Chapter 16
EZRA
Ilie still for a moment, eyes closed, letting memories from last night wash over me. Scarlett’s whispers, her soft gasps, the look in her eyes when she surrendered to me. It feels like a dream, one that I lived and breathed.
The need to see her chases away the lingering sleep that threatens to pull me back under.
My phone vibrates on the nightstand, and it snaps me from my thoughts. I reach over and unlock the screen.
Scarlett
Thinking about you.
I smile at the device, my thumb hovering before I reply.
Ezra
Can’t believe you’re awake. Harry hasn’t crowed yet.
Scarlett
A different cock is responsible for my sleeplessness.
Laughter spills out of me.
Ezra
Send me a picture of you.
Scarlett
You first.
I sit upright, leaning against the headboard, shirtless. I’m wearing a smirk. My hair is messy, and it’s obvious I just woke up.
Ezra
For your eyes only. No sharing me with your friends.
I snap a pic and send it.
She immediately hearts the image, then my phone vibrates with her reply.
Scarlett
Great. Sending to your fan club now.
Ezra
Better not.
Scarlett
And if you share what I’m about to send you, I’ll deny it and tell everyone it’s AI.
The picture loads. She’s holding the comforter over her still-naked body. I see the curve of her shoulders in the early morning light. Her eyes are closed, showing her long dark lashes. Her plump lips are puckered.
I swear, Scarlett’s been conjured straight from my dreams.
Ezra
Gorgeous.
Scarlett
You’re not so bad yourself.
I toss the sheets aside and sit up, ready to start my day.
Scarlett
So, um, how does a girl cash in on our “deal”?
The agreement we made is permanently etched in my memory, but I still tease her about it.
Ezra
Please refresh my memory.
Scarlett
The one where you “own my pussy” while I’m here.
Ezra
Don’t make me blush.
Scarlett
Oh, you have no idea.
Ezra
I think I do, considering who you are.
Scarlett
I’m no one.
Ezra
You wish.
Scarlett
Life was simpler when no one cared about my personal life.
Ezra
I can keep a secret.
Scarlett
Willing to sign an NDA?
Ezra
Whatever makes you comfortable, but my word is worth a million. And I promise to keep us private. Always. I respect you and your boundaries. Got it?
Scarlett
Thank you!
I head downstairs, and when my foot hits the bottom stair, Willow barely acknowledges me. Once in the kitchen, I start my day like usual, but I’m adding a new addition to my morning list—Scarlett.
While the dark roast brews, my phone buzzes again, louder against the countertop.
Three minutes have passed since she last texted.
Scarlett
I noticed you never answered my question. Changed your mind?
“No fucking way,” I growl with a laugh.
She really has no idea what she does to me.
Ezra
You’re kidding, right?
I reach into the cabinet and grab a mug. It’s the same one she chose the first morning we had coffee together. And to think that was only five days ago.
I fill it full and glance toward the cottage through the kitchen window. Harry chooses that exact moment to let out his broken, fucked-up attempt at a crow. I chuckle, shaking my head. Me being up and active before he has the chance to scare me awake says a lot. I’m excited about life again.
Fuck, I’ve missed this feeling.
I head toward the cottage with Scarlett’s coffee in my hand. The fresh morning air hints at a bite of fall, and I smile.
When I reach the cottage, I knock twice, then gently push open the door. I step inside, and Scarlett is sitting on the bed just like in the photo she sent me. Her phone is in her hand, and frustration is etched across her face. Messy hair falls over her shoulders.
“Good morning, beautiful. I brought you coffee.”
She narrows her eyes playfully down my chest to my cock, then glances at the steaming cup of coffee.
She smiles. “I didn’t expect you.”
I try to hand her the mug, and she points toward the desk. I set it beside her laptop because I know that’s where she’s going once I’m done with her. Guaranteed.
“Why not?” I ask over my shoulder. I notice how her cheeks have turned a rosy hue.
“Because when things seem too good to be true, they usually are,” she admits.
Without a word, I cross the room toward her. “You think I’m too good to be true?”
“Yeah,” she admits.
I reach forward and grab her ankles. With one swift movement, I pull her to the edge of the bed. She squeals.
I drop to my knees before her and kneel between her thighs, spreading them wider with my palms. “Mm. Still naked for me.”
“Yes.” Scarlett chews on her bottom lip as I slide my hands under her ass, scooting her even closer to my mouth. When my lips and tongue find her needy little clit, her breath catches.
“Fuck,” she says in a hushed tone, her back arching off the mattress. “That feels so good.”
“Mm.” I slide my tongue deep inside her.
She’s so fucking wet for me as she rocks against my face. I give her one digit, then two. She’s not shy, just enjoys and willingly takes everything I offer. I don’t recognize the cry that releases from her throat. Every gasp, soft plea, and the way she moans undoes something in me.
I curl my finger, reaching her G-spot. Her moans transform into deep groans.
“Yes, please keep going,” she whimpers.
“Love a woman who uses their manners in the bedroom.” I lap up every soft inch of her, loving how fucking delicious she tastes. She’s all that matters. My new addiction.
“So close,” she strains, her muscles tense, toes pointing.
“Come for me, Scarlett.”
As if I snapped my fingers, she lets go, releasing a cry of relief. The orgasm has her in a complete chokehold as her pussy pulses around my fingers. I continue to twirl, allowing her to ride it out as long as she needs.
I press a soft kiss to the inside of her trembling thigh.
Her eyes are glazed with satisfaction as I rise, meeting her gaze. “Now, time to rise and shine. Coffee’s hot. Breakfast will be ready in thirty minutes.”
Scarlett exhales, and a satisfied sigh slips from her. “You don’t have to do that.”
“I know. I want to,” I say. “Now, that masterpiece won’t write itself. Finish it so we can focus on other things. I wanna hang out with you.”
She gives me a shy smile. “I’d like that.”
Scarlett moves to her suitcase and grabs some pink panties. She bends over, giving me the perfect view of her ass as she slides them on. The T-shirt she puts on is see-through, and her nipples are little pebbles.
“You’re staring,” she says.
“Can’t help it,” I admit. “But also, get used to it.”
She tucks her lips into her mouth. It’s confirmation that I’m under her skin, and fuck, I’d be lying if I said she wasn’t under mine.
“I’ll be right back. I expect one thousand new words. Keep making your goals, and I’ll make sure you stay rewarded.”
Her brow pops up. “Tell me more.”
“Every thousand words you write, I’ll give you one orgasm. An incentive to write more.”
“Oh, I think I might enjoy this game. Can I bank them?” She cracks her knuckles.
“At Orgasms-R-Us, you can spend your O-coins however you’d like,” I explain. “Save them like a greedy fucking girl.”
With a hand on her hip, she smirks. “How strong is your tongue?”
“Oh,” I say, and my tone is undeniably cocky. “You’d tire before me. Trust me.”
“Fantastic. Happy to be a customer at Orgasms-R-Us.” Scarlett strolls to the desk and opens her laptop. “That’s actually pretty funny. I should put that in a book.”
“Trademarked Ezra Reed,” I tell her as she quickly does some math.
“I have fifty thousand words left. And five days to get them. Fifty orgasms in the next five days. Can you keep up?”
Laughter takes over as I cross my arms over my chest. “Try me.”
As I move toward the door, I catch her reflection in the mirror. Scarlett’s leg is on the chair, and she rests her chin on her knee as she watches me.
I capture how fucking pretty she is in my memory.
“Breakfast will be ready soon.” I walk out and leave her to her words.
When I glance back at the cottage, I see her staring at me as she sips her coffee. I can’t help the smile that forms on my lips anytime I think about her.
I’m fearlessly falling for her.
I walk into my kitchen, and my phone vibrates wildly on the counter where I left it. I expect Scarlett’s name, but it’s Aunt Millie’s picture that flashes across the screen. It’s a picture I took of her holding one of her famous peach pies.
Before it goes to voicemail, I swipe to answer.
“Good morning,” I say, putting the phone on speaker as I pull fresh eggs from a basket on the counter.
“Ezra Reed, don’t you good morning me!” she scolds affectionately. “When exactly were you planning to tell your favorite aunt who’s staying at your cottage?”
I chuckle. “It’s confidential.”
“Well, Betsy called and told me Scarlett Collins was in town. Her grandson delivers pizzas. Funny, he said he delivered one to your house for her,” Millie states, keeping her tone warm. “I cannot believe Scarlett Collins is there.”
I pause, egg in hand, her excitement and recognition catching me off guard. I knew Scarlett was successful, but hearing my aunt get so excited drives it home.
“And?” I keep my voice steady. “Let me guess, you’re a fan?”
“Honey, who isn’t? Scarlett Collins is the queen of romance novels,” Millie gushes, her voice taking on that breathless, dreamy tone when she chats about something—or someone—she truly adores.
“Her last book broke me into tiny little pieces. Took me a whole pint of praline pecan ice cream and a week of moping around before I felt right again. I told myself I’d never forgive Reese and her book club for recommending it. ”
I smile, picturing my aunt curled up on her floral-patterned sofa, nose buried in one of Scarlett’s dirty novels. “I had no idea you read romance books, Aunt Millie.”
“Boy, you’d be surprised by what I do in my spare time. Your mama made me read one of Scarlett’s books a decade ago. Your mother and I were obsessed together,” she says.
“Mom read Scarlett?” I ask, having no idea.
“Everyone has.”