She watches me, her hands curled around the back of one of the kitchen chairs so tight her knuckles are white. “I believe you.”
Relief hits me so hard I swear my knees wobble. “Good. You need to know, Lucy, that I don’t…I don’t let girls meet my friends, not if I can help it. It opens up all sorts of problems that I don’t want to mess with.”
“Really?”
“Oh yeah. They have expectations and I just…I don’t want to disappoint them. So it’s best I keep my distance.”
“You never kept your distance with me,” she murmurs. She lets go of the chair and starts making her way over to me, her hips swaying, reminding me just how long it’s been since I had my hands all over those delicious curves.
My heart starts to pump, the blood rushing through my veins hot and fast. She draws closer, I can smell her, see the glow in her dark gaze and I curl my fingers into fists so I won’t reach out and grab her too fast.
I don’t want to rush this. Rush her. I need to take my time.
“Because you’re different, Luce,” I say, my voice low and scratchy. “You always have been.”
A dark brow arches. “I thought you were a total pervert the first time I saw you.”
I start to chuckle. “I was. Sitting on the balcony watching you by your pool all afternoon.”
“I eventually realized you were too pretty to be a pervert.” She steps closer, resting her hands on my chest. “And I wanted you to keep watching me. I kept putting on a show, just for you.”
“I appreciated every moment too,” I say, resting my hands on her hips and giving them a squeeze.
She smiles, running her hands slowly up and down my chest. “I just bet you did.”
I pull her in so close our hips collide. Just like that I’m hard. “I’m glad you gave me a second chance, Luce.”
“I’ve given you a couple of second chances, Walker.” The smirk she gives me makes me want to kiss it off her lips.
So I do.
Gabe wastes no time dragging me to his bedroom upstairs. I had so much fun hanging out with Jade and Shep, but after a while I started to get anxious.
I wanted to be alone with my man.
That I think of Gabe as my man may be stupid but Jade made some reaffirming comments that helped me realize he’s not acting like his usual self.
“Did he tell you about their one and done rule?” she asked me with an eye roll after we devoured our pizza dinner and settled in on the couch together.
“One and done?” I asked.
She nodded. “Gabe, Tristan and Shep all have one rule. Well, they have a bunch of stupid man rules that I don’t know and I don’t want to know. But Shep confessed to me the biggest one—one time with a girl and then they’re done. That’s how they’ve always treated girls.”
I made a face. “That’s sort of gross.”
“I know, but think about it. How often have you seen Gabe? Been with Gabe?” Heavy emphasis on the word been.
My cheeks were warm. I’m in constant blush mode lately and I hate it. You’d think with my dark skin you wouldn’t notice but everyone so does and it was embarrassing. “A lot,” I finally admitted.
The smile she sent me was triumphant. “So you just blew the one and done theory out of the water with Gabe.” She started to laugh. “Two down, one more to go.”
I’d smiled like a loon when she said that, though I figured she was rushing things. I couldn’t help it though. Jade’s words and constant encouragement got my hopes up.
Watching Gabe prowl around his room now, shutting the blinds, scooping dirty clothes off the floor and tossing them into a laundry basket sitting in the corner, I can’t help but admire the way he moves. So assuredly, even in his minor state of panic at having me in his slightly messy room.
“You didn’t clean your room knowing I’d be in here?” I ask, more than a little surprised. I wander over to his desk and check it out, picking up a framed photo of a much younger Gabe, Shep and who must be Tristan. They’re grinning at the camera, wearing sunglasses and so ridiculously good looking it was almost painful to look at.
I set the photo back onto his desk, my palms all sweaty and I rub them on the back of my denim shorts.
“I wanted to.” He sends me a sheepish grin over his shoulder. “I spent too much time cleaning the kitchen before you got here. Never got a chance to come upstairs, though I knew it wasn’t too bad. I don’t have a housekeeper like Shep and Tristan do, though we do have a cleaning service come through and take care of the casino area twice a week.”
My jaw drops open. “Shep and Tristan have a housekeeper?”
“Oh yeah, and she spoils them rotten too, as does Jade. It’s fucking annoying.” He starts to laugh. “Sorry, I sound bitter. I could afford a housekeeper if I wanted one I guess, but I don’t really need it. I’m not that much of a slob.”
I glance around his room, seeing that most of the mess was just piles of clothes lying here and there. He’s right. It’s not that bad. “I could spoil you if you want,” I suggest nonchalantly, trailing my fingers along the edge of the desk before I turn to face him fully.
“Oh, yeah?” The interest in his voice is obvious. “And how would you spoil me?”
Smiling, I point at the bed. “Sit down and I’ll show you.”
Without hesitation he sits on the edge of the bed, legs spread wide in that wholly masculine way men sit, his gaze full of curiosity and—is that adoration?—as I approach. My heart pangs at that look in his eyes and I slowly kneel in front of him, resting my hands on his rock hard thighs.
“Lucy…” he starts but I shake my head once.
“Sshh.” I smooth my hands up and down his legs slowly, sneaking my fingers beneath the hem of his shorts. His thighs are hot, a little hairy and full of muscle. “I could cook you meals.”
“Oh yeah?” He blows out a shaky breath when I drift my nails along the inside of his thighs. “Like what?”
“Anything you want.” Mama had me with her in the kitchen since I was a little girl. Half the time she worked so much that when I was in high school, I was the one who cooked all the meals. “What do you like?”
“I, uh, would like anything you want to make me.” He flinches when I pull my hands out of the legs of his shorts and reach for his waistband. “What are you doing, Luce?”
I smile and undo the top button of his shorts. “Spoiling you. Now take your shirt off, Gabriel.”
“Only if you take your shirt off.” He pauses and I lean back as he whips his shirt off quickly, tossing it on the ground. “Hey, I should’ve asked before but is Lucy short for anything?”
I’m momentarily speechless at first sight of his chest. God, he’s hot. I mean, I’ve seen him like this before, plenty of times. But the sight of a half naked Gabe never gets old. “Um, promise you won’t make fun.”
His expression softens. “I’d never make fun of you, Luce. I hope you realize that.”
I hold back the dreamy sigh that wants to escape. Not only is he hot, he’s so sweet. Like, ridiculously sweet. “My full name is Luciana,” I admit quietly.
“Luciana.” He lingers on each syllable, testing it out. “Luciana. It’s beautiful. I like it. But you prefer Lucy?”
“Lucy fits me better.” I shrug. “Luciana is too formal.”
“It’s a beautiful name for a beautiful girl.” His tone is sincere, as is his gaze. “But Lucy is cute. I like it too.” He reaches out, drifts his fingers across my cheek. “I like everything about you.”
“You don’t know anything about me,” I automatically say, clamping my lips shut the moment the words are out. Damn it, I didn’t mean to say that, not right now, when I’m about to rock his world.
Or at least I hope I rock his world. I’m starting to have a case of performance anxiety…
“I want to know more about you,” he admits, his fingers dropping away from my face. “If you’re willing to share.”
I want that more than anything but I’m so scared.
“Gabe…”
He stands and I shift backwards, landing on my butt. He looms above me, shirtless and with the button undone on his shorts so they hang almost indecently low on his hips. My gaze is fixed on his lower abdomen, the narrow trail of dark hair that leads from below his navel straight to the Promised Land and I lick my lips in anticipation.
“It’s your turn,” he says as he watches me.
I tilt my head back, feeling almost…submissive, sitting like this with him above me. “My turn for what?”
“To take your shirt off, babe.” A dark thrill runs down my spine when he calls me babe. I really love it when he does that. He waves a hand in my direction, encouraging me no doubt and without hesitation I pull my shirt up and over my head, leaving it on the floor beside me.
His gaze flares when he drinks in the bra I’m wearing. It’s bright blue and made entirely of lace, my already hard nipples protruding against the fabric almost obscenely. I wore this bra with him in mind, hoping he’d have his hands all over it by night’s end.
Looks like my wish is about to come true.
“Nice bra,” he drawls.
“Thank you.” I glance down at my chest. “I was hoping you’d like it.”
“Oh, I do.” His eyes darken and he slowly lowers himself to the edge of the mattress once more. “I’d like to see you wearing it and nothing else when you suck my cock.”
My mouth drops open. I haven’t heard him say something dirty in a long time. I forgot just how much I liked it. “Is that your special request?”
“You did say you wanted to spoil me.” He shrugs.
“Difficult to meet that request when you still have your shorts on.” He’d removed his shoes when we first walked into the room and I watch as he lifts his hips and slips his shorts along with his underwear down his legs, kicking them off. “Ah, much better.”
His cock is thick and long, hard and straight, almost to his stomach and I quake in anticipation of taking him in my mouth.
Eventually taking him in my body.
“Your turn, Luce,” he murmurs, the dark edge to his voice making me shiver.
Slowly I rise to my feet, trying to stay as graceful as possible, which is hard when my knees are practically knocking together, I’m so nervous. It’s been a while since I’ve been with Gabe like this and I hope it’s as good between us as it used to be.
His hot gaze tracks my every move and when I reach for the waistband of my denim cutoffs, I undo them slowly, knowing he’s watching. Anticipating. He licks his lips just before I slide down the zipper and a hot pulse throbs between my legs.
“Take them off nice and slow,” he says just as I’m about to push my shorts off my hips. “Let me enjoy the show.”
I pause and lift my head, my gaze colliding with his, holding his stare. His eyes are so hot I feel like they’re scorching me. He tilts his head to the side, his mouth curled into the faintest smile as he nods his encouragement.
Okay, then.
Inhaling deeply, I hook my fingers around the belt loops that rest at my hips and pull the shorts down excruciatingly slow, slowly revealing my matching blue lace panties. Gabe doesn’t look away, his gaze zeroed in on every bit of my body I’m revealing and my skin tingles from my hips to my toes.
I let the shorts hit my feet and carefully step out of them, standing before him in my panties and bra. For a brief, ridiculous moment I’m tempted to cover myself. Hide the curves, my pudgy stomach, the slight rolls. But that’s silly. He’s touched me everywhere. Explored every inch of my skin with his hands and mouth. He knows me better than anyone else on this earth.
Yet he doesn’t really know me at all.
That realization nearly sends me to my knees.
“You are so fucking gorgeous,” he breathes as he leans forward, resting his elbows on his thighs. “Take off the panties. Slowly.”
Oh, he’s getting off on this and I am too. My skin feels like it’s on fire as I wrap my index fingers into either side of my skimpy underwear and start the descent downward. I pull on one side first, revealing my hip, then a little further down before I do the same with the other side. My pubic hair is peeking over the top of my waistband and again, the momentary panic comes on.
What if he likes it when a woman is completely shaved, waxed, whatever? I should’ve asked before. He’s seen me naked countless times but the whole bare look is just…not for me. I think it’s sort of ick and high maintenance, especially considering up until a few months ago, I wasn’t flashing my lady bits at anyone, let alone a guy.
But does Gabe like that sort of thing? He’s never complained but that doesn’t mean anything. What’s his preference? Completely bare or hair, that is the question….
“Fucking sexy, Luce. Jesus.” He growls the last word, looking ready to lunge at me and I pull my panties back up, covering myself completely. He sits up straight, runs his hand over his mouth. “You teasing me or what?”
“Um.” I shouldn’t ask. I shouldn’t ask. “So.” Don’t do it! “What’s your opinion on…pubic hair.”
Oh, crap. I asked. Do I feel so comfortable with him now that I blurt out ridiculous questions like that?
Yep, guess I do.
He frowns. “Why do you ask?”
“Do you like hair or bare?” It’s sort of fun, how the words rhyme but really, that’s about the only thing fun in regards to asking this question. How lame can I be? And what if he answers bare? Then I’m screwed.
“Lucy, as long as it’s you, I don’t really care,” he says with utmost sincerity.
I almost want to laugh with relief. He always knows just what to say to reassure me. Arouse me. Make me feel special—like he really cares. “But what if I’m growing a forest down there?”
Amusement twinkles in his gaze. “Then I’ll hack through it until I find what I’m looking for.”
“Oh, my God,” I choke out just before I start laughing. The man I want more than anything is sitting before me completely naked and I’m standing in front of him wearing nothing but a lace bra and panties and we’re talking about him hacking through my overgrown pubic hair until he can get what he wants.
Not that I’m growing a wild bush down there. I trim it. I just don’t wax it…
Seriously, I’m too focused on silly stuff. I love that we can laugh together. I love the sound of his laughter, the way his eyes crinkle at the corners, how intense his gaze is, how he looks at me like no one else is important to him. Just me.
Just me.
The hair or bare question seemed to come out of nowhere and I meant every word I said. I don’t care if I have to cut that shit down with a chainsaw, if that’s what it takes to get to Lucy’s pussy then I’ll do it. Whatever it takes.
No matter what.
I wave a finger at her, indicating she needs to get moving. “Take your panties off, babe. I’m waiting.”
Her laughter dying, she starts to slip her panties off once more, agonizingly slow, revealing herself bit by bit, until the blue lace is stretched across her full thighs, seemingly showcasing that beautiful pussy of hers. I’m dying to put my mouth on her but I can’t do it. Not yet at least.
I want to enjoy my show first. My cock fucking hurts, it aches with wanting to feel those sexy lips on it. It twitches in anticipation when she kneels back down, her hands on my knees as she scoots her body closer. So close I can smell her fragrant skin, feel her hair tickling the inside of my thighs. Her nearness makes me dizzy. Makes me want to grab her. Kiss her. Say something stupid like…
Don’t leave me. Ever.
“I want your mouth on me,” I tell her.
Her eyes glow when they meet mine. “I want you in my mouth.”
“Yeah?” I touch her hair, thread my fingers through the silky strands and give them a little tug. She knows what I want. We’ve played at this long enough that even though it’s been a while since we were together, I know she remembers what I like.
I know I sure as hell remember what she likes.
br /> She bends forward and presses her mouth to the inside of my left thigh, kissing me there. I close my eyes for a brief moment, not wanting to miss a thing but damn, that felt good. Overwhelmingly amazing.
Taking a deep, fortifying breath, I count to ten. I need to get myself under control before I blow too quick and ruin everything.
Lucy kisses the sensitive skin just below my stomach, her tongue licking at the trail of hair that leads to my cock. I hiss in a breath when her mouth brushes against it and when she darts her tongue out for a lick directly across the tip, time seems to stand still.
All I can do is stare. Tighten my fingers in her hair, push it away from her face so I can watch. Damn, I love to watch. She draws my cock into her mouth, just the tip. Sucking on it. Her tongue teases the flared head, her mouth stretching wide as she takes me all the way in, as far as she can go. Everything within me goes completely still as I continue to watch, hypnotized by the easy rhythm she starts up, her head bobbing up and down on my cock.
Fuck. I’m going to come and fast if she keeps this pace up. She’s going at me, slow and steady, increasing her speed with every pass. I lift my hips, practically shout with happiness when she reaches for my balls and fondles them. No one messes with them, not really, and when the rare ones have in the past, they treat them like delicate little flowers.
I don’t mind manhandling. Hell, that’s why they call it manhandling—because we invented that shit. So Lucy can mess with my balls all she wants. I love when she touches any part of my body. I don’t want her to be shy.
I want her bold. I want her curious. I want her tempted so badly she can’t help but touch me in every way possible.
She squeezes and explores. Strokes and caresses, teasing the spot just beyond my sack that has me tense up. When her hand drops from my balls I immediately say, “Don’t,” in protest.
She rears back, looking at me with those wide eyes and glistening lips. Fuck me, she’s going to be my complete undoing someday, I just know it. Maybe it’s happening right now and I don’t even realize. “Don’t what?”