by Yvette Hines
Not willing to keep her waiting, he took a fortifying breath and carried their plates into the dining room. He was glad to see that she had chosen the seat beside one of the ends of the eight person table, allowing them to sit close. Offering her a plate, he set his at the head and asked, “Is wine okay?”
“It’s perfect.” Then looking from him to the food and back, she finished with, “It’s all perfect.”
Winking at her, he went back to reclaim their glasses and silverware then returned and set things before her and sat down with his own. He waited until she sliced her meat and tasted it with the plump mushroom and sauce.
“Oh, my goodness, Vincent, this is so good.” She was practically moaning as she sat with her eyes closed, savoring the food.
Clearing his throat, he stifled a groan. “I’m glad you like it.”
Opening her bright eyes, she beamed him. “I do.” She ate a potato and zucchini then began, “Can I assume that you’re not married since you brought me to your house?”
Swallowing his bite of food, he said, “Chelsi, I’m not married. Just to clear everything thing up, I’ve never been married, and I have no children.”
An emotion passed along her face, and Vincent couldn’t define exactly what it was because she looked down at her plate and continued eating. He wanted to believe that what he saw had been some form of relief. Did Chelsi want more from this dinner and their reunion than she claimed like he did? He only hoped that was the case.
“So tell me. How does a man who has no children and no wife decide to open a chain of stores for pregnant woman and babies?” She lifted her glass and took a sip of her wine while watching him.
“Okay, I have to confess. I have a secret harem in Madagascar.”
“And do all of those beautiful belly dancers please the great boss sultan?” She played right along.
Leaning forward, he met her gaze. “All other women may dance, but only one is beautiful above all others. And only that one can please me and stir my desires.”
When her eyes darkened to a medium brown, he knew she understood who he was talking about. Her.
Setting her wine down, she bowed her head but couldn’t hide the blush filling her cheeks or the tremors of her hand as she began eating again.
Guiding the conversation back towards safer ground, he answered her question. “Tamara, Zeth’s wife, is always pregnant.” he chuckled. “No, that’s not really true. She has only had two in seven years and is currently pregnant with her third.”
Her laughter joined his. “My sister and one of my brothers have kids. Marsha, my brother’s wife, has been pregnant every other year. She just had her fourth. God only knows if they are done.”
The conversation steered his mind back to the mini fashion show. It brought up the same images he’d been trying to stifle. A vision of what Chelsi would look like pregnant with his baby.
“Well, Tamara came to me during her last pregnancy about the idea of a designer boutique that not only catered to pregnant woman but children as well and having not only clothing, essential baby items, and books, but a nurse educator on site as well.”
“So it combines the baby stores with the maternity stores, topping it off with the nurse hotline. It would keep customers faithful to the store for a longer range of time and build a trust with the medical professional on site.”
Damn, he forgot about how sharp Chelsi was mentally. During the years he’d dated a lot, and most of the women had been just pretty faces who were happy to be seen on the arm of a rich man.
“Exactly. This time when Tamara found out she was pregnant, she sent Zeth to my office to threaten me. I believe her exact message was ‘Vincent, if you don’t get the business started, I will never cook for you again’.” He picked up his wine and drank from it.
“Not much of threat since you cook so well yourself.”
“She tossed in not allowing me to be the godfather of the third baby like I am for the other two.”
“Oh, the true carrot that was dangled before your eyes.” She grinned. Finished eating, she set her fork down and sat back.
“So I got myself in gear. I love Shawn and Zachary and can’t wait until Mahalia arrives.”
“They’re your family.”
It wasn’t a question, and there was no need for him to answer. Zeth had been a constant in his life, and when his friend married Tamara, she’d folded right in and treated him like a brother and uncle to the children. His best friend was also the only one who knew how deeply it had affected him to respect Chelsi’s wishes for them to part after the summer and concentrate on school. In the beginning, he’d felt like half a man without her.
“How about a walk now that your stomach has been satisfied?” He got up from the table, collected their plates, and headed to the kitchen.
She followed behind him with their glasses. “That would be a great.”
He was glad she agreed. He wanted to spend as much time with her as possible, but being indoors with her was driving him quickly towards sexual insanity. Hopefully the night air would restore his physical urges to a more tolerable state.
Chapter Six
Summer was coming to a close, and it was now cooler at night, Chelsi rubbed her arm, feeling the raised goose bumps on her skin. Her reaction wasn’t because of the night air but the man beside her. A slight breeze carried nature’s scent and mingled it with Vincent’s rich, spicy aftershave as they stood on his flagstone patio before his pool and hot tub.
Holding her hand, Vincent had taken her along a trail as they discussed her career and all the different paths she’d followed to finally become second designer to Peter Densa. They’d been standing there for a few minutes just silent and listening to the night sounds around them.
Chelsi didn’t mind the quiet. She’d always felt centered around Vincent even when they were teenagers. They could go for long drives in her car and not talk, just enjoy being in each other’s company. The years hadn’t changed that.
It also hadn’t dampened her desire for him. The kiss in his boardroom and the one in the kitchen were proof. If he would’ve suggested they postpone dinner until after he’d carried her upstairs and satisfied her sexual need, her body would not have complained. Hell, at this point her mind wasn’t voicing any protest, either.
Glancing at the strong, confident man beside her, she asked the question that had been plaguing her mind all night. “Why aren’t you married? You’re a successful business man who I’m sure has not led a celibate life over the last twelve years. How are you still single?”
Squeezing her hand, he said, “First, there haven’t been that many women. I’ve always been selective with who I allow in my life and especially in my bed.”
She was glad to hear that he hadn’t turned into some million dollar playboy. “None of those selected women made you want to see them in a white dress?” Her mind forced her to ask the question, but her heart screamed it didn’t want to know the answer. She didn’t want to know if he’d ever loved anyone else. That love, in her mind, would have been greater than the puppy love they had in school. The latter love would’ve been built from a mature relationship.
“There was one woman that I considered marrying.”
Oh God, he had found love.
“What happened?” Her throat thick with emotion, she had to look away from him. She couldn’t breathe, and the pain in her chest grew.
“The woman turned me down.” His thumb stroked the back of her hand. “Lydia knew I was only asking her because it made good business sense. So we ended the two-year relationship and stayed friends.”
Friends. He still kept the woman close in his life. Did he hope that things would resume one day between them? After all, he said the woman had ended the relationship not him.
“Chelsi, look at me.” He tugged her hand until she faced him.
When she looked at him, he cupped her face and searched her gaze. “I’m no saint. Hell, the only angel I’ve ever known is you.” He blue eye
s shone bright in the lamp lighting fixed around his patio. “What Lydia and I had was in the past.” Stepping closer, he brought his body against hers. “In the present, right now, there is only one woman.”
“Who?” She had to ask because she had to hear it. At that moment, she wanted nothing else but a confirmation that he still cared for her. Even if it was only physical desire, she needed him to want her.
“You.” His hand left her cheek and caressed down her neck then stroked her above the collar of her dress. “I want to make love to you, Chelsi.” His torturous, seductive hand glided back up and played along her bottom lip making it tingle. “Say yes.”
“Yes.”
Vincent paused as if he wasn’t sure he’d heard her correctly. Then in a blink he took action. Scooping her up into his arms, he lowered his head and kissed her. This kiss was unlike the wild, blinding obsession at his office or the gentle passion he’d shown her in the kitchen; instead it was a determined ardor. This one displayed his skill and dedication to her pleasure.
Out there in the back of his grand house, he took his time. Holding her body firmly against his chest, he dipped into her mouth and claimed her. Moaning, she wrapped her arms around his neck and gave back in full measure.
She wasn’t sure how long they stood out their devouring each other orally, but finally he pulled back. Moving toward the house, he carried her as if she weighed nothing. She was even surprised how well he maneuvered the sliding glass door open then glided it shut with his foot. He never broke eye contact with her, and every few feet he placed a peck either on her lips, her neck, or her ear.
They hadn’t toured the house before their walk, and at that moment she could care less about the architecture or the designs and decorations of the rooms they passed through on their way to his room. At the bottom of the stairs, he gave her another soul shaking kiss then another on the top landing.
By the time they arrived at his room, she was trembling with need. The desire to feel his body naked and pressed along hers was maddening. Vincent laid her on the bed then knelt at the foot of it, his knees pressing into the mattress, and lifted her foot, removing one of her heels then the other. Once both shoes dropped to the floor, he kissed the tops of her feet then moved to the ankles and placed his lips there.
Alternating from one leg to the other, Vincent kissed and licked his way up to her knees. Looking down on her, he said, “You are beautiful, Chelsi.”
As she looked down the length of her body while lying prone in the center of his massive bed, her heart fluttered at his words. Her body had changed, filled out since high school. It was nice to know that he liked the new Chelsi. “Thank you.”
His hands circled her knees, tickling the backs. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
She didn’t have time for doubt. If she allowed her mind to concentrate on why this shouldn’t be happening and all that stood between them, she’d run out screaming. “I just want to feel right now. I don’t want to think. Make everything go away but this moment, Vincent.”
For a second, he just held her gaze. There was something in his sexy blue eyes. She worried that he would disregard her request and press her for answers, but he didn’t.
“It would be my pleasure.” Giving her a wicked, crooked smile, he slipped his hands under her dress and slip and removed her panties without pause.
As he parted her thighs, she glanced down, hypnotized at the sight of his hands caressing her. Those warm, long fingers looked perfect against her skin, like they belonged there. She always enjoyed the contrast of their two skins. They looked right and perfect.
He traced a line along the center of her thighs with his tongue slowly making its way to the place she desired his attention the most. When she thought she couldn’t take one more moment of wait, he blew a light burst of cool air along her clit. Her body trembled, and all the blood rushed to her core.
“Shouldn’t we get undressed?” she mumbled.
“No, I want to please the birthday girl first.” His heated gaze, eyes almost dark blue with desire, watched her as he settled in position between her legs.
“Happy birthday to me.”
“Smooth and wet—I’m a lucky man.” A quick swipe of his tongue had all thoughts falling from her mind, fast and unguarded, like boulders over a cliff. He swirled around the taut nub, playing with it.
She lifted her hips from the bed, begging him to stop the teasing.
Chuckling, Vincent continued. Unhurried, he dragged his tongue down her slit. When he reached the opening of her sex, he burrowed inside. Her walls tightened around him as he pulled out then dove in again. In and out, he fucked her until she was thrusting her pelvis up to meet his face. His strong hands gripped her thighs, raising her up and pressing them wide. Placing her sex on display. She didn’t care as long as he didn’t stop pleasuring her.
Continuing his actions, he moved up between her labia, licking and suckling her lips on the way to her clit. His hold on her thighs kept her immobilized, restraining her movement. The grip kept her from being able to work her sex against his mouth and come. Control, a new side of Vincent that hadn’t been there when they were teens, turned her own.
She was so wet with need she could feel her own juices running down between her cheeks. Moaning, she wanted to plead with him to give her satisfaction, but she held back.
Taking her clit into his mouth, he drew in the throbbing peak. Her hands began a search for purchase then finally plowed into his thick wavy hair. When he flicked her rapidly with his tongue, brushing along the left side of her clit, she came. Screaming and thrashing, she bucked against his mouth.
Shudders wracked her body erratically as he gingerly licked her sex, collecting the cream of her pleasure as if it were his favorite treat. As the tremors became mild vibrations, Vincent pulled her up to a seated position. Leaning forward, he offered her his mouth. Not forcing her to receive her juices, he sat and waited.
With him only a breath away, she took in her own heady scent, an aromatic spice and a reminder that he’d selflessly brought her to a sensual haven. She didn’t hesitate as she cupped his cheeks and bowed her head to him. Their kiss was carnal, explosive and left them both gasping for air.
Her sheer, pale blue dress and its lacy black under-slip were over her head in a flash. In her peripheral vision, she saw the light crepe material float to the ground.
Vincent’s voracious blue eyes skimmed along every nude area of her body now revealed to him.
“I have seen you naked so often in my dreams, Chelsi, but no memory could do the reality of you justice.”
Warmth flooded her body at his words. Vincent had dreamed of her. The knowledge made her heart swell and pound in her chest. Maybe he had missed her as much as she yearned for him.
Palming her breasts, he fondled them and pinched her nipples until they became erect between his fingers.
She gasped at the sharp, erotic pain.
“You like that?”
“Yes,” she panted.
He squeezed again, and she closed her eyes and pushed her breast into his hands, enjoying the attention.
“I bet you’ll like this better.” Leaning down, he took one globe into his mouth, circling and plying the sensitive tip with his tongue.
“Oh…” she cried out. Her sex began to throb again. Squirming on the bed, she told him, “I want you undressed.”
Her nipple popped out of his mouth. Smiling seductively, he rose. “Your wish is my command, sweetheart.”
Anxious, she waited as every article of clothing fell from his body. First his shirt, revealing broad shoulders, a wide, smooth chest and taut abs. Wow, the man was in shape. Seeing his chiseled form made her feel a little self conscious. Her body had changed a lot over the years and not necessarily for the better in all places.
“Put your arms down, Chelsi.” His hands stopped on the button of his pants as he assessed her. “You’re vivacious and sexy. I don’t want you to hide yourself from me.”
&nb
sp; She didn’t even realize she had moved and covered herself. Lowering her arms, she would let go tonight and give him her body, but other areas hidden in her heart she would keep concealed.
“Better.” That sexy tilted smile showed up on his mouth again as he began to unfasten his pants. He toed off his shoes then his slacks hit the floor followed by his boxer briefs.
There he was—all toned, tanned, and hard. His thick cock curved up, hovering away from his abdomen. The sight of him in all his nude glory made her mouth water. Getting up from the bed, she crossed the plush carpet. Before him, she said, “You’re beautiful.” Giving him the same compliment he had given her.
With a guffaw, he leaned in and kissed her lips. “No, what I am is horny.”
“Hmm,” she pretended to think. “I believe I might have something to help that.”
“What?”
“This.” She sank down to her knees in the carpet, placing herself before his erect shaft.
As she reached her hand out, Vincent grabbed it. When she looked up, questioning his action, she saw the reservations in his features.
“You don’t have to do something you don’t like just because you think I want it.” His thumb brushed her knuckles.
Vincent remembered that it was an act she’d never performed on him when they were together. In actuality, she’d never given head to any of her past boyfriends, either. Often times, she’d allowed them to get their physical needs met quickly and had kept herself reserved. The men had wanted more intimacy, but she hadn’t felt comfortable with them. If she were honest with herself, it was because they weren’t Vincent.
Now, if just for tonight, she wanted to experience everything with Vincent, no reservations. Not everyone got a chance to go back in time and be with a first lover. She wasn’t going to live this opportunity in half measures.
“I want this, Vincent,” she replied confidently.
Nodding, he brought her hand to his cock. Wrapping her fingers around the warm steel, she could feel slight tremors of desire and anticipation running through his body.
