Page 55 of Sticking Around

I swallow against a suddenly dry throat as I slide my pants lower. My stomach tightens, like it’d just taken an unexpected blow. And why is that, Melanie? Oh, I don’t know, but maybe it’s because when he said he was ‘into’ me, I thought he meant he was into me, like he wanted me for more than just sex. But as I look at him now, the need swirling in his eyes, it makes me question what’s real and what isn’t.

God girl, what a mess you’re making of your life.

I wasn’t supposed to open myself up to anyone or anything. Opening up only leads to getting hurt and I know that firsthand. My insides tighten as past memories come back to haunt me. Maybe it will be a good thing when his NHL season begins and I move out, because I don’t know how much longer I can be around this man.

“Something on your mind, Lanie?”

My gaze jerks to his at the hint of seriousness in his voice and the words—I’m falling for you—dance on my tongue. Girl, don’t do it. Do not tell Brady that you love him when he’s only into you.

Wait, what did I just say?

Oh, just that you were in love with Brady Fisher.

Ohmigod, I’m in love with Brady Fisher!

Dammit, when did that happen and why didn’t I better guard my heart? A sound catches in my throat, a half moan, half groan and I get it. There was no way to guard my heart against a guy like Brady. Dammit, I blame him for all this. He’s the one who’s constantly there for me, helping even when I don’t ask for it, proving he wants nothing in return, and then he brings me into this house and shows me what a real family could look like.

“Lanie?” he asks again, a new kind of tenderness in his voice that simply draws me in deeper.

Feeling a little shaky, a little unstable, I swallow against the lump climbing into my throat, and try for playful. “Just thinking about how good your cock is going to feel inside me.” I remove my yoga pants and underwear and his growl of appreciation rockets through me as I reach for the hem of my T-shirt.

He steps up to me, puts his hands over mine, and my mind shuts down. “Let’s not keep you waiting.” With a quick tug upward, he removes my shirt, and with one deft flick of his fingers, my bra slides from my shoulders. The man is talented, that’s for sure. I lift my chin, meet his gaze, and the mixture of warmth and hunger I see there wraps around my fragile heart and squeezes tight.

His fingers curl in my hair, and his breath grows shallow as he takes my mouth with his. Heaven. That’s what kissing him feels like. He slides his tongue in, and moans as his eyes roll back like it’s the first time he’s ever tasted me and I’m the best thing he’s ever savored on the tip of his tongue. I kiss him, holding nothing back and that’s when it occurs to me, the intimacy in what we’re doing feels different, like this is the beginning of something special…something profound. Like we’re moving past sex and fantasies, into something far more important.

Honestly, I should be afraid, but as he touches me with tender concern, I’m not sure I can muster up my flight instincts. Actually, I kind of want to fight…for what’s happening here.

Blistering heat explodes inside me as he slides a hand between our bodies and lightly strokes me. My body ripples and I rock into him, wanting more…everything.

A thick finger slides into my slickness, and my muscles clench around it. He moans against my mouth, and there’s a great deal of tenderness in his eyes when he breaks the kiss, his gaze searching my face. “I love how you’re always so ready for me.”

Ready for him.

Oh, God, he’s so wrong. I was never ready for a man like Brady.

He swirls his finger in my core, pressing deep into my body, leaving me aching and wanting, and searching for his cock. I take his thickness into my palm and rub from base to tip, and use the pre-cum spilling from his slit as lubricant.

I run my hand up and down, my mouth watering for a taste as I clench around his finger. As much as I don’t want him to stop what he’s doing, I need this man in my mouth. I’m almost desperate for it.

I inch back and confusion moves over his face, but it quickly morphs to pleasure as I sink to my knees and open my mouth for him. His moan fills the quiet of the room as he grips his dick and lightly settles it on the hollow of my upper lip.

I put my hands on his thighs and palm his hard muscles. “Are you into it?” I tease blinking up at him.

The need in his eyes hits me like a high voltage jolt, and my breasts grow heavy, aching for his mouth. “I’m into it, Lanie.”

Is he talking about sex, or something else?

“Not yet you’re not.” I lean forward and take him to the back of my throat, reacquainting his cock and my mouth as he grips my hair, his body thrumming with need. His pleasure resonates through me and honestly, it’s insane how close I feel to him in this moment.

I take him impossibly deeper and his fingers crush my hair, like he’s doing all he can not to erupt in my mouth. While I’d like that, I desperately need his cock inside me. As if reading my thoughts, he inches back and leaves my mouth empty. I glance up at him, mouth still open, and he wobbles on his feet.

“Jesus, Lanie. How did I ever get so fucking lucky?”

My heart jumps, pounds against my chest as his words nearly knock the wind out of me. The last time a man made me feel this cherished this important was…well, the last time Brady touched me. A thrill heats my blood as I take him back into my mouth, and his legs wobble as I suck, his control nearly obliterated.

“Fuck,” he curses, and takes my arm to pull me to my feet, only to give me a little push between my breasts. I fall onto the bed, my hair flaring around me, and he simply stands there, hovering, his eyes brimming with lust as he looks his fill.

I’m about to move, center myself in the middle of the bed, when he sinks to his knees before me and wets his lips. “All day,” he begins, his breath warming my aching core. “All day, all I could think about was burying my mouth between your legs, and tasting you on my tongue when you come for me.”

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