Hollywood Ever After (Red Carpet 1)

He held me close, rolling so that I lay beside him. He leaned over me, his eyes intent on my face. “I don’t want you to go.”

I took a deep breath, but words failed me completely.

“It’s not a secret that I was dissatisfied with my life. Why I was looking for flaws where there didn’t need to be any, I’m not certain. I’m a bit ashamed of that. But that’s changed because of you.” He continued to watch me, his words whispered. “Thank you.”

“I wanted to thank you.” My voice was unsteady.

“Oh?” His eyes crinkled as he smiled at me.

“You reminded me that it’s okay for me to feel and want things…every once in a while.”

His molten eyes held mine captive. “What do you want, Claire?”

My breath caught. “You.”

His hand traced my side, sliding across my stomach. His fingers splayed wide as they traveled to the inside of my thigh, moving higher with intentional care. His lips covered mine.

My breath caught against his lips as his fingers found and parted the sensitive skin between my legs. His fingers were soft against me, teasing me until I was gasping.

He parted my legs and came between them, wrapping my legs around his hips and lifting me. His lips caught mine as he joined our bodies with aching gentleness.

His hands tightened against my hips, sliding up my sides. One hand cupped my breast, his thumb caressing its peak. His lips followed, closing and suckling my nipple until my back arched from the bed. I gasped, sliding my hands into his hair to hold him to me.

His breath grew ragged, replaced by deep, guttural moans as we moved against each other. His every touch, his scent, his harsh breathing against my chest and neck… My body tightened around him, needing him all the more.

He thrust harder and I felt my body tensing, pulsing and rising. A burning heat coursed through me, plucking each and every nerve all at the same time. Every inch of me contracted at once. I exploded around him. Echoes of heat radiated, bringing me back to earth blissfully. I wrapped my arms around him, relishing the lingering sparks of pleasure that his touch provoked.

His ragged breathing filled the room as he pulled me hard against him. His lips pressed kisses along my neck. He pulled back, watching me, his face red and restrained.

I could feel him, still hard and rigid. I arched an eyebrow. “Josh?”

“I want to make tonight last.” His voice was brittle, pained. His restraint was costing him.

I sat up and kissed him suddenly, urgently. I pushed him down on the mattress beneath me. He watched me, his face flushing as I threw my leg over him. His hands clasped my hips, and then slid up and down my sides.

I shivered from his touch, closed my eyes and slid him deep inside me. His groan broke off, his throat convulsing. Seeing him fighting for control ignited my passion anew. I sat up, welcoming all of him, and set a deep rhythm.

His hands tightened on my hips. “That’s not helping.” He ground out the words.

“Really?” My voice was a whisper as I smiled at him through my mussed hair.

He sat up, wrapping his arms around me as we moved together. His eyes bored into mine, burning with raw need. It was too much, seeing him look at me like that. But when I turned my head, his fingers caught my chin.

His breath was hot on my chest, his mouth wet on my breast as we lost control.

***

He took up most of the bed, snoring ever so lightly. I let one finger trace his cheek, kissing his forehead and breathing deeply. His smell soothed me.

There was a car waiting, with Shannon, to take me to the airport. I smoothed his wild hair gently. I chewed my lip, fighting tears. I made my way out the front door and was almost to the car when he called my name. He walked to me, a sheet wrapped around him, his hair on end.

“You were sleeping so peacefully.” My voice broke, giving me away.

He pulled me against him as soon as he could reach me. “Hardly peacefully. You weren’t there anymore.” His words were a gentle declaration.

I felt my face crumple but bit my lip to keep control.

He kissed my forehead, my lips, and my cheeks. “I’ll see you soon.” I could hear the urgency in his voice as he whispered the words against my ear. His arms were around me, holding me tight against him. “Claire, promise me.”