Liar (a FAUX-MANCE novel) Page 11

  “Then, let’s eat.”

  Nick introduced Cori to the owner, Milo, who presented them with a feast. He was joyful, passionate about food, and she could tell how much so with every bite. It was exquisite. There was food, wine, and of course, dessert that paired well with their hearty conversation and many laughs. This was a date and a place she would never forget.

  Driving back to the estate, little was said as they took in the stunning views the ocean and pending sunset provided. With the car back in its place in the garage, Nick grabbed a blanket from the nearby storage cabinet before leading her out of the back door of the garage and in the direction of the beachy shore.

  When Cori begged him to slow down, his excitement hard to keep up with, citing she was too full of crabs to run, he picked her up and tossed her over his shoulder and began to run. He laid out the blanket for them and plopped down in the middle, right behind her where she leaned against him, letting him hold them both up.

  The minute her feet hit the sand, it was apparent why they were there. The fiery sky smoldered in golden shades of amber and copper as the sun settled behind the dark edge of the sea to the west, eventually leaving them with only the light of the star-lit sky. They sat longer than they’d intended, talking about everything and nothing while he peppered her in kisses, enjoying the night’s sky and ambiance it provided. It definitely was a night she would remember. It was going to be damn hard when this was over.

  The path home mirrored that in which they’d come — all of the same sites as before, only now under the night’s starry veil. It was mesmerizing and probably the best date, or even day, Cori had ever had, or likely would.

  With the promise of a late-night snack in bed while they watched a movie, Nick made a quick run for champagne gelato just around the corner. She had fallen asleep while waiting for him, so he stashed the treat away and joined her in bed.

  Since she was sleeping so soundly, he changed right there in the room, ditching his jeans and t-shirt for a pair of sweats. Stripped down to his boxer briefs, he caught her smile and saw she wasn’t sleeping as soundly as he’d thought. Unembarrassed, he took his time dressing and crawled in beside her.

  He pulled her close, relaxing into her and breathing in her scent when she whispered, “Thank you for the best day and most romantic date I’ve ever had. I don’t want this to end.”

  She was back to sleep as if she had been partly dreaming, and he kissed her forehead. “Then don’t go. Stay…forever.”

  She let out a deep, relaxed sigh before her soft little snore, which he found adorable, settled in. He hoped this was enough to keep her, but he’d continue to try until he knew she was his.

  CHAPTER 17

  It was the night of the Gala. Nick and Cori had spent the day being lazy, watching movies, recuperating from their extravagant date to Bainbridge the night before, so they would have the energy to take on another extravagant event this night.

  They were so in sync with one another, the relationship had begun to feel real. It scared her because she knew better than anyone that all good things came to an end. Enjoying it while it lasted, she pushed her fears aside. She had never experienced anything like the life Nick was providing, and probably wouldn’t after it was over. Dominic Blackthorne was a once in a lifetime experience — not just the lavish things he provided, but the man himself. He was extraordinary.

  Sure, she was losing focus on her project at work, falling behind even, but he was an amazing distraction. The Gala could benefit her professional network tremendously — that was why he was taking her. She had to remind herself of that, or be caught up in the moment, like she often was where he was concerned.

  She chose a stunning gown, in a deep jewel tone red, from the closet. It was strapless with a drapey, cowl-like neckline and a deep, plunging, oval-shaped, open back held up by a single strap crossing between her shoulder blades. It was both sophisticated and sexy. It hugged her like a well-fit glove and took her own breath away. With her hair in place and makeup just so, she was ready but nervous to take to the living room and see her date for the evening.

  Nick was leaning over the wet bar overlooking the city in an expensive tux with a drink in his hand when he sensed her presence. He caught her reflection in the glass first and stared. Drink on the bar, standing tall, he straightened his tie and turned to her. His expression was blank, which made her nervous, especially when he moved in her direction, never breaking eye contact.

  “D-Do I look okay?” she asked, her insecurities lacing her voice.

  He let out the breath he had been holding, his head shaking from side to side, nearly speechless at the sight of her. “More than okay. You are stunning. You look like a…dream. That dress, it was made for you.”

  A giggle escaped her as relief settled in. “I think you’ve said that before.”

  “I might have. There’s something about you. Something…I don’t know…amazing.”

  In his mind, he wasn’t saying the dress was made for her, but she was made for him. He couldn’t say that aloud, of course, for fear he would frighten her off before he had a chance to win her heart.

  “There is something missing,” he said, breaking the silence.

  “Oh no. What? Is it my hair?” She ran her hand over her hair, insecurities threatening once again. “The handbag?”

  From inside his jacket, he pulled out a velvet box and opened it.

  “Oh, Nick. You have got to stop doing this,” she said, taking in the diamond necklace and earrings he displayed.

  “I can’t.” His reply was simple and honest. If he thought she would allow it, he’d shower her in extravagant gifts every single day. She wasn’t that type of woman, though, so he would take what he could get and sneak them in when he could.

  “Let me guess — not real, insured, you know a guy, favor?” she teased, taking in the sparkling gems knowing full well they were real because the soft velvet box alone was worth more than anything costume quality.

  “So, you know the drill — good — yes to all.” Handing her the box, he moved behind her to help affix the necklace he had pulled from its velvet case.

  Eyes full of tears threatening to spill over, she quickly put on the earrings and turned to him. Reaching inside his jacket once again, he pulled a monogrammed kerchief and blotted the corner of each eye.

  “None of that,” he said softly. “None of that.”

  With his finger under her chin, he tilted it up and met her beautiful full lips with a soft, sweet kiss. “Are you ready, sweetheart?”

  Nodding her head, she laced her arm through his and let him lead her to the ball like the princess she was.

  It was spectacular, more than she’d imagined. She hadn’t been to a Gala before, but if she had, this was the crème de la crème. Nick’s hand never left the small of her bare back as he courted her around, introducing her to all the big players who could benefit her — people who could advance her career and change her life — even if he wasn’t in it.

  It wasn’t all business, though. He was attentive all night, never letting his business distract from hers. Rather than let someone get in his ear, he would tell them to call his office and they could talk. This night was about her. He wouldn’t let her fall into his shadow. No matter how often the conversations tried to shift, he would change the subject and put the spotlight on her.

  She was his focus. Her success was his goal. Her happiness and a pleasurable evening was his priority. It didn’t just touch her heart, it turned her on.

  As the night wore on, Nick found himself greedy. He was tired of sharing his gorgeous date, and if one more smug bastard handed her his business card while staring at her beautiful tits, this Gala was going to become anything but sophisticated. He didn’t doubt most of the men here were good and decent. But a beautiful woman like Cori, who also happened to be incredibly smart, had a way of pitting man against man in a pissing match where they compared bank accounts and dick size.

  He’d had enough sharing an
d wanted to be selfish and keep her to himself. He took her to the dance floor before men started whipping out their dicks, dueling for her attention. He held her close, his hand stroking her bare back, and danced with his lady.

  He felt every delicate inch of her body against his as they swayed to the music. They were the couple of the hour, making every woman swoon at their chemistry and sultry presence while every man glared at Nick for making them look like a bunch of deadbeat bastards.

  “I could do this all night,” he said.

  “Mmm, me too. This night…it’s been amazing.”

  “You’re amazing.” It was a moment he couldn’t let pass. “Look around you. You have everyone’s attention. You command the room. You’re like the belle of the ball.”

  “Stop. Nobody is even looking,” she laughed.

  “Oh, but they are. Look again. Over their wine glasses, between the crowds…they’re looking,” he said. “And I can’t blame them.”

  Taken aback by his honesty, reading between the lines, she knew this was more about him than anyone else. If she were the belle of the ball, it was because he made her such. The pedestal she was standing on was his proudly displaying her.

  “Do you want to get out of here?” It was time to leave. There were too many people, and he wanted to hide her away in his penthouse and keep her to himself for the rest of the weekend. “Maybe grab dessert…or whatever you want?”

  Just as she started to speak, a familiar voice caught their attention when he asked if he could cut in. Phillip Chancellor.

  Nick sized him up with a sharp glare. No way in hell would he let him, of all people, dance with her. “We were actually getting ready to leave, Phil.”

  “Yet…you’re still standing in the middle of the dance floor. Weird. Just…one dance,” Phillip finished with a smarmy grin that oozed creep. It was like he was challenging Nick with old history between him and Cori that would trump him.

  A stare down ensued. If Nick said what he really felt, it would likely end badly…for Phillip…and Nick would never sink to such a level for a cretin like Phillip Chancellor.

  Winnie walked up and eyed everyone individually. “What’s going on here? You all look like you’re about to dance battle or something.”

  “Nothing. We’re just leaving,” Nick said, breaking the silence between him and Phillip. “Perfect timing, though. Seems your fiancé wants to dance.”

  Hand in hand, Nick and Cori left the dance floor. For added dramatics, and because he just couldn’t stand the two, he looked over his shoulder at Winnie and Phillip to say, “By the way, we booked Crab Shack. See you on the island.”

  Winnie’s jaw dropped, as expected, before turning to a furious, red-faced Phillip, who’d practically gotten caught with his pants down. Nick was typically a nice guy, but it felt good to know Phillip had to ride home with Winnie bitching in his ear the whole way.

  “Oh, you’re bad,” Cori snorted as they made their way through the lobby.

  With a heated stare full of desire, he looked at her, and said, “You have no idea, sweetheart.”

  His look and deep timbre gave her a shiver. It was the kind that coursed through your body and ended in a warm pool that craved attention in all the right spots. When they passed through the main lobby to the waiting area, he pushed her against the wall, his body firm against hers, and he kissed her hard. What was better, she kissed him back.

  “Wh-What was that for?” she said in a breathy state of euphoria.

  “For being you. For being the most beautiful woman in there. For being every man’s vision tonight when he fucks his wife. For being my date to an otherwise boring night full of ass kissing pricks. For dancing with me and allowing me to feel you against my body. For being my fiancé. For being…you.”

  Before she could say a word, not that she had any to say, he did it again. One hand was full of her ass, the other trailing up her side, while he assaulted her mouth and made her moan.

  “It…it’s not…” She tried to catch words as much as she tried to catch her breath.

  “I know…I know…not real. But for now, you are, and we can pretend there’s no real attraction like there’s no real wedding — or we can take advantage of the perks of being engaged while we can and see…what happens.”

  “You mean we…do…”

  “I mean we do whatever we want to do. Whatever happens…happens. We don’t force it, no expectations, just whatever comes naturally. And we quit ignoring it,” he said, closing their proximity again, pressing his erection against her belly so she could feel what she did to him. “In case you haven’t noticed, I’m having a hard time keeping to my side of the hand holding tonight.”

  Licking her lips, encouraging him to press himself against her more, she admitted, “I’m having the same problem, Blackthorne.”

  Though their car had probably arrived, Nick wanted to steal one more kiss, one more feel, and hear one more moan before they left, but she pulled away quickly.

  “But when the lie is over—”

  He shook his head and cut her off before she could say a damn thing neither of them wanted to hear anyway. “Cori Dash, you are anything but a lie.”

  Nick resumed the kiss. Saying the right things had her hands drifting under his jacket, feeling every rise and fall of his perfectly chiseled body. A man clearing his throat, mixed with a woman’s gasp, broke their kiss once again. This time, it was an older couple — her hand to her chest with a disgusted look, and the man smiling, tossing them a thumbs up.

  Cori and Nick ran to the waiting car, laughing as they did, anxious to finish their night. As promised — dessert. Still in their formal attire, they sat in the little bakery near the penthouse, sharing several desserts, light conversation, and plenty of stolen kisses. As much as each wanted to get to the real dessert they knew was coming, they didn’t want their night to end.

  A lust filled elevator ride later, where the two couldn’t keep their hands to themselves, they dropped the bakery box on the table just inside their door. Nick swept her off her feet and carried her to the bedroom.

  “Is this where we say goodnight? I suppose I should thank you for walking me home,” she teased, back on her feet.

  Unsteady in her sky-high heels, drunk with lust, she undid his shirt and explored his body with her tongue while his hands roamed over her gown. He was beautiful, and she needed more of him.

  Backing ever so slightly away from him until the backs of her knees hit the edge of the bed, she waited for his next move. While he shook his head in disbelief, the top of his hand stroked her cheek, down her neck, and over her collarbone as he moved closer, closing the gap between them, then straight to her breast, where he finally stopped and traced his trail with his tongue over the rise of her ample cleavage.

  When she moaned, he was done. He turned her around so her back was to him and pulled her zipper down the length of her dress, kissing his way down. She turned to face him, holding her dress up, tempting him.

  He stepped back to look at her, waiting for his special treat, when she dropped the gown to the floor in a pool around her feet. She was completely bare underneath. She started to step out of the shoes, and he stopped her. He stopped her again when she began to remove the diamond jewelry.

  “Leave it on,” he said. “Only that…but leave it on.”

  He drank her in, wearing only her fuck-me high heels and his diamonds. “If this is a lie, Cori Dash…I’ll never speak truth again. I don’t see why lying is so bad.”

  He lifted her off the ground, and she wrapped her legs around his waist while he took to his knees and crawled across the bed, laying her in the middle. He sat up between her parted, bent legs and stared at the sight she was. Her heavily hooded eyes gave away her desire, her pebbled nipples ached for his mouth, and her pretty pink mound deserved a taste.

  She was every man’s wet dream and then some. He knelt to taste her, and her knees fell to the side, giving him full access to her most intimate parts. With very few st
rokes of his tongue, and fewer with his fingers, she was moaning and begging for him. The sound of her desire had his aching dick ready to finish what it hadn’t even started.

  Afraid her cries would be his undoing, he sat up once more, and watched her writhe in desire as he undid his belt, then pants, and rid himself of all clothing. She watched him, biting her lip when she saw what he had for her — anxious, greedy even — then opened her legs wider, inviting him in.

  “Fuck, Cori. Where have you been all my life?” he said, hovering over her.

  When his dick rested against her heated core, she arched and wiggled, trying to position herself under him. She was greedy, all right, and primed for him. When he plunged into her, it was almost over in that single bold move. She felt like heaven — she really was made for him.

  They spent the rest of the night making love like they were making up for lost time. Maybe they were, or maybe it was for time they wouldn’t have. Either way, they were good together — there were no lies about it.

  CHAPTER 18

  Monday’s ride to work was different. They were different. Even their goodbyes as they went their separate ways were different. Good different.

  Tony raised an eyebrow at the two, so it was clearly noticeable. With coffee in hand and a bag he recognized, she took a seat next to him to catch up as they always did.

  “Is that what I think it is?” he asked, knowing full well it was a giant bacon maple bar from one of Portland’s most iconic donut shops.

  “You only get half. I get the other half. You need to watch your blood sugar,” she said, mindful of his diabetes.

  “Pshhh. I’m just fine,” he said. “C’mon, I’ll pace myself, half now and half later.”

  “I am not falling for that one again. Besides, Raquel would have my ass in a sling if she knew I even gave you half.”

  “She’d never know.”

  “Ha! Raquel always knows. In fact, I’m surprised she hasn’t burst through those doors already,” Cori said, referring to Tony’s wife.