"I would like that too."
I’m lifted to his lap, and the swing sways as he re-captures my lips, ravishing me to the point I almost can’t breathe. His erection presses into my ass, and I grip his hair as I wiggle against him. He’s fucking packing. I knew it.
His hand reaches under my shirt, and goosebumps prickle on my skin as his fingertips rise above my bellybutton. As he makes his way to just below my rib cage where the jagged scar sits—panic flares. It’s where the memories of that horrid night lie. I feel exposed and at the same time as if I have been ruined. The brutal act took a part of me I once loved about myself. My confidence. I hate it more than anyone. There’s no covering it. No hiding it once the layers of clothes come off. Sometimes when I see it, I can still see Colt over me with his hand around my neck, just before the knife…
Fuck! Shake it off, Claire.
Five years and tons of therapy, every muscle in my body freezes up as his hand glides across the scar. Maybe it’s because it’s a new touch, a new person to trust all over again. Even if my heart and brain say he’s an angel without wings. I can’t help the stupid reaction.
His hand stops, and I feel his blue eyes blaze into mine. “You froze. Are you okay? We can slow this down.”
“Um…I’m fine…it’s just a reflex. Sometimes I think I have it under control, then other times I don’t.” I shift away from him, and he pulls me back.
“Where do you think you’re going?” His hand caresses my cheek. “Listen, I know what happened between you and your ex back in college. I’m a nurse, and I’m also not stupid enough to think that what he did is just going to go away.”
“You know?”
Of course, he does. Who in this town doesn’t know about poor little Claire?
“I do. My mom told me years ago when we worked at the community center. It doesn’t change anything though. Don’t think that.”
“I guess I should just show you.”
Get it over with before we get too deep.
I sigh, and I lift my shirt to show him the large scar across my stomach. “This is a part of me. It’s huge and ugly. It changed me for better and for worse.” His eyes dart to the jagged mark, then back to me, his expression unchanged. There is no look of disgust or forcing me to pull my shirt back down like his brother did when he first saw it, and my heart rate starts to calm. “Because of it, I get nervous about some things. You’re new to touching it. To seeing it. I don’t want you to think I’m broken but I do have some mangled pieces I’m still trying to put back together. I don’t know what your brother has told you…or said when it comes to some things.” He grabs my hand, which causes my shirt to fall back down and ceases my rambling. A smile crosses his lips, making my brow furrow. “What?”
“It’s okay. You don’t need to explain it all to me right now. My brother has said things, but I don’t listen to him.” His forehead rests on mine, and he stares me down. “I promise this doesn’t change anything about how I feel about you. We will take things at your pace.”
Honestly, my pace would be for him to take me home with him and strip away all my insecurities and make me whole again.
“We can go back to what we were doing before I freaked out.”
He curls my hair around his finger and pulls me in closer. “Sounds good to me.”
When I walk back into the house after saying goodbye to Leo for the night, Grams is standing at the kitchen counter, smiling at me. "I must admit you two look awfully cute."
I roll my eyes. I thought I saw her looking out the window. She always did make a terrible spy. "Weren’t you going to bed?"
"I just said I was tired. I figured I would watch some shows before I crashed. That TV at the hospital was horrible."
"Well, I'm going to bed now."
"You know.” She taps her chin. “Maybe I did have my vision all wrong because after seeing you two together tonight, I’m thinking I possibly got your stars mixed up. Also, Christiana has really been selling me on him too."
"I still think you’re right about when it comes to protecting myself." I draw my finger on the counter.
Because Leo has all the power to hurt me.
"One should always protect themselves but shouldn’t close all the doors like I was doing. I'm glad to see you opening up and your heart to someone again. You have so much to give."
"Grams…” I sigh.
"Oh…Chris also mentioned you being blind."
"She has a big mouth." I huff, crossing my arms over my chest.
"I'm just glad to see you happy. When you smile, truly smile, you light up a room. I love seeing it and you deserve it."
Happy. Yeah, I am. It's been a long time since I felt this way, and it does feel good.
So yeah, maybe I am a little blind when it comes to Leo. But heartache is a very controlling emotion. It keeps your heart locked up tight till you’re ready to release it again, ready to trust. Ready to pay the ultimate price of giving yourself away again to another human.
Chapter Eight
The last two weeks flew by. I've been busting my ass working twelve-hour shifts, with only two days off, to make up for the lost hours I missed while Grams was in the hospital and the ones I will miss while I'm in Miami.
Yep, the weeks flew by, and now I want to die.
But the tips have been worth it.
Now on the boyfriend front…even though we haven’t been able to see each other much because of all the hours we have been working, he's been the most attentive and supportive boyfriend I could ask for. On days I worked late, he brought me dinner so I didn't have to eat restaurant food for the millionth time. On my day off, after he had worked a twelve-hour shift, I made him dinner at his place. We had planned to watch a movie, but we both ended up passing out five minutes after the opening credits. The next morning, we awoke to the sound of his phone alarm going off and sore necks, but I never slept so well in someone's arms.
And hell, the make-out sessions and the touching, he sends me into a tailspin.
I'm undoubtedly falling for Leo Price, and I'm terrified.
I'm heading over to his place tonight to spend the night because his place is closer to the airport. I had planned to stay at Christiana's place, but she wanted to have one last night with her booty call before she leaves.
"Are you sure you're going to be alright?" I ask Grams, handing her a cup of tea.
"As I’ve told you the other million times. Yes. It’s only a couple of days, and it'll be good for you to get away from this old bird."
"I feel I haven't even seen you these last two weeks." When I would get home, she would be sleeping, but the little old birdie told me Leo was also bringing her dinners the same nights he brought me mine.
My heart fluttered and soared to the stars. I asked him about it, and he told me he wanted to show her that Leos weren't all worth avoiding.
"It's because you worked too hard, but look, I survived. One day you will leave this nest again and you'll remember how well I functioned on my own."
"Now, it really sounds like you want me to fly away."
"Go have fun with Leo and keep proving me wrong on my vision." She smirks.
I help clear the dishes after Leo and I finish destroying the pile of buffalo wings and down the couple of beers I brought over. I’m determined to return the favor of feeding me so well these last two weeks, and I’ve known for a long time he has a weakness for wings and Blue Moon. He places his hands on my shoulder and pushes a kiss to my temple. “That was great. Thank you.”
“Any time.”
“Now,” he clicks his tongue and moves to his fridge, where he has a couple of liquor bottles stored. "Do you know what I do after I work like a mad man for weeks straight?"
"Shots." I laugh. "I remember."
That's what got us in trouble that night of his birthday with Tim.
"I'm glad you do." He lays out a couple of shot glasses on the counter and picks up the bottle of Crown Royal, pouring us both a shot. "I remember you
took those shots like a champ."
He hands me the first one, and I eyeball the glass in my hand. That night was good before it went to shit. Leo and I went toe to toe with Tito shots, and we laughed so much. But this is whiskey he poured in front of me, not vodka. I’m not sure if laughs are coming or a hangover.
"Are you going to take it or stare at it?" He chuckles and nudges my shoulder.
"I'm not sure. You do know we have to fly out tomorrow."
"Our flight isn't till ten, and I have six alarms set. We'll be fine. I'm talking about relaxing, not getting shit-faced."
"You haven't met Crown and me…there's no middle really."
"I promise to take care of you." He winks, and there's something that glimmers in his eyes telling me it's much more than taking care of my hung-over ass.
“Alright, you win, but I’m warning you.” I pick up the glass and take a deep breath.
"Now cheers." He clicks his glass with mine, causing a bit of the brown liquor to spill out.
"Cheers." I take the shot and cringe as it burns all the way down. He pours me another and tells me bottoms up, and I do that one with less of a cringe this time. Of course, I’m not smooth as I take the shot and a drip runs down my chin.
“You are always so messy when you’re taking shots. Let me get that for you.” Leo leans in, running his tongue along the dribble on my chin, cleaning it up and everything down below tightens and tingles. “This brings back memories,” he murmurs before his lips mesh to mine. I stumble back, moaning against him, antsy for more.
"The whiskey tastes better off you," he whispers.
"You didn't have to try and get me drunk to kiss me."
He smirks. "I know. But we both needed to unwind after these last two weeks."
"We do."
His hand curls behind my neck and brings me closer to him. "You’re so fucking beautiful. I'm not sure if I tell you that enough."
"I don't mind hearing it again."
"Desirable," he murmurs against my lips before he overpowers them.
We stumble our way to the couch, and he pulls me down with him to straddle his hips. "I want you," I moan and pull my shirt over my head. His hands grab for the straps of my bra, and he pulls them down.
“Fuck, you’re everything I’ve been waiting for,” he groans, and his erection digs into my achy sex as he kisses along my neck, to the mound of my breasts.
As his hands move down my body, I try to keep my anxiety from bubbling on the edge as his fingers dance over my scar, trying to concentrate on the way his lips feel on my skin, but then I freeze when his hand pauses right on the jagged mark.
"Claire?" Leo looks at me with concern running through his eyes.
Gah, what is wrong with you, Claire?! Way to ruin the moment.
He’s touched me there a hundred times now. We’ve gone through all the bases through these last few weeks, but home, and now that we are here, I start to panic because it’s new, and I have to over think…everything.
Alright, breathe woman. He’s safe.
I smile and press my forehead to his to calm my racing, anxious heart. I gently kiss him, wanting to feel his soft lips and remind myself he’s been nothing but patient and sweet, and he’s not my past. With a roll of my hips, I feel him grow harder underneath me and his fingers dig into my ass as he pushes me back.
"Claire?" he says again, and I sigh.
"It’s nothing. I swear. I’m fine. It’s just my stupid reflex.”
"We can still take this slow if you want to?"
"No…No…I want this.” I curl my fingers into his hair and lean in to kiss him. His tongue sweeps over mine and he pulls me tight to his body. The anxiety starts to fade away, and I melt into his arms.
"Make love to me," I whisper against his lips.
“Are you sure?”
“Are you kidding? I’ve been dying for weeks wanting to know what your cock feels like inside me.” I breathe and rock my core over his now throbbing cock that is begging to break free. He pushes me back and blinks a couple of times, not believing I said those words.
"Don't look at me like that. The sweet and innocent thing is only a layer…you know I can be vulgar if you just peel back a section."
Also, I’ve had four shots of Crown. What does he expect?
"Fuck, baby. Well, honestly, I like you no matter which way I get you. I like all your layers."
"Stop," I shove his shoulder. "You're making my teeth hurt. Now lose the shirt. And the pants."
"Kinda hard when you're sitting on me."
"Then take me to your bed."
He lifts me into his arms and carries me to his room, where he places me in front of his bed.
Leo falls to his knees in front of me and undoes the button on my jeans. Slowly, he drags them down my legs and helps me to step out of them. His lips kiss up my right leg, to the inside of my hips, as his fingers trace outside my covered core. “Fuck, you smell so fucking good and you’re so wet for me.”
He grips my panties and pushes them down to my knees and sucks on my swollen clit. “Ahh,” I scream, throwing my head back.
“You taste so fucking sweet,” he moans as his tongue slips between my slit. “Lay down. I need more of you. I want to be able to have all of you.”
I sit on the edge of his large un-made king and watch as he undoes his belt and loses his pants. His shirt goes next and he tosses it across the room. He’s gloriously naked in front of me. Every inch of him is built perfectly and my excitement builds, pooling between my legs.
“Lay down,” he commands again, and this time I scoot all the way back and let my head rest against his pillow.
He grins and his eyes roam over my body. Crawling over me, his lips mold with mine. I taste myself on him, mixed with whiskey, making it sweeter. I moan, letting my nails run down his spine, begging for more before he pulls away.
“Did you taste how good you are?”
“Mmm-hmm,” I mumble as his mouth moves down my chin to my neck.
“Now that I know, I’m not sure I’ll ever have enough.”
His tongue traces around my nipples till they are long and hard under his touch. My hand curls in his hand, wordlessly begging for him to suck them to help the ache, but he doesn’t give in to my silent demand and moves down to my stomach.
He kisses gently down my scar, something no one has ever done before. "This just makes you more beautiful, you know. It shows your strength, your courage, your ability to keep fighting." His words are pretty, and I wish I could believe them, let them heal me, but for now, I let the dazzling words slip to the back of mind as his mouth reaches my core again. My hips thrust into his mouth as he devours me.
His hands grip into my ass and a pinky massages the outside of my rosebud, before he gently sticks the tip in and slowly eases his finger in and out. All while his tongue does his magic.
Can you fall in love with a man because he knows how to eat your pussy just right?
Because…fuck!!
"Fucking yes," I scream and then bite on the side of my hand as I come. My whole body trembles as my own personal earthquake rips through me.
He's still mercilessly lapping up my juices as I come back down from my high. I have been missing a world of wonder by not being with Leo.
“Leo, I need you. I need to feel all of you, please.” My fingers lace through his hair pulling him up to look at me. The desperation and the need I'm sure is dripping from my voice. I don't think I've ever wanted someone so much in my life as I want Leo Price to show me the goddamn meaning of what making love really is. By making me feel what it is to be treated as the only star in his sky.
Not as a necessity, or a want, but driven by the pure desire and ache of wanting to cherish me. I know I have that just by the look he has in his eyes as he comes back to hover over me and his lips consume mine.
I'm all his to have.
My legs wrap around his back as he slowly sinks into me. “You’re so fucking tight, baby,” Leo moans kissing my
face all over. “Claire, Claire, Claire,” he mutters my name as his fingers grip my hair and he starts to move.
His painstakingly slow thrusts are almost agonizing but tantalizing, making me dizzy as I feel every inch of his cock stretch and fill me over and over again.
“Leo,” I beg, digging my nails into his back and thrust my hips upward to match my demand. “More.” Faster. Harder. More.
His forehead presses to mine, and a scandalous grin graces his lips. He pulls back and slams into me making me scream. “Like that?”
“Mmm-hmm. Again.” He slams into me hard again, shoving me back across the mattress. “Fuck, yes.”
Leo grabs my legs and props them over his shoulders. As he fills me completely, I admire the way the sweat glistens from his body and the muscles in his chest constrict. Most of all, how desirable he makes me feel as he claims me, and I've never felt this…fulfilled…ever.
“I feel you, baby.” His voice is gravelly as he stares down at me and it stirs the butterflies building. He grips my hips tight, his thrusts becoming harder and deeper. Yess. My legs stiffen and my head tilts back as I unravel around him. “Fuck, if that’s not the hottest thing. Watching you come all over my cock.”
His thrusts haven’t let up, and I’m clawing at the sheets as I continue to convulse around him with the aftershocks of my orgasm.
His fingers dig into my skin as he holds me with his cock buried to the hilt. He’s staring me down, and I can’t look away from him as his muscles in his chest contract and his jaw tightens as his own pleasure takes over. “Fuck!” he roars as he fills me with his hot seed.
Leo drops my legs to the bed and plops down beside me, his breathing heavy and uneven. He skirts his hand around my belly and tucks me into him. “I hope you know, I’m not done with you yet.”
Chapter Nine
My head rests on Leo’s shoulder as I struggle to keep my eyes open, despite the bustling activity of the airport around me. Sleep didn’t come last night, but I don’t regret the lack of shut-eye or sore muscles, or even the pounding head because last night was hands down the best fucking sex of my life. Leo has awakened this sex goddess in me, a minx who wants nothing more than to wrap herself around this man again and ride him like a wild bull. I don’t think there was an inch of his apartment that we didn’t cover and we might have finished a half bottle of Crown. At one point, Leo had proceeded to drink a shot of it out of my bellybutton. The memory makes me squirm in my seat, and Leo slings his arm around me, kissing the top of my head.
Price Of Love (Written In the Stars Book 4) Page 8
