by Starr, Jude
“Now, we're talking.” Zach licked his lips, confirming he loved it, too. “I think I'm going to like this place. It’s cozy, and it has class.” He glanced around the bar, looking satisfied with our decision to come.
“Only you could afford it.” I chuckled. “Working in a fast food restaurant doesn't exactly give us that possibility.”
Zach had no issues, financially. His father was one of the busiest real estate agents in New Jersey. Once every two or three months, Zach had to give his father a hand with all the paperwork, but otherwise, he didn't need to work to afford the dorm experience. It never made sense to me, why he was living in the dorms if he could stay in the family residence. He said when I questioned him that he didn't like to live alone.
“Iris, isn't it?” A voice spoke from behind me. It didn't sound familiar. Before spinning around, I noticed Krystal's jaw dropping to the floor and her eyes were round like a couple of lollipops.
Oh my God. It was him. The guy who flirted with me, at work. “Hi.” I barely managed to get the word out, I was so stunned.
“Here, I got you another one of those.” He smiled and his charm hit me, making every inch of my skin shiver. I took the glass of whiskey from his outstretched hand and when our fingers touched, something strange happened. My eyes met his and… and… what was that? Something happened in my chest, as if my heart had stopped beating for an instant.
“Thank you.” I flushed.
“You and your friends can have anything you want. It’s on me.”
I shook my head in disagreement. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid I can’t accept that.”
“You certainly will. Julia here will make sure you guys have everything you need.”
His generosity left me speechless, but it wasn't in my nature to accept anything that was handed to me with no good reason. Even more so when it came from a complete stranger. “Why?”
He stared at me as if I was missing something important. “Because I own this place, and I want to make sure you're having a good time.”
“Thank you.” Krystal accepted his offer for us and I mentally beheaded her.
He startled me when he placed his hand on my forearm. I was still deeply focused hating on Krys. He squeezed my forearm for a second with his fingers and then left. What was that all about? I didn't know his name or the reason behind his attention. I had only met him for the first time today and nothing had happened between us other than him flirting a little. At the time, I thought it was innocent, but doubt was starting to make me rethink the whole situation.
“I think he wants something from you.” Zach said, sounding unhappy.
Krystal chuckled. “Clearly. His name is Calvin Banks. He owns this, the gym upstairs and most of the building, if not all. He is big into health, sports and everything in between. He used to play football professionally. I knew I’d seen him somewhere before.”
“Okay, so? Why are you telling me all this now?” I asked nervously.
“I hadn't figured it out this afternoon. Now, though, he’s making it obvious – he wants you in his bed.”
Zach tensed beside me. “He's too old for you.”
“I don't think he's even thirty yet,” Krys announced, giving Zach one more reason to worry.
I had no idea who he was. I only knew his name because Krys had told me. He didn't even have the decency to properly introduce himself, when he decided to offer me a drink. Calvin obviously had money, that much was clear, but he didn't interest me.
Yet.
Chapter 2
Julia approached us, under the watchful gaze of Calvin who stood behind the bar. I tried ignoring him but couldn’t, my gaze kept diverting back to him.
“What would you like to drink?” Julia asked with a beautiful smile.
“Tequila for me,” Krys announced. That woman and her tequila, inseparable!
“I'll have a... ah... a whiskey,” Zach ordered, his eyes focused on me.
“I'm okay for now, thank you, Julia.” I refused the offer, if only to contradict Calvin.
Julia nodded and returned to the bar to prepare our order.
My feet were already hurting and we hadn't even danced yet. “Do you guys mind if we sit over there?” I pointed to a leather couch in the corner.
Zach took my hand and walked with me towards the couch. Holding hands had become normal for us. He might also have done it to provoke Calvin and I didn't mind. Zach and I, we shared something special. I was confident that our friendship would turn into something a little bit more serious. We both knew it and I had a feeling it would all become clearer after tonight.
Krys followed us and took my free hand, placing it around her small waist. “If we're going to tease him, we might as well give him something to ponder.” She kissed my cheek as Zach released my hand, to place his own on my behind.
“I feel like a sex toy, now. You guys can stop this, right this minute,” I chuckled. I could feel the heat on my cheeks. I felt exposed. I sat on the couch in between Zach and Krys and lifted my eyes towards the bar. Calvin stood still, his eyebrow crooked. He probably thought I was some kind of slut now or, at the very least, bisexual. So many things he could be thinking about me. Why did I care? Because... just because.
Julia returned with the drinks and before she left the table, she handed me a Vodka and Cranberry Juice. “Mr. Banks insisted,” she announced.
I rolled my eyes and found his again. He didn't smile or show any kind of facial expression. His face was a blank mask, apparently testing me.
I took a sip, never letting my eyes leave his and lifted my glass in a salute. A hint of a smile traced across his lips and he won me over.
“Okay, we better get this party going. Who wants to dance?” Krystal distracted me from what had just happened between Calvin and I.
“Dancing sounds great,” I agreed.
The dance floor was in another area of the bar. The lights were turned down and mixed with colorful spotlights, which followed the beat of the music. Acrobatic dancers joined the DJ on the stage. They made me look like an amateur. Their dance moves made my joints hurt. They were so flexible, it was impressive.
Zach's hands found their way to my waist and he pulled me closer to him. His cologne brought my attention back to him and him only. The sexual tension between us slowly returned and intensified. Zach had a way of reaching out to me and we’d become close. We had only been friends for a couple of months, but I had told him about my history with Damien and that my trust had to be earned. He had proven to me numerous times how much he cared about me.
“Did I tell you how beautiful you look tonight?” he murmured against my ear.
“No, you didn't and I was starting to wonder if I still had that little something to rile you up.”
“You are gorgeous and your legs are a killer in that skirt.” He kissed my cheek. “Don't worry, you still make me hard in a heartbeat.”
Thankfully the lights stopped him from seeing the blush spreading across my face. I gripped his hair and pulled him down to meet my lips. He kissed me and we got lost in our moment. Until Krys nudged me in the ribs and stopped us. “Watch out, Iris.”
“Excuse me, Iris.” Calvin had some nerve to interrupt us. “May I have this dance?” he asked, at the exact same moment as one of John Legend's songs started playing. He took my hands into his and walked me away from Zach and Krys. I turned back to look at Zach and saw he was fuming. I’d never seen him like this. Krys was trying her best to distract him, but then I lost sight of them when I was pulled into Banks' arms. My face was only a few inches away from his. His strong arms enveloped me. I was standing there with him, still breathless from my kisses with Zach.
“Is he your boyfriend?” he questioned.
“It's complicated, and none of your business.”
He smirked. “I'll take that as a no.”
He frustrated me. What did Calvin Banks want from me? “Look, you’ve lost me. I don't know you and you know nothing about me, apart from where I work
. You're a business man, I'm a student. I’m younger than you. Our worlds don’t interact.”
“You're beautiful and I see something special in you.” He removed a lock of hair from my face and tucked it behind my ear. “I’m not that much older than you,” he teased and chuckled quietly. The sparkle in his eyes caught my attention.
“You can have anyone you want with no questions asked.”
For an instant, he was quiet and I thought I had angered him. “It’s true. I can. I'll give you that, but it doesn't mean I want any of them. I’ve had my share of fun and I can see that you do too.” He looked in Zach’s direction. I never felt so embarrassed of my life. “What are you studying?”
I had a hard time following his abrupt subject changes. “Marketing and Art.”
“Why are you working in a fast food restaurant?”
Was this an interview or something? “Why do you ask?”
“Just answer my question, Iris.”
I sighed. “Because I’ve have had no work experience, apart from working at my parents’ ranch.” His hands lowered on my back and he led the dance smoothly. “Moving here wasn't easy, okay? I had to take whatever job I could get.” I felt the tears coming, but I refused to show him any weakness.
“Come with me.”
He interlaced his fingers with mine and I followed him into the unknown. My heart was beating swiftly, something was happening here and I didn't know what it was. With my free hand, I dried the corner of my eyes. I didn't want him to see me cry. He opened a door and pushed me inside. A small desk lamp lit the room. I looked around and guessed that we were now standing in his office.
“I want you to work for me,” he said, less than an inch away from my lips. The tension between us made me speechless. “I’ll give you my business card and I want you to meet me upstairs in my office. Then, we'll talk.”
“Why did you bring me here?” I asked suspiciously.
His pale green eyes locked into a heated gaze with mine. He closed the distance between us. My cheeks were cradled in his hands. “You're so beautiful, Iris.”
My lips parted and I lost myself into the depth of his sex-appeal. When my brain finally came back to reality, I slid a finger into the loop of his pants and he lost control. His lips crushed against mine, savouring me. He lifted me into his arms, pushing me against the wall. “I can't believe you came here tonight. I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw you arrive.” He chuckled breathlessly. “I went back to the restaurant earlier tonight. I had to get your phone number or some way of contacting you, but they wouldn't give me anything.”
“It's against policy,” I muttered stupidly.
“Right. Anyway, I don't know what I did to be so lucky, but here you are.”
“I am.” I had lost any sense of conversation. I sighed, too astounded to say anything. I didn't expect this. My night had unexpectedly take a turn and it excited me to a point. He was gorgeous, but still not the type of guy I normally went for. Although, his kisses had changed that a little – I wanted to get to know him more. Soon.
I chewed on my lips, trying to find the courage to kiss him again. I missed the feel of his lips against mine. He must have felt it, because his lips found mine and we kept on kissing. It wasn't innocent, the passion between us soon got out of control. I fiddled blindly with his belt, while he lifted my skirt over my waist. His pants dropped on the floor and he used his fingers to push aside my panties. Things were about to get real. So real, it scared me. Never in my life had I been the type of girl who would sleep with a complete stranger. Not to mention never having had a one night stand, I had always stayed away from that type of sexual freedom.
He bit on my lips gently before he whispered into my ear. “Are you okay with this?” His voice low and ragged, seduced me, it seemed to zing all the way from his lips to create a spasm of desire, deep in my groin.
“Huh huh.” I answered, hiding my hesitation. His hands felt good, they awakened something wonderful in my mind. Calvin didn’t hesitate to touch my curves, making me feel sexy and desired. His voice made me want him. Clearly, this man knew what the hell he was doing and it made me feel like a debutante.
My legs were wrapped around his waist, not letting go, he whirled around and sat me on the desk and he stared down at me, making me blush terribly. Calvin wasn’t just looking at me, he was studying me. The intensity in his eyes made me feel terribly self-conscious. He rubbed the back of his hand against my arm while he angled his head and approached my neck. I held my breath, I expected a kiss but who knew what he would do? His lips touched my neck and he took a deep breath. I heard a small moan coming from deep within his chest.
He entered me. I didn’t expect him to come inside of me that fast, but damn, I loved it. Fuck the foreplay, he wanted action. His hands made their way under my top, to my breasts. He touched me, in a way nobody had ever touched me.The touch of his fingers on my breasts heightened my pleasure. I couldn’t understand why he made it so different, but it really was. He showed no fear, no hesitation as we had sex.
He groaned again, as he kissed and touched me. Calvin was devouring my body, inch by inch. Every part of me was screaming aloud, and the orgasm was coming really soon. I grabbed his hair and his lips crashed onto mine. I needed him to slow down, or I would explode, too fast, too soon. Everything overwhelmed me. It had to slow down.
“Slow down, Calvin.” I begged, desperate for more time to breathe. My heart pounded against my ribcage, resonating down my toes.
“I don't think I can.” He sounded just as breathless as I did. Sweat appeared on his forehead and I thought it looked extremely sexy. It showed how much he was putting into it. His goal was to please me, make me weak and he was succeeding.
He kept on slamming inside me, just as hard as before and I was certain I heard him moan my name. I pushed myself against him, raised myself on my elbows so I could look him in the eyes. We were eye-to-eye and the desperation in his turned me on. He wanted me. Calvin held me tightly against him as he pushed deep inside me, one last time. He moaned aloud when his whole body tensed up against mine. I felt the warm seed, spurting deep inside of me. I groaned, I kept him close to me until I regained control of my trembling body. I had never felt like this before. My body went limp, my mind turn into jelly. Oh my god!
Chapter 3
After a few minutes, the silence in the room was deafening. It embarrassed me, made me terribly self-conscious. I didn’t regret what we’d done, but his silence had me believing he did.
“I better go before Krystal comes looking for me.” I was the first one to break the silence. He stepped away from me, doing up his pants and belt.
I pushed down my skirt to where it belonged. I fixed my top and hoped my hair wasn’t completely messed up. Before I left, I turned to him, hoping he would say something, but he didn't. After making me feel so good, I couldn't understand how he could make me feel so worthless just a few minutes later. I unlocked the door and turned the door knob. Tears threatened to escape when he called my name. “Iris, stop,” he ordered quietly. I turned back to face him and he extended his hand. “Come by my office Monday morning. Here, take my card.”
Worthless didn’t even begin to describe how bad I felt. He could have called me a whore and in that minute I would’ve believed him.
“Screw you, Banks.” I turned and slammed the door so hard, the surrounding walls trembled. I wanted to run, but I didn’t want to create a scene so I walked away from him as fast as I could. Once I reached the crowded bar area I knew he wouldn't pursue me – at least, not in a way that would interrupt the ambiance of his precious opening night. When I reached Krystal, I glanced over my shoulder and saw Calvin standing behind me, a couple of feet away.
“You’ve been gone forever,” Krys complained. “What were you doing?”
“I know, I’m sorry.” Krys looked over my shoulder and I knew Calvin was probably right behind me. “Nothing of importance.” I sighed heavily. “I need a drink.”
“
Nothing of importance.” I heard Calvin mutter from behind me. For a moment I wavered and then I decided I couldn’t ignore him any longer so I turned around. I tried to blank out what had happened between us and stay calm. I had never been used like that in my entire life. “I have your card, I’ll give you a call,” I announced tartly.
He sighed and lowered his gaze. Before I lost sight of his eyes, I was certain I had seen pain in them. “Why do I have a feeling you won’t be calling me?” he asked quietly.
“Do you always treat women you have sex with like that? Not so much as a goodbye, or thanks for the ride?” I demanded hotly. “And when I was about to leave, you couldn’t think of a single thing to say, just handed me your fucking business card. I’m not a whore!”
“You aren’t,” he replied evenly.
“You sure treated me like one.” My voice was getting louder as I grew angrier. I had to keep it quiet, aware of the crowd around us. “What I did with you, it’s not the type of thing I do. I’ve never done something like this, but you tempted me and I thought, why not?” I chuckled, although there was no amusement in the sound. “Biggest mistake, ever. You had me. You got into my pants. You got what you wanted, so you can leave now.”
“It wasn’t like that!” Calvin protested quietly.” I stayed quiet, because I didn’t know what to say.” He glanced around the crowd and then brought his face closer to mine. “Look, I can’t really talk about this here.”
“I need a drink.” I wanted to get wasted, forget this night and him for that matter. I shoved past him, Krys following swiftly behind.