by Claire Adams
I opened my mouth and jerked back a little at the cold, odd texture. Taking my time to chew the sweet goodness, I quickly realized that he'd started with a tough one.
"Kiwi." I opened my eyes and smiled at him as he licked at his fingers.
"Good. I won't ask for a descriptor on what you tasted. You're too tired for that, and as sexy as you are when you're critiquing, I'd want you naked and in my bed once again." He wagged his eyebrows once before giving me another command. "Close your eyes again. Next fruit."
"Oh no. It's your turn." I moved to the edge of the couch, pressing my knees against his inner thighs and waiting patiently until he closed his eyes.
"Feminist," he mumbled playfully.
"Equal opportunist." I picked up a piece of pineapple and lifted it to his beautiful lips. "Open for me."
He growled low in his chest, but opened, licking at my fingers as I put the fruit in his mouth. "Delicious. Pineapple."
"Good." I moved to my knees on the floor between us and snaked my way between his thighs, lifting up and letting my lips hover over his as he opened his eyes. "I wanna taste it."
"You should." He slid his fingers into my unruly hair and leaned down, pressing his lips to mine and sliding his tongue deep into my mouth. The tangy flavor of the pineapple rushed over my taste buds and caused a moan to leave me. The sound only seemed to feed his aggression.
His fingers tightened around my face as he explored every inch of my mouth graciously. By the time he pulled back, all the air had escaped from my lungs and I was a bit lightheaded.
"Wow. Where have you been all my life?" I mumbled and moved back to the couch, hating to break the moment, but knowing I didn't have much left in me.
"I was just thinking the same thing." He got up and walked to the fireplace across the room, and worked to start it up as I reached for the fruit platter and sampled various treats from it.
"Let's try all these cheese and meats next." He grabbed another platter and sat it on the coffee table before pushing the table toward me and reaching for the fruit tray. "Give me that and we can just snack on it as we like."
"Get the desserts too. I love sweets." I smiled playfully at him, though I doubt it was much of a come-on. My eyes were growing heavy, and with the fire and the sunlight playing along the closed blinds in the living room, I was extremely comfortable.
He chuckled. "Hey, before you pass out, I have four tickets to Imagine Dragons tonight at the Amphitheater downtown. I got them via courtesy of the hotel. I rarely go to these things just because I travel alone, but maybe if you and Casey–”
"We'd love to, or I would. I'm not sure how she's faring. I need to go check on her soon, but I'll go tonight with you." I patted the couch in front of me as I stretched out. "Come here and snuggle up with me. Our time is running out."
He tugged his shirt off, leaving a beautiful display in front of me. "We can still hang out some in New York when I'm home. It's just rare."
I reached for him as he dropped down on the couch and worked on his shoes. My fingers traced the wickedly hot curves of his back and played with the curve of his ass as it poked out the top of his jeans as he bent over.
He yelped as I pinched him, and turned, tickling me as he moved down to stretch out beside me. His expression shifted from playful to loving as his fingers brushed sensually down my cheek.
"I want to push this thing with us, but I know it would only lead to heartache. I don't want any more lonely nights, but I'm afraid that's all I'd have if we decided to be more than friends."
"Hush. I'm too tired for this conversation right now. My heart is locked away as best it can be. Let's just enjoy our brunch, the concert and we'll see what happens when we get home. There's no reason to plan every detail of what might happen. You lose the spontaneity of making a split second decision that could change everything for the better." I ran my hand along the side of his head, playing with his raven's colored hair before pulling him down for a series of soft kisses.
"Food or sex?" He kissed me again and moved down, pressing his soft lips to my neck as his hand ran over my breast and rested on my stomach.
"Food," I whispered with lust in my voice.
"Yeah. It sounds like you want food." He laughed against my skin.
Chill bumps raced along my chest and arms, leaving me cold. I tugged the blanket up and turned toward him. "Give me something new to try."
"What the lady wants, the lady gets." He smiled and reached for something as I settled in. I could have fun and not get too terribly connected. Besides, we'd only known each other for a few days.
Then why does it feel like a lifetime already?
*****
We finished up our food testing fun and Easton packed up the rest of the goodies for Casey as I let my eyes grow heavy. I didn't remember falling asleep, but waking up next to him was a treat. He was on his back on the couch next to me, his large body spread out and his breathing deep and relaxed.
I snuggled into his side as his arm that held me against him tightened. There was no doubt in my mind that I could have stayed there forever wrapped up with him. We could have created a new life together that would have long nights of hot sex and great mornings of making breakfast together while we danced in the kitchen, but it was a pipe dream.
He was right about his career not allowing for much more than a once a week tango, but I knew myself and that wouldn't last long for me. I wasn't needy per se, but I did want to find someone to share life with on a regular basis.
After kissing his shoulder softly, I got up and put my shoes back on. I was itching to check on Casey, and it would have been better to not be tucked against him when he woke up. I could tell he was struggling as much as I was with our parting. One of us had to be mature about it, and though I hated like hell that it was going to be me, it simply was.
I left him a note to text me a time to meet up for the concert, and slipped out of the room. I'd have to get my grand tour of the penthouse later that night if we weren't too tired after the event. A smile brushed by my lips as I waited for the elevator to open. The evening would be fun, and with any luck at all, I'd not see Jackson again on the trip.
I rode the elevator down to our floor and walked languidly to the room as a million thoughts buzzed through my mind. Easton was the culmination of everything I wanted in a man. He was driven, intelligent, kind, and considerate, beautiful and a total beast in the sack. I pressed my hand to my stomach as butterflies resurrected deep inside of me. I couldn't remember having sex with Jackson and feeling the same elation as I had the night before with Easton. Maybe it was because it was all new, or maybe it was because he seemed genuinely interested in my pleasure, where Jack just wanted to make sure he got off as many times as he could in a night.
I knocked and slipped my key in the door as Casey called out.
"Come in."
"Hey." I crossed the room and pulled her up from her seated position on the edge of the bed. After wrapping her in a tight hug, I pulled back and gave her a scathing glare. "Don't you ever do that shit to me again! You understand? I thought something bad happened."
"I'm so sorry." She pressed her cheek to the top of my chest and pulled me back into a hug. "I just got drunk and couldn't find you guys. Paul is a great guy, I promise, but I get it. I could have been hurt or raped. I promise it will never happen again."
"Alright." I moved back from the hug and dropped down on my bed as I tugged my fingers through my wild messy hair. "Easton has tickets to the Imagine Dragon's concert tonight if you're up for it."
"Oh yeah?" She smiled and sat back down on her bed. "How many?"
"Four I think." I dropped back and pressed my hands to my face. "You want to bring this Paul guy with you?"
"I'd love to, but if not, it's really no big deal." She pounced on the bed next to me. "Either way, we totally need to get something new to wear tonight. Don't you think?"
"Yeah, we could do that." I rolled onto my side as she flopped down on hers and cuddled up toward me. "Did
you get any sleep?"
"Some. Enough. Did you sleep with Easton?" She wagged her eyebrows as my expression softened.
"Yeah. It was fantastic." I shrugged and shook my head. "I'm sure it was one of many mistakes to come in this new single life, but it was well worth it."
"Why was it a mistake?" She reached out and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ears.
"Because, I'm falling in love with him." I swatted her hand away.
"Falling or have fallen?" She swatted back at me playfully.
"I don't know. I just want to enjoy the rest of the vacation and not think too much about it. I need to get my ass in gear when we get back home. I graduate in a few months. I need to get serious about a job." I rolled onto my back before sitting up. "Get dressed and let's go shopping. It's already two. I would think we need to meet up with handsome around seven or so to head out for the night."
"Text him about the extra ticket." Casey sat up beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "You know if it's meant to be, that it will be."
"I guess so." I got up and stretched. "And if not, fuck it."
"Yeah right." She rolled her eyes, knowing me far too well to let me bullshit her with my pseudo lackadaisical attitude.
"Shut it." I picked up a pillow and started what turned out to be the longest pillow fight in our history. We needed it, or at least I did.
Chapter 20
Easton
I woke to her having left sometime during my nap. I missed her warmth the minute I realized that I didn't have her next to me anymore. My phone was ringing from somewhere in the kitchen, but it took me a few minute to register what the noise was. I got up and half-stumbled toward the sound.
"This is Easton." I cleared my throat, and hoped like hell that it wasn't my boss. I had a million things to do, and the day was virtually shot for getting any of them done.
"Hi, baby. Your dad and I just wanted to check up on you. How's Florida? Have you taken any time for yourself?" My mother's voice was upbeat and filled with warmth.
I glanced at the clock through squinted eyes and walked back to the living room as I stretched. "Yeah, I'm having a good time. I just took a day off to enjoy the beach and stuff. I guess I passed out on the couch."
"Did I wake you? I'm sorry," my mother cooed.
"No she's not. She does that shit to me all the time." My father's voice was muted, but his response caused my lips to lift in a smile.
"Shut it, Carl." There was humor in her voice just before she broke out into giggles. My father had to be tickling her. If there was one relationship I treasured more than all others, it was the one between my mom and dad. I wanted a love like that, but it seemed impossible. Or was it? Vivian and I experienced something very similar right before we fell asleep.
"I should be home by Sunday if everything goes according to plan. Let's plan on breakfast Monday morning, though. There's a girl I met here, and I'm pretty sure she's gonna want to go to dinner Sunday night. She flies out tomorrow."
"Oh my goodness! Carl, he's found a girl," my mother screamed into the phone as she lost her mind with excitement.
I rolled my eyes and leaned back, sinking into the couch. She acted quite similar every time I talked about taking a girl out or having even the slightest interest in a woman. She was baby crazy, and in all honesty, I wished that one of my brothers would marry young and divert the pressure off of me.
"Mom. We're just friends." I glanced around the room and thought of Vivian, knowing that there was truth in my words but longing for a lot more than a friends with benefits arrangement. Some man was going to sweep my beautiful woman off her feet if I didn't soon. She wouldn't be on the market for long at all.
"Friends is a great starting place. It's the foundation of a good, solid relationship, Easton. Tell me all about her."
"I will when I get back home. I'm going to shower and take her to a concert that I got us tickets for." I sat up. "I'm honestly a little freaked out about whether to take the friendship to the next level."
"Do you care about–” My mom was cut off and my dad's voice filled up the phone. I swear the two of them were my free counseling session on steroids.
"Will you miss her when you part ways?" My dad's voice was gruff.
"Yeah, like crazy."
"Have you had sex with her?"
"Dad, really?" I stood up, and waited for him to give me an out, but as per usual, he didn't. "That’s none of your business dad. Shit."
"Whatever. You're in love with her. Take the next step. Stop being a puss. Love hurts. You win, you lose, you grow up and get over it."
"Give me that phone," my mother's voice was shrill. "Don't listen to that gorilla, Easton. Take your time and court the girl. If she's the one, then don't rush into anything. She'd not appreciate that, and you won't either."
"And if she's not the one?" I walked to the bedroom, knowing very much that Vivian could be the one.
"Then it's okay to let her go. Until you figure that out, you need to protect your heart. Okay, baby?"
"Mom. You're the one waiting with baited breath for me to marry and have kids. Are you telling me to back off now?" I chuckled and started the shower, wishing Vivian would have stayed to take one with me. There was nothing more that I wanted to do than lather up my hands and run them all over her body, worshiping every inch of her until she begged me to stop.
"No. Yes. I don't know. I just hear something in your voice I haven't heard before. Just be careful. Your dad and I will see you on Sunday or Monday. Your brothers should be home for the weekend too. They're not headed back to school until later in the week."
"Okay. I love you." I pulled a towel from the cabinet and slung it over the shower door.
"We love you too. Good luck." She kissed the phone a few times, and I released the call before stripping down and getting into the shower. My mom and dad meant the world to me. If they could hear in my voice how much I'd fallen for the beautiful vixen that had stolen my breath, then I'd fallen for her.
She was going to push back against me, though. She had much more stock in protecting herself after what Jackson had put her through. I couldn't blame her, and I wouldn't push at all, but I did want to let her know that I wanted more. I could carefully tread through the waters of what that might look like.
I turned and lifted my face to the hot spray, letting everything else go. Vivian and I would have a great night tonight. And if sex was part of the deal, then I would lavish her generously in pleasure just to remind her of how good we could be together when she left me the next day.
*****
She was wearing a tight skirt that stopped about mid-thigh and a series of tank tops that make her look all of nineteen, but with her hair down and makeup dark and smoky in appearance, she was every bit twenty-one. I couldn't take my eyes off of her as I approached her, and something inside of me snapped as I reached for her, pulling her against me and lowering my face to hers.
"You look incredible." I let my eyes move from her lips to her gaze, which was wide and filled with curiosity. "I'm highly considering giving these tickets to anyone who wants them and inviting you back up to finish last night properly."
"Don't make promises you don't intend to keep." She brushed her lips by mine and moved out of my hold as Casey stared at us wide-eyed.
"Um. Wow. I'm gone for one night and you two are a thing all of a sudden?" She smiled and tugged a tall, Hispanic guy toward us. "This is Paul."
I ignored her probing and extended my hand, shaking the guy’s firmly. "I'm Easton. Nice to meet you man."
"Alright. This party train is leaving. I got us a cab." Casey moved in front of me and Vivian, before linking her arm with her date's arm. "That okay?"
I slipped one hand into my pocket, checking for the tickets and reached for Viv's hand with the other. "Perfect."
She squeezed my hand and let out a squeal as her beautiful face filled with excitement. "I love this band. They're one of my favorites, but it's always so damn hard to
get tickets. Not to mention how expensive they are."
"Well, these were free, but I'd have bought you tickets if I'd known." I lifted her hand to my mouth and kissed her fingers softly as I glanced over at her. My mother's words washed through my mind, but it was my father's that stuck with me. I was being a puss. This woman was everything I wanted in my life, and yet the fear of losing her at the first turn in the road left me pulling back more than I should have.
"Stop being sweet. You'll have me regretting our time together." She gave me a cheeky grin and walked toward the cab, getting into the back with Paul. Casey was up front, already giving the poor cabbie full instructions on how to get to the amphitheater, as if the guy hadn't been there a million times.
I got in beside Viv and slid my hand down her thigh, gripping her possessively as my body woke up and desire riddled my insides.
"Are we eating somewhere or just grabbing a hot dog at the event?" Casey turned back to pin us with an inquisitive stare.
"The hot dogs are actually pretty good there," Paul spoke, his voice raspy like he had been chewing on glass half the night.
"I'm good with eating there. You?" Vivian turned to me.
"I'm down with whatever. I just want to be with you and enjoy the show." I moved my arm to wrap around Viv's shoulders and tugged her a little closer to me so that I could press a kiss just below her ear. "You're leaving me tomorrow, aren't you?"
She turned to face me, her mouth so close to mine that I could smell the subtle hint of peppermint on her tongue. "Yeah, but like you said, we can have lunch or dinner some time back in New York. You'll just have to hit me up when you're in town."
I didn't know her well enough to know if the idea of our parting hurt her at all, but the slight flinch along the edge of her eyes told me that perhaps it did.
"I'll be calling all the time then." I ran my fingers over her shoulder and smiled at her. "You look incredible. Did I say that already?"
Casey turned from the front seat and laughed. "Only ten times."
"Well, I want to say it a million more." I sat back, releasing Viv as we pulled up to the event. Opening the door, I got out and helped Viv out before giving the cabbie my card.
