by Roxy Sloane
I freeze.
No. It’s her. Goddamn. Of all the fucking bars in town, she had to be here.
“Beer?” Logan asks, elbowing through the crowd.
“Scotch,” I reply tensely. “Neat.”
I look back. Chloe hasn’t seen me yet, she’s laughing with her friend. Laughing! I’m going through hell here, and she’s looking better than ever. Her long legs are poured into a pair of jeans so tight I’m already hard, and she’s got this silky top on that hugs her pert breasts like it was made to make me crazy. She’s a knockout—and I’m not the only one who’s noticed.
A couple of guys head over to try their luck. Preppy assholes. I watch, expecting her to blow them off, but instead, she smiles up at them, and she and her girlfriend invite them to stay.
Every muscle in my body goes tense, watching some prick lean in close to whisper in her ear.
I see red.
Before I can stop myself, I’m charging through the crowd.
“. . . out on the water sometime.” Limp Dick falls silent when he sees me towering over him. Chloe looks up, and her face changes.
“Jase?” she whispers in shock.
Her friend’s head snaps around. “This is the guy?” she demands, looking me up and down. She smirks. “Well, now it all makes sense.” She gets up. “You need me to stick around, Chloe, or shall I go get another round?”
“I’m fine,” Chloe insists. “Get me another drink.”
“On it. Asshole,” she adds as she passes me by.
“Pleasure to meet you, too,” I tell her, but I keep my gaze on Chloe. “You haven’t returned my calls.”
“Some men would take that as a hint.” She sips her drink, looking anywhere but me. “Now, if you don’t mind, I’m busy getting to know Trent here.”
“I do mind,” I growl, and I give Trent a stare so hard, he gulps.
“I was just going!” Trent leaps up and disappears into the crowd.
Pussy.
Chloe sighs. “You shouldn’t have done that. You have no right.”
“And you have no right to make me crazy,” I grind out. “But here we are. Even.”
“What do you want from me?” Chloe finally looks up. “Tell me, because I thought I made it clear: I don’t want to play your games anymore.” Her big, expressive eyes are filled with hurt. She’s wary, and I don’t blame her.
“You,” I say simply.
Chloe shakes her head and turns away, so I lean closer, getting a lungful of her sweet perfume. We’re alone in the corner now, but I still murmur in her ear, too soft for anyone else to hear. “I want you screaming my name with my cock eight inches deep inside you. I want you coming so hard you see God. I want to fuck you like you know you need, the way you’ve been imagining me all these lonely nights alone.”
Chloe sucks in a breath. “Jase,” she says, but her voice is softer this time. Even in the dim bar, I can see her cheeks flush. “I can’t.”
“Says who?”
I run a hand down her bare arm, and she shivers.
“Says me.” Chloe reaches for her drink, trying to cool off, but I can see it tremble in her hand.
“Look me in the eye and tell me again you don’t want me,” I challenge.
She looks back and bites her lip. “Wanting you isn’t the problem,” Chloe says softly. “It’s trusting you that I just can’t do.”
There’s regret in her gaze, but something else, too.
Desire.
Her eyes slip over me, and I see her inhale again. A shaky little breath that tells me everything I need to know. That under that silky top, her nipples are already peaking. Between those thighs, she’s already wet.
Her brain may be dead set against me, but her body?
Her body is panting for one more touch.
I reach over and grab her hand, yanking her through the bar without another word. Talking is overrated, and hell, I know only one thing that’ll get me back in her good graces—and inside that tight, sweet pussy again.
“Where are we going?” Chloe protests, hurrying behind me. “Jase, you can’t—”
But she doesn’t drop my hand, or pull away.
I shove through the back exit and drag her down the alleyway until we’re hidden from the doorway. It’s dark and quiet out here, nobody to see the filthy things I’m about to do to her body—or hear her beg for more.
“Jase . . .” Chloe gulps, her eyes glazing as I push her back against the wall. “I can’t.”
“So tell me no,” I demand, my hands already on her body. I caress over the silk curve of her breasts, and watch her gasp.
“Tell me no right now, and I swear, I’ll never lay another hand on you again,” I promise, watching her in the darkness. I slip my other hand between her legs, pressing at the seam of her jeans.
Chloe moans.
“I’m waiting,” I manage to say, between gritted teeth. Fuck, I need her. I need to bury my cock into that sweetness again right this minute, but I have to be sure. There’s no way in hell I’m letting her regret this. “Choose, Chloe. Right now. Yes or no?”
I rub again, hitting her clit just right through the thin denim, and I swear, her eyes roll back.
“Yes,” Chloe gasps. “Yes, Jase. I want you. Please.”
Thank Christ for that.
5.
CHLOE
What am I doing? Five minutes ago I was furious at Jase for interrupting my night of escape and sending that guy fleeing for the door.
For walking in looking so damn good it set my whole body on fire just to look at him.
But all it takes is for him to put his hands on me and whisper those filthy promises in my ear, and all my sense and calm thinking and totally-justified rage goes flying out the window.
I just want him, and God, I don’t care how.
“Yes,” I whisper, surrendering to this desire all over again. “Please.”
In an instant, Jase has me up against the wall, claiming my mouth in a punishing kiss. His body presses hard, overwhelming me with sensation. I can’t get enough. His hands on my body, his lips ravaging mine. I reach up, pulling him down closer, loving the slide of his tongue deep in my mouth and how heat rushes through my body, pooling hot between my thighs.
“Fuck, I need you,” Jase growls, dipping to kiss my neck and suck my nipples through the sheer fabric of my shirt.
I moan with pleasure. God, he feels so good. I’m dimly aware that we’re in an alleyway right outside the bar. Anyone could walk out. Anyone could see him with his hands all over me and his mouth driving me wild. But right now, I couldn’t care less.
All I want is more. Harder.
Now.
Jase drags his mouth from my skin and suddenly spins me face-first against the wall. His arms come around me, trapping me in place as he squeezes and palms at my breasts with one hand. The other slides lower, straight under the waistband of my jeans. I barely have time to gasp before his fingers are sweeping over my clit and curling up high inside me.
Jase groans in my ear. “God, you’re so wet. I bet you started dripping the moment I walked in the door.”
Yes.
I can’t find the strength to say it, it’s taking everything I have not to whimper out loud. He thrusts two fingers deeper, his palm pressing deliciously against my clit as he pulses in a maddening rhythm.
“Oh my God.” I let my head fall back against his chest, bracing with both palms flat against the wall. His body is hard against me, I can feel the thick ridge of his cock pressing into my ass, and it only makes me wetter to think of him, every last demanding inch.
“You’ve missed me, haven’t you?” Jase demands. He fucks me with his fingers, slow and steady, until I’m writhing.
“Yes,” I admit, moaning.
“Not just my fingers, huh, baby? There’s something you need even more.”
Jase peels open my jeans and yanks them down. I hear the sound of his zipper, and then he’s nudging his cock between my legs.
I shudder in anticipation. It’s pure animal instinct, and I don’t think twice: I spread my legs wider and arch back, thrusting my ass in the air to give him access to the place I need him most. My hot, damp pussy, already slick with need.
“That’s my girl,” Jase growls. He grips my hips, and then I feel him push inside me: hard and straining, a bulls-eye right to my core.
Fuck.
He fills me, stretching me, surging deep with a friction that sends me wild. I grind back against him, taking him all the way. God, it feels so good.
Like he was made to fit me.
“Chloe.” Jase groans my name, and I love the sound of it on his lips. He slams into me again, hard, and I brace against the wall and take every last thrust. Over and over, the thick slide of his cock drills into me, making me sob and whimper his name. Higher. Faster.
There.
I let out a cry of pleasure, feeling his head rub me high inside, that sweet spot, right there.
“You feel that?” Jase demands, his breath ragged in my ear. His arms crush me tight against his body, holding me at the mercy of his thrusts. He slows, grinding deeper, massaging my G-spot from the inside out. “That’s what I do to you, baby. Every fucking time. I know what you need, sweet Chloe. And I’m the only one who can give it to you.”
He moves a hand between my thighs, and then—holy shit—he’s rubbing my clit in perfect time with his thick invasion. Sliding in deep, circling my tender nub, driving me higher until my body feels like it’s strung tight enough to break.
“I can’t,” I gasp, trying to escape the slow, devastating thrusts. It’s too much. Too overwhelming. My body can’t take the pace. “Jase, please—”
“You can, baby.” His voice has absolute authority. He doesn’t miss a beat. “I’m telling you, sweetheart. You’re capable of more pleasure than you’ve ever dreamed.”
Jase slams into me again, so deep I can’t take it. My body shatters apart in an explosion of pleasure, crashing through me. I feel him come, groaning my name as his body spasms, and then we’re gasping in each other’s arms.
Oh my God, that was incredible! It’s a good thing I’m braced against the wall, because I’m not sure my legs are working after that.
Suddenly, there’s noise: a busboy clatters the door open and heaves trash into the bins. I tense, pulling away from Jase and scrambling to pull my jeans up.
“Relax, baby.” He laughs, sounding happy with himself. “Nobody can see you. And if they do, then it’s just their lucky day.”
I smooth down my top. Now the pleasure is fading, my brain is sparking back to life—all my sense and logic rushing back in.
What the hell did I just do?
I gulp in a lungful of cold night air and duck under Jase’s arm, putting a safe distance between us. “That was . . .”
“An epic fuck.” Jase grins. He buttons his pants and gives me a satisfied grin. “Give me five minutes and that bed of mine, and I’ll show you all over again.”
“No!” I yelp, flushing. What is it about this guy that overrules all my better judgment? “This was a mistake,” I insist firmly. “A massive, huge mistake.”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.” Jase is still grinning, and damn, he’s still the most gorgeous thing I’ve ever seen.
“Don’t,” I tell him, determined this time. “It doesn’t matter what just happened, I still don’t trust you. This was a lapse, that’s all. It’s never happening again.”
I turn and flee for the bar before he can make another smug crack—or kiss me so hard it makes my resolve crumble. I swore I was never going to see him again, and what happened?
I came my brains out up against the wall, begging for every hard thrust.
Do better next time, I scold myself.
Because if there’s one thing I know about Jase Banner, the man doesn’t quit. He wants me back, for some reason, and no matter how hard I try to resist him, there’ll be a next time, and soon.
I just have to hope I have more self-control by then.
*
I spend the rest of the weekend trying to forget that encounter at the bar ever happened. As far as I’m concerned, nothing’s changed. Jase lied and betrayed me, and all the mind-blowing sex in the world can’t fix that.
But damn, it would be fun to try.
Down girl.
I head into work Monday morning determined to focus on work, and nothing else. But even as I settle at my desk, my phone buzzes with a text.
I can still feel your tight cunt. Are you wet for me?
Argh!
I blush, checking around that nobody can see. He’s crude and downright rude, but something about that arrogant swagger is irresistible.
NO.
I text back in all caps.
STOP CALLING ME.
A moment later, another text comes.
That’s not what you said Friday night.
Or what you’ll be begging me soon enough.
Is your ass missing me yet?
I gulp. I’m sure I’m red as a beet now, but I can’t stop myself flashing back to all the filthy, wicked things Jase did to me. Dirty things I’ve never even dreamed of doing before, but somehow, they felt so right with him.
So good, and so, so bad.
My phone buzzes with another text, but this is too much. I shove my phone in a drawer and slam it shut without looking.
Out of sight, out of mind. At least, for the rest of the morning. But when I get up to go hunt down some papers, the office door opens and I find myself face-to-face with six foot five of taut, British muscle.
Well, face-to-chest.
“Miss Archer.” Jase smiles at me and holds out a Starbucks. “Hot chocolate, with extra whipped cream.”
“Jase, you can’t be here.” I take the cup and look around anxiously for Marcie. “I’m working! Please, you have to back off and give me space to breathe.”
“But this is work,” Jase says. “I’m here to sign the contract on the penthouse, remember?”
I blink. In all the drama, I’d totally forgotten that he’s buying one of my listings: an amazing penthouse downtown.
“You still want it?” I check, confused. “I thought you might be buying it . . . you know, to impress me.”
“You’re not the kind of girl to be impressed by fancy bullshit like that.” Jase reaches over and scoops a fingertip of whipped cream from my drink. “But I do plan on fucking you in every room of that place.”
I’m about to tell him exactly what I think about that when Marcie waltzes in. “Oh, Mr. Banner,” she simpers. “So great to see you again. You didn’t have to come by, I could have come to you with all the paperwork.”
“And miss out on seeing the lovely Chloe?” Jase replies. “Never.”
Marcie giggles. “I hate to break it to you, but she’s off the market. When’s the big day, Chloe? You must be planning nonstop.”
“It’s . . . a while,” I say vaguely, feeling Jase’s eyes on me. “We should get started with the contract then.”
“Of course!” Marcie trills. “I’ll be right here if you need me.”
Jase follows me to my desk, then takes a seat. “A while, huh?” he says, with a piercing stare.
I blush and busy myself finding the right contracts. “I . . . haven’t told anyone the wedding’s off just yet,” I admit. “Marcie loves the idea of all the Mainwaring business I’ll be bringing in.”
“And what about you?” Jase asks, looking tense. “Not having second thoughts about ditching Max?”
“What? No!” I stare at him. “Are you crazy? After what he did to me, I never want to lay eyes on the man again. He hurt and betrayed me.”
Jase pauses. “Like I did.”
“Yes.” I can feel the pain return to my chest again, so I force myself to smile. I don’t want him knowing how much it still hurts, dealing with his lies. “But it’s all ancient history now,” I say brightly. “Everyone’s moving on. Like you, to your new apartment.”
I
present him with the paperwork and show him where to sign. “You’ll need to open escrow, but since it’s an all-cash offer, closing will be fast.”
“Not too fast.” Jase winks. I roll my eyes.
“Are you going to make everything a double entendre? Because there’s a lot of paperwork, it could take a while.”
“I’ll be good,” he promises, still smiling. He scans the contracts, initialing where I say. “Did you have a good weekend?”
I pause, suspicious, but the question is innocent enough.
“Fine. Thanks. You?”
“Just dandy.” Jase looks up. “I didn’t get much sleep, though. Every time I closed my eyes, I pictured you. That look you get, right before you come. It’s the sexiest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”
My stomach flips over, but I refuse to play his games.
“Pity.” I smile. “I slept like a baby.”
Jase meets my eyes. “Liar.”
I look away. OK, fine, I was tossing and turning all night, caught up in X-rated memories of him licking his way down my body, but I won’t give his ego any more ammunition.
“And initial, and sign there,” I instruct him. He does it.
“Congratulations,” I tell him, relieved it’s over. “You’re now the owner of a new apartment. The keys and security info will be delivered to you as soon as the escrow closes.”
“Personally delivered?” Jase asks.
“Sure.” I smile, refusing to get ruffled again. “I bet Marcie will be happy to take care of whatever you need.”
He laughs. “Marcie’s not the one I’m imagining in that new spa-sized tub of mine. What do you think, Chloe? A dirty girl like you deserves to get clean. Everywhere . . .”
My pulse kicks, picturing it. I clear my throat. “I’m busy.”
“I didn’t say when.”
“I’ll be busy then, too,” I say firmly. “Now, if that’s everything. We’re all set.” I get to my feet and give Jase a bland smile, like he’s any other client. And not the man who was screwing my brains out forty-eight hours ago in a back alleyway while I begged for more.
