Wild Promises (The Wilde Brothers #4)

Chapter 19

19

XANDER

I 'd never experienced anything hotter than Tori on her knees sucking my dick, then her touching herself. She was open and carefree with me, and I had a feeling she wasn't like that with anyone else.

I was determined to make her forget about any other guys. There was just me and her. Nothing between us. I'd been a bit freaked out about how serious we'd gotten so quickly. But tonight, I wasn't going to question it.

Tori was the woman for me. I wouldn't worry if she'd change her mind and decide she could do better than me. At least, not right now when her eyes were glazed over with lust, and her hands gripped my legs as if she was afraid I'd stop.

With each thrust, I was solidifying my feelings for her. I suspected that I was in love with her, but when I was with her like this, emotion filled my chest, making me feel lighter than air, as if I could do anything.

There was nothing that could stop us or come between us. Even if I lost everything, she'd be it for me.

She bit her lip. Then her hand drifted to her clit, and she circled the swollen nub. I lost all sense of control, my movements erratic. The orgasm built at the base of my spine, and I was relieved when her walls compressed around my dick.

When I collapsed by her side, I mumbled how beautiful she was into her ear. She turned to face me, her body languid. "This blanket is soft."

I couldn't stop the eruption of laughter that poured out of me. "It is."

"I was worried you wouldn't like my additions to your apartment."

"What's not to like? This blanket is soft and surprisingly supportive."

We were both grinning like fools now. Was this what it was like to be in love with someone? There was a giddiness under the surface, as if we were soda bottles that had been shaken but not opened. I was ready to explode at any second, but I knew enough to hold back. Tori wasn't ready to know how I felt.

I wanted her to be with me because she wanted to, not because she felt like she had to put on a show for our families.

Her fingers found my hair, and she played with the strands. "How was your day?"

I groaned. "Long."

"Are you supposed to be working seven days a week? Shouldn't you take a day off so you can rest your body?" She pressed a palm to my chest, right over my heart.

"I'm showing my brothers that I take my job seriously. I'm all-in."

Tori sighed. "I'm not sure that's what they had in mind."

"I don't know what else to do. I'm working in the office, taking on more lessons, and racking my brain for any ideas of how to expand our outdoor offerings." My head hurt with the brainstorming I'd been doing, but I'd come up empty.

Tori pushed me so that I was flat on my back, and she rested her head on my shoulder. "What if you had an outdoor snow party? Similar to the winter ball but outside. Everyone would be bundled up, gathered around bonfires and drinking hot chocolate. You could charge for people to go through a kids’ light maze, and maybe even do a horse carriage ride."

My heart slowed. "How did you do that?"

"Do what?" Tori asked.

"Come up with that so easily. I've been trying to think of anything that could work, and I didn't have any ideas. But you came up with that so quickly, and it's good." It was great. I was positive Eli and Oliver would love it. It might even save my job, but it wasn't my idea. Why was I so slow when it came to business?

Tori laughed, not sensing my inner turmoil. "It's probably because I'm not pressured to come up with an idea."

Was that the key? I had to relax, and good ideas would just come to me? That sounded ridiculous even in my own head. "I don't know."

Tori moved over me, her fingers drawing circles on my temple. "You just have to relax."

"That's easier said than done." I hadn't been able to truly let go since my brothers sat me down and threatened my job. I felt like my entire life was a lie. The one constant I'd always counted on could be ripped out from under me at any moment.

Tori smiled, and something loosened in my chest. Maybe she was the key. I just needed to focus on her and not worry about my job or my future. I was holding on so tightly to everything; it felt like it would unravel if I so much as took a breath. But maybe I was looking at everything all wrong.

"That's it. Just relax, and don't worry about it. You're putting so much pressure on yourself; it's blocking your intuition."

Was that a thing? "That sounds a little ridiculous."

"I know, but that's how it works." Her fingers worked their magic on my temples, causing my muscles to relax one by one.

"I think you're the key to my relaxation."

"You'll have to hold onto me then," Tori said lightly, and I rolled us so that she was underneath me and I rested between her legs. My cock was already hardening again. It was the brush of her nipples against my chest, her sweet words, and her magical hands.

"Oh, I intend to." I lowered my body, sliding inside her, and interlaced my fingers with hers on either side of her head. I moved slowly, savoring the feel of being bare inside her. There was something about being connected to her in this way. Every inch of my body was touching hers, and I kissed her as if she'd fly away at any second.

Tori was mine for now, but I held no illusions that I could hold onto her. I'd enjoy it while it lasted and try not to be disappointed when she realized how much better she could do.

I used the friction between our bodies to my advantage. I lifted slightly on each thrust so that my pelvis rubbed her clit. The movement had her writhing and begging for more. Sweat beaded on my forehead as I kept my pace measured and slow. When she cried out, I finally let go, following her over.

This time, I pulled out and went to the bathroom to grab a washcloth. We'd probably need to wash the blanket she'd bought. I was positive she hadn't intended for us to have sex on it. But I'd been thinking about her all day, and when I saw it, I couldn't control my baser instincts to make her mine.

When I returned, she was watching me from under hooded eyes. I carefully washed her, then set the washcloth aside. Then I gathered her to me. "What else did you have planned for this evening?"

Tori laughed against me. "I hadn't planned on this. I thought the blanket would look nice on the back of the couch."

"It looks better on the floor with you naked on top of it."

Tori shook her head against me. "You're impossible."

I held her more tightly, never wanting to let her go. A few seconds later, her stomach rumbled.

"We need to eat."

Tori lifted up so that she was leaning on one hand. "Should we eat out so we're seen together?"

The reference to our fake arrangement was like a bucket of cold water being poured over my head. When I'd realized she'd spent the day buying pillows and blankets for my apartment, I'd forgotten that this wasn't real.

I thought she was finally moving past the fake part of our deal and we were evolving into something real. I was in love with her, and she was just proving a point to her dad? My chest tightened again. "If you want to."

"We could order takeout or even cook."

I got up and shrugged on my clothes, needing a barrier between us. If I wasn't careful, I was going to confess everything. I wasn't ready for this to be over.

I'd let myself believe this was real, and look where it had gotten me? I wasn't used to how relationships worked. I'd been too trusting, too hopeful. I'd followed my instincts, and they were all wrong.

"You can use the outdoor winter ball idea if you want. I don't mind helping you plan it."

"You don't have to do any of this." She didn't have to be here right now, and she certainly didn't need to decorate my apartment. But she had. She'd done way more than what was required.

Tori stood, still naked, and touched my arm. "I want to be here with you."

I wanted to believe her, but I needed to keep a tight hold on my heart. I didn't want to be the only one catching feelings in this arrangement.

"Let's eat and then plan this winter ball so you can present it to your brothers. I know you want it to be your idea, but we're supposed to help each other. That's what this arrangement is about: ensuring you keep your job and my dad doesn't sell the practice. I'm not sure I'm going to get my legacy, but I can help you get what you deserve."

Emotion clogged my throat, threatening to overwhelm me, so I merely nodded. We ordered Chinese food from a local restaurant and got to work brainstorming her idea. By the end of the night, we had the party planned well enough that I could present the idea to my brothers.

I just needed to research where we could get a carriage and some horses in the morning. There were boxes of empty Chinese food all over the coffee table, the TV was flickering in the background, and the fire had died down to an ember.

I'd never be able to be in this apartment and not remember the way we'd made love in front of the fire. My chest tightened again.

I checked my email while Tori surfed through the channels, looking for a movie we'd both like. "The realtor sent me some listings to look at."

"I want to see." Tori dropped the remote on the couch, moving closer to me.

I clicked on the link, then the first house.

"That one is so nice. It has some acreage and four bedrooms." Tori scrolled through the pictures.

My heart sunk, thinking about filling a house when it was just me. "Maybe I should wait on this."

Tori slapped a hand on my forearm. "This is part of our plan. You need to look like you're settling down in Telluride. Buying a house is the best way to do that. It's a real commitment."

I'd always imagined I'd buy a house with my significant other. Tori was here, but she was doing this for me, not us. That was a big difference. "This one is too close to the road. There's all this property, but the house is set so far forward."

Tori nodded. "Oh, yeah. Good point. Show me the next one."

I scrolled to the next one.

"How about this one?" Tori asked.

I pursed my lips, trying to articulate what I didn't like about it. "It's outdated."

Tori’s gaze moved from the screen to me. "Did you want a fully renovated house? If so, you might want to mention that to your realtor. It will mean more money."

I didn't know what I wanted. Mainly because I'd never thought about it before. I always hoped I'd be planning a future with someone else. The thought of buying a house for myself shot a sharp pain through my chest.

"Are you okay? Is this too much?" Tori's expression filled with concern for me.

I sighed, setting my phone aside. "It's a lot. I'm not sure I'm ready for this yet."

"Let's look at it tomorrow. I bet your brain hurts from all the planning we already did." Tori stood, then dropped to her knees on the floor. She undid my zipper, and I lifted my hips so she could shove my pants down enough to free my cock. It popped out, eager to see her.

"I'll make you feel good," Tori purred.

I was all for this. I didn't want to think. I wanted to forget everything: the house I was supposed to buy, the party I had to plan, and the very fake nature of our relationship. I leaned back on the couch. "Suck all my brain cells out."

Tori smirked. "I'll do my best."

I let my knees fall as wide as my jeans would allow. "I want to see your tits."

Tori took off her shirt, then unhooked her bra. I couldn't resist tweaking her nipples. She adjusted her position, and I suspected she was already wet for me. Just thinking about sucking me off had her hot and bothered. I loved the idea of that. I might not have her heart, but I had her body.

"Stop playing, and suck me." My voice was strained.

"Yes, sir," she said softly as she engulfed my cock with her wet mouth. It was too much. Her words, her mouth, and her hands. In minutes I was erupting down her throat, wondering how I'd gotten so lucky to have snagged a girl like Tori.

Later, she led me to the bed, where I settled between her legs and feasted on her. This was temporary, and I couldn't let myself feel things for her. It would only end in heartbreak. I'd be living on a beautiful property in a huge empty house, wishing I would have done something different.