Chapter 1 Backfire #2
Although we bonded over the loss, we handled our grief very differently.
Sebastian took control in all areas of life, including putting his heart and soul into the company, while I vowed to live mine to the fullest. Because if you can’t control what happens in life, you might as well have fun while living it—which is why chasing thrills has become my favorite pastime.
The more adrenaline, the better. Life’s too short to waste a single moment, so why not enjoy every aspect before it’s too late?
Hence, persuading Cici back into my bed tonight.
The ladies discuss wedding plans for the next thirty minutes while Sebastian and I agree with whatever they say.
After pouring the last drop of champagne, I address Sebastian.
“Why don’t you two go ahead, and I’ll give Cici a lift to where she’s staying.
I can tell you’re eager to get out of here, and if I see any more PDA, I might lose my dinner.
” Sebastian and Lily have had their hands all over each other without even realizing it.
Lily says to Cici, “Only if that’s okay. But we can take you too. You’re going to Jackson’s, right?”
“It’s more than okay. I second Eli’s comment. Being in a car with you guys probably isn’t a good idea. Go, I’ll catch a ride.” They hug and say their goodbyes before my brother and Lily walk away in their newly engaged bliss.
Cici immediately turns to me when they’re out of sight. “That was smooth. To where I’m staying? So you think I’m a shoo-in, huh?”
“Not at all. I’d take you to Jackson’s if that’s where you want to go, but is it?
Look me in the eye and tell me you haven’t missed my cock.
” I lean in and whisper in her ear, “Come on, Cici, you know what it does to you—what I do to you…. The same thing you do to me.” I ease back to the overwhelming lust in her eyes.
“We create fireworks, babe. You can’t deny it. ”
She’s quiet—too quiet.
“Stop overthinking. It’s only for one night. You’ll be back in Montana tomorrow. Are you afraid it’ll be so good that you won’t be able to leave again? My sheets will be the deciding factor, of course.” I wiggle my eyebrows and smirk, causing her to giggle and let her guard down.
“That’s better. Come on, cutie, I’m giving you a ride either way. You can tell me where to take you while we’re in the car.” I reach for her hand and lead us out back.
She’s still not talking. I’m sure she’s in her head about whether to come home with me or not. I’ll let her stew for a bit longer and take her for a drive. I already know where this night is headed—she’ll catch up soon.
“Nice ride,” she comments when the lights blink.
“Thanks. It’s the fastest on the market, so buckle up, buttercup.” I wink, opening the door for her.
My penthouse isn’t far from the club, but rather than head straight there, I drive along Sunset Cliffs, where traffic is low this time of night and I can open the accelerator.
Cici needs to be shocked out of the conflicting thoughts bouncing around her head.
And sure enough, her gaze whips toward me not three seconds after pressing my foot down.
“Eli! You’ve proven it’s fast. Slow down.” She panics, gripping the door handle and pushing her foot to the floorboard as if it’ll magically apply the brakes.
I laugh, easing off the gas and returning to a normal speed. “Ah, you’re back. I thought I’d lost you for a minute.”
“My head was stuck in the clouds, reminiscing. I’m trying to absorb being back.”
“Did you reminisce about my bed and absorb that you’ll be back in it tonight?” I tease while reaching over to squeeze her thigh.
She laughs but doesn’t respond other than the telltale clench of her legs from my touch.
Instead of asking where she wants to go, I take matters into my own hands and go back downtown to my place.
I’ll accept her silence as approval since she knows where we’re headed.
Her acceptance is confirmed when she unbuckles as soon as the car is in Park.
“Wait there,” I instruct before hustling over to open the door, reaching for her hand. I’ll take any chance I can to touch her.
No words are spoken in the elevator as my imagination goes wild with what tonight has in store and everything I’d like to do to her body. When I unlock the front door, I decide we’ve been silent long enough.
“I’m sure you thought I only wanted to show off with the detour, but it gave Sebastian and Lily plenty of time to make it inside so we could avoid running into them since they probably lapped the block a few times for a quickie in the car.
I’m guessing you didn’t tell Lily about us?
” I wink at her knowingly and hang her coat on the rack.
Sebastian and I live down the hall from each other, and I figured Cici hadn’t told Lily about us, or I would have never heard the end of it.
I’m not surprised she didn’t tell her, since she was as averse to relationships as I was before meeting her.
But something about Cici had me reconsidering my standpoint.
“No. She had a lot on her mind at the time.” Cici ducks her head. And because my goal isn’t to make her feel bad, I change the subject.
“Can I offer you something to drink?” I ask on my way to the kitchen, trying to keep her engaged.
“Are you stalling, Eli?” she asks coyly, following behind.
“My attempt at politeness, but if you can’t handle being this close to my sheets without being in them, go ahead. I’ll be right behind you.” I’m not letting her take control here.
“You’d like that, wouldn’t you—to have me waiting in your bed? Hmm, on second thought, I am thirsty.” The words are seductive as she stalks over like a feline on the hunt. My eyes flood with heat as my pants become tighter with each slow step she takes.
“Anything for you, cutie. What are you thirsty for?” I know exactly what she wants, but I’ll make her squirm first.
“I’m craving something salty, I think—a little on the thick side. Do you have anything that meets my needs?” She’s inches from me, and if my cock were out, it would be up against her. As it stands—pun intended—it’s pressing into my jeans hard enough to reveal I’m just as ready for this as she is.
Time to gain the upper hand. “It just so happens I have the perfect con-cock-tion. No one’s tasted it in quite a while, so I should have plenty. Why don’t you make yourself comfortable in the living room, and I’ll bring it right out.”
Her wheels are spinning as she considers whether to cede control.
“Come on, babe, you don’t want your knees to be protesting on this hard tile as I’m fucking that luscious mouth of yours, do you?
It won’t be gentle. Like I said, it’s been a while.
Go on. I’ll be in shortly.” Yep, that did it.
A promise of something dirty, and she’s putty in my hands. My girl likes it rough.
I smirk, knowing I’ve won this round.
“Fine, but don’t take too long, or I might have to start without you.” She turns and stomps around the corner.
“You’ll be sorry if you touch that pussy before I do,” I yell after her.
I take my time in the kitchen to work up her frustration more than it already is.
It’s only fair, considering that’s been my permanent state since she ran away three months ago.
There’s no way I would have accepted her being anywhere else tonight.
It’s all I’ve thought about after Sebastian suggested flying her down for the proposal.
My eagerness at the proposition may have alluded to my hidden obsession with her.
He had his suspicions, but I gave him the perfect opportunity to harass it out of me.
In truth, there wasn’t much to divulge beyond a few hookups for the best sex in history.
She’s a wildcat in the bedroom, almost as insatiable as me.
Then she moved away. End of story. At least, that’s what I told Sebastian.
She’s probably waited long enough. Rounding the corner to the living room, I open my mouth to say as much but quickly zip it when my eyes land on Cici, curled up on the couch and sleeping like a baby.
Well, shit, talk about a fucking backfire.
Knowing the tiring day she had flying here before heading straight to dinner with Lily, I shouldn’t be surprised.
It’s also an hour later in Montana, so she’s no doubt exhausted, but my cock isn’t backing down as easily.
That means I’ll need to take matters into my own hands.
After gently covering her with a blanket and checking the heat, I go straight to the shower, figuring it’s better to handle this now than lie in torment with the object of my desire down the hall.
I’m sure being so close to having her again will taunt me all night.
No matter how much I’ve been looking forward to this, it’s simply not meant to be.
Fuck. I shouldn’t be this obsessed after months of separation, but something about Cici won’t release its hold on me.
I could say it’s our unbelievable chemistry in the bedroom.
But that’s too easy and doesn’t begin to cover it, because it’s way more than that for me.
I’m the guy who’s had his share of one-night stands but never wanted anything serious with a woman.
Until Cici, when one night wasn’t nearly enough.
Hell, no number of nights could satisfy me.
Had she not moved away, I would have kept pushing for more despite her resistance.
From the beginning, she made it clear she doesn’t do relationships, which is funny, considering that’s my line.
While her fun-loving spontaneity and mad bedroom skills drew me in, she became a welcome challenge, making me want to dive into whatever trouble we could find together.
With the water pouring down my back, my hand grips the raging hard-on I’ve been sporting all night, and all thoughts make way for the vision of Cici on her knees, sucking me off.
Fuck, the woman knows her way around a man’s dick, that’s for sure.
She can take it better than anyone. Eyes closed, I picture her before me, her hot mouth taking me to the back of her throat as I grip harder and pump faster.
It takes less than a minute to lose myself, grunting my release onto the shower floor.
It’s not the first time I’ve done this with those same visions, but dammit that it could’ve been the real thing only moments ago.
It serves me right to try and control that woman.
I should’ve let her kneel immediately when she approached me in the kitchen, but I had to go and be chivalrous.
That’s the fucking problem. I’m not that guy.
Hell, I’ve never thought twice about a woman’s comfort if they offer to get me off, but it’s different with Cici.
She changed me. Made me want things. Made me want to do better.
Made me want something beyond temporary.
The question is, why did it have to happen with someone more anti-relationship than me?
Checking on Cici again to see that she hasn’t moved and is still out, I head to bed, tossing and turning most of the night. I think I finally doze off for good around four in the morning.
The light from the window causes me to wake, and I glance at the clock to see it’s eight already.
My stomach twists with dread. Quickly pulling on pants, I rush into the living room, where the blanket I’d covered her with is folded neatly on the back of the couch.
Frustrated, I run my hand through my hair and go to the kitchen with one last hope she’ll be there.
The note on the counter causes the pit in my stomach to bottom out.
Eli,
Thank you for the ride last night.
Sorry about falling asleep and not finishing what I suppose we never started. Thanks for the blanket. I grabbed an Uber to meet Jackson for breakfast before flying out. Until next time….
XOXO, Cici
Well, fuck.