Craving Sugar

by Elena M. Reyes

  “Paid all this money to sit next to complete strangers.” That was the wife.

  “Cheapskates couldn’tspring a couple thousand on good whiskey. Watered down garbage.” Husband took his turn next.

  “Food’s going to be horrendous, dear. Have you even heard of this Frenchchef they flew in?” Missus was on a roll.

  All the while Crystal and Beau bit their lips and whimpered low, shoulder shaking with their silent laughter.

  “And we have a winner!” Amber had no shame. She tipped her head in Beau’s direction, smiling into her own glass. Our table companions looked confused, but thankfully kept quietas the first course was set down. Drinks followed, and I’d never been happier to have a glass to keep me occupied.

  Was I happy? More than I’d been in years, deserved to be, but for some reason it bugged me. Minute. Nothing huge, but it made me pause and look at everyone at our table that mattered.

  Why was she so easily accepted, and yet, Ophelia had to walk through coals with most in my circle? The memories made my gut churn. Just the thought of her name alone brought me down a level or two. Reminded me of why we were where we were.

  “You okay there, grouch?” Nymph leaned into me and whispered low.“Need anything?” She was always so eager to take care of others. Selfless, even when being selfish.

  As a sugar baby, she was the epitome of a walking contradiction. Never asked for a damn thing. Nothing more than for her schooling to be taken care of.

  And I will—even after our six months were over, I’d pay for it all. Anything she’d need to get her degree and succeed.

  “No. I’m good...promise.” My first two courses stayed untouched, but I answered when spoken to, keeping up the pretense of nerves. Not that I fooled Jax; that fucker narrowed his eyes at me. Could feel the apprehensive stares coming from Beau.

  Our main course tasted like dirt on my tongue. Came and went, and I couldn’t tell you what was on that plate. I ate because it was expected, to keep up the bullshit sham.

  And then my name was called up to the stage.

  “Be back.” A relieved breath left me and I stood, kissed my nymph’s forehead, and walked toward the front. People around me clapped, some even held a hand out for me to shake.

  It was all a blur.

  Standing on that stage, I looked at the sea of people as I spoke. Tried to focus on thanking them for the recognition—mentioning my staff for all their hard work and dedication, which made H. P. Builders a success.

  Yet every few seconds I strayed. Always back to her.

  To that beaming smile.

  The look of pride in her eyes.

  How motherfucking beautiful she was.

  The words like a moth to a flame had never rang truer then at that moment.

  Shaking the governor’s hand, I stood there for a few seconds after, while they captured their photo-op. Smiled, while my mind and body fought for control. Dominion over my actions.

  One wanted to run away, while the other just needed her close. A rollercoaster of emotions that drowned me behind the pressure of indecision.

  “Hendrix, if you have a second—”

  Miami’s mayor began, but I cut him off.“Sorry, but I have a date to get back to. Wouldn’twant her whisked away—see that she can do better than this jerk.”

  He laughed at my words, thinking I was just being funny.“Early next week, then?Lunch?”

  “Name the time and place, Mario, and I’ll be there.” We shook hands once more and I walked off toward our table, but didn’t get far. Just a few feet away from me was Beau, smiling and holding a hand out. Asking me to dance.

  God knew where I left that plaque—the moment our fingers touched, the noise around me dulled into a low thrum.

  Jazz played through the speakers, a slow number accompanied by a woman’s sultry voice. Green eyes looked up at me with affection, and I couldn’t stop myself from pressing my lips to hers.

  Slow, a mere caress. Promise of what I’d give her later.

  “You looked unbelievably handsome on that stage, Mr. Parker.” Nymph winked, her right hand reaching up to play with the hair at my nape. Twirled the short strands around her fingers.“I’d even venture to say your stocks in the yumminess department have skyrocketed.”

  A low chuckle escaped, my fingers brushing low on her bare back.“Is that so?”

  “Guarantee it.” Goose bumps broke out over her skin, and she shivered. I pulled her in closer, chest to chest. Her head was tilted up, lips at level with my chin. Even in heels,she was so much smaller than me.“I know it made me so wet for you.”

  Two fingers skimmed beneath her dress, right where a panty line should’vebeen.“Beau?”

  “This dress wasn’tmade to be worn with anything under. Not a damn thing, grouch.”

  “Fuck. We need to leave—”

  “May I cut in?” Jax’s eyes held humor in them, and I wanted to strangle the bastard. Worst fucking timing. And because he was a cockblocking douche, he took Beau’s hand and spun her out of my embrace, twirling her in a circle to a beat faster than what we’d been swaying to.

  “It's nice tosee you so in love, son. Gone.” Amber came from out of nowhere, stopping beside me to watch her son and Nymph put on a spectacle. They’d moved to the center of the dance floor while I watched from the sidelines.“You’re absolutely taken with her.”

  Her words stopped me cold; she wasn't one for beating around the bush. Brutally honest to a fault, she didn’t coddle anyone.

  “It's not what you think. She's a close friend.” Someone who's paid to be here. My chest felt tight; the room was closing in on me. Love? Fuck,no. There was no possible way that I…

  “Is that what they call it these days?” She raised a brow in challenge while sipping from her champagne glass.

  “Please—”

  “After Ophelia died, God rest her soul, we all worried about you. It felt for a moment as if you'd been buried along with her. Was rough on us all, especially Jax.” Looking away from me and toward her son, a smile formed on her lips. I refused to look. He was with Beau, and at the moment, I couldn't handle it. “...was rough for a few years, but to see you like this...sweetheart, it's a thing of beauty.”

  Frowning, I took in a deep and calming breath. “I don't love her.” And even as those words passed through my lips, my eyes betrayed me and wandered toward her. My Beau.

  She was dancing with Jax in her pretty white and gold dress. Head thrown back, she was laughing at something he said, and the blood in my veins throbbed. Jealousy burned through me from the inside out.

  Falling—loving her was never in the cards for me. Anyone else would be better for her.

  Worthy.

  “Why do you keep lying to yourself, Hendrix?” Her hand took ahold of my closed fist and pried my fingers open. Intertwined hers with mine and squeezed. “The way you look at that girl is the same way my Earl watched me when he thought I wasn't looking. Lust and love. Your need is almost palpable. Don't hold back, son, you'll lose her.”

  “I've never had her.”

  “Then you're both dumb and blind. Don't add scared to that list.” With a kiss to my cheek, she walked into the crowd. Disappeared, leaving me to my thoughts.

  To the chaotic mess she'd just created.

  I couldn't love Beau. Didn't.

  She was just a fantastic fuck that I maintained. Nothing else.

  Or was she more? Fuck.

  Better yet, did I want her to be?

  Nothing made sense, and the longer we stayed, the more agitated I grew. We needed to leave.

  Tonight was just fucking with my head. Everyone was seeing what they wanted and not the truth smacking them in the face.

  Getting along with her had nothing to do with emotions. We were compatible—had great sex, but that didn’t call for a declaration of love.

  TWENTY-SEVEN

  “Ready to head out?” Beau came to a stop in front of me, catching me off guard.“My feet hurt,and I’m dying to get out of t
his dress.” Her words reminded me of my earlier discovery: she was completely bare underneath. Her lithe body was just waiting for my cock. Swollen. Wet. Fucking delicious.“So, can we? Go, I mean.”

  “Of course,” My tone was deep, holdingan edge of manic desperation that caused her pupils to dilate.“Follow me.”

  I pulled her along behind me, was just to the edge of the entrance—dodging everyone who wished to speak with me—in my desire to reach the lobby and elevators.

  If Beau thought that we were going back home tonight, she was dead fucking wrong. I had plans for us, and they included being naked and the smell of sex permeating every single squareinch of the presidential suite I’d rented for the night.

  “Wait!” she called out over the music, her heels digging into the floor, forcingme to stop.“What about your award? I think Amber picked it up and—”

  Turning around, I jerked her to me and crashed my lips to hers.“Fuck the award.” I silenced her plea with my mouth slanted over hers, taking the very breath from her lungs. Her arms wrapped themselves around my neck, and she stood on the tip of her toes to reach me.

  Deepening the kiss, I groaned at the taste of champagne and her natural sweetness exploding over each pleasure sensor. My cock was swollen, hard as a motherfucking pike, while the tip leaked my desire. Could feel as the bead rolled down the bulbous head and down my shaft.

  It pressed against the zipper of my pants,and I’d never been happier than to be wearing a jacket. Covered me from being indecent, not that I wasn’t already halfway there.

  The talking around us dulled into a hum—whispers.

  Her tongue swiped over mine, caressed, and then pulled back. Nymph laid her forehead on mine just as I tried to deepen the kiss.“They’re watching,” she whispered, lips swollen.“Think we should leave, grouch. Unless you want to give them a show, because with how bad I want you, I wouldn’tcare either way.”

  Just hearing her admission, how much she wanted me, caused my head to spin. For my hand to tighten around hers and rush out of that ballroom.

  Thank God the elevator shaft was empty, and we slipped inside without any interruptions. Once the doors closed, I released the hold I had on her, and took my place on the opposite wall. Just admired her from my perch; enjoyed the heavy-lidded stare she gave me. The quick rise and fall of her chest with every intake of air.

  How her nipples pebbled—pushed against her gown’s fabric in need of attention.

  We rode up in absolute silence, all the way up without being interrupted by other guests trying to venture onto other floors.

  Ding.

  “After you,” left me on a low growl. Built from the center of my chest, the sound near animalistic. While she’d been busy today getting more beautiful than should be allowed, I had booked our room and picked up the key.

  “Okay.” Meek, she was lowering herself to the dominant male before her. Didn’t say anything else. Not a peep when I grabbed her by the back of the neck and took possession of her lips. Not when I bit their plumpness before pulling back, and dragging her toward our room.

  “Take the keycard from my pocket and open the door.” With ashaky hand, Beau took the small plastic square—her fingers brushing over the swollen tip of my cock. I hissed and she shook, her body vibrating against mine.“Open the fucking door, Beau. Now.”

  She brought the keycard to the slot, waited until the light turned green to twist the handle and push it open. Gasped at the sheer enormity of the space, while I—I couldn’t stop myself from slamming the door closed behind her.

  I pressed my body against her back, fingers dragging down her spine, until I found a tiny zipper over the swell of her ass. Lowered it and brought my hand inside, squeezing the succulent flesh. Manipulated the roundness of each cheek before bringing both hands up to her neck.

  I fingered the edge of her collar, pushing at the shoulders until the top half caught at her elbows.

  “Hendrix, please…touch me,” Beau whimpered, teeth embedded in her lip.“No foreplay needed.I’m so ready for you, baby. Wet—”

  “You don’t get a say here, nymph.” My lips found the sweet skin of her neckwhile I cupped a tit in each hand. Weighed them. Pulled on the tight little pink tips.“You’re mine to play with. Mine to fuck.”

  “Won’t deny that I love your barbaric charm, but tonight I get a say. Not just you. Not this time.” Beau lowered her arms, allowing the dress to drop to her waist. She shimmied, ass gyrating against my throbbing dick. With the tip of two fingers, she pushed it down and let the garment pool at her feet.

  Turning in my hold, she rose to the tips of her toes and nipped my chin, all the while her own hands explored. She pushed my jacket off my shoulders, letting it fall beside her dress. Next, she removed my cummerbund and untucked my shirt, grasped the end in her nimble fingers and gave one solid pull.

  Buttons scattered, pinging across the stone tile.

  “Is that so?” Taking my tattered shirt off, I made a move to take off the bowtie when she stopped me.“Problem?”

  “That stays on, grouch.”

  “Then so do those heels.” I licked my lips, eyeing her from head to toe.“Walk for me.”

  “Like this?” My playful little Beau swayed her hips with each step she took. Further into the suite and across the living room, she didn’t pause until we reached the staircase that led to the second floor. There, she bent at the waist with one high-heeled foot on the first step.

  “Dangerous game you are playing.” I was a step behind her, hand on my belt as I watched a single bead of wetness roll down her thigh. Abandoning my semi-undone belt for her body, I slid two fingers through her folds and circled her clit.

  Beau shivered, but no sound left her sweet mouth. I dipped my finger inside, to the first knuckle and then back out.

  “Not fair,” she whined, pushing back against my digit. Hips rotating, she clenched—tightened her walls for a second and whirled around to face me.

  “What’re you doing?”

  “Shut up.” With one solid push, I moved back, giving her just enough space to drop to her knees. The clank of my belt hitting the tile floor followed my pants and boxer briefs being forced down and over my hip. To my knees before she took me deep in her mouth.

  “Motherfuck.” Heat. Indescribable soft heat enveloped me, and my balls tightened. Her fist grasped the base of my length, her fingers just touching at the tips, and she gave a twist. Followed the movement of her mouth with each stroke. “Jesus, babe. Too…fuck…tighten your hold.”

  Up, down…twist. Repeat.

  Nymph looked up at me from beneath her lashes, her tongue flicking the slit. “Like this?” Using both hands, she jerked me twice before spitting on the head—used her saliva and my pre-come to fuck my cock with her fist.

  “Suck my dick, Beau.” Fingers embedded in her hair, I wrapped the strands around my hand and tugged her closer. “Be a good girl, and take me into the back of that pretty little throat of yours.”

  “Yes, please,” she moaned, abandoning my length to find purchase on my thighs. One hand held her up while she opened her mouth wide to hold me on her tongue. To feel the weight of me.

  It was perverse. A beautiful, depraved scene, and I loved every second of it.

  How easily she let me take.

  “Wider.” At my command, she opened those lips further and let half of my cock slide into her mouth. Wrapped her lips around the hard flesh and sucked. My eyes rolled back, thighs tensing at the marvelous feel. “More?”

  Beau nodded and I pressed forward, slid another two inches in. Fuck, she looked beautiful with her eyes watering, mascara running down the corner of her right eye.

  She took in a deep breath and let it out through her nose, doing this a couple more times before taking in the rest of my length. Immediately, her throat tried to close at the intrusion. Her eyes locked on mine, she brought my hand to her throat and let me feel the bulge my cock made.

  I had to close my eyes and count to ten. Felt to
o good.

  So, I stroked in and out a few times until it became too much. Hypersensitive—the sight alone had me holding onto my composure by a very thin thread. It hurt me to do so, but I pulled out.

  A string of her saliva connected us.

  “Get the fuck up and turn around, nymph,” I hissed from between clenched teeth, my hand pumping my length, using her spit as lubrication. Her eyes followed the movement, staying where she was, transfixed on me. “I want you with one leg on the banister and the other a step below.”

  My girl didn’t move, and that wouldn’t do. I grabbed her arm, all but forced her into position.

  With her leg high on the banister, she was wide open for me. Dependent on me to keep her steady.

  Could not help myself and bent down, bringing my face level with her pussy. With the flat of my tongue, I licked her from clit to her puckered hole, groaning against her sensitive flesh as her natural sweetness coated my tongue.

  I couldn’t control myself. The high of her taste—the evidence of her desire for me on my tongue, I nipped the inside of her thigh after taking one final lick and stood. Kicked my shoes and pants off, then lined myself with her entrance.

  Rubbed the bulbous head through her wet folds.

  “Hendrix, please…baby, I need…fuck!” Beau yelled out, my fingers smacking her throbbing bundle of nerves at the same time I buried myself to the hilt. Two small taps right over her clit and then I pressed down, held her in place while I took out my frustration—uncontrollable ardor for her. “Oh my God…oh my God.”

  This slip of a girl had taken my calm and predictable life and flipped it upside down. Took the pieces of my torn remains and began to place them together.

  “Not God, baby.” Leaning over her, my lips trailed open-mouthed kisses across her back. From shoulder to shoulder, I bit her flesh, leaving perfect indentations of my teeth. They looked glorious on her sweaty skin. “I’m Mr. Parker to you when I have you bathing my cock in your essence.”

  Her small hand covered mine, over her pussy, and pressed down. Harder. “One day, I’m going to tie you to a bed and take my revenge. Make you experience the helplessness I feel. How much I want to make you beg for more.”