His grin forms as his hand starts to move again, but this time at a much slower pace. I look in his melty eyes searing into me as the torture resumes. Savoring the sight of us in the mirror—Jude, tall and dark next to me, taller than usual but my lighter hair contrasting against his almost black. His touch is so light now the burn is driving me crazy. Pure torture. I grasp onto his forearm, not caring about my tacky fingernails and try to move my hips to get more contact with his torturous fingers. His arm around my torso squeezes me and I look at both of us in the mirror again, me falling apart and Jude’s heated eyes on me.
“Please.” I beg.
His eyes come to mine and he finally puts a tad more pressure, I gasp out loud as it washes over me. The next thing I know, I’m turned around and plopped on top of the vanity with my dress still around my waist. He spreads my legs apart as he’s working his big silver belt buckle and jeans at the same time. Before I know it, my boots are swung around his waist and he pulls me to the edge of the counter and thrusts inside.
“Put your hands to the edge to hold yourself, Gabby,” he demands.
I fist my hands around the edge of the granite counter, still feeling the remnants of my orgasm as he pulls me to him, slamming into me quick and hard. It’s fast but great because it’s unexpected as he finally plants himself into me one last time and his arms come around me sit me back on the vanity. He’s still planted deep inside me with his arms wrapped tight me holding me close.
After sitting here a beat, I say, “I guess we’re going to be late, huh?”
“Yeah.”
Feeling talkative for some reason, I go on. “I’m glad you like my dress. It’s new.”
“I like your panties, too.”
“They’re new, too.”
“And your boots. You can keep them on later tonight.” He pulls his head up to look at me. “But without the dress and panties.”
“You like my boots the best?” I grin at him.
“No, I think I’m just liking you the best.” He reaches down to kiss me soft and I melt into him. Then he bosses me, “Go clean up, we’re late.”
“You say that like it’s my fault,” I say dryly without moving a muscle.
“It is your fault, I couldn’t help myself.” He smiles, helping me off the counter and I come down with a clomp on my boots. Bending to grab my panties, I make my way to clean up and I hear Jude call after me, “And do me a favor, Gabby, don’t bend over in that dress. I don’t want to have to kick anyone’s ass tonight.”
Shaking my head, I mutter, “Whatever.”
“You think I’m kidding? I just fucked you in that dress and those boots. I’m feeling territorial,” he growls.
Seriously. We are going to a charity function with my family, like there’s any reason for him to feel territorial.
“We basically have two tables—the firm buys a table and my Uncle Nic’s construction company buys another. I think we’re at the firms table, I’m pretty sure Tony arranged that so his mom will have someone else to bother besides his date. My Pop will be at our table, too, and since Lilly is by herself, I asked her to join us. You should know everyone,” I explain as Jude pulls my Tahoe onto the Stable grounds to park.
“This is a sweet ride, but why do you have such a big car?” he changes the subject, apparently not caring who’s going to be there or where we’re sitting.
Getting used to Jude’s conversation tactics, I respond immediately. “I’m always hauling around furniture, large pictures, or area rugs. I needed something big. I like your truck, Jude, but I didn’t want one.” I wrinkle my nose at my explanation for my choice in vehicles. “And by the way, we need an excuse as to why we’re late.”
“One look at you in that dress, do you really think anyone’s going to think twice about why we’re late?”
“But this is my family.”
“You’re an adult.”
I look to the ceiling of my car as he parks and start to panic. “I’m not getting out until we think of an excuse.”
“Just blame it on me, I can handle it.”
“Oh my,” I whisper to myself and I hear Jude getting out of the car.
I hear my door open, he grabs my hand to pull me out. “Don’t worry. No one’s going to say anything.”
The sun is setting and it’s a beautiful night. The bonfires have been lit near the lake and people are milling all over the grounds. Lilly has sold all three hundred seats and it looks like they could be close to capacity already. The Carpino clan isn’t hard to find in large groups because of the sheer numbers and volume they create when they’re together. Tonight is no different. They’re congregated near the bar in a mass of people, Jude must have spotted them as well because this is where he is dragging me.
“Maybe we should go look at the lake. We can pretend we’ve been here and just couldn’t find them.”
“Gabby, over here! Where have you been?” Aunt Lizzie yells, stretching her already tall body up high and waving to us dramatically.
“Too late, sugar,” Jude says on a chuckle.
“Shit,” I whisper as I wave back and we make our way to the craziness that is my family.
“Where have you been?” Lizzie demands.
“I decided to paint my nails at the last minute,” I respond with enthusiasm.
I look around and my Pop is glaring at Jude with narrowed eyes. Uncle Gino is taking a drink of his beer while shaking his head minutely looking to the sky and Tony is grinning huge like he finds something funny. Shit, shit, and shit again.
Needing to do something, anything, to take the attention off me, I try to pull a Carpino and ask, “Tony, where are your manners? Aren’t you going to introduce us?”
Tony’s huge grin disintegrates immediately and he glares at me. Putting his arm around his date, he looks down at her and says, “Chelsea, this is Gabby, my cousin and her live-in boyfriend, Jude. They’ve been together for a whole month.” He looks back over at me and gives me a look like he has just one upped me.
My manners on the other hand never fail, so I stick my hand out. “Nice to meet you Chelsea. And he has his own condo,” I add, pointing to Jude for good measure. “What do you do?”
It’s at this time that I hear Lilly calling my name from far away. “Gabby, Gabby!”
Chelsea speaks with excitement “I’m a waitress at a sports bar downtown. But I’m in college.”
“Gabby!” I hear Lilly snap, getting closer.
Ignoring Lilly, all I can think about is Tony on a date with a college girl. She looks so young—she’s very pretty and petite. I’m sure her red hair is natural, it’s beautiful on her fair, clear skin.
“What are you studying?” I ask, still trying to block out Lilly’s voice.
“I’m still undecided,” Chelsea explains.
Wow. She’s really young if she hasn’t even declared a major. At this point I look at Tony who’s appearing a bit uncomfortable.
I keep at Chelsea. “So, what year are you?”
“Gabrielle Carpino!” Lilly is very close now.
Ignoring Lilly right along with me, Chelsea exclaims like she is super proud of herself. “Just started my sophomore year.”