by Haley Travis
His eyes twinkled with a touch of pride. "I like the gym," he shrugged. "And rock climbing."
I turned away to step into the water, but my head twisted back to watch as he slid off his track pants and shorts. Wow. His legs were a work of art, but I could barely see them from the distraction of what was swinging between them.
His shaft was long, thick, and looked absolutely sculpted. It looked like a model for sex toys. And I was pretty sure it was only half hard.
Tossing his clothes aside, he came into the shower, immediately pressing me up against the wall for a long, deep kiss. Then he stared at me, taking in my pale skin as the water glided over me. I knew that I was standing as if I was terrified for him to touch me.
He seemed to read me immediately, hugging me in a way that would be platonic if we weren’t naked in a shower. “You were so wild and free with a bit of booze dashing around inside you. Can’t you do the same for me with coffee? Can’t you show me that wild girl who couldn’t keep her hands off me?”
Maybe he didn’t mean for it to sound like a dare, but I couldn’t help my reaction. My hands slid around his waist to grab his tight ass, pulling his hips to mine. "This is an amazing shower," I smiled.
"Yeah, I've always wanted to have a girl in here," he said, pumping a tiny bit of liquid soap into his hands.
He began caressing my breasts, sliding them together, then gliding over every inch. "You were shaking these a bit on the dance floor," he said quite seriously. "So we’d better make sure that they are absolutely clean now."
Reaching out to take a little soap as well, I begin to scrub his shoulders and chest. I loved the way he seemed to tremble slightly from the feeling of my hands moving quickly across his skin. I couldn’t believe that I was affecting him as much as he was thrilling me.
Eric turned me to face the wall, his hands brushing my hair over my shoulder as he kissed down my spine. I loved the way he manhandled me so gently. It was confident. Unnervingly sexy.
He carefully pulled my hips away from the wall, spreading my legs. My hands grabbed at the tiles for balance as he dropped to his knees, spreading me open. The long, languid strokes of his tongue under the falling water were almost too much to take.
I was overwhelmed. Overheated. The need to have him inside me was becoming almost painful.
"Please," I whispered, the sound almost lost under the sounds of the falling water.
"Please what?" he murmured against my clit.
"I need you," I gasped.
"Mmm…” He moaned as he increased his pace, licking steadily. "What do you need?” he mumbled.
"You," I breathed.
"You already have me. I'm right here."
Son of a… He was going to make me say it. Somehow the way he was gently pushing for me to say things out loud was a strange turn on. Like he was controlling me in a very subtle way, but it was obviously for my own good.
"I need you inside me,” I whispered.
Immediately he stood up, spinning me so my back was against the wall again. His eyes burned to mine. “Should I go get a condom?"
I shook my head, water falling into my eyes. "I'm on the pill."
He lifted my hips so that I could wrap my legs around his waist. Reaching out, I touched his shaft carefully, stroking along his hot length. His expression softened as I touched him, as if he couldn't believe this was happening. I certainly couldn't.
I stroked him gently, not able to imagine it getting harder, then pulled the thick, round head to my opening. I was incredibly wet, yet he still took his time. Running the tip through my pussy lips over and over, I realized he was teasing me. I began to squirm, my body desperate for his .
Then he nudged at my opening, sinking inside just a little bit. "Is this what you want, baby?"
"Yes. More."
"I want to hear you say it,” he grinned. "I get that you are a shy, polite young lady. But I really want to hear you say it. ‘Eric, I want to feel your cock inside me’. You can do it."
He stared into my eyes while rocking the tip of his shaft inside me just half an inch. The steamy water all around us was making everything seem like a dream. He was about to give me everything I wanted. The least I could do was give him what he asked for.
Gripping the back of his neck, I pulled his ear to my lips. "I need your cock inside me, please,” I breathed. Instantly he began sinking inside me, so hard and thick and perfect. I gasped as he filled me completely, feeling my body stretch around his width.
Yet he didn't fuck me.
The deep, hypnotic rhythm of his shaft pulling all the way out, stroking all the way in. This was lovemaking. This was absolutely beautiful. It was so intense that I felt tears prick my eyes.
Although my nervous system was overloaded, there was something deep and peaceful about the way he moved inside me. He was touching every nerve, and the base of his shaft rubbed against my clit with every stroke. He grabbed my ass so firmly that I had no fear of falling, as my hips swiveled against his.
My head fell forward against his shoulder, and I heard my voice cry out, "Oh fuck, yes."
"Tell me how it feels," Eric growled against my ear. He was nearly panting, and it felt like he was holding back.
"Mind blowing," I breathed. "I've never been this full of cock. I've never felt anyone control me the way you do."
“I don't want to control you, Eden," he said sweetly, "I just want to bring you out of your shell and be a bit louder. That's all.”
Then he kissed me. There was something different in this kiss. Something about the way he pressed his body into mine, his tongue into my mouth, his hands supporting my body completely. He was claiming me. I was utterly his in every way. It felt like he took this responsibility seriously, as if he deeply wanted to care for me while I was under his power.
The rhythm of his hard, thick length moving against my inner muscles, grinding against my clit, was causing a prickling wave to surge through me.
"Mmm," Eric smiled through our infinite kiss. "Is my gorgeous little treasure going to come for me?"
I nodded, my head rolling against the tile behind me.
"Say it, baby," he begged.
I looked at him, wide-eyed. "Does it turn you on when I talk dirty?"
He nodded eagerly, grinning. "You don't say bad words, so I need to hear them."
He held me close again, thrusting deeper, faster. His blend of tenderness and sexy cockiness was pushing me over the edge as much as all of these incredible physical sensations. We were both so close, and I could feel his throbbing length swelling inside me.
"Say it," he growled. "Tell me how much you want to come."
The rippling waves were starting, and I was already past the point of no return.
"Oh fuck," I breathed against his ear, my fingernails digging into the back of his shoulders as I quaked. "I'm coming… coming all over your cock. Is that what you need to hear? Oh fuck… Fuck me harder." Orange lights hovered around the edge of my vision as I dissolved into the heatwave of the impossibly perfect climax.
Eric exploded with an unearthly growl, grinding up into me hard and rough as his hot release burst inside me. I was trembling from head to toe, moaning and twitching uncontrollably.
He held me still for several breaths, then helped me stand back on the floor. It was sweet the way he kept an arm around me, not quite trusting my balance yet.
He looked down at me, his wide eyes serious. "Eden," he choked, kissing me gently, “That was…" I nodded quickly, sinking into his kiss as I wrapped my fingers into the back of his hair.
Then he stepped back, laughing brightly. "Oh right. We were supposed to be getting clean."
He swept me back until I was leaning over his arm so that he could tenderly rinse between my legs with the falling water. I began giggling, feeling almost high from his endless caresses.
He laughed while I washed his hair. I giggled while he scrubbed my back. It was so relaxed and light. Comfortable.
When he finally turn
ed all the water jets off, wrapping me in a fluffy robe, I was surprised when he led us out to the living room. "Another coffee?"
"Sure."
~ Chapter 6 ~ Eric ~
* Names & Numbers *
I’d honestly never slept with a total stranger. It was debaucherous, indulgent, and so perfect. The thing that tempered the naughtiness was knowing that it wasn’t a one time thing. There was no way we weren’t about to become a couple. I could feel that we were meant to be.
Walking Eden to the kitchen, both of us wrapped in robes, I could envision us living together someday. Being like this all the time.
I spun her into my arms, kissing the top of her damp hair. Holding her against me, I felt a prickle run up my spine. I had real feelings for Eden. Big, sloppy feelings that had nothing to do with lust. Well, a few bits, but only because it made me feel so close to her.
Closing my eyes for a moment, I tried to breathe. If I took a lie detector test at this moment and was asked if I loved her, the needle would tweak. I was already falling very hard.
Snapping my eyes open, Eden was staring at me. I reached out to caress her cheekbone with my thumb.
"I've never slept with anyone that I haven't been dating for at least a month," I confessed. "So I hope it's okay if we do things a little backward. First, we slept together, then we…" I waggled my eyebrows. "Slept together." She giggled. "May I take you out to dinner this week?" I asked.
She nodded. Then she glanced at the clock and winced. "Oh, I’ll have to skip the coffee. I'm sorry I have to go. I have to do all of that boring Sunday stuff like laundry and groceries and everything that keeps me alive through the week."
She picked up her panties and dress from the kitchen floor, then dashed to the bedroom to get dressed. I wanted to work on her shyness until we were prancing around naked all the time. Glancing across the living room, I made a mental note to consider drawing the curtains first.
Eden came back out with her purse in hand. “Hold on,” I said. I went to the hall closet and grabbed an oversized hoodie for her to wear over her thin dress.
“Thanks.” She pulled it on and zipped it up, flashing me that adorable smile. It was amusing that I thought she looked sexier in my lumpy gray hoodie than her little red dress.
“Can I get your number?” I asked.
“Sure.”
We traded phones to exchange numbers, but she looked surprised when I handed hers back. "Erlik? I thought you said Eric?"
I shrugged. "I've always gone by Eric. I just typed that in case you had any other Eric in your phone." Suddenly I felt weird. Almost nervous. “Funny – I never tell anyone my real name.” I smiled at her. “Proof that you’re special, I guess.”
Eden stared into space for a second, then shook her head. "I don't think I've heard that name before. Where is it from?"
I rolled my eyes. "Please don't judge me. My parents were weird punk-ass hippies. They thought that giving me a name that meant ‘a deity of darkness’ would make me tough or something." I chuckled. “You’ve witnessed my finesse at making omelets, so you know I have a fluffy side as well, right?”
Eden laughed, but it didn’t touch her eyes. “Deity of darkness?” She looked a bit queasy.
“Yeah. The underworld. Erlik is a demon, apparently.”
“The devil.” Her whisper sounded harsh. Strained.
“You can call me Eric,” I said quickly. She honestly looked upset. “Dammit, I’m sorry. My parents are weirdos, but they’re not Satanists or anything super dark. They meant it like a force of nature, I think.” Desperately trying to grin, I said, “Your name is the original paradise. So we balance each other. Right?”
Eden smiled and nodded, but she was stiff. “Well, thanks for taking such great care of me. I’ll see you around.”
“Hey,” I said gently, pulling her into my arms. She felt so incredible against me, as if her body was designed to mold into mine. “Send me a text so that I know you’re home safe?”
She nodded against my chest as I stroked her hair. Leaning down for a tiny kiss, she seemed to be quivering. Tipping her chin up with my finger, I tried to make her smile. “I can’t wait to have dinner with you. I bet you have some weird family stories as well.”
She nodded, then dashed out. I sunk onto the couch, dumbfounded.
Was she shy after the most amazing sex of my life? There was no way she couldn’t have felt that connection.
Was it the process of getting her number that made her uneasy? Maybe she assumed this was a one-morning stand situation. I knew she didn’t know me very well, but I hoped she didn’t think I was that kind of guy. I don’t think I did anything to lead her to believe that.
I managed to wait three whole hours before sending her a text.
Eden, I know I’m supposed to pretend to be cool and wait a few days to text you. I can’t play games. I think you’re incredible. May I take you out for a proper date this Friday night?
Four minutes later, not that I was counting and holding my breath, she read the message. I saw the three dots hover as she typed. Then they disappeared. No response.
Maybe she was on the subway. Maybe she picked up groceries on the way home and her hands were full.
Maybe...
There was no way she couldn’t want more of what we had?
~ Chapter 7 ~ Eden ~
* What’s in a Name? *
The deity of the underworld. The devil.
Son of a biscuit. Nana’s warning echoed in my ears, in the back of my mind. It was so oddly specific.
“Never get in bed with the devil.” There wasn’t much room for interpretation about that one.
Laying sprawled across my bed, I stared at the ceiling. Then I nearly cried thinking about how hilarious Eric was when he was chatting so naturally to a spatula.
He was quirky. Silly. I liked that in a hot, strong, hunky guy. A little silliness is underrated. A sense of humor and lightness is important.
“He lives for darkness and fire.”
Is there any way Nana could have meant passion? Maybe his passion would be too much for me, and I’d have a great life being slightly overwhelmed?
I wished that I could have a cup of tea with her and ask. Nobody had ever talked to her directly about The Knowing, but would that be bad? She must be aware of it. My sister had been talking about going out to visit Nana in Vancouver in a few months. I had a bit of money saved up. Maybe I could splurge and go as well.
Rolling onto my side, I reached for my journal but didn’t bother opening it. I didn’t want to fill it with more pages of how scared I was. The pages were already heavy with my nervous rantings. I was much less nervous around Eric. It felt incredible to have my anxiety turned down.
Logically, I knew that on some level I believed in Nana’s warning because I was scared of dating again. Dating Eric would be totally different, in more ways than I could likely think of. He was powerful, confident. Gorgeous. He was incredibly sweet. It would be far too easy to hand him the shriveled fragments of my heart and hope that he could breathe life back into it.
But what if he failed.
Sitting up, I grabbed my pen and opened the notebook. There must be something else I could vent about to bring me back to reality.
Then my phone pinged, and I read new texts from Eric.
Reasons why you might not get back to me:
Zombies. Work emergency. Vacation in a hippie commune that doesn’t allow cell phones.
You live in a complicated apartment where everything is monogrammed with E for Eden, and you’re terrified someone named Eric would mess up your system. I’ll gladly change my name to see you again. How about Nermal? Or Thornton?
If it’s something I did wrong, please know I’d do absolutely anything to make it up to you, and be given another chance.
Son of a pirate. Son of a biscuit. Frick.
I almost laughed at my semi-curses.
Then a tremor ran through me as I remembered what I was saying to Eric in the sho
wer. Good grief. That was so hot. The feeling of those words leaving my mouth, knowing how much he craved them… I shuddered from head to toe just thinking about it.
Nana said that a lady doesn’t curse. Even if you’re poor as dirt, up to your elbows in wash water, a woman should still behave like a lady. My Mom once said that Nana wouldn’t say ‘crap’ if her mouth were full of it.
Trying to put Nana’s warning out of my mind, I thought maybe I should take just a moment to be logical. If I didn't have a grandmother who randomly said semi prophetic things, would I go out with this guy again?
