by G. K. Brady
Sliding behind her, he placed his hands on her hips and glided them slowly, sensually, over her ass. She bit back a gasp. He dropped his head and sucked her neck softly, making her break out in goose bumps in spite of the kitchen’s warmth.
“Because,” he whispered huskily, “you’ll be wearing something kinda stretchy and clingy, and I’ll think you’re trying to seduce me again.” He paused a beat. “Unless, of course, that’s what you’re going for, and then by all means, seduce away. But I don’t think Carla will appreciate me taking you on her studio floor in front of her students. It might not be the vibe she’s going for.”
“No, I don’t imagine she’s going for an X-rated vibe.” A little laugh burst from her. “You’re ridiculous, you know that? Does your grandmother know how naughty you are?”
“Oh, Grandma would be cheering me on.”
Lily craned her neck and kissed him. “I hope I get to meet her someday.”
Sadness flashed in his eyes. “Yeah, me too.”
After dinner, Gage put on Marvin Gaye, took her in his arms, and began to sway in a tight circle in the middle of the family room. He pulled back and gave her a goofy grin. “Like my dance move?”
She laughed—she’d been doing that a lot tonight. Whether it was the wine, him, or a combination, she couldn’t say. She didn’t care. “Yeah, I like your dance move.”
He laced their fingers together and trapped their coupled hands against his chest. “Makes it easier to do this.” Dropping his head, he started working on her neck. He had a very talented mouth he used on her generously—she couldn’t get enough, and she let him know it with a series of soft moans.
By the time he took her upstairs, she was putty in his hands. Making love was languid and sweet, and when they were done, she snuggled into his arms and drifted off in a contented fog.
Later she awakened to moaning—her own, as it turned out—and wet pleasure radiating from her core. As she came to on her back, she realized Gage was between her legs, which were draped over his shoulders, and his mouth was on her with ravenous intensity. Suspended between excruciating pleasure and explosive torment, she bucked against him, rising to meet his mouth while trying to escape it at the same time. But he held her in place, his strong hands gripping her thighs. His tongue stroked her, lashed her, while his lips nibbled and sucked her swollen flesh. Orgasms crashed over her like tidal waves until her body trembled uncontrollably.
He released her and climbed up her body, pulling her wrists above her head. As he hovered above her, fuzzy light from somewhere illuminated his chiseled cheekbones, glistening lips, and eyes that gleamed like dark pearls. His chest rose and fell with heavy breaths. “You awake now, Goldilocks?”
She gasped out an “uh-huh.”
“Good,” he murmured. His rock-hard shaft grazed her entrance. “I want you awake so you know everything I do to you. First I want you to taste what I taste because you’re better than any fucking dessert I’ve ever eaten.”
God, she soared inside when he talked like that.
He took her mouth hard, his tongue invading, sweeping, devouring. Breaking the kiss, he brushed her lips with his as he spoke. “Do you taste yourself on my tongue? Do you taste what I taste?”
“Yes,” she panted.
“God, you’re so fucking gorgeous. You make me fucking nuts because I don’t know where to start.”
He dipped his head and pulled a nipple into his mouth, biting down softly as his tongue swirled around her taut bead over and over. He released her. “Do I start there? Or here?” Now he dropped lower, his tongue flicking her navel, softly sucking the tender skin on her stomach. “Or here?” He rose back up and latched on to her other nipple. She couldn’t stop squirming beneath him.
His wet mouth and tongue seemed to be everywhere, spurring her to the brink of ignition. “Do you like it when I suck you there?”
“God, yes.”
“You’re gonna tell me everything you like, Lily.”
“Mmm.”
“You ready?”
She inhaled a stuttering breath. “For what?”
He didn’t answer. Not with words. Instead, he hooked his hands under her arms, towed her to her knees as though she weighed nothing, and turned her so she faced the headboard. His heat radiated behind her, the tip of his shaft grazing her. He ran his hands over her back and spread her thighs, every touch a caress. One hand slid between her legs and cupped her, and the other slid up her back and wound itself in her hair.
He bent her over. “Hands on the headboard, beautiful.”
She grabbed on, anticipation tingling her every nerve, her body blazing.
A sharp inhale, then he muttered, “For fuck’s sake. You are so perfect.” She could practically feel his greedy gaze running over her. While one hand held her hair, he slid two fingers inside her. She let out a strangled moan.
He tugged her head back, his warm breath brushing her ear as his fingers worked their magic. “You’re gonna come for me again, Lily, but first you’re going to let me know what turns you on.” He slid his fingers in and out, stroking them over her, in her, the whole time asking, “Is this good? And this?”
She couldn’t talk. His touch was splintering her consciousness. Only pants, groans, and her bucking body told him what he wanted to know, and once he had his answers, he honed in and took her from one shattering climax to another.
“Fuck yeah,” he grunted behind her. “Love making you come.”
The interval between her peaks grew shorter and shorter until she seemed to orgasm with each stroke of his fingers.
He stopped, and she sagged, her lungs dragging in air as she clung to the headboard like it was a piece of wood keeping her afloat in a boiling sea. Hauling her upright against him, her back mated to his front, he wrapped his arms around her, holding her while she came down. He dusted her neck, her ears, her shoulders with sweet kisses.
“Good?” he whispered, and she nodded weakly. He chuckled lustily. Cupping her breasts, he nudged her so she bent over once more, her ass snugged against his groin, trapping his steely cock between their bodies. He draped himself over her back, dropping his mouth beside her ear again, and flexed his hips, grinding against her.
“You still with me, beautiful?”
“Mmm.”
His fingers kneaded her breasts, circled her nipples, squeezing them. “Can’t get enough of you, Lil. You’re a fucking dream come true. I don’t ever want to let go.”
She shimmied in his grasp and hooked an arm behind his neck, pulling his head down.
His lips landed in the crook of her neck. “Don’t think I can hang on much longer. Gonna explode.”
“Then what are you waiting for, Professor?”
“Hands back on the headboard, Goldilocks.” She complied, and his fingers feathered over the small of her back, her hips, her ass.
Goose bumps peppered her flesh. She’d never been more aroused. A drawn-out sigh escaped her lungs as she readied to take him inside. It might have been a whimper.
One of his hands still palmed her breast while the other glided between her legs. His fingers slipped back inside, and he let out a hiss. “Jesus, you’re so fucking tight.”
Fingers glided out, replaced with his cock. Teasing her entrance, dipping in her wetness, he pushed inside, tunneling in on one long stroke. A groan ripped from his lungs as he filled her, stretched her.
Buried to the root, he stopped and wrapped his hand in her hair once more, tugging her head back. His other hand dropped between them and began stroking her. She clenched around him. He pulled out and drove into her. A pitched moan flew from her. He did it again. And again. His breathing grew labored.
He yanked her head back a little harder. “I’m going to fuck you over and over,” he growled, “so every man smells me on you and knows you’re mine.”
Slam.
“Oh God,” she yelped with pleasure.
Slam.
“What am I going to do to you, beautiful?”
Slam.
She gasped. “You’re going to … to …” Her words dissolved into moans.
Slam.
“Fuck you until what, Lily? Say it.”
Slam. Slam. Slam.
The hand that had been toying with her splayed across her abdomen, holding her tight, and his thrusts came harder, faster, deeper.
“Every man … smells you … on me,” she panted.
He released her hair and grabbed on to her hips, digging his fingers in. “Yesssss,” he gritted out.
Spiraling ever upward in a state of rapture, she gripped the headboard while he pounded her over and over and over, his grunts growing louder, more primal. Powerful, fast, frantic. A groan tore from her throat, and her body shuddered and seized around him.
He pitched a second later, following her over the edge. “Fuuuuuuuuuck!”
She collapsed, and he landed on her back, his heavy breaths falling on her neck, his hand trapped beneath them. Her chest heaved erratically and not at all in time with his.
When their pumping hearts finally slowed, he slid off her back and pulled her into his arms, covering her face and neck with tender kisses. “Love waking you up that way.” His voice was a low, breathless rasp. “Wanna do that again and again. Forever.”
She nestled her head against his chest before floating away in a sex-inebriated cloud, faintly aware she’d never been more content.
Chapter 29
Deep Into That Darkness Peering
Lily roused to the sound of desperate cries, but she couldn’t move. Her feet were concrete blocks. Someone grabbed her shoulder. Panic swelling, she tried to scream, but no sound came out. Her body quaked as she fought her attacker.
“Lily? Lily!” a strong voice pierced the fog.
That strong voice belonged to Gage, and he was shaking her. “Lily! Sweetheart, wake up!”
She bolted upright, her heart slamming against her ribcage, whimpers still keening in her chest. With a series of gasps, she ran her hands over her body. It was a nightmare. It wasn’t real.
A warm hand grasped her chin and turned her head. Her eyes met Gage’s. A bedside lamp was on. “You were having a nightmare.” He pulled her into his arms, his voice soothing. “It’s okay, Goldilocks. You’re safe with me in our bed.”
Panic rose inside her again. Our bed? No! Wisps of thoughts chased each other in her head. She shouldn’t be here! She began struggling, pushing at his chest.
He tightened his hold, apparently not understanding. “Shh. I’ve got you.”
His embrace felt so good that she finally melted into it. He kissed the top of her head and laid his cheek on it.
Fragments streaked through her mind: shadowed people judging her, Derek accusing her of being a bad mother, carrying off a screaming Daisy. Jack had been there too, his face ashen against a white pillow, begging, “Don’t leave me!”
Burning bile rose in her throat; it tasted like guilt.
Chest heaving, tears wetting her cheeks, she forced words out of her mouth. “I need to … to go.”
A warm chuckle rumbled through Gage. “No, you don’t. It’s three o’clock in the morning. I’ll get you some water, then you can tell me about the dream?”
“Bathroom.” The word came out strangled.
He relaxed his hold, and she untangled herself from the covers, from him.
Concern etched his face. “Do you need help?”
Her voice shook. “N-no.”
Dragging in ragged breaths, she staggered into the bathroom and flipped a switch. Light glared down at her, putting her on full display in an endless mirror. She swallowed hard at her reflection. Naked, hair disheveled, eyes wild, her body trembled. Only hours ago, she’d been in the throes of carnal euphoria, but now shame crept inside her, leaving her chilled.
Her hand went to her neck, and she slumped in relief when her fingers closed around her ring. She ran it along the length of the chain.
A robe hung from a hook on the back of Gage’s bathroom door, and she yanked it down. Wrapped it around herself. Cinched the belt tight.
A light knock made her jump.
“Everything all right, beautiful?”
I’m not beautiful! She gulped air. “I-I’m fine.”
Squaring herself up in the mirror, she ran her quivering hands over her body, telling herself she’d had a bad dream, that this was solid, this was real. Her heartbeat decelerated.
But a storm continued raging in her soul.
Later that morning, Lily awoke in an empty bed, still covered with Gage’s robe. Shivers raced along her spine as shards of the same vivid images came roaring back. With them, they brought crushing guilt.
Smells of breakfast wafted up her nose as she made her way downstairs. Her stomach turned. She padded into the kitchen. Gage’s back was to her, and he wielded a spatula at the stove. Dressed in a T-shirt and plaid lounge pants, he moved fluidly, and she watched him for a moment. He must have sensed her because he wheeled and offered her a tentative smile.
“Better this morning?”
She gave him an overzealous head bob. “All good, thanks.”
His eyebrows knotted. “That must’ve been one hell of a dream. What was it about?”
“Um, nothing.” She let out a nervous laugh. “I mean, I don’t remember. You know how dreams are.”
“Yeah.” He gave her a skeptical look before turning back to his cooking. “You hungry?”
Her eyes caught on his square shoulders. She loved looking at them. Loved running her hands over them. She shook herself from her wandering thoughts. “I could eat a little.”
Soft music played in the background while he plated omelet, potatoes, and fruit. They sat silently at the counter. His plate half-finished, he straightened on his stool, a playful smile dancing on his lips. “I didn’t give you that nightmare, did I? I mean, with how I woke you up …”
Her hand flew to her neck and grasped her chain. His gaze dipped to the movement. “What? Of course not!” Her volume was set to high.
The ghost of a frown touched his brows before he turned back to his meal. “So something we didn’t talk about yesterday,” he paused for a swallow of juice, “is what’s up with the gig?”
She nibbled at her potatoes. “The gig?”
“Derek’s gig?” He used air quotes on the last word, and though his expression was guileless, her temper flared white. She couldn’t say why.
She arched an eyebrow at him. “What about the gig?” She tossed the air quotes right back.
Surprise flitted across his face, and he threw up his hands in surrender. “Sorry. I only wondered if you were going to do it.”
“Why does it bother you?” Her voice sliced through the air between them.
Leaning his elbows on the countertop, he blew out a breath. “I guess it’s the idea of guys—lots of guys—eye-fucking you, lining you up in their sights.”
“I can handle it.”
“I know you can. Doesn’t mean I like it.”
Her temper spiked again, and she felt like a train about to derail, still with little idea why. “You’re talking as if you have a say.”
Something hard passed through his eyes—something she’d never seen before—vanishing as quickly as it appeared.
She cleared her throat. “So what is it with you and Derek anyway?”
“You want honest?”
Did she? She was trying to balance on a teeter-totter of emotions. One false move and she’d be on her ass.
She nodded.
“I’m not fond of the guy, and I’m pretty sure he isn’t fond of me.”
She laughed bitterly. “This would be obvious to a blind person. Still doesn’t answer what you have against him.”
Gage’s blue eyes, different shades today, pierced hers. “Look, I’m glad he’s in your life. It’s obvious he cares about you and Daisy. He’s a stand-up guy.”
“But?”
“But … besides being a constant reminder of his brother, I think he’d like to put the mo
ves on you.”
“You’re crazy!” she yelped. Gage was only saying it because his inner caveman saw everyone as a rival.
“I’m going to fuck you until every man smells me on you and knows you’re mine.”
Last night, she’d reveled in his possessiveness. This morning, it rubbed her like gravel on a raw spot.
He regarded her intently.
She rolled her eyes and threw down her napkin. “I never should’ve told you! You’re just acting jealous.”
“Can you blame me?” he sighed. “Lily, it can’t come as a surprise how I feel about you. Maybe I’m jealous of Derek because I want to be that guy for you—the one you depend on.”
Before yesterday, Gage’s confession would have let loose a squadron of fluttery things in her belly. Today? Today everything was off kilter, and his words had her stomach clenching and her defenses flailing to hoist boundaries. Too little, too late. She’d let it go too far. They were straying into territory she hadn’t paid attention to, and she was suddenly terrified, frantically backpedaling. Confusing emotions roiled inside her, and she fought an urge to run.
She pulled in a lungful of air. “Gage, there’s no denying the physical attraction between us is off the charts. It’s intoxicating. In fact, I might need to check into rehab to get over my addiction to you,” she laughed. He didn’t.
He sat quietly. When he finally spoke, he softly asked, “Where do you see things going between us, Lily?”
Where did she see things going? Not forward, but she didn’t want to go backward either. There was no escaping the bubbling lake of molten fire at her core whenever he was around. She loved how he smelled and tasted and the feel of his heavy body on top of her. Loved running her hands over him, loved the hardness of his muscles, loved how quickly and how big he grew when she touched him. Loved how he held her at night as though she were a treasure. He made her feel things she’d never felt before.
Was it all about sex?
No. Because she loved talking to him, loved how easy it was to be with him. She trusted him. Felt safe with him. Loved how he treated Daisy. How he treated everyone.
But she couldn’t escape the sinking notion she felt too much, that it was too soon.
