The Whole Package (Hearts to Buy #1)

Lily

T his wasn't at all what I was expecting.

When Ava first presented me with this opportunity, the mere thought left a stain on my soul, a tinge of dirt I couldn't scrub away. Now, staring out at the twinkling city lights, the sounds of laughter and joy rising from the crowd below, the guilt feels distant, almost muted. The world spins on, oblivious to the girl who sold a piece of herself tonight.

I understand this is a one-time arrangement, a high-stakes game played with the highest bidder. In her mysterious wisdom, Ava has orchestrated this night to feel like a date, a typical encounter. But why? That's the question that gnaws at the edges of my mind.

Ava doesn't really know me, not truly. We're bound by a professional arrangement, nothing more. She owes me nothing beyond our agreed terms. Yet, here I am, living a fantasy that feels too genuine, too tender to be a mere transaction. Has she seen something in me that I haven't even acknowledged? Or is this just another part of the game, another layer in the complex world she navigates with such finesse?

"Breathtaking, ain’t it?” James’s voice cuts through my thoughts, rich and warm, dripping with that Southern charm that makes my skin tingle. It’s a casual comment, but it feels like a secret whispered just for me. He's watching me, his gaze following mine out to the expanse of the bay below.

"It does," I admit, my voice barely above a whisper, still captivated by the view. "I've seen it a million times, but it never gets old," I add, feeling a sense of pride about my hometown.

"Oh, you're from around here?" He's genuinely curious, and the way he says it, with that charming inflection, draws an involuntary smile from me.

"Yes, born and raised," I respond, feeling connected to this place that's been my lifelong home. "What about you?"

"A little bit from here, a little bit from there," he answers casually, running a hand through his hair. There's a casual grace to his movement that only amplifies his allure. He's undeniably gorgeous, and I find myself more and more attracted to him as the night goes on. Suddenly, he surprises me, leaping from his seat to mine, causing our small cart to rock dangerously. My heart leaps into my throat, fear and excitement coursing through me.

"Oh my God," I yelp, instinctively pressing my body against his for stability. My hands grip him tightly as if he's the only thing that could keep me from falling. There's an exhilarating sense of danger in his impulsiveness, a thrill that courses through me, leaving me both alarmed and thrilled. As the cart steadies, I'm acutely aware of his body's warmth against mine, his solid strength offering a contrast to the precariousness of the moment.

"Don’t be scared, sweetheart. I’ve got you,” he says, his voice like a slow drag of honey and whiskey. It wraps around me, warm and dangerous, making my pulse quicken. I want to pull away, to keep some distance, but my body betrays me, leaning into the comfort he offers. I can't resist the urge to glance up at him, half wondering if he's aware of the effect he has on me.

"Not a fan of heights," I confess, my words almost a whisper. My hands remain steadfastly wrapped around his sturdy torso, seeking both physical support and an excuse to stay pressed against him. Our eyes meet, and there's an electric charge in the air, a palpable tension neither of us seems willing to break.

"Should've picked the cuddle carts," James says with a light chuckle, his warm breath ghosting over my skin. He's so close that his cologne envelops me, a tantalizing scent that makes my senses reel. "You a virgin in every possible way, or has someone already claimed those lips?" His question slices through the air, direct and laden with implication, freezing me in place.

Heat floods my cheeks, a burning blush that I can't control. I drop my gaze, trying to escape the intensity of his question, his scrutiny. But he won't let me retreat. His hand gently but firmly tips my chin upward, compelling me to look at him again. His eyes are piercing, searching, demanding an answer.

"Tell me I'll be the first to fuck that pretty mouth of yours," he demands, his voice a husky rasp that sends a shiver down my spine. There's an undeniable arousal building within me, a dampness between my legs that speaks of my body's betrayal. His words, raw and unfiltered, ignite a longing, a hunger that I hadn't fully acknowledged until this moment.

Without a word, I surrender to the insistent calling of my body, to the wild, reckless impulse that's been simmering beneath the surface. This moment, once passed, will be just that – a fleeting encounter, a memory that'll fade into the background of my life. I remind myself that he'll be nothing more than a shadow, a chapter closed and left behind after tonight. Leaning in, I close the gap between us, my lips brushing against his in the softest, most tentative of touches. The contact is brief, a fleeting connection that leaves a fire trail in its wake. His response is a low chuckle, a sound that resonates with amusement and something deeper, a hint of triumph perhaps.

"Oh, we are about to have some real fun," James's voice drops to a huskier tone, his expression morphing into something deliciously wicked. His hand, once tender on my face, now wanders with a boldness that takes my breath away. He cups one of my breasts, giving it a firm squeeze that elicits a moan from deep within me.

"You like that, sweetheart?" he asks, his eyes burning into mine. I can only nod, my lip caught between my teeth in anticipation and desire. "Show me how much," he urges, his gaze flicking pointedly towards my skirt. I'm lost in confusion for a moment, but then understanding dawns, and a fresh wave of heat rushes to my cheeks.

"With all the people?" I manage to stammer, the thought of such a daring act leaving me breathless. He nods, his right hand cradling my face, ensuring I'm held captive by his intense gaze. His left hand ventures lower, drawing tantalizing circles on my thigh. As his finger brushes over my clit through the thin fabric of my underwear, my hips react instinctively, seeking more of his touch. This time, when his lips find mine, I take my time. My tongue seeks his with a desperate hunger, a fervent need that's been building since we met.

"I knew you were going to be so good, but fuck if you aren't a treat," he hisses, and I practically preen, the smile on my face almost too big for me to keep kissing him. His index is already wet when it goes under my panties; the sensation of being touched like this is incredible, something else entirely. I've never been played like an instrument, and there's no other way I'd describe this feeling.

His thumb pushes against my swollen clit, and it feels like I'm in a different world as his teeth dig into my shoulder. I've never been so sensitive, never felt so exposed. And then he removes his hand altogether, and my eyes shoot open.

"Hey," I say.

"We're almost on the ground, sweetheart," he says, making a show of sucking the finger that was playing with me, eyes trained on me. I find myself squeezing my legs together, just for some friction. "Eager, huh?" He asks, mischief clear in his gaze. My breathing is ragged and heavy, and for a second, just a second, I consider leaving, calling the whole thing off as embarrassment washes over me.

"Worth every penny," he says as we exit the ride.

***

Post-Pier, James and I find ourselves in the cozy confines of a retro diner, my choice. The neon lights and vintage decor contrast the upscale settings I'm sure someone of his status is used to. As we slide into a vinyl booth, I catch the genuine delight in his eyes, a man usually surrounded by opulence, finding joy in the simplicity of this place. It's endearing to witness him relish the quaint charm of the diner.

The certainty of what was to come hung in the air, an unspoken promise, as we arrived at our destination, a luxurious hotel room unlike anything I had ever seen. Stepping into the lavish space, I could feel the anticipation building, a tangible current between us. I excused myself for a shower, the hot water cascading over my skin, washing away the day's remains and leaving me feeling refreshed and achingly aware of what was to come. Wrapped in a plush hotel robe, I sank into the softness of the bed, the crisp linens cool against my skin. The remote in my hand felt oddly mundane as I aimlessly flipped through the channels, but it was a welcome distraction as I waited for James.

My mind replayed the evening, the laughter and shared glances at the diner, the electric touch on the Ferris wheel, each memory stoking the fire of my anticipation. The sound of the shower running in the background was a constant reminder that the space between us would soon be erased.

"Looking for porn?" He asks, making me jump; I didn't hear the bathroom door open. My mouth flies open when I look over in his direction — he's fully nude, not even a towel wrapped around his waist, nothing.

"No, I- " I start but am entirely at a loss for words at the sight of him. Jesus, can the man get any hotter?

"Here's what's gonna happen —" He starts, placing his right knee on the bed and moving closer to me. "I'm going to eat your sweet pussy 'til you see God, like the good southern gentlemen I am." He leans in and steals a peck from my lips. "And then I'm going to make you come so fucking hard, you'll be screaming for mercy, begging me to stop and that is when I'll finally fuck you."

And just like on the Pier, I'm completely gone.

"Does that sound good to you, sweetheart?" he asks, fully leaning into me as his hand tightens on my hair, his mouth touches my earlobe, and his breath grazes my neck. The same reaction happens between my legs, and it is the same ache for him. I can tell he has no doubt that his words are working perfectly.

Instead of answering with words, I let my right-hand travel down from his chiseled chest, grazing the tattoo on his abdomen but not daring to go any lower. I suck in a breath, suddenly wishing I wasn't a virgin, wishing I had some experience at least to offer the man before me. Then again, he was paying for my virginity. He knew he'd be dealing with inexperience, but that still doesn't make my feelings of inadequacy vanish.

Without looking at him, I wrap my hand around his dick, the touch eliciting a low hiss from him, but it encourages me to continue. He's hot and hard under my fingers as I use both my hands to caress him and it. His hips thrust into my hands as his grip on my hair tightens, and his groans grow loader, but he pushes my hand away, and instantly, I feel nauseous regret.

"Did I do it wrong?" I ask shyly. His hand in my hair releases, ever so slowly, tracing down the length of my arm and parting the robe so my chest is fully exposed to him, the slightest of touches on my nipples sending electric waves through my entire body.

"Nothing is ever wrong with you, sweetheart," he breathes out, the mere words making my body react with pride. "I'm just hungry for a taste," he growls, and in one swift motion, I am lying on my back, and his face is already buried between my parted legs. The second his wet tongue touches my folds and his lips close on my clit, my entire body pushes forward, and one of my hands takes hold of the sheets, holding on for dear life. When I prop my head up to watch him devour me, my gaze is instantly locked with his, and I watch as one of his hands travels to his body and strokes himself. I realize how much he's enjoying this, and it makes me push my body to him, desperate to have more of his mouth on me.

It's sinful what this man is doing to me and he's using no more than his mouth and tongue now. I'm writhing, pushing against his face, and somehow he knows I need more. His left hand moves around my inner thighs before his fingers find my wet center, and as soon as he inserts one inside of me, it is like a shock goes through my body. It's a welcome invasion, and my body swallows it whole, desperately needing to be filled with more.

"Easy, sweetheart, I don't wanna hurt you," he says, looking up at me before continuing to swirl his tongue against my center. After what could have been the longest seconds, he stands up, and just the mere fact that his touch on my pussy is gone is enough to make me moan. From the other side of the bed, he retrieves his jeans and fishes a foil, climbing back onto the mattress and showing me the wrapper.

"I'm gonna put it on, and it's gonna hurt a little, but I promise to be gentle. That's the whole point of fucking a virgin," he says, and I watch as he rips the condom open with his teeth before putting it on his hard length in a circular motion. "I'm gonna need you to beg me to have my cock inside that pretty pussy; I wanna hear it," he continues, aligning himself between my legs before he rubs his dick up and down my slit, making me absolutely mad with need. "I want you to want it, sweetheart, or I won't give it to you," his voice is just a rough whisper as he leans in, holding himself above me with a muscular arm.

"Please —"

"Please, what, ?" He teases.

"Please, I want you to fuck me," I breathe, the words coming out like the rawest truth. I feel the tip of his dick go in, stretching me out, the sensation at once foreign, overwhelming, and the most natural thing.

"Gonna go slow, just relax," he says softly.

"I don't think it's going to fit," I look at him, "But God, I need it." With that, he groans before pushing himself further into me, enough to rip a moan from me. I open my mouth and hear a stream of I'm sorry, I didn't mean, but there's no taking it back.

"Don't say sorry about that again; I fucking love that it hurts you," his words come out cold and sharp, his first thrusts mimicking the tone perfectly. After a couple of minutes of moving in and out of me at a frenzied pace, one of his hands wraps around my throat, squeezing ever so lightly. "I want to fuck you harder," he says, and I can tell that this time it's more of a rhetorical question.

My left-hand wraps around his wrist as I tilt my head upwards and down to take him deeper. He spreads my legs wider, somehow going in even deeper, finding a new spot in me, hitting it more precisely, and making me see white as the knot in my belly untangles itself. My orgasm — my first, not self-induced — takes over. I take him by surprise, and the shock on his face quickly molds into a pleased, almost wicked smile as his own thrusts become more erratic and almost animal-like before his breath releases. He spills himself into the condom, growing soft inside me.

"Fuck," he says between heavy breaths, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and sitting up with his back to the headboard, bringing me along. We sit there without talking for the longest moment, just looking at each other before I feel him pull away.