Angelo leans back, apparently not wanting me to finish yet. From his place on his knees, he strokes a finger up and down my slit. Teasing me with just the tiniest amount of pressure. It’s heaven. It’s torture.

  I wiggle, hoping to get penetration. I need something. I want his cock, but I’ll take a finger at this point.

  “You want more?” He growls.

  I nod. “Please.”

  He slides just the tip of his finger inside me. Then pulls it back out. “Usually I’d let you come two, maybe three times. But not tonight.”

  A whimper leaves me, and I think I might cry.

  “I need to keep you focused. And the first thing you’re gonna feel inside this pussy is my dick.”

  I open my mouth to yell at him for being an asshole, but then he drops his mouth to my clit. And words are no longer possible.

  He alternates between sucking on my nub and teasing me with light touches. My eyes are squeezed shut, my fingers clawing the couch, my head turned to the side as though I’m trying to escape him. That’s why I don’t see him undo his jeans. I don’t see his Angelo-sized cock as he strokes it. I don’t even hear him open the condom and roll it on. I don’t even realize that he’s stopped licking me until I feel the fat head of his dick pressing against my opening.

  My eyes fly open. He’s pushing inside me.

  I look down and see a… Good-fucking-fuck, is that his cock?!

  As he inches inside me, my mouth opens in a silent scream.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  ANGELO

  “R

  elax.” Fucking hell, she needs to relax. “Relax, baby girl.” If she doesn’t stop squeezing my dick like that, I’m going to come before I’m even all the way in.

  Carefully, without going any deeper, I lean forward and press my mouth to hers. I know she can taste herself on me. And from the sound she makes, I think she likes it.

  “Kiss me. Touch me.” I whisper against her lips. I need her distracted, so she’ll finally fucking loosen up.

  I open her mouth with my tongue and feel the moment that her muscles let go. And I slam forward. Catching the sounds that spill from her mouth.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  BETH

  T he pleasure is so intense. The pain - a dull throb behind the heat of lust. Angelo’s body moves inside me. Over me. Around me.

  It’s too much. Too much Angelo. Too much dick. Too much emotion. Too much.

  I feel a tear slip from the corner of my eye. And I hate it. I knew the first time would be hard, but I didn’t think it would feel so good. So fucking good.

  “Don’t stop,” I plead against Angelo’s lips. If he stops... If he leaves me now, I’ll never recover. “Please don’t stop...” I beg.

  “Not a chance.” His mouth leaves mine, and I feel him lick up my cheek. My body shudders. I think he just licked the tear off my skin. That shouldn’t comfort me. That shouldn’t pulse through me like wildfire, but it does.

  “You’re mine tonight.” He bites my earlobe. “No one else’s.”

  His thrusts never stop. Never slow. His huge body looming over me. Hands roaming. The only sign of time passing is the sweat coating our bodies.

  “Touch yourself.” Angelo demands, then leans back so he can watch the spot where he moves in and out of me.

  God, he’s handsome.

  With one hand still on my hip, he grabs my wrist and brings it down to where we’re joined.

  “Touch yourself. I won’t ask again. I want to feel you come.”

  I’ve never done this before. Sure, I’ve given myself a hand during sex, but not like this. Not with the guy blatantly staring. But Angelo is looking at me like I’m the best thing he’s ever seen. The heat in his eyes making me bold, I rub small circles around my clit while I watch him watching me. The tendons in his neck flare. His wide chest is tight with effort, or restraint. His eyes are hooded, but laser focused.

  The pressure builds, and our movements become frantic.

  “That’s it.” He drops forward again until his lips are a breath away from mine. His hips still working, always moving. “Come for me, baby girl.”

  That’s all I need. My body tenses, and an orgasm more powerful than I thought possible rips through my body. I’m making sounds, but I can’t hear them over my roaring pulse. I can’t hear Angelo, either, but I can feel his chest rumbling against my own.

  More. I can’t stop. There’s still more. Hooking my feet on the back of his thighs I pull him in as deep as he can go.

  “Fuck!” Angelo shouts. Then he shudders above me.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  ANGELO

  G ently removing myself, I don’t miss Beth’s wince when I pull out. Shit. I probably should’ve been more careful with her. It was a tight fucking fit and I know it’s been at least several months since she’s had sex with anyone. I push that thought away. The idea of some other guy putting his dick anywhere near her fills me with a possessive rage. Even if it’s directed at a literal dead man.

  Good idea or not, I don’t regret a single second of what happened between us. Based on her panting breaths and flushed cheeks, I bet she feels the same.

  Climbing to my feet, I walk across the room to throw the condom away. I remember being a teenager. If I’d ever found evidence of my parents fucking, I would’ve dry heaved for a week. So I find a paper towel to wrap the condom in before tossing it into the kitchen trash.

  Turning back to Beth, I contemplate what to do next. I’m not done with her. That’s for damn sure. But I think we’ll both need more than a few minutes before going again.

  “Oh my god.” I hear her groan, as she sits up from her spot on the couch. “Thank you.”

  Thank you? Thank you?

  She’s reaching for her sleep shorts when her words sink in. She’s thanking me for helping her get it out of her system.

  I grit my teeth as I grab my shirt and pull it on. “Glad I could be of service.”

  Her lips try to smile, but she won’t make eye contact. I can’t tell if she’s trying to brush me off, or if she’s uncomfortable. Typical. Even when she gets exactly what she wants, she still doesn’t know what to do with it.

  “I hope I didn’t keep you from any other plans tonight.” Beth’s voice is fake-pleasant, increasing my suspicion.

  I keep my eyes on her as I pull my shirt back on. Her hands start to fidget, and I watch as she zips up my hoodie. The one that she never took off. Dragging the catch all the way up to her chin, she literally closes herself off from me. I want to grab her and shake her. I want her to look me in the eyes and tell me that she enjoyed that for more than the sake of getting it over with. But I’m not going to ask her that. Not now. Not when her answer could make me look like even more of a fool.

  “I should get going.” I say in a bland voice.

  She glances at me. “Are you okay to drive?”

  I nod. “I’m a big guy, remember. It’s going to take more than that to affect me.” She can take that however she wants.

  Not wanting to drag out this awkwardness any longer, I head for the door. I can hear her soft footfalls behind me, but she doesn’t make any attempt to stop me.

  “Lock the door behind me.” I demand, then step out into the cold night air.

  The few seconds it takes me to reach my car only stirs my irritation. Is she fucking serious with this shit? Climbing in, I slam my car door harder than necessary. Was that really all she wanted? A good hard fuck. Does she think that’s all she needs?

  “Fuck!” I bark out, gripping the steering wheel tight.

  Fine. That’s totally fucking fine. I won’t be pining after her if she’s done with me.

  I turn the car on and rotate in my seat, preparing to back out of her driveway. But movement at her window catches my eye. The curtain is swaying. She was watching me.

  I let that fact soak through my battered ego.

  I take in a slow deep breath. And one more, letting my anger settle.

  Fine. I’ll give her time to let this sink in. I’ll let her get used to the idea of us. Because we aren’t done yet.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  BETH

  R insing the soap off my body, I can’t help but to squirm. Nearly 24 hours later and I can still feel the evidence of my encounter with Angelo. I nearly laugh at myself. Encounter. More like the fuck of a lifetime. He wasn’t lying about needing the alcohol to loosen up. Not that it helped all that much.

  Turning the water off, and grabbing a towel, I check the time. Noah should be home soon. Throwing on some comfy clothes, I debate hiding the presents that I wrapped and put under the tree this afternoon. It might be a bit much all at once.

  Rounding the corner into the living room, I find Noah sitting on the couch, staring at the elaborately decorated Christmas tree. No turning back now.

  He must’ve heard me enter, but he doesn’t turn his attention away from the tree. And the mound of presents beneath. And the fake holly and lights around the large picture window. And the stockings hanging from the TV stand.

  I shove Pebbles off the couch so I can take a seat next to Noah. And I thoroughly pretend that I didn’t have sex in this exact spot last night.

  I clear my throat. “You made it back early.”

  His wide eyes keep sweeping over the room. “When’d you do all this?”

  “Today.” I shrug. “I woke up early and realized how close Christmas was.”

  Truth is, I woke up with a sore vagina and spinning thoughts of Angelo. I desperately needed something to distract me. So… Christmas.

  I tried to play it cool last night. I told Angelo what I wanted, and he complied. More than that, he offered. He offered sex, the chance to get over my ex, the chance to move on. Nothing more. I know better than to be upset over how easily he left. I’d be a hypocrite if I complained. Him sticking around to cuddle wasn’t part of the deal.

  “Who are all those presents for?” Noah asks.

  I had forgotten to buy gift tags during my shopping spree at Target, but since he’s the only other person in the house, it shouldn’t be hard to hand them out. It’s nothing that great, mostly clothes and few video games.

  I nudge him with my elbow. “Uh, you, dummy. Who else would they be for?”

  His eyes widen even further. “You didn’t have to get me anything.”

  I refuse to let his words make me sad. Instead, I pinch him. “Shut your face. I’ll buy you gifts if I want to.”

  He bites his lip and I nearly smile. It’s the same stupid habit that I have.

  “Did you have fun this weekend?” I ask.

  He nods. “Yeah.”

  Suddenly I wonder if I did it wrong by decorating alone. “Sorry, I should have waited for you to put all this up.”

  For the first time since I sat down, he turns to look at me. And he’s smiling. “It’s a nice surprise.”

  I beam. “I bought a crap ton of stuff to make cookies with. Reindeer shaped cutters. Sprinkles. Food dye. Hershey Kisses for those round peanut butter ones. You wanna help me bake sometime this week?”

  “I don’t really know how,” Noah admits.

  “Even better.” I smile. “It’ll be a messy good time.”

  Noah’s gaze slides back to the overly lit fake tree filling up the corner of the living room. “I’d like that.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  BETH

  S tanding with my hand on the door handle, I chide myself for being a giant pansy. I’ve hid in my office the entire day, dreading the thought of running into Angelo.

  Why didn’t we talk about how we were going to handle this before he left my house this weekend? Oh, that’s right, we didn’t discuss it because I panicked and let him leave before my heart even settled down.

  “Ugh.” I groan out loud, thumping my forehead against the door.

  When I was going to bed last night, after watching Christmas movies with Noah, I saw Angelo’s sweatshirt draped over the foot of my bed. And I wanted to slap myself. He stopped by, to drop off my container, and found me in skimpy pajamas wrapped up in his sweatshirt like some lovesick schoolgirl. God, he must think I’m pathetic. Why didn’t he say anything! Why didn’t he ask for it back? Oh right, he was too busy getting away from me as fast as possible. What did Sissy call that girl he’d been dating, or banging, or whatever? A "stage five clinger"? Yeah, that’s probably what he thinks I am. Sacrifice the sweatshirt for his freedom. Great.

  I allow myself one more thump of my forehead against the hard surface, then I square my shoulders and pull the door open. My last patient of the day left 20 minutes ago, and - if I stall any longer - I’ll just feel like an even bigger idiot.

  Stepping out of my little hallway, I tell myself not to look. There’s no need. I should just keep my eyes forward and get out of the building as quickly as possible. But I’m stupid and I allow my eyes to scan the gym floor.

  It doesn’t take long to find the man who’s been plaguing my thoughts. There are some machines between where he is and where I am, so the view isn’t perfect. But I can see him sitting on some sort of bench. I slow my walk, as I take in his large, muscled frame. The memory of his bare skin under my fingers causes a shiver to roll down my spine. My eyes trace up to his thick neck. His chin that I know to be scratchy. His mouth, that’s moving. He’s saying something. He’s too far away; I know he’s not talking to me. But his eyes are locked with mine.

  My feet stop walking. I wish they wouldn’t’ve, but they did. And now I’m standing here, a dozen yards away, staring at Angelo as he talks to… boobs. A giant pair of perky boobs suddenly block my view of Angelo’s face.

  I can feel the color drain from my cheeks as I realize who he’s talking to. It’s Rachel. His hard to classify admirer. Guess what they say is true: think of the Devil and she shall appear. Clad head-to-toe in Lululemon, she looks just as perfect as she did the first time I saw her. And I guess it’s also true when they say men are assholes.

  It’s been less than 48 hours since he’s had his dick inside me, and yet here he is - at my place of work - openly flirting with a woman he has a sexual history with. And just like that, when I thought I couldn’t feel any grosser, I have a disgusting thought. What if I’m the other woman? What if they’ve been together this whole time? I just took Sissy’s word for it, but I never actually asked him if he was single.

  I’ve half a mind to stomp over there and confront him. But the idea just sends my stomach into knots. Instead, I put my eyes forward and hurry towards the front doors.

  “Beth!” Sissy calls out to me as I try to breeze through the entrance.

  I want to ignore her, simply so I can flee, but she doesn’t deserve that.

  Slowing and turning her way, I open my mouth to say hello, but stop. There’s a man standing in front of her desk. Well, he’s actually leaning against it, looking completely at home. The man is about six feet tall. Trim. 30 something. And handsome in an I-grew-up-with-money sort of way. And he’s beaming at me.

  “This must be the Beth Smith that I’ve heard so much about.” He straightens and closes the distance between us. “Sissy has told me so much about you. As in, I literally can’t get her to shut up about how great you are.”

  I take his extended hand and shake it. “Uh, thanks?” It comes out like a question as I dart a look over at Sissy.

  She rolls her eyes. “Beth, this is Trevor. The general manager.”

  My eyebrows fly up. “Oh, hi! It’s nice to meet you, Trevor. Sorry I didn’t recognize your voice.”

  Trevor is still grinning. “That’s my bad. I skipped right past introductions.” He finally lets go of my hand. “Lucky for me, Sissy here keeps me in line.”

  I nod. “The place would burn to the ground without her.”

  “It’ll probably burn to the ground because of her, too.” He gives me a conspiratorial wink.

  “Hey!” Sissy protests. “I can hear you.”

  Trevor laughs and turns back to me. “So, how’re things going? You settle in okay?”

  “Everything is great. Seriously. My office is wonderful. The scheduling system is super-slick. The equipment that you have here is above-and-beyond,” I tell him honestly.

  “Good. Good! And today? How’s your Monday going?” He’s still grinning, but I feel my smile slip.

  Sissy rolls her chair closer to the desk. “Are you okay, doll? You look a little pale.”

  The distraction of Trevor nearly made me forget about Angelo and his life-sized Barbie. But now that I’m reminded of it, that sinking feeling is back.

  I wave her off. “Just low blood sugar.”

  Trevor steps closer and places his hand on my shoulder. “If it’s food you need, I’d love to take you to dinner. We can get to know each other a little.”

  The look on his face makes me think the offer is innocent enough, but I really don’t want to take him up on it. But I also know that when your boss invites you out, you should go.

  I open my mouth, unsure on how I’m going to answer, when a large body looms into view.

  “Trevor.” Angelo’s deep rumble rolls through the room a second before he claps Trevor on the back hard enough to dislodge his hand on me.

  The men exchange greetings and I do my best to keep my gaze averted from Angelo.

  “Beth,” Trevor says my name. “I assume you’ve met Mr. Angelo Rossi already.”

  I nod and plaster on a pleasant smile. “I have.” I reluctantly turn my eyes to Angelo. “Nice to see you again.”

  I can’t help but to do a quick scan behind him to see if Rachel is about to appear, but there’s no one else in sight.

  “Doc.” Angelo tips his chin down to me in greeting, then turns back to Trevor. “You got a few minutes?”

  I see Trevor look back towards me, perhaps remembering his offer of dinner. I take the opportunity that Angelo has, probably unwittingly, given me.

  “You all have a good night. I gotta head home. It was nice to meet you, Trevor.” I offer my hand for another shake.