All those windows. All of those eyes on me. The rational part of me said they’d need a telescope, binoculars or an unhealthy curiosity to see anything remotely scandalous. Like my thighs spread and my fingers knuckle deep while a fully clothed man looked on. It was...I was...I squeezed my thighs together and crossed my arms against my br**sts. A new word came to mind: Humiliated.
“Jacob, maybe if we went inside--”
“No.” His voice darkened, blotting out any misconceptions of a choice in the matter. “You will do this, Leila. Because you’re beautiful. Sexy. Desirable as hell.” He picked up his mug and brought it to his lips. When he was finished, his expression was strict and impassive. “You will do this because I commanded it and you are mine.”
There was something in his voice that unraveled my nerves, enslaving me to his will. It was more than the fact that he was looking at me like I was the most delicious kind of sin--it was the fact that somehow, I was starting to feel different.
I looked down at my skin, the same skin I thought was getting too pale and starving for sun. It was golden and supple, the light dancing on it, making it shine. I ran my hand through my curls, the softness and bounce like heaven to touch. I leaned back, the slight recline of the chair built for the contours of my body. I was stark naked, wet as hell and I didn’t feel gangly or exposed. I felt like sex. And I wanted to touch myself.
I cut my eyes up to him as I spread my thighs, both hands at my knees. A smile didn’t dare approach his lips, but I saw it in the blue as I drew my fingertips down the V of my thighs. I went slow, taking my time because I knew it wouldn’t take much to release me. Not when I was in his aqua embrace. Not when I was listening to my true erotic nature.
I drew a sharp breath when my fingers brushed my moist entrance. I spread myself wide, feeling the caress of air against the cool desire that turned me molten. One hand opened my intimate folds and the other paused at the slit, waiting, watching the smile in his eyes become unbridled lust.
I pushed the finger deep and my heat fluttered around the digit. I forgot about eye f**king Jacob because I was so wet. So hungry for this. Hungry for more.
I bucked my h*ps as my shallow thrusts stroked my inner walls, my rhythm building until I tossed my head back and forth from the overwhelming pleasure. I knew he was watching and it made me wild.
When I glanced over at him, I gasped when I saw he’d moved closer. He was close enough that I was eye level with his crotch and saw he was more than enjoying my submission.
Every bit of me was tingling, aching, begging as I continued my assault, not letting up because I knew how close I was. How close he was. When he tilted my chin up, I flicked my thumb across my nub of erotic nerves and pleasure shouted all over me, building to a screeching frenzy. When his mouth claimed mine, his tongue sliding between my lips, I knew I was through.
I was coming.
His kiss deepened as I kept pumping. I was all senses and longing, the bliss too much and at the same time, nowhere near enough. When my lips went slack, he rounded out his kiss until he was just stroking my lips with his, like he couldn’t get his fill of the way I tasted. Like he wanted every last bit of me, letting nothing go to waste.
He pulled back, his gaze locked on me. “How do you feel?”
I shifted, but not to cover myself. I turned into the sun, closing my eyes as its warmth caressed my na**d skin.
“I feel sexy.”
****
I stepped inside the corner coffee shop, getting high off espresso just walking through the door. Even though the decor was the picture of sophistication--dark hardwood floors and modern furniture that was nice to look at--it didn’t inspire comfort. They charged three times as much for a latte because the shop was flanked by swanky apartment buildings and condominiums. One came to this place for coffee with a side of arrogance.
Case in point was the poor soul in front of me that dared to ask for extra chocolate in his mocha and the barista glared at him like he was lost. The only reason I picked this shop instead of flagging a cab and heading down to my favorite haunt was because I just wanted to grab a couple of muffins and a matcha green tea latte and head back to the apartment. All I wanted was to curl up in a chair on the balcony and steal looks at Jacob until I could convince him that I needed more ‘discipline’.
I shivered with longing, biting my lip. Nothing compared to the way he made me feel. It was frightening to come to terms with the fact that I was so close to losing the only man that loved the real me. The me I hid away from everyone. The me he’d seen that day in the lobby, feisty and sexy and curious. I could never show him how much it meant to me that he loved me despite my flaws.
I sniffled, blinking back the emotion. All this lovey doveyness was turning me into a bundle of mushy gushy. When I saw the impatient set of the barista’s jaw, it helped steady me. Still, I couldn’t wipe the smile off my face as I ordered a breve for myself and a green tea latte for Jacob. When she all but snatched my debit card then looked right through me to the next customer, I barely noticed, turning, almost whistling until I saw him—and choked on my happiness.
It was hard to believe that once upon a time the sight of him made sparks ripple across my skin. Back then I wouldn’t be able to get rid of my grin, even with the jaws of life. I’d hold it until I stepped out of the dark, so tempted to rush back to the ticket booth so I could experience it all over again. Now, the very sight of Cade Wallace made me sick to my stomach.
He was in his best Regular Joe, wearing a charcoal V-neck shirt and jeans, his golden cropped hair beneath a ball cap. His green eyes glued me in place but as soon as his lips spread, I wrenched free, walking slowly backward.
“Cade? What are you—” You don’t care. I turned my back. Ignore him. Maybe he’ll just go away.
I moved to the drink pick-up station, willing them to go faster so I could get the hell out of there. It was obvious Cade was determined to butt his way into my life whether I wanted it or not.
Even with my attention on the barista’s every movement, I knew Cade was beside me. He just had that kind of presence; the ability to make the air buzz. And even though I was ridden with goose bumps, on high alert, I didn’t acknowledge him.
Just go away, I begged silently. We don’t have anything to say to each other.
“I know I’m probably the last person on Earth you want to see--”
I refused to speak to him out loud, but my thoughts fired off like bullets. Damn right. Especially since I told you I was off of your case and have zero, zilch, nada reason to see you in person. Ever.