Chapter 9
NINE
EYE-FUCKED THE LIFE OUT OF EACH OTHER
B riar
The house is dark except for the lamp that Holden left on in the living room. It’s also quiet. As quiet as it was in the back of the Uber on our way home from Catch 21.
The liquor is wearing off and I think we’re both very aware of the flirting that went on between us all night.
My mind is all over the place. What did Holden mean when he said I’d like to take my girlfriend home? I mean, is there any other way to interpret that? Especially with the way he was looking at me when he said it. But then we got into the car, and he didn’t so much as look at me once for the entire drive home. This man is going to be the death of me.
Holden rolls up his sleeves as he walks into the kitchen and flicks on the light. “Want a nightcap?”
“What do you have in mind?”
I know what’s on my mind, and it has nothing to do with a nightcap. I’m thinking about his hand on my knee under the table, his breath on my neck, how we eye-fucked the life out of each other all night. Is Holden having the same thoughts? I’m desperate to know, but I refuse to ask him. Instead, I have withdrawn. Hooking up with Holden would be playing with fire.
“An old fashioned? Or I can make you a cup of tea.”
“Tea sounds perfect.” I think we’ve established that alcohol can get us into trouble.
Holden fills the kettle and places it on the stove and then pours himself a tumbler of whiskey on the rocks.
“It’s so peaceful here at night,” I say, hopping up on the counter, watching him drop a tea bag in a mug for me.
“I don’t know how Tucker was ever able to leave Haven Harbor,” he says. “I’m not sure I ever could.”
“You’re renting this house, right?”
“I am, but I’m hoping I’ll be able to purchase it one day. The lady that owns it has said for a while that she’s thinking about selling. I told her I’d be interested when she does.”
The kettle starts to whistle so Holden turns off the burner and fills the mug then brings it to me. His hand brushes against mine as I take it from him, and even that is enough to spark a response in me.
The guy is hot. That’s the only reason I react to him this way. That doesn’t mean we have intense sexual chemistry . It doesn’t mean I want anything more to happen between us. If I tell myself that enough times, maybe I’ll start to believe it.
“Thanks,” I say, letting the cup warm my hands. “I hope it works out. The house would be a great investment.”
Holden takes a few steps back and leans against the counter, one ankle crossed over the other, looking totally at ease. He takes a long sip from his glass.
“Tell me where you’d want to go if you weren’t afraid of flying.”
He arches a brow, setting the whiskey down on the counter next to him. “You and your questions. ”
I shrug. “I’m curious about my boyfriend.”
A smirk toys at his lips. “Okay, fine. I’ve always wanted to go to Disneyland.”
“Disneyland?” I repeat, trying to suppress a laugh.
“Why do you look so surprised?”
“I don’t know. I guess I thought you’d say Hawaii or Mexico. Disneyland wasn’t even a blip on my radar.”
Holden’s cheeks pinken and I wonder if it’s the alcohol or the admission.
“You’ve never been?” I ask before cautiously taking a sip of my tea.
“My parents took me when I was eight and my brother was four. I don’t remember a thing. Then the accident happened, and my family never got on a plane again.”
I nod, his words tugging at my heart. I hate what they must have all gone through.
“Don’t look so sad, Bee,” he murmurs. “You’re too pretty to frown.”
“I’m not frowning,” I tell him, flashing him a grin, feeling the tension return to the space between us.
“See… now that’s better.” His gaze drops to my mouth. “Can I tell you what I’m thinking?”
“Yes.”
“I can’t forget about that kiss.”
I swallow carefully. “I thought I was the only one.”
“I’ve thought about it at least every five minutes of every day since I kissed you in the hallway. It stalks me in my dreams. I can’t get it off my mind.”
“While I was lying in your bed next to you?”
“Then too.”
“It was a great kiss,” I whisper right before he pushes off from the counter and steps towards me so there’s only a foot of distance between us. He takes the mug from my hands and sets it on the counter next to me. The butterflies in my stomach take flight.
Our eyes are pinned to one another’s, and I can see the need pooling in his. I want to reach for him and pull him into my arms, but I don’t. I nibble on my lower lip instead, gathering the courage to take this one step further even though I know I shouldn’t. “Can I tell you what I’m thinking?”
A grin tips the corners of his mouth. “I’m all ears.”
“I wanna know why you walked over here.”
“Here?” he asks, closing the last bit of distance between us so that we’re almost touching.
I nod.
“I want to kiss you, Bee.”
His eyes are locked on mine, and there’s desire swirling in his green irises, the same emotion I feel in my chest.
Holden reaches for me, his hands moving to my waist, my hands moving to his muscular thighs. All I can think is how badly I want him to kiss me, to feel his mouth move against mine. But looking at Holden, there is a tiny voice that warns me I should stop this right now before it goes any further.
But then his hands thread through my hair as he leans in closer. “I’m going to kiss you—like really kiss you this time— and I’m going to make sure it is the best kiss of your life.”
His mouth parts before his lips softly brush over mine. Yes.
I don’t know how this man has this much power over me, but I need to get Holden out of my system. I don’t care if I can only have him for a little while.
My eyes close, and before I can register what is happening, he crushes his lips to mine, kissing me deeply. My arms move around his neck as I kiss him back, tasting the whiskey and mint on his tongue. My god, yes . Holden can kiss. He wasn’t lying when he said this would be the best kiss of my life. It is, and then some, and he’s only just got started.
He lets out a soft groan before delving deeper with his tongue as his hand slides around to the back of my neck. He controls the kiss. I savor the moment. Then his tongue sweeps over every inch of my mouth, licking every corner, and I’m melting into him.
I know I should stop. I know this is a terrible idea, but I only kiss him harder as he grinds his erection against my center. Holden has me caged in with his thighs between my spread legs and his chest pressed against mine. His hand grips the back of my neck as he deepens the kiss. He doesn’t stop until we both need to come up for air, until my entire body tingles with heat and the space between my thighs aches to be touched. We both moan into the kiss as we break apart.
“Tell me to stop,” he demands.
“I can’t,” I breathe, sealing my lips back to his.
Holden keeps kissing me, ravishing my mouth, as his grasp on the back of my neck tightens and his eager mouth prowls mine.
Now is when we should stop, say goodnight, and go to sleep in separate rooms, but instead my hands roam through his thick hair then down his shoulders to his back, enjoying the way his body fits against mine.
“Briar.” His fingers trail down the slope of my throat before he kisses a path along my jaw then down the column of my neck. “I’ve wanted this for so long.”
He sucks on my neck until I whimper, until a throb pulses between my legs. My heartbeat thumps behind my ribcage as Holden sucks and licks every inch of my neck. But as good as his mouth feels, it’s not enough. I want more.
“Holden.” I fist his T-shirt. “Yes. Please. More.”
“I’ll give you whatever you want, Bee,” he murmurs against my ear before sucking the lobe into his mouth.
My head slowly falls back in pure ecstasy when he licks the shell of my ear. “Yes.”
“I want you, Briar. So fucking badly.”
“Then take me.”
He pulls back, and his eyes meet mine. I see the question in them, asking me if I’m sure. I nod. When I seal my lips to his in a confident kiss, he picks me up and carries me to his bedroom.
Holden lays me out on his comforter in the dimly lit room then moves to stand at the foot of the bed. The silvery light coming through the window illuminates the movement of his hands as he works on the buttons of his shirt. He tosses the fabric to the floor, giving me an incredible view of his pecs and his abs, and oh yes, it is an 8-pack.
How does anyone look like that and not work out for a living? Solid, cut muscles with the perfect amount of chest hair; a dusting between his firm pecs and a trail that leads all the way to the waistband of his pants.
“Holden, I need to touch you,” I say, shimmying up the bed until my head is on the pillow.
“Any idea how hot it is when you ask me for what you want?”
He crawls over me until he captures my lips in a needy kiss. My hands wander over the hard plains of his back, needing to feel his skin against mine. Needing him as close to me as I can get him. I want our clothes gone. My pulse thrums with heat when he nudges my thighs apart and settles between my legs .
He breaks the kiss, his fingers wandering to the strap on my shoulder. “This dress, Bee. You’re perfect. I’ve been fighting a hard-on all night.”
Holden’s fingers tug at the zipper at the side of my dress then he slips the straps from my shoulders, slowly stripping the fuchsia ribbons down my arms. I watch his eyes widen in appreciation as he eases the fabric over my breasts, realizing I’m not wearing a bra. He keeps going, sliding the dress over my hips and then tossing it to the floor alongside his shirt.
This is how I want every night to end while I’m living in his house. I want him to carry me to his room, watch him as he strips for me and then takes me out of every scrap of my clothing before he fucks me senseless.
“Damn, Briar.” His eyes move from my black lace thong to my abdomen before settling on my chest. He bends and sucks my nipple into his mouth. My back arches into him, savoring the tremble of my skin as his tongue licks and sucks and flicks at the sensitive peak. He sucks harder. I moan. His fingers pinch. I shudder. While Holden torments both of my breasts, I squirm underneath him, releasing a series of groans.
It. Feels. So. Good.
“More of that. Yes,” I plead, and he does what I want, licking and sucking.
I grip the strands of his hair as my pelvis rocks into his, seeking the friction I so badly need to relieve the ache between my legs. I don’t need to see it to know that Holden is hard. I can feel the length of him graze my clit every time his erection rolls over me.
“You need to take these off,” I tell him as my hands press against the belt on his jeans.
His mouth pops off my nipple and he sits back on his knees. He smiles down at me, my fake boyfriend who I have fantasized about for days, agonizing over how badly I wanted him.
His hands lower to his belt buckle. My god, I am going to lose it. I’ve wondered what he looks like under his clothes. My tongue slides over my lower lip, an overwhelming need sparking to life inside of me.
“Briar, I need to know exactly what you want so you’re comfortable with me and you enjoy this.”
“I want you. So much. I told you, Holden, take me. I’m yours tonight to do anything you want with.”
Slowly his buckle is undone, then the button on his jeans, followed by the hiss of the zipper. He pushes his pants down his legs, kicking them to the floor.
Without thinking I reach for him, tracing my fingers over every dip of his abs as he patiently watches me. My body aches to feel him, the length of him, the weight of him in my hands.
“Love your hands on me,” he groans. “Goddamn, I’ve been dreaming about this. Of you and me. Naked. The things we do in my dreams, Briar. I bet your fucking perfect under that lace, aren’t you, beautiful?”
His eyes shut and his head falls back as my palm covers the length of his erection over his boxer briefs.
“Jesus, Bee, please take me out,” he pleads. “I need you to touch it.”
I giggle at the sound of him begging, then I give him what he wants. Sitting up, I dip my hand under the waistband of his boxers, feeling the dusting of coarse hair just above his erection and circling his hard cock with my hand.
His breath hitches. Holden bites down on his bottom lip, trying to keep it together, every muscle in his torso pulled taut. “Wrap your hand around it and tug,” he begs. “Please. ”
My hand wraps around the silky-smooth skin of his width as my index finger grazes over the slit gathering a bead of liquid. Then I tug his boxers down to his thighs, watching his cock spring free.
Everything inside of me turns feral. Holden Banks is undoubtably beautiful, there is no question, and so is the package he is working with. He’s long and thick with one protruding vein down the center of his shaft leading to a perfect mushroom-shaped tip. The patch of dark hair that surrounds it is short and groomed.
“I am hard as fucking stone for you,” he grits out. “I bet you’re soaking wet for me.”
I swallow, knowing the answer is yes. He confirms it when he dips his hand under the lace and swipes a finger through my slit.
“Drenched for me, Bee. Such a good girl.”
My cheeks burn. Why do I like hearing him call me that so much?
I take hold of him again, gripping him tighter, running my hand up and down his shaft then giving the head a little attention. He’s leaking at the tip, so I swipe my thumb over his crown, coating my hand before spreading the moisture over his shaft. He pushes his hips forward into my hand, groaning at the feel.
“That feels so good.” His eyes squeeze shut, his body tensing. “I love it when you rub the head.”
Holden is coming apart, his breathing shallow. I give him three more long tugs before he’s pulling away when I get him too close.
“I’m not ready for this to be over yet.” His hands wrap around to my ass, pulling me into him, kneading and massaging both cheeks in his hands. His bare chest presses against my skin, and he holds me there while his mouth expertly works mine. “It’s my turn to make you feel good.”
His fingers toy with the lace triangle of my thong as he kisses me, sucking on my bottom lip. The moment his fingers begin to slip the lace over my hips, I’m practically begging for him to touch me.
He eases me back on to the bed, licking and kissing a path down my body. “This is when you tell me what you like.”
I gently drag my fingers through his hair. “I’ve never been asked that before.”
“I plan on ruining you for all men.”
“I’d like to see you try.”
He smirks, then presses a kiss right below my belly button. “That is a dare I will happily accept.” I can see in his eyes that he’s looking forward to the challenge, and I’m looking forward to seeing how he delivers. It has been far too long since I’ve orgasmed without the help of a battery-operated toy.
Holden chuckles with an arrogant smile on his lips right before spreading my legs wide. Then his tongue licks a long, achingly slow line through my seam.
I moan his name.
“Yes, beautiful. Do you want more?”
“Please.”
“You’re cute when you act all polite.”
“I’m not trying to be polite.”
He adds a finger. “I like it when you’re bossy too.”
I moan, arching my back. “That was hardly bossy.”
“No, baby, it wasn’t. But you can be, and it’s such a fucking turn on.”
“Less talking and more action, please.”
Holden chuckles against my opening before spreading me even wider. He’s feasting on me, running his tongue from my opening to my clit, not letting up.
He fucks me with his fingers as he sucks on the bundle of nerves then circles it, changing the rhythm until I’m writhing against his mouth.
I drop my hands to his hair to anchor him in place, so close to coming undone. He doesn’t stop, keeping the pace, licking me faster and fingering me until an illicit moan falls from my lips.
My muscles contract around his fingers and my legs tremble as my orgasm tears through me. He finally lets up and crawls over my spent body, nestling his hard cock between my legs.
His hand reaches for my face, brushing my hair behind my ear. “Feel good?”
“I think you know the answer to that.” I cup his cheek, bringing his mouth to mine. He laughs then smiles into the kiss, and it might be the sweetest thing I’ve ever seen. “And by the looks of it, you enjoyed yourself too.”
“I did. You taste like heaven.”
“I guess I should find out if you taste just as good.”
“As you wish,” he says, moving beside me to his knees, stroking his cock as I open for him. “Stick out your tongue and put my cock in your mouth.”
Holden inches forward, tapping the tip of his thick erection against my tongue and I don’t hesitate, sucking on his crown before I take him as far as I can to the back of my throat. He groans as his head falls back, holding the base of his cock in his hand. “Dammit, Bee. Your mouth is perfect.”
I pop off him, wrapping my hand around the base and stroking him. “This isn’t easy. You’re big.” I take him in my mouth again .
“I’ll like whatever your mouth does to my cock. You’re sucking me so good.”
He pulls out then slides himself back in, fucking my face in long, even strokes. Holden is large. It’s the width just as much as the length. Thick and veiny, with tight, full balls.
I watch him, his eyes pinned to my lips where my mouth is full of his length. I massage his balls, trying to make him lose his mind, and when I get him close, he pulls out.
“Feel good?” I ask, with a smug smirk on my face.
He laughs. “You know the answer to that. I liked it as much as you liked it when I went down on you and feasted on your pretty pussy.”
“So sure of yourself,” I say, stretching my arms above my head.
“I am. Now, do you want to come on my cock, pretty girl?”
I smirk. “I thought you were never going to ask.”