips into mine, demanding another kiss. Spreading my ass cheeks, he shoved his tongue into my mouth.
“You’re mine.” He groaned, digging his tiny fingernails into my flesh. I leaned in towards him, my hands on either side of his neck. His pace quickened; I could hear his big balls slapping up against my ass. Our tongues were dancing against each other in a mating ritual as he pumped in and out of me. I could feel my juices flowing down my inner thighs. With each passing second, the object of my desire was proving to me that reality could be so much better than a dream. By then, I didn’t care if we would have a real relationship or not. All I wanted to do was live the moment. The amazing, hot moment, where the two of us were in each other’s arms. I threw my head back, my moans resounding through his house as my second orgasm overwhelmed me. A few, deep thrusts brought him closer to his own fulfillment. Ivan pulled out at the last second, just before his juices spurted out of his throbbing cock. I collapsed onto him and snuggled up close, panting for breath.
“Ivan…” I gasped. “I know this is probably a bad time for me to ask this, but…” I paused. “What’s next? If you’re having any regrets, go ahead and tell me, and I’ll get out of here. We’ve been through enough drama these days.”
“No regrets.” He rejected that notion, his tone firm. “Not this time. One other thing: I was about to come in and talk to you, when I heard you fall. I would have seduced you, whether you were naked or not. I was sick and tired of hiding from you, Scarlet.”
His confession put a broad smile on my face. At last, Ivan was being forward. I leaned slightly back, and flashed him a soft look. There were hundreds of things I could say to him; yet, I chose to keep my mouth shut. This wasn’t the time for words, anyway. We had had enough conversations over the past few days. This was the time for more kisses. More hugs. More Ivan…
Ivan
Scarlet’s scent was still lingering in her room the next morning. Our clothes were scattered across the floor. To my disappointment, she wasn’t lying beside me. But, not long after I had opened my eyes, the sound of the crusher told me exactly where she was.
For the first time in years, I got up in high spirits. It was as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. And, when I strolled out of the room, I visualized the reason behind it all: Scarlet Hayward, pouring orange juice into a tall glass. She had already made coffee. A jar of peanut butter and a jar of strawberry jam were on the table, too.
“Good morning.” I croaked. “Someone’s been busy.”
“Oh, it is.” She agreed with a smile, pecking a kiss on my lips. “It’s a great morning. I just had to do something for the man who showed me an amazing time last night.”
“Well, he wouldn’t do much if he didn’t have such a sexy, voluptuous partner.” I responded, returning the smile. “Now that I think about it, I could have done more.”
“You did more than enough.” Scarlet declared, seating herself beside me. “And if you don’t stop reminding me, I will seduce you.”
“Whoa!” I exclaimed, my brows shooting up. “I just realized my housekeeper has a dirtier mind than I thought.”
“No, I don’t.” She chuckled, slapping me playfully on my shoulder. “But, I do hope you meant everything you said to me last night.”
“I did.” I gave an emphatic nod, leaning my elbows on the table. “I’m sorry for acting so weird, Scarlet. Hell, I’d be mad if someone did the same things to me. I’m sure you’ll understand why when I explain everything to you, though.”
“I can’t wait for that.” She giggled, raising her red mug to her lips.
“I dated Laura for four years, give or take.” I started my narrative, gazing deep down into her eyes. “About five years ago, I got her pregnant. We agreed to marry each other for the sake of the baby. On a cold, winter night, we had a big argument. I took her to her apartment, but she…” I faltered, biting my lower lip. “She never made it there. She was so upset that she drove out of town. Road crews found her car wrapped around a tree the next day. She was dead, long before they pulled her body out of the wreckage. I…” My voice broke as I dropped my gaze from her. “I couldn’t keep her safe. Or my son. I don’t know if I can keep you safe, either.”
“I’m very sorry, Ivan.” Scarlet sighed, leaning over towards me. “What happened to them was tragic. It broke my heart when I found out, but you can’t blame yourself for what happened. It was an accident.”
“She’d still be alive if we hadn’t argued.” I raised my tone. “They both would.”
“You didn’t force Laura into going for a drive, did you?” She wondered, her voice rising up an octave.
Scarlet’s words passed by me unheard. My mind drifted back to that fatal night. Laura slammed the door shut behind her and disappeared in her apartment, because I had made the mistake of choosing the venue without asking her. I believed she would sleep it off, and that the two of us would talk about it the following morning. I was terribly wrong. Seeing her mangled, black Honda ripped my heart right out of my chest. It took the hospital staff hours and strong medication to calm me down.
My sniffle tore the silence. A tear raced down my cheek as I gazed into the void. Scarlet scooted her chair closer to mine and snaked her arms around my neck. I shut my eyes, finding myself in her embrace. There was nothing I wouldn’t like more than to hug her back, and thank her for being so understanding and supportive. I had been driving her crazy, and yet, she had the courage to stay with me. Still, with the memory overwhelming me once more, I couldn’t utter a word…
Scarlet
Watching Ivan break down like that broke my heart. He hadn’t gotten over anything; I was aware of that, but seeing it with my own two eyes was nerve-wracking. I was in an awkward position, perhaps even more difficult than the night of our first kiss. I had no idea what else to say to him. Back then, avoiding him was the solution. Yet, now I couldn’t just hide in my room or in his office. But, even if I could, I wasn’t going to leave him alone, especially after the passionate night he had given me. He wasn’t a mystery to me anymore. He had been forthcoming, and I couldn’t reward his honesty by turning my back on him. We still had to resolve his issues. And that posed an issue for me. My time up in Mount Greylock was limited. I only had a few weeks before I had to go back to Cleveland. Most importantly though, Ivan wasn’t the only one with skeletons in his closet. To him, I was the skilled bookkeeper who had pulled him out of a nasty predicament. I hadn’t been honest with him. After finding out his secrets, I thought I should disclose my own. If he and I were going to be in a relationship, he had to know everything about me. Unfortunately though, just when I was about to open my mouth, a powerful gust of wind whistled across the kitchen window, drawing his attention.
“It’s the blizzard.” I said, my voice a little more than a whisper. “It’s not in full swing yet. I read online it won’t be until tonight.”
“I hope it lets up a lot sooner than the weather service thinks.” Ivan muttered, rising from his seat. “Blizzards can cause all sorts of problems. I’ll have to hire an extra five or six drivers when it’s over, so that the current ones don’t have to work double shifts to keep up with the demand.”
“Let’s put that ad up together.” I suggested
, getting up on my feet. “I’m telling you, though. We’re going to have a hard time interviewing anyone.”
“No ad will be necessary.” He claimed, looking out at the snowflakes swirling in the wind. “I already have a few people in mind.”
I stepped in front of him, marveling at the awesome spectacle outside. And then, came the moment I had been waiting for, ever since I met him. Ivan hugged me from behind, and tilted his head down. I rolled my eyelids shut against how good it felt to be in his huge embrace. I reached back and cupped his cheek, purring like a contented cat. He laid a tender kiss on my temple, running his fingers across my stomach.
For the next three days, his house became our personal playground. Neither of us seemed to mind being stranded. Daytime was filled with conversations about himself and me, flirting, compliments, cooking together and cuddling by the fireplace. I had been expecting him to rant about his lost family. To my surprise though, he didn’t do such thing. On the contrary, Ivan was happy to discuss everything else, apart from his past. We talked about work, the advantages and disadvantages of living in the city and our favorite pastimes. Although I did wish to help him heal, I didn’t bring up anything about Laura. We were having fun; mentioning her could—and probably would—send him back to the abyss of grief he had been drowning in. Maybe my presence there was enough for him to escape this nightmare. Maybe I was helping him get over it. In any case, Ivan Peterson was no longer the melancholic man I met in late November. Most of the time, he was smiling and eager to tease me about this or that.
Nighttime was even better. We had dinner by the fireplace, enjoying his old, expensive wine. After that, we couldn’t keep our hands off of each other. We kissed for a while, before he took me up to his bedroom or my room. By the time we got there, we were almost naked. Ivan didn’t miss a chance to pamper and worship me, just like he had done on our first night together. And I did return the favor, even though my arousal didn’t always allow me to do so. He was an incredible lover, and I considered myself very lucky to have him. We had sex for hours on end. Almost every time we finished, we talked a little more, cuddled, kissed and started all over again. I fell asleep in his arms, blissful that the storm had forced me to stay in his house.
Trapped with the Mountain Man Page 7
