by Marie Harte
“God, don’t hate me if I don’t last.” He started moving, faster, deeper, and she loved it.
“That feels good. You’re so big,” she gasped then groaned when he hit a spot inside her that flipped the switch on her excitement all over again.
“Yeah. That’s it. Hold me tight. Fuck, I wish I was coming inside you. No stupid condom.”
The raw words pushed her into a frenzy, especially when he added more graphic detail about what he wanted to do to her. She nipped his shoulder and scored his back with her nails. “Harder, Brody,” she encouraged as he rammed with more force. “I want to feel you so deep.”
He kissed her as he speared her with that impossibly large shaft, again and again, until she lost herself in him once more. He pulled back to watch her as he continued to thrust. “So sexy. God, come around me. Let me see you.”
She cried out as she came and clenched her heels into his ass.
“Abby.” Brody slammed one final time and stopped, shuddering while he spilled inside her.
After a moment, the realization of what they’d done hit her, and she stared up at him to see him watching her. It had been amazing. And he’d come, but had the intensity been all in her mind?
“Well?” he asked.
“What?”
He blew out a breath. “Hello. I want some compliments. Tell me how good I am. How big. Remember? Manly. I like hearing that.” When she said nothing, he cringed. “You’re starting to give me a complex.”
To her amazement, he still felt hard inside her. “You’re still hard?”
“I can’t help it. Give me a few minutes and I’ll go again. I swear.”
She grinned, feeling better than she had in a long, long time. “You were very manly, Brody. Hard, thick, and manly. Okay now?”
He nodded and fixated on her breasts. “I’m not dreaming, right?” He leaned down and sucked a nipple into his mouth, then let it go with a small tickle from his tongue. “Totally not dreaming. Man.”
“I came twice.”
He met her gaze with a satisfied one of his own. “Now you have to tell me I’m the man.”
She snorted. “You’re the man inside me, that’s for sure.”
“Technically, I’m winning. I made you come twice. You only made me come once. And no, Halloween doesn’t count. Different night.”
She’d never had so much fun teasing before, and not while naked. “Yes, but that’s because I have staying power. You’re a guy. One shot, you’re done.”
“Says who?” He rotated his pelvis and nudged her again.
“Really?” Interesting. She hadn’t realized a guy could go again without waiting at least half an hour to get hard once more.
“See, this is where your research is shoddy.” Brody started sliding in and out of her again.
“What about the condom?” she asked.
“I, ah, might have another in my jeans.”
“Well? Go get it on.”
He blinked at her, then grinned. Before she knew it, he’d left and returned wearing new protection. “See? Sometimes being quick isn’t so bad. You can write that down later.” He gently tugged her from the couch onto the floor. “Now we have more room. How do you feel about an encore?”
***
Abby spent all of Sunday in a daze. Brody had made love to her twice. She’d had three—three—orgasms in the span of one night. A new record. And then they’d spent another hour dithering back and forth on her arrangements to watch Mutt. He added a few conditions since he’d performed so well sexually. She’d been too satisfied to deny him.
What made the entire evening so surreal was that he’d looked at her tenderly and kissed her good-bye with a promise, once again, to keep their new “deal” between them.
She had exactly what she wanted. No-strings sex. Validation that she did not in fact suck—only in a good way—in bed. Brody hadn’t been demeaning or cruel, the opposite actually. A man she trusted, who turned her on, had wanted her. She felt gooey and warm inside.
And then the stupid emotional basket case inside her wondered why he hadn’t asked for more. Why didn’t he want to turn their agreed-upon casual sex into a relationship? Maybe if she’d been better or more exciting he—Stop it, Abby!
She hated overthinking things. One of her biggest flaws. She’d had incredible sex with a guy she liked. No need to turn herself into Mrs. Abby Singer. Especially since she still didn’t know all that much about Brody, truth to tell. Then again, considering he’d wheedled her into agreeing to spend the next week at his place to better care for Mutt, she might be able to learn more about the tricky con man.
After making sure she’d picked up and cleaned the place to Vanessa’s satisfaction, she made herself a salad and sat down to dinner. On cue, Vanessa arrived at six and gave Abby a thumbs-up on the housekeeping.
“Ah. It is so nice to come home to a clean, organized house. I love Jeanine, but she’s a slob.”
“So the trip to Whidbey went well?”
“I needed it.” Vanessa let out a breath. “Lately work has been a bitch. I’m always playing the bad guy and I’m tired of it. Jeanine lives in Langley, where the pace is so much slower. Plus, I got to ride the ferry, which I love.”
A relaxed Vanessa meant a relaxed household. Just one more plus to add to Abby’s stellar weekend.
Vanessa stole a carrot off Abby’s plate. “Anyway, I lazed around.”
“Meaning you ran five miles each day and only did a few hundred and not a thousand crunches.”
Vanessa grinned and swallowed her food. “Pretty much.” She tugged her ponytail. “I also read a book and watched the ocean. Saw some orcas on my way to the island. So cool.”
“I’m glad you had a good time. I had fun too.” Did I. “I organized my room and watched my favorite shows without bossy people telling me to turn the channel.”
Vanessa snorted. “That dog show, right? Seriously? When you get that training to work on people, then I’ll be interested.”
“Positive reward for good behavior. It’s basic behavior modification.” She paused. “I’ll be using it next week when I take care of Brody’s dog.”
“You’re bringing that creature here after what he did to the kitchen?”
Vanessa had a serious grudge against dirt.
“Not exactly. I’m going to spend next week at Brody’s place while he’s in Anacortes on a job. I’ll get to keep Mutt in his own environment, train him, and have extra alone time to write.”
Vanessa just stared at her.
“What?”
“What’s he paying you to do this? Sexual favors?”
“Get your head out of the gutter.” She did her best to not blush. Because if sexual favor was the currency, he’d already given her a rather sizable down payment. “Actually, he’s going to pay me more than agreed upon for the web design I’m already doing, plus he’s adding an irrigation system to the backyard.”
“Hmm. Garden favors.” Vanessa nodded. “Not bad. But I’m disappointed you didn’t hold out for sex. From what I hear, he’s quite the stud.” Vanessa snickered. “And man, he does look good without a shirt. I’m not into blonds, but even I have to admit that seeing him half naked after you two slept together—”
“We didn’t sleep together. I mean, technically, we did, but—”
“—was hot. The man has muscle. If you think about it, after Mike, he’s probably right up there with Cameron.”
“Cam?”
Vanessa shrugged. Too casually. “He doesn’t always show it, but he works out.”
“And how would you know?” Fascinating.
“I’ve seen him at the gym a few times. At first, he annoyed the crap out of me. He thinks he’s always right.”
“Wow. Who does that sound like?”
Vanessa ignored her. “But he’s a smart guy who
happens to be pretty good-looking. He comes from a great family and makes a lucrative living.”
“Sounds right up your alley.”
To Abby’s astonishment, Vanessa turned pink. “Yeah, whatever. He’s seeing some woman out East. I’m not interested in dating anyway.”
“Uh-huh.”
Vanessa glared. “I’m not. I’m too busy making men cry, haven’t you heard?”
Abby grinned. “You make men cry, I’m about to make a dog cry. No wonder we get along so well.”
“Funny girl. So where’s my cousin? Still out doing the plumber?”
“Where else would she be?”
“You know, at first I wasn’t sure about Flynn. But I really like him for Maddie.”
Abby nodded. “She’s a lot more stable, and he’s great with her.”
“As high strung as that side of the family is, that’s saying something.”
Abby studied her. “You never talk much about your parents.” What Vanessa had said couldn’t be considered good. “Is it true they’re emotionless geniuses, a step away from the walking dead in that they don’t eat brains, they just use them?”
“Yep. Maddie got that one right.”
“Actually, you said that after the last time you talked to them. An off-the-cuff comment.”
“Big ears.”
“I see and hear all.” She nodded. “So have you talked to them lately? Are you going to be here for Thanksgiving or not?”
“I’m staying here. Aunt Michelle is coming for the holiday. And to check out Flynn, but don’t tell Maddie I said that.”
Abby nodded. “Good. I’d planned to stick around but Teresa wants me to meet her new husband.”
“Your sister… Teresa’s the oldest, right? Four kids, husband number three?”
“Not to be confused with Meg, the middle girl, and the one none of us actually like. She even annoys my mom, though my mom will never admit it.” She sighed, imagining having to deal with Meg and her annoying husband at Thanksgiving. “Two kids, still with husband number one, thinks the sun rises and sets on her. None of us are sure how it happened, but she’s truly a brat. I can’t stand her.”
“Oh, right. But hey, at least you like the rest of them. My parents are like automatons.” Which explained why Vanessa was the way she was. “Good grades and proper behavior gets you a pat on the head and money for college. Then you get the hell out. No more, no less. I swear, it’s like they’re not human. I might love them, but I don’t like them.”
“I love my folks.”
“Yeah. So do they know that you write dirty books for a living?”
“Not dirty.” Abby scowled. “Erotic romance.”
“Call it Dunn’s Guide to Foreplay. My point is you might love them, but you don’t trust them enough to tell them the truth.”
“I hate your honesty.”
“The bane of my existence. I tell the truth and I’m hated for it.” Vanessa let out a put-upon sigh.
“Yet how often do you tell yourself the truth?” Abby asked and smacked Vanessa’s hand when she tried to steal another carrot. “Because you say you don’t want a boyfriend, but lately I’m getting the impression you do.”
Vanessa blinked. “I, well… Maybe I am feeling a little lonely. Maddie has Flynn. You have Mutt.”
“I’m not dating a dog.” She crossed her arms over her chest, miffed.
“Francie and Jeanine at work are all cozied up with guys. And Robin and Kim are so gooey in love it’s gross.” Robin and Kim were Maddie’s designer friends who fit each other like a lock and key. Both women who liked to laugh and worked well with Maddie.
“Yeah, but they’re so cute. And they seem so happy together. I want that kind of love.”
“I have a bad feeling that stuff only exists in your books. Our friends are the exception.” Vanessa sounded down and out of sorts.
“Are you okay?” Come to think of it, Vanessa’s enthusiasm when Abby had finished her book, and now this talk about relationships and love, were out of character for the straight-shooting, confident woman.
“I’m fine. Just growing maudlin.” Vanessa cracked a true smile. “Do you like that? Maudlin? I picked that up from your last porn book.”
Abby groaned. “Would you stop that?” She couldn’t help a laugh when Vanessa sang boom chicka bow bow. “You’re such a pain.”
“And that’s why you love me.”
“I guess.” Abby made a face. “Because it sure isn’t your love affair with fitness. So in advance, no to running with you this week. I’ll be at Brody’s watching his hellhound.”
“Fine. Deny your body’s need to ward off excess caffeine and the donuts you don’t think we know about.”
“How did you find those?”
“I know everything about this house.” Vanessa grinned, the spark of joy back in her blue eyes. “While you’re watching after Mutt, try to come up with a better name for him, would you? Now let’s go to Maddie’s room and find that stupid frog of hers. I’ve been dressing him in her underwear. It’s a hoot.” The little googly eyed frog had been one of the first gifts Flynn had bought her, and Maddie kept it on her bed as a reminder of her man.
“I knew that was you. She keeps blaming Flynn for it.”
“I know. That’s why I’m going to find it, then dress the thing in Flynn’s socks. She won’t know he didn’t mess with the frog before they left.”
“Nice. How’d you get his socks?”
“He left them in the dryer last time. That’ll teach him.”
Abby grinned, pleased to join in the conspiracy. If it helped Vanessa cope with her surprising loneliness, Abby would even dress the thing in her own bra.
After they’d disgraced the plush frog, Abby said, “You know, I might get lonely next week all by myself. And if his place stinks of man funk, I’ll probably bring Mutt back here.”
Vanessa shrugged. “Fine. But he’s your responsibility. Mutt’s dog piles will be handled by you and you alone.”
Abby nodded, but she had every intention of forcing her roommate to help walk the monstrous canine. Abby might be little, but she was devious. And Vanessa had made one crack too many about her books, anyway.
Later that night, before she turned in, her cell phone rang.
“Hello?” She didn’t recognize the number.
“Abby? Brody here.” Pause. “What are you wearing?”
“Really?”
He laughed. “Just kidding. I told Mutt and Seth, my neighbor, that you’re coming.”
“I hope Mutt was okay with it,” she teased.
Brody answered in a serious voice, “He’ll be fine. He likes you, remember.”
“I was kid—never mind. The food and instructions are all laid out?”
“Yep. I even made my bed for you. The place, well, it’s a work in progress. But I just put in a new water heater and my bedroom is pretty nice. You, um, might have to sleep with Mutt. He likes the bed.”
Share the bed with a dog? No. “I’ll handle it.”
“Right.”
Silence settled between them.
“So, Abby.”
“Yes?”
“I was thinking that you probably need to do more research. I mean, you’re working on a book right now. Your proposal, you called it.”
“The better question is, when am I not working on a book?”
“Right.” He sounded relieved. Odd. “So I was thinking, maybe you need more information than I gave you last night. You know, there’s a lot we didn’t get to. Just not enough time in one night to hit all the high points.”
She couldn’t contain the excitement that threatened to spill free, so she gave herself a moment. “Well, I guess not. But I could always ask someone else if you feel obligated—”
“No. No, not at all. I mean, we’re friends.
You can trust me. Hell, you can ask me to do anything and I’ll be all for it. Tie me up, tie you up, toys, videos. You name it, I’m your guy. Not Rick.”
“Who said anything about Rick?” He seemed to have some kind of fixation on his friend.
“No one. Forget I mentioned him. So can we get together again when I’m back, maybe?”
After last night when he’d played her like an instrument, she had no qualms about admitting to herself she wanted another go at him. And he’d been the one to suggest alternative fun. So if she agreed, she wouldn’t sound like a freak. “You are one strange, perverted woman. I expected better from you.” She could hear Kevin’s disgust clearly.
“Abby?”
“What? Oh, yes. Definitely. I was thinking of a new angle for my next book.” She swallowed. “Kind of a kink thing. Like, D/s stuff.”
“What?”
Her cheeks felt hot. “You know. Domination and submission.”
The pregnant pause was nearly her undoing. She wanted to immediately retract her words. She’d gone too far, taken for granted that when he said anything, he meant it.
His low chuckle relieved her. “Oh yeah. That I can definitely help you with. Sorry. Before I thought you said C-S. And I had no idea what that meant. But the D/s stuff? I’m your man.”
“Ha ha.”
“I might put in some overtime so I can get back sooner. That kind of research is going to take some thorough work, you know?”
“Brody.”
“Abby.” He laughed. “Sleep in my bed while I’m gone and think about what we’ll be doing when I get back.”
“You’re such a guy.”
“That’s me. A guy. And I know just what to do with a sweet thing like you.”
Before he could hang up, she had to know one thing. “Brody? There’s something I wanted to say.”
“Yeah?”
“Well, if we’re going to do this—you know, have fun together…”
“Have fun. That’s one way of putting it.”
“Then I have to know I can trust you. It’s just you and me. No one else. I don’t mean forever,” she said quickly. “Nothing permanent or anything. But I mean, while we’re hanging out, I—”
“I know exactly what you mean. And I agree. It’s just you and me. Same goes. I’m the only one in your bed. For now,” he tacked on.