Next August (8 page)

I gape at him. I want to dislike what he just did, but it was so damn hot. There’s throbbing between my legs. The elevator doors open. How am I supposed to walk out of here after what he just did to me?

My first step falters. He catches me and laughs. I regain my composure and straighten my shoulders.” You are not one bit funny.”

He takes my hand and walks me out.

The gala room is decorated in all white. Elegant chandeliers cover the ceiling. Flowers and candles add to the glamor and sophistication. I suddenly feel very uncomfortable. August’s choice of a dress would have been more fitting. I feel underdressed in comparison to the women around me. Everyone, male and female, watches August pass by. Several of the women can’t resist touching him, or kissing his cheek. He grips my hand as we walk to the front table. A woman with long black hair stops him and whispers something in his ear. He smiles but doesn’t say anything back to her. She slides a card into his pocket.

He introduces me to a few people, but he keeps me snuggly tucked into his side as he talks. A small orchestra plays softly in the background as he pulls out my chair. I can’t help but fidget. Suddenly, I fully understand the phrase “a fish out of water.”

August places his hand on my thigh and leans into me.” Stop squirming. You look absolutely stunning.” I feign a smile at him and try to relax.

The crackle of a mic behind me startles me.

“Relax, Nash,” he whispers.

The gentleman behind the mic begins his speech.” I would like to thank August Rylan for making tonight happen.” He goes on to talk about Rylan Designs and all of its accomplishments this year, and their plans for the future. Then he gets to the interesting parts.

“Mr. Rylan contributes annually to scholarships for nurses. Every year, he personally selects four deserving students for a scholarship. Not only does he pay for their schooling, he pays each of them a salary as long as they are in school. And his company provides each of them with a vehicle.

August holds my hand under the table.” I hate this part. I wish they would just move on.”

“You should be proud. They are,” I whisper.

“Not only does he contribute to these bright young people. He supports Mothers Against Drunk Driving all over the country. He recently finished building a state of the art building for an alcohol abuse rehab center, right here in Seattle. He has four additional sites slated to open later this year in different parts of the country.”

I glance at August and he looks embarrassed. He really is a good person, so why doesn’t he want people to know? He stands up and takes the mic from the presenter.” That’s enough about me.” He turns to the crowd and smiles. He thanks all of his employees for all of their accomplishments. He takes nothing for himself. It’s all about the people that work for him.

When he is done applaud rolls around the room. He sits beside me again and kisses my cheek. I notice sneers and rolling eyes from other women around me. I look at those beautiful woman, and wonder why me?

A waiter sets down a silver rimmed plate in front of us.” You’re thinking too much.” August rubs the crease in my brow.” Stop it.”

After we eat the band starts playing and couples wander onto the dance floor.

August asks me to dance, so I take his hand and follow him. His arms around me finally make me relax. We move around the floor easily, and I almost forget there are other people here. Our eyes are locked on each other. His smile is beautiful. The song slows and I feel a hand on my shoulder. It’s the woman with the long black hair. The one who slipped the card in his pocket.” Would you mind if I dance with the man of the hour?” she asks.

“My dance card is full tonight,” August tells her and sweeps me away from her. Her jealous eyes pierce me.

When the song finishes, August puts his arm around my waist and ushers me through the crowd to a balcony. He asks the people that are enjoying the view to give us a minute. They do as he asks and he shuts the doors behind them.

His walks toward me, and I’m reminded of a tiger on the prowl. His muscles flex through his tux. I lick my lips. I know his intent. He pushes me in a corner out of the view of the door. His lips are on mine, and he hikes my leg over his hip.

“You are fucking beautiful. Don’t ever doubt yourself in front of me again.”

I taste his anger at me with each stroke of his tongue. One hand is holding the back of my neck. His other hand finds its way inside my dress and caresses my breast. My nipples are hard. I find his zipper and release him. He lets go long enough to put a condom on his daunting length. His breath releases in a hiss as he thrust into my slick folds. He goes so deep that I gasp. He doesn’t stop. He trusts several more times and then changes his position.

You.

Are.

Fucking.

Beautiful.

He says with each thrust. His words send me into a seemingly endless orgasm, and that in turn sends him off the edge.

We stayed connected until our breathing slows. This was a different type of sex for me. I almost felt like I was being punished. If that’s the case, he can punish me anytime.

“Are you okay?” He asks as he kisses me.

“I like your brand of sex. I’ve never been with anyone like you.” I kiss him lightly.” Were you mad at me?” I whisper.

“Yes. I don’t ever want you to doubt yourself.”

“What happened to taking it a little slower?”

“Fuck slower. You drive me crazy. I’m angry at you for not wearing the dress I bought you.” He kisses me again.” But I’m also glad you are in this one.”

“It was too much August. Not just the cost, it just wasn’t me. I don’t want you buying my clothes. I don’t want you to make me into something that I’m not. Do you understand?”

“I’ll try to understand.”

“Thank you.” I shiver.

“Are you cold, baby?”

“A little.”

He pulls out of me and disposes of the condom in his pocket. He removes his tux jacket and drapes it around me.” I think we should both hit the restroom to clean up.” He takes my hand and leads me inside. Woman watch as we move through the room. Surprisingly, I’m not embarrassed at all. I hold my chin up high as to if to say,
yes, ladies he’s mine and you can’t have him.

I finish up in the bathroom and wash my hands. I wrap his jacket around me and put my hand in the pockets. I feel the card that woman placed in his pocket. I pull it out. It has a club name on it.
Discreet Sexual Encounters
. It has a time and date filled out on it. She signed it, “I can’t wait to meet up with you again.”

I feel all the blood drain from my face. He belongs to a sex club, and he has been with that woman. I run back into the bathroom stall because I’m afraid I’ll throw up. What the hell have I gotten myself into? I’m so stupid to think this rich hot man would just be a nice guy. Shit. I have to get out of here.

I wash my face and head for the door. I stand outside until I see a glimpse of August. His back is to me, and he is talking to a couple. This might be my only chance to get out of here without him seeing me. I walk along the outside wall until I make it out of the ballroom, and then I’m all but running in my high heel shoes. I would give anything to have my boots on right about now. I make it to the elevator and the bellhop recognizes me and lets me in. He tries to make small talk, but I remain quiet. The elevator ride to the top seems to take forever.

I rush out with my key in my hand. I change into jeans and a t-shirt and tennis shoes. I pack my bags and head to the door. I have no idea where I am going or how I am going to get there, I just know I need to leave. I turn the doorknob, and August is standing on the other side of the door.

CHAPTER TEN

August

Her bags are in her hands.” Why are leaving?” It makes no sense to me. I thought we were having a great time.

“I don’t belong here.”

I take her shoulders and walk her backward into the suite. “I thought we just dealt with this. I don’t understand. I was frantic when the bellhop called me and told me you looked upset. What happened?” I try to touch her but she steps away. I’m at a loss. A few minutes ago I had her in my arms and now she won’t even let me touch her.

She puts her bags down and walks over to my tux jacket. She reaches in and pulls out a card and hands it to me.

“Where did you get this?” I ask.

“That woman with the long black hair that tried to cut in on our dance put it in your pocket.”

“Fuck.”

“Exactly,” she says and laughs. “A lot of fucking.”

“I’ve told you to watch your mouth.” I rake my hands through my hair.” It’s not what you think.”

“It looks pretty clear to me!”

“Please sit down so we can talk about this like adults.”

She dramatically plops onto the couch.

I sit down beside her, but she scoots over to put distance between us.

“This was before you. I haven’t been with this woman since the day you and I met.”

“You expect me to believe that?”

“Look, you don’t understand. Woman throw themselves at me all the time. I’m a wealthy bachelor. They don’t see me. They see the money. I joined this private club because everyone that belongs is rich and in the same boat. There are no attachments and no strings, just sex.”

She stares at me with those big blue eyes. She’s fighting tears.” I met you and all of that changed for me. I have never felt a connection with a woman until you. You don’t care about my money. You see me.” I reach for her hand and she lets me hold it.

“I think you only let me see what you want me to see,” she says.” There are truths that you cover up.” She cocks her head at me.” Why do you hide the good parts, like your scholarships and how you help strangers beat alcohol abuse?”

I release her hand and walk over to the dark view of the city. I feel her behind me.” I’m not a good man, Nash.”

She wraps her arms around my waist.” I don’t believe that. I heard all of the nice things your employees said about you. They respect you. I don’t think they could respect a bad man. I don’t think I could have fallen so hard and fast for a bad man.”

I turn in her embrace at her words.” I promise I have not been with anyone since I laid eyes on you. I want no other woman like I want you.”

“I guess that is the real issue. I don’t understand. Why me? You could have any one of those beautiful women. They are in the same class as you.”

“You were the most beautiful woman in that room. You’re real. Most of those women wouldn’t know real if it hit them in the face. I can’t impress you with my money. I buy you something and you send it back.”

“I don’t want things from you August. I just want you. I want your heart.”

“All of this comes with me.”

“And all the simple things come with me. So, we either learn to compromise or walk away.” She pulls out of my arms and I pull her back.

“I don’t want to walk away from you. You make me feel things I’ve never felt.”

“Then I suggest you cancel your membership to your sex club.”

“Easy enough. I don’t have any desire to go.”

“I don’t expect you to have never been with any other woman before me. I just don’t like it thrown in my face, and I hope I never see that woman again.”

I kiss her softly.” Wait. Does that mean you’ve been with other men before me?” I try to tease her to lighten the mood.

“I…. um….”

“I don’t care who you’ve been with, but you’re mine now. There will be no other man touching what is mine.”

She smiles.” Yours, huh?”

“Yes. Mine.”

“I don’t know…what do you have to offer me?” She asks as she walks toward the bedroom. She peels off her t-shirt and bra and throws it at me.

“Oh, baby. I am so glad you asked.” I strip as I chase her into the room. She is standing naked on the far side of the king-sized bed. Her eyes are dilated and her nipples are begging for my mouth on them. She crawls across the bed and pulls me toward her.

“Show me what you got.” I lay her down and part her legs. I have been imagining my beard between her legs, so now is my chance. I waste no time finding that spot that drives her wild. I love the sounds she makes as I lick and suck on her. Her fingers tighten in my hair. I feel her climbing to her climax. I love making her lose her control. Her breathing comes in pants, and I feel her tense. My fingers dig into her hips to hold her in place. Then I hear her scream out my name. It makes me so hard. I can’t wait to plunge into her warmth.

She pulls me up to her and devours my mouth. I love that she gives as good as she gets.” Please, I need to feel you inside me.”

“I have a lot more to give you, baby.” I kiss her.

“Save your magnificent skills for another time. I just want you to fuck me right now.”

This is one time I don’t mind her dirty little mouth.” I have to get a condom.”

“Don’t you dare move. I’m on the pill.”

“I think you just made my cock harder.”

“Just shut the hell up and put it inside of me.”

“You are a bossy little thing. I think it’s time to teach you who is in control of your orgasms.” I roll her over and raise her behind in the air. Her head falls to the bed. I slowly enter her for the first time without a condom. She feels tight and glorious. I inch my way in and she arches her back. I place my hand in the center of her back and change her position slightly and then I slam into her. She lets out a pure scream of pleasure. I continue thrusting in and out of her until we both climax together, breathless.

☀

My morning starts too early with the phone ringing. I ease out of bed. I don’t want to wake Nash. She’s sleeping naked on her belly. I find my pants and fish my phone out of the pocket.

“What?” I answer as I leave the bedroom suite.

It’s Wayne, my security guru. “Sorry to call you so early, sir, but I finally got a lead on your threatening call the other day. It was the young man’s father. We have pictures of him outside of the Royal Hotel last night.”

“Shit. I don’t want him anywhere near Nashville. Do you know where he is now?”

“No, sir. We didn’t see the video until this morning. He was in a taxi. I’m trying to track down the Uber driver to find out where he picked him up.”

I scrape my hands down my scratchy face.” Okay, keep me posted.”

“Is something wrong?” Nash is wrapped in a sheet, walking toward me.

I wrap my arms around her.” Nothing for you to worry your pretty little head about.” I kiss the top of her head.

“Mmmmm…. Your arms feel so good around me.”

“I’ll order us some breakfast and coffee.”

“Sounds good. I’m going to get in the shower. Do you want to join me?” She pulls away.

“As tempting as you are, I really need to make some phone calls.”

She drops her sheet and sashays her ass into the bedroom. She is going to kill me.

☀

“Wake up sleepy head. The plane has landed.” I rub her arm. She slept the entire flight home.

“If someone wouldn’t have kept me up all night trying to prove his skills, I wouldn’t be so tired. And sore.”

“Now you’ll remember who owns you every time you move,” I say, and she playfully swats me on the leg.

“You’ll know who really has control when I show you my teeth.” She chomps her teeth together.

“Remind me to not let you near my boy parts,” I say and laugh.

When we get to the house, Stella has dinner waiting on us. We share an easy dinner together, talking and laughing.

“August, I really should go to my apartment tonight,” she finally says.

“Please stay. I have to fly out again in the morning, so I won’t see you until Tuesday night.”

“Okay. Just let me call Anna and let her know I won’t be home.”

“Meet me on the couch when you’re done. We can watch a movie.” I kiss her and watch her fine ass leave the room. I have fallen for this woman so hard. I even debate skipping out on work tomorrow.

☀

She bounces down on the couch beside me. I squeeze her knee. “How did it go with Anna?”

“She said she barely even missed me. She hooked up with some of her friends and they partied all weekend.” She cuddles next to me.” What are we watching?”

“What do you prefer? I’m not really into television.”

“Are you kidding me? Then why do you have a massive TV?”

“I had to have something fill the space on the wall,” I say, laughing.

“In all my excitement this weekend, I forgot to tell you about your dad.”

“I have already checked on him. Can we please not talk about him tonight?”

“Okay, but it’s good news.” She smiles up at me.

“Catch me up this week.”

“I have an idea.” She sits straight up.” Let’s go swimming in that big pool of yours. Or do you not really swim, you just needed to fill in that backyard of yours?”

“No swimsuits allowed.” I get up and race her through the door. We both strip out of our clothes and dive in. I grab her and pull her under, and I kiss her. We both come up out of air and sputtering. When she catches her breath she starts laughing. God, I love her laugh. I love everything about her. She splashes me out of my thoughts.

“Come here.” To my utter shock, she actually does as she is told. She wraps her legs around me and I just hold her. Neither one of us moves.

“Exactly how sore are you?” I say in her ear.

She laughs at me.” You are insatiable.”

“When it comes to you I can’t get enough. I want my hands on you all the time.”

“Our schedules aren’t conducive for your hands to be on me all the time.”

“I know, but now that you’re living here, I can touch you every night.”

“What are you doing this weekend?”

“I’m flying up to see my parents. I need to sort out exactly what their financial needs are so I can plan how much money to send them.”

“Let me know. I’ll get you the money they need.”

“I appreciate the offer August, but the deal was I would take the job so that
I
can help them. You can’t just pay off their debt. This is my problem.” She swims to the step.

“I consider anything that is your problem, my problem.” I swim after her.

“You’ve been generous enough in my pay. For what I’m doing, I’m highly overpaid already.”

“Do you have any idea how much money I have?”

“No, and I don’t want to know. Your money has nothing to do with me.” She points her finger at me.” Find some charity to give your money to, not me.”

I bite at her finger.” You are one stubborn woman.” I let it go for now and kiss her. I pick her up out of the water and carry her to the cabana and lay her on the chaise lounge chair. I know she complained of being sore, so I took the next hour and just worshiped her body and made love to her. When we were done, I curled her in my arms and carried her to my bed. No woman has ever slept in my bed, and now I never want this woman out of it. I watched her for hours as she blows out soft puffs of air, all curled into her pillow. How did she get to me so easily? She makes me lose control of my thoughts. I fall asleep happy for the first time in a long time.