Chapter 38
TALLY
Flip
Just got home. Showering, then heading your way.
Tally
Can’t wait! See you soon!
“He’s coming over!” I announce. “First he has to shower, though.”
Fee and Cammie jump around and squeal with excitement.
“Should we leave now?” Fee’s eyes are saucers.
“He’ll probably be about forty minutes.” It’s past rush hour, so the traffic won’t be the worst, but it’s still twenty-five minutes on a good day, plus shower time.
“Want help with the candles?” Cammie asks.
“That’d be great.”
“Thanks for going shopping with me,” I say as we each tackle a section of the living room.
Yesterday afternoon, we went to the mall for mani-pedis, along with Enid, and they helped me pick new lingerie.
Flip has been exceptionally attentive during this away series.
Every day he’s been away, he’s sent me a little something to let me know he’s thinking of me.
He calls me first thing in the morning and at the end of the day.
The evening phone calls are the ones where he tells me how much he misses me and can’t wait to kiss every inch of me.
“You know how much I love a good girls’ day,” Fee says with a soft, wistful smile.
“We all need a break from the studying, and time with friends is so important,” Cammie adds.
Once we’re finished lighting the candles, they follow me to the bathroom and Fee helps me with my eyeliner because my hands are shaking.
“He’s way into you. The flowers, hoodie, and the Just Desserts delivery are all proof. So whatever happens, just remember to have fun.” Fee hugs me.
“I will.” I’m a bag of excited nerves.
“You’ve got this.” Cammie takes me by the shoulders, her expression serious. “Channel your inner Arwen.”
“Channel my inner Arwen,” I repeat.
“I’m sexy and I know it,” Fee sings while doing the most awkward hip shimmy.
“But seriously, you are sexy,” Cammie adds.
“And bendy,” I joke. But I’m not really kidding.
They hug me again, and Fee grabs her overnight bag. They wait until I’ve scooped up Parsnip before they slip out the door.
I boop him on the nose. “No trouble tonight, you hear me? Do not stare into Flip’s soul while he’s eating my pussy. It’s awkward.”
Parsnip does a backflip out of my arms and runs down the hall, yowling angrily at the closed door. He gives up a few seconds later, waddles past me with his nose in the air, and hops lithely into his cat tree, curling up in the basket at the top with his back to me.
I don’t have time to placate him. I need to get the rest of me ready. Tonight could be the night. Flip has mentioned wanting me to dance for him again. What’s better than dancing in sexy lingerie, which he can peel off my body afterward?
I put the champagne in the bucket and set the artfully arranged chocolate-covered strawberries next to it before I return to my bedroom to change. My new lingerie is the same maroon that acts as an accent color on the Terror jerseys, while also being sheer and flowy.
Once I’m dressed, and my teeth are brushed, I grab all but one of my favorite fun-time toys out of my nightstand and arrange them on my bed. I stare at the circle of fun, debating. Now is the time to pull out all the stops. I retrieve the final item and set it in the center.
Parsnip trots in and hops up on my bed, but immediately puffs up, yowls, and does a backflip to the floor, scurrying out of my room. My vibrator always freaks him out.
I shrug into the satin robe that came with my pretty lingerie, cinch it at the waist, and take a deep, calming breath.
“You’ve got this, Tally. You’ve given Flip plenty of hand jobs, you’ve dry fucked, and played slip ‘n’ slide with your fun parts.
” That was fun. “He tells you how much he wants you all the time. Your mind, heart, and body are all ready for the next step.” I shake out my hands and roll my head on my shoulders.
I could use some water.
I’m halfway to the kitchen when there’s a knock at the door.
“He’s here!” I change directions, expecting Parsnip to join me, but he’s probably still traumatized by the vibrator sighting.
I take a steadying breath and throw open the door. I try to adopt a casual, sexy lean, but Parsnip pokes his head around the corner, forcing me to tug Flip inside.
“Hey.” He’s holding a basket from the Dutch Toko. “I brought you study snacks.”
“That’s so sweet.” I take it from him. It’s so big I basically disappear behind it.
He shrugs out of his jacket and hangs it on the hook behind him, brow furrowing. “Is something burning?”
“Just a few candles.” Maybe I went a little wild.
“You should unwrap that. There are a few surprises in there.” He takes the basket back, and I follow him down the hall, pulling the satin bow at my waist. Except instead of unfurling, it turns into a stupid knot.
Flip comes to an abrupt halt when we reach the living room.
I finally get my robe untied and let it pool at my feet. I prop one hand on my hip and attempt another sexy pose.
“Holy shit, Talls. I thought you meant a candle, singular, not an entire store’s worth. What if Parsnip knocked one over?” He starts blowing them out, rushing from candle to candle.
I’m standing here in my sexy lingerie, and he’s worried about the fire code.
I blow out a frustrated breath and trudge down the hall to my bedroom. I flop down beside my sex toys, pick up my favorite vibe, and sigh. “He didn’t even notice the lingerie.”
Flip appears in the doorway, carrying the bottle of champagne. “I’m so—Jesus help me.” His mouth drops open. His eyes bounce from the sex toys on my bed to me and darken. He sets the bottle of champagne on my dresser and crosses the room in two long strides.
He runs his hands through his hair and laces them behind his head. “Talls, kitten. Fuck.”
“That’s sort of what I was hoping for,” I mutter.
He moves some of the toys out of the way, eyebrow arching at the last one I added to the mix, and takes a seat on the edge of the bed.
Then he circles my waist with his huge hands and moves me to straddle his lap.
I stare at his chin. I’m still holding my vibrator like it’s a magic wand, capable of transforming this scenario into the one I hoped it would be.
He plucks it from my hand and sets it aside. “You look incredible.”
“It took you five minutes to notice.” I sound every bit the dejected virgin. Also, that’s an exaggeration. It was probably less than two.
“Kitten.” He tucks a finger under my chin. “You know you don’t have to work this hard to seduce me, right?”
I poke at my cheek with my tongue. “Then why haven’t we had sex yet?” I let my eyes fall closed as I blow out a breath. “Sorry. I know it’s not about me. I just… all the phone sex lately has been really hot and intense. I thought maybe tonight would be the night.”
He cups my face in his hands, nodding slowly. “I know you’re ready, Tally.”
“But you’re not,” I finish for him.
“Physically, I’m ready, but emotionally…I’m just…scared, kitten.” He wraps an arm around my waist, uses the other to move all the toys aside, and lays me out on my bed, stretching on top of me. “You can feel what you do to me, right?” He rolls his hips, erection pressing against me.
I hook a leg over his. “I can feel you.”
“Never doubt that I want you.” He kisses the corner of my mouth. “Because I do, desperately.”
“What are you afraid of?” I run my fingers through his hair, wanting to understand.
“I don’t want to burn too hot, too fast, and risk fizzling out.
” He traces a line from my temple to my jaw.
“It’s easy to get caught up, and then it doesn’t last. That’s the opposite of what I want.
” He kisses me softly. “I love that we get to take our time. I get to learn your body, to explore you, to have all this time to fall for you.” His expression softens.
“I’m in so deep with you, Tally. I’ve never felt about anyone the way I feel about you, and that is as terrifying as it is amazing.
” His eyes search mine, soft and imploring. “I know you’re waiting on me.”
He presses his lips tenderly to mine. “It doesn’t have anything to do with keeping you pure, or your innocence.” He glances at my toys, which scream exactly how not-innocent I am. “But I want our first time to be special for both of us, without any pressure or expectations. Does that make sense?”
“It does.” I stroke his cheek.
“I’m sorry I’m not ready yet, kitten.”
“It’s okay. I understand why.”
He slants his mouth over mine. I sink into the warmth of his body, of his unsteady hand on my face.
Eventually he breaks the kiss and glances at the toys now resting against the outside of his thigh. “This is quite the extensive collection.”
“I have a healthy libido.” And a lot of friends who have exciting sex lives.
“Do you have a personal favorite?” Flip drags a finger along the edge of the bodice, over the swell of my breast.
“Um.” I survey my toys. “This one.” I hold up my clit sucker. Man, does it ever make my life easier and my wrist less tired.
His grin turns downright devilish. “We should put it to good use tonight.”
A full-body shiver runs through me. “I would really love that.”
His tongue sweeps out to wet his bottom lip. “Anything here you haven’t used but would like to?”
I set the clit sucker aside, summon my inner Arwen, and pick up the last item I pulled out of the drawer.
Flip’s fingers flex against my hip, eyes darkening. “Are those for me or you?”
“Me,” I whisper.
His nostrils flare and he pushes my hair over my shoulders. “What’s the fantasy associated with these?”
A hot shiver of excitement works its way down my spine, and a flush of embarrassment settles in my cheeks.
He skims one with a gentle finger. “Talk to me, kitten. Tell me what’s making you blush so sweetly.”
I can do this. I can ask for Flip to fulfill the fantasy. “There’s a movie from when I was young.”
“How young?”
“Like a kid. Animated. I’m sure even you’ve seen it. Where the princess is captured by the villain, and then he chains her and forces her to serve him.”