Chapter 29 #2
Louis in the firelight is an absolute masterpiece.
The room is full of gold and amber light that spreads across his skin.
Shadows catch the ridges of his stomach, and muscles cut in at his hips, making that sexy V.
A trail of dark hair starts below his navel and leads my eyes exactly where they want to go. He’s hard.
“What?” he asks, chewing on the corner of his lip.
“Just admiring you.”
I step closer and press my palm flat against his chest. His skin is warm, almost hot, and his heart pounds under my hand. I trace downward, over the firm plane of his stomach, feeling his muscles tense.
“You’re literally Prince Charming—you know that?”
“Yep.”
“Mmm.” I circle him slowly, trailing my fingers across his ribs, his back.
The firelight catches a small scar near his shoulder blade that I’ve never noticed before.
I press my lips to it. “This body. This face. Your heart. I can’t believe you actually exist. You’re my entire childhood fantasy come true. ”
“Yeah? Is that why you wore Cinderella blue?”
I chuckle. “Maybe.”
I move back around to face him, my hand resting on his belt before undoing it.
“Do I look at you like this?” His voice drops lower, rougher.
“With desire? Want? Need? Obsession?” I pop the button on his slacks and drag the zipper down. “Yes.”
He grabs my wrist before I can go further. “We’re not rushing.”
“I promise.”
His jaw is tight, his eyes dark. “I plan on enjoying you until the sun rises, babe. I hope you understand what I have in store for you.”
The admission sends heat pooling between my thighs.
I lean up and press my lips to his ear. “What are you waiting for?”
Carefully, he pulls away so that he can meet my eyes. “I’ve never gotten to take my time with you. That ends tonight.”
He walks me backward toward the couch, and I sink into worn velvet that smells like a museum and something faintly sweet, like dried flowers pressed between pages. Louis follows me down, and his weight settles over me.
The fire crackles beside us, and the room feels like it exists outside of time. Like we’ve slipped through a secret passage into a world where nothing matters except for us.
“Hi,” he whispers when our mouths are close.
“Hi.” I reach up and brush the hair from his forehead.
His eyes close at the touch, just for a second, and he leans into my palm like he’s been starved for me.
He looks different tonight. The prince character has melted away, and right now, he’s just Louis. The man who enjoys chess, witty banter, and art. The one who’s looking at me like I’m the answer to a question he’s been asking his whole life.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks.
“How I’d burn it all down again if it meant ending up with you right here.”
“Addison.”
“I mean it.” I trace the stubble on his jaw with my fingers, then move down his neck to his collarbone.
He turns his head and presses his lips to my palm, and the tenderness of it makes my eyes sting.
“What did I do to deserve you?”
I smile up at him. “I’ve asked myself that every day since meeting you.”
His voice drops lower. “We’re so fucked.”
“I know,” I say.
He nibbles on my lip, and I taste champagne and strawberries. His hand traces down my body, over my breast, and when his thumb brushes my nipple, I gasp.
“Love touching you,” he says against my lips.
“Keep doing it.”
He circles slowly, and the sensation shoots straight between my thighs. I’m already aching for him, and he’s barely started. That’s what he does to me, what he’s always done.
“I knew you’d be trouble.” His mouth leaves mine and trails down my neck, my collarbone, until his lips close around my nipple.
“You spoke to me first.” I gasp.
My fingers thread through his hair, holding him there. His tongue flicks and teases, and the pleasure builds in waves. When he moves to the other side, I’m nearly squirming beneath him.
“You’re so damn right about that,” he says. “I felt like … like I’d known you. Kindred spirits.”
“Louis.” His name comes out breathless.
He kisses his way down my stomach, and his hands grip my hips. “It’s cliché, but you had me at world peace.”
Laughter falls from my lips as he kisses back up my body, across my ribs, between my breasts, along my throat.
He’s taking his time exploring me, like he’s mapping me with his mind.
His hand moves between my thighs and pulls my underwear aside.
His fingers find me wet and wanting. He groans against my neck.
“Always so ready for me.” He breathes.
“Yes.” I rock against his hand. “It’s only ever been you.”
He parts me, dragging his fingers through my slick heat. His thumb finds my clit and circles in a rhythm that makes my breath catch. Already, he’s memorized what I need.
“Keep going,” I whisper.
He pushes a finger inside me, and I moan. He watches my reaction as he adds another, stretching and curling just right. The pleasure winds tighter, and my hips lift toward his hand.
“That’s it,” he mutters. “Take exactly what you need.”
I reach down and wrap my hand around his cock. He’s hard and thick, and he groans at my touch.
“I want you buried deep inside me.”
His forehead drops to mine, and his breath shudders out. “You’re going to kill me.”
“What a way to go.”
He laughs, and I love the way it sounds.
“I need you,” I say. “Now.”
“That’s what you want?” He finger-fucks me until I’m teetering on the edge.
“Yes,” I can barely say.
Louis pulls his fingers, placing them in his mouth with a sexy smirk. Then he unbuckles his belt, tugging it from the loops with a pop. His pants and boxers are next, and seeing him causes my breath to catch.
His cock is hard and thick, curving slightly toward his stomach. The sight of him has me squeezing my thighs together.
“Scared?” he teases.
“A little.” I reach for him, wrapping my hand around his length.
He’s hot and heavy in my palm, and when I stroke him from base to tip, his head falls back, and a groan tears from his throat.
“Addison.” He sounds wrecked.
I stroke him again, watching his stomach muscles clench.
I slide out from under him as he leans back against the couch, then settle on the floor between his legs to place him in my mouth.
The sound he makes is guttural, almost pained.
His hand flies to my hair, fingers threading through the strands, not pushing but holding on like he needs something to anchor him.
“Fuck,” he breathes.
I look up to meet his eyes and take him deeper, hollowing my cheeks. He’s thick against my tongue, and I relax my throat to take more of him. It causes his thighs to tremble under my palms.
“You look—” His voice catches as I swirl my tongue around the head. “Damn. You look incredible, worshipping me like this.”
I glance up at him through my lashes, and his expression nearly undoes me. His eyes are dark and glassy, firelight dancing across his face. He looks like he’s mine.
I take him deeper, setting a rhythm, and his hips jerk forward.
His hand tightens in my hair. “Wait.”
I pull back, dragging my tongue along his length as I go, watching him shudder.
“You’re trying to make me come,” he says, breathless.
“Maybe.” I press a kiss to his hip bone. “But not yet. Not until you’re inside me.”
He meets me back on the couch, and his mouth crashes into mine. I taste myself on his tongue, and it makes everything hotter. His hands grip my hips as he presses my back against the velvet.
I forget how to breathe.
Louis pushes some hair from my face, and I notice the serious expression he’s wearing. For a moment, neither of us moves, but my heart races in my chest.
“I don’t know what happens after tonight, but I’m choosing you.”
My throat tightens, and my emotions take over. With watery eyes, I lean up and kiss him. “I choose you too.”
Once the words leave my mouth, he immediately relaxes.
“Look at me,” he says, and I do.
His eyes are dark in the firelight, but I can see everything in them. Want, fear, hope, and love so raw that it makes my chest ache.
“Okay?” he whispers.
“Perfect.” I wrap my legs around his hips and pull him deeper.
His soft groans in my ear make me ache for more. He sets a rhythm like he’s carving himself into me.
“You. Feel. Incredible,” he breathes out.
“More,” I whisper, feeling the orgasm beginning to build.
His hips buck a little harder, and I meet him stroke for stroke. The couch creaks beneath us, and I laugh against his mouth.
“We’re going to break this thing,” I whisper.
“It’s survived several romps, I’m sure.”
He grins and thrusts deeper, and my laugh turns into a moan. His hand slips under my hip, tilting me so he can hit that spot that makes me cry out.
“Shit.”
“Right there?” he asks.
“Yes. Yes. So close.”
He keeps driving into me again and again while his mouth finds my neck, my jaw, my lips.
“I’ve never thought I’d be so willing to give up everything and still have more than enough. It’s all because of you.”
“Louis.” His name is all I can manage.
He slams into me, and I gasp.
“You’re the only thing I need, Addison. The missing piece.”
Firelight dances across his face, and he’s never looked more beautiful.
“I love you,” he confesses. “I’m so in love with you that it terrifies me because I didn’t believe this was possible. I don’t care what being with you costs. I love you, Addison Cross.”
I feel the words everywhere as my vision blurs with tears. I pull him down and kiss him, pouring everything I am into it because my words will never be enough. His hips move, and it’s more intentional. The orgasm builds like a tide, rising higher with every thrust.
“I love you too,” I say against his mouth. “No matter what the world throws at us.”
His hand finds mine, fingers interlacing, pinning my hand beside my head.
I shatter around him, crying out his name into the stale air of the hidden room.
My pussy clenches and pulses around him.
Seconds later, Louis follows me over the edge.
He buries himself deep inside with a guttural groan.
Desperate breaths fill the room as he gently kisses me. It’s tender and sensual.
The fire has burned low, casting the room in amber and shadow. The only sound is our breath and the occasional pop of embers. His face is buried in my neck, and I run my fingers through his damp hair. The velvet of the couch is warm beneath my back. I want to live in this moment forever.
“I’m going to marry you, Addison,” he whispers against my skin.
“I hope you do,” I say.
He kisses me softly, slowly, then pulls out of me. I feel the loss of him immediately. After we clean ourselves, he pulls me back onto the couch, and I lie against his chest, listening to his heartbeat as he runs his fingers through my hair.
“What was your plan?” I ask, curious.
“I had a very motivating speech prepared,” he says. “Turns out, after your painting, it wasn’t needed. Just know, I’ll spend the rest of my life properly thanking you for that.”
I snicker. “Lucky me.”
Tomorrow, the world will try to tear us apart. But tonight, I’m wrapped in his arms in this room that time forgot. With the fire barely burning and his heartbeat steady under my ear, I let myself believe that our love is enough and it can conquer all.
My eyes grow heavy, and I let go, knowing I’m delusional.
We both are.