Page 62 of Verses Of Us

Dark red carpet with gold accents decorated the space, and Alexis couldn’t help admiring the fancily dressed ladies and handsome gentlemen chatting in the vestibule. She didn’t belong here and tugged on the skirt of the deep sapphire dress she’d borrowed from Julie.

They reached a door that read “loges” and a young, well-dressed usher greeted them. He glanced at their tickets before guiding them through another door further down the hall. They stepped into the private opera box with two red velvet seats that overlooked the stage and audience below.

“I’ve never been up here before,” she said, excited. Technically, she’d never been to the symphony, either, but she kept that to herself.

Ciarán smiled back, then took her hand and kissed it.

Dressed in a simple black tux, he was so sexy, she toyed with the inappropriate idea of letting his fingers crawl up her skirt. She still wasn’t over what they’d done at the club the night before, but now understood that life with Ciarán would always be spontaneous and endlessly pushing boundaries. Something she never dared because she lived life by the rules. All of it reminded her of what would never be. But she kept ignoring her common sense because she was too in love with the freedom Ciarán offered.

“It’s not fair,” he said.

“What isn’t?”

“How good you look tonight.” He winked at her.

She leaned over and whispered. “Did I mention I’m not wearing anything under this dress?”

He bit his lip. His forehead puckered, but his eyes gleamed with interest. “I could tell.”

“You could?” Her eyes widened, a blush heating her skin as she glanced down.

His cheek dimpled. “That dress hugs you incredibly well.” He moved in closer still, his hand tightening around hers. “You know, I’ve never fooled around at the symphony before.”

His voice was a deep rumble that sent heat pooling between her legs.

“Never?” The thought of being the first for him sprouted in her brain. Secretly, she hoped this wasn’t just dirty talk and that he’d follow through.

The hall dimmed. A blue light illuminated the back of the stage, bathing it in its glow and silhouetting the musicians as the conductor stepped out to polite applause. He shook hands with a few musicians before facing the audience for a bow. A shade of serious determination lowered over his face as he stepped onto his podium.

The applause faded as the players sat down, and like a father watching his children misbehaving at the park, the conductor assessed them. Once satisfied everyone was in place and ready, he faced the right and with a subtle, but no less commanding nod, the music began. Trumpets sounded, followed by the soft strings of violins and a low rumble of drums.

Never had Alexis experienced anything so beautiful. The music of a hundred instruments merging into one harmonious sound made her heart flutter, but with Ciarán’s hand still on her lap, she couldn’t forget the thrilling idea he’d stoked.

She pictured his long fingers running up her now sensitive skin and sinking into her. Sensing him watching her, she parted her legs. Slowly, she shimmied the skirt up and once it reached her knee, his fingers did the rest, all too willingly sliding under the soft silk. When his fingertips grazed the crease of her thighs, her breathing sped up.

Music saturated the air. The instrumental peaks and valleys stirred Alexis’ blood as much as Ciarán’s touch did. The conductor’s baton danced through the air, an intense, captivated hush spreading through the concert hall. Despite Ciarán’s expert hand working wonders and the sounds that threatened to fall from her mouth, the surrounding silence amplified her need to keep quiet.

The forbidden act and her desire for his touch made her arousal swell. She parted her legs a little more, enough to give him better access. The pressure of his palm against her clit forced her to press against his hand, hungry for release.

As her head fell back, the music grew louder and absorbed her moans. The orchestra hit a loud crescendo; the drums matching the sound of Ciarán’s hand smacking against her flesh, and she bit down hard on her lip. She glanced up, meeting his blazing gaze, weakened by his sexy smile. Waves of delicious pleasure crashed over her as she came, the boom of drums and clang of cymbals colliding deep down in her soul.

Panting, she straightened, enjoying the gentle, yet moist touch of Ciarán’s fingers running down her thigh as he fixed her skirt. The audience erupted in applause and Alexis stifled a giggle when, for a split second, she thought it was for them. She looked over at her date, expecting to see him smiling, too, but his face remained stoic, staring straight ahead.

The orchestra began another song, but the magic was gone. And she knew why.

In her past relationships, she wondered if all she felt for those men was a deep respect. She’d cared for them, enjoyed spending time with them, and though the sex was good, it had never been spectacular. They were funny, some even romantic and treated her well, but she always thought a relationship should reach further.

She often wondered, if it was love, wouldn’t it carry more weight? Wouldn’t it be all-encompassing? Wouldn’t she know they were the one without a doubt? She’d never known for sure and the answer had never been clear. Not until that very moment, with Ciarán so close, but feeling so far away.

An incomprehensible emotion swam through her, causing her stomach to sour. She wanted to read his thoughts and know if he was as confused. Was he worrying about the same things, wondering if they were fighting something inevitable, or was he still set in his certainty that they would never be more?

The reminder of what he’d said, of their argument, and namely of how easily she’d accepted it, made her sick and tore her heart to shreds.

IN ANOTHER LIFETIME

Ciarán

Alexiswastheanswerto all his dreams. Even more than he’d ever thought possible. Open to everything his filthy mind could conjure, she was available to his needs, all the while demanding he met hers. And his need to please her never ceased. She was the strongest drug, the most intense high, but would also be the hardest to get over.

---