Violets are not Blue

by Melissa Toppen

  I haven’t slept with many people in my life, but I’ve slept with enough to know that what I just experienced is so far out of the norm. I don’t even know how to wrap my head around it. And honestly, I don’t care to. I don’t have any desire to pick this apart, only to enjoy it to the fullest.

  After a few minutes, Harris begrudgingly gets out of bed to dispose of the condom and I take the opportunity to study him in all his naked glory. He really is a sight to behold. There isn’t an inch of him that isn’t pure god-like perfection.

  How in the hell did I get here?

  So much has changed so quickly it’s giving me whiplash. And yet I can’t help but relish in the feeling.

  I wait until Harris crawls back into bed before asking, “So, do you prefer blue balloons or black?” I smile when he curls up next to me and nuzzles his face into my neck.

  “Balloons?” He lifts his face to meet mine.

  “You lost. I vaguely remember promising you loser balloons.” I giggle when he squeezes my side.

  “Funny, but right now I don’t really feel like a loser.” He smiles, turning me on my side to face him. “Now it’s your turn.”

  “My turn for what?”

  “To lose,” he says, pressing a soft kiss to my lips.

  “I’m not losing. And unlike you, I’m not so easily persuaded.”

  “We’ll see about that.” The challenge in his eyes sends a thrill straight through me, but it also terrifies me at the same time.

  “But the fact still remains that you lost, Mr. Avery.” I purposely steer the conversation back to him. “Which gives me bragging rights until the end of time.”

  “You can brag all you want. As long as you promise me that we can do that again.” He kisses me. “And again.” Another peck. “And again.” His tongue slides against my bottom lip before dipping into my mouth. “And again.”

  “Okay. Okay.” I laugh, pressing my hand to his chest to hold off his advances.

  “Did I get my point across?”

  “Message received loud and clear.” I lift my hand and run it through his messy hair. “I think you might need another shower.”

  “Is that your way of telling me I stink?” He cocks a brow.

  “No, you actually smell incredible. But you’re a little sweaty.” I crinkle my nose.

  “Hmmm. It would appear you are as well, Ms. Daniels. Perhaps we should do something about that.” He pushes out of the bed, bending down to pick me up in one quick swoop.

  “Harris.” I laugh, my arms going around his neck. “What are you doing?”

  “Taking you to the shower.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “What fun is washing myself when you can do it for me.”

  “Ha! You think just because we had sex that I’m going to wash you now?” I laugh.

  “Oh, don’t worry, I plan to wash you, too.” He kisses me slowly, groaning into my mouth as his tongue slides against mine. “Very, very thoroughly,” he says before finally lowering me to my feet.

  My body is already aching with anticipation as I watch him flip on the shower. The muscles in his back flex as he moves and I have to bite the inside of my cheek to keep myself from letting out an audible sound of appreciation.

  This man is seriously the sexiest guy I’ve ever seen. Not up close. Not in person. But the sexiest man alive. Someone should slap him on People Magazine and give him the standing title because I don’t think anyone could ever dethrone him.

  He turns around and notices me staring.

  “See something you like?” One eyebrow goes up in an arch. Damn, that’s sexy.

  “I see a lot that I like,” I tell him, stepping toward him.

  “Oh yeah.” He grins, his gaze doing a slow sweep of my naked body as I move closer. “The feeling is definitely mutual.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Harris

  “Oh my god.” Blue moans around the large bite of taco in her mouth. “This has got to be the best thing I have ever tasted.”

  “The best thing?” I ask, giving her a look I know she’ll understand.

  “Hmmm. Maybe the second best.”

  The way she smiles at me brings back the memory of her on her knees, taking me into the back of her throat. I don’t ever remember a time when a woman has damn near brought me to my knees in pleasure. But Blue did just that. I was fucking putty in her hands and she knew it.

  “Thank you for inviting me to come with you today. This has really been fun.” She pops the last bite of food into her mouth and chews slowly. “I’ve never been to anything like this before. I usually avoid all the festivals and stuff downtown because there’s too many people. But this isn’t as bad as I thought it would be.” She looks around.

  “And here I was about to suggest we get out of here, go back to my place, and do something a little more...” I clear my throat. “Private.”

  “Because you didn’t have enough private time with me earlier?”

  “Not nearly enough.” I snake my hand around her waist and pull her against my side as we make our way down the busy street cluttered with people.

  “Three times isn’t enough?”

  “With you, I don’t think there’s such thing as enough.”

  “I bet you say that to all the women.” She throws me a sideways glance.

  “I don’t, actually. And I’ve never been with someone more than twice in one day. It’s not even six o’clock and we’ve already broken that record.” I give her side a squeeze. “I’m thinking we should go for double or nothing.”

  “You’re insatiable.” She lets her head fall back slightly as the sweetest fucking laugh escapes her mouth.

  “With you, there’s no other way to put it.”

  “I’ll give you credit, Mr. Avery. You sure know how to say all the right things. If you ever decide to settle down, you’re not going to have any trouble finding someone to marry you.”

  “What do you mean if I decide to settle down?”

  “I just meant...well, you’re not really the one-woman kind of man.”

  “Says who?”

  “Says your actions over the entire time we’ve worked together.”

  “So you’re saying because I’m a flirt.”

  She stops me with a knowing glare.

  “Flirt? I think we both know your antics go far beyond flirting.”

  “Fair enough. But, just because I was having a little fun while waiting for the right woman to come along doesn’t mean that settling down isn’t what I want.” We veer in the direction of the parking lot. “What about you? I know you have this whole I hate love thing going on but you must have thought about it before.”

  “About what?” She pretends to not know what I’m talking about.

  “Settling down. Marriage. Kids. A house. The whole shebang.”

  “I’ve thought about it. Who hasn’t? Or are you forgetting the part where I was once engaged.” She blows out a puff of air. “But no, it’s not something I want anymore. I like the freedom to just be me.”

  “And falling in love and starting a family takes that freedom away?”

  “In some regard, yes. I don’t want to be tied to any one thing. Once upon a time I thought that’s what I wanted. To share my life with someone I love, to bear his children, to watch them grow with him by my side. But things change, and as I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that’s not the life I want anymore.”

  “Because you don’t believe in love?” We slow to a stop at the tail end of my car and I release my hold on her, turning so we’re standing face to face.

  “I know I say I don’t believe in love. That it’s nothing more than a chemical reaction in the brain, but that’s not really true. I know love exists, no matter what or why it happens. But I don’t want to love anyone. I don’t want to give someone my heart to have them hand it back to me in pieces. And I also don’t want to be responsible for someone else’s happiness. It’s too much pressure. Life’s too short.”

  “So you’re afraid?”

&n
bsp; “I’m not afraid,” she snips, her tone growing defensive. “I just don’t like love. And I don’t think it’s something I need to feel satisfied in life, no matter what anyone else says.”

  “You hate love.” I smile, trying to lighten the mood that suddenly feels too heavy.

  “I don’t hate love. It’s just not for me.”

  “Look, I get it. I’m not one of those people in love with the idea of being in love. I like my independence as much as the next guy, but when it’s all said and done love is all we have. The people we love and the people who love us back. That’s all we get in this life. We can’t take anything else with us when our time here is done.”

  “Who are you and what have you done with the arrogant prick I know as Harris Avery.”

  “Maybe this is who I am. Maybe you only saw what you wanted to see.”

  “Or maybe I saw what you wanted me to see,” she challenges, the smile on her lips telling me we’ve entered safer territory.

  “How else was I gonna win you over?”

  “So that was your plan?” She laughs. “Forgive me for saying it, but I think you need to reevaluate your game.”

  “Why would I do that? I’m here with you now, aren’t I?”

  “I guess you’ve got me there.” She rolls her eyes, crossing to the passenger side of the car. “Are you going to take me home now or are we going to sit here and talk about your weak ass game for the next thirty minutes.”

  “I’ll show you weak ass game.” I start running toward her.

  She squeals and throws open the car door, jumping inside as I reach her.

  “You think the car is going to protect you?” I cock my head, a wicked smile on my face.

  “Harris.” She swats at me as I climb on top of her, knocking the recline lever with my foot as I do. The seat instantly drops back.

  “Now, what were you saying about my game?” I pull the door shut before pressing my weight down on top of her.

  “That it sucks.” She giggles.

  “You weren’t saying it sucked earlier,” I remind her, lowering my face until our lips are a mere inch apart. “Perhaps you need a reminder.” I press a soft kiss to the corner of her mouth.

  “Harris.” Her breathing changes when she feels my erection harden against her stomach. “We’re in a packed parking lot. People can see.”

  “Then let them watch,” I murmur as my lips brush across the side of her neck. Her skin’s so soft I nearly groan. Fuck me.

  “Shut up.” She presses on my shoulders with both hands. “We are not having sex here.”

  “Why not? You scared?” I challenge.

  “No.” She swallows.

  “You are.” I pull back to meet her gaze.

  “I’ll show you scared.” She moves to sit up but my weight is holding her in place.

  “Where do you think you’re going?” I smile.

  “The back seat.” Her tongue peeks out, licking her lips. “Unless you’d rather not.”

  I can’t get off of her fast enough, the available room I have to move is very limited. Still, I’m able to lift myself up enough that she can wiggle out from underneath me and slide over the center console into the backseat. She’s already undoing her jeans when I join her, and the sight has me eager to sink deep inside her again. Not that the urge ever really left.

  It isn’t until she’s pant-less and getting me worked up with her hand that it hits me. “Fuck.” I drop my head against the seat.

  “What?” Her hand stops moving and she hits me with a questioning look.

  “I just realized I don’t have any condoms.”

  She tries to contain her smile but fails miserably.

  “Why are you smiling? This isn’t funny.”

  “I don’t know.” She shifts, throwing one leg over top of me before settling down in my lap. “I think it’s pretty comical.” She lifts up, palming my erection before sliding it between her slick folds.

  I groan.

  “Blue.” My hands clench her hips when I feel her position me at her entrance.

  “Are you clean?” She leans forward and kisses me.

  “What?” My brain is too clouded by lust to follow.

  “Are you clean?” she repeats more slowly, grinding down on me.

  I swear it takes me a good thirty seconds to process what she’s asking me.

  “Yes, of course I am. Why?”

  Without a word, she lines me at her entrance and slowly slides down on top of me, not stopping until I am buried all the way inside.

  The feeling is indescribable.

  “Blue.” I try to keep my thoughts straight.

  Fuck me. The feeling of her warmth seeping around me is almost too much for me to take. If she moves I might lose it right here on the spot.

  This is what I’ve been missing all these years insisting that I wear a condom with every single person I sleep with? Fuck.

  “Relax.” She hums against my lips, lifting her hips before slowly sinking back down onto me. “I’m on birth control.”

  Up and back down. Up and back down. It’s only been seconds and already I feel like my control is slipping.

  I can’t remember a time that I’ve ever been this close this fast. Well, except maybe my very first time. I busted a load in less than a minute. Not one of my finest moments, but what do you expect from an inexperienced fifteen-year-old kid?

  “Blue, if you keep moving I’m not going to last long.”

  “Does it feel that good?” She smiles, clearly pleased with herself as she drags herself up and once again, sinks back down.

  “You have no idea.” I close my eyes, thinking I might come by just looking at her. “I’ve never felt a woman bare before,” I admit through clenched teeth.

  “Wait, what?” She stills, causing my eyes to pop open.

  “I’ve never had sex without a condom.”

  “Shut up.” She shakes her head in disbelief.

  “I’m serious.”

  I can see the wheels turning behind those gorgeous eyes of hers.

  “So this is kind of like your first time.” She grins down at me as she slowly begins riding me again.

  “I wouldn’t go that far.” I moan when she twists her hips in the most delicious way. “Though I think it feels better than my first time, which up until this very moment I didn’t think anything could top.”

  She silences me with a kiss. “Shhh. No more talking,” she whispers against my lips. “Just concentrate on this.” She twirls her hips again. “Concentrate on how good this feels. How wet and warm.” Her voice drips with seduction. “God.” Her lips slide to my ear. “I’m close already,” she pants. “So close. Oh god. Harris.”

  That’s it. Once she says my name there’s no going back. I grip her shoulders and thrust my hips upward, chasing a release that takes me only a few seconds to find.

  And when we fall together, and I spill myself inside of her, the wave of ecstasy that washes over me steals my breath.

  This may have started out as a game but I’m not playing anymore. I want this girl. In my bed. In my heart. In my life. And I will fight like hell for it if I have to because after this, after Blue, there’s no going back. She has ruined me in the absolute best way possible.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Blue

  “Wait, you slept with him in the backseat of his car at a packed festival downtown?” Hannah looks at me like she has no idea who I am. “Without a condom?”

  “I know. I don’t know what came over me,” I admit, covering my face with one of my couch pillows.

  When Hannah couldn’t get a hold of me Friday or Saturday, I guess she got a little worried and decided to come over and check on me this morning. I’m sure the last thing she expected was for Harris to answer the door in nothing but his boxers. Had I not been in the shower, I never would have allowed him to do such a thing, but alas, that’s Harris for you.

  After our quick but incredibly hot encounter in the car, we headed back here. Harris wanted
to go back to his place, but I insisted I needed a change of clothes. Once we got here, we never left. We stayed up into the wee hours of the night fucking like uncontrollable teenagers, eating peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and laughing and talking about the most random things. It was honestly one of the best nights of my life.

  But I’m glad Hannah showed up when she did because had she not, Harris would probably still be here. And after nearly two full days together, I think it’s good for us to have a little breathing room. As much fun as this weekend has been, that’s all it was. Fun.

  “So what, are you guys like a thing now?” she asks after I’ve finished giving her the quick run through of the events that took place since I saw her Friday.

  “Hell no.” I snort.

  “Liar.” She crosses her arms over her chest. “You like him. Like, like him like him.”

  “I do not.” I shake my head. “Don’t get me wrong, he’s fun and clearly gorgeous, and incredible in bed, but this isn’t a thing. We’re just hanging out.”

  “Hanging out,” she repeats slowly.

  “Yeah. We do have a bet to finish, you know.” I try to play it off like this is no big deal, but I can tell by the way she’s looking at me that she isn’t buying it.

  “A bet that entails you falling in love with him and the two of you ending up together.”

  “Exactly. But that’s not going to happen because I’m going to win.”

  “You sure about that?”

  “Of course I’m sure. Why are you looking at me like that?” I gesture to her face.

  “Like what?”

  “Like that. Like you know something I don’t.”

  “I’m just a little caught off guard is all. This is a lot to take in.”

  “I know. God, it all happened so fast. I didn’t have any intentions of sleeping with him once, let alone multiple times.”

  “Are you going to continue sleeping with him?”

  “I don’t know.” Yes, I will. I’m going to ride this train for as long as I can. I might not be interested in a serious relationship, but I am more than happy to participate in a casual one. As long as Harris doesn’t push for more, I plan to see this thing through to the end.