Page 18

18

Ace

The condo is perfect.

Floor-to-ceiling windows overlook the moonlit ocean. The sound of the waves rolling onto the shore fills the space. Salt fills the air. It feels like we’re farther away from home than we are. We may as well be in another world.

Raya drops her bag by the door, stretching her arms over her head. Her dress rides up just enough to show off the soft curve of her thighs, and it doesn’t matter that I was between them just a couple of hours ago. I want another trip to the promised land.

Her eyes find mine. A smile curls her lips. “You gonna stand there, or are you gonna help me out of my dress?”

I step forward, my fingers finding her waist, sliding up beneath the fabric. I take my time dragging the dress over her body, knowing what I’ll find underneath.

Nothing.

To be fair, she said we wouldn’t be wearing much, but seeing the confirmation has me on brick. Again.

Her eyes flicker up to mine, sparkling and teasing in the moonlight.

“Let’s shower first,” I say. “Then I’ma take my time with you.”

The second we step under the spray, the water stings our skin, and steam curls around us in thick clouds. She looks cute in her shower cap, which she put on over her bonnet, which she put on over a scarf. I take it we won’t be swimming this weekend, but it’s all good.

I grab the body wash she brought and get a good lather going. I take my time, washing her the way I would something delicate and precious. She watches me, her expression unreadable, studying my moves like she always does. But it’s not unsettling anymore. It just feels like…her.

When she finally speaks, her voice is softer than it’s ever been. “I love the way you touch me. You’re so gentle.”

The wonder in her voice makes me pause. It doesn’t sound like she’s been treated gently before. The weight of that settles deep in my chest.

She forces out a laugh, but it’s too late. I already noticed. But to save her the embarrassment, I kiss her.

By the time we make it to the bed, we’re both exhausted. Raya has an extensive moisturizing routine, and she forced me to participate. That shit was strenuous as hell, but my skin feels good. Hers is like butter.

And I get a second wind.

I get up and make my way to the foot of the bed. Before she knows what’s happening, I’ve already pulled her down there with me. She shrieks, which makes me laugh, but the look of concern on her face stops me.

“What’s wrong with you?” I demand, playing with her foot.

“Um…you don’t have to,” she says.

“Trust me, I don’t do a damn thing cuz I have to,” I say with a wink. “I wanna taste you.”

Her fingers flex at her sides. “Maybe I don’t…want you to.”

Pure nostalgia. I remember this, being seventeen years old, brand new but eager, girls laid out, hands over their faces, worried about how it looked, if it was too hairy, or if it smelled bad.

At thirty years old, I expect her to be past this part.

“What you worried about?” I say.

She forces a smile, but it’s tight. “I just don’t like it.”

I let go of her foot and lean up on my knees to get a better look at her face. “You don’t like it?”

She shrugs, but her body’s still tense. Fingers still going. “It’s never been my thing.”

I’m confused. This can’t be the same Raya who loves teasing and provoking and having the upper hand. This Raya looks uneasy. Scared.

I stroke her arm, slow and reassuring. “Talk to me,” I say gently.

She exhales, staring at the ceiling like she wants to disappear into it. “It just…it scares me.”

Scares?

That’s a big word.

An uncomfortable word.

I reach for her hand, lacing our fingers together. “What’s scary about it?”

She doesn’t answer right away. There’s a war raging inside of her and it’s etched across her face, the push and pull between telling me the truth and keeping me at a distance.

Finally, she lets out a shaky breath.

“I don’t like not being in control,” she admits, and I instantly know she’s telling the truth. And that makes me uncomfortable, because now I feel like I need to fix it.

I think about the way she needs to be in charge, the way she makes the first move, keeping me at arm’s length even when she’s pulling me close. I think about the way she studies me, analyzing me like she’s figuring out how to get inside my head without letting me into hers.

And I wonder what kind of past leaves a person needing control this damn bad.

I squeeze her hand. “I’d never do anything you don’t want me to do.”

She nods, her face uncertain.

“But with that said, I think you would like it.” With my free hand, I cup her chin. “Let me make you feel good,” I murmur. “I’ll stop if you don’t like it, I promise.”

I kiss her jaw. “You’re safe with me.”

She swallows hard, still hesitating. I dip my head to kiss her right below her navel, earning a deep shudder.

“Come on, beautiful. Let me taste it.”

Her lips part, and I think she’s gonna say no, but finally, she nods. Just once.

I let go of her hand and kiss my way back down her body, my movements slow and careful. I don’t know exactly what I’m dealing with here, but scared is a good motivator for me to take it very easy on her.

She sits up on her elbows, positioning herself to watch my movements. I don’t mind. In fact, I like this. Might make it easier for her. And I get to look into her eyes while I please her.

“You’re still in control,” I reassure. “The second you want me to stop, I’ll stop.”

She nods.

Alright. Game on.

Gently, I push her knees apart, shocked when my eyes drop. She’s soaking wet. I kiss her softly, my eyes locked on her face. There’s no response, so I take that as a green light.

When my tongue makes contact, her fingers grip the sheets. I’m still watching. She’s still scared.

Her thighs are trembling in my hands, her chest rising and falling in quick, shallow breaths.

“I got you,” I mumble, my lips brushing her clit. “Relax, baby. You’re okay.”

She exhales a shaky stream of air. I wait, letting her set the pace.

She nods, and I move again.

I press my mouth to her, my tongue gliding slow and soft against her clit. Her folds. Her taint. She ain’t ready for me to eat her ass yet, but if this goes well, it’s next on my list.

She sighs.

My eyes flick up and meet hers. “I don’t know if you wanna hear this or not,” I say. “You taste good as fuck.”

A small smile appears.

“So damn sweet .”

I tighten my grip on her thighs, holding her open, but not restraining. Just keeping her steady, keeping her grounded. I trace a path along her folds, flicking my tongue lightly against her clit before sucking it into my mouth.

She inhales sharply, her body tensing before melting again.

“That’s it,” I murmur against her. “You’re doing so good for me, baby.”

She whimpers, scratching my scalp with her fingernails.

She’s trying hard to hold back, to keep some semblance of control, but I can feel it slipping.

“You like that?” I say.

“Yeah.”

I whisper to her between kisses, telling her how perfect she tastes, how good she feels, how much I love making her feel good. She moans her answers. Her hips start to lift. She presses into my mouth, needing more.

I give it to her.

Two fingers slide in easily, exploring her depths while my tongue worships her clit. With my other hand, I slide my way up her stomach until I find her nipple, rolling it gently between my fingertips.

She gives up.

Her legs tighten around my head, squeezing and squeezing until the inevitable pop. Her thighs fall away, a cry ripping from her lips. I keep my mouth on her, working her through it, whispering my praise.

When she’s done, she sinks into the bed. I lean up and join her, hovering over her with my weight on my elbows.

“You okay?” I ask softly.

She nods, her lips parting like she has something to say. But she says nothing.

I don’t push.

I just gather her into my arms and roll her onto her side, holding her against me until she falls asleep.

Whatever it is, she’s not telling me tonight, but it’s all good.

She’ll let me in eventually.