One hand cups my balls and plays with them while the other holds my cock steady at the base as she moves it in and out of her delicate mouth. Fire spreads through my veins as she works me slowly. Pure, hot, unadulterated lust consumes me. God help me, I want her. I won’t let myself come in her mouth. It’s too early in my plans for the evening.
I caress her warm, soft skin as I spoon her overlooking the view. I whisper in her ear, “I love you, Quinn. I always have, and I always will.”
Rolling over to look at me, she says without hesitation, “I love you, William. I always have and always will.”
My cock is poking at the apex of her thighs, but I need to see her. I roll her on her back and position myself on top of her, my fingers finding her slit. She’s wet and ready for me. As she lifts her hips up to meet mine, there’s a look of pure need on her face. I slide my cock into her slowly, leaning down on my forearms so I can be close to her face, which I intend to cover in kisses.
Seated firmly inside her, our bodies one, I whisper, “I love you.”
I slowly move through her, never wanting to leave. Her pussy hugs my cock perfectly, and with every thrust inside her, I want to come. But I ride it out, looking into her eyes and moving slowly, a major tease for us both. Seeing she’s close, I pick up the rhythm, methodically slamming my cock into her.
At some point, we move to the bed, and we spend long stretches of time just feeling each other’s skin, running our hands over every inch of the other’s body, memorizing curves, lines, and angles. We make love again, and then we fall asleep. We somehow manage to order in room service, which we leisurely enjoy before turning back to each other once again. It’s an evening and early morning of love, sex, and sleep, with maybe a little food and a lot of Quinn.
When I wake, the bed is empty. I wander to the living room and find her sitting on the couch freshly showered and dressed, drinking a cup of coffee. She has the advantage of living in this time zone. “I need to get home.”
“I understand. Let me take a shower.” I can’t help but feel deflated. We are so good together. Why can’t she let it happen? I hear the familiar sound of my cell phone alerting me of a text.
CeCe: Reinforcements have arrived. See you shortly.
Me: We’ll be there in twenty minutes. She’s being stubborn.
CeCe: We’re ready.
I send a quick text to Gerald, letting him know we’re heading out in twenty minutes, and he tells me he’ll be ready. I hop in the shower, and I quickly dress. I look at myself in the mirror and know I’m ready for the fight of my life.
Gerald knocks on the door just as I exit the bedroom, and he leads us to the car. We hold hands as we ride back to her dad’s. I can hear our friends as we arrive. She looks at me puzzled.
“I called in reinforcements.”
She walks into her dad’s, and everyone greets her with hugs. I’m amazed. We’re missing Emerson, Dillon, and Mason, but everyone else is here.
“I hear someone is being difficult about returning to San Francisco to her job as a partner and her friends as well… maybe a boyfriend too,” CeCe’s announces.
“What do you think we can do to convince her otherwise?” Greer asks.
“Well, I’m almost positive that the jobs she applied for at Starbucks isn’t going to be enough for her brilliance,” Bella announces.
Quinn smiles and shakes her head.
“Mason is working with the FBI to catch our hackers, so he couldn’t be here himself, but he wanted to make sure I gave this to you.” Cameron hands her a stack of papers.
She stares at it a moment, looking shocked. Then her head shoots up. “This is a partnership agreement. I can’t afford to buy into the partnership.”
“We know that. You’ll see that the plan is that you get a nominal raise, the remainder of what would be a partner’s salary will go toward paying your entry into partnership.” Cameron takes the agreement and opens it to the payment terms. “You will receive bonuses. A small percentage will go to you, and the remainder will go toward buying into the partnership.”
“My leaving had nothing to do with being a partner. Don’t get me wrong, I love this, but I want more than San Francisco offers,” she explains, choking back tears.
It’s now or never. I take both of her hands in mine and look her in the eyes. “Quinn Lea Faraday, I’ve loved you from the moment I heard your voice mail. There’s been no other. When you were gone, I realized that you make me a whole person. I can’t live without you. If you won’t move back to San Francisco and prefer to stay here in Pensacola, I’ll stay here, but all I ask is that you marry me and be with me forever. I need you. Please say yes.”
I pull my mother’s engagement ring out of my pocket. “This is my mother’s ring. Quinn, will you marry me?”
Her eyes tear up, and her hand goes to her mouth. She doesn’t answer, and I hear her father say, “He asked me last night, Quinnie. Don’t stay here for me. Follow your heart. I think your love with William shines brighter than any star. You have my permission. Plus, I want grandbabies.” Everyone laughs.
“I love you so much, William. Yes, I will marry you.”
Chapter thirty-five
Quinn
On the flight back to San Francisco with my friends, we continue the last seventy-two hours of celebration. We moved from the house to the beach, we roasted clams, drank beer, and even splashed in the water. My dad even joined us for most of the afternoon.
During one of CeCe’s walks, she met a nice woman who she introduced to my dad. Her name is Vivian, and she’s a widow of a Marine pilot. They have a lot in common. CeCe has a knack for matchmaking, and she’s convinced she knows these things. For example, she knows her prince isn’t the one for her. He’s fun, but I do hope she meets the right guy soon.
Everyone is so happy. William pulls me in, and it feels so right. “Are you okay leaving your dad behind? I wasn’t kidding. I’ll move to Pensacola, or I’m really fine buying a condo close to us in San Francisco where he can live. When we have kids, he’ll want to be close.”
I smile at William. “Let’s do a few things before we start having kids.”
“Shall we christen one of the bedrooms on the plane?”
“Everyone here would know,” I admonish.
He kisses my head. “Do you think they think you’re a virgin?”
I laugh.
“I mean, not only did you date the managing partner, but I do have proof of your naughty mind that I love so very much. Plus, rumor has it I’m a ladies’ man….”
“Oh, you're funny. Just remember, you were a ladies’ man. From now on, you can look, but you cannot touch.”
“I only have hands to touch you.”
We land and head back to William’s place. When we get there, he hands me a business card. “CeCe thought you might want this.”
I’m at a loss. “Who is this?”
“Her designer. You can make the condo all yours. Even decorate with pink flowers if that is what you want.”
That’s not my style, but I might tease him a bit. “Good to know. Maybe not pink flowers, but how about rainbows?” I watch him paint a tight smile on his face and nod. I can’t torture him much longer. “I’m just kidding. I’m not in any hurry to make changes.”
“Thank you for coming back with me.”
“I can’t wait to meet your dad.”
“He tells me he met you already.”
“He did? When?”
“He met you when you were admiring the public art in Rittenhouse Square, and you actually were looking at a piece that was done by his father.”
“I remember that man. That was him? He was so sweet.”
“You made quite an impression on him, and without him, I still wouldn’t know where you were.”
I lean in and kiss him. “Guess we’ll have to find a way to thank him.”
He cringes. “I can get behind a lot of things when I’m naked, but not with my dad.”
“Eww! No. I mea
nt have him over. Cook food for him. Maybe make his favorite dessert.”
“Oh. Sorry.”
“You really thought I want you and your dad together?”
“Well, I’ve heard your stories about—” Her eyes are bugging out, I’m over the line.
“No! That was only fiction. Not my desires.”
Chapter thirty-six
Quinn
We christen the new bed, the couch, and the kitchen table. I love how insatiable he can be when it comes to being with me. Tomorrow is going to be my first day back to work. Most people won’t know that I quit and am coming back. I’m excited. I still have my school loans, but the mole is in reach, I have the man of my dreams, I have a job I love, and I have wonderful friends. I couldn’t be luckier.
I love his bed. It’s huge, warm, and it overlooks the bay. We fall asleep tangled in each other's arms. Our plan is to go for a run in the morning.
William’s phone is ringing. I look at the bedside table, and the clock tells me it’s just after three. “This can’t be good,” I say as I wipe the sleep from my eyes and shake away the cobwebs from my head.
“Hello,” William grumbles into the phone, sounding barely awake. He sits up, and I immediately know this isn’t good news. I reach for him, and he grasps my hand so tightly it almost hurts. “Okay, we’re on our way.”
He disconnects the call. “That was CeCe. Mason’s in the hospital. He’s just had a heart attack, and Annabelle is missing.”
Read an excerpt from:
Fascination
Venture Capitalist
Book 9
by Ainsley St Claire
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Chapter one
CeCe
Sinking into the bath full of bubbles and smelling of lavender, feels so good, and I’m able to relax for just a moment. Today has flat-out sucked. Why do so many people feel the need to forward me the links and the downloads of the gossip rags?
I’m so mad at Frederic right now. If he wanted to break up with me, he should have grown a fucking pair and told me. He didn’t have to take an eighteen-year-old porn star out to a heavily press-covered event.
His messages afterward were stunning.
“Please, baby. Savanah and I are only friends.”
Yeah, right.
I guess I could own some of it. I haven’t been feeling it with him for a while, and we were both just hanging on. But damn, it still smarts to be dumped on television.
Asshole!
With cucumber slices over my eyes, the stress begins to evaporate. My phone rings, and normally I wouldn’t answer while I’m de-stressing in the bath, Frederic’s been blocked, but my best friend, Emerson, is due any moment with her first child. This just may be it. Besides, Frederic’s been blocked, so I’m pretty sure I don’t have to worry about dealing with him.
“Hello?”
“Caroline, it’s Evelyn.”
Crap. Work call. I spent most of the day with Evelyn. I’m kicking myself for not having checked the caller ID. “Hi, what’s up?”
“I’m here at the San Francisco General Hospital with my boyfriend. We think he broke his arm. Umm… I just saw them wheel your friend Mason Sullivan in from an ambulance.”
I sit up straight, splashing water all over the floor, but I don’t care. “Are you sure?”
“I’m fairly positive.”
“Thanks, Evelyn.” We hang up, and I immediately call his cell phone. “Please pick up. Mason, please pick up,” I whisper to myself.
“Hello?” A male voice answers, but it isn’t Mason.
“May I speak with Mason, please?”
“I’m sorry, who is this?”
“It’s his friend Caroline.”
“This is Detective Lenning. Are you related to Mason?”
My mind is racing. “No… may I please speak with him?”
“Do you know how I can get in touch with someone who’s related to him?”
“His mother lives in Ohio. I’m one of his best friends. Where is Mason?” I dread his answer, wondering, praying, hoping that he’s not at the hospital.
“Caroline, Mason is currently unable to speak right now. He’s at San Francisco General Hospital. We need to reach a family member. Do you know his mother’s name?”
“I can’t remember right now. I’m on my way. Where is his girlfriend, Annabelle Ryan?”
“We can’t be sure.”
I quickly throw some clothes on and call for a rideshare. While in the car, I call Dillon.
“Hello. Boy, do you have good timing.”
“Dillon, Mason’s at San Francisco General. All I know is that they wheeled him in on a gurney. No one knows where Annabelle is.”
“We’re on our way there now. Emerson’s water just broke.”
“Oh my God! I’ll check on Mason and be right there.”
I hear a scream in the background. Obviously, Emerson is having some serious contractions.
“I have to go,” Dillon says in a rush.
“No worries. I get it.”
“CeCe, let me know the minute you know anything about Mason.”
Fighting back the tears, I tell him, “I will.”
I disconnect the call and call Cameron.
He answers with “Did Emerson have her baby?”
“She’s going in now, but the reason I’m calling is because Mason’s at the hospital.”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t know, but a detective answered his phone when I called, and Annabelle can’t be found. I’m on my way.”
“Hadlee and I will be right there, too.” I hear him tell Hadlee what’s going on, and she jumps on the phone.
“What do you know?”
“Nothing really. Just that Evelyn from my office called and says she saw Mason brought into the hospital, and when I called Dillon, he said Emerson is in labor and they were on their way to the hospital.”
“Okay, Cameron wants me to tell you he’s calling Cynthia, Christopher, and William. I’ll call Greer as soon as we hang up, and you call Trey. I’ll call and use my credentials and find out where he is, and I’ll text everyone.”
I can breathe a tiny bit easier. “Thank you.”
I disconnect the call and phone my twin brother.
“Hey,” he answers.
“Hi. Please let Sara know that Mason’s in the hospital.”
“Is he okay?”
“We don’t know.” I hear him call for Sara and tell her.
“We’re on our way,” He says, and I can’t hold back my tears. “Ces, he’s going to be okay. I saw the rags, and I know today has been terrible, but I promise a big hug when I see you.”
“Can you call Mom and Dad? They’ll want to know.”
“Yep, I got that. See you in a few.”
“Hadlee will send a group text out as soon as she knows something.” The rideshare pulls up to the emergency room entrance. “I love you, big brother.”
“I love you, too.”
We’re hardly at a stop when I open the door and race up to the information desk, pushing myself to the front of the line. “Hello, Mason Sullivan was just brought in?”
“You’ll need to get in line. I can only help one person at a time,” the tired-looking receptionist says.
As I step in line and take a few deep breaths, trying to calm myself, my cell phone pings with a text.
Hadlee: Mason’s in surgery on the fourth floor. His doctor is Jordan Severs. She’s an amazing heart surgeon. Everyone, let’s meet at the fourth-floor surgical waiting room.
This hospital is huge. Where the hell is the fourth-floor surgical waiting room? I see a janitor and figure he probably knows the hospital better than any information lady.
“Excuse me. I need to get to the fourth-floor surgical waiting room. Can you tell me how to get there?”
He smiles at me. “Yes. You take the green line on the floor to the elevators and
head up to the fourth-floor. Once you get out there, you need to watch the signs. It’s about as far away from the elevators as you can get, but you’ll find it. If you get lost, there are plenty of people who can help you.”
“Thank you so much. I appreciate your help.”
I race off, following the green line, and he’s right, the walk to the waiting room is as long as it can be. Once I arrive, I let the nurses know that I’m here for Mason Sullivan.
A man approaches me. “You’re here for Mason Sullivan?”
I turn and size him up quickly. As I begin to answer, Cynthia arrives with her fiancé in two steps behind her. “CeCe? Is Mason okay?” She turns and her eyes widen. “Detective Lenning? What are you doing here?”
“Miss Hathaway? I wish we were meeting under better circumstances.”
“Did the Russian mob do this?”
He holds up his hand. “You must be the woman who called Mason not long ago.”
“That was me. My name is Caroline Arnault.” I extend my hand, and he takes it cautiously.
“What made you call Mason at that particular time?”
“I received a call from someone who works for me. She was here with her boyfriend in the emergency room and saw him come in.”
“I see.” Turning to Cynthia, he asks, “And who alerted you?”
We hear them before we see them, and up rush my brother Trey and his wife, Sara; Cameron and his fiancée, Hadlee; Greer with her husband, Andy; William and his fiancée, Quinn; and bringing up the rear, Christopher and his wife, Bella.
“I called Cameron, and between the two of us, we alerted everyone else,” I answer.
Enchanted: (Billionaire Venture Capitalist #8): A Fake Fiancée Romance Page 26