“Christ.”
“Yeah, it sucked,” I said. “Never thought about it before, who deals with the blood? Apparently there are specialty cleaning companies who can help get it out of carpet and stuff. What a crappy job that must be. I hope they get paid really well.”
We pulled up outside the hotel and Joe turned off the engine. The sound of the rain pounded through the silence loud and clear.
“I’m sorry that happened to your friend,” he said. “And to you.”
“Thankfully, Valerie survived. She’s good now, happy. Has a boyfriend who thinks she’s Christmas.”
“And you?” he asked, reaching for my hand.
I pulled it out from under my leg, meshing his fingers with mine. “I’m learning not to hate people. It’s a gradual process.”
“Don’t think you hate them, I think you’re more scared of them.” He placed a kiss on the back of my hand, holding my skin against his lips. “After what happened, I can see why.”
Outside, the rain kept falling from the night sky. The world kept turning, regardless of people living or dying.
“That’s the story,” I said.
“Thank you for trusting me with it.”
“Did you still want to come inside?” I was not holding my breath. That would be stupid. And yet, after letting all of it out, the story of Val, I could really do with some company. Especially his.
Still holding my hand, he tucked a strand of hair back behind his ear, getting it out of his face. “Yes. But prepare yourself, there’s going to be a lot of cuddling tonight.”
“Ew.” I scrunched up my nose at him.
“I know, I know. But you’re going to have to be brave and put up with it.”
Quietly, I laughed. “I think I can do that.”
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Message sent two weeks ago:
ME: I’m having a shit-tastic time right now. Work stress, blah blah blah. Tell me something good.
HIM: I’ve been thinking about you all day, looking forward to hearing from you. Also, whatever it is stressing you out, you can handle it. You’re the most badass chick I know.
ME: Thank you. I needed that. xx
“Joe, I thought you said we were going to cuddle.”
“We are cuddling.” Calloused hands slid around my waist, his lips feeding me soft kisses. And I was hungry for them. So hungry.
“I’m pretty sure foreplay and cuddling are different,” I said.
“Christ,” he muttered in a rough voice. “Is sex all you ever think about? I’m just trying to comfort you, Alex. Be there for you as a friend. Stop trying to twist this into something dirty.”
“That would be easier if we weren’t both naked.” I laughed and held his long blond hair back from his face, all the better to see him. The cut of his cheekbones and the pronounced line of his nose. Also, his damp pink bottom lip. Perfect for kissing, biting, and sucking on. The man might have had a point about me having sex on the brain. But if I did, it was totally his own fault.
“You’re so pretty,” I said.
“Pretty?”
“Manly pretty. You know, hairy, and big, and hard and stuff.”
The adorable jerk sighed. “Yeah, okay. I’ll take that. Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
We sat facing each other, me straddling his lap. His back rested against the headboard, his long legs were stretched out. Given the size of the man’s thighs, it was kind of hard for me to move much. Not that I wanted to go anywhere. From carrying all his tools and various pieces of building equipment around, he had a rather spectacular body. Thank God for his slight belly. It made me feel better about my own abundance of soft, rounded bits.
In bed, there was an edge to Joe that worked for me like crazy. New life plan, never let Joe leave the bed. Bossy or not, with a little training, I’m sure he’d make a wonderful voluntary sex slave. And oh, the things I’d command him to do.
He collared my neck with his hand, bringing me in closer for a kiss. Deeper this time, longer. His tongue in my mouth and his thumb stroking my jawline. Eyelids closed, my head spun in slow circles. There was only him and me. Everything else dwindled away to nothing.
A hand on the base of my spine scooted me in closer against his body. I might have been on top, but he had all of the control. Against his very nice hard thick cock in particular. If I angled my hips just right, it lined up perfectly with the top of my slit. Tingles shot through me when I rubbed against him.
Caressing his wrist, I watched him through dazed eyes. “I’m starting to notice how much you like to be in charge.”
“Hmm.” He half smiled. “Did you know, when I have my hand around your throat you get very, very wet? I can feel it on my dick, how hot and slick you are right now.”
Hell. Even his words got me wet. When it came to Joe Collins, my pussy was a wanton whore. And seriously, who could blame it? His body was one big beautiful playground. There wasn’t an inch of him I didn’t want to explore.
He leaned in, nipping my earlobe, making me gasp. “I think you’re starting to trust me, Alex.”
“Maybe you’re just really good at this cuddling and comforting stuff.”
“Oh, I’m all for pleasing you.” He grabbed hold of my hair, holding me in place for an assault on my neck. Shivers raced down my spine.
“Thought you were done with pleasing people.”
“Pleasing you pleases me.”
My breath came faster, lungs working harder. I reached down between us, sliding my fingers over the smooth silken head of his cock. Down farther, the ridge, then the more textured thickness of him. Hard and hot, it all felt so good. My insides ached for him.
“Lean back,” he ordered, hands beneath my arms, taking my weight. His mouth on my breast was ecstasy. Lips sucking, tongue licking, teeth biting. Pleasure followed by a tease of pain. Just enough to seize my body’s full attention, to set my nerves on fire. My head was a mess, my heart beating hard.
I held his head to me, fisting my hands in his hair. Two could play at this game. Also, at this angle, I could rub myself more effectively against his hard-on. Perfect.
“Joe.”
“Mm?”
“Enough. In me.”
The flat of his tongue dragged across my nipple, making it tighten even further. Then he gave it a quick kiss. “Soon.”
Damn him. “No, now.”
“Wait. I’m still comforting you,” he said, and blew softly over my wet nipple.
My eyes rolled back into my head, probably never to be seen again. Any more comforting and I’d explode. And while I didn’t exactly mean to, I’m pretty sure I gave his hair an impatient tug he couldn’t ignore.
With an arm around my back, he sat us back up straight. His other hand was busy reaching for a condom. Finally. My mouth found his, kissing him deep and wet while his hands shuffled my hips back just a little. So sad to lose contact between my sex and his. That it gave him the room to put on the condom was the only reason I allowed it.
One arm was around me, the other holding his cock. Our lips were close, but not touching. Some of the terrible eye gazing going on. Yet for some reason, I couldn’t look away.
The pressure against my labia before his blunt cockhead pushed into me. The feel of him opening me, filling me. However I’d made such things meaningless sex aerobics before, it wasn’t happening. Not with Joe. Right then, I didn’t have it in me to worry. We were connected, his dick buried deep within, and it felt fucking amazing. He was right. I didn’t just want him, I trusted him. And the feelings, the emotions stirring inside of me were building by the minute.