Sweet Ultimatum

by Naima Simone

  Gathering the hem of her dress in his fists, Selig bunched the material, dragging it to her waist. “Pull the top of the dress down, baby,” he ordered as the skirt cleared the tops of her thighs. “Fuck,” he ground out. He was going to come right there, just from the sight of her. He could feel the come roiling in his balls, tightening and ready for release. “Fuck,” he repeated, lifting his gaze to hers. “You’re wearing the yellow.” The yellow lace bra and panties set he’d told her to buy at the mall.

  Caitlin had drawn the straps of the dress down her arms, displaying her full breasts to his view. The lace cups molded to the mounds, like sunshine embracing her caramel skin. The dark nipples poked against the material. He snagged the skirt in one fist at her hip, one palm smoothing over her firm thigh to feel the firm globes of her ass bared by the thong. His hips jerked and a spurt of pre-come leaked from the slit. Fuck, he wasn’t going to last much longer. He had to be balls-deep inside her tight pussy soon or it would be over before it started.

  “I need you, baby,” he whispered, half-groaned. “Take me, Caitlin. Ride me hard and deep.” He slid his fingers beneath the thin panel covering her sex, tugging it to the side and baring the swollen, drenched folds. “That’s so pretty.” His cock throbbed in agreement, so hard it rode the edge of pain.

  A flutter of movement snared his attention. Caitlin fingered the front clasp of her bra, preparing to release it, but Selig stopped her. “No, baby, I promised I would fuck you with it on. Push the bra down.” She whimpered, shoving the cups down until they were under her breasts, serving the globes up like an exotic treat. He leaned forward sucking a tight nipple deep, his tongue lashing it back and forth. Caitlin cried out, her hips undulating in a wild rhythm set by his tongue and lips. “Yeah,” he breathed, hunger darkening his voice until he almost didn’t recognize it, “yeah, just like that. Now I can’t wait to feel this sexy lace slide against my cock when you fuck me.”

  His gaze dropped back down to his cock, more pre-come spilling from the tip. The clear liquid glistened on his cock head, easing the skin that stretched across the wide tip. Damn, he needed her now. He couldn’t wait any longer. He reached out and grabbed the condom he’d tossed to the seat earlier. Impatient, he lifted the foil square to his teeth and ripped it open. Gripping the latex between his thumb and forefinger, he slid it free, flicking the empty package aside. With hurried movements, he pressed his hips back against the seat, allowing just enough room to sheath his cock. Gripping her ass, he positioned the mouth of her sex over his dick.

  “My shoulders, Caitlin,” he ordered, focused on the flared tip nudging her pussy lips. “Put your hands on my shoulders until I’m all the way inside.” His gaze flicked up to her face before returning to his cock. “We’ll go slow, but you’re going to take all of me, every fucking inch of me.”

  As soon as he felt the bite of her short fingernails in his shoulders, he worked his dick in her clutching sex. Her gasps mingled with his groans, the walls of her pussy milking him until he wanted to slam into the dark, wet channel. He watched as she swallowed him whole.

  “Are you okay, baby?” He could feel her muscles spasming, accommodating his dick from this different and deeper penetration. He felt her nod brush his cheek as he licked the drops of sweat from between her breasts, treating the beaded nipples to quick swipes of his tongue. “Do you know how good you feel?” he moaned, flexing his cock and hearing her breath catch on a loud gasp. “Nothing but pussy, nothing but the sweetest pussy.”

  Selig leaned back against the driver’s seat, pressing his head to the rest. He grasped her fingers in his, removing them from his shoulders and flattening the palms to the roof of the car.

  “Ride me.”

  Caitlin’s eyes closed, her teeth sinking into her full bottom lip. A hard shudder coursed through her body. Then she proceeded to drive him crazy. Her hips rolled, working his shaft, fucking him with abandon. One hand lowered from the roof to catch her nipple between slender fingers, pulling and tweaking the distended tip. Her cries of pleasure ricocheted throughout the confined space of the car. Selig locked his arms behind his head, his fingers curling around the headrest and holding on for the wildest ride of his life. He’d worried that the depth of penetration from this position might be too much for her. Though she’d taken him completely, he knew from the fluttering of her pussy around his cock, the thick width stretched her, filled her. His concern had been unfounded because Caitlin rode him, slammed down on him, twisted on his cock with no hints of discomfort. She loved it, cried out for him.

  He was in heaven. He was in hell.

  Just as he’d promised, he’d left the yellow thong in place and every time she lifted and sank back down his cock, the soft material added another element of touch, like her fingers stroking him. He struggled to hold back his release, teeth bared. Sweat rolled down his face, burning his eyes as it dripped from his brow and still he held on. He wanted her to come first to drench him with her pussy juice, bathe him in it. Only then would he let go.

  “Selig,” she whimpered, pulling and twisting her nipple, “it’s so good. So damn good.” Then with a thin wail, she arched back, pussy tightening like a fist over his dick and came, her cream pouring over him, dragging a broken groan from him. Her muscles milked his cock, shattering his control. His hands broke free of his hold behind him and he grabbed her hips, holding her still to pound between her thighs. Animal sounds he was shocked to realize came from him reverberated in the small car as he fucked her, his thighs holding hers wide to plunge and thrust. His balls tightened against his swelling dick and the tingling at the base of his spine increased in pressure until he exploded, semen surging up his cock and jetting into her greedy sex.

  He threw his head back, a raw cry ripping from his throat.

  “Damn it,” he whispered brokenly, “damn it.” His hips continued to thrust until the last drop of his seed was wrung from him. “Damn it.”

  He fell forward, his damp brow resting against her chest, his arms closing around her. He clasped her to him, not able to let go. Not yet. He turned his head to stare out the window, his cheek resting on the curve of her breast. A shiver tingled down his spine, his eyes closing as her fingers stroked through his hair, kneading his scalp. He sighed, at peace for the moment.

  It had been good, too good.

  He’d lost a piece of his soul in her today.

  And it terrified him.

  Chapter Ten

  “So how’s it going?”

  Caitlin glanced at Alise before picking up her wineglass and taking a sip. She studied her date, Rick Baylor, over the rim of her glass. He and Mac discussed the Seattle Mariners’ chances for the season. A nice-looking man, Rick was a business owner like herself, had made her laugh aloud several times and seemed genuinely interested in her. He was very nice.

  And he wasn’t Selig.

  “He’s very nice. You did a great job selecting him.” She set the wine back on the table, smiling at her friend and hoping it didn’t appear as phony as it felt.

  Alise studied her friend for a silent moment before sighing.

  “No go, huh?”

  “Sorry.” Warmth cascaded through her and the smile widened into a grin. “If it’s any consolation, I am sincere when I say I’m sorry. He’s a great guy.”

  “Just great for someone else.”

  “Right.”

  “Well,” Alise shrugged, “at least you gave it a shot. But…” Her voice lowered as she leaned closer and crooked a finger at Caitlin. Arching an eyebrow at her friend’s clandestine gesture, Caitlin shifted nearer to Alise. “If you had someone all you had to do was tell me and I wouldn’t have made you go through with the date.”

  Caitlin rocked back, startled. “What are you talking about?”

  A sly smile curved Alise’s lips and a lascivious gleam entered her eyes. “It seems there’s a rumor going around about a certain champagne Nissan Altima that was spotted parked on a deserted back road in the woods. And though the passe
ngers in this car could not be clearly seen it did appear as if the woman in the car were indeed—ahem—taking a ride.”

  Oh. My. God.

  Not possible.

  Fear squeezed Caitlin’s heart in its icy grip. For one quick moment, her hearing dimmed as the sound of blood rushed through her ears. God, she’d believed she and Selig had been discreet, but if Alise overheard this rumor, then others had also—including Nicholas. Dinner roiled in her suddenly queasy stomach.

  “Caitlin! Here. Mac.” She heard Alise call out for her husband as she shoved a cold glass of water in Caitlin’s hand, forcing her to swallow several deep sips. “I swear I didn’t believe black people paled until now. You scared the shit out of me! I thought you were going to fall out of your chair. Are you okay?”

  Alise wet her napkin in her water glass and pressed it to Caitlin’s cheek. The combination of the damp cloth against her clammy skin and the cold water on her stomach helped Caitlin gain her equilibrium.

  “Caitlin.” Mac’s concerned frown came into view as he hunkered down beside her chair. “Are you okay?” He accepted the wet napkin from his wife and held it to the nape of her neck. Rick enclosed her fingers in his, worry creasing his handsome features.

  “I’m fine, thank you.” Embarrassment heated her face at all the attention. “Really.”

  “Maybe we should take her to the hospital.”

  “No,” Caitlin stated, staring at Mac, though Alise had made the suggestion. “I don’t need to see a doctor. I’m fine.” She shifted her gaze over Mac’s shoulder and smiled to reassure her friend then figured she hadn’t pulled it off when Alise continued to frown. “I’m fine. I need fresh air.” Mac stood to his full height, taking a step back to allow her room to rise from her chair. “If you’ll excuse me.” She nodded at Mac, murmured an apology to Rick and hastened toward the restaurant entrance on shaky legs.

  Embarrassment at her near faint hadn’t erased the fear coating her mouth and pounding in her chest. Oh God. What if Nicholas heard?

  “Going somewhere?” The smooth voice and bruising grip on her arm confirmed her worst suspicions.

  “Hello, Nicholas,” she greeted her ex-fiancé, the cover of calm and ice that had served her well over the years steadied her voice and composed her features. Lesson number one with Nicholas Gordon. Never show fear. Like a shark with blood, he could smell it and would strike.

  “Let’s go to the other side, sweetheart. We have something to discuss.”

  Caitlin detected the fury seething underneath the soft tone. Even as her heart lodged in her throat and sweat painted the palms of her hands, she allowed Nicholas to propel her to the small nightclub connected to the restaurant. As soon as they entered the smoky and crowded bar, he steered her toward the dance floor, pulling her into his arms and pressing his chest and thighs to hers. Bile burned the back of her throat as his erection prodded her stomach through his pants and her dress.

  Flashes of Selig bombarded her. Moments when he’d held her as Nicholas did, his cock nudging her flesh, promising pleasure… She couldn’t do it. Nicholas’ perverted lust and obsession mocked the passion she treasured with Selig. It made her sick. Wrenching herself from his arms, Caitlin whirled around and fled toward the dim hallway attaching the two establishments.

  “What the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Nicholas snarled, snatching her wrist before she could escape. He hauled her to a dark corner, feet from the exit.

  So damn close.

  “Don’t you ever embarrass me like that again? Do you understand me?” Nicholas stuck his face into hers, his breath and glare burning her skin.

  “I’m not your wife.” She twisted her wrist from his grip and refrained from rubbing the offended area. Lesson Number Two. Never show weakness. Nicholas exploited any sign of vulnerability. “Don’t manhandle me.”

  “You’re lucky if that’s all I do, Caitlin,” he sneered. He slammed his palms next to her head, caging her between the wall and his body. “Who’s the man you’re here with?”

  “Are you kidding me?” Caitlin gave a bark of laughter, showing a bravado she didn’t feel. “Is that what all of this,” she waved a hand between them, “is about? A date? You told me I couldn’t have one man, Nicholas, not any man.”

  “Don’t fuck with me, Caitlin.” His eyes narrowed, the silky tone magnifying the menace of the threat. “And don’t begin to believe you have more control than what I grant you.” He fingered a lock of hair framing her face. Grasping the strands between his thumb and forefinger, he rubbed it, the gentle gesture obscene when compared to the malevolence emanating from him. “Caitlin Johnson—Johnson being your mother’s maiden name. 4287 Lark Terrace, Bay Creek, Wisconsin. Your license is up for renewal next month, by the way. Owner of Lace and Fantasies, an internet-based lingerie company. Clever move—changing your name. And of all the places I believed you ran to and concentrated my search, Wisconsin never crossed my mind.” He flicked the hair to the side and leaned closer. “I got you now, sweetheart, and I won’t lose you again. So answer the damn question and maybe he’ll make it home safely.”

  He would do it. The insanity and evil he hid so well from others glittered down at her from his dark eyes. He didn’t bother trying to conceal it. On some level, Caitlin believed he enjoyed her knowing what he was. He didn’t have to pretend with her.

  She inhaled a tremulous breath. When she’d made the decision to return home, Caitlin had realized—and accepted—she was sacrificing the life she’d built for herself. She hadn’t enjoyed a relationship with Selig during her self-imposed exile, but she hadn’t worried about glancing over her shoulder and finding Nicholas there either. It appeared she’d been right. Nicholas would tail her himself before losing her again.

  “He is a date, a blind date that Alise set up. Nothing more.”

  “Like hell, Caitlin!” he barked. “Do you take me for some kind of fool? You haven’t seen anyone since you’ve been home. Now all of a sudden, after you’re spotted fucking some man in your car like a common whore, you show up with a date? That’s too much of a coincidence you want me to swallow, sweetheart.”

  “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Caitlin bluffed, her fingernails digging into her clenched palms, revealing the panic her level reply didn’t. “Ask Mac and Alise if you don’t believe me. It’s a blind date and I just met him tonight.”

  “And the car?” he breathed. “Who was the man in the car?”

  “Like I said, I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  “I don’t believe you. You’ve played the whore for that son of a bitch, Selig in the past. Maybe you decided to do it again. Was it him?” He nabbed her chin between his thumb and finger, pinching it with enough force to make her bite back a whimper. His head tilted to the side as he peered down into her eyes. “If you lie to me, I’ll know.”

  “No, it wasn’t Selig and it wasn’t me. You can threaten and bully me, Nicholas, but my answer will still be the same. I don’t know what you’re talking about.” She wrenched her head from his grip, her chin throbbing like a dull toothache. Show no fear. Show no weakness. She chanted the lessons over and over in her head while she and Nicholas faced off in the modern version of a noon showdown.

  The silence stretched between them and her nerves screamed in agony. She drew on ugly, horrifying images of Selig, bloody and battered, to provide her the strength to maintain her façade.

  When Nicholas nodded, Caitlin almost sagged against the wall, relieved. Her heart galloped like a spooked horse, her fingers shrieked in protest as she slowly straightened her clenched fingers.

  “Okay,” Nicholas relented, “okay—for now. Still, I told you to get rid of him and he’s still here. Tick-tock, Caitlin. Don’t push me.”

  “What exactly do you want me to do, Nicholas?” Caitlin snapped. God, she hated him and the town who turned a blind eye to the spoiled and corrupted bastard they lauded like some damn lord of the manor. “I can’t break up with him again. I can’t te
ll him to go. He is his own man, not a puppet.”

  “His own man?” Nicholas lowered his arm from above her, slipping both hands into his pockets. He rocked back on his heels and smirked. “Sweetheart, you don’t know shit about your precious Selig, Caitlin. If you think I’m so beneath you, why don’t you ask him about his illustrious career in Boston?” he snickered. “Come to think of it, maybe I should invite Selig to join me at the firm. I could use a man of his—ethics.”

  “What are you talking about?” Even as she asked she didn’t want to hear what Nicholas seemed delighted to impart. Unease crept through her and it bloomed into alarm when he bared his teeth in an evil facsimile of a smile.

  “Because of him a sixteen-year-old girl is dead. He got her murderer off so he could kill again. Evidence tampering. Defamation. Bribery. You name it your boy’s been up to it. Yeah, I have my faults. At least I can say they don’t include defending murdering pedophiles.” Nicholas bent forward wearing a nasty grin. “You picked a real winner there, sweetheart.”

  It couldn’t be true. It couldn’t be…

  “Women, connections, fame or notoriety—they all come with a cost. Your pride, even your soul can be purchased.”

  “Neither one would recognize who I am now.”

  His words—warnings—replayed like a recorder. He’d been trying to tell her she didn’t know him. He had avoided her question about why he was in New Eden instead of Boston. Was it possible? Could Nicholas’ story be true?

  No, her heart rejected the possibility. Selig couldn’t have faked the pain and disillusionment she’d witnessed in his gaze as he’d stood over his parents’ grave. A manipulative, callous man wouldn’t have cared if his deceased parents would be proud of the person he’d become. Whatever occurred in Boston to make Selig flee to New Eden tortured him. Nicholas had robbed her of a future with him, but she refused to allow him to steal her belief in him as well.

  She tilted her chin up, arching a brow high. “Are we finished here? I have a date to get back to.”