by Evie Monroe
“So, about that kiss? Was that just to keep me here?”
“No, I meant it. And if I had known that I should’ve been kissing you days ago, I would have. I didn’t want you to think I was taking advantage.”
“Well, it’s a little too late for that, but maybe we should try it just one more time?” Her eyes met mine as I rose up and pulled her close, taking her mouth with mine.
I felt such relief in that kiss; relief and acceptance.
Chapter 12
Liss
We’d all gone out to dinner after the encounter in Johnny’s office and with his two friends around, we didn’t do any more kissing. As a matter of fact, it felt more like I was one of the boys than a potential girlfriend, but I had a good time just the same.
Johnny had been on the phone when we made it back to his house, so I headed upstairs to get cleaned up and change for bed. It’d been a long day and a long evening, and after the few stress-relieving cocktails I’d had, I was feeling a bit tired.
I let the hot water of the shower pour over me and soothe my aching back, and after I washed my hair and came out smelling like the expensive soaps that Johnny had stocked the queen suite with, I dried off and pulled on my comfy clothes. Just as I was towel-drying my hair at the end of the bed, there came a knock at my door.
“Come in.” I waited as it opened slowly and then Johnny came in and stood at the foot of the bed.
“Sorry, I just wanted to check on you and make sure you’re really okay with everything. I feel just awful, Liss.” I didn’t want him to feel awful, not really. I wanted him to realize how bad it hurt me and make sure he didn’t do it again. Feeling awful wasn’t going to change anything.
“We’ll work through it. I’m at least willing to try.” I stepped closer, raking my fingers through my blond hair.
“About today, that kiss. I don’t want you to feel pressured into anything.” I looked away thinking that maybe he didn’t want it to go any further.
“It’s okay, and I understand. You got caught up in the moment of me leaving, and it didn’t mean anything. I’m good if it doesn’t happen again.” I forced a smile and kept the disappointment off my face.
“That’s not what I was saying. I just didn’t want you to feel pressured into anything more. I know you’re a lot younger than me, and I’m willing to take things at your pace. That’s all I wanted to say.” He looked me in the eyes, and I had a feeling he was searching mine for some sort of reaction.
“Oh,” I let out a long breath. “Well, that’s good. I mean, I’m not sorry it happened or anything.”
He sat down beside me. “Then you won’t mind me giving you a good night kiss?” His hand fell upon mine in my lap as he came closer.
I leaned into his lips, kissing him softly and then his arms came around me. I melted against him as the kiss deepened and I felt the slow ache of my desire building between my legs.
I pulled away breathless, and he brushed his thumb across my cheek and gave me a warm smile. I wanted to ask him to stay, but I wasn’t sure. With our ages being a bit different, I didn’t know what he’d think of me if I threw myself at him, or if he’d even see it that way at all.
“Goodnight, Liss.” He got up and crossed the room, shutting the door behind him.
“Goodnight, Johnny.” I finished drying my hair with the dryer in the bathroom and then crawled into bed thinking of him. Over the past weeks, we’d spent a lot of time together during our evenings, but we’d always retreated to our separate quarters for bed.
This wasn’t the first night I’d laid in bed thinking about him and what he was doing next door. My legs moved restlessly, and I tossed and turned as my need grew and I finally gave in and slipped my hand down into my panties and hissed in a breath when I brushed a finger across my clit.
It felt amazing, and I wanted more. I worked a steady pace as I let my mind drift. I gazed into Johnny’s eyes as we moved together in my mind and his hands were doing what mine was and then as he slipped two of his fingers into my pussy, I did the same, stroking my slick walls and rubbing my g-spot until my toes curled and I let out a soft whimper.
My release was close, and I kept stroking right up until I had to bite my lip to keep from screaming out, and even then, I only paused for a moment. When I started back, my walls trembled around my fingers as I pumped them faster. I pulled away and straightened my panties and the covers. It wasn’t the first night I’d done that either, but this time, it hadn’t been enough. A knot had formed in my tummy, and I knew the only way I could ease it, was to find something more satisfying than my two fingers.
I laid there a moment fighting an inner battle that was finally lost, or won when I rolled to the edge of the bed and sat up. Once my feet hit the floor, there was no going back, no changing my mind. I was committed.
I went to the door and turned the knob, easing it open, and then I walked the space between our doors, carefully making no sound so that if Jack were lurking the halls, he wouldn’t hear me. I tapped on the door and hoped I’d not have to knock any louder.
I tapped again, this time, harder. I heard footsteps, and suddenly the door swung open. Johnny stood there shirtless, and after my eyes trailed down his chest, I saw the large erection tenting his boxers.
“Um, I.” I was at a loss for words as I met his eyes he took my hand.
“You what? Are you feeling lonely, Liss? Miss me?” He pulled me into his arms and kissed me. His tongue was warm as it caressed mine and I grew dizzy as he spun me around and lifted me off my feet.
“I wanted to see you.” All thought and sense went right out of my head, and my nerves were coiled tight. It’d been a while since I’d had sex with anyone and having only had two other partners in college and enough times to count on one hand; my experience was seriously lacking.
His eyes burned into mine. “I’m glad you came, but I’m afraid I have to warn you, Liss. It’s too late to stop now.”
“I don’t want you to stop. And please, call me Alice.” In that intimate moment, I wanted to hear my name on his lips. I melted into him and kissed him deeply.
He carried me to the bed and placed me softly down upon it. And then he whispered close to my ear. “Undress for me.”
I was reminded of the photo shoot and wondered just how much of me he’d already seen. I slipped off my sleep shirt and shorts, and as I slipped down my panties, Johnny watched, slowly peeling off his boxers. He walked around to the side table and peeled open a small square wrapper. I relaxed a little, thankful he was responsible.
He held his cock in his hand and pumped it a few times. And just when I thought he’d climb on top of me and slide it in, he disappeared down between my legs.
His mouth closed on my pussy, and I was still wet from my playing. I reached down and ran my fingers through his short, loose curls and bucked my hips up against him.
He worked my clit, flicking it steadily with his tongue and then he slipped his thick, long fingers inside my pussy and I felt myself come undone.
My eyes rolled back into my head, and I let out a cry of ecstasy that had me covering my mouth.
“It’s okay, moan for me, Alice. Scream out if you want to. I like knowing I make you feel good.” His breath was hot against my slit as he spoke and then his tongue darted out again and worked me in pace with his fingers. His relentless ministrations had me writhing, and if this is how amazing his hands were, I couldn’t wait to have him inside me.
“Fuck, Alice. You’re so wet. Are you ready for more?” He rose up, and his cock brushed against my pussy.
“Yes.” I wiggled my hips and rubbed myself against him. His silky belly pushed into me, and he reached down and centered himself.
“You’re tight, Alice.” He hissed in through his teeth as his head pressed into me, making way for his thick shaft.
“It’s been a while.” I wrapped my legs around him and urged his ass closer, wanting to take him so much deeper.
He moved into me, inching as he str
etched me wide. I felt as if I might come apart or rip right in two, but then he started to rock, and I let passion take me.
He stared down into my eyes as we moved together, grinding and pumping. And now and then he’d plant a soft kiss on my lips and take my nipples into his mouth and suck and graze them with his teeth.
“You’re so beautiful.” He said the words with such conviction that I believed him and my cheeks stained with a blush.
“Thank you. And, likewise.” Johnny’s body was so much more muscular than I’d expected, and I think he had the sexiest shoulders, chest, and arms I’d ever seen. Strong and broad. He also had a half-sleeve of tattoos on his right arm that he mostly kept covered with clothes.
He gave me a wide grin. “You think I’m beautiful, huh?” He licked his lips, and I noticed the gold tooth cap was gone. He seemed so normal without his distracting tooth, and I wondered if he’d ever let anyone else see him as himself.
“I do think you are. I’ve always thought it.” I trailed my nails down his back and gripped his ass. He had the most perfect, firm cheeks and as I grabbed he jabbed his cock deeper and gave me a smile as I moaned.
“Your moans are so hot. I hoped you’d let me hear them.” He brushed the hair back from my face and kissed me. “I’ve wanted you from the minute I saw you. I just didn’t think you’d want an old man like me.”
“How old are you?”
“Old enough to have fathered you. Does that bother you? I know you’re a daddy’s girl.” He rolled his hips, and I moaned, so he reached down and stroked my clit until I came, and as I coated his cock, he picked up his pace and drove harder into me.
Somehow being naughty had made me hotter than expected and he laughed out loud. “I’m not even going to tease you about the timing of that orgasm, and I take it my age is not a problem after that one. You soaked my balls so fucking good.”
“You feel so good inside of me. I don’t ever want you to stop, Johnny.” He worked his hips in a slower, steady pace.
“I don’t know how I’m going to keep my hands off of you at work. You’re going to have to sneak with me. Have you ever done it in a broom closet?” We shared a laugh. I was sure he was joking.
“Your office has a lock on the door.”
“Yes, and I’m finally going to have an excuse to use it too.” He rolled me over, and suddenly I was straddling his hips and grinding myself down on his cock hard, needing him to fill me to my absolute depths.
I threw my head back and bounced, letting my breasts jiggle. He sat up and took my nipple into his teeth and flicked his tongue across it, pulling in hard sucks as if he could find nourishment. The action sent a wave of heat through me and then I was milking his cock as I came.
“Fuck, it’s so good, Alice, I’m going to come.” He pumped his hips upward and rutted deep, pulling back to thrust hard as his cock twitched inside of my slick walls.
I kissed his lips, and he lay back and pulled me down beside him. I curled into his chest, and he kissed my hair. “That was so worth staying.”
He pinched my chin and raised my eyes to his. “I meant what I said, Alice. I’m going to make it right.” He kissed my mouth and then wrapped his arms around me, and we both lay there in silence until his breathing leveled off, and he was asleep. I brushed his hair back and kissed his forehead and turned over to spoon against him. He brought his arm around my waist and held me through the night.
I woke up with my face buried against him and when I opened my eyes, I found him looking down at me. “What time is it?” I covered my mouth and yawned.
“It’s just after eight, why? Do you have somewhere you have to be?” He turned over and pulled me close to him as if he’d never let me go.
“No, just curious. I slept really good.”
“Me too. Great sex will do that to a person.” He kissed my mouth and then moved down to my breast, shrugging me up into his face.
I giggled, and he rolled me over. “Want to take a nice, hot shower with me? I’ll wash your back; you wash mine? I’ll rub your—
I burst out laughing as he tickled me. “Yes, just don’t tickle.”
“But you like it when I tickle certain places, don’t you?” He scooped me up, and after getting another condom, he carried me to the shower and pinned me against the tiled wall as he turned on the water beside us and sheathed himself.
His hands moved down my body, and he cupped my pussy and rubbed me until I was moaning and grinding against him. “That’s a good girl; you want it bad, don’t you?”
“As bad as you want to give it. I stroked his cock, and he was so hard that I craved him deep inside me. I put my hands around his neck, and he lifted me up and pushed my back against the shower tile as he centered his cock and drove it home in one thrust. The easy-going first-time-together sex was over, and now he thrust hard into me, his cock banging my depths until I screamed his name and came all at once.
It was like he had a whole new personality and I loved having sex with his wild side even more.
After giving me three orgasms, he finished and just as he pulled out, his phone rang.
“Dammit.” He got out of the shower leaving me to wipe up, and I grabbed his soap and gave myself a quick work over.
When he came back to the shower, his face was full of disappointment.
“What’s the matter?”
He took my hand and pulled me close. “There’s good and bad news. The good news is your line was a huge success, the bad— Someone knows it isn’t mine.”
“Wow, well, that didn’t take long.” As angry as I’d been the day before, I was worried. I wasn’t sure what it meant for the future of Mad Mode.
Chapter 13
Johnny
To think that my Monday would be easy after coming off the wild weekend I’d had, was crazy. I sat in my office reflecting how it had all turned out, not only with the fashion show and inadvertently stealing Liss’s designs, but us falling into bed after I thought for sure she’d kill me. I hadn’t expected it. I also hadn’t expected to feel this way about anyone again.
I’d filled my life with empty relationships. Sexual encounters to fill the void and prevent loneliness and nothing more. I knew it wouldn’t be easy for just anyone to get used to my lifestyle and that it would take a special person, someone who understood my passion, to really get me. Liss did.
She’d also saved me three times, and all I’d done was let her down. I wasn’t sure I was good enough, but making things right with her line was a step in the right direction of becoming just that.
I’d talked to her all day about how to handle Wendall’s threats, but she’d insisted I not do anything to jeopardize my company or my name. She had explained that we all acted too hastily and should have canceled, but since that didn’t happen, we all had to face the consequences and think of what was best for everyone. She didn’t want to see the company fail. She didn’t want Weed to be out of work doing what he loved, and she cared too much about me too. She was a good egg, that one.
I picked up the phone and dialed Wendall’s number. He answered sounding like he was running through traffic on foot and stuffing his face with breakfast. “Yes, Johnny. I hoped I’d be hearing from you. I’m on my way down to the office now. I’d hate to have to spill the beans on your little issue.”
“As I said, it’s not an issue. It’s going to be taken care of, and if you’re the good man I know you are, you’ll let it go. I’m also willing to offer you a little bit of encouragement to do so. How about ten thousand dollars and a little vacation for you and that handsome partner of yours?”
“No good. That handsome partner of mine took a vacation of his own to Aruba and found himself a cabana boy. This is kind of a big deal, you know. So, I’ll take twenty this time.” He paused as if to give me time to protest, but I knew I was getting off cheap. “Oh, and you might want to do something about that Gretta. You’re lucky she only ran her mouth to me. Or did she?” I heard a ding that sounded like an elevator and the
n the muffled sounds of people crowding in around him.
“I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks again.”
“Anytime. I like our little arrangements. How many secrets is this now?” He gave an evil chuckle.
“Too many.” I was only concerned for the day when the story was too big, and the money wasn’t enough. He had enough on me already to bury me thirty times over, and I had a feeling it was his affections for Weed that had him giving me chances. That and he knew my tap wasn’t going to run dry anytime soon. “I’ll have the money wired to you by the end of the day.”
I hung up the phone and took a moment to get my nerves settled.
I didn’t like my staff running their mouths about my business and Gretta, after the stunt she’d pulled with Liss, was already skating on thin ice with me. I dialed her number and waited as the phone rang, playing a stupid country song that I couldn’t imagine the girl listening to.
“Hello?” She let out a short breath into the phone, and I thought she must be bored.
“Gretta, this is Johnny, your boss.” I figured I should remind her just who I was.
“Oh, hi. I can’t come in today; I have a doctor’s appointment.” That was her way of saying she had to go have more collagen pumped into her lips before the next big show.
“That’s fine. I don’t need you to come in at all. I heard you’ve been running your mouth to Wendall Hamilton. You know, a dumpy little reporter for that fashion rag you’re on the covers of.”
“I know the one. So?”
“So, you are aware that you’re breaking the contract you signed with Mad Mode? Because one of those papers was designed, so you keep your mouth shut about my personal life and my business. Breaking that agreement is grounds for termination.”
She gave a bubbly laugh. “You can’t fire me, Johnny. I’m the only dependable girl you’ve got. But it doesn’t matter. I quit. I’ve gotten myself a new job after you thought you could scold me over that little slut you’re seeing. Maybe she can take my place.” I was a little stunned by her boldness, but I had an idea of who her new boss was. Victoria and Gretta went way back.