“My word, Ryker. Was that a joke? We’re far past the point of no return. We’re going all the way!” I exclaim while shaking my fist in a ridiculous fashion.
“Wow.” Ryker shakes his head and bites his plump lip. “You’re too adorable. C’mere,” he says while tugging on my belt loop.
I sway into him without resistance as he dips down to my mouth. The kiss is chaste and quick but powerful all the same. Sparks erupt in my toes and travel up until the sensation zaps my scalp. I sag against him further, an effortless comfort cuddling around us like a favorite blanket.
Ryker nuzzles into my neck before gently brushing his lips along the sensitive skin. I shiver in his arms and stretch my throat to give him more room. He sweeps up to my ear before nipping the lobe.
“It’s your turn,” he whispers with a heated sigh.
My teeth clack together as I stiffen, remembering where we are. I push away from Ryker slowly, as if not to draw more attention from onlookers.
“Tease,” I mutter as I bend to set up my tee.
“What was that, Sunshine?” he questions after I straighten.
“Oh, nothing at all. Just getting ready to win.” I glance over my shoulder.
“You’re asking for trouble.”
“More like begging but whatever,” I volley back.
“Why don’t you take your shot?” Ryker motions to my club.
“I thought you’d help me, since you’ve got all the skills.” Electricity buzzes under my skin as the lighter blue of his irises crashes into the darker edge.
“Maybe if you ask nicely.”
I bite my lip before purring, “Please?”
His huge palms engulf my hips as he steps behind me, apparently set on assisting me with this shot or something else entirely. We both know what’s really going on but I’ll gladly play along.
My feet take a tiny shuffle backward as I wiggle in his hold.
“Now who’s the tease?” Ryker’s breath rushes across my nape. I almost moan. My entire body is like a match waiting to be lit and I have no clue what to do about that. My inexperience doesn’t stop me from trying though.
“Wanna make things interesting?” I ask with my chin tipped to face him.
“What do you have in mind? That glint in your eye is kind of freaking me out,” he admits while shifting away from my advances. “You’re going to get me kicked out of here for public indecency so it better be clean fun.”
I pout shamelessly, hoping it looks flirty.
“If I get the ball in, you give me a massage later. If I miss, you’ll be the one getting a little rub down.”
Ryker makes a strangled noise before coughing loudly. “Jesus, Sunshine.” His voice is a hoarse rasp. “Seems like I win either way.”
I smirk while lifting a coy brow. “Exactly.”
Ryker
Each day is a new experience that leaves me blissed out of my mind. I had no concept of what happiness could be.
SHE’S TEMPTING ME again.
It’s been a week of this exquisite torture, a beautiful pull into her delicate web. Ever since that massage after golf, which I gladly guaranteed she received, my control has been tested and stretched beyond feasible limits. When I picked up that golf ball and tossed it in the hole, a chain reaction of delicious enticement began. Sunshine has been playing with fire and I’m not sure how much more I can take before taking the plunge.
When we went to the zoo, Lennon tucked tightly against me while looking at the exhibits. At the aquarium, she lured me into hidden corners with promises of stolen kisses. I’ll never forget her overtly seductive strut each time she got up to bowl, suggestive but subtle. Wandering touches that gave me goosebumps, lingering kisses that made my heart race, sweetly whispered phrases that left plenty to the imagination, shy glances with flushed cheeks . . . all tasty bait I gobbled up like gummy bears.
I’ve always known Lennon will be my first, if she’s willing. Sharing my body with her has been my craving since she smiled at me and by now, I’m sure she feels the same way. The potential of those wicked fantasies becoming reality have me panicking.
The reluctance to take our relationship to a more physical level is solely due to sheer terror. My anxiety has been ratcheting up to dangerous degrees when I think of the thousand ways to fuck up. What if I hurt Lennon by being too rough? How do I make sure she has an orgasm? Will she still find me attractive naked? What if she isn’t turned on enough? If I do something really wrong, will sex be ruined for her? I could blow it in countless ways—prematurely and just . . . in general. It’s far too much for my already frazzled mind to manage.
At least we’ve gotten really good at making out and dry humping. Anything with her that close to me, even with layers of clothes in the way, is fucking mind-blowing. Those are hints of how it could be between us, the slight brushes of skin that leave me hard, aching, and boiling with desire. I never understood the term blue balls when the stupid jocks joked about it in school, but my clarity on the painful subject is extremely obvious now. The sexual frustration, and agonizing pressure in my groin, is worth it though.
Everything needs to be perfect for our first time—the most important first of all.
We’re comfortable and compatible in ways I didn’t know existed. I’ve already lost count of the number of times she’s pointed out ridiculously accurate details about me that no one else would notice. If I didn’t know better, I’d assume Lennon has been studying me over the years too.
Lennon is currently humming softly while draping fabric over a mannequin, her hips swaying hypnotically to a silent beat. We’ve been at her studio on campus most of the day, quietly working on separate tasks. I’m building a new software so hopefully neither of us will have to worry about money again. I’ll have more than enough to make all of her wishes come true, which hopefully include me.
“I don’t hear much typing going on over there, Mister Doxson,” Lennon sing-songs before twirling behind the dress form.
A shiver passes through me while I imagine calling her the same name, except as my missus. It’s way too soon for such visions but that doesn’t stop my wild brain from diving into the future. Her graceful moves distract me further.
“Who do you dance for when you’re by the window?” I blurt as my eyes lock on her delicate movements. My filter is even weaker than usual since my brainpower is being directed to keeping other areas in check.
“What do you mean?” She cocks her head my way. “I’m in the middle of the room and this is my typical flurry of artistic chaos.” Lennon demonstrates by continuing to bounce around her creation.
“Not what you’re currently doing,” I start. “There were a few times when I was watching that it seemed like you were almost . . . putting on a show.” I bust out the last part before nerves clamp my mouth shut.
Lennon’s face turns a bright shade of red as she dips her chin. “Um,” she bites her lip. “That’s really embarrassing.”
“Sorry, Sunshine.” My nape burns with shame. “I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. Just curious but forget I asked.”
She shuffles over slowly as her gaze bounces around the open space, refusing to land on me.
“It’s fine. I just feel really silly about it.” Lennon takes a deep breath. “I caught on that someone was following me when the gifts started appearing in really convenient spots. There were several situations when I actually caught sight of a shadowy figure but you’d disappear just as quickly. This might sound super bizarre but I grew attached to the mere idea of having a secret admirer. There was a person out there who was infatuated and interested in me enough to do all this wonderful stuff, like leave sweet notes and my favorite coffee.” She fidgets with a pin between her fingers. “When I was feeling a bit bold and picturing the mysterious stranger, who for whatever reason didn’t scare me, my body would take charge. Thinking about you watching was exciting.” Her words are soft and barely-there but I hear the meaning loud and clear.
My palm drags over the stubble covering my jaw. “Am I dreaming? How is this real life?”
Lennon hums and I pull her into my arms.
“You were really doing all that for me?”
Her head bobs again and my pulse pounds ferociously, echoing throughout my entire being.
She shifts slightly before peeking up at me. “I told you how special that attention makes me feel. My courage kept increasing as Seek became more obvious,” Lennon murmurs through a smile. “I wanted to draw you closer and entice you. Having you watch was . . . hot,” she exhales the ultimate invitation before burying her flushed face in my chest.
I groan loudly as my resistance frays to tattered strings.
“Sunshine, you have no idea what that does to me.”
Lennon bumps her hips into mine before edging even closer, rubbing along some very solid evidence.
“Pretty sure you’re giving me a big hint. Why are you holding back, Ryker?”
My jeans become impossibly tight and delaying sex suddenly seems very stupid.
“I don’t want to screw anything up. There’s a lot of pressure, from everywhere, and I can’t stand the idea of doing anything wrong for you.” My hands tremble as they drift down her back.