The Trade(85)

If I’m honest, the first time I introduced myself to him at The Lineup fundraiser, I knew there was something special about him, and it wasn’t his ability to annihilate a ball with a bat. It’s his personality. He’s a family man, a kind brother, a thoughtful friend, just a true joy to be around, because his laugh and his smile make you happy. I crushed on him that day and as time went by, every time I ran into him, that crush grew.

I tried to deny it, I tried to convince myself I wasn’t good enough, but he wouldn’t let me see it that way. Instead he makes me feel beautiful and worthy of love.

Worthy of him.

I slide my hand up his chest, to his neck as I part my lips, letting him slip his tongue into my mouth. He tastes like wine and raspberry compote, and lust. It’s dizzying, especially when his hand keeps inching higher and higher up my thigh.

I feel like a teenager, making out with my guy in the car, just waiting to be busted, but luckily, Cory’s windows are tinted so you can’t see anything, which makes our make-out session that much more intense.

Groaning into my mouth, his tongue glides against mine and then he brings his mouth to my jaw, the hand that was on my thigh, sliding up my stomach now to my breast. I gasp into his mouth when he squeezes, surprised but also excited that he’s not keeping this completely PG.

“You’re so fucking sexy,” he says, landing kisses down my neck and then back up. “Everything about you, your heart, your smile, your mind . . .”

Chills scatter over my limbs, causing me to shiver in his grasp as he continues to massage my breast, my nipple poking past my bra so he can play with it, swiping it back and forth.

God, the way he makes me feel, like I’m about to explode with need, as if with every kiss, it builds and builds and builds inside me, waiting to be sent off into a fury of pleasure.

“Your lips are so soft,” he says, moving his mouth over mine again.

The feeling inside me, this need for this man, it’s about to burst at the seams. If I don’t exit out of this vehicle soon, I might just hop over the console and straddle him. But, God, the feel of him under my palm, his thick pecs, bunching and twitching beneath my touch. I lower my hand to his stomach where he sucks in a sharp breath, his abs rolling, contracting. His fingers pluck at my nipple, which sends waves of hot lust between my legs. I shift as I start to throb for him, needing more. So much more.

“God,” I whisper against his mouth before driving my tongue deep inside, moving my fingers across each divot of his abs, wishing I could rip his shirt off and press my tongue against his warm skin.

The grip on my jaw grows tighter and I can feel it in the air, the pressure building, the yearning, as we both grapple at each other, needing more, wanting more.

I move my hand farther down to his belt, and he groans into my mouth, his hips moving. He drops one hand to my backside, yanking me closer. I lift my chin as he moves his lips down my neck again, sucking, biting, claiming me as his.

He could not feel any better, his hot mouth trailing fresh kisses along my skin and then back up to my lips where he pushes his tongue inside, swiping it against mine. I match every stroke. Our self-control has slipped in the matter of seconds, and what was probably supposed to be an innocent kiss, turned into a frenzy of groping and touching.

I want more, so much more. I move my hand farther down until it connects with his rock-hard erection.

“Fuck,” he groans into my mouth, spurring me on even further as nerves and excitement both light up my body. I’ve only grazed him at this point, I haven’t actually felt him, and even though the fabric of his dress pants is blocking me from having him in my hand, what I’m feeling right now is telling me one thing . . . I am one lucky girl.

Really lucky.

I mean . . . really fucking lucky.

He’s so big. So long and wide. I can’t even imagine what it would feel like to have him inside me. I can’t wait to know how it feels to have him thrust so hard into me, that he shakes the bed, slaps our skin, rattles the very floor of my apartment.

“God, I want you. I fucking need you,” he says, up into my ear. I know he does, I can feel it, but I also know he wants to take this slow and both of us are out of control. If I squeeze his cock right now, I’m not sure he’d be able to stop.

I know how important this dating thing is to him so instead of pushing him any further, I tear my mouth away from his and quickly open the door behind me, leaving us both breathless and winded. I pick up the to-go bag and lean into the car. I’m sure my lipstick is smeared and my hair is a mess from his hands, but it’s all worth it.

“Thank you for dinner.”

“Fuck.” He leans against the headrest of his seat, his chest rising and falling. From where I stand, I can see his massive erection and it takes everything in me not to climb back in the car. Dragging his hand down his face, he says, “Have a good night, beautiful. I’ll call you later.”

“Promise?” I ask.

Now he looks me square in the eyes and says, “You know I do.”

On a happy sigh, I shut the door to his sleek car and climb the steps to my apartment. Hot. Wobbly. Wet. Happy.





“Are you kidding me with these flowers?” Monica asks, leaning over and smelling them. “It’s not ostentatious at all, like you would expect from someone who is super loaded, but they’re elegant. Gorgeous.” Monica peeks over the modest bouquet that’s full of some of the most beautiful flowers I’ve ever seen. “Can I read the card?”