Chapter 23
Lillian
When we get to Bryson’s house, I’m exhausted. The stress of dealing with my mother, explaining it all to Simone, and listening while Camden and Bryson gave us a serious lecture about safety has worn me out. On top of that, I’m not even going to sleep in my own bed tonight.
Yes, I’m excited to spend more time with Bryson. This is what I want. But that doesn’t make it any less nerve-wracking. The unknown. This is not my house. I’ve never spent the night with any man. I’m out of sorts.
Bryson turns on all the lights as he guides me through his home. He points out the obvious like everyone does when they give a tour of their house. I’m wringing my hands together as I follow him from room to room. By the time we reach his bedroom, I’m jittery.
He drops my bags by the closet and turns to me. His arms wrap around my waist. “Look at me, sweet girl.”
I tip my head back.
“I hate that you’re panicking.”
“I’m not panicking,” I lie.
He lifts both brows.
I sigh. “Okay, maybe a little, but only because I feel awkward and tired.”
“How about a hot bath and some comfort food? I have chicken and dumplings in the freezer. I’ll pop the container in the microwave. How does that sound?”
“Delicious.”
He takes one of my hands and leads me into his bathroom.
I groan when I see the tub. It’s huge and has jets.
Still holding my hand, he bends to turn the water on before turning to me. “I didn’t get to properly tell you how fucking sexy this dress is. I wish we could have gone out this afternoon like we planned. You looked so pretty when I came to pick you up.”
“Thank you.” It means a lot to me that he always points out how much he likes my dresses and how I look. I bet most men don’t bother to do that.
He cups my face and holds my gaze. “Lillian, I want you to be comfortable here. I know you didn’t plan to move into my house today, but you’re here. I want you here. If you’d rather not sleep in my bed yet, you’re welcome to use a guest room.”
I rise onto my tiptoes and kiss him. “I’m not sleeping in a guest room, Bryson.”
The air leaves his lungs. “Thank God. I might have lost my mind if you’d wanted to, but I would have done it for you.”
I giggle and shake my head. “I’m just out of sorts. I’ll be fine.”
“Okay, I’m going to leave you alone to take a bath in peace.”
I give him a devious smile. “Liar. You’re going to leave me alone because you know if I get naked in front of you, you’ll want to toss me onto your bed.”
“Truth.” He spins me around and pats my bottom. “Stop tempting me.” And then he disappears, shutting the door behind him.
Staring at the closed door, I take deep breaths. This is surreal. I’ve known this man for five weeks, and now I’m practically living with him. My head is spinning. It’s not a bad thing. It’s just a lot to take in.
I remove my sandals, my dress, and my panties. I don’t know what to do with my clothes. This isn’t my bathroom. There’s a hamper, but do I put my clothes in with his? In the end, I fold them and place them on the counter.
After removing the ribbons from my hair, I take out the bands, pile the thick locks on top of my head, and secure it all in a loose bun. I’m not in the mood to wash it. I just want to soak.
The water feels amazing, and I groan as soon as I slide under it and turn on the jets. Luxurious. My parents have a whirlpool tub in their bathroom in Chicago, but my bathroom was ordinary. I’ve never actually soaked in a tub like this.
I close my eyes and lean back, letting my body rest, taking deep breaths, and trying to keep my mind from wandering to the morning’s events. I can’t let my mother take up space in my head. I won’t let her have power over me. Hopefully, she got on a flight home and won’t ever come back.
The fact that Bryson is worried makes me feel loved. No one has ever cared about me the way he does. I know Simone does now that we’ve reunited and are adults, but I’m truly stunned by Bryson’s attentiveness.
Before I met him, I was witness to Simone’s interactions with Camden as well as the relationship Natasha has with Jameson. They truly love their Daddies. The men dote on them like they’re the most important people in the world.
I might have been a bit jealous watching them. Who wouldn’t be? But I didn’t imagine in my wildest dreams I would find a man who worshipped me the same way.
Bryson has proven me wrong. He adores me.
His full attention is on me at all times.
It feels so good. With no role models growing up, I’m still in shock.
I don’t know if I’ve ever seen my father look directly at my mother, let alone speak to her in a soft, loving tone.
For years, the two of them have been coexisting in their world of money and socialites.
I wonder if they ever truly loved each other.
Did they stare into each other’s eyes and smile when they first met?
I don’t want to be like my parents. I deserve more. I deserve to be with a man who will worship me for the rest of my life.
Considering the fact that my mother thinks both Simone and I are slutty whores who sleep around—the most absurd idea in existence—I hope she has written me off as damaged and soiled and won’t return. One of the last things she said to me was to ask if I was fucking the maintenance man.
The memory is so comical that I start laughing. It feels good, and I can’t stop. Fucking the maintenance man… Like that is the most foreign concept on Earth. I’m glad she left the apartment believing that. Why is it so funny?
I’m laughing so hard now that I don’t notice Bryson has come into the bathroom until he’s standing over me. He’s grinning, and his brows are furrowed. “Are you okay, Lils?”
I nod and wipe the tears from my eyes, trying to rein in my hysteria. “Yeah. I think so.”
“Want to share what’s so funny, sweet girl?” he asks as he sits on the edge of the tub.
“I think I’m slap happy. I must be exhausted. A visual of my mother gasping as she leaned in to accuse me of fucking the maintenance man won’t leave my head.”
He chuckles. “It was kind of comical considering the only two accurate words were the and man.”
I giggle again but stop short the moment Bryson leans over, lowers his hand between my legs, and finds my pussy. He’s still smiling as he says, “I might be able to find a toolbelt around here somewhere if you enjoy the visual.”
I can’t respond because his finger finds my entrance, and suddenly, he’s easing it into me. I grab the tub to keep from sliding under the water.
Bryson removes his hand and stands. One sleeve of his shirt is soaked all the way up to his bicep. He pulls the wet material over his head and drops it on the floor. “Don’t move.”
I watch wide-eyed as he leaves the bathroom, but he returns less than a minute later. He’s holding a box containing one of the toys we bought yesterday. My breath hitches.
Bryson watches my face as he takes the waterproof bullet out of the box. Without a word, he drops onto his knees, turns it on, and sticks his hand back into the water. “Open your legs, Baby.”
I didn’t realize I had closed my knees, but I part them for him. The moment I do, he presses the bullet against my clit, making me cry out and arch my chest so fast that water sloshes out of the tub. I’m on fire.
Bryson holds the powerful toy against the swollen bundle of nerves, not relenting. “Let it feel good, sweet girl. Come for me. You’ll feel better after an orgasm.”
I’m panting as I look at him, my vision swimming a bit as my arousal grows. My legs are shaking, and it doesn’t take long for me to reach my peak. I tip my head back and moan loudly as the waves of my release consume me.
Before I can fully recover, Bryson pushes the bullet into my pussy.
Gasping, I grab his arm.
He doesn’t say a word as he lifts me out of the tub and stands me on my feet with the toy still inside me.
My legs are barely willing to support me. “Bryson…”
“Stand still, sweet girl. Let me dry you off.”
Stand still? Is he crazy? I’m going to collapse. My clit is still pulsing from my release, and now my pussy is gripping the powerful toy. Another orgasm is growing.
He grabs a towel and quickly pats me dry before taking my hand and guiding me out of the bathroom, aiming directly for his bed. After yanking the comforter back, he turns and lifts me off the floor, dropping me on my bottom on the bed. “Lie back. Legs open. Let me look at you.”
I do as I’m told, hoping he’s finally going to take his pants off. His jeans are wet from all my splashing. His bare chest makes my mouth dry. He’s so fucking sexy, especially when he takes his shirt off. I want to climb him and lick his pecs.
Bryson doesn’t take his jeans off, though. Instead, he grabs the black bag from the nightstand and pulls out another toy.
I whimper, uncertain I can take more on top of the toy inside me. I’m breathing heavily as I watch him open another box and remove the odd-shaped vibrator that looks like an aspiration device with the bulb on one end and a pointed tip.
He remains standing as he sets one hand on my pelvis to hold me still and brings the tip of the evil-looking toy to my clit.
I cry out the moment he touches my swollen nub, and the damn thing isn’t even turned on.
“Fuck, you’re precious, Lillian.” He meets my gaze as he turns on the vibrator.
I nearly bolt off the bed. I felt that tip against my palm yesterday, but it’s far more powerful against my clit.
“Look at me, sweet girl.”
I try to focus on him, but it’s difficult. The toy is evil. I push against his arm, trying to dislodge him, afraid I might come again embarrassingly fast.
Bryson moves the tip from directly resting on my clit to circling it. “Is it too much, Baby?”
I nod. “Yes, Sir,” I grit out.
“Okay, Lils…” He turns the setting down and resumes touching it against my skin, this time not directly on my clit.
I can feel the vibrations deep inside me. “Oh…”
“Better?”
“Yes, Sir,” I breathe out.