Chapter Ten
Carly
The orchestra begins playing an instrumental version of some popular pop song that I vaguely recognize and I tap my foot against the barstool as I sip my champagne. Couples in expensive clothing dance on the floor in front of us as Chance leans back against the bar, watching them. Some of them look like they are actually enjoying themselves but mostly, they all look bored to tears. When Chance glances over at me, he smiles and his eyes fill with affection as I shift nervously in my seat. He takes one last look out at the dance floor before turning to me and extending his hand.
“Dance with me?”
I arch a brow and my gaze flicks down to his hand. “You dance?”
“I guess you’ll just have to take my hand and find out.”
Taking his hand, I slip off my barstool and mutter, “This I can’t wait to see.”
With a cocky smirk on his face, he tucks my hand in the crook of his arm and leads me out amongst the other couples. As we get to the center of the dance floor, he spins me out and I squeal as he spins me back into his arms and wraps his arm around my waist. Pulling me in close, he kisses me and after a moment, I pull away with a smile on my face.
“Well, color me shocked. Any other hidden talents?”
“Oh, I’m full of surprises, Princess. But are you sure you want to know? This sounds an awful lot like you’re trying to get to know me.”
My lips purse and he starts laughing.
“Told you that you wouldn’t be able to resist me.”
“You know what, forget it,” I grumble, trying to pull away from him but he keeps a firm grip on my waist, holding me close to his body. I turn my gaze away from him, but he releases my hand and nudges my chin to guide my face back to his.
“It was seventh grade gym class and I had a huge crush on this girl. Her name was Sylvie and I thought she was perfect. For about two weeks, they made us learn how to dance and I just knew it was my chance to win her over, so I paid attention in class and even practiced at home.”
“Did it work? Did she go out with you?” I ask, more invested in his childhood crush than I should be, but it reminds me of a time when I thought everything would work out for me.
“Nope. Turned me down flat but you seem to like my moves, so I’d say it was worth it.”
I beam at him before remembering that I really shouldn’t and I drop my gaze to his chest. “Stop it,” I whisper, more to myself than to him but he hears me anyway.
“Afraid I can’t do that.”
My heartbeat stutters, like a scratched record, and a blush stains my cheeks. It’s insane how easily he can do this to me. With one simple compliment, he can turn my world upside down. Clearing my throat and stepping back, I meet his eyes and force a smile to my face. “I need to use the ladies’ room.”
“Sure. I’ll meet you back at the bar,” he suggests, not at all phased by the internal conniption fit I’m throwing right now. Nodding, I retreat as quickly as possible, winding through the attractive couples dancing around us and as soon as I step into the hallway, I cut to the right and prop myself up against the wall. Pressing my hand to my warm cheek, I pull air into my lungs and try my best to not completely lose it in the middle of this fancy hotel. God, I can just imagine what my mother would say if she found me right now.
My mind drifts back to the ballroom a few moments ago and I smile, despite myself. How does he do this to me? I’m stronger than this or, at least, I was until I met him. No. I cannot be falling for this man but if he keeps this up, continues being this incredible every chance he gets, I’m afraid that’s exactly what I’m going to do.
No.
I can get a handle on this; I have to. There is no other option. One thing that I’ve always prided myself on was my determination. Even through the hell I went through when I was younger, I never let them win. They didn’t get to see how much they broke me and when my mother wanted me to drop out of college to find a “suitable” husband, I stood my ground and fought her until she relented. Chance Turner is not going to get the best of me. Try all he might, I will not let myself fall for him. No matter how perfect he seems.
Nodding to myself, I push off the wall and take another deep breath as I smooth my hands down my dress. After a few seconds, I feel more in control and I step out into the hallway and start making my way to the bathroom with my head held high. When I finish with my business, I study myself in the mirror – tucking a few stray hairs away as I remind myself not to give into his charms. Sex. That is the only thing I’m here for. Empowered, I step out into the hallway and I’m immediately greeted by the sound of a man yelling.
“She’s here with another man!”
A woman replies but her voice is too quiet to hear and I tilt my head to the side, staring down the hallway where the voices are coming from. I should really go back to the ballroom, but my curiosity gets the best of me and my feet start toward the noise instead of away. When I’m a few feet away from one of the service hallways, I freeze, my mother’s voice halting me in my tracks.
“Calm down. It’s nothing, I promise you that. She’s just trying to piss me off.”
“It damn well better be nothing,” the man from earlier snaps and I place my hand over my racing heart as I creep forward to get a peek. Oh, God, this is a bad idea, but I can’t stop myself. The hair on my arms stand on end and I’m not even sure that I want to know who my mother is speaking to, but I press on, as if I’m not even in control of my own body anymore. “Carly is going to be mine and I didn’t do all this so another man could have her.”
My eyes widen, my heart hammers in my ears, and I cover my mouth with my hand to hide my heavy breathing as I peek around the corner. I get a quick glance of the man in question before I pull back and sink into the little alcove with a large potted plant in the corner to eavesdrop without being caught.
Damian.
I just knew that my mother was behind his appearance in my life but the way he was speaking about me makes me uneasy. Her meddling has gone too damn far this time.
“I assure you this will not last, even if I have to end it myself. The man she brought tonight is not even worth your concern.”
“You had better fix this, Grace. I’m not playing around,” Damian growls and the sound of his footsteps fill the hallway. I slip behind the plant and hold my breath to remain hidden as he stalks past me, a look of murder on his face. A few seconds later, my mother follows behind him, her head held high and I’m not sure I’ve ever hated her more than I do in this moment. I know mothers are supposed to care about who their children date and if her motives were pure, it would be okay, but this will all boil down to the only thing she cares about – the one thing that rules her world. Money.
I wait a few more seconds before stepping out of hiding and striding down the hallway to the ballroom. My hand shakes violently as I replay their conversation in my head and all I want is for Chance to wrap his arms around me. I’m not sure if it’s my anger or the nervous feeling twisting its way through my gut that is affecting me more but I’m ready to bail on this party. If I have another run in with my mother, I will lose it and I have no desire to ever see Damian again.
Stepping into the ballroom, I scan the bar and find Chance watching the doorway for me. As soon as he sees me, the smile melts away and his brow furrows as he sets his drink down. He starts making his way over to me with urgency and I could cry with relief. In this moment, I’m grateful that he can read me so well. When he reaches me, he wraps a hand around the back of my neck and my eyes meet his.
“What happened?”
I shake my head, looking away from him. “Can we go?”
“Of course.” There is no hesitation in his response and I pull him down to me, pressing my lips to his in a desperate kiss that shows him my gratitude. When I pull back, he stares down at me, questions filling his gaze but mercifully, he doesn’t ask any of them. Instead, he wraps his arm around my waist and holds me close to his body as he leads me out to the valet stand. It’s exactly what I needed but I don’t dwell on how he knew that again. I don’t have the headspace for it after what I overheard. So, just for tonight, I’m going to take advantage of Chance and his attention.
The valet brings my car around and Chance helps me into the passenger seat before jogging to his side and sliding behind the wheel. As we drive away, my gaze lands on Damian standing in the doorway to the hotel, waving to me with a smile on his face. Tears I don’t understand sting my eyes as I whip my head forward, focusing on the road ahead of us.
“You’re worrying me, Princess,” he whispers a few moments later, taking my hand and pulling it across the car to press his lips to my skin. “What happened back there?”
“Nothing.” My voice sounds shaky and I close my eyes, taking a deep breath as I replay the situation in my mind again. Did I overreact? Maybe but I just couldn’t stand to be there anymore. Not to mention the slight creep factor with Damian showing up in a lot of the same places I do. Although, I guess it makes sense with my mother involved. In fact, it’s probably nothing, just her trying to play matchmaker, but something in his voice scared the hell out of me. My mind is spinning and the more I think about it, the more I’m convinced I flipped my shit when there was no need to. I hate my mother trying to set me up with a guy like Damian but there’s no reason for the reaction I had.
Chance doesn’t say anything the rest of the drive home and I’m thankful for it. After pulling into the parking space, he tells me to stay put before striding over to my door and opening it for me, his hand extended in invitation. I offer him mine and he holds me close all the way inside the building and in the elevator. When the doors slide closed, he pulls me closer and presses his lips to the side of my head. It’s a sweet gesture that makes it even harder for me to resist him.
“I’m sorry for ruining our night,” I confess and he pulls back. Gripping my chin to guide my gaze to him, he smiles.
“Who ever said it was ruined?”
“Uh, cause it’s nine thirty and we’re on our way home.”
“Princess,” he coos, standing behind me as he wraps his arms around my waist and presses his lips to my neck. “This is the part I’ve been looking forward to all night long.”
“Seriously, sex?” I ask, annoyed that after everything he just assumes he’s getting laid tonight before I can stop myself. No, that’s exactly what he should be here for. That’s all we are. “Sorry.”
“No, not just sex. Spending time alone with you.”
I shake my head as the doors slide open. “We don’t do that.”
Prying myself out of his arms, I take off down the hallway, not allowing myself to peek over my shoulder to see if he’s following me. Ugh. Why do I even care? I stop in front of my door and shove the key in the lock. As it clicks open, his hands find my hips.
“If you think I’m leaving you tonight, you are dead wrong. I don’t know what happened back there, but I would have to be a moron to not see you’re upset. So, I don’t give a flying shit if I’m sleeping on the couch or the damn floor but I’m not leaving.”
I pause for a moment, neither one of us saying anything, before, in a fit of anger, I shriek and stomp into my apartment. It’s childish, I know, but I just don’t have anything left to give tonight. It feels as though I’m literally dragging my feet through mud and all I can think about is taking a long hot shower and crawling into bed.
“Did you just screech at me like a pterodactyl?” he asks, laughter in his voice and I turn around, my brow scrunched up as I study him.
“Really? That’s what you go with? A dinosaur?”
Our eyes meet and the apartment is silent for a moment before he starts laughing and once he starts, I can’t stop a giggle from bubbling out of my mouth. And it doesn’t stop. Every time I get composed enough to glance in his direction, I start laughing again. We collapse on the couch as he pulls me into his arms and after a moment, we both start to calm down.
“You don’t have to sleep on the couch,” I whisper a couple moments later, curled up in his arms with my head buried in his neck. He scoffs and I pull back to look at him.
“So, you’re going to make me sleep on the floor?”
I shove out of his hold and stand up to hide my smile. “No, you ass. You can sleep in the bed with me.”
“Oh, thank you, your highness.”
My head whips back to look at him and I narrow my eyes as I raise my middle finger in his direction. His eyes widen and he reaches out, grabbing my hand and pulling me into his lap. I let out a squeal of surprise on the way down and he swallows it up with a kiss that has me molding my body to his. When I pull away, we’re both panting and the desire in his eyes lights a fire deep in my belly.
“I’m going to go take a shower,” I whisper and he nods, licking his lips.
“There room for someone else in there with you?”
I nod, a grin teasing my lips and he flashes me a predatory look as he stands from the couch with me in his arms. It pulls another squeal out of me before I stare at him with wide eyes.
“Jeez, Hulk. You’re going to throw out your back or something doing that.”
He snorts. “Not a chance, sweetheart. Besides, the thought of letting you go physically pained me.”
The meaning in his words is clear and I let out a nervous laugh as I look away from him, choosing not to acknowledge what he said. He can’t be thinking things like that because this thing will end and the last thing I want to do is hurt him. In fact, even imagining hurting him makes my stomach flip and my chest hurt.
“Put me down,” I whisper, but my voice lacks its usual bite and he picks up on it immediately. Thankfully, he doesn’t say anything as I take his hand and start pulling him toward the bathroom, trying to push the unpleasantness out of my mind. All of this shit is a problem for another day and right now, all I want to do is enjoy my time with him. I have to because the end is coming up on us fast and for the first time in my life, I want to hang on to these memories.
When we step into the bathroom, he pulls his hand out of mine and grabs my shoulders, guiding me to the mirror. Pale green eyes find mine in the reflection and he leans forward slowly, maintaining eye contact as he presses his lips to the top of my shoulder. A soft gasp slips past my lips as heat surges through my veins and I forget everything else – only able to focus on him in this moment. He pulls back just enough to lower the zipper of my dress and brush the straps off my shoulders. It pools on the floor around my feet and he licks his lips, his gaze traveling over my almost naked body.
“I haven’t been able to stop thinking about this all night,” he murmurs as he reaches down and grips the fabric of my panties in a fist before tearing them off my body. I gasp and he looks up with a satisfied grin on his face. When he crouches behind me again, I have to brace my hands on the counter and my breath sticks in my throat as I await his touch. So gently I almost don’t feel him, he trails his hand up the inside of my thigh, all the way to my pussy, before he turns and slowly drags his fingers back down. On the way, he grips the garter and pulls it down my leg and I step out of it.
“Spread your legs,” he commands, his voice husky and I comply immediately, separating my feet. The only thing I’m still wearing is my heels and it gives me a little confidence boost as his hands start running up the back of my legs. I hum, my eyes fluttering closed as he creeps further up my thighs, getting closer and closer to the spot I desperately want him to touch. He slaps my ass and I jerk as he laughs and says, “Lean forward.”
Bracing my forearms on the countertop, I struggle to breathe as his breath caresses the top of my right thigh. God, he’s trying to kill me here. Of course, I can’t just tell him what I want him to do like I would any other guy I was sleeping with because he’ll just see it as a challenge. He would spend hours torturing me, building me up until I was so desperate for a release I would actually beg him.
That’s not going to happen.
Spinning around so my sex is right in his face, I lean back on the counter and kick off my heels, teasing him with a seductive smile, before walking over to the shower and leaving him on the floor.
“What the fuck are you doing?” he asks and I shrug, peeking over my shoulder.
“Getting in the shower. That is what we came in here for, isn’t it?”
He scowls at me for a moment before ripping his suit jacket off his shoulders and tossing it to the floor. As the water heats up, he quickly does the same with his shirt and unbuttons his pants, shoving them down his legs. I turn, pleased with myself for turning the tables on him again and go to step in the shower when his arm wraps around my belly and he pulls me back, molding me to his naked body.
“If you wanna play games, Princess, I’ve got all damn night.” His voice is liquid fire and I shiver in his grasp as he lifts me with one arm and carries me into the shower, positioning us both under the hot spray before turning me to face him. A strong hand gently cradles my face and he pulls me closer, claiming my lips as hot water rains down over us. I can’t even be bothered by the fact that it’s getting in my eyes or that I probably look like a drowned rat because my need for him has trumped everything else.
Just when I think things are about to really heat up between us, he releases me and I stare up at him with wide eyes. “What are you doing?”
“Washing you,” he quips, holding up my loofa and body wash. “That is what you wanted to do in here, right?”
Asshole.
“By all means,” I mutter, trying to hide my irritation and failing epically as I turn away from him. His lips are stretched into a smile as he kisses my neck and even with my anger, I can’t stop myself from sighing. It’s not fair that everything he does to me feels so damn good.
Brushing the hair off my neck, he begins gently scrubbing my body with the loofa and his hand, massaging my aching muscles and putting me into a state of relaxation I didn’t even realize was possible. His gentle touch, the way he’s taking care of me after a terrible night reaches a part of me, a part that is buried underneath layers of stone walls to protect itself.
“Okay, rinse,” he orders and I turn, leaning into the spray as the water washes the bubbles down the drain. When all the soap is gone, I face him and move my hair so he can continue cleaning my front. He may have won round one but I'm confident washing my breasts is going to be much more distracting for him.
With hunger in his eyes, he begins washing me again, starting at my neck and slowly working his way down. When he reaches my breasts, he lingers, dragging the loofa over my nipples again and again until I'm desperate for more. Glancing up at me, he smirks.
Damn him.
“Feeling relaxed, baby?” He looks so fucking smug and I have half a mind to go grab my vibrator and make him watch while I finish the job myself. It would be less satisfying, but it might be worth it to beat him.
“Yeah, actually.” I fake a yawn and stretch my arms out. “I think I'm ready for bed. You want me to wash you first?”
He studies me before holding the loofa out. “Sure, that would be great.”
My teeth sink into my lip in an attempt to conceal my smile as I take it from him and motion for him to turn around with my fingers. He complies and I drag the loofa over his skin, my fingers trailing behind it in a whisper touch that’s bound to drive him crazy. When I get down to his lower back and my fingers skim over his ass, I swear he growls.
“Rinse.”
He turns and his eyes bore into mine as he steps back into the spray and I barely resist the urge to smile. This may be fun but I’m not going to let him win either. That’s just not me. When his back is free of bubbles, he closes the gap between us and a slow smile stretches across his face.
“Time for the front.” He glances down at his cock, hard as a rock and bobbing between us, to emphasize his point and I nod.
“Of course. Wouldn’t want you to be dirty,” I purr as I swipe the loofa over his chest. His Adam’s apple bobs as he watches me and I can practically see images of what he wants to do to me playing out in his eyes. With my free hand, I explore his body, touching everywhere but never lingering long enough to give him any satisfaction.
“Concede,” he commands, his voice gravelly and full of desperation and I flash him a smile as I shake my head.
“Never.”
“Keep it up, Princess. I’m only human and I’m going to lose my shit soon.”
I tilt my head to the side like I’m thinking about it as I skim my fingertips over his cock. “On a scale of one to ten, how bad do you want it?”
“Eleven.”
“Hmm,” I hum, glancing down his body as I wrap my fingers around his length. “I don’t know. You don’t seem like you’re at an eleven yet.”
“Don’t test me, Carly.”
Releasing him, I place a dramatic hand over my heart. “Oh, we’re making threats now?”
He doesn’t say anything and I grip his erection again, stroking it a few times before I release him and push him under the water. The water runs over his body, highlighting all his delicious muscles, and he stares at me, his eyes burning with an intensity that makes desire pool in my belly. When he’s free of the bubbles, I hold my hand out to him and he takes it, pulling me to him as he steps out of the water, meeting me halfway.
With a smile, I lead him over to the bench and push on his shoulders until he sits down before climbing on his lap. His hand immediately grips my hips and he thrusts up, rubbing his cock against my core. I lean in and kiss him, a quick hot kiss that is sure to tease him even more, before moving his head to the side and kissing his neck. He groans, his grip tightening as he thrusts up again.
“What about now?” I whisper in his ear. “Still an eleven?”
“Yes,” he growls.
“I’m not so convinced.” I nip at his ear before pulling back and when our eyes meet, he’s glaring daggers at me.
“I swear to fucking God, I’m gonna hold you down and fuck you until you lose your goddamn voice. And when I come inside you and get you pregnant, I’ll name the baby “Eleven” so you never fucking forget that I’m at the number eleven.”
I throw my head back and laugh, not even able to stop it if I wanted to and he holds me closer, burying his head in my chest as he groans in frustration. I’m still laughing with tears pooling in my eyes when he pulls back and shakes his head at me. He may be horny as hell but there is still a smile teasing his lips as he watches me lose it over his statement.
“I fucking love the sound of your laugh,” he declares and my laughter dies down but the smile doesn’t leave my face as our eyes meet. If I’m being honest with myself, there is a lot about him that I’m really starting to like but admitting it is dangerous. Instead of saying anything, I lean forward and press my lips to his in a sweet kiss that hopefully tells him some of the things I can’t say.
This isn’t going to last and there is no future for us, but Chance is different from the other guys I’ve hooked up with. Maybe it’s just the fact that he came into my life when I was feeling vulnerable, but he means something to me even if I know it will inevitably end.
His hand slips up into my hair and he groans against my lips before pulling away. “Let’s get out and dry off. The water’s going to get cold soon and I have plans for you tonight.”
I nod and climb off his lap, turning the water off as he steps out and grabs some towels. He tosses one to me and I watch him as we both dry off, wondering just what his plans for the rest of the night entail. When I’m dry, I wrap the towel around my chest and secure it before going to the mirror. Before I can do anything, Chance steps up behind me again and with a smile full of promise, releases my towel. It falls to the floor, but he never takes his eyes off me, switching between my gaze and the reflection of my body in the glass.
He molds his body to my back and one hand wraps around me, positioned just underneath my breasts and the other slowly starts creeping down my stomach. Panting, I watch with laser focus as his fingers find my clit and his foot nudges mine. I spread my legs and plant my hands on the counter in front of me as he begins massaging my pussy, building me up to an earth-shattering orgasm quickly.
“Look at me, Carly,” he whispers in my ear and my head jerks up, my eyes finding his in the reflection as he slips one finger inside me. Moaning, I lean back into him for support but he quickly pulls it out and goes back to teasing my clit.
“Chance,” I whine and he flashes me a victorious grin.
“On a scale of one to ten…”
I don’t let him finish his question as I spin around and hop up onto the counter, my arms and legs wrapping around his body. He quickly abandons his revenge and picks me up off the counter with my legs firmly wrapped around his waist before carrying me into the bedroom.
After laying me down on the bed, he pulls away and bends down, coming back up with a condom. He unwraps it and I prop myself up on my elbows to watch as he slips it on. His gaze finds mine once again and he puts his knee between my thighs as he moves over me on the bed. More than ready for him, I wrap my legs around his waist and pull him down on top of me, kissing him as he lines his cock up with my entrance. With his lips still pressed to mine, he thrusts forward slowly and all the air rushes out of my body in ecstasy. This is exactly what I needed.
He sets a slow pace, alternating between looking in my eyes and kissing me and as he’s sinking into me, it occurs to me that I don’t know what to call this. Usually, I fuck guys or have sex with them, but this feels like more. Maybe it’s making love but since I’ve never experienced it, I can’t know for sure. Whatever it is, it’s intense. It’s like we’re the only two people on the earth and we have endless time to enjoy this moment. Here in my bedroom, my past is gone along with all my fears and for a second, I can allow myself to feel things that will never see the light of day.
I want a snapshot of this moment in my mind for when this ends, so I can look back and be grateful for the time I did get to have. These past few weeks with him have to be enough to get me through the next seventy years and I want every second of it to be seared into my brain. Even our looming demise can’t ruin this perfection.
Chance groans, closing his eyes for a brief moment before leaning down and kissing me again. Pressure coils inside me and I grip him tighter as my release starts to take control of me, crying out.
“Fuck,” he hisses, his muscles tightening before he lets out a low groan that draws a little sigh of contentment out of me. After a few seconds, he pulls out of me and stands, tossing the condom in the trash before climbing back into bed and pulling me into his arms.
“Shit, Princess, I think I saw stars that time.”
I arch a brow and peek up at him. “You think? Guess I’ll have to work harder next time.”
He chuckles and tucks me into his body, kissing the top of my head as he holds me. “Goodnight, baby.”
“Goodnight, Chance,” I whisper and close my eyes, trying not to dwell on how many more times I’ll get to say that to him.