She had to get home. Now.
She needed Liam.
***
Liam unbuttoned his chef’s coat slowly as he walked through the dimly lit living room, feeling the quiet like a physical ache. There was a time when, no matter how late it was, Dani would be waiting for him with coffee and a smile, ready to find out all about his night.
He’d seen her car in the driveway, so at least he knew she was home.
Stax’s damn walking stick had been in the backseat.
Instead of tearing through the house to look for evidence of the long-haired magician, he headed straight for the dark kitchen to grab a beer. He should have told Dani about Stax’s visit last night, but he’d been avoiding the conversation they needed to have, and she’d been on her computer or phone all night.
He wanted to share her.
Had Stax taken matters into his own hands, without giving him time to think about the consequences? Not that he hadn’t thought about it. Liam hadn’t been able to stop imagining the scenario Stax had laid out since he’d left. Hell, since Dani had mentioned her not-so-sweet-and-innocent wish.
It even made sense to him, that it would be the right approach with Dani. What she wouldn’t risk between the two of them, she might if there were three.
Or maybe he was just fucking exhausted and on edge, working himself into knots trying to make it sound reasonable. Whatever it took to keep her at his side.
The splash had him looking out the kitchen window toward the well-lit pool. When he realized what he was seeing, a wave of lust hit him and his bottle nearly slipped from his hand.
Dani was standing at the water’s edge, gazing up at the stars. Wet and naked and every fantasy he’d ever had come to life.
She was alone.
He couldn’t look away. She looked like a goddess in the moonlight, and he wanted to worship and devour her. Kneel for her before making her scream his name.
He wanted everything.
She dove into the water, her body skimming the surface as she headed toward the shallow end. She sat down on the stairs, unknowingly giving Liam a gloriously unencumbered view as she leaned back on her elbow, her nipples tight and sparkling with drops of water.
“Fuck me,” Liam muttered under his breath.
He leaned closer, taking in her tense expression and flushed cheeks. He knew that expression. He’d memorized and replayed it a million times over the last few days. She was aroused.
Her hand disappeared beneath the clear water. The ripples above her wrist matched the swaying of her body and he knew she was touching herself. Out beneath the night sky like a wild thing, unaware of her surroundings, lost to sensation.
He walked toward the sliding glass door, knowing he couldn’t have stopped himself if he wanted to, still watching her. Willing her to look up and invite him to join her.
Willing her to step out of the water and come to him.
But Dani reached for something beside the pool instead, lowering it into the water between her legs. She didn’t need him. She already had something to help her take the edge off her need.
He listened to the sounds she made, watched her hips lift off the stairs and tilt as she took the toy inside her, water splashing against her body with the power of her thrusts. Was she thinking of him? Or the man who’d left his walking stick behind, knowing Liam would see it?
There was only so much a man could take.
He’d waited. Held himself back until she was ready for a new relationship to go with her new life. He’d been her friend. Her roommate. Her shoulder. Her spider killer.
Maybe Stax was right and it was time to change the landscape.
He stripped swiftly, wincing as the rough fabric of his pants scraped against his heavy erection. Dani didn’t look up when the patio door slid open. She was too distracted to notice his approach.
His own blood was pounding so loudly in his ears he was amazed she hadn’t heard it. He gripped his cock, barely holding in his moan as he walked closer to the pool.
He caught her rhythm, stroking himself with a tight fist, wishing it was her wrapped around him instead.
Look at me, Dani. See me.
No sooner had he thought the words than she opened up her eyes. The deep blue he loved was dark with more need than he’d ever seen. And not as much surprise as he’d been expecting, but enough that her movements slowed. Hesitated.
“No.” He lowered his voice, trying to soften the commanding tone. “Not again, Dani. Don’t run away from me again. Not when we both need this.”
To his surprise, instead of hesitating, Dani scooted up to the top step, spread her legs wide and began to thrust her cock-shaped toy inside her again. She kept her eyes on Liam, bold in a way she’d never been before. Daring him to lose control.