Microsoft Word - TheEx-FactorFinal.docx

by Unknown

  The only thing that stood between them was air and opportunity. “Yes,” she forced her eyes to meet his, “it was a great nap.” She lied. She’d barely rested. At least she sobered up.

  Her body was still pissed at her. She could feel her heart pound against her chest and desire simmering below her skin. She was tightly wound up like a grandfather clock and she had to wash her soaked panties in the bathroom sink.

  She knew why she held back. Sleeping with Scott meant something more than just two

  people having a roll in the sack. Every thrust, every grasp, every tug, and every moan was pushed them closer together. It was why they could never just be friends. It was why their attempts to being friends with benefits always crashed and burned.

  It was why every man Mariana had dated after Scott failed in comparison.

  “How can I help you?” He leaned against the doorway, firming gripping the towel around his waist so it didn’t accidentally fall off. “I would ask you to come in but I’m not properly dressed.”

  “Oh, um…” She looked behind but didn’t know what she was looking for. Actually, no, that wasn’t quite true. She was looking for evidence of another woman. She didn’t know if her reaction would be annoyance or heartbreak if she did see one. “…I just wanted to say thank you for looking out for me this afternoon. I really appreciate it.”

  “You’re welcome.” He smiled. “I wanted to ask you but didn’t have a chance earlier, would you like to accompany me to the All-White Party this evening? It starts around ten.”

  “Um, sure!” She jumped at the chance. She suddenly frowned when she realized she didn’t have any clothing that would fit under the requirement. “I guess I can hit the mall real quick to get something.”

  “How much do you think you’ll need?” He asked.

  “Well, I don’t know.” It dawned on Mariana what Scott implied. He was going to buy her outfit. “You don’t have to buy me anything. You pay me a very good salary and I can easily afford this on my own.”

  “I’m sure you can. It’s my treat. Pick out something nice and expensive.” He walked back into his room and Mariana followed him. He grabbed out his AMEX black card and gave it to her. “Don’t spend it all at one place.”

  Mariana grabbed the card, threw her arms around Scott’s neck, and hugged him. “Thank you!”

  He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. Scott realized her skin was the softest he’d ever felt. She smelled like sweet pea, cinnamon, and sex. “You’re welcome,” he whispered in her ear.

  Mariana didn’t want him to let her go but she knew if they pulled away they would both regret it. She slowly eased down onto her heels and looked up at him. She felt his soft breath on her lips and she struggled to maintain her composure. She swore off men. She swore off sex. She swore off everything that reminded her of him. Now she was in his room, being held by him, and all she wanted was to feel him inside her.

  She felt suffocated by her lungs, and desperately tried to suck in air to release the sexual tension that reached a boiling point inside and between them. “Scott, I…”

  “Yes?” he interrupted, clutching her arms as they softly swayed.

  “Oh, fuck celibacy!” Mariana crushed her lips upon his and clutched his body. Scott moved them to the bed where he fell on top of her. He quickly removed her clothing as Mariana pulled the towels off him.

  Flesh upon flesh. Heat joined as one. His expert tongue once again explored the insides of her mouth, tasting how sweet she was and what he’d desperately missed. Her lips were pillow soft and melded against his. Their tongues danced as they moaned with each other.

  She didn’t pull back but pushed harder, kissing him longer and deeper. She wanted him just as much – if even more so – he’d wanted her.

  It was an explosion between them, something akin to several spectacular fireworks shows. It’d been several long months since they’d last slept together and they swore each other off. But they both knew and felt it would never last.

  As they rolled over the bed, he’d missed how soft and round her breasts felt against his chest. She missed how strong his arms were around her body when he hovered over her.

  They stopped for a moment and stared at each other as lust flowed between them.

  There were no interruptions. No meddling family members. No ex-lovers. It was just them together as one once again.

  Scott read Mariana’s eyes and was pleased at what he saw: love, lust, and desire. She wanted him just as much as he wanted her. No coy flirting. No presumptuous mind reading. Just the two of them together. His cock poked at her wet entrance and all he needed was a yes from her.

  “I’m on birth control,” she mentioned. She wanted to feel him raw and with no barrier between them. “The shot, this time.”

  “I’m clean,” he replied, “had a check-up just last week.”

  “Okay,” she nodded, “now just fuck me.”

  “I’m going to suck the soul out of your pussy.” He slid down her body and spread her thighs apart. She was soaking wet and anxious for him. Her cinnamon-colored pussy demanded and begged for his attention and he was more than willing to give it. He tasted her for the first time in long while and immediately he couldn’t get enough. He swirled his tongue around her pearl before he dived in, holding her steady against the bed.

  Mariana became lost within him. She fisted the sheets as her pussy ground against his

  tongue, wanting him to go deeper and to never stop. His tongue worked her clit faster and faster, circling it, suckling on it, while his strong hands reached up and grabbed her breasts.

  The orgasm ripped through her body like an electric current and screamed to the heavens, her body buckling along with the movement of such a strong climax. Even as she came, he continued to taste her, as if her orgasm was simply the first of many he would give her.

  It wasn’t long before she came again against his mouth and only then, he finally stopped.

  He swiftly entered her and Mariana gasped in shock at how much he’d filled her once again. She stretched out to accommodate both his length and girth, deliciously fitting her like a glove.

  Scott sat back on his heels and held her thighs apart. She was just as tight and warm as he remembered. “Open for me, baby,” he begged. She felt him pulsating around his cock as she accommodated his size. He felt his cock become coated with her come and her thighs released their tension. “That’s it,” he pounded into her, wildly buckling his hips against hers. Her pussy clamped down on his cock, and her walls were filled by his glorious thickness. Her moans and cries echoed throughout the room as he matched her moans with his own, thrust for thrust.

  He reached up with one hand and squeezed a breast while his other free hand played with her wet clit. He was buried to the hilt and fucked her with deep and powerful thrusts. “Is this my pussy?” He calmly asked.

  “Fuck yes!” She moaned.

  “Good girl,” he flipped her over on her stomach and re-entered her from behind. He licked the sweat off her back as he laid on top of her. His balls slapped against her wet slit as he continued to talk dirty to her.

  “Each time you walk tonight and for the rest of the week, I want you to be reminded who owns this pussy,” he whispered in her ear, “you’ll always think of me when you do.”

  “God, yes,” she cried.

  He felt her pussy spasm along his cock and he knew she was getting close. He

  relentlessly pounded into her until she cried and shook, fisting the sheets with one hand while the other wrapped around his neck. “I want…I want…”

  “What do you want, baby?” He moaned.

  “I want to taste your cum,” she begged.

  “Oh fuck,” He pulled out and she turned over, opening her mouth wide. He quickly came in hot streams, shooting all over her face and landing some in her hair, on the pillow, and on her chest. Mariana licked the length of Scott’s cock before she sucked him whole, cupping his balls and staring back at him wit
h hungry eyes.

  He collapsed beside her on the bed and she nestled up next to him. They were both spent and wanted to use the time to talk about what just transpired. Were they a couple? Was it just business? Would it be weird once they returned to California?

  Instead, with Scott’s arm wrapped around Mariana’s naked body, her head on his sweaty chest, and her legs intertwined with his, they fell asleep.

  BookII–Bowties&Bourbon

  “But then I met him, and he took much of what I was or believed and, putting his own stamp on it, handed it back to me as I had never seen it before. Perhaps that’s what love is

  – another’s desire to return you to yourself enhanced by their vision, graced by their handwriting.”

  - Anonymous

  One

  The All-White Party was held in a private ballroom that led out to the pool area at the hotel. White lights illuminated the room as the DJ spun 90’s R&B and rap tunes. A paid bar satisfied libations and guests snacked on endless appetizers between breaking a sweat on the dance floor.

  He didn’t care about his Brothers for the first time he’d been at the Conclave. If he wanted to be honest with himself, his thoughts were always on Mariana from the moment they left Los Angeles. He always made it a rule – if a woman truly had interest in him, she would let it be known to him before he made any move. It’s always worked in the past and it still held true now in the present.

  It might have been just lustful sex for her but for him, it was deeper. He’d often fucked women he wasn’t in love with, but he’d never fucked one he was in love with. It was an inexplicable feeling.

  He appeared at her suite and Mariana opened the door. His breath was stolen when he saw her. She wore a white Herve Ledger bandage dress with matching Manolo Blahniks.

  The dress hugged every curve and accentuated her perfectly rounded ass and thick thighs.

  Her hair was in a half up-do and her signature loose waves flowed down her back. Her makeup was light and natural, with nudes and browns to highlight her complexion.

  “What do you think?” She smiled.

  “Breathtaking,” he whispered.

  Mariana swallowed her nerve. She expected him to say nice or lovely, even. But breathtaking? She felt she needed to change her panties already. “Thank you. Please come in.”

  Scott entered her room carrying a small gift bag. “For you.”

  Mariana gave a shy smile. Scott loved to spoil her and her closet was evidence of it. “You didn’t have to.”

  “I know but I wanted to.” He handed her the gift. “Open it. I want you to wear it tonight.”

  Mariana took the small gift bag and looked at the brand. It was from Solomon Brothers.

  She’d never heard of them but she knew Scott had exquisite taste. She took out the large velvet box and opened it. Her mouth dropped to the floor once she saw the amethyst and pave diamond pendant shining back at her. She didn’t know how much it cost but she was very sure it wasn’t cheap. “This is beautiful.”

  “Only the best for you,” Scott sat beside her and removed the pendant from the box.

  Mariana held up her hair as he placed the necklace on her. “Go take a look at yourself,

  baby.”

  Mariana walked over to the mirror and touched the pendant. It looked amazing against her light brown skin and added the pop of color she needed. “This is so beautiful, Scott.”

  “You’re welcome,” he stood behind her with his hands in his pockets, “I love the way my money looks on you.”

  She softly chuckled. She loved the way he spoiled her. It was something she’d quickly gotten used to. “Shall we go?”

  He held out his arm and Mariana interlocked her arm with his. “Let’s go.”

  As Scott entered the All-White Party with Mariana on his arm, he reminisced about the time spent with her. He spent the rest of the day napping with her, and taking her one more time before she left for the mall. While she was gone, he participated in other Kappa meetings and mingled with fellow alumni, new and old.

  When they made their way to the ballroom as Mariana held onto his arm, it was complete silence between the two of them and a small bubbling of tension. Despite what had happened, Mariana felt everything wasn’t okay between them. “You’re awfully quiet,”

  she looked at him, “is everything okay?”

  “Yeah,” he broke the ice, “anxious for you to meet the Brothers and everyone. They’ll love you.”

  “I’m a bit nervous, too,” she replied, “I thought you were quiet because of what happened earlier.”

  It was on Scott’s mind more than he wanted it to be. While he could resign his feelings to just be sex and lust, he also knew it was more than that and it made him quite

  uncomfortable. It pained him how much he still loved her. “Well, I am thinking about that, too,” he admitted.

  “I hope you don’t have any regrets,” she wondered, “I don’t.”

  “No, it’s very rare I have any regrets with you, baby.” He glanced down at her. Warmth passed between them and Scott felt all was right in the world. Even though she wore heels, he still towered over her.

  “Good.” She smiled at him. “By the way, I’m super sore right now.”

  “Great,” his hand slid towards her ass and he lightly patted it, “I did my job.”

  ****

  It was refreshing seeing Scott truly in his element.

  As Mariana nibbled on a whiskey-infused vanilla bean cheesecake bite, she watched in amazement as Scott mingled with other Nupes. They shared stories, reminisced about old times, and even talked about the upcoming football season. Some of the Brothers ragged on Scott for being a diehard Falcons fan despite Los Angeles’ newest acquisition of the Rams.

  It was a different side of Scott and it was when Mariana realized she really didn’t know him at all. She knew him as the hard-ass employer, who only expected the best out of his employees. She knew him as the loving son and brother, who unconditionally loved his family even though they drove him nuts.

  She knew him as the dedicated godfather/uncle to Jeff’s children, often babysitting them and attending Saturday morning games. She knew him as the romantic boyfriend, who spoiled her endlessly. She knew him as the sexual Dom, who always took her to her limit.

  And now Mariana knew Scott as a Nupe.

  He smiled a lot more. He made jokes and busted out laughing at others. He occasionally looked over at her direction to see if she was enjoying herself and even brought a few Brothers to meet her. They were all just as charming as Scott was.

  As Mariana nursed her cocktail, she thought about what had transpired between the pair.

  While a part of her hoped it wouldn’t be a case of Vacation Vagina as she not-so eloquently liked to call it, she wondered if things could truly go back to how they were before the drama and heartache.

  And she definitely wondered why she couldn’t see charming and carefree Scott more often? She liked him!

  “I was wondering if I would ever see you around this week,” Bella greeted Mariana with a big hug. A striking woman with long, shiny, black hair, an hourglass figure, and a devious brown eyes, she’d been married to Jeff for many years. “Mari! It’s so great to see you!”

  “It’s great to see you, too, Bella!” Mariana hugged her friend. “How are you?”

  “I’m fine! Sit, sit, we have a lot to catch up on.” Bella joined Mariana. She nursed her margarita and carried a small plate of appetizers. “So, what’s new with you, missy?”

  “Well, I work for Scott now. I’m actually using my degree,” Mariana grinned, “so, that’s been a blessing. I’ve making more money than I’ve ever made in my life so a lot of changes. Very happy now.”

  “That’s great to hear!” Bella motioned over to Scott, who was talking with Jeff and a few other Brothers. “You two are good now?”

  Mariana wanted to ask in what way? When they had sex earlier, they were very good together. But sexual chemistry doesn’t mak
e a long-term partnership. There were still a few unresolved issues between the pair that hadn’t been discussed. Mariana wondered if they ever would be. “Yeah, I guess…”

  Bella leaned forward and grinned. “So, how many times did you guys do it?”

  Mariana blushed and sheepishly turned her head away. “Twice, so far.”

  “So far, huh?” Bella chuckled. “Vacation sex is the best sex.”

  “Hey, we’re not on vacation. Maybe Scott is but I’m still on business.” Mariana pointed out.

  “Whatever,” Bella dismissed her. “If you wanted to keep it cute and mute as you like to say, you could’ve turned him down at any given time. And I know you, Mari.”

  “You know what?” She laughed.

  “I know the only way any sex occurred between you and Scott is because you made the initiative.” Bella shook a finger. “One day you’re going to learn that when you invite a hungry man to a buffet, he will eat it.”

  Mariana smiled. “Good point.”

  “How much longer are you in town?” Bella asked.

  “Tomorrow, I close up my meeting and then I might leave Monday morning. I’m having dinner with Scott’s family on Sunday.” When Mariana said it, it did sound like a vacation.

  “That gives you…” Bella begin counting on her fingers. “One, two, three, almost four days of it just being a vacation and no business. Get all the child-free sex you can get because once those kids come, you’ll be praying your punani doesn’t have cobwebs.”

  Mariana knew Bella was joking but her comment stung a little, in light of Mariana’s miscarriage of Scott’s baby. She was far along in the second trimester when they’d received the devastating news there wasn’t a heartbeat. A hard labor and birth, followed by spontaneous vacation time, and pushing forward in two relationships she was never comfortable with, widened the gap her and Scott shared between them.