by Jo Davis
“Ready to relax at my place for a while?”
“I’d love nothing better than to spend more time with you.”
And among all the lies he’d told tonight, that was the one big truth he hoped she would remember when the shit hit the fan.
3
She knew what she wanted tonight, and there was no turning back from her decision.
It had been far too long since she’d let a man into her apartment. Her life. Whether Gray was Mr. Right or Mr. Right Now remained to be seen. But the attraction was undeniable.
What a mild word, attraction. In truth, she’d been on a slow burn all evening that had become a fire. She wanted this man to put it out—again and again.
Taking the wine from him, she went into the kitchen, set the bottle on the counter, and retrieved two glasses. She was reaching for the electric bottle opener when a hard male body pressed into her from behind and strong arms wrapped themselves around her waist. His lips nuzzled at her neck and jaw, peppering her with kisses that made gooseflesh break out all over her.
“What do you say we save the wine for later?”
Long fingers worked under the edge of her blouse, skimmed her belly. Then traveled upward to tease at the lacy cup of her bra and the swell of one breast. Abandoning the wine, she relaxed into him, loving his hands on her skin.
“What do you want? Tell me,” he murmured.
“Everything. It’s been too long.”
“We can’t have that.” Warm breath tickled her ear. “You’ll have everything, then. Whatever your heart desires.”
“I don’t think my heart has much to do with it.”
“I’m betting you’re wrong,” he said with a low chuckle. “But one issue at a time.”
The catch on her bra was released and his hands cupped her freed breasts, weighing them. Making a pleased sound in his chest, he took each nipple between a thumb and forefinger and rolled them, exerting just the right amount of pressure to send little shocks through her nerve endings and make her arch into him even more.
“God, that’s so good.”
“We’re only getting warmed up,” he promised.
Those marvelous hands went to the button on her pants, and soon they and her panties were sliding down her hips to her ankles. She stepped out of them and spread her legs at his whispered urging, a thrill going through her when he knelt on the floor behind her. There was something decidedly naughty about being spread for him, half-naked, while he was still fully clothed and ready to have his way with her.
Then all thinking stopped and she could only feel. His fingers dipped between her legs, rubbed the smooth skin of her folds. Delved between them to collect her moisture and spread it around.
“So wet. So pretty. Let me taste?”
That he asked was sexy. He wasn’t simply taking, he was giving her what she wanted.
“Please . . .”
His tongue was a supernova on her sensitized skin. She was so ready to be taken and devoured, she almost came from that alone. But she managed to hold back as he licked her pussy, exploring every crease, increasing the heat in her body. The want.
Then his tongue pushed into her channel, fucking her, and was soon joined by two fingers. Working in tandem, they nearly drove her crazy, and she widened her stance, whimpering for more.
“Greedy baby. You taste so fine. I’m going to eat you until you come, and then I’m going to fuck you until you come a second time. Until you can’t stand.”
His rumbled threat was an aphrodisiac to her senses. He played her like an instrument, laving her slit, and when he edged in farther to torture her clit, she began to come unraveled.
“Oh, God!”
“You like that? Me too, honey.”
Latching on to the tiny bud, he suckled relentlessly. The buildup of her impending release made her feel like a balloon, stretching, ready to pop. Gripping the countertop, she cried out as she finally exploded in wave after wave of pleasure. He ate her as she rode out the tide. Never had she felt anything so incredibly erotic.
Then he stood, wiped his face on a nearby hand towel. She heard his zipper, felt his hard, silky length rubbing on the crack of her ass.
“Protection?” she asked, some sense returning.
“Yes, absolutely.”
There was movement behind her as he dug into his pocket and produced the square packet they needed. Then some crinkling noises as he opened the foil and the sounds of his quickly sheathing himself.
Gripping one of her hips, he guided the head of his cock to her dripping sex and began to push inside. They needed no lube. She was still so hot for him, even after the shattering orgasm, that she opened for her lover like a flower. His cock slid deeper, filling her fully, and at last he was seated to the balls.
“Fuck me,” she moaned. “Please.”
Needing no further encouragement, he began to thrust. Fingers digging into her hips, he powered his cock home, so deep and hard he was almost lifting her off her feet. She loved it and leaned over the counter, pushing out her ass as far as possible to give him the best angle.
Groaning in pleasure, he slammed into her channel faster, their flesh slapping in decadent rhythm. All too soon she felt her orgasm building again and never wanted this to end. She wanted him to go on fucking her all night. Until they collapsed from exhaustion.
Shattering, she stiffened with a cry, pulsing around his shaft. With a shout, he thrust deep and shuddered hard, shivering over her until his own release was complete. They stayed together for a few seconds, Gray kissing her shoulder repeatedly and whispering endearments into her skin. She enjoyed being connected to him, and in the afterglow, it felt like more than sex had occurred.
He pulled out, leaving her physically empty but satisfied in a way she hadn’t been in ages. Maybe never. After giving him a kiss, she went into the living room and plucked a tissue from the box on an end table and brought it to him. He rolled the condom in it and tossed it in the garbage.
“Stay?” she asked. Suddenly his answer meant the world. His grin was all the reassurance she needed.
“I’d love to. Shower first?”
“You bet.”
She took him by the hand and led him to her shower, where they played for some time. The water ran cold and the wine went untouched that night.
Anna couldn’t remember when she’d been happier. Gray had been right. It was past time to live a little—and that’s exactly what she planned to do.
***
He was having the best damned dream of his life.
Warmth pooled in his groin, and he stirred with a groan. Lips surrounded him, enveloping his cock. Taking him deep, sucking.
Gradually Gray awoke, but the sensation intensified. He wasn’t dreaming, then. His eyes popped open, his vision adjusting to the strange bedroom bathed in shadow. His eyes traveled south, and he stiffened even harder at the sight that greeted him.
Anna was crouched between his legs, sucking his cock. Naked, awash in moonlight, with her dark hair falling around her shoulders, she was a goddess of the night owning his body. And she could have all of him. Whatever she wanted, he’d gladly give.
She took him down her throat, then pulled back. Again and again, until he was almost mindless with lust. Next she licked down the length of his shaft to his balls and laved them, too. One, then the other, bathing them with her tongue, heightening his arousal to painful levels.
“God, that’s so good.” He sucked in a breath. “I’m going to come if you keep that up.”
“Not yet.” Her grin was barely visible in the darkness. “Do you have another condom?”
“In my jeans pocket.”
She moved off the bed, rummaged around, and was back in a few seconds, holding up her prize. Deftly, she unwrapped the package and gloved him up. Then she blew his mind by straddling his lap, placing the head between the folds of her pussy.
“I’m going to ride you.” She pinched one of his nipples, and he bucked into her.
�
��Shit, yes!”
Sinking onto his length, she began to move. Up and down, rubbing her clit along his cock and squeezing his rod. Sucking in a deep breath, he fought not to shoot too soon. It was a losing endeavor with her bouncing in his lap, breasts jiggling, sweet sex gripping him tight. Urging him over the edge.
Unable to hold back any longer, he came with a hoarse shout, filling the latex with his release. Above him she cried out, spasms rocking her slender body until finally she draped over his chest.
A wave of emotion swept over him as he brushed the damp hair from her face. The feeling scared him. He had no business bedding a potential suspect, much less falling for her. The sex had been mind-blowing, yet wrong on so many levels. He was supposed to think of her as a mark, a means to furthering his investigation, and he just couldn’t.
He hoped like hell she would forgive him for this and for what he was about to do. He prayed she’d understand that his actions now were simply to clear her of any wrongdoing, and for no other reason.
Easing Anna off him and to her side, he spooned her from behind until her breathing evened out. Satisfied she was in a deep sleep, he slipped from the bed. First, he disposed of the condom and cleaned up in the bathroom, then dressed as quietly as possible before heading out of her apartment.
Making sure to leave her door unlocked so he could get back in, he hurried the few doors to his apartment and grabbed a small cloth bag from his nightstand drawer. After pouring the tiny items inside into his hand, he made his way back to her place in record time.
Once there, he undressed again in case she awoke. It would be easier to cover his actions that way. Sneaking around her apartment, he did what he’d originally come here to do—and felt like a complete piece of shit for it the whole time. When he was finished, he retrieved his iPhone from his jeans, went into the living room, and sent a text.
Everything is in place here.
From Simon, he received, We’re good on this end.
This sucks.
I know, bro. Hang tight.
He’d try. For now, that’s all he could do.
***
Anna awoke to a handsome face smiling into hers. Despite her grogginess, she couldn’t help but smile back. “Hey, there.”
“Hey, gorgeous.” He kissed her nose. “Did you sleep well?”
“Like a baby,” she said. “Never better.” Her muscles were pleasantly sore in all the right places, too.
“Want to get cleaned up and go eat some breakfast?”
“I’m not sure I have time. I need to go in to the office and go over some paperwork, check on a few orders, and—”
“Anna,” he interrupted. His expression was amused. “It’s not even nine in the morning and you’re already wound tighter than a spring. You really have to learn to let go of that tension or you’re going to have real health problems later in life.”
“Why thanks, doc,” she said dryly. “What cure do you suggest?”
“Food, for a start. Then we’re going to play hooky for the day.”
He sounded so sure of himself, she laughed. “Oh, really? You think the boss will let you get away with that?”
That earned her a grin. “Oh, I know she will. She likes me.”
“Maybe she does,” she teased. “So, assuming you can charm your boss into playing hooky, how exactly do you plan to spend the day?”
Now he showed all the enthusiasm of a little kid. “I want you to show me New York City.”
“For real?”
“Yes! Why not? I’ve been here for months and I haven’t taken in the city yet. There’s a certain pulse to the atmosphere, a cool vibe I want to be a part of. I want to take in the history and the excitement, but I guess I haven’t because it’s more fun to do it with someone special.”
She thought for a minute, weighing the merits of taking a day off. Finally, she gave in. “How can I say no to that? What do you want to see?”
“Everything. Come on, let’s go.”
After a fun shower that involved soap in interesting places, they got dressed and headed out. Their first stop was a small corner café that served an appetizing breakfast. They dug in to their food, and she marveled at the sheer amount the man could pack away. She could barely finish her eggs and bacon, but Gray ate that plus pancakes and enough syrup to put anyone into a sugar coma.
They chatted companionably, and she found herself drawn to him more and more. She learned that in addition to his parents being dead, he had no brothers or sisters. Although he hadn’t cared much about his lack of siblings as a younger man, now he felt the loneliness of having no family. In that at least they had something in common—when her mother passed, she’d be alone, too.
When they were finished with breakfast, he paid the bill despite her protest, then took her by the hand. “Come on, let’s grab a cab to the ferry. I want to see the Statue of Liberty up close.”
“That’s a sight everyone must take in at least once in their lifetime,” she agreed. “It’s awe-inspiring.”
After waiting in line for a while, they finally made it onto a boat. Anna stood by Gray next to the rail and looked over the harbor, enjoying the view of both the ocean and the man at her side. There was something freeing about gazing over the sea, leaning into his warmth as his arm went around her and pulled her into his side.
She felt protected. Wanted. Cherished. Maybe it was just wishful thinking, but she liked feeling that way. It was a first.
“How many times have you been out here?” he asked.
“Just once before.”
“With a boyfriend?”
She smiled at his blatant fishing. “By myself, actually.”
“That sounds lonely.”
“A little, maybe.” She shrugged. “I hadn’t really thought about it.”
That was a lie, and from the lift of his brow, he smelled it a mile off. Instead of calling her on it, however, he posed another question. “Have you dated a lot?”
She shook her head. “No. I haven’t had a ton of time the past few years. You?”
“Same. But I’m finding that I may have put my priorities in the wrong order.”
The statement was so obvious, as was the pointed look he gave her, she didn’t know what to do with it. She was pleased and a bit scared at the same time. In the end, his closeness, their intimacy, won her over, and she replied, “Maybe I have, too.”
His hand engulfed hers as he pulled her back against his front and they watched the statue grow larger. How many people had made this journey and hoped that it signified the start of a better life, the culmination of dreams and everlasting happiness? There was something special about sharing this with him. Magical. That feeling remained with her throughout their tour around Lady Liberty, then as they went on to Ellis Island.
Perhaps this was the start of her true happiness, too.
After walking through the museum at Ellis Island, they were tired and ready for a drink and a late lunch. The ferry ride back seemed longer than the trip out, and by the time they reached the mainland again and hailed a cab, they were ravenous.
Anna suggested they go to Mesa Grill, one of her favorite places. In minutes, they were sipping on a couple of the restaurant’s famous margaritas and recounting their day. As Gray enthused over his favorite parts of the ferry ride, Anna couldn’t help but notice how sexy he looked, even windblown. Truthfully, he was more stunning like this, with his hair tousled, eyes shining from the excitement of being together.
They talked for a while about growing up. Once their food arrived, he took a bite and regarded her thoughtfully.
“You mentioned some tension before between you and your mom. You guys don’t get along?”
“It’s not that,” she said. “Mom doesn’t get me. Never has. My choices would never be hers, and that baffles her about me. Plus, she tends to say what she thinks without realizing that sometimes she’s hurting my feelings.”
“That’s not so unusual for parents. But you love her, I can tell by
your tone.”
“With all my heart. Even when I could strangle her, she’s my one constant. And she does love me, even if she has the tact of a bulldozer sometimes.”
He laughed, causing attractive lines to crinkle at the corners of his eyes. “She sounds like quite a character.”
“You have no idea.” Margaret would probably eat Gray for lunch.
Just then, his phone buzzed, interrupting their conversation. He glanced at the display. “I’m sorry. I have to take this.”
“No problem.”
She watched curiously as he rose, answering at the same time. She couldn’t help but wonder who he was talking to and why, but it was none of her business. He wasn’t gone but five minutes or so, and then was back wearing a smile.
“Sorry about that.”
“Anything wrong?”
“Not at all. It’s just that . . . I wanted to get in one or two more sights today, but there’s somewhere I need to go after this.”
“Oh.” Disappointment stabbed her, unexpected and unwelcome. “That’s okay, we can do more another day. I can just take a cab and you can go from here.”
“You misunderstand. I want you to go with me. In fact, I need you there, because my errand involves you.”
She stared at him in confusion. “Really?” Happiness bloomed again. “Do I get to know what we’re doing?”
“Nope. It’s a surprise.”
“I’m not good with surprises. I’m too nosy.”
“Well, then, you’ll learn.”
He wouldn’t budge on giving her even a tiny hint, and that ate at her for the rest of their meal. When they were finished, Anna picked up the check this time, ignoring his objections. They hailed a cab, and Gray gave the driver an address a few blocks from their apartment building.
It turned out to be another apartment, not quite as nice as hers and Gray’s. He ushered her up a set of steps and knocked on the door, waiting. She was completely mystified as to what they could possibly be doing here, and a sliver of trepidation snaked down her spine. It fled, though, when an attractive middle-aged woman opened the door with a big smile.
