by Hayes, Somer
“Hello,” I said.
“Chip, get down,” Beau told him.
He ignored Beau and instead licked the back of my hand that was holding my wine. What was it with this dog and licking me? I took the wine glass in my other hand. He followed and licked it, too. Then he seemed to notice the pouch with Claire in it and began sniffing in earnest.
“Do you mind if we let him check her out?” Beau asked. “He won’t quit pestering you until he figures out what he’s smelling.”
“He won’t try to eat her, will he?”
Beau grinned. “No. She’ll be fine.”
“Okay,” I agreed and unzipped the pouch, pulling a sleepy Claire out. I gave her to Beau, thinking she’d be safer with him. He took her from me, then cradled her near Chip so he could sniff her. He poked his nose all around her, sniffling and snorting. Once he was done with his inspection, he gave her a big long lick from her tail to her ears. She meowed her displeasure. Chip sat back on his haunches and grinned, tongue hanging out the side of his mouth. Beau chuckled and returned Claire to me. I pulled the pouch off my body and sat it between us. I tucked her in, and she settled in with just her head poking out.
Beau’s hand moved to my arm and ran up and down it in a lazy motion. “I’m glad you’re here.”
The combination of sweet and sexy was intoxicating. Maybe it was the wine, or maybe it was my pent-up attraction to him, but I suddenly needed to get my mouth on him. I looked up at him from my position under his arm, and he returned my gaze. I reached a hand to his cheek, testing him out, and he didn’t react. So, I leaned up and kissed him. He made a sound deep in the back of his throat that ignited the fire in me, and I deepened the kiss, sweeping my tongue into his mouth. He tasted like warm bread and sweet wine, and I was a goner. He took our wine glasses and blindly sat them on the table behind us. With my hands now free, I adjusted so I could wind my fingers through his hair, kissing him with all the passion I felt. He returned my kiss and challenged me for more, his hands running up and down my arms, my back, and in my hair. He pulled me closer to him, and I swung a leg over his lap, straddling him.
I pulled back to look down at him, his face cradled in my hands. The sunlight was fading, and the fire cast a warm glow over his face. His eyes were hooded, his mouth slightly open, his lips wet from my kiss. He was looking at my mouth. I dove back in kissing him with abandon and rolled my hips toward his. We both moaned when the juncture at my legs met the hardness at his.
I dipped my hands under his flannel and ran them up his tight abdomen to his pecs. His skin was hot and smooth. I broke away from his mouth so I could kiss my way down his neck, unbuttoning his shirt as I went, then pressing kisses down his chest and stomach.
“God, Grace,” he gasped.
Once I had his shirt unbuttoned, I pushed it over his shoulders and pulled it from his body. He looked godlike with his perfect physique in the firelight. He watched my face as he reached for the hem of my sweater and began lifting it. I raised my arms in encouragement. He pulled it from my body, and I felt the chill of the air mix with the heat of the fire.
“You’re so beautiful,” he told me.
I wanted him. At that moment, I wanted nothing more than him. I wanted to possess his body in the way he had come to possess my mind. My hands moved down his chest to the button of his jeans. I watched his chest rise and fall as I unbuttoned his fly and pulled the zipper down. I hooked my hands in the band of his jeans and pulled them down his legs. His hardness sprang forward, and my mouth went dry. It was just as big as the rest of him. I reached out and took him in my hand playing, weighing, and teasing. His skin was smooth over his hardness, and I ran my palms over his shaft until I felt a bead of wetness at the tip. I leaned down and dabbed my tongue against it, tasting him for the first time.
His body jerked. “God, Grace, you’re killing me.”
I gave him a slow smile before taking him into my mouth, slowly, slowly until I could take no more, then I went back up tasting his salt on my tongue. My hands followed my mouth, and I tasted and suckled until he dug his hands into my hair. “You feel amazing, but I won’t last at this rate.” He urged me up and then traded places with me, laying me down on the oversized couch. He undid my jeans and pulled them from my body leaving me in my bra and panties.
“You are perfection,” he told me as he ran his hands up my body, then back down. As his hand caressed my inner thigh, he moved my panties to one side and pressed his thumb against my entrance.
I rolled my hips in invitation. I wanted to feel his touch. I needed him to understand how badly I wanted to feel him. He ran the pad of his thumb up my slit, then back down, increasing pressure with every passing stroke until I was begging for more. He pushed one finger into me, and I cried out. “Beau, I want you.”
He pulled my panties down my legs and climbed on top of me. I wrapped my legs around his waist until I felt his head nudging my entrance. He looked down between us and then back up at me. “I have wanted to do this since the moment I laid eyes on you.” With a powerful thrust, he entered me for the very first time. I felt my body stretch to accommodate his length and thickness, pain mixing with pleasure, and I couldn’t stop the moan that broke from my mouth.
He wrapped one hand around the back of my neck, kissed me deeply, pulled out, then pushed back in. Sparks of pleasure exploded behind my eyes. “Yes, Beau,” I told him. It was all the encouragement he needed. His body moved over mine in a rhythm that had us both panting and gasping for air. His powerful thrusts stoked my internal fire until I feared it would burn us both. I could feel the familiar tightening in my abdomen as I neared climax. “You’re going to make me come,” I said into his mouth, and he growled.
“Come for me, Grace. Let me feel you come.”
His words combined with his movements were enough to send me over the edge. I felt my body tighten and spasm around his. I cried out my pleasure, and he swallowed it in his kiss. His pace increased, and I could feel his body tensing. “Yes,” I whispered. He let out a yell, and I felt the hot jets of his climax deep within me. His movements slowed, and he collapsed over me. I hooked my ankles around his waist and ran my hands up and down his back and through his hair. I was reeling. I’d never felt passion to that degree, and yet I felt completely sated and content.
I pulled in a deep breath and let his scent fill my senses. His face rested against my neck, and his lips pressed a kiss to my skin. “That’s not why I invited you over here tonight, but I’m so glad it happened,” he told me.
I smiled and squeezed him. “So am I.”
“Will you stay for a little while?” he asked.
I nodded against him, and he pulled a blanket from the back of the couch and covered us in it. “You are amazing,” he told me.
“The feeling is entirely mutual,” I whispered, then let my eyes close.
30
Beau
I rested my head on a throw pillow and watched Grace’s peaceful face in the light of the fire. She was beautiful. Her thick lashes rested against the skin under her eyes. Her nose was straight and petite. Her lips were impossibly full and kissable. They’d appeared even redder and luscious next to the color of the sweater she’d worn. When she’d put them on me, I nearly came undone in that instant. Her mouth was so soft and wet and warm. I could feel my body stirring again at the thought. I wondered if she’d welcome another round.
Something about the way she’d reacted to sex told me she’d be willing, but I decided not to press her on our first night together. I pulled the blanket tighter around us and reached down to find Claire. She was still resting contentedly in her bed, but I brought her up to my chest so we wouldn’t accidentally punt her. I pet her soft fur and listened to the sound of Grace’s steady breathing. Above me, the sky was clear and full of stars. If someone had told me that was what heaven looked like, I would have believed them.
I reached for and found my glass of wine and drank some more while I let Grace rest. It wasn’t until Claire de
cided she was hungry that Grace stirred. She blinked, and I could tell she was trying to figure out where she was. I smiled. “You can stay here. I’ll feed her.”
“No, that’s okay. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”
“You had carbs, wine, and sex tonight. You never stood a chance.”
She stretched and sat up, checking her watch. “I should head home.”
I reached up to run my fingertips down her cheek. “You could stay,” I offered and hoped I didn’t sound too needy.
“Is that what you want?” she asked.
“Yes. I’d like you to stay.”
She smiled. “Then I’ll stay.”
We gathered our clothes and went inside. I carried the kitten and Chip followed close behind. I began feeding Claire, and Grace poured us each some more wine which made me like her even more. We sipped in comfortable silence while the kitten ate, then I took Grace’s hand and led her to the elevator. “I’m not sure my thighs can handle the stairs after that kind of workout.”
She smiled and tucked herself into my side. When we reached my bedroom, I helped her into my big bed, then gave her Claire. She tucked her into the crook of her neck and smiled sleepily at me. “This is a sight I’m afraid I could get used to,” I admitted.
“This is a bed I’m afraid I could get used to.”
I chuckled and climbed in next to her. “Whatever it takes to keep you in it,” I said, then drifted off.
31
Grace
Two weeks and an embarrassing amount of sex later, I was still just as interested in and attracted to Beau Maverick as I had been the first time. Part of me had wondered if he was something I needed to get out of my system, and once I had, I could move on with life as usual.
Whether it was fortunately or unfortunately, that didn’t seem to be the case. We had been spending all of our free time together, him showing me around town, me playing him some of my favorite music, us having sex. It had been among the happiest two weeks of my life.
I turned my head on my pillow and found him watching me. “Creep,” I murmured.
“I can’t help it. I just like looking at you.”
I grinned and sighed. “You gotta go. I have a committee meeting I need to get to.”
He snaked his arm around my waist and pulled me into him. “Blow it off,” he said in my ear.
“I can’t. It’s the last one before the Fall Festival.”
“Have you gotten me out of the kissing booth yet?”
“Sorry. I’m afraid you’re stuck doing it.”
“Gross.”
“Now unhand me, sir. I need to get dressed.”
“But I don’t want to.”
“This should only take an hour or so. You can stay here if you want.”
“That’s more like it. I’ll keep Claire company.”
“No can do. Beverly’s granddaughter lives for these meetings so that she can hold Claire.”
“Okay. I’ll stay right here like a lazy bum, then.”
I gave him a quick kiss and got out of bed, got dressed, put Claire in her pouch, and noticed that in just two short weeks, she had grown to the point she wouldn’t be comfortable in there much longer. “I’ll be back,” I called and then ran out the door.
The meeting moved quickly since almost everything was ready to go. This was mostly just a final check-in. The ladies around the table buzzed with excitement talking about each detail in turn.
“I’ll tell you what I’m most excited for,” one of them said. “Kissing that Beau Maverick right on the mouth.”
Her neighbor swatted her. “You can’t kiss him on the mouth.”
“If I’m paying money to kiss him, then by golly I’m going to kiss him where I want to.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that, but then they continued. “Bet most of the town will be showing up.” “Wonder if any of his exes will come?” “Is he dating anyone right now?” “Naw, I bet he’ll stay a bachelor for life.”
I tried to ignore them. Beau’s life before my arrival was none of my business. But it still did call to question. Was I his only? Did he have a long string of exes? Was this just sex?
I left there feeling uneasy but telling myself to ignore it. After all, we’d only been seeing each other for a few weeks. It’s not like I could lay any claim to him or him to me. But still, my thoughts were uncomfortable ones as I headed back to the house. I let myself in, and Beau was stretched out on the couch, feet kicked up on the coffee table, beer in hand, football on TV.
“How’d it go?” he asked.
“Fine. We should be all set.”
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, why?”
“I don’t know. You seem off somehow.”
“I’m fine. Want to order a pizza?”
“Way ahead of you. It’ll be here in twenty minutes.”
“Great.” I joined him on the couch and stole a swig of his beer. He seemed perfectly comfortable and at ease next to me, and I hated that questions and doubts were creeping in. We’d been having so much fun together. I didn’t want to waste any time on stupid feelings or jealousy. Resolved to make the most of our time together, I pushed the unwelcome thoughts away and snuggled in closer to Beau’s side.
* * *
A week later, we pulled into the fairgrounds together. I had wanted to get there early to support the committee and ensure everything was going according to plan. Vendors were setting up food trucks, carnival games, and rides. The women on the committee were flitting back and forth asking questions and barking orders.
I looked around and thought they’d done a wonderful job. The Fall Festival looked like they had cut it directly out of the pages of a magazine. Pumpkins, bittersweet, and hay bales complimented the booths and tents that would hold homemade treats, handmade goods, and even Beau Maverick.
One of the committee members spotted us and hustled over to Beau. “I’m glad you’re here. I’ll show you where your booth is and tell you how this is going to work.” She took his arm and drug him away. He looked at me over his shoulder and mouthed, help me.
I raised my hands in a gesture of helplessness, then I blew him a kiss. He flipped me off. I laughed and went in search of Beverly. I found her in the largest of the tents where they were setting up tables and chairs for people to sit and eat.
“Can I help with anything?” I asked.
“Nope. I run this festival like a machine. Doors open in one hour, and we’ll be ready to rake in the dough.”
“Okay. I’ll be around if you need anything.” I left the tent and wandered around enjoying all the new sights, sounds, and smells. Even I had to admit this looked like a lot of fun, and I was glad they’d forced my hand. As promised, an hour later they opened the gates, and bodies came flooding in. Excited children ran from booth to game to ride, and harried parents chased them. I did my best to check on each of the vendors and offer my assistance where needed. I was making my way to the stables where they were housing the horses for the hayrack rides when I realized I was near Beau’s booth. I decided to check on him and see if he needed anything.
I rounded the corner and almost laughed out loud. The line to his booth must have been twenty women deep and ranging from tittering school girls to middle-aged housewives. I almost hadn’t believed the committee when they’d said this would be a popular attraction, but I could now see they’d been correct. I was bobbing and weaving my way through the crowd when I heard a shrill voice pop up.
“And he’s such a gentleman,” it said. Something in her tone made me pause. I turned until I found the body the voice belonged to. She was petite and blonde and covered in makeup and rhinestones. “After we got wasted at the bar, he drove me home.” She smiled knowingly at her friend and glanced around obviously hoping that the people around her were listening in.
“You are so lucky,” her friend said. I’d give anything to go out on a date with Beau Maverick.
The blonde looked skyward. “And he smells so amazing. I can’t
wait to get my hands on him up there just so I can smell him again.”
I stepped away, stomach churning. Something clicked in my brain, the pieces falling into place. The night I’d found him falling down drunk at Murphy’s Pub, he’d been with that girl. It had been her perfume I’d smelled on him in the Jeep. I glanced back at her and realized that physically, we were opposites. She was small and blonde and over-the-top feminine. I was tall, brunette, and all business.
Was she his type? Was I just something different to occupy him for the time being? I looked at him in the booth and saw him smiling down at the young woman in front of him. She wore tight jeans and cowgirl boots and flashed perfect white teeth at him before leaning in for a kiss that I felt lingered on the side of inappropriate.
My cheeks flushed with anger and embarrassment. Maybe I’d been dreading this stupid kissing booth for a reason because somewhere deep down I knew it wasn’t as innocent as it seemed. The women waiting in that line weren’t here out of the goodness of their hearts or to contribute to the fundraiser. They were there for a shot at Beau. I looked at the line of women and wondered how many of them he’d been with. Clearly, something had happened between him and the blonde, so it was likely there were more of them.
I was one of them.
In a flash of anger, I considered getting in line and paying him for a kiss like everyone else, but some rational part of my brain talked me out of it before I could make a fool of myself. Instead, I spun on my heel, told Beverly I wasn’t feeling well and needed to go, and then I went home.
32
Beau
Six miserable hours later, I removed myself from the kissing booth. I had been pawed at, slobbered on, and insulted for the better part of my day, and I was done. Charity be damned, I would never be doing that again.
