Crashing Down

by Cathryn Fox

  Kat’s heart leapt. “Are you serious?”

  “Totally.”

  She clapped her hands. “I would love that.”

  He pulled out his cell. “Great, what’s your number? I’ll text you with the details.”

  As they exchanged information, she heard Noah’s bike. “I’d better go before he gets suspicious.”

  She walked over to him, as he made his way to the cooler for a beer. When she reached him, she noticed the possessive look on his face. “What were you talking to Sam about?”

  She could barely keep the grin from her face, but she couldn’t tell Noah about the job, not yet.

  “Just art stuff.”

  “What kind of art stuff.”

  “You know what, I don’t want to talk about Sam. I want to talk about us.”

  “Us?”

  “I want to talk about the week you spent in my bed.”

  She pressed against him, and could feel his cock thicken. Heat moved into his eyes.

  He slipped his hand around her head and drew her mouth close to his. “What about it?”

  “Well, I love what we’ve been doing, but I also loved what we did the first time, too.”

  His brow furrowed and he inched back. “Kat, I was an animal.”

  She thought about the intensity inside him that night, how he had completely abandoned control.

  “I realize I’m new to all this, and while I think soft and easy has its place, so does hard and fast.”

  He took a swig from his beer. “Jesus, Kat. You can’t say things like that to me.”

  “Why not?”

  “Because it makes me want to drag you over to those rocks and fuck the hell out of you, that’s why. And I swore I’d never take you like that again.”

  She blinked up at him. “That’s too bad.”

  His nostrils flared, and he grabbed her hand. “Are you serious? Is that what you want?”

  She shrugged.

  “Fuck,” he said, setting his beer in the sand and capturing her hand. He practically dragged her across the beach, and excitement welled up inside her as he went all wild and alpha.

  The air crackled with sexual electricity as he grabbed her by the waist, and turned her so she was facing the rock wall. He pinned her there and pressed up against her as he gripped her hands and positioned them on the rock above her head.

  He caught hold of her hips and tipped her ass up as he put his mouth close to her ear. “Is this what you want?”

  “Oh, God,” she cried out, her body trembling all over.

  He ran his hands over her, squeezing her ass and pulling her shirt out from her shorts. He dipped his hand between her legs and as he widened her thighs, every nerve ending in her body came alive.

  Her heart pounded erratically, as he reached around and unzipped her shorts. A moment later he pulled them to her feet, dragging her panties along with them. A cool ocean breeze washed over her, and it made it all that much more exciting to know she was doing something so naughty.

  He gave a lusty groan and pushed his cock against her backside. “How about this, baby. Is this is what you want?”

  She wigged her ass against him, loving the way he was coming unglued. He pulled her hair from her neck and ran his tongue over her flesh as he dipped between her legs, his fingers zeroing in on her clit. Her breath caught, and her legs weakened. God, he always knew just how to touch her. He pushed a finger into her, rubbing that magical spot inside that turned her into a quivering mess. A second finger joined the first, and she began panting.

  Desire seared her insides, and when he pulled out, she let out loose a groan. “Noah…please,” she said, not above begging.

  He spun her around, and the next thing she knew his burning mouth pressed hungrily to hers. His tongue pushed inside and thrashed against her cheeks. Even though she ached to touch him, ached for him to want her touch, he held her hands over her head, grasping both her wrists in one of his big palms. He pushed against her, and shoved his other hand under her shirt. He tugged her bra down, freeing her breasts, and bent his head to kiss her aching nipples through the material.

  She sucked in a tight breath as his hand went back to her pussy. He pulled her lips open, then pushed a finger inside her. When she closed around him, his moan of pleasure carried on a night breeze. He fingered her for a long time, and she reveled in the sensations, traveling onward and outward through her body.

  He dropped to his knees and buried his face between her legs. As his tongue seared her clit, she cupped his head and held him there, squirming against his mouth. He kissed her hungrily and heat spread through her body.

  Moments before she was about to tumble into orgasm, he stood and kicked off his pants, his eyes burning with need. He reached for a condom, ready to tear into it when she stopped him.

  “Not so fast.”

  His hands shook. “I thought you wanted it hard and fast.”

  “I do, but first this.” She dropped to her knees, and pulled his cock into her mouth.

  “Kat. Oh, Jesus, Kat,” he said his voice thinning to a whisper.

  She rocked against him, sliding him in and out of her mouth, tasting the come pearling on his crown. She moaned, having wanted to do this to him for so long now. He gripped a fistful of her hair and moved with her. She plunged forward, and then gagged.

  “Easy, baby, not too deep,” he whispered, pulling her hair back like he wanted to watch.

  She licked the length of him, and cupped his balls, loving the feel of them in her hands.

  “I love the taste of you,” she murmured, as she looked up at him.

  “Oh, baby, you’re fucking killing me.”

  When she saw the raw lust, the agony on his face, she drew him back in. His veins pulsed as they filled with blood, forcing her to widen her mouth even more. She’d never done this before, but from the way he was trembling and gripping her hair harder, she guessed she was doing it right. She licked his crown, wanting to taste more of him, and when he let loose a tortured growl she sensed he was close.

  “That’s enough,” he bit out, his voice rough and his breath ragged as he grabbed her shoulders to pull her up. He pushed her against the rock, and quickly sheathed himself.

  With his nostrils flaring, and his eyes sparking blue fire, he gripped her hips and lifted her, slamming her into the wall as he powered into her.

  “Yes,” she cried out, loving the way he filled her.

  Looking frantic, and on edge, he cursed under his breath and he pounded into her, long hard strokes that took her higher than she’d ever been before. As the depth of his penetration shut down her mind, she concentrated on the points of pleasure. God she was so lost in the sensations, so lost in him. His groin pounded against hers and she grinded her hips against his. Heat invaded her body, and her muscles grew tight, a tremor ripping through her like wildfire. A moment later she felt like she was shattering into a million pieces as her pussy clenched hard around his throbbing cock.

  “Oh Noah,” she whimpered, riding out the waves and never wanting the moment to end.

  As her juices dripped over his cock, he slammed into her. His muscles bunched, and he gave a lusty groan. “You are so fucking hot,” he murmured, then stilled inside her. She squeezed his cock with her pussy muscles, as he buried his face in her neck. His breath was hot on her skin as he moaned and released inside her. He stayed buried inside her for a long time, and when he finally pulled out of her, he remained pressed up against her body.

  “Was that what you wanted?” he asked, his voice rough as his mouth settled possessively over hers.

  She kissed him, her body clamoring for more, her heart clamoring for everything. “It’s a start.”

  Breathing hard, he laughed and rested his forehead against hers. “I’m going to need a minute.”

  Chapter Ten

  It was late afternoon on Saturday by the time Noah walked into his garage. For the past month he’d barely worked on his bike. He’d been too preoccupied with Kat. He
grinned and his cock swelled as he thought about all the ways and all the places they’d been fucking.

  He looked over his bench and ran his hand through his hair. “What the fuck?” He shifted parts around but his gearbox was nowhere to be found.

  A noise at the door had him spinning around. Kat came toward him. “Hey,” he said, dropping a kiss onto her mouth. “Have you seen my gearbox?”

  “As a matter of fact I have. She held a box wrapped in Manila paper out to him.

  “What’s this?”

  “Open it.” She pushed the box into his hands.

  “What’s going on?”

  “Just open it,” she said, practically bouncing in front of him.

  “It’s not my birthday, you know.” He ripped into the paper and lifted the lid.

  When he saw his gearbox, confusion moved through him. “What…what is this?”

  “Your gearbox. I got it fixed.”

  “Fixed?”

  “Yup, it’s working now.”

  His heart squeezed so tight, it was difficult to breathe. “You did this? For me?”

  “Yeah.”

  His glance moved over her face, and he drew a shaky breath. “But how…how did you know…how could you afford it?”

  “I didn’t buy one, I had your old one rebuilt.”

  “Rebuilt? How? I didn’t even know that I could do that.”

  “I took it to Sam.”

  “Sam? Trent’s friend?”

  “Yeah, he’s a machinist, and he didn’t charge me a thing.”

  “He didn’t?”

  “Nope, just like you did a trade off with Alyssa, I did one with Sam.”

  His body tensed. “What kind of a trade off?” he bit out.

  A huge smile lit up her face. “He heard about the mural I was doing and he asked if I would do one on his niece’s wall for her birthday in exchange for this. I got my first job. I’ve been dying to tell you, but I couldn’t until I surprised you with this!”

  He scrubbed his chin, his entire body shaking, hardly able to believe she had done this for him. “Jesus, Kat.”

  Her smile fell. “What, you don’t like it?”

  “It’s not that at all. I just can’t believe you did this.” No one had ever done anything like this for him before.

  “Look,” she said, turning it over in the box.

  When he saw the engraving, the exact same one as the tattoo on his arm, a low pained noise crawled out of his throat. “Jesus…”

  Her eyes widened with worry. “Noah?”

  “Fuck, fuck fuck.” He backed up until he hit the wall. He sagged against it, and let his legs slide out until he was sitting on the cement floor. He bent his knees, planted his elbows on them and gripped his hair as old memories ambushed him.

  “Noah,” Kat said, dropping down in front of him. “I’m sorry. I thought you would like it.”

  “It was my fault,” he blurted out.

  She shook her head, like she knew exactly what he was talking about. Her voice was low, careful when she asked, “How was it your fault?

  “I was busy, working on a coding project. I was so into my work, I just forgot about everything and everyone. I forgot about what was important.” He blinked his eyes and stared at the ceiling. “I don’t ever want to be that guy again.”

  “So you became this guy instead. Once who tossed away responsibilities and became reckless as he walked around carrying guilt and blame.”

  “Yeah, I guess.” He took a gulping breath, emotions pulling him under like a tidal wave, drowning him in sorrow. Tears stung his eyes and he swiped at his face. Shit, he was crying. He never cried.

  Fuck, someone needed to kick him in the ovaries.

  “Noah,” Kat said again.

  When a low growl crawled out of his throat she touched his arm. He flinched and she drew her hand back.

  “Tell me about that night,” she asked quietly

  When he saw the genuine concern in her eyes something inside him ripped open, all the pain and hurt rushing though his blood. He gripped her arm. “He was on the ground, pinned under a car. When he saw me, he looked at me like he knew everything was going to be okay. That I would make it okay.”

  “Because you were always the responsible one?”

  “Yeah.” A strangled laugh caught in his throat as the memories shook him to the core. He pinched his eyes shut for a moment and gave a long pause before speaking again. “You and me, Kat, we’re more alike than you know.”

  She nodded like she understood exactly what he was saying. “What else happened?” she asked, and he got the sense that she wasn’t going to let up until he got it all out.

  Noah tugged on her arm with both hands. “This is how he held me.” He shook his head and swallowed hard. “I’ll never forget it.”

  “And that’s why you don’t like being touched?”

  “I guess. I don’t know. It just…it just makes me remember, makes me feel.” He looked at Jonny’s bike then back at Kat. “When he died that night, something inside me died with him.”

  “Do you think this is what Jonny would want? Would he really want you walking around carrying all this guilt and grief? If he was here right now, what do you think he’d say to you?”

  Noah swiped at his face. “He’d probably tell me to grow a set.”

  Kat smiled at him and his heart squeezed. “I miss him, Kat.” He buried his face in his hands. “I miss him so fucking bad.”

  “I know you do.”

  “I wish I could go back and change things.”

  “I wish you could, too, but you can’t, Noah, and nothing is going to bring him back, but that doesn’t mean he’s not here with you.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  She put her hand over his heart, then touched his tattoo, and pointed to the engravings on the gearbox. “He’s with you in spirit all the time. I don’t know him, but I bet he’d want you to pick yourself up off this floor, get that bike working, and run every last demon over with it.”

  He couldn’t help but laugh, a big hiccupping laugh. “You’re probably right.”

  “I am right.” He reached for her hand, and their fingers tangled. “Tell me more about him.”

  He squeezed her hand, and once he started talking about his friend, he couldn’t seem to stop. As he shared his memories, good and bad, he could feel the tension drain from his shoulders, feel the pain leave his soul.

  When he finished speaking, she shifted closer, and her heat, combined with the warmth in her eyes, had him needing so much from her. He cupped her head and pulled it to him.

  “I need to be inside you.”

  “Come on. Let’s go to my room.” She climbed to her feet, but he dragged her to him.

  “No. Right now, Kat. Right here. I can’t wait that long.”

  He grabbed her hand and guided her to Luke’s car. He reached under the car and grabbed a case with the key in it. He unlocked the door, and pulled her into the back seat. His mouth found hers and he kissed her. As he ran his hands over her body, she put hers above her head, and his heart twisted with need as he watched her. He inched back and looked into her eyes. They exchanged a long look, and then he took her hand in his and placed it on his face.

  “Touch me back Kat. Please…touch me back.”

  “Noah,” she whispered, her palm closing over his face. He leaned into her palm, absorbing her heat. His mouth found hers again as she touched him. Oh, Jesus, it felt so fucking good to be touched by her. As he reveled in it, lost himself in it, he pulled his shirt off to let her explore him. The softness in her fingers moved over his skin like a healing balm to his soul, lighting the darkness inside him and helping him to come to peace.

  They undressed quickly, and after rolling on a condom, he slid into her. They came together as one, each giving and taking. A bone-deep warmth filled him. Jesus, he couldn’t even begin to describe what she made him feel. He pumped into her and soon their cries of pleasure mingled, everything in the way they touche
d each other deeply intimate. As he depleted himself in her, his heart raced and he knew what had started as a stupid bet had grown into something much deeper. Jesus, he needed to call off this bet with Luke. He knew he’d be losing the one thing that meant the world to him, to Jonny. But it also meant winning the girl that had eased her way into his heart, and showed him how to live again. As he warmed to the idea, he thought about his friend, and knew in his heart that’s what he would have wanted Noah to do.

  * * *

  For the rest of the summer, nothing seemed to matter. Nothing but Noah, painting, making love and having fun.

  In a few short months he’d flipped her world upside down. It felt like freefalling without a safety net. She was completely and utterly lost in him, addicted to him. His every touch was overwhelming, his lovemaking all-consuming. The passion between them was as hot and explosive as the summer sun, and she could hardly believe how she’d gotten to this amazing place with such an incredible guy.

  As she lay beside him in her bed now, their time together winding down, she thought about the future. What would happen between them when she went back to school? But thinking about school made her realize just how much she dreaded going back to her business degree.

  “Noah.” She turned to him and ran her fingers over his chest, reveling in the feel of his body, and loving that he wanted to be touched by her.

  He put one arm under his head, and trailed his fingers over her hand. “Yeah, baby.”

  “I need to talk to my father.”

  He sat up straighter in the bed. “I know.”

  “I can’t do this anymore. After this summer, I can’t live his life. I have to start living my own. I don’t want to go to business school.”

  Just then a knock sounded on her door. She glanced at her clock, realizing they still had ten minutes left to their lunch break.

  She climbed from her bed, and smoothed down her work clothes. Noah didn’t bother to move when she pulled the door open, but the second she spotted her father on the other side, her stomach jumped into her throat.

  “Dad…what’s…what’s going on?” she asked, stumbling over her words.