closer.
His thumb brushes my clit. A slow circle. Then another. In that same steady rhythm.
He winds me tighter and tighter. Until I'm sure I might burst. Then tighter still.
With the next brush of his thumb, the dam breaks.
I go over the edge, groaning his name as I come.
Bliss spills through my senses. Turns the entire world into a place of pure pleasure.
Nothing but the pulsing in my sex.
More intense than anything I've ever felt.
Then I blink my eyes open and see him watching. And it's intense in a whole new way.
I need the wonder in his eyes. The desire. The fascination. The need.
He brings his hands to my knees. Tugs at my panties. "Stand up, vixen. I'm keeping these."
My cheeks flush. It's strange, feeling shy after that, but I do. "Help me."
He nods. Brings his hands to my hips. Helps me onto my feet.
Then he shifts off of the couch. Kneels next to me as he peels the panties off my feet.
He looks up at me like I'm a goddess.
Right now, I feel like one.
Right now, I'm terrified of how much I want Ian Hunt.
One night and I'm undressing in public.
Where will I be on night thirty?
Chapter Nineteen
Ian
Of course, Eve wants to take the subway home.
According to our terms, I can insist she take a car. A cab, an Uber, a limo I provide. According to our terms, I can demand she go to any place at any time. So long as I give her warning before we leave the city.
Part of me wants to insist. To send her home in a car under my control. So the driver will alert me the moment she's home. So I'll know she's safe.
Eve is independent. Stubborn. Headstrong.
She's also right. This is a safe station. The subway is practical. The city certainly needs the revenue.
I let the stubborn part of me win.
Call a car. Wait on the curb outside my building.
She rolls her eyes as a limo arrives. "The subway really is fine."
"Let someone take care of you for once."
Her eyes stay on mine for a moment. She studies my expression, trying to find my intent.
Is it obvious I'm saying that to get my way?
Yes, it's true. She needs to let someone else take care of her. She needs to learn to let her guard down. To let someone else shoulder that burden.
But where do I get off telling her that?
Trust isn't my strong suit.
I pull her into a slow kiss.
She's responsive. Eager. Hungry.
She groans as I slip my tongue into her mouth. Tugs at my suit as I claim her.
Sighs as I pull back.
She wants more.
But she isn't ready for it yet.
"Good night, Eve." I help her into the limo.
She looks up at me, that same curiosity in her grey-green eyes. Because she doesn't trust me? Or because she wants every thought in my head? "Good night, Ian."
I press the limo door closed. Issue instructions to the driver. Watch as the car pulls away.
It disappears around the corner.
My phone buzzes with an alert from the company. Fifteen minutes until she's home. Fifteen minutes until she's safe.
I walk to my flat. It's less than a dozen blocks and it's a nice night. Warm with a soft breeze. Clear. As clear as it gets in New York City.
No stars in the sky. There are never stars in the sky.
Today, I miss them. I want to take Eve to a cozy cabin in the mountains. Or a secluded beach miles from civilization. I want to hold her tightly as I watch the stars brighten the sky.
It's been so long since I've seen the sky like that. Since I've felt the thrill and possibility. The sense of wonder the universe has to offer.
Such a big, beautiful place. So much bigger than any of us.
Fuck, I'm already obsessed with her.
Now this.
I undress. Shower. Pour a glass of water. Check my phone. Then computer.
Work email. Private email. RSS feed.
Her site.
It's a reflex.
One that…
Fuck, I don't know. This is a public site. She puts everything here, knowing anyone can find it.
When I first stumbled on her site, I thought Eve was a pen name. A play on the title. Original Sin, Eve, the tree of knowledge.
I didn't think her name was actually Eve.
But it is.
And it's perfect.
If anyone would take fruit from the tree of knowledge, it's her.
This is a public site. Too public.
Even so…
A new entry draws my eyes.
A few minutes old. She just wrote it.
The Handmaid's Tale isn't a sexy book. But it's sexier than you'd think.