Chapter 11 #2
I return the kiss, tasting myself on his tongue. Instinctively, I wrap my arms around him and hold him close, relishing the way his heart hammers in time with mine.
His chest is slick and warm as he hugs me back.
“Is this okay?”
The question steals the air from my lungs. It’s the same one I asked him last night when I reached out in the dark and wove our fingers together.
Nodding, I wet my lips. I’m more nervous than I’ve been in a long time. My chest is on fire from holding my breath in anticipation.
When he kisses me a second time, stars erupt behind my eyelids and the world tilts off its axis.
The sensation of his tongue teasing mine and the more assured way he kisses me this time rocks my fucking world.
His tongue dips out to tease mine, a soft caress, followed by a more intense, probing stroke.
I find myself leaning in, desperately craving more.
More of him.
More of us.
I can’t believe this is happening.
I’m kissing Greedy—and he’s kissing me back with just as much fervor.
I’m kissing my best friend.
I’m kissing my girlfriend’s first love.
With that thought, the joy and excitement drain from me.
Fuck.
Daisy.
A choked sob escapes me as I pull back abruptly.
I haven’t thought about Hunter once since I stepped into this shower stall.
What kind of boyfriend am I, getting sucked off and locking lips with someone else while my girl is out there waiting for me?
She could be hurt. Scared. Yet here I am, fooling around with Greedy. Shame percolates low in my belly, replacing all the lightness and joy that inhabited the space just moments ago.
“Get washed up,” I say, exiting the shower and grabbing a thin, scratchy towel off the pile. I grab one for him, then think better of it.
I don’t want to waste another minute waiting.
Dropping the towel back onto the stack, I toss my own to the floor. “I need to ask Kabir about that text. Meet you back in the room.”
Without waiting for a reply, I tug my sweat-soaked shorts on, sans boxers, then unlock the door and leave.
Hunter.
My sole focus right now needs to be Hunter.
I walk back to the room with a renewed sense of purpose. We need to get on the road and get our girl. Greedy mentioned last night that the truck still needs gas, and knowing that Kabir wasn’t satisfied with the beverage options this morning, we’ll probably need to stop for food, too.
But I’d be lying to myself if I didn’t admit that my heart is still pounding so hard I’m afraid it might beat right out of my chest.
The image of Greedy on his knees for me will be etched into my consciousness for the rest of my life.
My stomach plummets, and another wave of shame swamps me.
Fuck.
In my haste to get to Hunter, I left him in the shower. Ran off without explanation. Without even a backward glance. He deserves so much more than that. Especially considering that was a first for him.
I’ll apologize as soon as he gets back to the room. He’s probably worried that I have regrets. Dammit.
If anything, it was too much, but in the best way.
Every sensation from the erotic to the sensual to the brief kiss we shared after we came was incredible.
Fuck. Maybe it actually was too much. Otherwise I wouldn’t have totally lost my sense of place and time.
I forgot where we were, why we’re here, and what we need to do.
I’m not upset with Greedy at all, I realize, as I insert the motel key into the keyhole. If anything, I’m frustrated with myself for allowing even one second of my energy and attention to deviate from Hunter.
My heart is beating double-time as I enter the room. The curtain is still drawn, and none of the lights are on; Kabir must be asleep.
Quietly, I pad to the bathroom so I can get ready without disturbing him. Hell, I could probably use another shower with the way I’m feeling now. A cold one, this time.
It isn’t until I turn the handle and push that I notice the steam billowing out from under the bathroom door.
Heart lodged in my throat. I clench the handle, ready to silently shut it again. I’m hoping he hasn’t noticed me when his words reach my ears.
“Are you well, champ?”
Fucking hell.
My eyes dart up to meet his. Instead, I’m met with the smooth, broad expanse of muscle and dark skin of his bare back.
A dingy white towel clings to his hips, riding precariously low.
I’m still staring at it when he turns to face me.
“Levi. I asked you a question.”
His commandeering tone sends a shudder through me.
“Are you well?”
Slumping against the bathroom door, I close my eyes and breathe deep, trying to get my shit together.
“No,” I croak.
When I open my eyes, I’m startled by his proximity.
He’s inches from my face, the warmth of his body soaking into me. He cups my cheek, the gentle move encouraging me to exhale slowly. I didn’t even realize I was holding my breath.
“You’re not well. Noted.” He turns my face slightly, as if inspecting me. “You are, however, freshly showered. Freshly fucked, as well?”
My stomach lurches at the callout.
“Freshly fucked, but not entirely satisfied, perhaps? Do you need more, champ?”
“What?” I gape. I don’t need more. I’ve already taken things too far with Greedy, all while Hunter’s waiting for us to get a move on.
“We—I—” I search for the words to articulate my concerns but come up comically short.
“Hunter,” I finally force out. “We need to get going. We need to find Hunter.”
His eyes soften. I’ve got a couple of inches on him, so he has to look up a little to catch my gaze. Despite the gentleness in his expression, his grip on my face tightens, reminding me of exactly who’s in charge in this moment.
“Did you receive my update? Everything is in motion, but not yet in place. We need to wait just a bit longer, and then we’ll be on our way. Now,” he continues before I can interject or argue, “answer my question, champ. Do you need more?”
“What—what does that even mean?” I pant. I’m hot. Uncomfortably so. It must be the steam from the shower. Or Spence’s body heat warming me with his proximity.
“Hunter always needs more. One orgasm isn’t enough for her to truly let go,” he explains.
Hunter.
The mention of our girl is the reminder I need.
“N-no,” I stammer, taking a step back. “No, I’m good. We have to go. Hunter is—”
“Levi.”
My name is a two-syllable command.
I snap my mouth shut and will my breathing to level out.
“You need to be honest with me if this is ever going to last. You just came. By way of Garrett, I presume?”
My cheeks heat with shame as a bead of sweat rolls down my spine.
I’m not embarrassed about what Greedy and I did. I’m ashamed that, even for one second, I let myself feel anything but sorrow and despair.
“You’re angry.” Spence examines me, his piercing blue-gray eyes reading every emotion I’m fighting like hell to hide from him.
He leans closer, bringing his mouth to my ear.
“I can be the outlet for that anger. I can take it. But I can also give you more if needed.”
I close my eyes and turn my head, desperate to shut out the temptation his offer creates.
He nips at my earlobe, then runs his nose along my jaw. On a husky whisper, he murmurs, “How would you feel if I put you on your knees right here, right now?”
“No.” My answer escapes before I can even process it. It’s an immediate, guttural reaction. I don’t want to be dominated or degraded by Spence. Not now. Maybe not ever.
Experiencing that dynamic when Hunter’s here, even dabbling in it, is sexy. I like bantering with him and following his instructions with her by my side. But without her, if it’s just him and me, the lack of control is too sickeningly familiar. The power exchange is too distinct.
Even in a drunken stupor, my father was cunning and brutal. I shudder at the very thought of being at the mercy of another man.
“No,” I repeat, calmer this time, but still just as sure. “I’ll safe-word if you try it.”
Spence stands up straight, looking me directly in the eyes. “Then I wouldn’t dare.”
I gulp past the trepidation threatening to rise up my esophagus and look right back at him, nodding my appreciation.
“Very well, then,” he says, not the least bit upset by my rejection. “You don’t want to be degraded, and I don’t bottom. But I do believe I can still help. Although a plethora of options exist, one in particular comes to mind that I’m quite certain will meet both our needs nicely.”
“Wha”—I clear my throat, confusion and curiosity getting the best of me—“What option is that?”
“May I?” Spence asks, teasing a long finger along the seam of my athletic shorts.
My whole body lights up from that one simple touch, my abs rippling and my heart rate picking up again.
Spence wants to help. We’re not leaving this place until he says so, and that alone is enough to bring my agitation to the surface again.
I’m too in my feelings to resist his offer.
Too raw to try to pretend that I don’t want him.
Eyes closed, I nod once more. I’m afraid if I speak, he’ll mistake my painfully rigid reply for hesitation.
The sensation is the opposite of hesitation. I’m burning up on the inside, desperate to let go and accept what he’s offering, shame and guilt and worry be damned.
He read me exactly right. I need more. I’m still reeling from the unknowns with Hunter and Greedy and all that’s transpired over the last twenty-four hours.
A firm hand brushes over the outside of my shorts.
“There he is,” Spence murmurs. I open my eyes to find him smirking at me. He grips my cock tighter, pulling a sharp gasp from me.
“I knew your refractory period was impressive,” he praises. “You don’t even know what I have in mind, yet you’re already hardening. I love your enthusiasm, champ. Your zest for life. I want to make you feel so fucking good.”
“What do you have in mind?” I rasp, pressing myself harder into the closed door at my back. Not because I want to get away, but to counteract the heady, lust-drunk feeling coursing through my limbs with something solid and tangible.