Harbor

Harbor Justice, you will not puke in the middle of the room on your first audition.

Even with me ordering myself not to let what little breakfast I was able to get down this morning come back up, I’m not sure I’ll be able to follow my directions. My stomach has been nervous, tying itself in knots and coming undone just to do it all over again since I woke up this morning.

Ian was sweet enough to wait to go to work so he could ride with me to the audition. When he tried to get out of the car, I kissed him, told him to go to work and jumped out, making the driver laugh. Ian kept me semi-calm this morning but as soon as he pulled away my nerves came back with a vengeance.

I scan the audition room and make eye contact with the few girls who aren’t practicing their lines.

Ian went over my lines with me the past three days and told me they would be stupid not to book me. I tried to reread them this morning but he kissed me, telling me that I had it. He was right, I had the lines locked down in my memory. It wasn’t like I was memorizing a whole play. I’d done that plenty of times before and this was just a few lines that I have down pat thanks to Ian.

The girls I make eye contact with don’t bother to smile. Some roll their eyes while others stare right through me as if I’m not good enough to even acknowledge. With nothing better to do, I grab my phone and scroll through my social media, trying to ignore the tremor in my hands.

My phone vibrates with a message from Ian.

Don’t worry, you’re going to do fine. Call me when you’re done.

I don’t have time to text him back because a woman in a trim black suit calls my name. It’s now or never. I walk into the audition room and give them the best Harbor Justice I can.

When the audition’s over, I step out with a flutter in my stomach and a grin on my face. Being this was my first audition I can’t say exactly how it went, but in my heart I know I gave it my all. I press Ian’s number and float toward home.

“Did you forget your lines?” he asks when he answers.

I laugh and feel even more giddy having his voice in my ear.

“No, you were right, I had it all memorized. I feel pretty good about it.”

“I’m proud of you, Harbor. This is a hard industry you’re trying to break into and getting some auditions under your belt will help you even more.”

“I’m proud of me too,” I tell him, spinning around on the sidewalk and almost hitting an elderly lady.

“Let’s go out tonight. Wherever you want to go.”

I stop spinning and take a deep breath. “I have plans to have dinner with Mitch tonight so we can discuss the audition.” I bite my lip, afraid this is going piss Ian off.

Although Ian refuses to say anything about us being a couple, it’s hard to deny that there is something between us. I know Ian leans toward being jealous of men in my life and mentioning Mitch brings out the green-eyed monster the most.

“Can I come?”

I lean against the wall of a building and stare up at the blue sky. If I tell Ian no he’ll get jealous and I don’t want to ruin this day. Besides, what’s the worst that could happen?

* * *

At the restaurant, I introduce Ian to Mitch. Both men shake hands and the strain on their faces makes me think this is going to be the longest dinner in history.

Three champagne flutes are waiting on our table.

“What’s this for?” I ask as Ian pulls out my chair and I sit.

Mitch raises his flute and smiles at me. “To Harbor, for landing her first job on her first audition ever.”

A happy scream rips out of me and I launch out of my seat and hug Mitch.

“Are you serious?” I ask, sitting back down next to Ian and kissing him on the cheek.

Ian downs his champagne and lifts his arm to signal the waiter for a refill. I don’t bother asking him what’s wrong, I’m too happy.

“They called me an hour after your audition and confirmed you were exactly what they were looking for. You have the X factor they wanted.”

“So that’s it. She only has to go to one audition and she’s booked for a commercial? You must be one hell of an agent, Southerland,” Ian tells Mitch as his hand holds onto my thigh in an obvious possessive gesture.

“I am a great agent, but this one’s all Harbor. She’s talented and she’s going to go far.” Mitch’s eyebrow raises at Ian’s suspicious tone.

“You don’t have to tell me Harbor is amazing. I was the one who helped her memorize her lines.”

“Are you wanting credit?” Mitch sneers.

Ian’s hand clenches on my leg and my good mood disappears.

“I’m not asking for credit. I’m just making sure you aren’t taking advantage of her.”

“And who are you to her?” Mitch asks and I’m interested to know the answer.

Because, really, what am I to Ian?

“Someone who has her best interest at heart,” Ian answers, and my heart drops.

“Well, lucky for Harbor she has you and me looking out for her.”

“Okay, you know what, I’m not hungry anymore. Mitch, Ian promised to take me to a new club I’ve been wanting to go to and I think tonight’s the perfect night. Do you want to join us?”

I sit still as Ian and Mitch stink eye each other. I finish my glass and grab Ian’s half full glass, emptying it too.

“No, Harbor, I think I’m going to take off. Congratulations, I’ll get in touch with you about where you need to be for the taping.” Mitch gets up and hugs me tightly.

Ian doesn’t move his hand and when I try to hug Mitch back, it’s awkward. As soon as Mitch is out of sight Ian’s hand relaxes on my thigh. I turn, ready to give him a piece of my mind but his smile takes my breath away.

“I’m really happy for you, baby. Please don’t think I was insinuating you aren’t good enough for the part. I have all the faith in you. I just don’t trust him.”

I open my mouth but then Ian’s mouth is on mine and I pathetically kiss him back. When he grabs my hand and pulls me out of the restaurant and into the back of the waiting car, telling our driver where we are headed, my argument is forgotten.

Nirvana is the hottest club in New York City. Average people can’t even get in.

It’s everything the reviews said it was, elegant with an awesome band and dancers that really get the clubgoers moving.

Ian and I dance all night long. By the time the dance floor is thinning out, it’s early morning. The drinks have me buzzed and gradually I’ve become more uninhibited. His hands are all over me as he leads me in a dance that’s basically sex with our clothes on. I’m so hot and needy for Ian.

I lean into him, shouting into his ear over the music. “Are you ready to go?”

Ian’s hands drift down my back, his fingers squeezing my ass cheeks. I push back into his hands, letting him know I’m game for what he’s suggesting.

“I’ve been ready to go since we got here,” Ian growls in my ear.

Not caring who is watching, I jump up, wrapping my legs around Ian. His strong arms don’t let me down. Ian grips my ass, digging his fingers in to keep me pressed against him. The air is cool on the backs of my legs when we emerge from club and hurry to the car.

In the back seat, I push Ian against the car seat and straddle him. His hands slide under my skirt, toying with the edge of my panties. I’m panting, rocking my hips against the erection I can feel growing behind his zipper, not caring if the driver can see us in the rearview mirror.

“I need you,” I whisper, grinding into him.

“You’ll get me, baby.” Ian bites my earlobe.

I moan when his finger hooks my panties and bite his neck to keep more sounds from escaping my throat.

“We’re almost home,” Ian says, running his finger up and down my slit but never pushing into me.

I ache so much I’m about to beg. “I can’t wait.”

Ian removes his finger and runs it over my lips. I lick it, watching his eyes widen, ready to scream. I’ve never been this close to an orgasm, just hovering on the verge of it for so long.

“We’re here,” Ian announces, thanking the driver before pulling me from the car, throwing me over his shoulder and running through the lobby and into the elevator.

I catch his eyes in the elevator mirror as his fingers glide up my leg, lifting my skirt until my panties are exposed. My legs are shaky, the trembling moving up into my abdomen as he pushes a finger inside of me, never taking his eyes from mine in the mirror. When his thumb strums over my clit, my orgasm peaks, sending me screaming over the edge.

My pussy walls are still clenching when Ian removes his finger and pulls my skirt down. Still over his shoulder, he carries me into the penthouse and takes a sharp turn to the bathroom, surprising me.

Setting me on my quivering legs, Ian bends down and bunches my dress in his hands, pulling it up. I put my arms up, letting him undress me, consumed by the glint of lust in his eyes. In the shower, the steam surrounds us as the hot water cascades down our bodies. Ian pours soap from a bottle and a burst of his scent fills the air, citrus and a sexy woodsy smell that it’s only Ian. Then we’re both slippery with it, his hands on my breasts, massaging, mine traveling over his chest and down his muscular arms. When he places his mouth over mine, the heat is intense and I want memorize the way his slick skin feels under my touch.

“Bend over, baby,” Ian demands huskily.

I bite his bottom lip before turning around and bracing myself on the marble shelf. Ian’s tongue starts at the back of my knee and licks up my leg, his hands spreading me even farther. His tongue assaults me as the shower continues hitting my back, making my skin even more sensitive.

His tongue flicks fast over my clit and I’m so sensitive that when he rubs it hard with his finger another orgasm rips through me. Before I know what’s happening, Ian whips me around, presses me against the cold tile wall, lifts my leg and plunges into me. I wrap my arms around his neck as he pounds into me, the steam wafting around us.

“You feel so good,” Ian growls as he slows his thrusts.

He pulls almost all the way out and pushes back in until his pelvis meets mine. I arch my back, brushing my breasts over his chest. The water splashes between us, running over my clit, throwing me over the edge of pleasure.

I let the scream rip through me and bite Ian’s shoulder, my body going limp. Ian gathers me up, pulling a towel around me before walking us to the bed, still inside me. When we hit the bed, him on top, I push him over, climbing up to straddle him.

I guide him to my entrance then let myself slide down his pole. He gasps and his hands grasp my hips. I ride him, showing him the passion I feel for him, and him alone. Not wanting to miss any part of his reaction, I watch Ian’s face as I continue impaling myself with his thick erection. Amazingly, there’s pressure building inside me again, my pussy drenching his thighs as he brings me closer and closer to another crest.

“Ian, I can’t… I’m going to—" My voice catches as my lungs seize.

My body’s no longer under my control and I press my breasts to his chest, holding onto him, letting him guide me faster and faster, slamming my body into his.

“I’ve got you, baby,” Ian tells me before his lips find mine. His tongue works magic as he continues to pound into me.

Ian stiffens under me and the feeling of him letting go is enough to bring me close to another orgasm. He pulls out, coming all over his stomach as he slips his fingers inside of me, rubbing my clit until I burst. Writhing slowly turns to panting, and listening to him try to catch his breath, then satisfied mmms from both of us.

Ian gets up and wipes himself down before grabbing me and pulling me to him, tucking us in.

“I’m proud of you,” Ian whispers into my hair.

“Thank you, Ian. Thank you for everything you’ve done for me.” I nuzzle into his neck, sleep coming to claim me.

“All I’ve done is give you a place to stay. You did everything else by yourself.”