The next thing I know I’m hauled up off the sofa and I’m swept into his arms. I thought for sure we’d be doing it on the carpet but I’m more than pleased Blake’s eyeing the bed.
He drapes his body over mine when he puts me on the bed and I’m loving the feel of his weight on me. I need this. I need the feel of him protecting me tonight. Tomorrow I’ll deal with the mess of my life on my own because that’s my way. I get the feeling Blake might not be happy with that, but I also know he’ll understand why I have to go solo.
“So, should I call you Marissa?”
I look up into his heated eyes and sigh. “I left that spoiled rich girl behind me years ago. Call me Alyssa.”
“Well, Alyssa, tonight I was really proud of you.”
“You were? For what? Making a scene?”
He moves his head lower and pushes aside the cups on my bra so he can have access to my already pebbled nipples.
He gives each bud a light flick of his tongue and then looks up at me again. “For being true to you. You made a statement and I like that. Plus you really impressed people with your photography.”
“Thanks, but I’m pretty sure the only thing people will remember me for is the girl who fainted and then had a shouting match with her father.”
“Oh, you’re too hard on yourself. Trust me, your photos will be the talk of the town.”
“Maybe.”
“So, just so I’m clear we’re going to make love and when I wake up in the morning I want to know you’ll be here by my side.”
“You sure about that?”
He sits up so I’m trapped between his muscled thighs. “I need you with me tonight.”
I get it then. We’re both fighting demons. He may have just cut ties with the only family he had left. I smile and pull him down to me, needing the heat of him like a drug. “Yeah, I’ll be here in the morning.”
This time when he kisses me it’s full of barely controlled passion. He’s demanding and aggressive and I love it. We’re both panting hard by the time we’re done kissing.
“Strip,” he demands.
“You too,” I say.
We both shimmy quickly out of our clothes and then we’re finally skin-to-skin. The feel of him radiates love and understanding and I realize as his hands skim my backside that’s what really drew me to him.
He might not have known my real name or the original me, but that person is gone. I truly am Alyssa now.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Blake
I’ve got this one night to convince Alyssa she’s the woman for me and unlike the job I just lost, I’m not going to screw this up. I can’t believe she came to me and I get she was mad at me, but I also know I’ve surprised her with my confession. Now more than any other time today I know I’ve made the right decision.
To think I owe it all to Mr. McCaid. Who knew his friendly breakfast chat would change my life? I haven’t told Alyssa everything because she’s dealing with her own shit and truthfully I’m thanking my lucky stars she’s in my arms, but I’m hoping she’ll hear me out in the morning.
I’m not rushing tonight. I need to reacquaint myself with this beautiful, talented, fiercely independent woman. To think she walked away from a privileged life and had to learn how to make it on her own. God, she has no idea how bad things could have gone but I’m thrilled she landed on her feet. Hell, I’m thrilled she took this job for the money. Funny how we both came to Stone Cliff Resort for the money and both found something else. I think though losing my father was the catalyst for my change. God, I can’t believe he’s gone. Every time my cell rings I expect it to be him and I’m half-hoping I’ll hear his slurred voice asking me for help. One thing I’ve learned is that I won’t ever say no to someone needing help again.
I lean over Alyssa and make my way down her body, stopping to kiss those sensitive areas that make her giggle. I force her hands above her head and enjoy the flare of heat I see in those teal blue eyes of hers.
I move back to worship her breasts, paying attention to her peaked nipples. I suck on them greedily, loving her moans. Using my tongue, I flick the hard nubs until she’s whimpering and her legs are squirming as desire courses through her. I move to my knees trying once again to slow things down. She’s panting hard and I’m just as desperate, but I force myself back so I can just look at this wonderful woman in my bed. The next thing I know she’s clamped her mouth around my erection, drawing me into her heat.
If I let her have her way this lovemaking will be over in five minutes. I take control of the situation and gently haul her off me.