Con Man: Complete Series Box Set: A Bad Boy Romance (44 page)

Instead, he kept my arm tucked in the crook of his elbow and introduced me to everyone we saw. I felt like I was walking in a dream.

“Edward, I didn’t know you were seeing anyone.” A white-haired woman in an oversized ruby necklace looked down her nose at me. “I thought perhaps you were seeing Talia’s daughter.”

“Allison, this is Gabriella.”

Kendra often added phrases like “she’s a really talented writer” in a way that made me feel uncomfortable. She’d never really read anything I’d written so the white lie made me feel like I was not enough on my own.

Edward, on the other hand, simply introduced me as me and left it at that, like I was enough to be a singular name. He then steered me away with a confidence that said any other information was none of the obvious gossip’s business.

“People seem very interested in your dating life,” I said once we were out of earshot of his admirers.

“My mother is a patron here. These are actually tickets she gave me.”

I considered the question. “And were you supposed to bring Talia’s daughter?”

“Perhaps,” he said with a smile. “But then again I got lucky and you said yes.”

The house lights blinked and we returned to our seat. The rest of the show was romantic and tragic, just as I’d known it would be. We held hands again despite the obvious disapproval of Mrs. Allison Whitehair who was watching from her private box.

“Do you think she’s going to tattle on you?” I whispered, barely suppressing a laugh.

“Probably.” His breath tickled my ear.

“Will your mother be angry?” I asked, honestly curious.

“She could be.”

He turned to me with a mischievous smile. “If that’s the case, I should give her a reason to really be upset.” Then, without waiting another moment, he pulled me into a dramatic kiss. It started off theatrically and ended with a surprising amount of heat. When he set me back in my seat, an entire song had gone by and my heart felt like it was going to burst from my chest. I was breathless, my heart was racing and I had to consciously uncurl my hands from his arms.

The white-haired gossip might not have enjoyed the extra performance, but I didn’t care. The moment his lips had parted mine, I hadn’t been aware of anything but him. Not the people, the play, the music. Only the feel of his mouth moving against mine, the heat of his hands...

When the show was over, Paul was waiting outside with the door already open, as if he’d known we’d want to leave quickly. Once inside the car, Edward gathered me in close and three blocks went by before we surfaced from an even more thorough and intense kiss. My entire body was throbbing, my nipples hard and tight, aching against the strapless bra.

The pulsing between my legs was profound and it took all of my self-control to keep from grinding against him.

“We have reservations,” he said.

“Delicious.” I ran my fingers through his hair, wanting to see what it looked like mussed rather than professionally styled.

“Or we could send Paul for take-out.”

Hell, yes. I nodded and with a quick rap on the partition, Edward took us away from the glitz and glamour of downtown. When I looked out the window a few minutes later, my jaw dropped.

Living in New York City, it was easy to forget that some neighborhoods had trees. Not just the skinny little trees that sat in open circles in the concrete, but big trees with wide spreading branches. Trees that arched up and over the street. Streets that were lined with private homes bigger than my entire apartment building.

When we drove through tall wrought-iron gates to a palatial limestone mansion, I started to feel like a fairytale character again. I actually lost a golden heel on his expansive front steps. Running back to grab it, I realized I had not hallucinated. His house had not one but two turrets. I felt myself quickly going from feeling like I was in a fairytale to feeling completely out of place.

“You live in a castle?” I asked as he came back down to my side.

“It’s only temporary,” he said, his tone almost dismissive. “It’s a family home. I stay here while my own place is being remodeled.”

Edward must have sensed my sudden hesitation as he gave my hand a slight squeeze. “Don’t worry. We are all alone. My family only uses this place as a vacation home in the summer.”

With that said, Edward pulled me through the echoing foyer and into the snug warmth of a side room. I didn’t see much of the house as we went, too caught up in the feel of his hands on me, but I didn’t care. If it was between the house and the man, I knew which one I was choosing.

“This is my favorite room in the house.” He wrapped his arms around me from behind and nuzzled the spot under my ear. “We can relax here unless you want a tour?”

I shook my head, reluctantly stepping away from him. I needed a brief moment to gather myself and I took it by settling down on the buttery tan leather couch. A small fire flickered on the stone hearth and I wondered if he’d had someone start it for him. While I was wondering, Edward poured two crystal cut glasses of whiskey and handed me one before stretching out on the Persian rug in front of me. I tousled his light brown hair and we watched the fire as we sipped.

Somewhere in the cavernous foyer, a grandfather clock chimed and I wondered when I was going to turn into a pumpkin. Surely this was too much of a dream to last long. But even as minutes ticked by, Edward was still the same easy conversationalist with a sweet smile and a bright sense of humor. The whiskey and fire started to warm me inside and out and I relaxed.

As we talked about
Cleopatra
and laughed about our kiss in the theater, the heat between us began to build again. With his eyes on my face, he wrapped his fingers around my ankle. I stretched out my leg and waited to see what he was going to do. My breathing quickened as he slid his hand up my calf. He sat up, shifting his weight so that he could move his hand under my skirt, leaving fire burning across my knee and thigh. The hem dragged up along with his exploring hand, and he leaned down, kissing the skin he exposed. His eyes met mine as he paused above my knee, wordlessly asking for permission. I answered by lying back on the couch.

He trailed his mouth up my inner thigh and grazed the heat between my legs. I moaned as I ran both my hands through his hair. My back arched when he wet the thin fabric of my lace underwear with a long heavy lick of his tongue and he chuckled, a deep, manly sound that made my insides twist. He leaned back, one long finger pulling aside the crotch of my panties to gain better access.

“Ah!” I cried out as his tongue delved between my folds.

He worked over my clit before dancing down to my entrance, each pass making my legs tremble. When he took my clit between his teeth and lightly tugged, I keened, the sound coming from a place deep inside me. He slowly pushed one finger inside me, twisting his wrist as he did so and I tensed, feeling an orgasm building inside me.

He didn’t push me immediately over, instead taking his time to bring up slowly and when I came, it was with a harsh, desperate cry. My fingers tightened in his hair and I gasped out his name as he gave my clit another gentle tug with his teeth.

I came down slowly, my body shuddering as he continued to tease me. Unable to take it, I pulled on his head, drawing him up onto the couch to kiss me. The deep, exploring thrusts of his tongue were mirrored by the rubbing press of his growing hardness, and I could taste myself on his lips and tongue.

“I need you,” he said roughly. “Can I…?”

“Do you even have to ask?” I arched myself closer, so desperate now that I might have cried if he’d tried to pull away.

Edward broke away and got to his feet. He made short work of his shirt and then held out his hand.

I took it and let him help me to my feet. His hands slid over my shoulders, taking the straps of my dress with them.

“You know,” he said quietly. “The first time I saw this dress, I knew I wanted to see you in it.” He reached around and slowly pulled down the zipper. “And then I wanted to take you out of it.”

The words left me trembling even more and I stared at him, blushing even as I smiled while the dress dropped to the floor. It pooled around my bare feet and for a moment, Edward just stared at me. I went to take my bra off, but he caught my hands, guiding them to my sides and then he took over the task, opening the front catch.

I moaned when he cupped my breasts in his hands, his thumbs circling around my nipples. They were aching and tight and each touch felt so good. Arching into his touch, I reached out and gripped his shoulders.

Skilled hands slid down my ribcage to my hips and he hooked his fingers in the waistband of my panties. With his eyes blazing, he went to his knees and took my panties with him. I stepped out of them, balancing myself with my hands on his shoulders. He looked up at me and kissed the inside of my thigh before standing.

“My turn.” He took off his pants, the movements quick, but not rushed. I had a moment to admire the way his black boxer briefs hugged his body and then they were joining the pants.

His cock was rigid and my pussy throbbed, a clenching need settling deep inside at the sight of him. He drew me to him with both hands, running them down my bare back as we kissed and let our naked bodies touch. The slow tickling circles he traced on my ass made me moan. He answered with a deep guttural sigh before lowering me to the rug.

He took a brief moment to roll on a condom and then our bodies joined in one silky push and I curled my knees up on either side of his hips in pure pleasure. He moved slowly, circling before drawing out and then pressing back deep into the center of me. His lips and tongue made trails across my collarbone and breasts, little licks of fire before he fastened his mouth around my nipple. He sucked on it hard, sending an almost painful jolt straight through to my core. He waited as my climax came closer, my hands opening and closing on his back, urging him forward. I was right at the edge and I felt his body tighten.

“Are you ready?” he asked through gritted teeth. I could see the strain on his face.

I nodded. “Please.”

He shifted his hips as he thrust into me, hitting that spot inside me even as the base of his cock pressed against my clit. I called out his name, wrapping my legs around him to hold him as close as possible as his orgasm joined mine. Our bodies rocked together, drawing out every possible moment of exquisite pleasure.

Even after we came apart, we lay there in front of the fire until it was nothing but winking embers. I was curled up against him, both of us partially covered by a blanket he’d pulled from the couch.

The heat left me drowsy and languid, but I wouldn’t let myself sleep. I didn’t want to miss a moment of this. Every so often, he tipped the whiskey glass to my lips and we drank together in long, lingering kisses.

When the ivory-plated clock chimed two, I finally stood up. I needed to leave or I wouldn’t make myself leave at all.

He sent a quick message with his phone before pulling on his pants.

“You could stay if you wanted to,” he told me as I dressed.

I just shook my head as I picked up my shoes. We paused at the door and he kissed me again.

“Stay,” he murmured.

“Never before the third date.” I had to harden my reserve though.

He groaned, although it was a playful sound. He opened the door and escorted me down the steps. The town car was waiting with the door open. He must have sent Paul a message.

He caught my hand before I got into the car. “What are you doing Tuesday?”

“
Y
ou’re going
out with him again?”

I rolled my eyes at the disapproval in her voice. “I know it seems a little crazy, Kendra, but he’s wonderful. You’d like him.”

She slapped butter on the toast and left it on the counter untouched. Her light green eyes were flashing. “You don’t even know his last name and you’re seeing an awful lot of him.”

“You know,” I said mildly. “For someone who came home at three in the morning on a Monday night, wait, Tuesday morning, you sound awfully judgmental.”

Kendra gnashed into her slice of toast and tossed the other one down the counter at me. We ate in silence as the coffee finished brewing. I poured her a cup and turned to get the milk. I didn’t like arguing with her, but I was a little tired of her double standards. I’d never said anything about her dating habits.

“He’s totally distracted you from getting a job,” she said.

“That’s not true. He’s distracting me from the hell that is my job. I’m happy, K. Can I just be happy for a week?”

She took the coffee and kissed my cheek. “Fine. You can be happy until rent is due again.”

I was still a little annoyed, but I didn’t want to fight anymore. “You don’t know. Maybe Edward is just dating me because he can sense I’m the world’s next top hand model.” I said, trying to lighten the mood.

I knew she was stressing over the rent. I was, too. We’d put in another call about the landlord issue, but nobody had returned our call and if we didn’t hear from somebody soon, we were either going to have to pay the insane amount that was being asked or leave. It pissed me off because we knew we were being jerked around, but unless we could get somebody to talk to us, what were we supposed to do?

She grumbled under her breath and left to go shower and pack up. She had a photo shoot that was supposed to last most of the day and I needed to get to work too.

Just a couple of hours and I’d see Edward again. After a crazy week, I needed it.

* * *

P
sycho-boss was even more
psycho than normal. Even the people who normally fawned over her and kissed her psycho-boss ass were steering clear of her and when she left for lunch, I took my shot at escape, more than happy to head to my lunch date with Edward.

Instead of a restaurant, however, he’d asked me to meet him at Bethesda Fountain in Central Park. I smiled as I saw him coming towards me. He’d left his tie and suit coat in the car, but it was obvious he was coming straight from work. He lifted me up into a joyous kiss before he rolled up his sleeves and threaded my arm through his. We weaved through the tourists taking pictures and wandered further into the park.

“How’s work?” I asked.

“Same old. I have a big meeting this afternoon so I can’t stay too long.”

I tried not to feel too disappointed. “Then you better kiss me again.” I dragged him off the path and leaned up against an oak tree, pulling him towards me. He leaned into me and I wrapped my arms around his neck before our lips met again. The kiss was far too brief for my taste.

“Mmm,” he murmured against my neck. “I’m hungry.”

Teasingly, I said, “But you said you don’t have much time…and we can’t do
that
here.”

He chuckled and pulled away. “I meant food. Come on.”

“Since we don’t have much time, what do you suggest? Hot dog vendor?” I asked, looking around. The carts were everywhere.

“I have a better idea.” He led me around the tree to a clearing I hadn’t seen until that moment.

Paul waved to us from a blanket on an open spot on the grass. He’d spread out a perfect picnic lunch in view of the lake.

“Wow.” I breathed out a happy sigh. “That’s much better than a vendor.”

Once we settled onto the wool blanket, he opened the wine, handed it to Edward, and left us alone.

“You don’t want to talk about work and you have a driver who also delivers picnics.” I sipped my wine for a moment and then looked up at Edward, lowering my voice to a conspiratorial whisper. “Are you Batman?”

Edward chuckled. “More like Batman’s dutiful son who does all the boring work of keeping a family business afloat.”

“Ah, you’re right. The more you say ‘family business’ the more I know you must be in the mob.” I grinned at him.

“Again, far more exciting than what I do.”

He clinked his wine glass against mine and spread a bite of soft cheese on a chunk of baguette.

“Besides, I’d rather hear about your world.”

“You mean the glamorous world of writing pages for peanuts? The one where I once contemplated using toilet paper for a coffee filter because, after my rent was paid, I couldn’t afford to buy even the cheap ones?”

“Yes, that one,” Edward said with a smile. “The one where you love the actual work despite everything else. Including toilet paper coffee.”

He popped a bite of salami in my mouth and I sucked his fingers before savoring the salty bite. He licked his lips and moved in closer. Feeling something like Cleopatra, I took a taste of briny olive from his fingers. He rubbed the other half along my lower lip and then bent to kiss its taste from my mouth. I could get used to eating this way.

The next few minutes passed in a lazy, sensual silence and I felt the stress of the morning passing away.

“I have to go soon, but please say we can meet for dinner.” Edward brushed his fingers across my cheek as he spoke.

“Yes, please,” I said.

“This doesn’t bother you?”

“What?” I gave him a puzzled look.

“I know I’m moving us a little fast, but I can’t help it. If I didn’t have this meeting I would want to spend the whole day with you.” There wasn’t a trace of insincerity in his voice.

“I don’t understand why people think all relationships follow the same timeline,” I said. “Some start fast and some take years to develop.”

Without meaning to, my mind jumped to the firework blast of Flynn. I had to remind myself it was a fling, not a relationship. No matter how much I tried to stop it, he kept coming to mind and the flash of him always made my heart thump.
Stop it
, I told myself, adding in a mental kick in the ass.

Those two were on total opposite ends of the spectrum.

On the good side was Edward, sitting next to me on the blanket. He whispered questions in my ear about the people we saw in the park and we sipped our wine and laughed as I made up back-stories. The good was us feeding each other creamy bites of Brie cheese and sweet red grapes in between shared smiles, and it would’ve been just as good if the food had been cheap cheddar and crackers.

The bad was the burst of heat I felt when a man walked by with a camera. My cheeks flared as I remembered the teasing pressure of Flynn’s fingers inside me, the flood of pleasure as he’d slowly pulled them out and rubbed me until I’d panted. How he’d felt filling me. The bad was the way he’d jerked his head to the bathroom, telling me I could clean up, collect my cash and get out, thanks, bye. The embarrassment of it
still
stung.

“Don’t let the wine go to your head,” Edward said, mistaking the pink in my cheeks for something else.

I wasn’t about to correct him. “I’m not the one that has a meeting to go to.” I reminded him.

“Speaking of that.” He sighed. “I have to go. Dinner? Tonight?”

“Yes and yes.”

“Meet me at The Lotus?” he asked. “I’ll send Paul to pick you up.”

I agreed and we went our separate ways. I picked up my pace, trying to outrun the remembered passion with Flynn.

I’d just had a lovely picnic with Edward and we’d spent the other night together, perfect, romantic and sexy. He’d walked me to the door, asked me, wistfully, if I could spend the night. Then he had kissed me until my toes curled.

Yet my body warmed at the thought of Flynn putting down his camera with lust bright in his dark blue eyes.

I shook my head and walked faster. For once, I hoped work could keep me too busy to think.

* * *

L
ater that night
, Edward stepped out of a taxi and joined me under the Taj Mahal crowned awning. He looked rumpled and tired, still in the same suit from earlier. Still, he gave me a smile and a kiss.

“How about take out?” I asked.

He gave me a grateful look. “You are a dream come true.”

He had Paul take our order and we lounged in the town car while we waited.

“Work was that bad, huh?” I asked.

“Not work, family. Sometimes it’s like trapping wild dogs in a room. You’re trying to feed them, be nice to them, and all they do is snarl and nip.”

“Your meeting was with your family?” I asked.

“They’re board members so I have to include them. We even had to wait for one to conference call from Amsterdam. Impossible. Just one of the reasons no one else will take the job.” He craned his head on the back of the seat and gave me a tired smile. “Tell me about your day, Gabriella.”

I shrugged and said, “What do you want to hear? About psycho-boss’s latest rampage?”

His eyes lit with humor. “Yes.”

So I told him, happy to see some of the strain leaving his eyes.

We made small talk until we got to Edward’s house. Once there, I spread the Indian food out on the sideboard in his study while he started a fire. The air wasn’t cold, but we both enjoyed the cozy fireplace. I piled up two plates and he poured two glasses of wine. We sat side by side on the floor and dug in. I wanted to ask him more about work, but he sidestepped it and we ended up arguing about the best movies of the eighties.

“I love this,” he said suddenly.

“What?” I asked, surprised. “Debating bad movies?”

“No,” he said with a smile. “I love the fact that we can sit here for an entire meal without music, television, or other people and there’s never an awkward silence.”

I paused for as long as I could before I asked, “You mean like that one?”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m serious, Gabriella, I don’t think I’ve ever dated someone who was such a perfect match.”

He leaned over and kissed me, a soft kiss at first. A soft kiss that quickly became something filled with fire and passion. It wasn’t hurried though. This time, he slowly undressed me, leaving a trail of searing kisses after each removed article of clothing. When I was completely naked, he lifted me onto the couch to straddle his lap. With his arms around my waist, he rocked me up and down against his dress pants until we were both wet from my arousal and his cock was straining against his zipper. Teasing my nipples with his tongue, he fumbled with his pants.

“Darling,” he gasped. “Wait, I need...”

“I’m on the pill.” I reached down to cup his hardness through his pants. “And I’m clean.” I locked eyes with him. “Are we good?”

He nodded wordlessly, then groaned as I freed his cock from its confines. I slipped down on him, turned on by the texture of his clothes against my bare body. It heightened the slick skin on skin where our bodies joined and his hands guided me. “That’s it,” he murmured, bringing one hand up to cup my breast. “Harder…faster…”

He threw his head back, the hand at my breasts almost painful.

His cock swelled and I shuddered, feeling myself locking down around him, tightening as my orgasm moved closer.

I whimpered and fell forward, the angle changing and now each movement had me rubbing my clitoris against him and it was so,
so
good. “Come for me, Gabriella,” he said against my neck, scraping his teeth against my skin.

His thumb circled my nipple and I tensed.

Inside me, the head of his cock passed over my G-spot and I broke, coming around him hard and fast. As though he’d been waiting for just that, he started to drive up into me, each movement quicker and rougher than before.

Three strokes later and he was right there with me, groaning out my name as he climaxed.

Long, breathless moments passed, his hands smoothing up and down my back. I smiled dreamily against his chest when I heard the ragged sound of his heartbeat, slamming in a rhythm that echoed mine.

“Please tell me you can stay tonight.”

“Hmmm…” I turned my face into his neck. “It
is
the third date.”