The Running Series Complete Collection: 3-Book Set plus Bonus Novella (131 page)

I show the earrings off one at a time, and Auggie says nothing.  “Okay, on three, ready?  One.  Two.  Three.”  On three, we give our choices in unison.  As usual, we have the same thought and our separate voices become one. “Teardrop.”

I replace the hoop earring and check myself one last time in the mirror.  Reese has just finished my makeup.  My smoky eyes, nude lipgloss, and upswept hair give me a natural and sexy look.  Auggie holds out his hand for me, to help me stand.  He lifts my hand above my head and encourages me to spin for a final inspection. 

“You scream S. E. X.  You look like you either just had it or you’re about to.  You glow, darlin’.”  Auggie has a way of making raunchy sound appealing.

“James August Deegan, I don’t know what I’d do without you,” I tell him.

“Well I, for one, hope you never find out!” he chuckles.  “But now that I think about it, something is missing.  Stay here.  Don’t move.  I’ll be right back.”

Auggie rushes out of the bedroom to places unknown.  I walk over to the jewelry box sitting atop my dresser.  As I open it to retrieve my engagement ring, I notice a letter addressed to me, sitting there unopened.  I don’t remember putting it there or ever having noticed it before.  The cleaning lady must have placed it on my dresser yesterday. 

I slip on the ring and examine the envelope more closely.  There’s no return address, but it’s postmarked from the Denver post office.  I have so many good friends who still live there, a list of possibilities flashes through my mind. 

I slide my finger under the flap, tear it open, and slide out a single piece of plain white paper folded into thirds.  I open it up, and staring me in the face is a printed copy of a photograph.  The picture is grainy and slightly out of focus, but there’s no mistaking the subject – it’s me.  I’m sitting in an armchair, naked and completely exposed.  I have never, not even once, posed for pictures or taken sexy photos of myself.  It looks like a still frame from a video. 

I try to search the photo, looking for clues, but my heart is beating so quickly it’s hard for me to focus.  I’m sitting in an old red club chair and there’s a poster of the stoner band 311 and a movie poster from Pineapple Express.  I spent over two years staring at those damn posters.  It’s David’s room, and that means he must have been videotaping me during sex.

Fuck
.

“Juliette, my pet, you look like you’ve just seen a ghost,” Auggie teases.

I get up and lock the door.  “Auggie, I’m going to tell you something, but you have to swear not to tell another living person about this.  Got it?”  My hands are trembling.

“Okay.  You have my word.  What is it, Jepetto?  You know you can tell me anything and I’ll take it to the grave with me.”

“I need to give you this.  You have to keep it safe.  Don’t let anyone see it or even know it exists.  Especially not Evan.”  I fold the paper and slide it back into the envelope, then hand it to Auggie. 

“What’s inside, honey?  Will you let me look?  Just once?”  He can tell it’s serious.  I silently acquiesce.

He looks at the picture, expressionless.  He places it back in the envelope and tucks it away into his pocket.  “Okay.  I’ve seen it.  Now tell me about it.  When did you take it and who do you think has it?”

“Auggie, think about it.  Do you, for one second, think I would ever allow anyone to take a picture like that?”  I’m near tears.  I choke them back and continue.  “There’s only one person who could have possibly taken that picture.  And only one person who would.”  I look up at his big brown eyes, hoping to find comfort and understanding.

“David?” he asks.

“David,” I concur.

“Did he ask for anything or threaten you in any way?” Auggie asks.

“No,” I whisper.  “Not yet.”

Suddenly there’s a knock on the door and I nearly jump out of my skin.  “Jette, are you coming out soon?  Evan’s going to knock down the door if you don’t get your ass out here,” Emmy hollers through the door.

“Coming!”  I look at Auggie, panic-stricken.  “How do I look?  Can you tell I’m upset?”

“Not a chance.  You get out there and try to forget about this crap for one day.  We’ll deal with this first thing in the morning.”

I take a deep breath, trying to clear my mind.  I’m so grateful to have Auggie in my life.  Reaching out, he takes my hand in his and leads me toward the door, where Evan is patiently waiting on the other side.

Before opening the door, Auggie sternly warns me.  “Now you listen to me, and listen good.  David is inconsequential.  He is a tiny worm that’s gotten itself stuck to the bottom of your shoe.  He’s covered in dirt and mud.  It’s where he lives.  We don’t let slimy creatures like him affect us.  Get your skinny little ass and very consequential boobs out there and let that boy see you in those show-stopping Jimmy Choos.”

He makes me smile.  Leaning over, I give Auggie a kiss.  “I love you.”

“I love you, too, Jepetto.  Ready?”

Leaving the bedroom, we walk the short distance to the living room.  When I spot Evan, my feet refuse to take another step.  I’m glued tightly to this spot.  My heart rate speeds up and all worries are immediately forgotten.  His back is to me as he stands at the window overlooking the waves crashing on the beach. 

I take in the sultry vision of his form, my gaze sliding all over him.  His freshly cropped hairline skims the collar of his crisp, white dress shirt that peeks out from beneath his black tuxedo jacket.  He’s all long, lean legs and broad shoulders.  Even from this angle, he looks every bit the sexy celebrity he is. 

I don’t know if he senses my presence or if he can actually feel my craving for him, but he suddenly pivots around and drinks me in as a smile slowly appears across his handsome face. 

“Juliette.”  He comes toward me, his stride graceful and strong.  He reaches for my hand and brings it to his lips.  His gaze remains intensely focused on me with a heat usually reserved for our more intimate moments. 

When I feel his sinfully soft lips on my skin, goose bumps spread like wildfire, stirring up memories of that mouth on other parts of my body.  “Hi,” I squeak.

He smiles, and I’m reduced to a bundle of live wires.  Jolts of electricity shoot through me.  I want more of his touch so badly right now, it’s almost painful.  “Hi, yourself.  There isn't a word in the dictionary for how good you look.  I can’t wait to show you off.”

“Well you’re both going to have to wait, because first I get to take pictures,” Emmy demands.

“Emmy, we’re going to be photographed all night long.  I’ll send you one, I promise.  Now please let us get out of here before we’re late.”

Not to be dissuaded, Emmy persuades Evan and me to pose for a few quick pictures before he leads me out the door.  “Are we ready?  Do you have everything?”

Auggie comes racing up with my clutch.  “Don’t forget this, Jepetto.  You’ve got everything you could possibly need tucked inside.  Oh, and there’s one more thing.”  Auggie grabs a beautiful piece of white silk from the table and drapes it over my shoulders.  “It’s a silk pashmina.  I thought you might need one tonight.  It’s my little gift to you.  Knock ‘em dead, girl.”

Evan places his hand on the exposed skin at the small of my back and leads me out the door.  My skin tingles from the power of his touch, sending heat pouring through me. 

Waiting in the driveway is a black limousine with tinted windows.  When the driver sees us emerge, he immediately jumps out and opens the door for us.  I slide across the bench seat and place my pashmina scarf and clutch on a nearby seat.

Evan slides in next to me, and as the door shuts I’m immediately aware of how good he smells – the rich aroma of testosterone and sandalwood soap that is uniquely Evan.  He slowly removes the jacket of his custom-tailored tuxedo and carefully lays it on the bench seat across from us.  I watch transfixed as he loosens his tie and opens the first few buttons of his shirt.

The driver hops back in.  He turns around and gives us an itinerary.  “Traffic is light today.  We should arrive in a little over an hour.  Is there anything you need before we leave, sir?”

“No, we’re fine.  Thank you, Charles.”  Evan presses a button and the privacy window closes, leaving us completely alone for the next hour.

As we pull away from the curb, Evan pulls me onto his lap, cuddling me tightly.  “Are you sure you’re ready for this, Running Girl?  Just say the word and I can cancel.  Joey will understand.”

“No, I want to do this.  This is who you are, and it’s time I stopped watching from the sidelines.”  I look up into those piercing blue eyes that make me melt.

I reach up and run my fingers through the silky strands of hair, gently pulling and tugging.  It’s something I do every bit as much for me as for him.  I love the power I have over him when I do this.  He immediately submits to me, closing his eyes and leaning in to my touch.  When he releases a soft moan, I gently place a kiss on his perfect lips. 

He reciprocates with a slow and sweet kiss that reflects our precious, complicated, and constant connection.  When we finally break apart, a small giggle escapes.  Evan raises an eyebrow and looks at me oddly.  I confess, “This feels a little ...  I don’t know ... naughty, don’t you think?”

“Why, Juliette, haven’t you ever made love in a limo?” Evan asks as he nibbles on my neck.

“Remember, Chief, you’re my first hot and sexy millionaire.  But it’s probably no different from having sex in the back of a pickup truck, right?”

“There may be a few differences.”  He gives a sexy little growl and returns his attention to my neck, licking, sucking, and nibbling from my shoulder to my ear.

I hitch my dress up, thankful for the convenient slit that opens high on my leg.  I straddle him and deepen the kiss, stroking his tongue with licks that make my core tighten.  I wrap my arms around his neck and twist my fingers in his hair.  I rock against him, and he presses against me in return.  His breath mingles with mine, coming in short pants.  I can feel his heart beating against my chest.

I need this release.  I need him, now.  I lower my hand to his pants and begin to work on the buttons and zipper, my body aching for more of his touch.  I gasp when I feel his hand against the exposed skin at the small of my back.  I’m eternally grateful for the plunging V-back of my dress. 

Evan tenses.  His hand grips mine, stopping me, and he looks me deep in the eyes.  “What are you doing to me?” he asks.

I slide my hand up his body, searching for the small openings between his buttons where I can run the tips of my fingers across his flesh.  I bite my lip and smile.  Breathlessly, I lean in to his ear and tell him, “I’m touching you.”  I linger there long enough to nibble on his ear as I gaze out the window.  There are cars all around us and a complete stranger driving a minivan just a few feet away, oblivious to what is happening in the back seat right now.  It excites me and urges me on.

I can feel him grin against me and I return my attention to his pants, anxious to release his growing erection.  When he is free, I wrap my hand around his throbbing thickness and squeeze gently.  I use the little bead that collects on the tip to wet my palm so I can run it up and down him from root to tip, stroking rhythmically and methodically as he trembles from my touch. 

Evan slides one hand beneath the slit of my dress, tracing the outline of my panties until he reaches between my legs.  A long finger gently massages my sensitive flesh and I can feel my immediate response to his touch.  I push against him as he slides the silk of my panties to the side and explores.  I gasp when he finds my entrance.  “Oh, baby, you’re so wet and ready for me.”

“I can’t help it,” I tell him.  “Can the driver hear us?” I ask him, “because I don’t think I could stop right now even if I wanted to.”  I pump him a little faster and a little harder.  He responds by adding a second finger to my already swollen sex and matching me move for move.  As I clench against him, he smiles that wicked smile that melts my heart.

Evan responds by cranking up the music, essentially drowning out our cries of passion.  I back off him and grab hold of the waistband of his pants.  Holding on to my waist, he raises his hips just enough to allow me to slide his pants down to his ankles.  I position myself above him, my knees on either side of his hips, hovering so that I can feel his fullness pressing against me. 

Evan slides his hands beneath my dress and rips the panties from my body in one quick motion.  The abrupt sound, the tearing of cloth at my flesh, and the knowledge that this night will continue with me
sans
underwear only heightens my excitement.

He places his hands back on my hips as I place mine on his shoulders, where his beautiful flesh is hidden beneath the cotton cloth of his perfectly pressed dress suit.

I take one hand and grasp him firmly, sliding him across my cleft, spreading my wetness across his head.  I position him at my entrance and slowly lower myself, releasing him and sinking further and further until there is no more to take.

His fingers dig into my flesh as I move slowly from side to side, back and forth, coaxing the last small fraction of him inside me, stretching me to my limits.  The fullness of him is nearly overwhelming, and I gasp for breath. 

The musky smell of our lovemaking fills the air, deepens my desire, and encourages me.  Every cell in my body responds to him.  There are times when my physical need for him overpowers my sense.  I want to own him, subdue him, and possess him.

“My God, Juliette.  You’re so tight.  You feel so – fuck!” He pants and moans as I lift myself and slowly lower myself again.  “Go slow,” he hisses through his teeth.

I close my eyes, shutting out everything around us, and surround myself with the pulsations coursing through my body.  I concentrate on the sensation of his hardened flesh deep inside me.  We’re the only two people in this world at the moment, and he is my Universe.  I slowly lift myself until he nearly spills out of me, and then in one smooth motion I take him back in even deeper.

“I love you,” I whisper, watching his face as I ride him up and down.  He clutches my hips, lifting me and bringing me back down again, his strong arms guiding me and supporting me.  I love the feel of him, rolling my hips and adjusting the angle so he rubs against me exactly where I need it.