SmokeandMirrors Read online

  When he finally released his claim on her clit, on her body, she slumped, exhausted. Her shoulders cried when her knees gave out and she sank against her bonds. Alex caught her and lifted her up, relieving the pressure on her arms.

  “Are you all right?” he asked as he held her.

  She nodded. “I’m okay. You can put me down.” She hoped. Luckily, her legs supported her. When he saw she was able to stand again, he quickly untied the scarves from her wrists and left the fabric hanging from the hooks in the wall.

  He gently rubbed her wrists and shoulders, kissed her wet cheeks. Her heartbeat gradually slowed, but as his lips brushed her face, her mouth watered for his taste one last time.

  And not just the taste of his lips.

  * * * * *

  Alex watched Gabriella silently sink to her knees before him and his breath caught in his throat. She looked up at him through long, thick eyelashes and a slow smile spread across her slick red lips. His cock jerked, strangled by underwear and a zipper, wanting nothing more than to reach that hot, wet mouth.

  Naked, her hair tousled, her wrists rubbed red, she looked classier than any woman he’d ever met. He’d been such a fool. He’d thought he could bring her here and she’d be impressed with what he’d accomplished. What he’d worked so hard for. But the limo, his penthouse apartment, the big city lights meant nothing to her.

  She’d grown up with that and more. She didn’t understand that, for him, money and the trappings it could buy equaled success. Power.

  Worthiness.

  Alex realized that Gabriella wasn’t going to be won over by fancy things. He had to discover some other way to win her over before he talked to her father tomorrow. But right now the blood supply to his brain had gone south and he couldn’t think of anything but the throbbing in his cock and the woman kneeling before him.

  He reached for his belt buckle, but she stopped him with her soft hand. “Let me.” She shifted on her knees and her full breasts bounced with the movement.

  His cock jerked again.

  She quickly unbuckled his belt and slid the button in the waistband through its hole. But then, instead of unzipping his trousers just as quickly, she caressed him through the fabric. Rubbed his aching erection in long, slow strokes that had him clenching his jaw.

  “You’re so hard,” she murmured, dragging out the words as long and slow as her hand was moving. “Hot too. I’ll bet you’re so hot.”

  Gabriella knew how to play the game. She wasn’t going to make this quick. But she’d make it damn pleasurable.

  He tried not to make a sound, but a groan escaped his throat when she squeezed his balls through the trousers. “Gabriella…”

  “Need a little air?” She pulled the shirttails from the waistband of his trousers and then traced the ridges of his abdomen with her fingernail. “You’ve kept in good shape.”

  He sucked in a deep breath. “So have you.”

  “Mmm.” She nodded and dragged her finger lower, slipping it inside the waistband. “I might even still be able to fold myself into one of those tricky boxes of yours.”

  He’d love to see that. “Tomorrow we can give it a try.”

  Her hand stilled, then she withdrew her finger from his trousers where it had been almost within touching distance of his poor, needy cock. “Oh. That’s right. The practice room.”

  She slid her hand down the calf of his leg and shivers ran over his skin, even with the trouser fabric in the way. When she reached his foot, she grabbed the heel of his shoe. He lifted his foot and she slipped the leather loafer off. It landed across the room with a thud. She did the same with the other shoe. Then she slid the socks from his feet, taking time to run her hands along the ankle, the instep, the toes. It felt wonderful, but it wasn’t where he wanted her hands to be.

  Alex balled his hands into fists at his side so he wouldn’t grab his zipper and yank it down, like every nerve ending in his body screamed for him to do. He sucked in a deep, shaky breath. If she didn’t get on with it pretty damn soon, he was going to do it anyway.

  She must have sensed his impatience because she finally grabbed the zipper tab and began to slowly lower the zipper. His sensitive cock pressed against the gradually opening fly, anxious for release. When she’d lowered it far enough, his erection sprang forward, his boxers the only thing in its way.

  “Easy, boy.” She yanked his pants and boxers down over his hips and they pooled around his ankles. He stepped out of them and kicked them aside. She glanced up at him and ran her tongue along her lips. A shudder of anticipation ran through him.

  The cool air caressed his hot cock. Alex looked up from the naked beauty kneeling before him and caught a glimpse of their reflection in the window. Gabriella’s fiery hair spilling down her bare back. Her tempting ass, pale and firm, sitting back on her heels. He could see himself standing there as visible as onstage, with the colorful lights of the city beyond. His cock peeked out from between the shirt tails of his black shirt.

  He didn’t want anything between his cock and Gabriella’s mouth, so he quickly unbuttoned his shirt and tossed it away.

  Gabriella rose up on her knees and ran one finger along the sensitive underside of his cock from his balls to the tip. The long fingernail scraped lightly over the skin. “He looks happy to see me.”

  “Oh, you don’t know how happy,” he said with a groan.

  “I think I do.” With that, she parted her lips and took his throbbing erection into her hot, wet mouth.

  The intense sensations surged through his system and Alex grasped her shoulders to keep his balance. She took him deep, enveloping him in her moist heat. He loved the sight of her red lips sliding along his sensitive cock nearly as much as he loved the sensations she was causing in him.

  Her hands grasped his ass and she rocked on her knees as she teased him with her mouth. She moved so slowly along his rigid length. So slowly his legs began to shake as he tried not to push into her at his own speed. He wanted it faster.

  And harder. But she slid those lips lightly over his skin, using the slickness of her mouth to reduce the friction. She knew it would drive him crazy. She knew he wanted her to suck him hard. Suck him fast.

  That’s why she would never do it. It was all part of the game.

  And Alex could appreciate the game up to a point. They’d invented it together, after all, but he no longer had the patience for it tonight. He’d been hard and hurting for too long now.

  He slid his fingers through Gabriella’s silky hair. Grabbed onto her head with both hands. And fucked her mouth.

  Her hands tightened on his ass, but she didn’t protest. Her eyes were wide as she looked up at him. He held her head in place while he thrust his cock between her lips. As deep as he could, until he was practically pounding the back of her throat. As hard as he could without hurting her. As fast as he could as the sensations swirled and the pressure built.

  But it was too soon. Too fast. He wanted Gabriella in his arms. He wanted to be buried inside her when he came.

  And he was thrusting too hard. This was no way to show Gabriella how precious she was to him.

  “Wait!” He released his grip on Gabriella’s head and she let his cock slide free from her lips. Gasping for breath, he stepped back, the roar of arousal deafening.

  She gazed up at him, her lips slightly swollen. She looked like a wild angel, her hair spread about her shoulders, her creamy breasts peeking through the silky strands. How could he have let her go for ten minutes, much less ten years?

  His damn pride had gotten the better of him then. Would he let it get the best of him now?

  He helped her to her feet and stroked her hair. “Are you all right? I’m sorry I was so rough.”

  “What?” She tilted her head and frowned. “What are you talking about? I’m fine.”

  He scooped her up into his arms. His erect cock bobbed against her soft ass as he carried her over to the sofa. It was a little too late for soft and sweet sex tonight. Tomorro
w he’d set a scene for seduction in the practice room. Mirrored walls and a million candles. All her favorite things would be there. She wouldn’t be able to resist.

  Alex set her down on her feet in front of the long sofa. When she slid along his body, he felt ready to explode. He couldn’t last much longer. He strode back over to his trousers and grabbed a condom packet from the pocket.

  “I need to be inside you,” he groaned, tearing open the plastic as he walked back to Gabriella . “On the table. Now.”

  The coffee table was wide and square. The perfect height for a fuck. He could already feel his cock sheathed by her tight body. He rolled the condom on.

  But instead of immediately lying back on the table, Gabriella bent over and picked up the two wineglasses he’d forgotten all about. Shit. He was too far gone to even notice them. After she set them on the floor, she turned to him and smiled. He helped her lie back on the table. He’d have liked more time to appreciate the sight of her pale skin on the mahogany tabletop, her body spread out for him, but he couldn’t stop now. He leaned over her and grabbed her hips.

  In one swift thrust, he buried himself deep in Gabriella’s wet heat. A shudder ran through his body from the sheer joy of it. This was where he belonged. Where she belonged. Surely she would realize that.

  She grasped the edge of the table and wrapped her legs around him. The movement pulled him in even deeper. The scent of her arousal whirled around him and sank into his pores. Her cries of passion echoed in his head. Her hair was spread out like a fan. Her eyes were closed, her mouth half-open.

  He began to move slowly inside her, becoming one with her as she moved with him. He was so sensitive he could feel every ripple in her moist channel. He’d have loved to explore those sensations more, but there was no way tonight. He couldn’t continue the slow pace. He thrust harder, faster. He was quickly building to his climax and he wanted to pleasure Gabriella again too.

  Slipping one hand between their bodies, he brushed against that beautiful smooth pussy and slipped one finger along her wet lips. The tight bud of her clit was hard and clearly longing for attention. Only a few hard rubs had her lifting her hips off the table and crying out his name.

  He could feel her orgasm as her clenching inner muscles sucked at his cock. Her body bucked as it rode the waves of release. Then the tension became too much and he joined her in the climax, riding his own waves of satisfaction, crying out Gabriella’s name as he came.

  After their breathing had calmed down, he helped her to her feet and gathered her into his arms. “Gabriella,” he murmured.

  She sank against him for a moment, then cupped his face with her hands and swept her soft lips over his. The kiss was gentle, almost sad. When he tried to deepen it, she shook her head and pulled away. He let her go.

  She turned away from him without another word and picked up her dress. A dreadful chill snaked up his spine as he watched her pull it on. She straightened her shoulders and looked him in the eye.

  “I’m going home.”

  She might as well have socked him in the gut. Alex stared at Gabriella, her eyes blazing, her stubborn jaw tilted in a position that said, “Try to stop me.”

  “Gabriella?” He stretched out his arms to her. “How can you leave after what we just had?”

  “We just had sex, Alex. Nothing more.”

  “Nothing?” He took a step toward her, afraid anything he did might spook her. If she bolted for the door, would he use force to keep her here?

  No. He knew he wouldn’t. But if she left now, he’d never have another chance with her. If she found out…

  No. She wouldn’t find out. Distraction and misdirection had worked so far. Guilt twisted inside him. He’d always been good at them. He just had to convince her to stay with him for a few more hours. Winslow hadn’t had near enough time to stew yet.

  “Great sex,” she spat out. “All right? But that’s all we’ve ever had. Great sex.”

  “I want you to stay.” Would words of love scare her off now? She’d probably throw them back in his face. He didn’t want to take the chance. “I care about you deeply.”

  She turned away from him and picked her shoes up from the floor. Then she stood there, clutching her shoes to her chest as she had when she first got here. They hadn’t been any protection for her then, and they wouldn’t be now. She appeared to be wavering. He took another step toward her. She took a step back and bumped her calves against the sofa cushion.

  “We had more than sex together, Gabriella. We had magic.”

  “Just don’t talk to me.” She dropped down onto the sofa and slammed her feet into her shoes. “Don’t talk to me and don’t try to distract me. I want to leave.” She stood up. “Now.”

  He heard her words. Maybe she even thought she meant them. But as she ran her tongue slowly across her lips and her gaze over his naked body, Alex knew he still had a chance.

  “But you want to see the practice room.” He stepped up to her and this time she didn’t back away. “The walls are covered in mirrors. You can see the illusion from every angle.” He stroked her arm from shoulder to wrist. “I have handcuffs in there too. Chains. And the cage.”

  She sighed, but it didn’t quite cover the shiver that made her body tremble. “I’m exhausted. I want to go home.”

  “You can sleep here. You can use the guest room. No pressure from me.” He gathered her into his arms and she dropped her head onto his shoulder. “Get a good night’s rest. We can play in the practice room for a while tomorrow, and then, if you still want to go back, I’ll have Foster drive you.”

  She lifted her head to look him in the eye. “Alex, I have to go back. My work is there. My house. My life.”

  “Ah yes. Your life.” Alex stepped back, pushing her away from him. “That exciting marketing job. Daddy as your boss. A big house you live in all by yourself. So tell me, Gabriella, has there been a lot of magic in your life lately?”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” She crossed her arms in front of her. “Not everyone’s a magician.”

  “That’s no excuse for not finding the magic in your life. In your soul. It saddens me to think of you settling for less than you deserve.” A stab of guilt made Alex lose his train of thought for a moment. “Can you look at me and honestly say that your life fulfils you? That nothing could make you happier than you are right now?”

  She was quiet for so long, he wondered if she was ever going to answer him. Maybe he’d pushed her too far. “Well, everyone’s life could be better,” she said. “Everyone aspires for something more.”

  “I don’t.” He took a deep breath. “No. I take that back.” It was time to put his heart out to be either embraced or trampled on. “The only thing that would complete my life would be to have you in it again.”

  “How can you even suggest that after you abandoned me?”

  “I made a mistake. A dreadful mistake. I thought I needed to be rich and famous before I came back to you. You deserved someone successful, who could put a roof over your head and buy you the things you need. The things you were accustomed to.”

  “Did I ever ask you for things?” she demanded, her hands clenched into fists at her side. “Did I ever say that’s what I wanted from you? Things?”

  He shook his head slowly, afraid she might storm out. “No. That was my male pride talking.” With a little help from her father.

  “I just wanted to be with you,” she said softly, sadly. “Perform magic shows with you. That’s what made me happy.”

  Joy filled Alex at her admission. He was on the right track after all.

  She yawned then.

  “Get some sleep. We’ll talk in the morning.” He glanced at his watch. “Late morning.”

  He thought she was going to argue more, but she must have been too tired to bother. She nodded. He walked her down the hall to the bedroom next to his. He opened the door and ushered her inside. He’d decorated this room with Gabriella in mind, although he’d always hoped she’d one day shar
e his bedroom. The cream walls and emerald green fabrics were chosen especially for her. He was pleased that she stopped and stroked the satin pillow sham.

  “You have your own bathroom through there.” He pointed to the other side of the room. “I took the liberty of buying a few things in your size. There’s clean underwear and nightclothes in the top drawer of the dresser. Some jeans and shirts are hanging in the closet. And a couple leotards are in the middle dresser drawer. Just in case you want to try that box tomorrow.”

  She frowned. “Were you so certain I would come?”

  He shrugged. “I was hopeful.”

  She nodded and yawned again. “I’m too tired to even think about what this all means. I’m going to jump in the shower real quick and then I’m hitting that beautiful bed.”

  He pictured her naked beneath a sluice of water and his cock jerked. Time to get out of the bedroom before he broke his promise of no pressure. “Anything else I can get you before I go?”

  She shook her head. “Good night, Alex.”

  “Good night, Gabriella.” Though it pained him, he turned and walked out of the room without taking her in his arms for even a good night kiss. He closed the door behind him and waited in the hallway until he heard the water running in the shower.

  Then he quietly turned the lock in the door.

  Chapter Six

  How the hell had this happened?

  Gaby stood under the warm water and pondered how Alex had talked her into staying here tonight. One minute she was demanding to go home, the next he was ushering her to a beautiful emerald bedroom with promises of warm showers and soft mattresses and magical cages.

  He was so damn smooth. Smooth talk. Smooth moves.

  God, this water felt wonderful. She moaned with delight and let the cascading water flow over head and body, relaxing her, soothing her. He was right, of course. The last thing she wanted was a long ride back home right now. A shower and a soft bed were just what she needed.