Love Letters Volume 5: Exposed

by Ginny Glass, Christina Thacher, Emily Cale, Maggie Wells

  “No, it’s because you’re even more beautiful that I remembered, which I didn’t think was even possible.”

  Her body felt hot. “You always say the perfect thing, don’t you?” She realized she’d said it as though they still hung out and talked on the phone late into the night. For all she knew, he’d grown into a complete dickhead.

  She immediately pushed the thought from her mind. Of all the people in the world, he would be the last one to turn into anything other than a gentleman.

  “That’s what they pay me for. Sweet talking.”

  She raised an eyebrow at him.

  “Well, at least that’s why they bring me along to these things. I know how to make a good impression for my friend.”

  She couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. She wanted to believe all the words he said, but he’d come right out and admitted that he lied on a regular basis to keep people satisfied and smiling. She wasn’t either satisfied or smiling anymore though.

  “Of course, you’re doing exactly what I thought you would be doing.”

  She couldn’t help but think he meant that in the worst way possible. This job might not be glamorous, but he didn’t need to make it sound as though she was one bounced check away from stripping. As a kid, she’d done the exact opposite of anything he said. If he told her to sit, she’d stand. It drove him nuts. Once she actually worked out her feelings for him, she was as obedient as her family’s golden retriever. If he said it, she did it. It’d taken her over a year to figure out she could have her own opinions. Actually, it was better. The arguing substituted for the physical intimacy that their relationship lacked. She went home feeling exhausted and exhilarated at the same time.

  Here he was now, making her second-guess herself all over again. Like she was a scared teenager desperate for her first kiss. She’d been convinced by the end of the night that the whole affair was exactly what they said it would be. Art. Plain and simple. Then Austin walked back into her life.

  “Of all the people in the world who go out and chase their crazy dreams, I always knew you’d be the one to actually make it. You’re a model. A real one, with paying gigs and everything.”

  She let her guard down a little bit. Only enough to try to pull herself together to have an actual conversation with him. “This is a little awkward.” She shrugged her shoulders and looked down.

  “Right. I should’ve waited until you were done.” Austin clasped his hands over his eyes. “Or just sent you an email or something tomorrow morning. I just couldn’t stop thinking about you and I wanted to say hi and make sure you knew I’d been here.” He turned his back toward her.

  Kacey smiled for the first time since he walked in the door. It figured that all she’d need to do was remind him that she was naked and he’d turn a hundred shades of purple. He’d always been a little skittish. Though she expected he’d be over that by now. He’d probably had a million girlfriends by this point. Maybe even a fiancée or wife.

  Shit. She hadn’t even bothered to look and see if he was wearing a ring. She’d gotten her hopes up that maybe he’d come back because he wanted to start the relationship she’d always dreamed of having. “Give me just a couple minutes and I’ll meet you outside.” No point in giving up until she’d put in a real effort.

  He nodded and left the room. She couldn’t help smiling to herself as she stared at the closed door. Austin. Back in her life. Fate might actually have been on her side for once.

  *

  Of all the stupid things he’d done, this fell somewhere between jumping off the roof and attempting to drink a fifth of Everclear in one night. Both of those had ended with a trip to the emergency department. Since Kacey hadn’t kicked him in the nuts, he was doing better so far. Still, he couldn’t help thinking that she’d walk out and let him have it for staring at her naked body.

  Though how anyone could expect him to do anything less was beyond him. She was still amazingly gorgeous, but in a more womanly way. Her curves had filled out beautifully and he couldn’t wait to get his hands on her.

  If she would be willing to let him try. So far she didn’t seem completely freaked out by his sudden appearance in her life. If it continued this way, the whole situation might even be bumped down to only mildly ridiculous.

  Or this might be the perfect story for her to go home and tell her husband about. She wasn’t wearing a ring during dinner, but she wasn’t wearing anything else either. They probably made her take off all her jewelry. What if she came out wearing a big diamond ring? That fifth of Everclear was starting to sound good again.

  She hadn’t said anything about a boyfriend, though he hadn’t given her much of an opportunity. Maybe she’d been trying to get a word in? Tell him about her two kids and the minivan parked out back. If only he’d shut up for a few seconds, or at least studied her expression.

  Then again, he’d never been able to tell what she was thinking. She had the best poker face of anyone he’d ever been around.

  “Ready.” There she was, fully clothed, and still looking completely perfect. Though he preferred her with a little less covering her body.

  “For what?” That question couldn’t have come out sounding any more stupid if he’d tried. He stared at her hands. No ring. Or at least not one on an important finger. There was a little silver one on her right pointer, but he doubted that meant anything.

  “You didn’t think we were going to have some little conversation and then go our separate ways, did you?”

  That is exactly what he’d expected to happen.

  “Once upon a time we were close. I would love to get to know each other again.”

  He couldn’t help but hear the sexual undertone in her words.

  She wound her arm through his and headed toward the staircase. “Please tell me you drove here. I am exhausted and I can’t tell you how much I don’t want to go wait for the bus.”

  “I did drive. But you’ll have to give me directions to wherever it is you live.”

  “Or we could go to your place.”

  He practically choked at her words. She’d always known what she wanted, but she’d never been very good at saying it. Apparently that was a phase she’d grown out of. “Won’t someone be waiting for you?” Smooth. Real smooth.

  “Nope. I don’t have a roommate and the fish died last month, so I am a free woman. We won’t be bothering anyone at your place, will we?”

  “Well, the cat can get very cranky at her space being intruded, but she’ll probably hide under the couch the whole time and then take her frustration out on me tomorrow.”

  “Well, Austin, aren’t you just full of surprises. A cat? Really? I always took you for the big dog type. You’ll have to fill me in on the details on the drive.” She linked her arm with his, and the space between them grew incredibly warm. He’d have killed to simply take her right there. Throw her back on the table and strip her down again. This time there wouldn’t be anyone watching to make sure he didn’t accidently touch her with his fingers. Good thing too because he planned to make sure he got to feel every inch of her.

  “Ready?”

  Ready didn’t even begin to describe it.

  *

  Austin did his best to drive the speed limit on the way home, but what he wanted to do was to push the accelerator all the way to floor and not pick up his foot until he’d pulled into the underground parking garage at his condominium complex. She talked the whole way, detailing how she’d ended up at the dinner in the first place. He tried hard to listen, but all he could think about was what was going to happen once they got up to his place. She’d said talk, but what did that really mean? Talk or talk.

  God, he hoped it was the latter. If it wasn’t, he was going to have a hard time explaining his permanent hard-on.

  There was a bottle of wine in his fridge that he thought might help calm their nerves, but what he really wanted to do was skip the pleasantries and head straight to the bedroom.

  “This place looks awesom
e,” she said as he parked. He left out the fact that he was subletting it cheaply from a colleague who’d been transferred to another office and hadn’t been able to sell. His salary would never allow him to buy a place in the city, let alone something quite so classy. He’d save that little piece of information for their second date. If he was lucky enough to get that far.

  One incredibly uncomfortable elevator ride later, they were standing in his living room. “Wine? I’ve got sauvignon blanc in the fridge.”

  “Can I just have a big glass of water? I think I’m dehydrated.”

  He filled up two glasses with ice water and carried them out and set them on the coffee table.

  She took hers and swallowed half of it before coming up for air. “I wasn’t supposed to drink anything in the two hours before I showed up.” Of course, that made sense. “So, I told you my whole life story in the car, what do you have to say?”

  Talking. His brain couldn’t seem to wrap itself around the idea. So he did the only thing he could think of. He leaned in and captured her lips, intent on keeping hold of them until he could come up with something to say.

  Except he never did. The minute his lips touch hers, they became the only thing he could focus on. Soft yet forceful. He put a hand behind her head and tousled her hair. So silky and smooth. It was still damp from the shower she’d taken. She leaned back and he allowed her to position herself against the arm of the couch and covered her body with his.

  Memories of their first kiss came rushing back. It’d been nothing like this. It’d been awkward and stiff. He’d kissed a few girls before, but he’d never been as nervous as he had been with her. The moment before their lips met, his knees had started shaking and his stomach tied up into a knot he thought he’d never be able to untangle. It’d been fast and sweet. A moment he lived over and over in his mind during the lonely nights in the months to come.

  That had been good. This was—well, there weren’t words to describe it. Great sounded too cliché and nothing else came to mind.

  Leaving one hand in her hair, he let the other wander over her curves, focusing on her hips. The tight fabric of her jeans left little to the imagination, but he still longed to tear them off her and touch the fair skin underneath the thick fabric.

  She pulled him closer, her fingers sliding across his neck as she opened her mouth and allowed him access.

  It was a dream come true. The dreams of both the current version of himself and the teenager who’d been left horny and completely confused in his bedroom all those years ago.

  It was perfect until she pulled away. Everything came crumbling down and he wondered if she was about to get up and walk away. When she’d left after their first kiss, he’d been devastated. He’d wanted to stay and talk. To think about if they could make it work while he was away at school. She hadn’t even said goodbye. To have her so close for a brief second only to have her ripped away a minute later…he wasn’t sure he could do it again. Even thinking it made him crazy. Sure, he hadn’t seen her in years, but it was Kacey. No matter how many minutes or miles were between them, he always knew he’d love her. He just never thought he’d have the chance to do it properly.

  “I have to take another shower. I can still smell the fish on my skin and I can’t think of anything else.”

  Ouch. If making out couldn’t distract her, then he wasn’t doing it right. “Okay. I can wait.”

  “Or you could join me.” She winked as she stood.

  That did it. Before she could say another word, he tore off his shirt, hopped off the couch and was leading the way to the bathroom.

  As she walked in the door, she swished her hips back and forth. He swore it was on purpose, and if she was going to stand around tempting him, he was going to teach her what would happen when she played with fire around him.

  He pinned her against the vanity and ran his hand up her body, pausing to cup her breast. She moaned and he silenced her with his mouth. His body ached to have her. No matter how much he pressed himself against her, it didn’t feel close enough. If they didn’t hurry things up, he would never actually get her into the shower.

  She reached around him and played with his belt. After a few failed attempts, she managed to undo his pants enough to pull them down around his ankles. When he took a step back to get rid of them entirely, she slipped past him and turned on the water to the shower.

  “You’re sneaky.”

  “Only when I really want something.”

  “Like a shower?”

  “No, like a hot, wet man caressing my skin.”

  He tried to think of a smart reply, but nothing came to mind. He liked that idea and was more than happy to go along with her proposition.

  She stripped quickly, barely pausing as she took off each piece and tossed them on the floor near the door. He’d been staring at her naked all evening, and yet seeing her standing naked in his bathroom, about to spend the evening making his every fantasy come true, made it feel like it was the first time.

  “Like what you see?”

  “Oh, I’ve been enjoying it all evening. I’m just trying to soak in an even better image.” This time it was all for him. No one was paying her to be there and show off her creamy skin. Every inch of her was all his for the first time, and he wanted to make sure he enjoyed the experience properly.

  She shifted her weight a few times, then stuck a hand under the water. “I think we’re ready.” She stepped in and pulled the curtain closed.

  Austin paused for a moment, trying to decide on his next move. Obviously he was going to get in, but he wanted more than that. She deserved something better than hurried sex against the bathroom wall. He wanted to give her flower petals strewn across the duvet, sexy music and all the foreplay she could stand.

  None of those were going to happen right now.

  What he could do was offer her a little something extra. He reached under the sink and pulled out a bottle of body wash his sister had left when she’d last visited.

  He popped the cap and took in the crisp rose scent. It wasn’t perfect, but it was better than nothing.

  He pulled back the shower curtain just enough to allow himself to step in. The steam rising from the tub curled around the two of them as he watched the water drip from her long blond hair down her back and slide off her ass. It was a sight to see and one he would have been happy watching for hours. His cock hardened and he instinctively put a hand around the base. He could already tell she was going to drive him completely crazy and test every bit of his resistance.

  “Well? What are you waiting for?” She looked back over her shoulder.

  “Nothing. I’m just enjoying the show.” He poured a generous helping of the shower gel into his hands and rubbed them together. “Now, I think you were saying something about feeling dirty and needing help getting clean?”

  She stared at the lather in his hand. “Oh, yes. I need a lot of help.” She lit up as she said the words. It was the same look she’d had all those years ago. One he quickly realized she reserved only for him. The minute she saw him, no matter what else was going on, she would smile and soften her face. He’d been too dense to figure out what it really meant. Not until it was too late.

  This was not the shy girl he’d fallen in love with. No, this was much better. This was the kind of woman he could fall for all over again. Hell, he already was. Gone was the shy girl who flinched every time he looked at her. He’d been staring at her this whole time and she hadn’t even blinked. Her newfound confidence was a whole new layer of sexy that he planned to take full advantage of.

  When he placed his hands on her skin, he had to pause a moment and pull himself together. Damn if she wasn’t testing his ability to keep his cool. He allowed the bubbles to spread across her back and slowly extend down her front to her breasts.

  “That smells heavenly.” Her head fell back against his chest and he took the opportunity to let his hands wander down to her breasts. He pretended to be cleaning them, one in each hand, b
ut focused on tweaking her nipples until she cried at him. “Why are you torturing me?”

  “I think you’re confused. You’re the one doing the torturing here.” He looked down at her ass. She insisted on pressing it against his cock, wiggling it every so often until he could barely see straight.

  “In that case—” she pulled his arms away and turned to face him, “—I think we should both knock it off.”

  “What did you have in mind?”

  She didn’t answer. Not out loud at least. Instead, she moved close and positioned herself until the tip of his cock was sitting against her opening.

  “Oh.”

  “Is that all you have to say?”

  “Not quite. I need to run get a condom.” He couldn’t believe he’d forgotten that part.

  “Well, you better move fast or I might start without you.” She moved her hips ever so slightly and he moaned.

  “I’ll be right back. Don’t you dare move.”

  *

  Whether it was Austin or the endorphin high from having spent the night hanging out in the nude, she was exhilarated and ready for anything.

  He returned a second later wearing a condom. Thank God he’d remembered. She wasn’t thinking about anything except getting exactly what she wanted.

  “Now, where were we?” He leaned in and captured her lips again. If that first kiss they’d shared years ago had rocked her world, each time he touched her now triggered an earthquake she was sure everyone else in the world could feel too.

  He repositioned himself and slowly slid inside her. She opened to him easily, placing one foot up on the side of the tub to allow him to get in deeper. With each inch, she felt any remaining stress in her body melt away. It was only her and Austin in the room. Exactly how it was always supposed to be. Once he was fully buried, he paused.

  “What are you waiting for?”

  He didn’t answer.

  “Austin? Are you okay?” She ran her hands through her hair.

  “So good. Give me a minute.”

  She waited. It was hard not to start rocking her hips against him, but she managed to restrain herself. At least for a few seconds. When she couldn’t stand it anymore, she grabbed his shoulders and pulled her hips back. He gasped as she did and Kacey couldn’t help but smile. Having that sort of effect on him had been the basis of her teenage dreams. He’d always been able to make her melt with simply a word or touch. If she had the same effect on him, he never showed it. He treated her like anyone else in the world. Maybe a little better, but she always assumed that was because they’d been friends for so long.