by Opal Carew
A small smile crept across her lips. “So what do we need to talk about?”
He pushed his fingers through his own hair. “I think we should give ourselves a little more time to get used to this new situation before we start talking about things like control and punishment in the bedroom.”
She smiled and sat up, letting the covers fall from her chest. His cock started to swell at the sight of her perfect, round breasts, the rosy nipples thrusting forward.
“Yes, Daddy. Whatever you say.” Then she hopped from the bed, ignoring her total nudity, and walked toward the bathroom, her pert ass swaying.
Fuck, this was going to be a challenge.
As Christina opened the oven to slide the biscuits inside, the doorbell rang. Kent was in the shower so she quickly set the timer and hurried to answer the door.
She opened it and peered out.
A handsome man in white shorts and a white polo shirt stood on the other side. He had full lips and startling blue eyes. His chest was broad and his long, muscular legs looked… powerful.
She recognized him as the man who’d come to the door yesterday morning.
He smiled, setting his blue eyes alight like the morning sky.
“Hi. I’m Avi.” He offered his hand. “Kent didn’t introduce us yesterday.”
She took his hand and his fingers closed around hers. Tingles of awareness quivered up her arm.
God, he was a good-looking man.
“Hi. I’m Christina. Come in. Please.”
He released her hand and she drew in a calming breath as she turned around. He followed her inside.
She wasn’t used to being around such confident, wealthy, mature men and it was throwing her off. She was shocked at the attraction she felt to this friend of Kent’s. Clearly, she liked that air of authority they exuded.
She realized her reaction to him was probably nothing more than her awakened hormones. She’d had sex for the first time last night. Now her subconscious was open to assessing men as possible sexual partners.
But she was with Kent.
“Kent should be down in a few minutes,” she said as they walked. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
“Sure.” He followed her toward the kitchen, then sat on one of the stools at the granite counter, facing her.
She poured two mugs and handed him one, then sipped her own.
“You look different this morning,” he said. “More relaxed.”
She glanced down at her red cotton camisole with the lace edging and her faded jeans. All she could think about was that he’d seen her in that slutty dress yesterday.
“I’m not a hooker, you know.”
One eyebrow arched up. “Okay.” He sipped his coffee.
“I know you saw me in that black dress yesterday and… well, when Kent saw me in it he thought I was one and he probably told you that. But I’m not.”
He nodded. His eyes seemed to glitter in amusement.
“I think it’s more the fact that you were arrested for soliciting that made him think that.”
She felt heat wash across her face.
“Of course. But that was a mistake.”
“I’m sure it was.”
She turned away from his smiling face, unsure whether he believed her or not, but Kent had told her not to worry about what people thought. Though it was hard.
She pulled eggs out of the fridge and set them on the counter.
“Would you like to join us for breakfast?” she asked.
“That would be nice. Thank you.”
The timer dinged and she grabbed the potholders and opened the oven door. The aroma of the fresh biscuits filled the air. She set them on the counter and then gingerly popped several in a basket she had ready to go, lined with a white linen napkin.
She slid the basket in front of him, along with the butter dish and a knife.
“Would you like one?”
He smiled and picked one up, then cut it open. Steam rose from it. He spread a large blob of butter on it, which melted on the hot, fluffy surface.
He took a bite and a little of the melted butter dripped down his lip. Her breath caught as she watched his tongue glide over the sunny drop, then disappear inside his mouth again.
“Good morning.”
The sound of Kent’s voice startled her and her gaze darted to him. He glanced from her to Avi and back to her again, expressionless.
Had he seen her ogling his friend?
“I came by to see if we could play that game of squash today,” Avi said. “Now your lovely houseguest has invited me to breakfast. And with biscuits like these, I couldn’t refuse.”
“They do smell good,” Kent said.
“Why don’t you two go out to the patio with your coffee and the biscuits,” she said as she poured Kent a mug and placed it in front of him, “and I’ll bring the rest out when it’s ready?”
Kent grabbed the basket and his mug while Avi picked up the butter and she watched the two men walk toward the patio doors. Kent wore jeans and a short-sleeved shirt this morning. Both their butts were round and muscular. She couldn’t drag her gaze from them until they disappeared out the patio doors.
She whipped up some omelets with ham, cheese, onions, mushrooms and peppers, some bacon on the side and carried the plates outside. The man dug into them with gusto and soon they were finished breakfast and relaxing in the morning sunshine.
“I’ll be up for that game of squash with you in about an hour, Avi,” Kent said. “Just need time for that great meal to settle. Until then, why don’t we enjoy the pool?”
“Sound great to me.” Avi stood up and gathered the plates.
The three of them cleared the table and took everything back inside.
“I’ll go put on my suit,” Christina said, anticipating seeing both these men in trunks with their chests bared.
Ten minutes later, she stepped out into the sunshine on the patio, gazing over the dazzling panorama of the city below, the sunlight glinting off the windows of the buildings around them. Kent and Avi hadn’t come out yet and she considered sitting on one of the lounge chairs to wait, but the sun was warm on her skin so she decided to go ahead into the water.
She strolled along the wooden deck at the side of the pool, then walked down the steps into the warm water. She swam a few laps, then floated on her back, enjoying the sunshine.
“You look like you’re enjoying yourself.” Kent stood on the deck smiling at her.
She swam to the side of the pool, then sat on the steps.
“I love being in the water.”
He sat down beside her. “Me, too. This pool is one of the things I like most about this place.”
She smiled. “There’s a lot to like about this place.”
Her gaze fell to his broad, naked shoulders and muscular chest. One of those things being the owner.
“Including the neighbors?” Kent asked.
“The neighbors?”
“I was wondering what you thought of Avi.”
“Oh. He seems very nice.”
The patio door slid open and Avi stepped onto the deck. Her pulse quickened at the sight of him. His legs were muscular and well defined, and his chest and abs were chiseled perfection. He and Kent had to be the two most stunning men she’d ever seen.
Avi stepped to the end of the pool and dove in. The beautiful streamlined movement was a visual delight. He broke through the surface of the water and shook his head, flinging glistening diamond droplets through the air.
Kent stood up and stepped into the water, then began swimming laps. Christina followed him into the water and swam to the deep end where she treaded water, watching Kent’s powerful shoulders as he traveled the length of the pool again and again.
The three of them enjoyed the water for about a half hour, then Christina swam to the steps and sat down.
Kent sat down beside her, then a moment later, Avi joined them, sitting on her other side.
“It’s a beautiful day,” Av
i said, his charismatic smile warming her more than the sunshine.
Somehow, he had a way of making her feel like the most special person in the world.
Kent glanced at his watch.
“You know, I have a couple of emails I have to respond to before noon,” he said, “so I’m going to do that now before our game. Avi, you’ll keep Christina company, right?”
“Of course.”
Kent stood up and went into the house, Christina watching him go.
“Have you known Kent long?” Avi asked.
“Yes, a long time. He was a friend of my mother.”
“And what kind of relationship did you have with him?”
“He was always very supportive and interested in what was going on in my life. I missed him when he moved to New York full time.”
Avi nodded. “I take it you consider him more than just a friend of your mother.”
She gazed into his vivid blue eyes, mesmerized by the warmth and understanding she saw there. She felt like she could trust him.
“I’m attracted to him.” She sat up a little straighter. “And I don’t think the age difference matters. We’re both adults.”
“I agree.”
“Really?” She was surprised. She had been ready to justify herself, just assuming most people wouldn’t approve.
“The key is how does he feel?”
Christina made dinner and had it ready when Kent returned from a business meeting. She was delighted that he enjoyed the simple but healthy meal she’d made. Once he’d finished, he excused himself, telling her he had some work to do, then went to his den while she cleaned up the dishes.
Afterward, she decided to make a fresh fruit salad. While she was cutting up the last of the cantaloupe, Kent walked into the kitchen.
“You’re keeping busy,” he said. “First making breakfast, then dinner, and now this.”
He picked up one of the halved strawberries and pushed it into his mouth. She couldn’t help watching his full lips as he chewed, longing to slide her tongue inside and taste him.
She lifted the cutting board and swept the cantaloupe cubes into the large bowl with the other fruit, then wiped off the board and washed the knife. She turned to him and picked up a chunk of the cantaloupe.
“The melon is really sweet. You should try it.”
She pressed the orange morsel to his mouth and he opened. The feel of his lips on her fingertips as she pushed the piece of fruit inside sent her heart fluttering.
“It is sweet,” he said with a smile.
She licked her lips, wanting to taste the sweetness on his lips. She grasped his shoulders and leaned toward him. But to her surprise, as soon as her mouth brushed his, he drew back.
“Christina…”
She didn’t like the cautioning tone of his voice.
“I told you this morning that we should talk—”
CHAPTER 7
“I really don’t want to talk right now.” Christina moved closer and cupped his face, then pressed her lips to his. She pushed her tongue inside and swirled it in his mouth.
He slipped his arms around her and pulled her tighter, then deepened the kiss. Her pulse accelerated and desire swelled through her. She wanted him. Here and now.
She wanted him to lift her onto the countertop and take her.
“Christina, I—”
“Please, Daddy,” she murmured against his ear, knowing how much her calling him that affected him.
She could feel his cock swell against her and all she could think about was having his hard shaft inside her again. Pumping into her. Driving her to heaven.
She ran her hand over his swollen member.
“Don’t you want to be inside your baby girl again?”
“Fuck.” Need tore at his voice, but he grasped her shoulders firmly and pressed her away from him. “Christina, no. I should have talked to you this morning, but I backed off because I didn’t want you to feel rejected. But this needs to be said.”
She shook her head, not wanting to hear it.
“What we did last night,” he said, “won’t continue. I’m very moved that you wanted me to be your first, and I want you to know how very special that was for me. But this is not going to lead to a romantic relationship between us.”
“Because of our age difference? Or because…” Her throat closed up. She hated to think he’d had sex just because he felt sorry for her. “Don’t you find me attractive?”
“Of course I do.” He cupped her cheek gently in his hand, his teal blue eyes glowing softly. “You’re very beautiful.”
She drew in a breath.
“You don’t like that I’m so inexperienced.”
He smiled. “That’s not a flaw. Especially with your enthusiasm and adventurous spirit.”
“So it’s just the age thing. But that shouldn’t matter.”
His lips compressed. “It matters to me.”
His uncompromising expression made her heart sink.
“But—”
“Sweetheart, you said you don’t trust your instincts about men. That’s why you wanted to be with me. Because I’m the only man you trust your feelings for.
He grasped her shoulders.
“I think you should start a relationship with someone else. The sooner the better. I don’t want you to fall back into your old fear.
The pain of his rejection stabbed through her.
Her heart ached. She wanted to be with Kent so badly. How could he just push her away so easily?
Her eyebrows arched up and she drew away. “I can’t believe you want me to be with someone else.
“Christina, please. This is killing me. I don’t want to push you away. But I really think you’re fooling yourself about your feelings for me. I want to help you figure out what’s right for you.
“Is that why you left me alone with your friend this morning?”
His face grew somber.
“I thought you and Avi might hit it off. You do seem to find him attractive. And he sure as hell thinks you are.”
Her stomach roiled as the situation sank in. Kent didn’t want her.
He walked across the kitchen and leaned against the counter.
He’s older than you,” Kent continued, “so he has the maturity you’re attracted to, and he can take good care of you.”
Her eyes flared as anger and pain surged through her.
“First, I don’t need someone to take care of me. I’ve had some setbacks, but I can make it on my own. Second, I’m not attracted to maturity. I’m attracted to you.”
“Because I’m older.”
“No. Because of who you are. Because I trust you. Because you’ve always been there for me, and I know you always will be.”
Even though he seemed to be pushing her away, she still believed that.
She walked to him and rested her hand on his chest.
“I love it when I’m in your arms.” Her hands clenched tightly around the fabric of his shirt. “And when you make love to me. It fills a void that nothing and no one ever has. When we’re together like that it’s… euphoric. Mind shattering.”
The thought of losing that… of losing him… tore her heart in two.
She ran her hand up his chest, then stroked his strong, raspy jaw. She gazed at him with eyes wide, exposing her deep vulnerability.
“And I want to please you with every fiber of my being,” she murmured, her voice husky with emotion. She had to make him understand.
He covered her hand with his and squeezed it as he drew it from his face. He gazed into her eyes and his teal blue eyes were… kind.
And she knew she was going to lose him.
“Christina, you’ll feel those things with your next lover, too. You’re just inexperienced. I was your first, so you think you’ll only feel those things with me.”
He clasped both her hands in his, holding them gently.
“Sweetheart, think about it. You said I was the only man you trusted enough to be with. Then you
opened yourself to me, so trusting and vulnerable.”
He rested his hand on her cheek and his thumb glided over her skin.
“And what we shared was so spectacularly intense and moving, it’s understandable that you want to cling to that. That you might convince yourself that you and I are meant to be together. Especially since that means you can avoid taking the next difficult step.”
He cupped her face gently between his hands and stared into her soul.
“But I can’t let you do that. I need to make sure you do what’s right for you.”
He shook his head, his eyes so full of warmth and understanding it melted her heart.
“As much as I would love to keep you in my arms forever,” he said, “since I do care for you so deeply, I need to push you to face your fear, and move on.”
Christina walked along the tree-lined street to Kent’s building. It was a scorcher today and her blouse was clinging to her back. All she wanted to do right now was get into the apartment, shed her suit, and dive into the pool.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Mills,” Lenny, the doorman, said with a big smile as she approached. “Beautiful day.”
“Yes. A little hot.”
“How did your interview go?” he asked.
She’d been a bit nervous on the way out this morning. She’d asked him for directions to her job interview and had babbled to him a bit about her job search.
“Okay. I think they’re looking for someone with more experience, though.”
How could she ever get the experience if no one would give her a chance?
“Howie at Beaumont Park says hi,” she said. “Thanks for suggesting I drop my resume off there.”
He smiled as he opened the door. “My pleasure.”
She stepped inside. The cool air in the lobby was a welcome change from the humidity outside. She walked to the elevator and pressed the button for the penthouse. The door opened on the top floor and she stepped into the hallway.
She started down the hall to Kent’s door, but as she passed a neighboring door, it opened. Avi stepped into the hallway just ahead of her.