by Evie Knight
“N-No. Not really.”
“Of course not. You could’ve cost me my job.”
“B-but…” She fought for air. “I-I didn’t.”
“No, you didn’t. It doesn’t mean you don’t have to pay for the inconvenience you cost me.” He sank faster into her. “I plan to use every single one of those naughty toys on you.” Each movement was a caress, bringing her closer to the edge of ecstasy. All the foreplay throughout dinner, all the yearning had paid off. Closing her eyes, she squeezed her muscles around his shaft, her orgasm rocking through her body.
“God, Tori,” he growled, pumping into her harder. With his shaft buried deep inside her, his body shook alongside hers, his hands holding her tighter, preventing her from shifting her position.
Tori lost track of time. She’d been too busy catching her breath when she felt him move over her, his cock still inside her, his chest touched her back and he kissed her shoulder. “Thank you, sweetheart.” Jack slid out of her and pulled her up. Sneaking an arm on her waist, he guided her up the stairs to the master bathroom.
He turned the knob to the shower and stepped in, drawing her in with him. Too tired to think or to make sense of anything, she allowed Jack to cover her with soap. None of this should’ve ever happened, yet Tori didn’t regret it one bit. Now, how would she be able to move on? This had happened twice in a row. Both times, she’d enjoyed the sex more than she should’ve. Worst, tonight she’d enjoyed his company much more than she would’ve liked, regardless of however long their supposed dinner lasted.
Jack washed her hair, massaging her scalp, making his way down to her nape. He kneaded the muscles at her shoulders, relaxing her even more. He turned her around to face him and cupped her face with his hands, kissing her under the rain shower. Breaking the kiss, he shut off the water and helped her out, then covered her in a large, fluffy towel. Why was he looking at her that way? And why did he have to look so damn good naked?
“What’s the matter?” he asked, securing a towel around his waist.
She smiled. “Nothing. I should go.”
Jack took a step forward. “No. You can’t leave. We haven’t played yet.” He lifted her in his arms.
Tori wasn’t sure playing with Jack would be a good idea. Not in her current state of mind, but she didn’t have it in her to leave. Not yet.
He carried her to the bed and placed her in the middle of the mattress. Jack lay next to her, hugging her body to his. “You gave me hell years ago, Victoria.”
“Tori,” she corrected through a suppressed smile.
“When I thought I’d gotten over your prank, you walked back into my life. Haven’t you had enough? You’re giving me hell again,” he teased.
“Come on, it wasn’t too bad. I mean, I admit everyone and their mother saw you handcuffed, with a swollen cock sticking out of your pants. On the bright side, everyone knew just how gifted you were.” A soft laugh escaped her lips.
Jack laughed. “I should sue you for the irreparable damage you caused me.”
She rolled away from him. “Now, hear, hear. No one is suing anyone.” Tori propped herself on her arms, studying him. “Do you still wear your Clark Kent’s glasses?”
Jack raised a brow. “I didn’t know you had a soft spot for Superman.”
“I don’t know. Maybe I do now.” She knelt on the bed and removed her towel, letting it pool at her knees. “What’s this wicked game you keep bringing up?”
Grinning, he leapt to his feet. “Come on.” He winked at her.
She reached for the towel.
“No. Leave it there. Playing naked is part of the game.”
Tori followed him down the stairs. Butterflies danced around in her stomach as she tried to imagine just what kind of game she’d agreed to play. She lingered on the second to last step of the stairs, catching sight of him sitting on an accent chair set a few feet from the fire pole.
He studied her. The intensity of his gaze burned her inside out. “Come,” he said, extending his hand in her direction. She walked toward him and stood between his legs. He glanced at her, setting her legs apart by a few inches. His hands stroked the outside of her thighs and made their way to her hips, where he held her in place with one hand, while he trailed his fingers to her sex.
Her body trembled at the feel of his fingers playing with her bud. Jack dragged his fingers along her folds, plunging in her entrance once before easing back in his chair. Looking up at her, he reached behind him and pulled out a remote control. “Ready?” He raised a brow.
No, she wasn’t, but if it meant he’d touch her again, she’d lie. She nodded and he pressed a button on the control, immediately dimming the lights. Tori glanced around the room, noticing the spotlight on the pole behind her.
“Dance for me, won’t you?” he said in a low voice.
She looked at the pole and then back at him. “Have you had other women pole dance for you?”
His lips curved into a tight lip smile, his gaze never leaving her. “Don’t ask questions you don’t want to hear answers to. Come on, dance for me, Tori.” Jack pressed another button on the control and the surround sound system filled the dimly lit room with “Soldier of Love” by Sade.
He wanted a dance? All right. She’d give him the best dance of his life. Tori set one foot behind the other, making a slow turn, taking the few steps to the pole in a cat-like walk. She bet he thought she’d make a fool of herself. Well, she wasn’t a pro, but her gym pole-dancing lessons were about to pay off.
Tori grabbed the pole and circled it. She gracefully hooked a leg around the pole, gripping it behind her knee as she arched her back. Tori swung her body around the pole, letting her towel-dry hair hang low on her back.
Jack set the remote next to him on the chair. He parted his towel, baring his erection, and wrapped his hand around his engorged shaft.
She bit her lip, holding his gaze. She stood in front of the pole and reached behind her, grabbing it with both hands again. Tori swayed her hips in a slow motion to the beat of the music while sliding on the post. When she was close to the floor, she parted her legs. Letting go of her hold on the pole, she dragged her hand down her front to her pussy, tracing her wet folds with a finger. She then brought it to her mouth, licking it as she stood.
She turned to the post and gripped it above her head with both hands once more. Tori wrapped her leg around it and pulled her body up, climbing it. With every dance move she made, she lost herself in the sultry melody rushing through her body. Tori fastened her hold on the pole with the back of her knees as she changed positions, moving her hands below her feet. She breathed in. Closing her eyes, she concentrated in putting her body weight on her arms as she spread her legs apart bit by bit.
Strong hands gripped her waist. Jack dragged his tongue along the length of her pussy. Her hands gave way, sliding on the post. She’d been so enthralled in the music that she hadn’t seen him walk to her.
“Easy, baby. I won’t let you fall.” He covered her core with his mouth, his stiffened shaft pressed into her back. He helped her slide to the floor and untangled her from the pole, making sure she didn’t hurt herself in the process.
Tori found herself kneeling on the floor, her arms and legs shaking. She was so turned on her body hurt. Jack was also on his knees, behind her. He grasped her hips, bringing her on top of him. His full length stretched her entrance as she slid down, covering every single inch of him.
“Hmm… Tori.” He grunted, pushing into her, spreading her legs farther apart with his hands. She closed her eyes, leaning into him, letting the heat from his chest burn her bare back and consume her whole. The song still played. He must’ve set it to auto-repeat, because she knew the song was long, but not that long.
“Have you pole danced for anyone before?” he whispered, his fingers making circles below her navel and finding their way to her sex.
“Don’t ask questions you don’t want to hear answers to,” she said, swaying her hips to the rhythm of the
sensual song. The difference now was instead of dancing on the pole, she danced on Jack. He brushed the curve of her ear with his lips, leaving a hot stream of soft kisses mixed with sweet nothings along its path to her neck. His hand cupped her breast, his fingers playing with her nipple. She touched his hand on her sex and laced her fingers with his, stroking her clit.
She swung her hips back, wanting more. Tori felt drugged. Every cell in her body was on fire, screaming for release. Heat stirred low in her belly, then flooded through her in a blast. A loud cry left her lips, her body quaking on top of his.
“Fuck,” he grunted, his body vibrated alongside hers as he filled her with his cum.
When she caught her breath, she crawled away from him, wincing at the pain from her stiffened leg muscles.
“Tori, I… we…”
She angled her head, glancing at him over her shoulder. “I know. We didn’t use protection. You’re safe on my end. Should I be worried?”
“No. I’m clean.” Jack sprang to his feet. “Come, spend the night. I’ll take you to your place early tomorrow so you can get ready for work.” He helped her up and led her back to the bedroom.
A fog claimed her mind. Tori didn’t have it in her to decline the offer because her exhausted body demanded rest. Whatever happened tonight hadn’t been casual sex, even if it’d started as such. She’d opened up, giving to him a side of her she’d never offered anyone. Ever. A mix of worry, confusion, and desire, wishing things were different, stirred in her chest. Jack was a man she couldn’t have, and even if she could, they had history—bad history—neither of them could ignore.
Chapter Twelve
Jack parked his car in front of her apartment building. Stepping out, he walked to her side, opened her door, and offered his hand to help her out. “What are you doing Saturday?”
What was he doing? He wasn’t supposed to want to see her again.
Tori stared at him. “I’m planning to stay in.”
Last night hadn’t turned out the way he’d imagined it would. He’d thought he’d see the end to… to… a prank, a game, revenge… shit, he didn’t know what it was anymore, or what it had been, and now he wasn’t sure there’d ever be an end to it. If closing that phase of his life meant he wouldn’t get to see her again, he didn’t want to shut it yet. “Would you like to go on a ride?” he asked.
She raised a brow. “You’re asking me out?”
“No. I’m just asking if you want to go for a ride,” he said.
Tori stepped around him. “So, it’s not a date.”
Yes. No. Fuck. He didn’t know. He’d prefer to think of it as a ride, not as a date. Considering it a date would steer things in a different direction, a place he didn’t wish to visit with Tori. He’d keep it casual, nothing permanent. “No. Not a date, a ride.” His heart beat faster than it had in years. Why was he nervous all of a sudden? She wasn’t the first woman he’d ever asked out. Dammit. I’m not asking her out. It’s not a date, just a fucking ride.
She held his gaze for a moment, smiling. “I’ll take the ride.” She spun on her heel and walked up the steps to her building’s entrance.
“I’ll pick you up at three,” he said to her back.
Without looking, Tori waved her hand, stepping inside her building.
Jack hadn’t realized he’d been holding his breath until he exhaled. He got back in his car and drove to the office. How he’d make it through the day—or through the rest of the week—without talking to her or seeing her, he didn’t know. It begged him to question why it bothered him. He’d keep it casual—he had to, or else he’d be freaking screwed.
Getting the images of Tori pole dancing out of his head would take a miracle. Fuck. He already had a hard-on just thinking of it. Worst of all, how would he make it through tonight—or every night—if he stayed at his condo in downtown? After last night, he’d never again look at his place the same way. Not when he’d helped her down from the pole and fucked her kneeling on the floor.
What did he do? He’d never gone bareback with another woman. That wasn’t the issue though. The real problem was he hadn’t fucked her. He’d made love to her. No. I couldn’t have. No. No. No. He never made love. Ever. She’d screwed with his head. She’d fucking confused him. He needed to hit the gym after work today. He’d beat the shit out of anyone who dared to join him in kickboxing. He already felt sorry for the fool, whoever that would be.
* * * *
“Are you going to tell us anything?” Vivienne asked.
Tori glanced around the semi crowded sushi bar, then looked at every one of her friends. Their curious gazes stayed on her. She’d been good at evading them since the night she first went home with Jack, but she’d ran out of excuses. She wasn’t at all surprised when the four of them decided to show up for lunch.
“Details, girl, details.” Claire rubbed her hands.
Ariana laughed. “Give her some space, would you?” she said, looking at Claire.
“Why? There’s nothing to tell. Look at her. She’s been sleeping with Jack.” Scarlett took a drink from her sake.
Tori narrowed her eyes at her. “How do you know?”
“It’s in your face,” Vivienne replied.
“I don’t care. I still want to hear the details.” Claire gestured with her chopsticks.
Tori rolled her eyes, easing back on her chair. “He’s taking me for a ride on Saturday.” She bit down on her smile, wishing her friends couldn’t see her excitement.
Ariana leaned forward. “You mean you’re going on a date?”
“No. It’s not a date, just a ride,” she said. It was a ride—a simple ride. He’d said so himself. It wasn’t a date. Though, she wondered if he’d meant it. What difference does it make anyway? Things wouldn’t go any further because being together wasn’t in their future.
Claire laughed, throwing her head back. “A ride, my ass. It’s a date.”
“It’s not,” Tori said.
“It is too.” Scarlett downed the rest of her sake.
“Isn’t it too early for sake? It’s only lunchtime.” Tori pushed back her plate, getting ready to leave. She went through her mental list of things to do for the rest of the day. Good. She’d be busy. The busier she was, the better, because it meant there were fewer opportunities for her mind to wander with thoughts of Jack.
Scarlett shrugged. “So?”
“Call it whatever you want, a date is a date no matter how you put it.” Vivienne grabbed an edamame from the plate sitting in the middle of the table.
“Right. A date is a date is a date,” Ariana agreed.
Tori stood, grabbing her bag. “Thank you for treating me to lunch. You’re all such good friends.” She winked at them and walked to the door. Out on the street, she glanced at the sky, taking a deep breath. She donned her designer shades and headed for her office.
Getting through the rest of the week without seeing Jack would be the hardest thing she’d had to do in a long time. Gosh, she missed him already. A shiver ran through her as she remembered the events of last night. He’d held her, driving into her until his body shook against hers. Then, he’d asked her to stay and took her to his bed. He’d snuggled alongside her, keeping her in his arms all night long.
Wishing there could be more between them would be asking for a miracle. She’d take from him everything he’d give her. She’d have to keep reminding herself this was a fling. She couldn’t call it anything else.
Chapter Thirteen
She walked down the steps from her apartment building entrance. Her pulse quickened when she caught sight of Jack standing next to his satin-black bike. She slowed down her pace, appreciating the view. Seeing him in his aviator shades, jeans, a T-shirt, and a leather jacket made her want to run to him and drag him up to her place.
He smiled at her. “Hi.”
“H-hello,” she said.
“Are you ready?”
Her blood rushed through her veins in double time. Butterflies danced in her stomac
h, making her feel like a teenager all over again. Worst of all, she couldn’t manage to utter a word, so she nodded instead.
He helped her put on the helmet and secured it below her chin. “Hop on.” Jack straddled the bike and patted the seat behind him, then fastened his own helmet. She followed his instructions, straddling the bike. He reached for her hands and pulled her to him so the front of her body touched his back.
All nerves left her the moment the wind caressed her exposed skin as he put his bike in motion and merged into traffic. She had no idea where he’d take her. Truth be told, Tori didn’t care. What mattered was she was with him. As hard as it was to admit, she’d missed him. These past few days had been hell, wondering what he’d been up to and whether he thought of her at all or not. Who knew, perhaps today would be the last time she’d ever see him. The thought alone saddened her. Tori tightened her hold on his waist, squeezing her eyes closed.
Jack glided down the canyon, a mountain route bikers preferred, until he reached the Pacific Coast Highway. Then he rode north along the coast for another thirty minutes. Ah. She felt free. The ocean breeze combined with the late-afternoon sun kissed her skin. She hadn’t felt this liberated in God knew how long.
Jack turned left, guiding the bike into a sheltered path up a hill that opened to a secluded beach. He stopped right where the sand started and shut off the engine. He removed his helmet and hung it on one of the handles.
Tori got off the bike. She gasped at the ocean view in front of her.
“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” He took the helmet from her and placed it on the bike.
“It is. How did you find this place?” Tori removed her boots and rolled up her jeans.
“My dad.” Jack grew silent for a moment. “He used to bring me here when I was a kid. He called it our thinking spot.” He slipped off his boots.
Tori stepped on the still-warm sand and curled her toes. “Do you come here often?”
