16

There was something seriously wrong with me. I just walked out on a woman who was asking for reassurance. And I just left her there, out in the cold, again.

How was it that I was willing to put my life on the line to save her, but I couldn't give up my pride and tell her the truth?

The truth was that I didn't know how to be in a successful relationship.

She wasn't the only one who couldn't read people. I decided on a plan and stuck with it, regardless of whether it met someone else's expectations of me or not. While it served me well in my career, it torched my personal life. My father wanted me to be a football star, but I never cared for the attention, preferring to train alone in the weight room instead. Janine wanted a man who would be the life of the party, forget about the bills, and take off for three weeks. But that wasn't me. When I wasn't working, I enjoyed silence or a great view of the ocean. If I was lucky, I got both. I'd never expected anything from anyone, nor did I want anything more than what I had. I was content. I had been this way for as long as I could remember, and I hadn't been able to change for anyone. But would I change for her if she asked me to?

I wasn't sure. But I would never find out in here.

I had to go talk to her; apologize, at the very least.

I opened my door and marched back into the living room, but when I turned the corner, I discovered the room was empty. She was gone.

My heart leaped out of my chest.

Did she leave? Did I drive her away, too?

My gaze fell to her coat on the rack and her boots at the door and I exhaled, nearly bending over in relief. I still had a chance to fix this. I walked down the hallway again and stood in front of her door.

I dropped my head, and it made a small thud. What was I going to say? How did I explain that I didn't know how to please people and I didn't want to hurt her?

Just as I was gathering my thoughts, the door opened, and I stumbled into Nikole's room.

She moved out of the way, and I knew I was heading for the ground. I could probably stop myself if I reached for her, or I would possibly bring her down with me. I didn't want to risk it.

I landed on my shoulder on the carpeted floor, opened my eyes, and found myself lying at her feet. This was poetic justice, I was sure.

"Oh my gosh, are you all right?" Nikole dropped down to the floor and cupped my other shoulder. Her hand then moved to my cheek and she caressed it softly. I closed my eyes. My heart somersaulted at the empathetic gesture, and I nearly lost my composure.

"I'm fine," I said, clearing my throat. I placed my hand on top of hers and gently took it off my face. Rising to my feet, I straightened my clothes while I picked up my pride from the floor.

"Why were you leaning against my door?" she asked.

Ah, we'd come to that already. And I still hadn't thought of what to say.

"I wanted to apologize for earlier."

She nodded and opened her mouth to speak, but I had to get this out before she excused my behavior. "It was rude and insulting. I wasn't trying to ignore you. I—"

I rubbed my forehead again. "I have a habit of walking away when I don't know how to fix things. So, I don't really have an answer that will satisfy you. The reasons why I drove away that night have nothing to do with you. It's all on me."

She smirked. "Are you trying to say it's you and not me? Is that it?"

I shook my head, frustrated. "I know it sounds cliché, but it's true. There's nothing wrong with you."

She nodded. "I know," she said softly, but she looked away. Her brow furrowed, and she crossed her arms.

She was upset. I was messing this up. "I'm serious."

"You don't have to say anything else. I don't know what answer I was looking for, but thank you. Apology accepted." She turned to walk away, but I stopped her.

I caught her hand and spun her to face me. Her gaze dropped to the floor, and I hated that I had done that.

Using the lightest touch, I lifted her chin until she looked back at me. "You are beautiful."

She shook her head and tried to pull away, but I put both hands on her face to hold her there. "I'm serious. You're a knockout. But more than that. You're smart and tenacious. Sure, a little stubborn, but you're strong. You are incredible, Nikole, and you deserve someone better than me."

Her lips parted, and she sighed. It was the sexiest noise I'd ever heard.

She licked her lips. "Don't say that. You're-"

I pressed my thumb over her lips. I didn't want to hear her words. I couldn't take them. Not tonight. Too many emotions were rushing through my body, and if she said something kind to me right now, I would probably lift her over my shoulder, carry her to my bed, and make love to her.

"I'm an asshole, Nikole. I'm insensitive and I don't understand women. I'll disappoint you. I always do."

She cupped my face with her hands and we held each other, staring into one another's face, daring the other to let go.

She moved her face closer, her breathing increasing rapidly. Her gaze fell to my lips, and my stomach, dropped down to my groin.

As she moved closer, she closed her eyes.

I should push away. Leave her now before I discover what she tastes like. But I was weak and my need for her was strong.

She gently pressed her lips onto mine and I closed my eyes, immersing myself in the softness of her kiss. She opened her mouth slowly and breathed in the air between us.

I held myself back, allowing her to lead the kiss, letting her pull back if she wanted to.

But then she did something that I hadn't expected. With the tip of her tongue, she flicked the top of my lip. The sensualness of that one touch snipped the last strings of my composure.

With a moan, I grasped the back of her head and pressed my mouth against hers. Raising my hand, palm toward the wall, I stopped her before she hit it with her back. I breathed in one more time before closing my eyes and sipping at her mouth. I started slowly, not wanting to scare her. I took my time, sucking her bottom lip gently.

Then I pressed my tongue to her top lip. "Open for me," I whispered. Her lips parted on a bated breath and my heart jumped at the chance to explore her mouth. I swept inside, finding her tongue shyly retreating. I flicked it with my own and I awoke something inside of her. She pressed her body against mine and groaned into my mouth.

I smiled.

"That's it, baby," I breathed. "Give what you've got. I want it. I need it."

She moaned louder, and the vibration stirred my groin. It hardened for her and I pressed my hips against hers so she knew it.

Panting, she pulled her head up, and I kissed her neck, lapping up her vanilla scent. My hands found her hips and squeezed.

"Do you have a condom?" she panted.

"Yes," I breathed against her neck. I pushed away, but she grabbed my hands. I reluctantly let her go, walking backward out of the room.

I ran down the hallway faster than I thought possible. Opening the drawer next to my bed, I ripped off a packet. About to race back to her, I stopped to grab another, knowing one time with her would not be enough.

As I jogged back to her room, my eyes caught her laptop on the desk and I froze.

"What is it?" she asked when she stuck her head out of the room. "What's wrong?"

"I can't do this," I said, not facing her.

"Why not?"

"Because you're my client. I would be crossing a line."

"Is that the only reason?" Her brow creased, and I didn't like the uncertainty on her face. "Are you sure you're not having second thoughts because of my, you know, my body?"

I whipped my head to face her. "You're body?"

What the hell was this woman talking about?

"Your body is amazing. Every curve, every dip, every part drives me to not just cross the line but erase it all together."

She walked through the threshold and grabbed my T-shirt, fisting it in her hand.

"Then fuck the line. And fuck me."

I swallowed. That was the sexiest thing anyone had ever said to me. I became hard again in an instant. She didn't even have to touch me.

"Are you sure?" I begged.

"Yes," she whispered and pulled me to her. Our mouths crashed together, and I picked her up and pulled her legs over my hips. I drank her kisses and ran my hands up and down her back until we fell onto the bed.

She giggled and pulled me down on top of her. I kissed my way down her neck and over her blouse. Slowly, I opened the first button and watched her chest rise and fall with anticipation. I wanted her to want me half as much as I wanted her. I wanted her to enjoy every second of it.

Removing her blouse, I pressed kisses to the top of her plump breasts, pushing her white bra away.

She groaned when my mouth circled her nipple and my dick jumped. Her groans reflected mine, and I thought I would come in my pants like a schoolboy.

There was no fucking way I would let that happen.

I unzipped my pants and released myself. I stroked up and down my shaft, relieving some of the pressure. She sat up and watched me as I pumped viciously.

Tentatively, she placed her hand on mine and pumped along with me. Her thumb circled my tip, spreading my pre-cum and teasing me to insanity.

Then she pushed my hand away.

I just wanted to breathe her in. I fought with my need for air against my need to have Nikole, all of her.

The uncontrollable feeling of release slowed, and I knew I could now take my time with her.

Her skin was warm as I caressed her shoulder, removing the straps of her bra. After unclasping the back, I threw the lacy material to the ground.

For a moment, I broke the kiss, enthralled by the glorious mounds of flesh in front of me. Her clothing had done a wonderful job of hiding the treasures beneath them.

"You're so fucking gorgeous," I said, licking my lips. I buried my face between her breasts and she wrapped her arms around me. It was difficult to breathe but I would die a happy man in between her cleavage.

My cheeks brushed against her softness while the tips of my fingers gently stroked her nipple. The peaks became rigid after only a few strokes and she arched her back with a groan.

"I love it when you make that sound," I whispered. "Do it again for me." I circled her right nipple with my tongue and explored the rest of her body with my hand. Finding the top of her panties, I pulled them to the bottom of her round ass.

Then, I lowered myself, kissing a path from her soft tummy to the paradise below. I yanked the panties the rest of the way off and spread her legs wide, kneeling between them.

I licked my lips as her pussy opened for me, like a flower blooming right in front of my eyes. With a growl, I dropped down like a slave to her scent and inhaled her sweetness.

I licked slowly from her entrance up to the top of her clit, and she nearly bucked me off with her hips. I steadied her with both hands and sucked on that spot until she moaned loudly. "Yes!" she panted. "Oh, yes!"

Her hips settled on the mattress, but I did not relent. I kept a steady pace of circling my tongue around her clit, over and over, while my hands gently rubbed her nipples.

Her legs began to shake, and I knew she was close. She let out a strangled cry, and I drank in all of her pleasure. I didn't stop. Not when she bucked her hips up against me, not when she pulled my hair, not even when she screamed. No, I didn't stop pleasuring her until her muscles softened underneath me and her breathing slowed. When she finally rubbed her eyes and rocked her head from side to side, I pulled away.

"Do you need a minute?" I asked, my dick throbbing at her entrance.

She nodded, and I waited, kissing her ear, her neck, and running a hand along her hair. She inhaled a couple of deep breaths and then nodded. "I'm ready."

I smiled and kissed her collarbone, and then the top of her breasts.

I must have been going too slowly for her because Nikole took matters into her own hands, or rather my dick into her hands. She circled me and guided my tip to her entrance. "I want you now," she growled, and I chuckled.

"Yes, ma'am."

I slowly slid inside of her. Her orgasm had made the entrance slick and smooth. I groaned as she held me tightly.

Testing my stamina, I pulled out briefly, but she pushed me back in with both hands on my ass.

I chuckled next to her neck and kissed it. "That was just a test. I'm not pulling out anymore."

I slid inside, faster this time, and she arched her back. I pushed again and again. I moved inside of her until I could feel the rigid nub above her entrance and I knew I'd found her spot. Planting my palms on either side of her head, I pumped in and out with shallow thrusts until her body convulsed and shook beneath me. A heat crept up my thighs and exploded between my legs, and I came with a horse shout.

Falling beside her, I gathered Nikole into my arms and kissed the side of her face.

"That felt incredible," she breathed into my neck. "I can't believe I came twice."

I smiled. "Fucking amazing."

She sighed and placed her hand on my chest. "Want to do it again?"

I laughed and nodded toward the second condom on my dresser. "I was planning on it."