20. Mira #2
“I had a feeling you’d accept, okay?” He shrugged, flashing those irresistible dimples. “Sue me.”
It was too much to believe. I wanted to, but I was gun-shy after so much disappointment. “And you’re holding a press conference about this today? Is that what all this craziness is about?” I asked.
“That’s right. I wanted to hold it here.
Look,” he said, taking the chair next to mine, his body angled so he faced me.
“I am not any good at this. I’m sure you’ve figured that out by now.
All I can tell you is I’m no good without you.
All of this?” He waved an arm. “The hotels, the restaurants, the money? I can’t remember why it was so important.
That is what you’ve done to me, Mirabella.
So don’t ask me to live without you because I don’t think that’s possible. ”
I could barely catch my breath. The intensity of his voice, the way he stared at me, the warmth of his body so close to mine, it was almost too much. “Oh, Clay…” I whispered.
His brows pulled together. “No. Don’t sound that way.”
“What way?”
“Regretful,” he grunted.
“I’m not,” I insisted. “I’m conflicted, if anything. I never asked you to do this. I don’t want you giving up anything for me.”
“I’m not doing it because I feel like I have to.
I’m doing it because it’s right.” His hands found mine, which at the moment felt damn unfair.
I couldn’t think straight while he was touching me.
“I didn’t think enough about you from the beginning.
I told myself I didn’t care, that it didn’t matter, that you were getting plenty out of this deal…
the chance to stay involved with the company.
I convinced myself it was enough for you when it was never up to me to decide that.
I was wrong. Just like I was wrong to think I could live with you, work with you, and not completely fall in love with you. ”
I had to be hearing things. Love? He loved me? It was unreal how much I wanted to believe him.
“I know better now,” he continued, his voice softer. “I did fall in love. I want us more than I want this company. God, I can barely believe I’m saying that,” he added, chuckling softly. “But it’s true. It’s real for me. All I need to know is if you feel the same? Is it real for you?”
Not yet.
No matter how much I wanted to give in, there was still too much weighing on my heart. “You can be extremely selfish,” I told him. “Thoughtless. Arrogant. You really mean you would share the spotlight with me?”
“The spotlight?” he scoffed. “Mira, if you want the spotlight, you can take all of it. I want you. I would do anything to make things right. To make you happy. Give me a chance.”
Co-president. My family name on the company, where it belonged.
Yes, it all mattered, but not quite as much as the love shining in Clay’s eyes as they searched my face for any sign of encouragement.
I wasn’t sure if he was breathing as he stared at me.
It couldn’t be easy for a man like him, always calling the shots, in control.
There was nothing for him to do now but wait for me to give him an answer.
I knew what my heart wanted, but my heart could be wrong. “There is too much riding on this,” I whispered. “There is too much of a chance that I’ll end up hurting. Can you see why this is hard for me?”
He flinched like he was hurt, sighing with a nod. “I blame myself for that. You wouldn’t have to worry about being hurt if I wasn’t already so blind and careless. What can I say other than promising to put you first, always?”
He was saying all the right things. More than that, he meant them. I heard it in his voice, felt it in his touch. I saw it in his probing, intense gaze. He really meant it. He would try, and I had seen for myself what he could accomplish when he did.
“Well,” I said with a long exhale. “So much for a relaxing day. I guess I’d better hurry back to the suite to get ready for this press conference.”
Only he would have understood that was my way of saying yes. We spoke the same language. We understood each other.
He stood, pulling me to my feet before taking the back of my head in his hand and pulling me in for a kiss. My heart cracked open, and light poured out of it, filling me with indescribable joy and relief. He was mine. I had something that belonged to me.
Once he let me up for air, I whispered, “I’m sorry I ran away.”
“What else were you supposed to do when I didn’t have the balls to tell you how I felt?
Come on. We can discuss that later.” With a wicked grin, he took me by the hand and led me out into the hall and through the lobby.
Janine caught my eye as we passed the front desk and gave me a discreet thumbs-up.
There was a deep blush staining my cheeks, and my face felt like it was on fire, but I was too happy to care. Happy and loved.
Of course, he knew exactly which suite I was staying in because he and Janine had been in cahoots. He even used a keycard to unlock the door, pulling me inside and kicking it closed.
“Did I tell you—” I managed to ask, but the rest of the question was cut off when he pushed me up against the door and kissed me deeply, groaning as his unyielding body pinned me against the wood at my back.
My soul sang, and my heart did flips. I knew from the bottom of my soul this was where I belonged.
With him, here, now, with nothing but hope and possibilities ahead of us.
There was also the very real presence of his erection growing against my hip.
It reminded me of what we’d missed during this long, lonely week.
His hands were under my caftan in no time, and I almost tore it off, tossing it aside so his hands could roam my body through my two-piece.
His touch was still magic, and I was already wet and moaning as he used one hand to unclasp my top.
“Fuck, yes,” he groaned out, lifting my breasts with both hands, taking my nipples into his mouth, moving back and forth while my fingers tangled in his hair and my head rolled from side to side.
“Yes, Clay, more. God, I need more,” I begged in a whisper. He delivered, nipping at me, sucking, sending bolts of sensation straight to my clit until it ached painfully. I wouldn’t have stopped him for anything.
He only let go of me long enough to take off his suit jacket.
Then I eagerly helped him with his shirt, my trembling fingers fumbling with the buttons.
Once it was off, I feasted on the washboard of muscles, thrilled at the way they moved under his skin when he picked me up so I could wrap my legs around his waist. He was so strong, powerful, and mine.
Before he could lay me down on the bed, I had to tell him. “I love you. I didn’t say it earlier, but I do. I love you, Clay.”
There was unspeakable joy in his smile. “I love you,” he whispered back, laying me down and peeling away the bottom half of my suit. Cool air touched my hot, swollen lips, making me shiver. “Let me show you just how much, princess.” Clay dropped to his knees, then feasted on me.
Fireworks exploded, and my back arched, my body tensing under the onslaught of his lapping tongue.
My God, it was electric, down to the deep grunts which sent delicious vibrations through my pussy.
His tongue teased me, dipping deeper and sliding into me, driving away every conscious thought in favor of clutching his head close and moving my hips, humping his face, desperate to come.
“Yes, please,” I begged, tensing all over, feeling the wave build into something big enough to scare me a little. When he wrapped his arms around my legs, holding me still, I remembered there was nothing to be afraid of. Not with him.
“Like that… more, Clay. Oh my—” I whimpered, moving faster, so close I could almost taste the relief just beyond my fingertips. Almost there…
I jammed a fist against my mouth to stifle what I couldn’t hold back.
Wave after wave of unspeakable pleasure, curling my toes, making me shudder and whimper while it went on and on, thanks to Clay delivering slow, deliberate laps against my sensitive flesh.
By the time he lifted his head, I was dazed, breathless, hoarse.
And so happy.
The feeling bubbled over, and I opened my eyes, watching him strip off his pants and boxer briefs. I worked my way farther back along the bed to let him stretch out on top of me. His weight was so welcome as he settled over me, pushing me into the mattress.
“Fuck, I want to eat this pretty pussy forever,“ he whispered, kissing me and letting me taste what lingered on his lips as he positioned himself at my entrance.
I wiggled my hips a little, helping him line himself up.
When he slipped in, the sheer exhilaration of his first stroke made me cry out into his mouth.
Already, the tension started to build again, my hunger rekindled and burning hotter with each thrust.
We both gasped for air when he broke the kiss. His breath was hot against my face, mingling with mine as our eyes met. His were half closed, blue darkened to near black by lust. “I love you,” he whispered, groaning in pleasure and driving himself deep. “Only you, Mira.”
If I had any doubts about his feelings, they vanished with every sincere word dripping from his sweet lips.
I felt every inch of him, every flutter in my core, his body under my hands, his muscles bunching and flexing as he filled me.
Each stroke took me closer until all I could do was cling to him, shaking, knowing what was about to happen and welcoming it.
When it hit, I sank my teeth into his thick shoulder to muffle my helpless, broken cries.
“Fuck, Mira,” he grunted out in my ear, moving faster, finally letting go with a roar against my neck.
The rush of warmth brought with it a sense of satisfaction deeper than physical pleasure. Something so deep it touched my soul.
This man was mine.
His heart was mine.