by T. M. Cromer
As she reached for the zipper on her jeans, he stayed her hand. “Let me.”
Her stomach muscles contracted as he placed his palm low on her abdomen. Her sensitivity to his touch pleased him. Rand drew her jeans down over her hips and threw them toward the end of the bed. The pink lace panties greeting him made his dick twitch. On the center of her mound was the perfect white bow. The underwear screamed virginal, but the burning desire in Faith’s mocha eyes indicated otherwise. The mixture of innocence and sin had him dropping to his knees.
His mouth closed over her lace-covered mound and he sucked hard. She moaned and dug her fingers into his mass of blond hair. Her hips arched, and he smiled his satisfaction at her reaction.
With one finger, he explored beneath her panties, stroking her soaked core as he bit down through the wet material.
“So responsive,” he murmured.
Taking charge, she sat up and shimmied out of her underwear. She then shoved him back and straddled his hips. His eyes nearly rolled back in his head as she rubbed herself along his length. He allowed her to play for two more long strokes before he lifted and tossed her on the bed.
She grunted. He had to bury his laughter at the unladylike sound. Seemed Faith was a bit impatient. Not a surprise, but fun all the same.
Her gaze latched onto his hardened cock, and he groaned as she licked her lips.
“I don’t know how much longer I can wait, Randall Crandall.”
“A little longer, trouble.”
He moved to his pants and removed the condom from his wallet. Before he could smooth the protective cover over his penis, she stayed his hand. “Let me,” she purred.
Rand didn’t need to be asked twice. He was content to let her take charge of this job.
Faith lightly ran her nails up his twitching staff and followed them with her talented tongue, then took him fully into her mouth. He instinctively withdrew and thrust, grasping the back of her head in his hands. When she didn’t complain, but instead shifted her head slightly to allow him to move deeper, he repeated the action. Because he was building toward his orgasm at an embarrassing speed, he stopped.
“Put it on, Faith,” he ordered. She complied with a grin. “Now turn around.”
Her eyes widened, but again, she complied with his demand. The wicked smile she cast him from over her creamy shoulder had him impaling her harder than he intended. She moaned and pressed back into him. Gripping her hips, he pulled back and thrust again. With each deep drive, she became more frantic, pushing her ass back against his front, meeting him with a gasp. He lost count as to how many times they moved together, but their synced rhythm was flawless.
Rand tangled his fingers in her long, dark hair and encouraged her to rise up on her knees. She arched her back and grabbed his hand from her hip to drag across her breasts. He pinched a pebbled nipple and felt her vaginal walls contract around him.
“Jesus,” he rasped and dropped the hand from her hair to toy with her clit.
The second contraction of her vagina was all the warning he received before she screamed her release. He bent her over and continued to pump his hips, harder and faster, until he followed her over the edge.
When he withdrew, she rolled onto her back. Her delighted laughter triggered his own.
“I’ll say this for you, Randall Crandall, you sure know now to show a girl a good time.”
Seeing her spread eagle, arms and legs stretched in opposite directions, had him kneeling over her and taking her breast in his mouth. After toying with first one, then the other, he raised his head and grinned. “I don’t know. I didn’t hear you scream my name.”
“Mmm, yeah. I think you should do something about that.”
“Gladly.” He got busy doing exactly that.
“I HAVE to go back to work.”
“Mmm.”
Rand nudged Faith who was currently draped across him like a blanket. “Trouble, I have to go.”
She mumbled something and shifted more fully across his chest. The friction of her full breasts against his skin spurred a latent surge of desire. Rand wanted nothing more than to stay and satisfy his craving for her, but his well-developed sense of responsibility wouldn’t let him.
As gently as he could, he shifted her body to the mattress.
“Don’t go,” she mumbled.
Her hand zeroed in on his engorged cock, and he groaned. She was every man’s wet dream and an insatiable one at that. But rules were rules. He’d already broken his number one commandment of not having sex with a client. However, he refused to break the second commandment of more than a one-time romp, or his third of not blowing off work.
“Faith.” His irritation must have penetrated her post-coital fog because she released him and raised her head from the pillow. “I have to leave.”
She blinked the sleep from her eyes and rose to kneel on the bed. Her lack of self-consciousness was refreshing, and his eyes were involuntarily drawn to her luscious curves. She cast a pointed glance at the evidence of his raging desire, and a crooked, mischievous smile tugged at her lips.
“Oh, Randall Crandall. I’m certain I shouldn’t send you away in that condition.”
Her husky words had his dick jumping in agreement. To exert his ironclad will over his body, he turned away and started to dress.
“Would you like me to make you some lunch before you head back?”
All teasing had left her voice, and Rand experienced a pang of something unfamiliar around the area where his heart should reside.
“No, thank you. I have some leftovers at the office, or Sascha can pick something up for me.”
Awkwardness assailed him. How did he make it clear this was the first and last time and the faux politeness was not needed?
“Faith, I…”
“No need to say it aloud, Randall Crandall. I’m reading you loud and clear.”
Did he detect bitterness? He glanced over his shoulder to see her resting with her back against the headboard. The sheet was held tight to her breasts like a shield, and her face was a perfectly composed mask.
“Since you missed your appointment today, do you want to come by the office tomorrow? I can have Sascha pencil you in.”
“What’s so all-fired important that I have to come to your office?”
“Based on my preliminary examination of your books, I believe someone’s been helping themselves to thousands of dollars.”
“What?”
She shot straight off the bed and proceeded to yank on the clothes she’d discard earlier. A secondary pang hit Rand. This was one of regret. He hated to see her glorious body covered.
“Well, that rules you out as the culprit. I don’t believe anyone could feign that kind of shock.”
She halted in the process of pulling her blouse over her head. “You thought it was me? You thought I would steal from my own family?” Hurt coated each and every word.
“Not really, but I’ve been wrong before.”
“I see.”
And he had no doubt she did.
“Rand, if you don’t mind, I’d like to have you come to the vineyard tomorrow. I’ll gather the family to hear what’s going on.”
Underlying anger vibrated in her voice. Whether at him or at whoever had helped themselves to the money in the company coffers, he had no idea. He wasn’t about to ask.
“Send me an email and let me know when it’s a good time. I’ll rearrange some appointments.”
“Do you not have a cell phone? I could text…” She broke off when she noted the uncomfortable tightness in his face. He had to admit, she was a master at picking up cues. “Email it is. If you don’t mind, can you see yourself out? I need to clean up and contact my family.”
“Uh, sure.”
Still, he lingered for a moment longer, unable to break eye contact. The smile she cast him didn’t reach her eyes. “It was fun, Randall Crandall. Thanks for the good time.”
She was letting him off the hook. Why then, did he not wan
t to be? As she moved to enter the bathroom, he almost called her back. But really, what would be the point? Nothing would change. He didn’t do permanent, and he suspected she now knew the score.
Without another word, he gathered his demons close as he exited her house. In the long run, ending things after a fun romp was to her benefit, not his. He was a hollow shell. Faith deserved someone undamaged. Someone who could provide her with a loving family and endless nights of fun. That someone wasn’t him. And he might even believe it if he kept repeating it to himself.
CHAPTER 10
O nce again, a man couldn’t wait to escape her clutches. She must be one crappy lay. Faith didn’t give herself the chance to dwell on the hurt she was feeling. There was no time to do more than throw on some deodorant and splash a little water on her face. Upon closer inspection, she added a bit of concealer in an attempt to hide the slight whisker burns and hickey on her neck. The last thing she needed was questions cropping up in reference to her now non-existent love life.
She pressed the heel of her hands to her eyes. God, she was tired. Tired of this town. Tired of men who didn’t appreciate what she had to offer. Tired of being a joke to friends and family. The time had come to make her own way. No one really needed her at the vineyard. They’d come up with a job for her to make her feel like she was an important member of the family. But the truth was that she wasn’t vital. Not in the way Val, Hope, Rafe, and their mother were. And apparently, she sucked at her job if she had overlooked the misappropriation of company funds.
After they found the truth behind the discrepancy in the business account, she would follow her true passion and delve into the world of antiquities. Maybe Mr. Santorini needed a purchaser. How fun would it be to fly off and discover the perfect pieces to grace his beautiful showroom? It might free Jacob to follow his love of art, instead of giving into family pressure and following in his father’s footsteps.
Faith shot off a group text to her siblings to get their asses to her house pronto. Afterwards, she set about throwing together a salad and creating a buttery Alfredo sauce for the linguini she intended to serve for lunch. She was slicing a loaf of Italian bread as the first of her family arrived.
She gave Rafe a quick hug and directed him to the dining room where she’d set out the salad and wine. Val and Hope showed up together with a message that Tony would be late. While technically Tony didn’t work at the family vineyard, he did have a share and a say. He would also be able to tell her if their mother could handle the shock of one of her trusted employees turning out to be a thief.
“Did Randall Crandall find you?” Hope asked. The sparkle in her eye matched the wide grin gracing her beautiful face.
Faith understood what her sister was asking, but she had no intention of sharing. “He did,” she said coolly. “He wanted to let me know there was a discrepancy in the books. Apparently, someone has been helping themselves to company funds.”
“What?” her three siblings gasped in stereo.
“Yes. He didn’t go into detail, but he intends to meet with us all tomorrow.”
The doorbell rang and Faith excused herself to answer it.
“Hey, funny face…” Tony noticed her lack of warmth. “What’s wrong?”
“Come on back. I was just explaining to the rest of the gang.”
She caught Tony up on what had been discussed so far and asked his opinion of their mother’s health. “Do you think she can handle this news, Tony?”
He closed his eyes and rubbed the center of his forehead. “I think so. Her last checkup was near perfect.”
“What about the news that after we find who is responsible for the theft, I want to leave Fiore Vineyard?”
Four pairs of eyes stared in shock. Everyone talked over each other in an effort to discover the root cause of her discontent.
“I don’t have an answer. I only know I don’t want to spend the rest of my life behind a desk.”
“We can find a different position for you. I thought you liked the administrative work,” Val said and stood to pace. The wheels were turning in his brain. Faith could see he was struggling with where to put her.
“Val,” she called his name softly. He halted in front of her. “The Vineyard is your love. Not mine. Ashley has been looking for more to do, and she can very easily help Mama in the office.”
“What will you do?” Hope asked quietly.
“I’m thinking antiquities might be fun.”
They all nodded in unison as if they weren’t surprised by her answer.
“How do we break it to Mama?” Rafe wanted to know.
“By not treating her like a child.”
They all gasped and spun to see their mother standing in the entry to the dining room.
Isabella waved Hope’s smartphone in the air. “Hope, you left your phone on your desk.”
“Mama…”
“No. I understand why you feel the need to protect me, but this is still my business. I have run it for the last forty years, and I refuse to be coddled.” Her stern voice and sharp stare had them all squirming. With a satisfied nod, she faced Faith. “Now, is your desire to make your own way the only reason for this little meeting? Or is there something more you need to tell us? Something to do with Randall?”
Everyone held their breath. A pin drop would sound like a cannon blast in the silence that followed.
Faith owed her mother honesty. “Rand told me someone had been embezzling funds.”
Isabella glanced around the room and back to Faith. Her expression hadn’t changed.
“You knew!” Val charged.
“I did.”
Val swore under his breath while the rest of the Fiores sat in shocked wonder.
The feeling of betrayal hit Faith hard. “Why, Mama? Why would you send me to a new accountant and make me look like a complete idiot because I never saw any of this?” she cried.
“Hush! You don’t look like an idiot. I sent you because I needed my suspicions confirmed.”
“You couldn’t bring it to my attention? Or if you didn’t trust me, at least have one of the others check?”
“You are being overly dramatic, Faith. A professional was needed.” Her mother smiled. “Besides, it all worked out well, didn’t it? Randall is head over heels for you. I know these things.”
Tired of being manipulated, and angry as she’d never been in her life, Faith spat, “You know nothing. Rand dropped his little bomb and left. All your matchmaking will never come to fruition, because in order for someone to love me, they would have to see me as something other than a freak. As something other than the Filterless Fiore.”
Her breath came out in rushed, heavy pants as if she’d run a long, arduous trek.
“Faith!” Hope’s sharp reprimand grated on Faith’s last nerve.
“Don’t act like any of you haven’t noticed or said much the same because every single one of you have.”
“You’re being ridicul—” Rafe started only to be cut off by Val.
“Rafe, don’t. Let’s give Faith some space, okay?”
“Yes,” Isabella agreed. “We can discuss the accounts tomorrow. I’m sure if Randall thought it was more urgent, he’d have brought it up when he came to the vineyard this morning, looking for her.”
“And Mama, please don’t give my home address to strange men anymore. You aren’t doing me any favors.”
Keeping the heartbreak out of her request took all her acting ability. But her point was well received when Isabella nodded her regal head like the true matriarch she was.
“Of course, dear. I apologize.”
“Thank you. If you would all like to enjoy your lunch, please do. I’ll ask to be excused for some air.”
Not waiting for an answer, Faith tore out the back door and raced up the path to the ancient greenhouse behind her home. The old structure was her happy place. Due to the pounding pulse resounding in her head, she hadn’t heard the footsteps following her. Hope’s voice startled her.
“Nothing.”
“Don’t lie. It’s obvious, and you are a shitty liar.”
Faith caressed the petal of an English rose in the pot closest to her. “What happened to giving me space?”
“I never agreed to that. That was for the boys and Mama. I’m special.”
She snorted at her sister’s logic. “He only wanted a one-night stand. Or one-morning stand, as the case may be.”
Warm arms wrapped around her and pulled her close. “I’m sorry, kid.”
“Yeah, me too.”
“So, do we tar and feather the bastard? Or just treat him to the evil eye when he shows up tomorrow?”
“He doesn’t deserve the Fiore wrath, Hope. He’s done nothing wrong.”
“Now you’re just spoiling all my fun.”
Unable to prevent the tears, Faith didn’t try. “Why am I so repellent to the opposite sex?”
“As someone who witnessed that phenomenal kiss in the alley, I can promise you, the man does not find you repellent. I honestly thought you two were contributing to global warming with all that heat.”
“I think I’m terrible in bed,” Faith confessed as she started to deadhead the nearest rose bush.
“What? No! You’re a Fiore. There is no such thing as subpar sex for a Fiore.”
“Why do they leave and never come back afterwards?”
Hope picked up a pair of clippers and helped take off the dead foliage. “Boys are dumb.”
Faith laughed. Her sister always had all the answers.
“I really liked this one, Hope. I know I’ve only known him a short time, but I’ve never felt passion like that before. Never wanted to crawl into a man’s skin and live inside there with him forever.”
“And you’re sure he doesn’t feel the same?”
In unison, the two women stopped their gardening.
“He didn’t even want me to have his cell number. As if he were afraid I’d become a stalker or some shit.”
“Maybe he is. Who knows? He could have had a stalker in the past. For God’s sake, look at the man! Or maybe it has nothing to do with you, and everything to do with him. Perhaps he’s the one who’s broken. Have you ever thought about that?”
