Page 61 of Audiophile

Reed. Reed. Reed.

My tether. My only tie to earth as I float up into some other space. A place where there is only warmth and Reed and how good he feels against me.

Time passes, but Reed is still placing kisses on my inner thigh when I finally have enough strength to open my eyes. The fire in his is banked—a playful dance instead of a raging inferno. “Hey, baby, how are you feeling?”

“Mmm. You?” Honestly, I’m still dizzy. I’ve had orgasms before, but none of them were like that.

“Peachy.” Reed winks at me and rests his chin lightly on my belly. His hands tickle as he traces patterns up the outsides of my thighs. “Happy to do it again anytime.” Reed smiles as he extricates himself from between my legs and lays alongside me. His palm travels the length of me, and his glossy mouth against my collarbone is salacious.

I protest, trapping his wandering fingers and lacing them with mine. “I’m too sensitive to keep going. Don’t you want something in return?”

Reed shrugs and nips at the side of my breast. “I made my bargain, and I don’t regret it. Seeing you come was transcendent. I wouldn’t trade it for a blow job any day. Though I need to go take care of myself at some point.”

I grin as something shifts in me, clearing a space that’s not dark or lonely. I turn on my side to face Reed, and he wastes no time in pulling me tight against him.

“Reed?” I’m glad he’s left the light on, because his gold eyes are bright and kind. His eyes were the first thing I noticed in the market. The part of him that spoke to me. They’re just as warm now, but less somber, and I imagine some of the sadness in my own has dissipated too. “Thank you.”

I lean forward and brush our lips together.

The world explodes into color.

Chapter twenty-three

Reed

Petra’s lips are softand full. I’m not dreaming, because she’s still there when I open my eyes. She retreats quietly—the doe in the bath again. I cup the back of her neck to draw her closer, and it sparks something in her.

She throws herself into the kiss, and I love every moment of it. The slide, the nip, the push and pull of us finding a rhythm and moving together. She’s tasting herself on my lips, and damn if that doesn’t fan the fucking flames. She’s slick against the material of my pants as she slides her leg over mine and rocks into me.

“Petra,” I groan against her lips. Now that I’ve kissed her, I want to do it forever, but the pressure of her motions is nearly painful. “You can’t do that right now. Any other time and I’d love it, but—”

She nods, but kisses me again and again. She’s starving for them, and it makes me ache. “How do you feel about connect the dots now?”

All of me throbs so hard that I can’t breathe. “Not funny.”

“Not a joke,” she says, nipping my jaw. “Here, or in the shower?”

Her orgasm left her voice raspy, sultry, and I’m powerless to say no. But this is supposed to be about her. “You don’t have to—”

“Here, then,” she decides for me. Her hand dips below my waistband, and I suck in a harsh breath as her fingers wrap around my cock. She’s flushed, her swollen lips begging for more.

I oblige, and she melts against me with each kiss, until I need to bury myself inside her. Now. She breaks away with a pained sound, even though it’s me hanging out on the edge.

“I want to kiss you, but I want to see you. I need more eyes and more lips,” she complains. I crack a smirk, which she shuts down with a squeeze that makes me see stars. I shudder against her as pleasure rockets through me. So damn good. “Don’t say it. You haven’t been an ass in an hour, and we’re going to keep it that way.”

If that’s her response, it’s more incentive than deterrent. “So bossy, Pet. Where’s that giggling girl now?”

“She’s remembering what possibilities feel like.” There’s a new confidence in her that’s beautiful to see.

“I’m proud of you,” I say against her mouth, but don’t let the kiss linger. I force her hand away so I can stand. I strip down and sit against the headboard, guiding her to straddle my legs. She frowns at me, but doesn’t shy away. “Not sex,” I explain. “Giving you more eyes and more lips. And more dots.”

She nods and settles over me. She takes my cock in her hand and moans, as though she’s the one about to get off on this and not me.

“You’re so beautiful, Reed. Help me,” she begs, guiding my hand between her thighs as she leans in for another kiss. I’ve never been called beautiful before, but from her lips it’s whispered as a compliment and a prayer.

I waste no time, because I’m not going to last long and want her to come with me. When I flick against her clit and dive into her with two fingers, she gasps against my mouth, drawing my breath into her lungs.

It’s the best sound I’ve ever fucking heard.

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