St. Helena Vineyard Series: Destiny Shines (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Santini Series Book 3)
Page 4
He stops his car in the middle of the road and turns off the engine. I do the same. His door opens, and I watch as he saunters up to my window. A crock of his finger calls me out, but it’s the smile that makes me do it. Damn, he’s fine.
“You’re dangerous you know,” I say.
“So are you. Want to go negotiate a peace treaty?”
There’s a wicked look on his face and it’s all directed toward me. Those eyes. Wow.
“What do you mean by that?”
“You know exactly what I mean. You’re no innocent. I can see the beast in you, Jenny. You’re full of passion.”
What?! Oh Jesus help me. When I don’t contradict his assessment, he chuckles.
“Come here, let me remind you what’s bubbling just beneath the surface.”
His arm encircles my waist and pulls me against his body. We fit so well together. I feel his hand take my long braid and pull my head back. Our eyes meet for just a moment before his lips brush my neck and rise to my ear. Chills rush over my spine and a soft moan sounds. Against my belly his cock speaks volumes.
“Come on, let’s go play,” he whispers.
My hands gently push him away. If I go one moment longer, I’ll give in to the temptation. “I can’t. It wouldn’t be ethical. I never mix business with pleasure.”
“I’m not your client.”
“True. But you’re staying here with my client and it wouldn’t be right. But I will say this, Nikos. You’ve made my decision hard.”
“You’ve made my dick hard. I win.”
We both laugh.
“This isn’t a contest. Can’t you respect my decision?”
“No.”
For some strange reason that doesn’t piss me off. Instead it makes my panties a little wetter.
I got out of there as quickly as possible. His face, his body, his sexy swagger all trying to convince me to stay. But I had to leave. I’ve come this far in life sticking to my ethics and rules of order. Why mess with what works? Soon it won’t be an issue at all. When he goes back to Las Vegas I’ll be a dim light in his memory. If that.
Have I ever been hornier though? No. Whatever powers he has in that department have worked their magic. Never have I felt the draw so strongly. As I round the corner to my house I’m acutely aware I’m going to need some relief. Hello vibrator.
Peter. He’s sitting on my steps looking lost in thought, like God told him he wasn’t one of his favorites. When he spots me he stands and smiles. What’s different about him? He’s wearing one of my favorite shirts, but it doesn’t have the same effect on me. And why does he have his hair cut so short? I hate when his hairdresser does that. Pulling into the driveway, I turn off the engine and grab my purse. He’s at my door.
“Hi. Hope it’s alright to drop by unannounced,” he says offering a hand.
“Of course. It’s good to see you, Peter.”
We exchange cheek kisses and head for the door.
“Come in, I’ll make us some coffee.”
“Yeah. Sounds good.”
Something’s off in his voice. He’s nervous for some reason. Maybe it’s just that we haven’t seen each other since I started working with Valentino. It was an anticlimactic fizzling of a friendship. I can’t really call it a relationship. Not in the adult definition. He’d most likely disagree.
Once inside I throw my purse to the chair and kick off my shoes.
“I’ll make us a pot. Want to come keep me company?”
As I turn to face him he’s on me like a tick on a deer. He comes in too hot and fast and we bump heads.
“Ow!” I say holding a hand to my forehead.
“Let me try that again,” he says embarrassed.
This time he slows his roll too much. He cradles the back of my head and gives me a Hollywood kiss. No other part of our bodies touch. It probably looks good if you’re watching, but he’s thinking too much. We part.
“That was nice,” I lie.
Peter smiles in self-satisfaction like a kid whose teacher just told him he wins the award for most improved.
“Let’s go to the bedroom,” he says.
Whoa. I’m sure my face just gave away my shock.
“I’ve been thinking about it, Jenny. We’re meant to be together. We both know it and there’s really no reason to wait. Not if we’re going to be married.”
He gets down on one knee, and my blood pressure lifts to the stratosphere. And not in an excited way.
“Will you marry me?”
So here I stand, frozen in place. Time moves in slow motion giving me opportunity to craft my answer in the kindest way.
“Jenny?”
Back to real time. “Peter, that’s the loveliest compliment I’ve ever had.”
The look on his face is utter surprise.
“But I have to say no. Stand up. Please.”
I put my hands in his and he rises.
“What are you saying? You don’t want to marry me?”
“No. I don’t. We barely know each other. In the deepest sense I mean.”
He let’s go of my hands and starts pacing. His expression turns to anger.
“Bait and switch,” he says.
“What do you mean?”
“This whole time you made like having sex was the issue. We talked about getting married maybe someday. I was willing to give up my standards to make you happy. Now you tell me it’s not enough.”
Now I’m pissed. “Willing to give up your standards? Oh, that sounds super sexy and romantic. How can I resist?”
“This isn’t a chick flick. This is real life.”
I lock eyes with him. “You’re right. This is real life. And the one I’m living in doesn’t include a man who has to be talked into making love, nor do his standards need to be bartered to satisfy me. I want him to crave my soul and my body, as I do his. We’re not compatible, Peter.”
That last comment hits him like a brick. He turns and walks out, leaving me standing alone in the center of the room, knowing Nikos Santini has made a bigger impression than I realized.
I’m pulled from my thoughts by the ringtone of my cell. When I retrieve it from the pocket in my purse, I see Valentino’s name.
“Hi. Did I forget something?”
“Yeah. You forgot to kiss me goodbye.”
Oh shit, it’s Nikos.
“What are you doing using your father’s phone?”
“You might not have answered, otherwise. And I need you to hear me out.”
I walk into the bedroom and put him on speaker.
“You’re on speaker, just so you know.”
“Why? Who’s there? What are you doin’?”
“My friend just left. I’m just going through my mail,” I say unbuttoning my blouse. I throw it in the hamper and unzip my pants.
“Really? That’s interesting because I just heard you unzip your pants. Is your mail down there?”
Oh my God! “Do you have supersonic hearing?”
He laughs. “Why’d you lie? Are you afraid I’ll be picturing you naked? Because you’d be right.”
Oh crap. My libido is ticking away like a bomb. The pants go.
“To tell you the truth, you scare me a little. And I’m not scared of much,” I say.
He stays silent for a beat.
“Let go, Jenny. I promise I’ll bite.”
I feel the pinch deep inside me. Jesus H. Christ. He’ll bite. I sit on the bed.
“I told you I can’t. It would be awkward seeing you at your parents’.”
“I’m leaving in a few days. The morning of the fifth. What about having a fireworks celebration of our own? My family always goes to the Park for Fourth of July. We’d have the house to ourselves. And you won’t see me again, if that’s what you want.”
What I want is to sit on his face, but what I say is, “I’ve got to think about it.”
“Good. That’s not a no. In the meantime, tell me what you’re doing right now. And don’t lie.”
“I’m sittin
g on the bed.”
“What’re you wearing?”
For a few moments I consider stopping this train that barrels toward me. But why? Every reason I had is losing its power. Besides, I’m young and in desperate need of a good screwing. I take him off speaker and bring the cell to my ear.
“Did you hear me?” he says.
“Just my bra and panties.”
There’s an intake of his breath.
“What color are they?
I’m not about to say they don’t match and I’m wearing my favorite white sports bra and nondescript beige panties.
“Pink with white lace,” I lie.
“Nice. Let me have a look.”
“What?”
“Take off the bra. I want to see and feel you.”
“How do you propose to do that?”
“With your words and my imagination. Come on, I’m getting hard. Want to see?”
Oh my God. Never have I been this turned on sitting alone in my room.
“Yes. Show me,” I whisper.
I hear the bed squeak with the movement of his body, clothes rustling as they’re discarded. Then he settles.
“Oh yeah. Look, I’m ready for you.”
“Are you touching it?”
“I’m stroking it and it feels good. It’s so hard. Wish it was your hand on me, or better yet your mouth around the head. Would you do that?”
My heart rate jumps with the thought. “I’d suck you dry.”
I surprised us both with that one. It sounds very confident but in reality, I’m squeezing my eyes shut as if I’m waiting to be shot for saying such a nasty thing. An unintelligible sound leaves his mouth and I hear the change in his breathing. That’s all I need to hear. He liked me saying that. I’m going to get into this and let him know he’s not the only passionate one here.
“Take my nipple in your mouth. Here,” I offer.
I put my fingers in my bra and play with my erect nipple. He’s not saying a word, but I can tell he’s stroking faster which delights me to no end.
“Suck it,” I say. I can hear his hand against his cock. “Harder!” I order.
“Oh yeah, baby, I’ll suck them any way you want! Take your fucking panties off! Do it now.”
“No. My hand’s in there and I don’t want to stop. Let me show you. I’m pulling my panties to the side. See my pussy?”
He’s moaning now.
“Isn’t it pretty shaved clean? Look, Nikos, I’m parting my lips for you to see it all. Oh! I’m so wet.”
“Oh yeah. Yeah! Let me put my mouth on you! Let me have a taste!” he yells.
My voice softens to barely a whisper. “Do you like my scent? Your tongue. Lick me right here, on my clit.”
And with that I hear him start to come. It’s a loud, long, deep and strong orgasm that ends with heavy breathing.
“Son of a bitch, woman. Holy fuuuuuck!”
I just giggle with pleasure. I did that to him!
“Wait! I’ve never come so fast. It’s your turn now. I know you didn’t come,” he says breathlessly.
“No. But I could have. I still can.”
I stretch out atop my comforter and put the cell back on speaker. I sigh with pleasure as my fingers find their mark.
“Talk to me, Nikos.”
“If I was there I’d peel your panties off. The bra too. Do it for me.”
His breathing is still labored. I do as asked and feel as if he’s right here watching.
“Oh, you’re beautiful, Jenny. Touch yourself, like you know how. Tell me what makes you wet.”
“You do.”
“Mmmm. That’s what I want to hear. Do you like it when I play with your nipples?”
“Oh yes. I like it a lot.”
“Am I doing it too hard? Or do you like when I pull them erect?”
Oh God, my fingers go faster.
“I love when you do that.”
“Spread your legs for me. Let me get between them. That’s good. I can see your juices. Are you wet because of me?”
Faster. Round and around, over my hooded clit.
“Yes! I want your cock in me. Put it in now!”
“Godamned it, Jenny, I’m hard again. Oh yeah. It feels so good. Let me run it up and down against your lips. That’s right, baby. Open up.”
I spread my legs wide, as if he’s mounting me, but my fingers don’t lose their purpose.
“Oh, Nikos. Fuck me! Fuck me right now!”
Deep inside me an explosion of mind and matter detonates. I’m split in a thousand pieces, all alive with the effect of him.
5
Nikos
She hasn’t left my thoughts. I figured there might be a wild woman hiding behind the curtain, but I grossly underestimated her abilities to let loose. Jackpot! It’s a lethal mix to be innocent looking while underneath a gypsy waits to dance.
And now the hours are moving slowly.
This day took much longer than it should have to arrive. From the time we had phone sex to now was only seventy-two hours, but it felt like forever. I made sure I was at Dad’s physical therapy under the guise of “helping out”. She was friendly and warm, but there were no secret looks or stolen moments. I couldn’t get her to break.
We’ve talked on the phone at least twice a day. I tried to get a repeat performance. She declined. Interesting. She’d just laugh and say, ‘Let’s save it for the Fourth’. But in those conversations, we started to learn things about each other. Our histories, and what kind of things we love and what turns us off. Our favorite movies and songs. What’s made us sad in our lives.
She’s an interesting woman. Some guy will be lucky to find her. She’s smart. I’ve never been with a girl who made that quality so appealing. I’m a pig to have that thought, but it’s true. It’s just a matter of the choices I’ve made. In my experience the girls were either really smart or wild and sexy, never both. Sometimes street smart for sure. But Jenny is innately intelligent and naturally sexy. I’m wildly attracted. Why does that make me feel so good? What the hell do I care? I’m leaving tomorrow morning.
I smooth the fresh sheets and pull the comforter half way up. No need to waste any time once we’re here. My eyes scan the bedroom for anything out of place. No random underwear lying under the bed or in a corner. The flowers next to the bed were put there by my mother, but it’s a nice touch. She has no idea it’s going to be Jenny who appreciates them.
But my most important surprise of the night is loaded on my phone, ready for its debut. I chuckle with the thought of how she’s going to love it. I think. Good thing she told me about her favorite movie.
“Nikos!”
I hear my mother’s voice coming up the stairs. She knocks on my open door.
“Darling, want some breakfast? Lana and Robert are picking us up for the celebration at one. We need to claim our spot at the Park.”
“The guys are meeting me at Starbucks. We’re gonna have a goodbye coffee.”
Her head tilts. “Oh, I wish you could stay a little longer, honey. Any chance of that? I miss my baby.”
I move to her and pick her up, twirling her around the room.
“Baby? Who you callin’ baby?”
“Ohhhh! Put me down! Nikos!”
I laugh and return her to an upright position. But she can’t fool me. She loved it.
“Oh my God! I’m dizzy.” She slaps my arm in a mock protest.
“Wish I could stay, Mom. I’d do it.” I get a doubtful look for an answer. “Really I would. But I’ve got rehearsals.”
She looks at me and her eyes narrow. “Would you stay if Jenny asked you?”
My head moves back as if I was just smacked in the face. “What the hell brought that on? What has Jenny got to do with anything?”
Her head nods in agreement with herself. “Ah huh. I think he doth protest too much.”
With that she turns and walks away. What is that thing she has? ESP? A mother’s intuition. Whatever it is, it’s annoying.
“How come Lana isn’t here?” says Dion.
“We said our goodbyes last night. She and Robert have fireworks duty.”
“Are you going tonight? We’re going to be there,” says Alexander.
I can’t stop the smile that breaks out on my face. Or the lifting of my eyebrows.
“What?” Christos says.
“I’m going to be entertaining Jenny.”
A chorus of my brothers’ voices rise over the normal conversations in the room.
“I told you! The little asshole is gunning for the physical therapist!” Nash adds.
“Gregory told us,” Christos says shaking his head.
“Jesus. Quiet down. We’re making a scene,” I say.
“I was the first one to notice. The football game, the pool, what’d you think? Nikos doesn’t give a shit about sports.” Alexander waves them off dismissively.
“So, tell us. What’s she like?” says Dion leaning in.
“She’s awesome. She’s smart and interesting to talk with. And she’s sexy as hell.”
Christos puts his hands in the air, stopping the conversation. “Wait! Did anybody else feel the chill? I’m pretty sure Hell just froze over.”
“I did,” says Nash, faking a shiver.
“It’s cold in here, right,” says Dion.
“I may lose some fingers and toes,” adds Alexander.
“What?” I say completely stymied.
“Brother, you put smart and interesting before sexy. That’s never happened.” “You’re becoming a man!” Nash says, wiping imaginary tears from his eyes.
“And he said he likes talking to her. I wasn’t sure the little asshole realized that was an option,” Christos says with a smirk.
I shake off their stupid assessments. “You’re all reading too much into that remark. You sound just like your mother.”
Nash lets loose with a laugh. “Did she notice too?”
“Whatever,” I say.
“That’s a big fucking yes!” Alexander chuckles.
“Have you two consummated the relationship?” Dion asks.
I shoot him a disgusted look. “No. Not that it’s any of your business. Shit. I’m sorry I brought it up.”