I wander over to the couch, plop down… and wait. Wait on Henley to give me time to pull it together. I want to show her that she’s more than just a quick fuck. I honestly want to know her. Know why she is so secretive about everything. Where does she live? Why is she in this city alone? Is she in trouble? Maybe running or hiding from somebody. Or she may be in the Witness Protection Program. Fuck! This girl is driving me damn near insane with all the secrets and mystery that surrounds her.
I bow my head before covering my eyes with my hands.
“So what are you thinking about?” Henley’s raspy voice drags me away from my thoughts.
I lift my head and take in her long-toned legs, flat stomach, and small, pert breasts. She’s standing in front of me, wearing nothing but a pair of tiny red panties. My cock twitches in my jeans and I have to hold my hands together to keep from pulling her almost naked body onto my lap.
“I really hope you know what you’re doing,” I mumble.
She tosses a condom toward me, before saying, “I know exactly what I’m doing.”
Somebody has either planned ahead or been digging around in my nightstand. Either way, I like this sexy, confident woman standing in front of me. I grab the foil packet and fling it onto the cushion next to me.
Her hands slide down her chest, grazing each nipple slowly before continuing to her underwear. She latches a finger around each tiny strip of material that make up those fucking almost nothing panties and shimmies them past her narrow hips and down her legs to the floor. She takes a step toward me, and then another, before kicking her panties off behind her.
“You’re so fucking beautiful,” I groan.
“And you have on too many clothes,” she breathes before dropping to her knees. Henley spreads my legs apart then twists and turns until she fits perfectly between my thighs. She doesn’t waste a second as her fingers work quickly to unfasten my jeans.
My dick is hard, throbbing, and begging to be released. My first thought is to push her back and take over, because I can free myself from the confinements of my clothes in about two seconds. But when I lift my gaze to hers, I see nothing but pure lust and determination. Her bottom lip is between her teeth, and her face is flushed.
Who the fuck am I kidding? I can’t just sit back and do nothing. The craving to be inside her is too strong.
She manages to unfasten my jeans, and then we both grab them at the same time.
“These need to come off. Now,” she demands.
I lift my ass off the couch while she tugs, and I let her until my pants are wrapped around my ankles. Her hands are everywhere but where they need to be, and my dick is aching, needing her touch.
She kneads her small fingers into the skin of my thighs while moving upward toward my erection. I close my eyes and drop my head back. Her gentle touch is followed by kissing and nibbling.
“Fuck,” I groan.
Every time her teeth sink into my leg, my cock grows a little harder. I shift my body, because that mouth of hers is driving me crazy. I need her on top of me or under me. The details aren’t important, but this teasing thing she’s doing is going to cause me to lose my mind. She stops and lifts her head. Her eyes find mine just as her tongue darts out, licking those full pink lips.
“Come here,” I whisper. I lean forward and slide my hands over her warm skin, lifting her into my lap.
“But I wanted to make you feel good,” she whimpers.
“Fuck. Baby, you were driving me beyond crazy. I need to be inside you, now.”
Henley pouts for a couple seconds and then nuzzles her face into my neck. Her body starts moving, slowly and purposefully. She rolls her hips once, twice, and on the third time, her breathing becomes heavy and erratic. Her clit slides over my cock with each roll of her hips, and I swear to God I can’t breathe.
A soft whimpering moan escapes from somewhere inside her throat before she sighs, and says, “Oh, Caleb, this feels so good.”
I’m done holding back. I wrap one arm around her waist, and whisper, “Lift up for me, baby.”
I grab the foil packet off the cushion beside me and rip it open. As soon as she lifts her body from mine, I roll the condom over my erection. Then she slowly lowers herself onto my aching cock and it feels… So. Fucking. Good.
I shift us slightly forward, and her arms immediately wrap around my neck. She pulls my face into her chest as she rides my cock slow and steady.
“Oh, God. Caleb,” she moans.
My tongue brushes her right nipple and then her left. I do this again and again until her movements become stronger and harder. She’s suddenly more aggressive, riding me up and down, up and down, ending each series of movements with a deep circular motion. Fuck! Her speed increases. Faster and harder. She’s moaning, whimpering, and panting. Her eyes flutter closed as she throws her head back. This feeling is so fucking intense, and I don’t want it to ever end.
“Come on, baby, ride me! Fuck me, harder. Harder!” I growl.
My mouth is back on her nipples, sucking and licking them hard and fast. Just like her movements.
Her tight, wet pussy spasms around my cock. She’s close. So fucking close. She’s chasing the feeling that probably starts at her toes and ricochets throughout her body. I want to be there with her. Both of us falling over the edge together. She lifts her head up and our eyes meet. Her tongue darts out over her lips a couple times and she has no idea how sexy she is.
The walls of her pussy contract and then spasm over and over again. Her eyes never leave mine. She’s watching, waiting for me to get to that place where my toes curl and my body loses control.
I grab her ass and hold her on top of me as I thrust into her a couple more times and holy fuck… I’m there.
“Fuuuck!” I yell as I explode deep inside her.
She rolls her hips a few more times, milking every bit of my orgasm from me.
Our eyes remain locked as she lowers her mouth to mine. Her tongue juts out, tasting my bottom lip before she pulls away.
She smiles at me as her brown eyes flutter closed. Her hands move across my chest, upward to my neck. Fire burns underneath my skin with her every touch. Then she uses one finger to slowly trace the outline of my lips. Once, twice, and finally, a third time. Each movement is deliberate and fucking sexy as hell. A chill runs through my body. What the hell? I’m a guy. Chicks don’t give me chills.
I shake off the feeling, before asking her, “What was that?”
She cups my face and leans in toward me. “I want to always remember your lips and how they make me feel. When I close my eyes and use my fingertips to touch something, it will stay in my memory forever.”
There it is again, the chill followed by the warmth of her lips as she pulls my face in and kisses me. Long and hard.
When she tears away from the kiss, I lift her body off mine and I immediately miss her touch. The way I’m feeling right now is fucking terrifying. Henley has somehow found her way into my heart, and it scares the shit out of me.
How did I let myself become this person so soon? I’m sure it’s because she is the first chick I’ve been with since I’ve been sober. I push the worry out of my mind. I have no room for any negativity in my life. I don’t hold back. I take what I want. No waiting and no regrets. And absolutely no second-guessing my decisions.
“Will you stay?” I ask her as I stand and get rid of the condom.
“All night?” she questions, with her big brown eyes staring at me with uncertainty.
“No, just for about twenty more minutes, and then I’m kicking your ass out.” I chuckle.
She hugs her naked body and shivers without uttering a sound.
“Yes, all night,” I tell her, because it’s obvious now she is so fucking unsure of our situation. Which I hate, because I want her to know she is important to me and that I’m not going to fuck her, wad her up, and toss her out with the trash.
I don’t give her time to respond before lifting her up off the couch. She squeals and then laughs out
loud.
“What are you doing?” she asks between squeals and laughter.
“Taking you to bed,” I tease.
“I didn’t say I would stay all night. And plus, I can walk, you know.” She wraps her arms around my neck as I carry her into the bedroom.
“Yeah, I know you can walk, but I’m not taking any chances on you leaving.”
I lay her across my bed, and she immediately maneuvers her body under the cover. I slide in behind her and grab her naked body, pulling her into mine. Her skin is warm against my touch, but I know she’s cold. So I press against her harder and pull her into me tighter.
“There. Is this better?” I whisper into her neck.
“Perfect,” she breathes as she twists her body slightly, pressing her ass into my cock.
“Henley,” I mumble.
“Yes, Caleb?”
Her body relaxes into mine. This sexy little tease knows exactly what she’s doing.
“If you don’t stop wiggling your ass like that, there will not be any sleeping tonight. Unless that’s what you want,” I tell her.
She laughs softly and grabs my arms, wrapping them around her.
“This is what I want. Can we lie here forever, just like this?” She sighs.
“Whatever you want, baby. Whatever the fuck you want.”
Twenty-Three
Caleb
“I have a dilemma,” I tell Mike as I sip my coffee. Today’s a fucking great day. I have a feeling it’s probably going to be a day I’ll remember for a long time. Henley has been in my bed almost every night for close to two months. Two months. A short period of time, but our relationship has made so much progress. No, she hasn’t told me much about herself. Well, not really anything other than she teaches kids that are visually impaired. So, at least I don’t have to worry about her making enough money performing on the streets to pay her rent and eat. She does it because she loves music. And she gives all of that money to the homeless. She’s such an amazing person—once you get past all her bitchiness. Which I happen to find extremely sexy.
Tonight, we are going to hear a band play at one of the bars on Bourbon Street. Tonight is for her. She loves music. It’s her thing, her favorite pastime. She enjoys reading about the music industry, playing her guitar, and going to concerts or bars to hear some of her favorite bands play.
Now, me on the other hand, I couldn’t really care less about going. I just don’t have that love for music that she does. Although, when I was a teenager, my grandfather taught me to play the guitar. Well, he really just taught me to play three or four songs, because that’s all he could play. After he died, I continued to play those few songs, but it wasn’t the same without him around to hear me. I used to hang out with him on the weekends, and we would play those same songs repeatedly until they were seared into my brain. I had my own guitar at one point, but I’m not sure what happened to it. It’s probably in Vegas with my soul.
“If this dilemma includes a wedding reception with an open bar, a concert with a paying bar, a sporting event, or anything else involving alcohol, then I’m gonna have to tell you don’t do it. Don’t risk the temptation,” he explains between gulps of coffee and smacking down a beignet.
How in the fuck did he know what I was going to say?
“Tonight is kind of a big deal for me and Henley.” I rub my jaw and watch his facial expression change from skepticism to curiosity. Then I continue, “She’s really starting to open up a little more. She’s actually going to let me pick her up at her apartment. I know it sounds ridiculous to be together as much as we are and me never seeing her place, but that’s her, and I have to let her be who she is if I want to be with her. And I do want to be with her, more than anything.” There. I said it. Even if I did sound like a pussy.
“I’m not a counselor, man. I’m only your sponsor. I’m not programmed to help you with your relationship stuff, but what I can tell you is don’t open yourself up for failure, and truthfully, you’re not far enough along in your recovery to cope with a relationship. But, as I said, I’m not touching that. Just be careful tonight and call me if you need to. You know I’m available to you twenty-four seven,” he says. Then he’s out of his chair and walking away. He’s so fucking predictable. I guess predictable is good at this point in my life.
* * *
My phone vibrates in my pocket. I glance at the clock on the wall—6:00 p.m. Time to get the hell out of here. I finish cleaning my station before locking it up and heading out into the lobby. Rex is leaning against the counter, talking to a couple customers, when he sees me out of the corner of his eye. He immediately shifts his weight, turning his back toward me. I try to hold back a smile as I head out the door.
Even though it’s been a couple months since the day I broke his nose, he’s still not speaking to me. Thankfully, neither he nor Brant breathed a word to Smitty, so I still have a job and a place to live. I guess all is good. Including the fact that he’s not talking to me. My work environment has never been better. He saves all his rude, smartass comments for Brant or whoever will listen to them, because, thank fuck, it’s no longer me.
I pull my phone out of my pocket as I climb the stairs to my apartment. The text is short and simple.
Henley: 132 Tower Street (Walk out of your apartment and turn right. Seven blocks and you’re there). See you at 7!
It makes me happy to see she’s using her phone. Even though I know she doesn’t like the whole idea of carrying it around with her, I feel a whole lot better knowing she has it. I don’t text her back, because she knows that nothing would keep me from showing up at her place tonight. The only problem is I can’t go to the bar with her. I feel guilty as hell, but Mike’s words kept playing over and over in my mind today. I know he’s right. I don’t need to be in an environment that promotes drinking. It’s what’s best for my recovery and me. I just hope Henley understands.
I guess because I’m not able to go with her that I’ll need to tell her why. It’s time. She needs to know about my past and how it will affect our lives. She already has a good idea that I’ve had problems with drugs and alcohol, but I’ve never actually told her the entire story of why. I’m just thankful I’m sober and happy.
Twenty-Four
Henley
“I’m sorry, babe, but I can’t go tonight,” Caleb tells me. His voice is different. Not rough or deep, but full of disappointment. He leans on the doorframe with his arms folded across his chest. I blink twice before I’m fully able to focus on his saddened face.
My response… the only word I can force out is, “Okay.” I hope he doesn’t notice the dejection I’m feeling right now. Because I was so looking forward to tonight.
“Do you have to leave, or can you stay for a while?” I ask. Because I don’t want him to go. At least, not yet. I was so excited. I’m still excited that I finally got up the nerve to invite him to my place. It’s taken me a couple months to gain enough trust in our relationship to feel like I could have him over. Now, it appears he has other plans. Plans that don’t include me.
“I can stay. I mean, I want to stay if you want me to stay.” He cocks his head slightly, before continuing, “I just can’t go with you to the bar. But I still want you to go, because I know how much you’ve been looking forward to tonight.”
“I was only looking forward to it, because you were going with me. I don’t want to go by myself.” I move from in front of the open door and motion for him to come in.
He pushes himself off the edge of the door and steps around me, making his way into the open room. Yes, it’s a small studio apartment, but I have everything I need. A bed, couch, television, and a kitchen in the back corner. The only other room is the bathroom. I’m perfectly content and happy with this place. Watching him scan my home with concern on his face makes me sad. He’s not judging me, because Caleb’s not that type of person. But I do think he’s wondering why I choose to live in such a small area.
“Not a whole lot of space.” He gest
ures toward my living area, bedroom, and kitchen all contained in this one room. “Do you have everything you need here?” He does another quick scan of the entire place and then walks exactly ten steps across the floor to the kitchen.
“Yes, of course I do,” I say as I move toward him. “It’s only me, so why would I need more?” I stop directly in front of him and stare into those deep brown eyes. God, why does he have to be so damn breathtaking? Even though I’m a little upset he just told me he can’t go with me tonight, I suddenly don’t care anymore. Sure, I was looking forward to going to the Copper Penny and listening to a great band. But sometimes plans must be changed, and if I want this to work out between us, I must give a little and not go into bitch mode when I don’t get my way. So I stand here in front of this amazing guy and wonder what I did to deserve him. I smile at that thought.
“You’re smiling,” he whispers before leaning into me and grazing my cheek with his lips. God, he’s so fucking sexy. Then he continues, “I figured you’d be pissed, because I know how bad you wanted to go hear… umm. What is the name of that band again?” he breathes into my neck.
I swear my knees are about to fold, so I grab his arms. Then I rise to my toes and move my head slightly to the right, giving him better access.
“I don’t remember,” I moan. His lips trail long, slow kisses down my neck. My breath catches when his tongue darts between his lips and licks my shoulder.
I grab the hem of his T-shirt and lift it until he maneuvers it over his head. His lips only leave my skin for a brief second, but that’s too long. Even after two months of being with him every night, I can’t get enough. Never enough.
“What are you doing, Henley?” he asks as he scoops me up into his arms and carries me over to the bed.
“Hmm…” I rest my head on his chest. His heart is humming a quick beat against my ear. I love knowing I have the same effect on him as he does on me.
Beautiful Tomorrow: A Twisted Fate Novel Page 12
