by Nicki Night
The boat swayed and Jewel fell into his arms. Sterling closed them around her and leaned forward until he was a hair’s width from her lips and stopped. Tensions crackled between them. The energy of their closeness tickled her lips. Jewel willed herself not to reach up and kiss him. She could already taste his lips. She imagined they held some of the tartness of the wine they drank. Jewel righted herself in his arms and allowed that closeness to linger for a moment longer.
“Let’s go watch the sunset.” Sterling’s voice was almost a whisper. Leading her by the hand, they grabbed glasses of wine and walked to the deck at the front of the boat. In silence they held hands and watched the sun make a show of its descent. Pink and orange hues turned red and nearly purple before the sun fully tucked itself away.
Sterling led Jewel inside the cabin. They sat at the candlelit table there and enjoyed dessert. Music continued to float through the speakers in a variety of genres. They were back at love songs.
Sterling stood and held his hand out to Jewel. She took it, rose to her feet and stepped into his arms. They swayed to the soothing tempo. Jewel laid her head against his chest. His chest felt as if it were made for her to rest there. When she looked back up at him, Sterling leaned forward and captured her lips with his. When they connected, Jewel wasn’t sure if the sway she felt was caused by the boat, or the dizzying effect of Sterling’s kiss. He tightened his arms around her. She held him back. He kissed her breath away.
An urgent need came over Jewel and she wondered if Sterling sensed it or felt the same. That need charged them both. Jewel’s hands roamed his back and torso and pulled him closer to her. He cupped her bottom, pressing her into him. Sterling released her lips and took to her neck. She arched back, granting him more access. A moan rose in her throat and surprised her. Jewel felt her sense of control slipping away. Placing both hands against his chest, she gently moved back, pushing distance between them. She focused on catching her breath.
“I want to drive the boat.” Sterling looked confused. Jewel had to do something to keep herself from going too far. She needed air. “Come on.” She took him by the hand and led him up to the flying bridge.
“The lady would like to drive.” Sterling alerted the captain.
He simply smiled, stepped aside and waved Jewel over. “Have you ever done this before?”
Jewel giggled. “I have, but it’s been a very long time.”
The captain offered a quick tutorial and Jewel took the wheel.
“Wooo!” Jewel thrust one fist in the air as she disturbed the quiet of the night sea. Both Sterling and the captain laughed. Jewel enjoyed the wind against her face as she steered for several minutes.
“Now I’m impressed,” Sterling said.
For the remainder of the ride, Jewel and Sterling sat on the deck watching the moonlight bounce in the water. The back of her head rested against his chest as they talked about nothing in particular. Jewel couldn’t imagine she’d enjoy his company this much. By the time they debarked, she was still fighting her urges for him. They stopped at a bar on the pier and shared another glass of wine before Sterling drove her back home.
When they pulled up to the front of her house, neither of them seemed to want the night to end. She still fought the urge to grab his face and kiss those luscious lips again. They sat together in silence after saying good-night.
“Come inside.” Jewel didn’t want to fight anymore.
“Are you sure?”
“Completely sure.”
They exited his car in haste. Seconds after entering her home they were locked in each other’s embrace. Wild kisses and hasty hands unleashed hunger they tried to contain. Jewel backed him against the door, never breaking their kiss. Sterling ran his thumbs over her breasts. Her nipples pebbled. She pushed herself against him, feeling his swell nudge above her pelvic area. Sterling lifted her up. Jewel cradled him with her legs.
“My...my room,” she breathed. “Upstairs,” Jewel managed past her panting.
Sterling obliged, carrying Jewel upstairs with her legs wrapped around his back. Their lips connecting most of the way. Their kisses, deliciously insistent. In the room, he gently laid her on the bed. She tugged at the buttons on his shirt, trying her best not to snap any off. Sterling pulled down the top of her dress, releasing her mounds. Flicking his tongue against her nipples caused them to harden. He opened wide and took an ample amount in his mouth to suckle. Jewel moaned her delight.
Sterling lifted her dress from the bottom, kissed a trail down her torso, stopping at her navel, and then carrying on to the soft folds of her center. He buried his face there, massaging her to the heights of ecstasy with his skillful tongue. Jewel grabbed handfuls of sheets and screamed his name with her powerful release. His eyes closed and his back arched at her obvious pleasure. They were kindred lovers.
When the trembling waned, she reached for his erection. It was long and firm in her hand. She stroked him gently. The muscles in his taut stomach clenched visibly from her touch. As ready as Sterling was, Jewel sensed that he sought approval.
“Yes.” Her voice was just above a whisper. Yearning lived in it.
Sterling reached down into the pockets of the pants dangling around his ankles and pulled out his wallet. He handed the condom to Jewel. She rolled it over his erection. He entered her in the midst of a greedy kiss. Sterling swallowed her moan as he filled her. The fit was snug—perfect. When their lips parted, they stared into each other’s eyes as she received his long delectable strokes. Sterling slowed, sped up, just to slow down again. The intensity of their connection threatened to send Jewel to the edge of her own sanity.
Jewel knew exactly when sheer ecstasy descended on him. Sterling moved faster and then faster still. His rhythmic strokes, which she met beat for beat, became erratic. The friction was almost too sweet for Jewel to handle. Sterling’s head jerked back. His eyes closed. Jewel tried not to let the immense pleasure take her under. She wanted to fully experience every enchanting second of their jaunt. Jewel could feel the rumble of his groan start in his core, ride his torso and roar through his lips. Their releases collided carrying them on a wave of pure delight, lifting them far beyond their sensibilities. Together they bucked and collapsed into each other. Sterling held her tight. His body seemed too rigid to give.
When her body finally stopped trembling and his muscles relaxed, he planted a sweet series of kisses across her forehead. Jewel had never experienced a more thrilling encounter with any man.
As she lay in Sterling’s arms through the night, Jewel determined that she didn’t want this to be their one and only time together. From the moment he stepped into her house to pick her up, he’d managed to stimulate every part of her. Sterling had stirred something in her emotionally, mentally, intellectually and now physically. Compatible or not, Jewel wanted more of Sterling Bishop. Of course she wasn’t sure how that would work or if it even made sense.
Chapter 18
Sterling looked over at Jewel’s beautiful sleeping form and flashes of the past week flickered in his mind’s eye. Something intensely magnetic exploded between them when their bodies connected and they had become indivisible. She stimulated his intellect just as much as his loins. In her absence, Sterling craved every part of her, feeling drawn to her by some intangible force. None of his exes had that effect on him. Being with her was indulgent—decadently satisfying to his soul.
Sterling watched her slumber for several moments, appreciating the way her soft mounds rose and fell as she breathed. He reminisced over the time they spent together. Their whirlwind progression made the past week feel more like several weeks. They’d spent every evening together since their first night on the yacht, sharing delectable dinners, enjoying wine tastings, movies and simple nights in, ending many of those days in bed. By the end of the week, she’d spent the night at his place and now he was waking up at hers again. The sex between them was intoxi
cating and explosive, gripping them like a strong addiction. Leaning over, he kissed her forehead gently.
Jewel stirred, slowly opened her eyes, blinked and smiled. Sterling touched her lip but then moved his finger as if he’d touched fire. What was happening to him? He’d never been one to fall hard and fast for any woman. Organized and calculated—that’s what Sterling was. He thought things through and planned them out. That’s why he was so successful in business. Somehow with Jewel he’d abandoned his own character. She tapped into a spontaneity he didn’t realize existed within him. With the flick of her hair, she challenged his ability to maintain steadfast control of his actions and will.
“Mmm,” she moaned.
“Good morning.” Sterling leaped from her bed, putting distance between them. Maybe that would help him contain the desire rising in him. He looked down at his growing erection. Nope. Distance hadn’t helped. He headed for the shower. In just a week, he was as familiar with her home as he was with his.
“Where are you going?” Jewel purred. His erection tensed.
“Shower.” He kept walking, hoping to steady his resolve. Everything about her intrigued him: the sweet feminine scent, the sound of her voice; the way her lips easily slid into that sexy smile of hers; the sway of her gait.
“Can I join you?”
Sterling halted, took a deep breath and flung caution to the wind. She was too satisfying to resist and his insatiable desire for Jewel couldn’t be doused with a cool shower. “You can join me anytime.”
Jewel dipped her chin toward her shoulder and snickered. Sterling chuckled, more at himself for his inability to engage any resistance toward her. Within a few short steps he was at the edge of her bed. He climbed in and held himself over her. His erection bulged in his boxers.
Jewel rose to kiss his nose, turned her head and covered her mouth with her hand. “Morning breath.”
Sterling shrugged. Her scent could never be spoiled.
“Move it, silly. I need to brush my teeth before I say another word,” she mumbled through tight covered lips.
Sterling groaned, but rolled over anyway.
He stood, took her by the hand and led her to the bathroom. Under the spray of the showerhead, they kissed, devouring each other with urgency like they were satisfying a prolonged hunger. Sterling’s hands roamed, squeezed and caressed every part of her body. Her groans were an exotic song, imploring him to keep going.
Sterling lifted Jewel, holding her by her bottom. Jewel wrapped her legs around his back as the water cascaded over them.
“Wait,” Jewel whispered breathlessly, bringing Sterling to his senses.
“I’ll be right back.” Sterling released Jewel slowly until she stood steadily on her feet. He exited the shower, ran to his slacks that had been strewn across the floor the night before and searched for protection. Pulling it from his pocket, he held it up like a prize and rejoined Jewel in the shower.
“Now where were we?” He donned a slick grin.
Jewel snickered, took the condom from his fingers and their lips connected as she tore open the package and rolled it onto his erection. Without breaking the kiss, he lifted her in his arms again. Jewel wrapped her legs around his back. She hissed as Sterling slid inside of her. Instinctively his body responded to their perfect fit. Sterling’s eyes closed and his head fell back. Jewel’s moans strung together creating an erotic melody. The song invaded Sterling’s core. The tempo of his rhythm increased. They slammed into each other faster and faster, reaching a quick peak, then melted against one another. The clear shower doors clouded from the steam they created.
Sterling washed Jewel and she returned the favor. He fought the urge to be inside of her once again. Not wanting to leave, he prolonged getting dressed. The rest of his day was open and he wouldn’t mind spending it with Jewel. Overstaying his welcome was the last thing he wanted to do. He was known for pacing himself.
As if reading his thoughts, Jewel suggested they go for breakfast together. That breakfast led to them spending the rest of the day in each other’s presence and a stroll along the pier with ice cream while they watched the sunset. No topic escaped them, whether political, professional or personal. Sterling found Jewel so easy to talk to. Their conversations weren’t plagued with sharp pauses because of opposing views like it had been with his ex-wife. Instead, any opinionated opposition was met with lively debates and respectful but playful banter.
The night found them back at her place, with their bodies comfortably folded on the sofa in her family room. Music settled in the background. Conversation continued to flow effortlessly as if they’d never run out of things to talk about. Even the momentary bouts of silence that fell between them were comfortable and well placed.
Jewel shifted her position on the sofa and turned to study Sterling for a moment. “Why didn’t things work out between you and your ex-wife?”
Sterling sat back and breathed for a moment before answering.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be intrusive,” Jewel said, misinterpreting his silence.
“Don’t be. I was just thinking about where to start.”
Jewel shrugged. “I was just curious. That’s all. I remember you saying it didn’t last a year. That’s rather short.” She paused. “You don’t have to answer that.” She dismissed her inquiry with a wave of her hand. “Sorry,” she said again.
“I don’t mind. We dated for a while, but I’m not sure either of us really wanted to be married. I felt obligated because she was pregnant. When she told me, we just moved fast—eloped and found an apartment and then a house. We figured it was the best thing to do. At first it was cool but it didn’t take long to go sour. She had the baby and while we loved our daughter, we only tolerated each other. I think we expected that love would extend to us, but it never did.”
“Oh.”
“We tried to salvage the marriage—went to a therapist for a few sessions. Nothing much came of that. One day I asked myself, ‘Would I be happier with or without her?’ When I couldn’t definitely answer that question I knew it was time for a change. I asked her the same thing. It didn’t seem to matter to her either way. Our relationship was over before it started. All we had between us were the best intentions.” Sterling thought for a moment. The fact that he never regretted their breakup was his constant confirmation that they had done the right thing. “I believe that we should marry the person that we couldn’t possibly see ourselves living without.”
Jewel smiled. “That’s sweet.” She paused. “And it makes a lot of sense.”
“Yeah.”
“Would you ever marry again?”
“Absolutely. When I find that woman that I can’t see myself living without.”
“That’s special.” Jewel looked down and fiddled with her fingers.
To Sterling, it seemed she’d grown uncomfortable with the subject, but she had been the one to bring it up.
“What about you? Do you see yourself ever getting married?”
“Yeah. I’m not in a rush. I think it’s important to take time to find someone with whom you’re equally yoked.”
“Interesting. And what does equally yoked mean for you?” Sterling curled his fingers into quotes.
“Well.” Jewel sighed. “Sharing a certain...common ground. Being compatible in specific ways. Having similar goals.”
“Uh-huh.” Sterling nodded as he studied her.
Jewel looked at him skeptically at first and then shrugged. “It doesn’t really matter. My husband is probably far off in the future anyway. Most people seem to think I have an odd way of determining compatibility.” She cleared her throat, reached for the empty wine glasses and stood. “Can I get you something more to drink?”
Sterling recognized her actions as the end of their discussion. He wasn’t going to push her. He took the glasses from her and placed them back on the table. With her fac
e cupped between both hands, he pulled her toward him for a sensual kiss. He felt her body melt under the intensity and heat. His groin awakened once again. Sterling pressed himself against her. After a moment he pulled away. As much as he wanted to stay another night, it was time to go.
Sterling held her, resting his hands against her bottom. “I gotta get going.” His voice came out as a whisper. Jewel panted with her head on his chest. Her pulse had quickened. Sterling could feel it thumping.
“Okay,” Jewel whined and grinned. “I enjoyed your company.”
“I enjoyed your hospitality.” Sterling raised his brows two quick times and both of them laughed knowing company and hospitality sounded much lighter than the explosiveness that really transpired between them.
Reluctance changed the air around them. Jewel trudged toward the door behind him. Sterling didn’t really want to go either, but he had to prepare for his daughter’s arrival. He was going to mention the real reason he needed to leave but chose to keep that bit of information to himself.
Jewel would meet Kylee—and soon. With the way he was feeling about Jewel, their meeting was not only inevitable but necessary. With Kylee’s approval, he’d feel comfortable and unhindered in his pursuit of Jewel because he already knew he wanted her.
Chapter 19
Dominique shuffled into the restaurant like a gust of wind snatching both Harper and Jewel’s attention at the same time. Jewel sipped her wine, laughed and shook her head.
“Weren’t you the one who told me not to be late?” Jewel raised a brow at Dominique.
“I know. I know.” Dominique plopped her purse on the table and flopped into her seat. “Oh my goodness. What a day!”
“Sounds like all of us had interesting days.” Harper sighed.
