Simone wiggled with him, helping him slide it over her head before he tossed the dress onto the floor. In just a bra and panties, she felt the cool air tingling against her skin for only a moment before his body covered hers again.
She ran her hands down the front of his chest, finding each button on his shirt and making quick work of undoing them before she pushed the fabric off his shoulders and let it fall to the bed beside them.
They continued kissing, feasting on one another as her hands explored every rigid inch of his perfectly sculpted body. Hell, she'd known he was fit just from looking at him, but his clothes had hidden just how muscular he truly was. His stomach was a ridged terrain of abs and a perfect V pointing down toward his jeans, which was her next mission to remove. She began undoing the button but couldn't get it to work for some reason.
Grant quickly leaned backward and unfastened them himself, shoving the jeans down his legs and kicking them off the edge of the bed. Tight briefs covered his bulging package but did nothing to hide exactly how large and ready he was.
She squirmed as she watched him, wanting every inch he had to offer. Reaching behind her own body, she unfastened her bra and then tossed that off, pulling her panties down her legs last.
His eyes flamed as he watched her and then quickly removed his own briefs. Both entirely naked, he pressed her back into the mattress as his hands found her breasts while he kissed her. Smart, delicate movements, he manipulated her nipples, cupping the weight of her breasts in his hands as she arched against him, wanting more. He kissed down her jaw line, trailing down her neck to her collarbone, until he took her nipple between his lips. His tongue flicked over the tip.
"Ah!" Her body jumped at the sensation, both eager for more and already feeling pushed past the breaking point.
His teeth grazed her, her breath catching as he made steady work of sucking and nibbling and devouring her breasts until she was certain she was ready to come from that alone.
"These are perfect," he said, the sound vibrating against her skin. "Absolutely fucking perfect."
Nerves began to swell up in her belly at his compliment. It was so affectionate…so hungry…so full of emotion and want. "Grant…"
"Mmm…" He hummed against her skin.
Simone pushed against his shoulders lightly. "Grant, wait…"
His gaze slid up to hers, hovering over her but keeping his weight off of her. "You okay?"
She swallowed hard. "Yeah…more than okay, but…"
Grant moved to the side, stretching out across the bed next to her. "But?"
"I don't do this," she said, her fingers fidgeting with the blanket beneath them. "I don't just jump into bed with different men every night. I don't want you thinking that about me."
He smiled and shook his head. "I definitely don't think you're like that, Simone."
She pushed up on her elbows, turning to look at him. "Really? Because we just met and I'm naked in your bed."
His tongue slid over his bottom lip as his gaze grazed across her body. "I'm fully aware." He cleared his throat. "We don't have to do anything, but I definitely don't see you as one of those women. Simone, you've had to deal with more than I've ever experienced in my life. Just based on the little bit you told me earlier about yourself, your entire life revolves around other people. Seeing this side of you? The side that throws caution to the wind and just does what you want? That's a damn relief. Everyone needs those escapes."
"The distractions?" she teased, turning on to her side and tracing her fingers across the muscular line that crossed his hip bone and dipped lower.
Grant growled lightly. "What do you want tonight, Simone? Think about just you. Just your wants. Tell me, and I'll do it."
Her breath quickened as different desires crossed her mind, begging her to put herself first just this once…just this once. She wanted to dive in, take for her own pleasure. She wanted him. "I want this…" she finally responded, her voice breathy and low.
"Specifically, Simone." His eyes flared, a tiny smile grew at the corners of his lips. "Tell me…"
She knew exactly what she wanted, but asking for it? That was something she'd never done before. Simone cleared her throat, leaning her body into his. "I want…I want your mouth."
Grant brushed his lips past her cheek, moving to her ear. "Where do you want my mouth?" he whispered, gruff and heady.
He kissed down the line of her neck, his tongue sliding against her skin. Her body writhed forward, fire swirling in her belly at the sensation. "Where, Simone…"
She swallowed hard, taking a deep breath. "Between my legs."
Grant smiled and pushed forward against her, laying her back on the bed before he moved down the length of her body. Her knees were driven apart as he settled between them, his lips on her stomach and then her hip bone…and then her thigh. His tongue slid across the skin on her inner thigh, sending a trembling wave through her as he got closer and closer to her core. In slow, taunting circles, he moved closer and then he was there. His tongue flicking across her core and her clit as she her back arched off the bed at the contact.
"Oh!" She gasped but her hips pushed forward, wanting more.
Long, slow licks mixed with short, teasing circles around her clit made her entire body shake with every sensation rolling over her. Every worry that usually plagued her mind—her parents, her responsibilities, her career—all of it disappeared as for these few minutes she focused on one thing—pleasure.
The decadence of being purely selfish was something she hadn't tasted in years, and here was an almost stranger, demanding she give it a try. Damn, she was glad she did.
When her climax hit, she nearly catapulted off the bed, but Grant gripped her hips and held her to him as he licked and sucked until her body finally quieted.
"God, you come hard when you let go," he said, a huskiness to his voice that made her skin prick with excitement. He climbed back up her body, pressing her down into the mattress with the heaviness of his own muscular frame.
His lips were on hers again when she reached between them, wrapping her hand around his length. Thick and hard, he swelled against her palm as she stroked him. Despite her recent release, the tension was already building inside her again, and this time, she wanted him.
Grant groaned, his forehead to hers, then slid his hand between her legs, finding her clit once more. He ran his finger in circles over her, pushing her closer and closer to the edge again as their lips warred with one another. Fast and forceful, they kissed like they were fighting.
He reached into the nightstand drawer beside the bed and pulled out a small foil packet. Soft crinkling joined the sound of her heavy breathing as he unwrapped the condom. Then he slid it over his dick and positioned himself at her entrance. She thrust her hips toward him, wanting it now, but he pulled back.
"Eager?" The corner of his lips turned up in a grin.
Simone swallowed, her breathing heavy as her chest rose and fell with anticipation. "Yes…"
He thrust inside with zero hesitation, zero warning, and it was everything she'd hoped it would be and more.
"Grant!" She gasped his name as her body trembled against his, working to accommodate the sheer size of him. Splintering stars burst behind her eyelids as every glorious thrust brought her closer and closer to spiraling over the edge.
"God, yes…" Grant kissed her neck, nipping her flesh. "You're so fucking tight around me." He stilled for a moment as they both adjusted to the filling sensations. Her entire body felt ready to tip over the edge at that alone, but she held back, wanting it to last. She wanted to feel him inside her again and again, each thrust more powerful than the next.
She couldn't even believe she was here, or what she was doing. It was so unlike everything she was, and yet, there was something about this moment that felt completely right. That felt like her. That felt like this was who she'd been all along if only she hadn't been denying herself for years.
Her next orgasm hit her without warning,
suddenly knocking her into the shattered abyss as he thrust into her harder, deeper, faster. Then he was coming next, holding himself as deep as possible, grunting against her neck as they were pinned together so tight.
When she could finally catch her breath again, Grant slid to the side and dropped to his back on the mattress beside her. She stared up at the ceiling, their legs still tangled together, just trying to find her breath and calm her racing pulse.
"That was fucking incredible." Grant finally broke the silence.
"Mmm," she agreed. "Amazing."
Despite every desire to stay immobile in bed, Simone forced herself to her feet and headed to the bathroom. Once she was all cleaned up, she stared at her naked body in the mirror. Tattoos splattered her rib cage, arm, and shoulder, but now there were small red marks and bites across her neck and breasts, too. She smiled at the recent memory and headed back into the bedroom.
Grant was still stretched out on the bed, his eyes closed.
"I should probably get going," Simone said, grabbing her dress off the carpet.
"What?" Grant opened his eyes, confusion on his face.
"Just saying goodbye," she continued, nerves now swarming inside her as the awkwardness settled in.
He was still practically a stranger, and this was clearly a one-night stand—something she'd never done before. She wasn't sure what the etiquette was, but she knew enough about men to know that when the deed was done, it was time to go.
Grant leaned across the bed and pulled her dress from her hands, tossing it onto the floor on the other side of the room. "Get your cute little ass back in this bed, Simone."
She chuckled. "Round two already?"
"Mmm…maybe later." Grant pulled the sheets down and climbed under them, gesturing for her to join him. "But first, we're going to cuddle."
"You want to cuddle?" That was new.
She climbed under the sheets next to him, letting him wrap himself around her and pull her to his chest.
Grant kissed her cheek. "Yep, all night."
Simone smiled and closed her eyes, but she wasn't sure whether she was touched at the sweetness of his gesture or if she was terrified at the intimacy of the moment. His arms wrapped around her, his soft breathing in her ear as he fell asleep…it was so vulnerable, so personal, so…real.
Simone wasn't the girl to have a one-night stand, but she also hadn't ever been long-term either. And Grant? Well, she didn't know who the hell he was.
Chapter Seven
Grant opened his eyes the next morning and turned to look at Simone. Instead, he found rustled sheets and an empty bed. Frowning, he sat up and glanced around the room. Sure enough, her shoes and dress were gone.
Sighing, he climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Turning on the faucet, he set the water to hot before he got in and began washing. He honestly wasn't sure why he was bothered by the fact that she had left. It had very clearly been a casual exchange, a spur-of-the-moment decision led purely by physical desire.
And yet…that wasn't true. He was interested in a lot more about Simone than just her fantastic body. Hell, just thinking about her body made him hard again. He gripped his length, sliding his hand up and down slowly.
The way she'd writhed beneath him, panting, calling his name…it was one of the hottest things he'd ever seen. He'd had his share of women—though he'd never been the manwhore type—and yet, there was something about Simone's pouty lips, her fire-filled eyes, that made him crazy with need. Having sex with her should have gotten it out of his system, but he was even more ready to go now than he had been last night.
Grant pumped harder, groaning at the images from last night that flitted through his mind until he finally released. "Fuck…"
Quickly, he cleaned up and finished his shower, climbing out and drying off with a thick, hotel towel. He made a call down to room service, ordering some breakfast, and then checked his cell phone.
An unknown number had texted him, the notification popping up across the screen. Thanks for last night ;)
Grant smiled and tapped back a quick reply. I'd rather be thanking you in person for this morning, but you're not here.
He waited a moment, watching for the bubble to appear that indicated she was typing a response back. None came. Sighing, he placed his phone back down and finished getting dressed. He had a lot of work to do today anyway, so he wasn't going to focus on the vixen who'd rocked his world and then left him high and dry the next morning.
A knock came at the door of his suite at the same moment his phone rang.
"Hello?" Grant answered the phone as he walked toward his hotel door.
"Grant, it's Andrew. We've got a lead."
Grant sighed, never loving the conversations with his lawyer. Even if it was good news, it was still just honey on a pile of shit. "What's the lead?" He opened the door, letting room service in. The attendant moved quickly with a courteous nod, setting up breakfast on the dining table for him.
"She's using a pseudonym, and apparently that name was last seen on a flight to New York."
He tipped the attendant as the young man left, closing the door behind him. "She's in America?"
"Potentially." His lawyer sighed. "But there's a downside to this. It doesn't look like she's spending any of the money. We can't prove that she's the one who embezzled everything unless she's caught with the cash."
Fuck. "And until that happens, it looks like I took everything."
"Exactly. Don't plan on touching down in New Zealand anytime soon."
He had no plans to return to someplace where his arrest warrant was ready and waiting for him. What a goddamn mess. It was one thing that the woman he loved ran off with his best friend. That alone had broken his heart into a million pieces. But she'd also wiped their accounts cleaned, embezzled from the composer's association he was the chairman of, along with several other boards they were on, and left enough evidence behind to point the finger at him.
"How are you getting me out of this, Andrew?" Grant asked. "I finish up my current project within a month."
"You're flying to London next, right? You'll be fine there while we sort this out."
Grant shook his head, even though Andrew couldn't see him. "I am, but I can't just never go home. I still have my parents there."
"Fly them out to London with you. You're getting decent paychecks from these jobs."
It wasn't the same. Sure, he was comfortable with money, but he'd still lost everything he'd been saving for a future. Though, it wasn't really relevant anymore since the future he'd planned for was already gone.
"Just do me a favor, Grant," Andrew continued. "Keep your head down at work and focus on that. Don't stir up any waves over there. No women, no parties, no—"
"Fun?" Grant finished for him. "You want me to just stay a hermit? Hard pass."
"I'm serious, Grant. As stupid as it may sound, you have enough heat on your name that anything else on top of it would just be a disaster. Stay out of the spotlight. Stay out of trouble. And whatever you do, stay the fuck away from Serena."
Like he had any plans on ever seeing his ex-wife again. "She's not coming here, so don't worry. I want nothing to do with her."
"Good. I've got to go, but I'll keep you apprised of any developments." With that, Andrew hung up the phone.
Grant sat down to eat his breakfast, tossing his phone onto the table beside him. His lawyer didn't need to worry. He had zero plans for causing waves. Hell, he'd never been one to get in trouble before he'd met Serena anyway, but she was a whirlwind of a woman who'd come into his life as quickly as she'd left. They'd only been married a short time, and he was so sure he'd been in love with her but looking back…it was infatuation. It was lust, and maybe a little excitement. She was a daredevil who pushed the limits and pushed him out of his comfort zone as often as she could.
But the brakes were on now. She'd left him enough of a mess to clean up that he wasn't about to go make more of his own now. His thoughts flickered back
to last night—Simone. Seeing her would be messy. Hell, it could jeopardize this entire job if things ended badly.
Grant took another bite of his eggs and thought it over. He couldn't afford the fall out—financially or personally—if things with Simone went south. Not right now. Not when things were so tense in his life.
Whatever they'd had, he was leaving it behind in last night.
Chapter Eight
"You're still off-key and butchering this line," Grant said, staring Simone down from where he was sitting at the piano to one side of the set.
Simone clenched her jaw, already irritated at the nonstop criticism he'd had the entire rehearsal so far. Since the moment she'd gotten onto set this morning, he'd been either ignoring her completely or negatively commenting on her performance. This movie was being shot like one live play, and so there were no do-overs or second chances. She knew she had to get it right, but that didn't mean she was failing that badly. Hell, she was pretty damn good.
She shifted her weight onto one foot and glared at him. "Maybe you can do better, then?"
"I'm not the singer, sweetheart," he replied. "But I don't need you destroying my melodies."
Simone turned to the director. "I need to take five."
Mario Cruz gave her a small nod. "That's probably a good idea. It's actually getting kind of late in the day. Let's call it a wrap until tomorrow."
Simone was immediately relieved. Honestly, she wasn't sure what the hell Grant's problem was today. They'd had an amazing night last night, and she really hadn't thought it would affect them working together.
Clearly, she had been wrong.
Taking off for her trailer, Simone wanted nothing more than to pour herself a nice glass of red wine and get lost in some trashy reality television. Despite her annoyance with the genre as a whole, she had to admit that it was incredibly entertaining to watch housewives' petty squabbles or anything Kardashian.
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