“Let’s order steaks and lobster from Lovehouse.”
“The Lovehouse? I’ve never been there.”
“When I’m feeling up to it, I’ll take you there.” She blushed a bit and looked down to her feet. “Oh, it doesn’t have to mean anything, just two people enjoying a meal.”
She nodded. “Oh, of course, I knew what you meant.” She dropped her shoulders and stood away from the bar. “Since you are bored, we could watch TV or a movie maybe. I don’t have to study tonight.”
“I haven’t done anything like that in ages. The TV in the hospital sucked, and I am out of the loop with what’s popular.” I didn’t even know if any of the programs I used to watch years ago were still around. “You can pick something.”
“Okay, that sounds like fun.” She seemed to genuinely mean it, and I felt like a high school kid again; excited about a first date.
Two hours later, we had finished our meals and Sadie carried our plates to the sink as I hobbled out to the couch.
“I’ll start the movie whenever you’re ready. I hope you like it.” She went to the table and picked up a movie she’d gotten from the Red Box downstairs.
“Oh, shit. Is that blue ray? This isn’t a blue ray player. I have a standard one in here. My blue ray player is in my room.”
“Oh? Do we need to hook it up?”
“Yeah, we could move it. It shouldn’t be too hard, right?”
She shrugged and shook her head. “I don’t know anything about that kind of stuff.”
“I’d do it, but I can’t get behind the unit. I’m sorry. I should have thought it out.”
“Look, let’s just go in there to watch the movie. I’ve seen your bed, it’s huge, and it’s no different than sitting on the couch together. We are adults after all.”
“Sure, I just didn’t want to make you feel weird.”
“No, I’m good with it, really. It’s not a big deal.” She gave me a hand, and once I was behind my walker, she headed into my room.
“I bet this is way more comfortable for you anyway. You can stretch out much better.”
“There’s a remote on the nightstand. It will work the player, and the unit is in that drawer. The TV will come up from the dresser.”
She put the movie in as I got situated on the bed. After a moment, she crawled up and situated herself next to me. “This is nice.”
“Yeah, it is. I only watch TV when I’m going to be on it.”
“What’s that like? I mean, you’re like a real celebrity. Everyone loves you.”
I belted a laugh. “Not everyone loves me. Some people hate me, actually. Like James, he’s Maya’s fiancé upstairs; he hates me. He’s the one who whacked me in the knee with a golf club, too, but that was an accident. I mean, I’m pretty sure it was.”
She shook her head and forwarded through the coming attractions. “So what, if he doesn’t like you. Who’s he? Some spoiled, trust fund rich kid? He probably hasn’t helped anyone in his life; not like you have.”
“Actually, he’s a biomedical scientist and has developed life-saving medications.” Her eyes lit with surprise.
Then she curled her lip and shook her head. “What a prick.”
I laughed so hard I nearly choked, but Sadie jumped up and went to the kitchen and came back with two sodas.
“How did you get your start?”
“Oh, you know, I’m just a spoiled trust-fund kid.” I wanted to keep a straight face but broke out in laughter as her eyes widened.
“I’m so sorry. Really?”
“Well, not the spoiled part. I did have a trust, but I only had that because my father had saved a good bit of money and we lived on a budget. He had this thing where he wanted to be a millionaire before he retired from selling cars, but he didn’t live long enough.”
“I’m sorry. It’s hard losing a father. I lost mine when I was a baby, so I never knew him.”
“Well, mine was an asshole. He didn’t treat my mother right, and she passed when he did. He was drinking and driving, hit a tree.” I kept the gory details to myself.
“I’m so sorry.” Her hand fell upon mine, and her eyes sparkled with tears.
“It’s okay. It’s been a long time, and I don’t let it get me down. You shouldn’t either.”
“I’m sorry. I just can’t imagine losing either parent. What did you do after that?”
“I lived with an aunt who wasn’t very responsible, and then I had a lawyer help me go out on my own. I’ve been on my own since.”
“And how did you become so motivating? You’re the most positive man I know.”
“I had to survive, so I used the tools my parents gave me: this face, my sharp mind, and the art of selling. My dad was a genius at making deals. It was the only gift he ever gave me.” I hated to keep on about them because I didn’t want to ruin the mood. “I don’t want to bring you down, really. It’s all good, and the hard experience made me be able to relate and teach people how to overcome.”
“That’s amazing.” She sipped her soda.
“What’s your dream?” It was something I’d asked many times in my lectures, but I’d never had an answer. That was for the individual to decide. I just gave them the courage to move forward and make it happen.
“Well, I thought I wanted to be a nurse, so I worked as a medical assistant while I was going to school. I wanted to get into nursing school, but then I met Bryan, and he moved me away from home, and things changed. I gave up my dream for him, and then everything changed. Including what I wanted. I’d like to be a talent manager. I guess that’s why your manager pissed me off so much. He’s got the perfect job with you, and he doesn’t even know it.”
“Oh, he knows it, but he doesn’t appreciate it. We used to be a lot closer, but lately, he’s not my favorite person. But business is business and he books all of my spots. Or cancels them, as the case may be.” The complications with the surgery had really put me behind, but I needed to walk if I wanted to work. I had a stage to work.
“You’ll get back at it.” She looked up at the TV screen and gave me a nudge. “Look, it’s finally starting.” But she was all I was interested in.
Chapter 6
Sadie
I woke up around eleven with the TV on a blue screen and Darek breathing softly beside me. I’d slipped down beside him and even buried my face against him. We’d finished the first movie and put it on a cable show marathon where people were shopping for RVs and had fallen asleep.
He was so warm beside me that I wanted to snuggle close and let him hold me through the night. Or at least inch closer and pretend I hadn’t known any better.
The last time I’d done anything like this was when I was still with Bryan. He’d always been the one to choose movies, and I’d usually fall asleep to some stupid teen movie or something so gory that I couldn’t stand it.
It was nice just to lay there with Darek, listening to him breathing and the city noises in the background. But I knew I shouldn’t. This hadn’t been a date. He’d made that perfectly clear, even though if it had been, not only would it have been okay with me, but it would have been the only one I’d had since my split from Bryan nine months earlier.
Before our engagement, when the feelings were still new, and we were aching to have everything we wanted, our sexual relationship had been amazing. But once he popped the question, and solidified who we were together things changed. Once we knew the direction of our future, the excitement was gone. And even though we still enjoyed the pleasure of each other’s company, the spark and passion had fizzled.
We’d started making plans to move away, and he was already talking about having children, which really freaked me out. I wasn’t ready for that step, not when I hadn’t gotten all the way down the aisle yet. But in hindsight, I think he’d only started that talk to make me have second thoughts about the marriage, and hooking up with his ex the night of his bachelor party, had been his final way out.
I had been so hurt, certain that I would
never love again, that I would never find anyone who made me hot the way he did or could make me feel good about myself the way he had in the beginning. I’d given up completely since, and hadn’t even looked at another man in a sexual way until I’d met Darek.
Seeing him on TV and seeing him in person was very different, and even though his persona and style was perfection with not one single hair out of place, I much preferred how he’d looked there in bed beside me, his five o’clock shadow and messy hair, he was gorgeous.
As much as I wanted to stay, I sat up. I tried to be as easy as possible getting to my feet, but he stirred beside me and then opened his eyes.
“I’m sorry, I fell asleep too. I was just going.” I hated that I woke him, but he must be a light sleeper like me.
He sat up and stretched. “It’s cool. This bed is comfortable that way; I usually don’t want to get out of it in the morning.”
Just then, I saw the remote teetering on the opposite side of him, and it was just about to fall where it would hit the hard marble floor.
“Careful. The remote.” He sat stone still, and I reached across, leaning my body closer to his as I picked it up. “Here, I’d hate for it to break.” As I eased back across him, his hand fell on my lower back, keeping me face to face with him. It was the first time he’d put his hands on me and doing so in such an intimate way had every nerve in my body’s attention.
His mouth was just a few inches from my own, and as our eyes met, I searched them, hoping he’d lean forward and kiss me. I licked my lips, and my eyes fluttered a bit as I waited for him to make a move.
The tension lasted a few more seconds, but then his head turned, and had fallen back. “I should go shower. I’ll only be a few, so if you need me, just yell.” He gave a soft nod as I eased my way off the bed and went to my room.
I glanced back to see him staring, but his expression hadn’t changed. It seemed as if he wanted to kiss me, but knew it wasn’t appropriate. I wondered what was going on in that mind of his and wished I could have met him in a different situation.
With his knee in pain, he probably didn’t have any romantic intentions. He could barely get around without the walker. I was just being silly, anyway. Why would a guy like him be hot for a woman like me? I was younger and didn’t have a whole lot going for me other than a few dreams and the ability to schedule his meds.
I went into my room and laid against the door once it was shut. Part of me wanted to go back into his room and kiss him; to make the first move myself, but if he was struggling like I thought he was, I had no idea why unless he just wasn’t attracted and knew it was best not to start something simply out of lust. What good could come of it? Sure, the sex might be amazing, but once it was over, we’d have to deal with the awkwardness. Maybe he didn’t think it was worth it.
No matter how hot he made me, no matter if my body was on fire and the need ached so badly it hurt, it was for the best.
I went into the bathroom thinking I’d just rinse off and go to bed, but the ache wouldn’t stop. But just thinking about him had my legs quivering as I stood beneath the heavy spray of the shower. I washed my breasts and found my nipples tight, and as I washed lower, the sensation of my touch felt so good I didn’t want to stop. I flicked my finger over my tender bud until I leaned back against the shower wall and bit my lip to keep from moaning.
It felt so good, and I closed my eyes and tried to think about him. He’d been so close; I wished I’d kissed him. How stupid had I been to not act on it? Now I had to live with the regret and wanting a redo of that moment.
I knew I needed to stop, but the first felt so good I couldn’t help but give myself one more, and finally, after a soft moan escaped, I quickly rinsed off and stepped out.
After I dried off, I slipped into my pajamas and robe and left the steamy room feeling the edge had been taken off of my desires, but they weren’t gone completely.
I walked past his room and peeked in on my way to the kitchen where I got a glass of water and carried it back to my bed. He’d been sleeping well and probably had thought no more about what happened.
He was a man who got what he wanted, and if he’d wanted me, I was sure I’d give him any part of me he wanted, including my heart, but being that kind of man, if he really wanted to kiss me, he would have. Confidence was his business, and what was I compared to that? Nothing.
I climbed in the queen-sized bed, slipping beneath the covers which were cold compared to the warmth of the shower and the bed next door, but I knew I’d better get used to it. I wasn’t going to find anyone living here. Love just wasn’t in the cards for me. Not a second time.
But then, what I’d had with Bryan wasn’t love, was it? So, then my only conclusion was that love—true love, didn’t exist, or maybe there were just some people who it wasn’t meant for, and that was me.
Chapter 7
Darek
I woke up alone, with a raging hard-on, and regret that I hadn’t kissed Sadie. She’d been receptive, and I didn’t get the idea that she would have pushed me away, but I wasn’t sure I could go there with her.
I had so many issues with women in my past that I hated to think of anything ruining the potential friendship and wonderful working relationship I could have with her. I’d never been one to mix business and pleasure, and had seen what it had done to too many people to let it affect me.
But she was one hell of a woman; a hard worker, with great family values, and a goal that most of the women her age that I’d met in the past didn’t have.
They’d all wanted me for my money and fame, and while I didn’t think Sadie was that kind of girl, it was hard to trust anyone.
The persistence of my arousal told me it would not be ignored, so I made my way to the bathroom and turned on the shower. I’d take care of business on my own.
It wasn’t the first time Sadie had aroused me, but the first time I was able to do anything about it. I sat on the built-in stone bench and gripped my shaft to jerk it, rolling my palm around my head now and then until I’d found a steady rhythm of maximum pleasure. I hadn’t had a decent release in weeks, and my balls were heavy and full.
As I stroked, I thought of Sadie; of kissing her like I should have, of laying her back and nestling between her legs. I could imagine the sweet spot between her legs, and tasting it as she moaned. How soft it would feel to slip my fingers inside of her, how hot to watch her squirm and pant. I imagined her on her knees, sucking my cock; her eyes locked on mine.
I wanted to take her hard and dirty her like I had done so many before her, and while I would definitely be more interested in her pleasure at the moment, this moment was mine. I imagined holding her face cupped in my hands and thrusting my hips as I fucked her face. She’d moan and vibrate on my cock. As I imagined coming into her throat, I let out a moan and worked myself faster.
Another sound of pleasure ripped from my throat, and seconds later, as I shot my load all over the tile, movement brought my head around.
Sadie stood on the other side of the glass, her mouth agape, her face beet red. I couldn’t stop, and I didn’t want to, so I finished up and sank back against the tiled wall. Fuck.
I turned off the water and dried off before stepping out. My cock was still hard as a rock and something about her seeing me in the moment hadn’t deterred me but turned me on. “Down boy,” I whispered. I had to go and find out what happened, but I had a feeling I knew.
I put on my robe and used my walker to hurry out.
Sadie was in the hall staring at the floor. “I’m so sorry, Darek. I didn’t mean to walk in on you, but I heard you cry out and I was afraid you’d gone in without your walker and slipped. I had no idea—I apologize.”
She was mortified, and I felt bad for her. No one should have to see something like that. It had to be very awkward for her. “Look, it’s not something we have to talk about ever again, but let’s just say, it’s been a long time for me.”
“You don’t have to explain. I mean, w
e all—I have, I mean, it’s natural.”
“Right. And being around a beautiful woman like yourself, it’s even more natural.” I limped past her and went to the kitchen.
“Wait, what? What does being around me have to do with what you were doing in there?”
“That’s a bold question.” I was a little taken aback that she’d want to continue the conversation.
“No, I mean. Never mind.”
“It’s okay. We may as well be honest. We’re both adults, right? Besides, you said you’ve—
Her face turned red. “I didn’t say I had, just that I understood.”
I took juice from the fridge and picked up the last brownie from the plate. “Right, and I was just stating that having a gorgeous woman like you around; in my bed last night, so close to kissing you, it does things to a man.”
She walked around to face me. “You think I’m gorgeous?” A surprised look dawned her face.
“Come on; you don’t know it? You’re a beautiful and sexy woman.” I didn’t think she needed me to tell her.
“If you think that, then why didn’t you kiss me?” She looked up at me, her pouty lips begging to be kissed.
“It’s complicated, but if we’re asking questions, why didn’t you?” I knew it was a dick move to throw the question back at her, but I couldn’t exactly tell her it was because I was chicken shit.
“Because you’re my boss and it’s not exactly a good thing to mix business and pleasure. Besides, if something awkward happened, then I didn’t want to lose my job.”
“Well, I don’t think it could get any more awkward now, do you?” I laughed, but she folded her arms. She looked tough when she did that, and it turned me on even more. My cock twitched beneath the robe, still fully aroused. “Come on, Sadie. Lighten up. I’m the one who should be embarrassed.
“I’m not embarrassed.” She rolled her eyes. “Were you thinking about me?” She gave me a challenging look as if daring me to answer. Did she want a challenge? Accepted.
My One and Only: A Bad Boy Secret Baby Second Chance Romance Page 126
