Her Confession

by S. Valentine

  He nodded. “I’ve cut back on work a bit. You were right; I did work myself into the ground. I’m going out more with the guys from work, meeting new people, and enjoying things that I usually took for granted.”

  “That’s great.”

  She watched as he downed the last of his drink. With his blond hair, blue eyes, and kind face, he was handsome. She was sure he wouldn’t be single for long. Someone who shared the same aspirations as he did would soon snap him up.

  “Well…” He neatened the collar on his crisp white shirt. “I suppose I better get off.”

  Gabi finished the remains of her drink and pulled her coat on. “Me too.”

  Lawrence paid for the drinks and walked with her outside. Luckily, the rain had stopped. They stood in the doorway for a moment, an awkward silence looming between them.

  “Well, Gabi, you take care of yourself.”

  “You too, Lawrence.”

  He offered her a gentle smile. “I just want you to know, Gabi, that although our relationship was boring at times; I meant what I said before. You will never find someone who loves you as much as I did.”

  Before Gabi could respond, he’d turned on his heel and set off down the street. His words echoed in her mind.

  Chapter Seventeen

  Darion

  Darion rolled onto his side with a loud groan. Slowly peeling his heavy eyelids open, it took them a moment to adjust to the daylight pouring through the open door. Surveying the room, he realised that he’d slept on the couch in his office. He ran his hands up and down his face, before dragging himself into a seating position. He grunted at the throbbing pain that shot through his aching limbs. He felt fragile, like he had zero energy. How long had he been out for? The last thing he remembered was having a lock-in with the girls, and the doormen Lennie and Travis. They’d talked, played cards, and drank until they’d all passed out. He had definitely overdone it. He licked his lips, which were dry and cracked. Desperate for a drink, he slowly rose to his feet. It took him seconds to drain a bottled water from the fridge.

  A knock at the door startled him.

  “Hey, Daz. You’re alive.” Lexi poked her head around the door before walking in.

  “What time is it?”

  “Half six.”

  Setting the bottle on the side, he leant against the desk. “You should have woken me, Lex.”

  “I tried, but you were dead to the world.”

  “Must have been some session.”

  “Oh, it was.”

  “Where’s Len and Trav?”

  “They crashed in one of the booths. They’ve just woken up.”

  Silence filled the air for a moment. Darion then remembered the confrontation with Eva. “Eva shouldn’t bother you anymore,” he informed Lexi, stroking at the stubble on his jaw.

  “Good.”

  “Let me know if she steps out of line.”

  “Oh, I will.” She swayed toward the door. “I better get back behind the bar. Get yourself cleaned up, Daz. You look like shit.”

  “Glad I can always rely on you to be truthful.”

  “Anytime.” She grinned and left the room.

  Darion headed for the couch, where he dropped down. He closed his eyes for a brief second before his mobile bleeping disturbed him. It sounded near. He dug his hands in the creases of the sofa and found it. He touched the screen. He had two missed calls, and three text messages. Gabi. His head dropped back as he focused on the ceiling. He’d forgotten to contact her. Knowing Gabi, she’d probably be driving herself crazy with worry. He knew she was a little uneasy about Eva’s return. Tapping his foot anxiously on the floor, he decided it was probably better if he spoke to Gabi in person.

  Sliding the mobile into his pocket, a grin surfaced on his face. Flashbacks of the night before invaded his mind. Apart from the Eva situation, he had had fun. He’d been so stressed out lately, especially with Gina leaving, that letting loose had been long overdue. Work hard, play harder, was Darion’s motto. Losing one hundred pounds at blackjack didn’t even dampen his mood. He shuffled down the sofa until he was lying down.

  ***

  It was two hours later when Darion left the club. He flung on his jacket and headed toward his Jeep, another of his beloved boy-toys. Once inside, he glanced at his reflection in the rear-view mirror. He screwed up his face in distaste as he realised that he did look like shit. His eyes were hazy, and his usually slightly tanned complexion seemed paler. Shoving a hand through his hair, as his fingers skimmed through the length, he decided that it definitely did need a trim. A shave wasn’t a bad idea either.

  “I like this look.” Nina, the stylist examined his hair, twenty minutes later.

  “Just take a little off.”

  “Okay.” She picked up the scissors and began chopping the ends of his hair. “How are things with you? You haven’t visited in a while.”

  “I’ve been busy.”

  “How’s the love life?” Her mouth curved. “A lucky lady tamed you yet?”

  “Me, tame?” He smirked slowly.

  “Tamer, then.” She giggled.

  “You could say that.”

  Darion felt invigorated when he left the salon. With his shoulders back and chin high, he strolled toward his Jeep. A grin hadn’t stopped straining his cheeks since he’d begun talking about Gabi to Nina. He didn’t know what was going on with his emotions, but he missed her a little. Climbing into the vehicle, he strapped his belt on and started the ignition. The engine purred nicely as he pressed his foot on the accelerator. He set off in the direction of Gabi’s apartment.

  He believed it was always best to confront problems face to face, rather than via phone. It was so easy to misinterpret what the other person was trying to say without seeing their expressions. He hoped they could resolve her being pissed at his lack of communication so he could kiss her pretty face, not to mention having his wicked way with her. He pictured her gorgeous body, bashful smile, and big brown eyes. He couldn’t wait to get his hands on her.

  Switching on the stereo, he nodded his head along to “I Feel You” by Depeche Mode that was playing.

  Tightening his grip on the steering wheel, he sped down the main roads. Coming to a stop at red traffic lights, he watched as a group of girls made their way into the crossing. Their eyes met his, and they giggled coyly. One of them braved a wave to which Darion nodded his head in acknowledgement before averting his stare. Gone were the days of securing women’s phone numbers and introducing them to the big bad world of Darion Milano.

  He stared up at the sky. It was beginning to get dark, the moon almost visible. Pressing his foot on the accelerator, he sped off, causing the tyres to screech on the tarmac. The group of girls had come to a standstill and watched until he was out of sight.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Gabi

  Gabi tightened the white robe around her body and hurried to answer the door. She expected it to be Mallory. They had plans to go shopping in an hour. The indoor shopping centre was always open until 10 p.m. They preferred not to shop on weekends, as the centre was usually far too busy for either of their liking.

  Yanking it open, she saw Darion leant casually against the wall. He looked up at her through his dark lashes and examined her intently. His eyes darkened with desire, his lips curling in a small smile. Gabi didn’t return it. She stepped aside, allowing him to enter.

  Before she closed the door, she spotted a silver Toyota Yaris slowly pass. Her throat and chest tightened as that same creepy feeling washed over her. She mentally ordered herself to stop being ridiculous. It probably wasn’t even the same Toyota she had previously seen. Shutting the door, she strode down the hallway, remembering she was annoyed with Darion.

  Shoving his hands in the pockets of his jeans, he strode confidently toward her, exuding a cocky air of arrogance. She got an overpowering whiff of aftershave.

  “What do you want, Darion?” she asked sternly, ensuring he knew she was annoyed. She entered the living room;
he followed.

  His stare locked with hers. “You.”

  “Oh.” She crossed her arms across her chest. “Well, you certainly make that clear. Did you forget how to use a phone?” She glared at him.

  “Don’t be mad, Gabi.”

  She shook her head. “It takes all of five seconds to text me back, Darion.” What kind of relationship was she in? She wasn’t a teenager anymore. She didn’t do game playing, chasing, waiting by the phone for a response. They were a couple. Sometimes she felt Darion forgot that. “Would I ignore you like that?”

  “I wasn’t ignoring you.” He stepped toward her, towering over her. “I was out cold. I’d never ignore you, Gabi.”

  “What do you mean you were out cold?”

  “I had a drink with Lennie and Travis.”

  Gabi tilted her head to the side. Was he omitting something? His tone didn’t sound so confident. “Who else was there?”

  Darion’s eyebrows pinched together, as if in disbelief. “The girls,” he said. “My employees.” He emphasised the word ‘employees’ as if to drum into Gabi’s mind that they weren’t anything other than that. “Gabi,” he said softly. “I lost track of time.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I’m sure I’ve heard that somewhere before.”

  “Don’t take everything to heart. It’s not that big a deal.”

  It is to me, she felt like yelling. It’s always push and pull with you. One minute, you’re all over me, and the next, you’re distant. Instead she remained silent, sticking her bottom lip out like a petulant child. She didn’t do well with feelings of insecurity. Couldn’t handle it.

  His tongue darted across his top lip, prior to a slow dangerous smirk crossing his face. “I like it when you’re angry.”

  Ignoring him, Gabi turned on her heel to get dressed. She jumped, startled, when Darion quickly caught her around the waist. Twisting her around, he said, “You wanna show me how mad you are?” His hot breath tickled her neck, sending a tingle down her body. He took her earlobe between his teeth and tugged on it hard.

  She pushed his arms off her. “I have to be somewhere. Sorry.”

  “Don’t do this to me, Gabi,” he pleaded.

  “I’m meeting Mallory.”

  “It won’t take long.”

  Before she could protest, he lifted her swiftly into his strong arms. His fierce eyes―full of longing―swept slowly over her body. Gabi felt her heart swell at the way he openly desired her. Her insecurities vanished for a moment, and she reminded herself that it was her he loved, her that he was with.

  Regardless, she attempted to push him off, even though her body strained toward his. There was a powerful magnetic pull between them, which Gabi was helpless to stop. As he laid her against the cold wooden surface of the table, Gabi swallowed, waiting for his next move. She couldn’t deny that she was extremely frustrated.

  She felt her muscles relax when her mind realised there was no point in fighting him off. It was out of her control. She wanted him. She could never resist.

  Taking hold of the cord of her robe, Darion slowly pulled it loose, his stare not leaving hers. She gasped in surprise when he grabbed hold of her wrists. Carefully and slowly, he wrapped it around her wrists, binding them together. He forced her arms above her head, demanding that she stay put.

  “Darion…” She wriggled her wrists. “I want to touch you…it’s not fair.”

  “I’m the one that needs to make it up to you.” His tone was low and husky, seductive as always.

  She took in the stubble that shadowed his defined jaw and cupid’s bow. His full lips. So kissable. So tempting. His hair hung down his neck, but it was a little shorter than she’d last seen it. She wanted to bury her hands in it, to grip it roughly, to pull him into her for a rough, passionate kiss. She felt a pulsing sensation between her legs, and a stirring in the pit of her stomach. She squeezed her lids tightly shut for a moment, hating that everything about him so thoroughly aroused her. She was desperate to be angry at him, but like always, she’d lost that battle.

  The silk of her robe brushed against her skin as he whipped it open. His black pupils dilated as he took in her naked body. He ran his hands gently and slowly up her legs.

  She inhaled sharply, feeling herself melt under his touch. He was now caressing her thighs, parting her legs wider. She felt a blush heat her cheeks and bit her lip, willing herself to not feel so vulnerable and exposed. His desire clouded gaze locked on hers as he positioned himself between her legs.

  His thumbs skimmed back and forth over her nipples, making them tingle and stand to hard peaks. Gabi squirmed slightly as heated pleasure tore through her. He continued to circle, tease, and taunt her nipples, a look of dark hunger covering his face.

  When he lowered his head, he kissed a nipple prior to taking it in his mouth. Gabi threw her head back, clenching her fists. His breath was hot on her skin, his tongue warm and wet as it flicked over it. He was gentle at first, and then his suction was fast and greedy as he got carried away, low grunts of appreciation escaping.

  He moved across to her other nipple, lasciviously taking it between his teeth, and tugged. Gabi felt herself moisten as pain collided with pleasure. Her legs stretched, and her toes curled when his fingertips now met her swollen clit, rubbing it in gentle circular movements. Her sex throbbed, bringing on internal muscle spasms with the need, the desperation to be filled.

  “I could lick, suck, touch, and fuck you for hours,” Darion said, his voice firm and ferocious. Dangerously gleaming eyes stared up at her, his mouth parted, letting free soft pants of desire.

  “I could let you,” Gabi murmured breathlessly as he carefully inserted a tantalising finger.

  She writhed against the table as another finger plunged in. Her hips circled onto them, wanting more. He slipped his fingers in and out repeatedly, making her gasp and arch her back. She was so wet, so hot with arousal. When his fingers burrowed in deeper, moving in and out even faster, she cried out. Darion smiled at her lewdly.

  “Come here, Darion.” Impatiently, she tried to break free from the cord around her wrists. “Untie me.”

  “Not yet.”

  He withdrew his hand and whipped off his top, tossing it aside. Gabi marveled at his strong physique. His jeans hung low, revealing the perfect sculptured V below his abdomen, and the top of his Ralph Lauren boxer shorts.

  His hand reached down and unzipped his jeans. His irises, full of salacious longing, fell on hers as he pushed himself forward and into her. Gabi felt herself slammed against the table as her body accepted his thickness and length. Gripping her by the waist, he anchored her body to his as he plunged in and out slowly.

  Gabi swiveled her hips, matching his rhythm. He picked up the pace, pounding into her powerfully, filling her completely. She pressed her lips together to muffle her moans. His fingers circled her clit at the same time, leaving it pulsing and tingling. Heat surged through every cell in her body. She felt flushed and light-headed when he worked his hips faster, unable to take the pleasure that overwhelmed her. It was too much. Her muscles throbbed around him, and she knew she was on the verge of exploding.

  “Darion,” she cried out in frustration, trying again to free her wrists.

  He ground his teeth as torment twisted his face. Gabi wriggled, wishing she could reach out and pull him in for a kiss. Her inner muscles gripped his cock, a delicious burning sensation filling her. She pushed her body closer into him. Aching and needy, she took in a deep breath as intense waves rippled through her, an orgasm building.

  “Gabi.” Small guttural cries eased from his throat.

  Her breathing became erratic as her thighs clamped around his waist. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as they rocked in synchrony. It was heavenly. When Darion leant forward, his tongue finding hers, she knew she’d be unable to hold out for much longer. As his tongue brushed against hers hungrily, possessively, their teeth clashing together, her stomach tightened.

  “Ah…�
� She threw her head back.

  “Gabi.” Darion pressed his forehead against hers. His jaw twitched, and she knew he was struggling to keep in control, on the verge of falling apart. He seized her face in his hands. “I care about you so much,” his tone was stern. “I hope you know that.” She felt exposed, like he could see right into her soul—her fears and insecurities of losing him. Instead of feeling reassured by his words, she felt even more afraid of losing him.

  “I do,” she responded breathlessly.

  As he drove into her one final powerful time, she was filled with tendrils of ecstasy. She screamed out, her stomach clenching, her sex pulsing around him, her body shaking. An orgasm exploded through her, making her body tremor.

  She heard Darion cry out incoherently as he climaxed deep inside her. His fingers dug into the delicate skin of her waist. After a few more grinds into her, he stilled and collapsed.

  With his head resting against her bare chest, she could feel the soft blowing of his breath, which tickled her skin. She could feel the beating of his heart against her own. She breathed in his masculine scent, and savored the moment; all feelings of anger she had for him long vanished.

  “That was so good…” she managed to say, whilst trying to catch her breath. “Shit! Mallory’s here.” She sat up abruptly at the sound of the doorbell.

  Darion pushed himself to his feet, tucking himself away and zipping up his jeans.

  “Quick, untie me.”

  He unhooked the cord, releasing her. Gabi hastily wrapped the robe around herself. She watched as Darion pulled his top back on. She frowned; disappointed she couldn’t spend longer with him.

  “Let Mallory in. Tell her I’m just putting my jacket on.” She hurriedly headed for the bedroom.

  “Hey,” Darion called her back.

  She turned around.

  He didn’t even have to speak and she knew exactly what he wanted. Shaking her head in amusement, she stepped forward and planted a kiss on his lips. Snaking his hand around her waist, he deepened the kiss, his tongue meeting hers, wrestling with it. She moaned out as he kissed her roughly, savagely.