That was why she enjoyed her music so much. It gave her the opportunity to express everything inside her without uttering a word. Of course, she’d never played in front of another living soul. No one, including her family, knew she played. Guess I’m better at keeping secrets than I thought. Self-taught as a child and the world is clueless.
“I’ve missed you.”
She wasn’t ready for his honesty, if that was even the truth. Actions speak louder than words. “Why?” They pulled into her driveway as she asked.
He responded once he put the car in park and shut off the engine. “Because, Zoey Henderson, I enjoy your company a lot.” He never took his eyes off her as he spoke.
She wanted to invite him in and continue the conversation where they could explore it properly. Zoey couldn’t help but recall the last time they were alone in her home. I practically threw myself at him and he... rejected me. I don’t think I can face that again.
Rejection never was easy, but from someone you were developing strong feelings for, it was too hard. It was better to live with not knowing, than risk the pain of being pushed away again.
Spending her life alone was something she’d already come to terms with. Of course, that was before Bennett stepped into her life. He’d made her dream again. Dream like most women did. Of love and family. But she had to remind herself of the facts: he was in Boston because she was paying him to be. If it wasn’t for that, he’d be on another job somewhere in the world. And I’d be home alone, not knowing what I was missing.
“It’s kind of chilly tonight. I should go inside.” It was a lame excuse, and she knew it the moment the words slipped past her lips. She didn’t care if he knew it or not. He should consider himself lucky to get off so easily. Instead of having to come up with a way to tell me he’s not that interested.
She opened the car door and got out without waiting for a response. Her front door opened with either a code or fingerprint. Thankfully she wasn’t wearing any gloves, and she was able to enter quickly. What she failed to do was shut the door behind her.
Zoey felt his hand on her arm. She opened her mouth to tell him no, but nothing came out. The truth was she didn’t want him to stop. The feel of his lips on hers had haunted her for days. Standing there waiting, her legs trembled.
“Please.” Her simple word sounded so desperate as she spoke. Bennett bent to kiss her. Slowly at first, tracing her lips with his tongue, teasing and encouraging her lips to open for him. As she did, Zoey clung to Bennett’s shoulders, not trusting her legs to support her. Her need was great, and she didn’t want to hold back. Moving her arms so they were now around his neck, she pulled him closer.
Bennett picked her up into his arms, and she heard him kick the door closed behind them. He carried her to the living room, never breaking contact. Once inside the room, he set her down so her feet were on the floor, but his lips were still on hers.
Their hands tugged at each other’s shirts. Both of them were on fire. Bennett’s shirt was off first. Zoey’s hands touched his warm flesh, and she felt his muscles tense beneath her fingers. It had been so long since she’d touched someone so intimately. She wanted, no needed, more and now. He was driving her over the edge with only his kisses.
His hands found their way under her shirt to cup her breasts. Oh, Bennett. She arched her back, breaking their kiss so he could lift her shirt over her head. His eyes roamed over her, taking in her chest, covered only by the red lace bra she’d purchased days ago. Wearing it made her feel sexy, pretty. By the look in his eyes, he appreciated it as well.
Zoey reached behind her back, unhooked her bra, and let it slip from her shoulders onto the floor. Insecurities about her lack of experience began to creep in as she stood in front of him with her breasts exposed and her nipples taut.
“You’re beautiful,” Bennett said, his voice husky with need.
Pulling her to him again, Bennett’s mouth trailed kisses slowly down her neck, to her collarbone, and finally stopping at her breast. Taking one nipple gently into his mouth, he sucked and nibbled until the heat from the pit of her stomach had spread throughout her. She was getting wet. She wanted to touch him too, but he refused to let her go. His mouth moved from one nipple to the next, driving her wild. Only when she thought she couldn’t take anymore, he removed his lips.
“Sweetheart, I need to see all of you,” Bennett said, his blue eyes now dark with a passion that matched her own.
All of me. Zoey had forced herself to remove her bra, but taking off her pants and leaving herself fully exposed to him was something she was still too shy to do. “I... Bennett... I’m...”
He must have sensed what she wanted because his hands unbuttoned her jeans and slid them down. Then his hands slipped inside her matching red lace panties and slid them down as well.
Bennett picked her up and set her on top of the piano, the wood cool against her hot bottom. He took off one shoe then the next. Finally, he slipped off the remaining clothing and tossed them to the side.
Zoey spent many hours alone at the piano, never once naked. She wanted to tell him this wasn’t right, but before she could, he bent and traced kisses from her neck and lower. One hand was on her breast as his lips made their way over her flat stomach. Panic filled her. She’d been with a man before, but it had been quick and unsatisfying. She didn’t want that same experience with Bennett, to disappoint him and also feel empty afterward.
She reached for him, trying to push him away. Her body wanted it, but she wasn’t ready for what it might be like with him. She wasn’t a virgin, but she’d never had an orgasm except for when she took care of her own needs.
“Zoey, I want to taste you,” Bennett said without looking up at her. She didn’t have the physical strength to stop him.
“I’ve... never... been able to...” She blushed at how silly and naïve she must sound at that moment. Bennett stopped and stood up to meet her eyes. Zoey knew admitting how inexperienced she was would turn off someone like Bennett. He was gorgeous and probably had so many women he couldn’t count them. Someone like her was only going to be a disappointment.
He didn’t understand what she was trying to say. “You’re a—”
“Virgin? No. But I’ve never experienced... it’s never been good,” she admitted shyly.
He watched her for what seemed like an eternity but was only mere seconds. “Then let me show you how good it can be.” Once again he claimed her lips, but this time was different. He was giving, not taking. Exploring her in a new way, making sure he wasn’t rushing her.
Knowing that he was giving her the opportunity to set the pace, she arched her back again, her breasts visible. She didn’t need to offer herself twice. Swiftly he trailed his tongue lower, igniting every place it licked.
He laid her back on the piano and parted her legs with one hand, giving him full access to her delicate folds. As his mouth approached her most intimate place she held her breath, not knowing what to expect. If it was anything like it was when he sucked her breast, she knew it’d be wonderful. He was so experienced and took the time to make sure she was enjoying what he was doing.