Page 41 of The Caress

"It’s so beautiful," she’s looking all around as we walk, taking in the sights and sounds of Malta at night. "So much history. It’s weird to think that people have been walking along these same roads for hundreds of years. Thousands of years."

"That’s right. It’s a good reminder that we’re only here for a short time. Makes me glad we’re doing this together. I don’t want to take a single second for granted while I’m with you."

"You say things like that, and it makes me wonder why we can’t seem to overcome the things that are keeping us apart," she says, then huffs out a short breath. "I don’t want to talk about that stuff right now, though. I didn’t mean to bring it up."

I’m torn because Idowant to talk about that stuff now that she’s brought it up, but she’s right. This isn’t the right place or time. We’re supposed to be having fun tonight, not putting our relationship through an existential crisis.

"We’re almost there," I say, changing the subject and pointing down the winding, cobblestone road. "See the sign?"

She squints, then catches her breath when she sees the title of the movie we’re going to see. "You’re taking me to a ballet movie?" Her mouth drops open as she looks from the sign to me, then back again. "Really? Did Isla tell you I’ve been talking about seeing this movie?"

I laugh and shake my head. "I came up with this one on my own, believe it or not. I’m glad you’re excited, though."

She’s smiling from ear to ear. I’m relieved that our moment of tension seems to have completely passed. "I know it’s going to be a super cheesy film. You’re probably going to hate it. I really have been looking forward to seeing it ever since the trailer came out, though. There’s this building in the trailer, I guess it’s their dance studio. It's so beautiful. It’s exactly the kind of place I could picture owning on the Upper West Side." She heaves a happy sigh, then continues. "It’ll have ivy growing up the front of the building and little girls who look like me—girls of color, without any money—coming to learn ballet. That’s my idea of heaven."

I’m not sure if she’s still talking about the movie or her own dream studio, but I’m happy she’s happy.

I also feel a twinge of sadness pulling at my heart as she paints a picture of that studio on the Upper West Side. This isn’t the first time she’s mentioned opening a place to teach young girls how to dance. She's obviously put a lot of thought into how she wants her future to look.

New York is a long way from Glasgow, though. it’s hard not to notice that the future she’s imagining doesn’t seem to include me.

I won’t ruin the night by pointing that out, but now the thought is stuck in my head. And even though I’m smiling and nodding as she rattles off the plot of the movie, I’m pretty sure I know exactly where my thoughts are going to be for the next couple of hours while we sit in the theater.

CHAPTERNINETEEN

ELLA

“I need you, Ella.”

Those whispered words are all Keir has to say to bring me to my knees. I’m awake in my bed in the middle of the night when he says the magic words. I fling my covers back and beckon him to the bed. Scooting to the edge of the bed, I rise to meet him in the darkness.

The second he touches me, I’m lost.

Under Keir’s hands, I shiver. I turn my face up to his, seeking his kiss. Keir’s lips brush mine once, the most tentative of touches. I suck in a breath as I press up on my tiptoes, my hands gripping his shirt. I need him, need his lips to cover mine, to make me think of anything other than my leaving this bed.

And Keir obliges, god love him. He cradles my head and brings his head down again, meeting my mouth with hard, passionate kisses that leave me drugged and panting for more. He lies back on the bed and pulls me on top of his body in a single fluid movement. Keir’s hand is on the small of my back, pushing my hips down as I straddle him.

The second the front of my panties makes contact with his lap, I moan. My whole body shudders because I have a glimpse into the future… a future that ends up with me coming like I’ve never come before. I nip at his full lower lip, begging him without words to get me to that peak.

Keir’s fingers sink into my hair at the base of my neck, and he bucks up against me, a growl leaving his lips. “Fuck, Ella. I need you so badly. So fucking badly…”

The words skitter through my veins like an electric jolt. I can feel the distinct imprint of his cock through his slacks, pressing against me intimately. My mouth waters as I anticipate Keir filling me completely, taking my breath away, thrusting his cock so deep inside me that we both get lost. I feel a damp spot spreading across the front of my panties and I want more.

I need more of him, any way I can get him. The feeling is so strong that I’m almost dizzy with it.

Pushing myself upright, I rip at my dress, pulling it up over my head. My breasts bounce free for only a moment before Keir’s hands come up to cover them, the roughness of his palms making me lose track of my thoughts. He shapes my breasts and tweaks my nipples at the same time. That small amount of stimulation makes the damp spot on the front of my panties widen considerably.

I open my mouth, a sound pouring out of my throat that is pure animalistic lust.

Keir slides his hands to my hips and pushes my body down and he thrusts up against me. He knows just how to get me horny beyond words, knows exactly what makes me moan.

My hands fall to his shirt and they rip at the buttons. I’m impatient, ready for him to slide inside me, to stretch me out.

“Keir!” I mutter, frustrated.

“What’s the matter, darling?” he teases. “Whatever you want, I will do. Just name it, Ella.”

I lick my lips, leaning down to press my lips against his, snaking my tongue out to tease him. Keir’s big hands press against my invasion, resisting my kiss.

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