The website that had sponsored the contest focused on beauty, fashion, and lifestyle posts. Rina hadn’t read the fine print saying that she’d have to do a photoshoot for the website as the grand prize winner, and had thought her travel coordinator was joking when she’d first mentioned it. She wasn’t happy about having to pose, but figured she could suck it up. After all, it was a small price to pay, all things considered.
Benji hugged and air kissed them both goodbye after they had finished shopping. He got Rina’s number before he left because he had to as her stylist, but got Cely’s number since they made plans to hang out later in the week. The girls took a cab back to their hotel.
Chapter 12
Kris was laying on the bed watching a movie when they got back to the hotel room. She stood up and walked over to them, helping Rina with her bags.
“Hey, welcome back! How was it?” Kris asked.
Cely kicked off her heels and collapsed onto the couch. “Exhausting!” she said with a loud dramatic sigh.
“And you weren’t even the one trying things on for four hours,” Rina said drily as Kris giggled.
Cely had draped one arm over her face, blocking out the light as she lay on her back. “You should really hang those up, Rina. The gown at the very least,” she said as Rina groaned. High-maintenance clothes weren’t really her thing but Benji had insisted she pick up an evening gown. Rina just didn’t know where she would wear it. She hadn’t worn a formal gown since prom her senior year of high school, and she’d sold it right after graduation. In her mind having the money was more useful than hanging onto a gown just in case she could use it in college. The one and only time she’d gone to a formal dance in college she’d borrowed a dress from a girl who lived on her floor in exchange for writing an essay for her.
“You bought a gown? I want to see,” Kris said with interest.
“If you hang it up for me, feel free to try it on,” Rina said. She was only half-kidding, but Kris went to pull the gown out of the bag, admiring it as she held it up to examine it.
Cely said, “You still haven’t explained what you meant earlier this morning when you said last night was a bunch of ‘or what’.”
Kris hung up the dress carefully in the closet. “Yeah, what happened to you last night?” She was too polite to ask if Rina had hooked up with anyone, but she was definitely curious.
Rina shook her head. “Probably not what either of you think.” She told them everything that had happened last night, except for the part about Joven being naked this morning, right up to the point where he had dropped her off at the hotel. Kris and Cely had expressed interest when she’d talked about meeting Dylan and Brendan, then outrage and concern at what had happened on the beach, then interest again when she’d talked about Joven.
Cely was smug. “I knew he was a therian,” she said.
“Yeah, but I learned more last night about therians than I ever have from being your friend for years,” Rina pointed out. “Have you been holding out on us all these years or something?” She hadn’t meant to sound accusatory, but it had come out that way nonetheless.
Cely gave Rina a cold look and Kris thought they might fight, so she cleared her throat to get their attention and distract them. “Did you say that Joven wanted to take us to dinner tonight? What time?” Kris asked.
“Eight,” answered Rina. Factoring in time they needed to travel to the restaurant, that gave them about an hour to get ready. With the three of them sharing the bathroom, it had just barely been enough time. Rina had texted Joven saying that her friends were free for dinner and he had texted her back with the restaurant info, saying he was looking forward to meeting them but reiterated that he couldn’t wait to see her again.
Rina was both excited and nervous for dinner as she made her way downstairs with Cely and Kris. She hoped dinner would go well.
***
The restaurant Joven picked was at the very beginning of the strip, far away enough from the center that it wasn’t swamped by tourists, but close enough that they could walk. Not that they had to walk though. Joven had arranged for a pedicab to bring them to the restaurant, saying he would meet them there shortly. The interior was dim, but Rina thought it lent a romantic touch to the atmosphere. The hostess seated them at a table Joven had reserved for them. Kris and Cely had sat next to each other, leaving the seat next to Rina empty so Joven could sit there.
The girls had ordered their usual cocktails to start, and as they waited for their drinks, they looked over the menu, debating over appetizers. Cely hadn’t wanted to share once she’d seen a soup she wanted, but it was fine since Kris and Rina couldn’t agree on an appetizer they both liked. Joven had arrived right before they received their drinks. He ordered a beer to drink, and the server had asked if they had decided on any appetizers. Joven hadn’t even needed to see the menu since he came here so often.
“I’d like to start with the turtle soup,” he said. Cely ordered a cup of lobster bisque, while Kris ordered a house salad with oil and vinegar, and Rina ordered a bowl of she-crab soup.
Rina introduced everyone as they waited for their appetizers. She realized that she didn’t really know that much about Joven beyond that he was a vigilante werejaguar that had his own contracting business for other therians. Also, that he was hung. She hoped he’d fill in the blanks for her and her friends. Well, not that last bit, obviously.
The waiter came back with a basket full of neatly sliced, freshly baked bread wrapped in a tea towel. He reassured them that their appetizers were on their way and that he’d be back shortly to check on them and take their dinner orders. Less than two minutes later they had their appetizers. Rina couldn’t wait to try her soup. She-crab soup was one of her favorites, but she rarely got to eat it back in the city. She added some oyster crackers to the fragrant and creamy soup.
“So Joven,” Cely said, “what do you think of vibrators?” Rina nearly choked on her soup. Kris was already turning beet red. Yep, leave it to Cely to ask the hard questions.
Joven thought for a second. “I’ve never really thought about them much before,” he said. “I don’t have any experience with them personally, if that’s what you’re asking.” He swallowed a spoonful of his soup.
“Oh, I don’t care about that,” Cely said. “But I do want to know if you’d have a problem with Rina using one,” Cely delicately buttered a piece of bread. Rina thought she was going to die from embarrassment. Kris gave her a sympathetic look.
Joven frowned. “If it brings her pleasure, what does it matter?”
“So you’re not threatened at all then?” Cely asked.
“Any man that’s threatened by something like that isn’t a man,” he said disdainfully.
Cely nodded. He’d definitely earned her approval. She sat back and grinned, mouthing ‘I like him’ across the table at Rina. Rina just shook her head. She couldn’t blame her friends for being overprotective though, especially after the breakup with Jeremy and everything that had happened yesterday.
For dinner, Cely had ordered blackened mahi-mahi, while Kris opted for a mango salmon special she’d thought sounded good. Joven had ordered the crab cakes, and based on his recommendation, Rina ordered them as well. The waiter had also approved of her choice, saying that it was the restaurant’s most popular entree.
They conversed politely as they waited for their entrees. Joven had been born here, and loved the area. Rina had asked Cely and Kris not to bring up therians unless Joven did first. Kris had been quiet during dinner and Joven had asked her about herself, trying to engage her in conversation more. Once he’d found out she was a chiropractic assistant the two of them had gotten into a lengthy discussion about it—Joven had told her that he got adjusted regularly and suggested she check out his doctor’s office while she was in town. Rina had loved that Joven was actually interested in getting to know her friends.
Their entrees arrived, and the girls couldn’t believe how amazingly fresh everything tasted. Both Kris and C
ely had complimented him on the choice of restaurant and Joven had replied by saying he was just glad that he could meet Rina’s best friends. Rina kept wondering if maybe she wasn’t dreaming. After they’d finished dinner, the waiter brought out a dessert menu for them to look over.
For once, Cely agreed to split a dessert. Kris and Cely both loved coconut, so they’d been interested in trying the ‘coconut bomb cake’ listed on the menu. Rina liked the flavor of coconut, but hated the texture, so she’d suggested that Kris and Cely split a slice of that cake so she could share something with Joven.
Joven said he wasn’t much of a sweet tooth, so he let her pick. Rina had wanted to try a few different desserts but finally decided on the flourless chocolate cake. Joven had taken a bite and said it was too rich for him, so he let Rina finish the rest. She’d been in heaven, sighing happily as each decadent bite melted in her mouth.
When the check came, Joven picked it up and slid his credit card into the holder. The girls all protested, saying that they could pay for their shares, but Joven insisted on paying for it all, including a generous tip. He said it was a small price to pay for the pleasure of their company, and from any other man it probably would have sounded cheesy, but Rina just thought he was such a gentleman.
“Well you’ll have to let us treat you if you come visit us back home sometime,” Kris said.
Joven smiled. “That’s up to your lovely friend,” giving Rina an intense look that made her blush.
With the meal over, they left the restaurant and stood in front of it for a few minutes while they talked.
Joven decided to invite them all over to his place. “Would you like to come over and have some drinks at my house? It’s right on the beach,” Joven said.
Cely gave a hugely exaggerated yawn. “Whew, I’m beat! I think I’m just gonna go back to the hotel and pass out,” she said. Rina wanted to facepalm. Why couldn’t Cely ever be subtle about things? Cely elbowed Kris in the ribs and Kris gave a startled squawk before imitating Cely, awkwardness and all.
“Thanks for the invitation Joven,” Kris said, “but I’m just so tired, and this movie that I’ve been dying to see is on HBO tonight, so uh, maybe another time?” She winked at Rina. Rina hoped Joven wouldn’t notice her glaring at her friends.
Cely had hailed a pedicab while Kris had turned down Joven’s invite, so they left after that, telling Rina to have fun and thanking Joven for dinner again. The valet brought Joven’s SUV around and on the way to his house they laughed over how her friends had been embarrassingly obvious, but endearing at the same time. Rina was glad Joven had liked them, and Joven had been glad he’d earned their approval as well.
Chapter 13
“So when do I get to see the clothes you picked out?” Joven asked. They were sitting on his couch in the living room. The television was on in the background, but neither of them were paying any attention. Joven had his arm around her as she snuggled against his chest. It felt surprisingly familiar despite having just met him the day before.
Rina was surprised. “You want to see what I got?” she asked, turning to look at him.
“Of course I do. It’s you,” he said.
“Well, tomorrow morning I’m meeting with Benji and the makeup artist, then I have a photoshoot…” She trailed off. She was worried about the photoshoot. Joven sensed she was anxious. “What’s wrong?” he asked.
“It’s just…I’m hardly model material,” she said, looking at the floor.
He growled. “Never say that. You’re beautiful,” he said. “I could not be more envious of the photographer getting to look at you all day tomorrow.” When she still wouldn’t meet his eyes, he said, “Rina. Look at me please.”
With a sigh, she lifted her head to look into his eyes.
“I think you are perfect,” he said and she snorted. He frowned. “Do you think I’d be this turned on if you weren’t the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen?” He pointed at his crotch and Rina gulped as she realized he was rock hard, just like he’d been this morning when he’d been pressed up against her from behind. Just like he’d been in her dream on the plane.
“Oh my,” Rina said. She felt flushed. Normally, she was not the aggressor, but she wanted this man ever bit as badly as he wanted her. She wanted to be his.
She reached out her hand and placed it on top of the huge bulge in his pants, and he threw his head back and moaned. “That feels so good.” His cock twitched and throbbed in her hand. And now she was actually touching him, and so it was way better than both this morning and her dream combined.
He scooped her up in his arms and she struggled playfully as he carried her down the hallway to his bedroom. He put her down on the bed and climbed up on the bed in between her thighs, kissing nibbling on her skin through the thin material of her dress. His weight on top of her robbed her of breath, but not in an unpleasant way. After an agony of teasing kisses and caresses, they were eye to eye. His eyes glowed faintly in the dim light of the room.
“God, your eyes are beautiful,” she said.
He smiled. “You can stop sweet talking me. You’re going to get lucky.”
She pulled his head down and kissed him. He smelled of sun and tasted of his single bite of chocolate cake. All at once simple sensations left her and all she needed was his mouth on hers. His tongue, gently probing at first, became more eager. She matched him until his kisses became more hungry. His powerful hands tore her dress and exposed her lacy bra. He kissed the tops of her breasts where they were exposed. When she tried to unclasp her bra, he grabbed her hands and pressed his warm lips to them before pinning them to the bed and running his hands along her arms. He unclasped her bra and exposed her to the cool air. Her nipples hardened instantly, which made them impossible to Joven to resist. He sucked and nibbled on each in turn.
“I’m dying to taste your pussy,” Joven said, and Rina felt her hidden muscles twitch involuntarily in anticipation. He didn’t make her wait long, pulling the hem of her dress over her generous thighs. He tore her panties off like they were nothing. God, I’m going to have to go clothes shopping again at this rate, Rina thought. And then Joven pressed his face against her exposed pussy and growled and all cohesive thought went flying out the window.
“You’re so sexy,” he said. “I’ve been hard since I sat down at dinner. I couldn’t wait to taste you,” he said. Rina couldn’t believe how wet she was. She could feel it even before Joven touched her opening with one rough finger, kissing her thighs as he teased her. When his lips found and encircled her clit, he slid his finger inside her.
“Oh my God, Joven,” Rina said. Her breath was ragged as she struggled not to give in so quickly by the sensation. It was no use. He was amazing. Her orgasm was coming at her like a train and she was tied to the tracks. Just when it was about to overtake her, Joven stopped what he was doing. Rina raised her head to look at him. She was still breathless.
“Why did you sto—” she said. And then he was licking her again. His finger stroked the upper wall of her channel and his tongue engulfed her clit. Her orgasm came roaring back immediately and rolled over her in waves, but Joven would not stop, even as she fought for breath and cried out for deities.
There was a rip of foil, then Joven was on his knees between her thighs, rolling a condom onto his thick cock. She had barely enough time to float back down to Earth, but Rina was desperate to have him inside her, and she tried to position her hips to engulf him. He wrapped his hands under her thighs and held her ass.
When he pressed the head of his cock against her wet opening, there was a brief moment when Rina thought he might not fit. His eyes locked on hers intensely as he slowly slid inside, letting her get used to his girth.
She never felt so full, and she wrapped her legs around the small of his well-muscled back to pull him deeper. Still, she wanted more. She wanted more of him. He must have noticed her expression.
“What’s wrong?” he asked. “Am I hurting you?” He had stopped thrusting and she shook h
er head.
“No, it’s not that, you feel amazing. I just…can we try a different position?” she asked shyly. She hoped he’d want to do more than just missionary. She was tired of missionary.
Suddenly, he thrust deep inside her and she gasped, then in one fluid motion managed to roll them both over so that now he was on his back with her on top of him.
“Ride my cock, baby,” Joven said, and Rina began sliding back and forth on top of him. She moved slowly at first, enjoying the new sensation of being fucked at this angle, but Joven grabbed her round ass firmly with both of his strong hands, and began moving her up and down on his dick faster. Rina couldn’t believe how good he felt.
Her pussy was so tight and wet, Joven had to concentrate on not immediately losing control. He knew it would be this way with her—the one who was his perfect match. He let go of her ass and brought his hands up to her tits, squeezing them as she bounced up and down on his cock. Rina ground her pelvis into his and moaned. Somehow she became even tighter.
“Oh God. Joven. Holy shit,” Rina said. “I’m going to cum again.” His eyes locked on to hers and he rubbed her nipples before she collapsed on him, every muscle in her body giving over to sheer bliss. Joven held her tightly. Her back was slick with sweat. Still, they both needed more. “Fuck me. From behind. Please.”
Joven needed no prodding and Rina excitedly presented her ass to him. Joven was overwhelmed by the scent of sex in the air. When he slid his cock back inside her and she backed up onto him, he thought that he might cum right there. He lost whatever control he might have had, grabbing Rina’s long ponytail in one hand and her hip in the other. She arched her back as he slammed his cock into her, and he pulled her head back, holding her throat. She was close again, and as Joven held her, she slid her hand between her legs and rubbed her clit. The deep rumble of Joven’s moan sent her over the edge just as she felt Joven’s cock explode and pulse inside of her.
Momma's Got a Brand New Jag: BBW Shifter Romance (Seaside Shifters Book 1) Page 6
