Desire (Venture Capitalist Book 3)

by Ainsley St Claire

When he brings me my third drink, I ask, “So, what’s the bartender's name?”

  “John. Do you mind if I hang out with him tonight?” His eyes light up for this guy and not for me. It’s time I face reality. If I’m going to get involved with Derek, it means I’m giving up on love, and I’m not ready to do that.

  “Derek, why did you come with me to this wedding?”

  “Because you asked me to.” He gazes at me and carefully says, “You know I have feelings for you, Hadlee.”

  Trying hard to be diplomatic, I tell him, “I think when we return to San Francisco, we’re going to have to go our separate ways.”

  “What! Why?”

  “Derek, I understand your family wants you to be married and have a lot of kids, but you can do that with a man. You’ll be happier being the real you.”

  “Hadlee, you know my parents would never accept a gay lifestyle. Please, I’m begging you. Please don’t break up with me.”

  “I’ll get another room tonight.” I stand up, trying to scrape together what little dignity I have right now. Here I am at this remarkable wedding where two of my closest friends have just married, where everyone around me is having a wonderful time, and my date is asking for permission to sleep with a man.

  How did I go so wrong in this life?

  As I gather the last of my things, he stops me. “Wait. Is there anything I can do to change your mind?”

  I shake my head. “No, I don’t think so.”

  I walk away at that point and head to the front desk. “I seem to need a second room. I’m with the Winthrop/Healy wedding.”

  The clerk clicks a few buttons on the computer and then scrutinizes me. “I’m so sorry. We’re sold out.”

  My stomach drops. “Oh crap. Really? What am I going to do?” I’m close to crying. I can’t stay with Derek. CeCe left early. Emerson is newly married. Sara is with Trey, her fiancé, and Greer has disappeared, too.

  “Let me call around and see who might have a room. The wedding has several places reserved throughout the area.”

  “That would be great. I appreciate your help. I can wait over here.”

  What am I going to do if I can’t get a room?

  I watch her make call after call. Finally, she says, “Ms. Ford? I’m so sorry, but I’ve called all the reputable places here in Breckenridge, Frisco, Keystone, and the town of Dillon, and I’m not finding any available rooms for tonight.”

  Crap!

  I wander back into the party, which is still going strong. I ask the wedding planner if she has any suggestions and she tells me she doesn’t.

  Cameron overhears and asks, “You gave that guy your room?”

  I’m mad at myself, and I want to scream, “Yes, I’m that stupid.” Instead, I try to muster as much dignity as I can. “Thanks, Cameron. Rub it in.” Glancing around for CeCe or one of my friends so I can crash on their couch, I don’t spot anyone. I walk over to the bar and order another drink, though what I really want to do is cry in the corner.

  Cameron follows me to the bar. “Please don’t get upset.”

  “Cameron, I appreciate that you mean well, but I really can’t take anyone giving me a hard time tonight.”

  “I’m sorry. I’m not trying to give you a hard time.” His attention lingers on my pearl necklace before trailing to my cleavage. I exhale slowly when his eyes move up to my throat and jawline, then to my hair before returning to meet mine. “Please stay with me. You can have the bed, and I can sleep on the floor.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good idea,” I whisper.

  Reaching for my hand, he growls, “I insist.”

  I don’t really have much choice. I nod, and he leads me to the elevators. When we arrive at his room, he politely opens the door, and I pass through. It’s nothing more than a plain room with a king-size bed. No couch.

  I can sleep on the floor. At least it isn’t the couch in the lobby for everyone to see my stunning failure.

  Excusing himself, he goes into the bathroom. I didn’t think this through, and I don’t have much more than my bridesmaid dress. I sit on the bed and wait. He exits the bathroom in just a pair of boxers, and it’s even better than I imagined. With broad shoulders, a deep tan, his torso covered in tattoos, smoldering eyes, a strong jaw, and a head of straight-out-of-bed, vogue-cool, catwalk hair that flops onto his forehead, he looks like one of those totally hot and brooding Abercrombie and Fitch models, only more savage and fierce.

  “What, no baseball hat?”

  He lets out a deep belly laugh and runs his hands through his hair. “I guess I do wear them a lot. I have a lot of hair.”

  I’m not usually this bold. CeCe is the bold one, not me. It may be the alcohol talking, but I don’t think it is. I’ve had a serious crush on Cameron since we met, and I want him.

  I need him.

  I stare at his chest, my eyes lingering on the dragon that takes up his torso and most of his arms. He’s positively beautiful. We’ve never explored anything. In fact, we’ve never exchanged anything more than pleasantries. My eyes wander across his chest and up his arms. He watches me carefully, and his cock stirs in his boxers. I didn’t even realize I’d licked my lips until he says, “If you don’t stop, I won’t be able to sleep on the floor.”

  “I’m not sure I want you to sleep on the floor,” I purr. I’ve never had a one-night stand, but if that’s all we have, then that’s what I want. He‘s making my insides clench with want. I need him more than I need air right now.

  He gazes at me with desire-filled eyes. “I’m serious, Hadlee. You’re a beautiful woman, and I won’t be able to control myself.”

  I rise from the bed, and he watches me carefully as I approach. Stepping into his space, I run my fingers over the dragon. I hear his breath catch. “You promise not to be able to control yourself?”

  With no warning, his mouth crashes over mine. His soft, sensual lips feel so damn good as his seductive kiss teases me, and then he taunts me with the tip of his tongue, willing my mouth to open for him.

  “Mmm,” he moans as he tilts his head so he can work those lips on mine from a better angle.

  I’m caving quickly, and for the love of all that’s holy, I want a taste of him.

  Cameron

  CHAPTER FOUR

  Her gown falls to the floor in a swoosh and pools at her feet. I stand up and take a step back, reveling in the exquisite beauty before me. Her eyes never leave mine. She’s curvy with large exquisite breasts, fine pink nipples begging to be toyed with, her small waist held tight with a corset, and a sexy, tiny pair of panties. She shivers from the chill of the room, or maybe with anticipation of the erection that’s pushing hard against my boxer shorts.

  I’ve wanted to feel her from the inside since I met her years ago, but she’s always been off-limits. I’m the type of guy who doesn’t really do relationships; I like to bang them hard and move on to the next girl. We have the same circle of friends, and this could become difficult. But as I look at her, I can’t say no. I don’t want to say no.

  I want her.

  I step forward and lean down. Our lips touch and begin their tango, her tongue dancing with mine unabashedly, and my heart leaps in my chest. She nips at my bottom lip and then slides her tongue over the injury, soothing me. I can’t fucking breathe; her show of desire has me on fire. I pull her body in closer by the small of her back, angling my head so our tongues can explore each other with fervor. Her nipples harden against my chest, and a small whimper escapes her lips. The more we kiss, the more I need her like my next breath.

  She really knows how to work her tongue. I shouldn’t have kissed her, because my hormones are now kicking into overdrive. As my body instinctively takes over, my mouth waters at the thought of tasting her. I gently trail light, sensual, open-mouthed kisses along her ear and the length of her neck. She tastes like heaven, and my breathing picks up. This woman does something unexplainable to me, stirring emotions deep within. Emotions I haven’t let surface in a long time.
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  I cup her abundant breast and suck the erect nipple into my mouth, sucking aggressively until she groans, her fist in my hair, pushing me in to her.

  “You have the most beautiful tits.”

  “Play with them,” she demands.

  Her fingers move beneath her panties to her core, and I can hear how wet she’s becoming as she moans with each movement. Removing her wet fingers from her pussy, I place them in my mouth, sucking at her juices. “Mmm… you taste so good.”

  Her breathing labors as my fingers replace hers. She reaches for my cock with her free hand and strokes me, driving me crazy.

  Her panties dampen as I stroke the outside, and her nipples harden. I slip her panties off and tuck them out of sight while my fingertips dip inside, running along her skin, and her breathing becomes ragged. Her touch sends me spiraling as we both pant heavily with uncontrolled want. She’s turning me on as she responds to me unashamedly, arching her tits into my hands. Running her fingers through my short hair, she pulls me deeper into the kiss.

  “You have me on fire,” she breathes over my lips. My thumb stroking her pebbled nipple, and she lets out a moan. Damn, the woman can kiss.

  My hand’s working at her core through her panties, I stop and ask, “Are you sure?”

  “I’ve never been so sure of anything in my life.”

  Standing back, I take in her beautiful pussy. I can’t wait to get in and taste it. But she has other ideas.

  Taking my hard dick in her hands, she pushes me back onto the bed and shimmies between my legs. She slides her lips over the tip, moistening my cock as she takes as much of me as she can into her mouth. She sucks me, moving at a slow, steady pace guaranteed to drive me crazy. Her hand grips the base, sliding up and down below her mouth. She uses her free hand to cup my balls, feeling them drawn high and tight toward my body with arousal. In a husky whisper, I beg, “Squeeze them harder.” She immediately does, and I’m in heaven.

  I’m big in her mouth. Hadlee can’t take all of me without gagging, so she plays to her strengths and teases the sensitive spot below the head of my cock. Finally, I reach to pull her up. “If you don’t stop, I’ll come before I get to fuck you. And I really, really want to fuck you.”

  I flip her around again so she’s on her knees on the bed, then push her down by the back of her neck so she’s bent over, ass up, ready for me. I can’t help but take in her round hips and ass as I work my fingers in and out of her juicy pussy.

  There’s nothing romantic here—it’s just pure, hot, and feral. She wants me as much as I want her. In two strides, I’m in the bathroom and have a condom from my shaving kit. I sheathe my cock quickly she seductively pulling at her nipples and playing with her slick pussy.

  Adjusting her where I want her, her porcelain white ass positioned at just the right height, I thrust my throbbing cock inside her and she cries out in pleasure. Holding her hips, I continue my slow, powerful pumping into her needy pussy. She softly grunts each time I thrust deep into her, making me wish I could see the pleasure on her face in the reflection in the picture behind the bed. She matches my rhythm as she pushes her hips back to bring more of me into her.

  “I don’t want to come yet,” I grunt between my thrusts. I want to enjoy this longer. Pulling out, I roll her over and open her pussy wide. I can’t help but be further amazed at her beautiful pink, slick pussy.

  I greedily lean in and lick her wetness, then push my tongue through her opening and sink into her core. I flick it in and out of her with long, languid strokes, tasting her. Her legs begin to quake uncontrollably as she grips the bedsheet tight. “I’ve only just begun,” I breathe over her pussy. I gaze up at her, her eyes hooded, and slowly insert two fingers inside her. “You’re so wet,” I say in awe, my fingers working in and out of her core. Feeling her body building toward something sweet, I spread and turn my fingers around deep inside her, stretching her, and her mouth drops open as she moans. “Does that feel good, sweetheart?”

  “Oh, Cameron,” she pants. “Yes… that… feels… sooo… good.”

  Her orgasm is so strong it virtually squirts into my mouth. She tastes so sweet and musky. I lick up the nectar, not wanting to miss a drop. “Holy shit, that was fucking incredible.”

  “It’s your turn,” she tells me as she reaches between our bodies and takes me in her hand. God, her hand, so delicate but so assured on my dick. I slip my finger back inside her pussy, and she pumps me at the same tempo as I do her, showing me she can take it if I can. Not sure my body can take it, I fall to the bed beside her, fingers and hands still in place. Facing each other, we work one another into a frenzy, our breath mingling in the small space between us. Together we speed up, until we’re both crying out, feeling the release together.

  Glancing at the clock, I see it’s after three o’clock. I’m exhausted yet exhilarated. She’s astonishing. “Give me a few. I want to do that again.”

  She nods her agreement, and I grin.

  That was so much better than I ever expected.

  We drift to sleep wrapped in each other’s arms.

  Hadlee

  CHAPTER FIVE

  I hear my cell phone ping, indicating a text, but it doesn’t register. When it pings a second time, I glance over at the clock—it’s almost 9:00 a.m. My head’s killing me and beating to an unknown dance beat. The slight crack in the window curtains is bright. Too bright.

  Oh God, I have quite the hangover. Not so bad that I don’t remember anything from last night though. In fact, I remember every glorious—and embarrassing—minute of it.

  Rolling over, I notice Cameron with the sheets wrapped around his magnificent waist. He’s delicious enough to eat. I chuckle, remembering having already done that in the last six hours.

  My cell phone pings again. Who’s so desperate to get a hold of me?

  CeCe: WHERE ARE YOU?

  CeCe: I went to your room this morning, and Derek said you broke up. WTF? Where are you?

  I sit up, my head hurting even more than when I was horizontal. I text her back.

  Me: Please don’t worry. I’m fine. My head’s killing me. Give me a few minutes, and I’ll meet you at your room and give you the 411.

  CeCe: If you aren’t here in ten minutes, I’m calling 911.

  Me: I’m coming as fast as my headache will allow.

  I slowly slip out of bed. I wouldn’t have minded another round or three this morning, but I made breakfast plans with the girls knowing Derek and I wouldn’t lounge around in bed. Cameron doesn’t wake or even move a hair on his very fine body.

  I grab one of his T-shirts and a pair of his workout shorts, but I can’t find my panties. What did he do with them when he peeled them off me. I’ve searched under the bed and can’t find them anywhere. I’m running out of time, so I decide to let it go and ask about them later. Piling my hair on my head, I drape my dress over my arm and make the walk of shame up to CeCe’s room. At least I shouldn’t run into anyone.

  Arriving at CeCe’s room, I bring my hand up to knock but she swings the door open and pulls me into the room. Greer and Sara are sitting on the bed.

  “Are you okay?” they ask in unison.

  I blush from head to foot. “Yes, I’m fine. I’m sorry I didn’t call. Derek spent the night flirting with the bartender, and I felt like a fool.”

  “You have nothing to feel foolish about,” Sara interjects, rubbing my back.

  “I knew he had broken up with another man before we met, but he seemed so sincere that he wanted a straight relationship. I guess he only wanted a false one to make his parents happy.”

  “Honey, you understand better than any of us, that lifestyle isn’t a choice, it’s how he was born.”

  “Thank you. I think it’s an occupational hazard, and I was desperate to find someone who said all the right things about having a family and having babies.”

  They all get up and embrace me in a group hug.

  “So where did you sleep last night? And where did those clot
hes come from?” CeCe asks.

  “I got a little drunk, and a friend took me to their room since I couldn’t find one in the hotel, or even in the neighboring towns.” My head’s still pounding. I need a shower, and it’s then I realize I don’t have my suitcase. “Oh shit! My suitcase is in my old room.”

  “Why didn’t you call me?”

  “You left before I broke up with Derek. As far as I could tell, you left with some hot guy.”

  “It was the exact opposite. I saw everyone coupling up and decided after Emerson and Dillon left the party that the Jacuzzi tub in my room was calling my name.”

  I give her a hug of encouragement. “I’m sorry, sweetie. If you guys can give me fifteen minutes, I can take a shower, get all the hair spray out of this mess on my head, and then I’ll be ready for breakfast.

  “I’ll go get your suitcase,” Greer offers.

  Undressing in the bathroom, I look at my body. I have a bit of whisker burn on my breasts, but beyond that, I don’t look any different. I feel different though: excited, exhilarated, and my pussy is on fire—but in a good way. I don’t think anyone has ever made me feel the way Cameron does. I now get why a woman can go Fatal Attraction on a guy. Holy cow!

  I shower and dress in casual clothes, and the four of us head to the dining room for breakfast. After we make small talk and order, we get to the nitty-gritty of talking about all the guests at the wedding.

  Turning to Sara, I ask, “Doesn’t Annabel work for you?”

  Sounding disgusted, she says, “Yes. I wasn’t aware she was dating the managing partner. That’s going to create some challenges when we get back to San Francisco. She’s had a crush on him for a while, but I didn’t think he would be stupid enough to actually date her.” She turns a shade of crimson. “I probably shouldn’t have said that out loud.”

  “You’re with friends. You’re safe to share among us.” CeCe reaches for Sara’s hand and gives it a reassuring squeeze. “What a mess. Mason doesn’t seem like the kind of guy who thinks with his dick, either.”