Daniella

 

I should’ve known better than to ask him. Although it was an asshole move on his part to freak out at the last minute, it served as a reminder. I’d stepped out of the box into which we’d put our whatever-the hell-you-would-call-it, temporary, monogamous, non-kissing thing. But I’d meant what I said. I wasn’t bringing him to save face. On the other hand, I had wanted him to be there as an ally. Someone who would be on my side, a person who represented unapologetic choices.

As I walked into the church, I kept my head high and gazed straight ahead. The last thing I wanted to do was mingle with anyone I didn’t have to. Namely, Eric or any of his friends. My mother had already told me we’d be in the fourth row on the left side. I smiled at the usher, took the program, and allowed him to escort me down.

My mother, with her olive skin and big brown eyes, looked up smiling. She quickly dropped the expression for a frown. I already knew what was coming.

“Where is this date you insisted on bringing?”

“Unfortunately, something came up at work.”

I took my seat and smiled at my dad. He was a big man with the trademark Italian accent. “Hi, Dad. Looking good from the trip.”

They were both sporting a glow from the Caribbean sun. “Hi, honey. Nice to see you.”

But my mom wasn’t done. “What do you mean he had to work? What does he do?”

“He manages a club in Manhattan. Something came up.”

“Your cousin paid one hundred fifty per person.”

I smiled tightly. “I’ll send her a check and an apology.”

“I swear, with your luck in men, Daniella, you’re never going to settle down.”

“Maybe I don’t want to.” I could tell from the intake of her breath she hadn’t expected my retort.

She’d always preached that unless you had a ring on your finger and bun in the oven, you were not doing your part for society as a woman. “I saw Eric here, and he didn’t bring a date. I’m certain if you guys talked things out, you could salvage the relationship.”

“As I told you on the phone, he not only cheated on me, but he also stole from me. Is that who you really want as part of the family?”

My father wasn’t helping. “You said he’s paying you back. As for the other, maybe he just needed to get it out of his system.”

Who were these people? If ever I wondered why I’d stayed longer than I should’ve in the relationship with Eric, these were certainly the influences. It made me even more grateful I’d gotten out. At least I didn’t have to go home with them tonight and be surrounded by their disappointment like I would’ve had to do in my youth. Then again, when I was younger, I actually had done everything I could in order to please them. It had never been enough.

“I’m not discussing this here.” I was done trying to please them.

The ceremony was about to start, and I already had a headache. I was quickly thinking perhaps Shane had been right to bail. The thought slammed home when Eric stepped into our pew, much to my mother’s delight.

“Here, dear, I saved a place for you.”

His smile made me want to flee. With him now sitting between my mother and me, I seriously contemplated it. Only the onset of the wedding music stopped me.

“How are you?” he whispered.

“Shh. It’s starting.”

 

***

 

The moment the bride and groom made it to the back of the church, I bolted. It was only four blocks to the hotel where the reception was being held. I hoofed it rather than spend a moment longer in Eric’s company. God, he’d been staring at me as my cousin and her new husband had been saying their vows like I would turn to him and say, ‘let’s get married.’ If anything, the ceremony only reaffirmed my decision never to settle again.

Upon arriving at the hotel, I realized I’d beaten most guests there. Probably because they were doing some pictures after the ceremony, and people were mingling. At least this gave me time to go check in. Only one problem. My duffle bag was in Shane’s car.

Not that I had a lot in there, but the contents did include my makeup bag, toiletries, and a change of clothes for tomorrow. Now, I had nothing but my purse and the hotel-provided items I’d find in the room. I sighed, thinking this was bad luck until it got worse.

“Can we talk for a minute?” Eric’s voice came from behind me.

I accepted my key from the hotel clerk and turned around. “I have nothing to say to you unless the words out of your mouth are ‘here’s the rest of your money.’”

He winced. “Please keep your voice down. Look, there’s no way I can get the rest of the money in two weeks.”

I walked towards the elevators, already done with this conversation. “Then you’d best sell your car, condo, or a kidney.”

“Come on, Daniella. I was talking to your mom, and she agrees we’d still be good together.”

I lifted a brow. “Now that you don’t have the money, you want to get back together. Unbelievable.”

“What? She said you were showing up with some date, and you didn’t.”

“Says who?”

Shane’s husky words came from behind me, but before I could turn to see him, he’d put his arm around my waist, intimately pinning my back to his front. Considering we’d been in much the same position the last time Eric had seen us together, I blushed.

“He’s your date?” Eric stammered.

I’d be lying if I said I didn’t get a lot of satisfaction from the look on his face. “It would seem so.”

“You heading up to the room before the reception?” Shane whispered in my ear.

“Yes.” I turned and saw he was holding my duffle along with his. “Thanks for bringing my bag.”

He smirked. “Not a problem. Shall we?”

I gave one last glance toward Eric as Shane ushered me to the elevator, but my date wasn’t done.

“Money to Dani in two weeks, Eric. Don’t make her wait for it.”

In epic, usually-only-see-it-in-the-movies fashion, the doors closed after his words, making Eric’s face turn bright red.

I had goosebumps from Shane’s don’t-fuck-with-me tone. But it wasn’t enough to override my annoyance from earlier.

I took a step to the side, but he wasn’t having it. Instead he pulled me close, dipping his face into the crook of my neck and kissing the top of my shoulder.

“I’m sorry.”

I pulled back to look at his face, shocked those words had come from him.

“Don’t look so astounded. I do manage those words every once in a while. I came back for the ceremony, but it had already started, so I stood in the back. Then you all but bolted, so I couldn’t catch up with you until now. It was a dick move to back out.”

“It was, but I should’ve been clearer about the family element. To tell you the truth, after five minutes talking with my mother, I really can’t blame you. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Why were you sitting by Eric in the church?”

The elevator stopped on my floor, and he followed me out. “My mother seems to think I should let bygones be bygones and trade in his pedigree for my self-worth.”

“She wants you married with kids in the burbs.”

I smiled sadly. “More than she wants my happiness.”

He turned me, pinning me up against our room door. “And what do you want, Daniella?”

His gaze was burning into mine, and I found the breath catching in my chest. It was as though I had no choice but to utter my next words. “To feel free from the burden of being responsible for everyone else’s happiness. Instead, I’d like to be responsible for just my own for once.”

He cupped my face, running his thumb over my bottom lip in an intimate gesture. For a suspended moment in time, I was convinced he would kiss me. It could have been my imagination, but in his eyes, I saw the indecision. Then it was gone.

“What do you want, Shane?”

“To taste you before we go back downstairs.”

The old me would’ve argued we didn’t have time and worried about being late. The new me was already wet with anticipation.

But if I’d thought it would be as expected, I should’ve known better. Shane had other ideas. Once the hotel room door opened, he backed me into the first available surface, which happened to be the desk, and dove under my dress.

“Hold up the bottom so I can see your face when you come for me.”

“Oh, Good Lord.” At this rate, we wouldn’t be late at all. I was about to combust simply from the vibration of his words against my cleft.

“You taste amazing.” His finger entered me and curled up. “Ah, and so wet.”

He sucked on my clit while his finger moved in a rhythm that had me climaxing in a matter of minutes. But when he reached back, he froze.

“I wanted to surprise you.” I’d put in one of the jeweled butt plugs. Not only was it a delicious type of foreplay, anticipating when he’d have me there, but I knew it would turn him on.

“Jesus, Dani. I’m rock hard for you. And I can’t wait to be deep inside your ass.”

He tugged on the plug, sending a zing straight to my center.

“How about now?” I was desperate for it and not above begging.

He stood up, his lips an inch from mine and still glistening from my wetness.

I couldn’t help myself; I kissed him, groaning at the taste of myself on his lips until he pulled away.

“Sorry.” But I wasn’t because, for a moment, he’d returned my kiss.

He smiled. “I don’t believe you. But because you’re a naughty girl, you’ll have to wait for me to have your ass. Now get on your knees and put your lips to good use.”

It was the humor reflected in his eyes and the fact I was turned on which had me ignoring his bossy tone. Instead, I hopped down and unbuckled him, marveling at how hard he was. He lay heavy in my hand while I licked him from tip to base and enjoyed the way he sucked in his breath with the action.

Because I wanted to take him completely off guard, I swallowed him to the back of my throat in one motion, pulling back only to use my tongue to lubricate him and also my pinky finger.

“Jesus.”

Music to my ears. I set a rhythm, bobbing on his cock like it was my mission in life to make him come as quickly as possible. And because I wasn’t done with surprises and was curious about how Shane would react, I moved my pinky back and penetrated his backside with the coated little finger.

“Mother fucking—fuck.”

He jerked his hips but then relaxed, allowing me to move it in further before he came spectacularly in my mouth.

 

***

 

Shane

 

To say Daniella had just rocked my world was an understatement. She’d fucking annihilated it.

“Where did that trick come from?”

We’d finished cleaning up in the bathroom, where she was now reapplying her lipstick.

She shrugged. “I figured someone should at least get some ass play before we return for the reception.”

I chuckled, loving her wit.

“I’ve never done it before. Did you like it?”

Although I wasn’t normally into having my ass played with, her innocence and fearless way of trying new things was the biggest turn-on.  I stepped into her, dropping my lips to her ear and grabbing her ass with both hands. “You have no idea. Now let’s get downstairs before I fuck you on this vanity. Because you really don’t know what you’ve started.”

The slow, satisfied smile on her face let me know she was sorely tempted to find out and skip the reception. But if I was to make up for earlier, then I needed to ensure I escorted her downstairs.

By the time we walked into the ballroom, most people were seated and eating dinner. I hadn’t been to many weddings in my lifetime, but it was clear, from the flowers to the china, that no expense had been spared on this one.

As we made our way towards our table, I swallowed hard, fighting the panic about meeting her parents. But she gave me a reprieve by leading us to the bar first.

“Figured you might want a whiskey first.”

“You figured right. Uh, I—” I decided just to put the disclaimer out there while we were alone. “Look, I don’t want to cause you any judgment from these people.”

She straightened my tie, giving me a smile. “Let them judge away. I’m through caring. And think of it this way. You’ll never have to see any of them again after tonight.”

Right. The thought should’ve comforted me. But instead, for reasons I didn’t want to examine, it annoyed me.

After we gathered our drinks and me my nerve, we made our way over to the table. A woman who had to be Daniella’s mother sat beside a man who had to be her father.

The urge to flee was strong, but not as strong as my feelings for the woman beside me. Shit. Where had that thought come from? But I didn’t have the time to examine it because introductions were happening.

I smiled tightly, taking my seat next to Daniella after I’d pulled out hers like a gentleman. The entire table went around introducing themselves: her aunt, uncle, a couple cousins and, last but not least, her parents.

“Why are you so late? And why did you take off after the ceremony? We were looking for you for family pictures,” her mother started in.

My annoyance immediately flared, but I noticed my date simply took a sip of her martini and replied, her lips twitching. “I found out Shane was able to make it and was waiting at the hotel.”

“Yes, well, at least it’s not wasted money with an empty place setting.”

I gritted my teeth, thinking it was no wonder Daniella wanted company if this was her family.

She turned and gave me an apologetic smile.

We ate quickly, but not quickly enough. Her father leveled his eyes to mine. “So, Shane, what is it you do?”

I dabbed my mouth with my napkin. “I own a bar in Manhattan.”

“What kind of bar?”

Before the wedding, I would have answered that question with the blunt truth. Absolutely, no question about it. But I couldn’t do that to Daniella. I didn’t want the disapproval at the table to be directed in the slightest towards her. “It’s geared towards singles and requires a club membership.”

Daniella about choked on her drink, obviously not expecting me to lie.

“Is it successful?” her mother asked.

“Mother, really?” Dani gave her a glare.

I waved a hand, used to this sort of interrogation from people. Although I was tempted to blurt out something equally tacky, like: does clearing forty million over the last decade satisfy you? But I managed not to. “Depends on your perspective. We’ve been in business ten years and operated in the black for nine. Matter of fact, I met your daughter when she started doing our taxes.”

They got to stew on that tidbit while the toasts were made and the first dance started. When the other couples were invited out, I took Daniella’s hand. “May I have this dance?”

She smirked and let me lead her out to the floor.

“What’s with the smug look?”

“I was thinking you must really want anal tonight to put up with this and then ask me to dance.”

I laughed, moving my hands down to inappropriately cop a feel on the subject matter. “I have no issue with dancing, and your mother’s questions aren’t unlike other judgments I’ve received over the last decade. And to think, she’s made all these negative conclusions without even knowing it’s a sex club.”

She leaned back, studying my eyes. I swore she could see through all my defenses. “Did your mom judge you?”

“Yeah.” But I didn’t want to get into it here. “So back to the anal. When do you think we can get out of here?”

She leaned in, tightening her arms around me. “Mm. Maybe after a couple of dances. I’m kind of enjoying this. You look very handsome, by the way.”

I was thankful she’d dropped the subject. “You look sexy, too, but I can’t wait to see you in nothing but your plug.”

 

***

 

We waited until the cake was cut, allowing Daniella to speak with her cousin, the bride, and get a couple photos before we went upstairs, drinks in hand. Neither of us had seen any sign of Eric at the reception. Most likely, he’d gone home. Just as well. I wasn’t sure my capacity for civil behavior would hold out if he’d come around again.

As we entered the room, we laughed about how her great-aunt Mary had patted my ass after one too many cocktails.

I sipped my whiskey, watching while she slipped out of her heels and let her hair down. “You’re beautiful.” The words slipped out easily because it’s what this woman was. Effortless beauty and class.

“Thank you. And thanks for coming back. I’m sorry my mom was so unpleasant.”

I framed her face. “Don’t ever apologize for someone else’s actions, Dani. She is who she is.”

She blew out a breath. “You’re right. And I’m becoming less tolerant of it. Do you know, when I was little, I convinced myself that if I wasn’t the perfect little girl, they’d send me back to where they’d adopted me?”

The thought made my stomach roll. “They said that to you?”

She shook her head. “No, no. But it’s how I felt. Like they’d adopted me, and therefore I needed to be the daughter they wanted. Almost like I was obligated. But I don’t feel that anymore. Instead, I feel like I’m done being that person.”

“I’m a big fan of the way you are.” I untied my tie and undid two of the shirt buttons. The vibe immediately changed. “Strip for me?”

She looked unsure for half a second, but then gave me one of her saucy smiles.

After slipping off my shoes, I got comfortable on the bed with the pillows behind my head at the top so I could watch. What I did in the club was normally rushed to the point where sex occurred. I didn’t mind it because that was the ultimate goal. However, right now I wanted to savor. I wanted to appreciate. And then I wanted her ass.

 

***

 

Daniella

 

I unzipped my dress, trying to keep from being nervous. Wasn’t as though this man hadn’t already seen me naked. Besides, baring my innermost thoughts to him made me more vulnerable than the physical. But doing this deliberately was a little disconcerting. Especially with him watching me like a predator eyes its prey. Yet his frank appraisal brought me confidence. Somehow, I already knew tonight would be epic. Of course, that would only make it that much harder to think about leaving in three days’ time. But for now, well, I was seizing the moment.

Once I was down to merely my lacy bra, his husky voice broke me out of my thoughts. “Turn around. And after you lose the bra, bend over and let me see that plug.”

Damn. I’d started this game, however, and I was determined to give him the show he craved.

I could hear his muttered curse when I did what he asked, but was unprepared for his next request.

“Come here and sit on my face.”

Huh. I’d kind of thought we’d get right to it, but clearly he had other plans. Never having assumed this position, I wasn’t sure how to accomplish it. But he took control once I approached the bed, lifting me up by the waist and having me straddle his shoulders.

“Grab the headboard for leverage.”

“Oh, fuck.”

He hadn’t hesitated, instead devouring me from this angle, pressing my pussy into his face by gripping my ass. “Ride it like you want it, baby.”

I was digging the term of endearment, but not as much as the newfound sensation of him having all access. One of his fingers was pushing the plug while others were up inside of me, working together with his mouth to have me exploding on his face in no time. But he wasn’t done. Instead, he replaced his fingers with his tongue.

“Ohhhhhhh.” I was pretty sure my words were only a jumble as my eyes rolled back, and all that was present was white light in the climax which washed over me.

I didn’t know how he managed it, but the next thing I registered was being on my back. I opened my eyes to see him shedding his clothing in record time and then rolling on the condom. He was between my thighs and thrusting deep inside of me before my aftershocks had stopped.

“Christ, I love it when your cunt grips me, and I can still feel your orgasm.”

My nails raked down his back, and I reveled in the feel of his skin.

Suddenly, he pulled out. “Get on your knees, gorgeous.”

As I did so, he crossed the room and came back with a bag in hand.

“What’s that?”

“Toys. Now be a good girl and put those pillows under your stomach to help support you.”

I could hear the sound of lube before I felt him take the plug out. He replaced it with his readied fingers. “You’re fucking perfect. And because I want to give you ultimate pleasure, I’m putting this in your pussy.”

I gasped at the sensation of the large dildo being placed inside of me and then moaned when it started to vibrate.

“This is only the head of my cock. To work you in. We’ll go slow.”

I burned a little despite being readied, and I was even more thankful he’d been courteous enough to work me in over the last two days. I appreciated that he was talking me through it.

“Just an inch. That’s it. Relax and let me in.”

I sucked in my breath as he made it past the ring of muscle, deeper inside of me.

“Christ, your ass is tight. I can’t wait to bottom out in you, Daniella, and fuck you hard. You want that, don’t you?” He slipped in another inch.

“Yes. Oh, God.” I was quickly becoming overwhelmed by what was happening to my body. My legs were shaking while my desire was at a precipice it had never been. If his stuttered breaths were any indication, Shane was having a hard time with control.

“I’m almost there. You okay?”

“Uh-huh. Shane, I—” Whatever I’d been thinking to say evaporated. Rooted, he’d started moving while working the dildo in tandem. It was as though all my brain synapses exploded in the tidal wave of the climax washing over me. My body was on autopilot, bucking against his thrusts and seemingly going from one orgasm into another. As I was about to black out, I heard him grunt his own climax with a string of curses following. Then it went black.

 

***

 

Shane

 

Making a woman come like Daniella had should be the crowning achievement of manhood. I washed her intimately, smiling as she hardly moved, merely murmuring a thanks and something about being boneless. Then I put the blanket up around her, unsure what to do next.

I didn’t spend the night with a woman. Ever. Yet the last thing I wanted to do was ditch her to find her own way back to New York in the morning, especially after my epic screwup earlier. Fuck. I really hadn’t thought this whole hotel night thing out. So I took a long hot shower. Then I slipped into the bed, naked and already hard again. I’d decided to take care of things myself when she shocked me by speaking.

“You’re not wasting a hard-on with me in the bed naked next to you?”

I froze mid-stroke. “You were kind of passed out.”

“I needed a few minutes. You pretty much rocked my world.”

She scooted over to me, and I tensed. I was not accustomed to naked cuddling or the skin on skin contact. Hell, it would be too easy to slide right into her about now. And her kisses down my neck were doing nothing to halt the temptation to do just that. I was on the brink of sinking into her heat without anything between us.

“Did the test results come back clean?” I couldn’t believe I was asking this question. I’d never been bareback with any woman.

“Yes.”

“I can show you my test results.”

 “I’m not on the pill.”

“I got a vasectomy, so I won’t get you pregnant.”

She popped up, her expression full of surprise. I wondered if I’d managed to slam shut any hope she might have about a future with me. I told myself it was for the best. But instead, she smiled.

“Good, because I don’t want children.”

I hardly had time to analyze her statement before she hit me with her next words. “But don’t you think it would be odd to go bare and not kiss?”

She was right. And I was crazy to have suggested it. “You’re right. It was a stupid thought. Hold tight.” I jumped out of bed and retrieved a condom, putting it on in record time while avoiding her eyes. I didn’t want to see the disappointment that I’d been about to fuck her bare but didn’t want the intimacy of a kiss.

“Shane, are you upset?”

I plastered a smile on my face and forced myself to lose the tension. “Only at myself for losing my head for a moment. Now spread those legs and let me in.”