Page 187 of Cross Check

“You’re going to kill me. And I won’t be mad about it.” Grant keeps my skirt lifted while his free hand traces the pattern on my underwear. He leans forward, kissing my clit and wetting the lace with his tongue. “What else do you like, Lia?”

“I like to be teased during foreplay.” My eyelashes flutter closed, and I’m certain this man could get any secret out of me. “I like to work for it.”

“Do you?” His knuckles brush against my clit. His touch moves to my leg, roaming down to my ankle then back up. It’s unhurried indulgence when he maps out my body from my calf to the apex of my thigh. I’m a panting mess by the time he reaches between my legs, a finger at my entrance. “Like this?”

“Grant.” His name comes out like a whimper, but I don’t care.

“Can I? Please?” he asks, and I’m the one close to begging as I nod frantically.

Grant pulls my underwear to the side and circles my clit before pressing his finger inside me. He’s careful as he gets deeper, kissing my knee as I gasp at the stretch of his long and thick finger. It’s painful in the best way, a sign of the next step we’re going to take tonight, and I don’t hold back my moan.

He adds a second finger then a third, settling into a rhythm that makes my vision go hazy. The room blurs around me and I lift my hips, chasing the high I know he can give me. Throughout it all, Grant watches me. He studies me, his attention unwavering, and every jolt that racks my body is another step closer to pure bliss.

“It feels so good.” I want to encourage him. I want him to know how much I’m enjoying this, and the words splinter with lust. “If you keep doing that, I’m going to come.”

“You’re so wet. I like knowing I’m the one who gets you like this.” Grant pulls his fingers out of me before pressing them back inside. He’s rougher this time, more determined. “Thank you for letting me learn how to take care of you, Lia.”

“You’ve always taken care of me.” My legs are close to giving out. My muscles shake, and he notices—of course he notices—because he stops. The peak I’m climbing toward is out of reach, and he stands. He unzips my skirt, letting it fall to the floor, and my eyes fly open. “Why did stop? I was so close.”

“You said you liked to work for it, so you can wait a few more minutes.” Grant gets rid of my top next, tossing the turtleneck to the side. I’m left in a bra that matches my underwear, and his exhale is heavy. “Fuck. Your tits are fantastic.”

“What kind of guy are you?” I tug on his shirt, pulling it over his head so he’s bare chested. I can’t get him naked fast enough. “Ass or tits?”

“When it comes to you, I’m all of the above.” He pulls on the cups of my bra, letting my breasts free. He pinches my nipples and squeezes them tight, stealing a groan from me before he ditches the garment all together. “But right now, I’m pretty fucking infatuated with your tits.”

“Can I take off your jeans?” My eyes bounce to his pants where his cock strains against the denim. He left his clothes on the first time we were together, and I’m a curious woman who wants to know what the rest of his body looks like. “I want to see you.”

“Sit on the bed,” he tells me, and there’s more conviction in his tone than there was earlier. There’s assuredness when he puts a hand on my hip and guides me to the mattress, his thumb toying with the elastic of my underwear. “I want you to watch.”

I listen to his directions and get on the mattress, watching him unfasten the button holding the denim up and drag the zipper down. He steps out of the pants, leaving him in black boxer briefs that hug his thighs.

I’m mesmerized by the sight of him. By the strong, defined legs and the curve of his ass. By his abdominal muscles and shoulders. I’ve seen him shirtless before, sure, but not this way. Not when his lower half leaves little to the imagination.

“Wow.” I squeeze my thighs together; I can’t help but have a reaction to him. He’s beautiful, soul-achingly so, and I’ve never been in the presence of a more perfect man in my life.

“If you like me better in my gear, we can roleplay with it next time.” Grant laughs. “Whatever you want.”

“I like you just like this.” I hold out my hand and he walks toward me, lacing our fingers together. “I meant what I said about wanting you to fuck me.”

“I promise we’re going to get there, but let me get you off first, Lia. That was part of my lesson, and I know your orgasms are the top priority.”

“Lesson?” I wrinkle my nose. “What lesson?”

“I asked the guys for some advice because this is my first time. I didn’t give them any details on who I was sleeping with,” he hurries to add. “That secret is safe.”

“Really?” I touch the inside of his wrist and tug on his arm so he drops to his knees. He whines when his legs connect with the ground. “I’m happy to give you some feedback on everything else you learned from your lesson.”

“I can take criticism well, Coach.”

The word makes me even wetter. It’s a call-out to how we absolutely shouldn’t be doing this, and the room is suddenly scorching hot when he makes quick work of taking off my underwear.

Grant puts both hands on my knees and kneels between my legs, spreading my thighs open. He leans forward, a question behind his gaze, and I run my fingers through his hair. I grip the strands in silent agreement, a groan of relief tangling in my throat when his mouth is back on me.

If I didn’t know he is honest to a fault, there’s no way I’d believe he was inexperienced. He pays attention to detail, to the way my body responds to each of his movements, and he’s the best man I’ve ever been with.

The others don’t even come close.

“I could stay between your legs forever.” He puts a hand on my stomach, his forearm a heavy weight that keeps me in place. He pushes three fingers in me again, and I cry out. I writhe on the bed, helpless when he chuckles against the inside of my thigh. “Fuck. That’s what I was talking about when we were together last time. You’re not afraid to be loud about the things you like. It’s hot as hell, Lia.”