Page 39 of Suddenly Desired
“Blake,” she said softly, unsure of what else to do.
He turned his head, his eyes locking on to hers. The intensity of his gaze hit her like a lightning bolt — deep, blue, and full of emotion. There was anger there, frustration, but beneath it all was something raw and unguarded that made her pulse stutter.
“You don’t have to—” she began, but her words were cut off as Blake took a step towards her, closing the small distance between them.
Without hesitation, he reached up, his hand cradling the side of her face, his thumb brushing lightly against her cheek. Ellie’s breath caught in her throat, her heart rate leaping as he leaned in.
His eyes, dark and smouldering, flicked to her lips before meeting hers again. His voice was low and sent a thrill cascading through her body to the electric spot between her legs.
“Ellie,” he growled softly, his fingers tightening slightly against her skin. “Tell me if this is okay . . . if I can kiss you.”
Her throat constricted, the words catching before they could form. She couldn’t speak, couldn’t think past the way his hand felt on her, the way his gaze seared into her. All she could do was nod, a small, shaky movement that sent a silent yes between them.
And then his lips were on hers.
The kiss started slow, but within seconds it had deepened, Blake’s lips claiming hers with a hunger that stole her breath. His hand found her waist, pulling her against him. She could feel the tension in his body, his arousal pressed firmly against her stomach.
Blake broke the kiss only long enough to reach behind him and slam the emergency stop button. The lift lurched to a halt with a sharp jolt, the overhead light flickering as the machinery groaned into silence.
And when he turned back to Ellie, everything had shifted. He was done holding back. His hands were on her in seconds, skimming her hips and sliding beneath the hem of her dress to grip the bare skin on her thighs. Ellie gasped as he lifted her effortlessly, pressing her back against the cool metal wall. Her legs wrapped around his waist instinctively, the friction between her legs drawing a moan from deep within her throat.
Blake’s mouth moved to her neck. Kissing, sucking, biting marks she knew she’d feel later. His hands squeezed her thighs as he ground against her, and she could feel exactly how big and hard he was through his jeans.
“I’ve been trying,” he growled against her skin, “to take this slow, but when you look at me like that — like you want me . . . Fuck, Ellie.”
Her fingers tangled in his hair, pulling him closer. “Don’t stop,” she breathed, her voice thick.
“I wasn’t planning to.”
He kissed her again, bruising her lips with his own, his fingers sliding up the undersides of her thighs. He hooked beneath the edge of her underwear, slipping inside, and the low sound he made when he felt her wetness made her tremble.
“Fuck, Ellie,” he murmured. “You’re so—”
Suddenly a harsh crackle filled the air as the emergency intercom sprang to life.
“Hello?” A voice called. “Is everything okay in there? We’ve received notice that the emergency stop has been activated. Please advise which emergency service you need.”
Ellie froze. Blake dropped his head to her shoulder and let out a strangled laugh.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.” He cleared his throat and gently lowered Ellie to the ground, adjusting her dress as she went. He pressed a thumb a little too hard into the intercom button. “Uh, yeah, just a technical issue.”
“Copy that,” the voice crackled back. “I’ll get someone to reset the system. Shouldn’t be long at all. Sit tight.”
The line clicked off and silence fell over the lift again. Ellie looked up at Blake, wide-eyed and aching from where he’d touched her. Neither of them spoke and when the lift jolted back to life moments later, she almost reached out to hit the stop button again so they could finish what they’d started.
But then the lift doors dinged open and the concierge stared at them with wide eyes. Ellie’s cheeks flushed, but Blake only chuckled softly, running a hand through his hair. “Well,” he said, his voice a little rough. “That’s one way to kill the mood.”
Ellie couldn’t help but laugh, the sound bubbling up and breaking the last of the tension between them.
“Yeah,” she said, breathlessly. “Definitely effective.”
Blake caught her hand as they stepped out of the lift, his grip firm and reassuring. She felt the warmth of his touch radiate up her arm and tickle the skin on her neck.
As they walked through the lobby, Ellie couldn’t help but glance up at him. His posture was straighter now, his expression lighter, but there was still a fire in his eyes when he looked at her.
The doorman held open the door for them and they stepped out of the cool interior into the heat of the day. The car was waiting for them, its engine purring, but Blake halted before he reached it. He looked like he was wrestling with something inside his head.
“I didn’t plan that,” he said quickly, the words spilling out. “It just . . .”
