“Your team?”
“No, I did it. I started out as a carpenter; I love to work with my hands. But once people started noticing my style, I hired a team and took care of the business.”
“That’s impressive.” She nibbles at her pizza. “And so’s this pie.”
“Agreed. It’s the only place I’ll order from. I met the owner at this small business mixer in Downtown Brooklyn. We became friends, he makes good food, the rest is history.”
“You’re always out aren’t you?”
I nod, napkin to mouth. “I’m not tonight.”
“Thank God.” I’m not sure if she means because I’m here with her, or that we’re here instead of out.
“And what about you? What do you have against socializing?”
“Nothing,” she says, enjoying her slice. “I like people, mostly. I just like home.” A quick silence passes between us. “When I was a kid, my mom was dead set on impressing everyone. A true keep up with the Joneses type. She dragged me and my brother to everything, making sure we were dressed perfectly, and acted perfectly. It got exhausting.”
“The shuffling around, you mean?”
“No.” Her doe eyes sparkle under the modern chandelier. “Never being good enough for her.” I lose my breath. My heart aches for her. “So, as soon as I grew the balls, I stopped going out with her. I’d tell her I had plans and hide out in the library.”
“Mimi.” I reach across the table and take her hand. “That sucks.”
“You can say that again.” Her voice remains calm, stoic. Like she’s worked through this, and knows exactly who she is and what she wants. It’s the most intriguing, intoxicating display I’ve ever seen from a woman. As if reading my thoughts, she looks up at me and genuinely smiles. “Good thing we get to write our own stories. It’s the best way to cope with the past.”
“I understand what you mean.” I wash down dinner with a glass of water. “My family was the opposite. They wanted nothing from me. Expected nothing from me. Which is probably why I worked so hard to be something.” My shoulders slump, elbows pressed into the table. “Jesus, I hope it wasn’t all for them. For their approval.”
“Do you like your life?”
“I love my life.”
“Then you’re doing it for you.”
How is it that she’s so easy to talk to? “How about you, Mimi? You like your life?”
“Oh yeah. I go to my favorite place in the world every single day.” She shrugs. “And they pay me!” A moment passes between us, a comfortable silence—something that usually sends me into a panic attack. “Let me clear the plates.” She rises, and heads over to me. “I mean you worked so hard on dinner.” Again, the playful eye roll. But when she reaches for my plate, I grab her wrist.
“You’re an amazing woman, Mimi. I noticed you long before I asked you out.” Her eyes widen in surprise.
I watch her throat when she swallows. “You’re pretty great yourself, Raiden Bringer.” Her soft voice, the way she stands with her shoulders squared, I can’t help myself. I’m on my feet and pressing her against me, hands exploring every curve of her body. Our tongues dance together, and I know instantly that this woman is the woman of my dreams. I have to show her how much I want her.
But I don’t have to say anything. Mimi’s already unbuttoning my shirt, and leading me toward the living room sofa.
8
Mimi
My hands run against his rock hard abs, down toward his belt buckle. His grooves feel great against my fingers, satisfying. On our way to the living room, he pulls his mouth away from mine, and groans. “Let’s go upstairs. It’s more comfortable.”
I nod, and Raiden takes me by the hand. It’s like I’m having an out of body experience, this gorgeous man in his gorgeous brownstone taking me upstairs so that he can have his way with me. And I’ll let him. Anything Raiden wants from me, it’s his. I want to belong to him. I want this to work.
His bedroom is as chic as the rest of the home, white and gray decor with touches of dark wood. My admiration for the room is cut short when he thrusts himself against me. His hands explore me, stopping to grope and squeeze me in places that have remained untouched for years. A burst of self-consciousness washes over me, but Raiden changes my mind.
“Your body is perfect Mimi. Perfect for me. I love the way you feel.” My pussy ignites and I press my mound hard up against his erection as he takes my face and kisses me silly. His fingers find my zipper. When I’m down to my panties, he sits me on the bed and removes his unbuttoned shirt. I drink in the sight of him, this broad shouldered Zeus of a man. That sexy hair of his, loose and tickling his cheek. What in the actual hell is my life right now?
I reach for his zipper, and help him undress. His sticky tip pokes from the top of his boxer briefs. I lick my lips and clench my cunt. He’s definitely huge in every department. It’s been so long, this may take a little extra effort.
He climbs on top of me, pressing his length into my cotton panties. “I’ve waited so long for this, Mimi. Waited to kiss you, to hold you,” his mouth engulfs my breast. “To taste you.” He nibbles at my puffy pink peak, and a long held sigh streams from my lips.