Between The Lines (Hot in the City Book 4)

by T Gephart

  By the time we’d gotten back into her bedroom I was down to my boxer briefs. She smirked as she glanced over her shoulder, shimmying out of that T-shirt more seductively than was necessary. I bit my lip as I watched, my hands desperate to hook around her hips as she wiggled her ass.

  “I thought you said you were tired?” I raised a brow, feeling myself get hard by her little display. “That dance isn’t conducive to you getting more sleep.”

  “No?” she gasped, twisting around so she was on full display. She was beautiful; perfect in every single way, and I couldn’t believe she was mine. “I bet I could lay right down on this pillow and go right back to sleep. Wanna see?”

  Her pretty pink lips spread into a wicked grin as she shuffled onto the mattress, watching with increased interest as I pushed off my boxer briefs and dropped my hand to my cock.

  “Sure.” I gave myself a stroke, letting my fist glide up and down my shaft slowly as her eyes followed. “Show me.”

  My cock throbbed in my hand, desperate for more than what I was giving it as I moved closer. Her tongue skated across her lips, making me groan as I knelt on the bed, but she didn’t move. Wide brown eyes heated as my curled fingers went from base to tip, circling the head of my dick before moving back down. I liked her watching me, loved seeing her breathing deepen as the tips of those perfect fucking tits hardened without even being touched.

  “Show me,” I asked again, the words almost a growl behind my caged jaw. “I know you’re not all talk, Tessa, so what else have you got?”

  She reached forward, her smaller hands covering mine as I continued to jerk off.

  “Mmmmmm, that feels good,” I groaned, fighting to keep my eyes open because the visual was so hot I didn’t want to miss it. “Open your legs for me, I want to see you get wet.”

  Her feet dropped to the floor as her butt moved to the edge of the bed, her thighs spreading open for me as she lowered her tongue to the head of my cock and swirled around it.

  “Fuuuuuck.” My muscles tensed, my grip around my hard-on dropping as my fingers threaded into her hair. I loved the slick friction of her mouth, the wet pop as she pulled me from her lips, and the heat of her tongue as she teased.

  It was so good.

  So fucking good that I almost came right there in her mouth. I didn’t though, denying myself the pleasure as I rocked my hips and continued to fuck her mouth. Her eyes widened, taking my length all the way back into her throat as she stroked me with one hand. The other hand—the one not wrapped around my dick—dropped in between her legs and did some stroking of its own.

  Fuck it was hot, watching her touch herself, her fingers getting sticky as she got turned on while my cock was buried in her mouth.

  A moan passed through her lips, the hum traveling down my shaft and down to my balls as she circled her clit faster. I could tell she was getting closer, the uncoordinated jerking of her hand on my hard-on getting more erratic as her tits pushed up faster with each ragged breath.

  I was so fucking torn.

  Wanting to come in her mouth, all over her lips, and then make her orgasm on my tongue. But I also wanted to be inside of her in the worst way, feel her pussy fist me tight and explode inside of her as we came together.

  She hummed again, the vibrations making me crazy as she struggled to get her lips around me. I knew I had to make the choice, my dick so hard in her mouth that in a minute or two I’d lose the ability.

  “I want to fuck you bare,” I gritted out, knowing it was probably unfair to ask while my dick was in her mouth and we were both desperate to come, but needing it anyway. “I need to be in you right now, Tessa.”

  Every single muscle in my body was tense, with my balls so tight against me they were starting to hurt. But if she said no, I’d stop. I’d wear a condom, or I’d fuck her mouth, or I’d lick and suck her until she came on my tongue—whatever she wanted, she’d get, as long as I was the guy who got to give it to her.

  “I want you, baby. I. Need. You. So. Fucking. Much.” Each word broken into its own sentence, my breaths coming out faster and more desperate as my eyes locked with hers.

  She nodded, the seconds between pulling my dick from her mouth to rubbing it against her core feeling like it took an eternity.

  “Fuck me, Justin,” she moaned, arching her back as she laid on the bed, pulling me down with her. “I need you too.”

  Jesus. Christ.

  Hearing her say that was so hot I could barely stand it, thrusting myself into her all the way to the root. There was no way I could go slow, my hips moving whether I wanted them to or not, dragging myself in and out of her as she tightened around me.

  She was soaked, so wet and needy, gripping me like a vise as I pumped deeper and harder.

  “Yes, yes,” she breathed, my mouth finding hers and swallowing the rest of her words as my hand wrapped around one of her tits.

  Nothing had ever felt that good. No blowjob, no sex—nothing. Not a single thing I’d done with any other woman had even come close to how amazing it felt with her.

  “That’s it, baby, come for me,” I moaned into her mouth, feeling her body tense as she got closer.

  Her hips jerked, her breaths punctuated by little whimpers as they got faster and more uneven. I needed to feel her, to watch as I took her over that edge, and only then would I let myself get what I needed.

  “Justin, please.” Her fingernails dug into my back, the sweet sting of pain spliced with her pleas making it harder for me to hold on, driving myself deeper into her.

  “Oh, God,” she panted, her grip around me tightening one last time before sending tiny pulses along my shaft. She twitched under me, her legs shaking as I plunged into her again and again as her orgasm echoed through her.

  I couldn’t hold out any longer, the delicious vibrations on my cock sending me over the edge as I kissed her hard and exploded into her.

  I’d intended to pull out, assuming she’d have told me if she wasn’t on the pill but not wanting to tempt fate. But I couldn’t do it, unable to do anything except pump into her as I shot my load, willing to accept any and all of the consequences.

  It was such an asshole thing to do, not giving a shit if I accidentally got her pregnant because hell, her being the mother of my kids didn’t scare me in the least.

  Funny how shit had changed, the paranoia of me ending up someone’s dad so strong that I’d literally never had sex without a condom. Not even when I’d had a steady girlfriend and I’d watched her take the fucking pill. But with Tessa, nothing felt more right. And while I was in no hurry to knock her up—and needing to make sure it was something she even wanted—the idea of getting her pregnant was something I actually liked.

  “Hey.” I kissed her slowly, my dick still buried inside of her as I moved my lips to her neck. “I want you to know I’ve never done that with anyone else.”

  It wasn’t a matter of proving I’d been safe, or that the chances of me giving her an STD weren’t high. Both those reasons super important and yet, not why I was telling her. “Only you, Tessa.” I kissed her again, wanting to say more but feeling like the words were inadequate.

  She nodded, seeming to understand what I assumed was a poor attempt to tell her how much she meant to me. “Only you, Justin,” she echoed back, pressing her lips against mine. “I’ve never done that either.”

  It shouldn’t have mattered, and if I hadn’t been her first, I’d have never held it against her. Please, I was the last person who’d ever make judgments about anyone’s choices. But knowing that I was—that we’d shared something with each other that no one else had—made me feel like a rock star.

  “You don’t have to look so pleased about it,” she laughed, poking me in the ribs. “Like you aren’t already conceited enough.”

  “How is any of this my fault?” I argued back. “I can’t help being this fucking awesome.”

  That was a lie.

  She made me feel that fucking awesome.

  All of it was only
because of her.

  And for as cocky as I was, even I knew I was one lucky son of a bitch.

  “Uhhh,” she groaned, wrapping her hands around my neck as her lips spread into a grin. “What am I going to do with you?”

  “You want a list?” My brow rose, only half joking. “Because I can think of at least seven things off the top of my head and all of them able to be achieved right where we are now.”

  She shook her head, her body shaking gently as she chuckled. “Only seven, Tibbs? Gee, someone’s slipping. But fine, let’s see how awesome you really are.”

  Tessa

  PRESLEY HAD APPARENTLY invited us to dinner, but we didn’t make it.

  Instead we’d spent the day in Brooklyn, ordering takeout for dinner and eating it on the couch while we sat around in our underwear. It was so nice just to be with Tibbs and not worry about whose alarm was going to go off, the two of us wasting the day doing nothing really important.

  It was probably around nine when Justin mentioned we were supposed to meet Leighton and Presley for dinner. He didn’t even seem sorry he’d blown off his sister and his best friend, reassuring me that the plans hadn’t been solid anyway and he wouldn’t have changed a thing. Part of me had been glad I hadn’t known and therefore hadn’t had to choose, loving the chance to have Tibbs all to myself and not share him with the rest of the world.

  But when he mentioned he had promised to meet up with them at Vault, I didn’t even hesitate. I was excited to get dressed and go out, and since the venue had extra special importance to us, I was even more enthusiastic to go.

  “Fuck. Me.” Justin’s brows popped as I’d walked out of my bedroom, the tight black dress making me feel sexier than usual. It had been a while since I’d gone to so much effort, curling my long straight hair into glamourous waves. It made a nice change from workout wear and my uniform, my painted red lips spreading into a grin as Justin’s eyes raked up and down my body. “How the hell am I supposed to keep my hands to myself? Are you trying to torture me?”

  My palms pressed against his chest, lifting my head to kiss him. “Yes, I live to cause you personal pain and suffering. Which is why I’d like to take this time to let you know that I’m wearing a tiny G-string and no bra. You’re welcome.”

  He cursed under his breath, his hands anchoring on my hips. “You’re a sadist. Who knew someone as beautiful as you could be so goddamn cruel?”

  “You’re the sick bastard who gets off on it, Tibbs. Don’t pretend to be surprised.” I sighed, secretly loving how crazy I made him.

  We struggled getting out of my apartment; Justin conflicted about whether we really needed to go out at all while testing the limits of my lipstick.

  He didn’t stop touching me, his fingers locked with mine while we drove into Manhattan, his lips reaching across every opportunity he got. I’d never really looked to a guy for validation before, but seeing the desperation in his eyes sure did wonders for my ego.

  “Miller is meeting us?” Tibbs grabbed my hand as we were about to walk in. “I never asked him how things are going with that woman he met, does it make me a terrible person if I don’t give a shit?”

  He looked amazing, dressed in a pair of dark denim jeans and a black button down, and I was going to have a hard time keeping my hands to myself. His sexy smug smile wasn’t helping either, his gorgeous hazel eyes lighting up with mischief as he nodded to security as they waved us on through.

  “Yes, he’s meeting us here. And it didn’t work out.” I shrugged, having already heard about Grayson’s short-lived romance with the girl he’d met the same night I’d gone home with Tibbs. “He is terrible keeping things casual and she wasn’t interested in a relationship with a cop. He’s okay, though, I think if nothing else, it helped him get over Maxine.”

  Other than work—and on my days off when Justin was rostered on—I hadn’t spent as much time as I used to with my best friend. Oh, he’d never made me feel bad about it, happy things were going well with Tibbs, but I could tell he missed me.

  It had been Justin’s suggestion to invite Grayson, pretending it would stop Presley from asking anything too personal when we both knew not even Jesus Christ himself could do that. I think it was his way of doing something nice for me and Grayson, conscious of the fact I’d spent so much of my spare time with him. It was so incredibly sweet, and while I didn’t admit it out loud, it made me love him just that little bit more.

  We hadn’t said the words yet, but I think we both knew. For all the doubts I’d had when it started, I was absolutely positive being with him was the right thing to do.

  “Wow,” Leighton stood from his seat as we approached the small table, “as I live and breathe, it’s Tibbs and Ricci. Such a rare sighting to see the two of you out, together, in public.” He accentuated each word, making it sound so fantastical. “I’m wondering whether I should record this moment for posterity or just relish in the excitement.”

  “Like you can talk,” Tibbs laughed, his arm wrapped around my waist as he brought me in closer. “You follow my sister around like a lost puppy. If either of us is whipped, it’s you.”

  Leighton nodded, not even trying to deny it. “I might be whipped but people still remember what I look like.”

  “Yeah, yeah, we’re here aren’t we?” Tibbs grinned, kissing the top of my head. “We invited Miller as well. Figured if he sees us too, you can all get off our case.”

  “Awesome, Presley loves an audience,” Leighton laughed. “You should probably sit down and relax while you can, your inquisition will start soon. Sorry, did I say inquisition? I meant evening, your evening will start soon.”

  “Oh, is this where Presley asks about my intentions with her brother?” I could barely contain my smile as I shuffled onto the bench beside Justin. “Poor innocent, Tibbs,” I pouted as I stroked his cheek. “Did all those bad girls make you feel cheap and nasty?”

  “Are you enjoying yourself?” he deadpanned. “And I don’t know what you’re talking about. I was a good boy.”

  “Bullshit,” Leighton coughed under his breath. “Sorry, something in my throat.”

  Tibbs flipped him off, shaking his head as he laughed. “Whatever, asshole.”

  A waitress had just stopped by to get our drink order when Presley arrived. She was gorgeous as usual, her lithe body wrapped in a tight red dress. “Well, well, well,” Presley’s lips pursed, “I have to say I expected this from my brother, but Ricci, you have seriously disappointed me.” Her dark lashes narrowed; her resting bitching face almost perfect except for her smile. “I thought we were friends.”

  Tibbs laughed, taking the opportunity to kiss me again. “At least I’m not the bad guy this time.”

  I shrugged, tipping my chin and meeting Presley’s stare. “Honestly, I tried to stop myself, but he was so persistent, he wore me down. Now he’s grown on me and I kind of think he’s adorable. I think I’m too far gone at this point to stop and I’m not sure I want to.”

  “Awww, baby,” Tibbs cooed. “Other than making me sound like a crack addiction, that’s one of the sweetest things you’ve ever said.”

  Presley shook her head. “Uh-ah, don’t try being all cute.” Her finger pointed with accusation. “I’m still mad at both of you. Maybe if you give me every single detail on how it all came to be, I might consider forgiving you. Oh, and Leighton mentioned you guys first hooked up here in my club, so a public display of recognition and thanks would be great too.”

  Justin leaned in, pretending to whisper, “Do you want the pleasure of telling her it’s none of her business or can I do it?”

  “Don’t even, Tibbs. Considering how much you meddled in my business, I get this one.” Presley huffed, flicking her long brown hair off her shoulder. “You are finally dating someone decent—who I adore—and you kept it from me. I just want to put it out there that if this doesn’t work out, and you break up, I’m siding with Tessa.”

  “Me too.” Miller grinned, waving to everyone as he got closer to
the table. “Sorry I’m late guys, but it looks like I got here in time for the important stuff.”

  The waitress returned with our drinks and took Miller’s order. Presley joined us at our table, listening intently as I gave her the abridged version of how Justin and I ended up as a couple.

  I’d never really liked talking about myself and my personal relationships, especially in a group. But with Tibbs, I was so freaking happy, I just wanted to share.

  “You guys are too cute.” Presley grinned, beaming at us like we were a pair of puppies. “Now, just keep me in the loop moving forward and no one has to get hurt.”

  Satisfied she had been properly briefed, she got up from the table and went back to work. Leighton excused himself soon after, suspiciously heading in the direction of Presley’s office. And they thought Tibbs and I were bad.

  “Sooooooo,” Miller lifted his beer and took a slow drink, “guessing I’m the third wheel tonight. That’s cool, I don’t mind. But if you guys are going to make out and stuff, give me a head’s up and I’ll leave. I like you, Tibbs, but seeing you kiss my partner is still fucking weird.” He shivered in his seat like he was spooked.

  “We’ll do our best to control ourselves.” My hand slid up Justin’s thigh and gave it a squeeze.

  He cursed under his breath, shooting me a grin. “Miller, I tried, buddy. If you don’t want to see this, you should go take a walk.”

  Grayson rolled his eyes, his ass lifting out of his seat. “Next time you invite me out, remind me to say no.”

  I laughed, leaning closer as I whispered against Justin’s lips, “I think he’s mad.”

  He captured my chin in his hands and kissed me before mumbling, “I don’t care.”

  It felt like a coming out of sorts, Tibbs and I spending our two consecutive days off together but also with our friends and family. Not that it had originally been our plan—forty-eight hours in bed more what we’d been thinking—but after seeing Leighton, Presley, and Miller at Vault, I realized we’d been in a bubble.