Without Regret

by Aubrey Bondurant

  Beautiful.

  Her legs began to shake, and I took great satisfaction in the way her hands gripped my hair, pushing me further in as though she couldn’t help herself. As she screamed my name, I doubled down my efforts, trying not to smile at the litany of curse words garbled up in whatever she was now chanting incoherently. I ate her without any reservation, only stopping once the second climax crashed over her, and it was clear she wouldn’t be able to keep this position any longer of standing on one leg. I stood up and lifted her, relishing the feel of her thighs going around my waist. I wanted to fuck her in absolutely every position, but right now I’d take whatever I could get. I eased her down on the bed. After unzipping one of her boots and then the other, I shimmied her skirt down her amazing legs. Luckily, she was helping with her top and bra. But once she was naked, all I could do was stare.

  She was abso-fucking-lutely the sexiest woman I’d ever seen. Breasts that were perky and more than a handful, a flat stomach, and flared hips curving into what I knew to be the best ass I’d ever seen. Pale, soft skin glowed in the moonlight and practically begged me to touch it. Her thighs were toned and open for me to glimpse her gorgeous pussy. My eyes flicked to the small tattoo she had on her hip. I wanted to ask her about it but recognized this wasn’t the time.

  “Your turn, cowboy.”

  I started with my shirt, not bothering to undo more than the top buttons before fisting it over my head. Next came my shoes, socks, and slacks. I couldn’t wait to see Miss you’re-not-my-type’s reaction when I whipped off my T-shirt and relished her holy shit expression before pulling off my boxers.

  “You have a tattoo and a piercing?”

  I couldn’t help grinning. “Never said I didn’t.” I said a silent thank you to my college roommate for instigating both.

  Reaching for my slacks and wallet, I found the condom and ripped open the package. As I slid it down my length, I realized she was now up on her feet, stepping in front of me to study the tribal tattoo I had over my right shoulder.

  Her fingers stroked over the flesh before flicking my pierced nipple.

  “Don’t worry; the ink isn’t fresh since meeting you if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  Her gaze narrowed a bit, but she took the slight dig in stride. “I wasn’t. It’s good work.”

  Taking her lips, I loved that she was unhesitant in returning the kiss despite the taste of her still fresh on me. After backing her up to the bed, I followed her down and then rolled to the side, both to avoid crushing her and to keep my view of her gorgeous body in front of me.

  I dipped my head to take first one nipple and then the other, lavishing equal attention on both before kissing her lips again, With my fingers, I found the diamond stud which would surely haunt my dreams.

  But she wasn’t content to let me call all the shots or set the pace, surprising me by moving on top of me and straddling my hips. She gripped my length, giving it a pump for good measure.

  “Too bad you already covered up; I bet you would’ve looked good between my red lips.”

  Fuuuuck. I was so screwed. Both figuratively and literally. A woman who wasn’t afraid to tell me what she wanted in bed, had a clit piercing, and could challenge me outside of the bedroom, too, was about to be my trifecta. But if I let her know that, if I let on how far gone I already was for her, I’d lose her. So I played it cool.

  “I bet I still will when you take a shower with me after.”

  She quirked a brow. “Already making long-term plans?”

  I flipped her on her back, taking the control from her. Settling between her legs, I put just the tip of my cock inside of her. She squirmed, wanting more, but I pinned her arms above her head. Judging from her lustful expression, she was a fan of the gesture. “Depends on if we fuck one another out of our systems tonight.”

  And with that, I thrust into her on one stroke, knowing she was more than ready. Grinding against her to root, I appreciated the beauty of her piercing. Because of it, I was able to give her pleasure on her clit and her G-spot at the same time. I used both to my advantage until she was absolutely begging.

  “Trevor. Please.”

  I wasn’t one to withhold an orgasm, so I made her topple over the edge. But I wasn’t done. Not by far. Instead, I lifted her hips and proceeded to pound into her without pause, taking her over two more times before I let myself go.

  Collapsing on her, I realized we were both panting and drenched in sweat.

  She spoke first. “We may need that shower after all, but walking might not happen for a while.”

  I took that as a compliment. I popped out of bed, disposed of the condom, and went back for her. Hoisting her over my shoulder so I could have her delectable ass in front of me, I couldn’t resist giving her a swat as I walked into the bathroom.

  “Hey, caveman. Let me down.”

  I did so, slowly, letting her slide down my front before capturing her face for another kiss. I remained hard for her. Painfully so. When she dropped to her knees, I had to literally grip the vanity to keep myself from losing it on the first touch.

  “So much for the shower, huh?”

  “Mm. Guess I couldn’t wait.”

  Whatever I’d been about to say died on my lips the moment hers swallowed me whole. “Fuck, Emma.”

  She wasn’t gentle, but I loved it, even when her teeth scraped along my length in a playful reminder I was dabbling with fire. Suddenly, I didn’t care if I got burned. I was a willing participant who’d gladly walk into the flames to have more of her.

  When her tongue licked up my balls, it was all I could do to avoid completely blowing right then and there. But she wasn’t done. And I realized playing it cool might not be possible.

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  Emma

  I woke up slowly realizing two things: one, I was naked in my bed. And two, I wasn’t alone. The sun had started to peer through the curtains, indicating it was morning.

  Last night, I’d been caught completely off guard by Trevor’s tattoo on his perfectly sculpted body. Then the piercing of his nipple. Now that was shocking. As if his baby face with arresting blue eyes, easy smile, and the most adorable dimples weren’t enough, the man had a serious body going on. But then he had to go and gobsmack me with his ink and piercing. That put me in serious trouble. It got a lot worse after he fucked me with his mouth and body like a porn star trying to make a name for himself.

  I’d been with men. More than my fair share, but never—and I mean never—had I come as many times as I had last night. It was as if he’d been learning my body along the way and had become an expert once we’d finally reached the shower, where he’d used his talented tongue in ways every woman should know about.

  But now it was morning, and he remained in my bed while the sun came up. My intention this stay a one-time thing wasn’t exactly being conveyed. I didn’t let men spend the night.

  As if sensing I was awake, he stirred. But instead of awkwardness between us, he hit me with his trademark grin and then dove down between my legs. There was something about a man who went straight to work giving a woman an orgasm first thing in the morning, minus caffeine or prompting, which didn’t make her want to kick him out of the bed anytime soon.

  Good Lord. He was a man possessed. Possessing a very impressive skill to—Oh, God. He was going for an oral marathon, even after two orgasms in which he’d made my clit piercing the star of the show. I’d always been a fan when a man played with it, but Trevor—He could’ve given me the carat, cut, clarity, and color by the time he was done.

  While I was recovering from my impromptu wake-up call, I watched him hop out of bed and pull on his trousers. I couldn’t believe the words I heard spill from my mouth. “That’s it? You’re leaving?”

  He stopped, appearing caught off guard, so I quickly amended. “I only meant I’d expected sex.”

  His grin came easily as he crawled up the length of me. He took a nipple between his teeth, causing me to groan.

&n
bsp; “Fresh out of condoms, sugar. But I’m fixin’ to buy more.”

  “But we’re leaving today. And then we’ll be back in Dallas.” I let the implication that this would end hang in the air.

  He either didn’t notice or chose to ignore it, instead kissing up my neck in a delicious distraction. “Tonight I plan on having you from behind, then taking you into your shower where I’ll keep fucking you against the cool tiled wall after spending time with your clit piercing between my teeth. But until then…” He moved south, intent on his target. “One last taste to get me through the day and that long plane ride back.”

  Even if I could argue with his logic, I was way too greedy for another climax to verbalize anything.

  ***

  As I stepped onto the private jet two hours later, my eyes met familiar blue ones. Trevor smiled and greeted a good morning before taking his seat. I think I mumbled the same. I was busy thinking about the disconcerting fact he held intimate knowledge of my body. Another rule broken. Never sleep with someone you worked with. Hadn’t I once learned that lesson the hard way? The thought left me cold and made me question my judgment even as my body protested with a delicious ache that it was ready for him again.

  Rather than scratching an itch, he had unleashed an animal. One who was going to sit in the back of the plane and give a murderous glare if he came close to me and started flirting. I didn’t need this shit. Not here in front of Simon. Imagine my disbelief, however, when an hour into the flight Trevor hadn’t even walked by me. Instead, he was sitting reclined two aisles up, with his headphones in and his eyes closed. Seriously?

  By the time we landed, I was irrationally annoyed that I’d been ignored the entire flight. I felt even more frustrated with myself for my annoyance. But there hadn’t been one innuendo, not one attempt to sneak back and talk to me, and there certainly hadn’t been any mile-high activity, despite my spending an inordinate amount of time in the lavatory just in case.

  Completely irritated with myself as we got off the plane, I waved hello to Peyton, who was there to greet Simon, and wheeled my suitcase towards the terminal.

  “You need a ride back to housing, Emma?” Trevor’s deep voice came from behind me.

  “My car is here, but thanks.” It came out a lot bitchier than I’d intended. However, he didn’t seem to notice.

  “See you later, then.”

  Did he mean whereby he had plans for my body which included taking me from behind, me on my knees, in my shower, and him going south for the winter? That type of ‘later’? But he gave no indication he even remembered his morning promises. I told myself I didn’t care.

  When I got back to my flat, I slammed things around, pissed off at myself for having let last night happen. If I’d had sex with the stranger, I wouldn’t be in this mood or second-guessing everything. But now I was left unsettled, not knowing what Trevor was thinking.

  Mostly, though I didn’t want to admit it, I was feeling vulnerable. What if he didn’t come by? What if he’d lied this morning? What if he’d gotten what he was after the whole time, and now he’d simply wink at me in meetings, alluding to our dirty secret. I hated that I cared.

  I flipped on the television, needing something to numb my mind.

  It didn’t work. It had been an hour, and surely he was home by now. I changed into yoga pants and my tank, thinking about the gym. That’s when I glanced out the window and saw him throwing a ball to Rufus in the back field.

  So he was home. I should go to the gym and pretend I didn’t care. I should not be thinking about how deliciously sore I was from last night. And I definitely shouldn’t be sitting here waiting for him to knock now that he’d gone back inside.

  Fuck it. Since when did I wait on anyone?

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  Trevor

  When we boarded the jet to fly back to Dallas, I immediately noticed that Emma, in her gray silk blouse with her black slacks, looked classy and gorgeous. It took everything in me not to pull her into my arms and kiss away the obvious defenses in her eyes. But it also amused me no end that having me ignore her over the course of the flight got under her skin.

  Good. Because she’d definitely gotten under mine.

  I wasn’t a guy who was gifted in business like a lot of my friends in college. I was the type who studied hard and wasn’t afraid to put in the work for something I wanted. I felt that trait carried over into my personal life as well. I wanted Emma. More than for a single night. And I wasn’t afraid to put in the effort for it.

  After leaving the airport, I went by the grocery store, and then finally swung by the boarding kennel about twenty minutes away—a place that was nicer than my college dorm room had been—to pick up Rufus. He was very happy to see me. I always felt guilty leaving him since he was a rescue dog and had once been left behind for good. But he seemed to have charmed the staff, who assured me he’d been spoiled the entire time.

  If I was excited to see Rufus, he clearly felt the same way, dancing around me with joy. “Who’s my good boy?” I asked him.

  After taking him home, I changed over from my business attire into workout gear and took him out to the field for some exercise with his ball. My gaze couldn’t resist finding Emma’s balcony. I had to fight a smile at the way the curtains moved. She was watching.

  I wasn’t intentionally trying to play games with her, but I knew for certain if I came across as too anxious, it would do me no favors with her. So, I let her sit there and wait with anticipation while I plotted my next approach.

  After tuckering out the big guy, I took him back to the apartment. There, I fixed sandwiches for both Emma and me, happy I’d thought to get food. I wasn’t much of a cook, but I preferred a home-cooked meal to dining out. I’d hoped to bring the simple meal over to her, but the knock at my door came as a shock.

  I opened it to find she’d changed into a pair of those maddening yoga pants. Together with her tank top, the outfit made me drool over her tight little body. All I showed her, however, was a grin. “Hi, sugar, what’s up?”

  Doubt was reflected in her eyes while attitude was evident in her stance. She appeared unable to believe she was seeking me out, which left her looking ready for combat rather than a conversation. “Do you call all the girls sugar or just me?”

  It took biting my lip to keep from laughing. “Is that why you’re here? To ask that question.”

  “I— You know what? Forget it.”

  She turned, but I snagged her wrist, pulling her inside and shutting the door, caging her against it.

  “Not so fast. You came over here for something. What is it?”

  “You ignored me on the plane, and I got to thinking that maybe last night was a one-night deal, and if it is, that’s fine. Just tell me. Hell, that’s my usual, so it’ll probably be for the best.”

  Her uncharacteristic insecurity was completely endearing and gave me hope I might be getting to her the way she’d gotten to me. Perhaps, rather than having had a relationship gone bad, she’d never had one to begin with and now was navigating new terrain. “You do realize the plane this morning was a no-win situation for me, right?”

  She scrunched her face in confusion. “What are you talking about?”

  “I mean if I’d snuck into that bathroom with you to do this—” I pulled her hips in line with mine and rubbed my growing erection against her center until I could feel her piercing and hear her gasp at the contact. “Then you would’ve been mad about me blurring the lines between work and personal, especially with our boss outside of the door. But ignoring you also made you angry. So it was a no-win.”

  She heaved a sigh. “You’re right. And that’s why this isn’t going to work. So we should make sure what happened last night doesn’t affect our professional relationship.”

  Her walls were slamming down. But I merely quirked a brow, having expected it. “I don’t think your body is on board with your plan.” She was practically humming with energy, her face inches from me. “If you’re scare
d—”

  Those were fighting words.

  “I’m not. But I don’t think you’re prepared for what it is I’d want from a sexual relationship. There’s a reason I don’t date nice guys, Trevor.”

  Jesus. More blood immediately rushed to my cock. “Try me.”

  She had challenge in her eyes along with something I couldn’t identify. Maybe insecurity?

  “I like it rough. And you’re too much of a gentleman to be calling me names in the bedroom once we get busy.”

  “What kind of names?”

  “If you have to ask, then you don’t get it.”

  “Derogatory names?”

  Her cheeks turned pink. “Sometimes.”

  I could spend hours psychoanalyzing why she wanted it this way, or I could simply jump down the rabbit hole, doing as she asked. But I’d do neither.

  Because I was secure enough in my ability to give her pleasure that I didn’t need to abide by her rules or examine her history. Also, I’d been raised to respect women. That didn’t mean I couldn’t appreciate how dirty some could be in the bedroom, but I sure as hell didn’t get off on making them feel degraded. So if that truly was what she was into, then this wouldn’t work. But I had another idea. Perhaps Emma simply wasn’t used to being treated in the bedroom the way she should, especially if these one-night stands had been her gig. If that was the case, now it was time to test the theory.

  I ran my hand down her face in an intimate gesture before kissing her lips. “I’ll call you names, but it’ll be the ones I choose. The first one is sugar. Which, in answer to your question, is only for you.” I dropped to my knees, eye level with her center. By sliding down her pants and thong in one swoop, I was afforded the sparkle of her jeweled clit. “I call you that because you’re an addiction. A sweet—” My tongue swiped at her. “Tasty—” Again with my tongue. “Addiction.”