“Bonjour, Ami.” Eve greeted the French girl. “Allait-il comment votre vol?”
The older girl laughed and shook her head. “I have no idea how the flight was.” She admitted. “I was too busy thinking of being with Cameron to pay attention.”
“I can only imagine.” Eve reached for the carafe of orange juice, not feeling in the least hungry. She was in a horribly bitchy mood but she refused to take it out on the obviously happy woman across from her. Even if Ami did seem to glow with happiness…Eve sighed, wishing that she could be so content.
“We are thinking of getting married in May.” Cameron was saying. “But that doesn’t give us much time to plan a wedding.”
“I’ll gift you the best wedding planner in the country.” Garth assured his son with an indulgent smile. He was obviously happy for his youngest son. “Just find her.”
Eve took a small sip of her juice. “I know just the person you need. She does all the party planning for Winthrop Charities and handled Kari and Keith’s wedding last year.” She informed them. “Remind me to give you her contact information later.”
Quinn joined them just a few minutes later. She stopped to greet her future sister-in-law with warmth before reaching for the coffee. Conversation was on a neutral topic and Eve was thankful it stayed that way for the rest of the meal. She did not want to take her mood out on innocent bystanders.
Sebastian had yet to make an appearance by the time they all moved into the family room with cups of coffee. But he was already seated in the chair his brother had occupied the night before. His head rose as they entered the room, and his gaze went straight for Eve. But she turned away as soon as she felt his gaze on her. The dream from the night before had been far too real and her hurt was too close to the surface for her to face him at the moment.
Cameron and Ami sat on the sofa while Garth took his normal chair. Quinn leaned against the arm of his chair while Eve sat in the floor in front of her stepfather, leaning her head against his knees.
“Who wants to play Santa?” Quinn asked, rubbing her hands together in glee.
“You do it.” Eve urged. “I’m not feeling well.”
“Darling what’s wrong?”
She shrugged. “Just a little headache.” She lied.
“Oh, okay then.” Quinn went to the tree and picked up a stack of gifts. “Let’s see what we have here…Cameron, here is one from Daddy. And Ami one for you from Eve…Hush!” She shushed the other woman when she started to protest. “Eve gives the best presents ever. Trust me.” She winked and laughed.
Ami gave in with a smile as she took the prettily wrapped gift. “Okay. Thank you, Eve!” Eve gave her a small smile.
Quinn tossed a present to Garth. “That’s from me.” She put the largest bundle down before Eve. “So is that, love.” Then she dropped one down into Sebastian’s lap. “From Cameron, darling.”
Eve took her time opening the wrapping. Inside was a pretty pillow that would look wonderful in her room. No doubt, by the silky embroidering, that it had cost a pretty penny. All around her everyone was laughing and tearing into their gifts. Eve heard Ami exclaim when she unwrapped the picture she had given her of Cameron in a silver and crystal frame.
Garth played Santa next, giving everyone two gifts from the still large pile under the tree. Eve received a gorgeous necklace from Garth and a funny hat from Sebastian. Quinn put her own hat on and hugged her big brother. The gift giving went on for a good hour and Eve was still feeling sour and sulky, but she kept a smile on her face as she thanked Cameron for the rosary and Ami for the designer handbag.
When the pile under the tree was down to only a few small presents Sebastian stood to play Santa. “Ho, Ho, Ho.” He said as he tossed gifts around.
He had given one out to everyone but her when he suddenly dropped down beside of her and carefully placed a thin little box at her feet. “Merry Christmas, baby.” He said, his eyes intent on her face.
Everyone else was busy either unwrapping something or clearing away some of the mess they had caused by the amount of discarded wrapping paper, so no one was paying the least bit of attention to her. With a frown, Eve picked up the box. She knew that it was jewelry because there was no wrapping on it, just a little ribbon on the outside. It was long and thin and there was no card to say who it was from.
“Go on.” He urged as he dropped down beside of her.
Slowly she raised the lid…And caught her breath. Inside set a white gold bracelet with several charms. One was a cross, and then a book beside of it. There was a tiny sea turtle—her favorite sea animal. The last was two interlocked hearts with a perfectly cut diamond in the center. “It’s…Its beautiful.” She whispered.
“It was a last minute buy yesterday.” He murmured, taking the bracelet from the box and carefully snapping it into place around her right wrist. “I told the sales girl about this special woman in my life and she suggested this. Do you like it?”
Eve couldn’t find words. She just set there looking down at his fingers still caressing her wrist, causing her heart to beat her to death. He had to know what he was doing to her with his fingers right over her pulse.
“How about going for a drive with me later?” He inquired in a quiet, passion husky voice. “We can talk like I said we would last night.”
Her head snapped up. “Last night?”
He grinned. “Yeah. When I thanked you for the book last night I told you we needed to talk…Remember?”
A blush crept up her neck and burned her cheeks. “I thought I was dreaming that.” She muttered.
His grin disappeared and his eyes only grew hotter. “You dream of me?” Shyly she nodded, turning her attention back to the bracelet. “God!” He muttered and stood. “Later?”
Eve could only nod.
Chapter 8
Sebastian had to force himself to do long division in his head. Anything to keep his mind off the woman standing beside of him in the elevator!
It was beginning to get late. They had spent most of the day with the family, enjoying the holiday, having a delicious meal—a meal that had tasted like dust in his mouth. He had been so hyped up for what was going to come afterwards to enjoy any of it.
After everyone had a full stomach and seemed to be falling asleep from all the turkey, Sebastian had informed his father that he was taking Eve for a drive to look at all the Christmas lights. It had been a plausible excuse, after all Eve loved to see the lights reflecting in the snow. But his father had given him the oddest look and told him to be careful.
It turned out that Garth was not completely clueless to the tensions burning between his son and stepdaughter. Sebastian had nearly changed his mind after that, but one look at Eve and he was lost. She dreamed of me! Her confession that morning had nearly caused him to burst with desire. She blew his mind with her honesty regarding her feelings for him.
So he had put her in his car, and they had driven around the city for a while. Eve had made him ache as he watched her eyes light up at the many beautiful designs created with Christmas lights. After only an hour or so he couldn’t stand it any longer.
There was no way he was going to let their first time be under his father’s roof. Their corporate apartment, kept for out of town clients and visiting executives, was on Park Avenue. It was a three bedroom penthouse. No one was using it this week and with the maid service not scheduled until after the New Year it was the perfect place to take Eve.
“This is the first time I’ve seen this place.” She gazed up at him with those beautiful green eyes. “I knew that there was one, but I had almost forgotten about it until you mentioned it earlier.”
He opened his mouth, but couldn’t remember how to speak. She had him all knotted up. Sebastian clenched his hands into fists to keep them from trembling. He felt like a teenager about to seduce his first girl. He couldn’t even remember that girl’s name right now. Eve had invaded his every sense.
Until last night he had still been unsure if he even wa
nted to pursue the feelings he had for Eve. But as soon as he had opened that incredible gift the night before he had known that Eve’s feelings for him went far beyond just desire. She couldn’t have given him such a meaningful gift unless she loved him. And while he wasn’t yet sure if what he was feeling for her was as deep as love, he did care for her more than he had any other woman that had been in his life. He didn’t even know what love was. That was an emotion he had never experienced in a romantic way.
When he didn’t speak she gave him a small smile. “You said we were going to talk. But so far you haven’t said much.” She captured one of his fists and brought it to her lips. Her big green eyes trapped his as she kissed his knuckles, her little pink tongue coming out to taste him. “Maybe we don’t need to talk after all.” She murmured.
Her wet tongue touching his overheated skin snapped him out of his daze. “We are going to talk.” His voice was hoarse and just slightly shaky. “But first…Oh God, Eve!” He closed his eyes and let his head fall back against the elevator as she took one of his fingertips into her mouth and nibbled. “Are you trying to kill me?”
She grinned but released his hand. “If that’s the way you like it…” She squealed when he growled and pushed her up against the wall of the elevator. “Kiss me.” She commanded.
Normally he liked to be the one in control. But the way she was ordering him around right now he knew that she was going to dominate in the bedroom. It sent a shot of white hot desire through his veins and he captured her lips roughly. His fingers tangled in her hair and he pulled her head back so that he had the perfect angle to devour her luscious mouth.
The elevator was slowing down but he didn’t even notice until the door opened on the top floor. Reluctantly he lifted his head and took a step back. “We’re here.” She opened her eyes slowly, her eyes glazed with such passion he was tempted to take her there in the open elevator doorway.
On legs that noticeably trembled she exited the elevator and he enjoyed the view of her walking in front of him. She wore a short, red sweater with black leggings and stiletto boots. The boots made her legs look endless, while her rear was showcased to perfection in the leggings. He couldn’t wait to unwrap her!
There were two penthouse apartments that took up the entire top floor of the building. Sebastian unlocked the second door and pulled her inside. Before the door was even closed behind them she was in his arms. Her legs wrapped around his waist and he held her in place by gripping her sweet rear. Her lips devoured him, stealing away his breath.
She tasted of cool winter air, cinnamon coffee, and the sweetest honey. It was an addicting taste and he feared he was going to become a junky for it far too soon. Her teeth nibbled on his bottom lip, causing him to gasp in pleasure at the little stings. He fisted her hair to pull her head back, his breathing labored.
“We have to slow this down, E. I won’t be able to be gentle with you if I can’t get some semblance of control.”
She giggled and it was the sexiest sound he had ever heard. It was incredibly feminine and musical. Just like bells…Who knew that bells were so sexy? “Gentle isn’t what I want, Bastian. Take me to bed.”
There she went with her sexy commands again. It sent a delicious shiver down his spine and he pulled her through the apartment toward the master bedroom. With her hand in his own he could feel the way she was trembling. He gave her fingers a little squeeze as he opened the door to the master bedroom and tugged her forward.
He turned to flip on the lights and she walked away from him, toward the bed. He waited by the door while she took her time looking around. The king size bed had crème and brown pillows decorating it, with a matching comforter. The drapes where a dark brown, while the furniture was a soft cherry. He had no idea who had decorated the room, but it seemed to be welcoming.
Slowly Eve turned to face him. A smile teasing at the corners of her kiss swollen lips. “Come here, Bastian.” Her eyes glittered with suppressed passion and her fingers trembled ever so slightly as she held out her hand to him.
Tearing his sweater over his head, he crossed to her and taking her offered hand, pulled her against his chest. “I was serious, Eve. I want your first time to be beautiful. Not over in the blink of an eye.”
Green eyes met blue, both over bright with the intensity of their feelings. Eve’s fingers began to trace across his chest. Her nails stopped to circle around his already tight nipples. His abs quivered as her other hand caressingly trailed down to his naval. “Let me worry about that.” She bit her lip as she unsnapped the top button of his jeans. “Relax and let me take care of everything.”
A groan escaped him as she carefully lowered his zipper and let her hands drift inside his boxers. Long, slender fingers grasped him, causing his eyes to roll back in his head at the first deliciously mind numbing touch. “Eve…” He breathed her name.
“I know what I want, Bastian. And I am not scared to take it.” She kissed his chin, trailing her tongue down his neck and stopping to suck at the pulse frantically beating at the base of his throat. “Will you let me take what I want, Bastian?”
All he could do was cry out in pleasure as her grip on his pulsating length tightened and she stroked him. He felt his pre-cum dampen the head of his dick and opened his eyes when he felt her rub it away. She seemed fascinated as she played with the sticky substance, rubbing it over the tip of him. He felt his balls tighten, telling him he was already too close to the point of no return.
“Eve…”
“Sh.” She stepped back from him and pulled her sweater over her head. He was left speechless at the sight of her perfect breasts inside of her baby blue bra. Her arms went behind her to unfasten the clasp and he fell to his knees.
“You are the most beautiful thing I have ever seen.” He groaned and lifted one perfect globe to his lips. Her fingers stabbed into his hair, holding him to her as she whimpered in pleasure. His tongue flicked across the pebble hard nipple and she fell into him. He got lost in the feel of her in his mouth, the taste of her on his tongue.
All too soon she was pulling away from him. She moved unsteadily as she took several steps back. “I need a moment.” She muttered as she went into the bathroom and closed the door.
Slowly Sebastian climbed to his feet. He kicked off his shoes, shucked off his jeans and boxers and dropped down onto the edge of the bed. His hands shook as he combed his fingers through his hair. His breathing was labored and he didn’t know how much longer he would last the way she was torturing him.
The door to the bathroom opened and Eve stepped out in all her naked glory. His mouth went dry at his first sight of her. Her long copper red hair fell down her back. Big green eyes stood out in a face so precious to him just looking at her made his heart ache. A slender, albeit voluptuous figure, with breasts that fit perfectly into his big hands; and hips that flared out enough to make him begin to develop a fetish for that rear of hers.
She took her time crossing the room to him. Her eyes were eating up the sight of his nakedness. Even white teeth bit into her bottom lip, obviously liking what she saw. He sat up straighter. Sebastian had never been the type to care about what his body looked like, but in that moment he was proud of his flat stomach and athletic build. Green eyes fell to his sex and he cupped it in one hand, offering it to her.
“Sit back against the pillows.” She commanded of him and he scooted back until his back pushed the pillows against the head board.
He was in awe as she climbed onto the bed and crawled toward him. Her breasts swayed as she came closer and he cupped one, rubbing his thumb over the distended nipple. “You are so fucking beautiful, Eve.” He muttered.
“I’m glad you think so.” She dropped her head to lick across his collar bone. “I’m pretty fond of your body too.” Her teeth scraped across his left nipple. The pleasure was so intense that his grip tightened on her breast for a moment.
Inhaling deeply she raised her head and met his gaze boldly. “I know what I want Bastian.”
She murmured. “But I have never done any of these things before. So if I’m clumsy or you don’t like what I do…”
She broke off when he kissed her, stopping her flow of words. “Nothing you do will turn me off. That you are daring enough to take what you want is enough to make me come right here. So do what you want with me, to me. I just don’t want to disappoint you if I can’t control myself.”
Her lips grazed across his again. “Bastian…” She whispered his name and then lowered her head once more.
The first touch of her lips to his abdomen had him arching his back. Her long hair brushed against his thighs, causing them to quiver. Her sweet tongue dipped into his naval and trailed lower. The heat of her mouth caressed the head of his dick and he cried out. “Eve!”
“I want to do this.” She tossed her hair over her shoulder and trapped his gaze in her own as she lowered her head and took him deep into her hot mouth.
“Jesus!” His head hit the head board, his hands fisting in her long hair.
She could only swallow half of him before her mouth was full, the head of his dick hitting the back of her throat. Her tongue tortured the tip of him and he could feel his balls tightening once more. Soon he would spend into her mouth. “Eve..!”
But she seemed to understand that he was close and raised her head, licking her lips as if the taste of him remained. He released his hold on her hair and opened his eyes to find her straddling his lap. “Still with me?” She murmured with a wicked smile.
“Barely.” He admitted, his voice rough.
“Good.” She took hold of his hand and brought his fingers to her lips. She kissed each digit before focusing on his middle and index fingers. She took both into her mouth and sucked until they were dripping. Her eyes followed his hand as she guided it to her most intimate of places.