Chapter 14
14
E mma
When I complimented the beach moments earlier, I never imagined I’d be spending my evening on it. The weight of a concrete block sits on my chest, constricting my lungs. What’s happening?
I was na?ve. When Malcolm told me he knew someone, I didn’t realize what that meant. I was so wrapped up in the excitement of getting noticed that I didn’t consider much else.
But moving here means I’ll be away from my family and friends and at Malcolm’s beck and call. He never told me he loved me. I can tell he cares for me, but what does that mean in the long run? I’ve already told him how I feel about him.
He told me he wasn’t interested in a hookup. He’s shown that he’s a standup guy. But at the same time, it’s easy for him to shell out money left and right. What if he’s stingy with his emotions? After being burned by his ex, will it take him longer to get attached?
In different circumstances, I wouldn’t mind. Taking it slow is good.
However, I’m about to make life-changing decisions, and he’s too close to me to stay neutral.
“Emma.” I hear his familiar voice and turn to see him walking toward me. “Hold on.”
I swallow. My heart thrums in my chest. Should I be flattered that Malcolm followed me or concerned he didn’t give me space? I look at his handsome face, and my pulse jumps two notches. I’m so confused.
“I needed to think,” I say in a half-hearted apology for dipping out during dinner.
“I know. I’ll give you time and space. I just wanted to explain something to you first,” he says, his voice soothing as he lifts his hands in surrender. “I didn’t tell you she owed me a favor because it didn’t matter. It’s a business—a cruel one. Anna would never take you under her wing and offer you a position if she didn’t believe you were a good addition to her brand.”
“Is that the boyfriend or the investor talking?”
“Both.”
I process his words. Yes, Anna seemed like an intelligent businessperson. But wouldn’t an intelligent businessperson also favor those who have favored them? “Are you sure? Because I don’t want to move to a whole new state and find out I suck at this—and she was repaying a favor.”
“I’m sure,” he says and steps toward me. “If I can keep any minor inconvenience from happening to you, I will. Why would I cause you such a hassle?”
A part of me softens, and a warm glow travels through me. Damn it. “I don’t know… Sometimes it’s hard to believe it.”
“Believe this,” he says, taking my hand and placing it on his chest. “I love you. I would never hurt you and will hurt those who do.”
I open my mouth to speak, but no words come out. His words echo in my ears. I love you. A rumble courses through my body like a sexy spell, touching my every nerve. Hope blossoms in my heart, and his heart gallops beneath my hand as he waits for a response. His gaze locks with mine, and my knees weaken. I’m a mess, and it’s all his fault.
“You love me? For real?”
“For real,” he says, encircling me in his arms. I’m grateful for the support. “I’ve never felt this way before. It’s powerful, and it’s here to stay. I won’t leave you alone, Emma, unless you want me to. But even then, I’ll try to make you see we’re meant for each other.”
I smile. “I should have known when you were gawking at me from your house that you were trouble.”
“You should because I knew the moment I saw you in the backyard that you were trouble.”
“I love you too. And you’re right—it’s strong.”
Malcolm captures my lips with his, and we lock mouths, his tongue swiping over mine relentlessly. He lowers his hand to my ass, cupping it, his erection poking my stomach.
“Fuck, Emma. We’re on a beach.”
“I know.”
“Come here,” he says, and I slide my hand in his. “I need you now.”
He leads me to an area filled with large rock formations, some big enough to hide us if we lie in the dark. He ushers me down on a clear patch of sand and lowers himself over me, his kisses becoming hungrier, greedier. I give as good as I get.
Sliding my G-string down, he tugs it over my ankles, and ever the gentleman, he stuffs it in his pocket. Then he unzips his pants and pushes them down to his knees, taking his boxer briefs along the way. I moan when he rubs the thick head of his cock against my entrance. He growls.
I can’t feel his heart now, but I’m sure if I touched his chest, it would be beating as fast as mine.
“I love you,” he whispers in my ear. “I love you.”
His words send me to a different dimension. I arch my back, rocking my hips into his, so freaking desperate for more. He takes the hint and inches inside me in a slow, languid fashion. My sex clamps around him like a dying wish. When we’re together, we’re good. When we’re fucking, we’re gold.
I wrap my legs around his clothed torso, wishing he was bare, but I know we have the rest of our lives to be naked in each other’s company. Nothing and no one has ever made me feel so certain.
I touch his hair, running my fingers through it. He increases the speed and intensity of his thrusts like we’re on borrowed time. He kisses my neck, licking my skin, sending thrills of awareness down my spine. “Oh, Malcolm… This is so good.”
“Princesses like to get fucked too,” he says, the lightest touch of amusement in his voice as a reference to the first time we had sex. Not that long ago, yet it seems like we’ve known each other for a lifetime. At the same time, I have a feeling we’ll never be done getting to know each other better, deeper. Pursuing. Loving.
“Yes, they do,” I say.
He nips my neck harder, and a heavier frisson travels through me. I yelp, and he fucks me deeper. Each time his cock buries itself in my sex, I’m sent closer to the edge. To the place of no return. To the paradise only he can unlock.
“Yes, yes, yes,” I hiss.
He threads his fingers with mine and continues his rhythm until my core contracts. A millisecond later, my orgasm ravishes me, my cream drenching his cock, my limbs shaking, my skin sweaty.
A beat later, he groans and comes, filling me with his hot cum. He still thrusts into me as if he’s making sure every drop of him fills me, completes me, stays with me. Which it will.
Not only for now… but forever.