Hard To Love (11 page)

Chapter Eleven

Ella didn’t know what to think of Carter’s demanding, forceful ways. Part of her wanted to punch him in the face for thinking he could do what he wanted to her, without so much as asking. The other part reveled in the fact that he already knew her body well enough to know not only what she wanted, but what she needed.
Damn him!

“Carter,” she began. “Don’t you think it would be nice if you
asked
me before you just took over my body the way you do?”

“Why? Your body knows what it wants, Ella. Better than you do.” Carter trailed his fingers over her neck, down to her breast. “I feel your heart speed up, and your nipples tighten on my touch. I can smell your moisture before I even touch you. I have your body’s permission, kitten, to do with it as I please.”

“But,” she started to protest.

“No,” he said, briskly kissing her to stop her from talking. “Trust me, Ella, I know what you need. Now, let’s go jump in the shower and go have some dinner.”

Trust him? She barely knew him.
But, he did seem to know what her body needed, what
she
needed. All her life Ella had been the one taking charge of everything. Even in her marriage to Derek, she had managed everything. All the bills and the vacations, right down to what they ate every night for dinner, and when and how they had sex. It was a nice change to let loose and allow someone else to take control, to not have to think but just
feel
.

Deciding it was too soon to have this argument with herself, she climbed out of the bed, gathered her clothes and met Carter in the steamy hot shower. He stood in the glass shower with his back to her, and she watched as the hot water drizzled down his muscled back and over his taut ass. He was a magnificent looking specimen of a man. Every time she looked at him, it amazed her that she was lucky enough to have just touched him.

“You’re on the wrong side of the glass aren’t you?” Carter asked, without even looking up from the water running down over his dark hair.

“How’d you know I was here?” Ella felt the heat of embarrassment creep up her neck to her cheeks when Carter turned to see her standing outside the shower staring at him.

“Baby, I can feel when you’re near.” Opening the shower door, Cater took her hand and pulled her through the shower door with a wicked grin.

That kind of talk needed to stop, and stop quickly. He couldn’t say things like that. It caused feelings to erupt deep within her, and Ella couldn’t,
wouldn’t
, let herself fall for the devil himself. No matter how damn sexy he looked all wet and tantalizing.

Taking his hand, Ella stepped into the hot steamy shower. Carter stepped behind her, allowing the hot water to run down the front of her body. Pouring body wash into the palm of his hand, Carter slowly began to run his hands down her arms, over her stomach, and made his way back up to her now peaked nipples. Her body responded to his touch, igniting another spark of heat to spread through her, as he tilted her head to the side and began nibbling on her ear. A small moan escaped her lips.

“See kitten? I know what your body needs. You just need to learn to trust me.”

There went those words again.
Trust me.
Something that was harder for Ella to do than he realized. Ever since finding her husband balls deep in another woman, trust had not come easy for her. She wasn’t sure it ever would. Now, Carter asked her to trust him? The same man she knew had a different woman in his bed every night? That just wasn’t a risk she was willing to take.
Was it?
Trusting him with her body and trusting him with her heart were two totally different things, however, and right this minute she wanted nothing more than to trust her body to him. And that’s exactly what she did.

********

Sitting in the dimly lit restaurant, Ella realized it was the most romantic place she had ever been. A deep shade of chocolate brown covered the walls, and cream colored cloths dressed the tables, each one with two long tapered candles flickering in the dim lighting. Carter had ordered rosemary crusted Australian rack of lamb for himself, while she had decided on pan seared Long Island duck. The food was exquisite, as was the company. Their conversation was relaxed and enjoyable, and Ella couldn’t remember a time when she had felt so comfortable in the company of a man.

Once dessert was served, they both grabbed a spoon and dug in. “Mmm, this chocolate cake is delicious.” Ella licked her lips. Something so simple should not look so erotic, but Carter’s dick twitched under the fabric of his pants.

“Reminds me of my momma’s chocolate cake. She was the best cook. My brothers and I use to beg her to open a restaurant.”

“Why didn’t she?” Ella asked, captivated.

“She said we’d eat up all the profits,” Carter laughed, thinking of his momma’s smile. A smile that always warmed his heart.

Carter was turning out to be much more complex than she could’ve ever imagined.

Less than a week ago, she was hiding around corners to avoid the devil in disguise, as she liked to call him. With a smile, Ella shook her head.

“What?” he asked, watching the expression on her face.

“Nothing,” she laughed, tucking her loose hair behind her ear.

“Tell me. Don’t make me spank that kissable bottom of yours, sweetness.”

“Why do you always say that? Is spanking someone something you really enjoy?” A thought dawned on Ella and the air was sucked from her lungs. “Oh my god! You’re a dom?”

“No, I’m not a dom,” looking around the room to make sure no one had heard her, Carter diverted his attention back to his plate. “Exactly.”

Nervous laughter bubbled from Ella’s chest. “What does that even mean?”

“I’m not a dom, El, but I do enjoy dominance in the bedroom. Taking control and being responsible for a woman’s pleasure turns me on.”

“But you enjoy inflicting pain on someone, that’s why you want to spank me?” Ella couldn’t believe they were having this conversation. But what was more surprising, was how her stomach warmed and tightened at the thought.

“That’s a sadist, Ella. I don’t enjoy inflicting pain. I spanked you to get your attention, and it worked.”

“Then why do you keep threatening it?” she asked inquisitively.

“Only to get your attention again. Unless you’d like for me to spank you again?” he asked, cocking an eyebrow at her. “Do you want me to do it again, kitten?”

“I don’t know,” Ella answered in a whisper. And honestly, she really wasn’t sure. Enjoying someone physically punishing her was never something she had thought she would’ve liked. Before Carter, she would’ve thought it perverse. But now, moisture gathered between her folds at the mere thought of it. Would he want her to be some kind of submissive? That was definitely not something she would consider. Embarrassment crept up her chest and neck, she was afraid Carter would see her thoughts, and as usual, he did.

“Ella, I’ve looked into the dom/submissive relationships, and I do enjoy doing whatever I want with your body,” he paused, dreamily taking in the sight of her body, particularly her rising chest.
And, oh the things he wanted to do to this body.
However, he was no dom, and wanted to make that clear to the beautiful woman before him. “I enjoy being entrusted with someone’s mind and body more. It’s about trust. You trusting me to push your mind and body to find new, more enjoyable sensations.”

Ella took a ragged breath. This conversation was getting her very hot and bothered. “Is that why you keep talking to me about trust?”

“Trust is very important, don’t you think?”

“Yes, but I’m not sure trust is in my vocabulary anymore, Carter. Do you remember why we met six years ago?”

“Yes, I remember. You were married to a stupid asshole,” he grated, thinking back to the hurt he had seen in Ella’s eyes the night he tried taking her home.

“Exactly,” she nodded, taking another sip of her wine.

“Sweetness, you’ve trusted me so far. Have I let you down?” he asked with a devilish grin.

“No, not at all,” she blushed.

“Okay then, why are we still having this conversation? I’d never ask you to do something you felt completely uncomfortable with. And I’d never hurt you.” Taking her hand in his, he tenderly kissed each knuckle.

“Alright,” she breathed, staring into his sparkling blue eyes. However, she wasn’t completely sold on the subject.

Just as their
dessert arrived at the table, a tall, leggy blonde walked up behind Carter
and began massaging his shoulders.

“Why hello there handsome,” she said, with a country twang to her high pitched voice.

Ella thought Carter was going to strangle on the drink of wine he had just tried to swallow, but spilled down his shirt instead. Trying to wipe the red stain from his white button down shirt, Carter stood to address the blonde. “Hello Ms. Harmon, I didn’t expect to see you here tonight.”

Ella couldn’t make out the expression on Carter’s face, confusion mixed with agitation maybe. So, who was this woman bringing out so many emotions on the face of the man she was having dinner with? She waited quietly to be introduced, as she watched Carter shift from one foot to the other.

“Well, I overheard you ask Mark where a nice place to eat was, and I suddenly had a craving for yellow fin tuna. I’m sorry. I didn’t know you brought an acquaintance with you.”

“Yes ma’am. I thought I had mentioned that in our last conversation. Ms. Harmon, this is Ella Reid, a close friend of mine from Paradise City. Ella, this is Laura Harmon. Ms. Harmon is one of the record execs I’ve been working with.” Carter was sure he had mentioned bringing a date out tonight, and that this was not a chance encounter. This was one woman he was going to have to keep an eye on.

Brazenly, Ms. Harmon eyed Ella from head to toe. “Hello Ms. Reid. It’s nice to meet you. How do you know our handsome boy here?”

Our boy? Oh no, no, no!
“Oh, well, Carter and I go way back,” Ella winked. “We can’t seem to stay away from one another.”

Stunned by Ella’s audacity, Carter stifled a laugh and gave her one of his megawatt, make your panties moist smiles. “Sure doesn’t seem that way, does it baby?” If she was going to play this game, he was going to take advantage of it. Maybe the cougar would get the hint, and move on. Bringing Ella’s hand to his lips, Carter leisurely kissed the top of her hand, tuning out the cougar standing behind him. He only hoped he wasn’t committing career suicide warding off the person that had his future in her hands. Then again, being a big time music star wasn’t his dream anyway, it was his momma’s.

Clearing her throat, Ms. Harmon interrupted their moment. “Well then, I guess I’ll let you two get back to dinner.” Carter never took his eyes off Ella, as he politely said good-bye to Laura. “I’ll see you tomorrow at the studio, Ms. Harmon.”

“So, you want to tell me what that was about?” Ella asked, pulling her hand from his.

“I should ask you the same thing,” he grinned.

“Female etiquette. You don’t put your hands on a man before you know his relationship status with the woman he’s having a nice dinner with.” Ella cocked her eyebrows.

“She just better be glad I was in the mood to play nice.”

“Oh, so you like to play nice do you, kitten?” Ella caught a sinful glint in his eyes and her body shuddered from the dirty thoughts that flickered through her mind.

“The things I want to do to you aren’t very nice. In fact, they’re not nice at all. They’re quite wicked.”

Ella pressed her thighs together to ease the growing ache he was creating just with his words. Which was something she seemed to be doing a lot of lately.

********

Stopping in front of their motel door, Carter turned to face her. “Do you trust me, kitten?”

Ella’s mind whirled at the question. Yes, she trusted that he could take her body to new heights. However, that’s as far as her heart was willing to go.

“Yes,” she answered.

“Good. I want to push you to your breaking point tonight. I’ve learned a lot in the last few years, about how to please a woman, but you have to trust me Ella. If you let go and trust me, this will be a night you’ll never forget.” He leaned down and bit her neck.

That should’ve scared the shit out of her, but instead heat spread through her body and settled between her legs.

Shaking her head, she let his words sink in. Once again, she was asking herself what the hell she was getting herself into. Curiosity got the best of her.

“Okay,” he smirked. “I hope you’re ready, kitten. I’m gonna fuck every part of you until the sun comes up. Then, I’m gonna fuck you some more.” On a growl, Carter grabbed her long hair, pulling her head back, exposing her neck for his tongue to lick its way to her mouth.

Entering the softly lit room, Ella took in the aroma of roses, noticing a beautiful bouquet of coral roses setting on the side table, alongside a bottle of champagne in a bucket of ice. The bed was turned down, and extra pillows were arranged at the headboard. Vaguely, Ella remembered the significance of the coral rose,
desire
.

“Take off your clothes and get in the middle of the bed,” Carter said in a very stern voice. Ella hesitated a second too long, before feeling his strong hand sting her ass cheeks. “I said, take off your clothes and get in the middle of the bed,” he repeated sharply.

“Okay,” Ella said sarcastically.

“Oh kitten, that dirty smart mouth is gonna get you in a lot of trouble here. Good for me, not so much for you. In here, it’s yes sir and no sir. You got that? Or do I need to get your attention again?”

“No,” Ella snapped.

“Oh, I think I do. No what?” Carter slapped her ass again.

“No,
sir
.” Holding her breath, she slowly began stripping her clothes, and walked to the bed, praying she wasn’t about to make another huge mistake to add to her long list.

Chapter Twelve

“Good girl.” Carter rubbed the red stinging spot he had created, before walking toward the large armoire against the wall.

“Spread your legs apart, and raise your arms above your head,” Carter ordered, as he returned with black rope in his hand.