Once Upon a Time Read online

  A perfectly shaved pussy is presented to me like a gift on Christmas morning. A small thatch of hair hides her little pearl, and I’m eager to taste her.

  Wiping my mouth with the back of my hand to make sure I’m not actually drooling, I’m not sure where to start. She’s a smorgasbord, and I want to eat her all at once.

  To suck on her full, plump pink nipples or eat her dripping little cunt? Decisions, decisions. It’s unfair to make one woman so fucking perfect, just for me. All for me.

  “Your body, sweets,” I moan, breathing in her honey and closing my eyes.

  “I don’t like it either.” Her whisper is almost too soft for me to hear, but holy fuck does my rage boil over.

  My eyes snap open, a fierce light burning behind them, and she shrinks back into herself as I ask hoarsely, “What did you just say?”

  Instead of answering me, she looks away, unable to speak.

  “Cecilia!” I snap, demanding every ounce of her attention. “I won’t have you fucking putting yourself down any more than I’ll let someone else do it. Period. End of fucking story.” I stop and take a cleansing breath, so I don’t lose my temper. “This body”—I rub my hands up her frame to cup her tits in my palms—“is what cities have been destroyed for. What men have gone to prison for. This body is my temple to fucking worship as I please, and I refuse to allow you to insult or regard it in any other light than mine.”

  Confusion roams her features at first, then she comes to some sort of realization as contentment replaces any lingering negativity in her chocolate orbs. I watch as she licks her lips, her eyes hood. She enjoys that I’m fierce about her. Inwardly shrugging, I can handle that.

  Spinning Cecilia around, so her naked breasts press against the cool glass, I pull her ass back into my hips so I can have access to her entire body.

  “Landon?” Her voice quivers with uncertainty.

  I can feel the shivers racing through her, and I rush to assure her. “We can see out, but they can’t see in. We’re safe here.”

  She relaxes at my words and falls into the moment. Running my scruffy cheek against the back of her thigh causes her to jump slightly, but I can see how slick her core has become at the rough gesture. Needing to taste her, I finally bury my face in her liquid heat from behind.

  Ambrosia and cinnamon.

  Floral and spice.

  The perfect combination.

  Kissing around her lips, I tease her with fluttery licks of my tongue before I finally dive in for the real prize. Gliding up her slit, I dip my tongue inside her untried hole, moaning at my first taste. The tightness alone is nearly enough to force me to strip down and drive my raging cock inside of her. Claiming her.

  Hearing her breath catch, I know she’s close to her first release. I might just have to teach her to hold onto those in the future. “Not yet, Cec,” I murmur against her engorged clit.

  Sliding my fingers through her wetness, I slip one inside to help loosen her up. She’s so fucking tight. Latching onto her nub with my teeth, I give a light tug, sucking it between my lips as I search out her g-spot with my finger.

  Freeing one hand, I unzip my pants, pushing them down along with my boxers, readying myself to drive into her succulent body. I can feel her walls contracting, she’s ready to come and, nothing is going to stop her. Pulling from her, I stand and push into her pussy without warning.

  “So. Fucking. Tight.” She makes me lose control of myself.

  Her scream of pain quickly turns into pleasure as I play with her clit, working to loosen her up some more. Gripping both of her hands in one of mine, I bring them up above her head with a sharp slap, so she doesn’t move.

  “Jesus fucking mercy, Cecilia, you’re fucking perfect. This tight cunt was made for my cock.” I pant roughly into her ear.

  I can feel her walls tighten again as she screams my name into the night, letting go of her release, giving me everything I’ve been dying for from the start. Cecilia’s orgasm triggers my own, and with a handful of thrusts, I slap her ass hard and let go inside of her, coating her womb with my seed as I try to catch my breath.

  “It’s too much,” she cries out as another orgasm rolls through her body. “Oh God, Landon, make it stop.”

  “Not fucking likely. Take it, Cec, take it all. Give me everything. I want every ounce of pleasure you feel. I want it wrapped around my dick so fucking tight, you won’t know where I end and you begin. You fucking understand?” I growl, my words harsher than intended as I grip her hair in a closed fist, turning her head so I can slam my mouth over hers.

  I spill everything I’m feeling for her into this kiss.

  My possession…

  My ownership…

  My need for her alone is so overwhelming that I don’t think I’ll ever be able to stop.

  Carrying a now limp Cecilia to bed, I lay her gently on the crisp sheets as her eyes struggle to remain open. I kiss along her body, worshipping her in the way she’s deserved for so many years.

  I give Cec everything I am and ask nothing in return. Her pleasure is my own. Her moans are my breath. When I gently open her thighs, I kiss her lovingly over every inch of flesh I can before I settle into her core and my hips pump slowly into her body.

  We rock in unison.

  We love long into the night, and I breathe freely for the first time in longer than I can remember. With Cecilia by my side, I feel like I can finally have it all.

  Chapter 6

  Cecilia

  Waking up the following morning, I feel deliciously sore in all the right places. Reaching behind me in Landon’s massive bed, I’m disappointed to discover he’s gone. I wasn’t sure what to expect of the morning after but waking up alone wasn’t what I had pictured.

  Worrying about why he’s gone, I stand and wrap the comfy sheet around my body as I finally get a good look at his bedroom. It’s nearly the size of my entire dinky little apartment. One wall is just glass, tinted panes, looking out over the city. With the sun rising high in the sky, it displays quite the view. A breathtaking ricochet of bright rays bounce off the windows creating a kaleidoscope of colors around the room.

  Walking to his dresser which is on the opposite wall, I rummage through a drawer until I find a t-shirt to put on. I’m certain my clothes are still in the living room where we left them last night. Wandering to the closed door beside his closet, I open it to find what must be the most luxurious bathroom I’ve ever seen.

  There’s so much black, and it’s not nearly as tacky as I would have thought. The tiles, the counters, the shower, the toilet. Just black and more black. Not in a gaudy gothic way either. Somehow, it presents elegant and tasteful. Turning the light on, I notice flecks of silver in the white accent wall, making it appear as though it sparkles.

  “Wow,” I murmur unable to contain my wonder.

  Striding to the shower, I turn it on, stunned when jets of water stream from every side. Dropping the sheet still wrapped around me, I hang the t-shirt I grabbed on a hook on the wall and step in.

  The warm water soothes me in places I didn’t know where hurting. All the aches from our lovemaking the night before are making themselves known, but I wouldn’t trade it for the world. I’m still shocked we became intimate so quickly. I hadn’t been ready and spent hours talking myself out of a relationship with him, but Landon knows just what to say to get me to open up and trust him.

  Even as my inner voice attempts to berate me, to convince me it was just sex, I don’t know that I can believe that. Landon worshipped me long into the night, and while I’m not great at reading people, his eyes didn’t lie. He cares for me. Deeply.

  Pushing back the doubts about him not being here this morning, I finish my shower swiftly and step out of the enclosure. Drying off, I catch a glimpse of my body in the mirror above the black granite sink.

  Who is this girl?

  She looks happy. Well-loved. With love bites everywhere that I can see—along my collarbone, on my breasts, down my thighs—I remembe
r receiving each one and shiver with delight. Turning sideways, I notice the marks on the back of my thighs and my hips. Touching each one, I smile to myself, holding my own gaze in the mirror. I feel more now, with Landon, than I have in my entire nineteen years on this earth.

  Breaking free of my thoughts before I get lost in the memories, I grab his shirt and toss it on before I make his bed. It’s the least I could do. Quietly traipsing down the short hallway, I see my clothes scattered in front of the window where I gave Landon everything and admire the view.

  With my arms full, I take a moment to enjoy as the birds once again fly in the clouds, flit from tree to tree, when a loud bang startles me, and I spin around so fast I nearly lose my footing.

  “You have got to be fucking kidding me!” Crap.

  Ashley.

  I’m like a deer caught in the headlights. I don’t know what to do or say, so I wait. “Landon seriously brought you home?” The question is obviously rhetorical, so I keep my mouth shut, even though the daggers she’s throwing my way make me want to run.

  “You’re just a piece of ass to him, you know.” Her snide comment hits every insecurity I have about us.

  When I don’t say anything back, a cruel sneer flashes across her face, and I know the next words she’s about to spout will hurt more than being hit by a car.

  “Why do you think he’s not here? You obviously weren’t anything good to him.” Her laughter is menacing. “He always sticks around for the good girls.” Ouch.

  I think I might be sick.

  “Yeah, you get it, don’t you?” She nods like what she says makes any sense. “Let me guess”—Ashley taps her chin with a manicured nail—“he peppered you with compliments? Told you, you were the most perfect creature, probably repeated your activities a few times too, huh?” He did do all of those things. How would she know so much if it weren’t a common occurrence? “Yet, he’s not here.” She arches a brow as if to point out the obvious.

  Don’t cry, Cec.

  It’s hard not to.

  “Once he saw all those scars, he was probably disgusted. You were just a pity fuck to him, Mark me crazy.”

  The dam is breaking. Tears are gathering, and I can’t do a damn thing to stop them as I spin on my heel, run to his room, and quickly get dressed. Regret fills me as I get one last look at the bed, a place that just a few hours ago was filled with so much passion. Made me feel special and loved.

  Now it’s tainted, and I’m left picking up the pieces of my broken heart as Ashley’s laughter follows me to the elevator where I flee back to my dinky apartment with bitter memories to torment me in my dreams late at night.

  Landon

  * * *

  I hated to leave Cecilia before she woke up, but I had another meeting this morning that was unavoidable. After writing a quick note and leaving it by the coffee pot, I hope that she saw it. The very last thing I want is for her to think I’ve abandoned her.

  The meeting was quick. Mostly, they just needed my signature on a few contracts before a new series of condos could be released to the buyers.

  Thankfully, it’s all in the same building, as my patience is being tried enough while I wait for the elevator, which is usually quick to land on the top floor of my building. When it stops and I open the door, I’m shocked and immediately angry at who’s sitting in my kitchen drinking the coffee I made and reading the paper I left.

  “Shouldn’t you be in school?” I grumble at Ashley as I walk past her and into my room, already realizing Cecilia is gone but wishing she were still asleep. Finding the room empty and the bed made, I storm back out to the kitchen. “Where is she?” I snap at my sister.

  “Where is who?” she asks, taking another sip of her coffee. I know she’s guilty of something because she won’t meet my stare.

  “Ashley!” I bark.

  As she finally lifts her eyes, I can see a calculating gleam reflected back at me. “Yes?” She inserts a false sweetness to her tone, angering me further.

  “What the fuck are you doing here?” She’s here for a reason.

  “Daddy wants to have a family dinner this weekend, and he asked if I’d mention it to you.” Could be true, but not likely the real reason she’s here.

  “You could have called or texted to let me know. So, I’ll ask again. Why the fuck are you here?” My patience is wearing thin.

  “Well, I went to your office, and your assistant—such a lovely woman, you should bring her to dinner—said you were in a meeting and would be coming back home afterwards, so I came up here to wait.” I might just fucking strangle her.

  “What the fuck is wrong with you, Ashley?” I growl.

  “Well, you don’t have to be rude.” She tries to pout, but I see through it.

  “No, Ash, what’s rude is you barging into my home without my permission. Now where the fuck is she?” I’m on my last damn nerve.

  “Again, I ask, where is she, who?”

  “Don’t act fucking dumb. Cecilia. Where the fuck is my woman?” I’m losing complete control now, and if she doesn’t tell me what happened, she’s going to regret it.

  Rolling her eyes, her next comment sends me over the edge. “You can’t be serious about her. I mean, have you seen her? All those horrible scars. She’s not good for your image, big brother.” Her dismissal of the woman I’m falling in love with is low, even for her standards.

  “Get the fuck out and don’t ever come back! You hear me?” My voice is low, full of rage, and she takes a step back.

  Shock mars her features as she whispers, “What?”

  “I mean it. You have no idea who Cecilia really is. Why she has those scars. Did you ever think that just because she’s not some perfect little Barbie airhead that maybe, just fucking maybe, she’s a person and has real feelings, too?”

  “Well, I…” she stutters, unable to form a retort.

  “What did you say to her?” Guilt flashes in her eyes before she looks to the floor. “You fucking bitch!” I yell, storming over to her. I grab her arm and drag her to the elevator. As soon as the doors open, I push her inside and tell her, “Until you apologize to Cecilia and fucking mean it, don’t ever contact me again, Ashley. This is so fucking low, even for your spoiled ass.” Tears well up in her eyes as the doors close, and I’m left to figure out how to clean up her mess.

  First up is to call down to the lobby, barring her from entry to my private suite again. Because Mom spends as much time here as I do, I can’t ban Ashley from the building. Yet. Next is a call to cancel her credit card. I’m over her shit.

  Now to figure out how to get my girl back in my arms and show her I’m not going anywhere.

  Cecilia

  The bus ride home was long, quiet, and unbearable as I replayed the events of the morning in my mind. On so many levels I know that Ashley is both right and wrong. I am flawed, I’m broken, and I’m certainly not worthy of a man like Landon Powers. But lord do I wish I were.

  He was so amazing with me. He treated me like I meant something to him.

  Landon acted as though I were everything.

  The powerful connection we shared, can’t possibly be faked, can it? I saw it in his eyes every time he would look at me, touch me, kiss me.

  Maybe I just wanted it to be real.

  I blow out a deep breath as I unlock the door to my miniscule apartment, trying to draw in the strength to become me again. Not Belle in the tower. The irony of us, the reverse Beauty and the Beast story, isn’t lost on me.

  He’s the beauty with his chiseled jaw and soulful eyes.

  And I’m the beast with all my scars.

  There was never going to be a happy ending for us. I just have to learn to live with it now.

  Chapter 7

  Cecilia

  The tears flow in constant streams down my face as I make my way to school after my quick stop at home. I changed my clothes, grabbed my books, and avoided Brittany, then left my apartment.

  Never in my wildest dreams did I think I’d
find the perfect man only for him to turn out to be a complete fraud. Even with all Landon’s kindness, Ashley’s words were convincing. I shouldn’t be shocked, though, not after the way my joke of a life keeps finding new ways to inflict pain to my heart. I should have stuck to my guns and not gone out with him. There are so many things I should have done to save myself this heartbreak.

  As I enter the economics building, I lower my head and let my hair hide my face so nobody else will bear witness to my torment and their stares won’t hurt nearly as much. Of course, that doesn’t mean the taunts will stop.

  “Hey, Mark me crazy! Does this mean you’ll put out for anyone that sticks up for you now?” I freeze at the words.

  They can’t know. Not so soon. How would they? My dreams of being with Landon might be dashed, but I didn’t think the news would travel so fast. Especially since Ashley had been making herself comfortable at Landon’s when I left.

  My world is spiraling out control, and I’m helpless to stop it. I hate the feelings of inadequacy that continue to consume me as I try to ignore the jocks and their comments. Slinking into my first class of the day, I know I must try, at least, to make an effort to be present instead of running away like I did this morning. Confrontation is not my friend, and I’d rather the world merely ignore me as they move on around me.

  Sitting at the back of the class, I watch covertly as students pile in and take their seats. Some I recognize from other classes, others I don’t. A high-pitched cat call draws my attention to two boys sitting a few rows down from me, and as I glance up, I see them pointing towards me and laughing just as Ashley strolls through the door looking angrier than I’ve ever seen her.

  Ashley and I have been in school together almost our entire lives. I’ve never understood the other woman’s hatred towards me, so I’ve always tried my best to ignore her.