Songbird Caged

by Lisa Edward

  The beat of salsa music could be heard from the street as we emerged from the cab. We walked through the door into the club, already stepping in time with the music.

  “Do you salsa?” I asked Cole, surprised that this would be his choice of club.

  “A little bit.” He grinned at me. “But I have a feeling you do, and I’d like to see it.”

  The club reminded me of what I had envisaged Reds’ decor to be. If the burlesque show fell through, maybe a Salsa club was a plan B. The walls were painted in dark, rich colours. There was a large dance floor taking up the majority of space, with small round tables scattered around the outside. The hero of the club was the music, though. Nearly everyone was on the dance floor, getting carried away with the seductive rhythm.

  Cole led me to the worn parquetry floor. “Be gentle with me,” he said, leaning in so I could hear him. “I’m not very good.”

  I placed his hands on my hips so he could feel the rhythm as I danced. He picked up the steps quickly, and before long we were managing some basic dance moves together. I turned so my back was to him, pressing my body to the length of his. He ran his hands over my hips and I leant back into him, moving my body to the music.

  I could feel his breath on my neck as we swayed, and I closed my eyes, allowing the music and the feel of his caress to carry me away.

  His lips brushed my neck. I sighed softly and kept dancing as his hands ran up my sides, over my ribs, lifting my arms up and hooking them around his neck.

  I turned to face him, running my hands over his chiselled chest. I could feel his heart leaping against his ribs like a team of galloping horses, trying to break free. I leaned in, resting my forehead to his. His hands ran up the sides of my body again, then back down to my hips until he was gripping my hip bones.

  I could see the rise and fall of his chest as his breathing increased, matching my own. The music was hypnotic. I closed my eyes and let my head drop back as he trailed soft kisses down my throat to my collarbone.

  I lifted my head and ran my hands across his shoulders and down his arms, feeling the definition in his biceps and forearms, before reaching his hands that were still resting on my hips.

  He squeezed, running his thumbs along the bones and sending a searing heat through my body.

  He was aroused. I could feel him pressing into me as we danced, rubbing against each other. He ran his hand down my thigh and lifted my knee so my leg was bent up over his hip. His hand slid up my thigh, pushing my dress up higher.

  I gazed into his eyes. The look he returned was one of pure desire. Our bodies were still moving in unison to the rhythm of the music. I couldn’t breathe. I fisted his hair, pulling his head back while lightly biting his jaw, his neck. I ran my tongue up his throat to his chin.

  Our lips were so close. I could feel his breath against my moist lips, setting them on fire.

  His mouth moved to my ear. “God, Tara, I want you so much. It’s killing me. Not being able to touch you.”

  I swallowed hard. I knew if I gave any indication that I felt the same way that that would be it, there would be no going back.

  I dropped my head back. I either needed to step away and get some air, or kiss him.

  I stepped away.

  OUR MOOD was full of simmering expectation as we entered the apartment. The evening had been everything you could hope for from a romantic, sexy date. Only it wasn’t a date. Cole was a friend, definitely my best friend, but still only a friend.

  We had nearly kissed twice now, but both times I had backed away. Despite how I felt about Cole, I was still with Riley, and cheating, no matter what the circumstances, was intolerable. Cole seemed to accept that. He didn’t like it, and probably didn’t understand it, but he accepted it.

  My problem was I needed to do some soul searching to decipher these feelings that were growing for Cole. He had been my saviour, my best friend, my shoulder to lean on during good times and bad. Every day I was feeling closer and closer to him.

  On the other hand, I could feel the distance between Riley and me growing, and it scared me. His last letter to me was what I had expected, but I hadn’t liked it. My last one to him was anything but lovey-dovey. He had upset me, and angered me with his mistrust. I smiled as I listened to Cole humming a salsa tune, quietly. Maybe Riley’s mistrust was warranted.

  Cole used the bathroom while I tried to get changed into my new black chemise that he had bought me from Aubade. I struggled with the zipper on my dress, and cursed under my breath at how something so simple had become unmanageable.

  I was so sick of this stupid plaster cast. It had only been two weeks, and it was hindering everything I tried to do.

  “Cole,” I called. “I need help to get my dress off.”

  Cole’s head poked around the bathroom door instantly, a cheeky grin on his face. “You’ve come to the right place. Undressing women is my specialty.”

  I laughed, and walked over to him. “I only need help with the zipper, the rest I can manage myself.”

  I turned around and moved my hair out of the way, and he slid the zipper down the length of my back.

  “Sure you don’t need help with what’s under the dress?” he asked in his deep gravelly voice. “I’ll even close my eyes and just feel my way around.”

  I slapped him on the shoulder and he gave me a deep husky laugh, before turning and heading back into the bathroom.

  I tried in vain for about five minutes before he finally came back out and saw me struggling with my bra hooks. I looked at him and shrugged before walking over, and turning my back to him once again.

  “Okay, so maybe I do need help,” I said resignedly.

  He unhooked me, and slowly slid the straps down over my shoulders. His fingers skimming over my skin as the straps fell sent shivers down my spine. I felt his lips gently brush against the back of my neck, and I allowed myself to close my eyes for the briefest of moments, to enjoy the sensation. I held the cups up over my breasts as I thanked him, then scurried into the bathroom to get changed.

  I managed to pull the chemise over my head and then studied my reflection in the mirror. It really was quite beautiful, with delicate lace and intricate stitching. It was also quite low-cut, and tight across the bust.

  When I came out, Cole was already in bed. He looked at the new nightwear he had bought me and gave a low whistle.

  “Not bad,” he commented appreciatively with a grin. “Not bad at all.” He rolled over onto his side and propped himself up on his elbow so he was facing me. “Maybe we should have got a bigger size for the girls, though.”

  I looked down, and blushed. It was extremely low-cut, and I would have to be very careful not to fall out of it in the middle of the night.

  I hopped into bed quickly and pulled the sheet up over my chest. If I did fall out of the top, it would at least be under the covers.

  Cole rolled onto his back then stretched his arm out, and patted his chest. I inched my way over and cuddled into him, resting my head where he’d indicated.

  My heart was racing and I didn’t know why, but when I put my fingertips against Cole’s chest, his was doing the same.

  “Thank you for tonight,” I said. “I had the best time.” I looked up at his face. He was looking down at me with a warm smile.

  “Me too. You’re pretty good company, you know? And you’re so hot when you dance.” He was still looking at me, but his smile faded as he lifted his hand to brush the hair from my face. “I really do love spending time with you.”

  If I had been with Riley, and he had been looking at me the way Cole was, it would have led to steamy sex. But this wasn’t Riley, and sex with Cole was out of the question.

  I gave a fake yawn, and did the old ‘wow, look at the time’ before saying goodnight and rolling over so my back was facing Cole.

  Five seconds later, I felt Cole edging his way over. His arm wrapped around me and pulled me in tight, so my back was pressed against his chest. I could feel his warm breath on my sh
oulder as he propped himself up on his elbow again behind me.

  “Do I make you nervous?” he whispered, as he softly kissed my shoulder. I could feel him getting hard as he pushed against me.

  I shook my head, but couldn’t speak. Of course he made me nervous when he was so close. I could feel his body against me, the hard muscles laying beneath his warm, smooth skin. It was driving me crazy.

  “Good,” he whispered, his voice so deep it resonated through me. “I don’t want you to be nervous.” His lips brushed against my neck as he spoke.

  I closed my eyes and sighed. It felt so good.

  I could feel his hand sliding up my stomach to just below my breasts, his thumb stroked the bare skin between them.

  “Cole,” I managed to whimper. “We can’t do this.”

  “Yes we can.” He kissed my neck. His lips found my earlobe, and pulled gently. His strong arm was holding me firmly against him as his hand slid back down to my thigh.

  I took hold of his hand just as it was slipping a little too high under my chemise, and moved it away.

  “Cole. I can’t do this.” I flung back the sheet, and hurriedly climbed out of bed. “I’ll sleep on the couch tonight.”

  He exhaled loudly and sat up. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll behave, I promise.”

  The problem was, I couldn’t promise to behave. Everything he wanted, I wanted too.

  With every day I spent with Cole my feelings for him grew stronger. Being so close to him, it was becoming more and more difficult to be just friends as the lines became blurred.

  “It’s okay. I just need some space tonight.” I went over to the couch and lay down, pulling the throw rug that was draped over the back of it over my legs.

  But I couldn’t sleep. No matter how hard I tried to relax and clear my mind, I couldn’t ignore the fact that Cole was only a few metres away from me. I closed my eyes again, and told myself over and over to just go to sleep.

  I could hear Cole moving as the sheets rustled. He sounded as frustrated as I was. He was tossing and turning, and at one point, he actually sat up on the side of the bed with his feet on the floor. He ran his hands through his hair, lacing his fingers behind his head and stretched. I could see him looking over at me, and I half closed my eyes so he couldn’t see that I was watching him.

  Eventually he got up, stripped his boxers off, and then lay back down.

  My eyes shot open. It was the first time I had seen Cole completely naked, and although it was only from the side and in the half-light, it was an image I would remember until the day I died, especially as he was fully aroused.

  He pushed the sheet down around his hips, and rested his head on one hand. Then his other hand slid down over his stomach and under the sheet.

  I held my breath. Was he really about to do what I think he was about to do?

  His hand started slowly moving. I could see the movement, and hear it as it rubbed back and forth against the sheet.

  Cole moaned. My breathing quickened as I tried to stay still and not draw his attention to me.

  The hand behind his head slowly slid down over his chest to his stomach, the hand under the sheet moving more quickly.

  He moaned a little louder, and then lifted his head from the pillow and looked over at me.

  Our eyes locked.

  His hand stopped for a split second as he realised I was watching him. Then it slowly started moving again, his eyes never leaving mine.

  I should have looked away, but I couldn’t. I held his gaze, feeling all the more turned on because if it.

  “Do you like watching?” he asked huskily.

  I hesitated. “Yes,” I breathed.

  “Do you want to come over here to watch?”

  I could see the rise and fall of his chest. His breathing was increasing, his hand never faltering.

  I stood up, and walked over to the bed. He pulled the sheet back and ran his hand over my side, then gave it a little pat.

  I slid into the bed and lay on my side, facing him. I could feel my heart rate increasing the closer I got to Cole.

  I looked him in the eye again, his expression so full of desire, but I didn’t look away, and neither did he.

  I looked down to where his hand would be under the sheet, and he moaned again, before running his free hand down to the edge of the sheet and pushing it down.

  He was now fully exposed. I could see his piercing, the silver balls on either end of the curved barbell catching in the streetlight through the window. He was, in a word, magnificent. The sight of him was igniting warmth in my body that ran deep through my core. I could see how hard he was as his hand continued moving, and it took all my strength not to reach down and touch him.

  He moved his free hand to my thigh and rested it gently on my bare skin. I in turn placed my hand on his arm, feeling his hard bicep under his soft skin. I stroked his arm, then ran my hand across his chest, tracing the definition of muscles as I went.

  My hand continued up to his face and along his lips. He kissed my fingertips, and I watched as his lips parted and the tip of his tongue ran across each finger. I wanted to taste his lips but I knew if I kissed him, it wouldn’t stop there. I ran my fingertips over my own lips. It was the closest I was willing to risk to an actual kiss.

  I looked up at his face again. He was watching me, his lips slightly parted as he moaned once again at the sensation of his pumping fist. His hand on my thigh tightened, his fingers gripping my flesh. He closed his eyes for a moment and swallowed hard, before opening his eyes again, and locking them with mine.

  My hand moved back to his chest, then ran down to his abdomen. He leaned over and kissed me on the forehead, on the head, then back on the forehead. I knew if I raised my face to him he would kiss me, and I wouldn’t be able to resist, his lips were too tempting.

  Biting my lip, I tore my gaze away from his and back down to his never ceasing hand. It was moving more slowly now, running down the length of him, then up over his sensitive tip. With every downward stroke his stomach tensed, and he exhaled raggedly.

  “Do you like it?” he whispered. “Do you like,” he moaned again, “how it looks? I want you to like it.”

  I knew he was referring to his Prince Albert. He looked at me anxiously, awaiting my response.

  Raising my eyes, I met his from under my lashes. “What’s not to like?” I kissed his shoulder. “It’s big.” I kissed his shoulder a second time. “And hard.” I sighed, and bit my bottom lip. “Just imagining you inside me makes me so wet.”

  He groaned, closed his eyes, and leaned his head back, imagining it too.

  I was so turned on now my breathing almost matched his. I could feel my body responding just from watching him.

  He rolled his head over to the side to look at me. “How wet?” he breathed. “Show me how wet you are.”

  I hesitated for a moment, not sure what to do. Then I slid my hand down over my stomach, under my silk and lace chemise, and inside my panties.

  He was craning his neck to see where my hand was going, his breath laboured. There was the slightest hint of a smile on his lips as he watched me slide my fingers over my moist skin then pull my hand back out.

  His hand was moving faster again, more ferociously as he whimpered.

  He took my hand and raised it to his mouth, sucking my fingers and running his tongue up the length of them.

  My breath caught in my throat as I watched him close his eyes to savour the taste.

  His free hand lifted to my face, and then he ran his thumb along my bottom lip. “Such a beautiful mouth. Soft lips,” he murmured almost to himself.

  “What are you thinking?” I asked hoarsely.

  “I’m fantasising that you’re doing this instead of me,” he replied breathlessly, as he continued focusing on my lips. “With your mouth.”

  I allowed my lips to part.

  “I want you to taste me.”

  He slowly ran his thumb over my bottom lip again, then gently slid it insid
e my mouth. I closed my lips lightly over his thumb, and flicked the tip with my tongue. His eyes widened, as I circled my tongue around the end of it.

  He pulled his thumb back out and I grazed my teeth along it. Then he came undone, grunting out my name. His stomach tensed and he lifted his hips off the bed. His hand was moving more rapidly again as thick liquid pulsed over his stomach.

  He closed his eyes for a moment, trying to steady his breathing, and I kissed his shoulder. My hand was resting on his abdomen, so close to where his fluid lay on his skin. I reached my fingers down and touched a drop tentatively. His eyes opened; he was waiting to see what I would do next.

  Lifting my fingers to my mouth, I ran them along my bottom lip. Then licked my lip.

  I heard him exhale before he rolled onto his side to face me. He was only inches away. I could feel his still rapid breath against my face. His fingertips traced the bow of my top lip, then followed the journey mine had just made from his stomach to my lips.

  I could hardly breathe. I had just witnessed the most erotic thing I had ever seen, and my body felt like it was about to erupt from his tender touch.

  “Can I watch you?” he asked in barely a whisper as he continued gazing longingly at my mouth.

  I felt myself blush. I had never done anything like that in front of anyone. Even touching myself quickly before was a big step for me.

  I shook my head, and held up my plaster cast. “It’s a bit difficult with this on, seeing as I’m left-handed.”

  His eyes lifted to mine. The look in them was so captivating it stopped my breath. “I could do it for you, if you wanted me to. With whatever you wanted me to.” He licked his lips seductively, and I exhaled a ragged breath.

  Oh, God! My body was so aroused, just the thought of it almost pushed me over the edge. I shook my head again and grabbed onto the last rational thoughts racing through my brain.

  “Go get cleaned up, and then we can snuggle.”

  He looked at me questioningly.

  “And only snuggle,” I said firmly.

  He kissed my forehead one final time, and then went into the bathroom to clean himself up.

  He came back a few moments later and climbed into bed.