by Kacey Shea
“I think I do.” I step back and raise my glass, rage still rolling through my body. “You take care, now.” I turn on my heel and walk away, leaving behind a two-hundred-pound weight I don’t need in my life. Fuck that guy. I might’ve torched that relationship and all his social connections, but I don’t need his money. Not that badly. Not at that cost.
40
Rachel
“That’s honestly the most romantic story I’ve ever heard,” I say to Chance after he finishes recounting how he and Aubrey met and got together. I turn to Aubrey with wide eyes, “Someone should write a book about you two. I would totally read that.” When she laughs, I raise my voice an octave higher. “I’m serious!”
Her smile lights up. She shifts to her husband, excitement in her tone. “Come on, babe. You know people. Let’s make it happen.”
“Whatever you want.” He dips his chin to kiss her lips.
“Couple goals.” I sigh.
“Yeah.” Aubrey leans into his shoulder and gives me a wink. “He’s not so bad. I think I’ll keep him.”
I like talking with Aubrey. Even though we only met a few hours ago, the conversation flows comfortably as if we’ve known each other for years. Even if I weren’t here with Jude, I’d want to be friends with Aubrey and Chance.
Jude’s gaze finds mine across the room, almost as if he’s all worked up. His eyes roam over me, eating me up with a hungry gaze. Anticipation courses through my blood, and my heart races at the thought of how much I want him to do that, but later and with fewer clothes. He stalks forward, a man on the hunt. My breath catches as I wait to be caught.
“Hey.” He reaches for me when I rejoin the group, pulling me to his side with a possessive touch.
“Hey.” I smile. “Everything okay?”
His jaw clenches before giving in to a grin. “Better now.”
I lean closer. “Miss me?”
“You have no idea,” he answers, a whisper in my ear and a gentle kiss against my cheek. One that promises more.
We head into the dining room, where we’re seated at our table with Chance and Aubrey, an older couple who serve on an animal rescue executive board, and one of the featured artists along with her partner. Chance is quite the storyteller, and there is something about his Aussie accent and charismatic personality that draws everyone in. I have another glass of wine, but switch to water when dinner is served. I notice Jude does the same and I’m not sure whether it’s because he drank enough last night for the entire month, or that he wants to be completely aware and in control later tonight. I hope it’s the latter.
The food is delicious. The company entertaining. I enjoy it all, but there’s an edge of anticipation for what later might hold that leaves me eager for the gala to be done.
After the dinner plates are cleared, Jude leans his body to mine, closing the space between our chairs and resting his hand on my back. “You ready to get out of here?” The promise in his words is unmistakable, but the sincerity in his gaze catches my breath. As if he’s not merely offering me a night of pleasure. He’s suggesting more. Am I ready? Probably not. But there’s nothing I want more.
There’s a commotion across the ballroom, near one of the exits. Heads turn and voices rise, a chorus of excited murmurs that layer and gather until they gain attention from the entire room. Any other time I’d be tempted to crane my head for a closer look, but right now I’m completely captivated by the way Jude’s palm rests low on my back. His thumb strokes my skin and lights every nerve ending in my body on fire. My core heats with desire and I have to concentrate on breathing so I won’t release an audible moan. “Yeah, let’s head out.”
“Oh!” Aubrey’s lips twist to a pout. “But you’ll miss Three Ugly Guys.”
“I’ve already seen them play.” Jude shoots her a glare, then leans down to whisper against my earlobe. “I’ll get you a private show from the band sometime. But please, dear God, do not make me wait another second to peel this dress off you.”
They’re one of my faves. Any other night and I’d do almost anything to hear them play live. But right now, there’s something I want even more. “I think we’ll pass. I’m really tired.” I force a yawn.
“Right. Of course.” Aubrey’s lips quirk up at the edges. “You look exhausted.”
“Make sure my buddy Jude takes good care of you.” Chance smirks, then waggles his brows.
“That’s enough.” Jude shoves to his feet and takes my hand. He narrows his gaze at Aubrey and Chance. “You’re supposed to be my friends.”
“We love you.” Aubrey laughs, standing from the table to give Jude a hug, and then me. “It was lovely to meet you. I want to have you over for dinner sometime.” She shakes her finger at Jude. “Soon. Promise?”
“Yeah, yeah.” Jude laughs, then embraces Chance.
Chance hugs me next. “Lovely to meet you. Don’t be a stranger, now. A friend of Jude’s is a friend of ours.”
I don’t know if it’s true or the warmth from the two glasses of wine I’ve consumed, but I walk away feeling as if I’ve gained a few more treasured friends. My circle is growing, and this new town doesn’t feel so cold anymore. In fact, it almost feels like home—the place I’m meant to be.
41
Jude
With my palm on Rachel’s back, sexual tension sparks at my fingertips, and my entire body aches to sink deep into it. The desire to touch and learn every square inch of her beautiful skin pushes me to direct her away from the valet stand and toward check-in.
“Uh, I think the cars are parked outside,” Rachel says, a smile on her lips.
“I can’t wait that long.” I realize I’m doing it again, making decisions without consulting her. A habit from my perpetual bachelorhood, but that stops now. My feet halt and I tug her arm, catching her in an embrace when her body sways with imbalance. “Rachel, will you please spend the night with me?”
“I was sorta hoping you were a sure thing.”
A laugh bursts from my gut at her joke. I like her confidence. Her feisty spirit.
I frame her jaw with my palm, loving the way her eyelids flutter at my touch. “I can’t wait another two hours to be inside you. I’m going to get us a room. Okay? We can drive back tomorrow.”
She nods. “But Walter?” She really is perfect. I love that she cares so much about my dog.
“I’ll message the front desk and they’ll walk him.”
“Okay.” She bites her bottom lip, and her eyes darken with desire. We might be in the middle of the hotel entry, but it feels as if we’re the only two people in the world. I have the impulsive need to claim her right here. Now.
I shake off the ridiculous thought. I’d lose my fucking mind if anyone saw her naked, or heard her come. I want those for me and only me. “Come on. Let’s get a room before I embarrass myself.
She giggles as I tug her hand and drag her toward the registration desk, but I’m not joking. Much longer and I’ll get arrested for indecent exposure.
Discreetly, I adjust my erection and book a room. I don’t even care how much it costs, and I offer up a prayer of thanks they’re not sold out. With our keys, we hustle to the elevator and ride to the top floor. Unfortunately, other guests do the same, so I can’t maul her on the trip up. My body is thick with tension, my muscles coiled and begging for release. I can’t look at her lips without wanting to kiss her, so I settle for stroking my thumb as low as I can along the seam of her gown. Fuck, she’s not wearing panties. I doubt a bra, either. God, I love this dress.
We make it to our room, and I shrug off my jacket as she flips on the lights.
“And I thought your condo was fancy,” she muses, looking down at the twinkling city lights of San Diego.
“Hey!” I act put off, but really I couldn’t care less. There’s only one thing on my mind, and it’s her. She smiles back, her body’s curves highlighted in that dress better than any view. I clear my throat, loosening my tie. “Can I get you a drink?”
She shak
es her head in the negative, and reaches up to the clasp at the back of her neck.
“No?” I swallow as a rush of nerves hit.
“No.” With the flick of her fingers, the top half of her gown falls, uncovering full breasts and rosy nipples as the rest of the fabric bunches at her hips.
I don’t know what my face does, because it’s as if I’m having an out-of-body experience. Or maybe I revert back to an adolescent teen. I can’t seem to do anything other than stare at her perfect, curvy body.
Her arms lift, as if she intends to cover herself.
“No.” The command barks from my mouth and I shake my head, stalking across the room to close the space between us. I encircle her wrists and pull them down and away from her body. “Don’t cover up, or try to hide any part of you. Fuck, Rachel,” I whisper her name, a prayer on my lips. “You’re perfect.”
She immediately shakes her head. “I’m not.”
“You are.” I drop to my knees, my face just under her breasts as I lift my head. She shivers as my jawline grazes her sensitive skin. “Did you miss how everyone couldn’t keep their eyes off of you?”
“I don’t care about everyone.”
“Damn right.” My hands abandon her wrists to cup her tits and squeeze. Her nipples pebble into hard points. “I couldn’t keep from staring.” I drop my gaze from hers to rub my face between her breasts. “Of thinking about how I wanted to do this.” My mouth opens and I capture one nipple between my lips, sucking it into my mouth, and laving it with my tongue. A shot of lust shoots down my spine, my dick begging to sink into her sweet pussy. But he’s an impatient bastard, and I’ve been waiting for this moment for what feels like forever. I’m not wasting it on a five-minute fuck. Her pleasure is my priority and I’m prepared to draw it out all night.
“Jude,” she moans, her fingers weaving into my hair.
I leave her breasts, kissing down her abdomen. With a shimmy of her hips, I pull the dress the rest of the way down her body. Inhaling the scent of her arousal only heightens my own. I need her. I need to taste her. To make her come. I need her to understand how badly I want this to happen. How much she means to me. “You are so fucking beautiful,” I say, glancing up to catch her gaze.
I lean closer, inches from her center. “This.” I splay my fingers wide on her hips, holding her to me as I close the space between us. “Fuck, Rachel.” My breath hits her skin and she bites her bottom lip. “I’ve been dying to know what you taste like.” Our gazes still locked, I open my mouth and press it to her folds. My tongue dips into her center. Fuck, she tastes better than I imagined. My lips still pressed to her pussy, I release a groan that sends a gasp to her mouth. I do it again. And again.
Licking, sucking, swirling, I use my mouth to draw sounds of pleasure from her lips. Each angle, movement, and use of pressure is an exploration of her body. I’m the student, and her orgasm is my only assignment. My face is wet and her thighs shaking when I finally come up for air. “What do you want?” I know she’s close. But there’s something holding her back. Preventing her from losing control.
“I want you,” she says, her voice tense and breathless. “I want to touch you.”
Fuck me. I nearly come at her request. “On the bed,” I say gruffly, then imagine how bad it’d hurt to send my balls through a meat grinder. Ouch. Yeah, that does the trick, and my erection wanes enough that I won’t shoot my load before I’m even inside her.
She lies back on the bed, her head resting on a pillow to meet my gaze. Her legs fall open and she fingers herself, watching me as I stare in delight. I love how comfortable she is in her sexuality. “Jude,” she moans before plunging two fingers into her wetness.
Yes. Fucking, yes. Working my fingers nimbly through the buttons of my shirt, I toss it to the floor and shuck my pants. I stalk forward, enjoying the show of Rachel pleasuring herself, and needing a closer look. I kneel onto the bed, my mouth watering for another taste of her pussy.
My erection bulges in my boxers, dying to be free, but I’m not sure that’s a good idea until he’s suited up. Shit! “Condoms,” I say, my eyes going wide with the realization I don’t have any. Fuck it. I bound to the side of the bed and pick up the phone, ready to dial the concierge to have a box delivered immediately.
Rachel’s hand grips my wrist. “I’m clean. I’m on birth control. I haven’t been with anyone since the last time I was tested, and, well, if you are too . . .” Fuck me. Is she really offering this to me?
“I always use condoms, and haven’t been with anyone since I was tested either.” My dick bobs in agreement, but I don’t want her to regret one moment of our time together. “If you want, I’ll go get condoms. We’ve waited this long, what’s a few more minutes? Whatever you’re most comfortable with.”
“I want you.” Her chin lifts and she presses up on one elbow to seal her lips over mine. “Now,” she whispers between kisses. The sweep of her tongue in my mouth draws a moan—from her or me, I don’t really know. “Inside me. Nothing between us.” She relaxes back onto the bed, dragging me with her.
I brace my hands on the mattress, kissing and punishing her lips with my mouth. Her hands go to the waistband of my boxer briefs, and with the help of her feet, she pushes them down my legs. I kick them off the rest of the way. My mouth moves to her breasts.
She grips me in her hands, stroking my length until I’m so hard I might explode. “Jude.” She scoots down the mattress so we’re perfectly aligned. My cock dips into her folds, wetness coating the tip. “Please.”
My intention to go slow flies from my mind the second my hips thrust forward. Wet. Tight. Heaven. Her body grips my length. I still, savoring the pleasure of this moment. I kiss her, rolling my hips to pull out, then plunge in deeper. “Good?” I ask.
Her gaze lifts, and the soft smile that plays on her lips fills my chest with pride. “So good.” Her fingers scratch my back on their way to my ass. She swivels her hips. “Don’t be gentle. Fuck me.”
The last of my resolve snaps like a broken rubber band, and I make it my mission to give her everything she asks for. Sweaty bodies. Ragged breaths. We come together over and over, fast and slow, hard and deep. I refuse to orgasm before she does, which makes this time a battle of wills and a challenge of biology. Each time I get too close to the edge, I back off, taking a moment to lavish her breasts with my mouth.
I wouldn’t have it any other way. The delay of my release builds the connection between us. Whispered words of praise. Demands. Begging. It heightens my senses, my awareness of her needs as much as my own.
“Fuck, Rachel. You’re so good.” I pump my hips with everything I have, altering my position to stroke her clit with my thumb.
That does the trick.
Her moans come faster, louder. Her body thrashes. She digs her fingers into my skin. “Don’t stop.” She bucks her hips. “Oh, God. Don’t stop. Don’t stop.” The chant continues as she flies over the edge and her entire body shudders. Her pussy tightens and my dick responds, finally shooting off the load I’ve been holding back the entire time I was inside her.
A groan roars through my chest and my muscles tighten as I come. But even through my release, I continue to stroke her clit. Drawing out her pleasure. She rides it like a surfer catching a ground swell.
“Don’t stop.” I wouldn’t dream of it.
Finally, on a ragged breath she sighs, her body going soft into the bedsheets. “Oh, God. Jude. Don’t ever stop fucking me.” A laugh bubbles past her lips. “You are really good at that. Fuck. I came so hard.” She tips her chin up and weaves a hand through my hair, pulling me to her for a kiss. “Good?”
Is she kidding me? “So. Fucking. Good.” I enunciate each word with a thrust of my pelvis and even though I’m not hard again, my dick gives a little kick at the idea of more.
Laughter drains from her face, desire stealing its place. “Can we do it again? Already?” She glances down between our bodies. “Can you—?”
“Get hard? For you?�
� My pulse races, heart hammering in my chest. I’d do just about anything for this woman, and while the thought is terrifying, it doesn’t scare me away. “Absolutely.” I claim her lips in a kiss that tells her everything I can’t say with words. That she’s perfect. That I don’t deserve her or this happiness. That I want it anyway.
42
Rachel
“Wake up, beautiful.” Jude’s gruff, gravelly voice breaks through my haze of sleep. His hand rubs along my hip and his body cocoons mine from behind. I shiver at his touch, and snuggle back into his embrace. His body is like a heater and better than any blanket. “Morning, Rachel.” He presses a kiss to the back of my neck.
“Hey,” I say, cracking my eyes open for the first time since last night. I’d turn to kiss him, but my breath is no doubt horrible. The image of every naughty, delicious thing we did last night races through my mind. I want to do it all again. My eyes flutter shut again, and I arch my back, delighted at his hardness pressing against my ass. I’m not the only one. Thank, God.
He releases a groan and the sound scatters goose bumps all over my body. “We should probably head back.” His hand comes up to knead my breast.
“No.” I shake my head, pressing back and tilting my hips so his hardness aligns with where I’m already wet. “I never want to leave. Let’s stay here.”
“Forever?” He brushes my hair to the side and presses a kiss to my spine. His hips move in rhythm with mine, thrusting forward each time I press back. His cock rubs over my slick folds, but he doesn’t push inside. Instead, he tortures me with sensual kisses. “What about Walter? Who will take care of him? And your job? You don’t want to no-show tomorrow.”
“Okay, we can leave.” I bite back the urge to groan. “But only if you promise more of your mouth. On me.”
“I think we can arrange that.” He wraps one arm around my stomach, dragging my back to his muscled chest, then skirts his fingers low on my abdomen. Dancing them around my center, teasing my clit until I can’t take it anymore.