77. Before the Beep

Laura - At home
Days pass quicker when immortality doesn’t seem like a useless burden. My condition hasn't improved. I am still an immortal strigoi, so basically just another girl in the world, with a few oddities.
I fill my time with the things I love most: reading and Paul. He keeps at bay all the pessimistic tendencies that make me want to run away from reality.
I know he will one day die. The thought still nibs at the back of my head and sometimes feels unbearable, but I don’t want to give up his company. He gives me hope, and even though we only have a few decades together, I'll make every second count.
His presence is a gift to my soul. Even now, when he works in the bedroom while I read a book on the veranda bench, I feel peaceful. Just knowing he is there makes me happy.
When we’re closer, things tend to get wild. We share a passion for each other and want to explore every inch of the other. We never get tired of being together.
The slightest brush of his skin against mine sends tingles through my body, and I stopped holding back. My hands seek out his body with every occasion, and he hardens every time under my touch.
We make love, each time more intense than the last. I am in a frenzy and cannot get enough of him. I want to consume him as he is my addiction.
Peace and lust are my companions. Who would have thought these two could mix? That's what it feels like when I'm with him.
I’ve never been so at peace in my life. Paul is a wonderful man, and I’m glad to be with him. I would still be wallowing in my misery and self-pity if it weren’t for him.
Being with him is like feeling connected to something bigger than myself. I feel complete. Maybe this was the bond the gypsy witch referred to.
Since my mind wanders, I close the book and leave it on the bench. I have to take out the lasagna from the oven anyhow.
Who would have thought I would start cooking? It never interested me much, but I’ve never been living with someone who actually requires food until now. With love comes great responsibility: a desire to make the other happy.
How much longer will our happiness last?
I settle the hot pot from the oven next to the sink to let it cool off. The timing is perfect for checking on Paul and seeing how much longer his work will take, hopefully, less than the time it takes for the food to cool off.
The door to the bedroom is open, and I can see Paul on the bed. He's lying on a side, his laptop next to him. He's wearing a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt. His hair is a mess, and he's got a few days' worth of stubble on his face.
Since I got back, he left the house only once. So this is what the big bad Alpha CEO looks like when he stays home. I can't help but smile. He has a wilder kind of sexiness now.
I remain in the doorway, watching him typing at his laptop with one hand as his other supports his head. I can stay here all day, just watching him.
Paul is the dazzling light that guided me back when I lost my way, the burning love that reignited my heart when everything seemed lost. He is my obsession.
He sees me and says, "You're staring." His voice is groggy but amused.
My eyes travel over his body.
"I was wondering if you ever saw yourself like this," I answer honestly.
He gives me a lazy grin and then turns again to the screen. “Laura, I’ll be done in an hour or so.”
“Great!” I drop onto the bed next to him on my knees. “What are you working on?”
“I’m drafting a business proposal for a new client.”
“Don’t you have employees to do that for you?” I ask.
“Yeah, but last time I asked them to do it, we lost an important client and—” He pauses, looking at me. “You know what? Since you’re here, I want to ask you something. Do you want to go to a place where it’s just you and me?”
Paul stares at me, his eyes filled with longing. I know what he wants. I want it too.
“So, something like a honeymoon?” I smile at him.
He nods, his expression too cute to resist. I kiss him, and he responds with a passion that matches mine.
“I want us to go on a vacation abroad,” he whispers, caressing my cheek. “I’ve got it all planned out. You just have to say yes.”
“I’ll say yes only if you finish drafting that proposal in the next ten minutes.”
He smirks at my dare. “Piece of cake.”
“Ok. I’ll set a timer on my phone.”
When I drop the phone on the bed, Paul is already working again, his hands moving quickly over the keyboard. He even shifted his position to be able to use both hands.
Now, the laptop is on his tummy as Paul is lying on his back.
If he thinks I’ll let him be, he’s sorely mistaken. I stretch my legs and prepare for the attack.
Obscured by the screen, my hand reaches out to the buttons of his jeans. I never said I would play fair.
After a few seconds, I unbuttoned his jeans. I curl my fingers inside the waistband of his boxers and pull them down, revealing the object of my desire.
Paul gulps, his eyes and hands glued to the laptop. He really wants to finish this proposal and win the challenge.
“You are cheating,” he whispers as his fingers fly over the keyboard.
He is in the zone. Let’s see how long he can keep this up and resist my temptation.
“I’m a woman of many talents,” I whisper back and turn my full attention to his already hardened member.
Paul can lie, but his reactions are not deceiving. He is as hard as a rock.
I reach out and grab my prize. My fingers glide along his manhood, teasing and stroking at the same time.
Paul swallows nervously. The muscles in his neck tense. A vein throbs on his neck as if he’s fighting an inner battle between focusing on his work and savoring the feeling of my touch.
The clock is ticking, and Paul holds back with every ounce of his being. Checking the screen of my phone from time to time, I continue to tease him until a single minute is left.
Not wanting to lose out, I have to raise the stakes. I run my tongue along his shaft, then take him into my mouth.
“Laura,” Paul groans, closing his eyes.
He holds my head in place as he reaches his climax. I feel a wave of pleasure ripple through my body even if I’m not at the receiving end.
I swallow down everything and look up at him. His dark eyes are heavy-lidded. He’s barely breathing.
The timer beeps.
“I guess I won,” I say, licking my lips. Then I crawl up to kiss him on the cheek. “Yes, I’ll go with you on vacation abroad.”