"Ahhhh," he cried, as she did something with her tongue that made his whole body shudder. Damn, she was—stopping again?
"You're sure I'm not hurting you?" Terri asked with concern, then explained, "You sounded like you were in pain."
Had he groaned? Bastien wondered. No. No, he was sure he hadn't groaned. But he had cried out. Apparently, that had distracted her too. No more crying out then either, he ordered himself firmly. He'd bite his own tongue off if that's what it took, but no more groaning or crying out. Better yet, he'd stick a pillow in his mouth—then he couldn't make any sound at all.
Realizing Terri was waiting for an answer, but unable to remember the question, Bastien briefly debated whether to ask her to repeat it, or to simply guess and answer yes or no. Deciding it would be faster just to guess, and that the chances were fifty-fifty either way, he blurted, "No."
"No?" She tipped her head to the side quizzically. "No, you're not sure I'm not hurting you? Or no, you aren't in pain?"
"Yes." He nodded firmly. Thinking was really quite beyond him at that point. All Bastien could think about was that he wanted Terri to wrap those sweet, luscious red lips around his—
"I'm really not doing this right, am I?" she said on a sigh. "And you're just too sweet and polite to tell me I suck at this."
"No, I'm not," he said in a panic. "I'd tell you if you sucked. Well, you are—I mean, you're doing a wonderful job. Just wonderful. Just… wonderful," he repeated helplessly.
"Really?" Terri perked up perceptibly, a smile tipping her lips as she stared at him, apparently eager for praise. "What am I doing right? Tell me, and I'll do more of it."
Bastien stared at her helplessly. Why was she doing this to him? Was it some sort of torture? Punishment, perhaps? Had he not pleasured her enough when he'd woken her earlier? Had he snored and kept her awake?
Realizing he was losing it, Bastien gave his head a shake. This was Terri—sweet, fun, adorable Terri. He didn't think she had a mean bone in her body, and she certainly wouldn't set out to torment him deliberately. Which meant that, despite the fact that she had his legs shaking, and his heart racing, and his body ready to explode with pleasure, she didn't have a clue what she was doing. She was just following her instincts.
The woman had damned fine instincts.
"All of it," Bastien said at last. "All of it is perfect." Except for the stopping part, he thought, but didn't say it. She was only stopping out of concern for his well-being and pleasure. And her consideration and caring were sweet. Really. And he was sure he'd appreciate it. Later. Right now, he just wanted her to—
"Ahhhh." He sighed as she took him into her mouth again. Then he held his breath, terrified the sound would make her stop once more. Fortunately, it didn't. She continued to slide her lips the length of his erection, her tongue swishing across him like a cat's tail. Bastien decided not to take chances, however. He snatched up a pillow from the bed and slammed it over his mouth.
He would not make a sound now, Bastien assured himself as he sank his teeth into the pillow. He might smother to death, but he would do so silently and with a smile on his face.
Maybe. Bastien tore the pillow aside and lifted his head to peer at her with exasperation. She had stopped again and was sitting up, her head turned toward the door.
"Did you hear that?" she asked with a frown.
"No." He didn't mention he'd had the pillow over his head, making hearing as difficult as speaking.
"I thought I heard someone call out," she explained, turning back to him.
"There's no one here but us," Bastien reminded her, with what he considered the patience of a saint.
His gaze dropped to his erection. It was standing straight and tall and proud, hoping for her attention. It was also red and maybe a little angry that he wasn't getting it, at least not without constant starts and stops. Perhaps this was Terri's technique, he thought: Bring him to the brink, then stop; do it again, then stop. If so, it was brilliant. She was driving him crazy.
"Terri?" he said almost pleadingly.
"Oh, I'm sorry." She smiled at him and lowered her head again. Bastien saw her red lips part as her mouth opened, then… Terri froze again, her jaws snapped closed inches above his erection and she sat up. "Surely you heard that?"
He had, of course. Someone was calling his name. A woman. And as there were very few people with keys to this penthouse, Bastien knew who it must be. He would kill her.
"It's probably my mother," he said, dropping his head back on the bed with disgust.
"Your mother?" There was no mistaking the horror in Terri's voice.