Page 23 of Just a Little Promise

“Umm, it is,” he murmured huskily. “Are you convinced?”

“I shouldn’t be...” She shuddered when he pressed down on her clit, her hips thrusting into his touch while her eyes darkened with undeniable need. “But if it’s what the doctor ordered...”

“Yeah, it is,” he replied, and before she had a chance to change her mind, he stretched them out on the couch so that she was half beneath him, with one of his thighs notched between her legs to keep her thighs apart.

Her breath caught at the unexpected move, and he lowered his head and kissed her before she could say a word. She put up zero resistance as her soft lips melded against his, opening in invitation, and he took what she was offering without hesitation. She reached up, her fingers tangling in his hair as his tongue slid against hers, exploring that sweet-tasting mouth deeply, hungrily.

He slid his hand into her panties, his fingers gliding through her slick heat, wetting them so that two digits thrust effortlessly into her body. Her back arched, and she whimpered against his mouth, her hips moving rhythmically as she shamelessly fucked herself on his fingers. The firm, circular motions of his thumb on her clit drove her wild, and she held nothing back as he pushed her toward completion.

This was exactly how Tripp wanted Skye... completely out of her mind with need for him and what he could give her. He was certain she believed that this was just about an orgasm, nothing more than pure pleasure, and that because his body wasn’t connected to hers, the act was impersonal, clinical, even. That this was just about letting off a little steam.

But Tripp knew better when it came to Skye. She wasn’t someone who could remain detached, who could compartmentalize any form of foreplay or sex as just a means of finding release—which was exactly what had happened all those years ago between them. Any form of physical touch would always mean something to her on a deep, intimate level, which worked to his advantage.

Tripp continued stroking her pussy and clit, his sole focus to make her feel desired. Wanted. And adored by him—something he doubted her ex ever took the time to do.Thatwas the way to Skye’s heart. Not the end result of a satisfying climax, but traveling the path of letting herself be vulnerable and trusting him to take control of her body and its responses. Getting out of her head, letting down her guard, and allowing those walls to crumble and fall away from her bruised and battered heart so he could find his way back in, and protect what he should have kept safe all those years ago.

Instinctively knowing Skye was close to the edge, he ended the kiss and lifted his head, staring down at her as she fisted her hands in his shirt, as if trying to find some kind of anchor to the storm about to sweep through her. Her eyes were half-mast and hazy, her face flushed with passion, and she started to pant as he pushed her even higher.

“That’s it, baby girl,” he praised in a low murmur. “Let go so I can watch you fall apart for me.”

With a soft cry erupting from her throat, she tossed her head back and obeyed his order, her climax slamming into her so hard she shook with the intensity of it. Her body clenched around his fingers, reminding him how good it felt when he was buried deep inside of her and she came around his cock.

His dick throbbed in response, almost to the point of pain, but this wasn’t about his pleasure. It was about building trust and intimacy with Skye, and he was fairly certain he’d achieved his goal for tonight.

But in two weeks, when he had her all to himself for a weekend, all bets were off.

Chapter Eight

The following twoweeks passed quicker than Skye expected. A few event contracts at The Meridian kept her busy during the day with marketing and meetings. And while she’d made it a deliberate pointnotto see Tripp in person in the evenings because she didn’t want to chance a repeat performance of their last time together, he insisted on FaceTiming her every night once they were both home from work and settled in for the evening.

It didn’t help matters that she couldn’t forget about that moment on the sofa, and how he’d found a way to bend her rules—or the fact that she’dlethim. The man was so flirtatious, so charming and persuasive, he’d actually convinced her that she’dneededan orgasm for her mental health and physical well-being.

She had no one to blame but herself for giving into temptation, but she’d decided once he’d left her apartment that it would be a smarter idea to keep her physical distance from Tripp until their baby making weekend, since she didn’t trust herself with him. One touch, and she was putty in his hands.

But she had to admit that he’d made it difficult for her to keep her walls up emotionally. His check-in calls with her usually ended up being an hour or more conversation, mostly because he was so easy to talk to, and she honestly enjoyed his company. He made her laugh, he made her feel special, and whatever she wanted to talk about, interested him. For the first time in years, she felt seen and heard, and that what she had to say was important and meaningful to someone other than just her family.

Her attraction to Tripp was undeniably strong—that went without saying—but she loved the secure friendship they were establishing, too.

She’d also spent the past two weeks preparing for their weekend together. She’d meditated daily, went to her yoga classes, and was diligent about taking her pre-natal vitamins. She met with her brother a few times for her kickboxing, and while he’d commented that she looked happier than she had in a long while, she didn’t tell him about Tripp, even though she knew he was a big part of why she felt so optimistic about her life and future.

On the Friday of the weekend she planned to spend with Tripp, she’d requested half the day off, so she went into work early to get a few things done before heading home. At one in the afternoon, she cleaned up her small office and stopped by Lauren’s to let her know she was leaving.

Skye knocked on her door before walking inside, smiling as her friend glanced up from her laptop and stopped whatever work she was doing. “I just wanted to let you know I’m heading out for the day.”

“Lucky you,” Lauren said, giving her a cheeky smile in return. “Dare I say you’re glowing?”

Skye laughed then rolled her eyes. “That’s because I’m ovulating. According to what I’ve read, that surge of estrogen makes your skin look smoother and brighter when you’re fertile.”

“Nice little benefit,” she acknowledged humorously. “But I’m thinking that radiant look on your face has more to do with the anticipation of having great, anything-goes sex with Tripp for the entire weekend.”

“Okay, maybe a little,” she admitted. Yes, she and Tripp were on a mission to make a baby, but Skye had also given herself permission to enjoy the process of getting pregnant.

“I knew it,” Lauren said triumphantly. “And I’m so envious. Not about the baby making part, but the sex part. It’s been way too long since I’ve had any.”

Skye tipped her head to the side, curious to know how things were going with the bachelor that Lauren had bought at the auction, who’d very reluctantly agreed to accompany Lauren to her sister’s wedding. “How’s the whole getting-to-know-you phase with Chase coming along?”

Her friend frowned. “Right now, I’m the one doing most of the talking because he’s not a big conversationalist, so it’s like pulling teeth trying to get information out of him so we can at least pull off being a believable couple.” She huffed out a frustrated stream of breath and ran her fingers through her dark hair. “And he’s like a brick wall when it comes to sharing personal stuff, so right now I know little to nothing about him besides his occupation.”

“But you have to admit that he’s agorgeousbrick wall,” Skye said, pointing out the positive. “So at least he’s not hard to look at and will provide you with nice arm candy at the wedding.”

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