by Elle Everton
Guilt twists my stomach. It hadn’t even occurred to me that Lila would be worrying about this, but of course she would.
I lace my fingers through hers. “Don’t worry, fox. I’m going to do everything in my power to make sure we get through this month. Even if it means playing nice with Sam Baines.”
Just his name on my tongue sets my teeth on edge, but I smile for Lila. Come hell or high water, I’m going to find a way to make this work.
Chapter 11
Lila
After my double shift at the diner, I wake up the next day feeling fresh and new, ready to embrace the day.
Perhaps some of my good mood stems from the fact that I have my first date with Sam today. He’d called me yesterday while I was at work, and though I had to work tonight, he’d suggested we have a ‘day date’. That worked for me. I meant what I said to Bennett the other day — I won’t risk losing my job at the diner, at least not until the money from the auction is firmly in my bank account.
I pad into the kitchen and find Dad sitting at the table, reading the newspaper. The smell of coffee and scrambled eggs wafts towards me.
“Did you make breakfast, Daddy?” I look around the kitchen in surprise.
“I sure did. Help yourself, sweetie.”
I shake my head. “You should have waited — I could have done it.” Now I feel guilty for sleeping so late.
Dad frowns playfully at me. “Are you saying your old man is feeble?”
“No! Not at all.”
“That I’m a bad cook?”
“No.” I laugh. “Not that either.”
Dad grins. “Good. Then there’s no reason I shouldn’t be able to get up and make my daughter breakfast.”
I lean over and kiss the top of his head. “Well, thank you. I’m actually starving,” I admit.
I help myself to a cup of coffee and a plate of scrambled eggs, then sit down at the table with Dad. I sneak peeks at him while he reads the paper, trying to gauge whether he looks peppier than usual, whether that’s a healthy color in his cheeks or the flush of over-exertion.
“Any plans today?” he asks, turning the page in the paper. If he sees me studying him, he doesn’t let on.
“I have a date,” I tell him, as I stab a chunk of egg.
Dad looks up, raising his eyebrows and grinning. “Another date? This boy must be pretty special.”
I swallow my coffee quickly. “He is,” I say. I don’t have the heart to tell him that it’s actually with a different man than my last date. The less Dad has to know about this whole thing, the better. I don’t know what I’m going to tell him when — if — I get the money from the auction. How exactly do you explain to your father how you just happened to come into five million dollars?
Oh well. Once he reads the article, he’ll understand.
God — he’s going to read the article. Somehow that thought hadn’t occurred to me. And not just Dad — everyone I know. Creepy Heath from the diner, and everyone else I work with, and my elementary school teachers and …
I push the thought away. The article doesn’t feel real yet, and neither does the money. I’ll deal with both of them when the time comes.
By the time I’m done eating, Dad is looking pale again, so I help him to the couch so he can watch some television or nap. It’s amazing how quickly he gets tired out these days.
After I clean up all the dishes, I hop in the shower to wash my hair and get ready for my date with Sam. I blow-dry my long hair and pull it back in a neat braid, then grab a pale green sundress from my closet. Sam hadn’t said exactly what we were doing today, but I figure since it’s a day date, I can’t go wrong with a sundress.
I check on Dad once more before I go. He seems a little better than earlier, so I plant a kiss on his cheek and wave goodbye.
I had made plans to meet Sam down at a little trattoria near Venice Beach, so I hop in the my car and make my way down there. Traffic is as crazy as always, so by the time I get there, I’m running a few minutes late. I park the car haphazardly in front of the restaurant and rush out, only to find Sam leaning casually against the outside wall of the brick building.
I do a double take when I see him standing there. I’d somehow forgotten how handsome he was — or maybe I’d blocked it out of my mind after my night with Bennett. After all, it was hard to believe I could find another man as attractive as he is, but here Sam is, totally making that happen.
He’s dressed much more casually than the last time I saw him, trading in the suit for khaki pants and a navy polo shirt. A pair of designer sunglasses cover his eyes, but even through the mirrored glass I can feel his eyes raking over my body. I shiver in my sundress even though the sun is hot on my skin.
“Hi,” I say, as I try to look like I’m not checking him out.
“Hi,” he says. He leans in and plants a soft kiss on my lips. A buzz runs through me.
“Shall we go in?” I ask, gesturing towards the door.
Sam shakes his head, still gazing intently at me. “No, I just had you meet me here because it was easier, and I wanted to pick up some lunch for us.” He holds up a bag I hadn’t noticed he was carrying before.
“Oh. So, um, what are we doing today?” I ask him, suddenly feeling a bit shy. I keep having to remind myself that these men paid good money for me and I belong to them this month. Sam could do anything he wants with me today.
“I have a little surprise for you,” he says, with a broad grin.
He looks so cute that I can’t help but grin back. “Oh yeah? What is it?”
“Well, if I told you it wouldn’t be a surprise, now would it?” he teases. I laugh. Sam has such a different energy compared to Bennett — Bennett is so serious and intense, but Sam seems much more light-hearted and fun.
I wonder if they fuck differently too?
The thought immediately makes my nipples pebble. I sneak another glance at Sam as he leads me towards his car, taking in the muscles in his back as they ripple under his t-shirt, the tight line of his ass as he walks.
We arrive at his car and I bite back a smile. A yellow four-seat Ferrari. I barely know Sam, yet somehow I can already tell that this car is so him. It’s fun and playful and cocky.
Sam holds the door open for me and I slide into the passenger seat, and then he sets the bag down on the back seat. He slides into the driver’s side and revs the engine.
“So where are we going?” I ask, biting my lip.
Sam glances over. “It’s a surprise, remember?”
“Right.”
As we drive, Sam asks me about my job at the diner, and I tell him a bit about it. I don’t want to complain too much to him, though, so I try to keep it light and entertain him with stories about some of our wacky customers. Like the guy who always orders a chocolate milkshake with two raw eggs blended in, I guess because he thinks it’s some kind of protein shake.
Sam laughs appreciatively at my stories, and before I know it, we’re pulling into a parking lot.
“Is this …”
“Marina Del Ray,” he says with a smile. I hope you don’t mind walking a bit. The boat’s not too far.”
“We’re going on a boat?” I can barely keep the surprise and pleasure out of my voice.
“Yeah.” Sam grins, but then almost immediately his face tightens. “Oh God, you don’t get sea sick, do you?”
I laugh and shake my head. “No. At least I don’t think so. I haven’t been on a boat since the one time I went to summer camp.”
Sam grabs the bag out of the backseat and we stroll down to the marina together. There are dozens — hundreds — of boats there, some so big and elaborate that I’m sure they cost many, many times more than our house does.
We finally stop in front of a grand sailboat. It’s not quite as ostentatious as some of the boats here, but it’s still more than impressive.
“Isn’t she a beauty?” Sam says proudly.
I nod. “Jackie?” I ask, reading the name on the side of the boat.
“Jackie’s my mother,” he explains. “She loved boats. It was my dad that taught me how to sail. They’re both passed away now, but I still love to come out here on the water. There’s nothing like popping the sails and soaring out over the open water to make you forget about the rest of the world.”
I break eye contact with him and stare out into the horizon. I can see the appeal.
“I’m sorry to hear about your parents,” I say softly. “I lost my mom a while ago. Car accident. Then my dad got sick. He’s better now, though — I think. I don’t know. I always worry he’s getting sick again.” I don’t know why I’m babbling about all this stuff to Sam, but he nods understandingly.
“Come on,” he says gently. “Sounds like you could use some open water therapy yourself.”
I smile and let him lead me onto the boat. The sound of the water lapping against the hull is already calming me, and I look out at the vast expanse of blue as Sam does whatever he does to get us going.
He emerges again carrying a lifejacket. He hands it to me.
“Put this on,” he says.
I wrinkle my nose but Sam glares.
“Safety comes first,” he says.
I roll my eyes, but I pull on the bright orange life jacket and buckle it across my chest. “Happy, Captain Safety?”
Sam grins and kisses my nose. “Yes. Very. And don’t worry, it doesn’t make you any less sexy.”
I grin back. “So you have a thing for life jackets, then? I’ll remember that.”
He leads me over to the deck area and I grab a seat on one of the plush white lounge chairs while Sam heads back to man the sails. I get lost in the serenity of the moment. The dark water beneath us, the bright sky above, the horizon always eluding us no matter how fast we go.
Finally, the boat slows as Sam lowers the sails. He finally reemerges, joining me on the deck. He’s carrying the bag he had earlier.
“What do you think?” he asks, surveying the water. We’re quite a ways from the city now, but I can see it spread out behind us, glinting in the sunlight.
“I could stay out here forever,” I admit. The gentle breeze blows my hair back.
“Isn’t it great?” Sam nods, grinning. “I’m glad you like it.”
“It really is,” I agree. “Thank you so much for taking me out here.”
“You’re welcome,” he says and squeezes me gently. He brushes the hair back off my cheeks and gazes into my eyes. He’s ditched the sunglasses, and I can see his beautiful brown eyes focusing intently on me.
I lick my lips nervously and part them just as Sam leans in and kisses me. My body responds to him instantly, bending to him, opening to him.
His tongue slips past my lips, teasing me as he explores my mouth. I wind my hand around the back of his neck, pulling him closer to me. I let my chest press up against him, wishing this stupid life jacket wasn’t separating us.
Even Sam’s kiss is more playful that Bennett’s. He nips at my lips, teases me with his tongue, and winds my hair around his fist.
But the longer we kiss, the more the intensity grows. Sam’s kiss becomes less playful, more commanding. His hand winds tighter in my hair, tugging at my scalp, and then he slowly pushes me down to my knees.
Chapter 12
Sam
Lila tastes like candy. Sweet and tart and so fucking good. It almost pains me to stop kissing her, but ever since my interrupted fantasy the other day — the one where I saw Bennett’s face between my legs — I’ve longed to feel her lips around my cock. I need it right now, more than I need her sweet candy kisses.
I push her down on to her knees on the deck of my boat. She sinks down willingly, smiling up at me with those perfect fucking pink lips.
“I want you to suck my cock, Lila.”
She smiles wider. Her eagerness makes me even harder for her.
“Yes, Sam.”
She unzips my pants and runs her small palm along the bulge in my boxer briefs. The second she touches me, I groan. Her touch is so soft, and somehow it’s tentative and eager at the same time.
She’s still running her palm along the length of me, and even though it feels amazing, I want more. I need more.
“Take my dick out, Lila. Now.”
“Yes, Sam,” she says again. I love her willingness. I know this is her first auction, so I wasn’t sure how she’d handle it, but I have to hand it to her — the girl seems to be off to a good start.
She pushes my pants and then my briefs down over my hips. My cock springs forward, almost hitting her in the face. I have to smile at her stunned expression. Yes, God was generous in that department, and I’m glad that Lila seems to appreciate it as much as I do.
She licks her lips and gazes up at me. Her dark eyelashes cover some of her piercing green eyes, but I can still see the note of hesitation there.
“Do you like what you see, Lila?”
She nods, then finally reaches her hand out and wraps it around my shaft. Her touch feels exquisite. I groan again, throwing my head back.
The sun beats down on both of us, but the real heat is happening down below. Lila finally leans forward and softly licks a kitten tongue all across the tip of my cock.
“Jesus, Lila.” I groan as I run my hands through my hair. She keeps licking, painting me in soft short strokes of her tongue. My abdomen is already starting to tighten, even though she hasn’t even taken me into her mouth yet.
I tug at her hair and pull her closer to me. She takes the hint easily and finally opens her mouth around my head. She takes me deeper and deeper, but she does it torturously slowly. I let her go at her own pace because we have plenty of time and because whatever she’s doing is really working for me.
My cock throbs as she takes me more fully in her mouth, almost up to the hilt. It’s impressive, actually. In time, I’ll teach her to take the whole thing, but for now, this is perfect. She expertly flattens her tongue and covers her teeth, and starts bobbing her mouth up and down on my dick.
“That’s it, Lila,” I say. “Fuck, that’s good.”
She looks up at me again, her eyes still hooded, but this time there’s more confidence in them. She keeps gazing up at me as she sucks me off, and I can’t look away from her. Her red hair is glinting in the late afternoon sun, and her perfect skin looks as flawless as fresh cream.
In just a couple of minutes, my balls are starting to churn. I think about pulling out and taking a breather, because I still want to fuck her this afternoon, but I can’t resist watching her finish.
I grip the back of her head and pull her to me.
“I’m going to come in a minute,” I grunt. “Are you going to be able to take it?”
She nods, her head bobbing on my dick, and the sight pushes me even closer to the edge. Lila picks up the pace of her ministrations, sucking hard at my cock as she uses one hand to play with my balls.
Fuck. All my muscles clench at once, and I hold Lila’s head against me as I buck my hips into her face. A current of electricity courses through me as the orgasm breaks. Waves of come pour out of me, filling Lila’s hot little mouth. She diligently swallows every drop. I can see her throat bobbing as she sucks every last drop out of my cock.
“Was that okay?” she asks tentatively, when she finally eases her mouth off me.
“It was fucking perfect,” I tell her, pulling her to her feet and kissing her. Especially because Bennett’s face was nowhere to be seen, I want to add.
I walk her backwards to the lounger and push her down, climbing on top of her and using one knee to spread her legs apart. She’s got on a flimsy little summer dress under her life jacket, and I push the skirt of it aside, revealing the tiny white panties she’s got on underneath.
“Pretty,” I comment. “But I hope you weren’t attached to these.” I yank of the fabric, tearing it in one smooth motion, and revealing her to me.
She’s shaved bare, as I knew she would be, but I’m momentarily taken aback at how wet she is. Her pussy is dren
ched, her lips glistening, even her inner thighs wet with her arousal.
“Do you get off on sucking cock, Lila?” I ask her with a grin.
She flushes, her creamy white skin going bright pink. I laugh and brush her hair out of her face.
“Don’t worry,” I assure her. “That’s fucking hot.”
She shoots me a shy smile, and I lean over to kiss her again. Her mouth is hungry for me, and she tries to pull me on top of her. I brace myself over her.
She looks up at me with those intense green eyes again.
“Please, Sam, put your hands on me,” she begs. “I want you to touch me.”
I know what she wants, but I decide to tease her a little bit first. I unbuckle her life jacket and ease it off her shoulders, then grab the hem of her dress and tug it off her body, leaving her in just her bra. White. Lacy. Just like the panties I already tore off her. I make quick work of the bra too, and then I stroke her arms and shoulders. I run my hands lightly over her full tits, then down over her belly. Her stomach is flat and I can feel her abdominal muscles ripple under her skin. This girl is tight, toned and gorgeous.
I keep running my hands over her, caressing her thighs, her calfs, her hips. Stopping just short of the crest between her legs. She squirms beneath me, whimpering.
“What’s the matter, Lila?” I ask innocently. “Do you need me to take care of that tight little pussy?”
She mewls again. It’s hot as hell, and my dick is already starting to get hard again. I think about just fucking her again right now, but first I have to find out if her cunt tastes as candy sweet as her lips.
“Please,” she begs and bites her lip. Her eyes are clouded with need.
Her pussy is still glistening, her lips swollen and bright pink. I finally stroke two fingers through her folds, parting her sweetness. She gasps at my touch. I run my fingers along her cleft, then back up to circle her clit. I push up against the hood, exposing that hard little nub, and rub my thumb over it. Lila is already panting. Her clit is engorged and pulsing with desire. The more I rub between her legs, the wetter she becomes, until she’s a soaking sopping wet mess.