Oh, sure, in an effort to try to one-up me, he had now cast doubt on the entire thing. Luckily, I was always good in a pinch. “He met me doing one of those strip exercise classes with my sister, who was the one who suggested it. Should have known about her, right? Anyways, him and his buddies were working out at the gym and came to watch.” I swatted him on the shoulder. “I can’t believe you had them thinking I was a stripper in high school.”
He looked amused by my recovery. “See? Hellcat. Taking strip aerobics in high school. How the heck was a boy to keep up?”
How, indeed? “I believe it was ‘Pour Some Sugar On Me.’ God, I love me some Def Leppard.” Checkmate.
But of course he wasn’t backing down. “You know, I’d rather sing a ballad for the woman I love. How about I let it be a surprise?”
I tried not to let that fake term of endearment affect me, but my stomach fluttered with his declaration. “I look forward to it, pooky bear.”
Tami suddenly had an idea. “We absolutely have to do dinner tonight. We have a reservation for the Italian place, and you could join us. It would be fun to go as a foursome.”
She wasn’t leaving us much choice, but that was good because I realized having dinner together would ensure that Brian had to sing.
“Well, now that’s right kind of y’all. We’d love to join you, don’t you think, baby?” I responded before Brian had the chance.
“Great, tell the front desk that you will be with the reservation at seven o’clock for Gordon.” Tami squealed, clearly excited.
Oh, boy, it should be an entertaining evening.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
We spent the afternoon snorkeling and swimming and then took a long luxurious bath together before arriving for our dinner reservations. Brian hadn’t once tried to back out of the plans for the evening or the singing. Could’ve been male competitive pride, but more likely he’d figured out how he was going to embarrass me via the microphone. I could only guess what crazy song he was planning to pick.
At dinner that evening, they seated all four of us, Tami, Lester, Brian, and me, at a corner table of the restaurant.
“We’re celebrating our fifteen-year anniversary. The three kids are with the grandparents,” Tami revealed when a champagne bottle arrived.
“Congratulations,” Brian said, toasting them.
I instantly felt terrible. “Are you certain you want us joining you this evening? We don’t want to impose.” To make fifteen years was something not many couples did anymore. Suddenly I worried, both about intruding and the faking it thing. The game was quickly losing its appeal.
Tami smiled. “We’ve had only each other all week long. This is exciting for a change, especially on our last night. You guys are so much fun.”
And there it was. Even amongst my closest friends, I’d never be considered a lot of fun or the type ever to let loose. But Mary Beth had possibilities. The idea was thrilling. I let my hand wander to Brian’s thigh, happy that the tablecloth and darkness would help conceal what I was about to do.
“What are you doing, muffin?” he whispered.
I smiled at that absurd term of endearment. “What does it feel like, lamb chop?” I got the satisfaction of his intake of breath when I rubbed him through his slacks.
“I thought you weren’t into public displays,” he ground out, tensing when my fingers unbuttoned his top button.
“Oh, I’m not, but Mary Beth is. She’s quite assertive when it comes to her man.”
“Remember turnabout is fair play.”
I shivered in anticipation of what that might mean for later tonight. Then I looked up to see Tami studying us across the table. I removed my hand, too embarrassed to continue with an audience. Damn, Sasha was back and overriding Mary Beth’s minute of brazen confidence.
“Sorry to stare, but you two have this amazing chemistry. I guess since we’ve been together fifteen years, Lester and I seem dull to y’all,” Tami sighed.
I wasn’t sure how Lester would’ve felt being called dull on his anniversary, but luckily he’d made his way to the men’s room.
“All you need is one night to rekindle the magic. You have to keep it fresh, Tami. Buy some toys if you have to,” Brian commented.
I swatted him, horrified that he would suggest something that private. “We just met them. Stop.” He merely laughed it off. Yeah, I definitely wasn’t letting loose like Mary Beth would.
“I’m sorry if I offended you. But I could have a little talk with Lester,” Brian hinted.
Tami’s eyes got wide. I was about to swat him again when she practically lit up like a Christmas tree. “Oh, my goodness, that would be wonderful. I love my husband, but we’ve got to spice things up. And you two—Man alive, you both are so hot for one another.” She blushed and then looked at Brian. “Was it love at first sight with her, and you never stopped loving her all those years you were apart?”
I sipped my champagne, not knowing what he would to say to that.
He contemplated the question and then smiled. “I reckon I have a hard time remembering when I didn’t love her.”
***
Arriving at the bar, I could see them setting up for karaoke and decided it was time to give him an out. His earlier words had put me off my game and suddenly I wasn’t sure I wanted to hear another fake love declaration. It made things weird. Plus Brian was much too relaxed not to have something up his sleeve—and with a microphone. Lord help us.
“We could say you strained a vocal cord or that singing is a painful reminder of a career gone wrong,” I offered.
He only smirked. “Afraid I’ll embarrass you in front of the entire bar, Mary Beth?”
I rubbed my hands on his chest. “Keep in mind we’re here for five more days. If you choose to humiliate me, I may not want to face anyone here the remainder of the time.”
He kissed me playfully. “There’s always the thought of holing up in our room.”
Now I knew he was definitely up to something. “I’d allow you to bow out gracefully.”
“Not a chance, snuggle bunny. I’m in it to win it.”
I rolled my eyes. Brian would never say something silly like that.
“Did you get signed up, Austin?” Tami inquired, coming up with her husband and clearly enthusiastic about the whole thing.
Brian nodded. “Yes, ma’am, I did. Lester, you want to go get some drinks with me while we wait for them to set up?”
I watched the men walk away and wondered what advice he was giving an unsuspecting Lester.
“I hope he can talk to my husband. For once, I’d like to be swept off my feet. Have him make the first move for a change,” Tami confided.
“You always have to make the first move?” I pried, curious.
She nodded. “For the most part, yes. It’s like he thinks I’m fragile. After all these years, you’d think he’d realize sometimes a woman needs to be tied down and ravaged. Oh, my Lord, I can’t believe I shared that. I’m sorry, I’ve had a lot to drink.”
I only laughed. “Don’t worry. Lester is definitely talking to the right guy.”
***
They called Austin’s name, and in slow motion, I observed Brian get up on stage. My heart was in my throat. Not only was he sexy with his stubble and tan, but he only had eyes for me.
“The way he looks at you. It’s sigh worthy,” Tami exclaimed.
I took another long drink of my margarita. Something told me I was going to need it.
“I’d like to dedicate this song to my beautiful girlfriend. Baby, you are the firefly to my summer day,” he crooned.
I grinned like an idiot at the declaration while Tami clapped, thinking it was the most romantic thing she’d ever heard. I prepared myself. My entire body was stiff with anticipation as to what form of embarrassment this would take. Then the music started, and it wasn’t anything kitschy or obnoxious. It was Johnny Cash’s Ring of Fire. Oh, no. If you were going to do a parody or sing something poorly, you did not do it
with Johnny Cash.
He winked at me. Then his baritone voice started, and I froze. It was good. Like, really good, and I was completely transfixed. Holy shit, Brian could actually sing.
“Oh, wow, he’s fantastic. And look, he’s singing it to you, Mary Beth,” Tami squealed.
I nodded dumbly and merely sat there, soaking in the words. I was completely intrigued with this man up on stage of whom I had very intimate knowledge, while having no clue about his hidden talent.
He finished the song to a standing ovation, me included, and made his way over. Dipping me down in dramatic fashion, he kissed me fully to another round of applause.
I could only stare at him, completely stunned.
Once karaoke was over, we said our goodbyes to Lester and Tami and returned to the room, both happily buzzed. When the door shut, I took him completely off guard by launching myself at him.
“Damn,” he cursed.
My hands worked his pants, and I had my dress over my head before he could even help me.
“Someone is a fan of Johnny Cash,” he quipped.
I unbuttoned his shirt. “That was seriously hot, Austin,” I drawled, smiling.
He took my hands and tried to take over the kiss.
I pulled away. “No way. I’m Mary Beth, you’re Austin, and tonight I get to call the shots.”
He froze.
I stepped closer to him, caressing his face. “Please, Bri. I want to explore you the way you have me. Give me one night.”
“Sash—”
“One night,” I repeated, watching him wrestle internally.
“If I say yes, then you agree to anything I want to do for the remainder of the week.”
I shivered, thinking about what that could entail, but I wanted him too badly not to take the deal. “Would you let me tie you up?”
He hesitated. “It’s probably better that you do. Otherwise I can’t promise I wouldn’t try to take over.”
Smiling, I crossed to the closet and came back with my silk robe tie.
He took my wrists. “Do we have an agreement on the rest of the week?”
Swallowing hard at the implication, I nodded. I’d take it. “Yes.”
His wicked grin made me wonder if I’d made a deal with the devil himself.
“Tie them tight, baby, because once you release me, I won’t be responsible for my actions,” he vowed, watching me thread the silk ties around his hands.
I made short work of tying his wrists together and then maneuvered him on his back in the middle of the bed. I shed him of his boxers and took a moment to appreciate how very sexy he was. Normally he was so busy giving me pleasure that I didn’t have a chance simply to study him.
His eyes were fixated on me. “Christ, I love the way you look at me.”
I smiled a slow smile. “And how am I looking at you?”
“Like you want to eat me alive. Like what you see, do you?”
Taking off the rest of my clothing, and I moved up the length of his body. His chest was strong and tan, and at the moment, I had all access.
“Talk to me. Tell me if you’re turned on.” His voice was hoarse.
Straddling his thigh, I rubbed my wet sex up the length of it watching him hiss out a breath. “Oh, I’m turned on, all right. I love your chest.” Caressing it, I bent down to capture his nipple between my teeth, enjoying the air he held in response. “I think it’s my second favorite thing about you.”
“And what’s the first thing you like?”
“Oh, that would be your smile, especially when it’s only for me. It makes me feel things.”
“Like what?”
I flicked my tongue down his abs and enjoyed the way he was practically panting for air. “It can mean a lot of things, but it makes me want you. Every. Damn. Time.” I punctuated the words with a flutter of my tongue on the tip of him.
“You’re enjoying this torture, aren’t you?” He attempted to lean up to watch me.
I took pity and propped his head up with a pillow. “Mm, is this what you’d call pleasurable torture?”
He chuckled. “It’s pleasurable, but no. That will have to wait for another time unless you want to give up control right now.”
“Not a chance,” I smiled, licking his impressive length from root to tip and causing him to test the knots in the ties.
He gave me a pained smile. “I’m dying here. I want to touch you so badly that I’m ready to start in on the ties with my teeth.”
Sweat was beading on his forehead, and I knew I was on borrowed time. Swallowing him whole, I enjoyed the fact that he practically convulsed from the pleasure. I worked him with my tongue and moved lower. My eyes met his, and I saw such naked desire that I shuddered with ecstasy. I could feel him getting close. His thighs trembled, and his cock swelled. When he exploded in my mouth, I swallowed down the thick, hot evidence of his orgasm with enthusiasm knowing how much it turned him on to watch me do so.
“Untie me,” he begged.
I shook my head. “You said all night, and I’m not done.” I was enjoying this way too much to stop now.
He groaned when I pressed my wet center into him, pressing our heat together. I could feel him start to harden again already.
“Sasha, honey, I need to touch you.”
I smiled sweetly. “Not yet.”
Stroking him between the sensitive lips of my sex, I enjoyed the aroused expression on his face. I rose up and fed him into me slowly, savoring every inch as I sheathed him deep inside of me.
“You feel amazing. I want to touch your clit and make you come,” he pleaded.
My hands found his chest and rubbed down his hard abs. “What if you watch me do it?”
His eyes closed and a tremor ran through him. “Yes.”
I dipped my finger into my slick entrance, locking my eyes with his. The heat reflected in his depths sliced through me like a knife.
“Let me taste you,” he whispered.
Offering up my index finger, wet with my desire, I watched as he leaned up and took it into his mouth. I watched while he worked it with his tongue thoroughly. Taking it back, I placed it on my swollen clit and rubbed.
Shifting my hips, I started to move. The string of muttered curses let me know that he was getting close.
“Slow it down, honey, or I’m going to come again.” His voice sounded strained.
It only served to fuel my pace from fast to furious. Rubbing harder and faster, I joined him over the edge and collapsed on his chest. After lying there a minute, I missed his hands stroking my back. Rising up, I leaned over him and untied him slowly.
I was unceremoniously flipped onto my back, the moment he was free with his face diving at my center with a vengeance.
“I can’t believe that turns you on after.”
His fingers worked our combined wetness. “Knowing this is you and me together is incredibly hot.” He kissed, sucked, and rubbed until I was crying his name and lay there boneless.
How could I possibly argue with the man?
***
Waking up the next morning, I attempted to stretch, only to find my hands and legs bound. What the hell? A momentary flash of panic hit me, but Brian’s voice came from behind me.
“You were sound asleep, so I couldn’t resist.” He came into view and stood beside the bed.
I twisted my head to see him. “What is it you plan on doing with me?” The possibilities were starting to turn me on.
“Feed you.”
Did I hear him correctly? “You tied me up to feed me?”
He chuckled, leaving for the door when a knock sounded. He returned with a tray in his hands. “You sound disappointed.”
I offered him a wry smile. “Actually, I’m hungry, too.”
“Good. Here, let me put a couple pillows under your head.” He stood back and popped open a bottle of champagne. After pouring it into a flute and mixing in some orange juice, he sat down next to me on the bed. “Want a taste of mimosa?”
I nodded, and he brought the glass to my lips. I sipped slowly, letting the cool bubbly slide down my throat. Next he held up a strawberry. I took a bite, hardly believing how intimate it was to have him feed me. He repeated the pattern one last time. After eating the last strawberry, his fingers danced over my stomach. Then lower, palming my sex. I closed my eyes at the exquisite way his touch could make me feel.
“Do you know how incredibly sexy you look, tied up and at my mercy?” He set the glass down on the table.
I shivered with the thought. “Should I be nervous?”
He flashed me a wicked grin. “I did warn you that you’d be mine the rest of the week after last night. By the way, our champagne is courtesy of Tami and Lester. I have a feeling Tami had quite the evening last night.”
“Well, happy anniversary to them.” I inhaled sharply when his thumb went to work on my clit, massaging expertly precise circles.
He grabbed the champagne bottle and splashed some over my stomach and chest, following with his hot mouth. I moaned in delight at the sensation of him lapping the cool liquid off of me. He sucked and teased my nipples to hardened peaks, bringing me to climax with his skilled fingers. When my eyes finally flickered open, I saw him observing me intently.
“I love watching you come.” He took bacon from the plate and waved it in front of my mouth.
I nipped it away from him, making him laugh. “As much as I love bacon, please don’t rub that over me.”
His lips twitched. “That does have possibilities, but I’d rather just serve it to you.” He spent the next hour feeding me breakfast morsels, alternating with eating his own meal off of me.
I never would have associated being fed with the word erotic, but I certainly did now.
Later, we lay in bed, slugging the afternoon away after an entire morning devoted to sex and food. “I have something I’d like to ask you for.” I held his hand and traced the lines.
He looked like he was bracing himself. “What’s that?”
“That in another few months, maybe I can have another evening like last night.”
His face was unreadable. “Why?”
“Because sometimes I’m so caught up in what you’re doing to me that I don’t get to pay attention to you. And now that I have those little groans and growls as a soundtrack in my head, I want more. And I feel like you haven’t trusted another woman like that before.”
Ask Me Something (The Something Series Book 2) Page 22