“You can make it up to me.”
On her toes, she kisses me in a way that should have been the start of something. Only she slowly draws back.
“I have news,” she says.
“I do, too. You first.”
When her smile changes to something that resembles a brave front instead of great news, I remember something.
“Congratulations.”
Her grin lifts a little. “Thanks. Actually, winning has opened some new doors.” Her pause is an indication that what she has to tell me she’s not sure I’ll be happy about. “I’ve been invited to play in the Singapore Open.”
Singapore is on the other side of the world. Still, I manage a grin. “Wow, that’s great.”
“It is.”
When she glances away, I think I already know what she’s going to say. “When is it?”
“A couple of weeks. I have to leave in a few days so I can acclimate myself to the time change and get some practice time in.”
“Oh.”
I wait for her to ask me to go with her, but she doesn’t.
“You have news?” she asks.
So many thoughts play over in my head. There’s much to say, but I opt instead for this.
“Yes, you didn’t open your other present,” I say, scrambling to shove the other words back.
I don’t know if it’s pride, but I don’t tell her what I’d planned to. I don’t want her to feel pressured or obligated for the conversation that will follow. I’ll tell her when she returns.
Grabbing the other box, I hand it to her and ask, “When do you think you’ll be back?”
“A couple of weeks unless something comes up. But I’ll definitely be here in time for Ryder’s wedding.”
She just got in town, and she’ll be gone again. Get used to it, I tell myself. This is what you signed up for.
“Go ahead and open it,” I tell her.
She does. Under the wrapping paper, the brand on the long white box makes it easy enough for her to figure out what’s inside.
“A watch?”
“I was getting one for myself when the guy showed me all the features. He said it could send my heartbeat, too. It sounds cheesy now that I say it out loud. I just thought … with you gone so often, it was a way for me to let you know I was thinking about you.”
Her kiss is hot, and the box lands on the counter next to her ass as I hoist her up. I’m inside her without a thought, fitting us together like the last missing puzzle piece.
It's a feeling I hold on to hours later after she leaves, begging off that she has mounds of laundry to do and repacking. I could have gone, but my ego stops me. Again, she hasn’t asked for my company, and I don’t want to crowd her. Gina warned me not to early on. So I let her go and busy myself with getting work done. With the news she’s leaving, I have to make the most of the time she’s here, as she’ll be gone again for another few weeks after that.
A few days later, she opens the door and jumps into my arms, and I have to say I’m prepared to forget everything. But as I set her down, it’s not lust in her eyes, but worry.
“What’s wrong?”
She shakes her head. “It’s nothing.”
“Riley,” I warn.
“I’ve been blasted on social media.”
“What?”
“Some zealous fan of Justin’s thinks I’m the bitch from hell.”
Anger vibrates through me because I can tell she’s more than rattled.
“What did they say?”
“Just that I’m a slut who deserves no less than death for breaking Justin’s heart.” She waves it off as if I can forget the look in her eyes. “Apparently, Justin’s trying to do damage control from getting caught with his pants down by citing how easily I’ve moved on from him.” She rolls her eyes before walking away toward the kitchen. “Let’s not talk about it. I need to finish getting ready.”
“You should have called me. I don’t like the idea you were alone to deal with it.”
“I wasn’t. Chase was here. Anyway, we’re going to be late. I’ll be ready in a few minutes.”
She doesn’t give me a chance to quiz her more. She dashes off as Chase walks into the room with a bag in his hand. I don’t go all crazy on him because I trust them both.
“What’s up, man?” he says, clasping my hand. “And don’t worry. Your girl was upset, understandably, but it’s your garden variety bullshit.”
“She should have called me,” I growl.
“And this is why she didn’t. Trust me. She’s okay. Just some Twitter posts. Nothing more.”
Breathing doesn’t totally calm me.
Chase ignores me.
“And don’t think anything of it. She didn’t call me. I was already around. Ryder let me chill here because staying at my parents’ house wasn’t an option, and Fletcher has a tiny human alarm that goes off all hours of the night.”
I don’t correct him that it’s technically Riley’s place now because I’m glad someone was with her.
“You know how it is,” he continues. “If I stay at a hotel, next thing you know, based on what Riley’s dealing with, I’ll be in a picture with a woman I only stood next to on an elevator, and I have enough shit to deal with.”
I decide that I’ll talk more to Riley about what happened and push my anger back.
“Where are you headed?” I ask him.
“To fix a mistake.”
“Care to elaborate?”
Chase isn’t exactly Chatty Cathy.
“I’m going to see a woman I never should have walked away from. Hearing about Cassie and Fletch, I don’t know…”
But I do know. Cassie and Fletcher’s relationship is somehow infecting everyone like a virus, including me. Who wouldn’t want what they have when you see it in person? Hell, Gina caught it, and she’s one I never thought would ever settle down.
“There aren’t enough women in Italy for you?”
He runs a rough hand through his hair. “Yeah, there’s one named Lucia. She was convenient. A woman I could take to events and let off some steam with. But you know how the press is.” I do. “They made more of it than it was because she was always there. And one day she sets me up. Has me take her to a jewelers to get her necklace fixed.” He huffs out a breath. “Next thing I know, it’s in the papers we’ve gone ring shopping. A few days later, she’s photographed with a suitcase going in my place. Headlines read we’re living together. And don’t you know, there’s a lot of shit of hers there and I didn’t know when that happened. Anyway, she starts talking about the future. That’s when I know the wrong woman is in my bed.”
“Damn.” I can understand why he’s been rather quiet the last few times I’ve seen him.
“Yeah, so take it from me. Don’t let her go. Riley’s hot and she’s cool. Don’t fuck it up like Fletcher and I did. Although he’s got Cassie back, wish me luck that I can do the same.”
We knock fists. “So you’re flying out. Will she be surprised?”
“Actually, I haven’t talked to her. I just found out where she’s living, and I’ve chartered a flight. Chris, you know my buddy from school, he’s booked me an Airbnb so no one will sell that info to the gossip sites. Besides, I have to know. I have to give this a shot and hope she’ll come back to Italy with me.”
“What about Lucia?”
“She should have all her shit moved out by now. She’s not happy, but I cut her loose.”
“And if this woman won’t go with you?”
“My agent is quietly talking to some US teams.”
Fletcher mentioned something about that to me. I didn’t know it was over a woman.
“Your brother said any contract here won’t be as lucrative as those in Europe.”
“They won’t. But what’s the point to having a bunch of money if you don’t have anyone to share it with? Trust me. It’s lonely as fuck even with a beautiful woman in your bed. I have to know if this girl’s the one, because it damn sure feels like it.”
&nb
sp; “Going to give me a clue as to her name?”
He shakes his head. “Not yet. I want her to be the first to know how I feel about her.”
With his bag in his hand, he calls out a goodbye to Riley. When she walks out again, I’m at a loss for words. She fucking owns the air I breathe. And he’s right about a lot of things. What’s money, what’s a job without the one woman by your side who completes you?
“Eagle, you’re going to have to call and cancel our reservation.”
Wickedly, she grins at me. “Why?”
“I’m eating in tonight.”
RILEY
“Hmm. Eating in?” I laugh at Mark. His brows are drawn together, and his expression is as serious as I’ve ever seen. It must have to do with Chase leaving and the two of us being alone. Good thing he didn’t change out of his jeans either.
“You got it. I’m not wasting a single minute with you when we can be alone here, just the two of us, doing things we can’t do anywhere else. No way do I want to waste the little time we have together in public. There are all kinds of naughty things I want to do to you that can’t be accomplished in the middle of a crowd.”
Playing coy, I ask, “What exactly did you have in mind? Netflix? There’s a new show I’ve been dying to watch.”
“I’ll give you a show that’s much better than anything Netflix has to offer.” His sly grin has me clenching my thighs.
“Is that a fact?”
“Indeed it is. And I’ll take it a step further. I’ll order in, and after the food arrives, we’ll only have one rule.”
Now he has piqued my curiosity. “And what’s that?”
“No clothing allowed.”
My pussy throbs, and I have to squeeze my legs together now. The clenching thing isn’t cutting it anymore. My upper lip may be a little sweaty, too. Sex with him is like no other man before.
“Well?” He prompts my silence.
“Yeah, I’m in. Hurry and order.” I don’t add, or else I might have to take a quick trip to the bathroom and get myself off right quick.
A sexy chuckle comes from the kitchen, where he’s gone to find the menus Ryder and I keep for takeout. “Hey, Riley, what drawer are they in again?”
“Under the coffee maker.”
His hands are full when he comes back, but most of the menus are from pizza places, Ryder’s favorite.
“Looks like sushi and Thai might be our best picks,” I say.
Mark orders sushi, and the food arrives within a half hour. He eats as though he hasn’t had a meal in days.
“Hungry much?” I ask.
Wiping his mouth with a paper napkin, he grins. “Sorry. I’m a little anxious to get you naked.”
“Why didn’t you just say so?” Setting my chopsticks down, I stand and grab my sweater by the hem and slowly pull it over my head. Next go the jeans. When I’m left in my lacy bra and thong, he stops me.
“No more. Finish eating. But wait. Can you do a little pirouette for me?”
Too bad I can’t do the stripper dance. That would really get him going. Unfortunately, my rhythm is more of the pole and not the dancer. I twirl around on the balls of my bare feet, and he doesn’t quite moan, but it’s close.
“God, Riley, you’re so fucking perfect, you hurt me.”
He stops me in my motion to sit.
“Hurt you? How can I hurt you?”
“My balls are so damn blue, they’re killing me. That’s how.” His hand is on his dick, and I can see it outlined, even through the jeans he’s wearing. The slut in me wants to rub her hands together and pounce. Only I sit back down, very ladylike, and finish off my sushi roll.
“God, I love wasabi. I wonder…” My voice trails off.
“What?” He leans in and runs a finger down my neck to the hollow in my throat.
“Do you think it would heat up our, you know?”
“Your clit? Like fire?” His eyes twinkle with curiosity, much like mine.
“Yes!”
“I’m all for experimenting, but I think we should go easy,” he suggests.
“Maybe we should try sriracha.”
“Hmm. But then we’d have to clean it off. And they both might be a little sticky. I’m all for food porn, though.”
Then an idea hits me. My knees wiggle, and I slap my legs. “Oh, I have a better idea!” I’d purchased some of that tingling cream made for sexual stimulation a while ago. Gina told me about it, and I’ve had it upstairs, ready to spring it on Mark, but keep forgetting about it. Well, now’s my chance, and I tell him about it, so I do.
“Whoa, there, Nelly. I’m not sure I want that tingle stuff on my dick. That might hurt or something.”
Always the daredevil, I jump up and say, “I’ll go first. I’ll do it!” I was never one to back down from a challenge. “What’s the worst thing that could happen? You may have to ice my pussy, and I’m all for that, too.”
He squints as he looks at me, before waggling his brows. “I like that idea, too.”
“I’m all in, Wall Street. Let me go get it.” I run upstairs to my room and rifle through my drawers, looking for the stuff. When I find it, I tear back down the steps and crash land on Mark’s lap.
“Excited much?” he asks, laughing.
“Oh, man, this is gonna be fun.” I hold up the tube for him.
“Let me check the label just to make sure it’s safe. I don’t want to break your clit. I kind of like all your sexy parts as they are.”
Elbowing him in the ribs, I say, “You are not going to break my clit or vag. It’s all natural stuff, you big goof. Let’s get our adventure on.”
His smile immediately disappears. “You’re not happy with our sex life?”
Oh, shit. I’ve hurt his feelings. Cupping his face, I say, “I adore our sex life. When I’m away from you, all I want to do is hump the pillow in the bed. You’re the only man I’ve ever wanted to get adventurous with, the only man I’ve ever trusted enough to do anything like this with.”
The tube falls out of his hand as he wraps his arms around me, going in for the killer kiss. His tongue pushes its way into my mouth, and he thoroughly fucks it until I’m no longer thinking about a tingling clit. With my hand massaging the bulge in his jeans, I start to straddle him because I need some friction between my legs.
“What are you doing?”
“I want to climb on the Mark train.”
“No, you don’t. Not yet, anyway. Slip that off.”
He points to my thong and grabs the tube while I do as he asks. Then he gets naked, too. “Riley, lose the bra while you’re at it.” When we both are free of clothing, he pats his lap, and I gladly climb aboard. “Now, let’s have a little fun.”
He only uses a tiny amount, but instead of rubbing it on my clit, he puts it on my nipples.
“Ohhhhh.”
“Good? Bad? Tell me something here.”
“I don’t know. It’s … it’s … icy and hot!” And I giggle. Which sounds stupid to my ears.
“Yeah? Then how’s this?” Now he dabs just a tiny bit on my clit.
“Holy shit!”
“Good?”
“Very,” I pant as he rubs circles around me, then slides a finger inside. The icy heat runs a trail from my clit down the seam that leads inside me. “This is unreal. You should try.”
“Okay.” He hands me the tube, and I put a tad on the end of his cock. I watch his face as it heats up.
“I need inside you. Like now.”
Raising up, he inches inside of me, and the combination of the fire and ice it sends is intense. His thrusts are deep and hard, and his fingers tighten as he grabs my hips to direct the motion. My nipples still sting, and I reach down and pinch and roll them between my thumb and index finger.
“Fuck, that’s sexy,” he says. He plunges in hard and tilts his pelvis to drag his cock over my clit as he backs out. This action is repeated over and over until I scream out my orgasm, shooting off like never before.
“I want
you from behind.”
The burn is still strong, and I know I’ll come again.
“Bend over the couch.” I use the arm to support myself. “Yeah, perfect. What a gorgeous view. This ass is mine one day, Riley. You know that, right?”
“Yeah, just fuck me, Mark.”
“No mood for talking, huh?” He chuckles.
He drags the tip of his penis up and down my slit and circles my heated clit not a few times, but a few dozen times. I’m begging, pleading, telling him I’ll sell him my nephew, meaning Fletcher’s kid, if he’ll just stick his dick in me. When he does, it’s slow. He teases me. One little inch in, and then out, then two in, then back out.
“You’re torturing me. Stop,” I say.
“It will be worth it.”
He keeps it up until my nails have nearly bloodied my palms. “Pleeeaaase.” My arm squiggles under my hips in order to reach my clit. If he won’t do the job, I’m just going to get myself off.
“Get that hand out of there,” he says.
“No, I need this. I ache.”
“Riley.” It’s a warning. “If you don’t stop, I’ll quit and tie your hands to the bed so you can’t reach yourself.”
“You wouldn’t,” I challenge.
“Test me and find out.”
When I don’t move my hand, he picks me up and carries me upstairs to my room, dumps me onto the bed, and minutes later, I’m tied to the headboard with the sash of my robe and my thong.
“Mark, let me go.”
He stands there, staring at me with a satisfied half-smile on his face. “Can’t say I didn’t warn you.” Then he leaves. What the actual fuck?
He comes back upstairs with two glasses of water and a glass of ice.
“Let me go.”
“When the time’s right, I will.” Then he digs in his bag a minute, but I can’t see what for until he holds up a necktie and a T-shirt. A wicked grin appears on his sexy as hell face, which makes me squeeze my legs together. “You won’t be doing that for long.”
He grabs one ankle, and using the necktie, attaches it to the footboard. I’ve already figured out he’s going to use the T-shirt for the other ankle.
“Hmm. I may have to change your nickname from Eagle to Spread Eagle because you look damn stunning like this.”
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