Inked

by Everly Drummond

  “Nothing important,” she replied coyly, and purposely pressed closer into his side.

  “You’re a woman of few words, Avery Carmichael.”

  “You have no idea,” she laughed, and rested her head in the crook of his shoulder.

  They entered the park through the large, wrought iron gateway and followed the path around the fountain, past the swings and slides, and to an out of the way pavilion that was partially hidden behind a grove of trees.

  “What about here?” Brody asked, motioning to one of the four benches situated beneath the large, octagonal shaped structure. The pavilion was open and airy and provided very little privacy from prying eyes, but it was late and they were far enough off the main path to avoid detection.

  Brody sat down and Avery took her place beside him. It wasn’t the cool ocean breeze causing her to shiver now. It was the rush of anticipation and longing for his touch. Without realizing it, she inched closer towards him on the concrete bench until only a sliver of space separated them.

  Exhilaration coursed through his body. Brody hadn’t felt this way since he was a teenager in high school and got caught kissing Janie Marshall under the bleachers at the homecoming game. The feeling was incredible and way better than he remembered, but it wasn’t so much the feeling as it was the company. The last time he’d slept with Avery it had been spontaneous, lustful, and something that they both needed at the time, but tonight was different. Tonight his emotions were running high, and even though he couldn’t speak the words “I love you” aloud, he could at least try to convey them physically. Tonight he would be patient and tender and loving. Tonight he would show Avery how he felt rather than telling her.

  Brody turned to face her, his knee pressing into hers as he shifted his body sideways. Moonlight streamed down and reflected in the depths of her hazel eyes and cast an ethereal glow onto her delicate features. He felt himself grow harder. Her beauty, her smell, the way the golden streaks in her hair shone silver in the moonlight…

  “Oh, fuck it!” Avery growled, and launcher herself at him.

  The touch of her warm lips on his forced all rational thought from his mind. Her mouth, soft and pliable, melded to his as if it was meant for him and only him, and the tip of her tongue snaked out and traced the contour of his pouty bottom lip, causing him to grow impossibly harder and considerably uncomfortable when his erection struggled to break free of its woolen prison. Reaching between them, Brody fisted the lapel of his jacket and ripped it from her body, neither of them paying much attention when it crumpled to a heap on the concrete floor of the pavilion.

  Avery’s body trembled and she moaned against his lips.

  His speech was slurred as he mumbled around a mouthful of her tongue. “You’re not still cold, are you?”

  “No.”

  “Good.” Brody drew her bottom lip between his, sucking and nibbling and biting until her subtle moans morphed into muffled screams. Without breaking contact, he took her hand in his and guided it down the length of his body to the throbbing mass between his legs, and when she began stroking him through the fabric of his pants, he released his hold and slid his tongue between her moist lips.

  Their tongues lashed against each other, fighting to dive deeper and deeper into the warmth of each other’s mouth. And when both of them were struggling for air, Brody broke the kiss.

  Avery rested her head on his shoulder and her lungs gasped for air, but her hand continued to rhythmically stroke him through his pants. It was the only barrier left between her and utter bliss.

  One by one, he began to unpin the mass of curls at the nap of her neck, tossing the pins aside and running his fingers through each spiraled lock as they unfurled and fell gently upon her shoulders. It wasn’t until their breathing returned to its normal pace that he tenderly kissed the top of her head and whispered into her hair. “So, are you ever going to tell me what you were thinking about, or do I have to kiss it out of you?”

  Avery buried her face into Brody’s chest and inhaled. His distinct scent seemed to be magnified tenfold, just as it was every other time he got aroused. She turned slightly to answer his question, but the words were muffled by his shirt and the two hard pecs that nestled her head. “I was thinking that I’d like to ask you back to my apartment.”

  Brody placed a finger beneath Avery’s chin and tilted her face upwards, bringing her eyes to meet his. “I don’t think I can wait that long.”

  His eyes, full of unspoken promises, caused the anticipation to mount and butterflies to flutter in the pit of her stomach. She watched curiously as he picked his jacket up off the ground and searched the inner pocket, and when she saw what he was holding, a knowing grin spread across her face. In his hand he held a small foil packet. “Well, well, what have you got there? And what made you so certain the evening was going to end like this?”

  “A man can hope,” Brody smirked, and offered her his hand. Before she could protest, he led her across the pavilion and to the railing that was nestled behind the grove of trees.

  “What makes you think I’ll say yes?” she teased, and sighed contentedly when he leaned up against her.

  “Just tell me to stop and I’ll stop.”

  His body pressed into hers, pinning her against the rail, and his arousal dug into her back, leaving her speechless.

  “That’s what I thought.” His response was cocky and his hands swift and sure as he unzipped his pants.

  Avery reached behind her back and found his hips. She tried to pull him closer but he pried her hands from his body and placed them back on the metal rail.

  “You’re gonna want to hold on for this,” Brody warned, and felt Avery tense at his words. “Brody, I…” Avery hesitated, but before she could finish her sentence, his lips were at her ear.

  “Don’t worry, I’ll be gentle.” He encircled her hips with his hands and began gathering her dress between his fingers until it surrounded her waist, and holding it with one hand, he placed his free hand between her legs. He drew his fingers along her silky skin, stopping every few inches to draw small circular patterns with the pad of his thumb, and languidly made his way along the length of her thigh until he reached the small, well manicured strip of hair between her legs. “Mmm, no panties?” he growled, and pressed his fingers further between her legs, teasing and tormenting her until she writhed at his touch. “It’s not what I expected of you, Ms. Carmichael.”

  A wicked grin spread across her face, and even though Brody couldn’t see it, she knew he could sense it.

  “What am I going to do with you?” Without warning, he slid two fingers deep into her core, eliciting a moan of approval. His fingers thrust in and out of her, slowly at first but increasing in speed every time he entered her. And when neither of them could take it anymore, he eased his fingers from her body and positioned himself between her thighs. Gently, he began to thrust into her, taking her from behind.

  Avery gasped at the intrusion. She was petite, but each inward stroke accustomed her to his ample girth, stretching and filling every inch of her, and driving her closer to complete and utter bliss.

  Brody lowered his head and watched, transfixed, as he entered her over and over again. He would never tire of this, of him being the one to give her pleasure, of their bodies being so in sync that they moved together as one. Her backward thrusts matched his pace perfectly as he stroked into her, and the sound of flesh on flesh woven into the sound of their cries echoed loudly in the stillness of the park.

  The beginnings of an orgasm skittered through her body and Avery begged for release. “Faster, please.”

  As Brody struggled to find his own release in the depths of her warmth, he leaned into her and drew her ear between his lips, biting and nibbling his way down her neck to where he placed a row of heated kisses across her bare shoulders. And when their breathing became erratic and their thrusts frantic, he reached in front of her and slid his hand under her dress. “Hold tight.”

  Avery’s knuckles whiten
ed as she gripped the rail tightly and braced herself for what was to come. She wanted to demand he go faster, to take her harder, but pleasure consumed her and all she could do was scream his name. “BRODY!!!”

  His fingers traced the curve of her hip and followed it to the thin thatch of hair between her thighs. If he moved his fingers down an inch or so and rubbed her just the right way.

  “Oh fuck, yes,” they screamed out in unison.

  He could feel her body clamp down around him like a vice as waves of pleasure crashed over her, and felt her legs quiver as they struggled to hold her upright. Brody wrapped his arm around Avery’s waist and held her to him, supporting her weight as he thrust deep into her one final time and found his own blissful release.

  Sated, they clung to the rail and each other. The only sound to be heard was the hiss of their ragged breath.

  Whether it was seconds or minutes later, Avery couldn’t tell. Her unsteady legs wobbled beneath her and threatened to give out, and she fought to regain her equilibrium. So when she felt the pressure of Brody’s arm around her waist begin to lessen and felt a cool breeze pass between their bodies, Avery panicked, afraid that she might fall if he released her. “Wait! Where are you going?”

  “Hold onto the railing,” he instructed.

  “Oh God, not again.”

  Brody’s laughter echoed through the park just as their screams had only moments before. “Not, yet,” he assured her. “I’ll be right back.”

  When he returned, he lifted his jacket and placed it across her shoulders.

  Avery released her grip on the rail and turned to face him. Her legs, although still unsteady, supported her weight as she slid down the length of his body. The concrete was rough and cold against her bare knees, but it was of little importance. She wanted more of him. She needed more of him. Leaning in, Avery playfully took his zipper between her fingers and tugged as she nipped at him through the fabric of his pants. A smile flashed across her face when she saw his erection twitch beneath the fabric. “So soon?” she teased. “I’m impressed.”

  “What are you doing?” he croaked, but made no effort to stop her.

  “What do you think I’m doing?”

  Brody reached around to the back of her head and fisted her hair, entangling it between his long fingers. He tugged at it gently, forcing Avery to look at him. “Do you have any fucking idea what you do to me?”

  “If you let go of my hair and come back to my apartment, I’ll show you exactly what I can do to you.”

  Chapter 10

  BBQ’d burgers, beer, and gossip, it had been their Saturday ritual for the past five years and counting, and this Saturday was no different. Okay, maybe slightly different. Scott hadn’t given them a second’s privacy since Avery’s arrival, and Chloe was growing more and more impatient and red faced by the minute.

  “Shouldn’t you be making burgers, or something,” Chloe hissed, and took a long draw from her beer.

  “It’s only three o’clock.”

  “I don’t care. I’m hungry.”

  Scott quirked his head to the side and a look of recognition flashed across his face. “Ah, I get it, girl talk. All you had to do was say so.”

  Snatching up his beer, he hazarded a glance in Avery’s direction and looked at her with a better you than me expression plastered across his face before disappearing through the sliding patio doors.

  “Okay, spill it,” Chloe blurted out the second the door slid shut behind them. “I want every dirty detail.”

  Avery sighed as she slouched back in the patio chair and took a long sip of her diet soda. If she had plans of spending the night at her sister’s place, she would’ve indulged in a beer or two, but seeing as she’d made no such plans, her strict non-drinking policy was in effect. But damn, she could sure go for a cold beer right about now. Avery took another sip of her soda and the staring contest between her and Chloe intensified. Judging by the look on her sister’s face, she knew there was no avoiding this question or the million other questions that were sure to follow.

  “Well?” Chloe repeated.

  “There’s not really much to tell. He took me to dinner and then we walked along the waterfront for a while.”

  “You know that’s not what I’m talking about. I don’t care about dinner. It’s the dessert I’m interested in.”

  “We didn’t have dessert,” Avery joked, knowing this would further infuriate her too nosey for her own good sister “but the oysters were amazing. And have you ever had a Caesar? OMG it’s the best thing I’ve ever tasted. We should try making them next weekend.”

  “You have exactly five seconds to tell me what happened before I jump across this table and torture it out of you,” Chloe warned.

  “Fine,” Avery huffed. It would be just like Chloe to make good on her threat. “What do you want to hear first, the part where I accused Brody of trying to take custody of Parker, or the part where we had mind blowing sex in the park after dinner?”

  “What??? You didn’t!”

  “I didn’t accuse him of trying to take Parker away from me, or I didn’t have sex with him?” she asked, feigning innocence.

  “Start from the beginning, and if you so much as leave out one single detail, God help you.”

  When Avery finished reiterating their date—dirty detail by dirty detail—including the three times they’d had sex after returning to her apartment, she glanced at Chloe across the table, not at all surprised but the dumbfounded look on her sister’s face or the awkward silence that followed. “Go ahead, spit it out. You must have something to say about it.”

  “Three times?” Chloe whispered, shell shocked by her admission.

  “Four if you include the time in the park.” Avery tried to not appear too smug. She knew from one of their many girl talks that Scott was having a few minor performance issues in the bedroom, so she didn’t want to rub it in, but admittedly, it felt kind of nice to not be the fifth wheel for a change.

  “Wow, just wow.” Chloe took another long draw of beer while her mind processed Avery’s outlandish story. When her mind finally concluded its evaluation of this bizarre tale, she launched into a new line of questioning, asking one question after another without taking a breath or giving Avery a chance to respond. “Are you going to see him again if he asks you out? Has he asked you out on another date? Ohh…” Chloe gushed, and took a deep breath. “Have you told him yet? What did he say?”

  “No, I didn’t tell him,” Avery replied shortly, knowing full well what Chloe was referring to.

  “You know you’re going to have to tell him, right? Brody will eventually want you to tell Parker that he’s his father. He has a right to know what’s going on.”

  “I know.”

  Avery and Chloe sat in silence and sipped at their drinks. The mid-afternoon sun warmed her bare shoulders, but another cool evening was threatening to settle in. Avery smiled widely as she watched Parker play with his cousins. Rather than sitting alone in the sandbox and playing with his toy trucks as he normally did, Parker was playing tag with the twins, something he’d never done before Brody came into his life. Whether or not she wanted to admit it, Brody was having a positive impact on Parkers life, and Chloe was right, he deserved to know the truth.

  “So, what are you going to do?” Chloe asked, snapping Avery out of her reverie.

  “We talked about bringing Parker to a carnival down at the waterfront. I’ll start there and see what happens. I want them to get to know each other a bit better before I say anything.”

  “That’s smart, but don’t you think you should tell Brody before he gets in too deep?”

  Thankfully, Scott chose that moment to return with a plate full of burgers and hot dogs in one hand and two fresh beers in the other, saving Avery from having to answer Chloe’s question, but doing very little to wipe the disapproving scowl from her sister’s face.

  •••••

  Avery sat curled up in her favorite armchair, her hands wrapped tight
ly around a hot cup of tea as she watched Parker sleep soundly on the sofa. Even with the air conditioner turned off, the recent string of unseasonably cool summer nights had left her feeling chilled to the bone.

  The corner of her mouth curled up into a smile. For as long as she could remember, socializing had always been a major obstacle for Parker, but ever since Brody had shown up and become a part of Parker’s life—however small that part may be—he’d begun to come out of his shell, and Avery had noticed almost daily improvements in his social skills.

  Soundlessly, she stood up from the chair and tip toed across the room to where he lay fast asleep, Kneeling down on the floor beside him, she pulled the blanket up around his shoulders and tucked it in around him before placing a soft kiss to his forehead and whispering, “I love you, little man.”

  If it had been any other time, Avery would’ve insisted that Parker sleep in his own bed, but he’d spent the better part of the week playing outside with his cousins. She’d never seen him this exhausted and didn’t have the heart to wake him.

  As she stood up and began making her way towards to the kitchen to refresh her tea, the phone on her desk beeped loudly, alerting her to an incoming text message. Not wanting to wake Parker, she grabbed the phone from the desk and hurried to the kitchen as she fumbled clumsily with the volume button. Parker was a light sleeper and even the faintest of sounds would stir him from a dead sleep, hence the reason she rarely allowed him to sleep in the living room.

  Avery turned the phone over in her hand and unlocked it. She read the text message that flashed across the screen.

  Hey, Boo! Where have you been hiding all week? I’ve tried calling you at least a dozen times and you haven’t returned any of my emails or texts. What’s up?

  The truth was, Avery knew why Brody had been so eager to get in touch with her, and it was for that reason that she’d been avoiding him. He was eager to tell Parker the truth, and she wasn’t ready for that yet. Staring down at the message, she read and reread it before typing her lame excuse of a response.