“No.” I closed my eyes and rode the tide of my arousal.
“Yes.” He inserted a third finger.
“Ohhh ... don’t stop,” I cried. But he did stop. I pulled away, covered myself, and propped my feet up on the railing. “Not until you’re willing to risk yourself. You can’t possibly expect me to lay myself out for you to pick over and then discard once you’ve had your fill.”
“I’m not a vulture.”
“What are you, Tate? You can’t expect more from me than you’re willing to give.”
He looked away toward the ocean, and I did the same.
Part of me screamed, Go get dressed and leave. My pussy, however, wanted her satisfaction. It throbbed, waiting for relief. I took matters into my own hands, literally. Before Tate could stop me, I opened his robe and firmly grasped his still-hard cock. My two small hands did not cover the length of him, so I took the head and the remaining shaft in my mouth. The first order of business was to get him to let go of his need for condoms. Tasting the remnants of latex on his skin instead of my own juices reminded me too much of being with Bond. I popped my head up and said, “I’ll trade sharing a bit of myself if you give up the condoms.”
“That’s a very bad idea,” he said, pushing my head back down. “That feels amazing.”
I worked my saliva down with my hands and reveled in the feel of him. “Your cock would taste and smell so much better. Like you, instead of a condom.”
“I’ll think about it.”
My mind leapt and prematurely high-fived itself. Progress!
Reaching for me, he pulled me onto his lap. “So you want to try anal sex. I’ll share a secret, so do I.” He kissed my temple and absently played with my nipple.
“You haven’t before?” I squirmed in his lap from his touch.
“No.” He shifted me to his right leg and wrapped his arm around my waist, his left hand touching me again.
“Hmmm. That’s not at all surprising, given your size.”
His fingers slid inside. “Let’s just say I’ve never met a woman like you before.”
“Oh, Tate, that feels so good, but can we drop the bullshit and just play?”
“Excuse me?”
“I doubt you just bought that whip and who knows what else resides in that drawer of yours.”
“I didn’t just buy that whip.”
“Obviously. You’re too good with it.”
“Thank you, I think.”
I opened the top of my robe and tweaked my nipples between my fingers.
Tate’s eyes dilated. “There’s no one else like you, Blue.”
There’s no one else like you, Blue, stored for later use in my self-torture. As I scanned his physique, he opened his robe, pushing it to the sides. I heard the tear of a condom wrapper and watched him roll the latex down his shaft.
His hands took over, shifting me to face the beach. He lowered me down onto his cock, my back pressed against his chest.
Once fully seated atop of him, I groaned. “So good,” I whispered into the ocean breeze.
One of his strong arms held me under my breasts while his other hand rolled my clit between his fingers. He rode me hard, up and down.
It didn’t take long for my orgasm to fire after all of the foreplay and teasing. “Ohhh,” I cried out.
His hand covered my mouth as my release continued to contract around his engorged cock.
I giggled through his fingers and then lay spent against him as he rolled his hips underneath me and reached his own climax.
We stayed like that, relaxing in the breeze, listening to the ocean. Then he moved me off his lap and stood, the navy robe hanging from his shoulders. I wrapped mine around me and sat back down as he headed inside.
He strolled back out with the robe tied tightly around him, and leaned against the sidewall. “So how’d it go with Bond last night?”
Ah, and another boundary rears its head. Ann would be so proud. “From here forward, talking about Bond is off limits.”
“That’s not going to work for me,” he said, crossing his arms over his chest.
“It’s going to have to.”
“Are you going to talk about us with him?”
“Number one, we are not an ‘us’ and two, definitely. You can limit a lot with us, but not with whom I share.”
“I can if it’s about me.”
I rolled my eyes. “You won’t give me any details about you, so I don’t know anything about you to tell.”
“So what is there to say?”
“Unless you’ve lived under a rock—quite frankly as rocks go, this place is stellar—and have never had a friend, I’m certain you know what there is to discuss. I didn’t go into detail about our sex or anything like that, although the girls know about your cock.”
His mouth dropped open, and he appeared stunned.
“Not my doing, you can thank Cat for that.”
He shook his head and said, “I don’t think I want to know.”
“Trust me, you don’t.”
“I want to see you tomorrow.” He stood up straight.
The boundaries were starting to pile up. “I don’t think that’s a good idea. Besides, I sometimes see Bond on Mondays. Let’s meet up at Red’s on Wednesday. Does that work?”
“That’s three days away.”
“Good counting skills.” I felt proud of myself, three whole boundaries and counting.
Before I knew what was happening, he pulled me out of my seat and held me on the deck railing, my feet off the ground. He ground his body and mouth against mine, holding me prisoner.
Jerking his head back, he said, “I can’t wait three days. Just stay tonight, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“No,” I insisted, trying to get out of the hold he had on me, even though his aggression totally reignited a need in me.
“Tuesday.”
“Okay, okay. Put me down.”
He lowered me to the deck. “Or tomorrow would be better. You have the whole day off.”
I walked back through the house and to the bathroom. As Tate watched, I changed into shorts and a T-shirt. It would be so easy for me to give in and spend the whole day with him. Locking eyes with him, I already knew I wanted more. More than he would ever give to me.
Say yes! My body cried.
“No. It’ll be late, but I can see you on Tuesday after my shift at Tap 42.”
“Okay.”
I threw my dirty work clothes and robe into my bag and zipped it up.
He walked me to the side door and kissed me gently. “Thank you for tonight. I promise, it’ll get easier.”
“That’s not a promise you can make,” I mumbled as I made my way to my car.
CHAPTER NINE
Black and Blue
by Miike Snow
All day Monday, I fought with myself about calling Tate. Even after two back-to-back step aerobics classes, I still felt antsy. I tried to write and edit, but I couldn’t focus. The sex, what he said and didn’t say, it all just swirled around like a tide pool in my head.
For someone who refused to open up, he sure seemed to want a full-on relationship. Maybe it was just sex. He had years to make up for, and I needed to remember that. Oh, the sex. It pissed me off that I felt so much when he could go on feeling nothing. His stupid, fucking hands and energy touched more than my body and yet, that was all I was, a body. The very situation I had struggled to avoid for years.
Part of me hoped Bond would call so I could lose myself in him for a few hours and yet, I wasn’t sure I could do it. Just as I thought about reaching out to him, he texted me.
Bond: Can I see you?
Me: Come here?
Bond: Sure. Should I pick up food along the way?
Me: Please!
Bond: See you soon.
I changed the sheets on my bed and jammed my overflowing laundry into the closet, forcing the door closed. Laundry as soon as Bond leaves! Knowing Bond’s routine, he wouldn’t be staying long. He’d b
e back at Red’s by dinnertime.
Bond strolled in without knocking, placing a white paper bag on the table. “I got us some burgers and fries.” All in black, with his long, dark hair down, tight jeans, and a fitted T, I had a hard time not comparing him to Tate. He walked off to the bathroom and when he came back into the kitchen, he sat casually, legs spread open.
“I’m starving, thanks.” I hadn’t eaten anything since my oatmeal before working out. “Something to drink?”
“What’ve you got?”
I opened the fridge and said, “Margarita in a bottle, Dos Equis from the last time you were here, OJ, which may or may not still be good, and water.”
“Dos Equis.”
I opened the beer and poured me some water. “How are things going with Jacqs and Red?” I asked as I joined him at the table.
He swallowed his bite of burger. “Same. Jacqs insists all is grand, but I get the feeling Red’s ready for me to move on, as if it’s a given he gets her in the end.”
“Bond?” I touched his arm.
“Yes, love?”
“We all do.”
He raised an eyebrow. “I guess we’ll see.”
“You’re not mad at me, are you?”
“You know I’m not. I count on you to cut through the bullshit.” He dipped some fries in ketchup and tossed them in his mouth. “And Tate. Have you seen him since Saturday?”
I blushed uncontrollably.
“That good, huh?”
“Worse.”
“Cute Post-It on the mirror,” he said, one eyebrow raised. “What are you going to do?” He took another bite of his burger, watching my expression.
“I’m trying to take Ann’s advice. She said I need to establish my own boundaries.”
“And have you?”
I took a sip of water. “Some. He’s very pushy, though.”
“Care to share?” He put his burger down and leaned back.
“You’ll laugh.”
He wiped his hands on a napkin and said, “Tell me anyway.”
“No sleepovers.”
“That’s not funny, that’s smart. What else?”
I sighed. “He wanted to see me today, and I said no.”
“So you are making him wait? That’s also very good. More?”
“I told him questions about you are off limits.” I expected Bond to laugh, but he didn’t.
He tilted his head and scrunched his eyebrows. “Why?”
“Because he’s constantly asking about you, and why should I share my personal life when he doesn’t.”
He brushed his hand over his long hair and seemed to be thinking. “So he’s possessive. Is he dating anyone else?”
“No.”
“You’re both in trouble.” He sat forward and continued eating his lunch.
“What does that mean?”
He placed the beer bottle back on the table. “He wants you for himself on his terms—”
“Yes, he’s been very upfront about that,” I said, nodding.
“If he wasn’t at all invested, Blue, he wouldn’t give a rat’s ass about me.”
“What are you saying?”
“Like I said, you’re both in trouble.”
“That makes me feel better.” I laughed.
“I get it. Equal suffering.”
“That’s what I love about you, Bond. You get me.”
“We’re two peas in a far-out pod.”
“Oh my god, that’s funny coming from you. You must have gotten that from Jacqs. Sometimes I wish we, you and me, could just fall in love with each other.”
He touched my hand. “It would make things easier, wouldn’t it?”
“Yeah,” I said, staring into his light brown eyes. Sometimes life seemed so unfair.
“In the meantime, I kind of like this turn of events.” He helped himself to another beer from the fridge.
“What do you mean?”
“You distract me from Jacqs, and now I get to distract you from Tate. It’s more equal.”
“Yeah, I guess that’s true. Will you do me a favor?”
“Sure, anything,” he said, sitting back down.
“Get to know Tate.”
“I shouldn’t have said ‘anything.’ If he won’t let you in, what are the chances?”
“I need to know your opinion. It matters to me. You’re like the big brother I wish I had.”
“He already has an issue with me. I don’t see it happening. But fuck, I’ll try. For you. I’ll talk to Red. He has a better shot, Stay too.”
“Good idea. Thank you.” I hopped onto his lap, wrapped my arms around his neck, and kissed him.
“Are you done eating?” he asked when we broke apart.
“For now.”
Bond carried me to the bedroom and granted me two wonderful hours of distraction from Tate. I did tackle the laundry and actually dusted after he left.
CHAPTER TEN
Ride
by Somo
On Tuesday, I ran home between my lunch shift at The Chart House and the night shift at Tap 42. I showered, pulled my hair back in a ponytail with my long bangs hanging past my eyebrows, lined my eyes, and dressed, choosing a sheer, sexy bra and matching thong.
The Tap 42’s bar didn’t fill up like it did on Saturday nights. I had way too much time to think, and I didn’t like it one bit. By around 8:00 p.m. the distraction himself showed. I felt him before he rounded the corner.
“I couldn’t wait,” Tate said as he took a seat at the bar, empty seats on either side of him, his expression as serious as ever.
“You shouldn’t say stuff like that,” I admonished, flipping a coaster in front of him.
“Another rule?”
“What will it be?” I pulled a frosty mug from the freezer and held it up.
“You, under me as soon as possible.”
I glanced up and our eyes locked. “You’re incorrigible.”
“My pants have been tight all day.”
“Stop it!”
“What?” he said, shrugging as if he didn’t know he was tormenting me. By his stare, I could tell he knew exactly what he was doing.
I turned my back to him and pulled the newest IPA. Setting it in front of him, I asked, “Could you come to Red’s a bit late tomorrow?”
The corners of his mouth turned down even more. “Why?”
“So I can have some time with my girlfriends before you get there.”
“And boyfriends. Who’s the guy over there?” he asked, flipping his head to the left.
I saw Stuart angled against the wall that led into the kitchen.
“My boss. He’s the bar manager, why?”
“He’s watching you just like he was the other night.”
“So?” I rested my arms on the bar top.
Tate wrapped his fingers around my forearm. “Have you—”
“No. I haven’t and wouldn’t. I learned that lesson a while ago.”
“Which was?”
“Judy,” Stuart called. “Can you come here?”
“Sure.” On my way over to him, I wiped the bar and cleared a glass a few seats down from Tate. “What’s up?”
“I thought you said he was no one.” Usual upbeat Stuart didn’t seem so upbeat anymore.
“He wasn’t at the time. He’s since come back around.”
“Be careful,” he warned.
“Why would you say that?”
Stuart glanced from Tate to me. “He looks so serious. He hasn’t smiled once since he sat down.”
“Yeah, that’s how he is. He’s not big on smiles.”
“We could have fun, Judy. It wouldn’t have to be serious.”
“My dance card is all filled. Please don’t take this personally. I like working here and don’t want to lose this job.”
“Rejection is always personal. However, I won’t let it affect us working together.”
I hoped he meant it. I passed by Tate and checked on my other customers. After placing an order fo
r food, I stepped back in front of him.
“What was that about?” he asked.
“What you might guess.”
“Jesus, Blue.” He practically glared at me.
“I assure you, I didn’t ask for it.” I cleared his beer mug away and filled a new one, setting it in front of him.
“Is it always like this?”
“More often than I would like,” I said with a shrug.
“Way more than I’m comfortable with.”
“I don’t know what to say. Why does it bother you?” I filled a glass full of ice and water for myself.
He didn’t answer.
I crashed smack into his wall of steel. Trying to shift the mood, I asked, “Are you hungry?”
“Very.” The flare of his eyes told me food wasn’t on his agenda, eating me for dinner was.
“I sometimes think we should avoid talking altogether. It’s a mine field.”
“I don’t want to talk.” He reached across the bar for my hand. “When does your shift end?”
Not soon enough, I thought.
As if he read my thoughts, he said, “Definitely not soon enough.”
“A couple of hours. I don’t see Stuart letting me off early. Definitely not while you’re sitting here.”
“You should look for another place to work.”
My mouth dropped open. “Dude, back off. I’m serious. You don’t get to keep me out of your life and control mine.”
He pursed his lips and brushed his hair out of his face. “You’re right, I’m sorry.” After breathing out heavily, he asked, “Do you get a break?”
“Yeah, I have thirty minutes coming to me.”
“Come outside with me.”
I glanced in Stuart’s direction and looked back at Tate. “Give me a few minutes.” I grabbed the plastic ice bin and went to the kitchen. I filled it and then noticed that I had food up. Leaving the ice in the back, I picked up the appetizer and delivered it to the guy at the end of the bar. Catching Tate’s eye, I smiled as I passed by him again. Back in the kitchen, I found Stuart. “Can I go on break as soon as I dump the ice?” I lifted the bin and waited for him to respond.
He looked to be searching for a reason to say no. Apparently, he couldn’t find one. “Okay.” Grabbing the other side of the ice bin to help me carry it, he followed me out to the bar and we poured the ice into the receptacle.
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