Page 24 of Matched

Chapter Nine

Tony

After that performance and keeping her in front of me—which is just as much because I like her ass rubbing against my cock as it is to hide my hard-on—no one’s asking questions when Inara orders our Uber. It was warm in this bar to begin with, but right now it’s hotter than a damned sauna. There isn’t a person in this place who doesn’t understand our hurry to head somewhere more private.

But I’m nervous. Not because I’m new at this sleeping-with-people-I-hardly-know thing. Sex usually doesn’t mean much and has never been a big deal for me. Just a couple of bodies taking care of business. Most of my partners have been hit and quits. But it’s a new experience to go home with a woman, knowing she’ll still be around the next day. There’s a certain level of awkwardness attached I’ve never had to deal with, causing me to freeze up when we’re alone outside of the bar as we wait for the car to show.

“You sure about this?” I’m not even sure who I’m talking to or that I’ve asked the question aloud until Inara glances at me over her shoulder.

Her hair is pushed back, and I enjoy the full view of every curve of her face. Her beauty steals my breath and she smirks as my gaze travels from her mouth and down the length of her throat to her rounded breasts.

“They say there’s no such thing as a stupid question.” The smirk on her face deepens and her brown eyes dance with amusement. “Not true.”

Fuck nerves. I’d be an idiot to bow out now. Ever since we met, I’ve wanted to slide inside her. More so in the last few weeks, sleeping down the hall from her, hearing her throaty laughter, experiencing the rush of heat that accompanies every brush of her hand against mine. She’s magic and perfection and... my wife. Somehow, though, the idea of Inara’s approval is what leaves my palms sweaty and my stomach in sudden knots.

Fuck.

I’m screwed.

My mind is toying with my body. A mixture of desire and anxiety leaves me hot, then cold. My wife. The woman who’s going to be my one and only for the next year. And if things aren’t up to snuff this first time... Oh fuck. The pressure intensifies. And not the good kind of pressure. This is the weighty kind that makes it hard to breathe or think.

The Uber pulls up beside us and we climb into the back together.

My wifedrops her hand to my thigh the moment the car pulls away from the curb, her fingers splayed across the wide expanse of denim. And I’m okay until she traces a nail across the inner seam of my pants. My world narrows into two warring factions: panic and desire. I stiffen in my seat. The urge to touch her in return sends blood rushing to my groin until my cock aches as it punches against my zipper. She reaches for me, chatting easily with the driver even as she grips my girth with one hand and gives an experimental squeeze.

The touch screams of ownership and a low, desperate growl rattles in my chest. I clutch the door handle tighter, hanging on for dear life. Once I start touching her, I won’t be able to stop. Even as desire claws at me, I marvel at her boldness. She’s talking restaurants and valet service while she strokes me through my jeans. There’s an ease to the set of her shoulders and the rolling, confident way she’s working my dick that speaks of familiarity. I’m not her first, and after this year is up, I know I won’t be her last, but like a dumbass, I want to know what proverbial number I’ve pulled.

The Uber stops and we jump out, then stumble inside. I slam the front door shut, and as soon as the outside world is cut off, Inara pounces, seals our lips together, and plunges her tongue into my mouth. She makes quick work of my belt and before I can register what’s going on, her slim fingers disappear beyond the waistband of my boxers.

Oh fuck.

I tear my mouth away from hers. “Bedroom.”

Inara steps back, blinking up at me, and frowns slightly. Not as if she’s unhappy, but more as if she’s confused. “Never pegged you as the shy type, but sure.”

Me either, but somehow, Inara has that effect on me.

She grips my hand, tugging me toward the bedroom. She’s single-minded and determined, and I miss her fingers wrapped around my dick, but also I’m reminded of a lamb on its way to the slaughter, and swallow hard past the lump in my throat. Overthinking is the quickest way to kill a boner, but it’s too late. My dick is dying and the more I scramble to keep the poor guy blazing, the more gun-shy he becomes.

Great.

Awesome.

At this rate, I won’t have to worry about whether or not Inara considers me a decent lover because I’ll never manage to get that far. It’s been a while since I’ve gotten laid, and just when I’ve managed to clear away one worry, another hits me.

What if I come too quick? What does she consider too quick? What’s going to make it good for her? What’s going to make me last long enough to find that out? Worrying is only making things worse and I’m one breath from hyperventilating because Inara isn’t some fling, she’s my wife. And deep down, I’m invested in how this all plays out. She’s finally opening up to me, at least physically. If I disappoint her now, in the one way that she wants me...

We clear the bedroom door and Inara leans forward to capture my ear between her teeth. Her tongue delves across the sensitive skin and I shudder, my eyes rolling into the back of my head. I’ve always suspected Inara has more experience than me when it comes to sex, but I guess we’re about to find out. And if her kiss is any indication, I’m doubly screwed. The woman can bring me to my knees with just a look and I can’t even figure out where to put my hands.

Where the fuck do my hands go? Why do I even have hands? Have they always been this useless?

Her expert fingers move over the outline of my dick, stroking me through the thick material until the slightest brush of her nail across my length nearly sends me shooting out of my skin. Instinct regains control and my cock springs back to painful life. One problem down and a million more to go.

Inara doesn’t touch me with hesitant fingers but jerks me close, the edges of her nails biting into skin and demanding more. She growls playfully against the side of my neck. “Why are you still wearing pants?”

“Sorry.” I undo my jeans and shove them down in a rush to kick them away. Unfortunately, I am too close to Inara and our heads collide with a crack that reverberates through me. She draws back with a hiss and I clutch my forehead until the ringing goes away. I reach for Inara, who’s crouched before me with her head in her hands. “You alright?”

“I’m fine.” She stands and the look in her eyes is no longer sexy, so much as it is fiercely determined. I swallow hard, stumbling back as she stalks toward me. “Now let’s get you naked, big guy.”

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