A Life Without Fear (Life #2) (9 page)

It’s almost painful how big he is, he must know he’s extremely large because he doesn’t try to just ram me incessantly. He’s gentle and rocks his hips in just the right way. I start to rock with him, feeling my clit rub, his pelvis brings me back to the brink of another orgasm. I push him off me and reverse our positions. I straddle him and ease myself onto his waiting erection. Once he’s fully inside me, I start to rock on top of him. The feeling is pure ecstasy; he’s hitting a different part in me and it’s heaven. He grasps my hips and helps me to rock harder on him. I feel it coming and I can tell by his tense body he’s right there with me. I rock harder and slip one hand behind my back and grab hold of his balls and start to gently massage them.

“
Fuckkk.”

That’s it; any noise from that man is fucking hot. I rock a few more times and scream my release. He grabs me and rocks even harder and moans his release with me. He slowly starts to break apart from one another. I lie next to him and try to catch my breath. My shirt is pushed up so I adjust it, he gets up and retrieves my panties from wherever they ended up and helps me to put them on. God, he’s so sweet. He goes to the bathroom to clean himself up while I crawl into the bed. He’s literally fucked me to sleep—I’m exhausted. He walks out of the bathroom looking simply delicious. He bends down to pick up his boxer briefs.

“You’re not leaving me are you?”

“Well, I fucked you what else is there to do?” He looks up with a serious face.

“Are you fucking kidding me?”

Where the fuck is this coming from?
Is he just further proving Jon’s claims that I am a slut?

“Yes, Angelica I am. I’m not leaving you.” He smiles that too perfect smile. I reach behind me and throw every pillow I can find at him. He’s laughing as he dodges them then jumps on the bed to stop me.

“If you keep asking me dumb questions, I have the right to respond with an equally dumb answer. Do you not agree?” I smile back, he has a point. “I thought so.”

He goes to retrieve us some pillows since the bed now has none. Once he’s back and we’re both settled, I turn off the lamp on my nightstand then turn back on him, fitting wonderfully.

“Are we running in the morning, Angelica?”

“No, I think I just got a good enough workout to last me through the morning.”

“If you’d like we could do it again in the morning.” He kisses the back of my neck sending goosebumps all over my body.

“Easy tiger, don’t press your luck.”

“Goodnight Angelica.”

“Goodnight Blake.”

He kisses my neck one last time then we fall into a deep sleep.

The rest of the week is a blur. Work has been non-stop which is great. Joey and I went on a night trip on Thursday to Jersey Shore to shoot some pictures. He wanted to try something different, I think he got some great ones and I’m excited to see them. That night Blake stayed with me again, it’s something I really like. I enjoy going to bed in his arms and waking up to his forehead kisses. Friday at work was interesting. Bill informed me that while I was away from work, after the Edward incident, he withdrew us from the I.P. Vodka Company account. He told me he didn’t want to do business with such a despicable man. Although I was incredibly touched that he did that in my honor I asked him to not make such decisions because of me, the company was important and needed the business. He would hear nothing I said. Apparently he and Blake have kept in contact and Blake is sending a few more opportunities our way. I smile at Blake’s thoughtfulness. After everything, I’ve put him through he still looks out for me in every aspect of my life. I haven’t paid for my coffee at all this week, thanks to that man. It truly is the little things that leave the biggest impressions.

Friday after work Blake asked me over to his house for dinner, his parents are coming over and he wants to introduce me to them. I’m slightly hesitant because I’m not sure what they know about me. Surely Jon has told them something despicable about me and what I did. Again, I can’t blame him. After all, I did act extremely slutty that night. Reluctantly, I agree because I could tell that it meant a lot to Blake and I don’t want to disappoint him.
But isn’t meeting the parents a big deal?
On my way home I calm my panic attack by calling Joey.

Ring…Ring…Ring…

Hmm, odd, Joey always answers his phone. When he’s in a shoot he turns it off, so I know he has it. I try again.

Ring…Ring…Ring…

Again, nothing. What the fuck, now I’m worried. By the time I try for the third time, the taxi is dropping me off at home. I pay the fare then walk up the steps into my house.

Ring...Ring…

“Damn it Ang, can a guy not get laid without you freaking the fuck out?”

“No, why didn’t you turn off your phone asshat. You had me worried.”

“You have no reason to be worried, Angelica.”

“Sorry, but lately everything around me has gone to shit so forgive me for being a little overly cautious.”

“Baby, come back…” a woman’s sultry voice calls from Joey’s phone.

“Who in the fuck is that?”

“Relax Ang, it’s just a girl I met on a shoot yesterday.”

“What the fuck happened to Liam? You told me you were going to try Joey.”

“Ugh Angelica, can we do this later?” He sounds resigned. Something is going on and I
will
get to the bottom of it.

“Fine. Bye, Joey.”

“Wait, why did you call?”

“Don’t worry about it, nothing important, I’ll talk to you later.” I hang up the phone and toss it on the couch.

God, Joey is an amazing man, and right when he might have met a keeper he goes and fucks it up, literally.

Why is he with a girl?
He’s very rarely with a woman.

What am I missing?

I instantly get an uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I run up to the library and head to the computer and once it wakes, I type
Joey Livingston
in the search engine and immediately see a story on TMZ. With my heart pounding hard, I click the link.

‘Model, Joey Livingston refuses to help mother, forcing her to live in a homeless shelter. Apparently partying with models is more important than his own mother.’

Underneath the headline is a picture of Joey at a club dancing with a bunch of models. Oh Joey, why do you let her get to you still? As much as I want to rush to his loft, I don’t. He needs to figure his shit out alone. Unlike me, he likes to be alone for a while before he calls me. Well, alone with some slutty model apparently. Shaking off the thoughts of Joey and some model, I head up to my room to get dressed.

I’m standing in my closet for I don’t know how long before heading back downstairs to get my phone. Going through the contacts I reach the name I’m looking for a hit call.

“Hello?”

“Hey, Betty.”

“Hey, there Angelica. How are you doing sweetie?”

“I’m fine. Just standing in my closet trying to figure out what one wears to meet someone’s parents.” If it were possible to hear a smile through the phone, Betty’s smile would be shouting.

“Oh, well, now, we have to make sure it’s something very nice. Classy. This will be easy, you already dress wonderfully.”

“Thank you, Betty.”

“Oh, don’t thank me, that’s all your fashion sense child. Now let’s get to work.” I hear her pull a chair out then plop down. I put the phone on speaker so I can search while we talk. “Now, we’re going to need a dress. I’d say a nice light color, perhaps a crème or a nude.” I walk to the other side of my closet where the dresses hang and search for light dresses. “Make sure the neckline is up and the length preferably right above the knees.” I find two dresses that meet her criteria. “Now, we want it to be tight enough to show that shape of yours, but not low or high enough to literally show them. Do you get what I’m saying, Ang?”

“Yes, I do. I actually think I’m holding exactly what you’re describing. Thank you, Betty.”

“Anytime child, I wish I could be there to help you out more. I love you, Angelica. Relax tonight, have fun and let them get to know the real Angelica. Keep your walls down. Let some more people in honey.” Her voice is soft.

“I will Betty, I promise. I love you and Granddad. I’ll talk to y’all later.”

“There’s the southern girl in ya! Have a good night, we love you too darlin’.”

After hanging up with Betty, I go to touch up my makeup and hair when I hear the doorbell. Shit, I must have lost track of time. Hurrying down the stairs, I look through the peephole to see who it is. There stands Blake, looking dapper as ever in his suit. I hurry to open the door.

“Hey, Blake.”

“Angelica, you look lovely.”

“Oh hush, these are just my work clothes. Wait here I’m just going to change, five minutes is all I need.” Without giving him a chance to speak, I sprint up the stairs back to my closet to change into the dress.

The dress is a beautiful nude colored
Alice + Olivia Drina
dress Joey bought for me a while ago. Its high neckline and above the knee length is just what Betty recommended. It’s tight but doesn’t show anything aside from my shape. I complement it with strappy heels and small studded earrings. Grabbing my long coat from my closet and my purse, I head down to Blake. He’s waiting for me right where I left him. Hearing me coming down the stairs, he looks up at me with such awe in his eyes I almost melt.

“Is this okay? I’m not sure what the dress code is for meeting one's parents.”

“Angelica, you look simply breathtaking.” He takes my hand and pulls me to him.

“Thank you.”

“You’re very welcome.” Placing my lips on his, we exchange a sweet kiss. “We better get going before I take you right back up those steps.” I swat him in the chest then follow him to the waiting town car outside.

Once inside I can’t help but fidget. What if they don’t like me? What if they think that Blake deserves someone better? Maybe they’ll want him with someone more prominent than me?

“Are you trying to tangle your hair?” I look at my hands and see I’m relentlessly twirling a strand of hair with my finger. “Relax Angelica. They are going to love you.”

“What if they don’t?”

“They will, please relax.”

“I’ll try, I’m sorry. I don’t know why I’m so nervous. I meet new people almost daily, but something about them being your parents makes it so much more nerve-wracking.”

“You’re turning a lovely evening into a stressful one for yourself. Please stop, all will be well, and if by some chance in hell they don’t like you, I’ll just kick them out.” He winks at me and kisses my cheek. “Trust me, okay?”

“Okay.” I turn and kiss him on the lips just as we pull up to his penthouse. “It is nice to finally come to your place. Well, while I’m conscious at least.”

“Not funny Angelica.”

“I wasn’t trying to be Blake, simply stating a point.”

Not liking my last comment he shakes his head then grabs hold of my hand and I follow him inside the high-rise he calls home. One57 is the swankiest of all high rises. It’s one of the newer buildings in the city, although it’s quickly becoming one of the most exclusive. I’ve driven by this high-rise many times but have never actually been inside. The doorman greets us and opens the door. The front doors are distinguished by a wave like an awning made of glass that lights up. The lobby is as sophisticated as I thought it would be. To the left of the entrance is a desk occupied by three employees, Blake tells me that the building doubles as a hotel on the bottom twenty floors. We walk past the desk to the right to a bank of elevators. An L-shaped leather couch sits in a corner with a coffee table and various magazines upon it. Using his key to open the elevator doors we ride it up to the eighty-sixth floor. The elevator opens into his foyer, the floors are dark wood and the walls are a dark crème color. He empties his pockets onto the table in the middle of the foyer and I leave my purse beside his belongings. He turns me around and helps me take off my coat then disappears to put it away I assume. I walk further into his home to look around.

The kitchen is to the right. It’s a chef’s dream come true, although I’m sure he doesn’t use it like it should be used. The cupboards are a dark mahogany and the appliances are all a dark gray almost black. The contrast is stunning. A wine refrigerator taller than me is built into the cupboards. It looks like there are four ovens—Betty would have a field day in here. The stove is to die for, double gas top with a grill on one side and a flat top on the other. I walk over to it and run my hands over it, I so need one of these. I feel Blake’s hands come around my waist.

“I see you like the kitchen,” he whispers into my ear.

“It’s a dream kitchen. I’m sure you don’t use it like you should.” I turn to face him.

“You’d be correct in that assumption. I hardly have the time to cook. I know it’s a shame.”

“It truly is.” I turn around again to continue my inspection of his penthouse. “Speaking of cooking, I thought we were having dinner here?”

“We are.”

“Well then, where’s the food?” I walk over to the wine fridge and look at all the wines, most I don’t recognize but one bottle catches my eye. “Why is my favorite wine in here?”

“It’s all in the details, Angelica. I remember you ordered it at the restaurant we went to on our first date, I made sure to have some for tonight.”

“I’d hardly call a work dinner our first date.”

“Well, what would you say was our first date then?”

“Probably that same night you’re thinking of, but not dinner, dessert.” I smile at him. He comes from behind me again and kisses my neck. Goosebumps litter my arms. “Enough of that, I need to have my whit’s about me to meet your parents.”

“If you’re tense I could alleviate some of that
pressure
.” The way he emphasizes pressure makes my panties damp.

“Enough you fiend, now where’s dinner?”

“There're a few restaurants in the building, I thought we could order from there and have it sent up.”

“Well, aren’t we fancy?”

“Would you prefer something else?” He sounds concerned. Damn it why must I open my mouth?

“No, it sounds perfect. I’m only giving you a hard time.”

Walking around the island, I pull out a barstool and have a seat. Blake goes to the wine fridge and retrieves my bottle of wine along with a bottle of red. He grasps four glasses and I watch with wonder as he opens the bottles with ease then pours them like a bartender would. He really is good at everything, even serving wine. As if his parents heard the bottles of wine pop, I listen to the chiming of a bell. Blake heads to the foyer and presses a button then returns to me. I grab the glass he’s poured and gulp it down like a shot. He laughs at me then pours me some more. I go to toss it back as well, but he puts his hand on top of mine to stop me. He takes my chin and kisses me gently. I pull away when I hear the elevator doors open, I guess it’s go time. Wearing a big smile, I let Blake take my hand and we walk to greet his parents.