by Shelia Grace
I took a sip of wine and realized I was starting to feel woozy, which wasn’t good, because it was making me want to kiss Ryan and run my hands through his perfectly golden hair. Then my stomach growled, and he laughed.
“Sorry! It’s just, the last time I ate was like four-thirty.”
He shook his head.
“I’m being an asshole. Just because I’m subsisting off of a liquid diet doesn’t mean you have to. Stay here. I’ll be right back.”
Chapter 16
Ryan
Bennett, you fucking asshole! I had dragged Alex all the way out here and forgotten about dinner. Going through the kitchen, I scavenged what I could. Some Brie, a pear, a French baguette, Greek olives, a stick of salami, a couple of plates, a knife. I shoved everything into a basket and went back to find Alex. She was huddled on the steps of the gazebo with Finn next to her. Looking down at her bare thighs, I saw goose bumps.
“Come on. We’re going somewhere warmer,” I promised her.
I led her over to the guest cottages and unlocked mine. Flicking on the lights, I bolted the door behind us, watching as Finn trotted over and looked down at his food bowl.
“Whoa! What is this place? It looks like a hotel—a nice one.”
I walked over and turned on the fireplace.
“Guest cottages. This is where I stay when I come to visit the parental estate. It beats staying in the main house.”
She frowned and looked down at the bottle of wine in my hand.
“Oh, shit. You can’t drive, can you?”
“Legally?”
“Not funny,” she said, shaking her head.
“No, it’s not,” I admitted. “Can you fill up Finn’s water bowl? I’m going to grab his food from outside.”
She nodded, and I unbolted the door and jogged over to the SUV that I had “borrowed” from the winery. By the time I got back, Finn was drinking his water, and Alex had disappeared. I poured some kibble into Finn’s other bowl, and a few seconds later, Alex came out of the bathroom, her eyes wide.
“This place is insane!” she laughed. “The bathroom’s like a spa, and there’s a kitchen?”
“Nothing but the best at Bennett Family Cellars.”
I took the fleece blanket that had been rolled up on the couch and laid it out in front of the fireplace. Alex came over and kneeled next to me.
“I didn’t really think things through well,” I admitted. “There was a dinner at the restaurant earlier … but I didn’t want to subject you to it. I’ll do better next time.”
“Next time?”
I smiled.
“The next time I kidnap you and take you to a family event.”
Taking out a plate, I started slicing the pear and salami.
“That’s a big stick.”
I looked up at Alex, and she burst into laughter.
“Sorry! I couldn’t resist.”
I ripped off a few pieces of bread and sliced off a slab of Brie before handing her a plate.
“Seriously, though. This is …” She took a bite. “This is great, and it beats trying to figure out which fork to use.”
I sat down next to her.
“What do your parents do?” I asked.
Alex swallowed a piece of bread.
“They’re both professors.”
“At UCI?”
She shook her head.
“No, Stephen is a professor at Fullerton, and my mom teaches at Saddleback.”
“Both teachers, though. Interesting.”
“Yeah, do you have any idea what it’s like growing up with two people who think they’re right all the time?”
“I know something about it.”
We finished eating in silence, and I watched Alex staring at the fire. When she turned to face me again, her features were serious.
“When did your brother die?”
“A long time ago.”
“I’m sorry, Ryan.”
I nodded and got up. Gathering everything into the basket, I set it by the door. When I came back, Alex had taken off my suit jacket and was reclined on her elbows, her legs out in front of her and crossed at the ankles.
“Your sister’s dresses aren’t really designed for modesty,” she pointed out.
Relieved that she had changed the subject, I stood over her, admiring the view. And that’s when I realized that my sister’s dresses were designed to make men insane.
“You look beautiful.”
“Thanks.”
Suddenly she looked nervous, and I felt a pang of guilt for dragging her here.
“So, how long until you sober up enough to take me back to the dorms?”
Her tone was light, but I sensed an edge beneath it.
“Could be a while.”
My phone buzzed. Reaching into my pocket, I groaned when I saw my sister’s text.
“I’m expected back at the manor.”
“Do you … want to go alone?”
“Hell no.”
I reached down, and she took my hand. Lifting her, I pulled her toward the door, and Finn trotted out after us. By the time we got to the main building, the band had set up and people were already dancing. I exhaled.
“Family photo time,” I smiled grimly.
I could see my parents on the veranda, the photographer snapping away as my father shook hands with some politico from Sacramento. Alex pulled her hand from mine.
“I’ll stay here.”
I hesitated, not wanting to leave her in a crowded room where she didn’t know anyone—except for James.
“I’ll be back.”
I reached out and squeezed her hand before plastering a fake smile on my face and joining the rest of the Bennett clan for pictures. My mother, as always, was smiling like the world might end if she didn’t. Kathleen Bennett never let her emotions interfere with a good photo op. My father’s personal assistant, Roger, handed me a glass of wine and positioned me next to my mother. Becca took her place between the parents as the camera started flashing. I smiled, pretending to share a quaint moment with the rest of my family when what I was really focusing on was the scene beyond the veranda. Alex was standing alone next to a column, looking out at the dance floor. When I saw the son of one of the vintners from Napa walk up to her holding two wine glasses, my hands clenched. For a few seconds, Alex looked confused. Then she laughed and shook her head. He continued talking and smiling, and I gritted my teeth.
“Smile!” the photographer commanded, because apparently I had stopped.
My mother glanced at me with a sharp expression. The next few shots were of the family standing around a magnum of the latest vintage, and by the time I looked again, Alex was gone. My sister’s husband Mason joined us, which surprised me since he was usually on-call. Lucky him. Or maybe that was his excuse for getting out of these family functions. He slapped me on the back, and I asked him how things were at the hospital. Then Gretchen walked up and kissed my mother on the cheek. I looked over at Becca, who shrugged and mouthed, Mom. We took half a dozen more pictures with Gretchen and I posing as the happy couple. If my mother thought this would inspire more trips home on my part, she was out of her fucking mind.
When the photographer released us, I walked away without a word. I had had enough of this family bullshit for one night. My eyes scanned the crowded room for Alex. She was on dance floor with James, who had his arm wrapped tightly around her waist, practically on her ass. His other hand was gripping hers, but he was staggering too much to call what he was doing dancing. I came up behind him and tapped him on the shoulder. He didn’t turn around, but when Alex saw me, she practically wilted with relief.
“Find your own partner, asshole,” McDevitt mumbled.
Drunken shithead.
“If you don’t let her go now, I have absolutely no problem with laying you out again.”
He turned.
“Ryan, buddy. I was just keeping your little coed warm for you.”
He stepped back, and I took Alex in my arm
s.
“I’m sorry,” I whispered in her ear.
She pulled back and looked up at me.
“What did you mean by again? You mean that cut on his mouth is from you?”
I smirked.
“James and I had a little difference of opinion back at the house.”
“Do you always get into fistfights with your friends?”
“McDevitt’s an exception. Everyone wants to kick his ass eventually.”
“I can see why. How was family picture time?”
“Over.”
I took out my phone and held it out, snapping a picture of the two of us and then holding it out for her to see.
“Now I can tell people I danced with James Bond!” she laughed.
I pulled her closer, leaning down to press my face into her hair, which I was longing to pull down. It was the wrong thing to do. The second I felt her body through the thin material of her dress, my cock thickened. A moment later Alex pulled back, her pink lips forming a perfect O. Then she smirked.
“Wow. I didn’t know you brought that huge stick of salami with you,” she whispered with a straight face.
I used the hand at the small of her back to pull her all the way against me. Then I leaned down and grazed her ear with my lips.
“Alex, I can’t be held responsible for my body’s response to you.”
When I looked at her face, her eyes were closed.
“Do you know why I said I couldn’t do this?” she whispered, opening her eyes. “Because I can’t control myself around you. Do you think I don’t want you to kiss me or touch me? I can’t do what’s best for me when I’m around you. These feelings are … I can’t …”
She stopped, and I stared down at her, trying to maintain any grip I had on my self-control. Then, I stopped trying. Reaching out, I took her hand and led her through the crowd toward the back exit. She didn’t say anything as I pulled her toward the cottage. Unlocking the door, I stepped inside and locked the door behind us before turning on the lamp at the side of the bed and kicking off my shoes. Shrugging out of my jacket, I took the lighter out of my pocket and lit the candles throughout the room. By the time I returned to Alex, her features were clouded with uncertainty, so I took her face in my hands and kissed her gently, brushing her cheeks. Then I pulled her toward the bed where I sat down and reached forward to trace my hands down to her waist.
“Not often that I’m taller than you,” she smiled nervously.
Lifting her, I set Alex down in my lap, watching as the dress rose to the very tops of her thighs. Slowly I edged the material higher as my hands drifted along the smooth, warm skin of her lower back. Letting my fingers skim the lace panties, I watched her face as I dropped my hands down to cup her ass. Very quickly I rocked her hips forward all the way. Hearing her soft whimper, I brought my mouth to hers, thrusting my tongue between her lips. But when my hands moved to her breasts, Alex stiffened and pulled back.
“Oh fuck! I totally forgot about these stupid things!”
“Your breasts?” I laughed.
She started cracking up, which just caused her to bounce against the hardness straining at my zipper. I swallowed.
“No, it’s these silicone pasties. They’re totally embarrassing.”
“This I have to see.”
“No!”
I reached up and undid the knot I had tied in the dress, letting the top fall around her waist. Staring down at the silicone cups, I laughed.
“That looks uncomfortable.”
Alex blushed.
“All in the name of fashion,” she said dramatically.
Carefully peeling away the edges of the bra with my thumbs, I slowly exposed her pale, perfect breasts. Then I began to pull her hair from the intricate knot at the nape of her neck.
“That’s better.”
“Not fair.”
She began to unbutton my shirt and then pulled it away before awkwardly lifting the T-shirt over my head. When her fingers traced my chest tentatively, I measured my breathing and tried to keep my response under control—until her hands fell to my pants. Her fingers nudged my cock, and I sucked in a breath. Lifting her again, I turned with her in my arms until I could lay her down on the bed. I began to pull the dress down her body, and she jumped again, like she had just realized how close to completely naked she was. I leaned forward to kiss the serious expression from her face and slid her heels to the floor. She shook her head against my mouth.
“Ryan! We can’t. I told you—”
“Shh … I promise we won’t do anything you’re not ready for.”
Her expression was still apprehensive as I came down on top of her and touched my lips to hers teasingly. Apart from the black lace panties, she was naked beneath me, and the feel of her breasts against my chest was stretching the limit of my control. I rolled onto my side and let my fingers trace her breasts, listening to her breath catch as I leaned forward and caressed one nipple and then the other with the tip of my tongue until each one peaked. Sliding my hands slowly down her sides, I trailed my fingers across her hip before tracing the line of her panties. She became very still in my arms.
“It’s okay, Alex,” I whispered soothingly. “I just want to show you what your body is capable of.”
My fingers dipped beneath the lace, and she gasped, her eyebrows stitching together as my fingers parted her. When I found her clit, her sharp intake of breath caused every muscle in my body to tighten. Using just the tip of my finger, I grazed her, and she cried out. I watched hungrily as her eyes closed. Then I brought my finger down with more force. She shuddered, and I did it again. I began to caress her over and over, feeling her body straining under my grip as she whimpered. By the time I quickened my touch, she was panting.
Desperate to be inside her, I trailed my fingers down to feel how ready she was for me. But the second she felt my fingers at the entrance to her pussy, she opened her eyes and went very still again.
As badly as I needed to feel her soft wetness against my skin, I didn’t penetrate her. Instead, I slid my finger back to her clit and stroked in tiny circles until I could sense how close she was. I held back. I wanted to see her aching. I wanted her to feel what I was feeling—hunger, desperation, need. I kept my touch gentle, slowing each time she got too close. Then, when the sound of her whimpers and quick breaths became more than I could take, I leaned forward and whispered roughly in her ear.
“Look at me.”
Her eyes flew open and locked with mine. She stared up at me as I began to stroke against that pearl of flesh relentlessly. When she moaned against my mouth, my lips curled up with satisfaction, and seconds later she began to writhe, her hips arching toward me.
“Ryan!”
“Yes, Alex,” I whispered raggedly. “Come for me. Please.”
She trembled violently in my arms as I bit her lower lip sharply and took her all the way to the end, stroking her until the spasms subsided. My cock ached. Being the first to watch her come helped to ease the disappointment that I hadn’t been inside her to feel her climax—but just barely. She was quiet as I dropped down beside her. Gathering her against my chest, I caressed her back gently as her breathing began to slow. She looked up at me shyly.
“Is it always like that?” she asked.
“Like what?”
“Amazing,” she whispered.
“That wasn’t all of it,” I answered dryly.
She propped herself up on an elbow. Then she smiled.
“Will you … teach me how to touch you?”
My cock throbbed in response to her question, but I shook my head. I couldn’t believe I was refusing again. But I couldn’t risk it. Not when the only thing I could think of right now was pushing inside her.
“Not tonight. Tonight I wanted to watch you come. That’s all.”
I kissed her again and then got up and began moving toward the bathroom, stripping out of my clothes as I went. I forced myself to keep going when all I wanted was to turn around and carry her
into the shower with me. I laughed quietly to myself.
I hadn’t jerked off this much since I was fourteen.
Chapter 17
Alex
It felt like I was floating as Ryan got up and began stripping out of his pants. Watching his perfect ass as he walked into the bathroom made my adrenaline spike. Part of me wanted to follow him, but I wasn’t brave enough. I looked down at my mostly naked body. Had I really just done that? I reached down to my lace underwear, which no one had ever seen up until tonight, and shivered. My entire body was sensitive.
Wow. So that was what it was like. An orgasm—my first.
The sound of scratching at the front door of the cottage made me jump. I ran over to the dresser on the other side of the room and frantically began opening drawers. Finding a T-shirt, I hurried to the door and looked through the peephole. There was no one there. Cautiously opening the door, I smiled as Finn stuck his nose in and opened the door the rest of the way.
“Boy am I glad you weren’t here a few minutes ago,” I whispered, shutting the door behind Ryan’s dog.
Hearing a buzzing noise, I ran back over to the nightstand by the bed and found my phone, which meant Ryan must have brought it in from where I had left it in the SUV. The text was from Julie—asking if I was coming back to the dorms. I sat down on the bed and bit my lip as I typed my answer into the phone, imagining Julie’s scream in my head. A second later, Ryan walked out of the shower with a towel around his hips and droplets of water scattered across his bronzed chest. His blond hair was slicked back—and I started rethinking my whole no sex without love oath.
“What?” he asked, his eyes sparkling.
I set my phone down on the nightstand and looked away.
“Nothing.”
“Didn’t look like nothing going on in your head.”
He opened the dresser I had just gotten the shirt from and took out a pair of flannel pajama bottoms.
“Well, whoever said honesty is the best policy was whacked out of his or her fucking mind.”
“Now I really want to know.”
“Too bad.”
Ryan suddenly dropped the towel, and my eyes locked onto his penis. Yeah, sure I had seen him completely naked that first night—but I still wasn’t used to a huge, fully erect penis … particularly when it was attached to a hot guy who was staring at me. I gasped and closed my eyes.
