I wanted to say no to spite him. Make him feel bad for scaring me half to death. But he just looked so good standing there. Wearing nothing more than his boxers and a smirk. You really couldn’t blame me for breaking my no-sex policy with him when he looked like that. You’d snap too.
“Well, my arms are tired.” I shrugged.
I’d never seen someone strip so quickly in my life. I didn’t even have time to pick up the sponge from the floor before he was in the steam-filled shower with me. Somehow, it’d gotten a hell of a lot hotter in here and I hadn’t touched the taps.
“Turn around,” Bryce instructed, his voice deep and raspy.
Doing as he said, I forced myself to stop staring at his abs and the delectable dick I’d feasted on early this morning. Waking up and finding him gone had crushed that. This morning though, when my eyes had opened and I’d spotted his glorious morning wood proudly sitting up and saluting the day, there was no way I was missing my opportunity. And when Bryce woke up, he definitely wasn’t complaining either.
“Hands on the wall.”
“What? No, Bryce, I can’t…” I started to turn around but his hands on my hips held me in place.
“You can’t what? Let me wash your back? Hands on the wall, Em.”
I wasn’t one hundred percent sure I trusted him but what’s the worst that could happen? Lifting my arms, I rested them against the wall, the coolness pebbling my body with tiny goose pimples. When my loofa touched my shoulders, I shivered.
“You’re a bit jumpy. Aren’t showers supposed to be relaxing?” Bryce teased as he circled the loofa across my shoulders.
“If you insist on washing my back, the least you could do is make it worth my while,” I dared.
“Worth your while, huh?”
“Yeah, a bit of pressure wouldn’t hurt.” I knew I was playing with fire, but I couldn’t stop myself even if I wanted to.
With a heavy splat, I heard the sponge hit the ground, but before I could protest, I felt incredibly talented fingers putting pressure on all those sore spots, even the ones I didn’t know I had. Letting my head fall forward and rest on the tiles, I closed my eyes and enjoyed my massage. It felt incredible. When Bryce brushed the hair off my shoulder before kissing me there, I remembered what was happening. And as if the kiss wasn’t reminder enough, the stab in the thigh from his somehow-hard-again cock had me perking right up.
“We can’t,” I complained pathetically.
It would’ve taken absolutely no effort at all on Bryce’s behalf to change my mind. One word and I would’ve caved like a house of cards. But he stayed quiet and just kept on taunting me. I thought teasing was all fun and games, at least it was when I was the one doing the teasing. Turns out, I wasn’t as big of a fan when I was on the receiving end.
I could feel the slickness between my thighs, and it wasn’t the water.
“Something wrong?” Bryce asked, biting my ear lobe.
“I need…”
“What do you need?” Bryce offered huskily.
“Fuck me,” I begged shamelessly. I didn’t care if I was sore. I didn’t care if I wouldn’t be able to walk tomorrow or if I’d already told him in no uncertain terms I was done for the day. I needed it. I needed him. Future Emma could deal with the consequences.
“Not happening, sweetheart.”
He was denying me.
He was fucking denying me.
What sort of arsehole turns down a wet, naked woman begging for him to fuck her into the middle of next week? I’ll tell you who, Bryce-I’m-A-Tease-Masters, that’s who.
“Bryce…”
“Calm down, princess. I’ll take care of you. Have I ever not?”
For someone who was refusing to put out, he was making a whole lot of promises. Promises he better be coming through on or he was going to be out on his arse very quickly. Before I had a chance to threaten to knee him in the balls, his arms wrapped around me, his front pressing up against my back and his hands cupped my boobs. When he started to knead them, my knees buckled. Squeezing and rubbing them, pinching my nipples had my whole core tightening.
“Like that?” Bryce growled as he nipped at my neck.
“Oh, fuck yeah,” I replied, pushing my chest further into his hands. Taking the hint, Bryce increased the pressure.
I was going to explode. How was this even a thing? I could feel my clit pulsating and he wasn’t even touching it. He was nowhere near it and I was about to fly over the edge into oblivion. I mustn’t have been the only one getting a little hot and bothered. When Bryce ground his hard cock against my arse, it was all it took before I was a boneless, shaking mess relying on him to keep me upright.
Puffing and panting like I’d run a marathon, I managed to hold my own weight before turning around and kissing Bryce with every ounce of energy I had left, which I’ll admit wasn’t much, but I was blaming too much cardio before carbs. When I pulled back, I reached down and took him in hand, only to have him unwrap my fingers and step backwards.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, feeling sadly rejected.
“Nothing. Nothing at all,”
“Then why…”
“Because that was about you.”
“But you’re still hard.”
“Always am when you’re around. Don’t worry about it. It’ll go down.”
“Are you sure?” Because I sure as shit wasn’t. The head was purple and angry looking. The last thing I needed was him to be angry with me, especially when we were just starting to become such good friends.
“It’s fine. Now, dirty girl. Let’s get you cleaned up before we head out for brunch,” Bryce announced, bending down to scoop up the loofa before squirting a huge dollop of my favourite coconut and lime scented shower gel on it.
“Brunch?”
“Yeah. You know that meal between breakfast and lunch?” Bryce teased as he dragged the loofa across my arse.
“Mmm. My favourite meal. But it’s so hard to choose. Pancakes or eggs. Then there’s waffles.”
“Why not all of the above?”
“Oooh. I like your thinking.”
“Glad you see it my way. Now, let’s get cleaned up and get out of here. I’ve worked up quite the appetite.”
“Didn’t hear you complaining,” I countered.
“Never said I was.”
It took us another half an hour before we were dressed, my hair was brushed, I was wearing a bra and looking respectable enough to be seen out in public. Something that rarely happened on a Sunday, but Bryce’s promises of eggs and pancakes had me stuffing my feet into my boots.
“Is this okay?” I asked, spinning around with my arms outstretched.
I was trying to look like someone worthy of being with Bryce. With my skinny jeans, white button shirt and peach blazer, I’d layered up a couple of long beaded necklaces and chosen my heeled boots to give me the extra boost of height I needed if I was going to walk next to the giant standing by the door.
“You’re perfect.”
“Let me grab my bag and we can go.”
Slipping my bag over my shoulder, I checked I had the necessities. Phone, keys, wallet, sunglasses and tissues. Yep I was good. I tugged open the door, only for Bryce to step in front of me.
“What’s wrong? Have I got something on my face?” I started panicking and touching my face wondering what was wrong.
“Nothing to panic about. I just need one thing before we go.”
“What?” He could think again if he thought I was taking these clothes off. I’d only just got them on and the only thing I was craving right now was food.
“Your phone number.”
“Huh?”
“I fucked up last time and left without your number. I’m not doing it again.”
“Oh.” I did not see that coming.
“So, Emma Hardy, may I please get your number?”
“On one condition,” I retorted. I couldn’t make this easy on him. Watching him squirm was quickly becoming one of my new fa
vourite hobbies.
“Anything,” he agreed quickly. Idiot. If I was being a bitch, I could have some real fun with that. But I had better things on my mind. “What do you want?”
“You’re buying me pancakes, a chocolate milkshake AND a pineapple juice,” I declared.
“Done. Now, your number.”
When my stomach rumbled loudly, I conceded, taking his phone and typing in my number. A moment later, my own phone was ringing in my bag. “There. Now you have mine too.”
“And what do I save that under?” I asked, locking the door and heading down the deserted hallway.
“Whatever you want. Just expect to be hearing from it.”
“So, stalker then?”
“Sounds like it’d be appropriate.”
The elevator dinged and with a loud slap on my arse, I stepped in the carriage, thankful no one was around. While I was still pondering options for his contact in my phone, Bryce reached down and tangled his fingers with mine.
“Aren’t you worried someone will see?” I asked honestly as we stepped into the lobby and onto the street.
“Not at all. Are you?”
“Nope,” I confirmed, popping the ‘p’ and looking up at him. I’m sure if anyone on the street saw us, they’d roll their eyes in disgust. We were acting like that disgusting loved-up couple existing only for each other in our happy bubble.
After convincing me to skip my local café, Bryce bundled me into a cab, and after speeding through the streets we ended up in Darling Harbour. Now I’ll be the first to admit, Sydney’s Harbour was beautiful. But living here meant I rarely ventured down to this part of the world. It was like Bondi beach. The whole world knew about Bondi, but if you went there, you’d be hard pressed to find an Aussie. It was so tourist infested and locals knew where the even better beaches were. Darling Harbour, for me, was much the same. Full of amazing restaurants and right on the water, but there were other treasures scattered throughout the suburbs that the tourists hadn’t found yet.
Still with my hand firmly clasped in his, Bryce led me through the restaurant, ignoring the hostess who looked more than a little put out. “Here we are,” he announced, coming to a stop. I should’ve been looking where we were going so I didn’t end up looking like a loser and crashing straight into him, but I couldn’t stop staring at the incredible yacht moored right out the front.
“Oh. Good morning,” I said automatically while scouring my brain trying to remember if Bryce happened to have mentioned that brunch would be with his family. Nope. Nothing. Guess the surprise was on me.
“Morning, Emma. Lovely to see you again.” Marley smiled a knowing smile.
“Didn’t make it home last night, bro?” Seth asked less than diplomatically.
I hadn’t noticed. Or I hadn’t been paying attention. Bryce was still dressed in his black suit pants and white button-down. And even though he’d ditched the cufflinks and rolled the sleeves up his sexy forearms, something that did things to me it most certainly shouldn’t, he was still way too overdressed for brunch.
“Shit,” I muttered to myself.
“Don’t even sweat it. I’m not,” Bryce assured me, pressing a quick kiss against my temple before pulling out my chair.
Twenty minutes later, the waitress became my favourite person in the world when she sat a giant stack of fluffy pancakes smothered in mascarpone and fresh berries in front of me. Before I could thank her, she added my chocolate milkshake, one I didn’t even remember ordering.
I must’ve looked like a five-year-old about to overindulge in a sugar spree. The smile on my face was so big I could feel it tugging at my lips and I didn’t even care. When she set down Bryce’s fresh orange juice and egg-white omelette, I almost felt bad for the guy. Almost. All it took was the first bite of the fluffiest pancakes I’d ever had, and all thoughts of sympathy were forgotten.
Enjoying my breakfast, I didn’t even register Bryce’s hand resting under the white linen tablecloth on my thigh. When he squeezed it to get my attention, I almost choked on the mouthful of milkshake.
“Is it good?” he asked.
All I could do was nod as I tried to swallow.
“Want to try some of this?” he offered, holding out his fork.
“Ew! No one wants your flavourless eggs,” Seth advised as he stuffed another forkful of bacon into his own mouth.
“I’m okay, thanks,” I confirmed. Seth was one hundred percent right. If I was going to eat eggs, then I wanted them smothered in tomato sauce with a side of bacon. Not with green shit whipped through them.
“So are you two good again?” Noel asked, and I almost fell off my chair. It was something I would’ve expected to come out of Marley’s mouth or definitely Seth’s, but I didn’t have Noel down as a gossip queen.
“More importantly, did you get Emma’s number this time, numb nuts?” Seth teased, and I winked at him. I loved that he gave him shit.
“Yes, I got Emma’s number.”
“Is it the real one? Cause you know, chicks do tend to give you the wrong number.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at Seth’s antics. For someone who was yet to step out on his own into the big wide world, he was certainly sceptical, and perhaps that wasn’t a bad thing.
“Yes, it’s her real number,” Bryce gritted out, and I nodded backing him up.
“Oh. My. God. Bryce Masters! Is that you?” A high-pitched shrill silenced the restaurant.
Our table fell silent as we all turned to look in the direction the ear-splitting, headache-inducing noise had emanated from. When my eyes locked with hers, my stomach sank, and my fork clattered onto my plate.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
BRYCE
Fuck me sideways.
This could not be happening.
But it was.
I felt Emma tense beside me as she batted my hand from its resting place on her thigh.
Sauntering through the restaurant, acting like she owned the place was Madeline Higgins, flanked by two equally-fake-looking blondes with puffy duck lips. It was no wonder Madeline grew up to be an actress. She was nailing the dramatics.
With her hair blowing everywhere, she had on the most gigantic pair of sunglasses covering her eyes and most of her face, hooker-red lipstick on her newly plumped lips and an oversized bag dangling off her arm. The only thing missing was one of those yappy little dogs named Princess being carted around, but I definitely wasn’t going to ask her about it. It’d probably give her ideas.
Mum shot me a glance and I shrugged at her dumbly. If she thought I wanted Madeline here, she was as delusional as the diva herself.
“Bryce, sweetie! So good to see you,” she exclaimed loudly.
“Hi, Madeline,” I replied tightly. I couldn’t afford to be rude. Knowing the way the world worked these days, with my luck someone would be filming this shit show and within the hour it’d be all over social media.
After air-kissing my parents and throwing an inconvenient hello at Seth, something that made him narrow his eyes and actually growl at her, Madeline turned her attention to Emma.
“Hi! I’m Madeline Higgins. And you are?” she introduced herself, sticking out her hand and expecting Emma to accept her pointy hot-pink manicured fingers.
“I’m Emma,” she replied vaguely.
“Well, Emma, how do you know my Bryce here?”
Wow! Her cat claws were sharp today.
Before Emma could answer, her phone started ringing and she rifled through her bag trying to find it. I might not know everything about that girl, but I knew she wasn’t rude. She never would’ve answered her phone in the middle of our brunch until Madeline showed up. Now she was bursting for an excuse to get away from this nightmare. Not that I could blame her.
When she finally produced her phone, she excused herself, answered the call and escaped outside. I couldn’t do a damn thing except sit there like a chump and watch her go. Unfortunately for me, Emma’s hasty departure was exactly the opening Madeline was hoping fo
r as she slipped into Emma’s seat uninvited.
“What are you doing?” I hissed, keeping my voice low.
“What? Can’t we have coffee together?”
Magically, almost as if she’d conjured them out of thin air, a waiter appeared beside her, beaming. “Morning, Miss Higgins. Can I start you with a coffee this morning?”
Ah, now it made sense. He was a fan. He’d probably been tracking her every movement from the moment she stepped into the restaurant. If only he knew what she was like below the layer of Botox and face paint.
“Yes. I’d like a sugar-free, vanilla latte with soy milk.” Are you freaking kidding me right now? Could she sound any more pretentious?
“Absolutely. Can I get you anything to eat to go with that or would you like a few minutes to peruse the menu?”
“A few minutes thank you,” she tilted her head to read his name tag, “Rodney.”
“No worries, Miss Higgins. I’ll be back shortly with your coffee.” It was a fucking comedy. Rodney half bowed before he scurried away, no doubt back to the kitchen to brag about his encounter with the celebrity. Now if she were Beyoncé, I’d understand. But this was just Maddy.
Craning my neck, I looked for Emma. I didn’t like that she was out there, and I was stuck in here with Madeline. Nothing good could come of this, and up until the moment Madeline had appeared my morning had been very good. I wasn’t ready to give that up.
It took a minute before I spotted her pacing up and down the walkway chatting to whoever was on the other end of her call. She was fun to watch. She spoke animatedly with her free hand waving up and down as she gestured along with the conversation. When she stopped pacing and plonked herself down on one of the thick wooden poles along the edge of the water, I noticed her face for the first time. Gone was any sign of the happy, fun, giggling girl I’d spent the morning with. She’d been replaced by a serious almost worried version of Emma.
I went to stand when Seth grasped my arm. “I’ll go,” he offered.
I didn’t want him to go. I wanted to be the one to go out there. I wanted to be the one who fixed whatever it was that was upsetting her. I wanted to be the one to punch whichever wanker had wiped that silly grin from her face. I wanted to be her hero. But when a flash almost blinded me, I remembered why I couldn’t. Sometimes, the world sucked donkey balls.
Played: A Second Chance Sports Romance (Playing Games Book 2) Page 13
