"Okay. I think I can give you a pass on lying about presents. That would be bizarre to tell the truth about. 'Hey, Harlow. For your birthday I got you a new toaster. By the way, it's in the closet wrapped but don't open it until Friday.'" She scrunched up her nose.
I laughed and smooched her shoulder. "Accurate. Okay, we agree to keep presents a secret. What if someone tells me something then asks me to keep it a secret for them, but you ask me about it?"
She tilted her head while thinking about that, too. "Just be honest. Say Nalea, or whoever, confided in me and asked me not to divulge that information right now. I can handle things like that," she said, her hand falling to my thigh.
"Me too." I nodded and drew in a controlled breath. "Harlow?"
"Hmm?" She smiled at me and squeezed my leg.
"Will you be my girlfriend?"
"Yes," she said, laughing softly when I took her hand. "Will you be my girlfriend?"
"Yes." I grinned, leaning forward to catch her in a kiss, but stopping short a fraction from her lips. "Can I?"
She nodded, though her body visibly shuddered. Her fingers found their way into my hair immediately as I closed the space between us. Fireworks shot through my core, sending sparks of electricity from the top of my head to the tips of my toes. My belly swirled with ache and a soft moan escaped her as she took hold of my shirt. She tugged at me before ending the kiss as her body quaked beside me.
"Are you sure they can't hear us?" she asked breathlessly, and I noted how she squeezed her knees together.
I shook my head, pressing my forehead to hers. "They'll hear us if we shout."
"I don't think I can not shout if you kiss me again." She stroked my face, brushing her knuckles over my cheek. "Veyda."
"I know." I turned and kissed her hand, holding it to my lips. "I'm sorry. I'm not sure why this happens to us."
Her heart pounded as her breaths left her in heated puffs. She stared at my lips, brushing her thumb over them while I kissed her soft skin.
"Me either." She leaned in again, and spoke against my lips, "But I'm not complaining."
I laughed softly as she pulled me on top of her, lowering us into the pillows. I nipped her chin as she unbuttoned my shirt, her gaze wandering over me as I caressed her hip before untucking her blouse. The gentle thuds of her shoes hitting the floor echoed and I paused to listen for Nalea and Audra.
"Let's put her down for the night," said Nalea, and I heard them rustling in the living room.
"Give Veyda privacy. Don't bother her tonight, Nae. I can see how fragile they are together right now. So tentative," lectured Audra.
"I know, but they're very cute. I've never seen Veyda so into someone."
"Are you rooting for Curator-Protector endgame?" Audra chuckled, and it made me smile.
"Curtector? Protator? What's their ship name?"
"Oh stop. Go to bed." Audra's laughter escalated. "And it's Veylow endgame."
I couldn’t help laughing and Harlow cocked a brow at me.
"What are they saying?" asked Harlow, cupping my face in my hands.
"Audra is lecturing Nalea about leaving us alone and then they're joking about our fandom ship name," I told her, and she chuckled softly.
"What'd they decide?"
"Veylow." I scrunched up my nose at her. "What do you think?"
She cracked up and nodded. "What's their ship name?"
"Naedra."
"Aw, that's an actual name. Cheaters." She smiled and played with my hair in long strokes.
"Terrible cheaters." I snickered and brushed my nose against hers. "They went to bed or in their room at least."
"Good." Her fingers snaked toward the base of my neck as she urged me down to her, unfastening my bowtie on the way.
I caught her in a heated kiss, unable to hold myself back any longer. Harlow's entire form under me tensed, her back arching as her nails raked down my arm. The heat of her burned beneath me as if I flew over the core of a raging volcano. Her readiness to erupt lingered on the surface of her entire being.
Whimpers left her lips when I thrust my tongue between them, twisting into guttural moans as she quaked under me. Heat trickled over my shoulders, ending where the seam of my jeans bumped my clit. A shiver raced down my shoulders when she grabbed handfuls of my breasts after shoving my shirt aside. I shrugged out of it, leaving me in only a bra. In effort to catch her up, I flicked open the buttons of her blouse, exposing her lacy undergarments. I smiled through the kiss as I traced the curve of the fabric over her breasts, ending our kiss for the moment.
Glassy eyes gazed up at me as she panted, her hand wandering over her exposed stomach.
"Did you?" she asked, after catching her breath.
I shook my head, drawing in a slow breath. "Almost. You?"
She nodded and gnawed her bottom lip. Her feet writhed under me. "So strong."
I flicked my tongue over her lips, and she gasped, her toes digging into the blankets under us. My hunger for her surged suddenly, overpowering me in a manner that punched me in the face. I gripped her hands, pressing them into the mattress as lust overtook me. Heavy throbs found my clit and I shuddered when I shifted my hips to kneel between her legs. She lifted her hips to me, whimpering while holding her breath. Wide eyes locked on to mine, her eyes shimmering with a tangle of surprise and excitement.
"Can I?" I released one of her hands to grip the waist of her pants.
She nodded, gasping as soon as I flicked the button of her jeans. I helped her wriggle out of them, only to find the panties that matched her bra soaked completely through. Her cheeks burned bright red as I gazed down at her form. I gripped her hips, tugging her toward me as I pressed my lips to the curve of her belly just below her navel. Her hands shot to my hair, shaking as she tugged.
"Oh God, Veyda." A heavy whisper left her before she gasped. "Oh my God."
"I can't wait. I need you." I choked on the words as I yanked her panties down. My heart pounded in my ears, my insides buzzed with wanton desire, and something primal raged. It demanded so much, stealing away my executive functioning and replacing it with mouth-watering hunger.
Harlow tore at my hair as she parted her thighs for me. Trembling legs offered me an invitation as I gazed down at her saturated core. She glistened for me, even in the dim light, and her swollen folds spoke of a need that matched mine. Cries left her before I even touched her and she looked down at me, her eyes as wild as I felt. I gripped her hips, yanking her toward my mouth as I lowered myself down to devour her.
She burst against my tongue, melting with sweetness that I savored and craved. My surrender matched hers as satisfaction coursed through me, both calming me and focusing on the mixed sensations that lapped at my core. She hardly touched me and yet, my pussy throbbed along with hers. Her hands dropped beside her head in the pillows as her mouth fell open, a look of pure ecstasy overtaking her beautiful face. I felt it, as if we both fell slowly from a summer sky, passing through the petals of vibrant flowers that floated on the breeze.
When she came, her body lifted from the bed, sending a rush of delicious nectar to my lips. I savored her as I lost myself with her, moaning into her rocking hips while sucking and lapping at her clit. Guttural moans rolled from her throat, her eyes closing as she tipped her head back. I thrust my tongue in and out of her, bathing myself in the sight of her pleasure as I rode it with her.
I couldn't stop nor did I want to. Sweat dampened her hair and beaded along her abdomen but we continued. Over and over, we lost ourselves to rolling releases that overpowered my senses and suspended us in a cycle of eternal bliss. My mouth would never tire of her, never find itself satisfied, and her body accepted all of me. Her pussy fluttered against my mouth until I wrapped my lips around her clit and moaned against her when I came. Harlow's legs quaked first, before her body burst into harsh tremors. Minutes must've passed, hours even, before I managed to break my hold on her. I gasped for breath, and she cried out when she collapsed back on the bed. E
very inch of her shook so hard she nearly vibrated. I managed to crawl up her, all of me shaking just as hard.
We couldn't speak, only breathe, and I hid my face against her neck. High-pitched moans left her as she brushed her lips against my ear, before we wrapped each other in a mutual embrace. One of holding, and securing, perhaps tangled with possession. Either way, we couldn't let go, and we wouldn't. We just…wouldn't.
Chapter Eleven
The sun demanding attention through the closed curtains woke me the next morning. Harlow lay with me, naked from the waist down and curled up in my arms. Memories of the night before flooded me immediately, and my face flushed with heat. A smile accompanied it, and I pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.
She stirred slightly, peeking her eyes open and delivering a sleepy smile. "Hi."
"Hi." In the early morning light, when sounds of traffic, birdsong, and people bustling around us usually overcame me, nothing save for Harlow made it to my consciousness. "You're so beautiful," I confessed, caressing the curve of her hip.
A shiver raced over her and her cheeks turned beet-red when she must've realized her exposedness. She gnawed her lip despite her smile, then kissed my chin. "Me? Have you seen yourself?"
"Nah." I chuckled and let my hand wander to her naked belly. "But I've seen you." I brushed my lips across her forehead, down her nose and to her lips.
"Oh." She sucked in her breath, arching her back slightly. "Last night was—"
"I know. I don't even know, but I know," I said as she hid her face in my hair as she hugged me. I kissed along her neck, letting my tongue flick across her skin.
"Same. My God, Veyda." She squeezed me tight, her lips pressed to my shoulder. "I think I'm…oh!" She gasped, tossing her head back as she came with my fingers an inch above her mons.
I licked along her neck and clavicle, shivering with the parallel pleasure her orgasm set alight. She rolled on to her back, panting hard and covering her face with her hands.
"How? Oh my God. How?"
"I don't know, but it's so good." I nibbled her ear, and she bent her arm back to stroke my cheek.
A content smile parted her lips, and she closed her eyes, reveling in the delight that appeared to still course through her. I gazed down at her, taking in the sight of her in the bright light and burning the image of her beautiful form into my mind. She bent her knee, propping her heel on the bed, and I caressed her inner thigh in soft circles.
"You taste…" I whispered against her ear. "Like the most delicious candy in the universe. I crave you and I've never yearned for anything like that before."
She nodded, holding her breath as she pursed her lips. A shiver rushed her, and she turned to kiss me gently. We each quivered against the other, before parting to press our foreheads together. A soft giggle escaped her, and I smiled.
"Good morning," I said, chuckling while tucking her hair behind her ear.
"Morning." She nuzzled me as my hand caressed her smooth stomach. "What time is it?"
"Around eight."
She groaned and covered her face again. "I have to get to work soon."
"Same. I have a class at nine. Are you hungry?"
"A little bit. You?"
"Same. What do you usually eat for breakfast?" I rubbed soft circles around her belly, then over her thighs, one after the other. She succumbed to my doting, and I basked in her comfort with me in the moment.
"Coffee." She scrunched up her nose. "Sometimes a muffin or bagel from the coffee shop near work. You?"
"Cereal and coffee. Too bad we don't have blueberry pancakes today. I think you might've spoiled me." I traced my finger over her lips, and she smiled.
"Good." She flattened her palm against my cheek, her gaze meeting mine as her thumb caressed my lips. "Will I see you tonight?"
"You'll see me every night that you want to see me." I brushed my knuckles over her cheek as it turned pink. "Okay?"
She nodded and urged me into a hug. I wrapped my arms around her, and sighs left both of us as we pried ourselves from bed. I fixed my shirt while she searched for her panties. Snickers left me while I watched her pluck them off the carpet in the corner.
"The view is mighty fine over here. You have a perfect bum," I said, leaning back on my hands while gazing at her.
She narrowed her eyes at me, a smirk playing on her lips while she stepped into her panties. I couldn't help my amusement, and she returned to me after she tugged on her jeans. She stood between my knees, her button still unfastened. I gripped her hips, then kissed her naked stomach. Her fingers tangled in my hair, and she fluttered under my affection.
"I've never had sex like that before in my life." She nudged my chin up so that I'd look at her. "Thought you should know."
"Me either." I raked my teeth over her skin, and she held on to my shoulders when her knees wobbled.
"I still have jelly legs. Veyda." She drew in a slow breath while pinching my chin between her fingers. "Your mouth is magic."
"It can't get enough of you." I circled my tongue around her navel, and she whimpered, squeezing her knees together as she quaked. "Are you sure you have to work today?"
"Yes." She panted a little, her eyes as glassy as before. "I will be giving tours with damp panties today."
"You will." I grinned up at her while caressing the back of her thighs. "I'll be teaching classes with the same."
She groaned when I stood up to hug her and buried her face in my hair. "Saying goodbye is painful right now. I feel like we have a lot to talk about."
"We do. How about after work, I head to your place? More privacy…"
"Yes." She leaned back, brushing my hair over my shoulders. "I'd like that."
"Okay." I kissed her quickly and she smiled. "Let's go make some coffee at least and see what we have in the kitchen."
"Do I look a mess?" she asked as I helped her button her blouse. She fussed with her hair afterward, then scooped her shoes off the floor.
"Not at all. You could never."
"No time to shower after that marathon. It's a first." She chuckled as I led her to the kitchen.
Audra and Nalea both looked up when they saw us, their grins evident before they broke into a round of applause. My face heated, knowing I'd effectively turned into a ripe tomato before them. Harlow laughed, her cheeks endlessly pink at that point. She squeezed my hand, pressing her lips to my shoulder in a cute bout of shyness.
"Oh, knock it off, you two," I scolded, and they stopped.
"We were wondering when you two would emerge," said Nalea as she handed each of us a coffee in paper to-go cups. "I'm guessing you have a solid answer to my question now."
"Yes. We're official. Thank you." Harlow took the lead then, accepting the drink and stealing a sip. "I have to go to work, but thank you for dinner and for being the obnoxious besties to my girlfriend."
I nearly beamed when I heard her apply our new label, and Nalea wagged her brows at me while I took the cup from her. "Thanks."
"It's our pleasure," said Audra, chuckling with it.
"Technically…it was their pleasure." Nalea motioned between the two of us.
I smacked her arm and Harlow laughed, her shyness all but replaced by a confidence I didn't expect.
"Can we get you something for the road? We have bananas, cereal bars." Audra gestured to the fridge. "Breastmilk."
Harlow's laughter escalated. "I'm good, thanks. Save your milk for the cutie in her swing. Thanks for the coffee."
"I'll walk you out," I muttered, my hand falling to the small of her back.
She slipped her shoes on by the front door, then lifted her purse to her shoulder.
"Come back soon," called Nalea. "Sunday dinners are a ritual here. Invitation endlessly extended."
"I'll keep that in mind." Harlow smiled while waving to them. "Bye."
I closed the door behind me when we stepped into the hall, puffing up my cheeks for a second. "Sorry about that."
"At least we got a standing ovation fo
r our performance." She scrunched her nose and laughed. "I should be more embarrassed, but I'm not. I have legit zero regrets."
"Same." I chuckled and slipped my hands around her waist, urging her to me. "See you tonight?"
"Yes." She kissed me quickly, and I noted how our super-fast kisses only managed to conjure shivers rather than spontaneous orgasms. "I'll text you later on, okay?"
"Okay."
We hugged once more before I walked her to the elevator. Watching the door close on her brought a heavy pout to my lips while I waved. The last image of her gnawing her bottom lip while waving burned itself into my memory. I listened to her footsteps all the way to her car, then the sound of her finally leaving and heading east toward the museum. No music accompanied her today, but a faint chuckle made it to my ears.
"Wonder if you can hear me," she said, her voice a little muffled. "If you can, I had a beautiful night with you and I adore your family."
I stood in the doorway of the apartment, my hand gripping the knob, and I smiled.
"That look is something I've never seen before," announced Nalea. "Damn, girl. Did you have fun last night or what?"
"I did." I let out a dramatic sigh then sipped my coffee. "Thanks for the coffee by the way." I joined Audra at the island counter while she folded tiny clothes and placed them in Elara's laundry basket.
"Can you still hear her?" asked Nalea as she tilted her head.
"A little bit." I focused on the sound of Harlow's car until the mess of the city traffic overwhelmed it. "Not now. I hear everything else again." I rolled my shoulders, pulling my attention back to my current position.
"Tell us everything." Audra's smile softened as she turned to face me. "I mean, more than what we heard anyway."
"It's payback for me listening to every wild night the two of you have shared for the past decade." I groaned and set my cup on the counter.
They both laughed at me, and Audra squeezed my shoulder. "It's deserved then."
"She's right." Nalea scowled. "But details. We have minutes before work calls."
"Harlow's…beautiful. Just…" I drew in a slow breath. "Beautiful. Inside and out. I feel like I've known her my whole life. For all of it. And it's only been weeks."
Jawbreaker (Four Point Universe Book 14) Page 17