She bites that luscious lower lip of hers and I back away, not touching her, making her growl. Finally, she turns those amazing green eyes to mine. “Because when you pulled my hair that first night, I liked it too much, but I also felt like I gave you too much control, so I cut it.”
I smile softly and glide my hands up her inner thighs. “Good girl.”
“I thought you liked my hair this way.”
“I do, but I don’t want you to keep any secrets from me, baby.”
She’s squirming under me. Her hands are in my hair then gripping my shoulders. I sink two fingers inside her again and begin to fuck her hard, and just when her legs begin to shake, I stop and back away.
“Matt!”
“You see, Nic, this is how frustrated I am when you don’t talk to me and tell me everything I need to know.” I circle her hard clit with my thumb, that being the only place I’m touching her. “Just when I think I know everything I need to, I discover something new that you should have told me before.”
“Getting to know each other is a process for any couple,” she reminds me breathlessly.
I kiss down her body and then raise my head to look her in the eye. “You’re right. I’ll eventually learn what your favorite song is, what you wore to your senior prom and how old you were when you got your driver’s license.” I sink my fingers into her again and lick her clit. “But this was a biggie, little one. And you scared the fuck out of me.”
Her eyes are glassy with lust as she bites her lip again, watching me fuck her with my mouth and my fingers. Her nipples are standing at attention and wet from my mouth.
God, she’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.
And the most precious.
“You have to learn that there are no secrets between us.” I grip the cheeks of her ass in my hands and lift her off the chair and push my face right into the core of her, lapping and sucking and kissing until she’s screaming and begging for me to let her come, but I stop and set her back down.
“Please!” she cries. “I can’t stand it.”
Tears are running down her face, her arms thrown over her head and gripping the back of the chair. I would normally drag this out, make her beg for the chance to come, but her tears are my undoing. The point has been made, and I just need to give her what she wants and what I need more than breathing.
I push my shorts down my hips, tug my shirt over my head and fling it aside, then push inside her, hard, buried balls-deep. I cover her with my body, gripping the chair for leverage, and fuck her in long, slow strokes.
“I was so frustrated with you today,” I murmur and kiss her cheek. “You deserved this, to feel this frustration. If I ever find out that you’ve kept something like this from me again, it’ll be the same punishment.”
She wraps her arms around me and holds me close, buries her face in my neck.
“Please,” she whispers. “Oh God, Matt.”
I pull up off of her so I can watch us, my cock moving in and out of her wet heat, her lips swollen and pink around my dick and our bodies sweaty.
She’s gripping me like a vice, and I feel the tension begin low in my belly, and I know I’m about to come. I cover her clit with my thumb and watch as she comes apart, legs shaking, muscles pulled tight, and squeezing me with all she’s worth.
I cry out her name as I come with her, pushed to the hilt and grinding against her core, giving her everything I’ve got.
I collapse onto her torso for several minutes, concentrating on breathing in and out. Her fingers in my hair remind me that I need to untie her. I undo the knots and massage her knees and hips, then lift her in my arms and settle us both in her soft bed.
“I’m sorry for today, and that I didn’t tell you before,” she finally whispers against my chest.
I glide my fingertips down her back, deep in thought. I love her so much. If anything were to happen to her, it would destroy me.
“No more secrets,” I whisper.
“No more secrets.”
***
“You don’t have to come to work with me today,” Nic assures me for the third time while she pulls freshly baked cupcakes out of the oven.
“Watch out, I’ll think you’re trying to get rid of me.”
“You know that’s not true.” She shakes her head at me as she sets the hot cakes on a wire rack to cool. “But it’s your last day off, and you should enjoy it. I only have to work until one. It’s Sunday.”
“And you’re here alone.”
“Trust me, I worked many Sundays alone before you came along, Detective Montgomery.”
“Yes, but now you don’t have to,” I remind her softly and pull her into my arms to kiss her silly.
She melts against me and wraps her arms around my neck, clinging to me, her mouth pliant and more than willing.
“Do I have to put you on the payroll?” she asks breathlessly when I let her up.
“Hmm.” I shift my head from side to side as though I’m giving it a great deal of thought. “I guess you can pay me in sexual favors.”
“Oh really.” She laughs and begins frosting another batch of cakes.
“Or just go with me to Will and Meg’s party next weekend.”
“You don’t have to do me favors to get me to hang out with you and your family.”
“Okay, sexual favors then.”
She laughs, a full-out belly laugh, and my gut clenches. I love the sound of her laughter and the way her eyes shine with happiness.
“You’re gorgeous,” I whisper.
Her smile fades slowly, replaced by pure lust.
“I’m glad you think so.” Her voice is soft and a bit shaky. I love catching her unaware and tilting her off balance.
“What can I do to help?”
“Here, frost these.” She shows me how to apply the frosting in a swirly fashion on top of the cake and leaves me to my task.
“These smell great,” I murmur. “What kind are they?”
“White chocolate raspberry.”
“Can I order a dozen of these for tomorrow?” She glances at me in surprise. “I’ll take them in to work.”
“Sure.” She smiles widely and then turns back to the job at hand.
“So did you have fun yesterday?”
“I did. Your family is hilarious.”
“They do keep things interesting,” I agree proudly. “We’re close.”
“I can tell. You all care deeply for one another.”
“Yes,” I reply simply.
“It was fun. They’re nice people.”
“You fit in well,” I comment casually.
She pauses and then carries on as though men tell her every day that they enjoy seeing her with those they love the most.
“I’m glad you think so.”
“Is something wrong?” I ask.
“Nope,” she replies with a fake smile. “As soon as you’re done there, we’ll open.”
“Talk to me.”
“I’m fine,” she insists. “I’m going to go unlock the door.”
She hurries out, leaving me dumbfounded. What did I say?
Women and their hormones.
***
A few hours, and several dozen customers, later, the bell dings above the door as Caleb saunters into Succulent Sweets, carrying a brown paper sack.
“Caleb!” Nic grins widely, happy to see my brother.
“Hey, pretty lady.” He leans his elbow on the counter and winks at her. “How you doin’?”
Nic laughs and shakes her head at Caleb. “I’m fine. Are all the Montgomerys charming?”
“Nope, just me.” Caleb winks again and sets the bag on the countertop. “This is for you.”
“What is it?”
“I ordered you lunch,” I reply.
“But I’m working.”
“I can handle this. You need to eat.”
She stares at me in surprise, looks between Caleb and I and then kisses my cheek before taking the bag into the back.
“I won’t be long!” she calls out.
“Take your time,” I reply. “Thanks, man.”
“No worries. How is she today?”
“She’s fine.”
“Scared us all yesterday.” Caleb peruses the glass case full of goodies. “Hand me a carrot cake.”
I pass him the pastry and hold my hand out for money. “She doesn’t work for free, asshole.”
“Jesus, I brought food. A man can’t get paid in cupcakes?”
“No.”
He hands me a five, and I don’t give him his change.
“Bastard.” Caleb laughs.
Chapter Thirteen
~Nic~
A lot has happened in the past twenty-four hours.
Okay, that might be the understatement of the freaking year.
I focus on eating the sandwich Caleb brought me and sipping the juice I poured, eager to get right back to work.
Yesterday was fun. Matt’s family is huge and a bit overwhelming. They’re all beautiful and successful and so fun. Hilarious.
Loving.
I don’t know what it is to have a family like that, and a large piece of me longed to settle in and belong there for a long, long time.
Jesus, you’re pathetic.
I take the last bite and walk back out of the kitchen.
“We want you both to come,” Caleb says. “Oh good, you’re back.”
“Caleb just invited us to dinner with him and Bryn tonight.”
“Oh,” I reply and frown in thought.
“It’s not a requirement, but your reaction isn’t great for my ego, sweetheart.”
I laugh and shake my head. “Thank you for inviting me.” I turn to Matt. “I have a standing date with Bailey every Sunday afternoon. We walk down to Vintage for a glass of wine and appetizers.”
“That’s cool.” Matt shrugs, as though it doesn’t bother him in the least. “You should go hang out with Bailey.”
“Really?” I ask skeptically.
“I don’t need to monopolize all of your time, sweetheart. Just most of it.” He smiles wolfishly and kisses me square on the mouth. “Why don’t you meet me at Caleb’s later?”
“That will work. Matt will give you our address.” Caleb boosts himself up on the counter so he can lean across it and plant a kiss on my cheek, earning a low growl from Matt, which only makes Caleb laugh. “See you both later.”
He waves and walks out just as Bailey walks in, checking out Caleb’s ass as he leaves.
“Holy shit, did you see that?”
“That was my brother,” Matt confirms with a grin.
“And you must be Matt,” Bailey guesses with a flirty grin and holds her hand out to shake. “We’ve crossed paths now and again but have never really met. I’m Bailey. The best friend.”
“Pleasure,” Matt responds with a charming smile. “I’ve seen you around.”
“And as the best friend…” Bailey begins.
“Bailey,” I warn her, but she doesn’t even acknowledge me as she continues.
“I can say if you hurt her, I’ll make your life a living hell. I don’t give a shit if you are a cop and a Dom. You don’t scare me.”
Matt’s eyebrows climb, and then he walks around the glass case and pulls Bailey in for a big hug, much to her surprise.
“You’re supposed to be wary of me, not hug me. I threatened you.”
“Thank you for loving her so much,” he murmurs in her ear. He kisses her cheek and pulls back then circles back around to my side. “Do you have it handled from here, little one?”
“Um…” I have to clear my throat past the knot that’s formed there. Bailey also looks shell-shocked. “Yeah, I’m good.”
He tilts my chin back with his finger and lowers his lips to mine, gently nibbling, sweeping his own soft lips across mine, then sinks in and slips his tongue between my lips, kissing the breath right out of me. When he pulls away, he has to hold my shoulders firmly until I regain my balance.
“Wow,” Bailey mutters with a chuckle.
“I’ll see you tonight.” He drags his knuckles down my cheek and then turns to walk out through the kitchen. “See you soon, Bailey.”
“See you!” She watches him leave with shining eyes.
I walk to the front door and lock it and then begin the process of cleaning up so I can leave for the day.
“I’ll be ready to go in about twenty minutes,” I inform her, as though the hottest man on earth didn’t just kiss me senseless.
“He’s hot,” she says casually.
“You knew that already.”
“His brother is hot, too.”
“And married.”
“All the good ones are.” Bailey pouts. “What are you guys doing tonight?”
“Can we talk about this over wine?” I ask with a sigh. “There’s a lot to tell.”
“Oh God, please hurry. The suspense is now killing me.”
She helps me clean up and get organized for tomorrow, dancing in place as if she has to pee, making me giggle.
“You’re crazy,” I inform her.
“I’m impatient,” she corrects me. “Let’s go. Hot waiter Dan is waiting for us.”
I toss my apron in the hamper, fetch my wallet and lock the back door behind us. Bailey links her arm through mine as we walk down to Vintage.
“It’s gorgeous today.” I pull in a deep breath of summer air. I can smell the salt from the Puget Sound just a few blocks away. Families are out, pushing strollers and carrying toddlers, enjoying Seattle on this sunny Sunday.
“We are having a great summer,” Bailey agrees with a smile. She leads me into Vintage and offers Damn Hot Dan a flirty grin. “Hey, handsome.”
“Hello, ladies.” He nods at the hostess and seats us himself. “Your usual?”
“Yes, please,” we say in unison.
“Coming right up.” He winks at Bailey and walks to the bar.
“He likes you.”
“He’s adorable.” Bailey sighs. “And painfully young.”
“Dude, he’s probably in his mid-twenties.”
“Too young. I need someone with more life experience for what I’m looking for.” She waves me off, sits back when Dan delivers our drinks and takes our appetizer order, then eyes me over the rim of her glass. “Talk to me.”
“I really need you to help me get my head back on straight. Talk some sense into me.”
“Okay.” She nods.
“I can’t fall in love with him.”
“Right.” She wrinkles her forehead in confusion. “Wait. Why not?”
“Because, we’re just having fun together, remember?”
She nods slowly and then shakes her head. “When did we say that?”
“He took me to meet his family,” I begin. “And they’re great. Did you know his brother-in-law is Luke Williams? Like, the Luke Williams. The one whose poster was on my wall when I was a teenager.”
“Wow.”
“And Luke’s sister is with Leo freaking Nash, Bailey. Not to mention, his brother is Will Montgomery, the football player. So, I was at this pool party with celebrities and beautiful people, and they’re all really, really nice. And so damn funny.”
“That’s cool. Can I get an invite next time?”
“It’s not funny, though. My sugars crashed because I was stupid and didn’t eat enough yesterday, so Matt found out about the diabetes…”
“You hadn’t told him?” she asks with a deep frown.
“And then he was mad at me because I hadn’t told him.”
“He’s a Dom, Nic. Of course he was pissed.” She takes a sip of her drink and digs in to the food when Dan delivers it.
“And then he let it slip that he’s in love with me.”
She slowly lowers a chip to her plate and stares at me in shock. “What did you say?” she asks with a squeak.
“Nothing.”
“Nothing.”
“It was in the heat of the moment. I’m not even sure
he realized he said it. It was when he was mad about the medical stuff.” I wave that off, unable to think about it because it makes me a quivering mess all over again. “But I’m becoming too attached to him, Bailey.”
“Why?” she asks, completely confused.
“He should have kids,” I whisper softly. “You and I both know I can’t give him that.”
“You are so ridiculous.” Bailey groans. “You don’t know that.”
“I’m pretty sure. I can’t fall in love with him. I’m not the girl for him.”
“Right, so, he has an amazing family, a good job…” She’s ticking his attributes off on her fingers. “He’s not a freeloader or a loser, he’s loyal and good with kids, and he’s fucking amazing in the bedroom. That bastard!”
“Ha ha.”
“So, you went from not wanting him because he’s a Dom to not wanting him because he might want kids one day?”
“You make it sound so dumb.” I laugh. “I’m trying to guard my own heart here, Bailey. I’m not trying to hurt him. Or me.”
“You’re such a worrier. Just keep doing what you were doing in the beginning. Enjoy him and cross the kids issue if and when he proposes.”
I choke on my drink at the mention of proposing, my eyes watering as I cough and sputter.
“Okay, so the idea of marriage scares you,” she mumbles. “I was kind of joking, Nic.”
“Don’t even say that!”
“Honey, I just witnessed you two together. That was a smitten man.”
I start to reply, but she holds her hand up, stopping me. “And you were just as smitten. I know it’s early days, but Matt isn’t going anywhere. Just enjoy him.”
“He is amazing in bed,” I concede.
“Oh sure, rub it in. You’re cruel. I stuck up for you back there and threatened a man of the law, and all you can do to pay me back is remind me that you’re getting laid and I’m not?”
I giggle and pop a chip in my mouth. “It’s really, really good sex.”
“I hate you.”
***
“You made it!” Brynna exclaims as she opens the door to me.
“I almost didn’t find you,” I admit with a rueful smile. “You’re kind of tucked away here.”
That’s an understatement. Caleb and Brynna live in a beautiful house in the Alki Beach neighborhood of Seattle. This is one of my favorite parts of the city, especially in summer. There are shops to browse, excellent restaurants, including my favorite pub, The Celtic Swell, and miles of paths to walk and admire the Seattle skyline.
With Me in Seattle Bundle Two Page 39