“Did you come?” he panted, dropping his hand from his cock.
“No. I guess I just wanted to watch you.” A satisfied smile eased across my face. “I’ll wait until tonight.” I stood slowly, my heart fluttering in my chest with anticipation.
“I’ll make it up to you. I’m sorry I forgot the condoms.” He leaned his forehead against mine.
I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. “This was perfect.”
His arm wrapped around my back, and he cradled me against him as he deepened our kiss. Suddenly, it wasn’t about the sex or the orgasms anymore—it was all about my heart. This man had walked into my life again after three years and was cracking through the wall I’d built around myself.
His tongue caressed mine, and I moaned softly into his mouth.
Finally, I broke our kiss. “I feel safe with you.” My voice was so soft, I wasn’t sure he’d heard me over the spray of the water. “When we’re together, I feel like there’s nothing we can’t do, Layne. I … I’ve never felt like this before.”
His hands cupped my cheeks.
I grabbed his wrists, staring into the depth of his eyes.
“I love you so much, Ten. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for you.”
“I know.” And for the first time in my life, I really did.
19
I screamed like a little girl on Christmas morning when I saw Avery at Barney’s. Although it had only been a few days since I’d seen her, it felt like years. She looked beautiful in her tight, dark-washed jeans, which hugged her curves, and a plum-colored, low-cut blouse. A one-carat diamond pendant dangled delicately from her neck.
She ran across the dance floor and pulled me into her arms. “You look amazing. A nice shirt and sex definitely agrees with you.” She smacked me on the butt and giggled. Thank God I’d left Layne and Benji at the door when I’d seen her. She would have embarrassed the shit out of me in front of my boyfriend.
I’d opted for my favorite pair of black boots with a baby-blue top Avery had loaned me months ago tucked into my black Levi’s and a wide belt.
“Are you all right?” I asked, breaking our hug. “No strange men have followed you?”
Usually, Avery would have made a big joke about my question, but not this time. Her face grew serious, and she grabbed my hand in hers. “I’m good. Dad or Justin have been by my side every single minute. But, like, you’ve got to fill me in on everything. All I know is that some crazy criminal dude was hiding on our property and we need to lay low until he’s captured.”
A slight frown creased my forehead. Dammit. They hadn’t told Avery everything. “We’ll get all caught up, but not tonight. I need to blow off some steam, and this is Benji’s first social outing since the attack.”
She grabbed my face with her hands and placed a firm kiss on my cheek. “I love you, Tensley Bennett! I’m not sure what the hell is going on, but nothing bad had better happen to you.”
I forced a laugh. “I’m safe. I promise.” My gaze drifted over to Layne, who had ordered some shots and grabbed us all a table. He and Benji clinked glasses and downed whatever they were drinking.
“Get Justin and meet us at the table. I know some more people are coming too.”
Her smile lit up her gorgeous face. “He went to the bathroom, so we’ll join you in a minute.” I hadn’t realized how much I’d been wrapped up in my own shit until I saw her. We would have to carve out some girl time soon.
On my way to the table, I stopped at the bar. Matthew greeted me with a warm smile.
“Can we get some music?” I asked, grinning widely.
“You bet. And what would you like to drink tonight?” He leaned on the bar, his fingers grazing mine.
I pulled my hand away. “What did Benji and my boyfriend order?”
My heart sank to my toes as Matthew’s face fell. “Benji’s your boyfriend?”
No wonder he looked so confused. I laughed and shook my head. “No. The tall guy with dark hair is. His name is Layne.”
Matthew stilled for a minute, and his deep-brown eyes searched me. “Is he good to you, Ten?”
For the first time, I realized that Matthew had real feelings for me. He hadn’t just been a fun and flirty bartender. Fuck. How did I miss that?
“Yeah. Very. We, uh, we knew each other from high school, but until he moved here and we had some time to get to know each other again, he was my sworn enemy.” I attempted a lighthearted laugh. Awkward didn’t even begin to describe how I felt at the moment.
“They had Redheaded Sluts.”
Good grief. “Who in the hell comes up with names for these drinks?”
Matthew chuckled and rattled off the ingredients. “Since you’re playing tonight, your drinks are on the house.” He flashed a big grin at me then made me two.
“You’re the best. Thanks.” I downed one, then grabbed the other. “I’m going to head to the table with everyone, but I’ll catch you later.”
When I turned around, Layne’s attention was glued to Matthew and me. His gaze drifted from me to our friendly bartender, and their eyes locked. Neither of them said a word, but I was very clear about what was transpiring between them. Layne was marking his territory: me.
I sidled up to Layne and kissed him on his full mouth. “Stop. Matthew is harmless.”
“No guy that looks at you like that is harmless,” he whispered against my ear. Goosebumps dotted my skin, and I remembered his promise to make love to me later that night.
“There’s no competition.” I slammed my shot down as “Cry for Me” by Camila Cabello filled the bar.
“Dance with me!” Avery said from behind me, tugging on my arm and pulling me backward. I released a loud whoop.
“Here’s a show for you, Layne,” Benji said, laughing into his hand.
Justin joined the guys at the table while Avery and I made our way to the small wood floor. Since only a handful of people had been invited, we had plenty of space. The alcohol warmed me as the music filled the bar. Avery whirled me around and we laughed together.
“Poor Layne,” Avery yelled over the noise, her hand landing on my waist. “He’s going to lose his shit when he sees us dance.”
I rolled my eyes at her. Avery swore she had the best sex of her life with Justin after we danced together. We knew it was just a show, but apparently the guys liked the thought of our hands on each other.
“I have to keep it PG tonight. Benji’s parents are here,” I said, practically yelling.
Avery full-on pouted. “Just a little? Justin has been seriously distracted, and I need to be taken care of.”
“Really?” Justin had always seemed so attentive to her.
The beat of the music continued while Avery danced behind me. Her arm slipped around my waist as I rubbed my butt against her. I snuck a peek at Layne. His mouth was slightly open.
I turned to face Avery, moving to the beat as my hand slid down her side, and we grew dangerously close to kissing. Her fingers traced down my hip, and her leg slid between mine. We rocked our hips to the rhythm, lowering toward the floor.
Avery snickered. “By the look on your man’s face, his dick is so hard, he’s in pain.”