I'm
a step away from him when I look down at my bra. The clasp is in the front. My
heart is pounding like it's going to explode, but I unhook it and drop the
material to the floor. Peter inhales shakily and blinks once—hard—like he's
dreaming. My eyes fixate on his boxers and the obvious attraction. I swallow
hard and step toward him. My nipples brush against his chest, and he sucks in.
It's like that night in the restaurant, but more, oh my God, it's more.
I
hold on to him tight before backing away and lowering my gaze to his boxers.
Going down on my knees, I kneel in front of him and slip my fingers in his
waistband. I remove the garment and gasp—I can't help it. He's perfect and
right in front of me. My lips want to kiss him there, but I don't. I want
things to move slowly. I don't want either of us to bolt.
After
I stand and step back, I hook my thumbs in my matching panties and slide them
past my hips. I kick them off, tossing them onto the pile of discarded
clothing. Before I can think about being there naked and freak out, I take Peter's
hand and lead him into the bathroom. The tub is full, and bubbles are pouring
onto the floor. The room has the light scent of vanilla and lavender.
The
tub is like a small pool, it's so large. We can both do the back float in there
at the same time. It's nestled into the corner of the large room. Peter gets in
first and the parts that make me nervous disappear beneath the waterline. I
step in after him.
Avery
said this would be easier than jumping straight into bed, and it gives us both
a spot where we can put off being together if it needs to wait. It was good
advice. My nerves disappear as soon as the warm water swallows my naughty
parts. When I look at Peter, all I see are bare shoulders and a wicked grin. It
makes me want to kiss those lips.
At
first, I'm just sitting next to Peter, but that feels like we're waiting for a
bus, so I ask, "Will you hold me?"
"Of
course." He holds open his arms for me and I settle back into his chest, facing
away from him. Peter wraps his arms around my waist, just under my breasts. The
embrace feels good. I tilt my head back against his shoulder. "I like this."
"I'm
glad. So do I."
"It's
not too fast?"
Peter
shakes his head. "No, it's perfect."
We
stay like that for a little bit and then things change on their own. Sitting
still isn't peaceful anymore. The urge to turn and face him is shooting through
me and won't stop. I hand him soap, thinking it'll be a good distraction, but
as Peter's hands move over my neck and arms, and down my back, I want more.
That innocent little idea is making me hot enough to boil the water, and from
the feel of it, Peter is turned on, too. I take the soap from him and set it
aside before turning around to face him.
"Can
I?" I don't really know what I'm asking for, but Peter nods. I place my hands
on his shoulders and move in toward him. My pulse pounds harder and harder as I
part my legs and feel the water shifting beneath me. I lower myself slowly on
his lap, careful to keep his hard length below me. If Peter tilts his hips,
we'll be doing way more than hugging.
I
wrap my arms around him and press my naked body to his. I close my eyes and
stay there listening to the sound of his heartbeat. Tingles fill me, making me
hot in strange places. The desire to rub against him is consuming me. I try to
brush it aside, but the urge won't die back. I lift my head and press my lips
to the base of his neck. I give him one tiny kiss and then another. Peter's
hands remain on my back. They don't dip too low or go places they shouldn't. I
feel his grip tighten as the kisses continue. I slip my tongue up his neck,
following instinct and whatever ideas tumble into my head.
Peter's
beautiful lips are parted like he wants to say something. As he reaches for me,
he pulls my lips down on his. My breasts slip against his chest as I try to get
closer to him. Lust is coursing through me so loudly that I can't ignore it
anymore. I want him. I need him. The kisses grow hotter as I fight the feelings
I have, but they swallow me whole. I gasp and raise myself out of the water a
little bit.
My
voice is a whisper. "Can I?" My fingers tangle in Peter's dark hair. It curls
around the nape of his neck, damp from the bath.
His
eyes are locked on mine. He swallows hard but doesn't say yes. His hands are
still on my bare skin, holding me there. There's a far-off look in his eye like
he's somewhere else, but I know he's not. I hesitate. I don't want to push him
if he's not ready. I can't imagine what's going through his head right now.
"It's okay. We can wait."
Peter
smiles at me. It's the warmest, most stunning smile I've ever seen on his face.
His hands find my waist. "Make love to me, Sidney. I'm yours. I'll always be
yours."
The
pressure on my waist increases. I lean into him, sliding against his chest as
our hips line up. I feel Peter beneath me as I slip down into the perfect
place. Peter closes his eyes and moans my name. His hands push on my hips,
tilting them, which makes the movement feel divine.
I
no longer know what I'm doing. I have no plan and no intention of stopping. I
do whatever feels right, whatever makes Peter moan and close his eyes. The look
on his face is perfect—it's bliss, lust, and love all spilling together. I lift
off of him again and again. Each time delicious heat builds inside of me. The
rhythm of our bodies rocking together becomes faster and steadier. We both
climb higher and higher, lost in lust. Just as I shatter, Peter finds his
release and stills. I slip down against his chest and hold on tight.
After
a few moments, things start to sink in. I made love to Peter. I had sex without
freaking out. A soft smile spreads across my lips and I hug him harder.
CHAPTER
20
The
next morning, I have a huge smile on my face that I can't hide. When I roll
over and glance at Peter, he's already awake with a mirrored expression.
"How
are you?" His head is still on the pillow with his lower body tangled in the
sheets.
"Really
good." I'm wearing my pajamas because I'm mental and can't sleep naked. I fight
the urge to pull the blankets up to my chin. Part of my brain is squealing like
a twelve-year-old girl,
I'm in bed with a hot guy!
I try to stop smiling,
but I can't, so I tug the sheets up to cover my goofy grin.
Peter's
hand juts out and stops me. "I don't think so. I want to see that satisfied
smile on those lips." He stares at me for a beat and then brushes my hair out
of my face. "God, you're beautiful."
That
makes the smile worse, and I blush as more of last night comes back to me.
Peter likes that. He holds me in his arms whispering sweet words in my ear
until there's a knock at the door. I glance over at him, wondering who would
bang on the door this early. It's barely sunrise.
Peter
gets up, pulls on boxers, and pads across the room to the door. He looks out
the peephole and sighs. "It's Sean." I yank the blankets over my head and hide.
I hate Sean. No, I hate Dean; I detest Sean. I think. I might have to make a
list or something.
Peter
chuckles after seeing me duck below the bedding, and pulls the door open. I can
hear their voices with the down blanket over my head. "Good morning, Pete.
There's been a change in today's itinerary. We need to stop by Mom's first.
Jonathan did something and she's livid. I knew I shouldn't linger in the city.
And, as much as I'd like to ride with you and Sidney, I'll take my bike. I'll
see you there at lunch. Don't eat without me." There's a noise, like Sean slapped
Peter on the arm in a manly embrace.
Peter
says, "Afraid of the bird?"
"Where
is the beast?"
"In
the kennel downstairs. I had to pay them twice as much to take it," Peter
explains.
There's
a pause and Sean adds, "And you used your old name."
"Maybe."
That makes me grin. Peter says it just the way I would have.
"You
could have called me, you know," Sean says. "Disappearing like that had Mom
more neurotic than normal. She made me track you down. I'll always find you,
Peter. I did find you. I left you alone because I thought you were doing what
you needed to do to get on with your life, but I have to ask you this—how much
does this girl mean to you? Is she worth the risk?"
Peter's
voice is stern. "I already answered that last night. Either you help me or you
don't, but don't sit around questioning my motives. You already know my
intentions. Leave it at that." Peter's voice drops to a hissing whisper. His
tone is clipped and beyond annoyed. I don't know what they spoke about last
night, but it's painfully clear that Sean doesn't like me at all.
"Fine.
It's just odd timing, that's all. You finally get your head on straight and you
fuck the first piece of ass that bats her eyes at you—" There's a loud crack as
something slams into the open door.
I
throw the blankets back and sit up to see what happened. Peter has Sean pressed
into the wall and the two guys look like they're going to kill each other.
Peter is hissing threats when I dart across the room. Sean replies, equally
upset, but none of it makes sense to me.
I
pull on Peter and say his name too many times to count. "Let him go, Peter.
Stop it."
Peter
steps back and flexes his hands several times. He paces in a swift circle,
never taking his eyes off of Sean. Sean has a smug look on his face. "You're
not thinking straight, Pete."
I'm
livid. Sean can't come in here and do crap like this. Peter's been fine, but
when Sean's added to the mix, Peter becomes enraged. I step up to Sean. "If
he's not thinking straight, it's your fault, you callous bastard. Peter's been
through enough. Help him or leave him alone. Stop antagonizing the crap out of
him for no damn reason!" I'm not yelling. The voice coming out of my mouth is
that low tone my mom used on me and Sam when we did something hideous.
Sean
looks me over; his eyes notice the old clothing and my hair before glancing at
the messy bedding. "There is a reason, miss." He rolls his eyes like he's
forgotten my name and it doesn't matter. "You see, there are people that are
toxic, people who poison others. I won't let you do that to him. Pete has been
through enough, more than you could—"
Something
inside my brain snaps. I'm close enough to do it, so I do. I shove both palms
into Sean's chest and scream in his face before he can finish his sentence.
"You think I haven't! You think this is a fucking game? Well, it's not! And
yeah, I know what toxic people are, because I'm talking to one now!" I shove
him again, but the bastard doesn't move. "I can't stand you."
"The
feeling is mutual."
"Why?
I mean, I have enough reasons to hate your guts, but you have nothing on me."
"You
want more than Peter can give. You brought him here to ask me to—"
"Sean,
stop talking!" Peter yells, so I can't hear his brother. "Stop! She didn't ask
to come here. She didn't even know who the hell I was until the day we left.
She doesn't want to be a Ferro. I'm lucky she didn't leave me when she found
out, so cut the shit!"
At
that moment, the elevator doors open down the hall and a security man is
walking toward us swiftly. Sean's gaze cuts quickly to me. "You didn't know who
he was?"
I
glare at him and fold my arms over my chest. "Fuck you."
He
smirks. "All in good time, dear."
"I
swear to God, Sean—" Peter warns just as the guard is on us.
"Is
there a problem here?" The man is older and looks really irritated. "Because I
can make all sorts of problems if you guys don't have any, you get what I'm
saying?" Peter and Sean just stand there. The guard looks at me. "You all
right, miss?"
"No,
this asshole is bothering us." I point at Sean. His eyes widen before they
narrow like he hates me. I don't care. "Can you remove him?"
The
guard says, "Come on," to Sean and tries to lead him away.
Sean
glares at me, but there's a smirk on his lips, like he respects me for some
twisted reason. "You mess with him and I'll break your goddamn neck."
"Mr.
Ferro, please don't threaten the other guests—" the guard says, pulling Sean
toward the door.
I
talk over the guard and yell at Sean's back, "Go ahead and try!" By the time
Sean is down the hall, I'm seething. My hands are clenched into fists at my
sides and my jaw is locked. I slam the door and turn around. Peter is behind
me, leaning against the wall with his arms folded across his chest. He watches
me carefully.
"Are
you trying to protect me from Sean?" Like I'd try to protect him from his own
messed-up family? Peter is giving me a look that says he thinks so.
"Truth?"
I ask, and he nods. "I don't know what the hell I'm doing. He makes me so angry
and he doesn't listen to a damn thing I say. It's like he thinks he's so much
better than me because he's a goddamn Ferro."
Peter
gives me a crooked smile and pushes off the wall. "He thinks he's better than
everyone because he's Sean. No one else in my family is like that, just him."
"No
one else will be worried that I'm after your money?"
He
shakes his head. "No, the gold diggers are after Jonathan now. Sean and I are
seconds. Well, I am anyway. Sean made his own fortune doing God-knows-what.
He's smart, ruthless, and ambitious, so of course he made his own fortune. I'm
the middle brother—the guy with a broken heart who's all but broke."
"All
but broke? I thought you had a trust fund?"
"I
do. That's rich people speak for
Pete Ferro is a moron and walked away from
a multibillion-dollar empire
. My trust fund is peanuts in comparison, but
it's enough for me and you. I can't buy you a mansion—"