Playing for Keeps(28)

 

“Justin,” my voice breaks. “This is…”

 

I don’t get to finish that sentence because his mouth is suddenly pressing into the back of my neck in a damp kiss as he lifts my hair over one shoulder.

 

“You in these goddamn leggings.” His firm hands skim down over my hips. “It drives me fucking crazy.”

 

I swallow and lean into him so my back is against the wide expanse of his solid chest.

 

“That night you came over and cooked for us, I couldn’t keep my eyes off your curves.”

 

I love hearing his words, love getting exposure to his inner thoughts like this.

 

“I was half-hard the entire night.” I melt back into his touch, but he’s not done. Wrapping both arms around me, he rests his chin on my shoulder. “Loved having you in my space, cooking for me, feeding me, even if I couldn’t show it.”

 

I grin wryly. Hockey players can eat more than anyone. Of course the way to his affections is through his stomach. Something about that amuses me.

 

I have so many things I want to say. I want to thank him for making tonight so special, for all the effort he’s obviously put in, but Justin turns me in his arms and leads me to the bed. I lower myself to the mattress, sitting on the edge of it. My shirt comes off and then my bra. His hands are on my breasts, already massaging and caressing as I unbutton his pants, and work my hand inside his boxer briefs. He’s already hard for me and oh my fuck, that does something for me.

 

He makes a low groan and then leans down to pull my leggings down my hips. I lift my behind off the bed as he tugs my pants and everything down at once until he removes them completely. I’m suddenly naked while he’s still fully clothed.

 

“No fair.” I pout.

 

He frowns. “Are you cold? I should have turned up the heat.”

 

I shake my head. “I’m fine. I just think you should join me.” I work my hands under his shirt and press my hands to his firm stomach. His muscles jump under my touch.

 

Then he’s pulling the shirt off over his head and dropping his pants just as quickly.

 

Justin Brady naked is a fine work of art, but I barely get a second to appreciate the view before he’s guiding me back onto the bed. He cages me in underneath him, his forearms on either side of my shoulders as his warm body covers mine. The feeling is amazing. His hard length is pressed right over my pubic bone, and when I wrap my legs around him, it comes perfectly in line with my center.

 

His mouth covers mine in a hungry kiss—and we stay like that for a long time. His tongue stroking and flirting with mine while his erection grinds against me in the most maddening way possible. I’ve never been kissed like this. Open-mouthed, demanding, and insanely passionate.

 

Something that he said when we had our exclusivity talk has stuck with me.

 

I take a break from kissing him and touch the rough stubble on his cheek. “I want you to fuck me without a condom.”

 

He pulls back to meet my eyes and his expression is like I’ve just asked him to solve a complicated mathematical equation. “What are you … talking about?”

 

“You’re clean. I’m definitely clean. I want to feel you—for real—without a layer of latex in between us.”

 

His eyebrows pinch together and his expression looks pained. “Fuck, Elise,” he curses low under his breath. “You have no idea how badly I would love to do that with you, but we can’t.”

 

I chew on my lower lip as I meet his eyes. “Why not?”

 

“Because, for one thing I could get you pregnant.”

 

Oh. Right. It’s weird that the possibility of that doesn’t scare the pants off of me—well, my pants are already off, but still. I shake my head. “I’m on birth control. Plus, you could pull out if you want a little back up.”

 

I see a moment of hesitation. He wants to give in, but he’s fighting with himself. “I’ve never done that before.”

 

“You’ve never slept with someone without a condom?”

 

He shakes his head.

 

I grin. “Good. That means I get to have one of your firsts too.”

 

At this, he chuckles, looking uncertain. “You might not realize it, but you do already own a lot of my firsts.”

 

I make a skeptical sound in the back of my throat.

 

“It’s true,” he continues, brushing a strand of hair back from my face as he gazes down at me.

 

It should feel weird to be having an entire lengthy discussion while we’re both naked and aroused, and yet with him, it feels like the most natural thing in the world to be hammering out these details. It must be because I’m so comfortable with him, but regardless, I like it. A lot. I like all of the communication and quiet admissions of truth. And as eager as I am for what comes next, part of me wants to keep the conversation going.

 

“Remember when you and Owen went to prom?” I grin at the memory of them primping themselves in front of Owen’s bedroom mirror.

 

“Yeah, you were in middle school, right?”

 

I nod. “I had such a crush on you back then. Seeing you in a tux.” I grin. “It was the first time I felt like my little heart might just explode from sheer longing.”

 

He chuckles softly, giving my shoulder a squeeze. “E-Class, I’m shocked.” His mouth tilts in a wry grin. “Well I have something to admit too. I’ve never packed a duffle bag full of candles, or put rose petals all over someone’s bed before.”

 

My heart is so full of him, and my body is so ready for more, and I know the time for talking is done. “Then give me one more first,” I whisper, bringing one hand between us. Wrapping my hand around his thick length, I guide him to my opening. Then I watch as his teeth sink into his lower lip and a sexy look of concentration flashes across his features as I start to push him inside. He tilts his hips forward, giving me what I want at an agonizingly slow pace.

 

A tiny pinch as I accommodate to his size and then pleasure. So. Much. Pleasure.

 

I groan and his eyes sink closed as he thrusts the rest of the way home.

 

“Oh, fuck, Elise.” His voice is broken and gruff, it’s unexpectedly sexy to hear him losing control.

 

The warm ambience of the candlelight is surprisingly sweet, and I love it. I love being able to see him and watch his expression change as he gazes down on me. He fights off a shiver, and makes a desperate, needy noise as his lips meet mine.

 

His strokes grow faster, his hips snapping into mine as my volume increases.

 

“Yes. Like that. Yes,” I moan.

 

Supporting his weight over me with one hand, he brings the other between us to apply gentle pressure.

 

I start to come immediately, writhing and whimpering and tightening my thighs around his trim hips as he continues to rock into me.

 

“Oh fuck, you’re so tight. Without the condom. Jesus, I just can’t…” he moans, his forehead dropping against mine. Our lips brush but we don’t kiss.

 

I know he’s close and I expect him to pull out.

 

But then his strong arms tighten around me as he makes a pleasure-filled sound, pumping into me in short, uncoordinated strokes as he fills me with his warmth.

 

He presses a long kiss to my lips, and then carefully withdraws. I curl my knees up to my chest, still panting.

 

“Are you okay?” He looks down at me in admiration.

 

I did little more than lay here, but I’m glad he looks pleased. Actually he looks more than pleased. I’m not sure I’ve ever seen him look this happy and tender. He touches his lips to mine again, and then runs his thumb over my core in the most distracting figure-eight.

 

“I got you all messy.” His tone is almost reverent.

 

I can’t help the giggle that bursts from my lips. “Trust me it was more than worth it.”

 

Justin helps clean me up and we lay together in bed for a long time, just talking. We have sex once more, and it’s slower and more drawn out, but just as hot. And then I dress in pajamas while he puts his boxers back on. We head to the kitchen, because apparently he wasn’t kidding about needing a post-sex snack. We eat nacho cheese tortilla chips and drink champagne and blue Gatorade and watch bad reality TV, and it’s one of the best nights of my entire life.

 

 

 

 

 

22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pancakes and Chill

 

 

Justin

 

 

 

When I wake in the morning, it’s to the feel of a warm palm rubbing light circles over my chest.

 

Elise is already awake and when I open my eyes, she smiles up at me shyly. “’Hi.” Her voice is soft, just above a whisper.

 

“Morning.” I grin at her. “How long have you been awake?”

 

She laughs. “Sorry, just a couple of minutes. I promise I’m not a creepy stalker watching you sleep.”

 

I smooth her hair back from her face. “Didn’t think you were.”

 

Stretching one arm leisurely over my head, I bring it around Elise. It feels so nice to wake up here, to be warm and affectionate with each other without having to rush off or steal moments when no one’s looking.