“That wasn’t my present,” he said, bending over me, his mouth nuzzling the silk robe open, his hands untying the sash and spreading it, bites and kisses running down the length of my torso as he climbed atop the bed, my legs opening before him. “This. This will be my present.”
I didn’t know what man considered two hours of driving me wild a present, but I could tell you this—
I wasn’t ever letting him go.
Chapter 48
I rolled over in the soft bed, pushing through expensive sheets until I felt hot skin. No matter what the temperature in the room, Brad’s skin was always fever hot. I pulled myself closer, wrapping my chilly body around the curve of his back, his body turning at my touch, his arm reaching out to pull me tightly against him. I felt his lips against my hair as he pressed a soft kiss on my head.
“Good morning,” he said, his voice scratchy.
“Morning,” I murmured with a smile, loving the cocoon of sheets, blankets, and Brad, the blackout shades keeping the master bedroom dark despite the sunshine outside.
“That might have been the best birthday ever,” he said, his hands gripping my waist and sliding me easily up his body until his lips could reach mine.
“Might have?” I scoffed.
His mouth curved and his dark eyes smiled at me. “Definitely was. Happy?”
“Certainly, Mr. De Luca. Though I’m not sure if you will be so appreciative when you get the bill.” I widened my eyes dramatically and grinned at him.
He pulled me to him, kissing me softly in between words. “You are. Worth. Every. Penny. Seeing you with her, the look you get in your eyes ...” his voice trailed off as his eyes studied me. “You will be the death of me,” he whispered. “I am completely and totally at your mercy.”
“Impossible.” I moved on top of him, straddling his width. “You always have the upper hand with us.”
His gaze moved, drinking my naked body in, his hands following the path of his eyes, caressing and fondling. “No,” he said. “But I take my power when I can. And right now, I see a prime opportunity.”
It was a prime opportunity, my body already naked, my soul craving some one-on-one time with Brad’s delicious body. He devoured me with his mouth, claimed me with his cock, and made it all sensual with his hands. A half-hour later, I fell back asleep, a happy and thoroughly satisfied woman.
My cell rang, loudly and incessantly in the dark room. I reached out with a hand, groping blindly until I found and tapped the screen, silencing the call. There was thirty seconds of peace and quiet, then it began again. I ignored it, rolling over and pulling a pillow over my head, the damn thing finally ending its shrill ring. I relaxed, slipping back into sleep.
“Julia.” I kept my eyes closed and body still, playing dead, willing him to give up and go away.
“Julia, wake up.” There was a rustle of fabric, and suddenly light. The pillow was yanked from my grasp and a phone replaced it, pressed against my exposed ear.
“Julia, are you there?” Rebecca. I opened my eyes to find Brad’s amused face above me, his hand holding the phone to my ear. I mumbled some form of greeting.
“Julia, you’re supposed to be at Franco’s in thirty minutes. Do you know what it took to get you in last minute? You’ve got to get your ass up and over there, pronto. Becca and Olivia are already on their way. Don’t make me show up at Brad’s.” I sat up, taking the phone from him and shooting him an irritated look.
“Stop screaming. I have time.” I swayed on my way to the closet, the right side now reserved for me, my new wardrobe holding its own alongside Brad’s expensive clothes. I yanked open a drawer and pulled out a pair of jeans, grateful that we had showered after sex last night.
“Oh my Lord, if you’re not early, you’re late. It’s Franco’s, and you’re picking out your wedding dress. Most girls would have already been in their lobby, orgasming in their silk panties by now.”
“Been there, done that this morning.”
She blew a noisy breath into the phone. “Ugh, that is my boss you are talking about. Please spare me the juicy details of your scandalous sex life.”
“Fine. But don’t say shit like ‘orgasming in silk panties.’ It’s creepy.”
She paused. “Point taken. Now get your ass to Franco’s and pick out something that will make me green with envy.”
I grinned, hopping into the jeans and flipping through hangers until I found a tank top. “I’ll try my best. I’ll text you a pic of the winner.”
We said our goodbyes, and I returned to the room, grabbing my purse and cell and heading downstairs, finding Brad in the kitchen with Martha. I handed him his cell and gave her a quick hug.
“You got time for breakfast?” she asked.
“No, I’m late as it is.” I grabbed an apple.
“The girls meeting you there?” he asked.
“Yep. We’ll probably grab lunch afterward.”
There was a rap at the back door, and we turned as a group, a broad-shouldered blond opening the door. Ben. I flashed him a smile and then studied Brad, noticing his matching attire. “What are you guys up to?”
“Hitting the batting cages. Season starts in three weeks.” Brad clapped Ben on the back, flashing me a smile.
“No wonder you were so enthusiastic about me going to Franco’s.”
“According to Rebecca, this is supposed to be something you enjoy, so don’t give me hell.”
“It is. Enjoy hitting; I’ll catch up with you guys later.” I hugged Ben and gave Brad a kiss, waving to Martha, and heading out the door. Ahead of me waited Franco’s, with its expensive array of designer whites, lace, and beading. The prospect of the perfect dress, mimosas, and the girls got my feet moving and SUV in gear. That, and the risk of death that awaited from Rebecca if I didn’t arrive at Franco’s on time.
Chapter 49
Secrets. They lay like a force field between my friends and me. What had started as one then led to two, eventually piling into a mountain-sized pile of deceit that I drug around with me on every interaction with them. The threesomes, Brad owning a strip club, Brad’s family, their involvement in Broward’s death, me owning a strip club, the attempt on my life. The secrets fought amongst themselves, battling for exposure whenever I was with the girls. A casual outing for drinks became a cocktail of inner turmoil. How close could friends be when there was so much unsaid?