ROMANCE: Paranormal Romance: The Valley (Book One) (Fun, Sexy, Mature Young Adult Vampire Shape Shifter Romance) (35 page)

Chapter 2

“I’m sorry,” I offered an apology for jumping the gun. “Most clients do not wish to have conversation.”

“I’m not most clients Gloria,” as I looked up I saw the smile erupt again, creating small dimples alongside the corners of his mouth. “I’m different.”

“As I see,” I acknowledged.

I wasn’t clear on what I was supposed to do. Did I offer the massage? Was I to wait until he asked? The last thing I needed was a complaint to Marcel, but I did not wish to offend the soldier either.

“I am unsure what to do,” I admitted, hoping that he would not find me failing in my duties. “I am accustomed to those who are not different.”

Once more he smiled and I felt myself relax. Without a word, he took the few steps that lingered between us, leaving himself standing only a breath away from me. Taking my chin into his hand, he lifted my face until our eyes met.

“Gloria,” he began, his voice thick and heavy as his breath touched my skin. “I will tell you what I want and when I want it. Until then, relax and let me be in charge.”

“Yes sir,” I nodded.

“Good girl,” he praised, slipping his hand away from my jawline and to the back of my neck. “It makes me happy when you do as I say.”

My stomach began to flip, but for the first time it wasn’t from anxiety over what was going on. It was actually anticipation. His words had excited me and his touch had felt like flames against my skin.

“When I am happy,” his grip on the back of my neck tightened, creating a pulsing sensation that travelled along my spine. “I will make you happy.”

Flames shot through me at the thought. Something about standing before a man so powerful-- so confident-- made me feel weak. My knees were trembling slightly and my heart was beating erratically. The chaos inside of me was new and unusual, yet I liked it.

“You are beautiful Gloria,” his head leaned closer, words touching my skin as he spoke. “So very beautiful.”

I’d been called a lot of things since I’d been a masseuse. Many words that clients felt I should take as a compliment yet did not appear to be so. Beautiful had never passed the lips of the men I’d worked with.

Most only appreciated my curvy hips and large breasts for what they offered them in terms of pleasure. They did not find the size of my ass to be beautiful. My caramel skin was not something that appealed to them-- it only told them that they could treat me as they wished. This man seemed different. When he spoke of beauty, I felt that he meant it.

His body was so close to mine that I could feel his heart beat against my own. Though I should have maintained control and been able to distance my own reactions, I could not. An ache I hadn’t experienced in many years filled up the center of me. Desire that I had forbidden came rushing through. In that moment, all I wanted was for him to follow through and press his lips against my own.

It seemed unrealistic. Men such as him did not kiss women such as myself. It was simply unheard of. Yet I forgot that as I felt my eyes close and waited on what I had deemed inevitable.

“Not yet beautiful,” he pulled away, reminding me that I was chasing falling stars in wishing for something so unimaginable. “Not yet.”

I stood, barely able to control the shaking I could feel inside, and waited on him to tell me what he would like next. He was in charge. He had said so himself.

“I am going to be in town for many days,” he had turned his back to me and began pacing the small room we were in. “It is a shame to spend my free moments alone, would you not agree?”

As he spun back towards me, I nodded my agreement though I was unsure as to why we were discussing this.

“There are many fine women in town that would be more than gracious about offering their company to a decorated soldier stopping through,” I offered, hoping I was telling him the right thing.

“I am aware. However, that presents a dilemma for me,” he continued. “You see, as I said I am different. I suppose one would say I am a bit of an animal. I have need for specific companionship.”

For some reason, the way he spoke and the sexy tone of his voice was causing me to become turned on-- eager to see this animalistic side of a man I’d only known for minutes.

“You may be surprised at the willingness of…” he held a hand up as if to order silence before I could complete the sentence.

“It is far more than willingness,” he stepped closer to me. “I am aware that I could snap my fingers and any woman I desired would step to my side and offer anything I so chose to ask for,” I felt the heat rising inside of me. “This is why I am here. The woman I desire, Gloria, is you.”

Chapter 3

I felt the breath catch in my throat, likely by the large lump that had formed at his words. He wanted me? Had that been what he just said? We had only met moments before.

“When I laid my eyes upon you,” he stepped closer to me than he had been earlier, “earlier in town,” he continued, surprising me with the knowledge that he’d seen me before. “It had been my intention to snap those proverbial fingers. I merely followed you here to offer a chance for me to approach you. I was disappointed to find that this was your profession,” his face showed the feelings he expressed in words.

“I must..”

“No need to speak in your own defense,” he shook his head, silencing me once more. “I of all people understand the need to do as we must. I debated for some time about the dilemma before me and how it should be handled.”

“Dilemma?” I questioned, still unsure of what Joseph was trying to say.

“Yes,” he smiled. “You see, part of that animal in me is extremely possessive. I do not wish to share. What is mine,” his hand reached up and cupped my chin again-- this time harder and more urgently. “Is mine.”

I could no longer breathe. His touch seared into my face as his words danced with the longing that I kept hidden away, urging it to come out and play.

“So I have come to the only possible conclusion,” he spoke firmly, letting me know that what he was about to say was not option. “You will come with me when I leave. You will stay with me and be my companion during my time here in town. I will be the only man to have your time or attention,” he leaned forward, staring deeply into my eyes. “Are we clear?”

I wanted to offer my complete submission and agreement. I could think of nothing better than being with him for however long he wanted me. Yet I could not.

“Marcel will…”

“I will be paying handsomely for your time,” he smiled. “I will make it well worth Marcel’s while to be agreeable and lose an employee for the duration of my visit. He will not be a problem. However,” he leaned close enough that I thought I felt our lips touch. His hand loosened against my face, slipping behind my neck again, fingers sliding up into my hair. “As demanding as I am, I desire willingness. So what I would like to know Gloria,” he tugged at a strand of hair, creating a barely audible gasp from deep inside of me. “is are you willing to keep me company?”

Stiff nipples ached beneath my shirt and the throb between my thighs increased. I tried like hell to swallow the lump so I could speak.

“Ye…Yes,” I managed to whisper.

“Are you certain?” he questioned once more, wanting me to be clear that this was what I wanted.  “Your desire is to belong to me for the remainder of my time here?”

“Yes,” I  answered, raising my eyes to meet his. I found the confidence I needed, if only briefly. “I am yours for as long as you will have me.”

Silence filled the room as he looked into my eyes, searching for any signs that I was not being honest. Eventually I watched his mouth turn up, dimples reappearing, as his hands twisted into the clump of hair that he held on to. He pulled it firmly as I gasped once more, before he pressed his lips against mine.

Fireworks seemed to explode deep in my midsection as I felt his urgent and pleading lips take charge, his teeth nibbling at mine to pry them open. His tongue darted into my mouth as if claiming me for a final time. His kiss was reckless and messy, but overwhelmingly powerful. Everything about it told me that he was the one in control and he was planning to take what he wanted from me. The butterflies taking flight in my stomach only hoped that he would take it all.

As quickly as he’d claimed my mouth, he released it and stepped back, letting go of my hair as well.

“The next time I kiss you,” he spoke softly, but still with command. “You will be in my bed, naked and begging for more.”

I felt my entire body go weak at the thought-- the promise-- of what was to come. For the first day since I’d began my job as a masseuse, I was glad I had.

Instructing me to get my things, I watched as Joseph rang for Marcel. He spent only minutes telling my boss of his plans to purchase my time and handing him a stack of money that I was sure Marcel had not seen in quite some time.

“How long will she be with you?” Marcel asked.

“As long as I want her to be,” Joseph said clearly.

“Okay,” Marcel agreed, not even daring to question when I would return to work. “You’ve paid more than she will ever be worth to me,” he added with a laugh, insulting me. “As far as I’m concerned, you can keep her.”

Joseph’s face reddened slightly, but then the color faded. He turned, reaching a hand out to take mine and pull me to his side. His arm dropped around my back, hand cupping my ass and giving it a little squeeze.

“You never know,” he grinned. “I may decide to do just that.”

Chapter 4

“Make yourself at home,” Joseph offered as we entered the room.

The words fell on deaf ears. This was nothing resembling home to me. In fact, it could not be further from such.

Home was a small cot in the corner of a small room in a local boarding house. Home was bare walls and a small chest to hold what few things I owned. Home was a thin blanket that barely kept my body warm on cold nights, but that I was grateful to own.

This was a world away from home. It was a large room, decorated in fine things and holding several furnishings. It was a huge and soft bed centered in that room and facing a large closet space filled with this man’s clothes on one side and empty on the other. This was not any type of home I’d ever lived in.

“I wish home was like this,” I mumbled, hoping that he would not hear.

“For now, it is,” his breath was against my neck as he spoke.

Surprising me with the approach, I felt his hands wrap around my waist and pull my back side up against his front. I could feel him beneath the trousers he wore, stiffening as he pressed harder into me. A hand slipped to my breast, cupping it through my top and squeezing.

“Mmmm,” I heard myself moan, something I didn’t think I’d ever done.

“You like that?” his lips pressed against my neck in a gentle kiss just before he followed it with a nibble. His hips circled, pushing his manhood hard into my ass as I moaned once more with a nod. “Do you want me nearly as bad as I want you?” He asked, his other hand finding the neglected breasts and squeezing in unison with the first.

“Yes,” I breathed, hoping that he would follow through and give me what I desired.

“Mmmm,” His own moan escaped as his lips and teeth made their way along my neck-- gentle kiss followed by nibble. “I can not wait to explore every inch of your body. Touching it,” his hands continued to squeeze, fingertips locating my hard nipples and beginning to pinch. “Tasting it,” his tongue dipped along the nape of my neck. “Enjoying all that is mine,” one of his hands slid down across my tummy and landed on the mound between my legs. Cupping it, he squeezed, pressing fingers hard against the swollen nub that ached for him. “Mine.” He added, before backing up.

I couldn’t breathe and could barely stand. How did this stranger have so much power over me and my reactions? Was this love? Was it lust? I had never experienced either, so I was unsure of what to think.

“Unfortunately,” his voice broke the silence. “I have some things I must handle tonight.”

I felt disappointment wash over me. He was leaving. All of the teasing and touching, and he was leaving. I had thought he wanted companionship.

“I will be out for several hours,” he continued, walking to his closet and removing what appeared to be casual clothing. “When I return I expect that you will be waiting for me.”

“Of course,” I replied. After all, I was his for the duration of his visit.

“It would make me happy if you were to be naked in the bed,” he offered me a gaze to let me know that was also non-negotiable. “When I am happy,” he smiled. “You will be happy.”

I simply nodded in agreement, knowing that I would do exactly as he asked of me. It was not much for him to request and if I were honest, the idea of waiting naked on him to return and claim me seemed to turn me on.

“Where will you be going?” I asked, simply as conversation.

“An animal cannot be caged Gloria,” he winked at me. “I must go and let it roam free.”

With those words he turned and left the room, leaving me standing in the center of it unsure of what to do.

Having had a long day, I decided that a nap was in order. I wanted to be alert and awake when he returned. Slipping out of the clothes I wore-- the only ones I had with me-- I pulled the bed covers down and climbed into the soft and welcoming fabric.

Many thoughts crossed my mind as I lie there. The desire and ache that lingered inside of me. The fact that the longer I lie there, cotton brushing against my bare skin, the more turned on I became. The anticipation of waiting for his touch. The answer he had given. Was he leaving to be with another? Several others? What had he meant by an animal cannot be caged?

I felt my eyes drifting closed and I felt my body ache in ways I was unfamiliar with. No one had ever spoken to me the way that Joseph had. No one had ever looked at me the way he had or wanted me the way he said that he did. Yet I still lacked confidence in any of it. I fell asleep feeling sad as I thought of the fact that he had not found me tempting enough to remain in the room with me and let that animal side loose. Even as he paid for my time, he was using his elsewhere.

It seemed only moments when a burning sensation in my chest pulled me from my slumber. At first I believed that something bad was happening, yet I could not focus nor could I move.

It wasn’t until I finally pulled my eyes open and looked upon sandy blonde hair that I realized it wasn’t a dream nor was it anything bad.

Joseph had returned. He had removed the covers from my body and was currently perched atop it. His arms on each side of me, his head was hovering over my chest as his mouth pulled, sucked and nibbled on the stiff bud he had found waiting on him.

The burning I had felt was the heat between my legs as his hand hovered, palm pressing against the mound and fingers resting just above my swollen clit. He’d awoken me with longing. Need. Ache.

“Ohhhhhh,” I cried out as I felt a finger flick across the throbbing numb.

Joseph lifted his hand, slipping further down until it rested where his hand had been only moments before. My heart raced as his lowered it, planting kisses against the mound his palm had been in possession of.

“Mine,” he whispered against my skin as he dipped his head in deeper, using his hands to part my legs.

I felt his tongue flick around my clit, causing me to moan and scream out in pure pleasure. I’d never felt a man’s mouth against me before. Slowly he took the nub in between his lips and sucked gently, hands holding my legs firmly to stop me from squirming. I felt my body begin to lose control.

What was he doing to me?

A shudder started in my toes and began to work its way up my legs and throughout my body. Within moments I was calling him name in screams and moans as I felt the tension reach a boiling point between my legs. Running his tongue along me, Joseph consumed me as I exploded against his mouth. Waves of pleasure I’d never known passed through me before leaving me spent on the mattress, unable to speak or move.

Joseph backed up, grabbing my hips with his hands and flipped me over. Pulling me back until I was on my knees in front of him, he used his leg to push mine wider apart.

There were no words as I felt the tip of his cock slide into the wetness, finding its destination quickly. A hand pressed against the back of my hand, fingers twisting in strands of hair, as he pushed my face down and into the bed.

Before the moan escaped my lips, I felt him thrust into me and heard his guttural groan as he did.

It wasn’t romantic. It wasn’t sweet and loving. It was primal. Urgent. Demanding. Animalistic. Thrusting into and out of me at faster and harder speeds, Joseph continued to simultaneously pull at my hair and push me into the mattress.

Groaning like an animal, I felt him begin to swell and throb inside of me. My body reacted to his carnal desire, tensing and preparing for yet another release of my own. A hard shove against the back of my head and deep thrust into me and he climaxed with a sound that didn’t appear to be human, causing much the same in me.

In silence, he lay across the bed, pulling me onto my side and against his body-- where we both fell asleep.