by Dani René
Once dinner is over, we have dessert, and I join Haelee in the kitchen to do the washing up. I’m drying while she’s rinsing, but she stops, turns, and looks at me.
“What are we doing tomorrow?”
I set the plate on the counter before I meet her gaze. “I’ve decided you’re coming to dinner at my place.”
“You cook?”
“Oh, speedy, I’m going to knock your socks off. We’ll relax on the sofa and maybe watch a movie or something. I mean, don’t normal couples do that?”
“You mean Netflix and chill?” she taunts, stepping up to me and lacing her fingers through the belt loops of my jeans. I know what that means, and it makes my cock jolt at the thought of having her splayed on the rug in my living room.
“Behave yourself,” I whisper before pressing a kiss to her plump lips.
A small, seductive smile creases her mouth. “What if I don’t want to?” This woman is going to be the end of me.
“Tomorrow, I’ll make you pay for that,” I warn her, and I can’t help but grin when her eyes widen. The dark brown shimmers, and her lips part with a gentle grin.
“I look forward to it, Mr. Mercer.”
Yeah, fuck, this woman is going to kill me.
17
Haelee
The morning has turned chilly with the sun hiding behind the clouds. I’m not sure if I want to be outside today, but with Kayden picking me up and taking me to his place, I’m sure it will be warm enough.
Shrugging on a hoodie, I zip it up and head downstairs. Mom is in the kitchen, sipping on her tea when I walk in. Her eyes follow me across the room, and I can almost feel her questions.
“Morning, Mom.” I smile, but the way she’s looking at me has me stopping short of grabbing a coffee. “What’s wrong?”
“I like him,” she announces suddenly, easing the tension that’s twisted in my stomach. I thought she was going to warn me against Kayden. “But I want you to be careful, Haelee. An older man will want certain things.”
“Oh, Mom, no, please let’s not have that conversation again.”
“I just want you to be careful.” I know she’s looking out for me, but I really don’t want to go down that road again. The last time she tried to give me the sex talk has been burned into my brain. Not in a good way.
“We’re not even on that level yet,” I tell her, looking at her, and I hope to god she believes me. Yes, we’ve teased each other, kissed, and touched, but when I am ready to take the next step, I know Kayden will be responsible. He doesn’t seem like the type who wants to be lugged down with an accidental baby.
“Okay, but if you ever—”
“Mom, we’re good,” I insist. “I promise.”
Seeing her smile is everything to me because I want her to be happy again. After Dad died, she was broken. Understandably so. But over time, slowly, I’ve seen the light flicker back in her eyes.
“He would’ve been so proud.” Her voice is soft, filled with heartache at the reminder that Dad isn’t here anymore. “You’ve grown into a beautiful young woman. I’m just happy you’ve found someone who puts that sparkle in your smile.”
“It was touch and go for a while.”
“That’s what makes it more exciting. Even though you may not agree on everything, if you can support each other, that’s the only thing that matters.” I know she’s talking more about her and Dad than Kayden and me. But if I can have even half the relationship they had, I’d be happy.
The doorbell buzzes before I can reply, she shoos me away. When I pull it open, I’m met with the handsome racer who’s stolen my heart. He’s wearing a gray hoodie, which covers his brown, spikey hair, and a pair of jeans I’m almost sure were made specifically for him. They fit perfectly, a little too perfectly, because I can’t tear my gaze away.
“Having fun gawking?” Kayden teases as he pulls me into his arms and presses his full lips to my forehead.
“Don’t be an asshole,” I whisper, praying my mother isn’t standing right behind me. When Kayden releases me and steps inside, I’m thankful I got away with that. “Mom, we’re leaving,” I call to her from the foyer, but Kayden makes a beeline for the kitchen to greet her. He’s being the gentleman, which I’m grateful for, but I’m ready to leave in case she decides to give him the sex talk as well. That would be more than awkward.
They return to where I’m standing at the door, and my mother gives me a hug before Kayden and I leave. When I take in the car he’s come to pick me up in, it has my breath catching.
“This is yours?” The sleek, black Corvette looks like something out of a magazine. Stepping close to it, I reach out to tentatively touch the shiny paint, and I can’t help my heart from pitter-pattering in my chest.
“She’s the last thing my father gave me,” Kayden tells me, a slight inflection in his voice, which causes me to look up and find him smiling down at the vehicle.
It’s gorgeous. He opens the door for me and waits until I’m in the passenger seat before he shuts me in and rounds the front. From the outside, Kayden looks too tall to be in this tiny car, but when he settles into the driver’s seat, I notice how perfect he looks behind the steering wheel. The moment the engine starts, the dash lights up with a gentle purple glow.
“Holy shit,” I gasp. Excitement tickles its way through me when I take in the illumination. “This is epic.” I realize I’m squealing with excitement, but I can’t help it. When I would dream of a car, one that’s purely out of reach, this would be it. Everything about it is perfection.
“I take it you like?” The happiness on Kayden’s face makes me feel things. Emotions I didn’t think I would ever feel spring up from nowhere, and even though they’re good, there’s still a hint of fear.
“I love it. This is …” I allow my words to disappear into the silence because I have nothing I can say. Explaining that this was always my dream to have purple dash illumination will make me seem strange. Like I’m trying to make him feel good by loving it so much, but he has to know he impresses me each day we’re together.
“Then I’m happy,” he tells me before sliding the car into drive and pulling out onto the road. His free hand finds my thigh, and as we make our way to his apartment, I feel like this is real. It finally feels like I’m in a relationship, and I’m not just a notch on his bedpost. I can’t explain why. It’s silly to be so confident about it, but there’s an awareness that’s settled in my chest, knowing I’m going to be with him, beside him, through the season, but more so because he’s mine.
I cast a quick glance at him, taking in his profile, noticing the stubble growing out, and I want nothing more than to feel it. To run my hands along his angular jaw and pull him to me.
“You know, they say staring is rude,” he speaks, but he doesn’t look at me. He must feel my eyes on him, and I can’t help giggling.
“Oh, please.” Rolling my eyes, I add, “Don’t tell me you’re not used to women staring at you.” Even though I know he’s not some innocent boy, the thought of him with anyone else makes the green-eyed monster rear its ugly head inside me.
“They can look,” Kayden says, his eyes never leaving the road, and I want them on me. The selfish part of me doesn’t want to share him. Not with anyone else. “But they can’t touch, speedy.”
“Oh?” I challenge him. “And why is that?”
“Because I’m yours.” He doesn’t sound as if he’s joking. The way he says it is nonchalant. As if I should know this, but I don’t. At least, I haven’t admitted it to myself yet. Perhaps I should. But I don’t want to assume anything.
“But that doesn’t mean there won’t be temptation. If I’m not around at a race or something like that,” I admit. The fear of him finding someone more interesting, someone more beautiful, it’s there, eating away at me.
“If you even believe I could be tempted from your sexy figure and those alluring fucking eyes, then you’re sorely mistaken, baby,” he tells me. “I’m a one-woman man, Haelee. Granted, in
the past, I did play around, but I was never in a relationship when I did that.”
“So …” I allow the word to linger for a moment before I continue. “We’re in a relationship?” I’m watching him intently. A small smile plays on his lips at my question, but he doesn’t respond. “You know, if you told me we were, I could show you what I’m wearing under this hoodie,” I tell him with a grin on my face. My words cause him to quickly glance my way before he looks back at the road. I know I shouldn’t taunt him while he’s driving, but it’s fun.
“Don’t be a tease,” he bites out playfully before squeezing my thigh. “I think you should show me anyway.”
“I’ll think about it.” I turn to look out the window. I can’t deny my nerves are frayed at the thought of being with Kayden. Just having his hand on my leg has made me tingle all over, especially between my thighs.
When we pull up to the building, Kayden glides the car into the lot, and he parks in a spot marked VIP. He gets out of the car first and rounds the back to open my door. Offering me a hand, he grins when I accept, and he practically tugs me out of my seat into his waiting arms.
“I’ve wanted to get you alone for a while now,” he admits in a low whisper that sends heat racing up my spine to bloom on my cheeks.
“You think about sex way too much.”
He chuckles at my response. “Who said anything about sex? I can do a lot of things to you without ever having sex.” There’s a seductive promise lacing his words and my stomach knots with need.
“Then you best show me, Mr. Mercer,” I whisper, leaning up on my tiptoes to press my lips to his. A low growl vibrates against my chest. The effect he has on me is one I have on him.
We make our way to the elevator and take it all the way up to Kayden’s penthouse. When I was here yesterday, I was nervous, but now walking into the living room, I see it in a different light. The fireplace is dancing, warming the space. The floor-to-ceiling windows show a gray, overcast day along with the angry ocean that crashes against the shore.
“Something smells good,” I remark as I follow Kayden into the kitchen. There are pots and pans all over the countertop, along with spoons and empty bowls. “Did a hurricane hit this place?” I can’t help but laugh. It really does look like a storm took over and smashed it’s way through the room.
“I actually went through all the trouble of cooking,” he tells me with fake hurt in his voice, his eyes narrowing as he regards me. “And you can’t even appreciate that.”
I laugh out loud when he touches his hand to his chest as if I wounded him. “You cooked?”
He calls me over to the stove and lifts the lid. Ladling some sauce, he holds it out to me, and I lean in to taste the spicy tomato combination, flavor bursting on my tongue.
“Oh my god, that’s incredible.” My senses come alive at the spice and warmth from just the smallest taste. I’m impressed. Even though it’s a mess in here, what’s in that pot is a masterpiece.
“A man of many talents.” He grins happily, winking at me before setting the lid down. “Now, before we have lunch, I have something I want to show you.” He takes my hand and leads me down the hallway, but we don’t go into his bedroom. Instead, we walk into the opposite room, which has been converted into a hot tub room with doors that slide all the way open. The view is spectacular, much like his bedroom. It’s the focus of the outside that illuminates the dark walls.
“Now, I’m completely surprised you have a hot tub in your apartment,” I tell him. “I thought you didn’t bring ladies here to impress them.” My taunt makes him chuckle.
“The only lady I’m here to impress is you. Want to climb in?” he offers as hope sparks in his eyes. Nervous flutters in my stomach along with my heart racing at the thought has a stupid grin forming on my lips.
“Yes, but I didn’t bring—”
Kayden presses his index finger to my lips. “I’ve got all that covered. Come.” He tugs me to the closet, which isn’t as big as his in the main room, but it has a myriad of swim trunks, surf gear, and in one of the drawers, there are brand-new bikinis, which have me looking up at him in shock. “This was what I did this morning. I hope I got your size right.”
“You bought all this for me?” Shock rings clear in my voice. There must be at least ten different swimsuits. I pick out a bright pink one and smile. “Now, I know this is for me.”
“They’re all yours. You can keep them here because the only time you’ll be wearing them will be with me,” he claims, his expression turning serious.
“Is that a rule I need to obey?”
“Yes.” He doesn’t falter when he replies.
I turn and look up at him. “Are you jealous, Kayden Mercer?” My gaze narrows on him, and I can’t help but smile, my cheeks hot with both embarrassment and happiness.
He kisses me quickly. “I most certainly am. Now get changed, and I’ll bring our appetizers.” He disappears out the door, and I take a moment to revel in the excitement of having him as mine. Of having a boyfriend. As I get changed, I glance at myself in the mirror. The material hugs every curve, showing off my tanned skin against the luminous pink. It’s pretty. The strings hold up the bottoms as they tie into a bow at my hips, and the top strings tie over my neck and around my back.
When Kayden walks in again, his eyes bug out when he sees me. “That’s most definitely one you are only allowed to wear in private.”
This makes me laugh. “You were the guy at the party that night,” I tell him, remembering the first night I ever laid eyes on Kayden Mercer. “I was in the hot tub, and you were at the bar with a blonde.”
“I was.” He sets a tray down, holding wine glasses, a platter of cheese and crackers, a bowl of chips and dip, as well as a bottle of chilled champagne. “It was the first time I ever saw you.”
“Same.”
Kayden gestures toward the hot tub, and I can’t stop the blush from heating my cheeks as I walk by him, stepping up and into the warm bubbles that welcome me. It’s soothing, even from the first dip into the water. I settle on the bench and glance out the window, which looks down into the world below.
“Your view is something else,” I tell him.
“It is.” His response is gravelly, and I turn to find him looking at me instead of the window. His eyes hold mine, the heat in them evidence that he wants me as much as I want him.
“I’m not sure how to be with someone like this,” I confide honestly. “I’ve—”
“Don’t worry about it,” he assures me. “We’ll take it a step at a time.” Slowly, his hands tug at his clothes, and I enjoy the show of Kayden Mercer stripping for me. With every inch of skin that comes to view, more butterflies fill my stomach.
Once he’s standing before me in his tight boxer briefs, he looks at me with a side smirk curling his perfect full lips. “Enjoy the show?”
“Most definitely,” I answer honestly. There’s no more hiding. And that scares the crap out of me. He joins me in the water, scooting up beside me before bringing the tray closer and grabbing a glass of champagne. He hands me one and holds his.
“To a new start.” Kayden clinks his glass with mine, and we settle into a comfortable conversation about racing, about his car currently being looked over for the new season.
I sip my drink and glance at him watching me. There’s affection on his face. It’s painted into the handsome lines of his smile and at the corners of his eyes.
“So, I take it your mother was impressed with me?”
I nod. “She was. It’s not every day her daughter brings home an older man, but she took it well. I think she can see how happy I am with you.”
“Good, because that’s the only thing you’re going to be with me.” His promise warms my chest. Kayden sets down his glass and takes mine. Once they’re out of the way, he grips my hips and pulls me over his lap to straddle him. Warmth settles between my legs when I feel his erection pressing against my core.
Gently, he takes my face in his hands and pul
ls me closer for a kiss. At first, it’s tentative, but the closer we move, the more his tongue delves into my mouth. My spine tingles with awareness that his hands are trailing down to my shoulders and around my neck.
“Tell me to stop,” he mumbles against my lips. I open my mouth to speak, but then reconsider. I shake my head. “Tell me you don’t want this, and we can go into the kitchen, have lunch, and watch a movie.” He’s giving me an out. A choice to not be doing this, but I don’t want him to stop.
“I want this,” I confirm. “I want you.”
His fingers tug at the string, and my bikini top falls free. He unbinds the knot at my back, and the scrap of material disappears, baring my breasts to his heated gaze.
“Fuck,” Kayden growls. “These,” he says, cupping both mounds, “are fucking perfect.” His mouth catches one nipple, sucking it hard, his teeth grazing the hardened bud, causing a cry of pleasure to tumble from my lips. My body is already boiling, needy, and wet. He turns his attention to the opposite nipple and teases and taunts me with an expert tongue.
Nerves take hold of me. They grip my stomach, taunting me, but I focus on the pleasure. If I don’t, I’ll lose my cool and race from the room. His lips tease their way up my neck, and he claims my mouth once more while his fingers tweak both buds until I’m rolling my hips, arching myself against him.
“You’re utterly breathtaking,” he murmurs, his eyes looking up at me as I sit astride him. The man is pure perfection with every dip and peak of his muscles defined like a map, but he’s calling me breathtaking.
I allow my fingertips to trail along his smooth chest, down to his abs, until I feel the hardness of him pressing against his briefs. When my hand slides along the shaft, a groan of pained pleasure falls free from his parted lips.
“You’re going to be the death of me.” There’s no lie in his words. And I can’t help but smile. I grip him through the wet material, stroking gently as he taunts my breasts. His touch slowly moves down to my hips, and he grasps my ass in his large hands. He squeezes until I’m whimpering against him. And seconds later, the knots on either side of my body are loosened, and I’m naked.
