“What’s so funny?” Julie asks, sliding into the booth.
“Trace just told me a joke. But it’s totally inappropriate, so I won’t repeat it out of respect for you ladies.”
Julie snorts. “Sure.”
Garrett can be a dickwad, but he’s a good friend. I meet his eyes briefly, and he nods.
Yeah, I’m a little addled about me and Romy. We just met each other’s friends, which is a very couple thing to do. Notwithstanding the embarrassing stories, it went great. She’s great. And I’m an idiot because I can’t shake a foreboding feeling that things could get epically fucked up.
20
Romy
“Oh, you have got to be kidding me.”
I stare at the letter in my hands. The Board of Elders has changed the requirements for me to pass my WED exam. They’ve made it harder.
“This is nuts.” I look up at Trace, who’s at my place. We met after work for dinner and came back here.
“Let me see.” He reaches for the letter, and I hand it over.
“Argh.” I shove my hands into my hair and sit on the couch.
“Huh.” He looks up. “I’ve never seen this.”
“It’s me. They hate me.”
“No, they don’t.” He drops the paper on my coffee table. “You could appeal this.”
“Really?” I straighten.
“You could. But I think it would be a waste of time.”
“Oh for the love of dogs. What do I do then?”
“Keep studying.” He smiles and pulls me closer against him. I shift and snuggle in, peering up at him. “I’ll help you.”
I drop my forehead against his chest. His big, strong, protective chest. “I’m sick of studying. And I’m sure you’re sick of it too.” I’ve been working so hard, feeling the pressure of the deadline I have.
“No, I’m not.” He smooths a hand over my hair and down my back. “You’ve been busting your butt. Your cute butt. I’m sorry.”
I sigh. I’m skeptical of his denial. This has to be a huge pain in the ass for him. Not for the first time I question whether this is worth it. But if I don’t keep studying, I might not get to see Trace as much. Also, I freakin’ hate it when people doubt me. “I’m going to go to the board again. I want to apologize and explain more.” I hesitate to tell Trace about the other women who are coming with me. I appreciate that they’re with me, but I have a feeling Trace might not like it. It’s turning into a bigger thing than I ever anticipated. There’ve been all kinds of posts in the Facebook group about it. So many are enraged about this. “I can ask them to reconsider this.”
His eyebrows fly up. “Okay.”
“I can do it.”
“I know you can.”
“Thank you for your confidence. And for helping me.” I lift my head. “I couldn’t do this without you.”
His eyes soften. “Sure, you could. There are others who could tutor you. And you’re learning lots from Joe too.”
“I know I wasn’t very receptive at first, but you stuck it out.”
“Only because you have a cute ass.”
“Ah!”
He laughs. “So hey… if you’re feeling down… I can feel you up.” His hand drops to my butt and squeezes.
I respond instantly, my belly doing a flip. “Mmm… that might help.”
“By the way, your boobs are perfect too.”
I huff out a laugh. “Thank you.”
“I’ve heard that when your girl has a rough day, you should give her a rough night.” He kisses my jaw.
“I like it rough,” I whisper, my head falling back.
He sucks the skin of my throat into his mouth. “Yeah? I can be rough with you…” He kisses my neck. “In so many sweet ways.”
“That sounds perfect…”
Grabbing my ass in both hands, he stands, lifting me with him. I wrap my legs around his waist as he strides to the bedroom. He comes down onto the bed with me, his weight pressing me into the mattress, and kisses me. His mouth is hard, demanding, hot… His tongue sweeps inside my mouth, and I slide mine along it and suck on it.
He breaks the kiss. “Witch,” he rasps.
I start to smile, but he kisses me again, rougher, then yanks my shirt open. Buttons pop and he drags the cup of my lace bra down to grip my breast. Straddling me, he shifts down and bites the curve of my flesh, not hard but sending erotic heat spiraling through me. He nips and licks all around my tit, then sucks hard on the nipple.
A groan rises in my throat.
He yanks my shirt from the waistband of my skirt and unbuttons it while he sucks one nipple, then the other, shoves it back off my shoulders and down, trapping my upper arms. Then he flips me over onto my belly. My hair falls in my face, and I gasp as he wrestles down the back zip of my skirt and pushes it down my legs. He grips my ass again in a hard squeeze, throwing a leg back over me.
Lust slams through me.
He bends and kisses my butt cheek, grazing it with his teeth, then sliding his tongue over it.
“Oh God.” I pant as heat builds hotter inside me.
“Such a pretty ass.” He gives me a little swat. “So round and perfect.”
He climbs up on me again, fisting his hand in my hair and tugging my head up. I gasp again as he wraps an arm around my throat, giving me his weight. I’m helpless but also powerful, needy and consumed by desire, but also giving because I know what he needs—control. Acceptance. And most importantly, trust. I trust him.
He rolls to his side, bringing me with him, my ass pressed to his groin where his cock bulges behind the fly of his jeans. One arm still under my shoulders, his other hand slides into my panties and squeezes my pussy. “There. Hot. Wet.”
I’m aching and throbbing, and the heavy touch is what I need. “Yes… yes.”
His fingertips find my clit and pinch and rub it vigorously. He kisses me, wet, sloppy, crude kisses while I gulp for air. I’m full of sensation, sharp and biting, soft and sleek. I’m hungry and wild and bold.
I’m so close to coming when he moves away. He turns me onto my back and moves between my legs, opens his zipper, and pulls out his cock. It’s swollen, the crown smooth and shiny with pre-cum. He gives himself a rough stroke. “You want this?”
“Yes.” I’m trembling, so excited I almost can’t bear it. “Please. Give it to me. Give it to me hard.”
“Oh yeah.” His jeans sag around his lean hips, and he curls his fingers beneath the string of my thong and yanks. The panties rip and heat flashes through my veins. His sexual power enthralls me, captivating me.
He pushes my legs up and back until my pussy is in the air. On his knees, he leans down and shoves his face into my wet folds. His tongue prods; his lips suck on tender flesh. Desire pools right there, between my legs, my pussy throbbing.
“You taste amazing,” he growls. With hard hands, he parts me, then pushes two fingers inside me, plunging them in and out. He groans and returns his mouth there, fingers finding my clit again.
I grip the duvet cover, my head tossing, sensations crashing inside me, smashing and slamming.