Entrance (Thornhill Trilogy Book 1)

by J. J. Sorel

  “Come on sister, cough up.” Our dynamic had shifted. I’d become the pushy one. Aidan had inspired me to be more confident. Or perhaps, I was finally growing up.

  Unable to remove the smile from her face, Tabitha sipped on her coffee. I had to admit, it was the most excited I’d seen her ever over a guy. And I’d seen many come and go in her four years of boyfriends.

  “You’re partly responsible,” said Tabitha.

  “How? Stop being all mysterious.”

  “God, Clary. You’re not yourself. You’re all fired up. What’s got into you?”

  “You have,” I said, swallowing my food. “I really liked Josh. He was such a kind-hearted guy.”

  “He just didn’t make me come,” Tabitha said dryly.

  “Well, it’s not all about orgasms. There’s got to be other things that matter. A compatible love match can’t be predicated on how many orgasms your lover gives you.” My voice wavered. This wasn’t any easy argument.

  “Says Miss Multiples can’t get enough of Mr. Nine Inch Penis.” Tabitha glared at me with a sardonic smirk.

  “Point taken, but surely, we can’t measure love solely by orgasms?”

  “We sure can. Or at least, I can, and Evan—oh my God, Mr. Nine Inch Penis too.”

  Tabitha sighed and fanned her face at the same time.

  I had to laugh. Tabitha had one of those expressive faces that cracked me up. “Okay, so the man is well-endowed. Goody for you.”

  “And goody for you,” Tabitha said, tapping me on the nose.

  “Is this, ‘If Clarissa can do it, so can I’?”

  “Partly.” She played with her fingers.

  Tabitha was competitive to a fault. I couldn’t hold that against her. She’d missed out on much as a child.

  “But you said Josh gave amazing head, made you happy?”

  “I made it up. He didn’t make me come once.” Tabitha’s voice was louder than it should’ve been. We noticed the women at the next table turning to stare.

  Tabitha looked at me and giggled. She didn’t give a damn. That was what I loved about my friend, even if her behavior at times was cringe-worthy.

  I lowered my voice. “What, not even with his tongue?” My face heated.

  “No, he doesn’t eat pussy, Clarissa. He doesn’t like doing it.” Tabitha sniffed. “Now, can you imagine me with a guy that doesn’t like fellatio?”

  The women at the table turned and looked again. Tabitha sent them a charming smile as though butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. I had to cover my mouth to stop myself from laughing. The women, looking mortified, directed their attention away quickly.

  Aidan and his insatiable need to taste me entered my thoughts, which caused a sudden rush of desire, making my sex, still deliciously sore from his surprise visit, ache.

  “So how was I responsible? And who’s Evan?”

  “He runs Thornhill Holdings security. He’s Aidan’s right-hand man, a buddy from the army.”

  I winced. “How the hell did you meet him?” I didn’t know if I liked the sound of this.

  “He came knocking at our door yesterday morning. Just after you called in sick…” I was about to correct her. “Sick from love,” Tabitha added. “Anyway, I answered the door wearing my little kimono, you know the one.” She raised an eyebrow.

  “Shit, Tabs, you didn’t there and then, did you?”

  Tabitha chuckled. “No way… what do you take me for?”

  “Rhetorical question, is it?”

  Tabitha rolled her eyes. “Anyway, I mentioned it was my birthday, and he asked me out for dinner and I accepted.”

  “But what about Josh? Did you go out to lunch with him? Is that when you dumped him?”

  “I called him and told him it wasn’t working.”

  “You broke it off before you’d been with Evan?”

  Tabitha nodded.

  “Were you, or I should say are you that confident this will go somewhere?”

  Her eyes lit up. “I’m surer than anything. He couldn’t stop touching me, even after we’d fucked. And he’s already sent me a text. One gets a feeling about these things.”

  I reminisced about my first time with Aidan on his yacht. Although I was generally a pessimist, Aidan’s unceasing affection made it hard to imagine he was faking it.

  Tabitha cupped her chin. “Evan is so hot, Clarissa, I mean hot. I’ve never felt this way before, and four orgasms. He made me come while being penetrated. Something I’ve never experienced.” Her eyes glazed over. “To be fucked well adds up to falling in love, in my book. And let no one tell you otherwise,” Tabitha said loudly enough that the women at the next table had become engrossed in our conversation. Never one to shy away from the limelight, Tabitha was having a ball.

  I was bewildered. “Hang on, your first orgasm being penetrated? Are you serious?”

  “Yeah, and don’t you gloat just because you hit the jackpot.”

  “I’m not gloating. But what about all those nights I heard you crying out while the bed sounded like it was launching off?”

  Tabitha stared down at her hands ruefully.

  “What, you were faking it?” My voice went up a decibel.

  Our audience, having been listening closely, had schadenfreude etched on their heavily made-up faces. For some twisted reason, they were extracting joy from Tabitha’s deep shame.

  Tabitha’s lips drew a tight line. “Not proud of it.” Her face brightened. “But… Evan.” She fanned her face with her hand. “Wow, I’m so in love. He’s hot.”

  “This is too soon, Tabitha. You only got with him last night. Aren’t you being a little hasty?”

  “Nope. He’s available. He’s super-hot. He makes me come by the bucket-loads.”

  I winced at that image. “Please, Tabs, I’m trying to eat.”

  She giggled.

  “But what about Josh? He was practically living in the apartment and paying for your upkeep. You’ll definitely need a job now.”

  “I’ve got that sorted. Evan needs a receptionist. He offered me the job.”

  “You’ll be working together as well?”

  “And how’s that different from your situation?”

  Touché. I smiled faintly, conceding defeat.

  As our audience was leaving, Tabitha smiled in their direction. They regarded her awkwardly and hurried off. I looked at Tabitha, and we giggled.

  After I paid the bill, I asked, “Do you want to go shopping? Aidan has set up an account at Victoria’s Secret for me.”

  I might as well have told a child she could have unlimited candy. Tabitha’s eyes boiled over with excitement. “God, yeah.” She took me by the arm. “Let’s go right now. An account, you say?”

  “That’s right. After he put a pair of my panties in his pocket to take away with him to Germany, he mentioned it.”

  Tabitha stopped and looked at me. “Fresh ones or worn ones?”

  I reddened. In a little voice, I replied, “Worn.”

  A wicked smile pushed away her frown. “Love it. Like a dog-owner who gives his pet a piece of clothing so that the creature doesn’t fret.” Tabitha’s eyes danced with amusement. “I hope you gave him the tiny ones I made you buy and not your white cotton spinster briefs.”

  Still digesting the analogy of the dog owner, I spluttered, “There’s nothing wrong with cotton undies. They’re eminently more comfortable. I’ve even got a pair on now.” I stood defiantly with hands on hips.

  Tabitha grimaced. “Ick.”

  “You’re so shallow, Tabs.”

  “Ha… and loving it,” she said, using her Maxwell Smart voice.

  CHAPTER FORTY

  We dropped all the shopping bags on the sofa and collapsed. It had been an exhausting afternoon. I’d spent my entire monthly wage in one afternoon. I bought two very expensive, must-have summer dresses for myself, and a slinky green wraparound dress for Tabitha to wear on her date with Evan.

  Unaccustomed to spending Aidan’s money, even if he was ridicu
lously wealthy, I needed Tabitha’s constant reminder to reassure me that it was okay.

  For Tabitha, I purchased one negligee, two pairs of panties, two bra and panty sets and a garter and nylons. For myself, I purchased bras and panties, along with a couple of very skimpy negligees. After picking my jaw off the ground at the obscene prices for such scant pieces of fabric, I drifted over to the cash register. The sales assistant, whose mood lifted when she noticed my unlimited credit, welcomed me with an obsequious smile. From that moment on, she tripped over herself to serve me.

  “Tabs, this was over-indulgent, you know.”

  Tabitha poured out two glasses of coke and handed me one. “Balderdash. We’re only young once.” She gulped down her drink. “That’s better. Now the fun begins. Let’s do a photo shoot.” She rubbed her hands together.

  “What do you mean?”

  “Just that—a photo shoot. We’ll create fourteen images, one for each day Aidan’s away. You can send one daily,” said Tabitha, bubbling with excitement.

  Uneasy at the notion of being photographed semi-naked, I said, “I don’t know, Tabs.”

  “Get with the times, girl. Sending suggestive pics to one’s lover is so now. It will keep his eyes on you and not the frauleins.”

  I hadn’t thought about that. We hadn’t even discussed exclusivity. Aidan hadn’t really given me cause for jealousy. And he did seem oblivious to other women when we were out. Even before we got together at the gala night, Aidan’s eyes were constantly on me. Nevertheless, the thought of a woman in Aidan’s arms made my stomach tighten. I quickly jumped on board with the scheme.

  I heard a cork pop. Tabitha opened the Prosecco we’d picked up on the way home and handed me a flute filled with chilled sparkly. Crisp, cold, and pleasant, the bubbly was just what I needed after a hard day’s shopping.

  “Okay, then, which should I model first?”

  A white tiny lace bra swung in Tabitha’s hand. “Let’s start with this little sexy number.”

  I took the bra and matching panties with pink ties at the sides for ease of removal.

  Tabitha’s mobile buzzed. As she read the screen, her face brightened with excitement. Her green eyes sparkled. “It’s Evan. He wants to see me tonight.” She went to her bag of goodies. “I can wear my new lingerie.” Tabitha pulled out a red lace bra.

  ****

  While I waited for Tabitha to upload the images to her computer, I kept reminding myself this was not uncouth. There were times where I had to refuse to comply with Tabitha’s directions which bordered on being pornographic, especially at the suggestion that I pose with legs apart. Nevertheless, Tabitha acted as a consummate professional by ensuring that background colors and moody lighting blended harmoniously. I was taken aback by her approach and attention to detail. Was this the lazy Tabitha I knew? I’d finally stumbled upon an ideal vocation for her.

  “You look so cave-woman with that bush of yours, Clary,” Tabitha said, leaning on her palm, studying her work.

  I nearly spilt my drink. “What?”

  “You may need an appointment for a Brazilian.” Tabitha raised an eyebrow.

  “Aidan happens to like it untouched. He doesn’t subscribe to this obsession with pre-pubescent hairlessness. He thinks pubic hair is sexy.” I was getting steamy thinking of Aidan’s feverish touch.

  “Then he’s a cave-man as well.” Tabitha chuckled. “Hopefully, he won’t grow a beard.”

  I shuddered at the thought. I did, however, love his permanent shadow. I particularly enjoyed the gentle scraping between my thighs. I found that definitely a turn-on.

  Aidan had only just left, and I was missing him. How was I going to last two whole weeks? With a heavy heart, I peered over Tabitha’s shoulder at the computer screen.

  “These are amazing, Clary. You’re seriously photogenic. Shit, you could make a fortune if you wanted to.”

  “Let me see,” I said, trying to push her out of the way.

  Although I normally struggled when seeing pictures of myself, I had to admit they were tasteful shots. Tabitha had done a superb job. The photos were not cheap, only sensual.

  “Wow, Tabs, they’re super. This is what you should be doing.”

  “I love this one especially.” Tabitha pointed to one with me in a red lace bra and garter with nylons. I was perched on a fluffy sixties dressing-table chair that had belonged to my mother, my hair up in a messy bun.

  “Your expression is seriously boudoir,” she crooned.

  “Are you saying I appear slutty?”

  “A little slutty, just enough. Not in the whore sense. You’ve just seen him naked, and you’ve gone all froofy.”

  “Froofy? Is there such a word?” I asked.

  “Smoldering, then.” Tabitha sniffed.

  The images were indeed special. I was glad Tabitha had talked me into the shoot. “I might need to get drunk before sending them,” I said.

  “Send one now. Go on… the white one. Let’s start all virginal,” said Tabitha, winking.

  “They’re hardly virginal, Tabs,” I said, flicking through the many images again. “These are fantastic. You should become a photographer. I mean, the way you’ve dressed the background and the choice of light is very professional.”

  “It was only my phone camera.”

  “Fuck the false modesty, girl. You’re talented,” I said, channeling Tabitha’s kick-ass attitude.

  My phone buzzed, waking me up. When I saw it was from Aidan, I woke quickly. “Hi.” I tried not to sound too sleepy.

  “Did I wake you?” asked Aidan with his toe-curling husk.

  “No… it’s okay. How was your flight? Are you in Germany?”

  “Yep. It was all good. It improved a lot when I received that photo you sent me,” Aidan said hoarsely. “You’re delectable.”

  “Tabitha suggested I try on some of the lingerie we purchased today. And she photographed me while we were at it.”

  “Are there more?” Aidan sounded aroused.

  “Yes. I’ll send you another tomorrow,” I said softly.

  “How many are there?”

  “One for each day you’re away.”

  “I can’t wait.” He sighed. “I love hearing your sexy, breathy voice. I’m missing you madly. Next time, you’re coming with me.”

  “I’d like that.”

  “What’s that noise?”

  “That’s the neighbors. They’ve got bad plumbing,” I said.

  “Where are you?”

  “I’m at my apartment.”

  “Why are you there?” Aidan didn’t hide his annoyance.

  “I had a few glasses of bubbly for the photo shoot and was too tired to drive, so I crashed here. It’s still my place,” I said, a little disturbed by his controlling tone.

  “Is Tabitha there with her boyfriend and his friend?”

  “No,” I replied, trying not to giggle. Aidan was being ridiculously jealous. “I haven’t seen Cameron since that night. He’s not in the habit of coming here. I’m alone. Tabitha’s out with a guy…” I stopped there. This was not the time to tell Aidan that my best-friend was sleeping with his right-hand man.

  “I hate you being there, Clarissa. Shit… the security, or lack thereof. Anyone can get in. Your door’s flimsy. And there are lowlifes living there.”

  “The neighbors aren’t that bad,” I said. “There’s old Tom next door. He’s a lovely old man, wouldn’t hurt a fly.”

  “Old Tom could be a pervert who drills holes through walls.” Aidan sounded more serious than I would have hoped.

  I giggled. “Oh, Aidan, that’s ludicrous. He’s not like that. The man can barely move. Tabitha and I do his shopping to help. He’s nearly ninety. And on the other side, there’s Hilary. She’s got lots of cats and keeps to herself.”

  “I’ve never trusted old women who live with lots of cats,” said Aidan earnestly.

  “Seriously?” I had to squeeze my lips together.

  “I worry about you, Clarissa. I don’t li
ke you living there, especially in that neighborhood.”

  “Aidan, I’ve lived here for ages. Nothing’s ever happened. Anyhow, I can look after myself. I did a course in self-defense last year.”

  “You did?”

  “Yeah, so you better behave.” I deepened my voice.

  Aidan laughed. “What are you wearing?” His soft, bedroom tone was back, much to my relief.

  “Not much.” I didn’t think he needed to hear that I was in my far-from-sexy worn cotton nightie.

  “I like the sound of that,” he rasped.

  My stomach tightened. Were we about to do phone sex? “Hmm…” I was at a loss for words.

  Aidan chuckled. “Don’t worry. I won’t get you to breathe loudly down the phone. Maybe we can do a bit of Skyping while I’m here. What about tomorrow this time?”

  “Yeah, sure. How am I to dress?” I wasn’t sure if that was a requirement.

  “Glad you asked. Anything with buttons,” Aidan replied in a low voice thick with desire.

  Blood pumped down below my navel. Aidan was pure sex, even over the phone.

  “I’m sure I can arrange something, Aidan,” I purred.

  “You sound hot, Clarissa. I’ll go crazy. Two weeks is way too long.”

  “Can’t you cut it short?”

  He sighed. “No. There’s too much to do.”

  “I hope you don’t get so desperate that you…” Hell, I was sounding like a jealous maniac.

  “Clarissa, I don’t do desperate,” Aidan responded churlishly.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to…” My face heated up.

  “I’m very monogamous.”

  “I shouldn’t have mentioned it.”

  “I’m glad you did.” Aidan softened his tone. “I’m so connected to you, Clarissa, that the thought of you with another man would rip me apart.”

  “I don’t want anyone else, Aidan.”

  “That’s music to my ears.” There was a pause. “I have to go, Clarissa. Hey, that photo was exquisite. I can’t wait for the next one. I’ll let you get back to sleep. Tomorrow this time, we’ll Skype, okay?”

  “I look forward to it, Aidan. And it’s lovely to hear from you.”

  “Dream about me, beautiful girl,” rasped Aidan.