Amorous (The Lincoln Series Book 1) (2 page)

“But they always look like they’re having so much fun. And Sophia told me he always gives her a big tip when she waits on his table.”

“That’s because he can’t have her, he’s trying to buy her.”

“Oh that’s ridiculous he doesn’t need to buy anyone.” She looked over her shoulder and watched Janet roll her eyes then she pulled an orange, low cut sundress out and held it up to her shoulders. She twirled toward Janet. “What about his one? It’s sexy and innocent all at once don’t you think?”

Janet stood with a sigh and walked to Marie. She turned her around to face the mirror and looked over her shoulder. “I really wish you would reconsider. He doesn’t deserve you…he’s going to hurt you, honey.”

“Jan, you don’t understand, I can’t pass up this chance. I’ve always been second best. My sister was prettier and she always got the good looking guys while I got the friend who couldn’t get his own date.” She turned around to face her. “And all the guys that flirt with you practically trample me trying to get closer to you. This is
my
chance at the best looking guy.”

“Oh, please. Those guys trying to get to me are usually drunk and stupid. The sober ones are staring at you. They’re just too shy to make the first move.”

“Exactly. The friend who can’t get his own date.”

“Ugh!” Janet hugged her then went to the closet to pull out another dress. “Well if you’re going to insist on going on this train wreck of a date, wear this one. That sundress is too good for the likes of Jake.”

Janet spun around and presented her with the little black dress. “Put this one on and don’t waste a lot of time getting ready. It won’t be worth the effort.”

Marie took the dress from her friend and sighed.

Janet grabbed her purse and turned to leave. “Don’t let him hurt you, Marie. I’ll be at Parillo’s if you need me.”

Marie was silent as she watched her friend walk out. When she heard her apartment door close she turned back to her mirror, held up the dress and smiled. “You’ll see Jan, it’ll be wonderful. I’m not like the others.” Her smile broadened. “He’s gonna love me.”

Marie fixed her hair and makeup as she tried to imagine how the night was going to go. She didn’t know where they were going for dinner but she was sure she’d love it.

A shiver of anticipation ran up her spine at the thought of being close to Jake. Every time she saw him she couldn’t help but slip into a fantasy that starred an attentive, caring man who liked to dominate the intimate part of their relationship. He always looked at her with hunger in his eyes and she knew the physical attraction was definitely there. Hopefully the real Jake was just as loving and attentive as her dream Jake.

She had only ever seen him at Parillo’s so maybe they would end up there. The upscale nightclub catered to the business class looking to unwind after a long day stuck in an office, but it also featured an intimate dining room for couples looking for some privacy.

Jake was always in the bar with his entourage. He had a group of admirers who seemed to shadow him. That group included numerous beautiful women, who Marie would classify as the underfed model types, but he never seemed to pay much attention to them despite their obvious interest in him.

They had a table in the back that sat up higher than the rest and was surrounded by a spindled railing. It wasn’t reserved but the regular crowd just naturally left it open for them. Being the playboy son of a multimillionaire had its perks. Marie was hoping he would skip the bar and take her to a nice, quiet restaurant.

She chewed on her lower lip and began to pace. The last time she was this nervous was…she stopped pacing, she couldn’t remember ever being this nervous.

She still couldn’t believe Jake had actually asked her out. She had been secretly admiring him for months and he had caught her more than once staring at him. On the rare occasion when he was alone he would pass by her table and wink at her.

Marie couldn’t help but be attracted to him. With his short, dark hair and piercing blue eyes, he was just her type. Well almost, she liked men tall enough she could stand under their chins as they danced. Jake was about three inches too short for that but she was willing to compromise on height.

She imagined running her hands along broad shoulders and down a muscular chest right to perfectly proportioned abs. She’d never seen him without a shirt but her imagination was doing a great job of filling in the blanks. Jake was always dressed in the latest fashions and he looked as if he had just walked off the cover of GQ.

The doorbell rang as she was checking her look in the mirror for the hundredth time. She blew out a deep breath to try and slow her heart beat and opened the door.

Her breath caught in her throat at the sight of him. Jake was dressed in a button down, hunter green, silk shirt and black jeans that weren’t too tight but left little to the imagination. His smile stopped her brain from functioning and his sparkling blue eyes held her captive.

When he spoke, her heart skipped a beat and she realized she had been standing there with her mouth hanging open.

“This is the part where you ask me to come in.” His voice was silky smooth.

Finally regaining control of her mind and the fantasies dancing erotically around her brain, she stepped aside to let him in. “Sorry. I, uh…yeah. Come in.”

Marie inhaled the intoxicating scent of his cologne when he stepped past her. A shutter ran through her as she exhaled and closed the door. She turned toward him when he spoke.

“You look great. I love the dress.” Jake eyed her from head to toe with more emphasis on her legs and breasts.

Marie tried to feel flattered and sexy at his attention but somehow it made her feel self-conscious so she crossed her arms over her breasts. She shrugged mentally and decided it was her lack of experience with gorgeous men that was making her nervous.

“Thanks.”

She turned to get her purse. She could feel his gaze on her ass. She hesitated a moment and pictured him bending her over the sofa table and thrusting into her from behind. She blinked to clear the image from her mind and turned back around. He snapped his eyes back up to her face before dropping them once more to her chest.

“God, you are so hot, I can’t help but take it all in.” He put his hand on the door. “Shall we go?”

Her mind was racing as she tried to think of something smart and witty to say. He seemed so relaxed, but instead of making her feel comfortable it made her feel edgy. His confidence was intimidating her.

“Where are we going for dinner?”

Jake said nothing and stepped toward her. His eyes sparkled and a slow easy grin spread across his face. He slowly pulled her against his chest.

The warmth of his body chased away a chill she hadn’t realize she’d felt.

“It’s a surprise,” he whispered in her ear. His breath felt hot on her neck an instant before he inhaled deeply. He held her against him a few seconds longer before he stepped back and led her down the stairs to his car.

The first five minutes of the drive were spent in almost complete silence. Jake drummed his fingers on the steering wheel to the beat of
Do Ya Think I’m Sexy
by
Rod Stewart
.

Marie tried to relax, but between the looks he was sending her and the images the lyrics were conjuring up in her mind it was damn near impossible. She was hoping she could make it through dinner before she either jumped him and ravished his body, or threw up. She took a deep breath.

She fidgeted in her seat and looked out the window, the lack of conversation was driving her mad. She tried to figure out what restaurant they were going to as she watched the familiar scenery rush by. Jake had driven by Parillo’s three blocks ago and they were coming up on States Avenue. Once they crossed it everything would be new.

They left the business district and began weaving through the high rise condos Janet had told her about. Marie had never seen them because even the coffee shops in this part of town were out of her price range.

They turned into a parking garage and he stopped to slide a card through the reader in front of an iron gate. The gate was marked ‘Private Property’ and swung open when they approached. The ramp was illuminated as they descended to a lower level.

Marie bit her lip. The solitude of the lower level created a privacy that was both eerie and exciting.

“I’ve never been to this part of town. Is there a restaurant inside?”

“Not exactly.” He flashed a smile, his eyes fixed on her curvy figure.

Marie tried again to enjoy his attention and roaming gaze. She wasn’t as skinny as the other women she’d seen him with. But he never looked at them the way he was looking at her and they practically threw themselves at him. He was chasing her so didn’t that mean he really liked her? She should feel more sexy and confident. Again she decided her lack of experience was to blame.

They pulled into a parking space marked ‘Penthouse.’ She waited as he came around to her side and helped her out of the car.

“I thought we’d have a nice quiet dinner at my place.”

Marie swallowed hard. She was hoping for a restaurant where they could talk a little first without the temptation to jump right into sex. She knew if he kissed her, what little restraint she was holding onto would go up in flames.

Jake put his hand at the small of her back and led her to the elevator at the back of the garage. His touch made her feel tingly inside in anticipation of what she hoped was to come.

A bell dinged and the doors opened. Once inside he typed a code into the keypad and backed up to a far corner.

She watched his reflection in the mirrored doors as he licked his lips and gazed at her ass. She wanted to step back against his body and wrap his arms around her. The small space suddenly felt hot and steamy and she resisted the urge to wipe her sweating palms on the skirt of her dress.

‘Be patient! You’ve got his undivided attention. Let him make the first move.’

She took a slow easy breath.

The doors opened with another soft ding and Jake straightened lazily from the corner of the elevator. He placed his arm around her shoulders and led her into what looked like a small foyer.

“Relax, Marie, I promise I won’t bite…much.” He ran his fingers through her hair and exposed her neck. He licked the spot just behind her ear as he unlocked the door to his penthouse.

She felt a rush of heat wash over her followed by a spark of hesitation. She was starting to feel sleazy, like all that mattered to her was the sex. They should have dinner first, shouldn’t they?

She stepped inside and opened her mouth to speak, but gasped instead when Jake shoved her up against the door. He grabbed her upper arms and held her tight, crushing his mouth to hers. He nipped her lip then dragged his open mouth along her jaw to her neck where he nipped her again.

She closed her eyes and sighed, leaning her head back against the door. Good Lord that felt good. She had been fantasizing about this for months. Her breathing increased and she could feel her temperature rise even further.

He licked his way along her neck then buried his face in her hair. She heard him inhale as if he was smelling her. She moaned at the feel of his body pressing into hers, his rapidly swelling erection was pressing against her hip.

Her pussy began to ache for his possession. She could feel her juices flowing from her body and soaking her panties.

She had never felt anything so fantastic in her life, but something was off. Maybe something was missing. Maybe she was supposed to be doing something more than enjoying his ministrations. She didn’t have a lot of experience with sex so maybe this was how it felt, but her uneasiness continued to grow.

She tried to push him back but she couldn’t break his hold on her. “Jake—”

“God, you’re hot, Marie. I don’t think I can wait until dessert. I’ll just have to have an appetizer.” He pressed his body so tight against hers she thought she would suffocate. He thrust his thigh between hers and yanked her dress off her left shoulder. “Ride my leg, baby, like I know you want it.”

His crude command sent a new rush of wetness through her passage.

He gave another tug on her dress to pull it further down her shoulder. The sound of material rending sent a mixture of excitement and panic streaking through her senses.

“Jake, wait!”

She tried to push him away with the arm he had released but he quickly pinned her again and licked a trail from her shoulder to her collarbone. Her breathing became quicker and she arched her back. She nearly melted into the door when he ground his thigh against her clit. Oh God, that felt good.

“Jake.”

“Don’t fight it, baby. I know you want me. I see it every time I catch you staring at me.” He slid his hand under the neckline of her dress and cupped her breast as he pulled it free. He covered her nipple with his mouth and sucked hard.

She felt him smile against her breast when she gasped at the sudden, intense sensation. An answering throb sensitized her clit.

“Jake, please—”

“You don’t have to beg, baby. I’m gonna give you everything you want and more.” He raised his head and covered her mouth again.

Jake tasted incredible. She moaned and returned his kiss with the same intensity.

She loved his dominate nature. Her body was responding to him as if they were made for each other, but her mind wasn’t completely satisfied. The more she tried to tell herself to enjoy it, the more she felt it just wasn’t right. She needed to stop this now before she did something she would regret later. But the more she struggled to get away, the more he pressed into her. And the more she liked it.

The scent of his body was irresistible and she fought the urge to let it fog her mind. Her thoughts swirled as she tried to make sense of what was happening. This was what she wanted so why was she fighting it?

Marie could feel her body responding to him instinctively. She knew she was wet and the need to ride his thigh was strong, but her fear that she would regret this was growing and replacing her desire. Something about this moment wasn’t right. She wanted him but she didn’t know if she could trust him with her vulnerability.

She concentrated on her thoughts while her body responded to him automatically. She heard herself moan when he rocked his thigh against her clit. She dropped her forehead onto his shoulder when he pulled her off the door and slid down the zipper on her dress.

He grabbed her hair and pulled her head back so he could kiss a trail down her neck to the valley between her twin mounds.

‘Oh, God this feels so good. It’s just how I thought it would be. I can’t believe he wants me this much. He knows exactly what I want…but how can that be, he doesn’t know me?’

Marie let a husky moan escape her throat when Jake pinched her nipple, sending another rush of delicious sensation straight to her clit.

‘We’ve never spoken to each other, never had a meaningful conversation. Wait! We don’t know each other at all. We’re moving too fast. We need to get to know each other first.’

“Jake, wait. This isn’t right.” She was panting and her body was humming with need, her voice just above a whisper.

Jake sucked her nipple into the moist heat of his mouth and pushed her dress down over her hips. He slid his hand into her panties and his fingers between her folds. He started caressing her clit with small circles.