“Just know he did something awful enough to end us for good.”
“I told you not to put his name on the lease if you weren’t married.”
“You did,” I agreed while rubbing at my temple. “I didn’t listen, and I’m learning my lesson.”
“I always thought you deserved better, and I hope you’re smarter when the next one comes along.” She clicked her tongue against her teeth.
I didn’t have the heart to tell my mother I was even stupider this time. There was no way I could explain what was going on with Joe and me, especially since I didn’t totally understand it myself. All I knew was in between all the amazing conversation and incredible sex, I’d caught real feelings for Joe. The whole thing was ridiculous even in my own head, much less explaining it to someone else. Megan and Claire thought we were just having fun, but it was more. From the beginning, it had beensomuch more. Explaining to my mother how I may be falling for a man I’d known for a week was in line with telling her I met Santa Claus at the shore. I’d receive the same “are you high?” reaction. But I guessed I was high because all I did was dread the inevitable low.
“I do, too. I’ll call you tomorrow, Mom.”
I ended the call and let my head fall back, searching the ceiling as if it had an answer. This could work long-distance, right? Maybe? Was I prolonging the inevitable or living in the moment? Both I was sure, but I couldn’t stop.
My eyes roamed our pristine kitchen. I guessed working in restaurants for so long made Joe quick and thorough with cleanup.
“Joe?” I called out. “Did you clean the whole kitchen? Where are you?”
The flick of a switch followed by a loud whir wafted from the bathroom. I knocked on the door. “Hey, you decent?”
“No, but come in.”
I pushed the door open and found Joe laying in the jacuzzi, with jets blowing water around him as he stretched his arms along the back of the tub.
“Started without me?” I crossed my arms and aimed the best glare I could muster at him, all while a hot shiver broke out along my skin. Joe was naked. And wet. A naked and wet Joe, with water dripping along every muscle, was sprawled out in the tub, casting me a heated glance before he beckoned me with the crook of his finger.
“Lose the dress, and get in here.”
With shaky hands, I slipped my dress over my head and dropped it on the bathroom tile. I stripped off my bra and underwear and climbed in with Joe.
“I thought it was a little bigger than this. I guess two people don’t exactly fit.” I crouched down in the tub, and Joe pulled me between his legs.
“Plenty of room.” He rubbed my shoulders and slid his hands down my damp arms, over my torso, and along my hips. “I still need to teach you to relax.” Joe pulled me against him, his erection digging into my back. “I want you so fucking bad right now. I want my mouth and my hands on every part of you.” His voice was hoarse, almost pained. “Where should I start, Caterina Rose?” His hands left my hair and traveled down my stomach. The shiver was replaced with a blinding ache.
“Joe, please,” I begged. “Please touch me.”
“Where, baby? Where should I touch you?” He thrummed my clit underwater, drifting his thumb back and forth and around. My hips rolled, pushing into his hand for more friction.
I craned my head toward his wolfish grin, looping my arm around his neck and pulling him in for a kiss. I flipped around and straddled his lap, water sloshing everywhere, and neither of us giving a single fuck.
My head fell back as his lips closed on a nipple, sucking hard and pulling the rigid peak between his teeth. I raked my hands through his wet hair and ground against him as his cock thickened against me.
“We can’t.” Joe grabbed my ass with both hands and pulled me up. “Too risky in here. Lie back, Caterina.”
I climbed off of him and lay on the other side of the tub. Joe lifted my legs out of the water with a loud splash and buried his head between my legs.
His heated gaze lifted to mine. “So good. You taste so goddamn good. I’llneverget enough.” Anguish dripped off of every word as if he reallywouldn’tever get enough. He slipped two fingers inside of me, curling them before pulling out, and I lost control of the lower half of my body. I came so hard I lost my breath and even my vision for a moment as hot white stars flashed behind my eyes. His lips and tongue stayed on me, still tasting and exploring even when my body jerked against him from aftershock.
“Joe,” I breathed once I found my voice again. I dipped my head to meet his hooded eyes.
“Lie back, Joseph.” I sat up and pushed against Joe’s chest. His cock peeked out of the water, still hard and huge. I palmed the weight of his length, gliding my hand up and down before bending to take him in my mouth. I let my tongue trace the water droplets streaming down his shaft and swirl around the top. His chest heaved as he muttered a tortured curse.
“Caterina, baby, I’m close.” His mouth fell open when I took him as deep as I could, still working him with my hand until he went rigid under me and spilled down my throat.
I’d given a few blow jobs, even enjoyed it at times. But I’d read the signals and would tear my mouth away right before the guy came. It always seemed too intimate and just toomuchto do that. With Joe, I wanted everything. He made me crave and want and need. It was as if I were taking everything I could from Joe and saving it for later when he wasn’t within my reach anymore.
My breaths were quick again as I rested my head on Joe’s stomach. He sifted his hands through my wet hair as his own breathing slowed.
I lifted my gaze to his, a slow smile lifting my cheeks. His eyes were hooded and wet, reflecting the same sad need that coursed through my veins.
