False Pretenses

by Tressie Lockwood

  “Eat,” she commanded, sitting across from Nathan. “The sugar will give you a boost—artificial and short term, but every little bit helps.”

  Nathan moved mechanically and spooned cake and ice cream into his mouth. After a few bites, his gaze rose to hers. “How did you know about this?”

  She laughed. “A few broken hearts.”

  “Ah.”

  The sweet, creamy dessert eased down her throat, an old friend always willing to be there. Except when I hate her because she made me gain weight. Then she can kiss my ass. “Yup, women really do this. It’s not just for the movies. You have to have seen Piper eat—” Maybe he hadn’t. Not that his sister couldn’t get a broken heart, but she guessed Piper kept even that a secret because of her preference.

  “No, I haven’t,” he confirmed.

  “Lucky you. The tears and snot accompany it, and that’s so not pretty.”

  He cringed and put his spoon down.

  “Damn, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to kill your appetite.”

  “You didn’t. I was just thinking how great you are. This is just a gig, I guess you can call it, and you’re all in. You helped me, and even Piper when she needed it. I just wanted to say thank you.” He reached across the table and touched her fingers. She wanted to draw back, to protect herself, but the haunted light had returned to his eyes.

  “You all love him very much. I can tell.”

  “You have no idea.”

  Nathan ran his hands through his hair and stood. He paced a few steps away from the table and leaned on the island in the middle of the kitchen. The stove was situated there, one with five burners and a rack overhead, pots and pans hanging from it. Alyssa had always wanted something like that. Her apartment stove looked like someone had squished it between the sink and the refrigerator. The burners were so tight, she had trouble getting food prepared in a big soup pot to cook evenly.

  “When I was younger, he was stronger and tougher. He didn’t allow failure in his subordinates or his family. That doesn’t mean he was a tyrant. His kindness reached every corner of the world, and no matter how busy running a corporation made him, he found time to spend with Piper and me.”

  Alyssa had never heard anyone who wasn’t a child idolize their parent so much. She admired it in Nathan.

  “I strove to be like him in every way.”

  “I bet you did.”

  He turned to look at her and offered a tight smile. “Not even close. Like any son, I thought he would be here forever. Losing him will be unbearable.”

  Alyssa’s spoon clanked in her bowl when she let it fall, and she rushed over to Nathan. He engulfed her in a bone-crushing hug. She held on, willing her strength to him, but when she peered up, his eyes were dry. He lowered his head toward hers, and his lashes brushed her cheeks. He pulled in a deep breath, his big chest pushing against hers.

  “It’s late,” he murmured.

  She kissed his cheek and drew from his arms. After they’d washed and dried the dishes they had used, they walked up to the bedroom they shared. Alyssa showered and slipped into a nightgown she’d purchased shopping. Then she climbed into bed. Nathan took longer in the bathroom, but when he returned, he appeared no more unwound than before he went in. She considered offering to find Talia for a sleeping pill, but had another thought.

  Nathan climbed into bed and switched off the lamp. The bed sank toward his side, bringing her in closer to him. He lay on his back, and she rested a hand on his bare chest.

  “Nathan.”

  “Hm.”

  “I…um…” Rather than ask him or offer, she ran her hand over his chest, skimmed his nipples, and then explored lower, across his belly. Just before she reached the point of no return, he caught her wrist. She eyed him in the dim lighting. Was he rejecting her?

  “I don’t want to take advantage of you.”

  “You’re not.”

  “If you weren’t feeling sorry for me, you wouldn’t offer this.”

  She sucked her teeth. “We both know that’s not true. We felt it from day one. I’m a big girl.”

  “Alyssa.” He rolled to face her, continuing to hold her wrist in the spot where he’d stopped it. “I’m not in a position to think clearly. I want to forget my head altogether. That might not be the best choice for you.”

  She stretched up and nibbled his bottom lip. The sharp intake of breath brought his chest to her pebbled nipples, and the thin nightgown material did nothing to disguise her state. In a moment, she figured Nathan would not be able to turn back. With the tip of her tongue, she teased the soft skin at his mouth and dared to dip inside to the warm moistness. A low groan rumbled in his throat.

  His arm shot out to encircle her waist, and he hauled her tight to his chest. Already, his cock had grown hard behind his boxers. Alyssa ran a toe up his leg and down again. He shuddered. When she raised it once more, he caught her behind the knee to keep her legs spread. Her pussy clenched in anticipation.

  He parted her lips with his tongue and covered her mouth with such force, it took her breath away. She surrendered to his hungry kiss and knotted her fingers in his hair.

  After a few moments, he drew away. “I don’t want you to regret this in the morning.”

  “I won’t.” She tilted her head back when he tasted her at her throat.

  “Take if off.”

  She swallowed and leaned back to pull the nightgown over her head. Lying flat, arms up, she let him study her body in the pale moonlight. Did he like what he saw? Her breasts were still firm at thirty-three, but not as high as they were ten years ago. She thought the size wasn’t bad, not too small, but not Dolly either.

  Nathan’s fingers splayed over her rib cage, and his thumb found her nipple to pluck at it. The caress sent signals to her nether regions, making her wetter.

  “You’re so beautiful.” He kissed her lips before she could answer and then traced down her chest, leaving small pecks along the way. When his lips closed over the very nipple he’d been playing with, her back came up off the bed. She keened in need. The noises he made with his mouth when he reached her navel drove her insane. He raised his head. “Are you okay with me going down here?”

  “Are you serious?”

  Nathan thrust the covers away and boosted her thighs. He scooted farther down the bed, and she couldn’t help the shudder that rocked her from head to toe. A curse rose to her lips the second his mouth closed over her clit. What was she thinking? This man—holding out against him meant nothing. She would give it all. His kiss, his touch, his body would demand surrender, if not his words.

  “Nathan,” she moaned.

  Speaking his name seemed to spur him on. He sucked harder at her bud, and she bit off a scream. Come dripped down from between her folds. She felt it, and he didn’t let it go to waste. Holding her knees in a firm grip, he shoved her legs higher and began licking at her cream. The sensation of his tongue delving inside, retracting to swallow, and then going in again had her squirming. Just when she thought the pleasure bearable, he took it up a notch by returning to her clit again. First flicking it with his tongue, he switched to sucking it between his lips. The abuse of the poor bud demanded she release, and her body geared toward climax. Inner muscles contracting, Alyssa tangled fingers in Nathan’s hair and pumped his face.

  “Mm, yes, yes, yes. Make me come. Make me come!”

  He didn’t let up, but worked her clit until the orgasm slammed through her core and spread outward. She screamed his name, forgetting there were others in the house. Again and again, she rode his face, until her satisfaction was complete.

  Nathan leaped from the bed and shed his boxers. He rustled through the wallet he’d tossed on the dresser earlier and found a condom. Within moments, he sheathed his tool and climbed onto the bed. She was about to raise her legs again, but he tugged an ankle.

  “No, turn over. On your knees.”

  She obeyed, hiking her ass in the air. Nathan locked strong fingers on her hips. Her mouth went dry
at the first touch of his cock head. A mewl of need rose in her throat, and Nathan echoed the sound with his own growl. Soon the cap pierced her opening. She whimpered his name.

  “Alyssa, oh hell, you’re so wonderfully tight. Even after you’ve come. Baby, you feel incredible.”

  He seated himself deep inside her, and her heart palpitated. She licked her lips and braced with one hand on the headboard. “Give it to me.”

  His fingers spasmed at her hips, and he withdrew only to grind to the hilt, a violent and amazing movement. She arched her back as much as she could and shoved into him. He filled her to capacity, her walls seeming to stretch around the biggest dick she’d ever enjoyed. More. I have to have more.

  “Make me come again like this, Nathan. Please.”

  He ground in and out at a steady pace and then reached under her with long fingers to her clit. Rather than stroke it, he squeezed the sensitive flesh between his digits while pounding against her ass. Words, rational thought, anything that had nothing to do with living on the end of Nathan’s cock, left her. All she did was feel his thrusts and hear his ragged breathing. He stimulated her with dirty phrases and occasional smacks on her ass. Nathan’s ability to hold off his release surprised her, and just when she reached her second peak, he drove into her wet pussy once more and held still. A powerful orgasm exploded over her being, and following on its heels, Nathan found his own climax.

  Her lover wrapped both arms around her waist, and keeping himself buried inside her, he dragged her down to the bed so that he spooned her. They lay still for long moments, both panting. After a while, he pulled out, and Alyssa heard the slap of the condom coming off. She kept her eyes closed. He moved away, and she mourned his loss, but he returned quickly. She twisted in his arms and rested on his chest. He held her tight to him. A huge yawn expanded his chest, and she sighed in satisfaction.

  “You want to do it again?”

  She opened her eyes and stared up at him. “Are you serious?”

  “Yes, you don’t want to?”

  She grinned. “I’m in.”

  Chapter Seven

  Alyssa woke and stretched, sore in every muscle in her body. She expected to find herself alone, but Nathan lay at her side, asleep. She rolled over and watched him. His lashes were long and thick for a man. They swept his cheeks, making him appear so sweet in repose. Did he ever get angry or raise his voice? Was he the kind of man who cheated on a woman or lied to her? All she’d seen so far was his deep love of his dad, a bit of his kindness, and a touch of sadness, which he hid most of all. What gave him genuine joy or made him burst out laughing with total abandon?

  All right, girl. You’re getting carried away. It doesn’t matter. He’s not yours, and you’re not going to learn any more about him. Certainly not in a week.

  Someone knocked at the door, and she started. Nathan woke in an instant and tugged the sheets up over her naked figure. She marveled that he was aware of her and her state of dress so soon after being jarred awake.

  “Nathan,” Piper called through the door. “Are you going with me to the hospital?”

  He sat up and ran a hand through his disordered hair. Alyssa bit her lip. Even with bedhead, sexiness oozed from his pores. No doubt a string of broken hearts lay in this man’s wake.

  “Come in,” he called, and she opened the door fully dressed. The frown she tossed in Alyssa’s direction made her feel like she’d sold her body to Nathan. Alyssa clutched the sheets higher, glaring back.

  “You’re not even up yet,” Piper accused him. “It’s already eight thirty.”

  “Give me fifteen minutes.” Nathan pulled on his discarded boxers under the covers and stood. “I promise. I’ll be ready.”

  Piper cast another withering look at Alyssa and left the room. Nathan turned to Alyssa, and something told her this time she wouldn’t be welcome.

  “I’m going to go ahead. You don’t have to come along this time. I’ll see you later.”

  Despite being right and understanding his decision, his words hurt. Why would she go along? This relationship was a farce. Yet, it seemed like once he’d gotten between her legs, his desire for her to fully act the role of his girlfriend fizzled. Whatever. She could explore the island on her own, maybe even lie on the beach and enjoy the only vacation she might have in a long time.

  “Of course. You go ahead. I’ll keep myself occupied.”

  He cleaned up in the bathroom and was dressed within the time limit he’d given to his sister. “If you need anything, just ask Talia or Aziz. Felix will be with me.”

  She waved him off. “I won’t need anything.”

  He hesitated with his hand on the doorknob and then turned back. “For last night, thanks.”

  Fingers curled in until her nails dug into her palms, she clenched her jaw and said nothing more. He really had to make it worse by thanking her for the damn sex. Bastard! Or was it the comfort food and letting him talk about his dad a little? Yeah, better to think of it that way. Then she could shake off the sense of being used. After all, he’d been concerned with her regretting giving in. She would not regret it, no matter what.

  After Nathan left, Alyssa showered and dressed. In the dining room, she met Talia waiting for her. “Um…” The server table at the side of the room remained empty.

  “I can make you anything you like, Ms. Alyssa. The cook has been given the morning off since it’s unlikely anyone will be around the house. I’m a good cook. I’ve had training under her and my mother.”

  “Oh, no, thank you.” Alyssa held up her hands. “I don’t have much of an appetite either. I’m going to walk on the beach before it gets too hot and crowded.”

  The maid’s brows went up. “The beach just beyond the house is private property. It will never be crowded.”

  Damn, I forgot. The rich. “Okay, thanks.”

  Alyssa left her shoes near the house and took the short trail to the beach on bare feet. Just as Talia mentioned, not a soul interrupted the landscape for at least a mile. Private homes dotted the shore, most as big as the Corde home. She started walking, taking her time and letting the chilly, clear water cover her feet before rolling back out to sea. Overhead, birds called to one another and dove into the water to catch fish. In the distance, even this time of morning, sailboats ambled along. She put her hand up and stared out at the peaceful scenery.

  “Beautiful, isn’t it?” came a deep voice behind her. She turned to spot a man standing close by with rolled-up jeans and a T-shirt that had seen better days. Not exactly dressed for the weather, but his dancing blue eyes gave her pause to admire the view onshore.

  “It is.” She hesitated. “You live around here?”

  He chuckled, revealing even white teeth. “Me? No. I work there.” He pointed in the general direction of one of the houses, smaller than Nathan’s place. She guessed he worked as a servant. For some inane reason, she’d thought all the natives were black.

  The man strolled closer and held out a hand. “Cullen James, and you?”

  She shook her head at the hopeful expression on his face and hadn’t missed how he checked out her ring finger. She put her other hand in his. Pretty bold for a servant. “Alyssa Jackson. Pleased to meet you. I’m just visiting.”

  “Ah, the upper crust. I’m sorry. I probably overstepped my bounds.”

  Wow, bitter much? She knew where he came from, though. “Actually I’m not rich. My…um…friend is. I’m bumming down here.” Why the hell didn’t she come right out and say her boyfriend? Probably because it felt wrong. This man knew what it was like to struggle. She’d felt it in the roughness of his hands. The calluses didn’t come from being born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

  They fell into step side by side and continued along the beach. “Are you going to attend any of the beach parties?” he asked after some time.

  She squinted against the rising sun. Damn, shades would have been a good idea. “That sounds like fun. I’m not sure.”

  “You should. I think you
’d enjoy it. There’s usually one at the beach outside the hotels, and maybe you’ll let me buy you a drink. The music here is not to be missed.”

  She clapped her hands. “Oh, the steel drums! I’d forgotten about that. I want to hear them in real life.”

  His eyes brightened. “I’ll take you to the best spot.”

  She stopped walking. Now was the time to tell him she wasn’t available, which was a shame. He seemed nice, and he was sexy as hell. Aside from that, he was also a regular middle-class person like her. “Do you live here on the island?”

  “No, we’re down for the week. I was born and raised in New York.”

  Despite herself, excitement rose. “Me too!”

  “So that’s a yes to our date?”

  Before she could answer, her cell phone rang, and she pulled it from her shorts pocket. Nathan’s name flashed on the screen, and guilt assailed her. She glanced at Cullen. “I’m sorry, I have to take this. I can’t go on that date. Probably wasn’t meant to be, but it was nice meeting you.”

  She turned away and hurried down the beach in the direction she’d come while stabbing the connect button. “Hey, Nathan, everything okay?”

  “Yes, everything’s fine. I wanted to call and apologize for leaving you so abruptly this morning.”

  “Don’t worry about it.”

  “Dad’s fine. He just overdid it watching us play the game. Got too excited. They’re letting him come home.”

  “That’s great. So soon?”

  He chuckled, and she heard the relief. “Trust me. He’s better off at home, which is where he wants to be. The doctor believed he would wear himself down more wanting to be home and thinking he kept us from enjoying our time together. He also chewed my ass for not bringing you with me this morning.”