Hush (Just This Once)

by Deborah Bladon

  "You've got yourself a deal." I hold out my hand waiting for my two tickets to a few unforgettable hours with Jane Smith. "I'll text you when I'm done with the room."

  ***

  "Do you do this often?" Jane's gaze roams my face as the elevator creeps its way up to the twenty-third floor.

  I half-expected her to bail on me after I'd pocketed Jordan's room key and his one and only condom. I've had sex with enough strangers to know that second thoughts are the number one enemy of potential one-night stands.

  Sometimes a woman thinks it's a good idea to hook up with a stranger until she has a minute to sit on that decision or she's phoned a friend from the ladies' room.

  It's no harm, no foul to me.

  I want to be a fond memory to the women I fuck, not a regret.

  "Not as often as you think," I answer truthfully. My schedule is to blame for that. The few short-term relationships I've had the last few years are a contributing factor too. "What about you?"

  "Does it matter?"

  Hell, no. Her sexual history is about as important to me in this moment as her favorite color. She's a willing adult. That's all I need to know.

  "The only thing that matters to me tonight is that we both have a good time."

  She lets out a long exhale. "I need a good time."

  I take a step forward as the elevator dings our arrival on the twenty-third floor. I turn to look at her once the doors fly open. "After you, Jane."

  It's obvious from the sly smile on her face that she understands the double meaning of my words.

  I'll give her what she needs before I take what I want.

  It's always ladies first in my world and Jane is about to find that out.

  Chapter 3

  Chloe

  Jane Smith?

  As soon as I said the name, I knew it was a mistake.

  I always imagined if I had a one-night stand that I'd use an exotic fake name, not a common name that virtually every woman who has slept with a stranger has used.

  I watch Evan as he unlocks the hotel room door with the key card in his hand.

  He is, without a doubt, the best looking man I've met in a very long time. I didn't notice him at the wedding before we ran into each other outside. That doesn’t surprise me since there are hundreds of people in the ballroom of this hotel, all celebrating a marriage that likely won't last a year.

  The glass in my hand shakes as I follow Evan into his hotel room.

  I don't drink often. When I do, it's usually a half of a glass of white wine with dinner, but tonight I thought I'd need courage to follow through with my decision to go to a hotel room with a stranger. I haven’t taken a sip of the Bellini, and I doubt I will. My stomach has been doing flip-flops ever since I agreed to come up to his room.

  I almost hit the emergency button in the elevator to stop this entire thing in its tracks. I want this, but the nagging voice in the back of my mind is telling me that I'm going to regret it. I'm telling it to shut up and so far, I'm winning.

  On our way up I asked him whether he does this often without thinking through the possibility that he'd ask me the very same thing. I didn't want to tell him that I've never had a one-night stand, so instead, I asked him if it mattered if I did.

  Coming across as a bitch wasn't part of my plan.

  Unfortunately, it sometimes happens when I'm nervous as hell.

  "Are you from New York?" I ask that to close the gap of uncomfortable silence that sits between us. I have no idea if making small talk is expected when you’re on the cusp of crawling into bed with a complete stranger.

  He drops the key card on a desk that’s just inside the door of the suite. It’s much more impressive than the room I was in earlier. Leanna ordered the other five bridesmaids and me to her hotel room late this afternoon to help her get ready.

  It was cramped, but no one cared. We spent the time leading up to the ceremony sharing stories about the bride while she had her hair and makeup done.

  When it was my turn I talked about our law school days. It wasn’t overly sentimental because that’s not who Leanna is. She didn’t shed one tear at all today on what is supposed to be the happiest day of her life. She knows exactly who her new husband is and what he did in Las Vegas. The only positive is that there were three divorce attorneys in attendance. I have a feeling at least one of them will be taking her on as a new client before the end of next year.

  “I grew up in California, but I live here now,” he offers as he loosens his black necktie. “What about you?”

  My life started in Pennsylvania and then my journey dotted the landscape of the country before I ended up in New York City days before my tenth birthday. He doesn’t want to know all of that, so I keep the answer short and sweet. “I’ve lived here long enough that I consider myself a New Yorker.”

  That draws a smile to his lips. “Who called you a coward, Jane?”

  I thought the promise of no-strings-attached sex would wipe that memory from his mind, but it hasn’t. I had no idea he was standing in the shadows when I walked out into the bitter cold. I needed to catch my breath after an infuriating discussion I had with Gretchen, one of the other bridesmaids.

  She called me a coward when I scoffed at her suggestion that I have dinner with her brother. I hate blind dates. I’ve never been on one that has ended with the anticipation of a second date.

  Gretchen made a point of telling me that she doesn’t believe I’m adventurous enough. It stung because she’s right. I can count on one hand the times I’ve done anything spur-of-the-moment or out-of-the-ordinary. Four of those were before my eighteenth birthday eleven years ago.

  “No one important,” I answer as I set my glass down on the coffee table. “For the record, I’m not a coward.”

  “You came up to a hotel room with a man you just met. If that’s not brave, I don’t know what is.”

  I know what is, but that’s not a conversation I have with just anyone, especially a man I’ll never see again after tonight.

  I feel a pang of something when I think about that. I like him, and it’s not just because his eyes are mesmerizing and his smile is genuine. I can sense that he’s considerate even though the only thing he’s done for me so far is buy me a drink.

  If only a guy like this was waiting for me when I agreed to a blind date. I can already tell that we’d talk for hours. He’s approachable and patient. He’s also hot-as-sin. His brown hair is just the right length for me to fist in my hands.

  “I want to kiss you, Jane.” He slides his jacket from his shoulders, taking care to drape it over the back of a blue armchair. “I’ve wanted to kiss you since you turned around when we were outside.”

  I don’t care if the words are honest or not. I’ve wanted to kiss him since then too. My body speaks for me as I take a step closer to him.

  He closes the remaining distance in an instant and then his full, soft lips crash down on mine and I know that I’m never going to forget this night or this man.

  Chapter 4

  Evan

  I stripped her slowly after we kissed.

  That kiss made me weak in the knees. The last time that happened I was in grade school and Mary Bowman planted a wet one on my cheek during recess. We agreed to go steady, but our inability to communicate because of my shyness ended my first budding relationship within the week.

  Thankfully, I’ve come out of my shell since then. If I hadn’t, I sure as hell wouldn’t be in the position I am right now.

  I’m still dressed, but beautiful Jane is not thanks to me.

  She’s sprawled on her back on the bed; her blonde hair fanned around her head. She looks like every dream I’ve ever had since I first experienced the insane pleasure of being with a woman.

  Small waist, supple breasts, and soft curves.

  I rest a knee on the bed and lean down to kiss her again. It’s a dangerous move because my dick is
as hard as steel in my pants. It’s straining against the zipper of this rental tux. Another taste of her mouth will inch me closer to coming.

  She moans into the kiss this time as her hand circles the back of my neck. Her touch is soft and tender. She’s not trying to control anything. I can tell that she wants me to set the pace.

  I break the kiss and trace a slow path with my lips down her neck. Her skin is sweet. It’s peppered with a light coat of some fragrant lotion. Beneath that is the scent of her. It’s intoxicating and arousing.

  I can’t remember a time when I’ve wanted a woman this much.

  “Evan.” My name escapes her lips as I hone in on the smooth skin of her stomach.

  I’m grateful as fuck that I told her my real name when we met. I’ve never heard it laced with this much desire and need before.

  I glide my lips along her hip before I kiss a small mole on her outer thigh.

  Her breathing quickens. It’s an audible leap from measured and deep to rapid and shallow. Her legs twitch as she tries to hide her arousal. I know she’s wet. I felt it when I slid her lace panties down her legs.

  I glide a finger along the seam of her pussy and it brings a sound to her lips. It’s not a moan, but a sigh. It’s soft, barely noticeable but I hear it.

  I’m acutely aware of everything right now as if my senses have all been turned up so each sound, smell, and taste will become etched into my memory.

  Taste.

  I crave it so much that I don’t waste another second. I lower my mouth to her pussy, inching the tip of my tongue over her swollen clit before I dip it inside.

  She’s exquisite. I lap at her, gentle lashes of my tongue against her clit before I suck it between my teeth.

  Her hips move as her hands find my hair.

  I swear to fuck that makes me even harder. Her fingers are eager and restless as she tugs me closer. She wants this as much as I do. Her need to get off is controlling it all; her movements, those fucking sweet sounds she’s making and the wetness.

  With each stroke of my tongue against her, she gets wetter and wetter and for the first time in my life, I wish to fuck I could slide my dick in completely bare so I could experience the slickness of skin touching skin.

  “Evan,” she murmurs and I thrust my groin into the bed. I’m primed to fuck. I need it. I feel like a caged animal, but I won’t take until she’s given me what I want.

  I need to watch her come apart. I’m craving it more than the intense rush I already know I’m going to feel when her pussy envelops my cock.

  “Give it to me…”I stop myself before I say Jane because that’s not her goddamn name. I’d trade everything I own at this moment just to know it. “Come on my face.”

  She grinds herself against my mouth.

  It’s so fucking hot that I moan into her flesh and that’s enough to push her over.

  She comes and it’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Her body pulsates, her lips part and she says my name, my real fucking name, draped in a moan.

  ***

  My hands shake as I wrap my dick in the condom Jordan gave me. I’m not nervous about the fuck. I want this. After what I just witnessed, all I need in life to die a happy man is to be inside of this woman.

  I watch her as she takes in the sight of me stroking my cock. She hasn’t made a sound since she came. She also hasn’t moved beyond craning her neck so she could watch as I rid myself of all of my clothes before I tore open the condom package.

  I can’t shake the desire to stop time. I’m going to fuck her, we’ll both get off and then we’ll dress and part ways.

  The thought of that is invading everything. I already want more of her and I’ve yet to shoot my load.

  “Evan?” she whispers my name.

  I jerk my chin up. “Yes?”

  “Your mouth is amazing.”

  Her words shred the small amount of self-control I have left. I’ve been prolonging this because I don’t want it to be over. I could stare at her for hours like this with her skin flushed from her release and her fingers lightly strumming her clit.

  I crawl onto the bed and move until I’m above her, my hands bracketing either side of her head. I look down and into those stormy hazel eyes. “You’re a beautiful woman.”

  Her gaze trails over my face slowly. I don’t need her to return the compliment. I know she likes what she sees.

  The pulsing need in my cock takes over and I inch closer to her wetness. As her eyelids flutter shut, I push in and the groan that escapes me comes from somewhere so deep inside that I don’t recognize it.

  I take it slowly at first, letting her tight body adapt to me.

  She moans loudly when I speed up the pace. “Yes, Evan, yes.”

  I dip my head to hide the smile as I brush my mouth over her left nipple. I take it between my teeth as I pound into her over and over knowing that this fuck is going to stay with me long after tonight.

  I grunt with each rock of my hips and when her fingernails carve a path down my back to my ass, my balls tighten.

  I fuck her hard until her sex clenches around my throbbing dick with her orgasm and then I empty my load with a jackhammering in my heart that I’ve never felt before.

  Chapter 5

  Chloe

  I tug my dress back over my head while he’s in the washroom. He didn’t say anything after we both came. He held me briefly and then stood up. I’m not sure what I was expecting since this is the only one-night stand I’ve ever had.

  Am I supposed to leave before he reappears?

  Do I wait around so I can thank him for what just happened?

  I’m tempted to text my friend, Gabi, to ask. I wouldn’t call her an expert on one-night stand protocol but I know she’s had at least two so in our small world, she has more experience than I do.

  “Can I see you again?”

  His wickedly sexy voice pulls me from my thoughts. I turn toward it, wanting to get at least one more parting glance of his face.

  I’m gifted with much more than that. He’s nude. His spectacular body is on full display and framed by the light filtering in from the washroom.

  He’s sculpted and muscular; the definition of perfection. He must spend half of his time at the gym. If I looked as good as he does, I’d stand naked in front of a stranger too.

  “Jane?” He huffs out a laugh with a shake of his head. “Give me your real name and tell me when I can see you again.”

  “How do you know that my real name isn’t Jane?”

  “I know.” He steps closer to where I’m standing next to the bed. “You used that name because you didn’t want to know me. You do now.”

  “Do I?” I try to laugh too but it comes out more like a desperate cackle.

  “You enjoyed yourself tonight.”

  I don’t know why but I like that he’s confident enough to make declarations about what I’m feeling. He’s right but I don’t want him to know that.

  “You enjoyed yourself too, Evan.”

  “You’re fucking right I did.” He bends to pick up his boxer briefs. “I want to enjoy myself again so tell me when that will happen.”

  This may be my first one-night stand but I know that by definition they last one single night and then the connection is over, forever. I don’t need any complications in my life at this point. I’m still trying to untangle myself from the only relationship I’ve ever had with a man.

  “I think we should walk out of this room as strangers who shared a good time. “

  “I’ve had my tongue inside of you.” He cocks a dark brow. “We’re not strangers anymore.”

  A little burst of laughter escapes me before I bite my bottom lip. “I guess I can’t argue that point, can I?”

  I watch as he finishes dressing, taking note of the fact that he tugs his phone from the front pocket of his pants.

  “Give me your real name and number.” His gravelly voice travels right to my core.

  I don’t think I’ll ever forget the so
und of it or any other part of him. A man like this doesn’t cross my path often…well, never, if I’m being truthful.

  “I don’t think that’s a good idea,” I say reluctantly.

  I know that he’s looking for another hook up and if I thought I could handle that, I’d take his phone from his hand and key my contact information in myself. He’s the kind of man I could get addicted to. Eventually, I’d want more and that can’t happen.

  “Why not?” He eyes me. “We’re sexually compatible. We like each other.”

  “You like me,” I shoot back. “I didn’t say I like you.”

  The corners of his full mouth rise into a brilliant smile revealing perfectly straight white teeth. “You like me, Jane. You want to see me again.”

  “I’m not giving you my name or number.”

  “Fair enough.” He steps even closer. “I won’t push but let me make something clear.”

  I swallow hard as I look up at him. “What?”

  “I’m going to spend weeks, if not months, stopping every blonde I see on the streets of Manhattan in the hope that it’s you.”

  I want to say that I doubt he’ll remember me after tonight, but the intense look on his face tells me that there’s at least a seed of truth in his words.

  He’s sinfully handsome. He wants me and all my insecurities are screaming that I need to walk out of this room and away from him forever.

  He starts toward the main room and I follow, knowing that the chances that we’ll run into each other again are slim. New York City isn’t a big place but it’s filled with millions of faces and over time it’s easy to forget someone you spent only a few hours with.

  “I’ll call down to the front desk to have them flag down a taxi for you, Jane.”

  It’s considerate. It’s also unnecessary. There are a fleet of cars with drivers at the ready for anyone attending the wedding that needs a ride home tonight. The reception isn’t set to end for another thirty minutes so I’ll be able to get back to my apartment without a problem. “I have that covered.”