Closer To You (Suits in Pursuit)

by Kelley, Lauren H.

  She was like stone, trying not to cave under the threat of his allure. The way an orchid wilts under the blaze of the hot sun, her resistance was wasted. She surrendered deftly to the inferno of his touch, kissing him back affectionately. She knew all the risks, but she hadn’t been able to resist him, even now.

  Finally, he broke the kiss. “Kerrigan, how could you think I don’t want more with you? What I said last night was that I never want to let you go. It’s true—I don’t want a girlfriend. I want more. I’m in love with you.”

  CHAPTER TWO

  Axel took her into his arms and consumed her, his tongue invading her mouth as his lips swallowed her cherry flavored ones. Gently lowering her down onto her back, his hand maneuvered underneath her cropped shirt, eager fingers closing the distance between her fleshy round mounds and his firm grasp.

  Her nipples hardened. In a swift motion, he raised her shirt above her head and arms, ripping the nuisance away from her body and flinging the rag across the room. Feather light kisses trailed up her stomach until he reached her bosom, and then without warning, he stopped. In a fit of fury, his frantic hands unfastened her teal bra, the lacy garment falling from her arms and landing in her lap.

  “You’re beautiful. So soft.” He delighted in the twist of her right nipple between his index finger and thumb as his lips descended onto her other breast, capturing the tender peak with his delicate nibble.

  Pleasure rippled through her body in shocks and waves at the command of his touch. “Ah! Axel.”

  “I love every inch of your body,” he said as he continued his sensual examination of her delicate curves, his hands explored every inch of her.

  “I love your body too,” she murmured.

  His eyes seared her heart. “Touch me Kerrigan.” Raising himself up, he tore his shirt from his flesh.

  Her shaky hands reached up, fingers tracing the ridges of his sculpted chest, tickling their way down to the six-pack on his abdomen. His skin blazed in the trail left by her fingertips. He captured her hands with his and anchored them above her head, lowering himself onto her and pressing his lips against hers. Impassioned and at the end of his threshold, he abandoned his seductive hold on her lips, stood and stripped away all barriers between his raw flesh and hers—his dress slacks and gray boxers and her jeans and lace teal thongs landed haphazardly at all four corners of the room. Her breath caught, and eyes stretched wide as they slid down his naked frame, his desire in plain sight. Chest heaving, eyes blinking rapidly and throat swallowing hard, obviously, she hadn’t seen his cock in her dimly lit room the night before.

  Oh, shit! He was enormous. The memory of his cock stretching and filling her still lingered, as did the evidence—her ache. She remembered how hard and deeply he had pounded into her. The feeling of him claiming her had been exquisite, and she wanted him to take her again. With him in full view, panic paralyzed her as she lay stripped and splayed out on the bed motionless, breathless and silent, awaiting his next move.

  He stared into her gaze. “Sweetheart, don’t be afraid.”

  She turned her head away, gazing at the clock on his nightstand. “Did, did you fit inside me….completely?” Her words fluttered out.

  “Every inch baby, and I can’t wait to be inside you again.”

  With her eyes shut, she winced. “Axel, please go easy. I’m still sore.” She pleaded.

  “Baby, I’m sorry I hurt you. I’m about to lose control, so you have to tell me if I’m too rough.” The fire in his eyes burned so intensely she melted under the heat.

  She nodded her head and gulped the lump in her throat. “Yes, O … Okay.” Her voice trembling out the only words she could manage.

  She still didn’t believe his massive cock had fit inside her. His knees sank into the bed as he climbed in next to her, leaned over and gently stroked her bare legs, making his way up to her golden thighs. His hands found their way between her knees, parting them wide. She was dripping wet for him, soaking with desire. He plunged a finger deep into her as he massaged her clitoris. The intensity surprised her, and she gasped. He inserted another finger, and with an in and out motion, he gently massaged inside her womanhood.

  The pleasure inside her built rapidly and she slipped away, feeling nothing but sensation. He removed his fingers and sucked lavishly on them. He kneeled between her legs and pulled her to the edge of the bed. His tongue went to work on her, lapping greedily at the juices of her delicate flower as her delectable honey flowed. He licked and plugged her moist opening with his tongue tasting her tangy, sweet cream.

  “Ah. Ah. Axel.” She moaned and writhed uncontrollably under his sexual barrage.

  He stopped abruptly. “No, not like this. I want you to feel me inside you when you climax.”

  He immobilized her. She lay helpless in his bed, every inch of her overwhelmed with pleasure, awaiting his next move. He raised himself up and positioned his naked body on top of hers, pushing her legs open as he embedded himself between them. The tip of his shaft sank into her slowly. Inch by inch, his thick, rock-hard cock plunged deep inside her for the second time.

  “Ah,” she cried as he circled inside her.

  She didn’t protest, and he wasn’t about to stop. With every inch of his throbbing cock thrust inside her, she couldn’t help the sounds that escaped her as he filled her and reached her depths. “Oh, god,” she yelled out.

  “How does this feel?” he asked breathlessly, pumping feverishly into her in rhythmic motion.

  She trembled hard underneath him as she submitted her body to his pummeling. “So good,” she whimpered.

  He slowed his pace to a halt, still inside her. “Kerrigan, I want you to enjoy the feeling of me inside you.”

  Panting and winded, “I love the feeling of you inside me. My body is yours,” she said, clinging on to him tightly.

  He lowered his head, sweat glistening on his brow as his lips melded with hers in a slow, sensual kiss. Pulling away, he whispered softly into her ear, “I want your heart too.”

  Suddenly, his eyes flashed hot and wild, an unnerving intensity. “Last night, I made love to you slow and gentle. Today, I’m not holding back. I’m going to fuck you hard until you beg me to stop.”

  Oh, shit! The danger in his eyes sent a jolt through her body and her heart hammered in her chest. She gripped his shoulders and her nails planted into his flesh, bracing for his invasion. He slammed into her so hard and deep that all she could do was scream his name repeatedly. He was relentless as he continued pounding into her. Her legs shook uncontrollably as his cock slid in and out, reaching her depths and sending a ripple of vibrations throughout her body so intense that tears formed in her eyes. The feeling that had been an achy soreness subsided and her eyes rolled back, pure sensational ecstasy. Having him inside her, making love to her, fucking her, was the most incredible feeling she had ever had.

  She cried out, screaming his name as she climaxed. “Axel, Axel, please. Oh, god.”

  “I’m not done with you yet,” he warned. “I told you before, I want you to beg me to stop.”

  The musky scent of hot sex in the air permeated his senses. Her wavy hair curled tighter, damp and limp as the climate changed in the room from their sweaty bodies merging.

  He pulled out of her and lifted himself up. “Baby, get on your knees, lean forward and put your hands on the wall. I want to see your beautiful ass and take you from behind.”

  The soft gray button-tufted headboard upholstered in velvet banged loudly against the wall, their bodies colliding ferociously. The union of their contrasting skin tones, brown skin to white, tantalized his senses and he slammed into her harder with each blow. Pushing back against his pounding thrusts, she accepted all of him. His hands pinned hers against the wall as he continued ravishing her, pounding into her flesh with full force as he leaned forward and kissed the nape of her neck, inhaling her scent, beautiful feminine heat.

  A loud cry escaped her lips, “Please Axel, no more."

  He lean
ed over her, and placed his hand under her chin, tilting her face up to meet his kiss. She moaned into his mouth as her body shuddered all over. He exploded deep inside her, and her walls gripped his shaft hard as she climaxed again for the second, joining him in release.

  Exhaling, “Axel,” she moaned in a breathy whisper.

  He slumped forward, wrapped his arms around her and held her firmly against his glistening chest. “Kerrigan, that was amazing. You’re amazing.” Slowly, they tumbled down onto the bed in a heap, hot and damp and exhausted. She turned to face him, nestling her head against his chest. “Axel?”

  He titled her face to his, searching her eyes. “Yes, baby? You all right?”

  “Yes, I’m fine. Um …. I … I …” she stammered, pools forming in her eyes.

  He knew what she wanted to tell him, but couldn’t find the courage to say.

  He pulled her closer, caressed her cheek and looked into her eyes. “You don’t have to say the words, baby. I know.” A smile painted his lips, and he kissed her tenderly on the forehead. “I love you too.”

  Her lips quivered, tears leaked from her eyes and down Kerrigan's cheeks. He dusted her tear-stained face with tender kisses and held her tight until her tremors calmed. He had never known intimacy like this before. She was afraid to love him, but he was determined to claim her heart, just as he had claimed her body. He couldn’t let her go.

  He lay there fully sated, silently enjoying her in the afterglow of their passion. He enveloped her small body, folding her in his arms. She was beautiful, radiating with a glow as she slept. He kissed her softly until his eyes fell heavy, succumbing to exhaustion.

  They spent the next few days together enjoying and learning everything about each other.

  She told him about wanting to have her own business one day, a boutique of unique furnishings and eclectic finds. He talked about his plans to take on two new accounts that he hoped would give the company a much bigger share of the market. Every evening ended with passionate lovemaking into the wee hours of the morning.

  Early Wednesday morning, he and Kerrigan, went hiking. He knew they shared a love for outdoor activities. Later that afternoon, he took her to a musical festival featuring some of the best local bands. They walked the park grounds hand-in-hand, laughing and enjoying the atmosphere. He noticed strange stares, mostly from older women and a few from younger ones.

  He glimpsed down at her and caught her eyes, nervous, unsure, scared. Leaning in, he placed his hand under her soft chin bringing her face to his, “I love you. You’re beautiful, smart, kind and sexy as hell. I don’t give a damn what anyone else thinks and neither should you. You’re my woman, and I’m your man. Say it for me baby.”

  Beaming, her eyes sparkled like jewels and her bright smile warmed his heart. Her head placed gently against his chest, she wrapped her arms around him. “Thank you. I’m not easily intimidated, and a few gawkers aren’t going to rattle me. You’re my man, and I’m your woman.”

  He kissed her tenderly until her knees wobbled. “We’ll finish this tonight.”

  His cold, hard eyes averted the gawk of the bold onlookers. Whatever their issue was, he didn’t care. He clung to her even more, making sure she knew she was his and that she was secure with him.

  On Thursday, they went back to his house and lazed around for most of the day. He retreated to his study to work for a few hours while she bathed in the pool and relaxed. He was content to spend a quiet evening at home with Kerrigan. That night, he would test her talents.

  Sitting next to her on the sofa in the family room, he shifted his position to face her and asked, “Will you tickle my ivory?”

  Her eyebrows shot up, and lips parted.

  “I meant play something on the piano for me,” he said, as one corner of his mouth slanted into a flirty smile.

  She blushed. “I haven’t played in years, but I’ll try. I love Beethoven’s Silence. The piece is beautiful.”

  He stood. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her to her feet and led her from the casual comfort of the family into the elegant opulence of his showcase living room. He never liked the space, but his interior decorator talked him into designing a room filled with expensive custom-made furnishings and authentic artwork as a must-have for entertaining.

  Kerrigan slinked her way to the ebony Steinway baby grand and sat, fanning out her coral floor-length dress across the black bench. Long, graceful fingers lined the ivory keys, pressing them into melodic symphony as music echoed off the walls filled the room.

  Fifteen minutes later, Axel moved from the cream chiffon sofa where he sat, and joined her on the bench, sitting so closely that he saw her chest go from calm to a rapid rise and fall as he closed the distance between them. Her fingers slipped, missing the right notes. The offending sound ended her playing mid-chord.

  “If you want me to play, you need to move back. You’re making me nervous.”

  A slow guilty smile perched his lips, and he moved closer until he wrapped his arms around her waist. “You’re very talented.” He leaned down and kissed her until she panted softly. “Play for me later. I’m going to make love to you, right here and now.”

  She melted into his touch. “Axel, I…” He shoved his tongue into her mouth, silencing her defense. The clashing sound of random keys being pressed as they leaned against the piano keys impassioned and breathless was their duet.

  Releasing her trembling body and with an abrupt move, he turned on the piano’s auto-play function. “Shh, baby. Don’t say a word. Let me make love to you.” A soft melody filled the room once more.

  The second he resumed his touch, caressing and fondling her, she was his again, lost in the sensual heat of his command. “Yes,” she whispered a raspy reply.

  Entwined and enraptured with Kerrigan, he slipped to the floor bringing her hot, writhing body onto his. He made love to her there on the floor, on the sofa and on the piano, tenderly, all night. The memory they made that night would forever change his opinion of the stodgy room.

  CHAPTER THREE

  Friday, October 5

  Early Friday morning Axel and Kerrigan drove two hours north to spend the weekend at his mountain cabin. He didn’t immediately tell her where he was taking her. Half way to their destination, he broke the news.

  He glanced at her cautiously. “Are you sure you want to know where we’re heading?” Suddenly, his stomach was heavy, like stones resting inside.

  Her head leaned back against the black leather headrest. She turned away from the scenic view of magnificent pines and caught his glare. “Yes! Axel, stop teasing me and tell me where we’re going.”

  The cool breeze coming in from the open window calmed his nerves. “Okay. Okay. We’re going to spend the weekend at my cabin. It’s near a quaint little town in the north Georgia Mountains.” The right indicator light blinked as he switched lanes getting behind a blue minivan. Better to be in the slow lane for this conversation.

  “Sounds lovely.” She turned toward the road and closed her eyes.

  He cleared his throat. “I’ve made sure we get to spend time together on Saturday evening.” His white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel helped him brace for impact.

  Her eyes sprang open, and she jerked forward as she turned to face him, harnessed by the seat belt pressed against her pastel pink shirt between her breasts. “Only on Saturday night? What does that mean? Is there something you’re not telling me?” Her voice pitched.

  “Well … tonight Ryker and mom and dad are joining us at the cabin. And tomorrow, the guys are going fishing ...” He paused, and then glanced at her, watching her expression.

  Her mouth fell open. “What! You didn’t tell me that I was going to meet your family.” She placed her hand on her forehead. “Things are moving too quickly,” she muttered under her breath and shook her head. “I’m not ready to meet them yet. I didn’t pack appropriately. Do they know anything about me?” She rattled off, her voice raising several octaves.

  Shifting in his
seat, he stiffened. “Yesterday, I told mom that you’d be coming. They’ve known about you for a while.” He cleared his throat again. “I may have mentioned you a few times.” He couldn’t help the guilty grin that spread across his face. “Don’t worry about your clothes. You always look gorgeous.”

  She stared at him with narrowed eyes, scowling. “I can’t believe you. Meeting your parents isn’t something you can just spring on me at the last possible minute. What do they think about your dating a black woman?” He could see the worry on her face, her forehead wrinkling the way it did when she was frustrated or upset about something.

  Lips pressed together, he regarded her with a gentle touch to her arm now folded across her chest. “I’ve never mentioned your race to my family. It doesn’t matter. Kerrigan, you’re not some strange three-headed alien. You’re a human being, and I love you. The color of our skin shouldn’t make a difference. Besides, I happen to think that our contrasting skin tones are visually stunning when we make love.”

  A subtle shade of rouge tinted her cheeks at his remark, but it didn’t deter her irritation. “Axel, you can’t make light of this. You and I might not have any issues with our differences, but some people might. I’m not accusing your parents of being racists, but prejudice is alive. I am acutely aware of that fact every day. The color of my skin shouldn’t matter, but sometimes it does. What do your parents think about interracial relationships?” Her frigid tone and glossy-eyed stare hit him in the gut like a sack of potatoes.

  Quiet for a moment, he thought about the position he would be putting her in.

  He reached over and grabbed her hand. “Baby, I’m sorry. I understand how you feel. I wish I could take away your pain.” He regarded her with a half smile. “I’ve never talked with my parents about interracial dating or relationships, and I honestly don’t know what they’ll think, but they raised me to treat all people with dignity and respect, regardless of race, gender or social status.” He glanced at her trying to gauge her reaction. She was an ice cube, motionless and staring at the winding, tree-lined road ahead.