Friction(68)
A jolt of electricity speeds through me, leaving me dizzy.
“Your ex-husband deserves to have his cock handed to him. If I were unhappy with you, if you didn't satisfy me in every way imaginable—and I do mean every way—do you think I'd be here with you right now demanding to slip your panties in my pocket?”
I let those words sink into my head for a few moments before I avert my stare to the dials on the AC, embarrassed of myself for admitting my insecurities. What happened with Carter had left me feeling inadequate—like I'm not enough to satisfy anyone—and the words he tossed my way before he left haven’t stopped bothering me. In my head, I know it’s an archaic way of thinking, that I shouldn’t care about satisfying anyone but myself, but my heart is a different matter.
It’s so fragile. So easily manipulated.
I release a tremulous sigh, and Jace moves his lips slowly along the insides of my wrists again. “I want you, Lucy. So goddamn much there's a part of me that's considering starting this car, taking you home, and spending the night telling you just how incredible you are.” He lifts his gaze until we’re eye to eye. “I don’t think just right when I’m near you, but I can’t stop. I don’t want to stop.”
Nobody has ever said anything like this to me before, and for a moment, I feel that hopeful throb deep in my chest as heat spreads through every angle of my body.
“I know we can’t leave,” he says. “Because even though my Lucy is an absolute beast, the old Lucy’s in there too. The one who rode my ass for shirking my responsibilities when we were kids.”
“I should have kept my nose in my own business.”
Releasing my wrists, he frames my warm cheeks between his large hands and bends his head to scorch my lips with his. “We’re here only for a few minutes,” he promises. “Only to watch B show off the new table to his guests. After that, your ass is mine, so be ready.”
Hell, after what he did just moments ago, I'm already tingling in anticipation. I reach to open my door, but his rough fingertips close around my wrist. I look over my shoulder to see him shaking his head. “Panties first, love,” he orders.
I roll my eyes toward the ceiling of his Challenger as I lift my hips slightly to shimmy the lace down my legs. Once they're balled up in his fist, I give him a look of feigned surprise. “What, you're not going to sniff them?” I tease. But my throat goes dry when he thumbs the center.
He slides the lace into the front pocket of his jeans. “Sniffing knickers is for thirteen-year-old boys. I just like knowing there’s nothing beneath that red dress, so that at any time, I can make you come again. I like knowing that I have your panties in my pocket and no other man in that house can say the same. No other man can say they own your body.”
“So you're claiming my body for your own now?” My voice, thick with emotion and lust, doesn’t even sound like my own.
He rubs his palm over his stubble. When he lowers his hand from his mouth, my pulse jumps at his smirk. “You’ve been mine since that very first night.” He turns off the ignition and lets out a frustrated sound. “Let's get this the fuck over with so we can get on with the real fun.”
Twenty-Six
Lucy
The first—and only time—I went to one of Mr. B’s parties, all I did was stand around numbly, gawking at what was happening right in front of me. I don’t want to be that person this time, so when the homeowner himself answers the door, I force myself to relax. To my relief, he’s dressed in black lounge pants, his lack of a shirt showing off his impressive abs. He looks more like he’s ready for bed than for a night of debauchery. I step inside, recognizing a couple from the last party as they take off for the downstairs of the house.
“Ms. Williams, welcome back,” B murmurs as soon as the door is closed behind us and securely latched. He strides over to where Jace and I wait in the middle of the entryway. I come dangerously close to losing my balance when he drops a kiss so close to my mouth I can nearly taste his toothpaste. As soon as he pulls away, I feel the warmth from Jace’s body press against the back of mine.
I cast an anxious look over my shoulder, sucking in my lower lip at his strained expression. Returning my hazel gaze to the other man, I clear my throat. “Thank you for inviting me, we’re so excited to see the launch of your Sexy Susan.”
B’s lips quirk and he casts a curious look at Jace. “My Sexy Susan? You’ve given it an official name, Exley?”
“Our office manager, Daisy, calls it that,” Jace interjects, and B nods his head in understanding.
“Like always, I was completely satisfied by the craftsmanship. Seeing it in use will be the highlight of my evening.” He wanders his gaze over me, unashamedly taking in the form-fitting red dress and mile-high, strappy heels Jamie had talked me into donning. “Do you indulge, Ms. Williams? One of my guests, Andrew, is very interested in—”
“She doesn’t,” Jace snaps, and our host’s eyebrows arch. I recognize the name B just said—Andrew’s the man who showed up at EXtreme wanting to order custom manacles. Jace had regarded him icily during their appointment, and his reaction is just as cold tonight. I skim my teeth over the inside of my cheek, staring up at him with wide eyes as he slips from his spot behind me and pulls me close to his side. He lays a possessive hand on the base of my spine. Tingles burst through my skin, through my veins, but he doesn’t seem to notice that I suddenly can’t breathe as he casts a tight smile at his client.