The Sanctuary (8 page)

“Yes, absolutely,” he said without hesitation.

“Why?” I asked as the tears poured down my face.

“If we fall in love, my career affords me the flexibility to be with you here or in America. And if we don’t work out, at least I know I tried. I won’t question what could have been the rest of my life.”

I used the shirt I was holding to wipe the tears away. I knew he was right. His words cleared my mind of confusion. “I don’t want to have regrets.”

He inched closer. “Then you’ll stay?”

“For as long as I can. I have to go back in January, though, because I have several events I am contracted to oversee.”

“Of course if you need to return, then that’s what you’ll need to do.”

“Between the three branches, we handle hundreds of events in a month. My life is chaotic.” I looked at him hopefully; his face was dangerously close to mine. “Does this mean we’re dating?” I whispered.

“You tell me, darling. I am yours if you’ll have me.”

I brushed his hair behind his ear. “I would love to be with you.” I closed my eyes and leaned in for a kiss. Our lips locked in a soft, passionate embrace.

He pulled away. “Let me make love to you, Eve.”

It was the sexiest thing I’d ever heard. His words made my knees wobbly. As if our past encounters were just a warm-up for the real thing, I kissed him, embracing his words.

He wrapped one arm under my legs and the other around my waist, picking me up. With a quick spin, he laid me on the bed before him.

He stood before me staring deep into my eyes, slowly stripping. His body was perfect, his cock full and erect. He leaned over and slid his hands up my sides, pulling my shirt and bra off of me. Working his way down, he seamlessly slid off my pants.

He leaned farther into me and placed his face close to mine. His hands clenched my hip bones, thrusting my pelvis against his. His fingers felt smooth and silky as they caressed my flesh. “If I could get away with it”—he kissed me on the neck—“I would tell you I loved you.” He kissed the center of my collarbone before drawing his lips to mine. “But since I can’t, know I am giving you my soul.”

And with those words, his body entered mine and our souls intertwined. He took my breath away. I wrapped my arms around his back, drawing him closer to me. I felt his breath, each inhale and exhale, each small shudder of his skin pushing against mine.

Our eyes met; it seemed as if he always watched me, deriving enjoyment from my pleasure. But this time was different; his emotions became one with mine.

His warm, soft lips pressed into mine, opening my mouth, allowing our bodies to further entwine. My body quivered under his touch. My heart fluttered as I rose into him, and suddenly, orgasmic bliss washed over us simultaneously.

He rolled over, holding on to me, bringing my head onto his chest. We lay there silently, pleasure and emotions overtaking us. I had never experienced sex like this with any other man. Every other encounter paled in comparison. All the past times were meaningless and void of emotion. Val made love to me, and while I might deny it, I made love to him.

I propped myself up on one arm. “I wish I had the words to express what I feel for you. What I felt for you during…” I knew what I wanted to say, but I couldn’t.

“Go on, love, tell me what you feel.” His eyes were tender, his voice soft. He smiled as his hand stroked my nape.

I changed the subject. “What did you say before we began? If you could get away with…’”

“I said, ‘If I could get away with it’.”

My heart felt as though it was going to implode; I wanted to hear him say it again. “With what?”

“I would tell you I loved you.”

“So tell me.” Tears began to well up in my eyes. I swallowed hard to keep the ball that was building in my throat down.

His eyes sparkled. “I love you.”

And with those three small words, the tears broke ground, streaming down my cheek onto his chest. “I think I love you too.”

I buried my face into his chest. “Do we have to visit your parents? Can’t we stay here all night?”

“I don’t want to go either, but between my father already meeting you and the stories in the papers, my mother would kill me if we didn’t make an appearance. I’ll make sure to keep it quick though. I promise.”

“I’m nervous about meeting them.”

“It will be okay. Besides, you have already met my father.” He tried to peel himself away, but I was dead weight. “Why don’t we take a shower?”

“I’m tired. I’ll hop in after you.”

He headed into the bathroom, leaving me alone with my thoughts. I was feeling a bit nauseous; it had been a rollercoaster of a day.

Perhaps my mood swings were because it was that time of the month. I pulled out my phone to check my app. I’d skipped a cycle or hadn’t logged it.

I dialed Vicki. I knew she would remember.

“Do you remember if I got my period last month?” I blurted out before she could say hello.

Vicki laughed. “You got it two days after me. Why?”

“I’ve been emotional all day. I may have ripped Val’s heart out before putting it back into place. Anyway, when was it?”

“Off the top of my head, I’d say the fourth.”

I looked at the calendar on my phone, “I’m late.”

Val entered the room. “You’re
what
?”

“I’ve got to run. I’ll call you tomorrow.” I hung up. It would be my luck that he’d walked in at the wrong moment.

“You’re not on birth control?” He placed his hands squarely on the bed, staring at me sternly.

“I have an IUD. But ever since I got it, my periods have been irregular.”

“Well, that’s a relief.” Val opened the closet, rummaging through his clothes. He had a massive wardrobe for a man. He motioned to the bathroom. “You better shower, or we’ll be late.”

There was an air of coldness to his voice, but I didn’t have time to pick at his brain. I needed to get ready. As soon as I stepped into the shower, Val called out through the glass.

“What’s the matter?” I opened the door. The steam from the hot shower flooded the room.

“I have something to tell you.” His face was pensive. He glanced down. “We may not be able to have children. I know this is way ahead of time, but I thought you should know.”

I leaned on the shower door. “No worries. It wouldn’t bother me in the least.”

“You don’t want kids?”

“I honestly don’t care. I’m selfish. I’m not a kid person. I want to travel to strange places on a whim.” I smiled. “Why do you say we can’t have kids?”

“You know, all the”—he stumbled over his words—“the partying, the drugs, the alcohol. I’ve done damage. I know it.”

“That means we can fuck like bunnies all day.” I leaned out and planted a kiss on his lips. “And if we didn’t have to meet your parents, we could fuck like bunnies all night.” I winked; it was my way of telling him it was okay.

He laughed. “We will, but after dinner.” He closed the shower door. “Ahh, Eve, I love you.”

I froze. I knew I’d said those words hours before; in the heat of the moment they had felt right.

I lingered in the shower before stepping out to dress. I needed to change the topic to avoid any love conversations. He was still getting ready in the bathroom.

I stood next to him and toweled off, drying my hair as I watched him in the mirror. It was odd to share close quarters, to do ordinary things together. It was the same disquieting feeling of normalcy I’d felt last night and again this morning. Is this what love felt like?

“It’s a bit strange putting on makeup next to you,” I said as I applied my eyeliner.

“Why? It’s the little things that make it real. This, this is real. The bullshit of dating has been cut out, and we can get down to the core of the relationship.”

His words made sense. It took months to become acquainted with someone when there were only weekly dates and scattered phone calls. There was no way to really know a person until you lived with them.

I glanced at his reflection in the mirror. His five o’clock shadow was beginning to appear, which made him even more handsome. I envisioned how the roughness would feel rubbing against my inner thighs and clit.

“May I borrow that?” He pointed to my eyeliner. It was a strange request, but I handed it over. I watched him apply and smudge it. I’d never dated a man who wore makeup, let alone mine.

I eyed him from head to toe. He was in tight dark jeans, expensive boots, a black shirt topped off with a military-style jacket and several scarves around his neck. His hands were adorned with several thick, chunky silver rings. His hair was loose, wavy, and flowed to his shoulders. And now the makeup. It was the first time I’d seen him playing the role of rock star. It made my pussy throb and my blood pressure increase. I couldn’t wait for this night to end so I could fuck him again.

I flirtatiously dropped my mascara wand, bending over, pantyless and exposing my rear for him to see. I rose slowly, catching his eye. He playfully smacked my ass and released an evil laugh.

“I’m going to ravage you tonight for doing that.” He grabbed my hair and pulled me back, pressing his body against mine. He pulled my head farther, arching my neck so I was looking up at him. “Just you wait. But it’s getting late. We need to go.” His playfulness changed as he released me from his grip.

I dressed quickly, slipping into a little black dress and heels. Val reentered the bedroom and eyed my outfit. He approached me. “Take off your panties,” he said with a straight face.

His voice was demanding; I tried to resist. “What? Why?” I protested humorously.

“Take off your panties,” he said again, growling, confirming his command.

I contemplated saying no but stopped myself. Was the sexy rock star beckoning me to be his slave? My curiosity got the best of me. I slipped off my panties and dropped them on the floor, waiting to see where it would lead.

“Let’s go.” Val headed toward the door.

“Not the reaction I was expecting from you,” I called out, following him.

“Oh, you’ll have plenty of reaction tonight,” he mumbled as we headed into the crisp autumn night. The air was chilly, and my nipples stiffened, the turgid points obvious through my dress. I wrapped my coat around myself to hide them.

“Don’t think I didn’t see that,” he whispered, opening the door to the car. “I want you to lift your dress when you sit down so your pussy is touching the seat.”

I shot him a sideways glance. I wasn’t sure what his intentions were, but I did as he requested.

The car drove off to his parents', leaving the safety of our home behind. I touched his arm. “What’s going on?”

His eyes danced. He leaned down into my ear and murmured in a guttural voice, “I’ve fucked you, I’ve made love to you, and now I’m going to dominate you.” He paused, opening his mouth slowly, softly touching the outside of my ear. “I want you to follow whatever I instruct you to do. You will relinquish control to me.” His hand slid under my dress.

This was the first time I had seen him like this, commanding, in charge, and so fucking sexy. I had seen the sensitive artist, the normal guy, and now the demanding star. I had three different men to sleep with. I was a lucky gal.

I eyed him lustily. “All right, I’ll play your game.” I knew exactly what I was in for, or so I thought.

Val leaned in and bit my neck. “Open your legs.” His hand pressed into my thighs, spreading them apart. His fingers worked my clit, flicking away at it furiously. I clenched my legs together and muffled a moan. I didn’t want the driver to hear me.

“Open your legs,” Val growled again.

I knew what he wanted, to keep me floating in semi-orgasmic agony without allowing me to release. My pain was his pleasure for the evening.

I inhaled deeply, staring out the window. I needed to take my mind off of what he was doing, or I would go mad.

“You’re in luck. We have arrived,” he whispered as we pulled in front of a quaint home.

“I can’t do this.” I was completely aroused by our encounter and too flustered to meet his parents.

But before he could respond, his mother answered the door. “Val!” she greeted her son, embracing him.

“Mum, this is Eve. Eve, this is my mother Maaria.”

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

I attempted to shake hands, but I was welcomed into open arms.

“Eve, you’re more beautiful in person.” Maaria winked at her son as she took me by the arm, leading me inside.

We stepped into the small, warmly decorated home. I immediately noticed a commotion in the living room. Val pursued his mother into the kitchen, and I followed.

“I thought you said only Eero and Jenni were coming to dinner. Why did you invite everyone?”

“Nobody has seen you in years,” she stated before proceeding in a whiplash of Finnish. Even though I knew not a word of what she said, I could tell Val was not happy.

Maaria turned to me, ignoring her son. “Would you like a glass of wine?”

I thought for a second. My nerves were on edge, and I needed a drink. “I would love a glass, thank you.”

I accepted the wine and sensed a warm hand on my arm, followed by a kiss on the cheek.

“
Hei
, I’m Jenni, Val’s sister. It’s nice to meet you. How long are you staying for? We can go shopping when he’s on tour.”

Jenni was a bubbling, gorgeous brunette with striking green eyes like her brother. She spoke so fast I had a hard time keeping up with her heavily accented English.

“Let me introduce you to everyone.” Jenni kept her grasp on my arm, pulling me toward the family.

After a long list of names I could hardly pronounce, we moved into the dining area to enjoy dinner. I sat between Jenni and Val, both of whom were vying for my attention, explaining what was going on.

Halfway through dinner, another gentleman came bustling through the door, seating himself abruptly across from Val.

“How nice of you to join us,” Val said, staring coldly across the table. He pointed his knife. “Eve, this is my brother, Eero.”

I sensed an uneasy aura surrounding the table. Eero and Val started rambling in a string of incomprehensible, angry words.