Once in a Lifetime (6 page)

Every time she walked out of the bar late at night to find him waiting filled her with hope.

“What are you thinking about over there?” Tony asked.

“Nothing.” She lied quickly. Tony was all about warning her about the men in her life.

“Andrew was in again this afternoon. He was looking for you. Be careful about him, Em. I’ve never known him to pursue a woman like he is you.” Tony tapped her on the shoulder, clearly trying to offer her some form of comfort.

“I stood him up, Tony. He has every right to be a little pissed.”

Guy cleared his throat, and Tony took his hand away. “Andrew will not be a problem. If he starts anything I’m here to handle it.”

“You don’t need to start anything or make anything worse. Andrew is an adult, and he should take my feelings like it. I accepted one date. I didn’t offer him a kidney or anything.”

She moved away to serve the woman waiting in line. Glancing over at Guy she felt a yearning start to spiral deep within her.

“Girl, you’ve got it bad,” a blonde woman said, giggling.

“Sorry. What drink did you want?” Emily asked. She’d been so filled with Guy that she’d not heard what the blonde had to say.

The blonde listed off her drinks. “I’m Lorraine by the way.”

“I’m Emily.”

“So, you’re the girl that has Guy chasing his tail.”

“I don’t know what you mean.” Emily brushed her comments off.

“For the last month Guy has not been around a single woman. I remember hearing all about his conquests, and yet not one woman has gotten near him.” Lorraine looked at her. Her gaze traveled up and down her body. “I think I know why.”

“Guy and I are just friends.”

“He’s never taken anyone to his games place, or at least that’s what Wayne says. You’re the first person.”

Emily stopped and stared at the other woman. She was pretty. “Are you one of his women?” she asked, feeling jealous for the first time in her life.

“No. I fucked Guy when I felt like it, but I’m not one of his women. I’m not pining for him. I just wanted to meet the woman who has the legend himself pining after her.”

They stared at each other for several minutes.

“Lorraine, what evil shit are you spreading about me now?” Guy asked, interrupting their conversation.

“Girl stuff. It would bore you. We hear everything, Emily. If I was you I’d stay clear of Andrew Marker. That man is dangerous, and don’t be hurting this one. He fucks women like they’re going out of fashion, but he never makes promises he doesn’t intend to keep.” With that Lorraine walked away.

Guy turned to her. “What was that all about?”

“I, erm, I don’t know. I’ve got to go and talk with someone.” She put the cloth down. “Tony, I’m going on break.”

She left through the back of the bar heading around the back. Emily stared at the spot where she’d first caught Guy with a blonde. Pulling out her cell phone she dialed Dorothy’s number.

After several rings her friend finally picked up.

“If you’re not careful Wayne is going to start hating you,” Dorothy said.

“I know. I know. You’re with him right now?”

“I told you I was.”

Taking several deep breaths Emily told her exactly what Lorraine said.

“What is this all about, Em?”

“Has he? I mean, I saw him on that first night and I’ve seen him with other women, but has he really stopped because of me?” Emily asked, needing her friend to answer her question.

“I don’t know the answer. Shouldn’t you ask Guy? No, wait. Hold on, let me ask Wayne.”

Emily kept the phone to her ear as she waited for her friend to get back to her.

She was growing impatient and checked her watch to make sure she wasn’t taking too long a break.

“Wayne has said he hasn’t seen Guy with a woman in a long time. He couldn’t say exactly.” Dorothy sighed over the line. “Em, he has a thing for you. I don’t know if it’s love or something else. All I know is I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”

“What should I do?” Emily asked. She’d been determined not to act on anything with Guy, but now she was totally confused by it all.

“Do what you feel is best. It has been a long time since you’ve given yourself to a man. Guy may not be the one, but he’s a great man to lose yourself in.”

Nodding, Emily stared up at the sky. “Tell Wayne I’m sorry for getting in his way.”

“I’ll tell him. Have a nice night, honey. I’m always here if you need to talk.”

She said her goodbyes and hung up the phone. There was nothing else for her to say.

“Did you get what you needed to know?” Guy asked.

Emily hadn’t heard him approach and spun ‘round to face him. “Guy, what did you hear?”

“I heard quite a bit. Tell me, Emily, what are
you
thinking?” He took a step closer. His hands were in his pockets.

“You’ve not had any other woman since you’ve met me?” she asked, taking a step back.

“No, I haven’t.”

“Why? I don’t understand.”

He kept on coming toward her. She stopped moving as she hit the wall. Her back was flush against the brick work.

He stepped in front of her, placing his hands on either side of her head.

“What’s there to understand? I’ve never had a problem with women before. I fuck ‘em and leave ‘em. It’s what I do. Every woman knows the score. I don’t settle down, not for anyone.”

“Why are you telling me this?” she asked. His body pressed to hers caging her in. she wasn’t afraid. In the last few weeks of knowing him, Emily knew he wasn’t the type of man to hurt a woman.

“Because you come along and suddenly I can’t be with other women, Em. You’ve done something to me that I don’t understand.” One of his hands moved from the wall to stroke her hair. “Everything about you captivates me.”

He leaned in close making her aware of his raging arousal.

“What do you want from me, Emily?” he asked.

She opened her lips to answer.

“Em, we need you back at the bar,” Tony said.

Jerking out from Guy’s arms she walked toward Tony. Her boss looked a lot safer than Guy did.

“This is not finished,” Guy said.

“I know.” She gave him one last look before entering the bar. The place had gotten busier since she’d taken a break.

What was she going to do about the man she just left? Her body was humming with activity. She hadn’t wanted to move from the confines of his arms. What did it all mean?

Focus on work now and on him later.

Taking the orders from the customers, she set to work fixing drinks.

Chapter Six

Leaning against his lamppost Guy stared up at the late night sky. Within a few weeks the warm weather would be replaced by the coldness of fall. He loved the dark months, the cold and the festive season all wrapped into one. Even in the cold he’d wait for Emily to finish. He’d drunk his last beer an hour ago, and he was watching the last few people leave. Half an hour later, as Emily always helped with the cleanup, the woman who’d been fucking him up walked out. When he’d heard her talking to Dorothy about him, he’d felt like someone had sucker-punched him in the gut. Then, when he heard the turmoil in her voice, he’d known what he wanted to do.

There was no reason for either of them to hide. They’d been close for the last month. In fact, to him it didn’t feel like they’d only known each other a month. To him, he felt like they’d known each other for a lifetime already.

Some people just connected, is what his father said. Did he and Emily connect? He thought so.

“Hey,” she said. “Thank you for waiting. You know you don’t have to.”

“I like waiting.” Taking her hand he started in the direction of her apartment. He could bring his car and spend the whole night not drinking, but then he wouldn’t get as long alone with her.

“I’m sorry you heard me talking on the phone with Dorothy,” she said, holding on tight to his hand.

“It’s what you do.”

“Have you stopped fucking women because of me?” Emily asked. Her question took him by surprise. Guy had expected her to draw it out, to make the talking last.

Stopping, he turned to her.

“What do you want me to say?” He kept hold of her hand as he looked at her.

“I want you to tell me the truth. Have you stopped seeing women because of me?” They were paused in the middle of the road. Looking up and down, Guy wondered what he should say.

Should he lie and pretend something different, or should he just lay his emotions out on the table?

“No, I’ve not dated another woman since you’ve come on the scene. I can’t get you out of my head. You’re all I think about, and no, it’s not love. I’m not in love with you.”

“You simply want to fuck me?” Emily asked.

“I’m a guy, and you’re hot. I would never hurt you. I know you’re attracted to me, Em. Why don’t you let yourself live a little? I’m not Nathan. I’m never going to stop you being you.”

“So I should just fuck you and be done with it?”

“No. Be with me if that’s what you want. Don’t hold back for fear of what this all means.”

He saw she was thinking about what he said.

“You’re not offering commitment?”

“No, I’m offering good, mind-blowing sex. I care about you, Em and I want—”

She cut him off by wrapping her arms around his neck. “Shut up, and kiss me, Guy.”

Emily looked up at him, and he was struck by how small she actually was compared to him.

Staring into her eyes, he saw she meant what she said.

Sinking his fingers into her hair he tilted her head back. “Do you have any idea what you’re getting yourself into?” he asked.

“Why don’t you show me?”

He cut her words off with his lips. Guy didn’t want her talking. He wanted her lips open and her body quivering as he took her. Slamming his lips down on hers, he plundered her mouth with his tongue, making love to her lips.

Her hands tightened around his neck. Fisting his hand in her hair, Guy controlled the kiss, only giving her what he wanted.

She moaned and whimpered as he took his sweet time loving her lips. There was no rush inside him to kiss her.

“Guy,” she said, crying out. He dipped his head down to suck on her pulse, which was pounding against his tongue.

The sound of a car honking brought him out the thrall. They were still stood in the middle of the road as they kissed. He waved to the car, leading her off the road.

“I forgot we were still stood there,” she said. “I forgot everything.”

“Do you want to do this, Em? Once we start this I don’t know if I’ll be able to stop.”

“I want this. I want you, Guy. Take me home.”

He didn’t know what would happen once he got her home. If she sent him on his way, he’d leave her alone. If she invited him inside, he’d give her a night she wouldn’t forget.

The journey to her home went by without any event. He didn’t think and acted more on instinct. When they were at her apartment building he followed her up to her floor. Her hands were shaking as she produced the key.

Taking the key from her hand he unlocked the door. “What’s it going to be?” he asked.

Her hand went to his chest. He didn’t break eye contact with her. She fisted her hand, pulling him inside.

Guy got his answer and slammed the door shut. Slamming her up against the nearest wall, he sank his fingers back into her hair and claimed her lips. She cried out. Her hands tugged on the stands of his hair at the nape of his neck.

Lust charged through him. His cock was incredibly tight against the confines of his jeans. Letting go of her hair, he ran his hand down her body to cup her breast.

Tearing the shirt from her arms he worked erratically to rid the clothes from her body.

“I need to get you fucking naked.”

She shoved him away, tearing at her clothes. When she was done, she tugged him close still dressed in her underwear.

Her fingers worked at his buckle trying to rid his body from the clothing separating them. “You’re not naked yet,” he said.

“Neither are you.” She bit into his lip leading him back.

This is not what he expected from her. The lust was displayed clearly in her eyes along with the need. She kept moving him back until he sat down on her only chair. Emily crawled onto his lap, straddling his hips.

His jeans were open at the waist. Running his hands up her back, he flicked the catch of her bra. He removed the offensive bra from her body, and her glorious full tits swung free.

Wrapping his hands into her hair he tugged her back getting a good look at the front of her body. Her nipples were red hard buds. They were large nipples, and he couldn’t wait to suck on them.

She giggled, squirming on his lap. He slapped her ass.

“Stay still.” The scent of her arousal wafted up to him. He slipped his finger into her panties, stroking over her wet heat. She was dripping wet and coated his fingers with her cream.

“Fuck you’re wet, baby.”

Pulling his finger from her panties he sucked her cream into his mouth. She was sweet yet musky.

She wriggled off his lap. “It’s time for you to get naked.”

He admired her body as she stood looking at him. Easing his weight out of the chair he kept his gaze on hers. Pushing the jeans down her thighs he stepped out of them kicking them away.

“What’s with the change inside you?” he asked. She’d been reserved around him, barely giving him a word, and now she was ready to fuck him.

“Nothing has changed, Guy. You want to fuck me, and I want to fuck you. What you said is the reason we’re here now. I’m tired of fighting this attraction between us.” She stepped closer, running her finger down his naked chest. He still wore his boxers.

No wonder her ex didn’t want to get rid of her if this was how she responded. Dropping his hand to her waist he pulled her in close.

“This is who you really are?” he asked.

She gripped his cock in her palm. “You’ll have to wait and see, Guy.”

What the hell was going on? He didn’t have the answer, and yet he didn’t care. Her change was what he loved.

Loved. It was only a word, and yet he felt the pleasure down to his soul. He wasn’t in love with her. Guy had never been in love with anyone before.