SEVENTEEN
Reilly
After Elton checks in on Neive again, we settle outside on the vast terrace overlooking the ocean. Key moments in this situationship keep happening out here. I have a feeling this is about to be another one.
There’s a chill in the air as I take a seat at the outside table.
Elton turns a heater on and drapes a blanket around my shoulders.
He sent Claire and Jeeves home telling Claire to take the following day off, despite her insisting she needs to be here for them.
Jeeves simply gave Elton a pat on the shoulder and a nod in my direction before leaving us alone for the night.
It’s not your normal family set up here, but the love and loyalty between them is strong. I know first-hand that even though blood may be thicker than water, that means fuck-all when it comes to who your real family are.
Elton is facing the ocean, swirling his wine around his glass, lost in thought. I won’t pull him out of it, it’s been a stressful day for him.
“How much am I screwing her up?” I don’t answer him.
“I’m doing this all wrong. She ran away,” he whispers the last words, clearly in pain.
“There was ￡500 in her bag. What was her plan for that?” He finally looks at me, his eyes still wet from his earlier tears.
I put my glass down and face him, taking his hand in mine. So warm and comforting.
“There’s no right or wrong way for this, Elton. You’re practically her parent here, and you’re doing the best you can.” There’s so much more that needs to be said, but I’m not the one to say it to him.
“Go on, give it to me. I need to be told what to do.” He doesn’t – given the circumstances he’s doing an amazing job, I’m proud of him.
“I can’t tell you what to do. It’s not my place.
But as an outsider, I will say this. Neive needs you.
She needs a strong support system. That support system will not be in Wales.
” I squeeze his hand. This is all I will say, hoping he’ll take it on board.
He links his fingers through mine, rubbing his thumb along the back of my hand.
“I’m sorry about what happened last time you were here,” he says.
“Ah, you mean when you called me a gold digger?” I give him a soft smile. I won’t forget, but I won’t keep the burden of holding a grudge against him.
“I freaked out. It was wrong.” He looks at our joined hands, his touch becoming firmer.
As if holding on, so I don’t run away. “An old girlfriend faked a pregnancy to try and trap me.” Fuck, I wasn’t expecting that.
“I wouldn’t commit so she decided to try and make me.
It was her mum who told me the truth. She didn’t agree with what she was trying to do.
” He huffs a laugh then lets go of my hand.
I feel the loss immediately. He necks the rest of his wine and pours himself another glass.
“When I thought you were pregnant, I panicked. This time, Neive is in my life, there is so much more at stake.”
“You’re doing great with Neive.” He rolls his eyes, and I lean in towards him, hoping he’ll know how sincere I am.
“Considering how today went, I don’t know how true that is. I would be a terrible parent. I had a terrible example growing up.”
This man has so much to sort through. I would never be his priority. Not that I blame him, but I need to put myself first.
I stand and walk to the railings. The last of the sun is setting on the horizon and the sky is cast in a warm glow.
“I forgive you, Elton. The things you said hurt, but I’m a big girl.
I understand your reaction … your fear.” I should turn to face him to have this conversation but if I do I might give in.
Hearing the things he’s dealt with and knowing how much he sacrifices for his family forces a crack in my carefully constructed armour.
My dad froze me out and my ex neglected me, but I couldn’t handle the way I might get hurt if I give in to Elton and he lets me down.
“I need to go,” I tell him. He steps up behind me and spins me around, caging his arms on either side of me.
“Stay?” His voice drops low, connecting with parts deep inside me.
“Why?” I whisper.
“For the view.” His dimples pop out as he smiles, and I fall into his eyes.
“You’re a charmer, Elton Fox.” Which scares me. Am I just another woman who has fallen into this Elton hole?
“Only to those I want to charm.” He moves closer, clouding my brain.
“And why do you want to charm me?” I breathe, tilting my head up, bringing our lips a whisper apart.
“Because you’re galvanising.”
“That’s a big word,” I tell him, impressed and surprised by the vocabulary. “What does it mean?” My arms come up around his shoulders, feeling the hard wall of muscle.
“Heart-stopping. Bewildering. Tantalising.” He scans my face and each word sinks deeper into me. “I am bewitched by you, Reilly.”
There are those moments in life when your next decision will change everything. It will make your life go one way or another. This is one of those moments.
He towers over me and presses into my body. He’s been open and vulnerable with me tonight, which must have been hard for him.
It makes me want to give this a go. I am seeing the walls around him come down, but I don’t know if I’m ready to drop mine.
I can’t deny what I feel when he’s near me.
My whole body hums with anticipation. He’s a tornado circling me and an anchor holding me steady.
He tucks my hair behind my ear. “Come to bed with me.”
I hope my silence isn’t a sign of rejection; in reality, it is indecisiveness. This man has the power to end me. I have never felt such a pull; losing control is terrifying. Something is telling me to commit to him – mind, body and soul – but my subconscious is screaming at me.
This won’t end well.
I will have my heart broken, and I will be left alone.
Abandoned. Again.
Controlled by my lack of willpower, I step into him. Placing a kiss to his lips, electricity pulses through my veins. Just for tonight, I will give up my power, relent to these feelings, and allow myself to be open. Tomorrow, I will lock myself back away.
Elton leads me upstairs by my hand. No words need to be exchanged. He offers me a freshen-up in the bathroom while he checks on Neive. I take the opportunity to shower – I’ve been working all day and came straight here to deliver Neive home safely.
The bathroom is the definition of opulence, with white marble countertops, dimmed lights, and a shower of dreams. I turn on the rainfall shower by selecting the easiest button, there’s a panel which could do all sorts of things.
A scented mist fills the room, eucalyptus and jasmine.
This man is surrounded by luxuries I couldn’t even dream of, and tomorrow I go back to my little house with my mum and my dog.
I’m just a baker with a dream, and Elton is so far out of reach.
I shouldn’t be here. But just for tonight, I’ll ignore all the blaring warning sirens in my head. Tonight, I let myself live a fantasy.
The water cascades over me, and I lather myself with his shower gel. I take in the selection of black bottles, sandalwood and mandarin. Masculine and rich. I like the idea of smelling like him. I’ll sneak another shower before I go home so I can take his scent with me.
Stepping out, I wipe the condensation off the mirror and try my best to fix my hair and face.
There’s no brush or hair dryer, so I towel dry my hair and wipe away the residue of make-up.
I’m sure Neive would have stuff I could borrow, but there is no way I’m letting her catch onto what is happening here.
Wrapping myself in a fluffy navy bathrobe I find on the back of the door, I make my way to the bedroom.
Elton is sitting in a chair in the corner of the room in a pair of black sweatpants, drinking whisky, hair still damp from a shower he took elsewhere. His eyes are heavy with lust as he takes me in.
“Come here.” His deep, raspy voice vibrates through me and pulls me closer.
I step between his legs, running my hands through his hair as he leans his forehead against my stomach. He’s so broken and lost. I want to fix him. I want to guide him. But that’s not my place, I have no place here. I could let myself pretend though, for a little while.
I pull his head up to face me. “Tonight, Elton, I’m going to look after you.
Give me control. I’ll make it all better,” I assure him.
He locks my gaze and runs his hands up the back of my thighs.
I move his hands to my front and settle them on the robe tie, telling him to disrobe me.
As it drops to the floor, his eyes roam my body, taking every inch in.
His fingers caress the lines of my hips.
He sucks in a breath as I place both his hands on the arms of the chair and sink to my knees.
“Fuck, Reilly. You look so good on your knees.” He’s hard and proud through his sweats, his erection pressing against the fabric, begging to be released.
He helps me slide his trousers off, and I take him in, like a king in all his glory.
Strong and thick, I want to taste him, take him in my mouth and let him release.
I want to take all his stress and fears away from him.
I run my hands up his thighs, staring straight into his eyes.
He is burning for me. As I lick along his length, he sucks in a breath and tenses.
Tensing is good. I want him to tense up so it all comes crashing out of him when he lets go.
Let him release all the tight emotion inside of him.
I take him in my mouth, letting him slide all the way to the back.
Grabbing his hips to control myself, I swallow, constricting the back of my throat around the head of his cock.
“Reilly,” he grunts. Getting this reaction out of a man like Elton fills me with pride and spurs me on.
I start to take him in long deep strokes, sucking my cheeks in.
He moves his hand to the back of my head, but I stop, releasing his cock, and move his hand back to the arm of the chair.
“I’m in control tonight, Elton.” He shudders and closes his eyes, leaning his head back.
He needs this. I want to bring him to the edge of insanity so everything he has inside will come rushing out.
Going back to work on him, I run my hand up his body.
His chest muscles are tight and hard. I place my hand at his neck and feel his pulse strong.
I hold with just the right amount of pressure.
He turns his head towards my hand and takes my thumb in his mouth, sucking and grazing with his teeth.
I mimic the action with my own mouth, lightly grazing my teeth along his shaft.
He bites hard on my thumb, but I have a good sense of seeing that as a reaction and not an instruction.
I take him deeper. Speeding up. His grunts and noises spur me on. I have him, just where I want him.
“Reilly, you’re killing me. You’re fucking killing me.” His palms twitch where I’ve made him keep them. Desperate to touch me, desperate to grab me. Having a man like Elton at my mercy is a strength I wasn’t sure I possessed.
This is as difficult for me as it is for him. I want him to break, to push past reason and take me. He needs to let go first, then it will be time for him to take back the control.
I pull back suddenly, sitting on my heels, my own breath heavy, my own desire seeping out of me.
He grips the edge of the chair, his jaw tight as he grinds his teeth.
His eyes are dark, and if I weren’t aware of the lust he feels for me, his face would show pure hatred.
But he waits, his body practically shaking with desire.
I make him wait. I sit back on my heels and slowly open my thighs.
Showing him myself and what his presence does to me.
I run both hands through my hair and down my neck.
Past my breasts, stopping to tease my nipples.
Elton’s eyes track my movement, his breath ragged.
He’s holding himself back. He wants to jump me, lift me and ravish me.
As I reach my pussy, wet and wanting, he snaps his eyes back to my face. He’s asking permission. This proud man, following my rules and waiting for me to let him.
With one nod of my head, he rushes for me.
Lifting me by my waist and throwing me in the middle of the bed.
Climbing on me and kissing me hard and fast. His tongue explores my mouth, and his hands grab at my waist. So hard I’ll probably bruise, but it will be worth it.
I have released a beast in him, and he is angry.
His unforgiving touch taking back what I took from him.
He bites on my shoulder and shoves two fingers deep inside me. I gasp at the intrusion, and my orgasm is stirring inside me. He helps me chase my pleasure, whispering soft words of encouragement. I’m so close.
“I need you, Reilly. I need you now.”
He scrambles for a condom from his side table and sheaths himself.
He lifts my back slightly off the bed, and he hooks my legs over his shoulders and slams into me.
My core bursts, and my desire floods through my body at the orgasm I’ve been holding on to since my shower.
I grab him by the back of the neck. “Oh fuck, Elton.” He pushes one hand down on my stomach, and I feel my orgasm climb again.
“One more, Reilly. One more for me.” Anything for him. Anything.
I can feel the pressure inside of me, and I moan long and loud as it releases, and my pussy contracts around his hard cock.
He grabs a fistful of my hair at the nape of my neck.
“Fuck, Reilly.” He grunts into my ear as he fills me.
We ride out our orgasms, slow and deep; his forehead rests on mine, and his eyes are closed, his breath hot against my skin.
When he finally drops next to me on the bed, he lets out a long breath, leans over and kisses me on the forehead. No words are spoken; none are needed.