Page 5 of Blueberry Cake
He pressed the button for the twenty-sixth floor, then pulled her close by an arm around her shoulders. He mouthed over the cleft of her ear, his breath hot against hercheek. “I have tried it a few times—along with being tied up myself. I enjoyed it, though it’s not one of my favourite kinks.”
Queenie took a deep breath in, letting his woodsy cologne ground her. Notes of seductive sage and sandalwood swept her away, and she relaxed into his strong arms. “What do you enjoy more?”
“I’m a pleaser,” he husked as the doors opened and he gently nudged her out. “Right over there. 2603.”
Boyd only dropped his hand on her waist in favour of unlocking the door. He held it open, letting her step in first. Sunlight flooded the open space. She walked farther into the living room bypassing the hallway to her left. The kitchen was on the smaller side, but still fitted a beautiful island with black marble countertops. The dark, rustic furniture provided a striking contrast to the light that came through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
She set her cup on that island, taking in the view over Discovery Green. “This is gorgeous.”
Boyd hummed, pleased as his arms found their way around her waist. “I think my view is a lot better with you in it.”
She let herself relax against him and laid her hand over his wrist to hold onto. “You already have me in your apartment. You don’t have to glamour me even more.”
“Do you always have a hard time accepting compliments?”
She thought it over—briefly. “You could say that.”
Boyd didn’t address it, instead whispering, “I like how you feel in my arms.”
Rolling her head against his shoulder, she soaked up the kiss he placed on her hair. She tried not to think about whatshe was about to do or how she might embarrass herself. She simply wanted to enjoy being held. It had been a while since she’d been close with someone and now that she felt his warmth around her, she didn’t want it to end.
“Have you eaten?”
“Yes, why? Would you have made me something?”
“Happily.”
Queenie spun in his arms, placing her hand on his chest. Slowly, she lifted her gaze until she met the sea of forest green staring back at her. Butterflies tickled her stomach, banished only by the sensation of feeling…safe. Boyd had been nothing but kind and respectful. The pictures he’d seeded in her mind bloomed again as she combed through his beard. Her fingers danced over his jaw, past his ear, and curled around his neck where she gently tugged.
He followed easily, hesitating before their lips touched. “We don’t have to kiss.”
“Does that mean you don’t want to?”
A low growl clawed up from deep in Boyd’s chest. “Queenie… ” he warned.
She silenced him with her mouth, enjoying the rough scratch of his beard against her cheeks. She’d never kissed a bearded man. His hands ran down her sides and she couldn’t help but squirm and giggle into the kiss.
“Ticklish?” With a playful smirk, Boyd trailed a feather-light touch over her spine.
“Just a little,” she panted, heat flooding her cheeks.
Boyd swept her into another kiss, smiling against her lips. Her hand grazed over the buzzed part of his hair, climbing higher until she found the longer locks to latch onto. Her heart was racing, thumping wildly in her chest as his hands travelled further south. They hooked under herass, and she happily wrapped her legs around his waist when her feet left the ground. Her arm around his neck, she melted into him.
“Breathe, sweet Queenie.”
No wonder she felt dizzy.
Boyd turned and sat her on the counter, his fingertips teasing her outer thigh and under her dress. “What’s our safeword?” he asked, resting his forehead against hers.
“Can I say it without you stopping?”
“Yes, only this once.”
“Blueberry. We stop, no questions asked.”
“You listen so well.” With another kiss, Boyd rewarded her with his hands beneath her dress, tickling up her inner thigh.
Self-consciousness tried to grow like a weed, but the slip of his tongue against hers and his scent washing over her banished the thought instantly.
