LOVE QUAKES: BOXED SET (BOOKS 1-4) (17 page)

I'm stumbling around a bit as I head back upstairs to Tristan. He winces when I lean against his chest but manages to pull me upright while we make our way to the exit and wait for Bailey with the SUV.
As Bailey drives us to the condo, Tristan holds my hand and kisses my head. His angelic smile never falters. As soon as we enter the penthouse, we stumble to the couch and start kissing passionately. I don’t care if Bailey sees us or not. I guess I’m too excited about what’s to happen.

Tristan pauses during the make out session to look at my face. His tender and loving expression accompanied by his gentle stroking of my face soothes me. His gaze reflects reverence and possibly adoration.

“Thanks for giving us another chance. You’re so innocent and beautiful, Joanna,” he murmurs. “I want to make love to you, like I should.”

I smile indulgently and then extend my tongue to lick his neck. He tastes of body wash, salt and youth. It’s delicious. He laughs gently when I nip at his neck. My hands hold onto his biceps. I gaze with lust at this beautiful man. We spend a moment just looking into each other’s eyes. Then I squirm off the couch and drop to my knees between his legs.

“What do you think you’re doing, Joanna?” he chides me but swallows, hard, when my hands find their way onto his lean but muscular thighs.  

“Giving you dessert, Tristan,” I answer with a seductive voice. I’ve never done this before. I hope that I won’t disappoint him. My hands tremble with desire when I call up an image of a young boy, abducted and crying for help while his kidnapper punishes him. He’s lost and has no control. I want to comfort him.

“Joanna, I won’t be able to fully participate,” he warns me, but the resolve in his eyes gives way to an intense burn as my hands move upwards toward the waist of his expensive suit pants.

I touch his zipper with my right hand and beam with delight when I note that he feels quite ready. My fingers tug at the buckle of his leather belt. I gently open it and slide it out of the loops on his pants. He’s breathing hard while watching my fingers and hands with a delighted smile on his gorgeous face. His hands move to rest on each side of his body. He relaxes against the pillows on the couch.

My hands move toward the pull of his zipper. I concentrate on pushing it all the way down. Then I start to tug with a little force on his pants. Tristan lifts his hips as I pull his trousers all the way off his legs and down to the base of his long slender feet. He lifts his feet while I remove his socks. What perfect legs and feet he’s inherited from one of his parents. I gaze at Tristan with love for another second. He’s staring back at me with sheer pleasure. My smile widens. Then my hands move toward his red boxers. I trail my fingers softly up the skin of his legs and strong thighs.

“You don’t know how good that feels, baby,” he sighs while his eyes darken with desire. He’s breathing rapidly as he watches my hands. A grateful look crosses his facial features when I free him from confinement. I want to soothe my poor, insecure and needy man. I stare into his face with an aroused look while I pull my top off so that I’m kneeling between his legs in my bra. He looks at himself and me with an arch to his eyebrows. His eyes are now nearly black.

Then, I steady myself by placing one hand on each of his thighs. My head and mouth move toward his target. Finally, I make contact with his soft flesh and I lick. Tristan moans and lets out an audible cry of ecstasy. I’m amazed that my novice moves are driving him wild. I feel powerful.

I revel in the moment before I relieve him. His hands ball up into fists before he moves them into my hair and gently cups my head. I continue my repetitious pattern for several minutes while he emits hissing sounds. He’s moving about on the couch with some restraint because of his healing ribs.

“Joanna, baby. It’s only you I need. Oh holy hell; this is so great,” Tristan cries out as he climaxes. Take that, Kristen.

I get up then and sit beside him while he recovers. He puts his arm around me and looks entirely spent and elated. He resembles a child just awakening from a happy dream.

“Wow! That was a very skilled performance. Are you sure you haven’t done this before?”

“My first,” I announce with pride.

“Are you going to tell me you researched this technique through some on-line site?” he asks. There’s a note of skepticism in his tone. Tristan apparently needs reassurance that he’s the first.

“I asked Ashley for some tips. It helped me feel confident about how to behave. Also, my desire for you made the difference. I just focused on making you happy, Tristan.”

“Well, Joanna, you’ve certainly made me happy and soothed all of me. You get an ‘A’ for the oral,” he jokes while kissing my face and neck. Then he reaches down to pull his underwear on and cuddles with me for a few minutes.

“Can I sleep next to you tonight, Tristan, in your bed?”

“I certainly hope so. However, you’ll need to sleep on your side or your back. One issue, though, you can’t snuggle with me yet. Can you do that, baby?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll behave myself,” I promise.

“The only problem is that I don’t know if I can behave myself,” he admits and gives me a kiss.

“So, let’s try to go to sleep, now.”

“We can always try, Joanna. Thanks for the oral treat.”

All I can say is, “YES!”

I awaken on a bright June morning in the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in. Even though I fell asleep flat on my back, my body is now curled up on its side next to Tristan Grant’s. My arm extends around the side of his neck. He’s actually sleeping on his side facing me with his arm curved around me and his hand resting on my back. It feels wonderful. He’s sleeping soundly with a smile plastered on his face. The way he smells makes me excited in all the right places.

I made him very happy last night, with my mouth. Today’s Sunday and there’s nothing on my agenda but him. Just as I’m about to make my morning run to the toilet, there’s a knock on the bedroom door. I freeze. Who could it be? Is Bailey about to announce some emergency?

“Yes?” I ask in a low but timid voice while pulling the bed sheets up to my neck.

The door opens hesitantly. An attractive dark haired middle-aged woman peeks her head around it and then startles when she sees me, and us. She’s dressed in an expensive suit and her hair looks well cut and styled.

“Oh. My. Goodness,” she spurts out and then turns various shades of embarrassed. “I’m so sorry. I thought my son was alone. I’ll just…wha...wait in the family room for a while,” she stutters in a whisper and then quietly shuts the door again. I smile weakly and wave but don’t say a thing. I’m not sure what Tristan wants to tell her about us. Maybe Eddie’s already spread the word about me, since he doesn’t keep secrets well. 

What a way to meet the mother of my new boyfriend! At least we’re fully covered and not doing any sexual activity. In fact, even after her intrusion, Tristan remains asleep. I’m not about to disturb him at this point. And, I definitely need to use the toilet now. I slip out of his embrace and make my way into his white marble and granite bathroom. The stark walls contrast with the fluffy sky blue towels that are rolled up around the tub or hung neatly on rods near the shower.

When I look in the mirror, I’m dismayed with the mess that my hair’s become overnight. The eyeliner smears on my cheeks and across my eyes make me look like a raccoon. Unfortunately, my purse is still on Tristan’s living room sectional along with my blue camisole. My situation just gets more humiliating by the second.

What I really need right now is a long, hot shower. The rest of my clothes are on a chair in the corner of Tristan’s master. I’m sleeping in my panties and a fresh t-shirt that Tristan gave me. I twist my long hair up into a top knot, strip them off and turn on the hot water. The most amazing smelling body wash is what my hands find in the shower. I squeeze a generous amount into my palm and spread it everywhere on my body because the scent reminds me of Tristan. Perhaps I can also purge myself of embarrassment with the suds.

As I finish rinsing myself, Tristan opens the frameless glass shower door and joins me. He’s naked and happy to see me, in more than one way. His mega-watt smile completes the picture of perfection. My jaw drops as I look him up and down. He’s got the perfect V-shape to his torso. His ass is firm and round with legs that are long and lean yet muscular. I’m a very fortunate woman, indeed. Am I drooling?

I pull him gently toward me and give him a long and ardent good morning kiss. He hardens further. Then I bend my neck and softly kiss his neck and chest. He’s still got bruises from cracked ribs. He watches my mouth with wonder and moans.  

“Careful, Joanna.”

“Just a few little soothing touches.”

“Oh that feels so great,” he gushes and kisses the top of my head. “Can I help you wash up, Miss Prime?”

“By all means, Mr. Grant.”

“You look incredible, baby. It’s the first time I’ve seen you completely nude. I’m more than impressed with your size, shape and your lovely, pink skin.”

He moves with agility as he pulls us both under the rainmaker shower head. I think I’d like to spend some time getting it on with Tristan here but it won’t be now because I have to tell him about his mother’s visit. It’s such a shame to have to burst our bubble.

“You had a visitor this morning,” I announce while giving him a wet and eager French kiss. His hands have already found their way to my rear end and they’re not budging.

He’s in such a good mood, it doesn’t even register. “Really? Who visited?”

“Your mother popped her head into your room and then quickly backtracked when she saw you weren’t alone,” I tell him with a stern sounding tone to my voice.

Tristan just laughs and kisses my face again. “Did she really? I’m sure she’s mortified to have disturbed you but Donna would have met you sooner or later, regardless.”

“That’s good but, now she knows we’re sleeping together, literally. I was just about to get out of bed when she knocked and then poked her head around the door. Donna looked completely shocked to see a woman in your bed.”

“It’s never happened before, Joanna,” he admits with a long chortle. “I never let the escorts sleep in my bed.” I like knowing that I’m special and in a whole new class of women with Tristan. I look into his aqua eyes and smile with satisfaction. He chuckles.

“Well, shouldn’t you go out and speak to your mom? She’s probably wondering what’s taking us so long.”

“Or imagining that I’m giving you the old heave-ho upon awakening, which is exactly what I should be doing this morning.”

I clench at that idea with a burning desire that lights up my face. Tristan’s return smile is contagious. I wrap my arms around his neck while he gently cleanses every inch of my backside. His fingers make sure my privates are thoroughly investigated.

“You’re just gorgeous, baby,” he comments when he completes the circuit. He’s so firm and full between us. “I can’t wait to give you a test drive.”

“Same to you, Tristan,” I ooze and then pull back to wash his torso but avoid touching his ribs.

Then I make my way down to his most eager body part. I use as much of his favorite body wash as possible on his privates. I quickly start to massage his tool with vigor. He looks incredibly pleased with my efforts.

“Keep it going, Joanna,” he sputters and shows me how to move my hand at just the right angle and pace. He’s so pliable yet firm. Tristan leans back against the shower wall and lets me give him a release with my hand.

“Wow, baby,” is all he can say. When I’m done, I’m smiling so much that my lips feel as though they may crack.

“Oh, Joanna,” he moans as he spurts out his approval. “Thank you. You’ve got great hand moves, too. Don’t you want me to massage your privates for a while?”

“Later. I don’t think we ought to keep your mother waiting much longer,” I sigh with frustration.

“You’re so thoughtful, baby. Don’t worry, we’ve got the rest of the day to play.”

Finally, Tristan turns the shower off and then kisses my face and massages my torso for a few minutes more. My hands snake around his waist and backside. He moans with frustration when it’s time to pull back from our embrace.

Then, he steps out of the shower, grabs two large towels, and wraps me in one. He uses another towel to dry himself. He finally wraps a towel around his waist. Next, he steps over to the vanity area and begins to shave. I stare at my perfect looking boyfriend with appreciation as I dry my body and then find a hand towel for my hair. It’s dripping wet but I pat it dry as much as possible. I use one of Tristan’s combs to disentangle my wild mane but it’s hopeless.

Am I really going to meet his mother this way? I don’t want to meet anyone looking like this. Maybe Tristan will let me stay in the bedroom while he talks with her about whatever she ‘dropped in’ to say. I wash my face and then make my way into the master to pull on my underwear and jeans. Tristan takes a black t-shirt from his drawer and throws it to me for my top. He pulls on fresh underwear, jeans and a blue oxford cloth shirt. I slurp with appreciation as I look him over. At least one of us looks acceptable.   

“Come on, Joanna,” Tristan urges me when we’re both decent. “It’s time to meet Donna.”

He puts his arm around me and opens the door. When we’re in the hallway, he takes my hand and leads me toward the open flow family room and the scene of our hookup last evening.

Donna’s sitting on the sectional with a saucer of tea and talking with Mrs. Gomez. When we enter the room, she looks at me with curiosity and interest. Luckily, my purse and cami are nowhere in sight. I need to thank Mrs. Gomez with a gift.

“Mom, I’d like you to meet my girlfriend, Joanna Prime,” he announces with confidence and pride. “Joanna, this is Donna Grant, my mother.” Tristan moves his hands in the appropriate way.

I look into her lovely face with what I hope is a friendly smile. I extend my hand and shake hers then sit down next to Tristan. He shoves back onto the couch and pats the cushion beside himself to indicate that I should follow suit. I sit as close as possible to Tristan. The expression on Donna’s face is unreadable. A smile crosses her mouth but it doesn’t reach her eyes. 

“Well, we’ve certainly heard your name, Joanna,” she admits. ”Tristan moaned it repeatedly while unconscious in the hospital. I’m so sorry that I barged in on the two of you this morning. Please forgive me.”

I nod my forgiveness and smile at her with kindness.

“You’re forgiven, mother. What brings you here today?”

“I had to check on a patient in this area and thought I’d see how your ribs are healing, Tristan.”

“My mother’s a nurse, Joanna, in case I forgot to mention that. As for my ribs, they’re almost all healed. In fact, I slept on my side last night and had no pain at all.”

I nod again since I have no idea what I want to say. Donna looks at me for a beat.

“At this point in time, you should be able to put some pressure on your ribs so that’s a good sign, Tristan.

“I’m just happy to be sleeping in my own bed again.”

She chuckles and looks at me with a wry smile. I wonder what that’s about but I can imagine she’s thinking about what we’d be doing to each other in his bed.

“So, Joanna, what’s your story?” she finally asks to fill the awkward silence.

Now I’m on the spot and nervous. “I’ve just graduated from college with a degree in psychology. I uh, work as a psychiatric aide at The Turning Point. And, I live with my college roommate in the Mission Beach area and uhmm I’m loving it,” I blurt out too quickly.

“That’s impressive, dear. What college did you graduate from?” There’s a snooty tone to Donna’s voice when she asks the question.

“SDSU. Tristan gave a grant to our psychology program.”

She snorts a bit when I name my school. She probably wanted to hear the name of a private school.

Tristan jumps into the conversation with a tidbit more about me, “Joanna  graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University.”

Donna arches her eyebrow as if impressed. The look on her face tells me that she’s not. She seems to be looking through and not at me. I wonder why. My gut feels heavy with disappointment. It seems that Donna doesn’t  find me interesting or maybe she doesn’t yet trust me.

“We hope both of you can come to dinner, at home, tonight,” she says only to Tristan. “It’s time to welcome your cousin, Mona, back from Bryn Mawr.”