Pierced: Pierced Trilogy Boxed Set (26 page)

“Good morning, Sunshine,” he whispers, and his bright blue eyes sparkle at me like jewels.
Wow!

“Good morning, yourself,” I say softly, smiling back at him. He returns my smile and softly kisses my forehead. Then he stretches slowly, his body still wrapped around mine as his muscles tighten and relax around me. The feeling is sensual and decadent and it makes me smile more.

“Can I tell you something?” I ask nervously. I don’t want to spook him but, I want to tell him how I’m feeling right now.

“Sure,” he answers, a puzzled frown marring his handsome face.

I take a deep breath and say softly, “I really like waking up with you like this. It feels nice.” He blinks at my words and I wonder what he’s thinking. I watch nervously as a slow smile spreads across his face and he studies my eyes.

“Yes, it does,” he softly agrees. “I like it too. Very much,” he adds, kissing my forehead again. He raises up slightly to look over my shoulder.

“It’s still early,” I say quietly. “The alarm hasn’t gone off yet.”

“It is,” he says, looking back at me with a wicked, sexy grin. “But I wasn’t checking the time.”

“Oh?”

“Um mm,” he murmurs, still smiling. “I was making sure there was still at least one condom left.” His voice is low and sexy and the look in his eyes makes me blush and I can no longer hold his gaze. I bite my lower lip as I look away, embarrassed. But I feel his fingers beneath my chin, lifting my lips to his, and he kisses me tenderly. His insistent tongue rubs mine with slow, deliberate strokes and his right hand mirrors the movement of his tongue, roaming my body slowly while he holds me fast with the other arm.

Turning, he rolls me over onto my back and continues kissing me passionately as my eager hands find their way into his silky hair. He makes love to me slowly and sweetly, bringing me to climax again and again. By the time the alarm goes off half an hour later, my body is singing and convulsing and I am calling out his name in ecstasy, my legs wrapped tightly around him, and I’m clinging to him for dear life as he grinds furiously into me.

“Oh, Sam,” he yells as he comes deep inside me. He crumples on top of me, completely spent, and reaches over to turn off the screaming alarm. He looks at me, still panting, and smiles. Then he kisses me deeply.
Oh, I love this feeling!
This post-coital nirvana when he’s still buried deep inside me and I feel so full and so sexy. I wish we could stay right here just like this all day long but, I know that we both have to get up and get to work.

He rubs his nose lightly down the length of mine and back up; then he looks into my eyes for a long moment, saying nothing. Finally he blinks, as if suddenly waking from a dream or realizing where he is, and he looks away nervously. He slowly pulls out of me and removes his condom and sits up on the side of the bed. “Do you want to shower first?” he asks me, nervously running a hand through his hair.

I shake my head as I sit up, pulling the sheet over my breasts. “You have to be at work before I do,” I answer softly, wondering what spooked him. Why is he suddenly nervous and embarrassed? Did I do something? He bends over and gathers the discarded condoms from last night and, rising from the bed, he heads into the bathroom without another word.
What was that about?
My subconscious is as puzzled as I am. I run the last few moments through my head to try and figure out what I could have done. The sex was amazing, as always. And afterwards, he was so sweet, the way he smiled at me and kissed me and caressed my face with his own. No. I don’t think I did anything to upset him. Whatever it was, it happened in his own mind. Some random thought that must have run through his head. Something about his dad perhaps? Or his avoidance of romantic relationships?

I sigh as I climb out of the bed and walk over to the dresser. I open a drawer and pull out a white silk nightgown and pull it on. Then I go about picking up Josh’s discarded clothes and lay them neatly across the bed. I reach to pick up his holster and I’m surprised at the weight of it. I wouldn’t expect a gun to be so heavy, but what do I know? I’ve never even held a gun before. The thought makes me more than a little uncomfortable and I set the holster on the bed as well, and pick up my clothes from the floor and take them over to the hamper. As I do, my mind is drawn back to Josh and his strange behavior. What was it that I told myself before he woke up? That I was going to keep in mind that this is all new to him and let this move along at a pace that’s comfortable for him?

I sigh again as I head out to the kitchen, knowing that this is not going to be as easy as I thought. I have so many questions that I want to ask him, so many things he’s told me just don’t make sense and I want answers.
But you promised him that you wouldn’t push,
my subconscious reminds me as I take the bacon and eggs out of the fridge and start breakfast. I have to try and remember that. The very last thing that I want is to mess this all up by not being patient enough with him. I like him so much and I really want the chance to see if we could have something. But I feel like I’m always saying or doing the wrong thing and he either clams up on me or gets scary angry. It’s frustrating. Especially since I never know exactly what it is that I do or say that’s wrong.

I go about my task in silence as my mind works overtime and, before I know it, Josh comes striding out of the bedroom in that purposeful, confident gate of his. He is fully clothed and carrying his shoulder holster and gun and he looks every bit as yummy as he did when he arrived last night. He sets the holster down on the chair with his jacket and looks surprised to see that I have the breakfast bar all set and food laid out before him. I’ve made scrambled eggs, bacon and wheat toast with butter and I’m setting jam and orange marmalade on the bar as he sits down. There’s also coffee and orange juice.

“Baby, you don’t have to make breakfast for me every morning,” he says as I take my seat beside him.

“You don’t like breakfast?” I ask taking a sip of my juice.

“No, I do,” he says looking at me a little guiltily. “I just don’t want you to feel like you have to cook for me all the time.”

“I like cooking for you, Josh,” I say softly, looking into his eyes.

He says nothing for a moment and returns my gaze. Finally he smiles, shaking his head slightly and he reaches out and gently grabs my chin, leaning in to kiss me tenderly. He turns to his food then and we eat our breakfast in silence for a few minutes.

“Did you sleep well?” I ask, popping a piece of bacon into my mouth. I watch as he spreads a dollop of orange marmalade on his toast and when I glance up at his face he’s wearing a small puzzled frown and he looks sort of lost in thought.

“Yes, I did,” he says with a slow nod, and the puzzled frown is still firmly in place. He takes a bite of his toast and I can tell that he is still mulling something over. Oh, he can be so frustrating sometimes! What is he thinking? He lets go of whatever it is and turns to me, asking, “How about you? Did you sleep well?”

“Yes,” I nod with a shy smile. “I have slept remarkably well for the past two nights,” I say softly.
Hmm? Would that be all the sex or the fact that he holds you in his arms all night long?
My subconscious asks a good question but, I don’t have an answer for her. I suspect that it’s a little of both.

He returns my shy smile with a sexy grin of his own. “Have you now, Miss Colby?” His voice is low and sexy as he looks into my eyes and I nod silently as I feel the color rise in my cheeks. I look away, sipping my orange juice. “Well, how would you like to sleep that well again tonight?”

“Are you inviting yourself over tonight, Detective Pierce?” I ask a little smugly with a raised eyebrow. And I think my sarcastic question surprises him and he laughs slightly.

“Oh, no, Miss Colby,” he says with that sexy grin of his. “I’d be more than happy to find out how we sleep at my place if you’d like. But I have to warn you I’m not much of a cook. I do, however, have excellent skills at ordering take out.” He is piercing me with an intense blue gaze and it’s sexy as hell. And I know that he is laughing at me and I can’t help but giggle at him. He smiles at my laughter and takes another sip of his coffee.

“Well, in that case, perhaps we should hold off on testing your bed for now and I’ll make us something here,” I say with a smile. “How does that sound?”

“As you wish,” he smiles, turning back to his breakfast.

“Do you mean that?” I ask, and he looks at me quizzically with a mouthful of scrambled eggs.

“Of course I do.” He looks puzzled again and I take a deep breath and continue.

“Because, if you really mean that … then maybe you won’t mind letting me sketch you,” I ask tentatively. He smirks at me and then rolls his eyes, taking a deep breath and letting out a big heavy sigh.

“I said that I would,” he murmurs quietly after a slight pause. He shakes his head slightly and I get the feeling he’s surprised at himself for agreeing to this.

“I don’t want you to feel uncomfortable, Josh,” I say, about to let him off the hook. But he stops me before I can go any further.

“No, Samantha,” he cuts me off, “I said I would. I want to,” he shrugs. And again, I get the feeling he’s shocked at his own words.

“You do?” I ask skeptically.

He nods slowly, looking me in the eye. “If it will make you happy, I do.” His voice is so earnest and I’m taken aback for a moment.
Is this man for real?
He is so … oh, I don’t even know where to begin. And I get lost in his impossibly blue eyes for a moment as I gaze at him. He is so handsome!

He reaches out and lightly runs a finger down my cheek, bringing me out of my daydream. I smile shyly and turn back to my breakfast. A few moments later he turns to me. “I have to go, baby. I need to run home and change.”

“Okay,” I say softly, standing to walk him to the door. Still sitting on the stool, he takes my hand and pulls me to him, wrapping his arms around me. I stand between his legs, secure in his embrace, my hands resting on his muscular upper arms, and he holds me in silence for several minutes as we gaze into one another’s eyes. Hesitantly, I reach up with both hands and lightly run my fingertips over the stubble that frames his perfect mouth. Then I softly run my index fingers over those perfectly sculpted lips. Those lips that have been on every part of my body. He puckers his lips, kissing my fingertips before I trail them down his chin and across his neck. Then he pulls me closer and his lips find mine. He kisses me passionately as his hands roam over my backside, gently squeezing my behind. I moan softly and he pulls away suddenly.

“Baby, we’ve got to stop or we’ll both be late,” he murmurs.

“Okay,” I say again, pouting. He smiles at me and kisses my lips briefly.

“Don’t pout,” he says with a quiet smile. “It’s too adorable.” I smile at his words and watch as he stands and puts on his shoulder holster and his jacket, then he holds his hand out to me. I place my hand in his and he turns, leading me over to the door. “I’ll come by after work,” he says, wrapping his arm around my waist and pulling me close. I nod silently, not making eye contact with him. “Hey,” he says, placing his fingers under my chin and lifting my face so that he can look directly into my eyes. “What’s wrong?” His voice is full of concern.

“Nothing,” I say quietly, still not able to look him in the eye. I don’t want to tell him what I’m feeling. I don’t want to scare him away by being too clingy or moving too fast. I have to let him set the pace here. I have to.

“Sam?” His concern grows deeper. “Talk to me,” he says, searching my eyes.

I smile slightly. “It’s nothing really,” I say, feeling silly. “I just … wish we didn’t have to leave. I wish we could just stay here all day.”

He studies my eyes for a beat longer and then gives me his shy smile.
Oh, boy!
“I wish that too, baby,” he whispers, kissing my forehead.

“You do?” I ask, looking up into his eyes, and I can hear the surprise in my voice.

“Yes, I do,” he answers, meeting my gaze. “But I’ve got to go. I’ll see you after work,” he says, leaning down to kiss my lips. “Lock this door,” he says sternly as he reaches for the knob. He glances back at me and gives me a wink. Then he turns and is gone, and I stand looking at the door, feeling bereft. I must stand there for a second too long because I suddenly hear, “Lock the door, Sam!” His voice is gruff and intimidating, and although it makes me jump, it also makes me smile. I quickly do as I’m told, reaching up to secure the door and I stand on my tip toes to look at him through the peep hole. He stands facing my door with his hands on his hips and a smile on his face. “Good girl,” he says. Then he turns and walks away.

I grab my cellphone on my way back to the kitchen to clear away the breakfast dishes and quickly find his number and dial. He answers on the first ring.

“Yes, Samantha?”

“Hi,” I say softly.

“Hi,” he replies, and I can hear him smile.

“Whatcha doing?” My voice is small and playful as I load the dishwasher and turn it on.

“I’m walking out of your building and heading toward my truck,” he answers lightly and I giggle because I’m so happy that he’s in a playful mood. “What are you doing?” he asks me.

“I’m cleaning the kitchen before I jump into the shower,” I reply sweetly. “What are you doing now?” I ask him and he laughs.

“I’m climbing into my truck and starting it up,” he says. “God, you are adorable,” he mumbles, almost to himself, and I smile from ear to ear.

“Josh?” I ask after a small pause.

“Yes, baby?” His voice is low and sexy and laced with laughter, and the endearment makes me feel special somehow.

“Would it freak you out if I told you that I miss you?” I ask him nervously, all traces of humor gone from my voice.

There is a long pause from him and I instantly want to kick myself.
What happened to being patient with him and not rushing him, Sam?!
I hear him let out a breath and I know that I’ve caught him off guard. “No,” he says finally. “That doesn’t freak me out, Sam. At least … not in the way you mean.” His voice is full of some unnamed emotion that I can’t place and I wonder what he’s referring to. Not in the way that I mean? How else could it freak him out? Sometimes I just don’t know what to make of the things he says; at times, he can be so cryptic.