“What?” Panic exploded inside me. Maybe I misread what he wanted. Maybe he didn’t want to sleep with me.
“I don’t want our first time to be after I’ve … not been at my best. I don’t want you to have sex with me because you’re emotional and need someone. I want it to be more than that, Tensley.”
I blinked at him as though he’d just grown another head.
He leaned over and trailed gentle kisses up my stomach, stopping between my breasts. His minty breath tickled my skin. He must have borrowed my toothpaste, which meant he’d planned on kissing me. Or at least he’d hoped to.
“What do you want me to do?” he asked, desire burning in his eyes.
I stared at him, speechless.
“Let me touch you, caress you, savor and taste every inch of you with my mouth. I want it to be all about you tonight. I want you to come so many times, you can’t stand up. Then I want to hold you while you sleep. Is that all right?” He paused, waiting for my reply.
I nodded. Yes, yes, and hell fucking yes. Granted it wasn’t sex, but I’d take it.
Layne flicked open the front clasp of my black push-up bra. My nipples hardened as the chill of the air danced across my skin. His fingers ran down my side, and I automatically arched upward. He took my nipple between his teeth and his tongue expertly twirled it around in his mouth. His left hand cupped my other breast, and I grabbed the bedspread, bunching it together in my hands so I wouldn’t scream his name.
Without a word, he backed away, then undid my pants. The zipper being pulled down was the only noise in the small room other than our labored breathing.
“I can’t wait to taste you.” His voice was gruff with need.
Seconds later, I was naked in front of him. His eyes traveled over me as he slipped his hand in his jeans, adjusting them down enough for me to have a bit of a view. It was obvious he was uncomfortable.
“Layne, you don’t have to wait. I want you inside me.” My words rushed out in a whisper.
He released himself without a word and knelt down on the floor. He pulled me to the edge of the bed and spread my legs. Then he gently parted my folds.
“You’re so wet. Jesus.” His tongue swirled around my clit while he dug his fingers into the flesh of my ass cheek. My back arched off the mattress while I called his name. His finger plunged inside me while his mouth caressed my sensitive skin. He sucked and nipped, sending waves of pleasure through me.
“Go ahead and come for me.” He pushed another finger in me, reaching the depths of my body.
I squirmed against him, grabbing handfuls of his hair as he continued relentlessly. An intense rush of euphoria washed over me as I released. While I was struggling to regain my breath, he peered up at me with a mischievous grin on his face. “Hang on.” He grabbed my waist and pinned me in place while he lowered his mouth to my core again.
“Layne! Wait. Oh my God. I’m too sensitive. I need—” My words cut off as my hips found the rhythm of his tongue again. He moaned as his hand released me and found my breast. I took his hand, holding it while he kneaded my flesh.
He pumped his fingers in and out of me, slowly at first.
“More,” I pleaded. “Layne, I need you inside me. Please.” I’d never begged before, but he’d turned me into a lust-filled crazy person I didn’t know.
He ignored my pleas but continued to bring me to the edge several more times. When he was finished with me, I was limp with exhaustion. He’d touched me in ways I’d never even considered. My core ached from his mouth and fingers, and a lazy smile eased across my face.
He joined me on the bed, wrapped me in his arms, and placed a kiss against my forehead. “I’ll be right back.”
I watched him as he stood and fastened his jeans, then he left the room. I grabbed my T-shirt and tugged it on while eyeing the floor for my panties. I retrieved them and slipped them on. My room smelled like sex even though we hadn’t gone that far.
“How are you doing?” Layne closed the door behind him, then crawled into bed next to me. “Come here.” He pulled me close to him and my head settled on his chest. “I can stay until you fall asleep.” His fingers toyed with a strand of my hair.
“You don’t have to go. Stay. Stay with me.” I looked up at him, and his beautiful blue eyes connected with mine.
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah.” I’d never asked a guy to spend the night before. I was definitely in new territory.
Although I knew it was real, I almost thought I’d dreamed the previous night. Reaching for Layne, I found his side of the bed empty but still a little warm. The sunlight filtered through my curtains, and I sat up, rubbing my eyes. It was nearly nine, which meant I had plenty of time to shower and get to Benji’s.
My heart filled with excitement. I hadn’t seen him since the attack. The fresh aroma of coffee tickled my nose, and I tossed the covers off me and dressed quickly. I wondered if Layne had made a pot or already gone back to his place.
I flung my bedroom door open and pattered down the hall in my bare feet. I poked my head into the kitchen and came to an abrupt halt.
“Morning,” Avery said, picking up her cup and winking at me.
My eyes narrowed at her as I spotted Justin near the sink and Layne pouring a cup of coffee near the fridge. Shit. We weren’t alone like I’d hoped, which meant Avery would ply me with a million questions.
“It’s not what you think,” I said under my breath as I walked past Avery.
She smirked and tossed me a wink. “Mm-hmm.”
I willed myself not to roll my eyes while I approached Layne. My heart hammered against my ribs because I started to wonder if he regretted what had happened. Fuck. I wasn’t sure how I would handle it if he did.
“Here.” Layne grabbed a cup and filled it with steaming black liquid for me. He kissed me on the cheek and sat it on the counter. I could feel Avery’s stare burning a hole in my back, but I refused to turn around and look at her.
I beamed at him. “Thanks.” Maybe this was a good sign. It was definitely better than him dashing out the door and never hearing from him again.
He brushed a stray hair off my face, his eyes filling with concern. “Did you get some sleep?”
“I did. How about you?” I blew on my java, wishing I could tell him how nice it was to have him there, but I didn’t want to say anything embarrassing in front of our audience.
He leaned over, and his warm breath grazed my ear. “It was the best night’s sleep I’ve had in years.” He tucked my hair behind my shoulder “Do you have plans today?”
I white-knuckled my cup so I wouldn’t spill the hot contents all over the floor. It was crazy how he could turn my body into a blubbering, hormonal mess that would willingly roll over for him with a few little words.
I cleared my throat, steadied myself, then took his hand. “We’ll be back in a bit,” I said over my shoulder to Avery and Justin. I knew they were thinking that we were going to my room for a quickie, but we weren’t. At least not that I was aware of.
“Sorry. I didn’t want to discuss anything in front of Avery and Justin,” I said, closing my bedroom door behind us. I took a sip of my coffee, then set it on my small desk next to my economics book. “I’m going to Benji’s. It’s the first time I’ll see him since we were both in the hospital.”