Page 23 of The Starlet

I rip the wrapper and roll the condom over my length, then crawl over her body and line myself up. People talk about how the first push feels the best, and with Elena, there’s no way to describe the sensation. She’s perfect. Her warm skin is soft under me, and she smells like coconut. The tiny moans that make it past her lips as I slowly enter her make me want to blow my load right now. When she arches her back to accommodate me, I know that’s it.There will never be anyone who feels as good as Elena Conners feels under me.

She wraps her legs around my waist and digs her nails into my back as I rock into her. I move slowly, wanting to prolong this feeling. We have a natural rhythm as we move and breathe together. Her airy moans of pleasure are driving me insane. I’m not going to last. When she tightens her arms and legs around me, I can’t hold back. I jerk my hips fast, chasing my release. I come so hard I see stars, pumping everything I have into her with a groan.

Her body is still shaking underneath mine, and I kiss her as I push the hair out of her face. Her eyes are closed, and she’s smiling.I must have done something right.She flinches and pouts when I pull out. I walk to the bathroom to toss the condom and get a towel to clean us both up.

“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted that to happen,” she mumbles to herself.

I smile wide, not sure she meant me to hear that. “How long?” She jumps and opens her eyes, watching as I move between her legs to help her clean up.

“Doesn’t matter.” She sits up and gets off the bed, her light pink bra still on.Next time, I want her fully naked under me.

I pull her back to me, holding her against my heated skin. “How long?” I whisper in her ear.

She sighs. “Since our first dinner date.”

“Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

“When I asked about you having a girlfriend during coffee, you told me you didn’t have time, so I didn’t want to press anything. We’re working together, and that could have been so awkward if you didn’t reciprocate. Then we hung out more, and you were a lot of fun. Anytime we’re close, I get warm and tingly. I like how I feel when I’m with you.”

I kiss her neck and turn her in my arms so I can look into her eyes. “I’ve liked you since I first met you, and I like how I feel with you, too.” I sigh, trying to decide if I should tell her about Jasmine. Right now doesn’t seem like the best of times, but I also need her to understand why I can’t let her be alone if she has a stalker. “Let’s take a shower and get something to eat.”

She looks down, avoiding my gaze. “I’m not very hungry.”

I place my finger under her chin and tilt her head up. “Fine, then let’s take a shower and get into bed.” Her eyes widen, and a beautiful blush tints her cheeks. “That is, if you want me to stay.”Please, let me stay. I won’t sleep knowing you’re alone.

She nods and I drop my lips to hers for a quick kiss. “Good. I’ll be right back. I want to get a clean pair of clothes and my toothbrush. Can I have your room key? I don’t want you opening the door for anyone.” She reaches over to the dresser and hands me the white key card. It dawns on me that I invited myself into the shower. “Do, um, do you want me in the shower with you? If not, I can take a quick one in my room and come back.”

She smiles and nods. “I’d really like it if you joined me.”

I smile. “Good, why don’t you be a good girl get in while I get my stuff, and I’ll join you in a few minutes?” I’m not sure if it’s my post coitus bliss, or if I really wanted to hear it, but I could have sworn when I said ‘good girl’ she sucked in a deep breath.I’m going to have to tuck that bit of information away and test a theory later.

I kiss her forehead. After getting into my shorts, shirt, and shoes quickly, I glance back as she closes the bathroom door behind her. I hurry to my room and grab a clean pair of clothes, tossing a few toiletries into a small bag along with more condoms.I can’t believe I just had sex with Elena Conners.I drop my head and shake it, laughing at the thought.

I let myself back into her room and hear the water still running. I strip down out of my clothes, and a wall of steam smacks me in the face as I open the door. When I pull back the curtain, her back is to me, her hair piled high on her head with shampoo suds in it. I reach forward and massage her scalp as she drops her head back, allowing me to continue.

“Ahh, that feels amazing. Don’t stop.”

I kiss her shoulder as my hands slide down her body, massaging her shoulders and back. The only noises coming from her are sighs of contentment. We stay under the spray of the water until our fingers are pruny, and she complains about becoming a raisin. Not much is said between us, but we don’t feel the need to. Just being in the same space as one another feels right. She’s relaxed.

We get out and dry off, getting into pajamas and crawling into bed. I lie on my back, and she crawls next to me, laying her head on my chest. I wrap my arm around her shoulder and kiss the top of her head. “I’ll keep you safe, Elle. I won’t let anything happen to you.”

“I’m not yours to protect,” she whispers as she stifles a yawn.

“Yes, you are. From the moment I met you, I felt the need to protect you.”I won’t let it happen again.

“Why?”

“Because I’ve already lost one person who was precious to me. I refuse to lose another.” She tilts her head up to look at me, and I look down. I see the questions in her eyes, and even though I don’t want to ruin this moment, I know I have to tell her; otherwise, she won’t fully understand.

I tell her about Jasmine, and she listens quietly, allowing me to get it all out—how we met, fell in love, and how I was going to propose to her. I explain the hell I went through at finding out some fucker, who was obsessed with her, shot her in the stomach when she tried to send him away. She told him she couldn’t help him anymore, and I warned her to stay away, but her heart was just too big; she wanted to help.

When I’m done telling her everything, I stare at the ceiling a while longer, not wanting to meet her eyes. I don’t want her to see the pain I know is present in mine. It was almost a year ago, but at times, the wound still feels fresh. “I won’t lose you, too, Elle. You need to let Jimmy and me keep you safe. I don’t want you alone. Please.”

Chapter 15

I wake earlyin the morning in his tight embrace, his breath fanning over the back of my head and neck. His body is pressed against my backside, and his length is pressing into me. I’m too content to open my eyes, so I pretend I’m still asleep so I can stay in his arms just a little bit longer. I glance at the clock. We still have some time before we have to be up. I really should get up and get a workout in though, so I can relax for the rest of the day.Maybe spend more time in bed with Brad.

I place my hand over his, and he laces his fingers with mine, holding me to him. “It’s early. Stay in bed a while longer,” he mumbles.