Search (The Empire Chronicles #2) (12 page)

“You ran right in and started. I assumed you’d rather do it yourself. And I know you don’t mind where I’m standing.” He brushed his lips against my neck. “And I prefer it to watching you from a distance, although considering what you’re wearing, I wouldn’t mind that either.”

I dipped the first piece of bread, getting a little bit of the mixture on my hand. I used the same hand to dip the next one. Four slices in, Toby had his hand gently running up and down my upper leg. My body shivered in anticipation as he moved it closer to my thigh each time before moving it away. By the time I finished placing the last slice on the griddle, he’d reached my upper thigh.

“You aren’t easily distracted.” His voice was low and husky, and I could feel the complete evidence of his arousal against my back.

“Oh, I’m distracted.” I struggled to keep my voice steady, and to stop myself from turning around.

“Yeah? Well, you don’t seem it. I’ll have to keep trying.” His hand moved to my inner thigh, and I let out a small gasp and leaned back harder against him. “Now you’re distracted.”

“I have to flip the French toast.” I forced myself upright. His fingers hadn’t even slipped beneath my panties, but my body was responding. I wanted him so bad I was ready to give up on our breakfast.

“Go ahead. Don’t mind me.”

“Toby.”

“Yes?”

“You’re distracting me.”

“Good.” He moved his hand and stepped back. “I need to be able to distract you.”

“You do it well.” I flipped the French toast, noticing that two of the slices were a little bit browner than I’d like. Totally worth it.

A few minutes later, we were seated at his table. For some reason, nothing seemed strange or awkward about the situation. I was sitting there in only a t-shirt, across from a guy only in his underwear, eating French toast.

“Delicious.” His eyes raked over me.

“Are you trying to distract me again?” I took a slow bite, giving him some of his treatment back.

He watched me. “Yes.”

“Yet you were so polite last night.”

“You were exhausted. I wasn’t going to push my luck.”

“Yet you are now? What’s gotten into you?” I licked some syrup off my lips.

He set down his fork and was at my side of the table before I could process it. “What’s gotten into me? I lost you by moving too slow. That’s not happening this time.”

“What if you move too fast? Ever think of that?”

“Moving too fast would have been ripping off the little clothing you were wearing last night. You wouldn’t have protested. I see the way you look at me.”

“And I appreciate that you didn’t.”

“Any chance of you expressing that appreciation?” He grinned, making me wonder how much of his talk was teasing.

“Yes.” I pulled his face to mine and kissed him. Neither of us took the kiss slow, and he eagerly allowed me into his mouth. He tasted sweet from our breakfast. He pulled me out of my chair, and I was vaguely aware of him sitting down on the couch with me straddling his lap. My hands roamed his chest while he cupped my breasts through the t-shirt. I mentally willed him to move his hands under, and he did it in record time.

I moaned as his hand fondled my breast, still unwilling to break the kiss. He guided my hand down to his lap, where I quickly slipped it underneath his boxers. He was rock hard and as big as I’d known he’d be from the way he felt pressed against me earlier. His free hand pushed away the cotton fabric of my panties, and I shifted to give him better access. His earlier teasing had left me needing his touch. He pushed in his fingers, finding the perfect spot and leaving me gasping, finally releasing his lips.

He ripped off the t-shirt, clearly too impatient to take it off normally. This was definitely not the Toby I remembered, but I liked it. It was hot, intense, and everything I needed. His lips settled on the breast not captured by his hand, and his hands continued their busy work. I arched back as he pushed me to a place I’d never imagined he’d take me. I yelled out, and he removed his hands with a grin.

I struggled to return my breathing to normal. “Should we move to your bedroom or continue here?”

“Neither.” He gently moved my hand that was still wrapped around him.

“What does that mean?” Surely we weren’t done.

“I told you I wouldn’t move things too fast. How’s this for a good pace?”

“A good pace for me maybe, but not so much for you.”

“I’m sure you’ll more than make it up to me another time.” He carefully lifted me off his lap and stood up. “I’m going to take a quick shower and get dressed.”

The words “can I join you” nearly slipped off my tongue, but I fought them down. He was setting a good pace. I wasn’t going to ruin it.

“Okay. I’ll use your guest shower. I already know that’s where all the good stuff is.”

He chuckled. “Enjoy. Use plenty of the hot water, mine will be cold.”

“Toby! Now you’re going to make me feel bad. You’re the one who said—”

“I know what I said.” He winked. “Can I just join you?”

“You’re asking to take a shower with me?”

I knew what he was doing. Just like the kiss in the kitchen, he wanted me to make the move. I stepped toward him, reaching out to run a finger down his chest. “Yes. But it’s going to be hot.”

“If you’re there, hot is fine with me.” He took my hand and led me back to his bedroom. We were both wearing only underwear, and I moved to take off mine. He pushed away my hand and did it himself, slowly sliding them down my legs. I did the same for him, but I took him in my hand before his boxers reached the carpeted floor.

I had full intention of making it to the shower, but I couldn’t wait anymore. He was too hard and obviously ready, and so was I. Just the simple touch of his hand on my leg as he removed my panties set me on fire. It was all in his plan. The stopping short, everything. And his plan most definitely worked. I pushed him down on the bed. He fell faster than expected. I’d forgotten I now had more strength.

“Condoms are?” I glanced around his room.

“Night stand. I’ve had them waiting for when you finally came back around.”

“I’ll pretend to believe that.” I opened his drawer, surprised to find an unopened box. I pulled out one condom and joined him on the bed.

His eyes locked on mine as I climbed on top of him, easing him inside me slowly. “I’ve been waiting a long time for this.”

“So have I.”

We moved together perfectly. He felt so good inside me as his hands settled on my hips and we moved together faster and faster until I felt like I was losing control. Then he pushed the full length of himself inside. I arched back, and before I knew it, he had me pinned down on the bed under him.

“You’re even better than I dreamed.”

“You dreamed about this?” I managed to get out in short breaths.

“Many times.” He thrust into me.

“Me too.” I closed my eyes and let Toby take me to new heights for the second time that morning.

Lying in bed, spent and completely naked with Casey, was one hell of a way to spend a morning. I’d given us a night to slowly ease into things, but watching her in the kitchen in just my t-shirt was the point of no return. First, she looked too hot to resist, and secondly, she could have easily put on her jeans. She wanted me just as much as I wanted her. I ran a hand through her brown hair. Her eyes were closed and she breathed evenly, but I knew she wasn’t sleeping. She was enjoying some post sex bliss, and I was more than happy to let her. Usually real life is a letdown to your fantasies, but it wasn’t with Casey. Everything about it was perfect. Our bodies had moved together in perfect sync, and she’d given me a high I’d never felt before. It was even better than flying.

Neither of us had broached the subject of the Pteron-Pteron thing again, but if Rhett was right and it was just about the children, then it really didn’t matter. Besides, it’s not like it was unheard of for Pterons to sleep together. It happened more frequently than you’d think. They just didn’t settle down together. They rarely, if ever, took each other for mates. I was going to be changing that. We weren’t born into the Pteron world, and we could do things our own way. I also couldn’t care less if we had kids and they weren’t Pterons. I wasn’t so sure I even wanted to raise kids, if I had them, in the Society world.

She opened her blue eyes, and the contentment in them matched my mood exactly. “I can’t believe that just happened.”

“I can.” I pulled her on top of me. “It was worth the wait.”

She laughed. “Yeah, I’d have to agree with you there.”

I gave her a light kiss, not sure if she was in the mood for more, or too exhausted. I was never going to have enough, but maybe she’d feel differently. By the way her lips responded, we were definitely on the same page. Then her phone rang.

She groaned and rolled off me. She reached down to where she’d left her jeans and pulled her phone out of the pocket. She glanced at the screen “It’s Georgina.”

I fought down the groan I felt coming on. “Oh boy, you should probably talk to her.”

“I know.” The phone stopped ringing. “But I need to get dressed first.”

“Or you could wait and get dressed after.” I ran a hand down her arm. “You did suggest a shower earlier…”

“Not after talking to my grandma.” She pulled on her panties and cami before slowly slipping into her jeans. I’m pretty sure the slowness was completely intentional. “But maybe tonight.”

“Tonight sounds good to me. I’ll take that rain check.” The promise of another night with Casey was more than enough. I propped myself up with pillows. I needed to get dressed too, but lying in bed watching Casey was enjoyable.

She sat down on the edge of the bed and turned to look at me. “All right. Stay quiet. I’m calling back.”

“Stay quiet?” I raised an eyebrow. “Worried Granny will know what you’ve been up to?”

She tossed a pillow at me. “I’m not worried about me. Do you really want to be on the wrong side of Georgina’s wrath?”

“Good point. I’ll keep my mouth shut.”

“Good.” She smiled before placing the call.

Her face fell. “You’re what?”

I moved closer so I could listen in.

“I’m outside your door. I’m guessing that you’re not here, which begs the question of where you spent your night. Allie told me you left New Orleans.”

“Oh. I’m just with a friend.”

“A friend? I might be getting old, but I’m not dumb. It’s moving day. There’s a truck waiting outside. Either get over here or I’ll have the super open the door for me.”

“Moving day? Where am I moving to?”

“I got you a place on Central Park West.”

“Oh.”

“I’d prefer not to wait in this building any longer than necessary. I expect to see you soon.”

Casey set down the phone. “Oh boy was right.”

“Looks like we’re moving you today.”

“You want to help?” She looked at me like she didn’t know the answer.

“Of course. Then I’ll really earn that shower later.” I couldn’t resist. The thought of Casey naked in hot water and steam would have made me agree to anything.

“Thanks. I’d prefer not to face Georgina alone anyway.”

“She’ll figure out where you’ve been.”

“No. I’ll tell her I called and asked for your help.”

“She’s not going to buy it.” I sat up.

“Why not?”

“Because she’s Georgina. She knows everything.” Even the relatively short amount of time I’d spent with her left me with that impression.

She sighed. “All right. Let’s get this over with then.”

I took both her hands. “It’s going to be fine. Just don’t argue with the fact that she’s moving you, and it will all blow over. She’s probably preparing herself for a fight as we speak.”

“Which is why she didn’t tell me in advance. She didn’t want me arguing.”

“Or she just didn’t care about your opinion.”

Casey shook her head. “Either way, keeping her waiting can’t be a good thing.”

“You’ve got that right.” I held her hand as we left my apartment. I had a feeling I wouldn’t be coming back that day.

“Hello, Toby.” Georgina greeted me formally after hugging her granddaughter. She seemed genuinely happy to see Casey, and I hoped the warmth she projected was sincere.

“A pleasure to see you again, Georgina.” I kissed her on the cheek, trying to get across that I was more important than a passing acquaintance.

“Casey, why don’t you go ahead and start packing. Toby and I are going to go check on the movers downstairs.” She placed a hand on my arm, and I knew better than to argue even though we hadn’t passed any movers or a truck on our way in. If Georgina was trying to get alone time with me, she had something to say. I only hoped it didn’t involve the words stay away.

We’d barely turned the corner when she started in. “What exactly are your intentions with my granddaughter?”

I was prepared for the brazen questioning. “I intend to date her. Maybe more.”

“Despite her Pteron genes?” Georgina looped her arm in mine when we reached the stairs.

I helped balance her as we descended. “To be frank, I don’t really care.”

She stopped and allowed a tiny smile to slip out. “I knew I liked you.”

“You did? You don’t care either?” Was she really taking my admission so calmly?

“Between you and me, that rule is hogwash.”

“Then why even have it?” Would she give the same reasons as Rhett?

“The way I see it, Pterons like to feel strong and powerful. Maybe mating with a human makes them feel that way.” She winked. She did have a sense of humor after all.

“You’re going to support us then?”

“I’m going to support Casey. The road she’s on isn’t an easy one. If she wants to take that road with you by her side, then I’ll support you too.”

“Thanks. I won’t let you down.”

She started walking again. “Don’t worry about letting me down. Worry about taking care of her.”

“I will, but Casey is pretty good at taking care of herself.”

“I know she is. Laurent women are strong, but no matter how strong you are, we can always use someone to rely on.” She gave the advice as we reached the lobby.