His Loving Caress Read online

  “Thanks, love! You’re always so gracious and considerate. The onesies and outfits you sent for my baby shower were absolutely adorable. I can’t wait to return the favor.”

  Elle simply laughed. She honestly didn’t know when and if that would happen. She caught Braxton’s peculiar gaze on her when Megan mentioned returning the favor. While being married and having a family had always been on her list of goals, at age thirty-four, it no longer seemed to be as much of a priority as it had been when she was younger. She had girlfriends her age anxious to get married and constantly searching for Mr. Right, but after Braxton, her main focus was her career and building her fashion empire.

  After dinner the auction started immediately, and she was grateful. The sooner she could leave, the better. Sitting across from Braxton’s penetrating gaze was haunting and she was ready to say her goodbyes. However, Megan and Tiffani pulled her out onto the dance floor when their sorority’s national party song came on and the ladies danced and stepped along with their other sorors to a cheering crowd. For a moment she had forgotten all about Braxton as she had fun dancing until she caught him staring at her from the side of the dance floor. After the sorority strut, she’d planned on slipping out once again, but the Electric Slide followed and that was her jam. When she glanced up to where Braxton had stood, he was no longer there. She breathed easy for what seemed to be a quick moment until she turned and noticed he was dancing at her side.

  “Hi there,” he teased with a wave. “I see you still love to dance.”

  “And I see you still can’t.” She couldn’t help but rag him. Actually, he had danced quite well when they were younger, but he did seem a bit rusty.

  “You never complained when we slow danced,” he whispered. “I’m sure you remember being in my arms swaying to our song.”

  With a flushed face, she turned accordingly to the line dance, and he ended up behind her. Her heart froze, but she continued moving while hoping the song would hurry up and end. The floor was crowded and Braxton’s chest was inches away from her back even though her gut told her he was too close on purpose. The dance floor may have been packed, but he was still too darn close. The song continued for a few more minutes but finally stopped when the DJ announced he was going to slow it down for everyone to catch their breaths and for the gentlemen to grab a pretty lady. Elle breathed easy again until she heard the first note of the song “I’ll Make Love to You” by Boys to Men. It was one of their favorite songs, and she had a sneaky inkling he’d requested it. Either today was just one big cruel joke or she was starring in an episode of The Twilight Zone.

  Elle’s eyes immediately jerked toward Braxton to study his expression because nothing with him that day had been a coincidence or fate like Mya had suggested. She found him wearing a sheepish smile which suggested he knew exactly what he was doing. She turned on her heel to skedaddle back to their table, but he drew her effortlessly to him by the waist, her hands landing on the bend of his elbows.

  Gasping, she eyed him sternly as her chest heaved up and down. She pulled away, but he held her firm in his embrace as a sly sneer formed across his handsome face.

  He bent down and whispered in her ear as his tongue flicked over it. “Where are you going?” He raised an eyebrow and displayed a cocky grin as if there could only be one answer.

  On the tip of her tongue she was ready to respond “nowhere, baby.” In the past if she was in his arms and had tried to break their hug before he was ready, he’d always ask that same question. Her response would always be the same followed by a giggle or a playful kiss.

  “Let go,” she demanded through a clenched fake smile. “We are not about to do this.”

  “Elle, all eyes are on us right now and I know you’re not one to cause a scene at your sorority’s event.”

  Groaning, she backed up a step so she wouldn’t be so closely pressed against him and slid her hands up to his shoulders. “Fine, one dance and then you have to promise to leave me alone forever.”

  “I can’t promise that, at least not until we sit down and talk.”

  She closed her eyes and sighed. There wasn’t anything he could say that would erase the pain he’d caused. But she knew how his conscience worked. He felt guilty. Now that he was aware she was in the same city until the end of the week, he would continue to try his best to see her. Luckily, he didn’t know where she was staying unless of course Sydney had divulged that information as well.

  She opened her eyes when he began to sing the words to the song, and she found herself completely against his body again. When had that happened? She hated to admit that the feel of him was comforting. The part of her that had longed for him and missed him was exactly where she longed to be. His warm embrace was even more defined. He was all man now. Gone was his lanky frame. He was strong and rugged. Irresistibly sexy and confident. He used to say that her body was the exact puzzle piece that fit with his, no matter the circumstance. Despite the fact that ten years had passed and both of their physiques had changed, she still fit perfectly, nestled in his arms. The thought made her breathing become unhinged. She needed room to breathe but she couldn’t move.

  The way his hands rested on her hips and moved her in tune with his body was a distraction. She wasn’t supposed to enjoy this moment with him. She was supposed to be yelling and cursing him out. Instead, she couldn’t remove her eyes from his handsome face as he continued to sing the song to her as if he meant every single word. It was torture and pleasure at the same time. The way her body was betraying her, she wouldn’t be surprised if she completely gave in, because resisting him had never been easy. Braxton always had a way of looking at her with his dark seductive eyes that would make her weak. She decided to strike up conversation so he’d stop singing and gazing at her as if he was going to rip her dress off.

  “I like your tuxedo,” she said knowingly, running her hand down the lapel.

  “Thank you. I wore it on the cover of my last album. In fact, all the cats in the band had an Elle Lauren tux.”

  “I know.”

  “You saw it?” His eyes sparkled and a wicked grin inched up his cheek. “You have my CDs?”

  “Don’t flatter yourself. Yes, I have your CDs and you have my tux.”

  “We were always supportive of each other. Maybe you can come to the club tomorrow evening. I’d love for you to see it when it’s open and lively. Perhaps we can have dinner.”

  “You’re pushing it, Mr. Chase.”

  “One dinner isn’t gonna kill you, and we don’t have to discuss the past if you’re not ready to yet.” He held up his right hand as if taking an oath. “Scout’s honor.”

  “I’ll think about it,” she said, grateful the song was ending. In that short period of time he’d managed to crack part of her wall since she was possibly considering having dinner with him. She had to get far away from him before he bulldozed it all the way down.

  “That’s all I’m asking...for now. Thank you for the dance, Sunshine.” Braxton seductively slid his hands over her curves and off her body. “Looks like we’re still in rhythm. We always did dance like we were making love.”

  The image of such appeared at the forefront of her mind, and she had to shut it off and fast before she did the unthinkable. Suppressing a gulp, she conjured up a smirk. “Hmm...and your singing is still off-key.”

  He released a hearty laugh, but then closed the gap between them and rested a dark stare on her. “Baby, I don’t sing. I play the piano and another instrument very, very well. And if memory serves me right, I used to make you go way off-key, though I’m sure you remember.”

  He glided a finger down her arm that induced a warm sensation to flow through her, and her nipples hardened as if cold air had hit them. Elle did remember all too well. She still dreamed of making love with him. He was the only man that knew just how she wanted to be caressed and handled. And he was
right. The sounds and moans he used to provoke from her were totally out of tune, but she never cared and neither did he as his hands and tongue would travel over her body until she could barely remember her name.

  “Yeah...well...vaguely. That was eons ago.” She gave a cool shrug and strutted away with a purposeful slight swish until she made it back to their empty table. She looked out to see the rest of the Chase family on the dance floor. Preston had left immediately after the auction with his date who had won him for ten thousand dollars. She grabbed her purse from the chair and looked up to see Braxton standing over her with a heated gaze.

  “Well, maybe you need to be reminded.”

  No need. I’m reminded in my dreams. She crossed her arms over her chest and eyed him carefully. “Maybe you should just give it up. That should come easy for you, right?” she asked sarcastically.

  “I’m not that man anymore and you know in your heart this isn’t over with. There’s something still between us.” He paused as a smug grin crawled up his jaw line and he leaned over, placing his lips just inches from hers. “I mean, you still have the tattoo on your neck.”

  Puzzled, she tilted her head up to him and stifled the swallow in her throat. “What are you talking about?” Elle tried to keep her tone calm and steady. She’d made sure before she left the suite that the makeup and diamond choker had concealed his initials. The choker hadn’t been as wide as she’d thought but the foundation had blended well. Mya and the makeup artist had made sure of it.

  “All the sweating you did while stepping with your sorors erased some of that makeup. I saw it when I was behind you during the Electric Slide. I’m flattered,” he teased. “I’d thought surely you’d have it removed. That just gives me hope that you’ll be mine again.”

  “You keep thinking that. Goodbye, Mr. Chase.” She patted his cheek and walked away praying he wouldn’t follow. She needed to get to her room and into an ice-cold shower. The evening hadn’t gone as planned. She wasn’t supposed to get hot and bothered over him. The goal was to irritate the heck out of him, not have him think she still wanted him and would even consider having dinner with him. And now that he was aware his initials still graced her neck, he was definitely feeling cocky and confident. But if he thought they were ever getting back together, he was sadly mistaken. Yes, she could admit that she still felt something for him. She knew in her heart that she would always love him, but she’d moved on and was happy with her life.

  Elle made it into the elevator and was grateful she didn’t see any sign of Braxton. Leaning against the wall, she held on to the rail as she took off her heels and watched as the doors closed. Being in the small space contained his scent which lingered on her skin. She breathed in deeply and out again relishing his manly fragrance. The cold shower couldn’t happen yet because she wanted to reminisce about his scent intertwined with hers just a little while longer.

  Once she made it to her penthouse suite, she tossed her shoes on the floor along with her purse and unzipped her dress as she headed to the bedroom. Being so close to Braxton had stirred up memories she’d suppressed, and he was fully aware, as her body had blatantly informed him on the dance floor. Plus, that dang tattoo still resided on her neck. Didn’t that makeup artist have waterproof foundation? Not using her anymore.

  Trotting to the bathroom, she flicked on the light and turned to see his blasted initials peeking through the makeup.

  Smacking her lips, she undid the diamond choker and the earrings, carefully setting them in the box they’d arrived in. She’d rented them before leaving for Georgia and didn’t want any mishaps with the flawless, expensive diamonds.

  “Great. He probably thinks I’m still madly in love with him.” Sarcastic laughter arose from her throat as she stared at her reflection in the mirror and began to take a couple of the pins out of her hair.

  The knocking on the front door of the suite followed by the insistent ringing of the doorbell startled her. Zipping the dress back as best as possible, she stepped out to the front room. She hadn’t ordered room service and Mya had a key, but she would’ve called first. Elle peaked out the peephole and saw Braxton standing on the other side of the door holding the wrap that matched her dress. In her haste to get away from him, she’d left it on the back of the chair.

  “How did you know where I was staying?” she yelled out.

  “I inquired after I saw you step into the elevator.”

  “Just leave it outside the door.” She was too vulnerable at the moment to see him alone.

  “No, someone could steal it.”

  “I’ll take that chance.”

  “Elle, come on. Seriously. Please.”

  Against her better judgment, she opened the door halfway and peered out. She reached for the wrap, but Braxton grabbed her hand and pushed his way into the room. Kicking the door closed with his foot, he turned her back against it and mashed his body to her as his lips crashed over hers in a possessive, fiery kiss. The thought of saying no and stop had crossed her mind. But her lips and heart were screaming yes loud and clear as he sank deeper into her mouth, showing no mercy. Elle couldn’t believe she was going against everything she said she wouldn’t do with him. She had told herself that she wouldn’t be in his arms again but that went out the window when they’d slow danced earlier, and she’d enjoyed every iota of it. She had also told herself that she wouldn’t give him the time of day, but she’d opened the door anyway. Elle certainly never thought she’d allow him the privilege to kiss her again, but there he was with his lips on hers, kissing as if they hadn’t seen each other in over a hundred years.

  As she sighed against him, he let out a moan to match hers and his wicked tongue-dance sped up with every passing second. The idea of pushing him away was becoming hazy, and the fact that there was a part of her that was still mad at him only made her want to kiss him more. If just to remind him what he could’ve had all this time.

  Elle ran her hands up to the top of his head and slid them down to his face. She was used to hair on his head, but she loved the smooth feel of his skin on her palms and continued running her hands over him as their kissing and moans intensified. His lips left hers, and trailed down her skin as he placed nibbles around her neck. A sound she didn’t recognize as herself escaped her throat. She wasn’t ready for his mouth to leave hers, but at the same time his hot tongue on her collarbone was exquisite. Holding on to her waist with one of his hands, he let the other one search in her hair and the next thing she knew hairpins that were strategically placed for her tousled updo were now being flung on the floor. However, she didn’t care as Braxton’s lips sought hers once more, but this time he delved slow and deep as soft whimpers sounded out between their lips. She held on to his shoulders to keep her balance. Tears in the hollow of her eyes were ready to fall as her heart contracted in her chest. All of the pent-up desire for him was spilling out. She’d missed him with every fiber in her being. Her body trembled in his embrace as he continued to release passionate kisses on her mouth and neck. His hand grabbed one of her legs and yanked it around his trim waist. The tension of his penis pressed against her center throbbed hard through his pants just as it had while they’d danced. But on the dance floor she’d tried to block that acknowledgment. Now she couldn’t. Her dress seemed to be easing down by itself and that’s when she remembered she couldn’t reach the zipper to zip it back up.

  He slid his hands under the spaghetti straps and pulled them down until the dress fell below her breasts.

  “Beautiful,” he whispered, caressing one of her nipples gently before lowering his head and sucking on it.

  He teased both back and forth as she held on to his head and moaned freely.

  “I missed you, Elle. You hear me, baby? I’ve missed the hell out of you,” he said in a gruff voice.

  “I’ve missed you, too, Brax.”

  Braxton made her feel alive and wild al
l over again. Their intimate times hadn’t been as frequent as they’d wanted because of being separated during their college years. But when they did make love, it was always special and each time had been new and different. The older they got the more intense and fervent their times together had become especially considering the long distance just made them yearn for each other even more.

  Elle lifted his head and brought his lips back to hers as a guttural moan eased out of his throat. She always loved to hear him moan with pleasure. Even though he’d always said his mission was to please and satisfy her in every way possible, she wanted to do the same for him. The first few times they’d made love it had been all about her until she was comfortable and ready to explore other things. Once she was, she held nothing back and fully enjoyed hearing his lustful groans and making him tremble when he climaxed.

  However, Elle knew none of that was going to happen tonight. She reminded herself that this was the same man who’d left her on their special day without a single word until sometime later when he’d realized his mistake. And even though she wanted nothing more than to rip off his tuxedo and make love with him in every position until the roosters crowed, it simply wasn’t going to happen. Nevertheless, she was able to release a smidge of the pent-up desire she had acquired over the years for him. The rest of her evening would be spent in a cold shower. She’d have to spend not a night, but a year’s time to make up for just how much her body had craved and yearned to be one with him again.

  Abruptly she broke their passionate kiss, lowered her leg from around him and sidestepped away from the door. The confused expression on his face was priceless as she pulled her dress back up and grabbed the wrap from the floor and slid it around her shoulders.

  “You should probably leave,” she stated matter-of-factly, running her fingers through her loose curls as a few more hairpins slipped out.

  He was obviously still in a daze as he ran his hand over his head in puzzlement. “Leave?” he asked in a bewildered fashion.