Page 24

Danielle

A fter our performance, Alice gives me a hug and speaks into my ear so I can hear her over the noise. “Go home with your man. See where the night goes. Shelley and I will keep Jake and Jordan out of your hair this time. We can go to Marnock and ride go-karts then get tacos or something. I promise there won’t be any interruptions from roommates or jealous friends tonight.”

“You’re the best.”

“I know.”

I can’t imagine either one of the guys will turn down her offer, so I should have plenty of privacy with Mike for the next few hours.

I do still want to talk more in detail about the issues that led to our fight, but that can wait. Tonight, I’m glad we seem ready to move on from it, and I just want to focus on this amazing man being back in my life.

“Want to get out of here?” I tilt my head up at him.

“I thought you’d never ask.”

Back at Mike’s apartment, I learn that he does make an impressive carbonara. He wasn’t kidding, but it’s hard to concentrate on the food he cooked for us when all I want to do is stare at the way his mouth moves while he eats it. Judging from the heat in his eyes when he looks at me across the small kitchen table, he feels the same way.

It’s like we are picking up exactly where we left off the last time I saw him, minus the hiccup of our giant argument. The vibe tonight is the same as it was when he walked me down the pier. This is where we both wanted to end up that night. Except tonight, all the time we spent apart adds to the tension that has built up between us, and all of that pressure needs to find a release. You know what they say separation does for the heart. Apparently, it does the same thing to the rest of my body. That kiss on the stage felt like a promise of so much more to come, and I’m ready for all of it.

Mike wipes his mouth with one of the paper towels he set out as napkins. He gathers our plates and dumps them in the sink. Then he turns to face me and tells me exactly what is on his mind.

“I’ve missed you so much. I would really like to take you to my bedroom.” Hearing the needy rasp in his voice causes my mouth to go dry. I lick my lips and swallow hard. He hasn’t asked a question, but I answer anyway.

“Yes.”

He chuckles and steps forward, reaching out to tuck my hair behind my ear. “Yeah?”

“Yes,” I try to repeat, but I only breathe out half of the word before his mouth comes crashing down on mine. He kisses me until the room starts to spin, then breaks away to run his nose along my jaw.

“You set the pace here,” he says. “Tell me how you want this to go.”

“Um, what do you mean?”

He pulls back just a little bit so he can look at me. “I hope I’ve made it clear by now that I will always mean exactly what I say to you. I’ve wanted you since the minute I saw you at that crab feast. I’ll be happy with anything that happens here tonight. I want to make sure you are, too. I want to make you feel good now. What do you want? Tell me what you like.” His voice is so tender it is almost reverent when he adds, “I need you to talk to me. Please.”

I have never had anyone ask me that so directly before. It’s embarrassing to talk about, but I know he deserves to have me return the same honest vulnerability he offers so easily. This is a way to do that. I try to harness the confidence I was feeling at karaoke.

“You,” I tell him. “I want you.”

He smiles. “That part is a guarantee. You have me for as long as you want me.” He pulls me into his body and lets me feel what our close contact is doing to him.

“Promise?”

“I do.” He runs his fingertips gently down the length of my arm, causing goosebumps to rise along the trail of his touch. “But right now the question is how do you want me, Danielle? Do you want me to be gentle? Or would you prefer something firm? Hard? Or do you want to be teased? Do you like to be in control?” he asks, punctuating each option with a kiss behind my ear. My back arches involuntarily. “Talk to me. Be honest,” he says it like he is begging me to share this part of myself. He needs the same level of trust he has always given me. Finally, I can do that for him.

I swallow and duck my head as I start talking against his chest, still hesitant to voice my own needs. "I do like to be teased, and I like a lot of praise. I want you to take control, but not, like, too much.”

He uses one finger to lift my chin so I’m looking at him. “Got it. What else?”

“Not super rough, but not too gentle either. I guess somewhere in the middle? Also, I get overheated really easily, so can we keep the fan on?" I feel awkward and silly saying the words out loud, but Mike nods like he appreciates the direction and my confession seems to add to his confidence.

“I can definitely do that.”

Judging by the way my body is reacting to just his light touch on my arm and a few kisses, I have no doubts about that. “I know you can.”

“Good. The first time we met, you told me you like games. So, maybe we can play a little game to get you ready. Do you think you would like that?”

The heat I feel spreading through me tells me we are not going to need any help in the “getting Danielle ready” department, but I’m intrigued by his suggestion, so I nod. “What did you have in mind?”

“How do you feel about toys?” he asks.

“Like the ponies you bought?”

Mike laughs, but he looks at me with heat behind his eyes. “No.”

“Oh.” I don’t use them often, but I’m not a stranger to toys in the bedroom. Alice gave me a vibrator for my birthday two years ago. When Honey found out, she bought me a gift certificate to an online boutique and shared recommendations of her own, which like I said to her, is something no one wants to hear from their grandmother. Unfortunately, I have to admit her recs were good ones. They helped me learn I need more external stimulation. But I like the sex toys my grandma gave me is definitely not something I want to say right now. In the spirit of honesty, I tell him, “I feel fine about small ones. As long as they only go near the front door.”

“Here?” He reaches down and rubs me gently through my pants. The heel of his hand is in the perfect spot to create the friction my body is craving, and once again I don’t have any control over the way my hips begin to push into him. “Tell me what you need, Danielle.”

“Bed.”

That’s all I have to say before Mike picks me up and throws me over his shoulder. I laugh when he playfully swats at the back of my thighs then gently rubs the sting away.

He sets me down, reaches into his nightstand, and pulls out a pink bullet vibrator about the size of my thumb, then he grabs my waist and tugs me closer to him so the fronts of our bodies are touching. I can feel heat start to build low in my belly and my face feels flushed. I want this. I want him.

“I’m totally down for this, but only if you tell me that hasn’t been used on someone else before, because if it has then ew,” I say.

He chuckles before answering. “I ordered it after you texted me. Call it wishful thinking. It’s brand new for you.”

I love that he planned for this, and that he can admit he’s been wanting me for a while. Bending so his head is closer, he whispers into my ear with gravel in his voice. “If you’re a good girl, maybe I’ll even let you keep it.” That sends a shiver through me, which does not go unnoticed. “You do like that, don’t you?”

I nod. Now that we’ve pushed past the initial awkwardness, I’m having fun.

“How do we play this game?”

“Lie down,” Mike says as he guides me backward until the backs of my knees are leaning into the bed. Happy to comply, I flop onto the cool sheets, giggling. He throws the comforter on the floor and stands over me, giving instructions. “I just told you I bought you a new toy. Is there anything you’d like to say to me?” His tone is commanding, but playful.

“Thank you.”

“That’s better.” He smirks. He looks so hot with dark jeans riding low on his hips and that signature dark tee that stretches across his pecs and highlights his well-defined biceps. I could get used to him taking control like this.

“Get naked,” he demands, and I start to obey, sliding my leggings and my panties off together, then sitting up so he can help me remove my shirt. Mike hums his approval and buries his face in my neck. Being with him and seeing the way he appreciates my body gives me a newfound confidence. When I reach behind me to unclasp my black lace bra, he puts his hand over mine. “On second thought, I like you just like this for now. You look gorgeous. Spread your legs for me. Now I’m going to turn on your toy, and when I tell you to, you’re going to hold it right here.” He runs a finger gently over the little bundle of nerve endings that is already swollen with anticipation. “Does that sound fun?”

“Yes,” I breathe.

“Good. Then I’m going to set a timer on my watch so we can start the game. You will hold it there and do whatever I tell you for five minutes. The only rules are that you can’t move the vibrator away, and you can’t come. If you can control yourself and wait that long, then you win. You will get to decide when, where, or if I come tonight.”

I smile at him. The game he’s made up sounds so Mike , ever the athlete, even bringing that competitive spirit into the bedroom, but he’s met his match. I never say no to a dare. This should be fun, not to mention easy for me to win. Five minutes is nothing.

“But,” he continues “if you can’t control yourself and you come before time is up, then I win, and I will get to decide how I come. That means if I tell you to get on your knees for me you do it, no questions asked. Deal? Would you like that?”

I nod. It sounds like I win, no matter what happens. Either I’m going to have an orgasm in the next five minutes, or I’m going to get to do whatever I want to him for the rest of the night. It’s not exactly a hardship.

“Use your words.”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what?”

“Please.”

“That’s my girl. Here you go.” He turns the vibrator on and a low hum fills the space between us while he hands it to me and sets his watch.

Before we get started, I have one question. I hold the vibrator in the air and ask, “What happens if you go off before the timer does?”

Mike lets out a small laugh and reaches a hand into my bra. He runs his thumb over my bare skin and admits, “If you can make that happen, then you deserve to win. But I don’t plan to make it that easy for you.” Pulling his hand away, he taps his watch one more time to start the clock before he says, “Go.”

As soon as the vibrator touches me, I realize this is going to be much harder than I thought. The ceiling fan is spinning above us, blowing cool air onto my skin, and causing goose bumps to form on my arms and my legs. It’s making me extra sensitive. Seeing Mike, still fully clothed, stare down at me while I’m lying in nothing but my bra and using the toy he bought for me feels so deliciously naughty.

“Does that feel good?”

I can only moan in response. “Show me how you do this when you’re alone,” he encourages. “Have you been thinking of me, because I’ve been thinking about you. Every time.” His words are turning me on just as much as the vibrations between my legs. Wanting to win, I continue to hold the vibrator in place with my right hand, then slide my left hand down my belly and over my thigh before dipping it between my legs. All of my senses are heightened. I’m barely touching myself, but it feels like I’m on fire. With one finger, I stroke lightly.

“I’m so ready for you.”

“I know, baby.” Mike puts his arms on either side of me and leans down in a push-up position over my body. “You’re doing such a good job. I’m so proud of you.” His words make me whimper. He places gentle, barely-there kisses on my forehead and my nose.

“I wish it was your hand,” I admit.

He hums a low note. “That can be arranged. We didn’t set any rules that said I couldn’t touch you.” And suddenly his fingers are replacing my own. I can feel his warm breath next to my ear. “Tell me what else you want.”

“You.” I don’t care about the game anymore. I need to feel him.

My eyes are closed, but I can hear his smile when he answers. “Patience. We’ll get to that.” He slides one finger into me, then another, in long, slow strokes that are making me suck in short breaths as my chest rises and falls.

“I changed my mind. Take off your bra,” he orders as he continues his relentlessly perfect torture, holding the vibrator in place for me while I prop myself up on my elbows to remove my last article of clothing and toss it aside, fully exposing my body for him. When he curves his fingers and finds the perfect spot as the toy continues to buzz against me, my back arches involuntarily and I grind greedily into his hand.

“Please. I need you.”

“It’s hot when you beg me, baby, but your time isn’t up yet.” That’s the second time he’s called me baby in the past five minutes, and I love it. His fingers are still stroking in that rhythm I hope he never changes. I wish I could lie here like this forever, but…

“I’m going to come,” I whine in a way that would be embarrassing if I could bring myself to care about anything except the way he’s touching me.

“Good. I want to feel it.” He smiles and nips at my lower lip.

This playfully dominant side of him is driving me into a frenzy. My thoughts are so cloudy and incoherent that I’m not sure I could spell my own name correctly. I can’t take it anymore, and my body explodes onto his fingers at the same time that his watch starts to beep.

“Look at that. It’s a tie. We both win.” He chuckles and takes the vibrator from my hand before switching it off and tossing it on the bed.

“Great,” I pant. “Now take your clothes off and get over here.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

Mike stands and reaches behind his head to pull his shirt off from the back. Then he drops his pants and boxers in one motion, leaving all of his clothing in a pile on the bedroom floor. His body is insane, like a marble statue. The only imperfection is the small scar on his left shoulder.

“Can I touch you?” I ask, still struggling to catch my breath.

“Of course. You can do whatever you want. You earned it,” he teases.

I pull myself onto my knees on the bed while he stands in front of me. Kissing him hard, I reach down to touch him at the same time that my tongue explores his mouth. He moans and grabs my thighs.

I pull away just far enough away to ask, “If you’d won the game, what were you going to do to me?”

“That’s an excellent question. Why don’t you let me show you?”

“I think I’d like that.” I smile.

The nightstand drawer is still open and he reaches in again to retrieve a condom. The rest of the night is a blur, but by the morning two more foil wrappers have joined the first, all sitting empty next to a discarded water bottle.