“I’m good,” I reply.
He kisses my cheek and then buries his face in my neck, tugging the flesh with his teeth.
“Tell me if the ribbon starts to pull too tight, or if you can’t breathe freely,” he instructs, then begins another journey with his lips down my back. He kisses the tattoo on my shoulder, making me grin.
I’m glad he likes it so much. I think it’s pretty, and I like to wear clothes that show it off.
My entire body is one big tingle as his lips and fingers journey over my skin. I can feel his warmth against me, and every once in a while, his erection will press against me, making me swallow hard, remembering how it feels to have him buried so deep inside me.
“Tell me about this,” he whispers, kissing the ink over the left side of my ribs softly.
“I got it when I opened the shop,” I tell him, loving the flutter of his lips over my skin.
“Recite it to me,” he demands.
I frown. He’s looking right at it. He can read it.
“I want to hear it from your lips,” he clarifies.
“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.”
“Why these words?” he asks.
I bite my lip. Jesus, he’s stripping me bare, body and soul here, and I love it and am afraid of it all at the same time.
Suddenly, he slaps my ass, and whispers in my ear, “What did I say about answering my questions?”
“Opening Sweets took everything I had. Failure isn’t an option for me.”
“Ah, baby,” he murmurs.
I hear the crinkling of a wrapper and the dip of the bed as he sheds his briefs before his hands glide down my back to my ass, over my hips and thighs. “You are an amazing woman, Nicole.”
“Ni—”I begin to correct him, but he interrupts me.
“We’re going to have to work on your stubbornness in the bedroom, baby.” He chuckles and bites my shoulder, then returns me to my back, covering my body with his. His eyes are on fire as he gazes down at me, his elbows planted on either side of my head, under my arms, holding me even more immobile. “Your body is fucking gorgeous. Every inch.”
His nose sweeps against my own as his pelvis rests on mine, his cock lying nestled in my slick pussy lips.
“I want you,” I whisper against his lips.
He sucks in a breath and lets it out in a shaky sigh, pulls his hips back and then slides slowly inside me until he’s completely buried.
“So fucking tight,” he growls and begins to move.
I raise my legs around his hips, opening myself up wider, allowing him to push inside even farther, and it’s pure fucking heaven.
I’ve never felt anything like this, never had this kind of physical and emotional connection to a man in my life. I bite my lip as he begins to move faster, harder, an unseen force driving him on, as though he just can’t help it. He crushes my mouth under his own and devours me, fucking me and kissing me voraciously.
Suddenly, he rears up, holding my knees out to the side, watching his cock move in and out of my wetness. He slides one hand down my inner thigh and plants his thumb against my clit, sending me into another plane of being.
I cry out just as he sends me over the edge into another orgasm, even stronger than the one before.
The head of his cock is dragging against my sweet spot, and his thumb continues to press against my clit, and it’s amazing.
Crazy.
Fucking unbelievable.
“Look at me,” he demands.
My eyes find his above me. He pumps into me twice, three times and then stills, groaning with his release.
He’s panting and sweating, still inside me as he pushes his hands up my arms to my wrists and pulls them down. He methodically unties the ribbon—I won’t be wearing that one in the shop again—and gently massages my wrists, hands and shoulders, then pulls out of me and climbs off the bed to take care of the condom.
When he returns, he doesn’t join me in bed. He simply holds his hand out to me with a smile, and when I take it, he pulls me out of the bed and into his arms for a long, soft kiss.
“How was that?” he asks quietly.
“It was…” I tilt my head to the side, thinking about the amazing experience we just shared. “Yeah, it was good.”
He grins, relieved. “Good. For me, too.” He grabs my robe from the end of the bed and wraps it around me, bundling me up, then pulls on his boxer-briefs and grabs my hand in his, lacing our fingers.
“Come on, I’ll make you breakfast.”
“You cook?” I ask with a raised brow.
“Quite well, actually.”
“I like all of these hidden talents,” I reply with a smirk.
“Oh, honey, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
***
“Tell me about your ink,” I request as Matt bustles about my kitchen.
I’m seated at the breakfast bar, wrapped in the robe that Matt draped around me, holding a cup of steaming coffee, an empty glass of orange juice at my elbow, also thanks to my bossy cop. He refused my offer of help, instead insisting that I sit and keep him company.
If this is what’s involved in being submissive, I should have signed on long ago.
Although, maybe it’s just this guy who works this way.
“This”—he points to the tattoo on his side, over his ribs—“is the Chinese symbol for truth.”
I nod, admiring the black symbol, having an excuse to allow my eyes to roam over his perfect body. His arms are thick, the muscles clearly defined. When he lifts the pan to flip the pancakes, the muscles flex and bunch, and I can’t help but squirm in my chair.
God, I want to touch him.
I wonder if he’ll ever let me touch him when we have sex.
He turns his back to me, and my jaw drops. Jesus Christ on a motor bike, his back is blessed with more muscle, and it tapers down to his hips, where of course he’s sporting two of the hottest damn dimples sitting right over his tight ass, currently covered in his low-riding shorts.
I could most likely bounce quarters off that ass.
It’s something to write home about, that’s for sure. Of course, my mom might not want to hear about my guy’s ass.
Then again, maybe she would.
He’s talking as he moves about, cracking eggs and checking on the bacon in the oven, but I have no idea what he’s saying.
“Nic?”
My gaze whips up to his.
He’s smiling, watching me. “Where were you?”
“Um.” My cheeks heat, and I dissolve into a bubble of giggles. “Sorry. I was checking out your ass.”
He chuckles. “First time you’ve seen a man mostly naked?”
“This is the first time I’ve gotten a good look at you.” I shrug. “It’s nice.”
“Nice?” he asks and pulls the eggs away from the heat.
“You don’t like nice?”
“Hmm…no. Nice isn’t the word I’d like to hear you use to describe me.”
“Well…” I tilt my head, like I’m pretending to come up with something, enjoying this banter. “I guess I could say sexy. Or crazy hot. Or even better yet, oh my God.”
He walks around the breakfast bar and kisses me silly, his hands in my short hair, holding on tight as his lips nibble and explore mine. I plant my hands on his back and let them roam over his skin down to his ass, where I slip them under the waistband of his shorts and grip him firmly.
“So you’re an ass girl.”
“I am now,” I agree with a laugh.
He laughs with me as he lets me go and finishes preparing breakfast, then loads only one plate of everything onto a tray and motions with his head for me to follow him.
His eyes are warning me not to argue, so I quietly climb off my stool and follow him back into the bedroom, where he climbs onto my bed, sits against the headboard and pats the space next to him.
“Join me.”
I plant my knee on the edge, but be
fore I can climb on, he adds, “Without the robe.”
I bite my lip, watching his face, as I slowly pull the tie loose at my waist and let the satin fall open, push it off my shoulders and let it fall to the ground, leaving me naked.
Matt sucks in a breath, his eyes wide as they rake up and down my body. “Jesus, Nic.”
“Can I join you now?” I ask sarcastically.
“We’re in the bedroom, so watch yourself, little one.”
I grin and climb on the bed, sit next to him with my knees pulled up to my chest, and wait for him to decide what to do next. He takes a bite of bacon and then a sip of OJ, and then offers me a bite of pancakes.
I blink in surprise and open my mouth, allowing him to feed me the pancakes, and then chew as he continues to also feed himself.
“Bacon?” he asks.
I nod, and he feeds me the bacon, patiently waiting while I chew. Finally, I start to laugh.
“Something funny?”
“This is incredibly funny,” I confirm. “You’re feeding me.”
“I am,” he agrees and then smiles widely. “It won’t happen often, but I feel like spoiling you a bit. Humor me?”
“You’re the boss.” I shrug and lean back, letting him feed us both. “How are Brynna and Caleb doing?”
“They are almost a week into their honeymoon, so I would think they’re fucking like rabbits and having a great time.”
“Oh! Brynna said she didn’t think they’d be able to get away.”
Matt offers me some juice, and I gratefully accept.
“It was a gift from the family.”
“That’s awesome.” I lean over and kiss Matt’s bare shoulder, then remember myself and ask, “Am I allowed to do that?”
“To kiss me?”
“Yeah. You didn’t give me permission.”
“We’re just sitting here, having breakfast and chatting, Nic. You can touch me whenever you want, unless I give you direction that says otherwise.”
“Oh. I like that.”
“Good.” He grins and offers me some scrambled eggs.
“So, where did you all send them?” I ask and refuse the next bite, too full to eat any more.
“Italy,” he replies casually and finishes the rest of the breakfast himself.
“Italy,” I repeat with a snort. “Holy crap, that’s some honeymoon.”
“I know.” He nods. “Dominic owns a home there.”
“He seems nice.”
Matt’s eyes narrow on my face.
Is he jealous?
“He’s a good guy. I haven’t known him long. Just a few months.”
“But he’s your brother.”
“Half brother,” he clarifies and sets the empty tray on the bedside table. “We didn’t know he existed until about five months ago.”
“Wow.”
“What do you have planned for today?” Matt asks, effectively changing the subject.
“I could use a trip to the grocery store, but other than that, I don’t have solid plans.”
He looks uncertain when he meets my gaze and says simply, “I’d like to spend today with you.”
“Okay,” I agree. “What do you have in mind?”
“Anything you want,” he replies. “Let’s get out of this apartment for a while, and then I’d very much like to spend tonight here with you.”
“I’d like to go down to Pike Place Market for some produce for the week.” I tap my lip with my finger, contemplating all the possibilities. “Maybe pick up some fresh chocolate from the chocolate place just up the hill from there.”
“You use fresh chocolate in your cupcakes?” Matt asks.
“Of course. I buy all my chocolate from them. It’s the best.”
“Okay. I might have a surprise before the Market and the chocolate place.” He checks the time, then leans in and kisses me softly. “Thank you for this morning.”
He kisses me once more and pulls me from the bed. “Let’s shower and then head out. We need an early start.”
He picks me up in his arms and marches into the bathroom.
“Are we going to get dirty again before we get clean?” I ask with a laugh.
“Oh, definitely.”
***
“God, I love Seattle in the summer!” I exclaim and lean on the railing of the ferry, breathing in the salty air and enjoying the breeze in my hair and on my skin.
It’s a gorgeous sunny summer day in Puget Sound. Matt surprised me with a ferry ride over to Bainbridge Island, which is only about a forty-minute ride, but the view is spectacular.
“I do, too,” he agrees and leans on the rail, watching the Olympic Mountains grow smaller as we drift away from the island toward Seattle. “Did you enjoy the town?”
“It’s a cute place.” I nod and smile. “The bagel shop makes one hell of a sandwich.”
“Next time we’ll rent bikes and ride around the island.”
“Sounds fun, too.”
He steps behind me, wraps his arms around my shoulders and rests his lips on the top of my head, holding me snugly against his chest as we enjoy the spectacular views around us.
I haven’t known him long, and I’ve already placed so much trust in this man. More than anyone in my life before. His quiet calm is soothing.
I hope I’m not making a mistake.
When we dock at Seattle, we walk up to Pike Place Market, one of the most famous outdoor/indoor markets in the world.
“Our first stop is the doughnut guy,” Matt informs me with a grin.
Because it’s a beautiful Sunday, the market is bustling with tourists and locals alike. We join the line for doughnuts and wait.
Matt’s eyes never stop roaming, watching the people who pass by, listening to conversations around us. His hand holds on to mine tightly, as if I might get scooped up into the flow of bodies and disappear.
His protectiveness is a new side of him that I can’t help but enjoy. It makes me feel…wanted.
When it’s our turn, Matt places his order and then offers the plain brown paper bag to me, steaming with hot, fresh doughnuts the size of a baby’s fist.
“No, thank you,” I murmur, secretly yearning for just one. Just one.
“Are you sure?” he asks incredulously. “These are the best doughnuts in the city.”
I nod, my mind made up. I don’t want to pay for it later. “I’m sure.”
“If you’re worried about the calories—”
“I’m not,” I interrupt. “I’m still full from lunch.”
He watches me closely for a moment and then shrugs, tosses a sugar and cinnamon doughnut into his mouth and leads me farther into the market. Despite the throngs of people, Matt stays close and patiently waits while I choose fruit for this week’s cupcakes, as well as produce for my own kitchen.
“Fish for dinner?” Matt asks in my ear, pointing to the fresh fish on display from one of the vendors.
“Sure.”
He leaves me to buy some fish, so I also buy fragrant herbs to go with the fish and the makings for salad.
“Hey, baby.”
I frown and turn at the familiar voice, praying I’m wrong.
Please, God, don’t let it be who I think it is.
Nope, I’m just not that lucky.
“Don’t call me that, Rob.” I roll my eyes and keep moving down the line of produce.
“Hey, you haven’t returned my calls in a while,” he responds, ignoring my request completely.
“Nope, I haven’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not interested, Rob. Look…” I turn and catch Matt watching us over Rob’s shoulder. He raises an eyebrow, but I square my shoulders and look Rob right in the eye.
He’s short, only a few inches taller than I am, but he’s a good-looking guy with black hair and brown eyes, a crooked nose.
“I don’t mean to hurt your feelings, but I’m just not interested in seeing you. Good luck to you.”
I turn to go, but he g
rabs my arm. “Wait.”
“I think she already said no,” Matt growls from behind him.
There’s really not enough room to have this kind of altercation here in the middle of the market. There are too many people bustling around us, bumping into us.
“This isn’t your fucking business,” Rob snaps back with a sneer, and Matt’s eyes narrow into deadly slits.
“She’s with me,” he states calmly. “She said no. That’s all you need to know.”
Rob’s gaze slides to mine. “Seriously.”
“That’s right.”
“Fine.” He backs away, his hands up in surrender, but I can see anger and embarrassment in every line of his body. “See you around.”
“A former boyfriend?” Matt asks as he watches Rob’s retreating form.
“Used to,” I confirm and pay for my purchases. “I’m finished here.”
“Chocolate place next?” Matt asks.
“Yes, please.” I sigh in relief that Matt doesn’t press the subject of Rob as we exit the market and begin to climb the hill that leads up into the heart of downtown. This hill is a bitch.
“I hate this hill,” I grumble, earning a chuckle from Matt.
He links his fingers through mine and takes the bag out of my other hand, carrying both the fish and produce in his spare hand. “So tell me about that guy.”
“I was hoping that subject was closed.”
“It will be after you spill it.” He grins down at me, then places a kiss on my forehead. “Please.”
“He’s a guy I met in school. I went out with him once or twice, but he’s not really my type.”
“And that is?”
“Well, let’s just say Rob is pushy and selfish and really enjoys talking about his truck.”
Matt chuckles. “Yeah, I know the type.”
“So not someone I enjoy spending time with,” I assure him and shake my head. “I just stopped returning his calls. It wasn’t even worth telling him to go away, because we’d only gone out a couple times. There was no physical relationship. I just let it fizzle out.”
“But he seems to still be into you,” Matt comments.
“I guess. I don’t really care.” I wince and bite my lip. “That makes me sound like a bitch.”