Chapter 13

CHAPTER

THIRTEEN

Courtney

Merrick pulls me into his arms, and I go willingly. I wasn't sure if he'd be up to staying, but he readily agreed. We've been lying here for about thirty minutes when his breathing changes. I glance up to see he's fallen asleep. The room is dark except for the glow of the TV screen, which gives me plenty of light to take him in. I know he was up early to mow the grass before the heat of the day. He looks peaceful and is still the most attractive man I've ever seen. Yes, even his twin. There is just something about Merrick. Maybe it's because I've gotten to know him better, and maybe it's some invisible force that makes me drawn to him. Either way, he's here and I'm in his arms, and I'm going to enjoy that while I can.

Feeling around for the remote, I turn off the TV and snuggle into his chest. He tightens his hold on me but doesn't wake up. My body relaxes into his embrace, and I don't fight the safety I feel in his arms. As I drift off to sleep, I can't help but think about what my life would be like if Merrick were really mine. Nights like tonight, hanging out with my sister and her fiancé, and then coming home to snuggle and fall asleep in the same bed? It's too much to wish for, but my heart doesn't seem to get the memo.

I don't know how long I've been asleep, but I jolt when the bed moves. I lift my head and blink a few times so that I'm able to make out Merrick's figure as he sneaks out of bed. "Hey," I croak.

He sits back down on the bed and faces me. "I didn't mean to wake you. I was trying to be quiet."

"Where are you going?"

"Heading home."

"What time is it?" I ask as I battle with myself. I want him to stay. I want him to come back to bed and wrap his arms around me. Ryder's words roll through my mind. This isn't a fight, but then again, Merrick is always telling me I need to stand up for myself. I need to voice what I want. Can I do that? Can I ask him to stay? It's going to make me seem desperate, but as he answers me, I realize I don't care. As long as he stays.

"Just after two."

"Stay." The words are whispered, but they sound like I'm screaming them into the quiet room. I keep my eyes on his dark figure, holding my breath, waiting to see what he decides to do.

He reaches out and pushes my hair out of my eyes. How he can see to do that in the darkness that surrounds us is beyond me. He finds me easily with nothing but a sliver of moonlight shining through the blinds to guide him. Maybe it's because I'm still half asleep? I don't know what I expect him to say, but it's not his simple "Okay."

I can hear the smile in his voice, and I recall the conversation where he told me good things happen when I say "okay."

Suddenly, I'm wide awake. I waver for about thirty seconds before I slide out from beneath the covers and stand. He sucks in a sharp breath when I tug his T-shirt over my head and shimmy out of my panties before moving back beneath the covers. I know it's too dark for him to see all of me, but it was easy for him to make out what I was doing.

"Court?" His voice is thick, and I can only guess that it's desire. That's what I'm allowing myself. I refuse to think it's because he can't stomach the thought of sleeping naked next to me. The last time, his desire was evident, and I'm holding on to that memory to help me push forward.

"Will you hold me?" I ask softly. The words are out there, and I can't take them back.

Merrick leans over me and presses his lips to mine. He doesn't say anything, but he doesn't have to. He lets his kiss do the talking as he deepens each stroke of his tongue. When he finally pulls away, he stands and strips out of his clothes. He settles beside me beneath the covers and pulls me into his chest.

Feeling bold, because I spoke up for what I wanted, and he delivered, I let my hands roam his hard chest and abs. My hands trail lower, and he doesn't stop me. His chest rises a little faster, letting me know his breathing has picked up, but that's the only indication that this is affecting him.

Moving further, I grip his hard cock in my hand. I stroke him gently, just getting a feel for his rigid length in the palm of my hand.

"Court," he hisses as his cock twitches in my hand.

"Mer," I say. There's a teasing quality to my voice, one I don't recognize in myself, but this is me with Merrick, and he brings out the best in me.

"We should talk about this."

"About me stroking you?"

He huffs out a laugh. "Yes."

"Am I not doing it right?"

"Y—You're perfect," he breathes.

I want to pat myself on the back. I'm doing this for him, turning him on. "Then what do we need to talk about?"

He's quiet as I continue to stroke him. I'm playing dumb, but I know what he thinks we should talk about. This is... more. It's outside the boundaries we've set as a fake couple. That's not exactly true. We didn't set boundaries, but it's assumed we held hands, a few kisses in public if needed, but this, me stroking his cock, that's definitely not something either of us ever thought this would be.

"We're both adults, Merrick."

"We are." He's quick to agree.

"I'm getting all the benefits out of this arrangement. You're faking for me and my family. You're holding me and giving me everything. It's only fair you should reap some of those benefits too."

Before I know what's happening, he's flipped us around, and I'm lying on my back, with him and all of his naked glory hovering over me. "If you think for a single damn second that I'm not enjoying my time with you, you're wrong. If you think that being the man who is privileged enough to hold you while you sleep, naked, or in clothes isn't an honor, you're wrong. Just spending time with you, getting to know the amazing person you are. That's enough for me."

I slide my hands around his neck and lock them together. I will my heart to slow its rhythm for fear it might beat right out of my chest. "What if I want more?"

"Then we need to talk about it. I refuse to go into this, whatever this is, blind, and you coming out hurt on the other side of it."

While sweet, his words sting. He doesn't see this going past our arrangement, but that's okay. I expected that. I knew that was a high possibility. I'm still jumping in with both feet.

"I trust you, Merrick. You give me the confidence to ask for what I want, and that's been going well. I'm inexperienced and thought maybe I could learn with you." My voice cracks at the end. Fear courses through my veins because there is a very real possibility he's going to shut me down on this.

"You're not a virgin." It's a statement that also sounds a little like a question.

"No, but I might as well be. A few quick romps and some fumbling in the dark aren't anything exciting. I feel safe with you. Safe enough to explore. Will you explore with me, Merrick?"

"Are you sure this is what you want, Court?"

"Yes." To prove my point, I wrap my legs around his waist and pull him closer. His hard length is nestled between my thighs, close to where he really needs to be.

"Not yet, baby," he says, his tone lighter. "If we do this, we're going to take it slow. I want to make sure you have no regrets."

"If you think for a single damn second that I won't enjoy my time with you, you're wrong." I toss his words back at him, altering them a little to fit me and what I want to say.

"My girl's got jokes," he says, leaning down and sucking a nipple into his mouth.

My heart is already hammering at him calling me his girl and the position we're in, but when his mouth latches on, it races so fast I fear it might burst. I arch my back off the bed, wanting more of anything he's willing to give me.

I bury my hands in his hair as he nips and sucks on one while kneading the other, and then switches making sure to give both equal amounts of his attention. This isn't another first for me, but it does feel as though it is. Everything is different with Merrick.

Different.

Better.

A higher high than I can ever remember from anyone before him.

He moves to the valley between my breasts, lavishing me with kisses, before he trails them up my neck. "Where do you want this to go, Court?" he asks, sucking on my earlobe.

Why is that such a turn-on?

"Everywhere," I breathe, and his low, deep chuckle against my ear sends goose bumps down my spine.

"Let's start a little slower than that. Is there anywhere I can't touch you?"

I laugh. I can't help it. Not just a "ha-ha, you're funny" laugh. My entire body is shaking, and tears are welling in my eyes from the force of it. "N-N-No," I manage to sputter.

He slides his hand down my body and circles my clit with his thumb, and my laughter fades away. "What? Is this not funny?" he taunts.

"That's perfect is what that is," I reply, still coming down from my laughter.

"You're perfect." He kisses me slowly while his hand explores. He never takes it further than his fingers gliding through my folds and tracing lazy circles over my clit. He's teasing me, and I'm not going to say a damn word. It's glorious torture, and I'm here for any and all of it that he wants to dish out.

"What about this?" He slides a finger inside me, and I moan at the sensation.

"Pretty perfect," I pant, closing my eyes. All I want to do is focus on him, on his hands on my body. He works me over, all while raining kisses on my chest and neck. I can feel the pressure building, and I know I'm close. I've never gotten off this fast, and not without the help of a vibrator. In fact, I've never had an orgasm during an encounter with a man. When I referred to my interactions as "wham, bam, thank you, ma'am," I wasn't kidding. If I'm being honest, they were all more of a "wham, bam, and roll out." No thank-yous in sight. That's okay, that's what they were supposed to be, but this, whatever this is with Merrick, is so much more.

"Mer—rick," I breathe as the intense feeling in my core grows.

"Give it to me," he says, his voice gruff. He quickens his pace as he pushes his fingers in and out of me. "Come for me."

As if my body is his to command, I do exactly as he says as I shatter beneath him. Wave after wave of white-hot ecstasy rolls through my veins. It's the most intense orgasm of my life, and I can't help but wonder what it would be like to come on his cock.

When I finally come down from my high, he's hovering over me. I watch with the muted light of the moon as he lifts his hand to his mouth and sucks on his fingers. My core clenches and I'm ready for more. However, he seems to have other ideas.

Leaning down, he kisses me. It's a slow, sensual kiss, and I can taste myself on his tongue. It's not something I would have ever considered doing before this moment, but with Merrick, it's sexy. I reach for him, but he moves his hips out of the way.

"Go clean up, baby, before I do it for you."

"What?" I gasp.

"It's late, and we need to sleep." There is something in his tone, as if he's holding back.

"You can do it for me," I taunt him.

"Brat," he grumbles as he sucks a nipple into his mouth, causing us both to moan in pleasure. "Not tonight. I'm taking this slow. I'm not giving you a chance to freak out on me. Let's see how you feel about tonight's activities in the morning, and we'll go from there."

I want to argue with him, but I know better. Once Merrick sets his mind on something, it's a done deal. So, I kiss under his jaw, and slide out of bed, before making my way to the bathroom to clean up as I'm told. I do so quickly, then rush back to the bed, and dive under the covers to ward off the chill of the air conditioning. I snuggle up to him, and he wraps me in his arms, my naked body fused with his.

"You're warm."

"You're sexy." He kisses the top of my head.

"You make me feel that way."

"Good." He gives me another kiss. "Night, baby."

"Night." I close my eyes, and within minutes, I drift off to sleep in the safety and comfort of his arms.