“Because you don’t want to fly, right?”
“Well, that’s part of it. It’s kind of hard to do the overseas jobs when I don't fly, and anything other than local is costly.”
“What are you afraid of? You know the chances of being in a second crash are even slimmer than being in one?” I did know that. I knew all of the statistics.
“It’s hard to explain. Have you ever heard the sound of metal being ripped apart by trees around you? It’s the worst sound in the world, and if I never hear it again for the rest of my life, I’ll be good.”
“You are afraid of that sound?” She narrowed her eyes and then took a drink from the waiter as he offered. I took one too and gave him a polite nod before he moved on to the next table.
“No, I’m not afraid.” I wasn’t sure how to put it so she’d understand. “The crash was horrific, and the worst part of it was the fact that I couldn’t control what was happening. From now on, I want to be in total control of my life. I realized on the way down that I haven’t even lived, and what life I’d had was controlled by my father, my company, and my clients. I hadn’t lived or done anything important. My greatest accomplishment was procreation, and I’d failed my daughter by not being around.”
“But we never have total control, Gage.”
“I’m going to control what I can. Make my life mean something, if only for myself and my daughter. I realized on the way down that it hadn’t. I had no legacy. Nothing but a pile of money that a woman, who had lived most of her life working for a small percentage of, didn’t even want. All she wanted was her time. After the crash, time was all that mattered to me, too. Having more time.”
“I’m surprised you haven’t quit already.” She turned up her drink and took a long pull.
“I’m not a quitter, never have been, so it’s been something that’s eating at me. As I said, it would be a side-step. I’d move over and let other employees take my responsibilities while I supervised, instead of being in the game.”
“The coach is still important.” At least she understood that much.
“That’s the way I like to think of it. Besides, then I wouldn’t have to worry about these shady contracts.”
“You’ll be glad to know I’ve already gotten some notes on that, and I’m looking into the laws of the area to see if there’s anything you can counter. I’m not sure who drew that thing up, but it’s antiquated.”
“Yeah. Do you think that was a deliberate tactic?”
“I think they knew it was outdated. You could take it back and make them redo it based on that alone, but if you think it’s the point, you might not want to bother. And if it wasn’t deliberate, you might insult them. Either way, I’d be careful.” That was just what I needed, to have one more thing to worry about when it came to James and his referrals.
We spent another few hours listening to speeches, toasts, and jokes. The people she worked with were all very nice, but I could tell that she was uncomfortable throughout the night when anyone would give her attention.
“Are you ready to go?” I thought I’d ask after she turned her head to avoid conversation with another one of her coworkers.
“Do you think it would horrible to leave before the countdown?” She tucked her chin.
“Are you not having a good time?” I felt as if the night had taken a lull as the music continued and the crowd thickened for the countdown. Everyone wanted to be somewhere for the new year, to have someone to kiss and to dream of a better year with.
“I am. It’s just I feel a few of these people from my old job aren’t being too friendly. Having an affair with your boss doesn’t win you any points, even if you were tricked and lied to. They have been acting this way since I left the firm.” She had to know she was going to come in contact with people who didn’t approve.
“Fuck them. Let’s go. We can have a countdown of our own.” I didn’t understand how she could work with people who treated her like that when she was the one who had been lied to, but the whole “dating your boss” thing was something she should have known better than to do. It never ended well.
She gave me a weary smile. “I’d love that. I have a nice view of the fireworks from my apartment.” She smiled sweetly, and I took her hand, and we slipped out quietly.
Once we were in the truck, she let out a long sigh.
“Relieved?”
“I didn’t realize how judgmental some of my friends are. I hear all kinds of terrible things they do, and then I try to be a friend, fall for someone, and you’d think I’d kicked a puppy.”
“Did you love him?” After seeing the guy, it was hard to imagine. He was nothing like her type, but of course, I assumed her type was like me. I really had no idea, and the thought of her with someone else chapped my balls. I braced myself for her answer.
“I thought I could eventually. Terrible, huh? He’s not even my type, but he was so charming, and I guess I just felt sorry for him. It had been a while since anyone showed me some affection, and as pathetic as that sounds, it was nice to be wanted. I guess I let him get in my head. Now I’m paranoid, wondering what people think; what he’s told them.”
“Why stay there? You should quit and move home.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m not a quitter, either. Besides, I have friends here, believe it or not. Chloe, my best friend, I don’t know what I’d do without her.” I’d hoped that she’d want to be closer to me and Ollie.
We made it to her apartment, and while it was huge, I could see a lot of things that needed to be fixed. It was all I could do not to ask for a screwdriver, but what she’d done to the place with the décor was amazing. “This is a nice place.”
“It’s okay. I was glad I didn’t have to move when I changed jobs. I work in the same building. I can see it from here.” She pointed to the window. Fireworks were going off in the distance. The big blowout would be at midnight.
“I wonder how much time we have.” I took out my phone and answered my own question as she disappeared into a doorway I was sure led to her bedroom. “Looks like we still have about ten minutes to spare.”
“That’s just enough time to get cozy.” I looked up, and she stood in the doorway, curling her finger to beckon me.
I crossed the room and took her in my arms to kiss her. Then I slipped down the zipper at her back and ran my hand beneath the soft silk. It was hard to tell where the dress ended and her flesh began, so I gently pushed the fabric off her shoulders, and in one swift move, she pulled her arms free, and it fell to her feet.
“I thought we could watch from there.” She pointed to the bed which was right in front of the huge window. The view was amazing, and from where she lay each night, she could see the entire city.
“I don’t think we’ll miss a thing.”
She took my hand and led me to her bed where she reached for my pants and undid them, slowly lowering my zipper with her long, cool fingers. The flesh beneath was hot and craving attention.
I pulled her into my arms, and our mouths crashed together as the fireworks began to explode outside the window.
Chapter 18
Lauren
Our fevered kiss lasted for a good five minutes, and in its duration, we’d ended up horizontal on my bed.
It only broke so he could work his way down my body, his mouth warm on my flesh as he planted soft kisses every inch of the way. He paused to pay attention to each breast, licking and sucking my nipples which had grown so tight they hurt. He continued downward, skipping over my naval to go even lower.
I moaned as his mouth found my mound and he slipped his tongue into my folds. I cried out as I gripped his hair and lifted my hips.
His hands moved on my body, rubbing my side and breast, and then disappearing to be felt a moment later against my slit. He pushed his fingers into my tight entrance and stroked my walls.
“You’re so fucking wet for me. I can’t wait to be inside you. But first, I’m going to make you come, baby. I want to make you come so hard
for me that I taste your honey.” I loved his sultry voice, and I closed my eyes and let his magical touch take me away.
A moment later, his fingers drove into me harder, faster, and his tongue brushed softly against my clit, stroking it so tenderly that I moaned and whimpered from the pleasure.
The variety of sounds he made come from my throat were always surprising, too, and although I’d been embarrassed at first, I loved the way they made him respond. He loved my shrill cry the most, and he’d thrusted into me hard every time he heard it.
After I came so much my knees were weak, he lifted up and kissed his way back to my mouth. His kiss was deep, and I could taste my honey on his lips. Then he met my eyes. “I could eat you for days.”
“I want to taste you.”
He rolled over onto his back and then smiled as he gripped his hard cock. “It’s ready for whatever you want to do with it.”
“I’m going to suck it.” I gave him my best seductive smile.
“Suck it off?”
“May I?” I liked asking permission, and his smile told me that he liked it, too.
“I think that will still work out for us tonight, baby. I don’t plan on making my first task of the new year a one and done.”
I got up on my knees and positioned myself beside him, and as I leaned over and kissed his hard cock, he played with my breasts, pinching and pulling my nipples. I teased him a bit, not quite closing my mouth around him as I licked and swirled my tongue around the rim of his broad head.
He reached up and rubbed my bottom, and I rose up to give him a little bit more access. I finally closed my mouth around him and pulled hard, popping his cock in and out of my lips, working it like candy. He moved his hand between my legs and stroked me, his fingers drawing soft circles on my clit and dipping now and then to spread my wetness.
I relaxed my throat to take him deeper, and he groaned as his cock hit the space behind my tonsils. “Fuck, baby. That’s so good. Are you sure you want a taste because you’re very close to getting it?”
“Mhm.” I moved my head up and down as my voice vibrated his head. I wasn’t about to stop and miss a chance of getting my reward. This was my first task of the new year, so I didn’t want to fail, either.
“Straddle my face, baby.” His fingers left their place inside me, and he nudged my leg to straddle him. I was a little shy about the position, but I was going to give him anything he wanted. I trusted him enough with my body and my heart that I knew he wouldn’t hurt me or make me uncomfortable.
I hovered over his chest, and he adjusted the pillow beneath his head and spread my ass cheeks. His tongue pressed firmly against my tight star, and I gave a little yelp, not expecting it. His tongue trailed lower, slipping into my folds, sucking my labia, and then he worked his way to my clit where he wiggled his tongue until I felt my release trickling as I pulsed. He slipped his finger inside, pushing hard on my G-spot, and then his tongue returned to my little star where he pressed it hard.
I forced my mouth down farther, my lips so close to his base and his cock so deep in my throat that my eyes watered. He reached down and held me on it, moaning and fucking my face as his hips gave a little push. In and out. In and out. I pulled away and gasped for air, and once I caught my breath, I devoured him again, deeper this time.
“I’m about to fill that pretty mouth,” he whispered against my slit. I felt his fingers stroking my back entrance, and I wondered what his cock would feel like shoved deep inside it, filling it up. I wanted him to take all of me, to fill all of me, but I wasn’t sure it was something he’d want, too. I decided to let him lead, knowing anything he’d suggest, I’d try.
His fingers found their rhythm as he fucked me, driving me close to coating his tongue. I whimpered on his cock, my eyes watering more and more, until suddenly, he pushed his hips hard upward, the end of his cock swelling inside my throat to silence me. Feeling him twitch, I pulled up just enough to let his come fill my mouth. I sucked and swallowed as he pumped and pumped into me. It was so much, I was afraid he’d spent his entire load, but he kept on eating me, licking and devouring, his fingers pumping hard until I felt a rush of release. He felt it, too, and closed his mouth on my pussy, drinking in as much of me as he could as he held onto my waist.
I collapsed against him, my sopping wet slit still resting on his face as he breathed me in. Then he slapped my ass, and I lifted off and rolled over. We were both spent, and I was full with the remnants of his release still warm in my throat. Strangely enough, my mouth watered for more.
I turned to lay beside him, and he snuggled me up close to his chest, his spent cock pressing into my ass.
“I hoped the ass play wouldn’t turn you off.”
“No, it was nice. I have to admit, I’ve never done anything like that, but now, I’m curious.”
“I didn’t think you’d ever done it before; you’re very tight.” His cock moved against me and goosebumps went up my back, all the way up my neck, and then his hand moved to my front, and he stroked my clit as he kissed my neck and shoulder.
My hand reached down, and he was hard for me again. “I need more.”
“Greedy girl.” He moved over me as I rolled to my back, and then he positioned himself between my thighs and lifted my legs up on his shoulders. I rested my ankles there as he dragged me to the edge of my bed and centered his cock at my entrance as his feet hit the floor. He pushed his head in nice and slow, and it disappeared inside of me as I looked down and watched with my mouth parted in a pouty “O”.
“You feel so good on my cock. You’re still so tight.” I hadn’t been with anyone as big as him, and I was sure that was why. Even the few vibrators I owned were small in size, and none of them had made me feel like he had. I loved the full feeling I got from his cock, and as he thrusted the rest of his length inside me, I came all over it.
He worked me over well, fucking me relentlessly until he’d made me orgasm three more times. As I settled into a euphoric state of pleasure, he pushed deep and filled me up, his voice sounding out a little whimper of his own. The sound gave me one last release.
He rested behind me again and snuggled up to me. I floated somewhere in the clouds, feeling completely sated.
“Just think, if you moved home, we could do this all the time.” His voice was soft in my ears.
“Your time is short. Your little girl moving home will kill any late-night hookups, and it’s not appropriate for me to go to your place and spend the night with her there.”
His hand stopped moving on me. “That doesn’t mean we can’t find time alone.” He rolled away from me, and I turned over to face him.
“I know that, but how much could we really have? We’d steal time here and there, and it wouldn’t be enough.” He was right there with me, and I was still longing for him, knowing our lives were so far apart.
“This sounds like you’re breaking up with me.” He narrowed his eyes and looked away.
I was thunderstruck. “Not at all. I’m just pointing out that you won’t have as much time for me when Ollie is around.”
“I was hoping to spend my time with both of you, unless that’s a problem.”
“No, I just haven’t met her. What if she hates me like she hates your staff? You’ve told me about the antics, how she’s a little imp sometimes. What if she doesn’t want to share her daddy? It’s not like you can choose me over her.”
“I didn’t think I had to.” His tone grew harsh, and he moved over to the edge of the bed. “Do you not like children, Lauren?”
I’d always dreamed of having his baby, but it had never included anyone else’s child. Not that it mattered much, but at least, I wouldn’t have to worry if our child was going to like me.
“No, it’s not that at all. I love children, and I think I’d love your daughter, too, but you have to admit it’s kind of scary thinking she might hate me.” Crap, now I’d pissed him off.
“Is that why you’re taking so long to meet her?” He turned and sa
t on the edge of the bed, the distance between us growing wider by the minute.
“It’s a little intimidating, so maybe. What if she does? It’s going to be hard enough dividing time, knowing I’ll get so little. I can’t ever be your first choice.” Being with him would never be enough, and just thinking about it not working out made my heart hurt, but it stood to reason that I’d always be sharing and competing with his daughter for time.
“You’re pretty much telling me it’s not going to work.”
“No, I’m not. I’m not saying that at all.” I suddenly didn’t know what I was saying.
“Well, then how do you see us moving forward? You’re fine telling your boss ex-boyfriend that I’m your fiancé, but since you’re worried about being cheated out of time, you won’t consider a deeper relationship?”
“I didn’t say that, Gage.” He was putting words in my mouth, but the more I thought about it, maybe he was right.
As hot as it was with him, it would never be enough.
Chapter 19
Gage
I hadn’t heard a peep out of Lauren since the early morning of New Year’s Day when I’d left her house before she woke up. How she could sleep when things weren’t resolved was beyond me, and I needed time to think about the things she’d said.
I didn’t understand how she could think my time with her wouldn’t be enough with Ollie around, and it sounded like an excuse to keep things from moving too fast. If she wanted to work on a relationship, she should have given it a shot, but I wasn’t about making her do anything she didn’t want to do.
If she wanted me, she’d come around, and if not, it would be a shame, but maybe it wasn’t meant to be. Thinking that, it didn’t seem true, but it was easier to try and convince myself than hurt over the way things had ended up. I’d thought the New Year was going to be amazing, but neither of us had started on a very good note.
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