Page 44 of Power Play

She listens to every direction I give her, eyelashes fluttering closed and neck bending at a slight angle. Her hands sit in her lap, nervously tapping on her thigh, and I thread my fingers through hers to give her a quick squeeze so she knows it’s okay to touch me.

I move my other hand to her face, cupping her cheek. There’s a hitch in her breathing and she’s practically shaking. I dip my head, kissing her neck, and I almost groan.

She tastes like fucking sunshine.

Her skin is warm and soft, and a quiet moan escapes her as I move my lips up the line of her throat, not stopping until I get to the corner of her mouth.

“You sure?” I ask one last time.

Piper turns her cheek, her lips less than an inch away from mine. “Positive.”

That’s all I need to hear.

I close the distance between us. My mouth lands on hers and I swallow down her soft exhale. She wraps her arms around my neck and tugs me close, and I can’t help but smile at her enthusiasm.

“Is it—am I allowed to make sounds?” she whispers, pulling away from me slightly. “Or should I stay quiet?”

“Do what feels right. I like knowing what I’m doing is working, so I prefer hearing you. But I’m not every guy.”

“Okay.” Piper nods, determination sparking behind her eyes. “Then I’m going to keep making noises.”

I run my hand up her leg, wanting to touch her. Wanting tofeelher and figure out if she loves or hates what I’m doing. Her fingers move to my hair and tug on the longer strands near my ears, and I take that as a sign I can give her more.

My tongue swipes across her lips, coaxing her mouth open. I hum when she opens right away, welcoming me in, and I can’t help but wonder what her tongue would feel like running up the length of my cock.

Like nirvana, I bet.

“Okay?”

“Perfect,” she murmurs, and the praise lights me up. Makes me kiss her a little rougher, a little harder, and she groans again when I gently bite her bottom lip. “I-I like this. Am I doing okay?”

“You’re doing great, Piper.”

My thumb brushes up her thigh, under the hem of her dress. I want to go even higher, up to the seam of her underwear so I can see if she’s wet. So I can see if she’s being honest and not just trying to stroke my ego, but I hold myself back.

I can be patient.

“I didn’t realize making out with someone could be so hot.”

“Lie back,” I tell her. “Get comfortable.”

She pulls away from me, and when I look at her, I can’t help feeling smug. Proud of the way her lipstick is smeared and how her eyes are glazed over. The content smile on her mouth and how much brighter she seems, even after two minutes of affection.

Piper Mitchell’s love language is physical touch, and I’d be willing to bet she’s a fan of words of affirmation too.

Fuck the guy who never gave her what she needed to help her shine.

“Like this?” she asks, her back on the couch and her head on the pillows behind her.

“Yeah.” My eyes rake over her body—the strap slipping down her arm. The way her dress hugs her tits. The freckles on her knee when she props her leg up and the hint of lace on her hips. I stare at her greedily because I fuckingcan. “That’s great.”

I’ve been restricting myself for so many years. I’ve been disciplined and followed diets and exercise regimens and strict sleep schedules.

But now? Now I’m allowing myself to let go and have a lot of fucking fun.

“Liam?”

“Yeah?”

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