Page 39

Blake hadn’t meant to call by Astrid’s. He hadn’t meant to text her. In fact, he’d done all he could to refrain from contact because he didn’t do the whole needy pursuit thing. He never chased a girl. They came to him.

And his brother had messaged to say she was coming to Massachusetts that week. It was perfect. Two nights in the same hotel. So much opportunity.

But driving past her building, knowing she was there, not knowing if she was feeling the same. Wanting to ask her. Wanting to see her. Wanting her.

He looked at his phone, at the three dots rolling. Maybe he should?—

The latch on the door released, his phone buzzing with it:

Astrid

Apartment 807

He was through the door and across the foyer in a heartbeat, nodding to the concierge as he called the elevator. The doors slid open and he stepped in, barely sparing a glance for the shiny geometric panelling as he pressed the button for her floor. His phone buzzed.

Aiden

You moved out already?

He suppressed a smile.

Blake

It was nice but not that nice.

He’d liked it though. And his first thought had been Astrid. What would she make of it? Not Aiden. His brother who’d led every decision Blake had made since leaving Ashbury Falls behind.

Aiden

So where are you?

Blake

Visiting a friend. Don’t wait up ;-)

Aiden

We have a game tomorrow…

Blake

And?

Aiden

Is this a mutual friend?

Blake

What do you think?

Aiden

You’re seeing her Tuesday!

Not soon enough, bro.

He pocketed his phone and bobbed on his feet. Come on come on come on…

The second the doors opened, he stepped through and there she was. In the doorway to her apartment. Cropped tee, mini shorts, hair wild and eyes bright. A contemporary pop against the art deco hallway. And everything he’d needed since he’d left her that afternoon.

‘Hey.’ He paused before her, ran his fingers through his hair when all he wanted was to rake them through hers. Kiss her like he had not ten hours ago.

‘Hey.’ Those honeyed eyes lifted to his as she tugged at the hem of her tee. ‘Excuse the mess.’

‘If this is a mess, it’s my kind of mess.’

Her eyes sparkled, her mouth curved up, her nipples beading beneath her tee – fuck , was she not wearing a bra?

‘I was in bed.’

He let go of a gruff laugh. ‘Then it’s me who should apologise.’

She took a little breath, her tongue snaking out to wet her lips as she backed up. ‘You can help me back in it if you like.’

He swung the door shut and swept her into his arms, her delightful giggle-cum-squeal cut short by their kiss.

God, she felt good. Smelled good. Sounded good. Her moans matched his as he cupped her against him.

‘I’ve been fantasising about this all afternoon,’ he murmured.

‘Even with your realtor?’

‘Even with him.’

She shoved his jacket to the floor. ‘Poor guy.’

‘Not so poor when I take up the lease,’ he said, breaking away just long enough for her to shove his sweater and tee over his head.

‘Are you going to?’ She hooked her fingers into the waistband of his jeans, yanked him back to her.

‘Possibly. Probably. I’d like you to come see it.’

Her head jerked back, her startled gaze meeting his. ‘Me?’

‘I’d like a second opinion.’

‘And you want mine ?’

Play it down, buddy. You’re freaking her out.

‘Doesn’t hurt to get a female perspective on that elusive thing you call home.’

Her mouth hung open, her body teasing at his groin even as she kept her lips from his. He stroked his hands beneath her tee, from her waist to her bare breasts, felt her skin prickle, watched her eyes glaze, and her body start to arch. Better…

‘So, you up for it?’

He rolled his thumbs over each tightened peak…

‘You’re playing dirty again,’ she gasped.

‘I warned you I could play dirtier, baby.’

‘What if I can play dirtier still?’

* * *

Astrid popped the button on his jeans, her only thought to end the emotional connection and build on the sexual. Because the sexual felt safe. The other… she had no idea how to handle that. No experience either.

And she needed him. With every fibre of her being she needed him. And this , she knew. This she understood. This was right.

She kissed him deep as she tugged his zipper down.

‘You want to take this to the bedroom?’ he said.

‘I want to take you right here…’ She trailed her hands down his front, marvelling at every line of ink, every ridge. ‘Right now.’

‘Your—’

The word became a groan as she slipped inside his briefs.

‘Easy, Twinkle Toes’ – he grabbed her hand to stall her – ‘I don’t know how much of this I can take, not after this afternoon.’

‘Let’s find out, shall we?’

She dropped to her knees and his hands flew to her hair. ‘ Astrid …’

He sounded pained, every exposed muscle taut as he fought for control. But she didn’t want his control, she wanted him, as raw and undone as she had been.

She licked her lips as she drew him out to her awaiting mouth, her core clenching over his sheer size, the depth of his need evident in every straining inch. ‘I owe you.’

‘You don’t?—’

She flicked her tongue over the tip and he rocked back into the wall with a hiss.

‘Shh…’ she whispered, her lips caressing the velvety skin as she held his gaze, cherishing the heat and the wonder in his, his obedience too.

She stroked down his length, holding him firm. Then slowly, she parted her lips and took him in, devouring him with her eyes as much as her mouth.

‘ Fuuuucck …’ His thighs trembled and his hips rocked, his teetering control fuelling her own.

The thrill of having this great big hulk of a man at her mercy, to claim him so completely…

it was exhilarating, mind-blowing, orgasm-inducing.

She slid her hand inside her shorts, feeding her ache as she took him ever deeper and his eyes flared wider. ‘ Jesus H Christ , are you…?’

She moaned around him in answer and his eyes rolled back with his head. ‘You’re fucking killing me.’

If she didn’t expire first…

She found her rhythm with his, meeting him groan for groan as he wrapped her hair around his fist and thrust harder, faster… the salty taste of his impending orgasm hitting her throat?—

‘ Astrid! ’ He yanked her back, sucking in a breath as he held her still. ‘Bedroom. Now.’

She contemplated refusing but he was too quick, tugging up his jeans and lifting her into his arms like she weighed nothing.

‘Which way?’ he growled, his strength, his eyes, his fierce command, a turn on like none other.

She pointed and he followed. Kicking off his trainers, toeing off his socks, he threw her onto the bed. No finesse, no gentleness.

He tugged his wallet from his pocket and tossed it onto the bedside table before joining her, his knees forcing her thighs apart. ‘You know what our problem is?’

She shook her head and he stripped her tee, his hungry gaze dipping to her breasts. Heat rushed beneath her skin, her nipples tingling against the cool air of the room, and then his tongue was there… laving over one taut peak and making her squeak.

‘We both value our control.’

He wasn’t wrong.

‘So I vote we lose it together.’

Oh God, the way his cock was pressing between her legs, the way he was scraping his teeth around her nipple… she was losing it right now.

‘What do you say?’

‘I say…’ She was panting, the pinch of his teeth shooting sparks to her clit while his cock kept up the pressure over her clothes. ‘This isn’t losing it together.’

She flicked him onto his back with a sudden surge of strength, his chuckle more growl than laugh. ‘I was enjoying that.’

She swept a kiss over his lips. ‘Not as much as me.’ And easing his jeans down his legs, her mouth travelled south…

‘Oh no, you don’t.’

He had her on her back in an instant, arms pinned above her head. ‘You’re too fucking sexy.’

He glanced to the left, to the mirrored wall. ‘Look at you.’

She turned her head and wanted to shy away from what she saw. ‘Oh no you don’t.’ He shifted to her side, curved her back against his front so they faced it together. ‘You’re too beautiful to hide.’

Holding her wrists in one hand, he trailed the other down her body, along the curve of her breast, circling her nipple as she arched into his touch, into him…

She dragged in a breath, her cheeks flooding with colour as she watched her wanton body demand more, her thighs falling open as he dipped lower still.

‘Do you see what I see?’ he murmured, fingertips teasing along the band of her shorts. ‘Do you see how beautiful you are?’

She shuddered with a whimper.

‘Do you?’

She nodded into his eyes as he slipped inside, one skilful stroke between her folds and she spasmed, her hips rolling for more.

‘Was that a yes?’

She couldn’t form a word. She was going to come apart and he wasn’t even close.

‘Watch yourself come, Astrid, see what I see.’

Fuck, she was watching, and she was going, and there was nothing capable of stopping it, not her control, not her will, nothing.

‘That’s it, baby, I’m with you.’

His breaths shortened with hers, his eyes hooded as they watched her in the mirror. She’d never been so turned on, never felt so desired… she wanted to grip him, tip him over the edge with her but he had her wrists held fast.

‘Please…’ she managed to pant. ‘I want you.’

He gave a low growl. ‘I want you too.’

‘Then take me…’

She pushed back and he released her, freeing her to strip her bottoms as he stripped his.

‘Please tell me you have a condom in that wallet?’ she hurried out, rolling him onto his back and straddling his thighs.

He reached for it as she did. ‘Oh no, you don’t, I’ve got this.’

She snatched it up and he lay back, his blue eyes glittering with amusement, want… adoration ? Her heart flickered to life and she ignored it. Focused on the heat, the task at hand. She found the packet and tore it open.

‘Now lie still while I get this right…’

‘Yes, boss,’ he ground out, eyes glinting as his cock bucked within her grasp and she slid the condom down, keeping him pinned there as she lifted her body over him.

‘Now you watch,’ she whispered, turning his head to the mirror.