Winter In August

by Mia Villano

  Knowing from experience that he took a while to work his magic, and not wanting to go home so soon, I decided to walk around and try to make sense of the artwork. I was never into the obscure paintings and sculptures, but I walked around and pretended to be interested. A few of them made sense to me and a few were outright ridiculous. Who would want a statue made of toothpicks and crayons? I laughed as I stood there staring at the sculpture trying to see the artistry.

  “I know, can you believe someone has bid on that so called piece of art,” the voice behind me said.

  Turning around, I spotted Colt. I took a deep breath and tried to keep my distance.

  “Are you following me?” I turned back around to study the sculpture.

  “Do you want the truth, or should I make up something?” Christ, the damn cologne he wore was pure sin.

  I looked back to him. His eyes trailed over my body, causing heat to rise from my sex to my flushed face. He was looking me over lazily as if he was undressing me with his eyes.

  “I really don’t care. Where’s your girlfriend?” I nervously ran my hand in my hair.

  “Funny you should ask. First, she isn’t a girlfriend, just a friend. I think she’s in the bathroom fixing her hair or something. What did you say to her?”

  “I gave her my expert advice,” I said, smiling inside. I was happy to have ruined Marlene’s night.

  “Are you here with someone other than Sven?” he asked. He flashed me a dimpled smile making my heart jump. Those damn dimples were so hot. His hair had grown out and around his face shaggy and messed up. He had an overgrowth of facial hair and the thought of his face between my legs sent a chill up my spine.

  “Why are you asking? You are, I see.”

  “Come here.” Colt pulled me to a secluded place away from the people off in a corner.

  “I would like to get the hell out of here and pick up where we left off. I’m not with someone. I told you I wanted you. You’ve been ignoring me all night making me hotter than hell for you. I like a challenge.”

  I tried to pull away from him, but he had a slight grip on my elbow.

  “I don’t think so, Colt. I’m not looking for anything right now, especially an ass with a slew of women he’s leading on. You showed up here with some blonde, and now you want to take me home.”

  Colt paused without a response. I tilted my head back and looked in his face. His lips were wet and he ran his tongue across them. I wanted to devour his mouth desperately. He didn’t take his eyes off me. I broke the stare by looking down.

  “Ass, Gabby?” His voice husky sounding and strained. I took a deep breath.

  “I’m surprised you keep everyone’s names straight. You may enjoy playing games with a woman, but you won’t play them with me.”

  He walked up closer to me and let his finger trail my spine to where the top of my ass was and where my dress stopped. The feeling of his finger touching me sent goosebumps up my body. The chemistry between us was electric. His eyes devoured me, darkening to emerald as he ran them across my body, taking me in. His scent stripped me of my inhibitions. I could crack under the intensity of his gaze, wanting to succumb to fucking his brains out, but I wouldn’t let myself.

  He whispered in my ear. “What I want, is to take you home with me. Not any other woman, but you. I’ve wanted to since the first time I saw you in the douchebags apartment. I want to taste your sweet pussy spread out in front of me as I make you come until you beg me to stop. I want to be deep inside you, repeatedly. The little phone sex we had the other night, was nothing to what I will do to you. Think of it as a warm up.” He bit my ear lightly and stepped away.

  I needed to sit before I blacked out. I couldn’t even look at him. This was Colt turned up a few notches, and his attitude made me wet with desire for him. He reached for me and pushed my hair out of my eyes without saying a word.

  “Listen, Colt. I don’t have time to fight another broad over a man, nor the desire to do so. I’ve been there, done that, and I’m way too old for games. As good as going home with you sounds, I’m going to pass.”

  He laughed, as he traced my spine with his finger, making me arch my back and sending shivers down my body. “Why do you keep fighting me?”

  “Well, let’s see, you’re rich, gorgeous, and you said you get what you want. You brought a date, and now you’re hitting on me.”

  “Gorgeous? Thanks for the compliment. She’s not a date. Honestly, I can’t stand her. She’s a first rate bitch. I came here tonight because you were here. I used her as an excuse to see you.”

  “You haven’t slept with her?”

  “Twice, but for the sex as a stress reliever. She’s like a dead fish. She wouldn’t let me do the things I want to do to you. The things no man has done to you.” I had to lean against the wall to keep my legs from giving out.

  “I doubt that’s true. How do you know what other men have done to me?”

  “Because you wouldn’t be out looking for others if you found one to satisfy you. If you were satisfied Gabby, you wouldn’t be out hunting. I can satisfy you.” His mouth was on top of mine as he ran his tongue over my top lip.

  His voice was saturated with lust. He let his lips trail down my neck as he pressed me closer. His erection was big and thick against my stomach.

  “Your smooth talk is not doing anything for me.” I stammered as he kissed me.

  “You’re wet right now wanting to know what I’m going to do to you. You’re telling yourself no for whatever fucked up reason.”

  “This whole situation isn’t a good idea.”

  “Oh, this situation is a very good idea, and you agree. Why waste any more time standing here playing this game? I have so many other games I want to play with you.”

  “I don’t like games.”

  Resisting him was becoming harder than hell. He was saying all the right things, and he was in control. He was also repeatedly running his finger down my back till the top of my dress stopped right above the crack of my ass. I closed my eyes and tried to fight the urge to go home with him. His control over me was intense, and I wanted to give in. But, I wasn’t going to. Not this time.

  I stepped away from him and smiled.

  “Not tonight, Colt. I’m exhausted. You’re sick, and I’m not interested.” I threw back the last sip of my champagne and set the empty flute on a nearby table. He looked stunned.

  “I’ll be in touch,” I continued.

  “You will be in my bed either tonight or later. That’s your call. I’m a very patient man, Gabriella Barone.”

  My lips were swollen and sore from his kisses. I was turned on by him and liked his assertiveness and dominance, but I wasn’t going to be easy. He could wait. Those days of jumping in bed with anyone, even Colt Andrews, were over.

  “Have a good time tonight. I’m sure your blonde will be glad to go back to your place with you. I wouldn’t pull on her hair, though. I have to run.” I walked out of the front door into the cool night air and hailed a cab before Colt could say anything else. A feeling of pride plowed through me. I said no, again and that wasn’t something I did too often. I was on a role and very proud of myself.

  I slid inside the cab as it pulled away from the curb. I pressed my cheek against the cool cab window to cool off. Holy Fuck, this man was relentless. I focused on texting Sven, asking where he was when Colt texted me. What the hell? I should possibly be worrying about this guy. He was a little obsessive.

  I can still taste you on my lips. I rolled my eyes. Christ. If I answer, he will want to text for an hour. I ignored him and turned off my phone. The ride from the gallery to my house was rather short, but I was exhausted. Staring out the window of the cab, I couldn’t help but wonder what all those people buzzing around were up to. Did they have the same issues as I did? Were their problems somehow worse than mine? I nodded off to sleep when the cab made its way to the front of the Brownstone.

  “Ma’am?” yelled the driver. I paid him, let myself in the house, and
headed to the shower. The steamy hot water soothed my tired body, and I let the day wash away. If I wasn’t so tired, I could have stood under the water all night. I was startled from my thoughts as I was drying off when the front doorbell rang. I looked on my phone noticing midnight was too late for visitors. I threw on my robe and stomped downstairs to eye the peephole. What the hell?

  Colt stood on the steps of my front door, hands in his pockets, and looking hot as hell. I hesitated to open the door and considered pretending not to be home. He looked too irresistible.

  “Colt, what are you doing here?” I swung open the door and stood in front of him in nothing but my bathrobe.

  “You didn’t respond to my text message. Remember, I’m a man who gets what he wants.”

  “I didn’t realize there were texting rules I had to follow. I was in the shower.”

  “I see that. I needed to know you were all right and when you didn’t answer me, I realized the best way to talk to you is to come to where you live.” He inched closer. Everything from the past days was gone now that he had me in this cocoon. I don’t know what he was doing to me, but he aroused me beyond belief. He was dressed in his tuxedo with his tie untied and the top two buttons were undone on his shirt.

  “How did you know I would be home?” His lips gently grazed my neck. He pushed back from me to gaze in my eyes. Colts eyes were smoldering with lust.

  “I told you I’m a businessman. When I want something I don’t stop till it’s mine.”

  “Jesus Colt, stalk much? Where’s your date?” He ignored my comment. He was breathtaking the way he looked, hungry and determined.

  “You are gorgeous, Gabby. You have no idea how badly I want you right now. The thought of your skin hot and soft from a shower is making my dick throb.”

  After everything I had gone through, losing myself with this man for a while and letting him take over my body sounded appealing. Colt Andrews may be what I needed to get my mind off Kris and my mom.

  “Would you care to come in, Colt?” I knew what the answer was going to be.

  I stepped aside, and Colt stepped in. Without hesitation, he grabbed my oversized robe and pulled me against him. My robe was the one item between my naked body and his tux. Instantly, his hand went to my tie in the front holding my robe closed.

  “Colt,” I sighed. His gaze on me was fierce and sensual.

  “You had me all disoriented with that red dress you wore tonight. I became obsessed, and you’re all I want.” My robe opened as he pressed his body to me. He held my arms up with one hand while his other hand went exploring. His fingertips touched my sensitive nipples as he stared at them hungrily. They hardened more to his touch. His lips crushed mine. The barrier of his clothes and my robe burned between us.

  “Jesus Christ, you’re too much,” he groaned as he bit my ear.

  His hand made its way between my legs. I didn’t want to fight him, enjoying what he was doing. He slipped his finger inside me with little effort.

  “You’re wet,” he moaned as his eyes looked me up and down, making my body hot and flushed.

  His finger worked into me deeper, and I couldn’t help clenching around him. My knees started to buckle under me. Lightning hot blood roared through my veins. My head kept saying don’t break your winning streak, but my heart and body said what the hell.

  “Your pussy is so satiny soft, Gabby. I want to taste you.” He kissed me as he put yet another finger inside me. I tried to hold off being so vocal, but a desperate moan came out of me loudly. With his fingers still in me, he bent down and picked me up with his other arm and slung me over his shoulder. He walked into my dining room and placed me in a chair. The whole time he was pushing in and out of me as I became wetter. He knelt in front of me as he opened my robe. I clenched myself as he stroked me over and over. I was close to an orgasm.

  “Colt, I…”

  “Come for me Gabby, like you did on the phone. This time, I’ll feel you come on my hand and lips. I want to watch, as the climax goes through you.” His thumb rubbed my clit in slow circular motions as I lifted my hips to him. The wave rose and the ache in my stomach increased as I climaxed on his fingers crying out his name.

  He spread my legs farther apart with his head and put his face between me. He latched on to my throbbing clit as he grabbed onto my hips.

  With my head thrown back, still trying to come down from the first orgasm, I tried to push his head away. I couldn’t take another orgasm.

  “Don’t Colt, it’s too much.”

  “Fuck, you taste so good. You taste so sweet like honey. I can’t get enough.” He looked up, licked his lips, and began his sweet sexual torment again. When I thought my body couldn’t respond another time, an ache built inside me. He was relentless and animalistic pushing his face deeper and deeper into me. The intenseness of his tongue licking and teasing me, brought a second climax, this one more agonizing than the first. I grabbed on to his shoulders and dug my nails into him as the surge traveled my body. When the orgasm was done, I was lifeless and bare. He kissed his way to my lips, stood, and moved back to admire my body, legs spread and practically panting.

  “You are the fucking most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I love how you taste. Next time text me back, though I think you enjoyed this visit.” He winked at me and went to the door. He turned to face me slumped in the chair.

  “I want you and I’ll have you.” He was out the door and down the road before I could get myself to move.

  Chapter 12

  Working kept my mind off sex and the issues with my mom and Kris. My medication was kicking in and the darkness was starting to lift. I tried to get my blonde uninvited guest with the overly skillful tongue out of my head. He was invading my thoughts, and I wasn’t used to that.

  My days were spent at work, the gym, and my nights were spent at home, reading a book or talking to my dad on the phone. We were talking now almost twice a week. This issue with my mom brought us closer and in a way. He was with Bonnie and they planned on coming to see me as soon as he could get away from the store. Bonnie had never been to New York City and she was itching to come. Harper skyped me a few times and planned on coming home within the week. She was shocked at the news about my mom and Kris.

  I continued thinking about Annie and how desolate she looked. I couldn’t help but feel pity for her. She was lonely and obviously still in love with my mom. How much damage my mother had caused the people who loved her? Was she still doing this to others in her life? I wanted to give her a piece of my mind and I hoped one day I could at least tell her how lousy she truly was.

  I was working late one evening with Sven and cleaning the salon. I was in the back washing towels and Sven was in his office doing whatever he did to close out the day. I could hear him arguing with Tab on the phone through his closed office door. They had been fighting a lot lately, and their constant arguing was becoming a problem at the salon. The tension was thick between the two of them and uncomfortable for all of us.

  The buzzer went off alerting me that someone had walked in. Fuck. I forgot to lock the door after the last customer left. My head was somewhere else, and locking up after the last customer left must have slipped my mind. Sven would be pissed because one other time he forgot, he was robbed.

  I didn’t want to walk up front so I yelled, “We’re closed.” I hoped whoever slipped in would leave.

  There was no response. Not in the mood for anyone’s bullshit, I hesitantly walked up front to see whoever was standing there.

  “Colt?”

  He smiled a devastating sideways smile.

  “We’re closed.”

  His eyes scanned me as he stood there. He looked as if he had a rough day. His hair was messed up and his face rosy red. I noticed his tie undone and his shirt unbuttoned two buttons.

  “I know. I’m not here for a haircut. I’m here for you.”

  I blushed. “I’m a little busy.” He strolled closer to me as I tried to stand behind the register. He looke
d fucking hot as usual, almost like a hungry animal. His suit was impeccable; his face was scruffy enough to make him look like he’d been in bed for a week.

  “I’m done waiting for what I want.” I could have melted into the floor as the heat from his gaze seared through me.

  “I thought you were a patient man?” My voice was almost a whisper.

  “I was patient.” He looked at his watch.

  “It’s been three weeks, two days, and twenty-two hours. I’m not waiting anymore.”

  “I’m not something you can order, and I’m supposed to swoon, Colt. I have work to do and I’m going home.”

  “I’ll wait and take you home.” He stepped back and sat in a chair in the waiting area.

  I was at a loss for words. He was serious. Okay, I can play this game. I walked to the back and finished washing the various capes and the towels. He wants to wait, he can wait. I’ll see how bad he wants me and how patient he is.

  “Who’s out there?” asked Sven opening his door and sticking his head out of his office.

  I whispered so Colt couldn’t hear me. “The pilot.” He raised his eyebrow.

  “Oh? Does he know we’re closed?” Sven winked at me.

  “Yes, he’s waiting on me, and he can wait till I’m done. I have more to do.” I continued to do the laundry as Sven stood from his desk and walked over to me.

  “What the hell is wrong with you?” His arms were crossed and he gave me that stare down when he’s trying to be authoritative.

  “I’m working. If he wants to wait, he can wait.” The dryers were hot, and I pushed a strand of hair out of my face.

  “Get your ass out of here. Come on Gabs, doing laundry over getting laid? Since when?”

  “I don’t like to be told what to do, and I’m turning a new leaf.” I put in another load of towels and started to get the dried ones out. Sven stopped me.