Happily Ever After: A Contemporary Romance Boxed Set

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Happily Ever After: A Contemporary Romance Boxed Set Page 76

by Piper Rayne


  “You’re so beautiful,” he says before leaning in and placing his mouth over the other. I throw my head back, my hand cupping the back of his head as I moan. He sucks on one nipple, his tongue circling the erect tip as his hand continues to fondle the other. When he switches sides, I gasp.

  He stops and stands up, his gaze holding mine captive again as he slowly removes that sexy white T-shirt he has on. My breath flutters watching his smooth muscles crunch as he leans over and pulls down his shorts. My breath catches. His body could be on the cover of any fitness magazine. Over the last few weeks, I’ve dreamed about this moment, finally getting to touch each roll and ridge of muscle that lines his torso.

  When he slides down his underwear, my eyes widen with excitement as I see him completely naked—and extremely excited—for the first time. His cock is thick and hard, encouraging the pulsating arousal that makes me so wet, I feel the gush between my legs.

  He pushes me gently, and I fall onto my back with a laugh. He pulls off my boots, then removes the jeans I had on. They’re off in a matter of seconds, and a couple seconds later, my damp panties with them.

  “Are you sure you want this?” he asks, holding his cock, eyes searching mine as he moves closer.

  “I’ve never been so sure of anything,” I whisper. “I want you deep inside me, Vanya.”

  Choosing to give my body to him is an important decision. I wouldn’t have turned back for anything, but I’m touched he asked. It reassures me that he cares about me and not just getting in my pants. Plus, it gives me the chance to let him know how much I want this—how much I want him.

  His eyes were still searching mine, his gaze holding mine captive as he spread my legs and positioned himself at my core.

  “Oh my god,” I hiss with absolute satisfaction as he slowly plunges into me. He starts slowly, entering me a bit at a time with each slow thrust. The anticipation has me lifting my hips off the bed, moaning, and begging for him to enter. Then he plunges in, a swift thrust that fills me up and stretches me out completely. I wrap my legs around him as we become one, my ankles digging into the defined muscles at the back of his thighs as he starts thrusting harder.

  I can’t stop moaning as we make love, each thrust better than the last. The passion takes control, driving out our lust and deepest desires. He was slow and gentle at first, just gliding in and out, shifting his weight expertly on me as I felt his strokes deeper and deeper inside me. He didn’t rush it, he actually knew what he was doing. He creates a rhythm for him, giving me time to get used to his size. Once I’m matching his rhythm with him, we climb higher and higher from there.

  Soon, we’re moving faster, my panting too getting louder. Our wet bodies slam into each other, sweat and sound our aroused bodies sweating. His panting and my moaning resonate in the huge hotel room.

  “Oh, oh, Vanya,” I whisper, as he goes in even deeper, my nails digging into his strong back as I hang on for support.

  He thrusts faster now, while I throw my hips back and forth in an attempt to match him thrust for thrust. It goes on for a while, building and building until he pauses and swallows hard.

  “I’m so close, Katya. But I want you to come, too.”

  I grab his hand and place it on my clit, saying, “I need stimulation here.”

  He nods and presses his pelvic bone against me, in the perfect spot. Then he circles and rubs, creating the friction I need. I’m already so aroused, it doesn’t take long before I’m ready to sing.

  “Yes, yes, yes!” I cry out, so close to succumbing to him completely, the pleasure so intense I couldn’t even think straight.

  He was going really hard now, it’s as if his body has come alive, and with the intensity of his circling, it’s only a matter of time before I hit my peak. I can feel it already, building up deep within my stomach, threatening to take hold of me at moment. We’re driving recklessly close to the edge, and it’s only a matter of time before we both go over.

  I let out a loud moan as I hit my peak. My heart pumps faster, my thighs trembling uncontrollably as I jerk forward a few times. He hits his peak with me, low groans escaping his lips as his warmth fills me up. He pulses inside me before going completely still.

  Without exchanging any words, he opens his arms, and I burrow into them. He strokes my hair until his breath returns to normal. We lay together, exhausted and satiated, enjoying the silence. Then, he pulls the comforter over us, both of us surrendering into the hands of sleep, the thoughts of the moment we just shared playing over and over in my head until I closed my eyes.

  11

  Katya

  I move through my hotel room, dancing around and humming a tune my father used to sing all the time as I roll my clothes and place them in my suitcase.

  I have a quick meeting with Sierra, a makeup manufacturer based here in New York, to finalize the promotion for a new fragrance. After that, Charlie and I are headed to the airport for some much-needed rest and relaxation. I’m going to Detroit to be with Vanya, and Charlie is heading home to Florida. He certainly deserves it for as much travel I’ve subjected him to recently. He’s a saint for what he allows me to do

  I’m so excited to have days with Vanya at his house. We’ll be together in a “normal” environment for the first time since we started seeing each other. Don’t get me wrong, I love traveling and meeting up for sexy rendezvous in cities all over the country, but it can be exhausting.

  Sometimes I just want to lay in bed with him making love and cuddling for an entire day without either one of us having anything else to do. But that’s never the case.

  Vanya is picking me up at the airport tonight when my flight gets in. I’m so excited to see him—yearning to have his lips all over me. I don’t even think I’ll be able to make it back to his house before I jump his bones.

  I’m nearly done arranging my clothes when there’s a knock on the door.

  “Come on in, Charlie. The door is unlocked,” I call. When he slips in, I look up. “You’re early.”

  He quietly shuts the door behind him. “You’ve got an important meeting before the flight. I don’t want you to be late.”

  “If you’re here to grill me about packing, you don’t have to worry. I’m already finished.” I zip my suitcase, then pat it before lifting my hands over my head in a raise-the-roof celebration.

  Normally, I wait until the very last minute to pack my things, which meant we had to rush to the airport so we wouldn’t miss our flight. I don’t know why I did it, other than it was a bad habit. Charlie tried everything to get me on track. He even went so far as to adjust the clock in my hotel room ahead by an hour. But it didn’t work. In fact, the only thing that’s worked has been my relationship with Vanya. Ever since we started dating, I’ve been extra early, eager to get to the airport and get on the plane. Because that meant I’d be in his arms soon.

  “No, at all,” he replies, giving me a small smile. I’d seen that smile before. He has something on his mind, something he’s not sure I’ll want to know.

  “What is it Charlie? Do you have something to tell me?” I shove a water bottle into the oversized Louis Vuitton bag I use as a carry-on when I fly.

  “Well, it’s just—” He clears his throat. “When I went to check out, the concierge asked me to give this to you.” He dips his hand into the pocket of his sky-blue pants and pulls out an envelope.

  “What is it?” I ask, glancing at him.

  “Opening your mail isn’t in my job description, Katya,” he deadpans, holding the envelope out to me.

  “Well, that’s good news.” I laugh and wiggle my eyebrows at him.

  I take the envelope from his hand and rip it open, removing the small card inside. As I read through the words written on it, my smile disappears.

  “No, Charlie. No, no, no,” I repeat, shaking my head and bringing my fingertips to my lips. It’s almost as if I’m pleading with him when he doesn’t even know what’s on the card.

  It’s is an invitation to a pop
-up release party for my new fragrance—today at four p.m. I’ve been working with Sierra for over a year while the perfume has been in development. During that time, I’ve had input on the scent and I’ve done multiple print and commercial advertising photo shoots, so they have the marketing campaign ready to go.

  My agent told me today’s meeting was to finalize the campaign and get me the dates for future promotional events. Having to be at a release party completely blindsided me. I’ve got just over an hour to get there, do my makeup, and–what the hell am I going to wear?

  I toss the card on the bed and quickly move to the bedside table, lifting the receiver, and punching my agent’s phone number with such force, I may break a nail. After multiple rings, the call goes to her answering machine. I slam the phone down.

  “Jill isn’t answering.” I rub the bridge of my nose with my fingers, willing the tears to stay back. I can’t be red-eyed and puffy for my meeting—er, release party. “She better be at this event.”

  “Four o’clock,” he says, letting out a deep breath as he reads the card. He sits on the edge of the bed next to my suitcase. “That’s the same time as your flight.”

  “Yes. And Vanya is supposed to pick me up from the airport at six.”

  “Don’t worry. We can reschedule your flight.” The words roll off his lips with ease as if he’s got it all figured out.

  I lift my eyes to his, as hope fills my heart. “Is it that easy? To reschedule a flight?”

  “Yes.” He shrugs. “I mean, if they have room on a later flight it should be easy. Expensive, but easy.”

  I roll my eyes. “Money takes care of everything, right?”

  “The event shouldn’t take more than two hours. You could probably catch a nine o’clock flight if they have one.”

  I’ve always loved Charlie’s optimism. It reminds me of Vanya. They both believe we can make anything work. They figure out solutions to problems instead of wallowing over them.

  Sometimes, I wallow—but only for a moment.

  I reach up and pull my high ponytail tighter, pacing the room while contemplating my choices. My anxiety has gone from zero to sixty in less than thirty seconds, thanks to one tiny envelope.

  “I can’t cancel my appearance at the event, can I?” I ask. “Tell them I didn’t realize the meeting was a release party and I already had a flight scheduled?” I move closer to him, looking at him with wide, hopeful eyes. “It’s the truth,” I add.

  “I don’t think it’s a good idea.” He shakes his head.

  I sigh in frustration and flop onto the bed. I didn’t expect him to go along with it, but being shot down is still disappointing.

  “You signed a contract, Katya. On top of that, I don’t think it would look very good for you not to show up at the release party for a fragrance you’re the face of, do you?”

  “I know. I know.” I look up to the ceiling.

  One of the clauses in the contract is to be present at every social event surrounding the product. I just wish they would have given me a heads up. How did communication about something so important fall through the cracks? I’m going to have to talk to my agent—and her assistant.

  My gaze shifts from the ceiling to the clock, and I realize how late it is. I jump off the bed. “Shit! Charlie, I’ve got to get to the Sierra offices.” I grab the handle of my suitcase and set it on the floor. “Let’s go!”

  “You should call Vanya and tell him what happened.” He points to the telephone. “Tell him you’ll be taking the later flight instead, ask if he can still pick you up.”

  “Yes! Of course!” I nod and race to the telephone again. When I dial his number, there’s a busy signal. I hang up and try again. Same thing.

  “I keep getting a busy signal.” To lighten the mood—my mood—I joke, “Shouldn’t Vanya know to keep his line open at all times for my call?”

  When I turn around, Charlie is right behind me. He places a hand on my shoulder. “You can try him again later. It’s almost noon, and if you want to be ready for that party, you’ve gotta get your ass in a cab and high-tail it to Sierra. And I need to get to the airport.”

  “Wait. You’re not going with me to the party?” I ask. Charlie and I go everywhere together. He’s a star in the tennis world and recently well known in fashion circles since he’s been by my side since I was fifteen.

  “You’re eighteen-years-old, Katya. You don’t need a chaperone anymore.”

  “Is that what you’ve been? A chaperone for an underage tennis player?”

  “We can talk about this in the elevator.”

  “You’re right,” I say, pulling up the handle on my suitcase and rolling it toward the door.

  “You were ready on time and you’re still going to make me late,” Charlie teases as we exit my room and walk through the hallway.

  I laugh. “Some things never, change, yes?”

  As disappointed as I am of not being able to hop on the early flight, I really am excited about this fragrance. Plus, it’s all part of the job, the part of the job I love.

  “I really hope they have hair and makeup ready and waiting—and a dress.” I turn to Charlie, suddenly panicked. “I have nothing. Should I stop by a department store?”

  “Relax. I’m sure they’ll have something for you, or send someone out while you’re getting hair and make-up done.”

  I nod, knowing he’s right. My brain is working overtime from stress.

  “Did you decide? Are you going with me to the fundraiser?” I ask just before he opens the door to exit the hotel.

  “Of course, Katya. We go everywhere together,” he replies and flashes me a bright smile. Then he rushes to the curb to hail a cab.

  As soon as I get to Sierra, I’m ushered through the main offices and into a conference room where my agent is siting.

  “Katya!” She stands up and moves to me, taking me in her arms. “I’m so glad you made it.”

  “Jill, what’s going on? I thought this was a meeting to finalize—” I start on my rampage, but she grabs my shoulders and looks me in the eyes.

  “Take a deep breath.”

  I do as she says, and she lets my shoulders go.

  “There was a huge mix up with my new assistant. I just hired her and training has been slower than I expected.”

  “That’s not my problem,” I tell her crossing my arms. Being a bitch isn’t my style, but at the same time, I’m a client and this was a big mess up. Adapt and assimilate are my middle name, but I’ll speak my mind when necessary.

  “Do you have your cell phone?”

  “No, the battery is dead and won’t charge, so I left it home. I planned on getting a new one this week.”

  “So that’s why you never answered,” Jill says. “She left multiple messages on your cell.”

  Heat rises in my cheeks. “Are you saying this is my fault?” I ask, indignantly. “Because your staff knows I stay at the Castle every time I’m in New York, and they could have easily called my room or the front desk.”

  She puts her hands over her heart. “Katya, I take full responsibility. If my team fucks up, it’s my fuck up, and I’m sorry. Can we move forward and get you to hair and makeup?”

  I close my eyes and take another deep breath, willing myself to put everything in perspective. Mistakes happen. The only reason I’m this upset about it is because I was supposed to meet Vanya. Any other day I’d be happy to have another party to attend.

  “Yes,” I say calmly, allowing her to lead me through a hallway to a large room filled with hair and clothing stylists and makeup artists. Time to relax and let the professionals work their magic.

  I’d hoped the event would start promptly at four, but in true New York party style, it’s 4:30 p.m., and people are still sailing through the doors of Rudson’s department store.

  “Four o’clock my ass,” I mumble to Charlie while still keeping a smile plastered on my face. A woman who seems to know me waves from across the room. I return the gesture, though I don’t re
cognize her at all.

  “Relax and try to enjoy the moment,” he replies as he adjusts the button of his suitcoat. “You look stunning, by the way.”

  I blush. The short, red cocktail dress the stylist picked out fits me perfectly, and it’s so comfortable it could be a nightgown.

  “You don’t look too bad yourself,” I tell him, bumping his arm with my elbow. “I love the way they gelled your hair off your forehead. It brings out your features.”

  I reach out to touch it, but he bats my hand away with catlike reflexes, which makes me giggle.

  “My, aren’t we vain tonight,” I tease, which earns me a big laugh. Charlie would much rather be in a polo and shorts, but he suffers for me.

  I catch sight of a three-tiered-tray of multi-colored macaroons on a dessert table across the room and wonder when I’ll be able to sneak over there.

  “Stop fidgeting, Katya,” Charlie says.

  “I’m restless, Charlie. I really want to see Vanya tonight,” I whine.

  Just then, a waiter carrying a tray of champagne walks by, Charlie stops him and takes two glasses.

  “Here, drink,” he commands, handing me a glass. “And for the love of god, relax. If you look too shifty, people will think you’re on drugs.”

  I slap his shoulder playfully. “Stop!”

  He laughs, bringing a bubbling glass of champagne to his lips. “Once the fragrance is revealed, you can make a graceful exit.”

  Just as I’m sipping my first glass, Jill whisks me away from Charlie. There’s no shortage of people who want to meet me, shake my hand, take a photo, or talk about tennis. As one of the youngest, if not actually the youngest tennis champion in history, everyone wants to hear my story.

  I’m not sure how long Jill has been zipping me around the room, but if I measure it in drinks, I’ve had three glasses of champagne and zero water. I’m starting to feel a little tipsy, but overall, I’m good. She hands me a glass of water and rushes me to the front of the room while someone from Sierra steps up to the microphone and directs everyone’s attention to the stage to hear Andres Martinez, Latin King of Pop, perform his latest single.

 

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