“Make sure you grab enough,” I called to her back.
She twirled around and lowered her brows. “Yes, sir,” she answered in a deep voice and a salute.
And as much as I wanted to stop it, I couldn’t help but smile.
ALEXANDRA
“Wine isn’t so bad,” I said, a little lightheaded from the second glass.
“It’s a good pairing with the steak.” Erik sat with me on the couch, holding his own glass. “My mom loves exploring new wines and always let us have some with dinner. She said we were exploring our European heritage and everyone in Europe enjoyed a good wine with meals.”
“Thanks for letting me have some.”
“You’re hardly a child.”
“Yeah, but I’m not twenty-one either.”
“It’s just wine. It’s not like I’m taking you to a bar and letting you do shots.”
We’d gotten home and ordered dinner in. It felt like a halfway normal experience, just two people eating dinner. I’d been able to wear anything other than someone else’s clothes, and we’d talked about what I’d learned at the college of YouTube.
Now we both sat on the couch with our drinks, a business channel playing in the background. He’d been reserved earlier in the morning, but as the day went on, he relaxed in small increments, leading to him slouched back next to me.
I sat criss-cross applesauce and faced him, only a foot separated my knees from brushing against his strong thighs straining against the denim of his pants.
He finished his glass in one big gulp before turning to me. “Ready for bed?”
I mimicked his movement and emptied the red liquid before setting it on the table. “Sure.”
“You’re going to want to drink a glass of water with some ibuprofen before bed.”
“Yes, sir,” I said with a deep voice and salute.
He smiled again and it reached across the space, stroking my skin, pulling a smile from me too. Kind of like when he’d laughed in the store. It was so sexy. Deep, a little dark, and a rumble that shook me even from a distance.
When was the last time I’d felt this at ease? Had I ever? And all because of this man. I wished for something I could give in return, something to show how much I appreciated everything. I didn’t have anything. Except for me.
He’d been on the site for a reason and maybe it wasn’t to buy a virgin, but probably some form of sex. Maybe I could give him some intimacy, show him my thanks with my body.
I inched forward and the smile slowly slipped from his face, but he didn’t move to pull away. When my knees brushed his thigh, I slicked my tongue across my lips and leaned in. The kiss was soft and tentative. I didn’t know what I was doing, as I’d never kissed anyone before. Taking my cues from him not jerking back, I pressed a little harder—explored a little more. I trembled with nerves that I was doing it wrong, trembled with excitement at being so close to a man.
I rose to my knees, resting my hands on his shoulders and wrapped my lips around his bottom one, loving how soft and plush it felt between mine. I nibbled at it, causing a groan to rumble from his chest. The simple kiss I’d planned on giving him went out the window as Erik took control.
His hands gripped my waist, holding me to him. His head tilted and his tongue pressed against the seam of my lips, demanding entrance. I obliged and opened, my tongue meeting him halfway, tasting the red wine he’d been drinking. His grip tightened and I whimpered, trying to rub my legs together around the ache between them. He tugged me and I threw my leg to the other side of his, straddling his lap.
Erik’s hands spanned my waist and settled me atop him, a thick ridge greeting my core. I’d only worn leggings and a tank top and I could feel everything. Whimpering again, I held on to his shoulders and gave in to my body’s cravings, rocking my hips, gaining friction. Heat blossomed from my core and rose up, making my nipples pebble. My cheeks were on fire as he guided me back and forth making the ache stronger. His hand moved to cup my breast, stroking his thumb across my nipple. When he pinched the sensitive tip, I detonated.
I moaned against his lips and rocked harder and faster as my body shook from the pleasure wreaking its havoc. My movements slowed as the orgasm ebbed and I pulled my lips from his to catch my breath. His hands still held me in place and I floated back to earth. Leaning in, I placed gentle kisses along his jaw, the corner of his lips, whispering words between each one.
“Thank you. You saved me.”
He stiffened and pushed me back until I sat on his knees rather than his hips.