Vote Then Read: Volume III

by Aleatha Romig

He rubs his hand over his clean-shaven cheek. “If there’s anything you learn from me, Chloe, it’s that life is always about money.”

  11

  Kyle

  A towel is wrapped around my waist after the post-gym shower, and I walk through the living room at the sound of the doorbell. The realization that I’m about to answer my door half-naked doesn’t hit me until I’m standing in front of it. I look out the peephole and smile at the sight of Chloe standing at my door, glancing around in annoyance.

  As soon as I swing the door open, I lean against the doorframe, leveling my arm above me while a grin plays at my lips. “Hello, my favorite neighbor. Care to borrow some sugar?”

  Unfortunately for me, the expression on Chloe’s face isn’t screaming that she’s down for having a good time. Her chin is jutted into the air, and her pretty little lips are pinched together.

  A wad of cash is shoved into my chest. “This is for whatever Trey took,” she says. “Let me know if it’s not enough.”

  Whoa. Whoa. Whoa.

  I shake my head while ignoring the cash. “I’m not taking your money.”

  “Why?” she snaps.

  “I don’t need to give you a reason.”

  “Bullshit!” She inches the cash further. “Now, tell me how much, Kyle.”

  I wave for her to come in, and surprisingly, she does. She crosses her arms as soon as the door shuts.

  “Why’d you do it? Why are you being so nice to me, inviting me to your fucking family dinner, and helping my family?”

  “I told you, I’m a nice person.”

  She snorts. “People don’t do things to be nice. There’s always an underlying reason.”

  I throw my hands up. “Do I need a reason to be nice to someone? I’m fucking attracted to you, Chloe! I wish I could take what happened between us back every single day. When I see you in the morning, I wonder where we’d be if I hadn’t been such a dumb shit then.”

  This isn’t how everything was supposed to go down.

  I take a step forward, grab the back of her head, and pull her to me. “Maybe it’s time I find out.”

  12

  Chloe

  I can’t digest Kyle’s words before his lips crash into mine, and I’m pushed against the door. The money slips from my fingers, and I draw in a gasp when his excitement rubs against my thigh over my pants.

  I could’ve thrown the cash at him and walked away. It’d have been the smart response. I might be book smart, but I’m sure as hell not emotionally smart. My emotions have no sense of rationality around him.

  So, instead of being smart and fleeing the scene, I walked in, asking for trouble. Our kiss confirms everything I’ve feared. This is what I want. He’s what I want, and I’m not strong enough to continue pushing him away.

  Sleeping with Kyle doesn’t mean we need to have a relationship—or hell, even like each other. The only way sex can happen with us is if it’s no-strings attached and with no expectations. With every kiss and touch, I’m allowing him in deeper, knowing I’ll be left with emptiness when everything crashes between us.

  The gasp escapes me when his tongue dips between the seam of my lips, and his fingers plunge into the base of my ponytail, roughly raking through the strands and then tugging at the ends. This man has fingered me and gone down on me, but those times were always about my orgasm, about him proving he could get me off.

  This is different. Our kiss is laced with desperation and urgency, and with tentative fingers, I stroke him over the towel.

  He moans into my mouth when I gain the courage to tug on the towel until it falls at our feet.

  “Tell me this is happening,” he says. “Let me have all of you.”

  I run my tongue over his bottom lip and wrap my fingers around his bare, swollen length, sliding them along the tip, spreading his pre-cum. “Does this answer your question?”

  His chest moves against mine when he chuckles. “So far, it’s looking pretty damn promising.”

  “Very promising,” I whisper with a smile.

  “There’s one problem.”

  “What’s that?”

  He knots my ponytail around his fist, forcing my head back, and kisses up my throat. “I’m the only one naked.” He licks the curve of my neck before releasing me, and I lose my hold on him when he withdraws a step. “Strip for me.”

  I steady myself against the door at his command, my breathing ragged, and I take in his naked body in all its glory. The finely sculpted muscles of his chest and arms are no stranger to me, and even though I’ve given him a blow job, there wasn’t much time to take in his swollen, thick cock before.

  When my eyes meet his again, I find him intensely watching me, almost daring me to disobey him.

  “Strip, Chloe,” he demands again. “Get naked. I won’t ask you again.”

  I hold in a breath before grabbing the hem of my shirt and hurriedly ripping it over my head. My heart rapidly pounds against my chest, and it takes only seconds for me to step out of my yoga pants. My attention closes in on him, waiting for approval, but he gives nothing.

  I haven’t given him all of me yet.

  I lock eyes with him, and his gaze turns wicked when I unhook my bra, my breasts spilling forward. Still, not a single word from him. Neither do I get one after dragging my panties down my weak legs and kicking them away from my feet.

  This is the first time Kyle has seen me fully naked. My heart is beating wildly, like I was working out for hours, and I’ve never felt so exposed.

  “Take your hair down.”

  I do as I was told.

  He inches closer while drinking me in, his eyes roaming up and down my body. He runs his hand over his face, stopping at his chin, and bites into his thumb.

  And, finally—fucking finally—he’s directly in front of me. “You’re beautiful. Absolutely stunning, Chloe.” His compliment sparks through me stronger than anything I’ve felt with another man.

  His hand then moves to my chin, and he strokes it. “Can I ask you a question?”

  “Uh … yes?”

  “Do you want me to fuck you, or do you want to fuck me?”

  Holy motherfucking hell.

  I gulp, suddenly feeling out of breath. “I want to fuck you.”

  He smiles in satisfaction before capturing my hand, jerking me into the living room, and then collapses on the sofa. He gestures to his cock and spreads his legs. “Fuck me then.”

  I eye the cleft in his chin and take a deep breath. This will change everything.

  It’s one thing, giving in to my desire when he’s the initiator, but another to climb onto his lap and ride him. To fuck him. He’s forcing me to make every decision on whether we cross this line.

  Deep breaths expel from his lips while he awaits my next move, and the shock on his face when I fall to my knees at his feet satisfies me.

  “Fuck,” he hisses with a clenched jaw.

  It’s time for me not to play fair. I waste no time in tightening my fingers around his cock again, and it twitches in my hand. I slowly stroke him, and with deep pleasure, I watch the torture on his face—torture of not being in control.

  He hisses through his teeth when I bend forward to rub his cock against my nipple back and forth before releasing it as my mouth waters. I lick up his cock before sucking on the base at the bottom, and then I slide my tongue up, licking and sucking on his tip.

  He bites into his lower lip and sucks in a breath. He tilts his hips up, asking for more.

  I’m aching for him to be inside me but also throbbing to taste him again. I swallow before taking him fully in my mouth, sliding my tongue along the length, and then I bob my head up and down. My hands rest on his strong thighs for me to get the right angle to suck him perfectly. When I glimpse up at him, I see Kyle with his hands laced behind his neck as he stares at me with desperation.

  I feel like I’m on a caffeine buzz, and I’m soaked between my legs.

  “Yes, just like that, baby,” he groans. “Don’t stop.
Fuck. Don’t stop.”

  I pause. “What if I want to stop to ride your cock?”

  His hand drops to massage my cheek, and his face turns soft. “Chloe, anytime you want to ride my cock, I give you permission to always stop what you’re doing.”

  The compassionate look on his face mixed with his dirty words captivates me, and I take a deep breath before standing tall while his cock stands before me.

  This is it.

  No going back.

  I can no longer say I resisted the temptation of Kyle Lane.

  I’m throwing down the white flag with no apologies.

  I can’t help but grin at his surprise when I crawl up his lap, grab him by the base, and slowly lower myself down on him, my thighs hitting his with a smack. He fills me up perfectly, like he’s always belonged there, already hitting my spots before I’ve even moved. I use his shoulders for support to lift myself up and then fall down. One of his hands spans over my hip while the other cups my chin, pulling me in for a kiss.

  “Fuck me like you said you would,” he demands, pulling away before pushing me back against his mouth.

  Our kiss is deep, and the hand resting on my chin lowers to my breast, cupping it. He slowly strokes my nipple with his thumb before pinching it. As I set my pace, Kyle uses his hands as a weapon, moving them everywhere—from my hips to my breasts and then to my back.

  “You feel so good,” he says into my mouth, meeting my thrusts as I ride him. “Better than I imagined.”

  I circle my hips, alternating between bouncing up and down and then grinding hard, making it my mission to fuck him better than any other woman has.

  “Fuck, shit, Chloe,” he bites out. “I’m going to come.” His finger goes to my clit, and he’s rough as he works it.

  I crush my mouth to his, his words setting a fire inside me. “Then, come.”

  My heart slams against my chest as I pull away and wait for it. I want to see. I need to witness the evidence of me riding Kyle into an orgasm. For reasons unknown, a surge of pride rolls through me.

  I’m good enough to make him lose control like this. I’m strong enough to make him feel this way.

  But it doesn’t happen. As I wait for it, an arm spans around my waist, and he clutches my hips, halting me from making another move.

  What the …

  “I’m bare,” he says in a thick voice. “We forgot a condom, so hop off me before I fill you with my cum.”

  “No, it’s fine,” I reply in a comforting tone.

  The mood is lifting, cooling down, and I’m afraid it’ll burn out.

  “I’m on the pill,” I whisper with reassurance. “It’s fine. I promise.” I peel his arm off me and grind on him.

  He raises a brow. “You sure you’re okay with this?”

  “I’m positive.”

  Is he sure about this?

  I’m answered when his hips surge up, his cock hitting me in all the right places.

  “I can’t believe I’m going to fill you up. Fuuuccck. You have no idea how long I’ve wanted this.”

  And, as cliché as it sounds, we get off at the same time. He explodes inside me as I arch my back and call out his name. I suddenly feel light-headed before shaking against Kyle as he goes slack. I can feel his heart beating just as wildly. My hands cling to his shoulders as if I can’t hold myself up.

  “Now, it’s my turn to fuck you.” He grabs my waist, hauls me over his shoulder, and rushes down the hallway before depositing me on what I assume is his bed.

  I watch him from the foot of the bed and rub my legs together. “Let’s see if you’re as good as you’ve led on to be.”

  He’s already proven it in his kitchen … in my office … on his couch.

  “Don’t worry, Chloe. I’m about to prove myself to you in every way possible, so you’ll never doubt me again.”

  It terrifies me.

  He crawls up my body, and I gasp when his tongue slides up my stomach and to my neck, slowly reaching my mouth.

  “I’m going to fuck you how I’ve imagined every day since I saw you walk out of your house, wearing one of those skirts I love so much.”

  “Show me then.”

  I collapse on my back while working to catch my breath. “Holy shit,” I say between pants. “Holy motherfucking shit.” I cast a glance to Kyle next to me to find him doing the same.

  I just had the best sex of my life. Kyle bringing me to his bed and having his way with me was even better than me riding him. Screw Kent and his half-assed screws. I’ll be sending his new wife a thank-you card for their affair. Maybe even a gift card, so she can invest in a good vibrator as a complimentary, shitty sex-stealer gift.

  Kyle blows out a strong breath and then chuckles. “That’s exactly what a man likes to hear after giving a woman a dozen of orgasms.”

  I turn my head and glare over at him. “It wasn’t a dozen.”

  Sweat drips from his forehead, and red scratches are visible on his shoulders. He doesn’t even seem fazed by my marking him. “Somewhere along those lines, babe.”

  I lean up on my elbow to look at him, briefly forgetting I’m naked and putting myself on display. I’ve suddenly become comfortable with him. “Don’t flatter yourself.”

  “I thought you knew me well enough to know that I always flatter myself.” He stands up, his cock semi-hard with the cum-filled condom attached, and goes to the bathroom to dispose of it.

  Even though I’d told him I was on the pill in the living room, he snagged a condom from the nightstand drawer during round two.

  He falls down next to me with a wicked grin on his face. “Flattery is the best compliment. If you agree to a dozen, next time, I’ll shoot for two dozen. It ends in your favor.”

  “I don’t know if we should let this happen again. Don’t you think it will make things more complicated for us?”

  I’m afraid he’ll hurt me, afraid I’ll fall for him and get hurt again. If he learns my secret, he’ll walk away with my heart and hate me.

  He pulls himself out of bed, moves around the room, and snags an abandoned shirt off the floor. “Fine, if it’s what you want. I’ll get dressed. You get dressed. I’ll see you tomorrow morning.”

  My mouth falls open. “What? Are you kicking me out of your bed?”

  He tosses the shirt on the floor while shaking his head, a smile twitching at his lips—his swollen lips a result of me biting into them every time he hit the right spot. “What? You keep talking like us having sex was a mistake. What do you think a man wants to do with that ego booster? Leave me be with my hurt feelings.”

  I grab a pillow and throw it at him. “I hate you.”

  “Your moans prove otherwise.” He jerks his thumb toward the door. “Now, do you want me to go on an exploration for your panties or stay in here where you will not need them?”

  I stare at him in response.

  “Answer me. Would you rather me find your panties or your G-spot again?” He points to his watch-less wrist. “Time is ticking, babe.”

  I shoot him an annoyed look. “Seriously, you’re giving me a time limit on my choice to receive an orgasm or not?”

  “I am.”

  I tap the bed. “Hang out here for a sec. You probably need to rest and not search your house at the moment.”

  “Perfect. Chloe code for fucking her again.” He returns to bed.

  I hold myself up with my elbow and stare at him. “You don’t find this weird?”

  He mirrors my stance and gives me his full attention, his eyes staring at mine and not roaming over my naked body. “No. We’re two people sexually attracted to each other. Two people who get along and vibe. Why is that weird?”

  I signal between the two of us. “You’re you, and I’m me.”

  He clicks his tongue against the roof of his mouth. “Good observation.”

  I push his shoulder. “I never thought …” I stop to shake my head and don’t finish my sentence.

  “You never thought you’d give in to the sexua
l chemistry between us, begging to be discovered since high school?”

  I shrug. “Something like that.”

  He snags my waist and pulls me into him. “I’m still sensing some of that chemistry. Shall we try another go? See if we can fuck it out?”

  That’s what we do.

  Kyle has been inside me five times.

  Five times.

  The stamina on this man is unbelievable.

  Hell, the stamina in myself is surprising.

  We’ve slept together, shared meals, watched TV, and carried on conversations I never thought we would.

  Kyle takes a drink of his water and looks away from his sandwich to me. We’re at the kitchen table, devouring the grilled cheeses he made for us.

  I shyly look away when I realize he’s practically studying me. “What?” I mutter, feeling too on display.

  “I like seeing you in my house, in my kitchen, in my bed.” He shrugs. “I like seeing you here in general. I love you opening up to me and allowing me to see the real Chloe. I like you, Chloe. And, even if we weren’t sleeping together, if we were sitting in my living room, watching paint dry, I’d still want you to be here.”

  His words send chills down my body, and goose bumps form on my bare legs. I’m wearing a pair of panties and his tee.

  “I don’t understand.” I shut my eyes, and the next words come out in stutters. “Why? Why me?”

  His face scrunches in confusion. “Why not you? Why would you ever question why anyone would want to hang out with you? The better question is, why are you hanging out with me? Don’t sell yourself short on how fucking amazing you are.”

  I blush while processing his words.

  A playful grin is on his face.

  “What? Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “Watching you blush is sexy.”

  I cover my face. “Or so embarrassing.”

  He plucks my hands from my face one by one and caresses my jaw. It seems to be his thing. “Nope. Sexy. I love it. Your pale cheeks turn this rosy color. Your eyes widen. Your lips pucker up. It’s why I do everything in my power to make you do it.”