Three Times a Lady Read online

  “I’m going to taste you.” His voice was a low timber of need, and he licked her essence from his finger. “I’m going to until you come and beg me to fuck you.”

  “Oh my.”

  He grinned at her words, and her back arched when he blew lightly against her clit. Mari arched, and Haile heard her sexy moan as he lowered his mouth to her core. She cried out and bucked at the first slow lick of his tongue. Her scent and taste consumed him, and he delved his tongue between the soft folds of her labia greedily. She writhed, and the tiny sounds of pleasure she made were driving him mad.

  “Oh God, stop, no don’t stop.” The last word ended on a moan as pleasure coursed through her.

  Following her cues and feeding off her response, Haile brought her hips forward with a rough jerk and explored her thoroughly with his mouth. Her hands were in his hair, and she lifted her hips against his mouth, seeking release as he teased her clit.

  “I’m going to come,” Mari cried out.

  She moaned and writhed, and with a final flick of his tongue Haile reaped the reward her body had to offer when Mari came against his mouth and her essence flowed. God, she tasted better than sweet cream and honey. He lapped her with an almost ravenous intent, licking around the entrance of her sex.

  Mari lay back gasping, and he watched the rise and fall of her breasts. Haile was not done, not by far, and he meant to have it all from her. He watched her as he slipped one finger inside her, and she moaned in response. Haile added another digit inside, and Mari arched her neck. She spread her legs wider as he created a slow rhythm with his hand. She arched with each deep insertion, panting, and she cupped her breasts while he watched. She was living art, liquid fire, every movement of her body burned into his subconscious.

  “Do you like this, Marisol?”

  “Yes,” she whispered and licked her lips.

  “Say my name, tell me you want more,” Haile commanded gently as he increased the pace.

  “Haile, it’s wonderful, oh God, please touch me everywhere,” she panted as he pushed deeper inside her wet pussy.

  “Just me, Dove, only me who makes you feel this way.” Haile wanted her to remember that. God his cock ached to be inside her.

  “Only you.” Her hips undulated frantically against his hand. “I love how this feels... I’m going to come.”

  “Yes, darling,” he muttered and watched her tremble.

  There was no more of a pleasing sight than watching her body draw tight and then release as her orgasm flowed over her. As each sensation rolled through her, Mari begged him to take her between every gasping breath. Watching her come was too much for Haile, he was hard to the point of pain. He covered her with his body and gritted his teeth as he slowly slipped into her wet sex. His groan matched hers as she took every inch of him until he was buried to the hilt. Haile withdrew slowly and thrust deep once more. She cried out, and he knew exactly what she was feeling. The feel of her was pure unadulterated pleasure that danced along the nerve endings of his skin.

  “Let me ne on top,” she pleaded.

  Haile burned hot at her words. Mari was taking control of her sexuality where there was not a choice before. He moved so she could straddle his body, and she took his hard length into her hand and guided him within her wet sex. He groaned as she took him in inch by slow, torturous inch, while her hips undulated gently. Haile clenched his hands into the mat that covered the sand and let her lead their path to fulfillment. Her thighs clenched against his hard ones as she moved, her hands were pressed against his chest, and she bent to kiss him long and deep.

  As the tempo of her pace increased, she arched, and Haile couldn’t resist the temptation to run his hands up her body to her breasts. He cupped the rounded mounds and ran his thumbs over her nipples as she moved sensuously above him. Mari took him deeper with every downward thrust, and a tortured moan escaped Haile between his gritted his teeth. He tried to hold on to her, to slow the rhythm before he lost all control. But she was past the point of reason, driven by that primal instinct to find completion.

  “I need you, Haile,” she cried out.

  “Oh, Dove, you have me in every possible way,” Haile groaned, and he meant it with everything he had in him.

  “I’m going to come,” she whimpered.

  Haile looked up at her and saw tears on her cheeks. There was a moment of panic until he saw not pain on her face but bliss. Her pussy clenched around his cock. Mari was letting herself go and falling into the abyss of her orgasm, and Haile followed her to the edge and jumped. He held her against him as her body trembled and kissed her with every ounce of emotion that was within him.

  The heat coming from the dome’s heaters caressed their naked skin. Haile stroked her face and kissed the tears drying on her cheeks and yet more fell. He fit her body against his and looked down as tears slipped from her eyes.

  “Why are you crying?” he asked huskily. “Did I hurt you?

  “No, not at all.” She opened her eyes and looked at him. “I just never felt anything that can compare to this before. It was beautiful, it was... I wanted this, and it was my choice.”

  “I’m glad you made that choice.” Haile smiled.

  He pressed his face against her neck and inhaled. Haile thought he would never tire of how she smelled or felt in his arms. The look in her eyes, the trust and the hope, made him feel as if he could conquer the world. He never wanted to see pain or fear in those beautiful chocolate eyes ever again, and Haile vowed he never would.

  Chapter Six

  There was no denying that she was happier, but Mari kept expecting the other shoe to drop. Jeffery had been quiet, and her mind kept drifting to Marcus. She feared him, even though everyone thought he wouldn’t dare come to Northumberland if he found out where she was. They didn’t know Marcus. She knew him from high school and he was crazy then, but he was even worse now. She worked and felt she needed to look over her shoulder when she wasn’t at the pub or in her apartment. Mari knew she should start looking for her own place soon, but when Haile locked up for the night, even if he didn’t stay there, she felt safe.

  Haile. Her lips curved in a soft smile just thinking of his name, and her stomach clenched delightfully thinking about what they shared. Since their first date, he had been nothing but sweet, gentle, and kind. When she was naked in his arms, she felt the heat of his desire but she knew he held himself back for her. His hesitancy made her think that he believed any sudden move or too much passion would scare her away, but that was far from the truth.

  She trusted him and knew the difference between what they shared and what she was forced into from fear. Was it bad to want all of him, unrestrained and wild? They were both still learning each other, and it was all still new... maybe it took time. Saturday night was busy, but hell, when was Celtic Cross not full? From the time the doors opened it was families, friends, teens, and other groups having fun and eating. Then from around six the evening crowd of people came from work, first dates and regulars came in for the evening.

  She had even gotten used to Sunday Night Ruckus after the rugby matches, and since the first incident, Haile and the guy he had fought seemed to be fast friends. She shook her head in bemusement at that fact because she knew rifts between friends in Texas that still hadn’t been fixed even though twenty years had passed. It made her happy to see how everyone knew each other, and Haile’s pub was the neighborhood hub. But tonight seemed to be different, because at nine that night, Joslyn Moermond walked through the doors with her head held high. She was wearing a crisp blue skirt with a jacket to match. Her white blouse was a mass of ruffles, and she wore the gloves and shoes to match. Joslyn’s hair was pinned up in a tight bun of black hair, and her make-up was pristine and flawlessly cold, and so were her eyes.

  “What the hell is she doing in here?” Morgan asked.

  When Mari looked up and saw her, her heart dropped. Joslyn met her gaze and moved toward the bar with intent clear in her eyes. She was ready to cause a scene.
/>   “I’m going to get Haile from the back office,” Morgan said and moved quickly. “I need for you to stop trying to coerce my husband into your bed,” Joslyn said loudly.

  Even the live band stopped playing and everyone looked toward the bar. Hell, even Mr. Moore the regular scooted closer so he could hear.

  “I don’t talk to your husband nor do I want to,” Mari answered. “Now if I can get you a drink, let me know.”

  “You Americans think you can come with your whore ways and take our men.” Joslyn cast her a cold look. “It won’t happen, and if you text him again I will take legal action.”

  “Listen lady, I do not text your husband,” Mari snapped.

  “Let’s not forget you moved here thinking that you and he would be lovers,” Joslyn said loudly. “Now look at you, the barmaid, and still trying to get in his pockets.”

  “So this is you trying to cause a scene, make gossip, and embarrass me?” Mari asked. “You are making yourself look dumb as fuck, lady.”

  “Crass, just what this place needs,” Joslyn murmured.

  “Ice queen bitch, you and Jeffery are perfectly suited,” Mari answered sweetly. Haile and Mrs. Humphrey came from the back just at the time.

  “Anything I can do for you, Joslyn?” Haile asked casually leaning against the bar.

  “It’s Mrs. Moermond to you.” Joslyn looked him up and down. “Tell your new bar whore to stay away from my husband.”

  “I haven’t, Haile, I swear. Check my phone,” Mari stammered. She certainly didn’t want the man she was seeing to think she was messing around with someone else.

  “I don’t need to check anything. I know you’re not,” Haile said casually. “Joslyn.” Mari noted he used her first name on purpose. “I see you live with your head in the clouds, but you do understand he can save anyone’s number under her name, right?”

  “You would take her side.” Joslyn Moermond flicked him a cold glance. “You didn’t want to believe what a little slut your sister was. And look how that turned out.”

  Haile’s eye’s eyes glittered in anger and his voice was deadly. “What did you say to me?”

  “Why are you here trying to cause trouble for that slimy whelp you call a husband?” Mrs. H spoke up and stepped in front of Haile quickly. “You bloody well have it figured out, he has habitually cheated on you for years.”

  “That is not true,” Joslyn said through stiff lips. “We have a loving marriage, and this one is trying to destroy it.”

  “Oh, piss off with that,” Mrs. H snapped. “That boy has dipped his wick in so many different types of wax that it’s got more layers that a rainbow lollie by now.” People tried to stifle their laughter and failed as Mrs. H continued. “You came in here thinking that you would embarrass this poor girl and you’d feel some gratification and we’d all look at her and cry shame, shame. It’s you who should be ashamed, for taking a man’s side instead of looking out for your own.”

  “You should ask Jeffery about those clubs he visits and what goes on there, what he really enjoys... Joslyn,” Haile added.

  “You stay away from my husband or you will regret this,” Joslyn said angrily and pointed a gloved hand at Mari. “I’m warning her, and she’d better heed it before she ends up... well your sister is missing, Haile. You still can’t find that red hair.”

  “Are you threatening her?” Haile roared. “You have information on what your husband did and now you want to come into my place and threaten Mari.”

  “Get out you stupid... stupid woman before I forget my age and throw you out myself,” Mrs. H snapped angrily. “And don’t you dare come back.”

  Joslyn gave a small triumphant smile and a stiff nod before she turned and walked out the door. The silence was deafening, and Haile just turned and walked back to his office without a word.

  “Why is it so quiet in here?” Mrs. H demanded. “If you didn’t come here to hear a band and enjoy yourselves then get to going home.”

  No one defied that stern face, and the music queued up quickly as regular conversation slowly filtered back. The waitresses returned to working the tables, and Mrs. H stepped behind the bar.

  “Go see him, Mari,” Mrs. H said. “I can stand out here for a bit before I head back to the kitchen.”

  “Yes ma’am,” she answered.

  Mari took off her apron and set it on the lower shelf before heading toward the door that led to the back of the pub. Guilt gnawed at her because Joslyn had come into the Celtic Cross to embarrass her. Instead, Jeffery’s wife hurt Haile using the one thing she knew would be a spear to his psyche. With her hand on the doorknob, she took a deep breath and stepped inside to see him pacing.

  “Mari.” He looked at her with pleading eyes. “Go away, Dove, I don’t want you to see me angry and frustrated.”

  “Why?” Mari asked. “She hurt you because of me.”

  “I don’t want my anger to scare you,” Haile admitted as he turned to her. “Right now I can feel it seething through me because of those two. He killed her, and that bitch uses it.... They taunt me, and I want to strangle them for it.” His voice was harsh and agonized. “He destroyed our lives for his sick pleasure, and she has the gall to throw it in my face.”

  Mari closed the door and moved to the center of the room where he was. “Haile, you don’t scare me. There is a difference—such a big difference—to what you are feeling and what was done to me. You have every damn right to be angry because they took your sister from you.” She kissed his large palm. “Marcus hurt me for his sick pleasure and because he could, there is no comparison between you and him. I understand that now. That night I made you feel as if you have to walk on eggshells after the fight. It’s obvious, you’d never hurt me and my heart feels that too.”

  “I’m glad you feel that way.” Haile cupped her cheek, and his voice was rough with emotion. “Still this cloud is hanging over my life, and I’m helpless to fix it.”

  “They’re going to make a mistake, and you’ll get your answers, I feel it,” Mari promised. “Do you want me to leave? I mean quit working at the pub and move out. They’re going to keep trying to pick at me until I break, and you’ll be in the middle.”

  “Hell no, you’re the best thing that ever happened to me, and I won’t let them make me lose you.” Haile hesitated. “I do feel as if you were threatened, though, so I will be keeping an eye on you.”

  Mari smiled and teased, “How close of an eye?”

  He wrapped his arms around her. “Come home with me tonight and find out.”

  “Okay,” she agreed.

  Usually they were at the apartment at night, and for him to invite her to his real home was another step in the right direction. She never pushed, but she had started to wonder after the first few times he stayed with her at the pub if he was keeping her separate from his home and maybe a second part of his life.

  “This is the first time you’ll come to my home,” he pointed out.

  Mari smiled up at him. “Yes it is, I was starting to wonder.”

  “I didn’t want to push and make you feel it’s too serious too quickly,” Haile admitted.

  “I didn’t want to speculate or invade your private space before you were ready,” Mari replied.

  “We spend so much time dancing around what we think each other wants, let’s just talk to each other,” Haile suggested. “I want you to see you at my house, in my bed, maybe walking down the stairs nude.”

  “I see you have been thinking about this,” Mari laughed.

  “Quite a bit actually.” Haile bent to kiss her gently. “I love that you are in my life.”

  “I’m happy being here,” she replied gently. “No, I have to go back to the bar because Mrs. H is in my spot and she may lecture one too many people on drinking.”

  “Please do, I’d prefer to see a profit tonight.” Haile grinned and kissed her again. “Thank you, Mari.”

  She nudged him with her hip. “I got you babe.”

  Back at the bar she t
ook over from Mrs. H who was explaining to a young couple why the female half shouldn’t give away the milk for free. The girl’s face was red and the young man just kept his glass to his lips and looked everywhere but at his date or the old woman behind the bar.

  “Thanks Mrs. H, I can take over now,” Mari said quickly.

  “Remember what I said dear. Make him put a ring on it, listen to the song and get a wedding band before he gets in those knickers,” Mrs. H said as her parting words. “Is he okay, Mari?”

  “He’ll be fine,” Mari said. “Thank you for stepping in front of him.”

  “Joslyn shouldn’t worry about Haile. I was getting ready to throttle her,” Mrs. H replied as she walked away.

  “I have no doubt she would,” Mari said and gave the couple a free round of drinks. “That’s for the trauma she inflicted loves.”

  The rest of the night went smoothly. By the time they turned off the lights, Joslyn’s presence at the bar was old news. She could still see that Haile was thinking about Joslyn’s indirect threat and what happened to his sister. Mari was raised in the church but as she got older, she wasn’t that religious. Still, she knew how to pray, and she sent up a silent one for Haile and for the truth to be brought to him, because he deserved peace. They held hands while he drove to his house, and she looked up at the white stone structure on the corner of a cul-de-sac.

  His house was at least three stories with a wide garden in the front. The bushes and trees were dead and brown, but she could only imagine how it looked in the spring when they were lush and green. While you could see the history in Zeva and Jasper’s house, Haile’s was more contemporary. The winding staircase was a polished black wood and curved upwards through soft cream walls with dark beige trim. The living room and dining room boasted a wide-open space with a large fireplace, and he showed her the kitchen and then upstairs. There were two bedrooms on the second floor, and the master bedroom, office, and a separate personal entertainment room was on the third.