That’s right, babe. I dressed to kill tonight. I knew he would try to get a peek under my skirt, and I was hoping the little black lingerie number would bring him to his knees. I couldn’t have foreseen that I’d be the one gladly losing the battle.
I’m his endgame.
Those were the words that obliterated the barriers I had erected around my heart. The memory of his confession makes my chest warm. My heart seems to overflow with emotion. Is Troy my endgame? As I take him in, I’m blasted with a mix of pure joy and euphoria that makes my entire body tingle. When I look into his eyes, something clicks into place. I feel light and whole, and I never want this feeling to go away.
I let go of his finger with a soft pop, and that seems to unfreeze him from his lustful daze. He rubs a rough thumb over my swollen lips, then reaches for both sides of my panties, curling his fingers around the fabric. He rolls them painfully slow down my legs, and now I get his meaning that the torture is just beginning. How can he stand this when I know he’s about to blow?
I lower my eyes to his erection, and it’s almost like it’s daring me to touch it. I move toward it, but Troy captures my arm and lifts it above my head, then does the same with my other one, and finally, the meaning of his words penetrates my brain. He uses my panties to bind my wrists together and secure them to the headboard.
“Troy, what are you doing?”
His lips curl up. “You surrendered. Now I must make you pay.”
There goes my clit, throbbing again in anticipation. I have no idea what Troy plans to do now that I’m immobile, but whatever it is, I know it’s going to be earth-shattering.
His eyes drop to my exposed sex, and he licks his lower lip. “As much as I want to taste you, I’m hanging by a thread here.”
He reaches over to the nightstand and pulls a condom packet from the drawer. I follow his every move while I try to break my hands free.
“Don’t even try, babe. You lost the war. Now you’re at my mercy.”
“Is that so?” My voice is husky.
Troy doesn’t reply as he finishes rolling the condom down his length. Still silent, he spreads my legs farther apart and then lifts one of them over his good shoulder before lowering his body to mine. The tip of his erection rubs against my entrance, making both of us moan.
He rests his forehead against mine and lets out a shaky breath. “Hell, whose idea was it to go without sex for so long?”
“Probably yours.” I laugh, but in fact, I don’t know anymore.
And when he pushes inside, sheathing himself in me, there’s no chance I can remember. My brain takes a vacation, and all I can process is the intense pleasure that’s making my body go haywire.
I forget that I’m bound and jerk my arms forward, needing to touch Troy as well. Frustration seeps into me when I can’t. “Ugh, this is so un—”
Troy crushes his mouth over mine, cutting off my tirade at the same time that he plunges into me fully. He swallows my moans, taking control of the kiss, of the pace, of everything. Pulling back slowly he then slams into me again. He tries to keep the rhythm steady, but after a few more pumps, his movements become frantic, out of control. I can feel the pleasure building below, and I want to do something—grab on to his shoulders, sink my nails in his back. I’m miserable that I can’t do any of those things, and yet I can’t deny that being bound while Troy fucks me is the most erotic thing I’ve ever done.
He abandons my lips for a moment to kiss my neck and my shoulders.
I arch my back and beg, “Troy, please. Let me touch you.”
“No,” he replies gruffly.
As I near climax, I bring my legs closer together, even though one is secured over Troy’s shoulder. He grunts again, louder, and then, taking a cue from my playbook, he bites me. Pain and pleasure mix, sending me spiraling over the edge. I cry out, uncaring how loud I am. He pumps into me faster, almost in a frenzy. It’s not much longer until he finds his release. His body shudders on top of me, slowing down. Breathing hard, he hides his face in the crook of my neck, blowing hot air against my already burning skin.
I move my leg, sliding it off his shoulder. It falls numb on the mattress, but everything else in my body is alive.
35
TROY
I can’t move. My right shoulder is burning, but fuck it, it was totally worth it. This was the hottest sex move I’ve ever pulled with anyone. Beneath me, Charlie’s breathing is out of whack, just like mine.
“Troy?”
“Hmm?”
“Are you still alive?”
“Barely.”
“Thank God. I thought I was going to live through Gerald’s Game.”
Laughter ripples through me. Only Charlie would make such a comment. I roll off her but keep her cocooned within my embrace. “Are you telling me you couldn’t rip those panties?”
She pouts. “I could, but I’d hate to ruin them. They’re so pretty.”
I bring my lips to hers, unable to resist the temptation she dangled in front of me. Anything she does that brings my attention to her mouth makes me want to kiss her.
I’d keep savoring her, but Charlie turns her face away.
“You’re not starting this again while I’m still bound. I can’t feel my hands.”
Remorse pierces my chest. I didn’t stop to consider what staying in this position for too long would do to her. “Does it hurt?” I ask as I untie her from the headboard.
“A little.” She rubs her wrists, then opens and shuts her hands. “The bite on my shoulder hurt more.”
Shit. I glance at the mark, feeling really bad about it. “I’m so sorry. I got carried away.” I shake my head. “Ah hell. I’m an idiot.”
Charlie laughs as she reaches for my face. “Relax, babe. I was just teasing you. It only hurt a little.”
Relief washes over me. “Thank God. I really liked when you bit me, so I wanted to return the favor.”
Her eyebrows pinch together as she narrows her eyes. “What are we now, a couple of vampires?”
“Hey, you started it.” I kiss her nose and then jump out of bed to get rid of the condom.
I could toss it in the trash bin in my room, but I need something from the bathroom—painkillers. Now that the heat of the moment has passed, I can feel the consequence of my reckless decision. The pain isn’t as sharp as when I returned from the hospital, but it’s not great either. I hope I didn’t buy myself another week on the bench.
“I knew I shouldn’t have removed the sling,” Charlie says from the door.
She’s leaning against the frame with her arms crossed, still fully naked save for the boots. My cock stirs awake again at the sight.
“If you hadn’t, I would have done it myself.” I turn around, ready to go for round two.
Charlie’s gaze slowly travels down my body until she sees I’m locked and loaded once more. Her lips curl into a satisfied grin. Wordlessly, she unfolds her arms and walks over. I swallow hard, my pulse already accelerating at the promise of more good times. She stops in front of me, not breaking eye contact.
“What do you have in store for me now, my dear lord conqueror?”
“What?” I try not to laugh, but how can I when my crazy girl keeps saying stuff like that?
“I’m on the losing side. I’m at your mercy, remember?”
“Oh, that. Hmm. I have a few ideas.” I kiss her shoulder where the love bite is still red.
She shivers beneath my caress.
“Are you going to share them?” she whispers.
“Yes, dear, I will. Let’s get back to bed. The night is young, and we have a lot of catching up to do.”
* * *
An annoying blaring sound wakes me from a pleasant dream. Still refusing to acknowledge the noise, I drag a pillow over my head. Charlie moves next to me, and a moment later, the noise ceases. I sense a shift on the mattress, so I blindly reach for her, curling my arm over her stomach.
She snuggles against me, and I begin to drift once more
into dreamland.
“Troy,” she whispers.
“Hmm?”
“We have to get up.” She traces circles over my chest, pebbling my skin.
“No we don’t. It’s Sunday.”
“Exactly. Your grandma is expecting us.”
Ah hell. I had completely forgotten about it. We did promise to visit, and I can’t say I’m not coming now. Charlie will go without me, and that will earn me the title of the shittiest grandson alive.
“Ten more minutes.”
She makes a tsking sound and then frees herself from my hold. I’m too tired to fight to keep her in bed with me. I expect her to get up right away, but instead, I feel her body slinking lower on the mattress. The hand that was playing with my chest also moves down until it wraps around my cock. I hadn’t even noticed I was already sporting morning wood.
“Charlie,” I moan against the pillow.
She doesn’t answer with words; she licks me from base to tip before her mouth covers my shaft.
“Fuck.” My hips buck ever so slightly, but then I relax against the mattress and let Charlie do her thing.
My God, my girl has an expert tongue. I swear it feels like I’m inside her pussy and not her mouth. But she has a mean streak too. She keeps bringing me close to the edge and then slowing down right before I’m about to come. I’m close to flipping her over and taking control of the situation.
“Babe, you’re killing me. Also, we’re going to be late.”
She lets go of my erection with a wet pop but keeps her hand wrapped around the base. “No we’re not. Watch me.”
I pull the pillow off my face and place it under my head so I can better do as she commanded. “I’m watching.”
She smiles wickedly at me before resuming her task. It doesn’t take long for her to bring me to the point of no return. Her ministrations combined with the visual of the most beautiful girl in the world sucking me into oblivion do the trick. I throw my head back and let out a guttural sound as I come into her mouth. Charlie keeps sucking me while pumping me with her hand until I have nothing left to give. With a shudder, I sink back into the mattress utterly spent. Honestly, I didn’t think I had it in me to have an orgasm this morning after the all-nighter we pulled.
“All right. That was your ten minutes,” she says.
I open my eyes to glare at her. “There’s no chance those ten minutes are gone.”
“It doesn’t matter. You’re awake now.”
I sit up, grabbing her by the waist to drag her back to me. “Yes, but I’m hungry.”
“Fine. Let’s get breakfast, then.”
She still doesn’t get what I have in mind. “I have all the sustenance I need right here. Come on, babe. Sit on my face.”
Her cheeks go from pink to tomato red in a split second. “Really?”
“Yeah. Don’t make me beg.”
She grins. “Like I would.”
* * *
Twenty minutes later—we showered first, it didn’t take me twenty fucking minutes to make my girl come—we head down to the kitchen for a quick breakfast. I sit on the stool and watch Charlie work her way around the kitchen like she’s racing.
“What’s the hurry, sweetheart? It’s not like we told Grandma a specific time.”
“I want to beat traffic.”
“There’s no traffic on Sunday.”
She pauses to give me a droll look. “You’ve clearly never visited Ophelia on a Sunday. It’s prime visitation day. The place will be packed, and we might not even find a parking space if we arrive there late.”
“Wow, I didn’t realize families visited the residents that often.”
“They don’t, only on Sundays. I’m not sure why.”
“Maybe they go after Sunday mass because they feel hella guilty.”
She chuckles. “Maybe.”
“Do you think Grandma knows about us?” I ask.
“How could she? Unless your sister told her.”
“I doubt it. Jane is discreet. She wouldn’t blabber about my love life to anyone.”
“We should invite her to come to LARP next weekend. I’m sure Fred would love the surprise.” She smirks.
“Yeah, I’m sure he would.” Suddenly, my good mood turns sour.
“You don’t have to worry about Fred. He’s harmless,” she assures me.
“No guy is harmless unless he has no dick.”
Charlie rolls her eyes and resumes making coffee. A minute later, she sets a cup in front of me and then leans against the counter with a mug of her own.
We don’t speak for a moment as we blow into our hot beverages. I bring the cup to my lips and take a tentative sip.
“You know Andreas has a thing for your sister, right?”
I choke on my drink and also manage to spill some on my jeans. Shit, it’s hot. Charlie laughs at my clumsiness.
“How do you know?” I ask, not hiding my annoyance.
“It was obvious. At game night, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. And let’s not forget that he almost beat Fred up for asking her to blow on the dice for luck.”
I run a hand through my hair. I was hoping I had misread the signs. “Fuck. I was afraid that would happen.”
“She’s eighteen, right? You can’t keep all the guys away from her. She’s gorgeous.”
“Watch me,” I retort angrily.
She shakes her head and takes another sip of her coffee.
“You think I’m being ridiculous.” I square my shoulders, too tense for someone who just had the best blow job ever.
“Only a little. I mean, I get it. You’re protective of your sister, especially considering what hap—” She stops abruptly, her face going ashen as she realizes she said too much.
Edgier than before, I ask, “Considering what, Charlie? What were you going to say?”
I can’t mistake the sudden tension on her face or the guilt shining in her pretty blue eyes.
“Jane told me about your brother.”
A bucket of ice-cold water pours over my head. I can’t breathe. I can’t move. I can only stare at Charlie while my heart gasps for air.
“Troy?” She sets the mug down and moves closer.
I put my coffee down with a jerky movement, spilling it all over the counter, and then stand up. “She had no right to tell you that.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing? You weren’t the one who gossiped.” I look at the ceiling, laughing without humor. “I can’t believe I just said Jane was discreet a minute ago. I guess I don’t know my own sister.”
“She didn’t mean to gossip. She was trying to make me understand you.” Charlie walks around the counter and stops in front of me.
“Why?” I frown, crossing my arm over the sling.
“So I wouldn’t smother you to death in your sleep.” She gives me a tentative smile, and damn it, it almost works. Almost.
“I don’t know why she would tell you that. I never speak about Robbie. Not even Andreas and Danny know.”
“Why is that?”
I look away, unable to hold her stare when the guilt of my fuckup comes back with a vengeance. I don’t want Charlie to see the monster rearing its ugly head.
“Can we drop the subject? Please?”
She touches my lower back and then rests her forehead between my shoulder blades. “Okay. But know that I’ll be here for you when you’re ready to talk. Always.”
The “always” gets to me. It makes me so thankful and yet undeserving of her. I let my brother die. What would she think if she learned that? I swallow the lump in my throat, vowing to never let her know.
“We should go. It’s getting late.”
I step forward and away from Charlie’s touch, missing the contact at once.
36
CHARLIE
I can’t believe I let it slip that Jane had told me about their brother’s death. It’s obviously a forbidden subject, yet I went and blurted it out. Fuck me.
Now Troy
is acting cagey and moody. His sullen disposition is not only ruining what I was hoping would be an awesome day, but it’s also making me feel horrible.
My chest is tight as I imagine what it must have been like for him to lose his brother at such a young age. My thoughts predictably wander to Ben and how I spent my entire life terrified something would happen to him. My concerns haven’t lessened as we’ve grown older—if anything, they’ve increased—but I’m better at hiding my protectiveness for Ben’s benefit. What I confessed to Troy on our date—my crippling fear that prevented me from applying for the exchange program—is something I’ve never told anyone, not even Blake.
When the sign for Golden Oaks comes into view, I let out a breath of relief. Hopefully, Ophelia, with her quirky sense of humor and no-bullshit attitude, will be able to get Troy out of his funk.
As I predicted, the place is full, but we’re not so late that we can’t find a parking space. I snag a spot as far away as possible from the main entrance. It’s tight, and if my car were any bigger, it wouldn’t fit. I turn off the engine and glance at Troy with a small smile on my lips.
“Ready?”
He looks at me, his expression unreadable. My grin wilts as I’m blasted by his cold stare. I begin to turn, but he swings his arm around my shoulders, pulling me to him. His mouth slams over mine, rough and desperate. Wow, the boy is intense. I’m swept away by the passion of his kiss, melting against him. When it seems I’m about to combust on the spot, he pulls back suddenly, leaving me bereft and also so aroused.
Ah shit.
“Okay, now I’m ready.” He smirks and then opens the passenger door.
Sweet baby llamas. I can barely think straight after that kiss, and he expects me to get out of the car and walk? I don’t even know if I can move my legs.
I pull the vanity mirror down and check my reflection. My lips are swollen, and my light pink lipstick is smeared. I can’t go in like this. I search for tissues in the glove compartment, but before I can actually fix my makeup, Troy opens my door.
Heart Stopper: Rebels of Rushmore Book One Page 20
