by Pamela Ann
“Do people ever tell you no?” she cocked a brow at me, eyes twinkling.
She looked kissable right now… damn.
A lazy, gorgeous smile etched on my face as I responded back, “Well, there’s this girl… she’s stunning and funny and she has these beautiful blue eyes and golden hair and she doesn’t seem to be interested in me, not one bit. I, on the other hand, feel compelled to be with her and to see more of her.”
She nudged my arm, matching my stupid grin. “Now you’re just being silly, Bass.”
“I’ll pick you up at five, Tuesday afternoon?” I couldn’t help it, I had to reach out and touch her face with my thumb, grazing that enticing bottom lip of hers that made me hard each time I gazed at it. When her lips softly parted, my eyes darkened with desire as I tried to control myself again.
Fucking shit. I hated this. I wanted her so bad, yet I had to hold back. I had never wanted a woman like this… and I couldn’t have her… not even a taste. Double damn.
“Bass…”
Crap, even her voice was so darn sexy.
Slowly lifting my eyes away from her lips, our eyes locked again before I went for the kill. “Did you love that guy you were with, Em?”
She looked nervous as she nodded. “Unfortunately, yes.”
I knew she had, but it was good to hear her say it to me. That way we didn’t mis-communicate. “I knew you did. I just needed confirmation. Thank you for your honesty.”
With a heavy sigh, I got out of the car and rounded towards her side of the door, opening it for her. She instantly took my outstretched hand and allowed me to help her out of the car.
She was staring at me like she was… fascinated. “Bass, I think you’re great, but I don’t think I’m what you’re looking for. Everything’s complicated with me right now.”
I did know and I greatly appreciated her candidness, again. She didn’t cower behind the fact that I could simply decide to walk away the second she told me that she wasn’t over her ex. Women chased me, so liars were always bountiful and I’d had more than my fill.
Emma Anderson, on the other hand, simply couldn’t care less that I was Bass Cole. My admiration grew. Holding up her chin, I forced her to look deeply into my eyes, hoping she’d see the truth in them. “Aren’t we starting out as friends as we agreed upon? Don’t worry, Em.” I gently kissed her forehead, breathing in her scent for a little bit. “Be ready by five come Tuesday afternoon. I’ll see you then.” With a quick nod, I slid back inside my car and raced into traffic.
I basically had over forty-eight hours left, more or less, until I could see her again.
But who’s counting the hours? I thought, grinning as I stepped on the gas pedal and shifted gears, using the full capacity of the car.
You Take My Breath Away
“Here we are,” I announced as I turned off the engine then gave Emma an encouraging look. She seemed to be on the edge. I wasn’t sure if it was this impending dinner or because of the incident that had happened in her apartment with her ex being there when I’d picked her up.
Apparently, Carter was Lindsey’s brother and he looked downright pissed at my being there. Actually, it was more like he resembled a kid who’d gotten his toy stolen.
I was competitive in all aspects of my life and normally I didn’t mind a little competition when it came to women. Heck, sometimes it made the chase all the more exciting, but… since Emma had admitted her feelings when it came to Carter, I stood no chance of winning. What I was doing now was simply taking a chance. If things didn’t come out my way, then I would be the one to blame, not her.
I snapped out of my reverie and got out of the car. An attendant immediately came over to greet me while the other held the door for Emma. “Good evening, Mr. Cole. I’m Steven, the attendant for tonight.”
“Thank you, Steven.” I handed my keys over before rounding towards where Emma stood waiting for me.
I could see her scan the place, her eyes absorbing every detail. I was expecting a nice compliment coming from her, not nervousness. She had me with her; she didn’t have to be nervous. I wouldn’t let anything bad happen. Looking at her agitated state, I was suddenly protective for some reason and felt the need to soothe her.
“Don’t be nervous; my godfather will love you.” My right hand nestled on the base of her spine as I guided her towards Martin’s palatial-like home.
Emma stilled, face evidently pale. “Your godfather? I thought we were going to Martin Lombardo’s house?” she asked in a small voice.
I had mentioned it, hadn’t I? “The one and very same.” Her shocked expression made me chuckle.
Martin was a good man; she clearly didn’t have to look like he was going to be a righteous asshole. He had always been very down to earth and didn’t use his name to pull weight around people.
“You’re godfather is The Martin Lombardo?”
Her screeching voice made me stop. I faced her and cupped her cheek, reassuring. “Listen, there’s nothing to be anxious about. I’m with you; you’re going to be fine, okay?” She gave a barely there nod as I softly pecked her soft cheek.
Her intoxicating scent bombarded my existence. It was as if nothing existed except us. Stilling, I inhaled her scent, breathing her in with rapacious hunger. Moving closer, I held her hips and enveloped her into my large frame.
Two days had been too long without seeing her.
When our bodies closed in on each other, I felt Emma slightly shake in my arms, just as affected as I was. This potent, sexual charge made me feel so damn fucking alive. It burned into me, making my entire body feel as though it was on fire. Never had I ever felt this. It was as if life flowed freely all over my body, surging it with energy and injecting it with fire.
It was beyond tantalizing.
It was riveting.
Moving closer to her ear, my lips softly brushed against it while my hand reached out to take hers, placing it against the stampeding beat of my heart. “Do you feel what you do to me? Being this close to you affects me this much. There is no greater explanation but to show you how electrifying you make me feel.”
“But we only met Saturday…” She was flabbergasted.
So was I. It was a fucking mystery. “Precisely.”
When she didn’t have anything to say to that, I decided it was better to get the night started so I could get her all to myself much faster. “Let’s get you inside and enjoy the rest of the evening. Hopefully, with you in my arms. So, how about it, Emma?” I was being playful, winking at her before I gave her a smile that worked with a lot of women—the I-can’t-wait-to-get-you-all-alone-so-I-can-get-wicked-with-you kind of smile.
Emma beautifully blushed at my innuendo. “Well, if you put it like that. Why waste time?” she quipped, matching my wicked smile.
The dinner with Martin and several of the cast members turned out to be a success. Emma and I did a small skit and I’d never had that much fun with a date in what? Well… ever.
Emma didn’t hang onto me the entire time like other women would. She let me do my thing and she did hers, even if she barely knew anyone there, she still managed in her own way and made friends with the other guests.
I remembered each time she laughed or smiled, I would always end up looking her way even though she was across the room or I was in the middle of a conversation.
I was drawn to her, whether I liked it or not. I was still figuring her out and, so far, I was pleased with what I knew so far.
Afterward, we decided to watch a movie back at my house. Each second was truly a difficulty now, yet still, I provoked the situation, hoping she’d budge and make the first move so that I didn’t have to break any promises.
It was late when we finished watching the movie. When I’d joked about skinny-dipping earlier, I never thought Emma was going to take me up on the offer, however she seemed to excel at surprising me.
“Bass, let’s go for a swim? I feel restless.”
“Seriously? It’s like three in th
e morning, Em.” She quickly got up and left the movie theatre.
“Last one there has a sore, hairy butt crack!” she yelled after me.
Following her out to the pool, I tried to plead my case. “Emma, I’m telling you again, this is not the wisest of ideas,” I croaked out as my eyes gathered the delectable bit of supple perfection that was her tight booty. Shit. Shit. Shit. Emma!!!
“Whoa, there!” I uttered, practically speechless, as I saw her wiggle out of my borrowed boxers and hastily place them on the pool lounge.
The moon was high and the City of Angels glittered before us; thriving, alert and so full of life. It looked downright riveting. The woman before me, on the other hand… simply rendered me speechless.
“What’s wrong, Bass? Admitting that you have a sore, hairy butt crack?” she teased, but I was too stunned to reply. My darkened gaze had become stuck to her skimpy, thong-clad bottom. “Hello, earth to Bass Cole?” she waved both hands at me, hoping to get my attention.
I cleared my throat, having a hard time concentrating. “I don’t think this is a good idea, Emma.” The words were only half meant because my eyes hadn’t left her ass. Not once.
“Why not? It’s not like this is the first time you’ve swam naked. In fact, it was your suggestion to skinny dip, if I recall correctly.” She pouted at me, goading me to the point of no return.
Teasing games, I thrived for, however, coming from this emerging vixen, I’d play with fire. Anytime.
Sweet Jesus, I’m on Fire!
RAWR!
Hell, why wasn’t she paying attention?
Emma merely shrugged as she pulled the hem of her shirt, lifting it upwards and off her body.
Goddamn, she was so fucking hot… and that delicious looking ass… FUCKED. ME. GOOD. I swallowed my now parched throat.
My tiny thread of sanity was lost amidst the sudden throb of my cock. I knew her body was in great shape. Hell—I’d been fantasizing about it so much. Yet nothing could have prepared me to see her tight body up close. I just wanted to feast on those perfectly beautiful breasts, over and over again.
Her nipples perked up as the mild air hit them. The raving beauty then turned to me. “Ready to swim?”
Fuck, yeah, I was ready to swim, however not in the damn swimming pool. I want to swim in your deep, moist and very hot channel, I thought wickedly.
Who would’ve thought a blond would have me so whipped? I was a brunette kind of man and had a thing for exotic beauties. However, all that changed when I caught a glimpse of this woman swaying so seductively on the dance floor. I remember my breath catching at the mere sight of her and it had been a fucking battle of wills ever since.
It hadn’t been easy keeping my distance from her, but what could I do? She was in love with someone else.
“Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Emma Anderson,” I threatened as I placed a bottle of vodka and my phone on the edge of the pool.
The woman merely gave me a seductive smile.
Fuck, was she doing that on purpose? She wanted me to kiss her, but fuck, I couldn’t do it. Not when she wasn’t ready for it. I didn’t want to be second best. I wanted to be first place, though shit, that didn’t matter because she was obviously still heartbroken.
What did I want from Emma? Tricky, tricky question. Yet—for now—I’d gladly settle on being what she wanted me to be.
Without breaking eye contact, I took off my clothes; all of them. What’s a skinny dip if one didn’t take it all off?
I heard Emma gasp as I pulled down my boxers and stepped out of them. I used to get smug when women saw my cock and I would relish in their rabid expressions, but with Emma staring at me the way she was, she made me feel like a damn king.
“Is it up to your approval, my darling?” I amorously asked the golden beauty.
Emma licked her lips and tried to drag her eyes away from my prized possession. It involuntarily twitched from her avid attention and she simply groaned then hastily dived into the pool.
I laughed at her blushing expression. How lovely you are Emma, I thought as I joined her in the pool, diving head first. After swimming a few laps, I came up for air and noticed she wasn’t in the deep end.
Instead, she’d chosen distance. We were on opposite ends of the pool, which was definitely not my choice because, if it had been, I’d rather have her close; close enough for me to almost taste her.
“Scared of me already?” I called out as my hands skimmed through the warm water.
“Hell no, should I be?” Emma asked.
Heck, you really should be because the way the pool lights are flickering over your sexy body makes me want to eat you whole and never come up for air. I bet she tasted as sweet as nectar; something to be savored and relished ever so slowly.
Fuck, I internally cussed over and over again.
My brain seemed to only think about Emma and her fucking body. Plus, right then, the only functioning brain left, it seemed, was the brain of my shaft. It was so hard that it was painful. I think this was the longest I had ever gone without sex. Although, ever since I’d met Emma, I hadn’t been interested in hooking up with other, willing beauties. This was a first for me.
I really needed to get my head away from my sexual thoughts. It would only get worse if I didn’t. I obliged myself with a shot of vodka. Opening the bottle, I took a gulp of the frosted drink, loving the feel of it burning down my throat and settling its warmth in my stomach. Yeah, that feels much better, I thought with contentment.
The soft ripples of water hit my back softly, an indication that Emma was swimming towards me. My heart was thumping wildly against my chest at the thought of her naked breasts so close to me.
“You’re not going to share that? What a greedy man you are, Bass,” she teased and settled herself right next to me, our arms touching.
“I’ll share whatever you want me to share, little lady,” I retorted back as I handed her the bottle of vodka. My eyes zeroed in on her lips as she placed the bottle opening to them, threw her head back and took a quick gulp.
She shivered. “Argh!” Emma muttered as she placed the bottle back on the white cobbled floor next to my phone.
As much as I wanted to divert my eyes below her neck and study her amazing breasts, I trained them to look elsewhere.
Anywhere other than there.
“Bass, are you nervous?” She leaned close. Her perfumed skin hit me full-on and my cock hardened even more. Fuck, what would she think of me if she suddenly decided to look down and saw my Johnson all hard?
There was no need to answer her because it was damn obvious that I was. Without much thought, I went under water and swam away from her. Away from the delicious temptation that was off-limits to me. When I came up for air, I swam towards the middle side of the pool and broodingly studied the sky above me, seeing nothing.
My body tensed once more when I felt Emma’s heat behind me. I let out a soft moan when I felt her kiss my shoulder, her breasts pressing against my back. My body raged as my blood scorched and my mind went into a lull. In haste, I grabbed her waist and drew her before me, pressing her back against the pool wall.
Face to face, we stared at each other, both hearts on a wild stampede. With the searing power of my eyes, I caressed her slowly, decisively and acutely.
Without even realizing it, I started to express how I was feeling.
“Exquisite, so lush and pure
Will you taste as sweet as I have dreamt you to be?
I’m staggered by your magnetism, your beauty and your truth—
Will I captivate you as you have done me?
Sweet Emma, your name alone, spoken from my lips gives me enough sweetness. Savored and cherished as one should be.”
As much as it killed me not to kiss this lovely woman, I willed myself not to because I knew I wouldn’t be able to stop at just kissing her. Instead, I buried my head in her neck and softly bit it. She moaned and threw her head back, exposing her neck to give me full access to it.
“Bass…” she gasped my name.
From the base of her throat, my hot tongue snaked out and licked her wet skin all the way to her chin. My hand found her nipple, placed it between my thumb and finger, twisting it back and forth as I sucked on her neck and bit into it as her legs locked around my hips.
“I want... Bass... your lips... kiss me,” she pleaded, breathless.
I can’t. I want you too much, my mind was resolved to stay away from her tempting lips. Her hips ground against me and her scantily covered, hot mound rubbed against my naked cock. Jesus, sweet Jesus, I thought as I panted against her neck when she became more determined with her grinding.
The hazy, lust-filled moment that blanketed us instantly left me when I heard my phone ring. I cursed, not knowing if I should be grateful for the interruption or pissed off that I had Emma wantonly aroused and ready for the taking.
No, Emma didn’t deserve me being a selfish knob, taking her like that. She was on the rebound. That alone should have put me off immediately, but it didn’t. Instead, I was more than willing to wait for her until she was ready to date again.
Do I want her? I wanted to possess her without uncertainty. Do I want her body? I craved it like no other! Do I want her love? I didn’t think I did, but I do now—I wanted her love to the very last ounce.
Kissing her forehead, I unlatched her legs from my waist and swam towards my ringing phone where the display read, “Martin Lombardo”.
“This better be important, Papa.” I called my father “Dad” and I’ve called my godfather, “Papa” since I could talk. No one really explained to me how I came about calling him that, but the name fit. He was more of a father figure to me than my own father. Martin was my paternal grandmother’s best friend’s son. Martin and my father grew up together, however, my father didn’t seem to like Martin. It was quite possibly because Martin was a genius; plain and simple.
On the other hand, my father was a total waste of space and a fucking loser who couldn’t do anything right. He leeched off my grandma and her money, as did my mother. My mother, though beautiful, was an airhead that you couldn’t count on for anything. It could possibly be the result of their coke-snorting lifestyle, but hey, why make excuses?
