by R. R. Banks
He shrugs. “You did.”
“Me? How so?”
“The first couple of times we went out, you took me to look at street art, you called it. Do you remember that?” he asks. “At the time I remember saying it was just graffiti, and you – changed my mind about it. You opened my eyes. To that, and a lot of other things.”
I laugh. “Wow. And here I thought you were just humoring me by going along.”
He shakes his head. “If I'm being honest, I thought I was too. At first, anyway,” he says. “But, seeing those murals and whatnot through your eyes, having you talk to me about them, hearing you share your perspective – it really got to me.”
I look at him, stunned by his revelation. I really thought he was just humoring me back then. But I can see by the way he’s looking at some of the pieces that he has a genuine appreciation for them. It makes me happy.
“I mean, don't get me wrong,” he says. “I'll never know as much about art as you do. I'm sure you forget more every day than I'll ever know. But, there are some pieces I've seen – and collected – that really speak to me. And I seem to recall you saying something about that – about good art being able to resonate with you.”
“I never thought I'd hear anything like that fall out of your mouth, to be honest,” I say.
He laughs and gives me a sly wink. “Yeah, it surprised the hell out of me too,” he admitted. “But, it really speaks to the impact you had on me, and my life, Darby. And maybe, that tells you a little more about why I'm not willing to give it up again, now that I have a second chance.”
“Very smooth,” I say.
“Just the truth.”
I punch him in the arm playfully and we continue through the gallery. I'm more focused on the paintings and sculptures than anything else.
We stroll around the gallery for close to an hour, examining all the pieces on display. There are some beautiful, evocative pieces that I take pictures of to save for later. We say goodbye to Harold, but as we go to the door, Carter stops me.
“Hang on, I forgot that I needed to talk to Harold about something.”
I nod. “Oh, okay.”
He steps away, walking over to speak to Harold. Their voices are low, and I can't make out what they're saying, but the big man starts to laugh and claps Carter on the shoulder. A moment later, he rejoins me at the door and we step back out into the night.
Arm in arm, we walk back down toward where Roger is waiting with the car.
“Thank you,” I say. “That was really amazing.”
I give him a smile and take his hand, giving it a gentle squeeze. As we slip into the back seat, and Roger closes the door, Carter turns to me, a look of earnestness in his face.
“Will you come home with me?” he asks.
Everything in my brain screams no. That I should pump the brakes, and stop before the train runs straight off the tracks. I know I shouldn't even be entertaining the idea, since we're still so early in – whatever this is. I still honestly don't even know if I'm going to give him a second chance. I only came tonight to stop him from stop hanging around my classroom. So, I open my mouth to tell him so.
“Yes.”
My eyes widen, and my mouth falls open when I hear the word that just passed my lips. Maybe, it was the mojitos. Maybe, it was getting wrapped up in all of my old, leftover feelings from a decade ago.
More than likely, it's a combination of all those things, and probably more, but when I look into Carter's eyes, I realize I want him more than anything else. The warmth that has been spreading inside of me all night, has finally consumed me, throwing all logical, rational thought out the window.
In that moment, I have to feel him inside of me again.
“Are you sure?” he asks.
I nod. “Yes.”
* * *
“Wow,” I say. “You've certainly come a long way from Hell's Kitchen.”
I stand before the floor-to-ceiling windows that overlook the twinkling lights of Midtown Manhattan spread out below. The view I have from my own place in the Upper East Side – the condo I inherited after my aunt and uncle passed – is nice. This, however, is something else.
The lights in Carter's condo are dim. Candles burn on the mantel above the oversized fireplace, and on some of the small tables scattered around the main room, while soft jazz music plays from a hidden sound system. There is a sunken living room behind me. A massive fireplace takes up one wall, and two couches face each other, with a heavy glass table sitting between them.
His place is beautiful and very tastefully decorated, with simple, subtle furnishings. Beautiful works of art adorn the walls, and although it's obvious Carter has money, nothing about his place flaunts that fact. It's actually rather – restrained. Understated.
Some folks with a lot of money feel the need to flaunt it. To let everybody who steps through their doors know that they’re wealthy.
My aunt and uncle were that way, and after they passed, I had most of the stuff either boxed up and stored, or outright sold. I had no use for it, and didn’t want to become one of those stereotypes.
In the reflection off the windows, I see him approaching me from behind. My body tenses and I feel a ripple of anticipation pass through me when he slips his hands around my waist. When he presses his lips to my neck, kissing his way from my ear to my collarbone, I let out a soft moan as currents of pleasure roll through me. I raise my arm and run my hands through his hair as his tongue traces my skin.
“I've dreamed about this for ten years,” he says softly.
Gripping my waist a little tighter, he pulls me against him and I feel the length of his erection pressing against me. Heat blossoms between my thighs and I feel myself growing impossibly wet.
The truth of the matter is, for the last ten years, I've dreamed of this too. Even though I've been with other men, none have ever compared. And although it might be terrible to admit, I've even closed my eyes and fantasized about Carter when I was with a few of them.
So yeah, I know all about what it's like to dream and fantasize about something for years. You might even say I'm something of an expert on the topic.
Sliding my hand down, I grip his cock through his slacks as he continues to kiss my neck. He stops me though, grabbing my wrist and pulling it away from him.
Turning me around, he presses his mouth to mine and kisses me. His tongue slips between my lips and dances with my own, nearly stealing the breath right out of me. Our kiss grows in intensity and passion as he picks me up. I wrap my arms around the back of his neck and my legs around his waist and he carries me down the three steps into the sunken living room.
Gently laying me down on the couch, he hovers over me for a moment. The glow from the fireplace dances and flickers upon him, making his eyes sparkle like jewels. He kisses me again and slides down my body, a mischievous smile on his face. Pulling me to the edge of his deep, oversized couch, I shudder as he parts my thighs. His eyes never leaving mine, he slides his hands up my legs, the feel of his fingertips on my flesh sending lightning bolts of pleasure racing through me.
I let out a choked gasp when he touches me through my panties. He slides them down my legs and tosses them aside, his gaze never leaving mine. Pushing my dress up around my waist, he lowers his face, and I cry out, feeling like a explosion of pleasure has gone off the moment he buries his tongue deep inside of me.
“Mm, yes, Carter,” I cry.
He licks and sucks on me, seeming to savor every last taste. I grind myself against him, the waves of pleasure growing stronger, rocking me harder as his tongue explores my innermost depths. I arch my back and cry out, my hand gripping the back of his head tightly, urging him to keep going.
When he takes my clit into his mouth, sucking and nipping on it at the same time he buries two fingers deep into me, my eyes snap open and a loud, stuttering moan escapes my throat. The pressure inside of me is building and my body starts to tremble as he works me over like he has something to prove. Or maybe,
just lost time to make up for.
“C – Carter, I'm going to...”
I can't finish my statement, as my body seizes up. My voice trails off as I moan, grinding myself against his mouth, unable to get enough of him.
“Come for me, Darby,” he says, his breath warm, his deep voice vibrating against my most sensitive parts.
To emphasize his desire, he sucks on my clit harder, pushing me over the edge, and down into the crashing waves of sheer ecstasy. I feel like I've lost control of my body as my orgasm ravages me. Carter slips his tongue back into me, tasting me, savoring every last drop, as my climax rolls through me.
“I need you, Carter,” I gasp. “I need you inside of me.”
Carter raises his face. I've never seen a sexier sight in my life. He stands up and pulls me into a sitting position. Standing before me, he keeps his gaze locked onto mine as he slowly and methodically takes off his tie and drops it on the couch. Next, he unbuttons his shirt with the same frustratingly slow pace.
My want and need driving me forward, I'm unable to contain myself, and I reach for his pants. Grabbing hold of his belt, I quickly undo it, only to have him grab both of my wrists in one of his large, strong hands, and pull them away. I look up at him, confusion and lust turning my head into a maelstrom of chaos.
“Patience,” he says, his voice low and husky.
His eyes sparkle dazzlingly, and my head starts to spin. I feel like I'm under his spell, unable to think, unable to act – only able to do as he says.
Carter drops his shirt on the floor beside him, giving me my first look at his body, and I feel myself grow even wetter. His arms, shoulders, and torso are all corded with muscle.
Biting my bottom lip, desire driving me half out of my mind, I slide my hands across his taut stomach and up to his hard pecs, reveling in how it feels beneath my fingers.
I feel his hands in my hair and he takes a handful of it, gripping it hard, and pulls my head back. I look up at him as he leans down and presses his mouth to me. His kiss is strong, forceful, and full of desire. Keeping hold of my hair, Carter kicks off his shoes, unbuttons his pants, and lets them fall to the floor. His erection is straining against his boxers and I reach for it, only to have him push my hands away once more.
“Patience,” he repeats.
Letting go of my hair for a moment, he pushes his boxers down and kicks them off as well, standing before me entirely exposed. His cock is long and hard – and every bit as beautiful as I remember it. I shudder as I recall how incredible it felt deep inside of me, almost climaxing on the spot as pleasant memories fill my mind.
Carter steps forward, the head of his glorious cock drawing ever nearer. My eyes never leaving his, I part my lips and allow him to slide it into my mouth. As I tighten my lips around that hard, thick shaft, and start to swirl my tongue around the head of it, Carter's eyes flutter and he lets out a soft gasp.
I work my mouth up and down on his cock a little harder, a little faster, and Carter groans softly.
Carter's breath catches in his throat and he softly moans my name as I feel his body tensing beneath me, and his breathing grow heavier, thicker. He steps back, pulling his cock out of my mouth. I look up, a wicked grin on my face.
“I'm not ready for this to be over yet,” he says.
“Good,” I reply. “I'm not either.”
“Be right back,” he says, his voice thick.
Without a word, he turns and hurries up the steps, leaving me sitting alone on the couch. He returns a moment later, a condom in his hand and that familiar, roguish smile back on his face.
“Stand up,” he says.
I get to my feet as he steps behind me. Carter places a soft, sensual kiss on the back of my neck as he slides the zipper on my dress down. He pushes it off my shoulders and lets it fall to the ground, gently kissing my shoulders as his hands roam my body. The feeling of his hands on my body sets me aflame, my every nerve ending quivering with desire.
His eyes riveted to my body, Carter walks around me, drinking in every inch of me. The look on his face is one of pure rapture, the fires of desire in his eyes burning even brighter. Hotter. I feel a soft quiver roll through me as he gazes at me like I'm the most beautiful woman he's ever seen.
“My God,” he whispers. “I've almost forgotten just how beautiful you are. You are absolute perfection, Darby.”
The heat rushes into my cheeks, and I'm suddenly glad for the dim lighting in the room so he can't see the unnatural shade of red I know I’m turning.
“Stop,” I say softly.
He lifts my chin so that our gazes are firmly locked, and I see the conviction in his eyes. I can feel his sincerity, and open affection.
“You're the most beautiful woman I've ever seen, Darby,” he says. “Always have been, always will be. You are perfect in my eyes.”
A warm glow fills my body. I've received plenty of compliments in my lifetime, sure, but I've always found a way to mitigate them or brush them off entirely. But, the way Carter speaks, with such passion and firm resolve – it means more to me than every other compliment I've received in my life combined. It fills me with a happiness and a joy that's been missing from my life for so long – so long, I'd forgotten it was even missing in the first place.
Carter leans forward and kisses me again, soft and gentle at first, but it quickly grows in firmness, and intensity. He pulls back and hands me the condom.
“Put this on me,” he says, his voice hard, and commanding.
I tear open the package and drop it to the floor, placing the condom against the tip of his cock. Squeezing him tight, I unroll it, sliding it down the length of him, the soft moan passing his lips telling me he's enjoying the sensation as much as I am.
Carter softly pushes me back down onto the couch, and I spread my thighs for him as he climbs on top of me. He braces himself on his thick, strong arms, his face hovering above mine, the head of his cock pressing against the warm, wet center of me. My body aches to feel him inside of me, to have him driving that thick shaft into me over and over again. I lift my hips, trying to slip him into me, but he pulls himself back.
“I need you, Carter,” I gasp. “Please, I've wanted this for so long.”
He grabs hold of my hands and pins them to the couch above my head. I struggle to break free from his grasp, but he tightens his grip, holding me down even tighter. He looks at me, a slow grin tugging one corner of his mouth upward.
I open my mouth to say something, but all that comes out is a long groan as he thrusts his hips, and I’m suddenly filled with his long, thick cock. Fully sheathed inside of me, he pauses for a moment to let our bodies adjust to being with one another again after so long. I'm a small woman and Carter is easily the largest man I've ever been with. His cock stretches me open and fills me up in ways I'm not used to, that set my whole body on fire.
He kisses me hard, and starts to move his hips, moving his dick inside of me with purpose. He's so large, a pinch of pain blends with the initial rush of pleasure, jolting my body. His tempo is slow at first. Sensual. But, he quickly begins to pick up steam, driving his cock into me with more force.
The sound of our bodies slapping together, as well as our cries of ecstasy, echo around the room, somehow blending seamlessly with the soft jazz that's playing in the background, creating an erotic soundtrack. Carter groans low as he thrusts into me relentlessly, and I call out his name, the rush of pain-tinged pleasure overwhelming me.
“Carter, God, yes,” I stutter and gasp.
I writhe and thrash beneath him, trying to break free of his grasp. I want to touch him. To feel his skin beneath my hands as he fucks me, but he holds me tight.
I feel the warmth spreading out inside of me as the pressure builds higher and higher, driving me toward another orgasm. Carter surprises me by pulling out and standing up, and I'm left with an aching need between my legs. A need I'm desperate to have satisfied.
He grins at me as he pulls me to my feet and turns me around. I
feel his hands on my back as he forces me down, bending me over the arm of the couch. He grabs my hands again and pins them behind my back.
I cry out as he drives his cock into me once more. I pull at his hands, but he keeps me bent over, hands behind my back, as he slams into me.
My entire body vibrates with feeling and a manic energy, and my every nerve ending feels like it's on fire.
Pushing myself back against him, my eyes open wide as he slips even deeper into me. I hear his breath catch in his throat and a low grunt pass his lips.
“Darby,” he gaps. “Fuck, baby.”
My breathing is so ragged, I fear I might hyperventilate, but I don't want him to stop. I don't want these sensations to end. Ever.
Carter drives himself deep inside me one last time before I feel his cock pulsing inside of me and a moment later, he exhales a loud groan. I feel him throbbing as my own orgasm comes crashing down over me.
I call out his name as waves of continuous pleasure batter me like a shoreline during a hurricane. The sensations are so intense, I feel like I can't breathe for a moment.
Our bodies still linked together, reveling in the warm glow that surrounds us. Eventually, our orgasms subside and we're both left feeling spent and satiated. Carter collapses down onto the couch, laying on his back, and pulls me onto it beside him. I lay my head down on his chest, tracing circles on his taut stomach with my fingertips. He places a soft kiss on the top of my head.
“I've missed you, Darby,” he murmurs.
“I've missed you too,” I say softly.
“You're mine, you know,” he mutters dreamily, though I hear the firm conviction in his voice. “And I'm yours. This is how it’s supposed to be.”
Slowly, the darkness of sleep creeps in at the edges of my vision. I feel exhausted. Worn out. But, in a good way.
It's not long before I close my eyes, and let the darkness pull me under.
* * *
My heart lurches when I wake up. I'm disoriented for a moment, and don't recognize my surroundings. A small panic starts to set in. The fire in the fireplace burns low and the clock on the mantle says it's nearly three in the morning. I turn and look around almost in a panic. At least, until I see Carter stretched out on the couch – still naked – his breathing deep and even. Then the panic morphs into something else entirely.
