“You want it hard, babe?”
“Yeah…”
“Put your hands up.” She raised her hands over her head and I held both her wrists with one hand while I balanced myself on my elbow. I was so glad I’d learned self-control in high school, or I would’ve already shot my load. She wriggled beneath me and I leaned down and sucked a hard, pink nipple into my mouth. She squeaked a little so I sucked harder then moved my lips to her other breast. It tightened between my lips and Pepper was wiggling so much, wanting me, I thought she’d come from just the sensation on her tits.
“God, Gabe, you tease so—”
I thrust my thick cock inside her hot, wet pussy and she screamed. “Yes! Fuck me!” I withdrew and slammed back into her. “Yes, Gabe. Like that, yes!” She was really getting off on this crazy sex, so I kept fucking her hard. I let go of her hands, grabbed her hips, and pulled her closer against me. She grabbed my shoulders then arched back as she came all over my hard cock.
Once she caught a breath, I flipped her around and pinned her down on the bed. I pulled her perfect ass back toward me and I was inside her again, thrusting madly, hungrily. She grabbed the headboard, crying and moaning in pleasure, as I plunged into her. God, this girl could take it! Her hand moved toward her pussy and she caressed my nuts. They tightened in response and I slid my fingers around her to play with her clit. I rubbed that little button for a split second and she started moaning again, “Fuck me…” her voice was low and throaty and finally, I grabbed her hips tight and shot my load inside her.
I left my cock buried in her pussy and we stayed in that position for a few minutes while we caught our breath, then we fell limp and panting onto the sheets. It had been perfect. I wanted to lie there next to her all day.
“Are you in a hurry to go somewhere?” I asked her, hoping she’d say no.
This was a girl with no inhibitions whatsoever—and I liked it. I wanted to just lay there next to her. I didn’t care whose girl she’d been before, because now she was mine.
Chapter Five — Pepper
I didn’t see Gabe at all for the next few days and it was hard not to call him or email him every five seconds, but I didn’t want to scare him away. The last thing I wanted was for him to think I was as high maintenance as the tabloids led people to believe, but OMG, the sex I had with him on his boat was so yummy! His beautiful cock was perfect and if Gabe knew anything at all, it was how to fuck.
I was glad I hadn’t seen him, because I couldn’t think straight when he was around. I’d had sex with him—mind-blowing, fuck me sideways sex—but I had to play it cool. Coming on too strong with Gabe would probably send him running and I didn’t want him to see me as needy. Gabe was so different from Church and I loved the fact that he took control over me in bed while Church liked it when I was the one who took charge.
Fucking Church. I couldn’t believe what he’d done, running Gabe off the road—in his brand new car, no less! Thank God I hadn’t heard from Church since then, except for a few lame deliveries of roses that Mills threw straight in the garbage for me. I was so glad he hadn’t called me as I was still disgusted with him after catching him having sex with my mom, and finding out about this just added fuel to the fire.
I’d already learned so much about myself since I’d been working for Gabe. I tried every day to do my best at everything I was asked to do and surprised myself to find I was good at so many more things than I’d ever thought I would be. I’d never dreamed that I’d be capable of getting up at what was the crack of dawn for me and going to work every day, but I’d done it—and if I was being honest with myself, I liked it. Gabe was a very good reason for my motivation to get out of bed so early each morning. He was one hot number, and now that I’d had him…I wanted more.
We’d left the house ten minutes earlier and Mills and I were now on our way to Cecelia Davenport’s dinner party. I didn’t really want to go, but Mills had an interest in Cecelia’s brother, Fallon, and she wanted me to come along for moral support. Apparently, the two had a “thing” for one another—at least that’s how Mills had described it—that went back when they were kids. Now my perky little sister wanted to see if the flames were still there and she offered to do the driving tonight in her new Mercedes.
“You’re awful quiet tonight, sis. You sure you’re okay? Too much time with your finned friends that you don’t care about us humans anymore?” Mills teased. “Don’t tell me you’re turning into Gabe. He seems like the type that loves animals more than people.”
I laughed. “That’s probably an accurate description. I haven’t seen him much lately, but I can assure you, he likes people, too.”
“Oooohh…do tell, Pepper!”
“You know a lady never kisses and tells.”
“Oh, my God! You kissed him?”
“Well, let’s just say we got a little closer…”
“Oh, my God, Pepper! You did more than that with him, didn’t you?”
I grinned and nodded, which piqued her curiosity even more, then she asked, “Was it awful? He looks so serious all the time—I guess it would be.”
I was surprised at her comment, but I laughed. “Of course not. He was just perfect.”
“Wow, sis! Tell me more. I want all the deets.”
“No way! I’m not going to tell my baby sister what I do in the privacy of his boat.
“You were on his boat? Snap! What happened?”
I shook my head and smiled. She was so naïve. “You don’t get to know that. Now, less about my love life and more about yours. What’s the plan for tonight? Am I supposed to disappear when you give the signal?”
She gave me a serious look. “After what happened at my party? No freakin’ way! Your job is to stick around and don’t let me drink more than one glass of wine. I never want to get drunk again. That was awful.”
“That’s good to hear, because you can’t drink anyway. You’re a minor, remember?”
“Minor, my ass, Sissy. I could pass for twenty-one, easy.” We talked, laughed and listened to the radio the rest of the way. We were very close and enjoyed each other’s company whenever we were together. I was glad she was out of school now and it was so good having her home with me. Dad was gone a lot, spending time with Charlotte and I wished those two would just get married already. Evangeline hadn’t tried to contact me since the last time I’d seen her, but I knew she and Mills had eaten lunch together earlier in the week. Luckily for my sister, it hadn’t made the tabloids.
As we got closer to Cecelia’s house, Mills said, “All right, I know you don’t really want to be here tonight, but no moping, okay? Besides, you never know who might show up.” An unpleasant thought passed through my mind.
“Please tell me Church isn’t going to be here?”
“Hell, no. Nobody wants him around right now—except maybe your friend, Aven. Everyone in Destiny Beach knows what he did. He’s so gross. I can’t believe he would trick Mom like that.” I ignored that comment as I knew for a fact that he wasn’t the one doing the tricking, and I was sure Evangeline had told Mills a huge lie to protect herself. I was just glad neither of them were going to be here tonight.
“Aven? You mean Church and Aven? My Aven?”
“There’s only one Aven, if you want to claim her.” Mills’ sapphire blue, silk dress crinkled slightly at the shoulders as she shrugged.
“Maybe. I don’t know, but I wouldn’t put it past her.” I got out of the car and straightened my top. I’d found a gorgeous, oversized white blouse with a mullet hem which I’d paired with white shorts and strappy, white, heeled sandals. If I did say so myself, my legs looked great and I was proud of my even tan. My hair was in a slick ponytail and I’d gone minimalistic with the makeup. I knew I looked great, but my heart still wasn’t in this. Thankfully, this would be a small dinner party with only twelve or so people, but that was more than enough.
Cecelia Davenport greeted us at the door—she was the prettiest redhead I’d ever seen and she was a true redhead as well. Tha
t gorgeous, deep auburn color that you can’t copy with a bottle of hair color. We weren’t besties or anything, but I considered her a friend. And she had exquisite taste in everything. Unlike my family, Cece was old money, but my hostess was far too polite to ever talk about money or status. But we all knew there was a difference between the two.
We got the customary air kiss and then she scolded her pure white poodles, who stood by her side and growled at me. That surprised me since animals usually loved me. One of the fat little dogs then proceeded to jump up on my bare legs and left a bloody scratch behind.
“Oh, no! Get down, Napoleon…now! You bad dogs! Maggie! Quick, help me with the dogs, please!” Cecelia’s housekeeper rounded up the two dogs and led them away, but the scratch oozed blood which ran down onto my white canvas sandal strap.
“Oh, my goodness! I can’t believe that, Pepper. Come on, let’s get you fixed up.” I followed her to the bathroom where she apologized again and gave me some antibiotic cream and a band-aid. “I’m so sorry about that. Are you okay?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Just stings a little.” The doorbell rang and Cecelia frowned. “I’m really sorry. This should do it, but if you need anything else, check that medicine cabinet.” The doorbell rang again. “I guess Fallon can’t hear the doorbell. I’ll be right back.”
“Don’t worry about me, Cecelia. I’m fine, really. It’s just a scratch.” I laughed at the craziness of it all. “This won’t take but a minute. I’ll be right out.”
“Okay, thanks. That’s probably my date, Gabe, and I don’t want to keep him waiting. He’s a flight risk!” She laughed and closed the door behind her. I stood blinking at the door. Please, don’t let this be Gabe Gregory. Here I am with scratched up legs and a huge band-aid… and he’s on a dinner date with Cecelia after we fucked the other day? I wondered if she had any cyanide in that cabinet. If it truly was the case that he was her date—I’d like to put myself out of my misery now. No way could I handle an entire dinner with Gabe and Cecelia flirting with one another. Maybe she was just joking. I finally got my leg fixed up and left the privacy of the restroom. I held my breath, kept my back straight and walked into the living room.
Damn, it IS Gabe.
I plastered a big smile on my face and hoped my lipstick wasn’t all over my teeth. I didn’t look him in the eye right away, but waited to be introduced.
“Hi, Pepper,” he said as he ignored Cecelia’s surprised look. “You look great.”
“Thank you. You’re looking pretty fine yourself, Mr. Gregory.” I winked, and he gave me a huge smile back. He didn’t seem to notice the band-aid, but I knew it was there as that scratch on my leg was screaming now.
Cecelia laughed. “I didn’t know you two knew one another.”
“Pepper works with me at Sea Lab,” Gabe explained in his deep, dusky voice. He never took his eyes off mine as he replied and Cecelia’s perfectly-coiffed ginger eyebrow shot up another notch.
“Pepper works with you at Sea Lab?” She laughed aloud. “What in God’s name do you do there?”
“Uhm, wow, okaaay.” That was a snarky question, but I was a guest in her house so I wasn’t about to be impolite—I’d hate to come across as a bitch in front of Gabe. “I help train and ride the dolphins. Well, just one dolphin.” Everyone in the room seemed to pause and stare at me as if I’d confessed to some heinous crime.
Gabe looked around, then brought his gaze back to me and grinned. “Yeah, she’s great with Singh. He’s the star of our show.”
Cecelia reached out a hand and touched my arm. “I never knew you did that kind of thing. That’s so…so…”
Her brother, Fallon, offered his sentence filler. “So cool!” he said, and Mills smiled adoringly up at him.
“That’s my sis and she’s very cool. I can’t wait to see her ride at the gala. That’s the end of the month, right, Gabe?” Mills looked so proud of me, but I felt a little embarrassed at the attention. Right on cue, Gabe stepped in to save me as he told everyone about the gala and invited them all to come.
“Why, sure, we’ll come! I’d love to see Pepper riding on a fish,” Cecelia purred as she continued to stare at the two of us.
“Actually, he’s not a fish. He’s a mammal.” I smiled at her.
“Oh, okay. Would you like a drink, Gabe?” she asked.
“I’m driving, so I’ll just have a Coke, thanks.”
“…and you, Pepper?”
“Soda is fine for me too, CeCe. Thanks. Do you need some help?”
“Sure. This way.” I brushed past Gabe’s arm and felt him stare after me as I followed her to the bar to help her with the drinks. When we were out of earshot, she whispered to me, “I’m not trying to be nosy, but do you two have something going on? I thought I felt a little, you know… tension between you two?”
I still wasn’t sure if Gabe really was her dinner date…or even if we were an item, so I put on a smile and tried to play it down. Shit! Had I made it that obvious that I liked Gabe in front of her? I said, “If there’s any tension, it’s only because we work together. Why do you ask? Have you guys got anything going on?”
Cecelia laughed dryly. “I wish I could say something was going on, but Gabe’s kind of a slow mover in that department. We’ve known each other for years. Never romantically though—which is a shame because he’s so suitable—rich, successful and he is hot as hell.” We both laughed, but I didn’t make eye contact with her in case she could somehow suck out of my brain what I did with Gabe on his boat. I just dropped the cubes into the crystal glasses using the silver tongs in the ice bucket, but she wasn’t going to let me off the hook that easily. “Okay, now I know I’m not getting the whole story from you. What’s the deal with you two? Please be honest, Pep. You know I’m not the kind of girl that likes wasting my time.”
I reached into the refrigerator to stall for a little more time to think. I pulled out a few soda cans and popped a few of them open.
“Well, we kissed once…at Mills’ party…and maybe once more after that.” How’s that for honesty?
Cecelia quietly tipped soda into the glasses and poured liquor into a few of them, then she smiled and said, “Maybe once more? I imagine kissing Gabriel Gregory is not something you’d forget in such a hurry! Well, that’s it, then. He’s off the market—at least for me. Oh well, I guess I’ve waited too long.”
“What?” I laughed aloud.
“Seriously, if he’s seeing you every day, and he’s already kissed you once…and maybe twice…then he won’t even give me the time of day now. You’re gorgeous, smart and you ride dolphins. What chance do I have?”
“I’m sorry, CeCe. I had no idea you liked him so much. I hope I haven’t hurt you.”
“No, you haven’t hurt me, Pepper. It’s not like he’s ever shown any interest in me, anyway. Thanks for telling me. I do hope you guys hit it off and you know what they say…there’s plenty more fish in the sea.” She touched my arm and we both laughed at the irony of what she’d said. There was an awkward silence just for a second, then we carefully put the drinks on a silver-handled tray and headed back to the other guests.
“Please don’t say anything to him about this, CeCe,” I said. “I don’t want to embarrass him.”
“Don’t worry. My lips are sealed.” I hoped she was a woman of her word. Otherwise, I’d have to leave early or die of embarrassment.
I hung out with Mills and some of her friends who’d also scored an invite to Cecelia’s exclusive party. There were about a dozen of us with a few more girls than there were guys, but it was all very low-key and elegant, just like our hostess. I mingled and chatted with several of the guests until I found myself next to Mills and Cece’s brother.
“So, Fallon, what have you been up to?” I asked, and for the next fifteen minutes, I listened to him talk about his latest hobby. He was excited about learning to fly and that was all he could think about. He’d talked his dad into buying him a single-engine Cessna, but he couldn’t take it out al
one until he’d gotten certified, and that was going to take some time and plenty of training. I was thankful about that, because the idea of an eighteen-year-old flying around in the skies above me had me worried—especially one that might want to take my little sister along with him.
When we’d finished our conversation, Gabe strolled over to where I was, standing with his drink in his hand, and it was strange seeing him all dressed up. Usually, he was always in shorts whenever I saw him at work, but the gray slacks and blue shirt he had on tonight fitted him perfectly. Obviously, they must have been tailor-made for him—how else would they look so snug in all the right places? I giggled to myself at my naughty thoughts and couldn’t stop staring at him. He was so…so delicious!
“Cecelia tells me you were the victim of an animal attack. Are you going to survive?”
“Animal? Oh, the dog,” I laughed. “Yes, I think I’ll live. His claw caught me just right, though, and I did bleed a little.” I showed him my injured leg and hoped for some sympathy.
“That’s a shame. You know you still have beautiful legs, though, right?”
“Thanks, Gabe. I’m sure my wound will heal in no time.” Mills sipped her drink and made the big eyes at me over the rim of her glass. I tried to ignore her and turned to Gabe and smiled.
“Hey, y’all. Dinner is served so please come on into the dining room,” CeCe called out gracefully. Light jazz played quietly in the background and I found my name, beautifully penned, on a place card on the far side of the table and went to pull out my chair, but Gabe stopped me.
“Here, I’ve got that. You’re walking wounded, right?” he teased as he pulled out the chair and I took a seat. To my complete surprise, Gabe sat next to me instead of Cecelia. What’s going on? I thought Cecelia had invited him here as her dinner partner. I peeked down the table and she smiled back and winked at me. Oh, wow, that was so incredibly gracious of her. What are you doing, girl?
The lively dinner conversation and delicious food made the evening go by quickly, and I couldn’t remember what I ate or who said what, for the most part. I could smell Gabe’s cologne and occasionally our hands brushed as we reached for silverware or our glasses. I didn’t know if it was intentional, but I liked it…a lot. I was in a Gabriel Gregory haze and when his warm leg brushed against mine, I shivered.
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