“Beg you?” Denver threw back her head and laughed, but the sound was forced. “You’re crazy.”

Ryan sucked harder and her laughter turned hollow. He withdrew his fingers and clasped her lonely nipple with them, soaking it with her wetness. Then he leaned over and blew on the raised tip of her breast as he slipped his fingers back inside of her.

She said nothing, just squirmed.

Time to bump things up a notch.

After pulling out his fingers, he grasped the lube and popped the top.

“Maybe I don’t feel like ass play.”

He smiled. “You didn’t seem to mind the other night.”

She huffed out a breath. “I never knew you had a vindictive side.”

“Edging isn’t being vindictive, Colorado. It’s called forestalling the immediate rush for a much bigger, better one.”

“No one but you uses the word ‘forestalling’ in bed—” She broke off as he drizzled the lube along the lips of her pussy. It was the warming kind, and despite her wetness, he knew it would amp up her arousal even faster. “That feels…” She exhaled. “Tingly.”

He rubbed it along her lips, keeping his touch careful, not wanting to build things too fast. He wanted to keep her at a certain level, humming like a well-oiled machine. His thumb grazed her clit and her hips canted, levering straight off the bed.

Immediately, he went back for more lube, this time drizzling it along the crack of her ass.

“Christ, I hate you right now.”

He only smiled as he smoothed it around that tight crease. Watching her face as he inched in his finger, pushing the lube deeper inside. Her lips rounded and her breaths grew shallower the farther he went.

“Jesus, you’re fucking perfect.”

Her swallow was loud enough for him to hear as he reached for the anal beads. She did it again as he coated the first couple with the lube, doing it over her upper thigh so some of the moisture dripped down the inside of her leg. She rocked against the sheet, clearly impatient, and he barely stifled a groan.

Goddammit, he’d be amazed if didn’t come the instant he got inside her.

“If you don’t like it, we’ll stop. Just say yellow. Always. Even if you’ve been struggling up until that point, that word lets me know—”

“Ry, I’m not going to say yellow. My pussy is like six shades of green right now. Happy St. Fucking Patrick’s Day. Now can you please fuck me and stop talking?”

Barely restraining a smile, he slipped the saturated beads inside her ass. Just the smallest at first, then the next biggest, and up to the third, stopping as her hips stilled. He pressed a kiss to her tensed belly, wiggling the strand until she couldn’t help but moan. “Gonna feel so full when I’m inside you. Just wait until I fill your ass too.”

Her pupils flared and she gripped his arm with her free hand, grasping him so hard that he knew she wasn’t against the idea. Just the opposite.

God, she was incredible.

“Suit up,” she said, not so subtly circling her hips. “Before I get this party started without you.”

“You won’t.” Taking his time, he reached for a condom and tore it open.

“No promises.”

“Denver.” His tone held no humor. “Look at me. You’re not going to come. I’ll tell you when.”

He expected her to laugh or to punch him with her free hand or to do anything other than what she actually did.

She stopped moving entirely.

“Good girl,” he said, again expecting her to push back.

Nothing. Hmm. She kept offering more proof that she definitely wasn’t as inexperienced at being dominated in bed as he’d originally assumed.

He unrolled the latex over his length and drizzled on some of the lube, more to give her a show than from actual need. She was plenty wet enough, and he’d already used some of it on her pussy. But she sucked in a breath as he dropped the tube and slicked his hand up his cock. Jesus, the slight tingling reached him right through the condom.

Wanting her to experience what he was feeling too, he gripped his length and dragged it along her swollen pussy, absorbing the sound of her staccato breaths as if she was giving him air. He rubbed the crown of his dick over her clit, circling it slowly, transferring more of that liquid heat to her flesh.

“Ry,” she whimpered, reaching up to cup her own breast. Her long fingers caged in her taut nipple and he shifted his stance, looming over her body so that he could rub the tip of his cock against her breast. She licked her lips and he bit off an oath.

“Don’t look at me like that or this’ll end with me coming all over these.” He drew his lubed cock over her other breast too and she shut her eyes.

Not having that link with her about killed him.

“Den.”

She didn’t respond.

“Look at me. Always keep looking at me.”

Her lashes lifted slowly and the need in the brown depths got him moving. He moved back down her body and kneeled between her splayed thighs. Without hesitation, he thrust inside her, so hard that her back came up off the bed. She let out a keening moan, rife with hunger, and he grabbed her thigh, hoisting her leg over his shoulder as he retreated and slammed home again.

Nothing gentle now. Just forceful, pounding strokes.

His mistake was glancing at where she was taking him deep. Her reddened folds opening for his thick cock, their combined wetness and the lube making her flesh glisten. And beneath that, the telltale pink wand of beads distending from her tightly clenched ass.

“Fuck.” He reached down to pull them out, just a little, and she fisted around him like a vise. Reading her cues, he pushed the wand in a bit more, giving her one more bead, and she tossed her head on the pillow, her dark hair spilling everywhere. She yanked at the cuff binding her in place, lifting her shoulder off the bed so her rock-hard nipple gleamed wetly. He leaned forward and blew on it while maintaining his hold on her leg and his relentless strokes in and out of her pussy, repeating the move as she raked her nails over the sheets.

“On my skin,” he rasped. “Those scratches are fucking mine.”

She nodded and reached for him, digging her fingers into the muscles of his back. Leaving welts behind. Welts he craved with every fiber of his being.

“Harder,” she whispered, and he gave her exactly what she wanted.

Grabbing her other leg, he pulled it over his opposite shoulder. And he doubled down into his thrusts, powering into her and driving her up the bed so the handcuffs rattled and the bed nailed the wall. Everything shaking. Her gorgeous body beneath him, the bed frame, the frigging world.

He couldn’t get deep enough. She was so wet, her pussy soaking him, grasping him like a motherfucker, ripping his breaths from his chest. He was supposed to be stringing this out. Making her wait for it until she couldn’t do more than beg.

Instead he was the one on the verge of begging.

Dropping his head to hers, he fought to claim her mouth. She was going wild against the pillows, thrashing back and forth, and with the position, he couldn’t get close enough. So he kept up the pace, her walls closing in on him, making it more difficult for him to pull out and sink home, again and again. She was so close, her body resenting his intrusion even as she craved it. She slapped at his upper arm, stinging his skin seconds before she scratched the back of his neck and dragged his mouth to hers.

Holding him there, sharing his oxygen as she finally, finally reached the peak—and she waited, her whole body strung tight for his, until he whispered that one word against her bitten-raw lips.

“Come.”

She arched beneath him, pressing her breasts into his chest as she came undone around him. She didn’t scream, didn’t make a single sound. Just rose up, her body bowing, shaking violently with her orgasm. Her pleasure spurred his own and he shouted out her name, the word burning his throat as he rocked into her again and again, burrowing so deep that he didn’t know how he’d begin to find his way clear of her. She swelled around him again, clasping him in her wet heat, giving him permission to stop fighting.

To just let go into the condom, pouring out his release as he groaned against her mouth, giving her his release that way too. Needing her to experience every second of it with him as he shook and spent himself inside her.

Cursing the goddamn rubber that kept him from her pussy all the while.

He wasn’t aware of slumping against her, or of curving his face into the crook of her neck. It was her gentle strokes on his hair that brought him back to himself.

Without opening his eyes, he drew in a deep breath. The room smelled of sex—heavy, heady, and oh so fucking dirty, and it made him want to fuck her all over again.

And he hadn’t even left her yet. Didn’t know if he could.

She drew her leg up the back of his, rubbing against his calf like a kitten imprinting him with her scent. Her nails scooped through his hair, leaving teasing little half moons in his scalp on every other pass.

“You’re getting hard again,” she murmured, amused.

Rather than answer, he bit her chin, and she laughed, jostling his cock almost out of her body. “Arm’s starting to hurt, big boy. Playtime’s over. Go rub it out in the shower if you must.”

“Why do I like you again?” He withdrew the rest of the way and groaned at the slap of cool air from the room’s AC.

It was a brutal world outside her pussy. Too bad he couldn’t just live there forever.

“Oh, and if I rub it out anywhere, it’s going to be in your mouth.”

“Pfft. We’ll see about that.”

Lightly, he smacked her slit and she jolted, making him grin. “Looks like I’m not the only one still revved up.”

“Yeah, but I gotta get back.” She sighed heavily and wiggled her arm. “Elle will wonder where I’ve gone. Also, I’m thirsty like a sonofabitch. I just lost, like, half the fluids in my body.”

He had to laugh as he bent over to root through the bag for the handcuff key. “Hmm, what would you say if I can’t find the key?”

“I’d say your ass better learn to drive a bus fast, pal.”

Still chuckling, he came up with it and freed her from the cuffs. Before she could escape, he gripped her wrist in both hands and quickly rubbed the circulation back into it. “Okay?”

“Fine. I’m fine.”

Then he moved back down her body and pulled out the wand of beads, slowly and carefully. She pressed her lips together, revealing nothing, but her chest rapidly rose and fell.

Not trusting she wouldn’t rabbit if he left her alone long enough to clean up after their playtime, he removed and disposed of the condom, then wrapped the beads in a tissue from the nightstand and set them aside. He climbed back into bed and made a come here gesture with his fingers, well aware she was looking anywhere but at him. She groused as he pulled her against him, but he drew her head onto his chest and she quieted.

Reluctantly, he was sure.

“I’m a cuddler after sex. Deal with it.” She grumbled against his skin, and he weaved his fingers through her long, tangled hair. “Guess I should clarify that. Apparently, I’m a cuddler when it comes to you. Never been similarly afflicted before.”

Her response was silence. Definite progress, compared to last time.

“So this is how this is going to work, Colorado.”

She groaned. “Really? Rules?”

“You like rules. They make you come really fucking hard.” He popped her on the ass and she shot him a death glare from her slitted eyes. She also didn’t argue.

The truth hurt, and she liked it that way.

“There aren’t many in this case. We’re going to fuck whenever we possibly can, whenever you’re in the mood. I’m always in the mood, so that’s not even a consideration.”

Her lips twitched.

“We’re still going to be friends. Best friends. Friends who get each other off in every known way and possibly break a few laws while we’re at it. The bus travels through some shady states. Did you know Alabama doesn’t condone the purchase of sex—”

She covered his mouth with her hand. “Is that it for the rules?”

He bit her palm and she yanked it back. “No. Another rule is that I’m going to go down on you so much that you’re going to have to beg me not to eat you out twenty-four/seven. I’m also going to spend my life worshipping these. Goddamn perfect,” he muttered reverently, twirling his fingertip around her nipple.

“I’m okay with these rules so far.”

“And we’re going to be honest with each other. Brutally honest. Even me. And that’s why I’m going to tell you I’m not okay with you leaving me car fare and rent money on the nightstand like you’re my sugar mama. I don’t care if that makes me a caveman. I’m just telling you straight.”

She propped an elbow on his chest and lifted her brows. “Well, I’m telling you straight that I won’t fuck a gambler. I’ve dealt with enough people with vices. I’ll be damned if I give one carte blanche to my pussy.”

He rubbed his thumb over her lower lip until it trembled. “How about this beautiful mouth?”

Stubbornly, she averted her gaze.

Letting out a long breath, he gripped her chin and brought her focus back to his face. “I’ve got it under control, I swear.”

“Said every addict ever.”

“I just pushed my luck. It happens. It’s not like I crave the cards. You know me. I’m too smart for that.”

“Do you think every addict is dumb? Of course not. It takes hold of you and you lose control. Chasing the high becomes more important than anything else.”

He caught a handful of her hair and tugged gently. “The high of you is much more intoxicating to me than sitting around a dusty table, shuffling cards with a bunch of dudes. If you don’t get that yet, let me demonstrate.” His mouth was almost on hers when she slapped a hand on his chest.

“Elle,” she reminded him. “And I won’t even get into the danger of trading one addiction for another.”

“We’re all addicted to something. Show me someone who isn’t. We all like that spike of adrenaline from doing something a little crazy. You go mountain biking just like I do. Tell me you haven’t ever jumped your bike over a creek, knowing full well you could come down wrong and get hurt.”

“It’s not the same.”

“It’s more the same than it isn’t. If I ran until I passed out, then it’d be okay to have a vice? Or is it just because I’m risking money that suddenly it’s so—”

“It’s because you’re risking you.” She jerked away from him and sat up, shoving her hands through her hair. “Do you not remember how I found you in that alley? They could’ve seriously hurt you or killed you, maybe even unintentionally. Are your stupid games and bets worth risking that?”

The wobble in her voice made him sit up as well. At first he didn’t respond. She had a point, even if the scenario in her head hadn’t occurred and never would.

“I can see your point, if I’m looking at it that way.”

“How big of you.”

“But you gotta figure that I wasn’t with you then. Wasn’t with anyone, period. So it’s not like I was real concerned that—”

“What? You weren’t concerned that you’d be making any of us worried? You don’t think someone can love you if you’re not getting in their pants? God, Waters, sometimes you’re thicker than wood.” She climbed out of bed and grabbed her clothes before disappearing into the en suite bathroom with a slam of the door.

He groaned and tipped back his head. Christ, could he fuck this up any more if he tried? Probably, and wasn’t that a scary thought.

Rising, he pulled on his boxers and a pair of jeans. His gaze snagged on the bag from The Velvet Vault and the silver box protruding from the plastic. An idea took hold, and though it probably wasn’t the best romantic gesture to get them back on an even keel, it might be enough to intrigue Denver. She wasn’t exactly one for romance anyway. But just because she wanted to keep everything on a sex level didn’t mean he did.

He wasn’t sure what he wanted yet, truthfully, other than more of Denver. Hearing her practically admit she loved him—even if it was just platonic, though that wasn’t a word in their vocabulary any longer—hadn’t simmered him down on that score.

She had real feelings for him. Confusing, probably snarly ones if they were anything like his own. While they figured them out, and each other, they’d fuck their way to bliss. Seemed like a reasonable plan to him.

He palmed the silver box and strode to the door. Time to begin phase one of getting Denver just as addicted to him as he was to her already.

As he’d become within the span of one touch. One kiss. One stroke into her tight, slick body.

“Den.” He knocked once, then again. “Can I come in? Or can you come out?”

The door popped open. She’d pulled on her jersey again and straightened her sex-mussed hair, which was a damn shame. “I have to get back to the room. Elle’s probably already looking for me.”

“I’m not even sure what I’m apologizing for, but I’m sorry.”

Her lips pursed. “You are so male.”

Saying nothing, he gestured at his groin and lifted his brows. And maybe added a slightly hangdog expression to his face in the hopes of making her soften.

She sighed heavily. “I guess I can’t argue with that logic. Especially when I’m still feeling too damn good. What’s in the box?”

Leaning against the doorjamb, he rubbed the corner of it against his chin. Denver hated to be kept waiting, and she hated not knowing everything immediately. He could use her incessant curiosity and impatience to his benefit. “Are we good with laying down ground rules? You’re not going to return to Elle and rabbit the next time I see you like none of this ever happened?”

She rolled her eyes. “Did you forget I’m the one who showed up at your door? I’m not going to wig out. I knew you probably wouldn’t be cool with just keeping things loose.”

“I’m an all-in sort of guy. Pretty sure you knew that about me, Colorado. On that note…” He popped open the top on the box and waited.

“What is this?” She caught her finger in the loop and lifted the small connected silicone pink balls. “It looks dirty and I have to go.”

“Why I thought they’d be perfect for you. They’re a traveling sort of item.” He took them back and went into the bathroom to wash them in the sink.

“A traveling sex toy. Right. While I’m driving a bus. Boy, you clearly must’ve had some cells knocked loose when they kicked you around in that alley.”

Ignoring her, he turned off the water and patted the balls dry with a towel. “They’re ben wa balls. Typically used for sexual pleasure or Kegels, but we know you don’t need to do those.”

“Says you.” She snorted. “I do fifteen hundred a day on the bus.” When his eyes narrowed, she shrugged. “Not a lot of exercises I can do while riding the gears.” She pointed. “And don’t even with your dirty jokes. Not in the mood.”

Suppressing a grin, he sidestepped her and aimed for the tube of lube in the bedroom. “Want me to do the honors or…”

“Dude, do I need to mention the bus again? Do you know the kind of jostling that’ll cause?”

“You drive smoothly.”

When she didn’t respond, he shrugged. “Up to you, of course.”

She came around the bed and sat beside him. “These are supposed to feel good, huh? They’re pretty small.”

“They’re lightly weighted.” He handed them to her again so she could examine them. “Figured I’d help you put them in and see what happens. If you don’t like them, just pop them out in the bathroom.”

“I honestly don’t see what these could possibly do for me.” But she reclined on the bed and tugged up her jersey, exposing her white panties and a slice of flat, tanned belly. When added to the dark landing strip barely visible through her panties, he was a goner.

“Hello? Thought you were going to slide those babies on in. Let’s get on with it, pal. I have a heartbroken guitarist to distract so she doesn’t think I’ve been fucking you for the past couple hours.” She grinned, dazzling him.

He exhaled and shook his head as he uncapped the lube. “She might not be thinking it, but I’ll be reliving every moment as I jerk one out in the shower. Another shower, even though I took one last night.”

“Sweaty business, nailing me.” She traced a fingernail over his thigh. “We aren’t done discussing the gambling thing. Just putting a pause on it for now.”

“I would think nothing less. Bull terriers are less persistent than you.” He lubed up the balls and leaned over her, sliding over the panel of her panties with a lubed finger. She inhaled sharply, her belly trembling beneath his forearm as he slipped one ball inside, then the other.

She was still so wet and swollen, and in the faint light in the room, he glimpsed the redness of her pussy. From him. From them.

Swallowing hard, he gave the balls a testing push. She didn’t make a noise. “Feel okay?” he asked, his voice coming out every bit as strangled as his throat.

Goddamn, she was sexy. More so because she didn’t try to be.

“They don’t feel like anything at all.” She shrugged and sat up, pulling her panties back into place and her jersey down over her hips. “I gotta jet.”

“If they bother you, take them out. I can help you later when—”

“Help me? Are you kidding? They’re tiny. I won’t even notice them.” She leaned closer and gave him a quick kiss. “See ya.”

“Oh no, you don’t.” He fisted a hand in her hair and tugged her right back. “You’re going to think of me every time those move inside you. Imagine me sliding them in. Keeping them there as I push my dick into you, slow and deep.” He covered her mouth with his, stroking his tongue between her soft lips.

He kept the kiss brief, and she moaned as he pulled back. Smiling, he laid a finger on her mouth. “Have a nice day, honey.”