Isabella #2
As I attempt to pull back, his strong arms pull me closer.
I can feel him slide his body down the length of mine in time with the music, placing his pelvis entirely too close to mine.
One firm rock against this incredibly well-built man, and I might start entertaining ways to satisfy my much overdue craving for some hot and dirty sex.
Taking an opportunity to change positions during a transition in the chorus, I twist to dance with my back to him.
His hands move to position themselves, not on my hips, but my lower abdomen.
As he rocks my body back against his, I can feel his steely erection against my back. Good lord, is that his arm or his dick?
The song comes to an end, and I seize the opportunity to make my exit.
As tempting as it might be to consider a one-night stand with this man, he’s way out of my league.
Truth be told, I think I’d be nervous considering anything with the likes of this one.
He seems a little too hot for me to handle.
“Thank you,” I blurt before offering a smile that feels forced.
Before he can offer a reply, I make haste to my table to find Bailey.
Dropping into my chair, I grab the remains of my margarita and chug it down.
Hell, who am I kidding? I’m going to need an ice bath to cool down after that hot piece of─
“Uh, Bella? Why on earth would you come back here with me when you could keep dancing with tall, dark, and fuck me, is he sexy? Jeez, he’s the hottest man I think I’ve ever seen.
I almost had an orgasm watching him move his hands all over you.
That look on his face. Gah,” she utters, fanning herself.
I can’t possibly find an answer that will appease her, so I simply shrug my shoulders.
She gives me a blank stare, mimicking my ridiculous motion by drawing her shoulders up toward her ears in question. “What is wrong with you? That man is beautiful.”
“Yeah, a little too beautiful.”
“Huh?”
“The way he was looking at me, Bailey, and touching me… I was starting to feel like shark bait,” I reply as I swiftly look toward the bar for a waiter. I need another drink.
“Well, hell, Bella. I’d let him bite me,” she scolds, waggling her brows in my direction.
“Bailes, something tells me if a guy like that takes a bite out of you, you won’t recover.”
The much-needed waiter arrives at our table, and I order refills. I turn my gaze back to the dance floor, not wanting to make eye contact with the shark but to interrupt this conversation. Even if only for a moment.
“How long has it been, Bella?”
The question catches me off guard. Not sure why it should, as I’ve never kept anything from Bailey. I make eye contact with her but avoid answering the question. I’m embarrassed to admit it’s been way too long.
“Bella? You said earlier you needed some hot and dirty. Well, I bet it doesn’t come any hotter or dirtier than that guy.”
The conversation stops as the waiter returns with our drinks. I slide him enough cash to cover the cocktails, including a generous tip and quickly take a sip. Oh, that’s good.
Bailey takes a sip of her drink and leans across the table to whisper-shout over the dance music. “He looks like the kinda guy who’d go down on you without asking for anything in return. Like the unicorns you read about in romance novels that’ll eat you out because they’re hot for it.”
“Oh, good lord, Bailey.” I feel my cheeks turn pink at the statement.
As long as it’s been since I’ve had sex with a man, it’s been too long to remember when I’ve had oral.
Sure, I’ve given a blow job or two, but no one has reciprocated.
I shake my head briefly before diving into my delicious cocktail once more.
“Look out now, B. It appears the shark is circling the water.” Bailey giggles over her glass.
My eyes flick over my shoulder, making direct contact with the predator in question.
His stare is intense. It’s as if he’s trying to send a message through his penetrating gaze.
I feel the familiar tingle on my skin from earlier, and arousal stirs between my legs that I haven’t entertained in quite some time.
Realizing I need to get my body under control, I stand to look for the restrooms. “I’ll be back, Bailes.
I just need the little girls’ room,” I say before looking in the direction of the front of the club.
Maybe splashing some water on my face and neck will put out the fire that wimpy margarita couldn’t douse.
Turning the corner of the dark hallway, I discover the usual line that extends from the ladies’ room.
It doesn’t appear long, so I decide to wait a few moments and pull out my phone to check for any missed calls or texts.
I haven’t investigated this long before sensing an unmistakable aura behind me, causing me to pull the phone into my chest in alarm.
My breath catches and my eyes flutter closed as the feeling of warm air dances over my left shoulder, neck, and ear.
Again, I feel my goose bumped flesh betray me.
“Yes.” I feel the heat of the exhale tickling along my nape as a deep, masculine voice floats down my ear—the rich tone of his speech causing everything to tingle. No longer limited to the skin of my arms, my pimpled flesh alive with excitement, it now appears my nipples have joined the party.
I dig my heels in, keeping my back to him. “I’m sorry. I don’t remember asking you anything.” I try to deliver my retort with a flat affect, knowing full well there’s a tremble to my voice.
“You didn’t. But I believe your friend did.”
Unable to decipher this riddle, I rotate to stare up at this intoxicating man. “Friend?”
“The pretty girl you’re with tonight,” he croons. Avoiding eye contact, I attempt to focus on his strong jaw. Big mistake. That dimple is going to need a nap for all the effort it’s put forth this evening.
“Ah, you mean my sister,” I correct. Not sure why I’ve shared this, as it’s none of his concern who I’m with.
“So, yes. To your sister’s question, then.”
I shoot him a blank look, baffled by this conversation.
“Yes. I’d love to eat your pussy.”
I feel my legs wobble and discover he’s intuitively reached down to steady me. Looking up at him, stunned by such a bold statement, I’m greeted with a sultry smirk.
Leaning into me, his hand still at the small of my back, he continues.
“What’s the matter, good girl? Afraid of the big bad wolf?
” His deep voice coats me like a sensual oil.
My body feels aglow, provoked by his daring words and his dreamy scent.
“It’s one night. Let me please you for just one night,” he probes with a hushed, gravelly tone.
Trying to gather my wits, I stare up at this brazen man.
Hell, I’m sure he could please me like no one else ever has.
Yet, the cockiness of his pursuit has me on edge.
I’m not sure I’m willing to release all control to a man like this, even if it is only for one night.
And that I’m sure of. There’s no doubt who will be calling the shots if I go home with him.
Unable to string two words together, I purse my lips, spin on my heel, and head back to the table and the safety of my sister.
“What on earth? What’s going on, B? You look flushed. Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I belt out, finishing off my margarita in one toss. “I thought I was going to the restroom, but instead, I ended up in the shark tank.”
Bailey’s eyes spring wide in recognition of my statement. “Oh, my gosh, spill. Did he put the moves on you?”
“Did he? Lord, that man’s something else.” I briefly eye Bailey’s cocktail glass to see if she has anything remaining I can steal from her.
“What could it hurt, Bella? One night? You’re both adults. So long as you’re safe, why not go get you some hot and dirty?” She laughs, looking over her shoulder in a nonchalant attempt at locating the overconfident playboy.
I admit it’s tempting. I’ve been alone for a long time.
My divorce was a wake-up call. I was completely blindsided by his decision to end the marriage.
There was no attempt at counseling. No infidelity I’m aware of.
He simply said he couldn’t do it anymore.
As if being married to me was a chore. I’d stood by him for years, allowing his dreams of a future in medicine to best any of mine, and yet I was the chore.
It took a while to recover from the devastating blow.
If my radar was that off after the years we’d spent together, I knew I wouldn’t be able to trust someone new in my life.
And there wasn’t room for anyone else anyway.
I’ve focused on becoming independent and pursuing a degree.
I’ve had a few relationships with men over the years, but none of which were in any way serious.
Honestly, the liaisons felt more like a friends with benefits scenario.
Yet, I wouldn’t let anyone get close enough to hurt me again, so what did I expect?
At least I had occasional company with the opposite sex so I wouldn’t dry up completely.
It’s been over a year since I’ve been in any relationship with a man where sex was involved.
Usually, I’m too busy to reflect on the absence of male company, but it appears my desperation is a prime hunting ground for the lethally finned prowlers in the water tonight.
And this one scares me every bit as much as the one in the movie.
The shark that would devour its victims whole.
I couldn’t shake the feeling, one night or not, I’d befall the same fate.
“Excuse me, ladies,” the waiter interjects, redirecting my thoughts. I watch as he places two fancy cocktails on the table.
“Did you order more drinks?” I ask Bailey, not realizing she was looking to get hammered tonight. Although my sister is taller than I, she’s a tiny wisp of a woman. More than two drinks, and I’d have to take her home personally.
“No,” she answers, appearing as stunned as I am.
“These are from the gentleman at the bar,” the kind waiter instructs.
Bailey and I both turn simultaneously to find the arrogant playboy tipping his scotch glass in our direction. Looking back to the table, I notice Bailey inspecting the two cocktails carefully.
“What are these?” she asks.
“This one’s a Dark ‘N Stormy, and this one is a Screaming Orgasm.”
Bailey doesn’t even pretend to hide her laugh.
I, on the other hand, turn and cock a distasteful brow in the waiter’s direction before pushing the drink closest to me away with my index finger.
I’m surprised at the juvenile attempt of this haughty man to needle me.
This is more the act of an overgrown frat boy than an overconfident playboy.
I turn back to Bailey, confident in my decision to end my evening alone.
“Okay, call me crazy, Bella. But I think you’re making a mistake.
That man is hot as sin. A guy like that doesn’t come around often.
Who knows, maybe he’s in town for the bike race, and you’ll never see him again.
” She lifts the Dark ‘N Stormy cocktail and takes a sip, making a face of approval as she lowers it back to the table. “Look at it this way. If you’re looking to get an itch scratched, well, I bet he has really good hands.” Bailey begins to laugh but abruptly comes up short.
Wondering what’s changed her facial expression, I follow her gaze to see a striking blonde saddle up to the bar in front of the man in question. She’s tall, thin, and appears several years younger than I am. Well aware of my curvy, petite frame suddenly has me feeling a bit dejected.
This is silly. I didn’t want anything to do with him anyway.
What should I care if a blonde bombshell is flirting with him?
I observe the two of them as they appear to make conversation and sit stunned as I see his arm slink around her waist, laying his hand on the small of her back.
My body tenses in response to his familiarity, and I’m immediately incensed at the effect this is having on me.
What is wrong with you, Isabella? He’s a player. Let that shark take a bite out of some other unsuspecting female.
The Bitter Rival