“Agatha –”
“You know, my friends call me Tigs. Or Tiggy. Agatha sounds so formal, and I feel like, at the very least, we’re friends now. No?”
Clearing my throat, I choke the words out. “Well, yeah. On any other day, I would have agreed we’re friends. Right this second …”
At her little gasp that sounds a whole lot like hurt, I want to bang my head against the wall. That was not my intention, I’m just struggling here. Making a snap decision, I lift my shirt, place my hand over hers and guide it down my body to rest on my aching dick.
“I’m sorry. This is coming out all wrong, and I know this is a crass move. I just want you to understand why this is coming out all wrong. I’m realizing I see you as more than a friend right now.” I keep my eyes closed, unable to look at her. Unable to bear the hurt I’m sure I’ll see there – that I put there.
“Oh.” That single, breathless word has them popping open.
“Yeah, oh.” When she says nothing more, I figure maybe it’s best if I leave after all. I’ve really fucked the moment up, and I don’t want her to feel awkward on top of everything else. “Maybe it would be best for me to go.”
Agatha’s hand flexes under mine. “Don’t. Please. Stay here with me.”
“Tigs.” The nickname sounds foreign after all this time calling her Agatha. “It probably isn’t the smartest move. You’ve had a shitty enough evening as it is without me adding extra stress.”
Easing out from under her, I pace away from the bed, then back. I’m frustrated with myself and trying to keep a handle on it so I don’t freak Agatha out anymore. I watch as she sits up in the bed, one strap having fallen off her shoulder and down her arm. Gritting my teeth, I stare down at my feet.
“Come here,” she says, patting the side of the bed I’ve just vacated.
Not sure it’s the best idea, I do it anyway. Taking my hand in hers, she nervously licks her bottom lip and has me groaning silently. “Please don’t go. I’m—” She pauses. “I’m scared to be on my own. I’m freaked out about this evening. I know it’s selfish to ask, but please don’t leave me by myself.”
She’s talking a mile a minute, like she can’t get the words out fast enough.
“Shh, it’s okay. You need me, I’m here. No need for explanations. Come here.” I hold out an arm to her. With no hesitation, she nestles into me.
As I close my arm around her, I can feel the tension in the rock-hard muscles of her shoulders. Against my better judgment, considering how I’m feeling right then, I hear myself say, “Would a massage help?”
“Hmm …” That hum does things to me, and I go hard as stone at the husky tone. “Would it ever.”
Trying to save myself from embarrassment, I once again ease away from her and get to my feet. “I’ll turn around, you get comfortable. Do you have any lotion I can use?”
“In the bathroom, on the counter. It’s hard to miss.”
I leave her to get herself situated while I go in search of the lotion.
When I enter the room, lotion bottle in hand, I almost swallow my tongue. The last thing I expected was to find a topless Agatha lying face down on her bed, waiting for me. The silky smooth skin of her back gleams softly in the dim light of the bedside lamp, and I can feel sweat break out on my brow.
Resolutely, I step closer and pray my SEAL training doesn’t fail me now – bolstering my fortitude to withstand the torture as I lay my hands on the creamy expanse. If that isn’t enough, she lets out a low moan when I start to massage the knots from her muscles. Gritting my teeth, I recite baseball stats.
My libido kind of under control, I find a rhythm that works as I gently ease the tension in Agatha’s body. That is, until my hand glides toward her side at the same moment she shifts her position, and my palm makes contact with the firm globe of her breast.
Jesus, Mary, and Joseph, it seems the gods are determined to test my inner strength tonight. Everything in me goes rock solid. Tension has my body tightening, and I’m surprised she can’t hear how my heart is pounding.
Her gasp arrows through me, and I lose all hope of hiding my now rock-hard dick from her view. Her eyes track up my body, lingering for a long moment on my straining dick, to finally connect with mine. Desire burns bright in hers, replacing the fear of earlier.
Agatha licks her lips, her gaze holding mine as, ever so slowly, she rolls over onto her back. Taking my hands in hers, Agatha places one on each breast. With a deep breath, I take in the splendor of the glorious sight laid out before me.
“Agatha – Tigs …” My words falter at her imploring look. “You’re going to have to tell me what you need – the words – so there’s no misunderstanding where this is headed.”
“You. I need you.”
“You have to be sure this is what you want. If this happens, there’s no turning back.” Gauging her reaction, I continue. “I’m at a point in my life where I’m over meaningless hookups. I want more than that. Are you willing for this to be more than that?”
12
AGATHA
