Of course it is.
I set my mostly cleared plate into the sink and hop off the countertop, take his plate from him and set it on the island behind him and wrap my arms around his middle, rest my cheek on his chest, and hold him.
Aside from my niece Olivia, I’ve never felt the need to cuddle anyone in my life.
He wraps his arms around my shoulders and hugs me close, plants his lips on the top of my head, and takes a deep breath.
“I’m sorry,” I whisper and kiss his chest. I lean back just a bit so I can see his tats up close while I’m not in the throes of passion.
Who has time to examine tats when he’s inside me?
Not I.
There’s script that says Never Kill What Burns Inside over a heart held in two hands with flames. It’s totally rock star, but I have a feeling it means more than that. Maybe I’ll ask him about it later.
My eyes travel down his torso, over his sculpted, washboard abs, to his stars, and damn, I just want to lick them.
I look up into his face to find him patiently watching me with those stormy gray eyes. His teeth are clenched, a muscle twitching in his jaw, but otherwise his body is completely calm and quiet as he watches me explore him. In this moment, I forget about Leo Nash, the rock god, and he’s just a man, standing in my kitchen with me.
I pull my hands around his waist, brushing along the top of his jeans, and follow the outlines of the stars with my thumbs.
He sucks a breath in through his teeth, and his stomach seizes, and I grin to myself and sink down to my knees, so his hips and the erection straining against the zipper of these sexy, ripped jeans, are eye level with me.
“Sam,” he begins, but the words catch in his throat when I lean in and lick the star on the right side, following the path my thumbs took moments ago, and then lave the scar from his surgery. “Son of a bitch,” he whispers.
I plant tiny kisses over the blue and red ink, over the white scar of the incision, like I’m kissing it better. I kiss my way along his lower belly, over his pubis, and switch sides, paying equal attention to the other star, enjoying the muscular line of his hip.
Any woman who says that V in a man’s hips isn’t sexy is a fucking liar.
Leo gently tucks my hair behind my ears as I run my hands up the outsides of his thighs and to the zipper of his jeans and lower it slowly, allowing the denim to fall off his hips to his ankles and his impressive cock to spring free.
He pushes my robe apart, and I let it fall off my shoulders and to the floor.
I grip his cock in my fist and pump up and down, loving how it continues to harden in my hand, and lean in to lick a drop of dew off the end.
“Samantha,” he whispers and buries his hands in my hair, gripping the strands in his strong hands as though he needs an anchor.
I look up as I sink down over him, pushing him all the way to the back of my throat, and then I grip him tightly with my lips and pull all the way up.
His eyes are on fire, watching me intently, panting as if we’ve just run three miles. I smile up at him and repeat the motion, up and down on him, teasing him with my tongue and the tips of my teeth, and then sucking vigorously.
“Fucking A, Samantha.” He pulls me to my feet and into his arms, stomping out of the kitchen.
“Where are we going?” I ask with a chuckle as I wrap my arms around his neck and nuzzle beneath his ear.
“Bedroom. I’m going to have to stock every room of your apartment with condoms,” he mutters and sets me down on the bed, pulls a foil packet out of the drawer and makes quick work of suiting up as he crawls onto the bed beside me.
I straddle him and run my hands up his arms to link our fingers and pin them to the bed beside his head, raise my hips and impale myself on his hard shaft.
“Fuck, you’re so ready.”
“You sort of turn me on,” I respond with a sassy grin.
“I’m so happy to hear that, sunshine.” He chuckles and then groans as I grip my intimate muscles around him and pull up, then push back down and begin to ride him, circling my hips, grinding my clit against his pubis, and the pressure begins to build, my stomach tightens, and I break out into a sweat.
“Damn, you feel good,” I whisper and move faster, chasing the orgasm that’s almost in my reach.
“Let go of my hands, Sam.”
I comply, and he palms my breast with one hand, and his talented thumb finds my clit and sends me over the edge in an overwhelming climax. Before I can resurface, he lifts me off him and flips me onto my stomach, pulls my ass in the air and shoves himself into me roughly.
“Oh God, yes!” I cry and push my palm against the headboard as I rock back onto him.
He grips my hips tightly and fucks me hard, growling and panting, in the most deliciously primal way I’ve ever experienced.
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” he chants as he pulls me back onto him and comes inside of me.
I don’t think I’ve ever come that hard in my life.
Jesus, what is he doing to me?
He collapses on top of me, pushing me into the mattress, and I don’t even care if I can breathe. I think he may have just killed me anyway.
And what a way to go.
He slowly pulls out of me and rolls to the side and off the bed to discard the condom, then crawls onto the bed and covers us both with the blankets, tucking me against his side, with my head on his chest.
Levine jumps onto the bed, eyeing Leo for a second, and then nudges Leo’s hand with his head.
“He likes you,” I whisper and smile as Leo pets the cat’s head.
“Are you okay?” he asks.
“I’m fantastic, thanks. You?”
Leo laughs and shoos the cat aside, who then flips his tail at him and curls into a ball at the end of the bed and begins to take a bath.
“Fantastic is a good description.” He kisses my forehead lightly.
“Are you leaving now?” I ask, ready to put some distance between us, yet hoping he says he wants to stay.
He stills for a moment and then tips my chin back so I’m looking him in the eye. “Do you want me to leave?”
“You can stay.” I shrug. “I might have a use for you in the morning.”
He lowers his face to mine and nibbles my lips softly, then rubs his nose against mine. “I want to stay.”
“Okay.” He’s running his fingers up and down my back, making me sleepy.
“You don’t have any tattoos,” he murmurs sleepily.
“Nope,” I confirm.
“No desire?” he asks.
“Nope.”
“Gee, you’re so chatty.” He chuckles. “Why not?”
“I don’t know. I guess I just never found anything that I wanted on me forever.” I shrug and trace one of his stars again with my fingertip. “I like yours. I’ve seen them in photos, of course, but they’re better in person.”
“Thanks.”
“Are you gonna get more?” I ask.
“Maybe.” He shrugs. “Probably.”
“They photograph well.”
“That’s what I’m told.” He chuckles and kisses my forehead again.
“Are you starting to miss it?” I ask, and he doesn’t even pretend that he doesn’t know what I’m talking about.
“Sometimes, but I’m enjoying the break. I’m writing music, and I talk to most of the band just about every day.”
“You’re close to them.” It’s not a question.
“Yeah, they’re my brothers.” He turns on his side so we’re facing each other, wraps his arm around my low back and holds me close. “We spend a lot of time together.”
“Are any of them married?” I ask, although I already know the answer. Nash is my favorite band. I’ve seen interviews.
“Yeah, a couple are. It’s not easy for them to be away from their families for long stretches. We’re all enjoying the break.”
“Can’t they take their families on tour with them?”
“They do part of
the time.”
I nod and trace his jaw with my finger. “How have you managed to stay single?” I ask. “You’re the most eligible rock-star bachelor in the US right now.”
He frowns and then laughs and me. “Whatever.”
“You are.” I push his shoulder and smile at him. “Spill it.”
“I don’t ever want to get married,” he replies, his eyes sobering.
This surprises me. “Never?”
He shakes his head, watching me closely.
“You don’t necessarily have to be married to be committed to someone,” I remind him.
“My job is really hard on relationships, Sam. Trust is hard to maintain, on both sides. I’m gone a lot.” He shrugs and looks sad for a second, but then covers it up with a grin. “Why are you single?”
I just had to go there, didn’t I?
“Never been even close to marriage and don’t intend to be.” I withdraw automatically, school my features, and give him a bland look.
And piss him the fuck off.
“You’re lying.” His gray eyes heat.
“No, I’m not.” I shake my head and focus on tracing the letters on his chest.
“Why did you just pull away?” he asks, watching me closely.
I continue to trace the ink on his chest, and he stills me by gripping my hand in his.
“I’m sorry I asked,” I whisper.
“Sam, we’re just having a conversation.”
I shake my head, but he leans in and kisses me softly, and I relax instinctively.
He calms me, and that makes me nervous.
“I was in a relationship that ended very badly,” I whisper. “I don’t trust people easily, and don’t see myself ever trusting anyone enough to commit to them like that.”
“Look at me.”
Instead, I lean in and rest my forehead against his sternum.
“Look at me, sunshine.” His voice is almost light, and I risk a peek.
He’s smiling.
“Am I funny?” I ask and give him a mock glare.
“Actually, yes, you can be.” He continues to grin, and I just want to lean in and grip that piercing in my teeth and tug. “This might sound selfish, but I’m glad it didn’t work out with the other guy because then I wouldn’t be here with you, and I’ve never enjoyed myself more.”
My mouth drops, and my eyes widen. That might be the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.
How pathetic am I?
“But I also want to kick the shit out of him for hurting you.”
“Maybe I hurt him,” I reply with a smirk.
He watches me closely and then exhales as he shakes his head. “No, he hurt you.” He pulls me against him and wraps his arms around me tightly. “Did he ever hit you?” he asks, his voice just a whisper.
“No,” I respond immediately. “And I don’t want to talk about it.”
“Okay.”
“So, who’s your favorite band?” he asks, making me laugh.
“Who’s your favorite band?” I ask.
“I asked you first.”
I squint my eyes like I’m thinking really hard. “U2.”
“You are so gonna pay for that.” He attacks me with tickles, and I shriek with laughter, and then moan in pleasure as his hands roam over my body.
“I think I like this payment system you have.”
“I’m just getting started, sunshine.”
Chapter Five
I’m a moron. What the fuck was I thinking? Since when do I let my loins make the decisions?
Because that’s exactly what happened yesterday.
And last night.
And again this morning.
I shift uncomfortably in the driver’s seat of my car, the soreness between my legs reminding me exactly where Leo spent the majority of the past twenty-four hours.
The man is just sex on a stick.
So much for not getting involved. I’d been doing so well all week, keeping him at a distance. And then he had to go and look so right, right there in my apartment, and I just couldn’t keep my hands off of him.
But not again. No, for the sake of my sanity, and keeping my family relatively drama-free, last night was a one-time deal.
I’ll find another fuck buddy to play with once in a while, and things will go back to normal.
So why does the thought of that make me feel sick to my stomach?
I park outside the coffee shop near Alki Beach in West Seattle. We decided to meet near Nat and Luke’s place this time, which suits me just fine. The view here is amazing, even on a dark, gloomy day like today.
I wrap my black scarf around my neck and move quickly through the wind and rain to the café and immediately spot Nat, Jules and Meg at a table near the back.
“Hey!” I wave at them and order a chai tea and then join them.
“How’s it going?” Jules asks and sips her latte.
“Good. How are you guys?” I ask and take a seat.
“We’re good. We’re talking about Nat and Luke’s big move,” Meg replies and points to Natalie.
“What big move?” I ask and sip my tea.
“We’re moving.” Natalie responds and bites her lip.
“What?” What the fuck? “Where the hell are you moving to? If you say LA, I’ll kick your ass.”
“No.” She waves me off and shakes her head, a wide grin on her pretty face. “We’re just moving to a bigger house.”
“When?” Jules asks and takes a bite of a scone. How can she eat like that and stay thin? I think I hate her.
“We just started looking. I don’t know.” Nat shrugs. “I’m hoping before the new baby comes because I won’t want to deal with it after it’s born.”
We all nod in agreement and sip our drinks.
“I’ll help you look, if you want,” I offer. “I like to shop for anything.”
“Me, too!” Jules agrees happily.
“Not me.” Meg shakes her head. “I love you guys, but I hate looking at houses. It’s like buying a car. Boring as hell.”
“I’ll let you guys know when and if there’s something to look at. So far, Luke hasn’t found anything he likes, so he’s making noises about having something built.”
“Sounds like my brother,” I mutter with a chuckle. “He’d build you guys something fabulous.”
“Yeah, but I want to move in the next six months, so we’ll see how that goes.” Nat shifts in her chair and pushes her muffin away without taking a bite. “Enough about that. It makes me nervous. Meg, how’s Leo settling in? Luke mentioned he’s staying at your old place?”
Great, my turn to be nervous.
I take another sip of my tea and keep my face blank. I’m so not telling my friends what Leo and I have been up to.
No way.
“He’s good,” Meg replies and then frowns. “But he’s been really moody the past week or so.”
“Broody musician?” Jules asks with a wink.
“Not usually.” Meg shrugs. “He usually acts this way when he’s stuck on a girl. But he’s even more moody than usual. If he is seeing someone, and I meet her, I’m gonna kick her ass for making him so grouchy.”
I choke on my drink, sputtering and coughing, and Nat leans over to smack my back.
“You okay?” she asks.
“Fine,” I choke out and take another sip. “Sorry, just went down wrong.”
“So, you think he’s seeing someone?” Nat asks Meg.
Please, God, change the subject!
“I don’t know, he won’t tell me. So, I told him to stop being a moody asshole.” Meg smiles smugly.
“I think that you might be the only person on the planet who can tell Leo Nash to stop being an asshole,” Jules remarks.
“He’s my brother. Sam can relate.” She smiles at me, and I nod, trying to push down the guilt.
Why the fuck do I feel guilty?
Okay, maybe because I just let her brother fuck my brains out and I’m not gonna tell her.
/> This only confirms for me that not seeing Leo anymore is the best decision for everyone.
“It’s different when it’s your brother.”
“Do you ever tell Luke to stop being an asshole?” Nat asks me, her green eyes laughing.
“All the time.” I salute her with my cup and take a drink, and we all laugh.
“How long is he in town for?” Jules asks.
“Awhile.” Meg shrugs and smiles. “I like having him here again. We actually started working on a song together last week.”
“That’s awesome. I’m so happy for you.” Nat pats Meg on the shoulder.
“Jules, how’s Nate?” I ask and effectively change the subject.
“Sexy,” she replies and flips her blond hair back over her shoulder.
“That we knew.” Meg rolls her eyes.
“We’re good. Busy.” Jules shrugs. “Nothing really to report.”
During the next hour, we gossip about mutual friends and catch up with each other, and I’m relieved that the conversation stays clear of Leo.
I don’t like lying to my closest friends, and by not telling them about Leo, I’m lying. It doesn’t sit well with me.
“Sam, how’s your job?” Meg asks.
Oh, good, another lie to feel guilty about.
“Fine. The usual.” I shrug nonchalantly and smile.
I am so going to hell for lying to my family.
***
“Hi, baby, did you guys have fun?” Luke asks Nat as we come through their front door. He greets her with a kiss, Livie perched on his hip. Livie squeals in delight and reaches for her mama, and I can’t help but smile as I watch their little family.
They’re adorable.
Nat showers her daughter with kisses and then passes her along to me, and then Luke dips her low and plants a big one on her.
I have a very Jules-like compulsion to gag.
“Ew, don’t watch that, Livie. You’re too young.” I carry her to the kitchen, put her in her chair, and she immediately reaches for the Cheerios spread on her tray.
“Mmm.” She grins as she sticks a Cheerio in her mouth.
“Mmm,” I agree.
God, she’s adorable.
“Did you put the pretty pink bow in her hair?” I ask Luke with a smirk.
“Uh, no.”
“I did before I left.” Nat laughs and kisses her baby on the head as she walks past. “Did you two have fun?”
With Me in Seattle Bundle One Page 94
