Hung Up

Cleanliness Is Next To Hole-iness

Note to self: Her laugh could heal anything. Anyone.

Make her laugh more.

H umming woke me, the grumbling melody unfamiliar but entrancing in its own right. My eyes blinked open, and I was met with the sight of Pierce flipping through that western romance again, Her Mail-Order Cowboy, humming to himself as he read.

Morning sunlight streamed into my room, framing Pierce and the bed we laid in.

“You can read?” I asked after a moment of realization. It hadn’t occurred to me that he probably shouldn’t be able to read.

Pierce startled, snapping the book shut as pink stained his cheekbones. God, he was cute. And not just cute, but fucking hot, too.

“I guess so,” he admitted. “Must’ve been programmed into me. Check the instruction manual.”

“I found you at a thrift shop.” My voice was sardonic. “ Besides, I don’t even know how that would work.”

“Love, I was a pink princess phone up until two nights ago. I think we’re past the usual rules of logic.”

He had a point.

Manic laughter spilled from me and he looked at me like I’d lost it. I think I had . . . I mean, what was this life I was living?

An unbidden yawn poured out, and I quickly covered my mouth with my hands. I didn’t want Pierce hurting himself as he raced to escape my morning breath. Pierce’s brows furrowed, the question hanging in the air between us as I scrambled out of bed and over to my en suite.

Soft footsteps followed me as I grabbed my toothbrush. The entire time I scrubbed my mouth clean, Pierce stared at me through the mirror with that same look of confusion. My jade eyes were uncharacteristically bright as I watched our reflections, and a glow revitalized my usually pale skin. My cheeks were flushed and I looked . . . happy.

And who was I to question it?

After rinsing my mouth and toothbrush, I put some more toothpaste on the brush and offered it to him. Pierce did nothing, just inspected the toothbrush as I held it in front of his face.

“It’s for your teeth. To clean your mouth and get rid of your morning breath.”

Pierce hesitantly took the offered brush and bared his teeth like a primate at the zoo. I couldn’t help it, I laughed right in his face.

“ Be normal , you beast,” I said as I took the brush and demonstrated again how to use it.

Pierce watched me diligently, before taking the brush and copying my movements with careful concentration. His face was rigid and at odds with the simple task of oral hygiene. I watched for a few moments before I turned to rinse out my mouth again, but unfortunately, Pierce went to spit at the same time. My reflection was priceless. Snapping my gaze to his in the mirror, I snorted, then broke out into full laughter. Pierce stood there silently, as if he thought I’d cracked.

“It’s a good thing it’s my hair washing day. Would you care to join me?”

“Join you?”

“In the shower . . .” I trailed off, nodding at the large walk-in shower with a rainfall shower head and glass walls. Subway tiles lined the walls, and all of my favorite products were stored in the corner of the built-in bench. Hey, it helped when I shaved my legs, okay?

And it gave me more than a few creative ideas, now that Pierce was here with me . . .

Pierce’s eyes lit up, and he practically knocked me over to get to the shower—only to stop right in front of the door. I reached around him and opened the glass door, before reaching in to turn the water to scalding .

The mid-sized room quickly began to fill with steam, and my vision of Pierce became hazy. His eyes traced over my naked body, and I grabbed his hand before dragging him in with me.

The shock on his face was priceless when I showed him just how dirty one could get when trying to get clean.

* * *

An hour later, Pierce and I sat on my leather couch drinking morning coffee. I made him try it black before caving and giving him some creamer. The scrunch to his face will be burned into my memories forever, just as I’m sure the bitter taste will be burned into his.

The thought sobered me, the comfortable silence we sat in turning tense.

Did he even have a future to need memories for?

If he did, would I even be a part of it? What if he realized he wanted more than my company?

I supposed he needed friends and a life outside of me, but what if he didn’t want me at all?

My stomach soured and I set my mug on the coffee table. Pierce noticed and copied my movement.

“Now that we’ve had your torturous liquid, what do you say we dive back into that oh so comfortable bed of yours?”

Lust dripped once again from those brown eyes, but god, I didn’t think I could go another round so soon. My pussy was sore .

“Actually—” My jaw dropped. “Oh, fuck!”

I sat up immediately, searching the cushions for my cell. It could be anywhere by now! Especially after the raunchy oral that went down—ha, ha—yesterday. Pierce watched me with lightly veiled amusement before standing up as I reached his side of the couch.

I flipped the cushions up and finally—“Ah, ha!” I grabbed my cell to find it dead. Shit . Plugging it into the charger I kept in the living room, I bit my manicure as I waited the torturous sixty seconds for it to power on. “Fuck, fuck, fuck . . .”

Sure enough, it showed three missed calls from my client—thank god I forwarded the landline number to my cell, but FUCK , why did I silence it?—and about ten texts from Amelia once the screen was lit. I’d never missed an appointment before. Like, never .

And this was one of my regulars, who I actually enjoyed. Not Ezra-level-enjoyment, but he tipped well and his kinks were sort of in my wheelhouse.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.” My guilt threatened to topple me. I knew it was just some phone sex, but it was also so much more than that. It was my freedom. If I was sloppy with clients, who knew if I’d be able to have a comfortable future, or even comfortable present . Plus, I liked knowing I was a dependable part of their lives. And if I expected them to follow my rules, how could I not hold myself to the same standard?

Fingers curling into fists, I tried to calm my racing heart. Anxiety crinkled under my skin like electricity sparking off an exposed wire. I needed to regroup and calm myself down.

I quickly tapped out a response to Amelia to let her know I was alive. So far, at least.

Pierce stood behind me, brushing my damp hair over my shoulder before dropping a kiss to the side of my neck. His physical attention had the opposite effect on me.

Ripping myself away from him, I stomped over to my room and resolved to make my bed. To return to some semblance of routine. Routines calmed me.

Pierce watched silently as he leaned against the door frame, arms crossed at his chest.

“Feel free not to help, Pierce,” I grumbled under my breath.

Suddenly, Pierce was there, tipping my chin up so my gaze met his. “Why make it if we’re just going to mess it up again?” God, he was one smooth flirt. His words washed over me, trying to sway me to his wanton ways, but it wouldn’t work.

“Damn it, Pierce, not everything has to be about sex,” I mumbled, heat flooding my face in both anger and annoyance. “Some things just can’t be solved by dick, Romeo.”

“They could be . . .” he trailed off, eyebrow lifting in suggestion.

“I seriously doubt that.” I buried my hands in my face, groaning loudly before throwing them up in exasperation.

Pierce took a careful step backwards, his arms hanging numbly by his sides. His face was blank but his brows knit minutely, pinching the skin between them slightly.

I grabbed the top sheet to tuck it in, when he spoke again.

“But that’s . . . all I know,” he whispered.

My hands halted, and I glanced back at Pierce. Hurt was openly painted on his face and I stilled. “What do you mean, that’s all you know?”

“I’ve only ever listened to your . . . work calls, Harper,” he began, voice unsteady. “They’re all I remember. I don’t know what else there is besides sex. And, well, the concept known as ‘personal hygiene,’ and a terrible drink you call ‘coffee.’”

The anger bubbling in me simmered. That made sense. And now I felt like an asshole.

I couldn’t help the apologetic smile. “You’re right. I’m sorry for snapping.”

Pierce scratched the back of his neck, and at the sight of those muscles, I swore drool pooled in the corner of my mouth. Fuck, what happened to not everything being about sex? Talk about hypocritical.

An idea formed in the back of my mind. “I guess I have more to teach you, then.”

Pierce blinked at me, seeming to work through his own thoughts.

I would take him out in the world and show him all the different things you could do as a human, the variety that life has to offer. I just hoped we would like each other afterwards. Who knew if after his world wasn’t centered around sex, he’d still even be interested in me? And who knew if I would even like him, either?

I guess there was only one way to find out . . .

“I suppose you do,” he agreed after only a moment. The tension in his jaw released, replaced quickly by a lazy smirk.

I smiled back. “But first, I need to make something right.”

Three rings later and Jackson answered my call. Pierce gave me space and sat in my wingback reading chair in the corner, picking up Her Mail-Order Cowboy once again.

“Harper, are you okay?” The concern in his voice was palpable through the phone. He was a regular for the last eight months and I’d never missed a call before.

Stones formed deep in my belly as I mustered the courage to speak.

“Harper?”

“Hi, Jackson,” I finally said. “I’m calling to apologize for last night and see how I could make it up to you.”

“But you’re okay?” he repeated.

“Yes, I’m so sorry, I . . . had a migraine and fell asleep early.” My nose scrunched at the blatant lie.

Pierce looked up from the western clinch and winked. The stones in my belly morphed to butterflies. He was certainly quick to forgive. And life was too short to hold grudges, anyway.

Unless someone really did you dirty. Then fuck them forever and protect your peace.

“How does a session tonight sound?” I offered.

“I’ll take you up on that, dear. Give me few hours?”

“Perfect, call me at 8.”

“Talk soon,” he said affectionately.

I hung up and tossed it onto the bed before faceplanting on top of it. “Ugh, I can’t believe I fucked up like that.”

“Harper, love, you heard him. He’s fine. One missed appointment is nothing,” Pierce offered, however unhelpful.

Lifting my gaze, I pinned him with a stare that told him to hush up. “It’s still bad for business, Pierce.”

Pierce’s hands raised placatingly. “Hey, I’m just trying to help.”

“Well, you’re not. If you really wanted to help, you’d get over here and hold me.” The last few words wobbled out of me. My hands clenched the sheets below me as I waited for him to mock my vulnerability. For all I knew, Pierce had no emotional depth to him. He was effectively a walking, talking sex machine, though I hated reducing him to such qualities. But here he was, flesh and bone that I could touch and feel. . .

Pierce stood and sauntered over to the bed before jumping into it and rolling next to me, effectively messing up the duvet once again. I pretended to grumble, but I was glad he was closer.

Strong arms wrapped around my body, curling me to his chest. I laid my head on his firm chest, breathing in the scent of my shampoo and body wash.

“Just . . . just gently pet my hair.”

A tentative hand rested atop my head, before slowly brushing downwards. My eyes shut of their own accord, and I let myself succumb to the peaceful motion. Several minutes later, once I’d calmed my breathing and racing thoughts, I rested my chin on his chest and met his gaze.

“Thank you,” I whispered.

“Of course, love.”

His face seemed earnest, and while there was still some lingering heat behind his eyes, I didn’t feel like he wanted to pounce on me—right now, at least.

As the afternoon bled into the evening, Pierce and I laid together as we fell into easy conversation. It seemed he was a fairly blank slate. He knew what most words meant but he didn’t always understand context. Many times we laughed until one, or both, of us had a stitch in our sides from going over the variances and inconsistencies of the English language, especially how context can change meaning.

Teaching him what “ Netflix and chill ” meant was probably the highlight of our conversation for me. As soon as I told him what it meant, a light sparked behind his eyes, one that he kept only partially hidden as the day wore on.

We spent the day avoiding the elephant in the room, the one that made me question my sanity: How is Pierce here?

And even with my supersized bed, some parts of our bodies were always touching, whether our legs twisting together, or my head resting on his chest. My favorite was when he’d twirl my hair around his fingers.

Sometimes he’d tug on it.

That was when the butterflies started up again.

The longer we stared at each other, the hotter the flames nestled deep in my belly blazed. Before I needed his comfort, not his heat, but now. . .

Maybe I wanted his fire now.

Maybe I wanted to burn now.

“You know I’d do whatever I could for you, right?”

My eyes stung before I shook off the emotion I didn’t want to name. Safety.

“I can see that, Pierce,” I whispered, wrapping one arm around his neck to pull his face down. The kiss started off tame, but quickly devolved into frantic scrapes of teeth and lips and tongue.

Pierce trailed a hand down my frame before grabbing my ass and squeezing . I moaned as his fingers kneaded my flesh.

“One day I’m going to fuck this ass,” Pierce growled with one final squeeze.

My pussy fluttered and I was wholly on board. He must have seen how my entire body stilled because he gripped me closer before whispering lowly, “How about that day be today?”

I was nodding before I even knew what I was doing. I’d never had anyone back there before but fuck, I couldn’t wait, either. Pierce’s eyes darkened with a heat that I hadn’t seen yet.

“I think you’re too clothed, darling.”

I looked down at my body and agreed. I’d thrown on some cheeky panties and an oversized tee shirt after the shower, but it was still too much. Ripping my shirt off with a single swipe, I caught Pierce’s gaze before shimmying out of my panties. Pierce licked his lips, and held out his hand. My brows pinched at the motion.

“Hand them over.”

Blood rushed to my cheeks as I handed him my panties. I watched with rapt attention as he shucked his own clothes—or rather, the large sweats I wore during the winter—before wrapping that scrap of fabric around his cock. Jerking himself off with my panties had my skin prickling with heat. It was so naughty.

“Don’t start without me,” I mewled, sliding a hand down my body as I traced my fingers around my already damp entrance. If it weren’t for the fact that I was so wildly attracted to Pierce, I’d probably be concerned with how quickly I was physically affected by him.

I made a show of dipping my finger in and out of myself before dragging my slick all around. Pierce’s undivided attention zeroed in on my hand when I plunged two fingers inside myself, his eyes wide as saucers when I ground the heel of my hand on my clit. I locked my lips together to catch the whimper that threatened to escape as I fucked myself, rubbing the rough wall of my cunt with my middle and ring fingers. Pierce watched me closely, each pump echoed with his own, my panties still wrapped around his fist.

A few breaths later and suddenly a hand wrapped around my wrist, pulling my fingers out of myself and into the heat of Pierce’s mouth. He licked and sucked my arousal off my skin, groaning as he did.

“My turn.” He smirked, shooting off more flutters in my pussy and stomach.

Strong fingers replaced mine to rub circles over my clit. Immediately, he used the pressure and speed he knew would launch me into an orgasm. My arms flew around his neck as I held on while he touched me.

A breath escaped from my lips as his fingers slid inside of me, rubbing against my G-spot and sending me spiraling higher. Pierce just laughed sharply and rested his forehead against mine. My eyes fluttered shut as he continued to fuck me with his fingers, panting as the heat gathered in my core.

Releasing one hand from his neck, I leaned back and gently traced the palm of the hand fucking me. My middle finger slid in between the two he fucked me with, snuggling into my cunt to move alongside his. Pierce’s gaze snapped to mine for only a heartbeat, before returning to watch us as we fucked my pussy together.

I watched, too.

In and out, our fingers worked me higher as choppy breaths fell from my lungs.

“I’m going to come, Pierce,” I moaned, already so worked up from Pierce’s touch.

“Let me hear you, love.”

Sparks flew, dancing over my skin as my orgasm washed over me. My eyes closed and my hips stuttered as we continued to pump our fingers inside me. We kept hitting that glorious spot that kept me coming and coming and my free arm gripped me tighter to Pierce. With each breath, my nipples scraped against his chest as my moans reverberated off the walls, growing louder each second the orgasm lasted.

Finally, I crashed back down to earth.

Two heartbeats later and Pierce dragged his wet fingers up my bare chest. Eyes locked with mine, Pierce challenged me as his fingers rested against my lips. Opening my mouth, I sucked on him, tasting my cum and his slick skin. I moaned around his digits, the hum reverberating back into my pussy.

Pierce hooked his fingers in my mouth, pulling my face close to his.

“That’s a good girl,” he whispered on a smirk. Releasing my mouth, he slithered down my body before spreading my thighs with his strong hands. God, I loved the sight of him, face inches from my pussy.

Pierce licked his lips. “So wet . . . so pretty.”

Dropping his face to my cunt, Pierce inhaled deeply and groaned. He brought a single hand over to dip his fingers back inside me, watching intently as I dripped for him.

My head fell back on a whimper as he began to fuck me with his fingers again. But because my eyes were closed, I missed when he’d removed his fingers, too enraptured with pleasure. So when the press of a finger prodded against my back hole, my eyes flew open. Lifting myself onto my elbows, Pierce continued to demand entrance .

“Relax, darling.” His saccharine words rumbled over my pussy. “I need to get into this tight hole.”

I blanched, before twisting over to pull a small, almost empty, bottle of lube from my bedside table. “Wait,” I said as I tossed the bottle to him.

He caught it easily. The crack of the lid echoed loudly in my ears, somehow audible over the pounding of my heart.

“I’ll take care of you, don’t worry.” His tone was reassuring but I was still nervous, even as he lathered my hole with the lube.

Flopping back onto the bed, I forced myself to relax and focus on the feeling. Pierce resumed circling my clit with his thumb, and then his tongue was on my pussy and my hips bucked. A dark chuckle fluttered deep in my belly but I continued to lift my hips towards relief.

The finger nudging my ass slipped in as I fell into the pleasure he offered. Then one finger became two, and suddenly I needed more.

My cunt still pulsed from aftershocks of my first orgasm, but I was greedy.

“Now, Pierce,” I damn near begged. My blood was scorching under my skin.

Pierce adjusted himself, jerking his cock with his left hand and my panties, slick with my arousal. Precum dripped from his throbbing length, and my mouth watered.

“You want this cock, love?”

His words sent sparks down my body, electrifying my skin with their carnal promises.

“You know I do, Romeo.”

My body was flushed, the heat gathered in my lower half sparkling over my skin as we held the intense gaze.

Pierce groaned as he replaced his fingers with the blunt tip of his rigid cock. My eyes scrunched tight, but a firm finger circling my clit balanced the pressure.

“Stay open for me, Harper.”

Like I had a choice. Pierce played my body like a damn fiddle. Gazing up at him, Pierce’s face was one of pure concentration and awe. After a snap of his hips, the tip of his cock slipped into my hole, and I gasped. He worked himself in further, finger still strumming at my clit and the burn eased away, leaving nothing but need in its wake. The stretch was . . . different than I’d ever felt, but it was incredible.

Pierce straightened, drizzling the last of the lube over my cunt and ass, watching with rapt attention as his cock disappeared in and out of me. I couldn’t lie, I wished I could watch, too.

“God, you’re so tight.” Pierce’s abdomen rippled with each shallow thrust into me. “It’s like you’re trying to choke my cock,” he managed through clenched teeth, sweat beading along his hairline.

Picking up the pace, Pierce covered my body with his, tossing the empty bottle off to the side and thrusting inside of me as the pleasure mounted.

“More,” I pleaded, meeting him thrust for thrust as he consumed my every thought. I’d never had anything in my ass before. I’d never felt so full before. But I needed more .

Pierce hooked his thumb inside of my cunt, his four fingers rubbing at my lower belly while his thumb worked my G-spot. The palm of his hand rubbed into my clit with each pass, drawing me up higher to that cliffside. I could feel the flutters of my cunt squeezing his thumb, tightening as he fucked me, my orgasm teasing me from just . . . right . . . there . . .

“Oh, fuck,” Pierce groaned. “I’m sorr— ”

The hand inside me stilled as Pierce’s body froze, a long moan escaping through his delectable mouth.

His hips sputtered, thrusting a few more times before slipping from my body. My orgasm was choked from me as I laid there gasping for breath. Pierce wrenched my legs open, staring at the cum that must’ve been leaking from my hole.

A hesitant finger touched me again, gathering the cum to push back inside me. Pierce licked his lips, his eyes feral like a wild animal.

My hips bucked, still needy. Pierce met my gaze and smirked.

“Well, aren’t you quick—”

A shrill ring and my heart jumped. Shit. Jackson.

Scrambling over to my cell, I answered immediately.

“Hi, Daddy,” I purred. Jackson needed to be called Daddy. And, as always, our sessions started as soon as I picked up the phone.

“Hi, princess,” he answered. “How was your day today?”

I settled back into the bed, Pierce eagerly waiting for my return. My foot snaked around his head, pulling his face to my pussy, my intentions clear.

I was not done with him.

Pierce took his instruction well, diving into my cunt like a man starved.

“Better, now that I’m talking to you, Daddy.” I moaned softly as Pierce circled my clit.

“Was my princess not feeling well yesterday? I’m sorry Daddy wasn’t there to help you feel better.”

My breath caught as Pierce added a finger. His tongue flicked my clit back and forth before sucking it into his mouth. “I’m feeling better now, Daddy. Except, I have this ache and I’m just”—a groan slipped out as Pierce hooked his finger—“ so hot , Daddy.”

Wet noises filtered through the phone, rivaling the slurping from Pierce. If I held onto any semblance of sanity, I’d probably be embarrassed. But all I could feel was his mouth, his tongue, his fingers . . .

“Well, princess, let me help you with that. Tell Daddy,” he paused, voice straining as he spoke, “where do you hurt, baby? Where do you need Daddy to take the ache away?”

“Ugh, Daddy, it’s all over.” My eyes scrunched shut as my head fell back on my pillow.

Pierce took the opportunity to add another finger while his other hand reached up to tweak a pointed nipple. Fuck, that man was good with his hands.

He kneaded my breast, flicking the nipple in time with each flick of his tongue. The synchronicity was too great to resist. My hips rolled only twice before his arm banded down over them, pinning my hips to the bed and keeping me still.

“Why don’t you start small, okay? Is it in your tummy?” Sounds of his fist pumping filled my mind and his masturbation coupled with Pierce secretly getting me off was a lethal combination.

“No, Daddy, it’s lower . . .”

The pressure of Pierce’s arm on my abdomen shouldn’t have felt good, but for some reason it only heightened my pleasure. With each thrust of his fingers, each lick of his tongue, he rolled his forearm down my belly, stimulating my G-spot from the outside. It was incredible .

“That’s okay, princess. Just take your hands and massage the area, that’ll make it feel better, I promise.” Jackson’s voice had grown strained. He was already close. So was I.

My hand trailed down to tangle in the mop of brown hair, and I tried to lift my hips further into his face. “Daddy, it’s working, I think.”

“That’s it, baby, keep going.”

Pierce grinned into my cunt, happy to play along apparently. My orgasm was barreling down my spine and my toes curled into my sheets.

“Da—ddy,” I managed through muffled groans. My fingers tightened their grip, pulling the strands roughly, but I’d apologize for it later.

Pierce added another finger, grinding his nose into my clit as he slipped his tongue inside of me.

“I’m right here, baby,” Jackson moaned. “Come for Daddy, okay, sweetheart?”

At that moment, Pierce stared into my soul. “Come for me ,” he mouthed against my cunt.

It wasn’t as if I even had a choice.

My heart nearly stopped, coming so hard my thighs squeezed Pierce’s head to the point it must’ve hurt. Desperate pants fell from me, my world spinning as sounds of Jackson finishing filtered through the line.

The thumping of my heart was palpable as I fought to stay grounded to this earth.

After a few moments, I caught my breath and smiled, eager to wrap up with Jackson so I could finish with Pierce.

“That was amazing, Jackson. I’m so sorry, again, about last night.”

“Don’t worry about it, Harper. Same time next week?”

I looked to Pierce, grinning at me while rubbing my thighs gently. He nodded slowly, a glint to his eyes told me he enjoyed that as much as I did.

“It’s a date,” I said before I hung up.

I crawled over to Pierce, pushing him to his back and laying my body over his. I rubbed his scalp and mumbled a quiet Sorry against the brown locks. “What did you think?”

Pierce kissed my lips and I tasted myself on him. I licked the seam of his lips and he opened for me, but he pulled away after a moment, tucking a tousled strand of hair behind my ear.

“That was even better than being the phone you fucked that one time.”

I stared at him blankly. But he wasn’t wrong.

Sharp laughter broke between us and I settled onto his chest. His arms wrapped around me before he kissed the top of my head.

“Yeah . . . it was.”