“Do your worst Alec. I’m so ready for you.” Her voice was husky and that made his balls draw up tight. He hoped he could give her what she wanted because this little kinky side of True was turning him the fuck on.
She bent over slightly and he pulled out the condom he had in his pocket. He didn’t remember ever being this fucking clumsy with it though. He ripped the foil and it almost slipped out of his hands because he was trying to get it on so fast. Alec pushed his cock into her body before it was rolled all the way to the base, because he wanted her so bad.
True moaned like she always did when he entered her pussy but this time he swore he could feel that noise squeezing his cock. He liked to go easy because he was a big man and he didn’t want to chance hurting her but clearly she wasn’t a go easy woman. Placing his hand back around her throat he brought her as close to standing straight as he could before licking and biting at the back of her neck while choking her from the front.
With the aroma of sex surrounding him, the sound of her moans in his hear and her snug heat wrapped around her cock he had to concentrate for a second. Bending a little at the knees he pulled his cock almost all the way out and then a firm balls deep thrust. If he could just get her to stop with the noises this would be easier. He did it again faster than the last time and True clutched at the counter and squeezed him harder with the walls of her sex.
It was now or never. Picking up speed he slammed into her body and she tightened around him as he pumped and pulled a growl out of him that he couldn’t control. He pumped into her soft, tight pussy again and again until he heard her moan under him as she threw her ass back against him. Her sheath was like a hand milking and massaging his shaft. He was so excited that she’d come because he didn’t know how he was going to last a second longer.
Skin smacking against skin fast, hard and wet filled the room along with a sound that tore out of him when his body tensed and then released when his orgasm hit him full force. It sounded like a wounded animal had been let loose in the house and he couldn’t hold that noise back for the life of him. When it was over and all that remained was the sound of the refrigerator and the returning to normal breaths from the both of them.
He pulled out of her body and instantly wanted to be back in there. Not for more sex but for the closeness they shared when they were connected. There weren’t any misunderstandings or reasons to guard themselves. They were good at this part and as hungry for him as she was when he arrived he knew his True was no dummy and more observant than anyone he’d ever known. Pulling off the condom and throwing it away like it took all of his concentration because not only did he not want to talk about his surprise visitor at the club he didn’t want to talk about how he’d lost control just now while having sex.
He wet a cloth and went over to clean True up and she allowed it, but then she turned around and pulled up her shorts. Alec moved toward her, but when he got to her he reached around her and got the pistachio salad and the foil. Wrapping it up and putting it away there was no talking between them. He for one, was at a loss for words, because he didn’t want to sound cliché but he’d never had sex like that before.
True put her hand on his arm and he turned to look at her. She looked like she was at a loss for words too, and for True that was no easy feat. Opening her mouth she started to say something once…and then again, but in the end she put her arms around him. It was more perfect than any words either of them could have said.
“Let’s go take a shower and then go to bed. I’m not sure I’m prepared to grill you properly after that.” True moved to kiss him and he was ready for whatever she laid on him. Her kisses were as wild and exciting as she was, so when the sweet kiss greeted him he was surprised. Then she slid her hand down to cup his cock and squeezed lightly. “I think you may have worn me out.”
“I need to write that on the calendar.”
“Well now that you know how to do it maybe it will happen more often.” True turned to walk back to her room literally leading him by his cock.
“Maybe?”
She nodded. “I don’t think I’ve ever heard you come like that. You really let go.”
“I thought you were worn out and we were celebrating that with sleep after a shower. What happened to the shower?”
“That was the plan but now I kind of want answers.” She stared at him as she lifted her shirt and her beautiful dark brown nipples caught his attention like they always did.
He took off his shirt and waited for what was next. She took off her shorts and he kicked off his shoes but didn’t trust himself with his pants. Alec may have just come harder than he ever had in his life but it didn’t mean anything with this woman standing naked in front of him. She’d gotten a rise out of him again and again sometimes surprising him at what she could get his body to do, but he didn’t want to wait for her to bring up something he needed to be the one to address.
True lifted the comforter and slid between the sheets before scooting back to give Alec some room. He took a deep breath thinking of how easy it would be to just lay down next to her and just forget all he was going to say…for now at least.
“We can shower tomorrow, but I made a secret sale and if I don’t get some rest I’m going to sleep through it all.” True lay down and closed her eyes.
“Joni came to see me tonight at the bar tonight.”
True opened her eyes and sat up but she didn’t say anything. The fact that she wasn’t surprised told him she already knew that, but her face was blank. He really didn’t know where they were going to go from there because he wasn’t ready to share what she was there for.
“I don’t know what we are doing but I wanted you tell you.”
“No secrets?” True asked quietly looking down at the pattern she was making on the bed with her finger.
Taking a deep breath in he let it out. “Nothing that would hurt you.”
“That’s not really an answer.” She looked up at him and he could almost feel the pain and accusation in her eyes.
“I know it’s not and I know this seems fishy as hell, but I’m asking you to hold on for just a bit longer.”
“Do you love her, Alec?” The words were so soft and he wanted to tell her what she wanted to hear but he also wanted to tell the truth.
“I thought I did at one time. I loved her for saving me from a future that had a short life span but in the end it wasn’t real and I was wrong for doing what I did to her.”
“Are you going to tell me what you did?” she asked.
“I owe it to talk to her about it first.” This was the part he wanted to tell True because he didn’t want her to hear it from anyone else. “We are going out to lunch tomorrow.”
“What?”
“I wanted to tell you that before you asked anything about it. I could tell that you already knew she was there and although I don’t want to keep anything from you I’m not able to tell you the whole story yet.”
The light of understanding dimmed considerably and he knew that he was going to have to get the information he sought from Joni as fast as possible. He didn’t want to open any doors without closing and locking the ones behind him. This whole explaining himself thing was new and it actually sucked but he’d promised his brother he would try to step out of the box he’d placed himself in and he was looking at the prize.
“Just give me a little more time, True.”
She turned away from him and settled into her pillow. “I’ve given you my whole life, Alec. I don’t know that I want to wait anymore.”
It wasn’t the words as much as it was the broken spirit he heard in her tone. His True was always so strong and powerful. He hated himself for how he treated her in the past but he hoped what he was working on would redeem him in some way.
Chapter 11
“I can’t freaking believe you’re having a sale.” The older woman who usually came to all her showings walked over to her with a glass of wine and a big smile.
True had been hearing
this all day. She’d sent the notice out last night so she didn’t really believe a big crowd would come but just enough to buy off the 80 pieces she’s put out there. After the mind blowing sex she had with Alec last night she was overly ready to get these particular reminders out of her hair.
She’d woken up early and left the house because she hadn’t wanted to see or talk to him this morning. It was great to have had that last night with Alec but she was getting sick of the teeter totter even though she was one of the conductors of the mayhem. If she’d have known he was going to go on a date for lunch she would have done this earlier. As it was she’d opened at 3 and planned to stay until the last piece was sold. It was only 4:30 and she was almost halfway to her goal. She’d snuck away to stand in the corner and look at her favorite painting.
“Ms. Goodman?”
True turned around and found herself face to face with none other than Joni Wolf. It took everything she had in her not to cuss this woman clean out, but for what? The woman hadn’t done anything to her. As a matter of fact she shouldn’t be mad at the woman at all. She had amazing taste and had fallen for the same man she had.
“Yes, Ms. Wolf?”
The woman was gorgeous and always looked like she was ready for a picture. Except for the ones she took with Alec. Then she was mussed and full of life. There was a picture that he’d had on his phone she’d seen once and had painted it the way she’d seen it…blurred with tears. How that was one of her most sought after and asked about pieces she’ll never know, but it was.
“I’ve always wanted to walk in here to say hello, but I wasn’t sure how I’d be received.” The woman looked nervous and although that shouldn’t matter to her it made her wonder what had gone on at her meeting.
“How was lunch?” True hadn’t wanted to ask that but it was on a track in her head until it just popped out of her mouth.
Joni blushed and looked around the gallery and that didn’t do much for True’s temperament, but whatever.
“It was eye opening and fulfilling. I guess.” She shook her head like she was trying to clear it. “There is a painting I’ve always had my eye on. It’s the same muse as the other pieces you’re selling today but I didn’t see that it was up for sale.”
True didn’t know what the woman was talking about but she was finding it hard to stand here and talk about anything with her in a casual manner. She wanted to know what was eye opening and fulfilling.
“I don’t know what you mean.” True pushed herself to put on a smile. The woman was a customer and she was trying to be pleasant. Who knew… with eye opening and fulfilling lunches there may be another Haught Boy finding his match.
“Alec. Alec Haught.” The woman spun around like she was showing off a showcase on a game show…aannnd listening to his name coming out of this woman was making her itchy.
“I’m sorry?”
“Are you going to act like all these pictures and paintings aren’t of Alec?” The woman went over to a picture of a beautiful skyline and pointed to the corner of the piece where there was a man standing. You couldn’t really see him well because he was out of focus, but he was there. She pointed to another and another before True knew she’d been found out by a very unlikely person.
“I’m not saying they don’t have him or one of the Haught Brothers in it. I’m around them a lot.” True said following the woman through the gallery.
“I used to tell him he was the inspiration of your art but he’d just blow me off. I can’t wait to tell him I was right.” She turned and True was for the second time in two days stunned speechless. True wasn’t sure if it was because she’d figured out her muse or the cavalier way she said she was going to talk to him again. “You don’t want me to tell him do you?”
True stood up straighter and refused to answer that. There was no way she was going to allow this woman who seemed to have it all, have something over her.
Joni smiled and shook her head. “You two are very similar.” She walked around the close up picture of a neck and adams apple. Touching it with familiarity and longing.
What the fuck?
“This is the picture you never sell or offer as a print. The vulnerable male neck picture.” She looked at True. “It’s my favorite spot too.”
“Take it as a gift.” True said walking away from the woman who acted like they were in a we fucked Alec club. Just the thought of him touching her made her unreasonably mad. Whatever they had going on wasn’t over and damn it she knew trust was big for him but it was getting more and more difficult not to feel like she was getting played.
Rosy had been helping out in Gemmi’s absence. She’d called her last night and asked her to help out and to keep it quiet from anyone associated with the name Haught.
“Hey Rosy can you make sure the woman in the green and gold dress gets the picture under the lights.” True tried to keep walking but Rosy grabbed on to her arm.
“Whoa.” Rosy held both hands up like she wanted her to stop. “What do you mean? That’s the picture that everyone asks about and you always say it’s just for show. Why are you giving it away?”
True just shrugged. “I’m not really feeling it anymore. She can have it.” Walking away from a frowning Rosy she wanted to just leave but then remembered who the hell she was. True Lee Goodman was the queen of her life and beside Alec Haught she didn’t run from anyone.
Grabbing a glass of wine, she decided to pull out her badassery from wherever she’d had it stashed.
“Hello, beautiful. I heard you were having a sale so I rushed over to see what I could purchase.” The deep voice with its French accent made her smile.
“Luc, what in the world are you doing here?” She allowed herself to be scooped up and hugged by her new since the wedding friend and Karessa’s agent.
“Eh, like I said I was in the neighborhood.”
“Are you here to see Karessa?” She walked with him and wanted to know what would bring the illustrious Luc to town.
“Not this time. I told you when I was here last that I would love to set up a world tour for your artwork. A one woman show. You could call it Truly Good,” he said holding his hands up like he could see it on a marquee.
“Not a bad idea and the timing is impeccable.”
“When I get an mass email from a talented artist doing a fire sale I wonder what’s going on. I don’t think you need money, but if you did there’s no way Karessa wouldn’t find a way to help you without making you prickly.” He walked her over to the couches near the dwindling collection she’d offered up for clearance.
“Did you come all the way from France to ask me this?” She frowned at Luc as he sat there looking all cool and cultured with his suit and fancy shoes.
“True you are a woman who can make a man do crazy things, that’s for sure, but I’m a huge fan of your work and although I can put together why you’re in this town I’d love to have you see what the world could offer you.”
“So you are here for business?” True didn’t get the feeling this was all business.
“I didn’t say that, but I saw a chance and I’m taking it. The world doesn’t know what it’s missing but I do.” Luc said as he stood up and held out his hand so he could help her up.
“Where are you staying?”
“I booked a hotel nearby.” He looked around and took in the room. “How much have you sold?”
“I don’t know I’ve been shooting the shit with you.” True smiled feeling lighter than she had all day. Not because she had anything going on with Luc but it was nice to be with someone who didn’t have her on an emotional rollercoaster.
“Shooting the shit? That is an American phrase if ever I heard one.”
“Well that’s where you are.” True walked up to Rosy who was organizing something with a customer. “Thanks for your help you can go home. I appreciate all your help. You were the MVP tonight. I’m going to close up.”
“That’s okay, True. Seriously. I don’t mind staying to close up. You w
ere up late putting this all together. It was a success so you go home and get some rest.”
“Alright then I guess I’ll see you tomorrow at the baby shower.” True knew that Rosy was trying to earn her way back into everyone’s heart. When she met Rosy her good friend had been emotionally hurt by the woman, but she didn’t really register dislike for this woman, it was more like disgust.
“I’ll send you the totals when I get home.”
True nodded. It wasn’t the first time and the woman was good with numbers and negotiations so she didn’t mind giving her the floor.
“Let me walk you to your car.” Luc was by her side offering his arm.
She hooked into it and let him walk her outside. True shouldn’t have even allowed the appearance of any funny business but with Jodi still in the gallery and seeming to be watching her she just didn’t feel like being the woman she’d always been. Hanging out and waiting for Alec.
Leading him to her car she gave him a both cheek kiss and told him they could talk more tomorrow. For his part in it he didn’t look mad but at this point all she really wanted was a bath and a bed.
The sale had been a success and she’d sold most of the pieces that had anything to do with Alec, but that hadn’t done anything but fill her with sorrow. She had to get her life right or she’d be an old woman with a bucket full of could have been’s. That just wouldn’t do.
Chapter 12
Alec met with Joni once today, but she asked if they could meet again. It was late, he was tired and didn’t trust himself to go to True’s house and not tell her what he’d been working on. The only thing that stopped him is he didn’t have all the facts and they weren’t verified. It was life changing info but he didn’t want to tell her about something and it not be correct.
“I finally met True,” Joni said with excitement in her voice as she slid into the seat at the all night coffee house. She was beaming from ear to ear like she’d met a celebrity. Well True really was one even if she’d never gotten out of their small town.
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