Tragically Flawed

by A. M. Hargrove

  Shan winced while she explained. Before he thought about it, he asked, “What would he do to you?”

  Riviera was silent. It dawned on Shan why she wasn’t talking. “I’m sorry. That was an inappropriate thing to ask.”

  In a soft voice, so soft he had to strain to hear her, she said, “You should know. I won’t tell it all to you, but he broke my arms a few times, right here.” She pointed to her arm between her wrist and elbow. “He would twist or jerk them until they snapped. He’s broken a few of my fingers, and multiple ribs. He used to push me down and kick me. He dislocated my jaw and broke my nose. He was sadistic, to say the least. Jasper also had a thing for knives. He liked to carve things on me and he, um, he bit me a lot.”

  Shan paled at her description, and his fists clenched as he thought of the pain that jackass had inflicted on her. “Fuck, Riviera. What a bastard.”

  “Yeah, he was one mean son of a bitch. I ended up at the hospital a lot. But I wouldn’t go when he cut me because then I’d have to admit he was doing it and God, I was so fucking ashamed. I mean, everyone thought I was this bright, happy girl, and in reality, I was living in fear every damn day. It was pretty bad.”

  The waiter came to remove their salad plates and deliver their entrees. When their food was delivered, Riviera looked up at Shan with a crooked smile. “I hope I didn’t spoil your dinner with all this. I probably shouldn’t have been so outspoken about it with you. Which, by the way, is a little weird, because I’m normally extremely private about it.”

  “Riviera, even though it’s a terrible story, I’m glad you shared it with me. It shows you trust me.” He reached for her hand and held it a moment, but then he surprised her when he brought it to his lips and kissed it. “I’m more amazed by you now than ever. You’re so strong.”

  “Oh no, Shan. I’m not strong at all. Quite the opposite.”

  His eyes drilled into hers as he asked, “How can you say that? You fought back and lived to tell about it. There are so many who don’t who end up irreparably broken.”

  The bond between their eyes was so strong, Riviera couldn’t tear away from him. “I am broken, Shan. And I’m flawed.”

  “We’re all flawed, Riviera. You’ve experienced something tragic, but it didn’t break you. You broke it and got out.”

  “Perhaps. Time will tell, I suppose.”

  “I want to help. Let me.”

  She nodded and smiled weakly. “I think we need to eat and not let this wonderful dinner go to waste.”

  He touched her hand again. “Riviera, this meal is meaningless compared to you. We don’t have to eat unless you want to.”

  “I do. And I also want to hear more about you. You know I don’t know very much at all.”

  Shan answered her questions as they enjoyed their meal.

  “So construction? How and why?”

  He laughed. “Family business. Grandfather, dad, and now me.”

  “Do you like it?”

  “Love it. But I’m obsessed. Hell, I don’t have to tell you that.”

  She laughed. “No, but at least you’re good about it. Unlike Marsha Sue, or should I say, Lucifer?”

  “True, although some of my former workers would probably disagree.”

  “College?”

  “Yep. Double major. Purdue University. Construction engineering and construction management.”

  “Whoa! I’m impressed. How many years?”

  “Four. But I started early. I graduated from high school early. Well, my mom started me early and then they moved me up a grade in elementary school. I was always trying to keep up with my older brother.”

  “Shit, Shan.”

  “Shit, Shan and shine-ola.”

  “Huh?” she asked, puzzled.

  He laughed. “It’s a family joke. My brother and I would always laugh at ‘shit, Shan.’ And then he added the shine-ola part. Don’t ask. We were stupid adolescents.”

  “Are you two close?”

  “Not as much as we used to. We have our issues.”

  “Why’s that?”

  His eyes took on a distant look. “It’s a long story. I’ll tell you someday. He’s a great guy, though. You’d love him. All the women do.”

  “What’s his name?”

  “Grayson, but we call him Gray. My sister’s name is Peyton. My parents are both great. They all live in Boulder. It’s where the company is based, but I’ve expanded the business here and run this portion of it. My division has exploded and, you probably already know this, Shandon Homes is now the number-one construction company in the state. It’s funny, really, because I had to beg my dad to let me open this here.”

  Riviera smiled. She loved how much pride he took in his company, and he deserved it—he worked his ass off.

  “Why do you have such a damn sexy grin on your face?”

  She was surprised at having her smile seen as such. “Me?”

  “Riviera let me assure you, you sure as hell are that and much more. It’s there when you’re painting, it’s there when you’re sitting, it’s with you all the time, sweetheart. You exude sexiness.”

  She grinned, never knowing how great compliments made her feel.

  “Thank you, but I wouldn’t exactly call this snaggletooth of mine sexy.”

  “Oh, Riviera, I wish you could see what I see.”

  Riviera suddenly felt like a stack of hot buttermilk pancakes and Shan’s voice was the warm maple syrup running all over her, dripping down her sides and seeping into every single pore. She swallowed and licked her lips.

  “Please don’t do that,” he asked.

  “Do what?”

  “Get that utterly kissable look on your face and then lick your lips like you’re thinking of something so delectable you can hardly stand it.”

  She swallowed again because he’d read her mind.

  Dropping her gaze to her lap, she cleared her throat and pushed the last bite of her filet mignon around her plate. “The food here is excellent, Shan.”

  “I thought you’d enjoy it.”

  The waiter slid a small dessert menu on the table as he passed, but the only thing Riviera wanted in her mouth now was Shan’s tongue. She felt her face warm with the thought and squirmed in her seat.

  Noticing, Shan said, “I can’t stand it any longer. What’s on your mind over there?”

  Thinking about pancakes and … other thoughts, she said, “Dessert.”

  “Yeah? What kind? I’m sure it’s chocolate, right?”

  “Nuh-uh.”

  “Cheesecake?”

  “Not even close.”

  He looked at her closely. “If I were a brave man, I would guess you were thinking of something totally inappropriate.”

  “Find the courage, Shan.”

  Shan threw back his head and let loose a loud laugh. “I think I just did. You ready to get out of here?”

  “Mm-hmm.”

  He paid the bill, reached for her hand, and helped her out of her seat.

  “Riviera, where would you like to go?”

  “Anywhere but home.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  Dessert

  Without appearing too presumptuous, Shan wanted to take Riviera to his place, but he didn’t want to offend her by asking. He decided to throw the ball in her court.

  “So, any ideas?”

  “Is this coy Shan, or are you afraid to ask me to go home with you?”

  He laughed again. “I’ve been busted. And yes, I was afraid. I don’t want to offend you or do anything you might construe as inappropriate.”

  “Then let me clear things up. Let’s go to your place because I have a roommate and I’m not interested in going there and making small talk with her. Unless, of course, you’d rather spend the rest of the evening chatting with Amie.”

  He chuckled and said, “I think you know what I want.”

  They drove to his house, nearby in Beaver Creek. Riviera expected some huge, grand home, but was surprised to see it a smaller fou
r-bedroom, rustic lodge.

  “Not what you were expecting?”

  “No, actually. After all the work I’ve done for you, I expected some huge monstrosity.”

  He chuckled again. “Wait’ll you see the inside.”

  They pulled into the garage alongside Shan’s truck and another car, a fancy sports car that Riviera wasn’t familiar with. When they walked inside, she knew she was in for a treat.

  Soft lighting illuminated everything. Stacked rock, huge timbers, and beautiful wood set the tone for the home’s interior. A traditional mountain home, Riviera fell in love immediately. A huge vaulted ceiling in the main living area gave an open, expansive feel, and floor-to-ceiling glass comprised one southeast-facing wall. It looked out on to a huge deck and one could only imagine the views during the day.

  “It’s astounding. Where is this place, anyway?”

  “That’s the best part. It’s on President Ford’s ski run at Beaver Creek, so if you like to ski, you just walk out the door in the winter, point those puppies downhill, and you’re golden.”

  “How long have you had this place?”

  “About two years. I snagged it right after I moved up here. I can’t wait for you to see it in the daylight. The views are freaking absurd.”

  Riviera ran her hand down the smooth wooden timber next to her. She looked at the artwork displayed on his walls.

  “Mark Chagall and Andy Warhol?”

  “Yeah. I sort of have eclectic taste.”

  “I love them both.” Her eyes scanned the walls until they landed on a very unusual painting that she had to inspect further. “Holy crap, Shan. Picasso?”

  “Yeah, it was sort of a steal at an auction.”

  “Yeah, right. Picasso’s are never steals. This is a painting and not a print. I may not be very savvy, but I’m smart enough to know that this wasn’t a steal.”

  He stood next to her. She felt his hands on her hips as he turned her to face him. “Let’s talk about Picasso some other time. I can’t stand not touching you. I have to kiss you, Riviera.”

  He’d been watching her hands, her long slender fingers as they’d run across the wood, and imagined it was him she was touching. His palms itched to feel her silky skin beneath them. When he could stand it no longer, his lips coaxed hers to open. When they did, his tongue leisurely ventured inside to lick and taste her.

  Riviera whimpered softly, enjoying how sensuous Shan’s mouth felt. It was sinfully erotic. Her core clenched in response to his kiss, like it did every time. This time, she decided she wasn’t going to run from it. She wrapped herself around him, entwining her arms around his neck and pulling him closer. When she heard him groan in response, she knew she was right on track.

  “Shan,” she murmured into his mouth, “I want you to repeat what you did the other day.” She didn’t ponder her boldness—she knew if she did, the moment between them would be lost forever.

  Shan sensed he was mistaken for he knew he couldn’t have possibly heard her correctly.

  “Hmm?”

  Pulling his shirt out of his pants and sliding her hands beneath it, she broke off their kiss and said, “I want you to do what you did the other day. And I want to watch again.”

  Her eyes grabbed his and Shan was suffocating. His diaphragm spasmed, as if the wind had been knocked out of him. Riviera’s hands were on his abs and now he knew he’d heard her accurately.

  She’d shocked the hell out of him. His face had turned ashen and he was quiet.

  Her regret at making such an outrageous request made her want to run for the hills. “Oh God, I’m sorry. I suppose that was the wrong thing to ask, wasn’t it?”

  “No, Riviera. It’s fucking hot as hell. I want to but I can’t promise I’ll last very long,” he rasped as he pulled her against him.

  She couldn’t speak for a second as she digested what he’d said. “It doesn’t matter, Shan. And I want to help.”

  “Aw, fuck. You have to stop talking for a minute or I’m gonna lose it right here,” he grated, as he attempted to gain control of himself.

  He grabbed her hand and placed it on his chest. “Feel that?”

  She nodded as his heart banged against her hand.

  “It’s all for you. I have to touch you. Intimately. Please tell me it’s okay.”

  “Yes. Please,” she begged.

  He brushed the back of his hand across her breast, back and forth, until she moaned. Then he reached behind her and unzipped her dress, pulling the top down until her bra was exposed.

  “You’re glowing, you’re so damn perfect.” He swept Riviera’s hair off her neck and left a trail of heated kisses from her ear down to the swell of her breast. Then he tugged her bra down, exposing a beaded peak, and rolled it between his fingers.

  Riviera moaned and tensed her thighs. His mouth was on her puckered nipple, licking and sucking. At first he was gentle, but then he increased his suction and added a little nibble to it, until she was squirming and begging.

  “Please, Shan.”

  “What do you want, Riviera? Tell me and I’ll do it.”

  In truth, Riviera didn’t really know what she wanted. A part of her was afraid but another part was so aroused, she didn’t know which way to turn. Every nerve ending screamed for his touch and begged for attention.

  “I don’t know. Help me. I’m so confused,” she pleaded.

  He picked her up and carried her to his room. Once there, he stripped off his clothes. He turned to her and said, “You want me to do myself. May I undress you?”

  “Can we dim the lights?”

  He got her. She was timid.

  “Anything you want. Just tell me.”

  He dimmed the lights but she was disappointed because he was so beautiful, and now she couldn’t see all the finer details of his body. She started to undress, but he stopped her. “Let me do that.”

  He took his time, kissing her and trying to ease her anxiety. Sliding her dress past her hips, he told her to step out of the puddle it created at her ankles. His hands never left her skin as they worked their heated magic across her breasts again, removing her bra along the way. He tantalized her with his mouth and tongue as he moved down to her lacy thong. Sliding the tips of his fingers along the top of the lace, he skimmed them between her hips, dipping lower until he touched the tiny patch of soft curls. Riviera groaned as she leaned against his hand, panting heavily. Hooking his fingers into the elastic, he eased it down her thighs, his mouth leaving a path of hot, wet kisses across her hips. When her panties reached her ankles, he placed her hand on his shoulder and told her to step out of them. Then from his crouched position below her, he looked up and said, “Tell me what you want, Riv.”

  There was only one thing she wanted—had wanted for the last two days—and that was to see him stretched out on the bed again. “Lay down on the bed, Shan,” she whispered.

  He did and she crawled next to him and ran the palms of her hands across his firm body. She was melting with the heat of caressing his taut muscles. She wanted to touch every part of him, every inch, and never stop.

  “Is it okay if I touch you too?” he asked.

  “Yes,” she murmured.

  She found herself on her back, him above her. He kissed her gently, then more forcefully as he sucked and nipped her lower lip. Shan felt Riviera return his kiss, as she drew his tongue into her mouth. He was surprised when she ran her thumb across his lower lip and then kissed it. He moaned as he moved away from her mouth and headed to her lovely neck.

  Riviera wanted his mouth back on hers, wanted to feel his lips. She whimpered at its loss. “Hmm, don’t worry, sweetheart, I plan on kissing you a lot more than just that tonight,” he whispered. Then his head dipped to her nipples where he alternated between each, manipulating and teasing them with his teeth and tongue. Riviera writhed and wrapped her fingers in his hair while she pulled him against her. He knew she was telling him he was pleasing her.

  His mouth moved from her breasts to her bel
ly. He lifted his head and asked, “Riviera, I need to have all of you on my tongue. Please tell me I can.”

  She didn’t know exactly what that meant, so she just said yes. He shocked the hell out of her when he moved between her legs and spread them apart. His tongue made one long sweep on the inside of her thigh, making her moan. He followed it with his teeth as he lightly nipped and then sucked her tender skin. Moving to her other thigh, he repeated this action as Riviera fisted the comforter, for she’d never felt such an unusual and erotic sensation. He’d discovered a highly sensitive erogenous zone she hadn’t known existed.

  When his hands moved to her slick sex and he spread her lips apart, she gasped and then tensed, for she never imagined he would do anything such as that and she feared this intimate action as well.

  “I promise not to hurt you, Riviera. If you don’t like this, just say the word and I’ll stop. Okay?” She nodded slightly and he lowered his mouth to her. Riviera gasped again when he ran his tongue along her slit in one long, slow lick and then began circling her sweet spot. He licked, sucked and nibbled on her clit, until she was dizzy with lust. She cried out and held his head against her. Then he inserted a long finger in her and curled it up as it moved inside of her.

  Fuck me crazy. What is he doing to me? He is going to make me come apart.

  Riviera was no novice where sex was concerned. However, she was inexperienced at having a partner show her pleasure and treat her with respect. She’d never dreamed anything involving sex with a man could feel so damn good.

  “Oh, honey, you’re so wet for me. I’m going to make you come for me now.”

  “Oh God, yes. Please, Shan,” she groaned.

  He began licking her again and moving his finger in and out. Riviera cried out when he inserted another one and they moved in sync with his tongue. She knew she was about to explode with orgasmic pleasure. She clenched and pulled his hair and soon she felt herself begin to contract, sending a current of more spasms that began at her center and culminated in the arches of her feet. She was writhing and crying out Shan’s name, while her back arched with his relentless tongue and fingers.