by Wendy Smith
I smile at Tom’s gaze travelling to my feet.
“Come here.” I walk to him and grasp the hem of his shirt, and he relaxes as I pull it over his head.
Pressing my palms to his chest, I plant a soft kiss on his lips. “You make me happy.”
He smiles. “You make me happy too. I think you’ve had a little too much to drink.”
I giggle. “What makes you say that?”
“Well, you don’t usually giggle, for a start.” His smile widens. “I like giggly Bridget.”
“I’m tired, giggly Bridget. Come on, Jarvis. Get undressed.”
I don’t stop to think about what I’m doing as I pull my shirt over my head and unhook my bra. It falls to the floor, and when I shoot a glance back at Tom, he’s still standing there.
Pulling on the blanket, I climb into bed and beckon him with my index finger. He smiles, and steps out of his pants before joining me.
“I don’t bite,” I say.
“I know. It’s just … you’re so freaking gorgeous, and I’m so scared of screwing this up.”
When I roll over, the earnest expression on his face melts me inside. “You can’t screw this up, Tom. If anyone’s going to screw this up, it’ll be me. I probably shouldn’t say that, and I’m probably only saying it because I sometimes talk a lot when I’ve had too much to drink. But you, Tom Jarvis? You are perfect the way you are.” I plant a soft kiss on his lips and roll over, reaching for the lamp and switching it off.
The curtains are still open, and I have no energy to get up again. It leaves the room bathed in moonlight.
Pressing my back against Tom’s chest, I snuggle in. He’s so tentative in the way he slides his arm over me, and his hand hovers above the sheet. I take his hand in mine and press it to my chest, just below my breasts.
His long exhale tells me he’s been holding his breath.
“You don’t have to be afraid of touching me,” I murmur.
“I know.” He splays his palm, and touches his nose to my neck.
My eyes are so heavy, but I smile feeling how hard he is against me. Tom Jarvis wants me as much as I want him.
I wriggle away and roll over again. “Wanna know something?”
He smiles in the half light. “What?”
“I like you sleeping in my bed.” My voice is croaky. I’m in desperate need of sleep, but I want to savor every moment I get with Tom being this close.
He raises his hand, tucking a lock of hair behind my ear. “I like being here with you.”
His chest is warm as I run my hand across it. I smile as his nipple springs to life under my fingers. I want Tom to touch me the way I’m touching him.
I move my hand again and reach for his, bringing it to my breast. Panic flares in his eyes.
“Touch me,” I whisper.
He nods, and runs his thumb across my nipple. My body springs to life, my back arching to press against him.
“Bridget,” he murmurs. His expression tightens, and his fingers trembles against my skin.
“I want your hands all over me.”
His breathing quickens. “I …”
“I know you’re nervous, but nowhere’s off limits.” I lick my lips.
“I’m not very …” He pauses. “… experienced in this.”
“Let me, then.” I brush my hand down his side before cupping his cock. He’s hard as a rock. His breath hitches as I slip my hand into his boxers and touch him.
Tom’s not like any man I’ve ever met before, and I have no problem being the one who initiates contact, I’m sure he has his reasons for not being more forward, and in time, maybe he’ll confide in me. But as long as he’s comfortable with what I’m doing, I’ll take things in hand.
With my gentle strokes, his cock twitches, and I run my thumb over the wet tip. He’s so ready for me.
I wonder what he tastes like.
Maybe that’s a step toward sex he’d be comfortable with.
“Bridget.” His tone’s more urgent now. It drives me forward.
I tug at his boxers, releasing his cock.
“Are you sure you want to do this? We’ve both had a little too much to drink.”
Stroking his length, I smile. “Oh, I want to do this. Are you okay with me touching you this way?”
He nods, letting out a gasp as I move down the bed and take him in my mouth. He’s long and thick, but I get as much as I can in while cradling his balls in my hand. It’s been a while since I’ve sucked a cock, but I’ve always enjoyed it.
His cock hits the back of my throat, and I breathe while finding my limit. I don’t want him to see me gag, as he strikes me as the type to pull away if he thinks I’m in any kind of discomfort.
He groans.
I move in time with his thrusts. We find our rhythm pretty quickly. I pause to lick him from base to tip, and I’m rewarded with a low moan.
“Bridget. Your mouth feels amazing.”
I smile, sucking gently on his tip before lowering my mouth again.
His body tenses, his balls tightening, and I know he’s close. I’m not sure if inexperienced means never having had a blow job, but if it is, I want him to have the best experience I can give him.
With one final groan, he lets go, and I swallow him down, licking around the tip of his cock before releasing him.
“Oh my God. That was incredible.”
I grin, moving back up to meet his gaze. His eyes are so full of wonder.
“I love going down on you when that’s the reaction I get.” I laugh.
“I want to make you feel good too.”
I nestle my face into his neck. “You will. But right now, I really need to sleep. Make me breakfast in the morning?”
“Of course I will. Happy groundbreaking day, Bridget.” Tom chuckles.
“Best day ever.” I peck him on the lips and roll over, snuggling back against him again.
He’s all mine.
15
Tom
Bridget’s asleep in seconds. I take a deep breath and close my eyes.
I’m not sure I’ll sleep so quickly after that.
I want to be more forward with her. It’s what she seems to want. But my awkwardness and reticence get in the way.
For Bridget, I’ll try my best.
It took everything to tell her I didn’t have a lot of experience. But how do I tell her tonight was the first time a woman’s gone down on me?
I’ve fooled around before, but never been serious enough with anyone to get this far. I’m the wallflower in the group, the one who sits on the outside looking in. Not the one who gets the girl.
Yet, here I am.
I bury my face in her hair and smile.
Moving to Nettle Downs has been the best thing I could have done in my life.
Sure, I’ve left behind friends, but most of them will end up being here too over the next couple of years. And now I have new friends. Not just Bridget, but Brad and even Jackson, though I don’t know him that well.
I like the pace of this town, and I’m overjoyed to be in bed with this beautiful woman.
It’s hard to voice how I feel, but I just hope she has the patience to wait until I’m ready.
Warm hands slide around my waist in the morning as I’m scrambling eggs.
“Come back to bed,” Bridget whispers against my skin.
“I said I’d make you breakfast.” I lean my head against hers. “Feeling okay?”
“My mouth is dry and my head hurts a little. I’m not too bad.”
She plants a soft kiss on my back. “I’m glad you’re still here. I thought I might have scared you off last night.”
“Not a chance.”
“I worried that I pushed you too far. I know you move slowly.”
Placing the bowl on the counter, I turn around. “Sometimes I just need a little push.”
She nods. “I just don’t want to freak you out.”
“I’m fine.” I grin. “Well, more than fine after last night.”
/>
She laughs. “I’m going to grab a shower. Want to join me?”
Bridget naked, her body pressed against mine in a small space.
Bridget reaches for my hand and squeezes it. “It’s okay, Tom. You can take a raincheck. I won’t hold it against you if it’s too much.”
“I’ll make you some breakfast while you’re showering?”
She nods.
“And I’ll take a raincheck, because I like the idea of joining you sometime, but I don’t think today’s the day.”
Her smile lights up her whole face. “I like the idea of you joining me when you’re ready.”
She turns, and my gaze drops to her ass. She’s dressed in a tank top and panties, and I have to battle with myself to drag my eyes back up. To her face. Which is full of laughter as she turns at the door and catches me.
“Were you just staring at my ass?”
I nod. “Guilty.”
“Like what you see?” She laughs.
“You know I do.”
She’s so beautiful when her eyes light up with her smile. “Good.”
I’m so torn. I want her so much, but I’m terrified. Not of Bridget. She’s so warm and welcoming, and she wants to be with me.
It’s just that I’ve always felt more comfortable sitting in front of a screen than in the arms of a woman.
My stomach flips at the thought of being in the shower with Bridget. Thinking of her last night, her lips around my cock, leaves my body burning.
I want to give her more.
I’m just not really sure how.
“Wow.”
Her eyes are wide as she takes in the sight of the table.
I worried the whole time I’d be standing on her toes as I tidied the magazines strewn across it into a pile and moved them against the wall. But she doesn’t seem fazed at all.
“You had time to cook all of this?”
I smile. “I’m the king of pancakes. We used to eat them a lot when I was a student, and in the early Mollab days when none of us had any money. They’re pretty basic, but it made a change from noodles.”
Bridget grins. “I’d like to hear more about that. I want to know all about your life.”
“I’ll tell you anything you want to know. Take a seat.” My stomach grumbles as I place her plate in front of her. Scrambled eggs and bacon fill it, and if there’s too much for her to eat, I’ll probably finish it off.
“Best hangover food ever.” She grasps my arm, and I lean down to kiss her. “You can serve me half-naked any time.”
I laugh. “I should probably have worn a shirt to cook the bacon.”
Her face falls. “Did you get burned?”
“Not this time.”
Bridget side-eyes me. “You mean you have done in the past?”
“Once or twice.” I shrug. “I’m used to cooking for myself so getting dressed is never a priority.”
She bursts out laughing. “I’m not upset about that. I’m just glad you get hurt.”
“I should probably go and put on a shirt.”
“You don’t have to.”
I give her a bashful smile as I take a seat at the table with my own plate. She’s so good for my ego.
While I eat, I take more pleasure in watching her. She demolishes the food, clearing her plate and eating three pancakes covered in butter and syrup before she stops and takes a break.
“Feel better?” I ask.
Bridget nods. “That shower helped, but breakfast definitely sorted me out. I’m glad we don’t have to work today.”
“Tell me about it.”
She cocks her head. “What do you want to do?”
“Do you want to join me catching up on some Netflix? There are a couple of movies I’d like to see.”
“That sounds like a great plan to me. Why go out when we can just hang out on the couch all day? There’s some popcorn in the cupboard somewhere. Not sure how old it is, though.”
I grin. “How about I go out and get some supplies? I could do with an energy drink.”
Bridget nods. “Me too. And potato chips. Anything that’s carb based.” She laughs. “I’ll curl up on the couch while you go out.”
“You’re going back to sleep, aren’t you?”
She yawns. “I think so. Today is going to be quite a slow day.”
I stand, walk to the sink, and wash my plate. My heart thuds at the thought of what I want to ask her, but I’d rather know than worry about it. “No regrets about last night?”
“Not a single one.” When I turn, she’s right behind me. “What about you?”
“No.” I lick my lips. “I’m sorry I’m not who you need me to be at times.”
She leans closer. “I get it. You want to take things slow, and I’m at warp speed.”
I eye her with the most suspicious look I can muster. “Is that a Star Trek reference?”
“I watched a few episodes on Netflix. Sue me.”
Laughing, I plant a kiss on her lips. “We can watch some more today if you want. I’ll make a nerd out of you yet.”
“Sure you will.” She laughs.
“Just watch me.”
Bridget raises her hand to run her fingers down my cheek. “I might even let you.”
“We’ll start with the old stuff. But I gotta warn you that there’s a lot to get through.”
She drops her hand to her chest, placing it over her heart. “Oh no. However will I cope spending hours on the couch, watching TV with you?”
I laugh. “Why do I get the feeling we won’t be doing a lot of watching?”
Bridget shrugs. “I’m not sure.”
“I’m not complaining.”
She wraps her arms around my waist, resting her head on my chest. “Spend the weekend with me.”
I stroke her back. “I’ll need to go and grab some more clothes from the motel at some point. But I’ll stay.”
She nods. “How about we take the car and get your things and supplies in one trip?”
I settle my arms around her shoulders. “Good idea. Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For everything. For being you. For not expecting too much from me.”
She lets out a long breath. “You’re worth the wait.”
16
Bridget
“Do you have time to talk to me?” I ask.
Jackson walks around the bar, shaking his head as he grows closer.
“So I get a choice?” He chuckles.
“No.”
The bar’s empty. It’s Sunday morning, and I’ve arrived to get some takeout for breakfast. I should cook, but the eggs benedict from Jackson’s Bar is sublime.
“So, Tom and I …” I start.
Jackson buries his face in his hands. “If you want relationship advice, I’m the last person you should be talking to.”
“I don’t have anyone else. I mean, maybe Molly might be able to answer this, but she’s the last person I want to talk to about it.”
Jackson looks up, squinting at me. “Molly? You think Molly can give you relationship advice?”
“No. That’s why I’m here.” You’re so frustrating. “You’re the only person I can talk to about personal stuff. It comes with the territory of you having had your penis in my vagina.”
Jackson huffs, then laughs. “You are so lucky I still like you. Why are you here?”
“Tom won’t have sex with me.”
His eyebrows twitch. “It’s still early days, isn’t it? Maybe he likes to take things slow.”
“I think you’re right, but I don’t want to wait anymore. I want him so badly, but he doesn’t seem to want to go that far.”
Jackson shrugs. “Look, Bridge. I have no idea why he wouldn’t want to have sex with you. Maybe he’s not ready for the next step?”
“I am. I’m wondering if there’s something wrong with me. I made the first move on him, and we’ve fooled around, but I don’t want to pressure him into more unless he wants it.”
Jack
son’s expression of helplessness doesn’t give me any hope that he will give me answers. Not that I really expected him to, I guess. I just wanted to talk out my feelings with a friend.
“He seems like a nice guy. And he hangs on your every word.” Jackson’s mouth curves into a lopsided smile. “I’ve seen enough of you two to know he’s crazy about you. Have you talked to him about this?”
I shake my head. “Not really. I’ve given him all the signs that I’m interested short of sticking a flashing neon light on my head that says ‘fuck me.’”
Jackson laughs. “Now that I’d pay to see.”
“I’m glad you find it funny.” I sigh.
“If you’re ready to have sex, you should talk to him about it.”
I nod. “I guess you’re right.”
“You know I am. Now, get out there and talk to him and not me. I don’t want to know about your sex life.”
I laugh, standing on my tiptoes and pecking him on the cheek. I’m not sorry I spoke to him.
He’s right.
I love kissing Tom.
He has this way with his tongue that leaves me dreaming about what he could do with it on other parts of my body.
All thoughts disappear from my head when his tongue’s in my mouth.
Except one.
I want more.
I love how awkward he is. And I know he’s shy, even though he seems comfortable around me. I’m not dreaming when I’m lying next to him on the couch, feeling him hard against me. He wants me. So why doesn’t he make the next move?
“Touch me,” I whisper.
His confidence retreats, and so does he. His chest rises and falls rapidly.
“I … I …” He stammers.
I take his hand in mine. “It’s okay.”
He has barriers up. I don’t understand them, but he’s so afraid of touching me.
“I’m not made of china. I won’t break if you touch me.”
His Adam’s apple bobs as he swallows hard. “I know.”
I lift his hand to my left breast, taking hold of his thumb and rubbing it across my nipple. “Just like that. Like you did before.”
I’m not sure what’s shaped his experience, but I can do this. I can take his fear away.
