Chaos and Control(55)

“Sorry. I’m zoning out.”

His brows furrow, and now Preston is the one staring. “Please stop doing that.”

“What?”

“Your lip. It drives me crazy.”

I smile now and get up on my knees, scooting closer. “Good crazy or bad crazy?”

“I’m not sure I can tell the difference anymore.”

Preston’s large hands grab my waist as I throw one leg over his lap and straddle him on my sister’s sofa. He gives me that sly smirk that I love.

“This is my favorite shirt.” I trail my hands from his shoulders to the bottom hem.

He looks down at his chest and back to me. “What’s so special about it?”

Giving Preston my most innocent smile, I yank on the two sides of his shirt and am perfectly satisfied by the pop, pop, pop of the snaps coming undone. He sucks in a breath at my bold actions. My fingers travel over the planes of his hard chest where I circle his nipples without actually touching them. Preston’s intense gaze follows my movements.

“What are you up to?”

Firm muscles twitch beneath my fingertips as I navigate my way over the ridges of his abs down to the low waistband of his jeans. The delicious V of his hips disappears beneath the denim, and I want to trace those lines with my tongue. I don’t just look at him with my eyes, I see into him. My entire body is hyperaware of him—his skin beneath mine, his breaths coming quicker, the smell of his shampoo, the way light and shadows curve around muscles.

“You are so beautiful, Preston.”

Instead of words, Preston responds with actions. His hand wraps around my neck as he pulls me down to meet his lips. There is no introduction kiss, instead he immediately slides his tongue into me, dominating. I can’t control the whimpers that escape my throat. I am at his mercy, and I can tell Preston likes it this way.

The scruff of his short beard scrapes against my chin, but I love the feel of it. That, along with his demanding mouth, has me grinding down on his lap. I can tell Preston appreciates this by the growing hardness there.

“Wren, you have your own room for this.”

Preston and I break apart and turn to find Bennie standing in her doorway. She’s wearing her favorite pajamas and an evil smirk. I hop off his lap as Preston stands and adjusts his crotch behind me. Bennie raises one eyebrow.

“Uh. Sorry, Ben,” I say, pulling Preston into the kitchen.

“I’ve got condoms in my room if you need them,” Bennie yells when we’re out of her sight.

“Shit,” Preston says while fastening his shirt snaps. “That was embarrassing.”

“That wasn’t so bad. Bennie has caught me in much more compromising positions.”

Preston frowns and smooths down the front of his shirt. “I don’t want to know.”

“Okay, okay.” I hold up my hands. “I won’t say a word.”

“Well, I better go,” Preston says, nodding toward the door.

“You don’t have to leave. We could continue this in my room.”

He shakes his head. “You’ve got to get ready for work, and I need to…”

“Handle this problem yourself?”

Preston chuckles and plants eight kisses on my lips. “I’ll see you tonight.”

“Tonight.”





A giant on a child’s swing

I give in

Pushing off, kicking up

I am soaring

Her smile returns

Hello old friend

It lights up the night

A firefly

Demands to kiss her

I comply

Lips and chains

Excite me

- Preston





Chapter Seventeen


Get Nervous


“Preston and I did just fine on our own yesterday, Bennie. You don’t have to be here.”

She shoots me a look and flips the sign over to open. “I’m very capable of working in my own store. I’m okay.”

“Fine.” I blow the overgrown bangs from my eyes. “But you will sit in this chair,” I say, pointing to the one behind the register. “And stay at the front counter. Preston and I will deal with customers.”

“I will do what I damn well please,” Bennie says, glaring.

I throw my hands on my hips and shake my head. “Stubborn.”

“I prefer the term strong-willed.”

“Everyone’s a critic of my choice of adjectives,” I say, rolling my eyes.

With a satisfied smirk, Bennie takes a seat in the chair, and we both ignore the fact that she did exactly as I asked. I pull a bottled water from her small fridge under the counter and set it next to her. She doesn’t acknowledge it.

“Stay hydrated and off your feet, strong-willed.” I leave her with her magazine and water.

In the afternoon, we get a steady stream of customers. Some are looking for furniture, some for music. Preston and I take turns helping them while we keep Bennie at the register. I can tell she’s annoyed, but I don’t care.

A group of guys around my age comes in. They’re loud and look a little lost. Preston keeps his distance and a close eye on them while rearranging furniture in the back of the store. I can tell from the set of his stiff shoulders that he is uncomfortable with their rambunctious behavior. I decide to see if I can hurry along their shopping.