Page 34 of The Billionaire and the Runaway

I feel a need building between my legs, a throbbing sensation that I need to alleviate. I rub my pelvis against his thigh that’s lodged between my legs. He grips my breast a little tighter, a little rougher and I like it.

I feel myself building and climbing. I’ve never had a man make me come before, just me and my trusty vibrator that Katia bought me as a gag gift a few years ago.

Eric doesn’t shy away as I unabashedly grind against his leg, seeking relief. He presses his leg harder against my core as if he knows exactly what I need. His thumb grazes my nipple and then he pinches it between his thumb and forefinger. That’s all it takes. It’s too much and not enough all at once.

I cry out his name into the silence of the room as I fall over the edge into a bliss that I’ve never felt before. He continues his motion until my body releases, and I relax into the mattress. And then Eric goes completely still.

I force my eyelids open and find him staring down at me. I can’t read his face. Is he regretting this? Does he want more? Is it now when I tell him that I’m a virgin? I swallow because I know what I need to do. I have to share it with him.

“I need to tell you something…” I trail off as the heat rushes to my cheeks and I squeeze my eyelids closed.

He doesn’t move. I don’t even think he’s breathing.

“I’m a…” I trail off again, keeping my eyes closed out of total mortification at admitting this.

“Look at me, Ariana,” he says, his deep voice rumbling above mine.

My eyes open on command at his demand. His gaze is so intense it’s hard not to look away.

“You’re a virgin?” he asks, his face softening just a fraction when he says the dreaded word.

I nod. “Yes,” I squeak.

He sighs and leans back, running his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have…I should have guessed. I’m sorry,” he says as he climbs off the bed and stands to the side, slipping his boots back on his feet where he must have kicked them when climbing into the bed.

“Eric, it’s OK. I swear. It’s not weird like that. I just haven’t…my boyfriends and I just never got to that point. I’m not like saving myself for something special. It’s not a big deal,” I stammer. I’m desperate for his touch again. I need his hands on my body.

He gives me a stern look. “Ariana, it is a big deal. You should want your first time to be special. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

“ButIasked you to. This isn’t your fault. I wanted this,” I state as I motion back and forth between us. “Don’t you?” I add.

He swallows. “I would do anything for you, Ariana. But you deserve more, better. You deserve things I can’t give you.”

I open my mouth to say something, but he shakes his head a little. “I’m sorry. I wish I was different,” he says and then he walks out of the room and then the house, leaving me sitting in the bed alone, confused, and needy as fuck.

* * *

Eric has been gone for hours. I’ve caught small glimpses of him here and there as he does chores outside.

I grow bored. I nap. I watch a film on television. I nap again. As the sun starts to go down, I hear him in the kitchen, and a short while later, he brings up a tray with soup, bread, and lemonade. He sets it on the bed and takes the one from breakfast.

“Do you need anything? How is your head?” he asks, giving me a small smile that doesn’t reach his eyes.

I want to shrink away and disappear. That’s it. He’s officially rejected me. Katia has texted me twice today, but I haven’t replied. I’m too embarrassed. God, maybe I should just go home with my tail tucked between my legs. Surely I can’t stay here. The absolute horror of going back home to my father and admitting defeat is too much for me to consider at the moment. Maybe we just pretend nothing happened. We go on working like it’s all fine.

“I’m fine. I should probably go back to my house,” I state as I get out of bed.

“No,” he says sternly as he steps forward with the breakfast tray still in his hands. “You should rest for one more day.”

I roll my eyes. “Eric, I’m fine. This is all overkill. I have a little bump on my head. I’ve rested. My ankle is nearly back to normal. I’m fine.”

“Please, stay,” he replies. “Please, Ariana. I…just for one more night. I’ll feel better if I know you’ve gotten through the weekend without any more symptoms.”

I press my lips together to keep myself from speaking. Why the hell does he want me to stay here? He’s made it clear that kissing me was a mistake.

“Plus, there’s a storm coming in and that guesthouse sometimes loses power. It’ll be safer in here in case we have to go to the cellar.”

My eyebrows shoot up. “What do you mean?”

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