Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
Sophie
The waitress placed our drinks on the table and once she left, Jamie picked up his beer and held it up.
“To an amazing few days with an even more amazing woman.”
“Thank you for a wonderful time.”
I lifted my wine glass and gently clinked it against his before taking a sip of merlot. The warmth spreading through my chest had more to do with the man smiling at me from across the table than the wine. Before I got too mesmerized by the candlelight dancing in his eyes, I broke contact and focused on my glass as I set it down.
I’ve written about pounding hearts and fluttering stomachs, but it’s been a long time since I experienced them myself. Jamie and I came together so intensely and organically. Our chemistry in the bedroom is unlike anything I've experienced before. But it's more than the combustible physical connection that's made our time together feel so special. Jamie is charming, genuine, and smart. And it feels so natural to be with him, like we've known each other for years.
Before the silence between us stretched into something uncomfortable, our waitress returned to take our orders. Beyond the wine list, I’d barely looked at the menu, but quickly decided on pork Bolognese over pappardelle pasta. Jamie surprised me by ordering lobster ravioli. From what I’ve witnessed, he’s a meat and potatoes kind of guy. But I guess, despite how it feels, I don’t know him well enough to speak on his preferences.
Apparently my thoughts showed on my face, because once the waitress left, he raised his brow.
“What?”
“Your meal choice surprised me, but I suppose it shouldn’t.”
“Why’s that?”
“Despite how it feels, we don’t really know each other that well.”
He stared at me for several heartbeats, his brown eyes so much softer and more open than the first time I looked into them.
“We can rectify that now.”
“What do you mean?”
“Tell me something about yourself.”
“Like what?”
“What do you do back in Scranton when you’re not writing bestselling novels or pole dancing?”
I thought about that for a second. Chances are, Jamie and I won’t see each other after tonight, tomorrow morning at the latest. I don’t have to share anything personal, but I find that I want to.
“I have four children and even though they’re mostly grown, they still keep me pretty busy.”
“Four?” Once his rounded eyes went back to normal, he asked, “Boys? Girls?”
“Two of each.”
“And how mostly grown are they?”
“Courtney just turned twenty-one, Bobby is twenty, Emily is eighteen, and Tyler is sixteen.”
“Wow, you must have been really busy when they were younger. How’d you ever manage to get books written?”
I really don’t want to talk about my ex-husband, so I went with the other reason I was able to be productive when the kids were little.
“Lack of sleep.”
“I can imagine,” he said with a chuckle. “I hope you’ve gotten to catch up in the past few years.”
“Thankfully I now get a solid eight hours unless I’m on deadline.” I took a sip of wine. “What about you? Any kids?”
“No.”
He answered so fast, and said the word so emphatically, I laughed out loud.
“Kids aren’t all that bad.”
“I don’t know why I said it like that. I like kids, I just don’t have any.”
“Ever been married?”
“Nope.”
“That’s surprising.”
“Why’s that?”
The waitress returned with our meals, giving me a second to formulate a response. By the time she refilled our water glasses and walked away, I had one. I have nothing to lose by going with the whole truth.
“Aside from the fact you’re gorgeous, you’re also charming and thoughtful when you want to be,” I said. “The women here in Brooklyn must be crazy.”
He ignored most of what I said and focused on five words.
“When I want to be?”
“You have to admit you were kind of grumpy at the pole studio.”
“Elliott always says I’m grumpy, but I don’t think that’s true. Sometimes I’m just quiet and focused.”
“Okay, let’s go with that.”
Rolling my eyes might be juvenile, but it’s warranted.
We ate in silence for a few minutes before he spoke again. And in typical Jamie fashion, he turned the subject back to me.
“What about you? Were you married?”
I nodded as I swallowed the forkful of pasta I’d just shoveled into my mouth.
“I was.” I took a drink of water and wiped my mouth. “Rob and I divorced about four years ago.”
“What happened?”
“We just grew apart.”
If Jamie and I were in a real relationship, I’d offer more details, but I figure that’s enough for a three-night stand. Four, if he stays with me tonight.
“It must have been difficult,” he said. “Especially with the kids.”
“They were upset at first.” I shrugged. “It took about a year for all of us to adjust to our new normal, but it’s good now.” Before he asked for more details, I changed the subject. “Tell me about your family.”
He focused on his empty plate for a minute before answering.
“It was just my parents and me, and things were pretty dysfunctional. That’s why I spent so much time with Elliott’s family. His mom knew things weren’t right at my house and invited me over often. By the time I was in high school, I practically lived with them.”
I thought about asking what not right meant, but figured it was none of my business.
“I’m glad she was there for you. And Elliott too. You two seem pretty tight.”
“The Booths pretty much made me one of their own. Elliott and I are the same age, so we’ve always spent the most time together, but I’m pretty close with his sister and brother too.”
“It’s good to have people like that in your life,” I said. Then in an attempt to lighten what is obviously a heavy topic for him, I added, “Even if one of them makes you work at his pole dance studio.”
He smiled at that.
“I can’t complain about this last time. It’s where I met you.”
He reached over and placed his hand over mine. That simple gesture made my entire body break out in goosebumps. Using my free hand, I lifted my glass and took a sip of wine as bittersweet emotion welled up inside me. Jamie really is a great guy. It’s too bad our lives are in two different places.
“That’s very sweet,” I said as I set my glass down.
“Just truthful.” He rested his elbows on the table and leaned closer. “You're pretty incredible, Sophie.”
I’m not sure what to say. What started as a one-night thing has morphed into
something more in mere days. And it’s something I wasn’t looking for and honestly don’t have time for in my real life.
“It’s too bad Scranton and Brooklyn aren’t closer,” I said.
Jamie held my gaze as his thumb traced circles on my wrist.
“Does the distance have to matter so much?”
The romantic in me wants to believe it doesn’t, but practical me knows better. The kids are mostly grown, but they still have stuff going on and I always have book signings and conferences to attend. I imagine I’ll eventually be able to manage a long-distance relationship, but not now. Which is a shame, because Jamie really is perfect.
He must have sensed my hesitation.
“We don’t have to make a firm commitment or put a label on this,” he said. “Just stay in touch. Keep the door open.”
“I can do that.”
Jamie
Neither of us spoke as we walked the short distance to Sophie’s rental. She’s probably trying to process the bomb I’d dropped on her at dinner.
I didn’t plan on trying to extend whatever this is between us beyond what we’ve shared, but figured I’d be crazy if I didn’t at least try. She’s the first woman I’ve ever had such an electric connection with, to use Elliott’s words.
Sophie let go of my hand and I followed her up the steps. As we reached the top, she turned to face me.
“I’m sorry if I freaked you out at the restaurant,” I said. “But I know I’d regret it if I didn’t take the shot.”
She looked down at her feet and shook her head before meeting my gaze again.
“You didn’t freak me out.”
“No?” She shook her head. “Not even a little bit?”
My teasing tone had the desired effect and a smile spread across her face. She turned and opened the door, and I followed her inside. After we removed our coats, Sophie wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me down for a kiss.
The moment our mouths touched, I knew tonight was going to be more than the others. More explosive. More passionate. More desperate.
My cock went from zero to hard and I slid my hands down to cup Sophie’s ass and pull her against me. She wrapped her leg around mine and pressed even closer. Her soft moan nearly undid me.
She’s so hot, so passionate, and so much more than any other woman I’ve ever known. And since tonight is the last one we’re guaranteed, I want to take her to bed now and claim her. Imprint on her so she remembers every single moment, every touch, when she’s a hundred miles away. Mostly because I know I’ll be haunted by her forever.
Ending the kiss, I took her hand and started toward the bedroom. As we reached the bed, I stepped closer and cupped her face, prepared to take her mouth in another all-consuming kiss. But something in her eyes made me pause.
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m not great at goodbyes, so could you…” She looked away and nibbled on her bottom lip before meeting my gaze again. “Could you leave before I wake up?”
“I can do that.”
Those words were barely out of my mouth when she launched herself at me. Our mouths fused together and immediately our tongues tangled, giving and taking. There’s so much I want to do, want to experience with her, but since we only have hours left, I need to focus on things that will give her the most pleasure.
I released her mouth and kissed my way down her neck to nibble at a spot behind her ear.
“As much as I love this dress, it needs to come off.”
Taking a half a step back, I tugged at the sash of her wrap dress until it opened, revealing a black lace bra and panty set. I took another step back to properly admire the view. Sophie shifted her shoulders and as the silky material pooled around her feet, she struck a pose.
“You like?”
“I don’t think like is a strong enough word for how I feel about your lingerie,” I said. “It’s a shame it needs to come off, too.”
“It needs to?”
“Definitely.”
Her giggle echoed through the room as I picked her up and tossed her onto the bed. Before following her down, I dragged my sweater over my head and dropped it on the floor. Lowering my mouth, I kissed her long and hard. I can’t get enough of Sophie and since her fingers are curled into my scalp holding me in place, it seems she feels the same.
She lifted her hips and I swallowed her groan when she rubbed against the erection trying to bust out of my khakis. Pulling back, I dragged in a deep breath.
“Sophie, you’re killing me.”
Her chest rose and fell as she watched me back off the bed and rip off my pants. That offered some relief, although the hungry look in her eyes made my dick grow impossibly bigger.
I settled between her thighs again and took her mouth, this time with much less finesse. Sophie wrapped her arms around my shoulders and shifted her hips, the new position pressing my cock right against her heat. Even through two pairs of underwear, it was almost more than I could take.
Time to slow things down and really focus on her. Pulling back, I dragged my open mouth down her neck and licked at the pulse hammering at its base. Needing to touch her, I cupped her breast. Her nipple poked against the lace, scratching my palm as I dragged it back and forth, urged on by Sophie’s moans.
Slipping my index finger into her bra cup, I pulled it down until her nipple popped free. After admiring what I’d revealed, I drew it into my mouth. As she thrust her hips against me, I pressed mine down, holding her in place and continued to lick and suck.
Freeing her other nipple, I gave it the same attention, then moved back and forth until they both stood tall, glistening from my mouth.
“Jamie.”
My name came out as a hoarse cry as her fingers dug into my biceps. I looked down, admiring my handiwork.
“You’re so gorgeous.” I kissed the curve of one breast, then the other.
Pulling back, I watched her chest rise and fall as she dragged in deep breaths. As much as I’d love to keep taunting and tasting her, I think it’s time to move onto other things.
I dragged my hand down her stomach and over her panties then rubbed my finger back and forth along the wet lace. She arched her back, pressing her pussy against my hand.
By some miracle, the lace didn’t rip as I yanked it down. She moved one leg then the other until they were both free from the underwear. I trapped her swollen clit between my index and middle fingers, giving it a squeeze before sliding into her slick heat.
“Jamie,” she moaned. “I–”
“What honey?”
“I–”
She panted and rocked her hips against me. Settling into her rhythm, I stroked inside her then pulled out and circled her clit before plunging in again. When her pussy was impossibly tight, I curled my fingers and stroked. That’s all it took to push her over the edge.
I grabbed a condom out of my pants and rolled it on while she caught her breath. It wasn’t long before she moved onto her knees and patted the bed beside her.
“That’s where you want me?”
She nodded.
“Right here,” she said, patting the space again.
I settled onto my back and watched as she shifted her leg over me and straddled my lap. Resting her hands against my chest, she lifted up then settled down on my cock. I swear my eyes crossed at the sheer pleasure of her surrounding me. And when she started to move, that feeling intensified.
My balls tightened and I grabbed her ass, trying to slow her down. Only that didn’t help dull the sensation, so I just let her go.
Sophie rocked against me faster and faster, and the sight of her riding me was as erotic as the feel of her. Reaching up, I twisted and tugged at her nipples. Her inner muscles tightened, threatening to milk me dry.
“Sophie,” I warned. “I can’t hold on much longer.”
She tightened her thighs against my hips as her movements became shorter and more focused.
“Jamie, I’m gonna–” She finished that sentence with a long, low moan.
Her spasms drove me over the edge as she collapsed against my chest.
We stayed like that until our heartbeats slowed and our bodies cooled. When I felt goosebumps pop up on her back, I rolled and shifted until she rested against the pillow. As she settled, I walked to the bathroom and disposed of the condom. When I returned, I settled on the bed behind her, pulled the comforter over us both, and rested my arm across her waist. Within minutes, her breathing became slow and steady.
I nestled my face against her silky hair, breathing in her beachy scent. We fit together so perfectly, her curves pressed against my chest, legs tangled with mine. Instead of obsessing about how and when we can be together again, I set my mental alarm, closed my eyes, and drifted into a light sleep. I promised Sophie I’d be gone before she wakes and I want to enjoy every last minute with her in my arms.