by Ashley Logan
"I like cookies and cream too."
"Oh. Good. Is that a yes?"
I nod.
Returning the bacon, eggs and milk to the fridge, he retrieves the tub from the freezer. Pulling two spoons from a drawer, he passes me one.
"You want to eat it right here in my lap?" he asks, pulling off the lid and tossing it on what has to be the funkiest table I've ever seen in my life.
"This works for me," I say, searching his deep blue eyes as I dig into the tub of ice-cream. "You're not annoyed that I'm here?"
His eyebrows raise as he waits for his turn at the ice-cream. "Here in my lap? Or here at my place?"
"Either. Both?"
"No. To both," he says, sucking ice-cream off his spoon without taking his eyes off mine. "So what was your plan?"
Swallowing my ice-cream, I lick my lips and reach for more. "What plan?"
"The one you had in mind when you asked if I wanted to have lunch with you," he replies with a smile. "I see that you didn't bring fake candles and fancy glasses, so you didn't plan to romance me."
Feeling my cheeks warm, I play with the ice-cream in my mouth a while and then reach for some more. "What makes you think I had a plan?"
"You always have a plan. You're a plan-a-holic. Some of them are crazy, but I like those ones best. Was this a crazy plan?"
"Maybe to start with, but I wasn't expecting for you to ignore me to the extent that I feared for your life."
Taking another mouthful of ice-cream, Brad studies my face. Planting his spoon back in the tub and leaving it there, he leans his face on his hand as he increases the space between us.
"I had my music up," he says carefully.
"I know that now."
"My communication system might have been down, but it didn't change anything. I said that I'd be here when you needed me. What part of that statement wasn't clear?"
Sitting up straighter, I swivel in his lap to face him better.
"The words are clear," I admit, forcing myself to meet his eyes.
"Then what the fuck part of that statement gave you the idea that I wouldn't be here for you?"
"You could've had an accident," I say, dropping my eyes. One of the paint streaks on his arm is red. Already dry, it clings to his arm hairs in little clumps as if preserving them. I run my fingers over the encased hairs.
"You weren't thinking that I'd had an accident. You were thinking I'd done something to myself bad enough that I wouldn't be here for you."
Rubbing at the paint, I don't look up. "I wasn't thinking of it in those terms, so much as just hoping you were alright. I kind of realized on my way over here that I've been a really selfish, shitty friend. And I feel guilty as fuck, considering I had no idea as to how you might be feeling. I didn't have a clue what was going on in your life, or where you even lived." Squeezing my eyes shut, I raise my face before I open them.
His brows are drawn down and his eyes are still searching my face. Lifting his dimpled chin, he reaches out and pushes my glasses up onto my head. Smoothing my furrowed brow with his thumb, he sets them back in place.
"I said I would be here for you and I meant it," he says, lowering his eyes to where I'm teasing the paint out of his hairs.
Nodding, I don't look up. "I believe you."
"You want to believe me," he corrects, taking a spoonful of ice-cream and leaving it in his mouth as he traps my hand in his. Moving it away from pulling at his arm hairs, he places my hand over his pounding heart.
"Don't pull these ones," he warns of his chest hairs, as he drops his spoon back in the tub and keeps my hand in place. "My dad left me too, Stace. Granted I was twenty-three and a pain in the ass that hated the world at the time, but he left us and it hurt. I will not hurt you that way. I will not leave. Do you hear what I'm saying?"
Eyes hot with tears, I nod.
"And I am nothing like Sodermann, or any of those other assholes you've ditched for whatever reason. You understand?"
I nod again.
"Good," he says with a nod, seeming almost relieved that I agree with him. "Now, when you said that you were being a shitty friend before, is that all you want to be? My friend?"
His heart is pounding beneath my hand, and those eyes so filled with love keep searching mine for answers.
I shake my head.
His heart kicks up a notch and his lips twitch before he speaks again.
"Just to be clear," he states firmly, "You will still be my very special friend with benefits that lets me love you?"
Taking the ice-cream from him, I set it on the table before wrapping my arms around his neck.
"Very special friends, with benefits, and I will definitely try to let you love me."
His smile is instant and his eyes soften as he strokes my cheek with the back of his fingers. Taking hold of my chin, he tilts my face to meet his lips in a long, slow, sensuous kiss that leaves me light-headed.
Not light-headed enough to keep me from running my hands over his bare chest and shoulders as I seek a firm grip to keep him from going anywhere. He's too strong for me to keep him in place though.
Pulling back and breathing hard, he looks close to losing control and ripping my clothes off. God, I want him to rip my clothes off. I'd help him, I think. I'm pretty sure I'm capable of ripping fabric. I feel capable.
"How much time do we have?"
Pulled from my lusty daydream where my clothes lie in tatters on the floor and the paint is stripped from his body through pure friction, I blink him back into focus. "Come again?"
"Time," he repeats, his hands circling my waist and pulling me closer before clamping onto my hips to still them. "What time do you need to leave?"
Leaving is the last thing on my mind. Why did he need to bring up a time when I'd have to extract myself from his radiance?
Groaning, I fish my phone out of my back pocket and gasp.
Jumping off his lap, I spin in a circle before retracing my steps back to his studio for the flip-flops I lost. Grabbing them, I scoop up my wallet and keys as well and sprint back down the hall.
"I take it we're out of time?" Brad says, watching me from the living room doorway with amusement.
"Sorry. I have to get back across town, change, organize things for when Ry gets home to make things easier for Mom, and get back over this side of town for work in under an hour. I'm going to be late for sure."
"Well I'm glad you stopped by to chat. Make sure you drive safely, because I'd like to see you again soon. You're welcome back anytime."
Leaning in to kiss him goodbye, I linger longer than I should and it hurts to pull away. There is literal aching. In my chest... and lower.
"I have no idea when that'll be, but I'm looking forward to it. Real bad."
"That makes two of us then. Take care, Stace."
"Always do." Giving him a wink, I wave as I rush out the door.
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
BRAD
A hint of movement catches my eye and I look up from my painting.
The last thing I expect to see, at one in the morning, is a near-naked woman standing in my studio doorway. Dropping my paintbrush and my jaw, I drink in the petite, raven-haired beauty as she steps carefully between the drying sheets of ply, taking the most direct path to me.
Rolling onto my side as she lies right next to me, I inhale the scent of her shining hair as it tickles my shoulder. Her soft skin brushes my arm as she settles in. Slightly cooler than mine, it's so tantalizingly smooth and appealing that I find myself in a state of shock; afraid to speak, lest I somehow interrupt the dream I'm having. There is no way I want it to end.
Propping her head on her crooked arm, Stace inches closer. The lace cups of her bra and their well-endowed passengers nudge my chest as her body aligns with my own and as my eyes return to her face with its sexy smirk and dancing eyes behind dark frames, Stace brings her nose level with mine.
"I thought I told you to answer your fucking phone," she says, grabbing me by the ear and pulli
ng my whole head forward with it. I let out a squawk in protest, but she seals her mouth over mine, muting any complaints.
I no longer have complaints.
Growling into her mouth as her tongue strokes mine, I run my fingers through her silky hair and roll her back to the floor. Running a hand down her arching body, I moan as my dick flexes against her. Keeping most of my weight off her, I trap her below me as I pull back and grab the remote for the stereo.
"Is this what happens when I don't answer?" I ask, looking down at her hungry eyes and swollen lips. "We already had our after-work, midnight message exchange. I thought our conversation was over. You said goodnight."
"And later, I decided I wanted to say it in person. I called to say I was sneaking out."
"This is more like sneaking in!" I correct her.
"Only because you keep your music so loud that you can't hear your stupid phone!"
I kiss her again, unable to keep my smile in check. All argument leaves her body as she presses herself into me. Her glasses get nudged upwards and I push them all the way up and then off altogether.
"Can you see me without these?"
"Mostly they're for reading and far away stuff. I'll see you just fine if you're close enough."
"Good. I plan to be very close." Setting her glasses out of our way, my fingers return to enjoying her body.
Stroking her face, her neck, then down her side, I bundle her closer to me as her hands weave into my hair, massaging my scalp as it comes to life with pleasure. Leaving her lips to press together in a silent moan, I nuzzle into her skin, trailing kisses down her neck and across the top of her bulging breasts.
Nudging down lacy fabric, I flick her firm nipple with my tongue before latching on and sucking it into a tighter, harder peak. Adjusting my own hard peak, I shift it out of my way as I run my fingers up her thigh. Her panties are soaked and her hips keep shifting into me as if begging for release.
"How long do I have?" I pant, leaning back. "Please tell me it's more than ten minutes. A beautiful woman just walked into my dreams and I want to do so many things before I wake up."
Giggling, Stace props herself on her elbows. Her eyes travel the length of my body, lingering over my tented shorts before they return to my face.
"As long as I'm back home before breakfast, nobody will ever know."
I can hardly believe my luck. "You're here for the night?"
Rolling back to her side, she runs her teasing fingertips along the top of her breasts. "If you'll have me."
"If I'll have you?" I ask with a quiet laugh. "I'll have you as many times as you'll let me."
"Lucky I bought a pack of condoms on the way over then." Licking the corner of my mouth, she grins as she takes a hold of my hand and guides it down her curves until it rests between her legs. "This dream is a wet one, Sgt. Jenkins."
"So fucking wet," I agree, rubbing her through her panties. "Where are you hiding this box of condoms you mentioned, Nurse Lane?" I ask, dipping my fingers below the fabric and coating them in her arousal.
"Mmm?" She mumbles something and her hand gestures vaguely towards the door she arrived through before her eyes flutter closed.
Tasting her skin, I graze her shoulder with my jaw as I ease her bra strap down with my teeth and my fingers continue to coax little noises from her lips. Seeding tiny kisses across the contours of her chest, I drag the other strap down too.
One nuzzle is all it takes to spill her glorious goodies from their provocative little casings and my eyes feast upon her as she writhes under my attentions. Dick filled to capacity and balls aching to unload, I lower my mouth to her breasts, watching her face contort with pleasure. My fingers relentlessly tease her sex as I give her plenty to enjoy, but keep from delving into her sweet heat.
"Mmm, Brad," she whispers between ragged breaths as she grips my hair and my bicep. Trying to leverage herself with them, even her hips move to encourage my fingers inside as she seeks my assistance to end the pleasurable torture.
"I'm with you, Stace."
"Be in me."
Easing back, I spread her slick arousal from her clit down to her tight little ass, loving the way she shudders beneath my touch. "We've got time, beautiful. I'll be in you soon."
Her breathing picks up as I finger her sensitive flesh and her tits thrust up proudly as she arches her back off the floor. Beautifully flushed cheeks complement her glowing skin and lips; plumped and moistened, she drags them against her teeth, deepening their color. It's hypnotic and magnetic both, and I hover over her face long enough for her eyes to open before taking her in a hungry kiss.
Her pleasurable moans drown in my mouth as my fingers play. Pulsing her clit with the flat of my thumb, my finger runs through her slick folds to circle the puckered rim on the other side. Now quivering beneath me, Stacey breaks free of my lips to gasp in rapid breaths and my attention immediately turns to her heaving chest. With cushioned teeth, I clamp down on one of her nipples, and it's all she needed.
Crying out my name, and God's name, and even that of God's son as she falls apart, Stacey clings to me with a fierceness that leaves me grateful for her neatly trimmed fingernails.
Caressing the last of her spasms from her, I continue to stroke her gently as she eases out of her sex-tensed daze and melts into a languid puddle on the floor. Her head lolls sideways and her heavy lids open with some effort. A slow, sexy smile graces her lips.
"You made me come just by touching me on the surface," she accuses. "I wanted you inside me. Do you have any idea how unsatisfying it is to clamp around absolutely nothing? I feel like I missed out on the main event."
"Isn't the orgasm the main event? Are you saying you didn't enjoy it?" I ask, smiling into her skin as I kiss her collarbone.
"No," she replies, swatting at me and pushing me out of her way as she sits up. "Obviously I fucking loved it."
"Then why are you getting all grumpy and pushing me around?" I ask as she shoves me onto my back.
"Because I wanted your big dick inside me, that's why," she says, tossing her bra aside and thrusting her hand into my shorts. It wraps around my hard cock, squeezing a little.
Huffing out a breath of air, I try to keep my head. "It's still available for your pleasure," I argue, gritting my teeth as her encircling fingers run up and down my shaft. "It's not like I could give it to you before with the condoms halfway down the hall and you naked and wet in my arms wanting anything I could give you."
"You could've given me a finger or two," she whispers, pressing her tits into my chest as she starts to move on top of me with the same intoxicating rhythm as she's rubbing my dick. "You had me all lubed up," she continues, licking my tight jaw and whispering in my ear. "You could've put them anywhere."
Swallowing hard, I tear my eyes away from her teasing smile and her gorgeous tits as they're pushed up to the extreme. Closing my eyes, I try to take a calming breath.
"Quit yanking on my dick and get the fucking condoms. I'll give you whatever you want."
Giggling, she slides her hand back out of my shorts.
"What if now all I want is ice-cream?" she says, sitting up on my stomach and looking down at me as she fondles her own nipple.
"Then I will politely excuse myself and beat off loudly in the bathroom," I explain, watching her with all of my focus. "But I don't think you just came over for ice-cream. You came knowing I've been wanting to shower you in extra TLC for quite some time."
Smiling, she swivels her hips.
"Maybe I just came to rub myself all over your hard body."
My dick jerks as I look down to watch her hips roll as she rides my abs. I want to rip off the thin fabric intruding on my full enjoyment, but I don't. Stace needs to be in control of this situation, and I need to ensure that if I'm going to keep her. I need her to come to me on her own, knowing I'll be here.
But those damn panties need to go.
"Lose this silly thing," I murmur, snapping the thong that's flossing her sweet cheeks.
"You should have no barriers if you're going to rub yourself all over me properly. Personally, I'd rather see your shine on my skin than wasted on that scrap of lace you call underwear. Take them off and mark me as yours," I urge, running my hands up and down her thighs as she slows her grinding to a stop. "Make sure you get my face," I add with a grin, licking my teeth for emphasis.
Staring at me a moment, she shivers. "You're such a fucking animal."
"And you love it."
Sitting up beneath her, I pull her closer to my chest. "This is the longest I've ever had you to myself and I'm going to make sure you enjoy yourself so much you'll come back for more. I want to lick you till you're hot and needy before I put my dick anywhere near you. I want you to crave me more than you ever thought possible, and then I want to give you all I have, anyway you'll have it until you fall asleep in my arms. If that sounds like something you want to be part of, then I suggest you get up, toss those panties at my face and make your way back down the hall to find those condoms, because I'm going to be hot on your heels and when I scoop you up, I'm taking you straight to my bed."
Stacey's interest is apparent in more than her ample bosom rising and falling rapidly right in front of my face. Her breasts only seem to get fuller and her nipples more tightly defined. They make my mouth water and I curse my need to suckle them. Gripping her hips, I lift her straight up and set her on her feet to one side.
"If we don't move now, I might just come in my shorts and be useless to you," I say with a laugh as I haul my ass over to my wheelchair.
"You think your dick is the only part of you I enjoy?" Stacey asks, suddenly serious.
Pulling myself into my chair, I adjust said dick so he'll keep his head down and out of the conversation.
"No," I reply, lifting my legs one at a time and setting them onto my foot rest. "That's just a bonus. You also enjoy my witty repartee and all the wonderful things we have in common. Sitting down to pee, for instance."
