On the Line

by Lincoln, Liz

  “I…” She didn’t know what she wanted to say, so she pressed a quick kiss to his swollen lips, then pushed gently on his chest so he would sit up.

  With a few inches of space between them, she could breathe easier. “What else did you get me?” She inclined her head toward the present and bag.

  “You want your present or your birthday cake first?”

  She sat up straighter. “You got cake?”

  “Of course. Do you people in Wisconsin have something else for birthdays I need to know about?” He cocked a blond brow at her.

  “You say that like we’re an alien species. Of course we do birthday cake.” She backhanded him in the chest, then stood. “You get any for yourself too?”

  “Like I’m gonna sit here and watch you eat cake without having any.”

  “Be right back.” She put an exaggerated sway in her hips as she headed for the kitchen.

  His low whistle made her laugh.

  A few minutes later, they dug into two decadent-looking pieces of cake. After dropping off Maddie, he’d picked up slices of cheesecake and carrot cake from a local bakery that specialized in both. Because Carrie couldn’t pick one over the other, they shared both.

  Seth forked off a bite of cheesecake and held it out for her. Carrie closed her mouth over the creamy treat, letting the slightly tart flavor coat her tongue. The thin layer of raspberry and the chocolate ganache top were perfect complements to the cake.

  Looking up at Seth through her lashes, she smiled around the fork and moaned. She didn’t normally moan over food, but it was fun to tease him. Holding eye contact, she pulled her dessert off the fork. Heat flared in his eyes as he watched her, his expression tense.

  “Mmmmm, that’s delicious.” She made a production of licking her lips even though there was nothing left on them.

  “Jesus,” he muttered.

  She grinned. He growled.

  Hunger flared low in her belly, a hunger the cakes couldn’t satisfy. But she wanted to draw this out. It was her birthday, and she’d make him crazy if she wanted to.

  She scooped up a bite of carrot cake and offered it to Seth. “You gonna eat?”

  “I’d rather eat you while you eat the cake.”

  His blunt words painted a clear picture in her head. How debauched would it be to lie back on his couch, eating cake while he went down on her? Cheesecake and orgasms—two great things that would be amazing together.

  As much as she now throbbed between her legs, however, she advanced the fork toward his mouth. She wasn’t ready to move on yet. “Maybe another time.”

  He snatched the bite off the fork, tiny bits of frosting catching on his mustache.

  “You have a little right here.” She traced her finger over his upper lip, pressing the coarse hairs against him. Then she ran her nail along the seam of his lips until he drew her finger inside.

  His tongue wrapped around her fingertip, stroking and sucking and feeding the fire in her belly. Maybe she should consider his offer to have all the cake while he feasted on her. The way his tongue played over her finger was reminiscent of how he used it on her clit.

  With a shudder, she pulled back. “Eat the cake. I want my other presents.”

  She deliberately used the plural, even though there was only one wrapped gift. Because, of course, he was the gift she really wanted.

  They made quick work of the cake, with some chatting about their weeks. It had become their routine, as much as they had one. Maddie usually spent the night at Emilia’s on Friday, allowing them to be together, to touch and kiss and have as much sex as they wanted.

  Sometimes Carrie wished they could go to a movie or out for dinner, instead of eating in and watching movies. But it was hard to be too upset when she got so many mind-blowing orgasms out of the arrangement. Some nights they even cuddled on the couch while she sketched ideas for her comics textbook and he studied his playbook. It beat the hell out of sitting alone half watching a rom-com and wondering why she couldn’t find a guy like Billy Crystal or Ryan Reynolds.

  Seth wasn’t Hugh Grant in any of his dozen aw-shucks roles, but since the sex was more out of something NC-17, she was quite content.

  “We gotta stay on top of our game for the rest of the season. St. Louis is two games behind us, but they have a cakewalk schedule the rest of the year, except next week against us. Colorado Springs is just one game back. And they’re our last game.”

  He set his plate on the table and ran his hand absently up and down her thigh. It sent pleasant warmth to her core.

  “And you need to be ahead of St. Louis and Colorado Springs to go to the playoffs?” She was still figuring out how it all worked. He’d mentioned wild cards a few weeks ago and she still didn’t understand what that meant.

  “And Vegas. But if they lose one more game, their record is too bad to make the playoffs at all. Even if we lose our last four, we’d be ahead of them.”

  She shook her head. “I never knew how much math was in football.”

  He huffed out a laugh. “It’s all about numbers. Player stats. Team stats. Odds. Hypothetical scenarios.”

  “Math and physics. I should have become a fan years ago.”

  He curled his lips into a smile that made her go soft inside. “You a fan now?” He swung her legs over his again and tugged her over until her butt rested against his thigh.

  She slid her hand up his chest, resting it on his shoulder. “It would appear so.”

  Grinning, he leaned in for a kiss. His tongue slid along her lips, then inside, and she melted into him.

  “You taste like cake,” he murmured against her mouth.

  “So do you.”

  “How about I give you your birthday orgasm now?” His beard scraped her, making her shiver, as he dragged his mouth to her neck.

  “Just one?” She put a pout in her voice even though she knew what his response would be.

  “For your birthday. Maybe another to make up for not being able to give you one on your actual birthday Wednesday. The rest are because you make me crazy and I can’t keep my hands off you.”

  “Well, if that’s the case…”

  She let him drag his mouth down her neck until he reached the spot where it met her shoulder. He sucked hard, knowing it made her squirm. The pleasure was intense. She dug her nails into his shoulder and made a desperate sound.

  His hands slid up the back of her shirt, warm on her skin but still making her shiver. With a twist of his fingers, he had her bra unhooked, and shoved both garments over her head and off. They dropped out of sight as he arched her toward him and closed his lips over one tight nipple.

  Carrie let out a long, low moan. She wanted to collapse onto the couch, but the way they were sitting, he wouldn’t be able to come with her. So she clung to his chest and let him hold her up as he feasted on her breasts.

  “Screw cake. You’re delicious.”

  The compliment made her shudder; he moaned his approval into her skin.

  It was good. So good. Like it always was. But he was derailing her plan. Maybe it was silly, but she wanted to know what was in that box.

  Still, maybe another minute. He was too good at playing with her breasts.

  He was so good at everything involving her naked body.

  When he slid a hand between her legs, stroking her through her yoga pants, she couldn’t help rocking into him. But then she clamped her thighs on his hand so he couldn’t move.

  “Stop a second.” She hated how breathy she sounded. She was aiming for firm.

  Seth lifted his head and sat back, pulling her up with him. His eyelids were heavy over his blazing eyes. “For the record, I love your tits.”

  Again his blunt words turned her on more than they should. “And you can have them back as soon as I get my other present.”

  �
�My cock isn’t all you need?” This time, his grin was over the top and made her laugh.

  “Much though I love it, and definitely plan to enjoy it very soon”—his eyes narrowed and his hand tightened on her thigh—“girls like gifts.”

  He made a frustrated sound, but reached for the box. “I do want to see it on you.” He set the box in her lap, then traced a light finger up her side.

  She shuddered.

  He gave her nipple a flick before returning his hand to her thigh.

  What did it say about her comfort level around Seth that she could sit there with him, topless, and not get self-conscious? She generally liked her body, but that didn’t mean she was comfortable sitting around half naked.

  Shaking off the musings, she ran her hand over the heavy wrapping paper. “Nice touch.” He’d found a glossy dark green paper with a subtle vine pattern in it. It was a little different from ivy, but she appreciated the sentiment.

  He winked at her. “I saw it in the airport gift shop, of all places. You better appreciate it, cuz I took some serious shit for buying that. Fortunately, it also worked well to beat back the jackasses on the flight back from Seattle.”

  She laughed softly. “I do appreciate it.”

  “Do me a favor?”

  “Hum?”

  “Laugh again.”

  Carrie gave him a strange look. “I can’t laugh if there’s nothing funny. That’s weird.”

  “Yeah, but it makes your tits bounce and it’s really hot.”

  For the second time that evening, she backhanded his chest. “You’re terrible.”

  “Never said I wasn’t.” His gaze didn’t leave her breasts. Her nipples ached, the heavy desire approaching the line where desire became painful.

  “Stop distracting me and let me open my present. Then you’ll get back to delivering my other presents faster.” She was getting a little breathless.

  Seth tore his focus away from her chest and looked back to the box. Carrie neatly sliced through the tape with her fingernail and removed the wrapping paper in one piece, revealing a white Macy’s box.

  “It’s not from Macy’s. I actually got it at this boutique in Houston.”

  “I’m intrigued.” She lifted the lid and pushed apart the green tissue paper.

  Before her appeared the most beautiful green and black corset she’d ever seen. She lifted it out of the box and held it up.

  The main bodice was a heavy green silk brocade, with a subtle pattern of black vines winding over the green. The fabric that covered her breasts had a bit of stretch to it, which she’d never seen before.

  Up the center, six silver buttons held it closed. It also laced up the back with a black satin ribbon.

  It was gorgeous and perfect and so thoughtful and intimate, and dammit, she was going to cry.

  “It’s beautiful,” she managed to stammer, her voice barely a whisper.

  “So are you,” he returned, just as softly. He smoothed hair off her face, tucking it behind her shoulder.

  “Thank you. I can’t begin to tell you how much I love it.” It felt like he’d reached inside and read her heart. Which was ridiculous; he’d seen her do cosplay. Of course he knew she liked Poison Ivy clothes.

  But he’d paid attention and knew her current corset was wearing out. She’d bought it secondhand, and the fabric was starting to fray. She’d had to resew in several of the boning strips because they kept poking through the fabric.

  His smile was so brilliant, genuine, and warm, full of casual affection and for the moment none of the sexual spark that burned so strong between them.

  He’d bought her sexy lingerie, sure. But it wasn’t about sex. It was because he knew her as a person. And he cared.

  She swallowed hard and pushed the thoughts out of her head. She wasn’t prepared for where they could lead.

  So she swung her legs off his lap and to the ground, turning her back to him. “Tie me up?”

  She held the corset to her front, the brushed cotton lining so much softer than the polyester of her old one. The lining even had underwire sewn in to give her more support, rather than being crushingly tight like many of the corsets.

  “I’d love to.”

  He gathered her hair in one hand, then slid it over her shoulder. His fingertips trailed along her bare skin, making her shiver.

  Then he went to work on the laces, gently tugging and adjusting until the garment hugged her snugly but not too tight.

  When he was done tying it at the bottom, he set his hands on her shoulders, leaned his chin on one next to his hand, and spoke softly into her ear. “It’s perfect.”

  It felt perfect. Like it had been custom-made for her. “I can’t believe how perfectly it fits.” She turned back to face him, letting him see his gift from the front.

  His finger traced along the edge, making her suck in her breath as it dipped into her cleavage. “It better. I had them customize it for you.”

  “How do you know my measurements?”

  His cheeks got red, and even his nose and ears looked a little pink. With a sheepish smile, he said, “I might have dug up your Ivy corset and measured it. I noticed in Chicago that yours was getting a little ragged, then at the club I saw you had to keep pushing that one stick-thing back in place.”

  “Boning,” she corrected, almost choking on the word. He’d paid so much attention.

  He knew her so well, he’d thought of the perfect gift. And he’d gone out of his way to make it even more perfect for her.

  Oh God. Oh God, not good. Red alert. She was so dumb. Part of her had known it would happen, but another, much larger part had convinced herself it was OK, she wouldn’t be that careless. That larger part was wrong.

  She was in love with Seth.

  Chapter 16

  His gift, and so many other things about how he treated her, said their relationship had evolved into more than sex for him too. His gift was a clear indication he cared. But the idea that she was alone in her love for him was frightening.

  She looked up at him and found him watching her, his expression so tender and beautiful, she could barely contain all the emotions pressing out against her chest. Trying to escape.

  “What are we?”

  The words flew out of her mouth before she knew she was going to speak. Instant regret surged through her. They’d already established what they were: two adults having casual sex because of mutual attraction. She was the idiot who’d gone and broken the rules by falling in love.

  At least she hadn’t blurted that out.

  Seth blinked a few times, like he was processing the question. Or stalling for time, wondering how to get out of the conversation she’d sprung on him.

  Except maybe it was good to get it out there. He obviously hadn’t fallen in love with her. But the lengths he’d gone to for her present, the way he watched comic book movies and rom-coms with her, how he listened to her talk about wanting to work comics and graphic novels into the curriculum, they all indicated he cared. She was more than a hookup.

  “Are you asking about our relationship? Is that what you mean?”

  They had a relationship. That was something. “I guess. Um, yes.” She shook her head. “Never mind. I don’t even know where that came from. It just flew out of my mouth before I knew I was going to say anything. Let’s forget I did.” She started to stand. “Let’s—”

  “Carrie.” Seth wrapped his hand around her wrist and gently tugged, asking her to sit back down.

  She did, and met his serious gaze. Her heart pounded so hard she thought it might burst through and tear a hole in her brand-new corset.

  “Do you want to be my girlfriend? Is that what you’re asking?”

  Yes! “No.” She shook her head for emphasis. She wouldn’t be clingy and push him into more than he wanted. “I mean, we agreed thi
s was casual. We don’t need to…”

  Something in his expression dropped, causing her words to trail off.

  Looking at his hand on her wrist, he said, “Yeah, OK. I mean, you’re right. That’s what we said.”

  Thick, uncomfortable silence settled over them and Carrie struggled to fix what she’d done. She wanted sexy, playful Seth back. Not confused, disappointed-looking, silent Seth.

  “Wait, do you—”

  “It’s just that—”

  He chuckled, rubbing his thumb back and forth over her wrist.

  The small touch warmed her, bringing back a little of the lighter mood.

  “You go,” she said quickly. Because she wasn’t entirely sure what she’d been about to say. And blurting things out had worked so swell last time.

  He kept watching his hand on her wrist, his thumb soothing her wild pulse. “I guess I kinda already think of you as my girlfriend.”

  “Oh.” She sat up straighter. “Um, OK. I didn’t realize that.”

  She was his girlfriend! The most amazing man she’d ever met, the man she’d fallen in love with, thought of her as his girlfriend. Hallelujah, praise the angels, her heart squeezed happily.

  Slowly he lifted his head and met her gaze. His expression shifted from sad to puzzled. “Do you…is that OK?”

  She nodded rapidly. “Yes. Yes, that’s more than OK.” Oh my God, he was nervous. Seth Chamberlain—her big, brave gladiator, the Iron Man of the Gridiron—was nervous that she might not want to be his girlfriend.

  His beard tickled her palm as she laid it against his cheek. “It’s still gotta be secret, I understand that. But having a secret boyfriend sounds all kinds of naughty fun.” Messed up, but naughty fun.

  He covered her hand with his, pulled it to his mouth and pressed his lips to her palm. One side of his mouth curled up in a roguish smile. “It does.”

  He kissed her palm again, this time scraping his teeth along the skin. Then he dragged his tongue up her arm until he reached her collarbone, where he settled in to feast on her skin.