For Eternity: A Time for Love Series Novella

by Bethany Lopez

  “Just comfortable clothes. Once we get there you will be given slippers and a robe to wear, but yes, clothes for dinner and your bathing suit are all you’ll need.”

  I was about to relax back in my seat when I thought of something.

  “Is it okay if the dress I wear to dinner tomorrow night, is the same dress I’ll be wearing on Friday night? I only brought the one…”

  “Of course,” Carson replied smoothly. “Unless you’d like to go shopping in Dublin later in the week.”

  I did a mental tally of my bank account, trying to figure out if shopping in Dublin was feasible, and decided if there was a time to splurge, why not now? Who knew if I would ever get the opportunity to go shopping in Dublin again in my life.

  “That would be fun,” I said finally.

  We pulled in to the cottage and I thanked the driver before following Carson out of the car.

  “Hmmm, what do you think Mrs. McDonogh made for dinner? I’m starving.”

  “You’re always starving,” Carson said with a grin, which was totally true.

  “It must have something to do with the fresh Irish air,” I replied, stepping past him when he held open the door for me. “I do feel like I’m hungry all the time here.”

  “Why don’t we go see what’s in the kitchen then, dinner should be about ready,” he said, looking at his watch.

  We walked into the kitchen, where I was delighted to find a stunning display of food laid out on the counter, the aroma of which had my stomach immediately growling in response.

  “All this is for us?” I asked, my eyes huge as I took in all the glorious food.

  “Aye,” Mrs. McDonogh said as she wiped her hands on a towel. “I figured you’d be famished after a day out of doors.”

  “Thank you so much, Mrs. McDonogh, it all looks amazing,” Carson said with a grin, then lowered his head so only I could hear him and added, “Dig in, Nat, because we’ve got some exploring to do.”

  Carson

  I thanked Mrs. McDonogh for everything and sent her on her way, saying we’d see her in the morning, then I went in search of Natalie.

  It had been a fantastic day. I’d been able to see Ireland, a place I’d been to many times, in a new and fresh light. Natalie’s perspective of everything was seen through almost totally innocent eyes, and she didn’t take anything for granted.

  I really liked that about her.

  Over the years it seemed like everyone I knew became more jaded as time went on, and that was the last thing I wanted for myself. After a few days with Nat, I didn’t think that would ever happen, as long as I had her there to ground me.

  I left the kitchen, stuck my head in the living room, and then headed up the stairs when I didn’t see her. Her bedroom door was cracked open, so I knocked softly as I pushed it open the rest of the way.

  The sight before me had me stopping and sucking in my breath, as my body went from zero to one hundred.

  Natalie was there, waiting for me, clad in a blue slip that matched her eyes, a sexy come-hither look on her face. I stepped slowly toward the bed she was laying on, her head propped up by one arm, her other hand on her silk-covered hip.

  “I wondered where you’d slipped off too,” I managed, my voice coming out relatively normal, surprisingly.

  “I wanted to get ready,” Natalie admitted softly. “For you.”

  “You look beautiful,” I said, sitting next to her on the bed, but keeping my hands to myself.

  I knew I had to gain control of myself, or the first touch would have me ripping that slip from her body.

  Natalie bit her lower lip, as if unsure what to do now that we’d reached this point.

  I didn’t want her to be nervous, so I tamped down my burgeoning lust and leaned in to kiss her.

  Big mistake.

  One brush of her lips, combined with the scent of her skin and heady groan, and I was done.

  I put my hands on the neckline of her slip and pulled, the sound of ripping fabric satisfying me in a way that was positively barbaric, but seconds later Nat was on her back and my mouth was on her breast.

  I needed to taste her everywhere. With my lips, my tongue, my mouth … I needed to explore every inch of her.

  My hands joined the party, and Natalie was soon writhing beneath me, her pants and pleading only fueling me further. I was like a man possessed. The need to hear and feel her coming beneath me was great, and I worked toward that goal with a single-minded purpose.

  I nipped and licked and sucked my way across her body, left and right, up and down, until I reached her pussy. My fingers fucked her as my tongue teased her clit, and I kept going until she was no longer screaming and had gone limp, practically melting into the bed.

  I discarded my clothes and rolled on a condom as fast as humanly possible, then paused above her.

  I waited until her legs came around my waist, and her eyes were open and locked on mine, and then, finally, I entered her with one smooth thrust.

  We gasped, and I had to close my eyes and take a moment. It felt that amazing.

  She was tight and warm around me, like a fist, and it felt so good that I would happily die in that moment, if that was to be my final memory.

  “Carson,” she breathed, tilting her hips up and drawing me even farther inside.

  “Jesus, Nat,” I cried, struggling not to come right then. “Give me a second.”

  But Natalie didn’t want to give me a second, she wanted me to move.

  She lifted her knees farther and grasped my ass, her fingers digging into my skin and urging me closer.

  I surged up, until we were close enough to the headboard for her to reach. I took her hands from my ass and ensured she had a good grip of the wood, and then I started to move. When I needed more leverage, my hands joined hers on the headboard, and I held on as I thrust into her.

  I pounded into her, my pelvis hitting her clit just right, so that within seconds she was gasping, then moaning, and, finally, calling my name as she came … and, still, I moved.

  When I started to get tired, I disengaged our hands and flipped us over in one swift movement, settling in so that my back was resting on the headboard, my legs were straight out in front of me, and Natalie was straddling me.

  Her head fell forward as she tried to catch her breath, which brought her breasts to my mouth. Never one to pass up an opportunity, I sucked her nipple into my mouth, as I cupped her other breast and ran my thumb over that stiff peak.

  “Mmmmm,” Nat managed, shifting slightly as she came to and realized that I was still rock hard inside of her.

  I grunted at her movement and bit down lightly, loving the moan that passed her lips.

  I brought my hands to her hips and urged her to move. She took the hint and began to rock back and forth.

  “Natalie,” I managed, then lifted her up so she slid up my cock, before slamming her back down.

  “Oh,” she said, her hands coming to my shoulders so she could hang on, and then she mimicked the movement.

  Over and over until I thought I’d lose my fucking mind. I could tell when her orgasm began to build again, because she started to ride me in earnest, her movements choppy and her breath hit my cheek in pants.

  Needing more, I pulled her head down so that our lips touched and I could swallow her cries as she came.

  Knowing I was close, and unable to wait any longer, I placed my arm around her back and cradled her against me as I laid her back down on the bed and drove home, fucking her fast and furiously until I came with a force I’d never felt before.

  “Oh my God,” Natalie sighed when I practically collapsed on her. “That was amazing … you just … kept going.”

  “Not over yet,” I said, struggling to catch my breath. “We’ll continue our exploration shortly.”

  I just need five minutes and a bottle of Gatorade.

  “Continue?” Natalie asked, her eyes wide, her face disbelieving.

  “What kind of explorer would I be if I stopped aft
er discovering just one room?” I asked with a very satisfied grin.

  Natalie

  Carson was more than I ever knew a man could be.

  Generous, sweet, kind, and a freaking devil in bed. I hadn’t realized it before this trip, but the man was dangerous.

  Dangerous for me, and dangerous for my heart.

  How would I stop myself from falling in love with a man like him? How would I ever be able to move on after only two weeks? And, most of all, how would any other man ever live up to the memory of Carson Brandt?

  It was impossible.

  I had never had sex that many times, in that many different places, in one month’s time … let alone in one night.

  It was unreal. And, after a night like that, the spa was just what the doctor ordered.

  I was sore everywhere, and as soon as I slid into the hot Jacuzzi, I let out a moan of appreciation.

  “Are you okay?” Carson asked with a chuckle.

  I peered at him out of one eye, keeping the other firmly shut as I enjoyed the bubbling water.

  “A little tender,” I admitted, then closed my eye and slid down into the water, leaning back against the Jacuzzi with a sigh.

  “I hope I wasn’t too rough…” Carson began, his voice holding a tinge of worry, which had my eyes flying open and my hands going up.

  “Don’t,” I said firmly. “Don’t apologize for the best sex of my life.”

  Carson started to smile, but stopped and said, “I wasn’t thinking … about your past. With Zeke. I didn’t mean to be too…”

  “Carson.” I stopped him before he could say anything else, because, really, he was starting to piss me off and ruin my nice spa day mood. “Don’t ever compare yourself to Zeke. Ever. And like I said, last night was amazing, the best night of my life, and I don’t want you to spoil it by apologizing. I’m glad you weren’t thinking about my past, or holding back … Last night was perfect.”

  “For me, too,” Carson admitted, the worry leaving his face.

  “Good,” I said, the word coming out a little more haughtily than I’d meant it to.

  Carson scooted around until he was next to me and put an arm around my shoulder.

  “How have you enjoyed our treatments so far?”

  “The massage was seriously the best thing ever,” I gushed, my body relaxing just thinking about it. “I’m afraid I fell asleep through part of it, which bummed me out, because I hated missing even a second of it.”

  Carson laughed. “I doze off all the time, that means they’re doing a really good job.”

  I turned my head and looked up, taking in his damp hair and sinfully handsome face.

  “Thank you.”

  “You’re welcome,” he replied. “You deserve to be perpetually pampered.”

  “Well, I don’t know about perpetually,” I said with a snort. “I’d never get anything done … but, seriously, you have to be the most generous man I’ve ever met. In bed, and out,” I added softly, my cheeks reddening at my boldness.

  “I’ll do anything to make you happy, Nat, seriously, anything. I want you to know that you’re seen and appreciated … cherished … loved.”

  That word slammed into me like a lightning bolt … love. I was sure it was a figure of speech, or just his way of saying that I was important to him, but, damn, it sure did hit me right in the feels.

  I realized that my feelings for him were stronger than I’d imagined they could be so soon, and ending this fling after two weeks and going back to normal was going to be much harder than I’d anticipated.

  Carson Brandt was the kind of man women fell in love with. I just had to keep reminding myself of the rules, and hope that I didn’t end up leaving Ireland with a broken heart.

  “Excuse me, Mr. Brandt,” a woman’s voice called. “I’m here to take Ms. Natalie to her body scrub appointment.”

  “Thank you,” Carson said smoothly, then turned to give me a kiss on the cheek. “Have fun.”

  “Oh, I’m sure I will,” I replied as I stood up.

  I looked down to see Carson eyeing my bikini-clad body appreciatively.

  “Will I meet you back here, or up at the room?” I asked as I stepped out of the Jacuzzi.

  “I’m about to finish up and head upstairs to check my email and return a few calls. You can head on up when you’re done, and we’ll get ready for dinner,” he replied.

  “Sounds like a plan,” I said, then followed the spa employee out of the common area and down the hall of treatment rooms.

  I felt a niggle of guilt at the realization that Carson had been fitting in work during our stay, and I had not. Although, sure, he was the CEO of the company and I was merely an HR employee, but still, it didn’t seem right.

  “Go ahead and disrobe, then lay down on the table. Merina will be right with you to begin your sugar scrub.”

  As I laid down, I thought of everything I’ve been through, of Carson’s insistence that he brought me here so that I could have a much-needed vacation and be pampered in a way I’d never imagined, and I let the guilt go.

  I needed to enjoy every second of this trip. There was no room for guilt. I was going to enjoy my final treatment, then go primp myself for a nice dinner out with Carson, and later, I was going to show him just how grateful I was for everything he’d done for me today.

  I closed my eyes, a small grin playing on my lips as I imagined the things I would do to show my appreciation.

  I couldn’t wait.

  Carson

  Nat,” I grunted, almost unable to form a coherent thought.

  We’d gone back to the suite after dinner, deciding to stay the night in the hotel, rather than head back to the cottage, and Natalie was currently on her knees in front of me.

  My bare ass was practically pressed up against the floor-to-ceiling window of the suite, while Natalie was still fully dressed and currently working my cock like a champ.

  “Jesus,” I moaned, my hand coming to fist in her hair as I forced my eyes open and looked down.

  She was kneeling on a pillow, her dress billowed out around her, her blue eyes locked on my face as she bobbed her head.

  Fuck, she is the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen.

  Her black hair was silk between my fingers, her blue eyes were stormy with desire, and her lips were swollen from taking my cock. She had one hand on the base, fisted around me, while the other fondled my balls gently, and all the while she sucked and licked as she moved her head.

  I knew I was going to come soon if she didn’t stop, so I tried to shift away and said, “Stop, babe.”

  Natalie moaned around my cock, which had my eyes rolling back in my head.

  “Babe, I want to come with you,” I tried again.

  That seemed to interest her, because she released my dick and started to push up. I reached down and helped her stand, then pulled her into my arms and crushed my lips to hers. Needing to feel her, I reached down and under her dress, moving up until I found her soaked panties.

  “Fuck, Nat. That turned you on,” I said, my cock becoming even harder at the realization, and all sense leaving my brain.

  I yanked her panties until they tore off, then turned us around so that her ass was against the window, and put my hands under her dress to lift her up and line her up with my cock, then thrust inside with a shout.

  Her legs wrapped around my waist, and her arms around my shoulders, and I started to move, fucking her hard and fast until we were both coming.

  I stood there for a few moments, using the window as a crutch, until I was steady enough to pull out and set Natalie on her feet.

  She laughed, and I looked between us and realized that she was still fully clothed, sans panties, and I was completely naked. It was hot. Natalie’s hair was a mess, her cheeks were flushed, and her lips were swollen. She’d obviously been thoroughly fucked, and I was proud to be the man who’d done it.

  But, reality set in and I had to ask, “Are you on the pill, Nat? I didn’t use a condom.”
r />   Natalie nodded and said, “Yeah, I am.”

  I leaned down and brushed my lips against hers.

  “Sorry, I got carried away.”

  “I’m not,” she replied, and I grinned.

  “I’m not really either, it just seemed like the polite thing to say.”

  We both laughed, and I moved to the bathroom to clean up, then brought her back a wet washcloth.

  “Thanks,” Natalie said shyly.

  “Christ, you’re adorable,” I murmured, which only made her cheeks flush more.

  “I’m going to call and have some wine sent up, do you need anything else? Are you hungry?” I asked. We’d had dinner, but had just worked up an appetite, so it was possible she’d want a snack.

  “We didn’t have dessert,” she said, her tone hopeful.

  “What are you in the mood for? Chocolate? Cheesecake?”

  “Mmmm, cheesecake.”

  “Wine and cheesecake, coming right up.”

  “Okay, I’m going to jump in the shower really quick.”

  “Sounds good, babe, I’ll be here,” I replied, then went to make the call.

  Once our order was in, I picked up my boxers and pulled them on, thinking I’d jump in the shower once Natalie was done.

  I walked out of the bedroom, into the living area, sat on the sofa, and picked up the remote. I’d called Michael, caught up on my email, and returned any calls that couldn’t wait earlier, so now, I was ready to kick back and hang out.

  It wasn’t something I did often. I was usually too busy to watch television, preferring to check the news on my iPad, but I was enjoying the opportunity.

  As I navigated the menu to see what was on, I thought about my slip earlier in the hot tub.

  Natalie may not have said anything, but I’d seen her mouth drop slightly and her eyes widen when I’d said I’d wanted her to know she was loved. I hadn’t pressed, because I didn’t want to startle her, or to have her worrying that it was too soon.