CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Ace
“I’m getting dizzy.” Violet giggles as I spin her around the dance floor.
This particular giggle is something I haven’t heard from her before, not this carefree noise that bubbles up from her throat and explodes into a sound that puts goosebumps on my forearms. She’s breathing heavily as I pull her into my arms, every part of our bodies touching. I’m breathing hard too, and as we share a breath, I push her away and then bring her back in. Sliding my hand down her back to cup her ass.
The song ends, and we break apart to clap. The house band that’s playing announces they’re going to slow it down a little bit. It’s welcome, I’m getting tired. I haven’t had a workout like this in a long time.
“You need to sit or are you good?” I put my mouth to her ear so she can hear me over the background racket.
She shakes her head, smile never leaving her face. “I’m good.”
A slower tune starts playing from the band on the stage, and she easily slips into my arms. The sounds of everyone around us seems to quieten down as well as we sway to the beat. When I speak again, it’s in a normal voice, and she’s actually able to understand.
“You having a good time?”
“Best time ever.” She slips her arms tighter around my neck. The laughing shine is gone from her eyes, and now she looks more serious, more passionate than I’ve seen her look. The beat the band is playing is a sexy rhythm, and as she starts circling her hips to it, I grit my teeth.
All night I’ve wanted to have my hands on her, and now that it’s happening I’m not sure what to do. Violet’s more receptive to my touch than she’s ever been, and I insinuate my leg in between her thighs as we’re making our way along the dance floor. As we approach a spot that’s heavily shadowed, she releases one of her arms from around my neck, dragging her hand down my chest, and abdomen, hooking her hand along my waist. Subtly I can feel her starting to grind against my thigh.
“Ace,” she whispers as I move us farther into the shadows, away from any prying eyes that may be watching. “Tell me to stop playing with fire.”
I’m the wrong person to tell her to stop. There’s a devil on my left that influences the next words out of my mouth. “Do whatever makes you feel good, baby.”
“I can’t here,” she whispers back, running her hands up my chest.
My eyebrows are in my hairline as I look down at her. Am I mistaking what she’s trying to tell me? I have to be completely sure, I don’t want to make an assumption and have it set both of us back. “Where do you wanna go?
“Take me to your side?” she questions, a tilt to her head.
“C’mon.” I grab her hand. “Let’s get out of here.”
Violet
The scenery as we drive back to the duplex we share passes by without me seeing much of it. I’m not questioning my decision. I knew tonight when I put this dress on, shaved my legs, and slipped into these heels where I wanted it to go. But I haven’t slept with anyone else – ever – other than Brent. Not saying that’s how this night will end up, but I’ve never done any of the other stuff either, and Anthony is the only other man I’ve ever kissed. I’m going into unchartered territory here, and I would be lying if I pretended I’m not nervous.
Anthony must have caught onto my nervousness, because he reaches over, grabbing my hand, bringing it up to his lips. He drops a kiss on our fingers. “Hey you know we don’t have to do anything, right? Just because we’re going back to my side doesn’t mean I expect anything from you.”
I slowly let out a breath, I’m expecting something from myself. “I know, and I wish I was one of those women who never second-guesses themselves, never lets the doubts in, and completely believes in every decision they make. But I’m not, and while I’m not second-guessing it, I’m kind of questioning it,” I admit.
“Then let’s talk it through.”
My face burns as I open my mouth and try to put into words about what I’m feeling. Turning so I can see his profile in the dim glow of the dashboard, I close my eyes as I speak. “What if I’m not what you want? I’ve only ever been with one guy. What if I’m a disappointment to you? I don’t think I can take it, Anthony. You’re one person I don’t want to exclude from my life. If I can’t see you every day it’s going to kill a little piece of my soul.”
He glances over at me, his brow crinkled in a frown. “Woman, have you not felt the heat between us when we kiss? Have you not felt the reaction of my body when you’re close to me? Because I sure as fuck have noticed how our breath speeds up, how your nipples harden behind those thin bras you wear, the way your gaze focuses on my lips.” He reaches over, running his thumb over my bottom lip. “Like it’s doing right now.”
I let my tongue catch the pad of his thumb. “Mmm.” He shifts in his seat. “There’s no way we aren’t going to be fire when we finally get together. I’m not saying that has to be tonight, but if you want some good old fashion necking and dry humping, I’m your guy too. Basically whatever you need, I’ll give to you.”
Mind blown. How has no one scooped this guy up? How has no one realized the type of person who hides behind the jokes and the ultimate dare-devil personality. He so badly wants to be a part of something, and all he’s asking is to be a part of a unit called us. How can I ever deny him that?
* * *
As we enter Anthony’s side of the duplex, my heart is pounding. I’ve obviously been here before, but in a much different set of circumstances than tonight. The sound of his keys hitting the catch-all next to the door is loud in the space. We both take our shoes off and set them by the door, then we stand awkwardly next to one another.
“This is your show, baby. You set the pace.”
Anxiety bubbles up in my stomach as the reality of the situation hits me full force. I’ve taken my heels off and now I don’t come up much higher than his chest. Now having been given the option, I’m not sure what I want to do with it. Lifting my eyes up to his, I inhale deeply. His normally clear eyes are darker with passion and desire. Tentatively I reach my hands out to smooth across his abdomen. The tension between us is thick, the air heavy with the weight of arousal that’s been flowing between us for so long. Lifting up on my tiptoes, I lean in, pressing our lips together. Pushing my body against his, hoping to fit myself against all the nooks and crannies that are his.
It’s a slow press, as we tilt into one another. Almost in a lazy haze, I pry his lips apart, before sneaking my tongue against his. Large male hands come up to the back of my neck, resting against the skin, not pushing or encouraging, just letting me know they’re there. Nipping slightly at his lower lip, I love the sound he makes deep in his throat before he deepens the kiss. It’s a growl, a moan, a sound of desperate hunger. It’s everything I’ve wanted and more.
Now he’s pushing against my lips, taking my mouth with his, giving me everything I want. Everything I crave. Clenching my fingers in his shirt, I pull at the fabric, lifting it above the waistband of his jeans. I push it up until I can’t go any further. Separating our lips, he lets go of me, reaches behind him, and pulls it over his head. It’s a total alpha male move, one I’ve seen in movies a hundred times. It gets me even hotter than it normally does. This is Anthony, and he’s mine to do with whatever I please.
My gaze roams his body, taking in the ridges of his abs, and the smoothness of his chest. His jeans ride low on his hips, the “V” visible to my hungry eyes.
“You’re killin’ me, Vi.” His voice is guttural, full of gravel and need. I love everything about it.
“I’m not sure what to do with you,” I admit, my heart pounding.
He turns the tables on me. “I know exactly what to do with you, sweetness.”
My breath hitches, voice husky as I speak. “Do it, please, just do it.”
Leaning down, he grabs me around the thighs. His strong fingers dent my skin as he hitches me up to his waist, spreading me so that my bare skin is against his. Those full lips of his take control of mine as he carries me over to the couch, laying me down as he covers my body with his.
Pulling away for a second, I hear the question. “Is this okay?” Before he smears his mouth down my neck, nipping and sucking at the skin where it connects to my shoulder. We’ve been here before, but I appreciate the way he makes sure I’m good with whatever’s happening. Brent never cared.
Get him out of your head, Violet. Anthony is nothing like Brent. They aren’t even in the same area code.
“Perfect.” I sigh, widening my thighs so he can rest more fully against my aching core.
“I’m not going to fuck you right now.” He hooks his fingers in the neckline of my dress, pulling to expose the lace of my bra. “But I’m going to make you feel damn good.”
While I’m disappointed he’s not going to fuck me, I can live with it. “It’s probably for the best.” I sigh out a breath as he attaches his lips to my neck.
Pulling back, he nods. “Yeah, if I go in now, I’m not lasting three strokes. No kidding about it. You’ve got me right where you want me I’m sure, but I’d much prefer to give you a good time. I want to do all the things I’ve been wanting to do to you. Will you let me do that?”
One of his hands pushes up my thigh and rests against the matching lace of my panties. His other is still working to expose my bra.
“Yes,” I agree, thrusting my chest into the palm of his hand. “Yes to all the things you want to do to me.”
“All the things?” He lifts his head, eyebrow raised, sexy smirk on his face.
“All the things. Every single thing.”
And that’s when I hang on for dear life.