Losing it, p.10
Losing It, page 10
She placed her free hand on his arm and gave him a grateful smile. “And I want you to know that I appreciate you looking out for me the last couple days. You’re a good guy, Blake, and James is lucky to have you as a friend. And so am I.”
Friends. She’d firmly settled him in the friend category now. It should’ve been a relief, but the touch of her fingers on his arm burned through his uniform, heated his blood, and made his dick stir.
“Hey, maybe we can even go hiking Wednesday like we talked about.” Her bright smile was extra grating. “I mean if I’m up for it. I could be a little sore—”
“No, I get it.” He cut her off before she could finish that thought. “Keep me posted.”
She nodded and let go of his arm, then turned to walk back to her car. She paused, glancing at him over her shoulder. “Stay safe out there, Boy Scout.”
A few minutes later, she’d driven away.
Blake let out a seething breath and turned to stare at the firehouse where Reggie was. When Blake strode in a moment later, Reggie was in the kitchen washing dishes.
“We need to talk.”
Reggie glanced back, surprise in his eyes, and dropped the plate. “Oh, hey, man.”
“You’re taking Kristen out tomorrow?”
Understanding dawned in his friend’s eyes, and he gave a short nod. His tone was cautious. “I am. You got a problem with that?”
Yes.
Blake drew in an unsteady breath. “Not if you listen to me carefully. She’s a friend’s little sister. And she’s not very experienced with men.”
“Oh.” Reggie frowned. “Well, that’s cool—”
“No, let me just…be blunt.” Blake thrust a hand through his hair. “She’s a virgin. She’s been looking for someone to hook up with to get a little more experienced, if you know what I mean.”
“Kristen told you all this?” Skepticism was clear on Reggie’s face.
“Yeah. She did. And for the record, this conversation never happened.” No way in hell was he going to admit how he’d ended up as Kristen’s wingman. That Kristen had initially approached him first. “I just want to make sure you know what you’re getting into.”
Damn, Kristen would kick his ass to hell and back if she could hear him now.
When Reggie didn’t immediately reply, Blake cleared his throat. “Are you freaking out?”
“Not at all. I read an article talking about how people are waiting longer to have sex. Makes sense. She seems pretty young still. And everyone has to have their first time at some point, right?” He paused. “Do you think she’ll go all crazy on me or something after?”
“No. You’ll be lucky if she calls you again.”
Disappointment flickered in the other man’s eyes. He adjusted his glasses and shrugged. “Okay, so it’s like that. I’ll be cool with whatever happens—whether she wants to get down and dirty or not. She’s a cute, sweet girl, and I’m pretty excited at the chance to go out with her.”
Shit. Reggie was absolutely getting laid tomorrow.
Everything in Blake screamed to not let this happen. To sabotage this again. But you literally couldn’t find a nicer guy than Reggie.
So why did he still want to punch the excitement off his friend’s face?
Blake balled his hands into fists and sighed.
Reggie cleared his throat. “Hey, what kind of flowers do you think she’d like?”
It was official. This was the second circle of hell.
*
“So, it’s really happening? You found the one?”
Kristen tightened the towel around her body and glanced over at Tori, who was sitting on the hotel bed. “I did. It’s so crazy, but I’m excited.”
After thinking it through, Kristen had decided to book a room at a nearby hotel. Bringing a guy back to Tori’s apartment was out of the question, and she didn’t really trust going to Reggie’s place yet. A hotel room had seemed neutral. Tori had driven her here but didn’t seem in a hurry to leave.
Kristen grabbed the bottle of strawberry-scented lotion out of her backpack and applied it to her legs. “I mean, I hope it all works out. He seemed pretty interested.”
“Mm-hmm.” Tori moved off the bed and went to look out the window. “Not much of a view here.”
That had Kristen laughing. “I’m not here for the view.”
When her cell phone buzzed, Kristen grabbed it to check who had texted.
“Who is it?” Tori glanced her way.
“It’s Reggie.” She smiled slightly, typing a reply. “He says he has the perfect restaurant picked out and can’t wait to see me.”
“Nice.” Tori narrowed her eyes. “And you said Blake set you up with this guy?”
“What? No.” Kristen delved into her backpack and pulled out a matching bra-and-panty set and the dress she planned to wear tonight. “Reggie was at the station when I brought Blake his pie. And, well, we hit it off, and he asked me out.”
Tori’s brows drew together. “I really thought you and Blake were going to end up sleeping together. I would’ve staked money on it.”
A stab of disappointment hit, and Kristen turned away before her friend saw her expression. She hung the dress up in the closet to get the wrinkles out. “Yeah, well, he literally would never let that happen. He’s pretty hung up on that whole ‘Bro Code’ thing.”
“They all are. It’s archaic and stupid. Does this Reggie guy know you’re a virgin?”
“No way. And I’m going to keep it that way. We’ll go out to dinner, maybe have some wine to take the edge off, and then, hopefully, get to the sexy stuff like normal people do.” Her phone buzzed again, so she quickly checked the message. “He’s asking if I like oysters.”
“Supposed aphrodisiac. He absolutely hopes to get in your pants.”
Kristen blushed and typed back a quick, flirty reply and asked what time she should meet him.
“Just the fact that he’s texting this much shows how into you he is.” Tori dug her keys out of her purse. “I need to go to work, but please call or text me before noon tomorrow, okay? Let me know you’re okay. Not dead or anything.”
“Ah, like that la petite mort thing?”
“No. Dead from him being an ax murderer, not an orgasm. Speaking of, don’t get your hopes up for having one. It’s your first time out of the gate.”
Kristen’s cheeks heated, and she decided not to address the orgasm comment. “That ax-murderer stuff is so 1980s. And I doubt Blake would let me sleep with someone whose fetish is killing people.”
“You never can be too safe. Speaking of, make sure he wears a condom.” Tori gave her a shrewd look as she shouldered her purse.
“Absolutely. I have a whole box.”
“Good girl. Have fun tonight.” Tori gentled her tone and came around to give her a hug. “I hope you have the most amazing first-time sex possible. Which, like I said, is usually still pretty shitty. So, keep your expectations realistic.”
Amusement had Kristen smiling. “I love you, my pragmatic friend. Now get out.”
“Love you, girl.” Her friend disappeared out the door with one last reassuring glance.
The quiet in the room surrounded her, and Kristen’s nerves rattled to life.
What was wrong with her? This is exactly what she’d been wanting. And Reggie seemed like such a nice guy. This literally couldn’t be any more perfect.
So why the knotted stomach?
She grabbed her bra-and-panty set and slipped into them before grabbing the dress and pulling it over her head.
A quick glance in the mirror showed she was nearly at that fairly attractive stage. Or about as attractive as she could get when she put in the effort.
She’d already dried her hair, so just a little makeup and perfume and she’d be all set.
As she grabbed her makeup bag, she realized it had been about fifteen minutes since her last text to Reggie, and he hadn’t written back yet. That seemed a little weird, especially since she should’ve been leaving to meet him soon.
She went over to the mirror and started on the makeup. She’d only just finished with mascara when a sharp knock sounded on the door.
Tori must’ve forgotten something.
Kristen dropped the mascara on the bathroom counter and went to answer the door. She swung it open. “What did you—Blake?”
He didn’t wait for an invitation but strode past her into the room.
Kristen backed up, her pulse quickening as he closed the door behind him. He looked frazzled with his stubble-filled clenched jaw, messy hair, and wrinkled shirt.
Had he just rolled out of bed?
“What’s going on? How did you know I was here?”
“Tori gave me your room number just now in the lobby.”
He’d run into Tori? “But…how did you know I was even in this hotel?”
Her phone buzzed, and she glanced over at it. She could see Tori’s name but was too far to read the message. Why wasn’t Reggie texting back?
“Look,” she said cautiously, “I’m not really sure what’s going on, but I’m getting ready to leave and meet Reggie for dinner.”
His gaze swept over her from head to toe. “No, you’re not.”
The three words were so clipped and final that her breath caught. And then realization sank in.
He’d done it again.
She shook her head. “Blake, if you—”
“I told him to back off.”
Her stomach sank, and her throat went tight with emotion.
“Why? Why would you sabotage this?” Shock morphed into fury. “Again. Oh my God, I’m so naïve to have trusted you. Get out.” She slapped his chest, pushing him toward the door. “Get the hell out. You’re fired as my wingman.”
He caught her wrists to stop her attack, pulling her flush against him. It was only then she saw the bright, predatory look in his eyes.
Her heart leapt into her throat, and her pulse went into double time.
“Good. I never wanted to be your wingman. I want to be the one in your bed.”
Before she could process his words, his mouth crushed down on hers, driving any desire to argue from her head.
His mouth effortlessly parted hers, his tongue spearing deeply to claim hers. He stroked against her in a hungry demand that had heat detonating inside her with the force of a bomb.
She was only dimly aware of her legs hitting the back of the bed before she fell. She landed on the soft mattress, and a split second later, the weight of Blake’s body covered hers.
He broke the kiss and lifted himself off her just barely, his gaze seeking hers. “If you don’t want this, tell me.”
The unwavering heat in his eyes turned her bones to liquid. This wasn’t about Paul. This wasn’t about Reggie.
This was about her and the way Blake made her feel.
“I want this,” she whispered. “I’m just so glad you finally changed your mind.”
Chapter Twelve
Blake closed his eyes, and a shudder of relief ripped through him.
Thank God.
He’d known on a deep, primal level that she could be his if he made the decision, but there’d still been that tiny seed of doubt that he’d missed his chance.
With her small curves pressing into him and her brown eyes wide with need and anticipation, his dick grew harder.
For a moment, he let himself think of how close she’d come to having Reggie here now. Jealousy—a wild, ferocious beast—nearly overrode his desire.
Tonight, just this one time, Kristen was his. And he’d deal with whatever fallout came with this decision later.
With a growl low in his throat, he lowered his mouth to hers again. Eager to taste her sweetness, which had become his addiction.
She kissed him back feverishly, her tongue darting against his and her teeth occasionally nipping against his bottom lip. Her legs parted enough so he could rest between them.
Even fully clothed, the heat of her burned against his erection. He groaned and ground his hard flesh against her soft center.
He caught the edge of her short dress and dragged it slowly up over her hips, lifting himself slightly to clear her curves.
He slid his gaze downward to the silky, pink bikini panties and pale thighs. He could already feel those smooth legs wrapped around his back.
Damn. He ground his teeth together as his erection strained against his jeans.
Keeping his self-control in check would take supreme effort.
“Tell me if you get nervous. If you don’t like something I do.” He hesitated. “If it hurts.”
She cupped his cheek and gave a small smile. “Stop worrying. I’ve got the gist of this. I’ll be fine.”
She didn’t know everything. She didn’t have a clue the way he was going to go down on her until she came three times. Until her wet, warm body was more than ready to take him.
He dipped his head again and caught her mouth in a slow kiss. She sighed, and her hips lifted against him as she wound her arms around his neck.
When he felt the telltale press of her hard nipples against his chest, his breath caught. He shifted and lowered his head, nuzzling her breasts through the dress.
Her soft moan spurred him on, and he opened his mouth to capture a nipple through the layers of dress and bra.
She sighed, her fingers threading into his hair as she held his head against her.
It wasn’t enough. For either of them. Blake moved into a half-sitting position beside her, tugging at the thin straps of her dress off her shoulders. When he met resistance in pulling it farther, he reached beneath her, found the zipper, and slid it down with ease.
A bit of shimmying and tugging followed to help the dress be free from her body. He tossed it off the bed and focused on her bra next.
Lacy and pink and matched her panties perfectly.
“So damn sexy,” he muttered thickly, fumbling now with the front clasp on her bra.
A moment later, it popped open and her breasts were free. Free to his eyes, to his hands and his mouth.
He used all of them on her, cupping the small mounds in a hand and capturing her pink nipple with his lips.
“Blake.” His name was a whispery plea on her lips.
He drew harder on the tip until she breathed heavily and tugged at his hair. He slid a hand between them, down her belly to cup the silk-covered flesh between her legs. Through the fabric, he could feel the slight dampness and bit back a groan.
She made no such effort and moaned into his mouth, rocking her hips against him.
He rubbed his palm against her, adding pressure and teasing his fingers over her center.
“Blake.” Her breathy whisper caressed his lips. “Please.”
Knowing what she needed, he slipped a finger beneath the fabric and pushed into her slick warmth. The feel of her and the sexy gasp of pleasure she made ripped a groan from him.
“Have you done this before?” He moved his finger slowly in and out of her.
She didn’t answer but gave a small nod.
The brief stab of jealousy surprised him, but it shouldn’t have. It was becoming a common emotion when he thought of other men touching Kristen.
“You ever come like this?”
“No,” she whispered.
“He must’ve been doing it wrong.” He flicked his thumb over her clit, and she bucked against him.
Oh yeah. She was responsive as all hell. Whoever had touched her before had probably been thinking about his own pleasure, not hers.
He rubbed that sensitive nub and shifted his body so he could kiss her again. Her response wasn’t as fevered but more distracted. The way her hips rose against him, he could tell all her focus fell on the pleasure of where he touched her.
He nipped at her bottom lip. “What about having someone go down on you? Have you ever come from that?”
She didn’t answer right away, and he lifted his head to glance down at her. Her cheeks had gone pink, and a hint of shyness glimmered in her eyes. He suspected it was partly from the down-and-dirty talk.
“No, I’ve never tried any of the, um, oral stuff. Performing or receiving.”
“Really?” God, he couldn’t wait to show her what she’d been missing.
Her gaze, which had been clouded with pleasure, grew clearer. Alert. “Blake, don’t take this the wrong way, but I don’t know if I can even come with a guy. I’ve only orgasmed when…um, you know, I’m alone.”
Oh, she could come with a guy. And he was excited as hell to be the first one to prove it to her.
He wasn’t cocky enough to say that aloud, though, and instead murmured, “Just let yourself relax and get into the moment. We’ll see what happens.”
*
Relax?
It seemed so much easier said than done. Though the more he touched her, the more relaxed she got. Or maybe that was the wrong word. Mindless.
The ability to think became impossible.
Thankfully, she didn’t have to when a moment later he flicked a talented finger over her clit again and sent sparkles of pleasure through her.
She bit her lip and let out a soft sigh, lowering her lashes and gaze to watch him touch her.
His large, tan hand moved beneath her panties, hiding the sight of his fingers touching her from her eyes but making it somehow more sensual.
When he rubbed her clit again, an ache built low in her belly. She moved against his hand, wanting more. Needing him to touch her deeper again.
He must’ve known because he flicked one last time before sliding his finger lower and pressing it inside her again.
Her body clenched around the intimate touch, and she let out a shuddering breath.
When he added a second finger, the pleasure mixed with a slight pressure that made her stiffen slightly.
He immediately withdrew his hand from her panties, and she couldn’t stop the cry of protest.
But then his mouth found her breast again, sucking and gently biting her nipple, distracting her and making her squirm. Each time he sucked, pleasure darted in a line from her breast to that spot between her legs.
He pulled away again, but this time, he moved his entire body. She blinked in disappointment, but it was short lived.
“Let’s get these off of you.” He caught the edge of her panties and tugged them down her hips.
