Chapter 17
Chapter Seventeen
P iper’s show high usually ebbed by the time she got changed into street clothes, but tonight, Blake Ryan had his tongue in her mouth and his hands on her ass, and the high had morphed into something stronger, deeper, and a lot more demanding.
“Oh God, I want you. Right here, right now.” She tried to drag him toward the couch, but he didn’t move.
“Not so fast, Princess,” Blake whispered against her lips before he plundered her mouth like a pirate looking for treasure.
She melted. Her legs didn’t want to hold her up anymore.
Blake caught her before she slid down to the floor and boosted her up onto the counter. Glasses rattled and a water bottle fell off and rolled away, making crinkly plastic sounds.
“We shouldn’t do this here.” She could barely get the words out. She wanted nothing more than to do it right here, on this counter. She spread her legs to allow him easier access to all the right places.
“True.” Blake stepped back, an evil grin making his eyes dance. “We really shouldn’t. You should get changed. ”
“Huh?” She was so revved up she couldn’t believe he was putting on the brakes. “Get back over here and finish what you started.”
He waved a finger in front of her. “Now, now, Princess. You heard the lady. We have to be out of here in, oh, thirty minutes. I’m sorry, that’s not enough time for what I have in mind.”
She stared at him. “You’re kidding. Right?”
“Where’s the zipper on this thing? I thought it would be in the front.”
She lifted one arm and pointed to the side zipper. “Front zippers cause camel toe.”
When he stepped closer to examine the zipper, she tried to capture him by draping her arms around his neck, but he gave a tsk, took her hand in his, and raised her arm again.
“You can’t go home looking like this. You’d attract all kinds of attention.” He tugged the zipper down in super-slow motion, his fingers brushing her skin as he went.
It left a trail of fire all the way down her side.
“I agree.” She stretched her arm up to give him access. “I should definitely get out of this thing.”
When he got the zipper all the way down, she started to pull her arms out, but he stopped her with firm hands.
“Allow me.” He slid the shoulder of her costume off. He kissed the newly exposed skin, his breath making all of the tiny hairs stand on end. “You brought a go bag, right?”
“Yes.” She couldn’t think straight. Her body had staged a takeover of her brain.
“Good.” He slid the other shoulder down and brushed his lips across the tiny sensitive spot behind her ear that she didn’t know she had.
She shivered and clutched his shoulders for support. “Why?”
“You’ll need to wear something home. Can’t go naked.”
“Why are we going…oh God… ”
His hand caressed her inner thigh and brushed across a region that desperately wanted to be touched.
“Can’t do this here.” His voice was thick and deep enough to make her insides vibrate.
“Why…not?” She was already wet, and he hadn’t done anything but kiss her and take her top down.
“Too rushed. You deserve to be savored.”
She’d never make it home. If he kept this up, she’d explode.
Blake blazed a trail from her neck to her collarbone with quick, hot kisses.
She reached out to pull up his shirt, but he took her hand in his. “I don’t need to change.”
An embarrassingly frustrated sound emerged from her throat. “We only have thirty minutes. You need to be naked. Fast.”
“I don’t think so.” He pulled the top all the way down to her waist, exposing her breasts to the chilly, air-conditioned air.
Her nipples sprang to attention.
He stared at them like a kid eyeing an enormous ice cream cone. “No bra?”
“It’s built in.” She arched her back in smug anticipation. Surely, he’d get down to the business at hand now.
Blake brushed his thumbs across her breasts, then gently kissed each nipple. “Nice.”
She put her hands through his hair and encouraged him to linger.
“Shame we’re in a hurry,” he whispered. “These need more attention. But not now.”
“Yes, now,” she insisted.
“Don’t worry. I’ll get back to them later.” He flicked one nipple with his tongue, gave her a wicked smile, then shifted down.
She spread her legs a little more, but instead of taking the hint, he slid his hand down the length of her right calf to her boot, unzipped it, and pulled it off.
She groaned as he applied the same treatment to the other leg and boot. “You’re not serious. Are you?”
“Very.” He let the boot drop to the floor. “I love this outfit, by the way. You looked so sexy on stage tonight. I had a hell of a time keeping my hands off you.”
He leaned in for another kiss, and for the next little bit of eternity, she lost all track of time, of where they were, of everything, really. It was impossible to think, and she didn’t want to think. She wanted to feel. She wanted to forget everyone and everything and focus on the right here, right now.
She put her arms around his neck and pulled him in until he fit between her legs.
He gave a gratifying moan in response, and his hands found her ass and pulled her even closer. She could feel how ready he was, and it sent a flare of ache and need right through her, like a firework.
Her bare breasts brushed against the soft fabric of his shirt. Sitting naked like this, while he was fully clothed, made her feel deliciously naughty. She could feel the heat of him through his shirt. It turned her on to have him in between her legs like this, so close yet so out of reach.
She kissed him, slow and deep, until her lips tingled and she couldn’t breathe. He dug into the stiff muscles along her lower back and butt, sending waves of conflicting signals to her brain. On the one hand, shows always put her in need of a massage. On the other, this particular massage was making other areas of her body a lot more tense.
“Oh God…that feels good,” she said when they came up for air.
“Mmm.” Blake ran his hands down her side to where her costume dangled from her waist. “Stand up for a second? ”
She hopped off the counter, steadying herself against him while they worked together to push the one-piece down, down, down until the sequined fabric pooled around her ankles. Then he picked her up, squeezing her tight against him, before he set her back down on the counter.
All she wore now was a sheer black thong. It was a scrap that didn’t cover much and hid nothing at all.
“Damn.” His voice was a thick rasp. “You sure know how to torture a man.”
She beckoned for him to come closer. “Let’s get you out of those jeans.”
He pressed in between her legs again, one hand on the wall by her shoulder, while the other started to explore the edges of the thong. “Not now.”
“Blake—”
“Shhh.” He suckled her neck. “They might hear you.”
“Who?”
His hot breath against her cool, now-wet skin created all sorts of pleasure signals to the rest of her body. She didn’t really care who heard at this point; she just wanted him to keep touching her.
He lowered his head to her breast and explored with his lips and tongue while his fingers wandered around the edges of her thong.
“The people waiting for us to leave.” His voice rasped against her breast and vibrated her all the way down to her toes.
“Oh…who cares….”
His fingers dipped down and in, then back out to circle and massage, then back in again, and she forgot what she’d been going to say.
Pressure built and expanded, and a pulsing, aching need built toward something almost…not quite…
“Blake… ”
He made a low, throaty sound. “Shift.”
She wiggled her butt forward, thinking he needed better leverage, but he gripped her hips and shifted her away from him.
She squealed and started to protest, but then his tongue made a path of fire from her breasts, to her stomach, all the way down. He pushed the fabric aside, spread her apart with his fingers, and then his tongue explored under and around, wet and hot and hungry against her growing desperation.
Her body shook as he suckled and teased. “Oh God…Blake…please…”
He chuckled and the puffs of air against a very sensitive spot about drove her insane.
She put her hands on his head and held him in place, willing him to keep going…just keep going….almost….
He shoved his fingers inside her, and she bucked against his hand. The climax hit her a second later, in waves that crashed all the way up her throat. The sound she made was loud and guttural and vibrated her vocal cords too hard.
She didn’t care.
Blake stayed with her while she twitched and spasmed, then gently withdrew his fingers and lifted his head.
His smile was proud and pleased. “Think they definitely heard that.”
She put a hand over her face and laughed. “Oh God…”
He lifted her hand away from her face and planted a chaste, sweet kiss on her lips, then smirked. “Where’s your go bag?”
She grabbed his hand before he could escape. “That’s it? You’re just going to leave it like that? You can’t be serious.”
“They’ve banged on the door twice now.” He seemed pleased that she hadn’t heard them knocking. “Where’s your bag?”
Now that he mentioned it, she could hear several muffled voices on the other side of the door. It was probably the cleaning crew, chomping at the bit to finish up and go home .
“It’s over there.” She pointed to the couch. “On the floor.”
He picked up the bag and brought it to her. She hopped off the counter, then leaned against it because her legs were felt wobbly. She wanted more, but he was right. This was not the right time or place.
She put on a fresh pair of underwear while he pulled out the rest of her clothes. “Did you drive the Barbie car tonight?”
“No. Lee’s got something less conspicuous waiting out back. Why, you need a ride?” He watched with interest as she tugged on jeans.
“You know I need a ride , you tease.” She checked her hair in the mirror. It stuck out all over like she’d been in a wind tunnel, and the lip stain was completely gone. Hopefully, nobody would notice that part. She usually washed her face before she left anyway.
His arms went around her waist and he nuzzled her neck. “Where would you like to go?”
She turned to face him. “Wherever you’re going.”
“Good answer. Ready?”
“Hang on, I need to pack up.” They tossed her costume, makeup bag, and boots into the go bag and opened the door.
A group of people in cleaning uniforms clustered around the door. They all smirked at her as she walked out.
She smiled sheepishly. “Sorry I’m so late, y’all. I had a meeting.”
She could tell by their collective expressions that none of them were fooled by her excuse.
Had she been that loud?
A Toyota Avalon waited for them near the side exit, along with Lee the security guard. He leaned against the hood looking like he expected a gang fight to break out any second.
“That’s not the kind of car I’d expect from a movie star,” she said. “And that isn’t the kind of driver I thought you’d have either.”
“It’s his car, not mine. It’s supposed to be his night off, but I think he pictured a thousand Piper Bellamy fans chasing me out of the stadium so he insisted on driving a getaway car.” Blake waved at the mountain man. “Lee, this is Piper. Piper, Lee Stanton, head of Stanton Security and the reason I don’t get mobbed.”
“Good to see ya again, Ms. Bellamy.” Lee dipped his head in acknowledgment and pushed himself upright. “Ready to rock?”
“Ready to roll,” Blake replied. It sounded like a phrase they used a lot.
Blake held open the door for Piper and gestured. “After you, Princess.”
It wasn’t an overly big car, which meant Lee filled the front all by himself, and she and Blake could get a little cozy in the back seat without it looking obvious. She put her hand on his upper thigh, and every now and then let her fingers drift into regions that made him clear his throat and twitch.
Served him right.
“Good show?” Lee asked.
“Very,” Blake said. “Maybe I can do it again some time.”
“I’m sure you can.” Piper raised her eyebrow to indicate he better damn well finish what he started.
Lee glanced in the rear-view mirror at them. “Behave yourselves back there. I just had it detailed.”
“Well he’s no fun,” Piper murmured.
Blake put his hand on top of hers, trapping her fingers in interesting places. He chuckled, a low, evil sound that sent a thrill right up her spine.
Damn the man.
“You’re enjoying this,” she hissed at him.
“Yes, I am.” He squeezed her hand, then let go to let his fingers do a little wandering of their own .
He touched a bundle of nerves that were still particularly sensitive, and she made a little squeak sound.
Lee rolled his eyes and sighed.
By the time Lee dropped them off at Blake’s, she was so ready for action she had her shirt off before she made it through the front door. She shucked her jeans while Blake shut it behind her.
He was on her in seconds, his hands and lips everywhere. All pretense was gone as they tried to relieve pent-up tension.
Her fresh undies didn’t survive past the hallway.
Blake’s shirt and pants hit the floor, and she finally got to run her hands over his chest. The muscles flexed everywhere she touched, and his hands dug into her back even harder when she squeezed.
“My God, you feel good.”
He pulled her so close it was hard to breathe. “You feel better.”
“Enough foreplay.” She nipped at his lower lip. “Lose the briefs. I’m done being the only naked one.”
This time, they didn’t make it to the bedroom. Thankfully, his living room had a very comfortable couch.
Blake was gone when Piper woke up. She vaguely remembered a phone buzzing, so he’d probably had to take a call. She burrowed under the covers on Blake’s king-sized bed with a sigh of pleasure. For a single man, he had excellent taste in bed linens. The sheets were luxuriously soft against her bare skin, the cover was fluffy and cozy, and the entire bed smelled like lavender and the spicy musk of Blake’s cologne.
She thought about the night before and smiled to herself. The concert had been one of the best she’d ever given. Blake had added a spark she’d been missing for a long, long time .
She’d loved sharing the stage with him. He’d looked at her like the crowd didn’t even exist. He’d waited for her to take the lead, and he didn’t fight for the spotlight.
She’d taken more chances during that performance because she hadn’t been alone. She’d moved more, put more of herself into the songs. That scar she’d been carrying around on her heart didn’t poke at her as much because Blake had been there beside her, sharing the moment with her.
Then, after, when she was high on show endorphins and filled with electricity from the crowd, he’d made her the center of his undivided attention. She’d felt wanted, and special, and beautiful. She couldn’t get enough of that feeling.
He was a drug, and now she was addicted. She wanted to do that, all of it, again and again. She wanted him .
That wasn’t good. A fun night here and there was fine, but their project was over. Where did that leave them? Was she going to go back to social media and arena shows by herself?
She didn’t want that. Not anymore.
Being on stage with him had lifted the rest of the smog from her heart and opened her eyes. She missed sharing the stage. She missed her sisters.
Both of them. Even Della.
She could still see Blake on the stage under those lights. He’d literally glowed when he’d looked at her.
She liked it.
She really liked spending time with him. Solving problems with him.
Sleeping with him.
Where the hell was he, and why was he up so early? It was Sunday. Surely, he could take Sunday off.
Crap. It was Sunday.
She had no idea what time it was.
Her flight was, hell…two? Two thirty? He’d turned her inside ou t last night, and now she was going to be late. The charter would charge her extra for every half hour she went over her allowed time.
It was worth it.
Footsteps pounded down the hallway and stopped next to the bed.
“Piper? Wake up.”
She didn’t want to wake up. She wanted him to crawl back in bed with her. She was going to be late anyway, might as well enjoy it.
She stuck a hand out and beckoned him over. “Too early.”
Blake patted the lump of blanket around her until he found her shoulder, then he shook her gently. “Marshall’s here. He’s heading up the driveway now.”
She groaned. “Tell him to go away.”
“Come on, sleepyhead. If I don’t greet him at the door he’ll come in here looking for me and find you naked.”
“A smart man would have coffee in his hands.” She poked her head out from under the covers. Not only were his hands disappointingly empty, he was fully dressed in a basketball jersey and shorts. “Or if he didn’t, he’d find something useful to do with those empty hands.”
“Good tip. Next time.” He tugged on her hand. “Up and at ’em.”
She shoved the covers aside, feeling grumpy. “What time is it?”
“Ten thirty.”
She winced. “I’m supposed to be at the airport by two thirty. I think. And I haven’t packed.”
He helped her out of bed, but she noticed his eyes held real regret as he took in her naked body. He wasn’t the only one disappointed. “Damn. I forgot you were leaving today.”
“Yeah. Me too. Somehow it just slipped my mind. Can’t imagine what caused that.” She ran a teasing finger up his chest, then circled her arms around his neck. “Have I mentioned how much I love being naked around you?”
“Stop torturing me.” His hands traveled down her back to cup her bare behind and squeezed.
The front door opened with an alert from the security alarm.
“Ho ho ho! Merry Christmas! Canada’s too damn cold this time of year. Remind me to say no next time your mom asks me for a favor,” Marshall called out loud enough it echoed down the hallway. “Hey! Blake! Where are you?”
She sighed and untangled herself from his arms. “You stall. I’ll throw something on.”
“Be right out,” Blake shouted. He took another look at her, his gaze hot and dark with longing. “I’ll just go shove him into the pool and be right back.”
“Hey, are these lady panties?” Marshall asked. “You got company or have you taken on a new profession?
Blake cringed. “I left your bag by the door. Hang on, I’ll get it.”
“Go,” she said with a laugh. “I’ll scrounge something from your closet.”
Blake flashed her one more look of longing and regret, then hurried out.
Piper hurried into his closet to search for something to wear.
Blake’s voice drifted down the hall. “Welcome back. How’s the desert?”
“Dry. Dusty. All the d words,” Marshall said. “What the hell have you been up to?”
Piper rummaged through the closet, debating. Should she go for a boyfriend vibe or sports girl.
“Give me that,” Blake said. “They’re obviously not mine.”
“Um-hmm,” Marshall said. “Whose are they? Your mom’s not here, is she? ”
“Eww, no,” Blake said with disgust.
Piper giggled as she pulled a Dodgers jersey off the hanger.
“What was that?” Marshall asked. “I heard someone laugh. Is she still here? It’s not Rachel, is it?”
Piper wrinkled her nose. She didn’t even want to think about Blake and Rachel being in the same room, much less the same bed. She pulled the jersey on over her head. It reached mid-thigh, leaving her decently covered as long as she didn’t bend over.
“Did you check out those food trucks I told you about?” Blake asked.
“Stop trying to distract me,” Marshall said. “If her undies are still here, that means she is too. Who is it? Wait a second, I recognize this bag.”
Piper padded down the hall in bare feet. “You should. You’ve seen it before.”
Marshall’s head swiveled in her direction. Realization spread over his face like the dawn of a new day.
Piper grinned and wiggled her fingers at him. “Hey, Marshall. How was Vegas?”
“Oh!” Marshall’s head whipped from her to Blake. “Oh…oh…you…I knew it!”
“Knew what?” Piper asked with fake innocence.
Marshall pointed at Blake. “You dog !”
Blake looked so pleased and proud of himself that it made Piper giggle.
“That’s your sex face. You’ve had sex!” Marshall punched the air. “You’re a deal breaker! I knew you couldn’t keep your hands off her. I knew it.”
He pointed at Piper. “And you , you jezebel. You’re wearing his lucky jersey!”
“That’s not a thing.” Piper looked at Blake. “Is that a thing? You’re not a ball player.”
Blake shrugged. “I won it in a bet, so yeah, I guess it’s lucky. ”
Marshall looked her up and down, then did a double take.
“Oh my God,” he swallowed hard, “you’re wearing just his jersey.”
She looked down at the shirt she’d borrowed. “Is this basketball or baseball? I get them confused.”
“Baseball,” both men said in unison.
Marshall’s face twisted into a combination of lust and disappointment. “I knew I should have stayed home. You would have picked me if I’d been here. Admit it.”
“Sorry, Marshall. You’re a good friend, but you’re too much of a flirt for me.” She gave him a fond smile. “I have a plane to catch.”
“Here.” Blake handed her the go bag. “Lee’s waiting to take you home.”
“Thanks.” She gave him a grateful smile and put the bag down to hunt for pants. They were sitting on top where Blake must have put them. She dug out a spare pair of underwear from the bottom of the bag and turned her back to pull them on.
“Is she…” Marshall sounded shocked and excited at the same time.
Piper turned around to pick up the pants. “What? Does this bother you?”
“Hell no,” Marshall said.
“Yes,” Blake said.
She laughed. “I get dressed backstage all the time. You get used to quick changing in front of people. It’s no big deal.”
She winked at him and pulled on her jeans.
Marshall glanced at Blake, then turned his back. “Let me know when she’s done.”
Blake watched her wiggle into her pants with an expression that said he’d rather watch her take them off.
“Sorry, y’all, but I have to get going. You can debate my dressing habits after I leave. ”
“You can’t leave,” Marshall protested. “I want details!”
“You’re not getting a play-by-play,” Blake said. “Forget it.”
“Not fair,” Marshall grumbled. “You owe me. You broke the deal, you have to pay the penalty. Don’t think I’m letting you welch, either. I’m going to enjoy watching you squirm.”
“Speaking of,” Blake said, “Rachel might be off the table. We had a thing while you were gone, not sure she’d agree to work with me. We might need to think up a different penalty.”
“What thing?” Marshall frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“She was in diva mode,” Piper explained. “Blake stood up for me. It was actually really sweet.”
Marshall looked from Piper to Blake and back. “Does Rachel know you two bumped uglies?”
“Hope not,” Blake said.
“Probably,” Piper said over him.
Both men looked at her.
“Come on, she’s not stupid. We were obviously friendly. Why do you think she had the mean-girl moment in the first place? She saw us chatting it up, being all cozy. I’m sure she suspects.”
“Oh, that’s not good,” Marshall said.
“Like I said, we might need option B on the penalty,” Blake said.
“We didn’t stipulate an option B. There’s only option A.” Marshall shook his head. “Was it worth it?”
“Yes,” Piper and Blake said at the same time.
Marshall rolled his eyes.
“You were great last night, Blake.” Piper gave Blake a soft kiss on the cheek. “Really, really great.”
“Too much information,” Marshall said.
“I’ll call you later,” he murmured in her ear. His warm breath sent shivers all down her back .
“Dammit, this isn’t fair. I never even got a kiss,” Marshall complained.
Piper smiled at Marshall. If she hadn’t met Blake first, maybe she would have been giving Marshall a goodbye kiss instead.
Nah.
Still.
She slid over to Marshall with a sexy little strut. “I can’t leave my favorite movie star out in the cold, now can I?”
He looked so pleased, it almost made her laugh. She put her arms around his neck and pulled his head down for a long, thorough kiss. He froze for a second, then returned the kiss with interest.
It was good. He tasted like minty mouthwash, and he explored her in a soft, tentative way that would melt a lot of women’s libidos. But his arms didn’t hold her with warm, firm strength, and he didn’t make her feel like she was the oxygen he needed in order to breathe.
It wasn’t a bad kiss, but he didn’t make her knees weak or stir up her internal motors like Blake.
Blake cleared his throat. “That’ll do.”
Marshall lifted his head. “Huh?”
Piper smiled sweetly at him. “Deals have two sides, don’t they?”
Marshall looked dazed and confused for a second, and then he started to put the pieces together. He stepped out of arm’s reach, shaking his head. “Oh no you didn’t.”
“You shouldn’t make deals about other people. They might behave in unpredictable ways. Besides…” She pointed at him. “You kissed me back.”
“Somebody’s getting naked,” Blake singsonged.
“No, no, no, no, no.” Marshall made a crossing motion with his arms. “No way. No. That didn’t count.”
“You know it counts,” Blake said. “You set up the rules. ”
“I don’t get it,” Piper said. She leaned to get a look at Marshall’s backside. “It’s a perfectly fine ass. Why wouldn’t you want to show it off?”
“That’s so wrong !” Marshall said, looking stunned. “You told her about the deal? You can’t do that. That’s collusion!”
“If only you’d thought to put that in the rules,” Blake said with a smug grin of satisfaction.
“This is such bullshit!” Marshall sounded horrified. “You got laid and all I got was one lousy kiss and now I have to bare my butt for the world to see?”
Piper giggled. “I’ll bring you back a T-shirt from the Belhurst.”
“I can’t believe this,” Marshall grumbled.
“Thanks for the jersey, Blake.” She gave him another quick kiss and left laughing.