“Stevie, it’s fine. I know.” I use my free hand to grab one of hers and give it a squeeze. She looks up at me with doe eyes, worry bleeding through them.
Fuck that. She shouldn’t be embarrassed.
I bring her hand up to my lips and give it a kiss. “I’ll just have to wait until next time to learn if your pussy tastes as sweet as your lips do.” Technically, it’s a lie since I’ve had her arousal slick around my fingers. But it is true that I haven’t had the honor of drinking her pussy in, having her suffocate my face with every fiber of her being.
Her eyes widen further at the comment, but a smile breaks out across her lips, and mine raise to match.
“You’re absolutely adorable, Stevie.”
“Thank you, you aren’t half bad yourself.”
I laugh, tugging her into my body for a small hug.
“Alright, let’s get you home.”
“Are you sure you can ride with—” She bumps her hip into my still-hard dick, and I groan. “—that.”
“I drove here with it half-hard already; just try not to wiggle as much.”
She chuckles at me as I hand her the helmet to put on and slip onto the bike.
“I can’t guarantee anything.”
She swings on behind me, with more ease than before but still with a tight grip on my shoulder.
“Where did you leave your car?”
“In the parking ramp by Credence Mall, fourth floor. But you don’t have to take me there, you can just drop me by the café.”
I shake my head and turn to look at her over my shoulder. “Now what kind of gentleman would I be if I didn’t see you home safely?”
I can’t see her lips with the helmet on, but her eyes smile through the visor.
“I didn’t realize you were a gentleman,” she teases.
“You’re right. I’m not. If it were my choice, I would’ve kept you pinned down to that bench no matter who came rolling up this highway. I would’ve let your moans and screams of pleasure fill the air for anyone who dared come near so they knew your pussy belongs to me.”
“Oh.”
I just smirk in response. For all the sass she throws my way and as much as she likes to be a flirtatious tease, she gets flustered whenever I throw it back. I live for it.
“Come on, babe. I want to get you back before it gets dark. You holding on tight?”
Her arms readjust slightly and tighten under my ribs.
“Yup, I’m ready.”
I turn the engine on and kick my bike to life. Revving the engine, I take one last look at the view before speeding back down the highway. Stevie screams a little at the quick intake of speed, and all I can think about is that I was so close to having her screams of pleasure in the palm of my hand.
***
I drive up to the fourth story of the parking structure, slowing down so she can direct me to her car. Her left hand gives my ribs a death grip as her other hand comes up to point in a vague direction on our left, so I slow to a stop. When the engine turns off, she slings herself off the bike with grace. Damn, she got a handle on that quickly.
She unhooks the helmet and slips it off, handing it to me before rubbing her thighs.
“Ugh, my legs still hurt like a bitch.”
I laugh, relieved to hear her joke. She didn’t say much on the ride back, and I was worried the whole thing might have spooked her. Even though she was more than happy to get down with Blade, the mask tends to give people the confidence to do things they normally wouldn’t—including myself. When push comes to shove, most people get thrown off. The thrill of public play turns to pure fear or embarrassment. I’m glad that’s not the case for her.
“It’ll be like that for another day or so. You don’t realize the strain until it’s too late.”
“Worth it, though.” She gives me a lop-sided grin.
“I can think of some other ways it would’ve been worth it.” I wink at her.
She lets out a light laugh, her eyes shining. I’m tempted to pull her back to me again.
“Well, this is my rental.” She gestures to the black Mercedes behind her. “Thank you, for inviting me out today. It was amazing.”
“This date was definitely the highlight of my week.”
“Date?” Her brows raise as mine furrow.
“Well, yeah. A date.”
She cocks her head for a second like she is contemplating something.
Fuck. If she didn’t think this was a date, then what did she think it was?
I haven’t been on an actual date in a few years. Have things changed? Great. If she thought this was just us hanging out then…wait, but who hangs out and gets half naked? Well, I’ve fucked girls and didn’t call that a date…
Dammit. I’m getting in my head.
“Thank god,” she presses a hand to her chest and chuckles, “I thought it was a date as well.” My chest lightens with relief as I stare into her smile. “Thank you for a fun first date.”
“No kiss before you leave?” I raise my brows suggestively up and down.
She smirks back at me before blowing me a kiss. “Bye, Aleks.”
She wiggles her manicured fingers at me and turns to her car.
Little tease.
“Bye, Stevie.”
She goes to slip into the car but pauses, grabbing something off the windshield before descending inside and shutting the door. Her car rumbles to life, and she turns to give me a little wave through the back window. I wave back before sliding down my visor, releasing my break, and taking off.
I’m leaving her behind, but the memory of today is stained in my mind forever, just like the taste of her on my lips.
SIXTEEN
* * *
STEVIE
I have to be dreaming right now.
The paint brush in my hand drops to the ground, splattering flecks of blue onto the sheet below me.
“Ms. Andwell, are you still there?”
“Yes, I’m here. Sorry.” I turn up the volume on my headphones so I can hear the person on the other side of the line. I must have misheard them.
“We would like to formally include you in our exhibition next weekend. Would you be able to bring your piece over this afternoon? Mr. Hayes would like to inspect it again before we figure out where it would fit in the layout.”
Okay, so I didn’t mishear her. Holy crap.
“Yes, I can bring it over this afternoon.”
“Wonderful, we shall see you then.”
“Okay. Thank you so much.”
The woman hangs up the phone without further delay, and the music I had been blaring starts back up. I stand in complete shock, staring at the canvas piece I was just working on. The bright colors of the sea blur in my vision.
Caleb Hayes is going to feature my art.
It was a total shot in the dark when I submitted my newest piece for the Hayes Art Gallery’s upcoming artist exhibition. They were specifically looking for artists whose pieces fit their theme of “Devil’s Night.” The piece I had crafted during my all-nighter a week ago was practically singing to be featured. Eleven hours straight I had worked on it. And now, it would be an exhibition piece.
My phone pings, and I quickly wipe my hands on my apron before picking it up.
It’s a good morning text from Aleksander. It’s one in the afternoon, and yet this is morning for him. We started texting each other good morning and good night a few days ago. It quickly became clear that while I may have a few long nights here and there when I get particularly sucked into an art piece, Aleksander always has late nights. It’s a miracle if he responds to my morning texts before twelve.