Page 40 of The Billionaire and the Runaway

He reaches over and takes my jaw in his hand and turns my head toward him. Our eyes meet.

“I’m not mad about it, Ariana. I love your ideas. They are great ideas. You’re good at this job, and clearly, I’ve underestimated your abilities. You could be so much more than a social media marketing manager. You’re brilliant and you have a great eye for business,” he says as he searches my eyes.

I swallow as I feel the air crackle between us. “I do?”

He nods and runs a thumb over my bottom lip. “You do.” His face is now so close to mine that I can feel his breath on my skin. What is happening? I thought this was a “no-go” zone. “Tell me to stop and I will. You don’t have to ever do anything you don’t want to do,” he whispers against my lips. “We can be just friends if you want.” The last word hangs in the air like a promise. If I want. I’ve never had anyone ask what I want. My parents tell me what to do. Katia decides for us what we will do. My whole life has been about doing whatever everyone else wants me to do. But Eric…is asking me what I want. He’s letting me decide. I feel like a caged bird that just had its door open. I’m free to fly through it but I’m also terrified of what is on the other side. But there’s only one way to know.

“Kiss me, please,” I murmur as my eyes search his. “I want this,” I add, a small smile tugging at my lips. The corners of his lips rise as well, and for a moment, we’re just two souls, staring at each other, our curled lips pressed together. And then it’s like a lightning strike to my heart. I want this. I need him. His lips trail across mine. He plants a kiss on one cheek and then the other before he brings them back to mine. My eyes fall shut at the gentle touches.

He pulls back all too soon and I feel my mouth seeking his and my eyes opening once again. He reaches under me and scoops me up. I wrap my arms around his neck while I frown in confusion.

“Your first time should be special. I’m taking you to my room,” he explains as he leaves Barkley sleeping in front of the kitten and carries me down the hall. He opens a door and I see his entire room for the first time. It’s enormous. Half the upstairs. A California king bed graces one wall. A mural of the farm is painted on a far wall and there are sliding doors that open to the balcony. I’ve gotten glimpses of this room from the guesthouse, but it’s so much more beautiful in its entirety.

A few candles are lit around the room. There’s a soft glow of lighting in the crown molding that illuminates the space. A handwoven blanket is laid over the side of an aged leather chair in the corner. A quilt is folded neatly at the edge of the bed. The entire room is a soft blue. A fireplace is opposite the sliding doors and it’s on, a small fire crackling in the otherwise quiet space. It’s warm and full of color and life. It’s everything I’ve never known.

He nods to the fire.

“How did you know I’d say yes?” I ask softly as I continue to take in the room.

“I had hoped you would. I prepared in case. I didn’t want you to be cold,” he explains as he slowly lets me slide down his body.

I look back up at him in awe. He did this for me?

He gently takes my face in his hands. “Don’t look at me like that, Ariana. You deserve the world, and I’m just sorry no one has given it to you before me. But if I make you one promise, it’ll be that I will never put you in a box. You’re free to do whatever you want.”

I grin, feeling mischievous all of a sudden. “Anything I want?” I ask.

He nods and I watch his Adam’s apple bob as he swallows. Is he nervous too?

I take my time and begin removing my clothes. I’ve never really considered myself attractive. But right now, watching him watch me, I feel beautiful. His eyes take me in as I push my underwear down my legs and then toe it to the side.

I reach toward him and begin unbuttoning his shirt. He’s still, letting me take the lead. I’m not rushed as I revel in each part of his body. I’ve seen him from the waist up, but not below. My hand grazes his erection through his boxer briefs once I’ve managed to get his jeans off and I swallow. He’s big, like really big.

As if sensing my apprehension, he takes my hand and leads me over to the bed. He pulls back the covers and I climb onto the soft sheets. I run a hand over them. I don’t know why, but I didn’t expect him to have such soft sheets. My attention is drawn back to him as he climbs on the bed next to me, giving me space. But I suddenly don’t want space. I want him.

I climb over him and lean down, kissing him while I work to pull his underwear off. He chuckles against my lips as I struggle with the offending cotton and elastic band. He slides them off his legs and kicks them somewhere in the room. Our lips press together and then he’s kissing me or I’m kissing him, it’s hard to say.

I feel myself grinding against his erection. I’m not as afraid now. I just want to get that part over with.

Eric places his hands on my hips. “Slow down. Let me get you ready, my little catastrophe,” he growls as he rolls us over and begins kissing his way down my body. My eyes fall closed at the feel of his mouth on my breasts. One of my boyfriends had kissed me there but it wasn’t anything like this. Eric’s tongue lavishes my nipple, sucking on it between his lips until it pebbles. He does the same to the other one before continuing to lick and suck along my navel. I squirm, not even sure what I need, but wanting more.

“Relax, Ariana. Just relax and let me make you feel good,” he coos. His breath is hot against the small patch of hair between my legs. I haven’t been to a salon in weeks and I’m a little embarrassed my nether regions aren’t better manicured, but it’s like he doesn’t care or doesn’t even notice. His hands spread my thighs apart and then his thumbs separate my folds. I feel his hot breath right above the most sensitive part of my body and I shudder from the feeling.

“Please,” I beg. I feel ridiculous begging but I also have never wanted something more than his touch in my entire life. It feels like if I don’t get more right now, I’ll combust into flames.

Eric wastes no time. He presses his flattened tongue to me and gives a slow lick up my core.

“Oh God!” I whisper, my hands flying to his hair, needing to hold on for dear life as he begins sucking at my clit. Two of his fingers begin tracing around my entrance until I think I might go insane. Then, he gently inserts a single finger. I feel my muscles clamp down hard around him.

“Relax, baby,” he whispers in between licking and sucking.

I let my legs fall open wider as his finger curves inside me, pushing in and out and rubbing just the right places with each thrust. My hips begin to push against him, seeking more friction. I’m so close. When he adds a second finger, I nearly come undone.

“So close,” I murmur as my head thrashes side to side.

He moves his fingers faster and just like that I scream his name into the night air as I fall over the edge into the deepest pit of ecstasy of my life.

I’m semi-aware that he pulls his fingers away. I look up just in time to see him place his fingers in his mouth and lick them clean. It feels dirty and hot as hell all at once. He takes his wet digits and runs them back through my soaking folds. I whimper as I watch. Katia once made me watch a porno and it wasn’t nearly as hot as this. Fuck, how did I not know it could be this amazing?

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