Page 60

My mouth waters in anticipation as I take the final step on the stairs. A red glow hums from her room and the door is open an inch. Perhaps she’s not asleep yet.

I stalk toward her bedroom door and position myself so I can peer through the crack. A small moan rings through my ear, and my first concern is that she’s having some kind of nightmare. I could push my way through, smooth back the hair from her face, and soothe her out of her bad dream. But I pause for just a moment as another moan escapes her lips.

The blanket ruffles around her as I watch her bent knees part.

“Yes, Austin, just like that.”

Holy shit.

The gods are testing my resolve today, testing the strength of every fiber of my being.

I watch through the crack, undoing the button of my pants and slipping my hand down beneath my boxers. I’m as hard as stone, no surprise there. I grip the base of my cock, pulling upward; my release is imminent. Like a goddamn teenwho’s seen a girl naked for the first time, I’m ready to blow my load at her soft whimpers.

I can’t hear any noise except her own, so I know she’s only using her fingers. How I wish she’d kick off the blanket and expose her bare pussy for me.

“Yes, please . . . I need it.I need you.”

Fuck. Me.

My girl likes to beg, and I store that tidbit away for later.

Her breathing quickens, and I watch as her head pushes back against the pillow, her back arching, legs falling further and further apart. She’s close. Her left arm reaches up and grips the bar of her bed frame. Her knuckles turn white from the strength of her hold. She lifts her hips, and I practically thrust mine into the vise hold I have around my cock. She cries out my name one more time, and I lose all semblance of control. I pump myself faster and faster, and as her hips pulse up and down into her fingers, I allow myself to come. My orgasm powers through me, pulsing up to my head, causing my eyes to roll back into my skull. My toes tingle as my blood soars around my body. I have never fucking come so hard. Euphoria settles through me like an anchor falling through deep water.

I pump myself a few more times, relishing the power she has over me, the sticky residue of my orgasm coating the inside of my briefs and my hand as I watch her come down from her own climax. She brings both hands on top of the blanket now but stares at the ceiling, smiling, a small giggle reaching her lips.

She pulls her knees back together and swings her legs off the bed so her feet touch the floor. Her panties are around her ankles, and she pulls them up before I have the chance to see any more of her.

As she heads toward me, I step back quickly. She’s not ready for the real me to invade her fantasy. I’m halfway down the unlit hallway as she opens the door. As I creep carefully down the first step, I watch her swing into the bathroom, switching on the light so I can see the burgundy panties andmatching silky sleep top in all its glory. Olivia washes her hands and then leans against the vanity. She glares intently at herself, until a small curve breaks on her lips, and she caresses her collarbone with her fingertips. The flush of her orgasm still stains her neck, and I fight back the urge to creep up behind her to run my tongue along the flush.

She sighs, smiling to herself again before flicking off the light and heading back down toward the red glow of her bedroom.

Chapter Twelve

Olivia

I’ve read the same paragraph six times before he finally arrives. He orders his coffee, or piss water, as he calls it. His usual spot is open, and I stare at it while he undoes his jacket in the wingback chair opposite mine by the window. My expectations were off; I wasn’t sure if he would acknowledge me or give me space. But sitting right at my table uninvited, like this is no big deal, is not what I expected.

I hear mutters around from other regulars, and Jenny is bug-eyed at the counter, practically clawing at Anthony to look over at our table. I give her a wide-eyed, confused shrug and turn to Austin.

He picks up his coffee mug and pulls out one of my paperbacks that I’ve given him down in the basement.The Howl of Desireis the title, and the front cover models a six-packed man with furry claws and wolf ears. It isn’t my favorite novel, yet the shifter element has turned out to be surprisingly enjoyable.

Austin takes a sip of his coffee and proudly flips a page.

Jenny brings over my juice with raised eyebrows. She’s uncharacteristically quiet, but her face speaks volumes.

“Good morning, Jenny. How are you?” Austin perks up, grinning.

I’m not sure I’ve ever heard him talk to her before. Usually, his stony silence vibrates from ten feet away.

“Oh, yes, um . . . good, very good. You . . . wanted a newseat, I see?” she stammers out.

I blush furiously and pretend to start reading again.

“Yes, Olivia finally made a move. She practically dragged me into her car the other day,” he teases, although Jenny doesn’t realize quite how accurate that statement is.

“I was just telling her to ask you out the other day. Did you get the coffee?”

“I did! I didn’t realize you’d given her a nudge. We’ll have to mention her in the wedding speech, won’t we, Killer?”