“I loved the Game of Thrones reference,” I breathed against his lips.
We resumed our walk, our fingers entwined. Under the hotel entranceway lights, Garrett pursed his lips, and I leaned in for another kiss.
Fuck. There is no way that I would ever forget that kiss. I wanted more. I wanted it all. Leaving him outside the hotel was the most difficult decision of my life.
Our last kiss left me in a state of arousal that I hadn’t felt in years. I sprinted through the hotel lobby and entered the elevator with my thighs pressed together. I rushed to my room, ignoring the blissful throb emanating from between my legs. Breathlessly, I closed the door and locked it. I peeked out of the keyhole, making sure that I was alone and released my breath, blowing all the sexual frustration out. Reeling from the effect of Garrett’s kiss, I leaned against the door to regain my senses.
He’d had me on edge the entire time. It took the strength of a fucking WWE wrestler to prevent me from jumping on him. Everything was intense: the proximity of our bodies, the feel of my breasts against his manly chest, and the possessive way took my hand when we walked down the street. Whatever was happening between the two of us could be a recipe for disaster or the best thing in my life.
Garrett brought out the stirring in my loins, and there was only one way to remedy it. My heart raced faster than normal. I threw my duffel bag on the bench near the door and took my coat off. I decided that a long, hot shower would help with my want.
I was wrong. The shower did nothing to quell the dull ache between my legs. I rubbed my body with luxurious lotions and oils and exited the bathroom. When the cool hotel air hit my naked flesh, my skin broke out into goosebumps, and my nipples hardened.
I slid on a silk nightgown and fell onto the bed. It was as I rolled over to pick up the remote off the nightstand that my phone vibrated.
“Hi.” Garrett’s voice was a needy groan.
“Hi.” I returned with an equally needy sigh.
The silence was deafening as we waited for the other person to speak.
“I didn’t mean to go that far.”
“We didn’t do anything that I didn’t want to do. I enjoyed it.” I blushed. I twisted the ribbon of my nightie around my finger.
“I had a great time tonight.”
“Same here. I can’t wait to do it again.”
More silence.
“Fuck it. I can’t get you out of my head. Have dinner with me tomorrow. Just the two of us.”
“Yes, I’d love to.”
“You don’t understand how happy you’ve made me. I’ll pick the place and drive us there.”
“Sounds good.”
“Turn on FaceTime so I can see what’s mine.” There was a hint of humor in his tone, which revealed he was teasing me.
“Dinner, Garrett. That’s it. Bye.”
“No, wait.”
“Bye, Garrett,” I sang.
“Wait, but—”
I hung up before he could finish the sentence. I rolled over on my back and stared at the ceiling. Oh, my word. What had I gotten myself into?
The kisses alone were an incredible dichotomy of sensations. Soft and hard, tender and rough, and wet. Oh, so wet. Memories of the kiss stirred up a familiar sensation; an uncomfortable throb from my lower regions. Parts of me that had lain dormant for the last few months were suddenly aching for relief. There was no way that I could be around him under this pressure. I needed to siphon off a little steam. I closed my eyes and imagined that Garrett was with me, his hands squeezing and kneading my flesh.
I moaned and moved my hands down my stomach to my soaked slit. I imagined Garrett touching me as I opened wide for him, his tongue replacing his fingers.
My fingers made slow circular motions over my bundle of nerves. I inserted a finger, and that wasn’t enough, so I added another. The wet heat pooled at my thighs, the moisture seeping surprised me. I moved my fingers in and out in a rhythm. My breathing became jagged, the increasing pace took me over the edge. After my breath slowed, I drifted off into a satiated slumber.
Garrett
Once I'd held Jasmine in my arms, I couldn't let her go. She'd felt perfect—so soft and warm. Her sighs heated my lips as she drifted away on my kiss.
On the ten-minute walk back to my condo, I'd worried that I'd moved too fast. After we'd kissed in front of the hotel, she'd sobered and cleared her throat. She'd loosened from my embrace and stared at me with wild, questioning eyes. Her chest had rapidly risen while she breathed shallow breaths.
"Garrett. Thank you for walking with me. See you in the morning." She ran into the hotel lobby without looking back.
I'd cursed myself for not coming up with a solid game plan. Jasmine wasn't the type of woman to agree to a quick hookup. A woman of Jasmine's caliber expected dozens of roses, romantic dinners that went on for hours, and tickets to the hottest musicals or plays. Shit. She'd likely appreciate an evening at the opera.
If I wanted to have a shot at her, I needed to step my game up and do it quickly. I had to stop thinking like a bachelor and more like a man seeking a committed relationship.
By accepting my dinner invitation, Jasmine gave me a chance to redeem myself, and I pulled out all of the stops. I planned a perfect dinner at a restaurant located within walking distance to her hotel. We'd have a quiet candlelit dinner. After dessert, we'd take a romantic stroll along the Riverwalk where I would impress her with my knowledge of Chicago landmarks and architecture. Well, my very limited knowledge. At the end of the evening, I would escort her back to the hotel and give her a hot kiss right before returning home in time to catch a late-night talk show or two.
After an eleven-hour workday filled with meetings, a taxi dropped us off in front of S&W Steakhouse. I placed my hand on the small of her back and followed her into the restaurant. We were promptly seated at a small, white cloth-covered table that overlooked the river.
I smoothed the napkin over my lap as I picked up the leather-bound menu. She turned to the window and tilted her head up to take in the skyscrapers towering above.
"Wow. The view is incredible. When I was younger, my sister and I referred to the towers as the 'corn cob' buildings. It stuck. Have you ever been inside?"
"Hunter lived there for a few years. We used to pre-game at his place before we went to concerts or bars." I chuckled at the memories of the two of us in our younger years. "Those were good days, before we became jaded by corporate life."
"How long have you known each other?"
"Six years. He was fresh out of college and new to the city. I'd been here for a year and a half. It made sense that I would take him under my wing." Befriending Hunter was one of the best decisions of my adult life. I knew with one hundred percent certainty that Hunter would remain my friend until the day we died.
Our waiter stopped by to drop off the breadbasket and took our appetizer and wine order. I took the lead and ordered the buffalo-fried oysters along with a bottle of cabernet.
“Yum. Sourdough and pretzel bread? You can tell the quality of a restaurant by the variety of breads offered. Have you decided on an entree?" She peeked over the menu and smiled.
"I have. The bone-in filet and asparagus."
"You're a man after my heart. I'd like the same."
"Well, your heart is the goal." I was pleased when her cheeks flushed a lovely shade of crimson. "How was your day, Jasmine?"
“Busy, as usual. And you? How was your day?"
"I spent the morning daydreaming about you."
"Garrett Hamilton, are you courting me?"
"Isn't it obvious?"
The waiter returned with an uncorked bottle of wine and poured the red liquid into our wine glasses. I ordered our entrees and sides and turned my attention back to Jasmine. She swirled the wine glass around, closed her eyes, and inhaled the bouquet. She took her first sip before opening her eyes.
"I find it hard to believe that you aren't actively dating. Tell me about your last relationship," she said.
>
That statement came out of nowhere. This would be the first time that I talked about dating Colette. I could either lie or tell the truth. Either way, I could look like a simp. I chose the truth.
"We broke up five months ago. It was complicated. I decided that my self-respect was worth more than being a part of a couple."
"Does she have a name?"
Fuck. I don't want to talk about Colette. I want to put that chapter of my life behind me.
"I don't say her name. It's like Beetlejuice. If I say it too many times, I’ll summon her, so she could wreak havoc and make our lives hell. What about your last relationship?"
"We broke up almost a year ago. He wasn't the right man. I'm better out of the relationship than I was in it." She lifted her shoulders, then let them drop. "I shoot from the hip. I performed a Google search on you. The Sun-Times called you the 'King of Dynex.'"
"Yeah, I still catch hell over it. I did not know they would use the photo or call me that. Everyone finds it hilarious. I don't."
"I thought it was funny. And brave."
"Brave? What makes you say that?"
"I admire that you're able to celebrate your successes. If I did it, I'm afraid people would call me a self-promoter."
"Jasmine, no one thinks anything negative of you. You're an incredible woman." She waved me off. "No, I'm serious. I'm happy that you could forgive me."
"I don't make room for enemies, but I'm always happy to gain a friend."
I took her hand and squeezed it lightly.
The chefs prepared our steaks and the sides to perfection. We'd both ate a good portion of our main course and all of the dessert. Afterward, Jasmine's eyes were hooded, and I knew she was tired. Glancing at my watch, I noted the time. "It's ten-fifteen. Let's get you back to the hotel. I don't want you to be late for work."
After paying the check, arm in arm we strolled along the walkways and sidewalks until we stood in front of the hotel. I was determined not to repeat the events of last night, which caused her to run out of my arms like her hair was on fire. We'd have a nice first date kiss, then I would continue to my condo where I would promptly take an ice-cold shower.
Jasmine glided her hand up my arm and turned my face to hers. She leaned in and gave me a slow, intense, and sensuous kiss that went on for an eternity. The kiss sent shivers to my toes and made me tremble. She groaned softly. I adjusted my angle to go deeper and allow my tongue to have its way with her.
"It's not that late. Would you like to have a drink? In my room? The view is stunning." A small blush teased at her lips as she looked into my eyes. I nodded and she wrapped her hand in mine, and we walked past the bellhops into the mirrored hotel lobby. We waited at the bank of elevators and entered the awaiting car. She waved the key card over the sensor and pushed the button for the twelfth floor.
The doors closed, and I pulled her to me so that her soft curves pressed tightly against me. She wrapped her arms around my torso and my right hand slipped down to cup her lush, round ass. I pushed my throbbing cock against her hip, pleased when she gasped and looked up at me.
She tilted her face, and I instinctively lowered mine. Our mouths met and moved across each other. She was sweet, her lips tasted like the key lime from the pie we shared for dessert.
This woman would kill me.
We fell out of the elevator and walked to room CL104. She waved the keycard over the sensor, and when the lock clicked, she turned the lever and opened the door. Taking my hand, she pulled me into the dimly lit suite. The door closed with a loud clunk, and it was the two of us alone and away from the world.
"You're incredible," I could only whisper. My body reacted strongly to her presence. The intensity needed to slow down. My mind screamed that we shouldn't fuck, but my dick had a mind of its own. I sat uncomfortably in the chair facing the king-sized bed. I didn't think either of us had thought this through. I didn't have any condoms. I suppose we could call the concierge or have room service deliver. Was I presumptuous?
"There's wine, champagne, and vodka. I can make you a vodka and soda?” She opened the drawer to the minibar and pulled out a small bottle of Ketel One. Her hands trembled as she passed it to me. I put it on a table, took her by the hand, and pulled her lithe frame onto my lap. She adjusted herself until her legs draped over the armrest and laid her head on my shoulder.
"Jasmine, I think we should take things slowly. I'm here to talk. Have a drink. Then I'll walk home." I needed to exercise enough restraint for the two of us. I've fucked women early in the relationship, and we always ended with an epic crash and burn.
"Oh. There's nothing I can do to change your mind?" She exhaled, and her body instantly relaxed. In response, my heart rate slowed closer to normal. I stroked her cheek. We sat like that until she kissed the palm of my hand, and we resumed kissing. This time, our kisses were soft and seductive—a far cry from the lustful kisses in the elevator.
My hand wrapped around her waist and pulled her closer. Her soft, fleshy ass moved against my growing erection.
"What are you thinking?" she asked.
What am I thinking? I craved to fuck her. Not a nice, sweet fuck, but a dirty, hard fuck that would go on and on until neither of us could remember the year, let alone our names. I wanted to thrust into her until I fucking lived inside of her. I wanted to make her come until she was weak and unsteady and required my help to stand. To dominate and destroy her. Any man after me would find her a shell of a woman, completely ruined. She'd never desire another cock.
"I want to strip you from that sexy-as-fuck skirt so I can finally see your panties. In my dreams, I imagine they're black lace with a matching bra. Do you wear thongs? Or boy shorts? Or do you go without? I want to memorize every part of you. Do you have tattoos or piercings? Or is your honey brown skin as smooth and unblemished as your face? After I get my fill of staring at your body, I'd like to eat that pussy until you cream all over my face."
"Mmm. I like your thoughts."
Then she responded in the best way imaginable. She leaned away from me and unbuttoned the top button to her blouse. On a growl, I peeled her hand from the placket and replaced it with my fingers. I quickly unfastened the buttons and pushed the fabric away, revealing a lacy hot pink bra. Now, my cock was harder than before and as tall as the Washington Monument. If she continued moving against me, I would blow in my pants.
We both sucked in a breath of air when my hand sought and found her breast. Kneading the soft flesh, I covered her mouth with mine. Her delicious tongue forced its way into my mouth.
"I'm a good girl, I always wear panties." She moaned. Pushing herself off my lap, she stood with her back facing me. She reached her arms around to unbutton and pulled at the zipper. Slowly, she inched the skirt down her hips and legs until the fabric pooled around her ankles. She kicked it aside and stood proud in matching hot pink bikinis, the material was as thin as a whisper and as tiny as a postage stamp. The lace back panel of the panties presented me with an unhindered view of her magnificent ass.
Biting back the urge to reach out and palm that ass like a basketball, I leaned over for the bottle of Ketel One. I twisted the cap off and took a gulp.
"Does this change your mind? Are you ready to go home?" Jasmine purred.
She bent to unfasten one of the open-toed stilettos. Her long curtain of hair hung down inches shy of brushing her ankle. She turned her head to meet my gaze, a sly smile stretched across her beautiful face.
"Don't you want to rub that hard cock against me? Don't fight the temptation." She motioned to remove the high heel shoe.
"No. Keep the shoes, panties, and bra on. I'll take those off. Turn around so I can see you."
Slowly, she stood and turned to face me, her eyes were hooded and hazy with desire. She regarded me through long dark eyelashes in a way that made me drool at her tight little body. Long brown hair cascaded down her shoulders and flowed over her breasts, concealing the generous handfuls. Her smooth and flawless brown skin stretched over a
perfectly flat stomach, full hips, and strong thighs.
Through the lace, I got a clear view of her pussy—her hairless pussy.
Right there in that barely lit hotel room was the first time I'd seen the real Jasmine. She let her hair down, literally and figuratively, and showed me she was a sexy and sensuous woman. I needed more.
Her breath picked up as my eyes roamed her beautiful body. Greed and want filled my thoughts. By then, my cock was as hard as marble. Her eyes followed as my hand sought and adjusted my cock in my pants. Her mouth dropped open before closing.
"Spinning has done your body good,” I murmured.
"I also like yoga. It keeps me limber. You could bend me like a pretzel, and I wouldn't blink."
"I must test that out. Soon."
I fully intended to unleash every tool in my arsenal—lips, tongue, fingers, and my face. I took another swig of the vodka and placed it on the table. I stood from the chair and took two steps until I stood in front of her. I gripped her ass and pressed her against the towering bulge in my pants. The warmth of her pussy greeted and enveloped me.
My fingers glided through her hair before wrapping the long strands around my fist and pulled, exposing her décolletage. I leaned in and placed a soft kiss in the space where her neck and shoulder met—nuzzling the side of her throat before tracing my tongue to her ear. She let out the sweetest groan as I nipped at her earlobe.
"What are you going to do?" she asked, the words released on short pants.
"Whatever I want."
"Tell me why you deserve it," she purred.
Releasing the bundle of hair, I slid my arms around her and cupped her ass cheeks. I bent down and lifted, her legs instinctively wrapping around my waist. I walked over to the bed and gingerly placed her in the center of the mattress.
It's a Work Thing Page 9
