Chapter 11
chapter eleven
I approach Alec's upscale apartment building, my heart pounding like a jackhammer in my chest. I know everything is about to change, and I can't fucking believe it. The rich boy who used to piss me off daily has somehow become the one person I can't wait to see.
"Get a grip, Salem," I mutter to myself as I take a deep breath and press the buzzer for his apartment.
"Come up," Alec's voice crackles through the intercom, and I swear I can detect a hint of nervousness in his tone. That only makes my heart race faster.
How he beat me here is mind boggling. I left the party before him. He must have fucking ran.
I step into the elevator and ascend to the penthouse floor, feeling my legs turn to jelly. As I walk down the hallway, I try to steady my breathing. Alec… Alec just asked me to be his. His. Said so many wildly unbelievable words. Had the audacity to tell me that I’m taking up all the space in his head. Me.
I knock on the door, hand shaking slightly, and it flies open before I even have time to process it. Alec stands there, looking incredibly sexy and disheveled, his blond hair tousled and his eyes burning with intensity. He doesn't waste any time, grabbing me by the waist and pulling me into his apartment.
"Too long," he growls before pressing his lips against mine in a kiss that leaves me breathless. His hands roam my body hungrily, like he's been waiting for this moment for an eternity. I can't lie to myself any longer – I do crave Alec, not just for his body, but for something deeper that I never thought I could find with someone like him. I know I want him, for more than just the physical connection we share – but for the person underneath the wealth and family expectations.
"Wait," I gasp, breaking away from his lips for a second. "Alec, are you sure?—"
"I’m sure," he cuts me off, his voice rough and desperate.
The heat of Alec's body presses against mine, his lips devouring me in a way that leaves no room for doubt. His hands roam over my curves, each touch igniting a desire I've never known before. The feel of him, the intensity of this moment, overwhelms my senses.
"Fuck, Salem," he groans between kisses.
His hands are so desperate. His fingers dig into my dress, pulling harshly at the lace and beading. He drags me closer, closer. There isn’t an ounce of space left between us, yet somehow, it’s still too much.
"Salem, is this… Is this what you want?" Alec breathes into my ear, his voice heavy with lust and vulnerability.
I don't hesitate, my voice trembling with equal parts excitement and fear. "Yes, Alec. I want this."
His eyes darken with desire as he studies me, searching for any hint of hesitation. When he finds none, a wicked grin spreads across his face. "You're fucking amazing, you know that?"
I bite back a smile, feeling a surge of confidence and maybe even a bit of pride. Despite our differences, despite the world that separates us, Alec wants me just as much as I want him. And for once, I'm not afraid to admit it.
In a movement that steals the breath from my lungs, Alec’s arms sweep beneath my knees, knocking me into his arms. Effortlessly, he carries me toward his bedroom. My heart pounds in anticipation. His eyes never leave mine as we cross the threshold, and I feel a shiver of excitement run down my spine.
"Are you ready for this, Salem?" he asks, his voice low and commanding. The soft dominance in his tone sends a thrill through me, and I can't help but bite my lip in response.
"You’ve been making me wait too damn long. Are you finally going to fuck me, Alec?" I dare, staring right into his piercing blue eyes.
A wicked grin takes over his mouth as he sets me down. There’s something a little dangerous in his eyes, rising to my taunting. Something a little reckless and wild.
“Gladly,” he promises.
He trails a thumb over my lips, and my eyes fall downward, my fingers rising to the buttons of his shirt. When he doesn’t tell me off, when he doesn’t swat my hands away, I begin at the top, going one by one.
He’s holding his breath, watching my movements. When I reach the last one, I peel his shirt over his shoulders, taking note of every muscle, every rise and fall. My breath hitches at the sight of his sculpted chest, every damn muscle perfectly defined.
How is he so damn perfect?
Finally, his shirt drops to the floor in soft folds.
With deliberate movements, he turns me. The warmth of his hands sends goosebumps washing over my skin as he sweeps my hair over my shoulder. His breath is hot against my skin as he takes hold of the zipper, and slowly, he slides it down, down, down. Hooking his thumbs beneath the straps, he guides them off my shoulders. And then the dress suddenly drops to the floor in a heap around my feet.
“Fuck, you’re beautiful,” he whispers as he leans in and presses a kiss to my shoulder, his hands sliding around my stomach. The skin to skin contact nearly undoes me. I lean my head back, a moan escaping my lips. His hands slide to my back, and in one smooth movement, he’s undone my strapless bra, letting it fall to the floor. Next, his hands grip my underwear at my hips, and in one swift motion, he tears them right off me.
“I’ll get you some new ones,” he says wickedly.
“You better,” I retort, arching an eyebrow.
I spin around, my hands going to his belt. And his lips take mine as I make quick work of undoing it and unbuttoning his pants. Greedily, I shove everything down and he steps free. The hard length of him springs free, pressing between us as he takes my mouth with his tongue.
Holy shit. I have Alec Venderholt, Vice, naked. And his cock is massive.
My head is spinning.
“Tell me where you want to be touched," he commands against my lips, his voice steady and full of authority.
For a moment, I falter, unsure if I have the courage to voice my desires. It feels so… dirty, to ask for exactly what I want. But something in Alec's gaze reassures me, and I find myself whispering, "I want you inside me. Right. Now."
"Good girl," he praises, guiding me backward until my knees hit the edge of the bed. I lay back, inching my way up until my head finds the pillow. Alec’s greedy eyes drink in every inch of me. And it’s kind of a marvel to me. That I’m never self-conscious with him. With past partners, I always wanted the lights off. I didn’t need anyone seeing the most intimate parts of me. But I simply shiver in anticipation as Alec’s eyes fix on my pussy, and then his hand comes to cup me, pressing circles into my clit, warming me up.
A small gasp escapes my lips at the pressure and my eyes roll back just a little.
And then Alec takes hold of my legs, spreading them, until I’m opened wide. He kneels before me, and holding my gaze, he positions himself at my entrance. Thank the stars my birth control is in full effect now. Slowly, he pushes himself inside me.
I gasp at the sensation, feeling full. So damn full. Just when I think I can’t fit any more, another inch of him slides inside me, and my body relaxes to accommodate him.
Until finally, he’s buried inside of me to the hilt.
"Fuck, Salem," he groans as he buries his face in my neck, softly biting my skin. "You feel incredible."
"Show me how much you like it," I say, surprising myself with my newfound boldness.
"Trust me, I will," he threatens. And he does.
The sound of our breathing fills the room as we move together. As Alec slides in and out of me. As I moan. Alec’s hands roam my skin with an urgency that feels feral and desperate. And as we move together, Alec showers me with encouragement, his dirty words driving me wild.
“You feel so good wrapped around me,” he growls, his voice thick and possessive. “I want to hear you scream.”
“Faster,” I pant.
He shifts position, hooking one of my knees up and over his shoulder. He grips my thighs as he slams into me harder, and a cry of ecstasy escapes my lips. He pistons in and out of me with a speed that leaves me breathless.
His hands roam my body, seeking out every curve and hollow, mapping me as if I'm a land he's desperate to conquer. He pinches my nipple between his fingers, drawing a gasp from my lips before soothing the sting with a flick of his tongue. He lowers his head to my other breast, suckling it gently, and I can't help but arch into him, craving more of his attention.
One hand slips down between my thighs, teasing the sensitive flesh there until I'm nearly sobbing with desire. And when his fingers finally find my clit, rubbing slow, deliberate circles around it, I feel as though I'm coming undone.
"Fuck, Alec, don't stop..."
"Never," he promises, his voice laced with determination.
The pressure builds within me, a storm brewing at the center of my being, threatening to tear me apart. Alec senses my impending climax and quickens the pace of his fingers, driving me closer and closer to the brink.
"Come for me, Salem," he commands, his voice soft yet insistent.
With that final command, I shatter. Waves of ecstasy crash over me. I feel my entire body, from my toes to my neck tighten before it all erupts with bliss. A cry breaks free of my lips, followed by another.
Alec lets out a roar of his own release as he slams into me one last time.
As we both come, it’s nothing short of earth-shattering.
Alec collapses back to the bed, his entire body shaking. But he pulls me into his side, and I settle in, my head resting on his chest. And the full body skin-to-skin contact is heaven.
The warmth from Alec's body radiates like a comforting flame, and I can't help but lean in for another kiss. Our lips meet, slow and tender this time, as if we're rediscovering each other on a deeper level. With every heartbeat, I become more aware of just how good he is for me—how he challenges me, excites me, and makes me feel alive in ways I never thought possible.
"Fuck, Salem," Alec murmurs against my lips, his breath hot and enticing. "You have no idea what you do to me."
"Right back at you," I reply, grinning at the way his eyes dance with something more than just desire.
As I curl into his side, something feels a little uneasy in my stomach. And I need security. I need to know the exact parameters of, well, everything.
“Alec, did you mean it?” I ask softly. “Or was it just something you said because you didn’t like seeing me dancing with Josh.”
“What?” he asks as he looks down at me, though I don’t look up and meet his eyes. “When I asked you to be mine?”
I nod against his bare chest.
Alec hooks his finger under my chin and draws my gaze upward. His blue eyes burn with intensity as he stares at me. “I meant all of it, Salem. I want you. Just you. As my girlfriend.”
I feel my face blushing. And a smile creeps onto my lips. “Does that make you my boyfriend, Alec Vanderholt?”
Wow. Alec has one of the best smiles on the planet. And it’s one of my favorite things of all time when it happens. Like right now. “You bet your perfect ass it does.”
I simply surge forward, and press my lips to his.
It's strange to think about how different we are, how opposite our worlds have been until now. Alec, the wealthy heir with endless resources and power; me, the hardworking scholarship student who's had to fight for everything I've ever wanted. And yet, despite those differences—or maybe because of them—we fit together like two jagged pieces of a puzzle, finally finding their match.
"Thank you for all of this," I say softly, brushing my fingers over his chest. "For helping me explore this side of myself."
"Pretty sure it should be me thanking you after what we just did,” he replies with a chuckle. “But you’re incredible, Dora.”
I nearly roll my eyes at the nickname. “You’re so weird sometimes.”
“Would you have me any other way?” he asks, brushing a thumb over my jaw.
I take a moment, studying those blue eyes. And I know it now. I wouldn’t. Even with all the barbs slung at one another in the beginning. It’s shaped who we are and how we got here. “No.” And as I think about what we’ve just said, a sudden thought crosses my mind. And I’m suddenly filled with nerves and excitement.
"Hey," I say nervously, fiddling with the sheets between us. "I have this idea... What if… What if you helped me make masked content too? You have no idea what you’ve done for my confidence, Alec. But maybe…"
Alec's face lights up like he's just won the lottery. He sits up, propping himself up on one arm as he looks down at me. "Salem, that's an amazing idea! Are… are you sure you want to do this?" His enthusiasm is contagious, and I feel the butterflies in my stomach fluttering around like crazy.
"Yeah," I reply, trying to sound braver than I feel. "I… I want to push my boundaries and see what I'm capable of."
"Then we'll do it," Alec says, his voice filled with excitement. "I have some ideas for your mask already. Salem, the internet is going to go crazy for this. I was actually going to invite you to the family cabin next weekend after finals, just the two of us. We could start filming then. What do you say?"
Whoa. Trips alone to a cabin? It doesn’t get much more couple-ish than that. "Sounds perfect." My heart races as I imagine what lies ahead. The thrill of exploring this new side of myself is intoxicating.
As I lay there, pressed against Alec, I can't help but marvel at how far we've come. From enemies to lovers, our journey has been anything but predictable. And now, with this new adventure on the horizon, I can't wait to see where life takes us next.