Page 42 of The Comedown

“You’ll take this order,” he says arrogantly.

“What makes you so sure?”

For answer, his foot depresses the gas pedal, revving the engine. “Because you like this too much to pass up.”

Another good point.

“Okay…so, you do want me on your cock?”

“I’ve wanted you on my cock since I was a teenager with your poster hanging above my bed.”

“Color me flattered,” I deadpan. It astounds me the amount of people who say the same exact thing as if I actually like hearing it. I don’t, especially now that I have my own teenager. I really don’t need to think about what he does with the posters he has up in his room.

“You asked.”

“I was trying to be respectful.”

“Well, don’t. You have my full permission to degrade the fuck outta me any time you want.”

My chuckle fills the car. He’s so ridiculous. A walking contradiction.

“So, I don’t need to apologize for leaving you naked at the photo shoot?”

“You can… With your lips around my—”

“Offer rescinded. I will not be apologizing.”

Now he’s the one laughing. “Yeah, I figured. I had it comin’ anyway.”

Hesitantly, like he thinks I’ll actually leave, he removes his arm, and I settle myself lower between his thighs, saying, “Yes, you did.”

His voice deepens to ask, “How are your panties now, Collette?”

“You really want to know?”

“Fuck yeah.”

“Close your eyes.”

“Wh—”

“Close your eyes.”

His eyelids flutter closed, so I grip the tops of his hands on his thighs, exhaling until my back expands against his chest, his rapidly beating heart knocking my shoulder blade.

With my head cocked to the side and watching the spot below his jawline to see the beats myself, I whisper, “Inhale through your nose.”

The chest at my back stretches until Julian’s lungs are so full I swear they can’t expand any further, but somehow they do.

His breath whooshes out.

“I’m gonna fucking—”

“The only thing you’re going to do is smell my want. The want you wouldn’t let me satisfy by chasing off—”

His thumbs swoop over to catch the tops of my hands, holding me hostage as he brings our hands in, simultaneously rubbing the insides of his thighs and the outsides of mine. A moan almost slips out, but I manage to swallow it in time to hear Julian growl, “I swear to fuck, you better not say another motherfucker’s name right now.”

“Why? Why go through all this trouble, Julian?”