Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 83039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83039 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Monroe dutifully helped me put on the sheets and comforter, but as we finished, he gave me a look that was two parts heat and one part frustration. “Why do I get the impression we’re just going to unmake the bed later?”
“We?” I faked surprise, even though things had been trending in that direction all weekend. “I get to sleep here tonight?”
“I think you know you do.” He came around the bed to hug me from behind, the sweetest gesture. Ever since Thursday night’s balcony talk, he’d been far more handsy in the privacy of the house.
“Do I?” I leaned into his hug, tipping my head back against his. “Maybe you should try asking.”
“Ah. Yeah. That would probably be more polite.” Chuckling, he lightly nipped my ear. “Knox, would you please sleep here with me tonight so we can finally try this thing we’ve got going in an actual bed.”
“I’d love to. And just for asking so pretty, you can have anything you want in said bed.”
“Anything?” He kissed his way down my neck, from the edge of my scruffy jaw to the top of my T-shirt collar.
“Within reason. Like I said that first night, I don’t bottom.” I kept my voice light but firm.
“Me either, or at least not often, but I want that with you,” he said into my hair.
“Yeah?” I turned in his embrace so I could look him in the eyes. My dick was suddenly very interested in the proceedings, but my brain exercised far more caution, even as I teased, “You want me to rail you through your new bed?”
“Apparently,” he mumbled, cheeks adorably pink.
“Why, Monroe, are you blushing?”
“I don’t usually ask for this.” And that admission was why I wasn’t already pushing him down on the freshly made bed.
“You don’t have to go there with me. No requirements if that’s a no-fly zone for you.”
“I know. But something about you makes me want to try bottoming again. When we were on the roof, and you were on top…” He gave a happy sigh that went right to my still-intrigued cock.
“Pinning you down.” My hands tingled with the memory. The way he’d let me hold his hands back had been intoxicating, the way he’d yielded to me, strength meeting strength. “You liked that?”
“And how. You make it safe to just completely let go, like floating in a warm pool.”
“I want to do that for you, make you float away so you forget everything other than how it feels.” Now it was my turn to wrap him in a hug. I had limited experience topping because I was all in on hands and mouths after the two times I’d bottomed myself had hurt and been pretty damn awkward. I’d never want to make a sex partner uncomfortable, so I’d set out to make myself amazing at oral and hands and frot. I absolutely loved focusing on the other person, losing myself in their pleasure rather than my own. However, if Monroe wanted me to fuck him, I would certainly do my best. “I love making people feel good. I wanna make you feel good, Monroe.”
“I know. And you’re damn good at that already. I trust you.”
“Say that again.” I kissed the back of his neck.
“I trust you.” And with that simple sentence, Monroe lassoed my heart, ensuring I would do everything in my power to be the person—the man—he needed, to give him whatever he needed, to fully earn that trust because I knew damn well what a gift it was.
Chapter Fifteen
Monroe
“Forget magician. You’re a damn wizard.” I strode out of the bathroom into the bedroom to find Knox shirtless and lounging in close-fitting black boxers in the center of the new bed. The covers were turned down like a posh hotel, the low lamps provided a cozy glow, and Knox himself was as inviting as a cool pool on a hot summer day. “How is this the same room?”
I couldn’t get over how different the bedroom and attached bath seemed now. Thanks to low-odor, fast-drying paint and Knox’s impeccable clean-up habits, there wasn’t even much evidence of our efforts over the past few days. He’d talked me out of my original goal of a serviceable, neutral space and created what he kept calling a seductive retreat. And he’d succeeded because not only was this the sort of room to escape to after a long day, but even without a Knox in the bed, the room was alluring, inviting naked lounging and pillow talks and all sorts of other things I’d never had time for.
“Here you are marveling at my decorating skills, and I’m just over here trying not to swallow my tongue at you in a towel.” Waving a hand, he motioned me closer.
“Flattery will get you everywhere tonight.” Never one to be particularly modest, I let the towel drop. Knox had seen the goods a couple of times now, but neither of us had made it to the completely undressed stage yet. Having the time, freedom, and space to get naked and explore was a novelty. My pre-Knox hookups had tended to be quick and furtive, so the blatant appreciation in Knox’s eyes was welcome on multiple levels. His expression was hungry as he shimmied out of his boxers, promising a long, long night. I shook my head at his adorable eagerness. “You certainly seem to have made yourself at home here.”