La Vie en Rose {Life in Pink}

  “Do you have anything to say for yourself?” he asked, brow arched playfully.

  Her lips pursed as she tried to match his serious tone as she rasped, “I’m a dirty, dirty girl.”

  Growling, he sealed his lips to hers in a passionate kiss. Her mind reeled, shouting things like Look away, children! as he did deliciously erotic things to her mouth with his tongue. Spiraling into a frenzy of need, she gripped his shoulder, locked her legs around his hips, and took what she wanted—him!

  His hands aggressively dragged over her sticky flesh. His mouth was forceful, his teeth nipping and biting as he licked up the sweet jelly. His hips dragged over her belly and she reached for him, wanting to touch as much as he did.

  “Fuck, Emma. Where’s a condom?”

  “My purse. By the door.”

  He jumped off the counter and ran to the door. Snatching up her little bag, he fumbled with the zipper.

  “The inside pocket.”

  Opening the purse, he dug around, cursing when he pulled out Midol, tampons, credit cards, keys, and everything but a condom. “Damn it.” Turning the purse inside out, he shook as coins, receipts, and chapsticks went pinging and rolling across the floor.

  “No!” She’d never find everything.

  “Why do you have so much crap in here?” he snapped, still digging. “Hah!” Producing a condom, he tossed the purse aside.

  “All my stuff,” she pouted as he shucked his pants and climbed back on the counter. “My coupons and subway—”

  He kissed her, scrambling her thoughts and bringing her back to the moment. “Shut up and kiss me.”

  All worries about disorganized purses fled as his mouth toyed with hers. “From now on,” he said against her lips, biting and licking between words. “You keep your condoms in an easily accessible storage compartment.”

  She parted her legs, wanting him inside of her with an urgency she didn’t understand. “I will.”

  “We should keep them in a bowl on the coffee table or in a basket by the napkins, maybe have a lanyard made so there’s always one at the ready.” He nudged her sex and her body opened.

  “You’re absolutely right.”

  He slid in to the hilt and she moaned, quickly adjusting to the delicious intrusion. God, it was fantastic how completely he filled her. His face tucked into the curve of her shoulder and he held her for a long moment.

  There was something sacred about the action. Becket never did anything like that when they made love. It was never this intimate. With Riley, there was no hiding. She was as exposed as he was vulnerable.

  Was he like this with all women? Something told her he wasn’t. Her hand gradually lifted and rested on his hair, soothing him and drawing comfort from his closeness.

  “Emma,” he whispered.

  Her heart stuttered as her name came like a quiet murmur of affection, whispered over his breath. That single word on his lips rocked her calm, making it almost impossible to adapt to the intrusive intimacy. There was nothing casual about this—about them.

  He slowly drew back and pressed forward, bringing her body to attention, her mind racing to keep up with her heart. They silently watched each other for several minutes as their bodies connected. No hiding.

  “You know,” he whispered. “If you were on the pill we wouldn’t have to think about condoms or how messy your pocketbook is.”

  “Old lady’s carry pocketbooks. I have a purse.” Her response was totally incongruent to the panic ripping through her sex-addled mind.

  He thrust again. “I want to be able to have you whenever, Emma. I don’t want to waste time digging around for condoms or making sure we go to the store.” His hips rocked in a steady motion.

  She couldn’t concentrate. Her body stretched as her brain could hardly keep up.

  “We could make love in the mornings, late at night, when we’re passing in the hall.”

  As he spoke, his words penetrated the haze of lust clouding her mind.

  “You’ll never have to worry about douchebags at bars. I’ll give you everything you need. Just tell me what you want and I’ll do it. You’re not ashamed to ask and I love that.”

  Her panting turned erratic, but not because of the sex. She couldn’t breathe. What—what was he suggesting? That they be each other’s booty call? No condoms? That was serious stuff—something even she and Becket hadn’t discussed and they were going to be husband and wife.

  His grip tightened and he pulled her into him, his intimate hold pushing past anything she’d ever known. Grabbing his shoulders in a panic, she stopped him and made him look at her. “Wait a minute. Riley, what are you saying?”

  His lashes lowered as insecurity flashed in his eyes. “I don’t want us to just be a one night stand. I like you, Emma. I like you a lot.”

  Her chest tightened. She couldn’t breathe. Tapping his shoulder, she sucked in a breath, only half of it reaching her lungs. “Get up.”

  “What?” He frowned.

  She pushed at his chest. “Get up. I need you to get off of me. I can’t breathe.”

  He quickly sat up, withdrawing from her body, his face taut with concern. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

  Panting—not in a good way—she slid off the counter and glanced down at her body. She was a purple mess. She looked beaten to a pulp and smelled like a Blow Pop.

  “Emma, what’s wrong?” Riley asked, voice stern with frantic frustration.

  Shaking her hands, no longer seeing the jelly as sexy, her self-esteem plummeted and she snapped, “Look at me!”

  “I’ve been looking at you. I don’t understand why you’re freaking out.”

  She didn’t either. “Because it isn’t supposed to be like this. There’s jelly everywhere and your sister could walk through that door any second! I told you we shouldn’t let this happen again and we let it happen anyway.”

  “Are you blaming this on me?”

  “No, it’s both our faults. But, Riley, you cannot act like you’re into me for more than sex. You’re the one that said I was fragile and inexperienced—which I’m not—but making me believe you want more than sex is only going to lead me on and give me a farther fall back to reality. I’m not too fragile for honesty, but I am breakable damn it, so don’t lead me on.”

  “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “Us!” She flung out her hands then covered a purple smear drawing too much attention to her pudgy tummy. “Come on, Riley. Look at you and look at me. You’re Mr. Popularity. You’re easygoing and cool and hip with your vintage clothes and disregard for social class. I mean, your name should have been Omar or Shiloh or something. Then there’s me. I’m awkward and dorky and I never know where to put my hands.” Sliding her palms more over her belly, she angled her shoulders wishing she could hide her breasts. “You want me because I’m convenient. I’m the pathetic girl you don’t have to try with. We live together so I’m easy access and—”

  “That’s enough!” He slid off the counter and stood, eyes hard.

  She flinched and immediately silenced her rambling at his sharp tone. He scowled and she tried pinpointing what part of her tirade might have offended him, but everything she said was true.

  He jerked his pants off the floor and stepped into them. “You just have everything figured out, don’t you, Emma? You’re the only one with insecurities.” He laughed without humor. “You think you’re easy? Newsflash, you’re not. You’re one of the most difficult women I’ve ever met. I fucking try!”

  Crossing her arms over her chest, she strained to hide her nudity. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t saying it to upset you,” she whispered. But someone had to protect her heart and be honest for the both of them.

  He stilled, seething in the silent kitchen. The energy shifted. He glared at her. Then, as if something occurred to him, his expression softened. He stepped close and she tensed as the pressure of building tears came out of nowhere. It was their first fight.

  His arms wrapped around her and he pul
led her close. “I’m sorry,” he whispered.

  She wasn’t sure what was happening between them.

  “I shouldn’t have yelled at you or said that.” His arms tightened around her as he kissed the top of her head. “I didn’t expect to care this much. But I try with you, Emma. So when you accuse me of not putting out any effort, it pisses me off.” He kissed her head again, holding his lips to her temple. “I try.”

  She sniffled. “What are we doing, Riley? I don’t understand.”

  He sighed. “You’re shivering. Let’s get you cleaned up.”

  Taking her hand, he led her to the bathroom and started the shower. Once the water was warm, he held the curtain as she stepped in. Confused, she took a startled step back as he followed, taking up more than half the space in the tiny stall.

  The spray ran over her skin, making pale violet puddles at the bottom of the tub. He held her close, tucking her head under his chin as they swayed in the rush of warm water.

  “I care about you, Emma. I don’t want it to be just a night.”

  That didn’t make sense. They had nothing in common. “The longer we do this the more of a mess it’ll be when it ends.”

  “It doesn’t have to be a mess. You’re my friend. I’ve known you all my life. I’d never do anything to deliberately hurt you.”

  But he didn’t deny it would eventually end.

  “What about Rarity?” If Rarity suspected they were more than friends it would freak her out. Rarity didn’t believe in clean breaks and was a firm believer that friends didn’t cross certain lines.

  “It’s none of Rarity’s business. We won’t tell her.”

  She didn’t like keeping a secret from her best friend, but on the other hand, she didn’t know what was going to happen between her and Riley. This morning was a perfect example of how far logic got them.

  Kissing the side of her neck, he rubbed her breasts with a soapy cloth. The way he touched her, it seemed so natural, as if he’d always been entitled to caress her with such familiarity. Each stroke of his hand was a phenomenon, as if they’d shared this intimacy for years. It didn’t make sense.

  “I’ve never done anything like this before,” she confessed.

  “What do you mean?” His palm dragged the washcloth over her belly and gently massaged between her legs, keeping her on the sharp edge of arousal.

  “Casual sex.”

  “Who says we’re casual.”

  “Aren’t we?” She was such a novice when it came to experience with men and reading people. She’d spent years with Becket, promised him her future, and that turned out to be a total misread.

  “I guess it depends on your definition of casual. We live together. That’s not casual.”

  She rolled her eyes. “We’re roommates. It’s not the same as a couple that lives together on their own.”

  “But think of all the ways I can wake you up when I get home from work.” He thrust his hips forward making it clear that he was hard again.

  Momentarily distracted, she tried to shift away, but he cajoled her back to him. “I’m trying to be serious, Riley.”

  Turning her around, he hunched low so he was looking in her eyes. “I want you, Emma. I don’t want you hooking up with other guys. Is that serious enough for you?”

  Her expression fell and she swallowed, foolish hope tempting again. None of what he was saying matched the impression she had of him. “What about you?”

  “So long as we’re doing this, I have no desire to even look at another woman. If that changes, I promise I’ll be upfront with you. I’m not Becket. I won’t hurt you.”

  She appreciated him making his position abundantly clear. “So not casual?”

  “In terms of exclusivity, no. It’s new territory for me, too, but the thought of you and other guys makes me nuts. We could talk about you and other women—”

  She smacked him in the stomach. “No.”

  He laughed and turned her back around so he could continue washing the jelly from her skin.

  It was such a big leap, but at the same time it was an easy fall. Natural and strangely right. Everything was changing so fast. She couldn’t explain it, which meant she’d never be able to justify it to someone else.

  Rarity would harp on all the reasons this was a bad idea, and Emma’s instinct told her she was due to take some risks regardless of the consequences. She didn’t want her friend to ruin what could be an amazing experience, reckless or not.

  “We seriously can’t let your sister know about us, Riley. She’ll freak out.”

  “As much as you seem to think I like to include my sister in my sexual exploits, I promise, I don’t. She’s not going to find out.”

  That was true. It wasn’t like Rarity and Riley talked about sex. Emma had seen them check out the same woman and have a laugh about it, but she’d never heard them discuss individual conquests.

  “Did you really mean it when you said I should go on the pill?”

  His hand, still massaging her, paused for a brief second. “That’s up to you. I can wear condoms. I always have. It’s just...with you it seems a little...I mean... I know you.”

  “And I know you. You’ve been with a lot of women, Riley.”

  “I’ll admit I topped your three, but there aren’t as many as you think. I’d say I’m somewhere between ten and fifteen.”

  “You don’t know the exact number?”

  “Don’t sound so appalled. I could figure it out, but I’d have to think for a minute and I only want to think about us right now.”

  For a twenty-six year old man she supposed a rough dozen women wasn’t a lot. “You wore a condom with all of them?”

  “Every single one. And I had my blood work done last month. If you need the reassurance I can have it run again, but I haven’t been with anyone since then. I’m clean as a whistle.”

  If it were any other guy she’d require more proof, but she trusted Riley and believed he wouldn’t lie. “I’m due to see my OBGYN soon. I can have her run my blood work.”

  His brows drew together. “I thought you saw the lady doctor on Thursday.”

  She bit her lip and he turned her until she was facing him again.

  “Em?”

  Her cheeks heated. “I lied.”

  He frowned. “You lied? Where were you?”

  “Walking around. I was...” She shrugged. “...avoiding you.”

  “Why?” He appeared genuinely hurt by this confession.

  “You yelled at Becket and came to my rescue. It was having all sorts of weird effects on me.”

  “Like what?”

  “You know... inappropriate feelings.” She fidgeted, looking away until his laughter broke the awkward silence.

  “It made you horny when I yelled at Becket?”

  Her face turned scorching hot and she scowled at him. “I don’t get horny.” Guys got horny. Women become aroused.

  Tossing his head back, he laughed. “Oh, yeah you do! Ha! Did it get you all hot and bothered? Mmmm. You like when I go all caveman, don’t you?”

  “Shut up.”

  The water was cooling. He grinned at her and kissed her nose. “I’ll always defend you, Emma—from assholes like Grayson and the assholes you don’t suspect. That’s what friends do.”

  Her chest tightened. She pressed her lips to his and he pulled her close, deepening the kiss. “I want to be with you before my sister gets home.”

  Her heart fluttered as his unguarded confession struck a chord buried deep inside of her. “Okay.”

  He kissed her, slow and passionately. Reaching back, she shut off the water. They dried each other sharing the same towel and he carried her out of the bathroom to his bed.

  Shivering, she pulled the covers over them. “Riley?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I’m already on the pill if you want to...”

  The brown irises of his eyes darkened as his pupils dilated and his lips slowly parted. “Put me inside of you.”

  Biting
her lip, she reached between their bodies and found him warm and hard. Stroking him a few times, she glided his wide tip along the seam of her sex, opening her body. Their breath mingled as she braced her feet apart and lifted, accepting him.

  He moaned and, again, pressed his face to her shoulder and cursed, his voice hoarse. “You feel incredible like this. It’s so real.”

  She noticed the difference too.

  As he gained his composure, he rocked against her. Long, deep strokes built and added to the sensual pressure churning inside. The longer they made love the more she spotted the tiny details of him she’d somehow overlooked.

  Riley was a beautiful man. His full lashes gave his dark eyes dimension against his tanned skin. When his hair was wet, it curled tighter and darker than his usual chestnut waves. His skin had a unique scent she couldn’t place, but now identified as his natural fragrance.

  Beyond his unarguable handsomeness, was his kind and honest soul. He was refreshing and exceptional, because he was so genuine. That was his most attractive trait.

  Every bit of him appealed to her and the more she opened herself to those charming qualities, the more she realized how much she’d been purposely overlooking them. Maybe she’d always found him attractive, but assumed he was out of her league and therefore convinced herself he wasn’t anything special. But, oh, he was special.

  His breath coasted over her throat as he throbbed deep inside of her. “Are you ready?” She loved the way he asked.

  “Yes.”

  With a final push, he filled her and they shivered as they caught their breath.

  “Hello?”

  Their twisted bodies tensed. “Shit,” he hissed.

  “Oh my God, it’s Rarity.” Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit. Shit.

  She shoved him off of her with more strength than she intended. His legs tangled in the blankets. “Wait. No—don’t push—let me—ah, fuck—” He went down like a stack of books and groaned a garbled curse.

  She jumped off the bed and frantically paced. “I need clothes!” she hissed.

  “Just grab anything.” He hoisted himself off the floor and tossed her a flannel shirt.