A Debt Repaid (The Debt Duet 2)

“It was lovely seeing you again,” Deion says.

“More kisses next time!” Ashanti says, giggling as she hugs me tight.

“Agreed,” I reply, laughing too.

I make my way outside, and they wave at me as I walk across the pavement toward Easton’s car. With a heavy heart, I open the car door, sit down, and close it with a last, bittersweet wave goodbye.

Then the car drives off.

For the first time ever, I don’t feel bad about sitting next to Easton. It was my feet that pulled me toward him, my hands that opened the door. I sat down on this seat out of my own free will. No one forced me; no one made the choice for me.

It was me and me alone who chose, and it felt good.

Easton’s hand grazes over mine, and electricity shoots through my veins. He closes the window between this compartment and the driver’s compartment. Then he gently leans in and presses a kiss to my neck so soft that my lips shiver with delight.

I glance at him from the corner of my eyes, straight into his … and the deep, dark abyss sucks me in. I want to forget about my past, my pain, my life. I just want to live in the now with no regrets, no guilt, and no shame.

So I let him caress my hands and kiss my neck as I cock my head and close my eyes while a moan slips from my mouth. I no longer want to have shame for craving a man who’s bad for me. How can it be so bad if it feels so good?

“I missed you,” Easton whispers into my ear, and he nips at my earlobe.

“How could you stay away for so long then?” I murmur, gasping when his hand slides across my thigh and down between my legs.

“Because it’s what you needed from me … freedom.” His fingers graze my pussy, not enough to set me ablaze but enough to make me beg. “I hope you liked my gift.”

Liked it? I adored it. I finally got to see the only people in this country who I consider my friends.

Easton stops petting me and leans back. The sudden lack of touch and kisses leave me aching for more. “Would you like to go home with me?”

I frown, confused as to why he would stop and ask me things he’s never asked before. He’s normally so aggressive, yet it’s as if he’s holding back for me. Why?

I crawl onto his lap and wrap my arms around his neck.

He narrows his eyes. “Is that a yes?”

I smile, and say, “Thank you.”

And I cup his face and kiss him right on the lips.

This time, it’s not taken. This time, I’m not used.

It’s my choice to give.

And I crave to give him all.

Chapter 21

Easton

I don’t know this Charlotte who’s sitting on my lap, kissing me right this very second. I know her lips, I know her body, and I know the way she holds her breath every time my hands touch her skin.

But I don’t know this girl who throws herself into my arms so willingly.

Is this what Jill meant when she said to give Charlotte what she wants?

If that’s the case, I can’t fathom why I didn’t do this sooner.

All this time, I tried to control her and take what I wanted without considering her feelings and needs. And now that I’ve given her time to do what she wants on her own terms, she’s hanging on my neck, and I’m soaking it all in.

It’s too fucking good to say no to. I’m a sucker for her delicious lips—always have been—and the way her lips press against mine makes my cock tent hard in my pants. She shifts around, her thighs gyrating against my hard-on, making it even harder to refuse.

But I should. She’s not doing this because she wants to. This is a reward for giving her what she wanted. A thank you in the form of sex.

I don’t need it, and I never asked for it. It didn’t even cross my mind when I brought her to Deion’s house. I only wanted to make her happy.

“Wait,” I mutter, pulling back.

Her lips are red and swollen and so damn enticing, but I must hold back. Now more than ever, the waiting is important. It has to be her choice. This is not a choice … this is a prize.

“I don’t need kisses as a thank you,” I say, trying not to succumb to her beauty.

“But I want to give them,” she replies, inching close again. Her lips shudder as she hovers close, and I can taste her breath on my tongue. It intoxicates me, preventing me from stopping her as she presses her mouth on mine, coaxing me to give in.

Now, I’m the puppet, and she’s the player. But I won’t play that game with her.