Just The Tip Read online

  “And?” I asked, leaning a smidgen closer.

  “I'll do it.” Violet's shoulders rolled forward, a light smile spreading on her lips.

  “So what was all that at the door? All the, I told you no more dates?” Arching a brow, wrinkles hit my hairline.

  “You took me by surprise, I wasn't expecting you to show up here. And well, after what you did for Lilith today, I sorta owe you now. Don't I?”

  “No, I didn't do this to try and weasel another date out of you. I did it because I told Lilith I would.”

  I watched her fingers grip the glass tightly, our eyes freezing on each other. Her big brown stare was burrowing into my core, holding me in place.

  Bringing a hand to her face, I brushed the back of my fingers along her jaw. I couldn't stop myself, it happened so naturally. The need to touch her had been so strong, all I wanted was a small sip, a tiny taste to quench my thirst.

  “Mateo.” Violet whispered, her eyes hooking my soul with each blink. “We need to talk.”

  “Isn't that what we're doing?” Tracing her collarbone, Violet's head fell into my hand.

  “I'm serious,” she spoke low and soft, her eyes rolling into the back of the sockets.

  Squeezing her shoulder, I let my hand scoop around her back, pressing between her shoulder blades. Her body leaned forward, prickles raising up across her skin like small mountains. “Violet, I know this whole dating thing hasn't been easy, but I promise it's about to get better.”

  My lips hovered above her neck, barely touching her skin. Breathing out slowly, I watched her shiver.

  “It's not just that,” she said, glancing down to look her at her hands.

  Brushing my mouth against her ear, a tremble passed between us, her muscles loosening. Snapping her head back up, our eyes locked, and my chest palpitating in rapid bursts.

  She looked so beautiful, her skin dewy and glowing. Deep lines filled her forehead, brows soft and sucking me in. I could see her chest rising and falling with quick snaps.

  “Violet, I'm going to be honest right now.” Pausing, I lifted my hand to her face, stroking her cheek. “I really want to kiss you.”

  Her lips parted, a light smile dangling at the crease. “So why haven't you?” Her tone was so soft, sexy, and irresistible.

  Leaning over, I pressed my mouth onto hers. A warm wave of prickles hit my hairline, turning my mind from fluent into a watery pool of consciousness. My cock was rigid, turning rock hard from the instant her lips touched mine.

  Speaking between licks, I whispered. “I don't know what I'm doing, but I can't stop.”

  Her airless words filled my mouth. “I don't want you stop.”

  Digging my hand deeper behind her head, I curled my fingers around her nape. Violet gasped, her eyes closing slowly, hands slipping across my chest. Her nails cut into the muscle, dragging down with need.

  A quick gasp escaped her lips, eyes locking closed as head tipped back. I wanted her, all of her. Over and over I wanted to take her body and make her beg for me to send her over the edge.

  My free hand came up and captured her breast, squeezing it with passion. Another moan, louder and more audible to my ears filled the room.

  Yeah, let me show you what true pleasure is.

  “Tonight will be the last of the dates, you won't need anymore.” Whispering into her ear, I licked the lobe, and suckled it gently. “This is it, the last one, I promise.”

  “I don't think you understand.” Twisting the hardened bead that emerged beneath her shirt, Violet ran her tongue across her bottom lip. Drowning out her thoughts, I wanted her to forget about her past, forget about the date, and only live in that moment.

  “I understand what makes you wet, I understand what makes you scream.” Shoving my hand down the neck of her shirt, I cupped her tit.

  White knuckles gleamed around her glass that she was still clutching tightly. Her body was pressing forward, searching for mine. Her curvy hips had started to roll, rocking against the couch, thighs parting with every gyration.

  “Mateo, we can't do this now.” The words didn't match her body. Her mouth was saying one thing, but her movements were saying another.

  We both want this.

  “Why can't we? Lilith is napping, no one else is here but us.” Tracing her spine with the tips of my fingers, I teased the trim of her pants, reaching further down to grab her ass.

  Tugging her in close, Violet's breasts rested against my shirt, her nipples brushing the muscle of my chest. I was ready to tear the shirt clean off her body, let the fabric break away in my fingers, exposing her supple hidden buds.

  My cock was pounding, throbbing to be touched. The thick, rigid shaft burned against my boxers, aching for a single finger to stroke it. “I can't stop myself from thinking about you, I can't stop your beautiful face from flashing in my mind.”

  Her hands tightened, squeezing the clear crystal to the point I expected it to shatter. Her chest was rising and falling with quick snaps, eyes glazed, lips soft and deliriously tasty looking.

  Nibbling the corner of her cheek, she whispered. “I can't stop thinking about you either, but you said you can't mix busi—”

  Holding a finger to her lips, I silenced her sweet voice. “I know what I said, and I'm trying so fucking hard to stick to my rules.” Slipping my finger over her lips, I danced over the edge. “But I also know what I want.”

  Violet's lips curled over my finger, sucking it hard. The wetness of her tongue wrapped my digit, circling, and pulling me in. I wanted those lips around my cock, I wanted to feel her tongue ride my length, and taste my juice.

  Slurping my finger, she let it loose with a loud pop, swiping a finger over her jaw. “What do you want? I want to hear you tell me.”

  Leaning in closer, my lips hovered over hers as I spoke. “I want it all, I wan—”

  “Mommy?” The light voice shot in from behind my shoulder causing Violet to jerk hard and fast, throwing her mostly filled glass of tea all over my chest.

  “Oh!” Violet yelped. Her hands brushed the liquid down my shirt, face folded in shock and surprise. “Oh, good, good, yeah. I think the spider is gone now.”

  “Spider!” Lilith screamed, leaping from the spot she was standing in and onto the arm of the couch.

  Violet's eyes were huge, not blinking, but frantically scanning my chest as if she was looking for something. “Yup, it's gone, Mateo. Good thing spiders don't like tea.”

  “Thanks, I don't like spiders at all. You saved me, whew.” Drawing a hand across my forehead, I played along.

  “Wow, Mommy, you saved Daddy a bunch before, and now you saved Mattie. You're not afraid of anything.”

  Arching a brow, I peered at Violet. “Are you a superhero in disguise?”

  “Hardly,” she said, nervously laughing. Clapping her hands against her thighs, Violet stood up. “I'll go get you a towel.”

  “Nah, don't worry it about. I should be going anyway. I'll see you Saturday night, seven o'clock at Charlio's. Go straight in, don't wait for me this time.”

  “Wait, what? No I don't think I can do this without you. You're my coach, I need you there.”

  “You can do this one on your own, I know you can. You don't need me, Violet, but I'll come by after you guys have a little time together. You'll do fine, don't worry. The hostess will be waiting for you and she'll take you where you need to go.”

  Giving me an insanely uncomfortable smile, she nodded. “Alright, seven, I'll be there.”

  I wanted her to see how strong she truly was. Violet didn't need me there and I couldn't stomach watching another man drool over her.

  The idea of seeing that made my nails dig into my palm, and my heart break into a sprint.

  This time, she had to go alone.

  There was no other way, not if I was still going to do what I was being paid for.

  Violet

  Dropping off Lilith to my mom, I hurried home to get ready for tonight. It was the last date according to Mat
eo, the final crack at helping me meet someone.

  There's no point to this.

  He was wasting his time, I wasn't going to scurry out of the restaurant, fingers curled into the hand of some guy I didn't care to ever know.

  But I had to go, I needed to go.

  I was going to tell him tonight about my pregnancy. I had tried to tell him, but he used his magic touch to erase my mind. His lips were barely on my skin, but I could feel them, his fingers teased my breast and I became unhinged.

  Pulling my hair into a tight bun, I finally felt happy about how it looked. A pleased smile arched across my face, the natural blush highlighting my cheeks.

  The whole pregnancy glow was starting to fill in, and this time around it definitely seemed to show up much earlier. When I was pregnant with Lilith, I didn't notice anything but the morning sickness for the first two months.

  So far, this pregnancy had felt completely different, but it was still early.

  There was no sign of the churning stomach—yet, but I felt like my belly was beginning to pop already. To be fair, it was probably just bloating, but I had heard that the second pregnancy typically showed a whole lot sooner.

  The dress I chose was filled with bright Hawaiian flowers, the top fit snugly against my chest, my swelling breasts already pillowing over the top. The bottom flared out and flowed to my knees, several loose layers of the material swayed and moved, not even needing a breeze.

  Flattening the dress against my small pot belly, I imagined what I was going to look like once I hit six, seven. . . Nine months along, and how miserable I would probably be if it was anything like when I was pregnant with Lilith.

  By the end of my pregnancy with her, I was ready to climb into my vagina and tear her out myself. The girl came a week overdue, and had spent the last few weeks sitting on my sciatic nerve.

  Not only was I incredibly huge, with no ankles left to see, but I had to deal with the sensation of being stabbed in the ass by a serrated blade.

  Alright, time to do this.

  The drive to the restaurant felt like I was driving to my own funeral. My hands dug into the steering wheel at ten and two, knuckles a hot shade of sun-bleached white. A hollow feeling was echoing in my gut as a wretched cringe of hunger mixed with the storming turn of nerves made me want to throw up.

  Which was strange. . . I was still hungry, even though I expected my stomach to explode any moment.

  Pregnancy, it's a crazy thing.

  Throwing my car into park, I let a heavy breath blow hot air across my tongue. My lips made a raspberry sound, vibrating against each other. Grabbing my purse, I clutched it tightly in my lap, and took the longest stride of my life out of the car.

  My nerves were on edge, bouncing around and turning my veins into a boiling mess. All my muscles tensed, then twinged, buzzed, then cooled. Shaking my hand fast, I tried to send the feelings out of my fingertips, and onto the ground.

  I've never been so nervous.

  How is he going to react?

  Forcing my feet forward, my heels clicked against the pavement, creating an echo in my mind. I kept wondering how the hell I was going to make it through this date.

  Not only did I have an elephant sitting on my lungs, and my brain torturing itself with worry of how I would ever find the strength to tell Mateo I was pregnant, but I had to sit through another date with some guy I had no desire to be next to.

  And that man wasn't even getting a fair chance. I tried with the first one, I tried with the second one—but the third, he was just going to get professional Violet.

  As far as I was concerned, he was another colleague at the school.

  The large glass door swung open as a young man held it in place to let me inside. “Hello, Miss, enjoy your evening,” he said with a bright smile.

  Smiling through closed lips, I kept walking straight to the hostess stand. Another girl, young as the man who held the door, greeted me with a large, toothy grin. “Hello, welcome to Charlio's. Do you have a reservation?” she asked, angling her head to the side and holding a pen, straight as an arrow, over a thin-lined book.

  The wood podium she used as her post was a dark cherry color. The intricate design on the trim was hand carved, every detail looked meticulously etched by hours of skilled work.

  Curling my fingers over the ledge, I felt the silky lacquer, smooth and invisible to the naked eye. “Um, I'm Violet, Violet Hughes.”

  Her eyes lit up, sparkling with a curious excitement. Snapping her head a hair, she shifted the long side bangs out of her eyes. “Ms. Hughes, yes, you're a little early.” Scanning the list of names, she highlighted a spot (which I assumed was me) near the bottom. “Please take a seat out here or at the bar, your table will be ready in a moment.”

  With tight lips, I smiled. “Okay, thank you.” Turning away from her, I strolled through the foyer and took a seat by the window.

  Glancing around, I was struck by an undeniable feeling of not belonging there. The floor was cut from marble that looked like it was shipped over from India, small candle holders sparkled like gold against the french handmade wallpaper.

  Checking myself over quickly, I made sure I hadn't accidentally brought in any greasy streaks or substances that might stain the chair I was sitting in.

  Can't be too safe, there's shit in the most obscure places at my house.

  A few crossed glances were cast my way by a couple waiting across from me, their eyes watching me as if I was beneath them, a sub-human in their glorious world. The woman fiddled with the diamond necklace around her neck, flicking her gaze to her husband and scoffing.

  I felt so small, so unwanted in that moment. They looked at me like I was a rat among a bevy of swans, like I was the rough uncut and ugly gem, while they were the perfectly cut emeralds.

  Charlio's was one of the few places I hadn't been to in our small city. It was one of those restaurants that screamed money, with dress codes, and fancy crystal chandeliers. It was a place for people who chose pearls over well grafted costume jewelry, and carried themselves with one arm raptored out, while they laughed a laugh they spent years perfecting to blend in with high society.

  I was not one of those people, and if I wasn't here for a reason, I wouldn't ever set a foot in the door.

  Besides, they probably didn't even carry crayons for children, or would tolerated the various taps and chirps a kid would make.

  Fuck that, I was all set.

  Stirring uncomfortably in my chair, I crossed my legs, and ignored the death stare from the couple. Looking out the window, I watched people arriving, the men in suits and women in long, flowing gowns.

  A twisting nerve in my stomach kept anticipating Mateo walking through the foyer and saving me from making a complete ass of myself—again. His face hovered like a ghostly apparition as my brain wished for him to show up right at that moment.

  I wanted to see his face, his broad shoulders, his messy, but oh so perfect, and touchable hair.

  He said he would be here, just not right away.

  I'm alone, on a date, and my love guru isn't here to help.

  “Ms. Hughes, your table is ready.” The blonde hostess stood by her post, menu in hand like a school text book.

  Standing briskly, I hugged my purse against my ribs, and followed her through the grand archway. Watching my feet as we walked, I placed each one methodically on the smooth marble.

  This was not a place I wanted to tumble head over heels, and land ass up for everyone to see my backside.

  Voices hummed around us like a symphony, laughing mingled with conversation, deep tones were highlighted by sweet high pitches. The scent of gourmet meals traveled through the air on aromatic waves.

  And my stomach twisted with a dying hunger.

  This food better be as good as it smells.

  Taking another cautious step, I hit a wall. Literally.

  The hostess had stopped, and I (because I wasn't paying any attention) had walked clear into her back, shoving her forwar
d. Her body joggled in a momentary balance on her toes, arms scrambling to regain her perfect posture.

  Throwing my hands out, I grabbed her shoulders, and kept her upright. “Oh, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean—”

  “Well, that wasn't the grand entrance I was hoping for, but then again, at least you kept your poise.” His voice hit my ears and for a second I stood like a stunned animal.

  I couldn't speak, I couldn't hear anything around me, and all the eyes I had been highly aware of when I accidentally tripped the hostess, suddenly disappeared.

  Mateo was standing by the table in front of me, a light grin spreading over his firm lips. He was dressed to the nines; a fierce black suit with a bright white button-up underneath, the two top buttons hanging open and showing a hint of his chiseled chest.

  He looked amazing. Sexy and strong, he stood with his arm bent across his stomach, head angling into a smile that made my knees weak.

  Holding his hand out, he gripped my wrist and pulled me in. I still hadn't spoken, no words finding their way to my tongue. I didn't even know what to say, I was caught completely off guard because he wasn't supposed to be here.

  “Well, say something already.” His massive thumb caressed the nub of my wrist, eyes tearing into my core and licking my body all in the same breath.

  “What are you doing here? Did I get stood-up?”

  That would be fine with me if mystery man wasn't showing up.

  Chuckling, he spoke in a low penetrating voice. “No, it's the complete opposite. I am your date.”

  His words infiltrated my body, sending a sharp bolt of lightening down my spine. “Wh. . . What? What do you mean?” I felt all my muscles surge with numbing pinpricks, every hair standing on end. “You can't be serious?”

  His fingers turned into swirling tornadoes, finding and touching every ridge across my hand, my arm, even the small crease in my elbow. “I'm nothing but serious, Violet.”

  The hostess cleared her throat, speaking quickly. “I'll just leave these here,” she said before turning and walking away.

  “What's going on, Mateo? Why would you be here as my date?” Looking up into his deep golden eyes, he stayed static with thin grinning lips.