Part 11 (1/2)

No she was not okay. She was in trouble. Big, big trouble. Not only did he always seem in tune to her, he made her think about things she'd written off. This crazy reaction to him was different from anything she's experienced before.

”Yes,” she half lied. Because being in his arms felt amazing and she didn't want to move from this position.

His tickling stopped and he put one of the small couch pillows in his lap. He s.h.i.+fted his weight, keeping one arm wrapped around her shoulder, until her head fell onto the pillow. Then his fingers gently rubbed up and down her arm, her back. Her eyes fluttered shut.

”How'd the skating go today?”

”Good. Everyone seemed to really like it. And as far as I know there weren't any casualties. The mayor also told me I was da bomb, so you know, I think that means he'll be giving me a key to the city soon.”

”You know what that means, right?” His fingers dipped a little below her lower back, teasing the top of her bottom before cruising up her side.

”That I can't hide it in a rock?”

He chuckled. She smiled. ”That congratulations are in order. I think you're the first person to successfully bring roller-skating back.”

”Thanks to you.”

”I'm pretty sure you did it without me.” His hand rubbed farther down, this time rounding the curve of her b.u.t.t. Her nights.h.i.+rt rose a little up her legs when his palm ma.s.saged back up to her shoulder.

Her eyes flew open. Tingles of antic.i.p.ation shot straight to between her thighs. What was he doing? And please, Lord, don't let him stop.

She swallowed and concentrated on the movie. She also didn't move a muscle.

He accepted her silence by continuing to rub her back before moving his ministrations to her hip and dipping his hand to her front, the pads of his fingers grazing the side of her stomach and front of her thigh before pressing lightly back up her torso.

With each stroke down her body, he got more daring, more intimate. Her s.h.i.+rt inched up higher, exposing her black cheeky panties. He let out a tiny groan when he touched the lace that only covered half her bottom.

That barely-there s.e.xy sound almost had her lifting her head to see if he was as turned on as she was, but she didn't want to spoil the best back rub of her life. Every sweep of his hand up and down made her belly coil tighter in pleasure, her skin more sensitive.

She almost stopped breathing when he lifted her s.h.i.+rt high enough to expose her entire backside. His warm, strong hand settled at the base of her spine and stilled. Was he silently asking permission to continue? Staring at her a.s.s and contemplating his next move?

Touch me there. ”There” being that magical spot that ached and begged to have a turn with at least two of his fingers. She rolled her hips over just the tiniest bit. Spread her legs just the slightest bit. But otherwise kept her hands around the pillow in his lap and her head still, eyes on the television screen.

He slipped his hand over the curve of her waist and to the edge of her panties. She rotated a little more, lest he doubt where she wanted him to go.

Her breath came out in a short sigh the second he rubbed over her center. She didn't feel the least bit shameful as her legs fell open and she pressed into his hand. Her heels dug into the couch, she squeezed the pillow.

”Mmm,” escaped her lips. He continued to ma.s.sage, his thumb grazing over her tight nub and making her crazy. Wet. h.o.r.n.y beyond h.o.r.n.y. He slipped his hand underneath the cotton and lace and the feel of his bare hand was almost more than she could take.

Until he slid one, then two fingers inside her.

She cried out and came faster and harder than she could ever remember.

He brought her down slowly, caressing with such delicate strokes that she was afraid to look at him. Afraid to speak. Raw, complicated feelings she had no idea how to handle opened her mind to a new sensation-trust.

Bryce covered her back up with her s.h.i.+rt and rested his hand on her upper arm. He settled deeper into the couch as if he were content to end this there. She closed her legs, s.h.i.+fted so her knees were bent in a comfortable position.

They watched the rest of the movie with her head still on a pillow in his lap. When it was over, he lifted her up, kissed her cheek, and said he'd pick her up at two on Sat.u.r.day.

She hugged the front door as she watched him walk to his car. Because if she let go, she'd race after him and tell him to stay.

Bryce got home to his and Danny's place and immediately hit the shower. He'd never been more turned on in his life than he was sitting with Honor on the couch and making her feel good. Hearing the breathless sounds she made when she came had made him harder than a steel drum. If there hadn't been a pillow in his lap offering some barrier, he doubted he would've been able to reign himself in.

He knew he'd crossed a line and was treading on dangerous ground. Cooper had made it clear he didn't want Bryce near his sister, but with her blond hair, blue-gray eyes, killer bod, and naughty smile, no guy in his right mind could look away. Look closer-something Bryce couldn't stop doing-and there was a woman with much more to offer than a beautiful view. She had substance and sincerity and hated anyone studying her too hard. Which stupidly only made him want to know more.

What started nine months ago wasn't over despite his mind's protests.

He toweled off, pulled a pair of sweats on, and headed to the kitchen for a cold drink. He'd keep this unwanted connection with Honor casual because stopping didn't appeal to him. It felt good being around her and he hadn't felt good in a long time.

”Feel better?” Danny asked from the living room. His laptop sat open beside him on the couch and one of those home improvement shows played on their flat screen.

”Much.” Bryce guzzled down some milk, wiped his mouth.

”Quit drinking from the carton you douche.”

Bryce ambled to the oversized chair beside the couch and sat, his douche smile firmly in place.

Danny rolled his eyes. After almost three years of living together the guy should get over it already. ”If you say the word 'cooties' I'm going to punch you.”

”What's up your a.s.s tonight?”

”Nothing.”

”Maybe you should j.a.c.k.-.o.f.f. in the shower.” Bryce leaned back, put his feet up on the coffee table. ”Really takes the edge off.”

”Do I want to know?”

”No.” Bryce didn't want to lie to his best friend. Danny had more restraint than anyone he knew and taking things as far as he had with Honor tonight showed zero restraint. His actions also effed up his relations.h.i.+p with Cooper.

Danny's phone vibrated with a text. He picked it up and read the message. A heavy-duty frown took over his expression.

”Something wrong?” Bryce asked.

”It's Olivia. She's upset about some stuff with work.” He double-thumbed a message back. ”I think I'm going to head home this weekend to see her.”

Olivia was the unofficial fourth Musketeer. Home was the small beach town a couple hours north where he, Danny, Zane, and Olivia had grown up. Liv lived next door to Danny, but it wasn't until sixth grade when a girl called her Chubby Livvy and Danny defended her that they all became friends. More tomboy than girlie, she'd liked to be outdoors as much as they had.

”She didn't say anything at the wedding.”

Danny kept his phone in his hand and looked up. He'd been closest to Olivia, and felt responsible for her even when he wasn't close by. ”She hadn't realized how bad it would get. And she didn't want to be a downer on Zane's big day. I'll probably head out tomorrow. Be back Sunday night.”

A picture of Honor immediately flashed through Bryce's mind. Naked and in his bed. Naked and in his shower. Naked and standing with her palms on the floor to ceiling window right over there. She'd love the view of the ocean and the Santa Monica pier from their high-rise condo. He'd love staring at her.

”Dammit, Bishop,” Danny said.

Bryce blinked away his impure thoughts. ”What?”

”Do not screw things up with Cooper.”