Sorry for taking so long to update, I was on the beach in Mexico!
I sit bolt upright in the plush velvet seat, completely intimidated by Edward's smoldering presence next to me. He hasn't mentioned anything about our last date, or the way it ended. He's been a perfect gentleman, opening doors for me and ushering me into his box seating for the concert. But he hasn't touched me other than a light brush of my waist as we were walking through the front doors. I lean forward, looking down into the crowd at the wild mix of outfits instead of at Edward. A woman in a full length gown, her brooch sparkling under the lights, edges her way along a row, sitting down beside a woman in jeans and a casual black sweater.
"What are you watching?" Edward asks. "You look very intent."
"Nothing," I say quickly. I don't want to admit to people-watching, it seems like such a superficial and inconsequential pastime when faced with Edward's penetrating gaze.
He leans in close and says softly, "See the man and woman together in front of us?"
I nod, my hair swings lightly from the motion and we're so close that it brushes against Edward. At this proximity my senses feel like they're drenched in him, his low voice echoing in my ear, and the scent of him makes me tingle in anticipation. I glance at the couple he's indicating. From the way that they're intimately focussing on each other, it seems as if they're having a romantic evening.
"Usually they're with different partners. Him with his wife where they're sitting now, and her with her husband to the left." I follow his gaze to where an elderly couple now sit. The woman is bent over as if she might be sleeping already, while the man, his mane of silvery hair swept back, sits regally surveying the stage. "I've never seen this older gentleman before tonight." He leans back just enough to meet my surprised gaze, his expression curious, and I'm excited at the intrigue that's suggested by the mischievous quirk of his lips. As if he had read my mind, he says, "Concerts are enjoyable for more than the music."
The lights dim, and everyone bursts into applause as the pianist walks out. She sits down at the shining grand piano and touches the keys lightly, as if familiarizing herself with them before beginning to play. The first notes are delicate in the huge room. Our seats are ensconced by a solid mahogany wall, and except for the two couples in front of us, we're practically invisible to the crowd. It makes the performance feel more intimate, as if she's playing just for us.
Edward's hand skims down the nape of my neck and I shiver. He links our fingers, our hands lightly resting on his thigh. All my senses are focused on the feel of his fingers encasing my wrist and brushing over the back of my hand. The concert fades into the background, I don't know how much time is passing as the music ebbs by. My attention is so heightened, every fiber of my body alert and focussed on his touch, wondering how long it will last, nervously wanting to reciprocate.
Tentatively I slide my hand up his thigh, over the fabric of his trousers. He hardens and I wet my lower lip, my heart racing as the desire in his eyes burns into mine. The music has stopped. In the pin-drop silence of the hall, I'm afraid that even the rustle of clothing will attract the attention of the couple in front of us, but the look in his eyes is filling me with confidence and I brush the length of him. I caress him slowly at first, as the notes of the next movement begins, then stroking faster, matching the quick tempo of the minuet with my hand. He tilts his head back, struggling to maintain control.
He slides one leg between mine, pushing them apart and causing my skirt to slide up, exposing my sheer underwear. I find myself with my legs spread, hoping more than ever that the people in front don't turn around. I'm vulnerable, throbbing from the risk and intensity of pleasuring him in silence, and almost whimper in frustration when he runs his hand up the inside of my thigh and stops just short.
As the movement comes to a crashing end, Edward leans forward and says, "Come with me." He leads me to the elevator, and when the door opens, stands me in the middle of it. Spreading my legs he kneels in front of me, dropping velvety kisses up my inner thighs, his hands cupping my ass. I moan and lean forward, bracing my arms against the elevator wall. He gives my ass a light slap and at once I stand up straight, gasping in pleasure as he scrapes his teeth lightly along my underwear. The elevator dings open, and releasing me he stands up, leaving me with unbearable need.
We push through the glass doors into the square outside. It's dark now, the lights of the city all around us casting a warm glow as we walk across the paving stones. A pop-up theatre is being set up on a patch of grass behind the hall, and people are gathering in the courtyard. Clasping my hand, Edward leads the way toward the fountain.
It looks magical tonight. Lit up from below it towers above us, the water droplets glinting like golden raindrops. He presses me down onto the ledge, pinning me underneath himself, my back flat against the rough stone and the spray off the fountain misting my skin. The cool dampness or Edward's kiss sends shivers through me. He runs his tongue along my lips, my heart thudding as I taste him and feel the hot tingle of mint gum. I cling to him as he kisses me, the world fading away. My eyes are closed, but there are a million pinpricks of light behind my lids, as if I'm lying under a sky full of stars. When he pulls me back up I blink in surprise, disoriented to be in the square with people all around.
In only a few moments we're turning onto a quieter street, and I catch sight of Edward's flat grey Lamborghini. He opens my door and I sink down into the seat, surprised when he slides in behind me. I try to think through my desire, wondering what I'm okay with in this situation, but he cuts off my thoughts. All I can think about are his lips as he captures my mouth in a teasing, sensual kiss. He maneuveres me so that I'm kneeling on the firm leather seat, grasping the steering wheel for support. Brushing my hair aside he presses kisses down my back, one hand splayed flat against my stomach. I suck in a sharp breath as he gives a tug, I feel a rush of cool air and then he's cupping my breasts in his hands. He captures my nipple between his fingers, and I moan as he lightly pinches. I arch back, lifting my arm to tangle my fingers in his hair.
There's a knock on the window right in front of me and my already racing heart accelerates wildly. I freeze with my hands twined in Edward's hair, my eyes wide and staring momentarily into a pair peering back at me. I let out an involuntary gasp, Edward must see him too because the next second I'm pushed face-down on the seat. I stay completely still, all I can think about is the sensation of the cold leather against my bare breasts and the seatbelt that's digging into my side. I hear the door slam behind Edward, the sound cracking through my frozen brain like a whip. I clumsily sit up and fumble with straps, sliding them over my shoulders and pulling the hem of my dress down. I don't understand why it's so difficult until I realize my hands are shaking badly. I huddle back in the seat, waiting for Edward to come back.
"I couldn't find him," Edward says coldly when he gets in the driver's seat. His face is set in unyielding lines, he looks furious and I shiver.
"Maybe he was just checking out the car," I say, my voice shaky.
Edward engulfs me in his intense gaze. "Are you angry?"
"No," I say shaking my head, "just a bit shaken."
Edward trains his eyes on the road but I continue to watch him, his jaw is clenched but he shows no other sign of stress as he confidently glides through traffic. He looks completely in control compared to my own agitated and turbulent thoughts. It was me who was pinned up and exposed, but somehow I think if he had been equally on display he would be no less dominant right now. We sit in silence and my mind wanders, always landing on some dark moment that I would rather forget. I'm trying not to, but I keep circling back to those eyes and wondering whose they were.
Edward pulls up in front of my building and leaning over, he undoes my seatbelt. His lips graze my ear and my nerves flutter unsteadily.
"I'll walk you upstairs," is all he says and I can't identify why I'm so relieved. Maybe it's more than just not wanting to be outside by myself, part of me is glad he's not starting anything else in the car.
We get to my door and I unlock it but leave it closed. I turn to face Edward, not sure what to do next. He leans down and kisses me on the mouth, I concentrate on his lips and the firm pressure he's exerting on me. Leaning back against the door, he cages me, enclosing me with his palms on the frame and deepening the kiss until I feel dizzy.
"Would you like to come in?" I ask. My voice surprises me, sounding unrecognizable to my own ears. He lifts my hand to his mouth, slowly giving the skin between my thumb and forefinger a nip and then placing another kiss on the inside of my wrist.
"Yes," he says.
"I don't have any furniture yet," I say apologetically as I open the door, nervous about bringing him into my apartment. It's the first place that is all my own. I suddenly realize how intimate it is to have someone in my own space, noticing every detail, and at this moment I can't stand the thought of being stripped any further.
"Would you like something to drink?" I ask as I quickly walk through the living area and around the counter to the kitchen. My own self-consciousness is intolerable as I watch Edward take in the bareness of the room. My one chair in the living room and single barstool at the kitchen counter looks lonely to me now instead of full of possibilities, and the scuffs on the walls stand out in a way I never noticed before.
"No," he says, his eyes landing back on me. "Did you just move in?"
"Last month."
"Why don't you show me around," he suggests.
"Okay," I say ducking my head to avoid his direct stare. "Other than this there's just the bathroom and bedroom."
There are boxes stacked unopened along the walls of my tiny bedroom, and the mattress is sitting directly on the floor. Nothing to see in any of the rooms except white walls and worn wooden floorboards. I've called someone to repair the pocket doors to my closet, but for now they're resting against the wall. With no dresser yet, I've haphazardly folded and piled all my jeans and sweaters in a corner. My new bedspread was my housewarming present from Lindsay. With its romantically intricate hand-stitching, it stands out in a dull room as a bright stroke of loveliness.
Edward sits down on the edge of the bed, it should be a relaxed motion but nothing he does ever looks casual. Even sitting on the bed he doesn't recline, or maybe it's that although he's taken off his jacket he's still in his suit. I stand in the middle of the room in front of him, the desire coursing through me masking some of the uncertainty and awkwardness.
"Take off your clothes," Edward instructs me, and my eyes widen in surprise. I wet my lips nervously, my pulse thrumming in my ears as he leans forward slightly. I try to calm down but his demand has me breathing fast and shallow. Of course I want this, I invited him in, but Edward manages to make me feel sexy and insecure at the same time. And it all seems a bit dangerous, the unknown infinitely larger and darker than before I met Matt.
I don't know how to be sultry when I'm standing uncertainly in the middle of my bedroom, with no atmosphere or music, and I blush when the zipper catches on the way down. I give it a little yank and manage to free it from the fabric, then shrug out of the sleeves so that my dress falls to the ground. Edward's eyes skim over me, starting from my stiletto heels and pausing at my pale violet panties and bra. I nervously twine my hands, in an attempt to stop myself from fidgeting.
"Now your bra and panties."
I reach behind and unclasp my bra, let it fall to the floor, then step out of my stilettos and slip off my panties. I look back at him vulnerable and naked, my breasts rising and falling with my erratic breathing and my stomach clenched in anticipation. I feel like I'm a fuse waiting to be lit. He comes over to me and brushes his fingers over my abdomen, running a trail around my waist as he circles me, taking me in from every angle. Finally he stops in front of me again, and drops down to his knees.
"I think this is where we were," he says, taking my ass in his hands and giving me a light squeeze. I tremble as he runs his nose all the way up my thigh, kissing me along my inner most sensitized skin. My breath catches as his thumb rolls over my clit, and I gasp out a moan when his finger enters me. There are so many sensations at once, the squeeze of his hand on my ass, the thrust of his finger inside me, the velvety wet tease of his tongue on my clit. My legs are trembling, and I hold on to him, trying to steady myself as the onslaught threatens to topple me.
Then both his arms are around me. I feel empty without his finger inside me, even though he's pressing me back against the wall, his hands exploring my body and his tongue in my mouth. The fabric of his trousers is cashmere-soft against me like a caress, but on my naked skin it makes me feel like he might walk out at any time, and leave me behind. I need the sensual, intimate feel of his skin against mine. I fumble with his shirt, tugging it out, and undo the buttons one by one, freeing his smooth, golden skin. I run my fingers over his chest until my palms are flat against his hard abs.
Edward picks me up and spreads me out on the bed, then standing up strips himself of his clothes, sheathing himself with a condom. He lowers himself on top of me. His expression is self-satisfied, like he enjoys having me trapped.
"Open your eyes," Edward says, the roughness in his voice rubbing against my hazy thoughts. His eyes are glittering, something hot and primal and powerful licking through them.
"Do you want this?" he asks, his tip pressed against me.
I try to kiss him and arch up against him but his leg flexes against mine, his knee preventing me from pushing any further.
"Tell me what you want," he says, kissing my neck mercilessly until I'm crying out, struggling hopelessly against his tight hold.
"I want you inside me," I pant.
"Do you want me to fuck you?" he demands, his kisses moving lower until he's captured one of my breasts in his mouth.
"Yes," I say, bucking up against him, crazy with need but still trapped by his immovable resistance. "Please," I murmur, arching my hips up one more futile time as he thrusts forward. He pounds into me over and over until the last shred of control is gone and I clench in an orgasm that rolls over me again and again, until I have no idea where or who I am. I feel him tense and climax, and then he collapses next to me, wrapping me in a loose embrace.
I lay staring up at the ceiling as everything comes back into focus. I close my eyes, soaking in the mellow tingling warmth that is radiating throughout my body. I'm still intensely aware of every inch of myself, but the pent-up anxiety and tension have been replaced with head to toe satisfaction. I stretch my legs and arms as I try to identify the feeling. It's been so long since I felt it, but gradually my mind settles on a word: happiness. A surge of relief courses through me at the realization that for the first time in months, I'm not emotionally and physically strung out. I wish there was a way I could hold onto it, exactly as I am in this moment.