My First Love Affair (Bancroft Billionaire Brothers Book 3)

by Ali Parker

  I opted to sit on the couch a few feet away from her. We both took long drinks from our beers. I could see she was nervous. Again, was that a good sign or a bad sign? I had no idea what to expect. I would kick Dalton’s and Jack’s asses if she told me she’d had some time alone to think and realized we weren’t good for each other. They were the ones who’d told me to stay away. I was going to blame them. It would make everything easier if I could blame them for things falling apart.

  In the back of my mind, I knew it was a very real possibility that she was at my place to tell me things were over between us. I had been foolish to believe a woman like Adelaide and I could ever have anything real. We had good sex and that was that. Sex wasn’t everything. She was a woman who wanted a man with as much ambition as she had. She wanted a man who could give her stability and didn’t ride around on motorcycles and hang out with questionable people. Adelaide was a princess in her own right. I had just been the guy lucky enough to get to hang out with her for a while.

  “Thanks,” she murmured, holding up the bottle of beer.

  “Sure.”

  There was an uncomfortable silence. I was convinced she was gathering up the courage to tell me to kiss off. I took another long drag from the bottle, gulping it down and waiting for her to shatter my world into a million pieces.

  “Mason, I’m sorry,” she said so quietly I almost didn’t hear her.

  “For?” I asked, barely able to get the word out around the lump in my throat.

  “For not being straight with you from the very beginning. When you gave me that key, you looked so happy, so excited. I didn’t want to be the one to take away that excitement. I kept thinking I would get on board eventually,” she explained.

  I nodded my head. “But you didn’t—get on board.”

  She winced. “I’m sorry. It wasn’t anything about you. I know that sounds cheesy and cliché, but it was, it is, about me. I am the one who is struggling with the idea.”

  That stung. “I don’t want you to struggle. That was never my intention. It wasn’t supposed to be something that made you uncomfortable,” I grumbled.

  She reached out and put her hand on my knee. “Mason, I wasn’t trying to end things with you. I didn’t want to hurt you or offend you. That wasn’t my intention. I said yes to moving in with you because I wanted to make you happy. I thought that if you were happy, I would eventually catch up to you. But every time I thought about going to my landlord and giving my notice, I panicked.”

  “Panic is not a good response to moving in together,” I said dryly.

  “I know, I know. I’m so sorry. It’s just, everything felt like it was changing. Every part of my life changed. I woke up one morning as Adelaide Sinclair and the next thing I knew, I was the owner of a cocktail and coffee bar and moving in with a man,” she said.

  “You make it sound like I ruined your life,” I said, slightly offended.

  She shook her head. “No! That’s not what I’m saying at all! You didn’t ruin my life. You are a part of the changes. I know these changes are for the better, but it’s still change. Human nature is to fear change. I take that up another level and freak out with change. I like things steady, sure and knowing what I’m going to do the next day. You’re this free spirit who flies by the seat of his pants. You’re spontaneous and carefree and I love that, but I’m not quite that unencumbered. I overthink things. I worry about tomorrow. I worry about everything. That is where we are very different. I’m not saying that’s a bad thing, but I’m trying to tell you why I panicked.”

  I nodded, trying to understand. I did get it a little, but it was still hard for me to wrap my head around her going along with it for two weeks without ever saying a word. “I wish you felt like you could have talked to me about how you were feeling.”

  “I should have. I know I should have. I can’t explain why I didn’t. All I know is I wanted you to be happy.”

  “I appreciate that, but it didn’t get us anywhere. Now we’re back at square one—or are we?” I asked, not wanting to wait for the ax to fall.

  She looked at me with confusion. “What do you mean?”

  “I mean, is this over?”

  “I don’t know.”

  I nodded my head. “I see.”

  “Wait, Mason. I’m trying to explain myself. I’m doing a terrible job at it, but I want to live with you. I want to take that next step with you,” she said.

  “But? I can hear the but in there. Just say it. Quit trying to protect me. I’m a big boy and can handle whatever it is that’s on your mind,” I muttered.

  “But the apartment was my safety net. It was my just-in-case card. I was trying to have my foot in both worlds and that’s not right. I wouldn’t have been able to fully commit to making this work between us if I had the apartment waiting for me. The first time we had a fight or the first time I felt like I wasn’t really at home, I would have bolted. It was an easy way out. I didn’t want to do that to you or myself. I think it has to be all in or not in at all if we’re going to live together.”

  I was reading between the lines, listening to what she wasn’t saying. “You’re not all in.”

  She grimaced. “I wasn’t, but I think I can be.”

  I shook my head. “I don’t want you to think. I want you to know. I know. I knew then. I’m all in. I have no doubts in my mind about what I want for us.”

  “I know and that’s what gives me the confidence to take the plunge,” she said.

  I looked at her, not sure I was really understanding what she was saying. She did have a funny way of talking in circles. “What does that mean?”

  “It means, I’m so sorry I wasn’t honest with you. It means I’m sorry I’m not great at communicating. It means, I want to move in with you and be all in.”

  I smiled, my heart filling with warmth after being icy all day. “You’re sure? I don’t want you telling me what you think I want to hear but feeling something else.”

  She nodded her head. “I’m sure. I do think I have to get a lot better at my communication skills and I’m going to work on that.”

  “Okay. I’ll try harder as well. I know I’m not great at it.”

  She giggled softly. “It will be a new trick for both of us. I think if we can always be open and honest with each other, we can head off any more of these little misunderstandings. I tend to internalize a lot. I don’t talk about me or what I’m thinking or feeling.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Gee, I’m so good at it. I’ll do better.”

  “I really am sorry. All the changes were freaking me out. I felt like I was losing myself and had no solid footing to stand on. I panicked and you were the one who felt the brunt of my panic. It wasn’t just the moving in thing that had me a little nervous,” she said, looking away from me.

  “Adelaide, don’t look away. You said you were going to talk to me—talk. What else has you nervous?” I asked, trying my best to sound patient.

  She took a deep breath. “I’m worried this strain between you and your mom is going to make you resent me.”

  “What? Why?” I asked, completely confused.

  Her dark eyes met mine. “Because she doesn’t like me. She doesn’t approve of me. You are a very loyal man and I know you would defend me against anyone, no matter the cost to you. I don’t want to be the reason you and your mother don’t have a relationship. In some ways, I think your mom is right. You could have any woman in the world. You could have a woman who is wealthy and gorgeous. I almost feel like you’re settling with me. I know that’s what your mother thinks as well. I think your whole family feels like that.”

  “I don’t give a shit what my family thinks. My mother isn’t usually so judgmental. I think she just needs to get to know you. Then she would see who you really are. You are the only woman I want. You are worthy. You are too good for me. Never feel like you aren’t. I’m lucky you even give me the time of day. My family has no idea who you are. If they did, they would want to have your head checked a
nd wonder why in the hell you were with a guy like me.”

  She smiled. “That’s sweet and thank you, but your family, they’re so, so, I don’t know, established. I feel like I’m still trying to figure out life and they have it all together.”

  “Trust me, that’s a mirage. They don’t. They are hot messes. They just do a better job of hiding it. They hide it behind their money, but they are no better than you or me,” I assured her.

  She nodded her head. “I suppose. Thanks for talking to me.”

  “Baby, I will talk to you anytime you want. Never feel like you can’t tell me how you’re feeling. You can. No matter what it is, I’m here,” I told her, scooting closer to her on the couch.

  She seemed to visibly relax. “Okay.”

  “Okay, then,” I whispered and leaned over to kiss her.

  Chapter 67

  Adelaide

  His lips were soft and hot and the pressure he was applying had me opening my mouth wide. His tongue pushed inside, dancing with mine as his hands roamed over my body. He was so hot, his body practically scalding mine as he leaned closer. The weight of his body pushed me backward until I was lying on an armrest with him over me. I wasn’t sure when it had happened, but he had my pants undone and pushed down my thighs in the span of a few seconds.

  I gasped when his hand pushed between my thighs. He was out of control. I loved that I drove him to the edge. I dug at his shirt, yanking the fabric up his body. I gasped the moment I felt his hot skin under my hands. I scraped my nails across his back before reaching down to grab a handful of his ass.

  “Damn, baby, I’ve missed you,” he growled.

  “It hasn’t been that long,” I replied with a laugh.

  “Too long,” he rasped.

  His hand between my legs pushed them farther apart, his fingers moving the thin triangle of fabric shielding my core before probing deep inside. I gasped at the invasion. He was clearly feeling needy. I was wet and ready for him—like always.

  “Clothes,” I gasped.

  He jumped off me, yanking the remainder of his clothes off with a speed that surprised me. I had barely managed to wiggle out of my panties and pants before he dropped to his knees in front of me. He yanked me up, pushing me against the back of the couch and using his shoulders to spread my legs. His hands grabbed my thighs and jerked me forward, bringing my ass to the edge of the couch a second before he dove between my legs. His tongue lashed at me, parting my folds and lapping at the sensitive nub. It left me screaming for more, begging for him not to stop.

  “Fuck!” I gasped, my body arching and clenching as he lapped at me, his fingers pushing inside me while he sucked my sensitive flesh into his mouth.

  I was a quivering mess, ready to fall apart. “I’m going to fuck you so hard you’re going to scream for mercy,” he growled between my legs.

  “I’m going to—”

  “I want it. I want to taste you. I want to feast on you,” he mumbled, his mouth closing over me once again.

  His voice vibrated against my thighs. The vibration mingled with the myriad sensations tearing through my body. My hands were in his hair, pulling it at times when the pleasure was so intense, I feared I would pass out.

  Two of his fingers pushed inside me before his tongue lapped over my clit. It was more than my body could take. I erupted into a stream of steady fire, my body jerking and spasming as I held on to his head, screaming his name over and over.

  I was still in the throes of what I was convinced was the most violent orgasm I had ever experienced in my life when he kicked back, pushing the coffee table away, and dropped to the floor, bringing me with him. I felt boneless, not knowing what he wanted from me.

  He pulled me against his chest. I instinctively reached between us, finding his hard cock with my hand and guiding him to my opening. I dropped down, taking him deep inside me with one long, full stroke. My body squeezed around him, still in the aftermath of the orgasm he had given me.

  “Fuck me, damn, you feel so good,” he hissed.

  His hands reached up, unclasping the bra and tossing it to the floor beside us. He reached up, squeezing hard before moving to grab my hips.

  I pushed off his chest, rising up to take him even deeper inside me. I was the one in control. I was the one setting the speed and controlling how deep he went. I rocked back, my hands sliding down his thighs and touching his knees, shifting positions and taking him at a new angle that reached previously untouched nerve endings.

  “Like that?” I asked, sliding back and forth.

  “Yes,” he groaned.

  I rode him, hard and fast, showing no mercy. He yelled, cursed and spoke incoherently as I continued to ride him. I ran my hand over my breasts, squeezing them as I looked down at him. He watched as I pinched my nipples between my fingers, growing impossibly bigger inside me.

  “Like that?” I whispered, grabbing his hand and bringing it to my breast.

  “You do it,” he ordered.

  I grabbed my breast again, crying out as pleasure tore through my body.

  “More?” I asked, hoping he would say yes.

  “More! Squeeze, roll your nipple between your fingers,” he ordered.

  I did as he asked. The idea of me pinching my own nipple made me feel daring, naughty in the best way. I wanted to please him, and it felt delicious. I moaned, pinching both nipples as I watched his reaction. His clenched jaw and intense gaze were all I needed to know how turned on he was. He loved it. I loved that he loved it. I was on the verge of another orgasm when he sat forward, pushing me back and nearly knocking me off. Instead, he grabbed me by my waist and lifted me, dropping me on the floor next to him.

  I got to my hands and knees, watching as he rose to his knees behind me. I watched as he ran a hand down my spine, caressing my ass before gripping his hard cock in his hand. He was staring at my bare ass with such lust I nearly orgasmed right then. I wiggled, giving him the go-ahead to take me.

  His hand guided himself between my thighs, finding my hot, wet center and pushing inside. He was fully seated with one hard thrust. I pushed back, taking him deeper, smiling when I felt him jerk inside me. He spread one of his large hands over my ass before swatting me.

  I cried out, the stinging sensation glorious. “Again!” I shouted.

  He slapped my ass again, nearly making me climax in that second. He pushed hard and deep, moving faster. The force of his thrusts knocked me forward. I dropped to my elbows, my ass high in the air as he took me like we were feral animals. We were both shouting, neither of us really hearing what the other was saying. It was a haze of lust and passion and pure ecstasy.

  “Oh fuck, I’m going to explode,” he shouted.

  I got back to my hands, readying myself for his violent thrusts. He didn’t disappoint. His body slammed against mine, every thrust pushing me across the hardwood floor. I reached for the couch, crawling toward it with him buried inside me, chasing me as I moved away. I grabbed on to the edge of the couch, finally finding purchase.

  “Now. Now fuck me!” I ordered.

  The man didn’t need to be told twice. With the couch to hold me up, I held firm. His thrusts were gaining in intensity. With every thrust, he grunted, roaring like a rabid animal. I felt the couch move an inch and slid closer to it.

  “God dammit. Why? Why do you make me so goddamn crazy?” he groaned.

  “I want you,” I told him, not having an answer for him.

  “I want you now, tomorrow and the next day. I want your body hot and wet and squeezing me. I want to hear you whimper and cry out as you orgasm,” he hissed.

  “Go, please, I’m going to burst into flames,” I cried out.

  His hand slapped against my ass and that was all I needed. I screamed his name as my body exploded around him. My nails scraped over the leather seats of the couch as he pummeled my body with his. I heard him shout, something about him dying and then I felt a hot burst inside me as he exploded. He grunted and hissed, making up curse words as he lost
himself inside me.

  He collapsed, his cheek resting against my back. My face dropped onto the leather. I turned my head so I could breathe, feeling a trickle of drool as my body completely relaxed. I slumped against the couch, his weight on me.

  “Fuck. I’m sorry,” he moaned, rolling away from me.

  He sat up, his butt on the floor and his back against the couch. I rolled over, flopping down next to him. “Don’t be sorry.”

  “I am. That was rough. I lost my mind a bit. You undo me. I have no self-control when I’m around you. It’s like I turn into a crazy, rutting beast,” he said, running a hand over his face.

  “Never apologize for giving me two of the best orgasms of my life.”

  “I didn’t hurt you?” he asked, his hand reaching out to caress my outstretched leg.

  I slowly shook my head. “No. I might have some rug burns, but I’ll be okay.”

  He looked down at the floor. “I don’t have a rug.”

  I burst into laughter. I felt giddy and a little crazy. “Oh.”

  He got to his feet, reaching down to pull me to a standing position. “Come on. We’ll go to bed. You’ll stay, right?”

  “Yes,” I mumbled, my legs shaking as he led me to his bedroom.

  I crawled into the big bed, the silky sheets caressing my body. The coolness against my overheated flesh felt good. I fluffed the pillow, waiting for him to crawl into bed with me. He joined me a few minutes later after locking up. He slid beside me, pulling the covers over our bodies. The rather exuberant sex had left me exhausted.

  “Stay?” he whispered.

  “Yes.”

  “For good?” he asked.

  I smiled, my eyelids too heavy to open. “Yes.”

  “You’re sure?” he mumbled, the sleep in his voice revealing his own exhaustion.

  “I am.”

  “I’ll let you sleep, but I need you to know how happy I am when you’re in my arms,” he whispered.