by Donna Alward
“So do I,” his date responded.
“Perfect. Your waiter will be with you shortly. Enjoy your evening.” She sashayed away as if this didn’t bother her at all. And maybe it didn’t. Maybe their Friday night rendezvous were normal for her.
Too bad they weren’t for him.
“I’ve heard great things about this place,” Denise said as she lifted her menu. “Their website said they exclusively use beef from Weston Ridge. I’m guessing that’s you?”
“My family, yes.”
She set her menu down and pointed to an entree. “Do y’all order the same thing?”
The Weston. Rib eye rare with caramelized onions, garlic mashed potatoes, and a grilled tomato. His cheek ticked up in a grin. “Pretty much. Sometimes my brother Blake tries to be uptown and goes for the filet. But he likes to do the unexpected.”
“But not you.”
He shook his head. “It’s the best rib eye I’ve ever had.”
“Curt was like that.” A faraway look clouded her brown gaze. “I think he would have been happy eating the same thing every day.”
Slade nodded, remembering she’d lost her husband to a car accident last summer. “Amanda had the same meals in the dinner rotation since we got married. It was…comforting.”
“We’ve just committed the cardinal dating sin, you know. Never talk about your first marriage.”
He shrugged. “We both did it, so I think that makes it okay.”
“I don’t think I’m ready for this.” She sat up straighter. “How long did it take until you felt comfortable, you know, dating?”
His gaze riveted to Jules as she sat a couple a few tables over. He shook his head and looked back to Denise. “I’ll let you know.”
“So this is normal? Feeling like I’m doing something wrong?”
“Is this your first date since?” He wanted to reassure her, tell her that it got easier. But it didn’t, not really. Every woman he went out with was patently ‘not-Amanda.’
She nodded. “And it took forever to get this one off the ground. The boys are busy and we live on his folk’s property, so I think they’d prefer if I mourned Curt forever. Are your in-laws like that?”
He shook his head. “The opposite. They take the kids every Friday so that I can try and find someone. They want the kids to have a mother-figure, I think.”
“Two and four, right?”
“Is this the part where we share pictures?” He grinned, their waiter appearing with two beers and appetizers they hadn’t ordered.
“Crawfish ceviche and Dracula bread are special additions tonight,” the waiter explained. “Compliments of the management.”
“How long have you been coming here every Friday?” Denise asked after they’d ordered.
“Ten months.” He took a slice of the crusty bread covered in roasted garlic and melted cheese. “Ever since one of my college friends told me about the site.”
“Did it work for him?” She took a bite of the ceviche, and then a long draw of her beer. “Spicy.”
“Ray’s actually marrying my sister, so yeah. I guess it did.” He wondered for a second what Jacy would think of his current predicament, but knew immediately she’d scrunch her freckled nose and shudder. And with her new, love-tinted view on life, she’d push him toward Jules. For the first time, he was glad she’d moved three hours south to be with Ray.
“But not for you. At least not yet.” She sighed and leaned closer. “Can I ask you something?”
“I think that’s what we’re here for.” He gave a smile, but wanted to crawl out of his own skin.
“Do I need to take my ring off?” She twisted the band on her finger and he glanced at his own. He’d had Roman numerals of their wedding date tattooed there. Two weeks before the big day. Amanda had teased him every day until their wedding that they should elope.
“No. I mean, maybe someday.” He ran his thumb over the tattoo. “A few of the women I’ve met have asked if I’m going to have mine removed, and I just can’t see it happening.”
“I’m struggling with a ring, so I can only imagine.”
They ate their dinner around friendly conversation. Denise was everything he’d been looking for the last year—family focused, interested in ranching, and easy to talk to. He’d bet she’d pitch hay and ride fences right beside him, just as Amanda had. But instead of the usual ‘not-Amanda’ dread most dates left him with, now he had a new ‘not-Jules’ ache. That Denise decided she wasn’t ready to date yet had been the ultimate relief.
Their waiter appeared with a giant slab of cake, chocolate and toffee and cream tempting him.
“We didn’t order dessert.” He looked at Denise who shook her head. He hadn’t even thought to offer.
“It’s our Better than Sex Cake, compliments of the management.”
He glanced across the restaurant at Jules, who wiggled her ringed fingers in a wave and then winked. She was some poker player. He’d really thought she couldn’t care less that he’d brought a date to her restaurant. Heat rushed through him, right to his cock. Whatever noble intentions he had left regarding Jules fled the scene. If she wanted to play, he was more than game.
…
The brisk knock on her door made Jules jump. She pressed a hand to her chest and willed her heartbeat to slow back down. She smoothed the fabric of the vintage sheets she’d been organizing, the soft cotton soothing her nerves. She’d wanted him to come, but she hadn’t been sure he would, not after his date with the perfect country wife. If she’d been a better person, a bigger person, she would have left them alone. Instead, she’d sent spice and garlic before dinner and a tease after.
She was leading Slade Weston into temptation, but she couldn’t help herself. She’d seen him there, standing beside the prefect woman for him, and her entire body had vibrated with jealousy. She’d never felt that kind of envy over a man before. She’d resented not having a normal family and hated when people didn’t appreciate the opportunities she would have given anything for. But a man? There had never been one she hadn’t willingly shaken off.
Which was why she should not answer the door. She only had a few weeks left in town to ignore him, and those warm brown eyes, broad, calloused hands, lean muscles and that grin that for some reason made her tingle in the best of ways. She could do that. But as she crossed the room, she knew she wouldn’t.
His knock began again and she pulled the door open. The surprise of the movement causing him to step forward, bringing him so close she could smell the mint on his breath.
“Can I help you with something?” She licked her lips, her breasts growing heavy and achy at the sight of him. If she tossed him to the ground and rode him to oblivion, maybe they wouldn’t have to talk about his date night.
“Always.” He wrapped his arm around her waist and lifted her off her feet, pressing his hard body against hers as he stepped into her apartment and kicked the door shut behind them. “I’m not seeing her again.”
“I don’t care if you do.” She twined her arms around his neck and pulled in the scent of sunshine and man she’d been craving. More intoxicating than wine, more addictive than chocolate.
“You’re a pretty awful liar, Jules. And I care. I’m not that guy.”
She knew that. He was the kind of guy most women dreamed of a forever with. But her forever was such a long way down the road. After New York, after design school and her career and traveling and all the other things she’d promised herself when Ben dragged her here. She’d get out, show all the haters in this town she was more than the desperate-for-attention high school girl they’d mocked. By the time she’d be ready to settle down, he’d be celebrating his next ten-year anniversary with a couple more kids.
“I warned you not to do something stupid like fall for me.” She released her arms and slid down his body, ignoring the bulge in his jeans as she gazed into his eyes. The heat in his gaze stole her breath. The way he wanted her so much was exhilarating.
He nodded an
d threaded his fingers through her hair, keeping her close. “You did.”
“And you’re smart enough to listen. Right?” She slipped her hand between them and squeezed his hard cock through the denim. “Damn. You’re too turned on to hear a thing I’m saying.”
He pushed into her hand and grinned, massaging his fingers against the nape of her neck. “You have that effect on me.”
“Maybe this should be the last time.” She rubbed him through his jeans. Maybe if they kept their clothes on, if they didn’t get naked or vulnerable, he’d realize that sex was all they could ever have.
He brushed his lips against hers and shook his head. “It’s dangerous to ignore a fire that burns this hot.”
He took her mouth, kissing her as if he were starving and her lips were what he needed to survive. She released him and untied the ribbon holding her wrap dress together. Desperation vibrated between them as clothes, his and hers, fell to the floor. The heady scent of man and desire filled her senses. There was no control in this, for either of them. The need was too great, the impulse too strong to tame. They had to be together, to come together, and then maybe they’d be able to think again.
Before she could get her heels off, he grabbed her ass and lifted her off her feet. She wrapped her legs around his hips, the hard ridge of his cock pressing against her sex. She gripped his shoulders as he marched them to the bed, each step grinding against her clit. When he stopped, she held tighter and rocked her hips. She brought her lips to his ear as her breath caught.
“Just a little more,” she begged.
His calloused fingers dug into the muscles of her ass and he moved with her. Pleasure swirled deep and then rippled out in an orgasm she’d been waiting for all week. All the tension left her body and she relaxed, releasing her hold on him as he laid her on the mattress. The cooler air of the loft swept over her as his body left hers, but the bliss was too heavy to allow her to open her eyes. She heard a drawer open and grinned, knowing that once he had a condom, he’d be inside her and the pleasure could begin again.
…
Jules lay on her bed, a satisfied, womanly smile on her mouth, while the smooth lips of her pussy glistened in the lamplight. Puckered pink nipples tempted him and he couldn’t decide where to touch her first. This couldn’t be the last time. There was so much to explore and taste and learn about her, he didn’t think he’d ever have his fill. He took the box of condoms from her drawer and spilled a few onto her nightstand. He set the box back in the drawer, his hand brushing against a black silk pouch. He grinned as he opened it, not at all surprised to find her vibrator inside. But this purple version had extra parts and when he turned it on at the base, a mechanism inside began to rotate.
Jules’s blue eyes shot open. “What are you doing?”
“Have you been playing with this all week?” She sat up and he held it above her reach.
“Jealous?” She reached out and pinched his nipples. He tensed his gut and did his best not to flinch or notice the way his cock twitched.
“If this gave you what you needed, you wouldn’t have opened your door.” He held the shaft of it in his fist, noting how the little nubs at the bottom pulsated. No wonder she liked this one, it would vibrate against her clit while it moved inside her. Just as he had last week.
She laughed and rose up on her knees. “Then put it down and show me why I wanted you tonight.”
“I already did.” He set it back on the silk pouch.
“Show me again.” She slid her hands down his abs, gripping his cock with one hand and cupping his balls with the other.
He covered her small hands with his, and then pulled them to the side. Jules might be used to having the upper hand sexually, but he wasn’t about to let her run that game on him. Not when her come-fuck-me smile showed she didn’t want to be in charge at all.
In one quick move, he had her on her back, legs dangling off the side of the bed. She gave a startled gasp, but before she could make a move of her own, he sank to his knees and pushed her creamy thighs wide. He licked her pussy from bottom to her clit and back again. She moaned and pushed a hand through his hair.
“Babe, I already came. You don’t have to—”
She gasped when he thrust his tongue into her and swirled it around. She had a heady taste, like wanton desire.
“I change my mind. Yes, you do. Keep doing that.” She moaned again and pressed him deeper with both hands.
He grinned against her sensitive flesh and guided her hands to hold her thighs open. With his hands free, he sucked her inner lips and pushed his thumb into her. She whimpered and arched her back, taking all he could give her. He slid in his other thumb, sliding them against each other while he lapped at her clit. Her breaths came in quick pants as she pressed against him. He kept it up, steady and rhythmic until her legs started to quiver. She tried to push him away, but he held on, pressing her clit between his lips as her inner muscles quaked and the slick rush of her orgasm coated his hands.
He released her then, her spent legs limp as he kissed his way over her hip, to her belly button, and then her nipples. Her climax had flushed her chest a deep red. He lifted her body to the center of the bed, then reached for a condom and protected them.
Jules hummed and traced a finger along his forearm. “After that performance, you can fuck me any way you want.”
“Any way I want, huh?” Would he ever get past her sex kitten defenses? He settled himself between her legs, then turned to unfasten each of her strappy heels.
“I think you’ve earned it.” She reached for him as soon as he let the second shoe drop, pulling him down for a spine-tingling kiss.
And then it hit him, exactly what he wanted. He settled his weight on his forearms and framed her face in his hands. Then he pulled back from the kiss.
She opened her eyes, her blue gaze glittering in the lamp light. He felt her questioning stare as sure as the warmth of her body beneath his. She hooked her leg over his hip and his cock pressed home.
Her lids fluttered closed as he sank into her. “Jules, look at me.”
She pinched her eyes shut and tried to roll her hips, distract him with the pleasure her body could bring. He rocked his way deep into her, all the way, pressing into her and into the mattress until she couldn’t move.
“You said anything. Look at me.”
Her eyes opened slowly, a single tear escaping as her jaw trembled. She let him in, the vulnerability raw and aching before she lowered her lashes and shut him out again.
“Let me see you.” He lifted up, giving her room to move once more. She rocked her hips against his and he steeled himself for the onslaught, holding himself still as she moved sinuously beneath him.
She reached for him, trying to pull him back down on top of her. “Just fuck me. Please.”
“You said any way I want, and I want to make love to you.”
“Don’t.” Her eyes shot open and she wrapped both legs behind his back, using the new position to slide his cock in and out of her tight heat. She knew exactly how good she was, how amazing it felt to have her taking his cock like this.
“Why not?” He sank into her, pressing her hard against the mattress once more.
“I can’t have you.” She turned her head to the side and grabbed his ass, her fingernails biting into him as she tried to urge him on. She squeezed him with her inner muscles, as if to prove he couldn’t hold out on her forever.
“You have me inside of you right now.” He kissed her exposed neck and she shuddered, another tear slipping past her defenses. He kissed it away, then trailed his lips to her ear as he began to move within her. “Shh, don’t think. Feel. Sex is just friction, but we’re more than that.”
She wrapped her arms around his shoulders, her legs around his hips and clung to him like her life depended on it. And maybe it did. He thrust into her, slow and deep, her body so snug around him he didn’t know where he ended and she began. Her head pressed against his, her breasts crushed against his ch
est, and their bodies joined in the most primal of ways.
Each thump of his racing heart pounded inside his ribs as he dove into her again and again. Deep. Hard. Ruthless in his wanting. He craved this, the soul connection that went deeper than pleasure and yet provided it. A satisfaction that lasted beyond the orgasmic bliss.
Her whole body arched and she cried out, shuddering in his arms the way her pussy pulsed around his cock. He chased her orgasm with his own, her body pulling it from him until he collapsed on top of her. He might have passed out if he hadn’t felt her choke on a sob.
He rolled to his side, taking her with him. She curled her body against his, tucking her head under his chin as she fought to calm her breathing. He stroked her hair and held her tight, bringing the swell of his own emotions in check. He hadn’t expected this. Not with her. Maybe not ever again.
“That wasn’t fair.” She blew a slow breath against his chest, but didn’t move.
“The whole situation isn’t fair. Hell, life ain’t fair.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her blonde head.
“You’re trying to make me want to stay.” She reached down and pulled a quilt from the bottom of her bed over the top of them.
“True.”
“Stop. Because I don’t want to hurt you when I leave. And I can’t stay here.”
“I’ve been thinking about that all week. You don’t have to go as far as New York.”
She crossed her arms over his chest and studied him, her pretty eyes rimmed in red. “I do though. It’s the best design program in the country. The experience I’ll gain is invaluable.”
And he wasn’t. He didn’t see the appeal of the city, but then, he loved Opal Creek. Always had.
“We should stop this before it goes any deeper.”
He sighed and toyed with the silky strands of her hair. She was absolutely right. They should. But it wouldn’t help. They’d gone too far already.
“You want this to be more than it can be. I’m only in this town for a few more weeks and then my life finally gets to start.”
