by Kahlen Aymes
“It’s perfectly fine. I did, indeed, though it wasn’t until the second book hit New York Times that he had to admit I wasn’t a fluke. Still, he’d rather I’d have gone to law school.”
“But writing is so…” I searched for the words I wanted. I had such an exuberance for my craft that I could barely articulate it. I let my eye wander over his classically striking features, taking in the casual elegance he exuded. He wore a dark suit, made only slightly more casual by the light teal V-neck beneath it. The fabric was fine, and I guessed it would be soft to the touch, like silk or Egyptian cotton, and the color made his eyes even more intense. The fine cut of the suit and perfect tailoring did little to disguise the perfection of his lithe body underneath. “Invigorating and personal,” I said finally, hoping I hadn’t just made a fool of myself. “I find myself so engulfed in the story when I’m writing. My characters become real to me. I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.” I smiled softly.
“I could tell from your work.”
“I was so excited to take your class and have the opinion of someone published, and so successful as you are. I’ve been stressing out a bit.”
“I’m just a man, Addison,” he said calmly.
I gulped in a deep breath, as inconspicuously as possible. “Are you?” I asked weakly; the question an open admission.
“I guess it didn’t ease your trepidation when I gave it back to you without a grade,” Jax added.
“No. After you asked to see me and it was without edits or comments, I was terrified.”
“I’m sorry,” he sounded sincere. “The last emotion I want to conjure within you is fear. I have no excuse other than I wanted to meet you. You intrigued me in class, but your words… I was both impressed and aroused by them.”
“That was the assignment,” I replied quietly. “To arouse.”
“It was. You’re gifted.” His low voice oozed over me like sensual honey and I could see the question behind his eyes. He also wondered how we would be together, as I did.
I couldn’t help swallowing a bit of wine so hard that it made my throat ache. “Thank you, though I have yet to prove I can make a living at it. I haven’t shown anyone any part of the novel I’m writing. Other than what you saw.” I felt the flush in my cheeks returning under his intense stare.
He reached forward across the table, the gesture silently insisting I place my hand in his. After just a brief hesitation I complied. Electricity shot through me as his long fingers closed around mine and his eyes burned into mine. He was gentle, but firm and his thumb began to brush the top of my hands.
“I’m honored Addison. I know how hard it is to be so vulnerable. Those are your thoughts; your feelings that were poured out on the page. I get it, but don’t doubt your talent. ”
“I guess…” I swallowed. “I was worried what my mother or father would think. You know, their little girl writing sexy love stories. I don’t know.” I offered a half shrug. “It’s weird.”
“They should think that you’re quite shrewd. Sex has always been a big seller, but in the last few years even more so.” A slow smile slid across his mouth and I thought he was the sexiest man I’d ever seen. “You shouldn’t worry that you don’t have the writing chops. I’ve read a lot of writing submissions and you moved me like few have before you.”
“I feel the same way about your books.”
“Ahhh.” The word came out satisfied. “So, you’ve read some of my work, too.”
Only every book you’ve ever written, I wanted to answer. “Yes. At first, I was intrigued by a man writing romance, but then, I got lost in your stories.”
“I admit, being male does give me a competitive advantage over my female counterparts in the genre,” he acknowledged. “Considering only about ten percent of romance readers are men.”
“Maybe a little,” I conceded. “But your words speak for themselves. Very sexy.”
“I’m not Nick Sparks.”
“Thank goodness. I’m not as inspired by his books.”
His fingers toyed with his glass as he sat there; studying me. “I hope inspirational in the way yours inspired me.” His words and the look in his eyes hinted at a deeper meaning.
“Yes.” There was no point in lying or being coy with him. “You must know how women react to you. I’m sure I’m no different.”
He slowly downed the remainder of the champagne in his glass then reached for the bottle to refill it, tipping it toward me to ask if I wanted some more as well. I nodded and he began to pour.
“You are. I hesitate to say this because I don’t want to come across as conceited, but I’ve never had trouble getting a date, but as for my work; well... that was altogether different.” His expression took on a wry twist. “I tried querying literary agencies under JD Michaels and got fifteen rejections, one right after the other. My dad had a field day when I bombed; pressuring me to enroll in law school. I resisted and used my full name on the next batch and bingo. Gloria and three other agents were hot on my trail for a partial and the rest is history. It’s a sad fact that good writing isn’t enough in this saturated market. To be blunt, I didn’t want it to be about my cock,” he said honestly. “Literally, or figuratively.”
I couldn’t help the small throaty laugh. “Now you’re with an amazing agent and I see how all the women swoon in class; and some of the men as well, but it’s not just because of your success, or your books. But I can see you find the attention annoying.”
Jax shrugged causally. “Not always. Sometimes, like with you, I welcome it.” He exuded confident, and unconscious sexuality in class but there had been more than one occasion when he’d been pissed off by the lack of focus. “I’m annoyed when students don’t take the class work seriously. I’m not there to babysit a bunch of idiots who are just there to get their rocks off.”
Remembering my own reaction to the room of awe-struck students on the first day of class, I couldn’t resist the giggle that burst forth from me. “I actually saw a guy yanking on the fly of his pants in class the first week!”
If his expression was anything to judge by, Jax seemed happily amused, yet incredulous, by the picture I painted. He paused long enough for my statement to settle, then huffed out a laugh of his own. “What the fuck? I hope he learns to buy looser pants in the future,” Jax returned and we both laughed out loud.
We were interrupted as our smiling waiter brought our meal, setting first my plate in front of me, and then Jax’s, clearly wondering what had us both in fits of laughter. “Are you enjoying your evening so far?” he asked.
“Yes, thank you,” I answered, still chuckling.
“Immensely,” Jax agreed, without taking his eyes off of me.
During dinner our conversation continued over delicious food and divine company. The chicken breast stuffed with eggplant and provolone was served with a luscious white wine sauce and Jaxon’s grilled lamb chops looked equally mouthwatering.
I found his conversation and subtle teasing irresistible, and at the same time that I felt more at ease in his company, there was still that thick underlying sexual tension. The buzz I felt was from more than the overabundance of expensive champagne.
When the evening wound down Jax ordered us both espresso and a tiramisu to share before the conversation turned again.
“Do you have a boyfriend, Addison?” It seemed abrupt but a question that demanded an answer.
“If I did, I wouldn’t be here,” I said quietly. The restaurant was clearing out as closing time drew nearer.
He leaned forward and spooned up some of the delicious creamy mascarpone, espresso and ladyfinger dessert, and put it into his mouth. “Good to know.” The corner of his mouth quirked in the start of teasing smile. “So, what do you draw on for your writing? The love scenes in particular?”
“It isn’t as if I have never had a boyfriend,” I added, coyly. I wasn’t sure why I was embarrassed one minute yet so open the next. “But I read a lot, and I guess… I have a good imagination.�
�� Should I tell him that his own novels had been a huge source of inspiration and education?
“I see.” Something in his face seemed satisfied and disappointed at the same time and it was exciting and confusing at the same time.
I cleared my throat. “What about you? Do you have a wife or girlfriend?” I asked cheekily. I already knew he wasn’t married from the little bit of research I’d done with Michelle, but he could have a girlfriend or a fuck buddy that I wasn’t aware of.
“I wouldn’t be here if I did,” he used my own words as our eyes met. In one instant, the sexual tension was off the charts again.
“Good to know,” I quipped with a soft laugh.
He was obviously a sophisticated and sexually experienced man. I knew he was older than I, but I wasn’t sure by how much. When I was a young girl reading romance novels it was always exciting when the hero was five or ten years older than the heroine.
Jax smiled briefly, but his face turned serious.
“Addison,” he began.
“Yes?” I set the spoon I’d been using to share the dessert down on the edge of the plate.
“I find myself …” he stopped.
I frowned, suddenly feeling apprehensive. “What is it, Professor?” I couldn’t help flipping back on the more formal address after his sudden change of demeanor. “After you’ve been so open about what you want, why hesitate now?”
His eyes closed briefly, and his mouth pressed into a thin line. “I do want you, Addison, but I realize how young and inexperienced you are. And after learning more about you, and getting to know you better, integrity demands that I, at least, consider the consequences of acting on impulse. I’m not sure we should tempt… well, fate. I find I don’t want you to think of me as a lothario or libertine, no matter how inflamed my libido.”
I understood what he meant, and I even admired him for not putting his dick before my reputation, though I felt a little disappointed in the sudden cooling of his ardor. “Obviously, it is more than fate that would be tempted,” I offered. “Even by working together.”
His blue eyes narrowed and locked onto mine and the start of a sexy smirk started to tug at his lips. “Indeed.”
“So? I’m relegated back to my former status as ordinary student?” I challenged.
Jax didn’t hesitate. “Never that.”
My heart seemed to restart like a match being lit. My eyebrow rose and my head cocked to one side. “Then?” I said bravely.
“Then… I think we should go. Are you ready?”
Our eyes still held with a sensual laziness, both of us seemingly drunk on the atmosphere, the other’s company and the promise of what was in store. “I am.”
Jax raised a hand to indicate he was ready for the check and after the waiter brought it and exchanged pleasantries; he glanced at it and quickly unfurled three bills and handed them over.
“Keep it,” he said to the waiter.
“Thank you, sir. Have a pleasant evening, Madam.” He nodded at me.
“Thank you,” I answered.
In seconds Jaxon was on his feet and extending me his hand, then helping me up and I dropped my napkin off of my lap on the seat of the chair.
It seemed as natural as breathing when he placed my hand in the crook of his arm and escorted me outside into the still warm September night. New York was always a bustle of light and motion and though it was exciting, tonight, I longed for the moon and stars, and more, I longed for the evening to continue.
“Shall we walk a little?” Jax asked.
There were always people on the streets of New York. Lovers and tourists, clubbers and those attending Broadway shows or late suppers, but now, walking in silence with this man, I felt like it all fell away. “Yes, please.”
He was looking at me, though we were walking forward. I could feel his eyes on me the same way they had been the first day of class. We walked for a block without speaking. I inhaled but it was Jax to begin.
“I meant what I said. You’re very talented and I’d love to work with you.”
“I’d like that.” If working beside him was the only time I could get with him alone, I’d take it. My shoulder brushed his strong bicep as I walked closely beside him, and he bent his head to speak close to my ear. His hot breath competed with the night heat as it rushed across the skin of my cheek. I shivered.
“Are you cold?” His hand came up to cover the fingers wrapped around his inner elbow.
I lifted a hand to stroke it down the sleeve of his jacket, though I shook my head. “Not at all.” I wished we were alone. The moment was intimate. It felt like we were already lovers. “I enrolled in the class so I could get your opinion on my work, and now…” I lifted my right shoulder in a small shrug.
He stopped and turned me to face him both of his hands closing gently around my shoulders then down my upper arms. “And, now?” he prompted. “Tell the truth, remember.”
I swallowed and nodded shortly. “And now… I just want to get close to you.”
“I thought you were afraid I’d break your heart.” His voice was low and intense.
“I still am, but in this moment… I’m more afraid you’ll never touch me.” I reached up to run my fingers lightly along the soft scruff on his strong jaw, my eyes holding his. My head fell back, and my eyes closed at the same time my lips parted in invitation. I wanted him to kiss me. I needed him to devour me.
For a beat, Jaxon just looked at me. His intense blue eyes getting a shade darker as he contemplated his next move.
Without warning I was suddenly in his arms and being moved backward into the small alley and pressed up against the brick wall of one of the buildings. I was breathless in my anticipation. Both of his strong hands came up to hold the sides of my face and his forehead pressed into mine. He was breathing as hard as I was and I sucked in his exhale, my open mouth lifting toward his as I let out a soft breath, silently begging for his kiss.
It seemed he lost the battle he was waging with himself, because an instant later his mouth swooped and came crashing down on mine in a deeply passionate kiss. My fingers clutched at the front of his shirt, fisting in the material as I gave him access. His erection pressed into me and I moaned softly as he hiked me higher on the wall and pushed between my thighs. It felt amazing, but I craved more.
We kissed over and over; the desperate, hungry kind; tongues tentatively touching, then mating in a wild abandon. Our mouths gave and took from each other in a beautiful dance, only breaking to breathe. I felt my body bloom; opening and aching to be filled by him.
“Uhhh,” I sighed out. “Jaxxxx…”
“God… he breathed against my mouth, his chest heaving and his heart hammering against mine. I felt his hand slide around the outside of my thigh and lift my leg so he could press more deeply into my center. “You’re so sexy.” He pushed into me again and I felt the full and glorious length of him against me. “I’ve been dying to get my hands on you since I read your piece. And tonight… I was in physical pain.”
His hips thrust forward and mine gave an answering push in return. I was balancing on one leg, but the pressure of his body held me steady.
His hand snaked around under my leg to touch the silk of panties, slick with lust. I whimpered as his fingers pressed against the moist material and began a slow pulse on my clit.
“No one cans see us, but can you be quiet?” He whispered, his face turning into the curve of my neck. I arched it, giving him access. His open mouth immediately latched on to my tender skin to bite, nibble and suck alternating between hard then soft. My breath rushed out as pleasure began to build, pooling in a delicious throb deep inside me.
Biting my lower lip, I gave him a muffled answer, unsure if I could comply but wanting so desperately what he could give me. “Mmmmm hmmmm.”
At my assurance, my panties were pulled aside, and his fingers were parting my flesh and he was pushing two inside me. I clenched around them and he groaned.
“Jesus, Addison. I’m dying.
”
I turned my head and bit his earlobe hoping it would cause him to turn and kiss me again. His fingers made two slow deep thrusts inside me and then he pulled them out to move them in four or five circles over the hard nub that begged for his touch. The effect was explosive and like nothing I’d ever experienced. He was experienced and he played me like a finely tuned instrument.
“Uhhh.” I breathed out. “Jax… Kiss me. Kiss me,” I demanded as his fingers continued the alternating thrusts and the delicious rubbing until I was writhing in wanton desire, clenching my sex over and over. I could feel liquid desire trickle down the leg that supported half of my weight.
Despite our precarious location or maybe in spite of it, Jax was frantic in his kisses, his mouth devouring mine, sucking my tongue inside to then thrust inside to lave with mine, while his hand worked more slowly, careful to build my pleasure more slowly. The exquisite sensation was almost too much to bear. My hips pushed into his hand in hungry demand.
I pulled my mouth free to beg. “Please. Please.”
“I want it to be like nothing you’ve ever felt. Do you trust me?” He asked against my mouth. He was already kissing me again so all I could do was offer a soft mewl.
My hands pulled his head closer, as the hungry kissing began again.
I wasn’t sure how long it went on, but it felt incredible; amazing.
The waves of my orgasm began to hit me, and my body began to spasm around his fingers. His strong arm went around my waist to hold me up as his other pressed deep inside and began to rub the G spot deep inside my vagina while his thumb kept up the circles. The result was an explosion of pleasure even more magnificent than anything I’d ever imagined; even in writing my love scenes.
I cried out his name, but he swallowed it with more of the heavenly kisses, becoming softer and less demanding and into gentle coaxing as my body rode out my orgasm.
I couldn’t breathe. My body went limp in his arms and my body jerked violently.
“You’re okay,” his voice guttural and dripping sex, assured me. “I’ve got you.”
He certainly did. My hand slid up his shoulder and tangled into his silky locks at the back of his neck, both of us panting head to head, nose to nose. A horn honked and made us both aware that while we were hidden by the darkness of the alley, the bustle and exposure of 83rd Street and all of Manhattan were only a few feet to my left.
