by Susan Stoker
Flicking the switch for the gas fireplace so soft light caressed every surface in the small room. She ran a hand over her face and groaned. Her lips still tingled where he’d touched her. She pressed her finger over them. Tracing the seam of her lips as she closed her eyes. Surely Lyric didn’t feel it, right? This had to be sexual tension built up from her going six months without getting laid.
Heading into the adjoined bathroom, she splashed some cold water on her face, hoping to quell some of the heat burning through her veins. She brushed her teeth and relieved herself before changing into the pink silk pajamas that matched her cap. Tucking her braids inside, she lay down.
That’s when the knocking started. Followed by moaning. Good God why did she have to have the room right next to Krystin? The woman was loud, especially after a few drinks.
This was not helping her libido either.
The doorknob twisted as the bathroom door creaked open. Amara closed her eyes. Maybe he’d think she was sleeping. She froze. Fear wound around her spine. She couldn’t ruin their friendship. And sex always ruined things. Once the guys got what they wanted, they left. Or she left before they could.
“Am-m-mara?” Lyric’s shuttered voice cut down to her soul.
But she didn’t trust herself. Lyric was kind, and sweet, and not the kind of guy you spend one night with. He was the forever type. But she’d never been the forever kind of girl. Every single person in her life had eventually passed her on once they’d had their fill.
But maybe he’s the one who will stay.
“C-c-cupcake?” The bed dipped under his weight while Krystin reached her crescendo next door.
She sighed and opened her eyes. Moonlight streamed in from the window, glinting off his blond hair. Cast in snowy shadows, the ridges of his jaw clenched.
“Hey.”
“Wanna come in my room? It’s not as loud over there.” He motioned to the wall where the banging persisted.
Before the kiss, she wouldn’t have thought twice about sleeping next to him. The man she thought of as a brother. But now …
“I’m not so sure that’s a good idea.”
He lay on his side next to her, propping himself up with his arm. “Because of the k-k-kiss?”
She nodded.
“Did you f-f-feel it too?”
She inhaled a shaky breath. Their relationship had always been honest. That wouldn’t change now. “Yes. But, Ric … We can’t … I don’t want to ruin what we have with sex.”
He flinched as if he’d been struck. After a moment he reached over, his finger mapping the shape of her face, swiping down her forehead, over her nose, and ending on the seam of her lips.
“D-d-doesn’t have t-t-to. Just let me hold you. Let me k-k-kiss you one more time. If you s-s-say no, I’ll never ask again.”
“And everything goes back to normal?” she asked, hopeful. She could do one more kiss. Right?
“If that’s what you w-w-want.”
She turned to face him, taking her turn to trace his strong jaw. The rough stubble of his beard scratched against her skin. His eyes locked on her, flaming blue fires of want and desire. She swallowed as the air thickened with anticipation. The room descended into silence, as if the world stopped, waiting for her answer.
She leaned in, giving her permission in wordless abandon, and closing her eyes as if that could brace her for the impact of his mouth on hers. Lyric’s kiss was more like destruction, pulling her apart while putting pieces of her that she never knew existed back together. His tongue dipped into her mouth, flickering, teasing. She clenched her thighs together, arousal pooling, soaking, saturating every cell of her body. No one affected her like this. No one but him. Her best friend. Desperate whimpering filled her ears. A red-hot flush crept over her cheeks. It was coming from her. A low growl rumbled in his chest as his hand squeezed her hip. His touch burned through her thin silk pajama bottoms, searing her skin. Branding her. Ruining her. Saving her.
Teeth raked across her bottom lip, the surprise of it stealing her breath. Would Lyric be a rough lover? Would he be deliciously possessive? He’d always been quiet, sweet, and kind. But something about the way he held her told her she had another side of her best friend to learn.
She dipped her tongue into his mouth, needing to taste him. He sucked on her tongue as his hand skimmed up her arm, capturing her neck in a soft but firm hold. Tingles raced down her limbs. Gooseflesh erupted in their wake.
She moaned, wrapping her leg over his. Every nerve ending lit up, blazing with lust fire. Her body ached as if she’d been holding her breath for years, and here he was offering her sweet, sweet oxygen. He wedged his knee between her thighs, hitting her sex. Pure temptation. He was offering her relief. She could take it. And he’d let her without ever expecting anything in return. Because that was the kind of guy Lyric was.
He deepened the kiss, pulling her closer so that her hard nipples brushed against his chest. She burned everywhere for this man. If his kiss was this powerful, just how world-shattering would making love with him be? Making love? She only fucked to scratch an itch. But this—with Lyric—this wouldn’t be the same. This would destroy her world as she knew it. But was she ready for that? Was she ready to risk it all and expose herself like that?
He dropped his hand down her arm, his thumb grazing the edge of her breast as he caressed down to her hip.
Something inside her snapped. Nothing mattered but having his hands on her. She wanted him on top of her, under her, inside her. All-consuming yearning had her yanking him onto her.
Lyric pulled away in contrast, his chest heaving. His sweet breaths smelling of mint and cinnamon. “W-w-what do you w-w-want?” Blue eyes searched her face, hope sparkling, desire darkening.
“You—just for tonight. But you have to promise me this won’t ruin our friendship.”
His brows drew together in concentration. “Just tonight? That’s what you want?”
“That’s what I need. And everything can go back to normal tomorrow. I can’t lose you as a friend.” Amara cupped his face in her hands.
Lyric nodded. “Then I better make it m-m-memorable.”
4
Amara
Before Amara could ask what Lyric meant, he rolled out of bed, extending his hand to hers. She took it, following him into his room. He fisted his shirt and lifted it. Fabric bunched over his broad shoulders. The low light from the gas fireplace created shadows among the ridges of his muscles.
“Strip,” he commanded, his deep voice sending a shockwave of desire through her.
She sucked her bottom lip into her mouth before she pulled off her silk cap. Next, she lifted her shirt off as he dropped his pajama pants, leaving him in nothing but red boxer briefs.
Cool air drifted over her nipples, warring with the heat of his gaze, creating a thunderstorm of sensations crashing over her.
“Keep going.” His voice was rough, as if he was barely holding it together.
She gripped the waist of her sleep pants as his fingers tucked under the elastic of his boxers. She lowered hers, taking her panties with them, as he mirrored her movements. Now they were both naked, exposed to one another. And he was beautiful. How had she never noticed her best friend was secretly an Adonis? When had he gotten those defined muscles? And that sexy V leading down to a small patch of hair and the most beautiful cock she’d ever seen. The tip was glistening with evidence of his arousal for her. Damn if that didn’t send a wave of power thrumming through her. She wasn’t the only one drowning in this need.
A warning blared somewhere in the back of her mind, but she shoved it away because there was no way she could walk away now.
He stepped closer. Flames flickered from the fireplace, painting his creamy flesh with orange and red hues. His blue eyes hazy with lust locked on her. “Fucking beautiful.”
She shuddered, want, need, and desire curling around her, building within until she was sure she’d combust from his explicit perusal alone.
�
��Do you t-t-trust me?” he asked.
“More than anyone.”
His crooked smile lit her up like a Christmas tree. Reds, yellows, blues, and a mosaic of color bursting inside at the heady accomplishment of pleasing him.
He stepped closer, his fingers coasting over her jaw and down her neck. He leaned in, gripping her shoulders as he kissed her collarbone, sucking lightly.
She trembled, reaching out for him. Firm hands gripped her wrists, holding them above her as he stepped behind her. Tucking his face to her ear, his fingers slipped down her arms.
“Don’t touch me yet. D-d-don’t want this to be over.”
His hands caressed, traced, and skimmed over her shoulders and down her back, gripping her ass before he trailed them past her thighs, calves, and down to the soles of her feet before coming back up. As if he was memorizing every inch of her. Mapping her body from touch alone. His hand cupped her sex from behind. She gasped.
“W-w-wet for me.”
Rough stubble grazed her thigh as he pressed her legs farther apart, his tongue sliding between her folds.
“Ric!”
He did it again. She squeezed her thighs around his head.
Smack!
She sucked in a surprised breath. Her ass stinging in the shape of his handprint.
Fuck that was hot.
Lyric stood, coming around to her front and gently grabbing her heavy breasts. “If you follow the rules, you’ll get rewarded. But if you d-d-don’t …”
The fire of a thousand suns couldn’t burn hotter than she did for this man. Her arousal leaked down her leg. Part of her wanted to laugh and push him to see how far he would take this. But a much bigger part of her wanted his mouth back on her pussy. Her eyes rolled as his mouth descended on her breast and sucked. He pinched the other bud, tweaking it between his fingers as his mouth scissored across the other one. Her hands shot out to grab his hair and tug. She never let a man have complete control.
“Y-y-you’re not f-f-following the rules.” His hand clamped over her neck, leading her backwards until the backs of her knees hit the bed.
Her eyes widened. This wasn’t the boy she’d spent years with, joking around and sharing laughs. No, this Lyric was a man who knew how to make her body sing the most delicious symphony with his control. If only she’d give him the chance.
“If this is too much, just say s-s-stop.”
“More.”
That must have been the right thing to say, because she was pushed down onto her back as he dove face-first into her sex. Licking, sucking, and worshipping between her thighs.
“Fuck! Yes. Lyric.”
His growl was the only reply before two of his fingers dipped inside her, curling against her walls, sweeping against the sweet spot that sent a jolt of pleasure blazing over her body like liquid heat. Pressure built, the air so thick, arousal saturated every molecule. His hands and mouth worked in tandem to bring her closer and closer to the edge of no return. As she reached the peak, she sucked in a gasp. Looking down her body, his eyes locked with hers in silent knowing. He pulled away, his mouth glistening with her juices. He licked his lips, adding another finger inside her as he pumped harder, his thumb swirling over her clit.
“Come,” he commanded.
And just like that, every synapse fired all at once. Pleasure like she’d never known erupted in an avalanche, burying her in complete and utter rapture. Black spots colored her vision as she was propelled down, down, down the abyss.
Some part of her was aware of soft lips kissing their way up her body, stopping to lave at her breasts before capturing her mouth. Her own essence added fuel to their kiss, binding them together in a way like never before. And now, she needed even more. She would have every part of him, even if it killed her.
“Fuck me.” She begged like she had for no man. “I need you.”
“C-c-condom?” he asked.
“I’m clean and on the pill. If we—if we’re only doing this once—I want to feel you without anything between us.”
He hesitated only a moment before he nodded. “Me too.”
Kissing her once more, his tongue dove into her mouth as his hands spread her thighs wider, and he lined himself up at her opening.
“Please.” She wiggled closer, digging her heels into his firm ass. Shameless. Reckless. Just like his kiss, intoxicating her. His touch branded her skin with possessive obsession, working her into a frenzy until nothing else existed but pure unadulterated urgency to connect with him in the most carnal way.
He slammed into her in one thrust, colliding like stars, bursting and spinning her up into blessed chaos, shattering the world as she knew it.
She gasped, sparks and shimmers filling her vision.
“You okay, baby?” he asked, his brows drawn together in exquisite torture.
The endearment didn’t escape her, but the desperation had her clawing his back. “Move. Please. Give me … everything.”
He pulled out so that only the thick crown of his cock was inside her before he thrust again.
She moaned, unable to hold back. Wave after wave of pleasure rocked through her as he gave her what she desired most.
“So perfect. So beautiful. Just like I knew it w-w-would be.” His words danced around the edge of her consciousness, his kiss swallowing her up once again as his thumb found her clit.
Her body jerked, back arching as another earthquake of pleasure rocked from her head to her toes. Orgasm after orgasm tumbled through her, forming one long ride of ecstasy, pieces of her splintering with each sharp thrust of his hips.
“Yes. Lyric. God, yes. Don’t stop!”
His muscles tightened around her, his teeth sinking into the soft flesh at her neck before he sucked. Marking her. Claiming her.
Flames lapped her skin with sweet agony, until all she could do was hold on to him and trust he’d be there to catch her when she fell. Because one thing was for certain: she could never go back to the way things were after this. No matter what they’d promised. This changed everything.
“Amara!” he groaned in her ear.
“Come,” she commanded, throwing his words back at him.
He pulled away, flipping her onto her side. Lifting one leg over his shoulder, he slipped the other between his legs and pushed into her, impossibly deeper than before. She gripped the sheets and pressed her face into them, biting down.
“Look at me.” He tipped her chin towards him.
His abs flexed as he rammed into her. Sweat beaded on his forehead, skin glistening in the flames of the fireplace. Cerulean eyes locked on hers, dark and hazy with lust. He fucked her hard and slow. Taking another piece of her with each drive of his hips. His muscles quaked, his body trembling as he pitched forward. “Amara!”
Fingers dug into her ass and hips, hard enough to leave bruises. But it wouldn’t be the only mark he’d leave on her. Lyric—no longer the boy who held her secrets—but the man who’d caught her when she fell. Somewhere in the darkness of this room between curious kisses and naive promises, he’d stolen her heart. Or maybe it had always been his, and it had just taken one holiday kiss for her to realize it.
5
Lyric
Sunlight reflected through the frosted windows, casting the woman next to Lyric in a rainbow of color. Amara glowed with her natural radiant beauty.
She’d fallen asleep so quickly after he’d made love to her. He’d be lying if he denied fantasizing about his best friend like this. But the real thing was so much better. She’d said it was only for one night, but she was wrong. There was no way he’d let her get away from him after what they’d shared. It wasn’t possible to pretend that he hadn’t been inside her or seen the breathtaking expression as she fell apart in his arms again and again.
Fuck that.
He just needed her to wake up, and then he’d make it clear she was his and he was hers.
I sound like a caveman. He chuckled to himself. The thought of her waking up and going on with her life like
he was just another guy she’d fucked tore at his chest. Panic spread its bony fingers across his rib cage and squeezed. He’d always cared for her—loved her as a friend. But the emotional reaction to that kiss, to last night …
His eyes darted to the one loose braid snaking down her naked back. He tucked it back under the silk bonnet he’d slipped over her head while she was asleep. He brushed his finger tenderly down her spine. She stirred.
I love her.
Knock. Knock.
Damn it. Lyric scooted out of bed and threw on a pair of sleep pants before he opened the door.
Chris leaned against the doorframe, looking far too chipper for the early hour after how much he drank the night before. “Hey, man.”
“Hey.”
Samantha passed by on her way down the hall towards the kitchen. Chris’s eyes followed her until she disappeared. She was pretty, but nothing compared to the beauty in his bed.
It struck him in that moment that he’d compared every other woman in his life to his best friend. The couple of girlfriends he’d had never measured up to the mold created by Amara.
I’m in love with my best friend.
But did she love him back? Could she?
Thoughts and worry spiraled through him as he met Chris’s eyes. The guy looked at him expectantly as if waiting for an answer.
“Sorry, what?”
Chris straightened. “I just want to make sure I’m not stepping on your toes asking her to hang out with me. Shoot my shot, ya know?”
Why would he care if Chris made a move on Samantha? “Go for it. She’s all yours.”
Chris grinned and nodded. “Great.”
Lyric shut the door and turned around, hoping to climb back into bed and wake up Amara properly. But instead of the sleepy pleased eyes he’d expected, Amara’s gaze burned with what seemed like hurt veiled by a fury he’d never seen once in the years he’d known her. Anxiety curled around him like a tornado, whipping and lashing his insides.