Curves & Alphas: A Paranormal Box Set: (BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance) (32 page)

I honestly didn’t know what to say. I was a good judge of character, comes from being raised on the mean streets, and I believed every word he said. I could sense his anxiety in his shorter breaths and the tight grip he had on my hand as he opened the door.

The room was large, clean, and again, simple. With one wall wooden, two brick, and another a wall of windows looking over a large backyard lined by woods, he had the bare essentials for a rich guy. A king sized bed sat against the wooden wall, the focal point of the room. To one side, a huge leather couch one could get lost in flanked by two recliners sat facing a movie-sized television. In front of the windows sat a few more oversized chairs. A slightly open door lead to what had to be a hell of a rustic bathroom. I couldn’t imagine.

“It’s amazing,” I gasped. “Bigger than my entire apartment, but amazing. Again, simple, despite the displays of wealth, as in everything is oversized. But, it is welcoming, warm, and looks comfortable.”

“Please, make yourself at home,” he said, tugging on my hand to get me to step over the threshold. “Let me get you that sweatshirt, and you can change in the bathroom.”

“Really?”

“Really. At this point I’m dying to see you in it, though I fear another part of me will die trying to hold it together.”

He gave me a wink as he left me standing there. He opened a door to the side of the bed and disappeared into a closet. He returned with a sweatshirt, faded and gray, NYU on the front in broken up navy letters. He led me to the bathroom, which as the door closed behind me, simply took my breath away, a common ailment tonight. Surprised I hadn’t passed out on the floor by now, I looked around at the shower built for maybe four with shower heads on both sides and more controls than I would know what to do with as I slipped out of my dress. I resisted the urge to ask to take a swim in his Jacuzzi tub as I slipped the sweatshirt over my head.

I couldn’t imagine him in the sweatshirt. He had to swim in it, as it covered me, and hung down past my thighs. It didn’t reveal anything more than the dress I had on did, but it felt so intimate, especially since it smelled like him, clean but earthy. When I stepped back out into the bedroom, he was lounging in a recliner, feet up, dressed as any college student would be in sweats and a sweatshirt. I stopped a minute, taking him in.

“Your image of me is blown, right?”

“No. Just the opposite. I like getting to see you real.”

“Well, no pictures. My parents don’t want me out of my room looking like this. But, I like to wear a sweatshirt until it has too many holes to keep me warm anymore. You got the nicer of them,” he said with a laugh and a wink.

At that point I was done for. I should have just shed his sweatshirt then. I couldn’t resist him. For whatever reason, I needed to be with him. And, after the hot and steamy ways he had already kissed me, the gentle ways he cared for my every need, I just hoped I was up for the challenge.

“Will you join me?” he asked, suddenly losing his I-get-what-I-want-when-I-want-it demeanor that was sexy on him as he didn’t wear it with an attitude of I deserve it, and didn’t have a mean bone in his body when asking for it.

I nodded, walking on trembling legs toward him. Like we’d done this a thousand times before, I curled right up into him as his arms wrapped around me, pulled me close. He smelled my hair before he brushed it aside to kiss my neck. Goosebumps broke out over my arms and legs, but he rubbed them away. His noticing them at all got me, along with his whim to take care of my every need.

“What is it about you,” he grumbled into my ear before kissing it, then nipping at the lob with his teeth, gently, but enough to shoot a jolt of desire down through my body. He pulled me into a crushing embrace. Each muscle I could not only feel against me as I twisted, but showed in the way he held me as if he never wanted to let me go. I didn’t feel trapped or scared, rather I wanted him in the worst way.

My pussy clenched in response when his cock twitched against my hip as he kissed me, or more like branded me, ensuring I was his, though it made no sense to feel this way. I wanted him, all of him, and I wanted to give myself freely to him, now, tonight, when we’d only known each other for a few hours. I’d never felt so brazen, so free, as he made me feel. I tried reminding myself that we had just met, that we existed on different planes of the universe, that he was all muscle and brawn and refinement, while I wasn’t any of those things. Yet, all of these arguments in my head fell on deaf ears.

Holding my breath, I released myself from him, coming to stand before him, biting my bottom lip as I tugged on the sweatshirt nervously. I felt the flush of my face, not embarrassment, but heat, wanting him so desperately, being so bold about it. My body warred within it for a second as he sat there watching me with wide eyes.

“I’m sorry,” he said, his voice deep but soft. “I promise, we won’t do anything you don’t want. We can just sit and talk. This was not a ploy to get you into my bed. Please, sit, anywhere you want. Forgive me. I want you, but I have control.”

I just nodded, somehow relaxing not just because of the misunderstanding, but because of how much he seemed to care, would do whatever I wanted. He’d so easily stopped, and that only made me want him more. In a bold move, I lifted the sweatshirt over my head, letting it fall to the floor. I’d worn my best panties and bra set, a black lace, under my dress tonight, just to get the whole experience, but I was grateful now.

“Ashlyn… you are more beautiful than I imagined. I don’t want to move for fear I will do something wrong, too much… shit, that I will lose all control. I want you. All of you.”

“Take me,” I breathed out.

I’d barely gotten out the words when he sprang from the seat. He pulled my body into his and let his hands run down my shoulders and over my back to my ass to tug me against him, pushing his growing erection into my stomach.

“Are you sure?”

I looked into his eyes, ones pleading with me to say yes, and said, “I am.”

He kissed me then with a fever, making my lips swell and heat, making my body do the same as we kissed on our way to the bed. He pushed me down onto it, shaking his head, taking me in, as he threw off his own clothing. When his underwear came down with a swift tug, his cock sprang up. I grew even wetter, soaking my panties, as I looked him over, one hard muscle at a time. I’d seen men like him in magazines, but never thought I would in real life, not standing naked before me, wanting me, his erection because of me.

I watched his hands grip into fists, standing there tensely as he asked, “Will you undress the rest of the way for me? Let me see all of you.”

I squirmed to do so as gracefully as I could. Though, the look in his eyes, full of lust, gave me the incentive to go on.  He wanted me, and there was comfort and a loss of control in the knowledge of it. I released my heavy breasts from their lace bondage first before wiggling out of my panties. I knew my folds already glistened, wanting him. I wasn’t ashamed to lay there under his scrutiny, open and exposed, my legs spread in welcome.

“I have no words,” he grunted, moving slowly onto the bed, looking at me from head to toe, then pussy to breast, without touching me, driving me mad.

I swore I heard him sniff me before he bent down to place a gentle kiss on each of my nipples, awaking the sensitive nubs, which sent some shot of electricity down through my core. As if following it, he kissed over my stomach, each push of his lips harder as he went, until he placed a few light kisses on my thighs, and then my folds. My breath caught, and I swore I’d never breathe again when his tongue swiped between them.

“I’m sorry, but I have to claim you… or have you, sorry. Then I will treat you like the queen that you are, kissing, tasting every inch of this luscious body. I promise.”

“I accept,” I said, ready for him, my body demanding him.

He was true to his word, taking me with a wild abandon that was animalistic in nature. First he did claim me, pushing into my wetness, rubbing against my core, thrusting in and out until I came up to that precipice so hard that I screamed out his name once I fell over it. He came shortly after, but without much of a pause, he pulled out after and did truly devour me from head to toe. No inch of me did he not kiss, lick, or bite until I was flushed, wanting him again, and he obliged, igniting passions in me that I didn’t know existed, taking me to levels of ecstasy that I didn’t think possible.

Chapter Four

I stretched, blinking myself out of sleep, a multitude of symptoms showing, as I’d drank too much last night, and it had taken hold. The sunlight too bright for my looming headache, I tried to move achy muscles only to find myself trapped under a rock-hard body
. Logan!
Images of my time with him came back into my brain like tiny ice picks. I’d never once had sex on a first date, and meeting him last night could not have even been considered one. It had been sex at first meeting, within a few hours of it, honestly.

A wave of guilt added to my nausea as I held my dry lips tightly together. Yet, just his heat against me served as a reminder of my strong attraction to him, what had gotten me here in the first place. I found myself snuggling into him, mesmerized by whatever this connection we had was, even as my mind attempted to create some distance, in self-preservation mode.

Did I have some place to be? No. It was Sunday. I had nothing to do today other than self-imposed chores, but lying in a virtual strangers bed had not been on the list. I took a deep breath, wondering how to get out of here with a shred of grace and dignity, but I found myself rather intoxicated by his smell. Earthy and rather animalistic, stronger than just man with a mix of sweat and spice. Already, his skin was like a drug to me that I needed, derived comfort from like I’d been in his arms for years. I couldn’t explain it, not even to myself, and I fought the urge to escape the strange uncertainty of the situation.

“Good morning, beautiful,” he said, causing me to look up into his smiling face.

“Morning,” I mumbled though my lips stuck together, thirst taking the forefront of my thoughts.

“You okay?” he asked, running his hand down over the hair cascading down my back, surely in messy tangles.

“Sure. Just drank too much,” I replied, figuring maybe a hangover would explain to him whatever it was I would say or do in the coming moments.

Still fighting that out in my head, what to do, what to say, my brain warred with my body as to whether I should snuggle up and go for another round of mind-blowing sex or flee. He moved a bit, tangling my body further with his, not at all helping my situation. He kissed my forehead, showered me in gentle caresses.
Damn him.

“Then, I should get us some breakfast. Coffee and aspirin for the headache, and some toast to soak up the alcohol. Or, I can get up here whatever sounds good to you,” he offered.

I knew it probably took him one phone call or the ring of a bell to get whatever I wanted, but if he could get me a decision for what was best to do next, that would have been more helpful than some toast. I could see why sleeping around was such an issue, as there was just no good escape plan in the morning. Of course, had I truly wanted to escape, that probably would have made it easier.

“Thank you. That is very kind, but I can’t. I have to get going. I have a lot to do today,” I said, biting my lip from saying anything else as a plethora of thoughts ran through my head.

I gave him a slight, tight smile as I slide out of bed and away from another of his addictive kisses. Trying not to blush, though I felt the heat of a flush not only taking my cheeks but my chest, I looked around the room for my dress. In my panicked nakedness, I saw his sweatshirt and realized than I’d left my dress in the bathroom. I rushed to that door, purposefully not looking at him.

In the bathroom, I took my first deep breath. Though my bladder screamed, I didn’t want to stop to use the restroom. But I did, moving as fast as I could, do my necessary business and dress at the same time. By the time I shot out the bathroom door, moving like a bat out of hell, huffing and puffing, he was getting out from under the covers. I had to look away, though the image of his body, model worthy, chiseled in all of the right places, was already seared into my mind from last night. I actually started to salivate despite my dry mouth.

“Hey, you okay?” he asked, moving to me quickly, touching my arm as I reached the door.

“Yes. I just really didn’t expect to wake up anywhere but my apartment this morning, and I do really have a lot to do. Surely a man like you can understand being driven, having work that must be done,” I said rather snippy, not sure where those words even came from.

Sadly, tears threatened, burning my eyes, when he mumbled an agreement and placed a forceful kiss on my temple.

“I can’t say I’m not disappointed. I could have spent the day in bed with you, but I do understand. Let me at least get my driver to take you home,” he offered, his voice soft, low, though deep and scratchy to the point of sexy.

My stomach tightened as he moved to some sort of intercom system and called for his car. After, he walked me through the house, which was a good thing, or I would have gotten myself lost in the maze of it. Each step became excruciating, a mix of muscles in need of hydration and body parts that wanted to stay with him as much as they wanted the relief that would come with leaving, getting back to normal.

He gave me a hot, searing kiss, full on the lips, my face held tightly in his hands, before he helped me into the waiting car. As the car drove away, I didn’t look back. Instead, I lectured myself on the whys of why I should never see him again, if he would even want to see me, though he had said he did before we’d parted. I at least had to give that a try, not seeing him again before I got my heart broken, even if my panties were damp again from just his good-bye kiss. Damn that gorgeous rich man. I still couldn’t fathom why I had felt so much so soon.

I’d gotten home and showered, working hard, as best I could, all the rest of the day to drive the man from my mind. At times, memories of making love to him stole my breath, made me shaky all over again, as I spent the hours staring at my computer not doing much by way of moving the mouse or pressing any keys. To make matters worse, he’d texted me, twice, just to tell me that he couldn’t stop thinking about me. I’d not texted back for lack of anything to say. I couldn’t come up with a good lie any more than I could put into words the turmoil of the truths that ran through my head.

I had answered when Ava had called me, though I regretted that move in seconds. While she had faked being happy for me, I could tell by the edge in her voice that she was jealous or upset with me for leaving with Logan last night. She’d barely been able to hide her contempt for whatever part of it had been pissing her off. When I’d asked her what was wrong, though, things had only gone downhill from there as she’d snapped at me that nothing was.

The next day had only been worse by the time I’d gotten to work, which seemed to be some sort of warning for the rest of the week. While Ava hadn’t called again, and Brittany wasn’t answering my calls, I seemed to be the talk of the office. No one could stop asking me questions about my time with Logan Worthington from the minute I’d walked into the door on Monday. Their carefully disguised but jaded questions and remarks only increased when flowers arrived at about ten that morning.

I’d nothing to do but to put the practical garden of flowers on my desk. I’d not realized that floral arrangements came in such a large size. He had to have contacted Ava or Brittany, or read my mind or something, as the assortment was all my favorites. In a beautiful metal trough of some sort, an airy display of daisies, hydrangeas and Queen Anne’s lace shot out everywhere in light shades of white, yellow and pinks.

I’d had to text him some sort of thanks at least, though I knew the few words I managed after punching in words, deleting them, and then putting them into my phone again were a pathetic attempt after his flower display. One night, and the last two days had been far from normal even if I had managed to basically avoid him and everyone else as best I could.

By Tuesday, determined to get back to a normal life, Logan showed up at work to offer to take me to lunch. I could practically hear the office buzzing behind my closed office door as he stood in my office and offered to take me anywhere, to even fly me off to Europe if I wished, for lunch. While I’d come back with an unsteady laugh, I had managed an excuse of a meeting to put him off.

“That’s fine. I can understand and appreciate your dedication to work, but honestly, I’m not going anywhere. I will wait until your next available time. I want to spend time with you, Ashlyn, as much time as you will allow me to. I’m not sure what is going through your mind after our amazing night together, but I at least deserve the chance to hear it. I like you. I want you. That is not going to change. I can be persuasive.”

“I can see that. And you are a man used to getting what he wants,” I said shyly, wanting to give in, to leave with him. But as much as I wanted that, something in me feared it too.

“I am a man who gets what he wants, but I wouldn’t force myself on you. Can you tell me that you don’t want me?”

I merely shook my head. Nothing else was safe.

“Good. Then, please, let me know when I can see you again, when your schedule will allow it. I will make the time.”

“I’m sorry, I’m just really busy right now. I can’t say,” I managed to get out, but in in my head I was screaming for him to scoop me up, to take me back to his place, but my mouth wouldn’t work with me.

I didn’t have a clue what I wanted as far as Logan Worthington was concerned. I guess what concerned me most was this unrelenting attraction to him. I feared the intensity of it, as much as I did the absolute strangeness of it. For now, the safest way to deal with that was to avoid him, no matter how much of a feat that was to pull off. He’d come around my desk, grabbed my head and kissed my forehead before leaving. I got up, stumbled to my door and locked the world out.

After that, flowers came on a daily basis, as did an increase in snide comments from my coworkers. On top of that, Ava and Brittany were all but avoiding me, so when I did manage to get ahold of them, they were anything but available to listen to me talk about Logan. I went home Friday night, wanting a return to normalcy as badly as I wanted to give in to Logan, only to find him standing outside my apartment door with another floral arrangement in his hand, looking like he’d just stepped out of a fashion magazine in his jeans and T-shirt, high-end clothing made to look old, of course.

“Logan,” I exclaimed, swallowing hard, fighting for something to say. “You should really leave some flowers for the rest of the world. I mean, they are beautiful, but you shouldn’t do so much.”

“I want to. I don’t know how else to get your attention. Buying things is what I do. I’m sorry.”

“No. Please don’t apologize,” I said in a rush, in response to his fallen face.

I couldn’t be the one to make him sad. That hit me like a bucket of cold water. I stood there, shivering despite the fact that the weather was warm. Shit, I wanted this man like I’d never wanted anyone before, and yet, I’d never tried so hard to force anyone out of my life. I’d never had to. The whole thing was maddening, especially when my body gravitated toward his.

“I can have dinner here in minutes. Whatever you want. You have to stop to eat, right? Please, just give me a little of your time. This week has been torture being away from you. Please, at least tell me that you want to spend time with me. Put me out of my misery. I’ve been behaving as best I can, giving you space, but I want to be with you, Ashlyn. You are all I can think about. Do you think about me? Do you want to be with me?”

I shook my head as I moved past him to unlock the door. Gritting my teeth, I hissed, “I do…”

He let out a loud sigh of relief that made me jump as he followed me into my apartment.

“Sorry. I know this small place isn’t what you are used to. I live comfortably with little. I am happier giving all I can to my family to improve their lives,” I said, my brows furrowed as he let his body fall onto the couch, not at all uncomfortable here.

“Is that the problem? My money? I mean, I didn’t think of that. Most only want me for it. But, if it makes you uncomfortable, I will sell the mansion, the limo, get an apartment here close to you and drive an old Mustang, and not the one in mint condition in my garage already,” he said with a shaky laugh. “I’ll do anything to just get a chance with you. I’m not afraid to admit that.”

I was
, I thought, but said out loud, “No, it isn’t your money… I mean… well not exactly. I don’t know. Sorry.”

“It’s okay. I have all the time in the world to find out what is holding you back. I know that no one is as busy as you are claiming to be. Something is holding you back, and I am willing to put in the time until you tell me what it is.”