by L. P. Dover
Vance steps forward and places his hand on my forehead in the most motherly way possible. I allow him to do this because I find it funny. He’s the least caring person I know and only out for himself. In a nutshell, Vance is a selfish prick who looks to capitalize off anyone’s misfortune. In this case, mine. Or at least what he deems to be a loss to me in the sense of Alyssa.
“Are you feeling okay?” he asks. He peers into my eyes, focusing on each one. “Your eyes aren’t dilated. You don’t have a fever. I’m stumped.”
I finally push his arm away and step back. He’s creeping me out. Yates is laughing. Probably at me and not Vance. “You want Alyssa so bad, go for it.”
Yates scoffs. “She only has eyes for you. I’m not sure why,” he says as he grabs his junk.
“You wish.” Vance punches him in the shoulder and Yates winces. He talks a big game but when it comes down to it, you don’t want Yates going to bat for you in a fight. He’s a daddy’s boy and will do what he can to buy his way out of a sticky situation. But, he’s also the first one to throw a punch. The only thing wrong with this is, he throws and then hides under the table until the melee is over. Leaving Vance and I, and whoever else might be with us, to clean up his mess.
“Are we going to eat or what?” I ask, hoping to steer the conversation to anything other than Alyssa and the party I didn’t go to last night.
“Yeah, let’s go. I hope that hot ass chick is working the lunch shift,” Vance says. “Man, what I would’ve give to take her in the backseat of my Maserati.”
“Your car isn’t even here,” I point out. “Your statement makes zero sense.” I’m starting to wonder if I’m the brains of the group. How are my friends this dense?
“Doesn’t matter. I want to fuck her bad,” he says crudely. I roll my eyes as we walk up the ramp of the dock and into the parking lot of the marina. We step onto the path that leads into the yacht club. Members only. By members, it means if you’re not making a mid-six to seven figures a year, they’ll probably put you on the waiting list for admittance. The only reason Vance, Yates, and me are allowed in is because of our parents. High society and rich.
The hostess greets us with a smile and a subtle posture switch. She’s trying to get someone’s attention, I’m just not sure she cares who. The three of us are single and a catch by anyone’s standards. The employees are well aware of this and aren’t afraid to let their interests be known. Thing is, we’d never entertain anyone from here longer than a night because they don’t fit into our world. It’s a shitty thing to say and it makes us look like total cads, but it’s the truth. My mom and stepdad, Kitty and Mark Bradley, wouldn’t care if I dated a gardener as long as I was happy. But my father and wicked stepmother—that’s a whole other story. Sheldon and Brandy Richmond are uppity, elitist snobs. If the woman I’m with doesn’t have a pedigree a million dollars deep, she’s not good enough for Max Richmond. And it doesn’t help that my dad and Alyssa’s dad are best friends.
We’re led to a table in the back corner with a view of the marina. As soon as we sit down, London, the hottest waitress in Kingston, sets our menus down on the table and asks if we know what we want to drink. Yates and Vance order some cocktail while I mumble that I’d like a water.
“Yep, that’s the one,” Vance says loudly as she walks away. “Damn, look at that ass. Do you think she realizes we’re watching her?”
“You’re a pig,” I tell him. He’s right though, I am watching her. At least until she looks in my direction and then I avert my gaze to look at the imaginary lint that is on the tablecloth.
“You’re just jealous because she leans into me.” He winks, making me want to punch him in his smug face.
He’s right though. I am jealous. I’d give anything to rub it in his face that I already slept with her and plan to do it again. Vance is the type of friend who would see this as a challenge because he feels as if London is beneath him and it wouldn’t be an issue for him to have her either.
Fuck, I really do need some new friends.
London returns with our drinks. As soon as her eyes land on mine, I’m looking out the window. I have to play it cool. I can’t let Yates or Vance see that there is anything between London and me.
“Do you boys know what you want?” she asks. She’s been using the same line on us for three years now.
Vance goes first. “I’m going to have the roasted duck. You know how I like it, babe.”
God, I want to punch him.
“I’ll have the salmon,” Yates tells her.
“And for you?”
I barely glance up before clearing my throat. “I’ll have the roasted chicken. Veggies on the side.”
“Ranch for your salad?” she asks, knowing exactly what I like.
“Yes, please.”
London stomps away and I watch every movement of her hips until she disappears into the side space where the computer system is. Even though I can’t see her, I can hear her. She’s angry. I’m still staring when she comes out. She meets my gaze, flips me off, and disappears down the hall where the bathrooms are.
“I’ll be right back.” I don’t bother telling the guys where I’m going. I’m sure if they were smart enough they’d figure it out. I rush toward the hall and right into the women’s bathroom where I find London looking into the mirror. Her face is red, blotchy. I’ve seen enough of Alyssa’s many crying fits to know London’s been crying. I turn slightly and lock the door.
“What are you doing? You can’t be in here,” she says as I approach her. Each step I take, she takes one back. We do this until she’s pressed against the wall and the space between us is minimal.
“Why are you crying?”
“What do you care?”
“I care,” I tell her. “I also care that you left my boat without saying goodbye. Did you think I wouldn’t notice?”
“We fucked. What’s the big deal?” her words are laced with hatred, which I don’t get.
“Yeah we did,” I say with a slight chuckle, trying to lighten the tension between us. I take a step forward until the white shirt she is wearing touches my navy one. My hand moves up to her hair and my fingers play with the ends of her ponytail. “The restaurant isn’t very busy,” I point out. “Are we your only table?”
“It’s still early.”
“Uh huh.” My lips push against hers, slow and methodical. London hesitates for a moment and then opens her mouth to me. The fire between us is instant. Her back arches off the wall as her hands pull at my belt buckle. “Feisty.”
“Shut up,” she mumbles against my lips. I do as she says and choose to focus on getting her pants undone and hopefully around her ankles before someone realizes that she’s gone and the door is locked. “Stall.”
We haphazardly walk toward the bathroom stall and somehow get it to close without either of taking our mouths off each other’s. My tongue is deep in her mouth when her hand reaches into my shorts and grips my shaft hard.
“Fuck,” I groan. “I’ve been thinking about you all morning.”
“Me too.” Her hand tightens to the right pressure and starts moving up and down my hard on. My hand reaches for the top of the stall to steady myself.
“Do you want a blow job?” she asks as she licks her lips.
“No, I want to feel that tight pussy of yours wrapped around my dick. Turn around.” London does as I ask. She turns, bends over and looks at me from over her shoulder.
“Condom?”
I nod and pull it out of my back pocket. I’m super fucking thankful I thought to grab one when I got dressed. Not that I expected London to be eager to fuck in the bathroom, but I had hopes for the storage closet.
Once my shaft is covered, London reaches around and moves her thong to the side. I line myself up, looking from her wet pussy to her eyes, which is where I stay when I enter her. For a brief second, both of us close our eyes, but as soon as I start to pull out and ease my way back in, she’s watching me. As much as I’d love taking m
y time with her, to ravage her body, we only have minutes. This has to be a quickie.
My hands dig into her hips as I pull them to meet each of thrust. She lets out the most tantalizing moan every time our bodies touch. Last night, when I approached her in the parking lot, asking if she wanted to grab a drink, I had no idea we would end up back on my boat. Believe me, I wanted to, but I had no idea London was interested. I’m thanking myself right now for coming to town a day early.
“Are you close?” I ask her. Last night, I had more time and could make sure she got off before me, but right now, I’m about to blow my load because this is about the hottest thing I’ve ever done.
London doesn’t answer me, but reaches her hand down, which I can only assume is to touch herself. “Oh, you’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I say as I slam into her hard. My balls tighten and I groan like a grizzly bear waking up from hibernation. And while I’m still twitching from the orgasm I just experienced, London is still going to town on her clit. I can’t leave her unsatisfied.
I slip two fingers in between her lips and reach around her so my other finger can work her clit the way I know how. Our position is awkward, but it’s fucking hot. When her pussy starts to squeeze my fingers, I smile.
3
London
What the hell am I thinking? I keep replaying mine and Max’s bathroom tryst in my mind. I could’ve gotten into some serious trouble. It was reckless and completely irresponsible. I can’t do that again. But, my God, it felt amazing. Guarding my heart is going to be the problem.
“Earth to London,” Kim laughs. I’m jolted out of my thoughts and I focus back on the task at hand…finding new clothes. Every once in a while, Kim and I will go on a shopping spree. Each month I set aside a small amount of money to spend on myself. It’s one of the things I look forward to these days. My life consists of work, work, and more work. I have to splurge on something fun every now and again.
Kim snaps her fingers in front of my face. “What’s got you all preoccupied today?”
I pick out a cute Ralph Lauren top and smile. “Nothing. Just happy to be out of the house.” I drape the shirt over my arm so I can try it on.
She follows me over to a rack filled with cute denim skirts. They’re all on sale since summer is almost over. I find one in my size and add it to the other clothes I want to try on.
Kim purses her lips, her eyes filled with mischief. “Something tells me that’s not it. You have that after sex glow about you.”
My cheeks burn but I shrug it off. “I have no clue what you’re talking about.”
She snorts. “Yeah, okay. Who do you think occupied Max’s douchebag friends while you were getting hot and heavy with him in the bathroom?”
Gasping, I smack a hand over her mouth. “Oh my God, how did you know?”
I remove my hand from her mouth, and she smiles. “I saw him go in after you. You’re welcome, by the way. I made sure to keep our boss from seeing you two walk out.”
Groaning, I slap a hand to my head. “It was stupid. I don’t want to imagine what would’ve happened if we got caught. I would definitely be kissing a management position goodbye.”
Kim waves me off. “But you didn’t. Just a word to the wise though, I wouldn’t do it again.”
I snort. “Got that right. It’s hard to think straight with Max around.”
“It’s obviously hard to keep your clothes on too with him around.”
Rolling my eyes, I smack her arm. “Enough of that. We’re done. We had our fun and it’s over. He used me and I used him. End of story.”
Kim beams. “Smart girl. The last thing I want to see is you getting hurt by the likes of him. He may be smart, sexy, and rich, but we have to be careful with men like him. We don’t fit in with his flock.”
That’s for damn sure. I’ve often thought about what it would be like to live among the rich, to never have to work sixty hours a week just to get by. I grew up middle class and there was a time when my parents had a lot of money. My mother worked at the local bank and my dad was an Account Manager for a large food broker. He made six figures a year and we had a nice sized house. My dad didn’t like showing off his money, but he did take us on numerous vacations. Those were some of the best times of my life. That is, until he got laid off and we lost everything.
“I’m not going to get hurt, Kim. To get hurt, that means I have to get closer to him. Last night in the bathroom was it. I’m sure of it.”
Her brows furrow with concern. “You sure?”
I push her toward the sales rack. “Yes. Now let’s get back to shopping. Maybe we should start talking about your sex life for a change.”
She scoffs. “What sex life? I’m sure I could get it on with Poseidon’s dumb ass friends, but I don’t want to stoop that low.”
We both laugh and I can’t argue with her. Vance and Yates are egotistical scumbags. They prance around like they’re God’s gift to women. I’d love to see them knocked down off their pedestals. That’ll most likely never happen. The rich always come out on top in my world.
Kim and I browse through the clothes a few more minutes and I grab a couple of sundresses before making my way to the dressing room. I take off my clothes, leaving only my bra and underwear. Some of the shirts fit great so I decide to keep the ones that work. The denim skirt is a little too short, so I move it over to the no pile.
Kim grumbles in the room next to me. “Dammit, I was hoping this dress would work. My ass is too big.”
I roll my eyes. “You wear a size four, crazy woman. There’s nothing big about your ass.” That’s one of the things I’m happy about with my body. I love having curves.
“All right, I’m going back out to find more clothes to try on.”
“Okay,” I call out. “I still have a couple of dresses left.”
She rustles around in her room and then the door slams shut when she leaves. I slide one of the dresses off the hanger and hold it up to my body. It’s form-fitting and royal blue; very classy. A knock sounds on the door and I turn the knob, thinking it’s Kim on the other side. My eyes widen when I see it’s not her.
Max rushes in and holds a finger to my lips. “Shh, it’s just me.”
My heart races. It’s hard not to feel light-headed when he stares at me with those sea green eyes of his. Max slowly slides his finger off my lips. “What are you doing here?” I whisper.
His lips pull back into a devilish grin. “I was walking by and saw you in the store. Figured I’d come in and say hey.”
“Stalker much.”
He winks and takes the dress away from me, hanging it on the hook. “I call it being at the right place at the right time.” His gaze roams down my bare body. “You are so damn beautiful.” He steps closer and there’s nowhere for me to go. Who am I kidding? I don’t want to go anywhere, but we can’t keep being reckless. Max lifts my bra and cups my breast, his lips closing over my nipple. I suck in a breath and bite my lip to keep from moaning. “I want you, London.”
He slides a hand down my stomach, but I stop him before he can go any further. “We can’t repeat what we did in here yesterday, Max,” I hiss quietly. “I can’t be seen with you.” Normally, I don’t play games with men, but with Max, I have no choice. In a way, I’m not lying; I can’t be seen with him because of my job. It’s in the employment contract you can’t get involved with the yacht club members. But also, I want the upper hand. That way, I don’t feel as bad with him not wanting to be seen with me.
Slowly, he steps back and looks at me. “Why not? You told me that first night that you weren’t dating anyone.”
“I’m not. It’s just for the best.”
His hands wrap around my waist and he smiles. “Okay. Then I guess a date is out of the question?”
He pulls me in closer to his body, his hardness pressing into my stomach. “What did you have in mind?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Don’t know. Maybe a date on my boat? That is, if you don’t have to work tonight.”
I shake my head. “I’m off, but there are too many of your buddies around the docks. They’ll see us.”
“Not if you meet me at a different marina.” His eyes light up and he kisses me. “Dawson’s Marina. Seven o’clock. Meet me there.” When I don’t answer, he kisses me again, this time deepening it. “Promise me you’ll be there.”
Dawson’s Marina is forty-five minutes away and in an obscure town. The chances of any of his people seeing us is slim. The words come out of my mouth before I can stop them. “I promise.”
“Good. You won’t regret it.” He sneaks out of the dressing room and I look at myself in the mirror. My lips are red and there’s another red mark on my breast from where he sucked too hard. The man is going to drive me insane.
I decide to wear the new royal blue dress I bought at the store. When I get to Dawson’s Marina, it’s not hard to find Max’s boat. It’s the nicest one around. I walk over to it and Max emerges from below deck, dressed in a white button-down shirt and khaki pants. The smell of food wafts past my nose and my stomach growls.
Max chuckles and holds out his hand to help me board. “Hungry?”
I take his hand. “Starving.”
He doesn’t let go of my hand as he leads me onto the deck. “Good. I have tons of food. Let me get us out onto the water and then we can eat. Sound good?”
“Sounds perfect.” There’s a large cushion with blankets and pillows on the deck and that’s where I go. I watch Max in fascination as he readies the boat. When we get out onto the water, the sun starts its slow decent below the horizon.
Max drops the anchor and sits next to me, his gaze focused on the horizon. “If I could live out here, I would. I’d sail around the world and never look back.”
“By yourself?” I wonder.
His eyes twinkle when he turns to me. “Kind of lonely, don’t you think?”
I nod. “Very. You could get Vance or Yates to join you.”
He burst out laughing. “Fuck that. I’d probably kill them before getting out of the harbor.”
