by Layla Hagen
“Maybe.” It’s clear from Sebastian’s voice he has no intention of doing that.
“Did you tell him the good news?” the man asks Lisa. “We’re getting married.”
“Good for you.” Sebastian smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes.
“Let’s go, Lisa. We’re interrupting their date.”
Sebastian shakes his head as he watches them leave. We return to our course, and after about ten minutes of silence, I ask tentatively, “Sebastian?”
“Hmm.” He’s lost in thought, watching his plate. A frown is on his face that wasn’t there before the interruption.
“What was that?”
He takes a sip of wine, leaning back in his chair. “Lisa and I dated a few years back.”
“I kind of gathered that. What happened?”
He watches me for a few seconds, as if considering his words. “There’s no point skirting around this, so I’ll be straightforward. I thought she loved me. She loved my money. After two years of dating, I found her fucking someone at the golf club. She told me to my face she was after my bank account.”
“That’s horrible. I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, well.” He makes a dismissive gesture with his hand, but I can tell this is still bothering him. “It was my own fault. I should’ve looked at the signs earlier. They were there to see.”
“Like what?”
Sebastian shakes his head, giving me a smile laced with bitterness. “She barely made time for me, and when she did, it was only so we could attend whatever social event was most popular. If I brought the issue up, she tossed in my face that I didn’t make time for her either, that I gave priority to my family over her. She never wanted to attend any family gatherings, said they were boring.”
“It sounds like you dodged a bullet.”
“Bullets are all I had for years.”
“Surely not all women were after your money.”
“Some weren’t, directly. But they were more interested in what they could get from me, like a leg up in society or in their careers. I was naive about this at first. Growing up in my family, I thought my parents were the norm. Finding someone, falling in love, staying in love and having a family. It seemed simple enough. The reality turned out different. I was trying to wrap my mind around the idea that I’ll end up like that schmuck Lisa’s marrying. Knowing she wants to tie the knot with my bank account, but preferring that to being alone.”
“Sebastian,” I admonish. “I told you before money isn’t all that people see in you.”
“Money complicates everything. It changes what people see in you.”
“Not all people.”
“What do you see in me?” He wiggles his eyebrows. Flirty Sebastian’s back. Good.
“Look who’s fishing for compliments now.”
“Humor me. Hot and smart don’t count. You already said that.” His eyes glint with mischief, but I detect a hinge of insecurity in his playful tone. The thought that even a man like him—especially him—has doubts, breaks my heart.
“You are funny, caring, and loyal to your family.” Before I can stop myself, I add, “You are the only man I’ve felt safe with.” I suck in my breath. “Emotionally, I mean.”
“I know what you meant,” he says softly. Taking my hand in his, he plants a small kiss right in the center of my palm, sending electrifying sparks dancing across my skin.
Why am I so open with him? With other men, I guarded my feelings because I was scared that saying them out loud would send them running for the hills. With Sebastian, I have no such fears. Maybe because I know I’ll lose him anyway.
“For what it’s worth, you’re unlike any other woman I’ve met. You make me feel. . . everything.”
The waiter interrupts us. “Can I get you another round of drinks?”
“We’re good.” Sebastian doesn’t take his eyes off me, and the waiter gets the drift, leaving at once.
“I wanted another cocktail.”
“Bad idea. You’re tipsy already; you’d get drunk. I’d rather you be sober to feel all the delicious things I’ll do to you.”
“So much talking,” I complain, brushing my ankle across his. “Show me.”
“Patience.”
“Then tell me.” I smile wickedly, seeing Sebastian lick his lips as I drop my shoe and lift my leg higher up on his thigh, under the table.
“I’ll take each nipple in my mouth and suck until you writhe beneath me.” At once, heat pools between my legs. Sebastian drops his voice to a whisper. “I’ll do the same to your clit, until. . .”
“Yes?”
“You want to know more?”
“Uh-huh.”
“I will make love to you hard and wild, Ava. And you’ll be begging for more.”
“More.” My voice is breathy, but I’m not ashamed at all. Sebastian opens me up in every way. Emotionally, sexually. I have no restraints with him, and it feels damn good. I push my leg even higher up his inner thigh. “Tell me more.”
“No. Now it’s time to show you.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Ava
The next half hour passes in a haze. In the cab, Sebastian keeps me close to him, one arm around my shoulders, while I lean against him. Keeping our fingers interlaced, he plants kisses on my neck, running his lips up and down. The move is gentle, but it arouses me to no end. No matter what he does, Sebastian can undo me. Once we’re inside the apartment, we barely make it to his room with our clothes on. By the way he kisses me, I know he left the gentle touches back in the cab.
“I will be rough tonight,” he growls against my skin. “I can’t be otherwise.”
“I want you to be rough. Don’t hold back, Sebastian.”
He captures my mouth with urgency, cupping my face in his hands. His lips are delicious, and I enjoy licking the honey remnants of our desert off them. He presses his body against mine. He’s already hard for me.
“You drive me crazy,” he mutters.
“Back at you.”
His hands are everywhere, fisting my hair, grazing the skin on my thighs. He pushes my dress up and attempts to hoist me up on the vanity.
“Not so fast.” I push him away, amused at his confused expression. When I drop to my knees, he lets out a sharp exhale. With sure hands, I pop the button and unzip his pants, pushing them down past his ass.
I palm his erection over his boxers, taking immense pleasure in seeing him come undone. Keeping my eyes on him, I push down his boxers too, freeing his shaft. In one quick move, I run my tongue along it.
“Ava!”
Sebastian grips the furniture behind him, leaning his head back. Wrapping my palm around his erection, I pump up and down.
“You’re so good, Ava.”
Slickness pools between my thighs at his words.
“That’s enough.”
I retreat, frowning. “But we both like it.”
“I want to make love to you.” He hoists me up. “If you continue with your wonderful mouth, we won’t get to that at all.”
I giggle as Sebastian finishes what he started earlier, namely removing my dress and underwear. When I’m completely naked, he takes a moment for his eyes to rove over my body before pushing me onto the bed and lunging over me. Sebastian sucks my bottom lip while kneading my breast with one strong hand. My already hard nipples become too sensitive for his touch, and at the same time hunger for more of his ministrations.
“You’re greedy tonight,” I whisper.
“I’ll always be greedy for you.”
My breath catches as Sebastian reaches to the nightstand, retrieving a condom. Then he kneels back, ripping the package open and sliding the condom on. He hitches one of my legs on his shoulder, and then the other. He rubs himself against my entrance, teasing me. I’ve never been so slick in my life. I want him so much I feel I’m going to break out of my skin.
Sebastian drives into me with one hard move, whipping my breath away. My back arches, my pelvis lifting to meet him. With t
“Sebastian, oh God.” Taking deep breaths, I focus on the impossibly intense sensation of having him inside me. As he rocks in and out of me, arousal races through me, his strokes bringing me relief, and at the same time, inciting the burning need for more. He fills me so completely, stretching me more with every movement.
He’s as rough as he promised, and I love it. There is no restraint in him as he slams in and out of me, giving and taking pleasure in equal measure. I lose myself in the swirls of sensations, sliding in and out of reality, his grunts of pleasure being the only thing grounding me.
“Fuck, you feel so good, Ava,” Sebastian mutters, groaning with pleasure. His expert fingers flick my clit, making me come undone. My pulse ratchets up as pleasure dances along my nerve endings, erupting into stings. Sebastian plunges deep inside me with ferocious moves, his desperation igniting an orgasm deep inside me. I writhe, bucking my hips, fire ripping through me. He scoops my ass up, driving into me with even more desperation. Pleasure sears me, singeing my center. I don’t know if it’s icy or flaming darts shooting through me, but the pressure building in my core explodes with a vengeance as I push myself into him. It extends into tendrils of relief gripping my entire body. I close my eyes as Sebastian rasps out my name, release engulfing us both.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Sebastian
I wake up before her the next morning and move to the living room so I don’t disturb her. As is my habit, I open my laptop, checking the latest e-mails and reports. My mind starts making a list of people I want to call and e-mail, and then I realize I’m being an ass. Ava’s here; I won’t waste my time working. It can all wait until Monday.
A few minutes later, I hear her approach with quick steps. When I turn around, I let out a grunt. She’s completely naked.
“Jesus, woman. Do you want to make me crazy this early on?”
“I always want to do that.” She smiles coyly as I pull her into my lap. I find myself searching for ways to keep her happy. I want to anticipate her every need and fulfill it, because seeing her happy makes me happy.
“Why don’t you get dressed? We can go get breakfast. I know a restaurant about twenty minutes from here. You’ll love it. Afterward we could go to the club. We can do whatever you like there. Swim, play tennis, golf.”
She licks her lips, moving her hot little body against me, but she doesn’t look impressed with my offer.
“If you want to do something else, I’m open to alternatives.”
I try to anticipate what she’ll say, running a number of scenarios through my head. Shopping might come up. I used to give my credit card to other women, but I’ll actually enjoy watching her try on clothes.
“Let’s stay in,” she whispers the words playfully, resting her palms on my chest. “I like having you all to myself, and you spoil me so much when it’s just the two of us.”
“What do you mean? I spoil you all the time.”
“Yeah, but more when we’re alone. I don’t want anything today. No club and no fancy restaurant. I just want you.”
“We’ll stay in.” I kiss her senseless, pulling her tighter to me, taking her mouth like a man possessed. If this woman knew how strongly I feel for her, she’d lock me up. In the month I’ve known her, I’ve let her in more than anyone in years except my family.
Letting my guard down is a dangerous thing. I should take a step back and clear my head, consider everything I have to lose. It’d be the sensible thing to do. But I can’t be sensible around her.
She’s too good to be real, and it’s killing me. I lay her on the couch, doing to her the things I was too desperate to do last night. I first cup her breasts, pulling her nipples between my lips until they’re rock hard. Then I stop and lift up, looking her straight in the eyes as I lower my hand between her legs. The expression in her eyes makes me want to hug her and not let go. I can’t get enough of her. And she just wants me. Not the things I can buy her, but me.
I drop my mouth to the skin between her breasts, trailing down in a straight path, past her navel, right to her clit.
“Sebastian. . .” She arches against my mouth when I slide a finger inside her. The way she clenches around it is beautiful. She’s so ready, and so close. I keep my eyes on her chest, watching it heave up and down with increasing speed. A lovely blush spreads on her skin as I continue to pleasure her with my tongue and finger. My balls tighten when her fingers claw at the surface of the couch, as if she wants to fist the fabric to ground herself.
“That’s it, Ava. I want to see you come.”
Closing her eyes, she lets out a beautiful cry as she spasms around my finger. I unhitch my lips from her tender spot, kissing down her inner thighs then up her torso until I’m over her completely.
Grinning, she says, “Now that’s how every day should start. Who needs coffee if you can have an orgasm?”
“Not sure how I feel about my skills being compared to coffee, but—”
“Coffee is important to me.” She nods very seriously, which only makes me guffaw.
“I suppose that makes it all right.”
She laughs softly, pushing herself against my chest, looking up at me. “I don’t know about you, but I’m not hungry. I ate a lot last night. Let’s swim.”
“Let’s.”
“Uh, I just realized I don’t have a bikini.”
“There is one in my closet somewhere.”
“You have a woman’s bikini in your closet?”
My hand is over her breast and I swear I feel her heart stop for a second.
“It’s Pippa’s. She bought it a few months back so she can swim when she’s here, but she hasn’t used it yet.”
Her body goes lax underneath me. “Sorry. I’m silly.”
“No, you’re not.” I trace her lips with my fingers. “But do you really think I’d tell you to wear the bikini of a woman I’ve slept with?”
She shrugs. “A man once tried to convince me that the thong I found in his pocket belonged to me. It had glitter on it. I hate glitter.”
“He was a jerk.” A vein pulses in my neck at the thought that anyone dared to hurt and humiliate her; that they didn’t appreciate how wonderful she is. I do, and I will make sure to let her know every damned day.
“Yeah, he was. I figured most men are.”
“I’m not most men.”
“I see that.” She smiles, this time coyly, and I lower myself to kiss her. Ava pushes her body into me, but she’s not looking for a sexual response, just reassurance. This is one of the rare moments—like when I overdosed her with Tylenol—when she lets the vulnerable part of her show. At least her body does. I know she won’t admit that aloud. Yet. I’ll earn her trust. I don’t want her to feel like she has to hide anything from me.
After we pull apart, we go upstairs. She puts the bikini on, I jump into swimming shorts, and then we go outside.
“I can’t believe you have your own swimming pool. Why do you ever leave your home?”
“Work?”
“Oh yeah, that.”
Facing the pool, she raises her arms, closing her eyes. “I love the wind,” she announces unnecessarily, because I can read it on her sweet face. She enjoys it like it’s an expensive wine or caviar.
It’s refreshing to be around someone who finds happiness in such small things. Other women would’ve snorted at the idea of a weekend in. Who wants to stay in when there is a hot, expensive restaurant opening? Or so many shops she could hit? I remember those days as if they happened in another life. Fake, meaningless. No matter how much I gave a woman, it wasn’t enough. Her birthday? A new car was in order or diamonds as expensive as a car. I didn’t mind, not at all. I’m glad to share and make a woman happy, but I’d never dreamed women only wanted from me the luxury my money could buy.
Ava wants me, and in a few short months, I’ll have to let her go.
I enter the water first, and she follows.
“Gaaaaaah,” Ava exclaims. “The water is freezing. Fuck.”
I don’t get the rest of the sentence because her teeth are chattering. I hurry to her, wrapping my arms around her as she presses her breasts against me.
“The water is a bit chilly. It’s not freezing.” I try not to laugh at her, really, I do; but I end up laughing anyway.
“Yeah, a thousand degrees chillier than I expected. Why didn’t you tell me?” She looks at me accusingly, but all it does is make me want to kiss her. I rub her back and arms.
“You’ll be warmer in a sec.”
“Yeah, right.” Despite her protest, she lays her head on my shoulder as I continue to rub her. After a few minutes, she says, “That’s better.”
“If you swim, it’ll be even better.”
We end up swimming for hours, intermingled with lying in the sun and fooling around like we’re teenagers. That’s what I love most about Ava. She makes me forget who I am.
“I’m hungry,” I announce at lunch.
“Me too. Let’s shower.”
***
Ava showers first, and then I do. She’s sitting on the bed punching a pillow when I come out of the shower.
“Why are you beating the crap out of that pillow?”
“I’m not; I’m picking my hair off it. Sorry, I didn’t realize I left hair everywhere, including your pillow.”
“Well, you should be sorry for hijacking my pillow in the first place.” I hug her from behind, wrapping my arms around her waist and pressing my crotch in her delicious ass.
“Like you minded.” She turns to face me with a devilish grin. “You slept on my boobs.”
“Men are resourceful in times of need. You didn’t just take my pillow. You hijacked the entire bed.”
Her mouth forms an O. “I did not.”
“I should’ve taken a picture. You practically kicked me out of the bed. You did that in your apartment, too.”
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