by JN Welsh
Elle braved to speak but the fresh taste of the cold air froze her tongue.
“That’s the second time you’ve done that today,” he noted.
That he was keeping score hit a nerve. “It’s a reflex.”
“To what? Me? Touch?”
“I don’t know.”
She lowered her eyes and bit her lip because she did know. Every time he touched her or attempted to, she lost herself in his magnetism. She was scared as fuck that it would spiral out of control. Simply put, she didn’t trust herself with him.
“Take my hand and walk with me.” Cole held out his hand, beckoning her to him.
Elle hesitated but then intertwined her red and white cotton covered hand with his black padded one and managed a smile.
“See, that’s not so bad.”
“I guess not.”
They strolled through the town, passing a few gift shops with holiday inspired windows. Townsfolk shopped with their families or strolled with a lazy Sunday feel, and tourists snapped photos of the picturesque landscape.
“Let’s see if we can graduate, a bit.” He let go of her hand, wrapped his arm around her shoulder, and placed her arm around his waist.
Her shoulders crept up to her ears.
“Relax, Elle. It’s just my arm.” His amusement rumbled in his chest.
She eased her shoulders down and held him a little tighter. Holding him felt as natural as their conversations and she had to remind herself that it would be convincing to her family to not pull away.
As people passed them, she couldn’t make eye contact. Blatant head shifts marked her obvious avoidance.
“Look up with confidence in our relationship. If not, it’ll look like we’re having an affair or I’m beating you, and I’ve never participated in either.”
She laughed nervously at his tutorial and did what he instructed. “This is harder than I thought it would be.”
“It just takes time,” he encouraged.
“Time we don’t have. We’ll be with my family in a few hours.” The muscles in her neck seized up again.
“Actually, we’re staying at the inn tonight. I made the arrangements yesterday.”
“Sorry?” Did he just tell her they were spending the night here? Together? Baffled, she tripped over her feet. Cole steadied her by angling her to stand before him and capturing her other hand.
“We’re close enough. If we leave early tomorrow morning, we’ll make it to the house for breakfast.”
“B-but, but why are we staying here for the night?”
“We need to learn about each other, share another meal, sleep in the same bed. I need to know your routine, how you behave when you do them and you need to learn the same about me. We won’t learn everything, but we can at least not be awkward.”
Nerves gripped her lower belly. A night with Cole? “But we were doing a good job in the car, weren’t we?”
“Yes, but most of what you told me was about your family. I can probably pass a test on who’s who, but you and I need work.”
She didn’t deny that she jumped every time he showed her any pretend affection and her face no doubt broadcasted her uneasiness.
“Are you cool with that?”
She wasn’t sure, but part of their deal was she could ask questions to clarify his suggestions, but was required to follow his instructions. “I’ll have to let my family know. They’re expecting us in a few hours.”
“Tell them.” Cole lids squinted and he paused. “Tell them I surprised you with a romantic evening and we’ll meet them for brunch in the morning.”
Damn he was good. “O-kay.” She was wary about their stay, but she trusted his experience and stuck with the plan.
“Are you sure you’re okay with this, Elle?”
Her lungs filled so much she thought they’d bust. “Yes. I’m okay with it.”
They returned to the inn and checked into their room. Elle could feel Cole studying everything she did from organizing her toiletries to folding her clothes. She labored to complete her tasks, because watching him was like art in motion. He was truly a beautiful man and she sweated over sharing the room and a bed with him.
She searched for her sleepwear when she spied, out of the corner of her eye, Cole removing his clothes. Toned arms lifted his shirt and his strong torso angled, emphasizing his muscular abdomen. She could tell he worked out by the athletic thighs and chiseled calves. She drank him in and her breathing increased. Perhaps he was changing into something more comfortable, but when he shucked his underwear she gasped and turned away.
A moment later she felt his hand at the base of her spine and she leapt a foot forward.
“Elle.” His voice was low and husky. “Turn around.”
“You’re naked.”
“That’s the point.” He spun her to face him, her resistance weak. He tapped her chin. “Look at me.”
She tried to do as he commanded, but his body called for appraisal.
He stepped back to give her a better view of him and even rotated so she could see the round tightness of his rear. When he faced her again, she zeroed in on his swinging cock, heavy between his legs. The slightly curled hair surrounding his member was short, like it had once been cut or shaved.
She licked her lips as if tasting him from afar.
“When your cousins ask you about sex with me, which they will, you should blush and bite your lip just like you’re doing now. Not because they asked you the question, but because you know my size and have experienced its pleasure.”
She understood. This was another tutorial. “Got it.” Her mouth was dry from arousal.
He leaned against the nearest wall. “Your turn.”
“What?” With shallow breaths her alarm resonated as no more than a whisper.
“When I stare at you from across the room, my expression should reveal that I am very familiar with every naked inch of your body—what material your lingerie is made of. How do you take your bra off? Straps first or unhook the clasp from behind? These subtle subconscious actions are not in our control and are based on our experiences.”
“The experience of me in my birthday suit in front of you?”
“Yes. Just like I am.”
She stared at his unrobed brilliance. If he had the balls to go commando, she did too.
“All for the cause, I guess,” she muttered as she undressed.
She slid her jeans and wool socks off before pulling her cowl neck sweater over her head. The matching red satin bra and panties were all that was left. Elle stole a glance at Cole who recorded every bend, shrug, and lift she made when removing her clothes.
“That’s nice.” His soft compliment had her chest rising and falling with speed.
She stripped out of her bra by tending to the straps and twisting it around enough to unhook the clasp. Her breast hung heavy. The room was cool, and her nipples tightened at the lack of barrier. The heat in her rose as she wiggled out of her panties and the last of her protection was gone. She placed her intimates on a chair with the rest of her clothes.
Cole approached, stopping only inches before her. “If I’m going to pretend to be your boyfriend of a few months, you can’t act like you don’t know me or that you dislike me.”
“I don’t dislike you.” Her eager response confused her and she pursed her lips together. She didn’t dislike him, just everything about his gigolo lifestyle and the lies she’d tell her parents. She knew she was a hypocrite, but she couldn’t help it.
Cole held her shoulders and rubbed them with his thumbs. “That’s good to hear because the quickest way to resolve that problem is to fuck.”
CHAPTER FIVE
Cole braced himself for Elle’s response and she didn’t hold back.
“What?” she yelled. “No way. I can act just fine.” She sidestepped him.
“Like the way you did today?”
Elle abandoned her escape. She stuttered, and he could only assume she searched for an excuse. “It will give m
y family reason to think we’re breaking up, later.”
“Oh, so your goal is to share the holidays with a boyfriend you are breaking up with and ruin your family’s Christmas?”
“Yeah…I mean…no.” She crossed and uncrossed her arms.
“We can break up when we get back home, but if you want them to believe us, we have to break down all barriers.” He pushed her boundaries. But when she stood in her matching bra and panty, he knew she’d be his tonight. Their ruse only provided the opportunity. “You can’t cringe every time I touch you or pull away when I kiss you. When we gaze at each other, we share secrets with a glance. This secret. We don’t have to be in love, but we need to be believable.”
“What if we have sex and it’s awful and I hate it. That’ll only make things worse.”
“Trust me, honey. You won’t hate it.” He bit his tongue. He had found an endearment she didn’t object to when he called her “sweetness.” With bruised ego, his subconscious reverted to the one that seemed to rile her up.
“Cocky ass,” she mumbled. “And for the last time don’t call me honey.” The rise in her tone was lethal.
“Why do you hate that one so much?”
“Because you use it like a condescending weapon, that’s why.”
He swallowed his pride and the retort on the tip of his tongue. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”
She breathed heavily, and he stroked her buttery soft skin to soothe her. She avoided his eyes and in his experience with women both as a gigolo and studying psychology, her awkward avoidance stemmed from something more.
“When was the last time you were with someone, Elle?”
Her eyes shot daggers at him and she was about to nail into him, but he continued his caress on her arms and her expression softened. “It’s been a while.”
“But you have been with someone before?”
She laughed. “Yes. I’m not a virgin, Cole.”
She didn’t move away from his touch. The way her chest moved, combined with the flush on her face, betrayed her desire. She wanted him, but she deflected with humor. He continued to probe. He didn’t know why this particular question surfaced but it did. “Have you had an orgasm before?”
She jutted a prideful chin. “Of course, I have.”
There it was, written all over her face. “With someone?” he almost whispered in the most non-threatening way possible.
“Yes.” She avoided his eyes, but he stayed with her.
Something in his lower abdomen stirred but he kept his growing hard-on at bay until she expressed her thoughts to him. “But?”
Her eyes travelled everywhere except to his. “I guess I had to help.”
“Help?”
“Yeah. You know…” She wiggled her fingers at him.
“Ahh…you suffered from selfish lover syndrome.” He made a tsk noise with his tongue several times.
“What’s the big deal? Aren’t orgasms the goal, no matter how they come?”
“Goal?” Cole sucked in his breath and his core ached to hear such words from a woman like Elle. He wanted to flip her over, rub her clit, and show her what the big deal was.
That masturbating was the only way she’d achieved orgasm with men pissed him right the fuck off. She was a queen to be adored, a goddess to be worshiped and pleasured first before any man even thought about coming.
“Don’t look at me like that.” Elle’s voice interrupted his fantasy. “It’s like you pity me.”
He stoked her cheek and pushed a stray afro puff of hair back from her face. He bent to nuzzle his cheek against hers. “I don’t pity you Elle. I pity the men who didn’t recognize the honor of having you in their bed.” His voice dropped even deeper. “The journey before you come is the best part—making you moan, whispering everything from the nastiest shit to the most tender words in your ear. All while fucking you with my fingers, my tongue, my dick…” He caught her earlobe in his mouth and sunk his teeth into the supple flesh.
She released an audible jagged breath.
“I’ll make you beg for it before I ever make you come, Elle. That’s my goal and you’ll love every agonizing minute of it.”
She moaned, and her palm flattened against his chest. “I-I’d never beg.” Her words drenched with doubt.
“No?” His hand grazed her breast and passed over her nipple, tickling with his fingertips.
Her body trembled under his touch. “Cole—”
His mouth enclosed around hers, wetting her lips. He kissed her with possession he couldn’t control, and his tongue slid into her mouth. Her delicious warmth blew him away and he teetered on the brink of madness. He scoured his memory for the last time he wanted a woman this much. Had he ever wanted a woman as much as he wanted Elle?
They fell on the bed, sinking into its memory. From his position above her, his hands explored her body with the novelty of their first time. He held the fullness of her breast as his tongue pleasured the dark nipple. Elle squirmed under him, and like a snake charmer, her moans enticed his dick to rock-hard status. Her hands played wildly in his hair with each suck and nibble on her tender bud.
He kissed her down to her belly, exploring her silky skin. His palms followed and memorized every muscle and contour of her body. He smiled remembering her mention of Caribbean curves and thought her thick, plump curves were good for much more than dancing. They were also good for driving him senseless.
Watching her visage twist in agony, he slid between her legs. He caressed the soft folds of her pussy, drawing the wetness until she was doused, his fingers gliding over her.
“Cole.” She writhed against his touch.
Keeping his fingers moving, he again kissed his way up and captured her opened mouth, his hot tongue wrestling with the coolness of hers. He gently trapped her lower lip in his teeth and applied just enough pressure to make her squeal. Then he laved his tongue in healing pleasure.
“Did you wear those panties and that bra for me?” He rasped against her lips and used his fingers as a truth serum, prompting her admission.
She groaned, and her hand gripped the forearm attached to the fingers working on her center.
“Tell me,” he coaxed. “Did you wear them for me, sweetness?”
“Yes.” She breathed her response, and she peered at him through lids that had lowered to slits.
He wanted to drop to his knees and pray in gratitude because he wasn’t sure he’d survive if she had denied him. She was so sexy and regal and he longed to hear her beg. Beg for him to release her from the sweet, torturous storm he built inside her.
He spread her legs and slid down between them. He joined his mouth to where he played with his hand, covering her clit. His chest heaved. He could come from her taste alone. Elle opened her legs wider and he relished in the aroma and flavor of her. He lost all sense of time and space in the heady drug of pleasuring her like this.
“Please, Cole.” Her legs bucked and her panting increased.
She was close. “Please what, Elle? Tell me what you want, sweetness.”
She twisted against the bedding. “I-I want…to come.” She bit out on the brink of insanity. “Please, Cole. Make me come.”
To hear her beg in submission for him meant more than he wanted it to. He needed her as much as she needed him.
He fetched a condom and readied himself quickly. He positioned himself at her opening and in one motion was buried deep inside her. She was a custom fit and his solid muscle rejoiced. Elle called out as he filled her to the hilt. Grabbing his shoulders, her fingernails dug into him, welting his back with love marks. He pumped into her without restraint, giving them what they both wanted.
“I’m coming,” she yelled, temporarily deafening him in one ear. Her body vibrated in blissful arrival.
His cock inflated and the sensation in his lower abdomen burned. Her canal spasmed around him, milking the orgasm from his engorged organ. He squeezed his eyes shut and shouted without filter. He didn’t give a
shit if the whole inn heard them. He shook, emptying his seed, and then collapsed onto her.
Her arms relaxed their grip and as she rubbed his back, he never wanted her to stop.
Shit. He had to get his head back on and quick.
CHAPTER SIX
This was bad. She wanted him. Again. She had never experienced sex like this with any man. Her mind worked overtime creating fantasies of him repeating his performance, but her practical sense overruled. Still, she was ravenous and a little embarrassed by her lack of control when he made her come. She was normally the one in control of winning that race, but with Cole, it wasn’t a race but a journey. And when she did finally reach her pinnacle it was glorious.
Cole was a gigolo and worth every penny he had ever earned. Not only was he observant to the point that creeped her out, but he knew her body better than she did, quickly figuring out what she liked in bed. He was so attuned to her needs that she had opened without reservation. Knowing he had the power to do that meant he also had the power to hurt her.
Cole lifted himself off and pulled out his softening member. She almost vocalized her disappointment in order to prevent his exit. Their eyes met, and she saw that he too, was affected, but she couldn’t decipher how.
“Are you okay?” Even when he was being a caretaker, the huskiness in his voice turned her on.
She nodded because she didn’t trust her voice not to betray her.
He got up and pulled her with him to the bathroom where he turned on the shower and tempered the water. He continued to hold her hand as he helped her step over the rim of the tub. She wanted him to join her but when he drew the curtain, she momentarily forgot what to do in a shower. The steaming jet water wasn’t as welcoming as being in Cole’s arms, but was a therapeutic alternative.
The toilet seat and lid rattled and when she peeked around the curtain, she saw Cole sitting on the ceramic seat cover.
“What’s your favorite movie?” Cole’s voice floated through the curtain.
The question was random, given what just happened between them.
“The Big Blue,” she answered, certain he had no idea that movie even existed.