by Amy Sumida
Doug started to cough as he choked on air. His mouth, fuelled with desire, tightened as his eyes focused on scanning the room, in search of a dark corner. Grabbing her hand, he spun dragging her behind him. “Fuck. Yes.”
She grinned at his words. He echoed her thoughts exactly.
He led her over to an empty, dark corner opposite the entry doors containing a conversational grouping consisting of a love seat and two empty armchairs with a coffee table between them. He spun her around. “You’re too short for what I have in mind,” he said against her lips as they captured hers. Backing her up until her legs hit the table, he lowered himself onto the love seat, pulling her down on top of him. His lips never left hers.
The pressure of his mouth softened, less demanding, but no less potent. The smoothness of his lips slid across hers. His light stubble grazing against her skin held none of the pleasure pain sensation it provided during their first kiss. Her sundress flared as she straddled his lap. A moan broke free at the rough texture of his linen pants on the bare skin of her inner thighs as she rocked against him.
Her moan provided the opportunity for his tongue to sweep into her mouth. This time it didn’t dominate. Instead it mapped out each crevice, nook, and cranny before pausing to stroke hers. He held his hands firmly on her waist holding her to him.
She sucked the length of his tongue and was rewarded when his covered erection brushed against her clit. She did it again and again, receiving the same response, driving her higher and higher.
Doug pulled his lips away from hers. Worry crossed his face. His breath became ragged as his shoulders heaved. “Darling. My darling, you’re going to be the death of me.” He brought his forehead to rest against hers.
“Me?” She tried to chuckle, but didn’t have the air to do it.
Her pulse pounded under her skin. Closing her eyes, she focused on breathing in through her nose and out through her mouth, practicing her belly breathing as she tried to get enough oxygen in. He pulled back, and she knew he was worried.
“I’m fine,” she spit out with a smile as her breathing slowed. Her shoulders dropped as she relaxed.
“I’m sorry. I can’t seem to control myself around you.” He reached up to stroke her check with his thumb.
She leaned into his palm. “While you do take my breath away, I think it was the smoke in the air that made it difficult to breathe.” Leaning forward, she placed a closed mouth kiss on his lips before resting her head on his chest. “Next time we’ll pick a better location.”
Doug chuckled. The rumbles of his chest shook her. “Can’t wait.” He peered towards the door as Jason and Chad entered the club. “Darling, the others have arrived. We should probably go meet them.”
Nodding, she pushed herself up from his chest. He helped her to stand and smooth down her sundress. She patted her hair. “How does it look?”
Reaching out, he tucked a single strand of hair behind her ear allowing his fingers to trail along her cheek and down her neck. “You’re beautiful.” He stood, entwining her fingers with his as he led her over to where he could see Chad and Jason.
— Jason —
“You look flushed.” Chad reached for Aria’s empty hand.
Wrapping his fingers around her wrist while holding her hand, he subtly took her pulse. He searched her body for any other signs of distress as his fingers on his second hand tapped the rhythm of her breathing on his thigh.
“Um.” She shot a sideways glance to Doug who stared wide-eyed back at her. “It was just a little hot dancing.” Her skin flushed darker as she stood under Chad’s scrutiny.
Jason chuckled at he watched Aria squirm while Doug stood there smirking.
Hot from dancing, riiiight.
Heat from dancing didn’t give her that swollen, just kissed appearance. If he had any concerns before about this plan of theirs, they disappeared. She looked absolutely desirable when they walked in, making him want to take her into a dark corner to finish whatever Doug started. He decided to be nice and help her out.
“It does seem a little on the hot side in here”—he fanned his shirt at the neckline—“Care to come to the bar with me for drinks?”
“I’d love to.” Aria gave him a grateful smile as she pulled her hand out of Doug’s. She took the hand Jason held out. She peeked over her shoulder and stuck out her tongue at Doug. “Can we bring either of you something back?”
“I’ll take a beer.” Chad pulled her close to kiss her temple. “Thanks.”
Doug chuckled and rolled his eyes. “I’ll take one, too.”
“Sure thing.” Jason leaned in and kissed Doug on the temple.
“What the fuck?” Doug pushed Jason away as he swiped at his temple. His nose wrinkled in disgust, but the laughter in his eyes told a different story. His eyes met Chad’s as identical grins broke across their face.
Jason laughed as he led Aria away, not believing how light hearted he felt. It had been years since the last time he joked this way with the guys.
— Aria —
Aria shook her head as she led Jason through the crowd over to the bar. His body crowded up behind her, and his arm went around her waist protectively as she stepped next to the bar.
He placed his other arm on the bar, completely enveloping her within as he rested his head against the side of hers. “So, really hot on the dance floor, huh?” Mirth filled his voice.
She rolled her eyes at his teasing even though her heart dropped through her chest. Worry made her too scared to turn around. Did he know she kissed Doug? Probably a safe assumption if she looked like she did after kissing him. If so, why was he joking about it? Shouldn’t he be jealous or something? She didn’t want to lie to him, but she didn’t want to ruin what they had shared either. “Um, yes, it, uh, was very hot.”
“Still talking about the heat?” Chad sidled up to Aria’s side and bumped her hip. The teasing lilt in his voice caused Jason to snort.
Aria pulled her lower lip between her teeth. Crap. Does he know, too?
Doug move to stand on the other side of Jason and Aria.
“Thought we were bringing back drinks for the two of you?” Jason glanced between the two.
“Everyone else showed up. We decided to grab all the drinks while they find us seats.” Doug placed his hand over Aria’s on the bar.
The female bartender looked over her shoulder at their group. Her jaw dropped as her eyes roamed the three men standing around Aria. Her eyes skimmed over Aria, not registering her. She finished filling the glass in her hand, placed it on the bar, and headed to them. She leaned over the bar, her cleavage on full display. “What can I get you guys?”
Chad and Doug stood upright and moved back half a pace. Each turned slightly so they faced Aria. Jason wrapped his second arm around Aria’s shoulders. The three of them stayed silent, waiting for the bartender to acknowledge Aria. When she continued to stare at them while adjusting her displayed cleavage, they took turns clearing their throats and moving their eyes from her face down to Aria until she finally got the hint.
“So, um.” She rolled her eyes as she glanced at Aria. “I guess, what can I get for you?”
Aria bit the inside of her mouth to keep from laughing at the way the guys acted. Even with all her concerns about cock blocking them, she knew the guys did not like women who put themselves on display like that. She smiled sweetly at the bartender. “I’ll have three beers, and a local lemonade with a splash of vodka, please.” She turned her head to look at Chad and then Doug as she didn’t know what the others wanted.
Chad gave his order. He picked up her hand from the bar where he held it and brought it to his lips. Gazing into Aria’s eyes, he kissed the back of it before glancing quickly to make sure the bartender was watching.
Doug waited until Chad finished before drawing the bartender’s attention by giving his order. Leaning forward, he brushed his lips across Aria’s cheek. He winked at her before backing up and staring at the bartender.
The bar
tender spun on her heels, shook her hair out, and strutted down the length of the bar.
Aria tapped Jason’s arm, asking for him to loosen his grip. She spun around to face her men. She kept her lips flat as she stared at them, but her eyes twinkled.
“You guys are so bad,” she informed them as cocksure smiles emerged on their faces.
Jason lifted his fingers to her chin. “We will always make sure you’re being respected when you’re with us.” His eyes shone with sincerity as the other two nodded.
“Thank you,” mumbled Aria as her eyes misted. She quickly spun to avoid letting the guys know how their words touched her. Her ex had been a nice guy, but he would have never done something like that. Instead, he would have lapped up the attention and then bragged about it later hoping it would turn her on to know how desirable he was. She had put up with it because she felt it was just something all the young guys did. These three were going to make it so hard for her to finally start dating. She was going to measure each guy against the way these three treated her and they would be a tough act to follow.
The bartender returned with their drinks. Jason thanked her for the prompt service as he reached around Aria to pick up a couple of glasses.
Aria shook her head as the guys discussed the mechanics of carrying ten glasses between three guys. Chuckling when they forgot to include her, she poked Doug. “Doug, how about you carry two of them and lead the way since you can see over everyone?” Aria winked at him. “I’ll follow with two or three and then Chad and Jason can follow me with the rest.”
“Beautiful and smart.” Doug leaned in to kiss her nose. He picked up his two drinks. “One change. You, my darling, should only carry your drink so you can hold onto me. You’re short enough we could easily lose you in this crowd.”
“I agree.” Chad leaned over her shoulder from behind and placed a kiss under her ear before taking one of the drinks out of her hands.
A shiver rolled through her body at the cool brush of his lips on her heated skin. He must have had a drink of his beer already. “Fine.” She rolled her eyes, but smiled as she wrapped her fingers around Doug’s belt loop and followed him back through the crowd.
— Doug —
Two hours later, Doug sat on the love seat rubbing his temples. Dropping his head into his hands, he thanked his lucky stars the group picked a darker corner and not the one he and Aria made use of earlier. He didn’t need the constant physical reminder on top of the memories on auto repeat running through his mind every time he looked at her…touched her. Argh. One taste was not enough.
“Headache?” Aria came up behind him from the dance floor trailed by Chad. She placed her hand on the back of his neck and started to lightly massage along his tense neck muscles.
Chad lifted Aria up, swinging her feet over the back of the couch, so she could sit on the back. He walked around, sitting beside Doug. The frown on his face deepened.
Doug’s head hung as he dropped his hands to his thighs. Aria’s fingers continued to run up and down his neck and shoulders massaging and poking into the tight muscles. As each muscle trembled and then relaxed, his eyes rolled into the back of his head.
The frown on Chad’s face reversed itself, though worry still lingered in his eyes. “I think you need to go back to the room.”
Doug nodded as he closed his eyes allowing Aria to continue to work her magic. “I will, but I’ll wait for Jason to return from the bathroom first.”
“Are you sure? I can walk back with you.” Chad placed his fingers on Doug’s wrist taking his pulse.
Doug turned his head to peek at Chad out of one of his eyes. “I’m sure. You should walk Aria home tonight.” He held Chad’s gaze. His eyes saying what he couldn’t say out loud. He’d informed Chad earlier about his kiss with Aria, possibly gloating a little about the fact that Chad was the last one without a kiss.
A smile broke over Chad’s face. He gave a slight nod before turning to face Aria. “Sweetheart, I guess it’s you and me tonight?” He wiggled his eyebrows and pretended to twirl a nonexistent moustache.
Aria giggled and shook her head as her hands moved down to massage Doug’s upper back and shoulders.
As soon as Jason returned, Doug reached back for one of her hands. He held onto it as he stood, pulling her forward to stand on the couch seat. Chad’s hands wrapped around her legs to help steady her. “I like this new height on you,” Doug said as he gazed up into her eyes.
“It’s a different view up here. I see why you three like it so much.” Aria lifted her nose and chin, but a slight smirk marred the snooty effect.
Doug rolled his eyes. “Come here, my darling.” He tugged lightly on her hand until she nearly lost her balance. Her free hand went to his shoulder to steady herself. “Good night.” He placed a soft kiss on her lips; a kiss of remembrance and of promise.
She licked her lips after his left. “Good night and feel better.” She leaned down the tiniest amount to place a kiss on his temple.
— Jason —
Jason stepped forward as Doug moved back.
“Good night, kiddo.” He winked as Aria turned up her nose. “What’s that for?”
“I think we need something new instead of kiddo.” She moved her pursed lips back and forth.
He leaned closer, head tilted back, his nose at the height of the hollow in her neck. “Hmmm, I’ll have to think of something.”
A shiver ran through her as his breath blew across her neck. “Definitely something new.”
His voice carried the husky sound from the night before when he kissed her up against the wall. He placed his lips on the hollow in an open mouth kiss. His tongue lightly traced the edge of it before retreating into his mouth.
Her knees buckled. Chad tightened his grip on her legs, keeping her upright.
Jason’s hands went to her hips to hold her steady, a large smirk plastered to his face. The idea his tongue made her weak in the knees stroked his ego in leaps and bounds. “Goodnight, love.” He kissed her forehead. Continuing to hold her waist, he picked her up and placed her on the ground.
“Night,” she whispered, lost in the sound of his new nickname for her.
— Chad —
Chad pulled her down to sit beside him as Doug and Jason headed towards the door. He put his arm around her shoulder and drew her close.
She curled her body in next to his, her head resting in the hollow of his collarbone.
Shona and the others waltzed back from the dance floor laughing. “Where did Doug and Jason go?” Shona looked between Chad and Aria. A frown marred her face.
“Doug and Jason decided it was time for bed. Speaking of which…” He turned to peer down at Aria. When she didn’t glance up, he placed a finger under her chin drawing it up. “I should get you back so you’re good on your trip tomorrow.” The muscles in his legs clenched and his stomach turned at the thought of her going off on an all day boat cruise with her friends, but without him and the guys.
She forced her eyes open and stifled a yawn. “I agree.” She pushed herself upright before slowly standing. Her body swayed slightly.
Chad’s hands went to her hips. “Are you okay?”
“Yup, just a momentary dizziness.” She smiled and tried to pull him up.
Laughing at her antics, Chad stood with worry and concern in his eyes. They walked through the bar hand in hand.
Aria took in a deep lung full of air the minute they exited the doors into the clean, cooler air.
Chad monitored her, relieved when her breathing became easier. The smoky air inside the club bothered her, but she never complained. At one point, he even wondered if she realized the difficulty she experienced getting oxygen. A few times, he suggested going to grab a drink when it became particularly bad.
“Are you sure you will be okay tomorrow on your trip?” Chad started to lead her down the path towards their buildings. The guys worried about the girls trip the next day. They tried to get themselves onto the same excursion, but it wa
s fully booked. Neither Doug with his money or Jason with his diving contacts could weasel out a few spots. Since they all met, this would be their first day apart.
“I’m sure I’ll be fine. I feel so much better than I did when I first arrived.” Aria squeezed his hand as she stared off towards the surf. “I think I misjudged how much recovery and adjustment time I would need.”
Chad let go of her hand and wrapped his arm around her shoulders. Her head nestled into the hollow by his shoulder. He inhaled her vanilla and lavender scent. It was rapidly becoming one of his favourite smells in the world. With his nose buried in her hair, he said, “I just worry about you. What if something happens and I’m not there to care for you? I can’t lose you yet.”
Aria stopped and spun in his arms. She placed both her hands on his face cradling his cheeks. “I have my defibrillator. We know it works. I have my cell phone programmed with your numbers. Shona, Jennifer, and Trish all have recently recertified in First Aid.” Her thumbs stroked over his cheeks. His eyes closed and the tension left his shoulders as her fingers continued to soothe him. His head relaxed into her hands. “Honestly, I will be fine.”
Her eyes darkening with desire the longer she held his stormy gaze. Hands sliding down his neck past his shoulders and over his biceps until they found purchase above his elbows. The fingers on her right hand absentmindedly traced the lower part of his tattoo. Raising onto the tips of her toes, she leaned in to place a soft kiss on his lips.
They both groaned at the brief contact.
Chad hesitated for only a moment before the floodgates opened allowing his dominant side to emerge. His fingers tightened on her waist before purposely sliding down; down over her delightful ass. It always drove him crazy. He massaged it, learning the feel and fit of it in his hands as his mouth slammed down onto hers again. Sliding his hands lower, he grasped the back of her thighs. With a quick flex of his muscles, he lifted her off the ground.
Aria wrapped her legs around his waist as her one arm moved to wrap itself around his neck holding her tight. Her mouth opened in a gasp as her body moved across his large hardness.
