Rash Decisions

by Alex Rosa

  “Julia you’re—”

  “—No, Troy. It’s fine”

  I can’t take the look of regret that flits over her features. I peel my blazer off my body and drop it over her shoulders, then grab for her chin so she’s back to looking up at me. I try for a different approach, but get distracted by the storm brewing in her eyes, as if she fights the same battle as me. My hand involuntarily slides over her cheek, brushing her hair out of her face.

  She leans into my touch as she says, “I really wish you wouldn’t do that.”

  “BONSOIR! Troy et Julia!”

  Both Louis and Jacques appear with a girl for each of them, one of them being the gold digger I had attempted to woo.

  Julia whispers for only me to hear, “At least we got the deal, right? Was it worth it?”

  I want to ask what was worth it? But I pretend I understand and whisper back, “Every moment of it.”

  The town car pulls up just in time and the Soleil brothers stumble around like drunken idiots as they try to gather their coordination to climb inside. I start to get frustrated when Jacques can’t manage to find his seat, half his body out of the car when his arm gets tangled in a seat belt. Can’t he see Julia is freezing?

  I turn Julia toward the car, my hand at the small of her back as I lead her inside.

  I hear a timid, “thank you” from her, as if I’m not supposed to hear it when she takes her seat.

  I close the door behind me, sitting closely to Julia. It’s like we band together, trying to avoid staring at the two men who have no shame feeling up the girls they picked up for the night.

  Julia turns to me, utterly embarrassed, but giggling. “This is so ridiculous.” She nuzzles her nose into my arm, and I turn to look at her.

  “It is.” I lean overly close, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t purposeful.

  Her forehead nearly against mine, we just stare. The temperature in the car rises, and my body buzzes with the intensity of her eyes, pulling me in.

  “Are you warm enough?” I ask.

  “I am now,” she exhales in unison with a curve that forms on her perfectly plump lips.

  I keep my hands on my lap, but it’s difficult. I want to touch her. I could kiss her. This would be the moment. Her face tells me to, but I don’t. I just stare. I commit to memory the light peppering of freckles over her cheeks, or how I think she has the most adorable nose on the planet. That’s when I know I’m in way deeper than I intend to be. Whatever happened to thinking she wanted my job?

  The car comes to a stop outside of the hotel, but as I pull away I think I hear a frustrated sigh erupt from Julia.

  I don’t have the ability to address it or confirm I’m right because our passengers tumble over our laps to exit out the door. Jacques and the red head first, and then Louis.

  Louis slurs now, “M-Merci Beaucoup, you two! We will talk Mong-Monday, no? We had a very nice time. You are the best!”

  Courtney trips after him as she says in a high-pitched told-ya-so tone, “Sorry it didn’t work out between us, Troy!”

  It isn’t until the door shuts and the car starts moving again that Julia lets out a belt of laughter, swaying back and forth as she does.

  “I can’t believe you used her to make me jealous! Really, Troy? Even you can do better.”

  I scoff, shocked at her transition, and then I join in the laughs.

  “Okay-okay, yeah, she was a last resort. You had me a bit on edge.”

  That’s when her giggles slow as her mouth twists with a secret.

  With the silence hanging too long after our laughter now that the Soleil brothers have left us in peace, the atmosphere becomes heavy and I turn toward her, the temperature beginning to blaze out of control.

  Even Julia knows it as she slips my blazer from her shoulders. I want to ask her why she won’t stop smiling, but it’s too wonderful of a sight for me to care.

  “Here’s your jacket back.”

  I grab it from her, but absentmindedly toss it onto the seat across from me, not willing to take my eyes off of her.

  I lean toward her. “Absolutely, no problem.”

  If sexual tension were tangible, I think it would spark electric blue, and right now it would be visibly igniting between us.

  I’ve come to the conclusion that being alone with Julia is dangerous in the best way.

  She perches her hands on her knees, leaning into her arms as she releases out a quiet sigh, getting closer to me. Her eyes just as entranced as mine.

  Her breath smells overly sweet, beckoning me, and I can’t tell if I’m making it all up in my head. I lick my lips just in case.

  I wonder how much time I have before we arrive at her building or mine. I’m not ready for the night to end, not now, not that I have her to myself.

  However, I’m not going to be able to contain myself if she keeps egging me on like this.

  She’s been toying with me all night.

  “Are you going to kiss me, Troy?”

  My heart leaps into my throat. At this point, I’m highly considering I’m way more buzzed than I previously thought. I rub my thumbs and fingertips together, aching to touch her but in limbo with myself.

  “Excuse me?”

  She releases a sexy, frustrated breath of air, and then turns to the look out the window. “Never mind.”

  What?

  “Julia.”

  She whips her head to look at me. Catching her in my stare, she runs a nervous hand through her long hair. This time I clench my fists. It’s as if her buzz is fighting her nerves too.

  “Troy,” she retorts.

  Everything is always a damn game. I try to get a grip, and pick my confidence back up off the floor.

  “Do you want me to kiss you?” I ask.

  Her teeth come down on that plump bottom lip, but her eyes squint as they examine my face among the passing shadows of the street lamps.

  Shocking me, as if distracted by something she leans in close, and I hold my breath when her slender hand comes up to my face. Her fingertips graze over my chin, sliding over the skin below my lips. She’s so close and the whole change in direction throws me.

  “You’re really dangerous, you know that?” she says.

  I’m intrigued. If she’s fishing for something, she’s most definitely going to catch something.

  I know this is the booze talking, and I’m right there with her. I know wrong from right, but I don’t care.

  “Don’t you think I should be telling you that? Sometimes I wish you could go back to doing things I despise so I can hate you again.”

  She smiles. It’s her hum that follows that feels goading.

  With everything and nothing to lose all at once, I throw caution to the wind.

  I lean in just that little bit. My body is hungry, but the slow press of my lips to hers is so much more than lustful determination. Even I’m a bit shocked by it, but the sensual calm does not last for long.

  Her humid gasp against my mouth causes my blood to ignite at my lips, like catching a wick of dynamite, and I swear it burns a trail right into my core, exploding and rocketing outward. That is when I lose control.

  Her mouth acclimates to mine quickly and I smile against her lips as a similar hunger reveals itself through every lapping stroke. Her hands tangle themselves into my hair, anchoring my lips to hers, allowing my own to slide down to her delicate hips, my nails digging into the thin fabric.

  I want her. All of her.

  I pull her toward me, our bodies curving around each other.

  Her lips are softer than I imagined and she tastes of sweet champagne and sin.

  She takes my bottom lip, sucking on it as her fingertips trail down my neck, and smooth over my shoulders.

  I can’t contain my groan. Kissing her feels like winning the lottery.

  I move to kiss a trail up her delicate jaw. She throws her head back, giving me full access to her beautiful skin. I ni
bble on her earlobe before dragging my tongue and peppering kisses over her neck, while my hand slides down to the smooth skin of her thighs. How often have I daydreamed of doing just this? Her soft moan has my heart working in overdrive.

  Nothing else matters. Only her. Only this dammed forbidden moment.

  My dick hardens inside my pants, aching for her.

  The car starts to slow which causes our eyes to flicker open, pausing. She’s nearly in my lap, and I won’t let her go.

  In the patchy darkness we both realize we’ve arrived at my building first.

  Our rushed breathes collide with each other as my lips brush lightly over hers, begging for more.

  “Are you coming or going, Julia?”

  There I said it, and I still won’t let her go. One hand is still firmly on her hip, aching for the skin beneath her dress, and the other inching slowly back up her thigh. My hands reflexively refuse to give up, but I’m giving her an out. She has every right to take it.

  She doesn’t take a second to think, or maybe she does. I can’t tell if her decision is a thoughtful one as she replies, “Coming.”

  I crash my lips to hers before reaching for the door, as if to check she means it. Her lips devour mine with carnal need, and I’m convinced.

  I blindly open the door and reluctantly pull away from her.

  Her giggles have me grinning like an idiot as I pull her into my building while waving off the driver for the night.

  When we trip into the elevator I press the button to my floor and waste no time as the doors shut, pushing her shoulders against the mirrored wall, and bury my face into the crook of her neck, nibbling, and kissing my way back to her lips.

  Her hands slide over my torso to my back, and her fingernails dig into my lower back, pulling me toward her. I press my hips against hers, seeking friction.

  When I meet her lips, she lets me control each caress. Apparently, this is the only way she’ll let me control her, and I like it.

  Her moan echoes off the walls as the doors to the elevator spring open, and I need to get her in my bed now, or I’m going to lose it.

  When we make it into my apartment we stumble like drunken fools into my bedroom, smiling at each other as our hands find inappropriate trails over our clothed figures.

  Her fingers diligently tuck themselves behind the waistband of my pants once we stop at the foot of my bed. My throbbing cock within inches of her.

  Her bedroom eyes tell me my control is an illusion.

  The mischievous, golden spark that ignites in her milk-chocolate eyes weaves some sort of magic.

  Sure, I know I want to touch her, but it’s her eyes that demand I do.

  My hands rise involuntarily, aching to come in contact with the blazing wild fire before me, unafraid of the burn, but instead eager for the heat.

  I lean over and press my lips to hers. She tastes sweet like the strawberry in her champagne from earlier and I need more as I dip my tongue into her mouth. Her tongue greets mine with equal fervor, tasting every inch of my mouth as her hands drag heavily up my torso, and tugs at the top of my tie, pulling it loose and undoing it.

  My hands fall onto her hips, smoothing over her ass until I find the bottom seam of her zipper. I follow the trail up her spine until I finally come in contact with that precious metal piece and tug it back down.

  I push her dress over her shoulders, letting it pool at her feet, and I’m greeted to the sexiest lace underwear.

  I pull away, just to get a better look. I have to restrain my groan.

  “You’re going to kill me, Jules.”

  Her proud, cat-like smile forms on her lips as she backs up and leans back onto the bed, her breasts overflowing over her black strapless bra that match the tiny lace panties that hang on the edges of her hip bones. Her smirk matches my own; it’s patient as she watches on, leaning back on her elbows.

  She lifts up her legs, pointing her sexy shoe toward me, as if to direct me, like she always has to. However, this time I welcome it as I step forward, my knees resting against the bed as I stand before her. I grab for her ankle, lifting it as I rest it against my shoulder. I make sure her eyes are on me, and it’s the softening in her eyes that tells of seduction. Julia Ferris deserves to be seduced. It’s a fact.

  I lean my head toward her leg, and with her dainty ankle in my hand I kiss a trail down her calf starting at her knee.

  Each kiss is deliberate and sweet, and by the time I reach her slender ankle, her head falls slack as she closes her eyes, savoring my touch.

  I remove the heel, and then move to remove the other.

  Her teeth clamp down on her bottom lip as she watches me and it has me harder than a rock.

  I unbutton my shirt, peel it from my body and quickly work on my pants, unbuckling them and taking them off. Having her watch my every move is hot.

  Feeling like this is the moment I’ve been waiting for, I climb over her body, kissing around her navel and up her smooth stomach, and reach her breasts. I kiss over the soft mounds, and tug down one cup with my teeth, licking over her pebbled nipple.

  She moans softly as she leans back, tangling her hands into my hair, dragging her nails over my scalp. The sensation sends an abrupt electric tingle straight to my dick, and I know I’ve been patient enough.

  I reach around her back, unclipping her bra, revealing her lush breasts for the taking.

  I caress one with my hand as I bring my lips back to hers.

  My other hand drags toward her core, basking in the sizzling heat of her skin as I slide under the veil of her panties to my own personal heaven.

  She’s slick and wet as my hand meets her core, and I slide a finger inside her.

  “Troy…” she groans against my mouth and I decide enough is enough.

  I pull away, leaning over her to my nightstand to grab a condom, tearing it open with my teeth.

  I watch with blazing eyes as Julia takes off her panties, tossing them aside.

  Staring at her completely naked on my bed with the adorable fuck me look as she waits, as if she’s perfectly content with being my next meal, is the hottest thing I’ve ever seen.

  My eyes flicker open in unison with my stretch. I feel incredibly satiated and calm, and waking up with a smile is a new thing for me. However, as I gain focus the dark grays of the room confuse me.

  Where are my sleek, white brick walls?

  I pull in a deep breath, and the smell of woody cologne and sex slams my senses.

  I peer down at the navy blue comforter covering me, noting I am very much naked.

  I didn’t.

  I ogled Troy all night. I remember that. It was hard not to. I drank a lot. That I also know, but how far did I go? I wanted so much, but I tried to stay away. What’s the last thing I remember?

  I turn to my right and see the hottest thing I have ever laid eyes on.

  A fast asleep Troy.

  I sit up on my elbows, holding the blanket to my chest.

  My eyebrows angle upward in unfortunate concern as I examine his sleeping state. His face is as relaxed as my body feels. His mouth hangs slightly open —that mouth. I remember that mouth all over me last night; I remember its quiet moans in my ears and its rushed breaths that tangled with mine.

  His naked chest is on full display, and all the sinews that indent themselves on his perfect form are revealed, all the way down to those hips —I definitely remember that body now, too, and remember being able to touch and kiss anywhere I’d like.

  The memories of the night swarm my mind like an incoming hurricane.

  I clench my thighs together feeling well used and aching in the best way.

  My hand reflexively comes up, slapping onto my forehead. Oh no.

  Then comes the guilt. I run that hand through my hair as I dart my eyes all over the room. My clothes are everywhere. His clothes are everywhere.

  Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.

  I look at the time on his nightstand.
It’s barely eight in the morning and Troy looks —oh Troy looks adorable.

  Stop thinking that way!

  I lean a little closer to him. I want to wake him, or kiss those sexy, anger-inducing lips, but that feels instantly wrong.

  I change my mind. I’m not going to wake him. I can’t. I wouldn’t know how to explain myself.

  My cheeks begin to burn, thinking I've done something terrible.

  No. I know I’ve done something terrible, and the only thing that’s served me any good is escaping.

  I regretfully cringe as I slip from his bed. I make sure I’m quiet with each tip toeing step.

  This was a terrible idea. This is wrong.

  I find my bra and my dress, quickly slipping those on, but for all the love that is holy, I cannot find my panties.

  I squint at Troy, not putting it past him that he would hide them away somewhere as a trophy.

  My stomach plummets at the thought that I’d be something of a trophy for him. His seduction and stares said differently, but the realization that I barely know the man slams my guts.

  I peer over at the time again, this time fuming with embarrassment. It’s 8:15 now.

  I look back at Troy once more, taking a step toward the bed, scrutinizing his Greek features, the bastard.

  The butterflies caged in my gut flutter erratically, and I know this is such a mess. I can’t tell what I’m feeling.

  What about Noah!

  I don’t know what I’m supposed to do.

  I want to lean over and press a goodbye kiss to Troy’s cheek, but I shake my head instead.

  All of this could easily mean nothing to him when maybe it meant everything to me.

  Wait, no.

  Again, I can’t tell. Maybe we both shared a passionate night, and we’ll be done with it. Maybe we can just blame it on the alcohol and forget it ever happened. Maybe we just needed to get it out of our system?

  The fact that I can’t tell which way is up or down is what has me flinging myself in the opposite direction in nerve-wracking fear. I grab my glorious heels on the way, cursing their damned determined sexiness, as if they’re to blame while I make my way to the front door to escape.