With Us (The Amato Series Book 1)

by Layla Frost

  Between the fun I was having and the smell of deliciousness, I was happy to stay and draw this out. For a while, at least.

  “Another drink?” Jen asked me.

  “Please.”

  “For you also?”

  Theo shook his head. “A water, please.”

  As she walked away, I picked up my knife and fork. Noticing Theo wasn’t doing the same, I smiled. “Not hungry?”

  He didn’t return my smile. His usually smooth voice was rough, the erotic edge to it a promise of things to come. “Fucking starving.”

  ···

  Almost home.

  Come on, drive faster!

  Eventually, the teasing at dinner had settled a little, though the undercurrent had remained. Theo had talked to me about Faust’s plans to expand his restaurant and Luc’s insistence on being involved. I’d told him about the latest with Java Brew, which ended up bumming me out, so I hadn’t gone into much detail.

  Repairs were coming along quickly, and Wendy had messaged that Monday was looking more and more likely.

  I wanted to stay in the little world I had at Theo’s.

  After stuffing myself with a dessert of shortbread crust, a light and fluffy cheesecake-esque filling, crumbles of homemade cookie dough, and toasted marshmallow, I could understand why it was Luc’s favorite place. It was a bizarre dessert, but the best I’d ever had.

  When we’d gotten back into the car, we both fell silent, enjoying the ride. The night sky seemed to zoom past, the stars growing brighter the farther we got from the city.

  Tilting my head up, I watched, thinking about Theo. How he looked at me. How he made me feel.

  All through dinner, I’d let my shirt slip down. Sometimes, I’d reach forward farther than necessary, showing him peeks and hints of my breasts. Right before we’d left, I’d purposefully held my glass up against my nipple as I spoke. I’d only given him a glimpse of my hardened nipple and the wet spot before I’d pulled my jacket on.

  I’d been playing a dangerous game.

  And, as we pulled into the driveway, I knew I was only minutes away from collecting my prize.

  Theo parked outside of the garage next to one of his larger SUVs. Getting out, he moved between the two cars to open my door.

  Just as quickly as my feet touched the ground, they were off it. My back hit the SUV, Theo’s mouth crashing down on mine. I wrapped my legs around him.

  He shoved my shirt up, exposing my breasts to the cool air. Lifting me like it was effortless, Theo positioned me so my chest was lined up with his lips. He took my nipple in his mouth, sucking hard before licking lightly. Moving to the other one, he repeated the process, this time adding his teeth.

  When he lowered me onto the foot step near the SUV’s backdoor, I thought we were heading inside. Instead, he undid my shorts and shoved them down before doing the same with his pants. I did a little wiggle to help, letting them fall around my ankles. He picked me back up, my shorts and flip flops hitting the ground.

  “Hold on,” was all Theo said before lifting me higher so my bare ass pressed against the top of the cool, dewy window. My legs went over his shoulders as he buried his face in my pussy. He covered it, his tongue devouring me. Moving relentlessly. Twirling and twisting.

  I gripped the rack on top of the SUV with one hand. The other went into Theo’s soft hair, holding him to me. Thoughts raced through my mind.

  Of the night.

  Of my dangerous game.

  Of us exposed outside.

  There were birds and insects making noise in the distance, but no people to hear me as I moaned, coming undone.

  Theo didn’t ease back, his pressure increasing. My legs shook, my clit so sensitive it hurt. But still he worked me through one orgasm, the second building quickly behind it.

  But I was empty.

  Too empty.

  Tugging his hair gently, I gasped as his teeth scraped against my clit. “I need more.”

  Without a word, he pulled his head up, and gripped my hip in one hand. He lowered me down onto his cock. Once the tip was inside me, he used his hold to slam me down.

  Crying out, my other hand shot back so both were clutching the rack.

  With little give from the car, everything felt… more. Longer. Thicker. Harder. I knew I’d be sore the next day, but it was the best kind of pain.

  Rough enough to rock the giant SUV, hard enough to worry we’d break a window, Theo fucked me. Wildly. Savagely.

  And I came just the same.

  Like it was being ripped from my soul.

  Like I had no control.

  Wild.

  Savage.

  “Open your eyes,” Theo ordered, holding my jaw.

  Meeting his hooded gaze, my eyes went unfocused as my legs began to tremble. His fingers dug in slightly until I forced my focus back on him. I tilted my jaw down, biting his thumb. Liking the way his eyes went wide, I sucked his thumb into my mouth, twirling my tongue around it.

  “Cazzo, Dahlia,” he groaned, frantically moving me up and down his cock.

  Releasing his thumb, I fought the urge to close my eyes and drop my head back. My neck arched, my mind raced, and my body felt like a million live wires. As we both came, the intensity of it stealing my breath, I felt like we were in our own little world.

  One I never wanted to leave.

  Chapter Twelve

  Emotional Pinball

  Dahlia

  I miss the other world. This real world sucks.

  After almost a full week of nothing but sleep, sun, and sex, returning to work to help Wendy the day before had been like an alarm waking me up in the middle of the best dream.

  Theo hadn’t worked for most of the week. When he had, I’d hung out in his home office with him. He’d had to go out with Luc once, leaving me with Gus to watch a movie, and returning with Indian takeout a short while later. Other than that, though, we’d spent the majority of our time in the same house, if not together.

  I’d known it was a temporary, but much needed, vacation from the real world. I’d figured I’d get crazy bored and be anxious to jump back into doing something more than lazing about.

  In some ways, I was. It was just that the something more wasn’t scrubbing tables and pouring coffee. Not for the rest of my life, at least.

  Tapping my fingers on the counter, I checked the clock for the millionth time that hour. I’d only worked a few hours the day before to prepare for the reopening. Wendy had gone on and on about how the updates and changes would equal more business. Her psychic had told her shortened hours would also make the café in higher demand, so I was supposed to close at three in the afternoon.

  I’d tried telling her that the afternoon rush didn’t hit until after that, but my argument fell on deaf ears. Apparently, working there for years still made me less qualified than a psychic.

  When the clock hit three, I locked up the front door. I shut everything down and did the minimal work, most of it already done out of boredom.

  Grabbing my stuff, I made the short walk home, my mind on what I was going to do. Of the two jobs I’d had, the grocery store, in theory, had been the better one. That wasn’t an option anymore. If Wendy was going to trust a psychic over me, I doubted I could stay at Java Brew either. Mostly because I figured it would be out of business within a few months.

  My phone dinged in my bag. Taking it out and swiping across the screen, I saw a message from Theo.

  Theo: Are you home?

  Me: Almost. Why?

  Theo: Rosa is on her way there. Sorry for the lack of notice, it slipped my mind.

  Me: What? Why?

  When there was no immediate answer, I carefully put it back into my bag as I approached my building. I still had no clue how to use the phone, but I did know there was a ninety-nine percent chance I’d break it before I figured it out. Since Theo had accidentally kicked my phone into the pool, switching back wasn’t an option. I wasn’t sure if I believed him that it was an accident, but he’d kept
the fried phone to show me, and I had left it right next to the pool.

  I got into my apartment and hurried to change out of my coffee clothes. Normally, I loved the smell, but since it was mixed with the scent of cleaner and fresh paint, most of the appeal was gone. I’d just pulled on my shirt when the buzzer sounded.

  Pushing the button, I didn’t have the chance to say anything before Rosa spoke.

  “Hey, it’s Rosa.”

  A minute later, Rosa walked in with her arms full, Ben following behind her with his full, too.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, clearing off room for them to set the clothes and bags down. Since there weren’t many surfaces, most of it ended up on my bed. Anything with a hanger was latched onto the top of my fridge.

  “Hi Miss Kincaid,” Ben said, setting down the final bag.

  “Hey Ben. How are you?”

  “Good, you?”

  “Good. Surprised, but good.”

  “Didn’t Theo tell you?” Rosa asked, pausing from digging through the bags.

  “No, he just texted saying you were on your way and it’d slipped his mind.”

  She rolled her eyes. “I tried to tell him I should just message you. Anyway, he said you need a dress for the gala on Friday. Since you work all day, and he wasn’t a fan of giving up his nights with you, he asked me to see what I could find.”

  “You didn’t have to do that. I mean, don’t get me wrong, I’m grateful. But it’s not in your job—”

  Rosa waved her hand around. “Trust me, I do not mind. I got paid to shop, which is something I love. Plus, when I get back into the office, everyone will be kissing the ground I walk on. Sometimes a day away is just what everyone needs to appreciate all I do.” Rosa’s pretty face was flushed with excitement. “Anyway, I got an assortment of different styles. If nothing is right, I’ll try again tomorrow. This time I’m telling you I may be showing up again, since Theo can’t be trusted.”

  I nodded, but she wasn’t paying attention.

  Instead, she was unzipping garment bags and pulling things out.

  “And that’s my cue to leave,” Ben said, setting down the last bag. “Have a good night, Miss Kincaid. Rosa, text me when you’re finished.” With another polite smile, he left.

  “Okay, let’s get started.” Rosa handed me some fabric.

  Super soft and thin, the tiny panties and strapless bra were plain but still sexy.

  I went into my cramped bathroom and changed quickly, almost falling into the toilet. When I opened the door and stuck my head out, Rosa was standing close with a dress.

  “Thanks,” I said, taking it. “If I try to change in there, I’m going to end up giving myself a swirly. Can you turn around?”

  She spun away. “I like this one, it’s sexy but understated.”

  The black dress was strapless, gathering under my breasts and falling in a loose skirt. It was pretty, but plain.

  “Too understated,” she said, echoing my feelings. Going back to where the dresses were hanging on the fridge, she pulled down another one. “Let’s try this.”

  I pulled the next black dress on, nearly getting tangled in the web of straps. This one had a plunging neckline and a high slit up both sides.

  Rosa tapped her lip. “Too busy?”

  I nodded. “I feel like I’m caught in a spider web.”

  Her heels clicked across my apartment as she grabbed another one. “I’m not sure if this is too ‘prom princess’, but I think the black is clashing too much with your coloring.”

  Medium pink with a haltered top, the dress had a plunging neck and back. It was insanely pretty, but the extra layers of skirt made it very floofy.

  “I feel like I’m being swallowed in cotton candy fabric,” I said, happily stripping it off.

  “You look like it, too. The coloring was better, though.” She tilted her head back and forth, humming as she scanned the dresses. “I think I’ve got it.” Grabbing a paler pink one, she passed it over. “There’s a tailor down the block, so if it needs to be altered, we can meet there tomorrow after you get off. If it doesn’t work, I’ll go back on the hunt tomorrow with a better idea.”

  “You really—”

  “Trust me. I grab some coffee, a delicious lunch, and go nuts with the boss’ credit card. There are far worse ways to spend the day.”

  “How long have you known Theo?” I asked, hoping my question came out as friendly and curious, not nosy or jealous.

  She was gorgeous, and maybe I was naïve to not be skeptical. But I’d never been given a reason to be suspicious, and I doubted a man would send his lover, past or secret, to buy clothes for his girlfriend. And I really doubted the lover would bring such high-quality clothes. I was thinking the taffeta nightmare from the thrift shop would be more the style.

  “My whole life,” she said, her answer muffled as I pulled the dress on.

  “Really?” The fabric was soft, falling sexily around my legs.

  “Our families are close. He or Luca never mentioned it? Mama told me about how nice it was to finally meet you.”

  I turned around, forgetting for a second that I was only covered by my bra. “Wait, you’re Luc’s sister?”

  She nodded, amused. “I’d like to forget that more often than not, but I am. I’m surprised you didn’t know.”

  “It never came up.” I looked at her features again, specifically her tawny eyes. “Usually when I see Luc, he’s either working or eating.”

  “Yup, that’s about all he does.”

  Lifting the halter, I struggled to latch it.

  Rosa brushed my hands out of the way and did it for me. “Yup, this is it. Totally it. Wait, are you comfortable with going without a bra?”

  I smiled at the memory of going braless last time. “Yeah, no problem.” Reaching back, I unhooked the bra and carefully pulled it off, not wanting to snag the fabric.

  Completely backless, the front gathered into a thick band that latched at the back of my neck. There was a high slit at the side, which made me want to sit and cross my legs. The simplicity of the design didn’t swallow me, but it wasn’t understated, either. The pale pink seemed to flatter my coloring.

  I loved it.

  “I know,” Rosa said, reading my expression, “it’s perfect. On to shoes.”

  We both sat on my bed, browsing through the six boxes of shoes she’d brought. It was between a pair of cream high heeled sandals and a pair of nude colored pumps with a ridiculous heel. The nude pumps had a layer of pink lace, just slightly darker than the dress.

  I held them up. “My feet will probably regret me saying this, but I think these are it.” When I put them on and stood, I nodded. “Yup, these ones. How did you know my size?”

  She pointed to her eye. “I’m good with details. Also, Theo looked at your shoe size and messaged me. But it’s really my eye for detail.”

  Grinning at her, I spun around. “What do you think?”

  “It’s gorgeous. Really. Everyone is always overly done up and fussy at this thing. This is sexy, but not too flashy. It’ll be perfect.” She stood and headed for the other dresses. “Try to memorize Theo’s face when he sees you, I can’t wait to hear about it.”

  “I will,” I promised, liking the idea of having someone to chat with like that.

  Rosa tossed another bra and panties at me. “Okay, time to get dressed.”

  “What?”

  “Date night at a cocktail bar. Theo made me promise not to tell you until it was too late to back out.”

  “Why would I want to back out?” I asked, looking at the even tinier pair of pink panties. The bra was smooth, with no lace or bows, but padded and rounded.

  “Because it’s a business thing, and a bunch of people will be there.” She took in my look of panic. “It’ll be fine. But don’t worry, I picked a dress that will ensure you guys leave early.”

  I’m not sure if that’s meant to make me relax or what, because it is not helping…

  Passing me the dress, Ro
sa turned around but continued talking. “There’s this company Theo works with a lot, Motom. They create a bunch of streamlined business programs, sites, and apps that Amaric installs in some of the companies while he’s doing his overhaul. It’s the owner’s birthday.” Just as I started to panic, she shook her head. “It’ll be a bunch of hipsters, drinking and talking tech. Don’t worry.”

  That did reassure me some.

  Taking a deep breath, I pulled the dusky pink dress over my head. The neckline was high, barely showing my collarbone, and the sleeves were long. But it was also short. Really, really short.

  And tight. Really, really tight.

  “Uhh, I’m not sure about this one,” I said, trying to tug the material down.

  With a shake of her head, Rosa handed me the pumps. “It’s perfect. I know it’s a big step outside of your usual style, but it’s perfect. If the other dress hadn’t looked so good, I’d suggest you wear that on Friday too.” She grabbed another bag. “Now sit.”

  “What else is there?”

  “Hair and makeup.”

  I touched my messy bun. “Good idea.”

  Plugging in a straightener, Rosa undid my hair as it heated up. Once it was ready, she ran it through, section by section. As she worked, she asked about Java Brew, but I didn’t share any of the psychic drama or my doubts about my future there. Using the straightener, she twisted my hair around it, adding loose curls to the ends.

  “Okay, makeup time.” She dumped a bag of makeup from a specialty store onto the bed. Most my stuff was purchased from the grocery store with a coupon, but I popped into specialty stores occasionally when there was a really good sale.

  Rosa chatted again as she applied the stuff quickly. I didn’t say much since I didn’t want to disturb her concentration. She told me about some of the hideous dresses she’d seen while shopping, and of taking pics of some of the worst to send to Theo, saying she bought them. I had a hard time not laughing as I pictured it.

  After only fifteen minutes, she stepped back. “Perfect.” She gave me the compact mirror.

  My eyes widened.

  The makeup was subtle and more natural than I’d expected, using mostly soft pinks and creams. Highlighter on my cheeks mixed with the light tan I’d gotten, giving me a sun kissed glow. My dusky pink lips were my favorite part.