Then I began to fuck her with my tongue, her body moving in time until her muscles began to stiffen and I knew she was close. Moving my mouth, I sucked hard on her clit and her back bowed off the bed, her whole body trembling.
As she writhed on the sheets I stood and tore off the rest of my clothing, my dick leaking in anticipation of sliding inside her. Pulling a condom from my wallet, I slipped it on and crawled over her. She pushed me to my back, straddling my waist, bending to take my lips at the same time she brought her body up and slid down on my cock.
She lifted her head. “My turn,” she said, her eyes alight with mischief.
She rocked forward, slamming her hips down on me. My eyes rolled into the back of my head, pleasure coursing through me. She felt fucking fantastic. Not wanting to miss out on my chance to touch her, I cupped her breasts in my hands as they bounced above me. I climbed higher and higher the harder she rode me, my balls pulling tight to my body. She cried out when I pinched her nipples. Her body squeezed tightly on mine. I couldn’t hold back any longer.
“Mari.” The sound echoed around a room filled with only the sound of our heavy breaths.
She collapsed on top of me, the weight of her welcome. My limbs felt like jelly, but that didn’t stop me from banding my arms around her and holding her tight to me. The scent of vanilla filled my nose and I was in heaven.
Wow. Just . . . wow.
As much as I enjoyed having her there, I knew we needed to get cleaned up. Then I could hold her in my arms the entire night, exactly like I’d wanted to that first time.
I brushed her hair from her face. “I’ll be right back.”
I stopped at the door, looking first left, then right. She giggled. “Bathroom’s down the hall on the right.”
I winked and walked down the hall.
After discarding the condom, I washed up quickly, wanting to get back to Mari as fast as possible. Memories of the night I’d found my bed empty the next morning taunted me. I couldn’t do that again. Not after all this. This woman turned me inside out and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
I jogged back down the hallway to find her sitting with her back against the headboard, the sheet pulled up to her chest, her hair was tousled from my fingers. The Neanderthal in me beat his chest that the half-lidded, just-fucked look on her face was thanks to me.
She patted the bed next to her. I climbed back in and sealed our lips together.
When I moved back, her eyes fluttered open. Once again, I ran my fingers over the bandage on her shoulder. “I still can’t believe you did this.”
I’d never tire of seeing her blush. “Speaking of that, let me go take it off and put some cream on them. I’ll be right back.”
I stole another kiss, massaging her breasts before she stood from the bed and walked out of the room. It gave me the opportunity to study her room. I’d learned a lot about Mari over the last few months by simply watching her. Damn, that still sounded so stalkerish. Not that I was even remotely sad with how things turned out.
The room was simple. White dresser and headboard, the blankets and sheets a light shade of green. There wasn’t a single thing on the floor, except the Fender, which stood on a stand next to a chair. On the chair sat a notebook.
I had a feeling the notebook contained the songs she’d talked about, but there was no way I’d invade her privacy by looking inside.
Her dresser was littered with pictures, none of them from high school. Some of them were from her childhood, others more recent, but those four years were missing.
She stepped back into the room, gloriously naked and fucking sexy as hell. For a moment, I thought she’d seen me studying the pictures on her dresser. Then fire lit her eyes when she realized my gaze was completely glued to the creamy skin and long shapely legs.
“See something you like?” She swayed every part of her body as she walked into the room.
How the fuck did women do that and make it look sexy? If a guy tried, they’d be calling for an ambulance, thinking they were having a seizure.
“Very much.”
Mari flipped off the light and slipped beneath the covers. I moved to lie down, giving Mari the chance to curl into my arms and place her head on my chest. I roved my fingers over her arm while I listened to her breathing settle. I couldn’t stop touching her.
“Thank you,” I whispered into the dark. Never once in all those months of dreaming about her could I ever have predicted this outcome. I honestly thought I’d always have to watch her from afar, maybe hang out with her as friends, if I was lucky. This was so much more than I could ever have asked for.
“For what?” And even in the darkness I could imagine the way her brows were drawn together, including the little crease between them.
“Giving me a chance.”
The smile was in her voice. “Everyone can change.”
I kept stroking her arm until I was sure she was sound asleep. The alarm on my phone should wake me in time to get home to get ready for work, but that was the last thing on my mind. What I really wondered was how it would feel to wake up with Mari in my arms, and I was more than a little excited to find out.
CHAPTER 20
Mari
The soft press of lips against my forehead tugged me from sleep. I felt warm and safe. My eyes opened.
Wait, what?
My bed feels too small.
There was a man’s bare chest below me. Outside I could see it was mostly still dark.
“Mari?”
I moved my face up to see his, and for a second I wanted to drown in the liquid green of his eyes.
“Cole,” I said, my voice breathy.
He kissed my forehead again. “While I would love to stay here with you all day, I have to go if I’m gonna make it to work on time.”
I snuggled closer, reluctant to let him out of my sight again. “I know, but I wish you could stay. I like having you here.”
“Trust me, this is the best morning I’ve had in a long time.”
I sat up, grabbing a set of pajamas from the drawer. The least I could do was walk him to the door. I watched as Cole pulled on his clothes, all his bronze skin on display. The way those fingers . . .
I shook my head. There was no time for that. Thinking about it would only get me worked up and horny.
“You don’t have to get up.” His eyes were focused below my neck.
“Up here, sexy.” I gestured upward with my fingers. “We don’t have time for that unless you plan on being late.”
He groaned, pulling me against him. “Don’t I wish.”
“So do I. Now it’s time for you to get going.” I stepped back, taking his hand, leading him to the door because I had a feeling if we stayed in here another second, neither of us would have clothes on anymore.
“I’ll call you later,” he said, reaching for the doorknob.
“I expect it.”
He smirked and walked out into the cool morning air. I felt the early morning rush inside and I closed the door, locking it behind me. It was way too early to be out of bed. I had no idea how Cole did it every morning. But since I didn’t have anywhere to be, I went back to my room and crawled between the sheets, which now held the scent of something uniquely Cole. I buried my face in the pillow he’d slept on and let myself drift off into dreams of the night before.
The next thing I knew someone was crawling in bed with me. I opened my eyes to see Sawyer, lying in my bed, facing me. The room was filled with light, the sun risen. I rubbed the sleep from my eyes.
“What time is it?”
The corner of his lip pulled up. “Past noon, but I take it by the mussed-up sex hair you’re rocking, you had a long night.”
I ran my hand through my hair trying to control the mess. “How do you know it’s not bed hair?”
He leaned his head on his hand. “I’ve seen your bed head. That,” he pointed at me, “is straight-up sex hair.”
I buried my face in the pillow. The man was fucking Sherlock
Holmes; never missed a thing. “Whatever.”
“I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist him.”
I looked up and his eyes dared me to deny it. Instead of confirming what he already knew, I shoved his shoulder. “Shut up.”
“Why does everyone always hit me?”
“Because you have a big mouth.”
I followed his gaze and realized he was looking at my shoulder. His mouth dropped. “You got a new bird without me?”
It had been our tradition ever since he’d taken me to get the first one. Not that Sawyer didn’t mean as much to me as he did now, but this time it was something I needed to share with Cole.
“Birds. Plural.”
“How many did you get?”
I glanced down. Sawyer still wasn’t Cole’s biggest fan and I really didn’t want to give him a reason to hate him even more.
“Two.”
“I don’t get it. I know one is for the release, but what’s the other for? Did you go by yourself?”
“Cole went with me.” I traced circles on the blanket, trying to distract myself. “I got the other one for him. Even if it doesn’t work out with him, I know that I faced another fear.” I rushed the words out, trying to convince him before he got upset about it.
Sawyer titled my chin up. “I’ll admit I’m still worried about him, but you’re right. Good for you.”
I narrowed my eyes. “He’s done nothing to give you that impression.”
He tucked a piece of hair behind my ear. “You have to remember, I knew about Cole and his friends before you ran into him again, even if I didn’t know his name.”
“He’s not the same guy,” I argued. It had taken me months to come to that conclusion, otherwise I would have never let him in.
“I hope you’re right. I’ve made a lot of mistakes and I don’t want you to follow in my footsteps.”
“But you ran instead of facing your problems.”
It was a low blow and I should have felt guilty, but it was the truth. His eyes dropped from mine. “And maybe I should have stayed and talked to Reagan. At least you’re strong enough to face this head-on. I’m proud of you. I just want you to be careful.”
I could see his problem. Sawyer had a lot of regrets about things that happened before he’d left home. I did, too. Sometimes I wondered what life would be like if I’d stood up for myself instead of being like a ragdoll dragged through the mud. Things weren’t as easy for Sawyer. While I’d had a chance to face my fears and prove I was stronger, he hadn’t had the same opportunity; at least, not yet.
“What are you doing back already, anyway?”
His lips turned down and he sat up facing away from me. “I couldn’t find what I was looking for.”
Something more was going on. As well as Sawyer could read me, I could read him, too.
I also knew that, even if I asked, Sawyer wouldn’t tell me. When he was ready to talk, he would. I just had to be there for him when that happened.
I kneeled behind him, placing my hands on his shoulders, trying to rub out the tension that now resided there. “I’m sorry. Hopefully you’ll find it when you really need it.”
He was quiet for a few minutes, slowly leaning more and more into the ministrations of my fingers. Eventually whatever trance he was in was broken.
“What do you want to do today?”
I leaned around to face him. “I wanna finish that song in my head.”
“New inspiration?”
Heat crept into my cheeks. “Maybe.”
“Well, grab that guitar of yours and let’s get to work.”
I hugged him, then rummaged around my room for my notebook. I grabbed my guitar and went to the living room where Sawyer already had his own guitar settled over his lap. He nodded his head at the notebook in my hand. “Let’s see what you got.”
I opened the book and settled the Fender on my lap. I strummed the first few notes and looked at Sawyer, who gestured for me to play again and then picked up with me.
And that’s how we worked; jot down a lyric, pick out a tune, put them together.
Lather.
Rinse.
Repeat.
Sawyer stretched his arms up above his head, twisting until I heard the crack of his elbows. “Break time?” he asked.
“Break? I think it’s time to call it a night. We’ve been at this for hours.”
The screen of my phone lit up with a text.
Cole: Dinner?
An idea formed.
Me: What would you think about having dinner with the guys? I want you to get to know them.
My phone dinged less than a minute later.
Cole: I’m game, what about them?
I looked over at Sawyer, who was reading through the lyrics one more time. “How would you feel about having dinner with Cole and me tonight? The others, too.”
He shrugged without looking up. “Sure.”
Not encouraging, but not a no, either. I sent a text to Heath who I knew would be in my corner on this one. Sawyer picked his guitar back up and started playing again, turning so that his back was to me. What was his problem?
Heath: Sure. Need me to pick up cranky on our way?
How did he know Sawyer was in a mood?
Me: Yes, please. I’ll let you know where we’re going.
I picked up the guitar. “I’m going to get changed and head over to Cole’s. Heath will be by later to pick you up.”
“Sounds good.”
I wanted to wrap my hands around his neck and choke the life out of him, but I bit my tongue and said nothing. It wasn’t worth another fight.
At least he was willing to go.
***
My foot kept a steady rhythm on the floor of Cole’s car, my fingers up and around my pendant. If Cole and I were going to make this work, being able to hang out with the guys was a must. Thus far Sawyer had been cordial, but it was clear to everyone he still didn’t trust Cole. Or maybe it was just that he was worried about me.
Either way, both men were staples in my life at the moment, and I really hoped they’d find some common ground because otherwise things were going to get really awkward. I’d thought about bringing Cole to our place to spend some time just with me and Sawyer; that was, until I realized Cole still talked to Heath. Having that buffer might help soften Sawyer a bit more. He could be one stubborn man when he wanted to.
“What’s wrong?” Cole glanced at me out of the corner of his eye.
As if it burned me, I dropped the pendant from my hand. Shit. If I was ever going to find a way to keep people from knowing I was freaking out, I really needed to stop doing it. I was so used to hiding my feelings from anyone but Sawyer, it still threw me how easily Cole could read me.
“I’m hoping Sawyer isn’t a dick tonight.”
He picked my hand up from my lap and placed a kiss on the back of it. “He won’t be. You can’t really blame him for not trusting me. Shit, there are days I’m still surprised you trust me.”
I gripped his hand tighter. “No. Since we met again, you haven’t given me any reason not to.”
“Yeah, but I’m guessing Sawyer knew about me long before we met up again. You can’t tell me you didn’t talk to him about high school.” He gave me a pointed look. “I’ve seen how close you two are.”
I nodded. “I’ve told Sawyer a lot of things over the years.”
“See. Don’t give him such a hard time for worrying about me. I know I’m different. You know I’m different. That’s all that should really matter.”
I opened my mouth to speak, but he continued.
“But, I plan on proving to him just how much you mean to me.”
A warmth settled over me. Hearing someone say those words to me was like a balm to my soul. For so long I’d worried I’d never trust anyone besides Sawyer, and yet here I was, letting someone in. There was a lot to be said for facing your fears.
“I think I like the sound of that.”
We pulled into the restaurant p
arking lot. I’d picked a restaurant over a bar because I figured it was the best place to talk . . . and no one would get wasted. If we’d gone to a bar, there were no guarantees.
I took a few deep breaths and, straightening my shoulders, I stepped out of the car.
CHAPTER 21
Cole
The way she continued to fidget even after we reached the restaurant worried me. It was clear she wanted Sawyer and me to get along, but I hadn’t been lying in the car; I couldn’t really blame him for thinking the worst of me.
Wanting to relax her before we walked inside, I slid my hand into hers, entwining our fingers. She offered me a small smile and as we walked hand in hand into the restaurant, we spotted the guys, already seated in a large round booth in the corner. Heath waved us over. He and I’d talked after a few of their shows. He’d done me a solid by setting everything up with Mari. We wouldn’t have been here if he hadn’t stepped in. I owed him.
“Hey, guys.”
Heath stepped out of the booth to let us sit down. Mari immediately climbed in, taking the seat next to Sawyer, leaving me on her other side with Heath next to me.
Mari nodded her head at me. “Guys, this is Cole. Cole, you’ve already met Sawyer and Heath.” She pointed at the guy sitting next to Sawyer. “That’s Jackson, and the goofball next to him is Monty.”
“I’m not a goofball,” Monty said, attempting to balance a toothpick on his tongue.
Heath lifted a brow at him. “Seriously?”
He let the toothpick fall to the table. “Fine, I’ll behave.”
“You don’t have to behave for me. It’s nice to meet you guys.” I actually remembered Jackson from that night in Mari’s dressing room, but seeing as her fingers were still wrapped around her necklace, there was no reason to bring it up and fluster her further.
Heath punched my shoulder. “Looks like things are working out for the two of you.”
I took Mari’s hand in mine. “They are.”
The words were assertive, but that didn’t mean I didn’t still feel like I was walking on thin ice with Mari. It had been less than a week since she’d finally let me in. I wasn’t ready to let her go. I had this irrational need to keep her close, worried that the more time she had, the more she might believe I could hurt her again.
Rock Me (Jaded Ivory Book 1) Page 18