My insatiable core fights to tighten and clench around his girth, not wanting him to pull out, going to any length necessary to keep him inside me. He pauses when the very tip of his cock rests just inside my opening. My greedy pussy tightens around him, beckoning for him to come back in. I sigh out in relief and savor the feeling when he slides his full length back into the depths of my warm center. His strokes are controlled and slow as he gives my body what it craves, letting out a satisfied groan each time he pushes back in.
His hands guide my hips, slowly rocking them back and forth over his hard cock, and I moan at the sensation.
Reaching down to my slick nub, I begin to work it in a frenzy, gliding over my center hard and fast. As my breathing quickens, I can’t take it anymore and my orgasm hits me in waves. My pussy milks his cock and we collapse on the bed, both out of breath and euphoric.
I rest my cheek on his chest, snuggling my nose into his neck, breathing in his scent again. I could do this all day, but I know duty calls when you own a farm.
Andy strokes my hair and places his lips to my forehead, giving me a gentle kiss. All too soon, he breaks our intimate embrace, and I’m bereft of his warmth and comfort.
I hear the shower start, and I’m still breathing hard. Bracing myself with pillows, I sit up and scroll through my e-mail. Before I can dig in, Andy comes out wrapped only in a towel. I don’t even realize I lick my lips until I see the hooded look in his eyes. My heartbeat pounds in my chest and my eyes fall to half-mast as I slip into a lustful trance. The moment grows stiflingly heavy and heated for a brief second as he looks upon my lips with desire.
“If you don’t stop, I’ll never get downstairs to get the crews off.”
“I’m sorry. I can’t help myself.”
He crawls across the bed to me, taking my nipple in his mouth as he plays with my sensitive nub. I moan my appreciation. With his fingers probing my slick channel, he asks, “You’re staying, aren’t you?”
I’m almost there, and he continues working me. I can’t speak, only nod.
He growls, “Come for me, cuore mio.”
As if on cue, my body has an earth-shattering orgasm, my legs trembling in its wake. Sitting up, he licks his fingers. “You taste better than any breakfast sweet roll.”
I watch him dress and am floored at his beauty. He looks at me and smiles. “There’s coffee, and Sophia should be here by nine. I hope to be done by lunch, and then we can spend the day together.” I nod in my post-sex high.
After he leaves, I can’t concentrate. My breasts are sore from all the attention he’s lavished upon them, and I can’t believe what he did with just his fingers this morning. I’ve heard of women doing that, but holy cow, that pushed me off an amazing cliff of an orgasm that left me speechless.
I finally make my way to the kitchen and grab some coffee, taking a seat at the table to relax. With each passing moment, I move out of the fog of my climax, and my brain somehow begins to work. After my second cup, I take a shower. The bathroom is beautiful with granite countertops and a shower big enough for a few people, and I relish in its luxurious spray.
Climbing out and drying off, I dress quickly in a pair of jeans and a sweater, then park myself at his kitchen table with my laptop and begin working. It’s a Saturday morning, but Mason, Dillon, and Cameron are early risers, and they’re already busy talking in a partners chat.
Mason: Benchmark quietly terminated four CEOs/founders of their investments yesterday.
Emerson: CEOs are a big deal to replace. How are they doing that? They don’t even have an HR arm.
I know a Benchmark client well, so I send her a text. Hi, Suzie. If Benchmark was going to recruit CEOs, how would they do it?
Suzie is quick to respond. Caught that, did you? Benchmark was hoping that by doing it late on a Friday, it would go out with the trash and no one would notice.
Me: Well, I noticed. They don’t have an HR arm inside, so how are they doing it?
Suzie: Jeannine has a girlfriend who recruits for them. They covet Emerson, but can’t seem to find anyone they like. Rumor has it they’ve been interviewing her team, but no one’s jumped yet.
Holy fuck! Poaching. That’s going to send the guys over the edge.
Me: Thanks, Suzie. Sorry if I woke you.
Suzie: No problem. Let’s meet for drinks soon. Lots to catch up on.
Me: I’d love to. Thursday?
Suzie: Perfect. 7 at Wine Bar?
Me: See you then.
I lie back and carefully craft my message to the partners. I’ve been watching the chat. I just spoke with someone who knows. Looks like Jeannine has a girlfriend who’s recruiting for them. And rumor has it they’re interviewing some folks from Emerson’s team. My contact stressed no one has jumped as of now.
Emerson: Did they say who it was?
Me: They didn’t. Just that they covet you—which we all do :)
Mason: Okay, we need to make sure our house is strong. And it’s interesting they’re using an outside source to recruit.
Emerson: It does allow them to do it under the radar. There’s more anonymity using a third party.
Me: She also mentioned that they hoped by doing it on a Friday, it would go out with the trash and go unnoticed by us.
Cameron: So they’ve figured out we might be watching.
Me: Exactly.
Sara: What does “out with the trash” mean?
Me: Companies like to bury the ugly stuff on Fridays because people will miss it in the Saturday news. They may read the Sunday paper, but it’s already over 24 hours old, so it’s easily missed.
Cynthia: You PR folk are pretty crafty!
Mason: Can everyone make Charles’s tomorrow night?
Me: I’m in Napa dealing with my mom’s stuff, but I can try.
Emerson: You take care of what you need to. If you can’t get down, we understand.
They continue to chat, and I start thinking of all the things I need to get accomplished today. It’s already after nine, so I pack up my bag and head downstairs.
Sophia sees me and seems surprised by my presence.
“Greer, how lovely to see you. Please tell me my brother has lifted his vow of chastity and finally done something delicious?”
I’m not really comfortable talking to Andy’s sister about our sex life, so, with a good-natured laugh, I tell her, “Well, you’ll have to ask him about that. I was going to wait for him, but do you mind telling him I’ll be back in a few hours? I need to go take care of a few things at my mother's.”
“Of course. You have a wonderful glow. I’m so excited for you both.”
“Slow down, Sophia. I don’t live here, and it isn’t anything serious.”
“You don’t know my brother. He doesn’t sleep around. He’s serious. Now you need to get serious.”
“Well, we’ll see.” I quickly walk out before the inquisition continues and I’m pressured to commit to something I don’t want to.
As I think about what Sophia said, I have a bit of spring to my step. I’ve watched women trip all over him, and to know that despite obvious opportunity, he doesn’t sleep around, I’m very excited that he slept with me and seems to want more.
Driving into St. Helena, I stop at Starbucks and grab a venti mocha frappuccino, then make my way to my mother’s. The cleaning crew was supposed to get it picked up this week. They had called a few times and mentioned the bed was soiled and needed to be discarded. I agreed to have them take out whatever they felt wasn’t salvageable.
When I walk in, my mother’s condo is almost empty. My heart drops. Shit. Mom, why did I miss it this time? It smells of bleach and disinfectant. I can’t help but be disappointed and angry with myself for not doing a better job of checking on her. This didn’t happen overnight. We talked via text, and she’d tell me all about things she was doing with friends and the occasional date. Sometimes she didn’t respond, but I figured she was out having fun.
I call Vanessa, the only person who truly understands. Her
phone goes to voice mail. “Vannie, it’s me. Mom went on vacation from her meds long enough that she soiled essentially everything she owns. I feel like I’m a terrible daughter. Call me back.”
Then I text Andy. I’m at my mom’s and am heading to the hospital to see her. I’ll be back for dinner if that works? If you have other plans, don’t cancel them. I completely understand.
Andy: You were my plans. Come back to the vineyard when you’re ready.
Me: Can’t wait.
Andy: Miss you already.
I miss him, too, but I need to protect myself. Andy only got a onetime taste of Eve. From experience, I know men tend to run away once they get the full scope of how crazy my mom can be.
Me: Miss you, too. I promise to make it up to you many times tonight.
Andy: I’m counting the minutes.
Vanessa returns my call just as I read his reply. “Gigi, what happened?”
“I called and texted, but I didn’t try that hard.” I tell her the whole story of what happened with her current break, including the state of her condo, and about Andy’s involvement in the whole mess.
“Sweetie, it isn’t your responsibility. You can’t make her take her medications. She’s an adult. We just need to be grateful she didn’t hurt herself or anyone else.”
“Thank you for listening to me. I can’t help but think a few more episodes of Eve and the other shoe will drop.”
“I’m over the moon that you’ve met someone. Your mom is a secret matchmaker. You can’t live your life waiting for a show—unless it’s a great designer. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
Wiping the tears away, I scoff. My mom a matchmaker? That’d be a first.
I force a smile and get in my car to drive to the hospital, stopping briefly to pick up flowers for Mom—her favorite yellow tulips. I call her doctor and get an answering service, so I leave a message that I’m heading over to visit her.
As I park, the doctor calls me back. “Hello, Greer. Your mom should be outside. She had a rough night. She was in a manic episode, and this morning it’s moving to a depressive episode. Your visit might help level her, but just be patient. The staff will keep an eye on you both.”
Great. Depressive episodes can range from her being tired to wanting to kill herself or me. I’m mad at myself. Had I been around more, I might’ve noticed she wasn’t taking her meds. She’s good at hiding them, but her state when we sent her here was the worst I’ve ever seen.
After I sign in, the caregiver walks me back. “Dr. Phillips told us you were coming, so we told Eve.”
“How did she take it?”
“She was excited.”
“Was it excited to hurt me or excited to keep her manic?”
He smiles at me, knowing what may sound like sarcasm is really my reality. “She isn’t suicidal this morning. You know the sign if she starts behaving erratically. We’ll be watching and will intervene.”
“Thank you.”
My mother’s sitting on a bench under a tree by a pond watching the ducks. “Hi, Mom.”
She doesn’t move or acknowledge me as I sit next to her and hand her the flowers. She takes them but doesn’t look at them or say anything. We watch the mother duck manage her babies. One keeps trying to get away, and she chases it.
Finally, she mumbles, “That’s what it was like for me. My daughter would do the opposite of whatever I told her. If I asked her to hold my hand to cross the street, she’d run out into the traffic. If I asked her to stay by my side when we were shopping, she’d crawl into the clothes rack.”
“Mom, I was young when I did those things.”
Turning and looking at me, she finally recognizes me. “Greer, are you here to take me home?”
“I’m afraid not. They’re still working on your medicines. Once they get them figured out, I’ll take you home.”
“I don’t need any medicines. I wish they could understand that it makes my brain all foggy.”
“I know, Mom, but they’re important.”
“How much medicine do you take?”
This is a fight we often have. Her mother was bipolar, as is her sister, and she thinks I’m bipolar, too. I’m scared I might be, but so far all indications are that I’m not.
I decide to change the subject, as much for me as for her. “How are your art classes coming?”
“Fine.” She looks down at the bench and notices the flowers for the first time. “Oh look, my boyfriend, Andy, brought me flowers.”
A big sigh escapes from my mouth. It isn’t worth having the fight or correcting her. “They’re beautiful and your favorite. Whoever gave them to you must love you a lot.”
“Oh, he does. And boy, he’s a real tiger between the sheets, if you know what I mean.”
“That’s really nice.”
“Your father has a little penis. That’s why he likes all those younger women. They don’t know any different.”
“Tell me about your music class. Are you singing or playing the piano?”
Our afternoon continues like that, talking in circles and her oversharing with me, mostly half-truths and lies. She hasn’t said anything to me that I haven’t heard before.
I can’t take much more today. I’m ready to head back to Bellissima. “Okay, Mom, I need to get back. I have a friend waiting.”
“Tell Mark he needs to come visit me again.”
“He came out and visited you recently?”
“Just yesterday. He’s quite the charmer. You’re very lucky to have him.”
“I’ll tell him to come again soon.”
I kiss her forehead and she gives me a half hug.
Walking away, I find Dr. Phillips to debrief him. “She mentioned my ex-fiancé visited her yesterday, and she talked about my current boyfriend being her lover.”
“You’ve been her only visitor.”
I share with him the final outcome of Eve’s condo, and he takes notes without offering me much advice or guidance.
“Okay. I’ll try to drive up again next week.”
“Greer, I know this is hard. She appreciates your visits.”
“Call me if you need me for any reason, day or night.”
As I drive back to Bellissima, I want to cry. Why can’t my mother be normal?
The tasting room is stuffed full of people when I enter. I watch Andy move from table to table, the women drooling all over him.
I take a seat at the bar and order a red flight, then sit back and enjoy the wines.
I still can’t decide which is my favorite as a hand rests on my back. “Cuore mio. You’ve returned.” When he kisses my cheek, I note the dirty looks women are giving me.
“You’re going to lose your harem if you aren’t careful.”
“I don’t care. They need to love my wine, not me.”
If looks could kill, I’d be dead. A woman old enough to be my mother stops next to me. “You look a lot like my friend. Do you know Eve Ford?”
“Yes, she’s my mother.”
“I see.” Turning to Andy, she says, “You met Eve a few weeks ago. She’s as crazy as they get. She had dead cats in her condo. They had to throw out all of her belongings. It’s hereditary, you know.” Nodding at me, she continues, “She’s just like her mom. You’d better watch out.” She offers a sickening smile and reaches for Andy.
He gently moves her hand away and takes a moment to respond. He knows my mom is sick, and that she had a breakdown, but he doesn’t know much more than that. I’m nervous that he’s going to ask me to leave. That’s what Mark essentially did after my mom had a difficult episode.
“Thank you, Marnie.” I can see her eyes light up at him saying her name. “When you leave today, please don’t come back. We don’t tolerate insulting our visitors in our establishment. And, in particular, my girlfriend. I think you should leave now.”
This is obviously not what she expected to hear. “You’ve just ruined yourself. You won’t sell another bottle of wine to anyone
in this community.”
“Well, that’s too bad. I suspect there are many others who will happily buy my wine.”
She storms out with her friends at her heels.
Turning to me, Andy apologizes. “I’m so sorry you had to witness that.”
Holding back tears, I give him a huge hug as my heart sinks. “Andy, this isn’t the first time and won’t be the last that someone goes out of their way to point out the obvious.” I suppose it’s time for me to walk away. “Nothing she said isn’t true. My mom struggles with a disease. It’s hereditary, and I don’t know if I’ll develop symptoms.” I struggle to continue. It hurts my heart to tell him, but I need to do this now before it’s too late. “I can’t bring you into this mess. It’ll only serve to ruin your business.”
I walk upstairs, wiping the tears away as I go. Andy is quick to follow behind me. “Greer, I don’t know what other kind of men you’ve dated in the past, but I don’t care if your mother has mental health problems. You haven’t met my mother yet. And as things happen with Eve, we’ll figure out how to manage it together. Let’s just take one day at a time, okay?”
I nod, too stunned for words. I’ve never had anyone offer to help me with my mother. “Together?” A tremendous weight lifts from my shoulders, the one that’s been there since I was very young and learned my mother was sick. I crumble into his arms, and he holds me tight. I feel safe with him.
Pulling back, I look at him, staring into his eyes down to his soul, and then our lips come crashing together. I can’t explain the feeling of relief, even if it’s only momentary.
“You called me your girlfriend.”
“Of course I did. What did you think I’d call you?”
I shrug. “We just haven’t really talked about it.”
“Do you want to talk about it? We can. Do you not think of me as your boyfriend?”
I lean in and place a soft kiss squarely on his lips. “I like being your girlfriend.”
His eyes hood with desire and his cock is hard against my stomach.
Andy pulls me upstairs to the first room, which is filled with a desk, couch and a spectacular view of the vineyard. Our bodies repeatedly collide in urgent need, my jeans around my knees and his fingers exploring before I know it. He knows what he’s doing, and he makes my body respond like no one ever has. He uses his tongue and fingers to tease and torment me, my climax building within me. I’m no longer aware of the hard wood of the desk beneath me, or the cool air on my ass, or the fact that less than half an hour ago, I was going to leave and never come back. All I know is the pleasure and sweet agony of the need to come.
Temptation (Billionaire Venture Capitalist #4): A Second Chance Billionaire Romance Page 9
