Chapter 12
Tired, but also so wired from the events of the day, Beth hoped a soothing shower would relax her. Taking her time, she washed her hair with the sweet spa-smelling shampoo and after standing under the warm spray for a few more minutes; she finally turned off the faucet and wrapped herself in a huge fluffy towel. She towel dried her hair and combed it though, lightly drying it with the hairdryer and was just about the step out of her towel when she heard a knock on the door. Padding across the room and wrapping the towel firmly around her, she answered the door. Theo was standing there, one arm leaning against the door frame.
“You take too damn long in the shower,” he growled, stepping into the room, kicking the door behind him and pulling her roughly, almost violently, to him. Before she had a chance to respond, his head swept down and reclaimed her lips, crushing her to him.
Elizabeth threw herself into his kiss, reaching and tangling her hands through his thick hair, needing, wanting it to never end. She couldn’t get close enough; she wanted to melt into him and heard a male sound of pleasure as his sensuous lips pressed into hers.
Desire flooded into her body in a wave of heat, causing her senses to spin out of control. Her heart pounded at a fevered pace, thundering in her ears.
“Tell me, Beth,” Theo demanded, his voice deceptively soft as he nipped her earlobes, sending shivers down her spine. “I need to hear the words. Tell me what you want.”
“You. I want you.” Her whispered reply was breathy and unsteady.
“Good girl,” he murmured, and with one fell swoop, she was lifted up into his arms, feeling weightless as he carried her to the bedroom. Gently, he eased her onto the bed, his eyes darkened and filled with lust. He tugged at her towel, pulling it away and groaned at the sight of her naked body. Feeling exposed and shy, Elizabeth went to cover herself with her arms, but Theo pulled them away.
“Don’t ever cover yourself to me, Beth. You’re perfect,” he growled as his heated gaze roamed her body hungrily. His mouth covered hers once again, their kisses urgent with need. Tearing his mouth away, he trailed his kisses downwards, pressing his lips to her jaw and to her neck.
He cupped one full breast and Elizabeth moaned as he closed his molten mouth over one peaked nipple, sucking and biting until she groaned. Instinctively, her body arched towards his mouth as her hips moved restlessly, searching for something to relieve the mounting pressure between her thighs.
He must have sensed her need, because he continued to move his kisses downwards, his hands exploring the soft lines of her body. Her heart skittered as she risked a glance down at him and saw that he was staring at her…there.
“God, you’re beautiful,” he groaned and then he dipped his tongue between her folds, licking up until it pressed against the straining bundles of nerves hidden there. Electric shocks scorched through her body as Elizabeth forgot to breathe, having never experienced sensations like this crashing over her. She couldn’t control her uninhibited moans of pleasure as she felt an awakened response deep within her. His mouth was like magic, teasing her with slow, soft strokes one moment and then wild and hard the next. He licked and sucked until Elizabeth was calling his name in broken cries.
“Theo, please,” she begged. What she was begging for, she didn’t know, but her body began to vibrate with liquid fire.
“Come for me, Beth. I want to feel you against my mouth,” he growled against her sex.
He lowered his face between her legs again and this time, there was no teasing. He was relentless, massaging her clit with his tongue and sliding a finger inside her at the same time. With the flex of his finger and one last suck, Elizabeth screamed in pleasure, tossing her head wildly against the pillow as wave after wave of sensation crashed over her. Her hips jerked as she clutched the blankets, desperate to grab onto something. As the tremors slowed, she finally remembered to breathe.
“That was incredible,” Elizabeth murmured, her cheeks flushed with pleasure.
“Amazing and beautiful,” he whispered, kissing her lightly on her stomach. He crawled up the length of her trembling body, planting kisses along the way until his mouth found hers again. His lips were swollen and warm and tasted like her. He stood up and peeled off his clothes almost violently whilst Elizabeth watched in awe. He pulled off his pants and she blushed, her eyes widening at the sight of his naked body. Elizabeth’s heart hammered in her chest, but her desire for him overrode anything.
“Are you ready for me? Because I want to make you mine, Beth.”
“Yes, please.” A moan of pleasure slipped through her lips as her whole being flooded with need. “I want you, Theo.” His body was just as beautiful as she imagined; chiselled, a deep v of male hardness forming down to his groin. Elizabeth licked her lips in anticipation.
He climbed onto the bed after sliding on a condom. For a moment, Elizabeth panicked, wondering how she could possibly be expected to fit him inside her. He was huge, long and thick. Elizabeth opened her mouth to protest.
“Come here, baby.” He spoke in a soft caress, the sound of her shortened name both foreign and enticing on his lips. The warm weight of his palm on her neck as he kissed sent her body pulsing with electric heat and lust coursed through her, erasing the fear. He hissed out an incoherent litany in appreciation as her fingers encircled his length, exploring his heated flesh. It was the first time she had touched a man; she regretted the condom between her palm and him.
“Sweet Jesus, Beth,” his voice was husky with desire as he trailed kisses over her face. Even though she had already come, her body ached desperately to have him in her, filling and stretching her to complete satisfaction.
“Open your eyes, baby,” he commanded as he placed the head of his cock at her entrance. Elizabeth gasped as he nudged into her folds, her eyes flashing open to lock on his. “I want to watch you while I take you. I want to see those beautiful eyes of yours come with pleasure.” In that moment, her mouth went dry from seeing the total lust reflected in his eyes. Whatever happened after this, Elizabeth knew that she would be irrevocably his.
Holding his gaze, she touched his face, trusting him as she had not trusted another human. She cried out and her back arched as pain seared through her core. He was inside her with one slick thrust, holding himself deep.
“Are you okay, baby?” His voice was tender. Concerned.
“Yes.” She brought her fingers up to his face, running them down his jaw. Tensing at his invasion, her slick channel clenched around him.
“Oh Beth, you feel so good,” he grunted. “So hot. Tight.” His head was thrown back, lips parted, his face pulled tight in pleasure.
He started to move, gently withdrawing, his hand travelling down her side to lift her thigh around his waist. Theo met her mouth again in a slow kiss as he really started to move, fitting himself to her so that each thrust devastated her senses.
Together they found a tempo that bound their bodies together as moans of ecstasy slipped through her lips.
“You. Are. Mine. Beth.” He growled the words between thrusts. “Tell me, Beth. Tell me you’re mine,” he demanded.
“Theo.” She gasped, feeling the now familiar build-up of pleasure rippling through her body. “Yes. I’m yours. Theo.” She panted between each thrust as he reached down between her legs, rolling his thumb over her clit before pinching it. Their bodies were covered in a thin film of sweat; both of them breathing heavily.
“Look at me, Beth,” he growled and she snapped her eyes open, locking their eyes together.
“Theo,” she cried out, flooded with the impossible sensations he was drawing out of her.
“Come for me, Beth. Now.”
Elizabeth’s breath came out in long surrendering moans as she drowned in the liquid heat of ecstasy. At the same time, he climaxed with a hard groan, her name spilling from his lips. He took her mouth in another deep kiss before gently laying his forehead against hers as they tried to catch their breath.
Several moments passed as their chests rose and fell together, heaving for air, their bodies still pulsing from the adrenaline of their union.
Theo opened his eyes first and gently withdrew from her. He walked into the bathroom as Elizabeth felt her eyes closing. She could hear the tap running and a few moments later, he came with a warm washcloth and gently washed her between her legs.
“Are you okay, baby?” His expression was tender as he looked at her.
“I’m wonderful. I didn’t know it could be like that,” she replied with a small smile, her eyes heavy with sleep. She stifled a yawn.
Theo crawled into bed, drawing her to him as she buried her head in his chest, her arm circling his waist. She sighed happily, she felt so safe and content in his arms. My prince has finally arrived, was her last thought as she drifted off to sleep.
Chapter 13
Elizabeth smiled, gazing out of her window as they sped along the motorway, heading back to London. Last night was magical and so was this morning as they spent a leisurely morning in bed, exploring each other again and again. She was sore from their love making, but her body couldn’t seem to get enough of his touch.
They had finally made it to the shower together and taking a sponge, they took turns washing each other. Looking at his hard, male body, Elizabeth moistened her lips as she felt herself getting turned on again.
“Woman, you’re insatiable,” he laughed, kissing her under the warm spray as she reached down to stroke his length. She smiled as she felt him come to life. “But no, as much as I want you, we can’t. If I want to take you again later, you need to rest your sore little pussy.”
She pouted as his heated gaze roamed over her body. “Let me take care of you,” he murmured seductively and sank to his knees. “Kiss it and make it better.” He spread her legs and lowered his mouth onto her folds. Elizabeth gasped at the sensation of both his warm mouth as well as the water raining down over them. Moaning in pleasure, she came hard as his expert tongue and fingers brought her to ecstasy.
His ringing phone tore her from of her reverie. It was a business call and she listened with dismay as he said he’d return to the office immediately. They hadn’t made plans, but she’d been hoping they could have spent the remainder of the evening together.
Disappointment flooded through her, not wanting the weekend to end, but she also knew how important this current deal was. As he drove, he became more and more distracted. She became worried, wondering if he was having regrets.
“Theo, are you okay? You’re very quiet.”
“Yes, sorry. Just thinking about work.” He glanced over at her, giving her a small smile. That was all. He turned his attention back to the road. The rest of the journey was quiet.
A short while later, they reached her flat and he opened her door for her and kissed her cheek.
“Can you come in for a little while?”
“No, I need to get to the office.”
Then he was gone, leaving her to watch the sports car turn the corner.
Feeling confused at his change of demeanour, Elizabeth spent a quiet evening on her own, pondering the weekend. Later at night, she received a text message. It was Theo, wishing her sweet dreams and informing her that he wouldn’t be in the office the following day.
Already missing him, Elizabeth went to sleep, craving his warmth and wishing to be curled up in his arms. Suddenly, her bed felt too big.
* * *
Monday passed slowly in the office. She tried to get into her work, but her thoughts kept drifting back to Theo. She didn’t know what she expected or thought would happen between them but at the same time, she couldn’t help but hope that their magical weekend together also meant something special to him. Her heart filled with dread at the thought that perhaps she was just another notch on his bedpost.
Checking her phone every now and then, darker thoughts crept into her mind as she didn’t hear from him all day. Unable to bear the silence any longer, she sent him a quick message that evening, asking if everything was okay. His reply was brief and impersonal. Tears stung her eyes as she read his reply. “Hey Elizabeth. Sorry, hectic day. I have to fly back to New York tomorrow, just packing. Will talk to you soon.”
Tears started to spill over her face, which soon turned to anger. How dare he treat her like that after all the words of affection he whispered to her over the weekend? No, he was totally out of line. How could it be possible that she couldn’t mean anything to him? She saw a different side to Theo over the weekend – surely he cared about her a little, didn’t he?
She paced her bedroom, reading the text over and over as tears continued to spill down her cheeks. Without thinking, she grabbed her satchel, ran down the stairs of her flat, out onto the main road and hailed a taxi to his home. If he didn’t want her, if she was a mistake or just another notch on his bedpost, he’d damn well have the guts to tell her to her face. Her heart constricted in pain on the taxi journeyed across London to his home in Chelsea.
She took a deep breath as they pulled up outside his home, and noticing the lights on, she felt relieved that he was there. With a determined step, she walked to the door and pressed the buzzer, her heart hammering in her chest.
After a few moments, the door flew open and Theo’s eyes widened in surprise as he saw her standing there. He took in her red-rimmed eyes as she saw conflicting emotions flitter over his face, his gaze softening as he continued to watch her.
Elizabeth’s heart ached as she looked at him, blinking away the fresh tears that threatened to spill. She noticed his buttons of his work shirt were slightly undone and desperately wanted to reach out and touch his smooth chest.
She was just about to open her mouth when she noticed a female figure stepping out from one of the rooms behind Theo. She looked with horror as the female came into view, a smirk on her face, smoothing her hair. It was his ex, Ana.
Elizabeth’s hand flew to her mouth to cover her scream as she stood there, frozen to the spot. Theo’s snapped his head around, his face darkening with anger. With one hand, he pulled Elizabeth into the house and turned on his ex.
“Get out, Ana.” His words were tight and laced with steel.
She looked from Elizabeth to Theo as she took her time walking to the front door. Elizabeth felt like a frump, wearing her sweats and trainers as she came face to face with the glamorous beauty. Narrowing her eyes at Elizabeth, she turned to Theo with a sickly smile.
“Sweetheart, once you’re done playing with this child, come and find a real woman.”
Elizabeth’s mouth dropped open in anger at the insult. “Whatever, bitch,” she replied, not recognising the smooth delivery of her own voice. “I think you’ve been around the block enough times.” She smiled sweetly at Ana, whose face contorted with anger. Grabbing her clutch from the console table, she stomped to the door.
“I told you before, don’t come back, Ana.” Theo slammed the door, just as Elizabeth watched the shock register on her face. Turning to face him, she wanted nothing more than to be taken in his arms, but seeing the look on his face had her stopping in her tracks.
“Theo, what’s wrong. Why are you avoiding me?”
“Elizabeth, I’m sorry.” He ran his hands through his hair, looking away. “I’m not the one for you, okay? I’m not your Prince, I’m not going to start believing in fairy tales and building castles in the sky.”
Feeling like she had been stabbed with the force of his words, she struggled for breath as her legs started to weaken.
“I don’t understand….why…why are you doing this? After everything you said…” Her voice trailed off, thick with emotion.
“I know what I said,” he snapped, “But I don’t date, Elizabeth. I don’t do relationships. You know that.”
So that was it. He used her – everything he’d said was rubbish. She didn’t mean anything to him after all. She was just like the others.
Tears openly spilled down her face as she backed away, her hand reaching for the door. “I’m sorry I meant nothing to you,” she cried, angrily wiped away her tears. “You know what? You might be big and high and mighty in business, but you’re also a coward, Theo Steele.”
“You’re being ridiculous.”
“No, I’m not,” she exploded, her anger – mostly with herself for falling under his spell – spilled over. “You’re so scared of getting hurt again that you never let anyone come close to you. And that’s fine, Theo. If that’s how you want to live your life, lonely and sad! But guess what, you’re not the only one who has been betrayed before.”
His eyes snapped to her as he stood there, lips pursed together, his posture rigid as rock.
“Some of us forgive and move on, realising it was for the best.” She shook her head as she opened the door, unable to control her tears any longer. “Good luck, Theo, I hope you find what it is you’re searching for.” A sob escaped her throat as he stepped forward, reaching out to her.
“No!” she cried holding up her hand in front of him. “Don’t ever touch me again!” Turning around, she slammed the door behind her.