Page 13 of Below the Surface

Mystery? My face must show my confusion because Piper laughs.

“We all need a little mystery in our relationships—in the bedroom. It’s always about discovery. It also needs to be safe, Cam.”

I nod again.

“Take off your coat, Cameron.”

Piper’s voice is authoritative, and I comply. She takes my coat and drapes it over a chair. “Do you know what I want?” she asks me.

“No.”

“I want you to let go of everything tonight—to me.”

I hear myself gulp. How embarrassing.

“Come with me,” Piper says.

I dumbly follow her, expecting to land in her bed. She leads me into her spacious living room. I watch as Piper sits in a plush chair in front of a massive picture window. She crosses her legs and appraises me. “Take off your clothes, Cameron.”

I freeze. Piper’s gaze pins me in place. She says nothing and arches a dark brow. My heart thunders, and I feel an unfamiliar flutter of excitement spread from my core to my clit. I remind myself to inhale and exhale as I awkwardly begin to disrobe.

“You are beautiful,” Piper says. “Keep going, Cameron. I’m tired of imagining what lies beneath those sweaters that cling to you.”

Her compliment sparks a newfound surge of confidence. I rid my body of my sweater and unbutton my jeans. I unzip them slowly and slide them down my legs.

“Everything,” Piper purrs.

I unhook my bra, slide out of my underwear, and blush under the heat of Piper's gaze.

"Do you feel embarrassed?" she asks.

"Yes."

"We need to work on that. You need to trust me, Cameron. Trust that I will always keep you safe. Do you believe me?"

I nod.

"That's not an answer, Cameron."

I'm unaccustomed to Piper's directness and the way it thrills me.

"Answer me, Cameron."

"I believe you."

"Good. Come to me," Piper says.

I walk to her, hoping to appear graceful even as my knees threaten to buckle. Piper's eyes sweep over me as I approach.

"Tell me, Cameron, what do you want right now? Do you want me to touch you, or do you want to touch me?"

I don't need to ponder her question, but don't respond. I'm too afraid to hear Piper's response. I'm too scared to verbalize my desire.

"Cameron. Tell me."

I breathe, and then I speak. "I want to touch you."

Piper smiles. "Kneel on the floor in front of me, Cameron."