by Candace Shaw
But Blythe hardly heard her. She couldn’t believe that she’d trusted Preston. She thought he could possibly be the one, but now this was just a reminder that a cheetah’s spots would never change. Preston was a player. He loved the attention and his sexual encounters with different women. But she couldn’t blame him. She could only blame herself for actually believing that he cared for her when all he really wanted was sex. Heck, he probably got a kick out of her sitting next to Marissa. Two of the women he was juggling sitting next to each other and not knowing it had to be a real turn-on for him. Probably the reason for his devilish grin.
Seething in silence, Blythe comforted Tiffani, who was upset about the cupcakes that weren’t going to be used. It helped her to restrain herself from going over to Preston and cursing him out in front of everyone.
* * *
Sipping his bourbon, Preston frowned at the naked pictures on his cell phone as he erased them with Broderick and Braxton watching in utter disbelief. Yes, Marissa had an amazing body—he wasn’t even going to deny that—but she and the pictures weren’t doing anything to stir him. There was only one woman he wanted now, and she sat directly in his view.
“So, I’m assuming you aren’t interested in her?” Broderick pried. “I didn’t know you two were dating—or rather, had dated.”
“We never did,” Preston stated firmly. “I met her at a business mixer last month, and we had a one-night stand that was horrible. I’m actually surprised to see her here.”
“She’s a real estate associate of mine,” Broderick said. “I wasn’t aware you two knew each other.”
“Well, I’m not trying to relive that awful night. In fact, I need to respond to her text message right now before she gets the wrong impression and then block her number to prevent any more inappropriate pictures. I thought she took the hint when I never called her back about having Thanksgiving dinner with her family.”
Braxton pressed his hand to Preston’s forehead and then his cheek. “Are you feeling alright? Do you have a fever? Where is John Preston Chase III, and who are you? I don’t recognize this man right here,” he joked and shook Preston by the shoulders. “Come out, Prez.”
Preston laughed. “Man, stop playing. I’m just not interested.”
“Well, you were just staring the woman down before she strutted out the room, and you have a slew of pictures of other women on your phone in all kinds of interesting poses and positions.”
“Yes, you used to drool over them, Braxton,” Preston said sarcastically. “Didn’t you have pictures in your phone as well, Mr. Jazz Pianist?”
“That was before Elle, but not anymore...well, unless you the count the ones that she sends me.”
“Whatever, Brax. You were drooling, but now it’s time to erase that photo album.” He pushed the button that deleted the entire album on his phone and in the virtual cloud. Those women did absolutely nothing for him anymore. He was elated that he’d finally found a woman who cared for him and not how much money he could spend lavishing her with materialistic things. No one tugged at his heart like Blythe, and he couldn’t wait to announce that she was all his. He figured the night of the Winter Wonderland would be perfect.
“Wow. I’ve seen it all. Is everything okay? Is there something you need to tell me and Broderick? You aren’t dying, are you?”
Preston chuckled. “Relax, cuz... I’m fine. I’m just...in a good place, and there are some things forthcoming, but now isn’t the time to discuss it.”
“You’re in love,” Broderick stated matter-of-factly. “I know the signs, plus Tiffani was all giddy the other day about you having someone special in your life. Why didn’t you bring her? We’d love to meet the woman who has you deleting your collection of pictures from your cell phone.”
“And the cloud,” Preston added.
Braxton chimed in. “If you deleted them from the cloud, you must really be serious about this girl.”
“You two are hilarious. The world hasn’t ended, and you’ll meet her in due time, gentlemen. I’m going to go mingle a bit and perhaps have some dessert.” And by dessert, I mean Blythe Ventura à la mode.
Strolling back inside the great room, he slid out his cell phone and typed a message to Blythe, who was chatting with Syd by the Christmas tree.
Meet me in the main laundry room on the terrace level in ten minutes.
With pleasure. Make it five minutes.
Even better, baby girl.
Preston slipped out unseen and made his way to the back hallway and down the stairs that led to the laundry room the housekeeper used. He figured no one would trek down there tonight. Blythe arrived a few moments later, but the saucy smile that he was expecting to see was turned upside down. She closed the door but didn’t move toward him as her chest rose and fell, and he swore he saw steam coming from her head.
“What’s wrong, baby girl?”
“Wow, what’s wrong? Where should I begin?” she asked in a disdainful tone.
“Um...what’s this about?” he questioned in a guarded manner. He couldn’t figure out why she’d be upset with him.
“So, how long did you intend to play this game with me?”
Confusement filled him and his chest tightened as he strolled over to her, but she held her hand up to halt him.
“Don’t come near me, you lying bastard,” she yelled through clenched teeth. “I know about you and big-boobed Marissa.”
“Oh, yeah, we used to kick it,” he answered nonchalantly. “We had a one-night stand that wasn’t very memorable, but that’s it.” Now he knew what the women were discussing at the table. If he’d known Marissa would be present at the party, he would’ve given Blythe a heads-up.
“Yes, just last month, and, apparently, tonight after the party. You’re still juggling women, but you can drop this one. I will not be a part of some harem.”
“What are you talking about? I’m not meeting her after the party, babe. That’s not true.”
She twisted her lips to the side as if she knew more to the story. “Oh, so she didn’t send you naked pictures with an invite that you accepted?”
He chuckled and slid out his cell phone.
“Are you seriously laughing? This isn’t funny.” She opened the door, but he reached out and shut it.
“Wait, woman, before you start jumping to irrational conclusions.” Handing her his cell phone, he opened the last text message he sent to Marissa and read it aloud while pointing to the words on the screen.
“‘That’s not going to happen tonight, or any other night, for that matter. I’m seeing someone, and even if I wasn’t, I still wouldn’t come.’” He took the phone back and ran a tender hand across her face that was filled with puzzlement. “That was my response before I blocked her number so I wouldn’t receive any more text messages or phone calls from her. I’m not seeing Marissa or anyone else, sweetheart. Only you. Trust me, you’re all the woman I need or can handle.”
She sighed in relief and stepped back. “Prez... I’m sorry I jumped to conclusions, but... I...”
“No need to apologize. My past is quite scandalous in some areas. I figured something like this could happen, but not so soon.”
“Yes, I’m fully aware of your past. It’s just...well... I’ve been through this before, and I guess I thought I was living it again. Are there any other women here I need to know about?”
“No. Most of the women I’ve dated aren’t close to my family. The only reason Marissa is here is that she and her dad own a real estate company that Broderick has done business with. You don’t need to worry about her or anyone else. I’m tired of juggling. I think I was doing so because I hadn’t found the one soul mate my heart craved.” He drew her to him and lifted her chin up so he could have full eye contact with her. “Apparently you’ve been in front of me this entire time. I don’t want
or need anyone else. You fulfill me in ways I can’t explain because I’ve never felt like this before you, Blythe. I’m falling in love with you.”
She released the prettiest smile he’d ever seen on a woman.
A single tear trickled down her face. “I’m falling in love with you, too.”
Preston nearly fell off balance at her words. He’d had women tell him that before, but with Blythe, they took on new meaning because he felt the same way.
He brushed his lips against hers. He never grew tired of kissing her luscious lips. Kissing women he knew weren’t going to last long in relationships with him had never been on his list of foreplay. Sure, he’d kiss them for a second before getting down to business, but with Blythe, he wanted to savor her, taste her lips and make them and her body quiver with pleasure from being with him. She was all his and he was all hers. His heart had never truly belonged to a woman, but now it beat her name. She’d written her name all over it in her beautiful calligraphy.
She sighed sweetly against him, ran her hand up his cheek to his hair and massaged his head in a sensual manner that charged an electric current to jolt through him. Blythe was driving him crazy with passion, and he wanted her in that very instant. Originally he’d invited her down to the laundry room only to sneak in some kisses for a few minutes in private because he couldn’t shake how seductive and exquisite she was in the red dress. He figured it would tide him over until later on. However, now he yearned to strip off her clothes and feel her warm brown-sugar skin next to him. He ached to be wrapped up tight in her embrace. He needed to remind her that she was the only one for him. Any other woman was a faint memory he never wanted to think about again. And he hadn’t since he’d been with her.
Blythe released a sultry smize as he backed her up against the wall. His lips left hers and found their way to the side of her neck, which elicited the most breathtaking moans and trembles from her. He loved driving her insane. Loved hearing her pant his name in her raspy voice. She clutched his shoulders and arched her neck back as he bestowed deep licks to her skin over and over.
“Prez...baby...that feels so wonderful,” she panted, holding on to his jacket lapels and pulling him even closer to him.
He sought to run his tongue over every inch of her body just to elicit the glorious sounds she made. Trailing his lips to the other side of her neck, he continued the sweet torture on her. He tried not to suck too hard for fear of leaving a mark, but the more she purred and gyrated her hips against his manhood, the more that idea seemed like a vague memory.
“Prez...uh...yes...baby, just like that.” Her hand traveled to his belt buckle and began to unfasten it along with his pants. Her fingers moved to the top of his silk boxers and down into them as she ran her hand hard up and down the length of him. He could barely stand up or think straight as a powerful groan emerged from his throat. He was supposed to be driving her crazy. He was supposed to be in control, but with Blythe, she controlled everything and he didn’t mind at all. It only made him need her more.
“That’s what you want?” he asked gruffly, running his hand down her side until he reached the slit of her dress and slid his hand around to her bare bottom. Clenching it, he was glad she was wearing a thong. He slipped a finger inside her, and for a moment, she stopped stroking and tightened her grasp around him as she gasped and moaned, long and joyful.
“Ah...my...goodness... Prez...” she whimpered, trying to catch her breath. “Mmm... Prez...”
“So, this is what you want?” he asked with his lips against hers as he entered her with another finger, causing her to squirm and whisper his name.
“That...and so much...um...more. Damn, baby. Do you...um...shoot...ever let up? I can’t breathe.”
“I’ll do whatever you want, baby girl.”
“I know you will. That’s why I can’t get enough of you.”
She began to undo the buttons of his tuxedo jacket and flung it off of him and to the floor, followed by his bow tie. Pushing him playfully away from her, she rested heated eyes on him in an intense, erotic stare that made him very elated to be in her presence. Reaching under her dress, she eased out of her panties and tossed them to him. He placed the lacy material in his shirt pocket. “You’re not getting them back,” he teased, patting his pocket.
“Whatever. The pants, too,” she demanded.
“Slow down, woman. I’m getting there.” Preston reached around to his back pocket and pulled out his wallet, hoping like hell he an emergency condom in there. When he saw the gold foil sticking out among a couple of hundred-dollar bills, he sighed in relief. His willpower was strong, but not around her. He didn’t think he could wait until the party was over to jet back to his house. He had to have her now.
“Hurry the hell up.”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied with a salute.
He did as instructed. He stepped out of his shoes, took off his pants along with the boxers and walked toward her when she curved her finger to him in a come-here gesture and mouthed it at the same time. She snatched the wrapper, opened it and rolled the condom on him. Lifting her leg around his waist, he rested his eyes directly on hers and plunged deep into her with one fluid stroke, which released a loud pant from her. Her muscles clenched firm around his penis, causing him to hammer into her harder and faster. Even though they were nowhere near the party and he could faintly hear the music, he was concerned that Blythe was becoming louder with every single thrust, and he muffled her blissful cries with his mouth. But that only caused him to shudder with being joined with her in every way.
He restrained himself. He wasn’t ready yet to climax, even though this could only be a quickie, which he hated. He was sure people were searching for them, because he could distantly hear both of their cell phones vibrating. However, this was going to be the best quickie ever, just to tide them over until they made it back to his loft.
Lifting her up on him, he carried her to one of the folding tables, set her on her down and turned her body around. Slapping her bottom playfully, he bent her over and plunged in again, then didn’t move. He settled his hands on her butt and clasped it. She glanced over her shoulder with a raised eyebrow as he began to move in and out of her with long, slow and deep strokes, over and over. She spread her arms out on the table and held on to the edge of it in front of her. Her pleasured moans started to explode once more, and he leaned over to her ear.
“Shh, baby. I know it feels good.”
“So good, Prez,” she whispered. “Mmm...don’t stop, babe.” Her voice became loud again, and she giggled. “Sorry. I’m trying...mmm...so hard not...to scream.”
“We have to be quiet,” he reminded her. “Use your inside voice.”
“I can’t help it.” She trembled and tried to muffle her sounds.
“Don’t worry. You can scream and curse as loud as you want later on at my place.”
“Mmm...who says I’m coming over?” she asked with a teasing wink as she glanced at him over her shoulder.
He popped her bottom again and drove all the way into her. “Me.” He sucked the side of her neck hard as the waves of satisfaction began to overtake him. Like her, he was trying his damnedest to stay quiet, but it was becoming impossible.
Preston continued his thrusts, which turned from slow and deep to fast and deep as the orgasm that neared blasted through his veins. He let out a slew of curse words and terms of endearment mixed in on the side of her neck as he shuddered controllably against her. Holding her tightly, he bucked when the aftershock hit him and breathed out as quietly as possible. She was right. That was hard to do.
“I’m not the only one,” Blythe sang with a chuckle. “Sounds like someone is having problems keeping quiet, too.”
“You do things to me I can’t even explain, baby girl.” He drew her to him, and she fell limp in his arms as a pleased smile rested on her face. “You’re on
e in a million.”
“Mmm...how sweet. I just hope I can walk back up the stairs in these heels. I’m pooped.”
“You can take the elevator, but don’t get too pooped. Round two...maybe even three later on.”
“Oh... I’ll be ready.”
Later on that night, after round two, Preston held her close to him in his bed as she slept peacefully in his arms. Her naked body against his, warm and sated, was the perfect way to fall asleep. He’d never realized falling in love could be so special. Making love to a woman was far different than having sex or effing her. It was an exhilarating high. A rush of passion that raced through him, knowing that she was all his in mind, body, heart and soul. He remembered Braxton explaining that to him once. Now Preston understood fully what his cousin meant, and he wasn’t ever going to let her go.
Chapter 9
“Hey, chica,” Blythe said, entering Tiffani’s bakery after the Tuesday morning rush. “Have any dark chocolate sweet treats? Doesn’t matter what it is. I just need something to pep me up. I was up late finishing the last mural.” And I got up early for a morning love session with Preston, who surprised me with breakfast at my house.
“I sure do.” Tiffani smiled pleasantly. She opened the display case and pulled out two cream cheese brownies and placed them on a napkin. “Gluten-free, just how you like them. Are you going to eat here? I’d love to chat with you if you have time.”
Blythe sat at the counter and inhaled the delicious smell. “I have some time before my first session at noon. I haven’t seen you since the party. How are you?”
“I’m good and well-rested. Just needed to relax after having five hundred people in my home, so Broderick and I jetted off to our private island for a few days for some relaxation and fun without KJ and his dog. They stayed with his paternal grandparents.”