Charmed (19 page)

Lowering his body over hers, Adam kissed her hard and rocked his hips, stroking his erection on her belly. Wrapping her arms around him, she massaged his hard ass, digging her nails into his skin.

He slid off of her, turning on his back and pulling her on top of him. She lifted up on her arms, straddling him. He caressed her back and her bare ass, slipping his hands between her legs and stroking her wetness.

Sitting up, Adam leaned against the headboard and pulled her onto his lap with his legs out straight. Knees bent, she straddled him, her pussy pressed against his erection. Wildly he massaged her breasts, pinching her nipples hard. Losing his hand in her hair, he pulled her to him and kissed her until she couldn’t breathe.

Guiding her up onto her knees, he rubbed the tip of his cock in quick short strokes over her clit. The sight was erotic, and the hard tip aroused her, pressing her toward orgasm. Watching her face, Adam stopped before he went too far, and lowered her over his cock. Still on her knees, she controlled her motion, slowly letting him fill her. Stretching over him, her wet pussy taking his full length, she began to pant.

Crouched above him, his cock buried deep, she didn’t know how long she could maintain control. Adam looked at her bare breasts, her hard nipples, his gaze sending her into painful arousal. With his hands on her hips, he rocked up and down, moving her over his cock in a sensual rhythm. Her breasts bounced softly, turning her on more.

Adam brought her close, over and over, always stopping before she could plunge into the wild abandon of release. Again and again, he carried her up to the peak, backing away just in time. Casting aside all inhibition, she allowed desire to take over. Every second was ecstasy, each touch delicious torture. Fucking her, Adam’s eyes glazed with passion, and his bronze skin gleamed with the effort. Having him inside her was like no other feeling she could describe.

Tightening her vaginal muscles, she clenched around him, timing it so she gripped him hard when he was all the way in her. Her stimulation did not go unrewarded. Adam pressed his head against the bed and gripped her hips to stop her.

“You are driving me crazy,” he said in a whisper.

Unmoving, she watched his gorgeous face and felt him, swollen inside her. Warmth spread deep to her core and her ragged breath echoed in the quiet room. Adam looked into her eyes, and with a guttural sound began fucking her again. He stroked his huge cock in her sopping pussy, stretching and filling her.

The feeling of him propelled her into raging need. The need to have him, to be one with him, to feel nearly beyond her capacity, rose up and swallowed her. Ella had no way to mitigate the intensity, and no way to hold back.

Fucking faster, Adam’s hips came high off the bed as he pounded into her and she bounced into him. Ella felt sensation radiate deep inside. Her clit tightened in response to the heavy erotic flow engulfing her. She saw Adam’s jaw clench and his body go rigid.

His pained look told her he had lost all control. Adam’s fat cock pulsed inside her. His yell sent her into higher joy; she screamed with pleasure as the power of her orgasm took over. Ella felt so vulnerable, so passionate, falling into the waves rocking through her.

They came together fucking hard, sweating and panting; the strength of the release such that neither came down until the tremors had racked them for protracted minutes, leaving them limp in each other’s arms.

Breathing heavily, Adam slid onto the bed next to Ella, pressing her cheek against his chest. The silence of the room settled around them, their heavy breathing the only sound. After some time, their hearts calmed and they pressed into an embrace, floating in a soft sensation of satisfaction. Closer than they’d ever thought to be with another, Adam and Ella lay together, ravaged by their passion, blissful in their love.

Adam sat in the back of the Chrysler on his way to a meeting with his attorney. Reliving the nights he’d spent with Ella, he realized he’d changed. The separateness he’d felt when with others didn’t exist with her. In his heart, wrapped close to his soul, she had become part of him. He could no longer live without her, nor would he want to.

The feeling unnerved him—not because he didn’t want Ella more than anything in the world. He did, without any doubt. But he wasn’t at peace with his love, because the future remained uncertain. Try as he might, he hadn’t gotten anything on Claudio that he could use to his advantage. Giving up wasn’t an option.

Reflecting back to the night of the formal affair, arousal stirred in his loins. Tormented by his past, he needed Ella’s soothing love, her passion. When he was with her, everything else dropped away. Lighting his life and loving him in a way he never thought a woman would, she was his salvation from the life he’d grown used to. The void inside him filled when he met Ella. Bereft of intimacy before that, he hardly knew how to deal with such potent emotion.

Craving her, Adam nurtured her passion, taking as much as she gave. Standing over her in his formal tux, looking down at her that night, naked and lovely on his bed, he had wanted to lose himself in her. Beautiful Ella, the only woman he would ever love, the only woman he had been truly intimate with, could not disappear from his life. The nagging fear would not go away. If only he could render Claudio ineffective, know that he had no sway over Adam, and could never harm his family or Ella—only then would the future be his to control.

*****

The car pulled into a space in the lot, and Miguel came around to open the door for Adam. He’d left Nico to stay with Ella. Others from his security team exited the vehicle next to his, one of the guards following him inside. Would there ever be a day when he didn’t have to defend himself, when he could walk the streets freely? So long ago he’d gone off to college, leaving his home to be free of his
father. But he was never free.

As long as Claudio remained unsatisfied, out of control, and at liberty to harm, there would be no freedom; not for Adam or his family, and not for Ella. Entering the elevator with his guard by his side, he felt like a prisoner. Since the day he was born he’d been Claudio’s prisoner in one way or the other. It had to end.

The door read “Quinn Bauer, Advogado/Attorney at Law” and the guard opened it for Adam, who stepped inside. “Ciao, Adamo. He’s expecting you. Go right in,” Adella said. She’d been Quinn’s secretary for years and Adam knew her well.

“Ciao, Adella. Good to see you.”

Adam went through the door and down the hall, finding Quinn going over some papers at his desk. He stood when Adam entered. “Ciao,” he said, reaching out to shake hands.

Quinn’s short, dark hair, olive complexion, and pale brown eyes gave him a handsome appeal. Adam knew he did well with the women. His square jaw and sharp features gave him a don’t-mess-with-me look, and from experience Adam knew the appearance was not misleading. Trusting him with his business affairs was only possible because Quinn Bauer had long since not only proven his expertise in the field of law, but his loyalty and friendship as well.

That morning Adam was there for a while. Some new projects needed to be set up, and Quinn needed more details on several new software programs Adam was working on. Quinn would co-ordinate with Joel Santos, head of sales, but had authority to make decisions for the company. Acting as an attorney/director of operations, Quinn still consulted Adam about anything major and only took action with his approval.

Operations had expanded, and AB Software had offers of substantial financial backing for the new projects. The clever, innovative programs Adam created from his home computer were in demand. And he had more in the formative stages. Quinn had set up a special team that kept Adam informed about current trends and demands he could fill, if the right program could be developed.

Based on the detailed reports provided, Adam created unique software, and more than once had been the first to do so. Gaining momentum in the market before the competition could get a foothold had increased profits exponentially. Adam was under no delusion that his brilliance was the only impetus to his growing fortune. Without his experienced, talented marketing team, his software would not garner such profits. And without Quinn, the whole operation would fall apart.

Grateful for the fortune life had allowed, Adam patiently went over every detail with Quinn, wishing he were secluded in his office doing what he loved best—software development—but facing the reality that success didn’t happen with him locked away at home.

He still shuddered to think of the dark hours of his youth spent trapped in his room, forced to use his talents for his father’s benefit. His phobia of offices stemmed from his traumatic youth. The thought of enduring hours in a tiny office on a strict schedule plunged him toward depression, the same depression he carried with him from his father’s abuse.

That’s why his house was painted bright white, why the rooms were huge with an entire wall of windows facing the ocean. Only then could he tolerate the time he spent in front of the computer, working at what he loved without his past settling around him like a dank dungeon, imprisoning his mind and his soul.

At last Quinn leaned back and said, “I think that covers it for today.”

Adam shifted in his seat. “What have you got for me on Claudio?”

*****

Ella frowned, trying to come up with a way to end the romantic tale she’d woven in her novel. Writer’s block froze her wits, and she sighed. It was useless. Maybe another day it would come to her. Or maybe her attention wasn’t really on fiction. Her real life had come alive for her, stranger than fiction.

Never would she have thought a man like Adam would be hers. Tiny fingers of anxiety rattled her. She should be happy. And she was happy, really. But she worried. Everything was going too well. Life had told her, repeatedly, to expect the worst. Despite her misgivings, she forced her thoughts toward a more positive plane.

Something terrible could happen. Adam had convinced her of that. Telling her a few more details of his troubled childhood and Claudio’s abuse of his mother, Ella understood they were dealing with a man unlike any she’d even met. His lack of feeling for the pain he caused was hard to envision. Memories of his misdeeds haunted his family, destroying their peace of mind.

Feeling helpless, Ella was distressed about it. If only there was something effective she could do, she’d feel better. Maybe Adam would uncover information making that possible. He’d gone to meet with Quinn, his attorney. The investigative team working to get the edge on Adam’s father was overseen by Quinn. Possibly this time, he’d have news; something so Adam could get traction in this war with his father.

Adam hadn’t wanted to tell her about the note Fiorella intercepted, but she’d pulled it out of him. He’d promised not to keep important information from her, and he’d agreed only because he knew she’d be stronger in a crisis if she weren’t in the dark. Adam had told her that was the only reason he’d revealed the dark details of his past and of Claudio’s ongoing tactics. She understood why he didn’t tell Serena, because there was nothing she could do anyway. But Serena was sharp, and Ella suspected she knew more than Adam believed.

Frustrated with her novel, Ella clicked out of the document and switched to her diary.

The other night, Adam made love to me in a new way. I felt things I never knew I could. For so long I was lonely. Even around other people, I felt I was just by myself, alone in the world. I did have Kaiyla, and she will always be my friend—but facing reality, I know she has her life. She’s in love with Steve and will move in with him soon. I never expected her to hang out with me forever.

Anyway, it’s not the same as what I have with Adam. I had walled off my emotions, knowing any man would hurt me. My confidence and self-esteem was so low already. I barely survived my awful relationship with Doug. I doubt I could have taken something like that again.

Then Adam appeared and everything changed. I’ve felt good with Adam since the first moment. The way he talks to me and the way he looks at me, I know he really sees me. He understands me, better than I understand myself. Being with him is everything, and I know being with him as I am, I’d never be able to live without him.

Seeing him in that tuxedo was indescribable. He filled it out, just so. And looked so debonair, so sophisticated. But he was still Adam—warm, loving Adam. His presence fills a room, and his look melts me. We danced and danced, and I actually had fun at a party, which is a first. All evening, I yearned to be alone with him. When he held me tight, dancing, I ached for him.

Then in the darkness, in his bed, he touched me in ways that only he could. Emotions swirled inside me, and he told me of his fear that I would disappear, naming the same fear I have. He’s so good and so sexy and so kind, I cannot believe that he is with me. Every day I’m amazed that I haven’t startled awake, finding ou
t all of this has been a dream.

Adam stirs passion inside me I didn’t know I had. His touches and caresses are beyond anything in the known world. He’s my true love. Being together is magical. I treasure our time together, and crave making love with him so I can be close. I can never get close enough. Any separation, any distance is too much. All I want in life is to be wrapped in his embrace.

Ella set her tablet aside and looked out at the water, listening to Miley Cyrus belt out “When I Look At You” through Adam’s sound system. The lyrics rang true for her, poetically describing the way she felt about Adam. Steeling herself to stop just worrying and do something about their situation, she felt stronger.

What they had together could not be destroyed. It would survive this world, this life, as she knew she’d love Adam for all eternity. When he got home, she’d find out what Quinn had to report. Whether there was much to go on or not, she’d talk to Adam and come up with a plan.

Feeling better, she decided to go visit Fiorella. The cooking lessons had become more frequent, and Ella was just about ready to surprise Adam with a meal she cooked by herself. Miguel was still at the attorney’s office with Adam, but Nico could drive her in the Caravan.

She’d have all afternoon with Fiorella. Maybe they’d even go shopping later. That would take her mind off everything, and she enjoyed Fiorella’s company. Serena had talked with her more and more. Fiorella translated most of it, but Ella worked on learning more words in Italian, preferring to speak to Serena directly when she could.

Ella turned off the music system, and before leaving she checked emails, replying to one from her sister with more news about her new job at the gallery. Opening one from Kaiyla, she was relieved to hear everything was still fine. Kaiyla had decided to move in with Steve, and had given notice at the apartment.

Ella felt finality in that. She’d been roommates with Kaiyla for a while, but knew if she did return to Newport, she’d be with Adam. That period of her life was over. Clicking off, she felt pleased for Kaiyla, knowing her best friend forever deserved the happiness she’d found with Steve.

Picking up the headset on the kitchen counter, she spoke to Nico, requesting that he drive her to the Bianci home. Usually she’d call ahead, but she had no doubt Fiorella would be glad to see her. Adrian was working today, so she wouldn’t be intruding on their time. Ella was confident in the relationship and Adam’s sister felt like a sister of her own.

Her sense of family had been warped in her mind by her own upbringing. She was relieved to know her capacity to love had not been permanently blocked. Smiling, she opened the side door and walked out to the garage, seeing Nico waiting for her with the car door open.

Nico pulled away with Ella securely in the back seat of the red Caravan, sending a text to Kaiyla to let her know how happy she was for her. The house was locked, alarm system on, cameras and motion detectors set. His team was positioned on the property such that no one was likely to pass unnoticed.

For a moment, Ella reflected on the way she and Adam were forced to live. One day they wouldn’t. She was sure they would triumph in the end, positive that evil would not succeed, just disrupt until brought under control. Leaning back, she reviewed how Fiorella had explained baking fish in parchment. Today she’d try it.