by Candace Shaw
“Mmm-hmm...but I’m not yours.”
“Not yet.”
As much as she liked the sound of that, she wasn’t going to admit it.
“You’re funny, Prez. Don’t we have somewhere to be?”
“Yes, and we need to get a move on. I just wanted to see your pretty face first. We’re going to take 285 to Peachtree Industrial and go all the way until we get to Peachtree Road.”
“I’ll follow you.”
An hour later, they were settled in the children’s hospital’s play center, an area designated for the patients to have a break from their rooms if they weren’t restricted to their beds, depending upon the treatments they were being administered. The room reminded Blythe of a kindergarten classroom with different centers, artwork on the walls and educational games and books to keep the children occupied. There were about a dozen elementary-age children settled on the floor or on oversized beanbag chairs, each accompanied by a nurse, parent or volunteer. A volunteer was reading How the Grinch Stole Christmas as the children listened intently. Her heart became heavy as she watched the kids smiling and laughing along with the story. She couldn’t imagine what they were going through, being so young and cycling through rounds of chemo and radiation treatments. Glancing at Preston, who was seated next to her in the back of the room, she slid her hand over to his and grasped it tight. He squeezed hers back and leaned over to her ear.
“Are you okay?” he whispered.
She nodded yes and smiled reassuringly. “I’m fine.”
For the next two hours, they read, played games and did art activities until the director of the center announced it was almost time for dinner and the children were due back in their rooms soon. Upon saying her goodbyes, Blythe was glad she’d tagged along and looked forward even more to the Winter Wonderland project. Now she understood why he was doing the project.
“Thank you for inviting me,” she said as they stood between their two vehicles in the visitors’ parking lot. “It was enlightening and a little sad all at the same time. Now I see why you’re so passionate about coming here.”
“I was one of them at one time in my life. It’s something that doesn’t leave you. It just makes you stronger, and you see life more clearly.”
“That’s why you live your life to the fullest. I get it now. I do.”
“I’m glad you do. I keep telling you I’m not a bad guy.”
“I never said you were a bad guy, but I know your type, or at least, that’s what I thought. I’m seeing a different side, though. I’m witnessing the side Tiffani is always telling me about. The kindhearted, gracious, unselfish one. The one that just comforted and prayed with a little girl’s father because his daughter had a negative reaction to her medicine this morning. That’s the one I didn’t know existed.”
He ran his finger down her cheek. “That’s because I want you to see that side. All the sides of me,” he whispered. “So, you’re going over to the warehouse?”
“Yep. I spoke to Sasha earlier. The makeshift wall in the merry-go-round area is up, so I’ll tackle painting the scenery today, or at least sketch it out. I’ll have to paint at another time.”
“You need some assistance?” he asked as if he wanted her to say yes.
“Honestly, no, but you can keep me company.”
He tilted his hat to her. “I look forward to it. I’m going to drop Hope off at home, and I’ll be there in an hour or so.”
Yanking Blythe by the waist, Preston dropped his lips to hers in an enticing, ardent kiss, causing a relieved, satisfied moan to escape from her throat. She’d desired nothing more than to kiss him when he’d hopped out of his SUV earlier.
He hovered his lips over hers and rested his warm hands on either side of her face. His stare was intense, and she couldn’t remember any other man ever gazing at her with so much vigor and affection before. It shook her to the core. She was treading unfamiliar, deep waters and was drowning fast in an abyss of desire and passion for a man who had awakened a longing in her since the moment she’d met him.
“I’ve wanted to do that all day...actually for the past two days, since I last saw you. Can’t stop thinking about you, woman. Why is that, huh? Why are you literally driving me insane? Sure, I’m not going to lie, I’ve thought about you since I met you, but not like this. Now I can’t concentrate at work, and I stay awake at night thinking about touching and kissing you again. Heck, I just want to see you again and be graced by your beautiful smile.”
“Me, too. I don’t know what’s happening, either, but I’m very glad it is. Maybe I shouldn’t have pushed you away all those times.”
“No, everything happens when it’s supposed to happen, in its own time.” He kissed her once more, this time touching her lips briefly before capturing them for a long, sensual kiss.
Blythe was in a daze when he released her, and for a second, she forgot where she was and where she was supposed to be going.
He opened her car door and stepped back. “I’ll see you in a few.”
“Alright. Don’t take too long.” She slid into the car, and he closed the door. Chuckling, she remembered her destination and pushed the starter button for the engine. The kiss and his words had left her in a haze. She couldn’t see straight, and her heart pounded swiftly. Either she was having symptoms of an upcoming health scare or she was falling for Preston. She kind of hoped it was the latter.
* * *
Preston entered the venue and was enthralled by the vision of loveliness in front of him. She stood with her back to him as she sketched out a snowman while rocking to Christmas songs that played through her cell phone sitting nearby on the floor. Now he knew why he hadn’t stopped thinking about her since the first moment he touched her lips. She was everything he’d ever wanted in a woman. Compassionate. Gracious. Intelligent. Challenging. Beautiful inside and out. He’d known she had those qualities beforehand, but Preston was at peace with not pursuing her seriously when he’d first met her. Like he’d told her earlier, everything happened when it was supposed to, and now their time had come. He was going to make her his.
Strolling over to her, he encircled his arms around her waist and landed a gentle kiss on her shoulder that released an intoxicating moan from her lips. “Hey, you.”
Turning around to face him, she smiled and laid a smooch on his cheek before slipping back to her mural. “You just missed Devin. He stayed later to wait for the photo booths to be set up.”
“They already arrived?” he asked as his eyes perused the warehouse.
“Yep. They’re over in the arcade area. That’s going to be so much fun for the kiddies. I remember my sisters and me taking pictures in one at a carnival. I did a charcoal sketch of it for my parents’ anniversary one year. That’s when my mom realized art wasn’t just a hobby for me.”
“No, you are very talented and creative. You truly made my vision come alive.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you want to test out one of the booths?”
“Sure. Let’s do it.”
She took off her protective hair scarf and shook her hair. It fell wild and unruly around her shoulders, and he loved it like that.
They rushed over to one of the photo booths and slid inside the cramped space. Setting her on his lap, he wrapped his arms around her waist as she circled hers around his neck.
“Comfortable, baby girl?”
“Yep.”
“Alright, I’ll push the button. Ready?”
“No, wait. Is there paint on my face? Is my hair okay? I know it’s probably a wild bird’s nest.”
“Nope. It’s lovely, and there isn’t any paint on your face.”
Okay. “I’m ready.”
He pushed the Start button, and a few moments later, the camera flashed as they changed poses that ranged from fun to downright si
lly—forehead kisses, bunny fingers behind her head and goofy faces. They took three sheets of pictures before stopping. She was still laughing from him tickling her side, and he held her close until she calmed down. Swiping her hair from her face, he kissed her lips softly, which changed her cute giggles to sultry moans that caused him to probe his tongue deeper. He ravished her mouth as he familiarized himself with every part of it, and his hands moved along her body in the same fashion. Her succulent lips and an alluring tongue that wound around his in such an arousing manner caused a strain against his pants.
The woman in his embrace was sexy and sensual. Desirable. Seductive. He didn’t know how the hell he was going continue to be around her without needing to explore every single inch of her, but there was so much more to her than just sex. So much more to their relationship besides sex. But he did want her. There was no denying that; however, he wanted her in a way that made her all his. With the other women he’d been intimate with, sex had always been at the forefront of the relationship. He didn’t want to place Blythe in that category. When and if they ventured to that side, Preston wanted Blythe to be as ready and comfortable with the decision as he was.
His lips left hers and trailed along her neck and collarbone. Her erotic moans filled his ears with the sweetest music he’d ever heard. He loved the fact that she was enjoying herself. He wanted her to be carefree with him.
Through the thin material of her tunic, he felt her pebbled nipples hard against his chest, causing him to remind himself to take a cold shower or five when he arrived home. Preston’s hand itched to finish untying the cord on the blouse that had come loose during their photo session. He held on to it instead, tight in his hand, as he palmed her hip with the other. When he felt her hand glide across his, he glanced down to see her pulling the cord with a haughty stare. The blouse parted and the tops of her breasts were peeking through her black bra. Is she a mind reader? He hoped not, considering the naughty ideas he was thinking up, which would constitute more than five cold showers.
“What? Are you scared to touch me?” she asked. “It’s okay, Prez.” She grabbed his hand, placed it on her breast and massaged it in a circular motion. “I’ll let you continue on your own.”
She settled her hands on his neck and stared at him with heated eyes. He continued his tongue journey down her collarbone and between her breasts. They were perfect, smooth butterscotch mounds. Firm and plump. Just right for his hands and tongue as he kissed along the outskirts of one of them before moving the cup of the bra down to expose the other one. Her head arched back as he licked and teased her nipple, which hardened even more. Then he took the majority of it into his mouth. She flung his hat off, wove her fingers into his hair and shifted his head to her other breast. He loved how she was a woman who knew exactly what she wanted and how she wanted it, which turned him on even more. He’d thought perhaps she’d be shy and resistant, but Blythe was fully aware of her sexuality.
His tongue and lips continued to drive her senseless as her moans and groans of pleasure erupted over and over. She squirmed in his lap and he tried to keep her still in the small, confined area, but the more he kneaded and teased her breasts, the more trembles tore through her body. Standing her up, he backed her against the small wall of the booth, which was just big enough for her to lean on. However, being six-foot-two, he couldn’t stand with her, so he slid his tongue down her body until he reached the belt of her pants. Goodness, he wanted her, but this wasn’t the time or place. He’d promised her and himself there was no rush.
“Please,” she begged breathlessly as she fumbled with her belt. “Please.”
“No, not yet, beautiful. Not tonight. You’re not ready, but I would like to do something else.” He ran his tongue over his lips. “I’d love to taste you. Can I, or is that against...?”
“No...do what you want, Prez. I don’t care right now.”
Chuckling, he finished unfastening her belt and slacks to expose black satin panties that matched her bra. “But I care about you very much. Do you hear me?”
“Yes.”
He eased the wide-leg pants and panties down over her butt and hips until they fell to her ankle boots. She shifted in the confined space and reached down to toss the boots off, followed by the pants, all of which fell outside the booth.
Running a hand up her smooth leg, he ended at her center, causing her breathing to become erratic as he massaged her slowly but deeply. She moaned in a pleased, almost relieved way. He slipped a finger inside her, which stifled his breath as the warmth of her surrounded his skin. His thoughts zoomed him to a time in the future when he could ideally feel her tighten and clinched around something else. He figured tonight would be another cold shower night.
“That feels...mmm so damn wonderful, Prez...mmm...damn, baby,” she mumbled as her body shuddered and she clutched his shoulders. She stared down at him with an ardent gaze.
He chuckled. “Well, I can only imagine what you’re going to be like when I glide my tongue on you.”
“Stop teasing me and just do it,” she demanded. “What are you waiting for?”
“Be patient, baby girl.”
“Do you know how long it’s been?”
“Exactly, which is why I’m going to take my time savoring you. I want to satisfy you completely. It’s all about you right now, beautiful.”
* * *
Blythe tried to stand up straight against the small wall space, but it was no use, as she found herself sliding down and then back up. Her knees buckled every single time Preston’s finger would glide out and then back inside, causing her right leg to tremor. She couldn’t believe she’d actually pleaded with him for more, but she was grateful that he possessed more willpower than she did. She couldn’t help it. For the first time in a long while, a man finally made her feel alive and sensual. She’d always enjoyed sex and intimacy, but after being in relationships that weren’t going anywhere, Blythe could no longer fathom having meaningless sex. It was supposed to be special, and she yearned for a heart-and-soul connection with a man. She yearned to make love with a man. Anything outside that would be that one word she never said in front of her parents.
Blythe faded so far into oblivion that when Preston replaced his finger with his tongue, the start of an orgasm shot through her veins. Her moans escalated higher and he increased his speed, circling around her and running his tongue between her other lips until he reached the opening and licked his way inside. She held on to his shoulders as he grasped her buttocks and slid her body over to sit on the bench. Lifting her legs over his shoulders, he never missed a beat as he continued to wreak pure wonderful mayhem on her. She glanced down at him and noted how intent and focused he was on pleasing her. Preston’s groans relayed to her that he was enjoying himself, as well.
He raised his burning eyes to hers momentarily and winked with a wicked smile. “You good, baby? Are you enjoying yourself?”
“Yes...and you?” Her question came out in a hoarse manner, thanks to all the sounds she had no control over.
“Oh, yeah...” He paused, licking between her folds and holding her hips still as she nearly rose off the seat. “Oh, yeah. You are absolutely delicious. I can’t get enough.”
Preston delved in again, but this time the orgasm that was near stormed through her, and she rose off the seat. He managed to keep his tongue on her, which drove Blythe even more insane, and another orgasm crashed through her and tormented her to no end. This time he grabbed her to him as she shuddered in his protective embrace. He placed kisses on her forehead and gently rubbed her center until her breathing calmed down. It wasn’t back to normal, but she was finally able to open her eyes to find him gazing at her with an affectionate expression. She smiled weakly and nestled her head on his chest. His heart was beating almost as rapidly as hers, not that she was shocked. He’d put in a lot of work as well, and if they ever went further and it was an
y more intense than their episode a moment ago, she wasn’t sure she could handle him.
But she did want to experience more with him. Not tonight. He was right. She wasn’t ready, but she was appreciative that Preston was the kind of man who respected her and would not ask her to go any further just to satisfy his needs.
“Hey there,” he whispered. “Are you awake? You’re quiet.”
“I’m fine.” She raised her head to look at him. “Just thinking.”
“About?”
“Us. I almost can’t believe this is happening. That we’re kind of happening, you know?”
“Yeah, we are, huh? I’ve enjoyed every moment we’ve spent together, and I’m looking forward to many more.”
“Me, too, but for right now, I need to finish sketching out the mural. Mandi and Allison are coming in the morning to paint it with me before we head to work.”
“I guess we got carried away, huh?”
She lifted off him and stood as best as she could. Her legs were wobbly, and she was so relaxed from their tryst, she really wanted nothing more than to cuddle in his arms and fall asleep.
“We did and I enjoyed it, but now we have work to do, or at least, I have work to do, but it shouldn’t take long. It’s just snowmen.”
Moments later, she was back to sketching, and Preston decided to conduct a walk-through to see what still needed to be done. She caught herself staring at him and not believing all of this was happening. Once the skiing snowmen were complete, she settled on the floor in front of the panel. Soon he sat next to her and placed a tender kiss on the side of her neck, jolting a few tingles that lingered from earlier.
“Ready?” he asked, scanning he mural.
“Yep.” She stretched her arms out and yawned. “I’m going to sleep well tonight.”
“Thanks to me,” he bragged, brushing invisible dust off his shoulder.
“You’re a mess. You’ll probably be taking a cold shower.”
