Trouble

by Tia Louise

  “Why didn’t you just smoke a joint?”

  “It’s a non-smoking room, Joselyn. Anyway, I don’t like the smell of smoke, particularly pot smoke.”

  Her chin dips, and she exhales a laugh. “I’m not often surprised, but you’ve surprised me. I never expected you to be such a rebel.”

  “I’ve got seven years on you, Sin.” Taking one of the salmon rolls off the table, I pop it into my mouth. “You can’t possibly know all there is to know.”

  She slips her hand into the crook of my arm. “It’s okay to be vulnerable. You’ve been hurt.”

  “I don’t do vulnerable. If I appear to be on guard, it’s because my partner has already seen fit to slap me in the back, and I don’t know who might try to do it next. Fucking Miles. Probably trying to ensure he wins our next match.”

  “Oh no! He didn’t!”

  “He did.”

  “I’ll get Daisy to tell him to stop hitting you in your injury. He seems to listen to her. And I’m available for follow-up treatments. I told you I’m rebuilding my client list.”

  We walk around the statues, and she takes a flute of champagne. The light glistens off the creamy skin of her shoulders. They’re broad and elegant, and I’m struck by how perfectly proportioned her body is. I already knew this, but her dress accentuates it.

  She’s a work of art.

  “You’re very beautiful tonight. This white and gold combination suits you.”

  My voice is gentler, and she glances up at me from under her lashes. “Thank you. I know you don’t give out compliments freely.”

  “Only an idiot gives out compliments freely. Or a person who wants something.”

  “And you want nothing from me. Don’t worry. I remember.”

  She’s so wrong.

  I want to hold her again. I want to wrap my arms around her and sway side to side, tell her I can’t stop thinking about her. It’s because she fucking walked out on me last time. I wasn’t ready to let her go, and yes, I know this goes against my principles. This sort of thinking leads to messy, messy trouble, and even my bullshit cold façade doesn’t work when she’s around… She is that fucking ember melting my walls.

  “So you’re saying you want to be friends?”

  Her bottom lip slides between her teeth. It’s a tantalizing quirk.

  “I’m saying I want to treat you. I know we have a history, but I really do respect your boundaries. As your therapist, they would be my boundaries as well… and Lord knows I could use the work.” She looks up at me, and this time she’s not being coy.

  “Why do you care so much, Joselyn?”

  We’re walking slowly towards the balcony, and I lift another flute off the waiter’s tray. She does the same.

  “Remember that old fable about the lion who was going to eat the mouse, but in the end let him go? Then later, when the lion had been captured by hunters, that same mouse showed up and chewed through the ropes and set the lion free?”

  “Everyone knows that story. I don’t know how it applies to this situation.”

  “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” She blinks those ocean eyes up at me. “I owe you one. Or several.”

  “I release you from your debt.”

  “You can’t do that. The universe knows, and if I don’t repay you, my karma will be all messed up.”

  Outside, the briny air is warm and breezy. It sends her pretty hair swirling, and the moonlight touches her in silver. The waves create a soothing backdrop, and I remember last night, the touch of her hands.

  “Your position is giving me a massage is going to repay me?”

  She turns and leans her back against the balcony rail. “Perhaps while I’m healing your muscles, you might let me heal whatever else is strained… or broken.”

  “I’m trying to decide if your suggestion is dirty or presumptive.”

  “I’m not being dirty at all. I’m being serious. Maybe I can show you it’s safe to step outside that frozen castle.”

  “Why do I feel like this is more Disney?”

  “It’s only Disney if you’re a tiny princess with magical powers. I don’t think that’s the case, is it?”

  She’s teasing again, her pretty, pretty eyes sparkling, and I polish off the rest of my champagne.

  “No.” It’s time to go.

  “Are you angry?”

  I don’t answer her. I simply leave the balcony, leave her there with her witchy ways trying to trap me. I haven’t eaten enough, and I can’t drink any more wine.

  I’ve done my part to show up for Miles’s gala. I haven’t met with all my clients, but if I stay any longer, I’ll do something foolish.

  “Spencer?” I hear her voice behind me, and I’m caught in the center of the room by Miles.

  “Here you are. I need you to lose the scowl and show a little love to Grafton. Heather is here, but she’s pissed because of something Rick apparently said. I think he’s been over-served, and now he’s hitting on all the single women.”

  “Get Daisy to do it,” I growl. “My back—”

  “Oh, look, there he goes again.” Miles nods his head in the direction behind me. “Although I’m pretty confident Daisy’s cousin can kick his ass. She’s a pistol.”

  Rage blazes in my stomach, and I turn around to see Rick with his hands on what my addled brain is insisting is mine.

  I don’t even try to fight it. I cross the room and take her by the wrist, pulling her to me.

  “Oh, hey, I see you know Spencer…” Rick’s voice goes from jolly to confused. “Wait a minute… What’s going on?”

  “Why don’t we go and have some bread?” I hear Miles pinch-hitting behind me, but my patience is blown.

  “What are you doing?” Joselyn tugs her wrist against my grip, but I only hold her tighter, pulling her into the foyer.

  Her skin is so soft. “What are you doing, Joselyn?”

  “What are you doing is more like it? How dare you manhandle me this way.” Her eyes flash, and I can’t escape her spell.

  “What do you want from me?” I don’t recognize my haggard voice.

  Our eyes lock, and she’s not afraid. She’s rising to meet me. My roughness, my hands on her body doesn’t intimidate her. I’ve never encountered a woman like her, so fiercely composed.

  She puts both her hands on my neck and leans closer, almost brushing my lips with hers. “Thank you for liking my dress. I want you to call me when you’re ready for your next treatment. Our professional relationship isn’t over.”

  With that, she turns, and in a swirl of white silk, she walks away, leaving me alone in the foyer wanting more. I want to chase after her and pull her hard against my chest. I want to shake her and demand to know who she thinks she is speaking to me that way.

  I want to fuck her so hard.

  My face drops, and I growl as I scrub it with my hand. This isn’t what I want. It’s not who I am.

  But the thought of another man touching her…

  I don’t know what it means or how far I’m willing to take it. I don’t know if it will destroy me or if it could be the best thing to happen.

  I’ve been a dick to her in my attempts to keep up the status quo—and to respect her need to keep it professional. I’m no longer her boss now, but I have to keep her from walking away.

  She’s at the door to the ballroom when I start to move. “Joselyn, wait.” I reach out and catch her soft wrist in my hand, gentler this time.

  She turns, lifting her chin, raising her gorgeous eyes to mine. “Have you decided to stop being an asshole to me now?”

  “I’m going to try.”

  “Always so honest, Mr. Carrollton.”

  “The last time we were here, I made you an offer. Would you care to revisit it?” I wanted to fuck her all night. Will she remember?

  “You need massage therapy, and I never sleep with my clients.”

  She remembers.

  “I’m not your client. I haven’t hired you, but if you want
me to…” Pulling her to my chest, I wrap my arms around her waist and lower my face so I can inhale her scent of creamy magnolia.

  “That sounds very much like blackmail.”

  “Only if you’re interested in the work. You can always say no, and I’ll let you go.”

  The last gasp of my resistance begs her to say no. This woman is nothing but trouble, and my dick is doing all the talking right now. It’s a huge mistake, and fuck, I’m going to make it if she’ll let me.

  My entire existence hangs on her answer.

  My throat is tight, and my teeth clench so hard, I’m sure they’ll crack.

  She lifts her chin, and her velvet red lips part ever so slightly. She takes a light breath, drawing out the torture like the succubus she is.

  She looks around the room before tightening her fist in my coat. “Yes.”

  Chapter 13

  Joselyn

  “God, I love your tits.” Spencer lifts and squeezes my breasts, tugging my nipples with his fingertips. My back is against his chest, and his cock is deep inside me. “So fucking gorgeous.”

  “Spencer,” I gasp when his teeth pierce my shoulder.

  It’s like fuel to the fire. His thrusts grow feverish. My breasts bounce faster as he fucks me harder, and my pants turn to little sounds as the orgasm radiates through my pelvis.

  “Give it to me,” he growls. “Come.”

  My head falls back against his shoulder, and I succumb to the pleasure.

  He ravages me.

  He devours me.

  It’s incredible, and I come so hard, I cry out as I shoot to the stars.

  We barely made it through the door of his suite before he slammed me against the wall. His mouth covered mine, and he gripped the top of my head in one hand, long fingers curling in my hair, pulling.

  It was painfully erotic, as if all the fighting, all the holding back only made our reunion more powerful and desperate.

  His other hand held my jaw as he tilted my face to the right angle so he could taste me. His lips pushed mine apart in a possessive kiss as his tongue swept inside, curling with mine, lighting the fire in my belly.

  I pushed back, sucking his tongue, biting his lip. I was as hungry for him as he was for me. Our mouths broke apart with a groan, and he dropped to his knees.

  His breath was harsh and fast as he pushed my skirt up, grasping my thong and ripping it off my legs.

  “Oh,” I gasped at the sting.

  “I’ve dreamt of this.” Pushing his face between my thighs, I collapsed against the wall with a low moan when his mouth covered my sex.

  In one fast move, he lifted my thigh over his shoulder, and his tongue plunged into me before moving higher, up my belly to circle my navel.

  “Oh, god,” I gasped, threading my fingers in his soft hair.

  His beard scuffed my sensitive skin as he groaned hungrily, making his way lower again. His teeth grazed my clit, and I almost screamed. I rose on my toes when his beard scuffed my inner thighs. It was so many sensations. I made noises I didn’t recognize.

  He pulled my most sensitive place with his lips, sucking and circling, devouring.

  We were starving for each other. Rising fast, he turned my chest to the wall, quickly rolling on a condom before slamming into me with a groan.

  “God, you feel so good.” For a moment, he stilled, and we both panted in time.

  My body radiated with orgasm. He pushed me onto my tiptoes, and I bucked my ass involuntarily against him.

  “Fuck me…” I begged, unable to wait any longer. “Please… Fuck me.”

  “Sin…” He hissed at my ear, jerking the bodice of my dress down so my breasts would spill out into his hands. “My girls.”

  My eyes rolled back, and I exhaled a laugh at his obsession. Still, I wasn’t complaining. His obsession translated into mind-blowing orgasms.

  Now we’re here. I’ve already flown to the stars once, and he’s brought me back to the edge with him again. My eyes close, and we’re grasping and clawing for that incredible release just within our grasp.

  We’re breaking all his rules, but my mind is too flooded with lust and need and orgasm to analyze it. I don’t care if he takes it all back tomorrow. All I know is I need his cock driving into me right now, taking me to the far reaches of heaven again.

  It’s starting… I feel it rising…

  Shimmering hot orgasm radiates the arches of my feet, snaking up my legs like a vine. My back jerks like I’ve touched a live wire, and with one more hit of his dick to my G-spot, I break, crying and clenching all around him.

  “Fuck…” He groans, coughing as he comes. “It’s so good.”

  He holds me tight to his body, one palm flat against my stomach, and I feel the power of his orgasm as he pulses inside me.

  We both fall forward against the wall like we’ve just run a marathon. My face is turned to the side, and his chest is against my back, the little hairs tickling my skin. Salt is on my tongue from biting and tasting him, and we smell like leather and sage and flowers and sex.

  His large hand cradles my breast, and a smile curls my lips. “You’re like a little boy with his favorite toy.”

  “Fuck, yeah, it’s my favorite toy.” I feel his cheek rise at my shoulder. “Have you seen how hot your rack is? I’d have given my left nut to hold these babies one more time.”

  “Mm…” I exhale a satisfied noise. “I take it you’re a boob guy.”

  His head lifts, and he kisses the side of my neck. “I’ve never really thought about it before. Until a witchy redhead waltzed into my life with a body to make any man weep and a brain sharp enough to make it all unfair.”

  Rolling against the wall, I turn to face him, lifting my arms onto his shoulders. “Who are you and what did you do with this asshole I know named Spencer?”

  Smoky hazel eyes meet mine, and he’s still grinning like a very bad boy. “You love assholes. It’s why I had to get you away from Rick, the recently divorced douche.”

  “You didn’t have to get me away from him.”

  I had no intention of going anywhere with anyone… Until I was sure Spencer was a lost cause.

  He lifts his face and presses his mouth to my forehead, and a wash of emotion floods my insides. He’s not angry right now. He’s not pushing boundaries and throwing up walls. Damn him for melting my heart.

  I’m sure it’s all the champagne we’ve drunk, but I want to keep him this way. Where will he go in the morning? Will he remember his rules or will something have changed?

  And as I think it, I know this is what he’s talking about. The second night is supposed to make me think he’s changed, and I’ve melted his heart. Messy, messy trouble…

  It won’t be me.

  His lips trace down my temple to the side of my cheek. “Go to sleep. I want to fuck you again before dawn. I want to fuck you until I don’t feel this way anymore.”

  My brow furrows. “How do you feel?”

  His eyes are heavy, and my arm is around his waist as we stagger to the California king bed. Crawling beneath the sheets, he reaches out and wraps a strong arm around my waist, pulling me flush against his chest.

  “I feel like the Beast.” The sound of sleep is in his voice, and I thread my fingers with his.

  Maybe I’m taking advantage of him, doing the things I want to do with him sober while he’s slightly drunk. I don’t care. I kiss his hand and pretend he’s not an asshole. I pretend he’s my boyfriend, and we fall asleep in our luxury suite with our bodies entwined like this every night, together, safe in each other’s arms.

  I exhale a sigh at this ridiculously rich, ridiculously arrogant man. He’s cruel to taunt me with a peek inside his walls, but he’s wrong if he thinks I’m like every other woman he’s ever known.

  I do have a brain to match his, and if he thinks he’s got me, he’s so wrong.

  Lifting his hand, I press my lips to his knuckles wishing it wasn’t this way. I wish it was easy, but when did easy ever lead anyw
here good?

  I slide my hand along that mysterious scar he guards so closely. His eyes are closed, and a dark lock has fallen over his brow. His lips are relaxed, and all the anger has momentarily subsided. He’s gorgeous.

  “You’re safe with me, you know?” Exhaling a little sigh, I trace the hair off his eye. “No, you don’t know.”

  I kiss him softly before closing my eyes and falling fast asleep.

  * * *

  “I’ve barely seen you all week.” My mother has a pot of coffee ready when I push through her door at 5:30 a.m.

  “What the heck are you doing up so early?” My heart is in my throat. “You scared the shit out of me.”

  “Language, Joselyn.” She eyes me as if I didn’t learn all my swear words from her. “Why are you doing the walk of shame? Didn’t Daisy get you a room at the hotel?”

  “I told her not to.”

  “So where have you been all night?”

  “Sleeping with a random hot guy, of course. What do you think?”

  She snorts a laugh over her coffee, and I love my mom. She’s the witch who taught me to be the witch I am now.

  Translation: She taught me that society brands women it can’t control as witches. Or some other derogatory term. She also taught me to give that bullshit the big, fat middle finger.

  “I love him, Ma.” My eyes are on the table, and I want to cry. “God, I’m so stupid.”

  “Whoa, hang on right there.” She lifts the mug and takes another, bigger gulp. “That’s a lot of information to drop on somebody out of the blue at five in the morning.”

  “It’s closer to six.” Blinking fast, I pour myself a mug of java and sit across from her, giving it a dollop of cream.

  “Either way, start at the beginning. Who is this guy?”

  “He works with Daisy.” Shaking my head, I roll my watery eyes. “God, he’s such an asshole. He’s gorgeous and rich and he has the perfect body, and he is the worst.”

  “And he’s already making you cry?”

  “I’m making myself cry.” I huff a laugh, touching my eyes. “He’s been nothing but straight with me. He has a rule. He never sleeps with the same woman twice. Want to know why?” Her eyebrow arches, and I know I don’t even have to ask. “Because as soon as he sleeps with a woman twice, he says she thinks her, quote, ‘magic pussy,’ end quote, has changed him and he’s going to leave behind his wicked ways out of love for her.”