Pierced (10 page)

“Luc,” I protest, trying to follow the heat of his body with mine.

He leans closer again for a moment and grabs two, a Coke and Dr. Pepper from the refrigerator. “Bring the plates, baby, I’m starved.” I stand there looking dazed and confused until he gives me a stinging slap on the ass.

“Hey!” I protest, rubbing my hand over the tender flesh.

“Chop, chop, baby.” He laughs and takes the box to the coffee table in the living room. For tonight, at least, it appears Lucian can do casual very well. I drop the plates on the table and sit on the place he pats next to him. He opens the lid of the box, and we both inhale appreciatively. He puts two pieces of the supreme pizza on each plate, and I smile as he picks off the mushrooms before putting a piece in his mouth.

We both turn toward the television, as Julia Roberts seems to shout her trademark line from
Pretty Woman
, “Well, color me happy, a sofa for two.”

I burst out laughing as Lucian smirks, saying simply, “Indeed.” Lucian seems different tonight, more relaxed and carefree. I would never have imagined him sitting in my small apartment, cross-legged while eating pizza and watching
Pretty Woman
.

Before taking another bite of pizza, I ask him teasingly, “So, what happened to your last housekeeper? Did she flee in terror?”

He tweaks my nose playfully before answering. “Hardly. Apparently, I wasn’t dirty enough for her.” Dr. Pepper comes flying from my mouth, spraying everything in the vicinity. Lucian starts mopping me up with one hand while patting my back with the other. Shaking his head, he says, “Maybe I should have phrased that a little better. I meant she was used to taking caring of families, and I don’t require that much care. She didn’t feel the work was challenging enough. I rather thought she enjoyed that aspect since she seemed to nap a lot during the day.”

“Thank you for clearing that up,” I say as I look down at the stain on my shirt. As I ponder getting up to change, he finishes his piece of pizza and suddenly stands, holding out a hand. As I hesitantly take his proffered hand, he pulls me to my feet.

He looks around before asking, “Where’s your bedroom?” I point toward my door and allow him to pull me in that direction. Either he’s going to change my shirt for me or this was it. The door shutting behind me sounds like a gunshot in the small room. I open my mouth to ask him what we’re doing when suddenly he is on me. My back hits the door as his mouth fuses with mine. The laughing man of a few moments ago is gone and in his place is a man brimming with intensity. His hands seem to be everywhere on my body at once. I grab his waist and hold on for dear life. He licks, teases, and sucks every inch of my mouth before moving on to my neck. I feel him sucking the tender flesh there and know I will wear the evidence of his passion tomorrow. My tank top is gone before I can register a protest, and when his dark head drops to take a nipple in his mouth, I’m past caring.

“Luc.” I moan as his teeth nip at my tender peak. He rolls the other nipple between his fingers, and I feel moisture flowing from my core. As if he knows where I need him, he drops one hand to my stomach and slides it under the waistband of my shorts. I cringe as I remember the cotton underwear I’m wearing; at least they’re pink instead of white. When his fingers part my slick folds, I feel Heaven knocking at the door.

“So fucking wet for me,” he groans as his finger slips easily inside me. My back arches and I quiver as desire races through my body. I never felt this way with Jackson, and the intensity of the feelings he is awakening in me are frightening. I gasp as another big finger invades my tight passage, feeling a twinge of discomfort. Before I can pull away, he rubs my clit and like a tidal wave crashing against the shore, my body comes apart. I have never achieved this type of climax at my own hand, and my legs are threatening to fold beneath my limp body. “That was just to take the edge off, baby,” he murmurs before swinging me into his arms and walking the few steps to my bed. My shorts and panties are pulled off in one swift movement with his following after.

I have limited experience with a naked man, but to me, Lucian is beautiful. I want to study him like I would a work of art. Stepping forward, I put my small hand on his chest, marveling over the ripple of muscles there. I trace my fingertip down the tattoo on his chest and then notice something that hasn’t been visible before. A scar runs the length of his neck, right below his Adam’s apple. As I touch the skin there, he jerks away. Looking up in surprise, I ask, “I…does it hurt?”

His eyes cloud and he turns his head away. “No, not anymore.” Before I can question him further, he pushes me backwards, and I sprawl in an inelegant heap across my bed. He studies my body for so long I start to fidget. How can a man like Lucian not find me lacking? My breasts and my hips seem unusually large on my otherwise-slender frame. Maybe Lucian is an ass man. The thought is so absurd I have to fight the urge to giggle. Probably not a good idea when a man has his cock at eye level; there is certainly nothing to laugh about there. Rose had mentioned more than once in the crude college way that Jake was hung like a horse. I don’t think he could possibly even give Lucian a run for his money. My poor sex quivers in equal parts excitement and terror. He is huge, and I have no idea how something that large will fit inside such a small space. “Like what you see?” My face flames as Lucian looks at his cock, then back at me. I nod shyly; why bother to hide it? “Spread your legs.”

“What?” Oh, my God, he didn’t just say that.

“Spread your legs. You’re tiny and I want to make sure you are ready for me.” When I don’t immediately obey, he drops to his knees in front of me and nudges his body between my thighs. I watch in fascination as his hand is once again between my legs, a finger sliding back inside my body. Unable to hold back, I moan as he swirls the tip around. “Your pussy is tight; how long has it been since you’ve been fucked?”

“A…while,” I manage to whisper. He is now working two fingers in and out of me, and I’m mortified to hear the wet sound as my juices coat his fingers. When he adds a third finger, the pinch of pain has me gasping before my body stretches to accept the added width. His three fingers are now gliding into my sex as my body starts to clench. An amazing second orgasm is waiting in the wings, and with a few firm strokes to my clit, I see stars.

A protest forms on my lips as he pulls out, but I hear the sound of something tearing and then he is back. Still riding my orgasm, I feel his large hands move me up the bed and then he is over me, his arms bracing on each side of my head. Pleasure tingles along my nerve endings as I feel a nudge at my entrance. I realize with a start that it’s Lucian’s cock. Momentary panic hits me and my eyes fly to his.

“I’ll take care of you, baby. Just trust me. Keep your eyes on mine so I know where you are.” Without another word, he slides in slowly, and I catch my breath. He is big, so much bigger than I had imagined. “Wrap your legs around me.” As I focus on obeying his request, I inhale sharply as this new position pushes his cock into the hilt. We both freeze as I struggle to adjust to his size. He drops his forehead to mine and nuzzles against me. “Are you okay, baby?” I have no idea how to answer that question. The pinch of pain is gone, leaving in its place an uncomfortable, but not unpleasant, fullness. Experimentally, I push my hips against his and marvel at the sensations it produces. The strain of holding back is evident in the trembling of his big body against mine. “I can’t wait any longer,” he whispers before pulling almost completely out and slamming back home. My hips rise instinctively to meet his, pushing past the twinge of pain as his huge cock batters inside me. “Fuck…Lia,” he shouts as he pulls back on his heels, pushing his hands under my ass and bringing my bottom off the bed.

All reason has left me; I am aware only of the needs of my body and the driving force to reach completion. I feel every inch of his cock as it powers in and out of my pussy. If someone yelled fire right now, I’d gladly go up in flames; I’m too caught up in all things Lucian. I hear someone moaning loudly and realize in surprise that it’s me. “Please, Luc…oh, God, please!” I say, begging for release. I feel his hand against my clit, rubbing roughly, and that’s all it takes. I shatter again and again as he continues to fuck me. My spasms against his cock finally push him over the edge, and I feel him jerk, grunting as if in pain.

“Lia…baby, fuck!” He pulls out and rolls next to me. The ragged sounds of our breathing fill the room. I’m completely blown away by what just happened. My sexual encounter with Jackson doesn’t even rate on the scale of sex with Lucian. To me, it’s the difference between being with a boy versus a man. Through the haze of my afterglow, I wonder what comes next. Sex without love seems complicated. Will he leave now? I want to curl into his arms, but I am unsure of his reaction to that. I didn’t have to make decisions last time since Jackson left after discovering my scar. I’m grateful my back has been to Lucian the entire time, and I vow to keep it that way. I don’t want to see the same distaste in his eyes I saw in Jackson’s. Lucian makes the decision for me as he stands and stumbles toward what I assume is the bathroom. I giggle as he opens the closet door instead. He looks toward me, a smile forming on his lips as I point toward the other door. I hear the sound of running water and a few moments later, he is back. He looks at me uncertainly, and I decide to throw caution to the wind.

“Stay, please,” I say, hoping I don’t sound as clingy as I feel. He looks torn for a moment before walking back to the bed and settling in beside me. I wrap my body around his with my head on his chest. I purr like a kitten as his hand settles on my back, stroking up and down. “That was amazing,” I admit. “Was it…good for you?” Oh, crap, why did I ask him that? My lack of self-confidence couldn’t be more obvious.

His hand stills for a moment before resuming its path over my hip. “Yes, it was. I hope I wasn’t too rough with you.”

“No, I…liked it.” Talk about the understatement of the year; I want nothing more than for him to take me again, right this second.

“How long since you’ve been with a man?” I wonder what his obsession is with that. Was it so obvious that I lack experience? Shit, of course it was to someone like him.

“It was last year,” I admit, hoping it’s the end of the conversation.

“And before that?” he probes. I stiffen, knowing he is not going to let it go. Maybe he should have worried about my level of experience before he slept with me.

“He was my first and only.”
There, are you happy now
? I feel the urge to ask. It would serve him right if I started questioning his sexual conquests.

He sounds surprised as he asks, “Why? You’re a beautiful woman, Lia; I’m sure there have been a lot of opportunities.”

“Not any I was interested in. Between work and school, I really haven’t had the time or inclination for a social life. Jackson was friends with my roommate’s boyfriend, so he was just there. It was a mistake, and I moved on.” Humiliation will do that for you in a hurry.

I assume we are finished discussing my pitiful love life when he asks, “Did he hurt you?”

Stiffening, my mind automatically goes to my stepfather before I realize he is talking about Jackson. “Not physically,” I answer honestly. Jackson’s scars had been of a different variety.

His warmth wraps around me as I snuggle deeper into him. I have no idea if I will see him again after this, so I want to revel in the moment. All too soon, drowsiness takes over, and I find myself dozing, lulled into sleep by the sound of his heartbeat against my ear. “Sleep, baby,” I hear faintly and then I am drifting away.

How long I had been asleep, I have no idea. The room is dark, but someone near is choking. The gurgling sounds fill my ears as I frantically push the webs of sleep away and grope for an answer in the darkness. Someone thrashes next to me as I jump from the bed, rushing to turn on a lamp to light the darkness.

Lucian is on his back, his body twisting as if in agony. His hands are holding his neck and gasping sounds escape from his throat. Oh, dear God, he is choking, but on what? Rushing toward him, I put my hands over his on his neck. “Luc,” I whisper, not wanting to startle him further. He continues to wither as if in great pain, so I shake him lightly. “Lucian. Wake up, you’re scaring the hell out of me!” Just as I decide to call 911 in case he is having some sort of seizure, he bolts upright in bed, looking around wildly. I stroke his arm, trying to soothe him. ‘It’s okay, it’s me…Lia.” His other hand rubs against his throat, but the gurgling sound has stopped. I’m weak with relief that he appears to be unhurt. As suddenly as he jumped up, he sinks back down to the bed, forcing me to move aside as he lowers his head in his hands, taking deep breaths. Sitting beside him, I hesitate before starting to rub his back in slow, soothing circles.

“I’m sorry,” he says hoarsely. “That…hasn’t happened in a long time. I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

I continue to rub his back, trying to digest his words. That this has happened to him before is obvious. I wonder if this has anything to do with the scar on his neck, but I’m not brave enough to ask. “No, I was just worried about you. Would you like a glass of water?” He looks so young and vulnerable sitting here with his shoulders slumped forward that I feel something in my heart twinge. I don’t think this is some random bad dream for him. Someone hurt this man badly, and I find myself wanting to protect him, which is absurd. Just because I live with past traumas doesn’t mean everyone does. He pulls away mentally before he does physically. I see the shutters going down and the walls going up; I’m an expert at this behavior, so it’s easy for me to recognize.

“I’m fine, Lia; it was just a dream.” He makes a point of looking at the clock, which shows it’s just after midnight. He gives me a quick kiss before standing. “I really need to go, though. I have some emails to return before morning.” Instinctively, I grab my shirt from the floor, keeping my back turned away from him until I am covered. At this point, I don’t think either of us could handle any more upset tonight, and I’m in no shape to answer questions. I want him to stay, but I know he won’t; he needs space and this I understand too well to try to stop him.