After switching off the TV, Lia grabbed a blanket off the chair and began to lay it over his lap. He inhaled deeply and then his eyelids fluttered open.
“Hey.” His voice was rough and he ran a hand down his face.
“We fell asleep.”
“Is it raining out?” he asked, glancing around. Lia nodded. “What time is it?”
“About two. Sorry, do you need to go? I didn’t want to wake you.”
He let his head fall back to the cushion and lazily reached up and touched the flimsy hem of her pajama shorts. They were incredibly tiny, coming just to the top of her thigh, and his warm finger moved back and forth over her delicate skin. He looked up at her. “Do you want me to go?”
She regarded him for a moment, his eyes never leaving hers. “No.”
Without a word, he held up both hands up for her to grab on to, which made her smile. Pressing her feet into the floor to steady herself, she tried to pull him up off the couch. They both laughed quietly at how she strained. Eventually he let her go and stood up on his own.
“Sorry. I should have known I was too heavy for that.”
“I’m a strong girl,” she teased.
He wrapped her in his arms and stared down at her. “Yes, you are.” He placed a quick kiss on her forehead. “I could use some water.”
“I’ll get us some. You head back. Door on the left. I’ve even got an extra toothbrush in the bottom drawer. If you want.”
He raised an eyebrow at her. “You trying to be subtle?”
She chuckled. “No! I just want you to feel comfortable here.”
He just smiled and headed down the hall with heavy footsteps, scratching at his neck. It felt good to have him stay here with her. Natural and . . . safe. Something she didn’t always feel, especially not with a man, but she felt it with regularity around Tyler.
She filled a large glass of water for them to share, and then made sure the front door was locked. When she stepped into her bedroom she saw that he was in the bathroom with the door shut, water running.
Unsure of what to do, she decided to just get under the covers and wait. It was almost domestic, what they were doing. The entire evening had been very relaxed and easy.
A moment later, the bathroom door opened and Tyler stood there in only boxer briefs, bathed in bathroom light. All his tattoos and muscles on full display. He flipped off the light. “You might have warned me I’d have to rifle through a mountain of tampons to find that toothbrush.”
Lia laughed. “Sorry. That must have been traumatizing.”
“I survived.”
“I think you’ve survived much, much worse than that.”
He sauntered around the foot of her bed, and then crawled in next to her. “True.” He immediately scooted across the bed and folded her up in his arms. “Good thing too, or I wouldn’t get to do this.”
Lia melted against him, wrapping her arms around his waist and breathing in his skin. His hands roamed over her butt, down the back of her thigh. He grabbed behind her knee and pulled her leg up over his hip, bringing their bodies close.
The rain picked up outside, pelting against her window, almost giving the illusion that they were alone in the world, snuggled into one another. She lifted her face to his, and even in the dark he found her lips immediately. He kissed her the way she liked best. Slow and deliberate, and she loved the way his lips were somehow strong and soft at the same time. When his tongue dipped into her mouth, the sensation sent a chill through her body and she instinctively rocked her pelvis against his. Would he take that as a signal? Did she want him to?
Tightening his hold on her leg, he pulled it higher, up onto his waist, giving him the ability to push his erection against her, the only barrier between them being a few scraps of cloth.
Ever since she’d held him in her hand, felt the firm yet smooth skin, she’d imagined—in graphic detail—what it might be like to let him inside of her. It was hard not to imagine Tyler as her first, as gentle and compassionate as he was. And of course, his body was pure fantasy fodder.
Those visions once again entered her mind, him lowering his body onto hers, widening her thighs, pushing in. She began to kiss him deeper and he didn’t hesitate to follow her lead, his body angling up and over hers.
Was this it?
Lia pulled away, gasping, needing to get a handle on her thoughts, which was hard to do when she could feel his penis pressing into her upper thigh.
“This okay?” he whispered.
She nodded, loving how he caressed her face.
“Tell me what you’re thinking,” he said, untangling their legs as he easily insinuated himself between her thighs. The first grind of his erection against her pelvic bone had her whimpering. She could make out his grin, her eyes adjusting to the darkness of the room. “Does this feel good?”
“You know it does.” She tipped her body up to meet him, and then it was his turn to let out a groan. “Everything you do to me feels good.”
“I haven’t even begun to get to the good stuff, Lia.” He stared down at her. “Let me make you come.”
He waited for her response, pushing a lock of hair off her forehead. Her body was humming, begging for what she knew he could give her. Never had she orgasmed with a man before, and she wanted it with Tyler more than anything. There was no doubt in her mind that he would give her what she had waited so long for. What she thought she might never find. She nodded. “Please.”
He placed one last kiss on her lips and then pushed up off her body. He began to make his way south, the sheets sliding down along with him. She felt absolutely no regret as he pushed up her flimsy tank top and latched his mouth onto one of her nipples.
Her fingers went to his head, threading through his hair. The action seemed to stir him on because he sucked hard and then laved at her like a melting Popsicle. Pushing both of her breasts together, he used long, angled strokes of his tongue to lick them both. Then again.
Lia couldn’t stop the gasps and moans that came from her, but she tried desperately to keep them quiet.
“You’re so fucking perfect,” Tyler said as he stared down at her breasts, which were still plumped together in his hands. He let them go, watched them fall, and then pressed his lips on her sternum. Making a trail down the center of her stomach, then her belly button, he sat back just far enough to get his hands on her shorts.
“I’m taking these off.”
“Okay.” And suddenly she realized, with this man there was no more hesitation. She wanted this.
* * *
Tyler’s hands nearly shook as he took hold of the elastic waistband of her tiny shorts and began to slowly pull them down. He was on his knees, and even in the darkened room he could make out the little white panties that came into view. Goddamn, everything about her blew his mind.
He glanced up at her face, and her eyes met his. Thank goodness she didn’t seem nervous or hesitant. Because if she did, he would stop immediately. But damn, it would suck.
“Feet up,” he said quietly. It was a little odd that her brother slept just down the hall, but not even that was going to stop him from getting his hands on this woman if she was willing.
She lifted her legs and he maneuvered the scrap of shorts off her toes and tossed them to the floor. Her feet settled back down onto the mattress beside his knees, leaving her thighs parted in front of him.
“This . . .” He trailed a finger from her belly button down over the soft cotton panties. They were opaque enough that he could make out the dark pubic hair beneath, see the fullness of her pussy below. “This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.”
Her legs fell to the sides even further, exposing the soft crevice of where her thigh met her labia. One of his favorite parts. Leaning down, he placed a kiss right there, loving how she gasped and closed her thighs around his head.
After another kiss she relaxed, allowing him to gently shove her legs back open. Using his tongue, he outlined each seam of her panties. One s
ide, then the other. Her breath came quick, and every once in a while, she whimpered, making his cock ache with the desire to push inside her. He’d been dreaming of finally having her, but first he had to make sure she enjoyed this. Felt comfortable.
He slipped one finger beneath the fabric, running the length of her, feeling course hair, then plump, slick skin. “You’re wet for me, Lia.”
His eyes met hers, although he knew she’d been watching him, her head angled up on the pillow.
“Take them off,” she said. Pressing her feet into the bed, she lifted her butt up to help him. No way could he deny her that request. Hooking his fingers into the material, he slid them over her butt, up off her legs, and tossed them in the same direction as her shorts.
“Oh fuck,” he muttered when he looked down. She’d let her legs fall back open, completely exposing herself to him. Instantly he scooted down on the bed and leaned down. Hooking one knee over his forearm, he parted her even further. “I’m going to be here all damn night, Lia.”
He heard a soft chuckle as he lowered his head and ran his tongue up the length of her.
“Oh God,” he heard her say on a sigh. Another long slow lick, but this time when he encountered her clit he applied the lightest pressure.
“Oh . . . do it again,” she said, her voice breathless. He did as she asked, but this time he let his tongue penetrate her even further. On the third stroke, he hovered just above her slit until she bucked off the bed shoving herself against his face. Oh hell yes.
That was all it took, and he devoured her. Licking, sucking, fucking her with his tongue and tugging with his lips until she grabbed onto his head and her body vibrated into a long climax.
“Oh my God,” she whispered, her head falling back on the pillow. Grinning to himself, Tyler blew gently on her over sensitized skin. She gasped.
Enjoying the sound of her shallow breaths, he made his way up her body, then settled back down on top of her. He loved the way she instantly wrapped her hands around him and sought his lips with her own. They kissed, long and deep, her legs going up to circle his waist.
“I want you,” she whispered. Her right hand left his body and suddenly she was rubbing his cock through his underwear. Goddamn, it felt good.
“I’ve wanted you since the moment I saw you,” he answered. Kissing her again, he enjoyed the feeling of her stroking him up and down. And then finally slipping her hand inside, she wrapped her fingers around him. “Don’t stop, Lia.”
Tyler made quick work of reaching down and yanking his underwear off.
“You’re so big,” she said quietly, her fingers continuing to drive him insane. And shit, now her words. He might not make it long. It almost began to feel like a first time for him too. “I can’t believe we’re doing this.”
But wait . . . was that apprehension in her voice? Doubt crept into his thoughts, and before settling back down, Tyler put a hand on each side of her shoulders and looked down into her face. She was watching her hands as she fondled him, and while it felt amazing, he couldn’t let go of the thought that maybe she was suddenly questioning this.
“Lia. Look at me, babe.”
Her hand stilled, eyes lifted to his. She wasn’t still for long, her hand slipping down to gently cup his balls.
“Holy shit.” His eyes squeezed close and he huffed out a laugh. “You’re killing me.
When he looked back down, she was gazing up at him. “I like touching you.”
“Not as much as I like it,” he said. Her lips pursed the slightest bit. That was when he decided. They would not be fucking tonight. Damn. But he knew, without a single doubt, it was what had to happen. Now to tell her without messing this up.
“Having you beneath me like this . . . your hands on me . . . it’s like a fantasy come true.” He watched her eyes widen at his words. Her fingers went back up to his shaft, which was so close to bursting he thought he might not make it. “But . . . I think we need to wait.”
Her hand stilled. “Why?”
The uncertainty of her voice had him lowering his body down to hers. He wanted to feel their connection. The way his dick nestled against her wet curls almost had him changing his mind. He’d deserve some kind of award after this. “I want you so bad right now. But . . .”
He hesitated, then looking back down at her, the shine in her eyes, the swollen lips. He was immediately reminded exactly what he was doing and why he was feeling so adamant.
“But?” Her brow creased in confusion.
“But what I want even more . . . is your complete and unquestioning trust in me. I need it, Lia. I will have you, but when I do, it will be because you can’t imagine your first with anyone but me. Not just because we’re horny as hell. I want you to have absolutely zero doubts about the fact that I will take care of you. Hear what I’m saying?”
She licked her lips, staring at him. Finally, she nodded. “Yes,” she whispered. “That’s what I want too.”
Placing a soft kiss on her lips, Tyler rolled off her. His satisfaction with his decision warred with his body’s desire to plunge deep inside of her. But this was the right thing. He knew it when she immediately cuddled into his arms, squeezing him tight.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Lia slipped her finger under her blonde wig and dug her nail into her scalp. Damn, she hated this thing, but going without would make her feel even more exposed than she already was in her short skirt, heels, and tank top.
It was nearly eleven, and for a Wednesday night, they were busy. There were two stages in Exquisite—one large, one small. That left about an eight-table section on each side, and then a few larger tables in the center. Depending on how much the crowd was drinking, two servers could usually handle all three sections. Each one would take a side, and they’d tag team the tables in the middle.
Any more than two servers and the money just wasn’t as good. Nobody worked a shift at Exquisite for any reason but to make serious money, so they were all happy to work their ass off for several hours and leave with a pile of cash.
She stepped up to the bar well, pulled out her tips, and quickly counted. She sighed. Three hundred dollars. A couple of weeks ago that would have satisfied her, but now she had new responsibilities. She’d worked harder than ever this evening, turned her flirt and charm up as high as it could possibly go. Winked and smiled until she thought she might gag. And honestly, the tips had been good. But it would never be good enough, she realized.
Sammy, the young woman working the little stage side of the room, stepped up beside Lia at the bar. She nodded at Lia’s cash. “Good night?”
“Could be better.” Lia liked Sammy a lot. She was single, had a young daughter, and although she serial dated losers, the woman had the sweetest and most optimistic personality of anyone Lia had ever met. It was a shame she spent her nights charming pervs, but Lia knew that as a high school dropout, Sammy’s options of keeping her and her daughter off welfare were limited. Made Lia mad to think about it.
At the beginning of their shift, Lia had briefly filled her in on her mother’s situation, and Sammy had offered a sympathetic ear. And given some not so surprising advice. The same advice she was repeating now.
“I told you. You need to be up there,” Sammy said, nodding at the lit-up stage behind her. “That’s where the money’s at.”
Lia glanced over her shoulder at Jenny, also known as Sparkles, who had her ass practically resting on some guy’s face. He placed a wad of cash on the stage at her knees. Lia looked back at Sammy who gave her a “what did I tell you” smirk.
“I can’t even imagine. It’s one thing to flirt and talk like we do. But getting up there and moving like that? I don’t even know if I could.”
“Please. Every woman has it in her. You just take a couple of shots, walk out there, and pretend each of those assholes is your dream man. And voila. You’re making bank.”
Lia gave Steven the bartender her order, then Sammy gave hers. The music on stage switched to some rock song, and L
ia felt the base line pulsing in her head.
Sammy leaned over toward Lia. “I know you don’t want to do it, but you’re already working here. Why not make it worth your time? I mean . . . what’s the difference really? I made a grand in two days last week dancing.”
Lia shot a glance at her as Steven placed two beer bottles on her tray. “Seriously?”
Sammy nodded. “And that’s normal. You know Beck wants you to dance.”
Lia did know that. He’d been mentioning it at least once a week for the past several years.
“Serving here is good money,” Sammy said. “Don’t get me wrong. But you could make amazing money.”
With her final drink made and resting on her tray, Sammy turned around and headed for her section.
Lia thanked Steven with a smile and made her way back to her own tables. She’d seen so many girls dance on these stages, it didn’t even faze her any more. But the thought of getting up there and doing it herself . . . that was different. Even in her incredibly revealing clothes and fake blonde hair, she felt a sense of safety, because her feet were planted firmly on the bar floor. Not on the stage where you had to get naked and act like a seductress.
Could a virgin even pull that off? She shook her head as she looked over her tables. That was a silly thought. Of course, she could be sexy—if she got up the nerve.
For the remainder of the night she couldn’t shake the thought of making a thousand dollars a week. Her financial worries would be history. Keeping her mother in a private room would no longer even be an issue.
Nearly three hours later, she and four other girls walked out to their cars alongside Elliott and Steven. Everyone shouted their good nights and began to get into their respective vehicles and drive away. Lia was still shoving her bag and wig into the backseat. She had a long drive home so she usually liked to change out of her heels before she headed out.
She could feel Elliott behind her, waiting, as she slipped on a flip-flop. It was getting too cold for them, considering it was nearly October, but they were just easier to change into.
Along Came Us (Man Enough) Page 14