by S. E. Hall
“No.”
“And there’s your answer about paying for dinner.” He reaches for my hand and brushes his lips across my knuckles. “You excited?”
“Yes,” I whisper amidst my gulp.
“But?” He picks up on my vibe, as usual.
“But I told you,” I sigh, “I don’t want your family to think I coerced you into favors like some gold digger or whatever. And us, I don’t know-”
“Sshh,” he hushes me, abruptly pulling over to a stop and shifting in his seat. “Look at me, Bellamy.” I must hesitate too long for his liking, ‘cause he reaches up to tilt my chin. “There they are, those big, green eyes that tell me everything.” He smirks, squeezing my hand he’s still holding with the one not under my chin. “I already told you, no one will think that. You have my word. Do you believe me at my word, Bellamy?”
“Yes,” I mutter, now feeling petulant for bringing it up again.
“Then this time, when I tell you to stop worrying about it and you promise you will, mean it. Okay?”
“Yeah, okay,” I exhale, roll my neck to relax some and work up a smile. “Promise.”
“That’s my girl,” he kisses my hand before easing back into traffic.
His girl.
PERHAPS HE DIDN’T quite believe me. I have to wonder, since the first thing he does when we walk into my soon-to-be “old” apartment is yell at everyone.
“Hey, Squad Movers Inc. I have food, so pay attention. Raise your hand if you think Bellamy forced me to move her or used Brynn in some sinister plot to get in my wallet. Or my pants.”
They all freeze, staring at him as though he’s lost his damn mind, while I slowly shift to hide behind him in mortification.
He turns his head and whispers to me, “Since you’re hiding back there and can’t see, I’ll tell you. No one’s hand is raised. Now,” he speaks to them again, “raise your hand if you think this was all my idea and I demanded it, set it up and basically evicted Bellamy to leave her no other choice. And, would be the polar opposite of offended to discover she wanted in my pants.”
“Well no shit!” Presley’s voice rings out.
“That one.” Ryder maybe?
“Duh.” Definitely Brynn.
A chorus of other laughing responses fill the apartment and I peek around him to see every single person in the room with a hand in the air and amused expression on their face.
“See?” He pulls me out from behind him and taps the end of my nose. “Told ya.”
“Bellamy,” Presley steps forward, “JT’s an ass. We’re all aware, trust me. Now let’s eat!”
While the masses attack the food, I walk over to Brynn. “Hey, we okay?”
“Of course we are,” she smiles. “I already told you that once today, silly. Please, stop worrying. But, I could use some girl time soon, if you can manage to shake off my brother.”
“Done,” I laugh. “I’m off tomorrow. Wanna hang out?”
“I would love that,” she wraps me in a hug. “And make me proud, girl. Give him a run for his money,” she quietly teases in my ear.
“Don’t you worry,” I giggle. “I do.”
“Good,” she pulls back and bobs her head. “He needs it. Oughta be fun to watch. My big brother, brought to his knees. I can’t wait.”
With that, we join the others to eat, and when finished, everyone gets back to work. Well, I try to work…but as the guys haul all the big furniture I’m not keeping to Judd’s truck…eventually Jefferson gets hot and rips his shirt off over his head.
And I’m left no choice but to take a break.
“Swimming Without a Shirt” Jefferson is completely different than “Working Hard Without a Shirt” Jefferson and wild stallions trying to drag me out of a burning building couldn’t make me look away.
Every muscle in his upper body and arms is tight and protruding from exertion, mouthwateringly complimented with a light sheen of sweat glistening on his tan skin.
Dear God, just looking at him turns me on as much as if he were actually touching me. My mouth parches, heartbeat whooshing in my ears and there’s a throbbing between my thighs the likes of which I’ve never felt.
“Hold up,” he tells Judd and Ryder before starting to stalk my way, a coy smirk on his face and cocky swagger to his gait. He knowingly stokes my embers, crooking his finger at me, and entranced as always, I stand and meet him halfway.
He tucks my hair behind my ear then dips his head to whisper, warm and raspy, “Right back atcha’, babe.”
“Huh?” The question a spellbound sound.
“You, on your hands and knees cleaning out those cabinets, fine ass in the air? I’m enjoying the view as much, make that more, as you seem to be.”
“I, uh, have no idea what you’re talking about,” I find voice to fib.
He leans in closer, the intoxicatingly mixed scent of clean, hardworking man engulfing me, and runs a fingertip along my jawline. “Then why are you out of breath? And why are your sweet little nipples poking me in the chest, Bellamy?”
“JT,” Judd takes mercy on me and interrupts. “Haven’t got all night, man. Get your ass over here and let’s get this done.”
“Lucky you, saved by the man I’m gonna go kill,” he laughs softly. “Just remember, they’ll all be leaving soon.” He lets his finger trail down, grazing lightly over my nipple before walking away, and that tiny bit of contact sends shards of electricity shooting through my entire body.
I don’t know how long I stand frozen in place, trying not to pant, before Skylar asks me a question. I shake my head to clear the haze and follow her into the bathroom, showing her what gets packed and what can be thrown away.
“Want my advice?” she asks casually, not even looking at me.
“Um…sure,” I answer as is only polite, even though I think I may be lying. I’m perfectly capable of forming my own opinion of Jefferson. I don’t want to base “us” on everyone else’s perceptions or pre-conceived notions. It might sound silly or premature, but “their JT” isn’t the same person as “my Jefferson.” I just know it.
She shuts the bathroom door, giving us privacy I appreciate, and faces me with a no-nonsense expression. “You’re worried that he’s only intrigued by you because you’re a challenge, and the minute you give in to him, which you want to badly, he’ll lose interest. Am I right?” She lifts a brow and gives me an empathetic half-smile that ruffles at least one of my feathers.
I barely know Skylar, and feel extremely uncomfortable, but I’m trapped in a bathroom with her and don’t want to offend her, so…what the hell.
“Yeah, sort of I guess. How’d you know that?”
“Because,” she laughs, “I’m a girl, just like you, and don’t we all kind of have that same concern? I held out on Judd forever, knowing every girl in our school was after him. I was scared I’d lose him to some spread-eagle slut that guys have trouble resisting, but that never happened. Not to mention, I know my little brother. His reputation, the persona he puts off, what he’s always wanted everyone to see and think…isn’t the person he really is.”
“So, what’s your advice?” I change my mind and decide to invest in the conversation since she’s speaking highly of Jefferson.
“Test it,” she shrugs. “Give in, but just a little bit,” she holds up a small space between her thumb and forefinger.
“W…what?” I cough, not expecting or prepared for that reply. “I, won’t, I mean,” I suck in a deep, much-needed breath, trying to find the right words. “Won’t that defeat the purpose, send him the message that I will give in soon? Then I really won’t know if he’s here for the right reasons.”
Knew it. Should’ve never opened the door on this talk, ‘cause now I’m more confused than ever.
“Nope. She’s exactly right.” Presley bursts in to join us, giving her input as she shuts the door behind her. “Sorry, I couldn’t help but overhear you guys, since I was listening with my ear smashed to the door and all.” My jaw must drop becau
se she laughs and adds, “Like you guys wouldn’t do the same thing, please.”
Actually, I would never, but I stay quiet.
“Here’s what Sky means,” Presley continues, in a voice I really wish she’d lower. Not telling her that either though. She’s a bit…intimidating. “Give him a hand job or blow job. See what happens.”
I…can’t even, what? I throw out a hand to catch myself on the counter lest I fall on my ass in shock. Who just puts that kind of talk right out there? Where people can hear them?
“Okay, I can tell by your reaction that you definitely need to start with a hand job,” Presley rolls her eyes and laughs.
“P-” Skylar attempts to salvage the conversation, but Presley’s hand shoots up in the air to stop her.
“Hush, I got this. You’re married to the one guy whose dick you’ve ever seen. You don’t know what the hell you’re talking about. I, however,” she proudly puts a hand on her chest, “can offer sound advice as a single gal who has dated several guys. Give him a hand job, then nothing else. I mean nothing else, for a long time. This serves many purposes.” I almost snicker at the “scholarly” quality her voice and speech take on. Almost. “Not only do you get to literally size him up, see if he’s packing enough for you to want to stick around, but giving him a lil’ somethin’ somethin’ then holding out will either hook him for good or send him running in sexual frustration to someone who will hand him the whole enchilada. Either way, you’ll have your answer. Problem solved,” she crosses her arms and grins.
The door flies open once again and a scowling Brynn grabs my hand. “You’re both idiots,” she hisses at her sister and cousin. “Bellamy, ignore everything they just said and do what you want. Be yourself, that’s what caught his eye in the first place.” She starts dragging me out but stops to turn back and give them one final tongue lashing. “And Skylar, just, ew. When someone starts talking about your brother’s penis and or the size of it, for God’s sake, leave the room!”
Twenty-One
JT
NOT THAT I don’t appreciate all their help, but damn am I glad the Squad’s finally gone. Bellamy and I, alone at last, in her new apartment. She’s acting strange, and I’m sure I have the pow-wow Skylar and Presley held with her in the bathroom earlier to thank. Lord only knows what those two put in her head, but I’m determined to get her mind off it.
“So, you like? Everything where you want it?” I sit beside her on her new couch and ask.
“Everything’s perfect and I absolutely love it. Thank you again,” she answers in a hushed voice, avoiding eye contact with me.
“I got you a housewarming present,” I reach around the end of the couch and grab the gift bag, made up all fancy-like by the lady at the store.
She peers over out the corner of her eye, fighting a smile, and gradually looks up to meet my gaze. “You’ve already done so much for me, why a present too? You shouldn’t have.”
“I wanted to,” I scoot closer to her. “Why don’t you open it?”
I set the bag in her lap, but she doesn’t dive right in, instead staring at it like something poisonous might pop out at any second. Not that I’ve ever bought a girl a present before, but I have seen the females in my family open plenty, so I was expecting more of a squealing, tissue paper flying everywhere type of response.
“Bellamy, it’s not a Christmas present,” I laugh, “You’re supposed to open it now.”
“Whatever it is, thank you,” she murmurs before slowly starting to take the paper out piece by piece.
I watch eagerly, for what seems like the forever it takes her to get to the gift at the bottom, and tame my chuckle when her cheeks blush charmingly.
“Uh…um…wow,” she sputters, lifting the white lingerie set out of the bag. I didn’t care what it was called, made of or cost—which the saleslady described in full detail anyway—it’s sexy as fuck and I knew it was perfect for Bellamy the second I saw it.
“Now you own lingerie,” I skim a fingertip along the outside of her thigh. “Did I do good?”
I hear her gulp before she all but whispers, “It’s gorgeous. I don’t know what to say.”
“Well you already said ‘thank you’, so not that,” I tease her. “You don’t have to say anything, I just hope you really like it. You’re a kind, beautiful woman, Bellamy. You deserve nice things. Keep digging though, there’s something else in there.”
This one I’m a little nervous about, but I simply couldn’t help myself.
She scrounges around and pulls out the notecard, and with her sweet face a bright crimson, reads it aloud. “‘This coupon grants the holder, Bellamy Morgan, the right to use Jefferson Kendrick as a sex toy, any place, time, or way she chooses.’ Oh. My. God,” she drops it and covers her face with both hands.
“Now you have a sex toy too. Also,” I tap her leg, “that bad boy never expires and I personally guarantee, will never malfunction nor will the batteries ever go dead.”
She doesn’t laugh.
Or uncover her face.
Shit. Too far, too soon.
“Bel-”
“No, no more talking,” she mumbles through her hands. “Just give me a minute.”
All I can do is sit and wait in silence, mentally berating myself during the several excruciating minutes it takes before she shows me her beautiful face. She looks right at me, but I have no idea what it is stirring in her emerald eyes, and my palms begin to sweat.
“I want you to be honest with me,” she says evenly.
“Of course, always,” I readily agree.
“Housewarming gifts usually consist of pots, pans, or a fucking candle! Why did you choose, instead, to get me see-through lingerie and a sex coupon?” Her brows fold and those bowtie lips purse as she asks not so evenly.
“Because I’m a guy?” I hitch both shoulders. “You told me that you don’t own either, so I thought it’d be nice…cute. Fuck,” I groan, scrubbing both hands through my hair. “I’m sorry, Bellamy. I guess I wasn’t thinking. I just figured maybe you’d like some nice lingerie, and the other was meant to be funny. I’ve never bought a gift for someone I’m seeing before, which I now realize, was a damn good thing. How mad are you?” I lift my head to gauge her reaction, giving her my very best “forgive me” eyes.
Her own narrow disapprovingly and she scoots away from me, crossing both arms over her chest. “Did you pack a bag, hoping to spend the night here?”
“No?” I feel my face scrunch in confusion.
“Did you bring condoms with you tonight?”
“Not purposefully, no. I have a condom in my wallet, but I always do. Have since I was about sixteen. My dad had a saying, ‘If you’re old enough to carry a fucking wallet, you better keep a condom in it at all times, young man,’ so I always have. Why?”
“How did you know my size for the lingerie?”
I give her a “really?” look, but she doesn’t seem to like that, so I quickly adjust my expression. “I took a guess. Did I get close? You can exchange it if not,” I say in what I pray sounds like innocent ignorance, ‘cause I’m positive she’s not in the mood to hear that I had her measurements pegged the minute I saw her in good lighting.
“Stare right in my eyes, Jefferson Tate Kendrick.” She waits until I do so to continue. “Swear to me, on the lives of everyone you love in this world, that you had no ulterior motives or expectation with these gifts.”
I am going to chew Skylar and Presley’s asses so fucking hard, they won’t be able to sit down for a month. This is their doing, butting their noses into the first real relationship I’ve ever tried or wanted to have and filling my girl’s head with doubt and insecurity.
Ass. Fucking. Chewing I tell ya.
“You want complete honesty? Fine. Did I picture your body, your shy smile, and how you’d look in the lingerie when I chose it? You’re goddamn right I did. But I did not, even for one second, expect you to throw it on immediately and jump me, or let me jump you. It suited you, perfectly,
and I wanted you to feel something luxurious against your skin. And maybe, hopefully, think of me too. That’s as truthful as I can be with you.”
Her expression relaxes a smidgen and her voice softens. “And the sex toy coupon?”
I heave out my frustration, prepping for more disaster…because I refuse to lie to her. “It was meant to be funny, but somewhat suggestive too, yes. Again, knew you wouldn’t be cashin’ it in the second I gave it to you, but I did kinda want to send a subliminal message, for when and if, orgasms become a priority to you. Which no, I wouldn’t mind a damn bit if they did.”
“And what message is that?” Her voice is feminine and breathy as she lowers her eyes, only to warily peer back up at me from under her long, inky lashes.
I take the change in her tone as an invitation to scoot closer again, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear and leaving my hand against her cheek. “I think you know the answer,” I grin.
“I might, but I want to hear you say it,” her cheeks flush with her bold admission.
“Promise you won’t toss me out of here?” She nods, biting back a small, sexy smile, so I go on. “You’ve never used a toy. I’d prefer you never start. When you’re ready, I want to be the one to give you all your pleasure. But again, I have no expectations or stopwatch set on when that will be. I know you probably won’t believe me, especially after whatever stupid shit Sky and Presley told you, but I’m not counting down the minutes until you let me in your bed, Bellamy. I swear. If all I wanted to do is sleep with you, trust me, I wouldn’t give a fuck what you were wearing, if you lived somewhere safe or if you vibrated yourself into a numb stupor after I left. This,” I motion between us, “I’m not sure yet exactly what this is, but I know it’s different than anything I’ve ever been a part of before. And I like it. I like you, us, and the fact I may have deterred you away from sex toys.” I wink, salvaging some manhood ‘cause I’m feeling a lot like a pocket pussy right about now.
She steals my move and rests her forehead against mine, giving me that angelic smile that never ceases to knock me on my ass. “I believe you, Jefferson. Thank you for the lingerie, coupon, and caring enough to move me someplace nice and safe. But above all, thank you for your honesty. And don’t go attacking your family, please. Skylar didn’t say anything over the top, and Presley? She’s cool, I like her a lot, but I’m not sure I’d listen to her advice on how to tie my shoes,” she snickers.