The fragrance of masculinity, sandalwood, and decadent leather filled my senses, and I smiled when I recalled I was safely in Jim’s house. It was still dark out, and even though I woke somewhat startled that I was not in my own bed, this calmness I felt kept me in a peaceful and restful state of bliss.
The soft, crisp sheets were an experience on their own. The fresh breeze flowing in the room kept everything in my body in this rested state. I turned to curl onto my side, and that’s when my eyes popped open. My sleepy bliss was stolen away by reality.
Holy shit. I wasn’t awake enough to calculate that I’d made good on my joke about falling asleep on the roof at Jim’s place, and he certainly carried me to bed. Now, here I was, eyes open, with the light of the room enhanced by the balcony’s garden-lighting. The lighting worked to enhance my view of the man who’d saved me from turmoil in every way yesterday.
I snuggled closer to where he lay flat on his back, and just as I’d fallen asleep in his arms in England, I wrapped my body around him. His right arm came up and pulled me in closer, while his other hand rested on my leg. I loved the few nights we slept wrapped up in each other like this, and I was so thankful we found our way back into each other’s arms again. Jim didn’t wake, he just held me and like we both admitted…it felt right.
God bless this man’s heart. I did remember him carrying me to bed now. I remembered being so sleepy that I stayed in my clothes while he changed into his shirt and shorts—all after I begged him to hold me and never let me go. I guess sleep deprivation made me extra sappy. He was definitely a keeper, though. He’d stuck with me through all of yesterday’s insanity, and that deserved some kind of award on its own.
I inhaled his cologne, bringing me back to our wild times in England—that fragrance was intoxicating, there was simply no doubt about that. I couldn’t resist kissing his side that I was curled against, and after listening to his rhythmic breathing, I fell directly back to sleep.
My phone’s ringing startled me awake. The sun had already risen, and I was alone in the room. I turned to the nightstand and grabbed my phone before it could go to voicemail.
“Avery?” Larry, Derek’s dad, said. “Hey, you there?”
“Yeah, what’s up?”
“Oh. Hey, hun,” he said, and I could hear Addy giggling in the background. “I wanted to let you know that Derek was arrested last night. We’re not bailing him out this time.”
About goddamn time, I thought, knowing Derek’s parents could be my worst enemies at times. “What happened?”
“DUI and tried to resist arrest. He was pretty high. Maybe some time in county jail will help him sober up.”
“Yeah,” I said, rubbing my forehead and sitting up in bed. “What a fucking jackass. I’m glad you guys aren’t bailing him out. He needs to get sober, Larry. He needs rehab.”
“Mom and I know that,” he said. “We’re taking Addy to the zoo today. We don’t want her upset that her dad’s not here.”
“Good.” I scrunched my face up in annoyance. “You realize she’s more attached to you than him anyway, right?”
“Derek spends time with her,” he started to defend him.
“When he takes a nap. Seriously, he needs help.”
“We know that,” Larry insisted.
Yeah, you know that, but never do a fucking thing about it.
Then I heard Addy in the background. “Papa, let’s go to the zoo,” she sang the last word while Larry chuckled.
“Go ahead and go. I’ll be there tomorrow. I’ve got to figure out my car situation today,” I said. “The damn thing’s probably toast.”
“Maybe your new job can help you buy a new one?”
“You mean, maybe my new job can cut me an advance, and I can go and hope I can find another one? Addy and I will most likely be finding alternative ways to get to work.”
“Yeah, I guess so.”
“All right, I need to jump in the shower. Have fun today, and make sure to put on sunscreen.”
I got off the phone with Larry, his lack of concern for our automobile predicament not fazing me. Addy and I could easily manage to take the bus or something to get to work until I got paid. I was no stranger to making something work out of nothing.
I slipped out of bed and went on the hunt for Jim. My mood was beyond happy, knowing that Derek was behind bars, and Larry and Annette weren’t bailing him out this time. At this moment in time, the stars were aligning in my favor, and I wasn’t going to fight it.
I followed the scent of eggs and toast. It smelled too delicious; what was he cooking down here? I sniffed out the location of the kitchen like a starving dog, and I shouldn’t have been surprised when I saw it was a chef’s dream kitchen.
“I guess I’m never getting breakfast in bed so long as I’m with you,” I said, pulling my hair into a ponytail, trying not to be affected by the smack in my face of utter gorgeousness when I first saw Jim.
Jim smirked. He was in here cooking with no shirt on, and his black hair was sexy as fuck—still wet and revealing a natural curl he had. Damn, how long had it been? England felt like forever ago. How could I have forgotten this man had a body of perfection, built with tightly carved muscles that were highlighted by his tanned skin? His biceps, his broad shoulders, his beautiful face with that youthful look I’d noticed when Addison teased him.
I almost wanted to say I loved him after everything yesterday. Since waking up in the middle of the night when he held me close, and now seeing his pleasant expression, showing his beautiful soul on the inside, it was hard to keep my affections to myself.
I had to bring it down a few notches and act more rational. “Derek’s locked up,” I informed him, following Jim and the two plates he carried out to the poolside table and chairs.
He set the plates down, turned to me, and his expression became serious. “For how long?”
“His parents aren’t bailing him out of jail anytime soon,” I said as I took the chair he’d pulled out for me. “Thank God.”
He kissed my cheek. “Yes, thank God,” he said, going back into the kitchen and returning with two coffee mugs. “You still take it black, right?”
“Always,” I answered.
“Easy date,” he said, setting our coffee mugs down next to his picture-perfect eggs Benedict. “And still the most difficult. I believe I’ll never get the breakfast in bed thing down for you.”
“Kind of hard to do when your breakfast date can smell food and could very easily sleepwalk to where it’s being cooked anyway,” I teased.
“Sleepwalking to eat?” He arched that sexy eyebrow at me. “That is a tough one to beat.”
“Thanks for bringing me to bed and staying with me last night,” I said after cutting into my breakfast and swallowing a bite of food. “I didn’t expect to fall asleep out there on you.”
I glanced out and looked at the view this morning. This place was like a resort. If only there were a stiff breeze to push out the smog, I knew I could see the ocean from here, but I’d take this view, with or without haze, any morning.
“I was merely being the best host I could be,” he said with a smile. “I fucked that job up before, when I sent my young bride packing in England.”
I laughed. “You need to stop giving yourself shit over that. I walked because I was getting too attached. I knew better myself.”
He dabbed the corners of his mouth with his napkin. “Really? How do you feel about me not wanting you out of my life now? Ever.”
I smiled. “Even after a tiny taste of the bullshit of my life yesterday? Derek’s actions should have you second guessing this commitment idea of yours.”
He did that irresistible smirk. “The only trouble with yesterday was the fact that I couldn’t kick Derek’s ass myself.”
“And if that feeling of not kicking his ass every time he pulls shit like that never goes away?” I looked at his questioning eyes. “If he knows you and I are an item, he’ll just get worse. It’ll get way worse.”
“Well, if I can’t kick his ass, then I’ll just take a run in my work shoes to work out my frustrations.”
“Shit, I forgot about the foot rub I owe you.”
“All that matters is that you slept well, you’re back in my life, and I suppose the fact that my feet survived your neglecting them,” he said with a smirk after taking a sip of his coffee. “I’ll promise you this, though: I will ensure Derek remains behind bars one way or the other. He needs to be locked away or in rehab. He needs to fucking disappear.”
His expression was severe but mischievous.
“Whoa, yesterday I pinned you for a cartel guy, but maybe I should’ve gone with mafia don.” I laughed. “Fucking disappear, eh?”
“You know what I mean. His ass needs to get help.” I watched him do that handsome pucker while he chewed on the inside of his cheek. “Let’s just say that if he rejects rehab because he’s that big of a dumbass, and he comes after me, that’s where he’ll do time behind bars. Trust my word on that. He’ll eventually fuck up; all addicts like him do.” Then he smiled. “Perks of running and owning a successful global business: a team of badass lawyers are at my disposal.”
I laughed. “So, no digging holes in Vegas to dispose of the body?”
Jim frowned, but his forehead creased in humor. “Who’s the mob boss now?” He sipped his coffee again. “I won’t be crossing you any time soon.”
“I can’t live in some crazy fantasy with you like I did in England.” I chewed on my bottom lip.
He nodded.
“I really need to get ready and find out what’s going on with my car.”
Jim licked his lips and slid his bottom lip between his teeth. “About that,” he said, and I saw the tough, business man suddenly look timid.
Confused, I leaned forward. “Do you know something about my car that I don’t?”
“I don’t want this to come across as presumptuous, but I was hoping that you are okay with me securing another car for you and Addison.”
“Securing a car?” I said with a laugh.
He loosened up some. “I called in a favor that Alex owed me. Hopefully, he doesn’t fuck it up.”
“Are we back to the mob boss shit, and my car is the victim?”
“I figured you could use a new car to get around in, so I had Alex head out to the dealership today.”
“You’re kidding?”
“No.” He smiled. “I managed to discover they made a four-door rollercoaster car, as Addy calls it, since she seemed so impressed by mine yesterday. I also figured it’d help outrun that truck Derek has if he ever tweaks out on you again.”
My eyes filled with tears, and for probably the first time in my life, I felt grateful for the help instead of defensive. It wasn’t like me to accept charity, but for some reason, it didn’t feel like a handout.
I stood up and walked over and hugged him. “How can I ever repay you for this?”
He rose, and I was swallowed up by his warm, muscular chest. “Allowing me into your life again is all I’ll ever need.” He stepped back. “I have to be honest; I was terrified that you’d want to kick my ass for taking the liberty of buying the car without consulting you.”
“Quite the opposite, really.” I smiled up at his brilliant and loving eyes. “I’ve never had anyone see me going through shit and give a damn. I mean, buying me a car, yeah, that’s quite a monumental thing, but I could never be upset about you caring for my daughter and me like this. You are too good to be true. Hopefully, you didn’t drop that much on a car, though. I just need something that runs. You could have just helped me fix up Bunny again.”
“Damn it,” he said. “Do you think Addy will be okay with saying farewell to her car? That poor thing needed to pass on to its great reward.”
“Addy might want to kick your ass. That was her car.” I laughed at him as he bit the bottom corner of his lip. “But I did kill it.”
Jim laughed. “I could easily confirm that fact without a mechanic, I’m sure.”
“Change of subject,” I said, arms wrapped around his waist. “You smell fresh, delicious, and cleaned up. Do you mind if I take a shower?”
“Absolutely,” he said taking my hand. “If you’d like, you can wear one of my shirts…” He paused and eyed me. “Like you did when you walked into my office that night in England.”
I laughed. “Sounds fun, but I do need to get ready and run home to get fresh clothes.”
“Well, the car issue is settled. It’ll be here Monday.” He gripped my hand tighter. “To the shower, gorgeous. I also have some extra toiletries that I brought up from the guest bath for you. Toothbrush and shit like that.”
“Well, if only you could snap your hospitality fingers like that for some clean clothes, then I’d be good to go.”
“I can launder yours while you’re showering or soaking in the bath while you’re trying to determine what you’d like to do today.”
“And if they’re not done in time?”
“Then I’ll have the privilege of watching you sunbathe naked while I work on sending off some time-sensitive emails this morning.”
“Sounds good to me,” I said, then covered my mouth when we walked into his bathroom. “You’re kidding me, right?”
He hit some buttons on a digital keypad for the shower to turn on, then set the temperature to eighty degrees. “Yeah, this bathroom is a bit overwhelming, but I got over it after my first shower.” He turned back and smiled at me. “You have to be going insane wearing those jeans and that shirt by now. This heats up the water or cools it down,” he said, bringing the digital keypad to life inside the shower. “Enjoy freshening up.”
“Trust me, I will. Thanks,” I said, desperately needing to clean up in a nice hot shower.
He walked across the slate floor and over to the large vanity area where glass bowl sinks sat on the counter. No shit. Backlit and everything.
“New toothbrush, hairbrush, and whatever else you need is right here. I’ll be outside by the pool if you need me.”
I watched him walk out, wondering why everything felt so different now. In England, it was impulsive. It was awesome. It was nothing close to this, this feeling of being more reserved with him and more respectable. It felt as if a relationship had started between us—or we’d just picked up where we’d left off. I loved all of it.
I stepped in the shower and let the waterfall free the last of my frazzled nerves from yesterday’s bullshit as I pondered my situation with Jim. It didn’t take me long to come to the obvious conclusion: I was falling for him fast. He was an old soul, the type of man they didn’t make anymore.
The fact that he’d bought me a new car was overwhelming, but the thing that got me the most about that wasn’t about the gift. It was the fact that he cared about me enough to consider I might need one. I didn’t need Jim to give me handouts. I’d made it this far on my own without anyone’s charity, but to have someone genuinely care without me saying a word—to take notice at all—that was something I’d never experienced before.
I was refreshed when I stepped out of the shower and smelling like a million bucks. I mean, with Jim’s fancy shampoos and soaps, it was hard not to. While I brushed out my hair, I figured I’d throw caution to the wind and give Jim my undying gratitude. I wasn’t going to lie or hold back. I wanted him. I just hoped this new side of Jim, the more sincere side that I was with now, was as impulsive as he was in England. I was about to find out if he wanted me as much as I needed him.
With this aching desire for more, I walked out naked and shamelessly to the pool. I spied Jim sitting on the lounge furniture that was across the pool and under the shade of palm trees.
I stepped down to the lower area and walked around the pool to where he sat. I felt my heart racing after I knew I was in his view. My smile was wide when I noted his serious expression, twisted lips, and frown as he stared intently at his laptop.
“My clothes ready yet?” I asked. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything important.”
“Jesus Christ,” I heard him say.
He shut his laptop, set it to the side, and stood. He took off his sunglasses, and his countenance darkened in a way that made my heart fall out of normal rhythm.
I was entirely under his spell now. I felt the charge in the air as he walked toward me, and the energy shot through my body when his knuckles ran over my shoulders. “How the hell could I let you walk out of my life that morning? You’re so unbearably beautiful,” he said, both hands caressing my jaw and guiding my eyes up to meet his. “I hope to God you walked out here—like this—for more than naked sunbathing or hoping your clothes were ready.”
“And if I just wanted to sunbathe nude? I’m sure the neighbors are already calling the cops on you for this,” I said, suddenly wondering how secluded this backyard was.
“I have no neighbors that could see this part of my property. The only eyes that are privileged to take in your sexy body are mine,” he said, cupping my ass and pulling me against him. “You have no idea the things I want to do to you.”
“God, I’ve missed you touching me,” I said. “I’ve missed you.”
I was in his arms before Jim turned toward a queen-sized chaise lounge. He gently laid me on it and climbed up over my body. Jim’s eyes went to my lips, then he dipped his head, and his mouth gently tugged on my bottom lip, slowly teasing it, while his strong hands brushed over my hair.
A soft breeze picked up, caressing my body that was heating rapidly to a scorching temperature beneath Jim’s muscular chest. I pressed my hands against his back and sighed as he gently kissed along my jawline. I tilted my head up and closed my eyes when his tongue and lips moved under my neck, my chin, and then he softly bit at my bottom lip. I opened my mouth, and his tongue swept in and met mine with desperation. We both groaned in the pleasure of this reunion that I needed more than I could have ever known.
Chills covered every inch of my body that arched into Jim, begging him for more than this kiss that was exciting every female part of me. I felt Jim’s hard cock and could only wonder how long he’d allow this kiss to go on.
“Hell,” I said, gasping for breath, my head turning toward the view of the skyline while my fingers ran through Jim’s soft, wavy hair. His lips found my nipple, and his tongue worked circles around it. I was turning into a crazed woman underneath his slow way of igniting my body and charging it full of so much energy that I could climax here and now. The tip of his tongue gently ran up the center of my chest, my head going back into the lounge pillows he’d laid me against.
Jim’s large hands framed each side of my face, his thumbs caressing along my cheeks. His eyes were mesmerizing while mine locked onto them. “I want all of you,” he said in a low, firm voice. He touched his lips to mine. “You’re mine, gorgeous. You have no idea how many times I’ve dreamt of being with you again. You also have no idea how close I was to tasting all of you before you left me. I want it all, right here and now,” he said with a look that forced a spasm between my legs.
My mouth went instantly dry. “All of me?” I questioned, knowing he might be crossing his own lines.
“Are you comfortable with me wanting to taste you?” he asked while he tempted me by gliding the tip of his tongue around my open lips.
Just feeling this beautiful man’s hands and lips on me was enough to ignite my full confidence with him in England. With this look in his eyes, and the way he was hungrily caressing my body with his lips and tongue, I was already falling into a state of ecstasy.
His ravenous eyes made me ache for what I’d never experienced with a man before. “I know I gave you a hard time about not being into oral, but I think you could easily know I’ve never experienced it.”
He pulled back, and his lips pursed in the sexiest way. “I know you haven’t,” he said. “I understood that when you admitted you’d never came at the hands of a man, but I want you. I want to give this to you, and I want you to come in my mouth.”
“Holy shit, you’re amazing,” I said, my head rocking back when his fingers moved to my pussy. “I want it all, Jim,” I said in a soft voice.
“I’m going to fuck you so deep when I’m done making you come over and over in my mouth.” His lips devoured mine while my legs fell open as he shifted his body off of mine. “I get the control now, gorgeous. All of it.”
I met his challenging and promising gaze with one of my own. “For now,” I said, my heavy breathing giving me away. The last thing I saw was the greed in his eyes as his lips and tongue ran a blazing trail of fire down to my abdomen and along the insides of my thighs.
My nerves tried to intervene, and Jim seemed to catch on to my tensing up immediately. His mouth tenderly massaged the insides of my thighs, his fingers moving into my opening while his thumb ran slow circles around my clit.
“Fuck, you’re so wet,” he said with his mouth against my burning flesh
“Yes. Just like that,” I exhaled, relaxing more.
“Jesus, you’re so beautiful,” he said in a raspy voice.
While Jim’s hand worked my pussy, his tongue and mouth seemed to massage every part of my body. He kissed along my hips, belly, my neck, and then he brought his undivided attention to my breasts. His teeth nipped while he sucked and gently pulled on my hardened nipples. I held onto his broad shoulders, bracing my body for what it ached for and knew Jim would give it.
“God, I’m going to come like this,” I moaned, aching against his thumb as it worked my clit, his fingers still tenderly pulling on my G-spot.
“You’re going to come in my mouth,” he said, sliding his fingers out of me and repositioning himself between my legs.
I was so fucking ready to feel his mouth against my burning flesh. Jim’s arms went under and wrapped around my legs, and his fingers massaged the inside of my thighs while I felt his warm, firm tongue press onto my clit. I glanced down, and our eyes locked before he closed his, and his mouth closed around my clit, sucking on it. I gripped his hair as I felt the build-up swirling inside me.
Jim’s tongue slowly licked the flesh around my clit, and I jerked at the phenomenal sensation it was creating in me. He was licking, sucking, and pulling at my pussy like he had hungered for this moment for much longer than I’d imagined. His groans were unbearable as I arched into him.
“I’m fucking coming,” I said in a growl.
Jim’s tongue dipped into my opening while his thumb went to my clit, gently pulling this surging orgasm out of me and into his mouth. When I rocked harder into his lips, his tongue probed deeper, he and I both groaning in pleasure as I writhed and rode his perfect mouth in utter ecstasy.
I reached for my nipples, biting my lip, feeling more behind this now that Jim’s fingers were back inside of me. “Hell yes, gorgeous. You want more?” he asked, his voice deep, perfect, and urging me on.
“God, yes.”
Jim’s mouth covered my pussy, and to have him bury his face in my hot entrance, hear his moans, and feel him taking me like he would if his lips were devouring mine in a kiss? It was all too much. His fingers pressed hard against my G-spot, his tongue swirling firmly around my clit, and I was about to lose it again. Damn, was he the best at everything he did?
“Fuck me,” I said, my legs tightening after my pussy became sensitive. I had to end the multiple orgasms Jim was pulling out of me before I got dizzy. “I swear I’m going to blackout.” I laughed when Jim released my pussy and kissed up my abdomen.
“If my condoms weren’t in the house, I’d be fucking you into a blackout state,” he said with a smile. “We’re doing this all day.” His lips went back to my hard nipples. “You taste so good. Your body is mine.”
“Getting possessive?” I teased, my breathing finding a normal rhythm.
“Perhaps.” He smirked at me. “I’m going to fuck you so deep once I know you’re not going to pass out on me.”
“No.” I smiled at him as he kissed up the center of my chest. I gently gripped his forehead and brought those dazzling green eyes to meet mine. “Now that you’ve broken Jim’s oral sex rules—or should I say you shattered those rules—it’s my turn.”
“Oh, yeah?” He arched his eyebrow at me.
“Your dick is mine.”
“I think if you touched my dick, I’d come right here and now.” He chuckled, pulling himself up to lay next to me. “You looked hotter than hell and tasted so fucking delicious. Jesus, I was a fool for not doing this to you sooner.”
“My turn.” I traced my fingers over his hard V-line muscle.
“I won’t last,” he said with a sigh that only made me smile.
“This has always been my favorite part of fucking you.” I reached into his board shorts to rub along the cock I wanted to taste. “I love your expression when you try to hold back. It’s my turn to taste you.”
