Page 48 of Under the Influence

“Being sensible is who I am.”

“True, but you’re still an Earlham. Don’t fight it. Do you think you’re better than Queen Meemaw Christine? She left town, went to school, and married my dull bio peepaw. She tried so hard to fight her Earlham side. Then, her best efforts failed when she got to arguing with King Peepaw Jared. The magic was too powerful. Her horny, crazy Earlham bloodline destroyed even her most classy efforts, leaving her riding his dick in front of everyone in the Kroger parking lot.”

“They only made out.”

“That’s not how I choose to remember their explosive reunion hump.”

“How are you remembering anything if you weren’t even conceived yet?”

When Tuesday sighs loudly, I can imagine her rolling her eyes dramatically. “This is your problem, ya arctic pussy. You can’t simply roll with shit. You fight my beautiful reminiscing in the same way you fight your Earlham side.”

“What’s the alternative? How do Inotfight it?”

“Go show off the negligee to Duke. He’s going to go wild for you. Men give off crazy heat when they’re aroused. Embrace what he offers. Don’t think about your body. Focus on his. Let him make you crazy hot. Then, you won’t care about your damn hand placement or making eye contact.”

Closing my eyes, I see Duke and me in my SUV. His hands have explored my body as much as possible while I’m dressed. I love the feel of his touch. His hot breath on my skin makes me crazy.

My newfound confidence falters a little once I’m standing in front of Duke. I’m nearly naked while he’s fully dressed. The room feels too bright and a little chilly. I should have turned on the heater before I changed.

My brain tells me to slow things down. I can’t control this situation. I’m vulnerable while Duke remains powerful.

His hot lips do feel good on mine. His gentle fingers tease my bare shoulders. He hasn’t pushed me. I’m nearly naked in front of him, and he’s behaving like a real gentleman.

My heart soars at how I’ve fallen for such a classy man. I’ve always hoped for that quality in my dream guy. But I also wanted him to be a tough guy like the men I grew up around. With Duke, I have both.So why am I still panicky?

“I’m too undressed,” I say and step back. “And you’re not undressed at all.”

“I took my shoes off,” Duke says with complete sincerity before giving me a smirk. “You could also go get dressed.”

Pouting now, I mumble, “Don’t you like this on me?”

“I sense whatever answer I give will upset you.”

When I stare at him with my lips stuck in a pout, Duke leans forward and kisses my forehead.

“You seem cold. I’ll turn up the heater.”

His sweetness makes me swoon. His ass flexing as he walks away makes me feel something a little raunchier.

“If you took off your shirt, I think we’d be more even.”

Duke offers me a gentle smile and asks, “What are we doing here, Edith? I feel like you’re forcing yourself to perform for me.”

“I want you to touch me,” I say in an overly whiny voice before stopping myself. Sighing, I continue, “I want to be together, but I’m scared.”

“We should wait.”

“No way. Instead, let’s ease our way in the direction of penetration, okay?” I say, sounding bonkers. “You take off your shirt. We can kiss and see if your pants and my tiny panties come off. I suspect if we were making out like we do in my car, I would already have you inside me.”

Duke grimaces. “My dick hurts when you talk like that.”

Smiling, I step closer and sway my hips. “Don’t be shy, Duke. Slide your T-shirt over your head, so we’ll be more even.”

Duke exhales softly and tugs his shirt over his head. I feel lightheaded at the sight of his tanned muscled chest. His tattoos call out to me to be explored. The dark hair across his pecs begs to be caressed.

My gaze struggles to leave his bare flesh. After great effort, I look him in the eyes. Duke appears amused by my slacked-jaw response.

“Can I be in charge?” I ask and inch backward.

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