Page 30 of Under Her Skin

Ending the kiss, my head thumps against his firm chest. His breath comes out in a heavy pant against the top of my head,tickling the stray strands. I snuggle closer to him as my breath puffs against the cotton covered muscles.

It has been so long since I felt this. It takes my organic mind a moment to identify it.

Relaxed. That's what this is. Utterly and truly at ease. I needed this relief. More importantly, Cal knew what I was searching for, satisfaction with no expectations of his pleasure being sought. He is such a good man for not pushing me. It makes me yearn for more … but I am not ready - yet.

27

CAL

Devouring Ava in the kitchen was one of the highest points I have had in sometime. But the pinnacle was her finding her pleasure, her taking a piece of herself back. Knowing what I was missing didn’t help things. The cold showers made it bearable, but it was nothing compared to her warm welcoming body.

The next day, I dived into a secret project - one I pray would not see me losing Ava, but helping her to heal to overcome. Calling numerous galleries around the area, negotiating for them to see Ava’s pieces and showcase them, has not been as simple as I initially thought. But it won’t stop me. I know this will bring her joy.

It took a few days of persistence, but I finally received the news I wanted this morning. I received a call for a boutique-style gallery here in town. After speaking with the curator, Gwen, I sent over photos of Ava’s entire current collection and some from her past series work to her email. A few short hours later, Gwen and I came to an agreement. She requested the current entire series and stated that the show would be premiering this Friday. This couldn’t be more perfect, with the gallery not far from the house. They were ecstatic to show her work.

Sneaking out yesterday while she was in the shower, her brothers and I moved the entire collection to the truck. I waited until she was holed up in her studio to leave and deliver the art. Before I left, I poked my head in and told her I was running to town; I’d be back soon; and that the alarms would be set. It seems to put her at ease when I let her know where I will be, how long I will be gone, and if the alarm is set. She and I currently are the only two who have the codes to turn off the system.

Nervousness has been eating at me all morning. Today’s the day of her showcase. It seems cruel to make it last minute, but it gives her less time to ponder the cons of leaving the house. I want her to enjoy tonight, not fret about all the shit that can go wrong.

“Cal,” I hear her call. Instead of responding, I walk out of my office and quietly walk up to her. She is humming. It brings a smile to my face to see her happiness. Wrapping my arms around her waist, I pull her soft compliant body into me. Sliding her hair aside, I place soft kisses at the juncture of her neck. I smile as the intimate contact sends shivers down her delicate spine.

“Yes, sweet,” I murmur between kisses.

“Uh,” she says, causing me to chuckle softly against her skin.“Ava you called me.”

Nodding her agreement. She doesn’t speak. I love touching her. I want to fall to my knees and worship her body until she is a moaning, crying mess of overstimulated pleasure. The downside is touching her - hell, being in her presence - makes me harder than a fucking rock.

There have been sweet touches, light kisses, nothing more. I want her to feel secure. I want to make sure she is ready before pushing for more. It's hard for me. I want her so badly. I know that I can’t find anyone else to satisfy me the way she can. I just have to be patient and then once we finally do it will be fireworks.

“Right… uhhh - I’m making lunch or about to. You hungry?” she stutters out as she pushes her perky little ass back into my hardening cock.

I groan. She smirks over her shoulder at me.

“Tease,” I whisper.

“Sure, sandwiches sound good. I’m starving.” Pulling back and rounding the island, I sit and watch as she gathers the lunch ingredients.

“What’s on your agenda today?” she asks as she grabs plates. Getting the plates on the countertops, she pulls out the bread as she waits on my answer. But I’m silent. She tosses the meat down and searches my face. I lock down my emotions for this talk, not wanting her to read my excitement or disappointment. I want her to make this choice without my influence. I want her to choose to go, instead of choosing to go because I want her to do it. A tendril of fear takes root, I can see it growing a bit.

But again, I wait. And it happens, it's a thing of beauty to see that she is comfortable enough with me to explode.

“Cal, really. What is it? I can’t take bad news today. If it’s bad, just tell me tomorrow.” Her hands wave all around. “No, never mind that. Screw that. If it's bad and it doesn’t affect me, just deal with it, handle it and then let's pretend all is good.” She nods as a gesture of that's that. I want to laugh at her antics, but I sit and wait.

“Cal, I know there is bad in the world, but things have been good. I'm painting again, and it makes me happy. I fight my demons with swirls and flicks.” She sighs. “I just don’t have it in me to deal with this shit anymore. I just want to be a hermit who paints and maybe collects cats. Okay, so maybe one day kids. And at some point, loads of steamy hot sex that has me moaning in pleasure, the kind that washes the horrid experience away.” She narrows her eyes at me. Her gaze takes me in and she sees that I am doing my damnedest to not laugh. I’m biting my lips in the hopes it will stop it from bursting forth.

“Cal, don’t you start with me. I want peace. No fucking drama. No sociopaths who have a grudge. Are there more of those? Hmm? Do I need a binder filled with potential threats, so I can just stab first and not ask questions?” I can’t hold back anymore. My laugh bubbles out of me, earning me another glare. “Don’t you laugh at me, you brute! This is why I want to be a hermit. If I never have to leave this place, then I don’t have to worry.” She huffs and crosses her delicate arms over her chest. “That sounds nice. But foolish I know… We can have hopes, right?” Smiling at the thought, I nod my agreement.

“Not foolish at all. I would love nothing more than to hold up in the house with you forever. And if we never put clothes on again, that would ensure we were never interrupted.” I wiggle my eyebrows at her. She smiles and giggles at my antics. God, she is stunning. Her eyes alight with mirth. Her sensual lips tipped up in giddiness. Her body relaxed. Nothing can compare.

“Ava, my dear, I want to talk to you about something. And I do hope that you will understand my reasons.” At this point, I pray that she doesn’t do something out of character and chuck a plate at me, or something worse. “I have a surprise for tonight. You need to get all dolled up. We are leaving around 6.”

Her face shows exactly what she wants: to run back up to the bedroom and lock the door. But then I see what I was hoping for, the spark of pure determination gleaming in her eyes. “Cal, I don’t like it, but I won’t do things like this on my own accord.” I know, which is why I planned this.

“Ava, this is gonna be a night to remember. This is us moving forward towards our future together.” Getting up, I walk around the island to stand by her, hugging her. “This is to help you heal and, if you happened to be dressed in a snug tight sexy dress showing off those legs - well, I won’t get mad either.”

She chuckles at me.“Of course, my legs are what interest you.”

I laugh at her and murmur, “And that sweet ass.” I squeeze her tighter to stop her from smacking me playfully.

---