“Why did you choose to share it with me?”
Bones brought his hand up to my face, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. “I don’t know. I thought you’d like it here.”
“I do. This is perfect.”
The song changed on the speaker and I raised an eyebrow at him as I recognized it as More Than Words by Extreme.
“What?” he asked, his tone defensive. “I like the song.”
“I’m just surprised.” I couldn’t help grinning. “I wouldn’t have expected a love ballad on your rock playlist.”
“It’s still a rock song,” he said.
I chuckled at how defensive he was. “You’re right. My bad.”
“Now you’re patronizing me.”
“What are you going to do about it?”
Instead of replying, Bones lunged at me, rolling me onto my back as he went for my ribs, tickling me with his fingers. I let out a screech of surprise then started to simultaneously laugh and beg him to stop.
“Say my taste in music is awesome,” he demanded, not easing up on the torturous tickling one bit.
“My taste in music is awesome,” I repeated.
He redoubled his efforts while I squirmed. “Harper…”
“Okay, okay,” I shouted, my voice already going hoarse from the laughter. “Your taste in music is awesome!” The tingling stopped immediately and I tried to catch my breath.
Bones didn’t go back to laying on his back beside me though. He stayed on his side, bending his arm at the elbow and propping his head up as he looked down at me. “There. Was that so hard?”
“Jerk,” I said, giving his chest a shove that didn’t move him a single inch.
“I really like your laugh.” His words shifted the atmosphere from playful to charged with sexual energy.
The way he looked at me made me feel like he wanted to devour me. I reached up and stroked his cheek, trailing my hand to his shoulder. I pulled him closer and he let me. The next thing I knew, Bones was on top of me, holding most of his weight up with his hands at my sides as he took my mouth in a kiss. As our tongues danced, Bones moved one of his hands to my chest, cupping my breast through my shirt and bra. Despite the layers of clothing in the way, I felt a surge of lust at the contact.
I slipped both of my hands under his shirt, running them up his bare back, amazed at the hard muscle covered by smooth skin. He felt so warm to the touch and when he moved I could feel those muscles flexing and contracting.
Everything happening between us was unhurried and I relished in the sensations he was creating in my body. The way his touch seemed to leave a trail of fire dancing on my skin and his tongue moved in and out of my mouth like he couldn’t stop coming back for more.
“Do you have a condom?” I asked.
He went rigid on top of me. “Shit. No, I don’t.” He pulled his hand away from my breast and rested his forehead against mine. I could see the regret on his face. “I can’t believe I didn’t think of that. I don’t usually carry them around.”
I felt unhappy about it too, but that didn’t mean that I wanted to stop. If anything, it made me want him more, assuming that casual sex must not have been such a common occurrence for him since he didn’t regularly have condoms on him. “Keep touching me, Bones,” I said, the need clear in my voice. I was practically begging him. “I need to feel your hands on me.”
Bones took my lips again, but it was only for a few seconds. Then, he started to trail kisses down my neck and onto the exposed part of my chest.
I arched my back just as I felt him slip his hand down the front of my pants.
He touched me all right, and I stared up at the clear sky, my hands holding onto his thick shoulders as he did exactly as I asked. I fell apart in his arms. I cried out his name as I was overwhelmed with pleasure, feeling like I was flying among the stars overhead.
When I came back down to earth, Bones moved back to laying on his back beside me, but he slipped his arm under my head and pulled me closer until I was cuddled into his side. My head rested on his shoulder, and I threw my leg over his. I felt completely relaxed and satisfied as I laid there. We were both quiet for a long time, just enjoying each other’s company.
I felt the swelling of a great emotion inside of me, but I buried it. I couldn’t let myself get attached to this man, no matter how great he seemed. He’d told me he didn’t want that, and I had to respect his decision. This was fun…that was it.
Yet, as I laid there with our breathing syncing up, I couldn’t deny that I never wanted to leave. If I could stay here with him forever, I would.