Page 63 of The Restoration Program

“Hey.” He looked at her in disbelief. “I thoughtIwas supposed to get the first taste.”

Nicole sat on the edge of the plate and crossed her ankles, innocently licking frosting off her fingers. “Oh, my bad. Here, babe.” She muddied her hands again by grabbing a fistful of chocolate cake and frosting. Holding it up, she beckoned him closer.

His playfully offended expression twitched into intrigue. Eyes glinting, he leaned in. Instead of feeding him, she reared her hand back and smacked the cake onto his cheek, smearing it.

Gasping, he pulled back and reached for his slice. In one smooth movement, he gathered a dollop of frosting on his finger and lashed back with it on her cheek in retaliation.

“Oh come on, that’s like my entire face!” she whined, scrambling away. She scooped up more and threw it up high, hitting his chin.

“You started it!” He wiped the frosting away and chased after her with his hand.

She yelped and clambered behind the cake. He moved the plate aside easily and didn’t give her a chance to find more cover. His fingers locked around her waist and swept her off her feet, bringing her in front of his face.

Her protests melted into giggles as he kissed the frosting off her face. The tip of his tongue nudged up and down her cheek, making her squeal. Somewhere along the way, his teasing morphed into tenderness. His kisses became deeper, slower.

When he finally pulled back to look at her, neither of them had to say a word to know what they wanted next. He abandoned the cake, whisking her off to the bedroom.

This wasn’t the fuck she wanted, but it got the job done. The rhythm was becoming a familiar one. Ryan’s breathing swirled around her like a hurricane. Nicole fisted the sheets beneath her with one hand—the other was busy working the wetness under the veil of her thong. Ryan jerked himself off mutually.

One of his hands was pressed into the bed beside her; his muscled body was the sky above her. He descended on her with too-large kisses against her neck, her breasts, her face. Nicole bit his lip when he lingered, eliciting a pleased noise that rumbled into her center.

He kissed her neck again and Nicole leaned her head back, sighing. He lookedfantastic, but it was an Olympic feat for her to feel sexy while she was rocked on the bedding. The desire that had flooded her earlier flickered like a dying light despite her attempts to hold onto it. She did her best for his sake to make her gasps shrill and brimming with ecstasy. When Ryan gave a loud moan and finished, she tried not to look too relieved that the ordeal was over.

He rolled off of her, stretching out on his back to her right. Nicole crawled closer to him.

“Everything okay?” Ryan asked.

“Of course. Why?”

“You didn’t finish.”

She ran her lips together, stifling guilt. She hadn’t orgasmed for a while, actually. Not since the second time they tried mutual masturbation, and she’d had wine to help her attain that special moment.

“I’m just tired,” she said. “It’s not you, babe.”

Ryan smiled at her softly, eyes glittering, his task unfinished. “Do you need some help?”

He dragged his index finger down her stomach. He nudged her legs apart. She took hold of his finger, stopping him in his tracks before gently pushing his hand off altogether.

“I’m just too tired,” she whispered. “Sorry.”

Disappointment flickered over Ryan’s face before he gave her a little shake of his head. “Hey, hey… You don’t have to apologize. We’re still learning what works.” He kissed the top of her head and pulled her under his chin.

“You’re right,” she murmured. “We’ve got time.”

She leaned into his embrace, but the guilt would not ebb. Matching his energy and desire became harder each time. There was no question in her mind about what was wrong. She missed having him comfortably within reach. She missed being able to slide her arms over his shoulders, run her fingers through his hair. She missed being able tofittogether.

“I just feel bad,” he said, rubbing circles on her back. “I want you to feel good too.”

“I feel plenty good, baby.”

“I miss making you scream,” Ryan persisted softly. “Tell me what you want.”

“I don’t know.” Nicole kissed his palm. “You’re fine, I promise!We’refine.”

His warm breath on her skin did nothing to bar the memory of some of their greatest hits. The sex had been louder. Harder. A version ofnormalthat had suited them.

Just when she was about to suggest they clean up and go to sleep, Ryan made a soft noise of contemplation.