“What do you have in mind?”
“A surprise.”
“I don’t like surprises.”
“You don’t let yourself like surprises. You don’t have to over analyze everything.”
“Fine,” Lena conceded, it was far too late to put up a rational argument anyway. “What are you doing for the rest of the night?”
“After talking to you, I'll probably get some more things in order and get some sleep.”
“Sounds exciting.”
“That's what happens when you're stuck at home with a seven-year-old. And I'm not trying to sound bitter, I'm just exhausted.”
“I get that, it’s been a crazy few weeks.”
The front door opened, and Jeremiah stepped in. “You still up?”
Lena nodded and pointed to the phone.
“Company?” Eric asked.
“Roommate.”
Jeremiah ruffled her hair as he walked by.
“You reek of booze,” she whispered trying to cover the phone.
“That's because I'm wearing it,” Jeremiah mumbled, “I'll see you in the morning.”
“Drama at home?”
“Always. Seems Miah’s poker game got rowdy.” Lena curled up, and they chatted until she could barely keep her eyes open.
“Go to bed, Sweetie.”
Lena’s eyes fluttered closed again. “I do have to go to war with dozens of little kids in the morning,” she said, barely managing to finish her thought before a yawn took over.
“I’ll talk to you Friday. Sweet dreams, Loner.”
Eric
Friday afternoon, Eric checked in with the front desk of the elementary school. One of the beneficial things about a small town was that you could usually find someone around that you knew—particularly helpful if you decided to drop off a present to a certain teacher in the morning before she got in. He had no idea whether or not Lena had found the box tucked away in the bottom drawer of her desk, but he was about to find out.
The secretary gave him a smile and wink as she handed over his visitor’s pass. Eric realized he probably shouldn’t have flirted so much when he tried to get her on board with his plan, but he hoped she realized that it was because he was interested in Lena.
He knocked on the door to Lena’s room, and she rose, red-faced, from her desk.
“What the hell?” she managed to keep her voice hushed so no one wandering the halls would hear.
Eric tried to hide the smile from his face, since Lena obviously didn’t find his surprise to be amusing. “I didn't really want your roommate to see it first.”
She jumped out of her seat, slamming the lid down on the box. “This isn't funny.”
“It wasn't supposed to be.” Then, stop looking amused, idiot, he told himself.
“You can't send that here.”
“So, is it only the location of the delivery that has you up in arms?”
“No, we've been out once, twice if you count our random encounter at the bar—”
“Oh, I do.”
Lena’s lips pursed together as she crossed her arms over her chest. “You can't send me friggin’ lingerie.”
“Lingerie implies that you'd wear something over it.”
Her eyes widened as she dropped her gaze down to the box then back up to Eric’s face. “No.”
“But it’s perfect for the dress code at Bound.”
“Eric, this isn't an appropriate place for any of this.”
“No?” Eric slowly stepped closer to her until she was pressed against the desk. “Then come to an appropriate place with me.”
“Now?”
He nodded. “You do have forty-five minutes. We can work with that.”
“How the hell did you know I wouldn’t open the damn thing in front of the kids? Or that some prankster wouldn’t sneak into my desk and see it before me?”
Eric's hand pressed at the small of her back, pulling her closer, and he kissed her between the eyebrows. “Sweetie, you’re in here before the kids get here, and you don’t leave until after them. I left a note on the box to warn you.”
She took a deep breath, then picked up the box from her desk and pushed it into his chest. He thought for a minute that she’d decline, but she waved to the door. “Let's go.”
He took her hand and led her to the front door; they slipped out and into the parking lot where his Land Rover was parked.
“So, where exactly are we going and what are we doing in forty-five minutes?”
“You'll see,” he said, helping her inside the SUV before walking around and climbing in next to her.
He drove to the edge of the lot, but instead of turning toward the highway, he turned up the gravel and dirt road that lead to the river. A few minutes later, he parked the Rover at the side of the abandoned path, obscured on most sides by trees, and overlooking the river on the passenger side.
“Far out of the eyes of creeper co-workers. What do you think?”
“I think that being with you makes me do crazy things without thinking.”
“Is that necessarily a bad thing?”
She gave him a sideways glare. “I haven't decided yet.”
“Let's see if I can help you with that. Get in the backseat.” He watched as a flurry of emotions passed through her eyes, but she finally reached for the door handle and climbed out. He did the same, joining her in the back.
“Come here,” he pulled her around until her back was against his chest. He wasn’t sure how she’d deal with his being behind her, but so far she didn’t seem to be panicking. Not giving her time to think, he pushed her hair to one side and kissed the length of her neck.
Her body jerked as her breath caught, and her heart pounded against his chest.
“What's wrong?” Eric asked.
“Nothing.”
He stopped and eased her around so she could see his face. “No lying, remember?”
“I just don't know what, this… why…” She took a deep breath. “I don't just want to be some fuck toy,” she closed her eyes.
Eric brushed her hair away and kissed her neck again. Her breath shook.
“I'm not using you. This isn't just about me. What do you want?”
“I don't know,” she whispered, slipping back into her shell and allowing the fight to drain from her words.
Eric pursed his lips, that wasn’t going to do. “That's not an answer.”
“It's the truth.” Her voice was stronger this time, but she still wouldn’t meet his gaze.
“No, it's not,” he lifted her chin, “You're just avoiding what you don't want to say.”
“And I'm sure you can tell me what I want to say.”
“Feisty girl,” he teased, watching her eyes flicker in the afternoon light.
Lena shoved him away and straightened her clothes, but he took her by the waist and pulled her close. Resting his other hand on her thigh, he leaned in until his lips barely touched her jaw. “Do you want this to stop?”
“No.”
“Do you want to keep exploring?”
“Exploring?” She laughed dryly. “You make it sound like a friggin adventure.”
“Is that such a hard metaphor to buy?” Eric rubbed her arms until her body relaxed against him again.
“No. I don't want to stop, but…”
“But?”
“What do you want, besides sex?”
“I want you. I want to explore your body, and learn all about you, what you want, what you like.”
“I said besides sex,” she repeated a bit louder.
“I meant besides sex, well except maybe the exploring your body, but if you want, I can do that without sex, too.”
Lena shook her head. “I don't really think I get your world.”
“That's because you stand in your own way too often. Your body gets my world. And when you stop over-analyzing, so does your mind.”
Eric stroked her arms again, and she laid her head back on his shoulder exposing her neck to him.
/>
“See,” he whispered.
“What happens if you decide tomorrow that you don't want this anymore?”
“I won't.”
Eric pulled up her shirt, slipping a hand in her bra. Her nipples were already hard, before he turned his attention to them.
“Turn around, put your legs over my lap and lean back.”
Lena paused, earning a pinch to her right breast.
“Stop thinking.” Eric pulled her back, lifting her chin so that he could see her face. He kissed her forehead. “Where did we leave off last time? Five?”
She sat up, spun in the seat and gave him her legs, but didn't lay back until he raised an eyebrow and pointed. She laid back and had to scoot closer to him so she wouldn’t have to twist her neck to lay down.
“Put your hands on the sides of the seats and don’t move them.”
Lena obeyed. And Eric smirked. Then his hands went to her pants, unbuttoning them, unzipping them, and watching as her breath shook when he slipped them off her hips.
“What is your safeword?”
“Driver.”
“If you want me to slow down, just say slow down. Easy enough?”
“Yes,” she agreed, but her forehead was still creased.
His finger slipped inside of her underwear, and Lena squeezed her eyes closed. “No running away on me.”
Lena
He ran his finger up and down her slick folds. How he could manage to get her so wet after only a few whispers, kisses and touches, she'd never fully understand. Stop analyzing, she told herself.
She looked into his face, his hazel eyes and let them pull her in. She saw a smile tug at his lips but didn't break away from his eyes. He bent closer, pushing up her shirt and kissing her stomach as he fiddled with something on the floor. She hadn't paid attention earlier to notice anything there, but she fought not to look away from his face.
She felt something cold and wet push at her anus, and jerked upward to get away.
“Six,” Eric whispered, and she told her body to relax. He bent to kiss her stomach again, and the pressure at her anus increased as something slid in and nestled there.
“Er—” She caught herself mid-word.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded, not trusting herself to do much more.
Eric smirked as well and smiled. Then he took another chain out of the black bag that was half tucked under the seat. With wet fingers, he rubbed between her legs until she almost forgot about everything else in the car. Until he brought the chain closer,
She swallowed her disagreement, flinching as the metal tightened around her clit. Gasping audibly as he gave the chain a tug.
“Still with me, Loner?”
“Yes.”
“A verbal response this time.” He smiled, then kissed a line up her chest, his body rubbing against her imprisoned clit and sending shocks through her body. As he drew the other end of the chain gently up her stomach, she realized there wasn't just one other end, it split into a y which left….
Lena’s eyes widened as he pulled her up just enough to unlatch her bra, kissing each nipple before he tightened another clamp on each. She cried out and had to remind herself not to move her arms as the first one went on. What began as pain quickly turned into a sensation she didn't know how to describe. Then the second one went on. Not as shocking, since she was prepared for the sensation, but the combination of the three pinched bundles of skin and nerve made her body feel like a taught piano wire, ready to be played.
As he made his way back down her stomach, leaving kisses and licks every few inches, and every once in a while giving the chain a tug, that made Lena cry out every time. His fingers traced her folds once more, then plunged inside. With the instant fullness, she felt like her body would come apart with just a bit more stimulation. He stroked slowly, pushing his fingers up inside her to hit every pleasure spot she never knew existed.
Each push and thrust pushed her closer, but as soon as she shivered and felt like her body was about to release, he stopped. Removing all sensation except the pinching.
She grunted, and he rubbed just a few seconds more and stopped.
“Please.” She said, not caring if it earned her another point in whatever scale he had created.
Eric smiled and rubbed again. Then stopped.
She cried out, her body jerking against the seat with the loss. “Please Eric.”
“Please what.”
She bit her lip, and he slid his finger in again, just one finger. A slow motion that wasn't enough to push her over the edge.
“Please, let me….” She couldn't put the rest of the words to voice.
“Let you what?”
She shook again, then pushed her head into the seat in frustration. He rubbed again, feeling around the clamps. “Please let me come.”
Eric plunged two fingers inside of her, and she thought he'd finally let her pass, but he stopped again. “Not yet.”
“Why?” Lena jerked and pushed toward Eric. “Please, I have to get back to work!”
“Work is what you're concerned with?” With another tap, Lena bucked again.
“Please,” she released the armrest, almost ready to finish herself.
“Seven,” his voice was gruff, forcing her to concentrate when she wanted to do anything but.
“What do you want?”
“For you to answer that question.”
He pumped his fingers inside of her, rubbing his other hand up the inside of her thigh.
“This,” she said in between pants. “I want this.”
He pressed his fingers upward, and she gasped.
“Anything else?”
“I want you to push me out of my own head.”
“I can do that.” His movements became steady and forceful.
Her breaths came out in faint moans as she panted for air, and he slowed again.
“Not yet.”
She shook her head, her muscles on the verge of convulsing.
“Not until I say it.”
Her forehead wrinkled as she struggled to concentrate. The movements fell back into a slow rhythm. Every pulse and shake of her own body pushing her closer. Her fingers squeezed at the armrest as she struggled to hold back. The toes of her extended leg pressed into the opposite door.
“Please, Eric.”
Her muscles strained, and she bucked involuntarily against him.
“Easy, Loner.”
Finding his eyes again, she tried to get her breathing under control, until he pushed at her clit once more sending her closer to oblivion. And she was supposed to stop it and come on command.
“Come for me.”
As soon as he said the word, her body exploded out of control, but he didn't stop, pushing, pumping and stroking until her movements slowed to gentile shivers. She started to sit up, but he pressed her down. His fingers, moving to the clamps.
“Take a deep breath.”
She did as she was told, and he released the clamp at the same time sending a torrent of blood and pain to her tender nipple.
“Aaah,” her knees jerked up as she tried to pull away.
“We're not done yet.” He kissed the sore nipple then moved to the other.
“Oh. G— is there any way to skip this part.”
He locked her gaze and released the second clamp. Moving to kiss and suck it gently before sitting back to remove the final clamp. She tried to squeeze her legs together, but that didn't help anything.
“Deep breath.”
But instead of listening, she shook nearing a sob.
“Deep breath, now.”
She drew in a breath, and he removed the final clamp, and rubbed the area until the sensations went from pain to pleasure again. Then he pulled a towel from the bag, she reached to take it from him.
“Hands where I told you. That's eight.”
She felt even more mortified as he cleaned her up, and helped her replace her pants. Moving on top of her, he planted a final kiss on her
forehead. “I should get you back to work. You can move now.”
She sat up and righted her bra and shirt. “Right, back to work, and just how long do I have to compose myself?”
“About fifteen minutes.”
He pulled her against him again, cradling her against his chest until ragged breaths turned long and deep. “I'm insane.”
“We all are, babe. Now about your answer,” he whispered against the back of his ear. “You still want me to push you out of your own head?”
“You just did.”
“I don't just mean one time. And I doubt you did either.”
“I'm—” Her throat was dry, but Eric reached over the back of the seat and pulled up a water bottle, still cold and dripping from the ice.
“You were planning this…” The cold liquid felt amazing in her parched and sore throat. When she lost her words, he laced his fingers through hers and brushed the hair at the side of her face. “You're quite the seducer, aren't you?”
“You seem to imply that I'm putting on an act, or trying to lull you into a false sense of security. I meant it when I said I expect honesty, and I give what I expect.”
“Are you going to tell me what you want?”
“I did.”
She lifted her gaze to the roof of the car. “Cryptically.”
“My answer was no more cryptic than yours. I like you Lena. You're an interesting woman, and I enjoy running into you.”
“Among other things,” she breathed.
“Yes. Let me guess. Your mom always said if you let a guy have his way, he'll never respect you?”
“Actually, my Mom never said anything like that.”
Eric cocked his head and traced the back of a knuckle against her heated cheek. “But the voice in your head got it from somewhere.”
Lena laughed, “Yeah, probably so.”
“Look at me.”
Lena obeyed.
“I respect that you come to work five days a week and deal with runny-nosed, screaming kids, because to be honest I have my hands full with one scarily quiet boy most evenings. I want to be with you because you're beautiful, and sweet, and I want to show you that you can get out of your head, and have a great time.” His mouth twitched as his gaze traveled over her disheveled hair and clothes. Then, his grasp tightened on her hair, until they were eye to eye again. “And…I want to keep making you come until I know that every inch of you is mine.”
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