Page 39 of Playing Games

Swirling moisture from her center to her clit, I stroke softly at the sensitive bud until her back arches again. I put my lips to her neck and suck gently, using my knuckle to tease at her entrance. She gasps, and I straighten my finger, sinking it to the base in one smooth motion, turning my hand so I can swipe softly at her G-spot.

Her hips jerk up and down restlessly, so I add another finger, beckoning her orgasm with a curl of my fingers over and over again at a steady pace.

“Are you going to come for me, Lexi?”

She tries to speak, but her words are stilted and awkward. The usual connection to her brain is temporarily unavailable due to a redirection of blood flow.

“Come on. I want to feel you all over my fingers. I want it to drip down my hand.”

“Oh my G-od,” she manages through a whisper, her breathing heavy. Her eyes flutter open and closed as she fights the lull of my fingers on her G-spot. I don’t want to be fought, so I pull my fingers out quickly and swirl at her clit before diving back inside.

Her back bows and her breathing stops and her eyes fall closed with the weight of her head on my arm.

She sounds like sweet victory and no turning back.

I may be a thorn in her side, but I also come bearing orgasms. I’d like to see her avoid me now.

Sunday, June 1st

Lexi

The menu for Fortress, my stepdad’s newest food endeavor, is a clunky, huge thing I can barely hold in front of my face. Normally, it’d be something I might complain about, but today, I’m thankful for the shield.

My mom sits across from me in a pair of tan linen pants and a white button-down shirt, her hair pulled up in a half-up, half-down do made fancier by a twist and braid of the hair by her face. I’ve always thought she’s one of the most naturally beautiful women I’ve ever seen, but today, she looks particularly content.

And I know, deep down, it’s because I reached out and asked her to meet me for lunch. She already had plans with Georgia and her girls, but not wanting to miss the opportunity for some face time with her daughter, she invited me to join. She never pushes to see me or makes me feel bad for not getting together more, which I appreciate more than I can say. But seeing her heart in her eyes today, I know I need to make a bigger effort.

As for the menu, it makes everything I did with Blake last night feel just the tiniest bit less exposed. Georgia, Julia, and Evie are supposed to meet us here soon, but their driver hit trafficcoming back from the Hamptons. So, right now, it’s only my mom and me, and for some reason, that makes me feel anxious to take advantage.

“I think I’m going to try the harvest salad,” my mom remarks, studying the menu herself as though she didn’t help my dad create it. “I’m in the mood for strawberries. What are you thinking, Lex?”

I’m thinking about the thing I always think about these days, much to my chagrin—Blake Boden. Like it or not, memories of him fester on my brain’s every available surface, waiting to be addressed. Tackling that elephant seems a little traumatic, of course, so instead, I settle for a broad question that feels like it at least scratches in the vicinity of the itch.

“When you and Dad first started dating, were you sure you wanted to be with him, or were you confused?”

“You know, Lex, I don’t think that’s on the menu.” I roll my eyes, and she laughs. “Sorry. You just caught me off guard with that one.” She hums. “Well, let’s see. I’d like to say I was confident, but if I’m honest, I was definitely scared. I had you, of course, and you were the light of my life. The last relationship I’d tried to make work ended in disaster, and your uncles were operating on a pretty hair trigger when it came to new men. I knew Wes was special, but I didn’t know if it was going to work.” She shrugs. “Is that the kind of answer you were looking for?”

“I don’t know.” I shrug. “To be honest, I’m not sure what I’m looking for. I was just…curious.”

My mom nods but is careful not to study me too closely. She’s one of the only people who truly understands and respects how uncomfortable it makes me. “That’s fair. From my ownexperience, relationships are always complicated. There are ups and downs and obstacles and unknowns. But when they’re right, they always seem to sort themselves out. Look at me and Georgia and Cassie and all your uncles. Everyone has their moment if you wait long enough.”

“I don’t know if I’m…moment material,” I admit. “I want to be, but I just… Some things are better off locked in my head.”

“There’s no timeline on figuring it out, you know?” she comforts. “One day, you’ll know for sure what’s right for you, and when you do, your father and your brother and I—we’ll all be there to support you.”

I swallow hard, warring with myself over sharing something about Blake or not. Deep down, I know I should, but I just can’t bear the thought of exposing myself like that. I don’t like topics I haven’t mastered. I don’t like wondering how I can learn everything I need to quickly, and I don’t like feeling out of control.

What if I’m getting it all wrong?

I can’t imagine what that would mean for the part of my personality that hinges on getting everything right.

“Thanks,” I say, settling for a simple show of gratitude. My mom’s smile is warm and understanding, and if possible, it makes me feel even worse.

Maybe I can start off by sharing Blake’s pursuit? Maybe I can tell her how long he’s been—

“Hello, hello!” Georgia greets hurriedly, hustling both Julia and Evie around the table to my side to take the seats next to me. “Soooo sorry we’re late.”

“Hey, Lex,” Julia says excitedly, leaning in for a side hug before sitting down. “Never expected to see you here!”

---