Cody
“Then let’s go.” I take her hand and lead her upstairs. The tour of the second floor is quick and simple. This is where my father and I live, and we both enjoy luxurious items and spaces, but our home is fairly straightforward. He has one wing of the house and I have another. There’s a third wing for guests, and that’s where Lana will stay.
She seems to like the room I give her. It’s the smallest one we have. Still, she seems completely overwhelmed. When my father advised me to give her the tiny space, I thought he was being cruel, but then he explained.
She’s coming from nothing, Cody. She lived in a tiny home in a tiny village and even though she is the most generous person I’ve ever met, she’s uncomfortable with wealth. She’ll feel bad and uncomfortable in a bigger room. Just give her the small one. Just for now.
“This is too much,” she says, looking around the space. I don’t tell her this room is the size of my closet. Instead, I shrug, trying not to make it seem like I’m doing anything incredible for her. In my mind, I’m not. I never should have been rude to her at the docking station terminal. She’s a kind girl, and I think it’ safe to say my father was right about her.
“I hope you’ll be comfortable here,” I tell her. “Father can order you some clothing to be delivered shortly.”
“Really?” She asks. “That wouldn’t be too much? He’s done so much already.”
“You saved his life, love,” I step forward, placing my hands on her waist. “I think the least he can do is give you some dresses.”
“What are you doing, Cody?” She looks from my hands to my face and back again. “Why are you touching me like this?” She seems confused, and to be honest, so am I. I don’t want to like Lana. I want to hate her. I want to despise her, to think she’s a terrible person.
I promised myself a long time ago I wouldn’t allow a woman to rule my heart or to hurt me. Not after what happened to Father. Still, Lana is suddenly irresistible to me. She’s so much kinder and gentler than I expected her to be, but she’s more than that. She’s strong, too.
“I’m just talking,” I whisper, almost choking on the words.
“I don’t believe you,” Lana searches my eyes. “You’re different than I expected,” she whispers.
“What did you think I would be, Lana? Did you think I would be cruel to you? Heartless?” I pull her closer, so tightly that her breasts are pushed against my chest. It’s all I can do to keep from taking her right in the bedroom. Right now, every thought in my head is that Lana is fucking gorgeous and incredible, and I want nothing more than to make love to her more sweetly than anyone ever has before.
“No,” she says quietly.
“Did you think I would be good to you, Lana?”
“No.”
“Tell me what you thought,” I whisper into her ear. My lips brush against her skin, and I feel a shiver rush through her body. “Tell me.”
“Your father thought we’d make a good pair,” she says. “I suppose I thought you were ugly and couldn’t find a girl without his help.”
I can’t help it.
I burst out laughing.
I let go of Lana because I can’t stop giggling like a schoolchild.
“What?” She asks. “What did I say?”
“I’m sorry,” I laugh. “But I’ve never had anyone openly admit they were worried I might be ugly.”
“You aren’t, you know,” she says quickly. Lana looks up at me with those big, beautiful eyes, and I smile down at her.
“Yes, love,” I tell her. “Trust me: self-confidence is not a problem I experience very often.”
“It must be nice,” she says. “Feeling that good about yourself: believing you can do anything.”
“Not as nice as this,” I say, stepping forward once more. The laughter has died down and the mood has turned serious once more. I can’t quite explain the connection I feel to Lana. We’ve only known each other a matter of hours, yet somehow, I feel as if I’ve known her my entire life. She makes me feel comfortable in my own skin. She makes me feel admired.
“And what is this?” She asks quietly. “What are we doing here, Cody?”
“We’re just talking.”
“It doesn’t feel like we’re just talking,” she says.
“No?” I move closer. My hands are on her waist now. She feels small and delicate in my arms.
I need to taste her.
“Is this how you usually talk to girls?” She asks, cocking her head to the side. She doesn’t sound jealous or uncomfortable. She mostly sounds curious.
“Is this how you usually talk to boys?” I counter, and she laughs.
Before her mouth is closed, I bring my lips to hers. I kiss her deeply, fully expecting her to slap me or pull away, but she doesn’t. Instead, Lana surprises me by kissing me back deeply, passionately, courageously. She kisses me with fervor, with passion.
She kisses me like the entire world is wrapped up in this kiss.
She kisses me like she needs this just as much as I do.
My head begins to spin as I take my time exploring her mouth. I lower my hands to her bottom and pull her into me. Yeah, I’m hard and firm against her belly. There’s no way she doesn’t feel this, but I’m not embarrassed. She’s getting the best of me and that’s fine. There’s nothing wrong with letting her know just how much she’s impacting me, just how much she’s making me feel alive in this moment.
Lana is a beautiful, precious woman, and I love that we’re sharing this moment together. The only problem is that sooner or later, the moment is going to end, and for the first time I can ever remember, I don’t want that to happen. I don’t want this kiss to end. I don’t want this moment to come to a close. I want to enjoy her over and over and over again.
I don’t want it to ever stop.
Lana wraps her arms around my neck and pushes up on the tips of her toes. She kisses me deeply, and then she runs her hands up and down my cheeks.
Now I’m the one who feels cherished.
Now I’m the one who feels important.
I’m charming when I want to be, and I’m no saint. I’ve been with women before, just as I’m sure Lana has been with men before, but I’ve never been with anyone who makes me feel like this.
I’ve never been with anyone who makes me feel like the entire world is mine for the taking.
A knock at the door sounds, and we quickly turn to see my father standing in the doorway. He’s not embarrassed to have caught us. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if the old bastard had planned to walk in on us.
“Excuse me,” he says, blinking innocently. “I apologize for interrupting.”
“Oh, Gerald,” Lana says quickly. “It’s completely fine. You’re fine. We were just…” Her voice trails off and I look down to see her bright red cheeks flushing furiously.
“Supper is ready,” my father says with a chuckle. “If the two of you would like to join me, I’d be delighted.”
“That sounds good to me,” Lana says, and she follows him out the door and down the hallway. At the top of the stairs, Lana turns back around at me and winks, and my heart soars once more.