CHAPTER 2
The test went smoothly for both Cole and me, who made it by the skin of his teeth to class. He ran a little late with Coach, and the teacher stared him down as he slipped into the seat beside me. We finished around the same time and grabbed some lunch before running to our other classes for the day. I knew that his days were full and was used to that, which meant that I spent a fair amount of time alone. I had other casual friends; acquaintances. We’d grab a bite to eat or hang out at the bar that served us, but most of the time, I was home. I liked it that way and valued the time to myself.
The week crept along, and I knew that dinner was in just a couple of days. I caught up on everything that I needed so I could relax for the night and dressed in some thick black tights with a plum colored sweater dress. I wore high boots and did my hair in wavy curls that dried as I added a little liner to my eyes with some mascara.
I got into the modest five-year-old Camry that Mom bought for me when I left for college and started the engine as I shivered in my thick coat. I was already feeling uncomfortable, and I scowled as I backed up and headed to the main street to go into the city. I’d talked to Mom and Brett would indeed be there. She gushed about him and how he was just a few years younger than her at thirty-seven but gorgeous. Mom was forty-two but pretty with blue eyes and my hair so I didn’t doubt she could land a younger man. He wasn’t even that much younger, and I wondered if he had any kids, which reminded me of some of the kids that I’d met in the last. That was so awkward. I was an only child, and I suspect that Mom wasn’t into a big family because Dad seemed to love having me around. I never wondered what it would be like to have siblings until it was just Mom and me, deciding that it became lonely fast.
I saw Rioja up ahead and looked for a parking spot in the small lot nearby that would not require me to valet park. I hated spending the extra money on something that I could do myself. Once I was settled, I looked in the mirror and forced a smile on my face before I slipped my keys into my purse and headed towards the front door. It was a cute place with a small intimate room and a clear need for reservations, based on the line that was out of the front door by a few feet. I hoped that Mom had done that since I was starving for anything other than the fast stuff that I ate on a daily basis. I excused myself into the door as I felt eyes on my back and shook my head to approach the hostess station. “I’m here to meet Rayna Jones for dinner,” I told her in a soft, slow voice as I heard the raised voices of the angry people behind me.
“Let me see,” the blonde smiled as she went down and list and nodded. “She’s here already, and I think…over there.” The hostess pointed to a corner of the room as I glanced at her name tag and nodded as I saw Mom reading a menu.
“Thank you, Nadine,” I told her as she looked at me with a grin. I made my way to the corner and smiled as Mom glanced up.
“Larisa, there you are.” She stood, and we hugged before she kissed my cheek. “You look lovely.”
“Thanks. So do you,” I told her as she smiled brilliantly. Mom was blessed with great genes that I hoped she was generous with and looked healthy. I knew that her schedule was crazy, and she traveled a lot, but somehow she looked rested now.
“Thank you,” Mom said as she watched a waiter hand me a menu and ask what I wanted to drink. I requested soda to keep myself awake and slipped my jacket off as I looked around. “Cute place.”
“Isn’t it? Brett loves it here,” she said as she ran her left hand through her sleek bob, revealing the sparkling diamond wedding set on her finger.
“Mom, are you-” I started to ask when her eyes settled on someone behind me and she smiled dreamily.
“Brett, I want you to meet my daughter. Larisa, this is Brett, my husband.” Mom stood, and my mouth dropped open as I took in her words.
“Husband?” I asked as she frowned at me. “When?”
“Last week, we eloped,” she snapped as she indicated for me to turn around.
“Jesus, Mom,” I said as I stood and clumsily made my way around to look at my new very official stepfather. I looked into his light green eyes, and there was instant recognition as heat singed my skin. I was taken back to a year ago when I was at a club with some friends, drunk and just feeling like I needed to do something crazy after a recent breakup.
“Larisa, it’s a pleasure to meet you,” Brett smiled, and it was so familiar as he reached out his hand to shake mine. That hand had been inside of me, and I looked down as I pressed my lips together. “I wanted her to tell you the good news, but Rayna was excited about surprising you.”
“Brett. Hi,” I said as I shook his hand and remembered one of the best nights of my life. I saw in his eyes that he remembered me as well with a flash of heat before he replaced the look with a smile. I dropped his hand and turned as he moved to sit next to Mom, longing for some wine or anything that would lift the embarrassment that I was feeling right now. Brett kissed her hair and took his wine glass before he looked across the small table at me. He could hide his gaze from my mother now, and the heat returned as I took a deep breath.
We made small talk as we ordered some appetizers and I settled on the artichoke tortellini for dinner. It wasn’t from the main entree selections, but I’d have trouble eating anything right now.
Brett was gorgeous, and he’d caught my eye at the club right away. I was looking to forget the other relationship, and I could tell he was older than me by a few years at least. He was tall and muscular, and at this moment, he reminded me of Cole as I looked at him. A few drinks had led to dancing, which led to making out on the dance floor as he held my body close to his to show me just what I was in for. Brett was thick and hard, and I wrapped my legs around his waist as he carried me off of the dance floor and into a dark corner, where he kissed me senseless before he slid his hands underneath my short skirt.
He’d asked me if I’d go to his hotel with him and I agreed.
It was close, and we walked the block quickly as I worried about my first one-night stand. I’d been in casual relationships, but this had all the signs of just being the one night, and that was honestly all that I wanted then. I wanted him hard and buried inside of me to erase any memory of Derek, the cheating asshole. Once Brett unlocked the door to his suite at the Hilton, I led him inside and into the spacious living room that overlooked Denver. I turned to face him as I took a deep breath and reached out to pull his lips to mine. The kiss was hot and rough, and I slipped my arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
We removed our clothes in between deep kisses, and his mouth peppered my neck as he pushed me back onto the leather sofa. I closed my eyes and arched my back as his hand cupped my ass and squeezed hard while I moaned. “I can’t wait to be inside of this sweet young pussy,” Brett told me before he moved his mouth over my nipple and sucked it deep into his lips. His tongue flicked it, and teeth dragged against me as I felt my thighs dampen where they were pressed against him.
The feeling of his heat as he gave each small bud equal attention before he moved his mouth down over my flat belly. I stared down at him as he moved between my legs and breathed against my slick thighs. Oh God, he was so close to me, and I slipped my hand down into his hair as he pressed his tongue against me and slid between my folds. It was Heaven, and I spread my legs like a whore so that he could have all of me.
Brett licked me all over as I breathed hoarsely and rocked against him until he held my still with his strong arms. He slowly teased my sensitive clit, ready to burst from all of the pain and pleasure that he’d inflicted on my nipples just a few minutes before. I’d nearly come, and as he sucked me between his teeth, I let out a keening sound and felt myself go.
It was intense, a hot wash of heat all over my body and something that I’d never felt before. I cried out his name, something I hadn’t found out or at least remembered when we were dirty dancing for everyone in that club. Brett kept my orgasm going with long sucks of his mouth and thick fingers stroking me as he urged me to keep going. I was so full, and he traced my sensitive walls with his hand and made me shudder again. I was weak when I felt myself slow down as he pulled his hand away and traced my mouth with his finger.
“Taste yourself,” Brett told me as I sucked him into my mouth and tried to keep my eyes open.
CHAPTER 3
I blinked as I heard Mom say my name and stared at her. “What’s wrong with you, Larisa?” She snapped at me as I took a sip of my soda and eyed the appetizers spread out before me.
“Waiter!” I called as I saw him walk by, smiling when he stopped. “Can I have a glass of your house white wine, please?”
“I’ll bring that right over,” he promised me as he looked at me a beat longer with his dark brown eyes, making my thighs ache. The memory of Brett was too much for me to bear and I tried to push it out of my mind.
“Sorry, Mom. I’m foggy from studying and school stuff,” I apologized as I avoided looking at Brett. “This looks good. Tell me about the wedding.”
I learned that it was a whirlwind and something that Mom suggested. No surprise there. I knew from my night with him that Brett was CEO of one of the biggest mortgage companies in the United States. Anderson and Frank held the mortgages of some of the richest people in the world, including a few celebrities.
No, we didn’t talk that night. I’d kept it in mind and did some research after the fact. I knew that he was returning to Los Angeles soon and had no hopes of anything happening between us again, well, no expectations.
He was a stable future for Mom, and if and when she decided to slow down at Gail’s, she could settle down happily. Brett was also gorgeous and damn it if I didn’t know how good he was in bed. The idea of him with Mom made me look around to see where my wine was, smiling with relief when I saw the waiter approaching me with a smile on his face.
Thank fuck. I thanked him and took a long sip of it before I picked at the food. It was probably wonderful and something I’d tell my friends about if I were with anyone else. Tonight, though, I just wanted to drink myself away from the memory of Brett’s mouth and cock inside of me.
My food to wine ratio was getting pathetic as I tossed back another glass and nibbled on my dinner. I sensed my mom’s anger towards me but I just couldn’t bear with this.
When I left to go to the bathroom, I was buzzed, and I dropped onto the toilet and took a deep breath. God, I had to pee. I did and pulled my phone out of my clutch to text Cole that I needed to see him tonight. I needed my best friend to vent to and get this all off of my shoulders so I could move on.
Cole: Are you drunk, Ris?
Me: I’m drinking wine so probably so. Don’t worry, I am getting a cab home. Be there. I’ll text you when this hell is over with.
Cole: I’ll be waiting. Be safe, Ris.
I shoved the phone in my purse and stood to wash my hands and return to the table. Mom was kissing Brett, and I looked way as I walked to the table to join them. I slipped into my seat and glanced in their direction as they leaned against one another and took a breath. Their plates were empty, and mine was cold, so I didn’t want it anymore. “Are you feeling alright, Larisa?” Brett asked me as my mother looked at me with an irritated expression on her beautiful face.
“Just tired, as I said before. I think the wine is getting to me a little,” I stated with a small smile as I leaned back and took another sip.
“Maybe you should eat,” her voice was low and angry as I took a deep breath. “I’m done here, Brett. Can we leave? Hopefully, she’ll present herself a little better over Christmas.”
“How are you getting home?” Brett asked me as he leaned forward and looked into my face. Jesus, there was still an attraction there, and this was all kinds of fucked up.
“I have a friend coming to get me,” I lied as he nodded and looked at Mom.
“I look forward to seeing you at Christmas,” Brett told me as he paid the bill when she called the waiter over in a huff. He ushered her out, and I dropped back into the chair as I closed my eyes. I took out my phone and pulled up Uber to get a ride home, waiting the allotted time before I stepped out to the curb. It was cold, and I shivered as I looked for a car that didn’t seem to belong to anyone, finally noticing a blue SUV that was there for a few minutes. I walked over and the guy that was just a few years older than I was looked over and I recognized him from the picture.
I climbed into the back and closed my eyes as he pulled away and headed back to my apartment. My sanctuary. My peace. I texted Cole on the way, still needing company and he agreed to be there as soon as he could. Once I was home, I got out of the car and made my way to my door, closing it before I went to change into some more comfortable leggings and a flannel shirt. I heard the knock at the door and clumsily buttoned the shirt as I fell onto the floor. “Shit,” I mumbled as I heard Cole call out my name.
“Ris? Are you here?” His voice boomed through my small place, and he stepped into the room. “Are you okay?” He leaned down and lifted me up from the floor as I wrapped my arm around his shoulder.
“Mom…I can’t believe her,” I mumbled as he took me out to the living room and sat me on the couch. “She eloped with her new guy and sprung it on me tonight.” He looked at me as I shook my head and stared at him. “The worst part is that I slept with him a year ago. Remember when I broke up with Derek? I went out and got drunk that night.”
“You never told me that you slept with anyone, Ris. Did he hurt you?” Cole demanded as I smiled and shook my head.
“No, he was some of the best sex that I ever had.” I shivered and felt my nipples harden as I looked down to see that the shirt was barely covering my full breasts. “Look at me. I get turned on just thinking about it. Has anyone ever done that to you, Cole? What do I tell her?”
“Fuck, Larisa. You’re drunk,” he murmured as he moved a hand to cover me, brushing against my nipple instead as I moaned and arched my back., “You need to stop this.”
“Why? We’re best friends, and we can have sex, Cole. I know that you love me,” I told him as I moved into his lap and kissed his mouth eagerly. His lips were full, and they felt so good against mine as he moaned long and slow. I felt him tense up for a moment before he wrapped his arms around me and tilted his head to deepen the kiss. I felt his desire as his tongue brushed against mine and his hands slid up my bare back before he slid one into my hair. I whimpered as I pressed against him and wrapped my arms tighter around his neck and kissed him harder.
Cole’s lips on my neck made me cry out, and I dropped my head back to give him more room. He kissed my tender skin softly before he nipped at me and unbuttoned my shirt, sliding it down my back. “Are you sure about this?” Cole asked me as he raked his eyes over my half-naked body. “I’m not going to be able to stop soon. You’re fucking gorgeous.”
“I need you, Cole. I need you right now.” He kissed me again and one hand held me still by the hair while his other hand drifted down to grip my ass as I rocked against him. He kissed me senselessly before he moved down my neck again and then found my nipples with his mouth, lifting me up for better access as I dragged my hands through his hair. I heard my voice rise as he sucked harder and then drew the skin between his teeth as I felt my thighs aching. “Cole, Oh God. I can’t take it.” I felt his hand slide between my legs and slide over my heat as I felt myself swell against him.
“You’re so hot and wet,” Cole told me as he stroked me harder.
Somehow, I was naked and pressed onto my back in my next breath, and he was spreading me open as he took me in with hungry eyes. Cole murmured my name and things that he wanted to do to me as he fingered my clit and slid a finger inside of me, making me shiver as I bit down on my lip. He moved down against me with his mouth and his tongue found me swollen and ready as he teased me while he held my hips still with his strong arms. He sucked me between his lips and held tighter as I started to cry out his name as I felt my body edging closer to a release. “Cole, don’t stop.” He bit down, and I screamed as I came forcefully against his tongue, feeling him slide it inside of me as my heat washed over him.
I stared at him as he pulled away, glistening with my juices as he looked into my eyes. “Ris, I’m so hard. I need to be inside you.”
“Yes,” I whispered as he slipped off his shirt and threw it to the floor. Cole was muscular, and I ate away at his abs with my eyes as he stood up. Cole pulled out his wallet and slid something out before he dropped his jeans to the floor with his shirt and dropped the wallet on top of the pile. Cole held out his hand, and I took it, allowing him to lift me into his arms as our lips met in a long sensual kiss. I wrapped my legs around him, and he started to carry me down the hallway, and I assume, my bedroom. My sweet and salty release was all over his face, and I ate away at him, not at all turned off by the idea like I thought I would be in previous thoughts. I loved the taste and the way that he kissed me back, passionately and with the same need that I was feeling for him.
I felt my body dropped on my bed gently as I tried to pull him down with me. “Cole,” I murmured as I sought to kiss him again. “Please.”