1001 Dark Nights Short Story Anthology 2020

by Fiona Archer

She yanked away. “Don’t mess with me, Jaden. It’s not funny.”

  “Why would I do that?”

  “I suppose my schoolgirl crush was obvious, even though I tried to hide it. Shit!”

  His heart thudding, Jaden took her hand. “Brie? Do you still have a crush? Because I sure as hell do. You’re so damn beautiful. Smart, creative. It’s been hard as hell to hide all this time how I’ve felt about you. You were my best dude’s little sister. You were off limits. Forbidden.”

  She scowled. “I’m not a child. I haven’t been for a long time.”

  “No, but you were so young when we met, then you were away at school, and I’ve been on the road. But knowing I’d see you this weekend, I knew I couldn’t wait any longer. You’ve done well for yourself—definitely all grown up—and lately I’ve realized, especially with Derrick finding his happiness, that I’ve been a complete fucking idiot.”

  He pulled her into his arms, staring into her eyes and savoring the compliance in her body, the way she softened instantly under his hands. “Am I too late, Brie? Are you with anyone?”

  She shook her head. “Not since I dumped that jerk Dan last year.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “Are you?”

  “Only that he hurt you. Not that you’re single. Hell, no. Because I’ve always thought we should be together.”

  “Really, Jaden?”

  “Yeah, really. You never knew?”

  She shook her head again, smiling, and leaned into him a bit. Lord, she felt good.

  He ran his hands over her sides, and her sweet shiver told him everything he needed to know. “I’m gonna kiss you now.”

  “Oh…yes, please.”

  Smiling, he bent his head and gently pressed his lips to hers. It was everything he’d ever imagined and more, her mouth a whisper of mint and her, wrapped up in a submission he knew she wasn’t even aware of.

  All the years of wanting seemed to be compressed into this moment, and he could barely control his need for her. But control was his thing, and he held on to it like a lifeline. He couldn’t push her too fast. But he wanted to.

  Her body went limp against him, and he could feel every curve through her thin cotton dress. He slid his hands down over her hips to the hem of the dress, clenching the fabric in his hands to make himself behave.

  But it was Brie who slipped her hands under his shirt, her palms warm on his skin. She moaned quietly into his mouth as she kissed him harder, lacing her tongue with his. And damn, he’d never dreamed she could be so beautifully sensual, her need seeming to match his own. But first, she had to know who and what he was.

  He grabbed her hands, forcing them to her sides, holding her wrists firmly. She didn’t resist.

  Oh yeah. She’s into this.

  She pulled her mouth from his. “Jaden, I never thought…you wanted me. But I always wanted you. Always.”

  “Lord, Brie, you have no idea how I’ve wanted you. All these years. I want you so damn badly. Right here. Right now.”

  Groaning, she surged up on her toes and crushed her mouth against his.

  He released her wrists to pull her back, forcing her to stop. “Brie. I need to be the one in control here. That’s my kink. Do you understand?”

  She blinked at him. “I… I don’t know.”

  “I think you do. But nothing happens without your consent. Okay?”

  “Yes, Jaden.”

  “Yes what, Brie?”

  Her chest rose as she inhaled. “Yes, I want you. Now. And yes, I want you to take the lead here. I trust you. I always have.”

  “Damn, girl.”

  He slid his hands under her dress and found the lacy thong underneath, and his cock throbbed when she arched her hips into him.

  This was completely crazy, but he couldn’t help himself. This was Brie.

  When he slipped his fingers under the lace edge to explore the delicious heat inside her smooth mound, Jaden groaned. Had she always been this sensual, sexual creature? Why the hell had he waited so long to find out?

  “Arch into my hand. Yeah, that’s a good girl.”

  “God, Jaden. Yes!”

  He pressed his fingers into her, found her soaking wet. Fuck, he might have a stroke right there.

  There was a metallic creak, and the lights flicked on, momentarily blinding him. Brie blinked as the elevator began to move, her dark blue eyes glossy. He barely had time to step back before the doors slid open. Derrick and Laura stood on the other side.

  “Thank God!” Laura rushed to Brie to hug her. “Are you okay?”

  “Yes, I’m fine.”

  Derrick pulled Jaden out and gave him a thump on the back before turning to hug Brie. “I’m glad you weren’t in there by yourself! That idiot at the desk told us you both arrived right before the power went out. You sure you’re okay? Come on, let’s get you to your room. You guys must be exhausted. Mom’ll freak when she finds out. Jaden, go get some rest, bud. Thanks for taking care of my sis. I’ll see you at breakfast.”

  Brie shot Jaden a helpless look as Derrick grabbed her rolling suitcase and led her down the hallway. He’d mentioned that she was rooming with Laura tonight, which meant whatever was happening between them was suddenly on hold again.

  Fuck. “Sure. Tomorrow.”

  Glad he had the duffel bag, Jaden quickly retrieved it from the elevator floor to hide his raging erection, which was probably not going away anytime soon. He stood in the hall for a minute, watching Brie’s luscious ass sway the thin cotton of her flowered sundress as she walked away. He could still feel the silk of her long, blond-streaked hair under his fingertips…

  That’s not helping this hard-on one damn bit.

  Talk about shitty timing! The whole weekend was scheduled down to the minute. But he was damn sure going to find time with Brie before it was over. They weren’t going to leave here until she was his.

  Brie quickly unpacked as she and Laura chatted about wedding plans. She was excited for her brother and sister-in-law-to-be, whom she adored, but distracted by thoughts of Jaden and everything that had happened in the elevator.

  Just as they settled down and got into their beds, her cell phone buzzed with a text. She looked at the screen.

  I’m gonna be awake all night thinking of you.

  She smiled, her body going hot all over.

  I’ll be dreaming about you.

  Good. Dream about being naked over my lap, beautiful. Would you like that? For me to spank you?

  Her heart pounded. That was something she’d fantasized about, but she’d never dated anyone who seemed like they’d know what they were doing. Jaden obviously knew exactly what he was doing.

  Yes, please.

  You have no idea how happy that makes me. Now go to sleep, pretty girl.

  She did dream of him, lovely, sensual dreams, and she woke up breathless with need. But Laura was just coming out of the bathroom with her hair in a towel.

  “Morning! Your turn, Brie.”

  “Oh, sure. Getting up!”

  She couldn’t help but think of Jaden in the shower—his commanding touch, the things he’d suggested. But more than that was a need to simply be with him. It was every bit as strong as the lust shimmering through her system like a series of electric jolts. She still couldn’t get over the fact that he seemed to feel the same. But still…the man was a rock star. Was that a lifestyle she could deal with?

  Downstairs at breakfast, Jaden was seated across from her, which would have been okay, except that Laura’s bridesmaid Ashley was seated next to him. The woman couldn’t stop fawning over him, touching his arm, chattering away. Brie supposed she’d have to get used to that if they were ever going to be together.

  But Jaden wasn’t paying too much attention to Ashley, shooting Brie subtle smiles across the table in between answering Ashley’s endless stream of questions.

  When a text came through, she grabbed her phone from beside her plate—and nearly spit out her orange juice.

  What did y
ou dream of, pretty Brie?

  She looked up and smiled, shaking her head.

  What do you think?

  Good girl.

  How was it even seeing those words in a text message made her melt?

  After breakfast, Jaden went off with her brother and the groomsmen for a round of golf up the coast. She spent the day with Laura, the bridesmaids, and the two moms. She enjoyed seeing everyone, but by the time they went to the rehearsal, she was a bundle of nerves. They ran through the ceremony a few times, and it was probably a good thing that she and Jaden were too busy to do more than exchange a few longing glances.

  After she’d changed for dinner, she opened the door to find Jaden waiting outside her room.

  “I had to see you.” He hooked a hand behind her neck and kissed her hungrily before pulling back to stroke her cheek. “I need to make sure you understand last night wasn’t all about sex. I mean, damn girl, I want you. But you know this is more than that, don’t you?”

  She stared up into his eyes. “I want it to be.”

  He smiled, that lazy smile of his that always undid her. “That’s my girl.”

  Oh, those words!

  He stepped back when a door down the hall opened, disgorging a group of chattering bridesmaids.

  “Come on, Brie—we’ll be late. Oh, Jaden! Are you riding in the limo with us?” Ashley asked, fluttering her lashes.

  “I’m going with Derrick. Best man duties. But I’ll see you all at dinner.”

  The girls pulled Brie toward the elevator, and her annoyance morphed into dreamy anticipation as she remembered her time in there with Jaden the night before.

  Dinner was at a restaurant right on the beach, the setting sun a stunning backdrop in shades of pink and gold. No one seemed inclined to end the evening, and by nine, she was feeling antsy. She needed the assurance of Jaden’s arms, needed him to tell her again this was real. But when would they have the chance to be together?

  As everyone was leaving, Laura looped an arm through hers.

  “Hon, my mom’s insisting I spend tonight with her at her hotel. I hope you won’t mind?”

  “Of course not. Try to get some rest—tomorrow’s a big day.”

  Her heart hammered in her chest as she got into the limo and pulled out her phone to text Jaden.

  I’m alone for the night.

  If her brother had any ideas about bunking with his best friend tonight, she really might have to kill him.

  She’d barely gotten back to her room when he knocked on her door. The moment she opened it, he swept her into his arms, pressing his full lips to hers. She melted into him, loving his taste, reveling in the way he commanded her mouth.

  He pulled back to gaze at her face. “What kind of gentleman would I be to leave a lady all alone?”

  “Not much of one, I hope.”

  “You sure, baby?”

  “It’s you, Jaden. I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”

  He stroked her cheek with his fingertips and said, “You are amazing.”

  The emotion in his eyes stole her breath. She couldn’t speak. All she could do was blink up at him, overcome.

  He took her in his arms, enveloping her in muscle and that earthy scent. When he nuzzled into her neck, her heart warred with the desire running through her like heat lightning.

  “Jaden, I need you. Please.”

  “Ah, Brie, you kill me, girl.”

  Holding her face in his hands, he kissed her more thoroughly than any man ever had, making her shiver. Making her wet. He quickly undressed them both, then pushed her down on the bed to cover her with his beautifully naked body. The hard length of his cock pressed against her stomach, and her pussy throbbed with heat, with need unmet for too many years.

  He paused once more to push himself up on one elbow. “Jesus, you’re beautiful,” he murmured, stroking her hair, her cheeks, her lips with his fingertips. “Why did we wait so long?”

  “I don’t know. I only know how much I need you.”

  It felt so right to finally say it to him.

  Growling, he leaned down to kiss her breasts, and her nipples were so hard they hurt. When he took one into his mouth, and then the other, it was such a sweet relief, yet only made them ache more. She arched her hips into him, then shifted so she could reach down between their bodies to take the weight of his cock in her hand.

  He pulsed in her palm as she began a slow, tentative stroke. She wanted to explore every inch of his skin, to learn his body so thoroughly she’d know he belonged to her. She satisfied herself by kissing his neck, breathing him in and savoring the flavor of his gorgeously dark skin.

  When he moaned, her entire body pulsed at the sound of his pleasure. Then he sat up and straddled her, watching her in a way that made her feel like the most desired woman alive. He caressed her breasts with gentle fingers that became more insistent moment by moment, his touch pure torture, her body heating impossibly. She was soaking wet, needy as hell, and she couldn’t help but squirm beneath him. She could see his cock now, standing proudly against his abdomen, so long and thick and hard as rock under the sleek skin.

  She began to stroke again, savoring his sharp, panting breath as his head fell back. He was so beautiful…

  She couldn’t wait any longer.

  Reaching up, she pulled him down to her, whispering, “I need you inside me, Jaden. Please.”

  How long had he waited to hear those words, to hear the rasp of desire in her voice?

  “I need that too, baby. But first I have to taste you. Lie back for me.”

  He slid down her gorgeous body, kissing her silken skin: her breasts, her belly, then lower, tracing his lips over her smooth mound. He moved lower still, and spreading her sweet flesh with his fingers, slid his tongue over the tip of her hard little clit.

  “I’ve gone to heaven, girl,” he murmured, his body humming with need for her flesh. “You taste like honey, like I knew you would.”

  He rubbed his fingers over her wet opening, teasing her, teasing himself, before he slipped one inside. And Lord, she was soft and tight and so damn wet he had to force himself not to come right then. Instead, he moved farther down, licking her slit, making a slow journey upward, then taking her clit in his mouth.

  “Ah, God, Jaden!”

  Her body shook as she came, so fast it left him reeling. But it wasn’t enough.

  “Again.”

  He pressed his fingers into her wet heat, found her G-spot, and began to pump, licking her until she came again in a torrent of delicious shivers and cries of pleasure. And he couldn’t wait—not one more damn minute.

  Reaching blindly to where his shorts lay in a heap on the floor, he grabbed a condom from a pocket. She helped him slide it over his cock then tried to pull him down to her, but he shook his head.

  “I need to see you.”

  She smiled, and he paused for several excruciating moments to drink in the sight of her before he pressed the head of his cock against her. Then he slid home. That was what she felt like—home.

  He pressed into her, and she met him, her hips arching, her gaze on his. And he’d never known this feeling, the sensation of her slippery heat along with the bursting in his chest, his pulse hot and racing.

  “Baby. I knew it would be good with you, but this…ah, God, Brie. You’re incredible. Even better than I dreamed.”

  “Jaden. Ah!” she gasped as he plunged deeper.

  Then it was a blur of sleek skin, pleasure shimmering, spiraling, the scent of sex, of her, like flowers and musk. He kissed her, and they panted into each other’s mouths as they moved, writhing together like the waves of the ocean outside the hotel windows.

  As his climax tore through him, she shivered and bucked beneath him, her sweet pussy clenching his cock. They came together, years of need and yearning joining them in a way he’d never experienced before.

  When it was over, he couldn’t seem to let her go. He rolled to one side, taking her with him, cradling her head on h
is shoulder. It was a long time before they caught their breath.

  He turned to kiss her hair. “That was amazing.”

  “Mmm, it was. Why did we wait so long, again?”

  He laughed. “Because I’m an idiot, remember?”

  “Oh yeah, that.”

  “Hey!”

  He tickled her, and she squirmed against him, laughing. Then he gave her sweet ass a few firm smacks, making her laugh again.

  “You do like that, don’t you, baby?”

  “Yes. More, please.”

  “Ah, we’ll definitely have to talk about that. Meanwhile, I hope you’re prepared to go again in a minute,” he said. “Okay, maybe five.”

  “Is that a rock star thing? You get famous and can get hard every five minutes?”

  “Nope. That’s a Brie thing, because you make me hard every five minutes.”

  “I think I can live with that.”

  Despite getting only a few hours of sleep, Brie made it to the hotel dressing room on time to help Laura get ready. Her night with Jaden buoyed her in a way coffee never could.

  Luckily, everyone assumed her happy glow had to do with her brother’s wedding—and she was happy about it. She was dying to tell someone, but Laura would have been her choice of confidante, and she didn’t want to upstage her or distract her on her special day.

  When the music started downstairs, the bride and bridal party were ready. Brie assured Laura once more that she looked perfect, then waited her turn to walk down the aisle. Stepping onto the runner, she breathed in the ocean air, keeping her gaze on Jaden standing at the altar next to her brother. And God, Jaden looked hot in his cream-colored suit and navy tie.

  At the altar, she lined up with the other bridesmaids and got caught up in the beautiful ceremony. Jaden sent her a private wink at one point, reminding her of last night, a night she’d never forget. But they hadn’t really talked about the future. After the bride and groom kissed and she joined the family for pictures, she couldn’t help but wonder if he really intended to be with her. Did one night prove anything? Had it really meant to him what it had to her?

  The day passed in a blur of dancing and champagne, speeches and happy tears, before Jaden finally found her for a dance. It was a slow ballad, and he held her close.