What Lola Wants (London Dolls Book 1) (13 page)

He entwined his fingers with hers. “I’ve never been this connected to anyone before.”

“Same for me.” Her voice was silky, and her gaze piercing. “Basking in the sunset while holding your hand feels so natural, intimate almost. Like we’ve done it a thousand times.”

“I’m sure we’re meant for each other, and our years of being apart must have been for a reason.”

“Maybe, yes. Perhaps we’d have found a way to mess it up if we’d fallen in love years ago. Or rather, I would have. It feels right that we should be together now.”

“Louisa Lone, you’re perfect for me.” Sweeping her up into his arms, he carried her inside the chalet.

Rushed to nakedness, he inched back as she peeled away her clothing.

She removed her bra to reveal pert, round breasts.

He dipped his head and planted kisses over her neck, pressing against her. The peaks of her chest hardened against him, and goose bumps covered her.

“Are you cold?” he asked, peering up into her soft gaze.

She shook her head. “Just eager.”

“Oh.” He took a nipple in his mouth and caressed her warm flesh, kneading, stroking, exploring.

“Did you bring condoms?” she whispered, trembling, her voice breathy.

“Lucky for you, I did.” He flicked her nub between his teeth and she let out a yelp but pushed back against him for more. He chuckled and obliged by flicking his tongue over her tightened skin. “It’s in my wallet.” He thumbed for the foil packet in his pants sprawled on the floor then covered his length.

“I see, so you thought you’d be getting lucky today?”

“Nah, I just always carry a condom. It’s a responsibility beaten into me, I guess. Always be prepared. Now shush and stop with the sass.”

Before she could reply, he claimed her mouth and pushed her against his hard length.

“Oh.” She smiled against his mouth, the corner of her lips curling.

Then blind need took over and they entwined and folded to the floor.

Atop her, he inched inside her until he burrowed deep into her tightness.

“Head tilted back, she rounded her mouth in her special way and moaned, “Ohh.”

Rosy and lush. He couldn’t resist claiming her mouth mid O. He edged between her lips and explored her heat with his tongue. She met his slow, deep pace, and he sank into the moment. Engulfed by his love for her, he wanted to stretch their lovemaking out for as long as possible, wanted the memory to be one to savor forever.

He stilled inside her and rasped out her name, thick with vowels that fell from his lips like melted butter. “Lo-la.”

Daring himself not to move inside her proved impossible. He twitched, and her muscles tightened around him. He edged a tad farther into her, rubbing his groin against hers. Slow and deep. Deep and slow.

“Oh, Dennis.” Her soft moans brushed over his cheek and skated down his neck. “I think, I think…” She moaned and arched into him, digging her nails into his back and thrusting her hips so he went deeper inside.

Her muscles fluttered over his length and she relaxed her grasp.

“Hmm, I love being buried inside you.”
I love you.

“Feels so good.”

“I want to stay inside you all night, Lola. And I would, too, if I wasn’t so close to exploding.”

“Come for me.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yes.” She clawed at his back. “Now.”

His balls tightened, and his hardness throbbed.

He flipped them over, sat her on his hardness, and pushed down on her hips so she took all of him. Guiding her back and forth—deep, slow, tight—he kept eye contact with her the whole time, reaching out for that moment, the one he’d dreamt of. He wanted that closeness making love brought versus sex.

He wanted to feel loved, to be lost in her with the full depth of trust he was yet to experience.

She whimpered, her pupils widened, and she shuddered. Sweet moans fell from her mouth, and she leaned into him and smothered his mouth with hers. He really did love her. A rush of semen blasted through his cock, and he squirted his thick liquid into the latex covering.

Withdrawing from her warmth pained him. A quick removal of the condom, he then tossed it in a nearby bin. The salty scent of sex tickled at his nostrils, and a sense of accomplishment trickled over him. He collapsed at her side in bliss, a silent purr of satisfaction vibrating deep inside him. “Where have you been all my life?”

“That was amazing, Den. Corny as it may sound, we were made for each other.”

He buried his head in her hair and breathed in the subtle strawberry scent of her shampoo.

“I love you,” she whispered.

He’d been waiting to hear those words fall from her lips. Over and over he replayed her sweet voice in his head.
I love you. I love you. I love you.
“I love you.”

“Tomorrow night,” she continued, “I dance for you and you alone. And it will be my last performance. I have decided I want to teach ballet.”

“Teach?” He remembered how sweetly she’d spoken with the younger girls at her dance classes, how she’d nurtured them and gave them confidence. “That’s a wonderful idea.”

“I’ve always wanted to be like Miss Lilly, my ballet teacher. Not because she danced with perfection, or because of her tales of travel and adventure, but because she inspired so many dancers. She inspired me. That’s where my purpose lies now, but, more importantly, my heart lies with you.”

Life was perfect, complete somehow, now that he’d opened his heart to her. “Lola, I—”

She stopped him short, her words spilling so fast he struggled to keep on track. “It’s time for a new chapter in my life, to build a life with you. Can’t you imagine us making the most beautiful children?” She sighed.

“I can, yes.”

“Perhaps when you become the Principal for the technical college, we can return to Torquay together? I could talk to Miss Lily and convince her she needs my help with her dance school.” What do you say?”

“You wouldn’t rather stay in London?”

She shook her head. “No, silly. Haven’t you been listening? I’m done being the big city girl. I’m not a London Doll. Not like your sister. I’m so ready to get that little cottage beside the sea…with you.”

“Are you sure? Because it doesn’t matter where we are, so long as I’m with you.” He kissed her to keep from getting too mushy. “And our children would be the luckiest babies in the whole world because they’ll have your beauty and my wit.”

“I could stay here forever, but it’ll be dark soon—”

“How about we spend the night?” he offered.

“No way, even wrapped in your arms it’ll be bloody freezing soon now that the sun has set.”

“The room at The Imperial that I booked it is, then.”

“Yes.”

“We should get a move on. If we leave soon, we might find a fish ’n chip shop open along the way.”

“Oh, yes. Nothing like fish ’n chips by the seaside. I’ve bloody missed ’em.”

“Not half as much as I’ve missed you.” He rose then yanked on his jeans.

“Den?”

“Hmm, yes?”

“I’m glad I kissed you ten years ago.”

“What an odd thing to say.”

“If I hadn’t, I wouldn’t have believed life could be better. I wouldn’t have thought for a second about us being so perfect together. I’ve found joy in your arms, Den. I hope you know.”

“You’ve found more than that.”

She knitted her brow.

“You found yourself, silly. Or at least, it sounds as if you have.” He hoped he was right.

She nudged him. “In my mind, finding you and finding myself are one and the same.”

His heart thumped hard. “Oh, Lola.” He’d thought he needed to get out of the city and go back home for life to be idyllic. But with Lola, he could live anywhere and be happy. This newfound calm would surely see him smash the interview in the morning. He could stride into that room and own it, simply for knowing it didn’t matter if he got the position or not.

Chapter Eleven

Friday night arrived. Lola had her usual level of nauseating stage fright, but not enough to make her projectile vomit.

Pre-show jitters were a normal affliction, even for the most seasoned performers. Prima ballerinas about to strip to almost nothing, she discovered, experienced an extra strong case of the butterflies.

“If I’m honest, it’s not the stripping that worries me, it’s dancing freestyle.” She sucked in a long breath, released it, and pinned back her shoulders. “I can do this.”

“You’re going ahead with this? You’re gonna share the real you with the world?” Dennis asked.

She nodded. Her gesture said yes, but her topsy-turvy stomach told her no. “Go on, I need to get changed into my show outfit and swear several thousand times.” She painted on a smile and patted her man on his round bum, pushing him toward the heavy fire exit door leading to the front of the club. “Go.” Lively chatter echoed around them, and dancers raced back and forth in a haze of pre-show giddiness and half-nakedness. They knocked into each other, this way and that. No one seemed to know which way to go or what they should wear.

Not once did he try to cop an eyeful.

Impressive.

And after spending the perfect night in Torquay with him, she knew he was her prince. He’d been here for her every step of the way, and when she needed him to stand back, he had. He was the most supportive, the most loving…the most perfect man she’d ever known. She wouldn’t be at The Doll House, ready to perform a striptease, if it hadn’t been for him. Lost but now found.

“But…”

“I’ll be fine,” she promised. “Go on.”

“I could help you with zippers and do-dads.” Alight with mischief, she knew he planned on undoing zippers, not doing them up. Temptation tingled her sex and she considered making like bunnies in one of the private toilet stalls…
No.
So not classy. Besides, she had to get her show face on and perform a huge tease for the masses.

“I enjoy alone time before a show, to block through my dance and to double-check the technical motion of position transitions.” She hated lying, but she did need time to herself to breathe through the heavy heartbeat drumming in her ears, and a second to visualize kicking some serious striptease ass. Knowing him, he’d want to be there for her if he knew how her nerves controlled her in that moment.

“But this is no ballet, and those outfits are tricky.”

“Don’t you think I know that? I have no idea how I’m going to prep this time with no rules to follow, and no steps that would throw the whole performance if I mess up.”

“Oh, Lola.” He threw his arms around her and squeezed tight. “You will be perfect. You’ve got this. And if you look as if you don’t, I’ll jump on stage and treat the audience to my sexy moves.” He wiggled his tush then gyrated, his hands on his hips and his mouth puckered the whole time.

His talent to drag a smile out of her no matter the circumstances impressed her. He always knew how to make her laugh. He was a real man, and had proven time and again that he’d do anything to make her happy. How could she have missed out on enjoying him all these years? She’d been foolish. Damn foolish. “I’m going to go out there and be myself; do whatever the hell I want to. But I can’t do that with you lurking over my shoulder, babysitting me. I need to do this. Alone. Now go.” She swung the door open and raised a brow. “Go.”

“Okay. I’m going.” He pivoted but then turned and asked, “Do you want me to fetch you a Pink Doll? A little pre-show drink might be the kick you need to swallow those nerves.”

“Get out of here.” She never boozed before a performance—or ate. “I may be chewing my nails, but once I get out there, well, that’s my drug. And I want to remember every second.”

“I’ll get one for Jane, then.”

“She’s off on her date, remember?”

“I caught sight of her sneaking in. She’s got a table right up front with Sweetheart.”

“Sally’s here?” She hated to judge the woman before getting to know her, but her grandeur act made it difficult not to. “So there never was a date, was there?”

He shrugged, leaned forward, and kissed her, his warmth rushing through her. “She’s trying to sign up
the
Louisa Lone for The London Dolls. Can’t blame her for that.”

“No, I guess not. But—”

“Hey, you have ten minutes. Why aren’t you dressed yet?” He winked.

“Something to do with a boyfriend who won’t leave.”

He snogged her then pulled back. “How about a post-show meltdown with me instead of a pre-show warm-up, then?”

“Sounds good.”

“By the way, my flat will be ready soon. One more room to paint and I put the place on the market.”

“You’re not going to be moving in?”

“Nope. That chapter is closed, and besides…I got the job. You’re looking at Torquay Technical College’s Principal. I start in two months.”

She fell silent and absorbed his words.

“Did you hear me?” He turned as if ready to scurry away.

She reached for his arm and grabbed hold. “Not so fast, mister. Say that again?”

“You heard me,” he said, his tone hushed and low, his attention set to his feet. “I got the job and I guess I’m asking if you’ll come with me.”

Tremors against her palm alarmed her. “You’re shaking. What’s wrong?”

“I—I—I, I wasn’t sure…” he stuttered.

“Don’t you know already?”

“Know what?”

“That I’m crazy about you.”

“So, not a no, then?”

“No isn’t an option when it comes to you. Not anymore.”

A grin spread and wickedness glinted in his gaze. He scurried away before she could question him.
So very Dennis.
He had planned a surprise. His smile told her as much.

***

Sally Sweetheart tapped her shoulder. “Ahem.”

“Yes?”

“Someone’s asking for you at the back door. Said he’s got something for you.”

“Who? Dennis? How did he get back there so fast?”

She threw up her palms. “I’m not saying another word. Except to say you’re a very lucky girl. He’s a hunk.”

Yes, indeed lucky. She thanked Sweetheart, scurried to the back exit, and pushed the heavy door open.

“Dennis, stop screwing around. I’m so under prepared for this show…I need a—” She stopped mid-sentence, the sight of Al’s sly grin before her sending gut-wrenching muscle spasms racing through her. “What are you doing here?”