Chapter 6
EVAN
Fortunately Zinnia brushed off our little difference of opinion and still agreed to come to my house for dinner.
As we eat grilled vegetables with chicken that has been resting in my secret marinade for two days, I ask Zinnia all about her hopes and dreams for the future.
I love that she's so ambitious, supremely confident in her illustration and marketing skills, and doesn't doubt she can earn a living as a self-employed freelancer.
Flipping through her portfolio on her phone, I'm dazzled by the variety of her illustration styles. From sleek corporate lines to flamboyant watercolor splashes for a children's playground, Zinnia captures the tone for every occasion.
"You never want to work for someone else?" I ask, placing a hazelnut espresso in front of her.
"Ugh. No." Her nose crinkles as she shakes her head, her lovely, auburn hair swishing around her shoulders.
"Everything I've read about offices implies that people are the problem.
Managers breathing down your neck. People taking credit for each other's work.
Some idiot microwaving fish in the office kitchen. "
I laugh. "Good point."
"And as long as I work for myself, I can do any work for anyone at any time."
Reaching out, I trail my thumb along her lower lip. Just as I'm about to tell her how breathtakingly beautiful she is, something pops into my mind. "Marty collected all of the keys from the contractors who worked on your apartment, right?"
Zinnia blinks in surprise. "I guess so."
I pull out my phone and send Marty a text.
"He always double checks, of course, but I'd like him to be extra sure here.
" She gives me a flat look. "Hey, three young ladies who are new in town?
Marty personally knows and trusts every single person he hires, but keys to your apartment…
I'm allowed to be a bit paranoid about that, right? "
Her eyes roll, but she's smiling. "Okay, but that's it."
"Okay." Standing up, I wrap her in my arms. "Zinnia, I can't help but be so protective. It's not just that I'm thirteen years older. I mean, that's part of it. I have more life experience to draw from. And I know how men's minds work."
Her left hand tangles into the back of my hair, but her right index finger pokes me in the chest. "Yeah? You've met up with illustrators in a coffee shop and thought about kidnapping them?"
I chuckle, catching her finger between my teeth. She pulls it away with a squeal. "I just already feel like you're mine to treasure," I murmur along the shell of her ear. "Is that wrong?"
Her palm slides down my shirt to press against my ribs. "No. I think you're on the right track."
"And if I wanted to stay on the right track, what room should I suggest next?" My eyebrow arches dramatically like a cartoon villain. Zinnia's soft giggle turns my cock to steel. If this precious girl only knew how deeply I crave her.
She looks up at me, her breath already hitching as she realizes what I'm asking. "The bedroom, I think," she barely breathes.
It feels like I've been waiting years for this moment. Zinnia and I hold hands on the way upstairs. Backing her toward the bed, I slide an arm around her waist, then untuck her shirt. "You're going to stop me when we go as far as you want?"
She nods dramatically, then quickly shakes her head back and forth.
"Wait. What does that mean?" Pulling off her shirt and tank top, I love that she's not wearing a bra. Her perky breasts don't need one, falling so naturally into my hands as I run my thumbs around her nipples.
"Yes, I know that I could draw a line." She stretches up, placing her hands on either side of my face. "No, I won't want to stop."
"Not ever?"
Her saucy grin sets off fireworks inside my heart. "Not ever."
Unfastening her jeans, I slide them off together with her panties and socks, leaving her laughing as she falls across the bed. Now that she's naked,her pale skin glows against my dark blue comforter. She's so fresh and beautiful.
And all mine.
Falling to my knees, I yank her to the edge of the bed, spreading her silky thighs wide. Kissing inward, I watch her stomach tremble. Rubbing my scruff of beard across her skin, she moans, clutching at the bed as her hips begin to squirm.
"Stay still." Moving to the other side, I alternate kisses with scratches while staring into her luscious pink pussy. It's so sweet and delicate, just like the rest of her.
I honestly don't even know if she'll be able to take me. But I know she's fiery enough that she's going to try.
I place my palms on the front of her hips. "Drape your legs over my shoulders." As soon as I feel her heels tap against my back I bury my mouth in her tender pussy, licking and nuzzling everywhere.
Zinnia gasps, then moans, writhing on the bed as she gives in to the pleasure. Spreading her soft folds with my fingertips, I nudge against her hooded clit with my index finger, watching it swell gradually, swirling my tongue around without quite touching it directly. Zinnia moans.
"I don't know if I can handle all this teasing."
"Don't worry, baby. This is just the warm-up."
Licking right across her clit, I move my index finger to circle her snug, juicy opening.
"I need to get you nice and wet." Sliding my finger inside to the first knuckle, feeling how tight she is, I growl, unable to restrain the surge of lust flooding my veins.
"Right here," I breathe against her skin.
"Right here is where I'm going to stretch you open, baby.
Slide my cock in until you're so full you won't be able to scream a single word other than my name. "
Her eyes flash. "I love that you're such a filthy man."
I grin, then plunge my tongue inside her to taste her juices.
Zinnia goes wild, moaning and thrashing, as if she can't handle that much sensation at once.
I use her reaction to my advantage, holding her hip down firmly with one hand as I slide my finger back in, licking at her clit quickly as her breath becomes ragged.
She's so responsive, fluttering and twitching along with every caress. Her eyes blaze as she takes hold of my head just above the ears, holding me against her, asking for it just a bit harder.
Obeying instantly, I increase my pace and pressure, watching her expression as it transforms. It's as if there's a coil tightening inside her, about to release as her shoulders curl forward.
I feel her tight pussy squeezing my finger, grasping it desperately.
She's already craving my cock inside her.
I growl from the pressure in my jeans, and the vibrations send her over the edge. Her beautiful mouth falls open as she cries out, shaking and trembling, twisting underneath me as I try to hold her body still.
Zinnia in the throes of passion is the most breathtaking thing I've ever seen.
Her honey coats my finger and I lick it off, then drag my tongue around her entire pussy, while she quivers and moans softly. I stand up to give her a break. Pulling off my t-shirt, I throw it aside, enjoying the way her eyes rake over my torso.
Every boring hour I've spent in the gym has been worth it for this moment. She reaches for me, clutching at the air until I sit on the edge of the bed, leaning over her for a slow, deep kiss. "Tell me what else you need, baby."
"You," she whispers. "All of you."
Taking her hand, I place it on my aching shaft through my jeans. "You don't think it's too soon?"
Her little pixie face smiles saucily. "If you're trying to make me beg, I will."
I can't tell if she's teasing or not. I stand up slowly, taking off my socks while she laughs. "Get cracking, sunshine, I don't have all night."
I drop my jeans and shorts together, and her mouth falls open in shock. Lying down, I pull her soft body against mine. "I don't know. I think it might take all night to work all this inside you. Is that what you want?"
Her innocence is so sexy. Yet I love her determination as she drags her hand down the center of my chest, grazing her fingertips around every plane of muscle until she reaches the head of my cock. She grips it gently, sliding her little hand all the way down as I groan.
"It's so warm," she murmurs.
"I know how you hate being cold." My finger slides inside her again, taking shallow, slow strokes as I test her wetness. "You need me to warm you up right here?"
Zinnia giggles softly. "Yeah. Everywhere."
Moving over her, I tuck a pillow under her head and wrap her arms around the back of my shoulders. My cock is so hard it's turning red, desperate to be inside her. I gently nudge against her clit, coating the tip in her juices as she moans.
"Where is that begging I was promised?" Staring into her eyes, it looks like Zinnia is more excited than nervous. I hope so.
"Please," she whispers softly. "I went on the pill before I started college, because it sounded like everyone was hopping into bed with each other all the time. But I never clicked with anyone. So… Please?"
Nuzzling along the side of her throat, the very tip of my cock slips up and down through her pussy lips, teasing us both. "I was just about to grab a condom. Thank you, baby. I want your skin against mine."
Zinnia nods. "Yeah." There's something in her eyes. A question.
I'm so in love with her. The feeling washes over me like soft summer rain. She's my sweet angel to care for. To treasure. Forever.
"I'll be as gentle as I can, baby." Keeping my weight off her with my forearms, I let my shaft sink inside her barely a quarter of an inch.
She's so tight and wet and soft that I have to fight the urge to thrust deep. It's like being torn between heaven and hell. Such pleasure that I want to let go, at a time when I need perfect control. Need to read every signal Zinnia makes so that I can give her exactly what she needs.
She nods. "Gentle, but not too slow. I want to get the rough part over with."
Smiling down at her, I brush her hair from her eyes. "I love how open you are, gorgeous. Keep talking to me. Tell me everything you're feeling."
She takes a slow breath, looking up at me with such trust and tenderness that my throat closes. "I'm ready."