by Rye Hart
“I think that’s all moms.” I laughed. “You should have been there when I told my mom that I was going to open my company.”
“She didn’t like the idea?” Julie asked.
“God no,” I said, shaking my head. “She hated it. She was convinced I would fail and, being my mom, she didn’t want to see that happen.”
“I’m the miracle child,” Julie said. “My parents had my sister, then waited ten years before I came along. They thought they’d never have another child, so, when they did, they pushed all their hopes and dreams onto me. As the miracle child, I can’t screw up.”
“They worry about you more,” I said with a nod. “I get that.”
“You do?” Julie asked.
I nodded again. I understood more than she realized. We were almost to the diner and, as much as I didn’t want the conversation to end, I knew it had to. I pulled into the parking lot, and we made our way inside.
An older waitress seated us, and we ordered lunch, picking up a simpler conversation than before. We joked and flirted through lunch, Julie occasionally reaching across the table to take my hand. Every time we touched, I found it harder to focus.
By the time we were done eating, I was itching to get her alone. Julie’s eyes hadn’t left my face all through lunch. That same hungry look was staring back at me, making my stomach tighten and my palms sweat.
“Any plans for the rest of the day?” I asked as we climbed back into my car.
“Nope,” Julie said. “I’m all yours.”
I grinned and gunned the engine. The tension between us mounted on the drive home, but I did my best to keep talking. The closer we got to Julie’s house, the harder it became. I just wanted to be alone with her, to have an excuse to kiss her perfect lips again.
“Should I take you home?” I asked, hoping she would invite me inside.
“Well,” Julie said. “You’ve seen my place. It’s only fair that I see yours.”
“You’re right,” I said. I grinned at her and turned left at the next stop sign. “We’re not far.”
Julie gazed out the window as I drove down the back roads. My house was right outside of Ennis on ten acres of open land. When I turned the final corner and the house came into view, Julie gasped loudly and leaned forward.
“Holy shit,” she said softly. “This is where you live?”
“This is home,” I said.
Julie’s eyes flew wide as we pulled into the driveway. I was so used to the grandeur of my mansion that I almost forgot how huge it was. Looking at it through Julie’s eyes, I realized she’d probably never seen a house this big before.
“It’s practically a castle,” she said.
I laughed. “I wouldn’t go that far.”
“I would,” she insisted. “I half expected to see a moat surrounding the place.”
“That gets added next year.” I winked.
Julie rolled her eyes, but when we got out of the car, she begged for a tour. I happily obliged. My desire from earlier was muted as I watched Julie react to my home. Her face lit up with excitement as I showed her each new room. Her favorite, by far, was the library.
“It’s beautiful,” she said. Her tone was hushed, almost reverent.
“I thought you’d like this,” I said.
“You did?” She raised her eyebrows.
I shrugged. “You’re a writer.”
“Fair enough.”
She gazed around at the shelves of books, and I gazed at her. There, standing in the middle of my library, she’d never looked more alluring.
“So,” I said. “I was thinking…”
Julie turned to face me with a slight frown. I suddenly felt nervous, and I didn’t know why.
“Yeah?” she asked.
“My company is throwing a holiday party next weekend,” I said quickly. “On Saturday. I was thinking you might want to go with me?”
Julie’s answering smile was sexy as hell. She grinned slyly and sauntered slowly over to me. When she stopped, she was just inches from my face.
“As your date?” she asked playfully.
“Of course,” I said. My voice was low.
Julie’s lips were so close to mine that I could barely think straight. When we finally closed the distance between us, I felt my entire body react. It was a soft kiss, light and quick, but it was enough to make my dick twitch with need.
“I’d love to,” Julie whispered.
I grinned and pulled her back to me, my lips claiming hers as my own.
CHAPTER 9
JULIE
Michael’s kiss was gentle at first. His lips slid easily over mine, teasing me and tempting me at the same time. When his tongue slid inside my mouth, I sank deeper into the kiss. We’d been here before, this moment where our desires overtook us and propelled us into bed together. Only this time, it felt different. I was calmer, more relaxed, not frantic with need. Michael seemed to feel the same way.
He took his time with me. He kissed me slowly, taking time to taste every inch of my mouth and nibble gently on my lips. I moaned as his strong arms wrapped themselves around my waist. He held me tightly against his body, running his fingers down my spine and then back up again. I shivered at his touch, but it only served to pull me deeper in. I kissed him back with as much passion as I could muster, letting my mind go blank and my body take control. Soon, my heart jackhammered in my chest, and I could barely breathe.
I wrenched my lips free from Michael’s and took a step back to catch my breath. Michael didn’t let me get far. He stepped forward just as I stepped back, pushing me across the room. He grinned slyly, and I giggled at his advance. We were seconds away from crashing into one of his bookshelves. When we did, he grabbed me roughly and kissed me again. My back collided with the books, making the shelf shake and my body fill with fire. Michael’s kiss was more intense this time, more insistent. There was a desperation in his hands that hadn’t been there before.
In one motion, he lifted my shirt over my head and tossed it to the floor. His practiced hands unhooked my bra and slid it easily over my shoulders. It followed my shirt to the floor, and Michael’s hands caressed my bare breasts. He ran his thumbs over my nipples, pinching them gently at first. With each stroke, he got rougher and rougher. Soon, my moans were so strong that I was practically crying out against his lips. Michael’s tongue pressed farther into my mouth, tasting my tongue and undoing me completely.
When he lowered his head to take my nipple in his mouth, I cried out and pulled at his hair desperately. I wanted him to take me right there, right then. I didn’t want to wait another second, but Michael was determined to take his time with me. He teased my nipples one at a time, taking one in his mouth while his fingers teased the other. He hadn’t yet removed my pants but, already, my panties were soaked through with need. I thrust my hips forward, pressing myself against him. He pulled away just enough so that we weren’t touching yet. I groaned and tried to pull him back.
“Patience,” he whispered against my tits. “Patience.”
“I want you,” I moaned.
Michael chuckled darkly and continued to work my nipples. I was seconds away from losing my mind when he finally sank lower. His lips traced a line down my stomach until he was kneeling in front of me. He unbuttoned my pants and slid them over my hips, taking my panties along with them. When they reached my ankles, I stepped out of them and kicked them away, grateful to finally be naked.
“Come here,” I said. I tried to pull Michael up so I could undress him, but he resisted.
Instead, he buried his face between my legs and resumed his attack. His tongue lashed against my clit, and I cried out. I was so close to an orgasm that I tried desperately to pull away. I didn’t want to come already. I wanted to come with him inside of me. I wanted to feel his throbbing cock buried deep inside when I finally came undone with ecstasy.
“Come here,” I begged. “Please.”
Michael finally obeyed. He stood up and pressed his lips to mine
while I frantically tore his clothes from his body. He gripped my hips tighter and pulled me against him, pressing me against his fully erect cock. I groaned at the sensations that were shooting through my body.
“I want you,” I moaned. “I want to feel you.”
Michael lifted me off my feet and carried me over to the desk that sat in the middle of the library. He laid me flat on my back and kissed my stomach lightly. Shivers ran through my body. I reached for him, pulling his lips back to mine while he spread my legs with his hands.
He was still moving too slowly for my liking. I kissed him hard and fast, pushing my hips forward until my wetness enveloped his dick. He groaned as he felt just how desperately I wanted him.
“You’re soaked,” he whispered against my lips.
“I want you,” I said again.
“Fuck.” Michael groaned and shoved his hips forward. In one motion, he was inside of me.
I gasped and whimpered while he rolled his hips slowly forward. He was torturing me, but I could tell it was getting harder for him to resist his own urges. As much as he wanted to take his time, his body was telling him something different.
Michael placed his hands on either side of me, bracing himself against the desk while he rocked his hips faster. With each thrust, he grew harder inside of me. My pussy was already aching for him and, in seconds, I came so hard that I thought my scream might break the window.
“Fuck yes, Michael!” I cried out.
The sound of his name on my lips changed Michael instantly. A dark need passed through his deep blue eyes. His forehead creased. His eyes rolled back in his head, and a growl ripped itself free from his lips.
He grabbed me around the waist and flung me upward. I wrapped my legs around his waist so that he stayed inside me while we moved.
Michael hurled us against the closest wall, his hands moving to my ass and his entire body dripping with sweat. He pressed me against the wall with all his strength, slamming his cock inside of me with so much force that it knocked the wind out of me.
“Oh god,” I whimpered and held on for dear life.
My second orgasm came on faster than the first. A rush of pleasure flooded my pussy and coated Michael’s cock. He groaned and buried his face in my neck. His body shook and trembled while he held onto me tightly.
His fingers dug into my ass as he took me even harder.
“You feel fucking amazing,” he growled again, and I knew he was close.
I pulled his face to mine. This kiss wasn’t like the others. It was hungry and full of lust and emotion. I buried my tongue in his mouth to keep myself from screaming his name out again.
He kissed me back, holding me tight.
His cock spasmed inside me, and the feeling of it pushed me over the edge again. Wave after wave of pleasure pulsed through me. My entire body clenched as we tangled together and our cries mingled in the air.
Michael thrust into me a few more times, letting the waves of pleasure wash over us both. I whimpered and wrapped my legs tighter around his waist, burying my face in his shoulder and biting down gently on his skin.
His arms were shaking as he slowly set me on my feet. My body immediately felt the loss of him as he slipped out of me.
“Come take a shower with me?” he asked. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. The look in his eyes was unlike anything I’d ever seen. His deep blue eyes were dark, full of emotion and need. It was more than desire. It was affection.
I nodded and let him lead me by the hand through the house. We walked naked down two flights of stairs until we reached Michael’s bedroom. He held open the door for me and left me alone while he turned on the shower. I listened to the water run and looked around his room.
Part of me thought I should feel awkward. I was standing alone in Michael’s bedroom, naked and dripping with sex. Still, I’d never felt more comfortable in my life. I didn’t know what it was about him, but I had now had sex twice with a man I’d only seen on three occasions. It was so uncharacteristic of me, but I just couldn’t help myself with him.
When Michael reappeared, there was a soft smile on his face that drew me to him. He pulled me against him and kissed my lips softly. We backed into the shower, still holding onto each other. Our kiss never broke as the steamy water cascaded over our aching and exhausted bodies.
We fell asleep in Michael’s bed that night. Neither of us bothered to get dressed after the shower. We curled up beside each other and drifted easily off to sleep.
CHAPTER 10
MICHAEL
Julie’s head was resting on my shoulder when the sun peeked through my bedroom window. I squinted and groaned, throwing my hand over my eyes. The movement woke Julie. She shifted slowly and moaned, sending shivers shooting down my spine.
“That moan is so unfair,” I said. My voice was rough from sleep.
“Why’s that?” Julie asked with her eyes still tightly closed.
“I have to go to work,” I said. “And when you moan like that…”
I growled softly and tightened my hold on her. She giggled and rolled into me, her naked tits pressing against my chest. I could feel that her nipples were already hard from my touch. I growled again and found her lips.
She kissed me back, wrapping her leg around my waist and pulling me closer to her. In seconds, my cock was fully erect.
“You’re killing me,” I said, pulling my lips free from hers.
“Just trying to brighten your morning,” she said innocently.
“You’ve certainly done that, Miss Black.” I laughed and kissed her again.
It took all my strength to break our kiss for a second time. It was already getting late, and I couldn’t afford to miss my morning meetings. The last thing I wanted to do was pull myself away from Julie, but I knew I didn’t have a choice.
“I’ll drive you home,” I said after we were both fully dressed. “We can swing by the café on the way.”
Julie smiled. “Sounds good.”
We got in my car and drove into town. Julie’s fingers were intertwined with mine the whole drive, but when we arrived at the café, she let go and hurried inside. I frowned and followed her. I wondered if she didn’t want to be seen holding my hand in public, but I knew better than to question it.
“Large cinnamon latte to go,” Julie ordered. “Please and thank you, Sarah.”
Sarah nodded and turned to me. “The usual, Michael?”
“Please.” I nodded and pulled my wallet out of my back pocket.
“I got it,” Julie said firmly. Her hand was already buried inside her purse.
“Julie…” I began, but she silenced me with a look.
“You’ve bought me two meals now,” she said. “Please. Let me treat.”
I shrugged. “If you insist.”
“I do.” She smiled and slid her debit card over to Sarah.
It was nice in a way. Most women were all too happy to use my wealth to their advantage. I already knew Julie was nothing like those women, but it was still a nice little reminder.
We got our coffees, and Julie let me drive her home. Her hand found mine again, and all my concerns melted away. The only thing I felt was dread because I had to say goodbye to her again.
“I’ll call you later,” I said as she slid out of the car.
She smiled back at me. “Bye.”
I watched her until she disappeared into her house, her hips swaying seductively from side to side.
“What the hell is wrong with me?” I asked myself, speaking to my now-empty car.
I shook my head and threw my car in drive. As I drove toward the office, I tried to pull myself together. I’d never felt this way about a woman before. Sure, I’d been in relationships—more than my fair share—but no one had been able to drive me insane like Julie. No one could occupy my mind as frequently as she did.
My head was still spinning as I stepped into my office. Marcy had my meetings all set up, and I was grateful for the distraction.
&nbs
p; “Mr. Smart?” Marcy asked, poking her head into my office a little after noon. “Your brother’s on line one.”
“Thanks, Marcy.” I grabbed the phone and pressed the button for line one. “Josh. What’s up, man?”
“Just got back from that conference,” he said.
“How was it?” I asked.
“Fucking waste of time,” Josh said. “Nothing I didn’t already know.”
I laughed. “Why’d you go then?”
“It was mandatory for all residents,” he said with a sigh. “Anyway, are we meeting up this week?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I can do tonight.”
“Works for me,” Josh said. “When and where?”
“Why don’t you come to Ennis?” I asked. “You haven’t been down here in ages.”
“That’s because there are no good bars in Ennis,” Josh said. “There’s no good anything in Ennis.”
“Come on.” I laughed. “It’s not that bad.”
“It’s a tiny-ass town,” Josh argued.
“We have a great bar right in the square,” I said.
“Whatever,” Josh said. “What time?”
“Seven,” I said.
“I’ll meet you there.”
We said goodbye after I gave him the name of the bar, and I placed the phone back down. With a sigh, I leaned back in my chair and stared up at the ceiling.
I spent the entire morning fighting the urge to text Julie. My meetings were a helpful distraction, but after a while, even they failed me. I found myself playing with my phone, typing out a message and then deleting it seconds later. I’d never felt more pathetic in my life.
Drinks with Josh was exactly what I needed to screw my head back on straight. If nothing else, it would keep me from calling Julie in a desperate haze that night. As much as I wanted to see her again, I knew I should distance myself before I got in too deep.
***
“Have a good night, Marcy,” I said as I pulled my office door closed behind me.
“You, too,” Marcy said.
It was a quarter after six, and I still had to go home before meeting Josh. I knew it didn’t matter if I showed up to the bar in my work clothes, but I hated the idea of drinking in a suit. It felt too uppity.