#1 Muse ~ T. Gephart

by Gephart, T

  The idea did have some appeal, especially considering how happy he seemed to make me. While I knew he wasn’t the sole reason things were improving for me professionally, it was hard to deny the coincidence. “Yeah, I’ll put him in a gilded cage and stare at him fondly as I work. Think of how amazing my screenplays will be.”

  Scully shivered as she shook her head. “Okay, when you say it like that, it sounds creepy. I guess you just date him like a regular person.”

  God I hoped so, hoping that our relationship—did what we were doing even qualify?—would last longer than my previous ones. I also hoped that if/when it ended, that it did so amicably. I really didn’t want have a reason to hate him. Especially not now, when I’d found out he was still just as charming, funny and good-looking as when I’d first met him.

  No, we had to be friends forever.

  Okay, maybe that was even creepier than the gilded cage idea.

  I think I needed help in more places than just the kitchen.

  LUKE AND NICK HAD BONDED while they prepared us a feast of Moroccan lamb and couscous. I didn’t even know we’d had items in our pantry to make anything that fancy, but it turned out that Luke had shopped on his way home too. I’d like to think it was because he had become inspired, voices calling him to action like saints to a miracle, but I knew it was mostly because he knew he’d have to save my ass or we’d end up ordering pizza.

  Nick had also added to his resume, having apparently been as proficient in the kitchen as my roommate. Not going to lie, the thought of him cooking for me while I looked on in adoration without fear of salmonella poisoning was sexy as hell. Crazy what was a turn on these days.

  And in addition to being a culinary genius—anyone who could negotiate the disorder and turn out anything resembling a meal was a master in my eyes—he and Luke had a lot in common as well.

  Their conversation was easy, a mutual respect flowing between them as they sat next to each other. And Scully—who was sitting beside Luke—had become his biggest fan. Not only was he making sure he addressed and included her in the conversation, but he’d also made her a mocktail, combining seltzer water, lemon and berries.

  His sister-in-law, Tia, was expecting her and Eric’s first child and apparently she loved the combination of fizz and berries. I tried not to hyperventilate that I was having a conversation with a man about pregnancy and he hadn’t run screaming from the house. Most men looked at Scully like it was something contagious, and they were suddenly going to awake with a screaming kid and a child support payment.

  And so, the list of Nick’s attributes grew, setting the bar ridiculously high for future men for not only me but Luke and Scully too. Okay, so we had all become his biggest fans.

  After dinner was done, he offered to help with the dishes, insisting even though I had said it wasn’t fair since he’d helped cook. Although it did become pretty clear as to why he was so anxious to help once he’d gotten me alone in the kitchen. I think we got more soapy water and bubbles on each other than we did on the plates. It was after three unsuccessful attempts at actually getting the dishes clean that I mentioned we had a perfectly functioning dishwasher. Which was great because I didn’t have to divide my attention anymore, cleaning up the kitchen and moving to my bedroom shortly after.

  Scully had already gone to bed, she had work early the next day and was losing the battle with narcolepsy while sitting on the couch. And Luke proved how awesome a wingman he was, excusing himself too, citing some bullshit work he needed to do in his room. While I loved that Nick got along with my friends and they adored him, I was anxious to spend some time with him alone.

  Not sleeping with him had been a terrible idea.

  Horrible.

  And I was determined not only to see if he lived up to what I’d imagined in my mind, but unwrap more of his layers.

  It was clear that what I thought I knew wasn’t all there was, and I was desperate to get to know him better.

  “Just so you know.” The door closed behind us, my body pressed to my bedroom wall as I kissed him, his hand moving to my breast. “That blowjob you weren’t asking for last night, probably going to happen tonight.”

  He laughed, his teeth pulling against my bottom lip. “All because I cooked you dinner? Or was there something else that won me favor.”

  While kissing him against the wall was hot, getting him on my bed was my objective, tugging his arm to lead him where I wanted him to be. Nick lowered his ass to the mattress, watching me as I followed, pulling him down further so we lay side by side.

  “So many things.” My body shifted, rolling on top and straddling him. “But I don’t want to be distracted by listing them right now.”

  His hard ridge lengthened underneath me as I rocked against him. “Not that I’m complaining but that doesn’t feel like a blowjob.” His fingers locked around my hips, guiding me.

  Slowly and as seductively as I could manage, I lowered my lips to his ear and whispered, “If you build it, they will come.”

  Nick erupted into laughter, his body shaking as he pulled himself up and rested against the headboard. “You’re quoting ‘Field of Dreams’ to me while you ride me?”

  “You want to stop?” My mouth pressed against his neck, sucking gently against his skin as I smiled. “I’d hate to have ruined the mood.”

  His hands around my waist tightened. Lifting and then flipped me onto my back before covering me with his body. “You didn’t ruin anything. And we’re not stopping unless you want to.”

  I shook my head; I definitely did not want to stop.

  Nick caught my gaze, kissing me as my body hummed underneath him. “Good, because I don’t want to either.”

  Given permission, my hands moved to his ass and pulled him closer. I wanted more, the friction he was giving me, a tease of what was to come. He didn’t hesitate, grinding harder against me through our clothes as we kissed.

  “That feels so good,” I moaned against his mouth, wondering how much better it would be naked but wishing I didn’t have to stop to find out.

  His hand went between us, under my shirt and pulled at the lace cup of my bra. My eyes closed, getting lost in the sensation as his fingers pulled against my nipple.

  “The morning I woke up to you in my house,” his kisses moved down my neck, heading toward his hand, “I thought about doing this. About taking off your clothes and kissing you exactly like this.”

  “Okay.” I nodded, knowing that I probably would have protested for about a second before I would have let him.

  His tongue swirled around my exposed nipple, making my skin tingle. “Just okay?” He moved to the other, pulling down the other side of my bra and splitting his attention between the two.

  I had no idea what he was asking.

  I’d heard the words so I knew he’d said something but as to what that had meant, was a mystery. And I was fine with that, happy to live in my ignorant bliss if he kept kissing me the way he was.

  “More.” My back arched, lifting off the mattress. “More kisses.”

  He chuckled against my skin, unhooking my bra and pulling it off along with my top. My skin pebbled, tiny dots rose as his finger trailed along my torso in a leisurely descent to the waistband of my jeans. He hesitated, watching me before he undid the button and then the zipper, pulling it down agonizingly slow as his eyes stayed locked on mine.

  “Kiss. Me,” I gritted out, pulling him back toward me as our mouths crushed against each other.

  My hands decided it would be a good time to take over, less graceful than his had been as they fumbled with his pants. Completely by touch, I had his pants undone and pushed down to his hips before he took over, helping me the rest of the way. The team effort meant I could turn my attention to his shirt, cursing my fingers weren’t moving quickly enough as they undid the buttons and finally freed him of it.

  I’d seen him topless before but being able to touch him made it so much better. Hungry hands clawed at his skin, feeling the strength
of his muscles flex under my fingertips as we stripped each other naked.

  We were completely bare, a pile of clothes dumped beside us as we touched. I wanted to know every inch of him, running my fingers along his body and exploring him like he was a piece of 15th century bas-relief. I knew nothing about art, but I could tell what was under my fingertips was a masterpiece.

  If I thought the journey of discovery was my own, I was mistaken as his hand slipped up my thigh, hesitating before going any further. And if my mouth hadn’t been so busy kissing him, I would have demanded—no begged—that he touch me. But I didn’t want to stop. Instead I kept my lips exactly where they were, wrapping my hand around his and moving it to in between my legs.

  We both groaned, the heat almost unbearable as he slid in a finger and pumped twice. I was slick, burning alive as my hand left his—he was doing totally fine without my help—and grabbed his cock, his length pulsing as I jerked him.

  My fingers strained around his girth, moving up and down his shaft while he fingered me. I’d felt him before, with my hands and against my body but not like this—completely bare with unrestrained access.

  “Fuck,” he groaned, his jaw tightening as I continued the glide of my hands. I could make him come—just like that—and the power was intoxicating.

  His eyes closed, then opened again as he regained control, tearing my hands away from his cock and lifting them above my head. “I know I should probably wait and ask you if you’re sure. Because that would be the right thing to do, and when it comes to you, I want this to be right. But I am fucking struggling right now not to be inside of you.”

  I pushed against his hands, my body straining and desperate to be touched. “Being inside of me is the right thing to do.”

  It was too soon.

  I knew it, knew we had barely been dating, hardly knew each other, and sleeping with him would probably not be a good idea.

  But I didn’t care.

  He didn’t hesitate again, letting go of my wrists and moving further down my body. Spreading my thighs with his hands, he settled between them, licking me with the entire length of his tongue before plunging a finger back inside. “You’re so ready for me, Claire.” He groaned against my skin. “So ready for me to be right here.”

  His thumb circled my clit as he added another finger, his eyes on fire as my center rocked against him slick and needy. It felt so good, but I wanted more, wanted to feel him deep and look into his eyes while we drove each other insane.

  My body trembled, heat inching up my skin as he licked and sucked me, just begging for the release. I didn’t want to wait anymore, almost kneeing him in the face as I turned and leaned over the edge of my bed.

  “Claire, what are you—”

  “Condoms,” I breathed out, hanging off the side with stretched out fingers, retrieving the shoebox I kept under my bed.

  While most people had a condom or two tucked away in their purse or in the top drawer of their dresser, I had an entire shoebox filled with condoms, lube and other helpful paraphernalia hidden under my bed.

  He glanced down at the box before looking back at me, probably wondering why I had a doomsday prepper amount of protection in my bedroom.

  “When Scully got pregnant, she didn’t want me—” I started to explain, his fingers pressing against my lips and silencing me.

  He shook his head, reaching across to the box, picking up a condom and tearing it open. “You don’t need to tell me or anyone else why, let’s just both be eternally grateful that it’s there.”

  “Yeah. Sounds good to me.” Scully was so getting a gift basket of all her favorite things tomorrow. “Let’s be grateful.”

  He smirked, showing how grateful he was as he rolled on the condom, my eyes glued to his hand as he did it. He gave himself an extra tug, making sure the latex was secure as he shifted back on top of me. His knees pushed open my thighs as he edged the head of his cock against my core and rubbed against it.

  I.

  Was.

  So.

  Freaking.

  Grateful.

  “Claire.”

  My name on his lips was the most perfect thing I’d heard, each letter rung out like a chorus sung by angels. Or maybe it wasn’t my name I’d heard at all, my breath coming out in a rush as I felt him enter me.

  He was slow and gentle, taking his time to ease into me as my body adjusted. Never once did his eyes move from mine, watching me the entire time as his hands stayed locked around my hips.

  “You feel so good.” He thrust all the way in, lowering his head and kissing my collarbone. “So good.”

  It might have felt good for him but it felt amazing for me, my hips lifting off the mattress and joining in with him in the slow rock. “I told you this was a good idea.”

  He drew out, thrusting back into me and then holding still. “Your idea was a blowjob, this idea was mine.”

  We didn’t get to discuss whose idea it was, and to be honest I didn’t really care. The slow-and-steady he’d started, tossed out the window as he proved how much of a good idea it was.

  My body had a mind of its own, my hands clawing against his back as my legs wrapped around his waist. He seemed to like it too, the change in position giving him more leverage so he could drive deeper inside of me.

  Each drag of his hips got faster and harder, the “yes”, “more”, “please”, “don’t stop” coming from my lips also picking up the tempo.

  “You’re fucking gorgeous.” He bit gently against my shoulder. “And you’re driving me crazy.”

  He was telling me.

  My body was so primed for explosion I wasn’t sure if I was going to come or black out, my skin tingling as he edged me closer to oblivion. He knew I was close, his eyes widening as my fingernails dug into his back.

  “Make me bleed, Claire,” he dared me through gritted teeth. “I want to feel it and don’t hold back.”

  I couldn’t have even if I tried, the surge of energy taking over my body as every muscle inside of me tightened and then . . . let go. My teeth bit down on my lower lip to stop myself from screaming as he continued to move, teasing each tremor out of me like extra credit.

  “Yes, yes,” he groaned, thrusting harder and faster as the pleasure continued to roll through me. I wasn’t sure it would ever end, tiny vibrations tingling all over my body.

  My grip on him tightened, my fingernails biting into his skin as I panted against his mouth. “Make me feel it too.”

  And I didn’t have to ask twice.

  With one final drive he found his finish, covering me as he pulsed inside of me. His body was hot and slick with sweat as he shuddered against me and he’d never looked more perfect as he did right at that moment.

  I’d seen him on magazine covers, on billboards, and countless hours of television. But as he lay above me—his body glistening and his hair a mess—it was by far the best version of him ever. And sure I was probably biased, buzzed from sex endorphins and still a little surprised we had sex in the first place. But he was without a doubt the most beautiful man I’d ever seen.

  “You think your roommates heard?” He kissed my shoulder, lifting his weight off me.

  I shrugged, too blissed out to care. “I’ve had to listen to both of them, it’s about time they had to deal.”

  I failed to mention that both were probably proud—sure that didn’t sound gross—and glad I threw caution to the wind and took a chance.

  “Oh really? Well I don’t care if you don’t, but if you ever want to get loud, remember, I live alone.” He kissed me again this time moving his mouth back to mine. I liked it there; those lips of his were very talented.

  “Are you going to stay?” I yawned, desperately wanting the answer to be yes.

  He rolled onto his back beside me, pulling the covers on top of us. “Umm yeah.” His eyes went wide, pretending to look shocked. “You were just going to use me and kick me out? I feel so cheap.”

  I laughed, snuggling up to his side and l
oving how well we seemed to fit. “Well, there is that whole box of condoms. Might be fun to see if we could put a dent in that stash, so you should probably stick around.”

  “So what you’re saying is, it’s my duty to stay.” His arms wrapped around me and drew me in closer.

  “Feel we owe it to each other.”

  He looked up at the ceiling, taking a deep breath as he whispered, “Thank you.”

  I playfully poked him in the chest, shaking my head. “You want to see what else is in the box besides condoms?”

  A smirk spread across his lips. “Oh hells yes.”

  IT HAD BEEN A WHILE since I’d woken up beside a warm body.

  My last boyfriend got up early to run—I never understood the compulsion—so even if he did spend the night, I usually was alone when I opened my eyes. And before him . . . well, it was safe to say that I had never really wanted to wake up beside someone.

  I liked all the men I’d ever slept with, but never loved any of them. I knew it at the time too, assuming that maybe after a while, stronger feelings would develop. But when I realized I preferred waking up alone, I knew it wasn’t and wouldn’t be love.

  With Nick, I liked the feeling of his body pressed against mine, holding myself still as I absorbed the sensation.

  “Good morning.” His voice was rough, all jagged masculinity and sleepiness that made my skin instantly heat.

  We’d done things last night.

  Lots of things.

  And not all of them had been sexual.

  I felt my lips turn up in a smile, my body practically radiating as I nestled in closer. “Good morning.”

  I had always been attracted to him, even all those years ago before he was uber famous. There was something about him that went beyond his looks, a sincerity in his smile that was captivating.

  “Should we pretend like I’m going to leave, so you can ask me to stay?” He kissed my shoulder, a smirk playing on his lips. “Or can we cut straight to the part where I fuck you in the shower?”