The Only Choice (The Choices Trilogy #3)

by Palmer, Dee

  “You’re jealous and I couldn’t be happier.” His deep voice is velvet and his lips are soft as he kisses the length of my jaw, delicate light kisses, tempting and teasing me. A small whimper leaves my mouth on a sigh and he swoops to capture it. His tongue tracing the seam and dipping inside. I welcome him, opening my mouth a little more, willing him to take more, tilting my head and leaning into this sensual union. He pushes his hard body against mine and I can feel the heat of his iron hard erection through his thin suit trousers and I shamelessly grind my body harder into his. I don’t even care that I am at work or that Angel is sitting outside waiting for him, I just want him, now. What’s got into me? I am like a horny teenage boy for Christ sake. Dismissing every rational thought that surfaces and is desperate to be heard I pull my hands from his grasp and start to tug wildly at his belt. He steadies my frantic hands.

  “Bethany we need to talk.” He coughs out looking a little ruffled, it makes me smile that I am ruffling mister steadfast control freak.

  “Actually we don’t. We need to fuck!” I try again to release his straining erection but he pushes hard into me so there is no space for my hands to work his zipper. “Argg.” I relax my tense, sexually frustrated body and look up into his eyes. “Look, are you seeing Angel? Is she your girlfriend now?” The amused grin and warm eyes vanish and he looks angry.

  “No. it’s not like that I told you before—” His voice is stern but I interrupt, really not wanting to re hash that discussion now, other things on my mind.

  “—Great, so no reason to be jealous. Now if you don’t mind?” I wiggle my hips and rub my palms flat down the front of his trousers. It’s all the room he is letting me have but he moans when my hands pass over his thick, throbbing cock.

  “Bethany.” He admonishes.

  “Are you on a date?” I challenge, my eyes narrow and my heart’s in my mouth.

  “No.” He doesn’t hesitate with his answer and I don’t hesitate with my response.

  “Prove it.” I think my whole body trembles with anticipation that he might deny me and I hold my breath for the endless second it takes for him to cover my mouth with his forceful hungry lips. Our hands fumbling together to remove the barriers preventing our blissful reunion. I push his trousers and boxer pants roughly to his thighs, his slightly widened stance preventing them dropping to the floor. He scrunches my skirt up, his fingers slipping through my panties at my hip and yanking hard. I cry out wishing I had worn more delicate material that disintegrated without such necessary force. All the while his tongue is delving and consuming swollen lips, my tongue dances with his and I whimper because I can’t seem to get enough. With one hand he reaches to hold my hair pulling back to exposed my neck and I try to shake my head because I know exactly what he is intending and I am not his to mark.

  Breathless but forceful I cry out. “Don’t you fucking dare.”

  He pulls back, dark blue eyes scowling with heat and lust. He stands straight, still and menacing, silent but for our deep breaths. “Soon.” His voice is like gravel and he makes a guttural sound as he slowly kneels in front of me, never taking his eyes off mine. It’s probably the sexiest thing I have ever witnessed. He breathes my scent in, eyes closed; taking all the time in the world and looks at me once more through his thick long lashes. His hands spread my thighs and he licks his tongue on the tender inside, high but below the apex, kissing the soft flesh before increasing the pressure and sucking down hard, pulling the blood from deep inside, swirling it along the surface. Gripping my thighs, each fingertip a mark on my skin, each sucking swirl of his tongue a mark on my body and each desperate cry he draws from my soul a mark on my heart. He moans with satisfaction and almost as an afterthought, licks his tongue deep along my core causing my legs to quake and my thighs to tense. He freezes and snaps his head to look at me.

  “Jesus Bethany, what’s gotten into you? It feels like you’d come if I just told you to, without even touching you?” His voice is thick with desire and with that deep timbre I know he is right and I am not particularly happy at how shaken and vulnerable that makes me. Something to process later, right now I still need to come but I’m not going to beg, like he says I’m super responsive so one touch of my hand will also do the trick. I take my hand from his hair where I had been gripping for balance with one leg on his shoulder and lightly sweep my hand over my tummy and toward my core. My fingers are snatched and squeezed painfully as Daniel growls and stands, his erection bobbing and fierce between my open thighs. “Not a fucking chance. Ok I won’t mark you where I want, yet, but there is no way I am not going to be the one to make you come.” He nudges his thick soft crown, sliding to my entrance and I clench in eagerness, he pushes further, deeper and we both let out a satisfied moan. He pulls back and thrusts hard, I cry out and hold his solid shoulders pulling him in, I need him close, I need him deep.

  His eyes fix on mine as he pounds into me, it feels so sweet, so intense and I wouldn’t fight the building pressure and blissful spasms even if I could but I do surprise myself when I gasp out. “Daniel, I want to come.” I pant short breaths fighting the inevitable release. “Can I come?” It’s not exactly begging, somewhere in between but we are not exactly in a place where I can trust him not to torture me with denial, and God my body needs this.

  “Ah Fuck yes baby, yes, yes come for me.” He steps into me even though there is nowhere left to go, just deeper and harder.

  “Ahhh. .mmmmmm.” The overwhelming wave of pleasure engulfs me and I am so grateful Daniel has the presence of mind to slap his hand over my mouth as I scream my release. Slowing his hips I am not sure if he finished too. I am so caught up with the earth shattering orgasm that has left me unable to speak, move or breathe. He leans his full weight against mine to stop me from sliding down the wall, not through extreme exhaustion, or sated euphoria which I am feeling but because my bones have ceased to perform their basic function. My body continues to contract and shudder with pleasant aftershocks and my head finally returns from its hiding place. Still buried inside me Daniel is the first to speak.

  “Shit Bethany, that was . . . Christ! Are you Ok?” His light fingers cup my face and I feel strangely embarrassed, strange because he still has his cock wedged deep inside. Choosing to ignore the loaded question because honestly I have no fucking idea if I’m Ok, I deflect.

  “Um did you? I mean I wasn’t sure.” I try to move and hard as he still is, he languidly withdraws and pushes back, effectively stopping me. I think maybe he didn’t.

  “Yes thank you. You seemed a little preoccupied, so you may have missed it.” His wicked grin makes me laugh and he tenderly kisses the corner of my mouth. My libido being the untamed monster that it is, if he continues to move like that we are likely to never leave this delightfully romantic toilet. I push at his shoulders.

  “Oh good.” I smile still trying to push his firm frame away from me, eager to put some distance now my raging hormones have ebbed. “Right well, I should be getting back and I guess you should be too.” I bite down my comments about, ‘wouldn’t want to keep an evil bitch waiting’ for another time. After all he still has his cock in me and apparently he isn’t putting it anywhere else, for now. He pulls out from me and I move to the side, my tongue swipes my own lips automatically at the sight of his still rock hard cock. He lets out a deep throaty laugh that sends a fresh wave of tingles across my skin.

  “I won’t say no but I wouldn’t want you getting the sack.” His flippant remark has my mouth dropped open in utter affront at his insensitivity. “All right, if you insist.” He steps toward me holding his shaft in one hand stroking sensually and offering his other for me to take. My mouth snaps and I scowl my best death stare.

  “You are fucking unbelievable! I am glad getting fired amuses you and don’t even pretend that you hold any concern over my employment here. You just don’t want to keep your date waiting.” My angry words hold a wealth of venom but they seem to have little effect, his face is impassive, his dark eyes gi
ve nothing away. He straightens his back, tucks his shirt in and zips his zip. Stepping once more up to me he tenderly tucks my hair behind my ear, kisses my cheek and whispers.

  “Not my date.” He opens the door and goes to leave, looking directly at me, like he is assessing his prise and with a small knowing smile on his lips he adds, “until next time.” He softly closes the door.

  Ah shit! shit! shit! I quickly straighten my blouse, skirt and check myself in the mirror. Wow that’s an improvement, full lips and lots of colour and if it wasn’t so blatantly obvious that I have just been fucked senseless I would be delighted with this healthy glow, given my recent pallor. I peek my head round the door and with shameful confidence walk back through the restaurant to the bar, thankful we have had no new customers and Lili is idly polishing some glasses.

  “Hey Bets, what’s up?” She doesn’t look concerned so I am thinking it a generic greeting, not a specific enquiry for me to disclose that I have just got down and dirty in the disabled toilet.

  “Oh you know same same, Oh! Other than Arse-Hat of an ex decided to bring his new date here for a cozy date.” I nod in the direction of the booth.

  “Shit Bets sorry I didn’t even look, took the order without peeping up from my pad.” She grimaces, breaking the golden rule of good waitressing; more friendly eye contact more likely to get a tip. “She’s just ordered some wine and I think they’ll be staying for food now he’s back, do you want me to take this?” She offers considerately.

  I huff out a steely breath because yes I do want her to take this. I do want to go and hide in the kitchen but I’m not going to. She doesn’t frighten me, my uncontrollable reactions to him, however, scare the shit out of me. “No I’ve got this.” I take the tray with a bottle of red and a bottle of sparkling water. I fix my most fake smile and sigh. “Here goes.” Lili starts humming the theme from Rocky and it makes me snicker so that when I reach there table I have a genuine smile on my face. Daniel straightens and I can see his jaw tick, he looks uncomfortable and I realise he wasn’t expecting me to serve. Well, I am made of stronger stuff, apparently. I place the tray down, open the water, pour and then start to uncork the wine. I pour two glasses, slip the tray under my arm and take out my pad, with my sweetest voice I ask what they would like. I know she has recognised me, she probably knew from the moment I served coffee but she chooses now to acknowledge me.

  “Oh my goodness Bethany, how lovely. I didn’t recognise you, what a surprise. Did you know Bethany worked here darling?” Her voice is soft her smile is slight, like a china doll and just as sinister.

  “No.” His abrupt curt response highlighting his unease. “I didn’t know she was back working here.”

  “So would you like to hear the specials?” I don’t want to enter into small talk. I think we are past that. I just want to be mature and professional, take their order and leave. Angel reaches her hand and lays it on my arm squeezing lightly. I can’t help but flinch and I tense my muscles to prevent the instant image in my head playing out. The one with me flipping that hold and pulling her to the floor, laying her out with my knee on her throat. I love my inner dialogue sometimes.

  “Bethany,” Her voice dripping with maleficent sincerity. “I am so sorry things didn’t work out. .”

  “Angel.” Daniels warning tone is gruff but she ignores it.

  “You have to know I am hoping you two will work things out. I am so grateful to Daniel but devastated that you don’t understand . . . I just pray—”

  I promised myself I wouldn’t stoop because I know from bitter experience how easy it is to become the villain but I can’t stand it. I slap the pad down and lean my slight frame right over her, my finger in her face. She looks startled and pushes back into the cushion back of the booth. “Look bitch! You can fool Daniel with whatever this saintly desperate doting wife act you’ve got going on but don’t think for one fucking minute I don’t know exactly what you’re up to.” My voice doesn’t sound like my own, feral and dark.

  “Bethany!” Daniel shouts and slams his fist on the table

  “No Daniel.” I draw in a sharp breath through my nose, so much for professional and mature. “You know what? I’d like you to leave.” Petty and childishness rule: I step back giving them enough room to comply.

  “Excuse me?” Daniel chokes out with a laugh.

  I straighten my shoulders. “I said I would like you both to leave. Daniel you are friends with Tony Junior so I won’t ban you from coming again but you . . .” I look directly at a very surprised Angel. “You have no friends here so you are never welcome back!” I maintain my scowl, adrenalin and fury pumping wildly through my veins. Shit! I have never acted like this at work, Jesus Tony is going to kill me but even as I start to regret my unprofessional outburst I have to keep my steely façade for fear of looking even more foolish.

  Daniel smiles and rubs his fingers along the edge of the table cloth but other than that small movement shows no other sign of leaving. “I don’t think you have the authority to do that Bethany but I will accept your apology if you also apologise to my guest.”

  I can feel my hands shake with rage and because I don’t trust my brain to censor my mouth I turn and head to the kitchen. Swinging the doors wide with a crash I effectively draw the attention of Joe, whose head was in a paper and several of the other chefs and kitchen porters. “Get your knives I need help throwing someone out, full strength if you don’t mind boys.”

  Joe stands and waves his hands in a calming motion “Ok Annie put your gun down, why am I doing this exactly?”

  I can feel my tears prickle in my eyes as they pool but don’t fall. “You remember what you said you’d do to my sister if she ever showed her face?” Joe’s expression darkens and he reaches for his large carving knife. “Honestly, the woman out there is worse and the man she’s with, isn’t much better at the moment. I know you know about what I’ve been through with this break-up Joe. Marco would’ve given you the heads up before I came back to work and I told you myself about Daniel’s ex from hell . . . Well now you get an up close and personal with the bitch.” I blink and a few drops hit my cheek it’s like a red rag and Joe motions for the others to follow him. At his side he hesitates when he sees who I am talking about.

  “Ah Shit Bets you didn’t say it was Danny out there too. Tony will be pissed if this back fires.” He says under his breath.

  “Does it make a difference?” I look up into his face and he grins and nudges me.

  “No sweetheart, none at all.” He strides forward stopping beside the table, his staff forming a very intimidating semi-circle and me tucked in beside him. “I believe Bethany asked you to leave. So I think its best you do just that.” His voice is calm and filled with authority or maybe it’s that he is the size of a house.

  Daniel pinches his lips together but fails to hide his grin, smiling he stands and pats Joe lightly on the shoulder. He nods to Angel who scrabbles to get her bag from the floor and pull her coat from the hook on the wall. “See ya later Joe.” Daniel nods, winks at me and flashes a heart stopping smile. Not waiting for Angel he walks out of the restaurant; she trots to follow, tripping on her heels to catch up after him.

  I FELT STRANGELY empowered by my show of borrowed strength but that vanished when Anthony Junior called me into the office. Loyalty in the kitchen is akin to a cult at times so I know no one has grassed me up so I could only assume Daniel had done the honours.’ Anthony is sitting back in his chair his dark brows furrowed over his chocolate brown eyes, his hands steepled in contemplation or prayer, not sure which. He is dressed in a smart light grey suit, no tie and petrol blue and white striped shirt. He doesn’t look angry which is good but I decide to pre-empt a dressing down. Because, however right it felt at the time, I was out of line and I don’t have the authority to ban patrons. He nods for me to take a seat, his silence is a standard tactic for making anyone he is reprimanding uncomfortable. It is effective and I have seen it make those much stronger than I, crumble. My
words rush out in a garbled apology.

  “Anthony I’m really sorry. I’m not sure what came over me, it won’t ever happen again.” I bite my lip to stop myself when he raises his hand.

  “Well, it’s a first for you so I am inclined to believe you. Would you mind telling me why my head chef has threatened one of my best customers with a knife?” He tilts his head; his voice is the epitome of measured calm.

  “Joe didn’t threaten as such, he just asked him to leave on my behalf.” I add, to clarify this was my decision and Joe had just ‘got my back.’ “It wasn’t his biggest big knife.” I smile but quickly flatten my lips at his sharp narrow eyes, not ready to make jokes, good to know.

  “This is serious Bethany, Danny could take this further.” He sighs and shakes his head. “I will back your decision, you know that. But if I ban Danny I think this will get ugly pretty quickly, in fact I know it will.” He taps his Mont Blanc pen lightly on his desk with agitation.

  “I didn’t ban Daniel just the bit. .just his guest and you don’t really have to exclude her. I was just . . . well like I said I don’t know what came over me. If they come back I’ll just get one of the others to serve.” I offer a tentative smile and I am relieved when he smiles back.

  “No you are right, she is not welcome. I may try and stay out of the family gossip but I’d have to be a hermit not to know what’s going on, maybe not the specifics but enough.” He lays the pen flat, taps his fingers nervously on his lips while he chews his bottom lip like he doesn’t want to say what he is about to say. “Right, not sure how to put this exactly so I’m just going to say it. Danny has asked for your shift schedule.” I let out a deep breath and rub my forehead, squeezing my eyes at the instant pressure.