Faltering Read online

  CHAPTER SIX

  We drive to an ornate, polished stone building, perched high on a hill in one of the most exclusive sections of the city. It blends a modern design with the elegance of a centuries-old style.

  The doorman, who’d been lounging against the side of the building, straightens himself abruptly as we approach. “Welcome, Mr. Hawthorne.” He gives a slight bow of his head in greeting.

  “Good evening, Adel,” Alec replies without slowing his pace. His hand is on the small of my back, the slight pressure guiding me along. We pause for the elevator, his fingers tapping impatiently against the side of his thigh. As soon as the doors open, he’s pulling me inside and has me backed right up against the wall. His lips are on mine, firm and insistent, and my mouth yields instantly in response. The sharp pang of arousal shoots down between my thighs, and I bring my hands up to grip his biceps for balance as my legs start to weaken. Holy. Hell. This man can kiss.

  His hands run down my sides, getting to know my curves through the thin fabric of my dress. They cup under my backside and pull me in closer until I am pressed up tight against him. I can feel his hardness against my stomach. His lips leave my mouth and travel down my neck, his tongue slowly tracing the curve. He brings one hand up and caresses my breast. I gasp when he finds my nipple and flicks it with his thumb, turning it into a hard nub. I arch my body into him, wanting more.

  “You’re so fucking sexy, Emma, do you know that?” His breath tickles my neck as he speaks. “I can’t wait to get you out of these clothes.”

  The elevator stops at his floor, and luckily the hallway is empty, because I’ve turned into a flushed, panting mess, my hair half fallen loose from its clasp.

  Alec leads me down the short hall to his apartment, his hand clasping mine, our steps quiet on the thick oriental carpeting. We stop in front of a wide mahogany door and he reaches into his pocket for the key. After opening the door, he pauses, letting me enter in front of him, and I walk into a spacious apartment, more modern than I expected for the building. The floor plan is open, with gleaming wood floors and large windows. The furnishings are masculine but with warm touches here and there; the overall feeling is comfortable and inviting.

  “Your place is beautiful, Alec. What a gorgeous view of the city.” I stand in front of the floor-to-ceiling window and gaze out at the twinkling city lights. Alec comes up behind me and places his hands lightly on my bare shoulders. His lips brush softly against the back of my neck, sending a shiver of goose bumps down my spine. Then he turns me around to face him. We’re just inches apart and I close my eyes and wait for him to kiss me but after a few seconds I open them again. He’s just staring down at me, not moving for a moment, his eyes flickering across my face, my lips.

  “You’re beautiful, do you know that? From the moment I saw you in that café, I’ve been dreaming about you, imagining what it would feel like to be close to you, inside you.” His eyes are dark with desire and a slight tremble goes through him as if he’s straining hard to stay in control.

  My heart is about to pound right out of my chest; my skin is hot. His intensity is overwhelming me. I hesitate. “I’m not beau—” I start to say, but he silences me by pressing his lips against mine. His hand reaches for the back of my dress and slowly unzips it. Then he slides the straps off my shoulders and lets it fall into a soft puddle on the floor.

  “No, you’re gorgeous, Emma. Every bit of you.” I’m standing before him now wearing only my lace champagne-colored push-up bra, matching barely-there thong, and my high-heeled strappy sandals. He pulls back slightly and his eyes devour me, the gold flecks shining with passion. His fingertips trace across the curved swell of my breast and his thumb slowly flicks across my nipple, making it harden and swell underneath the lacey fabric. His slow, methodical touch has me aching for more. My legs are starting to tremble and I can’t keep still any longer.

  “Alec . . .” I pant as my fingers reach out to stroke the soft fabric of his shirt. His body is hard as steel beneath the thin covering and I lean forward, letting him support the weight of my body.

  “Yes, darling, tell me what you want.” One of his arms is snaked thick around my waist, holding me tight and close against him. I tilt my head up and rake kisses along his jaw. The roughness of his skin against my soft lips sends another surge of longing through me. I’m lost in him now; my only thought is of pressing myself closer against him. Letting his hardness fill my soft places. Instead of replying, I bring my hands up and start unbuttoning his shirt. I make fast work of it and he groans when my hands touch his bare skin.

  “Oh, yeah. Your hands feel so good, baby.” He’s breathing fast now and the knowledge that I’m turning him on spikes my own desire through the ceiling.

  I push his shirt back over his shoulders, and he lets it fall off his arms to join my dress at our feet. The sight of his bare chest makes my legs wobble even more and I know there’s no turning back. Alec’s body is tight and muscular, with a light dusting of dark hair across his chest, which moves down into a V that disappears below the waistband of his pants.

  He puts one hand under my chin and lifts my face so we are looking straight into each other’s eyes. Then he leans down and kisses me, softly at first, and then more urgently, his tongue parting my lips and exploring my mouth.

  With that one kiss, he takes control.

  “You want this.” It isn’t a question. I can tell Alec is sure of himself and is no doubt reading me without any difficulty. But still, he seems to be waiting for my reply, my acquiescence. So I readily give it to him.

  “Yes, I want this.” As soon as the words leave my lips, he’s moving, unhooking my bra and kneeling down in front me, his thumbs hooking into the straps of my thong and easing it down my thighs to my ankles. He taps lightly first on one heel and then the other, and I obediently lift each in turn to step out of my panties.

  He sits back on his heels and gazes at me, naked before him, his eyes level with my belly. I flush all over at the intensity of his stare aimed right at my core, and I start to kneel down next to him.

  “No, don’t move. Let me look at you.” I do as he says. When I don’t think I can stand it another second, he reaches out with one hand and cups the place between my legs. His thumb slowly circles my clit while two long fingers slide into my center and find my sweet spot. Over and over again, he works his fingers on me, keeping the pace and pressure steady at first, then moving faster and slower, teasing me until I can barely stand it.

  My breath is ragged now and I’m already on the verge of exploding, my legs so weak, I’m close to falling over.

  “Look at me, Emma. I want you to look into my eyes while you come.” His thumb is circling faster now and I’m getting closer. I open my eyes and look into his. They’re full of desire and I shudder as he says, “That’s it, baby, let yourself go.” His voice is urging me on and there’s nothing else I can do but cry out as wave after wave of pleasure courses through me.

  Alec stands up now, just as I’m about to topple over, effortlessly scoops me up, and starts carrying me toward his bedroom. “That was so sexy. I want to watch you come all night,” he says in a low, husky voice. He places me gently on the bed and begins to unbuckle his pants. The hard bulge of his excitement is straining to break free and I moan, unable to speak. “I need to fuck you right now. I want to bury myself deep inside you.” He stretches out, naked now beside me, and continues to whisper in my ear all the things he wants to do to me as his hands explore up and down my body. I’d thought I was completely spent from my first orgasm but my body starts to come alive again as his hands expertly stroke me. He bends his head down and circles my taut, hard nipple with his tongue, then sucks hard on it, sending a bolt of pleasure straight to my core. I arch my back, closing my eyes, and cry out, unable to stop myself. My inhibitions are gone now and I’m totally at his mercy. Any misgivings I’d had before have fled as I give in completely to the pleasure coursing through my body.

  In one seamless move
, Alec parts my legs and moves in between them; one hand is planted on either side of me, his broad chest is gleaming with sweat, and the tip of him is just barely nudging into me. I arch up, moaning in pleasure, wanting him to sink deep inside me, but he pulls back, just out of reach, and pins my arms down on the bed, holding me there. He rubs his long cock up and down my seam, hitting my clit each time, sending me closer and closer to the edge but not over, teasing until I can’t take it.

  “Please, Alec, please.” I’m begging now, writhing beneath him, aching for release.

  “Jesus, you’re so beautiful . . .” His voice is a strained, rough whisper and I can tell he’s holding himself back. With one hand he reaches across to the nightstand and grabs a condom, rips open the package with his teeth, and rolls it on. I gaze at his thick length and my stomach flutters, my core throbbing.

  He places himself back at my entrance, his eyes full of fire and holding mine. “Are you ready?” I flick my eyes in response and arch my hips up to meet him. He sinks into me slowly, letting me adjust as his wide girth fills me up until I don’t think I can take any more. The feeling is both painful and intensely pleasurable as he pushes deeper and deeper into me, stretching and filling me completely. I relax my legs and take a deep breath as my body adjusts and accepts him.

  “Okay?” he rasps, on the verge of losing control.

  “Yes, yes, I’m good,” I say urgently, and he starts to move, slowly at first, and then with more intensity. The tension is building deep inside me, and I wrap my legs around his back, pulling him closer as he thrusts harder, the whole bed shaking now with the force of us. His lips find mine and he kisses me hard, his tongue invading my mouth as his cock thrusts simultaneously inside me. I can do nothing but yield as he invades my body again and again. I’m so close—just a little more and I will be over the edge. He doesn’t let up but continues to pound into me, the muscles in his neck straining with the tension.

  I lift my hips and squeeze my own muscles around his hard length. He moans and grows even harder inside me. “Come on, Emma, come on, baby,” he says, his breath warm and close in my ear. Then his teeth nibble my lobe and bite down, sending an exquisite shiver of pain straight to my center.

  “Alec!” I cry out as I come, more waves of pleasure washing over me. This is unlike anything I’ve ever felt before. Alec continues to thrust hard inside me several more times, and then with a moan and a shudder, he comes, his eyes closing.

  We lie still for a few minutes, Alec’s weight on top of me, his cock still buried inside me. “You’re amazing,” he says as he rolls off of me and quickly disposes of the evidence. Then he lies back, pulling me into him so I’m snuggled close against his chest. I bury my face into him, his raw scent a drug I can’t get enough of. That was, without a doubt, the best sex I’ve ever had, and I’m still reeling from it, slightly shocked at the wanton way I behaved.

  Alec gently strokes my hair and kisses the top of head. “Are you okay?” he asks softly, his fingertips gliding up and down my spine.

  “Mmmm, perfect,” I answer, smiling against his chest. My limbs feel heavy and I think I might just drift off for a few minutes.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  I open my eyes to complete darkness and have no idea where I am. I tense for a second before the memory of last night floods my brain. I reach out my hand, but the bed is empty. Alec is gone and I’m lying naked in his bed. I fumble around on the nightstand and find the clock. It’s 3:30 a.m. Where could he have gone?

  It hits me in a rush that I should leave. Agreeing to come here, to spend the week with Alec, was a mistake. This is not me. I’m not a one-night (or one-week) stand kind of girl. I gather the sheet around myself and step softly into the living room in search of my discarded clothes. The only light seeps from under a closed door. Alec’s office, maybe? I’m trying to be quick and silent, to sneak away before he hears me. But then I step with my bare foot onto the upturned heel of my sandal and lose my balance, falling clumsily to the floor with a loud clatter. The noise sends Alec in to investigate; his office door opens and the light from within illuminates me sprawled, naked, on his floor. The sheet has fallen away and I have my clothes tucked under one arm.

  “Emma, what the hell! What are you doing?” His eyes are wide with surprise. He rushes over to gather me up, pulling me against his bare chest. “Are you okay?” The concern in his voice sends a pang to my heart.

  “Yeah, I’m fine, I’m . . .” I don’t finish my sentence. I’m unsure now what to do. Part of me is still saying, Get out of here, this is a mistake. But Alec is standing here in just his pajama bottoms, his eyes clouded with worry, and I’m suddenly yearning to stay.

  Alec pulls back slightly, his eyes narrowing at the clothes in my hand. “Why are you out of bed, anyway? Were you going to sneak out?” He sounds hurt and offended and I wince a little, feeling like a complete bitch now. I’m really fucking this up.

  “No, uhmm, I guess I was,” I admit. There’s no point in denying it now.

  “But why, what’s the problem? It’s the middle of the fucking night and you were just going to creep out of here and disappear without a word?”

  It sounds pretty shitty when he says it like that and I instantly push back, defensive. “Where were you? I woke up and you were gone.”

  “I was just in my office. I had some work to do—I need to have some contracts ready by tomorrow morning in New York, you know, and I had a few things to take care of. You were sound asleep and I thought I’d be back before you woke up.” He pulls me close again and wraps his arms around me, his lips pressing against the top of my head. I close my eyes and take a deep breath. Being in his arms feels so good, so right. I’m slipping.

  I push against his chest, struggling to get out of his arms, but he tightens his grip not letting me go. “I can’t do it, Alec! Let me go. I need to leave.”

  “Jesus, Emma, why? Let’s just go back to bed. You’re tired. We’ll talk about it in the morning.”

  “I don’t think I can do it, Alec! Spending the week with you and then leaving. . . . It’s going to be too much! I’m sorry.” My voice catches and I push out of his arms. I’m still completely naked, the sheet and pile of clothes now at my feet. I’m too tired and emotionally torn to feel self-conscious, so I just stand there, arms at my sides, looking at him.

  He brings one hand up and rubs his eyes and then brings it through his tousled hair. He looks tired but gorgeous standing there in his bare feet with his pajama bottoms hanging low on his slim hips. I clench my fists and fight the urge to throw myself at him, wanting more than anything to feel his arms wrap around me and pull me in close. My ping-ponging emotions have my head spinning and I’m no longer sure where I’m at.

  Alec’s gaze is starting to heat up and his eyes flick over my skin. He takes one predatory step forward and reaches out, his thumb grazing along the inside of my wrist and up my inner arm. His touch sends sparks up my arm and my insides tighten in response. His eyes searches mine, gauging my reaction.

  “I don’t want you to leave. I’m nowhere near done with you yet,” he says, his voice low and sultry. He brushes his thumb slowly across my lips, tugging gently on my bottom lip until my mouth parts open. Leaning in, he kisses me slowly, lovingly, until I’m an aching, wet mess in his arms. Just like that, any remaining thoughts of leaving are gone. “Say you’ll stay,” he whispers against my lips.

  “Yes,” I manage to get out. Desire is pooling low in my belly. I’d agree to a lot more to have his hands on me again.

  He strokes my neck then moves his hand down to cup one breast and flicks my hard nipple with his thumb. “You’re so curvy, so soft.” He’s growing hard against me. Leaning down, he takes my nipple in his mouth and sucks, and I have to hold on to him for balance as my knees weaken. He pushes me gently and I fall back on the couch. He sinks down between my legs, hooking his hands beneath my knees and spreading them wider so he can settle in between my thighs. His eyes darken as he looks at me, open and bare before
him, and my body reacts, getting soft and moist, ready for him.

  He leans in, kissing me gently at first and then deeper as my mouth parts open, letting him in. His erection is hard as steel against my thigh.

  “Jesus, Emma, I can’t get enough of you. Are you on birth control?” he mumbles against my collarbone, his breath hot.

  I’m silent for a moment. He doesn’t realize what a loaded question this is for me. I’m not, but it doesn’t matter and I don’t want to explain. I decide to lie. “Yes.” My voice is a whisper.

  “Okay, good. I’m clean, tested, I promise. I want to be inside you, with no barriers.” As he says this, he presses two fingers inside me and strokes gently back and forth, as if to emphasize his point.

  My body is reacting instinctively to his touch now, my hips flexing toward his hand. A sigh of pleasure escapes my lips. I want to trust Alec, to take him at his word, but I’ve made mistakes before and it’s cost me, dearly. “How do you know you can trust me?” I’m almost panting now, my willpower fading fast.

  He pauses and pulls back slightly, looking into my eyes. “When was the last time you were with someone?”

  A long time. I’ve only ever been with one person. “It’s been a while.” I don’t want to go into details.

  He persists, though. “A while as in . . . weeks? Months?”

  I sigh, knowing he won’t stop until he gets an answer. “More than a year.”

  A smile spreads across his face at this and his fingers resume their motion. “So, then, yes?”

  His rhythmic stroking is already driving me toward the edge. “You feel so good, Emma. I want to be in you, feel you around me.” He’s tight up against me now and my legs are wrapped around his back. He’s hard and huge against me and I’m aching for him once again. My doubts and fears are draining away. I feel secure with Alec, to my surprise I trust him completely.