by Jenn Sable
Clay’s chest shook with laughter. “Jesus. I didn’t know what to think.” Clay gently pulled my sports bra back into place and withdrew his hand from underneath my sweatshirt.
His lips grazed my forehead, and his arms circled me.
I pressed my hands to the sides of my cheeks, unsuccessfully willing my blush to subside.
“Hey, you guys!”
I rolled my eyes, and Clay raised his brows. “You’d better tend to your messages.”
I reluctantly let go of Clay and grabbed my cell off the kitchen counter, where I had it charging. I had three new messages, all from Tess.
Tess: Did you open my gift yet?
Tess: Clearly, you didn’t because you would’ve texted.
Tess: I know that it’s not my typical present, but I think it’s highly appropriate for this birthday. You should start using them right away!
"Oh my God, she's relentless."
Clay smiled as he collected our chocolatey forks and closed the dessert box. "Tess?"
"Yeah, she wants me to open up my gift right now."
Clay put the forks in the sink, rinsed off his hands, and wiped them on a towel. "I'm ready if you are."
I nodded. I grabbed the small gift box and placed it on the kitchen island between Clay and me. I removed the bow and tore the wrapping paper from the sides. A square piece of paper slid out of the box as I opened the lid.
Clay reached for the paper. "Rose quartz."
"Oh, she must have gotten me some crystals. Rose quartz is supposed to symbolize love and she's been lecturing me on my weak love life. She said in her text that I need to start using them right away."
I pulled back the tissue paper and stared at the three egg-shaped crystals ranging from small, medium, and large. Clay reached in and pulled one out by the string that had been drilled through the egg at the narrow end. He looked back at the paper. "They are called yoni eggs. You're supposed to wash them thoroughly before inserting them into your . . ."
I grabbed the slip of paper out of his hand and slammed the little lid shut. "Oh, my God. Give that to me." I grabbed the yoni egg back from Clay.
He chuckled. "I have no idea what's going on, but I'm Googling yoni egg later. Because I'm pretty certain that you're supposed to put those inside your vagina."
I gaped at him. "Clay!"
His eyes widened. "What? It's okay. I'm a modern man. I know things." He winked, which made me want to die.
I rubbed a hand over my forehead. "Tess said, wait until you get home to open the gift. I didn't realize that I should have been home alone."
Clay walked over and pulled me into his arms. "It's okay seriously. I think it's hilarious. I'm curious as to why she told you to start using them right now.
I sighed and pulled back from him. "Do you really want to know?"
Clay grinned, and mischief crossed his eyes. "In the worst way, yes."
He looked genuinely curious. "When Tess moved into her new apartment, I slept over the first night and helped her celebrate the new space. Somewhere between the first and second bottle of wine, we came up with a brilliant idea to make a list of silly things we wanted to do before we turned thirty."
Clay's eyes sparkled. "And what did you want to do before you turn thirty?"
I took a deep breath. "Oh, you know, I wanted to go hug a sequoia tree, book a flight to Iceland to see the northern lights, climb Mount Rushmore."
“I never thought about hugging a sequoia tree before, but I do like to travel. If you want a travel partner, I’d love to help you complete all the items on your list.”
I swallowed. “I also wrote down that I’d like to have a one-night stand.”
Clay's eyes grew dark, and his lips parted. "Oh yeah? Well, if you need any help, I’m your guy." His voice had turned gravelly, causing a lightning storm of flutters to tickle across my stomach.
I thought back to my out of control pubic hair and silently cursed at myself. I licked my lips, and Clay's eyes dropped to watch. "I’ll keep that in mind, thanks."
He smiled and pulled me back against him. "I just thought I'd offer, and your birthday isn't until Sunday, so if you change your mind, just let me know."
*****
This year’s annual chili cook-off was the best attended one in its seventeen-year history. I blamed the fair weather, the full moon, and the fact that Sherm Porter invited his new Rockstar friend, Robby Lennox.
I tried not to groan in frustration when Aunt Leona announced that she’d discovered another case of wine in the cellar when things finally seemed to be winding down for the evening. My gaze connected with Tess’s across the living room, and I mouthed, “Let’s escape.” She chuckled and nodded.
Tess had been a trooper and helped me all day to round up empty bowls, refill drinks, restock chili fixins, and keep the trash bins from overflowing. She looked like I felt utterly exhausted.
A warm hand squeezed mine and I turned to see Aunt Eve standing beside me smiling and rosy-cheeked. Her salt and pepper curls looked tousled.
"Have you been dancing?" I laughed and smoothed down a few wayward curls.
"Yes, I have. Robby Lennox asked me to dance with him in the backyard a few times." She tried to hide her smile behind a sip of warm cider.
I arched a brow. "Dancing under a full moon is a new addition to our chili cook-off."
She blushed a pretty pink and stammered a bit. "Yes, typically, I avoid it. Chili and dancing, well, you know, all those beans mixed with movement can sometimes lead to indigestion."
I laughed, imagining a yard full of gassy dancers.
Aunt Eve leaned in and lowered her voice. “But I've never been asked to dance by a Rockstar before. And now that I have, I find that I quite like dancing under a full moon."
Tess joined us. "Dancing under a full moon? Eve, you heathen."
Aunt Eve's ruby lips curled, and her eyes sparkled. "I am. Full moons do something to a person."
Tess laughed and pressed fingers to her temple. "You're telling me. During the last full moon, I was on a date with a guy who told me that he liked to strip naked and let the moonlight shine on him. Then he invited me along!"
"You went on a date with a werewolf? I guess I shouldn't be surprised." I turned to see Scott Dunn holding a glass of wine in one hand and a beer in the other.
Tess crossed her arms and leaned on one hip. "Mind your own business, Scott."
Scott frowned. "I've never been any good at that."
"That's an understatement." Tess rolled her eyes.
Aunt Eve chuckled. "You two have always been at each other's throats. I remember the days that your parents hoped that something would develop between you."
Tess started choking at the notion, and Scott pressed his glass of wine in her hand. "Here, sip this. Maybe it will make you nicer."
Tess stopped fake-choking and glared at him. "Go find a friend to talk to."
Aunt Eve swatted Tess. "Tessy, Scott's welcome to stay and chat."
Scott smiled triumphantly. "Why don't you try taking a sip of your wine, Testy."
Tess straightened her spine and looked indignant. "It's Tessy, not Testy. Only my close friends and relatives are allowed to call me that, which doesn't include you."
Scott sipped at his amber colored ale. "Whatever you say, Testy."
Aunt Eve rolled her eyes and smiled at me. "Where’s Clayton? I thought maybe I'd see the two of you twirling through the yard.”
I felt my smile dim. "I'm not sure. I invited him last night and texted him again this afternoon. He said that he was unfortunately swamped with a project, but that he'd try to stop by."
Aunt Eve patted me on the back. "If he doesn't make it, then he's the one who missed out."
"He said he had a nice time last night." Scott smiled wolfishly.
All eyes turned to me. I felt my cheeks grow warm, and I cursed my fair skin.
"Oh. Well, he dropped my Jeep off last night, and then I just took him home."
Scott arched a bro
w. "So, there was no chocolate cake?"
Aunt Eve blinked. "Chocolate cake, late at night? Welcome to the heathen club."
Tess giggled, and I flashed her a warning look. "Oh yeah, that. I picked up an extra piece of chocolate cake from Mama Viola’s last night, where Tess and I had dinner and shared a piece with Clay."
Oh, my God, why do I feel like I'm seventeen and have to explain myself?
Scott shrugged. "Well, for what it's worth, Clay said that it tasted delicious. I met him for breakfast this morning at Patty's Pancake House."
A tall, blue-eyed, silver-haired man with tan skin and a body that most younger men could only hope for, slapped a hand on Scott's shoulder and leaned into our conversation. "What's everyone doing inside when there's music outside?"
Eve giggled and Robby Lennox winked at her.
Scott laughed. "Robby, it's great to see you again and you're right, we should be outside dancing."
Eve reached out and took a hold of Robby's extended hand. "First let me introduce you to my niece, Melissa, and her best friend, Tess."
Robby pulled Eve to his side and shook both shaking our hands. "It's nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you both."
"Both of them?" Scott asked, casting a wary eye toward Tess.
Robby chuckled. "Come on, a good song is playing, and I am hoping that Eve will give me another chance to hold her under the stars."
Eve's eyes twinkled. "All right, let's go. Scott, girls, come join us."
Scott peered over at Tess. "After you, Testy."
Tess rolled her eyes but followed Eve and Robby toward the back deck. I stayed rooted in place.
Scott glanced back and stopped. "Are you coming, Mel?"
I shook my head. "No, you guys go ahead. There are a few things that I need to do in here. I'll wander out later."
Scott locked eyes with me and extended his hand. "Come on. I’d love to spin you around the backyard."
A warm hand settled on the small of my back. "Excuse me, but her first dance is already spoken for." Clay's warm voice rumbled from behind my ear and Scott smiled.
"It's about time, man. I was beginning to think that I'd have to come over and pull out."
Clay laughed. "Yeah, it's been a long day." Clay walked up and pulled me to his side. His warmth and his intoxicating scent of soap, pine, and mint instantly made me want to melt against the hard plane of his body.
Scott sighed dramatically. "All right then. Well, I guess I'll go slip on a jockstrap and ask Testy for a dance."
Clay smirked. "That'a boy."
Scott disappeared into the crowd and made his way toward the back deck. I turned and slid my hands around Clay's waist and looked up into his surprised gray eyes. "I was hoping that you’d make it tonight. I found myself scanning the crowd for you all night."
"Oh yeah?" His voice was low and gravelly and made my stomach flutter.
"Yes, I missed you tonight."
Clay cupped my cheeks with his massive hands and pressed his lips to mine. The kiss was brief, chaste even, but waves of tingles radiated from my core and tickled their way down my arms and legs. I was surprised that I didn't float away.
I slowly blinked my eyes open. Clay's left cheek rounded in a half-smile. "I missed you too. Dance with me?"
I nodded. Clay let go of my cheeks and slid his hand over mine and led me to the back yard. My eyes connected with Aunt Leona's, her brows rose, and a slow smile spread across her face as Clay continued to guide us through the crowd.
Stepping outside felt terrific compared to the powder keg of body heat the house had turned into. I inhaled deeply and relished the feel of the fresh air in my lungs. The backyard had been transformed into another gathering space. The yard sported tables, chairs, a giant pyramid of hay bales covered in pumpkins, and a dancefloor outlined with the glow of lights.
Clay pulled me closer to him, and his strong arms wrapped around my back, instantly warming me and making me feel safe. Mr. Lyttle from down the street, yelled over to us. “You two kids look good together!” He laughed and shook his head. “Clay, it’s great to see you back home for a change. Good luck with the job in Alaska.”
I immediately tensed, and Clay felt it. “Come on, let’s go over here, where we have more room to dance.” He guided us to the far corner of the yard and tipped my chin up to look into my eyes.
“You okay?”
I nodded jerkily but kept silent. Clay tilted his head and exhaled. “Talk to me.”
“Oh, it’s nothing.” I tried to play off the sting of Mr. Lyttle’s comment about Clay’s leaving. But there was no way around it, several days from now Clay would be gone. For years. Sure, he’d have a little time to visit back home but nothing beyond the holidays. What kind of relationship could form based on that weak of a foundation?
“Mel. Are you upset over my going away soon?” Clay’s gray eyes bored into mine, and I blinked, scared he might actually be able to read my thoughts.
“Isn’t it silly? You just got home after all this time, and I feel like I’m being cheated somehow now that you have to leave again. I mean, it’s downright stupid.”
Clay cupped my cheeks and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “Hey, it’s not stupid. It’s perfectly understandable. I might just be speaking for myself here, but I think you feel it too. Something powerful is beginning to grow between us.”
I took hold of his wrist and turned my face into his palm and kissed it. “It’s nuts.”
“But true?”
I gazed up at him, frowned, and pressed my lips together in a tight line. “I feel like if I admit it, then it’s only going to be that much worse when you leave.”
He nodded. “Do you want me to back off?”
“No!” I rolled my eyes when he smiled. “See, look how much I like you; I can’t even hide it.”
He nuzzled his forehead against mine. “I like you too, Miss Monroe. I have for a long, long time.”
I giggled. “What should we do about this problem?”
His eyes sparkled. “Let’s just enjoy the time we have. Enjoy every moment of this week, tonight, right now. I’m all in if you are.”
I shook my head, amazed at the turn of events. “I . . . yes, okay. I’m all in. How do we start?”
He smiled and brushed my lips with his. “With a dance.”
Chapter 6 – Clay
The night air turned crisp, and I pulled Melissa closer to me; feeling her curves as we slow danced in the backyard made my entire body ache to be alone with her. She rested her arms on top of my shoulders, and her fingers played absentmindedly on the back of my neck. She gave herself over to the music, swaying and softly humming along to the song. She looked relaxed, her body felt at ease, and she was totally fucking gorgeous.
I swallowed back a groan when she closed her eyes, stepped closer, and nestled her cheek against my chest. We fit together nicely, and I liked the feel of her head near my heart. The sight of her crown of ebony tucked under my chin, the growing heat from the friction of our swaying bodies, and the smell of her sweet honey and cinnamon scent stirred my senses. It also awoke my inner protector.
I had the unexplainable urge to pick her up like she was a bride and dance in slow circles with her in my arms. Between Melissa’s warmth and my buzzing brain, my shaft started to thicken in my pants. I couldn’t be this close to Melissa, feel her, smell her sweet scent, and not become aroused.
She is lovely.
“Clay?”
“Hmm?”
“Will you take me home tonight?”
I pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “Of course.”
She was silent for a moment. “Will you stay?”
I stopped dancing and cupped her cheeks. Her warm brown eyes looked so trusting and vulnerable. “Yes, of course.”
She nodded and released a jagged breath.
“Come here.” I tilted her chin until I could capture her upturned lips. I brushed my lips over hers with unhurried, feather-light kisses that weren’t meant
to arouse but to reassure.
She gripped the collar of my jacket and tugged, breaking the kiss. “Look, I haven’t been intimate with a man since Michael.”
“What?” The question tumbled out of my mouth before I had time to think about it.
“Yeah. I’m not a prude or sexless, but it’s been a while.” She talked fast and looked straight at my chest while she did, shaking her head a little bit as if she were trying to tell herself to stop talking.
My mind raced with a way to respond that didn’t cause her to feel self-conscious. “Okay.”
“I just wanted to tell you that because, well, I don’t know. I’m eager, but a little out of practice and maybe a little clumsy. I have no idea.”
I cupped her cheeks. “Thank you for telling me.”
She smiled sheepishly. “Am I nailing this seduction thing, or what?”
Chuckling, I nodded. “A man hearing that a woman’s selective with her partners is a turn-on. And all that matters is that we’re here together tonight. I’m a lucky man to spend your birthday-eve with you.” I grazed my lips over the back of her knuckles.
“My birthday-eve? I like the sound of that.” Her voice was gentle, and her eyes were so shiny they reflected the stars.
I rubbed a hand over my chest. Something felt off. The longer I looked into Melissa’s eyes, the more my heart felt like it was too big for the confines of my ribcage. What the hell is happening?
Time spent with Melissa was good for my soul, but dangerous for my heart. I tried to rationalize why it felt like I’d just dropped off a cliff and dove head-first into a feeling I had no words for.
I pushed away my worry, pressed my lips to her forehead, and spoke against it. “Melissa?”
“Yes?”
“Tonight, you’ll set the pace. I can hold you all night, dressed head to toe, or we can explore every inch of one another. I don’t care, as long as you know that I’m wild about you.”
She tilted back far enough to lock eyes with me. We stared at one another for a long beat. “Do you want to get out of here?”
My heart hammered against my ribs. “Yeah. How about you make your rounds and say goodbyes, and I’ll meet you at your Jeep in a few minutes. I want to run home and grab a few things.”
