Both Crystal and Hyrum released long breaths on each side of the door.
Was he joking with her, or was he making a move on her? Crystal had been away from the game for so long that she couldn’t recognize it anymore.
The temptation to accept his offer was overwhelming, but she stayed strong and resisted the urge to change her mind.
She mentally scolded herself.
Her acquaintance with the man was almost nonexistent. She was stuck with him for the next two or three months after suffering from heatstroke. As far as she knew, he was only teasing.
Keeping that thought in mind, she adjusted the shower to lukewarm, attempting to banish thoughts of those powerful hands and an alluring accent.
It was hopeless.
His face appeared with shocking clarity as soon as she closed her eyes: those hungry blue eyes staring into her own. Her hands, slick with soap, glided over her breasts, feeling his hands instead, eliciting a moan from her mouth. She felt her nipples tighten, and as her hands explored her intimate area, she yearned for his fingers to pleasure her, pushing her toward a state of madness. Crystal allowed her mind to wander into fantasy for a few painful minutes to find solace before facing him at the dinner table.
She daydreamed about his lips on her neck and breasts, picturing the flex of his muscles. In her dream, she imagined the sensation of stubble against her skin and the overwhelming pleasure of his penetration, resulting in screams of delight.
While standing in the spray, she stimulated her clit with fast circular movements. In a burst of intensity, her muscles tensed, and she let out a scream as her core convulsed repeatedly.
It took her some time to come back down to reality after feeling sexually euphoric. She started feeling a general sense of calmness and decided to shampoo her hair and wash away the soap from her body. After applying some aloe vera, she covered herself with a towel and went to his room down the hall.
Hyrum’s room was sparsely furnished with just a four-poster bed, a chest of drawers, and a night table. Upon opening the chest of drawers, she discovered a T-shirt and a pair of shorts. Remaining true to her pragmatist nature, she disregarded the double meaning of wearing Hyrum’s undergarments as she discarded the towel and put on the shirt and shorts.
The shirt was so big on her that it reached her knees, and the shorts barely stayed on her hips, but she was fully covered.
A few minutes later, when she walked into the kitchen, Hyrum had just completed a salad and roast beef sandwich. The food was delectable, but he quickly turned and locked eyes with her before she could express her gratitude.
She insisted that she could see a wash of color beneath his tan.
Her deep blue eyes were the target of his intense gaze, and he licked his lips slowly as if envisioning her in the nude.
His expression revealed his intent, making it impossible for a woman to miss unless she was deaf and blind. The tranquility vanished immediately following her orgasm. Thoughts of her pinned to his bed raced through her mind, and she suppressed a surge of arousal by biting her lip.
Hyrum smiled slowly, arrogantly, as though he knew exactly what she was thinking… as though he intended her to think it.
“Thank you for supper,” she said in a squeaky voice, taking a seat on the kitchen island.
“Welcome,” he drawled.
To avoid looking at her, he moved to the fridge. He was aware of every noise she produced and knew she had done more than take a shower.
His mind was consumed by the image of her arched, wet, and naked body, her heavy breathing as she pleasured herself to orgasm. Did she insert herself? Did she only use her fingers to tease her clit?
Hyrum cast a glance over his shoulder.
She was intensely fixated on her food, as if he made her anxious. Not because it was wise, but because he couldn’t resist, he decided to test it.
God knows she was already making him lose his mind.
It was time to retaliate a little.
With that thought in mind, he went towards her, clutching a glass of water.
“Crystal?”
She jumped and nearly choked on a mouthful of food. “You shouldn’t sneak up on someone like that,” she snapped.
“Sorry, Darlin’,” he lied, resisting the urge to second look at her legs. They were long and shapely, with just enough muscle definition. “You need to drink. I’m guessing you lost a lot of fluid.”
He held out the glass, and she took it with muttered thanks. He guessed it was the devil in him that waited until she had a mouthful of water before saying:
“I heard what you did in the shower.”
Like a scene in some bad movie, Crystal choked and spat water halfway across the room. It took everything he had not to bust out laughing.
“You must be some kind of pervert to press your ear to the door while someone is in the shower.”
“I didn’t press my ear to the door. I didn’t have to,” he said, captivated by the touch of indignation on her golden skin. “You have nothing to be ashamed of… we all do it.”
“Thank you for your understanding,” she said, dripping with sarcasm.
Hoping for closure, she was disappointed when he didn’t consider the matter closed.
“The question is why you would do it now, given that you’re completely worn out and dealing with sunstroke.”
“Mind your own business,” Crystal stated.
“Did I happen to cross your thoughts?”
“Oh, would you shut up,” she said, praying he’d finally shut his pie hole and let her eat in peace.
“I don’t think I am Crystal,” he said, moving toward her.
“Don’t flatter yourself!”
He stopped right behind her seat. She could sense his body heat behind her. Despite only spending a few hours together, his fragrance was becoming ingrained in her memory: a mix of fresh air, horses, man, and smoke.
The sensation was addictive, making her nipples tighten and her inner thigh muscles weaken. Ignoring her instincts, she breathed in and absorbed him slowly.
“Turn around,” he softly said.
“That doesn’t seem like a good idea,” she said, her voice unusually high.
“Chicken.”
When a gauntlet was thrown down, Crystal had no choice but to pick it up. After inhaling deeply, she placed her feet on the ground and spun around, raising her head with a confident swagger.
She struggled to maintain a poker face as Hyrum’s gaze intensified with desire. His gaze moved downward to her breasts, where he saw her hardened nipples. A firm, calloused hand moved to the back of her neck, providing support. He slid his hand to the small of her back, pulling her closer to him.
Crystal gasped. The movement caused her to collide with his chest, her breasts pushing against him. His hips brushed against her abdomen, and she sensed the undeniable presence of an erection. She was clueless about what to do with her hands. Hyrum’s hand moved to her buttocks, lifting her until they were perfectly aligned, while her arms wrapped around him, clutching the denim fabric of his shirt.
“I have to taste you,” he murmured, his voice brushing against her lips. “One taste to satisfy my curiosity and survive the night.”
Crystal was utterly speechless. It felt strangely romantic, considering they had just met. She quickly dismissed cheesy lines from men. Crystal was completely disarmed by her belief in Hyrum, whether due to his passionate tone or his racing heart. Her attempt to moisten her lips was swiftly interrupted by Hyrum, who pressed his lips against hers, draining the blood from her head and causing a rush of sensation. The pressing of his belt buckle into her didn’t bother her. Crystal was unable to recognize his sense of taste. All she knew was that she never got this horny this fast. Her demanding actions included a moan as her tongue intertwined with his, and her fingers grasped his hair. Acting on instinct, she tilted her head, presenting herself.
“What did you say about this being a bad idea?” He gasped, finally letting her up for air.
“At this point, I can’t remember,” she said.
Hyrum laughed and held back a curse.
“I could let you go now, Darlin’. Although it would be painful, it’s probably the grown-up decision.”
And that drawl stood out.
That alone was all it took to make her go insane.
“We should spare ourselves the discomfort of being around each other in the coming months.”
“Or…” he began huskily, “We could take care of it now. We can have one night to unwind and then return to our responsible adult duties.”
Crystal bit back a groan, fighting temptation.
“Maybe you should let me go,” she said shakily.
“I want to, but I know it would only postpone the inevitable. There’s chemistry here, Darlin’. Living in the same house without you seems impossible for me.”
Oh boy.
Right as she was on the verge of accepting, a wave of dizziness struck.
Hyrum noticed and reluctantly pulled her to a chair before letting her go. He passed her the water and observed her rapid consumption.
“You can’t tonight,” he said, refilling her glass. “You’re wiped out. I’m sorry.”
“So am I,” she muttered.
Crystal hadn’t felt this uncomfortable since she discovered her brother in a compromising position with her best friend.
She seized the water from him, was able to stand without the dizziness, muttered a good night, and hurriedly retreated to her room to escape the situation.
“It’s going to happen, Crystal,” he said from her doorway.
Crystal was surprised when he followed her; his voice caught her off guard.
“I don’t believe in inevitability, Hyrum,” she said, “but I am tempted. l grant you that.”
“You’re more than tempted, honey,” he drawled.
“You have an arrogant attitude.”
“I ain’t denying it.” He smiled.
Although her words were confident, she was trembling, not out of fear. Upon entering her room, he saw her eyes widen, prompting him to take her hand and kiss it. “Good night, Crystal, and good luck gettin’ to sleep.”
With those words, he walked away, anticipating a night of discomfort in solitude.