Perfectly Flawed (10 page)

Sean beamed. “There’s more.”

Adrianna felt her checks heat. “I’m sure.” She looked down, studying her own menu.

Ordering went by in a haze; all Adrianna could think about was Sean. He was rough looking, in a sexy sort of way. The kind of guy you didn’t mess with and, as a woman, you wanted to protect you.

The bulge of his biceps under the sleeves of his shirt caught her eye. Adrianna imagined him holding her and knew she wouldn’t want to get free. Her fingers itched to touch his fine muscles, feel their hardness and dip into the chiseled crevices.

It didn’t take much imagination to know that his stomach was flat and hard as a board, even without seeing it. Adrianna wondered what it would feel like to reach under his shirt and run her palms along his bare skin. Her mouth felt dry.

Adrianna had ordered Coke, the only thing she didn’t do “diet.” Diet Coke tasted weird. She’d had enough alcohol. It had worn off, anyway. Sugar and caffeine were what she needed, both fortification for the raging emotions inside her.

The plates of spaghetti were served promptly and they both dived into their meal. Adrianna forgot about her two bite limit. Sean had been right: the pasta at that place was the best in the city. Not that she normally ate pasta. But what could be better than this?

Of course, eating with Sean in view would make anything delicious. As she gulped down another bit, Adrianna looked up to see him staring at her.

“What?”

“It’s good to see you have an appetite.” Sean’s eyes gleamed.

The double meaning to his words didn’t get by her.

“Oh, you have no idea.” Adrianna had no clue how to handle Sean; he unnerved her with his sexy body and warm personality. She refocused on her food, pretending to be casual about everything, but suspected that Sean wasn’t fooled.

Chapter 13

Sean lingered at the restaurant, like he had all the time in the world. His carefree attitude began to rub off on Adrianna and she found herself laughing and joking with him. Yet everything he did made her like him more.
Like
—was that all?

The only thing Adrianna knew was that something special was happening. She felt warm, almost happy, and every time Sean looked at her it made her body tingle. And when he slid his foot under the table and rubbed his ankle against her calf, the heat she felt centered low in her body. Her craving for him had escalated, and no matter what happened in the future, Adrianna wanted him.

That day, right then, she wanted him so much; she cared about nothing else. There seemed to be nothing in the world but Sean. All her worries, her tragedy of a life, had vanished. Nothing existed except the two of them. When he reached across the table and took her hand, Adrianna squeezed, needing him.

“Let’s get out of here.” Sean grabbed his coat and stood to help Adrianna out of the booth.

The drive back was tantalizing foreplay. The afternoon had turned to evening, and darkness surrounded the car like a blanket. The roar of the engine, the music blaring, and Sean’s hand on her thigh kept Adrianna’s desire blossoming. The hem of her skirt edged up and his hand moved higher, just shy of where she wanted it. With one strong hand on her bare skin and the other on the steering wheel, he somehow made it back to his building.

This time Adrianna didn’t question where they were going. There was only one place they could go—to his apartment. The intensity between them was a magnetism that could not be denied. Neither of them could refuse, nor did they want to.

Things had progressed to a point where being together was a stronger pull than any voice of reason. As soon as Sean pulled into his parking stall and shut off the engine, he leaned over and pulled Adrianna to him.

He kissed her, but not tenderly this time. A soft moan escaped as she parted her lips to accept him. Adrianna’s tongue dipped inside his hot mouth as his found hers. The kiss lasted deliciously long, leaving her breathless. And they might not have stopped, but the temperature in the car was dropping fast.

Sean pressed into another hard kiss before letting her go and jumping out of the car. He jogged over to open her door, pulling her into his arms and kissing her again. Then he put his arm around her to guide her inside, and Adrianna’s heart pounded. If she could have ripped his clothes off in the elevator she would have.

But Sean was stronger. He pressed her against the wall, kissing her wildly, ignoring the ding when they arrived at his floor. The flurry of kisses down her neck made her gasp with pleasure. When he swept her up into his arms and carried her to his door, Adrianna nuzzled his neck, licking and kissing.

Inside, he went straight to the bedroom. Both of them kicked off their shoes, and Adrianna plopped onto the bed, her feet dangling. The heavy curtains were drawn, blocking out the black night sky. The bedroom was very dark. Sean pushed a button, turning on low-volume music, and reached to turn on a bedside lamp.

“No.” Adrianna grabbed his wrist.

Sean stopped.

“I like it dark.”

Sean grabbed her in his arms and fell on his back with her on top. He touched her face with his fingers, his fingertips drifting over her cheek and across her lips. “You’re so beautiful.”

He swept her hair away from her face and grabbed it in one fist, pulling her head back. “I want you, Adrianna,” Sean said in a throaty voice.

He slid her off of him, so he was beside her, and leaned down for another kiss. This time he savored the moment. Adrianna felt his lips, soft against hers. She could smell the faint citrus of his cologne, overpowered by his male scent. Breathing it in turned her on all the more. Sean was so male, so strong.

One minute he was kissing her, and the next desire overtook them. Alone, secluded in the dark room, there was nothing to keep them apart. Not anymore. Sean slipped her top off and pressed his lips to the curve of her breast.

Adrianna arched her back in response, and Sean reached behind to undo her bra. She let him slide it off and toss it away. His hands found her bare breasts and he cupped them, moaning deep in his throat as he squeezed. It felt so good, so right.

Running her hands through his short-cropped hair, Adrianna felt the silky strands. With one hand against the back of his head, she pressed him closer. Sean kissed her lips then lowered his mouth over one of her nipples and sucked. God, the feeling was amazing.

He flicked the distended tip with his tongue several times. Devouring her, Sean licked and sucked her nipples alternately, seeming to never get enough. Adrianna pressed her head against the mattress in pleasure. Then she felt his hand up under her skirt.

His palm pressed against her inner thigh and she spread her legs in response. Sean reached behind to unzip her skirt and pull it off of her. His hand pressed on her flat belly and drifted down. Cupping her sex, he lifted, holding her in his grasp.

Needing him, Adrianna pushed up against his hand and Sean pressed back, giving more pressure. Panting and moaning, she rocked her hips, enjoying the way his palm grazed her most sensitive area. It drove Sean crazy and he yanked her panties down. Placing his hand over her bare sex, he rubbed, tantalizing her.

In one quick motion, Sean removed his shirt—and, without pause, undid his pants and shed them, along with his socks. Adrianna reached up and cupped the bulge in his shorts. The loud groan he emitted encouraged her to rub and squeeze. His erection, pressing against the cotton briefs, was huge.

Rubbing it made Adrianna’s clit tighten, even more than it already was. He was so huge that the thick knob poked out the top of his waistband, and she ran her fingers around the rim. Moisture seeped from the top and she dipped into it, loving the evidence of Sean’s excitement. He grabbed the waistband of his shorts and pulled them down and off, letting his hot shaft bounce free.

Even in the thick darkness, Adrianna could see the outline of his cock. He was big, and when she grasped the stalk the thrill made her so wet she thought moisture might drip down her leg. With both hands she fisted his cock, loving the feel of the velvet skin over the steel of his erection. With her thumb she rimmed the thick knob, making Sean groan.

He lifted her higher on the bed and spread her legs. The feel of his mouth between her legs was insanely sexy. Adrianna let her thighs fall open, welcoming him. Sean sucked at her juices and raked his tongue over her wet slit. His thumb rubbed her clit, and Adrianna shuddered. It wouldn’t take much for her to come.

Leaning up, Sean kissed her lips, and she could taste her own flavor on his lips.

“You taste so good,” he whispered. With one hand, he fingered the curls of the patch of hair between her legs. She writhed under his touch and reached out to touch back.

His cock was hot and swollen. She wanted him so badly. Deep in her core, she needed his size to fill her. At the base, she cupped his balls, tight under his erection, and tangled her fingers in his pubic hair. Everything about him—every touch, every smell—was impossible to resist. He was perfect.

Sean bit her lower lip, holding it in his teeth. Then he kissed her, dipping his tongue deep in her mouth and swirling around, tasting and loving. His hands caressed her breasts and pinched her nipples until she couldn’t take any more.

“I want you, Sean,” she gasped. “Please. I need you.”

He reached to the side table and retrieved a condom from the drawer. Expertly, he ripped the packet open and rolled the rubber over his bulging cock. Straddling Adrianna, he pinned her wrists to the bed and kissed her hard. Then he showered her with hot kisses over her cheeks, eyelids, jaw, and neck.

When he lowered his head to her breasts, he sucked fervently at her nipples and nipped the flesh around them. Adrianna whimpered and arched her back, pushing her breasts into his mouth. He blew on the wet, taut nipples, pushing her to the precipice. Reaching down, she grabbed his sheathed member and squeezed.

Sean panted loudly, breathing hard. He fingered her clit and dipped into her moist opening. Adrianna panted in a fast tempo, and her heart beat wildly in anticipation.

“Now.
Please, now.” She gasped and Sean gripped the base of his cock to angle it toward her wet sex.

Adrianna felt the tip penetrate her, and she cried out, unable to contain her pleasure. His width stretched her as it pressed in, and it felt so good. She wanted more, and lifted her hips to take his length. Sean pushed and slowly he filled her up. Adrianna rocked her hips, pushing him as deep as he would go.

Restraint, if there had been any, broke loose. Adrianna panted and moaned, moving in time with Sean’s penetrations. The sound of his deep groans carried her to greater heights of sensation. Knowing the depth of his arousal magnified every sensation.

“Adrianna.
Adrianna.” Sean kept repeating her name like poetry. And each time he said it, her heart swelled with desire. As he plunged into her deeper, harder, and faster, Adrianna lost track of everything but the wonderful feeling of him.

Pumping ferociously, sweating, Sean took and gave all he could. His desire for her was evident in every stroke, every touch, and she could feel the moisture on his skin from his efforts. Adrianna kept in rhythm with his loving of her, increasing her speed with his, until they were slapping together in abandon.

“Come with me,” Sean gasped out.

Adrianna’s core was flooded with molten heat, all sensation centered in her depths, with her clit stiff. Her nipples tightened and her belly went hard as steel, then she was screaming. And Sean was yelling with her. Panting and gasping, they pushed even harder, wanting more, wanting everything.

Her strong inner muscles convulsed and Adrianna felt Sean pulse powerfully inside her. His loud, extended yell was so virile, so male, it intensified her orgasm. As she cried out, she pushed against Sean, never wanting him to leave her, always wanting him deep inside her. The waves rocketed through her body without mercy, sending her to heights of sensation she’d never known before.

Even as the intensity subsided, Sean kept pumping, wanting, and rubbing against her. When at last Adrianna fell limp under him, and the pulsing of his cock ceased, he dropped to the bed
beside her. For a moment, neither of them moved; they couldn’t. All energy was sapped. They’d held nothing back.

Sean was the first to move. He removed the condom and leaned over to set it in a receptacle by the bed. Then he put his arm under Adrianna’s neck and she rested her head against his sweaty chest. The hair on his chest was wet from exertion, and she fingered it affectionately.

In the darkness, he held her close. Stroking her hair, Sean said, “You are special, Adrianna. Very special.”

She’d never felt that way before, but somehow, hearing Sean say it the way he did, Adrianna felt special. And she liked it. Whether it lasted or not, she’d never forget that feeling. Something inside her had changed, though she couldn’t have said what. Hugging tight to Sean’s muscled chest, Adrianna closed her eyes, floating in a calm ecstasy.
This must be what it feels like to be happy
.

Chapter 14

The room was still dark when Sean opened his eyes. For a second he couldn’t remember where he was, but then it all flooded back.
Adrianna
. He smiled.

He wasn’t sure how long he’d been sleeping; it couldn’t have been long. Reaching out, Sean felt only an empty bed and sat up. A light under the door of the master bath drew his attention. Adrianna must be in there.

Stretching, Sean leaned over to turn on a light and squinted at the brightness. Dangling his feet over the side of the bed, he reached for his briefs, unaware of Adrianna’s approach.

“What’s that tattoo…across your upper back?”

Turning, Sean noted that his love was fully dressed, which seemed odd.

“Ah, it’s just a tattoo. We all got them in high school, my buddies and me.”

“Hmm, I like it. Does it symbolize something, the design stretching between your shoulder blades?”

“It’s a tribal knot. We’re Irish, you know.
Tough guys.” Sean leaned across the bed and grabbed Adrianna’s wrist, pulling her down on the mattress.

Adrianna giggled. “It says ‘dangerous’ in the middle of the design. Were you
dangerous
?”

“You know it, baby.
Very
dangerous.” Sean grabbed a handful of her hair. “I think you found that out.” He pulled her close and kissed her then pulled back. “Why are you dressed?”

“So you can take me home.”

*****

“Why would I do that?” Sean’s eyes sparkled and he wrapped his arms around her.

“Because I need you to.” Adrianna kissed him lightly on the lips. He did look so yummy after sleeping.

“I thought you could spend the night. I might even let you sleep a little bit.”

Adrianna shook her head.

“Don’t tell me your aunt would worry.”

Actually, Adrianna had thought of telling him exactly that. But she couldn’t lie to Sean. “No, that’s not it.” Looking into Sean’s eyes, still filled with emotion from their recent lovemaking, Adrianna nearly relented.

“Why, then?”

“I just…need to go.”

“You are a mystery, Adrianna. I’m doing this against my better judgment. I’m inclined not to let you out of my sight.”

Sean released her and he retrieved his clothing one item at a time. As he got dressed, he said, “You have to promise not to let Kevin near you. I don’t care if he did apologize. You’re with me now.”

Adrianna hesitated.

“What? You aren’t considering going back with him, are you? Not after tonight.” The look on Sean’s face was heart-wrenching. The evening had meant something to him; that much was clear.

“No, I’ve been ignoring his calls. I’d just feel better sleeping in my own room. Tonight was…it was amazing, Sean. It’s just that…well…it’s a lot to take in. Can you understand that?”

Sean grinned. “You seemed to take it just fine.”

Adrianna grinned back despite herself.

“All right, wait here. Let me get cleaned up.” Sean headed for the bathroom. “I’ll take you home. Just this once. But I’m not making it a habit, so don’t get used to it.”

*****

Once again, Sean sat in the car watching Adrianna walk up the steps to her aunt’s home. He had her phone number this time, though. And she’d agreed he could call. Progress.

The memory of being with her, in his bed, stirred his loins. If she’d stayed the night, sleep would have been minimal. There was no way to keep his hands off such a beauty.

Then he ran his fingers through his hair. Having a hot night together didn’t fix everything. If only he could protect her. But the woman he craved seemed to be the victim of cowardly men who liked to beat up on the opposite sex.

Sean didn’t like it at all, but wasn’t sure what to do about it. If Adrianna wasn’t returning Kevin’s calls then she was out of harm’s way.
Maybe. A feeling of doom hovered, and he pushed it aside. As long as he was around, nobody was going to hurt Adrianna and get away with it. He’d just have to be around more, that was all.

Back at his apartment, Sean did some work before heading for bed. Sex with Adrianna was hot, a lot hotter than he’d even imagined. The experience had moved him deeply. The thought of going back to an empty bedroom made him feel alone. Living by himself, Sean was alone a lot of the time. But he’d never felt alone. Now he did.

Having Adrianna changed everything.

*****

After leaving Sean and going up to her room without waking her aunt, Adrianna took a warm shower. Snuggled in her bed with faint city light shining through her window, she thought of Sean.

Able to still feel his arms around her, the touch of his lips to hers, Adrianna hugged the comforter up to her chin and sighed. What an amazing day it had been.
Unforgettable.

She wouldn’t think about tomorrow. Life had taught her not to depend on others, a lesson that was hard to unlearn. Closing her eyes and savoring the memories of the amazing man she desired, though he’d likely never be hers, Adrianna drifted off to sleep.

Loud talking downstairs the next morning woke her. Opening her eyes to the sun lighting her window, she realized she’d slept deeply all night; the nightmare she’d come to fear hadn’t bothered her. The peaceful sleep had calmed her, and yawning, she pulled back the covers.

The noise was louder. It was yelling. Then she recognized the voice.
No
. Quickly shedding her nightgown and pulling on her jogging clothes, Adrianna was in a hurry to get downstairs. One look in the mirror told her the redness was nearly gone from her cheek, but she quickly dabbed on some makeup, not willing to take the chance that her mother would notice the injury and ask about it.

The sound of her mother’s voice startled her out of her dream world composed of treasured memories of the day before. Hearing the loud bickering had instantly knotted her stomach. At the bottom of the stairs, she stopped to overhear what the argument was about.

“I don’t mind her staying with you, Krista. But you are my sister. I would think you’d have the decency to at least try to help.” Hannah’s voice was shrill.

Stepping into the kitchen, Adrianna said, “Mother. What are you doing here?”

Her mother stood, and dressed in designer wear she looked out of place in the homey kitchen next to Krista, who wore jeans and a sweater. The perfume she wore was her favorite. The scent made Adrianna ill. It reminded her of so much; the cloying rose petal aroma was nearly suffocating.

“I’m your mother. I have a right to be here.”

“I didn’t say that you didn’t. But why are you yelling?”

“I’ll tell you why, Adrianna. You are my daughter. I don’t know how you got so high and mighty. I’ve left messages and you never call! Were you ever going to call?”

Adrianna slumped into a nearby chair. “Oh, mother. Of course I would call. I’m busy. Did you ever think of that?”

“How busy can you be?” Hannah’s makeup crinkled when she frowned, aging her on the spot.

Adrianna sighed. There was never a time when her wishes, her life, came first. It was always what her mother wanted. Nothing had changed. Hearing that Adrianna was busy meant nothing; if it didn’t involve Hannah, then it couldn’t be important.

“I’m
an adult
, mother. I’m living my life. I work, you know. Not that it means anything to you.”

“If you wouldn’t be so stubborn, you wouldn’t have to work.”

Adrianna’s ire rose to a new level. “No. Forget it. I am not taking any money from my father. I already told you that. I’m not going to college, and I don’t need your money.”

“You’re ungrateful. That’s what you are. After all we’ve done for you, and this is how you behave.”

Adrianna noticed Krista walking out of the kitchen, leaving them alone to fight it out.

“This is embarrassing, mother. Krista is kind enough to let me live here until I get my own place. How do you think she feels having you storm in here, shouting?”

“I don’t care how she feels. Krista is my sister. She should back me up. Instead, I get the distinct impression she’s on your side.”

“There shouldn’t be sides. This is ridiculous. What exactly do you want? And I know it isn’t for me to give you a call. So what is it, mother?”

“Don’t ask me in that tone of voice.”

Adrianna crossed her arms and just looked at her mother.

“It’s for your father. His club is having a father-daughter event. He’d like for you to go with him, and you haven’t spoken to him since you left home. I don’t think he felt comfortable asking. So I’m asking.”

“No.”

“What is he supposed to tell his friends, Adrianna? Did you ever think of that?”

“I don’t care what he tells them. I’m not twelve years old, mother. And I’m not going to a father-daughter event.
Ever. Again.”

“You’re being selfish.”

The familiar refrain made Adrianna grimace.

Her mother sighed heavily. “Have you put on some weight? Your hips look wide in those pants.”

Suddenly, Adrianna felt guilty for eating the spaghetti the night before. “They are sweatpants, mother. Everybody looks wide in sweatpants.”

Hannah scanned her daughter’s figure, either to verify the truth of the statement or to uncover some other flaw.

“Now…I’m on my way out for a jog. It’s time for you to leave, mother.”

Standing reluctantly, her mother made a final stab. “And what happened with Kevin?”

Oh, God
. “How do you know about Kevin?”

“We do business with his father’s investment company, and Kevin works there.”

How could Adrianna have not known that? But then, the Brooks Investment Company had many connections, and in conversation, she’d just never happen to say, “Hey, Kevin. What does your father do for a living?” It was a reflection, however, in how little interest she really had in her ex-boyfriend.

Giving time for her mother’s statement to sink in, finally Adrianna sarcastically responded, “
Of course
he does.”

“So, what?
You’re too snooty to be with him? He’s a nice boy. I know his parents.”

“Who I see is none of your business.
None. Understood?”

“You’ve really changed, Adrianna. You used to be such a good girl. It makes me sad. You’re such a disappointment to us.” Shaking her head, Hannah took a step away.

Despite the defiance Adrianna had shown, her mother’s words hurt. It had to be the thousandth time she’d heard what a disappointment she was to her parents. Though she steeled her resolve and reminded herself she didn’t care, still the sentiment cut deep.

“Just. Leave.” Adrianna fought back tears, unwilling to let her mother see the effect she’d had. Turning away, she gritted her teeth, hoping when she looked again Hannah would be gone. Then she heard the click of heels on the tile, confirmation of her mother’s departure.

Closing her eyes, Adrianna trembled. The adrenaline flooding her veins was too much. Anger subsided, and she plummeted down the slope of depression. It was one thing to
say
she didn’t care. It was another to really not care.

“Adrianna.”

She turned around to face her Aunt Krista.

“She’s always been like that. Hannah is my sister but she’s got a bitter side to her.”

“I’m sorry you had to get involved. I’ll try to get my own place soon so you don’t have to put up with this.”

“Oh, don’t worry about me.”

“I had no idea she’d come over here.”

“Well, she’s gone. Would you like some coffee?” Krista stepped over to the espresso system tucked in a corner of the counter area.

“Not now, thanks. I’m going for a jog.” She gave her aunt a quick hug before slipping out of the kitchen, wanting to get out before she really fell apart.

Adrianna kept a fast pace to burn off the anger she felt. It was one way for her to stay in control: jogging instead of dangerous alternatives to emotional distress. She knew the alternatives all too well.

But since she’d been away from her parents, it had gotten easier. Then her mother had to come over and ruin everything, bringing back negative emotions that seemed to never die. Depression and desperation had a way of receding, only to return given the right provocation.

The night before hadn’t happened. Or so it felt. Sean saying she was special, caring about her, and loving her. It was so much dandelion fluff. The dark heaviness of her life, of her inner self, would destroy any goodness. Love and kindness didn’t stand a chance.

To let it continue, to lead Sean on, would only make it harder when it all came crashing down. And it would. It always did. Tears touched her cheeks, turning to icicles against her skin in the cold air. Not caring, Adrianna let them fall. The little pricks of pain felt good in a strange way. Pain was a relief.

Which meant Adrianna had to be strong.
The tirade she’d endured in the kitchen gave her a reason to seek release. But she couldn’t give in. No matter how much she hurt inside. Knowing she had to make sure it was over with Sean made it worse, unbearably worse.