But if I never told him…
Could I do it? Walk away from the Organization and stay with him? Hadn’t they lied to me about Piers? Why would I risk the possibility of Piers for a position with a group who deceived others into working for them?
Was it possible for me to simultaneously bring the Organization down and prove Piers was blameless in everything they’d accused him of? And do it all without Piers knowing? I wasn’t sure, but I was willing to try.
“Bri?” Piers whispered, and I realized I’d been too caught up in my head and I hadn’t responded to anything he’d said. “If you don’t feel the same…”
He took a step back.
“No,” I said, grabbing him and not letting go. “I do. I want you too. I’m just… nervous.” It wasn’t a lie. “I haven’t done this in a long time.”
“Me either.”
I raised an eyebrow at him, not believing that for a minute. I didn’t say anything, however. The very last thing I wanted to think, much less talk about, was Piers with any other woman.
“What if we’ve both forgotten how it works?” I teased.
“I think we’ll be able to figure it out.”
Chapter 16
Piers
There was something bothering Bri, and I didn’t think it was a case of the nerves. But the way she grabbed me, not allowing me to take a step back, let me know whatever it was had nothing to do with her not wanting me.
She studied me so intently, I almost asked her what she was looking for that she couldn’t find. But then she laughed at my previous remark, and looked so beautiful doing so, every thought not pertaining to getting her into my bed immediately flew out of my head.
“What?” I asked, unable to keep the smile off my face or out of my voice.
“Just an image I had of two naked people sitting around and thinking, what do we do next?”
It was such a preposterous visual, I couldn’t help but laugh as well.
Laughing as foreplay. That was a new one for me. I rather liked it.
Bri stopped laughing and looked up at me with questioning eyes. She lifted her hand and brushed her thumb along my bottom lip. “Kiss me.”
I lowered my lips to hers, softly, wanting to take my time enjoying her taste and the feel of finally having her in my arms. For a short time, she seemed to have no issues with my plan, but I must have kept it up for too long, because she nipped my bottom lip.
“Impatient, are you?” I asked.
“I don’t see why we should wait.”
It was my turn to study her. What type of men had she been with in the past who hadn’t tried to squeeze every bit of pleasure out of her body?
The question would remain unasked. Whatever we did in my bed would only involve the two of us. No way would I invite another man to join us, even if it was only a memory.
“If you don’t see why we should wait, why we should slow things down a little, then I suppose I’ll have to be the one to teach you,” I said.
“Teach me what exactly?”
I leaned down and whispered into her ear, “Anticipation.”
Her body shivered. I kept my lips where they were, positioned directly above her earlobe. I felt the heat coming off her skin, and delighted at the way her body trembled at my words.
“Yes, Bri,” I said. “Just like that. Making you wonder with every second that passes, when and where I’ll touch you next.”
The moan she gave in reply only made me more excited to show her how anticipation could increase her pleasure.
“You think you’re impatient now? Trust me when I tell you we’ve barely touched the surface.” I was almost positive I heard a whimper from her.
I took a step back, placing my hands on her shoulders and walking her backward toward my bedroom. We went slowly. I kept my eyes on hers and guided her with the utmost care. She trusted me, and the Bri I’d known rarely trusted anyone. I felt certain that part of her had changed little. The fact I remained one of the few she gave her trust made me want to build a wall around her to keep away whatever demons occasionally haunted her eyes.
We stepped into the bedroom. Without words, we undressed quickly, rarely taking our eyes from the other. Everything seemed surreal. Even though I’d teased her about going into her apartment and knowing how often I’d fantasied about her coming into mine, it still didn’t feel real.
“You’re so beautiful,” I told her, expecting any second to wake up and realize the entire night had been a vivid dream.
Her cheeks pinked at my words, but it was no empty flattery I gave her. She was beautiful. Every inch was absolute perfection. Even though she’d flushed at my praise, she didn’t appear to be self-conscious about being naked at all. And let me just say I found it hot as hell when a woman wore her skin with confidence.
She chuckled, low and sultry in a sound that shot straight to my dick. “I could say the same about you.”
It made me glad she thought so. I worked out nearly every day for that very reason.
“If I ever wondered why I made myself get up at five in the morning to hit the gym, I now know it was for this moment.”
We stood next to each other, but I needed more.
I held my arms open. “Come here.”
She stepped into my embrace and I knew, as certain as I breathed, that she was it for me. She’d been the first girl I had a crush on and she’d be the last woman I loved.
Even though I’d teased her with anticipation, I never truly expected our first time to go slow. But with the thought of her being the one for me, I felt an overwhelming need to ensure she felt the same.
I placed her in the middle of my bed, wanting to explore every inch of her body. Starting with her neck, I traced the lines of her muscles with my fingertips. When the feel of her skin became too tempting to overlook, I lowered my head to taste her. A trail of kisses followed the lines my fingers took.
She reached out and tried to pull me down on top of her, but I shook my head. “You’ll get your turn later. Remember. This is all about anticipation.”
“I’m good.” She shifted beside me, trying again to urge me to move it along.
“Oh, Bri,” I whispered. “You have no idea.” I ran my hand down her side, over the swell of her hips, until I brushed the tops of her outer thigh. “But you will.”
I took one of her nipples into my mouth and ran my tongue over the peak. At the same time, I slid a hand between her legs and felt how wet she was. How ready for me.
I smiled as I moved on to her other nipple.
She sucked in a breath. “Please.”
“Please what?”
“Please. I want you.”
“Not yet.” I made very light circles around her clit. Not touching. Just slowly bringing her to the edge. “This makes you want me even more, doesn’t it?”
“Yes,” she said, in a hiss.
I continued the same circle while I spoke. The same path. The same pressure. “I bet you didn’t know your need could grow that much stronger, did you?”
She only shook her head.
“Imagine it getting even greater. Or even better, imagine how hard my dick is right now. Because let me tell you, it’s so fucking hard. I’m here, looking at your sexy as hell body, and all I can think about is how good it’s going to be when I get inside you. When I can finally take you.”