by Marika Ray
His hot gaze tracking my movement made my body perk up, tiredness forgotten as I came closer and saw the desire in his eyes. I never had to wonder if Rhett found me attractive. I could see it there in the way his eyes dilated and heated, the way he took in my every detail like he was memorizing the way I looked and tucking it away in his memory.
“Wine?” His voice was rough, the almost-whisper thrilling me, as if this was a secret moment in time just for us.
“Yes, please.” I picked up my glass from the tabletop surrounding the firepit and had a seat on his lap. We clinked glasses, my ring sparkling in the firelight.
“Do you like it?” Rhett asked, nodding toward my ring.
“I absolutely love it. You couldn’t have picked a better ring.” And I meant it. I didn’t want some crazy flashy ring with more carats than sense. I wanted something unique to me, not a showpiece for lunchtime bragging with the ladies.
Rhett kissed my ear, my cheek, my neck. “I hope you don’t mind, but I called Lily-Marie and had her shop with me.”
I pulled back, mouth open. “You did?”
He shrugged, a small smile tugging on his lips. “Figured you’ve been best friends forever. Who better to help guide me, right?”
Hew barely tolerated Lily-Marie. Rhett called her up and went shopping with her. So many red flags I’d ignored, but never again. I put my glass and his back on the tabletop to free our hands and pulled him in for a kiss. I needed Rhett more than I needed sleep.
He tasted a bit like the red wine he’d been drinking, all deep notes and full bodied. And Lord, did I want that body. My hands left his face to trace down his strong shoulders and arms, the muscles there firm beneath my touch. While I went south, he went north with his hands, molding my shape like he couldn’t get enough.
Rhett pulled back and I whimpered, wanting his tongue back in my mouth as badly as Buttinsky wanted in mine.
“You got your way earlier today, sweetheart. Now it’s my turn. Go stand by the lounge chair and take your clothes off.” His gruff whisper lit a fire in me far brighter and hotter than the firepit.
“Outside?” I hesitated. Stupidly.
He cocked his head, that wicked gleam in his eye I loved so much. “I promised to bring you more adventures, Snookums. Let’s start with backyard sex, then we’ll move on to public sex. Maybe the beach, though I wonder if the sand might be an issue.” He rubbed his chin like he was really giving it some thought.
“I prefer our adventures not get us arrested.” My heart was doing that racing thing again, whether from fear or from being turned on, I couldn’t discern. The idea thrilled me, which then made me fearful, but I guessed that was the whole point.
He gave me a look, a mix of challenge, wanting, and pleading. And then the dimple came out. I climbed off his lap and walked to the lounger, pulling off the T-shirt of Rhett’s I’d stolen and pushing down my shorts. Time to embrace adventure.
I was aware of the cameras outside the house blinking in the dark, meaning they were recording. After the fact, I’d have to get them to cut out all the naked goodness, otherwise I’d be on an entirely different show called Naked and Aroused. Knowing they were recording everything added another layer of excitement to this outdoor adventure.
Rhett stayed in his chair, his lids lowering over those eyes burning into my skin. “Climb up on all fours.”
My brain froze that close to the edge of my limits. Having my ass in the air for any and all to see was high up on the list of things I didn’t do. Big bottomed girls like me tended to want to downplay that aspect.
“Gabby…” Rhett’s voice floated over, a warning that sounded less like pleading by the minute.
I swallowed hard and flicked my hair behind my shoulders. I could do this. I was a grown woman choosing to embrace new adventures and Rhett would be there to make it amazing. I had to leap.
I spun around and climbed onto the lounger, the rough fabric scratching gently against my knees. The cool breeze was a welcome reprieve from the heat flaring under my skin. A shot of desire spread through me, knowing I was on full display for Rhett. Sure, it was dark, but with the moonlight and the firepit, I knew he could see well enough. Who knew bumping up against my insecurities could be hot as hell?
Quick footsteps came up behind me, followed by a single finger tracing down my spine. I shivered, anticipating where he’d go next, knowing I’d do pretty much anything for him. His rough hands kneaded my backside, the massage relaxing me. Just as my eyes were about to close, he spread my cheeks wide. His face buried between my cheeks before I could yelp. The wind was sucked from my lungs as he flicked his tongue around and down, unrelenting in his thorough assault.
My legs shook and yielded easily when he lifted up and spread them farther apart with his knee. His hand, calloused from scraping boards, grazed my cheek, then slapped it. Hard.
This time I did yelp, the shock of the sting turning deliciously dark and dirty. The breeze swept through again, cooling my cheek and making me aware of the wet desire between my thighs. My body liked this adventure and my brain was catching the desire train as well, a little late to the party but onboard nonetheless.
Rhett stepped out of his shorts, his clothes joining mine on the ground. Again, he gripped my cheeks, leaning down to kiss his way up my spine.
“You’re absolutely stunning. Here on this lounge chair, spread out for me, trusting me. It’s everything, Gabby.” His whisper was rough and uncontrolled.
I moaned, the only noise I could make at the moment. I’d never felt this level of desire, as if I might truly die if he didn’t plunge inside me in the next second. Thankfully, he knew, probably feeling a bit that way himself, grabbing my hips tightly and thrusting his ample man hammer inside in one strong stroke. I nearly face planted as my arms wobbled. Rhett’s grip held me up, probably leaving bruises, but I didn’t care. In fact, I hope he did leave a mark on me to match the one he’d left on my heart.
He pulled back gently, just the tip of him still inside, teasing me. I pressed back, needing to be filled, but he pulled back too, the bastard. A rustling noise split the quiet and then my other cheek was on fire, most likely with a red mark in the shape of his handprint. Everything was trembling now like one of those leaves on the tree we were under.
Rhett plunged back in. My eyes squeezed shut and I prayed he’d keep going. But he wasn’t done teasing, pulling back and just giving me the first inch of him and waiting to see what I’d do. Thing was, I’d always been a quick learner. So I stayed perfectly still there on all fours, dying a thousand deaths waiting for him to give me what I wanted. When he finally buried himself deep inside me, I squeezed as hard as I could.
Two could play this game.
“Holy—” He gasped.
And then I got what I wanted. An out of control Rhett, one foot planted on the ground, his hands squeezing my hips, thrusting into me over and over, all teasing tossed aside in a race for ecstasy together. When it came, that moment suspended on the edge, when you didn’t know if you could handle one more ounce of pleasure, he gave it to me with another stinging slap. I shot like a rocket, my vision blurring and my arms finally giving out. Stars blinked across the sky and I was floating, only tethered to the ground through our one point of connection.
Long moments later, I blinked my eyes open and found my face pressed against the chair cushion and my legs akimbo. Rhett was still deep inside me, his body draped across my back having joined me in that flight into outer space.
Eventually, the night breeze did its job and cooled us off enough to cause shivers. Rhett stirred, placing soft kisses along my back before pushing up and pulling out. He crouched down at the side of the chair by my face, brushing my hair back.
“You okay, sweetheart? Did I hurt you?” His face was a mask of concern.
I swiped at my cheeks, seeing that I had tears on my face. “No! I mean yes, I’m okay. More than okay. That was incredible.”
His face transformed into that smile I loved, the
dimples winking at me, quite like those stars I saw. He held out his hand and I took it, letting him help me up and lead us back into the house where we’d make a life together, one adventure at a time.
Preferably without cameras.
Epilogue
Lucille
Ah, weddings. Supposed to be such a happy union where two people come together and promise in front of family and friends to love each other forever, forsaking all others.
I thought it was a load of baloney, if you asked me. Which no one ever did. You see, I was a pariah of sorts. In this modern day and age, I was an old maid, but it was hardly PC to call me that, so most people just didn’t call me at all. Or text. Thirty-six was hardly old, but I knew it had more to do with the way I carried myself. I wasn’t what you’d call “fashionable” or “young at heart” or “fun.”
I was also still a virgin.
Boom. There. I said it. Can we move on now?
I was invited to weddings constantly by my older sister, Lavender, probably because John would never go with her. Fan emergency down at the factory, every stinking time. I thought that was a load of baloney too, but hey, it wasn’t my marriage to endure for the rest of time. I think she secretly hoped to auction me off to any single men in attendance while they were soft around the edges due to the romantic nature of weddings.
So there I was, witnessing Lavender’s friend Gabby marrying some hot ginger of a man named Rhett who looked like a grown up frat boy with a constant twinkle in his eye. Those two were cute as a button up there at the altar with two ring bearers and a flower girl flanking them. I may have had something in my eye when Rhett nearly broke down at the sight of Gabby at the end of the aisle walking toward him at a surprising clip. She was a stunner herself with that jet-black hair, white dress, and deep red rose bouquet. And good Lord, did she have a booty to rival that one family on television the teenagers obsessed over.
The vows had us all in stitches. The tears were flowing unashamedly. The kiss at the end was what romance movies were made of. The recessional was set to a peppy New Kids on the Block song. I mean, it really was convincing. I may have even briefly questioned my belief on the whole marriage and a baby carriage thing.
I wasn’t bitter, per se. I was realistic.
In my line of work, you saw a lot of pieces of work. Skepticism became a healthy mechanism for survival.
“Lucille! Come meet my friend Gabby.” Lavender tugged me forward and thrust me in front of the bride. She had on a radiant smile and flushed cheeks, looking every bit the blushing bride.
“Gabby, this is my little sister Lucille.” Lavender did the introductions and I reached out to shake Gabby’s hand. Her nails were bright red, not the usual color for a bride, but beautiful nonetheless.
“Congratulations on your marriage. Thank you so much for having me today.” I nodded regally. It wasn’t her fault I’d been strong-armed into coming by a strong-willed sister.
“I’m so happy to meet you, Lucille. How come I haven’t met you before?”
I waved my hand through the air breezily. “Oh, I work up in Northern California, so I don’t get down here that often.”
“Oh? What do you do?” Gabby leaned in.
The blush hit my own cheeks. This was always such an intricate conversation. Be truthful and shock everyone? Or lie and be boring like they expected of me? I was sure you could guess which direction I normally chose.
Just then something brushed against my hip, not an area that saw much action, so naturally I was startled. Looking down, I found a farm animal staring up at me with remarkably human eyes. I wasn’t fanciful by any means, but if I was, I’d said he was daring me.
Listen, I back down from a lot of things, but never a goat challenge.
I looked back up at Gabby—who didn’t seem surprised at all by the interruption of a goat at a wedding reception. In fact, she petted his horned little head—and felt a frisson of something breathtaking and toe-curling travel up my body.
“I run a spank bank.”
Boom. There it was, out in the open, floating along the sound waves for anyone to pick up on. I could hardly believe I’d uttered the words.
Gabby hiccupped loudly and then burst into giggles. Lavender looked at me askance, probably thinking I needed a hug to soothe myself out of my crazy mood. Billy the Goat gave me a respectful head nod as if to say “well done, young lass.”
“A-a what?” Gabby was gasping for air, tears threatening to do more damage to her makeup than all the crying during the ceremony.
I felt a little dizzy, maybe even a little high on honesty. Weed was legal here, but telling the truth was all I seemed to need for a good time.
“Well, I’m a nurse, you see, and I run a sperm bank in Hell.”
Gabby bent over with a renewed peal of laughter, hand to her stomach, nothing but a wheeze drifting up. Rhett walked up to her and introduced himself while Gabby got herself together. I surely didn’t mind shaking that man’s hand. I wondered if he had freckles anywhere else besides his cheekbones.
Is it hot out here?
“Babe. Lucille runs a spank bank in Hell.” Gabby grabbed Rhett’s arm and got him up to speed between fits of laughter.
“Like hell hell?” he asked, face all twisted up and surprisingly, even more handsome.
“That’s what we NorCal people call it. It’s actually Auburn Hill, California. Add a little country twang to it, shorten it, and boom, you now live in Hell.” I smiled, truly enjoying myself for once. “So, if you ever have fertility issues, you just let me know and I can fix you right up.”
Rhett went a little pale under his tan like most men did when we talked about the family jewels not being worth much.
Gabby leaned in, whispering, “Considering the test I took yesterday, I think we’re all good in that department.”
“Gabby?” Lavender gasped.
Gabby nodded, her smile taking over her face. The two women hugged and I eyed Rhett’s jewels.
“Well done, fellas,” I told them. You had to remember, I dealt with penises and sperm all day long. Totally normal to talk to them.
Rhett moved his hand to cover his fly and edged closer to Gabby.
“Actually, Lucille, I have a television director friend who might be interested in your business. Do you mind if I give him your name and number?” Gabby seemed sincere, which made me feel like accepting.
“Sure, sure. I mean, they’d have to blur a lot of things out, but the place is a hotbed of crazy stories. You won’t believe the number of times we catch women stealing the samples!”
Gabby, Rhett, and Lavender burst out laughing again and I rode the high.
The high of having fun.
The high of speaking the truth for once.
The high of being the center of attention.
Shoot, maybe I’d be getting myself a goat once I got home. These goat challenges were powerful indeed. Maybe the next one could challenge me to find a boyfriend to break this thirty-six-year dry spell.
Not sure what kind of man I’d find in Hell, but I was up for the challenge.
Love Bank, book #1 in the Jobs From Hell series, coming February 2020. Grab it on preorder now! And don’t forget to keep reading for the extended epilogue with all your favorite couples from the Reality of Love series!
Series Epilogue
Abi
“I can’t believe you’re opening another restaurant when Elle is about to pop with another one of your demon spawn.” My elbow connected with Austin’s ribs and he pulled back from the brotherly hug quickly.
“Hey, what was that for?” He grabbed his side and tried to look mad at me. Problem was, he’d had a goofy smile on his face pretty much since the day he slid a ring on Elle’s finger. Hard to frown and smile at the same time, but he gave it a good shot. “You know how Elle is. She can whip up an orgasmic seven course meal in the kitchen with the baby on her hip and one about to pop out. There’s no stopping her.”
“Ew. Don’t talk about E
lle and use the word orgasmic in the same sentence. You’re my brother, for God’s sake.” I teased him like we were still kids despite him pushing thirty-years-old and me not far behind.
I couldn’t help but smile fondly. My sister-in-law just so happened to be my best friend and just like Austin said, she was a force to be reckoned with. I spotted a head of reddish hair near the entrance and excused myself. If luck was with me, I just spotted Rhett and Gabby. Rhett was an old friend of Austin’s who came around often, especially when he started dating Gabby. Don’t get me started on the story of how those two came to be a couple. It involves goats and cameras and fake boyfriends. See? Craziness.
And where Gabby went, so did Lilly-Marie and Jameson. We’d all become close over the last couple of years despite our ages spanning ten years. There’d been some tense moments over the years, most notably when Marcos and I started dating. Austin and Marcos had been best friends growing up. I’d been the annoying little sister tagging along. The day we told Austin we were dating, the two had come to blows before we worked it all out. Took a lot to get my easy-going brother to lose his cool, but messing with his little sister was high on the list of “don’t even fucking think about it.”
“Gabby! Rhett!” I wound my way through the crowd and gave boob smashing hugs when air kisses were more acceptable. We lived in the land of Hollywood, where affection was rarely real. One reason we all got along was because we didn’t believe in that shit. You love someone, you wear that love with pride.
“You look gorgeous, Abi!” Gabby, a stunner in a deep red dress that hugged every curve she had and flaunted well, held me at arm’s length.
I did a little spin, showing off the sparkly pink dress I borrowed from the latest television show I was hosting. Why buy my own dresses when the wardrobe department kept me in designer clothes they’d never miss for a night?
