Her fingernails dig into my shoulders through the material of my tux, pulling me closer. I want them raking into my bare skin as I fuck her senseless.
My hand leaves the nape of her neck, caressing down the middle of her back, urging her chest tighter to mine. I want to fuse our bodies together permanently. She’s already in my head and my heart.
My lips leave hers trailing across her warm, flushed cheek to graze the unblemished skin of her neck. Sucking and biting my way down to her collarbone, I dance kisses across the delicate length, then run my nose up the front of her neck, inhaling her delicious fruity scent. I pause when our lips are only a hair’s breadth apart, our passion filled gazes locked. “What do you want, Elle?” I question, her rapid breaths fanning across my lips. “I want to give you whatever you want.” My eyes implore her to say the answer I want to hear...the answer I need to hear, but I’m afraid to hope for.
“You...I want you.”
Slipping off the stool, I take her wrist and gently guide her down from her perch. My hands move to her upper arms holding her close. “Let’s go up to my room.” Leaning down, I rub my nose against hers.
“Yes,” she whispers, staring up at me with those bottomless brown eyes. My fingers slide down her arms to clasp both her hands. I raise them to my lips one at a time, kissing the back of each, before releasing one.
“Come on.” Tugging on the hand I’m still holding I take a step backward and let my eyes drink their fill of her in her short black dress. I raise our joined hands above her head and slowly spin her around. She giggles as she turns and my eyes immediately slide down to her heart shaped ass.
“Hey, you look so beautiful I needed the three hundred sixty-degree view,” I say as she faces me once more.
“Thank you. That’s sweet of you to say.”
I step forward, closing in until we’re chest to chest. “There’s nothing sweet about what I want to do to you.” Turning, I walk with purpose, her palm clasped against mine, clearing a path through the crowd of people gathered around the bar. We don’t stop to say goodbye to the bride and groom or anyone else. Both of us are focused on what we know is about to go down.
Things are about to get ugly in the best of ways.
When we enter the elevator, I press the button for the tenth floor. I don’t dare look at Elle standing beside me. If I do I won’t be able to control myself. As it is, seeing her reflection in the stainless-steel doors is difficult enough. My eyes glance at the red flashing numbers, eight...nine...ten and the doors slide open. We move down the hall side by side, our hands joined even as I slide in the key card and turn the handle.
I gesture for her to enter first and I’m close on her heels. We’ve barely cleared the jamb when I kick the door closed and use our connected hands to pull her back against the front of my body. My free hand wraps around her waist and my fingers spread out over her lower stomach. Moving my lips down, I place kisses across the top of her shoulder and up her graceful neck. Both hands raise to her shoulders, spinning her around to face me. Slamming my lips down on hers, I swallow her gasp of surprise with my mouth and scoop her up in my arms. Legs wrapped around my waist, she presses her pussy into my cock while my hands cradle her ass.
When my legs hit the end of the mattress I place her down on the white sheet then tear off my tuxedo jacket, dropping it to the floor. I unbutton my shirt, my eyes never leaving the perfection of Elle as I remove it. Tugging my t-shirt over my head, it drops to the floor before I remove my shoes and socks.
Placing a knee on the mattress, my hands slide up the inside of her long legs, pushing them open. I crawl between them, slowly lifting her dress higher until her skirt is raised above her waist. The sight of her tiny, black panties makes my mouth dry. Lowering down to my stomach I push her knees up toward her chest and run my nose along her slit, gently biting her clit through the lacy material.
“Josh,” she moans my name, raising her hips toward my mouth. Tugging her panties down her lean legs, I once again push her knees to her chest. Swiping my tongue along her hot, wet slit, I suck her clit between my lips. Taking my time, my tongue wiggles and flicks drawing out her pleasure. My mouth remains focused on that precise spot until she comes with my name on her lips and her fingers buried in my hair. I smile, my lips still pressed against her clit and then use my tongue to lick up all traces of her orgasm.
Gripping both her wrists, I raise them above her head, one on top of the other. “Don’t move,” I order. Slipping my hand in my pants pocket I pull out the unknotted bow tie I removed at the wedding reception as soon as pictures were done. I hated wearing it, but it’ll be put to good use now. I wrap it under her slim wrists and secure a knot. “Are you okay with this?” I ask meeting her eyes.
“Yes, you can do anything you want,” she answers. In my mind, I hear the unspoken part of her reply - because this will never happen again.
I reach under her, pulling the long zipper down and then slip the dress lower and lower until she’s naked in front of me. Fuck. I wasn’t expecting her tits to be bare. I suck a nipple between my lips and then rake the tip between my teeth.
“Yes,” she cries out. I smile as my lips move to the other side. My tongue circles around the taut tip while my fingers quickly unfasten my pants. Grabbing the condom I’d tucked in my back pocket earlier during a moment of optimism, I slide the material down my hips and kick them off, along with my boxer briefs. Tearing open the wrapper, I roll the condom on. I don’t think my cock has ever been this hard. Lowering my chest down over hers, I brush a kiss over her lips as the tip of my dick teases her entrance.
“I’m going to fuck you now, Elle,” I say, thrusting inside her. Oh shit. The sensation of her pussy wrapped all around me is fucking phenomenal. She’s unbelievably wet and tight. I start to move, slow and deep. I can’t take my eyes off her, tied up and at my mercy.
“Your pussy is fucking perfection,” I groan.
Rising to my knees, I flip her over. Her ass is up, hands tied together in front of her. She’s the sexiest thing I’ve ever seen. Slamming my cock inside her, my hands grip her hips hard enough to leave bruises. With every thrust of my hips I pull her back on my cock. The sound of our bodies slapping faster and louder combined with our harsh breaths drives us on. All the frustration and anger she makes me feel, all the tension we share is coming out as I fuck her relentlessly. I’m caught between wanting to come and never wanting this moment to end.
Sliding a hand around her I reach down, circling her clit. She moans, pushing her ass back against me. My fingers move faster as the pace of my thrusts increase until I feel her orgasm clenching down on my cock and I come buried inside her.
I collapse, leaning on her back and kiss the nape of her neck. Slipping to the side, I roll over and pull her down in my arms and untie her hands. “Why did we wait so long to do this?” I question with a smile, my fingers drawing patterns on her back.
“I’m not sure.”
“How do you feel about breakfast in bed?”
“Is that code for morning sex?”
“No, it’s not a code at all. Great sex makes me hungry and I want to order room service.”
She giggles. “I’m a big fan of breakfast in bed and room service.”
Thirty minutes later we’re both sitting propped against the headboard, plates of bacon and eggs piled high watching my new sci-fi obsession, Dark Matter.
“I’ve missed this,” Elle says.
“Missed what?”
“This. You and me, watching sci-fi shows together. I don’t have anyone to do this with anymore.”
“None of your other friends are sci-fi geeks?” I don’t know any of her friends besides Janny. And the guys she spends time with aren’t interested in sticking around long enough for her to find out.
She shakes her head. “Not even one of them.”
“Maybe, you need to spend more time with me.” I can’t keep the words from tumbling out of my mouth.
“Maybe, I do. Why did we
stop spending time together?” She asks, surprising me with her frankness. There’s a frown line between her eyebrows I want to erase.
“I’m not really sure. Janny was the reason we first became friends and when she moved in with Kyle things changed for us all.”
“Isn’t that the truth. I’m more than happy for them, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss the good old days.”
“I hear you. We had some great times.” My eyes flick to meet hers. We stare at one another in silence. “There’s no reason why you and I can’t spend time together without Janny.”
“You want to hang out with me?” She tips her head to the side lowering her chin, our gazes still connected.
“Yes. Does this surprise you?”
“Maybe. We have this love - hate relationship, now.”
“Yeah, but I can’t think of anyone I’d rather be in this tug of war with than you.”
She smiles. “Good point.”
Once our plates are empty, I place them both on the small table by the large window. As I slip back under the covers beside Elle, I realize how tired I am. It’s been a long few days and I’m more than ready to fall asleep with her in my arms. When we wake up in the morning, making love will be the top priority - and convincing her to go on a date with me. I can’t wait to show her what it’s like to be spoiled and cherished by someone. She has no idea what she’s in for.
Rolling over to my side, I pull her into my arms. Her face against my neck, I can feel every little puff of warm air she expels. Our legs tangle while my hand wanders down to caress over the curve of her ass in her black lace panties. She threw one of my white t-shirts on and she looks hotter than any other woman would look in the sexiest lingerie.
Her arm wraps around my waist when she moves closer to me. There’s no way she can miss my hard on digging into her thigh. My dick is definitely ready to go again, but there will be plenty of time for that later. All I want now is to hold her in my arms for the night and wake with her still there.
Kissing the top of her head, I whisper, “goodnight, Elle. I’m glad you’re here with me.”
“Me too. Night,” she murmurs, sleepily.
The mattress dips, waking me from a satisfying sleep. Raising my head, I notice Elle rolling over. Swinging her legs to the floor, she climbs off the bed. She tugs my t-shirt off and wiggles her dress back on while I sit up on the edge of the mattress still half asleep. Walking around the bed, she pauses in front of me, smiling. “Thanks. I had a great time.” Leaning over, she places a chaste kiss on my cheek. “This can be our little secret, right?” she questions with a raised brow.
Anger begins to course through my veins.
How can she do this?
After last night, how can she act like it meant nothing to her?
Fuck her.
“It was only a fuck between friends, Elle. It would have to mean something for me to want to tell anyone.”
A look of sadness washes over her face. She smiles, but it doesn’t reach her eyes. “See you whenever,” she says, before sauntering to the door.
Once it closes behind her, I fall to my back on the bed, staring up at the stark white ceiling. I’m one dumb motherfucker, for letting this happen. Scrubbing my hands over my face, I remind myself this is why Elle isn’t the girl for me.
Sometimes, we must learn our lessons the hard way.
Chapter Five
Elle
Closing the door to the hotel room behind me, I squeeze my eyes shut and lean back against the cool metal surface. My legs are shaking and I feel like I’m going to vomit. Wrapping an arm around my stomach, I take a deep breath to calm myself. I can feel the sting of tears in my nose and I don’t want to give in to the urge to cry. Once I start, I might never stop.
Walking away from Josh was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do. Every cell in my body cried out to remain with him. I wanted nothing more than for him to make love to me again. I knew if I stayed in his room for a second longer, I might never leave. Josh is a forever kind of guy and I’m not the person he’s meant to be with. He deserves the best - which will never be me.
Pushing off the door, I make my way toward the elevator resolute in the decision I made. I know we spoke about spending time together, but after tonight, I’ll be lucky if Josh ever speaks to me again. My actions hurt him, but I’m doing what’s best for him. Only he doesn’t realize it yet.
I could tell by the muscle ticking in his cheek and the way his fists clenched, he was incredibly angry with me. I only hope with time he can move past the anger and understand I walked out with his best interests at heart. I care about Josh, more than anyone knows. More than I like to think about. In another world, I’d have stayed - but it’s not another world.
Climbing inside the empty elevator, I push the button for my floor and smooth a hand over my forehead. I’m getting a killer tension headache from the stress of the past twenty-four hours.
I never should have gone to Josh’s room in the first place. I knew what would happen, but I couldn’t seem to stop myself. As soon as he held the last shot glass to my lips, his beautiful green gaze locked on mine and I knew my fate was sealed. His eyes flashed so much desire. A hunger like I’d never seen was aimed in my direction. It was too tempting not to grab on and enjoy the ride. As soon as his lips slammed down on mine I was lost.
In all honesty, when Josh kissed me four months ago when we were in Vegas for Derek and Kenna’s wedding, he stirred up emotions I didn’t want or expect. Until that moment, I’d always been able to convince myself we’d have no chemistry - or he’d be too vanilla for me. Boy, was I wrong.
Since then I’ve been consumed with desire for him, reliving our passionate encounter in my mind repeatedly. Now, we’ve shared the best sex of my life and I’ve had a fair amount of sex to compare it to. Which I’m not ashamed to admit. I enjoy sex and the way being with a man makes me feel. I’m sure there are some who’d assume I lack self-esteem and I’m looking to gain it through my liaisons. Maybe. Life happens and leaves its mark on you in many ways. Although, I’m no psychologist, I have enough insight to realize I’m damaged goods.
After being with Josh, I’m not sure I can move on so quickly this time. I’ll never forget how phenomenal we were together. Having another man’s hands on me won’t erase what we shared.
Once I’m inside my hotel room, I hastily pack all my things. I can’t stay here a second longer or I’ll end up knocking on his door. And since that’s not something I can allow to happen, immediate distance between us is needed.
* * *
Working in finance requires a lot of overtime hours and I willingly put them in. I refuse to give myself time to think about my night with Josh. I eat, work, sleep and repeat until it’s been three weeks since Kyle and Janny’s wedding. I haven’t seen anyone since then, haven’t spoken with my best friend, even though I’m sure she’s back from her honeymoon. I’ve been living in a self-imposed exile, avoiding any reminders of Josh. Unfortunately, this also means I’ve been ignoring calls from my closest friends. I’m not ready to face the consequences of my actions, but I can’t avoid it any longer.
It’s Memorial Day weekend and I already agreed over a month ago to attend a cookout at Kyle and Janny’s. As much as I’d like to continue living in denial, I’m prepared that reality is about to slam into me like a freight train. There’s no way Josh won’t be there. He would never disappoint Janny and he’s not the kind of person to avoid facing problems. That’s more my speed.
* * *
Pausing with my hand on the doorknob of Kyle and Janny’s house, I run a hand over my ponytail and take a deep breath. I’m not ready to walk inside and see Josh. I noticed his vehicle parked along the street and knowing with absolute certainty he’s here, makes it so much worse. Leaning my forehead against the door, I roll it from side to side. The cool metal feels soothing on my heated brow. Straightening up, I take one more breath and push the door open.
Stepping inside, I notice the q
uiet and sigh in relief. Everyone is outside in the backyard. I place the container with the peanut butter cookies I stayed up late baking on the beige granite counter. They’re Josh’s favorite and as much as I tell myself this isn’t why I chose to make them instead of the chocolate chip ones I prefer, I’m lying. This is my way of doing something nice for him, without him realizing.
How ridiculously warped is that?
Moving across the spacious kitchen, I peek through the glass door scoping out the lay of the land. Making sure there’s no sign of Josh before I join the party isn’t being cowardly, it’s a matter of self-preservation. I’m aware the bomb’s about to drop on me, but I’m trying to avoid it as long as possible.
Opening the door, I step onto the deck as unobtrusively as possible. Gripping the handle of the bag holding my towel and a change of clothes, my fingers nervously squeeze the canvas material.
“Hey, you made it,” Kyle’s deep voice booms from beside me.
I jerk with surprise, placing a hand on my pounding heart and smile in his direction. “I’m here. I wouldn’t miss it.”
He leans over and we share a hug. I take in his killer tan and relaxed appearance. “Married life looks good on you. You look more laid back than I’ve ever seen you.”
He laughs. “Yeah, the last three weeks have been the best of my life. I’m a lucky man.”
“The luckiest.” I smile.
“Elle,” Janny yells as she approaches. Shit. I’m trying to be inconspicuous here. “I’m so happy to see you.” She throws her arms around me and I lightly squeeze her. I’ve missed her so much. Drawing back, I hold her at arm’s length, studying her noticeably pregnant form. My lips stretch with a large smile. “You’re even more gorgeous than usual.” My eyes skim over her, taking in her sun streaked braided blonde hair and golden tan. She looks well rested and happy. “Married life agrees with you too.”
The Complete Quake Series Page 54