33. Palms Down Ass Up 2.0 #2
And then everything in me went limp and taut at once as my orgasm exploded around me like a supernova, pulling me into a delicious black hole as nothing but pure ache and pleasure filled every cell of my body—and it just kept on coming as Carter rocked wave after wave of pleasure from me, holding me hostage up in the heavens until the sensation was so intense, I actually blacked out.
Trembling and twitching, I felt myself finally float back down to earth.
I shuddered as Carter slowly pulled the toy out of me, the sound wet as fuck. I felt like a broken rag doll, my throat raw as if I’d been screaming, like time and space didn’t exist as pure exhaustion and satisfaction ebbed and flowed in unison with my every breath.
Carter’s hands were warm and steady as he hooked an arm under my hips and slid the pillows out, laying me flat on the bed. It was only then that I realized my heels were still on, when his steady fingers unclasped the straps and he slid them off my feet.
A moment later, he was pushing my hair away from my face, pulling the cat ear headband off, and then his hand was broad and strong as he rubbed long soothing strokes down my back while the aftershocks continued to twitch through me.
With the greatest effort I’d ever exerted, I blinked my eyes open and found him lying next to me, elbow propping his head up as he just gazed at me, with a look I couldn’t decipher.
I suddenly felt wildly shy and looked down with a quiet puff of air that wasn’t quite a nervous laugh.
Carter only hummed, the sound all too cocky and amused as he lifted just the sheet over my naked body. As if he knew I was suddenly self-conscious, even though I had just bared it all.
I tucked my arms under myself, folding my hands under my chin, and we just laid there staring into each other’s eyes for a long while.
Carter’s expression broke into a small smile and he whispered. “ I win. The dare—just so that’s on record.”
I weakly huffed a soft laugh in response.
“Aww, look at you, all tuckered out.” He teased and then all too cockily, “I wonder if you can remember your name now? Hmm? ” All I could do was grunt a little noise that made him grin and whisper, “ Told you. ”
I shook my head. “You didn’t even use the vibration.”
“Didn’t need to.” He breathed a laugh. “Something to look forward to next time.”
“Can’t wait.” I murmured, and his gaze fell to my mouth before he dragged me on top of him and tenderly took my face, giving me a soft, slow kiss that was quiet and intimate, and in complete contrast to the way he had just destroyed me.
His hand slid around the nape of my neck, his other at my hip, pulling me closer as I threaded a leg over his, no doubt ruining his suit pants with what was dripping between my legs. “I don’t think I’ll ever get over this,” he murmured, “but I want us to slow things down a bit.”
“No,” I grumbled between kisses, and he chuckled. I was not about to give up the best orgasms I’d ever had in my life. I was hungry for more.
“Consider this a prequel for what’s to come.
” He nibbled on my lower lip with a playful snarl.
“It would’ve been practically criminal for you to go another day, thinking there was something wrong with you, and I can’t wait to show you again and again how right my theory is, but I want to slow things down a bit. Take some time to figure this out.”
“You sure about that?” I slid my hand down his stomach, finding a hard, gratifying length that I palmed over his pants.
His face looked pained. “Sara, I—We—” The words were an ache, and I loved that he responded to my touch like that, but as I went for the button at the top of his slacks, his fingers circled around my wrists, stopping me.
“I want to do something for you.” I whispered earnestly. I was exhausted and knew I wouldn’t be able to match his skill, but I was certainly willing to try.
“There’s no way in hell I’m letting you put your hands or your mouth on me before I’ve even had a chance to taste you.” He said, eyes wild. “And besides, we agreed. Dildo only, tonight.”
I swallowed hard. “I want you to feel good too.”
“That was just as good for me as it was for you.” He brought my hands up to his chest. “Honestly, probably better.” I raised a skeptical brow, but he doubled down, clearing his throat.
“I’m serious, I may or may not have already blown a load—watching you slide over that fucking thing, hearing you beg like that, for me . ” He confessed, eyes growing glazed.
I bit my lip, absolutely loving that he came just from looking at me. “How is that even possible?” I puzzled, not totally sure if I believed him.
“I think you’re seriously underestimating how goddamn sexy you are.
” He murmured, “You have no idea how attracted to you I am. None.” And then he clarified, “And about last night, I wanted to, trust me, I wanted to so bad, but just so we’re clear—I will never put you in a position where you can’t give your full consent. Ever. ”
I swallowed hard, knowing I’d needed to hear that. For so many reasons.
“Carter,” I pleaded, feeling even more desperate to get my hands on him as I realized he was already hard again. I was dying to make sure he knew this wasn’t a one-way street.
He wrapped his arms around me, crushing me to him so I couldn’t reach him. “I don’t want to move too fast. I’ve?—”
“What?” I murmured, cheeks squished against his broad chest.
“You matter so much to me, and honestly, this is probably way too fucking fast—I should’ve had more self-control. Don’t get me wrong, I loved every fucking second of it, and I’ll remember this until the day I die, but I don’t want to scare you away before we’ve even started.”
“Do you not want me to touch you ?” I tried to quell the tears that immediately pooled in my eyes.
“Because if you don’t, it’s really okay.
I just want to know.” I started rambling.
“Just so we’re on the same page—so there’s no confusion.
” I was wrong about what I’d said earlier…
this was going to break me clean in half.
“Stop it.” Carter rolled on top of me and kissed me breathless.
“I’ve wanted this, wanted you for so fucking long, and we don’t need to do everything all at once.
Please don’t push me away because you’re afraid.
” He pleaded, his expression turning boyish, filled with so much concern that I couldn’t help but believe him.
“I need you, sweet girl. So damn much. Just let me take my time with you. Can you do that for me?” He asked.
“I know we joke, and tease, and flirt, but I’m not going anywhere, I promise.
We just need time to figure this out, time to sort this out for ourselves, especially before we tell anyone. ”
“Right, Liam.” I nodded, wondering how the hell we were going to tell him. He’d be furious.
Carter groaned. “ Please don’t say your brother’s name while you’re lying underneath me naked.”
I laughed softly. “Fair.”
He cupped my face, eyes narrowing. “I’m half tempted to punish you for bringing your brother into our bed.” I rolled my eyes at him. “Don’t think I won’t do it.” He threatened, walking his fingers up my stomach.
“Carter.” I tensed.
“Yes, sweet girl?” He cocked his head innocently, all while digging his fingers into my rib cage.
“I’m not even ticklish.” I tried to keep a straight face, even as I was squirming.
“I’ll take that under advisement.” He said, a gleam in his eye. “But here’s the thing, if that were true.” He lowered his mouth to mine. “Then this wouldn’t bother you a single bit.”
“It’s the truth.” I squealed as he started tickling me.
“Little liar.” He pinned me, kissing and tickling until I was howling for mercy. “Promise you won’t bring Liam into the bedroom and I’ll stop.” He demanded, grazing his teeth over my jaw more sensuously.
“I promise.” I gasped out, panting for breath.
“Good.” He finally conceded, and I giggled, threading my arms around his neck as he lowered his lips to mine, kissing me slow and deep, holding me like he just couldn’t get enough.
Every plane of sculpted muscle under my fingertips was like a drug to me, the solid, reassuring weight of his body on top of me like a balm to all the pain still buried inside of me, and I wanted more . Begged for it—for him to start all over .
“Slow.” He pulled back, panting. “We need to slow way the fuck down.” His shirt was completely untucked, his hair a mess. I didn’t even want to know what I looked like.
“Fine.” I huffed a laugh, teasing, “Just so it’s on the record, this is also a win for me—you may have created an addict.” I warned.
“Lucky me,” he rumbled. “And good thing for you, I’m more than happy to be your dealer.”
“Carter.” I gazed into his molten brown eyes. “I’m scared.” I admitted. Fucking terrified, actually.
“Don’t be. We’re going to figure this out together.” He promised, but what if this didn’t work out? What if we’d just crossed a line that we never should have?
“I don’t want to lose you.” I admitted with a hard swallow.
His expression softened. “Pretty girl, don’t you know, I’ve always been yours.”
When I woke up the next morning, I had a pleasant ache between my legs, and I blushed as the night before came rushing back in heart-pounding snippets too good to be real, but they were.
And maybe even better, Carter had held me all night long, his heavy arms a warm, comforting band around my stomach. So much so that I could hardly roll over, as if he couldn’t bear the risk that he might lose me.
And maybe even sweeter, I smiled to myself, I’d learned that Carter was a bit of a sleep talker. Every time I’d adjusted, his hands had found my boobs, and he’d hung onto them like a freaking security blanket while he sleepily grumbled at me, complaining I’d taken his boobs away.
I chuckled to myself, but finally blinking my eyes open, I sat up, heart catching when I realized the bed was empty .
My heart sank, and then I checked the time and immediately realized why. It was nearly noon —my eyes lit up when I noticed the note waiting for me. I rolled over and plucked it off the nightstand so fast I nearly flew off the bed.
You looked too peaceful to wake. Had to run out for a few business meetings. Breakfast is keeping warm in the oven. I already miss you.
Sweet. He was always so sweet.
I bit my lip as I set the note down next to my crusty-dusty dildo discarded on the nightstand. Gross. I’d have to wash that thing before Carter got a second look at it in the daylight.
On the floor, our clothes from the night before were strewn about, and I grabbed Carter’s dress shirt, grinning as I slipped it on.
It hung to my knees as I buttoned it up halfway, and after a tiny moment of second-guessing myself; I tugged the shirt open a bit and snapped a cute, sleepy selfie, sending it to Carter before I could change my mind.
I wanted this to be easy, didn’t want to overthink things with him. So I wouldn’t, I decided. Fun and easy. That’s what I’d be.
I wandered downstairs while I scrolled through my texts, catching up on everything I’d missed in the chaos of yesterday. Sloane and Jules would be in town in an hour, and everyone was going to a Halloween party at the club tonight.
I smiled to myself, realizing, for once, I was going to have a date. Except, no, I wasn’t, because nobody could know anything yet. UGH !
On my way downstairs, as I passed one of the backdoors, a shadow flitted across the floor. I startled, looking up from my phone, but when I peered out the window, no one was there. Nothing but the vast expanse of gardens that opened up behind the estate, and nothing seemed out of the ordinary.
Still, the hair on my neck raised, and for some reason, I couldn’t bring myself to open the door and step outside.
I tried to shrug it off, but that’s when I noticed the crumbled leaves just inside the door.
I swallowed hard. Carter never used the backdoor.
He always came through the garage, not to mention he hated going into the massive botanical gardens behind the estate at all, because that had been his mother’s favorite place.
My eyes darted to the lock on the door, and the metal was cool under my fingertips as I triple-checked it was in fact locked, because of course it was locked.
The striated marble was toasty warm under my bare feet as I headed towards the kitchen, trying to convince myself that it was probably just one of the gardeners coming in for a glass of water.
Carter was hardly ever home, and even after all these years, he’d kept the estate in pristine condition.
There were always staff members coming and going for routine maintenance and cleaning.
Still, as I rounded the corner to the kitchen, I couldn’t help but glance over my shoulder one last time as prickling unease settled in my gut.
Three ovens later, I finally found my breakfast, feeling a pang of sadness for Carter as I padded through the industrial-sized kitchen that probably hadn’t been used in ages. It was such a massive house for just one person. Kinda depressing.
I plopped down at the breakfast nook and opened the paper bag. Inside was an enormous breakfast sandwich and a tall cup of hot seasoned broth from the health food store up the street. The note inside read:
OJ is in the fridge. Be a good girl for me and finish your breakfast. All of it. You’ll need your strength for tonight.
Oh my. I would not be the first one to tap out tonight. So I ate everything, finishing my entire breakfast in record time.
I opened my text thread with Carter, giggling to myself as three little dots popped up and disappeared once, and then twice, in response to my sexy morning selfie.
I grinned, feeling pretty damn pleased with myself, and deviously decided I was going shopping this afternoon because tonight definitely called for a new dress.
If Carter and I had to keep our hands off each other tonight, and keep this a secret, then it wouldn’t hurt to make sure at least his eyes stayed on me.