Our skin—mine caramel, his white with a golden tan—wrapped around each other beautifully. Watching how our bodies connected last night, it was impossible to see where one of us began and the other ended as he moved in and out of me.
I closed my eyes still basking in the way he made me feel and sucked in my bottom lip at the memory. Slowly, I inhaled his scent then opened my eyes only to stare at him like some lovesick fool. As I watched his chest rise and fall, I still hadn’t had enough. I craved this man like nothing I’d ever wanted before. What started out as a tingling in my body became an uncomfortable throb at the valley of my thighs. It was getting stronger and stronger. This man was doing nothing but sleeping, yet I was hot all over as heat rushed to my core.
I couldn’t stand it another second. Why shouldn’t I pleasure myself? With my mind made up, I threw one leg over his hip, then climbed on top straddling him. Gently, I pressed him flat onto his back. My juices were already flowing before I’d even started pushing myself back and forth on top of his magnificent dick. I wasn’t really in control. My body was. It had a mind of its own as I rolled my hips around and around in a circle while holding my arms above my head.
It took absolutely no time at all for me to feel Brody’s erection. He was hard.
“Mmm . . .” I moaned at the sensation. My eyes fluttered closed at the same time he cracked his open.
His voice was groggy as his hands gripped my hips. “I can wake up like this every morning.”
I continued to writhe my swollen lips against him. I took my hand and positioned him at my opening. Slowly, I slid down until Brody was fully sheathed deeply inside of me.
He sucked in a breath.
I moaned and closed my eyes. This time, I wanted nice and slow, and that’s what I did. I rocked my hips back and forth excruciatingly slow, then up and down, never increasing the speed.
Brody ran his hands up my body until he cupped my breasts and gently kneaded and stroked them.
He could barely talk. “Baby you're killing me.”
I gasped when Brody thrust up into me and rolled his own hips. Still, he allowed me to set the pace. My orgasm started to build and so did his.
I picked up the pace just a little when my inner walls began to clench around him. Then, everything just became too much. I started to ride him and ride hard. I bounced up and down as I took my pleasure.
“Oh, gaaawd. I’m about to come!” He felt so good my toes curled.
Brody decided it was time to take over and quickly flipped me over onto my back before plunging deep into me. He held onto the headboard as he pounded into me over and over again. Moments later, we both found our release.
He collapsed on top of me when we were finished. After we caught our breath, he rolled over onto his side and pulled me back into his arms.
“Good thing the bullet missed my heart. Otherwise, you probably would have killed me, Ms. Lee-Xiou.”
Completely satisfied and utterly exhausted, I laughed. Quickly I found myself falling into another deep sleep until early afternoon.
*****
I woke up, stretched, and yawned. I whispered into Brody’s ear. “Hey, sleepy head. We’ve been in bed all morning. I’m thinking we should probably get up.”
Brody hugged me tighter. “I’m recuperating. I think we should stay here a little longer.”
“I’m pretty sure you are fully recovered, Mr. Windham. You’ve proven that and then some. Anyway, I’m starving.”
The phone next to my bed rang. I had to reach over him to answer it, and the tips of my breasts gently grazed his chest. He growled. “Keep doing what you’re doing; you’re never going to get out of this bed.”
I hadn’t ever felt this level of lightheartedness. “As long as you can perform, I’ll gladly stay in bed—after I eat.”
He pinched my nipple. “Sounds like a challenge to me.”
I giggled. I actually giggled and couldn’t help rolling my own eyes at myself as I put the phone to my ear. “Hello?”
“Ms. Lee-Xiou, this is Romelo. I have a young girl down here at the security gate. She said her name is Cecily Manchetti. What should I do with her?”
Chapter 16
Cecily Manchetti
Nervously, she stood outside the security gate of Gina Lee-Xiou’s home. It had taken almost three days after taking two busses, two planes, and a taxi to get there. Cecily couldn’t help but wonder what if she wouldn’t see her? The last time she was in Guilin it was such a horrible experience. It was possible, Gina just might leave her standing outside her gate. If she did, then Cecily would have to figure something else out.
Her Uncle Alex and Braylee were probably just now finding out that she wasn’t on the plane with the rest of her class for their foreign exchange trip. They wouldn’t understand her need to meet her birth mother. Cecily had questions, and she was the only one who could answer them. She would call to let them know she was safe later, even though they were going to be pissed.
Cecily’s backpack was heavy. It slipped a little off of her shoulder, and she hoisted it back up while waiting for the security guard to let her know if he had permission to let her inside the compound. She was hot and hadn’t changed her jeans and t-shirt since leaving home. Cecily could use a nice cool shower, but she was too nervous. The adrenaline was pumping through her veins. If she didn’t get a grip, her bottom lip was going to need medical attention from gnawing on it.
Suddenly, the gates began to open.
The guard gestured her inside. As she walked through them, he stuck his head out of the little window of the gatehouse. He spoke in Mandarin. “It’s a little ways to the house from here. A car will come to take you up to it. You can wait inside with me if you want. It is air-conditioned.”
She smiled, nodded, and pushed the backpack up on her shoulder again as she walked over into the coolness of gatehouse to wait. It didn’t take long before a shiny black sedan pulled up alongside it. Cecily thanked the man for his kindness, Xièxiè, as he opened the door for her to climb into the back. Once the door closed, her heart rate accelerated even more. She didn’t know how that was possible. After planning this trip for a little over two months, now that she was here, it felt surreal. With huge eyes, she took in her surroundings. This wasn’t the house they’d come to before. It was a different one. The other house was on a mountainside a little higher up. This one was on a mountainside too but not as high. Cecily had to sneak into Braylee’s office and break into her files to find the address. She knew she would have it. Braylee was so thorough when it came to certain stuff that it was a no-brainer where to start looking. Unfortunately, she didn’t have very much information on Nina. Otherwise, that’s where Cecily would have gone first. The car finally pulled up to the front door and stopped. Before she could open her door, the driver got out and opened it. Hopefully, answers were waiting on the other side. Cecily knew Gina couldn’t answer all of her questions, but she could address some of them. Slowly, she exited the vehicle, squared her shoulders and stood up straight. Her feet felt like lead, but Cecily managed to put one foot in front of the other. She walked right up the stairs to the mansion. Again, before she could ring the bell, the door opened, and Gina stood on the other side of it. Slightly sloped dark brown eyes, framed with super long eyelashes burned into hers. As a matter of fact, they were an exact replica. Her mouth went dry as they stared at each other. The first words out of Gina’s mouth weren't “hello,” but “your uncle is going to kill me.” ***** Gina was beautiful even without makeup. Cecily had seen her here and there on blogs, but her pictures didn’t do her justice. She was always so done up in them, but today, Gina was dressed in a fitted t-shirt and a pair of black yoga pants. Her hair was thrown up in a messy ponytail similar to Cecily’s own.
Her skin was smooth, and Gina’s lips were full; just like hers. It wasn’t the first time that it dawned on Cecily that physically, she took more after her mother’s side of the family. A family she’d only known from things she’d read on the
internet. “Are you going to stand there gaping at me or are you going to come inside?” Gina didn’t even try to mask her irritation. Cecily didn’t realize her mouth was open, so she closed it and walked inside. Suddenly, the strap of her backpack became a lifeline as she held on for dear life. “H . . . hi. I’m sorry to pop in on you like this, but if I would have told you ahead of time, I was afraid you wouldn’t see me.” “You’re probably right. I would have told Alex to keep an eye on you because you were thinking of sneaking off to come here. It was reckless and dangerous for a fifteen-year-old girl to travel all the way from Chicago to Guilin by herself.” Cecily didn’t know why but her words hurt. Why didn’t they want her in their lives? She hadn’t done anything wrong. Cecily blinked away a few tears and reined in her emotions. She wasn’t here for Gina. She’d come to meet her mother. If Gina couldn’t or wouldn’t help that was all right. Cecily would figure out another way. “I was hoping you would help me get some answers.” “Answers? To what?” Gina closed the door behind her as she crossed over the threshold. “I’m sure Alex would have told you whatever you wanted to learn if you would have asked.” Cecily shook her head. “No, not about this. I know he wouldn’t have.” “Well, I’m not sure how much help I can be. However, ask your questions, I’ll answer them if I can and then, I’m putting you on the first plane back to Chicago.” Cecily was getting pissed that all Gina wanted to do was get rid of her. Fine. She’d ask her questions, but she wasn’t leaving Guilin until she’d met her mother. That was a fact! “How can I get in touch with Nina?” Gina whispered. “What? Nina? She’s dead.” Cecily narrowed my eyes. “You’re lying to me. I don’t know why I should have expected honesty from you. I know she’s not dead.” Gina was now the one standing there gaping with her mouth slightly open. She had nothing to say. Not one word came out of her. She wasn’t going to help. “Okay, if you’re not going to help me, I’ll figure it out on my own.” Cecily turned to leave, but Gina put her hands on her shoulder to stop her. “Wait.” Gina rubbed her forehead as if she were in pain. “You’re right. I’m sorry I lied to you.” “Then, you’ll help me?” Gina squeezed her eyes shut. “I’m having a difficult time forming thoughts right now. Give me a second for my mind to catch up to what you’re telling me.” “I don’t have a lot of time. Uncle Alex will be searching for me very soon.” Her eyes popped opened. “As he should! You should never have been able to sneak away from him. How’d you find out about Nina anyway?” “Google Alerts.” “The internet is the devil.” Cecily was more than a little frustrated. “Will you help me or not?” After an eternity ticked by, Gina finally responded. “Yes. I’ll help you.”
Chapter 17
Gina Lee-Xiou
I couldn’t believe my eyes. Cecily Manchetti, my niece, was standing right before me. She was actually here. I was both thrilled and terrified.
That child traveled almost eight thousand miles because she wanted to get to know Nina. There was no way in hell I was going to let that happen. I needed to figure out a way to get her back on that airplane and out of harm’s way, as soon as possible.
Nina was gunning for me, and if my plan didn’t work, she could be successful in burying me. I couldn’t allow anyone else to get hurt or worse. I also couldn’t ignore Cecily’s ragged appearance. “You look tired. Are you hungry?”
“I am tired and hungry, but that can wait. I’ve come a long way, and I’ve waited forever for this moment.”
“You’re here. You’ve waited this long, another half an hour or so isn’t going to kill you. Let me take you up to one of my guest bedrooms where you can take a quick shower and I’ll have my chef prepare us some lunch.”
Cecily’s eyes drooped with disappointment, but she didn’t argue.
It was clear, Cecily was going to need a bit more convincing. “I don’t know about you, but I can’t eat, think, or answer questions on an empty stomach. So . . . is it a deal?”
“I guess if I don’t have any choice.”
My lips sloped into a half a smile. “You don’t. Come on follow me.”
After I settled Cecily into her room, I walked quickly back to mine.
“Is it safe for me to come out?” Brody’s eyes twinkled with laughter.
“So not funny. How the hell did Alex let this happen? And, no. You can’t come out of my bedroom. What will Cecily think?”
“Gina, I’m not going to stay hidden up here. We’re grown-ups.”
I paced the room back and forth rubbing my hands together barely listening to Brody. “She knows Nina is alive. She’s asking me all sorts of questions. I don’t know what to tell her. I’m rambling and embarrassed that I don’t know what to say to my fifteen-year-old niece.”
Brody grabbed me by my shoulders and pulled me so that I was standing directly in front of him. “First, calm down. There’s nothing to be nervous about.”
“You probably wouldn’t say that if I told you about the last time she and I were in the same room together.”
“It doesn’t matter. Children are very forgiving. Remember, she reached out to you. That’s a good sign.”
My eyebrow lifted skeptically. “I’m a means to an end.”
“You’re her aunt. Instead of thinking the worst, why don’t you try to get to know her?”
“I know a lot about her already.” I walked over to my armoire and opened the doors. Carefully, I pulled out a leather bound book then walked it over. “See.”
Brody took the album and opened it. Inside the pages of it were pictures. Images of Cecily from the time she was born up until she’d given a speech for her Young Scholars Club just a couple of weeks ago.
“I’ve had to get to know her from afar for so long. She’s a good kid and smart too. I’ll do anything to protect her.”
“I can see that.” Brody raised hopeful eyes up from the book to me. He grabbed my hand and pulled me down on the bed to sit next to him. “Gina, what if this was your last chance to get to know Cecily? Don’t let this opportunity pass without taking full advantage of it. I said it before, and I’ll say it again, she reached out to you. That means something.”
“What if you’re wrong?”
“What if I’m right?”
“You’ve got a point.” I exhaled. “Okay. I just wish I had more time to prepare. I could have studied up on how to talk to a teenager.”
Brody chuckled. “Baby, there hasn’t been a book written that will prepare you for teenagers. Just relax, be honest, and talk with her. Usually, they are the ones running their mouths so much that all you have to do is nod a few times and listen to them talk, talk, and talk some more.”
“Hmmm . . . I hope you’re wrong because she has questions about Nina. I’m going to have to tap dance all around those.”
“Do what you think is best.” He pulled me close. “Now . . . can a man get some food around here? You’ve kept me up all night and day like a sex-slave, and I need to recharge.”
“I’ll have someone send you up a lunch tray,” I grinned cheekily.
*****
I was in my office when I called Alex. “Cecily is here.”
He repeated what I said to Braylee. I could hear her and the baby in the background. After several expletive-filled sentences, he turned his focus back to me. “Put her on a plane.”
“I plan to. However, she’s adamant about meeting Nina.”
“Dammit. How’d she find out, Gina?”
“The internet. Google Alerts. Apparently, she’s curious. If I don’t answer some of her questions, she’s going to try and go to the source. Even if I do, she might try anyway. It’s normal for her to want to know about who she is. That includes Nina and me.”
“She could have come to me.”
“We lied to her once already, Alex. If we don’t do this right, she will go to Nina.”
“That can’t happen.”
“It won’t, not under my roof. I’ll make sure someone has eyes on her the entire time she’s here and that they are with her on the plane ride home.
I’ll do my part, but, Alex, you need to do yours. There’s a lot of craziness going on right now. It’s too dangerous for her to be here.”
“It’s always too dangerous to be around a Lee-Xiou.”
I didn’t like what he’d said about me, but I couldn’t honestly be mad. He was right, but still. “Yeah, but you’re the one who let her out of your sight and run away to another country.”
*****
I heard a soft knock on my door. “Gina?” And then a mass of wet curls stuck out from behind it. “May I come in?”
My arms were folded. I’d just hung up with Alex and still held the cell phone in my hand. “Yes. Sure.”
Cecily stepped into the room. “Thank you for the shower.” She paused awkwardly. “Did you call Uncle Alex?”
“Yes. I needed to let him know you were here and safe.”
She looked down at her feet. “He’s probably really angry. I was going to call him once I made it.”
“More like furious. Have a seat. Lunch should be here shortly.”
Those brown eyes looked up at me so earnestly that I would have given that girl anything. She deserved better than us.
Her voice was small. The sound was so tiny that I almost didn’t hear her question. I wished I hadn’t, but I’d heard. “Why didn’t my mother want me?”
My heart twisted. “Cecily.” I sat next to her. “Let me start off by saying, I’m sorry. I’m sorry about everything and all the pain that we’ve caused you. But, you need to understand this . . . you are an amazing girl in spite of Nina and me. Any mother would be proud to have you as a daughter. Nothing that happened since your mom discovered she was pregnant was intended to hurt you or was because of you.”
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