He glided his hand over hardened muscles of her abdomen. Whatever kind of sport she was in required commitment, money, and many sacrifices until it became a second nature. Not for someone leading a normal life. She trained for her self-defense. But, why? Her husband? Was he as abusive as her father had been? From the little he knew about Fred, the man preferred the company of men and couldn’t care less about her. However, Dario didn’t want to waste time badgering her with questions. Later, he’d find the answers, after they made love. His voice hitched as she worked her fingers around his shaft. “Oh, yes, babe, it knows your hand.”
He lowered to the mattress, taking her with him. Her slow, exquisite stroking of his chest, sinful in its effect, transported him into a forgotten, intoxicating realm. Seeking his hand, she wrapped her fingers around his wrist encouraging him back between her legs. He increased the depth and pace of his strokes. His fingers moved, faster, short strokes, coaxing moans out of her. She swayed, straddling him, thrusting her hips to meet his fingers. If her arching back and throaty noises were any indication, she couldn’t hold on much longer. He moved his mouth to her nipple sucking her breast until it pebbled, and nipped the hardened nub, making her flinch.
“God,” she panted. “I’m crazy with need for you…primal.”
“Yes, we are.” He sat up, wrapped one arm around her waist, and flipped her onto her back, then covered her naked body with his. In one strong plunge, he entered her warm channel.
“Ah, yes…” she cried, wrapping her legs below his butt. Her hands stroked and touched everywhere, sending waves of desire through him. His shaft, sheathed inside her narrow core, swelled and lengthened. With each thrust, the embers of passion ignited within him. The need for release had him in a sweat as he fought to hold himself in check. A warm flutter low in the pit of his stomach spread like a bush fire. A wave of heat washed over him. Shattering bursts of pleasure infused his body. He let out a primal growl as he bucked on top of her. Lights exploded behind his closed lids, taking him to the height of pleasure. Euphoria took him out of this world and for a moment
he experienced weightlessness, while ripples of orgasm slammed his pelvis against her hips.
Irena writhed beneath him, panted and raised her hips meeting his thrusts. Her chest glistened in the dim light. Their melded bodies were a perfect fit, always had been. He laced his fingers with hers, kissing her neck and face while her tense body relaxed in his arms.
Slowly, she opened her eyes, her gaze fixed to the ceiling. A wide smile stretched her lips and she uttered a low, gruff moan. “I almost forgot what an amazing lover you are.”
He kissed her. ”Will you stay with me? Let me love you every night until the dawn?” He brushed her sweaty hair off her neck and placed a kiss on her hot skin.
She traced her finger along his temple. “I will.”
Sadness filled her eyes, causing his guts to coil in a tight knot. Why wouldn’t she open up to him? If there was something or someone after her, she should know he was on her side.
She tangled her legs with his, her breasts begging for his attention. God help him, at this rate he wouldn’t get any sleep, but he didn’t care. In fourteen years, he hadn’t taken a single day off. By all that was holy, he deserved a day to himself as he worshipped Irena in every way she wanted. Lazily, he traced the swells of her boobs, while her chest rose and fell with each breath beneath his hand.
She played with his hair. “Where’s that wine? I’m so thirsty.”
“I left it on the balcony.” He swung one leg over the edge of the mattress. “I’ll go get it and some water. You won’t kill the thirst with wine.”
“Sounds good.” Her bite on his arm ignited a fire in his loins all over again. “Hurry back.”
He scrambled down the carpeted stairs, opened the balcony’s sliding door and snatched the bottle from the glass top table. A thin line of light appeared on the horizon behind the islands in the distance. Dawn would reach them in about an hour. He’d better make the best of what was left of the night. In a few strides, he crossed the floor to the open concept kitchen and let his feet slide on the cream tile, stopping by the brushed chrome fridge door. The light came on inside the appliance and made him squint while he found the green bottle of mineral water. He filled the two tall glasses with ice and carried everything upstairs.
His insides melted at the sight of sleeping Irena. How could he have forgotten, she loved to snooze after lovemaking? He placed the glass of water on the nightstand by her side of the bed. She’d be thirsty when she awoke.
After turning the lamp off, he lay next to her, pulled the covers up and planted a kiss on her soft, warm shoulder. Tomorrow, he would make love to her again and later feed her a big breakfast, they would get her things and she would move in with him. Under no circumstance would he let her stay with her parents, no matter how old and feeble they became. He’d get them hired help if he must, but Irena was his. His bachelor days were finally over. At the press of the button on the remote control, the blinds lowered, darkness engulfed the room. Tonight he’d sleep like he had not slept in years.
****
Something smacked him on the shoulder, shaking
him awake. “Wake up sleepyhead. It’s nearly three in the afternoon. Are you okay, bro?”
His hopes to find Irena’s naked body stretching under the covers shattered when he jerked to sitting and came face to face with Ante. “What the hell are you doing here?
His brother straightened and took a step back from the bed. “Staff called me after you failed to open the restaurant this morning.” He put his hand up. “No need to thank me. I managed through the lunch rush just fine. You didn’t answer my phone calls so I started to worry. You left the penthouse door unlocked.” Ante tsked and shook his head. “Do you want to get robbed?” But in the next instance a stupid smirk appeared on his lips, he winked. “People saw you following Little Red Riding Hood last night. You missing work for the first time ever, guess she showed you a great time.”
Dario fisted his hands. For a moment Ante’s chocolate colored eyes and mahogany hair reminded him too much of himself and it restrained him from knocking that ridiculous smile off his brother’s face for such a rude awakening. After all, he’d let him sleep through the day. Last night’s events replayed in his head. The indent on the empty pillow was still there. She couldn’t have gone far.
“Irena,” he called, kicking the covers off and jumping out of bed.