by Lacey Wolfe
“So you think we should start sleeping together?” he asked.
“Why not? We are living in this house together. It isn’t like when it doesn’t work out we’re ruining a friendship. We didn’t have one to begin with. And, like I said, there will be no communication after this with each other. One of us will have to pretend to hate the other with a vengeance.”
Steven bit his bottom lip and didn’t say anything.
“Unless, of course, you’re not feeling the same desires as I am.” Please say yes.
“I am.” His eyes were dark and she wondered if he wanted her now. “I’ll think about it while you’re away today. I’m worried that if we act on this attraction between us, when it’s over, one of us will wind up with a broken heart.”
“But if we go into this knowing it won’t be anything more, then if one of us gets heartbroken, it’s our own fault.” Darcy knew she would be the one who was left shattered, but she was willing to take that risk.
“We’ll see.” He looked away and went back to eating.
Darcy knew the conversation was over, but she was glad they’d had it. She would also make sure to stop by a local drugstore today and pick up needed supplies just in case he was on board with her idea.
* * * *
Steven was glad once Darcy was gone. He’d watched her all morning as she did various things before leaving. He’d catch her looking at him and she’d give him a flirty grin. He’d also been rock hard all morning knowing that Darcy wanted him and would willingly let him take her to bed.
But was it a good idea? That he still hadn’t figured out. She had a point though, they would be in this house together for a very long time. And obviously they couldn’t see other people, so the only sexual release he’d be getting was from his hand, and that would get boring fast.
And yes, one of them would most likely fall for the other one, and he had a feeling it would be his heart that would take the beating. He was already beginning to crave being around her more than he should. He enjoyed having her touch around the house. She walked by tables, straightening up the contents as she passed through a room, even to get a snack. She hummed a lot and he found it cute. It was never a song he knew, just something she made up since it was never the same tune.
Sleeping with Darcy was not a good idea, but he knew it was going to happen. There was no way he could resist her if she made the moves. That night in the hammock he’d wanted to. The other evening in the kitchen, he knew if they’d had some sort of protection, he would’ve taken her to bed. There was no point in denying any of it.
Tonight just might be the night he’d get lucky. He was certain he’d get to kiss her again. He couldn’t wait to pop the question, though in some ways he wished it wasn’t a scam and it was real. Living with Darcy was something he could see himself doing for the rest of his life. Shit! He needed to quit having those thoughts. They weren’t doing him any good.
Steven decided to find some tennis shoes and his mp3 player and go for a run. Maybe as his feet pounded the ground, he would be able to forget her for a bit.
* * * *
Darcy was worried she was going to have a panic attack as she sat in the restaurant and waited for the moment Steven asked her to marry him. God, it was pure torture, and it didn’t help that Marcello’s was packed tonight and they had a table right in the middle of it all.
She’d hardly touched her food. Her stomach was in knots. She’d tried to get him to tell her when he was going to do that, but he’d just laughed and said that would be taking all the fun out of it. Oh, and something about a believable performance. She’d taken a few drama classes in high school. She knew a thing or two about putting on a show.
The server checked on them to see how the food was. Darcy suspected the waitress was nervous since her food had barely been touched. Steven’s plate though, was almost empty. Obviously he wasn’t as nervous as she was.
She’d had a relaxing day. She’d forgotten how nice a massage and a facial could be. It had been heaven. Her face felt so soft now. Having a day at the spa once a month was an absolute must, at least while she was living this lifestyle.
“Can I get you two any dessert?” the waitress asked.
Darcy was about to object when Steven asked for a chocolate lava cake. She’d had one of those a few times, they were good. The fudge-like chocolate in the middles would erupt and spill out over the moist cake onto the plate. Yes, she was hungry for that.
She took a sip of her wine when the waitress asked, “Can I get you a to-go container?”
“Yes, please. It was very good, I’m just not hungry.” Darcy handed her the plate.
The waitress grinned at her and said she’d be right back. Darcy looked across the table, catching Steven’s gaze. Her heart rate picked up and something in her head told her it would be soon.
It seemed like only seconds before the waitress returned with her to-go container and another server was behind her with the cake. She set the cake in the center of the table and smiled at Steven, as though she was communicating with him. Darcy glanced around, seeing several other staff members huddled together watching. Oh God, it was coming. He was about to pop the question.
Darcy looked down at the lava cake and as it began to erupt, a silver band popped up to the top. She covered her mouth, for fear she was going to laugh or cry. Steven reached out and took the ring from the chocolate, and then went to the floor on one knee.
Darcy’s heart beat so loudly, she could barely hear him as he spoke. “Darcy, I don’t want to live my life without you in it every day. Please tell me you will do me the honor of saying yes to being my wife.”
He held the ring out to her, it was dripping with chocolate. She willed herself to push the chair back and turn toward him. Putting her hand out to him, she nodded because she couldn’t get her vocal cords to work. Steven slid the ring onto her finger, leaving a trail of chocolate. She laughed and then took him by the hand and yanked him to her, pressing her lips to his.
It was a short but sweet kiss and left her fired up. She was ready to take this man home and give him a proper thank you. Screw this platonic friendship, tonight she was getting a taste of Steven and she couldn’t care less what he had to say.
“Take me home,” she whispered.
“What about the cake?”
“Let’s bring it back as well. We might have a use for it.”
He raised one eyebrow and said, “I think I like where this is going.” He stood and asked the waitress for another to-go box and the check.
Darcy grinned. Hopefully tonight she would get lucky. Thankfully, she’d remembered to stop by the drugstore.
Chapter 12
Steven laid the container on the island in the kitchen and stared across at Darcy. She wore a black dress that had a zipper in the back. He couldn’t wait to get that dress off her. Now that he knew being with her was going to happen, time seemed to drag.
She walked over, staying on the opposite side of the counter from him. She glanced down at the cake container and then back up at him. “I’m not really hungry for that right now, are you?”
He shook his head. There was plenty of time for cake later. But how did he start this? Grab her and kiss her? Pick her up and carry her to his bed? Fuck, did they have protection yet?
“I might need to run out,” he said.
Darcy grinned. “It’s taken care of.”
There was nothing in their way—well, except for the counter. He stepped around it and to her. She was stunning. Her green eyes were bright with passion, her hair was in a classy up-do. He reached behind her and pulled out the two pins that were holding her hair in place. The blonde locks fell and rested on her shoulders. He twirled a strand around his finger, and then lightly tugged it until he brought her face to his.
“If you’re having second thoughts, tell me now. Otherwise we are crossing the line.”
“Let’s do it.”
With that, he pulled her to him and kissed her. It wasn’t a s
oft kiss, it was rough and messy. All the pent-up tension they’d been feeling was being released with this kiss.
Her hands were all over him. His chest, his waist, his neck, and down his arms. It was as though she couldn’t decide where she wanted to touch, and he could understand that. He was having a hard time as well deciding what he wanted to taste first.
Breaking the kiss, he spun her around so her back was to him. He pushed her hair aside and lightly kissed the back of her neck as he lowered the zipper of her dress. He slid the material off her shoulders, and the garment did the rest of the work, falling down her arms and landing in a black pool around her feet.
Taking a step back, he admired the woman before him from behind. She wore a white thong and matching bra, which he assumed would be lace when he spun her around. Her feet were decked out in five-inch heels. Her calf muscles were rock hard, along with her thighs and ass. This beauty before him had a killer body.
Steven spun her around and let his gaze explore her from the front. Just as suspected, she did wear a lace bra. He had a hard time checking any other part of her body out, since her nipples were hard. He had to touch, but his clothes were constraining and he wanted to be as free as she was.
“Undress me?” he asked.
“Certainly.” She smiled as she stepped forward.
Darcy started by unbuttoning his shirt, followed by removing it. She untucked his undershirt and yanked it over his head. She winked at him before she unbuckled his pants and slowly pulled the belt free. With the belt in hand, she snapped it so it made a popping sound.
“You little minx,” he said. “Perhaps I should tie you up and spank you.”
“Don’t offer unless you’re willing to.”
Steven’s breath caught at the thought of it. He’d never done anything like that before and wasn’t actually sure she was serious. But the image alone of Darcy bent over the bed, wearing what she was now, made his cock grow another inch, which he didn’t think was even possible.
He decided she was taking too long. Steven removed his own pants and picked her up. She wrapped her legs around his waist.
“Whose bed?” he asked.
“Mine.”
He carried her through the house as she sucked and bit his neck. It took every ounce of control in him not to slam her against the wall and have his way with her. Something told him though she’d like it. But tonight, their first time, he wanted it to be magical and special. A night to remember.
He placed her on the bed, and she scooted back toward the pillows, giving him a wicked shot of what was between her legs. He wanted a taste but knew he wasn’t going to last. Climbing on the bed, he kissed a trail on her neck to her breasts as he removed the rest of her garments.
“I need to be in you,” he whispered as he pulled her thong off. His hand moved back up her leg and to her center, finding her just as he’d suspected…wet.
Darcy reached toward her nightstand and pulled out a box of condoms. She tore it open and removed one. While she ripped it open, he shed his boxers. He reached for the protection, but she shook her head. Darcy rolled it on over his swollen shaft and he worried he was going to spill his seed as she touched him.
Not being able to hold off any longer, he spread her thighs open and sunk into her, groaning loudly as he entered a state of total bliss.
* * * *
“God, this cake is good.” Darcy took another bite of the cake as she gazed at the gorgeous diamond on her other hand. “This ring is stunning.”
Steven took another piece of cake as well. After he swallowed his bite, he said, “It was my grandmother’s.”
“Oh, Steven, I can’t wear this. You should’ve gotten some cubic zirconium ring.”
“If this was a real engagement or not, I’m not going fake. You deserve the best.”
She smiled. He was going to make some woman very happy one day. Too bad it wasn’t going to be her. “Thank you. And when this is over, you’ll get it back.”
Setting her fork down, she leaned back in the chair. She tried to suppress the yawn, but failed.
“You’re tired?”
“You gave me quite the work-out.” She snickered.
Steven winked at her and her stomach flipped. Would they be going to bed together? And if so, would they ravish one another again? Being with Steven had been more satisfying than she had expected. Once he finally let go of wanting it to be sweet and special and took her, letting his inner beast out, she had climaxed harder than she ever had. Waves of pleasure had rippled through her body and she thought it would never end. She had been certain she was going to die of pure delight. Even now, a tingly feeling shot up her spine, giving her goose bumps.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked.
Looking up into his eyes, she said, “Us…earlier.”
Steven moved closer to her and she had that feeling once again that she couldn’t speak or breathe—she had to have him.
He trailed a kiss from her neck, up her chin, and then took her lips. Darcy cupped his face, enjoying the taste of him and chocolate as her tongue intertwined with his. She knew where this was going to lead and was so glad to be past that awkward hurtle. He could take her to bed now and know it was what she wanted.
She pushed herself up, pressing her body into his. Yanking at his clothes, she wanted him as naked as the day he was born again and then as deep inside her as he could get.
“Slow down, we have all night,” he said.
“In case you haven’t noticed, I’m not worried about the slow part. I like the part of feeling good.”
“I can tell.” Steven lifted her up and set her on the kitchen table. “I think I’m still hungry.”
She knew exactly what he was talking about and she was all for it. Lying back on the table, she only wore a t-shirt at this point. Steven started to trail kisses on her inner thighs. Bracing herself for his warm mouth, she held her breath.
Ding dong.
What the hell was that? She propped herself up. Was that the door?
“Is someone here?” he asked.
“I was about to ask you the same thing. Crappy timing whoever it is.”
He pressed a kiss to her knee. “I agree.”
Ding dong.
“Guess you better go see who it is,” Darcy said.
“Why me?”
Sitting up and sliding off the table, she shrugged. “I don’t know, I just assume it’s for you.”
Steven handed her the blanket she’d had on before getting on the table. “You’re coming with me.”
Covering herself would at least prevent their guest from seeing her inappropriately, but they were going to know what they were interrupting. She followed Steven and he opened the door. An extremely attractive redhead, who Darcy had never seen before, stood in the doorway.
“Terry, what are you doing here?” Steven asked.
Terry. Why did that name sound so familiar? Ah, that’s right, Steven’s brother had said her name at dinner the night Darcy had met his family.
“I came as soon as I heard the news. You’re not really engaged, are you? Tell me it’s not true.”
“I told you the other day, I’m involved with Darcy.” He tugged her close to him. “And yes, you heard right. Tonight at Marcello’s, I made it official and asked Darcy to marry me.”
Terry glanced at Darcy with a look of disgust on her face. “This is some fad, right? It hasn’t been that long since you and I were together.”
“Terry, it wasn’t right for us. You’ll find the right person out there.”
Darcy wasn’t sure if she was supposed to be saying anything or not, but this was awkward. She pushed away from Steven. Terry must be an ex-girlfriend or maybe just an ex-lover.
“Why don’t you two talk?” Glancing Terry’s way, she added, “I’m going to go run the bath.”
Steven planted a kiss on her cheek. “I’ll join you soon.”
Darcy left and hightailed it to the back of the house. She wasn’t really
planning on starting a bath, but she wanted to give it to Terry somehow. Instead, Darcy lay down on her bed to wait on Steven. She expected he’d be back fairly quickly.
Laying her head on the pillow he’d used earlier, she took in a deep breath, enjoying his scent. She closed her eyes for what was only meant to be a few minutes.
Chapter 13
The morning sun was bright and bore down on Darcy. She rolled over, putting her back to the window before she opened her eyes. Rolling back over, she saw her bed was empty—well, except for her. Had Steven slept with her last night? What had happened with Terry? Why hadn’t he woke her?
There was only one way to find out. Tossing the sheets back, she climbed out of the warm bed. Putting on her robe, she left her room and went out to the main house. It was quiet. Steven wasn’t up yet, which confirmed he hadn’t slept with her last night.
She started the coffee in the kitchen, trying to stay busy. Her mind was racing a mile a minute. She wanted answers about this other woman. After the coffee was started and brewing, she marched back down the hall to his room. Should she knock or go in? This was his room and personal space. She chose to knock.
“Yeah, come in,” he called from inside.
Darcy opened the door and went in. “Hey.”
“Hey, you. Come here.” He patted the bed next to him.
She sat. “Why didn’t you come sleep with me last night?”
“You looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to disturb you. And I wasn’t sure we were doing that.”
“Doing what?”
“Sleeping together…like sleep-sleep.”
Darcy giggled. “It had nothing to do with Terry?”
“Hell no.”
Taking a deep breath, she asked, “Who is she?”
“My past. Terry and I have been together on and off for several years simply because it was convenient. Then one of us would break it off but we always ended up together again somehow.”
“Why didn’t you ask her to be your wife?”
He grunted. “She isn’t my idea of a wife.”
