Chapter 7
DAKOTA
Waking up with Ames wrapped around me was almost as good as the orgasms he’d given me last night.
Not wanting the feeling to end, I held still as my eyes drifted open.
My lips curved into a grin as I blinked up at the wall of windows with an incredible view of the city.
I’d asked Ames to open the blinds as we’d cuddled after our last round of sex because I wanted to stare out at the city we both loved while I fell asleep again.
Luckily, the windows were privacy tinted, so nobody could see inside when Ames realized I was awake and rolled me on top of him, the sheet dropping to my waist. The lids of his hazel eyes were low, but there was no missing the heat in them as he focused on my bare breasts. “Morning, baby.”
My nipples pebbled at the combination of his hooded stare and raspy voice.
His thumbs brushed the underside of the rounded globes, sending a spark of need straight to my core. “You have no idea how much I want to thrust into your sweet pussy right now.”
“I have a pretty good idea.” I wiggled on top of his hard-on. “You definitely feel up to it.”
His hands slid to my waist, digging into my sides as a groan rumbled up his chest. “You need to stop, baby.”
Knowing I had such an effect on him, a thrill of feminine satisfaction raced up my spine. “Are you sure you want me to stop?”
“Not even a little bit.” He rolled until my back was on the mattress, and he hovered above me. “But what I want comes second to what you need. And right now, you need to take a hot bath so you won’t be too sore later on.”
I had aches in places I didn’t know could feel pain, but that didn’t stop my lips from puffing out in a pout. “A bath with you?”
“Only if you can tell me that you’re not in pain because there’s no chance in hell that I’ll be able to keep my dick out of you if I climb into the tub with you.
” One of his palms drifted between my legs to cup my pussy.
“And after the workout I gave you last night, you’ve got to be feeling it now. ”
With his hand on me, I wanted to be able to deny what he said, but then I’d be lying. “I suppose you’re right. A bath does sound good, even if it’s by myself.”
“There’s a container of Epsom salt in the bottom drawer closest to the tub.” He lowered his head to brush his lips over mine before rolling off me to stand next to the bed. Holding his hand out, he helped me off the mattress. “They’ll help ease your sore muscles.”
I paused in the doorway to glance over my shoulder. “I’ve never been one for exercise, but feel free to sign me up for as many workouts like that as you think I can handle.”
“Fuck me,” he groaned, burying his face in a pillow.
“That was the idea until you ruled it out.” Giggling, I padded into the bathroom and shut the door behind me.
I took my time in the tub, the hot water and bath salts loosening my muscles and easing my aches, just like Ames said they would.
When I climbed back out almost an hour later, I was more relaxed than I could remember in a long time.
After tugging on the oversized shirt and sweatpants he left out for me on the bed, I left the bedroom in search of Ames.
I found him in the kitchen, wearing only a pair of sweats that matched mine except his were gray instead of black. And they looked way better on him with how they cupped his butt…and his dick. “Please tell me you don’t wear those out in public.”
His lips curved into a sexy smirk as he gestured down the length of his muscular body with the spatula he was holding. “Like what you see?”
“Definitely.” My gaze dropped to the outline of his hard-on, which was growing while I stared at it. “But I’m pretty sure you’ll cause a major car accident if you walk outside like that.”
“Don’t worry, baby,” he reassured as I rounded the counter to peek at what he was making on the stove. “I’m going to put on a shirt and change out of these before I take you home.”
I beamed a smile at his answer. “That looks amazing. I would never have guessed that you can cook so well.”
“I have my mom to thank for that. She insisted that all of her kids knew how to feed themselves,” he explained as he slid a few slices of French toast onto the plate. “This is her Sunday morning special recipe, banana French toast with pure maple syrup.”
“Mmm,” I hummed in appreciation, rubbing my belly. “Sounds delicious.”
“It tastes better when she makes it, which I’m sure you’ll see for yourself soon enough.”
I tried not to read too much into his casual mention of me meeting his parents, the same as I had with him throwing around “mine” last night, but that didn’t stop me from enjoying it when he talked as though he expected us to be together forever.
I helped him carry everything over to the table and smiled up at him when he pulled my chair out for me. Then I dug into my breakfast and moaned in appreciation. “Oh, wow. I’m not sure how this recipe can get any better.”
“Glad you like it, baby. I’ll be sure to make it more than just on Sundays.”
After we finished eating—and I barely resisted the urge to lick my plate—Ames got ready while I did the dishes.
Which had been a battle getting him to agree to, and I’d only won because I told him I needed some way to contribute since he’d bought the groceries and cooked.
Then he led me to the garage, to where the valet had brought around his silver Mercedes-AMG S-class.
“Oh my gosh,” I gasped, looking up at Ames with wide eyes as I remembered something Charmaine had said the night she’d talked me into going out on my blind date.
He yanked me close and scanned the garage, his eyes fierce as he searched for whatever had freaked me out. “What’s wrong?”
“I wouldn’t say wrong, exactly.” I smoothed my hands up his chest. “I just realized I’m about to do my first walk of shame and in front of my parents, no less.”
Ames brushed his lips against mine and murmured, “I know this is all new to you, baby, but there’s not a damn thing for you to be ashamed about when it comes to us.
I get that it will be awkward facing your parents when they’ll have a good idea of what we did last night since you didn’t come home, but what happened between us was…
shit, it was fucking beautiful. I know that sounds cheesy, but it’s accurate. ”
“Beautiful,” I echoed softly, butterflies swirling in my belly. “I like the sound of that.”
“Good because you’d better get used to it.”
Pulling open the passenger door, he helped me into the seat before rounding the car to climb into the driver’s seat. After we left the parking garage, he held my hand for the drive to my parents’ house. When we pulled up in front of the brownstone I’d grown up in, my mom stood on the front porch.
“Crap.” I turned to him with wide eyes. “What are the chances you’ll let me climb out of this car and walk up to the door by myself?”
He glanced at my mom and shook his head. “Zero, baby.”
“That’s what I figured,” I muttered.
He climbed out of the car, and I wagged my finger at my mom, hoping she’d take the gesture as a warning to be on her best behavior.
Unfortunately, it didn’t help much. When we reached the bottom of the steps, she planted her hands on her hips and asked, “I’m assuming you two had an excellent night since you waited until now to bring my daughter home? ”
Ames was the sexiest man I’d ever met, but he was so darn cute when he ducked his head, his cheeks tinged red. “Uh, yes, ma'am.”
“Don’t mind me. I’m just teasing.” My mom reached up to pat him on the shoulder. “And please call me Julie. Ma'am makes me feel old.”
He nodded. “Will do, Julie.”
A mischievous gleam filled her eyes. “Although, I’m willing to bet that I won’t feel old when I finally get the chance to be called grandma.”
Now I was the one blushing as I groaned, “Mom, really?”
“Sorry.” She shrugged, not looking the least bit apologetic as she grinned. “You can’t blame a mom for trying.”
I quirked a brow. “Sure I can…when you bring up babies to a man you’ve just met after my third date with him.”
“He might as well get used to it now since I’m always going to be like this.”
Now my mom was talking about Ames and me being together forever…and he didn’t look as though it bothered him one bit.