Ask Me Why(47)

The shock of seeing him leaves me breathless. I’m slack-jawed and openly ogling. Is he here to deliver a gift or punishment? As if it actually matters. It’s impossible not to stumble over the last time he dropped by alone. The memory swirls to the forefront of my mind. I swallow the saliva pooling in my mouth.

“Can I help you find something?” My voice resembles a purr.

Brance licks along his bottom lip. “I certainly hope so.”

I tuck some hair behind my ear. “Where’s Ollie?”

“At home.”

“With Mary?”

A sharp jerk of his head. “Nah. Jordan offered to watch him.”

I scrunch my forehead. “Why?”

“He wanted me to celebrate.”

“What’s the occasion?”

“I made partner.”

A hitch stutters my breath when he stalks closer.

“Wow, that’s great. Congratulations.”

“Thank you.”

I fidget with the hem of my skirt. The shorter length didn’t bother me until this moment. Do I appear desperate? Or not bare enough? I bite the inside of my cheek. There’s no use denying I want to hike the fabric up or strip it off completely. The neglected hussy inside of me fluffs her flouncy hair. She might get her way.

An insistent ache is already building inside of me. I squeeze my thighs together, but that only makes it worse. “Too bad I sold out of cupcakes earlier. I would’ve offered you one.”

“I’m in the mood for something you wouldn’t give to just anyone. At least, I hope not.” Brance’s long stride is impressive. He covers the distance between us in mere seconds. Before I can gasp, we’re separated by a few short feet.

“You’re back for more?”

“Much.”

My nipples pebble from the rasp in his tone. The abrasive grit scrapes against my sensitive flesh, and I shiver. I flare my eyes, devouring every inch of his impressive form. Brance is all male, and my body is yearning for satisfaction. I’m a quivering mess just thinking about him using that dominating presence on me tonight.

Brance hovers just out of reach. “I tried so fucking hard to stay away from you.”

“Why?” I drag in a deep inhale, savoring his spicy cologne.

“Because you deserve better.”

Only an arm-length keeps us apart. I could lean forward and grab him. “Says who?”

“Me.”

“What about my opinion?”

His taut jaw pops. “Overruled.”

A ball of fiery lust burns in my throat. “Seems to me an appeal is in order.”

I bump into the wall when Brance stalks closer. The solid surface behind me offers stability to my wobbly knees. He doesn’t stop until our chests bump. Rather than cower and feel a prickle of fear, searing heat explodes across my limbs. I lift my chin and face his menacing glare.

“You looking for a rough fuck, Brae?”

I don’t overthink his use of my nickname. I’m too busy drowning in desire. A heady dose of carnal pleasure gets injected into my veins. My lashes flutter as I drift on his filthy promise. “Yes. Please, yes.”

I’m not above begging. There’s no room for embarrassment with all the tension squeezing between us.

His eyes narrow further. “This won’t mean anything other than fulfilling a physical need.”

I dutifully nod. “Uh-huh.”

But Brance isn’t convinced. “Can you remain unaffected? I won’t chance destroying what little common ground we’ve established. Ollie will always want you around. If we crash and burn at this, things will be far more complicated.”

At this point, I’m breathing lust-fueled fire. “Just orgasms. Got it.”

The talking abruptly cuts off when he crashes our mouths together. I moan into the kiss, arching against him. His lips drift up my cheek and temple. The move is almost tender.

“You’re such a pain in my ass,” he growls close to my ear.

I shift against him, rubbing along the hard ridge prodding at me. The empty space inside of me weeps. I curl my fingers on the shelf, but metal doesn’t satisfy me. A chunk of finely toned Brance would do nicely. I want to grip his sculpted ass and soothe any pain he might be feeling.

He towers over my feminine frame, bending lower to box me in. “You know exactly how to play me.”

“Oh?” Do I? I’m having a tough time weeding through the sloppy state my brain is in. A pitiful whine wheezes up my throat, giving me away. I shake my head slowly. Falling under his seductive spell seems like a bad choice.

Brance swipes his tongue along my bottom lip, sucking gently. He teases me with a nibble on my pout. “I’m treating myself to another taste. But this time, you’ll come in my mouth.” His hand snakes up my inner thigh, and I spread for him.

I bow backward, thumping my skull against the wall. The dull thud barely registers. “Please, Brance.”

“Greedy girl,” he growls into my neck. The vibration against my skin gives me chills.

One moment, my panties are snug and clinging to me. In the next, the lacy material is discarded in a pile of shreds. Brance lowers to his knees in front of me. He bunches the material of my skirt up around my waist. The stretchy fabric molds there, granting him a front row view to the most private parts of me.