Caressing his wrist, I watched him through dazed eyes. "I'm starting to notice how much you like to be in charge."
"Hmm." He half smiled. "Did you know, when I have my hand around your throat you get very, very wet? I can feel it on my dick, how hot and slick you are right now."
Hell. Even his words got me wet. When it came to Joe Collins, my pussy was a wanton whore. And seriously, who could blame it? His body was one big beautiful playground. There wasn't an inch of him I didn't want to explore.
He leaned in, nipping my earlobe, making me gasp. "I think you're starting to trust me, Alex."
"Maybe you're just really good at this cuddling and comforting stuff."
"Oh, I'm all for pleasing you." He grabbed hold of my hair, holding me in place for an assault on my neck. Shivers raced down my spine.
"Thought you were done with pleasing people."
"Pleasing you pleases me."
My breath came faster, lungs working harder. I reached down between us, sliding my fingers over the smooth silken head of his cock. Down farther, the ridge, then the more textured thickness of him. Hard and hot, it all felt so good. My insides ached for him.
"Lean back," he ordered, hands beneath my arms, taking my weight. His mouth on my breast was ecstasy. Lips sucking, tongue licking, teeth biting. Pleasure followed by a tease of pain. Just enough to seize my body's full attention, to set my nerves on fire. My head was a mess, my heart beating hard.
I held his head to me, fisting my hands in his hair. Two could play at this game. Also, at this angle, I could rub myself more effectively against his hard-on. Perfect.
"Joe."
"Mm?"
"Enough. In me."
The flat of his tongue dragged across my nipple, making it tighten even further. Then he gave it a quick kiss. "Soon."
Damn him. "No, now."
"Wait. I'm still comforting you," he said, and blew softly over my wet nipple.
My eyes rolled back into my head, probably never to be seen again. Any more comforting and I'd explode. And while I didn't exactly mean to, I'm pretty sure I gave his hair an impatient tug he couldn't ignore.
With an arm around my back, he sat us back up straight. His other hand was busy reaching for a condom. Finally. My mouth found his, kissing him deep and wet while his hands shuffled my hips back just a little. So sad to lose contact between my sex and his. That it gave him the room to put on the condom was the only reason I allowed it.
One arm was around me, the other holding his cock. Our lips were close, but not touching. Some of the terrible eye gazing going on. Yet for some reason, I couldn't look away.
The pressure against my labia before his blunt cockhead pushed into me. The feel of him opening me, filling me. However I'd made such things meaningless sex aerobics before, it wasn't happening. Not with Joe. Right then, I didn't have it in me to worry. We were connected, his dick buried deep within, and it felt fucking amazing. He was right. I didn't just want him, I trusted him. And the feelings, the emotions stirring inside of me were building by the minute.
With my hands around his shoulders, my body wrapped up tight in his embrace, I rocked against him. The thick length of his cock sliding in and out of me, making me lose my mind. My nails sunk into the strong planes of his back, as I fought for self-control. But each time he plunged back into me before drawing slowly out again felt too good. Everything low in me tensed, electricity shooting through my veins.
The smell of him, so familiar. The scent of us together filled the space.
Sweat covered our skin, bodies sliding together faster. I gritted my teeth and worked harder, thigh muscles burning, my pussy dripping wet. The sounds of our harsh, heavy breathing was all I could hear. Fingers dug into my sides, his arms crushing me against him. It was a little violent and a lot wild. Loss of control didn't matter, though. Not with the way my blood was racing through me, super-heated and overcharged.
Joe growled and swore. Our motion was frenzied, like he was making a place for himself in me permanently. Every time he kept hitting something sweet inside of my sex. Energy rushed up my spine, all of me tightening, fighting to hit that pinnacle of bliss. I came gasping, grinding myself on him, coming hard enough to scream. All I knew was that my lungs and heart had exploded. My bones were set in place, wrapped permanently around him.
He used my body to finish. Hips bucking, he held me down hard, making me take him as deep as I could. His cock jerked inside of me, pumping out seed. I almost regretted the condom between us.
Wait. No, I didn't. That was insane.
My pulse was so loud, hammering behind my ears. I'm surprised the neighbors weren't complaining. Joe and I were stuck together with various bodily fluids and limbs.
"You okay?" he mumbled.
"Yeah. You?"
A grunt.
Seriously. "What does that even mean?"
"Means I don't really want to talk or move yet." He relaxed against the headboard, gently stroking my back despite his fine words. I lay against his chest. His heart pounded beneath my ear. Nice to know we were both in the same worn condition. Inside of me, his cock softened a little, but stayed put. I liked that, still feeling him.
"I think I'm dead."
The jerk pinched me on the ass.
"Ow."
"Still alive," he said.
I retaliated by pinching one of his nipples.
"Damn it, woman." He grabbed my hand, holding it captive in his. "Enough. I surrender. Let's be friends."
I don't know how long we stayed like that, glued together. Neither of us seemed inclined to move. After a while, I may have even fallen asleep. The man was just comfortable, plus I was exhausted. Ever so gently, my hair was brushed back from my face. A finger traced the sensitive rim of my ear.
"Complicated," said the man.
Had I been more awake, I'd have agreed.
*
The next day, Joe was back to work at Dive Bar. I was again positioned at a corner table, working on my laptop. Yes, I could have worked in the quiet of my hotel room. Strangely enough, it turned out that people watching actually got my mind going--my creativity rocking and rolling. I kind of liked just being on the edge of things, watching. I never realized that I didn't have to be sucked into the thick of things, surrounded by people and constantly dealing with the frenzy of the big wide world. The fringes were fine too. And so was watching my mountain man hottie (not that he was my hottie), and occasionally chatting with Nell or Rosie. It was nice.
Everything had been quiet until Eric arrived just after the lunch rush.
"Come see," he called out from the front door. Smile wide, practically buzzing with excitement.
"What?" Joe paused mid-motion, a couple of beers in his hand for restocking the fridge.
"Everyone!" he yelled.
Eric disappeared back outside while we gave each other confused looks. Out of the kitchen lumbered Boyd, one of the cooks, along with Nell. Rosie and Taka were the waitstaff on duty. With a shrug and a frown, they headed out the door too.
I hunched down in my sweater, shoving my hands into my back jeans pockets to keep warm. A cold wind was throwing autumn leaves around, the sky a clear blue. And parked at the curb was a shiny red muscle car with white racing stripes.
"Two thousand eight Shelby GT500," said Eric proudly. "And I got it for a song, only twenty-five grand. Owner had just died and apparently his wife hated him."
With a nod, Boyd turned and wandered back inside. Guess cars weren't his thing. I kept quiet and stayed back. Cars weren't really my thing either.
"Didn't you already have a reasonably new working vehicle?" asked Rosie, arms crossed.
"It's a guy thing, you wouldn't understand." Taka bent to check out the inside through the open passenger-side door. "Nice. Very nice."
"Take you for a drive sometime," said Eric.
"You better." Taka followed the unimpressed Rosie back inside.
Still beaming, Eric turned to Nell and Joe. "Well? Isn't it beau
tiful?"
Nell blew out a breath. "Yes, it is. And it only has two doors. That's going to work out great for transporting a baby."
Eric frowned. "I figured you'd just be using your car for the kid."
Nell said nothing. But you could almost see the haze of storm clouds gathering around her head, the frustration and anger wound up in her balled hands--clearly she was experiencing way more stress than was good for a pregnant person. She too went back inside.
"What the hell?" Eric muttered, hands on hips, scowling after her.
Joe just hung his head.
"Seriously? You too?"
"Fuck me." Joe licked his lips, shook his head. "Ever wonder why I don't worry about you repaying the money you owe me? Remember the loan you hit me up for when you wanted to buy into Dive Bar?"
Mouth shut, Eric stared at his brother.