by M. E. Gordon
“Can I come in? Your brother told me you usually slip to your room during these events.”
It must have been Chuck that sent him because I knew Teddy was fuming somewhere and the last thing he would do would be to send a man to my room.
Jumping off the bed, I checked my make-up. I made my way to the door when I realized--Shit! I don’t have underwear on! I was one leg in, one leg out, when the door handle started turning. Shit, shit, shit! I jumped on one leg into my closet just as the door opened all the way. I thrust the other leg in and shimmied them up as fast as I could. Only me!
I walked out the closet to see Simon closing the door behind him. I went to sit on my bed as Simon twisted toward me. He undoubtedly noticed my puffy face and red eyes.
“Hey, what’s the matter?” he asked as he walked over to me.
Pulling me to my feet, he engulfed me in his strong arms. I couldn’t very well tell him that another man had just fingered the heck out of me and then confessed he was falling for me, only to leave me on the side of the road for vultures to pick over. Not happening.
How can I feel so strongly for such different men? Is there something wrong with me? I couldn’t deny the lust I felt for Spencer, yet I felt safe, protected, and cared for standing there engulfed in Simon’s arms. I’m really screwed up. No wonder men usually stay away from me, and here I thought it was my size.
“Are you thinking about your parents?”
Oh thank God, he said that. I can totally run with that topic.
“It gets to me every once in a while, especially during nights like tonight.” I made sure to give a little smile to show I was okay.
“I’m here for you if you need to talk.” Real concern etched his face, as if he had just been told really bad news. His body tensed around me, and his eyes drifted elsewhere.
It almost felt like he wanted me to say no, that I wasn’t upset about my parents. He couldn’t know about Spencer, could he? I reached for his cheek, turning his face back to me.
“Are you okay?” I asked.
“Huh? Yeah, I’m good, just concerned about you.”
You know, I think he’s an even worse liar than I am. I don’t buy it. “Really? Because you kind of went blank a second ago.”
Looking into my eyes a little more seriously than needed, he held my hand in his. “I’m just glad that I’m the one that’s here to comfort you,” he said, caressing my cheek.
I smiled up at him, still not totally convinced that it was just about me being upset about my parents. Honestly, I was too tired to try to figure anything else out right then. All I knew was that in the short time that I had gotten to know Simon, I knew he would never leave me if he didn’t have to and, for that, I was thankful.
The soft kiss Simon put on my lips quickly turned deeper. He ran his hands up and down my back. Finding my zipper, he hooked a finger between my skin and the dress, letting it seductively unzip. He flattened his hand against my back, until I was flush against him, and unhooked my bra with ease. With the release of fabric around my chest, I took a much-needed breath.
Panic set in. What if he can somehow smell or sense I was with someone else? That would be devastatingly embarrassing. Do men have a sixth sense about that kind of stuff?
“Simon--I--” I tried to concentrate between his kisses. “I’m not sure if right now is--”
I was quickly cut off when his hand covered my mouth and a wicked grin spread across his face. “Elizabeth, it’s been a long, sexually frustrating day for both of us. Now is perfect and much needed.”
Crap, how do I say no to that? I knew it was wrong and, in some sick way the universe would get pay back, but maybe this was where I was meant to be. Held safely in Simon’s arms and not Spencer’s. After all, he did say he was no good and I shouldn’t be with him. Fucking jerk! He was just playing me. Screw Spencer, I hope he gets crabs!
I slid his suspender straps off and pulled his tucked shirt out. He ripped his shirt off the rest of the way and brought himself back to me. I freely explored his broad chest and gently planted kisses along his collar bone.
It was a different feeling with Simon, slow and gentle, whereas my earlier escapades with Spencer probably left bruises. The raw intensity to be as close to Spencer as possible was exhausting, if only for the brief time we spent together. I wasn’t sure which was better, but right then I needed Simon and his gentle touch to help suppress the crazy girl inside me who still wanted any part of Spencer she could get her hands on.
Watching my dress fall the rest of the way to the floor, I stood in front of Simon as vulnerable as I had ever let myself be.
“You are beautiful, every single inch of you. I’m going to take such better care of you, I’m not leaving--”
I looked up at him and felt the color drain from my face. He knows, he has to.
“--until I kiss every inch of your body.”
The familiar flush of embarrassment filled my cheeks. Maybe I’m just paranoid.
A caressing hand ran down the middle of my chest, grazing against my breasts. Closing my eyes in pleasure, I made sure to keep breathing. His soft hand made its way down to my stomach. I sucked it in--habit of mine--took his hand, and walked back to the bed.
“I think you still have too many clothes on,” I said, being in only my underwear, while I eyed up his fully clothed bottom half. I undid his pants, letting them fall to his ankles. Only his black boxers stood between me and the lust I saw beneath them. “I hope that you turned your phone off. I’d really hate to have to throw it out the window.”
We both laughed, thinking about all the times we had been interrupted before.
“Don’t worry; no one will be calling me tonight. I’m done with work for now,” he said, smirking down at me.
Stepping out of his shoes and pants, he laid me down on the bed, covering me with his solid body. Cupping a breast in his hand, he rubbed his thumb back and forth. Leaving kisses down my neck and chest, he brought his gaze back up to me.
Feeling brave, I kept my eyes locked on his while I felt my way down his chest and over his abdomen. Jealously sank in as I realized he didn’t have to “suck it in.” I grabbed him through his boxers, tugging on him roughly, because I was still irritated that he had never had to worry about a flabby stomach. Damn gym rat.
Adjusting himself in between my legs, he moved my hand and pulled it off of him. He shook his head and took my underwear off. Lifting my hips off the bed, I helped move it along faster. His hand slid back up my leg, giving me chills as I could only guess where he was headed next. Simon’s fingers ran softly over the joint of my leg and inner thigh. I let my eyes roll back in my head as his thumb circled my raw flesh. Thank God he was so gentle with me. I hadn’t realized how sore I was.
I opened my eyes to watch him but was a little disappointed that I wasn’t met with dark hair and cool, blue eyes. Instead, I saw the warmest, caring, brown eyes staring back at me.
Reaching over the bed, he pulled out a condom from his pants and glided it over himself. This is it. We’re actually doing this.
So many nights of being interrupted and thinking that maybe he wasn’t into me were gone. The only thing I was left with was the fact that he wanted me. I could feel it between my legs. There was no faking that.
I took a deep breath, preparing myself because after we did it everything would change. There was no going back to just playing around and having fun. Things were going to get serious. So all excuses about Spencer would be worthless. I would be in the wrong.
Seeing the fear in my face, Simon leaned down and whispered in my ear. “I won’t hurt you.”
Those four, simple words meant more to me than he could ever know, to me they told me he wouldn’t run or leave me stranded in a cold hallway.
As he entered, I inhaled sharply, hissing through my clenched teeth. It had been a while since the last time, or maybe all the other, two, men I’d been with were just no comparison to Simon.
“Are you okay? If you don’t
want to, we can stop,” he said, halting over me.
“No,” I said hastily. “It’s just, been a while since, you know...I’m fine,” I said, trying to move under him to keep going.
“Wait a minute. You’re not a virgin, are you?”
Is he kidding me right now? A virgin? Am I that bad?
“No!” I snapped at him, irritation oozing from my pores. I sat up as much as I could and leaned back on my elbows to glare at him.
“Okay, okay. Calm down. We never really gave a list or number or anything, not that I care,” he said, with a crooked smile.
“Well, I’m not, so whatever.” I flopped back down and crossed my arms over my chest. My bravado was officially popped.
Leaning over me, he kissed my cheek while I was looking at anything but him. “You’re so hot when you throw these little tantrums.”
I tried to stifle the growing smile on my face. I punched his chest then quickly grabbed him around the neck pulling him closer for a kiss.
Filling me, he rocked slowly, taking his time while I got used to him. It was sensual and special. He didn’t take his eyes off of mine. At times, I wanted to look away, hide my face, but I couldn’t. I melted into him, letting pleasure take over. Time once again stood still as we moved together. A deep growl came from his lips, as if he’d been holding back, but wasn’t able to any longer. His body turned rigid as he slammed into me a few more times, clearly finding his release.
Collapsing on top of me briefly, he withdrew and rolled over to lay his head on my torso. “I’m so sorry. I tried to hold on longer but, damn, you just took any will power I had away with these hips.”
I sat up on my elbows, smiled down at him, and squeezed his cheeks like an annoying aunt on holiday. “It was perfect, Simon. Don’t worry. We have plenty of time to build up your stamina. Are you sure you aren’t the virgin?”
“Give me twenty minutes and I’ll show you stamina,” he said, squeezing my ass.
***
As I lay in bed, with Simon sleeping soundly behind me after our night of working on his stamina, I tried desperately to fall asleep. I stared blankly across the dark room, trying to put my mind to rest. Five hours ago, I was willing to give up on the man who was next to me, all because of a feeling, a chance meeting, and a few passionate moments. What was I thinking? That someone like Spencer, a powerful, handsome man, would even consider being with me? I was a charity case. His partners’ little sister.
I found myself arguing with my own reasoning. Why couldn’t I just shut up and see what was right in front of me? Simon was perfect, a gentleman, caring, and funny. Spencer? Spencer was dangerous.
His words echoed in my mind. ‘Everything I say is true.’
And the little girl inside me, who dreamed of love at first sight and fireworks when you kissed, wanted to believe him, but I how could I? He’d just left me standing there.
Chapter 15
The next morning, Simon and I made our way down to the kitchen. My brothers were sitting at the table, going through all the donations. As Charles was unfolding one, he choked on his coffee.
“Holy crap!” he managed to say between coughs.
“What?” we all said in unison.
“Here, look at this!”
Charles handed me the check. Looking at the number, I had to take a double take to make sure I was reading it right. Usually people would donate a thousand or, if they needed a good tax write off, maybe five thousand. The number that appeared on this check nearly took my breath away. One million dollars! Someone had donated one million dollars to our little cause. I quickly scanned the check to see who this generous person was. Spencer Salvatore. The info at the bottom of the check said nothing but For Elizabeth.
Snatching it back from me, Charles gave it to Teddy to look over. I glanced up at him, praying that he didn’t call attention to the fact that Spencer gave that much, for me.
“I told you it would be all right to invite him,” Charles said, proud of himself. “He only came for what, an hour? He dropped this massive check off, then left.”
“Yeah, well let’s just keep it strictly business with him from now on.” Teddy’s voice was deep and stern.
I knew for damn sure that was directed at me.
I caught Simon looking at the check over Teddy’s shoulder. Shaking his head with a half-smile, half-sneer, he turned away from us and headed for the coffee pot. I immediately got up and followed him.
“Nice sized check, huh?” I said, bumping the side of him.
“Yeah, I’m sure all that money will go to a better cause than he could ever do with it.”
I frowned up at him. “Got beef?” I asked only half-jokingly. Why would he have a beef with Spencer? They don’t even know each other.
“Nope,” he said, smiling back down at me and kissing the tip of my nose. “Not anymore.”
I was speechless. Oh God, they know each other? I feel faint. Someone get ready to catch me.
“Hey, you okay? I’m kidding. I don’t even know the guy. Just jealous he has so much money, that’s all.”
Oh, thank God. I have enough issues without them knowing each other. Geeze, could you imagine if they were betting on who would sleep with me first? Disgusting.
We all hung out at the house before we boarded the family plane for home. I let Simon know that I finally found my phone, some random excuse about finding it in my luggage.
As we touched down and exited the plane, Simon got that infamous call from work, so off he went. To be honest, I was glad. I needed a night by myself to really figure things out, not that there was any figuring out to do. Spencer was gone and Simon was here. The choice was clear. But I had to get it all off my chest. I couldn’t carry it on my own any more.
***
“Why the hell didn’t you tell me?”
I ducked quickly as a pillow flew over my head. Okay she’s only a little mad at me.
“I wanted to, really I did, I just--” I side stepped as a half empty water bottle landed on the floor next to me. “Shit, Gia. I forgot,” I said as a pitiful excuse.
“You forgot? You forgot to tell me Spencer Salvatore, the number one sexiest man in the world, was leaving you secret, love notes!”
Okay, maybe she’s really pissed. “Don’t be so dramatic, Gia. It’s over. No more notes or run-ins,” I said, slumping down on the couch.
She slammed a pillow at my head and connected that time. I deserve that. After explaining everything to her, all the suppressed emotions I’d been holding in the past twenty-four hours finally crashed through. I tried to hold it together but, she could tell. That was what best friends did. They just knew.
“I don’t know, Gia. What should I do? Keep pretending Spencer never happened? Do I tell Simon I can’t be with him? Oh crap, I should have never have slept with him. Shit, I might be in love with someone that I have only talked to four times. That makes me sound crazy. I’m clinically crazy and losing my mind, aren’t I?” Covering my face with my hands, I turned on the couch and curled up in the fetal position.
“Aww, Beth,” Gia said, comforting me. She sat next to me as I sat back up on the couch. “I can’t believe you’ve been keeping this to yourself,” she continued. “I mean, obviously I knew about Simon, but Spencer--I thought that was all fabricated by the press. I had no clue you actually felt anything for him.”
“Ha, neither did I until Friday night,” I said, shaking my head in disbelief.
“You really feel that strongly for him that you were willing to leave Simon?” she asked skeptically.
“Yeah, I know it’s stupid, but I just had a feeling that...I don’t know how to describe it. He makes me nervous, excited, and hot in all the right ways.”
The physical ache I’d felt in my father’s office, the need to be as close to him as I could, was making my heart race like it had that very night.
I was brought back by the sound of Gia’s voice. “I can’t say that I have ever had that happen to me, but I do know Simon, and
I know that he wouldn’t leave you like you said Spencer did. Maybe what your brother said about him being bad news is good. I’d hate to see you get hurt and ruin something good with Simon over someone like Spencer.”
Instantly, I wanted to defend Spencer, but I didn’t. I knew there was logic behind her words.
“Beth, you might have this heat-in-the-moment feeling for Spencer, but Simon has been here, putting in the time, the effort, to get to know you. I know you care about him. You seem happy when you’re with him.”
I took in all that she’d said and filed it away.” So, your advice to me is to stay with Simon and forget about Spencer?” I snapped, irritated because, deep down, I wanted her to tell me to go after Spencer, go with that butterfly feeling, but she didn’t. She suggested I forget it all like a good dream and get back to reality.
“Yeah, I think that’s what I’m saying--kind of. I’m just trying to play devil’s advocate here, get you to see both sides because you sound like you’re only thinking about one side.”
Slumping back, I raised my arms in the air all dramatically. “God! Why me?” I screamed. He couldn’t just send me one hot guy. He had to send two, at the exact same time!
“Well, it’s not like you have to make a decision right now. You’re not marrying the guy. You’re not marrying him, are you?” she asked, looking quizzically at me.
“No! I’m not marrying anyone.”
“Good, so you slept with Simon. Big deal. Guys do that shit all the time to girls. They sleep with someone then move on. Doesn’t mean you can’t do the same to them. If hottie Salvatore wants you bad enough, he shouldn’t care what Teddy or anyone else says. He should just come after you full force.”
Maybe she was right. Maybe if Spencer really believed what he told me, he shouldn’t walk away because of Teddy’s threats. There was just one small problem. He’d already walked away from me once.