I smirk when my phone vibrates in my hand. He’s quick.
Cole: Let me take you to dinner… it doesn’t have to be sushi.
I swallow and my teeth chew on the side of my cheek. He makes me antsy, another thing I’m not used to when it comes to men.
Me: I love sushi. Take me to dinner, Cole.
I watch my screen with eager eyes. I want his words; for once, I actually want to be chased.
Cole: See you at seven-thirty.
His response took a minute, and I wonder if he, too, is just as panicked as I am?
The better part of my day was spent calming Trace and Becca the hell down. It was a mistake to tell them about my little interlude with Dr. Larkin, but I had to tell someone. I promised them I’d try and drag him to the bar so they could meet him, and that seemed to do the trick. Now, it’s seven twenty. I pop my birth control pill—thank you modern medicine—and, as I raise my head from the sink, I catch my reflection in the mirror. My face is too flushed, my eyes too wide. At least my hair looks pretty. Letting it dry on its own creates long, natural waves. I’m wearing the cutest dark blue spaghetti strap dress. I wasn’t going to wear a dress, but it’s summer. If I’m ever going to wear it, tonight’s the best time to do it.
The knock on my door drives my belly full of butterflies to a whole new level of frenzy. I grab my bag off the bathroom vanity and call out. “Be right there!”
I quickly slip on my red chucks and head to the front door. My mouth feels dry. I’m so worried he’ll see me and come to his senses. Or worse, I’ll see him and come to mine. As soon as the door opens, my chest feels lighter. His smile is full-watt as he takes me in. He chuckles at my shoes. It’s then I notice his are black leather and look expensive. His high-end jeans fit him like a glove, and tonight he’s wearing another well-tailored button-down. It’s steel gray, and the color almost turns his eyes black. Fuck. I want to shut the door in his tempting face. This man is way too freaking perfect, but he’s asked to take me to dinner so that’s what we’ll do.
“You look nice. But if we decide to go to the show later… I want to get you a band T-shirt so you can see how the other half lives… in cotton.” I smirk, and he narrows his eyes.
“No heels tonight? Good thing since I left my suture kit at the hospital.”
So he can dish it. Score one for the good doctor.
“Hilarious, let’s go eat raw fish then… shall we?” I turn the lock on the door as I shut it behind me.
He takes my hand in his, and the warmth of it runs up my arm. When he circles his thumb against my skin, it sends a shiver up my spine. His tall, broad body covering me, filling me, making me feel higher than any drug or bottle of wine could, is all I fantasize about as we walk to his car.
“It’s not very far away, the restaurant, just a few minutes’ drive.” He opens my door for me and when the leather of the seat hits my legs, I sigh. It’s a sweet relief having something other than him touching me. When his skin is on my skin, it’s next to impossible not to think about sex. His mouth tasting me, his fingers inside me, his lips on my ear.
Shit Bailey, simmer the hell down.
I pull my bottom lip through my teeth and exhale as he takes a seat. The engine comes to life, and the car moves easily from the parking stall. He smiles at me again. Last night I’d seen that smile waver, but tonight he’s all confidence, and it eases my fraying nerves.
“You look nervous, Bailey.” He reaches over with one hand, letting his palm rest on my thigh as he drives. “Don’t be. I’ll make this as painless as possible.” His deep voice rattles in his chest as he laughs, and my lips spread into an appreciative grin.
“You’re horrible at trying to make jokes, doctor. It’s sort of nerdy, yet incredibly sexy. Not sure what that says about me.” My laugh is a short huff, and his grin pulls wider.
He lifts his hand from my knee and runs his thumb along the dimple in my cheek. “I fucking love this.”
It’s just four words, but as his hand leaves my face, I can’t think of another time I’ve ever felt more special.
I’ve never been to this sushi restaurant before because it’s freaking expensive, and I feel underdressed in my Target sundress sitting next to Dr. Cole Larkin and his one hundred dollar jeans. He booked a booth in the back, thank God, making it easier for me to feel no shame as I shovel down the best damn sushi I’ve ever eaten.
Cole, on the other hand, is as methodical as they come. When our food first arrived it was almost side show funny how meticulous he was about everything. He rearranged his dishes so they lined up perfectly. He counted the drops of freaking soy sauce for Christ’s sake. He placed, not just one fat dollop of wasabi, oh no, no—but three evenly portioned wasabi dollops into his soy sauce and stirred it clockwise twice and counter-clockwise once. I haven’t said anything about it, but now as I watch him arrange the sushi rolls on his plate, I just have to know.
“I’d ask if you’re always so OCD? But I already know the answer to that.” I smile around my chopsticks as I pop a piece of spicy tuna into my mouth.
“Excuse me?” He laughs and shakes his head. “I just like things a certain way. Is that a problem for you?” He gives me a devious grin before taking a drink of his Saki.
“Do you ever just let things fall into place naturally? Let yourself feel the pandemonium of a non-ordered moment?” I watch as his pupils dilate as they meet mine.
“I did… last night… with you.” He watches as the blush pools along my cheeks.
“That’s the first time—”
“Of course not. When I was younger, in college, I had flings. But my life… it needed structure, I needed to rely on myself. I guess over time, I’ve let that order dictate the majority of my choices. It’s all I know.” His jaw clenches, and he places his chopsticks down on his plate.
I don’t want to pry, but that’s what dating is, isn’t it? Getting to know a person? Otherwise, I’d much rather have him fuck me on my kitchen table again. But right now, he seems so much older than he should, he seems sad, and it bothers me.
“How old are you?”
He shakes his head, a small grin forming on his lips. “Thirty-two. Why?”
“You seem older. I think you need a bit more fun in your life. Let’s get shit-face, sloppy drunk, Cole, and go see this awesome band tonight?” My smile falls as he drops our eye contact.
“That’s not my scene, Bailey. I’d rather not.”
“Come on, it’ll be fun,” I press.
“I don’t go to bars, I’m an adult.” His curt tone pisses me off.
“Then what the hell am I?”
“I didn’t mean that as an insult to you.” His hand wraps around my thigh making it hard for me to think.
“How else should I take it, then?” My tenor isn’t as angry as I’d like it to be.
“Listen…” His fingers trace small shapes along the skin of my leg and I shiver. “…my life is structured for a reason. It’s not really first date shit, okay? Let’s just say, I’ve worked hard as fuck for what I have, and partying, bar hopping, it doesn’t appeal to me. But you… you do.” His hand travels precariously up my inner thigh, pushing up the fabric of my dress, and I’m even more thankful for the poorly lit booth and the stark white tablecloth that shields the view.
“Cole,” I admonish, but it doesn’t stop him.
He pushes my legs open and glides his finger under the line of my panties, bringing his lips to my ear. “Fuck, Bailey, are you always this wet? Or is it just me?”
“Just you.” The softly spoken truth of it all. This man, who thinks chaos isn’t for him, creates it with just one simple touch.
“Can you be still?” I don’t get to answer. He slips his two fingers inside me, his thumb circling my aching clit.
“Shit.” I press my lips together as my breathing increases. The sound of dishes and the hum of voices ring loud in my ears as I climb higher. My eyes pop open, and no one is watching. Everyone’s busy eating, talking, and havi
ng a night out while my date is fucking me with his fingers.
I want to hurry his pace, move my body against each thrust of his fingers, but I can’t. I’m teetering on that precarious ledge, and the desire in his eyes shows me he knows it. “Is this enough for you, Bailey? My control, with you, it slips every time. Is that what you want?”
“Yes.” I’m so close I can’t take it much longer.
His lips brush gently against my cheek, and his thumb pulses faster, finally taking me to the brink. I drop my forehead against his shoulder and moan softly into his shirt as I come on his fingers.
“I wish I was inside you right now, fucking you, feeling you. It’s painful watching you come so quietly. I need to hear you… I need it more than I think I should.” He speaks in such a low tone I almost miss the desperation in his voice.
I don’t need to go out to the bar or see Trace and Becca, but I do need him. I know it’s not normal, I know it’s nuts, but I’ve never felt this good with another man.
“Take me home, Cole. You promised… I’d always come… at least twice.”
The familiar light from above the wet bar illuminates my living room in a saturating glow. Coming back here probably wasn’t the best idea… that fucking dress, even though I didn’t say anything, it drove me crazy all night. Being away from her isn’t an option anymore. This irrational physical need between us is eating me alive, driving me past any sort of reality I’m capable of understanding. This night has gotten away from me. Actually having a real conversation with her, getting to know her… it was the purpose of this whole evening, but instead, the minute she makes it personal, I finger her under the goddamn table.
Bailey is breaking me wide open. My orderly little life is falling out from under me. Fuck! Why can’t I keep my damn hands off of her? I exhale deeply as the image of my hand between her legs flashes behind my eyes. That hot as hell dress, pushed up, my fingers deep inside her… Shit! I lick my lips as I watch her full ass sway in front of me as we walk toward the bar.
Bailey turns and smiles at me over her shoulder. Her lips spread across her face as she watches me, the blush still on her cheeks from earlier. She’s stunning. “You okay?” She stops just a few feet from the bar, the music I turned on after we arrived plays quietly from the stereo.
“I’m fine.” My smile is genuine and as my gaze lingers, her smile widens in response. I couldn’t give a fuck less about my need to keep everything in this regulated bubble. She’s a force, and my hold on reality is slipping. I push her hair behind her ear as I lean in to taste her lips. Our mouths move slowly at first, but that fire builds so much faster now. She drags her teeth across my bottom lip, and I grip her hips pulling her body against me. She pulls away, and our breathing is labored as her eyes meet mine.
“You make me feel so sexy.” She lifts on her tiptoes and kisses me slow and soft before pulling away again. “It’s crazy, but can you feel it?” She grabs my hand and places it on her chest.
“I can.” The heavy beat of her heart vibrates against my hand.
She grins as she guides my hand down placing it between her legs. “Why? Why can’t I stop thinking, feeling, wanting you… this?” She strokes her hand against the bulge in my jeans, and I groan. My pulse is rushing through my veins, and it’s like all my restraint — my sensible thoughts — fly out the window when she’s touching me. “This isn’t normal.” She looks up at me, her eyes asking me the question we both need an answer to.
“What is it about you, Bailey?” My tone is a low rumble as I bring my lips to hers. I take her mouth with lazy strokes. She presses her body against me, her hand still working against my cock. I break our kiss, and she parts from me with a breathless sigh. Her hands skate up my body draping her arms around my waist. My lips dust across her ear as I speak. “I can’t help myself when it comes to you.” I like that she makes me feel young, that she wears tennis shoes with dresses, that she has no filter when she speaks. I love her fucking dimples, and most of all, I like that she makes me feel like it’s okay to let go.
“I want that for you… for me. I want to see you break, Cole. I want you inside me. Give me you… give me everything you’ve got. Don’t hold yourself back, be vulnerable with me.” Her warm breath whispers against my ear, and her words break down every reservation I have.
“Bailey, since the moment my eyes saw you that’s all I seem to want to do.” I pull my teeth against the silky skin of her shoulder, and she shudders. The thought of letting go, letting that final rope snap makes my heart hammer in my chest.
“Make me a drink?” She pulls away and sits on one of the bar stools.
I grab a bottle of Patron from my liquor cabinet and a fresh lime from the basket on the bar top, placing it on the cutting board. Before I start on the lime, I fill two shot glasses with tequila. Bailey smirks as she watches me cut the lime into six even wedges.
“Ready?” she asks with a sarcastic smile as I finally slide the shot of tequila in front of her. “To new adventures.” She grins and, goddamn it, I’m about to fuck her right here. I’m not sure what her plan is, but I’m game. For once, I have no idea what’s coming, and I can’t wait.
We both take deep sips from our glasses. The liquor warms my stomach and eases away any tension I have left. She takes a lime and sucks on it. It’s sexy as hell the way her full lips pull at the fruit. She takes the slice of lime and holds it out for me. I suck on it, her eyes never leaving mine, as the juice of it coats my mouth and my lips taste her fingers. The tart flavor mixed with the tequila is perfection.
She grabs another lime in one hand and her drink in the other. Nodding her head at my glass, she says, “Grab that and follow me.”
I follow her over to the couch. My apartment building was originally an old factory that had been recently renovated into four large, loft-style apartments. I bought the place for its industrial feel. The cold metal beams, the black granite counter tops, and the wide-open floor plan, made for clean lines. The blunt contrast of black and white and the mix of gray kept everything patterned just as I liked. She sets her drink on the coffee table as we take a seat on the couch. She sits so close to me I can smell her floral scent. That mixed with the light beat of the music, the drinks from dinner, and the tequila… I’m beginning to feel a real buzz.
“Are you comfortable?” She smiles and sips from her shot glass. I can already feel her heat wrapping around me.
“Yes.” The word hangs in the dense air between us.
She swallows down the rest of her tequila and sucks at the lime again. I lick my lips eager to taste hers.
“I’m glad we didn’t go to the bar to meet up with my friends.”
“Oh yeah? Why’s that?” My mouth pulls into a lopsided grin.
“Because, being with you tonight is all that I want.” Her fingertips trail along my thigh, making my jaw tighten as she teases the tip of my dick.
I finish my shot and then bring her mouth to mine in a rush. She tastes like tequila and a bitter bite of lime. My hands find purchase on her thighs, and my thumb traces under the line of her panties. Our kiss ignites as I draw a slow circle around her clit. She’s dripping for me, and at this moment I don’t care about holding back anymore, I’m going to give her what she asked for. I pull away from her coercive mouth, and her lip starts to tremble. My thumb pulses against her needy flesh, and she closes her eyes. She’s grinding her hips, trying to push her orgasm, so I stop. Her eyes open and her lips part. My fingers curl around the string of her panties.
“You want me to let go… you want to see me lose control?” I wrench my hand, and her panties tear from her body. I drop the torn fabric to the floor. I take a moment and breathe her in, drink in her smell, and watch the curve of her breasts as they rise and fall in measured, deep, anticipating breaths. I have her all to myself… for now.
Pushing the coffee table further from the couch, I kneel in front of her. My hands clasp around her hips, my fingers digging at her skin as I brusquely move her to the e
dge of the cushion. Having her here in my own apartment, poised and ready, it’s making me crazy. I want to break this girl down. She’s pulling my strings, pressing my buttons, untying every knot. Her pupils dilate under the low light as she locks her gaze on mine. Her bottom lip is between her teeth as I lift her right leg over my shoulder. My hand works up her leg; my teeth nip at her inner thigh. I place her left leg over my other shoulder, and she leans back on her elbows serving herself up to me.
I lick a slow line, my tongue dipping inside her as I watch her head fall back. Her hand clutches my hair, pulling me closer as I tease her with my lips. She rocks her body, moving greedily against my face. I lap and suck, devouring her, fucking her with my tongue. She cries out and her legs start to shake. She tries to push me away as she comes hard, but I won’t stop, not until she crumbles. Her back arches as I push two fingers inside her.
“Oh God. Please, Cole, I can’t… I—” Her plea is cut short as I bend my fingers inside her, my lips pulling, my tongue taking every bit of her I can. Bailey’s body quakes with pleasure as she calls out again, her hands roughly grip the back of my head as she tightens her thighs against me, practically riding my face. I moan against her as she shatters.
Our breathing is harsh as I pull away. Her face is flush, and her legs are still shaking. We match each other’s stare, and I take her hand in mine as we stand. The fabric of her dress falls down her legs. Her lips part as if she wants to speak, but I kiss her before she can. I don’t want her words right now. I’m so far gone with lust that all I can think about is turning her over this couch. My hands frame her face, our mouths moving together roughly as her fingers unbuckle my belt in a frenzy. Just as she tugs my zipper down, I pull away. I clasp her fucking hips in my hands and spin her around pushing her over the arm of the couch. I can’t wait. I can’t take it. Spreading her legs, I draw her hips up, aligning my cock at her entrance. I don’t hesitate. I fill her up with long hard thrusts. Our bodies violently coming together with each stroke. She scratches at the fabric of the couch, desperately trying to brace herself. My fingers constrict around her hips, holding her still.
Pressure (Valley Hospital Series Book 1) Page 4