by Layla Frost
But all that heat turned darker when I pretended to be interested in the discussion of what bar to head to as we finished dinner.
“Don’t even fucking think about it, Jade,” he muttered, his tone harsh and hot.
“What? Just a quick—”
“You’re really pushing it, temptress.”
I smiled innocently. “It’d be fun.”
“We’re going back to my room, and I’ll show you fun.” Standing, he tossed some cash to the girl organizing the bill with a polite smile.
The girl looked up at him and gulped. “That’s more than her portion.”
“It’s fine. Use the extra for a round of drinks on us. Congrats on surviving your first conference.”
Everyone said their thanks, but they might as well have been talking to a wall for all Dex seemed to notice.
Before I could speak, Dex put his hands on the table and leaned down. “I will carry you out of here if I have to, Jade.”
I scoffed. “You wouldn’t.”
His lips curled up at the challenge, his eyes flaring. “Try me.”
Oh shit, he totally would.
With a wave to the group, I stood and made the quick walk across the street. I headed straight for the elevator, Dex following behind me. It seemed like half the hotel guests were packed into the small car, and I used it as an excuse to press my back to Dex’s front. His large hand spanned my hips and pulled me tighter to him.
When the doors opened, I grabbed his hand and dragged him from the elevator to his room. I was practically bouncing as I waited for him to unlock the door.
Once the keycard lock flashed green, he opened the door slightly before stopping to look down at me. “You know, that wasn’t fair of me. If you want to go grab drinks, we—”
I shoved into the room. “You’re mean.”
“And you’ve been so nice today?” Stepping in, he hung the ‘Do Not Disturb’ sign to the outside handle before letting the door close behind him. He watched me as he shrugged off his coat.
Doing the same with mine, I lifted my shoulders innocently. “I’d like to think so.”
He pulled his tie off and untucked his shirt before setting to work on his buttons. I mirrored the action, loving the way his gaze roamed my body.
His brow arched. “What part of that torture was supposed to be nice?”
“Did you pay any attention to the speakers?”
He shook his head. “Not a single word.”
“Well, it was all boring, and I saved you from it. You’re welcome.”
His lips curled up on one side as he undid his belt. “Good to know I didn’t miss anything important.”
As we finished undressing, there was no more talking. The teasing vibe in the air was replaced by need. We stared at each other, anticipation and tension building until we were both naked.
Moving at the same time, we crashed together. Dex’s hands roamed my body as his mouth took mine. One of my hands clutched at his muscular shoulder, my other going into his hair. I lifted onto my toes, trying to get as close to him as I could without literally climbing him. When I wasn’t getting the contact I needed, I would’ve tried to climb him had he not gripped my thighs and lifted me.
Knees to the bed, he crawled up until we were in the middle of it. He lowered me onto my back but kept his weight off me as he licked and kissed my neck. His hand went between my legs, his fingers gliding easily through my soaking wetness.
“Fuck, Jade,” he groaned, sending a tremor through me. “You kill me.”
I lifted my hips, following him as he pulled his hand away. “I will if you don’t make me come.”
Palms next to my shoulders, Dex held his upper body up. Giving me more of his weight, he thrust his hips so his hard cock slid against my pussy. “I’m not risking a repeat of last night.”
I forced my eyes to meet his as I worked hard to pay attention to his words and not how he felt against me. “What does that mean?”
His hand went between us to fist his cock and inch the tip into me before returning to the bed. “It means I’m going to fuck you. Then I’ll eat you. And then I’ll fuck you again.”
Any response I had was lost as he slammed into me. His thrusts were long and powerful, lifting my ass off the bed.
I wrapped my legs around his upper thighs and my arms around his shoulders. My stomach muscles tightened as I rocked my hips, urging him to go faster.
Instead, he slowed. “After today, I should torture you like you did me.”
“Should?” I asked, ending with a gasp as he thrust in harder.
“I don’t have the control, Jade. You make me fucking crazy, and I need you too much to take it slow.”
I leaned up and bit his jaw, running my tongue along it. “Good. Don’t.”
The time for games and teasing was gone. Even after the intense orgasm the night before, I was ready to explode. I could only imagine how built up he felt.
Dex gripped my hip, holding me in place as he moved in and out. It wasn’t long before my body was tightening around him. I clutched at him, hoping he didn’t decide to give me a taste of my own tormenting medicine. Luckily, he was a kinder soul, and all he gave me was an orgasm so hard it felt like my soul was separated from my body.
“Thank fuck,” I heard him grunt from a million miles away. His thrusts sped up as he came, too, taking me over the edge again.
He gave me more of his weight as his arms collapsed. Peppering light kisses and teasing licks across my chest as he went, he shifted his weight from one side to the other. The bed bounced as he rolled off me and fell to the side.
My lids grew heavy as I worked to catch my breath. When I felt the mattress shift, I couldn’t be bothered to open my eyes until something warm rubbed between my legs. Prying one open, I peered down my body to where he laid between my thighs. My voice was sleepy and satisfied as I mumbled, “What’re you doing?”
“Told you, Jade.” My legs were pushed over his shoulders as his breath hit my thighs. “I’m gonna eat you and then fuck you again.”
All the relaxed tiredness flew from my body as a surge of lust replaced it.
“I take it you like that plan,” he said with a chuckle, making me realize I was rocking my hips.
His mouth covered me as his fingers teased. True to his word, he made me come by eating me before fucking me and making me come again.
And again.
By the time we finished, my plan to return to my own room was gone. Even if I’d wanted to go, Dex had a tight hold on me.
Hmm, he really did learn from last night.
Stretching out, he rolled me onto my side so my head rested on his chest. I bent my leg over his, but he grabbed it and pulled it so I was half on him. His thumb stroked across my thigh, soothing and tender. I may have been able to put an end to that, but when he started playing with my hair, I threw in the towel.
“You don’t fight fair,” I mumbled.
“Nope,” he whispered, pressing his lips to the top of my head.
I was asleep within minutes.
***
Forcing my eyes open, I tried to get my bearings and figure out some simple things.
Where I was.
Who I was.
What time it was.
Whether or not I was a real person or just some sort of floating fuzzy brain.
What sort of life altering occurrence had happened to warrant me being awake before the sun.
It didn’t take long before I gave up on all life’s mysteries and decided sleep was more important.
Rolling over, I came face-to-face with Dex.
Well, face-to-chin dimple.
Even in sleep he seemed to be smiling. His hair was a mess, falling onto his forehead. My fingers itched to brush it back and kiss his dimple.
Instead, I slowly crept from the bed and picked up my clothes before going to the bathroom. I redressed in the bare minimum. Carrying the rest, I left quickly, easing the door closed behind me.
Th
e halls were empty as I headed to my own room. When I got inside, I checked my cell before repacking my suitcase. With everything ready to go, I set an alarm for a quick power nap before getting on the road.
When my alarm went off an hour later, I was surrounded by pillows, my head was at the foot of the bed, and my body was sprawled out in the center of it. I turned off the alarm and blinked, willing myself to get up and going.
I’ll just rest my eyes for another minute or two.
Chapter Four
Snack Bitches Need Attention
Jade
Home, sweet home.
As disappointed as I was that the weekend was over, my excitement grew as I pulled into my driveway.
After turning off my alarm that morning, I’d fallen asleep for hours. I’d wanted to be on the road by seven, and instead had almost missed my eleven AM checkout. I’d scanned the thinning groups for Dex on the way to my car. I’d expected him to hunt down my room or, at the very least, wait for me in the lobby.
He’d done neither.
Grabbing my bag, I climbed onto the porch as someone began banging on the front door from inside. When I pushed it open, sounds of glee filled the foyer.
“Mama!”
“Hi, baby!” Catching her as she ran at me full speed, I lifted her in a bear hug and buried my face in her hair. Instead of her usual Outrageous Orange or Superpower Strawberry shampoo, I got a nose full of lilac and almost gagged. “I see grandma is still on the floral kick.”
With her immense three-year-old echo capability, Lilly shared, “Dada said I smell like dead garden.”
He’s right about that.
“Is Dada here?” I asked.
Lilly wiggled from my arms and did a mix of a nod and a headshake. “Grandma brought lallender ‘ampoo, too!”
“Great,” I muttered, following her inside as I made a mental note to throw away any new bathroom items.
“I’m hungry, Mama.”
There’s nothing like coming home to remind me I’m not really a high-powered businesswoman, but rather someone’s snack bitch.
I missed her so much.
Smiling, I watched her run back to her toy area. She started pulling things out of a bin, pausing every once in a while to inspect tiaras and capes.
“How hungry are you, love?” I asked. “Little snack, like cheese or an apple?”
“Both! Please! I haven’t eaten anything.”
“Nothing?”
“Not since lunch.”
Ah, that’s makes more sense.
Putting a feathery hat on, she turned to me. “Look at my head!”
“It’s a good look. Like a fancy bird.” Since I didn’t recognize the hat, I asked, “Did grandma give that to you?”
She shook her head. “Dada. And tea party set. We’re gonna be fancy birds drinkin’ tea!” Her already big eyes grew as she looked at me. “I don’t think I like tea. I like cheese and apples.”
“Hint taken.” I headed into the kitchen, looking around for Floral Grandma. Finding the room empty, I grabbed some cheese cubes and an apple, but my thoughts were on my husband.
We needed to talk. It was long overdue, and I couldn’t keep putting it off.
But I was still dreading it.
My gut clenched as I tried to figure out what to say. I didn’t regret what I’d done that weekend because it was needed. It’d made me realize just how important having a conversation was. That didn’t make it any easier, though. Planning the right way to start it was daunting.
One wrong word, and it could all go to hell.
Maybe I should just keep my mouth shut and not rock the boat.
I set the snack on a plate and was about to reach for a knife when I felt him behind me.
His hands went to the counter on either side of me, his body pressed in tight against mine. Stubble and lips grazed my neck as he said, “You’re home.”
“Sorry, I overslept.”
Moving up to my ear, he whispered, “Missed you.”
“Missed you, too.”
He pushed in closer, and I could feel him hard against my back. “How’d the conference go?”
“Good.” My breath hitched as his tongue touched the spot where my neck met my shoulder. “Very informative.”
“Anything interesting?”
I shook my head. “Just business as usual.”
Moving fast, he gripped my hips and spun me around. He glowered as he looked at me through narrowed eyes. “That better fucking not have been business as usual.”
“I have no clue what you’re talking about.” I tried to stay straight-faced, but couldn’t hold back my smile.
His lips spread in a matching one, his chin dimple deepening. “You’re an evil temptress of a woman.”
“So you’ve mentioned.”
Dex glanced at his watch. “You’ve got fifteen minutes to get ready.”
Excitement ran through me as my eyes widened. “For what?”
“Late lunch.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere that doesn’t involve cups with lids, robotic rats, or coloring menus.”
“What about Lilly?” I asked.
“Mom’s staying with her longer. She said something about rose petals.”
As much as I wanted to enjoy a meal out where I didn’t have to scarf-down my food to avoid a toddler meltdown, I hesitated. Being away from Lilly for the weekend was always tough.
Up until that weekend, Dex and I had always alternated work trips. We’d never both been gone at the same time, and we’d just gotten home. I didn’t want to take off again, especially if she’d be upset and throw a rose-scented tantrum.
Dex looked over his shoulder and called, “Lilly!”
A moment later, the princess bounded into the room, complete with ball gown and ninja mask. “Dada, I’m hungry.”
“Mama’s making you something. Then her and I are going out while you stay with grandma.”
“Can I have a big snack?” she asked, the rest of his words not fazing her.
“Yes. But then Mama and I are leaving.”
“I heard,” she muttered as she skipped from the room. The ‘I just don’t care’ was left unspoken but made clear from her tone.
Should I be insulted?
“I’ll finish this up,” Dex said, shifting to the side to grab a knife. “Go get dressed.”
Feeling better about going, I hurried upstairs and dug around in the closet for something to wear. All my clothes screamed things like ‘smart business’ or ‘mom who needs coffee and a shower’ with very little in between. When all I could find was a dark teal and plum dress I’d worn once to a wedding, I tried not to feel depressed by how rarely I needed anything other than ‘boardroom’ and ‘for the love of God, no more Wiggles’.
After getting dressed, I pulled my hair from my messy bun. Since it was too kinked to leave down, and I had next to no time to do anything else, I quickly did a loose French braid.
“Ready?” Dex called from the bottom the stairs.
“Ready?” his princess echoed.
“Almost!” I shouted back as I did a few sweeps of mascara and gloss before stepping into my heels.
“Mama looks pretty,” Lilly cried, clapping her hands as I came downstairs.
Ellen, my mother-in-law, nodded as she scooped Lilly up. “You know, I have this new perfume…”
“Maybe next time,” I blurted a little too quickly. “I already put some spray on, and I’d hate for the scents to clash.”
Especially since my hint of vanilla would get strangled in a field of dead sunflowers.
“True,” Ellen said, squeezing Lilly. “Us girls are going to watch a movie and order some pizza.”
Lilly stopped fighting the snuggle and threw her hands in the air. “Pizza!”
“Go.” Ellen took advantage of the distraction and held Lilly closer. “Enjoy your date.”
Dropping a kiss to Lilly’s cheek, I took Dex’s outstretched hand as we walked to the car. My stom
ach began to twist and flutter.
Why am I so nervous about dating my husband?
I spent the entire weekend hooking up with him like he was my booty call. A date should be no big deal.
Right?
Chapter Five
Jabs From an Unspoken Word
Dex
Christ, I was fucking nervous.
The car ride to the restaurant had bordered on tense, our conversation stilted and limited. Jade and I had been married for five years, together for six, but it was like we were on our first date all over again. Just like that date, I couldn’t believe what a lucky bastard I was that she was willing to even talk to me.
But after our weekend together, there was something different between us.
And it’d never be the same again.
I’d make damn sure of it.
Because, looking across the secluded table in the upscale restaurant, I saw Jade.
Really saw her.
“What’re you thinking about?” she asked after we’d placed our order.
“This weekend.”
She chewed her bottom lip for a second. I thought she was embarrassed until I saw the heat in her eyes. “It was fun.”
I nodded. “It was.”
“Was it like… you know,” her voice lowered, “sleeping with someone new?”
“Fuck no,” I growled.
I needed to change, and that weekend was just the start. My actions would speak for themselves, so I hadn’t intended to bring the subject up.
But if Jade had even the briefest thought I’d pictured anyone else, I’d talk until I was blue in the face. And go without sex until I was blue in the balls.
I really fucking hoped it wouldn’t come to that.
Running my hand through my hair, I shook my head. “If you’d have introduced yourself as anyone else, I’d have told you to cut that shit out, Jade.”
She looked surprised, and the depth of how badly I’d been fucking up became clear. “You would’ve?”
“Some people get off pretending to be someone else or be with someone else when they fuck, and that’s fine for them…” My words trailed off as Jade gave me big eyes and a quick shake of her head.
Our drinks were set down before our waiter hightailed it away.