Prince Arik: A Prince of Tease Novel (Princes of Tease Book 1) Read online

  Unsure of what she's implying, I question, “Meaning...”

  “You're gonna get one taste of the right girl and it's gonna be over.”

  With a light laugh, I shake my head. “The line between confident and cocky is a thin one, mom.”

  “I know where I sit,” she sasses. After we chortle together she states, “You've been screwing around for over ten years. Don't you think maybe, just maybe it might be a good idea to see what being in a relationship is like? Think a little bit about what's up ahead, what you want to move through the world with rather than just what's available now?”

  Why on earth would I wanna do that? Better yet, let me put it to you like this. If it's not broke, why fix it? I like to bang a girl for no more than a couple weeks and then it's on to the next one. Sometimes I get a little midnight snack hungry and need a one nightstand between meals. Hey there's nothing wrong with that when everyone is on the same page from the minute flirting begins. All's fair in love and fucking.

  Instead of countering, I poke, “How do you know when I lost my virginity?”

  “Because your sudden interest in the Au Pair teaching you French wasn't a good cover...”

  Um...Oui. That's about all I remember learning. Funny how moans are universal for being satisfied. Orgasms are also equally easy to understand. Believe it or not, it didn't take me long to get the hang of making both of those things happen.

  “I'm not lecturing-”

  “You sound like you're lecturing.”

  She gives me the mom look to close my mouth. “I'm just suggesting that maybe you should try something different. Something with longevity. Something that sings notes longer than one song.”

  “Is this about grandchildren?” I jokingly try to throw her off her soap box. “Because it's really Greg you should be trying to steer into the ocean of diapers.”

  “Don't remind me,” she whispers. “I get wrinkles thinking about it. Can you imagine the phone calls we're constantly going to get?”

  Before I have a chance to make another snide joke, my siblings come marching back towards the table and our father comes back out of the house. “Kids, cigars?”

  Greg nods. “I'll take one.”

  “Me too,” Ali exclaims plopping her hands on her hips. With a sharp look at me she inquires, “You joining us or are you still too much of a powder pussy to handle it?”

  My sister is classy isn't she?

  Mom giggles and looks up at her husband. “Our children.”

  “You wouldn't let me give them up for adoption,” he playfully counters.

  In tandem we turn our faces to him. “Hey!”

  He simply chuckles and shoves the end of the cigar in his mouth.

  Alright so my family isn't perfect. Tell me yours is. Exactly. What matters is we're here for each other when it counts. That's all anybody really wants right? People to be there for them when they need it. Did you really expect me to be any different? I know the abs probably threw you off, but I am human despite the sex god reputation I work hard to keep intact.

  Ari

  Benefit of being a social calendar guru? I get the final say in everything. For instance, Helen wanted to throw her son a space cowboy party. We're talking actual cowboys in space. Like, swinging ropes and wearing hats while riding rocket ships around the yard. After a harsh veto, I picked one side of that crazy equation, knowing her son better than her and what do you know? He had the coolest birthday party this spring and she looked like a goddamn rock star. This charity event will be no different no matter how much she begs me to pick the last talent she added to my audition roster. If he works with what fits then I'll sign him. But her pleas and useless pouting aren't working in his favor.

  “That was great,” I say to the slightly under dressed blonde in front of me. “We will give you a call if you get the job.”

  She offers me a fake smile before walking out of the room.

  I'm not calling her. Aside from my distaste of anything that assumes all you have to do to get a job is lie on your back, I don't need Rob, Helen's husband tempted to help her warm up her throat. I work hard to prevent giving either of them sexual temptations. Plus, she was a little pitchy. Okay, so a lot pitchy....I was trying to be polite.

  Scanning the unread emails on my tablet, I shout, “Next!” The sound of footsteps enters the small room. Without bothering to look up, I introduce myself, “My name is Ari Kent and I'm the event coordinator. I'll be your audition judge. Get started whenever you're ready.” The usual sound of the piano bench scoots while I reply to 'emergency' emails from Helen.

  It's like she doesn't understand she can just send a normal email and I'll respond just as quickly.

  After a longer pause of silence than expected, I repeat, “You can start whenever you're ready.”

  “I'm ready when my audience is,” the male's voice says in a tone that shoots my eyes up.

  Holy shit. When did....how did....holy shit. Is he lost? Auditions for the sunscreen commercial are down the hall. Part of me doesn't wanna tell him that. Maybe we just keep that between us?

  My lips press tightly together.

  It's the only way I can stop myself from moaning at the sight of him. Tall. Toned like he built his house at the gym. Tan. Black hair and green eyes bright enough to seduce even the happiest married woman or even the strongest willed lesbian. Yup. He has to be in the wrong room.

  Clearing my throat in an attempt to regain my senses, I prod, “Are you sure you're in the right room?”

  In a sexy voice that matches the rest of him he declares, “I'm here for an audition.”

  “For sunscreen?”

  “For the Congress woman's charity event.” When my face scrunches in confusion he clarifies, “I'm Arik McKellan.”

  “Oh,” barely makes it out of my mouth.

  Now I can see why she was so insistent on him. Well, while I would love to do a number of things to him, particularly let him clean house as Liz couldn't stop referencing to it as, I can't let him perform. We've already discussed why. Helen's hard enough to keep tabs on without purposely putting eye candy for the licking in her direct line of vision. I have to tell him no. Wanna do it for me?

  After a long look, he wets his lips at me. “Are you ready?”

  Ready for you to lay the pipe...No. No. Bad Ari!

  “Yes,” I reply and shut off my tablet.

  Arik gives me a crooked smile, plants his fingers on the keys, and takes a long deep breath before he lets them travel across the ivories. Within the first few notes, my body leans against the wall, surrendering to the sounds he's delivering. When the moment arrives for him to sing, the most gorgeous melody fills the room.

  His crooning is literally making me weak in the knees. That's...impressive.

  Intently, I watch his eyes fall closed, lost in the music he's naturally in sync with. Every note, every key is treated with such love and passion it feels as if he was the one to create it. By the time the final keys are touched the possibility of sending him away doesn't exist.

  It is her event. She did beg me to pick him. We'll just have to keep an extra eye on him during his breaks. I can do that. It won't be that hard. Not after finding her fondling one of the waiters at her son's birthday party. That was an impressive catch and an even more impressive cover up.

  Arik slowly drags his fingers off the piano and slides a smirk onto his face. “So. This is the part where you give me the job.”

  His cockiness makes me fold my arms across my chest. “Is it? Because you were a little flat.”

  Nothing about him is flat. His body is full of so much depth, I wanna chart the damn territory with my tongue. Twice at least. Oh...Oh no. Liz is right. I...I need to get laid. I'm going off the deep end. Typically I don't wait this long but after clingy Clark I've tried to keep my distance from the opposite sex.

  “Flat?” he chuckles. “I can lie you down flat, but I could never sing flat.”

  The image of him lying me down sends my jaw to the gro
und.

  Pick it up for me please.

  After another light laugh he folds his hands together and leans forward. “I know I've got the job, but why don't I take you to dinner to ensure we keep it that way?”

  Without thinking I suggest, “Why don't we skip dinner and just do dessert?”

  Where did she go? What do you mean who? That horny heifer that just said that! She was so quick! I don't even see her any more. Do you? Why is your finger pointing at me?

  Arik grins widely. “Only if breakfast is proceeded by dessert.”

  Surprised at his answer yet not wanting to show it, I playfully deny, “Let's see how good you are at dessert first. Might not make it to breakfast.”

  Casually, Arik stands to his feet, bridges the gap between us, and assures, “Baby, there's not a chance I won't be the first thing you wanna taste in the morning.”

  Too horny! Way too horny! I'm wet from this fucking conversation alone.

  “The line between confident and cocky is a thin one, Arik McKellan.”

  “I know where I sit,” he says with such mirth in his voice I find him even more irresistible.

  Can't help it. Love a man with a filthy mouth and unwavering confidence. Hm? What's that? I know! I know! I shouldn't be sleeping with him! It's so unprofessional and not usually my style, but you try telling him no. Go ahead. I'll wait here. Best of luck to ya.

  Still teetering on just what a terrifically terrible idea inviting him to my place could be, I politely say, “You're right. You do have the job.”

  His eyes roam across my body before settling back with mine. “Which one?”

  My eyebrows furrow. “What do you mean which one?”

  “Playing the event or playing that pussy until it's reaching new notes?”

  Yup. He really said that. Out loud. That's not even the crazy part! The crazy part is I want what he just said. Really...really bad...My self-control sky dived out the window about three minutes ago.

  Feeling my face flush, I answer, “The event.”

  Arik steps in closer. Suddenly the heat from his proximity causes a whimper to escape. With his eyes holding mine hostage he demands, “I want both.”

  Me too...dear lord, me too.

  Instead of caving like he expects, I take a long deep breath and weigh my options.

  A little fun never hurt anyone, right? I mean who enjoys only getting off from their vibrator? Better yet it would just be nice to make sure everything down there still works. A six month dry spell is nothing to brush off lightly. Hey! It's been a really busy few months. That and of course the last guy who was invited into my bed proposed after only ten rounds in the sheets. I don't even remember his last name! Wow. That probably doesn't make me look too good huh? Eh. You know Liz bitches because she thinks that's what I'm looking for. It's actually quite the opposite. I'm more of steady booty call kind of woman. Wanna date a couple times? Fine. I guess. Wanna spend one night at my place? Fuck it why not. You wanna move in or talk about marriage or kids? Yeah, I'm out faster than the bearded woman in a cleanest shave contest.

  In a seductive whisper I say, “I guess one more audition couldn't hurt.”

  Pleased he smirks, plants one hand on the wall beside me, and questions, “Where are we having dessert?”

  I'm not going to regret this. This one night stand will just be to brush things off. A few months from now when it's event time I'm sure he won't even remember my name other than for the sake that I'm in charge of making sure the whole thing runs smoothly. Would you please stop flipping out and just prepare to have some fun with me. I promise it's going to be a good time...

  Arik

  You're probably starting to wonder how many random one nightstands I have huh? Stop it. Don't over exert that brain of yours and cause wrinkles on that beautiful face. However, if you're wondering how many chicks soberly in the middle of the day light throw themselves at me....yeah don't do that wondering either. My point is...What was my point again? Right. Ari. I can honestly say shit like this happens all the time. Yeah. Even at auditions. The rare thing is, I don't usually offer breakfast in the morning. That was new. Surprised myself a little...I don't know what the fuck happened. I blame my mother for getting in my head yesterday. Let's call that breakfast thing a guilt offer. You know, I've met bitchy women before. Sassy. Empowered and so many ice cold women who think they have to choose between men or a career. Ari though...while she looked like she was one of those there was something playful when she spoke. I liked that. What? No. I'm smiling because I'm about to get my dick sucked. Nothing more.

  Strolling off the elevator of her apartment building, I grumble, “Chance, don't give me that bull shit. It doesn't have anything to do with how late you morons play. It's Hunter who needs his beauty sleep. Not me.”

  “Then what? You love basketball.”

  “To watch it. Not play it.”

  “These weekly games-”

  “Are just a shitty substitute for the poker games. You're every other week bull shit is stupid by the way.”

  “We take care of our bodies one week, our pockets the next. You know I'm all about balance, bro.”

  “That's why you're great at basketball and shitty at cards.” Before he can annoy me further, I sigh, “Look, I gotta go get my dick touched. I'll see you at work.”

  I end the call, double check the apartment number, and give the black door a knock. Almost instantly, it cracks open revealing a pair of bright brown eyes on a mocha face I am definitely ready to spend the rest of the night staring into.

  Not typically my style. Maybe that's part of the appeal. I don't have a type per-say, just flavor that usually gravitates towards me. Honestly, I'm an equal opportunist when it comes to pussy.

  A smile stretches across her face as she opens the door all the way. “Nice timing. Just got out of the shower.”

  That ladies is what I call a woman lie. Something you say when you need to fill the dead space in a conversation or are trying to seduce us.

  Taking a couple steps into her apartment, I question, “Is that right?”

  “Didn't think you wanted me to smell like stale pizza and piss,” she bluntly remarks causing my eyes to relocate back to her.

  With an intrigued expression, I notice her dark brown hair, which is twisted into a bun on her head, is still damp, the missed water droplets on her neck, and a faint sweet smell.

  Okay. So I was wrong this time. Apparently, she tells the truth. Also, do you see the legs on this woman? They need to be over my shoulders like...yesterday. You see those thighs? My hands could spend all day just roaming back and forth. What the shit is that? Why do I sound like a fucking female? Fuck. Next thing I know I'm gonna ramble about wanting to spend long walks on the beach with her.

  “Not gonna question, the pizza and piss comment?” She asks, pulling me out of my own head. “Surprising.”

  Realizing how off my game she's throwing me before we even hit the sheets, I fold my arms across my chest. “Figured you were probably dealing with Helen's brat.”

  “He is a brat,” she mutters. “And good guess. It was Helen's turn to host dinner after practice and because she can't do anything small-”

  “It went from being a basic dinner to an extravaganza.”

  “Nailed it.”

  “I'm gonna nail something,” the words effortlessly roll of my tongue.

  There we go...back on point.

  Ari gives me a heated once over, before she gestures her hand. “Let's make the tour simple.” She points accordingly. “Kitchen. Living Room. Guest bathroom. Bedroom.”

  My eyes give a quick glance to the black and white decorated apartment. It resembles an over-sized loft the way it's openly laid out. Simple. Chic.

  The random red objects like those bar stools and that chaise lounge are giving me the overly stuck up city vibe that's built into these places. Hey, it's not like I don't have a nice place. I live in an actual loft. Upscale. It just doesn't have a theme like hers does. It's a place to c
rash. Not an amusement park.

  Slowly she begins moving her body backwards, the short silk red robe she's wearing, taunting me with each step. A familiar urge pushes my body forward while my eyes stay planted on hers.

  With that playful smirk I'm beginning to wanna fuck off her face, she leans against the door frame, and motions her head to the side. “Bedroom.”

  Following what I assume is a command, I enter the room, to see a similar vibe except in reverse.