Determined Kisses (Love in Sandy Beach Book 4) (11 page)

Hazel opened her waiting lips for him, and her insides melted to liquid when he sealed her mouth with his. But instead of deepening the kiss, he pushed away to look in her eyes. When she tried to close the distance, he held her off and said, “Darling, I want you to do something for me.”

She nodded. “Sure. What?”

“I want you to let me take care of your pleasure tonight.” His eyes were full of love and she looked at him curiously. She wanted to make love to him, but his choice of words made her wonder just exactly what he had in mind.

He saw her confusion and added, “I want you to give up control and do as I say.”

Hazel searched his eyes and then slowly nodded. She trusted him in this aspect of their relationship, and when he stepped back away from her, she felt a surge of excitement at what was to come.

“What do you want me to do?” she asked him, her voice husky with emotion and thrills rushing through her body at the thought of him being the one in command.  Over her body, over her pleasure. It was not something she had ever experienced before, and strangely enough she loved the idea of being at his mercy. A lot.

Ethan kissed her again and whispered in her ear in a dirty way, “I want to see you bare and naked in front of me.”

His words made her go damp, the desire for him overwhelming her. She went on her toes to capture his mouth once again, digging her fingernails into his back and tugging at his shirt.

But he took her hands and removed them from his body, as he said with a voice thick with lust, “Not yet, darling. Strip for me.”

Again her eyes widened with anticipated pleasure and the thrills rushed down her body. The thought of standing naked in front of him, exposed to his scrutiny, was almost unbearable.

He sat down on the edge of the bed and Hazel could see the anticipation on his face almost bursting.

“What first?” she asked, giving him a coy look.

“Lose the shirt.”

Hazel bit her bottom lip and slowly unbuttoned her shirt with trembling fingers, and then turned slightly away from him as she let it slide down her arms.

“Look at me and take off your bra.” His voice was a growl.

She felt herself flush and turned back to face him. His stare pinned her in place and she saw the impressive bulge in his pants, while she unhooked her bra.
Ohmygod. This is killing me.
Her hands were trembling so hard with pent-up desire, it took three attempts to unhook her bra, but the moment she did, her breasts jumped out, her nipples taut and aching for his touch.

He groaned and the look in his eyes, black with desire, showed her how turned on he was by her show. But he didn’t move; just his eyes raked up and down her body, lingering on her breasts that needed his touch so much.

“Ethan, I need you to touch me.” She took a step toward him, but with a coarse voice he demanded her to stop. Then he added, “Now touch your breasts.”

The command sent shock waves of pure pleasure through her entire body and her taut nipples hardened even more. She readily obeyed and cupped her breasts, without ever losing contact with his eyes, wetness dripping from her core. She was slick and ready for him.

If only he would touch her! She could see the desire in his eyes and it heightened her own.

“Now take your nipples between your fingers and squeeze them. I want to see those little rose buds getting all peaked for me.”

Good lord, this man would make her come without even touching her. But before she could get lost in her desire he said, “Now take off the rest. I want to see every inch of your gorgeous body.”

Hazel turned away from him. “No. Look at me while you strip.”

Shivers set her skin on fire as she turned back to face him and her trembling hands fumbled with the button of her jeans.

“Hazel, darling.” His sensual voice enveloped her in a cloud of lust-fog. Her brain shut down and finally – finally – her fingers managed to open the button and slide her jeans and panties over her hips. She bent at the waist, sliding them down her legs with her palms. As she looked back at him from her bent position and saw the look in his eyes was so intent, she almost lost her nerve.

She slipped the pants over her ankles and then stood up, dizzy for a moment. 

Ethan smiled at her. “Do you know how beautiful you are?”

Hazel nodded. “You keep telling me that.”

“Because it’s true,” he answered and then crooked his finger at her. She walked towards him naked and aroused beyond her wildest imaginings.

Her breath was coming in gasps as the sexual tension between them built, and when she stood in front of him, he finally touched her. The inferno exploded.

***

Ethan felt like the luckiest man in the world. He fell back to the bed and took her with him.

“I love you,” he whispered into her ear before taking the lobe between his teeth.

“I know,” she murmured back, tipping her neck to the side to give him better access. “That feels so good.”

“Good.” Ethan let his hands smooth down her sides, molding over her hips before moving towards the middle of her back and resting in the center of her buttocks.

“Tell me how it feels,” he urged her.

“Tantalizing,” Hazel said, pulling his shirt from the waistband of his pants. He felt her nails scrape against his skin as she pushed her hands up. When she couldn’t go any further without him removing his shirt, he undid the first two buttons and then reached behind his head and pulled the garment off

He smoothed his hands back up her sides, bringing them to her front, cupping her breasts and worrying her nipples until they were pebble hard.

His head dipped, taking one turgid tip into his mouth and sucking hard. She arched into his embrace, her hands gripping his head as he continued his sensual assault. He rolled over and laid her in the middle of the bed before he arranged her arms over her head, wrapping her fingers around the metal rung and whispering, “Don’t let go.”

“Ethan?” she whispered back softly.

“Remember, you are to hand over control and enjoy.”

She sighed and every single one of his muscles tightened. God, he loved that woman so much, he wanted to make her scream with pleasure until she lay wasted in his arms. And then again. And again.

He kissed his way back up to her mouth, capturing it beneath his own as their tongues and teeth melded together. When they were both gasping for breath, he retreated and finished disrobing himself.

She was squirming atop the comforter and he stood there taking in her beauty.  Her eyes were dark with her desire, her breathing irregular and coming in short pants. When she moved her hands, her fists unclenching from the rung, he shook his head. “Don’t let go.”

She arched her back. “Please.”

He knelt by her feet, painfully aware of his own throbbing desire, lifting one and kissing her arch and then working his way up her leg – skimming her soft silky skin with his tongue and lips, inhaling her fresh scent, doused now with the fragrance of arousal. He needed to taste her. When he reached the apex of her thighs, he buried his head between her thighs and used his broad shoulders to hold her open for his kiss. “You taste and smell so good, darling.” His tongue rasped over her slick flesh.

“Ethan!” she screamed, arousal heating her skin and making her thighs tremble. She released the rung on the bed and thrust her fingers into his hair. “Please!”

He loved the way she screamed his name when she was about to come.

Ethan blew a stream of air across her center, before he stroked his fingers up her stomach until his hands reached her breasts. Then he plucked her nipples into hard peaks while he simultaneously grazed his teeth over her most sensitive spot. With another yelp she came apart against his mouth, wave after wave of pleasure rippling through her entire body. Ethan drank in her spasming desire and then calmed her down with a last soft kiss.

He kissed his way up and fit his body against her softness. “Darling, look at me.”

Hazel fluttered her eyes, but she still had them closed.

“Hazel? Come on. Look at me,” he urged.

Her lashes lifted and he smiled down into her dark blue gaze. “How do you feel?”

“Safe. Loved. Needy for more.”

The love he could see in her eyes almost shattered him to pieces. He was about to burst; he put on a condom before he whispered, “Hazel Mendes. I promise to always love you.”

Then he slowly pressed himself into her tight wet heat. She arched into him, her eager flesh capturing his hard length and he began a rhythm designed to drive them both crazy. Slow enough to prolong their pleasure, despite her urges to go harder and faster. It was all he could do to keep moving and not completely lose himself in her warm touch and embrace.

“Ethan, you feel so good. I’m so close.”

“Don’t hold back, baby. I want you to let go. I’ll catch you. I promise.”

“Don’t let me fall.”

“Never.” Ethan watched her lashes flutter closed and then he increased his pace, his heart erratically bumping in his chest. He could feel her body tightening around his own, and he gritted his teeth against the pure pleasure slamming into him.

Only when another powerful climax rippled though herdid he allow himself to burst as well, causing their bodies to quake together. He shuddered against her, crushing her with his weight against the mattress. The echo of his scream of pleasure echoed around his bedroom.

He kissed her lightly. “You are amazing.”

Hazel snuggled into his arms. “You’re not so bad yourself. I guess I love you too.” His heart thundered – she’d said it. He embraced her tightly, pulling the covers over them before he wrapped both hands around her.  He was so overwhelmed with the depth of feeling he had for the woman in his arms. With the pleasure they had just shared. He was lost for words.

After a long silence he asked, “Want to come with me on Saturday?”

Hazel’s body stayed relaxed in the same spot in his arms. “Where?”

“To meet my family. We have a family barbecue every Saturday. Most of my siblings will be around and they’re all dying to meet you.”

“They are?” she asked, her voice suddenly shy.

“Yes, they are. Will you come with me?” He grazed his thumb over his shoulder, aching to tell everyone she was his.

“Can I think about it?” she asked, leaning into his touch.

“Of course. But don’t think too long. I want to tell everyone you’re mine.”

He snuggled against her, his breath stirring the hair at her temples. He loved this feeling of just being with her afterwards. Something he’d never enjoyed before. But with Hazel, things were different. More intense. He couldn’t get enough of her, wanted to have her around every minute of every day for the rest of his life.

“Sleep well, darling,” he whispered into her hair, and soon they both fell asleep.

The next morning at work, Vero asked Hazel how things went with Mrs. Barclay.

“It was okay,” Hazel answered.

Vero raised an eyebrow at Hazel and gave her a searching look. “Nobody has ever said that.”

Hazel didn’t falter in her explanation, and she and Ethan developed a routine where he picked her up after work, drove her to Ashton, and then came back to pick her up again when she was finished with Mrs. Barclay’s hair.

She cherished this time with him alone in the car. When they were at his place, they never could keep their hands off each other, but in the car, all they did was talk. And she loved getting to know him on a non-physical level as well.

One evening during their drive she asked him, “Why are you living in Sandy Beach, instead of in Chicago or someplace else where the action is?”

Ethan smiled. “Everyone thinks I’m crazy, not living near Wall Street, but while I was living in London, I discovered something about myself.”

“What’s that?” she asked, curious to find out what made him tick.

“I do not like living in a city. It clouds my mind, takes my focus away from what really counts. Traffic jams and all those people… not for me.”

Hazel nodded. “I guess I can see that. Although I’m not one to talk. I used to live in Montana. In our entire state live less citizens than in Chicago.”

“Well, contrary to popular opinion, I don’t think it’s always good or even necessary to be where the action is. Here, I can sit back and look at things from different angles. Get a feel for the big picture. When you’re living in the middle of it, it’s very hard to see things clearly.”

“But doesn’t that hurt you in getting investors or startups?” she asked, wanting to understand.

“Some of the biggest investors in the country live in the boonies. Take Warren Buffet. He lives in Omaha, not even anywhere close to New York.”

She’d heard of the multibillionaire, and nodded. “Well, I’m glad you’re here.”

He glanced at her for a moment. “Well, I do have to travel quite a bit. It’s important to get to know the founders of the startups before recommending them to my investors via AngelSeeds.”

A sense of loss spread inside her heart. She hated the idea of him being gone traveling for any length of time. She’d gotten used to spending the night in his arms. Waking up to him every morning.

It was something she hadn’t even known she was missing. And with Ethan, it was like she’d always known him. They connected on a level that was both unique and familiar. And confusing to her because of their short acquaintance.

He must have sensed her unease, because he added, “I do hate to be without you, though.”

They arrived at the gate and he kissed her. “Call me when you’re ready to be picked up.”

Hazel smiled at him and looked at the brand new pink smartphone in her hand. “I promise.”

Despite her protest, Ethan had purchased her a cell phone just for that reason. He’d insisted it wasn’t different from giving her chocolates and flowers and she’d never said no to those. She hadn’t been able to argument his point and had gratefully accepted his gift.

“You know,” she said, before she jogged up the stairs, “I like being cared for. By you.” His bright smile was reward enough.

At the front door she greeted the butler, and her stomach clenched at the sight of his pursed lips. It was a sign Inez Barclay was in an especially nasty mood today.

Hazel headed for the room where she knew Inez would be waiting for her and forced a smile on her lips as she entered right on time. “Good evening, Mrs. Barclay.”

“Well, don’t just stand there, girl. I’ve been waiting for over an hour.”

Hazel didn’t rise to the bait; she started working on Inez’ hair. Like every day, she did her best to keep her calm while ignoring the mean things and judgmental comments the old lady made. But tonight Inez was particularly abrasive and continued to prod Hazel.

“Stop it, girl! Your amateurish hairdo makes me look like a scarecrow. I sure wish Lizzie had contracted a girl who actually knows how to do her job.”

Enough was enough. Hazel freaked out and started shouting at the famous actress, “Nobody except you has ever complained about my hairstyling skills. I’m good at my job. And my name is Hazel. As you very well know. I am not your
girl
and I would thank you to not use that derogatory tone with me again.”

The tension in the air was palpable and Hazel trembled  – both from fury and from fear. But she didn’t care. She’d put up with Mrs. Barclay’s abuse for the longest time. With Ethan’s love in her heart, she wasn’t afraid of anything or anyone. Not even of the grand Inez Barclay.

Inez stared at her with a look that was meant to bring terror and subdue her. Hazel could easily see why she’d been such a famous movie star; she could change the expression of her face within a split second and convey any feeling she wanted to the person she was talking to.

But this time, Inez had met her match.

Rather than cowering in fear, Hazel stared right back at her. The contest of wills lasted a whole three minutes before the old lady showed some sign of admiration on her face and said, “I guess we could both use a refreshment. Would you be so kind as to ask the butler to bring us some tea, Hazel?”

Whoa.
Hazel was blown away. This was the first time Inez had ever called her by her name or offered her something to drink. 
And all I had to do was call her on her crap treatment of me, and demand to be treated like an equal.

That incident was the turning point in their relationship. From there on, they started respecting each other, and Hazel was surprised she was actually getting along with the actress.

Hazel found out Inez was indeed a very bitter woman who’d been taught by circumstances to distrust everyone, but she caught glimpses of humanity buried deep inside Inez’ soul.

Over the coming days and weeks, Hazel and Inez developed an odd friendship, where the actress told stories from her glamorous past while Hazel did her hair, or they sat down to sip tea and watch some of her famous movies.

Inez was a very lonely woman who’d had some bad things happen in her otherwise glamorous life. Coupled with the fact that she’d never made peace with her ageing and loss of youthful beauty, she had become bitter and mean.

One day she complained to Hazel, “Can you imagine, the film studio replaced me with a younger actress the day after I turned forty? Nothing had changed except my age, and suddenly I wasn’t good enough for the starring roles anymore.”

“I’m sorry, but people can be so fickle.” Hazel started to understand why Inez had become such a mean person, and she felt empathy towards her. It wasn’t easy to age with grace, more so for a woman who’d been considered an icon of her time.

Inez nodded. “I know about that at first hand. A magazine showed my picture and then took great pleasure in pointing out all of my wrinkles. They even called me an old has-been actress. That’s when I started hiding from the world.”

“That’s horrible.”

“From that moment on, my life started to fall apart. My husband left me for an actress half my age. I thought for sure things couldn’t get worse, but then my sister died and those people I considered my friends stopped calling and treated me like a pariah. Nobody wanted to be seen with me anymore.”  Inez’ breath came in short spurts as if she’d been racing up a flight of stairs, and Hazel changed the topic to tell her some of the newest gossip in Sandy Beach.

A few days later during one of their movie sessions, they watched the movie that had won Inez her first Oscar for best actress in a motion picture.

“My mother loved that movie. We’ve watched it together many times.” Hazel managed to say the words without bursting into tears.

“I would love to sign an autograph for her. What’s your mother’s name?” Inez was reaching for a photograph of herself, but Hazel stopped her with her next words.

“My mother is dead.” She felt tears fill her eyes and wondered if she’d ever be able to say the words aloud and not start crying.”

Much to Hazel’s surprise, Inez was honestly empathetic. She reached over and patted Hazel’s arm, which was the largest show of affection Hazel had seen from her yet. “I’m so sorry.”

Hazel quickly dried up her tears. It was time for her to get past her grief and start living again. Her tears would serve no purpose at all. And she most definitely didn’t want to wind up like Mrs. Barclay.