by Mariano, Sam
Grinning evilly as he gets my panties off, he says, “Yes.”
He shoves my panties into the same pocket. I get the feeling he’s not going to give them back, but I don’t care. I have no need for panties, only for him. I look down, as eager as he accused me of being, as he unbuttons his pants and frees his cock from the dastardly constraints of his clothing.
Yes, yes, yes, that’s what I want.
Carter’s hand slides down my side, then he braces both hands under my butt and lifts me. I wrap my legs around him and don’t even attempt to hold back a moan, throwing my head back as he swiftly pushes himself inside me. Knowing I’m already warmed up, he only gives me a few seconds to adjust to the invasion, then he picks up a steady pace, withdrawing and thrusting mercilessly, just the way we both like.
“Look at me,” he demands, since my head is still tipped back, my eyes closed.
I hold onto his broad shoulders for strength and coax my eyes open, bringing my gaze back to his. His brown eyes are so beautiful, so intense as he pulls back then thrusts forward, angling his hips and forcing his cock even deeper inside me. I moan again, my head falling back. It’s too hard to keep it upright, but I try. I bring my gaze back to him and hold it there, hissing through my teeth as he pounds me again and again and again.
“Tell me you love me,” he demands.
That’s a no-brainer. I can barely open my mouth fast enough for the words to tumble out. “I love you. I love you so much.”
Even though he knows that already, I can see that my vehemence satisfies him. To reward me, he crushes his lips against mine, tangling one hand in my hair and cradling my head in his large hand. His kiss is as unrelenting as his thrusts and every bit as mind-melting. My brain ceases to function as he fucks me against this wall, my senses of right and wrong, of modesty, of basic human decency falling away like unnecessary baggage. The door could fly open right now and I would still beg him to keep going.
For this, I don’t have to beg. Not tonight. He slams into me until I can’t take it anymore, until I’m crying out his name in pleasure and finally flying over the edge into ecstasy.
My body is boneless as I come back down. My head is even harder to hold up now, so I let it fall forward against his shoulder. Carter’s eyes are closed too, one hand braced on the bathroom wall like he needs it to help him remain on his feet, but he’s still supporting all of my weight, too, so he must not.
“Fuck,” he mutters, then presses a kiss to the side of my face.
Sighing blissfully, I offer him a loopy smile. “I don’t know about you, but I feel much better.”
Carter chuckles, pulling me in for a hug. Once we’ve both come back down, he eases me down, but doesn’t let go until I’m steady with both feet on the floor.
I tug my dress down, then cast a glance toward the thankfully empty bathroom stalls. “I should probably clean up.”
“Nope. You keep my cum inside you and get your disobedient little ass back to the table.”
I slide him a stern look, but he ruins it completely by smacking me hard on the ass and making me jump. “Can I at least have my panties back?” I request.
“No.”
“I figured as much,” I mutter.
When we return to the table, his friend has left and the waitress hasn’t yet returned. Thankfully we are alone in this corner, so my purse remains on the floor where I left it and my phone is still on the table. Not that anyone who can afford to eat here is likely to steal purses, I guess, but it was still irresponsible to leave my belongings and run to the bathroom for a quickie.
Worth it, though. Even if someone had run off with my purse, it would have been worth it.
Pleasantly satisfied, I take my seat and sip my expensive champagne. I’m certain I finished my glass already, but someone must have refilled it because now it’s a little over half full.
Now that our sexual needs have been met, Carter doesn’t pick pretend fights with me over texts from a man incapable of making him feel threatened. Lucis does text me again, but I can’t even bring myself to care enough to read it. I’ll get to it later… or tomorrow. At some point.
The waitress brings out our steaks and reminds me why I come to this place, even though Carter’s friend is such a nuisance and the prices are so high. The steak is so perfectly cooked, so amazingly tender, it practically melts in my mouth as I’m chewing. The whole time I’m eating it, I feel like I’m cloaked in a blissful blanket of all around satisfaction.
By the time my cake comes out, I might as well be walking on sunshine. Usually Carter and I share a dessert, but he knows when it comes to this cake, I want my own. He orders a slice for both of us, but only takes a few bites of his and then has it boxed up so I can have it tomorrow. He’s the best.
I’m still a little buzzed from the champagne and sex when we leave the restaurant. I’m leaning on Carter a little more heavily than I mean to, but I’m getting tired. It’s been a long day, and all I want to do is go home and curl up in bed with him.
“Thank you for a lovely date night,” I tell him, as we walk back toward Rockefeller Center.
“You’re welcome,” he says, subtly checking his watch. “We need to pick up the pace a little bit.”
“Why?” I murmur sleepily. “I’m tired. We should get a cab.”
“Because if we don’t hurry up, we’re going to miss the last light show.”
“Light show?” I gasp, suddenly realizing why we are heading back toward Rockefeller Center. “Will we make it?”
“Starts in three minutes,” he tells me.
I love the Christmas light show at Sak’s Fifth Avenue, and Carter knows it. It reminds me of the light show and fireworks at Disney World this past summer when we took Chloe. She was almost too tired to hold her little head up by that point, falling asleep in Carter’s lap while we sat on the ground to give our feet a rest. Then the show started and she rallied the last bit of energy her tiny body could muster. She gazed in awe at the projections on the castle, eagerly watching with magic reflected in her eyes as fireworks lit up the sky above.
At Christmas, we get just a little bit of that here. Chloe loves the light show, too. We’ve brought her a few times since the season started, but tonight, it’s nice that it’s just me and Carter.
We make it just in time for the last show to start. There’s a smaller crowd of people than there has been when we’ve come earlier. Carter stands behind me and wraps his arms around my waist, pulling me back against him as we watch the light show. He’s still feeling affectionate, rubbing his thumb over my knuckles, then twining our fingers together while he holds me.
I lean my head back against his shoulder, sighing contentedly. “I love you, Carter.”
I feel his warm breath on the side of my face as he murmurs, “I love you, too. I have one more early Christmas present for you.”
I grin up at the building as I tell him, “If you keep this up, there won’t be anything left to put under the tree.”
“Then I’ll just buy more,” he says, simply.
“You’re spoilin’ me, Carter Mahoney.”
“I’m always going to spoil you,” he promises. “You deserve to be spoiled.”
I reach my hand back to caress his face, but when I do, I freeze, seeing something on my finger catch the light. I didn’t put my gloves on when I left the restaurant so my hands are so cold, I can barely feel them. When I turn my wrist, my wide eyes land on a gorgeous diamond and aquamarine ring that has appeared on my left hand.
“Carter…” I trail off uncertainly, then look back at him.
He turns me around, capturing the hand he sneakily slid the ring on. Holding my gaze, he brings the hand to his lips and kisses my knuckles. Then, still holding onto my hand, he drops to one knee.
I gasp, and so do a few people in the crowd around us. A helpless grin splits my face, happiness welling up inside me like a volcano that’s about to explode.
“I’m sure you already know you’re the best thing
that’s ever happened to me. I can’t imagine what my life would have been like without you, and even if I could, I wouldn’t want to. You’re my partner, my best friend, and the only thing in this world I can’t afford to lose.” He offers me a little smile, knowing the answer even before the words leave his perfect lips. “Zoey Ellis, will you spend the rest of your life with me?”
“Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes, yes,” I say rapidly, nodding and grinning. Then, saying to hell with it, I throw my arms around his neck and tackle him.
He manages to stay upright even with me coming down on top of him. He catches my weight in his arms, holding me against his chest and smirking down at me. “You sure?”
I squeeze him harder, then pull back, allowing myself a moment to actually look at and admire this beautiful ring. It’s not an ordinary engagement ring; the main stone is pale blue in color—aquamarine, not a diamond. The diamonds are set around the band and in a halo around the main stone. It’s the perfect ring for a winter proposal. The perfect ring, period. I’ve never seen a prettier ring, and I’m not just saying that because this one is for me, from Carter.
Well, maybe I am, but it doesn’t matter. I maintain that it’s the most beautiful ring in the world, and he’s the most wonderful man in the world, and if I get any happier tonight, I will literally explode.
Sighing and winding my arms around his neck again, I lean in and give him a big kiss. There are some responses from the people still gathered around, some chuckles and awws, one person inexplicably recording this on their phone, like the moment belongs to them.
It doesn’t matter. They could project this proposal on the building like they did the light show and I wouldn’t mind. All that matters is that we found each other, that we make each other happy, that he loves me so much he wants to marry me.
And I love him, too. I love everything about him, the good, the bad, and the in between. And now I know with an unshakable certainty, we get to spend the rest of our lives together.
That’s pretty damn lucky, if you ask me.
The End
Also By Sam Mariano
In this gripping dark romance series, Mia Mitchell’s life changes forever when she witnesses a crime and gets sucked into the dark, twisted games of Chicago’s notorious Morelli crime family. This series has a little bit of everything: scorching sexual tension, twists and turns around every corner, and an epic journey to happily ever after. Make Accidental Witness your next read and find out how the villain gets the girl!
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2hUyVk2
Amazon UK: My Book
Amazon CA: My Book
Amazon AU: My Book
About the Author
Sam Mariano has a soft spot for the bad guys (in fiction, anyway). She loves to write edgy, twisty reads with complicated characters you’re left thinking about long after you turn the last page. Her favorite thing about indie publishing is the ability to play by your own rules! If she isn’t reading one of the thousands of books on her to-read list, writing her next book, or playing with her adorable kindergartener… actually, that’s about all she has time for these days.
Feel free to find Sam on Facebook (Sam Mariano’s General Reader Group), Goodreads, Twitter, or her blog—she loves hearing from readers! She’s also available on Instagram now @sammarianobooks, and you can sign up for her totally-not-spammy newsletter HERE
If you have the time and inclination to leave a review, however short or long, she would greatly appreciate it! :)
