Now and Forever: A BOX SET OF STANDALONE NOVELS Page 4

  “Yes! Oh, God, yes!”

  Unzipping, he immediately produced his impressive size. His hand led mine towards his manhood. “Touch me,” he hoarsely commanded as he wrapped my hand around his incredibly engorged length.

  I almost fainted on the spot. My hand could barely grip him. I gulped, perplexed and terrified at the daunting prospect of having this mammoth size impale me sometime tonight. My ministrations over his silky pole took some time to get used to. Tentatively, I stroked him, sliding my hand up and down his swollen shaft.

  He let out a guttural sound as he savored what my hand was doing to him. “Christ, we ought to leave—now. I need you naked, spread-eagled on my bed, my lips, fingers, and cock feasting on this luscious body all night long.”

  But instead of leaving for the hotel, his lips found my breast again. He began to knead while kissing my neck. With my hand gripping him, he led it towards my parted thighs, rubbing his cockhead against my entrance, faintly piercing it but not.

  “Fuck, you feel magnificent, and I'm not even inside you yet,” he roughly croaked out in wonderment. His prodding hadn’t halted. It only intensified.

  His cockhead pried my entrance, stretching it open to accommodate his girth before pulling back slightly. “Squeeze it harder,” he harshly grated out. “Don’t let go until I tell you to release me. Christ. Bloody fucking hell—Lexi!”

  I was a shuddering mess, but I couldn’t stop him. I wanted him just as much, and even though I was beyond nervous, as crazy as it sounded, it somehow felt right to be with him.

  “Are you safe?” He buried his head in my neck, biting and kissing with urgency.

  Safe? “I am.” I wasn’t on a pill, but Blair had made sure I had Plan B in my purse. I supposed I was so consumed by mentally preparing myself to go through the process that I’d forgotten one important tidbit.

  Just as my train of thought finished, Jared propelled his cock inside of my passage. The pain I felt earlier was nothing compared to the debilitating pinpricks spreading in my vagina. My fingers dug into him as I tried to stifle the sting that ricocheted through me. I gasped. I reeled. I recoiled from the ungodly pain sawing through me.

  JESUS, —is that a dick or a fucking submarine thrusting inside me?

  “You feel fucking divine, simply and utterly sublime, Lexi,” Jared groaned, shuddering in ultimate pleasure. “Are you ready to take all of me?” he dauntingly asked in a way that entailed he was about to go ham, and he was trying his damnedest to restrain himself.

  I gulped.

  All of him?

  Abort, mission abort! My mind rattled. My body reeled at the thought. His cock literally planned to murder me. I could scarcely breathe, and he was barely halfway? Yeah, all the way meant pussy carnage.

  “Be gentle, please. It’s been years,” I begged, shivering as I felt him nod against my neck.

  He took me at a measured pace, but no matter how much he tried to slide deeper, my body was too wound tight to accommodate him. Jared waited for my body to begin to relax before he hastened his speed. Pain and pleasure entwined, neither distinguishable from the other as he rapaciously thrust with deftly savage precision. I screamed his name as my body seized while my first orgasm washed over my body. My vaginal muscles tightened around his girth as I rode my release. Wave after wave, it spread through me. Jared was close behind. He harshly bit into my neck, as if stopping himself from screaming as he bathed my newly broken canal with his seed.

  “I’m so sorry. I hope I didn’t hurt you…I lost control when I felt you squeezing me tight. I had to have you right then and there. I lost control which is unprecedented in itself.” He nipped my neck, kissing my jawline before gathering his breath. “I’ll make it up to you tonight. I promise.”

  The man had kissed me in my most intimate parts but never my lips. He was quite careful, too.

  “Let’s clean up; then we’ll leave.”

  Holding him close, I knew after this rendezvous, going to his hotel where he could easily pull hair during sex would put me in a very dangerous territory. But instead of rejecting his offer, I beamed at him, as if everything was simply dandy. “Fifteen minutes. I’ll meet you at the valet.”

  He nipped my neck before biting into it. “Don’t make me wait. I already need you again.”

  We strode with his hand around my hips. We parted just before the clearing. He was a few paces in when someone flagged him, needing his attention over something business related.

  I stood there for a moment, knowing that even though my wish had been granted, the anguish that would soon follow in trying to move on while tonight’s memories were fresh in my mind would be a brutal process.

  But such was life. And I had to make do with what I was dealt…and that was never knowing what it would be like to be truly with him without needing to pretend to be someone else.

  With a heavy heart, I hastily went upstairs via the servant’s passageway into Blair’s bedroom and immediately took my minidress off and washed my achy throbbing bits. There were minuscule traces of blood, but it was faint and not gory. Thank goodness. I didn’t want to impart a lasting impression with him believing I was on my period. It was a ghastly thought.

  Once freshened up, I scampered to change into a long pink chiffon gown. I then rummaged for a makeup towelette, swiftly smearing and wiping off my dark-hued makeup. Carefully, I coaxed the fake lashes off with an oil-based solution. Finally, the uncomfortable colored lenses came next. It took three minutes to successfully wipe any traces of Lexi away.

  My face bare, I made sure to reapply foundation, a few swipes of mascara, a dewy cheek tint, and lip gloss.

  Lastly, I slipped off the wig before I flipped my hair over and made a light tussling gesture to give it a little depth. I then teased it with setting spray, giving it volume and body.

  Coming downstairs, I was a few steps away from the foyer when Blair caught sight of me and instantly broke her conversation with someone before hurriedly coming towards me. Vivienne magically came out of nowhere, too.

  They had obviously been on the lookout as they waited for me to make an appearance.

  Vivienne spoke first. “He’s been waiting outside. Why’s that?”

  “I told him to wait for me—I mean, Lexi did. He invited me to his room at the Four Seasons.” My eyes averted to the entrance, guilt washing over me as I wondered if I made the right decision of not indulging in another romp with him. “Should I go say hi?”

  Vivienne paled at my suggestion. “Are you crazy? What if he recognizes that it was you fucking him dirty at the pond?”

  I just wanted to see him off for the last time. God knew when it would be until I saw him next. “We won’t know unless we test it, right?” My decision was set.

  “You’re insane,” Blair blurted out, wickedly grinning.

  “That I am, my dearest friends…that I am,” I murmured as I strode towards the foyer.

  They had a grand entrance reminiscent of Versailles in the designer’s mind. The moment I spotted him, my heart lurched then ached in the span of a minute. It had been over fifteen minutes, and yet, he was here still, waiting. It was so out of character for him to wait for anyone at all. I supposed Lexi had made quite an impression then.

  “Jared! Hi,” I called out to him as I descended the steps.

  The love of my life spun to see who was calling his name. His eyes lingered on me as I approached him. With the way I was sauntering, one wouldn’t guess the inferno in my crotch. But I had a performance to finish. The inferno could wait to be doused later. He and I never did the customary cheek on cheek kiss, so I stood a good three feet away.

  “Gisele, good evening. Always good to see you.” His eyes quickly noted my dress. There was no spark in his eyes, not the way he had eyed Lexi tonight. There was no feral hunger. He simply eyed me like one would if they saw something unimpressive and unappealing to their sight. The vast difference was striking. And as much as it pained me to admit it, my chances with him as Gisele were never g
oing to be more than nil. Might as well bury it now before I continued my hopeless quest.

  His black Aston Martin DB11 drove up, and the valet attendant rounded the car to hand him the keys. Jared graciously thanked him after giving him a hundred-dollar bill.

  “You’re not leaving already, are you?” I mustered enough enthusiasm to faintly smile at him.

  He distractedly glanced at his watch. “I’m waiting on my date to come out; then we’ll leave for the night. It’s been a long day, and I have to oversee the new project your dad and I have been working on tomorrow.”

  He wasn’t too exhausted to commit to a fuckfest all night long, though.

  Shifting my stance, I cleared my throat as I longingly regarded the gorgeous man before me. “How is he? Papa, I mean. He hasn’t been home, and each time I call, he doesn’t pick up.”

  Something crossed his face. “He’s been busy; we both have been. Do you want me to tell him to call you?”

  “No.” I vehemently shook my head. “Uh, tell him to take care and that I miss him, though, will you?”

  “I will.” He nodded, staring at me for a moment before catching himself. He shrugged as if dispelling a horrid thought. “You can go to the headquarters and see him yourself, you know.”

  “I doubt he’d be pleased. I get how eccentric he can be when he’s on the verge of completion. I’ll let him be the great genius that he is.”

  He glanced at his watch again before blowing out a slow breath, his patience evidently running thin.

  “Where’s your date?”

  Pressing his lips, he shrugged, clearly perturbed. “I have no idea.”

  I could’ve stood there, staring at him until he left. But I’d done it so much over the years that ogling him like a morsel with people milling around clearly was out of the question. “Well, it’s good seeing you, Jared. Have a good evening.”

  “You, too, Gisele.”

  Walking away from him then shattered something inside me. He was waiting for Lexi, who would never show up again. The only reminder I’d have of tonight was the memories and the epic soreness in between my thighs. Apart from that, it was as if it had never happened; it had never existed.

  Like an aberration. A momentary relapse that would eventually be forgotten.

  Chapter 3

  Gisele

  We were basking in the bright sun, sunbathing on the vast white glossy deck after enjoying a hearty lunch consisting of Jambon-Beurre, roasted chicken, pasta niçoise, classic croquet monsieur, green salad, strawberry crepes, lemon macarons, an endless supply of rosé champagne, and finishing off with a tasty grand cheeseboard. We were moored off the coast of the French Riviera a little off Monaco before sailing towards Capri then Sicily to Malta and Corfu to Croatia then to the Greek islands before rerouting back to the French Riviera. Some of these places we’d be staying for a day or two, and then we’d be off to the next destination.

  “He does, doesn’t he?” Vivienne breathlessly gushed before directing her gaze towards the junior deckhand one level below us. He was guiding Ethan, Blair’s brother, to his jet ski. “I say hop on it, babe. High time you indulge in summer flings—if you’re not against going for the help, that is.”

  Him being a deckhand took no part in my hesitancy. I wasn’t a snob. I didn’t value people through their net worth.

  “It’s freaky, but then again, Gisele might find it arousing.” Blair cheekily winked at me. “His name’s Jack Yates. Twenty-one years old. British. Very single and very ready to tingle.” She tilted her head towards the sun, eyes closed with a tranquil look on her face, the epitome of contentment.

  This Jack Yates had been the topic of conversation from the moment we had boarded the yacht yesterday. The man had a wee bit of a resemblance to Jared. It was more pronounced on his side profile. The front? Not so much.

  Shaking my head, I huffed out a breath, smiling at their mad suggestion, before shifting onto my stomach so my backside would evenly tan. “I can’t just hook up with anyone. I didn’t purposely lose it so I could bed hop to the closest Jared-looking candidate my eyes spot next.” Reaching behind my back, I untied the knot on my bikini top, quite ready to drop the subject. However, my friends seemed too tickled at the idea of ‘tasting variety.’ They believed I was depressed after walking away from Jared. I wasn’t technically that depressed. Saddened, yeah, but who wouldn’t be in my position? But at the same time, I had made a deal with myself to move on. They deemed my reluctance to hook up with the deckhand as not moving on from my unrequited fixation.

  Vivienne chucked a sunscreen bottle at me, beautiful light blue eyes full of mischief. “I took the liberty of inviting him to go clubbing with us tonight. We’ll sail right after that. He didn’t have any reservations about having fun and posing as our protection at the same time. Good deal all around.”

  We already had Ethan to keep us in check. Our parents—no, scratch that—Blair and Vivienne’s parents insisted a man tag along. Ethan volunteered for the job since the thought of interning under his brother, Wyatt, in their hedge fund company didn’t appeal to him. So, with Ethan around, there was no need to add on another muscle for protection. My friends had concocted this plan so Jack Yates and I could converse in a friendlier environment.

  “Fun night ahead for our Gisele. I bet Jack can chase Jared out of you. Relax, sit back, and let him take you for a good ride, I say.”

  I blushed deeply. Blair’s lurid suggestion created a vivid visualization in my mind—I was writhing underneath Jack’s large muscular frame while he roughly darted in and out between my thighs, all inhibitions thrown out the window. I swallowed the thick lump in my throat, feeling somewhat parched.

  “You guys are becoming obnoxious. I’ll get there when I get there, okay?” After roughly tying the knot on my white bikini top back into place, I pushed against my palms before getting on my feet. “I need a drink,” I muttered under my breath before strutting towards the short flight of stairs, abandoning this momentary annoyance. They laughed as I left, and all I could do was shrug it off and not take it personally. Blair and Vivienne meant well, but they went above and beyond to make it such a hellish experience for me.

  I fingered through my hair before I lightly tugged at the ends, hoping the wavy beach locks were still in place as I absentmindedly strolled towards the bar. I momentarily paused when I spotted Jack behind the bar, seeming engrossed in the list he had in his hand as he went over the inventory.

  I cleared my throat as I carefully approached the bar. His uncanny resemblance to Jared when I was facing his side profile was jarring. I felt my heart pick up speed. A nervous smile crossed my lips as I rested my hands on the white marble counterpane. “Hello.”

  Jack Yates looked up with a smooth grin that lit up his face, showing perfect teeth. He had warm brown eyes, not cerulean blue ones like the man back home. “Miss Weber, can I get you anything?” He placed the clipboard down as he focused on me.

  It was unnerving to face him when only minutes ago, my friends were taunting me to pursue him. “You know your way around drinks?” Normally, a bartender or one of the wait staff was around. But I supposed they were having lunch, and if that were the case, I wouldn’t want to intrude.

  He granted me a perfect smile before licking his lips, drawing my eyes to his red puckers. “Of course. I’m quite decent,” he said with a light chuckle, warm brown eyes dancing with amusement.

  I broke into a matching grin, feeling quite silly I was even nervous being around him. “I want something light, non-bubbly, definitely alcoholic, and fruity.”

  Jack made a quick nod. “Right away, madam.” A flirty, playful smile tugged at his lips.

  Focused on making the drink, Jack gave me a great view of his side profile, and my stomach immediately dropped. My eyes absorbed everything he did. Oddly enough, I found myself fascinated.

  Damn. Whether I’d like to admit it or not, apparently any man who looked like Jared had an effect on me. Unfortunately.

  Enga
ged in filling the silver shaker with alcohol and freshly crushed berries, he took a peek at me, catching me intensely scrutinizing him. “Are you having a bit of fun sunbathing?” he softly inquired, his husky British tone making me tingle in certain places.

  My blush deepened. Had he been watching us? Probably. It was somewhat part of his job to make sure he knew where we were at all times.

  “Yeah, I suppose I am,” I calmly responded before I reached out over the bar for a piece of olive, and then I felt something snap. In a heartbeat, my bikini top unraveled on its own; it came loose around my torso. Since the top part was still secured, it rode above my breasts, giving Jack Yates a full frontal of my bountiful assets.

  “What the ever loving—” Fuck! How embarrassing! My cheeks profusely flamed as I tried my damnedest to cover my full C-cups. Unfortunately, they pushed up and overflowed over my hands.

  “Let me help you.” Jack came behind me. His hands softly grazed the sides of my torso as he instructed me to let go so he could pull the triangles. Reluctantly, I did as he asked before I felt the top tightening around me, secured. He dipped his head close to my ear, warm breath teasing my ear. “You don’t have to be disconcerted. You have a gorgeous set,” he murmured before I felt him let go of me.

  Oh, hell. He was toying with me, and I wasn’t sure how to respond to his blatant flirtation. I gulped nervously as I tentatively watched him round the bar to finish my drink.

  I licked my lips, still aroused from his breath brushing my skin. “Are you always this … frisky?”

  “It depends,” he responded before glancing at me and rapidly beginning to move the shaker with one hand then tipping it over the champagne flute, and purplish liquid poured out of it. “I couldn’t help it. You looked quite rattled. You’re too gorgeous not to see you smile.”

  He liked me; there was no mistaking it. But his bold compliments hadn’t necessarily bought me over yet.