Beware
It’s been three months since my trip to Vegas. My night with Ivy has developed into a full-blown relationship. What we have is not a typical romance, though. Ivy has a girlfriend, Blue, who she sincerely adores. Blue is a cruel and coldhearted little devil when it comes to me. She doesn’t exactly like me. I guess I am the middle man here. Blue’s hatred for me has little effect on me and Ivy’s relationship. We both provide each other with a continual supply of lust and anguish. I’m not proud of the man I am today, but my pride has very little to with my desire.
Fixing my tie, I watch intently as Ivy glides lacy black stockings over her toned legs. Raw carnal desire happens when a man can leisurely watch a woman get ready in the mirror. When a woman puts on her heels, applies her lipstick to her lips, and sprays sweet perfume to her neck and then fluffs out her hair, we, as men, are never hungrier. The yearning has never felt more alive and palpable. I always thought that women were created to be enjoyed and consumed. They are just so beautiful, soft, and breakable…
I try to adjust my aching hard-on in my trousers, but when Ivy lifts her glittering eyes in the mirror and gives me a lascivious wink, my willpower crumbles.
Making my way to her, I throw Ivy over my shoulder caveman-style and pause by the dresser to snatch up a condom from the glass bowl that holds an abundant amount.
“We’re going to be late, Hunter,” Ivy whispers breathlessly. “We promised Candy.”
The sadistic impulse to sink my teeth into the side of her hip is too irresistible to deny. She whimpers and kicks her legs wildly in the air. I slap her thigh. “Shhh. No talking. You’re ruining my fantasy.”
I toss her down on my bed. Her long hair is sprawled all over the place; it’s like a large river with smaller rivulets of dark blue. My hands grip her knees and spread her legs apart. She gazes up at me, blushing and biting her finger. I run my cheek in the inside of her thigh. It’s nothing like the feel of lace against your face. My nostrils flare as I breathe in her arousal.
Yeah, we’re going to be late.
***
Smiling, I clap when Candy’s name is announced and she walks across the stage in her white cap and gown, accepting her nursing diploma that she has worked her ass off to get. At least I didn’t miss this part of the commencement. Candy turns to the crowd and excitedly jumps up and down once she receives it, her red locks flying all over the place. Everyone laughs and whistles. I return to playing a game on my phone until the last name is announced. Isabel Waters. My head lifts and my eyes dart to her. She smiles shyly as she walks across the stage. There are more whistles and applauses. Isabel’s cheeks are a deep shade of red as she accepts her certificate and shakes hands with the administrator of the nursing college. She gives the crowd a sheepish wave. I hear Falcon’s booming voice somewhere in the distance, but nothing in this moment is louder than my thundering heart.
I didn’t know Isabel attended nursing school. I guess I didn’t want to know. It’s been three years since I’ve last had any communication with her…
Ivy gives my hand a squeeze. I notice that we are the only ones left seated. The ceremony is over. Everyone is huddle with family and friends but most are exiting the stadium. “Is that the one…your Isabel?” I give her hand a returning squeeze. “God, Hunter, she’s gorgeous.” I hear the wonder in her voice. Yes, Isabel’s beauty is infectious.
“Well lookie here…If it isn’t the devil himself.” Harmony says with a smug smirk on her face. I’m about to say something harsh when I take in her stomach ballooning from her golden dress. She’s pregnant. A diamond cut in so many facets spits rainbows across my face from her ring finger. She’s married too.
I smile and rub the stubble on my chin. “Looks like a congratulations is due.”
She shrugs, patting her belly. “Four months along.”
“Boy or girl?” Ivy asks, smiling kindly at her.
“Girl,” Falcon says, tugging a protective arm around Harmony’s waist and pulling her close to his side.
Falcon's married to Harmony of all people?!
“She’s going to be the princess of Cherry Creek,” Victor adds, placing his hands on her swollen belly. He wears all red with his signature red sequins shoes and sunglasses. His style is a bit outlandish for me, but it works wonders for him and, apparently, has made Victor the top international designer in the world.
“Oh my God…it’s Victor Sanchez. The Victor Sanchez,” Ivy breathes. He must be a big deal because Ivy doesn’t go into fan-mode often considering she’s a famous artist herself.
Victor immediately takes her hand. “Pleasure. You are…?”
“Ivy Rivers and the pleasure is all mine,” she shakes his hand over esthetically, then turns to whisper to me while still vigorously shaking his hand, “I can’t believe this is happening right now.”
“Believe it, Tinker. You’re about to tear his hand off. I figure that his hand is essential to what he does and he’s going to need back,” I reply. She instantly drops his hand a murmurs an apology.
“Ivy Rivers…the painter. I thought you looked familiar,” Falcon says. “We have several pieces of yours.”
“That’s such an honor.”
“So are you guys all married now?” I ask, breaking their gushing moment.
Harmony smiles at Falcon and then at Victor, they all grin at each other like they’ve got a secret inside joke. “Yeah, it works for us. We’re happy,” Falcon says, intensely staring at Harmony and Victor. I witness the true happiness and light in his eyes.
I’m envious of it…
“You made it!” Candy smashes into me with full force, her ass landing in my lap. I have to dig my heels into the floor to keep us from collapsing. She wraps her arms around my neck, raining red sweet kisses all over on my face.
“Hey to you too, Candy,” I say through a smile, gripping her tighter.
Her kisses slow and eventually stop. Her glossy green eyes drift down to mine. “I’ve missed you.”
My heart twists a little. “I’ve missed you, too.” Someone clears their throat. I look up and Isabel’s eyes penetrate right through to my soul. She stands there in all white like Candy, but I can’t decide if Isabel is God’s creation or Satan’s angel. The strong shiver that ripples over my body and makes every muscle tremble takes my breath away. It’s like a mini earthquake occurring inside of me.
In her eyes I see a reflection of my own desperate emotions: The longing, the love, the hate, the pain, the betrayal, the appealing nature to rip each other apart before we put each other back together piece by piece. I suddenly have a compelling urge to fuck and choke her to death simultaneously.
My heart twists further more.
My arms drop and Candy is off me. Before I can process anything, I’m on my feet, glaring down at her. We standoff in a silent battle. Her hazel-green eyes roam over my face, then she gives me a tiny smirk like she knows exactly what she does to me. “Hunter.”
My hand flies to the back of her neck and I push her forehead to mine, forcing her to stand on the tips of her toes. She moans. It’s low and barely audible, but I heard it. I give her neck a tight squeeze. She closes her eyes as her lips part. I don’t shut my eyes, though. I keep them open, intently staring down at her closed eyelids as if I could somehow infiltrate and enter her mind and read her thoughts.
I love you, I want to tell her.
Do you have any idea how much I love you?
No one will ever love you like I do.
No one.
Time seems to stop until she whispers, “You left me.”
I press her body closer into mine instead of responding.
She begins to quiver.
I feel the muted sob building in her chest. Cupping the back of her head, I push her face into my chest where no one can witness her shed tears for me. I provide her with the shield of my body; she can use me as a sanctuary. I’ll take whatever I can get form Isabel, including her tears. Everything fades away so easily when I’m with her and that scares the shit out of me.
I’m unaware how long we hold each other; everything falls back into place when I feel a gentle tug on my arm. “Introduce me, Hunter.” Ivy’s soft voice breaks the illusion. I release Isabel and we both take a step back. Isabel looks at Ivy and stretches out her hand, smiling genuinely. “Hi, I’m Isabel.”
Ivy is quick to take her hand. “I’ve heard so much about you. I’m Ivy.”
Her smile broadens. “We look alike.”
“Yeah, and our names both start with an ‘I.’ How insane is that?”
“He has a type,” Isabel whispers and they stop shaking hands and erupt in girly giggles. I guess this is girl code to accepting each other, but I can’t take my gaze away from Isabel’s puffy eyes. I wonder can everyone else see the damage her tears caused…or do I not let anything get past me when it comes to Isabel?
Max saunters over to Isabel’s side, grimacing at me. His dislike for me is veiled with a tolerable yet sulky smile. “Hunter, you’re back in town,” he says, wrapping an arm around Isabel’s shoulders, pulling her close to his side.
“You have the most beautiful eyes I’ve ever seen,” Ivy whispers to him.
His smile gentles when it’s aimed at her. “Thanks. I like your hair.” Ivy squeals and I roll my eyes. “We’re having a celebratory dinner at Isabel’s house you should all come.”
“We’d love to but we are here for Candy,” I reply.
“I could eat,” Candy says.
“Yeah, I’m down,” Kendrick adds, smiling at her.
Damn.
I try to mentally prepare myself the best I can because I have to keep this I’ve-moved-on-and-everything’s-fine façade. If I don’t, then this man of granite will disintegrate into nothing.
***
“…that’s amazing. You’re insanely talented,” Max says to Ivy as he and Isabel Google her artwork and virtual gallery online. I haven’t been attentive to their conversation though. Isabel has been shooting me deadly eye daggers all night. She even manages to kick me—with her boots off—a few times under the table.
I don’t know why she’s suddenly pissed at me, but I can’t stop myself from smiling. Isabel has forgotten about my ‘no hitting’ rule, or perhaps it’s the liquid courage that’s making her so bold. I want to remind her, though. I want to remind her badly. But she isn’t mine to reprimand. Isabel isn’t mine to punish. Her anger is feeding and fuelling something sinister within me, something that is barely contained, and something dark that is scratching at the surface for an opportunity to unleash its wrath on Isabel.
My entire body heats from the inside out, my dick hardening. Rage and sex goes hand in hand with me. I try and fail to think about anything that will calm me down.
The tines of my metal fork scrape noisily against the porcelain plate as I stab a piece of meatloaf. The meal that we are served is homemade: Fresh green beans, garlic roasted potatoes, yeast rolls, and meatloaf. Isabel is profoundly proud of herself for cooking everything. I find this odd for two reasons. The first, it is Isabel’s day. Why did she cook when she’s supposed to be catered to? The second, Isabel doesn’t cook.
Or maybe this new Isabel does.
I don’t know.
It has been three years since I’ve had any communication with her.
Long gone is the unsure Isabel that only wore Converses and jeans. She has evolved into a classy woman that now wears elegant dresses and heels. I vaguely wonder if Max inspired such a transformation.
Candy leans in to whisper, “You’re not eating much, Gummy. Are you feeling okay?”
“The meatloaf is overcooked,” I declare, making the effort to hold Isabel’s glare the entire time.
Everyone stares at me, calling me an asshole in their own silent way until Ivy changes the topic for my sake—something about a trip to Paris.
I vaguely wonder if anyone noticed that I have yet to touch my full wineglass. It’s too late for that now. Picking up the stem of my glass, I excuse myself from the table and wander to Isabel’s bedroom, shutting the door once I’m in. Her bedroom is still the same. She probably doesn’t spend much time in here. It’s a haven for me.
Standing by the bay window, I stare down at the glistening glow of the full moon on the surface of blood-red wine. I inhale the tartness of it and place it on her dresser. I wish I did have the ability to drown in the stuff…
The door creaks open, the golden light from the hall filtering through the crack. “Hunter?” I don’t answer Isabel’s call. My eyes lift back up to the moon. She stumbles in and shuts the door. Her hands rest on the backs of my shoulders, drawing her closer to me. I want to shake them off. But the feel of her warm hands is too pleasurable against my body. I’ve missed them there.
“What do you want, Isabel?”
She presses her face into my back and I have to take in a sharp breath when her lips skim me there. I feel how soft her mouth is through the fabric of my shirt. I never had those lips wrapped around my cock…
“I don’t know. I saw you leave.”
“It’s kind of difficult to play nice when your fiancé isn’t shy of his fondness for you. Do you have any idea what you’re putting me through? I don’t think you even care.”
She wraps her arms around my back, pushing her perky tits fully into me. What I’d give to touch them and have them in my mouth again. “I do care. Don’t say stuff like that.”
“Well—” I abruptly turn around, holding both of her wrists behind her back in one of my hands “—don’t do stuff like this. What are you playing at?”
Her lips part as she stares up at me. Our breathing turns ragged and my heart is pounding in my ears. Her wide eyes take on that glazed looked and, fuck me, it registers right to my dick. She’s completely turned-on right now. When she strains to reach for me, I use more force to keep her wrists secured. Our bodies constantly rub against each other’s in a battle of wills. Things escalate from there. Her fingers are in my hair. My tongue is deep in her mouth. I can’t tell who lost first. Everything seems to happen simultaneously. Her lips taste rich and tart and sweet. I’m drunk off them already. I bite at her cushiony lips, sucking and licking them, relishing at her breathy moans. The more of herself she offers, the more I take. I take and take and take, never reaching the point of saturation.
I’ll never have enough of her.
Women make men stupid.
With one kiss…you own us.
Only when I shove her down on the bed and hastily undo my belt buckle, do I come to my senses. What the hell am I doing? Oh, I know! I am about to fuck a drunk and engaged Isabel while her husband-to-be is freely chatting away with my girlfriend at Isabel’s dining room table. I blow out a frustrated breath and rake a hand over my face.
This can’t be happening.
“Why’d you stop?” she asks, giggling softly.
I want to demand her to leave him, to come back to me, and fuck her until her pussy molds to the shape of my cock. But I don’t. I will not expose my soul and have it ripped apart by her again. I took that chance already and it broke my heart. I take my time as my eyes roam over her body. Her black hair tousled and spilling down her shoulders, her dark green dress bunched up at her hips, her black lace panties peeking between the splinter of space between her partly opened thighs. God, I have missed her body. When I look back up at her face, I realize she’s asleep. Isabel had to drink herself silly to get through dinner with me.
Feeling guilty, I smooth her dress down her hips and cover her with a blanket, then I lean forward to place a kiss on her cheek. I leave immediately after that because seeing Isabel in such a vulnerable state is too tempting when I can just run off with her.
I thank Max for inviting us to dinner and hold Ivy’s hand tight in mine. Candy and her boyfriend follow us out. I hug Candy goodbye and tell her how proud I am of her. When I get home I fuck Ivy until we are both debilitated and sated, then fall asleep with Isabel’s sweet flavor in my mouth.