Breaking josephine, p.8
Breaking Josephine, page 8
Dex drained the boiling water into the sink and plated the pasta, steam rising up and causing his face to flush. He poured the shrimp on top, letting the buttery wine sauce coat the pasta. Then he pulled an enormous bowl of salad out of the fridge, the bowl overflowing with blue cheese crumbles, croutons, tomatoes, and more, and ushered me to the kitchen table. I sat down and he placed my plate in front of me, the smell of buttery shrimp making my stomach rumble. I waited for him to sit down and then took a bite, almost exclaiming out loud it tasted so good. I broke off a piece of the french bread on the table and used it to sop up the sauce while I ate, too busy enjoying myself to even attempt conversation. When I finished my entire plate and a huge helping of salad, I looked up and noticed Dex was smiling at me, a laugh twinkling in his eyes and making his nose crinkle.
“What’s so funny?” I said, as I washed down my last bite with a mouthful of wine.
“Hungry much? You ate that as if you hadn’t eaten in days,” he said, laughing at me over the glass of wine.
I laughed. “No, gosh I’m sorry, Dex it was delicious. And here I go again doing something I need to apologize for. I’m sorry, everything was amazingly good.”
“Stop,” Dex said, putting his wine glass down. I looked at him, startled. “You never have anything to apologize for. I wasn’t offended you weren’t talking—I have a mouth too, I could have said something if I’d wanted. I’m pleased to know you liked it so much you got lost in the meal. Isn’t that what good food is supposed to do?” He smiled and continued, “Now you know why I wanted to cook here at home instead of go to a stuffy restaurant.” He took a drink of his wine and smiled at me again.
I smiled back and said, “You’re right. Dex, thank you. I’m completely stuffed,” I said laughing and relaxing in my chair. Dex refilled my now empty wine glass, finishing off the bottle, and I could feel the warm glow of the wine coursing through my body.
“Come, I want to show you something,” he said, getting up and offering me his hand. I took it and stood up, following him out of the kitchen. He led me back through the kitchen into the living room and out the large glass-paneled doors onto an expansive deck, the same deck I had climbed up and over to break in not even three weeks ago. An assortment of metal lanterns adorned the deck in small clusters, lighting the entire space with soft candlelight. Some of the lanterns were delicate, with filigree patterns casting beautiful shadows on the wood of the deck, others were huge hurricanes with towering white candles radiating a warm glow. I squeezed Dex’s hand as we followed the candlelit path down to a set of stairs leading to the private stretch of sandy beach directly behind Hartley Manor. The large rocky outcrops I remembered flanked the edges of the house, partially closing off Dex’s part of the beach in a private oasis. A lantern sat on the edge of each step, illuminating our descent as Dex led me down to the sand and the ocean waves.
We reached the last step and I hesitated, knowing my shoes would just sink into the sand and be useless. I pulled them off, holding them by their straps with my free hand, and walked into the sand. I felt the sand squish between my toes and yield to the pressure of my feet with every step. We walked almost out to the edge of the ocean, the waves lapping at Dex’s shoes. He turned around, and stared back up at the house. I did the same and was struck by its beauty. I finally understood why it was built of stone and why it stood where it did, alone on the beach. From this vantage point, with the rocky pediments flanking the house, it looked completely at home, as if it had grown organically out of the very rocks it sat nestled between. Although it seemed looming and out of place from the front, Hartley Manor was calm, serene, and at perfect ease in its natural surroundings in back. I understood why Dex never wanted to leave the sand at the end of the day as a child, feeling protected by the rocky arms of Hartley Manor reaching out to keep him in their embrace.
“Dex, it’s beautiful,” I said, breaking my gaze away from the mansion to look up at him.
Dex looked down at me and smiled. “I know. Everything my mother did was beautiful, beautiful and private. She could have built a grand beach house that showcased its beauty as you drove up the long driveway. But she didn’t. She saved the beauty for us and the ocean, keeping it nestled back here, safe from the outside world between the rocks, the sand, and the water.” He exhaled roughly, his breath catching in his throat. I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. He continued, “I loved her, and when she died, a part of me died too. I never thought I’d be able to feel much of anything for anyone after my parents died, but Jo,” he paused, squeezing my hand in response, “I feel something with you, more than I’ve felt with anyone. I don’t want to lose you.”
He looked at me with that same ferocious intensity I’d seen on his face when he kissed me in the forest, and I understood its source—his loss, his personal tragedy and the fear of feeling a pain like that again if he opened himself up to feel. “You won’t lose me, I promise,” I said, as I stood on my tip toes and reached up to kiss him.
CHAPTER 8
I pulled away from him, our lips parting, and smiled. I rocked back on my heels and was about to turn back toward the mansion when Dex picked me up, supporting my weight with one arm, while he wrapped my legs around his waist. He kissed me hard, his hand sliding up into my hair to grab the back of my head and hold me to him. He held me there on the sand, refusing to let me go, kissing my lips, my jaw, my neck. I curled my legs around him tighter and could feel him harden at my touch. He groaned into my hair and bit me lightly on the neck. I shuddered, pawing at his back with my hands like a wild animal. He carried me up the steps and into the house with ease, not breaking stride once.
Before I realized it, we were climbing another flight of stairs, Dex still holding me, still kissing my exposed skin. The stairs curved and came to rest at a large landing on the second floor. Dex paused, pushing me into the wall of the landing, using it for support. I dropped my shoes and started to release and lower my legs and he almost growled, grabbing the bare skin of my thighs and pulling my legs back around his waist. He slid his hands up my thighs, under my dress, and felt my bare skin. I was wearing a thong and the realization made him press into me harder, his fingers digging into my firm muscles. I wanted him to take me right there, on the landing, I wanted, needed, to feel him inside me. I reached down and found the hem of his shirt, pushing my hands underneath till I felt the firm, smooth skin of this back, his sides, his stomach. He groaned and leaned into me. I felt on fire with every press of his body, every touch of his skin on mine.
“Dex, I want you, I need you, please,” I whispered into his ear. I’d never felt this level of burning lust and passion before, never wanted someone the way I wanted him in that moment. I’d had plenty of opportunities in Portland, but never felt the need, the need that I desperately felt right then pressed between him and the wall.
“Are you sure?” Dex whispered in my ear.
“Yes. I’m sure,” I said as I pressed my body into his. He lifted me up again, rounded the corner and ascended another flight of stairs to the top floor. He carried me down the dark hallway to the last door, pushed it open and set me down on an expansive four poster bed. I laid back and looked up. A huge skylight opened the room to the stars, casting an ethereal glow on the bed and its surroundings. Dex kicked off his shoes and knelt over me on the bed, looking into my face.
“Jo, so are so beautiful, I could spend all night kissing every inch of you and never be bored.”
I laughed. “Well then you better not waste any time—before you know it, it’ll be morning,” I said, putting my foot on his chest to tease him.
Dex laughed, a deep, throaty laugh as his hand circled around my ankle and he kissed my foot, his tongue darting back and forth. I shivered involuntarily, his tongue sending shock waves through my body. As he worked his way up my calf to my knee and up my thigh, I grew nervous. Dex had enjoyed countless women, or at least the tabloids claimed as much. Although I’d dated several boys after leaving Overton, and had my fair share of sexual encounters, I’d never dated anyone long enough to actually sleep with them, and I’d never had a one night stand. I feared being a virgin could be a turn off for Dex and that was the last thing I wanted—not when he made me feel like he did, even when all his clothes were on. I hadn’t purposefully saved myself for anyone in particular, but doing something just for the sake of doing it and losing a label wasn’t something I was interested in. Losing my virginity wasn’t an item on a list to check off for me, and before Dex, I hadn’t really understood what the fuss was about. But I understood it now; my body reacted to him instinctively and I wanted nothing more than to feel him, all of him, at that moment.
He stopped kissing my thigh and looked at me. “Jo, what is it? You seem far away.”
I hesitated. He put my leg down and waited. I looked past him and out to the stars twinkling in the night sky.
“If you don’t want to do this, do anything, we can stop. Jo, you’re in control here, you’re always in control.” Dex said, stroking my thigh with his fingers. I looked at him, his blue eyes shining with compassion and curiosity. I pulled myself up on my elbows.
“I do want to, Dex, honestly, I do, it’s just, um, well…” I couldn’t bring myself to say it.
His eyes narrowed and I looked down in embarrassment. “Tell me, Jo, seriously, just tell me what’s the matter.”
I finally just blurted it out. “I’m a virgin.”
He laughed.
“See—that’s why I didn’t want to tell you,” I said, pushing him away from me and sitting up on the bed. “I knew once I told you, you’d lose interest in me, and I didn’t want that to happen. I shouldn’t have said anything.” I crossed my arms in front of me and looked at the wall.
“Is that really what was bothering you? Not that you weren’t ready, but you thought I’d reject you if I knew?” he said as he touched me gently on the shoulder.
“Yes,” I said, arms still folded, refusing to look his way. He took my chin in his hand and gently turned my face to look at him.
“Jo, do you know how ridiculous you’re being? I’ve wanted you from the minute I saw you in the next room, rifling through my desk when you broke in. I stood there, in the doorway, watching you, fascinated and captivated. You’re so beautiful, with your pale skin, and chestnut hair, and god, your body, Jo. Your legs are amazing, and your ass, your breasts… I’ve wanted to feel you, feel myself inside you since that first night we met. That you’re a virgin doesn’t change anything for me. If anything, I’m honored you’d choose your first time to be with me,” he said, gently stroking my cheek with his fingers.
I looked at him, saw the sincerity in his eyes and knew he wasn’t kidding. His eyes still smoldered, twin blue flames lighting his face with an intensity I’d never seen in another person. I unfolded my arms and took his chiseled face in my hands, kissing him full and deep on the lips. He kissed me back with a restrained force, controlling his urgency. I pulled back and looked at him again.
“I want to do this. I want to give myself to you Dex, tonight, right now. I’ve never been more certain about anything in my life. If you still want me, I’m yours,” I said.
He groaned and kissed me hard, lips crashing into mine, tongue forcing my lips apart until he pulled back and took my face in his hands. “God, Jo, you really don’t get it do you? Of course I want you. I can barely control myself from ripping your clothes off and taking you right now. But I won’t. I want you to enjoy this as much as I do.” He kissed me again, pulling my face toward him, his fingers in my hair. As we kissed, I let go of my worry and my fear and threw myself into the moment.
I reached for his shirt, and unbuttoned it, pulling it down and off his arms and throwing it on the floor. I ran my hands up his hard stomach, his chest, over his shoulders. He was all muscle, well-defined, with broad shoulders and a trim waist. His chest was smooth and hair free and I broke away from his kiss to work my way down his body, kissing his jaw, neck, chest and stomach. Dex found the zipper to my dress and unzipped it slowly, gently pulling it off my shoulders. He tugged it out from under me and threw it on the floor with his abandoned shirt, his eyes devouring my nearly naked body. My nipples hardened in my nude lace bra and my matching thong was wet with arousal and need. My breath came out in staggered beats and the pearls I still wore nearly bounced off my chest with each breath. I moved back on the bed, my head resting on piles of pillows as he crawled over me, taking my nipple in his mouth, through my bra. I cried out in pleasure, throwing my head back and closing my eyes. He pulled the strap down my shoulder and off my arm, freeing my breast, and took my nipple again, gently sucking and tracing circles around it with his tongue. My hands found his hair and I ran my fingers through it, gripping his head with my hands.
He slid up higher, kissing my neck and my earlobe, pushing my thighs apart with his body. I reached down and undid the buttons on his jeans and as I did, I slid my hand between the rough denim and the smooth cotton of his boxers. I slipped my hand between the boxer fabric and found his cock, hard and pulsing. I grabbed it in my hand and squeezed gently and he moaned and pressed into me. I let go, pushing his jeans down around his hips. He pulled them off and threw them off the bed. I pulled his boxers off too, and took him in my hands, feeling his impressive size. Sensing my slight panic, I felt him smile and whisper in my ear, “Don’t worry Jo, I’ll go slow. It might hurt, but I’ll be as gentle as you need me to be. But first, it’s your turn.”
I looked at him, with a question in my eyes but he just smiled as he trailed kisses down my neck and unhooked my bra in the back. My other breast came free and he began kissing it, circling my nipple with his lips and his tongue. I moaned in pleasure and frustration, my hands roaming his body in unquenched need. He finally took my nipple in his mouth and sucked hard. I cried out and rose to meet him. His hand caressed my stomach and my side, sliding down my body to my thong. He slipped his hand underneath the front of the lace and moaned as he felt my readiness. “God, Jo, you’re so wet. I could probably take you right now.” He slipped a finger inside me. “So tight. You feel amazing.” He flicked my nipple with his tongue and pulsed his finger as I involuntarily rocked my hips into his hand and the pleasure and pressure built inside me.
“Dex, please, I’m going to come,” I cried as he pushed more firmly and massaged me harder. Then he pulled out, yanked my thong off and took my clit full in his mouth, sucking and fondling it with his tongue. I arched into him, rocking my hips with abandon as his finger slid back inside. He licked my clit and massaged my sensitive spot and I exploded in a firework of pleasure, crying out and wrapping my fingers in his hair.
As the searing bolts of pleasure faded, Dex kissed my nipple again, sending electrifying pleasure and pain shooting through me all at once, my nipple extra sensitive to his touch. He pressed more firmly and held me there till I stopped feeling the pain and felt a building of pleasure once more. I wanted nothing more than to feel him inside me at that moment, feel him completely.
“Dex I’m ready, I need you, I want you, please,” I begged him.
“Are you sure?” He said, releasing my nipple and looking at me through his black lashes.
“Dammit, yes I’m sure,” I snapped as he laughed, pulling away from me. I heard foil ripping and watched as he pulled a condom on his throbbing erection. He kneeled in front of me, between my open waiting thighs and looked at me.
“Stop me if it’s too much,” Dex said as he lowered himself on top of me.
I nodded, feeling him entering me gently. I rose up, taking more of him inside me and I heard him swear under his breath. He leaned into me, the pressure between my legs building. I felt tightness and a slightly uncomfortable stretching, but no real pain as he eased himself further inside. I grabbed his firm body with my hands and pulled him toward me, rising into him and bringing him deeper. He looked at me, searching my face for any hesitation as he thrusted, guiding himself deeper, until he filled me completely and our bodies touched. “God Jo, you’re amazing,” Dex said in a throaty whisper as his weight pressed on me and he thrusted gently. I met him with my own rocking and I felt the pleasure building once again in my body. His breathing became erratic as we rocked together in rhythm with each other until I came, my muscles tightening around him. As my muscles clenched, holding him inside me, he came, his body jerking spasmodically. We stayed there for a moment, my hands holding him to me, as our breathing slowed and we both relaxed.
He shifted his weight and I felt him pull out slowly, holding the condom with one hand. He slipped it off and tied it, his cock still thick and almost hard in his hand. He kissed my stomach and walked into his bathroom. I heard the water turn on, but Dex returned moments later, kissing my body with tender slow kisses. I sighed and turned toward him, feeling warm and aglow under the starlight.
“Come with me,” he said, scooping me up and carrying me into the bathroom. He pushed open the shower door with his foot and set me down in an expansive marble enclosure with dual rain showers pouring like a summer rain out of the ceiling. He pulled me under the warm rain, and I let the water soak my skin. We stood there, together, under the water, washing each other clean. I let my fear of rejection and fear of losing control wash down the drain with the soap and the water, letting my feelings of contentment, safety, and pleasure fill the void.
As I rinsed my hair in the pouring water, Dex’s fingers chasing the shampoo bubbles down my back, I felt him harden again behind me. I reached back and took him in my hands, gently rubbing back and forth. He moaned and leaned into me. I turned around and planted kisses on his chest, tickling his flat nipples. I kneeled in front of him and took his pulsing cock in my mouth. I sucked as he moaned in pleasure. I grabbed the base of him in my hands and traced his head with my tongue, kissing his throbbing veins and licking the sides of his erection till his breathing labored. “Jo,” he said, his voice thick with longing, “Jo, please.” He tried to pull me up but I pushed his hands away, taking him in my mouth again, sucking him hard, moving up and down his shaft as he filled my mouth. The water poured over him, running in rivulets down his chest, his stomach, around my mouth as he cried out. “Jo, god, I’m going to come, Jo, I’m coming.” I pulled off of him at the last minute, letting him come on my chest, watching him release as the water washed us clean again.
