Page 56 of Strictly Pretend

“An old book at the shop. I used to read a lot of them during my school vacations.” I gently let his hand go, then reach up to place my palms against the very top of his chest. Like I’m about to push him away, but I have no intention of doing that.

Instead I slide them down until I reach his pectoral muscles. “What else did you learn?” he asks, his voice rough.

I feel the tiny peaks of his nipples against my palms. “One year I learned all about ancient Rome. Another time I learned how to write in calligraphy.” I slide my hands down, my fingers brushing against his nipples and he lets out a groan.

“Then there was the year I found an old copy of the Kama Sutra,” I tell him.

Our gazes meet. I trail my fingers down to the waistband of his pants and his eyes widen.

“I learned a lot from that.” He’s hard. I can tell that from the ridge pressing against his pants. And I’m not immune, either. My body feels tingly. Between my legs feels damp. I trace the line of his waistband with my index finger.

“Like what?” he asks. His voice rough.

I reach for the zipper of his pants, tracing the ridge of his erection. “That sex is an art,” I murmur. “That it shouldn’t be rushed.” I lean down to press my lips against his stomach, feeling the hard ridge of his muscles there. “That good sex starts in the mind and continues into the body.” I look up at him. There’s a fascination in his eyes as I kiss his navel, his hips, then the brief line of hair that disappears into his waistband. “That pleasure should be given and received in equal measure.”

He reaches down, cups my face. “Emma…”

I’m not sure I’ve ever been this turned on. And it’s been way, way too long since I touched somebody like this. All the anxiety and heightened tension of our agreement rushes out of my body as I feel the warmth of his skin against my hands.

I just want to stop thinking and start feeling for a minute.

I kiss his stomach again, then reach for the button and zipper on his pants as I look up at him, my eyes a question.

He nods in answer and I unfasten the button. Slowly. My movements are even slower as I slide his zipper down. The need to see this part of him is overwhelming. I squeeze my thighs together, feeling the desire heating between them.

“Emma! Are you in there?”

The sound of hammering on the door makes us both jump.

“It’s Mia. Are you decent? Can I come in?”

Panic washes over me as I look at Brooks. “Um, just a second,” I shout out. “We’re getting changed.”

“Oh hell, I didn’t disturb you in the middle of sex, did I?” There’s an embarrassed giggle.

“No, of course not.” I jump off the bed and almost run to the door. There’s a lock on it, but neither of us thought to use it. From the corner of my eye I see Brooks zipping his pants before he leans down to pick up his shirt. “We’re just getting changed out of our traveling clothes.” The heat in my cheeks won’t go away. Nor will the memory of the way his body felt against my fingers.

It's like there’s an ache in me I never knew existed. Maybe it didn’t until now. All I want to do is shut out the world and go back to my exploration of him.

I want to touch him. Kiss him. Taste him.

I turn to check if Brooks is decent, but he’s right behind me, reaching past my waist to open the door. He has his shirt on, but it’s still open.

Then he steps back and pulls me with him as he opens it.

“Mia,” he says, giving her the smile that I now know is fake. “How are you?”

“I’m good.” She steps inside. “Aren’t these great? Can you imagine the effort it took to put them all up? They must have had an army of workers here.”

“How was the cattle drive?” I ask her.

“Hot. We just got back and we’re heading over to the lake for a swim. I wondered if you’d like to come.”

I frown. “I didn’t bring a swimsuit.”

She winks. “Nor did I. Just swim in your underwear. Nobody’s going to care.”

Brooks is still holding me against his bare chest. It’s completely distracting. “Um…”

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