Chapter 32: CeCe

Finally, it was Friday morning, but it couldn't have gone by any slower. I wanted to blink and open my eyes to read 3PM on my monitor.

9:13AM?!

I pouted and quietly whined at my desk for a few more seconds before coaching myself into more positive thoughts.

Ezra and I were going to have our first date, and I was really, really excited. 

Sometimes being too enthusiastic about something opened me up to a hard jinx. However, optimism has been treating me well lately, and I was going to keep it with me.

After another sneak peek at the clock, I realized that only one minute slid on by. I had to accept this dull morning with grace; but, once I did, the heavens decided to sprinkled a little spice on it.

Of course I typed in my password too fast and incorrectly twice before unlocking my phone. Finally, I read the text Ezra had sent and he didn't have to ask me to come upstairs twice.

Fast on my feet, I zipped down the hall of the thirty-third floor. I thought I was quick? The moment I approached his office door Ezra yanked it open and I pulled me in. The door slammed shut, my back was against its surface, and Ezra's hands were magnetized to my waist.

A frisky Ezra inevitably made me giggle his name after he placed several pecks on my lips and neck.

He pulled away from me and smiled. "I'm sorry, I couldn't wait anymore. I had two meetings this morning, and I all I could think about was you."

"Lies," I jested, puckering my lips.

"No lie, Ada." He grinned. "I wish it was after hours."

"Me too," I purred. "How should I dress tonight?"

He groaned at my anticipatory expression that consisted of me putting my arms around his neck and hopping up and down.

"My giant Yoshi shirt and sweats?" I lowly quipped.

"You could wear whatever you want," Ezra droned, staring intently at my mouth.

I brought my lips closer, and crooned, "You realize I just asked if I could look as homely as possible right?"

"Mmm hmm," he hummed. "And I would still take you out."

My nostrils flared, before I stole another taste of his lips. His hands rubbed around my waist, up to my ribs, and I felt fingers lightly scratch at my underwire before smoothing to back.

Now... I'm willing to be thrown on the couch right over there.

But alas, his landline began to ring and he bobbed his head back in annoyance. I pecked his exposed neck, and he returned to find a mischievous smile on my face.

"I will see you at lunch, Mr. Leoné, " I winked before escaping his hold and his office.

Well, when lunch came around, we headed over to Renee's favorite Tex Mex spot that was easily becoming a favorite of my own.

"Invited everybody....knew knew knew knew knew knew knew knew!" I lowly sang back to Chris at the restaurant table. "The biggest gift! The biggest!"

Ezra thoroughly enjoyed witnessing the Golden Girls remix that Chris, Renee, and I had to randomly sing to each other for surely the thirtieth time of the day. I couldn't breathe from laughing too hard, and unfortunately a small snort made me the subject of more cackling at the table.

I wasn't too embarrassed that time around, and I found it cute that Ezra was doing his best to keep feigning the quiet boss as to not make fun of me in front of Chris and Renee. The struggle to interact was right on his pinched lips, and I flashed him a devious smirk.

For the first time, I really felt as though we were keeping a major secret from the others. Ezra and I had a strange rapport since the beginning, but my skill for denial was at its prime as well.

It wasn't until we received our virgin mojitos that Ezra spoke up. Renee and Chris silently screamed together while I took hold of my glass with both hands to stare at the floating mint leaves.

"I'd also like to thank Chris for finding brilliant individuals to add to our professional environment. Ada has been a very important part to our small team since day one; and we are very happy that you, Ada Young, have chosen to be a more permanent member of Leoné Investments."

Jesus, Ezra!

I wanted my Oscar for being able to conceal my blush through that surprising and touching speech. We touched glasses and gave cheers, but I made sure to let Ezra know I was thinking of him as my foot coyly brushed against his ankle.

*

7PM was minutes away, and I kept smiling at Ezra's last text as I sped through the semi-congested sidewalk. He was still upset that I wouldn't let him pick me up from my place, but I wanted to travel to the restaurant on my own; I needed time to think. This time around all of the thoughts were confident as I looked over the last few days. This kind of happiness didn't come around often nor in bundles this way either. I had rid myself of dead weight, I obtained a formidable full-time position, and I was about to go on a first date with someone I wanted to see.

Rereading our exchange, I bit my lip at his response to my begging him for the address to the place I was currently approaching. His solemn response, then, matched the look on his face that I could suddenly see in the distance.

Ezra was in his sharp black petticoat, one hand slipped from his pocket, the other holding the phone with brightly glowing screen revealing the apprehension on his face.

I scurried in my black platform pumps and hopped in front of him with a giant smile. "Hi."

"Hi!" Ezra greeted with surprise before grinning. 

His arm immediately hooked around my shoulders to usher us out of the cold. "I wish you had let me get you."

My favorite cologne...

"I don't know. The look of surprise on your face a second ago was pretty priceless." I laughed.

He leveled his eyes to me but his elation was still present. Ezra used one hand to push open the door, and before I felt the warm air, I heard the piano.

When Ezra initially gave me the address, I had purposely refused to look up where it led to. If I had known we would be eating at The Peniston I might have tried to talk him out of taking me somewhere so fancy. Across the stylish lounge aesthetic was a lovely dark-haired woman smiling as she played a soft, sweet melody to complement the magical ambiance of the expanse.

The Ezra's touch drifted from my shoulder and to my left hand that he held to lead me to the immediate left.

He smiled down at me and extended his hands for my outerwear.

Oh, please like it...

I shyly removed my wool trench coat to reveal a spaghetti strap and backless bodycon that hemmed at a respectable length above my knees. I held onto my small black clutch as I cautiously ran my hands over the dark purple dress. A nervous, hopeful smile was the best I could return to Ezra.

His mouth was slightly ajar as he took my coat and looked me over.

"Wow," he whispered, which made me run my fingers anxiously smooth over my bun.

Ha! T'was $35.95. Plus, an extra twenty percent off!

But he was impressed? When the coat attendant was waiting for his jacket, I was amazed by his ensemble of slim fit of navy blue pants and simple white shirt. The combination was simple, yes, but the open collar that stopped just above the start of his chest was the killer.

Lord, have mercy! Lord. Have. Mercy!

Ezra was so damn fine. I could have watched him slide that jacket off a thousand times and still been as stunned as I had been the first time. I wondered if he could see the starry look in my eyes as he reengaged touch with my hand to lead me through the open floor of the establishment.

That ass...

I'm surprised I didn't have a trail of hanging drool with my bug eyes focused on how his trousers were exposing just how fit he was.

Lemme see the front again!

I managed to keep my hands to myself while we passed by occupied tables with plates of food that looked expensive as hell but smelled amazing.

Ezra led me all the way to the back, of the restaurant. The room was smaller, yet just as beautiful and simple with dimmer lighting. There was another couple sitting at the corner of the space, happy and quietly murmuring to themselves over the prettiest bread basket I had ever seen.

"Ezra, this is really extravagant," I gasped once we came to a halt. "Wait..."

I paused ar the matte black gift bag that was resting on one side of the square table.

"For you," he answered, handing it to me, before pulling out my chair.

I playfully twisted my nose at him and took my seat while he took his place across from me. I opened the bag and immediately began to chuckle. There was a shirt very similar to the one I had to throw away from Monday's unfinished events. However, my laugh drifted realizing that the fabric was much nicer, and that four other similarly styled but patterned blouses were underneath it.

"Ezra, really?" I asked in shock. "You didn't have to do this."

There was a grin hiding behind the hand and fist that hovered in front of his mouth. "Well, Ada, it is an occasion, and a private celebration for you. An appropriate gift only made sense."

I lightly shook my head at him in amazement.

So, you remember the little things?

My next words were soft and sincere. "Thank you, Ezra."

"You are always welcome, Ada," he replied, raising his chin and lightly scratching at his jaw.

I kept my eyes firmly on him as I put the gift aside. If there was no one else in the room with us, I would be tempted to have my first appetizer of the evening.

Unfortunately, we were far from alone, because our waiter was approaching the table. He had a splash of freckles, reminiscent of Chris, but large blue eyes that immediately gave him a cherubic nature.

He popped the top to glass water bottle and began to pour into our wine glasses. "Good evening, I'm Marcos and I will be your server this evening. May I start the lovely couple with our seasonal wine menu?"

I immediately shook my head and insisted that I was fine with the water for the night.

"Are you sure?" Ezra lowly swept in with a curious eye.

I nodded, lowering my blank expression to the table. Ezra chose to decline any wine or spirits, as well, and the young man happily promised to return with our starter. After a meek 'thank you' to Marcos, I returned focus on the man that was looking straight at me.

"Is everything okay?" he murmured.

I smiled big. "I promise. I am just fine."

He rested his elbows on the table again, and asked with caution, "Is it alright that I've already ordered the full course for us?"

"Of course! I'm sure I wouldn't be able to pronounce most of the menu anyhow," I honestly answered. "Plus, I remember how serious you are about time management."

Ezra's brow was up, and his sly expression was just. I closed my eyes when I returned a large open-mouthed smile, and I could hear his amusement.

Now that the opportunity presented itself, I had to take it. "Ezra, may I ask you a random question?"

His smile didn't falter. "Of course, Ada."

My eyes strayed from him momentarily. "There was a time where you would have reminded me that you hated random questions. What happened to that man?"

The look of pleasure was gone now. Ezra was caught off guard, but not for more than a few seconds before he calmly answered, "He's still here."

"No he isn't," I sweetly corrected. "I don't see him."

He put his hand out across the tabletop, quietly asking for mine. I didn't hesitate to take on the union, while wondering why his eyes were straying.

They were void of emotion, as he proclaimed, "I promise you, Ada, that person is still present."

I tilted my head as I continued to survey his face. It was hard to believe him after how much things had changed. But when his green eyes lifted up to me once more, I was sure I had asked the wrong question.

Our graceful interloper approached our table again, his smile was bright as he ensured us that our first course was on the way. Marcos placed a lovely bread basket between us. Though, I had no time to be enamoured by the arrangement, fresh from the oven, when I was stuck on Ezra.

My grip on his hand was tighter. "Ezra, are you okay?"

Ezra exposed his neck. "I'm more than okay. I'm happy."

There was a pregnant pause before I admitted, "It's strange how much I believe that as you say it without a smile."

And there it is.

His lips mildly curled up, first hesitating to go all the way, but eventually blossoming into a simper.

He sucked in a large bit of air through his nose before exhaling. "Ada, I hope you are enjoying yourself so far."

"Oh, this is absolutely amazing, Ezra. But truth be told, I'm nervous," I confessed. "This. You and me, right now. It feels too good."

He leaned back in his chair and lazily anchored his head. "Then we both have the same problem, Ada."

It was a problem. A good one that I never thought possible. He fit all the combined credentials of someone I would never bother to give the time of the day– a rich, power-obsessed, white man. If I were more privileged, I would have vanished from his life, ages ago. But, strangely enough, my financial struggles put me in a corner long enough to see someone entirely different.

I must have had that glazed look in my eye because Ezra didn't hesitate to question, "Why are you scared?"

And there we were. We had come to the inevitable question.

It was like me to default to holding back the immediate truth, but it wasn't the time nor the place to ruin the opportunity to open myself up to Ezra. I held his deliberate stare; I could see that he was ready to fight for an honest answer if need be.

My answer was straight. "My last relationship lasted for about eight years."

Ezra's flash of shock was of no surprise to me, and his response was grave. "That is a very long time."

I drifted to the flickering flame of our candlelight. "I was seventeen, fresh into my first year of college, he was in his second. We were both pretty young, and I didn't realize how long I was confusing the meaning of love despite how I felt in the last years."

He gently squeezed my hand, asking, "How did you feel?"

I awkwardly shrugged before fairly answering, "Lost. Twenty-five and unable to make a decision."

I felt the pang in my chest, when Ezra sternly let out, "Is that what he said to you?"

I didn't answer. Instead, I returned a soft smile before immediately dropping my head to hide the abrupt influx of tears that I wiped away.

"Sorry." I quickly apologized. "I don't believe that anymore, but the thought of someone you cared about not believing in you still hurts."

Suddenly, my head rose as Ezra stood to his feet. My attention followed after the few steps he took to stand beside me. I watched Ezra lower himself onto one knee, and my hand was in his again.

I was scared, but what he asked was a question that I could answer. "You know I believe in you, right?"

"You have since day one, Ezra," I acknowledged with a slight glint behind my glassy eyes.

Ezra was peering into me. Hopefulness tangled with determination was in his message. "Ada, I want your open wounds to be mine to heal... Je te veux.(I want you.)"

His words had an immediate impact, and I whimpered, "Ezra, you can't say things like that."

He went against my will, making sure I heard him clearly. "Je... te veux."

Ezra's warm breath lingered against the back of my hand before I felt his soft lips. Something so simple triggered every nerve throughout my entire arm, and I could feel the significant meaning behind a little kiss.

As he returned to his seat, he took hold of one aromatic slice of bread to butter it on a small plate. The plate was for me, and I had so many things that I wanted to say to him. Questions, really.

How can you feel this way about me? How can you believe in me this much?

"Please eat something, Ada," he softly commanded.

I took hold of the warm bread, but before I indulged in the taste I had to ask, "Ezra, when was the last time you were in a relationship?"

Because I still can't feel my left hand right now.

He smirked as he pressed a thin layer of butter across his bread.

His accent was thick. "Many many years ago. Uni days. Unrequited at first, but then one day my father asked me if I was in love. Surely, I must have drifted from one too many conversations for him to notice. I was as he thought, so I told him her name, and the next time I saw her she approached me in the bibliothèque (library) demanding I take her out to Musée du Louvre.

She demanded many things for three more years, and I couldn't tell you if she ever truly loved me. So unrequited love it was until the end. "

Ezra's amusement perturbed me, so I probed, "And how did it end?"

"She found another she didn't have to pretend to care for," he smirked.

Though his answer was harsh, I smiled, "Well, she missed the hell out."

Ezra hummed, "Not really. She was smart and pretty but my love for her was truly a love against loneliness. Infatuation. I had friends, but my relationship with her made my parents happy."

I dipped my head in awe. "... And you've not been with anyone since?"

Like... you're wealthy and very attractive. I'm not understanding.

Ezra looked down at his food and shook his head. "I've seen people, but nothing that meant anything to me."

Almost instantly, my mind began to try to piece the Ezra I knew with the past I just heard. That was until I heard him append, "...Until now."

*

Two hours of fine cuisine and discreet flirtation had passed before I knew it. We shared comical college party tales over a proportion friendly three-course meal. During a delicious dessert platter, Ezra learned of my distaste for nuts in baked goods, while I took note of his preference of dark chocolate over any other cacao product.

He assisted with my coat, and my hand was in his, again, before we traveled to the car out front. I greeted Kyle with a energetic wave and smile before crouching through the open door. Expecting to carry on our conversation about the absolute the tragedies called macadamia nuts, I put my gift bag aside and waited for Ezra to sit across from me. However, I shouldn't have been so surprised that he slid flush beside me.

Kyle shut the door and Ezra's arm immediately curled around my shoulder. There was only so much I could see of his face from the streetlights shining through tinted windows, but I could see the longing look in his eyes when he asked. "May I kiss you?"

Ugh...

My body shivered from his words– the desire for permission. I answered by putting my hand on his cheek and folding our lips together. There was unrestrained vigor in our exchange. Kyle may have been hidden behind a partition merely inches away, but I wasn't afraid to let Ezra know that I was happy to be alone with him again.

He delivered a feeling so warm and wet against my neck. My fingers dug trails into his hair, down his neck, and to his shoulder. Ezra swept a gentle touch down my thigh, and a gasp was brought to his ear. A soft mouth and tongue withdrew from my skin, and his fingers began to work the buttons of my jacket. My chest was in focus as he ran his palm against my thigh once more. He caused my back to arch the higher his hand traveled up the skirt of my dress.

Ezra abruptly took grip of my panties and gave them a slight tug. He may have been seconds away from peeling the delicate from my skin, but my palm over a sensitive area stopped him– shifting his attention to the hand on his crotch.

Using a slight grip and rub to manipulate the tempo of his breathing, I brought my lips to his ear to whisper, "Does that feel good?"

His lips were parted to answer, but his eyes fluttered instead, once I released a button and pulled down his zipper. I licked my lips as Ezra's fingers gently scratched against scalp, while I ran my soft palm up and down a rock hard surface, thinly veiled in a fabric much finer than cotton.

Ezra pulled my face back to his, and exhaled, "I would let you make scratches on my back right now, but I will wait until you're in my bed."

... fuck.

We suffered for another twenty minutes, resorting to only allowing our fingers to tease and touch– a safe-zoning of hands paired with a deep kiss, whenever we thought we might not make it to his apartment.

Kyle opened the door and Ezra promptly clasped my hand to hurry me out of the car. I kept eye contact from everyone else but Ezra, looking at his disheveled and flustered appearance as he shuttled me through the vanilla lit lobby. His thumb punched the 'up' button, huffing with brutal impatience before looking down at me. Fiery green eyes didn't have to explain what they meant, when my own illusory stare didn't mask my vulgar imagination from firing off in public.

We lucked out in being the only passengers. The doors hadn't closed in full before he hit the number and pushed my back was against the elevator wall. My lips were targeted once more. Ezra's vicious kiss was more than welcome, especially when he chose to multiply it in a blazing trail from my jawline up to my cheek. Surprise hit me, when one side of my jacket was yanked down. He wasted no time to make use of the exposed brown skin, biting at my shoulder.

"Ezra," I groaned.

It was just where he left his mark that I felt a kiss, before he showed me his face. He cocked his jaw, and his thumb drew a line across my wet bottom lip.

I heard his soft warning, "If you say my name again, I will stop the elevator."

Our eyes were locked in his dare, but my lips were sealed– letting his desire to take me into his bedroom surpass another delicious option.

Luck was on our side again as we made it to his floor without interruption, and the rushing persisted after the panels parted for us. The apartment door was swiftly unlocked and kicked open. Finally, we were liberated from the public eye and ready to let the impulses fly free.

Ezra's expensive coat hit the floor. He was already stripping mine from my shoulders to fall beside his, and when it was gone from me, I was was scooped up in an instant.

His bedroom door was pushed open, and the simple bed was familiar like I had imagined it might be– a queen-sized mattress with a wooden perimeter. I interrupted my sexual frustration with a smile over my accurate guess, but I came back to when Ezra placed me across the soft bed.

His hasty nature had vanished as he traveled to the foot of the bed. Large, warm hands took hold of my first pump for a leisurely removal, and the other followed before I rested my weight on my elbows. There were lingering touches drifting around the top of my feet. I quietly praised myself for the last minute pedicure, but chose to outwardly share a bit of the humor by wiggling my toes.

He grinned, he quietly chuckled, and his rising grazes were sparking my anxiousness to feel his hands all over me.

Ezra watched me crawl across his bed to be on my knees at the edge. I teased him, threatening to give him my lips. Instead, I put our foreheads together and let my fingers begin with the first button to his shirt.

My words were soft enough for him to hear, "Ezra, I want you to know why I was so scared the last time we came this far."

His fingers worked their way into my hair, anchoring my head to see his face. "Why, Ada?"

"Because it's been such a long time since I've been sober for something like this." My eyes were still on his shirt, slowly unfastening in shame. "Which is why I declined the wine tonight."

"You're trembling," he whispered, a stern look covered his face.

I thought I had withdrawn the intimacy from the room, but his finger began their dig through my hair for pins– smiling when he had a small collection in his hands.

My voice shook, though I tried to humor, "Where is the other one you stole long time ago?"

He grinned, "The more you come back, the more likely you are to find it."

The pins dropped into his pocket before his hands returned to softly spread out my kinky curls. "Now tell me, Ada, are you ready?"

Such a trivial question put a knot in my stomach, but I nodded.

"No, Ada. Tell me, are you ready?" he asked a little louder, the strap on my left shoulder dropping from his hooked finger.

"Yes, Ezra," I gasped.

The other strap was sliding down my right arm. He licked his lower lip and locked his eyes on me. "Tell me what you want, Ada,"

I lightly tapped my lips, and his attention followed as I had wanted it to. "Je... te veux."

*

Our clothes were gone and scattered along the foot of his bed. Not a stitch of fabric stood as a barrier between us, as Ezra was looking over me– his eyes following the trail his hand ventured upon. Soft fingers began around my lips, sliding away and skimming down my smooth chin. Suddenly, my focus derailed when shifted his hips, and a small gasp lept from my lips. His attention traced around my face, though my eyes had drifted up toward the ceiling.

"It's me, Ada," he reminded, feathering his touches over my cheek.

I knew it was him. I recognized the longing gaze that hoped for one-hundred percent of me to be in the same moment with him.

"I'm not scared. I'm not thinking of anything else. I'm here," I softly reassured.

There was no denying what I was feeling; I wasn't afraid of his intimacy. Ezra was happy, and there was nothing I could think of that could distract me from that smile. My hands brought his curled closer to my own to initiate another reassuring kiss. It only took us mere seconds to reignite the intensity with my panting across his lips as I was being teased by him. It almost felt like a punishment anticipating his arrival.

Ezra lifted himself to watch me watch him as he probed again. Our breaths were escalating. Taking grips of his shoulders, I let my eyes trail down his extraordinary frame. He was beautiful, and faintly hirsute in all the places I loved.

His hand didn't hesitate to lavish me in a heated exploration. A sweet caress of my neck traveled down to grip my breast. His fingers spread wide, warming my soft stomach. He paused for a moment, watching me breathe as I was underneath his touch. My fingertips were across his lips, and I smiled when I caught the glimmer in his eyes.

The traveling ventured farther south, and his hand worked as a guide to gentle progressive prods. My clutches were to his arms as he took hold of my hips. My eyes were staring into green, begging for completion, and I was given that with one finishing thrust.

My bit my lip and my vision rolled back, feeling what it was like to absorb the fullness of him for the first time. Ezra didn't wait to add a power to his next move. His weight shifted, and many strong thrusts followed to fall into a pace that forced me to tighten around him.

It was too soon. I was refusing to believe that the edge was already near. Yet, I couldn't hide it. It was in my tone– my gruff tone that Ezra heard through the sound of his own alluring grunts that provoked the arch in my back.

But I wasn't able to let go just yet. His pelvic rhythm came to a halt, and I caught my breath as he framed my face with his hands. The hot air from his lungs were exchanging with mine– our lips closer. Ezra didn't leave me waiting for too long, generously circling his hips around before withdrawing and re-entering to restart his pace.

There was no liquor in my system to delude how hot my face was nor how high I felt. If I wasn't sure if I was alive, the guttural cries of pleasure were a good companion to the sweat attempting to cool down my overheated temple.

My nails of one hand were dragging along his skin, while the fingers to my other grappled the sheets. Ezra spread his thighs farther apart causing me to jerk. The muscles throughout my body fought against relaxation.

Mere seconds from an eruption, Ezra took me with him as he rolled onto his back. My hips were his once more, and I cupped my mouth with one trembling hand at the succession of quick upward jolts from the ride. Ezra removed his hands from me and grasped my wrists. Now unable to mask my exclamations, I was forced to hit the peak of my self-control and fill his bedroom with broken yelps and teeth-clamping growls.

The explosion hit me with unexpected ferocity. My fists clenched as did my walls. My heart pulsated as did my tender flesh. I was stricken soundless, quavering as I was unable to fill my lungs.

Exhaustion washed over my face, I was almost begging for mercy as my eyes fell back onto him. Yet, I knew Ezra wasn't done with me, when a flustered smile blossomed onto his face– him ruthlessly prolonging my surge of pleasure with his hips.

But, in time, mercy had come. He was gentle and slow again, unmoving when I fell to his chest, and I was held through my aftermath of quivers and twitches.

"Ada," he whispered into my ear, rubbing the sweaty skin across my back.

The sound of my name pulled my heavy breathing from the crook of his neck. Soft fingertips pet my cheek, and his joy was evident. Though, I was incapable of displaying mine with a new agenda on my mind. His smile slowly drifted away, when I sat upright again. I fixated heavily-lidded eyes onto him, taking in deep breaths to regain the oxygen he had previously stolen from my lungs.

In an instant, his eyes closed and his brows twisted. It only took one revolution of the hips to take complete control of his body. And with a few more, he finally let his voice give way.

He was gasping my name again and again, pushing me to rake my nails across his chest. He sounded so good that I wanted to hear more, riding until he had no more control left in him. Ezra captured my waist in a tight grip, pulling me down harder against the rhythm. My restraint staggered, and I took a firm hold of the sheets beside his head. I bit back the yelps threatening to spill from my mouth. However, it was foolish to even try holding back once Ezra finally released everything but my hips.