Page 46 of Under the Influence

Despite Edith’s nod, she radiates stress. Her gaze flashes to the bed before she hurries past me into the bathroom.

I assume she needs a pep talk from Tuesday on how things should work. Turning on the other TV, I rest on the bed and let her calm down with her cousin.

A second “Seinfeld” episode is gearing up when I hear the bathroom door open. I turn off the sound and wait for Edith to reveal her next mood. I almost worry she’ll bolt for the front door and ask to go home.

Not fully emerging from the bathroom, Edith peeks around the corner. I smile at how only the top of her head to her wide eyes are visible. She’s funny as hell when she gets weird. I assume I’m looking at the “Earlham” side of her family. That bloodline leads to water pistol fights, fainting spells, and wild declarations like Val enjoys making.

“This is Tuesday’s,” Edith says, still peeking around the corner. “I wore it to look sexy. Now, I feel silly, but I didn’t bring anything else to wear overnight.”

“You can wear my shirt if you want,” I say and lean over on the bed to catch a glimpse. “What’s wrong with what you’re wearing?”

Edith shuffles around the wall blocking my view. My breath hitches, and my dick goes rock hard in an instant. I’m floored by the sight of her in a lacy pink teddy and matching panties. The material is see-through with strategically placed petal designs covering her nipples and slit. Otherwise, her shiny tanned flesh is revealed for my approval.

“Holy hell,” I mutter and crawl closer on the bed.

A smile warms Edith’s face. She might be sheepish about the actual fucking, but she can’t get enough of riling me up.

“What if I can’t go all the way?” she asks, sounding overly young despite her naughty grin. “Won’t wearing this make you crazy?”

“I can’t deny I’m actively dumber with you dressed like that,” I say, wiggling my finger for her to approach. “But I’ll survive.”

Edith shakes her head and grins wider. “You’re going to touch all over it.”

“Just a little.”

“There’s nothing to stop you from touching more than a little,” she says and glances down at the barely-there fabric keeping my fingers from her body.

“Don’t you trust me?” I ask in a rough voice implying she would be smart not to trust me.

Edith sways her hips, making the fabric twirl. She looks down at her body as if seeing herself for the first time. Smiling softly, she steps closer.

“I’m afraid of penetration.”

“Oh, we’re not doing that tonight,” I promise despite my dick begging for relief.

Edith swallows hard and steps within reach. My fingers skim her bare arm before sliding across her belly. Sighing, she wears a dreamy expression.

“Are you turned on?” she asks, sounding nervous enough to start crying. When my gaze lifts to meet hers and I nod, she adds, “Like when we fooled around the SUV or more?”

“Do you really not trust me?” I ask and kneel on the bed to focus on her face rather than her curves.

When Edith looks into my eyes, I don’t think she knows the answer to my question.

“I used to trust my instincts,” she says and runs her fingers over the lacy material across her belly. “Now I feel like I’m standing on a ledge and you’re asking me to jump. I want to protect myself by telling you no, but I also want to go wherever you go. I’m not sure if that means I trust you or not.”

Edith’s words aren’t satisfying. She ought to trust me completely. We aren’t strangers, and I’ve given her no reason to assume the worst.

Yet, we’re in this hotel an hour from our homes. This place doesn’t feel like the real world. Our current relationship seems like a practice run for the real life we hope to build together.

Even knowing Edith is right to feel edgy over us, I need her to see me like no one ever has before.

“I’m going to touch you now,” I murmur, standing up and reaching for her face. “You’re the only woman who’s ever gotten under my skin, and you’re sexier than damn sin right. So, I’m going to get a taste, okay?”

Edith smiles in that sexy way she gets when she forgets to worry. I rest my hands on her shoulders. My touch is gentle. Casual even. On the inside, I struggle against the need Edith has triggered. My desire for her crawls across my skin and wraps around my heart.

My lips taste hers, testing and teasing. Edith’s hands slide across my jaw and into my hair. She tugs me closer. Her barely dressed body is suddenly pinned against me.

My hands ache to explore her bare flesh. I ought to take what she offers, but I sense she’s testing me. If I ask for too much, she’ll shut shit down and ask to watch “Seinfeld” still playing behind us.

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