Falling into Temptation (Falling 1)

And then we both collapse forward, pressed against the glass for all of New York to see in our just fucked glory. Both our breaths are ragged and neither of us speaks as we come down from the high. And then like a gust of cold air he pulls out of me, leaving me feeling empty at the loss.

I push against the glass to steady myself as I watch his reflection walk into the bathroom without a word. And this is the only thing that can dampen my high. I just came my brains out on his cock, a huge hurdle for me, and suddenly I feel like a whore. Because just like that, it’s over. Like a business transaction.

I sit down on the couch and try to smooth out and reassemble my clothing, using that to distract me. I’m still smoothing out imaginary wrinkles in my skirt when I hear him walk back out. I can feel his eyes on me, his presence sucking all the air from the room as he hovers over me.

“Victoria,” he says gruffly. “Look at me.”

I do. I don’t know why, but I can’t resist that commanding voice, even though I suddenly feel like yesterday’s garbage. He looks just as put together as when he arrived, his face calm and impassive.

I roll my eyes. I knew this was coming…. stupid… stupid… stupid!

He reaches down almost hesitantly, stroking my cheek with his thumb. “You really are quite beautiful.”

I close my eyes, soaking up his affection if only for a moment. Inside, I know it isn’t real. He probably says this to all the women after he fucks them, making it easier on his own conscious when he strolls out the door, never to be seen again.

I want to change the subject, to save myself from this embarrassment. “I can’t believe you spanked me,” I say, trying my best to sound affronted.

The corners of his mouth curve into a slow smile. “Well, you didn’t stop me. Did you not enjoy it?”

I look away. There is no way I’m answering that.

“I’m afraid I have a business trip today,” he says quickly. “I’m leaving in an hour and won’t be back until Saturday. But I’d like to see you again.”

I laugh sarcastically. “You don’t have to do this, Gabriel. Pretend like we’re going to see each other again. I know what this was.”

“And what exactly is that, Victoria?” he bites out.

“Um, well I just assumed… I mean men like you don’t usually…”

“Don’t make assumptions about me,” he snaps. “Because you’d be wrong. Regardless of what you might hear, I don’t just use women. It’s usually the other way around. And when I say I want to see you again, I mean it.”

“Okay,” I whisper. Geez, what crawled up his ass? Women using him? I don’t understand how that’s even possible.

“I will be in touch,” he says, his tone softening. And, just like that, he’s out the door.

I sit back, reveling in the aftermath of Gabriel Maddox. This man is so confusing. As much as I want to, I refuse to hold my breath on seeing him again. I figure he probably got whatever it was that attracted him to me out of his system now.

Chapter Seven

Victoria

Saturday night finally rolls around, and as expected, I haven’t heard anything from Gabriel. I’m trying hard not to care. I stare at my reflection in the mirror, doing my best to coax my hair into behaving. All I want to do is go out with Alanna, get drunk, and find some semblance of my shattered self-esteem.

“Ugh,” I mumble in frustration as I give up on my wild curls. I pucker up my lips and coat them with some fresh Crimson lipstick, deciding that will have to do.

Outfitted in one of my favorite mini dresses with a simple black bodice and a tutu skirt, I look like a punk ballerina. I’ve paired the dress with some fishnets and my favorite combat boots. One last spritz of perfume and I’m ready to join Alanna in the living room.

She lets out her loudest wolf whistle. “Get it girl! Look at you! Hot damn, you really are on the prowl tonight.”

“You have no idea,” I mumble.

I’ve already filled Alanna in on the Gabriel incident earlier this week, and Alanna was hell bent on cheering me up tonight.

“So are we ready?” I ask.

“Hell yes! We are going to have so much fun tonight, just you wait and see.”