What to Read After FSOG: The Gemstone Collection (WTRAFSOG Book 9)

by Kristine Cayne

  Krista laughed. Jamie would be thrilled that she was even having such a thought.

  Without second guessing herself, she called him back and was surprised he answered so quickly.

  “Good evening, Krista.”

  Her heart fluttered from the sound her name. “Hi. How are you?”

  “The question isn’t about how I am. How is your son?”

  It was so strange to actually talk about EJ to him. Then again, it felt so right. “He’s fine. Thank you. It was just a small fender-bender and his father took him to the hospital for precautions.”

  “I’m glad he’s okay and his father too.”

  “We’re divorc-ced,” she stuttered. “I don’t want you to think I was keeping that from you too.”

  Neil chuckled, putting her at ease. “I hate that you didn’t feel comfortable telling me about your son, but then again I understand as well.” He paused. “And I’m very happy to learn that you’re not married to him anymore.”

  Her face practically hurt from the grin that had spread across it.

  “Is your son home now resting?”

  “No. EJ’s at his dad’s. I wanted him to come home after, but he’s seven and wasn’t having it. He wanted to go back to his dad’s.”

  “EJ, is that short for anything?”

  This was so strange talking about it, but it felt wonderful to finally have it truth out. “Elijah Jonathan.”

  “I like Elijah. It’s a nice name.”

  “Thanks.” She took a breath before speaking again. “This is weird.”

  “Why?”

  She pulled a towel around her still naked body. “Up until a few hours ago you didn’t know about him and now you do and you’re not upset with me for not telling you. I kinda figured me having a kid was a deal-breaker. And now that the cat’s out of the bag, it isn’t feeling that way.”

  Neil laughed. “Knowing about EJ actually explains a lot about your reluctance. So, if you’re alone and I am too, would you like to continue our date?”

  Yes! Yes! Yes! “Uh, I—”

  “No pressure.”

  “I’d love to.” Krista cleared her throat. “I’d love it if you picked me up in your car and brought me back to your place.”

  It was forward and she didn’t care.

  “Sounds perfect. Given the hour, go ahead and pack an overnight bag just in case you might want to stay the night.”

  She nodded. Why was she nodding? He couldn’t see her. “Okay.”

  “I’ll see you soon.”

  Oh God, what had she gotten herself into?

  Chapter Eight

  Neil parked the car in his driveway by a lavish fountain. Krista stared out at the gorgeous colonial-style house. This was one of those homes you saw in a magazine or on TV. Not the kind that she ever thought she’d be visiting.

  It was tall, white, and professionally landscaped. Spotlights were nestled on the side of the home, making sure this house was noticed at all hours. I can’t wait to see the inside.

  Neil reached over and squeezed her knee. “I’m happy to have you here. I don’t have guests often.”

  Did that mean he didn’t usually bring women to his house? “Thanks for having me over.”

  “Anytime.”

  He removed his hand and exited the vehicle. She followed suit. After closing the door to the car that had driven so smooth and quiet, she made her way along the stone path to the double front doors. Neil typed a code into the lock and opened the door. He pushed it open, stepped back, and let her enter first. She walked in, her heels echoing on the marble floor.

  “Oh my gosh,” she said, unable to believe how magnificent it looked. The foyer was two stories high, filled with paintings. He’d obviously hired a designer to tie it all together. The walls were a crème color, and funky art pieces were placed throughout. Yes, this was definitely like a page out of a magazine. “It’s beautiful in here. You live alone?”

  “Yup.” A slight sadness in his eyes when he said it.

  “It’s so big.” She was certain her place would fit in the foyer alone.

  He grinned and placed a hand on her back, leading her toward a doorway. “Have a seat. Want anything to drink? Wine?”

  Alcohol for sure. She needed to get her nerves down a notch. “Wine would be great.”

  “Preference on color?”

  Hopefully he didn’t ask her what kind next. Typically she grabbed whatever was cheapest. “White, please.”

  He left the room. She glanced around a moment and slowly strolled around the large room. This was a sitting room, she presumed. It was arranged with an assortment of chairs and small side tables. Gorgeous wall art and very light décor was tastefully situated throughout. There was no theme—unless fancy counted. This was definitely a room she’d never leave a child in alone.

  She took a seat on one of the loveseats, wondering if she’d made the right choice. But before she could think about it anymore, Neil returned with two glasses of wine. He handed her one and took a seat next to her.

  Krista took a sip of the drink then set the glass down on the table next to her.

  “I really have no idea why you’re interested in me. We are so opposite.”

  He smirked and she wished she knew what was going through his head. “It doesn’t matter to me. I don’t look at a person for what they have. And to be honest, it’s a nice change to have a woman who isn’t after me for my money. You’ve been quite the challenge.”

  She giggled. “Sorry.”

  “It’s a good thing. Men like a challenge.”

  She picked her glass back up and took a larger drink from it. This time she held it in her hand. She had a feeling she’d need another sip soon. “I must admit I do like you. I still don’t see how this is going to work though.”

  He leaned back and rubbed his chin with his index finger. “Why is that? Haven’t I shown you that I don’t need luxury all the time?”

  “Yes, but I have my son a majority of the time and you don’t want kids.”

  He took her glass from her and set it on the table beside him. He clasped her hands in his. “I don’t have a problem with your son. I fear we’ve had a misunderstanding.”

  “You said—”

  “I know what I said.” He squeezed her hands gently. “I don’t want kids of my own. I’m forty-five. I don’t want to be chasing a two-year-old around. However, I have no problem with you having one.”

  “Yes, but I want another child one day. I don’t want EJ to be an only child.”

  He was quiet. “I don’t know where things are going between us. And I don’t want this child thing to affect us. I don’t want to tell you no, but I also can’t say yes.”

  “I understand.” She rubbed a circle into his palm. “Do you think there can be something between us? Something lasting?”

  “There already is.”

  He pulled her to him and gently took her lips. It wasn’t a greedy kiss, just a sweet one to show how he felt. It lasted only a moment before he pulled away and his blue eyes stared into hers.

  “I don’t think either of us could walk away right now even if we wanted to.”

  She couldn’t agree more. She was in this deep. Deeper than she’d anticipated it going. But being around Neil did that to her. He made her feel things she never expected to feel.

  She’d been in love with Todd, but never had he made her feel so many emotions at once. She was happy, scared, and turned on all at once.

  Krista wanted to be with Neil. She had to know how magical it would be. Leaning forward, she was about to kiss him when his cell phone beeped on his waist.

  “Excuse me.” He released her hand and pulled it from his hip. “This is business. I’ll be right back, I promise”

  “It’s fine. Take your time.”

  After he left the room, she reached for her wine glass and finished what was left. She needed a few minutes to breathe anyway.

  Neil closed his office door and went over to his computer to boot it
up. His PI had come through quickly, delivering the information he’d requested on Krista. Before things went any further, he needed to make sure she didn’t have any more secrets she was hiding.

  Thankfully his top-of-the line desktop computer booted quickly. He logged into his email and opened the email.

  Neil,

  Not much to tell about her. She’s lived a very quiet life. Been divorced about a year. Was married young. Assuming it was because of the child she shares with a gentleman named Todd Michaels. Son’s name is Elijah Jonathan Michaels. Krista’s middle name is Anne and her maiden name is Brown.

  She works as a middle school teacher at Longview. She makes roughly 35,000 a year. She kept the house in the divorce.

  Both her parents are still alive, though they don’t live nearby.

  All this is in the document attached. Like I said, not much. She’s lived a normal, boring life. I dug as deep as I could for you.

  -K

  Neil opened up the document that was sent and scanned through it. Just as stated, it was all cut and dry. It seemed that the only skeleton she had in her closet was now out and he could work his magic and hopefully win her over.

  He leaned back in his chair. There was something special about Krista. He was ready to throw all plans out the door and do this whole relationship with her. He didn’t think he’d ever be going down this path again, not after Rachel. But sometimes life threw curveballs.

  Krista was nothing like Rachel. His ex had been all about the fine things in life and complained that he was never around. It took a lot of work in his younger days to get to where he was now. And she’d hopped beds to keep her days occupied.

  Krista didn’t seem like the bed-hopper type.

  Speaking of beds, he hoped like hell he was going to get lucky this evening. They’d been doing a lot of kissing and petting, but he had needs and he was ready. Of course, if she wasn’t yet, he’d wait. But fuck, he hoped she was.

  Neil shut the computer off and left his office. He made his way back through the house until he found Krista still sitting in the same spot with an empty glass of wine.

  “Sorry about that,” he said.

  “It’s no problem. You’re an important man. Duty calls.” She smiled sweetly at him, driving his libido crazy.

  “My evening with you is more important. And unless it’s your son, I don’t want to be interrupted again.” He reached out and took her hand, pulling her to a standing position. “I could sit and talk to you for hours. I want to know everything there is to know about you.” His hand lightly rubbed her upper arm. “But I also want to taste each and every inch of your body.”

  He stared into her eyes and got the confirmation he needed. She wanted it as much as he did.

  “You can say no. I won’t ever make you do anything that you don’t want to.”

  “I want to.”

  With that, he leaned forward and captured her lips. She opened to him right away. She tasted of the sweet white wine.

  Wrapping his hands around her waist, he tugged her to him, letting his erection press into her. He wanted her bad and wasn’t sure he could make their first time together gentle. He really wanted to spin her around, hike her dress up, and take her from behind.

  His cock ached more and he knew this was going to be fast. But if he had his way, he’d take her several more times tonight to make up for the strong desire he had now to bury himself deep inside.

  He kissed down her neck as he pulled her dress up over her waist. She arched into him, allowing access to her chest area. Before letting his lips feast, he inhaled her fruity aroma. He grunted slightly then trailed kisses from her collar bone down to her cleavage.

  “Oh,” she murmured.

  “God, you’re driving me mad,” he whispered into her skin.

  “We’re mad together. Please, touch me. I hate to beg, but I’m dying to be touched.”

  Pulling her tighter against him, he let a hand slide down her belly and into the waist band of her panties. He spread her lips apart and let a finger gently rub around her clit. She squirmed in his arms. Pushing his digit closer to her opening, he was met by a very wet entrance. He pushed in and with his thumb, pressed down on her clit.

  “Oh,” she squeaked.

  He began to move in a rhythm. She rocked in his arms as she tried to control herself. It had been a long time since he’d had this kind of effect on a woman. He picked up the speed. Krista’s breathing quickened.

  Neil captured her lips just as she let out a loud cry and her legs buckled. He held her tighter, fingering her as she rode out her release. Once her breathing quieted down, he removed his hand from her panties and let her lower herself down to the couch.

  She gazed up at him, looking satisfied. He started to grab his wine, but Krista reached out and tugged at his pants.

  “Whoa.” He chuckled.

  He went to push her hands away, but before he could, she had his pants unbuttoned, unzipped, and halfway down his legs. She wasted no time.

  “Do you want to take this to the bedroom?” he asked.

  She shook her head and linked her fingers with the waistband of his boxers. She pulled them down his legs too. She leaned forward and he expected her to help him remove his clothing as he lifted a leg, but instead her warm mouth drew his cock into her mouth.

  “Krista!”

  Her lips traveled up and down his shaft. Her tongue ran along the length of it. It felt good. He couldn’t stop this if he tried.

  She pulled her mouth back so only the tip touched her lips. She stared up into his eyes as she let her tongue dart out and swirl around it. Oh God, she was going to kill him. He was in pure ecstasy.

  She closed her eyes and moaned as she brought him back into her mouth, letting his cock hit the back of her throat. The little sounds she made caused tiny vibrations on his shaft. He closed his eyes and let his hips slightly pump into her. She took him and as her mouth worked him into a pleasurable state, he did his best to stay in control.

  A moment later he felt his release approaching. He pulled his dick from her mouth just as his seed spilled out onto the carpet.

  “I would’ve swallowed it.” She licked her lips.

  “Fuck, woman!”

  Krista giggled. “I’d like another glass of wine and then I’d like you to show me your bedroom.”

  Krista dug her nails into the crisp sheets. She was right there on the edge and any moment her orgasm was going to tear through her body, leaving her in total bliss.

  But then his tongue stopped and instead she felt gentle kisses on her inner thighs. Neil kissed his way back up her body, pushing her legs wide open. His cock was right there, hard and ready to enter.

  “I want to take this slow.” He pressed his lips to the crook of her neck. “I want to enter you inch by inch.”

  She nodded; it was all she could do. She was so sedated she wasn’t sure she could form even a single word.

  As Neil continued to feast on her neck, he reached across the bed to the nightstand. A moment later his lips left hers and she watch as he rolled protection over his swollen shaft. God, he was big, she surprised herself when she’d been able to take him in her mouth without gagging.

  Neil grabbed her knees and spread her legs wider. He climbed between them and placed his dick at her entrance. She took in a deep breath and as he thrust into her, she felt her skin stretch. At first it was slightly painful because it had been awhile since she’d had sex, but as he glided in and out at a comfortable rhythm, the pain subsided and the pleasure began.

  She gripped his firm ass, egging him to move faster, but he continued in slow strides. Something inside of her needed the rough, hard thrust. She moved her hips faster, hoping Neil would understand what she needed, but instead he chuckled slightly and kept at the same pace.

  “Patience,” he whispered.

  Patience she didn’t have. He’d just feasted on her pussy and brought her right to the brink of release. She’d almost been there. Every nerve had bee
n on edge and now he filled her completely and moved slowly.

  He pulled almost all the way out so only his tip was inside then began quick shallow thrusts.

  “Ah!” she cried out.

  Her release was building again. She couldn’t hold back. Whatever he was doing, he was doing it right and it felt incredibly amazing. But she needed him deeper to finish.

  “Deeper!” she yelled out.

  Neil wrapped an arm around her waist, lifting her lower body from the bed. Her legs wrapped around his waist and he drove into her, deep.

  She couldn’t hold back any longer. Krista’s nails dug into the bed and pleasure rolled through her, wave by wave. She panted and moaned loudly and before she knew it Neil was joining her.

  He pumped quickly, his breathing fast until he collapsed on top of her. They rested on the bed, his body on top of her, his head nuzzled between her breasts. Krista rubbed his back as they caught their breath.

  She couldn’t believe how good that had been. She should be exhausted, but she hoped like hell they’d get to do that again tonight—multiple times.

  Neil rolled off of her and propped himself up on his elbow. “You were more amazing then I’d imagined.”

  She grinned. “You did all the work.”

  “Oh no, I can’t take credit for that.” He yawned. “I need a quick nap before we do it again.”

  A nap? She was ready for more. “I’m all fired up.”

  “If I was younger, I’d gladly take you again. Give me thirty and I promise to make it worth your while.”

  She pushed a strand of his hair from his face. “I’ve no doubt.”

  Chapter Nine

  “I wish I could stay in bed with you all day.” Neil rubbed his fingers along Krista’s arms.

  “That would be a dream. Unfortunately, I need to get home soon. It’s already after ten and EJ will be home by five.” Sure, she had a few hours, but there were things she wanted to tackle around the house that was easier kid free.