Page 87 of Now and Then
For a moment, I hesitate, staring up at him. But the vulnerability in his expression gives me the courage to slide my hand into his. “You know,” I say, bumping him with my tail. “You lost our bet. Guess I get to be in charge tonight.” My stomach somersaults at images of a very naked Hunter in my bed, doing as I wish.
“Don’t worry, babe. I’m a man of my word. The question is”—he slides the back door open, gesturing me inside—“what will you do with me?”
I run my finger down his arm. “Guess you’ll have to wait and see, cowboy.”
Hunter’s jaw drops as I try to sexily saunter toward the bathroom, a feat more easily accomplished had I not been dressed as a pink dinosaur.
He wraps his hand around my wrist and tugs me back into him. “Sutton.” My name sounds like a warning and a promise. His breath is warm against my cheek, and I know he can likely feel my pulse thrashing beneath his thumb.
“I’m going to change out of my costume, okay?” I don’t know why I ask. It’s not like I need his approval. But for some reason, I find I want it.
He tucks his nose against the column of my throat, sweeping his tongue over my heated skin. When he bites gently, I combust, a shiver racing the length of my spine.
“Can I help you?” he asks.
17
Hunter
Ibreathe a sigh of relief when Sutton gives me a sultry smile and enters the bathroom. Her bottom half gets stuck in the doorway, so I give her a little push and close the door behind us.
“I’m never letting you choose the costumes ever again,” she says, trying to turn around to face me.
“Let me.” I rest my hand on the back of her neck, eliciting a sharp inhale. This woman reacts to me in such a visceral way. I can’t wait to see what other reactions I can get out of her.
Her hair is already twisted up into a bun, but I sweep a few stray hairs out of the way. I turn off the air pump and pull the zipper down ever so slowly. As soon as the airtight seal breaks, she deflates. I turn her around and gently peel the costume from her shoulders until it hangs loosely around her hips.
“Now you,” she says, voice low and measured. My hat sits low on her head, casting her eyes in shadow.
I do as she says, and she deflates and unzips me. I’m about to turn around again when her hands press into my shoulder blades, then smooth down my bare arms.
“I love these,” she murmurs, her fingers skimming my biceps. Goosebumps follow in their wake. “Take mine off now.” Her voice is low.
I’ve never been submissive in the bedroom, but I’ll be damned if I don’t mind it with Sutton. I turn and push her suit down to her knees. When I take a knee to remove her shoes, I smile, seeing she’s wearing heeled boots. I slip them off, and she kicks the costume from her legs.
I go to stand up, but she threads her fingers through my hair. I’m instant putty in her hands and lean my forehead against her stomach. As if they have a mind of their own, my hands grasp her ankles and smooth up the expanse of her delicious legs. I’ve dreamed about moments like this for as long as I can remember. I’m about to slide my fingers under the hem of her oversized shirt when she presses her hands to mine.
“Wait.” There’s a slight tremor in her voice.
“I’m sorry.” I stare up at her with a smirk, trying to lessen the sudden tension in the room. “You won fair and square. I’ll be good now.”
“It’s not that.” Her cheeks flush a lovely red. “It’s that.” She motions to the door behind me. It’s then that the noise of the party penetrates through my Sutton-induced haze.
“Shit.” I stand quickly. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have suggested—”
“No,” she says. “I’m the one who’s sorry. I’ve just never done something like this in such a public place.”
She steps away and leans against the counter.
“Hey, come here.” I interlock our fingers and pull her to me. “You have no reason to be sorry.”
“I know I talk a big game, but . . .” Sutton buries her face in the crook of my shoulder and wraps her arms around my shoulders.
“But what?”
“What if I’m not enough?”
“Enough?” I wrap my hand around her waist and pull her more firmly into my embrace.
