by Aurora Rey
“Cam Crawley, are you ceding control?”
“Not sure I’m fond of the word ceding in this scenario, but—”
Lauren cut her off with a kiss. A long, slow kiss that turned her on but didn’t give any indication of whether Lauren was going to take her up on the offer. When Lauren finally broke away and leaned back, her eyes were full of mischief. “It’s not a competition, you know.”
Cam had a reputation for being overly serious. She could trace it all the way back to elementary school, when she lost her temper with her friends’ propensity for changing the rules halfway through a game. As an adult, it served her better, professionally if not personally. Now, with that teasing look in Lauren’s eyes and the very phrase she’d used turned back on her, she longed to let go. And maybe, this once, she could. “I know.”
“That said, I’m totally taking you up on it.”
The playfulness caught Cam off guard. It shouldn’t at this point, but it did. She wasn’t sure what to do with it. She knew one thing not to do, and that was to analyze the shit out of it. “Right.”
Lauren kissed her again. Still slow, but more demand than promise. She grabbed the front of Cam’s shirt in her fists and pulled their bodies closer. Cam moved to wind her arms around Lauren’s waist, but Lauren stepped back. “Nope. Not yet.”
Her tone remained playful, but Cam could tell she was far from joking. Instead of saying anything, Cam placed her hands behind her back and laced her fingers together.
Lauren smiled. “Better.”
Lauren closed the separation she’d created and started undoing the buttons of Cam’s shirt. She nudged it from Cam’s shoulders and Cam released her hands so it could fall to the floor. Lauren started on her jeans next, her manicured fingers nimble. She worked the jeans down Cam’s legs, leaving her in a pair of trunks and a bra.
It felt strange to be wearing so little when Lauren remained fully clothed. “Is this a fully hands-off situation or do I get to touch you?”
Lauren stood and looked right into Cam’s eyes. She was just a touch shorter, a fact Cam tended to forget because Lauren wore heels so often. “You can touch, but you can’t take over. How’s that?”
Hearing her say it made Cam want nothing more than to take over, but she wasn’t going to take back the offer. And she had a feeling she’d have her way by the end of the night. “May I undress you?”
Lauren took a step back and offered a coy smile. “No, but you can watch.”
There was no music, but that didn’t stop Lauren from starting a slow, sensuous performance. Even in jeans and a tank top, she had the look of a legitimate erotic dancer. Not that Cam would know, technically speaking. But the way her hips dipped and swayed made Cam think this wasn’t her first time doing a striptease.
Without stopping her movements, Lauren grasped the hem of her shirt and pulled it over her head. She tossed it at Cam. “Why don’t you have a seat?”
It was as much a command as an invitation. Cam obliged, perching herself on the edge of the bed. Lauren’s jeans came next. She took her time working them down her legs and somehow managed to step out of them gracefully. That left her in a candy apple red bra and matching lace thong.
She danced around a bit more, doing turns and pulling the clip that held her hair in place. The sandy waves fell around her shoulders, and Cam’s fingers itched to touch. “How long are you planning to torture me?”
Lauren turned innocent eyes on Cam. “Are you not having a good time? I’d hate for you to feel tortured.”
Cam laughed at the fluttery eyelashes and near pout on Lauren’s full lips. “You know exactly what you’re doing to me.”
Lauren didn’t stop moving, but she unclasped her bra and tossed it aside, slid the panties down and kicked them away. She pointed a finger at Cam and flicked it a couple of times. “Up.”
She wasn’t a fan of being bossed around in general, but this, this was different. She stood and made to take off her underwear, but Lauren shook her head. Cam cocked her head slightly. “I’m not going to dance for you, if that’s what you’re after.”
That got a laugh out of Lauren. The low, sexy sound tested Cam’s patience. She closed the distance between them and, without speaking, stripped Cam of her remaining clothing. Then she poked Cam in the chest, nudging her back onto the bed. Again with nothing more than a flick of her finger, Lauren got Cam to slide back and lie down.
Lauren took an eternity crawling up Cam’s body, letting her nipples graze Cam’s stomach, her chest. Then Lauren straddled her thighs. The heat of her body, the wetness, practically sent Cam over the edge. Then Lauren leaned in, placing a hand on either side of Cam’s head. Her hair fell forward, creating a golden curtain around their faces. It was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen.
Of course, the view had nothing on the sensations Lauren was creating with her movements—a slow, deliberate grinding that drove Cam absolutely insane. Or the things Lauren whispered in between kissing and biting her neck and shoulders—things she wanted Cam to do to her, and just how hard and fast she wanted Cam to do them. But not yet. Each erotic suggestion came with a “soon” or a “not yet.” Cam dug her fingers into Lauren’s hips, unsure how much longer she could take it.
She was on the verge of saying as much, or of turning the tables and taking exactly what she wanted, when Lauren sat up. She put her hands in her hair and arched her back, writhing against Cam with even more intensity. She’d been wrong earlier. This, this exact moment, was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen.
Cam slid her hand across the front of Lauren’s hip and pressed her thumb against Lauren’s clit. She gasped. Cam fully expected to have her hand swatted away. At the very least, she anticipated Lauren telling her to wait, that she’d get her chance later. Instead, Lauren lifted herself slightly, giving Cam even more access.
It was an invitation she couldn’t pass up. She slipped two fingers into Lauren. She expected her to be hot and wet and ready, but the way Lauren clamped around her, pulled her in, was exquisite. She let out an oath, let the fingers of her other hand sink just a bit deeper into Lauren’s hip. She’d probably leave bruises, but Lauren didn’t seem to mind.
If anything, Lauren wanted more. She rocked against Cam’s hand. Her earlier statements about wanting things hard and fast returned, but there was nothing teasing about them this time. No, this was all command. Even as Cam fucked her, Lauren made it clear who was in charge. Rather than making Cam feel powerless, it spurred her on. Like only she could give Lauren exactly what she wanted.
When Lauren tightened around her, said her name in a hoarse whisper, Cam stayed with her. Lauren’s whole body trembled, but she remained on her knees. It was a stunning thing to behold. She was glad Lauren’s eyes were closed, because she didn’t need Lauren knowing just how in awe the whole thing left her.
They stayed like that—Lauren’s hands braced on Cam’s shoulders and Cam’s fingers buried inside her—for a long moment. Lauren’s breathing evened out and she seemed to come back into herself. Her eyes fluttered open, and she looked at Cam with a smirk. “That wasn’t fair.”
Cam moved her fingers gently, but didn’t pull them away. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I was supposed to drive you crazy.”
“Oh, but you did.”
“Even if that’s true, I’m going to have to take my revenge.”
“Revenge? That sounds ominous.” It didn’t, at least in this context, but she was more than happy to play along.
Lauren eased herself away from Cam’s hand and sat back, resting lightly on Cam’s thighs. Cam would have been more than happy to keep doing that all night, but it was clear from the look on Lauren’s face she had something else in mind. Cam smiled up at her, not worrying that she probably looked arrogant as hell.
Lauren scraped her nails lightly up Cam’s side and across her rib cage. Up her breastbone and down her arms. Hovering somewhere between a scratch and a tickle, it drove Cam nuts. Lauren’s gaze
followed her hands and left Cam feeling exposed. She expected it to bother her, but it didn’t.
After what felt like an eternity, Lauren paused and looked right into Cam’s eyes. “I’d really like to put my mouth on you again, but if you like or want something else, I want you to tell me.”
The directness would have been hot by itself. Paired with what Lauren said she wanted to do, it sent Cam’s body into overdrive. “No. Nothing else.”
“Are you sure? Because I aim to please.”
The memory of Lauren’s tongue, her lips wrapped around her, was permanently seared into Cam’s brain. That Lauren wanted to do it again, that it might be her preference—it was enough to nudge her dangerously close to the edge.
“No? You’re not sure?”
Cam realized that she’d been shaking her head. “No, sorry. I’m sure. So completely sure.”
Lauren’s smile conveyed a mixture of amusement and desire. It was a good look on her and made her, if it was even possible, more beautiful. “Good.”
With that apparently settled, Lauren leaned forward and kissed her. A tease of tongue and teeth, it foreshadowed what Cam knew would follow. She worked her way down Cam’s body, kissing and licking and nipping Cam’s collarbones, her breasts, her stomach.
Lauren pressed her tongue to Cam’s throbbing clit. Cam arched, the pleasure almost bordering on pain. Slower than the first time, teasing but still deliberate, Lauren made circles with her tongue. Cam settled into it, rocking slightly and letting the sensations radiate through her.
It would be so easy to come like this. Cam lifted her head and looked down. Yes, the swirl of Lauren’s tongue and the image of her—eyes closed in concentration—would be enough to do it. But as though reading Cam’s thoughts, Lauren chose that moment to open her eyes and look up at her. Those gorgeous hazel eyes conveyed just how much Lauren was enjoying herself. It made what she was doing all the more alluring.
Cam slid her fingers into Lauren’s hair. She felt Lauren smile against her, heard her hum of pleasure.
Lauren shifted her mouth, wrapping her lips around Cam and beginning to suck gently. The extra sensation sent lightning bolts through her body, crackling through every muscle and organ. Cam tightened her grip on Lauren’s hair, needing that contact, something to ground her and keep her from losing her thin hold on reality.
Lauren sucked harder, making the most incredible noises as she pulled Cam deeper into her mouth. Cam gave herself over to it, the orgasm crashing over her in waves. She rode it, powerless to do anything else.
She had no idea how much time passed between the end of her orgasm and when she had the wherewithal to open her eyes. It had gone fully dark outside, but Lauren remained between her legs, head resting on her thigh. Cam’s mouth was dry and her limbs weak. “Oh, my God.”
Lauren lifted her head and offered her a self-satisfied smile. “I know.”
Cam shook her head, willing her mind to clear enough to formulate a coherent thought. “You’re incredible. Do you know that?”
Lauren worked her way up the bed, once again straddling Cam’s thighs. Cam didn’t have quite enough circulation going to be aroused again, but the thought crossed her mind. “I really love doing that,” Lauren said.
Cam swallowed the comment about it being the best sex of her life and settled on, “I love that you love it.”
Lauren kissed her and then settled herself against Cam’s side, draping one thigh over Cam’s and an arm over her middle. Despite being only their second night together, it felt comfortable, familiar. Like they’d done it a thousand times before. Cam cleared her throat.
Lauren lifted her head and raised a brow. “Is that your way of getting my attention? Are you ready for round two?”
Cam wasn’t one for spanking, but she took a swat at Lauren’s bum. “Settle down, now.”
Lauren turned her head and nipped Cam’s shoulder. “You settle down.”
The command ended in a yawn, answering any questions Cam had about Lauren wanting another go. She gave Lauren’s shoulders a squeeze and kissed the top of her head. “Thanks for coming for dinner.”
Lauren cozied into the crook of Cam’s arm. “Thanks for having me.”
Cam turned off the light and Lauren settled back in. In under a minute, Lauren’s breathing grew even. Cam couldn’t blame her. They’d put in a long day’s work. She sighed and tried not to think about the mountain of work that would be waiting for her at the office after taking the day off.
It worked, but instead of drifting off, her mind turned to just how perfect Lauren felt in her arms. Those weren’t thoughts she could afford to have. Even if—or maybe especially if—she’d already had a few unguarded moments of imagining what it would be like if Lauren stayed.
Chapter Nineteen
Two nights at Cam’s led to a third, then a fourth a few days later. Lauren might want nothing more than to spend every waking—and sleeping—moment in Cam’s bed, but the clock was ticking and she had things to do. The floors of the final two rooms were done, and they had to be put back together. The furniture for the outdoor seating area had been approved and ordered and was scheduled to be delivered. She had one final run-through of the new menu with Mrs. Lucas and the cook she’d hired. And that said nothing of the new furniture for the pub itself, which she’d timed to come closer to the grand opening so it could be a big reveal.
She also had to get ready for Anja’s arrival. Anja had refused a ride from the airport and Lauren hadn’t argued, given a drive to London and back would take the better part of a day. But she wanted Anja’s room to be perfect and everything to be comfortable and nice. She’d been casual about wanting to get out of Nice, but Lauren had a feeling she harbored some angst, if not a broken heart.
Even as she worked harder than on any campaign she’d ever run, she managed a handful of dinners and a half dozen nights more with Cam. They had intense conversations that reminded Lauren of the kind of all-consuming connections she’d experienced her first couple of years of college. They had pretend fights over some of the more whimsical artwork—beyond her animal portraits—and whether or not fish and chips needed to be an everyday thing on the menu.
And the sex. Good God, the sex. Lauren wouldn’t have expected it to fizzle already, but she couldn’t believe that it somehow managed to get better. Every night they spent together, and perhaps a couple of mornings, were consistently the best sex she’d ever had. It was like the better they got to know each other, and each other’s bodies, the more pleasure there was to be had. It was bordering on absurd, to be honest.
Lauren shook off the daydream that threatened to take over her mind and looked around. She had the sketch of the new pub layout in her hands, and she was trying to decide if she could manage one more high-top table with stools. She shook her head. It was close, but probably better to order it now than risk not being able to get another in the same style. She could always tuck it away if it messed with the flow.
She pulled a pencil from behind her ear and made a note on the schematic. She’d call the company today and see if she could add on to the order. At this point, what was another thousand dollars?
“Ma’am?”
Lauren turned to find a burly redhead giving her an inquisitive look. She did a quick look past him to see a delivery truck parked in the street. The outdoor furniture. She smiled. “Yes?”
“Are you,” he looked down at his clipboard, “Lauren Montgomery?”
“That’s me. Please tell me you come bearing picnic tables.”
He let out a chuckle and grinned at her. “You’re right. I do.”
His accent was Irish and his smile charming. Had she swung that way, she would have found him attractive. “Excellent. They’re going right out front.”
She led him out to the sidewalk and gestured to the area where she wanted them. The four tables had their own bench seating and would be difficult to move or steal. And since each one could hold six people, she could officially accommodate two dozen
more patrons. Even if the math of that didn’t work out perfectly much of the year, it made the front of the pub look more inviting.
The delivery guy waved his arm and another man climbed down from the truck. “All right?”
His accent matched the redhead’s. It made her think about New York City, how you never quite knew who you might encounter or where they might be from. She expected a stab of homesickness, or at least nostalgia, but it didn’t come.
“Could you sign here?”
Lauren pulled her attention back to the moment and signed for the delivery. She stood back and watched as the gorgeous wood tables came off the truck. With just a point of her finger, the guys set them where she wanted them and were on their way.
“Hey, those look really good.”
The mere sound of Cam’s voice sent a ripple of warmth through her. Lauren turned to find Cam and Jane walking up the street from the direction of Jane’s office. “They do, don’t they?”
Jane gave her a brief hug, then Cam leaned in and gave her a kiss on the cheek. The casual intimacy of it, especially in front of Jane, caught her by surprise. Pleasant surprise, but still. Jane gave her arm a gentle squeeze. “We were coming for lunch. May we be the ones to christen them?”
Lauren smiled. “Nothing would make me happier. Well, almost nothing.”
Jane tipped her head to the side and offered her a curious look. “What would make you the happiest?”
To stay here and live happily ever after with Cam. The thought popped into her brain unbidden. Fortunately, it didn’t pop out of her mouth. “Um,” she struggled to formulate the response she’d initially intended. “For it to be the day after the opening and for everything to have gone perfectly.”
“But then you would have missed the party,” Jane said.