“Don’t be sorry.” Ant stands at the foot of the bed, staring at me. “I like your laugh.”
I can’t help rolling my eyes, I know who I am. Big tits and loud obnoxious laugh. Boyfriends like some parts and put up with other parts. Not that Ant is a boyfriend?—
“Don’t do that.” He cuts off my thoughts by gripping my ankles and tugging me down the bed toward him. I make an unsexy squeal as his strength surprises me.
“Do what?” I ask, distracted as his thumb brushes across the top of my foot, he begins removing my shoes.
“Don’t roll your eyes, like you think I’m lying. When I say something, I mean it.” He smooths a hand up my shin, and hisvoice drops to an octave that is dangerous to my libido. “I don’t want to see an eye roll from you again.”
“Right.” I squirm, something in his expression stops me from arguing.
His bed is huge, plush, and covered in pillows. When was the last time I met a single man with real bedsheets? Who even is this guy? I spread my arms out across the soft fabrics. He stays at the foot of the bed, watching me with a heated expression. He's probably had hundreds of girls in these sheets. No reason to think I am special. I'm just another notch.
There will be no strings tonight, no attachments. One night of fun.
I prop myself onto my elbows, fighting the urge to cover my squishy middle. Who cares if he sees some rolls, or the little stretch marks that squiggle up my stomach? I’m never going to see this guy again.
“Nice bed. Are we going to put it to good use?” I try to maintain a casual tone, but I’m just excited for his hands to continue their path up my leg.
“Piper, you are…” He pauses.
“Ridiculous?” I suggest with a grin. “Outrageous? Silly?”
“Soul-shatteringly, breath-catchingly, word-stealingly, gorgeous,” he finally finishes.
“Ugh.” My stomach drops, and I let myself fall back from my elbows with an eye roll. I don’t have the mental capacity to accept his compliments right now.
“Hey.” His voice drops an octave again. “What did I tell you about rolling your eyes?” He leans forward, his arms landing on the mattress on either side of my legs.
“What are you gonna do, Ant? Punish me?”
“Yes.” He pauses like he doesn’t have any idea what to threaten me with. “Give me your bra,” he finally demands.
I laugh again. “That’s my punishment?”
“Yes.”
“Isn’t the goal here to get both of us naked?”
“Yes.” He crawls up the mattress until his arms are caging me in. “Now, hand it over.” He dips in for another kiss. I wrap my hands around wiry, muscular arms. Really nice arms.
“Give me the bra,” he announces. “I want to see them.”
“You first.” I laugh.
“I am not wearing a bra.”
“Your shirt.” I sit up, pulling my knees to my chest. “Your shirt for my bra, an even trade.”
“That’s your punishment? Seeing me naked?”
“Cross my heart. I promise not to enjoy it!” I say solemnly, putting my palm on my breast.
He pulls back, there’s a moment of hesitation before he pulls off his shirt. A set of snaps keeps it closed around his wings. I lose all interest in those mechanics when he reveals his body. Sucking in a breath as his shirt lands on the floor. He’s slender and muscular, with a narrow torso and broad chest. The fur is thicker around his neck, like a scarf, a fine short fuzz covers the rest of him. He's simultaneously strong and soft, and I want to burrow myself into him.
“Oh no!” I quickly cover my eyes.
“What?” There’s a spike of nervousness in his tone.
