"Thanks."Flowers in hand, I head in the direction he pointed, stopping toholdopen the gate for him and slipping in behind. As I look around the small crowd, an older woman in a sweater set complete with pearls approaches.
"Oh no,"she says, pointing at the flowers."We didn't order daisies. You can take this away."
"I don't—"I stammer. What the hell is she talking about?
"I'm sorry, I don't speak Mexican."She taps the bouquet and makes a shooing motion."No flores."Only she pronounces it"flor-izz."
The eyes are a dead giveaway this is Palmer's mother.Before I can try to tell her again I'm not staff, and I can speak English, she walks off. I spotPalmer. She's hard tomissin that short, form-fitting dress she'swearing; she's not only a standout but a knockout. My heart starts pumping in earnest while Iwatchher. She's with that joker from thegame, the rich guy with the dumb name. Bone or something? I clench the flowers in my hand, the plastic wrap crinkling beneath my fingers.
He hands her something. I can't make out what it is, but the smile on her face could make the sun jealous. Shegiveshim akissand heholdsher hand. Mystomachbottoms out as they head into the tent. Hepullsout a chair for her and thensitsnext to her. I swallow hard.
That's why she didn't want me to come. She already had adatefor this, and unlike me, this guy wouldn't be mistaken for the hired help. Iwalkout the way I came in, passing the same guy as before.
"You find her?"
"Lost her, actually."I toss the flowers onto the lawn and keep striding past him, past the valets, and back to my car. It's done now.
Thirty-Two
Palmer
Lunch was about asuneventful as it could be. With the company of the Wainwrights, time passed quickly, and their presence tempered my mother's attitude. The raspberry and lemon trifles were to die for, and the only reason I stayed through dessert. I snag a couple on my way out to share withCharlie. Since I left a little later than I thought I would, I drive straight to his place instead of stopping at my apartment topickup my phone. I don't think I'll need it anyway.
I luck out and find parking along the street only a few doors down. With the dessert in hand, I flounce up the stairs to his place. We need to talk. I have to tell him I was wrong. I'm not cut out for casualsexor easy hookups, and I can't change. Moreover, I don't want to change. Because I've completely fallen forCharlie, and I think he might feel the same. I don'tcarewhatLibertysaid about his insincerity. I'm not even sure I believe her anymore.Charliewas so adamant last night, and why shouldn't I believe him? He's never lied to me. He's never let me down.
I ring the bell and bounce on the balls of my feet while I wait for him to answer. When he does, the smile spread across my face falters. His hair is sticking up on one side of his head, his eyes bloodshot. Hestaresat me like he can't figure out who I am or what I'm doing here.
"Palmer?"
Ah, he knows who I am."Can I come in?"When he hesitates, Iholdup the little bag with the trifles in it."I have dessert."
He sighs, then steps back and swings the door open. I enter, noting the empty cans of Natty on the table. I set the bag down next to them and face him. He shuts the door and shoves his hands into his pockets. He'swearinga pair of trousers and a white dress shirt completely unbuttoned to reveal a tight tee. Idrinkin his well-defined muscles and the dark, smooth span of skin along the hollow of his neck. My libido stirs, my breathing quickening. I drag mygazeto his dark and hooded eyes.
"I thought we could talk about last night,"I say, forcing myself to focus. Before we get down to anyfun, there's important business to takecareof.
"You sure that's what you want?"he says in a husky voice."To talk? Because you're looking at me like I'm the dessert."
"I mean,"I lick my lips,"I can't really help it. But yes, we should talk. Probably."
He saunters toward me. His finger traces down the side of my face, and he grasps my chin hard, pulling down to open my mouth. He slants his lips overmine, and I taste thebeer, but I also tasteCharlie. MyCharlie. I open wider and he deepens thekiss. I rub against him, feeling his thick cock against my thighs. We can talk later.
He walks me backward, carefully guiding me around the table, until we reach the sectional. My knees buckle when I hit the cushion and he falls forward ontopof me, biting my lips and my ear and the side of my neck. He stops for a moment to shed his shirts, and I rake my nails up and down his gorgeouschest, dragging my fingers along the ridges of his abs to the button of his pants. In seconds, I free him from the confines of his clothes. He pushes my dress up and yanks my panties down.
"How wet are you?"He hisses against mychest. He licks in the valley between my breasts while his fingersslidethrough my folds."Always so wet. For me? Is this for me?"
"Yesss,"I pant."All yours."
I spread my legs wide, inviting him inside my heat. He ducks his head and licks a long trail from my entrance up through my sensitive lips to my clit, thenstaresat me and draws the back of his hand across his mouth. I can't explain why I find it so sexy, but my need blazes.
Hepullsme onto his lap. I rise and use my hand to grip him so I can lower myself onto his shaft, but he stops me. He leans over to retrieve his wallet and extracts a condom. I look at him, confused, because I thought this was something we'd agreed on.
He doesn't look at me as he tears open the packet and rolls it on. He fists hiscockand lines it up to my entrance. I'm so hungry for him, I don't wait and impale myself on him. We both hiss as he slides ballsdeepinto me. Istartto move, using hisshouldersfor purchase, as I bounce up and down, trying to shift myself into the position I need for maximum pleasure. He rolls me onto my back, never breaking the connection, and hikes one leg up on his shoulder. I shriek as he pounds inside me, touching meexactlywhere I need. I arch my back and shout his name as the first wave crests over me. He pushes and pushes, sweat pouring off his body.
"This is what you wanted, right?"he growls."You just want me tofuckyou.Fuckyou and make you come harder than you'll everfuckingcome again. You hear me? I'm the only one who will everfuckyou this good."
"Oh, God! Yes,Charlie, yes. Only you, only you."I gulp air, trying to force my lungs to expand. But the need is crushing me, stealing my breath. I dig my nails into his back until he yells.
"I can'tfuckingstop."