Addicted

"Good." I moved to my knees on the floor between us and snaked my way between his thighs, lifting up and letting my lips hover over his as he opened his eyes. "I wanna taste it."

"You should." He slid his fingers into my unruly hair and leaned down, pressing his lips to mine and sliding his tongue deep into my mouth. The tangy flavor of the pineapple rushed over my taste buds and caused a moan to leave me. The sound only seemed to feed his aggression.

His fingers tightened around my face as he explored every inch of my mouth graciously. By the time he pulled back, all the air had escaped from my lungs and I was a bit lightheaded.

"Wow. Where have you been all my life?" I mumbled and moved back to the couch, hating to break the moment, but knowing I didn't have much left in me.

"I was just thinking the same thing." He got up and walked to the fireplace across the room, and worked to start it up as I reached for the fruit platter and sampled various treats from it.

"Let's try all these cheese and meats next." He grabbed another platter and sat it on the coffee table before pushing the table toward me and reaching for the fruit tray. "Give me that and we can just snack on it as we like."

"Get the desserts too. I love sweets." I smiled playfully at him, though I doubt it was much of a come-on. My eyes were growing heavy, and with the fire and the sunlight playing along the closed blinds in the living room, I was extremely comfortable.

He chuckled. "Hey, before you pass out, I have four tickets to Imagine Dragons tonight at the Amphitheater downtown. I got them via courtesy of the hotel. I rarely go to these things just because I travel alone, but maybe if you and Casey–”

"We'd love to, or I would. I'm not sure how she's faring. I need to go check on her soon, but I'll go tonight with you." I patted the couch in front of me as I stretched out. "Come here and snuggle up with me. Our time is running out."

He tugged his shirt off, leaving a beautiful display in front of me. "We can still hang out some in New York when I'm home. It's just rare."

I reached for him as he dropped down on the couch and worked on his shoes. My fingers traced the wickedly hot curves of his back and played with the curve of his ass as it poked out the top of his jeans as he bent over.

He yelped as I pinched him, and turned, tickling me as he moved down to stretch out beside me. His expression shifted from playful to loving as his fingers brushed sensually down my cheek.

"I want to push this thing with us, but I know it would only lead to heartache. I don't want any more lonely nights, but I'm afraid that's all I'd have if we decided to be more than friends."

"Hush. I'm too tired for this conversation right now. My heart is locked away as best it can be. Let's just enjoy our brunch, the concert and we'll see what happens when we get home. There's no reason to plan every detail of what might happen. You lose the spontaneity of making a split second decision that could change everything for the better." I ran my hand along the side of his head, playing with his raven's colored hair before pulling him down for a series of soft kisses.

"Food or sex?" He kissed me again and moved down, pressing his soft lips to my neck as his hand ran over my breast and rested on my stomach.

"Food," I whispered with lust in my voice.

"Yeah. It sounds like you want food." He laughed against my skin.

Chill bumps raced along my chest and arms, leaving me cold. I tugged the blanket up and turned toward him. "Give me something new to try."

"What the lady wants, the lady gets." He smiled and reached for something as I settled in. I could have fun and not get too terribly connected. Besides, we'd only known each other for a few days.

Then why does it feel like a lifetime already?

*****

We finished up our food testing fun and Easton packed up the rest of the goodies for Casey as I let my eyes grow heavy. I didn't remember falling asleep, but waking up next to him was a treat. He was on his back on the couch next to me, his large body spread out and his breathing deep and relaxed.

I snuggled into his side as his arm that held me against him tightened. There was no doubt in my mind that I could have stayed there forever wrapped up with him. We could have created a new life together that would have long nights of hot sex and great mornings of making breakfast together while we danced in the kitchen, but it was a pipe dream.

He was right about his career not allowing for much more than a once a week tango, but I knew myself and that wouldn't last long for me. I wasn't needy per se, but I did want to find someone to share life with on a regular basis.

After kissing his shoulder softly, I got up and put my shoes back on. I was itching to check on Casey, and it would have been better to not be tucked against him when he woke up. I could tell he was struggling as much as I was with our parting. One of us had to be mature about it, and though I hated like hell that it was going to be me, it simply was.

I left him a note to text me a time to meet up for the concert, and slipped out of the room. I'd have to get my grand tour of the penthouse later that night if we weren't too tired after the event. A smile brushed by my lips as I waited for the elevator to open. The evening would be fun, and with any luck at all, I'd not see Jackson again on the trip.

I rode the elevator down to our floor and walked languidly to the room as a million thoughts buzzed through my mind. Easton was the culmination of everything I wanted in a man. He was driven, intelligent, kind, and considerate, beautiful and a total beast in the sack. I pressed my hand to my stomach as butterflies resurrected deep inside of me. I couldn't remember having sex with Jackson and feeling the same elation as I had the night before with Easton. Maybe it was because it was all new, or maybe it was because he seemed genuinely interested in my pleasure, where Jack just wanted to make sure he got off as many times as he could in a night.

I knocked and slipped my key in the door as Casey called out.

"Come in."

"Hey." I crossed the room and pulled her up from her seated position on the edge of the bed. After wrapping her in a tight hug, I pulled back and gave her a scathing glare. "Don't you ever do that shit to me again! You understand? I thought something bad happened."