Chapter 26
Chapter
Twenty-Six
Edith
A s we enter our hotel room, I’m still laughing at the fact Joel has just walked through the city with a full face of makeup—smudged but still. In my professional opinion, it’s amazing but it’s too much for him. The devil in me had wanted to see how far I could push him, and after he came around I knew I had won the challenge. He really would do anything for me.
I just haven’t told him that I’ve had makeup remover in my rucksack the whole time.
“Oh my God. I can’t believe he asked you for your number,” I say.
“I can’t believe you gave it to him.”
I snort, holding my stomach because I’ve been laughing so hard it now hurts. Joel got the attention of many on our way back, and a guy in the lift had been somewhat taken in by his pretty eyes.
“I’ve not laughed this much in ages.”
“You’re very welcome. I’m glad my torment has been for your pleasure.” He chuckles, kicking off his shoes and pouring us both a whiskey from the minibar as I unpack my rucksack on the seat under the window.
Our hotel room is on the top floor and overlooks the city, making it a spectacular view at night with all the lights. I wouldn’t swap it for the view at home, but the twinkling of the lights against the black canvas sky is enough to take my breath away. So did Joel last night when he fucked me in the four-poster bed.
I flick through the pages of the catalogue Lucy has given me. The model makeup in here is exquisite, and it gives me a craving inside that makes me want to learn more.
“Here,” he hands me my drink and I take it without looking at him. My eyes are still glued to the images .
“Lucy has given me so much stuff to look at—more than she’d given the others that were on the course,” I say, taking a sip of my drink.
“That’s a good thing, right?”
“Yeah.”
“So, you’re glad we came.”
“Fuck yes. I learned so much more from her than I did at college.”
From occasional to theatre to fashion, Lucy has covered every style of makeup going. “I mean look at this makeup. It’s impressive.”
“I’m aware.” He stands behind me and circles his arm around my waist, slipping his hand up under my top to rest on my stomach, and chills cover me from head to toe as he presses his lips to the sensitive spot on my neck.
“I loved watching you today.”
“I know. Every time I looked up, your eyes were on me.”
“They were also on your arse.”
I chuckle, placing my glass on the sideboard. “What did you think?”
“Of your arse? That I couldn’t wait to have it in my hands as I fucked you against a wall.”
I raise a brow, biting my lip as I grin. “Good to know. But I was talking about my work. What did you think about that?”
“That your frown line is from concentrating.”
I tap him on the arm. “I do not frown.”
“You totally do.” Another kiss has my body relaxing under his touch. “It’s cute.”
“You’re an arsehole.”
He takes the catalogue from me and throws it on the chair in front. “And your lessons are over for today. I’ve missed you.”
“You’ve been with me all day.”
“But I’ve not been able to touch you how I’ve wanted.”
I look up at him and smile. His shirt is off which makes him enjoyable to look at, but I need to see him properly now, not looking like someone else.
“As much as you look pretty. I can’t take you seriously with all this makeup on.”
“Then take it off for me.”
“Go get comfy on the bed.”
He wiggles his brows and follows my orders. “That’s the best thing you’ve said all day.”
Taking out my makeup remover and a few cotton pads, I head into the bathroom to get more along with my cleanser and moisturiser. When I come back out, he’s glaring at me .
“What?”
“Did you just take your makeup remover out of your bag?”
I grin. “No.”
“You are evil, Kennedy.” He points his finger at me before wagging it. “I have a good mind to unfriend you.”
I shrug. “Who will you fuck then?”
“Oh, she’s full of humour today.” His face is serious, but he still has that playful tone to his voice. “Now take off your jeans and get over here.”
I place everything I have in my hands on the nightstand and take off my jeans before straddling him on the bed. His hands immediately grip my arse as I rest up on my knees. Peeling off his false lashes, I wonder what our plans are for the rest of the day.
“Are we going out for dinner or ordering room service?”
“Well, we can go out if you want but there’s a fucking big bathtub in there and it would be a shame not to take advantage of it.”
“I guess you’re right. You can rub my back.”
“I can do more than that.”
“Does this bath also come with bubbles?”
He steals a kiss. “It can be arranged.”
“Then I’m all in. ”
I soak the cotton pads with remover before I begin to take off his eye makeup. He can’t keep his hands still and they roam over my body.
“You know if you ever want a different career path, drag would be awesome.” I smile.
“Lorna’s face would be a picture.” He chuckles. “I may just do it to get a reaction out of her.”
“Make sure I’m there when you do because that is something that would go viral.”
“Just as long as it’s you who does my makeup.”
“Deal.”
I think back over the day, thankful for what I’ve studied and even more thankful that it was because of Joel. He’s always keen to help me learn, no matter what it is or where. Leon never gave me the time.
“Thank you,” I whisper.
“For what?”
“For bringing me here. For helping me enjoy what I love doing even though it’s not your thing.”
He tucks my hair behind my ear. “It may not be my thing but I know it’s your passion, so that makes it mean something to me.”
God, he does say the sweetest of things.
“Lucy mentioned that with the skills I have and the way I held the class today that I should consider teaching. ”
I’d never intended to teach the others today. The plan had been to improve my techniques, learn of the latest products that have hit the cosmetic world and have an insight into what is coming. I’d therefore been stunned when Lucy had asked me to show the other students my skills and methods with bridal makeup.
“That’s amazing. Is that the road you want to go down?”
I get fresh cotton pads and soak them, wiping them over his cheeks to make him more like my Joel again, my body relaxed and awake all at once with his touch.
“I don’t think so. I like my little business.”
He unclips my bra under my top but leaves it in place. My stomach tightens and I suck in a breath when he cups my breast, rubbing his thumb over my hard nipple.
“I mean, I’m honoured by the fact she thinks I can do that, but I’m happy with the direction I’m moving with the new salon.”
“So do what feels right. No one says you have to do that.”
I smooth a damp cotton pad over both his cheeks as his fingers now tease with the lace of my underwear. I’ve lost all sense of concentration now, desire heavy in my stomach .
Moving my underwear aside, he pushes a finger inside me. My eyes drift close, but my hands never leave his face as I continue removing the last of his makeup. “Whatever you decide to do, you know I’m right behind you cheering you on,” he murmurs, his eyes fixed on mine.
“I know,” I whisper, now having no control over my body, electricity hitting every nerve ending as he thrust in and out of me. He’s slow and he knows that this pace drives me as wild as it does when he’s rough. “I think you proved that today,” I smile.
I replace the cotton pads with the moisturiser, dabbing some onto the tips of my fingers. My hips leisurely rock to the movement of his as I fight to keep all my focus on what I originally set out to do. My body is on fire. My clit screams for the attention he’s not yet given as I fall deeper into his intoxicating touch.
“I’m proud of you, Edie,” he murmurs. “I don’t think I tell you that enough.”
His words make my heart beat a little faster. He tells me more than most, and even if he doesn’t say the words, I can tell in his behaviours when he's around me. And because of that, I love him more.
“You tell me more than you realise,” I murmur .
“And I’ll tell you every day for the rest of our lives if need be.”
“You’d do that?”
“I’d do anything for you, Edie,” he breathes. “This is only the beginning.”
Holding his heated gaze, I gently massage the moisturiser into his cheeks as his free hand spans the small of my back, bringing me closer to him. I can feel his heart vibrating against me as my orgasm starts to build, racing up my body like hot flames.
“Only the beginning?” I whisper.
“Only the beginning, baby.”
Needing to kiss him, I smooth my fingers over his cheeks to finish my pamper, grip his jaw and press my lips to his. Our tongues instantly meet, and when his thumb finally makes contact with my bundle of nerves, he swallows the moan that escapes my throat as my body shudders with my climax.
If this is only the beginning, the thought of what might come next leaves me breathless.