Page 94 of The Cupcake Standard

“I have a warehouse full of designer items and signed copies of my mother’s books that I used to pay for this party tonight.” I watched for his reaction.

He blinked. “Really? That’s your big secret?”

I lowered my voice to a whisper, “And sometimes, when nobody’s watching, I do cut up my pizza.”

His burst of laughter was a wonderful reward.

I ran my hands up his chest, thinking about everything he had told me. Pieces fell into place, and I thought about the raw moments after we’d surprised him. He’d needed to know my motivation, needed the reassurance I wasn’t using him like Piper had. We both had scars from our family and our pasts, but I thought we could help each other move beyond them. If we just gave this a real chance.

“Derek?” I stepped back, my emotion roughening my voice. “Remember the second time you helped me out of my dress, how I said I wasn’t ready?”

He gave the slightest of nods, as if anything more would break his fragile hold on his self-control.

“Well, I’m ready now.” I held his gaze as I turned around and presented him my back, gathering my hair to one side.

He slid his hands to my waist and his breath warmed my cheek. “I think we have some more exploring to do.” He unzipped me with an achingly slow pace, his fingers brushing over each inch of my skin as it was bared to him. When the dress finally fell to the floor, he turned me to face him, and his eyes drifted over my length. One finger traced the edge of my bra, over the swell of one breast, into the valley between, then up the swell of the other. “Is this new?”

I grinned, mentally thanking Selena for the new lingerie that fit me perfectly but was still sexy as hell. “You like?”

The darkening of his blue eyes was enough of an answer, but I didn’t protest when his lips found mine. His tongue swept in to dance with mine as he tangled his fingers in my hair. I gripped his shoulders, needing to steady myself against the headiness of being with him.

He stepped back and shrugged off his sports jacket. I couldn’t tear my eyes away as he yanked the hem of his dress shirt out of his trousers, then undid the buttons one by one. I had to swallow as my mouth went dry at the tantalizing sight of his bare chest. Once the shirt was gone, I launched myself at him, touching, tasting, gripping. He returned the favor and before I knew it, we were both bare.

With his hands on my hips and his erection digging into my stomach, he walked me backward toward the bed. I sat down heavily but resisted when he tried to lean me back.

I shook my head. “I’m on top tonight.”

The delighted grin on his face took my breath away as he let me lead him around to the head of the bed. I waited impatiently as he settled against the wall with a pillow behind his back, then I pounced on him. I straddled his muscular legs, grinding my apex on his eager cock. Our kiss was fueled with every bit of hunger building between us, and I arched into his skillful hands when they cupped my breasts.

“Condom,” I breathed.

His eyes went wide. “My pants pocket.”

I hopped off the bed, returning with the square package which I ripped open and slid down his length. Then I positioned myself over him, waiting until our gazes locked before I sank on to his straining dick. A relieved breath escaped my lips when he filled me, as if I was now complete in a way I hadn’t been before.

My hips began moving before I knew what I was doing, my body craving that sweet release. He groaned then leaned forward to take my peaked nipple in his mouth. A thrill zipped down to my core, and I picked up my pace, edged on by the tantalizing sight of him suckling me. He switched to the other breast, giving it just as much attention before he looked up at me. His gaze overflowed with adoration and want, combining to steal my breath.

When he surged up to claim my lips, I was helpless to resist. I cupped his face in my hands, my thumbs tracing over his strong jaw. He slipped a hand between us, resting his thumb on my swollen clit, and I gasped against his lips at the added friction. Lightning began shooting through me, though I tried to hold it off.

I didn’t succeed, the wave of pleasure too strong to fight. I shuddered over him, leaning in to rest in his embrace. When I finished, his hands drifted to my hips, then he bucked into me. My breasts bounced against his chest as he impaled me over and over with his powerful thrusts. I closed my eyes, unable to keep them open in the relentless onslaught of bliss that crashed over me with his every movement. His breathing grew heavy as his fingers dug in and I knew he was close.

I bit my lip, waiting for him this time, only allowing the dam to burst when he went rigid under me. I cried out his name, clinging to him as I rode out the crest that had me shuddering over him. We sat like that for several moments as my heart finally slowed to a normal beat. When I leaned back to look at him, he wore a sweet smile, and his eyes were softer than I’d ever seen.

It wasn’t just sex anymore. This time, we’d made love, and there were no more walls around my heart.

* * * *

Soft nuzzles on my bare shoulder pulled me from a deep sleep. I groaned. “No. There is not a thing you haven’t explored. Go away and let me sleep.” I shoved Derek before rolling over with a hmph. But he heard the teasing in my voice.

His fingers trailed down my spine. “I’m sure I can find some place.” His voice was deliciously husky as he brushed several strands of hair off my neck. “Like this freckle for example.” He placed a stubbly kiss on it, making me squirm. “I’m quite sure I didn’t know of its existence until just now.” He kept nibbling and nuzzling his way down to the crook of my neck, making me squeal and laugh, begging for him to stop. Finally, he did, but only to capture my mouth with his, stealing my laughter and my breath.

Our phones chimed at the same time, and I let out a sigh of relief. “Saved by the text.”

His glare made me laugh. “Don’t think this is over.”

I lay on my back, staring up at the ceiling. “Who’s bothering us now?”

“Liam.” A swoosh sound signaled he’d sent his reply. “We’ve been summoned to brunch with Piper and Rhonda in about an hour. So I guess our wakeup session will have to wait.”

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