Rock & Regrets Read online

  “Thank you,” she replied quietly.

  “Are you having second thoughts?” I asked.

  She shook her head and smiled at me. “No. I’m a little out of practice with this sort of thing. It’s been a while since I was invited back to a guy’s place.”

  “That’s hard to believe,” I said before realizing how that sounded. “I didn’t mean that I think you go home with guys all the time. It’s just that you’re so incredible, I find it hard to believe you could have gone very long without a boyfriend. Why don’t we go inside before I say something stupid, and you decide to call a cab?”

  “Good idea,” she agreed, walking in front of me toward my front door.

  Once we were inside, all nerves were replaced with a sense of triumph. Piper was in my home. I had her right where I wanted her. No! I stopped that train of thought in its tracks. I would stay in control. I shut the door and held out a hand so I could pull her closer.

  My lips brushed against hers before I pulled back. “I’m really glad you’re here,” I admitted.

  “We should probably talk about the ground rules for this before we do anything else,” she suggested.

  “Ground rules?” I asked.

  “What’s okay and what’s not okay,” she explained. “We could pretend we’re only here to talk and hang out, but we both know that’s not true. Saying we aren’t going to have sex is too vague.”

  This was one of the craziest conversations I’d ever had with a woman, and it actually put me at ease. I smiled at her. “Ah, Button. You are amazingly open. You should tell me what’s off limits. I’m not sure there’s much I wouldn’t let you do.”

  Chapter 29

  Piper

  My mouth formed a silent ‘O’ at Austin’s words. This was probably a very bad idea. Kissing Austin had changed the dynamic between us, opened doors I’d planned to keep closed. His words turned me on, but they also made me nervous.

  “We don’t have to do anything,” Austin assured me, sensing my unease. He reached out a hand to me and smiled when I took it. “We can just hang out, maybe watch a better movie.”

  “The movie wasn’t that bad,” I insisted.

  “It was,” he argued. “The food was good.”

  “Next time, we should get the pizza,” I told him.

  “Ah.” He tugged me close and kissed the top of my head. “You admit there will be a next time. I haven’t scared you off.”

  “Scared me off?” I asked, tilting my head back to look at him.

  “We both know this isn’t where you expected our date to end,” he began. “You insisted on those chairs instead of the sofa because you wanted to keep this afternoon platonic.”

  “You are right about me trying to keep our relationship platonic. I seem to be failing miserably at that. We shouldn’t have sex.” I wasn’t certain if I kept saying that to remind Austin or myself.

  “Hopefully, you don’t mean we should never have sex,” was his response.

  I smacked his chest and pushed out of his arms. This was a conversation that would be easier to have without him holding me. “Stop trying to be cute.”

  “I’m not trying.” He flashed me a cocky grin. “It just comes naturally.”

  “Did you steal that line from Xander?” I asked.

  “Yeah,” he replied. “It sounds better when he says it. I’ve got an idea.”

  “What’s that?” I asked.

  “Dessert,” was his reply.

  “Dessert?” I asked.

  “You no longer like dessert?” he asked.

  “Don’t be a smartass. It’s just that we came over here to do stuff.” I practically groaned when I heard my own words. Do stuff? I sounded like an immature twelve-year-old.

  “Eating qualifies as doing stuff,” he pointed out. “Between discussing the need to discuss boundaries, and us both being a little nervous, the mood changed. It’s not a bad thing. I just want to spend more time with you.”

  “Dessert it is,” I agreed before adding, “In books, when couples discuss boundaries, it always seems hotter. This wasn’t sexy at all.”

  Austin chuckled and took my hand to lead me to his kitchen. “There are definitely times when discussing boundaries can be hot, but we’ll explore that later.”

  Chapter 30

  Austin

  Dessert would help Piper relax. Bringing her back to my place made her uneasy. I didn’t regret doing it. I wasn’t ready for my time with Piper to end. What I’d said about being fine with however the evening turned out was true. Spending more time with Piper was what mattered most. I also didn’t want to do anything that left her doubting her choice to spend time with me. Two weeks would give her a lot of time to put distance between us if I screwed up.

  “I have a freezer full of ice cream,” I told her when we reached the kitchen.

  She laughed at my claim. “A whole freezer full?”

  Releasing her hand, I opened the freezer to show her the six cartons of ice cream I’d recently purchased. “Maybe not full, but I have a lot of ice cream.”

  “Why does a man who lives alone need this much ice cream?” she asked with raised eyebrows.

  “I really like ice cream,” I explained. “Don’t tell me you’ve forgotten our ice cream arguments.”

  “I had forgotten those,” she replied as she moved around to the other side of the kitchen island. “There had better not be bubblegum ice cream in there.”

  “I’m a grown man,” I pointed out.

  “You were seventeen the last time you argued that bubblegum ice cream is good,” she reminded me.

  “I was also an idiot as a teen, so I don’t think anything that happened back then should be used against me,” I stated. “What flavor are you in the mood for?”

  “Remind me what flavors you have again,” she prompted. “I only glanced at them.”

  “I’ve got the basics, vanilla and chocolate. There’s also strawberry cheesecake, pistachio, banana, and cookie dough.” I was glad I’d finished off the bubblegum ice cream earlier that week since I was trying to impress her.

  “Pistachio,” she replied. “I guess this ice cream thing works out well with your rebound guy duties.”

  “It did when I was still the rebound guy.” I was annoyed that she was bringing that up. I wanted to focus on being Piper’s guy, not the rebound guy. “I also have an impressive chocolate stash.”

  “Chocolate stash?” she asked.

  “I love chocolate,” I confessed. “Harley often comes to me when she’s in a bad mood, because I have the best chocolate.”

  “Well, Mr. Knight.” She gave me a flirty smile. “You certainly have a lot to offer a woman.”

  I set her bowl in front of her and leaned forward to give her a quick kiss. “I can’t wait to show you all I have to offer.”

  Piper grinned at my teasing. “Are you offering to do a striptease for me?”

  “Do you want me to do a striptease?” I asked, wondering how far she’d go with this.

  “I don’t have any dollar bills,” she said in a sultry drawl. “How will I possibly show my appreciation for your striptease?”

  My eyes drifted shut, and I groaned. “Are you trying to tease me, or does this just come naturally to you?”

  When I opened my eyes, her tongue was running along her spoon. “A little of both,” she admitted. “I should go home after I finish my ice cream.”

  “But you won’t,” I told her. “You want to stay.”

  “Very much so,” she agreed. “What are we going to do?”

  “Like I said before, whatever you want to do.” My voice was rough with arousal.

  “It would definitely be best if we didn’t do everything I want to do tonight,” she told me.

  “And definitely not everything I want to do,” I added. Some of what I wanted to do would scare off my sweet Piper.

  “No sex,” she blurted out.

  “Define sex,” I prompted.

  Piper had just taken another bite of i
ce cream, and she studied me for a moment before responding to my question. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking. You obviously know what sex is.”

  “You know what I’m asking.” I moved around the center island until I was standing beside her. I turned her stool so she was facing me. “Kissing is obviously okay,” I murmured before leaning in to brush my lips against hers.

  She nodded and licked her lips. “Yes, kissing is good. I like kissing.”

  “And touching?” I asked. “Can I run my hands all over your body? Can I use my fingers to make you come hard for me?”

  A little whimper preceded her response. “That would be okay.”

  “What about my mouth?” I leaned in to suck gently at the pulse on her neck before continuing. “Can I taste you? Savor you as I make you scream and beg for more?”

  “Kiss me, please,” she whispered.

  Chapter 31

  Piper

  Austin guided me to my feet before his lips claimed mine. I’d expected a hard, hungry kiss. Instead, Austin’s kiss was slow, teasing, and clearly designed to drive me out of my mind with lust. As his tongue moved against mine, my fingers dug into his lower back. I moaned into his mouth as liquid heat rushed through my body.

  Breaking our kiss, Austin lifted me in his arms and began to carry me out of the kitchen.

  “Bedroom?” I asked as I let my fingers trail along his hard chest, wishing I’d convinced him to do that striptease.

  “Not yet.” He set me on my feet in the living room. “It will be easier to stick to the boundaries if we stay out here. Wanna make out in my living room?”

  “Very much so,” I replied. “Why don’t you take your shirt off?”

  “After you,” he said with a challenging twinkle in his eyes.

  He didn’t seem convinced I’d do it. Stepping back, I slipped my hands under the edge of my sweater and slowly lifted it over my head before tossing it on the floor. “Your turn,” I prompted as I stood before him in my purple lace bra.

  Austin stripped out of his shirt, and I swallowed hard at the sight of his toned and tanned skin. He was gorgeous. I’d seen pictures of him shirtless, since Austin often removed his shirt during shows, but having the reality in front of me was much better.

  “I want to touch every part of you,” I uttered as my fingers trailed along his chest and down his well-defined abdominal muscles until I reached the top of his jeans. Looking down, I could see the outline of his erection pressing against the denim, reminding me of how impressive Austin was in that area.

  When I reached for the button on his jeans, he caught my hand and shook his head. “Not yet.”

  “Aren’t these uncomfortable?” I asked.

  With a dry chuckle, Austin said, “The discomfort is a good thing. I need something to keep me grounded so I don’t forget our boundaries.”

  “I suppose someone should remember them,” I agreed on a moan. Austin pulled me close and leaned in to brush his lips against my neck. “Kiss me again.”

  Austin fisted the back of my hair as his lips hovered above mine. “You want me to kiss you?”

  “Yes,” was my breathy reply.

  “How do you want me to kiss you?” His lips brushing against mine in a feather-light touch. “Softly while I worship your mouth?” His teeth bit down gently on my lower lip, drawing a moan from the back of my throat. “Teasing, as I drive you to the edge and make you beg for more?” Next, he kissed me hard, his tongue sliding past my lips to stroke mine before he broke the kiss and whispered against my lips, “Or hard and hungry to show you how much I need you?”

  “Yes,” I whispered. “All of those things. I want it all. Just kiss me.”

  Austin groaned against my lips and gave me exactly what I’d asked for. He teased, tempted, and savored my mouth, all the while driving me to the edge. My hard nipples were pressed against the lace of my bra, making me long to feel more of him. When one hand released my hair and slipped between my legs, I broke our kiss and whimpered with need.

  “You’re so hot,” he praised as he leaned in to kiss along my neck while I rocked against his hand. The lace from my panties pressed against me as I tried to increase the pressure and hit the right spot. “Is this what you need?” With his other hand, he undid my bra. Eager for more of his touch, I quickly stripped out of my bra.

  “Yes.” My reply was little more than a whisper. I was almost overwhelmed with my aching need. I continued to rock against his hand as he kissed down my neck to my breasts. When he took one nipple into his mouth, I nearly screamed. Jolts of desire went from my nipple to my core. I was about to come against his hand while still almost fully clothed.

  I needed more.

  Chapter 32

  Austin

  When Piper reached between us to undo my jeans again, I caught her hands and shook my head. While I admired her determination, and loved the idea of getting naked with her, I didn’t trust myself. I needed to change things up. There weren’t many boundaries on what I could do with Piper. Just the one, and I’d respect that—even if it killed me.

  “Why are you stopping me?” she asked.

  “I’m not done kissing you.” I dropped to my knees in front of her and pressed my mouth against her denim covered pussy.

  Piper whimpered and pressed forward against my face.

  “Time to take these off,” I uttered as I reached for the fastening on her jeans. Piper kicked out of her boots, and it wasn’t long until she was standing before me in nothing but her purple panties.

  My fingers trailed between her legs. “You’re so wet for me.”

  “No more talking.” Her words sounded urgent—demanding.

  “What would you like me to do?” I asked.

  Piper reached for her panties and pushed them down. “Put your mouth on me.”

  Fuck me! Her command was hot, and it proved Piper had changed a lot since I’d last been with her. I’d been expecting her to be shy and allow me to set the pace. Demanding I pleasure her? She didn’t need to tell me twice.

  I quickly stood and hurried her over to the sofa, guiding her onto her back before kissing my way down her body. Sliding my tongue lightly along her clit, I shuddered at how good it felt to have her like this. I love going down on a woman, controlling her pleasure as I drive her over the edge. That I was giving this pleasure to Piper made it even better. Not a passive participant, it wasn’t long until Piper was gripping my hair to press my face closer as I licked and suckled her.

  She was wild, needy, and mine.

  Chapter 33

  Piper

  Each stroke of Austin’s tongue and delicate scrape of his teeth pushed me higher up the pinnacle of lust. I was squirming under him, trying to get myself to the edge. He’d been teasing me too long, and I was dying for release.

  His tongue slid into me, thrusting in and out as a finger moved to my clit. Releasing my hold on his hair, I clutched the sofa cushions and rocked against his face as he literally fucked me with his mouth. Panting and writhing, I began to beg for release, my words almost incoherent.

  Thankfully, Austin understood what I needed. His tongue left my body, only to be replaced with two fingers. They curled to stroke the front of my channel as his mouth returned to my clit, sucking as he flicked it with his tongue.

  My hips thrust up toward Austin’s face, and I screamed as spasms of ecstasy rocked my body. Austin’s mouth worked me through the last of my release until a sated sigh slipped past my lips. When his eyes met mine, he looked wild, and I could tell he was barely hanging onto the last remnants of his control.

  “I’d like to renegotiate our terms.” My voice was breathy.

  “What did you have in mind?” he rasped out.

  “I need you in me.” My words caused him to suck in a sharp breath. “I don’t want to wait.”

  There was a moment’s hesitation before he responded. “Are you sure? I don’t want you to regret this.”

  “I’m sure,” I insisted.

  Aus
tin quickly stood and helped me to my feet. He kissed me hard and long as I reached for the fastening on his jeans to free his dick. When my hand wrapped around him, Austin broke our kiss and groaned.

  “I want to take you slow and make this last.” His words came out sounding almost like a plea.

  “Not this time,” was my needy reply as I started to drop to my knees in front of him.

  Austin caught my elbows, holding me up. “Bend over the arm of the sofa.”

  His order sent a shudder of desire through me, and I immediately moved to comply. I wiggled my ass a little and smiled. “What now?”

  Austin smacked my ass lightly before responding. “Now, I’m going to fuck you until you scream. After that, I’m going to take you back to my bed and fuck you slowly until you beg me for release.”

  My moan echoed through the room. His sexy threat sounded good to me. Austin kicked out of his jeans before fishing a condom out of his pocket. Looking over my shoulder, I watched him roll it onto his impressive dick before he positioned himself at my entrance. His hands gripped my ass, spreading me further as he thrust into my pussy.

  “God, you’re tight.” His voice was strained, and when I looked over my shoulder, I could see the tension and effort it took to maintain his control. “Are you doing okay?”

  “I’d be better if you started moving,” was my saucy reply.

  “Demanding woman.” His words sounded like a compliment.

  I wiggled against him, and he smacked my ass harder. This time, I moaned loudly.

  Austin began to thrust into me, stretching me to my limits. I loved every second as he drove us both closer to the edge. Each movement caused me to coil tighter around him. I was as desperate as before my orgasm. No, I was more desperate. My hands gripped the arm of the sofa as I rocked back against him, increasing the delicious pressure.

  All the while, Austin uttered words of praise as his pace increased. It wasn’t long until Austin’s words became as incoherent as my own.

  His dick swelled impossibly bigger inside of me, sending me into the abyss as I screamed and clawed at the arm of the sofa. Thrusting harder and faster, Austin called out my name as he found his own release.