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CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

JULIET

Stroke. Inner thigh.

What a crap first roll.

Of course, Ford doesn’t think so. He grins at me from where he sits across the pillow pile leaning against the couch with his knees bent and open to give me space to follow through with the dice instructions.

I roll onto my knees, but high in the air and crawl, swaying my hips with each move toward him.

“You’re killing me, love,” Ford groans, his voice thick with desire.

I lick my lips, eyes locked on his as I settle between his legs. “I could say the same.”

Resting a hand on his knee, I tease the sensitive flesh with my thumb before I drag my nails down his thigh. I take my time reaching the hem of his boxer briefs, pushing them down to give me more room to explore. I only stop when I’m millimeters away from reaching the outline of his cock. Ford inhales a sharp breath.

“Your turn,” I rasp, sitting back, heels to ass, all too aware of Ford's attention on me.

It’s at that moment I realize the power this man gives me. The ability to play and tease freely. It’s just as addictive as he is.

Ford mutters a few curses under his breath, but they’re so low I can’t make heads or tails of what he actually says as he picks up the dice and rolls.

Anticipation flutters in my belly as we wait for them to come to a stop.

You Choose. Ears.

A wicked smile curls at the corner of his lips, and I suddenly get the feeling, in true Ford fashion, he’s about to stretch the rules of the game.

Ford reaches up and tangles his hand in the hair at the nape of my neck, eliciting a gasp from the back of my throat. He tugs me forward while his other hand wraps around my torso, pulling me flush against him. His hard cock perfectly nestles against my slit.

My clit throbs, a pulsing reminder that all it would take is rolling my hips to stoke the fire that’s ignited between my legs.

But I don’t give in. I wanted this game. To savor the foreplay. To explore every part of each other in a way that’s playful and without pressure.

And damn if that’s not a description of this entire dating experience with Ford.

I’m struck stupid by the thought, but I don’t get a moment more to examine it because he cranes his neck and nips the flesh just below my ear.

“You’re perfect, love,” he whispers, swiftly sucking the lobe of my ear between his teeth and lets out a breathy moan. He pulls just enough that there’s a bite of pain, but pleasure quickly follows, sending a zap of lightning straight to my clit.

“Oh, Ford,” I whimper, actively trying not to roll my hips and find the friction I want.

“That’s it, love, say my name. Memorize the way it rolls off your tongue. Because if I have it my way, it’s the only name you’ll ever cry out again.”

Well, if I wasn’t wet before, I am now.

I was right to think he was about to play dirty.

But two can play that game.

Ford pulls back and presses a chaste kiss to my cheek. “It's your turn, Juliet.”

I send the dice clattering across the wooden box.

Stroke. Nipples.

My eyes fall to Ford’s already hard peaks in the middle of his chest.

Smaller than that of a woman, I’ve never really taken the time to consider exploring them on a man. But if they make us feel good, they would probably do the same for a guy. Right?

I freaking hope so.

Otherwise, this is about to be real awkward.

I slide my hands up his torso so my fingers wrap around his ribs, and the tips of my thumbs sit just below his nipples.

A choked breath escapes him, and I look up to see he’s gritting his teeth.

“Are you okay? Do you want me to stop?”

“Nope.” His voice goes high at the end like he’s trying and failing to keep it together. “Do your worst, but be aware that you are about to encounter a little known fact about me.”

“And that is?” I ask, my curiosity at an all-time high.

“My nipples are sensitive as shit.”

“Is that so?” It’s one of those moments in life where I’ve been handed the keys to the castle and told with great knowledge comes great responsibility.

Only I’ve got the maturity level of a toddler.

Ford reads my thoughts like a book. “Juliet, as much as I love that mischievous look on your face, I?—”

I run the pad of my thumb over his nipple, his words replaced by a delicious, throaty moan.

I arch a brow. “Were you about to say I should play fair like you did?”

“Fuck.” He breathes, but it comes out more of a whimper. “I’m regretting my choices.”

“And I’m loving your honesty.”

Love.

God, what don’t I love about him?

It’s once again a thought for another time.

Again, I run my thumb over his tightened nipple and Ford sucks in a breath, his hips jerking up of their own volition, searching for the warmth of my pussy.

“Please, love.” He hisses. “If you don’t stop, I’m going to come embarrassingly fast.”

“And we only come together.”

“Exactly.” He lets out a sigh of relief.

He thinks he has me, but tonight I want it all.

I want his come painting the inside of his boxers. I want to bring him back to hard with my mouth. And I want to watch as his cock impales me in long fluid strokes.

I need this.

Because this is just as much about finding myself as it is seeing where this goes with Ford. And I’m ready to take back this part of me.

Which is why I swing my legs one at a time over his hips, resting on my knees and lower my panty clad pussy onto the outline of his cock.

“Juliet,” he warns.

But it doesn’t stop me. I roll my hips up and down the length of him, giving us both the delicious friction we so desperately need. “If we’re going to come, then we come together, baby.”

“Fuck,” Ford groans. “This isn’t how—Juliet, the only place I plan on coming tonight is—shit, I didn’t even ask you if you’re on birth control.”

“I am,” I rasp, rolling my hips again over his length.

“I’m clean.”

“Me too,” I say and lean in, whispering against the shell of his ear. “So, tell me, where are you planning on coming?”

“Inside you,” he growls, wrapping his arm around my torso as he lifts his hips and runs the tip of his cock over my clit. “As long as you let me, it will always be inside you.”

That shouldn’t be as hot as it is, but I find myself whispering, “Yes, please.”

Ford’s hand drops away, and I brush my thumbs back and forth over his nipples, scraping my nails over the tightened peaks in time with the thrust of my hips.

I drink in the sight of him as he tips his head back. Sweat sheens over his brow and his throat bobs as his hands take purchase on my thighs. He’s doing his best to keep it together, taking care not to dig his fingers too deep into my flesh.

Ford like this—moments away from coming undone—is magnificent. I wonder if he knows what a gift it is to see him this way.

It’s not a memory I’ll soon forget.

I thrust my hips again, finding the rhythm and angle that forces my clit against his length as I continue to toy with his nipples, rolling them between my thumb and forefinger.

Who would have thought nipples would be Ford’s undoing?

“I’m really close,” Ford pants, pistoning his hips. “Please, love, don’t stop.”

Good thing I have no intention of doing so.

“Come with me, baby.” The endearment surprises me as it rolls off my tongue, but I find I like it. And if the way Ford moans is any indication, he does too.

I quicken my pace, chasing my pleasure and pushing Ford towards the precipice of his. His abdomen tightens below my hands, and I know he’s right there with me.

One final thrust is all it takes for his body to shudder.

Two thrusts more and I’m there too.

Ford arches his back, pushing his chest up in a beautiful offering. I lean forward and take his nipple in my mouth and suck hard, lashing the tip with my tongue as I ride out the waves of pleasure coursing through me.

“Fuuuck,” Ford groans. “Juliet, yes.”

It’s only after the last quivers of bliss have vacated my body that I fall flat against Ford’s chest. He immediately wraps his arms around me and threads his fingers through the hair at the nape of my neck.

“That was some stroke of my nipples,” he chuckles, pressing a kiss to the top of my head.

“But did you like it?”

“Like it?” His voice is groggy like a Sunday morning. “Love, you’ll have to barricade your door to stop me from asking you for a repeat.”

“Mmm,” I hum against his chest, pressing a kiss to his salty skin. “I believe it’s your turn.”

“Are we still playing?” he asks, and even though I know he means the dice, it feels like a moment of reality knocking at the door.

“I think we should.”

Just for tonight, I remind myself, even though I know my answer. We’re not playing. Not anymore. This thing between us is real, and I want it.

I focus on the beat of Ford’s heartbeat as he picks up the dice and rolls.

“Lick, XXX,” he purrs, pure amusement in his tone. “I’m going to enjoy this one.”

I pop up and rest my elbows on his chest and my chin in my hands. “Is that so?”

“Absolutely.” He grins devilishly, sending a shockwave of lust through me. “I can’t wait to give your pussy the lashing it deserves after you didn’t let me come inside you.”

“But—”

“Uh-uh.” He presses a finger to my lips. “Choices were made, and now you get to pay the consequences.”

I nip at his finger, but he pulls away just in time. “And what are those?”

His lips twitch at the corners. “Remember, we come together?”

“Yeah,” I respond, warily.

“And I won’t be coming until I’m inside you.”

The implication smacks me right in the clit.

He’s not going to let me come by his mouth. Only his cock.

“You’re going to punish me? Even after you came so hard?”

“Think of it as funishment until I’m hard again and can make love to that sweet pussy of yours.” He smiles and helps me sit up between his legs. “Now lie back, Juliet, and get comfortable.”