Chapter 15
Ariana
I’ve only managed to get two graphics finished. My mind keeps wandering back to Eric’s kiss. The way his hands felt on my body.
I fall back against the pillows on the bed, staring up at the ceiling and wishing I was staring up at Eric. Too bad it’s so stormy out or I could at least be back in my bed with my vibrator.
I’ve seen Eric outside throughout the day and I heard him come inside a little while ago. I’d already eaten some dinner when I knew he was busy in the barn. I didn’t want to have to face him quite yet.
There’s a knock at the door and I practically groan with embarrassment. Why can’t he just leave me to wallow in my self-pity?
“Yes?” I answer.
“I have something. Can I come in?” he asks.
I want to be petulant and say something like, it’s your house, but I pull all the adultness I can muster, and reply, “Yes.”
He opens the door and I glance over before looking down at my laptop. Then, my head whips back toward him. He’s holding a small gray kitten that can’t be more than a day or two old.
“Oh my God!” I whisper-yell. I push the laptop onto the chest at the end of the bed and I jump onto the floor and walk over to Eric. The kitten is swaddled in a towel, only its little face peeks out from it. Eric reaches into his pocket and pulls out a syringe.
“I haven’t done this in a while. Pricilla had her kittens, and this runt can’t fight his siblings for milk. We’re going to have to bottle-feed him,” Eric explains. “He’s too small for a normal bottle yet, so we’ll need to use this.” He holds up the syringe to me. “You want to try.”
I swallow and shake my head. “No, I don’t know what I’m doing. I’ll just watch.”
“Here, get on the bed,” Eric instructs.
I do as I’m told. Eric helps me sit against the headboard and he places the little buddled kitten in my arms like a baby. Then he brings the syringe up to its mouth and we both breathe a sigh of relief when it starts taking the milk.
“That’s right, buddy. Drink up,” Eric coos. I practically melt watching this giant, muscled man gently feed the kitten.
“Here, you try,” Eric says. “We’ll both need to get good at it. Kittens need to be fed a lot, just like a baby. So we’ll take turns.”
I take the syringe and Eric’s hand covers mine, showing me how to slowly press the stopper to release more milk. Together, we feed the kitten for the next minute or two, until all the milk is gone.
The kitten falls fast asleep, and we both watch it, not moving.
“Where should we keep him?” I ask. “Should he go back to his mom?”
“We can try tomorrow when we can keep an eye on him. Stay here with him. I’ll get a heating pad and an old alarm clock that I used with Barkley. I can make a little bed,” Eric says as he leaves me sitting there, holding the kitten.
“Is it a he or a she?” I call out.
“Don’t know. Haven’t looked yet,” he yells from somewhere down the hall.
I peel back the blanket and look. “It’s a he.
“What shall we name you?” I ask the kitten. It’s still fast asleep. I contemplate names until Eric comes back into the room. He’s holding a box with a bunch of blankets. He plugs in the heating pad and tucks it inside.
“We have a boy,” I announce.
“You think of a name yet?” he asks.
I shake my head. “Not yet.”
He chuckles. “Shall we have another naming contest?”
I shrug. “I think we should name him.”
He takes the kitten from me and sets him in the box on the nightstand. We both lean over and look at him.
“How about Stormy?” I suggest.
“Isn’t that, like, a girl’s name?” Eric replies as he scoots onto the bed.
I scoff. “Nooo,” I reply. Eric laughs.
“What about Thunder?” Eric says.
I roll my eyes as I look over at the sleeping kitten. “More like crickets. He’s passed out.” I purse my lips and consider names.
“Titan,” I blurt out and then literally slap my hand over my mouth. Why don’t I just scream my real name from the rooftop? I’m an idiot.
But before Eric can reply, the perfect name comes to me, and I grin.
“Out with it. What’s the name?” Eric urges with a grin of his own.
“Thor,” I decide.
I watch Eric’s grin morph into a giant smile and he nods. “Love it.”
I blush under his praise. “Want to see some of what I have planned leading up to the farmstand re-opening event?”
“Let’s see,” he says hesitantly, and I wonder if he’s nervous that I’ll screw it all up. I mean, I can’t blame him. I have sort of fallen and run into things and backed over things, and well, he must think I’m a hot mess, hence his nickname for me. It’s funny because I’ve always been a little klutzy, but I’ve normally hidden it. Dad doesn’t like it. He wanted me to be an athlete and a sophisticated young woman. I roll my eyes.
“What?” he asks.
“Nothing. Just thinking about something. Anyhow,” I start, changing the subject because I’m not about to spill the beans that I’m the great and powerful James Titan’s daughter, “here. I thought we should draw from the general appeal of Storyview Falls. There should be some posts for people who want to visit the town and your farm and other posts for the locals. I also started a group on this app where Kingsley is going to be sharing recipes weekly and I got Max and his restaurant’s chef to agree to do weekly cooking classes out in the side yard from June through August. And they’ll even be here for opening weekend. Elisha is going to send her van over with some coffee and baked goods as well. And a few local artists agreed to come too. So essentially, it will be more than just a farmstand on Saturday mornings. It’ll be a little farmer’s market. I’ve gotten agreements set up for you to look at with the local artists to sell some crafts all the time at the farmstand. And of course, it’ll all look brand new and have that great social media backdrop out front. Oh, and I thought we could highlight different animals each week. If you don’t want a full petting zoo, we can just bring one out for photo ops and a meet and greet, and then folks can walk around and see the animals in their enclosures if they want more photos. Kevin, the new bartender at Max’s restaurant, suggested we set up a lavender field. He says his hometown has one and it’s, like, a big draw for people. They even host weddings there, which is something you could expand on.” I pause and pull up a website to show him. It would require a pavilion to be built next to the barn and that we clear another area of the barn to create a formal kitchen and bathrooms. But it would bring in revenue.
He looks at it and back at me. “I thought you were just a social media marketing manager,” he says, his voice low and gravelly and his words seem to have more than one meaning.
I blush. “I—I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overstep. I just…I guess I got carried away.”
He reaches over and takes my jaw in his hand and turns my head toward him. Our eyes meet.
“I’m not mad about it, Ariana. I love your ideas. They are great ideas. You’re good at this job, and clearly, I’ve underestimated your abilities. You could be so much more than a social media marketing manager. You’re brilliant and you have a great eye for business,” he says as he searches my eyes.
I swallow as I feel the air crackle between us. “I do?”
He nods and runs a thumb over my bottom lip. “You do.” His face is now so close to mine that I can feel his breath on my skin. What is happening? I thought this was a “no-go” zone. “Tell me to stop and I will. You don’t have to ever do anything you don’t want to do,” he whispers against my lips. “We can be just friends if you want.” The last word hangs in the air like a promise. If I want. I’ve never had anyone ask what I want. My parents tell me what to do. Katia decides for us what we will do. My whole life has been about doing whatever everyone else wants me to do. But Eric…is asking me what I want. He’s letting me decide. I feel like a caged bird that just had its door open. I’m free to fly through it but I’m also terrified of what is on the other side. But there’s only one way to know.
“Kiss me, please,” I murmur as my eyes search his. “I want this,” I add, a small smile tugging at my lips. The corners of his lips rise as well, and for a moment, we’re just two souls, staring at each other, our curled lips pressed together. And then it’s like a lightning strike to my heart. I want this. I need him. His lips trail across mine. He plants a kiss on one cheek and then the other before he brings them back to mine. My eyes fall shut at the gentle touches.
He pulls back all too soon and I feel my mouth seeking his and my eyes opening once again. He reaches under me and scoops me up. I wrap my arms around his neck while I frown in confusion.
“Your first time should be special. I’m taking you to my room,” he explains as he leaves Barkley sleeping in front of the kitten and carries me down the hall. He opens a door and I see his entire room for the first time. It’s enormous. Half the upstairs. A California king bed graces one wall. A mural of the farm is painted on a far wall and there are sliding doors that open to the balcony. I’ve gotten glimpses of this room from the guesthouse, but it’s so much more beautiful in its entirety.
A few candles are lit around the room. There’s a soft glow of lighting in the crown molding that illuminates the space. A handwoven blanket is laid over the side of an aged leather chair in the corner. A quilt is folded neatly at the edge of the bed. The entire room is a soft blue. A fireplace is opposite the sliding doors and it’s on, a small fire crackling in the otherwise quiet space. It’s warm and full of color and life. It’s everything I’ve never known.
He nods to the fire.
“How did you know I’d say yes?” I ask softly as I continue to take in the room.
“I had hoped you would. I prepared in case. I didn’t want you to be cold,” he explains as he slowly lets me slide down his body.
I look back up at him in awe. He did this for me?
He gently takes my face in his hands. “Don’t look at me like that, Ariana. You deserve the world, and I’m just sorry no one has given it to you before me. But if I make you one promise, it’ll be that I will never put you in a box. You’re free to do whatever you want.”
I grin, feeling mischievous all of a sudden. “Anything I want?” I ask.
He nods and I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows. Is he nervous too?
I take my time and begin removing my clothes. I’ve never really considered myself attractive. But right now, watching him watch me, I feel beautiful. His eyes take me in as I push my underwear down my legs and then toe it to the side.
I reach toward him and begin unbuttoning his shirt. He’s still, letting me take the lead. I’m not rushed as I revel in each part of his body. I’ve seen him from the waist up, but not below. My hand grazes his erection through his boxer briefs once I’ve managed to get his jeans off and I swallow. He’s big, like really big.
As if sensing my apprehension, he takes my hand and leads me over to the bed. He pulls back the covers and I climb onto the soft sheets. I run a hand over them. I don’t know why, but I didn’t expect him to have such soft sheets. My attention is drawn back to him as he climbs on the bed next to me, giving me space. But I suddenly don’t want space. I want him.
I climb over him and lean down, kissing him while I work to pull his underwear off. He chuckles against my lips as I struggle with the offending cotton and elastic band. He slides them off his legs and kicks them somewhere in the room. Our lips press together and then he’s kissing me or I’m kissing him, it’s hard to say.
I feel myself grinding against his erection. I’m not as afraid now. I just want to get that part over with.
Eric places his hands on my hips. “Slow down. Let me get you ready, my little catastrophe,” he growls as he rolls us over and begins kissing his way down my body. My eyes fall closed at the feel of his mouth on my breasts. One of my boyfriends had kissed me there but it wasn’t anything like this. Eric’s tongue lavishes my nipple, sucking on it between his lips until it pebbles. He does the same to the other one before continuing to lick and suck along my navel. I squirm, not even sure what I need, but wanting more.
“Relax, Ariana. Just relax and let me make you feel good,” he coos. His breath is hot against the small patch of hair between my legs. I haven’t been to a salon in weeks and I’m a little embarrassed my nether regions aren’t better manicured, but it’s like he doesn’t care or doesn’t even notice. His hands spread my thighs apart and then his thumbs separate my folds. I feel his hot breath right above the most sensitive part of my body and I shudder from the feeling.
“Please,” I beg. I feel ridiculous begging but I also have never wanted something more than his touch in my entire life. It feels like if I don’t get more right now, I’ll combust into flames.
Eric wastes no time. He presses his flattened tongue to me and gives a slow lick up my core.
“Oh God!” I whisper, my hands flying to his hair, needing to hold on for dear life as he begins sucking at my clit. Two of his fingers begin tracing around my entrance until I think I might go insane. Then, he gently inserts a single finger. I feel my muscles clamp down hard around him.
“Relax, baby,” he whispers in between licking and sucking.
I let my legs fall open wider as his finger curves inside me, pushing in and out and rubbing just the right places with each thrust. My hips begin to push against him, seeking more friction. I’m so close. When he adds a second finger, I nearly come undone.
“So close,” I murmur as my head thrashes side to side.
He moves his fingers faster and just like that I scream his name into the night air as I fall over the edge into the deepest pit of ecstasy of my life.
I’m semi-aware that he pulls his fingers away. I look up just in time to see him place his fingers in his mouth and lick them clean. It feels dirty and hot as hell all at once. He takes his wet digits and runs them back through my soaking folds. I whimper as I watch. Katia once made me watch a porno and it wasn’t nearly as hot as this. Fuck, how did I not know it could be this amazing?
Eric takes his hand that’s not pleasuring me and reaches toward his bedside table. He fumbles around searching for something and then produces a condom.
“No,” I whisper.
He stops and stares at me. “I want to feel you,” I protest.
“We have to be careful,” he replies, his fingers stilling over my entrance.
I look away as shame washes over me. Eric’s free hand drops the condom and comes up to grip my face gently, pulling my gaze back to his. “What?” he prods.
I take a deep breath. “My dad didn’t trust me. He made me get an IUD when I went to college.”
“He what?” Eric growls.
“I mean…I agreed to it. It’s easier than remembering to take the pill,” I explain. I can see Eric’s face getting red with anger. I reach up and run a finger along his jaw and it seems to snap him away from his thoughts.
“You know I’m clean,” I say, blushing, “and I’m guessing you are too.”
He nods.
“Then, please, no condom. I need to feel…all of you,” I plead.
He takes a deep breath and nods as he leans up over me completely and presses the head of his cock against me.
“Are you sure?” he asks once more. I nod. And he very slowly begins to push inside me. The first inch doesn’t feel so bad. He reaches under my thighs and pulls them wider. I feel him continue to press into me and that’s when I realize his fingers were nothing in comparison to his dick. Fuck. That stings.
He seems to sense my discomfort and he pulls back a little. I breathe and he pushes back inside farther. He does this slowly a few times until he’s completely seated inside me.
“Don’t stop,” I urge. I feel impaled and full, and shit, it feels good. Now I know what all the fuss was about. It’s not anything like my vibrator.
Eric begins to move as he leans down. “Are you alright?” he asks, his concerned eyes searching mine.
“Better than alright,” I moan.
He chuckles. “Good, then I’m doing my job right,” he replies before leaning down to kiss me. Between his kisses and the feel of our bodies joining, I never want it to end.