CHAPTER 33
Palmer
Bailey stands in front of me, his gaze boring into mine.
My body aches for him, but my mind is in full panic mode.
I am shamefully aware of my bare breasts and my insecurity blaring in his face, a fire alarm warning him about the disaster he’s dealing with, but either he is colorblind, making the red flags a less threatening shade, or the hearing loss he has from probably being blown up a time or two is actually just that bad.
“Close your eyes,” he commands gently.
I follow his order, my breathing rapid and shaky. Bailey’s hand grips mine, pulling them up to rest on his chest. He sweeps his lips over mine softly. His breath is hot against my lips, but they don’t make contact.
“Breathe, Palmer.”
Confused, I flash my eyes open and start to object, but Bailey anchors me in place with his other hand around my waist, his dark eyes gazing calmly into mine.
“Breathe with me,” he repeats, his voice steady.
Bailey inhales slowly through his nose then holds the breath for four counts before exhaling and starting the process over again.
It takes four rounds of him showing me before the cadence of my breathing matches his own.
The thumping of his heart against my hand provides a rhythm for my breaths, the strong thud a comfort to the cacophony of my mind.
I’m here, it beats.
I’m here.
I’m here.
I’m here.
After a couple more breaths, my breathing calms, my eyes drift shut, and the only thing that occupies my thoughts are Bailey.
“There you go,” he croons. His lips brush softly against mine, and he slides my hands down his chest, bringing them to rest back at my side. I continue my slow and measured breaths even as his hands drift lightly over my skin and I feel him move behind me.
Bailey’s fingers comb leisurely through my hair, moving it to the left side of my neck, and my head leans instinctively at the touch. He plants a kiss at the spot where my shoulder meets the slope of my neck. I hear the zipper on my skirt come undone, and it slides into a pool around my feet.
Still, I keep breathing, despite the shaking in my inhale.
In, 2-3-4.
Hold, 2-3-4.
Out, 2-3-4.
His hands skim along the skin of my back, slowly undoing the clasps of my bodysuit. Once he reaches the bottom, he slides it to join the skirt on the floor, the last remaining piece of clothing left standing between my naked body and his touch.
My breath hitches, but Bailey’s low voice rumbles against my back. “Breathe, baby.” He inhales, waiting for my breath to match his. Once it does, he presses his lips to my shoulder, slow, sensual. “You’re doing such a good job for me.”
Despite the panic threatening to creep in again, I feel the corners of my lips turn up slightly at his praise
Bailey slides his hand down my side, stopping at my hip. “Are you ready?”
Wordlessly, I nod.
“I need to hear you say yes, Palmer.” He drags his lips in leisurely kisses along my shoulder.
I clear my throat. “Yes. I’m ready.”
His lips form a smile against my skin. “Good girl.”
The words electrify his touch against my body, and suddenly, all I’m aware of are his hands against my skin and the responding heat between my legs. One hand encircles my throat, pulling my back flush against his chest, as he nips at the outer shell of my ear.
“I missed this, Palmer.” He turns my head and captures my lips in a deep kiss, his tongue tangling with my own.
A moan escapes me unbidden, and Bailey growls in response.
Bailey releases my neck, but his hands don’t leave my skin. Instead, they rove all over, exploring, claiming every part of me.
“I missed the way your body arches into my touch.” His hands slide down my ribcage, feeling every ridge and bump.
“I missed your soft skin. I missed the curve of your hips, especially when you bend over to do something, your body begging for my hands to grab ahold.” His fingers expertly grip my waist, pulling me against his erection.
In, 2-3-4.
His hands slide lower, grabbing my ass, and I feel him crouch behind me. “I missed this perfect ass.” His teeth graze over the sensitive skin, and I yelp. “I missed how responsive your body is to me.”
Hold, 2-3-4.
Bailey’s hands continue to wander down my legs as he shifts his position in front of me.
He parts my legs and draws one up to rest on his shoulder.
His lips start at the inside of my knee and slowly move toward the apex of my thighs, then stop halfway up.
“I missed these gorgeous legs shaking on either side of my head as your body unravels under my tongue.”
My body quivers in response as his lips continue their journey down my legs.
Out, 2-3-4.
“I missed getting to see you stretch onto your toes when you grab something off the top shelf.” He kisses the inside of my ankle and down the top of my foot before setting it back down on the floor and picking up the other.
I’m grateful for the moment to regain my balance, because he is about two seconds from having me in a puddle in front of him.
As Bailey journeys back up my other leg, his hands lead the way, sliding along my skin, igniting a raging fire that is only made hotter by the wetness of his tongue.
I throw my head back in pure bliss as he slides my leg over his shoulder and buries his face in my pussy.
He laps at my clit twice, three times, before he groans.
“Fuck me, I missed the way you taste.” He continues moving up my body.
In, 2-3-4.
“I missed watching your body react to my touch.” Bailey’s lips move up my stomach and stop to nip at my breast.
I moan and arch into his mouth, and his teeth graze against my nipple, promising me there’s more of that to come, even if my body wants—demands—it now.
Hold, 2-3-4.
Bailey continues to kiss up my chest, his lips roving across my collarbone and nipping at my neck. My body trembles against his touch, aching, begging for more. He hovers over the pulse under my jaw, sucking greedily at the delicate skin.
“And you want to know what I missed most of all?” His gravelly voice slides over my body like another set of hands, pushing me closer to the edge.
Out, 2-3-4.
“What?” I ask, my voice barely a hint above a whisper.
His lips make their way to my cheek, plant a kiss on the tip of my nose, then Bailey leans his forehead against mine. “Look at me, Palmer.”
My eyes flutter open. Bailey’s lips hover near mine, our shaking breaths mingling together. His eyes meet mine then study my expression, his right hand cradling my face gently.
“You, Palmer. I missed you.”
Our mouths crash together. We’ve held out this long, but I need him. Before I fully register what he’s doing, my feet fly out from under me, and I screech. Bailey laughs as my arms flail to find his neck, and he pulls me tighter against his chest.
He chuckles. “I’ve got you, baby.”
I seal my lips against his as he carries me to the bedroom, stopping only to set me on the bed. As he slides his shirt up over his head, I fumble with the buttons on his pants. Only his hand on mine stops my progress. I look at him, confused, but he dips his head down to capture my mouth under his.
“We’ve got all the time in the world, baby. There’s no need to rush.”
“Please, Bailey,” I beg, my body desperate and aching for his touch. “I need you.”
Bailey pulls back from me with a warm smile, then gently pushes me until I’m laying back bed. “You have me, more than you know. But right now, I want to taste you.”
His head disappears between my thighs, and my back arches against his tongue on my clit. The sensation spirals me upward until I tip over the edge, crying out his name and writhing as he makes me come.
I tangle my fingers in his hair and tug so that he looks at me, shaking from his touch and pleading. “Please.”
It’s all I can get out, but it’s all he needs. Bailey licks his lips then stands to remove his pants. His cock springs free, then he climbs on top of me, covering my mouth with his own.
He pulls back and studies my flushed face. “Palmer…” he starts.
“Yes?” I pant.
Bailey searches my face, then shakes his head ever so slightly. “You are the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen. I…” He pauses, seeming to look for the words he wants to say. He brushes a strand of hair out of my face. “I’m so grateful I met you.”
This time, it’s my turn to kiss him senseless. Without breaking our kiss, Bailey slides slowly inside of me, and I moan my appreciation at the fullness.
“Fuck, that feels good,” I confess.
He smiles down at me before withdrawing his whole length to slowly fill me back up again.
“More,” I beg. “Please, Bailey. More.”
Bailey kisses me deeply as he continues to thrust. My legs wrap around his waist, allowing him to penetrate to my very core. His moans match my own.
“Fuck, baby, your pussy feels so goddamn good.”
Between gasps, I manage to ask, “Did you miss this, too?”
He chuckles, then wraps his arms tightly around my torso. “Not nearly as much as I missed you.” Bailey’s tongue pries open my lips and tangles with my own as he fucks me harder, our bodies no longer two but one, twisting and writhing in unison, chasing our climax.
“Bailey.” I pant. “I’m going to come!”
His thrusts continue at the same ruthless pace as he growls. “Then come for me, baby. Let me watch you fall apart.”
My orgasm wracks my body as I cry out his name.
“Palmer!” He roars my name, his own climax causing him to shudder. He kisses me as he spills himself inside of me.
We stay like that for a while, him inside of me, our chests heaving in unison, while we kiss, neither of us wanting the moment to end. Slowly, Bailey pulls out of me and rolls over to his side, sweat dripping down his temples. I roll to face him, and he pulls me in, kissing my forehead.
I nuzzle his neck with my face and sigh sleepily. “I wish we could stay like this forever,” I mumble as I doze off into a dreamless sleep.
And I swear, just before I drifted off, I thought I heard him say, “If I had my way, we would.”