Him Her Them Boxed Set (27 page)

Look at that smarmy smile. Just makes me sick how he looks at her. Like he's going to have her for dinner and dessert. Italian scumbag. Everyone seems to be fooled by this charlatan and his greasy ways. Am I the only one who can see what a fool he really is? I'm going out on the deck, this party is nauseating.

The icy breeze hits me as I step out on the cement balcony and shut the sliding glass door behind me. I start to walk over to the green padded wooden deck chair in the corner when I notice something move. Oh god, it's a person. I jump back in shock as the features resolve in the dimness.

"Pierce?"

"Hey Corbin. Josephine didn't send you out here to look for me did she?"

I look back into the warm glow of the apartment to see Jos a helpless sucker like the rest vying for the Italian's ear.

"No, she is fully occupied like the rest."

I turn back and take the seat across from Pierce. It's warmer than I thought but I realize there is a warming lamp next to us which helps a lot.

"What are you doing out here? This is your holiday party."

"Yeah, I just have to get away from Josephine. She is fine most of the time, but when there are people around or she is tired or hungry, oh who am I kidding she isn't fine most of the time. Most of the time she is an emotional roller coaster ride. I love her but I swear this baby has transformed her personality. I really want the old Josephine back. I get glimpses of her from time to time, but each week I see less and less of it."

I laugh. Poor Pierce. He never realized it isn't just the woman who has to endure when it comes to pregnancy.

"Well, hopefully in a little over a month's time you will have the woman you married back."

"Speaking of marriage, what's this I hear you asked Luna to marry you before she left to be with her dad?"

How did he hear about that? Luna must have told Jos. I really didn't want that to get out. It hurt enough when she said no. I had wanted to propose for so long, but when her father got sick I just thought it wasn't the right time so I kept putting it off. Watching her at the airport I realized there was never going to be a right time, so I just did it. When she said no, well, I still haven't gotten over THAT. Which what makes watching her boss, Geo, make googly eyes at her as she gives them back in spades all the more nauseating.

"Oh, you heard about that huh?"

Pierce is scooting up in his seat to clap his hand on my shoulder.

"Yeah, well why didn't you tell me?"

"Because she said no. I really didn't want anyone to know."

I am watching my beer bottle swing like a pendulum in my hand between my legs, praying this conversation turns.

"Come on man, don't do that. I'm not one of your acquaintances that you have to put up your front for. It's me, Pierce. The guy who was there at your parents' funeral. The guy whose mother has pretty much adopted you as her own -- and I get the feeling you're her favorite."

He winks at me while giving me a pat on the back. We are silent for a moment and I suspect he's remembering the days before the funeral. When my life was perfect and I was one of those young twenty-something guys who didn't know how good they had it. Goofing off and never taking anything seriously. The funny thing is that you just never know when your whole world will shatter in an instant. When you get a call on a sunny Sunday afternoon from some rookie police officer who doesn't know what they are doing and blurts out that your parents were in a four car pileup on Interstate 95 and didn't make it. I can still hear the screams from the others in the wreck in the background.

Everything changed that day. I changed. I grew up and realized it's best to keep people at a distance or you might just lose them. But it was a beautiful strawberry blond that made me realize that I was only living a painfully lonely life. Sure I had dated women, but once they got too close, I bolted. But Luna was different. I never once wanted to leave and I sure as hell never wanted her to leave me.

"I'm still surprised Josephine ever agreed to marry me. But Luna, man I thought for sure you two would be down the aisle before us."

Pierce's words knock me from my memories. I shake out a small laugh trying to hide my displeasure with the topic of conversation.

"You and me both. Well, I guess we were both wrong. And now she has a suave Italian to help her forget."

Pierce looks inside and shakes his head. He starts to laugh loudly and turns back to me.

"Corbin, that man in there you never have to worry about Luna falling for. She is smart; she picked you, didn't she? So, she has brains and from what Josephine has told me she is something of a romantic. Therefore, Mr. Italian Player in there has no chance. Sure he is good looking and has charm, but she knows he likes the ladies a little too much."

"If you say so."

I still don't fully believe Pierce the way I see Luna look at Geo.

"Look, Corbin. I'm going to ask you a question and I want you to answer me honestly. Okay?" Pierce leans into my face, his question frosting the air inches from his nose.

"Sure."

"Hypothetically speaking, if Josephine and I and you and Luna had never met and I was still wooing all the ladies, do you think if I had met Luna in some club she would have agreed to go home with me? Now this is the old me we are talking about."

I think about it for a second, but know I don't have to ponder the question too long.

"No, absolutely not. Luna would never have fallen for the Pierce charm."

I expected Pierce to be a little hurt by this, but he seems pleased by my answer.

"And why is that, Corbin? Because I remember never having a woman say no to me."

I laugh, almost spitting out beer.

"Because you were a player and Luna would never fall for a player...oh I see where you are going with this. Is this a first? Pierce is giving me advice! I never thought I would live to see the day where Pierce Carver would actually be giving me advice about women? At least, when it does not involve sexual mechanics."

He hits me hard on the back but we are both laughing. Pierce is right -- at least I hope. I look over into the living room and it appears Lothario is leaving. He is kissing hands amid a chorus of giggles I can hear through two panes of plate glass.

"I'm going back inside, Pierce. Do you want me to tell Jos where you are?" I ask with a chuckle.

"Don't you dare. If I'm lucky she won't even know I am here the rest of the night. Then I can defrost curling up to her in bed. Corbin, did you know, when women are pregnant they turn into human heaters? The colder I get out here, the more bearable sleeping next to her will be."

I wink at him and tell him I'll let her know where he is. Shutting the glass door right before a large green pillow comes flying in my direction smacking the glass and not my face.

I turn around right in time to see Geo plant a kiss on Luna's cheek. My heart feels like it's about to explode. I want to punch something, preferably Italian made. I can hear him yelling "Ciao" to everyone before he turns the corner to the entranceway and the sound of the door closing echoes in my ear. Good riddance.

Before I realize what I am doing I have marched over to Luna and grab her arm, yanking her with me.

"Corbin what are you doing?"

"We need to talk."

"Fine, but let go of my arm."

I release it and turn to see her look at me in confusion and a little fearful. She shakes her head and points in the direction of her room. We walk in and I close the door behind me, locking it so no one interrupts us.

She stops in the middle of the room and turns to me with anger flashing across her face.

"What is this all about Corbin? I don't see you for most of the party, but when I do you are dragging me away like some caveman. I don't get it. Is something wrong?"

I walk straight up to her, a mere inch or two separating us. Her floral scent fills my nostrils with each breath. I want to pull her into me, hug her, kiss her, run my hands over every inch of her body, but I just stand looking down at her. Her gaze is cast to my chest as it moves back and forth with every intake of her sweet scent.

"He kissed you." My voice is low and deep. I'm not angry anymore, just hurt and confused.

"What are you...you mean Geo?"

She raises her head to meet my gaze and I can't help but stare at her lips. It's been a week but I swear I can still taste her.

"Yes."

"He just kissed me on the cheek. He's Italian; they kiss on cheeks over there. It didn't mean anything Corbin. And even if it did, that's none of your business."

Her words have a hint of outrage but her expression mirrors my own. It's true, I don't have the right to ask, but I don't care, I still love her.

"I'm sorry Luna, but I just have to know if you two are...together."

Luna's eyes fall to the floor and she steps away from me, turning to walk over to the large window near the rocking chair. Stopping to look out at the darkened night, the twinkling city, she folds her arms.

"No, we are not together. He is my boss and I would never do anything to jeopardize my position as his assistant. This job is important to me and I am learning a lot."

I walk up and am right behind her. I know she sees me in the reflection as her eyes meet mine and her body shudders. Her hair is up in a twist and my fingers lightly trace her neck, where it meets her shoulder.

"So, if he wasn't your boss, you would be with him?"

I can't stop. It's none of my business I know, but I don't want her to be attracted to him.

"Why is that even a question? He's attractive and has obvious charm, but he's a big flirt. You know me Corbin, I prefer men who only have eyes for me."

I lean down to whisper in her ear.

"I know."

She moans and my resolve has shattered into a million pieces. My lips are on her neck while my hands grab her hips, pulling her full ass back into me. The sounds of the soft grey wool of her skirt brushing up against my dark pants mingles with the thump of my heart in my ears. She feels so good.

Luna reaches her hand back to my head, pulling me further into her. I groan and my kisses turn to nibbles as I twist her to face me. Her greenish blue eyes have darkened with lust. She has the look that causes my heart to clench and cock to twitch. I reach down and slowly pull her skirt up until my hand is cupping her ass cheek. She squeals as I squeeze the soft, lace-covered flesh.

As much as I want to kiss her lips, taste her once more, watching her has always captivated me. Everything she thinks and feels opens wide for me as it displays on her face. But my gaze makes the mistake of watching her soft pink lips which call me closer until I fall deep, unable to resist sampling. The warm sweetness is a welcome relief, relaxing me into her as my muscles begin to stiffen.

Her hands reach into my hair and slip to my neck sending shivers down my spine. Luna is so soft, warm, enticing, propelling my hand to reach down underneath her panties. She is so wet causing me to groan in satisfaction. I do this to her, she wants me!

I pull my lips from hers unable to hold in my words.

"God Luna, you are so wet."

She nuzzles my neck and whimpers as I fist the slick lacy material and tug, rubbing her clit. God, what I want to do to her. My other hand removes the clip holding up her hair and I watch as it falls, flowing down her back.

I can't stop myself now. I grab her thighs and lift her, bringing her to the edge of the bed. She falls back with a lazy look in her eyes. Removing my blazer and tossing it aside, I unbutton and roll up my sleeves to prepare to make her cry out my name.

My hands make quick work of removing her skirt, panties and shoes.  As I rest my gaze on the glistening lips of her sex my voice takes over.

"Take off your top Luna."

She shimmies out of her cream blouse leaving only her matching lace bra. Luna lifts to reach in back to remove her bra but I stop her.

"No. Leave your bra on. Just push the lace back and play with your nipples."

My gaze flickers back and forth as her hands mold to her breasts, her back arching in delight.

Fuck.

I bite her inner thigh and she yelps which turns into a groan. My fingers slip into her folds, sliding back and forth over clit and then plunging deep inside her. Luna moans and her vibrating sounds propel me forward. I have to taste her as my tongue reaches out with a slight flick. She tenses and I know I won't be here long even though I want to spend my days between her thighs.

I add another finger and start to pump while I kiss and nip, my tongue dancing to make her scream. Her body starts to tremble as her voice goes high pitched. I know she's close when she becomes my kitten. Luna's hands are knotted in my hair, pulling me closer.

I'm lost in the sweet spicy scent as her core tightens around my fingers and she calls out my name.

"God Corbin. Oh god!"

Her orgasm is long and consuming. I lightly kiss and caress as her body shivers until I hear her moans subside.