Hard Rock Love Box Set, page 24
“You naughty little girl,” he said, his hand gliding up her bare leg, under her dress, playing with the hem of her panties. “You want me, don’t you?”
“You know I’m yours,” she replied in instinct, he crushed her mouth with his, he was hungry, he wanted to be satiated. The pace quickened as all pretexts disappeared.
He guided his finger to meet her clit through the lace of her panties, not quite giving her the satisfaction she wanted so badly. She whined beneath him, squirming to try to find a better angle, but his touch was firm, and he kept her in place with a hand on her cheek and a wicked grin.
“You’re so eager this evening, darling. Let me decide when it happens though, and I can promise you the pleasure will be overwhelming.”
With nimble fingers he slid the panties down her legs, tossing them in the pile with his shirt. She brought her hips up to meet his own, but he pushed her back down gently, capturing her mouth with his and nipping at her as she whined in protest.
His fingers found their way back up to her nether region, teasing her entrance, building up heat and allowing the pressure of his fingertips to only slightly graze the outside of her labia. Creating temptation through means of wanting and desire were Sebastian’s specialty, he knew he wouldn’t even need to fully enter her to achieve this.
The anticipation was killing her…but he was about to give her the best orgasm she’d ever had in her life. Her past partners since Sebastian seemed to rush things through, not allowing the momentum to build up or allow time to set down the ambience. They never allowed for the subtext and play of words to build up. Sebastian was different in the way that he addressed her pleasure as much as his own satisfaction, not becoming too engulfed on his own.
Sebastian was attentive to her needs, even if the two of them weren’t romantically involved, or even involved at all outside of the bedroom. For the moments when the two of them met, for the nights filled with pleasure, she could almost believe that he really did care about her.
She would sometimes catch herself, in those moments when they’d be winding down after something particularly intense. His arms would be wrapped around her, his body would feel warm next to her, and she would suddenly need to fight the urge to tell him something intimate about herself.
But then she’d remind herself that the kind of relationship the two of them had was—not like that—and that it would be better for both of them to keep the things that they talked about during the lulls to superficial subject, just meaning to increase the pleasure later on.
Snapping herself out of her mangled thoughts, Bella gasped in a surprised moan as Sebastian increased his rhythm. She could feel the intense feelings of lust build up almost wanting to burst out of her; he began to kiss her even more passionately. She arched up to meet him, her hips pressing against his, and this time he didn’t deny her this pleasure, letting her grind against him to feel the hard length of his own wanting.
“You make me so hard right now,” Sebastian pulled away from her to whisper in her ear, the hot air of his breath making her shiver.
“You make me so wet,” she replied, her voice soft from arousal, bringing her hands up to the side of his face to turn him back towards her, to stare him in the eyes.
He let out a low sound from the back of his throat, giving into his primal desire as he unbuckled his belt slowly. He stood up taking a position of power and gazed down at her again as he slid off his pants revealing the large package underneath, a predatory glint flashing across his eyes.
She watched him in wonder, even after having known him this intimately for so many times…each time he undressed, she couldn’t help herself but become hypnotized by the way he seduced her. Often times, she wanted to undress him herself, she’d picture sliding the expensive fabric off of him little by little. She’d lose herself picturing him revealing the smooth skin underneath, the fine hairs and small faded scars; probably from his childhood. She imagined that if they were lovers he would have told her the story of each scar already—this one, a fall from a tree, that one a playfight with a friend, yet another one from a hike with his parents—but she accepted now that she might never know, and that he would forever remain a mystery to her.
He never let her undress him, not even once. When she tried to initiate one time, he refused her, quoting ‘keeping an air’, but she had a feeling that it was for a different reason. Maybe; she thought, undressing him was an act so intimate―so baring―he only reserved it for those he truly loved. She didn’t have time to think anymore as he advanced again, pulling her body up to meet his, a little rough, but he knew that that was the way she loved it.
He wrapped his muscular arms around her, and she let out a gasp into his mouth as he slid in, in and out, in and out, increasing the pace and then slowly, skillfully, bringing her to the brink of orgasm. And not a moment too soon, he mercilessly pulled away just before she could feel that sweet sweet release.
She could tell that he had incredible self-restraint; none of her other lovers had ever lasted this long before. The pressure built up even more inside of her, she was internally screaming for its release, please, please, Sebastian PLEASE. She barely noticed that Sebastian had reached his own climax a few moments after, pulling out slowly and kissing her gently as he laid her back down on the couch.
It took a moment for the world to return to normal, for the colors to stop being so bright and for her thoughts to come in as they should. Sebastian grabbed Bella’s hands, whispering to her about how wonderful she was, his own voice honeyed with overwhelming pleasure and satisfaction.
Then, slowly, things come back into focus, and the two of them made their way into Sebastian’s bedroom for the next few rounds, for whenever they felt up to it.
It always played out like this. They never banged on the bed first, and even when they did, it usually didn’t feel like they were. It was difficult thing for Bella to put into words. Like she was in this space, but Sebastian’s mind was not there, and neither was hers, and so it didn’t feel as if they were in an intimate space together at all. Instead, they would be in the living room or the kitchen, having sex on the piano or the kitchen counter, braced over the coffee table like some caricature of their relationship.
Bella just learned to ignore it.
Twenty-Eight
“You know, Lillian, I think we might be seeing the light,” Lillian’s editor, Meghan mused. She had been going through the proposal Lillian had typed up earlier that morning finally setting it down after a mid-morning work binge. “This is definitely a path to consider. I’ll see what I can pull as far as getting you access to shows—I have a few connections. In the meantime, take your lunch break, and I’ll see if I can’t have something lined up for you within the next few days.”
Lillian nodded, thanking her as she took her leave of her office.
She was very pleased that it went so well, low-key patting herself on the back as she fought the urge to dance for joy in the hallway. Her doubt had begun to get to her, and she had started worrying that it wouldn’t go over at all. Thankfully, it seemed, that she was not out of the running quite yet, and this could maybe be her chance for an even bigger breakthrough. At least, that’s what she was hoping. She pulled out her phone to send a quick text to Sebastian.
Taking my lunch break now. Still down to meet up?
The two of them had been making the effort to spend more time together lately, rekindling the friendship they both so dearly missed. So far it consisted of rushed lunches and the occasional soap opera binge when Sebastian came over to visit both her and Rebecca.
Surprisingly, he’d been the one insisting on the soap operas, having gotten into them ever since they all watched that Spanish novella from what felt like many months ago; when Lillian was feeling down. Rebecca—of course, found it to be absolutely hilarious holding it over his head that ‘Mr. Big-Shot-Lawyer’ was into dramatic love triangles and cliffhangers.
Lillian, on the other hand, found it quite charming. She wondered, if like her—he had a special connection to the genre because it was so strongly tied to the night when the two of them really started to move back towards the friendship they used to have.
Whatever it was that they had now, friendship (and nothing more), was what Lillian liked. It was that way, for the moment at least. She needed more time to focus on her career, and she didn’t want to mess up her friendship with Sebastian. She couldn’t bear the thought of losing him…again.
That was more than what she would be able to take.
Her phone buzzed as his reply came in.
Of course, just got out. Same place as last time?
Yep, really craving falafel and pita.
Greek again it is then.
Lillian smiled to herself, the warm fuzzy feelings of a companion trickled into her stone-cold heart. At one point or another, she’d imagine herself to have thought that it was in spite of herself, but now she knew she had permission to let herself be pleased, especially over things like this.
She neatly tidied up her desk―at least somewhat, so that it would be ready for her to resume work when she returned from lunch. She had multiple photos that some of the other photographers took that her editor had asked her to look over—choosing out the best ones and editing them so that they’d be ready to go into the magazine. It pleased her that she was trusted with such work, especially since at one point it was her photos being picked through and edited by someone else.
Grabbing her purse and checking to make sure she had everything in it, she headed out into the busy streets of New York.
Spring was just around the corner; the weather was getting warmer and the nights were less cold. The air felt light, and a breeze blew the hair out of her face. The city still looked and smelt the same way that it usually did, but she cherished these spring months. They were certainly much better than summer—when sweltering heat would descend and there’d be gaggles of school children running around to the four winds to do what they’d wished.
It was only a short walk to the small Greek place that her and Sebastian now frequently met at. It was one of those places that you might miss at first glance—or look over with an upturned nose. But it was a firm favorite of hers, recommended to her when she first started working at the magazine by Ana, her other college friend.
She could see Sebastian waiting in the line of customers, she enthusiastically waved to him with a smile, squeezing through to take her place by his side.
“Certainly, busy today, isn’t it?” he said, his tone light and playful.
“Not as busy as it would be if Ana had her way with it,” Lillian replied with a joking scowl. Ana, who had been Lillian’s writer friend for a while, always wanted to do an article on the small restaurant. The editors considered including it in the next edition of the magazine as a way for their newer photographers to get some experience.
But that would most definitely turn the place into a highly frequented, tourist destination instead of keeping it the not-so-well-kept secret that Lillian had come to love and adore.
“If that happens, I’m sure I can dig up some other options. Or we can always just order ahead.”
“I know, it just won’t be the same.” Lillian and Sebastian moved up in the line as another customer finished their order, getting ever closer to the register.
“What, you mean squeezing into this line and taking advantage of my punctuality?” Sebastian teased, nudging her with his shoulder.
“You know what I mean.”
“Do I?”
The words are low, and they almost sent shivers down her back. Her subconscious mind took them back into another context, imagining what it would be like to have Sebastian say them to her when they are alone, when there was no space between them.
But it is a thought that she easily dislodged.
They finally came to the counter, taking turns in ordering their food before moving to the side to wait.
“So, how has your work been?” Sebastian asked, leaning an elbow on one of the slightly sticky standing tables, giving Lillian a look that she would have labeled as seductive in her teenage years. Sebastian had an essence about him, dark hair, green eyes, and a chiseled jaw that made girls think of a movie star. Not only was he tall, he was built. Anyone could see the dedication he had towards physical fitness and exercise. He was a model citizen, on top of that, handsome as hell.
“Terrible,” she replied, shaking her head so that he knew that it was partly a joke. “All of my stories have been flopping lately.”
“Hmmmm, I would have thought that that dog park one would’ve at least garnered some interest.”
“Can you and Rebecca stop it with the dog park?” she said with a laugh, nudging him. “I get it, not my brightest idea.” She shrugged.
“I don’t know, the dogs were pretty cute.”
“Oh, now you’re just rubbing it in.”
“Alright, so dog park didn’t do as well as you would have hoped. Do you know what you’re doing next? I know it might not be the most interesting, but I could always see if I could pull some strings so that you can photograph some of the more intriguing cases I work on.”
“No, I don’t think I’ll need to take you up on that this time but thank you.”
“Oh? Have your own better idea?”
“In fact, I do.”
Lillian explained to him her new plan, noticing that he didn’t jump to conclusions as immediately as his stepsister, at least not visibly. He gave a stern nod after she finished explaining.
“I think that that would be a lovely couple of stories. If you want, I can get the three of us some tickets to the next ballet show that the ‘New York Company’ is putting on, to help give you some more ideas.”
“That might be really nice. At least, something to mix it up after all those soap operas.”
Sebastian raised his eyebrows, eyeing Lillian down from his superior height. “Are you accusing me of something, Lily?” His voice was low, sultry, sexy.
“I never connected the soap operas to you, Sebastian. You did that yourself,” she retorted, sticking her tongue out at him as she started up to the counter to collect their food.
They decided to dig in, not much for conversation as the flavors and their hunger were all-consuming. Sebastian mumbled and muffled comments about how good this place really was, and Lillian nodded in appreciation. They finished their food, wiping off their fingers and faces with napkins before depositing their trash and heading back out into the city.
Sometimes when she was with Sebastian, Lillian would forget that there was an entire world beyond the place where they existed at that moment. It happened a lot when they were younger, in his room, pretending that the conversations between his parents were not fights at all, just words, and that they were far away from where it was happening.
She’d remember making piles out of the blankets and pillows and reading books to each other until late into the night when everything else was quiet and the world was fast asleep.
Then she would play him the piano, the two of them would sneak out into the living room to join each other in a concerto or sonata, knowing that the world was too fast asleep, too tired, too far away to care what they did in the middle of the night.
But there always came a moment when she had to leave, when they had to exit the room and the world was not so silent. And in that moment, she reminded herself that she was here now, and that they were exiting the restaurant and she is hit with the fresh reality of the city, with the thoughts of her upcoming assignments, of all of the past, present, and future.
“You okay?” Sebastian asked, breaking through her thoughts.
“Fine, just thinking that I don’t want to go back to the office just yet,” she answered.
“How much more time do you have?”
“Not nearly enough to really do anything,” she laughed. “I’ll probably just go back and grab a coffee from the break room before getting a head start on editing.”
“More amateur photos?”
“Yep. They’re getting better, but most of this group are interns, so they haven’t exactly been hired yet. I’m just trying to find their best work. I want to figure out how to give them a critique that would help them move forward.”
“Maybe you should teach a class,” Sebastian joked.
“Oh no, I have a long time before I retire to make a comfortable living off of making students purchase textbooks I wrote. Besides, the more fame I receive now, the higher my salary later.”
He laughed at her joke, throwing his head back into the motion of it. “Isn’t that how it is. Well, good luck with your mission of fame. Let me know any time you need a break.” He said the last part with a wink, but Lillian knew he is kidding around and took no real notice of it.
“Thank you,” she replied, with a wave, heading back into her building to tackle the task ahead of her.
Sebastian thought that forgetting about Lillian in a romantic way would be easier than this, but his progress was admittedly, slow, backwards even. Hanging out with her and Rebecca as a group of friends had surprisingly been helpful though. And on top of that, being able to let out his sexual frustrations with Bella around was helpful too. But overall, the process of letting his feelings for Lillian go was harder than what he had initially thought.
He wanted to respect Lillian’s space though; he understood that after everything that happened with him and Ash, he knew she just wanted to focus on her career. He smiled to himself as he was reminded of how happy he was to have her back as a good friend, for the most part. But that didn’t stop the feelings from seeping in when it was just the two of them together and she would give him that smile. How could he expect to? Especially after everything that had happened.
He shook the thought from his head as he walked back to where his car was parked, sliding into the driver’s seat with a sigh before driving back to his office. He wasn’t in court today, which he was thankful for, but he still had a lot of work to do. More cases had been coming his way lately, and he’d been trying to figure out how best to juggle everything—especially while still making sure he was focusing on relationships with the people he cared about.
