by Suzanne Rock
Harder and harder their bodies came together, until the table started to shake. Ari’s head bumped into the mirror with each thrust, but she didn’t care. All that mattered was the amazing feeling drawing up in her core.
“Yes,” she whispered. “More.”
“Ari.” Jason nibbled on her ear and pushed harder. The front legs of the table lifted off the ground and fell back with a loud thump. The noise echoed throughout the quiet room and added to the building tension.
Thump, thump. The table moved to the rhythm of their bodies, each thrust causing it to tilt more. She could fall, she realized. Their weight and the force of their lovemaking could topple the table. Knowing this gave her another adrenaline rush and fueled her excitement.
“Fuck, yes,” Jason whispered as he pushed harder. “Yes.”
Ari raked her nails down his back, causing him to groan. He responded by moving his hands from the edge of the table to the mirror. The change in angle caused him to penetrate deeper. The air heated around them, and the sounds of their bodies coming together became drowned out by the thudding of the table on the floor.
“I’m close.” She dragged her nails down his spine and dug them into his ass, urging him faster. Pressure built, and she made soft cries with each thrust.
The table started to teeter, and Ari spread her legs higher into the air. “Jason.” She curled her fingers tighter into his ass as he pistoned in and out of her body like a machine. Need wound through her, drawing her up higher and higher. Soon she was once again hovering on the edge. She wanted to go over, but held back, determined to win the game.
The table swayed precariously and banged into the wall behind it. They were getting louder, she realized. It was only a matter of time before they’d be caught. She adjusted her hands on his ass and dug in deep, spreading his cheeks apart as she felt her body stretch toward her goal.
Jason’s breathing became hard and ragged. “I’m close, baby. So close.”
She knew what he needed, what would drive him to the point of no return. Sliding her finger down, she slipped it in between his ass cheeks and rubbed it against the opening in his backside.
“Yes.” He let one hand go from the edge of the mirror and grabbed the back of her head. “Just like that.” Pulling her close, he covered her lips in a hard, bruising kiss. Never before had Ari felt so thoroughly possessed, so wanted. She inched her finger around the rim of his opening, toying with the sensitive bundle of nerves.
“Fuck, Ari.” He pulled back from the kiss and arched his back, pushing harder and harder. His voice rose up with each thrust, but not quite loud enough for anyone outside the room to hear.
She inched her finger just inside his opening.
“Oh, God.” He reached in between them and spread her folds apart, allowing her clit to feel the full impact of each thrust. Pleasure surged up quickly through her body, causing her to forget her mission. She slid her hands back to his hips and held on tight as he pounded into her core.
“Harder—”
He shifted his stance, hitting something sensitive deep inside her core. Within seconds she felt the push, the exquisite moment she had been waiting for.
“Jason,” she cried as pulse after pulse of joy pumped through her body, each one stronger than the last. She hung there, suspended, as her whole world blanked to nothing but pleasure.
She saw him stiffen and bite his lip. He closed his eyes as his movements became more jerky and desperate. Then, in the next moment, he moaned as he followed her over the edge.
He continued to thrust, emptying himself deep inside her body, filling her with bliss. Ari clung to Jason and buried her head in his chest, never wanting the moment to end.
Letting go of the mirror, Jason slid his arms around her and cradled her to his chest. “I won.”
Reality crashed down around her as she lifted her head. Once, just once, she wished he wouldn’t rush through the afterglow of sex. But that was typical Jason, afraid to show any hint of vulnerability or emotion. “You did not win, I did.”
He raised his brows. “It wasn’t me who cried out my name load enough for the entire hotel to hear.”
Heat rose to her cheeks. After a quick glance at the door to confirm they were still alone, she slapped him playfully on the shoulder and buried her head in his shoulder. “I don’t care.”
He chuckled as he wrapped his arms around her and cradled her to his chest. “Now do you believe I want you?”
She chuckled against his shoulder. “Yes.”
“Good.” He slipped his hands down to her ass, lifted her from the table, and brought her over to the bed. After placing her on the comforter, he peeked out into the hall. Satisfied, he slid his shoe out from the door and let it close.
“That was really risky,” she said as he returned to the bed and sat on the edge next to her.
“Not really,” he said. “Like I said, they won’t show up for work for a while yet. Those workers are union members and have yet to arrive on time.”
Ari grabbed a pillow from behind her head and hit him with it. “Beast.”
He deflected the blow and chuckled. “Not to say it was completely safe, just unlikely that anyone would walk in on us.” He reached for his clothes. After fishing around in his suit pocket, he pulled out his phone.
“Shit.”
“What is it?” Ari asked.
He glanced up from the phone and stared at her. “Your brother is downstairs waiting for me. He says that he’s come to bring you home.”
She lifted her chin. “I’m not going home. Not you, or Leo, or anyone else can make me.”
He considered her for a moment, then pulled on his pants. “Get dressed.”
“But I told you—”
“I know what you told me.” He stood and pulled on his dress shirt. “We’re not going to see your brother.”
“What?” She stood and closed the distance between them. “We have to, otherwise he’s going to be angry.”
“Fuck his anger.”
Ari blinked. “Excuse me?”
He motioned for her to get dressed. “I’ve dealt with your brother’s anger before.” He grinned as he slid on his suit jacket.
“What are you saying?”
“I’m saying that your brother needs to learn that the world doesn’t revolve around him and his needs.” He began to text. “Why aren’t you getting dressed?”
“All I have is my wedding dress.”
He stopped texting and glanced up at her. “It will do for now. Hurry.”
She pulled on her stockings and dress. “Where are we going?”
“Somewhere we can have some fun without big brother watching over us.” He finished texting and pocketed his phone. “Hurry, he’s on his way up here. I don’t know about you, but I’d rather not explain to him why you don’t have any clothes on.”
“How did he know where to go?”
“One of the staff members downstairs looked you up in the computer and told him what room you were in.” He frowned. “Your brother can be rather intimidating.”
“Tell me about it.” She slipped on her shoes. “Okay, I’m dressed.”
“Good.” He grabbed her hand. “Let’s go.”
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been more sure about anything in my life.”
Before Ari could ask him another question, he pulled her from the room and down the hall. As they started down the stairs, she heard the elevator doors open and her brother’s low, booming voice echo down the hall.
“Arianna? Get out here this minute. We’re going home.”
Stifling a giggle, Ari hurried down the stairs after Jason. Her brother was going to be furious, but she’d deal with him later. She had her fun and exciting Jason back, and she could hardly wait to see what he had in store.
Chapter 7
Jason didn’t know which guilty pleasure he enjoyed more: gorging himself on chicken wings and microbrewed beer, or watching his hotel heiress do the same in
a torn bridal gown. When they had first come into the mom-and-pop restaurant about twenty minutes north of Boston, they had gotten a few stares, but the people around the North Shore were discreet and used to seeing crazy things. After a few minutes of gawking, the patrons left him and Ari alone.
“I forgot how good these were,” Ari said as she licked her fingers. Jason watched her delicate tongue dart out over her thumb and imagined it running over the tip of his cock. Heat slid through his center, and he shifted in his seat to alleviate the sudden pressure against the zipper of his pants.
She reached for another wing and caught his eye. He tried to remain casual, but it was difficult. The woman was beyond hot, and it was hard to think of much of anything besides tearing off her clothes and having his way with her in the middle of the restaurant.
“What?” she asked.
“Nothing.” He picked up his beer and took a swig to hide his discomfort. He smiled and imagined the other patrons’ reactions if he and Ari started going at it in full view of everyone at the bar. He was tempted to try, but he didn’t think that they’d ever be allowed back, and he’d miss the wings.
“I just like seeing you happy,” he finally said when he could trust his voice.
She grinned as she waved a chicken wing in the air. “These make me happy.”
“I know.”
She took a large bite and chewed for a few minutes before responding. “My brothers would never approve of something like this.”
“Why not?”
She scrunched her nose. “Too common.” She pulled apart the bones with her long, slender fingers. “Leo and Marco prefer dishes with fancy names, like Oysters Rockefeller.” She rolled her eyes and took another bite. “And Dante thinks we should only eat Mediterranean dishes from the old country. Eating these wings feels like a small rebellion.”
Jason chuckled and took another swig of his beer. “I suppose it is.” His phone chirped, and he slipped it out of his pocket to check the caller ID. “It’s Leo.”
“I’m not talking to him.”
“He’s probably mad that we ran out on him.”
“I don’t care. I told my brother that I wasn’t going to go home with him, and yet he insisted on barging into Stone Suites and carrying me back to the Palazzo like a petulant child. Until he stops being such an ogre and listens to reason, I don’t want anything to do with him.”
“You have to at least tell him you’re all right, he’s probably worried—” Jason moved to swipe the screen and answer the call, but she put her hand over his, stopping him.
“Don’t.”
He glanced up at her. “You can’t avoid your family forever. Eventually you’re going to have to explain why you ran away from the wedding.”
“I know, just let me avoid them for now.” When he didn’t put his phone away, she tightened her grip on his hand. “Don’t ruin this moment.”
She had a point. Her feud with her family was really none of Jason’s business. He had much more important things to worry about.
“Remember the first time we came to this place?” Ari asked, distracting him from his thoughts.
Jason smiled as the memory instantly rose to the surface. “It was after I won that charity race.” He still remembered that day like it was yesterday. “What was it called again?”
“LAPS4KIDS.” Ari tossed her bones onto her plate and grabbed her napkin. After wiping her fingers, she took a sip of beer. “You donated your winnings so you could take me out to dinner.” She glanced around the mom-and-pop restaurant. “I have to admit, I was expecting something a little different.”
Jason shrugged. “But you liked it anyway.”
“Yeah, I did.” Her eyes glittered with mischief as she took another wing. “I liked the McLaren, too. Still do.”
Jason chuckled. They had sped up the North Shore, letting his favorite sports car do its thing. It had felt exhilarating. “I’m glad.”
“Do you think that I could ever drive it?”
“The McLaren?” He widened his eyes. “You’re kidding.”
“No, I’m not. It’s been years since I’ve driven such a beautiful car.”
“Have you ever driven a stick shift?”
She twitched her lips. “I’m sure you can teach me everything I need to know.” She wiped her face and hands with her napkin. “You just seem to love to drive the McLaren so much. I want to know why.”
Jason hesitated for a moment, trying to craft his response. “Driving the McLaren gives me a sense of freedom.”
“Freedom from what?” She glanced around. “You’re one of the most successful venture capitalists in the world. You have more money than most people can fathom.”
“That all comes with responsibility,” he said.
“I know, but you always handle things so well.” She studied his face for a moment before continuing. “There’s another reason why you love cars, isn’t there?”
“There is. Cars are like a status symbol. Most people can’t afford luxury vehicles, especially since they depreciate so quickly.” He took a swig of beer. “Some can’t afford cars at all, even the budget variety.”
“True.”
“Owning luxury vehicles is like … it’s telling people that you are financially secure enough to be a little frivolous.”
And Jason deserved to be a little frivolous after surviving his horrible childhood. After being passed around from foster parent to foster parent, both he and Deacon settled with a family who didn’t have enough food on the table, let alone a car. He thought back to how he and his brother had always dreaded the trip to school each morning. Not only were they all cramped on that terrible run-down school bus, but their three older siblings, children born to Jason and Deacon’s foster parents, had loved to pick on them because they weren’t related by blood. They had recruited many others on that bus to help them, and mere weeks after moving in with their new family, Jason and Deacon talked about running away.
When they complained, his foster parents did nothing, of course. They only took him and Deacon in to get the money from the state to fund their drug habits. Jason had promised himself that as soon as he could afford it, he was going to buy his own car and teach himself how to drive.
“Your family didn’t have a car as a kid?”
“I had a more … humble upbringing.” He could tell horror stories for hours about the neglect and carelessness of his caregivers, but knew that Ari would never understand. Such a life was completely foreign to her and her close-knit family.
“So now you buy cars to make up for it.”
“Something like that.” Not liking all of the questions about his past, Jason decided to turn the tables. “So we know why I like fast cars, but not why you like them.”
“You said that it gives you freedom.” Her voice sounded very matter-of-fact, as if that explained everything.
“That’s true.”
She shrugged. “I want to know what freedom feels like.” She leaned on the table, drawing his attention to her low-cut bridal gown. “My family’s so afraid of making a bad impression in the media, that I can’t do anything without Leo’s consent.”
“Your brothers must have allowed you some freedoms.”
“You have no idea the kind of stress we’re under. The media has been horrible to my family. They drove my father to suicide, and led Leo to take medication to help with his anxiety.”
“Leo takes medication?”
She continued as if she hadn’t heard him. “Etiquette classes, fashion lessons … every part of my life is choreographed, right down to what I eat and who I can have as a friend. I can’t do anything without having the family’s approval first. Leo thinks that I’m emotionally fragile. I need protection from the big bad world.” She made quotation marks with her hands while saying the last three words and rolled her eyes.
Jason took a long sip of beer as he processed her words. “I had no idea.”
“I want to taste true freedom, Jason. Just once.” She le
t out a long sigh. “I thought things would get better as I got older, you know? Instead they’ve gotten worse.”
“What do you mean?”
“My best friend died of cancer while I was in high school.” She pressed her lips together and stared at her hands. “It was a difficult time for me. They say that cancer is a slow killer, but it seemed as if only a few short months passed between her diagnosis and death.” Ari shook her head and looked away, twisting her napkin in her fingers. “It was so unfair. I didn’t know what to do with myself.”
“I’m so sorry, Ari.” Jason reached out to touch her hand, but she pulled it away.
“No, let me get through this.” She took a deep breath before continuing. “The pain was too much sometimes, and I had no idea how to deal with it. I started stealing things to make myself feel better. A candy bar here, a fruit punch there. Before you knew it, I was stuffing cashmere sweaters and Jimmy Choos in my handbags.”
“You shoplifted?” Jason raised his brows.
“It wasn’t about the money, it was about getting away with it and recapturing that rebellious streak I had shared with my friend.” She let out a long breath. “Eventually, it caught up to me. Leo was more understanding than I thought he’d be. He helped me set up ARI’S KIDS as a way to process my grief in a more healthy way. For a while it helped, but then the CFO was caught embezzling money, and Leo stopped trusting me to run it by myself.”
“Now he makes all of the decisions for you,” Jason guessed.
“Yeah. When Leo started controlling Ari’s Kids, it was as if I had lost a part of myself. I want to find it again, Jason. I want to feel my heart race in my chest and the wind in my hair. I want that rebellious freedom you take so much for granted.”
He toyed with the wrapper on his beer bottle as he considered her request. She honestly didn’t know how good she had it. People cared and looked out for her. He had never considered the other side—that all of that caring might come across as restrictive and suffocating.
“Okay,” he said. “But only a short ride, and I’m in the passenger seat.”
Ari let out a loud feminine sound of delight and jumped out of her chair. “Let’s go.”