“Thanks,” I reply. And then there’s a heavy silence.
This is uncomfortable.
I don’t do this. Not anymore. I don’t do the whole conversation thing. Not like this, at least.
One of us has to set the foundation on whatever this is between us. It might as well be me. I move toward him, doing what I do best. I slide my tongue along my bottom lip seductively, and then I smile at him. “Hungry?”
He smiles back and the muscles in my belly tighten in response. That smile. That smile could move mountains. It’s the kind of smile that makes me want Link more than I already did. It makes me want things I never thought I’d want again.
“Famished,” he states, the gravelly tone to his voice making it apparent what he’s craving. Before, Link was always careful with me. His touch was always gentle and unhurried. Not now. He grips my waist, tugging me toward him. One hand presses into my back, the other snakes around, cupping that space just under my ass cheek. He drags his tongue up the side of my neck, stopping just below my ear. He draws the lobe into his mouth, his teeth grazing the sensitive flesh as he releases a breath. All the different sensations he’s causing are dizzying. He’s lit me on fire in a matter of seconds, but everything inside of me is freezing up.
I press my hands into his chest, backing him away. Even as I do it, I want him closer. These two opposing sides are a curse I can’t outrun.
“I need a minute. This is…too much.”
Without hesitation, Link’s hands fall away. “Tell me what you want me to do.”
“What I want isn’t easy to explain.” I laugh at myself. I’m out of my element. Maybe I’m destined to bar bathrooms with strangers forever. Maybe it’s all I’m capable of.
Five
Link
I should probably leave. Maybe I should put as much distance between us as I can. For her sake. And for my own. Maybe. But I don’t. I want her. My body craves her. Right now, in this moment, she’s my freedom.
One step closes the distance between us. I raise my hand carefully, gliding it feather-light along her arm. I feel goose bumps erupt under my touch. “Is this okay?” I ask. There’s an emotion in my voice that doesn’t belong there. Because I can’t stop thinking that maybe I’m freeing her too.
Rocky’s lips part, her eyes shift to mine. She holds my gaze as she breathes one word. “Yes.” The sound alone has my cock thickening, hardening in my jeans. One fucking word.
I apply more pressure to my fingertips as I sweep them along her shoulder. She shivers, the motion bringing her closer to me somehow. “This?” I continue.
“Yes.” Her voice is soft and low. Hesitant and sensual at the same time.
My other hand comes up, mimicking my movements on her other arm. When she doesn’t stop me, I continue on to her face. I graze the backs of my fingers along her cheek. She nuzzles into my hand, letting me know it’s okay.
That same desire to kiss her flares to life, but I hold it at bay. I drag my thumb over her bottom lip instead. I can feel her breath, moist and warm, as I pull down on her lip. My thumb comes away damp and I stick it into my mouth, tasting. My eyes close and I growl deep within my throat. That taste. Her taste. Addicting.
When I open my eyes, Rocky is still watching me, her gaze ravenous. My dick twitches with eagerness.
From just one look.
She hooks her fingers into the hem of my shirt and pushes it up gradually, exposing my heated skin inch by inch. My need for her is becoming a carnal being all its own. I raise my arms and she guides it off, dropping it to the floor.
We both stand motionless, waiting. I don’t want to move in fear I’ll do something she isn’t ready for. I fight against every instinct, begging to strip her bare and bury myself inside her.
Finally, she raises her hand hesitantly, pausing in midair between our bodies. The indecision is the sweetest form of torture. I slide my tongue across my lips, hungry for her touch. And then she places her palm against my stomach. My muscles tighten beneath her warm caress. Rocky’s hand on me, skin to skin, feels unbelievable. This slow execution, this gentle buildup, is driving me crazy. She has no idea how gone I am.
I want her.
Goddamn. I fucking want her.
I watch the pulse in her neck beat quickly, in time with her heart, as she spreads her fingers wide against me. She glides her hand upward, brushing my ribs, sweeping over my pec muscle, and then she cups her hand around the back of my neck. She rises onto her toes as she does so, pressing her chest to mine.
It feels right. Our bodies merging.
My hands are begging to grasp her waist. My body pleads to grind against her. But I continue to stay immobile, allowing her to lead now that she’s taken charge.