Fuck it.
Now, it was my turn to gloat—to be in control. I pushed against her and let her read the promise in my eyes of every filthy thing I planned to do to her tonight.
We’d talk tomorrow because tonight? Tonight, I’d show her a different side of me. One I’d kept mostly to myself because we’d never crossed the boundary of friendship, and when we had, I’d been scared to push too hard.
Rae spent most of our friendship pulling me out of my shell—always the one to create exciting experiences. I knew she feared settling down would bore her. She claimed that life had too many experiences for her to miss out on because she was too busy being tied to one place—one person.
Tonight, I’d show her I could be wild like her, that there would never be a boring moment with me, and life would always be exciting. I’d lay it all out there for her tonight—every hidden desire.
I didn’t share that side of myself with many women, but I knew Rae was strong enough to want it as much as me. The few times I’d pushed her and let bits and pieces slip free, she flourished under the dominance.
I couldn’t wait to see what she did when I fully let go.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Raelynn
“Austin, I’m going to fall.”
I tried for an offended tone, but it escaped on a needy exhale instead.
The lips I’d been staring at for the better part of an hour quirked up, and a flare of something powerful glinted behind his green eyes. Something I’d only spotted glimpses of over the last month, but now it blazed, and I was useless to do anything other than sprint toward the light.
“Good. Then you’ll be on your knees. Exactly how I want you.”
I almost melted to the floor right there, a puddle of aching need, but I refused. Instead, I narrowed my eyes and tugged my foot away. Or tried to, but he just pulled me back harder and laughed.
“I love watching you try to act like you don’t want to be there just as much as I want you to. All that pride trying to cover up all that want.”
“You think you know me so well,” I challenged, hanging on by the skin of my teeth in this battle of wills. I’d been winning all night until, all of a sudden, I wasn’t. I’d been on the edge of victory until he transformed into the big, bad, sexy beast.
“Oh, I know you better than you think. I see you, Raelynn Vos.”
My nipples pebbled tight, sending a shot of electricity straight to my pussy, shocking my heart on the way. More often than not, it was never straight arousal with Austin. My heart always jumped in and clung to the excitement.
Which was how I knew ending it was the best choice.
But not yet. Not until after tonight.
This time, I pushed my foot against him, earning a bit of control back when he jerked in his seat. “I think it’s time we head back to my place.”
“I think so, too. Except, tonight, we’re heading to mine.”
Austin’s place was nice—clean, modern, and perfect for him. We just usually went to mine since it had luxury and a view. But I had no plans to object. Hell, we could’ve booked a hotel down the street, and I would have been more than fine. As long as I got him undressed and inside me, I’d be happy. So, without objections, I rested my hand in his and followed him out, doing my best to appear calm when the adrenaline flooded too close to the surface, and I sat on the edge of exploding.
I thought I’d known need before, but it all paled in comparison to the desperation that clawed just under the surface to get to Austin. By the time we stood at his door, I was ready to mount him like my favorite ride. I practically vibrated behind him while he took his sweet time turning the key.
The lock clicked into place, and before I could rush in, he turned, pinning me to the spot with the weight of his own need. His eyes scanned my face, neck, shoulders, chest, and everything in between before finally landing on mine.
“Do you trust me?”
The question sent up a warning sign, but I quickly erased it, too eager to get inside, and offered up a flippant response. “Yes, Aladdin, I trust you.”
His lips quirked, but his eyes stayed serious. “Raelynn?”
“Of course, I do.”
I was too busy matching his sincerity that I missed his hand dropping to deliver a sharp pinch to my nipple. “Good girl. Now follow me.”
I gasped but arched forward, chasing the fingers that pulled away, desperate for more of that sharp sting before the warming pleasure. I chased him past the leather couch in the living room, past the kitchen I’d seen a thousand times, all the way to his bedroom.