3. Carter
CHAPTER 3
Carter
B y the time Alvin and his men are dealt with, it’s the middle of the night, and I dismiss the house staff. Yelena reluctantly goes home, but only after I promise not to get Cece’s hopes up about us. Clearly, not realizing there was a reason I never claimed the young woman until now.
Sliding open my bedroom door, I expect Cece to be out cold; she’s had a long day because of me. Instead, she sits in the middle of the bed. Her glasses are perched on her cute button nose, there’s a pencil behind her ear and papers askew, and her hair is messily tied on top of her head. I’ve never seen a more adorable sight as I watch her type on her ancient computer.
“Why are you still awake?”
She jumps, paper crumpling amidst her squeal as she glares at me.
“Why can’t you make noise?”
I stare at her for a minute. “Fair enough. What are you working on?” I hadn’t asked earlier because I needed her to be distracted.
“College essays.”
I do my best to stay calm.
“Where do you want to go?”
“Anywhere that isn’t here,” she mutters, returning to her work.
I try not to take offense at her answer, but I’d be lying if I said that didn’t annoy me.
“Why not here?” I ask. Her fingers freeze over the keyboard, and I notice her pulse picks up in her throat and some color drains from her face. “There are good schools here. Columbia, Cornell, NYU, SUNY New Paltz, Barnard, Hunter. Lots of programs and degrees to check out amongst them.” I’m a greedy bastard. I want her to choose one to be close to me.
“I’m aware,” she says hesitantly, “but I need away from my mom, from her…messes.”
When she flicks her big brown eyes up to meet mine, I behold so much more than sadness in them. There’s a determination I can admire and relate to.
“What if she left?” I counter.
Lifting her hand, Cece pinches the bridge of her nose as I drag my shirt off. Hoping my state of undress will distract her enough that I can convince her to stay.
“Why would she leave?”
Her eyes roam across my tattooed chest but stop when they reach my bicep. A month after I met her, I went to my tattoo artist and had a band of prickly vines with a small bush of wildflowers added, and above that, her name.
Getting to her knees, Cece crawls towards me and reaches out to grab my arm, turning me to get a better look at her brand on me, whether she had anything to do with it or not.
“Why would you get this?” Her delicate finger traces the cursive writing of her name, eyes glued to the black ink.
Wrapping my hand around the back of her neck, I drag her closer to me. Our chests touch, and I feel the way her nipples poke at me. “Cece, sweet girl, did you think you weren’t mine after we met?”
Our eyes meet, and so much emotion swirls within the milk chocolate depths. “I don’t understand.” I know she doesn’t. Knew she wouldn’t.
I slip my other arm around her back and take her down to the bed. Without giving her a chance to protest or question, I settle my lips over hers and kiss her like I’ve been dying to since that one touch way too long ago.
Nipping her bottom lip, I lick across the seam until she opens for me. She’s hesitant, so I meet my tongue with hers and allow her to lead. I know Cece. I know she’s never been with a boy, let alone a man. While I can’t be certain she hasn’t been kissed much, it wouldn’t be enough for her to understand how erotic it can be.
I’m more than willing to be her teacher.
Spreading her thighs with my hips, I settle against her body but don’t push for more than she’s willing to give. I’ll savor what I can get.
As our tongues touch and play gently, I tip her chin while my other hand travels down her body. Circling a covered nipple with the tip of a finger before showing the other the same attention.
“Responsive,” I whisper into her mouth.
Nipping along her jaw, I keep my touches light, wishing not to overwhelm her before she’s ready for me but needing her to understand what I want and how her pleasure will be my primary focus.
“C-c-carter.” She vibrates under me, and I hear the trepidation in her voice.
“Relax, sweet girl, enjoy my touch,” I coax. “So soft. Silky smooth. I never want to stop touching you.”
“Please don’t.” My dick jumps behind my zipper from the whine in her tone, dying to get between her luscious thighs.
“Tell me something.” I lift up to look into her eyes. “Are you on the pill?” Her lust-filled gaze takes a minute to clear.
“Y-y-yes.” A growl rumbles in my chest. “For my period,” she’s quick to clarify, reading me easily.
“Good, because I never want there to be anything between us. I can’t stand the thought of something blocking me from feeling all of you.” I salivate with anticipation of taking her.
“B-between us?” The catch in her words makes me pause.
“Condoms. I don’t want to use one when you let me inside your sweet cunt. I never want anything between us. Ever,” I reiterate when her eyes widen.
“Sex. You mean sex.” There’s a slight panic in her eyes, and I work to calm her down.
“Sshh, sweet girl. Daddy won’t take more than you’re ready to give him.” Fuck. I hadn’t meant to say that out loud.
Her eyes widen, and she freezes as she stares at me, shell-shocked. Got rid of the panic, at least.
“Daddy?” Her voice quivers, and my dick nearly explodes as I shudder above her.
“I’m sorry. I hadn’t wanted to say anything. Not yet, anyway.”
Her hands, which had been frozen on my sides, move around to rest on my chest as she processes my words.
“Is that why I feel the way I do?”
“How do you feel?” I don’t need to ask her this, but I want her to understand what’s happening. Brushing away the stray hairs flying wild around her face, I wait for her response.
She draws on my chest with her finger, reluctant to answer me. “Safe, cared for.” Our eyes meet. “Protected.”
My lips twitch. “Good. That’s what I want for you.” Nuzzling her nose with mine, I breathe deeply. “But I want more, too. I want us together. I want to be your lover, your protector, the one you come to with your problems and needs. I want you to know I’m everything to you.”
Allowing my words to sink in, Cece is cautious in her next question. “What does that mean I am to you?”
I don’t hesitate. “My absolute world.”