by Rayne O'Gara
I lower my own eyes down his body to see the rising tent in his lap, making me outwardly smile.
“What?” he asks, with some of the gruffness leaving his voice.
I simply shake my head and reach my spoon down to the frozen confection.
“Oh nothing, I just really like ice cream,” I say before taking in a bigger bite than I should have to stifle the snicker that was rising in my throat.
I close my eyes and let the mouthful slowly melt in my mouth before swallowing. My body shivers and goose bumps cover my skin. Feeling his eyes on me, I keep mine on the carton. Taking another bite, a small one this time, I chance a look up to confirm it. Yup, he’s staring.
“I like ice cream too,” he says with a sly look.
No amount of ice cream is going to stop this snicker, so I give up and follow it with a smartass remark.
“Is that why you keep some in your freezer? And here I thought it was ‘cause you hated it.”
“Be nice, I wasn’t finished. You interrupted me.”
“Sorry, please continue,” I say.
The rising eyebrow lets me know he is in no way fooled by my words. Smart man. He’s right…so not sorry.
“Like I was saying. I like it too. Would you like for me to show you how we can like it a whole lot more?” He finishes his question with his own large spoonful.
I’m intrigued.
And so very turned on.
I’m not quite sure if his words were supposed to be a turn on, but the way he said them sure does get my body perking up and taking notice.
“How?” I ask breathlessly.
Oh my.
A delicious half smile paired with bedroom eyes is a dangerous look on him. Reaching out, he takes away my spoon and untwists the carton free of its sheet.
“Oh, baby. I’m gonna make your pretty skin flush red every time you even think the words ice and cream. Now lay back and close your eyes. No peeking, or I will blindfold you.”
The sexual promise in his voice has my inner muscles tighten instinctively. Blindfold? Maybe I’ll peek just to get that repercussion. Wonder what else he would do if I was naughty?
I roll my eyes under my closed lids knowing full well I am not going to peek. Not having a lot of experience in this, um, field, I have never played games. The flash of heat through my body at the word blindfold was all good but, could I really give up so much control as that? To trust him that much?
“Ah!” I scream out when a plop of something wet and cold hits the spot between my breasts.
“I don’t know where you went in that beautiful head of yours, but I would like for you to be here with me,” Luc whispers into my ear. His cold breath sends new shivers down my spine and I can barely smell a hint of chocolate. He is still eating the ice cream.
Oh Lord.
The dropped, but not forgotten, ice cream melts quickly by my body heat. It starts to run along the undersides of my breasts and down my torso, leaving a cold sticky trail in its wake.
“This is going to be fun,” Luc says before his cold tongue laps up the running mess.
Oh fuck!
Chapter Twelve
Harmony…
The smell of life bringing coffee pulls me fully awake. I. Need. Caffeine. I let out a groan as I roll out of the warm haven of Luc’s bed. My legs tremble and I wince at the soreness of my unused muscles.
Mmmmm…but what a hell of a good way to get them this sore.
How many times? I lost count after our shower. I never thought I would get to experience the up-against-the-shower-wall sex. It takes a strong man to lift all this…but hot damn! I found me one! After the sticky ice cream fest, we had to clean up. That was amazing in itself! Who would have thought the cold sensations from the dessert and his cold mouth would bring me such heat in response. Playing with food is definitely on my to-do list again. Next time though, I want to try something not as chilly, I want to explore his body the way he did mine.
In the bathroom I stare longingly at the empty garden tub. It would feel so good to lounge in that thing for a few hours. I sigh out loud and shake my head. I tilt my head at my reflection in the mirror. Who is this sexy wanton?
Wild hair, flushed cheeks, and a wide grin stare back at me. I like this look on me. A much better improvement over the frigid bitch I normally portray to the world.
Spying Luc’s toothbrush in its little holder, I peek out into the bedroom for signs of him. With no sightings, I giggle, which is not like me either, and quickly scrub the sleep yuckiness out of my mouth. After rinsing, I smile back at my mirror self.
Minty fresh.
Now I’m ready to see Mr. Big O himself.
Snorting at my lame joke, I grab what I assume is Luc’s robe and try it on.
Damn, broad shoulders come in handy in this situation. It covers my breasts and I can even overlap the material before having to tie it!
I get a whiff of his clean spice scent and my toes curl. Okay, so I bury my nose into the robe collar hoping to get a smell, and jackpot.
What the hell am I doing?
I am standing in the middle of Luc’s bedroom, smelling his clothes, reminiscing about how he feels against me, when I could be in his arms for real instead?
I roll my eyes at myself and I’m out the door and into the hallway.
The sight of his shirtless, tan, and muscled back has me lick my lips. He is so fucking yummy! Good Lord! How can I still want him so much? Shouldn’t have this ache of need and want eased some after last night?
Luc turns around and that hot crooked smile comes to play on his lips. My stomach drops. I was caught staring. His large arms come to cross over his chest and he props a hip against the counter by the sink.
“Mornin’, baby. Coffee?” he asks.
I finally get my feet back under my control and walk over to a barstool. Smiling back at him, I take my seat and nod my head.
“Yes please, for all in this world that is holy. Gimmie, gimmie, gimmie.”
“Yes, ma’am, here you are.”
The steaming mug thunks gently down onto the bar top and I can smell the hazelnut goodness.
Wait…hazelnut?
“You drink hazelnut coffee?” I ask, stunned.
“No, not usually. But it’s your favorite so I picked some up for you when I was at the store yesterday,” he answers simply, like it was no big deal.
But to me, it is a huge deal.
My surprise at his thoughtfulness evaporates when he swoops in for a kiss. His mouth rubs sweetly against mine before I open to him for more. Our tongues dance together in a way that reminds me of other body parts from the night before. I want some more.
He pulls away from me way too soon for my liking. I try to follow his mouth, but almost fall off the damn barstool. Luc’s hands stabilize me while my face flames at his laughter.
“If I keep kissing you then we will end up staying in bed all day. So stop pouting.”
I’m pouting? I don’t fucking pout!
“What do you want to do today? It’s nice out, not to hot,” he asks me before taking a drink of his own mug.
I tilt my head to the side and contemplate for a moment before answering him.
“Is that first option completely off the table?” I ask him in what I hope is a seductive tone.
His eyes flash fire and I swear he growls a little.
“Don’t push, baby. I’m trying to be nice. Your body needs to rest a bit, we worked it out quite a bit last night. Plus, there is always something fun to do outside of the bedroom,” Luc winks after his last quip.
“Yeah, I know that. There’s the bathroom, living room, kitchen, back patio, and don’t you have a weight room downstairs? We can have lots of fun that doesn’t have to be in the bedroom,” I quip back.
“That’s not what I meant. Well, fuck, it’s kinda like I meant.” Luc huffs out a breath before he gives me a wicked smile.
“Let’s go shopping. Any place you want to go. We can stop by your place for a bit then
head out from there.” He has to know my love of clothes for him to suggest this. I am really shocked. I am just not sure if it is more because he’s a guy…suggesting we go shopping. Or if because he actually cares so much he would take notice of what I like to do…or what kind of coffee I prefer. Who is this guy!? Not wanting him to be privy to my thoughts, I shake them off and live in the moment. I need to get back to the conversation.
“You like shopping?”
“Oh yeah. When it’s done with the right person. You want to be my right person to shop with? We could have a lot of fun,” he cajoles with what sounds like double meaning.
My stomach chooses this moment to gurgle unhappily at me for lack of food.
“Okay, let’s go have some shopping fun. But first you have to feed me,” I say back playfully. Well half playing. You don’t mess around about food to a hungry chick.
*****
Luccas…
Yeah, last night was awesome. I finally had her in my home. In my bed…and shower. Real life Harmony superseded imaginary Harmony by miles and miles. The soft little sounds in my ear when I hit just the right spot inside her. Big yellow eyes looking into mine while we just lay and cuddle while our heartbeats slowed. Best of all, her dirty fuck me words as she squeezed my cock when she came and then screamed my name.
Fuck!
I shake out of my head and glace quickly around before covertly adjusting my rapidly swelling junk. Shit, I hate popping wood in public. Looking back to the table where Harm sits, she looks shyly away from me and a sweet blush tinges her cheeks when our eyes meet. I’d put money down on her thinking the exact same thoughts as me. Whose bright idea was it to go out and away from the comfort of flat private surfaces again? Oh yeah, the brain that’s supposed to be thought with.
I’m a jackass.
The line moves a space so I shuffle forward to order our breakfast and coffee to go. We both decided to have a quick small breakfast at the coffee shop in the middle of shopping central right off main street in Liberty. Both opting not to drive the twenty minutes in to Austin.
Catching a glimpse of her out of the corner of my eyes after I pay, both heads start whirling once again. Why did I suggest this again? Right. Take her out. Show her how good it can be between us day to day. Make her comfortable giving up most control to someone else for a change. Oh yeah…and to try something new.
I smirk at the last thought and catch Harmony’s eyebrow raise in question. That wasn’t the only thing rising at this point. Naughty thoughts race through my top head to follow through to the one downstairs making it damned hard to walk with a hard-on while balancing all of our goodies to the table.
This could be fun. Real fun.
The sweet smile she flashes at me as I hand over her order makes my heart double beat and my dick grow even harder.
Shit. I’m still a jackass for leaving the house though. Viktor would be ashamed.
*****
Harmony…
He is up to something. I caught that smirk. Now I just have to figure out what it was for. What could cause such an expression while on a very public shopping trip?
I snort into my coffee as the word DUH flashes in my head as an answer. He’s a guy, I can fully imagine what the smirk was for. But if he thinks he is getting laid in broad daylight surrounded by people, the guy has a screw loose. Damn, I was really starting to like him too.
Luc chooses this moment to lick those yummy lips of his and bam, instant soaked panties. Well maybe some kind of play in public wouldn’t be too bad. Shit. I am a jackass for letting him talk me into leaving the house.
Just, every time I look at him, there is something that flashes me back to last night. His steady way of walking equals his sure and solid strokes inside me. I’m so screwed, and not in a good way.
“Here you go,” Luc says as he sits down across from me at the small table for two.
“Thanks. Smells great,” I say, trying to bring enthusiasm to my voice.
I wonder if I tell him I forgot something back at my apartment, would it lure him there. Once there I’ll pounce and we will stay in and forget this shopping trip.
Oh God…who am I?
Pounce? Like a cat? And forget shopping?!
Oh he’s good. I have to start bringing my psych game from now on.
I narrow my eyes in his direction. When he looks back to me I quickly mask the crazy going on in my head. I reserve the right to play the game with him and keep the advantage. He must not know I’m on to him. I can play the innocent… Ha, wow, that was a good one. I need to tell that one to Sofie later, she’d get a kick out of it.
Luc swallows a bite of muffin and chases it with a drink from his Styrofoam cup. “What’s the game plan for today?” he asks.
“The game plan? This was your idea. You are the one that is supposed to have the plan,” I answer, leaning back against my chair and start picking at my cup lid.
This is something different for me. I rarely take girls shopping with me, let alone a man. Especially not one I am dating.
“Just trying to get your suggestions. I want today to be fun for the both of us,” Luc answers while shrugging his shoulders for good measure.
“You had my suggestion before we left your place. But no…we must shop,” I snark back.
“How about I promise ravishment later today when we get back, my wanton vixen.”
“Your what?”
“Yeah,” he says, shaking his head. “That sounded weird, but at the same time, I like it.” He chuckles into his coffee.
“Okay, I will let that slide, if…I get sexy Italian words whispered to me later.”
He tilts his head to the side for a few seconds like he is contemplating my compromise.
“Deal.”
“Then let’s get this shopping thing planned out.”
Chapter Thirteen
Harmony…
The sweet little antique shop was so full of treasures. I can’t believe I have never been in there before. Still smiling over my purchase as we walk out onto the sidewalk, I don’t jump when Luc slips my hand in his again.
We decided to just walk down the street and step inside every store we come across. Then we cross the street at the old diner called Millie’s and walk back till we get back to the car. It’s going to be a long day, but the three places we’ve hit so far have not been a disappointment.
He likes to keep contact with me. His hand on my face, hands skimming down my arm, or across my back. I didn’t know if he was trying a seduction trick or not. Like he wasn’t trying to keep me panting after him with little teases here and there. I’m ashamed to admit it is working. But opening my eyes fully and watching him very closely, I figured it out.
He touches me subconsciously. He is just a natural toucher.
I like it.
But damn that’s odd for me. I have a bubble. This bubble should not be popped at all times. Personal space is a huge thing for me. But with him, I really like that closeness. I feel…safe with him. Relaxed.
Well, almost.
These little touches are also driving me fucking nuts. I have never been one for public displays but I don’t know how much longer I am going to be able to contain myself.
This is ridiculous! I do not act this way. I am a cool, calm, professional woman. Not a…a…wanton vixen!
“Why do you keep rubbing against me? Always finding some way to touch me?” I ask, only realizing the harsh snap I have in my voice.
Not stopping, not even slowing down in step sizes he answers me a heartbeat later. “I have you close enough to touch whenever I want to so I am taking extreme advantage.”
“Oh.”
“You have my permission to take full advantage of me anytime you want to too,” he says, finally slowing to a stop. “That didn’t come out the way I meant it to. But I am open to that suggestion as well.”
I crack a little at him before my face falls into seriousness.
“I don’t really know how,” I admit quietly.
“I mean, I hug my family and am close with them, but—”
“Walking down the sidewalk with your boyfriend makes you unsure and self-conscious,” he interrupts.
And that’s the simple and direct answer. Why did that seem so clear and easy to him when I was having issues with that.
Warm hands cup my face and our eyes meet. The hot chocolate eyes of his break through all my barriers in two seconds flat. He gets in too deep. I’m left with little protection.
“Don’t worry, baby. I’ll show you.” His breath fans across my face before his lips brush mine softly, sweetly, and way too quickly for my taste.
I was wrong. Yeah, I’m left with NO protection.
We start walking again and I am tugged into his side with his fingers through my belt loops of my jeans. A hand splays covering a surprisingly large portion of my ass. I follow his lead and copy his hand placement.
Damn, I have not focused enough attention on his ass. First thing I correct tonight. Hard and tight, it fits perfectly in my palm. I snuggle farther into his one armed embrace and replay the conversation.
“Wait, boyfriend?” I ask him. It took me long enough to catch that.
“Don’t argue, go with it,” he says with a shake of his head and doesn’t miss a step.
He slipped that in nicely. He is a clever one.
I let it all go as we enter the next little boutique. Why no fight? Because I want him to be in a committed relationship with me. I can’t believe I am actually happy about this.
The little bell attached to the door tinkles at our entrance. A large open room holds a huge antique store. Sections blocked off to help organize seem to stretch on like a weird maze of goodies. We work our way down an aisle and around corners, until I think we actually hit the back wall.
My attention catches on beautiful glass figurines covering a tall wooden shelf. My fingers brush the cool glass of a small unicorn with blue painted legs, mane, and tail. So pretty. Fragile. I turn back around and bump into Luc’s large frame.
Before I can tell him what I found, his mouth molds to mine and he pulls me to his body. His tongue instantly gains access and starts to stroke my own. My hands fist in his shirt as I try to get closer against him. A whimper escapes me when I feel his hard cock press into my lower stomach. His hand tightens in my hair at the same time an almost hurting squeeze on my ass from his other.