by Leslie North
“Can we do it this way every time?”
A low laugh rumbled out of him. “But we haven’t tried all the other ways yet.”
She sank down further, welcoming the last inches of him into her. Her eyes fluttered shut, the expression on her face telling Daniel she was right here with him, relishing every second. “But I already know I like this one best.”
He clenched his teeth once she tightened her thighs around him. The depth, the angle, the heat of her wrapped around him were beyond intense. It didn’t matter that he’d just orgasmed. He was perilously close to the edge once more.
“Look at me,” he whispered, kissing her jawline as she struggled to straighten her head. Her eyes fluttered open, allowing him to get lost in the jade depths of her gaze. He thrust up into her. She whimpered but didn’t look away.
“God, you feel amazing.” He thrust up into her again and this time, he could feel the exact way it affected her as her limbs turned to noodles. She braced herself, palms against his chest, rocking her hips in a slow, small circle.
“Daniel,” she said, voice breathier than ever. Her eyes fluttered shut again, but this time, he didn’t try to stop her. As much as he wanted to stare into her eyes, it was a struggle to keep his own open as pleasure surged through him. “I’m so close.”
“I know, princess. Me too.” He pumped into her again, the slick heat of where their bodies met urging him even closer to the edge. Daniel squeezed his arms around her waist, eliminating the space between them. He felt closer to her, right now, than he’d ever felt with anybody else. There was no question. Her chin found the hollow of his neck, her breath coming out in spastic bursts at his ear as he drilled into her again.
The tension clawed at him, sending prickles through his shoulders as he attempted to stave off the orgasm. But he should have known better by now—with Jackie, there was no hope for pacing himself. She drove him wild. And now, buried to the hilt inside of her again, he realized he didn’t just want more of her. He needed more.
A little moan escaped her as he drilled into her again. “I’m close,” he whispered.
Her throat bobbed, and she rocked hard against him, so that when he filled her again, her pussy was contracted around him in tight waves. She groaned, digging fingernails into his back, and her own climax prompted his. He caught her lips in a kiss as he fired off his rounds, fireworks bursting behind his eyelids.
She didn’t move for a while, and he didn’t want her to. They both held on tightly while they watched each other, chests heaving.
Nobody uttered a word. Nobody needed to.
Because her fiery green gaze told him everything he needed to know.
She could feel how big and intense this was, this thing between them.
And all he knew was that they should keep moving forward. Even if it went against the status quo…for Jackie, he was willing to try something new.
10
Jackie couldn’t stop humming the next day. All through the vineyard tour; and later, as she sat by the side of the villa’s pool the next afternoon; even all the way up to the rehearsal dinner. She hummed because she was still riding the high of not one, not two, but eventually five separate orgasms from Daniel.
But behind the high lurked the fragility. Her legs felt like they were made of glass as she drifted through her day. And her heart? Split wide open. Part of her was terrified about what came next. Because what they’d shared last night had been too deep. Too real. Too intense. And it all mattered way too much to her. It would kill her if this took a downward turn or simply fizzled into nothingness.
Even though she had no idea what could—or should—come next, she just knew that they’d propelled themselves into a new level. Sure, they had the bet over their heads—but that didn’t mean that what they’d shared wasn’t meaningful. That it couldn’t, possibly, maybe, advance.
She flip-flopped between feeling crazy for even considering a next step with Daniel, to feeling crazy for not considering what might come next. And maybe the worst part was that Daniel had been working all day, so she didn’t even have his firm body at her side, or a private smile to reassure her.
Every bit of her sparkled and vibrated with anticipation at the thought of seeing him again. Wanting more of him. Wanting to see how this might progress. Equally hopeful and yet somehow too scared to hope. It was a constant war—one that left her vulnerable and quivering on the inside.
At least they had a few flirty texts to get her though the day. The rehearsal dinner started at six, but Jackie was ready by five. When Daniel still hadn’t come back to the room, she suspected he was delayed—again. But it didn’t bother her. She already felt like Daniel’s friends were becoming her own. She had no fear of gliding into the rehearsal dinner by herself this time.
He finally texted at five thirty: “Blake and I got caught in traffic coming back from a meeting in Santa Rosa! Be there ASAP. Sorry, princess.”
That little addition at the end left her with a perma-grin. If he wasn’t feeling the same, he wouldn’t do little things like that—it seemed so obvious.
Her phone vibrated again, but this time, it was a call. One of her besties, Geri.
Jackie was already smiling when she picked up the phone. “Hey, girl! What’s up?”
“Jackie! I just wanted to check on you. Did you ever figure out a place to stay? My boyfriend’s brother is finally gone, so you’re welcome to come crash here if you need to.”
Jackie snorted. Not only had she found a place to stay, she’d fallen headfirst for a man she barely knew. Strange how things could change so quickly. “Yeah, I found a place. I did a little more than that, actually.”
“What does ‘a little more’ mean? You bought a house?”
Jackie laughed. “Not exactly. But in that vein.”
Geri gasped. “Wait, I was just kidding! Am I missing something huge?
Jackie rolled her lips inward, relishing the rush of heat and prickles of excitement. Every inch of her body felt alive and right. Was this what falling in love felt like? She wanted to shout Daniel’s name from the rooftops. It was such a quirky, unexpected, unlikely romance. Yet…here they were. Falling for each other.
And Jackie had no doubt that Daniel was falling for her too. They hadn’t just fucked last night. They’d made love. She’d never felt anything like it before. A shiver ran up her spine just from the memory of it.
“Well, I’m in Napa Valley right now for starters,” she began, trailing off as Geri squealed.
“Okay, and?”
“I’ve kinda-sorta started something with one of the guys I house-sit for,” she whispered, as though anyone would overhear or care. “He’s amazing. His name is Daniel. We both love dogs, he’s a banker, he is the absolute hottest and cutest man I’ve ever met, and when he touches me, I fly into outer space.”
Geri gasped. “Well, that’s quite the executive summary.”
Jackie giggled, twirling her dress in front of the mirror. “We’re at this fabulous wedding right now, and I’m about to go to the rehearsal dinner. His friends are rich, but they’re not assholes. I don’t know, Ger. I think I’m going crazy. I think I’m falling in love with him.”
“Awww, honey boo! You know, if you hadn’t mentioned the dogs thing, I would almost think I was talking to an alternate dimension Jackie. Or maybe you were kidnapped and forced to say all these lovey-dovey things. I don’t think I’ve ever heard you talk about a guy this way since we met. Ever.”
Jackie’s cheeks hurt from how hard she was smiling. But she couldn’t stop it. God, it felt good to get lost in this feeling. In a way, she’d been avoiding letting herself get here her entire adult life. Because she was afraid. Because deep down, she didn’t think she deserved it. Foster care had carved “unwanted” all the way down into her bones until it had become almost impossible to believe that she deserved to be loved.
Daniel was showing her that she did deserve it. They both did. And there was something so beautifully poetic about
the two gun-shy lovers falling for each other over the wedding week.
“I mean, I’ve never met anyone like him,” Jackie said, unsure where to begin. Was it weird, or just weirdly appropriate, to mention she’d started falling for him based on the notes he left behind long before she’d ever laid eyes on him? Simply the curve of his handwriting had promised something unique and sensual. Like the swoop of his Y’s had anything to do with the way he’d lavished attention on her pussy last night. “Believe me, I didn’t expect this to happen. But it did. And here we are.” She sighed, and more words tumbled out on the heels of her breath. “I’m so fucking happy, Geri.”
Her best friend cooed her approval, topped with a whoop. “God, this is the best news! Even better than Jake’s brother finally getting his smelly ass off my couch!”
The two friends chatted for a little longer until Jackie noticed the time. She needed to get her butt to the dinner. When they hung up, Jackie noticed a new text waiting for her.
From Daniel.
“Can’t wait to see which dress you have picked out for tonight, princess.”
This time, tears pricked at her eyes as her cheeks hurt from smiling.
It was true. She’d never been this fucking happy.
Not until Daniel.
Jackie strutted her way into the restaurant. The rehearsal dinner was a misnomer, Grayson had explained earlier that week. They weren’t even having a rehearsal that day, since the wedding party was relatively small, so it was more of a chance to get all their friends and family together in one place now that everyone had arrived.
The murmur of voices reached her first. Their party had tripled in size from the group she’d gotten used to. There were so many new faces—parents, grandparents, and plenty of well-coiffed peers. Jackie didn’t feel the urge to shrink, though. She had the hang of this whole friends-with-wealth thing.
She ran into Mila first, who greeted her with a hug and immediately introduced her to her parents and brother. After Jackie shook everyone’s hands, Mila heaved a sigh.
“You feeling okay there, mama?” Jackie asked.
“Yeah, I’m fine.” She grimaced, rubbing at her belly. “This kid is just pushing on my bladder like nobody’s business today. I’m hoping she lays off a little for the actual ceremony. The bride can’t take a bathroom break in the middle of the vows!”
Jackie snickered. “You’ll both do great. Well, all three of you—can’t forget Grayson.”
Mila smirked, her gaze stuck on her groom as he sauntered nearby, schmoozing some newly-arrived friends. “No. We can’t forget that handsome devil. He’s the one who helped bring about the bladder destroyer, after all.”
Jackie and Mila shared a warm smile. It felt like she’d known Mila for years instead of days—and if this thing with Daniel worked out, she already looked forward to having her girl squad with Mila. The two of them chatted for a bit longer, observing the people milling around. A tall, shockingly thin and put together blonde drifted their way, looking a little lost.
“Are you Mila?” the blonde asked.
“Yes, that’s me! Hi! Who are you?”
“I’m Tania.” Tania offered her hand to Mila. “It’s so great to meet you finally. I’ve heard so much about you from the guys.”
From the guys. She could only be referring to the trio of best friends. Jackie stiffened, wondering just how well she knew the guys—and which one she knew the best. She stuck out a hand anyway. “Hi, Tania. I’m Jackie. Nice to meet you.”
“I’m so happy you could make it,” Mila went on. “How do you know Grayson and his friends?”
“We were in the same MBA program,” Tania said, flashing both of them a pretty grin. “We would all pal around on weekends, take our minds off schoolwork by playing doubles and getting drunk afterward.”
“Sometimes, I feel like I would pay serious money to have known Grayson before he started his own business,” Mila said with a laugh. “So you possess very important knowledge!”
“I feel the same about Daniel,” Jackie chimed in.
Tania’s face fell slightly, turning to Jackie. “Oh? You mean Daniel Trent?”
“Yes,” Mila enthused. “Jackie is Daniel’s girlfriend.”
Jackie flashed a grin, relishing the repressed wave of realization that washed over Tania’s face. And yes, that was a hint of jealousy she caught as well. She wasn’t one to get haughty, but there was something so gratifying in this moment. Finally being able to say that she was with a man who commanded respect, and even envy. “Yes, we’ve been together for…a while.”
Tania offered up a smile, looking between the two of them. “Well, this venue is spectacular!”
The conversation continued, Jackie keeping an eye out for Daniel as they spoke. Finally, Mila was called away by her parents, who waved her over so that she could join in their conversation. Mila excused herself, leaving Tania and Jackie smiling awkwardly at each other.
Jackie wracked her brain for something to talk about now. Maybe this was the time for the polite excuse to use the restroom…
“So how long have you and Daniel been together?” Tania asked brightly.
“Several months,” Jackie said, her mouth going dry though she wasn’t sure why.
Tania nodded, her gaze darting across Jackie’s face. “So you know how much he works, then.”
There was something in Tania’s tone that felt less conversational and more like a confession. Woman-to-woman. A knot cinched tight, deep in her gut. “Well, yes. Of course. He’s such a hard worker.”
Tania deflated slightly, glancing around. Jackie didn’t like where this conversation was heading one bit. “Well, I hope you have better luck than I did. Getting that man to focus on anything other than his email inbox was like pulling teeth.”
Suddenly, it all clicked into place. She was talking to his ex. Daniel has an ex! Part of her wished Daniel was here, to help her navigate this strange situation. Maybe he could explain it all away with a few words—she was a fling, once upon a time. Or maybe she should take this opportunity, without Daniel there to interrupt, to learn as much as she could from Tania.
“So I take it you two dated?” Jackie ventured.
“If you can call it that.” Tania laughed, her perfectly pink lips sparkling as she tossed her hair. “No, we tried a thing. It didn’t work. I really wanted it to. I won’t lie about that. But it ended when I realized I was just a convenient person to call on the rare occasion that he came home.”
Jackie swallowed, hiding her unease behind a nervous laugh.
“Daniel’s a great guy. I hope you don’t think I’m being mean or unfair to him. But also, we women need to look out for each other, don’t we? I just don’t want you to be as hurt as I was. Daniel always has one foot out the door. Business is all that matters to him—romance will never come in higher than a distant second place.”
The more that Tania spoke, the more that Jackie felt like she could sink back and melt into the ground. “What do you mean?”
“I mean that whatever deal he’s managing at the time—whether it’s in Dubai or Barcelona or whatever exotic place he’s visiting—it’s always going to be more important than whoever’s waiting at home for him. I learned that the hard way. And maybe that’s not the case for you two, but if it is?” Tania sent her a deeply sympathetic look. “Save yourself the heartache.”
Jackie’s head was spinning as she stared at Tania, unable to decide what the best response might be. Deep in her heart, Jackie could tell that the woman was sincerely concerned, and she appreciated what Tania was trying to do. But also, part of her wanted to rail against Tania’s warning. To refute it, reject it, completely deny it.
But this was someone who had known Daniel for years, who knew the way he operated. The truth was, she didn’t truly have anything with Daniel other than two weeks, one of which was spent living in his guest room as his displaced house sitter.
Tania was probably right.
This was a warning that Jac
kie should consider a blessing, if she was smart.
11
“Oh, look.” Jackie’s voice sounded watery to her own ears. She pasted on a smile as she spotted Daniel and Blake coming into the restaurant. Despite the heavy warning from Tania, she was still relieved to see him. For now, at least. “There he is.”
Tania twisted around, some of the tension in her face disappearing. Jackie took a step away from Tania, drawing a deep breath to try to clear the air and clear her head before Daniel arrived. So that he wouldn’t show up and immediately know that she and Tania had been talking about him, or their dating history. And definitely so he wouldn’t know that it had almost brought her to the point of tears.
“Hey, Tania.” Daniel offered an easygoing smile as he walked up to them. He immediately slid his arm around Jackie’s waist, bringing her against him like it was the most natural thing in the world. Which normally, would have been a relief. But right now, it just felt awkward and forced.
“Good to see you, Daniel. Glad to know you three are still as tight as ever.”
“Some things never change.”
Jackie stiffened beneath his grip at those words. God, Daniel was confirming everything that Tania had said about him, without even realizing. She kept up the smiles and laughs as Tania and Daniel chatted, and when Tania finally wandered away to go say hi to Blake, Jackie felt so exhausted that she could crumble.
“How have things been?” Daniel asked, squeezing the top of her hip. He must have noticed her face, or her thinly veiled internal terror, because he followed it up with, “Did Tania say something to you?”
“Why would you ask that?”
“Because you’re acting a little weird.”
Was she? She couldn’t even tell anymore, since Tania had detonated the atom bomb right in the center of Jackie’s excitement and forward-thinking plans with Daniel.
“We chatted. Nothing unusual.”
Daniel didn’t look convinced. “Are you sure?”