Chapter Thirty-Six
“The Sugar Blitz owners are fully on their way to successfully launching their second location. Social media engagement has increased by fifty percent across all platforms. August Hodges, one of the owners, has launched a successful podcast. Early buzz has made it clear that he’s found his audience, who hunger for more, literally and figuratively. With continued investment in their social media, Sugar Blitz will place themselves in a prime position to be successful for a long time to come.”
Sloane ended her spiel with a confident smile. Her presentation had been fantastic. She had the stats, the posts, and the comments to prove how effective her efforts had been over the past few weeks, even through all the ups and downs. No one could take that away from her, not a boss or a competitor for a job or another woman who wanted her man for herself. Her hard work had paid off. Hopefully, she would be reaping the rewards soon.
Emily nodded. “That was very impressive, Sloane.”
Sloane nodded. “Thank you.”
“You’ve accomplished a ton in a short amount of time. You had roadblocks thrown in your way, but you persevered. If I wasn’t convinced already, you are a strong contender for this position. However, I still have Preston’s presentation to go. But I am very, very impressed. Expect to hear from me very soon.”
Sloane floated out of the office. She hadn’t left with a job offer, but she had the next best thing. Nothing but positive feedback.
Sloane came up short as she exited the elevator. What if Preston’s presentation was better than hers? She violently shook her head. No, none of that negative thinking. It added nothing positive to her psyche. Besides, being confident was way better. That job was hers. It was only a matter of time.
Sloane nodded briskly to herself. Yep. That was the positive vibe she wanted to put out into the universe. And she knew exactly how to celebrate. And with whom.
After opening his front door, August only had a second to brace himself before a whirling dervish launched herself into his arms. He stumbled back into his foyer as Sloane wrapped her legs around his waist and rained kisses all across his face. He chased her wandering lips until he finally caught them beneath his. He willfully sank into the embrace.
Sweetness. Desire. Their lips melded together, tongues contouring together. He delved deep, seeking more, needing more. Groaning with desire when she met his every thrust with a parry of her own, just as hungry as he was. Kissing her would never get old. It was a new, revelatory experience every time.
“I’m pretty sure I got the job, and I have you to thank,” she said when the need for air became too much to ignore.
Joy surged within him. “That’s amazing, sweetness. But this was all you.”
Her beautiful eyes narrowed. “Stop arguing with me when I’m trying to give you a compliment.”
He grinned. “Yes, ma’am.”
She tightened her legs around his waist. “Let’s put those lips to better use.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
He made his way, by instinct and bumping into various walls, to his bedroom, while Sloane did her best to distract him with kisses to his mouth, his neck, his ear.
“Hurry,” she moaned against his mouth. She backed up the command by cupping him through his pants. His eyes damn near crossed with lust.
“Shit, Sloane.”
“Want me to stop?” she purred into his ear as she squeezed his diamond-hard erection.
“Fuck, no.” Walking was no longer possible as lust rampaged through his system, so he leaned back against the nearest wall and concentrated on tasting her sweet lips and trying not to lose his mind thanks to her nimble fingers. His zipper was perilously close to bursting open.
When she tore her mouth away from him, he swallowed his growl of disappointment. But then his eyes landed on her pretty, smooth neck. He dropped his head to the enticing spot where her shoulder met her neck. Nipped the soft skin with his teeth. Her breathy moan sent a shiver of desire down his spine. Yes. Now. Always.
But first they needed a flat surface, so he could explore to his heart’s content. Then, her hand landed on his dick again and he damn near forgot his own name.
Only sheer determination saw him through. He would make this so fucking good for her.
He tripped over some shoes, obviously put there by the devil, and sent Sloane and him tumbling. Mid-air, he twisted his body, so his back would hit first. As her laughter rang in his ears, they landed on his bed and bounced once. He blinked up at her. “I’m usually much more suave than this.”
She shook her head. “No, you’re not.”
“No, I’m not.”
He swallowed her laughter with his lips and fell into the embrace again. Their mutual mirth flittered away into something hotter and much more essential to his immediate well-being.
It had been less than twenty-four hours since they’d been together. An eternity. He needed her now. Now wasn’t the time for slow and steady.
She scrambled to her knees and straddled him. “Ooh, I like this position.”
He cocked an eyebrow. “You do?”
“Oh yeah.” Her hands went seeking, slipping under his T-shirt.
Her delicate, nimble fingers stroked across his stomach muscles. He sucked in a breath, words deserting him. She pushed his shirt up his chest, her hands immediately going back to sweeping across his stomach, sending heat streaking through him.
“Ooh, someone’s been working out. You feel so good,” she murmured. “I bet you taste even better.”
“Sloane.” Instead of the semi-warning tone he was going for, his voice broke off in a quiver as she lowered her mouth.
The first touch of her lips on his abdomen sent his pulse skyrocketing. “I was right. You taste so good.” She lifted her glittering eyes. “Let me play.”
This was her party. She was feeling good. He wanted to flip their bodies and taste every inch of her body, but she wanted this. And he wanted whatever she wanted. He nodded, since talking was beyond him at the moment. He sat up to whip his shirt over his head, then returned to his prone position. He was immediately rewarded with her mouth on his neck.
“You have the best Adam’s apple,” she murmured. “I’ve lusted after it for over a decade.”
His laughter turned into a moan when her lips and hands continued exploring. “The veins in your forearms turn me on,” she whispered. “I command you to wear dress shirts every day and then as soon as you see me, roll up your sleeves very slowly, so I can lust after them in public.”
“Got it.”
Her little nibbles and licks were driving him out of his mind. But he would lie here and endure for eternity if she commanded it. Whatever she wanted, whenever she wanted. Her lips swept along both his shoulders as her fingers skimmed his arms, leaving goose bumps in their wake. Then, she lingered across his chest. Her soft hands would be the death of him sooner rather than later. He would have no regrets.
She flicked his nipples. They immediately drew into tight beads. Her tongue peeked out of her red lips. He held his breath as her head lowered. Still, he wasn’t prepared for the bliss that zoomed through his entire body when her lips landed on his nipple. She hummed against his chest. Then her tongue joined the party as she sucked and licked one nipple while rolling the other between her fingers. The dual sensations traveled through his body right to his dick, which pressed against his zipper, begging to be let free. But he wouldn’t move until she gave him some clue that that’s what she wanted.
Today was all about Sloane.
“How does that feel, August?” She captured his gaze. Not that he had any intention of looking away. “Tell me.”
“The best.” The absolute truth. When her smile bloomed across her face, he felt like he could slay any dragons that crossed their paths. Anything for her.
“Good.” Her fingers had never stopped moving, making it hard to keep up with the conversation, but he did his damnedest. “This happy trail is so enthralling. The places it leads…”
Her breath tickled the hair on his chest. She murmured against his skin, her tongue coming out to play. His stomach muscles tightened in anticipation. He grabbed the comforter with both hands to keep from reaching for her and rolling her underneath him. Of seeking the sweetness between her legs. But he couldn’t. He wouldn’t. Not yet.
Sloane’s show, Sloane’s show, he chanted silently.
“Problem?” Sloane whispered, ever the temptress, clearly sensing and reveling in his distress. Her hand had landed on his waistband, so close, but not close enough to where he needed her touch.
“Touch me. Please,” he added when her eyebrows quirked at his demanding tone.
“Since you asked so nicely.” She carefully pulled the zipper down and reached inside. Her fingers wrapped around his dick. She pumped up and down hard, the way he loved. Breathing became mission impossible. His skin buzzed. He’d have it no other way. He lifted his hips and she tugged his pants and underwear away.
Her lips skimmed across his legs. “These thighs. So biteable.”
“Thank you,” he said after swallowing hard and gathering his faculties to speak.
“My pleasure, trust me.”
He reached for her. She scooted away. “Nope. I didn’t say you could touch.”
He swallowed hard. “I’d really like to see you.”
Her eyebrow cocked. “You mean like this?” She slowly unclasped the top button of her shirt.
He propped up on his elbow. “Yes. Hurry.” This game was going to kill him. And he’d have it no other way.
Her lips curved in a tempting, teasing grin. “A little bossy. Too bad we’re playing by my rules.”
His mouth dried as he followed the movements of her fingers. One more button slipped free, offering a teasing glimpse of her brown flesh. It wasn’t enough. He curled his hands at his sides to keep from ripping the shirt off her. He wanted to taste her flesh more than he’d wanted anything in his life.
Her hand slipped inside her shirt, inside her bra. Her soft gasp went straight to his dick.
“What are you doing, sweetness? Touching your nipple?” She nodded, her eyes glazing over.
“Show me,” he demanded. She nodded. He’d never been so happy to see a red shirt disappear. She rose off the bed and stood before him in a sexy black lace bra, her pretty breasts spilling over the top. “If I’d known that was under your shirt, I would’ve it ripped it off you.”
“Oh, really? Why?” Her fingers skimmed across her collarbone. He tracked every millimeter of movement with greedy eyes.
“You know why. Touch yourself.” He sounded like a fucking Neanderthal. Luckily, she didn’t seem to mind. If anything, her eyes darkened and her breath quickened.
“Whatever you say, August.” Maintaining eye contact with him, she slipped two fingers inside the cup. She cupped the mound and massaged. Then her nimble fingers moved to the nipple. She squeezed the tight flesh between two fingers. His mouth watered. He knew the sensation of pinching her nipples. He knew how they felt against his tongue. Like heaven. He wanted that again. Almost as much as he wanted to continue watching her please herself. Her lips parted on a silent gasp as she squeezed.
Her fingers skimmed the curve of her right breast. She pulled the cups of the bra down, allowing her luscious breasts to fully slip out. They were the most perfect breasts in the entire world. They were so close to his mouth and yet so far.
She rolled both nipples between her fingers, alternating between lighter touches and harder squeezes. Her breathy moans accompanied the movements. He was going to lose his fucking mind.
“Come here,” he demanded. He swung his legs to the side of the bed. He could be docile no longer.
“Since you’ve been such a good boy…”
He murmured his approval when she stepped in between his thighs. She crawled onto the bed, straddling his hips, a position that put her tempting breasts at mouth level. He wasted no time, sliding his tongue around her right areola. She tasted like sunshine and the purest honey. He tugged on her nipple with his lips and teeth, just the way she liked. The way he loved. Her quickly drawn-in breath was his reward.
But he wanted more. Always more.
He delved underneath her underwear, straight to her clit. Her forehead fell to his right shoulder as she dug into his opposing shoulder with sharp nails. He loved the sting. He loved how her breath quickened, how she shivered under his touch. Her scent surrounded him. He would and could happily stay drunk off it for the rest of his life. He varied the pace of his fingers against the small bit of flesh based on her reactions. Slow to start off. Mid-tempo when her breath quickened. Faster when she bit him. Slower to prolong her stay on the knife’s edge of desire. Her hips moved, back and forth, chasing the movement of his hand.
Being inside her was his second priority. His first? Making her come so hard against his fingers she’d feel the aftershocks for days.
August slipped a finger inside her. Her hips’ movement quickened.
“Just like that, August.” Her moan acted as rocket fuel to his lust. He added another finger, sliding in and out of her. His plan had been to go slow, but shit, she was so tight and so fucking wet and it felt so damned good. She squeezed her inner muscles around him. He bent his fingers, rubbing against the spot inside her that made her go wild. With his other hand, he rubbed circles around her clit.
“Shit, Sloane,” he gritted out when her hand wrapped around his dick. This was supposed to be all about her.
“Two can play this game,” she whispered in his ear. “I bet I can make you come before you make me come.”
He was a professional athlete. Competitiveness flowed through his veins. “You’re on.”
Two minutes later, he was questioning his life’s choices. He’d been so sure he could win this bet. Why? His hubris was going to be the death of him, but what a way to go. Her fingers were magical.
“Shit,” he moaned when she rubbed some of her wetness along the head of his dick and then up and down his length. Just following the movement of her fingers nearly short-circuited his brain. Her fingers moved a little easier, up and down with one hand and squeezing with the other. She knew he didn’t like a gentle hand. He was fucking close. But not yet. Not yet. Not until he’d given her all the pleasure he could. Not until he made her feel more than she’d ever felt.
They fell into a decadent rhythm, fully intuned to the other. She moved her hand up and down his length at the same tempo he slid his fingers in and out of her, just like they would if she was riding his dick. He was so fucking close. August ground his teeth into dust. In due time.
Back to work he went. He sought out her mouth. His tongue teased the seam of her lips until she let him in. His tongue happily reacquainted itself with hers. How wonderful she tasted. He needed to savor. To memorize the taste and shape of her lips. That was his intention, anyway. The slow, sensual languid slide lasted for only a few seconds before the kiss became hungry and voracious.
She pressed against him, the thrust of her hips no longer moving in a measured circular motion, but a jagged, erratic, desperate motion. She was near the edge.
“August, August,” she repeated over and over like she was in a trance. He twisted his fingers inside her and ground the palm of his hand against her, right against her clit. He pinched her nipple with his other hand.
Her back arched as she came against his fingers, her body shaking, her eyes dazed with wonder and joy as a loud, prolonged cry spilled from her lips. Watching Sloane come was one of the top highlights of his life.
But they weren’t done.
Once again, he turned their bodies. This time, Sloane landed underneath him. He hastily procured a condom from the nightstand drawer, donned it, and covered Sloane’s warm, tempting body in less than ten seconds. She welcomed him back with open arms. He wasted no time, thrusting inside her in one smooth glide. He burrowed his head in her shoulder as his skin buzzed with lust. How had he denied himself for this long? Being with her like this left nirvana in the dust. Then she twined her legs around his waist and lifted her hips.
“Oh, shit.” How was it possible that this position felt even better?
“August, please. Move.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Her wish would always be his command. Her cries of harder, faster urged him on. She liked hard, long strokes. He could do this for the rest of his life if that’s what she wanted. Each time she whimpered when he retreated, only to cry out in ecstasy when he returned, made his heart soar. Made his determination to make it even better for her soar.
The tingle started at the base of his spine and spread to his extremities. He wouldn’t last much longer. But not without her. Never without her. He kissed her again and found her clit. When she got close, she liked him to press hard against the bundle of nerves.
With her cries ringing in his ears, he came, stars shooting across his eyes, shaking with the intensity of the orgasm.
When he came to his senses, he whispered, “I win.”
Sloane’s beautiful laughter filled the room. “I hate you.”
“I love you.”