Opening Up

  He led her up and into the house and she paused after he took the backpack. “Wow, this is a gorgeous view.”

  “I bought this house and then spent several years gutting it and rebuilding it. The view though, I didn’t need to do anything to that.”

  When he’d first bought the house it had been in terrible shape. The prior owners had trashed an already outdated house. But he loved the neighborhood in Cedar Heights with its views of Lake Washington, sort of a mirror of her view, only to the east instead of the west.

  “Want a tour?”

  She nodded and he took her hand. “Living room. Kitchen through there.” They walked through and she peeked in here and there until they reached his bedroom, which took up the entire third floor of the house.

  He put her backpack on a chair and opened the French doors to the deck. The scent of very late night wafted in.

  She faced him and he tipped her chin up with a finger. “Want to talk outside or in here?”

  “If I talk to you in here, I’m going to be distracted. Your bed is there.” She pointed. “And you’re naked there. Also distracting.”

  “Go on out and sit. I’ll get us something to drink.”

  “I’ve had plenty to drink.” A claim and also a way to set him straight. She expected him to be up-front and open and not play around.

  He followed her out, lighting the candles on his deck and choosing to sit next to her on the smaller chaise. Now that he’d made his move, he wanted to touch her. Plus, she was prickly, which to his horror only seemed to make him hotter.

  “I was wrong about you,” he said.

  She continued to watch him. She wore her glasses that night, so the blue was extra vivid, outlined by the black in the frames. Her body language was open but a little guarded. She smelled really damned good and was all curvy and sexy and he wanted to dirty her up at least three times.

  If she was open to what he liked, he had plans for the crop that’d just arrived in the mail the day before. He breathed deep to relax, but all he got was a huge whiff of her and his cock ached.

  It would happen. They both knew it. That knowledge became a physical thing as the space between them got smaller and smaller.

  But she wasn’t going to make it easy on him.

  “I should have given you, this, us—whatever—a chance instead of blowing it off.”

  “Because I was too young to know what I wanted.”

  Okay then, he just had to own it. “Yes. I misjudged you because of your age. And I don’t know why, because from the beginning you’ve known what you wanted just fine. I have a sister who is a little younger than you, okay? I just don’t want to be that old guy banging young chicks.”

  She frowned a moment and then burst out laughing. “You’re not old. I’m totally young, but it’s okay for you to think that’s hot. I want you to think I’m hot. That’s sort of what I’m aiming at.”

  “I totally underestimated you. I’m sorry.”

  “And the whole co-workers thing?”

  “Yeah, I kinda blew that when I kissed you several times in the middle of the bar back there. Maybe I don’t like it when clients hit on you.”

  “So you think they won’t if you kiss me in public places?”

  “Since I’m groveling and all, I should probably tell you something.”

  “Which is?”

  “I like it that people know you’re with me. I like it more than I’m totally comfortable with. Before, I said you didn’t know what you wanted and that was unfair. But it’s too late now. The truth is, you may not be ready for what I am once I decide something belongs to me.”

  “Are you trying to scare me?”

  “No. Just trying to be honest. I like you. I didn’t lie about that before. I’ve missed our friendship, and the other stuff.” The naked stuff as well as hanging out and eating ice cream. “I can’t promise I’ll be easy all the time.”

  She kept smiling, cocking her head as she looked at him. “I never would have guessed.”

  He grinned. She really had no idea what she’d just agreed to. If she thought he was protective about his machines…

  “I accept your apology, and we’re cool. But I need you to know I’m dealing with my family, who don’t take me or my ideas seriously. Now that we’re doing this, whatever it is, I won’t take that from you. But let’s be clear, I’m not afraid to let you whip me, tie me up, hit me with a crop.” One of her brows rose and he growled, hauling her into his lap.

  “You’re playing with fire, so get to your point if you have any more to say.” He ground his cock up into her pussy, the seam of her jeans pressing against her clit hard enough to feel really good but not hard enough to get off.

  Her eyelids slid halfway down and those luscious lips opened on a gasp.

  “I forgot my point.” She licked her lips and he groaned. “Oh yes, so I’m down, let’s do it. But I won’t be with anyone who doesn’t take me seriously.”

  He stilled, reaching up to cup her cheek. “PJ, I take you seriously, or you wouldn’t be here. I’m sorry your relatives are being assholes, but you know I’d hire you any day of the week. Hell, I do it now.”

  She watched him for long moments, and he’d begun to mentally compose his next volley when she took her glasses off and set them to the side.

  He’d done a good grovel. It had been heartfelt. He’d listened to her. Now she really wanted to move on to the naked part of the evening. “So, tell me what you’re going to do to me. Are we going to get all wild and kinky tonight?”

  He stood, keeping her in his arms. He dipped to grab her glasses, then took her back into his bedroom and put her down near the bed.

  “You carry me around a lot.”

  He paused and nodded. “I like the way you feel in my arms.”

  Okay then. It wasn’t like she minded. It was sort of awesome that he was that strong. And hot.

  “So.” He circled her, leaning in to pull the headband from her hair. He dug his fingers in, massaging her scalp until she groaned. Those fingers tightened and he yanked her head to the side, exposing her neck.

  Her breath caught, but not from fear. Desire raced through her, sharp and dark.

  He bit and then licked her ear. “Your nipples just got hard.”

  She shook her head.

  “No?” His free hand skimmed up her belly and over her left nipple. “Liar.”

  “They’ve been hard. I liked what you did with the hair. You came to the Ditch tonight to see me.” She had to hear it from him.

  “Yes.” He bit her neck.

  “To wallow in all those women to taunt me?”

  He spun her and she threw her arms around his neck. His mouth crushed hers, his tongue demanding entrance as she gave over right away. He left her dizzy and breathless.

  He was like a really fantastic roller coaster. She wanted more and more.

  The kiss ended when he wrenched away. “To see you. I came to see you. The women were there already.”

  She bit his lip hard enough to make him yelp.

  One hand on her hip, PJ glared his way and used the other finger to point. She stepped close enough to touch, poking him in the chest over and over. “Don’t you be flip. You came to my bar and then let women rub all over you and you wanted me to see you and get jealous. And what? To chase you? I’ve been chasing you, Asa. From day one.”

  He took her hand in his and kissed her fingertip. “You’ve got a temper. I can respect a woman with a temper. Also, you make it look really good.”

  Oh, this man. She was in so much trouble. But she wasn’t ready to give in just yet. “I’ve had enough. Just in general. I like you. I think we have great chemistry and you are fantastic in bed. I’m young, but I’m not dumb. Got me?”

  He nodded. “I came to your bar and then let women rub all over me to get your attention. But then you were there and I saw other guys around you and it sucked and my crafty plan went to hell because it was me who was jealous.”

  “Come here.” She
beckoned with a crooked finger.

  He stepped to her again. “Am I safe?”

  She tiptoed up, shaking her head. “Not at all.”

  “Good.”

  She licked over his bottom lip before pulling her shirt free from her pants.

  He took over, unbuttoning, bending to kiss the skin he exposed and then undoing another button and driving her crazy once again.

  His beard tickled against the curve of her breast where the edge of her bra met her flesh. “Back at the Ditch you saw me way before I came over, didn’t you?” he asked.

  Her breath caught as he dragged the edge of his teeth over the nipple he’d exposed as he pulled her bra down.

  “Yes.”

  He hummed, sliding his lips across to her other breast as he also managed to get the rest of the shirt unbuttoned and off.

  “It made me crazy.” He dropped to his knees, hugging her around her waist before he rid her of her bra and then kissed down her ribs. “I don’t much like to share.”

  She yanked his hair to tip his face to hers. “Keep that in mind the next time you’re in a bar surrounded by women who aren’t me.”

  He kissed his way over her belly as he pushed her pants down and off, along with her socks and panties.

  “Yes indeed. Makes a man proud to be alive.” He looked her up and down as he stood.

  “What does? Also, you’re still wearing clothes.”

  “Your fucking spectacular body. And yes, I’m wearing clothes because I want it that way.”

  Oh. God, that was sort of hot. Okay, really hot. Was it bad that she found it hot? Who the hell knew? She found it hot and went with that.

  He took her hand, tugging her across the beautiful hardwood floor. “Did you do this yourself? The flooring?” she asked.

  “When I ripped out the carpet that had been here, this was beneath it.”

  “It’s beautiful.” The room was very much Asa. Gray and chocolate bedding on a big platform bed. The art on his walls was distinctively modern. She skidded to a halt and then turned to look at the painting on the far wall.

  “This is fantastic. Who is this artist?”

  Asa joined her. “Nathan Altman. This is a reproduction; the original is in a museum, where it belongs. This one is Self-Portrait. I also have The Watchmaker downstairs.”

  She loved the way he talked about art. Loved the passion and awe in his tone.

  “I like waking up to see it every morning.”

  “I can’t believe I’ve never seen this painting before. I’m totally ignorant about art, apparently.”

  He turned her, leading her to a giant set of dressers. He opened a top drawer and pulled something out.

  This was better than Christmas morning. She couldn’t wait to see what he had in there.

  He turned. “This came in the mail yesterday.” He gripped the handle of a black-and-wine-colored crop so hard it creaked, and then looked up at her.

  All the spit in her mouth dried up when he stepped back, drawing the flared end of the crop over her nipples as he did.

  A flick of his wrist and the snap of the leather sounded over her nipple. Shock urged her to move back but she held on, and the pleasure of it seemed to drown her.

  He cursed under his breath and moved to the other nipple. This time she leaned into it. Heat at first as she hissed. And then it wisped away, replaced by a surge of pleasure.

  She moaned and he kissed her over and over. Long, drugging kisses until she wondered if she was going to turn to goo right then and there.

  “Bend and brace your hands on the footboard.” He stepped back and she swallowed, moving on still-gooey legs.

  The whick as he snapped his wrist and the crop split the air seemed to scatter sensation over her skin. The breath gusted from her lips as she gripped the footboard.

  “You’re going to kill me.” He drew the crop over the skin at the backs of her upper thighs and up over each ass cheek.

  “H-How so?”

  And then bright, sharp pain as the crop made contact with her thigh just below her right butt cheek.

  “Because you’re so fucking beautiful.” He placed a hand at the middle of her back, pushing her down, thrusting her ass out farther. “Trust me now.”

  “I like all you’re doing. You know, in case you were curious. And I do trust you.”

  He kissed her back, and the next time he made contact it seemed to send the energy forward from where he struck the backs of her thighs straight to her pussy.

  Again.

  And again.

  And again, though he bent to blow across her skin, heated by the crop’s strikes.

  “Stay right here,” he whispered against her flesh before he moved away, back across the room, and then approached again.

  With her eyes closed she could take the sounds of his clothing and picture him undressing right behind her. Looking at her all offered up like a dessert.

  Asa had to pause to take his clothes off and get his control solidly back in place. He was so hard his cock tapped his damned belly. Precome beaded at the slit. He hadn’t been this hot for a woman… well, since the first time they were together.

  But this was different.

  The backs of her thighs and the cheeks of her ass were red and she hadn’t just gone along with it because he wanted it.

  He tossed himself onto the bed and held a hand out to her. “Come up here and sit on my face. I want to bury myself in you.”

  Her gaze, which had been lazy, sharpened as she scrambled up to the bed with him.

  She kissed his ankle first. And then up to his knees. Up his thighs and to his balls.

  He hissed as she licked down the center and then up the line of his cock to the piercing.

  “This is a new one.” She tugged one end of the heavier-gauge barbell he’d put in before leaving for the Ditch.

  “I think you’ll like how beads feel when I fuck you.”

  She looked up his body, still licking over his cock. “You knew this was going to happen when you came to my bar.”

  “I sure fucking hoped so.”

  “I love that you dressed your penis up for me.”

  He shook his head, smiling. “Come on up here.” He was close enough as it was, but with her mouth on him he’d never last long enough to fuck her. And he most certainly planned to do just that.

  She got to her knees, straddling his body as he shifted down the bed a bit.

  “Why did you pierce your nipples?” He tugged and rolled them a little until she writhed.

  “I think it looks sexy.”

  “You’re correct.”

  “Why did you?”

  “I like a little pain. I think it looks badass. My nipples are extra sensitive now too, so it worked out well.”

  Enough talk.

  He urged her up with fingers at the backs of her thighs and she shifted until he looked straight up at the glossy folds of her pussy, all within licking and touching distance.

  “Get down here,” he nearly growled when she hovered just out of reach. He grabbed her hips and pulled her to his mouth, and she gasped.

  He loved eating pussy like this. Serving himself of her body, feeling the tremble in her thigh muscles as he fucked her with his tongue and then danced it over her clit.

  The skin against his fingertips at the backs of her thighs was on fire. But she squirmed, grinding herself against his mouth as he caressed her.

  He’d expected her to give over to him, and she had. The way she felt. The way she tasted on his tongue made him angry that he’d held this off for weeks when they could have been doing it the whole time.

  There was a moment when he considered tearing his mouth away to tell her to play with her nipples. But she tasted so good he decided against it and drove her hard and fast into climax.

  He tipped her to the side and she landed on her back next to him in bed as she tried to catch her breath.

  But she should have known he wouldn’t allow that. He rolled, pinning her with his
body, and kissed her so hard he stole the bit of breath she’d managed to get back.

  She held on because that was all she could do. So much was happening she simply let it, let it wash over her and trusted him to keep her from floating away.

  PJ wrapped her legs around him, wanting him to stay put because he felt so good.

  But Asa did what he wanted, so he kissed down her neck and over all the freckles on her shoulders, licking down her chest to her nipples.

  “I’ve been dreaming of these.” He sucked a nipple into his mouth, tugging on the ring she’d worn that day. “I’m not the only one with new jewelry.”

  “Since you were a jerk, I bought new jewelry, new underpants, and changed my hair. Boys have liked these changes, which was nice since I wasn’t sure you’d ever see them.”

  He bit harder than he had to and she yelped.

  “No more of that,” he said seriously. “Wait, so other people have seen this?” He circled her nipple with the tip of his tongue.

  “It would serve you right if they had.”

  He grinned at the answer. “It would. But luckily we don’t have to worry about it.”

  “You’re very sure of yourself.”

  “I’m totally sure of myself.” He got to his knees between her thighs. “Sometimes it takes me a while to get where I need to be. But once I’m there, I’m very sure about it.”

  He gripped his cock at the base and teased along her pussy with the head and the beads on the barbell.

  “Am I still supposed to say when I like something?”

  “I think the squeak in your voice does a good job, but a man can’t complain when a beautiful woman tells him she likes what he’s doing to her.”

  “I don’t squeak!”

  Of course he then reached out and squeezed her clit between his slippery thumb and forefinger and made her do just that.

  “Liar.”

  “Well, you pinched my clit! Who doesn’t squeak then?”

  “I wouldn’t know. Yours is the only clit I’m squeezing these days.”

  She wanted to laugh, but then she just sort of sighed when he pushed inside a bit and then pulled back.

  “First, I’m going to fuck the hell out of you. Then we’ll relax a while and start round two.”