One to Win

by Michelle Monkou

  Her shorts were off her hips when she paused. “Sounds like your problem. I’m initiating the acquisition of your assets. Is that lawyer-speak enough for you?” She stepped out of her shorts and stood in place in her bra and panties.

  “I feel like I need a safe word.”

  “If that makes you feel safe with me.” She unhooked her bra and tossed it on the heap of clothes. “I’ll be gentle.”

  Hurriedly, he set the dishes on the counter behind him. Then he motioned for her to come closer. Not waiting an extra second, Fiona climbed onto the counter and knelt in front of him. She reached up for the pot rack to stabilize her position.

  “I think that I’m definitely ready to put the vegetables aside. You are my dessert—a mouthwatering brownie.” He looked up at her.

  “A wise man said that you shouldn’t eat your desserts before the meal.”

  “What the hell does he know?”

  She flipped her legs over the side to sit facing him before sliding them open for him. He didn’t hesitate to plant himself between her legs, with his hands resting on her thighs. No set game plan existed to guide what would come next. Why bother thinking ahead? Fiona wanted to go with the flow.

  Thankfully, so did Leo. His hands now gripped the edge of the counter. His shoulders hunched as he lowered his body so that their faces lined up. Fiona squirmed against the hard surface of the counter. She was ready to melt into a puddle. His steady gaze heated her, as if she were standing under the fierce rays of the sun.

  He leaned in and kissed her softly on her lips before pulling back to look at her. Those brown eyes bathed her skin with the promise of another scorching kiss. This time she arched her neck to offer the sensitive skin for his lips to land on.

  First his lips branded her. Then his tongue brushed her skin, almost sending her into a convulsion. Cries of pleasure curled up and out from a place deep inside. With her grip on the counter, she was poised to dive into the deep end.

  Once she took the plunge, she sank under the waves in bliss. His hand cupped her breast, guiding her pert nipple to his mouth. Her breath hissed hard between clenched teeth. A shock rippled through her system. Each time his teeth grazed the sensitive bud, her hips bucked on the counter. Oh, sweet torture. The sensual assault expanded to the other breast. A punishment that she desperately wanted to never end.

  He pulled off her panties. “You won’t be needing those.”

  “Good to know.”

  He obliged with soft kisses peppered in a straight line down to her belly button. Gently, he pulled her hips forward to meet his ready tongue—a gentle swipe to her clit.

  Her mind short-circuited.

  Her body heated.

  Her sex pulsed.

  He pressed an erotic kiss to the tender lips between her legs. Fiona gasped. For a second, she scrambled to breathe as his tongue assaulted her in the sweetest way. Her eyes squeezed shut so she could mentally focus on every tiny detail of the ride.

  “I want you to come for me, Fiona.”

  Fiona gasped. “Make me.”

  His answering smile promised wicked fun. When his finger slipped into her wet cave, she just about lost it. Each stroke was a slow, deep slide back and forth against her walls. Slick and ready, she wanted all of him.

  But he was done playing fair, double-teaming with his tongue and finger.

  “You’re beautiful, inside and out. Top to bottom.” He pressed his lips to her clit and pulled her between his lips. Once he got going, there was no stopping.

  Her hands reached out to grasp something, anything. She had only the smooth surface of the counter, where her nails raked over the top.

  Her hips rose, egging him on. Urging him in. She couldn’t wait any longer.

  He unfastened his pants and slipped on a condom, and his hands closed possessively over her hips.

  His arousal pointed toward her opening. Yet he didn’t make a move.

  “Are you going to make me beg?” She was ready to, if necessary.

  “No. I like it when you are bossy and ready to kick ass.” He grabbed her. “Hold on.”

  He was sexy as hell when he lifted her with one hand around her body. He walked to the bedroom and kicked open the door. “You ready to take it home?”

  “All the way...right now!”

  He gently laid her on the bed. But she wasn’t going to let him get away. No more talking. No more dawdling.

  She pulled him on her, in her.

  They rode the wave together. Holding on to each other. Staring into each other’s eyes. Their bodies spoke a language that needed no words. They fed off the energy. Tasting the sweet fruit of their seduction. In each other’s arms, they stayed locked in an embrace.

  She rocked against his thrusts, opening herself to him.

  Then he released, acting like a trigger for her.

  Fiona could compare the moment only to shock waves after an earthquake. She held on for dear life, riding the pulsing rhythms that kept on coming. There was no rushing the moment. She let go and let her body have its celebration.

  “I think I missed my postlunch check-in time with Grace.” His voice was muffled in her hair, where his head rested.

  “If you want me to write a note, I’d be willing.” Fiona laughed, slightly giddy that she was now in Leo’s arms after a midday delight. A fantasy turned reality. This wonderful moment wasn’t about winning. She didn’t want to conquer this gorgeous man who took her to the brink of sanity with his lovemaking. Instead, she wanted to be invited in to the innermost region of his heart and offered to stay a while. She sighed. She hoped for that fantasy to turn into reality.

  * * *

  The daily routine for the week didn’t deviate much for Leo. Early-morning jog, then a meeting with Grace, followed by hot sex with Fiona, more work with Grace and dinner with the family. Occasionally, he’d spend the late evening with Fiona, but family time intervened and the cousins would scoop her up for their ladies-only diversions. The situation was clear: hot sex and postcoital cuddling and chatting were the primary activities of their relationship. That shouldn’t be a bad thing. Yet he found himself managing a growing disappointment. He wanted more, even as he felt the addiction for her hit the point of no return.

  With the onset of the weekend, he had a lot of time on his hands. He wasn’t going to ask Fiona on an official date and he wasn’t going to sit around pining for her time. He’d done that during their first go-round as the naïve one falling hard and heavy with disastrous results. That was why he eagerly jumped at Jesse’s invitation to hang with him and Kent, who had arrived midweek.

  “Where are we headed?” Leo asked after he got into the car and greeted the guys.

  “We’re going to look at real estate,” Kent said.

  “Cool.” He’d been hoping they weren’t going to say hiking or canoeing. He couldn’t take more rigorous activity. His legs were still sore from the extra mile that he’d tacked on to his workout and his body overall was still recovering from the vigorous rounds of lovemaking.

  “And why are you looking for real estate?” Jesse asked. “Planning for the long term?”

  “I like it out here. Ever since my move from England, I’ve been balancing my time between business and tourist traps,” Kent explained.

  “You’ve barely been here,” Jesse teased. Clearly, the two were close friends.

  “I came out here one weekend when Grace was staying at the estate. At the time, I’d been hired to coach Dana for the CEO position.”

  “That must have been tough. Not the coaching part, but dealing with Grace and handing things over to the next generation.”

  Leo paid attention to their conversation, recognizing themes applicable to his situation.

  Kent answered, “Was a bit bumpy, but Dana proved she could take on the business.
Had to get Grace to give her the space and room to breathe.”

  “She didn’t mind you dating her granddaughter?” Leo jumped in.

  “I’m sure she was concerned, but I had to prove myself, too.” Kent paused and looked directly at Leo through the rearview mirror. “I did.”

  “Are you taking notes?” Jesse asked over his shoulder.

  “Me?” Leo realized that he’d just opened the door to his personal goings-on.

  “Yes, you. Don’t try to play the innocent. We all know that you and Fiona have your special thing. You’d have to be on another planet not to see the vibes.”

  “And you must be damn good at what you do for Grace because you’re still here.” Jesse gave him a thumbs-up.

  The gesture didn’t do much for Leo’s worries about Grace and the special assignment, and Grace and her eldest granddaughter. Over and over again, he heard the same standard for a good job—Grace’s approval. She was his reality and, in a way, his path to career happiness. At least, that was what he’d thought of as the absolute truth before coming to the Hamptons.

  Now his heart and mind were in sync with the uncomfortable revelation that solely focusing on the career didn’t satisfy any part of him. He needed more out of life for that special brand of happiness. His search didn’t have to be extensive. The solution, his woman, could be a part of his life, if he didn’t screw it up.

  “Here we are.” Kent pulled up in front of a massive house that looked like a baby mansion. He turned off the engine.

  “Whoa!” Jesse exclaimed before Leo voiced his amazement. “I thought you meant a little country cottage.”

  “You’re buying this?” Leo gazed at the property, but it was too massive for an all-in-one view. He had to take the expansive front scene in sections. Each visual portion could have been its own house. “Why?” His question hung in between Jesse’s continued colorful exclamations.

  Kent was quiet, reflective, as he stood outside the car with arms folded in front of the electronic gate.

  “Tell me again, what is this house going to be?” Jesse asked.

  “This is my wedding gift to Dana. I’ll propose at Grace’s birthday. Permission has been granted.”

  “Whoa!” Jesse seemed stuck in his awe. “You are going to set the bar too high in the sky for us. I was going to get Belinda a horse.”

  Kent and Leo laughed.

  “No, really. We’re blowing up with the business. Potential clients are on a wait list. For Christmas I am getting her another horse. Will tie a nice red bow to its mane. I’m going to have a sash made that says ‘Merry Christmas, Belinda. I love you.’”

  Kent and Jesse looked expectantly at Leo.

  Leo raised his hands in surrender. “Don’t look at me. I can barely think about tomorrow, much less Christmas. But a horse from you and a house—let’s call it what it is, a mansion—from you is a bit much for me to compete with. I got nothing on y’all.”

  “So what do you think?” Kent turned to Leo.

  “I’d say Dana is lucky to have a thoughtful guy.”

  Kent shook Leo’s shoulders. “I know you want to choke her.”

  “Just a smidgen.” Leo patted Kent’s back. “This will be awesome.”

  “So are you in for the groomsmen? I’m talking to both of you.” Kent offered his question to both men.

  “Yeah,” Jesse exclaimed.

  “Sure.” Leo replied, with more than a slice of doubt that he’d still be in Fiona’s life.

  Not that he wanted such a bleak finale. But time might not be on his side to establish himself as a strong anchor in Fiona’s life. Listening to these men, who had pushed past their challenges to be with their women, did give him hope. Maybe he could learn a thing or two from them. He was ready for the lessons.

  “Good. Let’s look around and then get some food. Then I want to hear about you and Fiona.” Kent threw his arms around them and walked down the hallway, which was wide enough for the three of them to walk side by side with room to spare.

  “Definitely want to hear how fast you fell under the spell of love.” Jesse slapped his back.

  “Naw...” Leo protested easily, as if it was what he should do.

  “Don’t bother to deny or defend.” Jesse shrugged. “It is what it is.”

  “We’ve been where you are. My advice—don’t waste time pondering.” Kent detached himself from the group and walked ahead. “Now, let me show you the rest of the house.”

  Leo had to admit to the sense of relief that washed over him. To be pulled into the circle by these guys meant a lot. They were members of a unique fraternity.

  * * *

  Fiona lounged at the pool, sipping her lemonade. She’d already done a couple laps and now wanted to relax before jumping in for another dip. The guys hadn’t returned yet. Although she knew where they’d gone, she was still curious as to how they were getting along. Part of her was desperate for Leo to fit in and for the family to like him. So far, even if they hadn’t quite warmed to him, they didn’t hate him... Well, maybe only her mother.

  Belinda stepped in, blocking her contact with the sunshine. With a mischievous smile, her cousin leaned over and squeezed the water from her hair. Fiona squealed and pulled up her legs from the cool splatter of water.

  Belinda took a long drink of Fiona’s lemonade. “Ah...that’s good.”

  “Go away.” Fiona laughed at her outrageous behavior.

  Belinda got comfortable in the chair next to Fiona’s. “Just about seven days gone, so...how are things with you and lover boy?”

  “Fantastic.” Fiona couldn’t help gushing. “It’s like the second time around is sweeter.”

  “I’m not trying to find out.”

  “I know... No one wants to think about breaking up.”

  “Do you regret breaking up with him? If it was so wrong then, do you think that it’s better now?”

  Fiona shrugged. “We’re older. That helps.” She’d pondered those questions and couldn’t admit that she didn’t have a clear answer. “He was young. Fresh out of university. First major internship. He didn’t need me holding him back. His life was ahead of him.”

  “I think you got scared of people gossiping that you were his sugar mama.”

  Fiona groaned. “I hate that name.”

  “But you weren’t. He had a J-O-B. You let people get into your head.” Belinda smiled and nudged her leg with hers. “Have to say that the few years haven’t been bad on him, either. Brazil is offering up some mighty fine exports, if you ask me.”

  “And no one is asking you.” Fiona didn’t need Belinda’s confirmation that Leo was looking finer than ever.

  “Hell, I could be a broker for brides.”

  “Girl, you’d better stick with your horses. Now, that’s your gold touch in motion right there.”

  “It is, isn’t it? I never thought that I’d be in heaven with my horses.”

  “Horses and children.” Fiona could see her cousin’s future.

  Belinda nodded.

  “What did I miss?” Dana stood between them as she dripped from her swim in the pool. “What did you say to her to make her teary?” Her gaze shifted from accusatory to concerned as it moved from Fiona to Belinda.

  Fiona rolled her eyes. “Relax. She’s happy about her horses.”

  Dana joined them, grabbing her chair to enjoy and soak up the sun. “When are the guys returning?”

  “I don’t know. But they volunteered to cook us barbecue. And I’m famished,” Belinda groused.

  Fiona’s stomach growled at the mention of food.

  “We heard that.” Kent walked in with his arms loaded with bags.

  “Baby, you’re back.” Dana jumped up from her chair and launched herself at Kent.

  Belinda and Jesse weren�
��t far behind with a big reunion hug, despite it having been four or five hours since they’d last seen the men.

  Fiona stayed put. Jumping on Leo was reserved for their eyes only.

  From his expression, she knew he was on the same page.

  “We’re hungry,” Belinda complained. “Start the grill and we’ll get changed.”

  “Deal,” Kent responded. He and Dana kissed as though she were setting off on a long journey.

  Belinda, at least, didn’t go over the top and just waved to Jesse.

  Fiona didn’t run up to Leo but sauntered past in his line of sight. She’d deliberately worn her tiny red bikini for him. She delayed tying her sarong around her waist, giving him his own personal view of her behind before she covered it. She couldn’t help throwing him a flirty glance over her shoulder. His answering wink told her that tonight he’d respond in a robust way to her sexy invite.

  The barbecue cookout was a success, if Fiona had to give her public review of the fantastic meal. She couldn’t eat another bite. Kent had outdone himself playing master chef at the grill. Steaks were juicy. The meat was tender and falling off the ribs. She’d passed on the bratwurst because her jeans would have ripped at the seams.

  After they consumed the heavier food, they moved inside the gazebo with their wines and desserts. Blocking out the nuisance of insects, they could enjoy dessert and conversation under the glow of the full moon. Each couple sat in one of the love seats and Fiona gladly snuggled next to Leo.

  “I hate that I’ll be leaving tomorrow,” Jesse said. “Work’s gotta get done.”

  “And I love you for the sacrifice. I’ll hold your position at the pool...and dinner...and your side of the bed.” Belinda smiled before popping a kiss on his lips.

  “I don’t want to think about work, either. I should have left today.” Dana stretched. “Kent and I will drive up probably on Monday.”

  “You needed this break, hon.” Belinda’s concern for her cousin showed. “You have been going at top speed.”

  “And your brain isn’t used to that workout,” Fiona joked. “It’s looking for former party-girl Dana to show up.”