James was wealthy. He was used to being frivolous and not worrying about the consequences. But I didn’t have that luxury in my life.
He let out a long, inaudible sigh. “I just thought this would be fun. I never meant to scare you.”
“I’m not scared, James. I’m just tired of worrying about everyone and everything around me. My father. Hard Grind. If I have to let go of Susannah because The Blue Spot’s coffee is stealing all my customers. I don’t want to worry if the guy I like will do something that would get himself hurt or worse.” I looked up his prank channel. James did some crazy stunts on that show, and some of them seemed dangerous.
He always laughed it off on his show, but it never sat well with me.
“That’s why I’m here.” He waved around.
He didn’t get it. I groaned, remembering all the times I had to lecture my mom. And all the times she said she came up with a plan that would help her. A new self-help book. A new super food that would help her concentrate better. It was always something that never worked.
I kept on walking, not even bothering to respond. What could I say? “Great. Wonderful. Another spontaneous, terribly planned idea like living off the land when you’re not a farmer.”
After a minute I looked back and didn’t see him. Maybe he stayed behind to think about what I said. I hoped so. If not for me, for himself.
I heard a rushing sound and wondered if I went too far. I must have been near the road. All the better. Then I knew I would have a quiet walk back to the car. It would give me time to think about how I would end things with James.
My head bumped into something, and when I looked, I felt the hair lift on my nape. I just hit my head against a beehive.
There were a few bees out, and that gave me a false sense of relief. Within seconds, the number of bees doubled and then tripled until I stopped counting.
Without any way of knowing where I was going, I ran. That road had to be close as the rushing sound grew louder. My mind hadn’t registered why it sounded like rush hour on a major highway in the mountains; I was too focused on not getting stung by bees.
Then I felt something grab me. In a moment of panic, I thought it was a bear. But then I realized bears don’t have opposable thumbs.
It was James. He tugged me close while running with me and pointed ahead.
We ran around some trees nearby and noticed the swarm falling away. A few bees remained, so we both kept running.
That sound of rushing wasn’t cars but a waterfall. He guided me until we were close enough that the spray from the waterfall enveloped us. The remaining bees wouldn’t get near us.
James wrapped his arms around me as we watched them buzz around, trying to get close, but there was too much water spraying on them. Finally, they gave up.
He pulled me out to arm’s length when we both realized they were gone.
“Did you get stung? Are you allergic?” There was fear in his eyes.
“No. No, I’m fine. And not allergic. You?”
“No to both.”
The misty droplets weighed down his hair and slid down his face. In minutes, James was soaked. His T-shirt stuck to his skin and was almost see-through. Each hard curve was outlined, and as my eyes moved down, I noticed his V guiding my eyes lower to his soaked shorts.
“I’m sorry for ruining the picnic,” James said, his voice raised as he tried to speak over the sound of the waterfall.
I turned my head up and was captured by his sinful gaze. “I’m sorry I ran off. That was stupid.”
“The food is soaked.” He pulled off the backpack strap and tossed it aside, trying to get it out of the spray.
I reached over and drew my finger down the outline of his abs. “Not as soaked as I am.”
Chapter 12
JAMES
My hand ached to touch Marika’s tits. Her nipples hardened to points. They were pink. A light pink.
I could see the pretty color through her white tank top. It was so wet the fabric was nearly clear. And then she said something I couldn’t believe came out of that sweet mouth of hers.
“What? It sounded like you said you were wet.”
Which she was, from top to toe . . . but I don’t think that’s what she meant.
Her cheeks were flushed and matched her nipples, and I wanted to kiss them both. She turned her head from side to side before undoing her jeans and peeling them down her legs.
Fascination rooted me to the ground as I watched her struggle to remove them from her shimmering pale legs. Her panties were pink too. They didn’t stay on her very long either. All Marika had on was that almost clear top.
She gazed up at me, nibbling on the tip of her finger, and asked, “Now what?”
After watching Marika come several days ago in Hard Grind’s back room, I couldn’t get her out of my head. My plan was to come here for a picnic and, after, have her look at the wonderful view while I devoured her pussy.
But that didn’t work out. When changes happened out of my control, I made do.
Change of plans.
“Lean against this rock and spread your legs.” I helped her through the muddy grass until she was as comfortable as she could be out here. The water trickled down her skin, and all I wanted to do was strip and wrap her legs around me.
But there was a time for everything. No rush. I hadn’t even tasted her yet.
I pulled off my shirt and dropped to my knees. I wiped the water from my face. I leaned down and licked her thigh from her knee to her apex. She was like silk and tasted like salted caramel. My nose flared, and I nuzzled up close to taste her lips.
Marika whimpered but stiffened. It was my job to help her relax. Lifting my hand, I slowly swirled my thumb gently over her clit.
“Hook your leg on my shoulder,” I said, unable to peel my eyes away from her beautiful pussy.
She did as she was told, and my cock strained against my soaking wet shorts. Once I felt Marika relax, I switched out my thumb for my tongue.
She tasted sweeter than I had hoped. I could suck on her all day. Her head fell back as she released a moan.
After I slipped two fingers inside her, it wasn’t long before she was gyrating to my touch. That was the wonderful thing about her. She went along with any ride I gave her—no hesitation, just relishing my touch.
She didn’t understand it was me who couldn’t get enough of her taste.
Her fingers slipped into my hair, tugging on me, guiding me. I slipped another finger inside her and curled it, making sure to suck on her clit.
“Oh, shit, James,” Marika whimpered. She had lifted her top and started tugging at her nipple. The woman liked it rough. Good to know.
I didn’t want her to come too soon, so I pulled back. Lifting my head, I withdrew my fingers until she gave me what I wanted.
“What. What’s happening?”
“Show me everything you want me to do to you. Everything.”
“I liked what you were doing.”
But I noticed the hesitation in her voice. She wanted something I wasn’t providing. That was fine, it didn’t bother me. This was the first time I went down on her. I had to learn, and her job was to teach me.
My eyes drifted to her glistening lips surrounded by her copper patch. “Show me your pussy. It’s begging for me.”
She placed her fingers between her thighs, pushing back her lips. She was swollen, a deep blush, and dripping.
I licked my lips and savored her sweetness. “Show me.” My voice was hoarse.
Marika began rubbing her clit in circles and moaned. “More,” I demanded.
She took her other hand on her tit and moved it down, slipping two fingers inside her folds, fucking herself.
“This is the most beautiful sight I’ve ever seen, but it’s still not enough. I know you want more.”
“Yes,” she panted before biting her lip. Her dripping finger moved from her folds, swirling around her asshole.
I cocked an eye at her. “Have you eve
r been fucked in the ass, Marika?”
“Oh, no. But, uh . . . fuck, this feels so good. Lick me please.”
“But what? Answer me if you want me to make you come.”
I slid a finger around her slick lips, never pushing inside. She whimpered, and her hips moved wildly. She was now pushing a finger inside her ass to get some relief.
Marika was incredibly sexy, and if I could fuck her right now, I would, but I needed to find out what she craved to satisfy her first.
“I have an ass plug. I use that a lot. And a dildo. A big blue one.”
I made a mental note to watch her using those items on herself one day.
“That’s what I wanted to hear.” I removed her hands and lowered my lips, kissing her clit before sucking and swirling my tongue around.
My fingers dipped back inside her, and I took my other hand and cupped her ass before giving it a swift smack.
“Uh, yeah.”
I knew she liked it rough. I smoothed out her wet ass before moving my finger down and swirling it around her puckered little hole.
“Yes, please, James.”
I grunted when she said my name. Something broke inside me as my name spilled from her lips. I would normally toy with her ass a bit, but instead, I pushed my finger inside her asshole.
Her head fell back, and she mumbled something incoherent.
I filled her and worked Marika until she was almost suffocating me with her pussy. That would be the best way to die.
But she came before I could collapse. She screamed my name, and I was thankful we weren’t near anyone else.
It took her a minute to relax, and she was still twitching when I removed my fingers from her.
“That was worth almost being attacked by bees,” she said with a lopsided smile, brushing the damp hair from her face.
“It sure was.” She helped me up, and I pushed my raging hard-on under the waistband of my shorts.
“What about you? Why don’t you take those wet things off and let me suck on you for a bit?” Marika’s eyes shone, and she flashed a wicked smile.
I leaned down and kissed her. It was chaste, and I didn’t want to let go, so I rested my forehead on hers. I could still smell her spicy honey scent in the air.
“No, not yet.”
“Don’t tell me you’re shy. Because I won’t believe you for a second.” She laughed as she pulled her head back to look into my eyes.
She had no idea what I had planned for her body. There was nothing shy about it.
“Not shy, just patient.”
Chapter 13
MARIKA
“The reason I invited the six of you here today is I’ve heard something that I had to tell you immediately. And it will change things for a few of you. One in particular,” Coleman, the guy in charge of the contest, said.
My eyes widened as I glanced at the other women in the conference room. There were originally twenty, but only six of us were here.
Did he find out about me and James? Was that why we were here? Did all of us get kicked out of the contest?
Fuck.
That was the reason, I knew it.
I shifted my legs and moved my hands under my thighs. I said nothing about being with James, and when the film crew was at Hard Grind last week, he left by the time the crew moved to the back.
Would James have said anything? He seemed just as worried about keeping it all on the down-low as I was. So many questions that I feared, after this was over, would all be answered.
“Before I get into it, I need to invite some people in who are the reasons you’re here.”
We were back inside the conference room at The Blue Spot. But instead of the long table being filled with people around it, the place felt sparse. Maybe Coleman was inviting the other contestants in to watch us be removed from the contest. Humiliate us. Film it for their billionaire guests to enjoy.
Sounded like something billionaires would get off on.
I swallowed and moved my hands to the table. They were sweaty, but I clasped them together to give the appearance of innocence. Closing my eyes, I whispered a chant to myself, “Don’t be the other contestants. Don’t be the other contestants. Don’t be the other contestants.”
When I stopped and opened my eyes, my mouth fell open. It was worse than I thought. Being humiliated in front of the other contestants would be a dream compared to what just walked through that door.
James.
Not only had Coleman invited James into the room, but he appeared as nervous as I felt. Gone was the swagger and his assured smile. His brown eyes darted to me and winced.
But after James came in, so did several other people. Some I had noticed here at The Blue Spot and others I had never seen before.
“If you haven’t guessed by now, you six are the finalists for Win a Date with a Billionaire contest.” Coleman swiveled around with a grin.
Sweet relief fell over me, and I leaned back in my chair. I still had a chance at the contest. They hadn’t found out yet.
I eyed James, but he still appeared nervous. That was odd. I thought he would be happy. Maybe he knew something I didn’t.
His brother ran this place; he probably knew who won. Maybe I’d be kicked out, but just not in front of everyone.
Why did I enter this contest? It was making me too nervous. I felt like a criminal.
The women clapped, and a few yelled out in joy, while I sat there frowning. What did James know that I didn’t?
Something wasn’t right.
Coleman slapped his hands together and rubbed them. “Right. Let’s get to it. The reason for our guests here . . .” He waved at James and the others to take a seat across from us. All the contestants were told to sit on one side of the conference table when we arrived.
Now I knew why.
“The next part of the contest was the secret part in your contract. That was the part we didn’t want word to get out about. Because it’s a challenge instead of an interview or filming of your daily life. We believe this part will make viewers of the channel really take notice.”
I glanced over at James, and he covered his face. Dear God, what were we supposed to do? Was this one of those eat a deadly spider type of things? Because if it was, I might as well walk out right now. I didn’t care if they’d offer a million dollars, that wasn’t happening.
I could almost hear my mother’s voice in my head telling me to lighten up, enjoy life, and go with the flow. If I did that, then I’d be dead at forty-five, too.
“Each contestant will go on a scavenger hunt.”
“For what?” Belle asked.
“Each contestant will each get a unique list of objects to find. You will also be paired with an employee of The Blue Spot to make sure you keep to the rules. No ordering everything online and then showing up the next day with your entire list,” Coleman said.
That made sense. Nothing about it appeared bad—or deadly—so far.
That must have been why James and those other people were here. They were the employees we’d be paired with. Maybe I was paired with James.
I hoped I was, but if so, why would he be upset?
Then I realized . . . he didn’t want to be with me.
Oh. My. God.
He used me. James was a VidTube star. Belle couldn’t shut up about him whenever I saw her. She kept saying she was such a fan. He thought it was normal to fool around with women and then move on. And maybe it was for some, but not me.
I had hoped that James was the one guy who would break my disaster dating spell. The first time we fooled around, in the back of Hard Grind, didn’t end perfectly. He had to hide and run away because of the film crew.
At the almost-picnic, we had a fight and bees swarmed us. But he went down on me, and I thought that was good. He thought so too. But maybe my disasters were too much.
He’s ready to move on. We’ve only texted a few times in the past three days since the picnic. Nothing more than a few texts back and forth. Nothing tha
t said he wanted to see me again.
I had been busy at work. The Blue Spot started showing the contest on their VidTube channel, and people noticed. Hard Grind got a few new customers every day. Enough that I hoped I wouldn’t be forced to let Susannah go.
“I will read off each name and then the person you are partnered with. They already know which one of you they’re to be with for the next week.”
“Week?” one contestant blurted out.
“Yes. I’m sorry I didn’t state that before. They will spend each day with you for the next week or until you complete the scavenger hunt.”
“Do we have to live with them?”
Coleman shook his head. “No, but during the scavenger hunt, you will live here, at the resort.”
More hollering of joy erupted in the room.
I raised my hand.
“Yes, Marika?”
“I run a business. I can’t just not show up.”
A few contestants mumbled about their jobs and they might be fired if they didn’t show.
“Don’t worry. If you need to go to a job or have a prior engagement, you may go. You’re allowed to leave the property for any reason. Not all the items on your list will be at The Blue Spot anyway.”
Coleman took a breath and moved around the table until he was behind our side of the table. We swiveled in our chairs to face him.
“Look, this isn’t Hollywood. We aren’t trapping you here for ratings. This is just a promotional campaign to get the word out about The Blue Spot. Make it more enticing for people. So, this contest isn’t just about making The Blue Spot look good, but the surrounding area and town. Some items on each list will require you to find something in town or in the mountains. Nothing out of the ordinary, just to make it appealing to people who are considering coming here.”
He shrugged. “And, in the process, you get to enjoy the amenities and rooms free for the week . . . including meals.”
I gasped. That sounded amazing. I cheered along with the contestants.
Coleman moved back to the front of the room and raised his voice, “Now I will call out each name of a contestant and then the person who you’re paired with. First up, we have Dalila Finks. With her will be Greg Ericson, head waiter at Blue Chip.”
Dating Disaster with a Billionaire (Blue Ridge Mountain Billionaires, #1) Page 8
