He bit down again, this time a little harder. Jade’s moan told him everything he needed to know. She was ready for him to stop holding back quite so much. There were places he could take her that were still off limits — too intense. However, Jade no longer needed pure vanilla. It was time to add a little spice to their play. Words were a great place to start.
“I love it when you make that little sound in the back of your throat.”
“What noise?”
When Garrett pinched her nipple between his fingers, biting her neck at the same time, Jade’s question turned into a gasp, then a moan, then a tantalizing combination of the two.
“That’s the one,” Garrett said, smiling. He left a trail of kisses until his lips hovered over hers.
“I didn’t know I made a special noise,” Jade said.
“Like nothing I’ve ever heard before.” Garrett gave her a light kiss. “Unique. Like the rest of you.”
“I’m ordinary, Garrett.”
From the tone of her voice, Garrett knew if he could see her eyes, they would be a little sad. He wasn’t allowing that. He finally had Jade where he wanted her. Years after that night in his car, they were going to have sex. What the hell. He might as well admit it, if only to himself. He was going to make love to Jade Marlow. A first for him. All was good. Sadness had no place in bed with them.
“Why would I lie to you, Jade?”
“Not lie,” she conceded. “Embellish. To make me feel better about myself.”
“The first time you asked me to meet you, all you wanted was for me to have sex with you. Am I right?”
“Yes.”
“There was nothing in your request about pumping up your ego with kind, insincere compliments.” Garrett knew he was pushing the point a little too hard, but he didn’t want any doubts left in Jade’s mind.
“You’re a kind man, Garrett.”
“I don’t think anyone who has worked with me would ever use that word. Slave driver. Asshole. Madman. That I’ve heard. Kind? Not so much.”
Garrett saw her lips curve upward.
“How many of them have you slept with?”
“You have me there,” Garrett smiled in return. “I don’t do location hook-ups.”
“I bet your lovers would agree with me.” Jade cupped his face with one hand. “You are exciting, Garrett. You know how to please a woman. Fundamentally, you are the kindest man I have ever known.”
Garrett was floored. Who knew that such a simple compliment would bring him as close to tears as he could ever remember? Jade spent her life without one of the most fundamental things he took for granted. Love was complicated. Friendship could come and go. Kindness was so easy. Yet it was what she craved because she spent her life without it.
“I’ll accept kind,” Garrett teased, hoping to lighten the moment. “If you admit I’m the sexiest man you’ve ever met.”
“That’s easy,” Jade said, the paused before adding, “I’ve never met Colton.”
“Ha,” Garrett scoffed. Thrilled that Jade felt comfortable enough to tease, he was happy to play along. “My brother is all flash, honey. What you see up on the screen and in the magazines? A trick of lights and filters. In person, Colt is a ninety pound weakling with bad skin and thinning hair.”
“Wow, Hollywood really can work wonders.”
“You have no idea.” Garrett rolled on top of Jade, linking his fingers with hers. He held her hands, trapped under his, on each side of her head. “Now, while I worship your delectable skin with my mouth, tell me how sexy I am.”
“I never knew a man could do the things you do to me,” Jade breathed as Garrett licked her ear. “I’ve read about it in books. God, I hated those books.”
“Not sexy enough?” Garrett asked between kisses.
“Too sexy. I was set up for disappointment. I — Oh, God! Garrett, what did you just do?”
Garrett knew exactly what she meant. That little spot right where her neck and shoulder met. When he bit with exactly the right amount of pressure, Jade almost shot out of her skin. However, since they were in a teasing mood, he decided to play dumb. For a little while.
“You mean this?”
Garrett lightly kissed Jade’s cheek.
“No.”
“This?”
His lips grazed the underside of her jaw.
“That isn’t where your mouth was.”
“Really?”
Garrett was enjoying himself. There was something to be said for playing in bed. He couldn’t remember when he last took the time. Or wanted to. He loved sex. Believed in satisfying himself with willing ladies as often as possible. None of those women made him want to linger the way Jade did.
“Are you going to do it again?” Jade asked with obvious frustration.
“If you do something for me.”
“Name it.”
“Careful, honey.” Garrett loved that he was driving Jade to distraction. “I might ask for something kinky.”
“How kinky?”
Garrett could tell Jade was intrigued by the idea. Well, well, well. It appeared Jade wasn’t a straight arrow, which was fine with him. He wasn’t into anything extreme. Still, he enjoyed a little twist now and then.
“Let’s try knocking off those training wheels before you tackle the big hill.” Garrett covered Jade’s mouth with his. The kiss was hard, intense, and way too brief. They were both breathing harder when he pulled back. “Say something dirty.”
“How dirty?”
“Don’t panic. Nothing too wild,” Garrett reassured her. “Yet. Tell me what you want. One thing you would like.”
For a minute, Garrett was afraid she was through playing. He didn’t think he was pushing too hard. Still, Jade wasn’t experienced. In any way. It might take some time to coax her out of her shell.
“I like when you use your tongue.”
There we go. Garrett smiled to himself as he gave Jade what she asked for. Not too wet. He was a man, not a hormone-riddled teenager. He knew the proper balance between what made a woman shudder with passion and what made her shudder with disgust. It was a fine line. One he always stayed on the proper side of.
“Do you like it here?”
Garrett outlined her shape of Jade’s ear, biting the lobe.
“And your teeth,” Jade gasped. “You always make it feel so good. You bite, always stopping before it hurts. I didn’t know I wanted that.”
“I plan on opening your world to all the possibilities, Jade. Some of them you’ll like.” Garrett bit again. “Others, you can decide as we go. Now, about that spot you wanted me to hit again. Right about here.”
At the same moment his teeth latched on, he entered her. One smooth motion. Garrett knew Jade was ready for him. The entire evening was leading to this. The meal they shared. The teasing. Even her first orgasm was only a prelude to having him inside her for the first time.
Jade surprised him. Garrett expected a slow build. He was used to her being a little shy at first — unsure. Not this time. The double stimulation of his teeth and his cock turned her into a wild woman. Her legs wrapped around his, urging him on. She pulled her hands free. She grabbed his head, guiding his mouth to hers. This was the first time she took the initiative. She wasn’t happy to be led. She knew what she wanted and she was taking it.
“This is going to be fast, Jade,” Garrett warned. “You aren’t helping slow it down.”
“I don’t want slow.” Jade grabbed his ass, making sure his pace matched the one she wanted. “Hard. Give me everything you have.”
The words were music to Garrett’s ears. For weeks, he held his desire in check. Giving Jade every consideration, then going home to jerk off in his solitary shower. Being inside her hot, wet, body was better than any dream. She was tight and slick. It only took a minute for him to hit his peak.
“Are you ready to come with me?”
Please say yes.
“I’m coming, Garrett. Now!”
Thank God. He tumbled
over. His mouth found Jade’s, their cries of pleasure mingling in a passionate duet. The slide back to Earth was gradual, his hips still working, trying to wring out every ounce of the moment, wanting it to last.
Garrett collapsed, rolling to the side. He kept Jade in his arms, needing her near. Throwing his head back, he closed his eyes, savoring the feel of her. Nothing could ruin the moment. Not the crappy motel or the loud air conditioner.
Garrett wished they were at his house. He would fill the huge tub in his bathroom, pick Jade up, and then make love to her all over again as the warm water lapped around their bodies. He didn’t want to think about using the shower here at the motel. Things grew in the corners that he feared would resist even the strongest disinfectant.
At least the sheets were clean. Next time, he would lavish her with the kind of lovemaking experience she deserved. It was time to leave the rattrap motel behind. After weeks of hiding, there was no longer any need. They weren’t a one-time thing that had to be kept on the down low.
Now, he needed to convince Jade.
CHAPTER EIGHT
PRESENT DAY
JADE WONDERED IF she was making a huge mistake.
Having tea with Garrett’s mother? Was she out of her mind? Not only was Jade carrying on a secret affair with Callie Flynn’s son — she was meeting him that very evening.
The luncheon was a success. At least it seemed that way to Jade. Judging such things was always difficult. You could spend the entire time thinking you put every foot right. Then you find out a week later you had a huge spot on the back of your dress and the Ladies Who Lunch club thought you were a mess. At one time, the whole thing would have turned Jade into a shaking mess. Now, she didn’t care what those women thought.
Garrett’s mother was a different matter altogether. Why hadn’t she thought up a plausible excuse? Jade had one right at her fingertips. She could have begged exhaustion. Between the luncheon, which ran until three-thirty, and Jade’s recent medical problems, she doubted Callie would have blinked an eye. Only Jade needed to know it was a lie. She was at full strength — mentally and physically.
Now, instead of anticipating her rendezvous with Garrett, Jade searched her closet for the perfect outfit to wear to meet his mother. Should she check with Garrett? Will he be angry? Jade straightened her shoulders. The hell with that. She was through worrying about angering men. Her entire life, she let the fear of her father’s cold, cutting words, or her husband’s fists, influence her actions. No more. Callie Flynn called her. If Garrett had a problem with that, he could take it up with his mother.
Feeling good about her internal pep talk, Jade stopped fussing over what to wear and grabbed a bright yellow sheath off its hanger. Because of the weight she gained in the past few months, Jade wasn’t concerned about hiding behind layers of clothing. She would never be curvy; there was no getting around that. Her figure was naturally slender. Another thing she was coming to terms with. Garrett seemed to like her the way she was. More importantly, Jade was beginning to like herself. Inside and out.
Meeting Callie Flynn was one more step toward the woman Jade wanted to be. Confident women didn’t cower behind closed doors or agonize over minute details. If one of the film industry’s greatest beauties wanted to have tea with Jade Marlow, then tea they would have. As equals. She hoped that the meeting had nothing to do with Garrett.
It was a ridiculous thought. How would Garrett’s mother find out something the rest of the world knew nothing about? If even a hint had leaked out, Jade would be all too aware. No, whatever Callie Flynn wanted, it wasn’t about her son.
Jade reapplied her makeup while she thought back on the luncheon. Ladies Who Lunch was a charitable organization. They did some good, Jade supposed. Fundraisers were always being held. The money distributed to needy families. However, when everyone you knew was a multimillionaire, the term needy was relative.
The members consisted of some of Beverly Hills’ wealthiest wives. Rather the wives of wealthy men. They were an interesting amalgamation. First wives ruled the roost. Just below them were the second wives — if the first wife died. Next, second wives of divorced husbands. At the bottom? The third, fourth, and fifth trophy wives. If you were twenty or more years younger than your husband, you were allowed to join. Achieving any amount of respect took time and hard work. If you had the staying power, with both the group and your marriage, eventually it paid off. You graduated from interloper to the in-crowd.
Jade shuddered at the thought. The last thing she aspired to was acceptance from a group of women she neither liked nor admired. They let her host the luncheon because her home was considered a neutral site and her father had more money than most of their husbands. The main reason they sought Jade out was morbid curiosity.
The gold hoop earrings she chose were simple, understated, and much more Jade’s personal style than the flashy gems her father insisted she wear. The world needed to see the Marlow wealth. When they entertained, Jade was given whatever jewelry her father thought appropriate. The moment the guests left, she returned it to him — he locked it in his office safe. Only Anson Marlow had the combination. Or so he thought.
Jade had the numbers memorized. She learned them over time. Catching a number here and there when her father was careless enough to open the safe in her presence. It never occurred to him that she was clever enough to pay attention. He was too arrogant to switch the numbers on a regular basis. For a man who trusted no one when it came to business, Anson Marlow neglected the little things in his home. He believed Jade to be one way. Meek. Boring. Stupid. Easily led.
It was difficult to argue. For most of her life, Jade was meek, boring, and easily led. However, she was never stupid. She silently observed. It would shock her father to know how much she knew about his business. The legal transactions. And the under the table ones. Some bordered on shady. Others were downright illegal.
She used to fantasize about cleaning out his safe. She would hand over the papers to the proper authorities. The jewels and money she would keep for herself. Jade wouldn’t hide what she did. The best part would be the look on her father’s face when he realized who the mastermind was behind his downfall. Stupid Jade. Not so stupid after all.
Anson Marlow never looked at his daughter — not really. He didn’t when she was a child. He didn’t when she was an awkward teenager desperately in need of a parent’s guidance. He turned a blind eye to the abuse happening in his own home. Now, he failed to see the woman Jade was becoming. Stronger, more independent. A woman who no longer yearned for his love and approval. A woman capable of bringing his empire crashing down.
Of course, that was not going to happen. Jade did her research. The people her father swindled were not innocent investors losing their hard-earned life savings. They were men and women badder, or worse, than the man they foolishly trusted. It might be satisfying to bring the lot of them down. Unfortunately, it would be messy. Jade had lived with enough mess to last a lifetime. Let them continue to screw each other over. They deserved what they got.
The jewels and the money meant nothing to Jade. Yes, they would ease her way. Having a cushion beyond her dwindling inheritance would be nice. Nice was the last thing Jade was looking for. Not anymore. She wanted to see what was beyond the gates she had grown up behind. Jade was ready to break free. Maybe her father would miss her. Most likely, he would not. Happily, Jade would not be around to find out.
For the luncheon, Jade carefully arranged her hair in a French twist. Conservative, neat. Boring. There was that word again. She looked in the mirror. Really looked. What she saw surprised her.
Her face was fuller. Her cheekbones no longer hollow. Her eyes still dominated her face, but they didn’t stand out like tragic beacons begging for the world to pity her. Trying to be objective, she gave herself a thorough once over.
She was pretty, Jade decided. There was color in her cheeks and a glint in her eyes. To be honest, that was entirely new. Even before her marriage and the subs
equent events, Jade rarely sparkled. She was quiet, unobtrusive. Now? There was more. Whatever that meant. It was up to her to find out.
Garrett called her beautiful. Thinking of her lover… Lover. The mere thought brought a rosy bloom of color that traveled up her neck in a suffusion of heat. She, Jade Marlow, had a lover. A strong, considerate, passionate man who thought of her pleasure before his own.
Jade still wondered how she had the nerve to ask Garrett to meet her. Then she asked him to have sex with her. It had been terrifying. Embarrassing. Sure Garrett would reject her. She kept waiting for the floor to open up, suck her in, and put her out of her misery. Instead, Garrett said yes. Not out of pity or obligation to the poor abuse victim. He agreed because he wanted her. After all these months, the multiple meetings — and orgasms — Jade had no doubt. Garrett wanted her. Skinny, uninteresting Jade Marlow.
None of those women she played hostess for today would believe it. Especially if they knew the demands Jade put on Garrett from the beginning. Demands she continued to insist on even though a growing part of her wanted to throw them away. For some time, she found herself wanting to see Garrett when they were together. He had a wonderfully strong, leanly muscled body. Her hands told her that. Her mouth confirmed it. She could see him in the shadows. Now, she wanted to see more.
Fear held her back. What if he couldn’t handle her scars? Deep down, Jade knew that wasn’t likely. Garrett wasn’t the kind of man to walk away because of a series of crisscrossed lines on her stomach. How many times had he traced them with his fingers? Kissed them? Murmured his distress for what she had suffered? Garrett wouldn’t turn away in disgust. However, he might pull away. For all her newfound strength and growing confidence, she couldn’t quell the fear of losing Garrett. For a few hours, in a dingy, rundown motel, he was hers. The moment the lights came on, all that would change.
One of two things would happen. Either Garrett would fade from her life or he would want to take things public. Jade feared both. The first, because being with him made her feel alive. She felt like a woman. How could she give that up? The second would mean facing cameras, paparazzi, microphones shoved in her face. The combination of her notoriety and Garrett’s celebrity status would send the story through the roof.
Dreaming With A Broken Heart (Hollywood Legends #1) Page 12
