“Coming to get you, of course. You didn’t think I’d make you come all by yourself?” I swear I hear him exaggerate the word “come” but then wonder if it’s just my imagination.
“I… I wasn’t expecting you,” I stammer. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
I hurry back over to the mirror and put on some lipstick. I look myself over and straighten my skirt out. I’ve been anticipating this night, but now that it’s here, I am very nervous.
I take my purse and keys and close the door behind me. I push the button and notice my palms are sweaty as I wait for the elevator. What is wrong with me? It’s just a date and we’ve already kissed.
The elevator doors open and I step in, adjusting my dress, fussing with my purse, and fidgeting the whole way down. When I reach the lobby and get out I see Jayson from behind. He’s looking out the front doors and doesn’t notice me right away. I start walking toward him and the sound of my heels makes him turn around.
“Wow. You look stunning,” he says. His jaw is practically on the floor.
“Thanks. You look pretty good, too,” I tease. He looks ridiculously handsome. He’s in a steel gray, fitted button-down shirt and jeans that are snug in all the right places. His eyes are accentuated by the color of his shirt and I start to imagine what his body looks like underneath.
“Well, let’s get this date started, then.” He opens the doors and gestures for me to go ahead. “Ladies first.”
I smile. “You’re such a gentleman.”
“I just love watching you from behind,” he quips. This is going to be an interesting evening.
I see a black town car out front. Jayson steps ahead and opens the back door for me. I usually walk or take a cab, so this is a step up from the norm.
I get in and slide across the seat to make room for him. He gets in, closes the door, and makes himself comfortable next to me. Jayson’s close enough that we’re almost touching and I find myself getting aroused. He smells incredible and he looks amazing. I don’t know how I can give him a fair chance when he looks so fucking hot. I want to say he’s playing dirty, but since I bought a special dress and I’m wearing skimpy lace bra and panties, I guess I’ve evened the playing field.
We have light conversation but barely look at each other the whole way there. I know that I can’t look at him for fear that the second I look into those wolfish eyes I am going to give in to all of my desires. I’m pretty sure he feels the same way about me. We are both trying to play it cool. I can’t wait to have a table between us so I can relax a little bit.
We get to the restaurant in no time and there is a quaint corner table waiting for us. The waiter escorts us there and pulls out my chair for me. I take a seat and Jayson situates himself on the other side. Before the waiter walks away, he asks if we would like a drink. Without hesitation, Jayson orders a bottle of merlot he must like because he knows the name without looking at the wine list. I pick up my menu and pretend to be very interested in it until the waiter comes back with the bottle.
He shows the bottle to Jayson, uncorks it, and pours a little in his glass to taste. Jayson swirls the glass and takes a sip. He gives the waiter a nod and he fills both of our glasses and walks away since we’re not ready to order yet.
“Cheers to the most beautiful woman at this table,” he says, holding his glass up.
“Only at the table, huh? That’s not going to get you too many points in my book,” I laugh and clink his glass. We each take a sip.
“I didn’t know you were keeping score. I’ll have to try harder. I don’t like to lose,” Jayson says and then picks up his menu and takes a brief look. The waiter comes back to take our order. We let him know our choices and then he takes our menus and walks away again leaving us alone. He also left me without a menu to hide behind.
We start talking about nothing at first and I loosen up a little. Maybe it’s the conversation, maybe it’s the wine—maybe it’s a little of both. Regardless, the conversation is flowing freely and we’re getting along great. We reveal a lot about our pasts and our families, and on top of everything else, I’m surprised Jayson is actually pretty smart, too.
“So, what do you think will happen with your father and my mother?” I ask him as we take our time eating our entrees.
“I’m not sure. They seem to be in love, but they’ve both been through a lot. I guess we’ll just have to wait and see. Maybe we should agree not to let their lives influence ours. That way, no matter what develops, we can still fuck if we want.” He smirks, sounding like his old self again.
I almost spit my drink out. We’ve been so lost in real life conversations that I forgot for a minute who I was dealing with.
“We could, I suppose. But we don’t fuck anyway, so it doesn’t really make a difference. If we did, though, and they stayed together, we could potentially be breaking laws or moral codes, or something. You could be my stepbrother and that would just be wrong on too many levels.
“Then again,” I muse, “if they broke up and we were still together, it would be awkward for everyone. I guess it’s a lose-lose situation. Maybe we should end it now before it begins.” I’m acting ambivalent, but I kind of mean it. Saying all of those things out loud makes me think this is a bad idea. How did I let it get this far?
Jayson looks right into my eyes and says, “It’s too late, Ashley. It’s already begun.” He swallows the last of his wine. “Like I said, their relationship can’t and won’t affect ours. We’re all adults, and whatever we choose to do, they’ll have to live with.”
The waiter walks over to clear our plates and asks if we would like anything else. Jayson orders a crème brûlée and two after dinner drinks. We are both quiet for a moment and then he lightens the mood again.
“What’s with the dress?”
“What do you mean?” I respond, looking down at myself.
“You say you think it would be wrong if we were together, but you wear that on our date?” He gestures. “Come to think of it, why did you agree to go on a date with me in the first place if you don’t think we should even be trying to make this work?”
Shit. He’s right. I am giving off mixed signals.
“I don’t know. I really don’t. It’s possible we could have something good together, but I’m also afraid it will end badly. You’re much older than anyone I’ve ever even considered dating. And you being a total player until what, last week? And then our parents…” I trail off. “I feel like you’re being sincere with me, but that could just be me wanting you to be.”
“Why don’t you just let things happen and stop thinking so much?” he asks with a shrug. And suddenly I realize he’s right. Our parents, our friends—everyone is going to have an opinion, regardless of the situation. Maybe I should stop thinking and just follow my heart.
“I think that’s exactly what I need to do,” I say with conviction. I pick up my glass and hold it up. “Here’s to whatever the future holds.” He clinks his glass against mine and smiles.
“And the dress?” Jayson asks again.
“It’s just a dress. I thought it was pretty, so I wore it,” I answer.
“I think it’s pretty, too. You look so fucking sexy in it. I bet you have something even prettier on underneath,” he teases as the waiter delivers our dessert. My cheeks are bright red. I have become familiar with his sexual innuendos, but I’m still a little shy.
“Thanks. I don’t think what I have on underneath is your business. I’ll leave it to your imagination.”
“I’ve been imagining since you stepped out of the elevator,” Jayson replies, staring into my eyes again. I look down and take another sip of my drink because I’m too flustered to think of a response. He smirks at me, reveling in the way I blush and lose my words. The waiter comes with the bill, which Jayson pays and we both stand to leave.
He has arranged for the car service to pick us up, and it’s waiting outside when we exit the restaurant. Once again he opens the door for me and I get in, him right behind
me. He is sitting dangerously close to me again and I am trying not to look as nervous as I feel.
“Thanks for dinner, Jayson. I had a really great time. It’s nice to know you can hold a real conversation and not just speak in cheesy pick-up lines.”
“You’re welcome. I know you don’t think I’m a decent guy, but I am—or I can be if I want to,” he replies as the driver turns onto my street. I’m so unsure what my next move should be, if I should call it a night or invite him up to my apartment.
The driver stops in front of my place, and I before I can decide, Jayson is out of the car and talking to the driver. I climb out and wait on the sidewalk for him. He starts walking around the back of the car and it pulls away. Apparently, a decision has been made for me.
“Does this mean you’re inviting yourself over?” I ask, trying to mask my excitement.
“I at least want to walk you to your door. This is an official date, remember? It’s your choice if you want to invite me in. I just want some privacy this time when we kiss goodnight.” He smiles, and I know he’s taunting me again in that self-assured way of his that drives me nuts. He’s told me just now that we’re going to kiss. For all his talk about it being “my decision,” it’s pretty clear Jayson has every intention of going after what he wants. And I think he knows I’ll give in.
He walks ahead and opens the door for me which I nervously step through. Truth is, I have no idea what’s going to happen once we’re on the other side.
12
JAYSON
* * *
I waited impatiently all week for tonight. I couldn’t focus on anything at work and my men noticed. So did my brother. As my partner we are supposed to work as a team, and he knew I was off this week. We don’t talk about our feelings too much—it’s just not something we ever did with each other—but he was genuinely concerned about me so he asked if I was okay.
I told him what was going on, how I met Ashley before we officially “met” at Cynthia’s house. How I instantly fell for her. How badly I wanted her to believe I could be the good guy she was looking for. Even Matt wasn’t sure I have it in me to be with one woman, until he heard me out. He could tell by the sincere tone of my voice and the way I talked about her that this is real.
Then he springs it on me.
“You know Dad is going to ask Cynthia to marry him, right?” he asks.
“I didn’t. He never told me.” Matt is a lot closer with Dad than I am.
“Well, he is, which will make you Ashley’s big brother.”
“Stepbrother,” I interrupt.
“Whatever. Ashley is hot, but make sure she’s worth it, man. Things could get very messy for everyone.”
Now, heading back to her place, I have a tense feeling—one I’ve never had with a woman before. Dinner was great, and the night we’ve shared thus far has only convinced me that what we have, what we could have, is very, very real.
I need her tonight. I want her so desperately. No woman has ever drawn these kinds of emotions from me, and I want to show her how special she is to me.
I think I know how.
13
ASHLEY
* * *
We apprehensively wait for the elevator. I actually think Jayson might be nervous. That makes me feel good. I don’t necessarily have the upper hand here, but if he’s feeling even a little uneasy, that would mean he cares. I’m sure he’s gone home with hundreds of women, virtual strangers, without missing a beat. Maybe I am special, after all.
Just as I finish that thought, the doors open to the twenty-first floor and he takes my hand as we step out into the hallway. It feels so natural to be holding his hand, like we come home together all the time.
“This is me,” I state as I slow down in front of my door. After a moment of deliberation, I add, “Want to come in?”
Jayson smiles slyly. “Of course.”
I unlock the door and push it open, unsure what is going to happen, or what I want to happen, but I’m trying not to think too much about it. He follows me in and closes the door behind him. I place my purse on the small table in the entryway and he comes right up behind me, his body so close I can feel him there. I slowly turn around and we are face to face, but only for a second. He looks me right in the eyes as he holds both of my hands in his and kisses me tenderly on the lips.
“Does that feel wrong?” he asks, our faces still only inches away from each other, our hands entwined.
“No,” I whisper. And he kisses me again, deeper this time. Parting my lips with his tongue. Working his way around the inside of my mouth for a minute and then stopping again, sucking gently on my lip before letting go.
“And that?” he asks again, taunting me now.
“No,” I reply. I have no other words.
Jayson pulls my hands up over my head, playfully pinning me against the wall and pressing his body against mine as he starts to kiss me again, deeper and harder. I want to touch him but his arms are extended over mine and I can’t move. Our kiss is powerful and passionate, so full of desire. I am now trying to pull my hands down so I can touch him, but he puts more strength into his grip and I feel him smiling as we continue to kiss. Jayson has full control of me now.
“You made me work for this, Ashley, I want to be sure you really want it.” He begins to kiss my neck, sucking lightly under my ear, still holding my hands over my head. I’m squirming between his body and the wall, feeling helpless. I want to touch him so bad.
I take one of my legs and wrap it around one of his, trying to pull him closer to me. We can’t get any closer than we already are but it’s all I can do.
He begins to kiss my lips again and I’m kissing him back with a passion I’ve never felt before. Jayson loosens his hold on my arms and puts his hands on the back of my head, cupping my neck. I return his fervor.
He puts his hands on my shoulders, sliding the sleeves of my dress down, causing the top to fall. My nipples are hard and poking through the red lace of my bra. Jayson stops for a second to look at me and whispers, “You are so fucking beautiful,” before he starts kissing me again.
He gently cups my breasts and a soft moan escapes my mouth. This man is truly intoxicating. The way he’s touching me, the way he makes my body feel—the way we are standing here together, doing almost nothing more than kissing, and I want to scream for more.
Jayson pulls my bra straps down and expertly unhooks it from the back, letting it fall to the floor. I’m naked now from the waist up and I want to feel his skin against mine. I fumble with the buttons on his shirt, our mouths still melded together, and one by one, undo them. I finally get to the last button and pull his shirt back over his shoulders and down his arms, feeling each muscle on his arms and chest as I do. I let his shirt fall to the floor and wrap my arms over his shoulders, pressing my chest into his. His body is strong and firm and I can feel the heat coming off him as we strain to get closer.
I can feel Jayson’s erection pressing into me. He is so hard and big. I can’t wait. I want him now.
He reaches down and runs his hand over my leg and up under my dress. I know he can feel how hot and wet I am already as he pulls what’s left of my dress down so it, too, falls to the floor.
He runs his fingers over my panties, teasing me. He knows what he’s doing because I am writhing over him, silently begging for him to guide his fingers inside of me. My back is arching, hips tilting up toward him, my body begging for him to touch me. Jayson slips a finger under my panty line but goes no further. He is such a fucking tease.
“Are you sure you want me?” Jayson taunts, still rubbing my moist heat.
I can only nod. I’m too turned on to utter a word—hot and wet with raw desire. He kisses me again, deep and hard, pressing against me and pinning me to the wall. I feel him grab the edge of my dress and panties and forcefully yank them both down, letting them fall to the floor. I am now completely naked with my back to the wall.
Jayson uses one finger to part my moist pussy lips. Th
e sensation makes my knees buckle for a second. He is up against me with one hand on the back of my neck and one working its way inside of me.
Jayson feels my wetness and it arouses him that much more. I know because he is kissing me harder and pressing his manhood against me. I buck my hips up against his as he slides his wet finger across my slit again and then back up inside me. He uses his thumb to circle my clit. We are still locked in a kiss as he continues to stroke me, teasing me, bringing me to the edge and stopping.
I need to undo his jeans and get them off so there’s nothing to hold him back. I start to unbutton his pants as he fingers me gently but passionately. I get his button open and zipper down and start to pull his jeans and boxer briefs off in one motion. I gasp at the size of Jayson’s hard cock as I take it in my hand and begin to stroke it, marveling at the sensation of it swelling in my palm.
I press my back against the wall, and with one hand on his shaft, I run the other down his chest, over his perfectly-sculpted abs, and down to his thighs. He still has his fingers inside me, skillfully touching me in all the right places. With both hands smoothly caressing his cock, I pull him closer to me and whisper, “Take me, Jayson. Fuck me. Now. I can’t wait any longer.”
He smiles at me. “I’m not going to fuck you, Ashley.” I get weaker as I hear my name cross his lips. “I’m going to make love to you.”
And with that, he locks his hands under my thighs and easily picks me up.
I wrap my arms around his neck and my legs around his upper thighs and he carries me across the hall to my open bedroom door. We cross the threshold, and a few steps later he is gently laying me down on my bed, his hips situated between my legs. Jayson kneels in front of me and tears open a condom I didn’t notice him take from his pocket and slips over his erection before leaning his body over mine. His cock is rock hard and pressing against me so I can feel it throbbing with desire.
PUCK (A BAD BOY HOCKEY ROMANCE) Page 19
