Chapter 20: Just Ask

ELLIE

A storm was about to hit. After work, I went straight home, where I took an almost hour-long shower and used an excessive amount of body lotion. I had also picked out new lingerie, a pair of gorgeous heels, and a dress.

Now, standing in front of his building, I wondered why I was about to do something so reckless. I was so nervous that my fingers were white from gripping the steering wheel of my car.

I felt like prey walking right into a trap. It's okay, Ellie, you want this. It’s just sex. People do this all the time; it’s completely normal to knock on a man’s door for sex. I laughed at myself before taking a deep breath, filling my lungs with air. Stop being a coward and get out of the car before it starts raining.

I forced my legs to move as I got out of the car. I took a few steps before stopping. You can still leave, and he’ll never know you were here, a voice in my head said. Besides, was he really expecting me? It doesn’t matter. You want this, so go get it. I lifted my chin and started walking again, feeling a wave of confidence. You’re not the prey; he is.

My heartbeat was erratic as I stood in front of his apartment door. My hands were beginning to sweat. I knocked on the door, feeling like my heart would explode in my chest. I tried to calm my breathing. The following seconds felt like an eternity.

A part of me wanted to run. But it was too late. He opened the door, startling me. Well, he didn’t look like he was expecting me. His expression was one of surprise, and I noticed a hint of fatigue. He was wearing a white shirt and black dress pants.

It was past nine at night, and he was still in work clothes? Maybe he hadn’t been serious about waiting for me. I tried to ignore the view of his bare chest peeking through the first few open buttons of his shirt. When my gaze returned to his face, I noticed his eyes were also taking in my entire body, analyzing me.

“Hi,” he finally said, still holding the door.

“Hi,” I replied, having no idea what to say. “Is this a bad time? I mean… I thought…”

“No. I guess I lost track of time,” he said, glancing at his watch. “Completely.”

“Were you working?” It’s fine to be serious about work, but who works this late?

“It doesn’t matter.” His eyes roamed over my body slowly, making heat spread across my skin. “Come in,” he said, stepping aside to let me in. I hesitated. A smile played at the corner of his lips. “Thinking of running? You know I won’t let you do that, right? If you take a step to leave, I’ll throw you over my shoulder and carry you inside.”

“Like a caveman? You wouldn’t dare,” I said, crossing my arms over my chest and raising an eyebrow in defiance.

“Try me.”

“You know that’s not very gentlemanly, right?”

“You wouldn’t be here if you were interested in gentlemanly behavior.” The way he said those words awakened something wild inside me.

“Are you admitting to being a brute?”

“You should come inside while I’m still being nice and ignoring how annoying you can be.”

“Six years in England weren’t enough to make you a gentleman, I see,” I teased. He smiled, taking a step toward me.

“Don’t you dare,” I warned through gritted teeth. “I can walk in on my own.” I brushed past him, intentionally letting my arm graze his chest. I saw a smile on his face before turning my back to him. I heard him close the door behind me as I continued my thoughts. “Or do you think I didn’t get here on my own two fe—” I began to say, spinning around, but was suddenly interrupted.

His hands gripped my hips, pulling me against the wall near the door. He pressed his chest against mine, capturing my lips with a fierce, urgent kiss, wild and hungry, making me lose all sense of reason in an instant. I wrapped my hands around his neck, trying to pull him even closer, to consume everything.

The way our kiss seemed to fit perfectly drove me crazy. Our lips and tongues moved together, fiercely passionate, making me want to rip our clothes off until I could feel his skin against mine.

I wrapped my leg around his waist, desperate to feel him where my body was aching for contact. Grabbing my thigh, he ground his erection between my legs, making me moan against his lips and leaving no doubt about how turned on he was.

I hated that we were still dressed. It was both painful and pleasurable, driving me to the brink of madness. His hand moved from my hip, sliding up the side of my body, stopping at my ribcage, just beneath my breast.

We broke apart, gasping for air, staring at each other. His face looked as tormented as I must have seemed. It was hard to hold his gaze after we had just acted so wildly. It was even harder to admit how much he made me lose control.

I removed my leg from around his waist and took my arms from around his neck. I used my hands to adjust my dress, which was now barely covering my butt. His large hands cupped my face, forcing me to look at him.

“You have no idea how long I’ve waited to do that. And how hard it’s been to control myself around you. Unfortunately, I still need to take a shower before we continue.” He kissed me softly. “Make yourself comfortable,” he said, taking my hand and leading me to the couch in the living room. “Would you like something to drink?”

“Water.”

“Water?” His lips curved into a lopsided smile, as if I had just said something absurd. “Alright.” He nodded, shaking his head as he walked to the kitchen nearby.

Only then did I take in his apartment. It was very… masculine. Dark colors dominated the space. Almost all the walls were black, as were most of the furniture. A gray carpet extended across the floor beneath my feet. There were only two white armchairs in the corner, along with some pillows and artwork that prevented the space from being too monochromatic.

But what caught my attention the most was the nighttime view of Manhattan. You could see hundreds of lit-up buildings through the massive floor-to-ceiling windows.

He returned with my water, along with a bottle of whiskey and an extra glass, which he placed on the table in front of me after handing me the water.

“I thought you might want something stronger.”

“Thanks.”

“Sit down. You don’t want to tire out your legs.” I resisted the urge to roll my eyes.

“Go on,” I said, narrowing my eyes.

“Go on with what?”

“Your thought. I know it doesn’t end there. I don’t want to tire my legs before what?” I challenged, amused.

He smiled.

“Before I really leave you unable to use them.” I sat down with a smile, crossing my legs.

“Why do men always overestimate their abilities?”

“I’m going to enjoy wiping that smile off your pretty face when you realize you shouldn’t compare me to any other man,” he said seriously, a dark energy in his eyes.

“Did I hurt your masculinity?” I teased. He smiled before walking around the couch and stopping behind me. Leaning down, he brought his lips close to my ear, his breath sending shivers down my spine.

“Not even close,” he whispered, and I could feel his smile as he brushed his fingers along my neck. “And don’t worry, you won’t remember any other man when I’m inside you,” he said before pulling away. “I won’t be long.”

I admired his incredible butt and broad back as he climbed the stairs, disappearing from view, leaving me completely soaked. I wasn’t sure if I was ready for what would happen when he returned.