by Lila Younger
Ava
The next morning, I get up, grab a cup of coffee and a muffin from the buffet area in the dining room, and head outside to the porch to have my breakfast. No matter how long I live here, the smell of the salt air never gets old. There’s one other guest who’s decided to do the same, but she’s way down on the other end so I still have a bit of peace. It’s cold outside, but we have lots of cozy blankets and throws just for that, so I feel fine. I take a sip of coffee, letting it warm me up from the inside. The sun is still pretty weak this time of year, but at least it looks like a nice day.
The sound of the ocean is a dull roar, but its soothing at the same time. I watch the colors change, from blue to gray to black to blue again, letting myself just get lost. No thinking, especially no thinking about James, sounds perfect to me right about now. The kiss from yesterday already seems like it came from a dream. When he said he wasn’t done, I thought maybe he would come back later in the day, but there wasn’t a chance. Gary made my mom so angry that she didn’t argue any more with me, but it made working on the B and B go by even slower than before. After moving furniture we also had to strip wallpaper, which is as terrible as it sounds. The only bright spot was James, but he never showed up again.
I half thought maybe he would sneak into my room later that night, and I stayed up half the night waiting for him, but that was just silly of me. And the more time that passed by, the more I thought that maybe it was for the best. How could things ever work between us anyways? I would break my dad’s heart, and maybe even ruin things for the B and B. I couldn’t live with that. My fingers trace my lips. I have the memory of the kiss. That’s enough for me, I tell myself unconvincingly. I should be able to control my own feelings. That’s exactly what I decide to do.
I know my parents talked about picking out some furniture, but there’s at least two more rooms that need to have the wallpaper taken down. I can do that all today no problem. Sara, the part-timer we hired to help with the front desk is already here, so I don’t even have to worry about guests interrupting me all day with requests. I can just focus on work which is what I need.
So imagine my surprise when James comes out of the French doors and takes a seat beside me on the bench, so close we’re almost touching. And just like that, I forget about the cold. Somehow I’m hot and tingly all over. I turn quickly to see if the guest is still there, but she’s gone inside.
“Hi,” I say nervously, sipping my now cold coffee. I really have been here longer than I thought.
“Ava,” he says.
James looks so… solemn. I’m suddenly afraid of what he’s going to say. That what happened was a mistake? Well I knew that too, but that didn’t stop me from wanting him. That didn’t excuse him from leaving me there and not speaking another word to me all day either. I know that’s so contradictory, but everything seems to have turned upside down recently.
He reaches out his hand, and I freeze up as he slowly pushes a strand of hair behind my ear.
“My parents-”
“They’re gone for the day. Heading to Boston to buy new finishings. Your mother is very happy about it,” he murmurs. “We’ve got a few hours alone together.”
I let myself lean into his hand, craving his warmth already. When he takes it away, I feel untethered.
“You didn’t come last night.”
“Not because I didn’t want to. Because I did, Ava, more than anything.”
“Then what?” I ask, fighting back emotion.
James leans forward on the bench, hands clasped as he rests his elbows on his knees. He looks out towards the ocean.
“Your father. Our friendship is important to me. There’s a lot of things he’ll forgive, but telling him that I want his daughter? That I think about her all the time? I don’t think he’d forgive that so quickly.”
My eyes search his face to see if he’s telling the truth. James thinks about me. He wants me! I scream in my mind.
“I-I want you too,” I say quietly. “I always have.”
His chocolate eyes snap to mine.
“The only reason I’ve held myself back was because I didn’t think you could ever see me that way. As more than just an uncle, your father’s friend. I tried to stay away, but it didn’t matter. No matter how far I moved, you are the only woman in my mind. Nobody’s ever come close. And now, to find out that you’ve waited for me-”
“I’m still waiting for you James,” I whisper.
He leans forward, capturing my lips in a kiss, and I soften, melting into him. My hands reach up to cling onto his shirt, pulling him close. There is no other place in the world I’d rather be. I can’t lose this feeling again, I won’t. With James I feel like I have direction and purpose. I feel myself, without the pressures of what everyone wants me to be.
“Not out here,” he growls. He pulls me to my feet. “Not for your first.”
I stumble back through the French doors. Most of the guests are either gone, or out for the day, and Sarah is busy on the phone. Instead of using the main doors, I point to the ones that connect the dining room to our kitchen. That way we’re guaranteed not to be seen.
He pulls me through the door and his lips are on mine. It’s a forceful and hungry, nothing like our first one. I’m surprised to see that I’m kissing back with the same intensity. All that I was feeling earlier burns away, and I want James more than ever. I don’t know why I thought this was wrong; it feels anything but. Lust rushes through me like wildfire, settling in my core. I press my body against his feverishly, my lips parting so our tongues can dance together. His hands rake through my hair, and I break apart from him to gasp in air. His finger trails across my cheek.
“You’re beautiful Ava,” he whispers. “Absolutely gorgeous.”
His lips land on me again, on the hollow of my neck, across the tops of my breasts before reaching my lips again. My pussy aches with wetness, I can feel it soaking through my panties. I buck my hip against his, wanting to press closer to him, pushing the thoughts that this is wrong firmly out of my head. Our bodies sway together, and then he’s kissing me again.
“My room,” I say between kisses. “Come on.”
Even though my parents technically aren’t here, and Gary’s at school, I don’t want to risk anything stopping us this time. I lead James down the hallway to my bedroom. It looks childish to me, the lilac bedspread, the pink curtains, but he’s not focused on anything but me. We tumble onto the bed together, pausing only for a moment to take off our shirts. I run my hands across his smooth pecs, his defined abs. He looks seriously good. James lifts the hem of my top, hands skimming over me as he helps me out of it. With one hand he unhooks my bra, and I automatically lift my hands to cover up.
“You have nothing to be worried about,” James murmurs as he pushes my arm down. “Your breasts are perfect.”
He admires them for a full minute, just soaks it in. I give him a shy smile. It’s amazing how turned on I get just by the way he looks at me, devouring the sight of me. His hand gently cups my breast, thumbs circling my pink nipple until I moan. He gives them a pinch, just enough to spark electricity straight to my core. Who knew a little pain could feel so good? His mouth covers my other breast, sucking it into his mouth. I feel another gush between my legs. I wrap myself around him, pulling his denim covered erection flush against me. I want him, all of him, I know this for sure now. Everything in me is trembling for his touch, for him to fill that ache inside of me.
James continues kissing downwards, past my navel. I lift my head to look up at him. Is he? My legs snap shut.
“I’ve never-James. I’ve-”
“I know,” he says, easing my thighs apart again. “You’ve never had a man eat you out before have you?”
He gently undoes the button of my jeans, sliding it off with my panties of me. He showers my sensitive inner thigh with quick, light kisses, and I can’t help but gasp.
“No,” I say, my voice wavering. “I’ve never done any of this.”
“That makes me so damn hard Ava,” he growls. “Knowing that you’ve never been touched. That this is all mine, and will only ever be mine.”
His mouth travels upwards, until he reaches my swollen pussy. Desire lights up his eyes as he opens me further apart, displaying my slick pink folds and my clit to him. A finger gently trails down one side before rising up the other, sending a shiver down my spine. I expect him to just eat me out, but he waits, blowing just a little on my clit. Pleasure ripples from the hard little nub, until he finally gives one long lick, entering my channel before sucking gently on my clit. I moan his name. I can’t help it, it just happens. It’s a good thing there’s nobody at home. He does it again, even deeper this time, his tongue flicking in and out of me. My hands grab onto his hair, pushing him forward. I want more of that feeling, that bliss.
“You taste so good, Ava,” he growls.
His finger pushes its way into me, sliding in and out. I can hear the juicy sound as he enters and stretches me, preparing me for him. I’m so tight even this feels like almost too much. His tongue works furiously with his fingers, sucking hard on my clit, until I can’t help it anymore, the waves of pleasure coming so quickly that it becomes a continuous sensation flooding my system, and I come, curling tightly together, grinding my hips into his face. I cry out his name, louder than ever. James takes it all, drinking greedily until the last of my pleasure ebbs away.
I hear a crinkle, and then he’s there, kissing me. I can taste myself on his lips, sweet and dirty and delicious all at the same time. He’s taken off his clothes, and his cock, dripping with precum, rests against my entrance. He teases me, sliding his hips so that his cockhead rubs my entrance and my clit. He’s impossibly big, more than I can take for sure. I’m not opening up to him, no matter how much I want it. Finally he grips onto his shaft, angling himself against me. I can see him, veiny and red and thick, and I swallow hard.
“Is this going to hurt James?” I ask, nervousness creeping into my voice.
“Just for a moment,” he says, covering my mouth in a kiss. “But then it’ll feel so good baby. So good. I promise.”
I close my eyes, trusting him. James pushes gently, then harder, until I finally yield to him. There’s a pop of pain, and tears come to my eyes, as he takes my cherry at last. The velvet heat of his cock piercing me, pushing deeper and deeper is exquisitely painful and wonderful at the same time. I gasp, trying to breathe, looking in amazement as we join together at last.
“Your virgin pussy’s so tight,” he groans as he sinks into me fully.
“It’s all yours.” I lift up to kiss him, letting him settle and widen me for himself. I feel so full, so complete with him inside of me at last.
James pulls out a little, giving a slow thrust so I can adjust to him before he begins to fuck me. I nod, letting him know that yes, it’s fine, and he moves again, a bit more this time. Each thrust feels like he’s filling me up again. I’m so wet that he’s able to slide with ease in and out of me, and my body is finally able to accommodate his girth. I lift myself up a little, so I can see him entering me. I bear down, tightening myself all around his cock and I’m rewarded.
“Oh God Ava,” he says through gritted teeth. “Your tight little pussy feels so good.”
He speeds up, his cock driving deep inside of me, hitting that spot that makes me moan louder. I try to hold on to him, my fingernails digging into his arms as he pounds into me relentlessly. I feel short on air, my brain forgetting everything but the pleasure that James delivers with every thrust. My whole body coils like a spring, tighter and tighter, until heat explodes through my body, rushing through my veins. My back arches up off the mattress, a cry escapes my lips and release myself to sheer pleasure. My orgasm sears through me, making me see stars where there aren’t any. My toes curl, bliss bordering on pain as James drives himself into me, making me come again and again.
I can feel his cock jerk as he cums, my body tensing and relaxing around his cock as he finds his release. He collapses and rolls to my side, and I turn with him, sharing one breath, heart pounding as he gently strokes my shoulder. I’ m not ready to let him pull out, and neither is he.
“That was incredible,” I whisper softly. “Better than I could ever imagine.”
He pulls me to him, so I can hear the beat of his heart. I close my eyes. I feel weightless, like I’m floating on sunshine. His rough hand rests on my back, and I feel small and delicate in his arms. As if he can protect me from anything as long as I stay in his embrace. As I settle back down on earth, I try hard not to think about what we just did. About what it would mean for us, and for my family.
James
“Okay Bill. Let’s go over the books.”
“Now?” he asks in surprise.
We’re in the living room. The furniture, meant for a much bigger room, makes it hard to move around the space. I have to almost walk over the arms of the chairs rather than between them. Bill’s sunk down in a brown leather recliner, flipping through the channels.
“I don’t see why not. It’s your day off, which means we have time, and the sooner we figure out where we stand, the better, don’t you think?”
I omit the fact that it’s also a good time because Sandra is busy. I don’t know how much Bill keeps from his wife, but I suspect it’s quite a bit. He works as an accountant, and it seems like Sandra’s pushed the business side of things onto his plate. Not that I’m to judge how responsibilities get divided, but the fact that he wanted me to keep quiet about all my reasons for coming is troubling.
Bill sighs.
“If you don’t feel comfortable having me look-”
“No, no. You’re right,” he says at last, pushing himself out of the recliner. “Let’s do this.”
He leads the way, through the wooden doors, and through the door behind the checkin desk. The office is small and tidy, everything filed away and all the boxes labeled. Ava is on her phone in the back, and when she sees me, she flushes adorably. She’s wearing a silky looking blouse and a pencil skirt that hugs all the right places. My cock gives an appreciative throb, and I wish I knew she was here all along. I’d rather bend her over the desk than go over business accounts any day.
“We need to use the office Ava,” Bill says. “Can you leave us alone for a while?”
“Sure,” she says, flying by us.
Bill closes the door and takes the chair in front of the computer. I pull up a swivel chair as he opens up the ledger.
“So how are things,” I ask.
“Technically, things are good. Our bookings are on track for last year. But… we aren’t growing. The original plan was for me to quit and run the B and B with Sandra. That still hasn’t happened, as you can see. I don’t have full time work so I can take care of things here, it’s true, but it’s far from ideal. And with the resort being built next year, I just don’t feel secure. People just aren’t traveling as much it seems.”
My friend suddenly seems a lot older and wearier.
“Or they are, and you’re just not reaching them. Do you do any advertising?”
He pauses, and I realize that we’ve hit on it.
“I don’t want to spend a lot of money on that stuff when there’s so much to do on the B and B here,” he starts.
“Bill, that’s not how it works. I know it seems hard to spend money, but there’s no point in renovating if nobody is going to come and enjoy it,” I say. “And how do you propose you pay for all of the renovations? I know you’re taking a loan, but if profits don’t grow, you’ll have to take on even more work to pay it off.”
His jaw sets and he shakes his head.
“We’re doing good by word of mouth. I just don’t feel comfortable about spending a fortune on advertising. I mean, how do I know I’m going to get my money back?”
“You don’t. But what you’re doing now clearly isn’t working. About how much of your clientele are new versus returning?”
/> Bill doesn’t have that information either. In fact, he’s pretty much in the dark as far as the business is concerned. The numbers he knows, from being an accountant. But everything else about the business seems to be inherited from the old owners. Who had to sell because their business couldn’t weather the recession? It seems more and more like Bill and Sandra are floating along, more out of luck than anything else.
“This isn’t good,” I say, leaning forward. “You can’t run a business if you don’t know what’s going on.”
“I know. This is why I need your help. You have to promise not to tell Sandra though.”
Oh boy. Bill is definitely in over his head. But he is my friend, and I dutifully promise. Bill opens up everything and gets up.
“I’ll grab you some coffee while you look things over,” he says.
It takes longer than a cup of coffee to go over all the spreadsheets, the tax returns and the ledgers. My biggest focus is on the profits and expenditures. Bill is right when he says they aren’t growing. Though profit is limited by how many rooms the B and B has, most of the time, bookings were at 50% year round. They should be reaching capacity at peak travel times in the summer or during Valentine’s Day for example. I also go back further, to before Bill and Sandra took over. I notice immediately that there are bigger bookings too-wedding parties in particular. It makes sense, considering the B and B has a romantic past, a beautiful view of the ocean, the perfect number of rooms for a wedding party.
When I ask Bill though, he shrugs.
“Sandra thought it would be too much to do,” he says. “Selkirk House had gotten rid of its wedding packages during the recession, and she didn’t know how to bring it back.”
