by Pamela Yaye
“Sounds good to me,” she said, flashing a cheeky smile. “I worked up quite an appetite making out with you in your private jet and I could use a good, hearty meal.”
Emilio kissed her forehead. “I figured as much. Two T-bone steaks coming right up!”
Minutes later, he unlocked the French doors and stepped onto the deck. He turned on the grill, the fire pit and the stereo. Soft music played, and lights twinkled in the distance, creating a romantic mood. It was the perfect evening for stargazing, and Emilio was glad Sharleen was spending the night. Tomorrow was Memorial Day, and after his practice at the speedway, he was going to cook her an authentic Italian meal to celebrate his favorite American holiday.
“What do you want me to do?” Sharleen asked, sidling up beside him.
“Nothing. Just sit down and relax.”
“But I want to help.”
“Then get out of my way!” Chuckling good-naturedly, he steered her over to the couch, dropped a kiss on her cheek and returned to the grill. While he cooked, Sharleen read online reviews to him about the car show. According to Sports.com, the event had been a hit, and everyone was still buzzing about his surprise appearance on Saturday afternoon.
“Listen to this,” she said, in a loud, animated voice. “‘Emilio Morretti wowed the crowd with his dashing good looks and dreamy accent, and long after he left the stage his fans were still screaming and cheering...’”
It was a challenge, but Emilio kept one eye on the steaks and the other on Sharleen. He couldn’t go five minutes without looking at her, admiring her. Being with her was easy, as natural as breathing, and he knew he could never be happy with anyone else.
“Dinner is served!” Emilio put the food on the table and sat down beside Sharleen on the couch. As they ate, they talked about their weekend in Miami, the car show and how much fun they’d had last night at Nicco and Jariah’s estate. They moved comfortably from one subject to the next, and when Emilio glanced at his watch he was shocked to discover it was midnight. “I can’t believe we’ve been sitting here for three hours,” he said. “We should turn in. I have practice in the morning, and you have to be at the office by noon.”
“Can we stay out here a little bit longer? I’m not tired, and I’m having a great time.”
Emilio couldn’t take his eyes off of her, and the sound of her voice turned him on. She had the most amazing personality, and her smile was a thing of beauty. He wanted to kiss her, to stroke and caress her shapely body, but feared that if he did he wouldn’t be able to stop.
“I love this song.” Sharleen snapped her fingers and swayed to the beat of the music. “Mariah Carey is my favorite singer, and I listened to this song so much my freshman year that my roommate confiscated the CD!”
“Dance with me.” Emilio swept her up in his arms and spun her around the deck. They danced in the moonlight, talking and laughing. “I’ve given a lot of thought to what you said on Saturday, and I’ve decided not to sign with Ferrari.”
“But they’re offering you millions of dollars and the opportunity to resurrect your career.”
“I’ll compete in the All-Star race, but I won’t be their celebrity spokesman. I want to be with you, not thousands of miles away doing interviews and photo shoots.”
She stared at him in amazement, as if she didn’t understand what he was saying. “Emilio, are you sure about this? You’re turning down a lot of money.”
“I have everything a man could want, and all I need now is the right woman to complete the picture. And that’s you.”
“I feel the same way,” she said, tenderly stroking the back of his head. “When we’re together I’m happier than I’ve ever been.”
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Emilio tightened his hold around her waist, held her close. “I want to open the Lucca Morretti Recreation Center next year, but I can’t do it without you. You’re full of great ideas, and you’re one of the smartest people I know.”
“Now I really want you!”
Her kiss blindsided him. Sharleen pressed her body against his and crushed her lips to his mouth. She kissed him so hard, with such passion and intensity, he stumbled into one of the potted plants. She tasted sweet, of wine, and her hands felt warm against his skin.
Emilio didn’t know what had gotten into Sharleen, but he liked it—a lot. This was not what he was expecting when he’d brought her home from the airport, and her aggressive, take-charge attitude blew his mind. Turned on, he couldn’t think of anything but making love to her.
Sharleen parted her lips slightly, to let him in, and he eagerly accepted the invitation. She sucked his tongue into her mouth, licked it as if it were covered in chocolate. Emilio told himself to calm down, but it was hard to control his desires when she was grinding her hips against his crotch. “Take me upstairs to your bedroom.”
“Do you want me to draw you a bath?”
“No, I want you to make love to me.”
She gave him the look, and his mouth dried. Emilio stood motionless, paralyzed. Did she just say what I think she did? Determined to do the right thing, he dropped his hands to his sides and took a step back. “I respect your decision to wait—”
“I don’t want to wait. I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I want you to be my first.”
His lust spiked. She slowly licked his ear with her tongue. A groan fell out of his mouth. Then another one. His heart was thumping wildly in his chest, and his mind was jumping from one explicit thought to the next. Emilio couldn’t concentrate, and he struggled to reclaim his voice.
“Don’t you want to make love to your very sexy, very horny life coach?”
You have no idea. Emilio wanted to rip off her dress, bend her over the couch and bury himself so deep inside her they became one. But he shook his head and held her at arm’s length. “I think you’ve had too much to drink.”
“And I think you’re scared I’m going to rock your world.”
Her bold declaration stunned him, blew his mind. Sharleen was the sexiest virgin he’d ever met, and by far the most beautiful, but he wouldn’t take advantage of her. Not tonight, not ever. Tomorrow, she’d thank him for ignoring her sexual advances and probably have a good laugh about her antics.
“I’m wearing red lace panties. Do you want to see them?”
Hell yeah! His face must have betrayed his desire, because Sharleen took his hand and led him back into the house and up the staircase. His second-floor master suite was spacious, filled with luxurious furnishings and framed oil paintings from Italy.
“This is quite the bachelor pad,” Sharleen said, glancing around. “You must entertain in here a lot.”
“No, this is my private sanctuary, and completely off-limits to guests.” He smiled. “Except you, of course. You can come in here anytime you want.”
She walked over to the floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the car-shaped pool and pulled back the burgundy silk drapes. “Wow, what an amazing view.”
“It pales in comparison to your beauty.”
Emilio watched her as she fiddled with her fingers and knew coming upstairs to his suite had been a mistake. He longed to make love to her, but tonight wasn’t the night. Spending time with her the past few weeks had made him realize how shallow his previous relationships had been, and Emilio was determined to build a long, lasting relationship with Sharleen. Not one based solely on sex.
“This is all new to me,” she said, with a shy smile. “What happens now?”
“Sharleen, we don’t have to do this. There’s no rush.”
Her face fell. “You don’t want me—”
“Of course I do. You’re sexy and vivacious and beautiful.” To prove it, he pulled her into his arms for a kiss. He didn’t want to come on too strong, but one kiss wasn’t enough. He loved her with his mouth, feasted on her lips until his bo
dy ached for her. Emilio was weak, desperate for her, and each slow, sensuous kiss intensified his hunger, his need.
Emilio broke off the kiss and cupped her chin in his hands. He forced her to look at him. “I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone, but I don’t want you to do something you’ll regret in the morning. We can wait.”
“Don’t you think we’ve waited long enough?”
“We have the rest of our lives to make love. What’s a few more months?”
Sharleen grazed her lips against his ear and whispered, “But I want you now.”
The sound of her throaty, sultry voice made his head spin. He’d never seen her like this and wondered what had gotten into her. Her touch was passionate, urgent, her words a desperate plea. She knew what he needed, what his body was craving, and she was giving it to him. Emilio struggled to control himself, felt as if his mind and flesh were at odds. He hadn’t been intimate with anyone in years and was secretly nervous about making love to Sharleen. Would he please her? Would they be sexually compatible?
“Emilio, kiss me.”
He did. Over and over again, until she was breathless. His heartbeat pounded in his ears, roared like thunder, and his erection was harder than steel. He couldn’t fight his feelings anymore, wasn’t strong enough to resist her. They stumbled around the room kissing and caressing each other, and they laughed when the cordless phone fell off the side table and crashed to the floor. Emilio stroked her body with loving tenderness, took his time pleasing her. They kissed for what felt like hours, but it wasn’t enough. He needed more. He had to have her. Now. Before he lost the battle with his flesh and exploded inside his jeans.
“Your clothes are in my way,” he said. “Turn around so I can unzip your dress.”
“Not until you close the drapes.”
Emilio saw the fear in her eyes, the trepidation, and hugged her to his chest. To reassure her, he tenderly stroked her hair, neck and shoulders. “Please don’t deny me the pleasure of seeing you naked. I think you’re gorgeous, and I want to see every inch of your body.”
Her face brightened, glowed with happiness.
“You’re so beautiful it blows my mind,” he whispered, nibbling on her earlobe. “But you’re more than just a pretty face, Sharleen. You’re the total package, and don’t you forget it.”
He must have said the right thing, must have put her doubts to rest, because she sighed dreamily, as if she was overcome with love, and kissed him hard on the lips. Emilio took his time undressing her, savored the moment. He unzipped her dress, let it fall to the floor and admired her curvy shape for several seconds. Sharleen was perfection. Big, beautiful breasts, wide hips, silky brown legs he could almost feel wrapped around his waist and a tight ass.
“You’re staring.”
“Of course I am. You’re stunning.” He cupped her chin in his hand and forced her to meet his gaze. “When I look at you, I don’t see scars or imperfections. I see a strong, tenacious young woman who beat the odds and built a great life for herself. You’re beautiful, inside and out, and I want you more than I’ve ever wanted anyone.”
A grin warmed her mouth. Taking his hands in her own, she used them to stroke her nipples. His pulse sped up, beat in double time, and his erection grew thicker, wider.
Feeling as if he was losing control, he cautioned himself to slow down. This was Sharleen’s first time, and he wanted to make it a night she’d never forget. With that thought in mind, he scooped her up, carried her across the room and laid her down on his satin-draped bed.
Emilio kicked off his shoes and took off his clothes. He dug around in his dresser, found a box of MAGNUM condoms and sighed in relief. He covered his erection and gathered Sharleen in his arms.
He cupped her breasts, sucked her nipples into his mouth, teased and tickled the dark, erect buds with his tongue. His only concern was pleasing her, fulfilling her every desire, every unspoken wish. He parted the lips between her legs and slid a finger inside her sex. Emilio was surprised—and pleased—to discover she was wet, ready. He swirled his fingers around, slid them in and out, back and forth. “Do you like that? Does that feel good?”
The word amazing fell out of her mouth in a gush.
Hearing her moans and groans thrilled him. She rode his fingers, rocked her hips hard against them. Sharleen was losing it, coming undone, and Emilio loved watching every erotic minute of it.
Seizing his shaft in her hands as if she owned it, she brushed it against her sex, like an artist with a paintbrush. Each flick of his erection against her sex pushed him to the brink. She clutched his shoulders, held on to him for dear life.
An orgasm seized her body, caused her to shake so violently the headboard banged against the wall. Another one, longer and more powerful, followed on the heels of the first. She swiveled her hips in a slow, hypnotic rhythm, one that made him feel as if he was going to explode. Emilio had never seen anything like it, never experienced such passion, and her excitement was the ultimate turn-on.
Moments later, her breathing slowed, her tremors subsided, and she opened her eyes.
“This is torture. I can’t take this anymore. I need to be inside you.”
Her eyes were wide, her face the picture of innocence, but she was wearing a cheeky smile. “Baby, are you sure? I don’t want you to do anything you’re not comfortable with.”
Emilio grinned, couldn’t help it. She was teasing him, ribbing him about what he’d said earlier, but he didn’t mind. Not this time, not when they were having fun together.
Her gaze was seductive, so damned hypnotic Emilio felt as if he was under her spell. She whispered dirty words in his ear, eagerly stroked his package, didn’t hold back. It was obvious she wanted him, just as much as he wanted her, and the realization made him feel like the luckiest man on earth.
He guided his erection between her legs and eased the tip inside her sex. She was tight and so damned wet that Emilio feared he’d climax right away. Adrenaline pumped through his veins, stole his breath, and every coherent thought left his mind. Being inside Sharleen was the best feeling in the world. He wanted to own her, possess her, and brand her with his body so no one else could. And I will, one stroke at a time.
They shared a deep kiss fraught with lust and desire. He thrust his erection inside her, again and again, parted her legs wide to deepen his penetration. Their lovemaking was intense, more exciting than doing three hundred miles an hour around the track in his custom-made Ferrari race car. Emilio lowered his mouth for a kiss and froze when he saw tears in her eyes. “Did I hurt you?”
Sharleen sniffed and shook her head, but he wasn’t convinced.
“These are tears of joy,” she said softly. “I never dreamed I could be this happy.”
“Baby, are you sure? I can stop if you’re in pain.”
“Oh, no, you don’t. We’re just getting started.” She traced her finger around his nipple, stroked it, teased it, sucked it hungrily into her mouth. “Emilio, you’re amazing. I love the way you make me feel. Please don’t stop...”
“Since you asked so nicely...” He kissed her mouth. Her lips tasted sweet, warm and soft against his. Emilio wrapped her up in his arms, held her so close to his chest he could feel her heart pounding. “You were definitely worth the wait.”
She locked her arms around his neck and nibbled on his lower lip. “I can honestly say you’re the best lover I’ve ever had.”
The sound of her girlish laugh made him chuckle, too.
“I love you so much that it scares the hell out of me.” Emilio cupped her face in his hands and confessed what he’d been holding inside for months. “I don’t know what I’d ever do if I lost you.”
“You never have to worry about losing me because I’m not going anywhere. My heart is yours, and always will be.” Sharleen placed soft, light kisses on his cheeks, along his ja
wline and down his neck. “I don’t want anyone else, Emilio. Just you.”
Shock waves coursed through his body, stealing his voice. He increased his pace, thrust his erection deeper inside her sex. Emilio felt his erection swell and released a deep, guttural groan. Sharleen clamped her legs around his thighs and kissed him passionately. The tingling sensation in his feet shot up his legs, zigzagged along his spine and exploded inside his shaft. Clutching her hips, he furiously pumped. His climax was so powerful, so intense, Emilio felt as if he’d been struck by a bolt of lightning.
And did it ever feel good.
Chapter 17
Sharleen stared at the high-tech Swiss coffee machine, annoyed that she couldn’t figure out how to use it. She searched the kitchen drawers for the instruction manual, but couldn’t find it anywhere. Everything was ready—the scrambled eggs, the Belgian waffles, the hash-brown frittatas—and all she needed now was a cup of espresso to complete Emilio’s breakfast. “I can make a three-course meal with my eyes closed, but I can’t get this stupid thing to work,” she grumbled. “Go figure!”
She heard her ringtone, knew it was Jocelyn calling to check up on her, but she continued fiddling with the fancy machine. She’d call her girlfriend later, after Emilio left for practice, and fill her in on her weekend in Miami and her romantic night. Sharleen felt as if she were floating, gliding on air, and wondered if her feet would ever touch the ground. Jocelyn’s going to flip when I tell her I’m not a virgin anymore. I can hardly believe it myself!
Sharleen picked up the plates, padded across the kitchen and put them on the glass table. She felt a dull ache in her forearms and decided a massage at her favorite spa that evening was definitely in order. Her body was sore, tender all over, but she wouldn’t trade making love to Emilio for anything in the world. He was a patient, sensitive lover, who put her needs above his own. After making love that morning for the second time, he’d carried her into the bathroom and given her a bath in his Jacuzzi tub. Emilio was in his office now, on a video conference call with Ferrari executives, and since Sharleen wanted to have everything ready by the time he came downstairs for breakfast, she hustled back over to the stove and flipped the pancakes.