Chapter 9
LAILA
’Twas the night before Valentine's
And all through the chalet
Brokers ate pizza while getting cray-cray…
Okay, I'm a literary editor, not a poet. But I keep giggling when I see how excited this crowd is to have so many varieties of pizza.
To be fair, it's a lot. They even made chocolate and fruit ones for dessert. Honestly, they’re more like pies, but nobody is complaining.
Devin and I make the rounds of the dining room, switching tables every time we get up to get another slice. Most others are doing the same. We end up at Kevin and Katrina’s table, then Devin goes to get another round of desserts for the four of us.
“Devin is so attentive," Katrina says to me. “Why didn't you come out skiing with him?"
I shake my head vigorously. "No way. I'm too clumsy for downhill skiing. And I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to work very well if I went head-first into a few dozen trees."
Katrina laughs. "You could try cross-country skiing tomorrow morning. There’s a little practice trail that only takes about twenty minutes, and they have all of the equipment you need right there."
I'm touched. "Thank you. I'll think about it."
Devin comes back with a plate full of desserts, setting them in the center. "I got a bit of everything, so just grab your favorites, then I'll get another round." He turns to me. "I was thinking you might like this lemon coconut…?"
I tap his arm playfully. "None for me, darling. I can't stand coconut, remember?"
His eyes snap shut. "Dammit, I'm sorry." His eyes flick over my right shoulder, and I don't have to look to know that Callan, sitting at the next table, is watching us. "My mother can’t stand cashews. My sister doesn’t like peanuts.
You hate coconut. You'll have to forgive me if I get those mixed up for a year or two. "
Leaning in, I steal a kiss, then murmur loud enough for Callan to hear, "I'll forgive you if the chocolate caramel is for me."
"Done." He squeezes my knee as I laugh lightly.
We get through the rest of the evening without incident, even though we both suck at poker and don't do much better in the bridge tournament. Since we’re eliminated first, we spend some time carefully stacking houses of playing cards.
"It looks like the party’s winding down," Devin says. "Would it look terrible if we cut out now?"
He turns to see where the bosses are, flinching slightly when he twists too far.
"You need to be getting flat on your back before that muscle pull gets worse." I stand up and snap my fingers at him. "Seriously."
Devin's eyes meet mine as he leans in, wrapping an arm around me. “I really like when you take control that way. It's sexy as hell."
He squeezes my ass firmly as I smack his arm lightly. "Watch it, buddy. There are grown-ups around."
Eva catches my eye, winking and placing a finger over her lips as Devin takes my hand and we sneak out.
As soon as we’re safely back in our room with the door locked, Devin's hands land on my waist. "I completely screwed up with the coconut thing!" he whispers, mortified.
"I'm sorry. I should have mentioned that I don't eat seafood or coconut. Did Callan hear?"
"Pretty sure, yeah, but we covered it pretty well, I think." He releases me as we kick off our shoes and he starts a small fire. I could really get used to those.
"Yeah, it was fine. Also, I asked if the chalet has muscle rub in their first aid station, but they're fresh out."
"I appreciate you checking, but I’m good," he insists.
"Still…” I force myself to lower my shoulders, but it does nothing to calm the spiral of feelings fluttering inside me. "You massaged my shoulders and neck last night, saving me a lot of pain today. I could try to return the favor?"
My breath catches from the light that flares in his eyes. Devin is clearly into the idea of my hands on his skin. "Sure. Why don't we just change into our jammies first?"
"Good idea." I take my things to the bathroom, brushing my teeth extra carefully to get rid of the garlic from the pizza. When I come out, Devin is wearing nothing but his shorts, sprawled face down on the bed.
"You know, just lying like this feels pretty sweet."
"Good, that's a start." I rub my hands together quickly to make sure they're nice and warm before sitting beside him. "Is it right here?" I begin outlining the left side of his lower back, and slightly up to his spine.
"Yeah. Feel free to really grind your fist in there."
Even though Devin is a sculpted wall of muscle, I press into his skin gingerly, not wanting to hurt him.
I use the palm of my hand at first, until I figure out the direction and pressure he prefers.
Then I tighten my hands into fists, using the flat part of my fingers in a twisting motion, as if I'm tenderizing the muscle.
After a few moments of him stretching and shifting against my hands, he starts to relax. After a few more minutes, his shoulders have dropped, and his entire frame totally sags into the bed as if he were drunk.
"Hhhhunnngh," he groans. "That feels amazing."
I keep working, using my fingers, my fists, my palms. I focus on the painful area for a while, then do his entire back and shoulders before returning to the bottom left for some more twisting.
“Mmm…bit harder?” he mumbles.
My leg swings over so that I’m straddling his thighs, letting me use the weight of my torso to really get in there. When he groans again, I realize that I didn’t quite think this through.
Devin’s muscular legs are between my thighs. His toned ass is… well, I won’t be leaning forward any further. It’s so intimate, even though what I’m doing is relatively innocent.
“Oh yeah, right there,” he growls, his low voice sending a pulse through me.
I’m already breathing rapidly and a flush is spreading across my cheeks and throat. This is so sensual.
Devin groans loudly again, and I freeze when I hear footsteps in the hallway. "Grumble." He wriggles his shoulders, as if annoyed that my hands have stopped moving. “Mmm… grumble.”
I run my fingernail lightly down his spine just to watch him shiver. "Somebody was walking by," I whisper. "I didn't want them to think we were…you know."
Devin rolls, pulling me on top of him. “It’s a romantic chalet in winter. What do you think every other couple has been doing?” he laughs.
My expression must startle him because he quickly adds, “I’m not suggesting anything, beautiful. I’m just saying we don’t need to worry about what people think. And thank you,” he whispers as our eyes lock. “I feel much better.”
“Good.” Why can’t I seem to catch my breath?
The corner of his lip twitches. “Remember that honesty thing?”
“Yeah.”
“Those little shorts of yours are driving me crazy.”
As if to illustrate his point his cock shifts, standing to partial attention in his boxers, right up against my mound. I gasp.
“I need you to tell me honestly, Laila, and with no hesitation… Would you like to sleep on your side of the bed? Or in my arms?” He grins cheekily. “Option three, would you like to lie down so I can slip my hand into those adorable shorts and make you groan like I just was?”
My mouth falls open for a few seconds, then I nod quickly. “Option three,” I squeak.
My heart is in my throat as he rolls me onto my side, holding me close. His fingers trail across my lower belly, where my shirt is hitched up. "Every inch of your skin is so soft." His low voice is sending ripples between my thighs again. I'm not used to this much heat.
His lips drag slowly along my throat, as if he's waiting until I'm breathless with desire before capturing my mouth.
Devin pulls back for just a moment and smiles. "Seriously, I need to feel you come in my arms. May I?"
Being the object of his desire is sending fireworks sparking through my bloodstream.
I'm already nodding, clutching his shoulders as I roll toward him.
His palm grips my inner thigh firmly, pulling it back and over his hip to spread me wide.
His lips muffle my desperate cries as his hand slips into my shorts and panties.
I'm not sure if I should be embarrassed. My pussy is already swollen and wet just from straddling him.
Devin grins, dragging his middle finger straight through my slit. "Already so juicy for me. I love how much you want this, Laila.”
His voice is somehow even lower. I bite back a squeal, shivering slightly as his fingertip runs up and down through my crease, teasing both of us.
"Hey." His lips are near my ear, and I can hear every breath.
“Maybe someday…possibly weeks from now…if you were to decide that a boring old stockbroker is the man for you…
" His finger dips inside me just to the first knuckle as I force myself not to squirm.
"I think you feel how hard you make me. Do we think that would fit right here? "
He pumps his finger in and out shallowly. Then I gasp when his thumb flutters against my clit. The way he already knows how to make my body feel so good makes me wonder if maybe there is a chance we actually belong together.
"So beautiful," he grits out, somehow managing to rub my entire pussy at once while concentrating on my button. "I can feel the heat of your skin. You're actually blushing in my arms. Do you know how sexy that is?"
I shake my head, trying to focus on breathing in and out.
“I wish I had a photo of this moment," he continues dreamily. “Your hair all fanned out, kind of messy. Your pupils, all dilated. And your perfect lips…" He kisses me again, rougher this time. Every stroke, every motion between my thighs sends pulses all the way from my ankles to my nipples.
This can't be happening. We just met. We're supposed to be focusing on getting along with his coworkers. Supposed to be selling this fake relationship.
The one that is somehow turning real. At least, turning physical.
The way Devin kisses me with his entire body makes every fear and bit of shyness simply disappear. The way he’s been calling me beautiful nonstop honestly makes me feel that way for the first time.
I don't care if this is just for the weekend. Everything about Devin feels incredible and I want to experience every single moment.
He growls, kissing me so hard and deep that I can barely breathe. My hips are rocking against his hand as the pressure builds fast.
"So fucking sexy," he grunts, pulling back to watch my expression. "I can feel your hot pussy clamping around my finger. Can feel what you really need, beautiful. What your sweet pussy wants. It's me, isn't it?"
Suddenly I feel like I’m falling, spasming around his finger as my back arches, a strange, stuttering cry erupting from my throat, part scream, part squeal.
Is that a second finger inside me while his thumb is swiping circles and across the surface of my clit?
Is he going to leave marks on my neck from biting so hard?
I feel safe falling apart in his arms because I know Devin will catch me. Care for me. I don't know why I trust him so completely so soon, yet I do.
Another broken cry shakes me to the core, a split second before I hear footsteps passing right in front of our door. I freeze, which only makes Devin's hand move faster, milking every single drop of pleasure from my climax.
I fall against his shoulder with a sigh. "Please tell me nobody heard that."
He chuckles, slowly removing his fingers. "I hope the whole world heard that, baby."
"Ugh… No, seriously."
Devin sits up, licking his fingers clean, then his eyes roll back in his head. I gasp when my gaze drops to his shorts. The huge tent in the fabric is positively pulsing with need. Knowing he wants me like this is wild. It makes me want him even more. Maybe even…right now?
I begin to reach for him, but he catches my wrists, holding them in one hand and pinning them over my head. Then his free hand moves slowly from my waist to my breast, thumbing my nipple as he kisses me deeply, pulling me into a trance.
"That is not your concern tonight," he whispers.
"Why not?" When he hesitates, I add, "Total honesty, remember?"
Devin swallows, then looks directly into my eyes, making me melt all over again.
"Because I want you so badly, Laila. But that was not part of our deal.
And I get the sense it might be your first time.
There's no way in hell I'm going to take advantage of you when you're kind of trapped here with me. "
He grins, then grinds his cock against my hip deliciously firmly. "Besides, I didn't bring any condoms, and I would never take a chance with you." Before I can respond, he kisses my forehead, then heads for the bathroom. "I'll be right back. Get ready to be snuggled to sleep, beautiful."
Sleep? Does he honestly think I could relax enough to fall asleep while thinking about how I already need so much more of him?