by Kristen Echo
“Find another place. You’re here for ten seconds and you cling to my… to the generosity of others. You’re resourceful and I’m sure you can figure out an alternative.” Cherie smoothed her hair even though there were none out of place. She acted as if it was that easy to find cheap accommodations.
“It’s complicated.”
“Spencer is a generous man, but it would be a mistake to get close to him again. Leave the past behind. Take responsibility for yourself and stop accepting handouts. Don’t make things complicated.”
“You make it seem like I’m choosing to do things the hard way. As if—”
“Thanks for waiting.” Wes rubbed between Gwen’s shoulder blades. “Sounds like you two are at each other’s throats. Didn’t take long.”
Cherie flattened her hands on the table. “I’ve said my piece. If your mother cares about me, she’ll do the right thing and stop mooching off others. Whether or not she actually does will remain to be seen.”
Wes looked between them but said nothing. The tension hung in the air. Gwen’s heart was beating a mile a minute. Making progress with her sister was more stressful than she’d anticipated. Any hope of rebuilding bridges seemed unlikely. Her sister held onto a grudge larger than the moon. Gwen doubted she’d ever be able to chip it away, but she was determined to try.
Biting her lip, she took a calming breath and released the back of the chair. “I’m sorry for intruding on your lunch. Have fun and don’t worry about keys, I’ll be at the bus stop waiting for you.”
“Feel free to go about your day. I’ll drive her back. Spencer and I need to discuss a few things,” Cherie said.
“Bye.” Wes hugged her mother, sat down and picked up the menu off the table. “Thanks Aunty.”
“Okay. That’s nice of you to drive her back. Spencer is out of town, but you’re welcome to come in if you have time.” No response came. “I love you both,” Gwen added and left.
When she stepped outside, she plastered her back against the side of the building and shed a few tears. Her sister’s animosity was warranted. Cherie thought Gwen took the easy road and had things handed to her when that wasn’t the case. At least not all the time. Sure, she’d had a few advantages and messed things up, but she wasn’t a freeloader.
After a short pity party, she pushed off the brick building and hiked to the drop-in center. Her fingers were crossed as she walked in, hoping for an answer about the job. Unfortunately, Reba was out. Given it was a school day, Gwen was surprised by the amount of kids using the gym. The age range varied from pre-teen to late twenties. She stayed and chatted. One of the counselors flagged her down, and they discussed the kids and current programming. Gwen left feeling like she belonged. As much as she wanted to apply at other places, in her heart this is where she was meant to be next.
Time had slipped away, and she arrived at the Northcote’s moments before Wes. Cherie opted not to come in. Gwen watched her drive away and shoved the rejection aside. By the time she entered the house, Connie had returned home from school. After a brief search, she found the two girls in the kitchen snacking.
Gwen snatched a piece of cheese from her daughter’s hand. “What should we do ladies?”
“After school I do laps in the indoor pool,” Connie said. “You could do them too.”
“Cool,” Wes and Gwen said in unison.
The three of them spent the rest of the afternoon together. Connie let them tag along through her routine. Spencer’s daughter was an amazing little girl with one of the best laughs. Gwen was in stitches all throughout dinner. Being around her was exactly what she needed after the lashing she took from Cherie. The evening nanny helped Connie get ready for bed, and Wes paid attention to the way things worked.
An hour later, Cherie returned to pick up Wes for a late movie and a sleepover. She never got out of her car. Wes kissed Gwen’s cheek and bounced down the stairs. The lunch had gone well, and it was great to see them bonding. It would have been nice to be invited, but she understood. Her sister needed time. Gwen sat on the steps and waved as they drove off.
Alone with her thoughts wasn’t always the best. She checked her phone and there was nothing. No calls from Reba or Spencer. After a few minutes of staring at the empty driveway, Gwen went inside and headed straight for the fridge.
The leftover lasagna and salad held zero appeal, but the bottle of white wine caught her eye. She poured a half glass and headed for the backyard. A lazy stroll around the grounds offered no solutions to her dilemmas. She needed a paycheck and a place to live. Staying with Spencer was temporary. Her shoulders ached, and her glass was empty.
She returned inside and topped up her glass. Looking through the window, the hot tub looked extremely appealing. She rolled her shoulders. A soak would be perfect. Connie was in bed and she had the place to herself. If she stepped foot near her bed, she would have gone straight to sleep. Rather than getting her bathing suit, she grabbed the bottle of wine and stepped back outside.
The evening was warm with a mild breeze to make it bearable. The stars shone brightly in the half-moon sky. Stepping next to the tub, she set her glass and bottle down along the edge. Gwen glanced around, confirming she was alone before removing her shirt. She stripped, leaving her clothes in a neat pile on the chair. The hot water felt amazing as she sank into the tub.
She closed her eyes and relaxed. The steady hum and pounding of the jets soothed her muscles and calmed her. Gwen almost fell asleep, but then music played from the speakers. The soft rock music wasn’t loud, but she hadn’t turned it on. She shut off the jets and heard footsteps. Her heart raced as she covered her naked torso with her arms. She was no longer alone. Bare feet slapped against the stone accompanied by a gentle hypnotic whistle.
Spencer was home and headed her way.
Chapter 8
Spencer wasn’t supposed to be home. He sure as hell wasn’t supposed to find her naked in his hot tub. Gwen searched for options to hide and came up blank. Her clothes were out of arm’s reach and she hadn’t brought a towel or anything to use as a cover-up. As his footsteps neared, panic set in.
“Don’t come any closer,” she bellowed.
A soft chuckle followed as the footsteps drew closer. “I thought I might find you out here. Great minds think alike.”
“I don’t know about that,” she countered, sinking deeper into the water.
“A soak is exactly what I need after the day I’ve had, and you thought ahead,” he said from directly behind her.
She refused to turn around. Her cheeks were no doubt bright red. “What do you mean?”
“You brought a bottle of wine.” His hand entered her line of sight as he tapped his crystal glass against hers.
She heard him swallow. He was too close. His nearness made her shiver. “You’re welcome to it. I should get out, but I need you to turn around.”
He set his empty glass down next to hers and his hands pressed against her shoulders. “Stay a while longer and keep me company. I’ve been racing the clock to get back to you. I’m glad you’re still awake.”
The smooth timber of his voice caused her nipples to pucker and her stomach to do cartwheels. She pressed her thighs together as his fingers rubbed her bare shoulders. Rather than shying away, she melted into his touch and moaned.
He kneaded her knots and massaged her neck. His hands covered every inch of exposed skin. “Do you have a strapless suit on?” he asked as his fingers dipped into the water, searching for straps that didn’t exist.
“No,” she replied breathlessly, tightening her arms around her chest. “This is so embarrassing. I… thought I was alone. I’m sorry. Please turn around while I get out.”
Spencer growled under his breath. If he wasn’t so close, she might have missed it. He removed his hands, and she shivered from the loss of heat. As much as she wanted to dive under the water and disappear, she wanted to see him. She slid across the water and sat facing him.
The moonlight and LED blue hue from t
he tub made him look incredibly sexy. Powerful. His eyes were hooded and focused on her. His tie hung open around his neck and the collar of his white shirt was unbuttoned, giving a hint of the magnificent chest beneath.
“Had I known you’d be waiting for me like this, I’d have made my pilot push it even faster.” With each word, he undid a button. Slow and seductive.
Gwen bit her lip as she feasted on the rows of muscles lining his body.
“You have nothing to be sorry about. I’m glad you’re getting comfortable,” he said as he removed his shirt and tie.
He tossed them next to her pile of clothes on the chair. His hands moved lower, and he unbuckled his belt. The clanking of metal heightened the anticipation. With only her head out of the water, she watched him undress. She couldn’t take her eyes off him.
“I’m going to get comfortable and join you. Don’t move.” He cocked an eyebrow and smirked.
The sound of his zipper lowering made her squirm. She couldn’t see below his waist because he was standing too close to the tub. At this point, she should have told him to go away, but she didn’t. Her ex was shedding his clothes about to find her naked and she said nothing and did nothing to stop him.
Hypnotized by his eyes and the desire reflected, she waited. “I’m not going anywhere.”
He dipped out of sight and she scrambled further away from the steps. As long as she kept her distance, he wouldn’t see anything. It was dark outside and the lights in the tub didn’t provide a view under the water. She breathed a sigh of relief.
“Can you fill our glasses?”
The bottle was next to the steps. Dammit. “Um… yeah.”
As she moved towards the steps, he climbed them. Her breasts bobbed to the surface as she reached for the bottle and then halted. Inch by inch his body came into view until he stood gloriously naked at the top. Try as she may, her eyes fixed on the massive appendage between his legs. She’d forgotten how big his cock was and how great it felt inside her.
She tore her eyes off him and focused on filling the empty glasses. Gwen tilted her body to the side to hide the blush on her cheeks and her nakedness. He stepped into the water and moved beside her.
“Thank you,” he said, taking a glass from her hand.
“You’re welcome,” she whispered.
The heat from his body was hotter than the water. Steam rose from the surface. His fingers danced across her forearm, leaving a trail of goose-bumps. She filled her glass to the brim and set the empty bottle down. Using her arm to cover her chest, she turned towards him.
He clanked their glasses. “Cheers.” His eyes drifted from her eyes to her chest and back. “To late night soaks. The first of many,” he said and sipped his wine.
“To friendship,” she said and swallowed a large mouthful. The crisp flavor of apples and pears scattered across her tongue. The cool liquid did little to cool the fire burning inside.
Spencer smiled and settled into one of the two lounge chairs. He reached over and turned on the jets. The calm waters became turbulent. He sighed and closed his eyes. “Tell me what made you forgo the bathing suit.”
Gwen sat across from him. The jets pummeled her lower back, making her breasts jiggle. “One look at a bed and I would have crawled in and not gotten out till morning. I thought a quick soak would help me relax.”
“Is it working?” He opened one eye.
“It was until you got home. I am now the opposite of relaxed,” she admitted.
He sat upright, took one sip of wine and set his glass down. “Do I make you nervous or is it the fact that we’re both naked that has your heart racing?”
With their eyes locked, Gwen finished her drink. A drop escaped her lips and dripped down her chin. She wiped it away as his eyes coasted to her mouth. Putting her glass to the side, she exhaled. “How do you know my heart is beating faster?”
Water sloshed around as he moved with lightning speed towards her. He gripped her knees under the water and opened her legs. Her mouth popped open as he settled between her thighs and pulled her flush against his body. Her breasts crushed against him as she wrapped her arms around his neck. He must have been on his knees as the water settled around their chests.
“Mine races every time I’m near you. I’ve never met anyone who takes my breath away the way you do.” His hands slid under her butt, lifting her and pulling her closer. “All these years and I’m still enamored.”
“We shouldn’t be doing this.” Her voice lacked the conviction she intended.
He pressed his forehead against hers, spearing her with his intense gaze. “Gwen,” he hissed as his erection rubbed against her bottom. “Do you remember the night we met? Because every second is embedded in my skull. That night, our kiss and everything else.”
Her fingers tugged at the wet ends of his hair. It was nice to hear he remembered. “How could I forget stopping to help someone on the side of the road and seeing you? I’d never been so happy for a blown tire.”
“Thankfully we didn’t carry cell phones back then or we never would have met. I may have taken longer than necessary to change my tire because I wanted to spend time with the green-eyed beauty,” he said.
She smiled. “It was freezing that night.” It had been a bitter cold January.
“You saved me from freezing to death, but your lips turned purple within a few minutes. I had wanted to kiss you from the second you stepped out of your dad’s car. It was love at first sight for me.” He kissed her softly; almost reverently. Sucking on her lower lip for a long moment before letting go.
“More like lust,” she corrected. “After helping you, my car wouldn’t start. You gave me a ride to the arena. Instead of lacing up and playing hockey with your team, we made out under the bleachers. That’s not love.”
He gripped her ass cheeks harder, digging his nails into her fleshy bits. “You were shivering and looking so fucking sexy in that knit top I couldn’t help kissing you. It’s not cold now and your lips are perfectly pink.”
His lips pressed against hers again and this time she opened for him. Their tongues twirled. He controlled the kiss. Like their first time, this was demanding and rough. He owned her mouth. Gwen tugged on his hair and kissed him hard. Neither held back.
She’d wanted him then, and she wanted him now. Time hadn’t erased the desire or the attraction. It charged through her system like a volcano about to blow.
“I want you,” he breathed as he nipped along her jaw. “I’ve always wanted you.”
His mouth claimed hers again. She shifted, and his shaft landed between her folds. He pumped his hips back and forth, grazing her clit with his backstroke. It felt amazing. Too good to stop. Acting on instinct, she wrapped her legs around his trim waist and tilted her pelvis as he pulled back, aligning the head with her entrance.
“Gwen,” he groaned, pushing the tip inside. “Tell me you want this as much as I do.”
“Don’t talk,” she instructed as she swiveled her hips, drawing in more of his length. She mashed her mouth against his and bit his lip as he surged forward, impaling her with his massive cock.
“Yesss,” she hissed as he filled her.
He spun them around in the water, taking a seat and giving her control. Using his shoulders as leverage, she planted her feet on the seat beside his legs and lifted her body only an inch and then dropped back down. He filled her to the brink of madness. She repeated the movement and tossed her head back. “And don’t stop.”
A deep guttural wail followed when she slammed down again. She couldn’t tell if she made the noise or if it was Spencer. It didn’t matter. Soon both were panting and moaning as every part of them connected. He kissed his way down her neck and over her chest, then sucked her nipple into his mouth. His tongue twirled around her puckered tip.
She had no idea how they went from talking about the night they met to fucking like teenagers, but she couldn’t stop. Not until she exploded, which wasn’t too far off. Her whimpers grew louder. The long and
slow ride morphed into a fast-paced thumping.
The water rippled, and waves crashed against them as they moved. He pulled her closer and slammed against her G-spot. “Come for me, darlin’. Let me feel you tighten and contract on my cock.”
On command, she erupted. “Oh God! Oh Spencer!” she screamed.
“Yes! That’s it,” he said as his hand moved between them and he rubbed her clit.
“What the… oh. Oh! Damn!”
One massive orgasm turned into another. He applied the perfect amount of pressure to her center and continued to pound into her. Her body trembled as he stilled.
“So good. I can’t hold back any longer,” he announced seconds before heat flooded her gates.
He came with a roar. Spencer buried his face in her bosom as he emptied himself inside her. Gwen hugged him closer as he shook. She kissed the top of his head and smoothed the mess she’d made of his hair. Making love with him had always been this explosive, and it hadn’t changed. He rocked her to the core.
When their breathing returned to normal, he leaned back in the seat. “You’re amazing.” He cupped her cheeks and kissed her firmly on the mouth. “Why did you wait so long to come back to me?”
The way he looked at her with such passion made her heart ache. His hands planted on her hips, holding her hostage. She’d seen that look before. Love? It couldn’t be. It had all been lies. Spencer used people. She was nothing more than a pawn in some twisted game he played. Gwen swallowed the lump of regret that formed. This was a mistake. Only, she didn’t want to voice that concern with him still inside her.
“I think we needed that,” she said, moving her feet off the seat and onto the floor. “So, we can move on.” Pressing her hand against his chest, she stood and backed away.
“We’re magic together. But explain what you mean by move on.” His forehead creased with lines.
The time to be bashful was over, but as her breasts floated on top of the water a blush rose to her cheeks. He’d seen her and tasted her, but the heat of the moment had passed. With wrinkled fingers, she covered her breasts.
