Carter’s hand travels down to the base then climbs back to the tip, and I find myself rocking up on my toes to chase his grip.

“You like that.” Carter repeats the motion, seeming to enjoy the way my hips strain to follow his hand.

“Yes.” I don’t even attempt to play coy. Having someone else stroke my cock has always been a favorite part of sex, second only to a warm mouth around my shaft, although if I’ve got a dick buried in me while I’m being jerked off... As far as I’m concerned there’s no higher nirvana. Just the thought has me greedy for more, and another desperate whimper falls from my lips.

“I can’t wait any longer either.” Carter spins me so I’m facing away from him, guiding us both a half step to the right.

“Put one hand on the wall to hold still. Use the other to hold your cock up.” The heat of his words nearly has me coming apart right there, so much so that I can’t move, even if I understoodwhat he wanted.

“Now, Sloan.” He takes my shaft in his hand and presses it against my stomach, guiding my hand to hold it in place. Then he twists the shower handle. For a brief second the overhead pressure gets lighter, then it comes roaring back just as body jets I never noticed emerge from the wall, shooting pulsing streams of water on my upper thigh.

Carter reaches around me from behind to adjust the jets. Before I can register what’s happening the water hits my balls, and my knees start to buckle.

He gives a satisfied little chuckle as he grips my hips to hold me steady. “Don’t move. Let me and the jets do all the work.” Then he plunges his cock inside me.

Though he’s clearly managed to lube himself without my notice, sliding in effortlessly, I can’t stop the cry that forces its way past my lips when he enters me. It’s not painful, just sudden, and domineering in a way that ratchets my lust to a level I didn’t know was possible.

Chest pressed to the wall, a stream of water massages my sac while he pounds into me from behind, sending me to the edge of release almost immediately.

Until this moment, I never understood the appeal of shower sex. It’s slippery, awkward, and almost never leaves me satisfied. But this, the rhythmic slide of his cock combined with the water pulsing between my legs, is pleasure overload. I grit my teeth and hold my breath in an effort to slow my building climax, but the sensation is too decadent. Hedonistic almost, in the sense that all I can do is hang on while carnal bliss bombards me from all angles.

Carter slips in and out of my body, the tip of his cock massaging me from the inside as I rock my hips, straining to feel the water work its magic.

“Keep your dick up.” He reaches around to replace my hand with his, kneading my length where it’s trapped against my stomach. “Letthe water massage your balls while I fuck you,” he grunts as he thrusts, my body clenching around him when his gravelly voice reaches my ears. His rhythm falters, and with that I lose the battle to prolong my release.

I come apart, knees going weak as sparks of harmony radiate over me. I feel my ass gripping and clawing at his pulsing cock as if it could somehow pull him closer. He must sense that, driving into me and holding still like he’s surrendering to my will. My orgasm is relentless, pleasuring me from within and outside of my body. A duet of euphoric sensations that rob me of control over my limbs, leaving me both boneless and breathless.Holy Hell.

As the aftershocks recede, I shift away from the jets to give my sensitive body some relief. Carter slowly withdraws and spins me to face him, trapping me against his chest as our breathing slowly returns to normal.

“That was…” He runs his fingers lightly over my back, sending shivers along my spine in spite of the warm water raining down on it.

“Yeah,” I exhale heavily.

Carter turns off the water and wraps me in a towel, rubbing his hands over the thick cotton to dry me. “I don’t suppose I could talk you into staying for dinner.”

“I’m scheduled to work at Murphy’s.”

“Would you consider calling in sick?”

Wrapped in his arms, surrounded by the lingering steam from our shower, there’s nothing I’d like more than to agree. To shelve all my obligations and live in the moment, enjoying whatever this thing is between us. But I’m not wired that way.

“I’d rather ask for time off in advance than call out, especially if I’m not really sick. I can’t do that to Lennon.”

“He owns the biggest restaurant in town. He must have the staff to cover one missing employee. Besides, aren’t you two friends?” My skin is more damp then wet now, but pressed against his the remaining moisture threatens to coax my libido back to life. I set my palms on his chest to create a little distance in an attempt to focus my mind.

“We are, and he probably does have the staff to cover me for a night,” I agree. “But I don’t want to take advantage of our friendship. Even if we weren’t friends, I couldn’t skip out on a commitment.”

“Independent and loyal.” He tips my chin up so I’m forced to look at him. “I respect that, although I hate that it means a lonely night for me.”

“Come to Murphy’s,” I blurt, questioning the logic of seeing him in public only after I’ve extended the invite.No way I can pretend he’s just my boss after we’ve crossed the line twice.“You can grab some dinner, sit at the bar and socialize, whatever,” I rattle off innocent suggestions to hint that he’d be like any other customer.

“The only person I want to be social with is you.” He touches his lips to mine in the most tender kiss I’ve ever been given, and it’s only because it steals my breath that I don’t blurt out thoughts I have no business entertaining this soon.

Our interactions to this point have been sort of desperate and needy, and I have no complaints about that. None whatsoever, particularly knowing that while the chemistry is intense, it’s not strictly sex bringing us together. This kiss though, it’s the polar opposite of two people chasing their pleasure. It’s soft, and sweet, and speaks of something more than mutual interest. There’sfeelingbehind it.

Carter’s heartbeat accelerates under my palm as the kiss gains intensity, despite remaining soft and slow. I’m not sure if that means this feels different for him, too, or if he’s just getting excited again. Eitherway, as tempted as I am to get lost in the moment, I can’t give myself over to it completely. Not yet.

“I should go.” I pull away slightly.