Adonis Line: Filth series Page 5

  I’m lying through my teeth, but I have to pat myself on the back at how prim I sound.

  “My sister is older than me,” he says. “Twilight hit, and she was forced to drag me with her to see the movies.”

  I’m not going to be charmed. I’m not going to ask any questions.

  He goes on as though I have. “I wasn’t team Jacob or Edward. Bella needed a little more living before choosing someone for forever. Anyway, my sister never got out of the habit of foisting her favorite romances on me.”

  I’m not going to ask a question. I’m going to act like the landscape is the most vital thing that needs my attention. Even if the view out of my window is all craggy rocks and dry grass.

  His laugh is deep, and oh, god, my skin tightens at the sound. “You seem pissed.”

  The only person I’m mad at is myself. “Nope.”

  “Was I supposed to react another way, Nina?”

  I glare at him until I can feel the car veering out of the lane. “I just find it hard to believe you have ever read a romance, big sister or not.”

  “You have one? An older sister?”

  “I am one, so I’m well aware they can be pushy assholes.”

  He chuckles. I don’t turn my head, but my gaze cuts to him. His fingers run up and down his zipper. I can’t find my breath. He’s fucking with me. It’s my own damn fault.

  My gaze flicks to the road. The white lines dividing the road whip past us. My foot has turned to lead. I slow down to get us back under seventy, at least.

  I steal a glance at Tarek. His fingers move up and down. The thick denim outlines his dick.

  I hit a button on the car’s armrest to lower the window to get some air and cool down. He laughs again. “You’re beyond stubborn, Nina.”

  “As the saying goes, ‘Takes one to know one.’” I bite my bottom lip because I hadn’t wanted to respond at all.

  He’s right, though. My head is harder than a brick. I fix my mouth to tell him I want to see how far he’ll go. I want to see all the ways he’ll tempt me. My heart is in my throat hoping to hear the sound of his zipper over the narrator’s voice. I’m longing to know if his hand can fit around the girth of his cock. Does he like a slow and hard stroke or a light and fast one?

  My knuckles practically pop as I simply hold onto the steering wheel, but I let my stare flick to him. “The check is in the glove compartment. Take it.”

  “If you think a payment is going to keep us from fucking, I don’t know what to tell you, Nina.”

  “So, sex is inevitable, on your say so?”

  I hate the lift of his eyebrow. His knowing silence. But he's not wrong. The writing was on the wall the first day I didn’t pull up my big girl panties and ask him to be my hiking guide. I kept chickening out because every time the words would form on my lips, I would think of us alone in a tent with only wild animals within earshot. There’s just no way we’d end up not fucking. I’m mainly annoyed at the inevitability, the ease with which I can make one bad choice after another.

  I’m a little scared at how he makes me feel so out of control when I’ve done everything in my power to never lose it again. I feel vulnerable, anxious and excited. Fuck. I hate this. “Keep yourself in check,” I say.

  “If you wanted me to think of anything other than being between your legs, why would you play the filthiest story ever written for three hours?”

  “It’s not the filthiest.”

  “Do tell.”

  I should be vexed, but I’m a little amused. I take a chance and look at him again. His hand still rests on his crotch. “I can’t take you seriously while you’re tracing my name on your dick.”

  “Your name?”

  Felt like it. “Let your dick go. I’m pretty sure it’s going to bust out of your pants and slap you, balls first.”

  “Turn this off. You’re bad enough for my restraint.”

  Since it’s a fair request, I switch the story off. Silence fills the car because the radio is no better unless we’re going to listen to classical music. That’s a no-go, since I need to stay awake for at least another fifteen minutes.

  To get us back on track, I say, “We’re hitting the first waypoint tomorrow. Is there something I should avoid doing tonight?”

  “Eat anything that makes your stomach upset.”

  “I should be fine there, thanks.”

  “We’re going to stretch before we head out. You’re still going to be sore as shit, even if it’s half a day of trekking in the mountains.”

  “We’ll camp for the night, right? I should be fine.”

  This laugh is more of a cackle. “Remember this moment, all of this, when you want me to rub your feet.”

  “I would never ask that of you. You seem like the kind of guy to turn a massage into a fuck session.”

  “Me? Never.”

  I hate how I want to laugh. “No one in the history of ever believes you, just FYI.”

  He wraps his other arm around the head rest and closes his eyes. “Wake me up when we get to the hotel.”

  We’re only minutes away, but I take the reprieve. His dick is still pressed against his pants, and I keep stealing glances.

  7

  Tarek

  * * *

  Nina falls face first onto her hotel bed. “Thanks.” The word is muffled in the comforter. “For getting the bags.”

  I drop said bags inside the door and do my best to ignore the way Nina’s ass looks in the tights she’s worn. The shirt has crept up with her sprawl. Thankfully, the single room has two beds, so when it comes time to go to sleep, tonight at least, I won’t be cuddled up next to her and her ass. “Calling dibs on the bathroom.”

  “Have at it.”

  Just shy of three in the afternoon, I need some space from her laugh, her scent—her. “I’m headed to the pool.”

  “That does sound nice. I’m going to think about how much my right leg hurts from driving.”

  I grab my bag to find the trunks and sandals I packed. “You should rest then.”

  She rolls over onto her back, pulling a pillow behind her head. She looks soft and fuckable. I’m starting to think Nina doesn’t know just how irresistible she is. She knows she’s beautiful and can entice a man into stupidity. Still, I don’t think she fully understands her on a bed, with her lids heavy and her hand resting on her hip looks like an invitation to do everything depraved to her.

  I don’t wait to see what she might do next. I get the pool to myself and take full advantage by doing laps until my limbs tell me it’s enough. I roll onto my back, relax every part of me, and close my eyes.

  A light breeze brushes over me and my stomach tightens at the scent of cocoa butter and vanilla. I let myself sink to the bottom of the pool. I stay down until my lungs burn from the need of oxygen.

  There she is when I break the surface. She’s hip deep already, wading into the warm water. The black bathing suit leaves her shoulders bare. A line of a fabric cuts across her stomach revealing the skin beneath her breasts and belly button. I dunk my head back under the water.

  Logically, I know the idea of taking a swim appealed to her. She’s not down here to fuck or tempt me. It’s unseasonably warm this high up in the mountain country. The pool is heated. We don’t leave until tomorrow, and we’ve got nothing but time to burn.

  I come up for air again, and she’s closer, laughing. “Are you trying to drown yourself?”

  “Fuck, yes. It’s not working.”

  “Might be your primitive instinct to live.” She glides over to the edge at the five feet marker and then stretches her arms out to lean back on the concrete.

  Random fact: Tits are buoyant.

  Hers bounce with the small waves of the water. I go back under and hope this time I do drown. I can still hear laughter.

  When I come up for air, she splashes me. “Calm down. I’m here for the sun. It’s been a while since I’ve sat outside just for pleasure.”

  “Work?”

  “I do a l
ot of outdoor weddings. Hard to enjoy nature when I’m dripping in sweat and trying to corral people so they are posed naturally. And when I’m not doing that, I’m retouching the actual photos.”

  I hadn’t thought of her work life. It kind of resembles mine. I hike and trek, but it’s rarely for fun anymore. My life is work. “This isn’t a vacation for you, either.”

  “Not really. That’s why you need to calm down. I’m going to steal whatever joy I can while I can.”

  Can’t fault her for it. I tread over to her. “I’m still trying to understand how this helps you, especially when you take into consideration how much money you’re going to end up spending.”

  “My father always said you have to spend money to make money. Also, you have to take a risk. This is mine. I know I’m a damn good photographer. Over the years in this contest, photos have gone viral.”

  That makes sense, especially if the company is doing their own marketing by signal boosting the entries. “Word of mouth is always the best recommendation.”

  “Exactly. It’s how I found out about you.”

  And that brings me up short. I hadn’t asked. Hartsburg is big, but my circle runs small. “Who was talking about me?”

  Her mouth quirks up. “Well, some of the brides I’ve shot over the past few months.”

  “I get a lot of brides-to-be who want to get in shape for their big day.” I squint at her. I’m struck again how effortlessly beautiful she is. Her braids are tied in a bun, her face is free of makeup, and yet her high cheekbones, full lips and eyes are captivating. “When we get back home, give me some of your business cards. I can spread the word.”

  Her features soften. “Thanks. I’ll do that. First, we have to survive this trip.”

  “We will.”

  She huffs. “Did you even take a look at all the stuff I sent you?”

  “The maps and routes? Yes. They’re sensible.”

  “But?”

  I smile. She’s not just smart, but people smart. I like that. “Depends on what you want.”

  “The best photos.”

  I figured that’d be her answer. “Then I have some suggestions.”

  “You’ve gone to all the waypoints before?”

  “Not all. I try to avoid tourists when I take a group out hiking.”

  She bites her lip. “You’re interesting.”

  I tread closer to her. “What does that mean?”

  “It means I expected a jock. You’re not. Entirely.”

  I laugh at the caveat. “Entirely?”

  “You definitely think with your muscles sometimes.” She slips lower into the water. “Like right now.”

  “What?”

  She rolls her eyes. “You think I don’t notice how you’re moving closer to me, on the sly?”

  Since I’m caught, I stop being sly. I get close enough her breasts bobs against my chest. “But what’s the thing surprising you?”

  She drops one hand to my chest. “Your ambition. You made a name for yourself. People didn’t tell me to go to London-Berg gym. They said Tarek is the man you need. After knowing you for a few days, seeing how you work, I’m impressed.”

  “You don’t sound like you want to be.”

  She smiles at me. “Because you’re blocking my sunlight.”

  And that’s when my like for her joins my lust of her. “Do you want me to move?”

  The smile slips and she sighs. “I should.”

  I rest my hands on the concrete behind her. “Should is a bad word. It stops you from doing all the fun things.”

  Her chest rises faster. “I really want to tell myself sex with you once will be enough. It won’t be.”

  “How about we just have fun for two weeks?”

  “And then?”

  “This is a road trip. You’ll be tired of me in a few days, anyway. After fourteen days, if you ever see me again, it’ll be too soon.”

  “This is your pitch? This is how you’re going to talk me into sleeping with you?”

  I cup her nape and wait for her to pull back or lean closer. She tilts her head and moves closer. “No,” I finally answer her.

  I catch her bottom lip between my teeth and pull back slowly. Her lips plump and turn much more tempting. And I wait.

  “Better pitch,” she murmurs.

  “Thought so.”

  I take her mouth again, sliding my tongue in and out as a tease. I’m not going to rush this. We have time and heat. Her exhale is a soft moan. I take a step, letting our bodies clash. The water has softened her mouth, or maybe she’s always this pliant. Fuck me if she is. I can fall into her like this. Just lose a bit of my recklessness in the way she brushes her tongue along mine. I bring up my other hand to her face to hold her still, to let myself sink into her fully.

  Doesn’t matter. She twirls her tongue around mine then sucks the tip. I shouldn’t be surprised she doesn’t surrender, even in this. There was never anything I could have said to persuade her. She’s wanted this. She’s going to have it—have me.

  I press my hips into her, my dick thick and hard along her stomach. She moans, dropping her hands below the water to cup me. Because I am who I am, I help her. I tug my shorts down enough to fill her hands with something to do.

  My skull tightens at her slow strokes. I break the kiss but slide my hand to her throat, using my thumb to tip her head back.

  She nips the corner of my mouth. “I was just curious to see if you’d fit in my throat or not.”

  Mutherfuck. I dip my head and close my teeth on the tendon in her neck. Her breathy moan is music to my ears. I lick my way up to her mouth, letting my hands run down her arms until my fingers circle her wrists.

  Noise makes me look up. Metal sings against concrete as a couple heads down the stairs, both decked out in pool gear. With a mountain of regret, I end the foreplay.

  “We’ve got company,” I whisper against her skin.

  Her lids remain low, but she glances down. She chuckles and her nails scrape my pelvis as she pulls up my trunks. “Dicks float. I didn’t know that. And I was right.”

  My laugh is genuine, but I pretend like I don’t notice the couple who opens the gate. “Right about what? “

  “I guessed you would have an Adonis line, and I was right. Those lines that shape a V on your lower stomach, like an arrow to all your fun stuff...”

  I am going to fuck her bowlegged when I get the chance. “Does that mean we’re going up to the room to finish this?”

  She tilts her head up to the sun. “I shouldn’t.”

  “Why?” I nip her earlobe because this is also my pitch.

  “I know bad news when I see it. I’m going up to the room to take a cold shower and reel in my libido.”

  My hands clench around her wrists. “Well, I’m going to go get some condoms.”

  Her shoulders shake with the laugh. “I can’t be entirely angry about that.” She pushes me away and climbs out of the pool.

  Water slides down her frame. Maybe it’s all in my imagination, how slowly the liquid rolls down every inch of her. My tongue thirsts to lap up every droplet. Her hips sway like she knows I’m watching. My dick defies gravity in the water. She never looks back at me as she dries off with the hotel’s towel, and fuck, I want her so much everything aches.

  My attention skates over the couple. The woman looks away, so obvious in trying not to look my way again. The guy’s flexing. I work in a gym. I know when a dude is trying to show off. Amused, I take up Nina’s spot with my back to the concrete and spread my arms.

  They wade to the four-foot marker and touch each other like newlyweds or a recently engaged couple. I know that stage. I’ve seen it with enough brides-to-be to spot it.

  I smile at them. While the wife glances down, the husband notches his chin up in challenge, but the way his gaze roves over me, and then Nina at the pool’s gate, makes me chuckle.

  I guess you can say I’m a people-watcher. I can read them pretty well, and what they are telegraphing is an in
vitation. Except Nina is a mystery I haven’t figured out yet. I don’t know if I ever will, but all I can do is lay the groundwork for any of her fantasies.

  My smile widens at the couple.

  8

  Nina

  * * *

  For the last twenty minutes I’ve been wrapped in the hotel’s comforter. I took a quick shower to get rid of the chlorine sticking to my skin and waited for Tarek to show up. I doubt I read his signals wrong. I had his dick in my hand. He pulled down his swim trunks so I could do that. He asked me if we were going to finish. Finish was a euphemism, but there was no confusion. I might have said we shouldn’t have sex, but I didn’t say we weren’t going to have sex.

  So where the hell is he?

  Neither one of us had the car keys when we left the hotel room. We are not staying at the Ritz, but the hotel has a gift shop where I’m sure they have condoms. Even if he didn’t have money, the amount to buy rubbers could be charged to the room.

  I huff and sit up from my languid and sexy position. My breasts had looked fantastic in the position, but they submit to gravity once again as I glare at the door. Maybe my wish for him to appear just so I could reject him took hold, because the door beeps twice and then opens.

  He tosses a plastic bag on the dresser while the door closes slowly behind him. The comforter I’ve held against my nakedness almost evaporates from the hunger shining bright in his gaze.

  “Sorry. I got caught up.”

  I breathe in deeply and turn my back to him, burrowing under the comforter like I plan to go to bed—ignoring him. “It’s fine.”

  My shoulders tense a moment before his breath tickles the back of my neck. I close my eyes in pleasure.

  “I was offered a very interesting invitation.”

  What the hell does that mean? And OMG. My nerve endings sizzle at his timbre. The bed shifts. He curves his body to mine. If I hadn’t wrapped myself into a cocoon, I’d probably feel his bare chest—warm from the heat of the day, scented with a hint of chlorine and sun.