Chapter 19
My lower muscles contracted, gripping the fingers that moved in and out of my slick core.
“Sir?” I moaned, sure I was dreaming.
“Shh, angel. It’s still early. Close your beautiful eyes and go back to sleep,” Andrew whispered in my ear. “I’ll be gentle this time.” He added another finger.
Last night had been a complete blur from one moment to the next.
I remember bathing with Andrew and drifting off in his arms in the tub, of all places.
I hadn’t realized how tired I was. That’s how safe this man made me feel, and right now—oh, God, right now, even though my pussy was sore, I pushed back and spread my legs wide for him.
I shivered and moaned as he thumbed my clit. He flipped me onto my back, and before I could even think; he was between my legs.
“I have a workout scheduled with Pasha this morning, and I need to eat before I go.”
The smirk on his face was everything, and my eyes closed as he slipped his arms around my legs and under my butt.
Lifting me, he pulled me against his mouth.
He explored my pussy, taking his time with me.
He was so good at this, and it was quickly becoming my favorite thing to do with him.
I lifted my hips, giving him better access.
“More,” I begged, marveling at how he made me feel.
Soon he had me panting, trembling, and moaning his name. Without warning, I came. Hard. I couldn’t get enough and thrust my pussy in his face lewdly and then realized my fingers were pinching my nipples.
His tongue ground hard against my clit, making me cry out. And just like last night, he licked me through the orgasm, and I had to push his head away.
“No tears this morning?” he asked from between my legs.
“No, Sir, just a smile.”
“Good, shower and order down for breakfast. We’re going out today.”
With those words, he leaped up and walked into the bathroom. I stared at his retreating figure in awe. I reached down out of habit to pinch my thighs but moved them.
I didn’t have to do that. He’d already proved he was very real. The languid feeling of coming left me warm and relaxed. I drifted off to sleep once more and awoke with his lips on my forehead.
“Or sleep a little longer, whatever you need.”
I lay there for another half-hour before I forced myself up. After showering, I put on the ridiculously huge robe again and got ready for the day. I couldn’t stop staring at my face in the mirror as I put my makeup on.
My cheeks hurt from smiling. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of Andrew shirtless after he’d come back from the gym downstairs. I tilted my head and let my mouth curve just enough to be a challenge.
Then I dragged my eyes over him and let them linger. The corner of his mouth twitched, and his expression shifted. A heartbeat later, he stepped over, closing the distance, confidence rolling off him like heat.
Without saying a word, he walked up behind me and brushed my hair over my shoulder. His normally gentle facial expressions changed almost overnight, it seemed. His eyes—deep blue pools of understanding—filled with a darkened, steely gaze. A commanding gaze.
My heart picked up speed as I tried to read him. One hand snaked around my stomach—the other he used to gather my hair—then he pulled my head over, exposing my neck. Our eyes locked in the mirror. He was a man on a mission.
I shivered in his arms. As he kissed my neck, his hand moved down from my stomach to cup my pussy. He grabbed it possessively, causing me to suck in a deep breath. His thumb actively rubbed against the scar he’d marked over.
He was claiming me again, reminding me I now wore his mark.
Instinctively, my tired pussy rocked forward, seeking stimulation even though he’d taken care of me a little bit ago.
In the blink of an eye, his hand let go of my hair and gripped my throat.
My eyes widened. His hand engulfed my neck, and he gave me a gentle squeeze.
Whispering in my ear, he said, “Wear a dress for me.”
And then he let go and walked over to the shower. Gulping, I nodded before walking back to our room. What was happening between us? I wouldn’t say I was falling for him because in so many ways, I’d fallen years ago.
Of course, it was only a concept of him—a pretend version I had created. We’d only spent a few hours together back then, and he was unconscious for most of it. But I hadn’t even really come close to nailing him. He was so much more than I had ever dreamed.
My eyes flicked over to his side of the bed, where the note rested. The cookies were long gone. Pangs of guilt gnawed at my stomach as I eyed the folded paper. Even though I knew virtually nothing about her, betraying her weighed on my conscience.
Did it weigh on him, too?
I flopped down on the bed as doubts and fears swirled in my mind. I could ask him straight out. But I feared his answer. This complexity of the emotions was foreign to me. I never thought I’d be in this place.
I was the other woman.
“That’s a serious face,” Andrew said, startling me.
I jolted as a heat rushed to my cheeks. I dragged myself up onto my elbows. My spine straightened as I pushed my hair back from my face. “I didn’t realize my face was talking. I was just thinking, is all.”
He leaned against the doorframe, arms loose at his sides, expression open and faintly amused. One brow lifted, and a curiosity burned behind his gaze. “Yeah, what about?”
The urge to pinch my thighs was strong, but I took two cleansing breaths. It was strange—being this relaxed with a man.
“Tori, I asked you a question.”
“It’s just that—I don’t know that much about you. I mean, you shared some things at your Nana’s house, but I don’t know…” My voice trailed off.
“Is that all?”
My head whipped up. The softness in his face caught me off-guard. It was as if my seriousness was endearing rather than inconvenient. I wasn’t used to being seen and not judged for it. Emotions kept my words from forming, so I nodded instead.
“Well,” he said, that dimple flexing in his cheek as he grinned, “then it looks like part of our day will be getting to know one another a little…deeper.”
His hand slid to the back of his neck, fingers rubbing there as confusion set in. Now his turn to look lost in whatever storm was brewing inside him.
It was too cute, and I couldn’t let the moment pass. “That’s a serious face,” I mimicked, as a deeply concerning look crept in.
A quiet huff of laughter left him. “I was trying to figure out how best to separate the counselor from the Dom in me. This is unfamiliar territory, truth be told.”
“Hmm.” I tilted my head, pretending to consider that. “The struggle sounds real. Decisions, decisions.” A slow smile curved my lips. “Will you counsel me or dominate me? Looks like you’re the one with options today. Choose wisely.”
His eyes sharpened. “Is that a threat?”
I gasped softly, clutching my chest in mock offence. “No, Sir, I wouldn’t dream of threatening you.”
Rising from the bed, I crossed the space between us, every step filled with a boldness that was unfamiliar but intoxicating. I stopped just short of him, lifting my gaze. To hell with caution. To hell with his “little pixie”—I wanted this moment for myself.
“It’s not in my nature after all,” I added.
His smile turned dangerous. “We’ll see about that. There’s a hint of a brat behind those eyes.”
“Me? I think not. I know only obedience.” I reached around him and fingered two of the dresses hanging in the closet. “And speaking of that, which one do you prefer?” I asked.
Desire burned in his eyes, and his cheek twitched. “If you keep looking at me like that, we aren’t going to leave this room. Either one will do. However, I’d like you to wear sandals.”
“Oh really? The trainers are so comfortable though, and would look perfect with this one.” I touched the pretty floral maxi.
“Yes, but I plan to pamper you today, and part of that will be a pedicure. I like pretty painted toes.”
“Duly noted,” I said, wiggling mine.
Fifteen minutes later, we were sitting around the table eating breakfast, and I tentatively asked, “I was wondering if it wouldn’t be too much trouble. Could we stop at the bookstore again?”
“Did you finish your book already?” He looked up from his phone.
“No, it’s actually for a journal. While I love the one you purchased, I can’t use it for poetry.”
“And why not?”
“Hmm, because that one belongs to someone else. One of the friends I told you about. I wasn’t going to use it at all, but now that I have options.” He smirked at the word, making me chuckle. “I’d like to get a different one if that’s okay.”
“Are you feeling inspired, then?”
I nodded, feeling my heart soar. I’d forgotten how much I missed writing. It was another part of me that Cameron had tried to destroy.
“I can make that work. I’ve got a stop I need to make in that area anyway. Is there anywhere else you’d like to go?”
“No, Sir, aside from there, my toes and I are at your disposal.”
“I like the sound of that. At my disposal. Hmm.”
He leaned in and kissed me on the forehead as his phone rang.
The morning passed in a blur. I experienced old things for the first time again.
We stopped at the bookstore first. He led me over to the journals.
I picked one up and studied it before placing it back on the shelf. He picked one, and I shook my head.
“What’s your favorite color?” he asked softly.
“The questions begin, I see,” I said, smiling.
“They do. We can take turns asking.”
“And you’ll answer anything I ask?” My heart thudded inside my chest. Here was my chance to ask about Kinsley.
“Absolutely, I’m an open book. However, we agree right here that whatever question we ask, the other has to answer it as well.”
“Very well, teal is my favorite color.”
“Teal, huh?” He turned his attention back to the journals and laughed. “We have to get this one.” He pulled a teal journal and hugged it to his chest. “Go on, keep browsing. I think I’ve hit the mother-lode here. Mine is blonde.”