“You and Mr. Drake have been so busy entertaining company this week you’ll be needing to get away for a wee holiday, I should think. Though tonight should be fun—going to the Royale and all. I always wanted to try it, but my hubby’s not in favor,” she commented as she kept her hands busy with food preparation. Martha had previously filled me in on her husband and their two daughters, who were both away at college.
“We’re going fly-fishing on Saturday.”
“That sounds lovely. What a nice thing for you. Have you fished before?”
“No, but I’m really looking forward to it.” And that was the truth. And it gave me hope. But did Adam and I really want the same things? Sure, it was fun to create fantasies for a week, but real life wasn’t like that. Real life was hard work and sacrifice. My mother’s exact mantra, word for word. And I’d be a fool to think I can escape that destiny. I’d rather one week of amazing than a lifetime of nothing special.
I finished my tea, wishing I could see into the future.
“Would you be liking your tea leaves read?”
Martha’s suggestion startled me, considering what I had been thinking.
“Um, sure, that sounds like fun,” I ventured. She nodded and dug out a quaint old teapot with an old-fashioned blue and white design. She added two spoonfuls of tea leaves and then poured hot water from the dispenser over them. As she let it steep, she took two pretty china teacups from the cupboard. I joined her and helped her to carry all the tea things to the window table where I liked to sit.
“Drink the tea, but be careful to save the leaves in the bottom,” she instructed.
I blew on the golden-brown liquid to cool it and drank it in huge gulps, impatient for what she had to tell me. Not that I’m superstitious or anything like that, but I liked the idea of a signpost.
“Ah,” she said in a conspiratorial manner, as she peered intently into my empty cup with its tealeaf dregs still visible on the bottom. “You are soon to be married. And,” her eyes brightened considerably with the idea, perhaps because she wanted her own grandchildren, “you will have a child within a year’s time.”
Both seemed highly unlikely, but I didn’t want to hurt her feelings. She had been good to me, made me feel very welcome. I valued her friendship. The thought of breaking it off with Adam and never seeing her again made me queasy and I chewed on my lip, concerned. She was my idea of the ideal mother, thinking of the poor excuse my own mother could be at times. Life had fallout, no matter what path you chose.
“My, look at the time, Sunday! You’ll be needing to get ready soon.”
I checked my watch and realized it was five o’clock. Time for the usual shower and makeup session. And I had to check my email to see if Adam had sent his special instructions for tonight’s fantasy. That gave me a burst of energy.
“Thanks for the tea reading.” I smiled at the older woman as I carried the things to the sink and helped her to rinse things. I was about to put the teapot in the dishwasher when she stopped me.
“Land’s sake, child, you can’t put a teapot through a dishwasher. It will spoil it.”
“Oops, sorry. I didn’t know.”
“Nothing to worry about. What are you planning on wearing to the casino? They dress up right fancy for that place.”
“Not sure. Adam likes to pick out my clothes.”
“He’s besotted with you, Sunday. Never saw him like this before.”
“Really?” I couldn’t help the word escaping, thinking of Allison, Adam’s ex. So far this week she had kept her distance and not shown at any of the events. I could only hope my luck continued.
“Well, my goodness, you must know that.”
Yeah, right.
“Thanks again, Martha. See you at breakfast.”
I left the room, wondering if she could be right. Was there hope for me and Adam?
I showered and scrubbed, shaved and tweezed and was feeling quite girly by six fifteen. Checking my messages, I found one from Adam with an attachment. My heart began to thump as I opened it. This would be very interesting.
* * * * *
And then, standing naked, she unbuttoned my jeans, slowly unzipping them. My cock burst free and she licked her lips as she looked at me. She leaned forward and took my cock into her hot, willing mouth. I grasped her hair with my hands and drew her against me. Thrusting my hips, I pumped my cock into her mouth and felt her throat open. My tempo increased as she took all of me, right down to the base. I gasped as I felt my inevitable orgasm begin—there was no stopping it. And then I was pumping my cum into her sweet mouth. She sucked me dry.
It was my turn. I positioned her for easy access and pulled her pussy lips apart. Her cunt was a pretty sight and instantly made me hard again. This woman made me insatiable. I licked up and down her inner lips and then drew her tiny pearl-like clit into my mouth and sucked gently on it, making her shudder. I stuck my tongue in as far as I could before thrusting in two of my fingers to finger-fuck her. Her hot pussy flooded with moisture and I lapped up her cream. She tasted wonderful, like honey.
I turned her over and pulled her ass toward me, thrust my cock into her, right to the hilt, loving my balls slapping against her ass. I drove myself into her over and over. I never wanted the sensation to end. It was great to be buried balls-deep in her. Over and over I slammed into her, her cries of encouragement all I wanted to hear.
I flooded her with my hot cum, no barrier between us. She arched her back as she screamed my name over and over as she had orgasm after orgasm. We collapsed together and slept ‘til the dawn when we bathed together and went fly-fishing.
* * * * *
I laughed aloud at the last bit. Fly-fishing indeed!
And the no-barrier part. Was he hinting? Maybe, but birth control took time to work and with only a few days at our disposal, there was no time for it to become fully effective. Condoms were a no-brainer and had to stay—for now.
I got up to check out the closet when a knock sounded at my door. Adam. I hurried to answer it and found my handsome man dressed to the nines, looking sexy as hell.
“Hey, handsome!” I responded, still hopped up from reading his fantasy.
“Hey, beautiful!”
He pulled me into his arms, giving me a huge kiss as he bent me backward at the waist. His tongue invaded my mouth and I sucked it farther inside, thinking of doing the same thing to the other appendage I could feel pressing into my groin. He groaned. Perfect.
“I wish we had more time, but we have to hurry tonight, beautiful. But later, I promise to make it up to you.”
“I’m holding you to it!” I quipped, disappointment and anticipation coursing through me in equal parts.
“We need to choose your outfit ASAP.”
“You mean you need to choose it ASAP,” I teased, watching him stride over to the closet.
“Ah, I’m thinking a short dress, curve-hugging and tempting to the eye.”
“You are aware we will be in public?”
I eyed the short black dress he pulled out of the closet. Made of spandex, it would hug every curve.
“And that’s a problem, why?” he asked, bemused by my inquiry. “You don’t think I can keep you safe? But, on second thought, why tempt fate?” he mused and dived back into the closet, coming out with a floor-length gown that was flattering and a whole lot less revealing.
“Perfect,” I announced, remembering how I’d liked it on Sunday night when he’d bought it for me.
“No, you are,” he came back, with a fast answer.
Maybe Julie and Martha were onto something.
“Excuse me?” I wanted to know more.
“You’re perfect.”
“Careful, you’ll make my head swell. Besides, I’m far from perfect, Adam,” I warned him. He had no idea of how far from perfect I was. I was confused by life, confused by my present situation and confused by the future. Not my idea of perfect.
“You sell yourself short, beautiful. You’re bright, entertaini
ng as all get-out and beautiful, not to mention fun to be around. And apparently you’ll even try fly-fishing. What’s not perfect in that?” he teased and set the dress on the bed. “Want help changing?”
“No, I’ll never get dressed!” I pushed his hands away. I liked his confidence in me.
“Fine, I’ll expect you downstairs in five.”
He left the room and I hurried to dress. Oh I loved the feel of the silken fabric against my skin. The golden dress was of a shimmery material with intricate beadwork on the strapless bodice and layers of chiffon floating in multi-layers cut on the bias from knee to hem. It was absolutely gorgeous and I wished that Julie could see it in person instead of the selfie I would be sending her. One more photo for my memory box on Pinterest.
I picked up my evening bag, refreshed my lipstick and headed for the hall. Adam was waiting for me. He turned to watch me descend the stairs. His hungry eyes on me, seeming to penetrate through my dress, made my pussy quiver. I gulped. Later.
“So beautiful,” he murmured and took my hand to spin me around. He pulled me tightly into his arms. He began to dance, twirling me around to a tune he hummed aloud. I followed his lead, mesmerized. Every Breath You Take. A perfect tune. He dipped me down for a kiss at the end of our dance, his strong arms keeping me safe.
“I think I’m falling for you, Sunday Rose Stark,” he whispered in my ear. My eyes widened at the admission, not knowing how to respond. When I did not answer him right away, I looked into his eyes and caught a glimpse of disappointment.
“Adam,” I began.
“No time, darling! We’ve got to go.”
He hurried me along and out the door and into the waiting limo, all in a rush. I had let him down. Remember what he promised. Compromise. He’s not the type to lie. That thought made me feel worse. I should let him know that I was beginning to see him for who he really was. I wanted to, I really did, but a lifetime of repression was hard to overcome, so I sat and waited.
Adam was silent for the fifteen-minute ride to the Casino Royale. I tried once or twice to engage him in easy conversation, but to no avail. His brooding face was turned partially away from me. Sadness crept into my heart. Maybe I was wrong not to trust that we could work. And right now I felt so far away from perfect it made my heart ache.
“Adam, and Sunday Rose, how wonderful to see you both this evening,” Jonathon greeted us at the entrance to the high-rollers section on the casino floor.
Apparently we were the guests of honor for Jonathon and his brother George this evening. The evening had been planned by their team. Fine with me. It was a welcome change from entertaining at Dragonstone, though I wished I could put a happier look on Adam’s handsome face. I racked my brain for ideas. But I promised myself right there and then that I would really talk with him later, when we were alone. Let him know why I was so hesitant. See if a compromise couldn’t be worked out.
“Please, if you’ll follow me, I’ll introduce you to our other guests for the evening.”
I obediently followed the man, walking beside Adam. A waitress, dressed in a skimpy costume that would make my momma’s eyes bug out, stopped by with a tray of champagne and offered us two crystal flutes. I sipped at mine while Adam downed his in one go and took another one from the tray. Great. Now he was drinking more than usual because of me. I felt a hell of a long way from being anywhere near perfect tonight.
Jessica walked up to us and I greeted her. She received a curt nod from Adam. I wished she hadn’t made the list of guests. She was looking good in a slinky black halterneck dress and seemed to be on her best behavior, even smiling nicely at me and asking after my welfare.
“I’m good and you?” I politely responded. Something in her eyes bothered me, though what I could not say. Perhaps it was that she looked a little more smug than usual or perhaps I was just being paranoid.
“I’m very well, thank you. Have you been introduced to Allison Weller yet this evening?”
My heart skipped a beat. She was here?
“Ah, no, I haven’t seen her,” I managed to croak out. Butterflies were giving up the ghost in my stomach.
“I do want you two to meet. She’s around here some place. She was invited.” She craned her neck around as if expecting her friend to appear at any second. She went on with her spiel. “She desperately wants to thank you for filling in for her this week. I told her it wasn’t necessary, that you were getting paid and all. But she’s so gracious, she said she just had to thank you in person.” Her tone dripped with condescension.
My courage failed me. What could I say? My stirrings of trust appeared foolish in the wake of this knowledge.
“Please excuse me, I need to find the powder room,” I mumbled. The image of her smiling victorious face bedeviled me all the way to the bathroom. How could I have been so stupid? I didn’t fit in Adam’s world. He’d just been being kind to me, complimenting me while he enjoyed his fantasy romps with the hired help. I took a deep breath. I needed to calm down before I hyperventilated.
I stayed away as long as I dared. Then remembering I was getting paid, I shoved my shoulders back and escaped the bathroom. I rounded a corner and saw Adam talking intently to a woman I did not recognize. I stopped, sensing things weren’t right. My eyes took in the gorgeous woman, her confident demeanor, her regal bearing. She laid a practiced hand on Adam’s lapel, her actions seductive and meant to please. At that moment, as I wanted to scratch the interloper’s eyes out, I understood the situation. Red hair. Allison had made her long-delayed appearance.
I wanted to sink into the floor and never be seen again. I wanted to run like hell all the way back to my apartment. I just wanted to stop the pain that was now slicing my heart in two. And yet I could not take my eyes off them.
“No, that’s not ever going to happen! You and I are through.”
Adam’s raised voice shocked me. What? My heart leapt into my throat. Had I heard that right? Was he turning her down?
She pulled away and slapped him across the face. Hard. And then she stalked away, her high heels sounding loudly on the floor.
Adam turned and saw me for the first time. His face was flushed with color. His anger softened as we locked eyes.
And then I was moving toward him. He crushed me to his chest. Kissed me soundly.
“I’m sorry you had to witness that,” he said softly, his fingers tucking a lock of hair behind my ear.
I buried my face in his chest. Breathed in his tantalizing fragrance. I wanted badly for us to be alone.
I pulled back and looked him in the eyes. “I take it that was the elusive ex?”
He nodded. “Yes, she unexpectedly showed up. Not sure who invited her.”
I knew, but I wasn’t going to say. It wasn’t my place. Besides, I was experiencing something rare and beautiful and I was going to savor it. A sensation of the world being a whole lot brighter than it was just minutes ago.
“I have some business with Jonathon, and then we can head home.”
“Sure,” the word slipped easily from my lips. “I’ll mingle.”
George eyed me from across the floor, surrounded by a bevy of woman all vying to blow on his dice for the craps game he was shooting. My mood had vastly improved. I thought about Adam’s fantasy. His script was essentially vanilla in tone. I wondered what gave. I’d thought he preferred more. Did I? I enjoyed making love with Adam whether we roleplayed or not. I checked out Adam as he talked with Jonathon. I sighed inwardly. I could write a hot romance novel about his body alone.
George was suddenly in front of me, taking my hand and gushing over it as he kissed the back of it. I’d missed his passage across the room.
“Can I buy you a drink, oh beautiful one?”
I held up the one in my left hand in a silent salute.
“A toast then, to the beautiful Sunday Rose. Do you throw craps?”
I shook my head, wishing Adam and I could go home soon. I wanted time alone, not pretending interest in other things. Or at leas
t I was pretending. For Adam it was probably business as usual.
“Jonathon and Adam are occupied with business. It would be my extreme pleasure to show you how to play craps.”
Laying it on a bit thick, aren’t we?
“Okay,” I relented. I was there to be nice to the guests.
I let George run the show. He instructed me on the finer points of the game, set down some game markers, and then handed me the dice, stating grandly, “I’ll bankroll your first go, m’lady!”
I rolled the black-and-white dice in the palm of my hand, feeling the coolness of the numbered cubes.
“I’ll blow on them for good luck,” he grandly added and breathed hotly on my hand that contained the dice.
I shivered more in repulsion than anything, but I sensed he saw it differently as he patted my back and told me to throw. I saw Adam watching me and that he was not happy about George’s hand on my lower back, but I knew better than to insult the man. After all we were in full view. That alone would keep me safe.
“We have a winner!” the man in charge of the table announced, giving me a professional smile.
“Would you care to let it ride, miss?” he asked.
I figured, why not. I gave him a quick nod. George insisted on performing the same ritual again, which I put up with before throwing the dice a second time.
“Again, you have won, miss.”
I nodded. Wow. I had never won anything before. And twice in a row. Pretty cool.
“Let it ride again, miss?” the smooth worker inquired.
I again thought, why not? It wasn’t costing anything to play out the hand of fate.
“Again the beautiful lady wins!”
Was it rigged?
“Let it ride, miss?”
I had won a nice little parcel of chips, albeit on George’s dime. Should I tempt fate one more time? Or follow the old adage of three times lucky? My superstitious side emerged at that moment.
“No, I think I’ll quit while I’m ahead, thanks.”
“I’ve got a proposition for you.” George smirked as he walked me over to the cashiers area to help me cash out.
Surprised I asked “What do you mean?” while the woman handling the money carefully counted out the greenbacks into my outstretched hand.
The Power of Sunday Rose Page 13
