SWNOVELS Flawed Heart: Chapter 26
I’ve been back on my side of the coast now for almost forty-eight hours, and it’s been nothing short of torturous. My time with Amelia is burned into my brain. The way her eyes are starting to look at me with trust again, the way she feels in my arms when we sleep, her smell, her voice, the way she talks about her business…all of it makes me miss her. If these meetings weren’t absolutely essential to Knight Industries, I would have stayed with her the entire time in Philadelphia. Having to leave her in the early morning felt wrong. Even though I woke her, so she could lock her door behind me, I didn’t feel complete. I felt like I was missing something again, and this time, I know without a doubt it’s Amelia.
“We can take a break, ladies and gentlemen,” York announces during the conference call. Our overseas partners mute themselves and leave the screen. Everyone in the boardroom exits as well, until it’s just me and my oldest friend.
“Are you even paying attention today?” He jokes, while leaning back and crossing his arms over his front.
I scoff. “Of course I’m listening.”
“Couldn’t tell, seeing as you’re just staring at the notepad in front of you like it’s offensive because it’s yellow.” He points to my legal pad paper.
“I know the proposal inside and out. I studied the risks. There really is no reason to be here today,” I tell him, my brow rising.
York smirks and his shoulders jump. “You’ve been back and forth so much, I felt like it needed to be in person.”
I study him and watch the way his eyes gleam. “You did this on purpose? The fuck, man? I had to leave Amelia for this shit.”
“Exactly,” York points at me, “my sister is working through a shitstorm right now. Both our names are trending on social media because of our association with her. I get you want to be with Mia but give her some space. The last thing she wants is for reporters to think she’s using us for anything.”
“She can use me all she wants.” I mumble. “Any information, money, names, lists, she can have it all. I don’t care. She’s starting to trust me again, York. She’s letting me in.”
I don’t inform him of how far in she let me. What’s happening between us is more than physical. I’m building our future. I will go at whatever pace she wants, as long as I have her in the end. I’m thinking of the big picture. Our nights together go way beyond just sexual gratification. Memories of her mouth around my cock and the sweet noises she makes when she comes are all little tidbits I’m stashing away until she’s ready to give herself to me completely and forever.
York studies me. It’s something I usually hate, but since I know it’s out of concern for his sister, I tolerate it from him. “You’re really serious about her, aren’t you?”
“What have I been telling you for almost two years now?” I snap, eyes blazing.
“It’s one thing for you to say it, but seeing what you’re doing and how you’re responding are two very different things. It’s not like she’s made it easy on you,” he reminds me.
“Good. She has every right to give me hell for being a dick for the rest of our lives. As long as she’s mine. I want a life with Amelia, York. I care about your sister.” I give him my truth and watch the way he swallows past my words. I didn’t say love, because Amelia deserves to hear it first. Someday when we’re ready, I’ll let the words fall freely.
He clears his throat, and I guess it probably is uncomfortable hearing some things about your sister. He needs to know how serious I am, though. There is no way I can fuck up this time. If I lost her forever, I’d never move on. I tell him about the Ocean and Ezra Hamilton situation that Amelia shared with me.
“You sent her the information already?” He tilts his head.
“Yeah. Had it mailed express, so she’d get it before they are all together in Atlanta. From what I’ve seen, it looks like Ezra Hamilton is persistent.” I tap my pen against the notebook, rehashing everything in my mind that I had read. I don’t think he’ll be trouble for Amelia, though.
“Good,” York comments, “Ezra Hamilton is a bulldog. Knows law and music. I heard way back then he was responsible for Ocean signing with BNE. It’s good Amelia will have the information.”
“I agree,” I tell him, feeling proud of myself that I could help her. Even if I can’t be there physically, I want her to know I’m in her corner.
York sighs and rubs the back of his neck. “I know I’m giving you a hard time. I just want to do right by my sister this time.”
This isn’t unwarranted or anything new to me. From his perspective, I can see why he feels the need to be protective; except, he has nothing to worry about this time. The contract is over. My grandfather has passed, and can no longer blackmail me, and Knight Industries is at the top of its game with happy employees. Most of all, I know what I want. Amelia is everything I never knew I needed. I can’t lose her. I want her in my life and in my bed, until the day we die.
“I don’t think it’s me you’re going to need to get approval from,” York reminds me.
“That will come with time, when they see how serious I am about her.” I shrug it off.
Honestly, Becks and Spyder are Amelia’s best friends; she calls them family and that’s fine. I will get to know them and make sure they know I’m not going anywhere. I’ve seen the way Becks looks at Amelia, as if she’s more than family to him; it’s close to the way I look at her, and if it wasn’t me and Amelia, I might be worried about it. But it is Amelia and me. We’re meant to be together, and it took us a long time to get here.
York nods and some of the tightness in his face and shoulders eases. Amelia hasn’t given him enough credit for how hard he’s trying to ease back into her life. He has a long way to go in his own eyes.
Soon after, the room fills again with our associates, and the overseas partners are back. They start in on business again, and just like last time, I zone out, planning all the ways I can get to Atlanta and back but then remember the invitation sitting on my desk. Pulling my phone out under the table, I send Katie a quick text.
Me: Where is the Regions Hospital charity event this year? At their corporate location?
Katie: Yes. They have the garden venue reserved in Atlanta. You haven’t responded yet, should I RSVP for you?
I grin, luck is on my side this time.
Me: Please. RSVP for me and a guest.
Katie doesn’t respond back; I’m sure I’ve given her plenty of things to ponder over the past few weeks. Between flower deliveries, changing my schedule, booking flights, reserving rooms and houses, she’s been side-eyeing me every time she hears my phone calls. Thankfully, though, Katie is completely professional and discreet.
“Zander?” York calls on me from across the room, and I can tell from the slight twitch of his lips he thinks he caught me.
“Twelve percent,” I tell him and the room. Take that fucker.
I actually really hate coming home. If you can even call the condo I rent home. It’s bare, the walls are white, and I have accumulated only the bare necessities for furniture. I sleep here. Sometimes I enjoy a meal, but only when York or my mom and siblings are in the area. If I can, I avoid spending time here. Maybe it’s because it feels lonely, or maybe it’s just the knowledge that if I hadn’t been a complete idiot in the past, coming home could be very different than it is now. Maybe Amelia would be here.
When my eyes land on my front doorstep, my feet quit moving and my body freezes. I blink because there is no way this is real. My mind has to have manifested this. I’m dreaming, right?
“Amelia?”
Her small hand comes up and she gives me a silent wave. Her cheeks blush pink in that cute as hell way from my eyes being on her. My brain finally catches up, and I run to her. I grab her around the waist, lifting her body into mine, and swing her around. Her arms circle my neck and she hugs my body to hers, tightly. Everything in me is screaming, my heart hammering in my chest. I don’t even care why she’s here right now, just that she came to me.
Setting her back down, my hands frame her face and pull her eyes to mine. There is no hesitancy in those ocean blues, I only see her want and need when she gazes at me. “I’m not at all complaining, Ame, but what are you doing here?”
Her shoulders lift, and I can see the way she struggles to give voice to her words. “To thank you. And…I missed you.”
I want to shove her back against the door and let my hands and lips roam every part of her. But her eyes dart around, like she’s expecting someone to recognize us, and given today’s media coverage, that is something that could very likely happen. I choose to ignore the fact that she is still fearful someone might see us together. Instead, I reach around her to unlock the door, before taking her hand in mine and bringing her inside. In the future, there will be plenty of time where we’ll be seen together, but by then, she’ll be confident knowing I only see her.
With Amelia’s hand in mine, I lead her through the empty house and right up the stairs to the bedroom I’ve imagined her in a million times. “You’re supposed to be in Atlanta.”
Her brow rises. “Are you really trying to argue with me that I’m here instead?”
“No, baby, I’m reminding myself that, instead of being there, you’re here, where I’ve always wanted you.” I smile at her and watch as her face goes soft. “When do you leave?’
“Early tomorrow morning.” Her voice is quiet, her gaze widening as I stalk toward her again. We didn’t have a lot of time, but just enough for me to make her mine again, completely and without room for doubt in her mind.
Amelia’s lips parted in a gasp, right as I reach for her. My hand slides around the back of her neck, anchoring her to me. My lips taste, lick, and bite hers until they’re red, puffy and sensitive from where my facial hair rubs against them. I don’t stop, though. Her fingers grab my tie, loosening it and taking it off over my head, before reaching for the buttons on my shirt and pushing it off until my chest is completely bared to her. I love how bold she is in this moment and that she wants me like I want her. Nothing was going to stop me from taking her, from taking what was always mine. I just need to know though.
“Was it Beckett or Riggs that had you first?”
Her eyes open and collide with mine. I can see apprehension in her gaze, but she’s not fearful. I don’t want her to be sad or scared. I was with someone else, and it’s not like she had to remain a virgin just for me. I just need to know. I haven’t been with anyone since I broke off the engagement and relationship with Carrigan. Once I make Amelia mine tonight, I need her to know that there is no one else for her but me and that I belong to only her.The same goes for me.
“Don’t ask questions you don’t want answers to,” she replies, probably hoping it will coax me into letting it go.
My brow rises and my hands shove under her sweater and pull it up and off over her head. “Is that right?”
Shivers crawl over her skin, and her eyes darken with lust. I hook my fingers in the waistband of the leggings she’s wearing and yank them down, bringing my face level to her torso. I help her get her feet untangled, while placing heated kisses against the smooth skin of her abdomen. Her hands tangle in my hair and a breathy little moan slides between her lips. My hands slide behind her legs, lifting her as I get to my feet. I walk us farther into the room and over to the bed. I set her down on the edge, my lips dancing against hers once more. I take off her bra and then her panties, while never separating our mouths. Her hands find me again, sliding my dress pants and boxers off until we’re both naked. I press her into the bed, twisting our bodies and shoving her toward the middle.
With Amelia next to me, I lean over and play with her nipples until they pebble and then suck each one into my mouth. She gasps, and it’s music to my ears. I slide my hand toward her pussy, brushing my fingers along her lips and spreading her open. I rub her clit and watch as her body begins to move against my hand, looking for the release it knows I can give her.
“Does that feel good, baby?” My voice is raspy with need, and I continue playing with her.
“Yes.” Her back arches.
I grin against the skin at her neck. “Answer my question or I’ll stop.”
“You wouldn’t.”
I suck the sensitive skin on her neck, biting lightly then letting go. “Try me.”
She bites her lip, and to prove my point, I start to pull my finger out of her.
“Beckett.” Her voice is low, almost nervous. My eyes dart up to hers, and I can see the insecurity she wears.
“Only Beckett?”
Amelia nods, and her cheeks blush again. I really don’t care if it’s just Beckett or three other guys, plus Beckett. I feel territorial about her and want to erase his touch from her body completely. I slide my fingers back inside her tight opening, thrusting hard enough that a gasp leaves her lips. My palm slides against her clit at the same time, until she’s riding my hand and panting, her skin pink and slightly sweaty.
Hearing her admit it felt like a bullet to the heart, but I was expecting it, and in the end, it doesn’t matter. One guy or five, none of them matter anymore. I wasn’t her first, but I damn sure will be her last. Amelia was made for me.
“You. Are. Mine,” I remind her, punctuating each word while my finger hooks to rub against her G-spot. Amelia cries out her orgasm against my lips, and I swallow down her pleasure. Before she comes down completely, I slide between her legs, my hands anchoring on her hips before bringing my face to her opening. She’s wet and glistening, just for me.
“I want to hear you say it, Amelia,” I warn her, before kissing her clit. She jumps at the contact, her skin already sensitive. “Open your eyes and watch.”
Her hazel eyes blaze while she looks at me. Her gaze is hooded while I lick and suck at her pussy, drinking from her, tasting her.
“Zander,” my name is torn from her lips, “oh, God.”
“Let me hear you, baby,” I tell her, before diving back in, biting her clit before lapping at it with my tongue. “Say it.” Her chest rises and falls as I continue tormenting her, keeping her right on the edge.
“I’m yours. Zander, Zander, Zander,” she repeats while I use my tongue to push her over the edge until she comes hard, all over my face, her juices dripping to my chin.
“Good, girl,” I praise her, realizing how much I love her this way. Needy and completely dependent on me giving her pleasure. Her legs fall away and shift up, until I’m lying above her tiny body, framing her face with my arms, consuming her space, ready to claim more of her. Amelia’s breathing is heavy, her pupils are blown, and the afterglow of her orgasm fills the space between us.
Her pink hair fans out over the blankets and pillows. Her eyes glisten. She’s perfect beneath me. She’s fucking breathtaking.
“I want nothing between us. I need to feel all of you, Amelia. I’ve always used a condom, and I’m clean. Please tell me you’re on the pill?”
She bites her lip and nods, her tiny hands moving up to my shoulders, holding on. I grab her leg, angling it up and hooking it around my hip, before slowly pushing in.
“Zander,” she moans my name, her grip on my shoulders biting.
“You’re so fucking tight. Jesus, so fucking wet, so fucking perfect.” I thrust in little by little, until I’m fully inside her. Once my hips connect with hers, shivers run down my spine, and warmth spreads across my chest. My gold eyes connect with her sea-colored ones, and I can read the emotion in them. My mind reels, trying hard to grasp the enormity of the situation. The way she feels, the way she tastes, the trust and love in her gaze, it’s everything. It feels like how home should feel.
I groan, leaning down to kiss her, and make love to her mouth while thrusting in and out of her wet heat. Amelia gasps and moans against my lips, her legs moving to wrap around my lower back, her arms moving to hug my neck. I keep kissing her, exchanging breaths and air, as she clings to me.
“It’s too much, Zander,” she pants, and I kiss her through it, “I’m going to come.”
“So come, baby,” I encourage her, holding my own release back while I drive deeper into her, hitting her clit with my pelvis.
“Come with me.” She groans against my lips and practically screams her release into the room. Her pussy clamps down, and I thrust a few more times in and out, until I can’t hold back any longer and I let go of my release deep within her core. Everything was exactly how it was supposed to be. Perfect.