by Louisa Bacio
“Unexciting auditing job. But I like it. Finding one mistake can make me feel like I earned my pay at the end of the day. And you?”
“Marketing, but I’m a little bit in limbo right now.” Was that ever true. “Do you have family living around here?”
His gaze drifted to over her shoulder. She had asked the wrong question. Maybe they should keep the conversation lighter.
“It’s only me. My parents died years ago….”
She reached across the table, taking his hand and providing some physical support. “I’m sorry.”
Before she could say anything more, the server returned with their drinks. He laid out an assortment of melon wrapped in ham, shrimp with garlic on bread sliced thin, and a platter of sizzling potatoes.
“No more talking.” Reece picked up a sliver of honeydew topped with bright, contrasting Serrano and offered it to Maise.
She took the bite, wrapping her tongue along the rough pad of his finger. The flavor of the food burst within her mouth. She shut her eyes, savoring the tastes. “Exquisite.”
“Yes, you are.” He picked up his sangria. “Toast?”
“To new friends and new memories.”
They clinked their glasses, and the tinkling sound reminded Maise of the saying that dreams did come true, and Madame Eve was acting as her fairy godmother…between the sheets!
The conversation lulled as they settled in to eat, and Maise didn’t feel a pressure to fill up the quiet.
“Try the potatoes,” Reece said, taking a large drink. “Be warned, they’ve got a spicy kick.”
His eyes watered, and Maise suppressed a laugh at the adorable surprise on his face. He dropped his gaze to her chest, and she looked down. Ah, an escaped nipple! “Oh my,” she said, pushing her breast back into place.
“As I said, ‘exquisite.’”
“I’ve never eaten in lingerie before. It’s trickier than I thought.”
“It works on you.” He reached under the table, resting his hand on her thigh. “Want more?”
A zing of desire traveled through her body. “Not food.”
Maise worried her bottom lip between her teeth, thinking about the perfection of kissing him. Perhaps there was something to this dating service.
He slipped his hand into hers and led her back inside. With his thumb, he caressed the C-shape between her index finger and her thumb, sending a current of sensations fluttering through her system.
“I might be able think of one or two things to entertain you. First, will you dance with me?”
He stopped to turn on the stereo, and a slow Latin jazz began. Warm guitars built a rhythm that matched the beat of Maise’s heart. Reece held his hand out in offering, and the look of hopefulness on his face touched her. A man who’d suffered more than one loss in his recent past, he’d come for this date to get away and maybe find a glimmer of hope for the future.
She couldn’t be the one to turn him down. She stepped within the comfort of his embrace. In his arms, it was as if her other problems didn’t exist. The tightness in her chest began to unwind. If only they could stay here, in this resort, forever.
As the song reached its climatic crescendo, Reece twirled Maise until she collapsed against him. Breathing hard, she looked up into his soulful eyes. Softly, he kissed her, and then trailed his lips down the side of her neck, focusing on her collarbone. She shut her eyes, shimmers of sensation lighting her skin on fire.
On bended knee, Reece ran his fingers down the back of one of her calves, until he reached her ankle. With a slight lifting motion, he slipped her shoe off and kissed the delicate skin of her inner ankle.
Who knew the area could be such an erotic zone?
He moved his attentions to her other leg and removed that shoe as well, lavishing the same consideration on her foot. From his viewpoint, Maise thought about how much more he saw. If he looked up, he’d get quite the eyeful. While she’d usually be embarrassed in such a position, a sense of empowerment came over her. She’d made this happen, and she could do anything she wanted. Before standing up, he planted a solitary kiss at the juncture of legs, leaving a warm promise.
Without the high-heeled slippers, she stood even shorter. She could tuck herself into his chest, with his chin resting on the top of her head. He wrapped the strength of his body around hers. His arms held her tight against him. Thinking about his potential power created more anticipation.
After sitting her on the bed, Reece surveyed the room, taking everything in. “Would you like some champagne?” he asked.
With nerves jumbling in her stomach, a little bit of bubbly might do her good. “I’d love some.”
Reece popped the cork, some overflow streaming out. “Castillo Champagne,” he commented, reading the label. With two glasses poured, he handed one to her. “To a delightful evening.”
The crystal clinked together as they toasted, and Maise took a sip of the decadent drink, bubbles tickling her nose. Over the rim of his glass, Reece watched her. He took a second sip, sat next to her, and then kissed her. As she opened her mouth to grant his tongue entrance, a savory swirl of champagne flowed from his mouth into hers. She’d never shared such intimacy before.
He trailed a hand down the curve of her thigh, luxuriating in the silkiness of her skin. So translucent. Like she could disappear on him.
“You seem so familiar,” he said, the image nagging at the back of his mind. “Any idea why? Have you lived in SoCal most of your life?”
She propped up on her elbow, pushing her dark hair back with her hand. A sad smile crossed her face, and his heart clenched, fearful of her answer. Maybe there were things he didn’t want to know.
“I imagine there were a few articles written about me….”
A small moan escaped from Maise as Reece explored her body with his hands. How he loved a woman with some curves on her. Along with her full breasts, she possessed hips made for holding onto while plunging deep inside.
He traced his fingers along her sides and over her ass on his journey downward. He knelt, pushing the hemline of her nightie up, and then settled back to drink in her beauty.
She wore teal-colored lace underwear that cut high up.
“Gorgeous,” he said, leaning forward and taking the opportunity to place a kiss right between her legs. Through the silky material, he blew warm air, causing her to arch against his mouth.
“Like that, do you?” he asked. He spread her legs farther apart, bracing her knees with his elbows, and wrapped his arms around her, cupping her ass. He held her in place as he tongued her clit.
“You’re teasing me,” she gasped. She lay back against the covers, her thighs quivering. “I want to feel you.”
“Oh, you will,” Reece said. “First, though, I want to make sure you’re good and ready for me.”
He pulled her underwear off with one quick tug and stood.
She sat back up, very much aware of being the only one naked.
“Now I want to watch you strip,” she said. His eyes widened at her request, and he appeared all too happy to comply. As soon as he removed his shirt, she yearned to run her tongue over the curves of his stomach. Wowsa. What does this man need a dating service for? Then came his pants…unveiling black boxer-briefs that fit tight and came down mid-thigh, accenting his package. Thank goodness no tighty-whities!
With her index finger pointed at his underwear, she demanded “Off.” He climbed onto the bed, pushing her back among the pillows, worshiping her body. His callused hands caressed her breasts as his mouth moved south. Small kisses and nips led the way, until he reached that private spot and…hello!
At first contact, she dug her nails into the covers, grounding herself, while he slipped his hands under her knees and lapped at her pussy, probing deep with his tongue and sucking on her clit. Such exquisite sensations. She should have been self-conscious, but fuck that.
“Don’t stop,” she begged, and then he pushed a finger inside of her, spreading her for much more.
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nbsp; She shut her eyes, zeroing in on the sensations he elicited from her body and the pressure building higher and higher with each lick of his tongue and pump of his fingers. She wanted to be taken by him, and at the same time didn’t want this feeling to ever end. His pace slowed, leaving her right on the pinnacle of almost coming, and he moved up her body, once again kissing his way.
“Let me get some protection,” he whispered into her mouth. He stretched over the bed, and opened the nightstand drawer. “How did I guess it would be stocked?”
As the condom slid over his gorgeous cock, she guided him back to her arms. Before they continued, she needed to tell him the truth, at least some of it.
“I think you should know, I’ve never had sex before.”
“You’re a virgin?” His movement stopped, and she feared she’d killed the chemistry. “Was that the reason behind this date?”
“Sort of. You see, I’ve never had the chance, and I thought it was time.” She massaged his lower back, arching up into him. They had been so close to doing the deed.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asked, poised at the entrance of her sex.
She almost wanted to laugh. He didn’t expect her to change her mind now, did he? If he knew the alternative that awaited her. Such a gentleman, to leave the choice up to her. One lift of her hips, and she’d force him into her and take control. But while she might have the fantasies, she didn’t have the guts.
“Yes, I want you,” she said, giving him the permission he needed.
He held the base of his cock in his hand and inched his way inside her. Maise’s breath hitched at the slight discomfort that subsided. His forward thrust came to a halt, and with his thumb, he rubbed the engorged head of her clit, making her moan at the stimulation. She marveled at being possessed and filled so deliciously.
She lifted her hips, pushing him deeper into her body.
“Hi,” he said, his face inches from hers. “Is everything fine?”
“Perfect.”
He kissed her, long and deep, and she lost all thought in the talent of his mouth on her. As he moved downward, running his soft lips along her chin and neck, he began to undulate the lower portion of his body, lifting up and up and gliding back down. Maise caught onto the rhythm and met his every thrust, until the pace increased.
“You. Are. So. Amazing. Tight.” He words came out in short staccato bursts.
She wrapped her legs around his lower back, pumping her hips upward. Her hands raked his back, and shoulders, begging for more. To be closer, somehow. Until everything stopped and held still, for an eternity. She curved up into him, memorizing the details. The curl of his bangs hanging over his heavy-lidded eyes. The way the corner of his mouth quirked up right before he reached his climax. She was falling, her psyche slamming into a new awareness as tremors of pleasure flowed through her body.
She’d had no idea coming with another person felt so bloody good. Why did she have to wait until she was dead to experience this? Hopefully, thanks to Madame Eve, they had all evening, and her number would not be up. Maise needed a lifetime of memories from this one-night stand.
Bare skin against bare skin, the rhythm of Reece’s panting pulsed against Maise with every exhale. As he lay against her, they each tried to catch their breath.
“That was amazing,” he said. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to get a taste of being with you and ever get you out of my system.”
Poor guy, Maise thought, falling for the deception of someone she could never be—a living, breathing human being.
Chapter Three
She stretched out across the bed, luxuriating in the chill of the blue silk sheets against one side of her and the heat of Reece’s body on the other. As she moved, he moved.
“How are you?” he asked.
“Amazing. So satisfied, and yet…I’m already craving more.”
She turned toward him, sliding down, down, down. She moved her hands, snaking up the backs of his calves. When she reached his knee, she stopped to kiss the tender area behind. Wet tongue probing tight flesh. He moaned, moving his legs upward.
“Come here,” he insisted, reaching for her.
But not this time, not yet. This time, she wanted control.
He lay on his back, watching Maise. Her hands rose higher, exploring his inner thighs. How he wanted to feel her weight on his body, plunge deep inside her again. She sucked on the curve of his pelvic bone, nipping, biting before placing her sweet, soft mouth over his cock. He about lost it.
“Aw, honey, that’s so fucking good. I can’t tell you.”
Tentative at first, she licked the length of him and his cock hardened even further. She used her hands to stroke him, tugging, eliciting moan after moan.
He threaded his fingers through her silky hair, guiding her movements and encouraging her to keep up the fucking brilliant pace. The pressure built low in his belly and no matter how much he wanted to come in her lovely mouth, he wanted to bury himself in her pussy even more.
“No more, no more,” he pleaded. “You’ll be the death of me.”
She stilled, moving farther up his body, laying a last kiss on his stomach and squeezing his already aching cock.
“What did you say?”
“I can’t take anymore, you wench.” He guided her upward. “Now, come here.”
He sat up, bracing his back against the headboard, and pulled her down onto his lap. Her legs spread wide around him, and he slipped his hand between them.
“Why so wet? Is this for me?” he asked, while titillating her innermost lips with his fingers.
“That’s how much I loved sucking you. You smell so good, so masculine.”
He’d signed up to be with her one night, but he couldn’t get enough. Her gentle nature somehow had infused itself within his psyche. Every now and then, she got a haunted expression, as if she was thinking about something else. As if she’d been hurt in the past. Whatever had happened to her, he wished he could take it away and make it better. But, he’d learned long ago that he couldn’t save everybody. Now, all he could do was make her temporarily forget about it.
“I want to be inside you again,” he pleaded. “I need you.”
He grabbed another condom, and just like that he was gliding into her moist channel. Warmth embracing him, he pushed into her core. She leaned over him, her delectable breasts inches from his mouth. He strained upward, one nipple grazing his mouth, between his teeth, and she bowed into him.
The tip of her clit rubbed against Reece’s stomach, and sensation rocked Maise’s body. So good. So close. She’d never known what she’d been missing. The intimacy with a man, but something deep in her heart told her that it wouldn’t be the same with any man. This one changed her perspective on living. He embraced every second.
Reece gripped her hips, slamming his cock into her. She held onto the headboard, using the muscles in her upper thighs and riding him like she wouldn’t have a tomorrow. Sweat slicked their bodies, increasing the sensual connection.
“You make me feel so alive,” he said, wrapping one arm around her waist. “I want you to come for me.”
The love trail of hair running down his stomach acted as another source of friction for Maise. With each glide up and down, it rasped against her, pushing her further and further into oblivion.
“Oh, yes, yes,” she cried. “Keep going.”
Tremors soared through her, causing her to slow her motion, but Reece wasn’t going to let her stop and rest. He continued to ram into her, squeezing out every bit of climax. When she didn’t think she could take any more, he came inside of her, his cock pumping. Reece bit down on her shoulder with a deep moan.
Chest heaving, he laid small kisses up Maise’s throat, until he reached her mouth. “Oh, baby, what you do to me. You have no idea.”
“You’d be surprised.”
She unwound her legs from around him, and they lay side by side on the plush bed. Reece pulled her in close, her ass nestled against his
pelvis—the sticky evidence of their coupling making her blush. It felt too damn good—perfect—to care.
Reece tugged the red down duvet, tucking it around their bodies.
She could get used to being adored.
***
The clock flashed 3:33 a.m. A red reminder that her time with Reece and on Earth was almost over. The dead of night when the worlds of life and death drew closer together. Despite the warmth of the room, Maise shivered. If there were any other way, she’d choose to live.
She shifted to watch him murmuring in his sleep. His lips made a small bubbling noise, and she stifled a giggle. Would she grow sick of the sleeping trait over time? As if he could sense her watching him, he opened his eyes.
“Hi,” he said. “How’s the body holding up?”
With a shrug of her shoulders, she said, “A little sore.”
After they started, he hadn’t given much thought to the potential physical limitations of her body. He wasn’t in the habit of seducing inexperienced women. Maybe if he’d met Maise elsewhere, he would have been more wary about her being a virgin. In this circumstance, it wasn’t an issue because she’d come to the resort knowing what was going to happen. “I’m sorry about that.”
She ran her soft palm down his cheek, trailing her thumb over his lip. “I’m not.”
He stretched across the bed, arms raised above his head. When he got back home, he needed to invest in some new sheets this soft. “Why don’t I draw you a bath, and you can soak and warm up those muscles,” he offered.
“If you’ll join me.”
“That can be arranged.”
As he got out of bed, she propped herself up on her elbow and followed him with her eyes. Maybe he should have been more self-conscious, but he enjoyed it. He never had a woman gaze at him with such outright lust and admiration.
“Yes, I like what I see.” She laughed.
He picked up their glasses and the bottle of champagne from its bucket. Most of the ice had melted—not unlike his heart—but the bottle remained cool to the touch.