All Because I Met You (Morgan's Bay, #2)

by Theresa Paolo

  Her heart deflated, and prickly heat crept up her spine, spreading into her neck and cheeks. “Oh.” How could she have misread him so badly? Nothing Milo said was serious. Nothing. Why would she think this time it was? Why would she think Milo, her best friend since grade school, would want to get in her pants?

  God, she was such an idiot.

  Milo ran a hand over his face, eyes wild with… for once she had no idea. “It’s not that I wouldn’t want to. Who wouldn’t want to? But I don’t want it to get weird between us. You’re my best friend, Harp, and the last thing I’d want is for mediocre sex to come between us.”

  “Mediocre?” she exclaimed. “Speak for yourself.” If she wasn’t embarrassed enough, now he had to assume she was bad in bed.

  “I was only speaking for me. I’m sure you’d rock my world from this plane to the next, but I’m also sure you’d be sadly disappointed, and then you’ll be left wondering why you’d throw our friendship away for mediocre sex.”

  “Stop saying that. For all we know, sex between us could be explosive.” They’d always had this natural spark, instant chemistry that put them in their own world. They could be in a room full of people and they always found each other, gravitating toward the other like two attracting magnets. She’d always thought it was why they were so close, but maybe that pull would create something magical in bed. If they’d let it.

  Milo’s hand rested on her elbow, and his eyes met hers, dark brown and intense. “Your friendship is the single most important thing to me in this world.”

  “Which is exactly why I know I can trust you. You would never hurt me.” He wouldn’t. There weren’t many people she could count on, but Milo was one of them. If anything, he was the only one she could count on every time she needed him.

  His hand cupped her cheek, and she closed her eyes at the warm familiarity. “Never.”

  The plastic rabbit brought her to the finish line, but it wasn’t the same as reaching her peak with another person. She missed the variety, the hot slick feel of a man’s skin on hers, and most of all, she missed kissing. “So, will you? Will you have sex with me?”

  His eyes dropped to his lower half, and he sighed. “I’m under a lot of pressure here.”

  “That’s my fault. I threw myself at you like a deranged rabbit.”

  His eyebrow arched. “A rabbit?”

  “Because all they do is… never mind.” Heat exploded in her cheeks, and she glanced down. “I’m just going to go.” She spun around, and he grabbed her wrist, halting her in place. He gently tugged her back to him.

  “I’m not saying never, Harp. I just need some time to process this.”

  “That’s fine. I’ve had a few days while you’ve been in the dark, so I get it. I didn’t go into this lightly either. I weighed all the options.”

  “And my good looks and undeniable charm won out, huh?”

  She playfully shoved his chest. “If I knew this would have inflated your ego, I would have put a stop to it at first thought.”

  “But you couldn’t because you think I’m sexy.”

  “I should have known this would be a mistake. I’m going to go to my room, and we’re going to pretend this never happened, okay?”

  She met his eyes and nodded, confirming without words that there would be no more discussion. In a few days, they could laugh about this. Maybe not a few days. Maybe a few months.

  “Goodnight,” she said and turned for her room.

  “Harp,” Milo said and before she could turn back to him, his hand wrapped around the crook of her arm, and he yanked her to him. His lips crashed into hers, his other hand cradled her head then moved down her back. Her mind cleared of any thoughts; all she could focus on was the feel of Milo’s lips on hers, the tightening of his hand on her shirt, and how the material pulled and balled in his fist.

  Their mouths instantly synced, moving as one, as they always had in life. She threw her arms around his neck, arching her body into his. She’d known Milo since they were kids and never imagined this moment until a few days ago, and she wondered if she’d had more time to think about it, if she’d have downplayed it as much as she’d had.

  Electric current surged through her, little fires sparking from head to toe, setting her body ablaze. His hands slipped into her hair, knotting in the strands and angling her head to deepen the kiss. Her lips parted, meeting his tongue with vigor.

  Desire coiled in her core, moving like vines through her veins and overtaking her thoughts with pure need. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, pulling him close. She needed him closer, needed to feel his hard angles against her.

  He stopped kissing her, and she whimpered. His forehead rested on hers, his breaths coming out in short gasps. Fear that he would walk away spiraled into her, and she grabbed at his shirt, tightening her hold. “Don’t stop kissing me,” she pleaded.

  “Are you sure this is what you want?” he asked.

  She didn’t want to talk. Not when it would keep his mouth from being on her. “Yes.” She reached for his face and cut off whatever he was about to say. His hold tightened on her, and he backed her up against the wall. She felt any reservations he had evaporate as his mouth devoured, his tongue plundered, and a dominant side she had no idea was inside of him took over.

  She surrendered control—something she’d never been able to do, but with Milo’s arms wrapped around her, the firm press of his erection against her sex, she felt safe.

  His mouth tore from hers, kissing a sizzling path from her earlobe to the sensitive spot between neck and shoulder. She wanted his lips everywhere with no restrictions. Her fingers hooked the hem of her shirt, and she lifted it over her head, tossing it to the floor.

  Milo’s eyes took her in. The brown gems darkened as they roamed over her white satin bra with black lace. His hand grabbed her waist and yanked her to him, his mouth descending on hers. They met in a clash of tongue and teeth, hands and legs.

  Heat shot to her core as his lips abandoned her mouth and explored. His tongue swiped along the seam of her bra, and his finger hooked the strap, lowering the material and removing the cup. A satisfied growl came from his throat, and his head dipped, taking her nipple between his lips.

  Pleasure mixed with pain as he nibbled slightly. Her hands thrust into his hair, and she cried out. Desperate to feel his skin on hers, to taste him, she latched onto his shirt and ripped it over his head. His hands cupped her face, urging her against the wall and completely devouring her in a kiss that made her forget where she was.

  The pre-show was more than she ever imagined, and she was ready to get to the main event. Her fingers fumbled with the button on his shorts, needing to see him and feel him.

  His hand landed on hers, stopping her. She pulled back, eyes too heavy to open fully, glancing up at him.

  “Let’s do this right,” he said, and before she could ask what he meant, he scooped her up into his arms and carried her to his bedroom. He placed her down on the navy comforter that was perfectly tucked into place and pushed his knee between her legs.

  His mouth found hers again, kissing and sucking like he couldn’t get enough of her. She lifted, unhooking her bra, and he slid it off. His finger brushed against her nipple, and her body ached for more. She arched into him, and he took the tight bud between his teeth. A moan rumbled up her throat as his mouth trailed down her stomach.

  Impatient, she reached for her pants, releasing the button and yanking down the zipper. She shimmied out of the restrictive material, and Milo helped her, lifting one leg at a time and peeling the jeans off of her. He kissed her knee before grabbing her waist and yanking her to the edge of the bed.

  He hooked either side of her panties and drew them down. He fell to his knees, his warm breath crushing along her thigh. His tongue dabbed at her swollen nub, and her body bucked at the pure pleasure that zinged through her.

  A smile curved his lips, and he swiped his tongue along her folds. Her body shook from the overwhelming sensations that expl
oded like a series of fireworks. Each swipe of his tongue detonated another tiny explosion until her entire body was consumed. Her head flung back as he brought her to the brink; her hands gripped the comforter, destroying the perfectly made bed.

  He sucked on her clit, pushed a finger inside her, and her world exploded. Bright lights sparked behind her eyes. Her body convulsed against his mouth as he licked and thrust, riding out her orgasm until she was nothing but a limp mess of limbs.

  He lifted his head and smiled. “Condoms?”

  It took her a minute to get her brain to work. She fought against the weight of unadulterated pleasure and pointed toward her room. “I have some in my room. Top drawer.”

  “Don’t move.” He ran out in a blur of skin and hair. “Jesus!” His voice echoed from the other room. He came back, holding multiple boxes. “Do you have orgies I don’t know about?”

  She laughed. “If that were the case, would this be happening? It’s from all my terrible dates. High expectations and all that.”

  “Why didn’t you just bring the same box?”

  “I always forget to grab them and would have to stop on my way.”

  He tossed all the boxes on the bed and she laughed. “Little ambitious, huh?”

  “I wasn’t thinking, just grabbing.”

  A renewed energy flowed through her, and she sat up. His eyes immediately skimmed over her body and darkened. She grabbed the waistband of his boxer briefs and pulled him toward her. “Enough talking.”

  She drew his boxer briefs down and lightly gasped as his erection sprung free. He’d given her pleasure, and it was her turn to return the favor.

  He stepped out of his underwear and kicked them aside. The scars on his leg from where he had the pins and stitches had faded over time, but they still marred his skin. They were a reminder of how she could have lost him that day.

  “I should’ve known you’d be bossy in the bedroom.”

  She kissed the scars, and he inhaled sharply. “Did you now. And why is that?”

  His words turned into a moan as she touched her tongue to his tip and lowered her mouth down his length. “Fuck,” he groaned, and she mentally fist pumped at getting him to drop the F bomb. His hands tangled in her hair as she tightened her lips and pulled back. She ran her tongue along the smooth underside and cupped his balls.

  She felt powerful as she slid her mouth back and forth, and his body tightened beneath her, his cock turning to solid rock between her lips. Moisture pooled between her legs, excitement racing through her as she moved fast then slow, dragging out his pleasure and making his legs tremble.

  “Okay, that’s enough.” He jolted back, pulling his cock from her mouth. He reached down, his fingers resting beneath her chin and urging her up. She stood, and his mouth captured hers in one fell swoop, knocking her back on the bed.

  He climbed on top of her and reached for the box of condoms. Using her elbows, she brought herself onto the bed completely while he sheathed himself. He came back on top of her, his brown hair falling across his eyes.

  She brushed the stubborn strands aside, and their eyes locked in a heated gaze. The room went out of focus; all she could see was Milo. He positioned himself at her entrance. The thick feel of his tip pressed into her slick folds. Her heart beat once, twice, and he pushed into her.

  Her body arched, adjusting and welcoming the sweet intrusion.

  His finger traced the curve of her face. “You okay?”

  Lost in the beauty of the moment, unable to look away from the intensity of his eyes, she nodded. He bent, lowering his lips to hers, sweetly at first then with increased pressure. His thrusts matched the movements of his lips, and the intensity from his gaze radiated through the rest of him, from the tight hold of his hand on her waist, the strong set of his jaw and the precise ministrations of his hips.

  He slowed his pace, almost coming to a stop, and she whimpered.

  His head dropped to her shoulder, kissing the bare skin. “You feel too damn good.”

  A smile curved her lips, and she wiggled against him.

  “Keep doing that, and this will end before the purpose is served.”

  She giggled at the strain in his voice. She framed his face with her fingers, and he closed his eyes at her touch. “You already delivered. This is just an added bonus.” She tilted her head and captured his lips, loving how their mouths instantly synced.

  He began to move in long drawn out strokes that stoked the fire inside her. Her eyes fluttered shut, and she absorbed the moment, savoring the pleasure wracking her body.

  His hand tightened on her hip, lifting her. He pulled back and surged forward, sending a rippling wave of sensations flooding her body. She cried out at as he filled her to the hilt. His thumb landed on her swollen bundle of nerves and rubbed circles, pushing her toward the edge.

  Her long legs wrapped around him, urging him closer and deeper with each thrust. Heat exploded inside her, the world dimmed, the room spun, and her body shuddered into ecstasy.

  Milo groaned and thrust one final time, sparking a wave of aftershocks crashing through her. His body convulsed, his arms shook, and his weight collapsed onto her. He rolled off, pulling out and making her feel immediately incomplete.

  Silence filled the room other than their breaths coming in short gasps. She had thought sex would be awkward, but it wasn’t. It was the farthest thing from awkward, but she didn’t stop to think of the after.

  Her best friend just rocked her entire world, and she had no idea what she was supposed to do now. Any other guy, depending on the mood of the date, she’d either cuddle for a bit or just get dressed and leave. She didn’t want to leave Milo after that. She wanted to do it again.

  He disposed of the condom in the wastebasket and collapsed on the bed. “Your thinking is so loud it’s giving me a headache.”

  She rolled on her side and sighed. “I don’t know if I should stay or go. This is weird.”

  He lifted on his elbow and angled toward her. A very Milo smile bloomed on his lips, and it swatted the awkwardness away. “Do whatever you want, but you sucked the life out of me, vampire. I’m incapable of moving for the next ten to twelve hours.”

  She shoved at his shoulder, and he smirked. His bare chest looked inviting, so she curled into his side and rested her head against his chest.

  “Good choice,” he said.

  “I thought so. Night, Mi.”

  He kissed her forehead. “Night, Harp.”

  His heartbeat soothed her mind, and she fell asleep in his arms.

  Chapter 8

  Harper met the girls at Aunt Greta’s for brunch before she had to head home and try to knock out a few extra glasses. She forgot to consider she’d be losing Memorial Day. There was no way she’d be able to paint between the parade and Milo’s party. She needed to knock another two out today at least, or she’d never get the glasses done in time.

  Times like this made her wonder if she was even capable of running a business. Normally her body would be weighed down and overwhelmed, but she was still flying high from last night.

  “So what happened with Milo?” Olivia took a bite of her fruit salad. She was currently on a diet after eating one too many burgers from McConnell’s Pub.

  Harper took a sip of her tea—turmeric and passionfruit—and placed it on the table. “He Nick Miller-ed me.”

  “What’s a Nick Miller?” Olivia asked.

  Isla looked at her like she was from another planet, and Harper was starting to think maybe she was. “New Girl. Nick and Jess? It’s only the best kiss to ever grace a television set.” Isla picked up Olivia’s phone and handed it to her. “Seriously, Google it right now. You can thank me later.”

  Olivia typed on her phone and tapped the screen to play the video. She watched the scene unfold, and when Nick grabbed Jess for the infamous kiss, Olivia’s eyes widened in approval and her lips parted. “Wow. That was hot.” She pointed a red painted nail to the screen. “Milo did that?”

  Ha
rper nodded. “Yup.”

  “He didn’t leave you in the hallway after, did he? Because I will kick his ass.”

  Heat exploded in her cheeks as she remembered the vivid details of what happened after the initial kiss.

  Olivia turned her finger to Harper. “Oh, he definitely didn’t leave you high and dry or you wouldn’t be blushing right now. So, you actually did it. How was it?” She rested her chin on her palm, brown eyes intent.

  Harper didn’t want to share the intimate details. What she shared with Milo, even though it was just a friend helping out a friend, was…special. It wasn’t just sex; it was a sexual experience she would never forget.

  “Oh, it was good?” Isla said. “This is bad.”

  “How is that bad?” Olivia tapped the screen on her phone. “If it was anything like this.” She fanned her face with her napkin.

  “Do you want to do it again?” Isla asked.

  Harper bit her lip as she thought about a round two with Milo—the two of them taking their time, exploring even more, learning what made each other tick.

  “See!” Isla said. “She totally wants to do it again.”

  “I don’t see the big deal,” Olivia said.

  “They’re going to want to do it again.”

  “So?”

  “I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer.”

  “Why stop now?” Olivia said.

  “I just don’t see this ending well.”

  “Let Harper worry about her own vagina, and you worry about yours.”

  Harper’s phone buzzed, and she looked at the screen. Tom’s name flashed, and she immediately answered.

  “Hi Tom. What’s going on?”

  “Can you pick me up? Mom’s not here, and she’s not answering her phone.”

  “Shit,” she said under her breath. “I’ll be right there.”

  She hung up, grabbed her purse, and threw some cash on the table. “Guess who never showed up to pick up Tom? I’m sorry I have to cut this short. I know how much fun you two were having talking about my vagina.”