Beneath This Mask (Beneath, #1)(40)

She reached behind her back and unhooked her bra, letting it fall to my chest. She scooted toward my knees and undid my belt buckle and the button and zipper of my slacks. When she shifted, I expected her to pull them off so I’d be as naked as she was, but she only tugged off her panties and resettled herself on top of me. She slipped her hand into my boxer briefs and palmed my dick before pulling it free.

“Are you clean? Because I got tested. I’m good. And I’m protected.”

I skimmed my hands from her shoulders down her arms. “I’m clean. But are you sure? We don’t have to—”

She didn’t wait for my response; she was already sliding the hot, wet heat of her * along my length and then lifting up and angling the head toward her entrance. My words died in my throat as she sank down on me, arching her back and thrusting her breasts outward. With nothing between us, the searing heat and tight clasp of her body sent spikes of sensation straight to my balls.

“Jesus. Charlie—”

“I know.” Her words were a breathy moan as she started to ride me. I cupped her ass in both hands, helping her to set a pace that was sure to demolish us both before we were ready. The clouds that had obscured the moon finally drifted away and in the silver light, I watched her take me with pure, unapologetic abandon. It was the sexiest thing I’d ever seen in my life. Knowing that I wouldn’t last nearly long enough to call myself a man, I trailed my hand around her waist and thumbed her clit. She moaned and pressed into me, seeking the pressure I offered. She cupped her breasts, tugging at her nipple rings as she flexed her hips and increased her frenetic pace. I attempted to distract myself by promising that one of these days, I’d have her on top of me and force her to go slow and savor the moment. It was a failure as a distraction. It just ramped me up more. Sparks zinged down my spine as my orgasm barreled down on me. Charlie threw her head back and moaned as her body clamped down on me over and over. “Oh shit—I can’t—I’m gonna—” Her words were harsh whispers lost in the night.

She slowed, unable to keep up her own rhythm as the climax gripped her. I clutched her hip with one hand and wrapped my other arm around her back. I pulled her down to me. Engulfed in Charlie, I finally let go.





I laid atop Simon for what felt like hours, but what was in reality probably only minutes. I never wanted to move again. Clouds had covered the moon, and I focused on matching my breathing to Simon’s.

A spotlight cutting through the darkness interrupted our afterglow.

“Fuck,” Simon whispered, throwing a corner of the blanket over me.

“Time to go?” I asked.

“Unfortunately.”

The unfortunate thing was the fact that I had to pull myself away from Simon’s fabulous, orgasm factory of a cock. Remembering that we’d gone bare, I felt around for a napkin to clean up the mess. The bouncing spotlight was moving closer, so I hurried into my dress and grabbed my bra and panties. Simon tossed the remains of our picnic into the cooler and bundled up the blanket. I snagged my shoes, opting to leave them off.

“Let’s go.” He gripped my hand and started to lead me toward the ramp. He stopped abruptly. “Shit. I don’t want you walking on this barefoot.” He dropped the blanket and the cooler on the deck of the barge and swept me up into his arms. I clung to his neck as he carried me down the ramp and to the car. He’d just shut my door when the security guard reached us. I could hear muffled words, but couldn’t make them out. I really hoped Simon was using that silver tongue to talk our way out of this. A cold sweat prickled over my body at the thought of possibly getting arrested. My fake ID wouldn’t hold up long under heavy scrutiny. I squeezed my eyes shut. I’m not ready for this to end. I’m not ready to let him go. I took a few deep breaths to calm my hammering heart as another thought intruded. Will I ever be ready to let him go? It was a stupid question, and I knew the answer before I’d finished thinking it. But it didn’t matter. I wouldn’t have a choice.

The light turned and headed away from the SUV as Simon opened the driver’s side door.

“Sorry about that, babe. It was security. They changed shifts, and my guy forgot to mention it to his replacement.” He must have noticed my pale face or my fingers clenching the fabric of my skirt, because his forehead crinkled with lines of concern.

“You okay?”


I nodded, swallowing back my momentary panic. Pasting a smile on my face, I tried to think of something casual to say. I ended up going with, “And here I thought you were finally breaking the rules.”

The lines of concern didn’t leave his face, leading me to believe that my attempt at masking my freak out had failed. He didn’t comment, though, and for that I was thankful. “I’m going to grab the rest of our stuff.” Simon flicked on a flashlight I hadn’t noticed. Gesturing with it, he said, “Got it from the security guard. Apparently he didn’t want to be fishing me out of the river tonight. Be right back.”

Simon loaded the blanket and cooler into the back of the SUV, and we drove out what I assumed was the same way we’d entered. Silence stretched between us. I had no idea what he was thinking; I was too busy trying not to think at all.

He reached over to pull my hand away from where it was tangled in the folds of my skirt. “You want to come home with me?”