by Tara Brent
“Come prepared?” I asked him, raising an eyebrow at him.
“Would you have preferred that I didn’t?” he retorted.
I flushed. “Well, you caught me there.”
I straddled his thighs as I reached for his cock, jerking the hot length in my hand as I hovered over him. He leaned up and kissed me, his breath hot as it joined mine. Rick moaned against my lips and then gently rolled us over so the two of us swapped places.
I felt his hand slip down between us and I let out a long groan as I felt him touch the heat between my legs. I was so sensitive from his tongue and the firmness of his fingers on me left me trembling as they pushed inside me. I could do nothing but moan as he played my body like an instrument. He pressed deep inside of me, touching me in places that set me on fire and I quickly dissolved into a trembling mess.
“Rick, please,” I told him, but all he did was add another finger inside me, stretching me more when what I needed was his cock inside me. “Please fuck me,” I begged him, grabbing a handful of his dark hair and tugging at it.
He grinned and finally, he removed his fingers. I felt so empty for a few moments and I could feel my chest heaving as I lay there and waited for him to put the condom on. I watched him roll it over his thick length and then jerk it as if putting on a show for me. My mouth was almost watering at the sight.
I spread my legs and lifted my knees, inviting him inside me and he didn’t hesitate. As he lined up and pushed in, both of us groaned at the feeling of each other and we locked eyes as he slowly pushed inside.
“Oh, God,” I cursed, unable to stop the sounds from falling from my lips. He felt amazing.
My hands gripped at his shoulders as he started to move, my nails digging into his skin. I felt so full, so completely satisfied with the sensation of him inside of me as he started to move, setting a rhythm that made me dizzy with pleasure.
“Rick,” I gasped.
I could do nothing but moan and writhe under his touch. It had been so long since I’d had sex with anyone and Rick seemed to be able to read my mind. He knew exactly what I wanted, what I needed and I was in bliss.
I lay there and let Rick take care of me, feeling helpless to the feelings and sensations that were washing through me. Pleasure built inside me, leaving me trembling and my toes curling.
Rick’s movements were so sure and I was powerless as I felt myself slipping into the abyss.
Unknown to me, my phone vibrated in my bag silently.
Chapter 20
Rick
The next morning when day broke, I rolled over to find that the side of the bed where I expected Samantha to be laying was empty and cold. I sat up confused for a minute of where she could have gone and the dread kicked.
What the...?
I looked around the room and noticed that her things were gone. I was here alone, no signs of her ever being here were around. I sat there feeling a little numb as I processed what was happening.
The room had been a mess last night, our clothes thrown about the room in our haste to be close to one another, yet the only things I could see were my own.
I lay back and let out a long sigh, staring at the ceiling and wondering where I had gone wrong. I wracked my brain for something, anything that could explain why she had left but nothing came to mind.
Somewhere, I had fucked up.
Damn, Rick, what did you do? I asked myself.
My memories from the night before were clear because though I had drunk a lot of alcohol, I had very much been in control of my actions and I was nowhere near intoxicated, merely tipsy and excited from the success of the party. Because of that, I found it easy to backtrack and to make sure I hadn’t done anything moronic. Nothing came to my mind. I groaned.
How have I upset her again?
I just knew that her disappearing like this was not a good sign. She would never sneak out and leave without saying goodbye. The Sam I knew would always say goodbye, she would always let me know that she was leaving so I wouldn’t worry.
I wasn’t a huge drinker, so I could feel my stomach twisting unpleasantly from the amount I had consumed and I lay there feeling sorry for myself for a few minutes and attempting to ignore the pounding in my head but it was impossible. I needed a hangover cure and fast.
I pulled myself out of bed, showered and then collected my things. My phone told me that it was eight am and I couldn’t believe that I was up and functioning at this hour. It was a Sunday and normally when I stayed out at hotels, I would sleep in until the last minute.
A part of me was hoping that Samantha would magically reappear while I was washing, or that she would text me and explain everything was fine and she was already at breakfast. But no such thing happened. My phone was empty aside from some messages from Charlie who informed me that after I disappeared last night, he had taken advantage of my open bar, followed by a selfie of him drunk with the girls from the office.
Charlie, you don’t even work for me, you ass, I replied to his text with an emoticon of a little man rolling his eyes. Though I didn’t mind him taking advantage of a free night out.
I eventually left the apartment and then headed over to the floor where I knew Josh was staying. I found his room easily and then I took great delight at banging on the door.
“Rise and shine, sleeping beauty,” I exclaimed sadistically. I heard a loud thump and then Josh groaned behind the wooden door.
“Why do you do this to me? It’s Sunday,” he mumbled before fiddling with the door to get it open and let his traitor of a friend inside.
“Well, I’m awake so I figured you should be too,” I said.
“That logic is completely flawed,” Josh complained.
He shot me a dirty look before crawling back inside the pile of sheets on his own double bed. I followed him inside and then jumped onto the unused bed which was in the room.
I ignored his complaining and then grabbed the TV remote, turning on the flat screen and making myself comfortable as I clicked through the channels.
“What are you doing up so early anyway? After last night I assumed you wouldn’t crawl out of your pit until past midday.”
I had thought so too but I wasn’t going to share that with Josh of all people, he didn’t need to know any of the details about what had happened between me and Samantha last night.
“Nah,” I lied, attempting to cover the hurt in my voice and sound nonchalant about it. “I wanted to get up for the free breakfast.”
“Rick, you realize it’s not really free since we paid for all of this,” he answered, the humor clear in his voice despite his head being buried under a pillow.
“I guess you’re right, I definitely need to get my money’s worth then,” I concluded before grabbing the pillow I was leaning on and lobbing it across the room at Josh.
“Hey! I just want to sleep. Five more minutes,” he rebutted, his voice whiney and childish as he rolled over in an attempt to avoid his annoying friend. “I’m gonna remember this next time you’re hungover, Rick,” he warned.
I just laughed.
***
Once I’d managed to successfully drag Josh out of his room, we made it down the stairs and to the restaurant where breakfast would be served.
There was clear evidence of the Christmas party being a huge success since there were plenty of his employees sitting around and nursing queasy stomachs and sore heads and I grinned. I was glad that they’d had a good night. It made the weeks of stress worth it.
I took a seat on the largest table where there were some empty seats next to Lexi and Becky. The two of them looked far more perky than anyone else in the room.
“Where did you go to last night?” Lexi pouted at me as I sat down. “I missed you. You only gave me one dance.”
It was another reminder that something had gone wrong with Samantha yet again.
Oh God, I need more coffee before I have this conversation.
“Um, nowhere really, the wine just went to my head and
I called it an early night.” I hoped that it wasn’t clear how much I was lying my ass off. I didn’t want everyone knowing mine and Sam’s business, she would be far from happy if there were rumors started.
I glanced towards Josh in a hope he had no idea what I’d really been doing last night but he seemed to be more interested in his cellphone as usual. He was already fixed to it and typing away.
“Oh, well you promised me a dance,” the blonde retorted playfully, batting her eyelashes at me.
I grinned and raised an eyebrow at her. “I happen to know you had plenty of dances last night,” I retorted.
“Hahaha, yes, your friend Charlie kept us all entertained. Well, someone had to show me a good time. I guess I’ll let you off just this once.”
I grinned at her in what I hoped was a playful manner before immediately standing and making my way over to get some coffee. I was dying for an Americano, so much so that I ordered a double and then ruined it by filling it with sugar in hope that I would be able to get some extra energy from it.
As I waited at the bar, I discreetly looked around, a part of me still hoping that I would run into Samantha, that she hadn’t really left me alone after our night together, but that this was just a misunderstanding.
Maybe she popped to her parents’ suite.
Yet, deep down I knew the truth. I could have asked anyone here if they’d seen Samantha but I was afraid to know the truth – that last night had not been good enough and that it couldn’t make up for the awful things I had put her through.
It was at that moment that Valerie and Roger walked in and I wasn’t sure where to look.
Oh, shit.
They were the last people that I wanted to see but I couldn’t avoid them, nor did I want to. I put on my best brave face and then smiled as Roger joined me at the bar.
“Morning,” I greeted him, giving him a small smile.
“Wonderful party last night, you and Josh really outdid yourselves,” he responded, returning the smile.
Well, I was glad to hear that he’d had a good time. “Oh, good! We tried to do something a bit different after last year.”
“Well, it worked. Everyone seemed so happy. We didn’t turn in until past one o’clock and there were loads of people still hanging around.”
I didn’t really want to continue the conversation and I was eager to be by myself so I just smiled politely and agreed with him.
“And thanks again for the weekend away, can’t remember the last time we all went away. Must be a few years now.” He was right because I’d been there. It was the year that Samantha had left for college, we had all gone to my family’s summer house at the lake. Roger and Valerie had been pretty sad sending their youngest off. Josh had only gone to a community college part-time while working, so they’d never had to say goodbye for such a long time before.
“Yeah, I mean you’ve helped me and Josh so much these past few years. We couldn’t have done any of this without you. I wanted to show you we appreciated it, Roger.” I meant it. If it wasn’t for Roger then our business would have probably flopped. It was his experience of running his own company that had profited us so much.
“Well, you’re basically family, son,” he said with a grin before slapping his hand on my shoulder and squeezing it in a friendly manner. “Of course Valerie and I were always going to help you. Plus you deserve it for putting up with Josh,” he joked.
Well, that much was true, Josh could be a right pain in the ass, but I put up with it because deep down he was a nice guy. He’d always been there for me. He and Charlie were more than I deserved.
“Thanks, Roger,” I said with a grin, but the guilt of what I’d done to his daughter those years ago still gnawing at me. Especially now, it felt like I’d fucked up all over again and I wasn’t even sure how. I’d done something wrong and I was determined to find out what. I could fix this. I needed to. Especially since I had a reminder of what Sam was like – funny and beautiful and everything I wanted in a woman.
I made my excuses and returned to the table, a large stack of pancakes and bacon ordered and honestly, it couldn’t get here fast enough I felt ravenous. It was nice to have something that I could use to distract myself.
I downed my coffee in an attempt to get some energy from somewhere, I wouldn’t need to work today, but I would have to drive home and I was sure I was still half-drunk at this point. Not good. It would mean I would have to hang around at the hotel this morning or get a cab home and I really didn’t want to have to come back for my car.
Chapter 21
Samantha
I was an idiot.
I was such an idiot.
How was it possible that I’d got myself into this situation? Again? I was such a fool and I was so very mad at myself. I’d been so wrapped up in having fun with Rick that I had neglected to check my phone. We had slept together and then the two of us had passed out. I had awoken early hours of the morning, my mouth as dry as cotton and I got up to get some water. It was then that I’d grabbed my phone to check the time.
I had a bunch of texts from Andrew and right away my heart was in my throat.
Has something happened? Oh God, is Benny okay?
I scrolled up our conversation and quickly skimmed the messages, desperate to get the gist to know if something was wrong.
Sam are you ok? Are you staying at the hotel? I thought you’d be home by now.
Benny’s a bit unsettled and is asking for you. I’ve tucked him into bed with me and put on a movie. Hope you’re having fun. Drop me a text when you get 5, just want to know you’re okay.
Getting a bit worried now.
Okay, well I’ve managed to settle Benny back to sleep. I tried to call but you didn’t pick up. Assuming you’re out having fun. You could have just told me you wanted to stay out. :/ I wouldn’t have minded x
I cursed myself. I bet Andrew had worried about me. And damn, he thought I’d intentionally stayed out all night when that hadn’t been my plans at all. I honestly hadn’t meant to fall asleep. Even after having sex with Rick, I was going to thank him for a nice night and then leave. But no. I had to fall asleep like an idiot.
I’m such a bad friend.
I couldn’t believe that Andrew had come all this way and I’d left him babysitting all night. I’d only planned to stay out until eleven at the most, but it was past 4 am.
And fuck, he was going to know exactly what I’d been up to and why I’d disappeared for most the night. Not that I would lie to him anyway. There weren’t any secrets between the two of us. Nor did I want there to be.
I felt terrible knowing that Benny had been up and crying in the night and I wasn’t there. I know Andrew was there and he would take amazing care of him, but I felt a little guilty I’d been out having fun while he was having a hard time. I knew I was being hard on myself but I wasn’t sure how to stop.
Ashamed, I collected my clothes and left the room feeling like a teenager doing the walk of shame. My make-up was crusty from the night before, I was wearing my dress and my feet still hurt so badly that I couldn’t put my heels back on yet.
I’m such a state.
My phone battery was low, I was on 8%. Panicking, I made my way to the lobby to order an Uber. There were still a few people straggling around in reception, sitting in the plush chairs and clearly inebriated and tired, having been kicked out of the bar at this time.
I tried to sneak past them all, I didn’t want anyone to see me. I was so embarrassed. I should never have slept with Rick again but there was no turning back the clock. I was starting to see a recurring theme when it came to Rick.
I got in the taxi and I was silent on the entire journey. I thanked the man, rated him five stars and then made my way up my small drive. My house looked different in the dark and I looked behind me paranoid for a second before hurrying to the front door.
Andrew answered his phone right away. “Hello?” he asked groggily.
“I’m outside.”
“What time is it?” he asked, sounding confused for a second.
“I’m sorry, it’s early. Can you let me in?”
“Sorry, damn...” He seemed to catch up in his sleepy state. “Let me just sneak out, I don’t wanna wake Benny.”
I waited in the cold for a few moments, rubbing my hands up and down my cold arms and trying to get some warmth as I bounced on the spot. I’d been forced to put my heels on since I was outside and if the floor wasn’t icy cold, I would have already kicked them off. My feet were strongly protesting.
Andrew appeared, the tell-tale sound of the lock turning brightening my mood as he let me in.
“Sorry for waking you,” I apologized as I looked at him and frowned at my own behavior.
“No, no, it’s fine,” he assured me, shutting the door behind me and welcoming me inside. I was glad to be in the warmth, it was clear it was getting closer to Christmas from the sharp bite in the air.
I kicked my shoes off and immediately made my way into the family room thinking about the plush throw that was slung over the back of the couch.
“Did you have fun?” he asked as we both sat down, he yawned loudly mid-sentence. We snuggled under the fluffy throw together and I immediately shoved my cold feet on him.
“Oh my God, you are freezing!” he cried dramatically, but thankfully he kept his voice down. “Sorry, it’s really cold outside!” I replied with a laugh.
He shoved me gently, but he let me snuggle to him for a moment as I sat silently, gathering my courage to tell him what had happened this evening and to explain why I was so late back.
“I’m sorry I worried you. I didn’t mean to stay out so long.”
“Samantha, it’s fine. It’s not like you just vanished. I knew where you were.”
“I know but you said Benny was restless. I should have come home. He’s supposed to be my responsibility, not yours.” I was so frustrated with myself.
“You worry too much. We had a great time watching Tarzan at like two in the morning,” he joked.
Yep, that sounds like Benny, I thought to myself. He was forever waking me in the night and then refusing to settle without something to listen to. I couldn’t blame him, I had done the same when he was a baby so it made sense that he enjoyed it and was soothed by it now. Plus, I never slept in silence myself.