by A. M. Myers
Chance:
Are you allergic to anything?
Me:
Just you.
A soft giggle escapes me as I stare down at the screen, waiting for his reply before I shake my head and glance up to see if the line has moved. I can’t seem to help myself when it comes to him. Whatever. What’s the harm in flirting with him as long as he and I are on the same page? If we both know this relationship has a shelf life, we won’t read into things like that. My phone buzzes in my hand and I’m smiling before I even unlock it.
Chance:
You wound me, Princess.
Me:
You’ll survive.
“Can I help you?”
My head jerks up and the barista smiles as I step forward and close the space left by the person in front of me in line. I glance up at the menu, even though I always order the same thing, before meeting his eyes again.
“Large vanilla latte with a double shot, please. And a blueberry muffin.”
He nods. “Coming right up.”
As he turns and makes my order, I glance down at my phone and reread my last text as a smile forms on my lips.
“You have a gorgeous smile,” a deep voice says. I glance to my left; my smile more forced than it was moments ago. He’s an attractive man but he looks like the kind of man my mother would set me up with and it makes him hideous in my opinion.
“Thank you.”
“No need to thank me,” he practically purrs, flashing me a smile designed to make women swoon, but I see past him. His eyes hone in on me, a mission in his gaze and the calculating smile and designer suit say more than he is. My mother would absolutely lose her shit for a man like him. “I’m Damian Griggs. It’s nice to meet you…”
“Carly,” I supply and he holds his hand out. I reluctantly shake it as the hair on my arm stands on end and I can’t rip my hand away fast enough.
“Wait. Carly Mills?”
I nod, feeling uneasy. “Yeah.”
“I think I know your mother. Grace Mills?”
Of course, he does. It becomes clear this is retaliation for my outburst at breakfast and I have to bite my lip to keep myself from saying anything that would earn me an earful from my mother. I bet she took one look at him and had to physically stop herself from salivating over the possibility of hooking him up with me.
“Yep. That’s her.” I turn away to face the counter and wait for my coffee because I have nothing left to say to this man. I’m sure he thinks knowing my mother gives him some kind of advantage, but it couldn’t be further from the truth. Just as I think I may get out of here without having to speak to Damian again, I feel him behind me, closer than is acceptable for a woman you met only two minutes ago.
“I have to say, your mother’s description of you didn’t do you justice.”
Why am I not surprised? Laughing, I shake my head, refusing to turn around and face him. “Am I supposed to be flattered?”
He’s silent for a moment before softly chuckling in my ear. Goose bumps race along my skin and my body tenses in response. “Guess not. I like how you call me on my shit, though.”
The barista saves me from saying anything else as he sets my drink down on the counter in front of me and I offer him a smile as I reach into my bag. Before I can even touch my wallet, Damian steps forward and snaps his fingers at the barista.
“One coffee, black. And I’ve got all this.” He motions to my order as the barista nods and gets to work, rushing to complete his order.
“Thank you but you don’t have to do that,” I object.
Damian turns and leans back against the counter, slipping his hands into his pockets as he smiles at me. “And what if I want to?”
“I appreciate it, but I would just prefer to buy my food.” I grab a twenty out of my wallet and try to reach around him to lay it on the counter, but he stops me, wrapping his hand around mine with the money still in my fist.
“Please, I insist.” He smiles again, laying on the charm but all it does is creep me out more. I know guys like him. They were born into wealthy families and have more self-esteem than any one person needs—making them think every woman should drop to her knees as soon as they enter the room. I’ve been down this road before and nothing about it appeals to me.
The barista sets Damian’s coffee down and tells him the total but I’m not paying attention as I stuff my money back into my purse and try to grab my things so I can get out of here. I grab the muffin, but the coffee is just out of my reach and I contemplate if I really need it. As I think about going through my morning without it, though, I know the answer is a resounding yes. Damian turns, the same creepy smile on his face, and my coffee in his hand.
“Here you go, gorgeous.”
I force a smile as I take the coffee from him. “Thank you.”
“Do you have a moment? I’d love to sit and talk to you a little more,” he suggests, looking to the empty tables scattered throughout the café and I shake my head.
“Sorry. I’m already running late for work.”
Backing away toward the door, I try to look like I’m not running away from him even if that is exactly what I want to do right now. Lord knows, if I did that, my mother would call my phone within the hour to yell at me about manners before she started in on the man topic… again. Lord knows, I’ve already had all I can take of my mother today.
“Take this,” he says, handing me a business card I don’t want. “And call me whenever you’re free. I’d love to take you out.”
My smile is so forced I’m afraid my face may crack as I nod and duck out the front door, waiting until I round the corner before tossing the business card in a nearby trash can. The click of my heels against the sidewalk calms my heartbeat and as I walk the remaining block to work, I can’t help but think of Chance and compare him to my run-in with Damian. He’s different in every way and I can’t help but think maybe it’s not such a bad thing.
Chapter Six
Carly
“I knew it,” I whisper, twisting in the mirror to get a look at the back of the dress my mother “suggested”. It’s worse than I even imagined with the deep V that stretches down to my belly button while also showing off so much side boob it’s almost obscene. I’ll have to use a whole damn roll of tape to keep my tits from popping out during the silent auction. And the back is no better. The material clings like a second skin and the way the dress is cut in the back frames my ass, making it look even larger than it is. The black lace is pretty but I’m straddling the line between risqué and just plain desperate. Shaking my head, I run my hands down the front and sigh. My mother bought this dress with one purpose in mind—to snag me a man. I wonder when her daughters became meal tickets for her instead of people. Hell, maybe we always were.
The doorbell rings, pulling my attention away from the mirror and I sigh, grabbing some fabric so it doesn’t drag on the floor as I walk across the living room and throw the door open without looking through the peephole first.
“Damn, Princess,” Chance says, flashing me a killer smile as his gaze lingers on my chest and he places his hand over his heart. My lips twitch, barely holding back my satisfied smile, as I roll my eyes and hold the door open for him. He steps inside, carrying a bag of takeout, and I close the door. “You didn’t have to dress up for little old me.”
“I didn’t dress up for you, egomaniac. You’re not the only thing in my life.”
His brow arches and his eyes darken as he sets the food on the island. “I damn well better be the only man in your life. We had a deal.”
“I said thing, not man and not really,” I tease him, my blood racing with the thought of getting him riled up. Why does egging him on excite me so much? “You threw out your rule, but I never agreed to it.”
Ignoring his glare, I stride toward the fridge and open the door, fighting back a smile as I search the shelves for a bottle of wine. As soon as he steps up behind me, I can feel him, almost like there’s a magnetic pull between us, and h
e grabs my hips, pulling me back into his body. Ever so slowly, he runs his nose up the side of my neck before his warm breath brushes over my ear.
“Even though I know you’re just trying to piss me off… it’s still working. I haven’t been able to stop thinking about you since the day we met, Carly, and I’m willing to play by your rules if you play by mine.” He trails the tip of his finger down my side where the dress is showing off plenty of skin and I suck in a breath. “So, tell the truth, do you want me?”
My dream from this morning flashes in my mind and my desire returns tenfold. He already knows the answer to the damn question, but he will make me say it anyway like the way my body is leaning back into his or the way all the air is punching out of my chest isn’t enough.
“Why do you think you’re still here?” I grit out, my legs trembling as he gently presses his lips to my neck in a kiss that’s meant to make me lose my damn mind.
“That’s not a yes, Princess.”
I nod. “It’s not a no, either.”
“That’s not good enough,” he rasps, his patience running thin. It takes everything in me to stop myself from flashing a victorious grin but there is no way in hell I’m letting him win this game.
“It’s the best you’re going to get.”
With a loud growl, his hands lock onto my hips and he spins me around, allowing the fridge door to close before pushing my back against it.
“You have got to be the most stubborn, infuriating woman I’ve ever met,” he snaps, his nose pressed against mine and the scent of his cinnamon gum fills my nose.
“Get used to it, baby.”
He holds my gaze for a moment, his pale green eyes filled with a fire that ignites one in me but I’m not willing to back down. No matter how much my legs are shaking right now. Without warning, his lips crash down on mine, all aggression and raw, unrestrained need. It completely sweeps me up and I’m a goner. A moan slips out of my mouth and my legs give out. I’m saved from crashing down to the floor by his arm slipping around my waist and I thread my fingers together behind his head. He grabs my leg and pulls it up to his waist as the fabric slips back, revealing my bare thigh.
“If you want to keep this dress, I suggest you get it off. Quickly,” he whispers against my lips, his voice rough and demanding. Leaning up on my toes to kiss him again, I reach behind and slip the zipper down my back, letting the dress fall off my shoulders. He glances down and hisses a curse when he realizes I’m completely naked pressed up against him. Reaching down, he hooks my legs and lifts me into the air, letting me take control of the kiss as I flick my tongue against his and he hums in approval.
“Bedroom?” He doesn’t pull away as he asks his question, almost like it’s an afterthought and he would be perfectly happy to fuck me on the kitchen floor. I can’t say I’m opposed to the idea either. A shiver twists down my spine as I pull away.
“Around the corner.” I point to one side of the kitchen and he nods as he takes long strides across the marble tile floors, intent on getting me in a bed as quickly as he can. He consumes me with his mouth again, dragging me into the depths of pleasure and somehow gets us into my bedroom before pulling away.
“Nice view,” he murmurs, nodding to the large windows that show off the twinkling lights of Baton Rouge below us. “Although, it’s got nothing on you.” He glances down my body, still in his hold and I shake my head.
“Flattery will not work with me.”
Smirking, he moves to the edge of my king-sized bed and drops me onto my back, caging me in before I even get the chance to sit up.
“Liar,” he whispers, his warm breath caressing my skin just as thoroughly as his hands and my eyes flutter closed as the sensations overwhelm me. Warm lips press against my flesh and a breathy moan slips out of my mouth as my body arches off the bed toward him.
“Why do you still have clothes on?” I growl when I rub up against his t-shirt. I want to feel him, his heat, as he covers me with his body. His soft chuckle forces my eyes open and I lose myself in his gaze.
“Maybe I like seeing you like this. No, scratch that. I fucking love it.”
“Sadist,” I accuse and his face splits into a grin as his eyes shine with amusement.
“I’m just trying to make you feel good, Princess,” he teases, taunting me as he trails the tip of his finger over my nipple. I shudder. When he changes direction and goes back up over the same spot again, I damn near lose my mind. Unable to take the torture any longer, I slip my hands under his shirt and hum when my fingertips meet the solid muscle of his stomach before travelling up. His eyes close and the smile never leaves his face as I explore his body for a moment before I pull the shirt over his head.
“There. That’s better.”
“I’m beginning to think you just want me for my body.”
My only response is a shrug and a devious little grin. He scoffs, trying to pretend like he’s offended but the look of amusement never leaves his gaze.
“You know, Princess, fucking the sense right out of your head is only one of my many, many talents. Maybe you should dig a little deeper.”
I unbuckle his belt as I glance up and meet his gaze. “That’s yet to be seen. Why don’t you worry about doing the first one right before we broach the subject of your other skills?”
“I think it’s time to shut you up,” he practically snarls as he stands up and unbuttons his jeans. Propping myself up on my elbows, I can’t take my eyes off him as he kicks his jeans off and stands in front of me naked. I lick my lips and my gaze drops to his cock as he takes it in his hand and strokes it, his eyes burning a hole through me.
“Stand up,” he orders and I scramble to my feet, more amenable than I was only moments ago. Something about the way he’s taking control right now makes me want to please him. Plus, watching him stroke his impressive length as he turns me into a helpless puddle of goo with just his eyes is impossible to ignore. When I stand in front of him, he releases his cock and slides a hand into my hair as he pulls me forward and claims my lips in a kiss that screams ownership. I should pull away but even as my mind is urging me to do so, I’m leaning closer because every cell in my body feels like it’s exploding with desire and I can’t stop this wild ride he seems to be taking us on.
“Chance,” I whimper as he tightens his grip in my hair and trails hot kisses down my neck.
“Fuck, Princess. Say my name again.”
I shake my head. “Only if you earn it.”
His growl vibrates against my ear as his teeth sink into my skin and I cry out, gripping his biceps to keep myself upright. “Oh, I’ll earn it, baby. You’ve been talking a whole lot of shit tonight and now you get to reap what you sow.”
“Big talk,” I whisper but my words lack conviction because I’m dangling on the edge of a cliff, desperate for him to catch me. It’s a position I haven’t found myself in for a long time and it would piss me off if my body wasn’t filled with so much need. Damn whatever repercussions there may be. I’ll deal with them when this is over because I already know there is no walking away from Chance. Even if I could. Even if I wanted to, he would never let me.
He guides me back down to the bed and pushes on my shoulder until I’m laying back with my legs hanging over the edge and when I meet his eyes, he smiles. “This is even better than I imagined and believe me, baby, I’ve been picturing this very thing since the moment I first saw you.”
“Show me.”
With my breathy command, he comes alive. The fire in his eyes intensifies as he plants his knee between my thighs and cages me in with his hands. He takes a moment to look me over before he leans down, maintaining eye contact with me the entire time, as he swirls his tongue around my nipple and sucks it into his mouth. A loud moan spills out of me and my entire body aches for a release that feels long overdue, but he doesn’t stop there. One hand slips between my legs and he presses his thumb to my clit, flicking back and forth as he sucks harder. I tremble beneath him and just when I’m about to
catch the nirvana I’ve been reaching for, he pulls away.
I cry out, my entire body jerking as I shoot an angry glare at him and he laughs, standing back up and picking his jeans up off the floor as he slips a condom out of his pocket. The dimple in his cheek pops out when he grins at me and warmth explodes in my chest, shooting out like a supernova as it warms me from the inside out. He slides the condom down his shaft and joins me on the bed again, lifting my legs up around his waist as he lines his cock up with my entrance.
“Remember, Princess. I wanna hear you scream,” he whispers in my ear before he surges forward and all the air rushes out of my body. He stills, taking his time as we both adjust to the sensations and it’s like we’re breathing in each other. Sweet Jesus. He feels perfect inside me. Like we were made for one another… if I still believed in that kind of thing.
Pushing back so he can look me in the eye, he pulls out slowly and slams home again as he leans down and steals my lips with a scorching kiss. I moan against his lips and slip my fingers into his hair as he finds his rhythm. Pull out, wait a beat and surge forward. Again and again as he continues kissing me like he’s on death row and I’m his last meal. He’s found a perfect mixture of desperation and control that drives me wild and I know I’ve never had sex like this before in my life.
His hands trail over my body, sending little sparks of heat straight to my core. The gentle touches are in such contrast to the harsh, commanding way he’s thrusting into my body that my head spins and I wonder if it’s possible to lose my mind from the most incredible sex I’ve ever had. He groans and his hips move faster, giving me exactly what I need and my grip in his hair tightens as he rips his lips away and buries his face in my neck.
“Shit. Come for me, Princess,” he orders and I close my eyes, not ready to give into him yet. He moves even faster, groaning as he pulls back and brushes his thumb over my face. “Open your eyes.”
