She liked both sides of him. She couldn’t explain that now. She was too tired and fucked out, but she did manage to say, “I liked that. I really liked that.”
He hugged her tighter. “I could tell.”
They kissed again, a we-survived kiss, a thank-you kiss. A relieved, slightly wondering kiss. Did we just do that? Was it really that fucking hot?
“Jesus, that was a long time coming,” he said when the kiss ended.
She nodded and touched her lips. He’d nipped her at the end, just as he had before. Now she understood why. He was a savage in bed, a wild animal, and he couldn’t help biting.
Now that she was calmer, she stretched her muscles a little and smiled at him.
He smiled back. “You still all in one piece?”
She nodded. “For now.”
The sun shone on them, rising higher in the sky. For once, she didn’t want it to melt the snow. She’d thoroughly enjoyed being trapped in Steve’s clutches, unable to get away. After a little rest, she wouldn’t mind getting trapped a second time. Maybe even a third.
“This wasn’t the pajama party I expected,” she said, resting her head in the curve of his shoulder. “But it’s been pretty damn fun so far.”
“So far,” he agreed. He stroked her hair, gazing down at her. “I wasn’t too rough for you, was I?”
“Not yet, you weren’t,” she answered after a moment. “While I’m ‘stuck here,’ maybe we can figure out where that line is.”
He twisted a lock of her hair and gave it a sharp tug. The glint in his eyes told her he was on board with that plan.
5.
Ruby drifted, warm and comfortable in Steve’s embrace. He was gentle now, not rough, because both of them were exhausted. They’d both apparently had a lot of pent-up lust and passion from the previous years of their friendship.
It had been so much fun to play out all Steve’s favorite scenarios, even if they were totally inappropriate. Kidnapping victim, political prisoner, hiker lost in the woods. It had all felt dangerous and crazy as he overpowered her, and fucked the living daylights out of her, but then they went in the shower together and washed all of it off, and things were still fine. They kissed and stroked each other, recognizing that the trust they shared from their long-time friendship was the most exciting part of it all.
“Thanks for letting me play with you.” He pulled her closer under the covers, resting his chin on top of her head. “It’s been a stellar fucking afternoon.”
“Best afternoon I’ve spent with you thus far,” she agreed. “Well, except for that time we played Ravel’s Quartet in F and you twisted the shit out of the cello line.”
“Aw, that was nothing.”
“Don’t be modest. I still dream about it.”
“You’re such a nerd.” He lifted her face to kiss her, then ended up on top of her, trying to overpower her again. She started humming the Ravel piece as he kissed and stroked her neck.
“Don’t start choking me again,” she told him, pushing him back. “It’ll turn me on and I can’t fuck anymore. Not right now, anyway. Maybe later tonight.”
There were more fantasies to play out, more experiments with wildness. She dreamed of him fucking her in a dark, deserted stairwell, or throwing her in the back of a windowless van. Then the sound of a knock drew her out of it.
Steve paused, turning his head.
“Someone’s at the door,” she said.
“No. I cancelled the party before we got in the shower. Too much snow. And too much fucking.”
“Someone’s here, though.”
The knock sounded again. She heard some muffled voices she recognized.
“It’s Jonathan and Ethan,” she said. “I guess they came anyway.”
Steve released her and hauled himself up, muttering under his breath. “Why couldn’t they stay snowed in like normal people?” He pulled on some joggers and a sweatshirt, then tossed a sweatshirt to her. “It’s cold. You can wear this over your pajamas.”
“I don’t want to get out of bed.” She’d have to get out of bed eventually, but for now she let Steve go and answer the door.
“Hey, you’re here,” he said to his visitors. Even from the living room, she could make out the not-excited tone of his voice. “Didn’t you get my text?”
“Got it. Ignored it,” said Ethan. “The trains are running.”
“But the streets are still a mess.”
She heard boots clunking in the foyer and suppressed a snicker. They were here to stay.
“Brought some of that beer you like,” said Jonathan. Then, “Wow, what’s with all the cheese balls?”
“Too bad Ruby’s not here.” Ethan’s comment carried a note of tension. “Have you heard from her? We’ve been texting all day, no answer.”
“Oh, yeah. I’ve heard from her.”
She stifled more laughter.
“I mean, Ruby’s here. She came over last night,” said Steve, expanding on his answer. “Well, she thought the party was last night. She brought the cheese balls and we drank a little, and, uh, she ended up spending the night.”