Flawed Perfection (An Eve Sumptor Novel) (16 page)

“God, baby! That feels so good!” Her body writhed as Lainey continued her assault by sucking, licking and nibbling Eve’s clit. When Lainey slipped her fingers inside her, Eve cried out with the intense thrill that rocked her body. She could feel the pressure building, the need screaming to be released, as she clutched at Lainey’s head, holding her close. Her body convulsed as the orgasm swept violently through her.

“Ah!” Eve’s eyes flew open as she came, her fingers tugging roughly at the head between her legs. “Adam!” Her heart beat painfully in her chest. Partially from her intense orgasm, and partially from the intense guilt she felt. Fuck!

Adam withdrew his fingers and kissed his way up Eve’s body. “Good morning, beautiful.” He brought his mouth down to Eve’s and kissed her deeply.

Eve could taste herself on Adam’s tongue, and it brought on a swirl of new emotions for her. She just couldn’t pick one to hold on to, and she hated herself for it. “Good morning,” she replied, huskily, hoping her voice didn’t betray chaos inside her.

“You sounded as though you were having a really good dream,” Adam smiled. “I thought I’d help you out.”

Eve’s heart stuttered, but she smiled, lacing her fingers behind his head and pulling him to her. “
Dream come true
,” she whispered in his ear. Her smile disappeared when he buried his face in her hair. How could she do this to him? What in the hell was her problem? She was going fucking insane, that’s what her problem was, she thought sourly. Staying home and doing nothing was going to be the death of her. Or them.

Adam took one more sniff of her, then sighed. “I have an early meeting. I need to get up and take a shower.”

Suddenly, she didn’t want to let him go. Eve wanted to show him how much she loved him, and needed him. In a swift move, she reversed their positions, and she straddled him. Without a word, she wrapped her hand around his cock and guided him to her.

“I want this so much, beautiful, but …”

She covered his mouth with hers, effectively cutting him off, and lowered herself until he was fully sheathed inside her. To make sure he didn’t try to pull away again, she moved her body the way she knew he loved. Eve rode him, hard and fast, the need for him consuming her. She braced her arms on the headboard and pushed herself down harder. It still wasn’t enough.

“Get on top!”

“Eve …”

“Now, Adam! I need you to fuck me!”

He heard the desperation in her voice, and quickly flipped them, again, until he had her pinned beneath him. He rammed himself inside her, gaining speed and momentum with each sound she made. He could feel her fingernails dig into his back or ass in an attempt to pull him deeper.

“Fuck me harder, Adam!”

He slammed into her, the need for her growing more and more by the second. Whatever it is she needed, he wanted to give it to her. Their bodies were damp with sweat, and Eve matched each of his thrusts with one of her own. It resulted in loud slaps of naked flesh against naked flesh. The sensual sound made Adam release an animalistic growl as he pounded inside her.

Hurt me
! She wanted to yell it to him, beg him, but she kept it inside. Instead, she planted her feet on the bed to push herself into him as he thrust harder, and deeper. It hurt, but not as much as she wanted. Not as much as she needed. The growls and groans of pure pleasure coming from him were so seductive to her that she felt herself at the edge once again.

“Come inside me, baby! Please!”

Her pleas incinerated his control, and his body grew taut. “Ah,
fuck
!” One, two, three more thrusts, and he emptied inside her on an explosive orgasm, calling out her name.

Eve was right there with him, clenching around him as ecstasy took over. The orgasm was so powerful she screamed his name as she came, surprising both of them. She had always been vocal during their lovemaking, but never quite like that.

Adam, his body still tense, his breathing still labored, looked down at her with an arrogant smile. “That was fucking fantastic, baby.” He was definitely going to be late for his meeting, but after what she just gave him, he didn’t give a damn. He was in no hurry at all as he watched her, completely captivated by the fierce look in her eyes.

“Yes, it was,” she replied softly. And, she meant it. It was fantastic. Eve just wished she could stop feeling guilty. It was a dream. She couldn’t control her dreams. It was a fucking lame excuse, but she clung to it as if her sanity depended on it.

After a quick shower, Adam left for the office, and Eve, once again, stayed home. In an attempt to be sure Adam saw that she was content with the decision, she told him she would pass some time by looking for offices for his new firm.

Now, more than an hour after he left, the computer was on, and the browser was open, but Eve couldn’t focus on a damn thing on the screen. Even the muted sounds of Bella and Lexie in the living room couldn’t keep Eve’s attention. The stress was getting to her, and for once in her life, she had no clue how to deal with it.

“Eve?” Lainey touched Eve’s shoulder gently.

“Shit!” Eve’s hand flew to her chest, over her pounding heart. “You scared the hell out of me.”

“I’m sorry. I called your name a few times.” Lainey sat down next to Eve and searched her face. Something is off. “Is everything okay?”

“Mmhmm.” Eve tapped a few keys on the computer, until Lainey put her hand on hers.

“Eve …”

Eve carefully pulled her hand away to casually pick up her coffee, offering Lainey a small smile. “I have a lot on my mind, obviously. I must have spaced out for a bit.”

Lainey’s brows knitted together. Was she imagining things, or did Eve just pull away from her touch? She tried shrugging it off, determined not to add to the drama in Eve’s life, and focused on the information on the computer screen.

“More real-estate? I thought you bought the place in LA.”

“I did. This is for Adam, actually. I’m looking for office space for his new firm.” Suddenly, Eve felt an irrational bout of anger. With a grunt, she set her coffee down with a distinct thud, and pushed away from the computer. “This is not me! I’m an artist, not a fucking realtor or secretary!”

The outburst surprised Lainey so much, that she was momentarily frozen. Mentally shaking herself, she stood to join Eve, who was currently standing at the sliding glass door, brooding.

“Eve, honey, talk to me.”

“Lainey, I …” Eve stopped herself. She had been very close to telling Lainey about her dream, and her morning with Adam. “I haven’t painted anything since all of this shit started,” she said instead, her eyes never leaving the colorful flowers that surrounded her yard. “I just haven’t felt inspired.”

Lainey knew deep down how awful that was for Eve. Art was something Eve needed, and to have that taken away from her must be horrible. But, Lainey hoped she could make it better somehow. “I would think that’s normal with what you’re going through. I could pose for you again, if that would help.” She had meant it as a joke, but the feral look on Eve’s face almost had her taking a step back.

Eve plastered a smile on her face, willing it to look genuine. Lainey couldn’t know how her suggestion would affect Eve. But, oh boy, did it affect her. Unable to keep her smile, Eve let it fade. “When you came to work for me, you did it because you had lost yourself. I feel like that’s what’s happening to me. I have no idea how you did it for twelve years, Lainey. It’s only been a few days for me and I feel like I’m going fucking insane.”

“You feel like you’re not you?” When Eve nodded, Lainey couldn’t help but feel sorry for her. She knew exactly what that was like, but honestly, she couldn’t imagine Eve surviving like that for long. “Maybe it’s because you’re not painting.”

Eve sighed. “Whatever it is, I feel like I don’t know who I am anymore.” And, she wanted to kick herself for feeling that way. This was weak—and stupid—and yet, she couldn’t stop it.

“You’re Adam’s wife, Bella’s mother … my best friend.”

Eve tilted her head sadly. “Everything you just said, Lainey, is who I am to others. Where do I fit in?”

“Eve, if I’ve learned anything from my experiences with you and my marriage, it’s that all of those things are what make you, well, you.” Lainey walked to Eve, and touched her lightly on the arm. “But, you’re still there. You’re still the beautiful, sexy, intelligent and strong woman you’ve always been.”

Images of Eve’s dream flashed in her mind then, and she pulled away. “I’m going to the gallery,” she announced abruptly.

Concern lit Lainey’s eyes. Not only because Eve, once again, pulled away from her, but also for the fact that she was possibly putting herself in danger.

“Are you sure that’s a good idea?”

“I
need
to get back to my life, Lainey.”

“You have a daughter here. Why can’t this be your life?”

A pang of guilt hit Eve in the heart. “Well, if you meant to make me feel like shit, it worked.”

“Oh Eve, I didn’t mean to make you feel guilty. I just wanted you to see that there’s more to you now.” Talk about feeling like shit. The last thing Lainey wanted to do is make Eve feel worse, but it seemed like that’s all she was doing.

Eve stared at Lainey for a moment before shaking her head. “I love my daughter with everything I am, Lainey. It kills me that being with me at the gallery puts her in danger.” She felt the sting of tears, but held them in. “Me staying here, going mad won’t be good for her. And, honestly, it won’t be good for Adam and me.”

Lainey was thrown off balance by Eve’s confession. “What do you mean by that?” she asked quietly.

What had she meant? Eve wasn’t sure she even knew. It was more of a feeling, and it scared her.

“Nothing. Look, I understand if you can’t go to the gallery with me. In fact,” she continued before Lainey could respond. “I think it’s best if you don’t. At least for now.”

“Is this the part where you say nasty things to me to keep me away from you and harm?” Lainey didn’t even try to hold back the bitterness and hurt. Even after all this time, she still felt the pain of the words Eve said to her. Yes, she may have done it for what she thought were good reasons, but that didn’t make Lainey feel any better about it.
“I don’t love you. It was sex, it was fun, it was experimental
.
”
God, it had been horrible hearing those words come out of Eve’s mouth.

Eve softened. She remembered that time, too. It was the first time since she could remember that she cried. Shit, she did more than sob at the loss of both Lainey and Adam. Eve had allowed herself to fall apart, smoking, drinking, taking pills. She didn’t want to go through that ever again. And, she certainly didn’t want to put Lainey through that again.

“I’ve learned my lesson on that,” she said softly, and watched Lainey’s tense body relax. “I don’t want you to stay away from me, Lainey. But, I do need a little time to myself.”

Lainey’s face fell. She
is
pushing me away, Lainey thought with immense sorrow. “I see.”

No, you don’t, Eve thought silently. If you did, you wouldn’t look as though you lost your best friend. “I’m not pushing you away,” she said aloud, and smiled at Lainey’s surprise. “I told you. Open book.”

“Shit.”

Eve genuinely laughed for the first time that day, hugging Lainey lightly. “We’re fine, honey. The time alone isn’t to get away from you. It’s to get back to me.”

Eve just hoped she could get back to her before she started hurting the people she loved most.

Eve had been sitting in her Jag, parked in the garage of her gallery, for the past ten minutes. It was starting to piss her off that she felt such trepidation about being here. And, it wasn’t even the danger that made her worry, it was upsetting Adam. She hadn’t bothered to call him and tell him she was going to the gallery, figuring the security following her already had instructions to let him know of her whereabouts. Ironically enough, she could feel herself getting pissed about that, as well. Hadn’t she done the same when Tony was threatening Adam and Lainey?

She blew out an exasperated breath, laid her head back on the head rest and beat on the steering wheel with her palms. “Come on! Get out of your fucking car and be Eve Sumptor!”