“Go away!” I shouted.
I tried to switch on the light as I charged through to the hallway, anger displacing my fear. The switch moved, but the light didn’t come on. I should have guessed it was off in every room. I ran at the door and shouted.
I swore. I heard the sound of feet on the stairs. Somebody was running down.
“Go away! Get lost!” I screamed through the door. I almost opened it, but instinct told me that it was too dangerous. I stopped and sat down. I heard feet running down the street, then nothing.
I was shaking. Now that the immediate danger had gone, my anger melted away, fear returning.
“Carter,” I murmured under my breath. I felt the card resting against my heart, in the pocket of my sweater, where I’d left it. “Call him.”
I pulled the card out, fumbling with fingers that shook so hard I could barely move. I didn’t recall where I’d put my phone. I found the kitchen counter by touch and stumbled into the kitchen. My phone was on the countertop. I picked it up. By the blueish light, I deciphered the number. I called him.
“Hello?” My voice was wavering, and I cleared my throat. I could barely think!
“Hi, Amelia?” he asked. He sounded worried. “What’s up? Something happened?”
“Please, Carter,” I said. “Someone was here. Please. Just come?”
“Who was there?” Carter sounded angry. “That guy? What happened?” His voice was tight and confrontational.
“Please,” I whispered faintly, the tone in his voice suddenly too much for me to stand. “Just come?”
I sank down on the bed again. I felt cold. Pulling my duvet around me, I sat there in the dark and waited. I heard feet on the stairs half an hour later.
“Amelia?” Carter yelled through the door. “Amelia? Hello? Are you okay?”
I ran to the door and opened it. Carter stumbled through. He was wearing jeans and a t-shirt, and his eyes were wide as saucers.
“What happened?” he said. “The lights are off. Oh, damn. I’ll find the box.”
He strode outside, moving fast, and I waited in the hallway, shivering until he came back up again. I heard something whirr and realized the fridge was back on. He stepped in and switched on the lights. Bright light flooded the scene.
“Amelia,” he said, shutting the door and locking it behind him. “Are you okay? What happened?”
“Oh, Carter…” I sniffed. Suddenly, with the lights on and the danger removed, it was all too much for me. “There was somebody here. Trying to get in. I heard them try the handle and… and…” I started crying, and he held me in his arms.
“Shh, Amelia,” he said gently. “Shh. It’s all right now. I’m here. I’m here.”
His arms wrapped me tight, and his lips touched my hair as I felt myself slowly melting into him.
17
Carter
I held Amelia to my chest, almost too nervous to breathe. I couldn’t quite believe what was happening. Amelia had initiated something with me? Amelia was here, right now, in my arms, at nine p.m., in her apartment? It seemed impossible.
“Shh, Amelia,” I said gently, stroking her back. I wanted to comfort her. I didn’t want to take advantage of her, but at the same time, my body was screaming for her. “Amelia… should I go?”
“I don’t want to be alone,” she whispered. Her eyes held mine. I felt drawn into that gaze. “Please. Stay with me?”
“Okay,” I whispered into her hair. “I’ll stay.”
She looked into my eyes. I bent down, and my lips touched hers. This time, I couldn’t hold back. My body pressed against her. I was aroused, and my cock, hard and firm, was straining to get out of my jeans. I held her against me, feeling her body pressing to mine. My lips were on hers, my tongue pushing into her sweet, firm mouth.
I gasped and leaned back against the wall. I couldn’t contain myself anymore. My hands ran down her sweater, and I slipped them underneath. My fingertips found warm flesh. I felt my cock throb painfully as she moaned and leaned against me.
I couldn’t stop myself. I could feel her skin, silky and firm. I lifted her sweater, and she moved so that it slipped off her head and arms. I was left holding a pile of cream wool.
I stared. The light from the living room fell in yellow brightness into the hallway, where we stood. It touched her pale skin and made it shine like satin. She wore a silky bra, and her breasts were high and firm. I leaned forward and gently touched one, wincing inside as my hand cupped her breast.
“Amelia,” I whispered. “I don’t know if…”
She stepped up and pressed her lips to mine, silencing my protests. “Shh,” she said, looking into my eyes. “No more talking.”
I looked into her eyes, and something inside me ignited. Unable to hold myself back, I lifted her up and carried her to the bedroom.
Putting her on the bed, I kissed her. We embraced each other, moving lower and lower until she lay underneath me. Her breasts were straining to be free of the bra, and I wanted so badly to feel her bare skin on mine. I took off my t-shirt with a fluid motion and let it fall to the floor. Then I took off her jeans. They pooled around her ankles. She was lying on the bed now, bra and panties glimmering in the light that fell on us through the bedroom window from the street lights.
I stared down at her and then, unable to contain myself any longer, I pulled her panties off in a single, smooth motion. She had a fuzz of blonde hair, and I bent down, kissing her stomach and creamy thighs, smelling her womanly scent.
She gasped as I gently widened her legs so that I could slide my lips between her thighs. She half-sat, giving a little gasp, as I placed my lips on her clit. Then, gasping, she lay back.
I widened her legs more. Feeling my senses swim as I breathed in her scent, I parted her folds and lapped at the silky softness of her skin. I could feel her clit harden, and I teased it, lightly nibbling it with my teeth until she started to move and moan uncontrollably.
I could feel her shivering, and I knew she was so close to coming. I was enjoying myself, high on the sounds she was making. My tongue dug deeper into her clit. She gasped and then screamed aloud as she finished in my mouth.
I heard her breathing returning to normal, and I stayed where I was, my head resting on her knee. I could smell her, more faintly, and my cock ached to be inside her. I was aroused beyond thought now, and I wanted her with every fiber of my being.
She sighed and moved on the bed. I sat up. Her eyes met mine. They looked playful. I felt myself wanting her as we stroked each other’s bodies. She looked up at me.
Wordlessly, she slid her fingers into the waistband of my jeans and tugged at the zipper. I helped with the top button, then pulled my pants down and stepped out of my boxers. I joined her, touching her with increasing intensity.
Gritting my teeth, I felt my cock throbbing as it encountered the smooth skin of her leg. I pressed against her, full of desire, and she rolled over so that I was pressing against the opening to her body, her eyes staring into mine. We were both lying on our sides, facing each other.
I felt my cock run along the entrance to her body, and she gasped. We smiled. Wickedly, she rolled over so that her butt was against me. I groaned aloud. Firm and pert, it was the most gorgeous bottom I had ever seen.