Page 36

Chapter 36

McCoy

A knock sounded on the apartment door just as Coy was putting back her second slice of deluxe deep-dish pizza. No one but Frankie and a few of her staff came up here, and Frankie had a key. “Just a minute,” she called, uncurling from her position on Frankie’s sectional. She tossed the blanket off her lap and begrudgingly set the pizza down, then decided against it. Picking the paper plate up again, she took a bite of the cheesy goodness as she opened the door. “S-Sawyer,” Coy choked out around the mouthful of pizza.

“And you talk about me eating healthy,” Sawyer said wryly, one eyebrow arched to the ceiling as she examined the deep dish. She was dressed in a pair of black slacks and a red blouse under her raincoat. Her damp black strands were in their usual downward comb-out, and some of her mascara had smudged, likely from the rain. Coy had been holed up in Frankie's; she hadn’t realized it’d begun to rain.

“I’m so glad you’re here. Why are you? At Frankie’s.” Ugh, she was back to rambling. Coy swiveled around, searching for a place to set the pizza down, and settled for the small corner entry table.

Sawyer’s hand slipped into hers from behind, surprising Coy, and she melted into the physical contact. “I’d hoped we could talk. And I wanted to apologize for this morning.”

“Talk?” Coy echoed dumbly. She blinked, glancing back at Sawyer and the door, still open. She twisted away, closing and locking it before gesturing to Frankie’s apartment. “Here? We can go somewhere else. I was watching the game, but it’s not the same by myself. I usually go to my pops for pizza and beer, but Sloane’s off and I wasn’t—”

Sawyer silenced Coy’s prattle with a long kiss, teasing her with tongue before pulling away. Dazed, Coy glanced up at her, taking notice of her slight smile and satisfaction in her gray eyes. “Let’s have pizza and beer and watch the game while Frankie is busy downstairs.”

Coy frowned. “You can’t eat that.”

Sawyer placed her finger over Coy’s lips, still swollen from their kiss. “But first, there are things I need to explain.”

“Sawyer—”

“I’ll explain, and you will listen, darling.” Sawyer slipped off her low wedge heels and jacket, revealing the blouse underneath. Three of the buttons were undone, and Coy’s attention zeroed in on the hint of Sawyer’s cleavage. She couldn’t believe she’d had her face buried between those breasts and—

“Let’s sit, McCoy,” Sawyer murmured, guiding Coy to the sofa. Once they were comfortable, and with a slice of pizza and beer each, it took a long time for Sawyer to start the conversation. Coy grew antsy waiting, and when her leg began to bounce, Sawyer set her food and drink aside and opened her arms. “Come here, darling.”

Coy didn’t think, merely acted, and scrambled into Sawyer’s arms so that she was halfway sitting on the other woman’s lap. Her head fit snugly under Sawyer’s armpit against her heart. She sighed contentedly, butterflies in her stomach.

Sawyer laced their fingers together, kissing the top of Coy’s head. Oh yeah, she had to be feeling all this. There was no way she wasn’t.

“I’m sorry for last night,” Sawyer said quietly. “About … how I reacted, and … for not climaxing.”

Coy’s eyes widened, and she would have pulled away, but Sawyer held her still. “Sawyer, that’s okay—”

“Please, let me finish,” Sawyer interrupted. Coy felt her swallow. “It wasn’t just last night that I didn’t climax. I’ve never … not that way, not even by myself. I should have stopped it before it went too far.”

Coy’s brows knitted together. She traced Sawyer’s exposed clavicle with her index finger, deep in thought. “Thank you for telling me. I understand how overwhelming it can be when you’re ready to come. Frankie used to … ah, never mind. The important thing is we’re still going at your pace. I’m sorry if I got carried away last night.”

“What would Frankie do?”

“Oh, um.” Coy cleared her throat, thinking of her previous lover. “She liked edging; we liked it. She never did anything I didn’t agree with.”

“Edging?”

“Yeah, you know.” Coy slid her hand lower to the open buttons on Sawyer’s blouse. Her finger grazed the curve of one breast, and Sawyer caught her hand, holding it. “Bringing me close to orgasm over and over, but never granting it. Not until I was insane with need and begging her to let me come.”

“ Calisse , darling. That sounds like torture,” Sawyer laughed softly.

Coy’s ears perked up at Sawyer’s favorite curse word. “What does that mean, ‘ calisse ?’”

“Fuck, but with more fervor than when I say tabarnak .” Sawyer kneaded her fingers into Coy’s scalp as she held her close and gave another breathy laugh. “Which also means fuck.”

“You say that a lot, then.” Coy smirked, raising her face to Sawyer’s. The older woman smiled down at her, pressing a soft kiss to her lips.

“Perhaps.”

Things were silent for several minutes. Coy turned the game back on, content on cuddling with the woman she was absolutely crazy about. But one thing nagged at her, and she had to say it before it was all she thought about that afternoon.

“Sweetheart, if you’re willing, then there are ways to ease you into a clit orgasm.” She glanced up at Sawyer again, watching for any hint of rejection. “I could teach you how to pleasure yourself. Toys are amazing to use, too. You just let me know when and if you’re ready, okay?”

Sawyer pursed her lips. “I’m forty-three, McCoy. I’m too—”

“Don’t you dare say old,” Coy laughed, tickling her gently in the ribs.

Sawyer squeaked, falling back onto the sofa. Coy settled between her legs, kissing her again. Their eyes met, and Sawyer’s smile slowly faded as she gazed up at Coy. Feeling daring, Coy rocked her hips against Sawyer’s, not mistaking the slight hitch in her breathing.

“When you’re ready, there’s also this,” Coy whispered against Sawyer’s lips. “Good ol’ fashioned tribbing and penetration.”

Sawyer took a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “Good to know, darling.”

“I wanna do it all with you, Sawyer. No one else.” Coy stroked the back of her hand over Sawyer’s scarred cheek, gazing at her with all the affection threatening to topple out.

Sawyer’s eyes closed, but she leaned into Coy’s touch. “You’ve never asked about them.”

“No.” Coy swallowed, thinking of the other scars she’d seen the night before. They were the same type of burns as her face, but the ones on her neck, breast, and ribs were fainter. It had been a shock to see during her exploration of Sawyer’s body, but the old wounds only made her more beautiful in Coy’s eyes. “You’ll tell me when you’re ready.”

Sawyer tensed underneath Coy. Had she said the wrong thing? Maybe she shouldn’t have touched the scar again, although Sawyer had warmed up to it last night when they were—

“It was a kitchen accident,” Sawyer spoke softly, opening her eyes to peer up at Coy. Turmoil had a front-row seat in her gaze, but she gritted her teeth, looking strong as ever. “I was deep frying potato chips and dumped a bowl of them too wet into the pot. The oil was too hot and exploded. That’s all I’ll say about it for now.”

“Okay.” Coy nodded, but inside, her heart was breaking for Sawyer. What a horrible thing for someone to go through. “Well …” She cleared her throat, flashing one of her disarming grins. “I don’t know what you looked like before, but it couldn’t possibly compete with how gorgeous you are now.”

Sawyer rolled her eyes. And then she laughed. Which was exactly what Coy had been going for.

“So, I’ve been thinking,” Coy said to Sawyer one night, two weeks later. They were cooking a late supper at Coy’s apartment, to which Sawyer had dubbed her their sous-chef for the occasion. It wasn’t a bad gig overall. So far, all Coy had to do was cut vegetables up and make a salad. Sawyer was just as efficient in the kitchen as Coy always suspected she was, and she got great satisfaction in watching her girlfriend expertly maneuver around the tiny space. Stuffed chicken breasts were baking in the oven, and there was a custard cooking for dessert on the stovetop.

“You’re always thinking.” Sawyer uncapped a bottle of lime sparkling water from the fridge, pouring half into two glasses. She held one out to Coy, a hint of a smile on her lips. “It’s actually one of your more endearing qualities.”

Coy’s eyebrows shot skyward in surprise. Sawyer openly expressing what she was feeling was new, and honestly, Coy couldn’t get enough of it. Her stomach swooped and dipped as nerves caught her in a chokehold, and she stammered, “Thanks, s-so like what if we went on a double date sometime, you know, with Lori and Cindy? I’ve only sort of met Lori once, but they seem important to you.”

Sawyer eyed her long enough that Coy grew uncomfortable and looked away. Then she heard her sigh. “I don’t think that’s a good idea, McCoy. Cindy is … she’ll make a big deal out of it all, and I want to enjoy what we have. Just you and I together, darling.”

What does that mean?

Coy frowned at the cryptic response. Did Sawyer think her friends wouldn’t like her? Was it the age gap she was worried about? Coy supposed that just because Lori had seemed fine with the idea of the relationship didn’t mean Cindy was.

Fuck, was Sawyer ashamed of her?

The feel of Sawyer’s hand slipping into hers did little to soothe Coy’s mounting unease. Then Sawyer was pinning her against the counter so that their bodies were flush together. She held Coy’s gaze, reaching up to place a surprisingly strong hand along her neck.

“Is it so awful that I don’t want to share you?” Sawyer’s whisper was harsh, unforgiving, yet as she stroked the column of Coy’s throat, her eyes held a tinge of regret. “Cin is … a handful at times, and you and I are still getting to know one another. Why jinx it?”

Coy heard what she was saying and tried not to let her hang-ups bother her. Sawyer was right, after all. Regardless that their first kiss was almost two months ago, they’d only been officially dating for two weeks. Unfortunately, it wasn’t easy to put a timeline on her feelings or try to cram them into a box until Sawyer was ready to open them.

“It’s fine.” Coy forced a grin to her lips and pushed down the swell of disappointment. I’m being ridiculous, she thought . “We’re going at your pace. I haven’t forgotten.”

“Thank you,” Sawyer said, pressing a lingering kiss to Coy’s lips. Her fingers scratched the base of Coy’s hairline, managing to both entice and massage the tense muscles in Coy’s neck. Her eyes fluttered closed, a breathy sigh escaping when Sawyer’s lips found that little spot under her ear that drove her crazy. “Besides, ma c hérie , haven’t you enjoyed having me all to yourself?”

Oomph. Sawyer sure knew how to play hardball. They’d been practically inseparable since Sawyer had shown up at Frankie’s. After work, they’d taken turns going to each other’s house, cooking or ordering takeout, watching a movie, and making out. Every part of it had been perfect, even the occasional awkward run-ins with Sloane. Who Sawyer was still wary of—and she was quick to remind Coy of that during their meal.

“You let your sister dip into your account whenever she feels like it?”

Coy couldn’t decipher the edge to her tone, but the disbelief and disapproval were obvious. “Well, no,” she quickly amended, wishing she hadn’t brought the subject up. It’d been more of a passing mention than anything, in between what she’d had for lunch that day and what she was currently working on at the shop. “I noticed money missing and asked her about it. Sloane said she took some for upgrades on some of our camera stuff.”

“Did she provide receipts?”

Coy lowered her gaze, pushing around the chicken on her plate. “Well, no,” she repeated. “I mean, I can ask for one, though.”

“I no longer speak to my brothers, or my parents for that matter, but if I did, I still wouldn’t let anyone have access to my bank account.”

“You have brothers?” Coy couldn’t hide her surprise. For some reason, she’d imagined Sawyer as an only child. She shook her head. “We’ve known each other for almost five months, and I’m just finding that out?” Of course she was. Just because Sawyer had softened some around her didn’t mean she trusted Coy.

“You’re missing the point,” Sawyer said coolly, cutting into her chicken and taking a bite. She chewed, and Coy’s gaze dipped to her sensuous mouth. When she swallowed and swept her tongue out to her bottom lip, a spark of lust ignited inside Coy.

“Point?”

“Yes, McCoy. You’re too trusting. Too giving. You would probably give me access to your bank account if I asked.”

“I would.” Coy didn’t need to think about it. She knew she would. Perhaps she was jumping the gun on their relationship, but she had surmised long ago that there wasn’t anything she wouldn’t do for Sawyer.

Sawyer only scoffed. “Then you’d be an esti de cave , darling, just like I was for so many years. Don’t ever let anyone have so much power over you. Not your sister, not Frankie. And not me.”

“With all due respect, sweetheart, I would rather trust too much than not at all.” Coy bit her lip, thinking of the many vulnerable encounters she’d had with Frankie. Thinking of the little she did know of the lone wolf. “I trust Frankie with my life. I trust Sloane because she’s family and has never given me reason not to.” Coy got to her feet and went around the kitchen table to Sawyer. She knelt in front of the older woman, looking up at her with wide, earnest eyes and praying Sawyer believed what she was hearing. Coy whispered, “And I trust you, Sawyer, with every part of me. I refuse to think up scenarios where you break that trust. I am … this is it for me, sweetheart. You hold all the power here.”

Sawyer’s eyes darkened. Her hands tightened on Coy’s forearms. “What are you saying?”

Coy swallowed, but she refused to back down. “I-I think you know.”

“So, what? You’re willing to do anything I ask?” Sawyer’s hand cupped the back of Coy’s head, her nails scraping along her undercut. Her voice grew husky. “Even crawl across the floor like a cat? Or strip off all your clothes right here in the kitchen? What if I told you to walk naked into your bedroom, put on the strap on, and let me ride you until I come?”

A gush of air left Coy, and she bowed her head into Sawyer’s lap. Giddiness and anticipation rode a tidal wave through her, and she shuddered. “Fuck yes.” She was eternally grateful for the late nights they’d spent talking about sex toys over the last week, although the option of Sawyer riding her cock was the last thing—

“Then do it, darling. Strip for me.”

Arousal pooled low in Coy’s belly at the command. She had to hold back a groan when she jumped to her feet and brushed her crotch against Sawyer’s knee. With gazes locked together, Coy scrambled to undo the buttons on her dress-shirt, cursing the fact she didn’t go casual tonight with a hoodie.

“Not like that.” Sawyer shook her head, a hint of mischief behind her eyes. “Slower. With music. Dance for me.”

Was she mocking Coy? Was this Sawyer’s way of testing her devotion? Either way, Coy was game. She was no pro like Jasmine, but if her girlfriend wanted a striptease, that’s what she would get.

“Yes, ma’am,” she purred, pulling up Spotify on her phone.

“Don’t call me ma’am,” Sawyer replied, but her lips were curled in a half smile.

Coy pulled up her favorite sexy playlist, choosing not to dwell on the random lovers she’d taken to bed with it playing in the background, and began swaying her hips. Sawyer watched her dance, an amused—albeit disbelieving—expression on her face. Coy felt a bit too clumsy to pull off proper seduction, but she tried her best.

“Now unbutton your shirt.”

Coy licked her lips, never taking her eyes off Sawyer as she undid her overshirt, still swaying her hips to the music. Her clit was already swollen and throbbing, and they’d just gotten started.

“That’s it,” Sawyer murmured, her gaze smoldering as she watched the dress shirt fall to the floor. The feel of Sawyer tracking Coy’s every move had her body flushing with arousal. Being the center of Sawyer’s focus, even briefly, was incredibly intoxicating. “Your arms are exquisite, darling. Now your tank top.”

Reaching for the hem of her ribbed tank top, Coy pulled it slowly over her head, flexing her arms as she did so. A breathy sigh left Sawyer. “ Mon Dieu, Chérie. Si forte et si alléchante. Tu me captives. ”

Coy didn’t want to break the trance to ask Sawyer to translate. She had her suspicions anyway, and the idea of her captivating Sawyer was a dopamine boost like no other.

“This is all for you,” she said softly, reaching for her belt buckle.

“Not yet. Take off your bra next. I want to see you.” Sawyer grabbed Coy’s belt and tugged her closer. Coy grinned, unable to resist straddling one of Sawyer’s thighs as she tugged her bra over her head. The material fell away, and then Coy put her arms around Sawyer’s shoulders, absolutely loving the response Sawyer had to her breasts being so close.

“You can touch them.”

Sawyer’s cheeks pinkened, and she swallowed. “You’d like that, wouldn’t you?” She tutted with a shake of her head. “I think not, darling. I believe you owe me your jeans next.”

“Of course. Anything,” Coy murmured, her pulse picking up as she slid off Sawyer. She danced a few feet away, turning so that her back faced Sawyer, and slowly shimmied out of her faded denims.

“Underwear too,” Sawyer croaked, and it occurred to Coy then that Sawyer probably hadn’t thought she’d actually do it. Strip down naked in the middle of her kitchen at nine thirty at night. If there was a chance Sloane would walk in, perhaps she wouldn’t have, but Coy knew her sister worked late.

She smiled, slipping off her boxers and socks before turning to face Sawyer once more. The heat in her gaze as she soaked Coy in from head to toe was like a volcano burning Coy from the inside out. She was hot, perpetually aroused, and for once, she wished she could see herself through Sawyer’s eyes. Was she pleasing to look at? Did she live up to Sawyer’s expectations? And then another thought occurred to her. Was this how Sawyer felt when Coy had soaked her up like the sunshine after a rain?

“Touch yourself, mon amour ,” Sawyer instructed, unbuttoning a few buttons on her own shirt. She fanned the collar like the temperature in the room increased. “Show me how to pleasure myself.”

It was interesting how Sawyer worded that particular sentence, but who was Coy to complain? She pulled a chair over, placing it directly in front of Sawyer and took a seat. “Well,” she began, spreading her thighs and giving Sawyer an unobstructed view of her pussy, “you could start like this.” Coy cupped her breasts, massaging their fullness before rolling her nipples between her thumb and forefinger. She tweaked the firm peaks, enjoying the delicious ripple down her spine. Then her hand moved lower, down her stomach toward her dripping pussy. She kept her eyes on Sawyer, watching the gleam in her gaze darken inch by inch, the way she squirmed in her seat as Coy slowly fucked herself into a frenzy. Her fingers dipped in and out of her pussy, pausing to tease her clit before sliding back in again.

“Fuck, Sawyer. The way you’re looking at me …” Coy’s breath hitched, quickening her fingers. There was something so erotic about Sawyer sitting there fully clothed and watching her. Her gaze was hooded, completely transfixed on the scene before her, and it only helped to further excite Coy.

“Look what you do to me,” she groaned, scraping her blunt nails up her thigh, over her abdomen, to squeeze her breast. Her thumb strummed steadily against her clit as she tugged her nipple, and soon, her back was arching off the chair and tidal waves of pleasure vibrated through her as her orgasm crested.

“ Calisse , darling. Now I know what you meant before. Watching you turned me on more than ever,” Sawyer said, watching with blatant interest as Coy pulled her glistening fingers out. The tip of her tongue darted out to moisten her lips, and she lowered her voice. “I want to taste you.”

“Yeah?” Coy looked on in amazement, half expecting Sawyer to drop to her knees, and gasped when she grabbed Coy’s wrist and closed her mouth over her fingers. Sweet mother of —

“Now,” Sawyer said, running her tongue along Coy’s fingers one last time, “go get ready for me.”

Coy broke out in a grin and she jumped up. “Yes, my goddess.”

As she was darting to her bedroom, she heard Sawyer’s muffled laughter. “There will be none of that either.”