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Raya reaches for me and brushes the back of her hand over my cheek, her touch soothing. “He’d be so proud to see you today, Lex. I’m a little reluctant to admit it, but you’re kind of a role model to me too. That’s why it was so embarrassing for me when I realized who you were, because I really should’ve recognized you straight away, and it’s so silly that I didn’t. I’ve followed your career for some time now, and I’ve always loved how freely you share your knowledge, even when you know you’ll lose your competitive advantage because of it. Each time you publish a paper, I read itimmediately. Some of your research helped me with something I’m working on, and you just… you have no idea how much of an impact you make.”
Her words humble me, and I’m not quite sure what to say. “It’s something my grandfather taught me,” I end up muttering. “Technological advances mustn’t be hoarded; they must be shared for the betterment of society as a whole. Grandpa believed that competition leads to further innovation, and I firmly agree with him.”
“He sounds incredible,” she says, her tone reverent.
“He was,” I agree, pulling her in for a hug. I haven’t been able to talk about my parents or my grandfather in years, and she has no idea how difficult it is for me to do so now. I’m not even sure how she was able to make me open up like that, when no one else can.
Raya rises to her tiptoes and hugs me tightly, and it hits me then — when was the last time anyone hugged me like that? I draw a shaky breath as I tangle my hand in her hair and tilt my face, needing more.
“Raya,” I whisper, pulling back a little to look at her. She reads me with ease and leans in to kiss me. This kiss is different to the ones that came before it. It’s filled with consolation and incredible sweetness that I can’t quite get enough of.
“My turn,” she whispers against my lips, before leaning in for another kiss. “Choose Dare, Lex.”
I smile in between kisses, surprisingly happy to obey my future wife.
Eight
Lex
“What’s got you smiling that way?” Raya asks, her index finger tracing a line between my brows and down, to the tip of my nose.
At some point in the night, we moved to my sofa and opened another bottle of wine, playing endless rounds of truth and dare, never running out of things to talk about.
Spending time with her is like nothing I’ve ever experienced before — it’s effortless, and somehow, she makes my thoughts still. For the first time in years, I don’t feel on edge around someone who’s essentially a perfect stranger. I didn’t think any woman would ever be able to make me lower my guard again, but in a matter of hours, she has.
“You,” I murmur, pulling her closer, until I’ve got her seated in my lap. “I’m genuinely just having a great time with you.”
I cup her face, my heart racing. Should I just tell her the truth? Or is it too late for that now? I’ve never felt more conflicted than I do right now. Fear of all different kinds tugs at me — fear she truly is just a great actress, and I’m letting herfool me with surprising ease. Fear that she’s innocent, and my actions tonight will set us up for failure from the very start.
Raya’s forehead drops to mine, and then her face dips lower, her lips finding mine. Just like that, every thought fades away. This kiss is slow, explorative, and I take my time parting her lips, tasting, nipping. She moans softly, the sound rushing straight to my cock. She’s had me turned on all night, each kiss driving me a little closer to the edge. It’s torture to be around her, that honey scent of her invading my senses.
I turn us over, and she falls backwards on the sofa, her hair spread all around her beautifully. That expression when she looks up at me from lowered lashes… fucking enchanting.
I cover her body with mine, and her fingers slide through my hair before she grips it and pulls me in for another kiss. I groan as she moves underneath me, rocking her hips in a needy way I just can’t resist. “Fuck, Raya.” Even her name sounds perfect, whispered between our lips. “Do you have any idea what you’re doing to me?”
I push up against her, making her feel just how hard she’s made me, and a soft moan escapes her perfect lips. I don’t think I’ve ever experienced just prolonged arousal, wanting someone yet trying my hardest not to let desire guide a conversation. I’m at my breaking point, and I think she is too.
My future wife gasps when I part her legs with my knee, and I chuckle as my hand slides down between us, until I’m gripping her thigh, my thumb brushing over her lace panties.
She’s soaking wet, even through the fabric, and it’s fucking thrilling to know it’s all for me. Her eyes flash with the same desire I’m feeling, and I smirk as I let my finger brush over the fabric again, teasing her. “Can I?”
She bites down on her lip, her expression conflicted. “I… I’m not sure, Lex. No one has ever…”
My eyes widen. “Never?”
She shakes her head, and I smirk as I drag my finger down her soaking panties, loving how wet she is. Every single kiss turned me on more than I’ve ever been, and I’m so fucking glad it isn’t just me.
“Will you let me?” I whisper, my heart racing. “Let me make you come, Raya. I want my name on your lips and my fingers buried deep inside you… nothing more than that.”
She blinks, her expression clearing a little. “I… I’m not…” she bites down on her lip and looks away. “I’m not sure.”
I study her face, reading her indecision. “Okay, baby,” I murmur, pressing a kiss to her cheek.
“I’m sorry,” she whispers, her voice trembling.
I pause and push myself up on top of her. “You don’t owe me anything, Raya. Least of all an apology.”
She glances at me helplessly, insecurity flickering through her gorgeous brown eyes. “I just haven’t felt comfortable enough with anyone to do something like that. I thought it’d happen when I went to college, but I haven’t seriously dated anyone, so it just… it just didn’t happen.” She wrings her hands nervously. “I guess you were expecting something different since I left the party with you. I’m not sure why I did that, to be honest. I’ve never done that before, but I just… I don’t know…”
