Текст книги "The Rub Down"

Автор книги: Gina Sheldon

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Текущая страница: 12 (всего у книги 15 страниц)

Chapter Twenty-two

Alexa

I was so nervous when I heard the doorbell ring. What if he didn’t like my dress? What if I tripped and fell at the hotel? What if my breath was so awful after dinner, Luke wouldn’t want to kiss me? Such silly thoughts swirled in my head as I walked to the stairs.

But my nerves and breath escaped when I got my first look at Luke in his tux. It was clearly custom made for him, fitting like a glove over every muscle. The orange tie popped off his crisp white shirt, and I was pleased he opted for a vest versus the cummerbund he threatened all week. More importantly, the smile on his face and the glimmer in his eye made me realize I was nervous for nothing. It was Luke, and he’d love my dress even if it were made of burlap. He would catch me if I fell, and he would kiss me no matter what my breath smelled like.

After we said goodbye to Addison, we headed down the stairs to meet the car. As I suspected, Luke could not keep his hands off me. Once we settled in the back seat, he was forced to move his arm, but he did so begrudgingly.

“Did you wear this dress to drive me crazy all night?” Luke whispered in my ear, nuzzling the sensitive skin behind my ear.

“You don’t like it?” I replied shyly.

“I absolutely love it. With your hair up, and this dress, I pray no one notices the hard-on I’ll be sporting all night.”

“You like my hair up? I didn’t know that. I always wear it down when I see you.” I looked over at him, a quizzical look on my face.

“You’ve never noticed how I always sweep your hair to the side so I can kiss you here?” He trailed his finger lightly down my neck, leaving a line of goose bumps in its path. “You have the sexiest neck I’ve ever seen. So long and slender. I want to lick and suck on it all night. Among other things.”

I hadn’t noticed, but then again, I was always too turned on to even remember my own name when he was near me.

“Good to know.” I steadied my voice, trying not to show him how his words affected me. “Explain the fascination with my back. You’ve seen that more than any other part of my body. Nothing special there.”

“You have no idea. Your skin is so soft and silky. It has the most perfect curve to it, and two dimples right above your ass. Every time I see them, I want to lick and caress them. Your tattoo’s sexy as hell. I love the translation. It means something to you, and I can’t wait to find out why you chose those words.”

Wow! I had never had a guy say anything remotely that special to me.

“Thank you. You know how to make a girl blush. You’re as good with your words as you are with your hands.” I kissed him for speaking such sweet sentiments.

When we arrived in front of the Westin Copley Hotel, the driver got out and opened our door. Luke climbed out and helped me from the car. The hotel had been used as a command center for the bombing investigation. I thought it was great they brought the gala full circle.

Since the event was a huge fundraiser for the One Fund, the organizers went all out. There was a red carpet and press everywhere. Many high-powered politicians, some Boston-raised celebrities, and successful business owners attended. I had heard rumors all week about who was coming. The list blew my mind. I was a simple girl, yes, and I worked for many wealthy people, but zero celebrities were on our client list. I prayed I didn’t fan girl and embarrass Luke or myself.

We posed for society page photographers in front of the big Boston Strong, One Fund backdrop before heading in. The crowd swarmed around the lobby as greeters tried to corral us toward the banquet room for the night’s festivities. Various business owners from Newbury Street stopped us. Luke introduced me to everyone as his girlfriend, and even talked about Dress Me Up. A few of the wives were interested in my services, even asked if I had business cards on me. Unfortunately, I carried only a few in my small clutch. I never expected to run out so soon. For me, the night was more about raising money and having a great night with Luke than drumming up business.

Finally, we made it to the room where the dinner and dancing were. The silent auction items were in a smaller banquet room across the hall.

“Let’s find our table first, and then head over and see the auction items,” Luke suggested as we weaved through the tables and chairs.

The room was the most glamorous thing I’d seen before. When I looked up to the ceiling, I noticed twinkle lights and hanging stars draped from one side of the room to the other, mimicking a golden nighttime sky. Tables clothed in ivory linens held large floral arrangements in the center. The orange palette of long stem orchids, tulips, and roses were stunning. Three-foot tall vases created height throughout the room. Some had equally gorgeous, small arrangements. Eight gold Chiavari chairs nestled around each. Ours was located near the dance floor and the stage, and empty when we arrived, leading me to wonder who we were dining with.

“Would you like something to drink?” Luke asked as we headed out of the main ballroom to check out the auction and bar.

“I’d love a glass of champagne, but after that, I’ll just be drinking water. You won’t be able to get me drunk and take advantage of me tonight.” I gave him a wink to let him know I was kidding.

“I wouldn’t dream of taking advantage of you. I’ll only have one drink as well.”

He really was sweet and considerate.

*****

Luke

Since we stepped out of the limo, every man’s eyes had been glued to Alexa. Besides looking drop dead gorgeous in her dress, no one knew who she was. She was a complete unknown. I couldn’t believe how many people stopped by to say hello to us. I wasn’t the one who brought them over. I wasn’t that interesting of a business owner. She was the one who had them giving their well wishes. All the women flocked to our table once they heard about Dress Me Up and discovered her business partner designed and made her dress. She and Addison were going to be very busy with new clients in the next few months.

The silent auction was top notch. Besides The Rub Down’s contribution, there were Red Sox versus Yankees box seats, dinner for two at the finest restaurants in Boston, and weekends at five star resorts up and down the New England coast. Alexa lingered the longest at the weekend getaway to the Bahamas. After this past winter, the beach trip got a lot of attention. I put bids in on a few of those. The thought of Alexa all to myself, at a resort with no interruptions, sounded like heaven. Plus, I would kill to see Alexa in a bikini all day. Even if I didn’t win a trip, I would take my girl away when life settled again after the marathon. She earned it with all her hard work.

*****

Dinner was delicious. The beef Wellington was cooked to perfection, as well as the asparagus and little roasted potatoes. Our table was filled with business owners from Back Bay, the prestigious neighborhood in Boston. Most had storefronts on Newbury Street as well. Alexa made some great connections with some boutique owners, which I was thrilled about for her. I was so proud to have her next to me. She was a remarkable woman who was smart, social, and sexy as sin, and she captivated everyone around us.

Throughout the night, I couldn’t stop touching Alexa. Even during dinner, I ate with a hand resting on her thigh. She anchored me to the room. The night was high energy, high profile, and high class. As the owner of a spa with a dirty name, I never dreamt I would be in a room with this many powerful people.

The spa was my and Danny’s dream. But one day, the right person walked into The Rub Down and loved our services. That right person had many influential friends. Word got out how great the spa was, and business boomed. We moved to an even better location, and we received invitations to squash games at the country club and golf games on Martha’s Vineyard. Somehow, we were brought into the inner circle. Being a member of the business community became important. I was able to do bigger and better things for Boston. Because I was so blessed, I gave wherever I could.

I also never dreamed I would have this gem on my arm for the night.

Finally, the long drawn out dinner and speeches were over, and the band started playing more lively songs in an effort to get couples to dance. While some couples hit the floor, others headed to the auction room to make their final bids.

I stood up, placed my napkin on the table, and looked down at Alexa, holding out my hand. “Dance with me.”

She placed her delicate palm in mine, allowing me to pull her into my arms. “I’d love nothing more, tiger.”

I absolutely loved that she called me tiger. It made me feel on top of the world, and hard as a rock.

As I led her to the dance floor, the band started to play “You Raise Me Up” by Secret Garden. We found our place next to other couples, and I drew her to me, her right hand in mine, my other on the bare skin at the small of her back. She laid her head against my chest, and let me lead her around the dance floor. I sang the words along in her ear. The song was beautiful, and I felt every word.

Before it was over, Alexa looked up at me. “I should be singing this song to you. Without you these last few weeks, I would be a mess, and on Monday, you’d find me hiding under my covers and not at the starting line. Thank you for lifting me up.”

Her words slammed into me, straight to my heart. I wiped a stray tear from her face before I captured her mouth in a life-changing kiss. Her lips softly slid over mine, like a dance. Her body relaxed as she wrapped herself around me in a tight hug.

At that moment, life couldn’t get any better. I was falling in love with Alexa, and falling fast.

When I lifted my head from where it rested on hers, I gazed into the sea of people. And my eyes locked with one person I didn’t expect to see at such a classy event.

Theresa Morgan.

Chapter Twenty-three

Alexa

Our night was better than I could have imagined. Luke was the perfect gentleman. Almost too perfect. Where I wanted to haul his fine ass to a coat closet and molest him, he was happy to lightly caress my back. My blood boiled with need for him, and he seemed cool as a cucumber.

Shit, when he sang “You Raise Me Up” to me, I was ready to explode. The man oozed sex appeal, and I needed him naked and above me, as soon as possible. Once the song ended, I excused myself to touch up my makeup and cool down, and asked Luke to grab a few waters in my absence. No longer wanting to wait until after the marathon to be with him, I needed time to formulate a plan to seduce Luke. I wanted him as soon as we got home, and I was going to get him.

The luxurious bathroom was crowded when I entered. While I waited for a stall, I checked my makeup in the mirror. As I touched up my lipstick, a way-too-dolled-up wannabe woman walked into the room, wearing a tawdry red dress from a teenybopper store. She emptied her enormous purse, and set up shop right next to me.

“I know you. You’re a client at The Rub Down.” She spun her head toward me, her lacquered hair not moving an inch with the movement. “Luke’s a fine piece of ass, huh?”

“I’m sorry, what? Who are you?” I replied, annoyed with this stranger’s question.

“I’m Theresa. You ran into me, literally, weeks ago after that bitch receptionist said you saw Luke. Then you were with my Luke when I was supposed to be with him a few days ago.”

Oh, shit. This was the Theresa who wanted in Luke’s pants. I didn’t put two and two together the other day.

“Ah, yeah, sorry about that. Good seeing you again.” I needed to get away from her. She couldn’t know Luke and I were at the gala together.

Before I could scoot past her, she grabbed my arm, stabbing her fake French manicured Lee Press On nails into my skin. “I saw you here with him. He gives amazing happy endings, right? His tongue’s as amazing as his hands, huh?” She was in my personal space, and making me claustrophobic.

Nausea curled in my stomach. Not because I believed her, but because the look in her eyes was certifiable. I knew her brand of crazy. She was going to make trouble. Luke wouldn’t touch the skank with a ten-foot pole.

“Let go of me, please.” I yanked my arm from her grip, her nails leaving dents in my skin. “Luke and I are just friends. I’m running the marathon on Monday, and he was treating me during training.”

“That doesn’t explain his tongue down your throat. I just didn’t realize that I was one of many with him.” She turned and looked in the mirror, batting her eyelashes. “I knew the spa was full service, but I thought Luke was discreet about the extras he gave out.” The chick wore an evil grin plastered on her clown face.

“Did you have to pay extra for his mouth services? He gave me a discount since I’m a regular there.” She just kept talking in a hushed tone so no one else could hear her, trying to get a rise out of me. Sadly, the more she talked, the more uncertain I became. “And that tattoo? That flower is sexy as sin on him. He took off his shirt one day so that we were on fair playing ground.” Oh God, how the hell did she know about that? It wasn’t visible when he had a shirt on. “He let me oil up my hands and rub them all over his abs.”

Bile rose up my throat.

“Tiffany, an esthetician that works there, said Luke had this girlfriend recently who busted into his treatment room while Luke was all over a married woman under the sheets. She dumped his cheating ass.”

I just wanted her to shut the fuck up.

“You’re a liar who couldn’t stand that Luke rejected you. Get a life, and shut that nasty big mouth of yours.” I couldn’t let her continue. I hated the tiny bit of doubt she placed in my head. He said I was the first. But was I, really?

I picked up my clutch and left. She was vile, and I didn’t want her in my headspace. After my altercation with the lying tramp, I took a few minutes, gathered myself, and returned to where Luke was talking to a few friends, my head held high. I refused to bring Theresa up at the gala or start drama in the middle of an event and cause a scene. We would talk about it in the car or at home. Until then, my big girl panties were up, and a smile plastered on my face.

When I reached Luke, I slid my arm around his waist, snuggling right up to him. He looked down at me and brushed his lips across my forehead before returning his attention to his friends.

The rest of the night flowed with great conversation and more slow dances where he held me tight. Though I hated the conversation we would have later, I had to put my doubts to rest where they belonged. Luke also needed to know the trouble that girl could stir up for him and the spa.

*****

Luke

One great thing about being a massage therapist was having the ability to read someone else’s body language. For the first half of the evening, Alexa’s body was relaxed, and carried no stress or worries. She smiled easily and enjoyed herself…

Until she returned from the bathroom. After then, her shoulders were raised and tense, her smiles a bit more forced, and her laughter harder to come by. If I didn’t know her body as well as I did, I wouldn’t have picked up on these simple cues. But I knew every muscle, memorized them with each session. Something happened during that bathroom visit. The only thing I thought it could be was Theresa. That girl’s elevator didn’t go to the top floor. I knew it before, but I was more convinced after her behavior at the gala. She stared at me the entire evening, and when I caught her, she gave me a catty grin. Every time I stepped away from Alexa, Theresa was at my side, making mindless, stupid conversation, and touching me one time too many. Personal space was not a concept she understood. I lost my patience, but there were too many people around to be as direct as I wanted to be.

The night was winding down with guests trickling out of the ballroom. The early fundraising total was close to three million dollars. But not every cent was counted yet, so that number would be even higher in the end. The money would help those affected by the bombing.

“You ready to go? I’m ready to have you all to myself,” I said, looking down at her face, trying to read her mood.

“Yeah, tiger, I’m ready to get out of these shoes. My feet are killing me.” A little twinkle appeared in her eyes, which I took as a good sign.

“I’ll take care of those once we get to my place.”

“Oh, we’re going back to your place, are we?”

Her teasing eased some of my worries about her earlier mood change. If she was pissed at me, she wouldn’t tease me. She would be throwing attitude around now that no one was in earshot.

“How presumptuous of me. Alexa, I would really like to bring you to my house, strip you out of your sexy dress, slide one of my t-shirts over your beautiful body, and rub your feet until you cry out my name. Then I want to carry you to bed and tuck you in next to me so I can wake up to the most beautiful view in the whole city. What do you think?” I felt a shiver slide over her whole body at my words.

“I think that would work for me, but we do need to chat first.” She smiled at me as she grabbed my hand, giving it a squeeze.

“Fair enough. I’ve been dying to know what’s been on your mind for the last few hours. Let’s get our car. We can cuddle up on my couch and talk.”

We walked out into the chilly night to wait for the car to reach us. The heaters above the doors were on, but I rested my coat, which dwarfed her small body, over her shoulders.

Our car finally arrived at the front after waiting in the limo line. We climbed in and quietly travelled the ten-minute drive home. Michael Bublé played softly in the background as I brought her body to mine, soaking in the feel of it. I hoped whatever we needed to talk about was easily fixed, and we would be able to move past it.

Chapter Twenty-four

Luke

My hopes of getting Alexa in less clothing as soon as we returned home were dashed when she curled up on the couch under my favorite blanket. Her shoes laid by the door where she shed them the second we crossed the threshold.

“Do you want anything before I sit down?” I asked, hoping to stall for more time.

“No, I’m good. Let’s have this out so we can carry on with your plans for the rest of our night.”

I sat on the opposite end of the couch from her, angled my body to face her, and placed her feet in my lap so I could rub them. Touching her was vital to me, and I knew she would never refuse a foot massage after four hours in heels.

“So, tell me what’s in that pretty head of yours. What happened in the bathroom?” I asked.

“That girl Theresa happened. She followed me to start shit. Unfortunately, she remembered me from the other day with you at the Zen room. I had smacked into her a few weeks ago when I was leaving, not knowing who she was. She was right behind me when I turned around after talking to Jess. She heard your sister ask me how my session with you went. So, when she saw us together tonight, she realized we were more than client and therapist.” Alexa took a deep breath, gearing herself to tell the rest of the story. “She said you always provide ‘happy endings’ to clients for a fee, and you don’t charge her as much since she is a regular at the spa.”

Fuck, this was worse than I thought. Danny was going to flip his lid.

“She wouldn’t shut up. She kept going on about how an ex-girlfriend of yours walked into the treatment room while you were being inappropriate with a married woman. Said I wasn’t the first client you’ve dated.”

Alexa’s voice started to quiver, and I began to freak out that she believed the lies.

“Lex, babe, you know she’s lying, don’t you? I would never touch her in a million years. I’ve never been with any of my clients, for that matter. I swear you are my first. You can ask anyone. They’ll tell you.” I paused to make sure I was being as clear as possible. Alexa needed to believe me. “As for my exes, they all had issues with my job. None of them could handle that I touched other women for a living, but I was never unfaithful to any of them. Never. And yes, my ex Jennie did interrupt a session with a client, but my hands were not under the sheets where they didn’t belong. And how the hell did she even know that piece of info?” I felt panic pulsing through my veins. I could not lose Alexa over this.

“Some girl Tiffany told her.”

Elle was getting a raise for firing that bitch.

“Speaking of her knowing shit, she knew about your tattoo. She said you let her touch you.”

“Fuck no. I would never let her touch me, or would I ever take my shirt off for her.” I wanted to pace around the room, but as soon as I broke contact with Alexa, I would feel even worse, and so would she. “She asked me about it weeks ago. She, of course, wanted me to take my shirt off and show her, but instead, I showed her a picture from my phone. You’ve got to believe me.”

“Luke, I know she’s lying. I do believe you. Deep down, I know every word you’re saying is true. But I’ll admit she rocked me a little, and I’m sorry I let it. We’re just so new, and my feelings for you are so strong.” Her shaky voice sounded so uncertain. “And you refuse to have sex with me. I understand the rule and all, but it’s just been a blow to my ego.”

“Lex, baby, come here. I need you closer.” I moved her so our knees touched, and we faced each other. “I’m sorry that my backing away has made you feel that way. I want you so bad that it scares me. The last thing I want is to mess this up with you.”

“It’s not Theresa that makes me doubt you.” A vein in her neck pulsed, and she swallowed several times. “It’s… It’s… It’s you. I want to give myself to you, but you’re holding back.” Her gaze drifted to the floor, and her voice grew small and quiet. “And I’m scared, too, Luke. I want to be special to you.”

“I don’t mean to be holding back. You’re all I think about. You’re more than special to me,” I pleaded as I placed her in my lap. I grabbed the sides of her face, looking straight into her eyes.

“I’m falling hard for you, Luke.” Her eyes searched my face. “But will you be there to catch me?”

Her words struck me hard. I answered her by crushing my lips to hers. I needed to consume her.

Standing with her in my arms, I carried her to my bedroom, our mouths fused together. The need to show her I felt the same way about her pulsed through me. I broke our connection to set her down at the foot of my king size bed. As I stared down at her, I whispered, “Only if you catch me, too.”

My fingers drifted behind her neck to unbutton the tiny clasp, and then slowly unzipped her dress down the side. I dragged the sleeves down her arms, placing kisses along her skin as I went. Breathing her in, I caressed her soft skin as I brought it lower.

The gown finally pooled at her feet, leaving her in her light blue lace bra and thong. She never looked more beautiful to me.

I lifted her under her arms and slid her onto the middle of my bed. She laid there, staring with hooded eyes as I shed my clothes. I wanted to give her a little show, but as I gazed down at the perfect woman for me, almost naked, I picked up my speed. I couldn’t wait anymore. I wanted to touch her and tease her until she begged for more.

Once my shirt joined the pile with her dress, I crawled up my bed to the woman of my dreams. I stared down, bracing my body over her. Her clear blue eyes locked on mine. She dragged her fingers up my arms, around my shoulders, and up my neck, pulling my lips to meet hers. The kiss was slow and meaningful.

Her mouth fit mine as though they longed to be fused until the end of time. I slid my tongue over her seam, begging for entry. Begging for more. Needing more of her. She opened for me, and our tongues tangoed a sultry dance.

“Let me worship your body tonight,” I said as I brought my lips over her jaw to her neck. Please was her only response as I nipped, licked, and sucked my way to the tops of her heaving breasts. I unclasped her bra, revealing rosy nipples taut from the cool air, begging for my attention. Heavy with desire, her breasts fit perfectly in my hands. Her back bowed, and I captured one with my mouth, teasing it with my tongue and teeth. Alexa’s moans spurred me on. With one hand massaging her right breast, my mouth massaged the other.

“Luke, please don’t stop tonight,” she begged as her nails raked down my spine, making me harder than I already was.

“I’ll take care of you, I promise.” I nibbled my way down her tight stomach, tasting her skin as I went. Her back arched off the bed when I kissed across the top of her panties. I slid my fingers under the thin material, teasing her sensitive skin.

She lifted her hips off the bed as I slid her thong down her long legs. My gaze followed my motions, taking in Alexa’s gorgeous body. She was waxed bare and glistening with arousal. My tongue swept over my lips, anticipating her taste. I ghosted my palms up her legs, opening her wide for me. I dragged my fingers down her folds and back up as soft and tantalizing as possible, feeling her grow wetter under my touch. Down and up, until Alexa cried out in pleasure.

“Oh fuck, Luke.”

“I’ve got you, Lex.” One finger slid deep inside her, and she clenched around it. She pulsed with desire as I moved in and out, creating a rhythm that had her moaning and panting.

“That’s it, baby, give me all your moans. Let me hear you. Does it feel good?”

“Yes, Luke, it feels so good. I want your tongue,” she said, barely able to form words.

“You’ll get it, don’t you worry.” But first, I needed out of my pants. I was so hard the zipper was embedded in my cock.

I pulled my fingers out of her warmth and brought them to my mouth for a taste. Her eyes followed my every move. She tasted delicious. I wanted to feast on her.

“Wrong way, tiger. I need more, not you leaving me here frustrated.”

I rolled off the bed, and yanked off my pants and boxers.

“Sorry, I needed my pants off.” I climbed between her spread legs, pulling them over my shoulders so I could bury my face in her sweetness.

“Thank fuck.” She moaned as my tongue swept over her clit. I drove my finger back in as I flicked her sensitive nub.

“You taste so good.” At that first sample, I knew I would never get enough of her flavor. Wanting more, I flattened my tongue, licking her from back to front, and driving into her. I was ravenous.

Alexa clawed at my head, begging for release. Giving her what she so desperately wanted, I plunged two fingers into her wetness at a pace that had her coming within seconds. My name echoing throughout the room was music to my ears. She rode her orgasm out on my hand, grinding down hard.

I climbed up her body, wanting Alexa to taste herself on my tongue. As soon as our lips met, her tongue invaded my mouth, desperate for our flavors mixed together. Her desire for me was sexy as sin. I thought I was going to come, right then and there.

“Holy shit, you’ve been holding out on me. Wow.” Alexa breathed out, trying to calm her racing heart.

“Babe, you have no idea. I could do that all night, and not be satisfied,” I said as I rolled beside her.

Alexa reached over, and wrapped her fingers around my hard cock. “You seem to be in quite the predicament there, little Luke.”

“I’d prefer you don’t call him little. It’s clear that he’s large and in charge right now.”

Alexa giggled as her tiny hand moved up and down my throbbing dick. It barely reached around me, but what she lacked in size, she made up in technique. She pumped in such a rhythm that I was on the verge of exploding when she bent down and licked the pre-cum off the tip of my cock. A groan tore through my throat when she wrapped her plump lips around me, sucking me deep into her throat.

Her mouth was so warm and wet. I was going to embarrass myself by coming too fast, but there was no way to stop my release. “Lex, I’m going to come.” I reached for her body to pull her off me, but she just sucked me in deeper, hollowing her mouth. I was a goner, and came down her throat harder than ever before. She swallowed every last drop, and even licked her lips when she was done. I wasn’t sure how I got so lucky. Alexa was the total package, and as a bonus, she gave head like a goddess.

*****

Alexa

I hadn’t had a good orgasm brought on by another person in far too long, and Luke rocked that shit. Magician and musician all wrapped in one fine piece of ass, he pulled my orgasm out of a hat, and played my body like a fine tuned instrument.

He said he would catch me if I caught him. I didn’t think I had ever heard such romantic words in my life. And he didn’t pull away from our intimacy like he had before. Finally, he gave me a piece of himself. I still needed him buried inside me, but I knew it would come in due time.

Who knows how long we laid there caressing each other, and trying to read each other’s mind. This was our time to enjoy and just be together.

Luke broke the silence. “Roll over onto your stomach.”

I did what he asked. He climbed on top of me, straddling my legs. His warm hands grabbed my shoulders, preparing to give me a massage.

“Luke, you don’t have to do this now. I don’t need a massage after what you just did to my body. I’m like liquid.” I tried to be funny, but as I spoke, he trailed his lips behind his hands.

“I’ve wanted to do this to you for so long. Please, don’t stop me,” Luke said between open mouth kisses and love bites down my back.

Goosebumps covered my body as his lips connected with my skin. The feel of him comforted me, while his mouth excited me. Not long after he started the sweet torture, I felt myself grow wet.

“I take that back, don’t stop.”

And thank fuck, he didn’t until I was writhing under him, begging for more. No piece of skin was left uncherished. When he reached my tattoo, he traced every letter with his tongue.

“Why did you choose these words?”

“Because, a very long time ago, someone made me doubt myself as a person. But I know who I am, and I like me.” I took a deep breath. I had moved past that time in my life, and honestly never thought of that person. “Years before I met Addison, I had a friend who didn’t treat me well. She would tear me down so she could feel big.”