“Uh oh. I’m starting to know that look well. What’s wrong?”
“I feel like we’re moving too fast. Do you think we are?”
Bryce silently watches me for a while. His expression is neutral, giving nothing away. His broad shoulders lift. “I don’t think so. We’re just having breakfast.”
“At my place.”
“We had dinner at mine last night. No big deal.”
“Last night was different. There was a chef and staff. This is…”
“A little more intimate.” He nods. “Yeah, I suppose. But, it isn’t too fast for me. I think when you have a strong connection with someone, it’s different. This feels perfect to me.”
My gaze is fixed on him while I fight down a wave of emotions that threaten to rise up. We do have a connection. That’s something I can never deny. Since the moment we met I’ve felt as if I’ve known him forever. I’ve never been this comfortable and open with anyone. But, how far can we really go?
“My father is in prison, Bryce. He’s Noah Knight. He deals drugs and gets into all kinds of messes. I’m nothing more than a criminal’s daughter to everyone. Being associated with me is bad for you.”
He blows out a long breath and puts his fork down. “Knowing who your father is doesn’t make me like you any less. I can only imagine the flack you get around here because of your dad but I’m not looking at that, or where you come from. I only see you, Abby. I like you. I want to be with you, not your father, so none of the extra details matter to me.”
“You want to be with me?”
A hint of pink seeps into his cheeks. It’s the second time I’ve seen him blush. The first time was in Mexico when he’d been apparently transfixed by my boobs in my bikini top. The memory makes me smile.
He rubs the back of his neck and gives me a sheepish grin. “Too soon for me to say something like that?”
It should be. We barely know each other but… ”No.” Knowing he wants me on that level is comforting.
“So, tell me, when did you become a culinary goddess. I mean, you’re pretty young.”
Feeling a little less uncertain about things between us, I pick up my fork and relax. “Well, I was forced to learn how to cook. My mother died when I was eight.”
“I’m sorry to hear that.”
I shrug. “Thanks. She got very sick. As a kid, I didn’t really understand how serious it was until she was gone.” Swallowing the lump in my throat, I try not to think about the point when my life turned upside down. “My dad is completely useless in the kitchen.”
Bryce laughs. “I can’t knock him, so am I.”
Grinning from ear to ear, I continue. “I had to learn how to operate in the kitchen very quickly or my sister and I would have had to survive on a diet of cereal and Ramen noodles. Not very healthy.”
That elicits a roar of laughter from Bryce. “Not very healthy.”
“So you see why I had to learn. I love cooking and baking. It soothes me. I don’t have much time nowadays to really indulge in the culinary arts, though.”
“I’m certainly glad you had time today.”
Grinning from ear to ear like a fool, I duck my head, so he doesn’t see me blush.
I have a feeling I wouldn’t mind cooking for Bryce forever.
It’s too bad his marriage proposal was a joke, as it should be. But if it weren’t, cooking for him wouldn’t be a bad thing. It would be something I’d want to do.
I’m in trouble.
I’m falling for Bryce Marshall.
What am I going to do?
Chapter Ten
Bryce
With Abby finally fully relaxed, the morning is going even better than I expected. I’ve learned a lot about her. I’ve been soaking up the information like a sponge. It’s the first time I’ve ever been so interested in getting to know a woman inside and out. We’re still lounging in her living room after she garnered the courage to show me pictures of her family. Her reluctance at first was a little amusing. It seems she’s been so closed off from almost everyone for so long, she struggles to open up in the slightest ways. That’s why the smallest gestures that she makes to let me in are so special.
“So, you got a full academic scholarship to St. Jacobs. I’m impressed.”
Abby shrugs as if it’s no big deal. I know what it takes to get an academic scholarship. It’s hard work. “Beauty and brains,” I murmur. “That’s incredibly sexy.”
She snickers. “Nerds aren’t sexy. Charlie never fails to point out that I’m one. I can’t get mad at her for labeling me a nerd, though. I mean, I do have plenty of dorky ways.”
“You’re the hottest nerd I’ve ever seen for sure.”
Her face flushes as I expected. I’ve come to enjoy the sight of Abby blushing. I say things just to get that reaction. “Who’s this Charlie?” I hope my sliver of jealousy isn’t audible.
“My friend. She goes to St. Jacobs too. You must know her. She’s Chief Traverse’s daughter.”
Relief swamps me with the discovery that Charlie is a she. Then, dismay. Abby’s friend is the same Charlie that Dad keeps insisting that I hook up with. Awesome. “So you two are close?”
“She’s become my best friend. Other than my sister, I don’t have many friends. Charlie is a great person. She doesn’t care about my last name.”
Great. Her best friend. I’m going to have to work overtime to avoid Dad’s matchmaking. Damn the old man and his controlling ways. He wants to run everyone’s lives. “Yeah, she sounds pretty nice.” Stroking my jaw, I eye her with mild amusement. “I’m your friend too, right?”
Eyes dancing with merriment, she shifts on the couch to face me. “Come on, you know we’re a little more than that.”
Pleasantly taken aback, I turn to face her too, draping one arm on the back of the couch. I wasn’t expecting this response. “A little more, huh? I guess I’ll take it until we become a lot more.”
Her smile draws my attention to her mouth. Her lips are incredibly tempting, practically calling to me, begging me to taste them. I’m going to resist, however. No more moves until Abby gives me a sign. It’s important that I show her I’m willing to go as slow as she wants.
I try to distract myself with random questions. “Will your sister be gone all day?”
It could be my imagination, but I think I see a flicker of disappointment in Abby’s eyes. Does she want me to kiss her? Again, my gaze drops to her mouth.
“Yeah. She’s hanging out with friends after work. Unlike me she’s very sociable.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.”
“It is. I’ve always been the proverbial lone wolf. Maybe I need to change. Try harder to be a people’s person.”
“I happen to like you just the way you are.” As long as she’s sociable with me, that suits me fine.
“Are you saying all these sweet things to try and get into my pants, Bryce?”
My jaw slackens. “Of course not.” My gaze drops to her jean clad thighs. I’d certainly love to get into her pants, though. I’m dangerously close to getting an erection just thinking about it. “I give you compliments because I mean them.”
Her sly smile catches me off guard. She throws her head back and chuckles. “I know. I was joking.”
Hanging my head, I chuckle. This is good― her teasing me. It means she’s getting more comfortable by the minute. “Very funny. You should know, I’d love to get into your pants but only when you’re ready. That’s not me teasing. That’s me being honest. I really want to get into your pants.”
Abby’s eyes widen to the size of saucers. Pink floods her cheeks and she visibly swallows. “Maybe we can do the next best thing for now.”
“What’s that?”
“You can kiss me.”
The invitation I’ve been waiting for. Making out with Abby in the privacy of her living room is dangerous. My control will be tested, probably beyond its limit. But, I’m going for it. “I’ve been waiting for you to say that. But…”<
br />
She frowns. “There’s a but?”
“I want you to kiss me.” Maybe if I let her take control, I’ll be less likely to lose my head and go further. Draping both arms over the back of the couch, I encourage, “You make the first move.”
She doesn’t move immediately but peers at me through long lashes. The entire time, I can feel the tension rising. There’s this phenomenon that occurs anytime I’m with her. Sexual tension seeps in and mounts until it’s almost unbearable. The air becomes thick with it, making it a little harder to breath. Abby’s chest is already rising and falling rapidly. I know she can feel it too.
Tentatively, she draws closer, eyes on me. Her movements are timid but there’s blatant desire clouding her eyes. Her face hovers in front of mine. Our breaths mingle, hers tickling my skin. It takes discipline not to lean forward and take command of her mouth. Or to grab a hold of her, slide between her thighs and…
A low groan escapes me. Why did I allow my mind to go there? It makes not touching her that much harder.
“Is something wrong?” Abby searches my face with a hint of worry.
“No. I need you to kiss me, Abby.”
Without any more encouragement her lips caress mine, I sigh my content. I still don’t move, allowing her to keep control. She gently explores, her tongue sliding between my lips. Her soft moan makes my dick twitch, and I sink my fingers into the couch’s cushions.
“This is nice,” she whispers.
“Mhmm,” is all I can manage to get out.
“Why won’t you touch me?”
My eyes open to meet hers. “I’m afraid I’ll lose control if I do.”
The spark of interest in her eyes surprises me. “Lose control how?”
“I will want to go a little further than kissing.” What am I saying? I want to go a lot further.
“Maybe I don’t mind if we go a little further.”
My brows shoot up and I swallow hard. Watching her closely, I wonder if she even realizes what she’s saying.
“I want you to touch me.”
Those words are my undoing. I absolutely have to touch her. “I can’t deny you what you want now can I?” I growl, my voice husky with arousal.
I allow myself to lose control just a little as she suggested. Winding an arm around her waist, I pull her closer until she straddles me. The heat and softness of her body against mine takes my hard on to another level. I devour her mouth, and she matches each stroke of my tongue with the same fervor. The fire between us is rising to explosive proportions.
Instead of putting a stop to things, as I should, I give in to my need to touch her bare skin. My hands slide beneath her sweater and move upwards. Her skin feels like warm velvet under my fingertips. I want to touch every part of her now. I bet inside of her feels even better.
I moan into her mouth when she starts to writhe on my lap, rubbing against the bulge of my crotch.
“If you don’t stay still, we’ll end up naked on this couch,” I bite out.
That just makes her wiggle even closer and grind against me even harder. “I can’t, you feel so good.”
The strangled sound that escapes me doesn’t even sound like me. She winds her arms around my neck and gives me a playful nip on my bottom lip before feathering kisses along my jaw. Abby in the throes of passion is a wild woman. I love it. I didn’t think it was possible to get any more aroused than I already am, but she just proved me wrong.
“God, Abby, you’re killing me,” I moan when she nips my earlobe.
“Is that good?”
“So go.” Her lips trailing along my neck feels incredible. A mental picture of that sweet mouth of hers wrapped around my cock makes me harder than I’ve ever been. My fingers continue their exploration under her top, brushing the undersides of her breasts. Abby shivers and moans, her hips bucking against me. Her sensitivity to my light touch makes me crave more of her reaction. Now, I just have to see what she looks like when she comes.
In a swift motion, I flip her onto her back. Looming over her, I settle between her thighs, and watch her expression closely. Despite her shocked gasp, she doesn’t seem to mind the shift in positions.
With half-mast eyes, she gazes at me. “Is this us going a little further?”
“Only if you want to.”
“I want to.”
There was no hesitation. She trusts me. That knowledge warms me to the core. I’ll really have to keep myself in check; I can’t mess this up. Capturing her mouth, I give her a deep, sensual kiss that leaves us both breathless. When I pull away, her small sound of protest makes me smile. Eyes on her face, gauging every nuance of her expression, I roll her sweater up to reveal small, enticing breasts covered by a half-bra. I caress her nipples through the material, and she gasps and arches into my touch.
“Super sensitive,” I note. “That’s good.” Unhooking the claps at the front of her bra, I palm her breasts. “I love these.”
Chest rising and falling rapidly, eyes a little wide but cloudy with lust, she asks, “You don’t think they’re too small?”
“They’re perfect.” With that I flick my thumbs over her beaded nipples. Color floods her face and chest as she moans. “Can I go a little further?”
“Yes.” Her reply emerges as a sigh.
Moving a little lower, my mouth finds one puckered nipple. My tongue slides over it, slowly, teasing. Her cry urges me to lavish attention on the other. Abby writhes and moans beneath me.
“I had no idea this would feel so good.”
My gaze lands on her face. No one’s ever played with her breasts before? I suppose not everyone likes to indulge in leisurely foreplay. I always take my time to thoroughly please a woman. Abby deserves to be pleasured through and through.
“A little further?” I ask.
Her brown eyes have darkened a little. They swirl with desire and a hint of curiosity. “Okay.”
I unbutton her pants, eyes still on her face. The slightest sign of uncertainty or discomfort from her will put an end to my exploration. But, she lifts her hips to allow me to slide her jeans down just a bit. My fingers slide into the waist of her panties to trail over her mound. She pulls in a sharp breath but doesn’t stop me.
“I’m dying to see how you look when you shatter, Abby. I bet you look incredible.” Her cheeks turn bright red, and I smirk. “I bet you’ll blush just like you are now.”
I circle her clit and she moans. I need to hear her moan like that again, so I apply more pressure. The more she squirms and moans the faster my caresses become. I slide a finger between her folds. She still seems to be enjoying my touch, so I slide another finger in and go deeper.
“Bryce,” she gasps, and I stop. “No, don’t stop. It feels...wow.”
Satisfied, I stimulate her from the inside and out until she’s riding my fingers and begging for more. Her hair is spilled around her like a halo, her skin is flushed, and her breasts are bared for my viewing pleasure. I’ve never seen a lovelier sight. Her inner walls clamping around my digits is enough to send me over the edge. I almost come right then and there before I pull myself back from the edge. That hasn’t happened to me since I was a teen. Gazing at Abby with amazement, I take in the pleasure dancing across her face. She tenses, and then shatters, quivering uncontrollably while screaming my name. My name has never sounded so good. I’m going to need her to scream my name like that all the time.
“Beautiful,” I murmur, eyes locked on her face. I knew she would be. Breaths coming out in short puffs, she meets my gaze.
“That was…take me to bed.”
I feel my eyes bulge. When she said a little further, I wasn’t expecting that.
But if she’s sure, I’ll take it as far as she wants me.
I want nothing more to be inside her, to the hilt, feeling the deepest parts of her surrounding me.
I’ll take her to bed.
And then I’ll never allow her to leave it.
Chapter Eleven
Abby
&nbs
p; Bryce is staring at me with wide eyes. I know I said a little further but after the way he just made me orgasm, I want more. Those magical fingers of his just rocked my world, and I’m curious to see what else he’s capable of. Clearly, he knows how to please a woman. I’m laying on my back, still high from my release and his fingers are still buried inside of me. Normally, I’d be timid about our position, embarrassed even. I have no time to feel shy. The fire raging inside of me demands to be tended to.
“That wouldn’t be going a little further, Abby.”
“I know.”
“I want you to be sure.”
“I am. I’m positive that I want you to be my first.”
Bryce goes completely still. Is he even breathing? “You’re a virgin?” he finally responds. “We definitely can’t go any further.”
He pulls away, and I feel like I’ve been doused with a bucket of cold water. He tries to pull my underwear and pants up, but I bat his hands away to do it myself. No longer lost in a sexual haze, I feel embarrassment seeping in.
“What’s so wrong with that?” I ask, defensively, shooting him a scowl.
“Hey, wait a minute.” He snags my wrist when I try to put more distance between us. “You misread my reaction. When I said we can’t go any further, it’s because your first time should be special.”
Any anger and hurt that appeared, quickly vanishes. “Oh.”
I allow him to pull me back to him. “Trust me, finishing what I started is tempting beyond belief. But, your first time should be special, memorable. There should be candles and roses, the works.”
My heart practically melts in my chest. “I don’t care about any of that.”
“I do.”
“I’m sure anywhere and anyhow it happens with you will be great.” His kisses and touch alone indicate that much.
Bryce moans and pulls me in for a kiss. “You have no idea how hard you’re making this for me,” he whispers against my lips.
I’m tempted to push his buttons a little more to get what I want. I don’t know what’s wrong with me. I’m never like this. Sex with anyone wasn’t even on my agenda. With work and school and worrying about what the town’s people whisper about my family behind our backs―sometimes to our faces―I never thought much about sex. Then Bryce came along, and I’ve turned into a wanton hussy, ready to jump him.
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