Leo
I barely notice the buildings fly by. My attention is centered on the beautiful woman zipping along beside me. Even though her eyes are streaming, they’re bright with joy. I can’t believe I never looked past my assumptions to see who she is on the inside. I’ve been missing out on Camile, and if I’d only been a little less black-and-white in my judgment, we might have been getting to know each other for years now. But I didn’t, and I have to live with that. The best I can do now is move forward the way I wish I had in the past.
We slow as we reach the end, hovering a couple of feet above the ground. An operator unclips Camile and then me. I get to my feet and grab the harness for balance when my legs wobble beneath me. I turn to check on Camile and find her beaming. My breath catches in my throat. Fuck, she’s stunning.
“How’d you like that?” I ask.
She jumps up and down a couple of times and squeals. “Best. Thing. Ever. I’m totally coming back next weekend.”
“It’s addictive, right?” the operator says.
“Is it ever.” She throws her arms around me. “Thanks for coming. It’s so much better to have company.”
“No problem.” I bury my face in her hair and inhale her scent. “Mm.”
She stiffens. “Did you just sniff me?”
“No,” I lie.
She laughs. “Oh my God. You did.”
I pull back and smile at her sheepishly. “You smell amazing.”
She blushes. “Uh, thanks. But we should probably get out of the way.”
“Oh yeah.” I’d forgotten Tony would be arriving at any moment. We move to the side but don’t join Enya and Jimmy yet. I can’t take my eyes off Camile’s mouth. I want to kiss her again so badly.
“You’re staring at me,” she whispers.
“You’re nice to look at,” I reply.
She just shakes her head as though I amuse her and takes my hand. “Come on.” She leads me to the others.
“What did you think?” Enya asks as soon as we’re close enough to speak without raising our voices.
“That was so much fun,” Camile says. “I kinda want to look up the other ziplines in Vegas and do them all.”
Enya grins. “If you’re serious, I’d be keen to join you. I’m always up for something like that.”
“Really?”
“Absolutely.” Enya meets my eyes and winks. I love that she’s making an effort to include Camile. I mouth “Thank you,” and she gives me a look that says her friendliness has nothing to do with my dumb ass.
Jimmy holds up his hand for a high five, and Camile slaps it after only a moment’s hesitation. “Ready to go again?” he asks.
“Hell yeah.”
I laugh at her enthusiasm. I could get used to this. We wait a few minutes until Tony whooshes into view. He slides to a stop and gets unhooked by the operator, then we crowd into the company’s van. I slide into a window seat and draw Camile onto the spot beside me. To my surprise, she rests her cheek against my shoulder and settles in. My chest clenches. Yeah, I could definitely get used to this.
“Want to get a drink together?” Jimmy asks from somewhere behind me. “All of us, I mean?”
Camile snickers, although I’m not sure why.
“Would you like that?” I can see my training buddies any day. I’d rather spend time with her, whether that’s at a bar or somewhere else.
“Sure.”
“Count me in,” Tony adds. “Although it’ll have to be non-alcoholic since I’m in fight camp.”
“Already?” Jimmy sounds surprised.
“No rest for the wicked.” Tony turns from the seat in front of us and winks at Camile. “I’m very wicked.”
“I just bet you are,” she murmurs.
I glare at him. He gives me a cocksure grin. He’s intentionally winding me up. Asshole. They unload us outside the building we took off from, but instead of going to find our cars, we walk down to the street to the nearest bar. The place is quiet since it’s midafternoon. A couple of guys are playing pool in the corner, but other than that, it’s empty. We order drinks—non-alcoholic for Tony and Enya—and gather around one of the bar leaners.
“What’s that?” I ask Camile, tipping my head toward her shot glass of amber liquid.
The corners of her mouth curve mischievously. “Whiskey.”
I laugh. “Of course it is.” Probably something she’s always wanted to order but never has. I raise my beer to her. “Bottoms up, princess.”
She gulps the whiskey down a little too enthusiastically and sputters. “It burns!”
Tony, on the other side of her, cracks up. “It’s whiskey. What’d you expect?”
She shakes her head but doesn’t say anything. Meanwhile, Enya leans over to sniff the empty glass. “Mm. I miss whiskey.”
Camile pulls a face. “You’re welcome to it. In the future, I’m sticking with wine or cocktails.” She stands. “In fact, I’m going to get something to wash that taste out of my mouth.” She heads for the bar, and I watch her go, scowling when one of the guys playing pool checks out her ass.
“Somebody is smitten,” Enya sings under her breath.
I don’t bother to deny it. “She’s pretty great.”
When Camile returns a few minutes later with a radioactive pink drink, Jimmy smirks and opens his mouth to comment, but I shut him down with a glare. If that’s what Camile wants, she should have it. Although, when she begins to loosen up and her touches become more frequent, I do have to wonder whether it was a good idea. She seems to find excuses to put her hands on me. Much as I love it, I’m having an awkward physical reaction and wish I could get her somewhere private. That doesn’t seem likely with the conversation flowing so naturally.
At first, Camile is more of an observer than a participant, but once she begins to feel comfortable, she joins in. I wrap my arms around her from behind and touch my cheek to hers. Her ass presses into my groin and I bury my face in her shoulder to muffle a groan. The woman doesn’t realize how sexy she is. If she doesn’t stop moving, she’s going to give me a publicly inappropriate boner. Tony chuckles as he notices my dilemma, but for once in his life, he doesn’t take advantage of the opportunity to play the joker. Instead, he makes a show of looking at his phone.
“I’ve got to get home.” He sends me a meaningful look.
“Me too.” I give Camile a little squeeze, hoping she’ll pick up on the message.
“Oh, uh, yeah. I have to go too.” Her words are breathless. “I have a thing.”
Enya cocks a brow. “A thing?”
“Uh-huh.” Her cheeks are rapidly turning pink. “A, um, big thing that I need to do.”
“A big thing, huh?” Tony smirks, and I’m torn between being embarrassed and thinking she’s the most adorable thing ever.
Reaching down, I thread my fingers through hers. “Let’s get you home.”
Enya looks at Jimmy and seems to realize they’re about to be left on their own. “Okay. Time to go.”
The group leaves together and walks to the zipline building’s parking lot.
As we draw near to our destination, I brush my mouth over Camile’s. “Can I come to your place?”
A shiver runs through her. “I’d like that.”
Camile
When we enter my place, I’m pleased I cleaned up earlier. There are still designs everywhere, but I’ve stacked them in orderly piles so I can work through them and choose my favorites. I’ve decided to follow Leo’s suggestion and pitch to investors first. While it has the potential to be hardest on my ego, I think there’s a higher likelihood of success because venture capitalists don’t mind taking a risk in a way that clothing companies may not. I’ve sorted through about half of the designs and have a growing pile of discards, but I’m really excited for the small array I’ve selected for my collection.
“Wow.” Leo whistles as he enters behind me. “You’ve been busy.”
I look over my shoulder and grin. “You inspired me.”
I probably shouldn’t be so frank, but the drinks at the bar have loosened my inhibitions enough to flirt with him and see where it leads. Based on the way he whispered hotly in my ear before we separated from the others, I have a good feeling about it. Leo takes my hand and guides me to the sofa separating the living area from the bed. I see him glance over at the rumpled blankets and then his gaze clashes with mine. The look in his eyes has butterflies erupting in my stomach. What will it feel like when he actually lays his hands on me?
He sits and pats the spot beside him. I sink into the sofa, my knees wobbling, and he curls his palm around the side of my face, sending ripples of desire through my body. The tip of his thumb presses into my lower lip, and he holds it there for a moment. Excitement pulses between my legs. He looks like the lion he’s named for—hungry and ready to move in for the kill. I can’t help but squirm while I wait for him to act.
Finally, he dips his head and his lips meet mine. Lightning flashes on the insides of my eyelids. The naughty pixies in my pants want to throw a party and invite him in. Nothing about the kiss is tentative. It’s thorough, as though he’s wringing as much pleasure as possible from every second. I sigh happily and press closer. He smells faintly of beer, but it’s the scent of his skin that overwhelms me. It’s pure Leo. Masculine, woodsy, and enticing.
I run my hand down his chest, over sculpted muscles, and down to the front of his jeans. He groans and thrusts his hips forward, hard behind his fly.
“Touch me,” he murmurs. “Please.”
I cup his erection, but before I can decide what to do next, he grabs my shoulders and jerks me toward him. I straddle his legs, then hesitate. While he’s given no sign he doesn’t like my size, I’m probably heavier than the other girls he’s been with, and I’m worried I’ll squish him. How unsexy would that be?
“You’re thinking too hard.” He reaches for the hem of my blouse. “Is this okay?”
“Wait.”
He immediately drops the fabric. “What’s going on in your head, Cami? Let me in.”
“I, um.” I bite my lip, afraid to share my fears even though I know realistically he’s unlikely to say, “yeah, actually, you are too fat for me.” I muster my courage. “I’m worried you won’t be impressed with what you find beneath my clothes.” I squeeze my eyes shut for a second but then force myself to open them again. “I have thick thighs and love handles. If you’re not okay with that, then we can’t go any further.” When I’m finally brave enough to look him in the eyes, he’s staring at me incredulously.
“You are the sexiest woman I’ve seen in my entire fucking life.” His voice trembles with emotion. He raises a hand as if to brush hair from my face but stops short. “Have I done anything to make you think otherwise?”
I want to roll into a ball and hide, but I can’t run away from this situation, and if I don’t deal with it now, then the fear will only return with a vengeance later. “No, but I’ve had plenty of nasty things said to me, and it’s kind of hard to forget them.”
He frowns as understanding dawns. “Like the men at the club that night?”
“Yeah.” I climb off and sit beside him. R.I.P. to the sexy mood.
But then Leo grasps my chin between his thumb and forefinger and turns my face toward him. “I wish I’d punched that asshole.” His nostrils flare and his eyes burn with anger, but not directed at me. “I should have laid him the fuck out for speaking to you like that. I just…” He releases a shuddering breath. “I was trying to keep a low profile because of the whole drug thing. But it shouldn’t have mattered.” He studies me, trying to gauge my reaction. “I’m sorry I didn’t do that for you.”
I shrug as though every awful name those men called me didn’t cut to my very bones. “You hardly knew me then.”
He scoffs. “Doesn’t matter. Nobody should be treated like they’re trash.” His lips brush mine and he nuzzles the side of my neck. I relax, and warmth fills me. He continues. “I’ve always thought you were gorgeous. But I’d mentally classified you as off-limits because of Karson.”
I try not to flinch. Of course he did. Story of my life. I’m rarely judged on my own merits.
“We don’t have to go any further if you don’t want to,” he says. “But I’d love to bury my face between those thick thighs you mentioned and make you forget about anyone who ever said anything mean to you.”
My thighs clench tighter at his words, and my clit begs for his attention. “I want that.”
He grins. “Then how about I strip off first so you feel less exposed and vulnerable?”
I nearly laugh. Yeah, seeing the man who’s built like a Greek god naked isn’t really going to make me feel less self-conscious. But I’m not about to pass up the opportunity to ogle him, so I keep my mouth shut while he stands and strips off his shirt and jeans, leaving him clad in only a pair of briefs that lovingly caress the bulge of his cock. My gaze journeys down his body, over the ridges of his abdomen and deep grooves above his hips. I swallow. There’s a damp spot on his underwear, where precum has soaked through. Liquid heat rushes to my core. He really does like my body. So much that he’s been leaking for me. My lips curl into a sultry smile. I feel like a seductress. Like the type of woman I never dreamed I could be.
“Look at you.” He rubs a hand over his cock, and his pale eyes blaze into mine. “So damn hot. Will you take your clothes off for me?”
I reach out and trace the tip of a finger along the fabric between my skin and his hard length. “This first.”
His chest rises and falls on a rough exhale. He peels down the underwear, revealing himself to me. His erection is thick and ruddy with a short thatch of blond hair at the base. As I watch, he wraps his palm around it and strokes. More precum drips from the head, and before I can think about it, I’ve dipped my hand between my legs to put pressure on my pussy.
“No,” he grunts. “Don’t touch yourself. That’s my job. Now, will you please take off your clothes?”
Hearing his frustration, my confidence grows. I cross to him, but instead of doing what he’s asked, I splay my hands on his abs and flick his tight brown nipple with my tongue. Breath hisses between his teeth. As I move to do the same to the other one, he snags a hand in my hair and yanks my head back, baring my throat. He drags his teeth over the skin there. It doesn’t hurt, but he’s clearly taking control of the encounter, and something about that sets me alight.
He travels to my jaw and then his mouth skims the surface of mine. “Stop playing with me, Cami. I need you.”
I whimper and squeeze my thighs together. Leo is so hot, and in this moment, he’s all mine. There’s absolutely no doubt in my mind he means every word he says. I rub myself against him sensually. “Get on the bed.”
He cocks his head. “You gonna make me?”
Startled, I back off a step, but then I take in the debauched image he presents and my confidence returns. His blond hair is mussed, his eyes glow with desire, and he’s naked while I’m completely clothed.
Why? Why am I still wearing anything?
I fumble with my blouse, pulling it over my head, then undo my jeans and shimmy them down. Finally, I’m standing before him in nothing but a soft pink bra that does little to hide my breasts, and a matching set of panties.
“Fuck.” He grabs my hand and urges me around the sofa and onto the bed. I lie down while he stands at the end. His gaze sweeps over me, setting my nerves ablaze. “You’re so beautiful.”
I run my hands over my breasts and to the clasp between, snapping it open. Right now, I feel beautiful, thanks to him. Leo kisses each of my breasts, murmuring quiet compliments that go straight to my heart. He slides down my body to make good on his earlier promise. His mouth settles over my pussy, and he licks the flesh softly at first, but then groans and laps harder. My hands fly to the back of his head to hold him in place and pleas spill from me.
Don’t stop. More. Right there. Please.
He’s merciless in the pursuit of my pleasure until the moment he has me teetering on the brink. But then, before I can come, he pulls back.
“No!” I protest.
He kisses my forehead. “Do you have a condom?”
“Uh.” I pause to think. It’s been a long time since I needed one. “Yes, top drawer of the dresser. But check the expiry date.”
He opens the drawer and sifts through until he finds the box, then checks the back. “Good. Thank God.” He tears the foil wrapper and rolls it over his length. “You with me, Cami?”
“Completely.”
He climbs over me and nuzzles my neck. “You’re gorgeous, baby.”
He notches himself at my entrance and eases inside an inch at a time. I bite my lip as he fills me. It feels so good being this close to him. I hold his gaze and let him see how much I love what he’s doing. I never imagined he’d be the one to make me feel so treasured, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.
“Just like that,” I urge.
He bottoms out and rests his forehead against mine, breathing heavily. “You’re going to make me come in two minutes if I’m not careful.”
Yes. The thought of breaking his strict control drives me crazy. My pussy clasps tighter around him. I rock my hips, riding him from below. He lets out a low moan.
“I’ve never wanted anyone as much as I want you,” I confess.
“Neither.” He thrusts in and out, and I throw my head back as his fingers delve between us and rub my clit. “You make me wild.”
My mouth finds his, and there are no more words between us. We exchange heated kisses, our breath intermingling, as sweat slicks our skin. My back arches as sensation zips up my spine, spiraling out of control. I know Leo can sense it because his jaw firms and moves harder and faster.
“Let go,” he murmurs. “I’ve got you.”
He pulses inside me, and it’s all I need to plunge into the most magnificent orgasm of my life. A keening sound tears from my mouth, and I shudder beneath him. He drives into me over and over again, muttering my name every time. On one final thrust, he cries out his release. Ecstasy lines his face, and I can’t take my eyes off him. After a moment, he settles on top of me.
“You good?” He kisses my shoulder.
“So good.” There are literally no other words in my brain.
“Me too.” He wraps his arms around me. Even though he’s still inside me, I have no desire for him to move. “I don’t want to say goodbye.” His breath tickles my ear as he speaks. “Will you come over to my place for dinner? My chef will already be preparing something.”
I snort. His chef. I shouldn’t be surprised. Karson had someone else to cook for him too. I don’t want Leo to take my amusement the wrong way though, so I hasten to add, “That sounds wonderful.”
And it does. It makes me wonder whether what’s happening between us could lead to something real. It feels life-changing in a good way.
A flash of premonition runs through me and I shiver. It never pays to be too optimistic. I need to remember things have a habit of crashing down. And when the crash comes, I’m not sure I’ll be left standing.