by Nicole James
“To a very successful trip and to the company of a beautiful woman.”
They clinked glasses.
“You certainly did well today. I think they said you sold out two pallets.”
He flexed his hand. “It’s sore as hell from all that signing. It kept cramping up on me.”
“Better be careful. That’s the hand you tattoo with.” She smiled at him.
He chuckled and rolled his eyes as he lifted the wine glass to his mouth. “Right. That’s the bread and butter, after all, isn’t it?”
“You know as much demand as there is for all things ‘Jameson O’Rourke’, you should start a line of t-shirts with some of your art on them or your name or the shop’s name. Judging from today, they’d sell out. I bet all those people today would have bought one. They’d fly off the shelves.”
A grin pulled at the corner of his mouth. “I like the way you think, Ava.”
“Why stop there? You can sell posters and prints of your art.”
“You’re brilliant.” He winked at her. “Maybe I should put you in charge of publicity and marketing.”
At the mention of publicity, she looked down, twirling the stem of her wine glass on the white tablecloth. Thoughts of the Inked Up offer, as well as all the pressure they were putting on him to relocate to L.A., filled her head. But that was his decision, and she didn’t really want to let on that she knew anything about it. He’d have his meeting with Ms. Becca Thompson in the morning. He’d make his decision, perhaps he already had. Would he accept? It was a lot to pass up, after all. The money, the fame, the book deals… How did one say no to all that? And for what? To stay in Grand Junction? What was keeping him there? A family home? His brothers? Love? No, she couldn’t even think that way. She had no hold on him. If he decided to leave, she’d miss him, but she would try to be happy for him. And perhaps if it was going to happen, it would be best it happened now before she got in too deep, before she got really attached, before she actually fell for the man and had her heart broken when he left town. She looked up, catching his eyes on her.
“What are you thinking about, beautiful?”
She shook her head, not about to admit all that to him, but staring into his blue eyes, she couldn’t help wondering if it was already too late. If perhaps, she’d already fallen hopelessly in love with the complicated man who sat across from her.
***
After they finished dinner they walked hand-in-hand down the two blocks to the condo. He kept glancing over at her. They’d say nothing—just exchange smiles. The day had been warm, but now a cool breeze blew in from the front range of the mountains.
When they got back to the condo, he walked her into the bedroom. He set his phone and keys down on the nightstand, and she moved to the windows, her hand parting the sheers to take in the gorgeous view. She heard his clothing rustling and knew he was undressing. He came up behind her, sliding his hands around her waist. She felt him press kisses along her neck.
“You can look at the view tomorrow, beautiful.”
He turned her and gathered her hands in his, and then, his eyes burning into hers, he lifted her arms and pinned them to the glass.
He leaned in and brushed his lips across hers—a barely-there touch, that had her straining for more, but he pulled back. The look in his eyes told her he was taking control. He moved both her wrists, trapping them in one big hand.
His free hand moved to her waist, flicking open the fastening of her pants. Never losing her gaze, he slid his hand inside her panties, his fingers delving to find her wet.
She whimpered and watched the flare of heat in his eyes.
He leaned close, whispering, “That sound, goddamn, it’s pushing me over the edge.”
“Jameson,” she whispered in a trembling voice as he rolled his fingers over her. His eyes stayed locked with hers as he continued the circular motion until her mouth parted and her breath began to come in short pants.
“You like when I touch you. Don’t you, Ava?”
She nodded, feeling incapable of words, but that wasn’t good enough for him. Pushing, always pushing her for more.
“Say it, baby. Say it.”
“Yes. I like when you touch me. I love it.”
His mouth closed over hers again as he continued stroking until he had her hovering on the edge of orgasm.
“Ask for it.”
“Please.”
“Say it.”
“Let me come.”
He increased the strokes to long deep swipes, and soon she climaxed as he smothered her moans with his mouth. She melted against the sheer covered glass, and his strong arms held her up. He held her until her breathing evened out, and then slowly, piece by piece, he undressed her, standing right where she was with nothing but sheer curtains between her and the outside world. When she was naked, his hand locked around her wrist.
He pulled her toward the bed, sat, and drew her to stand between his legs. Just being trapped between his thighs aroused her all over again. The look in his eyes fanned her desire, and she wanted nothing more than to please him.
She dropped to her knees, her hands on his thighs, and looked up at him. His eyes flared, and he cupped her face, his hands sliding into her hair.
Her fingers skated along his skin and then closed over his hardened length. She slid her fist down and back up, barely brushing his flesh.
“Harder,” he instructed. She did as he asked, stroking up and down, watching the expression on his face as she touched him. He breathed out through his nose, eyes narrowing, jaw clenching. His hand closed over hers, showing her exactly the tempo he liked and how hard. He bit his lip, his eyes fixed on her as his breathing accelerated with her pace.
Soon, it wasn’t enough. His brows lowered, and his jaw tightened as he clenched his teeth and growled, “I want that pretty mouth on me.”
She locked her eyes with his as she stroked his length, then leaned in slowly and took him into her mouth. She felt him shudder as she sank down, and his hips lifted off the bed.
He threaded both hands into her hair, gripping handfuls and tugging firmly. “You don’t know how often I’ve thought about this—wrapping your hair around my fist and pulling you down onto me.”
He didn’t force or push her onto him, he just gathered her hair in his fists, and she loved the feel of his hands in her hair, controlling, allowing, coaxing.
She took him deep again and again, loving the way she could feel the tremors through his thighs and the way his fist in her hair tightened involuntarily as he began to thrust up into her mouth.
“Fuck, baby. Love your mouth.”
Before long he was nearing his climax. “I want inside you.”
She moaned, and the next thing Ava new, she was yanked up and tossed onto the bed. His hard muscled body climbed over her, and he stared down into her eyes with a sexual heat that ratcheted up her arousal to off-the-charts heights.
Her breathing, already panting, was even harder with his body braced atop hers and that intense stare burning into her. She felt as if he could see everything; she was totally exposed, and maybe that was what she needed—him to push her to show him everything, to hold nothing back.
He rested his weight on one forearm, freeing his other hand to stroke and caress her. She stroked her hand down his arm, but he caught it, bringing it up over her head and locking it tight with his other hand on her wrist.
“Lie still,” he ordered.
She did, blowing out a slow breath. That freed him to touch her at his leisure.
He ran his fingers over her body—light feathery touches that tickled and made her writhe. Then his palm smoothed flat and slid up her belly to her breast, closing tightly around it.
She moaned.
“You like a firm touch, don’t you, baby?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
He pinched her nipple, squeezing and rolling the tip until her back arched off the bed. “I’m gonna make you want me as much as you just made me want you.”
>
He replaced his fingers with his mouth, sucking with deep, drawing pulls that had her writhing and twisting and arching, begging with her body for more. He didn’t let up until a frustrated groan sounded in her throat.
Tearing his mouth away, he lifted his head a fraction of an inch, hovering over her wet nipple as he stared up at her, panting hard. Her head was lifted off the bed, although he still held her wrist pinned above. Her eyes held his as her chest rose and fell.
“Tell me what you want, sweetheart,” he ordered.
Her hips rose off the bed, rubbing against him, and he swiveled his head, lifting his weight and watching his fingers slide into her. She moved against his touch in a rhythmic glide. “That’s it, baby. Don’t be afraid to take what you want.” His head turned back to watch the expression on her face as he stroked her. His eyes dilated as he took in the pure arousal written in everything from the way her mouth dropped open to the way her head fell back, driving the crown of her head into the pillow. “That’s it. Take what you need, baby doll.”
He watched every reaction as he brought her to the edge and over, her body jerking with her orgasm. In a flash, he moved up over her, kissing her deep, capturing her moans in his mouth. And then just as quickly, he was moving back and flipping her to her stomach. His knees spread her thighs wide with a forceful movement. With one hand locked tight on her hip and the other guiding him to her entrance, he slammed home. Pulling her against him, he pounded into her over and over until he, too, found his climax.
***
Ava lay in Jameson’s arms, facing the windows and the view of the city lights. He was pressed against her back, his arms around her. She ran her hand over his strong forearm and thought about everything. She had a feeling he was going to take the offer Becca Thompson planned to extend to him tomorrow morning. Why shouldn’t he?
She didn’t want to be the reason he refused. He had a big future ahead of him, and she didn’t want to be the one to hold him back. So, she would make it easy for him. She’d tell him this was fun, but it was all just part of the deal, all with the end goal in mind—her Gala, her charity.
Which brought her thoughts full circle. Lily. Jameson was right. She had to let go of the guilt; she had to let go of Lily. Oh, she’d always be in her heart, but Ava had to start living for herself. She would always be grateful to him for making her face it and for pushing her to explore a side of herself she hadn’t known existed.
The Gala was this weekend. She would focus on that, and then somehow, she would let Jameson walk out of her life.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Ava woke up and stretched out an arm, finding the bed next to her empty. Then she swiveled her head toward the door. Jameson stood in the doorway, shirtless, with a pair of trousers on. His hands were in his hip pockets as he leaned against the doorframe. His eyes were hooded, still sleepy, his hair a sexy mess.
Her gaze moved over the expanse of exposed skin on display. It made her want to slide her hands over every inch. Now that she’d experienced all that was Jameson, and knew what she’d been missing, she felt like she would never get enough. But she also knew she was probably going to have to let him go.
Not yet… Not until their trip was over.
“Keep looking at me like that, Ava and I’ll miss my meeting, and you won’t be able to walk tomorrow,” he warned.
God, if he only knew how much she selfishly wanted him to miss that meeting. But she would never purposely sabotage him like that. Still, a little teasing might be fun. She pushed the sheet aside, moving to her knees, with her feet tucked under her ass. Their eyes met and held.
A moment later, he was pushing his shoulder from the frame and stalking toward her. His hands came out of his pockets, and he grabbed her face, pulling her up as his mouth closed over hers. She pressed her breasts to his bare belly, arching against him. “Come back to bed, baby.”
He bit her lip and then stared down at her face. She watched his eyes move lower to take in her breasts, the tips just barely touching his skin. It drove her crazy. He grinned, knowing it.
“You gonna be naked when I get back?”
“Is that what you want?” she asked, wondering where this new wanton hussy had come from.
“While I’m sitting through that boring meeting, I want to imagine you lying here naked, waiting for me.”
“Okay,” she agreed breathlessly.
“Will you do something for me, if I ask?”
She nodded, her head still tight in his grasp as she stared up at him.
“Text me something dirty while I’m there.” She giggled out a tinkling laugh and he grinned, reminding her again where he wanted her. “Right here, naked.”
She nodded.
He pulled her head close for a kiss and then released her, grabbed a shirt and tie, and sauntered from the room.
***
A half hour later, Ava did as he’d asked.
I’m sliding my fingers through my wetness, remembering the way you felt inside me.
She didn’t have to wait long for the reply.
You have no idea how badly I want to fuck you right now.
She giggled.
You’ve turned me into such a dirty slut.
I don’t like that word, Ava. I may have to spank you when I get back.
Oh my. Now I really am wet.
Counting the minutes until I can get my hands on you again, babe.
***
Ava stood in the living room in front of the wall of windows, staring out over the Front Range lit up in vibrant colors by the afternoon sun. Jameson was down turning in the key.
When he had returned from his meeting, he’d found her waiting naked for him, just like she’d promised. He’d stood in the doorway, yanking his tie free, his eyes roving over her. She’d lain there, staring at him, sliding one foot across the sheet, enticing him to come to her. He’d dropped his head, looking at her from under his brow, and she’d bit her lip, the corners of her mouth pulling up. And then he’d smiled back at her with that sexy as hell grin.
They’d spent two more glorious hours rolling around the sheets. But now, it was time to head back to Grand Junction; time for their glorious little interlude to end. Most upsetting of all, the time had come for her to let him go. She knew she had to be strong. It was what was best for him, and she’d never stand in his way.
She turned at the sound of the door opening to see Jameson walk in.
“Hey, sweetheart. Sorry it took so long. You ready to go?”
She pasted a bright smile on her face. “All packed. You never told me how your meeting went?”
“It went very well. All wrapped up. But I don’t want to talk business. Are you hungry?”
She knew right then that he’d accepted Ms. Thompson’s offer. Why else wouldn’t he want to talk about it? He just didn’t want to tell her he would be leaving town. She gathered up her purse. “Starved. Can we hit a donut shop? I’d love a coffee and donut.”
He nodded. “Absolutely. Let me just grab our bags.”
***
Twenty minutes later, they were in the truck, coffee and donuts in hand, and heading down the highway. Jameson popped the last of his into his mouth and crumbled up the wax paper, stuffing it back in the paper bag.
Ava did the same and sipped her coffee.
He glanced over at her. “You okay? You’re so quiet.”
“Just ready to get back. I have a lot of preparation to get ready for the Gala Saturday night.”
“Right. Of course.”
“I hope you don’t mind if I don’t come into the shop the next two days. I mean our deal is coming to an end.”
His brows drew together, and he studied her strangely. “Yeah, of course. You need time to get ready for the event. I understand.”
“Good. It’s been fun learning the tattoo business, but now its time to get back to the real world. I bet there’s a ton of work piled up at my office.”
He stared out the windshield. Things had been f
ine between them last night and this morning. Hell, better than fine. Now things had seemed to chill. She was suddenly acting as if none of it meant anything to her.
“I’ll be sure to send over a tux for you to wear,” she added, looking out the passenger window.
“That won’t be necessary,” he snapped.
She turned to look at him, frowning. “What do you mean?”
“I have a suit I can wear. I do have the ability to clean up. I can dress myself.”
“I didn’t mean…”
“I know what you meant.”
“It’s just that it’s black tie and…”
“I highly doubt the women coming because of me, expect me in a tux. Hell, they’ll probably want to see the ink. Maybe I should do this gig shirtless.” Now he was being a jerk, he knew, but he couldn’t stop himself. He stared out the windshield. He wasn’t gonna lie, at least not to himself. Her callous attitude hurt and the way she just trivialized what they’d shared the last week, like it meant nothing to her but a means to an end, pissed him off.
The trip back was filled with tension. They both barely said a word after that and hardly looked at each other. When he finally hit the city limits, he glanced over at her. “You don’t have to be afraid of that guy who broke into your home. I spoke with Ryder. He’ll make sure you never lay eyes on him again.”
She stared over at him, wide-eyed. “You talked to him about what happened?”
“Yeah. Called him Monday.”
“I didn’t know. You never said.”
“Well, I did.”
“Thank you.”
“No problem.”
She looked down at her hands a moment. “Do you think… do you think he’ll stay away?”
“Absolutely. Ryder runs that crew with an iron fist. You won’t have to worry about him anymore.”
“Okay.”
He glanced over at her. “You can come home with me, or I can take you to your place. Your choice.”
She met his eyes and then looked away. “I really should get back, I’ve so much to do with the Gala and all.”
