Bryce

Chapter 11

Samantha trusted Bryce, but she insisted on following him in her vehicle. She didn’t fear being in the car with him, or think she’d be stuck at his house, but if the conversation went south the awkwardness of being driven to her car would kill her. The only time she was an extrovert was on stage when she wasn’t being herself. In real life, she hated the thought of an awkward situation.

She recognized the neighborhood once they got close. He lived near Rayelle, but she hadn’t seen where. She relaxed when he pulled into his driveway and she found it to be within easy walking distance of Rayelle’s house. Being at his house didn’t feel so strange when her friend was just down the road.

The inside of his house reminded her a lot of Rayelle’s. The layout was nearly the same down to the kitchen island where he directed her to have a seat. She watched him move around the kitchen and before she even realized what he was doing, he set out a plate with cheese and crackers.

“Wine?” he offered. “Something stronger?”

“A little wine sounds good. Definitely nothing stronger. I’m kind of on a health kick so I can be my best for the show.”

After taking two glasses down from a cabinet, he filled them about halfway with red wine. “How’s that going, by the way?”

Samantha’s nerves began to fade as they made conversation. She could do small talk. She could talk about her upcoming role. “Today was amazing. We rehearsed with the entire cast for the first time. We sang ‘Seasons of Love’, and I got to practice my solo with the whole group. I can’t even describe it.”

Bryce took the seat next to her and slid a glass her way. “I can’t wait to see it.”

She gave him an extra-long look. “Really?”

“Yes, really. Now,” he said before taking a drink of his wine. “Want to tell me what you were stressing about tonight?”

Samantha stared at him in disbelief as she tried her best to go with the flow and not think too hard about anything. She had no idea he could read her so well. The entire time she was with Brandon he either didn’t notice or didn’t care when something was bothering her.

“I wasn’t stressing,” she said after taking a long sip of wine.

“I thought you were going to be honest with me,” he countered, his voice low. “When we were alone earlier tonight everything seemed okay. But by the time we went back upstairs and saw Rayelle, I could feel the change in you. What is it?”

Bryce’s approach was completely foreign to her. She was used to burying her emotions and pretending everything was okay. Communication had always been a struggle for her, and spending years in a marriage to someone who would find ways to punish her for saying the wrong thing only made it worse. There was no way she could just say everything that was on her mind. She wouldn’t even know where to start.

Bryce ran a hand through his hair, smoothing it back, before resting his elbow against the island, turning in his seat so he was fully facing her. “How about I say what I need to say and then we can go from there?”

She nodded in response as her heart felt like it was trying to beat out of her chest.

“Okay. Well, I’m not that great at this, but I’ll do my best.” He paused, clearing his throat before he went on. “I can’t stay away from you.”

Samantha gasped. Bryce just coming out and saying something like that was the last thing she expected, even though she’d been battling herself for days trying to decide if he might have feelings for her. He couldn’t stay away from her? Her mouth had gone completely dry, and at this point, she wouldn’t have been able to speak coherently if her life depended on it.

“I’ve argued with myself over all the reasons I should stay away from you. I even argued with Dom about it. But the truth is, I don’t want to stay away from you. Tonight, I held your hand because I wanted to touch you, and I didn’t let go of it because I don’t care what anyone thinks. My friends will be happy for me and no one else matters.” He reached over and covered her hand with his. “I hadn’t been fully convinced that I should stop fighting the way I feel, but tonight was different. It felt like maybe you have been having the same struggle I have.”

She glanced down at the large hand covering hers. He had rough, hardworking hands, but his touch was gentle. “I have been,” she said in a hushed voice.

The flash of awareness in his eyes told her he heard her quiet revelation. His eyes didn’t leave her face and she squirmed under the intensity of his gaze as heat rushed to her center.

“I must be a terrible person because I’ve been fighting my reaction to you since the night we found Asher. Since the morning after the funeral, if I’m honest,” she admitted, feeling a moment of boldness. “Wait. Where is Asher, anyway?”

“He’s in the office asleep in his crate, I’m sure,” he answered, waving off the subject change. “There is something I wanted to ask you.”

Samantha was already beginning to get used to the whole full disclosure thing. It was easier to be open when she wasn’t afraid of the consequences. “Ask me anything.”

“You can tell me it’s none of my business. It certainly isn’t. But when we were talking tonight and you were so passionate about wanting to do something good for the local kids, it made me wonder if you guys didn’t want kids. I‘m single, so I know why the best I can do is volunteer some of my resources to a project that benefits local kids.”

Her heart dropped at the question. It would always be a sore subject, but she felt that Bryce needed to know what he was getting into, before anything started. As someone so passionate about kids, it was only fair that he knew.

“We did want kids. I did, anyway. We tried for a while, but it just didn’t work out. Maybe it was a sign. As much as I wanted a family, it’s probably good we didn’t bring a child into our dysfunction,” she explained before dragging in a shaky breath. She gave him the simplified version. As dysfunctional as the marriage was, it didn’t stop her from feeling the hollow emptiness of wanting to have a child but not even being able to get that right.

Bryce watched her for a moment before he responded. “I’m sorry you didn’t get your family.”

Samantha finished her glass of wine before saying what had been on her mind since the basement of the community center. “If you want to run for the hills, I don’t blame you. If you still want kids, you probably shouldn’t bother with me. You can have literally anyone you want. You should find someone who can give you everything. Including children.”

She hadn’t expected him to stand from his chair and move closer to her. He moved so quickly, she almost didn’t notice he was there. “I don’t want just anyone. I want you.”

Before her brain could come up with a response, both his hands cradled her face. Her breath hitched when his thumb traced her mouth and gently tugged at her bottom lip. She closed her eyes, unable to watch what would happen next. Holding her in place, he covered her mouth with his.

As soon as she parted her lips, he deepened the kiss, his tongue teasing at her lips until she met it with her own. An unfamiliar wave of heat washed over her when she felt him groan into her mouth. He pulled her up from her chair, backing her against the island as his tongue continued to tangle with hers. His hands tightened on her waist and when he pulled her closer, his hard length pressed against her, causing her to gasp in surprise.

“I’m sorry,” he panted. “Do you want me to stop?”

In response, she pulled his mouth back to hers. Her hands traveled over his body, one slipping under his shirt to feel him without the barrier of clothes. He gasped and flexed his hips into her while her hands began their exploration. Kissing his way across her jaw and down to her neck, he ran a hand down her thigh to the hem of her sweater. Slowly, he made his way back up until his hand met her bare stomach.

“God,” she cried out before she helped him pull her sweater up over her head, tossing it to the floor.

She couldn’t get close enough. She wanted to feel him everywhere. She worked her hands under his shirt until he pulled away long enough to toss it to the floor next to hers.

“Bedroom,” he gritted out before taking her by the hand and leading her up the stairs.

When they reached his bedroom, he stopped at the doorway. “You can say no. At any time. You understand?”

She nodded in response.

“Tell me you understand.”

“I understand,” she breathed.

“Good girl.”

Those two words were like pouring gasoline onto a fire. Her core clenched and her nipples strained against her bra, and he hadn’t even touched her yet. He brought her to the bed, sat her down, then kneeled before her. She watched intently as he unzipped her boots and pulled them off, holding her gaze the entire time. Once she was free of her boots, he pulled off her socks, allowing his fingers to graze the arch of her feet.

Overwhelmed by the sight of Bryce on his knees and the feel of his hands on her, she leaned back on her elbows and closed her eyes. When he tugged at her leggings, she shifted so he could pull them off. She was down to her black lace bra and matching thong and she shifted her gaze up to find Bryce staring down at her, his gaze heated.

“You’re so beautiful,” he said once his eyes made their way back to hers.

She watched as he stepped out of his shoes and began to undo his belt. The view of him shirtless was even better than she remembered. His well-defined muscles moved and flexed as he unbuckled his belt, yanked it off, and tossed it to the floor with a loud clatter.

Her nerves began to take over once he unzipped his pants and let them drop to the floor. Stepping out of them, he made his way to join her at the bed. He gripped her waist as his mouth found hers. The kiss was hungry and demanding and her tongue tangled with his, desperate for more. More what, she wasn’t sure.

Starting at the base of her neck, he trailed kisses down her body, her sensitized flesh heating as he worked his way down. He kissed above her bra then licked his way between her breasts and down her stomach. Clutching the sheets, a strangled moan escaped her as his tongue trailed a path down her body. He nipped at her just above her panties and she arched off the bed at the unexpected sting.

“So responsive,” he murmured. “I like that.”

Samantha trembled in anticipation, his words pushing her arousal into overdrive. “Please.”

Bryce brought his lips back to hers while his hands traveled the path his mouth had moments before. Reaching her bra, he slipped a finger inside, grazing her nipple. She arched into his touch, aching for more. He licked and nipped down her neck as his hand continued to trail down her stomach until, finally, he stroked her over her panties. She didn’t know how much more she could take. Becoming desperate for release, she needed him to touch her. She needed him like she’d never needed anyone before.

“Please,” she begged. “Let me feel you.”

Without hesitation, he slipped his hand inside her panties and stroked her wet pussy. She spread her legs, silently asking for more, and he groaned into her neck, the vibration going straight to her core. She didn’t want to go another second without feeling him inside her.

As if sensing her urgency, he abruptly stood up. In one move, he pulled her panties off and tossed them next to the bed before he did the same with his boxer briefs, freeing his impressive length. Rejoining her on the bed, he watched her closely.

“Are you sure?” he asked through heavy breaths. “You can still say no. At any point.”

She once again responded by pulling his mouth to hers, further aroused by Bryce making it a point to check in with her. Trailing his hand back down her body, he found her center and groaned in approval.

“You’re so fucking wet for me,” he growled before slipping one finger inside her. She rocked into his hand in a silent plea, as she could already feel her orgasm building.

Moving over her, he positioned himself at her entrance before going completely still. “Shit,” he breathed. “Let me get a condom.”

“It’s okay. I can’t get pregnant, remember,” she rushed to say, her breathy voice dripping with need. “I want to feel you.”

He hesitated for a moment before filling her in one move. She gasped from the sudden fullness, and he stilled, giving her a moment to adjust to his size. Slowly, he pulled nearly all the way out before filling her again, her eyes closing as she surrendered to the pleasure.

“Eyes on me,” he said sharply. “I want to see you.”

She snapped her eyes open and looked at him. His eyes roamed her face before settling back on her gaze. The desire in his eyes had the same effect on her as his words. When he took control the way he did, she no longer had to worry about doing the wrong thing or responding the wrong way. She was safe with him. As he began to move, she met each movement with her own. As hard as he thrust, she needed it harder. As fast as he moved, she wanted faster.

Her breathing became ragged as all her senses heightened. Each touch sent a spark of pleasure through her body, sending her spiraling toward release. She pulled him closer so she could feel his strength and his weight on top of her. It was all she needed to let go.

Burying her face in his neck, she cried out as she shattered around him, her muscles contracting and her nails dragging down his back. He picked up speed and she could feel his movements falter as his fingers gripped her hip, holding her tight. With her name on his lips, he followed her to his own release.

Bryce rolled over to his back and tried to catch his breath. Sex with Samantha was better than he could have ever imagined. After taking a moment to gather himself, he turned to his side to face her. She was on her back with her arm covering most of her face.

“Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

When she nodded without uncovering her face, he ran his hand up her arm and gently pulled it down so he could see her. Her face was wet with tears.

“Hey. Talk to me,” he said quietly as he used his thumb to wipe her tears. “Tell me what’s wrong.”

After a long moment, she turned to look back at him. “Nothing is wrong. That was just—wow. I’m okay.”

He chuckled, not fully sure he believed her, but relieved, nonetheless. “So, happy tears? You sure you don’t want to talk about it?”

“I’m okay. I promise.”

Unable to resist touching her, he wrapped his arm around her waist and pulled her close, tucking her head under his chin as he lazily ran his hand over her soft skin. She shivered beneath his touch.

“I promise this wasn’t what I had planned when I invited you over.” He sat up long enough to grab the spare blanket from the end of the bed to cover her with. “But I’m not complaining.”

He felt her smile as she nuzzled closer. They had plenty to talk about, but he knew better than to push her. She had been working on regaining her confidence and independence. Feeling confident enough to speak her mind was all part of it. The last thing he wanted was for her to feel nervous or overthink what had happened between them. He continued to graze her skin with his fingertips even after her breathing slowed and she relaxed in his arms.

He woke up to Samantha clinging to him on one side of the bed, and Asher curled up behind him on the other. He had managed to slip out of the bed to let the dog out after Samantha fell asleep, and then got back to bed without waking her. The way her arms and legs tangled with his, there was almost no way he could get up without disturbing her. It was a good thing Asher was lazy and preferred to sleep in.

He looked at the woman asleep in his arms. Her braids were piled in a bun on top of her head where they wouldn’t get in the way while she slept. Her lips were parted and when he closed his eyes, he could still feel their soft touch on his. Only a thin sheet stopped Bryce from staring at her naked body. He couldn’t see it, but he could feel it against him.

If he didn’t rein in his thoughts, she was going to get an unexpected wakeup. He eased out of bed before memories from the night before kept him from doing what he needed to do. After carefully maneuvering around her limbs, he pulled the blanket over her before quietly calling for Asher. The dog hopped down off the bed and followed him to the back door.

After letting the dog out to do his business, Bryce started a pot of coffee and tried to figure out breakfast. Remembering their conversation from the night before, he decided to keep it relatively healthy. Eggs, turkey bacon, avocado, and toast with fruit on the side. He wanted to do his best to support her.

The strawberries were cut up and in a bowl on the island and he was placing the rest of the items on the counter by the stove when he heard soft footsteps behind him. He turned to find Samantha standing in the doorway looking like an absolute vision. She had on one of his white dress shirts. It fell just above mid-thigh and was buttoned up enough to keep her modest, but he could see the outline of her nipples where her breasts strained against the thin fabric.

“Good morning,” he greeted, trying his best to ignore his arousal.

She looked down at the floor before mumbling, “Good morning.”

“How do you like your eggs?”

She rounded the island and stood on the other side of the stove. “You don’t have to cook for me.”

“I know I don’t have to. Scrambled or over easy?”

She chewed on her lip before answering. “However you like yours is fine for me. I can cook breakfast, though. I don’t mind.”

Bryce placed the pan on the stove before making his way over to Samantha, who was standing rod-straight, clasping and unclasping her hands. He wasn’t sure what had her so worked up, but he was determined to make her feel comfortable.

“Samantha, it’s okay. I want to cook for you. I know I don’t have to. I want to. If you want, you can fix us both a cup of coffee. The cups are in the cabinet above the coffee maker.” He waited for her to take two cups down before he continued. “Now. Is scrambled okay?”

When he stepped behind her and wrapped his arms around her, she was shaking beneath his touch. With a quick kiss on her shoulder, he stepped back.

“You’re shaking.”

She took a deep breath before turning to face him, her eyes cast down. “Yes, I’m okay. I’m just cold. And I’m not used to this, I’m sorry.”

“No need to apologize. Just sit down and relax. Enjoy your coffee and let me do this for you.” After a quick nip to her ear, he got back to the task at hand.

It wasn’t long before he joined her at the island with two plates of food. She seemed to be over whatever had her upset before and accepted her plate with an easy smile. “This looks delicious.”

“Thank you. Do you have plans for your day off?” he asked.

She shook her head and took a bite of food before answering. “I have no plans other than to sit here with you.”

He tried not to allow her words to go to his head. Of course she didn’t have plans, if she did, she wouldn’t have been sitting across from him. He couldn’t think of a better way to spend his last day off. He had a busy week ahead of him. The community center was his pet project, but he had a few jobs finishing up that week that he would need to check on.

“So, what now?” he finally asked.

“I do the dishes,” Samantha answered as she stood and picked up both plates.

“That is not what I meant, and you know it,” he said, once again stepping behind her to put his arms around her. “I mean, what now with us?”

She turned to face him. He did his best not to look at everything her borrowed shirt revealed while waiting for her to speak. “I’m tired of arguing with myself.”

He took both her hands in his before prompting her to elaborate. “Tell me what you want.”

“You,” she whispered before taking an unsteady breath. “I want you.”

Her admission was everything he needed to hear. Stepping forward, he took her mouth. Samantha returned his kiss with more certainty than she had the night before. Parting her lips, she gave just as much as she took. Their tongues glided together as he backed her out of the kitchen and into the living room.

After gently guiding her down to the sofa, he knelt before her, gripping each leg at the ankle before slowly sliding his hands up. She didn’t move an inch, watching as his hands traveled higher. He stopped once he reached her knees and used his thumbs to make small circles on the inside of her thighs.

“You look so beautiful like this,” he breathed. “Watching me worship you.”

He continued his ascent up her thighs, moving his hands beyond the hem of her shirt—his shirt. Holding her gaze, his hands continued their path, carefully spreading her thighs as he went.

He hummed in appreciation when he found she wasn’t wearing anything beneath the shirt. Catching her gaze once more, he slowly traced his finger across her wet slit with one long stroke. Closing his eyes, he swiped in the opposite direction, sliding his finger through her slick heat.

“You’re soaked,” he said with a deep moan. “Now, tell me. What do you want.

“This.”

He opened his eyes to find her watching him; her eyes brimming with uncertainty. “Tell me.”

“I want your mouth on me. Please,” she breathed.

After holding her gaze for an extra moment, he tightened his grip on her thighs. Spreading her legs wider, he gave himself a clear view of what she had hidden beneath his shirt. She was completely bare, revealing a small strip of hair. He moved forward and breathed in her scent.

“You smell like heaven,” he said with a grin.

She closed her eyes and leaned back, scandalized. “You can’t say things like that.”

“Can’t I?” He slipped a finger inside her and felt her tighten around him. “That doesn’t feel like a complaint.”

She rocked her hips against his hand. Instead of giving her the contact she sought after, he replaced his hand with his mouth. She was dripping. The wetness he found when he began to explore with his tongue had him ready to dive all the way in. She hummed in appreciation, the sound causing his cock to harden even further, and spread her legs even wider for him.

She was warm and slightly salty on his tongue as he plunged it inside her wet pussy. Knowing he was tasting a combination of them both almost made what he was doing feel more intimate than erotic. With a groan, he reached under her and held her close as he continued to fuck her with his tongue.

As she sighed and hissed at his efforts, his own arousal was becoming nearly painful. It had only been hours since he had her, but he was aching to be inside her again. He told himself he would take his time and go slow… Maybe next time.

He stood up and stepped out of the sweats he had thrown on. She yelped in surprise when he easily picked her up and sat down with her straddling his lap. Smiling up at her, he used both hands to caress her smooth thighs.

“You okay?” he asked.

“I wasn’t expecting that,” she answered before covering his mouth with hers.

Changing positions was how he had hoped to slow things down, but when she slipped her tongue into his mouth, deepening the kiss, he knew slowing down wasn’t an option. Before he had a chance to take things further, her hands were on his shoulders, and she was positioning herself above him.

He broke away from the kiss so he could look at her. Her jaw was slack and her gaze was glued to the spot where they were about to be joined. Gripping her waist, he slowly guided her down onto his throbbing cock. Her gasp matched his when he slowly filled her wet slit. She was so warm and tight, that he had to close his eyes and hold her still until he could regain his control.

“You feel so good,” she breathed.

He opened his eyes to find her watching him in anticipation. Her lips were slightly parted, and her eyes shined with emotion. Control be damned, he gripped her tight and slammed her down, burying himself to the hilt. She cried out, and he worried he had hurt her.

“Okay?” he asked.

“Yes, just deep.”

He inhaled a shaky breath and repeated the motion. She met his thrusts the way she had before, and it wasn’t long before they were both frantically taking all they could from each other. Claiming her while they sat face to face freed up his hands, so he touched her everywhere. Her desperate moan when his hands found her breasts was nearly his undoing.

Her breathing came quicker, and he could feel her muscles begin to tense around him, telling Bryce she was close. He slipped one arm around her back so he could hold her closer and used his other hand to pull her face to his. As he poured his emotions into the kiss, he felt her body stiffen. Whimpering against his mouth, her tight pussy pulsed around him, encouraging his own release. He kissed his way to her neck as he emptied himself into her with two final thrusts.

She collapsed against him, and he continued to hold her close, running his hand up and down her back as their breathing returned to normal. It was a good thing she had her face buried against his neck because there was no hiding his feelings. She was it for him. He hoped more than anything she wasn’t using him to get over her loss, because there was no way he would be able to let her go.