Elusive Embrace (Greenview Manor Tales #3)

2. Prologue

Prologue

Halloween, twenty-two years ago

Natalie

H ot chocolate. Check. Warm fluffy socks. Check. Roasty toasty living room. Half check. Hopefully the tiny flames licking the log will turn into a roaring fire soon.

I’m all set for a cosy Halloween night with my favourite ghost story. Reading this book at Halloween has become a bit of a tradition for me. Who needs a party when you can escape to a world of the paranormal?

“Hey Nat, what’cha doin’?” Matt shouts from the kitchen.

“Reading,” I call back.

“Oh, come on, it’s Halloween! Let’s at least watch a horror film together,” he strolls into the living room and my jaw drops when I take in his appearance.

“Why are you wearing that?” He is dressed as a Ghostbuster and… wow . I always thought he was handsome, attractive, … butterfly inducing hot. But in his overalls with that cheeky smile. Be still my heart. There I am, looking like the nerdy bookworm that I am and he just looks like a Hollywood movie star. Not fair.

Matt is two years older than me and studying to become a vet at the local university. The main reason that he chose our small uni over the big ones is because he’s obsessed with the surrounding mountains and usually spends his free time climbing them; when he’s not shacking up with another blond bombshell.

I would love to be able to study to become a vet. I love everything to do with nature and especially animals. But my parents made it clear that they wouldn’t be able to support me after I finished college. Dad retired recently and they now live in Spain where life is cheaper and the weather is warmer.

But even if I can’t be a vet, I did find an opportunity to work with nature. I’ve been taken on as a trainee by a large local landscaping company. Mowing the lawn might not sound that exciting to some but I’d rather be outside in the fresh air than stuck in a stuffy office.

Unfortunately my little income does not stretch enough for me to afford my own place, and so I ended up house sharing with Matt after I found his ad on the local supermarket’s notice board. I guess that’s all we are, housemates. We don’t really do things together in public , so to speak, but sometimes when we watch telly or have dinner at the same time it does feel like we could be friends.

“I’m a ghostbuster,” Matt grins.

“Yeah, well, I get that.”

“It’s Halloween! Greatest time of the year!” He lifts my legs from the sofa, placing them in his lap after dropping in the spot they occupied. I freeze for a second before pulling them from his grip and tucking them underneath me.

“How dare you… the best time is Christmas, closely followed by Bonfire night. Halloween doesn’t even make it into the top three,” I reply.

“Agree to disagree,” he grins and snatches the book from my grasp. “Let’s watch From Dusk Till Dawn.”

“Are you not heading out?” I’m surprised. Knowing him, I could have bet he’d be heading to a party somewhere and bring another one of his hook-ups home. He is a bit of a lad when he is out with his friends.

“No. Staying home this year with my favourite bookworm. He gives me another one of those signature smiles that make women around him swoon.

“Why the costume then?”

“The kids! I have a bucket full of sweets for trick or treaters. I need to give them a show,” he laughs.

“You’re crazy, I hope you know that.” Just then the doorbell chimes.

“Aha, my first customers,” he laughs devilishly and jumps off the sofa. He switches off the lights in the corridor and I can hear spooky music. A green glow falls from the hallway into the living room.

The kids scream with glee when Matt challenges them to a spooky ghost howling competition. He hands out some chocolates and then they move, their giggling and laughter audible outside the living room window.

“So, how about the film?” he asks as he returns to the living room.

“I don’t like horror.” I don’t mind reading ghost stories but watching them, no, thank you, I won’t be able to sleep.

“It’s got George Clooney in it,” he wiggles his eyebrows.

“You’re not playing fair!” He knows I adore George Clooney.

“Tell you something. I’ll probably have kids rocking up for the next hour or so. I’ll cook us some fajitas whilst we wait for the trick and treaters. You can read your book. Come seven, we’ll turn off the lights, pretend we’re not in and watch some Halloween stuff.” Now he’s really playing dirty because I love his fajitas, and he knows it.

“Fine. But if I can’t sleep you’ll have to keep me company all night.” I point at him.

“Deal.”

I knew I shouldn’t have agreed to this. My heart is hammering like crazy because of this stupid film. I’m curled up under my blanket, ever so often averting my eyes from the screen. Matt looks relaxed and happy. He’s still wearing the Ghostbuster suit but has unzipped the top half and pulled it off because he was too hot. The white T-shirt he’s wearing underneath is stretched tight over his arm muscles.

We never can agree on the temperature in the house which usually means that I run around with an extra thick jumper whilst he wears T-shirts and shorts, even in winter.

“Tell me something, do you ever dream about George?” he turns his head to me with a smirk.

“Sor…ry,” I stutter and feel my cheeks heat up.

“George,” Matt adjusts his whole body to face me, placing his arm on the back of the sofa, “George Clooney, do you ever have dreams about him? I mean, the number of times you drooled over him in ER—”

“I don’t drool,” I object.

“Come on, tell me,” he nudges me with his shoulder. “Are you telling me you’ve never dreamed of him kissing you?”

“No!”

“That’s boring. I have dreams like that all the time,” he laughs.

“You dream of George?” Now it’s my turn to smirk.

“No. I don’t mind Angelina Jolie turning up in my dreams, though.” Of course he doesn’t.

“But it’s never really like the real thing. Snogging a girl in my dreams always feels way less exciting,” he chuckles.

“I wouldn’t know,” I mumble and regret it in an instant.

“What?”

“Nothing. How much longer until the film’s over?” I should just head to bed now. Matt picks up the remote control and pauses the DVD. His eyes bore into me and when I avoid his gaze, gently cups my chin and turns my head until I look at him.

“What do you mean you wouldn’t know?”

“I’ve… I’ve never kissed anyone. Or done … other stuff,” I mumble. I’m mortified.

“You’re nineteen,” he states the bleeding obvious.

“I know. So?”

“So? Are the guys in Fellside blind? You’re gorgeous.” Oh wow. I didn’t expect that.

“I’m a book nerd who digs in dirt all day.”

“Still,” Matt shakes his head like he can’t believe it. He studies me a little longer before letting go of my chin. He presses play again and we both settle back on the sofa, but the atmosphere in the room has changed.

I can’t focus on the film. And he doesn’t seem to be watching either even though his eyes are directed at the screen.

“Aren’t you curious about what it feels like?” he suddenly asks.

“I really don’t want to talk about it.”

“I’m not judging Nat.” His eyes are on me again and he looks sincere.

“I… sure. Of course. But… I just think the longer you wait the more you build it up in your head and the scarier it gets. Also, what guy at my age wants to kiss a woman who has no clue what she’s doing.”

“It wouldn’t bother me,” he retorts. What now? Is he offering? Or does he mean generally?

He turns his focus back to the film like the conversation didn’t just happen. Have I been longing for a guy to fall for me, to ask me out, to kiss me and maybe more? Sure. Of course. I get butterflies whenever I read romance novels, even if they are closed-door and the main couple never really do much more than kissing. I’m not brave enough to buy one of the smutty books they sell in the local book shop. Half the village would know, come sunset.

“I can teach you, if you want,” Matt presses pause on the remote again.

“I… you… what?”

“Kissing. I can show you how to kiss. It would be in a safe environment with someone you know and hopefully trust, it would take the pressure off,” he shrugs. There is something in his eyes telling me it might not be quite that simple but I also feel a thousand butterflies in my tummy. My mouth is suddenly dry and I lick my bottom lip nervously.

“I don’t know—” The words slip out before I can stop them.

“What’s the worst that can happen?” It’s a valid question. What is the worst that can happen? My hands fidget and my heart is racing. There’s a tight pull in my nether regions and I can feel the word yes on my tongue. Suddenly this all just sounds like a marvellous idea.

“Okay,” I finally spit out.

“Okay?” Matt sits up. I nod and immediately bury my face in my hands.

“Nat, look at me,” his voice is suddenly deeper. All the humour has disappeared. I look up and his eyes are intense, in a good way. “If you want me to stop I’ll stop at any point. Trust me.”

“Okay.”

He pulls the blanket off me and drops it to the floor. His hands encircle my ankles and he pulls until my bum touches his thigh. He leans closer, so close that I can feel his breath on my cheeks. With gentle fingers he tucks a strand of hair behind my ear.

“Close your eyes,” he whispers. He cups my face in his hands. With his thumb he strokes over my bottom lip, from corner to corner. The simple touch sends a tingling through my body.

I can feel him moving even closer, his lips hovering just millimetres from mine.

“Don’t overthink it. Just feel, Nat.” And then his mouth is on mine. His lips are soft and firm and he kisses me gently at first. I hold my breath, unsure of what to do or how to respond. But then something inside me clicks, and I kiss him back.

His tongue slips into my mouth, exploring, teasing, and I moan softly. My hands find their way to his chest, feeling the hard muscles beneath his shirt. He pulls me closer, deepening the kiss, and I melt against him.

I never imagined that kissing could feel like this - electric, intoxicating, like every nerve ending in my body is on fire. I want more. I need more.

He moves backwards to break the kiss but, as if possessed, I move with him and gently nip his lips. I end up straddling him whilst grabbing hold of his hair.

A groan erupts from his chest and his hands slide from my face to my waist, pulling me even closer until there's no space left between us. I can feel his arousal pressing against me, and a shiver runs down my spine.

His lips leave mine and move down my neck, leaving a trail of hot kisses in their wake. My head falls back as I gasp for air, overwhelmed by the sensations coursing through me.

"Fuck," he groans against my skin. "I’m sorry Nat. I didn’t want to take it this far but you have no idea what you're doing to me right now."

His words send a thrill straight to my core. I never thought someone like Matt would be attracted to someone like me - shy, inexperienced Natalie. But here we are, lost in this moment together.

“Matt,” I hold his face in my hands and make him look at me. “I want more.”

"You sure about that?" he asks quietly.

I nod eagerly. There's no doubt in my mind - I want this. I feel so many things but most of all I feel a need for him. I want him to see, touch and taste all of me.

He lifts me up effortlessly and carries me towards his bedroom with purposeful strides. Every nerve ending in my body is humming with anticipation as he lays me down on his bed.

He hovers over me for a moment, searching my face for what I assume is a sign of hesitation or doubt. I smile at him encouraging and he lowers himself onto the bed beside me, capturing my lips with his again, kissing me deeply. His hands roam over my body, exploring every curve and dip.

I grab the hem of his shirt and tug it upwards, desperate to feel his bare skin against mine. He breaks the kiss long enough for me to pull the shirt over his head, revealing his toned chest. I run my fingers over his muscles, tracing patterns on his skin.

“Are you sure you want this, Matt? I’m not your usual—”

He stops me with a deep kiss pressing his erection against my soaking wet core. This is so new and yet exciting.

“This is all because of you. Of course I want this,” Matt moans against my neck, licking and nipping every centimetre.

“Can I… can I touch it,” I whisper. I blush deeply with embarrassment but I always wondered what a hard penis would feel like.

“My cock?”

“Yeah,” I swallow hard.

“Sure,” he rolls off me and leans back. “I’m all yours.”

I nervously turn so I’m lying on my side and reach out for the zip on his Ghostbuster overalls. I pull them down further until they’re loose around his hips and I can see his black boxershorts. Matt gets off the bed to take off his overalls and socks before lying down next to me again in just his underwear.

With shaking fingers I reach for the elastic at the top of his boxers and lift it.

“Boo,” Matt jerks his hip upwards making me jump.

“You idiot,” I laugh and slap him on his arm.

He stops laughing and locks eyes with me, “Don’t be scared Nat.”

“What if I do it wrong?”

“You’re talking about touching my dick. There’s not much you can do wrong.” He takes my hand and places it on his tummy just below his belly button, high enough to still give me a choice. I take a deep breath and slide my fingers lower. Here goes nothing.

As my hand finally reaches its destination and brushes against the fabric of his boxers, all feelings of self-doubt fade away. The sheer anticipation of what lies beneath is enough to make me forget any insecurities.

I tentatively trace my fingers over the bulge in his boxers, feeling the hard length of his cock straining against the fabric. A surge of arousal washes over me at the realisation that I'm responsible for his reaction.

Encouraged by his soft moan, I grow bolder and press my palm more firmly against his crotch. The heat radiating from his cock is intense and I can't resist the urge to explore further. With trembling hands, I hook my fingers under the waistband of his boxers and start to pull them down.

Matt lifts his hips to help me, and his boxers are discarded on the floor next to us. My eyes widen as I take in the sight before me. His cock is thick and long, standing proudly erect. Veins run along its length, pulsing with every beat of his heart. And at the tip, a bead of pre-cum glistens in the dim light.

"It's all yours," Matt chuckles.

I glance up at him and see desire burning in his eyes. He wants this as much as I do. With renewed confidence, I wrap my hand around his shaft and give it an experimental stroke from base to tip.

Matt inhales sharply, his eyes fluttering closed for a brief moment. The sight of his reaction fills me with a heady sense of power. I'm making him feel this way, and it's intoxicating.

Emboldened by his response, I continue to stroke him, my movements growing more sure and purposeful. His cock feels velvety smooth in my hand, and I revel in the sensation of its weight and warmth.

I lean in closer, my lips hovering just inches away from the swollen head. I wonder how he tastes. What it would feel like if I—

"Can I kiss it?" I ask, my voice barely a whisper.

Matt's eyes snap open and find mine. There's a hunger in his gaze that mirrors my own. "Do whatever you want, Nat. I’m all yours.”

I take a deep breath and press my lips against the tip of his cock to give it a gentle kiss. The salty tang of pre-cum lingers on my lips, and the musky scent of his arousal fills the air around us.

His fingers slide through my hair and push it back over my shoulder so it doesn’t obscure the view.

“You don’t even know how sexy you look,” he groans. Encouraged by his words, I part my lips slightly and take him into my mouth. My tongue swirls around the sensitive head as I slowly lower myself down on his shaft.

“Put your hands here,” he guides my fingers to the root of his shaft and groans in pleasure when my fingers touch his skin. I move my lips back up again until only the tip remains inside my mouth before descending once more with an agonizing slowness that makes Matt's breath hitch.

A rhythm begins to form as I find a pace that seems to both tease and satisfy him. My hand works in tandem with my mouth, stroking the parts that can't fit between my eager lips.

Matt's moans grow louder and more desperate. “Nat, stop. Stop!” I let his dick pop from between my lips.

“Did I do it wrong?” I ask. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.

Matt pulls me up to him and turns us so I end up underneath him.

“This was perfect. Fucking glorious. But I want more.”

I blush at the compliment but can't help feeling a surge of pride.

"Your turn next," Matt says, his hand reaching out to gently cup my breast underneath my jumper. A shiver runs through me at his touch, and immediately know I need more. He takes his time to undress me, his fingers gently grazing over my exposed skin. I’m tempted to shy away from being naked in front of him but the desire in his eyes makes me feel bold.

As Matt's lips press against mine his tongue seeks entrance and I gladly welcome him in. Our tongues move together, exploring each other's mouths, whilst our hands roam freely over each other's bodies. One of his hands cups a breast, his thumb teasing my nipple and sending a jolt of electricity through me.

I break the kiss, breathless, and Matt looks at me with lust-filled eyes. "I want to taste all of you," he says, his voice rough with desire.

I shiver as he trails kisses down my neck, his hands sliding to my hips. He pulls me closer, our bodies pressing together and his erection resting against my tummy.

"I want to make you feel as good as you made me feel," he whispers in my ear, his hot breath sending shivers down my spine.

He moves down the bed, his eyes never leaving mine as his hands push my thighs apart. He settles between my legs and his tongue licks over the sensitive skin on my inner thighs, wet and warm.

"Matt," I moan, as he traces a path up my thigh, closer and closer to my core.

His eyes lock onto mine, smouldering with a lust that mirrors my own. He wants me and that sets off a thousand butterflies in my tummy.

He reaches for my knickers and pushes them aside, his tongue now lapping at my bare pussy. I moan loudly as he makes contact with my clit, his fingers spreading my lips wider.

"Oh, fuck," I groan as his tongue circles my clit, his fingers delving into my wetness.

"You taste so good," he groans against my pussy.

I run my fingers through his hair, holding his head in place as he continues to tease me with his lips. He adds a finger, stretching me, and I moan loudly.

"More," I demand, my voice strained.

He adds a second finger, and I feel so full, so good. He knows exactly what he's doing and I'm putty in his hands.

"Please, Matt," I beg, my voice breaking.

He looks up at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of lust and something akin to triumph. He removes his fingers and I feel a momentary sense of loss.

He pulls a condom from the top drawer of his bedside table, rolls it on and positions himself between my legs.

“Are you ready?” he asks. I bite my lip nervously but nod.

I'm torn between nerves and overwhelming desire as I wrap my arms around him, ready to take this next step with him. Matt looks into my eyes one last time for reassurance before slowly pushing himself inside me.

I gasp at the sudden feeling of fullness, a mixture of pleasure and a slight twinge of pain. Matt freezes, concern etched on his face.

"Are you okay?" he asks softly, stroking my cheek with his thumb.

I nod, biting my lip to hold back another moan. The initial discomfort quickly fades away as my body gets used to him. I give him a small smile to let him know I'm alright, and he resumes his slow thrusts and slides his thick cock into me in one smooth motion.

I cry out as he fills me completely, stretching me in a way that's both painful and exhilarating. He holds still for a moment, allowing me to adjust to his size.

"How's that?" he asks, his voice strained.

"More," I say, my hands on his shoulders, pulling him closer.

He begins to move, thrusting in and out of me, and I want to be part of it. I press my feet into the mattress and lift my hips to match his rhythm, meeting his thrusts with my own and soon we're moving together in a frenzied passion. The pain is gone and it just feels good. My hands grasp his shoulders my fingers digging into his flesh as the pleasure builds.

"Harder," I demand, my voice a hoarse whisper.

He obliges and his thrusts become more forceful. I feel my body being pushed to the edge. He reaches between us and rubs my clit in time with his thrusts.

"Yes, right there," I moan, my body on fire.

He continues to pound into me and I feel the orgasm building, a tidal wave of pleasure ready to crash over me.

"Come for me baby," he groans.

That's all it takes. I cry out as my orgasm washes over me, my body convulsing around his cock. He continues to thrust, riding out my orgasm with me.

He pulls out of me and disappears to the bathroom. I’m wondering if I should leave but then he comes back. He throws the duvet over me and slides in beside me before reaching out and pulling me closer.

I close my eyes, content to lie in his arms and listen to his heartbeat. I should worry what this means for us but I don’t. For now I just want to enjoy this.