Completely spent, he rolled over onto his side and draped and arm around Jayla, holding her close. He listened to her breathing and kissed her lightly until she drifted back to sleep. What would it be like to wake up to her every morning? He wondered. As his eyes closed, he knew she was the most fascinating woman he’d ever met and without her his life would never be the same.
* * *
Hours later Jayla woke up smiling. She was still lying in Stefano’s arms with her cheek resting against his solid chest. Drawing a deep breath, she nuzzled closer. Her entire body was tingling with satisfaction after a fabulous night.
Stefano was a wonderful lover. The sex had been hard and fast, just the way she liked it. She frowned as she thought about the three lovers she’d had in her lifetime who hadn’t even come close to what she had experienced these last few days with him.
The bathroom door opened and Stefano stepped out, freshly showered and looking absolutely delicious, with a towel wrapped around his waist. “Good morning.” With a smile, he walked over and took a seat beside her on the bed. A dark shadow of stubble covered his square jaw.
“You should have waited. We could have saved water and showered together,” she cooed.
“I can always get back in,” Stefano told her, then leaned over and kissed her long and deep until Jayla moaned with pleasure.
“How you feel?” he asked, studying her intently.
What she was feeling she couldn’t even bring to words, so instead she replied, “Drained and hungry.”
“While you were sleeping peacefully I ordered Danishes, fruit, and coffee to the room.”
A smile tipped her lips. “Sounds delicious.”
Stefano reached up and caressed her cheek. “I figure I might as well have room services at least once before I check out.”
Check out? And then reality hit her. Today would be their last day together. The last time she would wake up lying beside Stefano as he held her in his arms and feathered kisses along her neck and shoulder. Her plane departed tonight. The thought made her want to cry and be pissed off at the same time. She didn’t want Stefano to matter, but he did. He mattered a lot. Mattered so much she wasn’t sure how she was going to be able to walk away.
Later that morning they would attend church services at Liberty Baptist Church together, followed by brunch at Frank’s Seafood House for some of the best shrimp and grits she’d ever had. They had been invited to Kat’s parents’ house for a barbecue that evening. Afterwards, it was back to the hotel for another round of sex before it was time for her to pack her suitcase and head to the airport.
She swallowed, blinking back tears. This was the reason why she didn’t want to get emotionally involved. Already she was yearning for the feel of Stefano’s strong arms wrapped around her, and those dark eyes staring down at her, burning through her soul. But there would be no tomorrow, or the day after. No future with Stefano Ortiz unless she told him she wanted more. She drew a slow breath.
It would never work.
She lived in Utah. He lived in Nevada. “After breakfast I guess I need to go back to my room and pack.”
“Sure. When’s your flight?”
Swallowing, it pained her to say it. “Tonight at ten-thirty.”
Stefano shot her an uneasy look, and her heart fluttered in her chest.
“Jae, before the day is over, I would really like to talk about us.”
Us? She searched his eyes for any hint that he was feeling what she was experiencing?
There was a knock at the door, startling them both. She sprang from the bed and raced into the bathroom, while Stefano answered the door. Room service. She turned on the water and took a seat on top of the commode and tried to calm her breathing. Was there a chance of the two of them having a future? The thought had the blood pumping wildly at her temples. If she hadn’t known it before, she knew it now. She had fallen in love with Stefano Ortiz.
Jayla groaned. Not again. Why was she so quick to fall in love and then it took her months to get over a man when it ended? Stefano wanted to talk about them. There was no denying he was interested in continuing their relationship, a long-distance relationship she was certain would never work. What she felt for him she had never remotely felt for anyone else, and because of that she just couldn’t subject herself to anymore heartbreak. She had to walk away. She had to. After today there would be no more Stefano. So if it was the right decision, why did the thought of never seeing him again hurt so much?
She decided to take a quick shower allowing the steam to clear her head only slightly, but enough for her to know she needed to start mentally preparing herself for the end. It didn’t really matter how she felt about him anyway. She was leaving for Utah tonight and after his photo shoot on Monday, Stefano was returning to his life in the military.
Jayla turned off the water, wrapped in one of the fluffy white towels and then brushed her teeth before stepping out the bathroom.
“Feeling refreshed?”
Stefano was sitting at the desk. A tray was on top covered with fresh fruit and an assortment of Danish. The smell of coffee floated around the room.
“Yes, I feel much better,” she said and cleared her throat. She was suddenly struck by a wave of emotion. Turning her head quickly, she moved over to the mirror and combed shaky fingers through her hair. While she was there, Stefano rose and moved to stand behind her. Jayla sighed as his strong arms came around her middle.
“You smell like shea butter,” he murmured against her shoulder.
She smiled at his reflection. “I like the scent on you.”
“And I love it on you,” he whispered, his lips brushing against her ear.
Her midsection quivered. “I guess we better eat so I can go pack.”
“Okay,” he replied and then his hands were loosening her towel. Jayla watched as it fell away.
“You’re starting something,” she warned and turned around.
“I know.” He swatted her playfully on the butt, and she jumped out of his reach and landed over on the bed. Stefano yanked his towel away and joined her.
Breakfast could wait.
* * *
After the barbecue, they were back at his room before eight, yanking at their clothes again.
Stefano dropped his mouth over Jayla’s, parted her lips and slipped his tongue inside. Passion. Desire. Need. Jayla moaned and brought her arms around his neck, laced her fingers behind his head and leaned her body in close. Her scent surged through Stefano’s veins and his brain. He couldn’t get enough of her. No matter how much he tried to accept that in a few hours she was leaving, he still couldn’t get his body or heart to understand their time together was close to the end. But for now he was going to savor the moment.
Jayla’s mouth was hot and urgent. He’d wondered ten years ago what it would be like to taste her. To feel her. And now he knew. Stefano slid his hands down her back, rounding her hips and cupped the swell of her bottom as he lifted her gently off her feet. Jayla moaned and he drew her even closer against his erection. He wanted her so bad, he felt crazed with need. His hand slid around to the front of her and cupped the swell of her breasts.
“Steph,” she moaned.
His hand was kneading, stroking while his index finger circled the peaks, straining in response. Her craved her, needed her, wanted the woman as if he’d never wanted a woman before. A need to possess and make her his.
His eyes lowered to her mouth, and he heard her breathing hitch slightly. Lacing their fingers together, Stefano pulled her against his chest.
“You want some of this?” she asked as her tongue grazed his neck, then traveled over to his ear and playfully nipped at the lobe.
“Hell yeah!”
She laughed along with him.
“I had the most erotic dream about you last night,” she whispered. “Do you ever fantasize about me?”
“Ever since I saw you walk into the gymnasium.” He growled, then drew back to gaze at her. “You have no idea ho
w much I enjoy making love to you.”
“And I,” she murmured.
“Share your thoughts,” he coaxed between light kisses.
Amusement was dancing in Jayla’s eyes as she spoke. “I dreamed we were lying on the beach making love with the entire student body watching with envy,” she confessed.
“Damn,” he hissed. “Did it feel good?”
“Mmmm, it was wonderful,” she purred.
Stefano’s jaw clenched, then loosened. “What happened next?”
Leaning forward, Jayla whispered against his lips, “I got down on all four and you took me from behind.”
“Doggy-style. My favorite position.”
“I like the sound of that,” she murmured against his lips.
Before she could catch her breath, his hands were cupping her round breasts again.
“Aaaah…yes,” she whimpered and then she arched her back, drawing closer.
“You like when I play with your breasts, don’t you?”
“Yes,” she murmured. Her nipples brushed against his bare chest and his penis jolted against her thigh in response.
Stefano leaned forward, allowing his lips to trace a hot wet path along her cheek and down her neck.
Jayla gasped when Stefano’s lips closed over an aroused nipple and suckled until her head slumped to the side in pleasure. While cupping her breasts, he leaned forward and slid his tongue across her skin.
“Feel good, sweetheart?”
She grabbed on to his shoulders to keep from collapsing. “You’re driving me crazy,” she whimpered.
“Querida, I’m just getting started.”
With a low growl, Stefano lifted her into his arms and tossed her playfully onto the bed. She was laughing hysterically. “What are you trying to do?" she asked innocently.
He stared down at the twinkle in her eyes as he dragged her panties down over her hips, then he stroked her sensual folds with his fingers.
“You’re so wet,” he whispered.
“It’s your fault,” she moaned as she rocked against his hand, heightening the pressure that coiled at his loins.
Stefano pleasured her with one hand, while the other he used to lower his boxers.
“Please, no more foreplay. I need you to fuck me…now!” she cried.
“Roll over on the bed.”
Jayla turned onto her stomach, then got up onto all four. “Like this?” she asked in a breathless whisper over her shoulder that was almost his undoing.
Stefano gritted his teeth at the sight of her sweet, brown ass in the air. “Si, Querida. That’s exactly what I want.” He slipped on a condom with record speed, then brought his hands to her waist, drawing her back. He took a deep breath as he parted the cheeks of Jayla’s ass and entered her in one deep powerful thrust.
“Shit!” Stefano pulled out and surged, filling her completely. Jayla gasped and then pulsated and contracted around his cock.
“Steph!” she cried out, her hands clutching the bedspread.
Stefano pounded into her, again and again, until he was soaring toward orgasm so fast he thought he would lose his mind. The more she whimpered his name, the more he thrust and pounded into her, long and fast, drawing out her orgasm.
“Yes…Oooooh yes!” she moaned over and over until a climax ripped through her. “Steph!” she screamed, followed by a series of sighs.
“You’re mine,” he told her. “Mine.” He thrust again. Deeper. Harder, drawing it out until with one final thrust his own orgasm ripped through him. Stefano let out a loud howl, exploded, and then buried his head at her neck as he moaned her name.
He finally collapsed, then rolled over, dragging her with him. Jayla turned into his arms and rested her head on his chest. He closed his eyes and savored the moment while his hand stroked her breasts and stomach.
“Jayla?”
She drew her head back until their eyes met.
“This doesn’t have to end. We could make this work.”
The passion was gone from her gaze, and the expression was now dark and serious. “No we can’t. None of this is real,” she said, with a sweep of the hand. “I’ve enjoyed every second with you, but I know that we are both just caught up in the moment.” She rolled to the edge of the bed, then stood.
Stefano raked a hand across his hair, confused. “What the hell do you mean it isn’t real? I’ve seen the desire in your eyes. I felt the way your body came alive every time I touched you. That was real.”
“It was fun, but once the fun is over so is the moment. I prefer to end things on a good note.” Jayla started putting on her clothes. Stefano went into the bathroom to discard the condom and relieve himself, when what he wanted to do was shake some sense into her. He wasn’t crazy, he saw the desire, he knew she felt everything he was feeling, and dammit they were going to talk about it.
“How about we go and—” He stepped out the bathroom and then stopped, abruptly. Jayla was gone.
* * *
Jayla hurried into her hotel room before she burst into tears. She still couldn’t believe it. For the first time in her life, she had walked away from a man without giving in to the emotions stirring at her chest. She should be proud at how far she had come, because in the past she wouldn’t have had the strength. So why does it hurt so much? She wondered.
Yeah right. You know why?
She just didn’t want to think about it, even though leaving Stefano had been the hardest thing she had ever done. Deep down she knew it had been for the best. Stefano wanted to discuss a future that included the two of them, and if she had stayed it would have been almost impossible to resist the urge to say yes.
Jayla pushed the problem aside. Reaching for her suitcase, she laid it across the bed she had barely slept in since she’d arrived in Virginia. Her body tingled at the memories of the last seventy-two hours, and a yearning began to ache at a sporadic pace right beneath her breasts.
“Stop!” she warned.
She needed to focus on packing and getting ready for her flight. She had made the right decision to end things. Despite how much the pain gnawed at her stomach, her choice had been the right decision. She’d rather hurt a little now than a lot later, because she was only fooling herself to think that they had a chance of making a long-distance relationship work.
Jayla released a strangled laugh that ended up wedged in her throat. She was a realist and knew the distance wouldn’t make the heart grow fonder, instead it would only make her heart ache.
But could it possibly hurt any more than it does now? she wondered.
Brushing tears aside, she stormed angrily into the bathroom to collect all of her toiletries from the counter. As soon as she stepped in, she caught her reflection in the mirror. There was no mistaking the sadness in her eyes. Goodness, you are so pathetic. While dragging her shoulders back, she sniffed. Nope, not anymore. She wasn’t going to do this to herself. Somehow she was going to find the strength to get on that plane and go back home. Once she was in the air, she would forget all about him.
So why did her heart disagree?
She tossed her toothbrush and soap into the small bag, and as she zipped it she carried it back into the room and placed it into her suitcase. Once there, she reached for her phone.
“Hey cuz, I figured Stefano would have you on lockdown. I wasn’t expecting to hear back from you until after your plane landed,” Kat teased.
Jayla gave a soft laugh, despite how much it hurt. “I need a favor.” She paced the hotel room while she talked.
“Sure, anything.”
Okay, here goes. “Can you give me a ride to the airport?”
There was a pause. “Sure, but I thought—”
“I ended it,” she blurted.
“B-but the two of you looked so happy at the barbecue,” Kat sputtered.
With a shaky breath, she lowered onto the bed. “Yes, I’m the happiest I have felt in a long, long time and that’s more reason to end it. I can’t bear to say goodbye.”
; “Jayla, I just don’t get you,” she said with a groan. “Steph is so perfect for you!”
Another time. Another place… Maybe.
“It’s for the best.”
There was a long sigh. And she was thankful her cousin decided to let it go. “Okay, I’ll be there.”
“Thanks,” she said as the first tear rolled down her cheek.
* * *
Stefano left his room and headed toward the bar located in the lobby of the hotel. Once there, his eyes quickly scanned the area. There were only a few patrons sitting at the bar, enjoying an evening drink while watching the game on a fifty-five inch television mounted overhead. Out the corner of his eye, he spotted a beautiful woman in the aisle, waving at him. Smiling, he strolled her way.
“Thanks for meeting me,” she said with a nervous smile, then glanced around and frowned as if maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
He gave a dismissive wave. “Jayla is in her room, avoiding me.”
Kat gave him a sympathetic smile. “Yeah, that sounds just like my cousin. Always avoiding confrontation.” She heaved a heavy sigh and rested her elbows on the table.
“You wanna drink?” he asked, standing over her.
“Sure a glass of white wine, but only if you join me.”
He nodded. “I’ll grab a beer.” He walked up to the bar and placed their orders and felt another moment of uneasiness about meeting Kat. When she had called and asked if they could talk, he had been reluctant and prepared to say no. But that big question mark in the air had gotten to him, and he figured this would probably be the only chance he would have to get a better understanding of Jayla before she caught her plane and departed his life again. Maybe even for forever. The jury was still out on that response, unless Kat told him she had a crazy husband and six plus kids back at home waiting for her, then he would have to step away and allow her to continue the life as she had known it, but he was confident that wasn’t it.
Beg For It Page 9
