“Yes, six weeks ago, with no word yet. Not exactly a glowing recommendation.”
“The reason it’s taking time is that they’ve asked one of my headlining groups to be the face of the ad. They took the proposals to them. They chose their favorite, and I agreed. Then I asked around and found out my dear, little, sweet cousin was the one behind the gritty, edgy, and advanced idea.”
“Ummm, Mike, you’re freaking me out. I’ve waited weeks for any word on follow-up. And you’ve been sitting on it?”
“It wasn’t my decision or call. I gave creative input only.”
Anticipation and excitement bubble to the surface and I bounce like a girl. “Tell me who the band is.”
He studies me, enjoying my impatience and drawing this out. “Sayge.”
I quit bouncing and sway, my ears ringing. “Oh, my.”
Jewls lets out a yelp. “Holy shit, Jay!”
“They liked my idea?”
“They liked it,” Mike confirms. “You’ll hear more on Monday.”
“The office will go nuts.”
“You did that, baby,” Achilles announces proudly, kissing along my temple.
“It was a team effort.”
“I may have a source that’s on the inside who said a certain junior marketing executive added the most value to the multi-million-dollar campaign.”
“What? Who?”
“My lips are sealed. But after seeing for myself, I want that power on my team.”
“Isn’t it frowned upon to leave my current company and work for a client? I don’t want an unfavorable reputation following me.”
“That’s the beauty. MJ Labels isn’t your client. Sayge’s business team is the client. They outgrew my boutique business services years ago. Raven heads the business team, and she has four children under the age of nine. Declan wants another one. She’s always been hands-on, but she’s stepping back. Without her, we are creating a long-ago needed new position.”
“Holy shit,” Jewls repeats.
“Raven? Is that the smokin’ hot model in the video from years ago?” Drake questions.
“Shit, yeah, it is. That woman is fucking stacked,” Sam agrees.
“She’s also married to the lead singer, Declan Collins, and he’s a slight step down on the protection scale from Ace. This comes about and you meet him—word to the wise—don’t ogle his wife. He’ll pummel you.” There’s a hint of humor in Mike’s reply.
“You should think hard about this. I don’t get the impression your cousin is showering you with familial compliments. He sees your worth,” Achilles says low enough for only me to hear.
“How about we meet for lunch next week?” I throw out, excitement fluttering through me.
“Text me and we’ll make it happen.”
I look across the fire at my dad who’s standing between Pete and Uncle Mike. All of them are grinning with pride. Then I catch Jewls’ eye and see she’s smiling bright.
Could I go work for my cousin?
In an internationally respected record label that works with mega-superstars?
Possibly one of the biggest opportunities in my life?
My mind screams the answer so loud it’s a wonder it doesn’t fly out of my mouth.
Hell yes, I can.
19
Ace
I fist her hair, tugging up. “Harley, get—” The words die on my lips when she opens and swallows, my cock hitting the back of her throat. She increases her suction and speed, stroking my shaft in the same rhythm.
Every muscle in my body tenses as the familiar flame ignites. My last bit of willpower is on the brink, ready to snap. She senses the change, and her gaze comes to mine, daring me to stop her.
“Shit, you look like a vixen taking me.”
She holds my stare, savoring my dick and working faster. She knows what it does to me to watch her. My instincts scream to haul her up and fuck her senseless. She shifts, rubbing her legs together.
Fuck yeah. Two can play at this game.
“Because I’m feeling generous, you have two options. Climb on and ride my dick, or twist around and ride my face. Either way, I want your pussy.”
Her eyes widen and fill with desire. She tightens her grip and laps her tongue over my piercing.
“Now.”
She crawls over my leg and around to straddle my face. Without even touching her, she’s soaking wet. I hold her hips, running my tongue along her slit. She moans her approval, the vibration pushing me closer to exploding.
I wasn’t lying when I told her she was a natural. This woman is an expert at everything.
The primal brute rears up, needing to hear her scream. My tongue thrusts inside, devouring her roughly. She grinds against my face, her assault slowing. I use the distraction to my advantage, altering between licking and sucking until she’s panting.
Her nails scrape the underside of my shaft before she rolls my balls in her palm. My dick lurches, getting her attention. She catches on to my play and begins mimicking my actions.
Fucking temptress.
It’s time to play dirty. My mouth closes over her clit, and I suck hard before flicking it over and over with my tongue.
Her thighs tighten around my head, trembling. My mouth moves mercilessly, one goal in mind. She bobs up and down, increasing her suction.
My hips flex, my balls tightening. Warnings fire off in my brain. I can’t stop what’s coming.
I lick, suck, and tease until she’s all out quaking. When my teeth graze over her clit, she bucks, squeezing my balls and crying my name. I lose her mouth, but it’s too late. I shoot off, warm liquid dripping down my shaft.
In a second, I flip her to the bed and kneel between her thighs. She grins smugly, pleased with herself. “Happy Birthday.” Her finger trails down my chest, circling the tip of my dick.
Since our first time, I rarely need much downtime. But this morning, my cock throbs, ready to go instantly.
“Shit baby, can you take me?”
She smiles wickedly, sucking my cum off her finger and moaning in appreciation. That’s all it takes. I slam into her, filling her in one thrust.
“God, yes!” she arches up and yells.
I grip her hips, driving into her relentlessly. She locks her ankles around my waist, angling in a move that takes me all the way with every stroke.
Her body relaxes back into the bed, giving me a full view of her below me. Her auburn curls spread out wildly on my sheets, her tits bouncing, nipples hard and pink—teasing me. The flush that covers her skin every time she comes.
Twenty-nine fucking years old and finally have my fantasy lying here, taking my cock, while looking like a goddess.
She licks her lips, her eyes glinting with desire and challenge. My cock spasms when her muscles clench and retract over and over, sucking me deeper than I’ve ever been. The ball of my piercing hits soft flesh, and she lets out a racy, raspy whimper.
“Harder,” she begs.
I hammer into her roughly. “Do you have any idea how goddamned sexy you look right now?”
“Mmhmm, I’m enjoying my view much more.” Her gaze travels over my torso appreciatively.
The greedy bastard inside needs her wrapped around me. “Come here.” My hands go to her lower back, hoisting her to straddle my lap.
“Ahhhhh,” she grinds down, sending a spark of pleasure shooting through my system.
As soon as she’s seated fully, she glides back and forth, getting used to the position.
“Careful, baby.”
“I can’t get enough… God, will it always be like this?”
Pride and possessiveness roar to life. “Yes.” I drive up, placing my mouth on hers and absorbing her moans.
Her hips pivot, her eyes close, and the rasps become pants.
“I love having you inside me.”
“It’s an addiction. Like watching you come apart.”
“More…” Her breathy whisper spurs me on.
Beads of sweat sli
de down my back and chest as I fuck her mercilessly. She holds on, taking everything without inhibitions.
“Achilles, I need you.” Frantic desperation bleeds through her words.
“Get there.”
Her eyelids fly open and fire blazes. She moves her hand between us, her thumb grazing her clit and pressing into my moving cock.
“Oh, fuck, Harley.”
My thighs burn as I drill into her from below and lose my mind when her walls close in like a vice, and she screams into the room. My dick erupts, pulsating in sync with her pussy and emptying into her.
All the energy leaves her body, and she sinks into me, muttering incoherently. I slow my movements, kissing along her neck.
“I can’t move,” she wheezes after a minute.
“Then don’t move.” I savor each second, realizing the outside world is about to crash in.
“Sweetie, I’m leaking all over you.”
“Don’t give a shit.”
Her head tips my way, and she scrubs a hand through my hair. “You okay?”
“Want you right where you are.”
She studies me, her eyes assessing then fading into a heart-stopping shade of pale blue. “It’s a big day.”
“It is.”
Today is a birthday-celebration-slash-Thanksgiving preparation, and for the first time in forever, I’ll be with my family. But that’s not what’s bothering me.
“You’re not happy.”
“It’s my birthday. I have the woman I love in my bed. For the first time in my life, I got a fucking fantastic birthday present. Now we gotta get up so you can cook all day with a bunch of women instead of staying our asses in this bed.”
Her face falls, her lips twisting. “You peeked.”
“Peeked at what?”
“Your present.”
“No.”
“Then how did you know it’s fantastic?”
“Because you’re my fucking present.”
She gives me her smile, placing her lips on mine. “You have such a way with words.”
“Did you hear the rest?”
“I did. I also heard you every time you griped about it this week.”
“So, cancel.”
“Honey, I’m not canceling.”
“Thanksgiving is tomorrow. Why are you cooking today?”
“Because we’re making three separate meals. There’s a lot to cook.”
“Whose idea was it to feed the station?”
“My mom and the ladies have delivered a Thanksgiving meal to the station for years.”
“Fine, but why do you have to help?”
“I want a gourmet kitchen in our house, which means I need to know how to cook. These ladies are teaching me. Maybe next year we’ll host Thanksgiving in our own home.”
“Publix caters.”
“We’re not ordering our Thanksgiving dinner from the grocery store.”
“Why? It makes perfect sense to me. Less mess and stress.”
She grins, her eyes lighting with amusement.
“Something funny?”
“You’re adorable when you don’t get your way.”
“Harley, puppies are adorable. I’m a grown-ass man.”
“Oh, I’m well aware of that. A very talented, sexy, phenomenally hot grown-ass man. But you’re also adorable.”
I clasp her hips, thrusting up. Her grin and the amusement fade. “Oh my God, how can you be…?”
“Always, baby. But especially right now. Your tight, wet heat gripping me. Feeling your tits pressed to my chest.”
“But aren’t you tired?”
She’s right. Last night, I worked, and with it being a holiday week, the streets of downtown Nashville were crazy. But when I closed out my shift, the only thing on my mind was getting home where she agreed to spend the night. “Not when I need to convince you to stay with me.”
“I’ll be back before you know it. Plus, the guys are taking you to lunch.”
“The minute you climb off me, I’ll know it.” It makes me a bastard, but I’m willing to play dirty to get her to stay. “Harley, it’s my birthday. The only thing I want is you, all day, with no interruptions and no sharing.”
Her eyes move over my face, and I know I have her when she fists my hair.
“I have big plans to spoil you.”
“Spoil me by letting me have you all day, in bed, and mostly inside you.”
“What about lunch with your dad and the guys?”
“I’ll reschedule. They’ll understand.”
“Dammit, Achilles, you’re ruining my surprise!”
“I hate surprises.”
Her face falls, and a tinge of regret fills me, so I’m quick to cover. “Unless they included stripper bikinis and hot tubs.”
“That was the grand finale,” she murmurs.
My cock goes rock hard. “That we can leave this room for.”
“Stop it. We don’t have time,” she says unconvincingly. “I really want to give you your present this morning. It’s important.”
“We’ll compromise. I’ll let you go to give me a present, and you agree to another hour in bed.”
She pulls on her lip, her eyes casting over my shoulder and mentally calculating something. “I can compromise.”
“Fine, hurry.” I swat her ass lightly and loosen my hold.
I miss her heat immediately, my cock thumping on my stomach when she scrambles to the bathroom. A few minutes later, she comes out with my t-shirt on and carrying a large bag.
“Clothes were not an option in this compromise.” I position against the headboard.
She smiles, climbing back on top and placing the bag on my stomach.
I recognize the hard feel of a frame. When I pull it out, I’m drawn to the large picture in the middle of the collage. It’s a sketch of a house. Our house. A motorcycle, a landscaped yard, a generous-sized kitchen, and a few other shots make up the smaller pictures surrounding the collage.
My heart picks up speed. “I assume you’ve decided?”
“I did. This is it, Achilles. This is our home.”
When Celia was here, she followed through and took Harley to view homes around the area. Then she took her to builders to get an idea of what the options and process will entail. Harley wanted me involved. She toiled over them endlessly, overwhelming herself. I took one look at the dozen choices she laid out on the floor and narrowed it down to three.
All three offered my requirements.
She pushed me on a budget, hung up on costs. I didn’t blame her, but the apprehension was getting old.
Now, looking at her ultimate choice, it’s settled. This is exactly what I want to give her.
“I’ll contact the builder today and set up an appointment next week. Then I’ll call Sam and Drake and get some money transferred to my bank.”
There’s a flicker of disappointment, and a split second of sadness crosses her face.
“Harley, what’s wrong?”
“I called my bank yesterday and spoke to a loan officer,” she tells me hesitantly. “It wasn’t good news on my end.”
I set the frame to the side and circle her waist, urging her closer. “First off, you don’t need to discuss anything with a loan officer because I have this. But what did they say?”
“It’s not a smart idea to change jobs right before applying for a loan. Even though Mike’s offer is fantastic, and MJ Labels is an incredible opportunity, my work history needs to be steady.”
I tamper the frustration and force my voice steady when I reply. “That’s bullshit.”
“Yeah, I’ve been with the same company for almost five years and make a decent salary. And Tom’s income helps, too. But—”
“Stop right there. I don’t give a fuck about the shit they spewed, which is probably true for most people needing a loan. What’s bullshit is you rethinking Mike’s offer. It’s not only fantastic, but it’s exactly the step you need to be thinking about at this point in your career. Better benefits,
better salary, more excitement, getting full credit for your ideas—all of it blows your current position out of the water. Do not think of turning it down because of apprehension about a goddammed loan.”
“Achilles, I’d like to help.”
There’s no way to tame the irritation now. “Baby, I have money. I can afford this house.”
“But how?” she blurts out, then flinches. “Sorry, that was rude.”
“It wasn’t rude, it was honest and you’ve been holding on to that question for a long time, so here it is. I’ve been smart with my money. Living a simple life and saving. Years ago, when Drake and Sam got established, we all invested with their firm. They took risks that paid off. That money hasn’t been touched, and they’ve grown it significantly. My savings are padded, and my salary itself isn’t bad. Even being a rookie, I’m solid.”
She melts into me, but not before I spot the wave of relief.
“Take the fucking job, Harley.”
“Mike offered me the opportunity to work from home whenever I want.”
“Even more incentive.”
“Our new house has a beautiful space for an office.”
“Good.”
“With my raise, I can put purple towels in every bathroom and still afford kick-ass office furniture.”
“Fuck.” I cup the back of her head and slant her face to mine. “We’re not putting purple towels in our bathrooms.”
She smiles, a small giggle escaping. “Pink? Blue? Yellow? Tangerine? Aqua? Azure?”
“You can go through the whole rainbow and the answer is no. I don’t even know what an azure fucking shade is.”
“You’ll learn soon enough.” She crawls up my body, placing her lips to mine. “You mentioned something about an addiction.”
“Didn’t even slow down last time, baby. You broke my fucking control.”
“Think we can do a replay?” Her voice drops low and sultry. My dick, already anxious, goes straight to steel. “Something to get you through the day without me.”
“Have at it, baby.”
I toss the washcloth into the hamper and catch my reflection. The small bandage over my ribcage with the recent addition of ink stands out. It’s nothing special, just a kick-ass scroll to add to my already elaborate design started years ago. My frame is normal, with a little added bulge in my shoulders, chest, and arms. Nothing about me has changed, and at the same time, there’s a glaring difference
Speed King (Men of Action) Page 21
