by Lynn Burke
Her head jerked toward me. “What did you say?”
“The sad fact of your childhood doesn’t make you trash.”
“It did,” she said, eyes still narrowed.
“Maybe to others when you were a kid.”
She turned away, focus on the ocean again.
“I’d say you’ve come a long way and ought to be damn proud of yourself. You graduate in what? Two weeks?”
“Yes.” Tears glistened in her eyes when she turned back to me.
“There’s another checkmark on that list. Shit.” I smiled. “A few years from now you will be out from beneath those loans, too.”
Her smile wobbled. “It doesn’t bother you to be taking someone like me out to dinner?”
“Someone like you—intelligent, beautiful, and sexy as hell? I’m one lucky bastard.”
Her laughter returned.
Wren
Blake surprised me. So sweet, knowing what to say to set my focus straight. He also didn’t blather on about his accomplishments or money like I’d expected. We chatted about everything imaginable, and when he asked me questions he focused on my face as though really caring about what I had to say.
We got to the restaurant, and he placed his hand on my lower back, urging me to follow the hostess. The heat of his hand burned through my blouse and dove straight for my clit. He hadn’t tried to be fresh, nor had he said anything that could be taken as a sexual innuendo since he’d picked me up.
I swallowed a gulp of the berry something-or-other martini I’d ordered, gaze fixed on his face.
“What are you thinking about, little birdie?”
Warm fuzzies fluttered in my belly at his pet name. “You and me. Or, rather, me in regards to you.”
His sexy smirk appeared. “Meaning?”
My face warmed, but he had asked. “You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where—”
“—you might be swept off to,” he finished for me, dropping my jaw.
“You did not just finish that quote,” I managed to sputter.
“Oh, but I did.”
“You … you geek!” I sat back, hands falling to my lap. “I thought you’d quoted Dumbledore earlier. You did, didn’t you?”
He grinned more on the sheepish side, color rising to his high cheekbones.
“You closet nerd! Oh my God!”
Chuckling, he picked up his lager and sipped. “What other prejudices do you have about me?”
I peered across the table at him, eyes narrowing. “Would you know who I quoted if I admitted to thinking you were a stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking nerf-herder?”
Blake clapped a hand to his chest, blue eyes alight with laughter. “I find your lack of faith disturbing,” he said with a great Darth Vader impression.
I sat and stared. “Okay.” I licked my lower lip. “One question.”
“Shoot.”
“Books or movies?” I held my breath.
“Books. Every time.”
“Oh my God,” I breathed again, seeing the Playboy in a whole new light.
“So since you now know my secret, back to that bucket list of yours,” he said.
My eyes narrowed. “What about it?”
“Any sexual fantasies on there?”
Heat flushed my cheeks.
“Sex on a boat, maybe?”
The pulse in my neck jumped even though I glared at him. “And here I was starting to think I’d get through the night without a proposition from you.”
“Oh, I know,” he said, snapping his fingers. “Threesome. Every woman’s fantasy is to have two men groveling at her feet.”
I opened my mouth and shut it again.
“Come on. Give me something.”
“Fine.” I crossed my arms to hide my tight nipples, but his smirk told me he’d already gotten an eyeful. “No to the first, yes to the second.”
****
After a laughter-filled dinner without any more talk of sex or threesomes, Blake anchored us off the coast. Butterflies flitted through my body, but we lounged and stargazed without touching while talking about college.
“I’ll be thankful when it’s over,” I said with a sigh.
“Seven years is a long time.”
“Worth it in the long run. You know what sucks, though?” I asked, completely comfortable with telling him since he knew about my upbringing.
“My promise to keep my hands to myself tonight?”
We both laughed, but I sobered as the sucky thought returned. “No one is coming to my graduation.”
“What?”
“I don’t have any family.” I stared up at the twinkling stars. “My mom is God knows where, high as shit if she’s even still alive. I have no clue who my father was, and I’m an only child. As much as that fact sucks, I wouldn’t have wished my childhood on another human being.”
Blake didn’t offer condolences, but he reached over and twined his fingers through mine.
Tears pricked my eyes at his tender gesture. “Tell me about your family,” I said.
He sighed and squeezed my hand. “I feel guilty saying it, but I had a great childhood with loving parents and a little sister who adores me.”
“Don’t feel guilty. A baby’s life isn’t voluntary.” I sighed, gaze on the overhead twinkling stars. “We have no choice in who births or raises us.”
We sat in silence for a while, and I tried to squash down my jealousy. While what I’d said was true about us not having a choice in family, I wished mine had been different. At least I held control over my future and those in it.
“Where are your parents living now?” I asked.
“They left for Florida a couple of years ago, and my sister went along.”
I peeked over at his perfect profile. “Do you miss them?”
“Yeah.”
A few minutes later, he stirred and got to his feet. “It’s getting late. We ought to head back.”
The absence of his warmth surrounding my fingers left me strangely empty and chilled. I sat up, pulling my thin sweater tight around my shoulders. Watching him through my periphery, I sighed. No matter how much we got along, no matter that I adored his closet geek side, Blake Harper was still a playboy, only interested in another notch.
I’d had a great night, but knowing there was no future other than casual fucking, I shut myself down and turned my thoughts toward looming finals.
Blake
I climbed into my car after kissing the back of Wren’s hand and watching her climb the stairs to her apartment. She’d seemed to warm up to me over dinner when she got a glimpse of my geek side, and I’d really hoped she’d relent and ask me in for a drink … or more.
Her raspberry scent lingering in my nose, I thumped my forehead on the steering wheel. My balls ached. I wanted nothing more than to stomp up those stairs, rip the glasses off her face and bite her lips until she squirmed beneath my hands.
Patience.
“Fuck.” At least I’d made progress in getting Wren to lower her guard. Only thing to do was keep chipping away until I got what I wanted.
****
Monday morning, I showed up with coffee and warm cinnamon rolls from the local bakery.
Wren offered a guarded smile before glancing down at her purse.
“Have time for a picnic on the steps?” I asked, drawing her gaze back to me.
She hesitated, but nodded. “Sure.”
“Don’t sound so excited.”
A smile tugged at her lips as she shrugged and sat, our hips and thighs brushing.
My cock swelled, so I kept the bakery bag on my lap. “Thought you had a great time Friday night.”
“I did,” she said, taking the cinnamon roll from my hand. Oozing white frosting dripped, and her tongue darted out to catch it.
I bit back my groan and took a bite of my own pastry. Had to look away from her nibbling and licking her breakfast. Couldn’t fucking handle it.
“You really surp
rised me the other night,” she said a few minutes later, licking the last of the icing from her fingertips.
“Does that mean you’ll go out with me again?”
Her light laughter joined in with the tweeting birds flitting through the brush nearby. “No.”
“No?” I angled toward her. “Why not?”
Smile fading, she studied me from behind her glasses. “You seem like a really great guy.”
“And here comes the but.”
“But,” she tried to smile, “I’m not the kind of woman you’re looking for.”
“You’re presuming to know my mind again, little birdie.”
“I suppose I am, but it is what it is.” She heaved a breath. “I really do appreciate your restraint the other night, though. It says a lot about your character that online photos and tweets can’t portray.”
“So you’re saying I’m not the player you thought I was?”
“I’m not saying that.” Her smile returned. “Just that you’re not a selfish scumbag who’s only interested in one thing.”
My brow rose. “Oh, I’m interested all right.” I allowed Wren to see a measure of hunger in my gaze, but only enough to compliment. “But, I’m willing to wait until you’re ready to give me a chance.”
“Not going to happen.”
“I’m persistent, remember?” I grabbed her hand, thumb rubbing the inside of her wrist.
“And you always get what you want,” she said, breathless.
“Eventually.”
Wren tugged, and I released her hand. “Thanks for breakfast,” she said, standing.
“My pleasure.” I stood, tipped my coffee toward her, and strode across the street, shoulder blades itching beneath what I hoped was her stare.
Wren
Damn him and his blue eyes! Full lips and sexy smile…
I’d pulled out my vibrator every night since he’d taken me out. Nothing compared to flesh and blood, skin beneath my nails, the scent of man and sex swallowing me whole, though. Determination to not give in still stood in my mind, but damn, saying no after getting to know him better was getting harder to do with every pastry and coffee he showed up with that week.
He continued to be persistent, but kept his hands to himself. The occasional heated glance and suggestive smirk soaked my panties and had me reaching for the damn vibrator minutes after he walked back across the road. Self-induced climaxes didn’t cut it. My body burned for the real thing. My dreams heightened the need, and no amount of finger fucking satisfied.
A week of picnic breakfasts, and he’d pretty much smashed my defenses with his kindness.
“Why not go out for another free dinner and good conversation?” he’d asked.
I’d studied his face, the sincerity in his eyes. Why the hell not be selfish and allow myself one night of passion, I wondered? Take control, keep in control, and keep the emotions in check. A casual fling, exactly like he wanted, my heart safely under lock and key.
Pure release, I told myself while deciding on a skirt and tank top for our Friday night date. “And nothing else. Just keep your focus.”
I skipped down the stairs a few minutes before five and having made up my mind to have Blake Harper, body ready to just fuck already.
“Where to?” he asked after shutting me in the Audi and climbing into the driver seat.
“My choice?”
“Yeah.”
I grinned. “Let’s grab some burgers and go out on your boat.”
Blake’s eyes lit up. “No swanky restaurant where I can wine and dine you again?”
“I prefer low-key.”
“And I aim to please. In every way.” His low voice and intended meaning sent a shudder through me.
A man of his word, I knew he wouldn’t disappoint. I would enjoy every second, savoring the memory for the following night when I found pics of him and a new blonde bombshell on social media.
Greasy burgers and seasoned fries in a bag, we sailed down the river into open waters, far enough away from shore to feel as though we were the only humans left on the face of the earth. The boat swayed beneath us and soft music rolled from the boat’s speakers, but not so loud to disrupt our light-hearted conversation about our best and most embarrassing memories.
My intentions for the night kept my body primed while we ate. Also kept me preoccupied, and more than once Blake asked me what was wrong. While I didn’t have any problems saying what I thought, taking the lead with men had never been my thing.
“Should have brought some chocolate for dessert,” I said, trying to find the nerve to attack him.
He hopped up, opened a compartment, and tossed me a Hershey’s bar. “Last one of my stash,” he said, sitting back down beside me.
“Oh my God. I could kiss you.” My face heated, but I tore the wrapper open. “You actually keep a stash of chocolate?”
“Yeah, but since that’s the last one, you’re gonna have to share.”
I snapped off a square and offered it to him.
Blake leaned forward and took it into his mouth, lips brushing against my fingertips, the heat in his eyes pebbling my nipples.
Heart thumping, I bit into a square and offered him the rest. Gaze unwavering from mine, he wrapped his lips around my fingers and sucked the chocolate free, his tongue gliding along my fingertip as he sat back.
I swallowed back a moan, the taste of chocolate in my mouth, arousal flooding my silk panties.
“More,” he said, and I gladly obliged.
His teeth nibbled along my fingertip, and I bit my lip, too chicken to come right out and tell him I wanted to fuck.
“I want to kiss you,” he murmured while I drowned in his gaze.
“Then kiss me,” I whispered, heart in my throat.
Blake slid my glasses off my face and set them in a cup holder, his other arm wrapping around my waist. He pulled me close, and I held my breath as he rubbed his thumb across the pulse thrumming in my neck. His other hand slid up the back of my neck, tangling in my hair.
He took his damn time leaning in, and I breathed in the scent of chocolate.
Damn him. I didn’t want to drag out the moment, dwell on the emotion swelling in my chest. I closed the distance with a moan, passion swelling in like a hurricane. Forget a sweet taste, a mere sup of the lips. Our mouths crushed together, tongues fighting, and teeth scraping—the energy crackling between us almost swept me overboard.
Blake
All sense of reality shut down as Wren’s kiss blew my mind. She met my hunger with passion of her own, sharp teeth and bruising lips. Her hands grasped at my shirt, jerking me closer.
My raging hard-on pressed against my zipper, wanting—no, needing—her wet heat. I dove in head first, taking all she gave, all she would allow. I tore my lips away from hers and kissed along her jaw, hands slipping beneath her tank top. Wren tipped her head back with a groan as I filled my hands with her breasts, nipples hard against my palms.
I returned my attention to her mouth while rolling the hard nubs through the thin lace of her bra. I pinched. Hard.
Wren gasped and arched into me.
“Like that, do you?” I asked, my voice ragged from pure need.
“God, yes.”
“I thought you didn’t want me touching you.”
“A girl can change her mind,” she said, gasping as I pinched again.
“Especially if it’s for the better.” I crushed my mouth to hers again, and we dueled for dominance.
She tore away, chest heaving, hiked her skirt and straddled me. Claiming my mouth, she ground her pelvis against my straining cock.
Whatever I’d inadvertently done to set her on her path to drive me fucking insane, I didn’t know. Wasn’t about to offer a single complaint either. I’d take every second, every inch she gave and push for more.
I flicked open her bra clasp and filled my hands with her warm, silky breasts. A roll and pinch of both nipples, and she squirmed harder, biting my lower lip.
“Fuck,
” I ground out the word around her teeth, grabbing onto the back of her neck and trying to regain control.
Scooting her hips back, Wren grabbed hold of me through my jeans and squeezed.
I tipped my head back and swallowed. “Don’t tease me like this.”
She leaned in and nipped my lower lip, the scent of chocolate still on her breath. “Who said I was teasing?” With deft fingers, she unsnapped my jeans and pulled down the zipper. Her warm palm against my abs, she slid inside and wrapped her hand around me.
“Fuck,” I groaned again, lifting my hips toward her. “Your hand feels fucking fantastic.”
Gazes locked, she wet her palm with my pre-cum, easing her downward stroke.
“Oh yeah, baby. Fuck, yeah.” She bit my lip again, and I yanked her close. “Goddamn it, Wren,” I growled against her lips, trapping her hand between us. “If you don’t want this to go any further we need to stop. Now.”
Pulling away, she leaned to the side and grabbed her purse. A quick rummage and she tossed the bag aside, foil-wrapped condom in hand.
My heart actually skipped a beat, and I thanked whatever gods looking down on us. She backed off me. At her tug and lift of my hips, she lowered the jeans to mid-thigh. Her warm hand grabbed me again and rolled the rubber down.
Wren stood, large hazel eyes locked on my face, and lifted her skirt to tug off her panties. I barely got a glimpse of her bare pussy when the scrap of material fell to the deck and she climbed back onto my lap. Without hesitation, she impaled herself on my hard cock, taking what I’d been wanting to give her for weeks—and wrecking my mind in one downward thrust.
Wren
I’d never been so turned on in my life—never needed a cock and climax like that moment. He’d felt huge in my hand, but my soaked pussy took him in with ease. Seated fully, I gyrated my hips, overwhelmed with the sense of fullness, how well we fit together, how perfectly his abs rubbed my clit.
Blake grabbed hold of my waist, fingers digging into my skin, a groan rumbling his chest. “You feel fucking incredible.” He peered at me, blue eyes dark in the twilight.
