Page 63 of Lies like Rubies, Part One

“We’re going bowling.”

Nick kept an arm around my waist as we made our way into the bowling alley, holding me tight against his side.

Reveling in the normalcy of our date, I relaxed against him, inhaling his clean, citrusy scent as we walked. Was this what dating was like for women who weren’t surrounded by violent and controlling men? I couldn’t stop giggling as we rented shoes and found our lane.

Nick eyed my summer dress and licked his lips. When I tilted my head questioningly, he said, “Thinking about that dress riding high on your thighs when you bend over to bowl.”

Instead of trying to remain calm and composed, I let my whole body flush like I wanted to, my skin heating as blood rushed to my cheeks.

Nick bowled adequately. I was terrible. It didn’t matter how many times he coached me, how close he got when he guided me as I released the ball, or how badly I wanted to knock down a few more pins. Bowling was not my sport.

It didn’t matter.

We kissed and canoodled and whispered sweet words to each other as Nick’s score grew and mine remained low. When he brought over two beers in plastic cups and a couple of slices of pizza, I found myself utterly charmed by his lack of pretension, and by how kind he was to the teenage girls who flirted with him as he paid for our food.

Ruthlessly, I suppressed my guilt about my deal with Dante. There was no rationalizing it—I knew it was wrong, I knew this was stupid and dangerous, and I knew it would come back to bite me in the ass. For now, I desperately craved the normalcy that Nick brought to my life. And I liked him, genuinely liked him. He was honest and uncomplicated and seemed to like me, too.

“Penny for your thoughts?” he asked around a bite of pizza.

I smiled crookedly. “I’m having a great time.”

“Me too,” he answered. “Although…” he trailed off, and I tilted my head. He narrowed his eyes and scooted around on the bench until we pressed together, shoulder to shoulder, and his hot breath caressed the shell of my ear. “Although I have been thinking about sliding my hands up that dress and seeing how fucking wet you are since you showed up in that delectable dress.”

My breath caught in my throat, and my heart pounded as my pussy clenched. I didn’t know how to respond to that. Nick patiently waited for me to answer, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“Cat got your tongue, baby?”

Inhaling shakily, I nodded.

“Want me to go on?”

Did I want him to go on? Did I like the dirty talk? Did I like dirty talk in public? When Dante did it, it turned me on, but made me feel like a filthy slut at the same time. When Nick did it—I didn’t know how I felt.

Instead of answering, I looked into his brilliant green eyes staring down at me mischievously.

“You have to use your words, Sofia. I won’t be upset if you object to me speaking like that, much less in a venue like this, and I won’t continue unless you give me permission.”

“Don’t stop,” I blurted out, grabbing his hand and squeezing tightly, surprised at my audacity. He lifted his other hand to my jaw and cupped my face. I shivered as he traced the sensitive shell of my ear with his lips.

“That’s my good girl,” he murmured, and desire flooded my panties.

Oh, God.

“Too bad we’re in such a public place,” he whispered. “I’d slide my hands up those deliciously creamy thighs and stroke them across that soaking wet scrap of silk covering your pussy.”

I clenched my thighs together, and he chuckled.

“I’m sure you’re so fucking wet, soaking, drenched with your desire, and all I want to do is slide my fingers into your tight, hot pussy and fuck you with them. Bend you right over this table and taste the sweet ambrosia of your pussy, sucking on your clit until you scream my name.”

A shuddering exhale escaped me as I shifted in my seat. What magic was Nick weaving with his words? He didn’t even have to touch me to turn me on.

“Is that what you like? Exhibitionism?” I asked before I nipped his earlobe, extracting a wince and a groan from him.

“I like control, baby. I want to tie you up and feast on your dripping pussy for hours until you beg me to make you come.”

Heat rushed through me, and suddenly, I wanted nothing more than for Nick to tie me up too.

“I’d cuff your wrists to the bed. Then I’d wrap my lips around that sweet little clit and suck. I’d plunge a finger into that hot wet pussy and feel you clench around me, unable to move, unable to touch yourself and relieve the ache, unable to do anything but let me fuck you with my finger until you scream.”

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