TWENTY-THREE
Reilly
Every time I’m with Elton, the rest of the world blurs. He’s taking up more and more space inside my brain and honestly, I am absolutely okay with it. It’s the little things; the small moments and gestures I had been ignoring because I was too blinded by the big sparkly stuff that scared me.
Now I find myself entranced by the way he always takes my coat and bag when he meets me at the front door for baking lessons, his hand taking too long to slowly graze down my arm.
I get sucked into how he lingers at the door to his own kitchen, not wanting to intrude but unable to keep away.
And if he ever stops greeting me with the same smile he gives Neive, the one that breaks across his face without warning, life will be bleak and meaningless.
We’ve kept things spontaneous: evenings at his house and dog walks and coffee on the beach. Just anything where we can spend time together being us.
When Elton asked if he could take me to stay overnight at his friend’s Manor House restaurant in Studland Bay, I thought nothing of it.
I jumped at the chance. Work has been hell and the idea of a full uninterrupted twelve hours with the man was too good to pass up.
We’ve been crawling around each other for too long, I needed to push myself all in.
I had a full productive shower; exfoliate, shave (everywhere), deep hair wash.
Face mask. Cleanse, tone AND moisturise.
I even used fancy Vitamin C face serum. I’d found a soft pink corset A-line dress, cinching in my waist and propping up my cleavage.
I picked it up in a vintage shop in Westbourne, teaming it with a pair of black low-heeled pumps and letting my red curls run wild down my back.
I felt pretty, and authentically myself.
As we drove up the tree-lined driveway, I kept my hands tight on my lap.
As we stepped into the reception of the large manor house, I smiled politely and nodded my head.
And now, as we are shown into our ground floor suite, with large double doors opening onto a private courtyard, my body becomes smaller and my voice becomes quieter.
The moment the woman closes the doors on the suite, my shoulders sag, I run my hands over my second-hand dress, kicking my M&S shoes into the corner.
I need to tame my hair, it’s too wild. I dig out a hairbrush from my silly little backpack and run into the bathroom to the nearest of the two sinks.
Elton steps up behind me, takes the hairbrush out of my hand and runs his hands up my arms, slipping the strap of my dress back in place. “You’re beautiful, Reilly.”
My whole body melts back into him. When I’m with Elton, it’s like the world around me disappears. He has a way of stalling anything else that is going on in my head.
~
After dinner, where I ate something called kohlrabi – a green and purple leafy vegetable, we take a nightcap outside on the terrace.
There’s a chill in the air, and Elton grabs a blanket from the box by the door and drapes it over my shoulders.
He lifts my hair from under the blanket and adjusts it around me.
The fairy lights above us twinkle, and the flicker of a large fire inside a stone firepit casts a shadow over his face. There is soft music playing in the background. It’s just us out here. Just Reilly and Elton.
“Kol-raa-bee,” he repeats slowly, smiling from his seat next to me. He has dragged the chair, with me in it, so close to him I’m practically on his lap.
“That’s what I said.” I roll my eyes, googling the vegetable on my phone. “It’s a German cabbage,” I deadpan at him. “You made me think it was something super exotic.”
He holds his hands up in defence. “You’re the one who got excited about eating it. I just leaned into the enthusiasm.”
I slap him playfully on his chest, leaning in closer as his scent wraps around me, pulling me further down the rabbit hole – where I am now willingly allowing myself to fall.
“Elton, darling. Is that you?” a shrill voice comes from behind me. Elton peers over my shoulder. A moment of dread passes over his face.
He mouths “I’m so sorry” at me before he stands, buttons his jacket and settles his face into an alarmingly neutral expression.
“Cheryl, hello. Nice to see you.” Professional, polite. Nothing like the warm Elton who sets my heart on fire.
This Cheryl leans in to kiss Elton on the cheek. Elton doesn’t move or respond. Cheryl sends me a fake smile nearly hiding the hostility. Nearly.
After her quick assessment of me, she decides I am not worth her time, dismissing me to turn her attention back to Elton.
“Are you well, Elton? We missed you at Mimi’s party last week.
Silis said you were to London recently. Is work going well?
We must catch up soon.” She barely took a breath between each drawled statement, but she managed to place her hand on Elton’s arm.
“And Louise told me Neive has been baking. She follows her on social media. I sent a friend request, but she must not have seen it. Because her profile is still showing as private.” Elton’s body tightens further and I find myself next to him in a heartbeat, my hand finding his arm.
He is fiercely protective of Neive, and I can’t imagine he likes this person using her as a way to get in with his attention.
Although he’s stiff and on guard, he remains cordial.
This is a side of Elton I haven’t met yet.
The on-show Elton, the business Elton, the one who stands and gives space to nonsense to keep up appearances.
It’s not really an Elton I particularly admire, but then again, this isn’t my world and I don’t know the rules.
I snap from my judgements as I realise I have been included in Cheryl’s monologue. She’s looking right at me.
“That’s where I recognise you from. You’re the baker Elton hired to give Neive lessons. Louise showed me a picture. Elton, it’s so nice of you to bring your staff out somewhere like this.”
Elton cocks his head at her assertion and pulls me closer. “Actually, Cheryl, Reilly is my girlfriend.” He smiles at me. “And we would like some privacy. If you don’t mind.”
“Girlfriend? Elton, since when have you had girlfriends?” she scoffs, waving her manicured hand towards me.
“Since Reilly.” Awww.
Cheryl holds a hand to her chest in horror as she looks accusingly at me.
As if I have taken something belonging to her.
Although I guess that, in her mind, he does belong to her.
Her world anyway. But I don’t care because Elton has called me his girlfriend, which makes me stand a little bit taller and a little bit more poised.
“Cheryl, if you don’t mind, Elton and I were hoping to have a quiet moment out here alone before he takes me upstairs and fucks me until I can’t walk.” I smile sweetly. Cheryl gasps. Elton snickers.
“You don’t need to be so crass.” She turns away from me dismissively. “Elton darling, it was lovely to see you again. Let me know when you come to your senses. It’s a shame to see you fall so low.” She saunters off.
Elton spins me around, grabbing my face with both hands, and deeply kisses me.
“You’re so hot when you’re territorial. Let’s skip the drinks. I need you now!”
He grabs my hand. Drinks and blankets are discarded on the table behind us as he drags me back inside and up the winding wooden staircase.
We reach our room and he pushes me against the door, lifting my legs around his waist, and uses a key card to open the door behind me, slamming it shut with his foot.
“You are fire, Reilly.” He walks over to the bed and drops me in the middle. “It takes a lot to survive in this world, and you have it.”
“I guess that’s why I get to be your girlfriend,” I tease.
“Sorry, I needed her to back off. And this is what tonight is about. I want you and only you. This is something, Reilly. I don’t know what or where it’s going.
But it’s happening, and I need to define it.
I never have before, but I need to put into words what this is between us.
So yes, you are my girlfriend. And if you have a problem with that, then we can discuss it once I’ve fucked you until you can’t walk. ”
~
Elton
Reilly sits curled into one of the grand armchairs, wrapped in a fluffy white dressing gown. The fire is on, and I am mesmerised by her every movement. The way she strokes a loose strip of hair and twirls it around her finger. Her eyes light up with the reflection of the fire.
She’s raided the mini bar and has set us up for a picnic at the table in front of us.
Apparently, despite the ten-course dinner we’ve just had, she’s worked up an appetite.
She’s been trying to catch nuts in her mouth for the last ten minutes, and with each attempt, she falls further into a fit of giggles.
She is so carefree, finding amusement in the smallest moments in life.
I sip my glass of red as I lean back against the headboard.
We fucked, we fucked hard and passionately.
It felt like fire, earth-shattering, undeniable chemistry. I want that every day.
“Move in with me.” The words jumped out of me, but I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.
She stares at me, not a muscle in her face moves.
I’ve made her brain glitch. “Reilly, move in with me,” I repeat myself so I know she’s heard me, and she knows I mean it.
Still nothing. I see her eyes cloud over. She’s shutting down.
I move myself to the chair next to her, moving her to face me and taking her hands in mine.
“This is perfect, live with me. Be with me.” I pick a stray nut out of her hair, smiling at my little chaos sunshine.
She sighs and closes her eyes. “Elton.” I don’t like that tone.
Reilly stands and starts pacing the room. I say nothing as I let her get her thoughts together. She looks at me, then shakes her head.
“What’s stopping you?” I ask, as she continues to pace the room, wringing her hands. “It’s terrifying to feel this way,” I tell her. “But it also feels right and – deep down – you know that.” I stand and grasp her shoulders, keeping her still.
“What happens when you realise you’ve made a mistake?” she whispers. “You’ve already tried to throw me away once.” Her words fly out of her mouth before she’s had a chance to think about them. I grasp her chin and lift her face towards mine.
“Baby, what happened in the beginning was a horrible mistake. We’ve moved past that. The fact we were able to should show you how serious I am about you.”
“It won’t take much for you to realise I’m beneath you and end this.”
I grab her face between my hands. “Beneath me! Are you crazy? I am beneath you. You are everything right with the world. I am cold and dark. You are light and warm. You bring everything into my life.” I lean in and rest my forehead on hers.
“Please, Reilly. Don’t doubt us. We could be everything.
” I capture her lips in the softest kiss as I back her towards the bed, releasing her robe.
“I can give you all the words in the world to tell you how I feel about you, but you won’t hear them until I show you. ”
I brush the silk of the robe down her arms, leaving her bare. The action takes me back to the first night with her. How far we’ve come since then. I knew the feeling I had at the time was real. The anticipation of knowing I had something special. I wouldn’t be here right now if it wasn’t.
I run my hands back up her arms and scoop her face between my palms. I study her for a moment, take in every inch of the delicately soft skin, her sprinkle of freckles and her eyes that shine pure delight.
I kiss her. Her lips are made for me. She unties my robe, letting it fall to the floor.
We stand before each other, two people. Baring both body and soul.
Lifting her leg up and around my hip, I deepen the kiss. I want to climb inside her and never leave. She drives me insane. My fingers drift along her hitched thigh and find her pussy wet and warm, waiting for me. She gasps at the surprise intrusion and moans as I start to stroke along her lips.
I’m hard and thick, and I can’t stop but thrust myself against her. She welcomes the friction, meeting each stroke.
I lift her and wrap both her legs around my waist as I deposit her on the bed, seamlessly lining myself up.
I can feel the heat radiate off her. I feel her legs wrap around my thighs.
I nearly forgot the condom. Too desperate to be inside her.
To feel every inch of her, bare. That’s a conversation we will be having tomorrow.
Once I’m prepared, I bracket her head with my arms, and stare deep into her eyes as I thrust all the way in. She captures my lips in a kiss, and grips my biceps. A slight whimper leaves her mouth into mine.
I kiss her neck, smelling her natural lustful scent, driving me wild. Fucking coconut. I hold myself still, to relish the moment. Relish being inside her. Being with her, surrounded by her.
“More, Elton. I need more,” she begs, breathlessly.
I begin to thrust into her, each stroke long and firm. She meets each one for me. She wants to participate, make sure she’s putting in as much effort as me. But this is about her. I still her hips with my right hand, as my left holds her steady at the nape of her neck.
I push into her more, she lifts her leg around my hip opening herself wider.
I hold her eyes as I thrust inside her. Keeping a steady yet firm rhythm she loves.
My heart is bursting, I feel it in every inch of my body. “Are you there, Reilly?” I’m ready to come, but I need her to find it with me.
She nods, words having no effect on her at the moment.
She pulls me closer, and I take the opportunity to nip at her collarbone.
The grip on the back of her neck tightens as I feel her orgasm rising.
Nails grip into my forearms, and I pull my face away from her neck so I can see her eyes go as she comes.
She gives me a deep throaty moan as her body tenses and she arches her back. She closes her eyes.
“Eyes on me, Reilly.”
She snaps her gaze back to me and the sight of my woman coming undone pushes me over the edge. Everything contracts and I come so deep inside her, I hope I never leave. It’s passionate and raw. Claiming. She’s mine and I won’t let her go.