by Me, Tara Sue
“If he’s alive, I’m sure he’s still in London. But I doubt he’s over one hundred. We were kids at the time. Everyone over twenty-one looked older than dirt to us then.”
I had to admit she was right.
She bit her bottom lip and glanced down at letter again. I knew what she was going to say before she spoke.
“We need to go to London,” she said.
Chapter 15
Bri
In my mind, London was not just the best next step but the only one that made any sense. We’d been lied to for years, and for what purpose? None that I could think of. At the moment, the realization left me in shock, but I knew as soon as I had a second to sit down and process everything other emotions would prevail.
Piers didn’t share my assessment.
“That would be the best way to get to the bottom of whatever this is.” He shook his head. “Unfortunately, I can’t go out of the country right now. Not with so much unknown about the threat against Tenor and Mia.”
His words drove a knife into my chest. To say Tenor and Mia instead of Bachelor International made everything I was doing seem much more personal. I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d worded it that way on purpose. Was it possible Piers knew of my involvement or my role in that threat?
I didn’t think so. While we were nowhere near as close as we’d been in the past, I could tell based on what little time I’d spent with him that at his core Piers hadn’t changed since those days at the group home. If he knew of my involvement, he’d call me out on it.
Since he didn’t know, that made our current conversation the perfect time to confess everything. Now would be when I should drag all my dirty secrets out of the dark and expose them to the light.
But I couldn’t because I was scared. Scared of the disappointment I’d see in Piers when he looked at me. Scared he’d leave and that this time I’d never see him again. Scared he’d be angry and wouldn’t let me explain.
Could I explain?
I wasn’t sure, so I said nothing about the Organization and agreed with him that the timing wasn’t right for either of us to leave the country.
“We can look into Mr. Newsome as much as we’re able to from here, and if after the threat is gone, we need more information than what we’ve found, then maybe we can take off for London.”
Again I felt the urge to speak up and confess that I was the threat against his friends. That they would be fine with me in London. And again I failed to do so.
“Yes,” I agreed with Piers. “That sounds like the best thing to do.”
Besides, I told myself. I had been avoiding the Organization for the past few days. It was possible they’d sent someone to Boston to hasten my uncompleted job. If so, I needed to be nearby to protect Tenor, Mia, and Piers. Another good reason not to travel to London—not just yet anyway.
Piers chuckled.
“Is something funny?” I asked.
“Not really,” he said, but his smile hadn’t disappeared. “It’s just I was getting ready to ask you if everything was okay because you had an odd expression on your face. Then I realized what a stupid question that was. Of course everything’s not okay. How could it be?”
“Everything feels more okay when you’re with me.” The words flowed from my lips without thought, and I took a step closer to him.
“Then I’ll do my best to stay with you so you can continue to feel okay.” He gently cupped my cheek. “I knew deep inside my soul there was no way you’d have left without a goodbye.”
“That’s not the way it felt from where I stood less than fifteen minutes ago,” I joked.
“It took longer than it should for the truth to travel from my soul to my brain.” His thumb stroked my bottom lip, sending shivers throughout my entire body. “I’m sorry for not seeing the truth earlier.”
I opened my mouth to tell him it was okay, but before I could get a word out, his lips were on mine. My heart just about stopped. Pier was kissing me. And holy Mother of God, the man could kiss.
His lips were strong and determined, and the way he controlled the kiss surprised me. Fairly easygoing in his day-to-day dealings, there was a notable change the second our lips touched. The fingers that had stroked my lip were now buried in my hair, holding my head still as he plundered my mouth. I tried to tilt my head, and he nipped my bottom lip. The sharp twinge of pain shot straight to my clit, and I moaned. In response, the hand in my hair tightened. Piers pulled. Not hard, but definitely not gently.
I’d thought I wanted him before, but after just a taste of his kiss, it was no longer a question. I wanted him. Badly. I wanted to experience him completely. If he could make my body react the way it was with a mere kiss, what would a night in his bed be like?
Death by pleasure? Was that a thing?
I wasn’t sure, but if it was, I wanted to experience it. And to experience it with Piers. Somehow I knew a night in his bed would change me forever.
“I want you, Brigitta.” His voice was hot against my skin, and his use of my full first name sent a shiver down my back. “I want you so fucking bad.”
As much as I wanted him, I was torn. It would be so easy to stay in his arms and allow him to take me down the hallway to his bedroom. I knew a night with him would be incredible and more than likely ruin me for all the men I’d meet in the future.
But hanging over me was the knowledge that we didn’t have the truth between us. How could I allow for anything physical to happen between us before I told him everything?
Being in his arms felt so right. As if this was the place I was meant to be. How could I risk losing him again? Because if I told him about my part in his dealings with Bachelor International, I would lose him. I didn’t think I could stand to see those eyes, currently looking at me with such naked need, looking at me with disgust and loathing. And they would. The second he found out, that’s when he’d look at me differently.
But if I never told him…
Could I do it? Walk away from the Organization and stay with him? Hadn’t they lied to me about Piers? Why would I risk the possibility of Piers for a position with a group who deceived others into working for them?
Was it possible for me to simultaneously bring the Organization down and prove Piers was blameless in everything they’d accused him of? And do it all without Piers knowing? I wasn’t sure, but I was willing to try.
“Bri?” Piers whispered, and I realized I’d been too caught up in my head and I hadn’t responded to anything he’d said. “If you don’t feel the same…”
He took a step back.
“No,” I said, grabbing him and not letting go. “I do. I want you too. I’m just… nervous.” It wasn’t a lie. “I haven’t done this in a long time.”
“Me either.”
I raised an eyebrow at him, not believing that for a minute. I didn’t say anything, however. The very last thing I wanted to think, much less talk about, was Piers with any other woman.
“What if we’ve both forgotten how it works?” I teased.
“I think we’ll be able to figure it out.”
Chapter 16
Piers
There was something bothering Bri, and I didn’t think it was a case of the nerves. But the way she grabbed me, not allowing me to take a step back, let me know whatever it was had nothing to do with her not wanting me.
She studied me so intently, I almost asked her what she was looking for that she couldn’t find. But then she laughed at my previous remark, and looked so beautiful doing so, every thought not pertaining to getting her into my bed immediately flew out of my head.
“What?” I asked, unable to keep the smile off my face or out of my voice.
“Just an image I had of two naked people sitting around and thinking, what do we do next?”
It was such a preposterous visual, I couldn’t help but laugh as well.
Laughing as foreplay. That was a new one for me. I rather liked it.
Bri stopped laughing and looked up at me wi
th questioning eyes. She lifted her hand and brushed her thumb along my bottom lip. “Kiss me.”
I lowered my lips to hers, softly, wanting to take my time enjoying her taste and the feel of finally having her in my arms. For a short time, she seemed to have no issues with my plan, but I must have kept it up for too long, because she nipped my bottom lip.
“Impatient, are you?” I asked.
“I don’t see why we should wait.”
It was my turn to study her. What type of men had she been with in the past who hadn’t tried to squeeze every bit of pleasure out of her body?
The question would remain unasked. Whatever we did in my bed would only involve the two of us. No way would I invite another man to join us, even if it was only a memory.
“If you don’t see why we should wait, why we should slow things down a little, then I suppose I’ll have to be the one to teach you,” I said.
“Teach me what exactly?”
I leaned down and whispered into her ear, “Anticipation.”
Her body shivered. I kept my lips where they were, positioned directly above her earlobe. I felt the heat coming off her skin, and delighted at the way her body trembled at my words.
“Yes, Bri,” I said. “Just like that. Making you wonder with every second that passes, when and where I’ll touch you next.”
The moan she gave in reply only made me more excited to show her how anticipation could increase her pleasure.
“You think you’re impatient now? Trust me when I tell you we’ve barely touched the surface.” I was almost positive I heard a whimper from her.
I took a step back, placing my hands on her shoulders and walking her backward toward my bedroom. We went slowly. I kept my eyes on hers and guided her with the utmost care. She trusted me, and the Bri I’d known rarely trusted anyone. I felt certain that part of her had changed little. The fact I remained one of the few she gave her trust made me want to build a wall around her to keep away whatever demons occasionally haunted her eyes.
We stepped into the bedroom. Without words, we undressed quickly, rarely taking our eyes from the other. Everything seemed surreal. Even though I’d teased her about going into her apartment and knowing how often I’d fantasied about her coming into mine, it still didn’t feel real.
“You’re so beautiful,” I told her, expecting any second to wake up and realize the entire night had been a vivid dream.
Her cheeks pinked at my words, but it was no empty flattery I gave her. She was beautiful. Every inch was absolute perfection. Even though she’d flushed at my praise, she didn’t appear to be self-conscious about being naked at all. And let me just say I found it hot as hell when a woman wore her skin with confidence.
She chuckled, low and sultry in a sound that shot straight to my dick. “I could say the same about you.”
It made me glad she thought so. I worked out nearly every day for that very reason.
“If I ever wondered why I made myself get up at five in the morning to hit the gym, I now know it was for this moment.”
We stood next to each other, but I needed more.
I held my arms open. “Come here.”
She stepped into my embrace and I knew, as certain as I breathed, that she was it for me. She’d been the first girl I had a crush on and she’d be the last woman I loved.
Even though I’d teased her with anticipation, I never truly expected our first time to go slow. But with the thought of her being the one for me, I felt an overwhelming need to ensure she felt the same.
I placed her in the middle of my bed, wanting to explore every inch of her body. Starting with her neck, I traced the lines of her muscles with my fingertips. When the feel of her skin became too tempting to overlook, I lowered my head to taste her. A trail of kisses followed the lines my fingers took.
She reached out and tried to pull me down on top of her, but I shook my head. “You’ll get your turn later. Remember. This is all about anticipation.”
“I’m good.” She shifted beside me, trying again to urge me to move it along.
“Oh, Bri,” I whispered. “You have no idea.” I ran my hand down her side, over the swell of her hips, until I brushed the tops of her outer thigh. “But you will.”
I took one of her nipples into my mouth and ran my tongue over the peak. At the same time, I slid a hand between her legs and felt how wet she was. How ready for me.
I smiled as I moved on to her other nipple.
She sucked in a breath. “Please.”
“Please what?”
“Please. I want you.”
“Not yet.” I made very light circles around her clit. Not touching. Just slowly bringing her to the edge. “This makes you want me even more, doesn’t it?”
“Yes,” she said, in a hiss.
I continued the same circle while I spoke. The same path. The same pressure. “I bet you didn’t know your need could grow that much stronger, did you?”
She only shook her head.
“Imagine it getting even greater. Or even better, imagine how hard my dick is right now. Because let me tell you, it’s so fucking hard. I’m here, looking at your sexy as hell body, and all I can think about is how good it’s going to be when I get inside you. When I can finally take you.”
Her hips lifted. “Fuck, Piers. I need… fucking something.”
“And yet, I think I could keep this up for a lot longer.”
“Piers…”
“Was that a whine?” I lightly ran my fingertip over the top of her clit once before going back to the circles.
Her body jerked in response. “Fuck. Piers.”
“You said you needed something. I gave you something.”
She opened her eyes wide and latched her gaze onto mine. “I am so paying you back when it’s my turn.”
“My dick got harder just thinking about it.”
“Payback’s hell.”
“There is nothing you can do to my body that I’d consider hellish.” I regretted the words as soon as I said them because the look she gave me promised nothing but a tormenting revenge of pleasure. I hoped I was up for the task.
“Trust me,” she said. “You’ll definitely be up.”
“I wasn’t aware I said that out loud.”
“You did.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “And you’re being too talkative.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
I wasn’t sure I’d ever seen her more appealing. Not that she was naked and in my bed, though that certainly didn’t hurt. And it was more than her sassy and sexy attitude, though that was a definite turn on. It was her countenance. How relaxed and at peace she was mentally, even while sexual frustration filled her body.
All at once, I realized what it was. The demons had left her eyes, at least for the moment, and in that second, I’d have given up my all my wealth, every last thing I owned to keep them away forever.
“What am I going to do about it?” I asked, repeating her question. “I think I’d rather show you as opposed to telling you.”
Though I hadn’t explored her near enough, I told myself we had plenty of time. Besides, even if I’d never admit it, I doubted I’d be able to last much longer myself.
“Oh God. Yes.”
“Open your legs wider,” I said, watching her eyes grow darker.
“You do it.”
I grew painfully hard at her request, and as I moved into position, her dark eyes went wide.
“Holy shit, you’re huge.”
“It’ll fit,” I assured her. “Might take a bit of doing, but I’ll work it in here. Eventually.” I ran my hand between her legs and pushed three fingers inside of her. “Hmm, you’re a bit tight, but you can take it.”
She still eyed my length. “Doubtful.”
“Let me put it this way.” I grabbed a condom from my nightstand to put on before I spread her legs open wide and moved between them. The head of my dick looked giant compared to her pussy. “You will take it.”
I slowly eased forward, stretching her as she took the head of my dick. “Fuck.” She was so tight.
“It’s not going to fit,” she said again, but added, “Damn. Feels so good.”
“It’s going to fit,” I said, paying attention as her pussy engulfed my cock to make sure she wasn’t hurting. “And you’re going to take Every. Damn. Inch.” I thrust forward with the last three words, holding still when I was buried fully inside her. Her eyes were closed. “Are you okay?”
“I’ve never been better in my entire life.” She cracked open one eye. “But I bet I can feel even better if you fuck me instead of just sitting there.”
I’d never been with someone so playful during sex. Bri continually amazed me.
“Sorry for just sitting here,” I teased back. “You’re the one who was certain I wouldn’t fit. I had to make sure you were okay.”
“I’m better than okay.” She lifted her hips, trying to take me deeper. “Or I will be once you move.”
She didn’t have to tell me again. I held in place with my hands on her hips. “I’ll move, but you’re going to hold still and take the fucking I’m getting ready to give you. Understand?”
“Fuuuuck. Yes.”
I pulled out, only to slam into her hard. She’d already taken my entire length. We’d both knew I’d fit again. It would just be tight for both of us. I pounded into her hard and rough, the headboard of my bed hitting the wall with every thrust.
And with each knock of the bed, Bri answered.
“Yes.”
“Fuck.”
“Yes.”
“More.”
Our climaxes weren’t subtle or quiet. Hers hit first, and I didn’t stop, but continued my relentless drive to sink more of my dick inside her body. A second orgasm rippled through her body, and my own wasn’t far behind. I clutched her hips and pushed as deep as I could get before I exploded into the condom with a roar.
