Having sex with someone new should have been awkward and clunky, but it wasn’t. It was perfect. Perhaps I should give another thought to that fate thing that Cassidy keeps blathering on about. How can it be this good if it isn’t meant to be?

  I try not to wake him as I ease out of bed. I use the bathroom and wash my face, removing the smudged makeup from last night. I grab the silky robe that hangs on the back of the door and wrap it around my body, tying the belt tight around my waist. I glance at my watch and see that it’s after 10 am. I need to wake him up. Make sure he’s nowhere near this room when Zack comes home.

  He’s sprawled out on his back, legs wide, with the sheet pulled up just enough to maintain his modesty.

  Ha, not that I didn’t see it all up close last night.

  One hand rests on his ribs and the other is thrown above his head. He looks like he sleeps hard. I pause, wondering how best to wake him. I clear my throat, hoping the noise will alert him to my presence, but nothing.

  I put a hand on his shoulder and shake. Still nothing.

  “Alex, come on, it’s time to wake up.” I detect a slight change in his breathing, but there are no other signs that he’s coming round. I lean in, putting my mouth to his ear.

  “Alex, you need to wake up,” I whisper, before I get the shock of my life when his arms come around my waist and pull me on top of him. He still has his eyes closed. The sneaky bastard.

  “Alex! Let me go.” He pats my head gently with a shushing sound.

  “Let me sleep a little longer,” he rasps.

  “You have to get up. Let’s get you through to the guest room and you can sleep some more in there.”

  He grunts his annoyance. “And why would I do that when I can sleep here with you?” His hands skim over my back and he squeezes my bum as he tugs me closer. With just my robe and the sheet between us, there’s no disguising his morning wood. “Hmmmm,” he rumbles against me and I detect a slight thrust in his hips as he drives his erection closer to my core.

  “We don’t have time for this.” I give one last attempt to defuse this situation, but my willpower is fading as fast as my arousal is growing.

  He holds me in a hug and rolls us, so he’s lying on top of me. “What’s this?” He plucks at the neck of my robe. His eyes finally open, giving me a disgruntled look. “Did I say you could cover up?”

  I laugh at his high-handedness. “No, sir.” I attempt to sound demure, but I don’t think I pull it off.

  His cock grows even harder against my hip.

  I raise an eyebrow at him.

  He reaches down and kisses me. He’s too good at distracting me. I should have got fully dressed before I attempted to wake him.

  He grabs my arms and pulls them up over my head. “Stay there,” he says with a growl that makes me wet. He wrestles the sheet out from between us and then loosens the belt of my robe. He pulls it open and my body heats as his gaze strokes all over me.

  “We have to be careful of time,” I tell him, breathless already.

  “How long have I got?”

  “I dunno. Maybe thirty minutes to be safe?”

  “Then you’ll be at my mercy for those thirty minutes. Got it?”

  I think I like this bossy version of Alex, so different from last night when I’d felt more in charge, which was fun, and then the middle of the night, which was slow and easy. He’s kneeling between my sprawled legs and reaches a finger out to stroke my pussy.

  “How many times do you think I can make you come in half an hour?”

  “I don’t know.” I tilt my head to the side, pretending to think about it.

  “If you guess right, maybe there’ll be a prize.” His tone is playful and light.

  “Ummm, twice maybe?”

  “I’m sure I can do better than that. How ‘bout we bet on it? If I make you come twice, you get to pick a reward. If I make you come more than twice, I pick the reward.”

  “What kind of reward?” I’m breathless with eagerness. I think I’m going to enjoy this game.

  “Winner's choice. For example, I could request that you cook my favourite breakfast. You could have me wash your car.”

  That all seems reasonable. “Okay,” I nod in acceptance.

  “Good girl.” He pins my wrists where they still rest above my head. “I want you to stay here in this position unless I tell you otherwise. Okay?”

  I nod.

  “Use your words, Melody. Let's make it explicitly clear.”

  “Yes, okay.”

  He keeps holding me in place for a while, bending closer to nibble on my bottom lip. I try to kiss him, but he pulls away with a smirk on his face.

  “Hold on to the rails of the headboard so you don’t forget to keep still.”

  “Okay.” I grab hold of them, wincing at the tightness in my shoulders from already having my hands above my head. I watch him, wide-eyed, wondering what he has planned for me.

  I get no warning before he buries his mouth in my pussy, feasting on me. His tongue does wicked things and I gasp out his name, grateful for the headboard rails to keep me grounded in place.

  I have to close my eyes as I sink into the delicious sensation. It’s never felt like this. I’m slick with wetness already, and I know that I’m going to come embarrassingly fast.

  “You taste so fucking sweet,” he mutters against my pussy. “Are you going to come all over my face, Mel?”

  I blush at his filthy question. He quirks a brow, and I know he’s waiting for a verbal reply.

  “I think so.”

  He dives back in, licking me from my hole right up to my clit. He keeps doing it over and over again. I grind my hips a little, trying to get the friction I need and then he’s holding me tight, gripping my rear, plunging his tongue inside me repeatedly as my body arches, desperate for the orgasm I’m chasing.

  And then his naughty tongue flicks circles around and around my clit, with increasing pressure as he plunges a finger inside me. I lose it, coming apart and splintering in every direction.

  He laps up my release with a pleasant hum like he’s proud of the work he’s done.

  As he should be. Fucking hell.

  I’m still trying to catch my breath when he moves, leaning over and kissing me hard, his finger still inside me. I haven’t had time to recover, and he’s already working me up all over again.

  He alternates stroking the perfect spot inside me with swirling my arousal over my clit. My clit that’s already swollen and pulsing from that first amazing orgasm.

  His pace is lazy and slow and I can’t contain my little moans as his finger owns my body. I begin to fidget and he chuckles as switches from one finger to two, filling me up even more.

  “I love watching you come. I don’t think I’d ever get sick of it.”

  I meet his gaze, and it burns through me. He stares like he’s trying to convey a lifetime of thoughts. I keep my eyes on his as he continues to finger me.

  “That’s it, baby. Enjoy it. Take what you need from me.”

  It’s even hotter listening to him talk when he’s got his fingers inside me while looking straight at me. I can’t get lost. I can only focus on him and what he’s doing to me. It’s like he owns me. He plants kisses all over my jaw and the break in eye contact allows me to close my eyes and lean into everything I’m feeling.

  He angles his hand so his fingers are still deep inside me, stroking that sweet spot while his thumb brushes my clit. And I burst like a dam, squirting fluid all over his hand.

  “Oh fuck, I’m so sorry,” I pant, the panic from what just happened bringing me back to Earth with a crash.

  “Why are you sorry? It’s hot as fuck, Mel. I just made you squirt.” He eases his fingers from me, holding them up between us.

  Moisture droplets coat them and he seems to savour every drop as he licks them clean. My face is aflame. I can’t look him in the eye.

  He brings his lips to my ear. “Don’t be embarrassed. I love how you fall apart for me.” My shame subsides.

  “I’m gonna fuck you now. You’re going to give me at least one more.”

  I groan at his words. “I don’t think I can.”

  “Of course you can. Do you know what? I’m gonna have you fuck me…” He manhandles me yet again. The strength he has is astounding. He just lifts me and positions me so I’m straddling him, with no hint of it being difficult.

  My legs are bent at either side of his hips and my pussy is pressed against his solid erection. It pulses underneath me, silently telling me how ready he was for me.

  My hands rest on his pecs, helping to prop me up. It’s not a position I’m particularly used to, but a thrill rolls through me as I realise I’m in charge again. He’s totally at my mercy.

  I rise just a little, allowing him to roll on the condom he’s grabbed from the side.

  Once he’s all wrapped up, he uses his hand to push his cock upwards, notching his tip at my entrance. He lets out a low groan as I slide down, trying to do it as slowly as possible.

  His heat and hardness slide inside me, inch by inch, and we both pant as I fully seat myself. I still, savouring being so full.

  His hips roll and I let out a noise I’ve never heard leave my lips before; I sound like an animal. It’s just so fucking delicious. My pussy is slick from my previous orgasms, and he slides in and out easily, yet there’s a pressure that means I’m aware of every inch of him.

  “I want you to ride me,” he growls with an intense look on his face.

  “I don’t know what I’m doing.”

  “You’ve done wonderfully up until now. I want you to try moving. Find a pace that feels really good.” I nod in agreement, rocking my hips. “Fuck, yes, exactly like that.”

  His hands grip my hips harder and there’s a sense of power that comes with driving this man out of his mind with pleasure. I resolve to ride him until he comes so I can claim my reward. I find a pace that has him groaning and grunting and, unbelievable as it is, his cock grows even harder inside me.

  I let out my own moan when I see his pupils are blown out completely. He watches my face but every now and again, gets distracted by my breasts, which bounce as I ride him. He caresses them, plucking at my nipples as my robe hangs at my back, dancing against my skin as I move. My head falls back and my pulse kicks up another notch as I speed up.

  “That’s it, Mel, ride my cock.”

  Fuck, his filthy mouth, combined with his fingers tweaking my nipple and his hard, heavy dick stuffing me full, is too much. My orgasm starts as a flutter and I couldn’t stop myself from chasing it if I tried. I grip him hard and move my hips in circles, desperate to wring every last moment of pleasure from this experience that I can. Another flood of moisture drowns his cock as I shatter above him.

  He thrusts upwards, chasing his release and I manage to stay upright, leaning on his chest as he lets go and fucks me hard as he gives in to his orgasm.

  I collapse on top of him, desperate to catch my breath. I don’t think I’ve taken a full lungful of air since he licked me to orgasm. His chest heaves under mine. His arms clasp at my back, holding me in place. I resist the urge to snuggle into his chest. It’s just so safe and warm.

  I don’t want to leave this spot. I don’t want to get up and walk away from this. I’m lighter than I have been for years. Yes, I’m sure the many orgasms contribute to that. But it’s also him. Alex is just easy to be with. He has put my pleasure first, and he makes me feel desired. I don’t think I’ve ever had as much fun during sex. And I certainly haven’t squirted before. Just remembering that moment and the big, sticky mess I made has the blush creeping up my cheeks.

  But I can’t stay here. I can’t nestle in and allow myself to be comfortable and at ease. This probably shouldn’t have happened at all, but it has, and I refuse to regret any part of it. Alex has awakened something in me that I didn’t know was lying dormant. And I know I’ll be eternally grateful to him for that.

  But we can’t repeat this. It isn’t right. I need to make my position here clear. I’ve had a jolly fucking time, but it ain’t happening again.

  Chapter fourteen

  Alex

  It’s a wrench when Mel moves away from me. I know we are short on time but I enjoy her laying on top of me, our bodies plastered together as we recovered from the most satisfying sexual experience I’ve ever had.

  What a fucking night. It surpassed any fantasies I conjured in my mind beforehand. Mel is a goddess. I wasn’t wrong there; she deserves to be worshipped.

  Every time I pushed her, she let me in. When she took control, it blew my mind, and it all culminated in an entire night of pleasure. We came together in so many different ways. Not as in types of sex or even positions, but in the mood each time. It was like some kind of spiritual experience, peeling away layers of ourselves to reach intimacy.

  I sigh, sensing her withdrawal mentally as well as physically. She pulls her robe back up over her shoulders, wrapping it around her body tightly as she sucks in a breath and meets my gaze.

  “You need to go.”

  I quirk a brow at her, in awe of the chill she’s suddenly giving off when just a few moments before, she’d been coming all over me. “Alex.” She pauses so she can sigh. “That was fucking incredible. I can’t even begin to tell you how grateful I am that you spent the night with me. But that’s it. No more.”

  “I don’t want your fucking gratitude, Mel. I wasn’t doing you as a favour.” I pull myself up to sitting, as a wave of frustration builds.

  “That’s not what I meant. But you have to go. I need to have a shower and be dressed for Zack coming home.”

  That’s fair enough, I guess. I know she doesn’t want Zack to know about this, but it still blows that I’m getting kicked out of her bed minutes after I was buried inside her. I’m still wearing the condom, for fuck’s sake.

  “This can’t happen again, Alex. I know we both enjoyed it, but it was a one-off.” Her smile is frosty and doesn’t meet her eyes at all. It’s like her personality switched in the blink of an eye. “Anyway, hopefully you’ll be able to move into your new place today, yes?”

  “Message received. I’ll be out of your hair as soon as I can,” I tell her, unable to hide the hurt from my voice. She nods, picking my clothes off the floor and tossing them towards me.

  How have I gone from feeling like I was on top of the world to being the crap this woman has on the bottom of her shoe, that she’s desperately trying to rid herself of?

  I grab my shirt and haul it over my head before stepping out of the bed and tugging my boxers on. There’s no point fighting with my jeans.

  “Is it okay if I have a shower before I pack up and leave?”

  “Of course, the main bathroom is all yours.”

  I grab up the rest of my belongings and head out, unsure what else I can do right now. I think about turning to say something, but my mind is blank, and before I can find the words, she shuts the door firmly, but quietly, behind me.

  “So you work at The Arts Centre?” Si asks me.

  “Yeah, I’m doing a pottery apprenticeship there. I also work at the Thirst Trap bar and do some other casual waitering and labouring.” I’m at his flat, near The Arts Centre in town. It’s the one that Laura put me in touch with. One of the guys from the tattoo shop knows him and he’s really not what I was expecting. He’s dressed in a three-piece suit and was barking down his phone at someone when he met me at the front door a while ago. The place is impressive: a penthouse apartment in a fancy block overlooking the river. And I’m struggling to work out why this guy needs a flatmate. He looks like he’s raking it in.

  “Got a girlfriend or a significant other? Anyone that will be spending time here with you?”

  “Err, no, I’m single.” I get a weird vibe from him as he looks me up and down.

  “So, what do you think?”

  “It’s great. I wasn’t expecting anything like this when Laura mentioned it. If you don’t mind me asking—why are you looking for someone to room with?”

  “I’m out of town a lot for business. I don’t want to leave it empty.”

  “Ah, okay, and how much are you looking for?” My eyebrows shoot almost as high as the ceiling when he reels off an amount three times as much as my upper budget. I wince. “I can’t afford that, mate. I’m so sorry to waste your time.”

  He steps closer, uncomfortably close, and lays a hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze. “We could always come to some other arrangement?”

  I frown. “What do you mean?”

  “You could work it off in other ways?”

  “What, like cleaning and stuff?” I get the sense that I know what he’s hinting at, but I want the douche to come right out and say it.

  “Sure and other things.” He gives me a wink, and I can barely hold back my repulsed shiver.

  “No thanks, mate. I’m not interested.” I take a step back, noticing a look of disappointment cross his face. “I’ll see myself out.” I decide there’s no point calling him out on his creepy behaviour. Jeez, is this the kind of bullshit that men are putting on women? Because, fuck that.

  I let myself out the front door of the apartment and head over to the lift, where I press the call button before I run a hand over my face.

  What the fuck am I going to do now? This was my only lead. Mel has essentially kicked me out. Mum is still on my stepdad's side and doesn’t want me at home. I check the time on my phone and curse. I need to pop to The Arts Centre to stack the kiln for firing before my shift at The Thirst Trap this afternoon. I have no spare time to find somewhere to live.

  I shoot a text off to Laura:

  Me:

  Hey, flat is a no go - too expensive. I’m out of options. Gonna have to sleep on your couch tonight and try again tomorrow.