by Brooke Page
“Okay.” Her blonde locks whipped in the ocean air. Those blue eyes were pulling me in, bringing me to the place in my soul that I thought I’d never find. I reached for her hand, locking our fingers together as we drove.
“You should probably call YaYa, too.”
“Marcy told her we were staying at her cousin’s tonight in town.”
I nodded in approval. I didn’t realize Marcy had cousin’s still living nearby. Most of them disappeared before they were ten from The Shore. YaYa was the only permanent fixture from the Contrares family still located on the beach.
“I don’t have to stay all night if you don’t want me too,” she squeaked, flexing her fingers in my grasp.
I glanced at her. She was still anxious. I’d never hurt her, she had to understand that. “I can sleep on the couch while you take my bed.”
She smiled and squeezed our entwined hands. “That hard exterior is all a ploy, isn’t it?”
My brows furrowed underneath my sunglasses. “What do you mean?”
She laughed. “Do you not know how scary you look most of the time?”
“Do I scare you?”
She paused for a moment, the silence creating tension in my muscles.
“Not anymore.”
I glanced at her again, pulling our laced hands to my mouth so I could kiss her sweet skin. She giggled at my repeated pecks, then relaxed into her seat. A happy sigh escaped my lips, knowing tonight was going to be epic, no matter what the outcome would be.
***
“This is your place?” she asked as we pulled into my driveway along the beach.
It was about twenty minutes down the opposite side of the strip, not a tourist in site. The only noise was from the ocean, and it was serenity. I didn’t get to stay here as much as I liked, but it was my sanctuary. The view of the sunset over the water was stunning, and the swells were perfect for kite surfing.
“It’s not much, but it’s home.”
Lauren hopped out of the truck, grinning from ear to ear. “Vance, this is perfect. I’d never leave if I lived here!”
I couldn’t contain my grin. “You might change your mind when you come inside.”
She turned to me with a sad smile. “You have no idea where I live.”
My smile faded. The only reason my mother and I lived in a nice place was because we had maids and housekeepers. Surely my drug addict mother wouldn’t have been able to upkeep a house. I imagined Lauren did what she could to stay tidy, but a young girl could only do so much on her own.
Carrying my bag and the pizza, I led her into my space. The front porch had a few wicker chairs that matched the weathered railing. Sand tracked in from our sandals. I stomped them on the faded doormat that at one point had the words welcome written across it, but was no longer visible. “Don’t have high hopes.”
Opening the door with my free hand, I motioned for Lauren to come inside. Her eyes took in the tiny space. A brown sectional couch took up the majority of the living room, a flat screen TV against the far wall. The walls weren’t painted any color but white. Kicking my sandals to the side, I padded across the cool grayish tile, my bare feet catching a few spots of sand on my way. I could never keep the floor completely free of it.
“This is… homey,” she said sweetly, following me into the kitchen of white cabinets and gray countertops.
“It is,” I agreed, searching for paper plates. “I’m not sure if I have anything besides beer in the fridge, but you’re welcome to whatever.”
She nodded, opening the fridge and grabbing two beers. I swapped a plate for a beer, watching her try to open the top. She didn’t realize she needed a bottle opener. I reached around her to the drawer, noticing her steady inhale of breath from the brush of my arm. “You might need this,” I murmured into her ear, closing the drawer then taking a step back, grabbing her bottle and opening it for her.
She blushed, not meeting my eyes. “Right. I’m not much of a beer drinker.”
I opened mine and took a swig. “I’d never guess that,” I joked. “It’s an acquired taste.”
She shrugged, taking a small sip. I laughed when her nose crinkled after barely drinking any. “I’ll finish it if you can’t.”
Her eyes widened slightly. “I’ll finish it, don’t worry.” She cowered away from me to the small kitchen table, holding the beer to her chest and wrapping her arms around herself in the way she did for comfort.
Her change in mood concerned me. “Does it make you nervous when I drink?”
When she didn’t respond, I knew the answer was yes.
Skirting around the kitchen counter to where she was sitting at the table, I snatched the beer bottle from her, then proceeded to the sink, dumping both drinks down the drain. I didn’t need to drink alcohol. Especially not with Lauren. She calmed me with her presence alone.
“You didn’t have to do that,” she whispered, her eyes focused on the beechwood of the table. “I need to stop comparing you to other men. I know you would never hurt me.”
Tossing the empty bottles in the trash, I grabbed the pizza box and plates, setting them on the table and sitting next to her. “I’m glad you’re comfortable with me.” Although, I wasn’t sure if I believed her. Deep down, she wanted to believe herself, but by how skittish she still was, I knew we had a few hurdles to cross if this would ever become something more.
I frowned inwardly. I shouldn’t dwell on the idea of us growing. I wanted it badly, but knew I had to sell my soul to have her. The price was well worth it.
Reaching for the cheese pizza, I needed a distraction from my thoughts. I needed to mentally prep for the next few weeks. There were so many arrangements that needed to be made yet. I had everything set to keep Lauren busy, but Abby wasn’t a done deal yet for the Cage. I needed to plot it out perfectly so she wouldn’t get hurt. At least not hurt too bad. She’d get drugged unfortunately, but that was something I was going to have to live with if I wanted to protect Lauren.
“Hey,” Lauren rubbed my forearm. “You look stressed. Are you worried about your business trip?”
Her sincerity made my stomach tighten. She didn’t deserve to be lied to. I felt like such an asshole as her baby blues tried to console me. “I don’t like being away from the shop for so long.”
Her hand kept a steady pace massaging my forearm. “It’s in good hands. I promise it won’t burn down. I’ve enjoyed working there the past few weeks.”
My lip quirked into a soft smile. She was good with customers and always did everything I asked. She’d make a great manager.
But the store wasn’t profitable. It would have closed a long time ago if it weren’t a cover spot for Marcus’s meetings.
“I know. Maybe I’m just jealous of Colt and Tucker.”
Her brows furrowed and her hand stilled on my arm. “Why would you be jealous?”
“Because those two assholes will get to see you when I won’t be able to.”
She blushed, and I couldn’t contain the grin on my face. I pulled her from her seat, rearranging myself so she could sit on my lap. She cuddled into me. This was what I needed tonight. To hold her in my arms, touch her smooth skin. I couldn’t stop my hand from running a path from her knee to her thigh, skirting underneath the edge of her jean shorts. She only squirmed slightly when I touched her, but relaxed when I peppered kisses along her neck.
“I might be bad at this,” she sighed, tilting her neck to give me easier access. I knew what she was insinuating. My innocent girl worried she wouldn’t please me.
“That’s not possible,” I murmured into her skin, opening my mouth wider for my tongue to graze her shoulder. She shuddered, goose bumps forming on her leg underneath my hand.
Stopping me, she cradled my jaw with both hands, big saucers for eyes staring at me. “I mean it, Vance. I have no idea what I’m doing.”
I couldn’t contain my hands from sliding underneath her tank top, running up her slim hips and toned stomach. “Listen to your body. What does
it want right now?”
Her eyes closed as my hands skimmed higher, pulling her tank top with them. Dropping her hands from my jaw, she arched her back and let her head fall backward.
Instantly, my eyes were drawn to her stomach. She was tanned and toned, a body meant for the beach. I’d never seen her show her stomach, and I was instantly jealous of Colt who had sat on the beach with her in her bathing suit. My fingers circled her navel and across her stomach from hip to hip, causing her to suck in a breath.
The urge to lay her on my bed and explore her body more in depth took over. I stood from my chair, picking her up in one swift motion.
“Where are we going?” she giggled, her arms clutching my neck.
Carrying her down the short hallway past the bathroom, I set her on two feet inside of my bedroom. The furniture was the only part of this house that matched. All black, even the headboard of the queen-sized bed shared the same modern feel as the dresser and end tables.
I watched her reaction as she took in the space, her chest rising and falling at a faster rate than normal.
“This isn’t what I was expecting,” she breathed as I reached for her waist.
“What? Did you think I slept on a mattress with a sleeping bag?” I chuckled, running my nose along her neck. “The furniture in here was my mother’s. It’s all I have left of hers.”
She nodded, her hands finding my shoulders. “I think she might disapprove of me being in here,” her breath was raspy.
I only smirked at her. “I think she’d love you.”
Her eye softened. “I wish I could have met her.”
I swallowed the lump that was forming in my throat. Pushing away emotions that were buried deep in the depths of my soul, I planted my lips on Lauren’s. Kissing her with the tenderness that she deserved. I would savor every inch of her tonight, exploring wherever she would let me.
Her mouth opened instantly for me, her hands raking underneath my shirt. Here we were, no one to interrupt us, a big bed, the setting sun on the horizon of the ocean in perfect view from the sliding door. We were surrounded by what made us comfortable, and I was bound and determined to make tonight perfect for Lauren.
Because that’s what she deserved.
I continued kissing her, enjoying the feel of her skin underneath my palms. She matched my movements, pulling my t-shirt off, but in more of a frenzy. The timid, small town girl was slowly fading. She was more ready for this than she led on. I’d still be cautious with her.
Slowing her down some, I pulled my mouth from hers, holding her face with my hands. I gazed into her lust-filled eyes. The fear of a man’s touch was nowhere to be found. Without taking her eyes away from mine, her hands ran the length of my chest and stomach, exploring my body as she had let my hands do to her on the beach. The tremble in her hand was humbling, but the more she explored, the bolder they became. So bold as to reach for the button of my shorts. I kept my eyes locked with hers, my thumbs still grazing her cheeks.
“Promise you’ll tell me if I’m doing something wrong?” she asked, her eyes crinkling with concern.
Smoothing out the worry lines from her forehead with my thumbs, I nodded, careful to keep my expression soft and affectionate. She had no reason to feel embarrassed by her purity.
Gulping, her eyes went hooded as she unzipped my shorts, brushing my cock in the process.
If I weren’t fully hard before, I was now. He’d been begging for any interaction from Lauren since catching a glimpse of her ass in the little shorts she always wore.
She inhaled sharply, gently running her fingers along the hard length over the top of my boxers. I couldn’t control the hiss that escaped through my mouth. She was going to kill me at this pace. Kissing her forehead, I stepped toward her, forcing her palm to press completely against my dick. She applied more pressure, her hand becoming braver with each stroke. Moving my hands from her face to her back, I kissed down her neck and shoulder, trying to contain my desire from throwing her on the bed and ripping the rest of her clothes off in a passionate rush.
Her once bold hand began to tremble again as it moved from stroking outside of my boxers to dipping inside, playing with the waistband. I groaned into her skin, nipping her shoulder and pressing my fingertips firmer into her shoulder blades. The anticipation of her hand curling around my cock was driving me wild.
“You don’t have to,” I whispered against her ear, praying she wouldn’t listen to me. Her pulse quickened on her neck as I traced it with my tongue. Ever so slowly, and a touch awkwardly, she slid her hand under the elastic, touching the sensitive skin of my shaft, then gripping it entirely in one firm grasp of her fist.
My grunt of approval didn’t go unnoticed. “Did I hurt you?”
“Hell no,” I rasped. “It feels amazing.” Do what you want, beautiful. I’m all yours.
She slowly moved her hand up and down, watching my face intently. The paranoia she had toward doing something wrong needed to vanish.
Along with her clothing.
Unlatching the clasp to her bra, I was eager to see her perfect breasts. She paused long enough from stroking my cock to let the white lace drop from her body.
Stepping back, I gazed at her, unable to contain myself from staring. She didn’t cover herself like I assumed she would, and that made her all the more sexy. So sexy that I fell to my knees, pulling her to me. My mouth grazed her abdomen, licking and sucking just above her shorts. Her stomach flexed whenever I’d dip my tongue into her navel.
Matching my thoughts, my hands stroked her calves and her thighs, gallantly grabbing her ass and pulling her body into me. Her fingers ran through my hair as I worshipped her like the goddess she was.
Running the pads of my fingers from her perfect behind back to her stomach, I found the button of her shorts, my eyes searching her face for permission. She watched me with a gaping mouth, her chest rising and falling with intensity. Kissing her pelvis gently, I unfastened the button, carefully watching her reaction, making sure she was okay with my every action. My gaze went back to her shorts and panties, gently pulling them down her legs, urging her to step out of them. She was standing in front of me completely bare, and my mouth went dry.
“You are so beautiful,” I rasped, my mouth finding the top of each thigh, giving open-mouthed kisses. She giggled softly from my proclamation, never moving her hands from my hair.
“Even with my tan lines?”
I smiled into her skin, tracing her hip bone where the darker skin faded to light. “You can work on them while I’m gone.”
She arched a brow. “With Colt and Marcy?”
I stood and clasped her in my arms. “Not with out a bathing suit,” I growled, claiming her mouth with mine. My tongue delved into her mouth, licking and searching with a fierceness I couldn’t control. She eagerly tasted my mouth as well, her hands grasping my hair in a painful yet pleasurable way.
Taking the back of her thighs in my hands, I lifted her onto the bed, scooting her until she was lying flat on her back underneath me. Right where she belonged.
Releasing her mouth, I sat back on my knees, spreading her legs around my hips. A shiver ran through her body in anticipation. She was open to me in the most vulnerable way, letting me appreciate her naked body.
My hand covered her mound. “Can I kiss you here?”
She inhaled a sharp breath, then swallowed, giving me a quick nod.
Grinning, I scooted down the bed to kiss the insides of each trembling thigh. She was as smooth as can be, something I wasn’t expecting from a virgin.
Virgin. A shudder ran through me as I kissed my way to her core, knowing she trusted me enough to give her body away to me.
She squirmed the moment my tongue pressed between her folds, searching upward to find her clit. Fuck, she was soaked, and tasted deliciously sweet. I groaned into her shivering core, grabbing her thigh and hiking it over my shoulder. Her breathing patterns changed as I dipped my tongue from her clit to her entrance, back and forth
at a slow and steady pace, guiding me to which area was more sensitive.
“Vance,” she groaned, her hips thrusting into my mouth when my tongue delved into her sex. The way my name sounded coming from her precious lips made my tongue push in and out faster, wanting to hear my name louder.
She was perched on her elbows, her back arched and her head tilted toward the ceiling. Her tits rose and fell perfectly with her unstable breathing. These feelings were still new to her, and I was ready to help her embrace them.
Moving my tongue from her entrance, I slid it back to her clit, circling slowly. Inching my finger from her thigh to her core, I spread her wet folds, gently pressing into her tight hole with my finger. She moaned louder, her legs beginning to shake uncontrollably.
My cock was throbbing now, demanding to be swallowed and surrounded by the taut center my finger was currently placed inside. She was warm and wet, soft and inviting, but unbelievably snug. I had to control my movements, be cautious not to make it more uncomfortable than pleasurable.
Keeping a steady circling motion around her clit with my tongue, I added another finger, and she writhed against my hand, clearly accepting the intrusion yet adjusting to the foreign sensation. I let her move her hips on my hand, needing to know she was ready for me to move my fingers in and out. I matched her rhythm with my hand, mimicking the same speed with my tongue.
More warmth surrounded my fingers as I rubbed the soft, ribbed texture of her front wall, and I knew by the low whimpers escaping her mouth and the convulsion of her muscles she was on the brink of exploding. Her hands gripped the sheets, her stomach clenching at a fast pace. I pressed my tongue flat on her nub now, milking it with my mouth, rubbing my finger furiously inside of her.
Then she came, long, hard, and loud, my name a prayer from her lips. Her body was shaking with euphoria, and I could only watch in awe, my cock tempted to pulse and explode along with her from merely watching.
Her hands were searching for me, grabbing at my shoulders, needing me to be close to her. Gently removing my hand from her clenching core, I climbed up her body, kissing her forehead, still mesmerized by her exquisite face.
