Authors: L. P. Dover,Melissa Ringsted,Eden Crane
Tags: #Literature & Fiction, #Romance, #Romantic Suspense, #Self-Help, #Relationships, #Love & Romance, #Health; Fitness & Dieting, #Mystery & Suspense, #Suspense
When all were untied, he ripped it off my body and threw it on the floor. “Finally,” he snapped with a smirk on his face. Bending down, he flicked a nipple with his tongue before closing his lips around it, sucking it greedily. Desire shot through my veins and the heat of it coursing through my body made my clit swell and ache to be touched. As if he read my mind, Brett rubbed the tip of his still hard erection up against my folds.
“How bad do you want me inside of you?” he asked, still licking my taut nipples. “Do you want it hard or slow tonight?”
Moaning, I lifted my head and arched my back. “Hard, and I want it now.”
Brett’s deep throated chuckle echoed throughout the room at the same moment he pinned me to the bed with his weight. Grasping my face in his hands, he leaned down and bit my bottom lip, making me gasp. “Then that’s what you’ll get,” he added huskily.
Plunging deep and hard, Brett not only fucked me with his cock, but with his tongue as well. His hips moved frantically against mine and I countered his movements by rocking my hips along with his. Our bodies glided across the bed, all slick and wet from both sweat and desire. His arms caged me in to his body and he towered over me like I was nothing but a small animal. I wanted more; I had to have more.
Wrapping my legs around his waist, I tilted my hips higher so I could get more of him in me. He was so large that I knew he couldn’t get it all in at times, but I needed it. I wanted to know he was completely in me.
“Harder, Brett. I want it all,” I cried.
Brett pulled back to peer into my eyes. “Are you sure? I don’t want to hurt you,” he said softly, wiping the sweaty hair off my forehead.
“Yes, I’m sure. I want you to go deeper,” I assured him. “I need to feel all of you.”
Lifting my knees, he tilted my hips up and pushed himself inside me until I could feel his balls up against my ass. He was all the way in and I felt euphoric with his body filling me up, stretching me with his length. “Is this what you wanted?” he growled low.
Faster and faster he plunged and thrust his cock inside my sex, and even faster was the orgasm building in between my legs. Raking my nails down his back, I screamed as the final burst of pleasure spread throughout my body from the inside out. Brett pumped a couple more times and I could feel him shudder and release his warmth deep inside, filling me up.
Breathing hard, he collapsed on top of me and kissed me tenderly on the lips. I smiled up at him when I could feel in between my legs that he was still hard and ready to go again. “You’re insatiable, you know that,” I teased.
He chuckled lightly. “Only for you, firecracker.” Sliding out of my body, Brett curled up beside me and kissed me on the shoulder. “I have never been this enamored by a woman in my life,” he said, trailing kisses down my arm.
Shivers raced across my skin at his touch and I sighed. “What makes me different?” I asked. “I’m just an ordinary woman.”
Brett tilted my chin so I’d face him and when my gaze locked with his stormy gray eyes he shook his head. “No, you’re not.” He paused and took a deep breath. “There’s a reason why I am the way I am with you.”
My eyes went wide and my breath caught in my throat. He was so close and I could see it in his eyes what he was about to say to me next.
Was I ready to hear it?
“Why are you this way with me?” I whispered.
He smiled and laid a gentle kiss to my lips, gazing longingly into my eyes when he spilled his secret. “I’m falling in love with you, Melissa. I spend every waking hour thinking about you and what it feels like to be inside you, both body and soul. You make me crazy, and I love every minute of it.”
He said what I knew he was going to say and my heart was ready to hear it. I didn’t want to run away from his love, but we both had work to do on trust. Even though we had to build on trust, it couldn’t deter the way I felt in my heart. I was falling in love with the man and there was nothing I could do to stop it.
Rolling over, I straddled Brett’s waist and pinned his hands above his head. His eyes went wide, gazing mischievously up at me. “Do you want me again, baby? After what we just did I thought you’d be tired.”
Grinning from ear to ear, I glided my hips up and down his growing erection and watched him shudder beneath me. He squeezed my hands and groaned as I took his length inside me, slowly letting him fill me up. Softly, I said, “Don’t get me wrong, I am tired, but I want to show
you
how much I love you by making love to you again.”
And that was just what we did. For the rest of the night we made love over and over, whispering our affections to each other until the sun came up the next morning.
How could I deny something that just felt amazingly right?
The next week and a half flew by really fast and the day had finally come for Brett and I to meet with his client over dinner. We were meeting him at one of the top of the line swanky restaurants in downtown Charlotte called Marion’s. It was his client’s choice to go there, and when I found out we were going to that specific place I inwardly groaned with regret. It was the same place my ex-husband liked to go to every weekend. There was a huge possibility I would be seeing him tonight, and I prayed he wouldn’t cause a scene if we were to cross paths.
“I have so many ideas for this account, baby,” Brett said, beaming as he drove. Grabbing my hand, he entwined his fingers through mine and kissed my knuckles. “The place I’ll be building at is amazing. I’ve seen pictures of the area and I know you’re going to love it when we go out there for Christmas. That is, if you still want to go.”
I laughed and met his eyes briefly before he had to concentrate back on the road. “Why wouldn’t I want to go? I love California. I’ve been out there a few times. I look forward to going back, and maybe while we’re there we can visit one of my friends.”
His lips tilted up and a glint twinkled in his eyes when he gazed at me. “I’m sure that can be arranged. But you know it’s still two months away. You might get tired of me by then.”
Rolling my eyes, I hit him lightly in the arm. “That’s not going to happen. I’m excited about going with you.”
“Good,” he murmured. We were almost to the restaurant, and as soon as we pulled up to the front, one of the valet attendants opened my door and helped me out.
I smiled and said, “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, miss,” he replied with a huge grin on his face.
I recognized him from when I would come with my ex, but I didn’t think he recognized me. I’d changed a bit since the last time I’d been there. My auburn hair was now longer and I’d spent a great amount of time working out and plumping up my curves. The skin tight black dress I was wearing definitely helped with that.
Brett passed off the keys to the valet and then walked beside me, placing his hand on the small of my back. Just that simple touch had me shivering. Bending low, he whispered in my ear, “You’re not cold are you? Or is it that my touch just does that to you.”
“You should know the answer to that,” I whispered back.
Once we were inside the doors the young hostess smiled at me, but then beamed at Brett. Everywhere we went he got the same reaction from the ladies, but this girl wanted to be noticed. She stuck out her chest and stood taller, making sure she could stand up to his six foot frame. I wasn’t short, by no means, but I definitely wasn’t the tallest either being five foot eight. Compared to Brett, I was at least four inches shorter than him.
It took all I had not to roll my eyes at her, but I smiled and didn’t want to look like the jealous lover. “Do you have a reservation tonight?” the hostess asked, keeping her gaze on Brett.
Brett nodded and pulled me closer. “Yes, we do. My name’s Brett Walker.”
The hostess ran her finger down the list and when she found what I assumed was Brett’s name her smile grew. With a flourish of her hand, she motioned for us to follow her. “You’re table is right this way, Mr. Walker. Mr. O’Briene is already seated and waiting.”
The exact second the girl said ‘Mr. O’Briene’ I froze where I stood. The last name wasn’t a common one, and given the fact that my ex always came to the same restaurant I knew it wasn’t coincidence. I could feel the blood draining from my face and my stomach instantly tightened up into knots. When Brett looked over, expecting to find me beside him, he turned immediately and saw me standing alone at the front of the restaurant.
The hostess furrowed her brows, puzzled, while Brett ambled over to me. “Melissa, what’s wrong? You look like you’re about to pass out.”
Realizing I’d been holding my breath, my voice quivered anxiously when I spoke, “I don’t know what’s come over me, but I’m not feeling so good, Brett. Maybe I should go home. I don’t want to ruin your night.”
Taking me by the elbow, he led me away from the hostess and her prying ears so he could talk to me in private. In hushed tones, he began, “Please, Melissa, stay. I promise it won’t take long. All we’ll do is eat dinner and then we can leave. Just please hold out for me, babe. This account means a lot to me and I really want you there.”
Begging me with his eyes, he waited patiently for my answer. If he found out that Mr. O’Briene was my ex-husband, I had no clue what he would do or say. I never told Brett the name of my ex so he had no idea that Daniel was the one waiting on us.
Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly. I’d been avoiding Daniel’s calls so I knew he was probably mad at me.
What is he going to say when he sees me?
Now that he wanted me back I could just imagine him doing whatever possible to get in the way between me and Brett.
“Please,” Brett pleaded. “Come with me.”
Closing my eyes, I bit my lip and whispered, “Okay, I’ll be fine, I think. I know this meeting is important to you. I’m sure I’ll make it through, and hopefully so will you.”
I hope.
He gave me a questioning glance, but pulled me into his arms. Sighing, he kissed my forehead and said, “Thank you, firecracker. When we get back to your house I’ll give you a massage and maybe that’ll make you feel better. Does that sound good?”
“It sounds great.” I smiled up at him, even though my insides were screaming. I didn’t necessarily hate Daniel even though he cheated on me, but trying to act polite was going to grate on my nerves. If Daniel tells Brett who we are to each other then I know the night will take a devastating and awkward turn.
The hostess was tapping her foot and glaring, but when Brett gave her that smile of his her frown disappeared. “Are you ready now?” she asked sweetly, even though I knew her tone was fake.
Brett nodded and we followed her out to a private dining area that was reserved for special dinner guests. It was where Daniel and I always ate our meals. When we came around the corner to enter the private dining room, I saw Daniel sitting regally in his seat with a blonde headed woman that was dressed almost like a stripper vying desperately for his attention.
Umm … so much for wanting me back,
I thought to myself. The moment he saw me his eyes flew wide in surprise and he pushed his date away from him. Immediately, he pulled out his phone and his fingers flew fast over the keys. The hurt in his date’s face was apparent, and for a second I almost felt pity for her … only a second.
Before reaching the table, my phone vibrated in my purse. Daniel was tapping his leg under the table so I knew it was going to be him. I pulled out my phone and read the text.
Daniel:
We need to talk. DON’T tell him who I am.
Gritting my teeth, I glared at him and reluctantly nodded. What am I doing? I should’ve just told Brett to begin with, but now I was curious to know why Daniel wanted me to keep quiet. However, if I didn’t tell Brett soon he was going to be very upset with me.
Oh, the mess I always get myself in to.
“Mr. O’Briene, it is good to see you,” Brett greeted, extending his hand.
Daniel stood and accepted Brett’s outstretched hand while staring at me just a little too long. To Brett, he said, “Good evening, Mr. Walker, I’m so glad you two could join us, and please call me Daniel.” He turned and reluctantly looked down at his date after sheepishly looking my way. He cleared his throat before saying, “And this is my date for the evening, Ashley Wells.” She smiled at us both and took my hand in greeting.
Daniel continued, “I thought it would be a little more enjoyable here instead of sitting in a stuffy office discussing business matters.”
Chuckling, Brett agreed, “Yeah, I see enough of mine as it is.” Gazing over at me, Brett put his arm around my waist and glanced over at Daniel to make our introductions. “And this here with me is my date, Melissa Ashford.”
Daniel’s smile faded slightly when he held out his hand to shake mine. Inwardly, I groaned and held out my hand, clasping it with his. His touch was warm and just a little too personal with his thumb grazing over my skin. “It’s very nice to meet you, Melissa,” he acknowledged a little too affectionately.
“Likewise,” I replied blandly, trying to loosen my hand. He let me go, but not before Brett noticed the somewhat uncomfortable exchange.
After the awkward introductions, we all sat down and ordered a few drinks. Daniel’s date kept talking to me, but what she was saying went in one ear and out the other. I tried to imagine that I wasn’t sitting across from the scum of the earth, but every time he looked at me I could feel his gaze searing through my skin. How dare he say he wanted me back and then go out with other women?
I hadn’t seen him in a while but his hair was still bleach blond from being out in the sun all the time and his brown eyes were still dark and brooding. They used to be sexy and sweet when I knew him in college, but it was amazing how greed and money could affect one’s life.
Downing a couple of glasses of my favorite wine, I tried to zone out as best I could. I was shocked that Daniel didn’t want to come out and say he knew me, or better yet say that I was his, but I could tell he had something else in mind. Only when he mentioned building on his family’s land out in California did I perk up and pay attention.
“Excuse me? What did you say?” I asked, furrowing my brow. “Where did you say you wanted to build?”
Brett and Daniel both laughed, but Daniel’s chuckle was a little hesitant. Narrowing his eyes in warning, he said, “My project will be on my family’s estate out by their vineyards. I have plans to build out there.”
How the hell did he get that land?
It was all supposed to go to his sister when his parents died, which meant that if he had the land now then something must’ve happened to his mother.
Oh, no!
Tears built behind my eyes, but I knew I couldn’t let them fall.
Please don’t let his mother be dead.
As far as his family went, I really liked his sister and his mother. They were actually really nice women, and his mother had spent more time with me while Daniel and I had been together than my own mother. I loved her. How could I not have known if she passed away? Surely, someone would’ve told me.
Swallowing hard, I asked, “So do you still have family that live out there?”
He looked away for a second and then back to me. He knew what I was asking. “Only my sister lives out there now.” He hesitated for a moment and said, “My mother just passed away a couple of weeks ago.”
Brett stiffened beside me at the mention of the death of Daniel’s mother. I could only imagine the thoughts of his own mother passing away coursing through his mind. His lip tilted into a frown and he sighed. “I’m really sorry for your loss. I lost mine as well many years ago,” he explained. The same haunted expression I’d seen in his pictures passed across his face, but he recovered quickly. I squeezed his hand under the table to let him know I was there for him, even though he had no clue I already knew about his mother.
Daniel nodded at Brett. When he glanced at me, I murmured wholeheartedly, “I’m so sorry about your mother.”
She was a wonderful woman and I knew without a doubt that she wouldn’t leave her precious land to the likes of her son. His sister was supposed to inherit the land when their mother passed. She had some really good ideas for when she was going to take over the business side of the vineyards.
I knew the vineyards and his family’s land like the back of my hand. Daniel and I spent a lot of time out there, and while he was busy doing the things he liked to do, I was busy traipsing out in the vineyards and exploring the wide open fields in wonder.
What was he up to now?
I wondered.
I tried my best to hold back the sarcasm and accusation when I asked, “So how did you come to acquiring the land. Did your sister inherit some as well?”
He shifted in his seat but didn’t miss a beat. Avoiding all eye contact with me, it was a sure sign he was lying through his teeth when he turned to Brett and answered, “I inherited it from my grandparents. Since my mother recently just passed it was said that once she was gone I would be the sole owner of the vineyards. I have a real serious investor that is very interested in partnering up with me for some valuable real estate out there.”
Standing from my seat, Brett furrowed his brows and stood with me. “Are you okay?” he questioned, taking my elbow.
I smiled and waved him off. “Oh yeah, I’m fine. I just need to be excused for a moment.”
More like make a phone call.
And once I found out the truth I was going to tell Brett everything.
Narrowing his eyes, he let me go, but not before kissing me firmly on the lips. I noticed Daniel fuming out of the corner of my eye, but I was too anxious and upset to rub it in Daniel’s face. Instead, I paid him no mind and gave Brett a heart rendering smile before sauntering off to the ladies room. I passed the hostess at the front and stopped when I got to the restrooms. Once I found my phone in my purse, I pulled it out and scrolled through my contacts. Surely, I didn’t delete his sister’s number when I switched phones.
“Shit,” I hissed quietly when I couldn’t find it.