by Pamela Yaye
“You were incredible tonight. Hospitable, engaging, gracious and sweet,” Dante praised, his tone and his expression one of pride. “And you can really throw down in the kitchen. I didn’t realize I’d married a world-class chef until I tasted your mushroom fusilli!”
Jordana burst out laughing. She couldn’t believe Dante of all people had enjoyed her food.
“You’ve been holding out on me.”
“I’m a woman of many talents.”
“That you are, and I look forward to discovering each and every one of them.”
He was flirting with her, bold in his approach, and Jordana liked it. Liked that he knew what he wanted, and wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. For as long as she could remember, she’d always had a thing for suave, cocky guys, and Dante was no exception. The more time they spent together—experimenting in the kitchen, swimming with Matteo in the family pool, working out at the gym—the more comfortable Jordana felt playing his wife. She was looking forward to their movie date tomorrow night with Markos and his on-again, off-again surgeon girlfriend.
“I didn’t know you had auditions coming up until Sunny mentioned it. Why didn’t you say anything?” he asked, touching a hand to her waist.
“Because I didn’t want you to tease me.”
“Why? You’re not auditioning for a SpongeBob SquarePants cartoon are you?”
“No, a music video for Renegade’s new single, ‘On Fleek.’ If you make fun of me, I’m going to knock you out,” she joked.
“When did you start auditioning for music videos?”
“I usually don’t, but Fallon asked me to give it a try, and I agreed.” Remembering the conversation she’d had with her agent yesterday, she said, “Lots of movie stars got their start on the small screen. Angelina Jolie, Halle Berry and Julia Roberts have all been in music videos. Since they’ve all won Oscars, I think landing the part could open a lot of doors for me.”
“Yeah, bedroom doors.” His eyes darkened with anger. “I don’t like Renegade’s music.”
“Well, I do,” she said, refusing to let Dante dampen her spirits. Her agent was friends with the director, and there was a good chance she’d be one of the five girls selected for the shoot. “And since the pay is fantastic, I’ll be there bright and early Friday morning.”
“Jordana, you don’t need to work. All you need to do is look good on my arm, take care of Matteo and ensure everything is running smoothly here at the estate.”
Her toes curled inside her pumps. His words bothered her, but she kept her temper in check. They’d had a wonderful evening, and she didn’t want to ruin it by arguing with Dante about her acting career. Sure, he gave great advice, and supported her wholeheartedly, but Fallon knew the business better than anyone and Jordana was going to trust her.
“Dante, simmer down. Don’t get your tighty whities in a bunch...”
He cracked a smile, and Jordana knew he was eating out of the palm of her hand.
“It’s just an audition. I don’t have the part yet. Besides, the chances of Renegade picking me are slim to none. There’ll be hundreds of young, tantalizing beauties there, and as your son so aptly pointed out this afternoon while we were playing soccer, I’m way old.”
“He’s four. Don’t listen to him. You don’t look a day over twenty-nine,” he said, with a sly grin.
Jordana stuck out her tongue. “Thanks. You’re too kind.”
“Just calling it like I see it.” He reached out, and touched her hair. “I miss your curls.”
“You do? I thought you’d prefer something more mainstream and less Bohemian chic. Isn’t that what you wanted?”
“No, not at all. I always want you to be you. Curls and all.”
Her eyebrows shot up. “I’m confused.”
“I screwed up, and I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings, or make you think you’re not good enough. I was worried about you being photographed at thrift stores and garage sales, but I went about it the wrong way.”
His tone was full of warmth and sincerity, and she sensed he was telling her the truth. “Is that all it was? Thank God. I thought you hated my style.”
“You couldn’t be more wrong. I love your look.”
“You do?”
“Isn’t it obvious? I’ve been staring at you all night. If we didn’t have company, I would have ripped your dress off and made love to you on the dining-room table twice.”
The expression on his face, and his bold declaration, shook her to the core, leaving her breathless. His gaze was filled with lust, and pierced her flesh with desire.
“I’ve wanted you from the moment I first saw you.”
Blown away, she listened with rapt attention, her eyes wide and her mouth agape.
“You were dating my friend,” he said, his voice resigned. “I didn’t want to do anything to disrespect him or your relationship, so I kept my distance. But my feelings for you never changed...haven’t changed... I want you now more than ever.”
His hands moved down her neck, over her shoulders and along her hips. His caress aroused her. Excited her. Made her heart dance and her knees weak. Her temperature rose, warming her skin, and her breasts swelled under her designer gown. Desperate for his touch, the thought of his skillful tongue against her flesh caused her nipples to harden.
“We’re going to renegotiate the terms of our deal, right here, right now.”
Jordana couldn’t get her thoughts in order, or her mouth to work. She didn’t know when or how it happened, but her body was pressed against his, and her hands were draped around his neck. Her gaze slid down his physique and zeroed in on the wide bulge in his pants. She felt his erection against her thighs, and moved closer. Dante oozed sex appeal from every pore, and she had a hell of a time keeping her eyes on his face and off his crotch. Her mouth was wet, salivating at the thought of his naked body, and her hands itched to touch him. Jordana wanted Dante between her legs, pleasing her, stroking her—
Jordana pressed her eyes shut, and dropped her hands to her sides. “No. We can’t. Things will get complicated and messy and I don’t want to ruin our friendship.”
“That will never happen,” he said in a strong, convincing tone. “I won’t let it.”
Jordana clamped her lips together to prevent the truth from spilling out. If she was being honest with herself, she’d always had feelings for Dante—romantic, sexual feelings she struggled to control whenever he was nearby—and that would likely never change. From the day they’d met he’d had a reoccurring role in her dreams and dominated her every thought. Isn’t that why she’d lied to Tavares about being celibate? She wanted sex, just not with him. He was a nice enough guy—successful, ambitious, from a great family—but he didn’t light her fire. Not the way Dante did. Truth be told, when Tavares dumped her, she’d felt relieved, not sad, and had secretly hoped to one day have a chance with Dante. Here it was, her opportunity to come clean, but she couldn’t do it. Baring her soul was risky, and she’d rather be alone than take a chance on love.
“Are you attracted to me?”
“I’m attracted to a lot of people,” she lied, faking bravado.
“That’s not what I asked you.”
Jordana tapped the face of her watch. “Oh, wow, look at the time. I’m going to finish up in the kitchen then go to bed. Sleep well, Dante. See you in the morning!”
Spinning around, her heart beating erratically, her legs wobbling, she took off down the hall. She didn’t get far. Dante grabbed her around the waist, thwarting her escape. He led her into the living room, sat down on the couch and pulled her down onto his lap. “You’re not going anywhere. The kitchen staff will clean up. That’s their job.”
“I sent them home after dessert.”
His hands caressed her legs, slowly moving up her thighs. “Smart move. Now w
e don’t have to worry about anyone interrupting us.”
“What are you doing?”
“Fulfilling my marital vows. I promised to cherish you, and that’s what I’m going to do.”
Heat burned her cheeks, spread from her ears to her toes. Jordana couldn’t resist him. Not tonight. Not when he looked at her like that, and showered her with compliments and praise. Overwhelmed with explicit thoughts—thoughts of sexing him in every room of the estate—her breathing sped up, and her heartbeat roared in her ears.
“Do you want me?”
Yes! Yes! Yes! Let’s do this!
The truth must have showed on her face, because he crushed his lips to her mouth and devoured them. Over and over again he kissed her. Passionately, fervently, urgently, as if his next breath depended on it. I must be dreaming. This can’t be real. But his hand inside her panties was very real, kindling her body’s fire with every stroke.
“You’re wet for me,” he said, between kisses. “I like...”
A moan fell from her lips, then another. He probed her sex, moved his nimble fingers in a deliciously slow rhythm. He was turning her out, using everything in his arsenal to excite her, and she loved every minute of it. She rode his fingers, bucked against them, gripped his hand to control the pace. Her first time—a painful, five-minute romp with a college freshman at a raucous frat party—was a disaster and Jordana wished she could erase it from her memory. Since she couldn’t she’d do the next best thing. Have her way with Dante. Tonight, Jordana was calling the shots. She would be in complete control. She wasn’t a shy, timid virgin anymore; she was the bold, sexy teacher. She knew what she liked, what she wanted, and it was Dante.
Grabbing his shirt collar, she kissed him hard on the mouth. Jordana was stunned by the savage intensity of the kiss, but didn’t stop licking and sucking his lips. She kissed him harder. Deeper. With the passion flowing through her veins. She made love to him with her mouth, nibbled on it as if it were fruit.
Draping her arms around his neck, she dug her hands into his hair, rubbing and massaging his scalp. He groaned, and her heart soared with pride. Suddenly, her dress felt restrictive, tighter than a straitjacket, so she unzipped it. Pushing it down her hips, she tossed it on the floor. A devilish grin covered his face. He made her feel sexy, desirable, and it was the ultimate turn-on.
“That was my job.”
“You were taking too long.”
“I thought you didn’t want me. Didn’t want this.”
“And I thought you were an astute businessman skilled at reading between the lines.”
“Come here, and I’ll show you just how skilled I am.”
Dante turned her over on her stomach, cupped her breasts from behind and blew a warm breath against the base of her ear. Pleasure careened down her spine. He sprayed kisses across her neck, shoulders and along her back. Not knowing where his lips would end up next made her body tingle with anticipation. Starting at her toes, he worked his way up her legs to her thighs, stroked, caressed and licked her as if pleasing her was his sole mission in life.
“You have a beautiful ass.” Dante lowered his mouth to her bottom, and pressed a kiss to each plump cheek. “It’s round and tight, and I love how it fits perfectly in my hands.”
“Is that all you love?” she teased, tossing a coy smile over her shoulder.
“No, I love everything.”
“Don’t tell me. Show me.” Hearing the words leave her mouth, her eyes widened. She’d never been this bold with a lover, but Dante made her feel alive and confident. Since tonight was about letting go, she ripped the shirt from his chest, and yanked it down his shoulders. To show how much she desired him, she kissed from his neck to his nipples and his six-pack. There was nothing she wouldn’t do for Dante, and pleasing him was the only thing on her mind. Unzipping his pants, she slid a hand inside his boxer briefs. He was well endowed, and she trembled at the sight of his long, stiff erection. At a loss for words, all she could do was stare. And drool.
“I love your lips...your breasts...your legs...and right here.” He slid his erection against her sex, moving it back and forth, up and down. “I love this the most.”
His pulse-pounding smile, coupled with his piercing gaze, pushed her over the edge. Scared she’d scream, and wake up the entire neighborhood, she pressed her lips together, trapping a moan inside. This was heaven. Nirvana. The only place in the world she wanted to be.
“Baby, are you okay? Is it too deep? Do you want me to stop?”
“If you do, I’ll kill you!”
“Spoken like a true Aries,” he shot back, with a hearty chuckle.
“I’ve fantasized about this moment for weeks, and I don’t want it to end.”
“If that’s how you felt, then why didn’t you make the first move?”
It was hard to think straight, with his fingers playing between her legs, tickling and swirling around in her curls, but she gave her head a shake, and forced her lips to move. “Because we’re friends and I didn’t want things to be awkward between us if things went south.”
“Is that all I am to you? Just a friend?”
“What would you like to be?”
“Your everything...”
He kissed the tip of her nose, the corners of her lips, pressing his mouth to her earlobe. Jordana shivered. To have and to hold had taken on a whole new meaning, and for as long as she lived she’d never forget how cherished and adored he’d made her feel tonight. She opened her mouth to suggest they go upstairs to his suite, but it was too late. One swift thrust and Dante was inside her, pumping his legs and swiveling his hips. It was the most erotic moment of her life, and Jordana knew she’d be reliving it for years to come.
Their lovemaking was fast and furious, fraught with lust, and as they moved together as one—one mind, one body, one heart—she clung desperately to him. Dante took her to heights and depths she’d never experienced. To a world filled with vivid lights and colors and music, and when he whispered naughty words in her ears, passion erupted inside her body.
Jordana was lost. Out of it. In another stratosphere. Experiencing an earth-shattering orgasm that knocked the wind out of her. She tried to control the trembling in her limbs, but pleasure shot to her core, and she cried out for the second time in minutes.
Her head spinning out of control, Jordana collapsed against the sofa cushions. She’d never climaxed that fast, but before she could catch her breath another one hit. But, still, it wasn’t enough. Greedy for more, she spread her legs wide, and thrust her hips against his erection, pulling him deeper inside.
“You like that, baby?”
“Do. I. Ever.”
“Jordana, I’m all in. All yours. There will never be anyone else for me. Only you.”
“That’s the champagne talking,” she teased, determined to keep her wits about her. Now was not the time to overthink things, to start talking and acting crazy. This was sex—incredible, passionate, mind-blowing—and nothing more.
“I’m not drunk.”
Jordana tenderly caressed his face. “No promises, okay? Let’s just enjoy tonight.”
“One night just won’t do.” Gazing down at her, he slid his hands across her back and roughly grabbed her ass. “You’re the most enthusiastic lover I’ve ever had, and I just can’t get enough. The more I have, the more I want.”
“It’s easy to be enthusiastic when I’m with you. You’re amazing.”
“Keep talking like that, and I’m going to lock you up and throw away the key!”
“Please do.” Jordana sucked his nipple into her mouth, hungrily, as if it were smothered in chocolate and he was her favorite dessert. “I could definitely get used to this.”
He pressed his eyes shut, thrusting harder, deeper, filling her sex with his delicious length. His head fell back, and groans and gru
nts streamed out of his lips, filling the air. Sweat dripped from his brow, and he was breathing heavily as if he’d just finished a marathon. His face tensed, then his body went perfectly still. Jordana expected Dante to collapse onto the couch, and fall asleep, but he surprised her. He stood, in all his masculine glory, scooped her up in his arms, and cradled her to his chest. “Where are we going?”
“Upstairs.”
“Are you tired?”
“No,” he said slyly. “That was the warm-up. Now it’s time for the main event.”
Jordana licked her lips. “Let the games begin!”
Chapter 14
Jordana awoke with a jolt, bolted upright in bed and rubbed the sleep from her eyes. Sunshine spilled into the master bedroom through the wide-open French doors, filling the elegantly decorated suite with light, and the warm breeze carried a floral scent.
Taking in her posh surroundings, Jordana realized two things at once: it wasn’t a dream. She had, in fact, sexed Dante all night long, and two, she’d overslept and missed breakfast with Matteo—her favorite part of the day.
Groaning, she tossed aside the gold satin sheets, and dragged her aching body out of the king-size bed. A gasp fell from her lips. She was naked and there were traces of chocolate and whip cream between her thighs.
Shame burned her cheeks, surging through her veins. Searching frantically for her dress, Jordana chastised herself for succumbing to her desires and having unprotected sex with Dante. How many times had they made love? Three, four, five times? Delirious with need, she’d lost count of how many orgasms she’d had.
Jordana thought hard for several seconds, and everything came flooding back—flirting with Dante during dinner, ripping off his clothes, the climax that stole her breath. It was the most thrilling, romantic night of her life. His tender kisses, caresses and heartfelt words touched her soul, proved they had a special bond that could never be broken. And the sex was toe-curling, spine-tingling, smack-your-mama good. So good, in fact, it was all Jordana could think about.
