I Have Lived And I Have Loved: A Charity Romance Collection

by Willow Winters

  Corinne nodded between us, a small smile on her face. “You can’t go wrong with either, and I have a lovely wine pairing for each.”

  I met Jane’s gaze and smiled softly. “What do you say we each order one, and I’ll let you have a bite. Just a taste.”

  I could see the waitress blush near me out of the corner of my eye, but it was the delicate pink of Jane’s porcelain skin that enraptured my gaze.

  “I think I can do that,” Jane said, clearing her throat. “I guess I’ll take the sea bass.”

  “And I’ll take the filet, medium rare?” I asked, and Jane nodded.

  The waitress left after taking our order, and I leaned back in my chair, looking at Jane and wondered where we would go tonight.

  “So, Jane, what is it you do?”

  Jane shook her head. “I thought we weren’t supposed to ask questions like that? That way, we would never have to lie,” she said, and I sighed.

  “Maybe. Or maybe the story is just the beginning.”

  She laughed softly at that and took a sip of her water. “Or maybe you don’t want to tell me anything about you so that I can make a big story about me. How about this?” she asked as she settled into her chair. “My name is Jane, at least for the evening. I’m here because I haven’t been out of my home in so long, I think I’ve forgotten what the outside world looks like. I was told I would have a lovely evening with a wonderful man, one who I have texted often this week, and I would have as much fun as I desired.” A pause. “Anything I desired.”

  I cleared my throat as the waitress set our glasses of wine down, as well as the breadbasket. She left in a hurry, seemingly aware that she had interrupted something. However, Jane and I were in public, and if I wasn’t careful, I was going to toss her on top of this table and have my way with her.

  With the look in Jane’s eyes, she had the same thoughts.

  “I was told,” I began, “that tonight would be any fantasy you desired.”

  “And now you sound like a gigolo,” she laughed, and took a sip of her wine. “Oh, that’s amazing. Crisp.”

  I took a sip of mine and nodded. “A little oaky, I like it.”

  “So, you’re not a gigolo?” she asked, her eyes dancing with laughter.

  I smiled, set my glass down. “Not even close. But I can pretend for the evening if you’d like?”

  She shook her head, her cheeks bright red. “No, I would just like you to be you, Jack.”

  I swallowed hard, and looked into those eyes, and knew if I weren’t careful, this evening would unravel, and my secrets would come to light.

  Instead, I lifted my glass to hers, and she did the same. “To tonight. A night of fantasy. Of the only promise worth making.”

  She smiled, her eyes going dark. “To tonight.”

  And we each took a sip of our wines, and I knew the evening had just begun.

  Chapter 2

  “Jane”

  * * *

  I sipped the last of my chocolate martini and let the sugar and sweetness settle over my tongue. I loved all things sweet. It was an addiction, and I didn’t mind. It was my addiction.

  An addiction I knew that could rival the man in front of me if I weren’t careful.

  “Are you ready to go upstairs, Jane?” Jack asked, and I swallowed hard, then licked my lips.

  “Forward, aren’t you?”

  Jack’s eyes crinkled at the corners, the fine lines there deepening. “I thought we both had an understanding of exactly where this was going. Was I wrong?”

  I set my glass down and dabbed at my mouth with my linen napkin before setting it on the table. “I think we both know where this is going, and I didn’t say I disliked the forwardness.”

  Jack smiled, and it lit up his face and seeing that tugged at something me. I ignored that tug. That wasn’t for tonight. No, tonight was about mystery and finding out exactly who I could be with this man, in this moment, and under these circumstances.

  Tonight was about fantasy and fun.

  I reached out for my small jeweled clutch and looked up at the man who couldn’t stop staring at me.

  “I’m ready when you are,” I said, purring. I wasn’t great at flirting, wasn’t great at the role of the seductress, but it was fun to play. And after all, tonight was only about play. Tomorrow the carriage turned back into a pumpkin, my shoes would turn to slippers, and my form-fitting black wrap dress would turn into yoga pants and a tank top. My hair would fall from its curls, and I would pile it on the top of my head. I’d take out my itchy contacts, slide on my glasses—after I scrubbed my face free of makeup and put on an anti-swelling mask and under-eye ointment.

  That was the true me.

  But Jane…Jane could be whoever she wanted to be.

  Jack stood up, held out his hand, and I slid my fingers along his. “Come on then, the night’s only beginning.”

  I clenched my thighs together for just a moment, aware that anyone looking at us would know exactly what we were about to do. But it’s what I wanted, same as Jack, for us to be in our own world, while the rest might look on, but not matter in the end.

  I wrapped my arm around his as I stood, and the two of us made our way through the lobby of the five-star hotel and to the elevators into the back. Jack used a special key on the private elevator, one that not every patron would have.

  “The penthouse?” I asked, surprised, even though I shouldn’t have been.

  “You said in your texts you wanted tonight to be special, and I am loath to not provide.”

  “You sure do sound like a male escort,” I said with a laugh, ignoring the look from the woman in pearls as she walked past us.

  Jack winked over my head, and I held back a grin. “You keep saying that so loudly, and people are going to think you paid for the night.”

  “How do they know you’re not the one who paid for me?” I teased, surprising myself. Jack threw his head back and laughed, looking like the most interesting and attractive man I had ever met in my life.

  And I couldn’t wait for what happened next.

  We walked into the elevator as the doors opened, and I swallowed hard, my palms going damp. The elevator doors closed, and I bit my lip, not knowing what would come next, the anticipation heady. Jack slid his hand over my hip and squeezed, and I turned into his hold.

  “Jack?” I asked, and in answer, he pressed his lips to mine. My mouth parted, and I groaned into him. He slid his other hand around me, gripping my ass, pushing me into his hard erection. I moaned, practically climbing up him like he was a tree, and he deepened the kiss, tangling his tongue with mine. He moved, my back pressing against the walls of the elevator, my arms above my head as he ran his hands up my side and cupped my breasts.

  “I can’t wait to strip you out of this, but there won’t be enough time.” He kissed me again and then pulled away, righting my dress before he did the same to his clothes.

  The doors to the penthouse opened as soon as he straightened, and I nearly fell, my knees weak. Jack seemed to realize that, and he gave me a worrying look before gripping my elbow.

  “I’m fine,” I whispered.

  Jack met my gaze and held his hand on the door to the elevator so it wouldn’t close again. “Are you sure? We can stop this right now.”

  “That’s exactly what I don’t want. Come on, let’s continue. You said the night was only beginning. We can’t end it now.”

  Jack searched my face before nodding tightly. And then he led me into the penthouse suite.

  My jaw dropped, and I looked around, stunned. “I didn’t even know this was here.”

  Jack shrugged and looked for all the world like he did this every evening. I knew for a fact he didn’t, but him playing the role made me smile. The floors were made of marble, the walls textured with antique wallpaper and faux that made it look as if it were a palace, rather than a hotel room in downtown Denver.

  “Is that a piano?” I asked, and blinked.

  Jack grinned. “A baby grand. I th
ink they were sad they couldn’t fit a full grand in here.”

  “Oh, how horrible, only a baby grand.” I smiled.

  “Too bad I can’t play,” Jack said, laughing.

  “We could always pretend. But I feel like we would both end up hurting our ears in the process.”

  “Too true. Now, there’s a full bath here in the guest area, but there’s also the master bath in the back, one with a waterfall, and a full five-headed shower.”

  I blinked. “Five heads as in to get all angles, or for five different people enjoying it?” I asked, laughing.

  Jack grinned. “I’m not sharing you, so we’re just going to have to deal with the two of us.”

  My brows raised. “So, we’ll be taking a shower together?”

  “Maybe. There’s a bench in there. I’d like to try.”

  I blushed and cleared my throat. “Sure of yourself, are you?”

  “You knew precisely what tonight was for when you showed up,” he growled, and yet his voice was soft at the same time. I couldn’t help but breathe hard and try to catch up.

  “So, there are the showers,” I said, clearing my throat after a moment. “And you said a guest area?”

  Jack smiled. “There are two guestrooms, along with their own foyer and sitting area. This is the main sitting area, but let me take you to the master bedroom.”

  I shook my head, looking at all the opulence and wondering why it was needed. “I would have been fine with a single bed, and maybe a desk.” I blushed as I said it.

  Jack looked at me and chuckled deeply. “That’s good to know. But I wanted to show you, as my sister would say, the sparkly.”

  “So, you have a sister?” I asked eagerly, leaning forward with a smile on my face. This was the game, and I was having too much fun with it.

  Jack frowned. “I shouldn’t have said that. No details tonight. Right?”

  I shrugged. “At least for now. We’ll see what happens later.”

  I knew I wasn’t good at this, and I would probably spill everything, break the fantasy. But, for now, I wanted to have fun. And here we were.

  Jack led me past a dining room that had an actual chandelier and a small kitchenette area until he reached two double doors.

  “Are you ready?” He asked.

  “I’m exhausted from walking through this room already.”

  He grinned and then opened the double doors.

  My mouth dropped open, and I swallowed hard. There was a bed in the center, raised slightly, and it looked larger than a king. There were sitting areas to my left and to my right, along with a balcony on the opposite end. I knew the one door was probably a closet area, or maybe another sitting area, or perhaps even an office. The other looked to be the bathroom, all marble and chrome, and I didn’t know where to look.

  “This is ridiculous,” I said with a laugh.

  “Pretty much,” Jack said grinning. “But it’s ours for the evening.”

  “I have no words,” I whispered, and Jack turned to me and leaned forward.

  “I don’t think there needs to be any. Other than are you ready for the evening?”

  “Always.”

  “Good,” he said, and then his mouth was on mine again. I moaned into him, and he wrapped his arms around me, sliding his hands down my sides. He moved again, cupping my ass as he spread my cheeks apart while pressing himself into me. I writhed against him, needing more. When he trailed his lips down my neck, I shivered in his arms. His fingers went to the tie at my side, and I licked my lips. He met my gaze and then undid the bow. My dress fell to the side slowly, the fabric gently caressing my skin as it parted.

  I gasped, the sensation too much, even just from that bare moment in his look. He licked his lips and then trailed his gaze over me, as if needing to sate himself in the view. I felt as if I could feel every single caress of his vision, and I couldn’t stop my moan. He smiled, and then reached out, his thumb gently sliding along my nipple.

  “Black lace, it suits you.”

  I blushed. “Not usually.”

  “I’m pretty sure everything suits you…Jane,” he whispered.

  He slid his hands down my sides, his knuckles along my belly, and then traced the lace of my thong around my hips.

  “Beautiful,” he whispered, and then he leaned forward and licked along my collarbone. I shivered, my knees going weak, and he pulled away again before moving me toward the bed.

  “I can’t have you fainting on me.”

  “You sure feel high and mighty of yourself,” I teased.

  “I can’t help it. You seem to do that to me,” he whispered, and then he kissed me again.

  I shivered in his hold, and then let him stand me next to the bed. It’s so high that my ass barely touched the top of it.

  “Will this work for you?” he asked.

  I nodded. “Yes,” I whispered.

  “Good.” And then he tugged the rest of my dress off, the silk pooling at my feet. I stood on my tiptoes in my heels, and he knelt in front of me, sliding his hands down my calves. It sent shivers up my body, and I did my best not to groan again.

  “Let me take these off you. I don’t want you to be in pain,” he whispered.

  “I can handle the heels.”

  “But I need you to have all of your energy for what I’m about to put you through,” he whispered, and so I let him untie the straps at my ankles and slowly slid my feet out of my heels. My ankles quit their protesting, as I gradually set my feet to the ground, and then he was there, nibbling up my thighs, and sending quick kisses that nearly had me coming right there.

  He smiled and then pressed a sweet kiss over my center.

  “Jack,” I whispered, doing my best to remember his name.

  “Yes, Jane?” he asked, his voice soft, a throaty purr against my pussy.

  “Keep going,” I whispered.

  “As my lady commands.” He unhurriedly tugged the lace off my hips and tossed it aside after I stepped out of my thong.

  “Beautiful,” he whispered, I was falling into temptation, past nearly falling, and going full straight down the rabbit hole.

  He kissed me again and stood up, reaching around me to undo the clasp of my bra. I let the lace fall and sucked in a breath as he lapped at my breasts, using his free hand to squeeze my breasts, gently, and then firmer. He plucked at my nipples and then slowly trailed his hand down my belly to my core. He speared me with two fingers, at the same time sucking on my breast. I came, so quick to the trigger that I nearly fell, and I felt like I had never come so hard, so quick before. Maybe I had, but I couldn’t remember. The only thing that mattered was the man holding me, making me feel like he would never let me go.

  Jack lifted me up into his arms, cradling me to his chest, where he kissed me again, and I leaned into him, smiling sleepily.

  “Enjoying yourself?” He whispered.

  “That was amazing,” I gasped, and then he slowly slid me into bed, and I nuzzled into the comforter.

  “But what about you?” I asked, looking up at him.

  He trailed a finger down my cheek. “Rest, you’ll need your energy.”

  And at this throaty growl of his voice, I closed my eyes and drifted off, knowing as soon as I woke up, the night would be far from over.

  Chapter 3

  “Jack”

  * * *

  I pulled Jane into my arms a little bit tighter, grinning as she nuzzled into me. She was all smooth curves and soft skin against me. After she had fallen asleep, nearly passing out from her orgasm, I’d made sure she was comfortable, stripped out of my clothes, and curled around her naked. I couldn’t help it. I needed to be skin-to-skin.

  And after all, this was Jane. This is what we wanted.

  I studied her face, the strong lines of her cheekbones, the little tilted uptick of her nose at the end. She had long lashes, and her makeup was still pristine. I knew who had done her makeup for tonight and they would have made sure it would stay on, though I knew it might not once w
e took our shower.

  If we got there. Right now, though, I was completely satisfied laying here with Jane in my arms and pretending the rest of the world didn’t exist.

  In the morning, we would go about our responsibilities, and we would leave Jack and Jane behind. It was what was needed. Jack and Jane may never meet again, but they would have this evening.

  Jane’s eyes opened, and I smiled down at her. “Hello, sleepyhead,” I whispered.

  “L—Jack.”

  I shook my head and tapped her on the lips in warning. “Are you ready?” I asked, my voice a growl.

  Her eyes widened, and she swallowed hard. “Always.” I kissed her hard, delving my tongue against hers. She groaned, raking her nails down my back. I shifted above her and cradled myself between her legs and reached for the condom.

  Her eyes widened, and I smiled. “I need to protect you, Jane,” I whispered.

  “Oh,” she said, and I kissed her again, before kneeling between her thighs. I rubbed along her clit, along her swollenness, and smiled. “You seem ready for me already. So greedy after two orgasms.”

  “I can’t help it when it comes to you, apparently.”

  “You can’t help to come when it comes to me,” I teased.

  She rolled her eyes. “That was a ridiculous joke.”

  “Well, I am ridiculous. Sue me.” She snorted, and I leaned down to kiss her again, before slowly rolling the condom down my length.

  “Are you ready?” I asked.

  “You need to stop asking me that or I’m going to have to take care of the problem myself,” she said before reaching out, not to touch herself, but instead gripped the base of my cock over the condom. I nearly passed out but told myself I was stronger than that.

  Clearly.

  I grinned, then positioned myself at her entrance. “I thought I would be a little more suave.”

  She squeezed me again. “Let’s see exactly how you can work it, Jack,” she teased, and I winked before I slid inside, deep with one thrust.

  She let out a shocked gasp, and I froze.