by Sharon Coady
He’d never eaten at the restaurant before but had heard good reviews from the other locals. They arrived and were seated where they would have some privacy. When the waitress arrived with the menus, he’d seen Sophie’s hesitation at the prices but he assured her he had planned the evening carefully.
They talked while they waited for dinner. He found he loved the sound of her voice, and her laugh was musical, making his heart race. He studied her animated face, the way her nose crinkled slightly when she laughed, how her brows drew together when she talked about something serious. Damn it. This was supposed to be a summer fling. He didn’t want another relationship. The good thing about this would be they lived far enough apart that there wouldn’t be a chance for one.
He waited for her to start eating and wondered if maybe it was best to see what her expectations were for whatever this was. “So, how long are you going to be in town?” He cut another piece of steak and put it in his mouth, waiting for her answer.
She glanced up at him, set her fork on the edge of her plate, and patted her mouth with her napkin. “We’ll be here for three weeks total.” She tilted her head. “Why?”
“I was just wondering.” His heart sped up. “I was hoping we could see each other while you’re here.”
Her eyes lit up. “I think I would like spending time with you.”
“I do want to say something right up front so we don’t have a misunderstanding between us.” He felt heat moving up his face.
She pulled at her napkin and cleared her throat. “Go ahead.” Sophie picked up her water glass and took a long drink.
“I’m not looking for a long-term relationship. Just something for the summer.” He took a deep breath, waiting for her to respond.
Sophie dropped her head and sighed. “I’m supposed to be doing the same thing.” She glanced back up at him. “I’ve never done anything like this before.”
“Me either.” He leaned forward and took her hand in his. “I was in a really bad relationship a while back. Two years with someone who I thought was a decent person. She wasn’t even close. I haven’t been in a relationship since. I wanted you to know that up front before anything went any further.”
Sophie laughed softly. “Isn’t this funny? I haven’t been out with a man in a while. I was engaged and my fiancé went missing. He was in the military, and they say he is presumed dead. Guess we’re both looking for the same thing.”
Liam let go of her hand and sat back. “Do you still want to continue this?”
“Why not? We’re both adults.” She stopped and blinked. “I don’t know how to do this, but I think I’m willing to give it a try if you are. You were such a gentleman when you took me home. Someone else might have taken advantage of me. I think I can trust you.”
Liam watched her and wondered if this was all too much for her. Maybe they could just hang out and be together without the sex part. He wanted her. Actually, since he had taken her home the other night, he was more than ready. He wanted to run his hands over her curves, navigate every part of her body as he kissed her lips and brought them both to release. But if she wasn’t ready, he sure as hell wasn’t going to push her.
“Look, I want to be with you, but I won’t push you. If all you want to do is hang out and talk, hold hands, watch movies, it’s cool.”
“I want to be with you, Liam. But I would like it very much if we could go somewhere quiet and talk about this if you don’t mind.”
“Right now or do you want to finish your dinner first?” Shit! Maybe he had pushed a bit too hard already.
“Oh, I am going to finish this. It’s too good to not to.” She picked up her fork and started eating again.
“Sure. I was hoping not to leave this steak before it was gone.” He chuckled. He watched her and wondered what had caused her so much pain. The pain he could see in her eyes. From the way she mentioned her missing fiancé, he didn’t think that was it. Maybe she would tell him when they talked. What exactly did she mean by wanting to be with him? His heart hoped she wanted all of him. His head was telling him to grow the fuck up and listen to the lady.
When they finished dinner and the bill was paid, they made their way back outside. He took her hand and she moved closer. “Where would you like to go to talk?”
“We can’t go back to my place. There’s four of us staying there, and I would rather not be interrupted.”
His heart fluttered. “We could go to my place, if you’re all right with it.” Say yes. He found himself holding his breath, waiting for her answer.
“Sure. Is it far from here?”
Letting out the breath he was holding, he replied, “It’s about four blocks. Do you want me to get us a cab?”
“No. Can we just walk?” She moved closer and pulled his arm, turning toward him. “I know it seems kind of random, but could you kiss me?”
He looked down into her eyes as he cupped her face with his hand. He leaned down and touched her lips lightly with his. Every nerve in his body seemed to come alive as he felt something he’d never felt before. It was alarming and exciting all at the same time. He stepped closer and pulled her against him as he deepened the kiss. He laid his forehead against hers and sighed. “We better start walking again.”
“Okay.” She sighed. “Let’s go.” She took his hand. “Do you live by yourself?”
“I do. It’s nothing fancy but it’s a nice place to live. How about you?” He wanted to know more about her.
“I have place of my own. It’s small but it has a yard and a porch. Nothing fancy but I love it.”
“I’m sorry about your fiancé.” He gave her hand a squeeze and felt her stiffen up for a moment. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You didn’t. Can we not talk about him until we get to your place?”
“Sure.” Great. She’s going to tell me about her missing fiancé. That should kill the mood quickly. He found himself jealous of a man who was probably dead. What the hell is wrong with me? Summer fling, dick-head. Summer. Fling.
They strolled in silence until they arrived at his apartment. He unlocked his door, reached inside to turn on the overhead, and motioned for her to walk in. He closed the door behind him and watched her checking out his place. She walked slowly around his living room, looking at the pictures on his wall.
“Who are they?” she asked, pointing to a group of people smiling from a picture frame sitting on his side table.
“My family.”
“They look happy.”
“They are.”
He watched her take in his private space and smiled when she turned to him. “You like it?”
“I do. It’s very comfortable here. Safe. Like you make me feel.” She smiled. “You put a lot of thought into what you did here.” She walked over to his writing desk and touched his old typewriter. “I haven’t seen one of these in years. What do you write?”
“Song lyrics. I write them and send them to clients. If they like them, they pay me.”
Her eyes brightened. “You do know they have some terrific writing programs online, right?”
“Too many distractions online. I work better on the old machine.”
“Would I know any of your songs?”
Liam shrugged. “I don’t know. It would depend on if you listened to anyone who bought one of them.” He took her hand. “You want something to drink?” He led her to the couch.
She looked up and seemed to study his face. “Yes, please.”
“What would you like?”
“Just some water.” She folded her hands on her lap and smiled.
Liam made his way to the kitchen and fixed them both a tall glass of cold water. He leaned against the counter for a moment to collect himself since he wasn’t sure where this was going.
Chapter Ten
Sophie
Sophie watched him walk into the kitchen. What must he think of her for the other night? Here she was, kicking herself about her damn secret, and he had a legit reason for avo
iding women from the sound of how bad his breakup was and the pain she’d seen in his eyes. Should she tell him or let it be? Sophie heard him clear his throat. She closed her eyes before chancing a glance.
“Thank you.” She took the glass he was holding out.
He sat down next to her and shrugged. “Okay, you wanted to talk. Go for it.”
His eyes searched her face, making her squirm. She took a sip and put the water down on the table, took a deep breath, and started. “I’m not sure what to do here. I have something I feel I should say to you, but part of me doesn’t know if I should or not.”
He put his hand on her face and traced her lips with his thumb. “You can tell me anything you want to. I promise not to judge you,” he whispered before leaning in to kiss her again.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer. Screw it. We can talk later. Her excitement grew as he kissed her like she had never been kissed before. She couldn’t even tell how much time had passed when they came up for air. She was so breathless, she felt lightheaded.
“Wow,” was all she could manage to get out before he was kissing her again. She pulled him on top of her as her body hummed against his. She tugged at his shirt, trying to get him to pull it off. She wanted to feel his body against hers. She wanted to touch his skin. He broke the kiss and pulled his shirt off, pulling her into his arms to kiss her senseless once again.
“Too many clothes,” she gasped.
He sat up. “Are you sure?”
Sophie nodded and slipped off her sandals as she allowed him to help her to her feet.
“Not here. Let me take you to my bedroom.” He took her hand.
His voice was husky with the same desire she could see in his eyes. She had never felt so beautiful and wanted as she did at that moment. How could this be wrong? It couldn’t. Not when we both want it. She followed him down the short hallway into his room. A large, comfortable-looking bed sat against the back wall. It was neatly made with a few matching pillows tossed on the dark brown comforter.
He turned her around and started undressing her as he placed kisses on her neck. She leaned back and tilted her head to give him better access. He moaned against her skin, sending shivers racing down her spine. As she felt her panties slide off her hips, she turned and pressed against his body. She trembled as his hands roved gently over her back, finally sliding down to cup her bottom. He tugged her against him and, as she felt the hardness of his erection press against her stomach, her desire pooled between her legs. She was so ready for him, for this. There was no going back now. She didn’t think she could stop even if she wanted to.
He picked her up and carried her to the bed, laying her down before stepping back to take in the sight of her. She didn’t feel uncomfortable in her nakedness because all she saw was desire in his eyes and a smile spreading over his face.
“You are so beautiful.” He slid his shorts off and reached into the top drawer of the nightstand, pulled out a condom package, tore it open, and sheathed himself before climbing onto the bed between her legs. He nudged her legs a little further apart as he kissed her. Pulling back to look into her eyes, he whispered, “I want to see your face when I enter you.”
Sophie licked her lips while she watched him position himself at her opening. She gasped as she felt him press against her. He pushed into her slowly before pulling back and pushing in just a little farther, teasing her until she was gasping and trying to make him move faster.
“Let me move slowly. I don’t want to rush our first time.”
She wanted to feel him completely inside of her, filling her up with his length. When he finally slid all the way in, her head fell back and she moaned in pleasure. She gasped as he set a slow steady rhythm, pulling her body further into total bliss as her hands stroked the muscles that rippled in his back. Every part of this man was pure sexiness, and he was taking her as if she was the most precious woman in his world.
She felt herself building to a climax just as he increased the tempo. He whispered in her ear, “Come with me, Sophie.”
Sophie felt herself fall over the edge into total bliss just as he tensed and the weight of his body crushed her to the bed. She held on for dear life as they both tried to catch their breath. She never wanted to come down from this high. Never in her life had she felt anything so powerful before.
She felt him push himself up. He brushed her hair behind her ear before kissing her again. “Wow.”
“Ditto.”
“Please stay with me tonight.” He searched her face waiting for her to reply.
“Okay.” She smiled when his eyes lit up like a child on Christmas morning. She giggled. “Can we have a repeat of what just happened?”
Liam grinned from ear to ear as he rolled off her, pulling her against him. “Yeah. You’ll just have to give me a little bit though.”
She snuggled against him. “I’ll try not to be too greedy.”
“You can be as greedy as you want or need while you’re here.” He chuckled as he pulled her closer. “That was amazing, Sophie.” He kissed her forehead.
“For me as well. I have never felt that way before.” She had never felt the passion and heat with Nathan that she felt with this man. She had known Nathan wasn’t the one for her. Why hadn’t she told her friends the truth about her feelings? Because she was embarrassed. They all loved him so much. Hell, Tarin had threatened her if she ever hurt him. She’d been the one to introduce them.
“Earth to Sophie,” he said, waving a hand in front of her face.
“Sorry,” she muttered. He started rubbing her back and she felt herself relaxing again.
“You kind of zoned out on me there for a moment.”
“Just thinking about my past.” She snuggled closer. “Forgive me?”
“What’s to forgive?” He slid his arm out from under her. “Excuse me for a few moments?” He kissed her and slid off the bed, making his way into the bathroom.
She heard him turn on the shower and wondered if she had screwed up by getting lost in her thoughts.
He stuck his head out the door. “Care to join me?” He winked and crooked his finger.
Sophie giggled and tossed the covers off as she headed for the bathroom. Oh yeah, now I can get a good look at his body. She laughed when he grabbed her, pulling her in for another kiss. Wicked thoughts had her smiling against his kiss.
He looked at her and cocked a brow. “What are you thinking about?” He picked her up and stepped into the shower, placing her under the showerhead as he grabbed a bar of soap and lathered his hands. He turned her around and started with her back as he slowly soaped her up, moving down to her bottom. He turned her around and soaped up her chest, and then down to her stomach. She held her breath while he kneeled down and started soaping up her legs. He peeked up at her as he kissed her softly on her mound, slowly moving his hand between her legs to wash her delicate area. She moaned as the feelings stirred deep in her belly again.
She danced around him and with a husky voice she barely recognized as her own, she whispered, “My turn.”
He stood and backed under the water to get wet for her. She lathered her hands and started on his muscled back, running her hands down over his solid, round ass. This was turning her on more than she realized it would. Her breathing quickened as he turned around, and she washed his chest and rock hard abs. She smiled when she saw how ready he was for her again. She carefully kneeled down in front of him, his cock standing at attention. Sophie had never wanted to do anything like this with Nathan. Nathan, who needs to stop imposing on my freaking thoughts at a time like this. She glanced up at Liam to see him watching her with hooded eyes. She grabbed the length of him and licked the head of his cock, slowly sucking him into her mouth.
Sophie heard him gasp. He gently took her head in his hands and groaned. “God, Sophie.” He rocked gently as she stroked him with her hand, moving him in and out of her mouth. Suddenly, he grabbed her shoulders and lifted her up, crushing her mouth
with his.
When he finally broke away, she managed to blurt out, “Did I do something wrong?”
“No. I don’t want to cum in your mouth. I want to be inside you.” He turned off the shower, grabbed a towel, and dried her off quickly before toweling himself off. Grabbing her hand, they walked back into the bedroom. He fell on the bed, pulling her on top of him. He kissed her neck before taking one of her breasts into his mouth, twirling his tongue around her nipple. “Your turn to be on top,” he whispered, while tearing open another condom package.
Sophie positioned herself over him, slowly taking him inside. She marveled at the way it felt to be in control. She watched his eyes roll back as she impaled herself onto him, and then slowly began rocking her hips against him. She loved the way this man filled her. It was just what she needed right now. Sophie ground her hips harder against him, moving him in and out faster and faster until they went over the edge into bliss once again.
Chapter Eleven
Liam
Liam held her close as she fell asleep in his arms. Damn, if I’m not falling. How the hell can I be falling for someone I just met? She was perfect. She fit in his arms perfectly. She fit him perfectly. Jesus, he was going to have to get himself together. It had to be a short romance. She lived hours away, and he wasn’t looking for commitment. Neither was she. He tried to quiet his mind and his racing heart. He’d take what time he could have with her and be thankful. It was all he could do.
He finally drifted off to sleep about an hour behind her. He dreamed about them in the future with kids, a big house, and a damn dog when he woke to her kissing him. He smiled and opened his eyes to find her staring at him with a sexy grin on her face. “What are you doing, beautiful?”
“Trying to get you up so we can play some more.” She giggled. “If you’re up to it?” She lifted the covers and peeked. “Looks like you are.”
