by Raquel Belle
“I miss you, Grace,” he says after a while. Slowly, I lift my head to meet his gaze, surprised by his admission. “I’m not talking about the sex. I mean us—talking, laughing, sharing things, the way things were between us. Everything.”
And there goes the last ounce of my willpower, completely disappearing. “I miss you too.” One hand rests on his shoulder and I practically feel the tension seep out of him.
“What I said earlier about you shutting me out—”
“I know what you meant. And I know I have. It was deliberate.”
His cool, assessing eyes move over my face. “I know.”
“I’m tired,” I sigh. “I really miss us too—the old us, but it’s impossible to go back there.”
He nods. “It looks like we have no choice but to work with what we are now.”
“Ex-lovers? Ex-best friends? But still employer and employee? God, this conversation suddenly became really uncomfortable.” That was a joke but...isn’t that what we are now?
“We don’t have to be ex-anything. I still want my friend and I still want you in my bed.”
His admission puts me into a tailspin—emotionally and physically. “And you think you can get everything you want?”
“I know it’s what you want too.” Before I can respond, he twirls me away from him and reels me back in smoothly, and I land against his chest with a gasp.
“Where did you—”
“I don’t like to dance, but I never said I didn’t know how to,” he grins.
I can’t keep away the smile that tugs at my lips. “And here I thought you didn’t keep any secrets from me.” When we smile at each other, the familiar sexual pull that always sizzles between us is present in full force, and I can’t think straight.
“Come home with me tonight.”
I gaze up at him for a moment. I might as well. I mean, even if nothing more will ever happen between us, I can’t help wanting him. If physical satisfaction is all he’s willing to give...I’ll take it. Right now, I’ll take him any way I can get him. So I say, “Okay.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Nick
Grace surrounds me—her warmth, her touch, her scent—as I hold her tightly against me to slowly explore her mouth with mine. It’s hard to believe that I missed this so much, considering it’s only been a little over a week since I’ve had her like this. It felt like an eternity. Never in my life have I craved this physical connection with anyone. Grace has changed that. I’m glad she realized that there’s no point in fighting the chemistry between us. I came to that conclusion a long time ago but held back because that was what she wanted. Now that we’re both back on the same page...things should go a lot smoother between us.
The loud ding reminds me of where we are and I reluctantly release Grace from my hold. Her chest rises and falls with the fast rhythm of her breathing and her lips are swollen and wet from my hungry kiss. “I haven’t made out in an elevator since...well, ever,” she breathes. Her words make me smile.
“I’m pleased to be your first.” Since our relationship evolved into something sexual, I’ve done things and behaved in ways reminiscent of someone much younger. “You make me feel young,” I blurt out.
“Because you’re so old and gray now?” She laughs.
“Young as in you make me feel like I’m twenty again.” She always has. There’s this youthful energy about her, and I know it will never fade.
We step out of the elevator and she walks ahead of me toward my door. “Ah, so you were making out in elevators at twenty?”
Letting out a laugh, I follow her. “God, no.” When I was a kid I was too busy trying to survive and as soon as I was old enough I was working my ass off to achieve something, to make a good life for myself so I could ensure my brother did the same. Just like that, my mood starts to dim. Remembering my childhood and why I got involved in the Children’s Hope Foundation begins to weigh on me. I hate dredging up the past, and I try to avoid it. But every now and then my past insists on being remembered.
“You okay, Nick?” Grace is peering at me over her shoulder with a slight frown.
“I’m fine.”
Her lips stretch into a smile. “I bet I can make you feel even more youthful in bed.”
My mood instantly lifts, along with my cock. I pull in a deep breath, every inch of my body charged with anticipation. Hurrying my steps, I wrap an arm around her waist and practically haul her into my apartment. “In that case, let’s get to bed. Now.”
Her soft giggles resonate in my living room as we stroll through and it sounds just right. It feels right bringing her home with me too. We don’t make it to the bedroom. We reach as far as the narrow hallway leading to my room before Grace takes me by surprise and pushes me against the wall. Surprised laughter rumbles in my chest. “What are you doing?”
“Learning to be more aggressive and taking what I want,” she grins. “You know, like you do. I’ve decided that I don’t want to go to the bedroom.”
Having hot, sweaty sex right here is fine by me. But, aggressive? Me? She’s unbuckling my belt and lowering herself to her knees. Within seconds my cock is in her soft hands and I barely get out, “I know how to get what I want, but am I really aggressive?”
Her gaze lifts to meet mine. “You’re never aggressive with me, but you have a way of getting me right where you want me. I can’t say that I hate it. Your methods of persuasion are...stimulating. Here I am, right?”
I catch a troubled look in her eyes before she tries to hide it. Not to mention a tight note in her voice and a slight hitch in her breath. I pride myself on being pretty observant and I’d say I pay more attention to Grace than I do to anyone else. It’s impossible not to when she commands my attention without even trying. Before I can address what I saw and heard, her hand wraps around my length and she begins to stroke. It’s hard to think—much less speak.
When her tongue caresses my sensitive flesh, all thoughts evaporate and all I can do is relish in the mind-blowing sensations sweeping through me. The warmth of her mouth ignites a fire in my loins, electricity shoots through me, making my toes curl. I didn’t think it was possible for our sex to get any better. “Grace,” I can only groan out her name. She needs to stop this sweet torture so that I can get myself back under control.
She responds by picking up the pace and before I can stop her I explode, all the while peering down at her with shock as she swallows and springs to her feet. “Meet me in the shower in a few minutes after you recover. We’ll finish what I started.” She disappears into my bedroom, sauntering as if she didn’t just shove me against the wall and pleasure me like never before…and then allowed me to come in her mouth for the first time. Still leaned against the wall fully dressed—jacket, shoes and all—with my dick hanging out through my open zipper, I gawk at the ajar door to my bedroom.
That was different. Not like Grace. Splendid as that blow job was, she’s never been so...nonchalant…about sex. I mean, she’s never been shy about trying new things, but something is off with her, I can feel it. I do take that few minutes to recover and after a while, I rake my fingers through my hair, still stunned. Peeling myself off of the wall, I make my way to the bathroom, undressing in the process. Grace’s dress rests on the arm of a chair, and her accessories—purse and jewelry—are strewn on the seat. Her shoes are in front of the bathroom door. For a second, I consider leaving her alone and waiting until she comes out so we can talk because clearly there’s something we need to discuss.
“Screw it. We’ll talk now.” Throwing my pants and shirt onto the chair beside her dress, I charge into the bathroom in my boxers and socks. “Grace, is there something…”
She’s stepping out of her panties and the sight has me momentarily tongue-tied. Flicking them in my direction with a sexy little laugh, she purrs, “Right on time. I changed my mind about the shower, we’re having a bath instead.”
The water is still running and the bubbles are rising in the huge soaking tub. Fin
ally the damn thing comes in handy. When Grace was on her redecorating mission years ago, she’d had the tub installed. I thought it was pointless because I take showers. I don’t have time to indulge in bubble baths, but I see now why an extravagant tub with jets and heaters is needed.
She turns and steps in while she wraps her hair into a knot on top of her head. My eyes automatically drop to her backside. Incredible. “This should be fun,” she says, throwing me one of those sultry smiles over her shoulder.
Damn right it should be fun, and my dick agrees with an excited jerk. It seems I’ve fully recovered. The things we can do in that tub. An internal war ensues. Demand that we talk about what’s wrong…or join her. Fuck it. We’ll talk later. Peeling off my socks and boxers, I practically leap across the room to step into the tub. Sinking into the warm water I have to admit it feels pretty good. Having Grace in here with me makes it even better. She sits on the opposite end of the tub facing me. There’s a smirk on her face as she trails her toes across my chest.
“I bet you’ve never used this tub in the four whole years it’s been here.”
“You got me. I don’t have time to soak.”
“And I thought I was doing something good for you when I had it installed.”
“I both see and appreciate the brilliance of your idea now. Baths are nice when you have company.” Snagging her traipsing foot, I give her a playful nip on her big toe. Her squeal and giggles makes me smile because for a second she seems just fine—like herself.
“Oh, my God, don’t do that. You know how ticklish I am.”
“Actually, I didn’t know that.” Why would I? I’ve never tickled her before.
“Huh.” Her brows furrow as if she too just realized that we don’t know everything there is to know about each other.
I know the ins and out of her personality, what she likes and what she doesn’t. I know what makes her tick, personally and sexually. Yet, I didn’t know that she’s extremely ticklish. Maybe it’s stupid, but I’m peeved that I didn’t know that. What else don’t I know?
“You have that look,” she says, pulling her foot free from me.
“What look is that?”
“Like you have me under a microscope and you’re trying to figure something out. I don’t like it when you look at me like that. It makes me feel way too vulnerable.”
I blink. I didn’t know that either. Well. Shit. “Oh. I’m sorry.”
Rolling her eyes with a huff. “Enough analyzing me, Nick.” She drops her foot to my crotch and runs her toe over my hardening shaft. “Well, look who’s ready for round two. That didn’t take long.”
I pull in a breath, feeling every muscle in my abdomen clench. I stare at her intently, with narrowed eyes. There it is again. That slight shift in her demeanor. Okay, maybe we can multitask. We’ll talk while she seduces the hell out of me. I take another sharp breath when she takes my cock between her feet and begins to stroke.
“You want to tell me what that was out there?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Your surprising stunt in the hallway...which I thoroughly enjoyed, but—”
“It’s good to do something new every now and then, and it felt nice to take control for once.”
For once? That’s obviously a subtle hint being dropped. Or maybe not so subtly. I know, I can be a control freak sometimes...all the time? She straddles me, sending water sloshing over the edge of the tub and I swallow my response.
“No more talking,” she whispers, leaning forward to kiss me. I kiss her back, matching each slow graze of her lips against mine. Her wet skin sliding over mine is something I never knew I needed until now. Every part of me is awakening. I’m downright ready for round two, but I keep my hands firmly planted on the sides of the tub. If she wants control, I can give her that. Maybe after this, her strange mood will disappear.
It’s harder than I thought it’d be to keep my hands to myself—to not take control. I ache to wrap my arms around her and set the pace. But I refrain, clutching the edge of the tub for dear life. I’ve never liked being in the passenger’s seat, but apparently it’s what Grace needs right now. Leaning back, I release a breath, sending my need for control right along with it. She lifts herself slightly and sinks onto my eagerly waiting cock.
Slowly, she engulfs me and my eyes flicker closed…I commit the moment to memory—her warmth and the way her walls grip me so tightly. Relinquishing control isn’t so bad after all. I’m enjoying every second of her taking what she wants at her own pace.
“This isn’t so bad, is it? Letting me take the reins.” She verbalizes exactly what I’m thinking.
My eyes fly open to clash with hers. As always, I’m enthralled by the swirling green irises. “It’s...stimulating,” I murmur, repeating her statement in the hallway.
A ghost of a smile hovers on her lips and I can’t help but stare at them. So lush, so soft, so amazing when they’re attached to mine. She reads my mind again, leaning forward to give me a taste of her mouth. We’re both about to shatter any second now. I can feel the heat spreading through me and my balls tightening up. Her muscles are clenching around me even tighter.
“What are we going to do when we can’t do this anymore?” She sighs, “It’s so good between us.”
What? Not do this anymore? On the verge of an orgasm, I search her face, but all I can see is pleasure flitting across her features as she erupts. Her arms tighten around my shoulders as she shudders. It’s hard to process what she just said because I tip over the edge right after her. Even though I’m caught in a deep state of euphoria after that intense release, my mind races. What are we going to do when we can’t do this anymore? The words are on instant-replay in my head. I didn’t think I’d hear something like that so soon after getting back to our...sex. What else am I supposed to call it?
Grace still clings to me, her head resting on my shoulder. If not for my troubling thoughts the moment would be perfect―the two of us basking in after sex elation. I shift slightly and she lifts her head. At least she’s smiling, considering her strange mood. That’s comforting. “I’m sorry, I got too comfortable.”
“It’s fine.”
She moves anyway, dismounting me to return to the opposite end of the tub. I immediately miss the weight and heat of her body. We stare at each other for a while, while I search for a way not to sound like a control freak when I demand she tells me what’s wrong.
“Aren’t you going to say anything about us not using protection?”
And have a repeat of Paris? No fucking way. Things between us are too fragile for me to steamroll over her privacy again. I regard her with lifted brows. “What’s there to say? I trust you.”
Her shoulders visibly relax. “Good. You have no need to worry. I’m protected now― since we started...you know.”
“I wasn’t worried.” It takes every ounce of my discipline not to ask for more information.
“Huh. Nothing else to say or ask? This is new.” She’s squinting at me as if she’s expecting me to jump into my usual inquiring and demanding mode. “Are we still playing your game?”
“What game?”
“The one where you pretend to be oh so accommodating—giving me what I want, telling me what I want to hear–so that I let my guard down and you’ll have me eating out of the palm of your hand.”
Again, she’s stunned me into silence.
“It’s worked before, but the difference is that this time I’m on to you. That’s why I called your bluff that night at my place.”
Eyes steady on her, I don’t even flinch. Of course she knew what I was up to. “You’re a smart woman, Grace.”
“You’re a hard man to keep up with, Nick, but I know you well enough to stay on par.”
I can feel my lips twitching as a smile threatens to emerge. “That you do. Are you angry?”
“Why would I be? You didn’t force me back here. I want to be here. I missed this.”
But her eyes are dimmed with t
he shadow of dejection. So, the problem is deeper rooted than my controlling tendencies. And she doesn’t want to talk. She knows me well enough to keep up with me—well, I know her well enough to know when not to push. If she was ready to tell me the whole truth about what’s bothering her, she would have spilled by now. But it’s killing me to not ask.
“Let’s wash off and get out of here.”
She spreads her fingers to study them. “Yeah. I’m already starting to look like a prune.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Nick
Laying in bed with Grace is comfortable. My hands are folded behind my head as I stare up at the ceiling and her head rests on my shoulder. No matter how complicated things get between us, we always end up here. And right now this feels...effortless.
“How are you?” She asks.
“After you rocked my world twice tonight? I’m great.” Her breath brushes my skin when she lets out a soft laugh and then rolls away. “Where are you going? Get back here.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” She settles on her knees, facing me. “You’re such a man, always thinking about sex.”
Grinning, I shrug. “I never claimed to be above the rest.”
“I meant how are you after the fundraising event? I wanted to ask while we were there but―”
“You were too busy trying to avoid me.”
Pursing her lips, she glares at me. “How about we put that behind us?”
Chuckling, I sit up too and lean against the headboard. “I’m fine.”
“Are you sure? Because I know you were reminded of your childhood and—”
She shrieks when I snag her wrist and pull her so she tumbles forward. She lands right where I want her, against my chest so I can easily take what I want. And I do. I capture her mouth with mine because I’d rather have more sex than talk.
A hand bats my shoulder until I pull away. Breathless, she glowers but doesn’t pull out of my hold. “How dare you try to sidestep my questions with sex?”
