Sugar Love Read online

  “Um…” Her gaze drifted upward. “Maybe we should quit while I’m ahead. You know…baby steps, baby. I got up a short way, at least.” She glowed. “This was so cool. It’s way better than I imagined it would be.”

  “Okay, good point. We’ll try a higher climb wall next time. Ropes and all.”

  “Deal.” She stuck out her hand. Her body practically vibrated with excitement.

  He hesitated the way he always did before shaking anyone’s hand. But then he reached for it and shook.

  “Deal,” he said, pulling her close.

  She wrapped her arms around his back, squeezing hard.

  “Thank you,” she said. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, Zander. This was so fun.”

  Satisfied to have scored a point or two, he let out a deep breath and settled into the embrace for a few seconds. The fragrant scent of Effie’s shampoo and sweat, coupled with the warmth of her body pressed against him, aroused the hell out of him.

  “I’m proud of you, baby,” he said, releasing her. “Let’s get those shoes and harness off of you.” He waved his hand toward the back of the gym.

  She skip-hopped beside him as they strode toward his duffel. “I’m so stoked. You have no idea.”

  “Oh, I have an idea, looking at your face.” He beamed. The smile reached all the way down to his heart. Then, he grimaced. Mia’s right. Hard and fast and deep.

  “No, seriously. I doubt you know what it’s like. You seem like one of those guy’s who’s confident in everything. A natural athlete.” She lowered herself to a seated position on the mat.

  He raised an eyebrow and sat next to her. “Give me your foot.”

  She extended a leg, leaning on her hands for support.

  As he removed her shoes, she said, “My parents were too poor to afford any kind of sports program when I was growing up. When I was in middle school, I wanted to try softball. How hard could it be, I asked myself. My dad convinced me it was difficult. ‘You could get hit in the face with the ball,’ he said. ‘You could sprain your ankle.’ I think he was trying to spare me the heartbreak of him not being able to pay for any gear. Then, I asked about swimming. ‘No way. You could drown.’ He discouraged everything.

  “And my mom was one of those helicopter moms. She was anxiety-ridden all the time, no doubt stressed about money every single day. And, as her only child, she kept me hidden from the real world, encouraging me to play indoors with my toys or read books. I wasn’t even allowed to play with the other kids, so I went to the library, instead. So, naturally, I was uncoordinated. I never had a chance to develop anything but my mind.” She tapped the side of her head.

  Zander listened intently. His heart hurt at the thought of never being able to move, to play, to explore. He brought her foot to his lips and kissed the top of it. Then, he placed both feet in his lap and began massaging one with his live hand, while cradling the foot in his high-tech-hand.

  “Mmm, that feels wonderful.”

  “Good. That’s a sad story, Effie.”

  “It’s my sad story, for sure. By the time I got to college, I was terrified of everything. This…” She waved her hand and glanced behind her, at the gym. “You…” Her eyes moistened with tears. “You’re giving me the most amazing gifts. I’ll never be able to thank you.” She scooted closer to him. “I know this is a business transaction for you, but for me, well…you’re giving me the world.”

  A business transaction. Right. Zander didn’t want to rip open his chest and get all vulnerable, telling Effie it was more than a business transaction.

  Instead, he placed her legs to the side and he said, “It’s my pleasure to break you out of your comfort zone.”

  He pushed to his feet and held out his hand.

  Effie put her sneakers on her feet. Then, she grasped his hand and tugged herself to standing. “Where to next?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  He knew where he’d like to go—somewhere private and secluded. But that would fall under the non-casual category he promised himself to adhere to. He picked up the gym bag and strode through the lobby, his free hand on the small of her back.

  Logan was occupied with a customer.

  Zander lifted his hand in farewell.

  Logan called, “Hope to see you in here again, Zan.”

  “Yeah, sure,” Zander said. For Effie.

  “I need to use the restroom,” she said. “To wash my hands.”

  She wiggled her fingers at him.

  He veered down the hallway and stopped outside the restroom doors. “I’ll be right here.”

  Figuring out how to keep this casual.

  She slipped into the ladies’ room while he loitered by the entrance.

  When she emerged, they headed toward the exit. He held open the front door for her, watching her backside as she sauntered across the threshold.

  Her hips swished and swayed. She kept up enthusiastic chatter about how excited she was, how grateful she was, blah blah blah.

  This Effie—this upbeat Effie was the one he was beginning to cherish. All he could think about was getting inside her lush body. He rolled his lower lip between his teeth and worried it with his tongue. Who am I kidding? This ain’t casual. I want her. So, how am I going to play this? “Would you like go to on another adventure with me?” His heart hung still and un-beating in his chest.

  He knew he played with fire. His relationship with Trisha had been a train wreck cluster-fuck that brought him to his knees, not once, not twice, but many times. He’d nearly lost his life in the process. How could he be certain this thing with Effie, with all its contractual obligations would be any different? The contract made it very certain their relationship would end, with hard and fast lines. And, with all his feelings and vulnerabilities rising to the surface with Effie, how did he know he could survive the end?

  Chapter 17

  Zander

  Zander eyed Effie, anxiously waiting for the answer to his question. The sky had begun to turn glorious shades of purple and orange as the sun fell into the horizon.

  Effie stood next to him at the passenger side of his car, eyeing him speculatively. She fidgeted with a strand of her hair.

  “Do you need me to repeat the question? I asked you if you’d like to go on another adventure.”

  His erection pulsed against his fly.

  He retrieved his key fob and unlocked the Lexus, ready to either take her back to her dorm from her climbing adventure so he could head home and spank his dick or take her somewhere secluded for an exploration of sexual possibilities.

  “What kind?” she lifted her gaze to look at him.

  His lips curved into a wicked smile. He swept his tongue over his top teeth.

  She sucked in a lungful of breath. “Oh.” Her eyes lowered to the growing bulge in his jeans. “My,” she breathed. Her luscious breasts rose and fell as she took deep gulps of air. “What are you…” She stammered, licked her lips, and began again. “What do you want to do?”

  “Oh, what don’t I want to do to you, Ms. D’Archangel?” he said, his voice growing husky.

  All hesitation rolled from his shoulders. He dropped his duffel next to his feet and pressed her against the passenger door. With his hands on either side of her face, he lowered his head for a long, lingering kiss. His hips rolled into her, slowly, seductively.

  “Zander,” she breathed into his mouth. “What are you doing to me?”

  “Hopefully, turning you on as much as I am.” His eyelids lowered to half-mast as he ground his straining dick against her belly.

  Effie let out a moan.

  “Get in the car,” he said. “Before I take you right here in the parking lot of Rock Nirvana.” He reached behind her and opened the door.

  A nervous laugh left her lips. She slid into her seat, her cheeks flushed.

  He picked up the duffel, strode to the back of the Lexus, and placed the bag in the trunk. He adjusted his jeans, making room for his rigid cock, before dropping into the driver’s s
eat. Once he’d fired up the engine, he unzipped, releasing his dick.

  “Touch me.” He pulled out of the parking space and sped out onto the busy street.

  She glanced right and left before placing her warm hand on his length.

  He hissed.

  “You’re so big. That sounds like a line from a porn flick, but it’s true.”

  “So you’ve watched much porn, Ms. D’Archangel?”

  She reddened.

  “I’ll take that as a yes,” he said. “And, that could be another interesting adventure.” A dirty chuckle left his throat.

  She thumbed the fluid at his tip and brought it to her mouth.

  He side-eyed her, his cock twitching as she licked his juices from the pad of her thumb.

  “For this activity, I don’t think we need dry hands, do you?” she said.

  “No,” he growled. “No, we don’t.” He kept his palms on the wheel and his eyes on the road, navigating through the busy Seattle streets.

  “I want my grip to slip,” she said, popping her p’s. She spat into her palm and brought her hand to his erection.

  “Fuck,” he said, as she stroked him. He widened his legs as best he could.

  Her strokes turned into vigorous pumping.

  He sucked in his breath and grabbed her wrist. “Not yet, baby. Not yet.”

  He turned the wheel, careening into a park.

  The parking lot was vacant, as if waiting for them. All the families had no doubt gone home to fix their suppers.

  He pulled the car into the back of the parking area.

  Old growth trees lined the grass. A pile of rocks served as a burrow for pet rabbits left here to fend for themselves when their owners got tired of caring for them. Some of the rabbits darted into the rocks as the Lexus purred to a stop.

  “Out in the open like this?” she said, scanning the area.

  “The parking lot’s empty. Who’s coming to the park when the sun is setting?” His mind barely functioned since his craving cock demanded its release.

  “Well, you and me,” she said, eyes fretful.

  “You’ll be our lookout,” he said, grinning wide.

  “What will you be doing?” she said, her voice rising.

  “Laying back and letting you ride me. Get out for a sec.”

  “I don’t know, Zander.” She bit her lip.

  “Come on. If someone pulls into the parking lot, we can leave. Promise.”

  She gave him a skeptical glance, before sliding from the seat.

  He wriggled across the console, moving into the passenger seat. Then, he pressed the automatic seat release and glided to a prone position.

  “I’ve got rubbers in the glove box. Think you can put one on with your mouth?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I doubt it’s as challenging as rock climbing.”

  He let out a low laugh. He lifted his torso, reached for the release to the glove box, and removed a condom.

  After biting the wrapper open, he handed it to Effie. “See what you can do.”

  With two dainty fingers, she slid the rubber free from the packaging. Then, she fingered it into place on the head of his cock. “Will I like the taste?”

  “Not sure. I’ve never tasted a condom before.”

  “Then, you lick it first,” she said, glaring at him.

  “It’s on my dick. My head won’t reach that far.” He smirked.

  “Lick the wrapper then.”

  He started to protest, but she said, “I’m kidding. Here.” She crouched next to the car and put her mouth over the latex. She gave a little suck and lifted her face. “Not bad. Kind of a minty chocolate chemical taste.”

  He shrugged. “I didn’t know what you’d like.”

  “This one’s fine.” She flashed him a saucy, hooded gaze and then grasped him at the base with one hand. Then, her mouth slipped over his cock, tonguing the latex into position.

  “Oh, yeah.” His head fell back against the headrest. “Sit on top, baby.”

  She glanced around the park, and then, using the open door as cover, slid her pants down around her ankles. Stepping free of one pant leg, she climbed on top of him and lowered herself into position.

  He reached for his cock and flicked it up and down her folds.

  She let out a sharp, low moan. “Do that again.”

  He licked his lips and stroked her with the tip.

  “That’s good,” she breathed, eyes closed. “If you keep doing that, I’m going to come.”

  “Who’s going to argue with that logic?” he said, grinning. His own arousal grew off the charts as he flicked her clit.

  In a few moments, she let out a long moan.

  He thrust inside her.

  “Oh, God,” she said, clutching his shoulders.

  He grabbed her hips and thrusted in and out. “I’m going to come, baby.”

  He groaned as he released into her.

  Her tight sex pulsed around him.

  She lifted her gaze, tensed, and said, “Shit. Someone’s coming.”

  Swiftly, he opened a compartment in the console between the seats and plucked a few tissues for her and a couple for him.

  “Here.” He shoved them into her hand.

  She lifted off him and began cleaning herself.

  He removed the condom and wadded it into a lump in his tissues. “Lift your leg so I can get back into my seat.”

  They maneuvered like gymnasts until he sat in his seat, zipped up, and she sat primly in hers, pants in place.

  She pulled her seatbelt over her lap, right as a middle-aged couple eased into the spot next to them. Effie gave them a little wave.

  They waved back.

  Zander turned the car on and backed up. Then, he sped away, past the cedar and bare-leafed deciduous trees.

  “That was hot.”

  “It was,” she said.

  He took her hand in his and held it all the way to her dorm. “So, camping next week, right?”

  “I guess so. I survived rock climbing,” she said, a small smile on her face.

  “Trust me. Kent’s been bugging me to get back into adventuring, so I thought I’d take him and his girl of the moment along. Is that cool with you?”

  Her face fell for a second. Then, she smiled and said, “Sure. Fine. Whatever you want, Zander,” like he was her boss.

  When she exited the car, an ache formed in his heart. He missed her already. As he watched her walk away, Zander’s phone buzzed. He didn’t recognize the number on the dashboard screen display. He tapped the connect button on the screen.

  “Hello?” he said, after sliding the connect icon on.

  “Zander. Baby. You can’t be serious about having a sugar baby,” a female voice cooed. “You can’t do this to me. You just can’t,” she wailed.

  Ice filled his veins. It wasn’t just any female voice, he realized, too late. It was her. Trisha. The bitch who had nearly destroyed him. This was just like her. She used to stalk him. She’d find him, wherever he was. If he even thought about another woman, she’d call him. She had this uncanny sense about her. And, when she found him, they’d argue, fuck, and break up all over again. It was a vicious cycle of obsessive depravity. And that was after she shot an arrow through my heart following my accident.

  “How did you get my number and what the hell do you want?” he snarled. This number was private. Only a trusted few had it. His head fell back on the seat. He couldn’t do this with Effie. Couldn’t get entwined with another woman. Kent was right to insist on the clause in the contract.

  Too bad his heart disagreed. The only thing he could think to do was protect Effie from the horrible reality he’d endured.

  He had to keep her away from Trisha Banks.

  Chapter 18

  Effie

  Something was off with Zander. Although she didn’t know him well, she could tell. He’d been clipped on the phone since she last saw him. Anxious. Nervous. He’d given her a new mobile number to call him. Why did he get a new phone? I
n their workouts at the gym the last couple of days, he’d been serious. Sober. Not particularly friendly.

  Is it me? It must be me. Or, is it the woman he’s sleeping with?

  She didn’t know, and she also didn’t know if she wanted to find out.

  Now, frantic about her upcoming camping trip and worried about Zander, she rounded the corner of the EXcape retail store in downtown Seattle, stumbling into an end-cap display.

  “Oh, jeez,” she said, lurching to grab several metal water bottles before they clattered to the floor.

  Too late. They hit the linoleum with a noisy metallic clang and rolled everywhere.

  “Effie,” Haley hissed, as she hustled toward her. “What are you doing?”

  She carried several items of clothing over her arm.

  “Rearranging the store, what do you think? Help me pick them up,” Effie said, her gaze darting around the store.

  Only a few people lifted their heads, then got back to whatever they were doing.

  Haley dumped the clothes over a shelf of sweaters and bent over to pick up a silver water bottle. She’d dressed in some skinny designer jeans, an aquamarine silk top, and a cute little cap that framed her heart-shaped face.

  A staff person hurried over.

  “Ms. D’Archangel, I can take care of this,” she said, a model-worthy smile affixed to her face.

  Her name tag read, “I’m Elaine. How can I help?” She looked like she’d just cycled off the velodrome, all pink-cheeked and composed. She wore chic padded cycling bib shorts and a sleek, navy blue jersey with horizontal white strips along the top and upper sleeves.

  Apparently, from what Effie could tell, EXcape store policies suggested staff members dress like the part of the store they worked in. And, “Elaine” worked in the cycling department this afternoon.

  “How do you know my name?” Effie said, flushed. She began stacking the water bottles on the shelf from which they’d fallen.

  “I can do this. Please. Don’t worry about it,” Elaine said, taking a water bottle from Effie’s grip. “Mr. King alerted everyone to watch for you this morning. He sent us your picture, so we’d know who to look for. And, you’re in the wrong department. You’re going camping in the Oregon dunes, am I right?”