by J. C. Reed
For a while, we ate in silence, enjoying the view. The city was so beautiful, I felt like with every breath I inhaled a bit of that beauty.
“Do you drive a lot, Chase?” I asked eventually, turning to face him.
“Yeah. Why?” He stopped eating and regarded me with a strange expression on his face. I shrugged and turned away, but I could feel his prodding gaze on me.
“You seem to know L.A. pretty well. That’s all.”
He gave a short laugh. “When I’m chasing after gigs, I’m on the road all the time. Heading from one audition to another can get lonely and boring.” He shrugged and leaned back. “It makes a nice change having you around, Laurie.”
Why the heck did he sound so serious and sincere?
I swallowed hard. My head began to spin just a little bit.
Careful now.
I already had a hard time keeping a cool head around him. If I let him, he’d say something that would melt my reservations.
“You’re right. It’s a special place. In fact, I think it’s the most beautiful place in L.A.”
“Yeah.” He nodded, his electric eyes boring into me. “But it’s only beautiful when shared, and I’m happy it’s you I get to spend this moment with.”
He looked at me, and once more, my breath stopped at his words, at how much I wished them to be true.
Embarrassed by my stupid thoughts, I turned away and began to fumble with my food to keep my hands occupied.
His fingertips began to caress the back of my neck, then traveled down my spine. My skin began to tingle and a slow pull settled within my core.
He was the most beautiful person I had ever met, but also the most frightening.
I’d have to tell him.
Soon.
Lay out the cards in the open.
And watch him walk away.
Because falling in love with him was not an option.
Chapter 6
“Chase,” I whispered, unwilling to pull my hand out of his. How could I explain that he couldn’t keep doing the things he did? That I was afraid of falling in love with him? That his words made my heart flutter and carved my stony heart into a form that only had room for him? That I both wanted to and feared breaking our moment? That I wished he would hold me forever, but at the same time, I hoped he’d just leave.
He was the kind of temptation I couldn’t resist.
The kind of seduction from which I would never return whole.
“Yeah?” He turned his head, his eyes liquid puddles in the night.
I opened my mouth but no words came to my mind, except that I wanted to kiss him again, to touch him, to feel his lips on my skin. My physical hunger was gone, but inside I was starving for him. His touch had left so much desire I could feel it between my legs. A longing to experience things with him again, explore more of what he had to offer, tap in to the unknown. To make him mine like no other man had been. But for that I had to share my body with him, gather the experience I didn’t possess.
I couldn’t just ask him if he wanted to try it again, could I?
Stepping in front of him, I let my hands trail down his shirt. I rose on my toes and began to kiss his neck because I couldn’t reach his mouth. A shaky breath escaped his lips, as I let my fingers trail deeper and guided them beneath his shirt. Unlike the first guy who had dared to touch me, Chase was all hard, defined abs and taut skin. In the darkness, his eyes sparkled like dark sapphires. Under my lips I could feel his warm skin and the rhythmical throbbing of his pulse. My fingers went lower until I reached the telltale bulge inside his jeans. With hesitation, my palm pressed against his entire length with just enough pressure to feel him stiffen.
“Laurie,” he whispered, slightly choked. “This isn’t the right place. It’s not how I envision your first time.”
My fingers froze, but I didn’t remove my hand from him. “You’ve been imagining my first time?”
“A couple of times, yeah.” He laughed, his voice low and hoarse, trembling with desire. “And if you keep doing that, I don’t think I’ll be able to control myself for much longer.”
“Maybe I don’t want you to,” I whispered.
“What are you saying?”
Instead of replying, I began to stroke and rub gently with my fingers, but rhythmically until I could feel him getting bigger. Harder. It pleased me to get a reaction from him. It pleased me to see that I could turn him on—that he was hard for me. He groaned, and his lips found my neck. For a moment I thought I had him right where I wanted him, but then he pulled back and pressed his hand against mine, stopping my motion.
“I don’t think you know what you’re doing.” His voice was still low and hoarse, but there was a dangerous undertone to it.
“I don’t think you know what I want.” I shrugged and looked at him, all wide-eyed innocence. “Maybe you’re right, and I need you to teach me.”
He tilted his head, eyeing me up and down. “You did that on purpose. Get me hooked so I’d have no choice but to teach you. Clever move.” His lips curved upwards. “Fine, baby. Let’s have it your way.”
He opened the car door and pressed me onto the backseat, then settled between my legs. It was an awkward position, the space too confined, too uncomfortable. But in that instant it couldn’t have been more perfect. Once the door closed, he switched off the lights and turned to me with a grin.
“You’re too hot for your own sake, Laurie.”
The hoarse tone in his voice sent a blazing heat as hot as a raging fire through my body. I lay back and watched him trail his fingers up my legs, rekindling the fire he had ignited. “I don’t think you know the effect you have on me or what you make me want to do to you.”
Whatever he wanted, I wanted. I wanted to know. To experience. To find out why we had that intense chemistry.
My heart began to hammer hard against my chest as he leaned over me, full of hunger, and let his hand slowly trail over my face, over my breasts and my hips. I sucked my lower lip into my mouth, watching him, silently urging him to move faster.
Before I knew it, he pulled off my panties with a speed and agility I never thought was possible for such a tall guy.
He leaned back, watching me for a while, a sexy, lazy grin on his face.
“What?” I asked. The warm air whipped against my exposed flesh, and a deep shudder ran through me.
“You’re even more beautiful outside than under the covers.” His hands lifted my legs up, and his fingers spread my lips wide apart.
I had no idea why…until his fingers began to slide up and down, grazing my clit, rubbing my sensitive flesh, spreading the moisture that seemed to pour out of me.
Holy heaven.
What was happening to me?
Chase’s touch sent another whiplash of fire through me. His fingers were determined, but there was something gentle about his movements. He kissed me one more time, setting me alight, and then his mouth settled on my core, his tongue trailing between my damp folds.
Biting my lip hard, I leaned back and enjoyed his hands doing the magic, though to be honest, I thought Chase was magic himself. His palm massaged my entrance while he began to suck, and his breath caressing my most private parts. I moaned in delight as he continued to drive me closer to the edge, silently urging me to take all that he could give. Chase had an extraordinarily talented mouth. Even his breath turned me on. If he continued the way he did, I knew I’d fall apart. It wasn’t a question or possibly. It was a fact.
“You have the most beautiful pearl in the world,” he whispered in his sexy, deep voice. “A tasty pearl with the scent and warmth of vanilla.”
His breath came heavy as he plunged the tip of his finger into me—but not deep enough; he was not yet willing to give me the full release.
“This is what it feels like to have one bit of me inside you. Imagine what it’d feel like to take me in, inch by inch.” He pushed his finger into me, all the way in, and then began to thrust.
Oh, God.
&nb
sp; My heartbeat sped up.
It was so much and yet so little.
My legs stiffened as he pushed in and out of me with a precision that made me gasp and had me moaning in pure ecstasy. I bit on my lip in agony. Please. I needed to fall. Something needed to shatter, I just didn’t know what. Only that I felt myself slowly letting go of the rope I had been holding on to for years. The rope that had kept me away from men like him.
“Please, Chase,” I whispered. “I’m ready. I want to do it with you.”
But Chase didn’t seem to listen. His rhythm picked up in speed, harder and faster, as he ignored my desperate pleas. My mouth opened to ask again, but his thrusts and his tongue pushed my body over the edge. Thousands of feelings washed over me. My body convulsed, and I fell apart, feeling like I was being driven out of the darkness and right into the light. The waves of an orgasm rocked me, each more fulfilling than the other, leaving me completely drained.
This was it.
My first orgasm with somebody else. Only it had not been just one, but two or three orgasms in a row. With nothing but his lips and his finger inside me.
The realization that Chase had caused it hit me fast. As if sensing my thoughts, Chase laughed, satisfied, proud.
“I can’t give you more, Laurie. Not today.” His breath came low and raspy, and yet his eyes looked at me amused. For a moment, the most raucous of thoughts raced through my head. Chase had said he’d only sleep with me if I made the first step. With renewed attention, I sat up.
“Lean back,” I whispered. Without waiting for his reply, my hands busied themselves with his jeans. Slowly at first, full of hesitation, I unzipped them and pulled them down over the generous bulge, freeing his erection.
For a moment I stared at it, unsure what to think or what to do. I looked up at him.
“What do you think you’re doing?” He exhaled slowly, watching me, taking in my reaction.
“I don’t know,” I whispered. “Giving back, I guess.”
“No.” He shook his head, but the expression in his hooded eyes told a different story.
“Why not? You had your fun. Now it’s my turn.”
“Laurie.” He hesitated, fighting with himself. “Just because I’m giving doesn’t mean you have to give back.”
“It’s all right.” I smiled. “I want to learn anyway. Now’s as good a time as any.”
For a long moment, Chase watched me but remained still. He didn’t have to speak his consent. His eyes were dark and glittering with desire. There was no doubt how much he wanted me to. How much he needed me. There was no doubt I wanted to pleasure him as much as he had pleasured me. Our eyes remained locked while I somehow managed to move between his strong thighs, sinking to my knees in front of his imposing swell.
Only…
Somehow I didn’t imagine it to be so big.
It pulsated with authority—bursting alive with energy. It beckoned me, making me wonder if it was as hard as it looked.
A gasp of shock escaped my mouth as my fingers touched his swollen shaft. It was so firm and yet soft—like a sword in his sheath. And long. I doubted I could fit his entire length inside me. His finger was one thing, but this—the monstrosity that seemed to fascinate me—I wasn’t sure I was ready for it. It scared me, by standing proud and tall and sturdy. My breathing came out labored as my gaze brushed up and down his swollen shaft, anticipation and curiosity gripping me.
“I don’t know what to do,” I whispered, letting my hands trail up his considerable length only to rest at the hard, round crown. My body vibrated, and moisture gathered between my legs at the idea of tasting him, taking him all in.
“Teach me, Chase.” It wasn’t a plea; it was a demand.
“I’m not sure about that.” He looked so pained that I kept wondering if I had hurt him somehow. Or was his need causing him physical pain? I had no idea. But the way he continued to shiver, coupled with his scent and his sexy sounds still echoing in my head, made me want him even more, if only to please him and see him unravel the way I just had.
“But I want to,” I whispered, more solemn now. “Teach me, Chase.”
“There’s no secret, Laurie. You just have to…” He paused, considering his next words. “Just suck like you did those grapes.”
I looked up, stunned, wondering if that was the reason he had stared at me full of fascination when I ate the grapes. It didn’t even occur to me that he might be thinking of sex at that time while I had been wondering if he was attracted to me.
Talk about a poker face. I could most definitely learn a thing or two from him.
“But this isn’t a good idea. It’s not the right place,” Chase continued.
He was lying. Maybe his voice and his mind were doubtful, but his body knew exactly what he wanted. And he needed it now—I could feel it in his erection pulsating in my hands. I pushed him down, pushing up on his thighs, as I leaned forward.
Ever so slowly, I lowered my mouth on the sensitive crown, kissing it gently, and a low groan escaped from his throat. I placed my lips around him, cupping the tip, and began to suck. Gently at first, surprised by the salty taste, and then harder, as I let my mouth and tongue play up and down his length.
“God, Laurie.” He moaned. Inside my mouth I felt him grow bigger and thicker, as if that was even possible, making it hard to take him all in.
He started to tremble and his breath became rasped, gasping. I had no idea that I could bring him so much pleasure, but the thought pleased me, encouraging me to go as far as I could, and then push some more.
Chase clasped his hand around mine and guided me to grasp his full erection, tightening my grip, showing me how to move my hand up and down. He groaned again, and in the moonlight he opened his eyes to watch my every movement, his mouth slightly open, his beautiful eyes dark and hooded.
Our gazes locked, and my breath hitched in my throat at the fire burning in his eyes. It made me want to suck harder, to swirl my tongue faster until he leaned back against the seat, his erection slick and magnificent.
Tightening my grip around him, I moved my hand faster, which seemed to make him breathe harder.
“Christ,” he whispered, and begged me to stop while his thighs began to quiver. He was coming. Hard. He didn’t have to tell me. I knew it because I could feel his tension. The thought turned me on. The knowledge that I could bring him so much pleasure made me wet, because now I knew that not only did he have the power to bring me the pleasure and gratification I needed, I had the power to let him fall apart.
“No, Laurie,” he whispered shakily. When I didn’t stop, he pulled out of my mouth. “I’m going to come.”
He made it sound like a bad thing.
I looked up confused, unsure if I was hurting him, even though that did seem like a far-fetched idea. I had done what I had been told. Until now he had seemed to enjoy himself.
His face was flushed, and his breathing came hard. His thighs were still trembling, and his erection pulsed so hard that I was sure I could make him come if he just let me.
“Fuck, you’re good,” he whispered, his face a mask of pleasure and surprise.
Why was he surprised?
I had no idea. I simply did what he had told me. What felt right.
“I’m good?” I smiled.
As if sensing my attempt to go for it again, he glared at me, and then he adjusted his jeans before I could change my mind. “But you’re not ready.”
“I am. I want to do this.” I let my hands trail back down his thighs, but his fingers clasped around my hand, stopping me.
“No, Laurie. Not now.”
Oh God, I had never seen so much passion in his eyes. So much contradiction. And self-control. He wanted to rip off my clothes and get it done there and then, and yet I could see the hesitation, the desire, the fear. I could see it all. And yet he didn’t let me finish what I had started. Didn’t let me have the pleasure of seeing him come, like he did it with me. The thought made me so angry I stormed out of
the car, slamming the door behind me. My pulse was racing. Inside I was fuming. If he had just let me, I could have given him pleasure.
I balled my hands to fists as I stared at the horizon, ignoring his presence behind me.
“What stopped you?” I asked, staring at the sky, not even trying to hide the disappointment oozing from my voice.
“You,” he whispered. “I don’t want to hurt you.” He placed a finger beneath my chin and lifted it up, forcing me to meet his gaze. “I like you too much, Laurie. What you did, touching me, taking me into your mouth“—he paused—“it’s a sure way to make me lose control. I don’t want that until I know for sure that you’re ready and that we have the right place.”
Slowly, he leaned forward, kissing me, wrapping his arms around me until my anger began to ebb away.
“All right,” I whispered, my heart beating frantically against my chest. “Let’s do it today. At your place.”
He didn’t reply. Did he even hear my suggestion?
I searched his gaze and frowned. He seemed distracted, his eyes alert and his body tense.
“We have to go.” His voice carried a hint of urgency. “A patrol car’s coming.”
I followed his line of vision toward the road, but Chase motioned me to return to the front seat.
“What about my panties?” I scanned the floor in search for them, unsure how I could have misplaced them. My mind was a complete mess.
“Leave them. We have no time, Laurie.”
“Okay,” I said, straightening my clothes. Within seconds I was back in the front passenger seat. Chase started the engine, then pulled back onto the highway. Like predicted, an LAPD patrol car drove past, but we were already back on the road and picking up speed.
“I feel like I’m fifteen all over again.” He laughed, eyeing me sideways.
“You did things like these at fifteen?”
He shrugged, as though that was supposed to explain everything. “I’m a guy.”
And a sexy one at that. I bet the girls in high school were all over him. Someone like him probably had many women lining up. And judging from the mirrors in his bedroom and his talented tongue, lots of experience.
