“Because I learned something interesting the other day. That a lot of the Chains members live right here in the high-rise.”
“That’s true. My apartment is only a few floors up from here, in fact.”
Harper took a deep breath, bit her lip, and flashed a teasing smile.
“Can I see it?”
Chapter 18
Whatever plans Maya had in mind, she wasn’t in a rush to act them out. While Harper had been more than willing to make sinful use of the temporary privacy found in the elevator, Maya wasn’t. Other than taking Harper’s hand as they walked through the high-rise, they didn’t touch at all.
This was the complete opposite of Harper’s usual approach to romance. She was a pro at seduction, and sex was a dance whose steps she was more than familiar with. Most of her relationships had spawned from one-night stands, with the honeymoon phases lasting only as long as their bedroom adventures remained interesting.
Another thing that made Maya different. They had become friendly before anything like that happened. Friends, even. Though, granted, Harper had wanted to move past the ‘friendship’ stage since that firstnot-date of theirs.
“After you.”
Maya gestured through the door she’d just opened, showing a spacious studio. It followed the same industrial aesthetic as the rest of the high-rise, with the walls being a mix of exposed brick and concrete, while most of the furniture was made of dark wood or stainless steel.
But despite the harsh appearance, the space exuded warmth. Colorful abstract art hung on the walls, there were stacks of books everywhere, and over a dozen plants were scattered around the living area. All well cared for, too.
Which meant Harper should stay far away from them. She had whatever the opposite of a green thumb was. Every plant she’d ever bought had needed emergency rescue from Nell.
“Howgallantof you,” Harper said and stepped inside. Maya followed, closing the door behind them. “Nice place. How long have you been—”
Maya pulled Harper back and pushed her up against the door. Pinning her in place, their bodies flush, Maya’s lips found Harper’s in such a hard, wanting,desperatekiss that it erased everything but the present.
It took less than a second for Harper to match Maya’s intensity. She moaned, pulling at Maya’s t-shirt, wanting hercloser. Wanted to feel their bodies pressed together without the barrier of fabric. To touch her, all over. To dig her nails into her fucking skin.
Maya broke the kiss, Harper panting in the wake of it.
“Were you serious downstairs?”
Harper nodded feverishly. “Yes. Do whatever you want.”
She wasstarvingfor it. For far longer than the few minutes it took to get to this goddamn apartment. Under different circumstances, that distant evening on the park bench would have ended with them doing exactly this. She would have let Maya’s lips brush against hers, following that kiss to wherever Maya’s bed happened to be.
Maya lifted her off the floor, the door groaning as she was pressed against it. Barely straining herself, too. Just how strong was she?
How hard would her grip be to escape?
A moan escaped Harper’s lips, and she pulled Maya’s face closer, muting the noise by kissing her again.
To think she had surviveddayswithout this. Without feeling Maya’s body against her own. Without hearing her groan andsigh. Noises Harper echoed and which only grew shallower as Maya carried her through the studio and dropped her on the bed.
Maya pulled Harper’s shirt off, tossing it away. The bra went right after, giving Maya perfect access to dot kisses over her chest. She teased her tongue around a nipple, teeth following. Grazing her skin.
Barely touching. So light. So careful. And it still fired a sting of pleasure through her chest.
“You can… You can go harder than that,” Harper panted.
“I will. Later.” Maya unbuttoned Harper’s jeans, tugging them off. “I’ve wanted to do this for weeks. Let me take my time. Let me fucking savor you.”
If Harper hadn’t already been turned on to the point of absurdity, that comment would have accomplished it just fine.
Maya moved between her legs, pulling down her underwear. Her lips feathered over her stomach, her hips, the inside of her thigh.
Fuck, this teasing wastorture. From the conversation downstairs, Harper had expected prompt consequences the moment they were somewhere private.
