“I know,” he said as he settled in. “You can see the Milky Way and all the constellations. See,” he said as he pointed. “There’s the big dipper.”
“I don’t know anything about constellations,” I admitted as I looked up among the stars. “I have seen the Milky Way before, though. But I don’t remember it being this bright.”
“It all depends on the brightness of the moon and where you’re at,” he admitted. We’re actually tucked behind a hill so it’s blocking a lot of the light from town. Add to that it’s almost a New Moon and you have near perfect conditions.”
We lay there in silence for a little while before I felt his hand slip into mine. “Can you see thoe three stars in a line there?” he asked, pointing to the sky. When I nodded, he continued. “That’s Orion’s belt. If you look, you can see the shape of his body and how he’s pulling back a bow.”
I followed where he was pointing, and for the first time, saw a constellation.
“Wow, that’s amazing,” I gasped.
“When I was young, my grandpa told me about Orion. The story went that he fell in love with seven sisters. He chased after them for 12 years before they and he were turned into stars and cast into the night sky. They are Pleiades and should be that cluster over there.” He moved his hand and pointed out a cluster of stars. “Now, Orion is forced to chase them for all eternity,” he said softly.
“That’s so sad,” I said. “Why would he chase after someone for that long?” I couldn’t fathom a love like that. Constantly searching but never finding.
“I’d do it for you,” he said after a moment. “I’d follow wherever you told me to go.” His voice was so quiet, if we’d been anywhere else, I wasn’t sure I would have heard him. Out here, in the silence of the countryside, his words felt like a promise.
I didn’t know how to respond. “That’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me,” I finally said.
“It’s the truth. I can’t help it. I’ve fallen for you, Lily. Hard. I always knew I had feelings for you, but since we’ve reconnected… it’s like they’ve deepened. You’re the last thing I think about when I fall asleep and the first thing I think about in the morning. I worry about you and am always trying to come up with ways to see you.”
I rolled on my side and looked at him. It was dark, but I could still see the apprehension on his face. It had taken a lot for him to admit what he just said. I searched for something to say, but no words seemed to come. The only thing I could remember was my mother telling me to follow my heart and do what felt right.
Reaching over, I touched the side of his face with my hand. I moved closer as he turned his head and looked at me. The scratch of his beard under my palm made my mouth curl up at the corners.
“I don’t deserve this,” I finally said before I lowered my mouth to his. Sean’s arms wrapped around me, pulling me closer to him. His hands began to move across my body, slowly exploring and squeezing as they roamed. He moaned as his hand found my bottom. I arched my body against his, reveling in the feeling of being truly desired. Our heavy breathing the only sound out there among the trees and the dark.
HIs mouth moved to my ear, nibbling before moving down my neck. His hand slid up under my shirt, rough hands kneading my back.
“Mmm, we should stop,” he groaned.
“No,” was all I said. My fingers in his hair, I knew I wouldn’t and couldn’t stop. This raging fire that had started in my belly had blazed to life. There was no way it would be extinguished, not that I wanted it to be.
Tugging at the hem of his shirt, I pulled it over his head and tossed it to the side. I ran my hands down the front of his chest, something I had wanted to do for a while but had grown exponentially since we were at his place. When he’d walked out of his room without his shirt, I’d felt my mouth go dry. He didn’t have the chiseled body of a model, but he was in shape. His muscle rippled under my touch as he inhaled sharply.
“Are you sure?” he finally asked.
I nodded. There was nothing I wanted more. I kicked my shoes off and he did the same. I grabbed the big fluffy charcoal grey blanket I’d brought and draped it over us. The momentary pause cleared the urgency from the air and Sean lifted his hand to my face.
“Just for tonight, you’re mine,” he said. “I don’t want to worry about anything else. Right now, it’s just you and me.”
I nodded and at up just enough to tug my shirt off. I began to shrink underneath the blanket, self conscious of my curvy body.
“Don’t hide,” he said as he laid his hand on the blanket. When I stopped, he moved it to my collarbone. There his fingers lightly fluttered over my skin before sliding lower to the mounds of my breasts still heaving in my bra. From there, they trailed down to my sides and around to my stomach. He toyed with the waistband of my yoga pants before gripping my bottom again.
Shifting his weight, Sean pulled my chest down to his mouth. Delicate kisses trailed along my chest before dipping between my breasts. There, his tounge tasted me before nibbling and lifting my breasts from their cups. I threw my head back as his mouth latched onto my nipple. Tugging it farther into his mouth, I could feel the draw from deep within my womb. All the calm we had found slipped away as my fingernails raked across his skin.
Laying me back, he moved lower, peppering kisses down my stomach. His hands found the waistband of my pants again. He gave me a quick look and when I lifted my hips to help, he didn’t hesitate. Instead, he tugged them off in one quick motion. I shivered, not from the cold but from feeling so exposed. I hadn’t worn any panties underneath the skin tight pants. Sean groaned when he realized there was nothing underneath.
Spreading my legs, he positioned his face near my neatly groomed cleft. His fingers touched me first and I gasped. His touch was so gentle and tender. It was like he was touching a delicate rose, afraid to bruise it. I could feel the heat and moisture spreading as he explored my folds. My eyes went to the sky where I could still see Orion drawing his bow back. Lying there under the heavens, I didn’t feel like what we were doing was wrong. It was a beautiful expression of how we really felt for each other. No one had ever touched me with such urgency yet gentleness.
When his mouth lowered to my mound, his tongue tasting my slick folds, I gasped. Spreading my legs farther I reached for him. His hand found mine and we interlocked our fingers as his mouth continued to move. The other began to touch me lower as he drew my clit between his lips. Fingers probing as ecstasy surged through my veins. I felt as though my soul had begun to lift from my body, the sensations were so intense. I couldn’t recall the last time I’d been pleasured orally.
It was a wonderful feeling but there was something else I wanted more. As he pushed one finger inside me I knew what it was. I wanted him inside me. I needed it. Encouraging him back up with me, he took the hint. He laid beside me but my hand moved to his fly, working the button and then the zipper. He knew what I wanted and helped. Soon, he tugged off his jeans and boxer briefs.
I wrapped my hand around his member, gripping it before moving my hand along it. He was much bigger than I was used to but that just made me yearn to feel him inside me even more. I pushed him onto his back and straddled his waist.
“You don’t have to…,” he began but I put my finger over his mouth.
“I want to,” I said. I felt him relax beneath me as my folds wrapped around his shaft. I didn’t let him enter me. Instead, I ran my slick folds over him. Up and down, rocking against him with my hips tilted so that it was stimulating my little nub. His hands went to my breasts, rolling my nipple between his fingers.
Finally, when I couldn’t stand it anymore, I repositioned the head of his cock at my opening. Ever so slowly, I lowered myself onto him. I made sure I moved achingly slow. Each inch so tantalizing as it spread me farther than I was accustomed to. Finally, I lowered myself completely down onto him, taking him inside me totally.
I allowed my body to get used to the intrusion before I started rocking.
Slower at first until I couldn’t resist picking up the pace. I lost control of myself and began to move much faster. Beneath me, Sean had lowered his hands from my breasts. He gripped my bottom in a way that kept me tight against him. I felt so free in that moment. Free, happy and sexy. Something I wasn’t sure I would ever feel again.
I knew I wasn’t going to last much longer. It was all too good. My body was no longer under my control as I moaned louder and louder in the darkness. Sean was breathing heavily, his moans matching mine.
“I’m close,” he grunted. I knew what he was saying but I didn’t care. I wasn’t going anywhere. I wanted him to stay inside me as long as possible. Rather than stop, I flexed those muscles inside and gripped him even more as the beginnings of my orgasm lapped at me. I tried to keep it at bay but it was too late. Pleasure and release crashed over me just as I felt him begin to shudder below.
I collapsed to his heaving chest, gasping for breath. His hands moved to my back, gently caressing. Once my heart had slowed a bit and I had caught my breath, I sat up just enough to kiss him, our bodies still joined. I could taste my juices on his lips as I attempted to express my feelings through that kiss. I didn’t know what my feelings were in that moment, but I had to show him. Finally, I moved off of him but didn’t go far. He cradled me in his arm as we pulled the blanket up over us.
Chapter 15
Sean
As I laid there in the bed of my old truck with Lily in my arms, I felt like this was probably the closest thing to heaven I’d ever felt. I knew tomorrow or possibly later I would have a million things running through my mind telling me we’d crossed into uncharted territory. I didn’t want her feeling as if she’d made a mistake. There was no way of going back to how we were now. For better or worse, we were past the point of no return.
I knew right then just how much I loved her. They always say to not trust the feeling you have after sex, but this wasn’t sex. I felt as if we had just connected on a cellular level. I’d been with plenty of women in my day and none of them had ever felt like this. The only explanation for it wa that it had to be love.
“I’m sorry if you wanted me to stop,” she finally said.
“I don’t care,” I said. “I just wanted to make sure you knew.”
I felt her nod slowly. “Thank you,” she said as she cuddled up closer to me.
I smiled. “You’re welcome.”
I cast my eyes upward, wondering what would become of all of this. I couldn’t lose her now. I knew she felt something for me and it was obviously more than she felt for her husband. Otherwise, she wouldn’t be there with me. All I needed to do was give her the confidence to leave. I’d do whatever it took to take care of her and her daughter.
* * *
I suddenly opened my eyes, realizing I must have fallen asleep. I must have jumped because Lily stirred, too.
“I must have fallen asleep,” she said sitting up.
“Me, too,” I admitted. “We should probably get you home.”
Giggling, we fumbled around looking for our clothes. Finally, with time we both got redressed. As we climbed out of the back of the truck, I saw Cash curled up beside the back tire.
“Come on, Cash. Time to go,” I said. His head lifted and he yawned.
In companionable silence, we collected all our things. Lily pulled out a box of cheese crackers as we climbed into the truck.
“Want some?” she asked.
I started the truck once I was sure everything was loaded. Turning I nodded. She scooted across the bench seat and popped one in my mouth. I grinned and wrapped my arm around her shoulder. On the trip back into town she would feed me a cracker before eating one herself.
Pulling into town, we realized how late it was. There wasn’t a single car on the quiet roads. As I drove to her house, I felt the real world creeping back in. One look said she did too.
As I pulled up out front, I shut off the truck.
“Thank you,” I said. “For going with me.”
“Thank you for taking me,”she said softly. “I don’t think I’ll ever look at the stars the same again.”
Something inside me felt a stab of panic at her words. Was she trying to tell me that would never be repeated? I internally shook myself. It wouldn’t do me any good to jump to conclusions at this point.
“Good,” I finally said.
“Give me a couple days to think, please?” she asked. I understood what she meant. A lot had happened tonight and she needed time to process it all. I nodded, knowing my voice wouldn’t work through the tightness in my throat.
“Good night,” she whispered as she collected her things and opened the door.
“Good night. I’ll talk to you soon.”
She shut the door and slowly walked up to her house. I didn’t make a move to leave until after she’d made it inside safely. Even then, I waited until lights came on in the house before starting my truck back up and pulling away.
I must have been on auto pilot because I didn’t remember driving back to my place or even climbing the stairs. Maybe it was just a sign of how tired I really was. Before long, I was curled up in bed wishing Lily was still beside me.
I was jerked awake by the sound of my phone ringing. I fumbled around, trying to find it as I forced my gritty eyes open.
“Hello?” I answered without looking to see who it was.
“Sean, it’s Dad,” came the familiar rumble. Instantly, I was awake.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, sitting up.
“It’s your mother. She wasn’t feeling right this morning while we were having our morning coffee on the porch. It progressively got worse until I finally took her to the hospital. They’re trying to find out what’s going on right now. The doctor doesn’t have any solid answers.” I could hear the fear in my Dad’s voice.
“I’ll be there as soon as I can,” I said jumping out of bed. Hanging up, I grabbed a bag and a couple changes of clothes. I’d probably be there at least overnight. I debated messaging Lily but remembered her plea for time to think. She’d let me know when she was ready. I grabbed my bag and keys before calling my dog. “Come on Cash, we gotta go.”
Chapter 16
Lily
I was sitting on the couch trying my best to wade through the whirlpool of emotions I was feeling when Chris entered the front door. His hair was a mess and his face was pale.
“Hey,” he said as he dropped his keys on the table.
“Hey,” I responded. “We need to talk.”
“I don’t want to talk right now,” he whined as he flopped on the couch. I stood and went to the kitchen, grabbing a sports drink out of the fridge before returning and shoving it at him.
“Too bad,” I said. “It’s happening.”
“Why are you being such a bitch?” he ground out.
“Are you serious right now?” I asked, my voice going shrill. “How about the fact that you know I don’t want you drinking hard liquor? Or maybe the fact that my dad said you could have a drink, not twenty?”
“I didn’t have twenty,” he mumbled.
“I don’t give a damn. You certainly had more than one!” I yelled. A fire was lit inside me. I wasn’t backing down this time.
“Maybe I need to unwind from being the only one who pays the bills around here,” he countered. “Maybe I wouldn’t drink so much if you had a job?”
“You’re seriously trying to blame me for your addiction?” I asked incredulously.
“If the shoe fits,” he downed the sports drink and pulled off his wrinkled shirt. He tossed it on the floor and kicked his feet up on the coffee table. “Why don’t you go make me something to eat?” he said as I stood there fuming. He leaned his head back on the couch and closed his eyes.
I couldn’t believe his audacity. He thought he was going to come in here and kick back after what he’d done and get treated like a king. He truly expected me to wait on him hand and foot while he acted like I was the source of all his problems.
“N
o,” I said coldly. I crossed my arms across my chest and leveled my gaze at him.
He opened his eyes and looked at me seriously. “Knock it off, Lily.”
“No. Not this time, Chris. I’m done being pushed around by you. If you want something to eat, get it yourself.”
He stood quicker than I would have expected, a fire burning in his bloodshot eyes. “What the hell do you think you’re doing?” He took the couple of steps and got in my face. Part of me wanted to shrink and cower. To apologize and do what he said. The old me would have. But thanks to Sean, I didn’t feel the need anymore.
“Showing you what I think of the way you treat me,” I said evenly. I looked him right in the eye, ignoring the putrid smell of his breath. The mixture of blue sports drink, vomit and leftover booze assaulting my nostrils.
He raised his hand quickly, as though he were going to slap me but caught himself.
“Seriously? You’re going to hit me now, too?” I asked, almost daring him. “Go ahead, see how fast you end up in the back of a cop car.”
I could tell he wanted to do it. There was hatred in his eyes, that was evident. After a couple of breaths he backed up and lowered his hand while moving toward his recliner. I thought he was going to sit down and it would all be over. I felt my shoulders relax until I realized he was digging in the chair, not sitting down. When he straightened, I saw he had a liquor bottle in his hand. It was roughly three-quarters full.
“Are you serious right now?” I asked. He turned and looked at me with a “what are you going to do” gaze and unscrewed the lid. His eyes never leaving mine, he tipped it back and took numerous large swallows. When he lowered it, he gave a satisfied grin.
“I’m done,” I said. I stormed into our room and grabbed a bag off the closet shelf. I wasn’t doing this anymore. I didn’t care to watch him drink his life away. I began pulling clothes out of the dresser and jamming them into the bag.
“What are you doing?” he asked as he leaned against the door.
Friends with benefits: Erotica Page 7
