I don’t have time to answer as he trails kisses up and down my neck, lightly biting and sucking along the way, sending shivers up and down my spine and my knees go weak. His tongue parts my lips, plunging into my mouth in a frantic search for mine. Pulling me to him, his erection digging into me, begging for release, while my hands fist in his hair as we melt against each other, both burning with desire.
I’m desperate for my doubts about him to be wrong; he’s desperate to take me here on the spot. In this moment, my mind dispels all negative thoughts of earlier.
He groans as he deepens the kiss, walking me toward my bed until I feel it behind my knees. “Bryce, we can’t. Not now, not here,” I say against his lips.
“Why not? I want you so much, Ali,” he says, pulling me back into a passionate kiss. In a heated embrace, he sweeps me up in his arms, my legs wrap around him as we fall onto the bed, him collapsing on top of me.
“Bryce, please,” I whisper against his lips.
“Please what, baby?” His mouth trails to the side of my neck, his tongue licking down and back up, lighting the fuse to my groin as he grinds against me. He stops and looks at me with longing in his eyes before he says with a sigh, “I don’t have any condoms.”
“I don’t have any,” I reply, giving him a look of ‘why would I.’
“In that case…” he says, moving off of me and freeing me to sit up. I never thought I’d be relieved to be saved by the lack of a condom. Steven’s probably outside the bedroom door, listening.
“What time is it?” I ask, as my brain connects again.
He looks at his watch, “Ten forty-five. We have time to make it, if you still want to go?”
“Yes, I’ll go, but I need to know a few things, and you can fill me in on the way or tell me after your game, your choice. If you don’t, then I can guarantee, that,” I say, pointing to his still hard erection, “will not be getting any help from me.”
“You would withhold sex?”
“For self-preservation, you can count on it.” I wink at him.
“You can be ruthless. I may have underestimated you.”
With a knowing smile I reply, “That was your second mistake.” I walk past him, he grabs my hips, his arms wrap around my waist. He nuzzles a place behind my ear sending shock waves through me, and we both let out a slight groan. We have to go, so I break from his hold and as I get to the door, I feel a light a smack across my ass. I stiffen slightly, then relax and walk out. He won’t hurt you, not that way.
CHAPTER 25
As we pass the table by the front door, Bryce hands me a bouquet of flowers. “Here, baby, I picked these up for you. This is why I was late.”
I feel more foolish for my behavior. “Thank you, Bryce.” I inhale their beautiful scent before Steven walks up and takes them from me.
“Off you two go. I’ll put these in water,” Steven says and gives me a wink.
#
“What do you want to know?” Bryce asks as he pulls away from my house.
“For starters, why did Mara drop the lawsuit?” I ask with conviction.
“What else?” he asks.
“I’m not letting you dodge the question. Why did she drop the lawsuit?” I ask, not sure now if I truly want to know, but I search his face for an answer.
“Mara’s father has a reputation to uphold, and wouldn’t appreciate her tarnishing it with a scandal. She was reminded about security cameras, and there’s video proof of her actions. Not only would it would make her look like a fool, but also her father’s attorneys, if they back her ludicrous claim of assault. Reputation and family’s name mean more to her father than anything.”
This explanation sounds way too simple for someone who doesn’t take no for an answer. She had to have known there were security cameras. “I see. So, a bat-shit crazy woman, with whom you’ve had an ongoing sexual relationship, enters your apartment how? Did she break in? Did she scale the walls and enter through the patio? Window washer? Parachute in? Enter through the chimney? How exactly did she get in?”
He’s silent a moment, chewing on his bottom lip. “She knows the code and has a key.”
I am about to ask why but stop myself since it’s none of my business. “Why don’t you change the locks and the code? You think she wouldn’t have had a spare made?” Talk about underestimating someone. The thought of her coming and going as she pleases leaves a bitter taste in my mouth.
For some reason I think there’s something else he’s not saying, but his expression doesn’t give anything away. “I’ll take care of the issue with the locks. Can we get off the subject now?”
“That question, yes. My next question, why does she seem to know where you’re going all the time? Her private investigator or whomever it is she has following you wouldn’t know your schedule, or even where in L.A. you would have been. What excuse are you going to come up with for her now?”
“Is that what you think I’m doing? Making excuses for her?”
“Put yourself in my shoes and imagine if the roles were reversed and you had to sit back and watch a dog and pony show of me and my ex, like what’s been going on between you two, what conclusion would you come to?”
“Dog and pony show?” he asks with humor.
“Yes, in a way, it’s like being at a carnival except I’m not enjoying the show, or the rides.”
We come to a stoplight and he looks over at me. “You didn’t enjoy the ride last night?” He reaches over and squeezes my thigh. His fingers move toward my sex and I put my hand over his to keep it from traveling any further.
“Bryce, that’s not what I’m talking about, and you know it.”
“I guess I would have questions, yes.” After a pause he says, “I don’t know how she knows where I’ll be and when. We know the same people. Her social circle is big. Maybe she has someone giving her information. I don’t know.” It makes sense, but doesn’t put my mind at ease. “You said something earlier, and I want to know why you said it.”
“Oh? What?” I ask innocently.
“You said she showed up at my penthouse for a photo shoot, supposedly without me being there or knowing. Do you think I was there the entire time?”
“Bryce, I don’t know what to think. You’re both on this perpetual fucked up merry-go-round with each other. It’s like you want to stay on it with her for whatever reason. Maybe it’s the thrill? Is that what you’re looking for? If it is, I’m not the type of woman to sit back and watch.”
I’ve had enough fucked up shit to last me a lifetime.
It feels like a lumberjack is in my head with an ax chopping away at a petrified tree. “Can you stop at the nearest store?” He looks at me alarmed. “I need some water. I have a splitting headache,” I say and he looks relieved. I think he thought I wanted out of the car and away from him.
“Wait here,” he says, getting out of the car before I have a chance to. He comes back with water and an electrolyte drink for himself.
I pop a couple of ibuprofen and rest my head against the seat, closing my eyes. We don’t talk anymore about my ‘meltdown’ or questions. The next thing I know, we’re in the parking lot. He shuts the car off and takes my hand in his.
“Do you want to stay here for a while to see if your headache goes away?”
“No, I’ll be fine.” I don’t want to be a Debbie Downer and miss his game.
Bryce leans in, giving me a quick kiss. “For luck,” he says and runs over to his teammates. I smile, remembering him doing that at the first game I attended.
A lot has happened in a week’s time. Some memories leave a bitter taste in my mouth, but I choose to ignore them and turn my attention to the game. I could watch him all day, but something today is different from last week. He’s more aggressive and definitely hitting the ball with more force than necessary.
The sun’s blaring high in the sky, scorching me, and my headache isn’t going away. I put my hands on each side of my head
next to my eyes, and shield them from the sun even though I have on sunglasses. I’m trying to concentrate on the game, but it’s too painful to keep my eyes open so I close them and rub my temples.
I must have dozed off because the next thing I know, Bryce is standing next to me. “Ali, Ali.”
“What? Huh?” I mumble, momentarily dazed.
“How’s your headache? Is it gone?” he asks.
“Yes, finally.” I’m embarrassed I missed the end of his game, but when he starts talking about it, I find out his team lost, but he also seems to be in a better mood.
“ . . . I’ll get that bastard next week,” he says, laughing at himself. “Come on. I have half the sand from the beach in my clothes.” He shakes his shirt and shorts and I think he’s right. He looks at me once we reach the car. “Do you want to go home or come to my place?”
I shrug, “I don’t know. I know you wanted to have lunch, but I’m not hungry right now.”
“We could pick something up and take it back to your house?”
“Okay. That sounds good. What about your clothes?”
“I have a bag with an extra set in there. Never know when you’re going to need them.” I don’t want to think about all that implies.
He surprises me by pulling into a fast food place. He doesn’t seem like the fast food type. “Should we bring Steven something?” He asks.
“No, he’s with Sampson.”
“Oh, so we’ll have the house to ourselves? No chaperones?” he asks in a wicked tone. “Don’t worry, you’re safe with me.” I know it’s true, I am safe with him. We pull up to the house. He grabs his bag from the trunk, and I grab the burgers. He drops his bag by the stairs and follows me into the kitchen.
“This is a great house,” he says between bites of his hamburger and french fries.
“Thanks. It’s Steven’s. His parents gave him the down payment to buy it. He wants to remodel, but can’t decide what he wants to do. One day it’s sleek-modern, the next its country cottage.”
“Well, yes, I can see his dilemma,” he says and chuckles.
“I like this,” I say.
“What?”
“This. Us hanging out like normal, everyday people.”
“I like hanging out with you like this.” He takes me by surprise all the time.
“You need to take a shower. You brought the beach with you,” I tell him, getting up and clearing the dishes.
“Join me.” The look in his eyes is different. Not his usual burning look. Is it more pleading? No, that’s not it. I can’t place my finger on it.
“Bryce, I’m not ready, I mean, we’ve only done it, you know, once?”
“I understand. I’ve told you, I’m a patient man. We’ll take as many small steps as you need.” If I were the type of person to swoon, I’d be a puddle at his feet right now.
“Thank you for understanding.”
Winking at me, he grabs his bag and disappears upstairs. I get the broom and start sweeping up the trail of small grains of sand he left from the front door to the kitchen. It’ll be interesting to see how long we can keep our hands off each other since we’re alone in the house.
CHAPTER 26
After changing into shorts, I plop on the living room sofa and channel surf. Twenty minutes later, Bryce comes downstairs. I lift my legs and he sits down, putting my legs across his lap. He smells scrumptious, but I try to not let it get to me. While watching TV, he starts rubbing my feet. Oh, that feels good and his hands are so strong. With my eyes momentarily closed, I enjoy this brief pampering. When I open them, he’s staring me.
“What do you want to do the rest of the day?” I ask. His tender, but firm foot massage has made me sleepy.
“What I’m doing now,” he says, not taking his eyes off me.
“Rub my feet?” I ask with a small giggle and I try to stifle a yawn, but it escapes anyway.
“Come on.” Lifting my legs, he gets up.
“Where are we going?”
“To bed.”
Oh shit. It’s too bright. There’s nothing to shield my body from his eyes.
“You’ve had an emotional day, so I thought we’d lie down and rest.”
“I’m comfortable stretched out here,” I protest. Taking my hand, he practically lifts me off the sofa.
“You are, but I want to lie beside you and I can’t here. Don’t worry, I still don’t have any condoms.” Once in my room we both lie on our sides facing each other, and he takes me in his arms as I curl into his chest. He begins stroking my hair, and that does it. I’m out.
#
“Why won’t you talk to me, let me explain it to you? It wasn’t my fault. Please, Bryce, don’t walk away. Come back. I need you to come back.” He turns to me, his brown eyes, hollow and empty. “Wait, your eyes aren’t brown. No. It can’t be. Not you. No.”
“Ali. Wake up. Wake up, baby.” Bryce is shaking me.
It takes a minute to come out from the darkness. “Bryce?”
“Yes, it’s me. Who did you think was here?” He looks worried. Oh, no. Why did it have to happen with him here? Damn dreams.
“Ali, you’re shaking and you were screaming. It must have been some dream.”
“I can’t remember,” I lie. “What time is it?”
He looks at his watch, “Two thirty-three.”
“I was only asleep thirty minutes?” It felt like hours.
“Thirty-three minutes to be exact,” he smiles. He shifts on his elbow so his head is propped in his hand looking down at me. “I see such sadness in your eyes sometimes,” he says, stroking my cheek.
“I’m not sad, Bryce. Especially after last night, I’m elated.” I give him a crooked smile.
“How are you today, after last night?” he asks, concern written on his face.
“I’m a little sore, but I’m okay. It’ll take some getting used to.” I feel shy talking about this.
His eyes light up. “There are other things we can do.” His fingers trail along my jaw, down my throat resting behind my neck, bringing our lips together. My palm cradles his face as my other arm snakes around his back. He grabs my leg hitching it up over his hip. His hand travels up my thigh, reaching around cupping my ass, pulling our bodies closer. I’m flush against his erection, eliciting a moan from us both.
My fingers fist in his unruly hair, our frantic kiss becomes more heated as my sexual appetite increases by the second. His hand caresses my ass, before finding its way to the front of my shorts, rubbing my clit through the material. Rolling over, now on top of me, I wrap my arms and legs around him. His pelvis thrusts into mine as my legs tighten like a vise around him.
I want to take the lead on this. Between the books I’ve read about sex, my imagination and Steven’s ‘how to’ stories, I’m ready. I release my legs making it known I want on top. Bryce flips us so I’m sitting on him, staring into the blue depths of his eyes, and I’m lost. Gently tugging on his arms I pull him toward me, taking hold of the hem of his shirt, I remove the cloth barrier, exposing his muscular chest and arms. I lightly push him back and admire his physique for a moment. He’s total perfection and I have a crazy desire to bring him into me and never let go.
My lips carve a path down his throat to his chest, lighting sucking along the way, his head tilts hard into the pillow. Circling one nipple with my tongue, while lightly pinching the other, my pelvis grinds into his erection for some much needed friction. A slight hiss escapes through his clenched teeth. “Oooh . . . yes,” he moans loudly.
A light sheen of sweat glistens over Bryce’s body. His natural scent and firm torso, combined with a light taste of salt, tantalizes my senses and tongue while it explores and kisses every inch of exposed skin. Across his stomach, over the well-formed ‘V’ of his hips, like an arrow guiding me to my destination, I follow the path through the light trail of hair around his navel as it tickles my nose. My shaking hands undo the top button of his jeans, working thei
r way to the zipper, moving it down in a slow pace.
Never breaking eye contact, he lifts his hips as I grasp each side of his jeans, moving down his thighs as I pull them off, along with his boxers. My heart’s racing faster than a thoroughbred. I’m astonished at what I see. This is my first glimpse of him fully erect. Holy fucking shit. That was in me? There’s no way I can take all of him in my mouth.
Walking cat-like up his naked body, my nails lightly scrape the inside of his thighs, kissing his legs as I go. My hands move on their own accord, lightly tugging on his neatly trimmed pubic hair lying flat against his skin.
Closely Guarded Secret Page 25