I back off. “Am I hurting you?”
“No,” she pants in little quick breaths. “I want to come.”
I let out a dark laugh. “We want the same thing.”
She drills me with a hard, desperate stare. “I was close until you slowed down.”
Now I can’t help laughing even harder. “Fuck, woman.” I rest one hand at the small of her back. “Give me a second.”
In answer, she tightens and squeezes her muscles around my cock so fucking hard, stars dot my vision. I thrust into her again and again. Harder each time until her body tightens. This time, I don’t stop. I curl my hand over her shoulder, keeping her in place while pounding into her harder.
“Yes!” she shrieks and shudders, breathing heavy like she just ran a quarter mile.
No better sound in the world than satisfying your woman, and it triggers my own release.
After a few seconds, I stagger backward. Serena still hasn’t moved. “You all right?”
“Aftershocks,” she whispers over her shoulder.
Fuck, if that doesn’t stroke my ego. Smirking, I pull her underwear into place and slap her ass. “There. Now, whenever you get nervous tonight, just think about your man’s cum leaking out of you.”
She straightens and turns, resting her butt on the dresser and staring at me. I slide my hand between her thighs, and she inhales sharply. Running my fingers against her damp slit, I rasp against her ear, “I told you I was a filthy fuck. You think I was joking?”
“No,” she whispers.
With my other hand, I grip her chin and tip her head back. “I love you.” I press my forehead to hers. “And I like being myself with you.”
She blinks several times. “I like that too.”
It’s a vague answer but I’ll take it for now. I let my gaze roam over her. Didn’t mess up her makeup or hair too much. At least, I don’t think so. I hope she won’t need another hour to fix herself up again. “Go, get ready. We need to leave.”
Her lips twist into a smirk. “I was ready. You’re the one who made us late.”
“Worth it.” I pop a quick kiss on her lips. She kicks off her heels and hurries into the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. I grab her vest and tap on the door.
“Just a sec.”
She sounds close to the door. And it’s not like we haven’t been as intimate as two people can get, so I turn the knob and push the door open. She’s standing in front of the sink, wrapping her hair around a long silver stick and carefully tilts her head my way.
“Boundaries, Gray,” she scolds.
Chuckling, I lean against the doorframe. “Not familiar with the concept.”
“I’ve noticed.” She unwraps one loose curl, gently cupping it in her hand before dropping it and winding another section of hair around the stick.
“I like watching you.”
“Curl my hair?”
I shrug. “Doing anything, really.”
She finishes her hair and unplugs the stick. Then, she leans close to the bathroom mirror, studying her already perfect face. She reaches for a cotton swap and swipes it under her eyes, then dusts a cloud of powder over her face.
“Okay.” She turns away from the mirror and holds out her arms.
“Perfect, just like before I got my dirty paws all over you.” I hold out my arm to her. “Still feel like I got no business being with you.”
“Don’t say that. I love you, Gray.” She ducks her head, her loose curls falling forward to hide her face. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before.”
“Same.” I cup her cheek and tip her head back. Her eyelids twinkle gold with a thin line of bright blue liner above the heavy black liner. “You’re wearing the gold stuff we bought?”
“Yes.” Her face brightens. “I should’ve taken some video while I was applying it. It’s good stuff. I should thank Alice for the rec.”
“Looks pretty.” I hold out her vest. “Will you let me put this on you?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Grinder
Hatred can make a man reckless. I made an effort to stop storing hate in my heart years ago. Instead, I deal with the things that piss me off, then move on.
But tonight, an angry burn hovers in my chest. The looks a few of my brothers cast Serena’s way as we enter the party leave me struggling not to throw punches.
“Finally!” Z shouts. “Our guest of honor has joined us!” He waves us toward the bar.
Growling under my breath, I keep Serena close. My hand at the small of her back, I maneuver her slightly ahead of me so I can see how people react to her. Brothers who give her anything less than a friendly hello are going on my beatdown at a later point in time list.
“Oh!” Lilly lets out a husky laugh and throws her arms around Serena, hugging her tight in front of everyone. “I love this dress!”