My bra falls to the ground and I’m lifted into his arms and placed in the oversized, steam-filled shower. Tiny droplets hit my back as I wait for him to join me.
He surprises me, taking a seat on the bench rather than joining me. “I want to watch you,” he says, resting his head against the tile.
“I thought you were going to help me,” I groan, the ache between my legs building just staring at him naked.
“When the time is right,” he answers, a huge grin lighting up his gorgeous face. He hands me a bar of soap, purposefully brushing his fingers against mine. “Soap up, Lila.”
I follow his instruction, soaping my arms, back, stomach, and legs. His lips part when I rest one foot on the bench, opening myself up to him. I glide the bar between my legs, back and forth watching him. I brace my hand against the shower wall and close my eyes, rubbing faster—harder. My tongue darts out to lick my lips. I’m so close … so damn close.
“Stop,” he commands, wrapping his hand around my wrist.
“Please,” I beg. “I need you inside me. Please.”
He stands up, and in one swift move, he has me sitting on the bench staring up at him. He spreads my legs, sitting on his knees between them. Water drips from the ends of his bangs, falling to his lashes and rolling down his cheeks. I couldn’t want him any more than I do right now.
He pulls me to the edge of the bench, forcing my back to arch with my head resting against the tile. “I give you pleasure. Only me,” he growls, circling his thumb between my legs as he presses his lips to the inside of my thigh. “Your scent is so sweet.”
I grip his long hair between my fingers. “Pierce, please,” I beg, pulling his hair gently. He buries his head between my legs and works his tongue against my sensitive skin, occasionally tugging to cause the most painful, yet pleasurable experience I’ve ever felt. I cry out as the first orgasm rocks my body. He pulls me up holding me against the shower wall as he pushes inside of me, feeling the ride he’s taken me on.
“You’re so fucking perfect,” he groans as I come down from sweet bliss. His strong arms hold my legs up as he pumps into me. I fall apart two times before he finds his release.
“I’ve never been with someone who’s so amazing at everything,” he breathes as he slowly tries to regain his composure.
I smile, burying my head in the crook of his neck. “Where did you learn to do that?”
He laughs. “Probably not what you want to hear, but I’ve had experience.”
I lift my head. Lila Fields actually feels a hint of jealousy, and she doesn’t like it one bit. “And where do I rank?”
He kisses the tip of my nose. “If you have to ask, we may have to do this all over again because I don’t think I made it clear enough.”
“It was the best,” I answer, honestly. Not for one second did I feel used … I just felt love and desire.
“Same for me.” I watch the water hit against his back. I think about what it would be like to do this every morning with him. To have a guy who worships me, who understands my tough exterior only hides a damaged soul.
He knows what I need and when I need it.
“I THOUGHT YOU WERE never going to pick up your phone,” Mallory says when I call her back after twelve missed attempts on her part.
“I’m on a work trip. It’s not like I’m sitting on the beach sipping pina coladas.”
“How are things going?” she asks, cutting the meaningless bullshit short.
“Not too bad so far. I mean … the trip has had a few ups and downs, but nothing I can’t handle.” I sit up, pulling the sheet up over my breasts. Pierce left a few minutes ago to prepare for the meeting we have this afternoon.
“Have you seen him?” she says, quietly.
“Yes,” I answer back, the emotion I felt when I saw Blake creeping up in my voice. “When you said he was here, I didn’t want to believe you.”
“I wouldn’t lie to you about something like that.”
I pause, thoughts whirling in my head. The one that’s plagued me the most is the one I can’t let go of. It’s more a question than a thought, and the answer scares me to death. “Why did he take the job?”
“He’s been in hiding for months. I think he was just ready to get back to a somewhat normal life. He’s been working on himself … he’s been working hard to become the man he used to be before Alyssa.”
My heart clenches every time I hear her name. Her end ripped two men apart, and like an earthquake, there are lingering aftershocks. “Did he know I’d be on the project? When he took it, I mean.”
She breathes heavily in the phone. “He loves you, Lila. He may not show it. He may not say it. But he loves you, and he wanted to make sure you were okay.” She pauses, and I don’t know if I want her to continue. She’s said enough in the last thirty seconds to complicate my life as it is. “He called me … last night, and that’s how I know he’s grown. As much as he wants you, he wants you to be happier even more than that.”
“Stop!” I yell, feeling the tears welling in my eyes. “He can’t do this to me. I just started to put myself back together, Mal. I … I can’t do it.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. If I’d known before he signed on, I would have talked him out of it. Are you going to stay on the project?”
I wipe the moisture from under my eyes. “Yes, I worked too hard on this to walk away. Pierce tried to put an end to it, but as of right now, we’re still on.”
“Pierce is a smart guy.”
I smile even though a tear slides down my cheek. “He’s a really smart guy. I, um, I told him I’m falling for him.”
“Holy shit! Are you serious?”
“Yes, and I meant it. You should see the way he is with me. He told me he loved me, but it wasn’t necessary. He tells me in everything else he does.” Thinking about him momentarily wipes Blake from my mind. Pierce should be the only guy who resides there.
“Wait, did you sleep with him?”
“We slept, we made love, he fucked me. We’ve done everything, and I still want more.”
“So, Blake has no chance?” she asks, voice low.
“He lost his chance months ago. I can’t open myself up to that kind of hurt again.”
She sighs. “I get it.”
Glancing at the clock, I realize I only have twenty minutes before we have to leave for the meeting. I should at least attempt to go in better shape than I did this morning. “Look, I have to run. We have another meeting this afternoon.”
“Call me later if you get a chance.”
“It might be tomorrow morning if that’s okay. Pierce changed our flight home to tonight. I think he’s had enough.”
She laughs. “Can’t blame the guy. Look at you—smart and sexy.”
“Shut up.”
“Awe, love you, too. I can’t wait to see you in a couple months.”
“I already have that night marked off so we can order Chinese and curl up on the couch with a movie.”
“Add some wine, and I’m in. Bye, Lila.”
“Bye,” I answer back before ending the call and throwing the phone onto the center of my bed.
Today is the day I present to the group, and I need to look sure of myself … sure of my work. I pull on a pair of cropped black pants that hug my curves in all the right places. The waist is higher than I’d usually wear, but they work perfectly with the sleeveless black and white striped blouse I tuck into it. After taking a quick glance in the mirror, I unbutton the top three buttons, leaving just a peek of cleavage. I top it off with the simple diamond pendant necklace my parents bought me for the wedding that never was.
With little time to spare, I use my curling iron to add a few light waves and comb my fingers through it. Some powder, mascara and lip-gloss are all I need to finish the look.
As I am pulling on my black heels, someone knocks on the door. Pierce and his perfect timing, I think to myself.
He whistles as soon as the door opens. “Wow. Are you sure you don’t want to skip this meeting, fly home early, and spend the rest of the night wrapped in my bed? I think that sounds really good right about now.”