by JA Low
“Why?” he questions, looking a little hurt over my explanation.
“I don’t know,” I tell him truthfully. “I’m embarrassed over the whole catfish thing,” I explain. “I’m also embarrassed over you and me…” waving my hand between us, “… hooking up under weird circumstances.”
Rhys frowns at my words. “Don’t think you’re alone in your embarrassment over the situation,” he tells me. “I’m the one who found a beautiful woman in my home and pounced on her, thinking she was paid to be there. I’ve never done anything like that before. I’m ashamed over my actions,” he confesses. “But I’m not ashamed of the chemistry between us. We may have been strangers, but something burned hot between us,” he further explains.
Rhys reaches out and cups my face. His thumb runs along my cheek. “I can’t stop thinking about you, Ariana. About that night. About seeing you again.” His words have me sucking in a surprised breath which doesn’t steady my erratic heart. “I don’t know what happened that night, but you have embedded yourself under my skin.”
He’s saying all the right things, and it’s making my panties incredibly wet.
“It was a crazy night. Nothing more.” Trying to shake the feelings he’s awakening in me, I don’t have time to be distracted by someone like Rhys. His hand tightens around my face as he pulls me closer.
“I don’t believe it.” His blue eyes flare with lust and challenges.
“I can prove it.” The words spill out before I truly understand what they mean.
He raises a brow inquisitively. “How?” His voice drops, deepens, and it sends shivers down my spine.
“Kiss me.” Standing tall, I attempt to appear confident in my request.
His eyes flicker with desire. “You think you’re going to be able to stop at a single kiss?” His voice tells me exactly how this is going to go down.
Neither one of us is going to be able to stop at just a kiss, but I’m too far gone to back out now. My body is too needy. My skin is crawling with electricity, and I need him to stop this ache he’s created inside me.
“Yes.” My answer having none of the bluster I hoped it would have.
“Well, I won’t be able to.”
Next thing I know, his lips are one mine. I’m surprised at his swift movement, and my clutch drops to the floor. His hand is wrapped around my neck before I know it, and he’s moving us backward until my back hits something cool. But his lips have ignited the fuse inside of me, as my hands grip his jacket and pull him closer to me, which makes him groan.
“I want you, Ariana,” he declares as his lips trail down my throat, nipping at my flushed skin. “I’ve never wanted anyone as badly as I want you.” His forehead rests against mine. “Tell me you want me, too. That this isn’t one-sided. Put me out of my misery, Ariana.” There’s an ache and need in his voice, and it’s echoing my own.
“I want you, Rhys,” I confess, my chest rising and falling rapidly.
His body stills taking in my words, then his hand moves to the strap of my evening dress, and he lowers the material ever so gently until he has exposed my breast. The cool breeze of the air conditioning unit turns it hard immediately. He leaves it there, teasing me with his restraint that not two seconds ago we were about to rip each other’s clothes off. This change of pace has me off-kilter. I look up at Rhys, and he gives me a devilish grin.
“So beautiful,” he declares, and I blush at his words. His hand grips my breast as his fingers pinch my nipple, and the sensation has a direct line to my clit. My head falls back against the window behind me as he masterfully plucks my nipple. His mouth moves to the tender skin just under my ear, and slowly and lightly, he kisses me down my neck, mumbling compliments as he does.
My brain’s been turned to mush with lust—I’m gone for.
The next thing I know, he’s shucking off his tuxedo jacket and throwing it to the floor as he falls to one knee. “I need to taste you, Ariana.” Grabbing my leg, he hooks it over his shoulder.
My teeth sink into my lower lip as his tongue swipes through my folds. Oh my God, his mouth is as good as I remember. He feasts on me like a starving man, my fingers digging into his scalp as I try to balance on one leg.
This is crazy.
I can’t believe I’m letting him do this to me in the middle of a party—a high-society party.
I think I’ve gone way past caring now, especially when he…
… oh my God.
Yes. Yes. Oh, just…
Far out.
I try to suppress the moans that are wanting to fall from my lips as he continues to drive me crazy. I’m not sure if I can take anymore as the tingles begin to crawl up my body. My fingers dig harder into his scalp that I’ll probably damn near yank his hair out.
Rhys then pushes one of his thick fingers inside of me, and I’m gone.
He’s pushed me over the edge as he curls his finger, setting my body on fire. I can’t stifle down the moans that fall from my lips. My body is slowly liquifying, but his strong fingers keep me in place.
He doesn’t stop.
Then the next thing I know, he’s picking me up.
What in the ever-loving…
His face is still between my legs as he swings me around before I slide down his tuxedo in a crumpled mess.
“Bend over, Ariana. Because now it’s my turn.” The way he looks at me sends shivers down my spine, so I do as I’m told. He places me in front of a velvet sofa where I put my hands on the edge.
Rhys grabs a generous portion of my ass and gives it a squeeze before lifting the edge of my dress and exposing my G-string-clad ass. “Fuck, Ariana.” He groans, his reaction making me smile.
The time spent at the gym doing squats was well worth it.
I look up and realize I can see everything he’s doing in the reflection of the window in front of me. I watch in fascination as he unzips himself and fists his cock in his hands while licking his lips. The hunger that’s radiating off him is an aphrodisiac.
I want to close my legs to dull the ache that is throbbing between them, but that would defeat the purpose of this position. I watch in fascination as he pulls out a condom and sheaths himself. Then he gives my ass one hard slap as he enters me.
Holy shit! Who knew you could nearly come just from a guy entering you?
“You like watching me fuck you, Ariana?” Rhys catches me watching him in the reflection.
“Yes.” I moan.
“Guess I better put on a show for you then.” He wraps his hand around my long ponytail and uses it to anchor himself as he fucks me. My fingers dig into the velvet sofa as Rhys takes control. I hang on for dear life because he’s taking his pleasure now after delivering mine.
Oh my God! I’ve never been so thoroughly fucked in my entire life.
The way this man looks, so well-polished, who knew what hiding underneath the ten-thousand-dollar tuxedo is a wild man. I enjoy him pulling his pleasure from me. Using me. It’s the biggest turn-on for me that I’ve turned a man like Rhys Davenport wild.
A hand snakes between us while the other stays wrapped around my hair. “I want you to fuck my hand, Ariana. Use my hand for your pleasure,” he growls.
Who is this man wanting to deliver more orgasms? I don’t think I’ve been with such a giving man before. I love it, so I do as I am told.
Using the friction of his hand against my clit while he pushes me into the sofa, his hand is trapped against the material and my clit, and it’s perfect. This is not where I thought my night would start or even end.
“I need you to come again, Ariana.” He curses.
Rhys doesn’t have to tell me twice. A couple more pumps into me, and he’s pushing me over the edge, and as soon as my pussy clamps down against his dick, he’s coming right along with me.
I’m spent.
Exhausted.
Relaxed.
He has well and truly fucked the anxiety out of me.
Biting my lip as he gingerly pulls himself from me, he
pulls the back of my dress down into place. I mean, he didn’t even remove my underwear to fuck me. I take a couple of steady breaths and stand.
Spinning around, he’s all put together again as if he hasn’t just blown my mind. His tuxedo jacket is still on the floor, the only indication of what we have done. His hand comes out and runs along my swollen lips. “Next time, I want these wrapped around me.”
Fuck, his dirty words do something to me.
Rhys grins, knowing exactly what he’s doing. “Come home with me tonight?” Rhys asks. “I want to be able to take my time with you.”
I contemplate his words. I want to, but…
“Just think about it and give me your answer later.” Rhys reaches over and kisses me. “We should get back out there. I don’t want to, but I’m sure both of us will be missed.”
“Okay, you go first. I want to fix my makeup.”
Rhys nods his head and kisses me one last time before disappearing out the door.
What the hell was I thinking?
14
Rhys
Not in a million years would I have ever expected to run into Ariana, let alone have some of the best sex ever. I walk out of the room in a damn daze. I only went in there because I was sick of answering all the questions about my divorce or the other society women trying to push their daughters and one son onto me. It was the reason I decided to hide out in London.
But then in walked Ariana looking like a damn goddess standing by the window staring out over the city. She took my breath away. It hurt that she was determined not to be near me. That her embarrassment was so great, she was having a panic attack about running into me again.
I was a damn fool that night.
I will never make the same mistake again.
I head toward the bathroom to freshen up before making my way to our family table to take my seat.
“Where have you been?” Stirling asks.
“Trying to run away from all those damn cougars.”
He chuckles.
“Never going to guess who I ran into, though?”
Stirling shrugs his shoulders.
“Ariana. The girl from the other night.”
Stirling stills. “The escort.”
“No,” I reply angrily. “She was never that. She’s an architect.” Glaring at my friend, he raises his hands up in apology.
“What’s she doing here?” he questions. “Is she trying to get you back?” I don’t like my friend’s tone when it comes to Ariana.
“She wants nothing to do with me, actually. Every single time I have asked her out, she’s turned me down.”
“And that makes you want her even more?” he jokes.
“She’s beautiful and intelligent… that’s what I want more of.” I am becoming defensive over her.
“Hey, man, I’m sorry. I was just playing around, but it seems you really do like this girl.” My friend stares at me like I’ve sprouted a second head.
“I do.” No point denying it. “But she isn’t interested.”
“Wow. Rhys Davenport has been turned down.” He smirks.
“It’s a very strange feeling.” I grin back.
“I like the sound of this woman.” And everything is back to normal again. “Shit!” Stirling thumps me on the arm. “Who the hell is that woman? She is gorgeous.” I turn around to see who’s caught my friend’s attention. I still when I see it’s Ariana walking toward us. She is truly breathtaking. I turn back, and Stirling is drooling, so I punch him in the guts, which pulls him out of his trance.
“That’s Ariana,” I tell him.
He stills. Then a broad smile falls across his face. “I get it now… I totally get it.”
“Emma, Anderson…” Audrey’s voice grains my attention. “It’s so good to see you two.” She rushes over and gives them both a cuddle. I’ve met Anderson a handful of times at these events, I have heard about him in the business community, and I’ve seen his wife, Emma, around. She’s an ex-supermodel, and she’s absolutely stunning. But the thing I do notice is Ariana standing behind them. Emma turns around and whispers something to Ariana.
“Audrey, this is my best friend, Ariana,” Emma introduces her to my sister.
This is a little too close to home.
“Please tell me you’re as much fun as Emma?” my sister asks.
“She’s just as bad,” Emma answers for her.
“Please…” Ariana nudges her friend with a smile. “No one is as bad as Emma, even if she is married.” The girls all have a laugh.
“Which table are you guys at?” my sister asks.
“Table twenty-six,” Emma replies.
That sounds familiar. Then my eye catches our table number, and I realize they’re sitting at our table.
“That’s mine.” Audrey smiles.
The group turns around, and Ariana stops in her tracks when she sees me sitting there.
“Let me introduce to you all my brother, Rhys, and his business partner, Stirling.” We both stand and shake everyone’s hands. When mine connects with Ariana’s, sparks fly again. I can tell she notices it too as those chocolate eyes flicker with remembrance.
“This is going to be such a fun table.” Audrey laughs. “Oh, Emma, you are beside me.” My sister points to the seat. Looking down at the place card name beside me, I realize Ariana has been set to sit beside me.
“You’re here, Ariana,” I tell her while pulling out her chair.
Those eyes widen with surprise. She then turns and stares at Emma, who is grinning widely for a couple of moments. Ariana then makes her way over and takes her seat. I push her in and let the back of my hand slide lightly against her arm. I can see the goosebumps rise as my fingers trace her skin.
Knowing she’s as affected by me as I am her is good.
“Just so you know, I did not plan this,” Ariana whispers to me.
“Neither did I,” I reply. She looks up at me and smiles. “The universe might be trying to tell us something.” I wink at her.
“I don’t think it’s the universe, just my meddling friends.” She looks over where Emma is sitting across the table. Emma’s watching our conversation intently, and unashamedly she raises her champagne glass in our direction with a smile, and I laugh.
“She seems great.”
“Em’s the best, but she likes to meddle,” Ariana grumbles.
“Are you upset that you’re stuck with my company for the night?” I ask her.
“No,” she answers quickly and honestly. “Tonight’s just been… you know… interesting.” Ariana grins.
Leaning over a little more, I whisper into Ariana’s ear, “I think what we just did was much more interesting than sitting here and pretending my tongue wasn’t just eating your pussy.”
Ariana chokes on my words and reaches for her glass of water to take a sip. Her cheeks flush pink from my words.
“Rhys,” my sister calls my name sternly. “Can you please stop trying to chat up my new friend for one moment? I don’t want you scaring Ariana away.” Audrey shakes her head at me.
“You’re right. I’m sorry.” Smiling over at my sister, then back to Ariana.
As the evening progresses, our table becomes louder and louder with the amount of champagne we have all drunk. Also, our pockets seem to be getting a little lighter as we all urged the other on in the auctions. I may have stupidly bid on a weekend away in Turks and Caicos at my own resort when Ariana stated she had always longed to go there. I, of course, won and promptly told Ariana that she and I would be going there soon. Seeing her face light up at the gesture made my stone-cold heart beat once again. Ariana then lectured me on being a fool for bidding on my own donation. “It was for a good cause,” I told her. Which had her melting again.
Our hands are all over each other under the table during the evening, especially the drunker we all become. Honestly, this has been the most fun I’ve had in ages, which is rather sad, but also the most fun I’ve had at this fundraiser as an adult. Of course
, Stirling and I had fun as teenagers getting drunk while the adults partied the night away.
“Andy and I are going to head home,” Emma states rather tipsily, but her eyes are squarely on Ariana. There are a few moments of silence where Ariana’s unable to answer her question.
“I can drop her home,” I tell them.
Emma smirks at my reply. “You okay with that?” Emma asks her friend.
“Sure.” Ariana gives her a nonchalant shrug.
“You don’t sound so sure.” Whispering into her ear, “Does my tongue need to remind you?”
Shivers lace Ariana’s skin. “It’s all good, Em.” Ariana pushes her chair back and stands to give her friends a hug goodbye.
“Yay, we need to keep partying,” Audrey states.
I don’t think my sister needs anymore to drink, to be honest. “I think you’ve had enough,” I tell her.
“Boo.” She glares at me. “You’re a party pooper.”
“Maybe Stirling can help you to your car?” I ask, turning to my friend.
“No,” Audrey replies loudly, and I still. “He’s too much of a gentleman.” I pull my eyebrows together in my sister’s direction. “I’m sick of gentlemen.”
“Okay, I think you have had enough.” Pushing my chair back, I walk over to where my sister is seated.
“Men suck, Rhys.” Audrey pouts. “Men are intimidated by my money.” She sinks further into her seat as if she’s exhausted. “Or they just want to date me for my name.” She huffs and folds her arms across her chest.
“I think you’re forgetting one thing, Aud,” I tell her. My sister looks up at me with glassy eyes. “I married a gold digger.”
She bursts out laughing, then begins clutching her stomach she’s laughing so hard.
I didn’t think it was that funny.
“Sorry, Rhys. I guess my life isn’t as bad as yours.”
Wow, okay. That stung, but at least my misfortune is making her smile.
“Come on, Stirling, be a gentleman and take me home.” My sister sighs. “Oh, and Rhys…” my sister grabs hold of me and pulls me close, “… I like her. So, don’t fuck up. She’s going to be my friend whether you like it or not.” And with that little nugget of information, my sister says her goodbyes to Ariana. They make arrangements to catch up, and then they’re gone.