It Started With a Kiss

by Melanie Moreland

  “I want you, Daniel,” I begged, my head falling back to the hard metal as he slid two fingers inside, pumping slow and deliberate. “I need you.”

  “What do you need?”

  “You. I need you to fuck me.”

  He bit down on my neck. “With pleasure.”

  An impatient tug, he tore down his sweats. One powerful thrust and he was buried deep inside me, his body slamming me into the inflexible steel behind my back. Bracing one hand behind my head, and the other on my hip, he started to move, his body pinning me in place. His eyes locked on mine; dark, piercing, and swirling in desire and need as he took me, hard and rough.

  I clutched at his broad shoulders, my blunt nails sliding across his damp skin. Needing as near as possible, I wound my arms around his neck. I held myself close, licking and kissing his neck, moaning his name, letting him move me whichever way he wanted.

  He answered with grunts and groans, breathing my name. He tangled his hand into my hair, tugging my face back and capturing my mouth. He enfolded me in his arms, holding me tight, his hips driving fast, his tongue mimicking his rapid actions.

  My body began to tighten as my orgasm approached.

  Daniel’s motions picked up, his cock slamming into me ferociously as I screamed my release into his mouth. He shuddered as he spilled inside me, his body stilling as he climaxed, my pussy clamping down around him.

  A long tremor moved down his spine, his body relaxing into mine. He dragged his mouth up my neck, and spoke low in my ear. “I feel forgiven.”

  “You are.”

  He smiled against my skin.

  I ran my fingers through his hair, as I made my quiet confession. “I hate driving. I know I’m bad at it, which is why I walk most places. I’m probably worse than an old lady behind the wheel.”

  He leaned back, keeping his face near mine. “No, I just said that wrong. I know you dislike driving. But I can help you. We can work on making you more relaxed behind the wheel.” He ran a finger down my cheek. “Or maybe it means I need to drive you places and keep you safe. Once I convince you to move in with me, we’ll have to discuss that.”

  “You still want me to move in?”

  “More than ever. And one day soon, I’ll convince you.”

  He stepped back, his cock slipping from me, leaving me feeling empty without him inside me. “In the meantime, I’m taking you into the house, getting you cleaned up, and we’re getting some sleep.”

  “I was going to go home. I’m sure you have lots to do today . . .”

  I stopped talking at the intense look on his face.

  “Everything I want to do today, involves you. We’re spending the weekend together, just as we planned. We’re gonna talk, and I’m going to have sex with you all over my house.” His lips curled into his mischievous grin, one corner higher than the other, causing his eyes to crinkle. “Think you can keep up with that, old lady?”

  “I can certainly try.”

  He hitched me higher, pulling me away from the truck. His hands curved around my ass, holding me tight as he strode toward the house. “Then let’s go, happy bum.”

  “Happy bum?”

  He laughed, the sound loud in the open air. “Glad ass—happy bum, what’s the difference?”

  I tried to fight my grin at his lame joke, but I couldn’t. I was in his arms, with the weekend still ahead of us, and we were together.

  I laid my head on his shoulder and joined his laughter.

  Daniel

  Avery slept soundly, her head burrowed in the pillow and the blanket clutched around her. I had slept for a while, waking up to her gentle breath drifting over my skin as she slumbered.

  After the disaster of the previous night, I was ecstatic the way the morning had turned out, and she was now beside me. All was right again in my world.

  Caitlin always chided me on the fact when I was tired I didn’t realize the tone I spoke with at times, and last night proved her correct. What I’d meant as teasing came out condescending. It destroyed our plans, and led us to our first disagreement. For a moment this morning, I was worried we were about to fall right into a continuation of the same argument, but we managed to stop it before it restarted.

  I hated how tired she looked, and I knew she could see the same exhaustion reflected in my eyes. When I had reached for her it was to simply hold her and reassure us both we were okay. I hadn’t planned to fuck her against my truck. However, it seemed every time I had Avery close and there was an immobile surface behind her, all my common sense evaporated and the caveman in me took over. As soon as I had her trapped between the metal and me, I had to have her.

  And I did have her—thoroughly.

  I ran my knuckle down her cheek. Her nose wrinkled and her lips pursed, then she burrowed a little deeper, making me chuckle. She loved to sleep.

  The sound of her phone drifted up from the floor, and with a frown, I rolled over, reaching down to find her skirt. She had plugged it in to charge while we had coffee, then slipped it back into her pocket before we came to bed. It had been buzzing almost constantly, and I thought, perhaps it might be important. I had to stop the laughter as I reached into the pocket of her skirt and my hand came back with not only her phone, but also the numerous empty wrappers from all the mints she had eaten. She had severely misjudged the number she had consumed. There were a dozen wrappers in my hand—maybe more. I let them flutter to the floor, and peered at the screen, seeing her friend, Beth, was the person contacting Avery. There were several texts and two missed calls. I realized Avery hadn’t let her know she was okay, and Beth was worried. I typed a quick text to her, letting her know it was me and Avery was safe, asleep, and we were okay. Her reply was prompt.

  You messed up. Don’t do it again.

  I replied. Don’t plan on it.

  Her response was fast.

  You better not. You’ll have me to deal with.

  I liked her protectiveness. Avery needed friends like Beth. After a moment, I sent another text to Beth, asking if I could make up for the previous night by taking her and Ryan to lunch. After she agreed and we set a time and place, I rolled back to Avery, nuzzling her cheek.

  “Hey, Sprite, wake up.”

  She opened her sleepy eyes and peered up at me. “Hi.”

  I kissed her fast, unable to resist, yet knowing if I lingered we’d never make it out of this bed. “We need to get up. We have a date.”

  “A date?”

  “We’re meeting Beth and Ryan for lunch.”

  “Uh, o–okay?” she replied, obviously confused.

  “She kept texting. I replied for you and thought I would offer to make up for last night. We’re meeting them in an hour.” I rolled out of bed and bent down to pick up the wrappers. “And we need to talk about your addiction to these mints, Avery. You must have eaten a dozen or more.”

  “Is that both pockets?”

  My eyebrows shot up and I grabbed her skirt to check, fishing out yet more empty wrappers, adding them to the pile on the bed. “Your dentist must love you.”

  She sat up, dragging her finger through the pile. “I’m not usually that bad—only when I’m nervous.”

  “Or upset.”

  She nodded. “Or upset.”

  I hovered over her, dropping another kiss to her mouth. “We’ll pick you up more on the way to meet them. I’ll do my best to make sure you don’t need to OD on them again. Deal?”

  “Deal.”

  I started to walk to the shower, then turned around. “Avery—”

  “Yeah?”

  “You still owe me a mint. I plan on collecting.”

  She smiled wide. “Okay.”

  “Okay.”

  Avery

  My head fell back in laughter as Beth finished off another one of her entertaining stories of the escapades we had shared. Daniel had been roaring with laughter most of the lunch with Beth’s lack of filter. Ryan was used to her forwardness, never once reacting to her bold statements with anything except
a grin. When she had begun the conversation, asking with a sardonic grin who drove into town, I felt Daniel tense up, and I narrowed my eyes in warning.

  “Daniel drove his truck in.”

  She winked at me subtly. “You were later than I expected. I thought maybe you had driven.”

  I knew she was trying to test the air and to tease me. I tossed my hair. “We were delayed leaving.”

  “Oh?”

  This time I winked. “The shower was particularly enjoyable.”

  Daniel began to chuckle.

  Ryan looked shocked, and Beth held up her hand. “High five to that.”

  Daniel draped his arm over my shoulder, drawing me close. “I’ll second that.”

  I turned to him with a wink. “You already did.”

  We all laughed.

  “Good Lord, I may explode,” Beth grumbled, leaning back in her chair. “I ate way too much.”

  “You drank a lot, too.”

  She pointed in front of me. “Pot, meet kettle.”

  I giggled, realizing she was right. The mimosas tasted exceptional today, and I’d had quite a few. The whole room seemed a bit fuzzy.

  “I think I need to take you home for another nap,” Daniel mused, glancing up from perusing the dessert menu.

  I looked at him, and my breath caught.

  Was he always this good-looking?

  His messy hair gleamed under the lights. He hadn’t shaved today and his chin looked sexy covered in stubble. I wanted to lick it. The dark frames of his glasses set off his eyes that were staring at me with an intensity that made my thighs clench. He was entirely fuckable at that moment.

  I needed to get him home, and fast.

  He bent close, his smile so wide his eyes almost disappeared. He brushed his lips across my ear, his voice low. “Filter, Sprite. I’m not sure the woman at the table behind us needs to know how fuckable I am.”

  I slapped my hand over my mouth, and he laughed, pulling it away and kissing the palm. “I’ll take you home.”

  Beth laughed. “I have no idea what you’ve done to her, Daniel, but keep it up. I like seeing this wild side of her.”

  Daniel’s gaze never left mine. “I plan on it.”

  We said our goodbyes in the parking lot. Beth and Ryan left with promises of another get-together soon. I leaned against the side of the truck, staring at Daniel. He stepped closer, drawing his finger down my cheek. “I need to take you home.”

  Turning my head, I caught his finger between my lips, running my tongue over it. “Yes, you do.”

  His eyes darkened. He started to lower his head when a voice ran out.

  “Daniel?”

  He pivoted, shocked. “Karen?”

  His firm body was suddenly gone, and I watched as the gorgeous, perfect ex-girlfriend flung herself into his arms. He laughed as he spun her, then dragged her to him and hugged her hard.

  I thought I growled. I knew my eyes narrowed, my back tensed, and an emotion I had never experienced flooded my body.

  Jealousy.

  He was hugging her enthusiastically. She was touching what was mine with the same zeal. I dug into my pocket, fished out a mint, and chewed on it furiously.

  She stood in front of him, talking, laughing, touching his chest, arm, shoulder as she spoke, her golden hair fluttering in the breeze as she beamed at my boyfriend. She was tall with long legs, and as beautiful as I knew she would be. I had to hold myself back from stomping over and removing her hand from his torso. I tilted my head to the side. She had particularly long fingers—like talons—and the way her hand rested on his chest it resembled a claw. I felt another wave of anger build when I realized Daniel hadn’t even glanced my way—he was too busy listening to Ms. Perfect’s long, rambling story.

  I popped another mint.

  “She doesn’t mean anything by her actions, you know,” an amused voice spoke from beside me.

  I turned my head to meet the dark gaze of a man, grinning at me.

  “Excuse me?”

  “My wife. She’s harmless. Karen is simply being Karen. She has no idea about personal space.”

  “Um. I wasn’t worried.”

  He chuckled, the sound low in his throat. “If you hold onto the door handle any harder, you may rip it off. I don’t know Daniel very well, although from what Karen has told me, he would probably prefer it stayed in place.”

  I glanced to the side, realizing how tight I was holding onto the metal. My knuckles were white.

  He stuck out his hand. “I’m Buck.”

  I uncurled my fist and shook his hand.

  “I am going to assume you are Avery.”

  “How did you know?”

  “Karen and Daniel keep in touch. He raves to her about you.”

  I was dumbfounded. I had no idea.

  “He didn’t do you justice.”

  I looked down, shy from his words.

  Buck laughed at my reaction. “I see why Daniel is so taken with you.”

  He leaned casually against the truck, crossing his arms, completely relaxed. He was tall and broad, with brown hair graying around the temples, hanging to his collar. He carried himself with a confidence that was at once easy, yet projecting.

  I glanced at him, meeting his amused eyes.

  “It’s always the same when they see each other. They practically talk over the other one.”

  My gaze cut over to Daniel and Karen. Daniel was talking, Karen nodding, her smile wide. She was still touching him. I dug out another mint.

  “It doesn’t bother you?”

  “One of things I love the most about my wife is her openness. She grabs life and she lives it. Every day she reminds me of how to embrace the joy that is all around us. She is very fond of Daniel—as a friend.” He emphasized the last few words. “She’s thrilled he has found someone; the same way he was glad when we met.”

  He pushed off the truck and held out his hand in invitation. “They could be a while. Want to go inside and grab a drink?”

  I looked toward Daniel. The way Karen chatted, they were going to be there for a while. I moved away from the truck. Another drink in the cool air of the restaurant seemed a better idea than standing by the truck watching my boyfriend chat with his ex.

  As I moved forward, Daniel suddenly stepped back, with his gaze focused on Buck’s outstretched hand. He came toward us, covering the distance in long strides. She followed him, a grin on her face.

  He came beside me, his arm going around my waist, tugging me to his side. He extended his free hand. “Buck. Good to see you again.”

  Buck shook his hand, his expression one of amusement. “Daniel.”

  Karen joined us, stepped in front of me, and flung her arms around me, hugging me hard. “It is so good to meet you, Avery! I’ve heard so much about you!”

  “Nice to meet you,” I mumbled, unsure how to react to her enthusiasm.

  She released me, standing back. “The two of you are perfect together!” She beamed at Daniel. “You look so happy. So in love!”

  He dropped a kiss to my head. “I am.”

  My heart sped up. He was in love?

  With me?

  Buck spoke up. “We were going to go grab a drink and let you two catch up.”

  Daniel’s arm tightened. “Thanks for the offer, but we have to get going.”

  Karen frowned and sounded disappointed. “Really?”

  He nodded. “Avery and I have to be somewhere. We’re already late. But it was great to see you.”

  “We’re only here for another couple days. Lunch, maybe?”

  “Sure. I’ll call you Monday. I’ll come meet you and Buck.”

  “What about you, Avery? Can you join us? I’d love to get to know you more.”

  I studied her briefly. Her expression was open and friendly. She stood beside Buck, her arm wrapped around his waist, her head resting against his shoulder. She appeared to be everything Daniel and Buck said: affectionate, real, and simply Karen.

  “Sure, if
I can arrange it at work.”

  “We’ll work around your schedule,” she assured me.

  “Okay.”

  She stepped forward, kissing Daniel’s cheek, dragging him in for another hug. I found the last mint in my pocket.

  “Don’t forget to call,” she teased. “You know I’ll chase you down.”

  He chuckled. “I’m aware. Enjoy your lunch.”

  They walked away, already lost to each other, talking.

  Daniel steered me toward the truck, opened my door, lifting me into the cab before I could scramble in. He leaned forward, his chest pressing me into the leather upholstery. He crashed his lips to mine, kissing me, hard and deep.

  “What was that for?” I gasped, trying to catch my breath.

  “Reminding you who you belong to.”

  I arched my eyebrow. “There was a question of that?”

  “You were going to go have a drink with Buck.”

  “May I remind you that you were so engrossed talking to your ex-girlfriend you didn’t even notice I was standing there anymore?”

  He laughed low and husky in his chest, his breath floating over my skin. “I knew exactly where you were every second, Avery. I was chatting with Karen but most of the time my eyes were on you. I saw you gripping the door handle. I watched you eat your way through four”—he kissed me, stealing the last mint from my mouth with a wide smile—“make that three mints. What do you think she was teasing me about? She said she’d never seen me look so happy—or so protective. She had to remind me Buck was just being Buck.”

  “He said the same of Karen.”

  “They’re inseparable. I was thrilled to see her, but I was as aware of you as I always am.”

  “Oh.”

  “Jealous, Sprite?”

  “Yes.”

  His face morphed into a grin. “I felt the same way watching you talking to Buck. I guess we’re quite the pair, aren’t we?”

  “You were jealous?”

  “When he held out his hand, I thought I was going to come over and punch him if you took it.”

  I ruffled his hair. “He was trying to give you some time together.”

  “I’ll see them”—he emphasized the word—“at lunch. The only person I need time with right now is you.”