Chapter Three
Sophia
The ride to Grayson’s home fills me with a tension I can’t describe. His large hands hold mine protectively in his, even in the confines of the car. It’s like he’s conveying a message without saying a word.
I peer at him from the corner of my eye. He’s ruggedly handsome, with harsh features that make him look like a tamed wild animal. His slightly crooked nose fits perfectly with his arched brows and full lips. The intensity in his eyes as he stares at his phone makes me shiver slightly, remembering his dark, hooded stare as he brought me to orgasm.
I don’t know how I moved from crippling fear to desire in such a short time. The minute the reality of my situation dawned on me, I braced myself for the worst. But the moment I saw him in the audience, the man from the parking lot, I immediately felt safe, and hope returned. Maybe I’m foolish to trust a stranger so completely when my own brother just betrayed me, but I’m helpless against the emotions he evokes in me. It’s exciting and alarming at the same time.
He puts down the phone and stares ahead, barely concealing his irritation like he has since the car left the chapel parking lot. He hasn’t looked at me since we left the place.
Maybe he doesn’t really want you, a voice whispers in my head.
My mind travels back to the sorry excuse of a kiss that I gave him in the auction hall, and I wince. I am no doubt inexperienced. Between studying to get good grades and working my ass off, I had no time to indulge boys. I know nothing about intimacy or how to please a man.
So I can understand the reason for his irritation. Nobody wants to be with an inexperienced woman, especially not a man like Grayson who seems to have the world at his feet.
But then…why bid twenty million dollars on me? That’s more money than most people ever see throughout their lifetime…
I want to say something, anything to fill the tense silence between us, but I can’t seem to think of anything appropriate. It seems like forever before the car pulls up in front of a massive mansion with a huge, rushing fountain at the center of the drive. It looks like a waterfall, and I feel the urge to grab my camera and capture the rawness of it. The mansion itself commands attention just like its owner. I wonder how many people live here, before it occurs to me that he probably lives alone. He is a billionaire after all.
He’s already waiting for me as I step out of the car.
He takes my hand in his and I shiver slightly at the warm feeling of his large, calloused hand over mine. His thumb grazes the back of my palm in a soft, intimate caress. The action startles me and I look up to find dark eyes on me, watching me with an intensity that sends an aching thrill to my core. I press my thighs together to relieve the blooming ache, but it’s useless.
His gaze roams my face, lingering pensively on my lips, and for a second I think he might kiss me, but then he doesn’t.
“Come on,” he says instead, turning toward the door.
I clear my throat awkwardly, my cheeks flaming with embarrassment. I follow behind him, barely able to take in the luxurious decor of the house as I hurry to keep up with his long strides. He leads me up the stairs to a large bedroom with a huge king-sized bed. The bedding looks fluffy and inviting in its creamy glory. I’ve never seen a pillow arrangement so enticing.
“You must be very tired. You can sleep here tonight,” he says gruffly.
I snap my head up in time to see the slight hesitation in his dark gaze. He tries to let go of my hand, but I hold on to him like a lifeline. I don’t want to be alone.
I see the confusion in his eyes and quickly lower my gaze, my bravado slowly waning. I want to ask him to stay with me, but the possibility of being rejected cripples me with fear.
“Sophia?” he queries softly.
Tears of frustration pool in my eyes as I suddenly feel an overwhelming sense of abandonment. My emotions come crashing down on me all at once. It’s been a long night, with my brother abandoning me and being auctioned off in front of strangers. I just want Grayson to hold me and tell me it’s going to be alright like he did back at the auction house.
What’s wrong with me? Why do I want to be comforted by the man who bought me?
“Look at me,” he commands softly.
I almost look up automatically, but I don’t want him to see how affected I am. His hand gently grips my jaw and I’m suddenly looking into his penetrating dark eyes.
“What’s wrong, baby? Talk to me,” he says quietly, his gaze softening.
“I-I just…I’m sorry,” I stutter, unable to find the words to express the myriad of emotions crashing through me.
His brows bunch in surprise. “Why are you sorry, baby? You haven’t done anything wrong.” My chest tightens at the concern in his voice.
I look away from his searching gaze. I can’t look in his eyes as I say what weighs on my mind. But his hand remains firm on my jaw. “I know I’m inexperienced, and I didn’t please you like you—”
“What makes you think you didn’t please me?” he asks, his tone softening.
I raise my gaze to find his smoldering gaze on mine. The question throws me off. “I—I just thought…since you were quiet on the ride back and you wouldn’t look at me…” I trail off, becoming shy.
A low growl rumbles in Grayson’s chest as he clasps my face with both hands. He moves closer, towering over me, and lifts my face. This close, I can see the wariness in his dark eyes.
“Sophia, you pleased me more than you can imagine,” he assures gruffly. “I don’t care that you’re inexperienced—in fact, I love that you’re untouched. I know what we did at the auction house overwhelmed you, and I just wanted to give you space. I was only angry at myself because I find it hard to stay away from you.”
“I—I just thought you might be regretting paying that much for me,” I whisper hesitantly. I know I shouldn’t let him see how insecure I am, but I can’t help myself.
“Oh, baby,” Grayson says, his lips tilting slightly in a self-deprecating smile. “If I regret anything, it’s not killing those motherfuckers for what they put you through.”
“So, you still want me?” I ask in a small, shaky voice.
“More than you can imagine,” he replies gruffly, his eyes darkening with a hunger that instantly robs me of my breath. “Baby, I’m fucking hard for you. Even now, I can’t stop staring at your lips. They’re begging for my touch…”
He growls and drags me closer, taking over my lips. It’s heady and addicting, the way he ravishes my mouth. There’s a sense of urgency in the flicks of his tongue as it tangles with mine. As if he can’t get enough of me.
The desire that had been waning within me roars back to life. And with every nip and suck, tiny currents bloom at the pit of my stomach, stoking the flame of need. I melt into him, moaning softly as I curl my arms around his neck, sinking my fingers into his lush, dark mane. I grind my core against him, trying to ease the insistent ache. My mind is in shambles, searching for release.
He detaches his lips from mine with a low groan and rests his forehead on mine. I whimper in disappointment.
“Do you really want to do this, Sophia?” he asks tightly, his voice husky with desire. “I need you to know what you’re getting into. I’m not going to hold back.”
I search his eyes, my heart skipping a beat at the raw desire in his eyes. “I don’t want you to hold back,” I reply, letting go of all inhibitions.
At my words, a different side of Grayson emerges. Harder. Harsher. Possessive. His midnight eyes burn with deep-seated need.
He slams his lips against mine. This time the kiss is demanding. Unyielding. As if he can’t get enough.
My breath stutters in my chest. His passion and hunger explode across my senses, and I whimper, my hands tangling in his shirt. His answering groan vibrates through me, tightening my nipples and sending goose bumps racing across my skin. I fall into the kiss, swept away by the lush carnality of it. A sob of pleasure escapes me.
He breaks the kiss and trails his lips to my neck. My pussy floods as his tongue swipes over my wildly beating pulse.
“You ready for me, baby?” he rasps against my ear, his hot breath sending shivers through my body. I whimper aloud. “Are you soaking wet for me? You want me to ease the ache in your cunt and drive my cock into your wet pussy over and over?” Every word sends shivers of awareness through my body as he sucks my lobe between his teeth, giving it a tiny nip.
My knees buckle under the assault. “Y-yes,” I stutter shyly in a voice husky with desire.
He guides me back until my calves hit the bed frame, and then I’m gently pushed onto the bed. My chest heaves as I watch him yank off his shirt, his gaze hungrily devouring mine in the process. His chest is sculpted, hard ridges of defined muscles under golden skin. His massive body should scare me, but I feel safer than ever. Protected.
He climbs onto the bed, his knees between my thighs, and slowly pulls off my dress and underwear, stealing a touch with every movement of his hands.
By the time I’m naked, I’m panting and unexpectedly aroused. He’s no different—it’s evident in the tent of his trousers. His lustful gaze roves over my body and everything stands at attention as if listening to a silent command.
“My God, Sophia. You’re exquisite,” he breathes softly. “I can’t believe you thought I didn’t want you. I could look at you for eternity, baby.”
He slowly closes the space between us and then hitches me up with an arm banded around my back, centering me on the bed before he settles atop me. His hands slide down my throat to my shoulders, blazing a hot trail across my skin. His mouth latches on a puckered nipple, his lips soft and warm, the suction slow and savoring. He closes his fingers on the other and rolls it between them, teasing and tugging. I can’t help the way my body reacts. Small cries escape my lips as he savors my sensitive buds, alternating between the two.
“My baby loves what I do to her,” he rasps softly, his hot breath brushing over my tight, hard nipple.
“Grayson,” I whisper brokenly. I arch my back as my sex clenches, growing wetter at the sensory overload. If this is what it means to have his attention, then I’ll gladly accept. This wanton person, undulating her hips trying to ease an ache, is a new version of me that I didn’t know existed. My mind is in a sexual haze and my insecurities seem nonexistent.
Grayson lets go of my hard nipples with a final kiss, then trails his lips down to my belly button. Tiny bites follow his movements, and he swipes his tongue slowly to soothe the sting. My stomach vibrates with pleasure as he swirls his tongue around my belly button, then slowly licks and sucks his way down to my core. He parts my swollen flesh, feasting his eyes on my budding clit. My breath trembles in anticipation. He arranges my calves over his shoulders, exposing my sopping wet flesh, and my sex tightens sharply at his bold stare. He blows gently on it, all heat and breeze, dragging a reaction out of me as my hips buck and my pussy floods at the assault.
He lets out a soft groan. “Ah, I fucking love how responsive you are, baby,” he rasps over my clenching, wet pussy.
My fingers grip his hair, and just when I think he’ll never end this torture, he closes his mouth over my engorged clit, sucking hard. “Argh!” I buck, wild. My orgasm is hard and sharp as I slam to the peak. Grayson continues his assault as if he didn’t notice my release. He nips and sucks at my clit, his movements voracious and savage. Tension slowly gathers in the pit of my stomach and loud whimpers slip from my lips. I try to hold them in, but it’s impossible.
My body goes taut as the tension ramps higher. I’m gyrating my hips in wild abandon, desperate for the final push to ease the staggering ache. But he slows down, giving attention everywhere but my clit. Then he starts again, ravishing my sex with gusto until I’m achy. My grip on his head tightens and my quiet whimpers transform into loud moans as he continues his torture.
“P-please, Grayson,” I sob.
“Not yet, baby. Can’t get enough of your sweet pussy. It’s addicting.” His voice is guttural, and he smirks up at me before he continues his sexual torture.
My pleas turn into chants and I turn my head from side to side, begging for release. My loud moans have become even louder. And just when I think that I can’t take it anymore, he sucks me deep and hard, sliding two fingers inside my core and curving them. My mind goes blank and I go over the edge, screaming my release as I coat his fingers.
I watch him take off his remaining clothes, still in the high of my orgasm, my core tightening at the aftershocks. He is all man with his big thighs and jutting cock. As he settles his weight against my core, he slowly takes my lips. His movements are soft and possessive as he takes and gives. He slowly glides his stiff length along my wet core, stimulating the sensitive flesh.
He kisses a path to the sensitive arch in my neck and I arch into his mouth, moaning softly. The movements of his body on mine are slow and languid, stoking a deeper flame of need. It festers as my sex floods with hot, wet liquid. Everything feels different now, meaningful.
I can’t take my eyes off him as he slowly eases the head of his cock into me. He thrusts gently, shallow and slow, not fully entering me. The movement is maddening and torturous and my sheath clamps tightly at every intrusion. He groans and rests his forehead on mine, his nose stroking mine in affection.
“It’s going to hurt, baby,” he confesses thickly. His midnight eyes show his barely restrained desire.
I nod, blushing softly. “It’s okay,” I assure him.
His need for me is blatant and empowering. Knowing that a man as powerful as Grayson wants me and is caring enough to show me how much he needs me is enough for all my insecurities to dissipate.
His eyes go darker at my assurance. “Put your hands over your head. Don’t move,” he orders in a guttural tone.
Oh God.
My core clenches hard at the steely order. He rolls my nipples with the pads of his fingers, strumming and flicking. The coarse flesh creates a friction and I arch up to meet him. My hands ache to touch his inviting flesh, but I’m helpless and under his control. I welcome it.
His hips thrust shallowly into me again, and the sensory overload turns me mindless.
A deep keening sound leaves my throat at the incessant stab of desire, my sex clamping hard at his thrusts. “Please…” I beg.
He pushes deeper at once, piercing a barrier. The pain is quick and sharp, more a discomfort. Still, a tear rolls down my face and I’m amazed at his tortured expression.
“I’m sorry,” he apologizes, reaching up to lick away the tear and then slowly kiss me.
“It’s fine. I’m fine,” I assure.
Then he starts to move again. It’s shallow at first, then gradually increases tempo. Our gazes meet as he breaks the kiss and thrusts more deeply.
“Oh God,” I whimper.
My desire is like a burning flame razing everything in its path. Goose bumps mark my skin with every movement of his hips. The light dust of his hair grazes over my sensitive skin, increasing the sizzling current that consumes me. I need to touch him. My hands slide over warm skin until I’m grabbing his back.
I’m so far gone, unconsciously arching my hips to meet his. The desperate need in me builds higher and I moan aloud. His thrusts build in speed and intensity, going deeper and deeper until I reach the crest. I moan long and hard, clamping my walls hard around him as I orgasm. My gaze remains on him as he grunts and closes his eyes in bliss, finally letting go. It’s a glorious sight.
He slumps to the side, pulling me with him until we’re lying side by side, staring at each other, our breaths and bodies shuddering with the force of release.
“You’re so beautiful, Sophia,” he growls out softly, kissing the side of my head.
I smile shyly in response, burrowing deeper into his warmth.