Page 37 of Out of Bounds

A single tear slipped from the corner of Felicity’s eye and slowly trickled down her cheek. Every inch of Gunnar’s body wanted to reach out to her and wipe away that tear, before wrapping his arms around her and just holding her.

“It’s been sixteen years. You’d think I’d have learned by now that his attention is the one thing he won’t give me. That and the team. He handed that straight to Tripp.”

"I see you, Effie,” he told her, looking her straight in the eye. He wanted her to know that he really did. But he also hated seeing her like this and knew he needed to do something to cheer her up. And he knew just the thing. “I see every last ball-busting inch of you.”

“I’m not a ballbuster!” she shrieked, giving him a playful kick with her beautifully long legs. He let out a loud laugh, enjoying every moment of her reaction and that he’d known exactly what to do to get one out of her. Her smooth skin seemed to go on forever before disappearing into those tiny little shorts she was wearing. He could easily tell she wasn’t wearing a bra under that camisole either, making his mouth water every time his gaze crossed over her chest. He’d had to make a calculated effort when he’d first arrived not to stare, but now as they jiggled with her movements, he could feel all the blood rush to his dick.

“You, sweetheart, most certainly are. I may have taught myself English with movies, but that is a term I learned pretty quick,” he said, extending his leg and nudging her in return. She giggled when his toes brushed up against her thigh, her skin warm and inviting. She shifted in her spot, curling her leg up with his, drawing his gaze straight to her core. If she wasn’t wearing a bra, was she also not wearing panties? “I don’t say it like it’s a bad thing. It takes a lot of strength to deal with some of the shit you have and still turn out okay. Not to mention, your own set of…whatever…to be the only woman on the Rising’s executive team.”

“Well, then I’m going to wear that as a badge of honor.” She stuck her tongue out at him playfully, and he responded by snapping his teeth and flinching like he was going to bite it. The move earned him another giggle, which made his dick twitch all over again. Who knew that Felicity Sutherland had a playful side or that it was so damn cute.

“You should.”

There was silence for a moment as the two of them let the conversation settle around them. When he’d asked her brother where she lived, using the excuse of needing to give her something Talia said couldn’t wait, he hadn’t expected any of this. Hell, he’d half expected her to slam the door in his face. But the more he got to know her, the more he wanted. And he’d already wanted her plenty. Too bad she was the boss.

Felicity nudged him with her foot again, this time getting dangerously close to the hard-on he was sporting. God only knew that if any part of her made actual contact, he would lose all control. He gave her a sly grin as she pulled her leg back, teasing his along the way. Once more, she responded by simply sticking out her tongue, as if they were kids on a playground.

“That is the second time you’ve done that tonight, young lady,” he mockingly scolded her. Boss or not, two could play this game. “You do that again, and I’ll show you just what you can do with that tongue.”

“Oh, really…” she sang, a challenging lilt to her voice. Her eyes narrowed and her lips lifted into a Cheshire cat grin like he had never seen. “Is that so?”

“Yes.”

Without skipping a beat, Felicity repeated the motion, sticking her tongue out as far as it could go. The look in her eyes was mischievous as she tilted her head back slightly, exaggerating her move.

Game on.

Chapter Thirteen

Anticipation rushed through Felicity as she watched Gunnar’s eyes darken, his broody stare intensifying. She had no idea why she’d let this playful side of herself out. It was not a side that she let most people see. But a switch had flipped in her tonight, somewhere in between his apology and the nickname explanation, and she could feel all her walls start to crumble.

He continued to sit there, staring at her, like he was calculating his next move carefully. With each passing moment, Felicity could feel her heart race faster, wondering what on earth he was going to do. She had hoped his words had meant that he was going to kiss her again, but the longer they sat like this, the air between them sizzling, the more she wasn’t sure. Was she the only one feeling those sparks? There was no way that was the case—the look on his face was primal, like a hunter who had found its target. Damn, did she like the feeling of being said target.

“You know what I think?” she asked, egging him on. “I think you’re all talk. You have no intention of doing anything.”

“That’s where you’re wrong, Effie. I’m going to put you in your place,” he countered, his eyes narrowing in on her. He sat up and leaned in toward her, the corner of his lip lifting into a crooked grin. “I’m just trying to decide if that place is under me or across my lap.”

Felicity felt a shiver run down her spine and visibly shuddered as her own desire rushed to the surface. Swallowing hard, she tried to find the words to tell him that either option was more than fine by her, but somehow, the ability to talk had escaped her.

“Oh, I see, now you don’t have a comeback,” he growled, leaning in farther. “I expected more from you.”

“Both,” she said, her voice hoarser than expected. Clearing her throat, she narrowed her eyes, challenging him. Gunnar's eyes flared with excitement, watching as she moved in closer. “What if I want both?”

“That’s my girl.”

Without another word Gunnar grabbed her wrist and yanked her on top of him and into his lap. Their bodies collided together, almost knocking the breath out of her, but the feel of his hard chest was welcome nonetheless. Heat radiated off of him as his mouth crashed into hers, his arms snaking around her body. She whimpered into him, rubbing her breasts against him, kissing him back with just as much intensity. His kiss was just as hot as the other night, but somehow different. The other night was hasty and rushed, like a kid let loose in a candy store—everything needed to be tried at once. But now…now there was a different urgency. Someone had ordered their favorite dessert and they were wasting no time in enjoying it.

Another shiver ran through her as Gunnar glided his hand up the back of her thigh, breaching the hem of her shorts. When he found her bare ass, he growled again, giving it a firm squeeze, causing her to moan into his kiss.

“Naughty girl, not wearing any panties,” he said, barely pulling back from her.

“I wasn’t expecting company.”

“Needed easy access for yourself then?” he teased.

“Maybe,” she teased in return, shifting herself in his lap. The groan he let out lit her up all over again, and she wiggled her hips against the bulge in his jeans.

Pulling him back into her, she kissed him hard, looking to get lost in his lips. Everything about him right now, from his taste to the feel of his hands against her skin, was out of this world, and she felt like she could do this with him forever.