I Crave You, page 17
So instead, I quipped, "If you were aiming for amazing, I think you overshot the mark."
Brody chuckled. It was little more than a soft breath of air, but his accompanying smile was different. Affectionate. Even tender. Beautiful.
He pressed another brief kiss to my mouth and whispered against my lips, "Oh, I'm just getting started."
Then, he laughed again when my entire body shivered beneath him.
"We do have all night," I murmured in reply.
His eyes sparked, turning brilliant emerald in the dim lamplight. "Yes, we do. Though you should know you're not leaving until I'm ready to let you go."
Damn, but I liked the way that sounded. Unfortunately, I knew he would be ready to let me go far earlier than I would be ready to leave.
I bit my bottom lip. "I do have to work, you know. Sierra will definitely be calling tomorrow, wondering why I didn't show up."
"I'll tell her you're indisposed."
Despite the strange, heady mix of emotions inside me, I managed to smile. "Indisposed? Is this the nineteenth century? If so, I believe we need a chaperone."
"Too late for that." Brody reached between us and held the base of the condom as he pulled out of me. I must have made a noise because he put his hand on my pubic bone and ran his thumb lightly over my clit and down to my entrance. I took a harsh breath when he brushed a particularly sensitive spot. "But I think we should make use of my tub while we discuss your future kidnapping further."
I lifted my upper body so my weight rested on my elbows. "Will your tub fit the two of us?"
"Come find out," he invited as he climbed off the bed. I couldn't help but stare as he took the condom off and turned to walk into the adjoining bathroom. Now that my mind was no longer clouded with lust, seeing Brody in his full naked glory was mesmerizing.
A bath abruptly sounded like a brilliant idea. I immediately envisioned myself in a huge tub, soapy cloth in my hand, and kneeling in front of Brody, who sat back with his arms stretched along the edge of the bath. Like a sultan waiting for his harem of one.
Maybe I could call in sick tomorrow after all.
21
It turned out that I didn't have to worry about telling Sierra I wouldn't be at work tomorrow.
After our bath, Brody went into the kitchen to grab us something to drink and returned with two glasses of water and my phone.
"Your phone was beeping," he said as he handed both it and the glass of water to me.
I lifted the glass to my lips first because even after a bath, I felt dehydrated. Probably because it hadn't so much been a cleansing activity as an excuse for us to feel each other up which led to sex on the bathroom rug after Brody had broken into another unopened box of condoms he'd unearthed from beneath the sink.
Afterward, I'd teased him about having them stashed everywhere, but he just shrugged and said, "It's a good thing I did."
Since he was right, I left it alone, though I did make a point to check out his linen closet and pull out a third box of rubbers.
"Feeling ambitious, aren't you?" I asked, wagging the box from side-to-side.
He'd flushed but quipped back, "The way I've been feeling the past few weeks, we'll need every single box before Jacks comes back from her mother's."
That shut me up.
I lifted my phone and laughed when I saw what was on the screen.
Sierra had texted me thirty minutes ago and it read—Enjoy the weekend sexfest. You and Lee are on your own next week but I'll cover you til Monday.
I turned the phone toward Brody to show him and he grinned. It was a dangerous expression because it told me he was thinking wicked thoughts.
"I guess this means you're all mine until Sunday night," he stated.
I shrugged. "I don't know. I'll need clothes and toiletries. Deodorant, toothbrush. All that stuff."
Brody crooked a finger at me. After our bath, he'd tugged on a pair of loose athletic shorts and nothing else. Unlike my teen years, I got to stare to my heart's content. Which was a lot.
I was also wearing one of his t-shirts. When I'd asked him if I could borrow something, he'd told me to knock myself out and pointed at his dresser. So I dug around until I found a t-shirt he used to wear a lot his senior year.
The material was white and so thin and worn that my nipples were dark shadows beneath it. It also barely covered my butt.
When I came out of his bedroom wearing it, I thought he was going to haul me right back in there. Or pull me down on the couch.
Instead, he asked, "Are you hungry?"
I plopped my butt on one of the industrial-style stools at his island. "Starving. What are you feeding me?"
"I thought it was your job to make food," Brody said, crossing his arms over his chest and leaning back against the counter next to the fridge.
It took a second for his words to sink in because my brain was still hyper-focused on the picture he created. I took it back, he could absolutely be on the cover of one of my romance novels.
Then, the chauvinistic words sank in.
"Wow, I think we need to discuss your attitude toward women. The nineteen-fifties were a long time ago."
Brody laughed, his eyes bright. "At least you didn't throw something at me like you would have if J.J. said it."
"J.J. thinks women were put on this earth to serve him," I retorted.
"Not really," Brody answered, levering himself away from the cabinet. "He says stuff like that because it riles you up so much. If anyone else says it, he tells them to leave the Stone Ages behind."
"Brothers. Jeez."
He laughed again and opened the fridge. A container of black beans, a bag of Mexican blend cheese, salsa, sour cream, peppers, and a few other ingredients appeared on the island. Brody came out and nudged the fridge door shut with his hip.
"Nachos sound good?"
"Great sex and nachos? I think you're my dream man." I clasped my hands together by my cheek and sighed dreamily.
He grinned and shook his head. "I don't remember you being this easy to please ten years ago."
"Well, I've learned to adjust my expectations."
Brody pulled a cookie sheet out of a lower cabinet next to the stove and turned to look at me. "Adjust?"
"I guess the best way to put it would be to say I lowered my expectations. That way I'm not quite so disappointed when they aren't met."
Brody didn't say anything as he spread aluminum foil over the cookie sheet and started loading it with chips and toppings.
"I hate hearing that," Brody finally stated. "I hate the idea of someone hurting you. But I'm also glad because it means that you're free to be here with me."
Brody looked at me then and I realized that I wasn't the only one out on a limb here. And even if he never felt the same way about me, he would never hurt me. Not intentionally.
"I'm glad I'm here with you, too."
Brody slid the sheet pan into the oven and walked around the island to where I sat. I turned on my stool to face him and he stepped between my thighs. He brushed my hair back from my face then cupped the back of my skull with his hands.
"I never thought we'd be here," he said, studying my face. "I might've dreamed it a time or two."
I rested my hands on his hips, right on the waistband of his shorts. "Same here."
He leaned forward and kissed me lightly. "We're going to give this a shot, right?"
"What are we giving a shot?"
"Us. A relationship. A committed relationship."
I was not expecting this talk. Not yet. We'd only been what could loosely be called dating for a few weeks.
I also wanted to say yes very, very badly. But Brody and I weren't the only ones who were going to be affected by this.
"What about Jacks?" I asked. "How is she going to feel about you having a girlfriend? I know she was the one who suggested it, but saying I should be your girlfriend is a little different than me actually being with you. Vying for your attention."
He rested his forehead against mine. "She's mentioned to me more than once that you'd be a really good girlfriend. And that I shouldn't screw it up."
I laughed a little. "Yeah, but once it's a reality, she might change her mind."
"Jacks knows that she comes first for me. She also wants me to be happy. There will probably be an adjustment period but I think she'll be just fine."
"So we're really doing this?" I asked.
"We'll figure it out, Cam."
The oven dinged and Brody kissed me one more time before he took the nachos out.
We divvied up the food and carried it to the living room.
"Wanna watch the action movie you brought?" Brody asked.
I stuck a huge chip in my mouth and nodded my head.
A little while later, we were done with our food and lounging together on the couch. I had my head on Brody's thigh and his legs were stretched out so his heels rested on the coffee table.
The movie normally would have had my full attention, but my body was reminding me that I'd just broken a long dry spell and I was nowhere near satisfied.
I pressed my thighs together, trying to ignore the ache between them. My nipples hardened and throbbed. I shifted on the cushion, trying to ignore the way desire surged through my body. I wasn't sixteen anymore. I should be able to make it through a damn movie without turning into a sex fiend.
Brody's hand rested on my shoulder. I was hyperaware of his touch as he ran his finger along my hairline. Then he swept it off my neck and behind my shoulder. My breath trembled as his finger trailed over the v-neck of the tee. Then, his hand moved lower and the tip of his finger circled my hard nipple.
I was taking that as an all-systems go.
I sat up, but before I could grab Brody as I intended, he flipped me around so that I faced the back of the couch with my knees on the cushions.
His chest was plastered against my back and he crowded me against the pillows. I could feel the hard ridge of his erection against my ass and I ground back against him.
Apparently, I wasn't the only one turning into a sex fiend.
Brody's mouth latched onto the spot where my neck met my shoulder and I shuddered.
"Please tell me you were squirming every few seconds because you wanted me to do something like this," he said as his hands slipped beneath the hem of the t-shirt to cup my breasts.
I made a noise in my throat when his fingers tugged at my nipples. The surface of the couch was cool against the heated skin of my stomach.
"And this fucking shirt has been driving me crazy all night. I could see your nipples through it as soon as you put it on." One of his hands moved down my torso until he cupped me between my legs. "And you're already wet."
I spread my legs wider as he ran the pad of his finger over my clit. Suddenly, his hands left me and the shirt disappeared from my body. His weight pushed against my upper back until my hard nipples hit the couch and I gasped at the sensation. The microsuede was smooth and cool, like velvet. When Brody moved, the tips of my breasts scraped against the material.
He reached between us and suddenly the silky athletic shorts were gone. I heard a condom wrapper being ripped open. His knuckles brushed against me as he rolled it on.
I arched my back when he put one hand on my hip and tipped my pelvis upward. My breath hitched as the tip of his cock probed my entrance. In one long, slow motion, he thrust inside. I braced myself against the back of the sofa and met the slam of his hips.
Brody wrapped his right arm around my waist and cupped my left breast as his mouth moved back to my neck.
I leaned my head back and reached up to cup the back of his neck. In this position, I could only take what he gave me. His left hand descended to my clit. He gave it a couple of light taps and I gasped at the sensation. I'd never had a man do that to me before. A zing of electricity shot through me, starting from my clit.
I moaned as he did it again. His finger stopped tapping and began circling. I moaned and slammed my hips back harder against his. The angle was deeper in this position.
My fingers curled into the cushions on the back of the couch and I couldn't catch my breath. My legs shook as the pleasure built and built.
Brody slowed down, his thrusts still steady and deep but not quickly enough to push me over the edge.
"Do not stop," I panted.
He bit the side of my throat and chuckled against my skin. It was a wicked sound. "I didn't stop. I'm taking my time."
My right hand released the back of the couch and I reached for his hair, tugging it hard. "Do not tease me right now, Broderick Murphy. I'm not kinky enough to get off on orgasm denial."
"Hmmm..." he hummed low in his throat. "That sounds interesting. We should definitely explore that concept." His hips picked up speed and he slammed into me over and over as he increased the pressure of his finger on my clit. "Later."
I didn't hear a word he said after that because I came so hard I saw stars.
My head fell forward to the back of the couch as my body shuddered over and over. I was vaguely aware that Brody stopped moving in and out of me and that the grip of his fingers on my hips grew bruising. He groaned and his body finally relaxed.
Brody rested his forehead between my shoulder blades and I could feel the warm gusts of air from his mouth as he tried to gain control over his breathing.
My legs shook as a final spasm gripped me. Would it be like this every time we came together? If so, I’d be dead before the end of the year. Or at least unable to walk.
When his erection began to soften, Brody pulled out of me and I couldn't control the sigh that slipped from my mouth. Even after an amazing, all-consuming orgasm, I wanted him inside me.
I collapsed to the side and watched him walk into the powder room just down the hall. He returned a few moments later, his chest gleaming with sweat.
He brought me a glass of water without asking, which I appreciated because I was definitely thirsty after that workout. Even though I hadn’t technically done much of the work.
When I finished the glass, I set it on the coffee table and asked him, “So did you actually hide condoms in the couch cushions? Because that’s one conversation with Jacks I definitely want to miss.”
Brody winced at my question. “Uh, no. But I did stick a couple in my pocket earlier.”
I snatched his shorts off the floor, stuck my hand in one pocket, and pulled out a strip of three condoms. I dropped them on the coffee table next to my glass and reached into the other pocket. There were two more.
“A couple, huh?” I asked.
Brody took the shorts out of my hand and slipped them on. I watched with interest because even though it was like a strip show in reverse, it was still hot to watch.
Then he snatched the condoms out of my hand and tucked them back into his pocket, followed by the packets from the coffee table.
“It pays to be prepared,” he replied as he flopped down on the couch next to me.
I didn’t have the energy to dress nor did I have the energy to move when Brody tried to tug me closer. He grunted as he hauled my limp body into his lap.
I ended up naked and straddling his lap, my chest against his and my forehead tucked against his neck.
He ran a hand down my spine and I moaned a little. It felt so nice to be touched. Not just sexually, but stroked. Cuddled. It was more than desire, it was affection, and I hadn’t realized how starved I was for it until now.
I relaxed against Brody and sighed again.
“Going to sleep on me?” he asked.
“Thinking about it.”
“Then we should do this in bed. I don’t think I have the strength left to carry you back in the bedroom.”
“That sucks,” I muttered. “Because I think my legs are broken. Or at least useless for the next few hours.”
“Think we can prop each other up and stumble down the hall?”
“I guess I’m willing to try if you are.”
Brody scooped up the t-shirt and handed it to me. I didn’t bother trying to put it on, only clutched it to my chest. Then he helped me stand up.
As I suspected, my knees buckled a bit, but Brody put his arm around my waist and helped me balance. I managed to put mine around his shoulders when he tripped a bit.
Together, we staggered from the living room toward his bedroom. We shambled and swayed like two drunks at closing time, but we made it to the bed. Brody stripped the comforter and top sheet down and I crawled beneath them. I barely got out of the way before he joined me on the mattress.
I rolled into him, resting my head in his shoulder, and threw an arm over his waist. Then I lifted my knee and draped my leg across his upper thigh. It took me a second to realize he was as naked as I was and that his shirt had disappeared from my hands somewhere between the living room and bedroom.
I stroked his waist and kissed his sternum right above his heart.
“Night, Brody,” I whispered as I settled my head back on his shoulders.
“Night, Cam.”
He reached over and turned off the lamp. And that was the last thing I remembered.
22
The weekend was amazing. And not just because of all the sex.
Though we did spend hours in bed. I discovered that Brody liked it when I traced the tip of my tongue over his nipples and the line of muscle that extended from his hipbone to his groin.
I also learned that I liked nearly everything that Brody did to me.
But there was so much more.
We talked about everything. What he'd been up to the last seven years. What I'd been up to. Our favorite movies. What kind of music we listened to. I teased him relentlessly about the Taylor Swift songs I found on his playlist when we turned on some music while we cooked dinner Saturday night.
He claimed that Jacks was the TayTay fan, but I heard him sing along with more than one song.
It was comfortable, as though we'd been together for years, but also new. We laughed and joked about things we shared in the past, yet I got the tingles every time he touched me or looked at me a certain way.
The feeling was both strange and welcome. I knew the past version of Brody. The sweet and funny boy who'd been in my life between the ages of eight and fourteen. The arrogant and sometimes downright mean guy who'd broken my heart my freshman year of high school.
