“Any reading actually happening over there?” he asks, not looking up from his book.
“Some,” I mumble, bumping my toes with his beneath the blanket.
He sets the book on his knees. “How are you feeling about the bookshop?”
“I’m feeling like...” I wince. Shit, I’m scared to even say it out loud.
I’ve spent the last week researching everything I can get my hands on—small business loans, other local bookstores, market data, and plenty of other things I don’t completely understand. Barb is probably very sick of my emails, but she has been gracious and helpful anyway. I’ve done everything I can think ofbeforetaking any steps, but the rental space’s phone number has been burning a hole in my pocket, and I think if I don’t do something soon, I might lose all my nerve.
“I’m feeling like I’m going to call the rental company,” I announce, my voice as steady as it can be.
Theo’s eyes sparkle. “Hell yeah.” He sets his book on the ground and crawls over me, kissing me fiercely. “You’re going to be amazing.”
“You think so?” I’m not completely sure of myself, but I’m more confident than I was a few weeks ago.
“I do. No doubt in my mind,” he assures me, echoing my words from earlier.
“You know, Icantraverse the stairs safely now that you’ve fixed the railing,” I point out as Theo carries me over his shoulder, up the stairs.
“And you know, I get off on touching you, so I’ll take every opportunity I can,” he says, tossing me onto the bed.
I giggle as he leaps after me, catching himself before he lands completely. “Hey,” he whispers, his knuckles gliding over my cheek
“Hi.” I curve my hand to his jaw. “Wanna play a game with me?”
“What kind of game?” His eyes dance with mischief. So devastatingly beautiful and charming.
I give him a devilish grin. I’ve been thinking about this for weeks. Slipping a hand under the pillow on my side of the bed, I pull out the pink vibrator. “One where we reenact that time you caught me with this.” His eyes flare and my body goes hot, arousal flooding my veins. “No head injuries or hospital trips this time,” I clarify.
“Yes. Please. Yes. This is my new favorite game.” He lowers his mouth to where my tight nipples are pressing into my top. The thin fabric soaks through instantly, and I’m already losing my breath when he snatches the vibrator from me.
“First, I want to see you spread out like that night. Then I’ll let you play with it,” he says, rising to stand at the end of the bed, exactly where he was that day.
I’m wearing the same soft pajama set with nothing underneath as I take position, letting my knees fall wide and staring at him down the line of my body. “You’ve got a little drool right there,” I tease, pointing toward his mouth.
He drags the back of his hand across his lips. “I’m sure I do. Just look at you.” The mattress dips beneath his weight as he kneels between my feet. “Touch yourself for me, Fable.”
My breath hitches. With my gaze on his, I slip my hand inside my shorts and down to stroke my center. It’s almost embarrassing how turned-on I already am—how turned-on I always am around Theo. Fire blazes in my cheeks at the wet sound of my fingers sliding through me.
His eyes darken. “You’re always soaked for me, aren’t you?” He presses a button, and the device buzzes to life, the soundratcheting up my arousal. “Show me how you play with it while you think about me,” he instructs.
My hips jolt at the feeling as I position the suction over my clit. The steady pulse has my eyes rolling back, a heavy pressure settling low in my belly.
I look up to find Theo stripping out of his clothes, his focus pinned to me. While I squirm and writhe against the toy, he drags my shorts down and throws them aside, giving him a full view of everything.
He’s so goddamn gorgeous I don’t think I’ll ever be able to picture anyone else when I’m getting myself off. He’s the standard from now on, and that’s equal parts infuriating and exhilarating.
As the pressure builds in my spine, my thighs try to clench closed, but he grabs my knees, prying them apart. “Keep them wide open for me,” he says roughly.
With a breathy whimper, I let my legs fall back to the mattress, baring myself for him.
“Attagirl,” he praises with a wink. He spits into his palm and strokes himself once. “Is this what you were imagining that day?”
A laugh stumbles out of me. “I was actually trying my best”—I moan when he tugs the neckline of my shirt down and his mouth finds my nipple—“tonotpicture you.”
He hums against my breast. “Oh, sweetheart, that’s the wrong answer.” In one swift move, he flips me over and yanks my hips up and back. Icatch myself on my arms, the vibrator falling to the mattress. With a dark chuckle, he reaches between my thighs and moves my hand to hold the toy over my clit. “You stay just like that. And don’t come until I say so,” he murmurs in my ear.
Then he’s gone, and I’m on my hands and knees on the bed, so close to coming I might scream. Tension is coiling in everymuscle, begging me to let it snap. The arm holding me up trembles, and that flickering suction over my clit is fantastic, but I need something inside me. Something to clench around.
