Beg For It

by Angie Daniels

  “Ms. Phyllis are you checking on me?” he asked and planted a kiss to her cheek.

  “No, I’m just so excited that you agreed to do the benefit calendar that I thought I would come down and watch. I hope you don’t mind?”

  “No, not at all,” he lied. He would prefer not to have an audience. He was embarrassed enough as it was.

  Braden stepped into the room and clapped his hands together. “Ready to get started?”

  Stefano looked over at him and nodded. “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  He heard Ms. Phyllis chuckle, knowingly.

  “Alright, let’s start with you straddling that chair and relax. I want candid shots of you with your shirt off. The ladies will love it!”

  Stefano blew Ms. Phyllis a kiss and was headed over to the makeshift scene when someone walked into the room. His heart thumped beneath his ribcage.

  Kat.

  Slowly, she sauntered into the room wearing a white sundress and orange sandals.

  “What are you doing here? Is Jayla okay?” he asked, searching her eyes.

  “No, she is still as retarded as ever.” She blew a long breath and then rolled her eyes. “I came down here to tell you the same thing I told her—you’re a fool if you let her go.”

  His shoulders sagged with relief. Jayla was okay. “She doesn’t want me. What am I supposed to do?” he replied.

  “Beg. Fight for her.” For several moments, neither of them spoke.

  Ms. Phyllis looked from one to the other with a puzzled expression. “I’m going to leave the two of you alone.” She smiled, then waved goodbye as she departed the room.

  Braden made an impatient sound. “Are we ready?”

  Stefano shooed him away. “Give us a moment,” he said. His eyes never left Kat.

  “Steph, please, when you get back to the West Coast go see her. Jae has gone through so much in her life, but I know she wants you.”

  He didn’t respond.

  “Do you want her?” she asked, head cocked to the side with attitude.

  “I love her,” he answered without hesitation.

  A smile curled her lips. “Idiot, then go after her.”

  12

  Jayla was standing out on her balcony, staring off at the Utah Mountains when she heard soft footsteps and the rustling of bushes. Her head whipped around and there he was coming up the stairs.

  Stefano.

  He was much more handsome than she’d remembered. He moved toward her like a panther on the prowl while she stood there waiting, unable to move. He was wearing jeans that hung low on his waist and a white beater. The muscles at his arms were gorgeous and powerful.

  “I’ve been waiting for you,” she purred.

  “Show me,” Stefano said, then stopped and stood directly in front of her. “Take off your clothes.”

  While Jayla slipped the short nightie over her curves, his gazed burned down the length of her body, sending heat along its quest. She tossed the material away then waited, nipples aching with anticipation.

  “Have you ever fucked outside before?” Stefano asked as he lowered the zipper of his jeans.

  She swallowed and shook her head. “No.”

  He smiled and tugged the denim down over his thighs. A long slow breath escaped Jayla’s parted lips when his beautiful cock sprung free, surrounded by dark curly hair, and then her tongue dipped out from between her teeth at the sight of the plump head.

  Stefano stepped out of his jeans, and then removed his t-shirt. Jayla’s breathing became heavy when Stefano reached out and caressed her breasts. Sighing, she leaned into his touch as his fingers stroked, massaged then caressed again, and when he pinched her nipple, she cried out in delight.

  “You miss me?” he asked, and Jayla whimpered and nodded her head.

  One of his hands slid down along her stomach. Jayla felt lightheaded and dizzy the lower his hand descended.

  “Do you have any idea what I’m about to do to you?” he told her.

  She shook her head.

  “I’m going to punish you…for walking away from us.”

  “I….”

  As he leaned in and captured a nipple between his teeth, a loud ringing coming from somewhere, interrupted their erotic interlude.

  Dammit, another dream!

  Confused and dazed, Jayla rolled over searching for her cell phone somewhere on her night stand.

  “Hello?”

  “Jayla, what are you doing?”

  She groaned. Her coworker and lunch buddy always knew how to ruin the moment. “Robby, why are you calling me so early?” she groaned.

  “Early?” he shrieked with his larger than life personality. “I was calling to remind you we have a staff meeting in an hour. Where are you?”

  Still feeling groggy, Jayla opened her eyes and as soon as she glanced down at the slender watch on her arm, she jackknifed on the bed. “Oh my God! It’s eight o’clock.”

  “No kidding.” He chuckled.

  Jayla jumped out of queen-sized bed and rushed into the adjoining bathroom. “I overslept. I’ll be there as soon as I can. If Lee comes looking for me, tell him I went downstairs for coffee.” Everyone knew the breakfast cart on the main floor was known for its long lines.

  An hour later Jayla rushed over to her desk in time to grab a note pad and pen.

  While heading toward the conference room, Robby leaned in close and said, “Girlfriend that must have been one hell of a dream.”

  Jayla groaned. He had no idea.

  * * *

  Jayla left the office shortly after five, hungry and feeling anxious. As she boarded the elevator, she tried to figure out what it was that was bothering her so much. Sure, the day had been typically long and there were contracts to review but it had all been a blur. All she could think about were the dreams she had been having about Stefano for the last three nights. Each one had felt realer than the last and left her longing to see him again.

  The elevator landed on the first floor and once the doors open she stepped off and moved across the marble floor of the federal building.

  “Jae!”

  The voice snatched her breath away and when she swung around and found Stefano taking long strides in her direction, her heart rate accelerated. At first Jayla thought it was a dream but after closing her eyes and finding him still heading her way, she realized Stefano was really here. As soon as he reached her Jayla was throwing her arms over his shoulders and leaning in for his kiss.

  The kiss was hard and possessive. Jayla returned the kiss hungrily. This was what she had missed. This was what she had craved. Stefano increased the pressure and her entire body vibrated with so much need she ceased the battle she was having within and surrendered to the moment. She had missed him so much! Jayla closed her eyes and concentrated on Stefano’s mouth, instead of the pounding of her heart. He tasted and sucked until she opened her mouth. Instantly, his tongue slid inside, moving with slow, sensual strokes.

  Burning with the need to touch him, Jayla cupped his face between her hands and then caressed his stubbled cheeks and warm skin. Stefano deepened the kiss, swirling his wicked tongue around hers until she moaned in his mouth and raised her head.

  “What are you doing here?” she asked, staring up into his intense gaze.

  “I still have a week left on my leave. I figured there was nothing I rather do than to be with you.”

  A slow, nervous smile claimed her lips. “I’m so glad you came.”

  * * *

  Stefano couldn’t believe she was really here, walking out the building with him hand in hand.

  As soon as he had arrived in Las Vegas, he went home for the night, checked his mail and packed another bag before he headed up to Utah. Kat was right. He needed Jayla in his life and was willing to do whatever it took to make that happen.

  “I’ve got a taste for a steak. What about you?”

  “Steak sounds great.”

  Stefano followed her home. Jayla parked her VW Bug in the lot, then climb
ed in on the passenger side. A few minutes later, he led her to the door of a popular steak restaurant that had come highly recommended. As soon as they stepped inside, the smell of charcoal beef hit his nose and he heard Jayla’s stomach growl. Reaching over, he covered her hand with his. “I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who’s hungry,” he teased.

  “I missed lunch today,” Jayla admitted.

  Within minutes they were escorted to a table near a window. Stefano helped Jayla into her seat, then moved to the other side. As soon as he was seated, he glanced around the room, eyeing the country and western photos and memorabilia mounted on the walls until their waitress arrived.

  “Today’s special is a twelve ounce, bone-in rib-eye, baked potato and coleslaw, for twelve ninety-nine.”

  Jayla looked at him and nodded. “That sounds good to me.”

  He held up his fingers. “Make that two. And I’ll also take a sweetened tea.”

  “Me, too,” she stated.

  The waitress scribbled across a small pad. “Alright. Two specials with iced teas coming right up.”

  As soon as she moved toward the kitchen, Stefano leaned forward and said in a low voice, “Hey babe.”

  Jayla met his gaze and blushed. “Hi. Are you going to tell me why you’re really here?”

  Reaching across the table, he took her hand in his. “I told you why. I missed you. I wanted to see you again.”

  Her eyes dropped briefly to the table. “I missed you, too.”

  He smiled. “Now you’re talking my language.”

  Curiously, Jayla crossed her arms. “I like you. That’s never been a secret.”

  He stared at her and paused before saying, “And that’s a beginning.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it.

  She stared at him, studying his eyes, and he could tell she saw what he was thinking.

  “I never thought I’d see you again,” she admitted.

  “I told you I didn’t have a problem coming to see you. Did you think I was joking?”

  The corner of her lips tilted upward. “I guess I did.”

  “Sweetheart. I’m full of surprises, but I’m a man of my word,” Stefano replied with a wag of his eyebrows.

  Jayla laughed while Stefano tried to keep a straight face, but eventually gave in and laughed along with her.

  Their waitress returned with the drinks and he thanked her, then brought the straw to his lips and sipped. “Wow! This tea is really good.”

  “Locals come here just to buy the tea by the gallon.”

  They talked about the reunion, and then the calendar photo shoot until their food arrived. His stomach growled the second the waitress lowered the plate to the table. As soon as she was gone, Stefano cut into his steak and moaned. “Wow! This is good.” Medium-rare, just the way he liked it.

  “Mmmm, this is my favorite steakhouse,” Jayla moaned.

  Stefano felt that sound all the way down to my groin. They were both quiet, enjoying their food and listening to the sound of soft music in the background.

  “This city is beautiful,” Stefano managed between bites.

  She shrugged. “Yes, the mountains here are beautiful. and then we have The Tabernacle at Temple Square.”

  Stefano frowned. “This place has you. That’s all I care about.”

  Jayla’s eyes widened and she stared at him for so long before she drew a long breath. “You shouldn’t say things like that.”

  “Why not?”

  She shook her head. “I don’t know. It just sounds so misleading.”

  He leaned across the table and made sure he had her full attention. “Then maybe it’s time for you to give it some serious consideration. I want to be with you, Jae. Nothing about that has changed since you left Hampton.”

  After Stefano took care of the bill, he escorted her out to his car and plugged in the address she provided into his GPS. She was so quiet, he reached over and took her hand in his. “What are you thinking about?” he asked.

  Jayla glanced over at him before staring out at the traffic ahead. “I’m thinking about how much I enjoy being with you.”

  He smirked. “I hope that’s a good thing?”

  “Oh, it’s definitely a good thing.” She breathed, and her words caused his body to stir.

  By the time he pulled into the complex, the parking lot was quiet.

  Stefano came around and opened the door for her. She stepped out of his car and tried to get past him, but he was blocking her way. “Thanks for having dinner with me.”

  “The pleasure was all mine,” she said softly. The word pleasure had a weird effect on him and Stefano felt his insides heating. Pleasure was something he’d been missing from before Jayla came back into his life.

  They gazed at each other for a long, intense moment before he said, “Invite me inside.”

  “Why?”

  Stefano took a step closer. “Why?” He smiled. “Do you really have to ask?” The air around them snapped, crackled and popped with sexual tension.

  She licked her lips nervously. “It might complicate things.”

  “Maybe, but I want you and that’s not about to go away.” He pulled her tighter. “Invite me in.”

  Jayla had to tilt her head to meet his eyes, and then gave a light nod. “Okay.”

  They walked over to her luxury first floor apartment. She turned the key in the lock and he stepped inside to a stylish and sophisticated room that screamed Jayla.

  As soon as the door was shut, Stefano dropped his lips down over hers, his tongue opening her to him. When his tongue touched hers, he heard a moan.

  Bringing her arms around his neck, she locked her fingers together and leaned in closer. Her smell surged through his veins. The kiss was hot, urgent and damn irresistible, everything he’d been waiting for. Her taste. Her smell. The feel of her body against his. He pulled her closer, and yet it still wasn’t close enough.

  Stefano slid his hands down her back, rounding her hips and cupping the swell of her bottom as he lifted her gently off her feet. Another moan slid from her lips. His hand slid around to the front of her dress and cupped the swell of her breasts. Stefano kneaded, stroked, while his index finger circled the peaks, straining in response. He wanted her so badly his body hummed with need. A need to possess and make her his.

  As soon as they reached her bedroom, he wasted no time taking off her clothes. Reaching up, he filled his hands with her warm breasts, then leaned forward and sucked one hard chocolate tip into his mouth and then the other.

  “You sure know how to make …”—she stopped to gasp“—“a woman feel special.”

  “Do I?” He stared at Jayla and shyly her eyelids fluttered closed. “Then how does this make you feel?” Stefano slipped a hand between her legs and brushed a finger through the damp curls, then pushed inside. She was slick and wet, and her soft moans made him smile. “I’ll take it you enjoy that too?”

  “Oh my,” she whispered.

  Stefano began to slowly pump his finger, followed by another and Jayla gave a helpless little roll of her hips. He brought his mouth down to lick the side of her neck then started pumping and twirling his wrist at a frantic pace until he felt her body drawing close to release and abruptly he slowed his thrusts. He wasn’t ready for her to come.

  “Don’t stop!” Jayla whimpered in a low breath.

  “Stop? We are just getting started,” he told her, lifting his head.

  Stefano carried her over to the bed. Gently, he laid her back on the mattress and wasted no time covering her body with his.

  With a desperate cry, she brought her legs up close to his body and Stefano filled her with one hard stroke.

  Jayla cried out helplessly. He gazed down at her. Eyes closed. Lips parted with desire. He braced his hands beside her head and pumped his hips with slow deep strokes. “Raise your legs,” he ordered and once she locked her ankles around his waist he rose up and began plunging as hard as he wanted.

  “How does that feel?” He purred
in her ear.

  “It’s… too much!” she cried.

  “Does it hurt?” he asked as he shortened his pumps and instead winded his hips in a circular motion allowing her time to stretch and accommodate.

  “No! It feels…”—she managed between thrusts—“good.…”

  “Good.” And with that he thrust as deeply he could get, screwing her with steady pumps of his dick. Jayla moaned and cried out and he couldn’t stop, didn’t even slow down. His cock felt so good buried inside of her heat, he was unable to control the storm brewing inside of him.

  “Yesss!” she shouted. “Please don’t stop!”

  His thrust became frantic and powerful and just as she cried out with release, Stefano exploded.

  Stefano collapsed beside her, dazed, and gasping as he listened to her shallow breaths. He rolled her over to lie on his chest and Jayla released a long breath as his fingers stroked her back and shoulder.

  “I want more Jae.”

  Jayla groaned. There he goes again.

  “Did you hear me?”

  She blew out a sigh. “I heard you.”

  “Well?”

  As she closed her eyes, she said, “I like things the way they are.”

  “And what is that exactly because I’m confused?”

  “I don’t want another relationship.”

  “Why? I want to be with you and no matter how much you try to fight it, I know you want to be with me too.” He watched her, his brows drawn together.

  Jayla drew in a deep shuttering breath. She wanted to be with him so bad and that’s what made it so hard. “It would be just too hard trying to have a long-distance relationship.”

  “No, it won’t, not if we both want us bad enough.”

  She was quiet a tad bit too long. Stefano sat up on the bed. “Every man isn’t alike. I’m sorry some asshole ripped you off, but—”