I promise that I never intend to offend. Let me know if I do, L x

☽Ⓛ❈Ⓒ☾

I tug at my dress self-consciously and then suddenly remember to stop myself.

You are strong, beautiful woman.

Fat doesn't mean ugly.

Just because I have a few extra curves, doesn't mean I am any less worthy than the other women here. Yes, this dress might be tight on my stomach and there is no doubt a little roll or two...but my voluptuous breasts offer a nice distraction to draw the eye away from them.

'JJ!'

Hearing my name, I turn to see my friend rushing over to me. She grabs my arm and kisses both of my cheeks.

'I'm so glad you could make it, you look gorgeous!'

Edie is flushed with excitement. Her eyes are glistening and her smile is infectious.

'Do you need a drink?' She asks before I can answer her greeting.

'I was about to get one,' I tell her.

'I've told Manny behind the bar to give you the good stuff, don't worry. Anyway, I must dash. I'll speak to you in a short while, okay? I'm sorry I can't talk longer, there's so many council members to talk to.'

'It's okay, don't worry. Go do your thing.'

I watch my friend bustle off through the crowd. Tonight is hosted by her parents. They are on the high council, an elite group of aristocrats that liaise between all supernatural beings. If you're on the council, you're automatically like royalty.

My mother is a member. She is no doubt chewing some councilman's ear off somewhere, ranting about equal rights and whatnot. She's an advocate for minorities and damn proud of it, as she should be. I share her views, but I don't have half the amount of importance that she does.

I do what little I can to help. I only get invited to these evenings because of my mother. I come along for the social aspect, the good champagne and the even better hors d'oeuvres.

Spotting a friend of my mother's I walk over and greet him. We get to talking and he walks me to the bar to fetch a drink. Manny must recognise me because he immediately pulls out a different bottle of champagne to fill two flutes for us.

My mother's friend, Yaseen, tastes the drink and nods appreciatively.

'It appears you have friends in the right places, Joanie,' he says, clearly impressed.

He fills me in on how his daughter is doing at school. I'm polite and nod along, but I keep my eyes scanning the crowd, looking for faces I recognise. I tend to get bored and leave these events early.

It goes silent on the other side of the room and I realise why. Five elves have entered the room.

Clearly, they are members of the Elven High Council. It is obvious from the silver velvet cloaks they wear. A server comes over and promptly collects their cloaks. Their expensive clothes are unveiled.

There are already supernaturals wandering around this event. There is peace between species, the councils ensure that. Each time I see the elves, they take my breath away. Their ethereal beauty and undeniable elegance draws you to them like a moth to a flame.

I realise that Yaseen has stopped talking and I shake my head, returning my focus to our conversation. He, too, looks a little dazed when he turns back to me.

'I'm sorry, where was I? Elves always manage to scramble my thoughts.'

I know the feeling.

As Yaseen continues talking, I keep my eyes on the elves. One of them, standing to the side of the crowd, catches my eye the most.

My mouth dries at the sight of him. He is very, very tall. Most elves usually are. He is not particularly large, but his shoulders are wide. His blazer is open, allowing me to see that his waist is slim.

His skin is pale and smooth. On his collar points are silver wolf pins, an indicator that he is the liaison between elves and shifters. His hair is black and slicked back from his face. His eyes, his piercing grey eyes, are like two swirling storms.

'That is Geoffrey Valentine,' says Yaseen, breaking through my thoughts. 'He is new to the elven council, appointed a few months ago, I believe.'

That is why I haven't seen him at one of these events before.

'Come, I'll introduce you.'

Gently taking my elbow, Yaseen guides me over to Mr Valentine. He slowly looks over at us as we approach him. I feel my cheeks warm with irrational embarrassment.

'Valentine,' Yaseen greets him with a firm handshake. 'Good to see you again.'

'You too, Yaseen.'

His eyes slide over to me and I shiver. There is an almost imperceptible twitch in his lips.

'This is councilman Longley's daughter, Joanie.'

I hold out my hand to the elf. 'Everyone calls me JJ.'

He takes my hand, his skin slightly cooler than mine. My breath catches at the wonderful feel of his skin on mine. His stormy grey eyes gaze at me intensely, surrounded by thick lashes, I look down at his full, inviting lips instead.

Bad move, JJ.

'It's a pleasure to meet you, JJ.'

'Oh, please excuse me, my wife is waving me over. I'll catch up with you later, Valentine. Good to see you, Joanie.'

Yaseen excuses himself, leaving me alone with Mr. Valentine. I take a sip of my champagne and try to calm my sudden nerves at being alone with this handsome elf.

His eyes slide over me and he smiles. 'How old are you, JJ? If you don't mind me asking.'

'Twenty-six,' I reply, surprised by the question.

A furrow forms between his brows and he gives a small nod. He is thoughtful for a moment and opens his mouth to say something. Seemingly thinking better of the idea, he closes his mouth and clears his throat.

'Tell me about yourself, JJ,' he requests.

Almost an hour later, we are still stood together, talking animatedly. He was stern at first, I was worried that I had somehow offended him or upset him. His answers were abrupt and blunt and did not invite further conversation, yet he didn't leave.

I assumed he felt some misplaced requirement to stay with me. I told him that he could go and speak to others, but he wasn't having it. He struck up further conversation and, now, I have managed to get him to warm up to me. He is actually smiling and cracking a joke or two.

He seems to be enjoying himself, which is a relief.

I can't place his age. He must be over thirty, but elves age slowly and I cannot decide from his face how many years over thirty he is.

More food is brought out and we go over to the buffet tables together. My mother stops by briefly and says hello to Valentine. It seems everyone calls him that. She checks in with me and then carries on circulating.

Valentine suggests we go to the drawing room to eat our food, it is quieter there. There are only a few people talking in the room and we easily find a seat. We sit together and talk as we eat our food, learning more about one another.

I discover, through his reluctant admission, that he is forty-two. He doesn't look more than a day over thirty.

His job is fascinating and I encourage him to tell me everything about it. We cleanse our pallets with melon and sorbet before getting more champagne.

I'm feeling a slight buzz from the alcohol, but the food has certainly helped in controlling my tipsiness.

The speeches start and Valentine grimaces. 'I always dislike this part, it is so entirely tedious.'

I smile at his complaint and take his hand. He seems shocked at first, until he realises that I am leading him somewhere.

'I hate them, too. That's why I always sneak off to my special hiding place, come on.'

I lead him down the hallways and through to the library. It is empty considering it is not a space open for the guests. I've grown up in this house because of my friendship with Edie. I know all the nooks and crannies.

I pull down on the book titled 'Drinking; An Art'. There is a hiss and the shelf slides back, revealing a doorway. Valentine's eyes widen in awe.

'A hidden passage?' He asks.

'Better. A hidden bar. Come in,' I usher him inside with me.

The door slides closed behind us and I flick the lights on. The small room is illuminated. More bookshelves line the walls. There is a fully-stocked bar to the right with two stools and a comfortable chesterfield sofa.

'I'm friends with the host's daughter,' I explain to Valentine.

I walk over to the bar and pour myself a glass of water. I take a long drink of the cold liquid and set the glass back on the surface.

Valentine watches me with an unreadable expression. His eyes remain on me as I round the bar and walk over to stand with him.

'I'm sorry for how I behaved when we first met,' he says softly. His grey eyes scan my face. 'My annoyance was at myself, not you.'

Without realising it until I've done it, I take a step closer to him. We are within touching distance.

'Why were you annoyed at yourself?'

His eyes become shuttered and his lips press into a thin line.

'I shouldn't say.'

I'm curious, now

'Why not?'

His eyes drop to my lips and back up again. 'I find you very attractive, but I know that I am much older than you.'

I feel as though time stops. I can't breathe. I forget to blink. All I can focus on is his confession. His words rattle around in my mind, playing on repeat.

'You find me attractive?' I echo in a small, unsure voice.

He smiles at my response. 'Yes, I do.'

I'm so surprised by this confession. Never in my life would I have thought that I have a chance with someone like Valentine. He's so unbelievably out of my league.

'Sorry, that took me by surprise,' I tell him.

His lips twitch. 'Me, too. I often find these things incredibly boring. You were quite the surprise, and treat.'

I smile at his words and our eyes meet. Grey meets hazel. We look at each other for a moment. I find myself leaning in. Valentine hesitates but then leans in, too.

Our lips meet in a soft kiss that has my heart fluttering. There is barely any contact at first, but as the kiss grows, we sink into one another. His hands settle on my waist, mine reach for the lapels of his blazer.

His lips gain confidence and move over mine, coaxing me to kiss him with as much passion as he is giving me. I can barely hear anything over the sound of my heart thudding in my ears. Adrenaline has taken hold over me.

His tongue swipes over my sealed lips. I open on instinct and the tips of our tongues touch. Adrenaline gives way to a stronger emotion; desire. It burns through me at a terrifying pace, taking hold of my body until I am a helpless voyeur to my own actions.

I smooth my hands down his lapels and then slide them under the blazer. I feel his hard, warm body over his crisp white dress shirt. I slide them over the plains of his muscular form, appreciating his physique.

He makes a low sound at the back of his throat and his hands move from my waist to my hair. I don't care that he is mussing it up as he tugs on the strands. My need for him blooms deep in my belly and I press my body to his in a wanton way.

Sensing my needs, he slides one hand down from my hair. It skims over my curves and down to the skirt of my dress. He pulls it up and slides his hand under the fabric. His long fingers graze over the edge of my silk thong.

He pulls back and looks down at me with heated eyes and parted lips.

'You're sure?' He asks.

'Yes,' I reply quickly, making me wince at how eager I sound. 'I'm sure.'

His lips are on mine again only a second after I've replied. His fingers pull down my thong, leaving my pussy unprotected from his roaming digits. He parts my lips and strokes my sensitive folds, testing my wetness.

I'm soaked for him and only him.

He slides a finger inside me and I gasp at the feeling. Everything in my body is heightened and his touch is electrifying.

He must curl his finger inside me or something because my whole body thrums with pleasure. He pumps his finger in and out, fingering me until I'm shaking.

Somehow, I manage to get through my lust fog and lower my hands to his belt. I want to please him, too. I undo his trousers and boldly reach inside.

My fingers brush over his hot, pulsing length. I moan into the kiss already so excited to touch him. I wrap my fingers around his cock and stroke the full length of him.

He grunts against my lips, encouraging me to stroke him more. He fingers me faster and my orgasm nears.

When I cum, I cry out into his mouth. My pussy convulses around his fingers and I feel the rush of wetness come from my orgasm.

Valentine takes my hand and pulls it back, off his cock.

'I want to be inside you,' he murmurs against my lips.

'I want that, too,' I reply quickly.

He turns me around and bends me over. I grab the stool to steady myself. My excitement builds as he pulls up my dress. Moments later, the head of his cock is pressing against my entrance.

He slides in slowly, letting me accustom to his size. My desire only flares with him inside me. His hands settle on my hips, drawing me back to him each time that he slides out. He sets a steady pace that builds gradually.

I find myself pushing back against him, meeting him with every thrust. We work together, rocking back and forth, drawing pleasure from each other.

'Valentine,' I gasp his name.

'I've got you, beautiful,' he murmurs.

His hands squeeze my hips and he suddenly increases the pace. My nails dig into the leather barstool as my climax crashes through me. Valentine grunts and stills. His cock pulses inside me as my pussy tightens around him.

I rest my entire weight on the stool and it groans beneath me. I can feel Valentine's warm breath fanning over my back as he catches his breath. He brushes my hair back from my neck and kisses it.

'You are truly beautiful,' he says softly.

He slides out of me and I straighten up. I use some napkins from the bar to clean myself up and we both correct our clothing. The moment I turn to face him, his lips are on mine.

I know for sure that I will be keeping in contact with this elusive elf.

'Do you think you'll be able to go again in five minutes?' He whispers seductively.

I bite my bottom lip and nod. 'Definitely.'

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I know that I said I wouldn't update till Saturday and updated yesterday...

Days keep blurring into one and I'm half-asleep when I click that 'publish' button 😂

I'm taking tomorrow off, angels. Next post will definitely be on Monday.

In case you missed the notice, Phone Sex has been rebranded to Calling Elia and will be available on Amazon/Kindle in the next 72 hours!

It's taken me ages to re-write it, but I finally feel like I've done Naoki and Elia justice.

Happy Saturday, L x