Close to Me

by Monica Murphy

  “You feel so good,” I tell him just before he devours my mouth once more. Fleetingly I remember we were supposed to talk about Rylie. About us.

  But I don’t want to talk. All I want to do is feel and give in to this madness that he creates every time I’m with him. I grind my pelvis against his, a whimper escaping me when I feel his erection twitch, and I reach for him, reach between us, my fingers circling around him.

  “Ah Jesus, be careful,” he says on a gulp when I awkwardly stroke him.

  “Am I hurting you?” I release my grasp on him.

  He laughs, though it sounds pained. “Fuck no. I just—I might come too quick, you know?”

  Oh. The power that surges through me at his words is a wondrous thing. I’m affecting him just as badly as he’s affecting me, and I love it.

  “You said you were going to skinny dip,” I remind him, my voice teasing. “So what happened?”

  “I can still make that happen.” His eagerness makes me laugh, and I shift away to watch as he takes off his swim trunks underneath the water and tosses them onto the edge next to my swim top. “Now it’s your turn.”

  Slowly I reach beneath the water, Ash’s eyes never leaving me as I pull my bikini bottoms off. Over my hips, down my thighs, over my knees, until I’m stepping out of them and tossing them onto the ground behind me. I move even farther away from him, my breathing accelerated as I savor the sensation of the hot water swirling all around my naked skin. Ash still stares at me, his gaze heavy, his beautiful lips parted, and I rise a little, flashing him my chest, my hard nipples peeking through the bubbling water.

  “You’re definitely a tease,” he says with a hungry smile.

  “Do you like it?” I tilt my head to the side, wondering what in the world has come over me.

  Feminine power, maybe? It’s a heady thing, knowing that Ash wants me. Wants my mouth and my body.

  “I fucking love it,” he says without hesitation. He starts to drift closer and I move a little faster, darting out of his reach when he tries to grab me. “You want to play?”

  Nodding, I sink my teeth into my lower lip, surprised by the laughter that’s rising in my chest.

  “You’re gonna lose, Callahan,” he promises. “You know I’m fast.”

  I do know he’s fast. Fast out on that football field. Fast with the words, with the lies, with the truth. Fast with the kisses and the touches and the promises. I put up a little fight, because I think that’s what he wants from me, and it’s fun to swim away from him, even though the hot tub isn’t very big.

  He’s got me. He knows he does. He’s just teasing me too.

  When he pulls me into his arms, I go willingly, our mouths connecting like the final pieces in a puzzle. We just fit. Our tongues circle and slide, our hands search and wander, and when he slips his fingers between my thighs to touch me where I want him so badly, I spread my legs wider, giving him better access.

  “So wet,” he murmurs, and I laugh.

  “Everything is wet in a hot tub,” I remind him, dropping a light kiss on the already fading bruise on his cheek. He strokes me gently, pressing an important spot that causes a jolt to run straight through me, and I swear my toes just curled. “Oh God.”

  “Wet and slippery,” he says as he keeps touching me. “Different than the water. It’s all you.”

  “Ash.” I close my eyes as he continues to stroke me, and then he ducks his head, his mouth on my nipple, tongue licking, lips sucking. The tug of his lips pulls on another part of me deep inside, and I curl my arms around his broad shoulders, clutching him tighter.

  I’ve been waiting for this, wanting this for so long, and now it’s finally happening. His magical hands are doing things to my body I’ve never really experienced, even though I’ve touched myself before. Given myself an orgasm before too. I used to try to do it while thinking about Ben, but that never worked.

  I’d think about Ash and his wicked mouth and dark eyes. His muscular body and tanned skin, imagining him completely naked and all mine, and I’d come.

  Every single time.

  My breath increases as his fingers move faster, and then he slips one inside before stretching me with two. I cling to him, my eyes tightly closed, everything I have focused on his fingers moving inside of me, his thumb pressing against a certain spot that feels extra good.

  “You’re so damn tight,” he marvels.

  “I’ve never done this before,” I confess, shifting my hips and sending his fingers deeper. I feel so full. Imagine when he actually enters my body. Will I be able to handle it?

  “Really? Not even with Ben?”

  I pull away so I can look into his eyes, my fingers going to his lips to shut him up. “Don’t ever bring up his name again.”

  Ash blinks at me, and I notice there’s little drops of water clinging to his thick, black eyelashes. He looks adorably confused. “So never?”

  “Never.” I shake my head before I press my lips to his. “Only with you,” I murmur against his mouth, and he kisses me hungrily, his tongue moving in rhythm with his fingers, and within seconds my hips are keeping the rhythm as well. His thumb circles and presses, and then I fall completely apart.

  The orgasm comes quicker than I thought it would. Though I guess we’ve been toying with each other like one big foreplay-type moment for years. I shudder against his fingers, a moan falling from my lips, and I clamp my thighs tight around his hand as the shivers course through my body again and again.

  When it’s finally over, he slowly removes his hand from between my legs and presses a gentle kiss to my lips before he slips his fingers into his mouth. I watch him, my own mouth falling open, a little bit disgusted and a lot turned on by what he’s doing.

  “You taste good,” he says when he’s done licking his fingers. “Though you also kind of taste like chlorine.”

  I shove at his shoulder and start to laugh, which is another surprise. I figured Ash and I would angrily hate-fuck each other, what with our turbulent past. “You’re kind of disgusting sometimes.”

  “Hmm, and you’re kind of hot.” He kisses me once. Then again. “Watching you come was actually really hot.”

  I’m embarrassed, but then again not really. “It’s your turn,” I remind him, but he’s already shaking his head.

  “I bet it’s late,” he tells me. “You should go back to your room. Get some sleep.”

  Say what? I don’t think so. “Ash. Come here.”

  He slides away from me. “Nope. It’s all about you tonight.”

  “It doesn’t have to be.” I move toward him, my body rippling through the water, and Mr.-I’m-so-Fast isn’t as fast as he thought. I catch him, circling my arm around the back of his neck, my other hand going for his front, and I feel the tip of his erection brush against my palm.

  I swear his eyes cross just from that brief contact. “I don’t know if I can handle this,” he says.

  “Handle what?”

  “Your hands on my dick.” He releases a shuddery breath. “I’m gonna end up coming all over your fingers.”

  His words conjure up an image I want to make happen. “That sounds nice.”

  He laughs and shakes his head. “That’s not how I want this to go down.”

  “Are you serious right now?” I reach for him again, tickling my fingers along his length. He’s big. Though really, I have no one else to compare him to, so I have no idea.

  “Callahan.” His voice is a warning.

  “I bet I’ll have you saying my first name within the next five minutes,” I croon, my fingers curling around the base.

  His entire body jolts and he sends me an uneasy look. “I’ll make that wager.”

  “You’re going to lose.” I start to stroke in earnest, just before I glide through the water and press my body completely against his.

  “What the fuck are you doing?”

  “Just teasing.” I reach for his erection and put it between my legs. I won’t let him inside, but oh my God, it feels so
good to have him right there, pressing against me. Flesh on flesh, hot and hard and wet.

  “I’m not wearing a condom,” he chokes out.

  “And I’m not on the pill.” I am literally riding his dick, as they say. It’s between my legs, and I am sliding across it like it’s a pole made just for my pleasure. Which it sort of is, if you think about it.

  “So what we’re doing is fucking risky as hell.” He gently pushes me away so I fall off his lap, leaving me floating in the water. “One thrust and I’d be inside you.”

  I want that.

  “And then I’d probably lose all control because that’s what you do to me, Autumn. You make me lose control and then I’d come inside you, and next thing we know, you’re pregnant.” He slowly shakes his head. “No way. Uh-uh. We’d be fucked.”

  I know he’s right, but my heart pangs at the idea of us having a baby together. Which is insane, considering I’m only seventeen.

  “Do you have condoms in your room?” I ask.

  “What the hell, Autumn?” He runs his hands through his hair, slicking it back. “No, I don’t have condoms in your family’s guest room. I didn’t think I’d be having sex with anyone at the Callahan house while I’m recovering.”

  “Yet here you are, naked in a hot tub with me.” I point at him. “And you called me Autumn. Twice.”

  He grins, like he can’t stay mad at me. Not that I think he was angry in the first place. “You’re right, I did. You win.”

  “I knew I would,” I say arrogantly.

  “What do you want your prize to be?”

  “Watching your face when I make you come for the first time,” I say sweetly.

  From the look on Ash’s face, I can tell he’s surprised by my bold request. “I think I created a monster.”

  “You so did.” I settle in on his lap once more but keep some distance between us, my fingers curling around him, and I start to stroke him in earnest. “We need to get condoms,” I say just before I kiss him.

  “I’ll add it to the shopping list, honey,” he whispers against my lips, but then all thoughts of condoms and shopping lists and jokes disappear, replaced by needy groans and harshly whispered curse words while I work him into a frenzy.

  I stroke and tease, rub my thumb against the tip, let him guide me when I’m not fast enough or rough enough. I’m pleasantly surprised at just how rough he wants it, and I finally slap his hand away, doing exactly as he shows me.

  When he comes with a long, loud moan, I swallow it with my mouth, feel the spurt of his semen on my hand, and I smile in triumph against his lips.

  Ash is right.

  He did create a monster.

  Twenty-Four

  It’s the day after the hot tub incident and I’m walking down the hall toward my fourth-period class when I hear a familiar girl’s voice mutter, “Slut,” beneath her breath.

  Pretty sure she’s talking about me.

  Coming to a stop, I turn to find Rylie standing there. Glaring at me. “Did you just call me a slut?”

  She nods and lifts her chin, her expression defiant. “You stole him from me.”

  Unease trickles down my spine. I’m not used to confrontation. I avoid it as much as possible. “What are you talking about?”

  “Don’t play dumb, Ash moves in with your family and now you two are together! I know it!” Rylie yells.

  I glance around, hoping no one is listening, but let’s be real. They’re all listening. Everyone’s down for a girl fight. “Keep your voice down.”

  “Why? Because you don’t want people to know you’re fucking Asher Davis?”

  How could she even know what happened between us last night? “We’re not together.” And that’s not a lie. We might be on our way to being a couple, but nothing’s official yet.

  “Please.” Rylie rolls her eyes. “You may as well be. I know you two have had a thing for each other for years. I don’t care what Ash says, and I don’t care what you say either. The minute your famous daddy brought him home, you treat Ash like he’s your own personal toy to play with whenever you want.”

  Now I’m getting mad. “You have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  “Sure I do. You’re a man-stealing slut, that’s all I need to know.” Rylie shoves at my shoulder, propelling me backward into a couple of people walking by. One of them catches me before I fall on my ass, and I scramble to right myself, anger and fear sending me straight toward Rylie.

  “He wasn’t yours to steal,” I tell her and the rage that fills Rylie’s eyes is enough to make me take one step back.

  “You’re such a bitch,” she screeches, rearing her arm back, fingers clutched into a fist.

  Like she’s going to hit me.

  “Stop!” My cheer coach Brandy appears out of nowhere, coming in between Rylie and me. Brandy’s facing me, her expression full of fury, and I take another step back, my entire body shaking. “What the hell are you doing, Autumn?”

  I gape at her. “I’m not doing anything. She started it!” I point at Rylie, who’s slowly backing away.

  Brandy turns to look at Rylie. “Go to the office.”

  “But—”

  “Now.” Brandy’s voice is firm. When she’s like this, I know I never want to mess with her.

  Rylie gives me the finger from behind Brandy’s back and then takes off.

  “What are you two fighting over? Please don’t tell me it’s it something stupid, like a boy.” Brandy lifts her brows, sending me a knowing look.

  With a sigh, I glance around before I grab her hand and pull her over to the side of the hallway so not as many people can overhear us. “Ash Davis broke up with her last night and now she’s accusing me of having sex with him.”

  “And now what? You’re causing drama between them? Is that what’s going on?”

  My cheeks go hot and I try my best to keep my expression neutral. “Of course not.”

  “Why does she suspect you two did it?” Brandy asks.

  I shrug. “I don’t know.”

  “Autumn…”

  With a sigh, I lean in close so I can murmur in her ear. “He’s staying with me, okay? No one really knows, but my dad brought him to our house the night he got beat up and he’s been there ever since.”

  When I pull away, I see Brandy is slowly shaking her head. “Your father better watch it or he’s going to get in trouble.”

  I frown. “What do you mean?”

  “Ash Davis is a minor. And I’m thinking his mom reported him as a runaway. Not that you heard that from me.” Brandy sends me a pointed look, and I’m guessing she’s telling me without telling me that his mother did report him as a runaway.

  Will she give me other information too? “He’s afraid if he goes home, they’ll have him arrested,” I tell her.

  “That could happen,” she says with a nod.

  Fear makes my heart knock against my chest and I rub at the spot between my boobs absently. “He wants to come back to school.”

  “He should probably get in contact with his mother first.”

  “That is the absolute last thing he wants to do.”

  “I advise before he returns to this campus that he do exactly that.” She makes a tsking noise and shakes her head. “The longer he’s gone, the more behind he’s going to get with his schoolwork.”

  “Can I get his homework for him?”

  “I can help make that happen.” Brandy’s in good with the vice principal. As in—that’s her mom.

  I breathe a sigh of relief. “That would be so great. Thank you.”

  “I’m serious, though. Ash needs to get into contact with his mother. The longer he stays away, the worse it’s going to get.” Brandy pats my shoulder just as the bell rings. “Now get to class.”

  “You’re not going to make me go to the office like Rylie?” I ask incredulously.

  “Did you call her a slut first?”

  “No.”

  “Then you’re fine. For now. If Mrs. Adney calls you up, j
ust tell her what happened,” Brandy says, and I take off, hustling into my classroom before I can be marked late.

  The moment I get home from cheer practice, I go in search of Ash. Mom is in the kitchen making dinner for us, and I call out a greeting to her as I pass through the room, but otherwise I don’t stop.

  I need to find him. I need to talk to him.

  At lunch, Rylie sent me death stares from across the quad but otherwise left me alone. I had to explain to Kaya what happened between Rylie and me in the hallway, while leaving out the pertinent detail that Ash and I actually did mess around last night, which proved difficult. And the only reason I explained myself is because the rumors about our confrontation had already spread like wildfire and everyone knew about it by the start of lunch, though the details were, of course, exaggerated.

  “I always thought she was such a sweet girl,” Kaya said sadly when I was done with my story.

  “A sweet girl who called me a slut,” I reminded her.

  It was awkward. The entire afternoon was awkward, thanks to Rylie. Mrs. Adney ended up calling me to her office during seventh period, just like Brandy predicted, and I explained exactly what happened. Even gave her a few names of people I knew were in that hallway with us who could be witnesses.

  “I don’t think that’ll be necessary,” Adney said when I was finished. “I would suggest you avoid Rylie Altman as much as possible for the rest of the week. Getting into a physical altercation on campus is grounds for suspension.”

  I didn’t bother explaining myself. What was the point? I’m sure Adney would’ve just brushed me off and told me to get back to class.

  Music comes from the guest bedroom, and I stop in the doorway to find Ash lying on the unmade bed in only a pair of navy blue sweatpants, tapping a pencil against the edge of a white binder that’s next to him. I don’t know what inspired him to attempt schoolwork when I have his latest homework assignments in my backpack, but I sort of don’t care about that at the moment.

  All I can do is stare at his rippling abs with longing. He has the best body I’ve ever seen, and it’s hard for me to grasp that I had my hands all over it last night.