by Ada Frost
“I...err...one of my...previous...acquaintances,” he added, glancing at me again. “Is a publicist, and she helped me.”
“Oh.” There was an awkward moment of silence. Lacey pressed a hesitant kiss to his cheek before leaving me alone with him. I couldn’t decipher his expression, and I desperately wanted to. Sam had immersed himself in conversation at the other side of the breakfast bar.
“We just had dinner one night, nothing more,” he rushed to explain.
“So you used her?”
“What, no. Well...no, not intentionally. I just thought...”
“I take it by acquaintance you mean fuck buddy?” He cleared his throat and took a hesitant step back.
“We’ve had sexual relations, yes.”
“She an ex?” I asked, in an accusatory voice even while fighting a smile. I wasn’t angry at him. But it was too good an opportunity not to tease him when he appeared so guilty.
“No.”
“Did you shag her this time?”
“No.”
“So you called this woman up, invited her to dinner just to ask her to get you some books signed. Was that not awkward?”
“Very.”
“But you did it anyway?”
He rubbed the back of his neck and stepped even farther away. I let the smile break through to let him know I wasn’t serious.
“You’re teasing me?”
“Pretty much. What you do with other women isn’t my concern.” The words left a bitter taste in my mouth, but I’d made the decision to end things so I had to live with it.
“I’d like it to be your concern.”
I ignored that statement and the swarm of butterflies that took flight in my stomach.
“It was a thoughtful gesture.”
“You mentioned once that Lacey was a huge Potter fan. I remembered I’d...had sex with a publicist who has connections with people who work with the author, and I thought a few signed books would make her happy.” He inhaled a deep breath as though bracing himself. “I know how much you love your cousin, and I selfishly thought if I managed to pull it off and gave her the signed books, you might forgive me for hurting you. If it’s any consolation, Ellery was a bitch the entire dinner and reminded me of every fault I possess. I paid an extortionate price to get the books, but it got me time with you, so it was worth it.”
My heart stuttered, stealing my breath. My entire body was alight with tingling sensations caused by his words.
“I wanted your attention. My intentions were entirely selfish.”
“Lawson, you didn’t have to do all that.”
“You won’t look me in the eye anymore. I’d do anything to turn back time and redo the other night. But I can’t. This was the only thing I had any control over. I needed to try.”
“So you used my cousin to manipulate the situation. You think that’s going to impress me?”
“Put like that no I sound a complete arse.” He pushed his hands into his pockets, a vulnerable move, totally alien to Lawson. His eyes begged me for some understanding, to give him something. The feelings racing through me terrified me. Putting space between us and calling a halt to all sexy play had done nothing to lessen my attraction to him. It certainly hadn’t done anything for the growing affection I had.
The coward in me won out, and I turned from him and walked away. Immersing myself in Lacey’s excitement about her presents. Some were cute, thoughtful, and then there were the boozy ones and totally inappropriate ones. I laughed and gasped along with the rest of the group. Trying to keep my gaze from wandering to the tall brooding man in the kitchen.
Around an hour later, Lacey returned to sit in my lap. I’d plonked myself down between two male performers who were arguing over cock piercings. I’d found out the guy on my left had a Jacob’s Ladder, and the one on my right had a Prince Albert.
“What do you think, Abby?” Jacob asked.
“Clearly she prefers mine,” Albert announced, grabbing his crotch. I laughed loudly at both of them, they were ridiculous. Lacey saved me from admitting I’d never shagged anyone with a piercing through his knob before. Lace wrapped her arms around my shoulders, giving me a sloppy hug. She was two sheets to the wind. I loved when she got drunk. She was everybody’s best friend.
“Are you going to throw him a bone?” she slurred, trying to whisper but totally not succeeding.
“What are you talking about?” Hoping to Christ she wasn’t referring the Jacob or Albert.
“How can you resist him when he’s staring at you with puppy dog eyes?”
Like a magnet, my gaze lifted and collided with his, and true to her word he was staring at me. He didn’t even try and hide it. The man wanted me to know I was the one he was here for.
“He’s like a golden retriever waiting for a treat.” She sighed, pressing a kiss to my cheek before stumbling to her feet. She grabbed both my hands and pulled me up, squishing me to her chest. We laughed together. Her love and silliness always warmed me. She was the best person in the world.
“May I speak with you, Miss Warner?” His deep voice sent shivers racing down my spine. The man was so gorgeously awkward I could do nothing but smile.
“I told you it was a casual affair,” I muttered, referring to his attire, as I brushed past him to head down the hallway to the spare room.
“I believe this is casual for me,” he bolstered. His usual iron defences closing in. I reached out and grabbed his hand. I dragged the poor man behind me to the spare room I usually occupied when I stayed here. I pushed him through the open door and followed him in.
“Did you just roughhouse me, Miss Warner?” He smirked, placing his untouched beer on the dresser.
“Those are non-alcoholic,” I said, pointing to the beer. “Sam’s insistence.”
“He has a knack for knowing what I need,” Lawson offered gazing down at me.
“Shame you’re too bloody stubborn to listen. We need to help you blend.”
It wasn’t that he didn’t look freaking hot in his preppy clothes, because he did. I just wanted him to blend, fit in more, to help him relax.
“Maybe I don’t like to blend.”
“Today it’s a must,” I said, reaching up to undo his top button. “And for the love of God, please call me Abby, or even Abigail. Everyone else does. We aren’t in the office now. It makes me sound like a rickety old spinster.” My hands smoothed out the fabric of his collar, straightening it for him when he moved into me. Sliding his hands around my waist.
“I don’t want to be like everyone else.” His hands pressed against my lower back, bringing me flush against him. “I want to be someone. The only one. To you. I want to stand out for you.” He leaned in, his lips brushing against my ear as he spoke. “I don’t want you to easily forget me.” His words were like a physical shock. An electrical current of excitement raced through me.
“There is little chance of that.”
He inhaled, pressing his nose into the sensitive skin behind my ear. “Are you still using my bathroom? You still smell like my soap.”
“I like it.”
Lawson’s hand fisted the material of my shirt, his other hand slid up into my ponytail and gripped a handful of my hair, pulling my head back so he could stare down into my face. His eyes darkened dangerously.
“Why?”
“God, why do I let you do this to me?” I stammered, feeling insanely aroused.
“Why do it?”
“I don’t know,” I rushed out ducking my chin and fixing my gaze on my hands fiddling at his collar.
“You’re lying to me,” he accused in a deep gravelly voice. “Is it because you like my scent on you? You like feeling as though my body just left yours?”
A ripple of excitement went through me at his words and the warm breath blowing over the skin exposed on my shoulder. A gasp escaped me when the back of my legs touched the mattress on the bed.
“There is only one problem.”
“What’s that?” My breath
y voice was barely above a whisper as his hands roamed my body, sliding under my shirt and caressing my spine.
“Nothing can ever replace skin contact. I will mark you, Abigail. I will fuck you, cum inside you, and make you mine. You have to forgive me; I have to touch you. Don’t deny it any longer.”
I quivered at his words, my nipples tightening to hardened points. My pussy throbbed with need.
“I’m angry with you,”
“Let’s have angry sex.” The rasp of his voice wasn’t helping my resolve. “Punish me, ravage my body for what I did to you. Please.”
“Oh God,” I breathed. “I thought you didn’t beg.”
“I’m your slave, Miss Warner. I would do anything for you. You own me.”
I whimpered when his mouth kissed a path down the slope of my neck to my bare shoulder before he sank his teeth into my flesh and nipped before licking and sucking the sting away.
“This is such a bad idea.”
“I swear I won’t hurt you again,” he promised. “But no more sharing you. I can’t share you. It kills me. You’re different. I feel different about us.”
“Me too. You’re enough, just you.”
Lawson cupped my cheeks and stared down into my face. His beautiful blue eyes framed by his jet black lashes were completely stripped of the usual shield. He was showing me his sincerity. Opening himself to me.
“You haven’t shaved,” I said cupping his cheek. He leaned in and peppered kisses against my lips before he pressed them against my neck. “I like it.” As the words left my mouth, he brushed his cheek more firmly against my skin. The burn was intoxicating. His hands tugged at my t-shirt, forcing my arms above my head for him to pull it off.
“How about here,” he rasped, rubbing his cheek across my chest and over the top of my breasts. I cupped his head, holding him to me as my head fell back on my shoulders. He kissed his way up to my mouth before claiming my lips in a searing kiss full of decadent promise.
“I think white is my new favourite colour.”
“Huh?” I muttered, threading my fingers through his hair, desperate to bring his mouth back to mine.
“This.” He traced a finger over the lace of my bra. It was the one he had bought me for the awards night. The one he never got to appreciate.
“I never did thank you for it.”
“I didn’t personally select this one. But I must thank them for choosing so perfectly.”
“Maybe you should see the rest?” I teased, hooking my thumbs into the waistband of my jeans. He slapped my hands away.
“My present to unwrap. Please don’t interfere, Miss Warner.” His tone was so dry, cutting almost, but the slight crinkle at the edges of his mouth and the mirth in his gaze brought a fire to my insides.
I wiggled my hips as he slowly pushed down the denim. When they fell to my ankles, I stepped out of them, pushing them aside. The masculine sound he made was evidence enough he liked what he saw.
“Holy hell. White is definitely my new favourite.” He stepped back, putting a small amount of distance between us so that he could greedily eye me up and down. The lingerie was a pretty lace set. But the pièce de résistance was the sexy lace-up heart at the back of the panties. He gripped the thick ridge in his jeans, stroking his hand down the long length. I needed him. Turning my back to him, I crawled onto the bed. His loud intake of breath caused me to smile. I knew he’d like the back view.
“I see you intend to kill me.”
I heard the glorious sound of his clothes rapidly hitting the floor before the bed dipped behind me. Warm lips pressed against the curve of my buttock as his hands gripped my hips. Lawson pressed his erection against the crease of my arse.
“It seems a shame to remove them,” he remarked, sliding his finger against my lace covered slit. “Is this all for me?” he asked as I glanced over my shoulder to see him sucking his finger.
“Always.”
Leaning over me, his front pressing against my back, he kissed me. He rolled his hips against my backside as his tongue thrust inside my mouth.
“Can I go bare?”
His words stunned me. I watched as a tumult of emotion danced in his eyes. Safe sex was his compulsive obsession, I accepted that. Why wouldn’t I?
“Why?”
“I’ve never been inside a woman without a condom. When we’re finished and if you decide this was a mistake. Possibly forbidding me from touching you again, I will have at least felt every part of you.”
For the very first time since meeting him, Lawson was open. The man was done hiding. He believed I had walked away from him easily, but I had craved him just as much.
“I’m on birth control.”
“Can I —”
“Yes.” It sounded almost like a cry of ecstasy as the words burst forth.
Lawson’s kiss was brutally honest. Every thought and emotion appeared to collide into that one scorching kiss. I didn’t need words when he responded with a raw passion. He pulled away slowly and seated himself behind me. I rested on my elbows, loving the slow torturous way he pulled my knickers over my arse and down my thighs.
“Leave them,” he ordered when I lifted my leg to remove them entirely. They were caught around my knees, which would make it hard to part my legs. Lawson slid his thumb between my folds, rubbing my swollen nub as he fisted his cock. When I felt the slick tip brush against me, I pushed back, hoping for penetration. I expected him to deny me, but when the thick tip slid inside, I moaned in delight.
“That’s it, Abigail, slide down my cock.” He held my hips and guided me on. He kneeled behind me, letting me slowly slide onto him. I gripped the sheets already feeling my orgasm building. His hands petted over my skin, caressing the globes of my arse with each slow stroke. My breasts felt heavy. My nipples brushed against the bedding beneath me.
“I have an amazing view,” he rasped, and my core tightened, forcing a groan from him. His deep masculine grunts of pleasure were turning me on even more. I quickened my pace, feeling his thrusts meeting mine. Our skin slapped together as the momentum built between us. Lawson rose to his knees and gripped my hips, thrusting into me hard and fast. I pressed my mouth against my forearm, trying to smother my cries. His fingers dug into my flesh, and the spikes brought forth my pleasure. I sucked in a breath as the tightening increased, and just as my orgasm crested, Lawson’s hand came down hard against my bare backside in a loud slap.
“Harder,” I cried out, squeezing his cock as my orgasm exploded. He slapped me again, causing the most delicious zinging pain. His masculine cry of pleasure increased mine. We rode out our orgasms together until his weight landed on top on me, pinning me to the bed.
When he regained his breath, he moved to my side and brushed loose strands of hair away from my face.
“I’ve claimed what’s mine,” he said, sliding his finger inside me. I could feel his cum, the wetness left behind from our crazed love making.
“I’ve claimed you, too,”
“That you have. Bloody hell, Abigail, that you have. Don’t give us space again, and I promise no more drunk asshole,” he panted, rolling onto his back. He looked so vulnerable and gorgeous all in one moment that silly tears prickled my eyes. Something had changed just now between us. I didn’t want to let my heart believe in something that wasn’t real, but somewhere between the bickering and shagging, Lawson Stone had wormed his way into my heart, and I was terrified he would take it all away. I didn’t want to lock my feelings up if there was a chance we could be together. But the fear of rejection crippled me. I snuggled into him, pressing a soft kiss to his chest.
“We should maybe return to the party,” I mused, stroking my hand over his tummy.
“I don’t want to share you,” he replied sulkily. “Let’s run away and hide together.”
“Where do you suggest we go?”
“Anywhere with food and a bed.”
I opened my mouth to reply when the door opened. I yelped and tried to cover myself but stopped w
hen I noticed it was Sam.
“You greedy bastard.” He grinned over at Lawson.
“Mine. Now get the fuck out,” Lawson replied, pulling me on top of him.
“They’re wanting to do the cake; Lacey wants her cousin out there. Put your knob away and sing Happy Birthday.” Sam closed the door, basking us in silence.
“I don’t want cake,” he moaned. “Besides, I do hope she washes her hands before touching the confectionary.”
I snickered. The man’s germ phobia knew no bounds. Pressing against his chest, I tried to get up, but his arms tightened around me.
“Promise me when we walk out there this doesn’t end.”
“I promise.” A giddy feeling took flight in my stomach.
“I know I’m not...great at social stuff, but I’ll try for you.”
Cupping his cheek, I gazed down into his stricken face. “Never change who you are. If people can’t accept you, for you, then they were never worth knowing.”
“But —”
“I was a dick suggesting the clothing. You wear what the hell you want when you want. Besides, you looked sexy as hell when you walked in.” I pressed my lips to his, loving the taste of him.
“There will be talk.”
“That finally someone snagged the brooding millionaire?” I joked. At his sullen expression and a flash of pain in his expression I offered him a saucy smile. “Or that the dumb secretary bagged the man with the sexiest cock in the porn industry.” I slid my hand between us and stroked his flaccid length.
Lawson slapped my bottom playfully. “I like the sound of that better, apart from you’re not dumb.”
“Good, because your money is of no interest to me. But you are.”
“That’s what I like about you. Money is never an issue for you. It doesn’t rule your life.”
I laughed, but even to my ears it sounded forced. Money, at the moment, was the only thing I could focus on, or the lack of it. I was drowning in debt and suffering a bleak loneliness. Well, now, one thing was certain, I would not be lonely anymore, and possibly, given time, I would dig myself out of the debt. I just could not let Lawson know how dire things really were.
“Talking of money, how much did those books cost you?”