Page 76 of The Cupcake Standard

I reached out a hand to rest on his shoulder, needing some connection. We lay there for several long moments before he got up to clean himself off. I closed my eyes, just basking in the afterglow. The mattress dipped behind me, and he pulled me to him, spooning me. He slid one arm under my head and splayed the other across my abdomen.

“What are you going to do while I’m gone?” He pressed a kiss to my shoulder, then snuggled up tighter to me.

“Recover?” We both laughed. “I don’t know. I’ll have to talk to Gina after you leave, see how things went down with her and Josh. Do you think the guys will still come over for football?” It would help not to have Sunday all alone.

He snorted. “They’d probably prefer it that way, with me gone.”

I knew he was teasing, but there was a hint of truth in his voice that worried me.

His hand on my belly moved in a slow, wide caress. The motion was neither too low nor too high, just enough to start stoking my fire again, and soon it was hard not to squirm. I felt him growing against my backside. When his hand circled up, I shifted so he grazed my breast, and I arched into him.

“Impatient little thing.” He nipped my shoulder.

I rolled onto my back, giving him better access. “I’ve got a great rack. I don’t want it to go to waste.”

His lips twitched, but his eyes were intense. “It won’t.” He started with my mouth, kissing me tenderly while running his hand all over me. Then his lips left mine, beginning the promised exploration, trailing to my collarbone and onto my chest where he made sure to discover every inch of my ample breasts.

The featherlight kisses made me squirm as he continued down my stomach to my hip bone. He nudged my legs apart, then knelt before me. Anticipation fluttered in my stomach as his eyes met mine for the briefest of glances before he licked along my seam.

I threw my head back as his tongue swirled my clit, lapping me up. A new tension built, and every part of me was eager for his ministrations.

“Delicious,” he murmured, sliding a finger inside me. “Cupcake, you are amazing.” He returned his attention to my sensitive nub, maintaining a steady rhythm with his talented finger.

My breathing grew heavy as the familiar pressure gathered. I let out a moan, reaching out to thread my fingers through his silky black hair. I held his face to me as I writhed under his skilled tongue, small quakes skittering through me, warning me that I was close.

He pulled back enough to say, “That’s it. Come for me, Avery.”

My name on his lips pushed me over the brink once more, and I quivered beneath him, coming with his mouth on me. He kept his motions steady, continuing until my clenching slowed. When he sat up, he was obviously ready to go again. I twisted to grab another condom, which I offered him with a grin.

He spread my legs with his body after sheathing himself, coming up to kiss me. No words were spoken as he slid inside me. I groaned, arching my hips to meet him and running my hands over his shoulders. His eyes were intense but adoring. He cupped my cheek, holding my gaze as he thrust inside me. I couldn’t look away, as if he’d captured me with those blue pools. Desire pulsed between us, but it was more than that. We were really seeing each other, connecting on a level I’d never even dreamt of. As if my soul laid bare before him.

The orgasm caught me off guard, and I gasped, still staring up at him. He kissed me then, thrusting harder, once, twice, then he was done as well. A tear slid down my cheek, but I quickly wiped it away before he saw, not knowing why I was crying. He kissed me again, then his lips brushed my forehead as he pulled out.

I sagged against the bed as he went to the bathroom to clean up. What happened there? That was beyond any sex I’d ever had. I wanted to curl up in a ball under the covers until the vulnerability passed. More tears pricked my eyes at the rawness I felt. Every inch of me was fragile, and it scared me.

Derek came back then. We crawled under the covers, and I cuddled up to him, my head on his shoulder, taking comfort in the arms of my anchor, my Captain. I closed my eyes, drifting off to sleep.

He shifted out from under me some time later, making me stir. “It’s okay, Cupcake, just time for me to go. You can sleep more if you want.”

I blinked up at him, shooting my arms out and pulling him back on top of me. “Nope, sorry, you have to stay.”

His smile was sad. “I’ve already stayed longer than I should have.”

Right. I sobered.

He shook his head, then brushed his forehead to mine before our lips met in a tender kiss, full of promise and gratitude. “I’ll let you know when we land.” He hopped off me to get dressed.

“You better!” I yawned, tugging the covers over my shoulder once more. I didn’t close my eyes though, wanting to watch him as long as I was able.

Once fully clothed, he glanced my way again, doing a double take to see me still awake. “Get back to your nap. That’s an order.” He kissed my forehead and tucked me in.

“Aye, aye, Captain.” Then I closed my eyes.

It was late afternoon when I woke up. The first thing I noticed was a red rose on the end table with a note under it. I grabbed it eagerly.

I need to know your favorite flower. It’s of the utmost importance. ~Derek

He must have had Greg pick up the rose on his way. I brought the flower up to my nose, inhaling deeply, then I sent Derek a quick text.

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