by Colet Abedi
I hear the door of his room shut and I’m pretty sure he’s out for the count since the cougar is overseas on a film set. I wonder if the two partake in a lot of phone sex—then I picture it and it takes me a second to shake it off. I so can’t go there.
I lean my back into Ian and enjoy the silence and back rub he gives me. Since I’m nestled in his arms, I have to tilt my head up to look at him. Our eyes meet.
He’s the first one to speak, a sparkle in his eye. “All things considered, your addiction to the show completely makes sense. Especially since I know what your favorite thing to do is.”
My heart slams in my chest. He has a way of doing that.
“What I did at the club used to be my favorite thing to do.” My voice is shaky.
“Really?” He sounds intrigued.
“I’ve actually acquired the taste for something new.”
His bright blue eyes flame with desire, his gaze flickering to my lips. “And what would that be?”
“Sleeping with you.”
I don’t even have time to think. Ian has my pants and panties off before I can even hope to respond to his touch. His pants are lowered enough so that beautiful cock is free as he sits up on the couch. The next thing I know, he’s grabbed my body and has me settled above him so I can ride as fast or slow as I want. He pulls himself to the edge of the couch so he can have more control as he holds onto my waist and ass. Seated this way and about to ride him like this is fucking hot as hell.
“I need you.” His voice is husky with desire, his eyes filled with lust. He’s dying for me—just as I am for him—but still, he hasn’t entered me. He’s waiting for my permission.
And I love him for it.
I do.
My fingers move through his thick hair and I pull his lips to mine. “Yes,” I whisper before we grind into each other.
Seated like this, he fills me so deeply I think I’ll die from the pleasure. We are melded together in every way. Wrapped around one another like vines, Ian filling me to my core, our mouths locked, our tongues stroking, intertwined—this is my definition of heaven.
Right now. Right here.
“Come for me.” His command is a whisper against my lips. And he doesn’t have to tell me twice.
My climax hits me so hard, I can’t stop myself from crying out. Ian’s lips find mine, and he silences my uncontrollable moans. He quickly joins me on the other side, grunting into my mouth as we move against each other. He kisses me deeply, his hands cupping the back of my head before he pulls away and leans back into the couch. His gaze locks with mine. He’s still deep inside me.
“You are a witch.” His voice is raspy from passion.
I give him an amused smile before getting up and slipping my pants back on. I look toward the hallway leading to the bedroom and pray that Tony didn’t hear or see any part of that.
“Now you’re looking?” He looks amused. “Trust me, baby, he heard you scream.”
I hate that my cheeks turn red—and I can feel them. I cover my face with my hands and shake my head. “How embarrassing.”
If Tony did hear me, I will never ever live this down. Even though I have a few embarrassing moments on him, he’ll now have some ammo he can throw back in my face.
Ian has a good, long chuckle before rising from the couch. “Which way is your bedroom?”
“You sleeping over?” I had hoped he would, but I couldn’t be sure. With him, I don’t want to assume anything. It’s not a safe bet.
“Tonight,” he informs me in a gruff voice. “But you’re bringing your bag over tomorrow night and staying the weekend with me.”
My heart melts and I’m giddy with pleasure. “I have no problem with that.” I try to sound as cool as possible—I’m probably failing, but I try. I point down the hall in the opposite direction of Wylder and Tony’s rooms. “My bedroom is that way.”
Ian looks pleased—I’m guessing he appreciates the distance. Like the gentleman he is, he carries me down the hall and into my room, where he proceeds to undress me and himself before we crawl into bed and fall asleep in each other’s arms.
And it’s kind of perfect.
Chapter Sixteen
Ian
I watch her sleep for half the night.
I could watch her all night. And day, for that matter.
She’s so fucking beautiful she takes my breath away. She’s passionate. She’s witty. She’s smart as hell and can keep up with me. She’s got a body that makes me hard as a fucking rock.
And her smile. It’s inspiring. It’s like a warm, spring day. That feeling you get when you know you’ve found what you’re searching for. And it feels good.
Too good.
All in all, Kerri Harrington is perfect.
I trace the soft line of her jaw with my finger, and she leans into my touch. I like that she craves me even in her sleep. She makes me feel possessive. Like she belongs to me. Like I need to protect her from the world. Like I need to keep her for myself, not let her out of my sight…even for a minute.
I thought I was going crazy today without her. I had to stop myself from calling and demanding she leave work, take the month off, and allow me take her around the world, shower her with gifts, adventure, and fun. I want to see her laugh.
God, I love her laugh. I think I’m addicted to it.
I can’t believe I found myself jealous when Tony opened the door tonight. My immediate reaction was an overpowering need to push him up against the wall and ask why he looked so relaxed and casual, why his cheeks were flushed. Why he looked like he had just had great sex.
I know it’s fucking crazy—that dawned on me when I managed to keep my hands to myself and walk into the kitchen and take in the scene. And it was a pretty sexy one. Kerri, looking delectable in those low-waist sweats that showed off her hard abs, was cooking barefoot at the stove as if was the most natural thing in the world. And she looked beyond at ease.
Then my mood considerably darkened.
Because she wasn’t cooking for me—she was cooking for her and Tony. Yes, I know, one of her best friends from childhood, but still…the scene was too cozy and it made me jealous as hell. Furious, in-your-face jealous.
And I don’t do jealous.
Because jealousy is for fools.
Fuck. Me.
I guess I’m the biggest fool. But looking down at her like this and feeling so satisfied to have her in my arms, being the fool is too easy.
I trace her plump lip and can’t stop the arrogant satisfaction I have knowing they open for me. No one has ever had her or made her feel the way I have. And the pleasure it brings me should be a crime.
Because it means she’s mine. In every way.
At least for now she’s mine.
The dark thoughts come quickly. And then I focus on the one, the only one, that can ruin this thing between us—my sister.
And Kerri’s father. The reckoning Jon has to face.
I just…
Fuck!
I push aside the guilt I have over Tanya and tell myself I can have this time with Kerri. It’s allowed. I deserve to experience something enjoyable. I’m not forcing her into anything. She’s lying next to me right now because she wants to. Needs to. Just like me.
She’s felt the same way since our eyes connected that night. We’re drawn to each other in a way that defies logic. I think if either of us could have helped it, we would have. But now it’s out of our control.
As for her father, I’ll come to that when I do. And I will. But it’s fucked. All of it.
Her eyes open and lock with mine—as if she can sense the storm brewing within me. We stare at each other for a long while before she lifts her hand and touches my cheek in that way that makes me feel as if I’ve come home.
“What are you thinking?” Her voice sounds groggy and yet so sexy.
I want her again.
“I’m not telling,” I whisper and trace a line down her taut stomach.
“Why not?” Her
voice catches. To my satisfaction.
“I’ll frighten you.”
Kerri doesn’t avoid my gaze. Instead, she smiles. “I’m hard to scare.”
“We’ll see.” I lean down and capture her mouth.
****
I steal Kerri away and take her to my place in San Francisco for the weekend. She surprised me by how excited she was to go, and she even asked if she’d get to see where I grew up. I know she was disappointed when I told her I wasn’t ready to go down that road just yet, and it was only partially true. I know Kerri bringing Tanya up was inevitable, but I want to postpone it as long as possible. As soon as she knows about Tanya, the lies will really begin. But I won’t think about that until it happens.
We arrived in the city early evening on Friday because Kerri ditched work faster than she should have. She almost scolded me, saying she has to be good for a while because she’s afraid her boss is about to put her on notice. I’m hoping they fire her so I can keep her with me—though of course I don’t share that thought with her. I’m completely aware it’s fucked up, but I’m already going to hell as far as Kerri is concerned, so I might as well continue down the path.
As soon as we pulled up to the building, we decided to stay in and spend the night at my place, keep it casual. The second the elevator doors opened, I proceeded to fuck and make love to her in almost every room in my home. I thought that was a great way to keep it casual. And we did do a damn good job of eating, drinking, and christening the house. We had a lot of fun doing it.
Whenever we took a break, Kerri pranced around naked and studied my place, which drove me to distraction. I knew she didn’t care for the décor or ambience because it was just more of the same style of my other homes—and she absolutely hated my LA home. She had a visceral reaction when she walked in there—she couldn’t even control it. One thing’s for sure, when Kerri Harrington doesn’t like something, you can tell. I laughed it off in LA and didn’t say anything, but it still bothered me. And the feeling only got worse.
Then the unthinkable happened.
“What would you do different?” I asked her when I couldn’t take it anymore.
She shook her beautiful head, her pixie curls swinging, as she crinkled her nose at me. I waited for her to say something sweet and kind.
“Everything,” she said in such a no-nonsense voice, then had the audacity to give me a big smile. “Don’t hate me.”
“Help me.” I can’t believe the words came out of my mouth, but they did. “Help me bring warmth into this place.”
She was so overcome by my request, she flung herself in my arms and showered me with kisses. Her happiness did something to my heart. After she giggled kisses onto my face, she showed me her thanks in another way—and I honestly don’t know which I preferred.
After we were temporarily satiated, more of the same bizarre, out-of-character experiences occurred. I called Trevor and invited us over to his place on Saturday. I want him to meet her. He was just as surprised as I was by the request.
I’m beginning to believe Kerri really is a witch.
From the moment we leave my penthouse downtown and head to Trevor’s place on Saturday morning, I’m filled with acute nausea. I’m pretty sure Kerri can tell. She keeps giving me understanding smiles, as if it’s okay that I don’t even know who I am anymore. At Kerri’s request, we stopped at a flower shop so she could get some flowers for Lianna and Trevor, and we also got a few bottles of wine. She wasn’t happy I refused to let her pay, but I told her she would have to get used it. Besides, she wasn’t paying for a two-hundred-dollar arrangement on the salary she got from the studio.
Daddy Warbucks would be paying for it, and I’d be damned if I’d let that happen.
Kerri attempts small talk for the twentieth time. “What’s Trevor’s wife like?”
“You’ll see,” I tell her, not particularly wanting to engage. I’d rather mull over all the unbelievable thoughts in my head. I’m thinking about making an appointment with a shrink—maybe they can help me sort this shit out.
“Okay, cool.” She sounds happy as a clam. “Mind if I put some music on?”
“By all means.” I look at her as she flashes me an impish grin. I feel sick again and have to look away.
“You look green,” she comments as she connects her iPhone to the car. “Maybe it was that lox you consumed like it was going out of style.”
“Ha. Ha. I’m fine. I’ve got a stomach of steel.”
“I’ve noticed.” She puts on “Suspicious Minds” by Elvis Presley. “So then what gives? I promise I won’t embarrass you in front of your friends.”
I have to pull the car over just so I can pull her lips to mine. I ravage her until I know I won’t be able to stop, then I force myself to pull away. I run a shaky hand through my hair and sigh. Her swollen lips and lust-filled eyes give me a great deal of satisfaction, but fuck, the woman is throwing me—straight off a cliff into an unknown abyss, and I can’t seem to get the parachute to work.
“You could never embarrass me.” My voice sounds harsh, but I mean it. I don’t like her even thinking that.
She gives me a teasing wink. “Don’t tempt me.”
I steer us back onto the road and head to Trevor’s.
I find myself doing the unthinkable—I take Kerri’s hand. I’m in some serious trouble, and I hate that it feels so right.
When we pull into Lianna and Trevor’s driveway, I feel as though I’m a fresh-faced teenager on my first date. It’s almost laugh out loud funny, if it wasn’t so pathetic.
Kerri, on the other hand, is a bundle of excitement and can’t wait to meet my friends. With the flowers in her arms, she practically runs to the front door, skipping like a fairy. I take my time, looking her over as I make my way to the entrance. She looks adorable in her black skinny jeans, white tank, and oversized black knit sweater. And she’s wearing a pair of sexy spiked biker boots I purchased for her. I actually saw them in a window after my business lunch in Beverly Hills and purchased them, which was also completely out of character.
That was the first time in my life I’ve ever done anything like it. I barely shop for myself. My assistant takes care of those things for me. And yet there I was, shopping for Kerri Harrington.
I am in some serious shit.
She rings the doorbell, but I lean around her and just push the door open. The place is guarded by secret security, like Fort Knox, but Lianna always leaves it open when she knows I’m coming over.
“We’re here,” I call and motion for Kerri to enter first.
She tentatively walks inside, and I watch her eyes light up in appreciation. I can’t believe I’m affected by her reaction. So this is what it looks like when Kerri likes a home.
“This place is great,” she says.
For the first time, I actually take in the warm colors and furniture and can’t help but notice the stark difference between this place and my own. This home is definitely more inviting. But they have a kid. Still, it annoys me that she prefers this place to mine. I want her to have the same reaction when she enters my houses. I want her to feel this pleased.
Shit.
Before I can even go down the road of analyzing that revelation, Trevor jogs down the hall and greets us with way too much enthusiasm, but only has eyes for Kerri. “Brother!”
I try not to roll my eyes. He can barely control himself.
“Kerri”—Trevor flashes her his trademark smile— “I can’t tell you how excited I am to meet you. I’ve heard so much about you.”
“I’ve heard a lot about you as well,” Kerri replies rather shyly, her cheeks now rosy. She’s embarrassed again.
“Nothing good, I bet.” Trevor laughs.
Lianna takes that moment to join us in the foyer. “Oh my goodness,” she exclaims as she gives Kerri the once-over. “You are gorgeous.”
Kerri’s face is now the color of a tomato. I feel as if I should rescue her.
“All right, give her some breathi
ng room. She just walked in.”
“Look at you, all protective over your little lady.” Trevor eyes me up and down.
I meet his gaze evenly. “And?”
Incredulity washes over his face before he looks at an equally intrigued Lianna, who gracefully saves the day. “I’m so glad you guys came over. I’ve been cooking up a storm. I was so excited when Ian called Trev.”
“You know I always bring my appetite, but I have to say, I think you finally might have some competition.” I beam at Kerri. “This one is incredible in the kitchen.”
“Is she?” Trevor looks flabbergasted.
“I’m impressed.” That should be enough for him.
I glance at Lianna, who looks as if I’ve told her the world is flat—and not because she’s the slightest bit jealous. It’s because she probably doesn’t recognize me.
She looks from me to Kerri for a long while, then finally gives me a bemused smile. “This is the cutest thing ever.”
I feel like a teen being embarrassed by their parents.
“Ian’s so sweet. I do love to cook.” Kerri hands Lianna the flowers. “And these are for you. Thank you for having me over and going out of your way to cook up a storm.”
“They’re gorgeous, and you’ll learn that I love to cook. If Ian is right, we might have that in common.” Lianna heads down the hall toward the kitchen. “I’m going to put these on my dining table.”
“Can I help?” Kerri asks.
“In this house, I don’t say no.” Lianna sounds appreciative. “I’d love any help I can get—especially in the kitchen since Trevor likes to avoid it like the plague.”
“We all know, honey,” Trevor shouts to his wife, who chooses to ignore him.
Kerri stifles a giggle then follows Lianna to the kitchen. I hand Trevor the bottles of wine.
“You’re welcome,” I say pointedly.
“Thank you for the wine, I’m sure they are very impressive and will taste great,” he says in a monotone, obligatory voice then nods toward the kitchen, getting straight to the point. “She’s a looker.”