High Stakes Seduction - Book 5 (12 page)

He refilled our glasses, taking a sip before he continued.

"My father had always been strong and confident. When I saw him that time, though, he was weak and tired, almost wasting away. He told me I was heading in the same direction as he had, and if I didn't straighten out–soon–I'd end up just like him.”

Antonio seemed far away, staring at the wall as if it were a movie screen replaying his life. I wanted to reach out to him, but didn’t dare, didn’t want to break this moment of trust.

"At first that really pissed me off, him telling me that I was just like him. I mean, how the hell would he know? He was never there at home. But then, he shared his regrets with me, the things he'd done that he was sorry for. He insisted that I listen to him. And it gave me a different perspective on the man, something I had never considered before.”

I so badly wanted to ask questions, wanted to know what his dad had done that he regretted. But I sensed this moment was too fragile for me to interrupt.

"The night he died, I thought long and hard about everything he'd said. I realized he was right; if I didn't change my ways and change them fast, I would end up just like him. In a loveless marriage, without many true friends, always wondering which piece of me somebody wanted. And that was the last thing I wanted to happen."

I saw the pain on his face, and it melted something inside me.

"So, in a way, he was a great benefactor. He taught me a lesson I might not have learned in any other way, or that I might've learned too late. And he was a great example to me—of exactly how I didn't want to be."

"Antonio, I don't know what to say. Our families were so different. Maria and I, we never had a lot of money, but my parents were always warm and loving. And, until my mother died in the car accident, we were very close knit."

"That's obvious, I've seen the way you and Maria take care of each other. You're very supportive, looking out for one another. I'm even kind of envious."

I smiled, thinking of Maria. Here. Tonight. Being the center of attention.

"I can't tell you how much I appreciate what you've done for us, especially for Maria. And especially tonight. It was truly magical seeing her get the recognition she deserves."

"You both deserve a lot more than you've gotten so far. I'm glad I was able to help Maria, that's one of the advantages of having the right contacts. I'd like to see her spread her wings a little more. Just because she's stuck in a wheelchair—for now—doesn't mean she has to let it be a cage."

I shook my head, smiling up at him as I handed back his handkerchief. I watched him slip it into his pocket while I admired the line of his jaw, and the way the light glinted in his eyes. "I don't know what it is, but I just can't stay angry with you. Even when I'm hurt, when I'm mad as blazes, you surprise me by doing something generous."

"You surprise me too, Angela." He laughed. "Especially tonight. You should've seen Naomi's face when you spilled the wine on her 'accidentally'. It was priceless."

I felt my face flush, remembering the childish glee I'd felt earlier in the evening.

"You're not mad at me?" I asked hopefully.

"Angela, how could I ever be mad at you? Don't you know that by now?"

I pressed my lips together and shook my head.
Seriously?
Before tonight, and the confessions he'd just made, I'd have found it impossible to believe. "Antonio, I don't know what to think. I can't seem to figure you out."

"My dear, I really am a simple man. I know you may find that hard to believe, especially since I don't flaunt my emotions or wear my heart on my sleeve."

"So then, where
do
you wear it? I keep trying, but I certainly haven't figured that out yet, either."

He pulled my hand toward him, drawing me closer also. Then he placed my hand on his chest, and covered it with both of his. I felt the steady beating of his heart under my hand. "It's here," he said, staring into my eyes. "Just waiting for you."

For a moment, I couldn't breathe. Then my heart started pounding wildly as a flush of uncertain pleasure washed over me. How long had I waited for this, just hoping he would show me a sign that he felt the same way about me, even if just a little bit?

"But I
am
here, Antonio," I said, placing my other hand on his cheek. "And I always have been."

He pulled me closer, sliding his arm around my back, grasping my waist as he pressed his chest to mine. He smoothed back my hair with a small flip of his hand, bending his head to nuzzle my neck. The warmth of his lips sent chills down me, electric spikes of pleasure that danced down my spine.

"Oh!" I shivered in anticipation, combing my fingers through his soft, gorgeous hair, excitement shooting from my center as I pressed myself against him.

"Cara mia, it's been too long," he whispered into my neck. "I need you."

Chapter Thirty-Five

ANTONIO

I pulled her toward me, aching to hold her in my arms again. We both knew the time for talking was over. I brushed aside her silky hair, and leaned in to nibble her neck. That sweet, delicious neck of hers that always excited me with its long, regal perfection.

Just the taste of her was almost more than I could stand. I wanted to tear the clothes from her body and devour her right there, right then, with no regard for the future. Or even her pleasure. My need was raw and my desire threatened to overtake me.

But some sense of self-preservation held me back, this was something more important. I wasn't just a starving man, wanting to consume the succulent meal in front of me, although the urgency that pushed me onward felt that way. This was something special. Something divine. A precious gift I wanted to be able to feast upon again, and again, regardless of the primal urges screaming for my attention.

"Angela," I whispered into her hair, wrapping my fingers through her long tresses and biting into the soft flesh of her neck.

I caressed her sweet, supple breast. She trembled under my hand, her heart beating wildly like a small caged bird. I wanted to protect her and consume her, all the same time.

As I pressed her back against the sofa, she looked up at me, her wide emerald eyes full of wonder and desire. I pressed my rigid cock against her warm yielding body, wanting to bury myself inside her.

"Antonio," she breathed. And that made me harder.

I fumbled for the zipper at the back of her dress as I rained kisses down her chest. She pushed me away, and I sat up in confusion until I realized she was turning her shoulder to me so I could unzip it easily. Together we pulled down the top of her dress and I slipped the strap of the undergarment off her shoulder as I nibbled the delicate skin underneath.

"Cara, oh Cara, you drive me crazy."

She took my face in her hands, gazing deeply into my eyes and opened her mouth invitingly as she drew me forward.

I felt her move beneath me, rubbing herself along the length of my throbbing dick. This is crazy, I thought, pushing back my urge to take her right then, to force my way into her sweet, tight slit.

Closing my eyes, I pushed myself up from her, stifling a small groan. Then I opened my eyes, looking down at her face and was rewarded with a look of such sweet trust and raw desire as I could ever hope for.

I moved back on the sofa, pushing her skirt up to her waist and grabbing her stockings and underwear, pulling them down around her knees. She laughed, wiggling out of them and tossing them to the floor.

Running my hands up her thighs to her soft mound, I used my thumbs to gently stroke the outside of her labia. I smiled, she was already warm and slick. I ran my fingers along her slit, pressing gently and separating the lips. She shivered, a sharp intake of breath and then a clenching of her muscles as I teased her with a soft exhale of my breath.

I leaned all the way down, gently kissing her most intimate parts. I ran my tongue from the bottom of her slit to the top, pausing to suck gently on her clit as I continued to gently massage the muscles on either side.

"Ooooooh," she moaned. "AnTONio!"

I grinned, I loved hearing the tiny gasps and moans she made, knowing it was me who caused them, me giving her pleasure. It was me she wanted. She reached down, grabbing the back of my head as she pressed herself against me even harder.

My tongue continued to lap her sweetness, pressing it inside the walls of her warm, sweet pussy while I massaged her clit. I felt her press even harder against me, beginning to move in a rhythmic fashion that told me she was just about to come.

"More," she begged. "Oh, please!"

"Mmmmm, you like this?" I asked, raising my head briefly from my task.

"Oh yes, oh yes. Oh please. Don't stop. I'm so close."

"That's my girl. Come for me Angela." I leaned down to complete my welcome duties. Using my fingers, stretching deep inside, and curling up to the front, I pressed gently against her pleasure spot, as I sucked her clit, running my tongue around and over the top of her sensitive nub.

I cupped her breast with my left hand, massaging gently as I continued to lick my way inside her.

"Tony! Oh Tony! Oooooh!" She cried, bucking her hips and moaning as I continued to suck her clit and gently pinch her nipple, rejoicing as she gave herself over to the orgasm.

"Did you like that?" I grinned down at her when she finally stopped moaning.

She narrowed her eyes. "You had to ask? I would think you were smart enough to figure it out."

"One can never be too careful," I said, putting on a very serious face. "Perhaps that was just a performance for my benefit."

"Oh no. I have to say, that was definitely for
my
benefit." She laughed. "But now, don't you think it's your turn?"

I felt myself stiffen even more. I wasn't sure what I'd done to deserve this sweet girl, but I wasn't going to deprive myself of the pleasure any longer.

"Thought you'd never ask." I smoothed the hair back off her forehead. Enjoying the playful look in her eyes. "What do you have in mind?"

"Oh, I think turnabout is fair." She reached for my belt.

"Here, let me help."

"No." She slapped my hand away. "You don't always get to be in charge, or in control. It's about time you let someone else have a chance."

I raised my arms in surrender and sat back against the sofa cushions.

"That's more like it," she said, scooting over next to me so she could undo my belt. "Now stand up," she commanded.

I stood and she pulled my trousers down about midway. Then she rose and slipped out of her dress, tossing it over the back of a chair.

"Sit." I did. She kneeled in front of me, untied my shoes and slipped them off, then tugged at my pants to pull them down the rest of the way.

"Ah, that's better." She smiled up at me and licked her lips.

Then she reached inside my shorts, and pulled out my throbbing cock. The touch of her hands were warm as she kneeled in front of me, a sweet smile on her face. My heart was overwhelmed with an emotion I hadn't felt in years.

She ran her hand up my shaft, gently teasing the head, before firmly grasping and pulling back down to the base. She leaned forward, her tongue licking the tip of my dick, in a long slow motion, deliberately drawing it out. It was my turn to shiver.

Then she took me inside her sweet, warm mouth, pulling and sucking and drawing her lips along my length. I almost lost it right there. She couldn't know what that one small action had done to me.

She took me inside her mouth again, licking and sucking, pressing her breasts against me as she worked my dick. She was beautiful, her eyes staring at me intently as she worked her magic between my legs, bringing me closer and closer to my own explosion.

I didn't want her to stop, but I had to. I needed and wanted to feel my cock inside her. If I came now, I might not have that chance tonight.

I raised my hands to her shoulders, pressing her gently away. "Don't tell me you don't want this," she started, in a low voice.

"Cara, I want you more than anything. And don't forget that." I reached over to my pants pocket, pulling out a condom, and holding it up for her to see.

"Oh, I see, a change of venue?" She laughed.

"Same venue, just a slightly different experience of it."

She grinned, standing up and running her hands through my hair. I tore opened the package, and managed to force the condom over my engorged dick, even though having her stand so close in front of me was very distracting. I pulled her onto my lap, running my tongue over her nipples.

She giggled and called me a tease. I took that seriously, and cupped one of her breasts with my hand, pulling the nipple into my mouth and circling it with my tongue as I teased it into a hard little button. I gently stroked the other breast, running my thumb over the nipple and feeling it harden with pleasure at the same time.

"Perky little things, aren't they?" I grinned at her.

"That's because they like you," she laughed.