AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Trick’s hands were cupping her face as his lips moved softly but firmly over hers. He didn’t invade her mouth, but instead teased her lips with the very tip of his tongue. Abruptly, he backed away, ending the kiss too soon.
He didn’t let go of her right away. He lingered, peering into her very soul as his mouth spread into a cunning smile. A smile that had her nipples pebbling inside of her bra, and warmth gathering between her legs.
“You’re so fucking sexy I can’t stand it,” he murmured, his voice husky. “Sorry to attack you, I just...couldn’t help myself.” His throat bobbed with a laugh as a slightly chagrined look crossed his features. As if he’d been overcome by her and had taken himself by surprise.
Same.
She liked that he hadn’t been fully in control of his faculties. Passion had been in short supply in her life. Partially because she was raised in a prim and proper environment. Rarely had she seen her father offer more than a demure peck to her mother’s cheek. Affection had been tempered in her household.
She glanced around the restaurant, half expecting someone to be gaping at her very public display of affection, but no one was paying attention.
“I’ll refrain from further lip-locks until you give me permission,” he promised. “Your turn.”
“My turn?”
“I promised to tell you something no one else knows. Or you can ask me anything.”
She put her hand to her head. She’d forgotten they were in the middle of a conversation. “Right. I, uh, lost my place.”
Grinning, he eased back into his chair. He wore smugness well.
“Did you go to college?”
“Ah, a softball.”
“We can start slow.” The comment held a charge. She could practically feel the hum in the air between them.
“Slow is good for me, Peaches.” He cleared his throat. “College. Yes. Film school, actually. The idea of becoming a filmmaker was a straight shot from childhood to now.” He arrowed his arm out in front of him. “I always knew I wanted to be an entertainer. I connected with the films I watched as a kid. I’ve wound up in front of the camera, but my original goal was to be behind it.”
“You’re good at what you do. Although, I’m not a fan of pranks you used to pull in your older videos.”
“Most of those were Todd’s ideas. Not to lay blame, but he’s not here to defend himself, so let’s blame him.”
“Was he a friend from film school?”
“Yeah. He’s a good guy. I drew the line at humiliating people. No one likes to be made fun of.”
“Tell me about it.” While she’d had a fairly secure childhood, she recalled plenty of times she’d felt set apart from her friends. Her best friend Monica had been a wisp of air compared to Rylee’s curvaceous build. “I never managed to slim down to the size of my closest friends. A few well-meaning but hurtful comments are still embedded in my memory.”
Trick’s mouth pulled into a frown.
“You know, because of...” She mimed the shape of an hourglass with her hands. “I should have asked, but I didn’t hurt you when I fell on you, did I?”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” His tone was sharp, disapproving.
“N-no. I mean, I did fall from a considerable height.”
He leaned in closer. So close she could make out the stubble pressed deliciously against his jawline. “I can handle every neckbreaking curve and hairpin turn on your body, Rylee.” He made a low appreciative sound in the back of his throat before blatantly checking her out. “You’re perfect. Insanely, distractingly perfect.”
She hadn’t been fishing for a compliment, and as a result had no idea what to do with one. Since those tender teenage years, she had accepted her body type and size. Rejoiced in it. She was active, healthy. She was also proud of the way she looked. But it’d been a long time since she’d taken her clothes off in an intimate act. The idea of being naked with Trick sent a barrage of tingles over her skin. She wasn’t nervous, butexcited. She’d always been self-conscious around Louis. He hadn’t outright criticized her, but neither had he openly praised her.
“I’m so comfortable around you,” she told Trick, awestruck by the realization. “More than I was with my fiancé. That’s strange.”
“Is it?”
“I guess not. Everyone else is at ease around you. Charm is one of your gifts. You don’t have to try at it.”
“Believe me, Peaches, with you I’m trying. I’m holding back so I don’t scare you off.”
