by Claire Adams
"How fun." She smiled brightly and pulled her napkin into her lap. "I can type them up. Are you wanting to see them once I'm done?"
"Absolutely. I'll share them with my boss, Jon. If you're okay with that?" I sat back as a bowl of dark orange soup was delivered to the table and placed in front of us.
"This is our cream of pumpkin soup with sherry, bacon, and toasted pumpkin seeds. Enjoy." The waiter bowed to us and walked away.
"You wanna use your phone or mine?" I smiled as her face lit up even more. She couldn't have been more entrancing to me.
"Mine." She got up and retrieved her phone, my attention resting on her the entire time. She sat down and pressed the button, recording the dish and a few descriptors as she tasted it. She pressed the stop button and glanced up. "I'm usually so nervous to critique in front of anyone."
"Not me, though, right?"
"Not at all." She blushed, and I reached across the table, running my fingers over the tops of her knuckles.
"Good. Now, tell me your favorite color." I leaned back and picked up my spoon, tasting the soup and listening intently as we walked through the various facts about ourselves that meant little to the commoner, but to a lover, everything.
Jared kept the music low and romantic, the wine flowing, and the food coming in slow waves. We laughed throughout the meal, and by the end, she was relaxed, her posture a little less stiff and her smile authentic.
I stood from the table and offered her my hand. "I know you're stuffed, but I'd love to dance with you, if you'd do me the honor."
"I'd love to." She took my hand and moved to stand in front of me, sliding her free hand up my chest and around to lock onto the back of my neck. "Why do you have to be so damn smooth?"
"You'd rather I be overly hairy?" I lifted my eyebrows in playful confusion.
She laughed and snorted, causing me to laugh as well. "Stop it, or I'll fall madly in love with you, Easton Parks."
"And that would be bad because?" I pulled her closer to me and turned us toward the open floor just behind me.
"Because you said yourself that a relationship was impossible due to you traveling all the time." She glanced down, and I felt her pulling back from me yet again.
I tightened my grip and leaned down, brushing my nose by hers. "And you said that I should find a woman that wants to be on the road with me."
"I know, but that's not going to happen for a while, if ever." She stopped moving and I shook my head.
"No. You're not blocking me. Not tonight." I forced her to spin with me and moved us toward the balcony, releasing her and opening the doors. She walked out onto the patio and stood by the outdoor heater as she pressed her hands to the railing and took a sharp breath.
"This is incredible." She glanced back at me. "You're killing me."
I wrapped my arms around her and kissed the side of her neck, wanting my place to always be behind her, holding her up, supporting her in any way she would let me.
"I don't want it to feel like a death, Viv. I just want to think about working toward what you want." I kissed her again and moved up to suck her ear lobe into my mouth.
"And what do I want?" Her voice was airy as she spoke.
"To live life with someone. I'm not asking for forever just yet. I just don't want to give up what started in Miami. It doesn't have to be anything insanely serious. Just be exclusive to me, and I'll do the same." I kissed the side of her jaw and slid my hand up between her breasts to cup her throat as she turned her face and pressed her lips to mine.
The groan that left me would have been embarrassing if it were anyone else. She echoed it with a precious moan of her own, and I tightened my arms around her. I couldn't lose her. It just didn't feel like a possibility I was willing to accept.
She broke the kiss and licked at her lips before turning in my arms and wrapping me in a tight hug. "What if I'm scared, Easton?"
"Then we'll be scared together. You have to learn to trust me, which will take time. I have all the time in the world." I moved down and pressed my lips to hers, kissing her tenderly, but not penetrating the warmth of her mouth until she opened up for me. The minute she did, I shifted my hips forward to let her know just how much she turned me on.
"Let's get out of here," she panted against my mouth.
"Come home with me tonight. I've asked and been rejected too many times so far. Don't turn me down again tonight." I rubbed the tip of my nose along hers and stole another quick kiss.
"No. I won't." She lifted to her toes and pressed her soft warm lips to mine.
I knew without a doubt that I had her. Keeping her would be a challenge, but for the night, she was mine again.
Chapter 25
Vivian
There was no need to fight it. Whether we could work out any sort of future together was irrelevant. I simply wasn't strong enough to pass up another night with Easton. He knew he had me, too. I could see the recognition of my surrender in his eyes.
He scooped me up closer and pressed his soft lips against mine, tilting his head and rubbing his tongue along mine as he took a series of deep breaths. Heat rose in the center of my stomach and danced along my nerve endings as desire pumped through every pressure point I had. I wanted him, no, needed him to bury himself deep inside of me and claim me as his own.
It was primal and a bit too edgy for me, but being near him left me wanting to be whatever he needed me to be.
"Let's go." I moved back and pulled at his hand.
"Yeah. We'll get your car later. I brought a driver in case we had too much to drink." He pulled out his phone and texted someone as I held onto his hand, biding my time and maintaining my patience. "You sure about this?"
"Ask me again and I might change my mind." I lifted my eyebrow, loving more than anything the smirk that played on his sexy mouth.
"It won't happen again." He moved toward the exit, tucking me by his side with his tight grip on my hand. A good-looking guy with a fitted, slate-gray suit and bald head moved into our path.
I stopped short, not sure who the guy was, but having no doubt that it had something to do with the fact that we needed to pay the bill.
"You heading out, East?" The guy’s tight features relaxed into a warm smile, and I let out a breath I didn't realize I was holding.
"Yeah. Dinner was incredible. We'll have a write up for you soon, buddy." He glanced back at me and winked. "Viv, this is a good friend of mine, Jared Jasper."
"Nice to meet you. I love your restaurant." I smiled and extended my hand, shaking the guy’s hand as it engulfed mine.
"Pleasure's all mine. We've all been waiting for the day when old East here was nervous over a girl. I'm waiting until I get off tonight to call all our old friends and tell them to mark their calendars." He released me as warmth swam up my chest and left me flushed.
"Really, man? You gotta tell her that I was nervous? What kind of friend are you anyway?" Easton chuckled and pulled on my hand a little, forcing me to move up to his side. "She's gorgeous, isn't she?"
He glanced back at me as I swatted at him. "Stop. You're embarrassing me."
"She is." Jared winked at me. "You're beautiful, but don't tell my wife I said that shit. She'll cut both you and me."
I laughed and shook my head. "Never in a million years."
"Good woman." He reached out and patted Easton's shoulder. "Alright. You kids have fun and be safe. Don't do anything I wouldn't do."
"That leaves a lot of doors open," Easton muttered as we walked to the front door and out into the chilly night's air.
"I like him, and I adore the restaurant. This was the one my dad loved." I moved to get into the back of the dark, sleek car that pulled up.
Easton got in beside me and turned, smiling devilishly at me as he licked his lips.
"I'm glad. It's one of my favorites. Jared and his family are great people. We'll go again sometime soon if you want." He pressed a button beside him and the window between us and the driver rolled up, the darkened gla
ss leaving only the moonlight to fill the backseat.
"Why do I feel like I'm playing Little Red Riding Hood and you're the Big Bad Wolf?" I smirked and slid my hand along his smooth face before pulling him toward me.
"Because you know that I haven't stopped thinking about eating you up since we met?" He licked at my mouth before pressing a deep probing kiss. His words blistered my insides and caused my heart to race.
I pulled back and sucked in a quick drink of air. "How long do we have?"
"Fifteen minutes. I live downtown." He moved as if he was going to shift to the floor, but I pulled him back up.
"No. It's my turn." I shifted to my knees before he could say anything and pressed my fingers to his lips. "No words, just grunts and groans."
He smiled behind my fingers and nipped at them. "I would tell you not to have me fall in love with you, but I'm already knee deep in what could be."
"Hush." I slid my hands down his chest and wiggled my way between his thighs, leaning over and brushing my breasts over the thick swell of his erection as I worked on his expensive belt. He watched me intensely, which only egged me on to make my time on my knees good for both of us.
Running one hand down his shaft, I used the other to undo the button of his pants. I moved up and took the zipper between my teeth, tugging it down in one slow motion before using my nose to part his fly.
"Damn, Viv. I'm gonna cum just watching you, baby." He reached down and ran his hands over my shoulders as his chest rose and fell succinctly.
"Not yet." I reached up and tugged his pants down, making sure to bring his underwear with me. He lifted up as I jerked them over the curve of his ass and left them sitting idle mid-thigh. His cock twitched as I leaned down and brushed my nose up his length.
"This is all I've thought about for the last few days. How delicious you must taste." I swirled my tongue in the salty liquid that pooled at his fat tip as I moaned softly.
He groaned and slid one hand into my hair, his other hand wrapping around his shaft as he lifted it and guided me down to take him in my mouth. I could have snatched back control, but it felt so good letting him have it. He knew what he wanted, and I simply wanted to beckon to that.
"God," he cried out and I ran my fingers over his fist and cupped his sack, massaging it softy as I worked him in and out of my mouth. My eyes began to water as he lifted his hips and forced more of himself inside of me, but I pushed farther, wanting to give him an experience that wouldn't ever be matched.
My gag reflex kicked into gear and I pulled back, working to catch my breath. I reached up and ran my hand down his swollen flesh, swatting his hand out of my way.
"You're almost too big." I moved back up and worked him with my hands as I glanced up to memorize the look of ecstasy on his face.
His teeth were sunk down into his bottom lip, his cheeks flushed, his eyes hooded as he took short, shallow breaths through his nose. "Put your mouth on me again. I need it."
"Anything you want," I whispered and moved up to take him back in my mouth. I used my tight grip to pump his flesh where my tongue and lips couldn't reach, but my eyes stayed on him.
His back arched hard a few minutes later as he pushed on my shoulder. "Move back, Viv. Fucking move back."
I picked up the pace and worked him harder – faster, not willing to move away from him, not for a minute.
His cry filled up the space around me, and I closed my eyes as he released himself into me with long, hard thrusts. His fingers tightened in my hair as he pulled back and cried out again.
"My God. I don't think I've ever in my life enjoyed that so much." I stroked him with my fingers and sat back on my heels.
"Me either." I glanced down at his erection and moved back down to kiss along the swollen vein that pulsed angrily.
"You're far too much woman for me." He stroked my face and pulled me up to press his lips to mine in a series of soft, sweet kisses. "You're ruining me for all other women."
"There are no other women. It's just me for now. Remember?" I kissed him again and crawled up in the seat next to him, trying not to let his silly comment throw me into a series of internal questions as to whether or not he was the cheating type.
He worked to get himself tucked away, and he zipped up his pants before sitting up and sliding his hand against mine. "You're going take me up on my offer?"
"For exclusivity together?" I leaned against him, wanting more than anything to curl up in his bed and make love.
"Yes. Just me and you." He leaned over and kissed the side of my face. "I'd probably have to go ape and kill anyone who came near you anyway."
I gave him a silly, wide-eyed expression and smirked.
"Too much?" He asked as the car stopped.
"Not at all." I reached for the door and straightened my dress as he moved up to talk with the driver. He joined me a minute later, wrapping his arm around my shoulders and moving us toward a large high-rise that sat nestled in the middle of several parks.
"I have a dog, or a puppy, rather. You're not allergic to animals are you?" He smiled down at me, the goodness in his expression stealing my heart.
"No, I love them." Excitement bubbled up inside of me. "We have three dogs back home, but living in the dorm means that I can't have an animal with me. I've been waiting for graduation so that I could buy myself a puppy."
"Oh, nice. Well, then you'll love mine. His name is Eli. He's a lady-charmer, though. Don't let him fool you. You get comfortable around him and he'll lick the skin from your bones." He squeezed me once more before reaching for the door. "We're straight to the top."
"I'm so excited to see your puppy." I moved toward the elevator, ignoring the well-to-do people that stood in the lobby in brightly colored dresses.
"Looks like they're having an event tonight." Easton walked into the elevator and closed the door before turning to me and pulling me against his body. "The dog gets ten minutes of your time, and then you're mine."
"That's not fair." I forced a pseudo pout and put my hands on my hips.
"Oh yeah, it's more than fair. You can mess with him all you want once I pass out. It shouldn't take too long. I'm fucking beat from that late flight and trying to get home." He turned from me and pressed his hand to his mouth as he yawned. "Excuse me."
"East. We don't have to sleep together tonight. Just go get in bed and get some rest." I wrapped my arms around him from the side, pressing a kiss to his thick shoulder.
"Are you kidding? I'd stay awake for a week to feel the silkiness of your body against mine. Sleep can take a long jump off a short bridge.” He nipped at my nose and held the door for me as I walked out into the hallways. There were no more than six doors down the long stretch of overly decorated hall.
"It's beautiful up here." I waited for him and took the hand he offered me. "I've always wondered if these large buildings had apartments in them."
"I started to get a house, but it seemed like a better idea to wait until I had a wife. You women are a little picky about your homes. Better to let you have a say in what everything looks like than hearing you bitch for fifty years." He chuckled and pulled out his keys, moving in front of me as nervousness danced in my stomach.
"We are quite picky. You're a smart man." I cupped his butt and squeezed softly as he glanced back a growled playfully at me. "So hot."
"Play with the pup. I'm going to clean up the bedroom a little." He moved into the apartment, which opened into the side of a huge kitchen. The place looked nothing like an apartment, but more like a luxurious home.
I walked through the various rooms, listening for the sound of a whining pup, and finding him near the back of the living room in a small pantry.
"I'm coming. I'm coming." I kicked off my heels and opened the door. A small cry left me as I fell in love immediately with the little black and white puppy that jumped up and down as if half-crazed. "Well come here, little guy."
I reached down and picked him up, cuddling him to my chest and kissing his head a
s I walked him back into the living room and dropped to my knees. I released him and let out a few more sounds of joy as he jumped all around me, wanting my attention until Easton walked back in.
"Hey, boy. How are you? Daddy's boy doing okay? Good to see you survived me going to dinner." He moved down and picked up the fur-ball as the dog whimpered and cried, snuggling up to Easton in a way that had my heart melting completely. He looked over at me and smiled. "You like him?"
"I love him. Give him back." I reached for him, and Easton handed the puppy back to me as he chuckled. "The neighbor boy is headed over to take him for me. I'm leaving for L.A. tomorrow at lunch. I think I told you."
"Yeah. I wish I could offer to keep him. I would love to hang out with him for a week, or a month, or even a year." I kissed the rambunctious little thing’s head and fell back on my butt as he jumped into my lap.
A knock at the door sounded, but Easton stayed in place, his brow pulled as if he were thinking through something. "You want to just stay here? I know you have class, but you can keep Eli here at the house if you want to."
I did, but it was almost too much. "I would, but I'd hate to disappoint the boy at the door. Maybe next time."
"Yeah, anytime you want." He leaned down and picked up the dog, grabbing a bag of stuff and heading to the door.
How about now? Tomorrow? Forever?
Chapter 26
Vivian
I climbed to my feet and walked to his bedroom, stopping before entering it and simply admiring the dark, silk sheets that stretched across his four-post bed. Something about the sensual masculinity of the room left my body aching for many long nights working to turn his sheets into a sweaty mess.
"You like it?" He whispered softy as he slid his hands over my shoulders.
"Yeah. Unzip my dress." I glanced over my shoulder to watch his expression move from adoration to lust. "Make love to me."
"As often as you'll let me, Viv." The zipper was pulled down slowly, and the dress dropped to my feet. He worked on my bra as he swiped his tongue along my upper back. The sweet sensation of his fingers pushing the bra from my breasts was only outdone by the delicious pressure of his hands squeezing my breasts softly, his fingers tugging carefully at my nipples.
