by Shayne Ford
Oh, I know that look.
A smile brightens up her face as soon as he starts talking again.
“Fuck...” I mutter to myself.
“What?”
Jaden’s voice rings out behind me, startling me. He walks around and slides into a chair across from me.
“Is Emma okay?” I ask.
“Yeah... She’s asleep. The babysitter is with her.”
He glances at me as I move my eyes back to Nick and Sara. His eyes follow my gaze.
“What is it?”
I tip my chin in their direction.
“I think she likes him.”
I feel his stare on my face.
He laughs softly.
“Why is that a problem?”
I glance at him. Or rather glare at him.
He purses his lips, amused.
“Oh, shit. I forgot,” he says, pretending he just remembered. “He was your charity project.”
A playful smile rolls on his lips, but I can’t taste his humor. Not at all.
“How am I supposed to know that they’ll get to know each other and like each other?” I ask.
He shakes his head, still chuckling.
“Stop doing this to me,” I say, grinning.
“What? I’m not doing anything.”
“Yes, you are. You make fun of me.”
He bites his lip, his grin splashing all over his face. He barely keeps his face straight.
“It’s a funny situation,” he says, and I have no other choice but to start laughing.
He shifts his gaze back to Sara and Nick. I follow his example.
“If there’s any comfort, you have good taste in men,” he mutters, motioning to Nick and then Abel who curls his arm around Harper’s waist while she breathlessly drinks him in.
“Oh... I want to disappear right now,” I murmur, burying my face in my hands.
Jaden’s hand lands on my shoulder.
“The mistakes of the past catch up with you, don’t they?” he asks, a smile threading through his voice.
“It’s not funny,” I say.
“If anything, you can think this way. You made a lot of people happy.”
I glance up at him. His lips purse into a mischievous smile.
“Stop fucking with me,” I growl, and he starts chuckling.
A few moments pass before we both find ourselves watching Nick and Sara in silence. Sara slides her hand on top of Nick’s fingers while he leans to her and places a soft kiss on her lips. It’s an innocent kiss, and knowing him, it must have taken him a ton of courage to make that move.
“She likes him, doesn’t she?” I murmur.
“Mmm-hmm.”
He looks at me.
“You get too nervous over nothing. The past is the past,” he says.
“It’s not nothing. He likes her too. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have kissed her in public.”
“You really know how to pick these men...” he mutters, serious this time, still looking in the direction of their table.
“What do you mean?”
“He was not charity, baby. You liked him. He was different. Handsome and shy. You had the upper hand with him. Am I right?”
I can’t meet his eyes.
“I think I’m right. You preyed on him,” he says.
“I did not prey on him.”
“Is he a good man?” he asks, ignoring my comment.
“Yes, he is. A very good man. That’s why I didn’t want to mess with him. He seemed a bit lost.”
“Sometimes lost men make loyal lovers. In the hands of the right woman, of course,” he adds. “What kind of work does he do?”
“He’s an engineer. He makes good money, and has a house.”
“How come he’s single?”
“Truthfully, I don’t know. Women hit on him all the time, but he doesn’t take them seriously. That’s why I think he likes Sara. She’s different than the others. I’ve never seen him so animated in the presence of a woman.”
“Hmm... A settler.”
I glance at him.
“What do you mean?”
“He’s interested in settling more than hunting. Did he like you?” he asks, curious.
“If he did, it must’ve been for a different reason.”
He tosses back his drink.
“He didn’t hit on you,” he says.
“Not really.”
“You probably scared the shit out of him, but not enough to turn him off.” He lets out a soft laugh. “So it was community service after all.”
“You’re just...” I pause, searching for words.
“I know. I have a way with words,” he says. “On the bright side, you taught him a thing or two, and whoever wins his heart will benefit from that.”
I wait for his eyes to come back to me.
He looks at me, his gaze lit up with a smile.
“So you’re not angry that he’s talking to Sara?”
He shakes his head.
“Why would I be? She hasn’t been with anyone since Jacob died, and she’s too young to turn into a nun. I don’t think it’s bad that she gets to know him. She wouldn’t spend time with him, let alone laugh with him and let him kiss her, had he been an idiot or a jerk. I’m pretty sure that by now, he knows everything about Emma, the color of her favorite socks and the name of her animal toys,” he says, his eyes on Nick and Sara.
“How do you know all this?”
He flashes a cocky grin.
“It’s called survival, baby. That’s the first life lesson you need to learn. Know people. Some are good, and some are bad, and you have to learn which is which, and pretty fast because it’s people who will fuck you up.”
A few moments pass by.
“So... Are you a hunter or a settler?” I ask, curving my lips into a smile.
He tilts his head to the side, flashing a fiery grin.
“You already know what I am. The real question is... Are you a settler?”
16
SENNA
Months Later
“Ready for your birthday present?”
His eyes rove down on me.
My lips crease into a smile.
“Yes.”
“Your dress looks nice,” he murmurs, ignoring my remark.
He snakes his arm around me and presses me into his chest. He likes my dress a lot, judging by his hard-on pushing against the soft wool of his pants and stirring against my belly. I run my hand down his length while he slips his fingers inside my skirt and runs his palm all the way up. Sweeping the high thigh socks, and the garters, and then brushing the sheer fabric between my legs. I hold onto him, as he pushes my panties to the side and slides two fingers into me.
“Fuck, Jaden. We’re supposed to leave... It took me an hour to put myself together,” I say gasping and pulsing quickly toward an orgasm.
I grab his hardness through his pants as I quickly start to shudder. He breathes out a long exhale while tearing away from me.
Panting, I lean back against the kitchen counter, my knees soft like cotton candy. Sweat forms on my brow, and wetness lines my panties.
Flashing a smile that makes me melt, he licks his fingers.
“You’re such a dirty man,” I say, grinning. “I have to go back in the shower now.”
“No, you don’t.”
He shakes his head and wraps his arms around me, one hand running back under my dress. He slides the skirt up and kneads my ass. He parts his lips as he looks down at me, his stare making me clench inside.
I tilt my head back and train my eyes on his mouth.
“I’m not gonna kiss you,” he says. “I don’t want to ruin your lipstick.”
“Oh... Now you’re concerned? After you ruined... um... everything else...”
He smirks and shakes his head.
“I want you wet.”
“But we’re going out.”
“Exactly...”
He lowers his mouth to mine, so close my lips quiver in anticipa
tion. His soft breath fans over my lips.
“I can’t wait to fuck you tonight,” he growls, adjusting his cock. He grabs my hand. “We need to go. We’re gonna be late.”
“And now, you’re hurrying, ” I say.
He flashes a playful smile and pulls me toward the garage. I manage to run my hand down my dress before I climb into his ride. He smoothly rolls out of the garage.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” he asks, giving me a sidelong gaze.
“Yes. I think so.”
“You think so?”
“I want to. You?” I ask.
“Mmm-hmm.”
He veers toward the street and steps on the gas, the car quickly picking up speed.
“What if I said no?”
“We’d go straight to my apartment and fuck.”
“No food?”
“I could find something for you to swallow,” he says, grinning wolfishly.
Shaking my head, I look out the window, and push back a smile.
I roll the window down and inhale the fresh air, feeling hot all of a sudden. He glances at me, smiling. I cross my legs, the pressure, and friction, throwing me into a pool of heat.
“So who is this friend?”
I gaze at him.
His eyes stay trained on the road.
“He’s not a professional if that’s what you want to know. He’s really doing me a favor.”
“Mmm... He must like you,” I murmur.
He nods. Slowly. A smile tugging at his lips.
“How did you meet him?”
“Through my first website. He had a site similar to mine, doing the same kind of stuff. Teasing people, helping them to get off.”
“And?” I ask with a strained voice.
“We met and kinda hit it off...”
“Mmm-hmm.”
He laughs.
“Not in that sense.”
“He was in college. We talked about business more than anything else.”
“Right.”
“No, seriously...” he says.
His eyes twinkle with a smile, and I don’t know what to make of it.
“Have you two met since then?”
“No. We spoke on the phone a couple of times. He graduated, found a job and moved to New York. A few weeks ago, he called me again. He’s back in town. He took over his family business. He also got his pilot license.”
He looks at me, amused.
“How does he look like?” I ask teasingly.
He laughs.
“He looks good, and he wouldn’t cross me.”
“Mmm...” I murmur pursing my lips. “Speaking of crossing someone. Evelyne told me you fucked someone at Isabel’s engagement party. That night... Remember? You left me tied to the bed for a couple of hours. You said you didn’t fuck anyone, but one of her friends saw you leaving the woman’s bungalow.”
He brings the car to a smooth stop, not far from the restaurant.
“Really?” he asks, amused.
He turns off the engine and locks my eyes.
“And you believed her?”
I shrug.
“I don’t know what to believe. You were gone. Were you there...? Fucking her?”
“Would it matter to you after all this time? I was nobody to you back then.”
“I’m not so sure about that. And it would matter to me if you lied.”
He examines my eyes, denying me an answer.
“You did,” I say, disappointed.
“No, I didn’t,” he says curtly.
“Were you in her bungalow?”
“Yes, I was. She wanted me to fuck her. She even offered me money.”
“Shit. Did she know you were hired?”
“No. She had no idea. She was all messed up because of some jerk who broke up with her. She drank a lot and kinda got fixated on me. She got something else mixed in the alcohol. I went to check on her and make sure she was fine, and I found her face down on the floor. I woke her up and helped her to throw up. It took a good hour before she was able to go back to sleep. I didn’t plan on leaving you on that bed for that long. And I wasn’t at her place to fuck her.”
I look at him, shaking my head.
“Where do you find these disasters?” I ask.
“Some of them, um... at Jill’s,” he says, winking at me.
“It’s not funny...”
He studies me in silence for a few moments.
“Are we good, then?” he asks, smiling.
I shift in my seat.
“Yes, we’re good. The man we meet... What’s his name?”
“Kane.”
“What did you tell him about me?”
“That you’re my future wife.”
His words still echo in the air as the door swings open and then closes after he climbs out the car. Mouth agape, I watch him walk around the car. He opens the door on my side and offers me his hand. I rise, my legs soft like butter.
He gives me a quick once-over.
“We can cancel everything,” he says seriously this time.
“No, I’m fine,” I say, spinning already heading to the door.
We’re early.
The corner booth offers a panoramic view of the city and the room. Private and cozy, it seems like the perfect romantic spot.
We get our drinks and the evening unfolds as if he hasn’t dropped that word on me. He’s been guarded since he said it to me. I wonder if he did, in fact, say it to Kane, or he was just testing me.
His phone lights up with a message and a flutter ripples through my chest.
As we wait for him, I run my eyes over the room. Low lights spread a soft glow over the booths. Bouquets of white and purple lilac add a splash of color to the tables. Soft piano music wafts through the air.
Couples share jokes and make small talk over dinner. Young. Old. Women fashioning elegant dresses. Men clad in suits and ties, or starched shirts and tailored dress pants.
Furtively, I glance at Jaden.
What will happen to us in time? Will there be an us after a while? The past flashes in front of my eyes. We’ve been through highs and lows, love and hate, regret and pain. We’ve tested our bond through good and bad.
If we survive everything, would our lives turn boring and predictable after a while? Would he ever conform? Would I? Would our passion for each other die or thrive?
His eyes shift to the entrance as a tall, handsome man strides to us. I swivel in my seat as Jaden makes the introductions. For a moment, my hand disappears into Kane’s palm, and my gaze meets his eyes as he squeezes my fingers gently.
He takes a seat next to me.
The men exchange looks as I furtively study Kane. It takes only a few moments to realize why they like each other. Kane is a version of Jaden. Good looking, oozing sexual power, and just as adventurous, I imagine.
Bangs of dark-brown hair fall over his smoldering, dark-green eyes. His shirt stretches over his hard chest and wide shoulders. He gives me a quick glance before he connects his gaze with Jaden’s eyes. They share a smile that makes my pulse spike.
I start fidgeting as I grapple with a wave of heat.
I arch and curve, and push my breasts against my dress. Jaden slides his hand under the table and grips my thigh.
“Is everything okay?” he asks.
“Yes, everything is fine.”
He searches my eyes. I give him a soft nod.
His free hand cups my cheek as his lips brush mine, giving me a soft kiss.
He lingers for a moment, his mouth locked with mine, his scent and warmth rolling over me as his fingertips trace my thigh. Pleasure spreads over my skin. Kane roves his gaze over us, as Jaden gives me another kiss.
My insides turn to liquid pleasure.
Jaden’s mouth slides onto mine, and although briefly, he slips his tongue between my lips. A deep need surges through me. I barely stop myself from grabbing him.
He smoothly pulls back as if nothing happened while I desperately run my hands
over my dress, smoothing the hell out of it.
Discreetly, he adjusts his cock.
I may need a fire extinguisher.
The waiter shows up in the form of a talkative man who goes over our food options. Swiftly, he manages to disperse the tension, and with it, the magic of the moment.
We spend a good hour or so eating dinner and making conversation. We talk about business, travel, New York restaurants, and cars.
I quickly learn that Kane has a good sense of humor and unending zest for life. His fingers slide over mine a few times demanding my attention. We connect eyes and share smiles, and by the time we leave, it feels as if we’ve been friends for some time.
One hour later, we’re flying at the cruising altitude, heading south. It’s only the three of us, the moon and the starry night surrounding us.
We set foot on land around ten at night.
A yacht deposits us on a tropical island half an hour later. Lights are scattered over the patch of land, outlining the path to a beautiful, royally lit up house.
I stall for a moment, taking in the beautiful view.
Palms swaying in the breeze, soft sand dressing the shore, colorful flowers everywhere.
“Jaden...” I murmur, looking at him.
I see my happiness reflected in his eyes.
“What is this?”
Mouth agape, I swing my eyes from one man to the other. Kane’s eyes brighten with a grin as well.
Jaden curls his arm around my shoulder.
“This is my present for you, baby,” he murmurs in my ear.
“An island?” I mutter, grappling with disbelief.
He softly nods.
“Yes. This is our future home.”
We lock eyes for a moment, mine getting blurry with tears.
“I love you Jaden with all my heart. I can’t wait to be fully yours.”
“This is the best ‘yes’ I’ve ever heard,” Kane murmurs with a soft voice. “I definitely want someone like her,” he says, and we all start laughing.
17
SENNA
Wyoming
Filled with jitters, I walk into the ballroom. The sight leaves me breathless the very moment I step in. Floral arrangements, candles, and tables dressed in smooth linens set with sparkling flatware and vases fill my sight.