Escape to Heaven (Heaven on Earth Book 1) (8 page)

Arriving at the front door only a few seconds after the bell chime, she took two seconds to breathe in deeply and get her bearings. She opened the door and looked at the man waiting for her. She knew in that moment that she had made the right decision. Oh yes, he was the one, and she was going to enjoy every second of it. Maybe not tonight, but it would be soon. Very soon. Letting her gaze roam over his body, she couldn’t help but appreciate the fine specimen of male flesh that stood in front of her.

He was dressed in a black blazer and trousers with a burgundy button-up shirt. He wasn’t wearing a tie, and his casual look made him look irresistible. As if he’d done nothing more than run his fingers through his hair, it had a tousled, just-out-of-bed look that she knew some men would give just about anything to pull off. The cologne he wore was a perfect complement to his natural male scent, and her nostrils flared as it wafted toward her. All in all, he was perfect.

“Hi, Stefano.”

“Adele. You look beautiful,” he whispered when he stepped closer. He reached his left hand up and stopped. Looking at her, he did the one thing that guaranteed he would be getting a second date. “May I?”

“Yes,” she sighed. Only one word escaped her lips, but she knew it meant so much more than just an answer to the question presented.

His strong hand continued its path and lightly cupped her cheek. Her skin was heated, and his light touch caused an immediate reaction in her nether regions. A whimper almost escaped as she watched his head come toward her. He brought his lips to hers in a brief but oh-so-sweet kiss. “You look so delectable. I needed just one taste.”

Wow!
That was the only thought going through her mind after his lips touched hers. She found her voice and whispered huskily back at him, “Thank you. You don’t look so bad yourself.”

“Are you ready to go? If we don’t get a move on, my honorable intentions will fly out the window.” He laughed a bit, and she knew she could fully relate to his dilemma. “I’m trying to be good here.”

His hand dropped from her face and traveled down her arm, lightly grabbing her hand in his. With light pressure, he began to pull her body closer to his, taking it slow and giving her a chance to pull back. “Tell me now, Adele. I don’t care if we have reservations. I’m more than willing to stay inside for the night.”

Temptation was a horrible thing. Oh boy, was she tempted to blindly throw caution to the wind, if only for one night. Gathering her strength, she forced the words that needed to be said, not the ones she wanted. “Yes, I’m ready. You promised to feed me and I’ve been waiting for my treat all day.” She backed up from him, his hand dropping from hers as she stepped into the house. Grabbing her purse and keys off the table next to the door, she closed the door and locked it before they went out into the
night.

Sitting in the restaurant, Adele couldn’t help but stare at Stefano across the table. His chiseled jaw and beautifully tanned skin drew her in like a moth to a flame. Conversation flowed between them as if they had known each other much longer than just under a week. He stimulated not only her body, but her mind as well. She could tell he was a savvy businessman who knew how to succeed in life. Whether it was natural for him or the Marines had helped him learn that skill, she couldn’t tell for certain.

Without a doubt, she knew she wanted him in her life. It felt good to be with someone who looked at her as if no one else existed for him but her.

When the waiter came to check in and ask if they wanted dessert, Adele turned her gaze away from Stefano for a quick second and glanced around the room. It seemed they had been longer than she thought, and they were about to shut the place down. The restaurant had cleared out quite a bit, and only a handful of tables had people at them. When she turned her head toward the back, something caught her eye, and she stopped and focused on that spot.

“I can’t believe it,” she said under her breath. “They promised to back off. Just wait until I get my hands on them.”

Stefano had just finished giving the waiter their dessert order and turned to her after she made her statement. “What are you looking at?” He turned his head in the direction she was looking and began to chuckle.

Across the room, tucked in a booth in a darkened area of the restaurant were Ethan, Tyler and Daniel. There was no doubt they had followed them here tonight. They were blatantly staring at them, making no secret of the fact they were spying.

“Ignore them, Adele. They’re just being overprotective. Let them sit there and sulk if they want to.”

“But how could they? I told them not to do this.” She was pissed, and they would all be hearing about it. Although Noah and Tony weren’t here, she knew they had to be aware of what was going on. There was no way the three of them would be on a reconnaissance mission involving her without the others being aware of what was going on.

“As long as they don’t interrupt our date, then I’m fine.” He slowly moved his hand under hers, drawing her attention back to him. She wrapped her fingers around his; grabbing his hand within hers, she gave him a clear message that she was here—with him tonight. Rubbing his thumb along the back of her hand, he gave her a lopsided grin. “I really enjoyed myself tonight, and I’m fairly certain you feel the same. I’d like to see you again tomorrow night. Are you free?”

Adele gazed at Stefano, seeing his desire for her in his eyes. She felt the passion humming along the surface of his skin and knew she wouldn’t let him get away. “Yes, I’d like to see you again as well, even if we do have the Secret Service butting their noses where they don’t belong.”

“Baby, that doesn’t bother me at all. If you haven’t figured it out yet, they don’t scare me. I want to get to know you better, and your brothers can’t do a damn thing to stop me.”

Chapter Seven

Six weeks into her new relationship with Stefano, Adele knew that she was ready to take things to the next level. Whenever she was around him, it took everything in her not to tackle him to the ground and have her way with him. He got sexier every time they saw each other, and her patience was skating on thin ice. All it took was a glance her way or a brush of his hand along her cheek and her body would begin to melt from the inside out.

She could tell he enjoyed how her body responded to his nearness. He expressed his appreciation of her by the number of times he made sure to kiss under her ear as they sat and watched a movie or TV show. He would make tiny gestures, such as rubbing her arm with his fingertips as they relaxed on the deck in the backyard. When they said goodnight at the end of their dates, his heated kisses and roaming hands would wring continuous moans from her body.

Alone in her bedroom at night, she could not help but crave the feel of Stefano’s hard body and wish he was with her, his body flush against hers. On more than one occasion, she woke up panting heavily from a steamy, sensual dream with him as the star, her thighs slick with moisture from her innermost thoughts. In some ways, she was surprised that he had not pressed her to spend the night and take things to the next level, but she also had an idea of what was holding him back.

This was his way to prove to her that he was the real thing. That he wanted her for more than just her body and the mind-blowing sex they could have together. While she appreciated the sentiment, the rather large bulge in his pants after their heated make-out sessions in her living room could no longer hide how much he desired her. On more than one occasion, she had attempted to wrap her hand around him, just to let him know she was ready to move things forward. Each time, he would remove her hand and place it elsewhere on his body, usually whispering words like, “Baby, please don’t tempt me tonight.”

Soon enough—specifically, tonight—she would no longer allow him to get away from her so easily. The decision would be taken out of his hands and she would claim her man. No more playing around. Stefano had better be prepared for what was coming, because tonight there would be no going back for them.

Luckily, the guys had stopped hovering about two weeks ago. The strange calls hadn’t reoccurred after the weekend of the cookout, and while she had chalked it up to her overactive imagination, they chose not to listen to her when she said they weren’t needed. They hadn’t yet been able to locate Joey but were still searching for him, just in case he had made his way to Virginia.

Although he wasn’t their favorite person in the world, they’d also realized Stefano wasn’t going anywhere. Well, Stefano had something to do with that as well. Although she could tell it pissed him off to do so, he met with each of the guys individually, starting with Noah and ending with Ethan. From what Tyler and Daniel explained, he had made his intentions very clear. Eventually, they all recognized the man underneath the suit as one of them and decided to give him a chance. Stefano seemed to have a stubborn streak just as wide as theirs and wouldn’t allow them to dismiss him from her life so easily. So, while a stalemate had been in place for about two weeks, eventually the guys began to thaw towards him. For Adele, that had broken the last barrier; it was time to give all of herself to the man who had mended her heart and made her feel like a whole woman again.

Earlier in the week, her friend Toya had helped her shop for the perfect items to wear under her dress tonight. Something that would make him stand up and pay attention, and never want to leave her bed. What they had picked out was something she never would have worn before, and she was still amazed she’d agreed to it. The black lace and red satin matching underwear set was a neon sign flashing “take me, I’m yours” if there ever was one. Hopefully, Stefano would be able to pick up the message.

She sprayed perfume under her ears and on her cleavage. Her red dress clung to her body in all the right places and her hair surrounded her face in soft curls, portraying her as a sensual woman of the world. She was a woman on a mission tonight, and she was bound and determined to see this through.

It felt like a flock of birds started to do somersaults in her stomach when Stefano arrived and rang her doorbell. As soon as he saw her, she knew he would understand exactly what she wanted to do tonight. There would be no turning back, and she was perfectly fine with that.

She walked to the door and opened it to find Stefano leaning up against the side. His hands were in his pants pockets, his head dipped low. He looked like a real-life dream come true.

“Hi. Come on in.” She moved aside to allow him to enter.

“Evening, beautiful. Are you ready for our night out?” he said as he walked in and grabbed her around the waist, bringing her lower body flush with his.

“Can I be honest?” She might as well put it out there now. Food wasn’t what she wanted right now, and they could make reservations another time.

“Of course, baby.” He began to maneuver her toward the living room while planting soft kisses on her neck and shoulder.

“I’m not that hungry…at least not for food.”

He stopped walking and his head lifted so he could look her in the eyes. His grip around her waist tightened, and a moan was torn from his throat as he reacted to her statement. “Adele, baby, please. I’ve tried to be patient and give you time, which I know you need. I don’t want to rush you into anything.” He sighed deeply, dipping his head low and closing his eyes. A few seconds passed as she waited for him to continue speaking. “But, yes, if we’re being honest, I want you more than I have ever wanted anything or anyone in my life.” His gaze intense, his eyes darkened, he finished, “Are you telling me what I think you are?”

“Yes, I am. Tonight is perfect for us, and I want you just as much as you want me. I think it’s about time we took our relationship to the next level.”

“If we take this step, you do realize I won’t be able to walk away from you.”

“I don’t want you to. I know what it means and I’m ready. This is what I want.
You
are who I want.”

She heard him sigh deeply, felt his hands tighten around her for a second. “Baby, you have no idea how much I’ve longed to hear you say those words. I wanted to prove to you, to your brothers, that I wasn’t going anywhere. I’m here to stay, Adele.”

“Then come with me. I have something I’d like you to see.”

As they made their way to the back of the house, Adele’s stomach was still doing flip-flops. Not from nerves, but from need and desire for the man behind her. Tonight was the night she had waited for since she’d made the decision to give him a chance. Sexual tension unlike anything she had experienced before constantly simmered under the surface, and it was on the verge of boiling over if they didn’t do something about it.

As they entered her bedroom, Adele attempted to release Stefano’s hand and move away, but a firm grip on her hand stopped her movement. In a quick motion, he turned her body around and pulled her close so that her body was tight against his, the hard erection in his pants pressing against her stomach. Head dipped low, his lips touched hers and she felt her internal walls pulse in anticipation. Almost simultaneously, her womb began to clench in response, as if it were excited about what was about to happen. As Stefano pulled away and looked at her, his beautiful hazel eyes seemed to see right through to her soul, communicating without words that this would be something neither of them would ever forget.

“I never want to let you go, Adele.”

“Then don’t,” she whispered as her mouth captured his in a sizzling kiss. Her lips latched on to his, her tongue snaking its way into his mouth. Strong hands gripped her ass, pulling her closer to his body, the barrier of clothing the only thing preventing their joining.

“Close your eyes. I want you to feel what I do to you. Feel how your body craves my touch and know that we belong together.” His whispered words held her immobile. There was no way she could resist him, and although she wanted to take just one tiny peek, there was no way she was opening her eyes. He moved away for a second, and she almost reached out for him. After a short delay, where it sounded as if he were removing his suit jacket, she felt the warmth of his body as he pressed against the length of her. He placed a light kiss just underneath her ear and lightly nipped her earlobe. Her core clenched in response and her nipples hardened.

Stefano’s fingers traced lazy circles down her stomach, heading due south to the ultimate treasure. Adele wanted to see his face, but contented herself with enjoying the feeling of her lover’s hands roaming across her body. His large hand made it to the belt of her dress and slowly started to pull. Since it was a wrap dress, that belt was the only thing standing in the way of pure bliss. He dropped to his knees as the belt came undone; his sudden intake of breath was the only indication that he enjoyed the sight in front of him.

Adele was no fool. Her plans this evening for Stefano had always included seduction, and her undergarments reflected that single-minded purpose. Her red and black thong underwear hid just enough of her to be sinful, while the matching bra lifted her breasts in such a way that they seemed to call out to him to suck, lick, and taste…to enjoy the bountiful fruit displayed in front of him.

Stefano’s hand began to slide up and down her hips, tracing her curves and learning her body with every touch. When he reached the back of her knees, she let out a reluctant gasp and squirmed, her body involuntarily making a jerking motion.

“Are you ticklish? Hmmm, somehow that seems just like you. I’ll have to remember that.” His deep, husky voice was driving her crazy, even as it made her ache for more.

“Not…” Adele cleared her throat and tried again. “Not ticklish, exactly. Just…uh, something about your hands touching my skin there.”

Stefano slowly stood up to his full height, his hands coming up to cradle her face so lovingly, so reverently, that it almost brought tears to her eyes. How could she have waited so long to make love to him? Never before had she experienced a man who touched her with so much feeling and yes, so much love. Oh goodness, what had she been missing over the years?

“Look at me, Adele.”

She shook her head no. If she opened her eyes, he would see the fear she was trying to hide, but he would also see her love for him shining through.

“Yes. Open your eyes and look at me,” he whispered gently against her lips, and she heard the plea in his voice.

After a brief moment, she slowly opened her eyes to look at him, and she was stunned speechless. She knew the look in his eyes without him needing to say a word. Everything she had been hoping for, praying for was within her grasp. Passion, devotion, love…all of his feelings for her laid bare for anyone to see. He wasn’t hiding it. She felt as if he were standing on top of a building yelling at the top of his lungs, declaring in no uncertain terms exactly what she meant to him.

There was nothing else to do but allow herself to fall, because she was sure, more than anything else in her life, that he would catch her.

Stefano pulled her dress off her shoulders, letting it slide down her body and onto the floor. Her bra was next and then her panties. All the while, his eyes never left hers. The connection they shared was never broken as he bared her body to his gaze and prepared her for his lovemaking. When he was finished, he walked her backwards to the bed so that the back of her legs hit the edge.

“After tonight, there will be no one else for you. I love you, Adele. With everything in my soul, I love you. Maybe it happened too soon, but I know what I want.” He placed feather-light kisses on her lips, cheek, eyes, as he continued to pay homage to her and express his feelings.

“I want to be the man who protects you, loves you, cherishes you, and helps you to accomplish everything you want. No matter what, I will be by your side. This is my promise to you, and I want to make sure I say it before I claim your body.” He pulled back and cradled her face in his hands, forcing her to look into his eyes.

“Love, I need you to understand that I mean every single word I’m saying to you. And if you still have doubts, I’ll do whatever I need to in order to prove it again and again until you believe me with every fiber of your being.”

Her mouth dry and her throat closed tight from trying to force the tears back, Adele could do nothing but nod. She feared she needed to say something more, or else he wouldn’t understand that she accepted and believed in everything he’d just said. But when she tried to talk, she was barely able to get out a whispered, “Yes.”

Stefano laid her on the bed, her body prone while he stood over her, gazing at her naked form in all its glory. His body then lowered and his head was flush with her pulsing channel, his hot breath fanning over her flesh.

“No matter what, you can’t touch me. Your hands must stay at your side. Do you understand, Adele?”

This time, her voice actually worked and she croaked out a hoarse, “Yes.”

His mouth descended on her, his tongue swiping her thick lips and gathering up the moisture that had managed to seep out. The feeling of being wide open to him while lacking the ability to touch him drove her even crazier. The bed sheets didn’t have enough grip or traction, and her hands slid along the smooth sheets as his mouth drove her to new heights of pleasure. Her moans grew louder as he did things to her that were probably outlawed in more than a few countries. His tongue danced and twirled on her clit, making her pray for relief and hoping he would never, ever stop. As she felt her orgasm upon her, all she could do was repeatedly chant his name.