by Emma Hart
Fuck.
“Convinced yet?” I murmured against her lips.
“Not entirely,” she replied, her voice just as soft as mine. “And I don’t think you’re going to convince me in the kitchen.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.” She took my lower lip between her teeth and tugged lightly.
Well, well, well.
Here was a side of Holley I hadn’t expected.
“Where do you think I can convince you?” I tilted her head back and kissed down her neck.
“That way,” she breathed.
“I can’t see where you’re pointing.”
“Through there?”
“The sofa?”
“Oh, for God’s sake, Sebastian. My bed. Take me to bed.”
I pulled back and grinned. “Demanding. I like it.”
“I’ll change my mind.”
“No, you won’t.” I pulled her in for another deep kiss, cupping the back of her head so she couldn’t move away even if she wanted to.
“Not if you keep kissing me like that I won’t.” Holley pushed me back toward her bedroom. “I’m not going to offer again.”
“I don’t believe you offered. I believe you demanded.”
“Fine.” Amusement flashed in her eyes. “I won’t demand again. Ever.”
I grabbed her hand and dragged her through her apartment.
She didn’t have to tell me again.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO – SEBASTIAN
rule twenty-two: not everything has to be faked.
I shoved Holley’s bedroom door shut behind us and pushed her back onto the bed. I’d wanted to fucking do this ever since I’d laid eyes on her in the store that first day I went in.
Wanted to kiss her, to taste her, to feel her breathing against my lips.
It was all I’d wanted for years.
And now, finally, she was mine.
Whether she liked it or not, I knew it.
Holley was mine.
I covered her body with mine and kissed her, wasting no time. I wanted her to know how much I wanted her—how much I regretted all the time apart, how much I regretted not having her in my life.
How much I regretted not kissing her the first moment I saw her a few weeks ago.
She moved her hands over my shoulders, and her back arched as she sought to get closer to me. All I could think was that we were wearing way too many layers for this shit, so I pulled back and yanked off both my sweater and my t-shirt.
I did the same to her, tugging her up to remove the unnecessary clothes. Her bra was black and lacy, and it cupped her breasts perfectly.
I wanted it gone.
I ran my hands over her body as we kissed. Her skin was so soft and warm, and the roughness of the lace against my bare chest sent a shiver down my spine. I felt for the clip at the back of her bra and undid it. Her bra snapped open and I pulled the straps down her shoulders, tossing it to the side when she’d worked her hands free.
We fell back again, and I cupped her breast with my hand as I kissed her. She whimpered into my mouth, and I pulled away. Her breath hitched as I dragged my mouth down her neck toward her breast.
My cock was throbbing against my cheeks, and I wanted her so badly that it was hard to keep control. All I could think about was her—all I had to think about was her, because if I thought about how desperately I wanted to be inside her, fucking her, I was going to make like a teenage boy and come on the damn spot right now.
Holley gasped when I rolled my tongue over her nipple. A shudder wracked her body, and I smiled against her skin. I loved knowing I was affecting her this way. I loved knowing I was going to make her lose control, because she was the most controlled person I’d ever met.
She needed to lose control.
I moved down her body, using my fingers to probe her skin. She gasped under my touch, especially when I kissed her at the base of her stomach and tugged at the waistband of her jeans.
She raised her hips, and the material easily slid over the curve of her ass. Her underwear matched her bra, all black with a lace trim, and I fought a smile at the sight of it.
It wasn’t like she’d be wearing it for long.
I pulled her jeans all the way off her legs and tossed them to the side. Her socks got caught up in the legs of her pants and went, too, and I finished undressing myself under her hot gaze.
Her eyes darted across my body, eating up every last bit of me. Her chest rose and fell with every deep, heavy breath she took, and I hesitated for a moment, just to watch her stare at me.
“Stop staring at me and kiss me,” she demanded.
I did as she said. This take-charge Holley was a fun one—not to mention fucking sexy as hell.
I changed course and moved down her body. As I’d predicted, her underwear didn’t last long. I removed it just as swiftly as I’d removed her jeans, but this time, I slipped between her legs and parted them.
She gasped as my tongue made contact with her clit.
I moved my tongue against that tender spot and held down her hips. They were already moving, like she was desperate for more right this second. I was happy to oblige and did just that—gave her more and more until her whole body was shaking and her muscles were taut and tense beneath me.
Then I moved my tongue against her clit in such a way that she came undone in mere seconds.
I peered up, still licking her, and watched.
It was fucking beautiful.
She was fucking beautiful.
I pulled away from her, wiping my mouth, and grabbed my jeans. My wallet was in my pocket, and I’d tossed a couple of condoms in there a few days ago.
Just in case.
I retrieved one and ripped the foil to take it out. Holley laughed breathlessly when she saw what I was doing.
“Like magic,” she breathed.
“I came prepared.” I smirked, stepping out of my boxers. I rolled the condom down the length of my hard cock and joined her back on the bed.
She pulled my mouth to hers. Her legs fell open, and I slipped between them. I grabbed her ass to position her so I could easily push inside her, but I’d barely touched the head of my cock against her wet pussy when she pushed down onto me herself.
Jesus.
Fucking.
Christ.
Fuuuck.
I instantly groaned into her mouth, the sensation almost overwhelming. I couldn’t move yet because I knew that the second I did, it would be game over for me.
She was tight.
Wet.
Ready.
And my cock was throbbing like a desperate bitch.
“Sebastian,” she whispered against my mouth. “Get on with it and fuck me, or I’m going to flip us over and handle it myself.”
“Terrifying,” I whispered right back. “You asked for this.”
She wrapped her legs around my waist right as I moved. I thrust into her only to be rewarded with a breathy moan, and it hit me.
She really was ready.
Thank fuck for that.
I gave up all attempts at holding back. Relief flushed through me as I fucked her hard and deep, letting our bodies take control of the moment. Her fingers dug into my back, her nails burying themselves into my skin. There would be marks, but I didn’t care.
All I cared about was this—the insane need I felt as I fucked her.
I tried to kiss her, but neither of us were able to keep it up. Sweat dripped down my back, and breathing was hard and heavy. Holley’s was the same, interspersed with moans that were driving me wild.
I couldn’t take it anymore.
She cried out, and I did, too.
I came hard, my cock throbbing the entire time. Holley’s muscles tensed and tightened around my cock, drawing the orgasm from me, and I collapsed on top of her.
“Oomph,” she said, gasping for air.
“Sorry.” I propped myself up on my elbows and dropped my head, kissing her softly. “Are you convinced now?”
> “Can I—a minute.” She rolled her head to the side and caught her breath. “Convinced. Yes. Me. Yes.”
Laughing, I pushed myself up and pulled out of her. “All right down there?”
“Water. And a pee,” she said, forcing herself to sit up.
“I’m sorry?”
“I need water. And the bathroom.” She rolled over and tried to stand up, but instantly fell back.
I smirked and removed the condom, tossing it in the little wicker trashcan by her door.
She tried to stand a few seconds later and achieved it. “Don’t look so cocky.”
“Can’t help it.”
“Try.” She leaned down and kissed me but lost her balance and collapsed into a heap on the bed. “Shit.”
“That’s fine. Come here.” I lay down and pulled her against me. She entwined our legs so that we were fully knotted up and rested her cheek on my chest.
“Your heart is beating like mad,” she whispered after a moment.
“And yours isn’t?”
She tilted her head back and met my eyes. “It is.”
“Good,” I murmured, kissing her forehead. “Get used to it. It’s going to happen a lot from now on.”
EPILOGUE – HOLLEY
rule twenty-three: you can’t fake it forever.
someone tell saylor. quick.
two months later
“I can’t do this,” Saylor said, pacing up and down the front of the store. “It’s too much.”
I blinked at her. “Saylor, you’re scaring away potential customers.”
“Holley, my life is falling apart!”
“No, it’s not,” Kinsley interjected. “You’re just horny!”
Saylor threw her arms in the air. “Oh, and it’s all right for you, Ms. I’ve Got Sex On Tap! You don’t have a sexy British god walking around your apartment in sweatpants and no shirt!”
“We can swap,” Kinsley offered. “Josh farts and leaves the toilet seat up. I really wouldn’t mind.”
“Yeah, that.” I pointed at her. “If Seb doesn’t start putting the seat down when he’s done, he’s gonna have to start going outside like a dog. I almost fell into the bowl last night when I was half asleep. He didn’t even sleep at my place last night.”
Saylor looked between us. “How are you turning my crisis into something about you?”
“Because it’s not a crisis,” I said simply. “You need to get laid. You’re attracted to Dylan, and you’re only pissed off because you know sleeping with him would be a bad idea.”
“It would be a bad idea,” Saylor insisted. “We live together, and we live together quite well. We don’t have to see each other a whole bunch, we like the same shows, and he doesn’t care that I spend half my evenings out and the other half in bed with a book. Sleeping together would change all that, so no. It’s not happening.”
“What about dating again?” Kinsley suggested. “It’s been a while. It’s almost Valentine’s. We could do a speed dating thing here at the store.”
“Speed dating? Ugh, please.”
“That could be cute,” I agreed. “Two age groups. Under thirty-fives and one for over thirty-fives. We have enough time to plan it, and if we do it the weekend before Valentine’s people could set a real date.”
“Every time!” Saylor threw her arms up again. “You know what? I’m not speed dating. I’m not any kind of dating. Men are intimidated by me, you guys. That’s why it doesn’t work. I’m too much of a contradiction for them, so screw them. I’m becoming a lesbian.”
“You did have that thing with Tori.”
“I was drunk.”
“You just said you were going to be a lesbian.”
“Oh, but then I’d have to date drama queens like you.”
“Says the one being a drama queen,” Kinsley muttered.
“You’re starting to get on my nerves.”
“You’ve been on my nerves for the last week.”
“Shut up,” I said firmly. “Saylor, you have three choices. Fuck Dylan and get it out of your system. Go and date and find someone else to jingle your bell, or suck it all up and masturbate in the shower.”
Saylor blinked at me. “You’re weird since you got a boyfriend. What did you do with Holley?”
“I opened up,” I replied. “I’m… letting go.”
“Yeah, right, okay.” She snorted. “Did you sort his closet out yet?”
“That thing was a mess.” I pointed at her. “Worse than yours.”
Kinsley blew out a breath. “Oof.” Her phone buzzed and she picked it up. “All right, that’s our lunch ready. I’ll run to the café and pick it up.” She tossed her coat on and wrapped her scarf around her neck since Montana had decided we were still in the deep throes of winter, then left.
The bell jingled.
“Seriously.” Saylor’s voice was soft. “I’ve never been in this position. I don’t know what to do, Holley.”
“Do you have feelings for Dylan?”
“Yes. No. Maybe. I don’t know.” She slumped against the register. “We’re friends. That’s how Ivy and Kai fell in love. Kinsley and Josh. Hell, even you and Seb were friends. Both times,” she added as an afterthought. “I just don’t know. Maybe I need a break. A few days away from him. Can we go away? Me, you, and Kins?”
I reached over and squeezed her hand. “Of course we can. That new spa just opened in Helena. Maybe we drive up there for a weekend. I can check prices.”
“Yes! Okay, yes. Thank you.” She patted the top of my hand. “I’m going to go find some romances for a Valentine’s display. See if we can’t sell these suckers some books while they’re doing their stupid speed dating.”
I smiled as she disappeared into the store. I wasn’t used to seeing her all flustered, and it was really kind of hilarious.
Especially over a guy.
A guy she wasn’t even dating.
The door to the store opened, and Seb walked in. “Hey,” he said. “Are you busy?”
I shook my head and kissed him. “No, just waiting for Kinsley to get back with our lunch. How did your appointment go?”
“Three more months of rehab.” He sighed and leaned on the counter with a shrug. “My shoulder isn’t quite strong enough, but my doctor said to give it two weeks and I should be able to start going back to training with the team once or twice a week.”
“That’s good, right?”
“Maybe. I just don’t know, Hol. What if I hurt my shoulder again? I’m screwed if I do that. I could ruin it for life, and I’m not sure I could take another recovery period like this. There has to be a better option out there.”
I rested my hand on the side of his face. “It’s your choice. I’ll support you whatever you decide.”
He laid his hand atop of mine. “I know you will. I always wished there was a real coach closer to White Peak when I was a kid. We had to travel an hour every time and it served the entire corner of the state.”
“Well, not to be that person,” I said, straightening up. “But it’s not like you don’t have the funds to do it. Elliott would probably help you, and Dylan definitely would. Not to mention Josh, Kai, and Colt all played in school with you. You wouldn’t be short of hands.”
“I know. Dyl and I have talked about it during our sessions.”
“You have?”
“I was just venting.”
“I’m not annoyed.” I smiled. “You don’t have to tell me everything, Seb. I’m glad you have someone who gets it you can talk it all over with.”
“You’re the best.” He leaned over the desk and kissed me softly. “I just need to figure it all out. Weigh up the risks of going back to the team, talk to my agent, stuff like that.”
“What about your contract?”
“There’s an injury clause.” He straightened up. “If I suffer an injury that leads to retirement, they’ll pay out the remainder of my contract which, in this case, is pretty much another four years. But that’s confidential, so don’t
say anything.”
I mimed zipping my lips.
“Anyway, I don’t wanna think about that right now.” He looked around. “Saylor not here?”
“In the storeroom. She’s hunting down romance novels for our speed dating night.”
“Your what?”
I gave him a quick explanation of what we had planned and how we’d gotten there.
“Ah, now it makes sense.” He nodded. “Dylan has had something on his mind lately. If Saylor’s feeling that way, he probably is, too.”
“Do not meddle,” I warned him, holding up a finger. “She’s determined not to go there. They live together, and I think she really values his friendship. She’ll figure it out.”
“I’m sure she will. I know he’s comfortable living with her, so I doubt he wants to change the status quo, either.” Seb checked his watch. “I have to go. I have to run home and change before I meet Dylan. We’re converting the garage this weekend and have some stuff to buy.”
Ah, right.
The home gym.
That little gem had been my idea—and it meant I’d finally been able to sort those boxes out.
He leaned over and kissed me, humming as he did. “See you for dinner?”
“Did you bake me cookies?”
“Maybe.” He bopped me on the end of the nose with his finger. “You’ll have to find out.”
“Meanie.” I pouted.
He grinned. “Love you.”
“Of course you do. I’m the best.”
“Holley.”
“Fine.” I tucked my hair behind my ear and adjusted my glasses. “Love you, too, baller.”
THE END
Thank you for reading The Bookworm’s Guide to Faking It! If you liked it, you’ll be happy to know the series continues with Saylor’s story in The Bookworm’s Guide to Flirting.
THE BOOKWORM’S GUIDE TO FLIRTING
The Bookworm’s Guide, Book Three
What I thought I’d get on Valentine’s Day: a card.
What I got on Valentine’s Day: a blind date with my brand new roommate.
Let it be known that I, Saylor Green, am wholeheartedly against blind dating. I think it’s superficial, unnecessary, and designed wholly to force people into relationships they aren’t ready for.
