By His Play

31. Effie

31

EFFIE

T he last three days have been…

Unexpected.

Surreal.

Incredible.

Educational.

God, there’s a whole list of words I could use to describe it.

But the one that really comes to mind is easy.

Everything has been so relaxed and natural.

I guess that’s what happens when you start fucking your best friend. You’re already connected on a level. There is none of the awkwardness. Well, maybe not as much of it. Getting naked in front of him, knowing how stunning the women he chooses to spend time with are, was a little unnerving. But the moment I saw his reaction to my body, it was easy to push it aside.

I might not be tall and slim like those supermodels, but he wanted me, and the thought makes my head spin.

I’ve become too comfortable around him, too reliant on him.

I’ve been trying not to think about it, because I know I’ve set myself up for a fall here.

The idea that we could sleep together and have a little fun for four days before returning to our lives was a dream.

A dream I should have known would never work.

With a sigh, I drop my ass to the end of my bed.

Memories of everything I’ve experienced in the past few days makes my body heat.

I never in a million years would have thought I’d enjoy the things he’s done to me.

Choked me. Tied me up. Withheld orgasms one moment and then forced me to have so many I could barely think straight. He’s had his fingers in my ass, for fuck’s sake. Something I had no intention of experimenting with. But damn, the release that dragged out of me was so freaking worth it.

I’ve certainly learned a few things.

And tonight…well, I can only imagine the things he has planned.

The water cuts off, and I jump from the bed, knowing that he’s going to look in on me soon.

I’m supposed to be packing to return to Chicago tomorrow. I don’t know how I feel about it.

There’s a part of me that’s ready to get back to normality.

But there is still a huge part that wants to be here. I love the comfort of Grams’ home. I love being surrounded by her things. Leaving it all behind is going to kill me.

I know she’ll be with me no matter where I am, but it won’t be the same.

Glancing at my suitcase on the middle of the bed, I return to what I should be doing.

Kieran is buzzing to get home. I wish I could feel some of it.

But seeing his excitement is a harsh reminder that he’ll be able to walk away from this thing between us as soon as we get back.

That’s the thing about men. Sex is an act. An epic one, but just an act all the same.

I know there are women out there who are able to view it that way, but I’m learning fast that I’m not one of them.

I wanted to be.

Hell, maybe if I weren’t so broken, I’d have been able to keep my head.

I never should have agreed to this four-day fuck fest.

I squeeze my eyes closed as regret mixes with pain.

Footsteps moving closer has me dragging my head up and rolling my shoulders back.

Kieran…none of this is his fault. He promised to look after me, to find a way to help me. That’s all he’s done.

His shadow appears first, and I attempt to swallow down the lump in my throat and school my features.

“Hey,” he says, magically forcing every single previous thought from my head the instant he reveals himself.

He stands there in my doorway in nothing but a towel, which is wrapped low on his hips.

My eyes drop to his body, watching as water droplets run over his skin.

Lifting his hand, he combs his fingers through his wet hair, making the muscles in his chest and stomach ripple and pull in the most delicious way.

My mouth runs dry.

That was why I never would have said no to him.

I’ve always appreciated how hot he is. But since being intimate with him, I have noticed everything.

“Are you almost packed?” he asks. The smirk on his lips lets me know that he’s aware of my ogling and is more than happy for me to continue.

“U-uh…”

Ripping his eyes from me, he glances at the disaster around me.

“So I see.” His smile widens, and it makes my stomach flutter.

How am I ever going to look at him again and not remember all the things he’s done to me?

“You’ve got thirty minutes and we’re going out,” he declares, making my brows pinch.

“W-what?” I ask, disappointment tugging at me.

I thought we were going to spend our last night together here doing…my cheeks heat as my imagination begins to run wild.

“We’re going out,” he repeats.

“Yeah, I got that. Where?”

His face lights up with excitement, and I can’t help but get dragged along for the ride.

“It’s a surprise.”

“Okay. What should I wear?”

“You can go like that,” he says, glancing down at my leggings and hoodie.

I frown, although I must say that I’m a little relieved.

My first thought is that we’re going to end up in the park again. But then I glance outside and take in the dark angry clouds. There’s a storm approaching.

“Mysterious,” I mutter.

“I like to keep you on your toes.”

A laugh spills from my lips. “You’ve certainly done that.”

Pride covers his face, and I shake my head.

“Finish up here and then we’ll go.”

“Do I need to bring anything or?—”

“Just yourself.” He grins before spinning on his heels and taking a step away; although before he disappears, he tugs his towel from around his waist, allowing me a shot of his bare ass. “I know you’re staring.”

“Because you want me to.”

His laughter bounces around the hallway, and a smile plays on my lips.

Hands down, Kieran Callahan is the best person I’ve ever met.

As I continue packing the storm hits and the rain begins pounding on the windows.

By the time he comes to collect me for our surprise trip out, I’ve almost got everything I might need in Chicago packed.

I’ve always left the necessities here so that when I visit, I don’t need to bring everything with me, and this time is no different. But I’m achingly aware that the next time I’m here, it won’t be to visit Grams. I don’t even know when it’ll be or why I’ll come.

This house is mine. Or at least, it will be once everything has gone through probate. But knowing that she won’t be waiting for me…I shake my head, fighting the emotion that stings the back of my nose.

This time, when Kieran looks around the room, a smile spreads across his mouth. Inside, I might not feel ready to leave, but my suitcase is full.

“Ready?” he asks, holding his hand out for me.

“Sure,” I say before grabbing my purse and walking toward him.

The instant my hand slips into his, warmth rushes up my arm and everything feels a little bit easier.

“You look worried,” he says as his eyes dart around my face.

“I never know what to expect from you,” I confess.

“Isn’t that half the fun of it?”

My stomach flips.

Yeah, I guess it is.

While I’m the safe and predictable one of our duo, he’s the wild one who likes to push my boundaries.

“I’ll take your silence as a yes,” he laughs as he tugs me out of the house and into his car.

He starts the engine before turning to me and placing a flat black box on my lap. “I got you something.”

“Oh,” I breathe, staring down at it as butterflies fill my belly.

I pull the lid off and stare at the contents.

“Uh…”

Reaching out, he pulls the black satin from the box.

“What is it?”

“Can you look out the window for me?”

Confused, I do as I’m told.

The instant the light goes out, understanding hits me.

“Kieran,” I gasp as he ties the blindfold around my head.

“Don’t want to spoil the surprise,” he muses. “Now, sit back and relax.”

With my heart racing, I attempt to do as he says while he drives us to wherever we’re going.

Of all the things he’s done to me over the last few days, cutting off my sight hasn’t been one.

“Eyes on me, Luck.”

I shudder as his words hit me. They’re as clear in my mind as if he just spoke them.

“You okay over there?” he teases.

Shifting in my seat, I let out a sigh.

“Brilliant.”

“You need to relax,” he points out.

“Easier said than done when you can’t see.”

“I know exactly the thing,” he offers. “Take your leggings off.”

“W-what? No. There is no way in hell I’m?—”

“Be a good girl, Luck. Take your leggings off for me and spread your thighs.”

His words send a tsunami of heat straight to my clit, and I squirm in my seat—something he doesn’t miss, if his groan is anything to go by.

“People will see me.”

“Maybe,” he says without missing a beat. “But they’ll only be jealous.”

“Or we’ll end up front page news again for a very different reason,” I mutter.

He chuckles. “I’m willing to risk it.”

“Kieran,” I breathe.

I have no idea where we are. I’m so disorientated with my sight gone that I don’t stand a chance of trying to figure it out.

“I’m waiting,” he demands, his voice deep and unwavering.

Shit. He’s serious.

With my heart racing and my hands trembling, I shove my insecurities down and try to drag up some courage.

“That’s my good girl,” he rasps as I sit up and tug my leggings over my ass.

I shudder as the cool air rushes over my heated skin, and it only gets worse when his fingers slide through me.

“Oh my god,” I cry, still sensitive from this morning.

“Always so wet for me,” he muses as his fingers sink lower and push inside me.

“S-Shouldn’t you be focusing on not killing us?”

“I’ve got it under control. Trust me?”

“Apparently,” I quip.

“Aw, you know I’ll take good care of you, baby.”

And that, I can’t really argue with.

Embarrassingly, it only takes a few minutes for me to be coming all over his fingers.

I don’t know how he did it so fast, but he’s learned exactly what I need to get off. Sadly, he’s also learned exactly when to pull back to keep me right on the edge as well.

“On the way back, you can return the favor,” he says, before pulling his hand away and leaving me sitting there in a puddle of my own desire.

I cringe, thinking about the mess I’ve left on the fabric.

“Oh my?—”

He grasps my chin and drags me over the center console to kiss him.

I groan when his tongue drags against mine, allowing me to taste myself on him.

He sucked his fingers clean…

Desire pools between my thighs again as I imagine how he looked doing it.

“Wait,” I cry into his kiss as reality hits. “You should be driving.”

He chuckles with his lips still against mine.

“We parked a while ago, baby,” he says softly.

“We’d better be somewhere quiet.”

Pulling back, he drags his thumb over my bottom lip.

“Trust me,” he whispers. “Now get dressed. We’ve got places to be.”

“Can I?—”

“No,” he barks before I even get the words out about removing the blindfold.

I’m still pulling my leggings up when he opens his door, letting a rush of air flow in.

“Kieran,” I hiss, but I doubt he hears me because a beat later, the door slams.

“Come on, beautiful,” he says before taking my hand and pulling me from the car.

The trees rustle with the strength of the wind as the cold rain hits my face.

Unable to do anything but follow along, I put my head down and let him guide me, silently praying that no one can see me.

“Trust me.”

Swallowing down my apprehension, I allow him to lead me

The sound of the rain cuts off, letting me know that we’ve entered a building, as does the scent of air freshener. It doesn’t help me with where we are, but it does significantly increase the chances of someone seeing me.

“Kieran,” I whisper-hiss.

“Not much farther,” he assures me, his hand flexing on the small of my back.

We keep moving before he brings me to a stop. There’s a whoosh and then we’re moving.

We’re in an elevator.

Blood rushes past my ears, my stomach a riot of nerves as I try to figure it out.

In only a minute or two, there is a ding, the doors open, and he guides me out.

My feet sink into a luxurious carpet, leading me to think we’re in a hotel.

Why, though? We just left a perfectly good house.

“Stop a moment,” he says before the familiar sound of a door opening hits my ears.

“Okay, almost there,” he says, pushing me forward.

The scent changes. It’s subtle, and most people probably wouldn’t notice, but I do.

I guess that’s what happens when you lose one of your senses.

“And stop there,” he says, grabbing my hips and positioning me exactly where he wants me. “Now, I need you to do something for me, okay?”

I nod, too nervous to find my words.

“Count to twenty, and then you can remove your blindfold. Then, like the good girl you are, follow the instructions.” He leans closer, the length of his body pressing against my back. “I’ll make it worth your while.”