CHAPTER TWENTY
ANIKA
He’s been really sweet. I keep having to remind myself that it’s all on act but it’s really, really hard. My heart has been having palpitations ever since he walked into the bar. All my senses are heightened. It’s like his presence is a drug I could very well get addicted to.
And it really isn’t helping that he’s currently got me in his lap. Not that I mind. It’s really comfortable. And I can’t remember the last time I felt this safe in the midst of so many people.
I came out tonight expecting some awkward tension. Especially with my friends. But I’m surprised by how easily I was able to slide back to how it was before. Except for the small hiccup with Edward and his friends, tonight’s been pretty great. And I know just the way to make it even better.
“What’s going on in that pretty head of yours?” Nathan asks, his sexy voice making me feel all kinds of hot and bothered.
A soft tune starts playing in the speakers making me grin as I look at him.
“We should dance,” I tell him.
Almost immediately his face falls and his lips press down into a frown.
“I’d do almost anything for you, sweetheart. But dancing is where I draw the line.”
I swear every time he speaks, I’m this close to melting to a puddle on the floor. Who even says that to a person?
I swallow softly, telling myself that he’s only saying all that because Danielle is right beside us. And knowing my best friend, she’s listening to every word we’re saying, although she’s pretending not to.
“Come on, dance with me,” I say pleadingly. “If you do it, I’ll do something for you in return.”
That has him arching an eyebrow, his expression devolving into interest.
“Anything.”
I nod. Although I’m pretty sure I’m going to regret this. He places his hands on my waist to help me to my feet and then he’s rising after me.
“Come on, sweetheart.”
I let him lead me to the middle of the room. There are already one or two people dancing there. I drape both my hands over his shoulders, while Nathan holds on to my waist and soon enough we’re gliding to the beat. It’s really nice.
I’m wearing sandal heels allowing me to be a bit closer to his height, although not by much. We’re silent for a couple of minutes, simply enjoying the dance and each other’s company.
“I don’t think I’ve ever done anything like this,” Nathan murmurs.
“What? The slow dancing?”
He chuckles lightly, “I’ve slow danced. I mean just hanging out with a couple of people, in a group.”
“Yeah, in case you weren’t aware, you’re kind of antisocial,” I tell him.
“Antisocial doesn’t even begin to cover it. I’ve never really had any friends, even when I was a child living here in Edenton.”
“I thought you knew Sterling, weren’t you friends?”
“Our houses weren’t far apart and he was around my age. But I wouldn’t call us friends. We spent some time together because we were in the same world, but no one knew about the crazy in my life. Heck, I’m sure he was dealing with his own crazy now that I think about it. But we’ve actually grown closer as adults, and it’s been nice, but that wasn’t the case when we were growing up.”
“You must have been a lonely child,” I say sadly.
He lets out a harsh breath, “Lonely doesn’t even begin to cover it. But I guess that experience bled into my adulthood. I ended up antisocial like you aptly pointed out. Since I grew up not used to being around a lot of people, it led me to believe staying away from them is what’s best. I sometimes get uncomfortable in large groups.”
“I’m sorry,” I breathe. “You didn’t have to come here.”
“No, it’s fine, sweetheart. I’m okay. You know I’m actually having fun,” he assures me. “The staring’s just a bit excessive.”
I look up over his shoulder and sure enough, nearly everyone’s eyes are trained on us. I wince slightly. Seriously, I love them but they’re practically incapable of minding their own business.
“Sorry, you’re kind of a local celebrity,” I tell him. “Plus, we’re kind of giving them a show.”
“How about we give them an even better one?” he murmurs.
My brows furrow in surprise. I slowly lean backward to look into his eyes, they’re darker, filled with heat. My stomach plunges, so far I barely even feel it.
“Nathan,” I whisper, shaking my head. “You don’t have to go this far to prove a lie.”
“I’m not proving a lie, Anika. I’m doing this because I want to,” he says fiercely.
“I-I have no idea what to say to that.”
He pulls me closer, his hand moving up my face. He swirls a tendril of my hair in his finger, his eyes intense.
“Just tell me I can kiss you, sweetheart. That’s all I need.”
I can feel my heart beating in my toes. I didn’t know that was possible.
“Okay,” I whisper.
Because I want this too. More than I’ve ever wanted anything. Nathan doesn’t waste another second before bending his head and lowering his lips to mine. It’s different every time he kisses me. Some feel too much, some feel not enough. This kiss though.
It feels perfect. Like I want to kiss him like this forever.
It’s possessive and consuming, threatening to swallow me whole. The kiss digs deep within my bones and plants its roots within me. I wrap my arms around the back of his neck and pull him down so there’s no barrier between us. I don’t care that we’re in the middle of a room filled with people I’ve known my whole life.
Everything falls away, except us and in this moment. I can feel my pussy throbbing, aching with need.
“Anika,” he whispers, pulling away when wolf whistles start to break out in the bar.
I moan softly, annoyed that the kiss has to come to an end. Nathan’s dark eyes are practically glittering as he looks at me. The same need reflected in his eyes.
“We should probably get out of here,” I say softly.
He smirks before nodding once, “Go say bye to your friends. I’ll wait for you outside.”
I watch him walk out before releasing a soft, tortured breath. Fuck me that was intense.
I’m already dreading having to face everyone but it’s not like I have much of a choice. They’re all grinning when I arrive back at the couch. I know for a fact my cheeks are bright red, I feel hot all over. Both from embarrassment and sexual tension.
“Uh, Dany. I need to go,” I say to my best friend. “Sorry, I know I was supposed to take you and Pepper home.”
“I’ll take them,” Spencer offers immediately, a grin on his face.
“It’s fine, Nika. Have fun,” Pepper says sweetly.
“Thanks,” I murmur grabbing my purse.
Dany gets to her feet, her expression filled with questions and unconcealed excitement.
“I’ll walk you out, Nika.”
“Sure. Bye guys,” I say to the rest of the group.
I make sure not to meet anyone eyes as I quickly skedaddle out of the there. Danielle follows me to the door quietly but as soon as we’re outside she’s laying into me.
“So… that was a lot,” she starts. “First off, I’m glad you took my advice and finally got with that sexy ass man.”
“Danielle, I told you it was all an act,” I say on a frown.
“Act? Yeah right. Nothing about what the two of you have got going on is an act. Was that kiss an act?” she asks.
I sigh, “I don’t know what it was.”
“Well it looked intense as hell. I swear fireworks were shooting because of all that tension. I am so proud of you.”
“You’re proud that I kissed a man I’m not even dating in front of everyone we know from high school?” I question on a frown.
“No,” Danielle laughs. “I’m proud that you’re going for this. You’re practically glowing right now and you’re blushing. You’ve been blushing since he walked in here. He’s good for you.”
“Maybe,” I murmur.
“At least you want to jump his bones. The sex must be amazing. Good sex is the best cure for anything in my opinion.”
I laugh, “You’re impossible.”
“And you’ve got Mr. Sexy Billionaire waiting for you. Go on. And have fun,” she tells me, practically pushing me in the direction of the parking lot. “And Anika, I was watching you two tonight, especially him. He looks at you like you’re his world. Surely that has to mean something.”
I shrug, not having any answer to that.
“Bye, babe,” Danielle says, shooting me a small wave before walking back into the bar.
The truth is I’m not Nathan’s world. I don’t think he’ll ever put himself in the position to let someone be his world. Not when something has hurt him so much to be so cautious of it.
He’s waiting in front of my car when I get there, frowning down at his phone, so he doesn’t notice me walk up.
“Hey,” I say to draw his attention.
“Hey. I’ve been having some trouble getting in touch with Robert so he can drive us,” he informs me, a muscle ticking in his jaw.
“It’s fine. We can just take my car,” I state, gesturing at the vehicle behind him and pressing a button to unlock it.
It’s almost impossible to miss the tension in his body as he looks behind at my car. It makes my heart hurt that something as simple as driving causes him so much grief. As far as I can tell, Nathan can drive. But only when he’s driving himself. If he has to drive anyone else, he just sticks to Robert or Josh.
He must hate it so much. Nathan’s in control in every other aspect of his life. This is the one thing he can’t control.
“Come on, get in. I’ll drive,” I say as casually as possible, heading for the driver’s seat. “We’re going to my place right?”
He immediately looks calmer, exhaling a soft breath.
“Yeah, sweetheart. We can go to your place.”
We both enter and I start the car, driving as carefully as possible in the direction of my house. If feels weird having him in my car. Now I’m never going to be able to sit in it without thinking of him.
“So… I’m never going to be able to show up at Lacies again after that,” I say, trying to distract him because he still looks a little tense. “We definitely gave them a show to remember.”
I feel his dark eyes on the side of my face but I keep my eyes fixed on the road, trying to concentrate.
“Sweetheart, that was nothing. What I really wanted to do on that dancefloor would have scarred most of them for life,” he replies.
I swallow, my pulse quickening, “What did you want to do?”
“Well for one, I’m really curious, Anika,” he starts. “How wet were you back there when I kissed you? How wet are you right now?”
My lips press together and now I’m finding it really hard to concentrate. I grip the steering wheel, still facing forward.
“No answer?” he drawls, clearly enjoying this. “I guess I could find out for myself. That’s a nice skirt you’re wearing, darling.”
“Nathan, I’m driving,” I remind him.
“I trust you,” he murmurs, right before his palm lands on my thigh.
I feel a zap of electricity go through me. His eyes are practically burning a hole into the side of my face.
“Eyes on the road, Anika.”
His hand slowly starts trailing upward until he reaches my panties. My heartbeat grows even more erratic.
“Nathan, please,” I beg.
I don’t even know what I’m begging for. For him to stop or for him to keep going.
“Eyes on the road,” he repeats, slowly teasing my panties to the side.
I suck in a sharp breath when he spreads my folds with his fingers, right before two of them enter me.
“Oh,” I moan.
I can feel moisture coating his fingers as he slides them in and out of me. It’s taking every single amount of control I have to continue driving. Thank God there’s no other cars on the road. I’m practically shaking as I continue to look forward.
I can’t look at him as he continues his slow torturous motions, I’ll explode if I do.
“That’s it, sweetheart. Easy does it,” he murmurs.
His thumb presses down on my clit while he pumps in and out of me. I can feel myself reaching the cliff.
“Fuck, Nathan,” I groan.
“Pull over right over there,” he orders.
I don’t argue, immediately spotting a point on the road and turning the wheel. The car’s barely fallen to a stop before he increases the pace of his thrusting. I grind down on his fingers, chasing release.
“Come for me, sweetheart,” he says, his voice strained.
I shatter with a small scream, bringing my hands up to my mouth to cover up the sound. My eyes fall shut and I momentarily see stars. When my eyes opening, they meet Nathan’s dark ones. He’s smirking, looking proud. Then he lifts his hand to show his fingers coated in my arousal.
Our eyes are still locked together as he sucks each of his fingers into his mouth. My poor heart is going through it tonight. I stare hard, unable to look away.
“I don’t know which I like better. The fucking addictive taste of your pussy, or the taste of your lips,” he states, then he leans over to me, grabbing the back of my neck and kissing me hard.
“I think I like the taste of them both together,” he murmurs against my lips.
He pulls away leaving me stunned for a couple of seconds.
“Anika, you need to drive,” he reminds me with a laugh when I don’t move.
My eyes narrow as I slowly come out of my shell-shocked state.
“I’m going to get you back for that,” I threaten.
“Looking forward to it, sweetheart,” he says with a wink.
He’s insane. But I think I love that about him. A lot.
I start the car and we’re at my house in a matter of minutes. Nathan starts kissing me as soon as we’re through the door. My core clenches and my chest is practically vibrating with anticipation. I kiss him back with just as much passion, needing him to feel just how much I want him.
My purse falls to the floor, and then the next thing flying over our heads is his t-shirt. I reach for the buckle of his jeans, running my fingers over his bulge.
“How about we test your control now, Mr. Billionaire?” I whisper.
His eyes grow even darker. I didn’t know that was possible.
“Fucking hell, Anika. You have no idea, do you? Everything about you drives me crazy. I’m never in control when I’m around you,” he tells me.
I glide my fingers over his ribs, before resting them right above his hard cock.
“So you’re saying you don’t want me to suck you off right now?” I question, my tone much bolder than I feel.
But it’s worth it. All shreds of restraint snaps and fall around us. I hum with pleasure when he runs a thumb over my lips.
“I don’t want to ruin your pretty, perfect lips,” he murmurs.
“I want to do this, Nathan,” I tell him.
He slips two fingers into my mouth, running them along my tongue. My lips wrap around them, eyelids dropping slightly as I do.
“Okay then. Get on your knees, sweetheart.”
I moan, his words feeling like a drug, spurring me on. Holding his burning gaze, I slowly drop to my knees in front of him, tipping my chin up to see his eyes. Nathan pulls his fingers from my mouth with a loud pop and I watch as the threats holding him together start to unravel. He unzips his jeans, letting them slide to the floor. I reach for his cock immediately, freeing it from his boxer briefs.
I almost forgot how big he is. I swallow audibly before licking the bead of pre-cum glistening on the head of his cock.
Nathan’s hand combs through my hair, “Go on,” he prods. “Open that beautiful mouth for me.”
I press a small kiss to the tip before slowly sliding my mouth down his length. I hear Nathan’s groan above me, his hand tightening in my hair. I breathe through my nose, taking him as far back as I can.
“Jesus, Anika.”
I smile at the breathless state of his voice. I know for a fact he’s this close to exploding. I have all the power at the moment, the power to make him fall completely apart. And I love it.
My tongue swirls as I bob slowly, one hand twisting at the base of him while my other hand slides downward to cup his balls.
When I glance up at his him, his hooded eyes are locked on me. I moan softly, my lashes fluttering as I feel a new surge of wetness between my thighs. I release his mouth with a pop before taking his cock in again, sliding him to my back of my throat.
“Fuck, stop,” he groans.
I release him, my brows furrowed in confusion. He grabs my arm pulling me to my feet.
“Hey, I wasn’t done,” I say, annoyed.
“As much as I loved that, baby. I want to come inside of you,” he murmurs, before crushing his mouth against mine.
I forget everything because the kiss is searing. His lips are so soft against mine. We crash against the wall behind us, our movements frenzied. His hands are on my breasts, teasing my nipples through my top. Nathan lifts me up, wrapping his hands around my ass and balancing me against the wall.
I’m right in line with his cock and my heart beat speed as I realize he’s about to fuck me like this.
“Tell me if it’s too much, okay?”
I nod and he shifts my panties to the side, right before his cock plunges inside of me.
“Oh God,” I gasp, my eyes falling shut as he thrusts inside of me over and over again, “Don’t stop.”
He chuckles gently before increasing the pace of his thrusts. I’m hitting the wall with the force but I barely even feel it. I don’t think I’m even on earth at the moment. I’ve transcended into another world and the only thing that matters is how good he’s making me feel right now.
Nathan reaches for my clit, massaging the sensitive nub with his thumb while he continues thrusting into me shallowly. I feel my eyes well up with tears. It’s sensory overload. My hands are on his shoulders and my nails are probably piercing into his skin but he doesn’t seem to care.
I come screaming his name. He buries his head in my neck as well as he releases inside of me. Soon enough the only sound in the room is of our rapidly beating hearts and heavy breathing.
After a couple of seconds, I start to laugh, “I can’t believe we never made it to the bed.”
Nathan lifts his head and there’s a lazy smile spread across his face. He looks adorable.
“Round two. This time on the bed?” he suggests.
His cock is still inside of me and I can feel him hardening slowly.
I roll my eyes, “You’re insatiable. Aren’t you tired? You must have had a long day at work.”
He lifts me into his arms, never breaking the connection as he carries me to the bedroom.
“Unfortunately, sweetheart. I don’t see myself growing tired of you anytime during this lifetime.”
My heart soars at those words. Because it’s confirmation that he doesn’t want this to end either. It feels me with hope. That maybe I can depend on this. Maybe I can trust this newfound happiness that’s seeping into every aspect of my life.
The thing about hope though. Is that is shatters so very easily.