Fitz stands up, mutters something, and strides off to the Gents’.
“What was that about?” I ask, amused.
“He likes her,” Albie says.
“Has he asked her out?”
Albie tilts his hand backward and forward. “It’s not clear. He keeps trying to initiate a conversation, but she just walks off in the opposite direction. I think she’s afraid of getting hurt again.”
I have a mouthful of whisky. The gruff Fitz hasn’t dated anyone, as far as I know, for a year or so. I make a mental note to ask Abby whether the girls have mentioned him and Poppy at all.
“So,” Stefan says. “How’s Abby, Noah?” He winces then, and I suspect Zach has kicked him under the table.
I frown. “All right. It’s obvious we’re not just out tonight to have a drink. What’s going on?”
“We’re just making sure you’re nicely relaxed,” Hal says.
“But not too relaxed,” Albie adds. “Obviously.”
“Obviously,” I say, even though it’s not obvious at all. I glare at my brother. “Spit it out, man.”
Leon sighs. “Summer wanted us out of the house, that’s all. She’s getting Abby…”
“Prepared,” Hal finishes.
“Like a chicken for the oven,” Albie says. “I don’t want to know where they’re stuffing the lemon.”
I’m too confused to laugh, although the others all chortle, and Fitz grins as he rejoins us.
“Prepared?” I ask.
Zach sighs and leans forward on the table. “Summer thinks the two of you need a little helping hand.”
My eyebrows rise. “With what?”
“You know.” His lips curve up. My gaze slides to the others. They’re all smirking.
Understanding dawns. “You’re kidding me.”
“I think Summer’s hoping Abby will seduce you this evening,” Hal says. “She’s working on her womanly wiles.”
The thought makes me feel a little dizzy. Over the past six weeks, Abby and I have skirted around one another like two ice skaters carrying out a routine. She’s been warm and affectionate, and we’ve kissed and cuddled occasionally, but neither of us have taken that step to being more intimate. I haven’t wanted to push things, unsure as to how she’s feeling in both a physical and emotional sense.
“Is this Summer’s idea, or Abby’s?” I ask faintly.
“Both,” Zach replies. “Summer says Abby watches you walk around the house as if you’re a chocolate muffin.”
“A stud muffin,” Albie says.
“She wants to peel off your wrapper,” Hal adds, and they all chuckle.
“Your face is a picture,” Ryan tells me with a grin.
“I know it’s been a while for you,” Albie states, adding helpfully. “Want some tips?”
I lean forward and rest my forehead on the table, and they all start to laugh.
“I’m glad my love life is such a source of amusement for you all,” I tell them as I sit back and have a large mouthful of whisky.
“Aw.” Hal pats me on the back. “We’re all thrilled for you, dude. Abby’s wonderful. We just want to help.”
“I think I can manage on my own, thanks,” I say wryly. My mind is buzzing. How is Abby being ‘prepared’? I feel all hot and bothered at the thought.
“You deserve to be happy.” Leon smiles. “Not everyone could have done what you’ve done for her. Taken on another man’s baby.”
“Matt took me on,” I state. “And Brock took on Ryan, and Charlie took on Summer. I think us Kings are the last people to worry about not being blood related to our fathers.”
They all nod. “Good point,” Albie says.
Leon checks his phone. “It’s nearly seven. Come on. Time we got back.”
We finish our drinks, wave goodbye to Ed, and head off. Hal’s driving Albie and Stefan, and I get in Leon’s car with Ryan and Fitz, and buckle myself in.
“You all right?” Leon asks as he pulls away.
“I’ll be fine,” I say, amused. “It might surprise you to know this, but I have done it before.”
He gives me a wry look, and Fitz and Ryan snort in the back. “I didn’t mean that. I mean more… you know… with Lisa…”
I look out of the window. “It’s only over the past few months that I’ve realized how much time has gone by since Lisa died. I feel more wistful now than anything. Abby’s very different from her. It’s not like I’m trying to replace her.”
“I know. I’m glad you found Abby. It’s the main reason I agreed to tonight. I know this must be excruciating for you, but Summer’s obviously desperate to help, and I kinda know how she feels.”
“It’s not excruciating,” I say softly. “I’m touched you all care so much.”
“Well it’s the last time I’m ever going to get involved in your sex life,” Leon advises, “so make the most of it.”
We all laugh, and I feel a lifting of my spirits as he takes the turning for the Ark and heads up the hill.
I would have said something to Abby eventually. But maybe they’re right, and we did need a little push.
She thinks of me like a chocolate muffin?
She really wants to sleep with me tonight?
He follows the drive around to the front of my house and parks. Hal pulls in beside him, and we get out and head for the door. I go in, bending to greet the dogs as they run up.
“Hey,” Summer says, coming up as I straighten.
“Hello.” I meet her gaze, and she gives me a mischievous smile.
“We’re off,” she says, beckoning to the others, who are all giggling like a crowd of sixteen-year-olds as they put on their coats, collect their purses, and greet the guys at the door. I’m aware of Abby joining us in the hallway and giving them hugs as they pass, but I don’t look at her.
“I think we should carry you to the bed like a medieval king and queen,” Hal says.
Izzy rolls her eyes and pulls him out of the door as the others all laugh.
“Bye, Noah,” the girls say cheekily as they slip past me out of the door.
“Bye.” I wait for the last of them to leave, then close the door behind them.
I stand for a moment, hands on my hips, listening to them as they get in their cars and then pull away. Then I finally look over at Abby, and we both start laughing.
“I am so sorry,” she says, bending to ruffle Willow’s ears. “I swear I didn’t know they were going to do this.”
“I feel as if I’m eighteen again,” I tell her, closing the distance between us.
“I know, again, so sorry.” She straightens and meets my eyes. Her cheeks have a slight flush. “They meant well. Summer just wanted to encourage us to talk. I suppose she’s right, we should talk about us, I mean, it’s easy to let time slip by, and to assume the other person isn’t interested because of that, and sometimes you just need—”
I cup her face with my hands, and she stops speaking. Smiling, I lower my lips to hers.
Her mouth is soft, and she sighs and rests her hands on my chest, leaning into the kiss. I’ve spent so long keeping a tight rein on any lustful thoughts that it feels strange to give in to them for once. Desires flares inside me, and I slide my arms around her and hold her tightly, enjoying every second of touching her in such an intimate way after being friends for so long.
“Mmm,” she murmurs when I eventually pull back. “You taste of whisky.”
“Sorry.”
“No, it’s lovely.” She licks her lips. “I haven’t had a drink for so long.”
I laugh and kiss her cheek, her nose, and back to her mouth. “You want to talk?” I ask her.
She shakes her head. “Not really.”
“Good.” I bend and lift her, and she squeals and wraps her legs around my waist as I carry her off to the bedroom.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Abigail
“Where’s Ethan?” Noah asks as he turns in to the corridor toward the bedrooms.
I kiss him, threading my hands t
hrough his hair. “The girls bathed him and played with him and wore him out. I fed him and put him to bed. We should have a couple of hours’ peace.”
“I’ll probably only need five minutes,” he says, “but thanks for the vote of confidence.”
We both laugh, and he stops outside his room, pushes me up against the wall, and kisses me back, delving his tongue into my mouth. My heart bangs against my ribs, and I give a low moan and tighten my fingers in his hair.
“Whose room?” he asks when he moves back, his voice husky.
“Yours,” I whisper.
“Have you got the monitor on?” he asks. “So we can hear Ethan if he wakes?”
I look into his eyes, swallowing hard. “You know I’m crazy about you, right?”
He smiles and lowers my feet to the floor. “Go and get the receiver.”
I run down to my room, check on Ethan, who’s sleeping soundly, and turn on the monitor. Then I pause, looking at the bag that Summer gave me, which is on the bed. What the hell. Nothing ventured…
I strip off my top, skirt, and underwear, and pull on the new nightie. Summer was right; it’s a beautiful fit, clinging tight to my full breasts and waist, flaring out over my hips. I fluff up my hair, check my reflection briefly, then pick up the receiver before running back down the corridor.
Noah’s in his room, turning on the bedside lights. He turns as I come in, smiling, then stops and stares at the sight of me in the new nightie.
“Wow,” he says.
I put the receiver on the chest of drawers and smooth the material of the nightie down nervously. “Do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful.” He comes over to me and puts his hands on my hips, admiring it. “You’re beautiful.” He meets my eyes again. His are full of desire, and a shiver runs right down my back. “Come and get in bed,” he murmurs.
“I’m not cold,” I protest, but I let him lead me to the bed. He draws back the duvet and I climb on, lying back against the pillows. My heart’s racing. Am I really doing this?
He stands by the side, catches hold of a handful of his T-shirt at the back of his neck, and tugs it off, then removes his jeans and socks. Wearing just his boxers, he gets in beside me and draws the duvet over us. Then he puts his arms around me and falls back so I tumble on top of him.
I laugh and stretch out along him, glowing at the feel of being so close to him, skin on skin. He’s all muscles and hardness, and he smells wonderful, of whisky and aftershave and hot male. A deep hunger flares inside me; I want to eat him up, to consume him.
He smiles and strokes his hands down my back, over the silky nightie, and down to my bottom, tightening his fingers on the muscles there. His erection presses against my mound, and I sigh.
“Ah, Abby.” He kisses my neck, my face, my lips. “I want you so much.”
My head spins. “Have I told you I’m crazy about you?”
He strokes up my back and brings his hands forward to cup my breasts. “Really?”
“Absolutely. Desperately. Completely.”
He brushes his thumbs over my nipples, and I inhale and sigh. “Is that okay?” he asks. “Not too sensitive?”
I shake my head and lower my lips to his. “Nice,” I murmur.
So he does it again, keeping his touch gentle, and my body stirs, awakening in a way it hasn’t for a long time, like a flower blossoming after the winter snows.
We kiss for a long time, slowly exploring one another, and then he tips me onto my back and strokes my thighs, and up between my legs, his fingers light. For ages, he just brushes my skin, taking his time, his fingers sliding through my folds, circling over my clit, and making me ache deep inside.
At the same time, I explore his body, stroking over his back, down his tight butt, and over his thighs, to where his erection strains at the fabric of his boxers. I take him in my hand, feeling how thick and hard he is, and as I stroke him, heat rises inside me, and our kisses turn hungry, demanding.
At last, I can’t bear it any longer, and I tug at the boxers, pleased when he slides them down and kicks them off. He reaches over to the bedside table and extracts a condom. I’m relieved I don’t have to ask him. It’s unlikely I’d get pregnant while I’m breastfeeding, but it’s better to be sure, as I don’t think either of us is ready for that conversation yet.
He rolls the condom on, then lies back on the pillows and pulls me on top of him again. “You do it,” he says. “As slowly as you like. I don’t want to hurt you.”
I sit astride him and guide him beneath me until I feel the tip of his erection part my folds. Then, my eyes fixed on his, I sink down slowly.
His violet-blue eyes take on a look of helpless desire, and his lips part as he gives a long, heartfelt sigh. It’s been such a long time since a woman has done this with him. I rock my hips a few times, coating him with my moisture, pleased there’s no pain, just pleasure at being connected with this man in such an intimate way.
“Mmm.” I lean forward and kiss him. “You feel amazing.” Ooh, I can feel him all the way up. Wow, that’s erotic. I push up and start moving, tipping back my head and enjoying the feel of my hair tumbling down my back. I feel sexy in the nightie, and the look in his eyes makes me feel beautiful.
“Ah, Abby.” His hands rest on my hips. “Ohh… that’s good.”
I move slowly, luxuriously, thinking how amazing it is to be making love with him after all the time we’ve spent together. Leaning forward, I kiss him again, then gaze down at him, looking into his eyes as I slide him in and out of me. “You lied,” I whisper, bending to nibble his ear.
He groans. “What do you mean?”
“You said you’d only need five minutes.”
He chuckles and slides his hands up the nightie onto my skin. “My willpower is being severely tested, believe me.” He rubs his thumbs across my ribs. “This nightie is gorgeous, but do I get to see beneath it?”
I hesitate and bite my lip. “Umm…”
“I like your breasts,” he explains.
My lips curve up, and I think about what Summer told me could happen. “They seem to have a mind of their own, is the only issue.”
“Abby,” he scolds, “are you trying to turn me on?”
I laugh, filled with love for this man. “Okay.” I pull the nightie up over my head and drop it to the floor.
He sighs and cups my breasts, which, I have to admit, are more than generous at the moment, and he brushes his tongue over the tips, making me groan. Oh… it’s no good. As much as I want to, I can’t make this last forever.
“I’m going to come…” I whisper.
“Not yet,” he says, surprising me, and, holding me around the waist, he tips me deftly onto my back, still inside me.
*
Noah
Abby stares up at me, eyes wide in surprise, and then she laughs. “That was swish!”
“I might be old, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve.” I kiss her, letting the full force of my passion flow through me, and she moans and wraps her legs around my waist.
I start moving inside her, trying to make sure I’m gentle, but it’s impossible when she’s filling the air with her sexy sighs. She’s so soft beneath me, her beautiful breasts moving as I thrust. I brush my thumb across her nipple, and she looks down and blows out a breath as she sees a bead of milk form there. Her eyes meet mine, a little wary. I give her a mischievous smile, lower my mouth there, and suck it off.
“Oh jeez.” She clenches around me. “I should have known.”
“What?”
“That you’d be kinky.”
I laugh and kiss her, sweeping my tongue into her mouth. “It’s not kinky,” I tell her. “Sex isn’t about being clean and sterile. Good sex should be hot and sweaty and messy.”
“Oh, God, Noah. What are you doing to me?”
“Making love to you.” I kiss her neck, her ear, her jaw. “Loving you.”
Her mouth is hot and hungry, and there’s a sense of urgency to our movements
now. I’m worried about hurting her, but she says, “Harder, honey, you won’t break me,” and so I lift up onto my hands and move faster, thrusting into her, and feeling warmth building deep inside me.
Jesus, I’ve missed this, the beauty of sex, of sharing myself with a woman, of claiming her like this, and giving her pleasure. Abby’s cries fill the room—she’s not shy about keeping quiet, and oh, is that a turn on.
She shudders and then clenches around me, digging her nails into my back, and I hang on just long enough to enjoy her climax before heat rushes up through me, and I come myself. Oh fuck. My hands curl into fists as my body pulses, and Abby kisses my chest, my throat, my lips, until I finally relax and sink down on top of her.
“Oh my God,” she says, panting heavily. “Oh I love sex. Oh I love you.”
I laugh and nuzzle her neck. “I love you, too.”
“Please tell me we can do that again.”
“I might need a few minutes,” I advise as I withdraw and then collapse back on the bed, “but absolutely, definitely, yes, we’ll be doing that again.”
She giggles and turns to face me, and I pull her close and kiss her forehead. “Mmm.” I dispose of the condom and then lie there, exhausted. “I feel as if I’ve run a marathon.”
“You’ve used muscles you wouldn’t have used for a while,” she says. “You’ll ache tomorrow.”
“It’ll be worth it, though.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
I turn my head and smile at her. “Was that ever in question?”
We look into each other’s eyes for a long while. I study her face, so familiar to me now, with her gorgeous brown eyes, and think how fortunate it was that Paula suggested Abby work for me, else I might never have met her. How strange these things are.
I open my mouth to say something, but at that moment the receiver crackles, and Ethan’s thin wail echoes in the room.
“Wow,” she says. “That was good timing.”
“Bring him in here,” I suggest, and she nods, rises, and runs out and down the corridor.
I roll onto my side, and within seconds she comes back in and slides into the bed, the baby in her arms. We face each other, Ethan between us, and she offers him her breast, smiling as he latches on, his eyelids immediately drooping.
My Lonely Billionaire (The Billionaire Kings Book 4) Page 19
