Chapter 17
SEVENTEEN
CORA
What has gotten into me?
Why did I do that?
Why did I allow him to do that to me?
Shit, I shouldn’t have.
I start pacing back and forth. My shirt is still open, and my underwear is soaked.
He did promise he wasn’t going to fuck me tonight. I guess he’s true to his word. So why do I feel like I’ve been fucked in more ways than one?
Glancing down at my breast, I see the hickey he left there and immediately go to the bathroom to find the toothpaste.
One of my mother’s boyfriends used to give her hickeys, and she would tell me the best way to get rid of them was by applying toothpaste to the affected area.
I’m not sure how true it is, as this is my first time having one, but I hope it works.
Otherwise, I’ll have to wear shirts that show less cleavage until it’s gone.
As I stare at myself in the mirror, looking like I’ve been fucked good and hard, I even feel like I have. Why does that man make me feel like a teenager? I just got off by dry-humping him, and he never touched me once. But he did kiss me and bite my nipple, which I actually loved.
My phone rings, and I ignore it as I strip off my damp pants and panties because they now need to be washed. Hell, maybe I need to be washed. And maybe I’ll wake up tomorrow thinking this was all a dream. Even though I know it wasn’t.
What does this mean for us?
What do I do now?
Do I keep seeing him?
I think I already know the answer to those thoughts as I step into the shower. I like what he’s offering, even though I ended things with Luke because I didn’t want to keep doing that.
And yet, here I am, thinking of doing the exact same thing with someone else, though I have a feeling fucking Arlo would be life-altering.
I used to think no man would love me. Maybe it’s me, and I’m the reason I keep falling into these sex-only arrangements. I must give off some type of vibe that screams, will not be a wife, but I’m down to fuck.
Then I realize how ridiculous that sounds.
I’m not that stupid.
I’m worth more than that.
It’s just that I’ve been so closed off from the real thing, which is why I keep falling into the same pattern. I get that part, but now I’m in my thirties, and I think it’s time I stop.
Maybe one last time…
That’s a bad thought to have with a man like Arlo Graves.
* * *
By the time Saturday night rolls around, I’ve dodged every one of Arlo’s calls. I tell myself it’s for the best, but it doesn’t stop the flutter in my pulse every time the phone lights up.
Sebastian’s fingers thread through mine as we step into the venue, all polished floors and sharp edges.
Even though I’m not as close to Sebastian as I am to Delaney, he’s still a solid, reliable friend, the kind who doesn’t ask too many questions.
He’s easy to be around and a joy to have on my arm at these kinds of stodgy gala events.
I’m feeling confident and polished tonight, despite the tension lingering in my shoulders.
My dress is strapless, sleek, and hugs my waist as if it were made for me.
And even though no one will see it, I added a touch of concealer to cover the dark hickey blooming on my breast like some kind of kinky Rorschach image.
My gaze flits around, taking in the servers weaving through the crowd with practiced ease, balancing silver trays, and the room buzzes with laughter, perfume, and polite conversation.
Everyone here is dressed to be noticed. This event is brighter than most, with fewer moody chandeliers and more glaring overheads that leave little to the imagination, casting light even in the shadiest corners.
The floor beneath my heels is dark-stained wood, the tables lined with flawless white linen, everything a little too perfect. I smile, I nod at acquaintances, I float. And somewhere under it all, I try to ignore the pulse in my throat that still jumps when I think of him.
“I can’t thank you enough for coming with me tonight,” Sebastian says, and I squeeze his hand as we move around the event space. He’s receiving an award tonight for all of his volunteer work in the community.
If Sebastian were straight, I so would have married him by now.
Tonight, he owns the room. He’s dressed in a bright blue suit paired with a tie in a lighter shade of blue, which looks amazing against his dark skin, and his head has been freshly shaved and smoothed, which, I might add, looks good on him.
Not only is he a good person, but he’s also a beautiful man on the outside.
“You know I’m always here for you,” I reply.
Sebastian has a big family—unlike me—but they don’t live in the city. It’s one of the reasons we became friends. We were both alone here, and, of course, along with Delaney, trying to make a name for ourselves.
“I’m so nervous,” he quietly murmurs so no one else can hear.
“Don’t be. You’ll accept the award, then give an amazing speech, and after that, we can drink all night.” I smile at him as I lift the hem of my dress when we walk. Sebastian requested that I wear blue to match him, and luckily, I already owned a blue dress, so it worked out well.
“Maybe one or both of us will even get lucky.” He waggles his brows at me.
“Yeah, no. I got rid of Luke, so I’m in my single-girl era.” I chuckle as we walk past a group of people we don’t know. I know there’s a good chance we’ll see a few clients here tonight—it’s what happens when you cater to the wealthy. They love to have a good time.
“What? When did that happen, and why did you wait so long to tell me?” he asks, stopping on the way to the bar.
I laugh at his reaction and shake my head.
“It happened several weeks ago. It was past time for me to ditch him.”
“Damn right it was. That man was only using you.”
“But I agreed to be used.” I wink at him and slide my arm through his as we continue on in the direction of the bar.
“Of course you did,” he says as he takes one of the free drinks from the bar, then grabs for one for me. “So, you’re over being used?” He raises a brow.
“Well, about that…” I take a sip of the champagne before I meet his eyes.
“Don’t tell me you met someone else already.” He shakes his head. “That’s so unfair,” he whines, and I can’t help but laugh.
“Hey, you do fine in the man department.”
“Yes, but it’s been a few months for me.”
An announcement is made, and everyone starts making their way to the tables.
“So, who’s the new guy?” he asks, leading me through the room. I don’t know where we’re seated, so I follow him, hoping he knows which table is ours.
“I met him through work,” I tell him as he stops us next to a table. When I go to pull out a chair, another hand reaches out and does it for me. I turn to thank the person, and as my gaze runs up past the hands to the face, my heartbeat quickens.
“And? Did you do the nasty?” Sebastian inquires.
I ignore him as I stare up at the man who has taken up way too many of my thoughts recently. Arlo’s beautiful lips, which I remember on my body, are curved in a smirk. His gaze dips down to my chest, and I know my nipples are peeking through the silk dress because I am not wearing a bra.
“Hi, you might not remember me. I’m Sebastian. We met the day—”
“Not interested.” Arlo finally takes his eyes off me, and when he does, his jaw tightens as he turns to look at Sebastian. “Are you fucking her?”
A lady who was walking by gasps at his words, and when I turn back to look at Sebastian, I find him smirking, not offended at all.
“You’re more my type.” He winks at Arlo, whose clenched jaw finally relaxes before he glances back at me.
“You’ve been ignoring me,” he states, referring to the phone calls.
“I’ve been busy.”
“It was your day off.”
“And I have a life,” I tell him.
I see my name card, so I quickly check the cards on either side of mine to make sure neither reads his name. When they don’t, I say, “It’s time to take our seats. Good to see you, Arlo.”
He bends down until his full lips graze the shell of my ear.
“You’ll be seeing much more of me very soon, I think.
” My gaze follows him as he saunters off when someone calls his name, dressed in a black tux.
Goddamn, he looks delectable tonight. But really, when doesn’t he look good?
That man has swagger. More so than anyone I’ve ever met.
“Why did he make me all types of flustered?” Sebastian fans himself as he sits down, then looks over his shoulder to watch Arlo walk away.
“Stop staring at his ass.” I laugh, knowing what he’s doing.
He turns around and says, “That man has a mighty fine ass.”
“I know,” I agree, remembering that time I got caught staring.
“Don’t you just want to bite it?” he asks, making me laugh.
“Bite what?” Arlo’s deep voice booms from next to me, returning. I turn and see him swap the name card at the seat next to mine with one that reads his name.
“You can’t do that,” I protest.
He hands the other card to a man I didn’t see standing there, who must be the person who was supposed to have that particular seat.
“I can, and I did.” Arlo sits next to me and turns his body to give me his full attention. Someone starts speaking from the stage, but he doesn’t take his eyes off me.
“This is a charity event. What are you even doing here? Are you stalking me?”
“It’s nice to see you too,” he drawls, lifting his hand so I can see the beads wrapped around it. “I want to finish what we started.”
“We finished it. There is nothing to continue.” He clenches the beads in his fist as he smirks at me.
“Oh, there is,” he insists. Just as he goes to say more, Sebastian’s name is called.
I turn to him and say, “Good luck with your speech.” I stand and start clapping.
Arlo remains seated as Sebastian makes his way to the stage. I feel something touch my hip, and I look down to find Arlo’s hand there.
“Come with me,” he says.
“No.” I don’t bother moving his hand, even though the feel of it is burning through the material of my dress and straight into my skin.
He then starts to pull me, and the last thing I want to do is cause a scene, so I let him lead me out to the balcony.
When we are out there, I see people mingling and smoking.
Arlo pulls me to the edge of the balcony, pressing my back into it as he brings us chest to chest. I glance to the side to see we are covered, barely, by a structure between the people out here and us.
I try not to move to show him what effect his closeness is having on me when, all of a sudden, his beads appear.
I watch as he lifts them, and then, with his thumb, he pulls open my mouth.
“I know you are wet,” he says, and I don’t bother protesting against him, afraid that if I move, I may just grind myself on him. He lifts the beads and places the first one in my mouth. “Move it.”
I do without question. My tongue slides over the beads, and he slides another in as he leans forward and whispers, “See, such a good girl. The things these beads and my mouth could be doing to you right now.” He slides in another bead, and my mouth stays open, letting him.
I know he is enjoying the chase, and here I am, letting him do this to me, and at any time, we could be caught.
“Maybe I should fuck you right here. Would you like to be caught?” He presses himself into me, and when he does, I sigh—I can’t help it. But then I remember why I am here. At the same time, the beads disappear from my mouth and slide into his pocket, but he stays on me.
“Move,” I say. He licks his lips as his eyes keep flicking from my lips to my eyes. “Now,” I say more forcefully.
“Okay.” He steps back, a wicked glint in his eyes, as if he has won.
I step away from him, then run quickly back inside. Glancing back at the stage, I find that Sebastian has finished his speech and is heading back to the table.
Damn! I’m a bad friend. I didn’t pay attention to him.
Immediately, I wrap him in a tight hug when he reaches me.
“Look at you, being all amazing.” I pull back and smile at him.
“I know,” he says with a wink.
Then, a familiar voice comes over the speakers.
“I wanted to thank you all for coming tonight. While there are still a few more awards to hand out, I wanted to take a moment to thank a very special person in my life.”
“Why is he looking at you?” Sebastian whispers in my ear. But I can’t reply. I’m frozen to the spot, my arms hanging limply at my sides, my eyes wide, as I stare at Arlo in shock.
“Cora Ashford,” he says, and everything goes blurry.
“Oh my god. Is he the guy you’ve been seeing?” Sebastian hisses.
I stand numbly as Arlo goes on and thanks everyone for their support.
“This is his event?” Sebastian continues. “And he’s still looking at you.”
I want to tell him to shut up. But I’m so mad, I can’t even form words.
How dare he?
Who does he think he is?