by JA Low
“Yeah, and I’m Lilly.” She holds out her hand to me. “If I’ve forgotten to introduce myself in the chaos, I can’t remember.”
I take her hand and shake it—there’s that zap of electricity again.
“Come sit, you’re frozen.” I usher her to one of the armchairs by the fire.
“Thanks.” Giving me a wide smile as she rubs her hands together in front of the fire, I head into the kitchen and grab the bottle of whisky and two glasses, setting them down in front of the fire on the side table.
“That’s Macallan whisky.” She looks at me with shock.
“It’s nice,” I respond as I start pouring the amber liquid into the glasses.
“But… that’s an expensive bottle.”
I hand her the glass, and she stares at me.
I shrug. Shit! Maybe I just gave myself away with the whisky. I could just be some busy executive needing time away to decompress. Yes, that’s what I’ll say.
“It was a Christmas present… from work,” I add.
“Wow! Work must really like you. That’s a four-hundred-dollar bottle of whisky.”
“I’m a hard worker.” It’s true, I do work hard, it never stops. That is until now when I have to hide away in the Scottish Highlands.
“Well, cheers to you and your hard work.” She raises her glass, we clink the crystal together, and take a sip. “This is sooo smooth.” Lilly licks her lips.
The action is damn distracting.
“Hmmm…”
4
Lilly
This whisky is delicious. I haven’t had alcohol in such a long time that it’s going straight to my head. My body feels warm. I pull my feet up underneath me and rest my head back against the chair listening to the crackling of the fire.
“So, you were in Africa?” Luke asks.
“Yeah, I’m a doctor or… was a doctor. Guess I’m kind of unemployed now that I’ve left. I kind of just left.”
“Why?” I watch as he takes another sip of his whisky, his plump lips pressing against the glass. Holy shit, that’s hot. I guess six months of forced celibacy sends you man crazy. “It’s a long story…”
Should I tell this stranger about my messed-up relationship, or will that put him off?
Seriously, Lilly, you’re not going to sleep with this man. It’s probably unethical or something seeing as he’s paid your sister to stay at your home.
“I’m not going anywhere. We’re kind of stuck in a snowstorm.” Luke smiles, but it quickly fades when he sees my face. “But it’s not any of my business.”
“I think I’m going to need more liquor for this story….” I laugh, but there’s also a sadness to it.
“Oh, it’s one of those. Hold on…” He jumps up, runs to the kitchen, and looks through the cupboards. There’s a lot of clanging and banging until he appears with a beautiful cheese platter and a bottle of bubbly.
“Wow! This is awesome.”
“We should probably line our stomachs first.”
“Good idea,” I say as he pops the bottle.
“This is from a friend’s vineyard. It’s Trento DOC, an Italian sparkling wine. Tastes like a prosecco, but this is found in the vineyards of the Trentino region. That’s where the Dolomites are… those mountains are part of the Italian Alps.”
“Sounds like here with our mountains.”
“Si, I have not had a chance to look around yet. Maybe when the storm has settled, you could show me… be my guide.”
My cheeks warm at his invitation, and my lips turn up into a smile. “Sure, if you’re not sick of me by then.”
He hands me a glass and grins. “I think your company might be better than my own.” This makes me laugh. “The reason this wine is called Trento DOC is because the capital of the region is called Trento, and DOC is the name of the official Italian wine-naming system.”
“Impressive. You seem to know a lot about your friend’s vineyard.”
Luke moves nervously in his chair. “I have listened to him so many times talking about it, I guess it has sunk in.”
“I think having a friend who owns a vineyard would be a great friend to have because this wine is delicious.” The bubbles tickle my nose as I take a sip.
“I’ll pass on your critique when I see him next. He’ll be very happy a beautiful woman likes his wine.”
Did he just call me beautiful?
Luke obviously understands his mistake and quickly covers his words. “So, tell me what happened in Africa that made you want to surprise your sister?”
I take a big sip of wine to calm my nerves. “My fiancé thought sleeping with the nurses in the camp was a good idea.” Luke chokes on his drink, and I continue, “Yep, and stupidly, I let him. Never said a word.”
“What! Why?” He seems outraged by my statement.
“Because I was stuck in the African desert. I had signed a contract, and I couldn’t leave. I… I felt trapped and a long way from home. I didn’t know what to do. I thought it would be easier if I ignored it.”
“But? How could you forgive him?” I can hear the questioning tone in his voice. He doesn’t agree with my actions.
“Just because I ignored it doesn’t mean I forgave him. After the first time, I stopped sleeping with him. I changed my shifts, made sure I was always busy, and pushed him away. He didn’t care. He never once questioned me why we were never together. Why we never slept with each other.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Yeah, so am I. I wasted years with someone who just wasn’t interested in me. Honestly, I don’t think I ever loved him or he me.” A twenty-four-hour flight gives you some perspective about your life when all you have is time to think about it. Twirling the glass in my hand, I continue, “Our parents were friends through work, all great surgeons in their fields. They pushed us together, hinted that the merging of the two families’ practices would be beneficial, and that we could take it over once we returned from Africa. They had our lives all mapped out for us.”
“Did he think this was his last chance before he settled down?”
“Probably, maybe, who knows? He knew I wouldn’t kick up a fuss if I found out, anyway. I was far more worried about disappointing my parents than I was about him disappointing me.”
“I understand that,” Luke says faintly.
“Grown-ass adults, and we still worry about what our parents think.”
Luke smiles, raises his glass to cheers me.
“So, you never…”
Typical male wondering how on earth you could go without sex for so long.
“Once. I met a lovely Canadian soldier who I was showing around, we got caught in a storm and had to find a hotel somewhere.”
“You seem to like getting caught in storms with strange men.” Luke looks at me over his glass. Is he flirting with me? I blush under his gaze.
“My sister calls it fate.”
“Fate?”
“Yes, she thinks… oh my God, I need to shut up. This wine is going to my head. Never mind.”
“What, no, you have to continue. Your sister thinks… what?”
I roll my eyes. “Lolly thinks running into you at the cottage is fate.” His eyes widen. “See, you think I’m crazy.”
“I think I told you last night I thought you were.” He smirks at me as I bury my face into the armchair, utterly embarrassed.
“Ugh, I’m still so sorry about last night. About the whole… you know…” I wave my hand around.
“Checking out my dick?” His accent caresses the words.
How on earth does the word ‘dick’ sound so sexy from his mouth and not creepy like it usually does when other guys say it?
“But I understand now. It’s been a while.” He laughs. “You were only human. It’s impressive… no?”
I pick up the cushion behind my head and throw it at him, playfully. It knocks the glass of wine in his hand and spills all over his white T-shirt.
“Shit, I’m so sorry.”
That w
as so stupid, Lilly.
What the hell do you think you’re doing?
But Luke surprises me and slowly starts peeling the soaking T-shirt off his body. My teeth sink into my bottom lip, my pulse starts beating out of time, warmth washes over my skin, and a tingle settles itself between my legs.
No, no, no… this is bad.
“What are you doing?”
“Taking off my shirt.”
My chest becomes heavy as I try to swallow while my mouth turns dry.
“But… you can’t sit there without a shirt.” I wave my hand furiously in front of him.
“Why? Will you not be able to keep your hands off me?” He smirks.
Luke’s not far from the truth because the man’s chest is a thing of beauty—tanned, toned, a little glossy from a sheen of sweat settling over his skin from sitting close to the fire.
Shut it down, Lilly.
Shut it down.
Right now!
“As if. I’m not desperate,” I reply, rolling my eyes, which only serves to make him laugh.
“The flushed cheeks tell me otherwise.”
My jaw drops, did he just…
“That’s from the wine. Most definitely not from you.”
“Are you sure about that?”
What a cocky bastard.
“Of course, I am.”
“Last night says differently.” He raises a brow.
“I was jetlagged.”
“You couldn’t keep your eyes off my dick.”
“That’s because I was in shock at finding a naked man in my home.”
“Wasn’t because it’s been a while?”
“Excuse me?”
“When was the last time someone touched you, admired you, satisfied you?”
“You stop that right now. Stop it with that Italian sex voice. I’m sure it works on hundreds of ladies, but it’s not going to work on me. Yes, you’re a very good-looking man. I’m sure you know this because you own a mirror, but do not assume because I haven’t had sex in six months…” his eyes widen at my statement, “… that I’m some easy prey for you. I’m not one of those girls.”
“Six months?”
“Of course, that’s what you focus on. Yes, it’s been six months, and I don’t see that ending anytime soon.” I glare at him. “When was the last time you had sex?” I ask, crossing my arms in front of me defensively.
“A week ago.”
Of course, look at him, he probably has a different woman each night.
“Ugh… men,” I reply while throwing my hands up in the air. I stand and walk into the kitchen, grabbing myself a glass of water to cool down.
“Please, tell me you self-love,” he yells from the living room.
I still. He didn’t just ask me that. Turning around quickly, I stalk toward him, stabbing my finger into his hard chest. “Of course, I do, and it’s so much better than any orgasm any man has ever given me.”
“Then you have been with the wrong men.” Those chocolate eyes look up at me, and that cocky smirk infuriates me.
“And guess what? There’s no way in hell you’re going to be the right one, either. Good night, Luke.” I turn on my heel and stomp to my bedroom, slamming the door like some spoiled brat.
5
Luca
Stupido. Stupido. Stupido. I pushed her too far. I took the flirting and joking too far, especially after the story she told me about why she left Africa. Her ex? He’s a moron. Lilly is a fun, smart, feisty, easy-going, beautiful woman. She is so far from the women I usually date. I mean, she has a proper job for a start. She’s a doctor. And the charity work she’s doing isn’t some gala put on by rich people. She’s in there, hands-on with underprivileged people, making their lives better on the ground.
“Lilly,” I whisper, knocking on her door. I need to apologize to her. I let the wine go to my head, and the craziness of the last couple of days might have caught up to me and made me act in a way I wouldn’t normally. The door creaks open, and I see her eyes are a little red.
Shit, I’ve made her cry.
“Lilly… I’m…” But I don’t get very far before she’s pulling me into her, her lips touching mine in a frantic kiss. I instinctively open for her, my hands finding her body and pulling it flush against me. Our tongues dueling, neither willing to give up control.
Tiny mewls fall from her. “Please, don’t say a thing.” Lilly keeps kissing me, her hands roaming all over my bare chest. “Just, please… don’t speak.” My hands squeeze her ass through the thin material of her leggings.
“Not even if it’s to tell you that I want to pick you up and lay you down on your bed, strip you out of your clothes…”
“Nope.” She continues kissing me as I pull her T-shirt over her head, throwing the offending material to the floor. Her lips are on me again before I get a chance to take in her naked torso.
“Not even to tell you that my lips and tongue want to kiss and lick every inch of your body, starting here…” I suck on the delicate skin right under her ear, “… then moving along to here.” I kiss along her collarbone to the other side of her neck where I let my teeth sink into her flesh, giving it a little nip. She lets out a moan. “Moving along further…” My lips move down from her neck to the swell of her breast, kissing the rounded flesh, before moving between her décolletage with my tongue, feeling the goosebumps break out all over her skin until I reach the other side. “Your nipples are aching with need. They are demanding to be touched, caressed, sucked, aren’t they?” Looking up at her as my tongue laves the underside of her breast, her cheeks are pink with need.
“Yes,” she answers on a whisper before closing her eyes and leaning back against the wall.
“Good girl.” Moving over from the swell of her breast to her pert, needy nipple, I run my tongue along the outside of it while Lilly hums at the movement. Teasingly, over and over, I lick around the nipple not giving her what she needs until my teeth nip, and Lilly groans in appreciation. My hand caresses and kneads the other breast while my tongue drives her crazy.
“More…” she pants.
Yes, Bella, I’ll give you more.
Moving one of my hands lower until I reach her material clad pussy, I let my fingers run along the seam pressing it against her aching clit making her hiss. I can feel her heat and wetness through her leggings.
She wants this.
Needs this.
And I’ll give it to her.
Show her what real orgasms feel like. Let whatever this is be about her because she deserves that. I’m a giving man. I like to help where I can, and sex, well, that’s my specialty. Reluctantly, I move from her breasts as I kiss down her taut stomach to the band of her leggings.
“These need to come off.” My command is almost a growl as my fingers tug on the hem and roll them down her long legs, taking her underwear with them. Her hand instantly hides her pussy from me.
“Apri le gambe, Open your legs,” I tell her. Now isn’t the time to be shy. Those bright blue eyes widen, and she hesitates for a few seconds but does what she’s told. She’s freshly shaven. Did she do this for me? No. I wish she’d thought of me as she freshened herself up. It’s all pink and plump. Perfecto. Giving her one last heated look up at her, she watches me as I move forward, grabbing her ass tightly, pushing her harder against the wall. Then she watches with breathless anticipation as my tongue makes its first swipe between her folds. Her eyes flutter shut at the first touch.
“Hai un sapore così buono, You taste so good,” I tell her as I savor her.
“Luke.” Desire laces my name as it falls from her lips while her fingers thread in through my hair.
My tongue slides between her folds again and again, and my nose is buried between her lips taking in her sweetness. She’s so responsive, so wet. Letting go of one of her cheeks, my hand moves between her thighs. I add a thick finger, slowly sinking it into her heat. Lilly arches her back at the intrusion and moans. Slickness coats my finger as it slowly moves betwe
en her heat. I let my thumb catch her clit when my finger enters her. She tightens herself around me instantly. I add another finger, filling her as they move easily inside of her. Lilly’s fingers are tightly threaded in my hair, and the pain is the perfect balance with the pleasure. She begins to contract around my fingers as I find the bundle of nerves that I know are going to set her off. Lilly is becoming wetter with each thrust inside of her.
“Have you ever been this wet before?” I ask, and she shakes her head. “I told you, you were with the wrong men.”
“Yes.” Nodding her head on a moan, my fingers curl inside.
“You deserve to be pleasured.”
“Yes, yes, I do,” she groans.
Her legs begin to shake, and she’s thrashing against the wall, but I never let up. She’s close, so close. Her cheeks are flushed, and the color has crept down her neck and spread out across her chest.
“Luke, fuck…” she curses as her orgasm catches her off guard.
My fingers don’t let up. I make her push through it because she deserves another one. Plus, in all honesty, my male ego has taken over, and I want to prove that I’m the best she has ever hard, which probably isn’t that hard because her ex sounds like a dick.
My fingers continuously curl inside of her as they concentrate on those sensitive nerves. “More, Lilly. I want more.”
“No, I can’t …” she pants as her body begins to convulse again. “Luke, oh God…”
I’m not God, but I sure as hell am going to make you feel like I am. A perfectly timed thumb against the clit has her seeing stars as she comes hard all over my hand. Her head is thrown back as she screams her release. Her chest is heaving, her face is flushed, and her blue eyes are bright and sparkling. She’s glowing and never looked more beautiful.
“Did I?”
Feeling the wetness all over my hand, I reply, “Yes, Bella.
“I… I’ve never...” Lilly’s hands come up and cover her face in embarrassment.
“No,” my answer is commanding, and slowly she pulls her hands away from her face. “You’ll never ever feel ashamed from satisfaction. You hear me?” My fingers are still inside of her, and reluctantly, I pull them from her while she watches my actions. They glisten in the late afternoon light, and one by one, I suck her off me. Those blue eyes widen in surprise, but I can see the desire behind them.
