“So beautiful, Mrs. Andrews,” he whispered in my ear. “The things you do to me.”
My heightened senses followed the path of his fingers as he moved them slowly between my legs where he plunged two inside me.
“Ohhhhh,” I murmured, pressing my hips back so that his fingers drove deeper.
He kissed my neck while finger-fucking me. I panted heavily, soaked with my own juices, wanting nothing more than for him to plunge his hard shaft into me. Guiding me over to the sofa, he made me kneel on it, my forearms resting on the back to hold me up. He swept my dress up over my ass and I heard him unzip his trousers. Feeling the tip of his cock at my entrance, anticipation washed over me. He entered me slowly, almost painfully, because I wanted him deep within. I finally got what I wanted when he plunged into me.
The sensation of him inside me was titillating. He leaned over, clutching my exposed breasts in each of his hands. He caressed them, then pulled my nipples hard as he thrust deeper into me. I pushed back against him, hearing a low growl escape him as I did so. I knew I wouldn’t last long. I felt the beginning of my orgasm swelling deep within me. He must have felt it too, because he reached between my legs and stroked my nub. Every muscle in my body tensed with expectation as I continued to climb.
“That’s it, Sydney. Come for me.”
Ripples of pleasure washed over me as I shattered beneath him. With one last strong thrust into me, he released himself. We were silent for a moment, both panting, until he pulled out of me. As always, I was disappointed, left feeling hollow and a little bereft as if a vital part of me was missing. He sat on the couch next to me, pulled me into his lap, and captured my mouth with his.
“You intoxicate me, Mrs. Andrews.”
We spent the remainder of the night dozing and making love, wrapped in each other’s arms. I wrestled with my emotions. I loved this man. I loved him with every fiber of my being. Letting go of him would be the most difficult thing I would ever do. I grew weary whenever I thought of it. Why, oh why, couldn’t he love me in return? Was all he had been through that traumatic that he’d never open himself up again? Never trust again? I felt like there had to be more to it than what Marcus and Lena did to him. Could there be more?
Chapter Seventeen
The remainder of our honeymoon was spent sight-seeing around Paris, eating delicious meals at the most fabulous restaurants, and making love throughout our days and nights. When it came time to return to reality, I wasn’t ready. I loved having Sam all to myself. I wasn’t ready to go back to Tampa, and it felt as if it was one step closer to our demise.
The crew was waiting for us when we arrived at the airport.
“Hello, Mrs. Andrews, Mr. Andrews.” Sheri smiled as she led us up the stairs to our seats. Our flight was long and uneventful, and when we landed in Tampa at three o’clock in the afternoon, I was anxious to see Bear. Sam’s SUV was waiting for us, with Johnathan at the wheel.
“Hello, Mr. Andrews. Mrs. Andr…I mean, Sydney. It’s great to have you both home.” He smiled warmly while our luggage was loaded.
“Hi, John.” I smiled back at him. “How’s my boy?”
“Oh, he’s wonderful, Sydney. He’s anxiously awaiting your return. I let him know you’d be home today.”
We arrived at the house and Bear came bounding out of the front door, barking and wagging his tail.
“Bear!” I shouted as I leapt out of the car. He jumped up, his paws on my stomach.
“Oh, hi there, big guy. I missed you,” I said as I scratched his head and gave him a big hug.
“Hey there, Bear.”
Bear immediately left me for Sam.
“Traitor!” I giggled.
“I told you. Bear and I have a special bond.” He laughed easily.
Walking into the house, it felt so good to be home. As wonderful as our honeymoon was, it was always nice to be in your own surroundings. Well, Sam’s surroundings, I reminded myself, my heart jerking painfully. They were only on loan to me for a little while.
Loretta greeted us, letting us know she had a light snack waiting for us on the back patio, with a bottle of champagne. We sat out back, where Bear immediately walked into the beach entry of the pool.
“It’s his happy place.” Loretta chuckled as she poured us each a glass of bubbly. Sam found an orange ball and instantly started a game of catch with him. Bear was happy, Sam was laughing, and I was quietly comfortable taking in the scene around me. The game of catch wound down, and Bear lay at my feet. Sam and I munched on our snack while sipping our champagne.
“It’s good to be home.” His soft lips stretched into a smile.
“It is. I didn’t realize how much I missed it until just now.”
“Are you tired?”
“A little. I’m going to try to stay up, though, so I can adjust to the time difference.”
“Yes, me as well. Up for some time in the Jacuzzi before dinner? Loretta is taking care of everything tonight, so we can just relax.”
“I’d love some time in the jacuzzi. I was thinking about checking in with Emily, but that can wait until tomorrow. I’m sure there’s plenty for me to do when I return to the office.”
“Are you going into the office tomorrow?”
“Yes, I should. Two weeks away feels like a lifetime. I’ll have hundreds of emails to sort through and phone calls to make. You?”
“Yes. I’ll go into the office tomorrow as well. I was thinking about heading up to Pop’s house tomorrow night after work. I’d like for you to join me.”
“I’d love to. What time were you thinking?”
“Around seven. Gram would like us for dinner. It’s just going to be us.”
“That sounds lovely.”
I finished my glass of champagne and went upstairs to our room. Our luggage had been unpacked, and I found my bikini in the top drawer of my dresser. After undressing, I walked into the master bathroom where I paused, catching my reflection in the mirror. Somehow, I didn’t recognize the woman staring back at me. I studied myself for a long time, noticing how long and lean I looked, the color of my skin freshly sun-kissed, my breasts perky, and my long wavy brown hair with blonde highlights from our time on the island.
After a deep breath, I searched my eyes, knowing the fear that lay behind them. Fear of losing all that I had right now. Fear of loving a man who would never love me back. Fear of having my heart shattered when our business arrangement finally came to an end. Fear of not being able to keep our promise of remaining friends when all of this was said and done. Fear. Mother fucking fear. I resented it.
“Sydney?”
I flinched before responding. “In here.”
“There you are. I was beginning to worry. Everything okay?”
“Yes,” I lied. “I think jet lag is slowly creeping up on me.”
His eyes drank me in. I trembled, and he took a step toward me, his eyes on mine.
“Come to me, Sydney,” he directed.
I took a nervous step toward him.
“Closer,” he ordered.
Not breaking eye contact, I moved toward him, my naked body on high alert, anticipation washing over me. I hesitated inches from him, and his devilish smile threaded across his face. He leaned down, kissing me tenderly on the forehead. I shivered. He gathered me into his arms, my breasts warm against his bare chest. I closed my eyes and inhaled the magnificent scent of him. He took my chin in his hand, lifting my head up, taking my mouth with his. I whimpered. My nipples peaked like pebbles against his chest. Desire flooded through me as my arms encircled his neck.
“Ah, Mrs. Andrews. How many times do I have to tell you? No touching until I give you permission.”
Removing my arms from around his neck, he placed them at my sides.
“No touching.” He grinned.
He knew my weakness. Touching him was what I wanted more than anything. Knowing he did it on purpose to tease me mercilessly, I reluctantly conceded.
He was like a panther, stalking me
, slowly circling, his fingers touching my skin lightly as he moved. My breath caught in my throat as my pulse quickened. He stood behind me, caressing my bottom and cupping it in his two hands, sliding his lips across my shoulder. He dipped two fingers between my moist, warm folds.
“I can’t seem to get enough of you, Mrs. Andrews,” he whispered.
I couldn’t speak, powerless beneath his touch. I arched my back, wanting his skillful fingers deeper inside me. My heart beat hard against my chest as his fingers worked their magic.
“Bend over, Mrs. Andrews,” he whispered in my ear.
I bent over the bathroom vanity, my forearms on the cool granite counter, holding me up.
“Open your eyes and look at me,” he commanded from behind.
I opened my eyes, and his intense gaze locked on mine in the mirror.
“Don’t break eye contact.”
I felt his aroused flesh at my entrance. Pushing back toward him, wanting him inside me, my eyes closed. I felt him wrap his hand around my hair, and he pulled it back painfully.
“Eyes open, Mrs. Andrews.”
My eyes flew open. I found his brilliant green eyes once again locked on mine. He dipped the head of his cock into me, his gaze hungry with need as he slid inside me.
“Ah—” I let the cry out in glorious abandon.
He pulled my hair a little harder, making my head tilt back a bit more. My nipples were like diamonds—they could cut glass they were so hard. I loved it when he dominated me, when he took total control over my body. It was like a drug. Every time he did it, I wanted more. He pumped harder and deeper into me, our gazes locked in the mirror, my head held back by his strong grip. I was completely at his mercy and loving every second of it.
My orgasm was building, an earthquake of tension at the base of my belly slowly making its way to the surface. He pulled my hair tighter in his grip, his eyes smoldering as they held my gaze in the mirror. He reached his free hand down between my legs, caressing my nub, and I bubbled over instantly, releasing the tension that had built up in me. He smiled as I came undone in his arms, swept away by pure ecstasy. Not even giving me a minute to recuperate, he pulled my hair gently, dragging me up to a standing position. My back against his hard chest, our eyes locked in the mirror.
“Well done, Mrs. Andrews,” he whispered in my ear.
I whimpered.
He moved his hands up to my breasts, taking my aching peaks between his fingertips, pinching them with enough pressure that I cried out. As I rolled my head back against his chest, my nerve endings were firing on all cylinders. His mouth teased over my neck, kissing it softly. He kissed around to my chest. I shook, desire bubbling up within me. He dipped his head, taking my taut bud in his mouth and biting it between his teeth. My head fell back, and I arched my back, wanting more of his mouth on my breasts, my nails digging into his arms. Before I knew it, he lifted me up, and I instinctively wrapped my legs around his waist. He walked over to the oversized vanity bench, sat on it so I straddled him, and his manhood entered me.
“Sam!” I shook with unrestrained passion.
His hands held my ass as he pumped into me. I maneuvered myself up on my knees, wanting to have the fullness of him deeper inside me. We fell into a steady rhythm, his mouth claiming mine. I kissed him back recklessly, almost desperately, as my orgasm slowly built.
“Sydney, you are divine.” His eyes were hooded.
I was sizzling with abandoned, desperate passion. Every nerve in my body was on high alert.
“Come again for me, Sydney.”
That was all it took. I tipped over the threshold, my body convulsing around him. He was right behind me, and with three deep, sharp thrusts, he spilled into me. After a long minute, I picked my head up from his shoulder, kissed it tenderly, and lifted my head to search his eyes.
“I can’t get enough of you, Mrs. Andrews. It’s as if you put a spell on me.”
I smiled at him. His eyes were intense, staring back at me with a jumble of emotions I couldn’t even begin to identify.
“I could say the same thing about you, Mr. Andrews.” I smiled coyly. “You’ve turned me into a sex addict.”
He gave me a wicked grin, “Have I now?”
“I think you have. I can’t get enough of you, either.”
I didn’t want to move. I always felt empty when he pulled out of me and so prolonged our physical connection as long as I could.
“Still up for Jacuzzi time?”
“Honestly, I think I’d like to simply get in my pjs and relax.”
“How about a movie, then? We can get into our pjs and head down to the theater room with Bear and a big bowl of popcorn.”
“Now you’re speaking my language.”
Chapter Seventeen
I woke reluctantly to my alarm at seven a.m. and rolled over to find myself alone in bed. Thinking Sam was in the bathroom, I shifted onto my back, listening for him. Ten minutes later, no Sam. I dragged myself from the bed and shuffled to the bathroom. After turning on the shower, I took a look at myself in the mirror, and memories of last night came flooding in. I turned pink. This man had definitely turned me into a sex addict, at least for him. He’d ignited something in me that no other man ever had. I had a feeling no other man would, either.
Forty-five minutes later, I walked into the kitchen to grab a cup of coffee before heading out.
“Good Morning, Mrs. Andrews. Did you sleep well?”
“I actually did, until I woke this morning to an empty bed.”
“Ah. Yes, well, I figured you could use some sleep after our travels. I wanted you to be well rested for your first day back at work.”
He handed me a cup of coffee.
“Thank you.”
“What do you have on the schedule for today?”
“I’m meeting a new client at an old abandoned building just south of Seminole heights. Not sure who it is yet, but they want to help in the revitalization of the area. Emily texted last night and said they asked for me specifically.”
“Yes, it’s coming along nicely. I may have to look into investing there myself.”
“You should. The area is booming with all the new restaurants along river walk. It’s nice to see our downtown finally expanding and becoming something special.”
“It is. I’ll have to have Emily look into some buildings for me.”
“Well, Mr. Andrews. I’m off. I’ll see you after work,” I said before leaning in to kiss him good-bye.
“We have dinner with Gram and Pop at seven.”
“I’m looking forward to it. I’ll be home no later than five.”
I arrived at the office twenty minutes later. Emily bounded up to me and hugged me tight.
“I missed you, Syd! How was the honeymoon?”
“It was amazing! It was better than amazing, actually.”
“You look sun-kissed. Being married looks good on you.”
“It does, doesn’t it? I feel like I’m really happy for the first time in a very long time.”
“Well, how could you not be happy with Sam? I mean, just look at him.”
“Yes, that is a perk.” I swatted playfully at her. “He’s definitely easy on the eyes.”
“Yes, but the real question is, how is he in the bedroom?”
“Em!” I turned crimson. “A girl doesn’t kiss and tell.”
“Oh, come on, Sydney. Give me something. I need to know.”
“You are so crazy! And he’s amazing in the bedroom. Mind-blowing, actually.”
“I friggin’ knew it! You are one lucky lady. Now, give me some details.”
“I am not giving you details. But I will say I’ve done things I’ve never done before. Sam has a way of dominating me when it comes to sex.”
“Go on.” She stared at me with expectation in her eyes.
“That’s it, Em. That’s all you get. The rest is just for me.”
“Ugh. I knew you would hold out on me.”
I chuckled while shaking m
y head.
“Okay, well, you have an appointment at noon. A man named Mr. Evans will meet you at the old abandoned warehouse near Riverwalk, just north of the highway. Do you want me to go with you?”
“No. I’m okay thanks. I need to get my feet wet with commercial real estate, so I’d rather go on my own.”
“Okay. Call me if you have any questions. You’ll do great.”
“Thanks, Em.”
“I’m glad you’re back, Syd. I really missed you. Let’s plan dinner with the guys soon.”
“I’d love that.”
I spent the morning making phone calls, answering emails, and getting back into the swing of reality. Though I hadn’t expected to, I’d missed work. It held a challenge that kept me learning and growing, stretching me to continually work to be better. I loved houses, and I found I loved pairing buildings with people, finding the right fit at the right price. Of course, if it had been even remotely an option, I could have spent the rest of my life traveling with Sam, enjoying the abundant life, spending days naked in his arms, but the reality was…well, that wasn’t my reality. It would come to a grinding halt one day soon, so I was glad I have something to focus on when it all ended.
At eleven thirty, I let Emily know I was going to meet with Mr. Evans and should be back by one thirty. She looked up from her computer, gave me a wave, and put her head back down. I knew she’d been working on a huge development deal, so she was preoccupied. I’d see her when I got back in a few hours.
Arriving at the old abandoned building near the river, I marveled at the revitalization that had happened there. So many historic buildings had been turned into bars and restaurants, and many developers were building new apartments on vacant land. It was an exciting time for Tampa. The locals came out in droves to experience all that the revitalization had to offer. I was hoping this new buyer would be a part of it.
The door to the old building creaked as I slowly pushed it open. The place was dusty as it had been sitting vacant for years. It was a beautiful red-brick building with wide-planked hardwood floors, exposed beams on the ceiling, and amazing brick arches separating different rooms. I wondered what the investor would do with it. Stepping into the middle of the building, I turned toward the arched windows overlooking the river. The view was sensational. I could see the place as an event pavilion or perhaps making it into a really cool upscale restaurant-bar with live music. I turned when I heard footsteps approaching me, but my smile froze as the hair stood up at the base of my neck.
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