Chapter 27 #2
I stretch, my body still soft and pliant after such an intense release. Though as I settle against him again, an alarm goes off, and I’m catapulted back to reality.
“Do you have to go?” I ask. My heart rate increases again, but for a totally different reason.
The moment the question is out, I wish I could take it back.
It’s race day, Evan. Of course he has to go.
I have yet to check the time, but seeing as how the sun is streaming in around the edges of the curtains and his alarm just went off, the reality of what’s next is undeniable.
Brow furrowed, he takes me in.
My stomach twists into a knot and my body tries to shrink in on itself. An apology forms on my tongue. Why did I ask such a stupid question?
Before I can spit out the words, he hooks two fingers under my chin and tips my head back, forcing me to look at him.
“Every cell in my body is screaming, telling me to stay in this bed with you. I’d give anything to make this morning last forever. To lie here all day, holding you and discovering all the things you like.”
Warmth floods my cheeks.
“I have to go,” he continues, “but I’m not leaving because I want to. I have a responsibility to the team, and a lot of people counting on me.”
Pushing my luck, I remind him, “What happened to the two of us only sleep—”
He silences me with one finger to my lips and a hard-set glare.
“Let me be perfectly clear,” he says. “I don’t ever want to just sleep beside you again.
I am enchanted by you, and I’m ravenous to learn everything I can.
There’s nothing I regret about this morning.
There’s nothing I would change. Except how much time I have to acquaint myself with your perfect body. ”
He lowers his forehead to mine, releasing a defeated sigh.
“I’m tired of fighting this. It’s taking far too much effort to pretend like our chemistry and connection aren’t real.” His throat bobs, his swallow audible. “What I said last night is true: I could never regret anything when it comes to you, angel. But right now, I really do have to go.”
My heart stumbles over itself. What am I supposed to say after a declaration like that?
I manage to mutter a sheepish “okay.”
Alaric rises from the bed, and as he pads toward the window, I pull the covers up to my chin.
“Cover your eyes.” He waits a beat, then pulls open the curtain a few inches, allowing sunlight to pour into the room.
I only keep my eyes closed for a moment. I don’t want to miss out on one second of ogling this man.
He stops at the foot of the bed, watching me watch him.
He’s incredibly fit, with strong definition through his arms and chest. His tanned, taut limbs and abs are covered in dark hair.
Every part of him exudes strength and control.
There’s no doubt in my mind that this man will fulfill all his dirty promises and make an absolute mess of me the next time we’re together.
“Like what you see?” He runs one hand across his chest.
I grin and nod, half my face still hidden under the covers as I shamelessly eye-fuck him.
My focus drifts lower and lower still, only stopping at his hard length hidden behind his black boxer briefs. There’s a prominent wet spot on the crotch of his underwear—a mark I feel awfully proud of, all things considered.
“I’m sorry I didn’t have time to reciprocate.”
“I’m not sorry. You should always come first. You’re my priority, angel,” he says, his tone stern and his expression even more so.
My pussy clenches in response to those words.
“Which reminds me…” He bends, gripping the edge of the comforter I currently have pulled up to my chin, and tugs, pulling it off completely and letting it drop to the floor. Crooking one finger, he encourages me to scoot down the bed.
I don’t know what he’s playing at, but I’m more than happy to oblige.
Dutifully, I shift down, and when he grabs my ankles, I startle, though as he drags me even closer to the edge, a thrill runs through me.
Big hands smooth up my calves and outer thighs. Then he’s looming over me, a glint of mischief dancing behind his dark espresso irises.
“May I?” he asks, fingering the hemline of my animal-print sleep shorts.
Lips pressed together, I nod.
Though I may not understand what he’s really asking, I trust him implicitly.
On top of that, I want to please him. In any way possible.
In a fluid motion, he peels off my sleep shorts and discards them.
Then, with renewed hunger in his expression, he focuses on my underwear.
The impulse to close my legs is strong. A little voice in my head tells me I should be embarrassed by the mess I’ve made. That I should hide the evidence of my pleasure.
But the insecurity is fleeting.
Why should I be embarrassed or ashamed? With the way Alaric is staring at me, how could I feel anything other than wonderfully wanted and deeply desired?
“Those are ruined,” he says, tipping his chin toward my panties.
“Completely.” I don’t even have to look to know they’re stretched out and soaked through.
“May I have them?” he asks, the question polite and amusingly casual.
I fight back a snort. “You want my used underwear?”
“Desperately.” The single word is deadly serious.
A flush creeps up my chest and neck. Still, I find myself nodding.
Alaric tilts at the waist and grasps the edge of my panties as I lift my hips, then he pulls them down slowly, slowly, slowly.
He grasps one ankle and kisses it, then slips the scrap of fabric over my foot. He does the same on the other side. With a satisfied grin, he balls them into his fist, brings them to his nose, and takes a deep breath.
“Fuck, angel,” he groans. “The way I cannot wait to get my mouth on you and taste this luscious, creamy cunt.”
Heat scorches me from the inside.
Pocketing my panties, he clutches my ankles again, his grip firm this time. He lowers my legs to the mattress, making sure to extend each one, arranging me in a wide straddle that bares my core to his hungry gaze.
He stares unabashedly, then licks his lips.
“Absolutely stunning. You have no idea how badly I want to bury myself between your thighs. Walking away from you and this perfect, glistening pussy will be the trial of a lifetime. It’s taking every ounce of willpower I possess to tear myself away.”
His praise causes heat to simmer in my core.
“I’ll see you around the paddock later, yes?”
Licking my lips, I bravely open my legs a little wider.
“Yes, Mr. Steele.”
His eyes blaze with lust as he homes in on the apex of my thighs. With a slight shake of his head, he forces himself to look me in the eye.
“Please eat something before you head out for the day,” he says, switching gears. “Or should I text ahead and have Mick prepare something?”
I shake my head, fighting back a smile. “I’ll eat before I leave. You better get going.”
He gives me a final heated once-over, then snatches his clothes from the floor and walks out of the room.