“Maybe it was heartburn,” she said, trying to make a joke out of it. “You know Stone. He doesn’t get jealous. If he did, he wouldn’t’ve shared me with you.”
That wasn’t the first time she’d said that, and Nico got the feeling she truly believed that. He knew better. Yes, jealousy played a role for many people, and they wouldn’t dream of sharing their partner with anyone. For others, it was a turn-on to be able to give twice as much pleasure as they could give on their own. No, Nico didn’t know Stone’s reasoning, but that was the impression he’d gotten that night.
“Not that I care,” she said, reaching for the green toy. “I’ve got all I need right here.” Stevie looked his way. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got a date.”
Nico was disappointed that she didn’t want to talk about it. They needed to. Stone wasn’t someone they could shove into the dark recesses of their minds and pretend he didn’t exist. It had been impossible to do when he wasn’t there. Now that he was back, it would only get worse.
Stevie winked at him. “Unlessyouwant to take care of me.”
If he stayed, he knew exactly where this would lead, and though he ached for this woman, Nico didn’t want to encourage her. Stone was back, and no matter how she tried to play that off, it bothered her that he was. Until they figured out a way to coexist in the same small town, she wasn’t going to move past it. The sad part was that they would never have a meaningful, real relationship until they could get beyond what happened all those years ago. Not with each other or anyone else.
“I’ll order a pizza,” he said, turning to leave.
“Chickenshit,” she muttered. The word was followed by the hum of the vibrator.
Nico stopped, turned. He looked at her and then did something he’d never done before. At least not without both of them having a few drinks in them. He walked right into the shower with her, clothes and all.
Stevie’s eyes opened, and she gasped, her mouth falling open as he loomed over her, crowding her against the tiled wall. He was soaked from head to toe within seconds, but he didn’t care.
Nico held out his hand. “Give me the toy.”
Her eyes narrowed, lips parted in a silent “O.” She relinquished the vibrator.
“Put your hands above your head.”
Her throat worked on a slow swallow. She did as instructed.
Nico captured both her wrists in one hand and held them high above her head, resting his forearm on the tile so he could crowd her against the wall.
“Spread your legs.”
She did.
He dragged the buzzing toy over her bottom lip, watching her as he did. “You think this thing can replace a man?”
Stevie nodded, but he saw the truth in her eyes.
“We’ll see about that.”
He dragged the toy down her chin, her neck, her chest. He kept going, down, down, down to the juncture between her thighs. He maintained eye contact as he positioned the tip directly on her clit. He saw the moment the pleasure registered because her face went slack, her eyes rolling back, those pouty lips parting with a sigh.
The woman was exquisite. He could’ve watched her all day.
“Nico…”
“I’m not a chickenshit,” he told her.
She rocked her hips. “I know.”
“We agreed this wouldn’t happen again.”
“I know.” She whimpered, her eyes closing.
“So why can’t I keep my hands off you?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do,” he said, taking the vibrator away. “Tell me why.”
