A Taste of You

by Sorcha Grace

  “Call me,” he said. He caressed my cheek, looking into my eyes. I couldn’t breathe when he looked at me like that. And I didn’t remember ever seeing his eyes so serene. There was none of the turbulence from the night before. His eyes were beautiful, a silver grey.

  I sighed, thinking that I could stare at him forever. “Okay.”

  And then he was gone.

  “Shit,” I muttered. “Shit, shit, shit.” What had happened to my resolve? Where were my good intentions? They flew out the door as soon as I spotted William. And that wasn’t the William from last night. That was charming, delectable William. How could he be two totally different people in the space of twenty-four hours? And what kind of guy came over, made spaghetti—not just spaghetti, but bucatini with Bolognese from scratch—and then left? My world was spinning.

  First things first. I had to eat. I was starving, and the smell was amazing. Even I, who did not possess a culinary bone in my body, could boil pasta. I threw it in, let Laird out of the guest room, and poured myself a glass of wine.

  Finally, I sat down and sampled my meal. “Oh, my God,” I said to Laird. “This is unbelievable.” The pasta was so tender, and the sauce was rich and thick and flavorful. I couldn’t get enough. I tried the bread and closed my eyes in ecstasy. It was obviously freshly baked, buttery and crusty and to die for. I ate and ate until I was finally sated. It was so good, I gave Laird a taste. He didn’t appreciate it quite as much as I did, but that didn’t stop him from begging for seconds.

  By my second glass of wine, I was ready to run through the date again. Maybe I’d judged William unfairly. Maybe I hadn’t given him enough of a chance. Maybe I’d been a little drunk. He was making an effort at the end of the night, and I left. I could hardly blame him for what someone else said. He didn’t tell Lara Kendall to approach me.

  But that didn’t mean I’d forgotten everything I’d decided this afternoon. I wasn’t a person who did casual. And I wasn’t certain I was ready to jump into anything else, especially something as intense as what William and I had.

  And that’s what it all came down to. There was something undeniable between us. Even now, I felt the black cloud that had been hanging over me all day lifting. Maybe it was the food or the wine. Maybe it was seeing William in my kitchen again, maybe it was his apology, but I felt happy again. Content.

  So maybe, I should give him another chance. Maybe it wasn’t going to be a casual rebound thing. William’s words had taken my breath away. Maybe I could put my heart out there, and he would reciprocate…

  My phone buzzed, and I checked the caller ID and smiled.

  “I couldn’t wait,” William said in his sexy, velvet voice. “I wanted to hear your voice. Am I forgiven?”

  He really wanted to know. A man like William Lambourne wanted my forgiveness. I found it endearing. I wanted to hug him.

  “Yes,” I said. “The dinner was amazing. And I accept your apology. I wish…” I hesitated, uncertain if I should say what I was thinking.

  “You wish? What do you wish, Catherine?”

  “I wish I could thank you in person.”

  There was a pause. Maybe I overstepped? I could feel nervous tension creeping into my shoulders.

  “Then why don’t you?” His voice was deep and sensual, and I exhaled a shaky breath.

  “I’ve finished my second glass of the excellent red wine you left. I’m now in no condition to drive. I don’t even know where you live. Do you realize that?”

  “Look out your window.”

  He lived outside my window? I stood and moved to my front window and peered down on the street. Parked outside was the black SUV from last night. Anthony was standing in the cold, waiting patiently.

  I gasped. “Have you been down there this entire time?”

  “No, I’m home. But I sent Anthony…” His voice trailed off.

  “Because…?”

  There was another long pause before he answered. “Why do you think? I do believe in hope, Catherine.”

  He didn’t need to ask, and what he wanted was perfectly clear. What I wanted became clear too. I wanted him. “Give me ten minutes.”

  *****

  It was more like an hour by the time I climbed into the warm and cozy backseat of the SUV. I’d told Anthony to leave the privacy screen down. I peered out the window, trying to figure out where we were going. It was downtown somewhere. “Anthony?”

  “Yes, Miss Kelly?”

  “Where are we headed?”

  “Mr. Lambourne’s penthouse is at State and Walton, Miss Kelly.”

  I knew where that was, and I knew it was one of the priciest addresses in Chicago. Oh, my. I took a deep breath and glanced at the outfit I’d changed into. I’d taken a quick shower and put on a red bustier and matching red thong. The bustier was stretch satin with underwire cups embellished with pleats and jacquard lace that put my breasts on full display. I remembered how turned on William had been by my breasts, and I wanted that same effect tonight.

  I’d pulled a lightweight, wraparound sweater over the bustier, skinny jeans, and my black stiletto booties. Beckett would have more than approved. Instead of my pea coat, I threw on my vintage, black leather motorcycle jacket. I wanted William to see a different side of me. I wanted him to know I was as into him as he was into me. And I wanted him to see a woman who was more than ready for hot, mind-blowing sex. I was giddy with anticipation, ready to do whatever William asked. I knew that whatever we did, it would feel amazing. He hadn’t yet touched me without turning me on. I was ready to feel him inside me, ready to take the next step.

  “This is it, Miss Kelly,” Anthony said.

  We pulled up to an imposing building, and I knew we had arrived. My pulse kicked, knowing William was nearby. The drive was circular and made of cobblestones. Anthony drove around a fountain and manicured shrubbery before stopping in front of an impressive door. The city was freezing, but this place had green bushes and flowing water in the fountain. The building was lit with warm, inviting lamps, highlighting the white stone exterior. I might have gaped longer, but Anthony opened my door and offered his hand.

  I stepped from the SUV, and a uniformed doorman greeted me. “Good evening, Miss Kelly. Right this way please. Mr. Lambourne is expecting you.” He led me from the main elevators to a private elevator and pressed a code, causing the doors to slide open silently. “This will take you directly to Mr. Lambourne’s residence. Have a good evening, Miss Kelly.”

  “Thank you.” The doors slid closed, and I turned around. As elevators went, this one was posh. It was rich wood and gold accents. The embellished metalwork around the mirrors and the frosted glass gave it an air of elegance. I watched the numbers on the elevator as it took me silently to the fifty-sixth floor. It came to a smooth stop, and my heart pounded painfully in my chest.

  Breathe, Cat. Breathe.

  The doors slid open, and William stood there looking good enough to eat. He wore his jeans and little else. I stared at his chest, stunned by the gorgeous physique. This was a man who worked out regularly. His chest was defined and toned with a smattering of dark hair, his abs hard and chiseled. I wanted to run my fingers and my tongue all over that chest and feel his muscles bunch beneath me. My gaze tracked down to the waistband of his jeans. I saw a thin line of hair—a glory trail that led to what I am sure was his amazing cock. His jeans hung off his hips in that way I loved, highlighting his sexy V muscle. If I’d conjured a man from pure fantasy, he wouldn’t have looked better than William. The man was scorching.

  I looked into his eyes and pulled in a labored breath at the hungry expression I got in return. He looked predatory and famished. There was something incredibly arousing about being his meal for the night.

  My gaze flicked behind him, and I gasped. I had forgotten to look at the penthouse, but it was every bit as stunning as William. It was huge, ridiculously spacious, and behind William were windows twenty feet high that showcased the glittering lights of the city and the black expanse o
f the lake in the distance.

  I couldn’t keep my eyes off William for long, and I drank him in again. My core was throbbing. I licked my lips, finding my voice to say hello, but he didn’t wait. He took two steps and swept me into his arms, my legs dangling. The heat of his chest warmed me as his mouth came down over mine, kissing me deeply and passionately, claiming me completely. He took my mouth without apology, without any hint of the gentleness he’d shown earlier. This was raw and carnal. I could feel his need as his tongue swept inside my mouth, and I twined my tongue with his, mating with him in the most primitive way. Our tongues slid and licked and tasted. I took his deeper into my mouth, sucking lightly until he groaned.

  He broke the kiss for a moment and set me down. He put his hand under my chin and tilted my head back, so I was looking directly into his eyes. “I thought maybe you had changed your mind. That was the longest ten minutes ever.”

  I laughed, and part of me thrilled that I’d kept him waiting. “A girl needs time to get ready, you know,” I replied.

  Our eyes were still locked, and I could see his need smoldering. “Are you sure about this, Catherine?” he asked gently.

  I didn’t know where any of this was going to go, but I knew I absolutely wanted to be here and I was ready. “Yes,” I said, unable to contain my smile.

  William grinned in relief and said, “Good. I can’t wait to get you naked.” He picked me up again and carried me into the master bedroom, and then his hot mouth was on me again, blocking out any thought but that of what he was doing to me.

  At some point, my feet were on the floor, but I clung to William for support. My head spun, and I was on fire. I needed him more than I’d ever needed anything. I couldn’t get enough of his mouth and his kisses. I ran my hands over his hard, sculpted back around to his sleek abs and back up through his thick hair. The more I touched him, the more I needed to touch him. His skin was so warm, so alive. His hands were all over me, sliding my jacket off and moving my hair off my neck so he could kiss the tender flesh behind my ear. I shivered and moaned in response, feeling myself grow wet.

  “I have to have you, Catherine,” William’s voice was throaty in my ear.

  “Yes,” I all but begged. “Yes.”

  He pulled off my sweater and groaned when he saw the bustier. “What you do to me, Catherine. You have no idea.” But I wanted to find out.

  His hands slid over the lace and down to the waist of my jeans. He unbuttoned them and pushed them over my hips then removed my shoes. It was erotic, watching him perform that task. Such a small thing, but it turned me on. My jeans pooled on the floor, and he lifted me again and laid me on his bed.

  For a moment, he stared at me. The look in his eyes was so filled with need I all but squirmed with my desire for him. I reached for him, but he shook his head. “I want to look at you. God, you are so fucking beautiful.” His gaze met mine. “I’m going to make you come so hard, Catherine. I’m going to make you scream my name.”

  I was ready to come just from the way he was looking at me, and then he bent and kissed me, kneeling on the bed and pushing my legs open. His hands were everywhere, tracing hot, delicious tingles of pleasure wherever he touched. “Your skin is so soft,” he murmured into my shoulder. “It’s like silk.” His deft fingers unclasped my bustier, freeing my breasts to his hot gaze and his hotter mouth. He tongued my nipples, sucking and rolling them until I arched into him, impatient with need and mewling with desire. His mouth could make me feel a thousand sensations from sharp pain to gentle soothing to a raging need for an orgasm I could already tell would be explosive.

  His lips left my breasts, and I made a cry of distress. I could barely stand not having his mouth on me, but he was kissing his way down my belly now. “You smell so good, Catherine.’” He slid a hand under my thong and peeled it off. I rose to my elbows and watched—I knew he liked it when I watched—as he trailed his hands to the apex of my thighs. “You’re pink and perfect here too. I love how wet you are.” His fingers teased between the folds of my sex, and I felt this thick thumbs spread me open, baring me completely. He knew I was watching, and he gave me a wickedly sexy look before I felt his tongue on me. He took his time and explored every inch of me with his mouth, laving my folds and circling my opening until he plunged inside me, gentle at first then more demanding. He licked me with long, perfect strokes. I writhed with pleasure now, my hips lifting to his demanding mouth. Sensing my need, I felt his hot tongue on my throbbing clit. He sucked on it, and then I released in powerful waves, shattering and feeling the pleasure surge through me. I fell back, breathless, letting the sensation wash over me.

  Then in an instant, William’s mouth was on mine, his lips crushing and slippery from my arousal. I was writhing beneath him, ready for him to take me when he whispered in my ear, “Catherine, do you want me to use a condom? I can, but I’m clean. I already told you.”

  “No, we’re fine,” I managed to say, my voice breathy with desire. “I’m ok. Please, please, I can’t wait…”

  “Good,” he groaned in my ear. “I want to feel every part of you.” His body covered mine, and he braced himself above me. I was naked, but he still wore his jeans. I reached between us and unbuttoned him, pushing them down, freeing his cock, and then William did the rest, kicking them to floor. This was the first time William had been naked with me, and I couldn’t resist exploring him. My hand dipped between us. He was big, and I circled his hard shaft, feeling its thickness. William groaned, “Fuck that feels good, but I need to be inside you. Now. You’re ready for me.”

  And then William was over me, pushing my legs farther apart, pressing at my entrance. He thrust into me in one long stroke, and I moaned from the new onslaught of pleasure. He was so thick and hard, and I winced—it had been so long since I’d been filled so completely.

  “You are so wet, Catherine, so tight. I can feel your greedy muscles clenching around me, taking me in.” He thrust harder, and I dug my fingers into his back as my pleasure mounted. “I want to make you come like you’ve never come before. I can already feel how hot you are for me. You feel so good around my cock.” He growled in my ear as his body took mine, stroking in and out until I didn’t think I could take more. But I knew I would. I wanted more, and he gave it to me. Just as I adjusted to his rhythm, he changed it, swirling his hips with a skill that left me in awe. He was pressing just the right place inside me, and I moaned, paralyzed with pleasure as my body tingled with a thousand new sensations.

  “I can feel how hungry you are for me, Catherine. I want my cum inside you.”

  “Yes. Please.”

  I was arching against him, pressing my hips up and into his as he pumped into me. Then he pulled back, and I felt his fingers on my clit, circling my sensitive bud. I couldn’t hold back, even if I’d wanted to, and another blinding orgasm slammed into me. “William!” I screamed his name.

  “No control with you, Catherine,” he ground out through clenched teeth. I felt him swell and thrust deep, and then his hot release filled me. My own climax still pulsed, and I felt my walls clutching him as he came.

  Holy.

  Holy.

  Shit.

  Eleven

  I woke feeling sore, but pleasantly so. I stretched, and my muscles protested. I’d used muscles I hadn’t known I possessed last night. I opened my eyes and reached for William, but the bed was empty and cold. Frowning, I rolled over and grabbed my jacket from the floor. I tugged my cell out of the pocket and squinted at the screen. It was barely seven o’clock. It was also Monday. I supposed billionaire moguls might have to be at work by seven on Mondays, but after the night we’d shared, he could have texted. I had two texts—one from Beckett and one from my mother.

  I ignored both and sat, dangling my legs over the side of the bed. The floor was bare of carpet, and it looked cold. What I really wanted was to snuggle under the covers and go back to sleep. I’d gotten little sleep. The first time had only been a warm-up for William. The man had stamina and
endurance. I think at one point I asked if he took medication, and he laughed and gave me another orgasm. I lost count after three or four. I blushed, remembering all the ways he’d had me—we’d had each other—last night. I think he knew my body as well as I did, and it was a strange feeling. Only Jace had been that close to me.

  I hadn’t wanted to give William so much of myself, but he had a way of surprising me. One moment he’d be aggressive and possessive, ordering me to come, and the next moment he was tender and gentle, coaxing me, moving so slowly I ended up ordering him to make me come. William had skills that I could hardly fathom. It was obvious he’d been with a lot of women. But, strangely, he hadn’t made me feel like one of many. With him, I felt I was the only woman he’d ever touched. He seemed enraptured by my body and my reactions to all he did. It was as though he thought only of me—what I would like, what I wanted and needed.

  It was a heady feeling, being treated like that by a powerful man. It was dizzying to be treated that way by any man, and I knew I could get used to it. I could so easily fall in love with William Lambourne.

  I had to be careful. I mean, I hardly knew him.

  And then I realized I was alone in his penthouse. I didn’t want to go back to sleep. I wanted to explore every inch. I’d been so wrapped up in William I hadn’t done more than ogle the penthouse before falling into William’s arms.

  Now, I had time to really look. The bedroom was decorated in a sleek, modern minimalist style. Everything was white and grey and light wood. No pictures hung on the walls. No books sat on the nightstands—nothing personal anywhere in the room. The rumpled sheets were grey, and the coverlet was off-white. On each natural wood nightstand stood a metal lamp with a large white, bulb-shaped shade. A white modern chair was off to one side, and on the other, white curtains spanned the wall. I rose, wrapped myself in a sheet, and walked to the windows. The floor was not cold, as I’d expected. It must have been heated. I stood in front of the curtains and pulled them open. I’m certain there was some sort of remote that opened and closed them, but I didn’t know where it was.