Chapter 28
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Olivia
“Let’s sit and discuss something.”
“Here?” Alexander’s gaze volleys between my face and the playground we’re standing next to. It’s a block from Phoebe’s house. We passed it on our way to drop off Alvin. “You want to have the discussion here?”
I nod slowly. “It’s private, quiet. We can sit on the swings and talk.”
“Or we can go to the bar two blocks over and have a drink and talk,” he counters.
“Too noisy.” I cover my ear with my hand. “I think this spot is perfect.”
He surveys the playground. It consists of slides, ladders, a wooden platform, and a half-dozen swings. “If we’re going to talk about going back to my place, I’ll sit wherever the hell you want me to sit.”
I take the lead, trudging through the sand in my heels until I plop my ass on one of the swing seats.
I look over to where Alexander’s settled himself next to me. The moon’s light is casting a shadow over his face. The only other light is near the entrance to the playground twenty feet away from us.
“You’re ready?” he asks, his voice deep and tense.
I push back and lift my legs in the air, letting the cool air breeze over my neck. “I’m ready.”
He sits in place; his legs crossed at the ankle as he watches me. “Are you ready to fuck me, Olivia?”
I swing higher, the air gliding over me. “Yes, but there are some rules.”
“Rules?” He chuckles. “What’s rule number one?”
I look down as I coast past him. “Condoms are a must.”
“Always,” he says without hesitation. “Rule number two?”
“You can’t tie me up.”
His eyes catch mine as I pick up my pace. “I won’t need to.”
“What does that mean?”
“You won’t want to go anywhere once you’re in my bed.”
I shake my head. “Cocky.”
“Confident.” He pauses as he watches me float past him. “Rule number three?”
I slow because this is the most important rule to me. Condoms are vital, but guarding my heart is just as important to me as protecting every other part of my body.
“I just want to have fun.” I push the toe of my shoe into the sand to slow myself.
Alexander reaches over to grab the chain of the swing, sending me twisting sideways before I stop abruptly. “You’ll always have fun with me.”
I tuck a strand of my hair behind my ear. “I’m not looking for anything serious.”
His eyes catch mine. “We’re on the same page, Olivia.”
I let out a small breath in relief. “Do you have any rules?”
His hands jump to the collar of my jacket. He tugs me close before he presses his lips to mine.
The kiss is soft and sensual. His tongue glides over mine in a heated promise of what’s to come.
“My only rule is that you tell me if it’s ever too much.” He rests his forehead against mine. “Promise me that.”
I give him a quick kiss on the mouth. “I promise.”
“Your place or mine?” He reaches for my hand.
“Your place,” I answer quickly.
He tugs me to my feet. “We’re not taking the train this time. It would take too damn long and I’m too damn hard.”
I glance down at the front of his pants. It’s clear that he’s a large man in every sense. “What are we waiting for?”
He turns to face me, stalling in place. “I need you to know something.”
My stomach knots instantly. Dread rushes through me. “What?”
“I would have waited even longer.” He kisses my hand. “You’re worth the wait.”
“Thank you,” I manage to say as my heart thumps inside my chest.
Wrapping his arm around my waist, he whispers in my ear, “Let’s go.”
I suck in a deep breath and take the first step toward a night I know I’ll never forget.
His apartment isn’t a reflection of him. It’s cold and sterile. The black leather furniture offsets the white tile floors.
There are walls of sheer curtains covering floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the skyline of Manhattan.
Music is softly playing as we enter the space. It’s something classical and grand, like the man who lives here.
“My fridge is bare,” he confesses as he helps me slip out of my jacket. “I can call down to room service if you want a drink.”
It’s one of the benefits of living in an apartment inside of a hotel I suppose.
“I’m not in the mood for a drink.” I place my purse down on a glass coffee table. “How long have you lived here?”
He slides his jacket off and hangs it next to mine on an ornamental coatrack. “Not long. I rented it once I knew I was coming back to guest conduct.”
I nod, wanting to ask where his next adventure will take him. I know, from what I’ve read online, that he’s a wandering soul. He’s always on the move.
He may have roots in New York in the form of his sister and her family, but he’s in demand on all corners of the globe.
I look over to where a piano is sitting in the corner, surrounded by windows. “Was that an addition that you requested?”
His gaze follows mine. “It came with the place. I had it tuned the day I moved in. I’ve played it infrequently since.”
I want to hear him play but I want something else more.
I’ve never been brazen with men.
I’ll admit to being vocal in bed. I steal my release before I devote myself to my partner’s pleasure. Tonight is different. I feel uninhibited. I instinctively know that he’ll accept me as I am. He’ll fulfill any desire I have.
I sense he’s a considerate, attentive lover.
“You want to fuck me, Olivia.” He closes the distance between us with heavy, measured steps. “You’re thinking about it now.”
“I came here for that.” I remind him with a press of my lips to his. “It’s what I want.”
His hands are on my blouse before I can say anything. He takes his time on each pink pearled button, his fingers grazing every inch of my skin as its exposed.
“Pink lace.” He growls as he uncovers my bra. “Pretty pink lace.”
I moan when his fingers slide over my breasts and when he lowers his mouth to my nipple to bite it through the soft lace I hold back a scream.
“My bed,” he whispers against the skin between my breasts. “Come to my bed.”