Jill pushed his coat off his shoulders then loosened his tie with her free hand. He let go of her long enough to assist. He pulled the tie over his head. Her hands trembled as she tried to unbutton his shirt. Damn things. He sensed her frustration and grabbed the shirt pulling it wide open, and button after button went flying in all directions, bouncing on the floor. Her hands ran over his bare chest. God, she’d missed the feel of him. “Please.”
He picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. He stripped off the remainder of his clothes until he stood naked in front of her. She still wore her T-shirt and was holding the pint of ice cream that was melting as quickly as she was. He wasn’t going to control things tonight. No, this was all going to be on her terms.
She stuck her finger in the ice cream, pulled it out and traced it down his chest before stepping forward and licking its sweetness away. He sucked in his breath, so she took his nipple in her mouth and bit softly. Oh, he likes this.
Jill dipped her finger again and traced it lower. Kneeling in front of him she licked it off his stomach. His body tensed, and she enjoyed giving him pleasure.
Dipping her fingers again she smeared the cold ice cream from the base to the tip of his hard shaft. This time her tongue traced so slowly, making each movement precise, enjoying the heat of his full erection against her cheek. Nibbling her way to the tip, she twirled her tongue, flicked it, and rubbed it on one side of her mouth then the other. Ross grabbed a fistful of her hair while he watched her. Her face arched upward; she opened her mouth and took him deep within her throat. His eyes closed, and a moan escaped. “Oh baby, that feels so good.”
She continued the assault, taking him deeper, sucking and stroking while his hands guided her faster, deeper, then pulled her away quickly.
“It’s going to be over before we start if you keep this up,” he said, his breathing ragged.
The knowledge she had power over him heightened her own desire. “Don’t you like this flavor of ice cream?” she whispered.
He liked what she was doing but it had been too long since he’d had her in his arms. Tonight would require self-control to hold back, to ensure she enjoyed their encounter as much as he did.
“There is something I enjoy much more.” He picked her up and lightly tossed her onto the bed. He didn’t give her any time to pull herself upright as he settled himself between her thighs, pushing her legs wider apart. His thumb circled her clit as his finger entered her. She arched her back, grabbing the sheets.
“Please, Ross,” she begged.
His eyes met hers as he stroked her. “Tell me what you want.”
Her head twisted from side to side, her eyes closed, and she arched her hips deeper into his hand. “Please, I can’t.”
“I will give you anything you want, but you are going to have to ask for it.” His hands slowed almost to a stop.
She whispered, “Don’t stop. Please I want . . . need . . .”
“Yes? Say it.”
“I need to come. I can’t take this, Ross. Make me feel like I did on the boat.”
He nestled himself lower and replaced his thumb with his tongue. He licked and sucked her clit while he fucked her with his fingers, starting with one, but slipping in another when she began to move against him. She was wild beneath him. He reached behind her, cupped her ass, and held her to him. She tasted so damn sweet. “Ross, Ross.” Her high-pitched voice was filled with need. He felt her body tense around his fingers as her body rocked. He sucked her clit hard as she released. Her hands grabbed at his head, but he didn’t stop, not until her body began to calm.
He licked her softly, enjoying all the juices her body had offered. Filled with his own need, he raised himself and kissed her collarbone. His body begged to come. His cock was fully erect and ached for her. Jill raised a hand and ran it over his chest, stopping to pinch his nipples. He couldn’t wait any longer and plunged deep inside her, riding her hard and wild. He had never wanted anyone like he wanted her. She made him lose control; he hated it and loved it at the same time. She leaned closer and whispered in his ear, “Roll over, I want to ride you.”
He did as she asked, never missing a beat, and while still inside her, they switched positions. Jill straddled him, which created a smile of victory. He grabbed her hips and guided her up and down his cock. Her breasts bounced, teasing him. He let her hips go and cupped both breasts, pinching and plucking her nipples. Her head arched back, and she moaned.
“Is this what you want?”
“Yes,” she answered breathlessly, as she continued to ride him, harder and faster. He could feel his body on the brink—ready to explode—when her body began to shake with her release. Only then did he allow his to blend with hers. Unlike any time before, his body jolted off the bed. He grabbed her hips and met her with a force that was animalistic. A growl escaped as his orgasm continued.
Breathing heavily, she collapsed on top of him. They were both sweating as they lay there until his body relaxed.
He held her as she rested on top of him. Kissing her forehead, he stroked her back. He could touch her forever. She felt so right in his arms, her skin so soft. Don’t even think it, Ross. She knew beforehand what he was willing to give. He could satisfy her physically, but that was all. What they just shared was a perfect example of how good it could be between them as long as they both understood exactly what it was.
Slowly she pulled herself off him and rolled to her side. “Ross.” Her voice was soft and sweet against his ear. What had he been thinking? He could tell by the sound of her voice what was coming next. The discussion of what they shared and how it made her feel. It was a path he wasn’t willing to travel.
“Did you hear me?” she said a bit louder.
He must not have been listening because she was now raised on an elbow, looking down at him.
“It’s late, you should go.”
What? She wants me to leave? That didn’t make any sense. They just shared some damn exciting sex, and he anticipated waking in the morning to continue. Why would she want him to go?
“Seriously, Ross. I really enjoyed myself, but I am tired and want to go to bed.”
He looked at her, waiting for the punch line. She had to be joking, but there was no hint of it in her expression. She’s serious.
Jill pulled herself up, wrapping the sheet around her. “I’m going to take a shower. Please be sure the door is locked on your way out.”
She made her way out of the bedroom, leaving him lying there alone, stunned. He didn’t move until he heard the shower turn on.
He was tempted to follow her, show her he couldn’t be so easily dismissed. Make her beg him to stay. It’s what he had expected but had wanted to avoid. He should be jumping for joy, but for some odd reason he wasn’t. Get it together, Whitman. She wants you to go.
Slowly he dragged himself from the bed and pulled on his pants, which were still near his shoes at the base of the bed. His remaining clothes were scattered in the living room. With his shirt left open he looked around the apartment one last time. It was exactly as he had requested. Great sex with no attachments. Then why did he not want to leave? Staying would only deliver a false message. No, if she was willing to continue with their relationship as it was, then it worked out perfectly for him.
He heard the click of the lock as he closed the door. The cool night air hit him as the realization of what just happened hit him. She’d turned the tables on him. Why? So damn complex. At least he was going to enjoy the benefits she had to offer while he tried to figure it out.
Chapter Twenty
‡
Letting the hot water beat down on her, she waited. She felt unsure if he would be there waiting for her when all the hot water was gone. She could only hope he listened. After all, this was what he wanted—sex without commitment.
She smiled, thinking of the utter shock on his face when she’d told him to go. Priceless. It was almost worth spending the night alone. If he wanted to play these games, then he was go
ing to find out he didn’t hold all the cards. She wasn’t going to be at his beck and call, there when he wanted, gone when he was through. No, let him see how it felt. Of course she was going to enjoy the benefit of all those orgasms along the way. He is a very generous lover.
When she finally turned off the shower, she grabbed her bathrobe and made her way back to the bedroom. Empty. She felt a bit heartbroken he hadn’t forced his way into the bathroom telling her there was no way he was leaving her after what they shared. But another part felt relieved she didn’t have to face him right now. Hiding emotions was difficult for her. Most people could read her easily, but Ross, he was different. Maybe it was because he avoided emotions altogether that she was able to hide hers from him. Whatever the reason, tonight had played in her favor.
Sex without strings bought her some time to figure out what really was going on with him. If he wasn’t willing to talk to her, she was going to reach out to someone who would. His friend Drew seemed open and willing. Tomorrow she would give him a call. What was the worst thing that could happen? He could tell her no. Jill had nothing to lose anyway. Ross was trying to make all the rules. All she could do was figure out why and if the rules had a chance to change.
Sliding into the cooled sheets, she turned off the light and rolled over. Her cell phone vibrated on the nightstand. Picking it up she saw a message from Ross.
“Dinner Monday night?”
Instantly she wanted to reply and say yes. That would be giving him what he wanted though. No, she needed to hold as much control of this situation as possible. Work in progress. Texting him back she replied, “No. Thursday is better for me.” Monday would’ve been better, but he would never know that. Besides it would give her time to gather as much information as she could before seeing him again. She was far from experienced at this, but she prided herself in utilizing the resources around her at all times. Why couldn’t she apply the same principles to a relationship?
He didn’t respond to her text right away. She almost caved in and texted him back to say okay for Monday when her phone vibrated again. “Can do Friday.”
Is he playing me now? More time than she needed, but it would work. “See you then.”
From the way they were speaking, one would never guess they had just made passionate love only an hour ago. Cool, polite, emotionless. Yes, this was all about to change whether he liked it or not. Jill wasn’t sure exactly what the outcome would be, but it was going to be full of some kind of emotion. Is he worth this Jill? Is he really worth all the effort? There was only one way to find out.
His friends should be happy, as everything was back to normal with Jill and him. Well, maybe normal wasn’t the correct word. They were on good terms. An understanding between lovers. That about sums it up. He wasn’t sure her friends would approve, but Jill seemed to have no issue with it, so they shouldn’t either. As long as she doesn’t tell them it was my idea.
He had seen his mother turn red with anger many times. It never fazed him. He had become immune to its effect many years ago. That was the beginning of the end for his emotions. If he fed into one of her meltdowns, it only made them worse. Unlike his father, who would disappear into the vineyard for hours, he was able to sit there and blankly stare off into space, dreaming of the day he would leave Napa and never return. For the most part he accomplished everything he’d set out to: going back home only when he absolutely had to, avoiding the family business, and only doing what he enjoyed. Only one opinion mattered—his.
However Elaine’s sharp warning to him when she found he had taken Jill’s virginity, said it all. Hurt her again and it will be your last. She acted like a protective lioness watching over her cub. He wasn’t sure if it was the pregnancy or something else, but Trent had his hands full right now. Ross only hoped Jill would keep their little arrangement between them, otherwise it was going to have a ripple effect.
The night hadn’t gone exactly as planned. He would have bet when he made the offer she would have told him to go to hell. Surprisingly, she took it in stride, and actually opened up as she hadn’t before. Not only was she taking some control of their arrangement, but she also took control in the bedroom. It was fucking great. Never had he met anyone so sure of herself. Especially for a virgin. Every time he thought he knew what she was thinking, slam, he was wrong again. Someone should write a book about understanding the woman’s psyche. He wouldn’t read it anyway. And from the looks of it, he already had her figured out. Nice to be on the same page for once.
Chapter Twenty-One
‡
“Jill, you really should be asking Ross these questions,” Drew said while finishing his now cold eggs.
She shouldn’t have ordered anything. Her stomach was tossing and turning from anxiety over the meeting with Drew. Get the info and get out. Out of all of Ross’s friends, Drew seemed to be the least threatening. “He hasn’t been very forthcoming with information. I want to make this work between us, but as I’m sure you could tell from the dinner party, we still have some issues to work through.” That was putting it mildly. She needed Drew’s insight to what made Ross, Ross.
“He never has been one to share much with anyone. Guess it stems from his childhood.”
Not much help here, Drew. He was stating the obvious. She needed something she couldn’t see for herself. “How long have you known him?”
“Since freshman year in college. That was when the five of us became friends.”
Five? Who was missing from the picture? Maybe the answer lies there. “I know you, Jon, and Trent. Who is the other person?”
Drew paused, rubbing the back of his neck. He looked like he just let something slip and wanted to take it back.
No way, buddy. Spill it. “Please, Drew. This might help me better understand Ross so we can fix some of the challenges we’re having.” Her voice was soft and pleading. Sometimes it’s great to be a woman. She laughed to herself as she watched him begin to cave.
“Out of all of us, Brad was probably Ross’s best friend back then. Brad lived on the edge between the wild crazy ones, namely Trent and me, and the stick-in-the-muds, Jon and Ross.”
“What happened? Why aren’t they friends now?”
Drew became quiet and seemed to be reliving something from the past, something painful. “He was killed in a car accident five years ago. It took all of us by surprise but no one more than Ross. Brad was always able to drag him out of his comfort zone, do what no one else could. Brad never took no for an answer. When he died, Ross shut down more than the rest of us. But then again, we all had families who supported us through our rough times in life. Ross didn’t. Most of his rough times came from being home. Home was a place he ran from instead of to, if you know what I mean.”
That wasn’t what she expected. She thought for sure it was going to be a horrible story about his mother, and she knew there were probably plenty of stories to tell there. If he felt as though he had no one except Brad, losing him would have caused a total shutdown. One she could relate to very well. Even now she found herself running from Rhode Island, trying to find herself, prove herself . . . and failing miserably. How could she fix what hurt him if she couldn’t fix her own pain? His friends, after all these years, hadn’t had any more luck with him than Elaine had with her. Was it only going to make things worse for him, and for her, by trying? Were they both so protective for reasons that shouldn’t be explored? She knew she didn’t want anyone probing into her life, but she was doing exactly that to Ross. Whatever happened to treating someone like you want to be treated? Guess that goes out the window when your heart is involved.
She needed to know more about Brad, understand him first, before she could understand Ross. “Tell me about Brad. What made him so . . .?”
“Special? That is the only way to describe him. He was selfless. A person who would have made a mark on this planet, a lasting one, if given the chance. Not by getting rich—money meant nothing to him, unlike us. His acts of kindness went unnoticed u
ntil his death.”
Jill couldn’t picture exactly what that meant. Unnoticed. By whom? The world, his friends, or family? That made no sense. “I don’t understand.”
“You’ve seen us at many charity events. Coming from a not-for-profit agency helping a community, then you know what it means to help someone who truly is in need. You don’t wear a T-shirt shouting it from the rooftop. You go there under the cover of the anonymity, fill the need, and watch its effects from the distance. That was Brad.”
“He does sound special. But what do you mean it was unnoticed?”
“We only found out when Brad’s mother gave Ross Brad’s journal. It all became clear to us then, but it was too late for us to tell him what we should have.”
Maybe that was what Ross chose to do, write down in his journal what he couldn’t bring himself to say out loud. “And what was that?”
“That is something each of us is still trying to figure out. I would have told him thanks for waking me up to what really is important. I’m not sure what it meant for the others, including Ross, though.”
Getting to understand Ross was going to take a lot more than she thought. There was more pain than she suspected. “Thank you for telling me.”
“I only did it because you seem to have that same ability to reach him like no one else can.”
“Oh, I don’t know about that.” She laughed.
“You got him on a dance floor the first time you met, you got him to take you away on a boat, and go back home. No, I would say you have something he can’t say no to.”
She hadn’t realized any of this before. For all she knew he had taken many women on the boat. And as far as his family’s home, she understood why no one went there. She would go again, but only if he asked her to, never by choice. Meeting with Drew was proving more enlightening than she first thought. “Can I ask one more thing of you, Drew?”
The Billionaire's Longshot: Betting on You Series: Book Three Page 13