Nineteen
“If I had to choose a superhero to be, I would pick Superman. He's everything that I'm not.”
~Stephen Hawking
Elliot awoke just as the sky faded from sapphire to vibrant shades of gold, Nadia’s warm body curled into his side.
Last night, the things she said struck a nerve.
At first, he thought she was making fun of him, but then he understood her point.
He’d made a habit of collecting treasures but never allowed himself the pleasure of actually touching all he’d accumulated over the years.
It was scary, giving up the manageable control he’d ensured after years of having none, but he wanted to prove to her that he could satisfy all her needs better than any other man. Urgency thrummed in his veins to demonstrate his virility every second she was within reach.
Part of him wanted to go into the spare room and rip open his Masters of the Universe Eternia Set, the Holy Grail of He-Man collectibles. But another part, the part that understood how infinite loneliness could be, shuddered at the thought.
Too many negative experiences from his past warned how dangerous it was to trust in others. Something always drove them away in the end. But maybe Nadia truly was different. Baby steps.
She seemed to truly want to know him and she promised not to judge the secrets he shared. He didn’t know a life without judgment, nor had he ever met a person above judging others. Even he could be over critical of others at times.
Glancing at the stunning woman beside him, a wealth of thick, black hair fanning across his arm, he was filled with a surreal sense of possibility.
Last night had been immeasurably liberating.
So much pent-up desire burst from him and she hardly flinched when he showed her how desperately he wanted to possess her.
The things he’d said, secrets he never dreamed of uttering, she greeted each confession with what seemed like genuine acceptance.
Though he’d entertained countless fantasies about her, each one the epitome of perfection, he much preferred the reality.
Past her beautiful exterior, she was messy, stubborn, and exceedingly difficult at times.
If those were her flaws, he was more than happy to accept them.
That was the real her, not some fantasy he’d concocted in his mind.
He laughed to himself. She’s real. This is really happening. He wondered if he’d ever come to terms with the surreal happiness filling him.
She made him step outside of his comfort zone.
When Roland grabbed her, he saw red and the next thing he knew the son of a bitch was pummeling him.
Yet, for some reason, those bruises felt different from all the others he’d earned over the years.
He didn’t care that his face was still sore and his lip still hurt.
He was damn proud of those pains because he hadn’t run away.
He’d run to her defense and that was exactly the man he wanted to be, always there when she needed him. A hero.
She was worth every scrape and bruise. She was his girlfriend and no man would touch her so long as he breathed. That’s how true heroes behaved. They weren’t fearless, but they had the courage to act in the face of fear. Roland had terrified him, but Elliot hadn’t balked.
Mine. The word rolled through his mind like a rumble of thunder. His body thickened as he again admired her naked form curled into his side. When was she going to wake up? Would he get to be with her again before work?
Take control…
Easing the blankets off of her body, he watched as her nipple pebbled against the cool air. He shifted, rolling her onto her back, still asleep. He glanced at the nightstand, mentally counting the condoms he had left in the drawer. He needed to buy more.
That’s a new item for the shopping list. He chuckled silently.
Her arms rested on the pillows, her body stretched before him. He pulled back the sheet where it lay over her hips and his mouth went dry. Would she be upset if he touched her?
He ghosted a finger up her thigh and she sighed, her legs slightly shifting. “Nadia, are you awake?”
Nothing.
He traced a finger over her flat belly, circling the jade piercing, and she hummed in her sleep, her nipples pebbling tighter.
Gently moving her legs, he kneeled between them and leaned over her, licking at the tip of her breast. When she didn’t respond he licked the other one.
His lips closed over the tip and he sucked gently, his body slowly rocking over hers.
She inhaled on a moan and arched into him. He raised his head, feeling like a kid caught with his fist in the cookie jar. “Did I wake you?”
“Yes, but it’s a nice way to be woken up.”
He nuzzled her throat, kissing her soft skin, his erection dragging heavily against her thigh. “I want you.”
“I’m yours.”
There had never more magical words. He slid lower, spreading kisses over her ribs and stomach until he was exactly where he wanted to be. Gently parting her folds, he teased her and she moaned softly. The scent of her arousal crawled into him and he tasted her heaven.
She mumbled something in Hungarian he interpreted as praise as her limbs stretched to give him easier access. Feeding his fingers inside of her, he took exactly what he wanted.
“There,” she gasped as he thrust deeper.
He glanced up at her in question. “This?”
“Right where you just touched. Do it again.”
Retracing his steps, he pressed his fingers deep. “Here?”
She moaned, her back arching into the pillows. “Yes. Right there.”
He focused on that area, penetrating slowly. She sucked in an audible breath, her cries finding a quick rhythm and suddenly she was trembling beneath him, calling out his name.
Every time was more beautiful than the last. He reached for the condom and her legs opened in invitation. Lining his body up with hers, he entered her slowly and they both groaned in pleasure.
She held his stare as he rocked into her, her eyes replete and her cheeks flushed. Her beauty was staggering at times, especially when they shared such an intimate connection.
“You’re so beautiful,” he told her, stealing a kiss. She never showed much response when he complimented her beauty, but he couldn’t hold back the words. Everything about her emanated sexiness. Even a blind man would find her stunning.
Her legs curled around his hips, her fingers digging into his shoulders and sides. At times, he’d simply hold himself deep inside of her, luxuriating in the comfort she brought him. Nothing had ever felt so precious, so right.
“I could stay like this forever.”
She moaned, her lashes fanning low. “Me too. It’s lovely, isn’t it?”
There simply weren’t words for how lovely it was, not because it felt good, but because it was her—Nadia. Though he had no basis for comparison, he was certain she made these moments so much more intensely satisfying than any other woman could.
He rested with her as long as he could, but time was not their friend. Hating the idea of pulling away, he sighed. “I’m going to be late for work.”
“You should call out sick. Stay home and make love to me all day.”
He laughed. He’d already missed more work since meeting her than he had in the last decade. “I wish I could, but we have a meeting today and I have to be there.”
“Will you pick me up from the studio again tonight?”
“I’d love to. What time does your last class end?”
“Seven.”
That should work. He could work a few hours late and… “Shit, I forgot I made plans for tonight.” His promise to have dinner with Asher had completely slipped his mind, but he couldn’t ask for another rain check. “You could come with me.”
“Where?”
“Asher’s. He invited me over for dinner. I haven’t seen Anakin in a while and I promised I’d come by after our trip.”
She rolled to her side, resting her head on her palm. “Is Anakin Asher’s little boy?”
“Yeah. He’s named after—”
“Anakin Skywalker.” She tapped a finger to his nose. “I pay attention.”
He chuckled. “Yes, you do. Will you go with me?”
“Will they mind?”
“Of course not. You know Lettie. I’ll let her know to set out two places for dinner.”
“Okay.”
He checked his watch. “Damn. I really have to go.” Forcing himself out of bed, he turned and looked at her one last time. That was a mistake. “You don’t make it easy.”
She stretched her naked body over the sheets and pouted. “I don’t want you to go yet.”
“I don’t want to go. But I have to get some things organized before my meeting.”
“Fine.” She rolled to her belly, giving him a spectacular view of her ass. “I’ll entertain myself.”
“You could watch a movie. The remote’s in the drawer.”
She rolled to her back again and cupped her breast. “I’m not in the mood for a movie.” Her fingers slid across her skin, twisting over her nipple as she tipped her head back and shut her eyes.
He couldn’t move. “What are you doing?”
She slid her other hand down her belly and between her legs. “Enticing you to stay.”
He swallowed thickly, his body stiffening to a hunk of granite. His eyes widened as her hand slid lower. He couldn’t miss his meeting, but how much did he really have to prepare? It seemed more important to see if she’d actually finger—
She was in. Dear God, she was masturbating right on his bed. Was this an ordinary thing women did? She seemed pretty skillful. His lips parted, shallow breaths making his lungs work double time.
“Does it feel good?” he heard himself ask.
“Mm-hmm.” She parted her knees, giving him a clear view of what she was doing and he forgot how to breathe.
He couldn’t look away. Couldn’t blink. “Touch your breasts again.” And apparently, he couldn’t control his inner monologue from escaping.
Her other hand drifted to her chest as she did as he instructed. Amazing.
“Do you like watching me, Elliot?”
“Yes,” he rasped, debating if he should join her.
“I like watching too.” She peeked at him from under her lashes. “Show me how you touched yourself all the times you fantasized about me.”
He looked away. He should have never told her that.
She turned her cheek to the blankets, smiling at him. “Please. If you show me, I’ll finish you with my mouth.”
He was suddenly stroking himself. She was like a high sorceress, casting spells on him and making him do things he’d be mortified for the rest of the world to see. “Keep touching yourself.”
Her body writhed as she pumped her fingers slowly between her legs. “Like this?”
She was messing with him. How was she so good at this? “Yes. And your breasts.”
His dick throbbed in his grip as she arched and moaned. “Do you want me to come, Elliot?”
Dear God. “Yes.”
Her fingers rolled over her clit as she plucked at her nipple, writhing and moaning. Her breath came quickly, filling the silent room as he stroked harder. Her body trembled, toes pointing, as she let out a long, breathy moan and shivered.
Lifting her hand, she gazed up at him, the proof of her release coating her fingers. “I’ve made a mess of myself.”
He had to pinch back his release because it was easily the hottest fucking thing he ever watched. “Fuck…”
She giggled. “Your turn?”
He nodded, unsure if he could handle more.
She slithered off the bed, sauntering to where he stood and dropping to her knees. “Is this where you want me?”
“Yes.” His throat was so tight no sound came out.
She cupped him and he sucked in a breath. “Tell me what to do, Elliot. I like when you’re direct.”
His words were scorched, rasping through his dry throat as he trembled on the verge of exploding. “Your mouth…”
Her lashes lowered and she curled her fingers around him, tracing her lips over his sensitive tip. “Like this?”
That was nice, but he wanted the real thing. “More.”
She licked up his shaft and he breathed heavily through his teeth. Slowly, her lips parted and he considered the situation, wondering if this was what other women did or something uniquely Nadia.
As her breath teased his flesh he found himself creeping closer to release. “You’re messing with me.”
Her head cocked to the side, her eyes hypnotizing. “No. I’m giving you control. You’re in charge. You have to say the words.”
His inhalation was jagged. Say the words? Which ones? There were so many to choose from. “Put it in your mouth—all the way.”
Amazingly, she complied. His body shivered as a rush of adrenaline followed the command. He jerked as heat engulfed him, giving him little chance to find his balance as she gripped his hips and sucked him to the back of her throat.
“Fuck.”
He cupped the back of her head, panting as her lips pressed all the way to his pelvis. Pulling back, his skin flashed wetly with her saliva and she went down again. When she held him tight, greedily, there was no chance of lasting.
A few strokes and his body pulsed. His spine tingled as he rose to his toes and choked out her name. “Nadia.”
She didn’t stop and everything felt too incredible. His release came like an avalanche, too forceful to slow.
“Nadia wait.”
It was too late. His legs locked as his release jetted out of him.
“Shit.”
She continued to suck and moan, her fist working out every drop of come to the point he wondered if she tasted his soul. She slowed and hummed, stroking him lightly as she gradually pulled back. Blinking up at him, she smiled slyly.
“All work and no play? I think not, Mr. Garnet.”
Jesus, she was going to kill him.