Page 64 of The Sound Of Silence

“Yes, I’m fine. I’m good.Great," Willow responds breathlessly, a shy smile in place. "I just wasn’t expecting it. I’m sorry.”

She doesn’t understand.

“Willow, it’s not…I’ve never…” I trail off. Not wanting to say any more, because fuck, I feel so stupid with this admission. But when the fire in her eyes blazes brighter, I ignore my inner turmoil and focus on the moment.

I pump my finger inside her over and over as I rub my thumb along her sensitive spot, giving her all that I can.For now.It doesn't take long before she’s writhing on top of me—breaths ragged, eyes closed—coming apart with my name on her lips. The sweetest sound I’ve ever heard.

My cock screams at me for action but I hold strong, continuing my ministrations until Willow comes back down to earth, slumping into me.

It’s only as her breathing slows that I fully register how close we are, and my body recoils without my consent. My back hits the wall of the tub as I involuntarily push her away from me. Not enough to allow her to fall, but enough to create the space I need to breathe again.

Willow’s flushed expression turns sympathetic and I hate myself for it.

“Please don’t,” I say, cutting her off before she’s even opened her mouth.

“Don’t what?”

“Tell me you’re sorry. Look at me like youfeelsorry for me.”

“The only thing I feel sorry about is that I orgasmed alone. But I get the impression you won’t let me touch you tonight.”

My pulse spikes and my cock twitches at both her words and the raspiness of her voice. But she’s right. I’m so far out of my comfort zone that I’m not sure I’d even enjoy it. But fuck, I loved seeing her fall apart. And I want more, even if it kills me.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

Willow

Jesse’sgazeintensifiesasI work to maintain my eye contact, trying to appear confident. He wants more, I know he does, but I also know he’s not going to let that happen. In fact, I’m almost certain he’s about to disappear.

My heart pounds in my chest as we silently stare at one another. Actually, my heart hasn’t stopped its rhythmic pounding since Jesse first touched me, and I’m still struggling to process everything. Only one thing is clear—that was a first for both of us.

But how is that possible?

“So, you’ve…ahh…never partaken in foreplay before?” I ask nervously. I know he wasn’t comfortable with his admission about it being his first time, and yet, something about it makes me feel special. And a hell of a lot more secure. While at the same time my heart breaks for him. He comes across so guarded that his moment of raw honesty has my mind in a spin.Did something happen to him? I mean, of course something happened. But what?

Jesse frowns as though reading my mind, but then his eyes glaze over, and I know instantly that he’s putting on a mask. A cover for how he really feels.

“Forget I asked that.”

“Why? It’s a simple answer.” He huffs out a laugh, confirming my suspicion. He’s about to put on a front and pretend to be someone he’s not. “I’m not acompleteasshole,” he says, his intense gaze locked with mine. “My cock’s a very versatile tool. Believe it or not, it can be used to the same effect as my finger. The difference is that it’s fitted with a glove.”

No skin to skin contact.

“But you must touch naked flesh when you… when you…”God, what am I even asking? And why?

“When I fuck? Is that what you want to know?”

Jesus.There’s an aura of cockiness when he says the word “fuck,” and I’m shocked to say it has my stomach twisted with nerves, while my chest heats with want. Talk about mixed reactions. Everything about Jesse turns me on, but there’s an edge to him that has me on guard. And then there’s this completely different version of him I’m desperate to know about. The version that may very well be his true self. And that’s the version of him I want the most. Not whatever this is.

My tongue sneaks out to wet my lips as his head tilts to the side in question. It’s only then that I remember he’s waiting for me to talk.

I nod instead of answering, knowing that if I speak aloud my voice will give my feelings away. I’m not sure I want to know about his sexual habits, but I also want to know everything about him.Why am I doing this to myself?

Jesse nods in return but his face subtly cringes at whatever he’s thinking, and I see the moment he decides to be a little more real. “It happens…but I try to avoid it. And more often than not, if I tell the girl to keep her clothes on, they stay on.”

He shrugs like it’s no big deal, but as my gaze drops to our almost naked bodies, my chest tightens.Why is this situation so different?Did it pain him to touch me? He was hesitant, but he made the first move, right? Or did I? Shit. Was it me?

An inner panic takes over as Jesse grabs my chin, trying to get me to face him. But I can’t. Instead, I pull back and turn away, no longer able to look him in the eye.

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