Long Overdue

by Tara Andrews

  It also gave him the chance to wonder about her. And his reaction to her. It went deeper than a physical attraction, though. When she hurt her foot, taking care of her came so natural. Then she gifted him with her trust and he knew he didn’t want to let her go. These were some serious instincts she provoked in him. But were they the real deal? Just because he expected to meet his perfect match, didn’t mean he should take them for granted. He could hurt her if he got it all wrong.

  Jill opened her eyes, but her lids closed a second later. He caught a glimpse of her smile before she turned her face into the pillow, a lock of hair drifting over her cheek when she faced him again. Before he could raise a hand to brush it away, she beat him to it, revealing a soft smile and wide awake expression. “I told you I wouldn’t fall asleep,” she said.

  “I never doubted you.”

  Comfortable silence filled the space between them; he enjoyed the moment too much to break it. But her eyes became serious. “I was engaged.” The admission caught him off guard, prompting an unwarranted flood of jealousy. “We dated for about a year before he asked me to marry him. But months later, we still hadn’t settled on a date. Then, one day, he broke it off because he found someone else. And now they’re married.”

  He touched her hair, then ran his hand down to her shoulder. “How long ago?”

  “We broke up last year. They’ve been married for six months.” The emotion missing when she told him of her break up surfaced now. “We were together a year and half and he couldn’t commit to a date, but it only took him six—”

  “Shhh.” He placed a finger over her lips. “Don’t you dare think it’s because there is something wrong with you.”

  “But….”

  “No buts. A commitment-phobic guy doesn’t suddenly go from a long-term relationship with one woman to marrying another without a reason. I bet he wanted something from her and marriage was the only way to get it.” A fact he’d learned from watching his father operate.

  Jill didn’t say anything for a couple seconds, and then she gave him a half smile. “I never thought of it that way.”

  “Good.”

  “Earlier, you asked why I’m here. Why I contacted 1Night Stand. A friend of mine got tired of my searching for Mr. Right for all the wrong reasons and convinced me I needed a night with no agenda, pressure, disappointment, or expectations.”

  Blake’s heart sank. “I hope I can deliver.”

  “Exceptionally.” She reached out and traced his collarbone with her finger. “What about you? What did you want from tonight?”

  How could he tell her the truth when she’d made her feelings so clear? “A chance to meet a phenomenal woman and know exactly what to expect? Who could pass that up?”

  She moved her shoulder back, the movement slight but the increased distance like a chasm between them. He’d thought she aimed for a light affair, but maybe she didn’t know what she wanted. In which case, he may have said the wrong thing.

  Her gaze dropped briefly to his hand covering hers on the bed between them, and her lips turned up again. “Hey, did you shower?” She reached up and ran her fingers through his damp hair. “No fair.”

  “Why? You wanted to join me?”

  She glanced down at the mattress again; her expression grew soft. “No. But I’m going to take a quick shower, too.” She rolled toward the edge of the bed but he grabbed her arm and flipped her onto her back. He propped up on his elbow, looking down at her.

  “You’re not getting shy on me, are you?”

  She laughed. “Stupid, right? But, yes. I could use a moment.”

  Seeing nothing but contentment in her eyes, he relented. “All right.” He ran a finger down her rose-soft cheek. His thumb rubbed her way-too-kissable bottom lip. “God, so beautiful.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered.

  He hadn’t meant to say it out loud. “It’s the truth.” Overwhelmed with too many thoughts, too many new emotions, he flopped onto his back and flung an arm over his eyes. The bed dipped as Jill left, leaving him cold.

  Not more than a couple of minutes passed before his stomach growled. He grabbed the phone and ordered enough for them both. By the time Jill emerged from the bathroom, wearing a robe again and all wet and fresh, he wore his slacks and a white T-shirt, ready for room service to arrive.

  Her eyes grew wide. “Are you leaving?”

  “No.”

  She relaxed. A small comfort to know she didn’t want the night to be over yet.

  “Room service should be here any minute. A certain someone has worked up my appetite.”

  She gave a small laugh. All traces of her earlier disappointment disappeared. “Can you call and add something for me?”

  How could she think he ordered food for himself without thought of her at all? What kind of guy did she take him for?

  “Did I say something wrong?”

  Or, better yet, what kind of guys did she date? “No. Sorry. I ordered you something, of course. No girly shit, though, so you better not be shy and pretend you can’t eat a burger.”

  She laughed again and it wrapped around his heart, giving him an appetite for something more than a second date.

  Whoa, one step at a time. After her admission of her reasons for being there, and his ingenious reply he might be jumping the gun.

  A bell rang, indicating room service had arrived. Blake left the bedroom to Jill, allowing her time to dress while he handled the delivery. Though he thought she looked perfect as is. He gave the bellman a generous tip and transferred the plates to the coffee table. On impulse, he switched the classical station they left playing earlier, to something more mainstream. Then he brightened the lighting to a more homelike ambiance.

  His upstate home popped into his mind, along with an image of Jill in it. He knew she’d prefer that residence over his L.A. apartment, because of its coziness. It had character. Even he found it easy to relax there, be himself. Jill would, too.

  He turned to see her emerge from the bedroom, wearing the dress she’d arrived in, her hair wet and feet bare. Yeah, he didn’t want to let her go. Madame Eve was right on the money with her choice for him. No maybes about it.

  Jill found Blake waiting beside the low table laid with covered dishes. His gaze traveled the length of her, heating her skin in its wake. It also sent her heart fluttering. Stupid heart. She detoured to the window. He set the stage nicely. Informal table for two, music played low in the background, soft lighting—very romantic. Considering he didn’t need to wine and dine her after all they’ve done, she found it nice he put in the effort.

  The moon hovered to the left, low in the sky, signaling the passage of precious time. Never before had she wanted a night to last forever. Even after he lied to her about his reason for being there, she still craved every last second with him. It had disappointed her when he opted not to open up as she had with him, but that was her problem, not his. Her choice to divulge her story did not oblige him to do the same.

  She tamped down on the negativity attempting to take root, not wanting to ruin the remainder of the evening. An evening moving much too quick for her liking. Why did she have to meet him through 1Night Stand? What if they’d bumped into each other on the street instead?

  Great. Back to square one. The pep talk she gave herself in the bathroom, thrown out the window.

  “What are you thinking about?” Blake’s voice came from right beside her, his warm touch on the small of her back.

  Jill barely resisted the urge to jump. “That it’s such a beautiful night.”

  He glanced at the view, but then turned back to her. “Yes, it is.”

  “And that I don’t want it to end.” There. A second chance for him to share something—anything—to let her know he found the evening special. That she was special. Not just a sure thing.

  “Neither do I.” He cupped her jaw, his thumb brushing over her cheek. “I’m glad it was you. Glad you stayed.”

  His kiss evaporated any response she may h
ave given, and moved her like none before. So gentle, slow, undemanding. Passion simmered beneath the surface, highlighting, but not overpowering, the moment.

  Then he pulled back and for an instant he appeared stunned, confused. “Come on let’s eat.”

  Chapter Six

  “So what if I tell you I’m a vegetarian?” Jill asked as Blake sank his teeth into his burger. He paused, cutting off sound mid-groan. “I’m not.”

  “That would have been a deal breaker.”

  “You’d have packed up and left me here all by my lonesome?” She batted her eyes and pretended to faint.

  “Oh, no. I’d definitely have my way with you once, maybe twice, more before I left.”

  For some twisted reason his response pleased her. “Only twice?” She shook her head and sighed. And there it was again, that stop-you-in-your-tracks, melt-you-where-you-sat, smile. It reached his eyes and sent a shiver running through her. Her heart beat double-time.

  “Is that a challenge?”

  Jill enjoyed teasing him, but didn’t know how to continue. She lifted a shoulder, trying to appear calmer than the blood rushing through her veins indicated. “If you’re not up to it—”

  “Eat. You’re going to need it.”

  The burger smelled delicious, so she dug right in. Blake finished his in only a few bites, while she managed to consume about half of the thick, juicy sandwich. Along with the excitement and nerves, it was all she could manage.

  When he stood, she thought he’d take her back to bed to win the little challenge they created. Despite the heat between them, how good they were together, the thought left her cold. Hollow. Again, proof she wasn’t cut out for the love ’em and leave ’em night she signed up for.

  “Care to dance?” The invitation surprised her, but when Blake extended his hand, she accepted it without hesitation.

  She never danced with any man like this, alone and for no reason. If the gentle rocking motion they adopted even counted. Although, it sure beat the hell out of swaying back and forth with an assigned groomsman at a wedding, on display and out of sync with each other. No groomsmen doing his duty ever held her up against him like Blake did—like a lover.

  The hypnotic reflection of them together in the window brought a pang to her heart. She turned away from the image, toward his neck. She breathed in, recognizing the soap from the shower, but still able to distinguish his unique underlying scent. “Hmmm.” Soon she gave in and kissed him beneath his ear. His shudder, and the way he leaned his head into her, gave her confidence to give him another. Then another.

  Before she knew it, she straddled him on the couch, devouring his mouth. Glad she went commando for the first time in her life, the soft texture of his pants provided a welcome sensation against her bared flesh. She worked the button and zipper on his slacks, knowing exactly what they both wanted. What she needed. A few Oh, Gods escaped. He muttered something, too, when his hands cupped her bare skin under her dress.

  With his pants unfastened, he lifted up and shoved them past his hips. Eager, she moved to lower herself onto his erection. But he stopped her. “Condoms are in the bedroom.” A bedroom light years away, given how much she wanted him inside her.

  She was ashamed to admit she hadn’t thought about protection, but glad he had the sense to. Though, even the idea of pregnancy didn’t scare her as much as it should. How irresponsible of her. But it must’ve mattered to Blake if he mentioned it.

  The setback, however, gave her another idea. Instead of getting up to make her way to the bedroom, she slid down onto the floor between his spread knees.

  “Jill.”

  Her head jerked up at the sound of her name.

  He buried his fingers in her hair, but protested, “You don’t….”

  “…Shhh.” Her hesitance with receiving oral had led the sweet man to offer a way out. But she had control. She took hold of him and pressed a kiss to the head of his erection. He sucked in a breath.

  Jill teased him a little more, flicking her tongue, swirling, sucking the tip of his shaft into her mouth, sampling his taste. His grip in her hair clenched. His moans made her smile around him. She stopped playing and wrapped her lips around him. She cupped his balls and rubbed them as her mouth slid up and down his length, sucking and pulling until his hips quivered beneath her.

  His response heightened her desire. Her pussy pulsed and wept for attention. A vivid image from earlier popped into her mind— him pumping into her fast and hard. She squirmed in an attempt to find temporary relief until she couldn’t take it anymore. Holding him with one hand, she slipped the other under the hem of her dress, stroking where she throbbed, her finger circling her clitoris as she moaned around him. An ache began in her core, spreading outward through her limbs. Her toes dug into the carpet, her release close with so little encouragement. Then Blake groaned and it sent her over the edge. Her climax left her trembling between his knees and unable to move.

  His hips rose, thrusting into her mouth. Once, twice before his muscles tightened. He tried to push her back, but she resisted. He came with a shout and she took everything he had before letting him go.

  “My God, I can’t believe you did that.” His head fell back against the couch.

  She lingered on her knees, appreciating the view. Eyes closed, his chest rising and falling —and completely hot. “What do you mean?”

  He lifted his head and grinned. Then he grabbed his pants and stood. He zipped them before helping her up. “You, my dear, are amazing.”

  She tried not to read more into his statement than it warranted. After his earth-shattering orgasm, she considered him operating under the influence. “Yeah, like you’d say anything else.” She dismissed it with a wave, but he caught her hand and brought it toward him. Keeping his gaze locked with hers he pulled her fingers—wet with her juices—one by one, into his mouth. Then he slowly released them. “So sweet. As I said, you are amazing.”

  All right. She was a goner. No use denying it any longer; she dug herself into deep shit and, in the morning, it would kill her to watch him disappear from her life.

  She wished she’d never heard of Madame Evangeline and her agency.

  Chapter Seven

  Blake looked over to where Jill slept, trying to figure out what to say to her when she woke. Soon, it’d be time to say good-bye—or not. They’d spent an amazing night. Not all about sex, but plenty of that, too. She’d let him know, she only signed up for a single night and had no interest in more. For the first time, he worried whether a woman wanted to see him again. And her answer mattered more than any other.

  Somehow they’d work it out. He had to believe it.

  The alarm on his phone sounded. Seven o’clock. Two hours before his plane took off. Or, at least scheduled to. They wouldn’t leave without him since he owned the plane, but he hated to have people waiting around for him.

  He leaned over and kissed the top of her head.

  She caught his arm before he got up. “Are you leaving?”

  “No, going to take a shower. I won’t leave before talking to you.”

  She nodded and let go. “Want me to join you?”

  He laughed. “You can’t even open your eyes. Rest a little longer.”

  She didn’t agree or disagree just lay back and closed her eyes again. Good. She needed it, after their night. And she looked like an angel with her long lashes feathered over her cheeks.

  Twenty minutes later, Jill still lay exactly where and how he left her. He set up the four-cup coffee machine he’d spotted at the wet bar the night before. Not even sure she drank coffee, he poured two cups and returned to the bedroom.

  “Hey, sleepyhead.” Blake placed a cup on the nightstand. “Time to get up.”

  “I know.” A hint of sadness bordered her voice. It gave him hope.

  He waited until she sat up and pulled the sheets up to cover her breasts before he sat down beside her. She took the coffee and sipped it. “Ugh, it’s black.” She shuddered.

&nb
sp; He smiled. “You’re not a morning person, are you?”

  “Am, too. When I get more than a couple hours sleep. And have cream and sugar in my coffee.” She followed her complaint by taking another sip, without shuddering, making him smile. “It’s not so bad when you know what to expect.”

  “Gee, thanks. I happen to take my coffee black, but I wasn’t sure how you liked it.”

  “Well, thank you. The caffeine is all that matters.”

  He didn’t want to spring a serious talk on her the moment she opened her eyes. And though she did seem more awake now, he needed more time. “Why don’t you jump in the shower and we’ll talk after.”

  She studied him, with a furrow between her eyes. But after a couple of seconds, she gave a nod and got up. Naked.

  His body responded as if he hadn’t spent the night worshipping every inch of that body, proving he wanted more of her. Proving he did have more to offer than a one-night stand.

  “I’ll see you in the living room, after you’re dressed.” The bedroom might not be the right place to have a discussion about their future. If “future” was even the right word. All he knew, he wanted to see her again, beyond the night they signed up for. He strode into the other room, without a look back and waited, his breathing harsh, thoughts running amok.

  “I suppose this is it.” Her voice broke into his thoughts.

  He turned from the window where he stared down to the street below. “Is it?”

  She turned her head away. In jeans and a peasant shirt, looking fresh and relaxed. Real. Like a breath of fresh air. And he needed air, because his throat suddenly tightened.

  “Jill, I—”

  “It was fun.”

  Anything he wanted to say dried up in an instant. “Fun?”

  “Yes. Please, don’t think you need to say more. I’m a big girl, and knew what I signed up for.”

  But she didn’t know what he signed up for. What he expected to find. “I was actually thinking I’d like to see you again.”

  She fell silent for a moment but he noted the disappointment in her eyes. His confusion grew. She took a deep breath and shook her head. “I don’t think it would be fair for either one of us. Especially me.”