Sinful (Restless Nights) Read online

  I handed Jace back his phone. “How old is he? 15?”

  Jace chuckled. “He certainly sounds it.”

  I caught our waiter’s attention and gestured for the check.

  “Are you mad enough that you’re done with dinner?” He looked concerned as his dark eyes studied me.

  I grinned. “No, we’re going to go see Cole. I plan to make my own judgment on his placement on the hotness scale.”

  Chapter Four: Jace

  The Shit Friends Step In And The Enjoyment We Reap

  Cole had no idea what he had just stepped into. Thankfully, it was all with mischievous intent, and Avery wasn’t angry by what he had said.

  The truth was I wasn’t sure how the rest of this night would play out. I honestly didn’t like the thought of her judging Cole’s hotness, but if it hadn’t been for me giving my pain in the ass, relentless best friend the go ahead to contact her, none of this would be going on. Scratch that… Cole would still be acting like a pain in the ass.

  I had talked to him about Avery and he couldn’t let it go. He just had to know about this mysterious woman who plagued my every thought. He couldn’t seem to wrap his mind around my need to talk to a woman other then my wife. Gemma didn’t think much of it either, but I’d found someone who understood my life on a different level then Gemma could. Avery lived and breathed the world I loved and because of that we had a connection.

  I pulled into the down home country bar the guys had landed in and put my rental car in park.

  Avery smiled. “Seriously? They’re in Vegas, and instead of going to the casinos or clubs, they end up at a dive bar?”

  I nodded. “This place fits them better.”

  She beamed a gorgeous smile at me. “It’s my kind of place too. I only wish I was wearing jeans and boots.”

  With a lingering look, I murmured, “I like the dress and heels.”

  She gave me a shy look and got out of the car.

  Rein it in, asshole. I had been telling myself that ever since she opened her room door and I saw her in the tight black dress and too sexy heels. Hell, I even noticed the bright red polish on her cute little toes.

  We walked into the bar and I spotted the guys, all of whom spotted us instantly as well. Cole let out a catcall as we approached the booth. He slid over and patted the spot next to him with a wolfish grin directed at Avery. She rolled her eyes but slid onto the vinyl seat next to him. I followed and began introductions.

  “James, the groom.” I gestured at my grinning friend and moved on to the other three who occupied the table. “Anthony, Mark and of course, Cole.” I shot a warning to Cole as he eyeballed Avery with a hungry glint in his blue eyes.

  Cole moved his gaze from Avery and looked to me. “You could have just said way.”

  Avery’s eyes narrowed. “Way hotter, or way less hot than my picture?”

  Cole’s eyes snapped back to her face. “He told you what I said?”

  “No,” she answered sweetly. “He let me read your freaking text, you jackass.”

  Our table went from silence as they watched Avery to raucous laughter.

  “Fuck, Cole, she pegged you in less than thirty seconds,” Anthony said with a massive smile.

  Cole chuckled and smiled at her. “What do you expect? I’ve only seen your profile picture. People be lying on the internet.”

  She smiled and shook her head. Turning to Anthony, she said, “I’ve had the pleasure of being harassed by Cole over the past month. That’s why I feel comfortable in telling him he’s a jackass.”

  “I was not…,” Cole paused for a second, the wolfish grin returning to his lips, “harassing you… much.”

  I watched as time passed around us and Avery melded into my group of friends easily. I also spent a lot of my time either grunting or glaring at Cole as he continued to flirt with Avery. I knew he was just trying to get a reaction from me, but it still pissed me off.

  Cole had listened to me talk about her for a while before he pointedly told me it sounded like I was either in love or obsessed with her. When I denied both accusations he went in for the kill saying, “Then you don’t mind if I contact her.”

  I had no choice but to say go for it. I seethed over it with a blast of jealousy I had no way of fighting. I also felt guilty for feeling it in the first place. He was flirting with Avery to prove a point. Not that she wasn’t beautiful. Cole would have gladly taken a piece of her, but in this moment, he was just being a prick and pushing my buttons.

  What are friends for, right?

  “I’m going to get some drinks,” I said, finishing off my beer and sliding from the booth.

  Cole smirked and I wanted to slap him upside the head as he turned his gaze back on Avery.

  “Is Cole pissing you off?” Mark had snuck up behind me, and gave a sympathetic pat to my shoulder.

  “Nah, he’s just trying to push my buttons.”

  Mark laughed. “And it’s working, so what are you going to do about it?”

  I shrugged.

  “Has she asked about Gemma?”

  “No.” My gaze drifted back to her, a flirtatious smile graced her lips, but there was no heat in her stunning eyes.

  “Don’t get me wrong. She seems cool, but doesn’t it seem weird that she hasn’t even asked about Gemma?”

  I glared at Mark. “Why would she? We’re just two friends who had dinner and now we’re hanging out with all of you.”

  Mark snorted. “Keep telling yourself that.”

  He grabbed half the shots I’d ordered and headed back to the table. I grabbed the other half and followed. I slid a shot in front of Cole and then Avery. I stood there, said “cheers” and then shot back the smooth silver tequila.

  “I’ll be back.” They all heard but the statement was directed at Avery.

  Chapter Five: Avery

  The Bar Was Hot, The Company Was Hotter

  The fire in Jace’s gaze was scorching but his words were tense as he said he’d be right back. I traced his movements as he disappeared down a back hallway. The shot he’d set in front of me heated my tummy. It was Patron, my favorite. I slipped off my shrug, searching for relief from the heat radiating through my body. When I looked back at the group of guys, all eyes were on me.

  Maybe I should have left the shrug on, ‘cause I was seriously self-conscious right then.

  “What?” I asked.

  Cole shook his head. “Don’t worry about it.”

  I tried for a smile and laugh. It came out sounding a little strained. “Well, I have four sets of eyes on me like I’ve grown a second head or something. So explain, please.”

  Mark was the first to say something. “We’re just trying to figure you out.”

  “Explain,” I said with a little exasperation on my tone.

  Cole chuckled and Anthony took over then. “He’s asking what your intentions are with our friend.”

  My tongue slipped past my suddenly dry lips to sweep over and wet them. It was a fair question, considering the situation. But I didn’t have intentions other than to enjoy the night.

  “I don’t have intentions. We’re friends.”

  I was met with smirks that I wasn’t sure how to read.

  “Okay, on that uncomfortable note I’m gonna go work off some of the alcohol.”

  I slipped from the booth without a glance back and made my way to the darkened dance floor. I wasn’t out there long before I felt Jace’s presence behind me. Strong yet unsure arms wrapped around my waist, gently pulling me back against his lean hard body. I glanced over my shoulder meeting his gorgeous dark gaze, a small smile playing across my lips. Even though I knew this was wrong and was likely leading to a place of no return for our friendship, I couldn’t muster up the conscience to stop what I had so long been hoping for.

  His fingers swept my long hair from my shoulder. His lips brushed feather soft against the bare skin leading to the crook of my neck, where his teeth bit down gently. I felt my body melt against his, stretching m
y neck to allow him more access. His hand crept up to cup my chin, turning my head, forcing me to meet his gaze as his lips came to slant over my own. The gentle caress of his tongue against mine was all the encouragement I needed to let my wants and needs lead me down a darkened road. He wasn’t mine. Not really, but in this moment I could pretend she didn’t exist. I could tell my mind to let my heart decide how this moment would play out, and yet the words slipped whisper soft from my lips.

  “What about your wife?”

  His hands stalled and his lips pulled back, leaving mine frozen and alone.

  He let a heavy breath slip past his lips. He clasped my hand and led me from the dance floor.

  He didn’t say a word until we had gotten through the loitering tourists and had rounded the side of the building.

  He smiled when we finally stopped and he looked down at me. I saw the sad quality of it and something deep in my core twisted. I knew this man well, through the computer screen, and yet somehow his facial expressions, which I had only had hours to familiarize myself with, felt familiar.

  “I knew you would ask me that,” he said, his gaze locked on mine as he spoke. “And I wasn’t sure how I would deal with the question.”

  I nodded. “I should have asked earlier. Because let’s face it, that dinner we just had was more of a date than two friends catching up. And I think we both know we’re not the cheating type. I feel like I know you well enough to know it’s not your style.” I averted my eyes momentarily, gaining the strength to say what needed to be said, even though my body was begging me to let this go. “And I won’t be anyone’s mistress, one night stand, or their biggest regret.”

  His smile brightened some as he nodded.

  “You aren’t, and it wouldn’t be any of those things. Gemma left over eight months ago.”

  My brows furrowed at the statement. How could she have left him eight months ago and this was the first I’d heard of it? We talked every day!

  “What?” Yeah, that was eloquent, but I was kind of shocked. “Are you serious?”

  He nodded. “I wouldn’t lie about that. I signed the divorce papers two weeks ago.”

  “God, Jace, I am so sorry. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  It was true, I really was sorry for the pain he must have been feeling. Yet a small voice whispered through my mind that he was available now. I promptly told it to shut the hell up. This was not a moment for selfish wants and needs. I knew my friend had to be hurting.

  He shook his head. “Don’t make that face.”

  I stared up at him. “Umm. What face?”

  “The one you were just making, the one that says you feel pity for me.”

  “It’s not pity. I could have been there for you. Why didn’t you tell me?”

  He sighed and took a step closer to me. “I felt it coming for a while, and it was what I wanted too, but that didn’t make it easier. I was in a dark place. Explaining to family and friends what had happened, and I felt like shit because of it.”

  My heart was breaking a little at what he’d been going though.

  “But,” he continued, “when my days ended with you, all that crap that surrounded me seemed to go away. I wasn’t about to spoil the one good part of my days. I smile when I get to talk to you, Avery. Then when I saw you tonight, you were more beautiful than I’d imagined. Seems your outside radiates as beautifully as the inside part of you I’ve gotten to know so well.”

  I really didn’t have any words, and I didn’t need them. Jace pushed me back against the wall and his lips descended on mine.

  My mind didn’t fight this time. My hands were in his hair, twisting the dark velvet around my fingers. My tongue met his in a dizzying, frantic rhythm, sweeping in and out of his warm, sinfully perfect mouth. His hands gripped my hip as he pushed closer, caging me between his hard body and the cool brick of the wall behind me. A whistle pulled us both out of the haze the kiss had sent us into. Jace lifted his head and narrowed his eyes before taking my hand and pulling me towards the parking lot. He passed the rental car and kept moving to a waiting limo.

  “Where are we going?” I murmured.

  He opened the limo door and gestured for me to get in. I climbed in and slid across the smooth leather. He followed, shutting us inside.

  “Whose limo is this?” I asked nervously.

  “Cole’s.” He smiled. “He rented it for the night.”

  “He rented a stretch Hummer for a pre-bachelor bachelor party?”

  Jace shrugged. “We rented a party bus for the actual bachelor party.”

  Apparently done talking about the vehicles and bachelor party, he cupped my cheek and his lips landed on my neck.

  A soft moan escaped me before I asked, “What about the driver?”

  Jace hit a button and the dividing window began to drop. He stopped it at only a crack.

  “You can stay or take a walk but don’t open the divider,” he said before closing the window.

  I laughed when he looked back at me with a proud tip to his lips.

  “That might have been construed as rude,” I chided playfully.

  “He’s been dealing with Cole all night. I’m sure he’s fine.”

  I pulled my lower lip between my teeth and bit down lightly. Jace groaned and pulled me to him. Our lips meeting in a passion filled, crushing kiss. His hands were on my hips again pulling me closer. Any reservations I had held were gone and I found myself swinging my leg over him to straddle his lap. I could feel the intoxicating heat roll off his body as I rocked against him. My fingers firmly bit into his shoulders. I don’t know if the small amount of alcohol helped to release my inhibitions, but I found myself sliding off his lap and onto my knees in front of him. My hand shook slightly as I popped the button on his jeans open and drew his zipper down.

  His lids dropped as he watched me slip my fingers under the waistband of his boxers. Sliding them down until his cock sprang forward and I licked my lips. The truth was while I was no virgin, like in any way, it had been a long time. Reflectively, I realized it had been close to a year since I’d been with a man.

  My eyes locked with his as my lips brushed over the head of his impressive cock. My tongue darted past my lips to twirl and pick up the bead of pre-come that had formed. My lips slid lower taking him inch by slow inch until my mouth was full of him. My hand wrapped around his base to cover what my mouth couldn’t contain. I drew back slowly, sucking softly before releasing him to lick him like the best damn lollipop my tongue had ever had the pleasure of tasting. Wetting his hard flesh I moved my hands up his shaft as I suckled on the tip of his cock. Stroking him slowly as my teeth lightly grazed down, I took him back into my mouth and swallowed, squeezing him.

  “Fuck, Avery.” His hips jerked and his hands landed in my hair, fisting it into hand holds as his hips rocked, making my job a little easier as I licked, nibbled, and sucked him to a blinding orgasm.

  He finally broke our eye contact as his head fell back and I took him a little deeper and sucked a little harder.

  “Avery,” he roared my name and I smiled around his cock as he released every drop of his pleasure.

  Chapter Six: Jace

  Intimate Conversations In A Crowd

  It was blindingly hot, crazy sexy and every bit as good as my fantasies told me it would be.

  Better actually.

  Once I finally found control after the stomach tightening, flashes of lights behind my eyes, I want more, orgasm, I lifted my head to see her smiling as she tucked my still half hard dick back in my boxers and carefully zipped my jeans. My hands shot out to cup her face and bring her back to me. She gave zero resistance and climbed back on my lap.

  I studied her face; her beautiful big eyes were excited and held a promise of something I was afraid to think too much about. Her pouty lips were swollen, her cheeks a stunning shade of pale pink. It made her look all the more beautiful. My heart clenched as the thought flitted through my mind, she was almost too beautiful to look at and still to
o beautiful to look away from. There were layers that created the amazing creature that straddled my lap, and I planned to learn about all of them.

  I pulled her mouth to mine and crushed my lips against hers. I tasted myself on her and my cock jumped again. When I finally pulled back her eyes were glassy and her breath was uneven.

  She placed a hand on my chest. “I need a drink,” she murmured.

  I arched a brow. “Already want to wash away the taste of me?”

  A sultry smile lifted her lips. “Hell no, but I need an excuse for us to get out of this limo.”

  I grinned. “Why?”

  She brushed her fingers through my hair and locked her hands behind my neck. “Because your friends are going to start to wonder where we are and if we don’t go now, they’ll catch us in a couple hours, while I’m doing more dirty things to you.”

  She kissed me gently this time, and my body responded even stronger to the sweet passionate press of her lips and the soft sweep of her tongue. She slid off of my lap, adjusted the skirt of her dress, and got out of the limo. I reluctantly followed. I didn’t see any issue with a couple more hours of dirtiness in the limo. Not as long as it ended in bed with her in my arms while I slowly pushed deep inside of her.

  “Stop,” she whispered almost shyly, which was ridiculous and so fucking adorable. Gone was the sex kitten she’d just been.

  I tried for innocent as I stepped closer to her. “Stop what?”

  “Looking at me like you’re hungry and I’m the perfect meal.”

  I chuckled and wrapped my arms around her waist to pull her closer. “You are the perfect meal, the richest wine, and the most decadent dessert.” I dipped my mouth to her ear and tugged lightly on her lobe before continuing, “And I plan to taste and savor you later tonight.”

  She shivered in my arms. I pressed a gentle kiss to her neck, and then released her body to lace our fingers and pull her back to the bar. We stopped where I had pushed her against the wall. I looked down at her with what I guessed was a broad and satisfied smile.