“Rita caught me checking you out. Again.”

  Seren laughed. “That’s Rita. Always working. Should I tell her how much I like you checking me out?”

  “You like it, huh?”

  “Even more because I know what you’ll be doing to me later.” Seren’s eyes sparkled. “Before I forget, did you talk to Leslie?”

  “I did. The Landrys accepted my offer.” She’d been thrilled at the news earlier. Now her thoughts were more interested in sex. How much she wanted Seren was almost a problem. “She told me you already know.”

  When Seren took a deep breath, her cleavage pushed up and it was impossible not to imagine those breasts in her hands. “I hope that’s okay.”

  Focus. “Totally okay.”

  “So are you excited?”

  “I am. I’m also a little distracted.”

  “By what?” Seren tilted her head, then smiled. “Are you thinking about what you want to do with me later?”

  “Maybe. Yes.”

  Seren laughed. “How about a celebration dinner? I was thinking of making fish tacos.”

  “Sure. I can come early to help cook.”

  “You say you want to help, but I think you want to do other things.”

  Seren’s coy look only made Paige hungrier. “I’d help too.”

  “Mm-hmm.” Seren looked behind her, clearly checking to see if anyone was left on the pool deck, then met Paige’s gaze. “We seem to be alone. Do you want to take advantage of that?”

  Paige didn’t wait to close the distance between them. When their lips met, her body’s response was immediate. Heat spread through her along with a desire so strong she gripped Seren’s towel, aching to pull it off.

  “Ahem.”

  The sound of someone clearing their throat made Paige freeze. She looked past Seren and saw Claia. Sweet, ninety-something Claia, stared back wide-eyed.

  Seren took a step back from Paige and forced a smile. “Hi, Claia.”

  “I thought you might need another Sprite.”

  “No, no. But thank you for checking on me.” Seren glanced back at Paige and murmured, “I should go change.”

  “When we see each other later, I’ll make up for the conversation you’re about to have in the locker room.”

  Seren smiled. “I’m holding you to that promise.”

  Twenty minutes of debating whether to bring a bag or show up already attired and Paige still hadn’t decided. She had, however, gone through all of her sex toys. She’d picked a new dildo—one she’d bought before breaking up with Miranda but never used—and her favorite leather harness. Once she had the o-ring adjusted and the dildo in place, she put it all on and a rush of arousal filled her body as she tightened the straps. She wrapped her hand around the shaft and her hips thrust forward almost subconsciously.

  “Damn, I missed this feeling.” Relationships were a lot of work, but they came with benefits. It’d been a long year of not having any reason to dress up for anyone.

  She pulled her boxers on and then her jeans, spinning the dildo so the head pointed downward and the curve would be less obvious under her clothes. Her jeans were tight to zip, but she wiggled until everything fit and then stood in front of the mirror. She angled side to side, rethinking her impulse to show up already attired. The rise in her jeans was undeniable. She unzipped, dug her hand into her boxers, adjusted herself again, then rezipped her jeans and eyed her reflection. No less obvious. Then again, maybe discreet wasn’t the goal.

  She’d done the grocery shopping, made sure her mom was set with meals, talked with Leslie about next steps on the ranch, and even fit in a workout around a load of laundry. All that hard work meant now she could play. She hollered goodbye to her mom and grabbed her wallet and keys.

  She had to unzip her pants for the drive and made a silent prayer that today would not be the day that the Davis cops were out in force. It wasn’t a long drive—Seren only lived ten minutes across town—but she made sure to keep her eye on the speedometer.

  When she got to Seren’s she took a minute to readjust and zip up before getting out of her truck. It was a gorgeous sunny afternoon. A little warmer even then the day before. Nice enough to sit outside in lawn chairs and enjoy the sunshine.

  Paige had only made it a few steps from the curb to the front door when she heard Seren call from the backyard. “Come on back. I’m watering.”

  Paige pushed open the side gate and looked for Seren. A flagstone path led from the side yard with the planter boxes and flowerpots to the backyard where it turned a corner. A hedge blocked the view beyond. She started down the path but stopped as soon as she’d passed the hedge. Seren was indeed watering plants. Barefoot. And otherwise only wearing a flowy sort of white cotton skirt and a bra. She looked up from her begonias and met Paige’s gaze.

  “Hey. How are you?”

  Paige managed a nod, which wasn’t much of an answer. “Good. I’m good.”

  Seren’s lips turned up in a smile. “You sure?”

  “I’m sure.” Paige walked over. She eyed the early bloomers, thinking she should compliment Seren on her gardening skills. But, damn, did she want to unhook Seren’s bra and let those breasts fill her hands.

  “I was wearing a blouse earlier.” Seren paused to point out a light blue shirt draped over a chaise lounge chair. “But it’s such a nice day.” She switched the nozzle, stopping the spray of water and set down the hose.

  “I like your outfit.”

  Seren inclined her head and smiled knowingly. She clearly knew the effect she had on Paige and wasn’t going to hide it.

  “I like yours too.” She reached out and touched Paige’s collar, ostensibly fixing it, then drew a line down the buttons on Paige’s untucked shirt. When Seren got to the last button, she paused for a moment. “I love knowing you’re ready to fuck me.”

  “I thought I was coming over to help make dinner.”

  “Dressed like this?” Seren’s hand slid lower. She traced over the curve in Paige’s jeans.

  “Jeans and a button-down aren’t appropriate for dinner?”

  “I’m thinking more about this part.” Seren pushed the base of the dildo against Paige, moaning softly. “Been thinking about it for hours. I can’t wait to see what you have.”

  “You could peek. If you want.” Yes, they were outside. But Seren’s fence was a six-footer and hedges blocked the neighbors on either side. Even better, there was only an empty field to the back.

  Seren undid the top button of Paige’s jeans, then slid down the zipper and moaned again as she ran one finger over the opening of Paige’s boxers. “I didn’t know you’d come over wearing it.”

  “Like the surprise?”

  Seren’s eyes said everything. Paige closed the distance between them. She wrapped her arms around Seren, bringing her into a full kiss. When Paige shifted her hips forward, she felt Seren shudder.

  “I’m so ready for you,” Seren murmured.

  Knowing how much Seren wanted it, Paige couldn’t resist a slow grind as they fell into another kiss.

  “Want to go inside?”

  Seren pulled back and looked around for a moment, then tilted her chin up, asking for another kiss. “No one can see us here.”

  Paige loved that answer. She pushed Seren’s skirt up and realized only when her hands grazed over naked hips that Seren wasn’t wearing underwear. She couldn’t hold back her own moan. “No underwear. It’s like you were just hanging out in your backyard waiting for someone to show up and fuck you.”

  “Maybe I was.”

  She moved from Seren’s hips to her butt, cupping the round cheeks she’d admired earlier. It was one thing to look. But this? This was a million times better.

  “I want to feel you,” Seren said, working at Paige’s buttons. As soon as the shirt gaped, she slipped her hands inside. Her touch sent flares through Paige. She grazed over Paige’s ribs, then moved to her back, making muscles tingle with anticipation.

  Between kisses, Paige reached into her boxers. She spun the dildo in the o-ring. It sprang up, angling right for Seren. When she moved against Seren, she knew the move from first to second base didn’t go unnoticed. Seren stroked the shaft and Paige felt a thrill at her clit.

  “I can’t believe you’re going to fuck me right here.”

  “You want it.”

  Seren nodded. “So much.”

  As much as she wanted to thrust her hips forward and push right in, the dildo wasn’t small. She wanted it to feel good and she wanted Seren to be ready. Twisting Seren’s skirt up in her fist, she dropped to her knees.

  Seren was already wet, and her scent made Paige even more turned-on. She bent her head and slid her tongue inside. Seren moaned, gripping her shoulders. Paige worked Seren’s clit until she realized how close she was to an orgasm. She pulled back and Seren whimpered.

  “Not fair to tease that.”

  “I want to make it feel even better.”

  She stood and wrapped one arm around Seren, pulling her into a kiss. When she shifted her hips forward, Seren’s hips met hers. The tip of the dildo parted her slit and Seren’s chest heaved.

  “Fuck.” Seren moaned. “That’s what I want.”

  Paige kissed Seren, a full, deep kiss that aroused every part of her. “I want you lying down.” She glanced at the patio furniture. Along with the lounge chair, there was a sofa sectional plenty long enough. She grasped Seren’s elbow and kissed her again as she moved her toward the sectional.

  Seren sank down on the cushions. “I feel like I should be embarrassed being outside, but I’m not. I want you too much to care.” She started to reach for Paige and then stopped. “What is it?”

  “You’re beautiful.”

  “That’s all you have to say?” Seren’s lips formed a sultry smile. She shifted up on her elbows. “You wanted me lying down. Here I am. Waiting for you.”

  “I know. And I like it.” Paige pushed Seren’s skirt up and out of the way. Seren parted her legs, letting her wetness glisten in the sunlight. The sight was intoxicating. Seren was so wet. So ready. And her need was obvious.

  She touched Seren’s thigh, caressed her sun-warmed skin, then pushed her legs farther apart. Seren moaned when she settled between her knees. “How slow do you want me to go?”

  “Not slow at all.”

  Desire surged when she looked down at Seren’s full breasts and her wet pink center. She clenched her jaw. Had she ever wanted someone more?

  “And I might be pregnant, but you don’t need to be gentle.” Seren hitched up her hips, nudging the dildo. “I should rephrase. I don’t want you to be gentle.”

  “If something hurts—”

  “I’ll tell you. You focus on the fucking part.”

  “Deal.” Paige drew in a breath, then leaned down to kiss Seren. “I love how much you want this.” She sank all the way in with one thrust.

  Seren gasped, then cussed, then clutched Paige’s forearms. “Oh, that feels good.”

  “Again?” Paige waited for her nod. She pulled all the way out and gave another deep stroke. Seren moved with her, shifting her grip from Paige’s arms to her hips.

  “You like that?”

  “No.” Seren licked her lips. “I love it.”

  Paige reached down to finger Seren’s clit. She waited until Seren was pushing her hips up insistently, bumping her hand and whining with need, before she slid in again.

  Seren’s unchecked pleasure sounded in her ears. One long loud moan. She didn’t pull out again. Instead, she started rhythmically thrusting and Seren moved with her, her cries loud enough that the neighbors had to hear.

  The louder Seren was, the headier she felt. The base of the strap-on bounced against her clit, and Seren drove up her arousal with every moan.

  “Fuck me. I can’t keep up.” Seren sagged back against the cushions. “Don’t stop. You feel so good.” She closed her eyes, and her lips parted.

  Paige shifted and kissed her lips, still pumping her hips. She pulled back from the kiss and put her fingertip on Seren’s lips. Seren sucked Paige’s index finger into her mouth. Her tongue stroked the length of it before she took Paige’s middle finger into her mouth as well. She held Paige’s wrist and guided her fingers in and out of her lips.

  Paige pulled her hand away from Seren’s mouth. She’d stopped thrusting to watch Seren take her fingers but now she started again. Sliding in and out, then grinding deep to fill Seren completely. Her own clit pulsed in response. “I want to get you off.”

  “I probably won’t,” Seren said, her eyes still closed. “But I don’t care. This feels so good.”

  Paige reached down to find Seren’s clit. She rolled it between her fingers, coating it with wetness. “I’m gonna make it feel even better.”

  Seren nodded, her chin tipped up to the sun and her hard pink nipples on display. “I don’t think that’s possible.”

  “Oh, it is.” She feathered Seren’s clit, then started pumping her hips again. She wanted Seren to come hard so she remembered it. All of it. The sun on her exposed skin, her skirt pushed up above her waist, her legs spread, and being fucked so well she didn’t want to move.

  Seren’s breathing ratcheted up as she wrapped her arms around Paige. Her hips bumped against Paige’s, her rhythm getting faster. “Oh. I might come.”

  “I know you will,” Paige murmured. She didn’t let up on Seren’s clit. She didn’t stop with the thrusting either, even as her own body clamored for a climax. Once she was done with Seren, she’d see to her own need.

  “Fuck, I’m gonna come.” Seren whined the words as if she’d been fighting it.

  “Wait for me.” It was rare for her to get off by only fucking someone, but Seren had her right on the edge. Her body had never been more aroused.

  “I can’t. Can’t wait.” Seren tensed, and then came in a rush. She clutched Paige hard, pushing her hips up to take the full length of the strap-on.

  Paige held steady pressure on Seren’s clit for as long as she could, but then her own orgasm broke. She bore down on Seren, letting go and sliding into shivers of pleasure.

  Seren held her, murmuring her name between kisses on Paige’s neck and shoulders, seemingly indiscriminate, anywhere she could reach.

  The waves rolled through Paige. Seren felt so good under her, all softness and warmth and sweat. She didn’t want to move. Couldn’t move. She couldn’t remember ever coming so hard. Minutes passed before she thought to worry that Seren might be uncomfortable.

  When she opened her eyes, Seren’s were still closed. The sight of her took Paige’s breath. It’d be so easy to fall hopelessly in love.

  Seren looked at her then. “Fuck. That was…so good.”

  “It was. I’m gonna come out, okay?”

  Seren nodded.

  As she slowly eased out, she had to push away the desire to fuck Seren all over again. Seren needed kisses, not more fucking. She placed her hand over Seren’s slit, feeling a rush of protectiveness.

  Seren pushed against her palm, then moaned softly. She’d closed her eyes again and every part of her looked sated. Paige rolled her hand, coating her fingers in Seren’s cum. She’d made Seren this way. Wet and spent.

  After a moment, she settled on Seren’s body, more careful now where she placed her weight. She kissed her lightly, then shifted to the side so the dildo would be out of the way.

  Seren sighed. “I could stay here forever. Right here.”

  “You know how I told you that Davis was basically heaven?”

  “Is this when I’m supposed to say that you were right?”

  “You can say it now or save it for later.”

  Seren smiled. “Does that mean I get you again later?”

  “You could have me again now if you want.”

  “I can’t handle more. You have no idea how hard I came.” Seren reached for Paige’s hand and brought it to her lips, kissing it gently. “Will you stay the night?”

  “I’ll stay as many nights as you want me.”

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  It was a rainy Friday night and Seren was glad she was staying in. With Paige.

  A little over three weeks had passed since their first date. Whether that date was over BLTs or minestrone soup was up for debate, but what wasn’t in question was how seamlessly their lives had folded together. Seren didn’t want to think about the seamless part mostly because she didn’t want to tempt fate—which was silly considering she was the one who kept mentioning how nice it was keeping things casual and commitment free.

  The only time Paige brought up the casual conversation was to joke about casual Fridays. She’d proposed Friday nights as their special together time—both because it was the time they reconnected after their week apart and because of course they kept things casual. They made dinner together, talked over the week, snuggled on the sofa, and ended the night reconnecting in bed. Seren loved it. Especially the reconnecting in bed part. But how much she loved it was beginning to feel like a problem. How long before they weren’t casual? Or was it already serious?

  “Dinner was delicious. Again. Thank you.” Paige rinsed one of the plates and set it in the dishwasher.

  “I’m getting the hang of fish tacos.” The second attempt had definitely been an improvement over the first. “Then again, it might have been that perfect avocado.”

  Paige grinned. “You and avocados. I’m gonna get you an avocado tree one day.”

  “How about tomorrow?”

  “I have to work.”

  Seren dropped her chin. “I know and I don’t like it.” She couldn’t keep the whine out of her voice. “I’ve gotten used to having you all weekend.”

  “I’m only scheduled until two. After that, I’m yours.”

  Seren pursed her lips. “Can I file a complaint with whoever does your scheduling?”