by April Angel
“Jared.”
He turned to Max, who was watching him intently.
“She’s a very nice girl. Lucky has been kind of unlucky in the relationship department, from what Nina said. She doesn’t play games, like your ex.”
Didn’t she? Most women had a game plan. Unable to stop himself, his vision traveled back to the dance floor, to the brunette in the dark red dress that accentuated each of her sexy curves, and the man dancing with her. He didn’t care that it was Tanner holding her. He wanted to tear him away from her, haul her into his arms and kiss her lips, lips he knew were soft, pliant, and looked amazing sucking his cock.
Max’s mention of Jared’s ex, the woman Jared had almost married but who was currently serving time in jail, soured his stomach. “I have a hard time believing there’s a single woman out there who isn’t playing her own game.”
Jazz’s outraged gasp made Jared turn once again to look at him. Jazz was glaring at him. “How little you know women. They don’t all play games. Some are really who they show you.”
He snorted and glanced back to the floor. Yeah, he knew enough about women to know they were all up to something. Just look at Lucky and how she’d left him, even after the night they’d shared. Why? Because in her head, the incredible chemistry they shared probably didn’t matter. But why was he so worked up? He knew he should be glad she was acting that way. Hell, he wasn’t looking for a relationship, especially not a long-distance one. So why was it making him fist his hands and clench his jaw to continue seeing her dancing with Tanner? They were on a third song now—not that he was counting—and deep in conversation.
“I know enough about women to know they always have an agenda. None of them do anything without asking for something in return.”
“Jared, trust me, Lucky isn’t like that.”
“Listen to your homey, Jared,” Jazz chimed in. Jared glared at him. He lifted a hand to request a new drink from the bartender. “Lucky isn’t like that. She’d never want a relationship based on what she can get out of a man. She’s genuine and nice. And probably one of the few women out there who’s more interested in getting to know you versus getting to know your wallet.”
Could that even be possible? His ex-fiancée had been so interested in his money it had driven her to commit a crime. When Tanner and Lucky appeared to be ready to continue dancing, he decided he wasn’t going to sit around waiting anymore. He slid off the stool.
“Oooh! He looks like he’s gonna go start something. Go get her, tiger! Rawr!”
He couldn’t stop the grin over Jazz’s silly comment. Making his way through the crowd, his gaze locked on his woman and he marched right to her.
Chapter Six
Jared was only a few steps away when Lucky glanced in his direction. She raked her vision down his body and then slowly brought it back up to his face. His gut clenched at the vulnerable look he saw in her eyes. She seemed so exposed and confused, he wasn’t sure if he should step back or keep walking. But some strange emotion inside him pushed him toward her, to find out what was wrong and make her feel better. He stopped a few feet from her and Tanner.
“Hey, Jared. Did you want to cut in?” Tanner grinned, his eyes all but saying he knew why Jared wasn’t smiling.
“I believe you promised me a dance,” he lied, daring her to refute his words.
Anger brightened her eyes. “Oh? I don’t seem to remember that promise.”
Tanner laughed. “It’s OK. I’ll talk to you later on, Lucky. You have my card.”
Their gazes were locked in a silent debate, but he still pulled her into his arms for a slow dance. Holding her so close sent his arousal into a free fall toward his cock. She glanced away from him. He studied her profile, noticed her flawless golden skin was flushed, and he wasn’t sure he liked her being angry with him.
“We need to talk.”
Unwavering control filled her dark eyes. “I don’t think we do. I told you what I needed to do, and that was it.”
“Luciana—”
She tugged out of his hold. The amount of sadness he saw flash through her gaze formed a knot in his throat. “What do you want, Jared? Ask yourself that and figure out the answer before you try to get me to make any kind of compromises. I don’t have time for games.”
Her words had been soft but sure. He watched her walk away from him towards one of the back offices, her spine arrow straight, hips swaying with each step. Jazz was right. He couldn’t approach her with the same mindset he had toward every other woman. Besides, it was clear to him that he wanted her still, and he wouldn’t be denied.
Lucky entered Andrew’s office and continued straight into his attached bathroom, not bothering to shut the door behind her. She gripped the sink, trying to calm the frantic beating in her chest. Confusion ran rampant inside her. She wanted to open the door to a relationship with Jared, if that was his intention, but she had become jaded after Nick.
Staring at the pristine marble under her hands, she became lost in thought. So lost, that she didn’t hear the quiet steps of someone behind her, until he was sliding his hands around her waist and rubbing his hard cock on her ass. She glanced up. Jared’s look was softer than before, still as intense but not as harsh.
“What are you doing now?” She cleared her throat of the frogs trying to take up residence there.
His gaze stroked her lips and then traveled up to meet her gaze again. He moved her hair over her right shoulder, leaving her neck and left shoulder exposed. Then he dipped his head and kissed the back of her neck.
“I can’t stay away from you.”
Her heart flipped in her chest. Electric pulses bombarded her core and made her sex throb.
“I want you, Lucky.”
She whimpered at the feel of his firm lips kissing and sucking up and down her shoulder. Her body ached with need. She watched him, her lids feeling incredibly heavy, through the wall of mirrors in front of her. He moved a hand up to cup her breast over the slinky strapless dress, while the other hand tugged up the skirt and caressed the inside of her thighs before rubbing over her thong-covered crotch.
“I can’t get enough of you.”
He pulled her from the sink and turned her to face the long mirror covering the back of the door. Her breath hitched. He tugged the neckline down, exposed her breasts, and massaged them in his large hands.
“I love touching you.”
She moaned, brought her hands up to cover his, and wiggled her ass over his cock.
“Ah, yes, sweetheart. I want you, baby. Do you want me too?”
She held her breath and studied his gaze. She knew what he was doing, and by God she was starting to wonder if maybe she was insane for wanting to try. If she allowed him to touch her again she was screwed. In every way. It was pretty much telling him she was good with them seeing each other some more. She didn’t know if she could handle that. But what if…what if she continued to see him through the wedding? She’d be there for those weeks anyway. If things didn’t work out, there would be nothing for either of them to blame the other about.
“What do you say, sweetheart.” His voice caressed her ear and she continued to watch the reflection of him fondling her breasts. It was by far one of the hottest things she’d ever seen. She cocked her head to the side to give him a better angle to kiss and lick. “Let me show you how good we can be. We can take it slow.”
She groaned and shut her eyes, but immediately jerked them open to continue watching him. “I…” He pinched her nipples and sucked on her neck. Her pussy quivered, unfulfilled. Fuck, she was so confused, but she wanted him—wanted more time with him and wanted his cock inside her again. “Yes, OK, but only until the wedding. After that we’ll have to see.”
“It’s a start.” He nipped her shoulder and her body shuddered. “Bend over and put your hands on the mirror.”
Her eyes widened in the reflection, and she licked her lips.
“I want you to see me fucking you.” He tugged the slinky dress
down until it pooled by her feet. He then yanked down her wet thong. She had her hands splayed over the mirror, fully nude, wearing nothing but her heels. So hot.
He traced his way up her calves, followed by her thighs, around her front to her waist, and up to her tits. She sighed. He went straight for her nipples, pinching the little buds without mercy. It was pleasure and pain mixed together with enough potency to make her feel like tiny orgasms were rolling through her. She dropped her head back onto his shoulder. His hands left her breasts. He removed his suit jacket and pulled on his tie until it was hanging loose on his neck.
She wanted him naked, or at least wearing less than he was. He stroked her spine with his lips, soft kisses and licks that worked down to her ass. Arousal thickened in her veins, dark and needy. Bracing her hands on the glass, she watched him reach into his pocket and pull out a condom. Then she heard the zipper sliding before his pants dropped to the floor. Widening her stance, she inhaled sharply when he caressed her cheeks, rubbed his cock down her crack, and finally stopped at her wet entrance.
“Watch me fuck you, baby.”
With their gazes locked, he thrust into her in one quick stroke. Wildfire spread inside her. Licks of the growing inferno raced up to her nipples at the speed of light. Scraping her nails on the mirror, she moaned when he pulled back and thrust in again. Hard heartbeats hammered her ears. His pelvis slapping her ass made a smacking noise she found incredibly arousing. Riveted on the vision they presented, she watched herself moan, her eyes bright with desire.
“Oh…yes!”
His strokes were firm and steady. Each one fanned the flames of tension inside her. She dropped her head forward, only to have him grip her hair and tug—not painfully, but enough to get her to raise her head.
“I want to see your face.”
Light beads of perspiration lined her body, giving her already golden skin an even brighter glow. He kissed her back, sucked his thumb into his mouth, and then slid it down her crack. It was a moment later that she felt his digit circling her hole. Her breath caught. He dipped the digit into her tight ass. Slowly. Carefully.
She whimpered, shoved back into his driving cock and finger. Watched him clench his jaw. He slipped the finger in and out in tandem with his quick, hard strokes. She panted, groaned, and tensed. Pressure built inside her. So heavy she swore she was going to explode. So fast it was like a tsunami coming for her.
“Please…Jared. I need…” She moaned and watched an almost wild expression take over his face.
“I know, baby.”
He released her hair to lean forward. A single pull, and then he drove his cock deep. Hard. Harder. Jesus it felt good. So good. Like being bitten and licked at the same time. Her body throbbed. The taste of bliss grew closer. He ran a hand around her waist. One quick breath, and he was delving his hand between her pussy lips. Her pleasure intensified with each stroke. That’s when he brushed a finger over her clit.
“Oh God…oh…my…” She bit her lip and choked the scream down. The climax was raw. Harsh. Amazing. So amazing, it left her struggling for air. While she rode the waves of her release, enjoying the pleasure that blasted down her body to her pussy, she watched him close in on his own orgasm. She propelled back onto his cock, her ass pulsed on his thumb, and her pussy quivered.
“Shit!”
His moves lost all coordination. Until he stopped completely, met her gaze, and cursed again. Then he did a single final drive into her that left him tense. Electricity flowed through her in tiny pricks that made her entire body shake.
He jerked. Over and over. And it was amazing. But he didn’t stop until he was holding her tightly to him by the waist, skin-on-skin. Air puffed in and out of their lungs. Each ragged breath a new reminder of the passion they’d just shared. She wouldn’t change it for anything in the world. When he pulled out of her, the heat of the moment slowly dissipated. She glanced at him in the fogged-up mirror and saw him disposing of the spent condom. She tried to stand straight, but her knees felt ready to buckle. So she stayed as she was, leaning on the glass. He grabbed paper towels, wet them, and cleaned himself before fixing his clothes.
After that, he wet some more and tended to her. He wiped between her legs so carefully, she could do nothing more than stare while her heart melted. Her vision was riveted on his hand while he stroked her pussy and thighs. Her nipples drew tight. How nice it was to have him touching her with the warm towels. He helped her stand and turned her to face him. Their lips met in a kiss she very much needed. She couldn’t say why. She just did. Something was going on there. It both scared and drew her in at the same time. Winding her arms around his neck, she drove her fingers into his hair. He hugged her tightly, slipping his fingers through her hair and caressing her skull.
Emotions were a bitch. Feelings she’d never felt before started to make an appearance, but she didn’t want them. No. For all she knew this wouldn’t last past the wedding. Her mind rebelled. Those same emotions wanted it to be for longer. Much longer.
She kissed his jaw and hugged him back. Just hugged him. It was the first time in a long time a man held her. She allowed herself to wonder at possible what-ifs. Reality made its presence known in the form of Jazz.
“Hello-oh.” His unmistakable voice sounded from the other side of the door.
Lurching back in Jared’s arms, she peered up at him. His scowl told her he was not happy with the interruption.
“You both need to get your nookie over with so we can continue this party. Nina is starting to stress over where you could’ve gone, Lucky. Now get your asses back in your clothes and let’s party like it’s nineteen ninety nine.”
She grinned. He rolled his eyes and replied to Jazz. “We’ll be right there.”
“Save the next nookie session for later, when we’re not so busy.” He chuckled as his footsteps drew away.
Jared bent down, picked up her dress, and handed it to her. She noticed he had grabbed the thong and shoved it into his pocket. When she glanced at him with lifted brows, he simply shrugged.
“It’s wet and will be uncomfortable. I’ll hold it for you.”
If she hadn’t seen the sparkle of sexual innuendo in his eyes, she would have thought he was being a gentleman, but clearly he just wanted another pair of her panties.
“What, are you starting a collection?” she asked and put on the dress, which thankfully had a built-in bra or he’d probably keep that too.
“Maybe.” Once her clothes were back on, he cupped her face. Of course there was nothing she could do about the lipstick that had disappeared and the mussed up hair. She ran her fingers through it, but the curls just didn’t want to stop looking like she’d just rolled out of bed. “Leave it. I like the woman-well-loved look on you.”
She snorted. “Yeah, I’m sure it will go over real well when Nina and Alex see me. They will know what we were doing in here.”
He chuckled. “Sweetheart, I hate to break this to you, but I am pretty sure your boy Jazz already told them what we were doing in here.”
“Ugh.” She turned to open the bathroom door so they could get out, but he stopped her by placing a hand on her shoulder.
“Lucky…”
Turning on her heel back to him, she noticed him frowning. “What is it?”
“This is not just sex.” He stared deep into her eyes. “You know that, right? Sex is not this deep, this powerful. I want more time with you. I want more, period.”
Panic bubbled up inside her, almost choking her with its intensity. She really wanted to believe that so much it was making her dizzy. But what if he said that now, and in a few days—or weeks—changed his mind and decided to play her? With how fast her feelings for him were developing, she couldn’t handle things moving that way. They had to take it slow or she wouldn’t be able to see him at all. “I already told you, we’ll see how things go until the wedding, and then discuss possibilities.”
Turning back to the door, she opened it and walked out. She stopped at t
he office entrance and looked up at him. “Don’t push me. I don’t like being told what to do. If you want to spend more time with me, you need to understand that right now.”
* * *
“So…” Jazz lifted his brows and waited.
She sipped the hot coffee, its sugary caffeinated flavor bursting on her tongue. Her mind wasn’t awake enough to handle his inquisition. Drinking more of the delicious brew, she ignored the curiosity in Jazz’s gaze and replayed the previous night’s events. Jared’s attitude had softened, and he’d been the perfect companion through the rest of the evening. It was kind of freaky.
“Luckyyyy! If you keep ignoring me, I’m going to pout and whine until you tell me what the heck happened between you and the bad boy, Mr. Sexy.”
“Bad boy?” She grinned. Jazz could be very imaginative, but this time she really thought he was spot on. Jared might dress in a suit, but she saw the rough side of him underneath. His eyes always spoke for him—harsh and gentle, passionate and untamed. All of it made her want to get to know each side of him. And if things went as they had tentatively set, she would.
“Hell yes! You didn’t see the look he gave you and the guy you were dancing with. I swear, chica, he was jealous. He’d glance away, but his gaze kept straying back to you. It was kind of fun to watch a man so torn between going to you and staying away.”
“You think he was torn?” She was certainly torn with her decisions of him, but it was so hard to fight the chemistry and pull he seemed to have on her, and apparently he felt the same way. It was refreshing and helped her feel a bit more at ease that he was also fighting some of the attraction he felt.