by E. M. Abel
“Well, I see that now.” She paused to pull her hair back into a ponytail. “I guess I learned something new about you today.”
I turned away from the road to look over at Natalie. She smirked at me before relaxing in her seat. She looked out the open passenger window, the wind blowing her hair away from her face.
I normally never told women that I taught surf lessons to little kids. I knew it would only encourage ideas about marriage and kids and how great I’d be as a dad. I didn’t need that shit. But Natalie was different. She probably hated the idea of marriage and kids.
“You’d better keep an eye on Wonder Woman’s mom. I think she’s got the hots for you,” Natalie said, peering over at me with a smirk.
I chuckled. “All the moms have the hots for me, Killer. Have you forgotten how amazingly sexy and charismatic I am?”
“Oh, I could never forget that,” she said sarcastically.
“So, is that what you and Raven were busy talking about?”
She shrugged. “Well, that, and she told me I should marry you, so I could be an awesome surfer, too.”
I started laughing, but it was mostly to cover the unease our conversation was causing in my gut. Just the thought of marriage made me nauseous.
Natalie must have sensed it because she reached over and put her hand on my knee. “Don’t worry, Shaun. I don’t want to marry you.”
I laughed again and shook my head. Damn, am I that obvious?
I pulled my car into the parking garage attached to Natalie’s apartment building a few minutes later. The past day had gone by so fast. It was hard to believe I was already taking her home. I wasn’t sure I was ready for her to leave yet.
“Well, thanks. I had fun,” Natalie said as she grabbed her bag from my backseat.
I parked my car and watched as she unfastened her seat belt. “Yeah, me, too.”
“Maybe we can do it again sometime,” she said with a seductive smile.
“Asia and Marcus will be gone for a few weeks.”
She laughed as she got out of the car and closed the door behind her. Leaning down to rest her arms in the open window, Natalie gave me a perfect view of her cleavage.
She said, “I’ll keep that in mind.”
We looked at each other in silence for a few seconds.
Natalie straightened her arms and pushed away from the door. “Bye, Shaun.”
“Bye, Killer.”
I knew I needed to be careful around Natalie. The very fact that she didn’t need me, that she didn’t want anything more from me than sex, was only making me want her more.
As fucked-up as it might sound, I’d thought spending an entire day with Natalie would extinguish the fire she set inside me the first time I set eyes on her. I’d thought that once I had her, once the newness faded, I would get tired of her, just like I always did with other women.
But the exact opposite had happened. Seeing the real Natalie starting to emerge and spread her wings only made that fire burn hotter and stronger than ever.
I spent most of Wednesday at the shop ordering more products and making sure things were still running smoothly. Fortunately, Marcus had good employees working for him, considering most of them were teenagers.
Dad called and told me the parts for Natalie’s car had arrived at his house, so we planned to spend the next few days fixing it for her. It was too bad that it was her only means of transportation because I would love to restore it. It was a beautiful car—at least, at one time it was. It would take a lot of time and money though, and I wasn’t sure if Natalie would be willing to give me either.
Just one day away from her, and I was already craving more.
A few of the guys had invited me out for drinks, but for the first time in a while, I’d told them no. Instead, I was sitting in my living room that night, drinking a beer and watching ESPN, as all these thoughts started running through my mind. I was growing tired of the bar scene, especially since I knew how things would end. I would find myself in another woman’s bed, and then I’d have to explain why I didn’t want to stay. It wasn’t worth it, when I had a woman who was more than willing to give me what I wanted with no strings attached. It was funny how I’d spent so much time running from a monogamous relationship, yet here I was being monogamous. But it had nothing to do with fidelity or loyalty. I just saw no point in wasting my time with other women when I’d found one with everything I wanted.
I wondered if Natalie was being monogamous, too, or if she was with someone else at this very moment. That thought had me standing up and pacing my floor. I wasn’t the type of guy to get jealous. Once I was done with a woman, I had no other interest in her, but with Natalie, all of that had changed. I wasn’t done with her, not even close, and the thought of another man touching her or being inside her while she was with me was maddening.
We’d agreed not to get jealous though. After all, this was just sex.
Just sex.
This would all be so much easier if we weren’t friends, too. The lines were blurring already, and it had only been a week. If our situation was going to last, there would have to be more boundaries. The problem was, I didn’t like boundaries, and with Natalie, I didn’t want any. As much as I enjoyed fucking her, I enjoyed being with her, too. It was fun to test her, push her, and see if she’d try things she never thought she would. I wanted to help her experience all of it. I wanted to show her new things and be the one to get her to let go.
I groaned as I ran my hand through my hair, and I threw my empty beer bottle in the trash. This is not good.
It was Wednesday night, and I was at work. For the first time since I’d started, business was actually slow. Trey said a big concert was going on at the amphitheater, so we’d probably get a crowd after it ended, but I didn’t mind.
Mandy and I were in the back, grabbing stuff we needed to restock the bar.
She asked, “So, how are things with Shaun?”
I shrugged, trying to suppress the smile threatening to expose me, but it was useless.
“That good, huh? So, are you in love yet?”
I laughed to myself and shook my head. “No.”
When we made our way back out to the bar, Mandy started her interrogation. “Well, come on, spill the beans. What did you guys do the last time you saw him? Does he sneak into your room at night, fuck you, and then leave? Does he take you out on dates? Is he good in bed? Come on, Natalie, you have to give me something.”
Mandy followed me, rattling off her questions, until I finally caved.
“He gave me surf lessons.”
Her eyebrows rose, and she looked around the room before leaning in. She whispered, “Is that some new lingo for anal sex or something? I don’t know. I can’t keep up with all the slang these days.”
I burst into a fit of laughter.
Mandy looked around, trying to figure out what was so funny. “What?”
“No, Mandy, it’s not slang. He actually gave me surf lessons.”
“Oh,” she said before laughing at herself. “Well, that was sweet, but please tell me that’s not all you did.”
“That’s not all we did. We spent the entire day together, and he gave me lots of orgasms.”
Her eyes lit up as she moved in closer. “I need more details, girl. Seriously, I haven’t had sex in two months, and I think I’m dying. You gotta help me out here.”
I smiled at her, but I wasn’t really comfortable with sharing the details of my relationship with Shaun. For some reason, it felt like a betrayal. It was like those private moments were just for us, and sharing them with someone else would cheapen them.
“How about we spend less time talking about me and more time figuring out how to get you laid?” I suggested as I cleaned a glass in the sink.
“Sounds good to me!” Trey said, butting into our conversation, as he came to stand beside Mandy.
Mandy curled her lip and looked up at him. “You slept with my sister, Trey. That’s just gross.”
Trey looked up at the ceiling, pretending to think. “Oh yeah. I did, didn’t I?”
Mandy smacked him on the arm, and he started laughing.
“Okay, okay.”
“Do you think your man has any single friends?” Mandy asked me.
I dried my hands with a towel, and I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. But he’s not my man, and I’m not exactly in the position to set people up.”
She sighed, “Ugh,” before whining, “I guess I’m just destined to be single forever.” She threw her arms onto the bar and put her head down on them.
“What’s wrong with that?” I asked as I tucked my towel into my back pocket.
Mandy rolled her head to the side and scowled at me.
I said, “No, I’m serious. Why does everyone have to get married and have kids? People spend so much time searching for this fantasy that never comes true. They get married to the first guy who asks, and then they end up divorced five years later with nothing to show for it but twenty extra pounds and a broken heart.”
Mandy straightened her back and put her hands on her hips. “Are you telling me you never want to get married? You just want to be fuck buddies with someone forever?”
I shrugged. “Well, why not?”
“Because that’s the saddest thing I’ve ever heard. Don’t you want a man in your life who loves you? Someone who wants more from you than just sex? Someone you can share your dreams and your fears with? Someone who will be there for you when you fall and will help you pick up the pieces?”
As much as I’d denied it, I did want that. The only problem was, I didn’t believe that kind of love existed because I’d never seen it.
“Does that even exist?” I asked.
Mandy’s eyes got wide, and she opened her mouth to argue.
But I stopped her as I said, “No. Just think about it. Do you know anyone who has that?”
Her mouth snapped shut, and I could see she was thinking about it.
“My grandparents,” she finally answered but seemed unsure.
“Did they really have that? Or did they just grow up in a world where divorce wasn’t an option?”
Mandy narrowed her eyes at me and dropped her hands by her sides. “Okay, stop. You’re crushing my dreams right now.”
I smiled, knowing I’d won. “I’m just saying, maybe you should spend less time looking for Mr. Perfect and spend more time looking for your own fuck buddy.”
Mandy had offered to drive me home after work. Since Red hadn’t been busy, I was more awake than usual, and I knew it would take a few hours for me to fall asleep. Nick was probably already sleeping, so I decided to give her Shaun’s address instead.
When she pulled up to his building, I saw his Jetta parked in his usual spot, and I smiled to myself as she parked next to it.
“Thanks, Mandy,” I said as I grabbed my purse from the floor. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Not if I find Mr. Perfect and run away forever,” she said with a smile.
Oh, Mandy, the hopeless romantic.
“If you do, send me a postcard.” I got out of her car and closed the door.
“I will!” she yelled after me.
Laughing, I waved good-bye to her before walking inside.
As I approached Shaun’s door, I felt myself getting nervous.
What if he has someone with him?
It hadn’t even occurred to me, but we’d never agreed to sleep with only each other. For all I knew, he could have another woman in his bed as I stood in his hallway, looking like an idiot. Just the thought of him being with someone else while he was with me hurt way more than it should have. I knew sex was just sex for him. It didn’t mean he cared or even liked the person, so even if he were with someone else, it wouldn’t mean anything.
So, why does it still scare me so much?
Reluctantly, I reached out toward Shaun’s door and knocked. I could hear music playing inside but nothing else.
God, what are you doing, Natalie?
A few seconds later, the door swung open, and Shaun was standing there in a pair of loose-fitting jeans with nothing underneath them. I moved my gaze up his body to meet his eyes, and he smiled.
Without saying anything, Shaun reached out and took my hand in his before pulling me inside. He slammed the door shut and pressed my back against it, kissing me. Instantly, all of my fear was gone and replaced with an overwhelming need for him.
Shaun’s warm chest was against mine, and I grabbed his ass through his jeans as he moved to start kissing my neck. I was panting as I felt his erection on my stomach.
We didn’t speak. We let our actions talk for us.
Shaun squeezed my ass in his hands and pushed my body harder against his. I moved my hands to his shoulders, feeling his hard muscles move under his soft skin. He started kissing me again, and I could feel the warmth pool between my legs as I imagined his mouth touching me in other places.
God, he was so good. He always did exactly what I wanted, almost like he knew what I needed even before I did.
Breaking our kiss, Shaun and I were both breathing heavy as we looked into each other’s eyes. I slid my hands down his bare chest and started pushing him backward. He let me guide him to his couch where he fell back and sat on the cushions. I pulled my shirt over my head and tossed it down on the floor beside me. Shaun smirked and started taking his jeans off as I did the same.
When I was standing naked in front of him, I reached down to grab my purse, and I pulled out a condom. Shaun smiled as I ripped the package open and stepped toward him. I heard his breath hitch when I reached out and wrapped my hand around his hard cock. I stroked it a few times, and his head fell back against the cushions behind him. Pulling the condom from its wrapper, I slowly rolled it onto Shaun’s dick, and he lifted his head to watch.
Our eyes met, and I put my knee beside him on the couch before moving to straddle his lap. Shaun groaned when I guided the tip of his dick to my opening, and then I moved my hands to rest on his shoulders. I held his gaze as I slowly lowered myself onto him. His eyelids lowered as the sensation of our bodies connecting took over.
When I finally slid all the way down, Shaun took my breasts into his hands and started licking and sucking each of my nipples. Every touch of his mouth against my skin only heightened my arousal. I arched my back and used my legs to lift myself up and back down again. I was so wet and turned-on that I knew it would take me no time to come.
Leaning forward, I gripped Shaun’s shoulders in my hands, and I began a steady rhythm. Shaun reached around and held my ass as I rode him. He let one of his hands slide further down, and I felt his fingers on the edge of my pussy where our bodies were connected. He used those fingers to open me wider before he started thrusting his hips up to meet mine. I let go of his shoulders and held on to the back of the couch as Shaun fucked me, my breasts bouncing in front of him.
I moaned as I felt my orgasm building, and Shaun moved his hands to squeeze my ass again. He lifted my ass and slammed it back down with each pump of his hips, and within seconds, I was coming all over him. I started shaking and shuddering in his lap as he continued fucking me, prolonging my orgasm.
“Oh God, Shaun,” I whispered.
He didn’t say anything. He tossed me onto my back on the couch beside him, and then he got up on his knees, his dick sliding out of me.
He ran a finger through my folds and brought it to his mouth to lick it. “So fucking good,” he muttered before positioning himself over me and thrusting himself back inside.
I gasped when I felt the slight sting of pain I always got when he was buried deep inside me. He stayed there for a while as he took one of my nipples into his mouth, and he swirled his tongue around the tip. I arched my back, and he groaned when my insides tightened around him.
I started circling my hips to cause more friction, and he began moving his hips again. I let my eyes slide closed, and I allowed the moment to take me. Shaun’s smell surrounding me, his hard body on mine, his
soft lips gliding against my sensitive skin—it all felt so good.
It always felt so good.
Shaun started kissing my neck, and he wrapped his arms around my back as he began thrusting harder and faster. I dug my nails into his shoulders as I felt him getting harder inside me. I was already on the cusp and about to explode when he started grunting. When he shuddered against me, I was overtaken by my orgasm, and I began circling my hips faster, milking every last drop of him. We came together, and it was the best thing I’d ever felt. It was like everything around us had fallen away.
Shaun’s cheek was resting on my chest, his body on top of mine, as we came down from the high of our orgasms.
“Hi,” I said, smiling.
He lifted his head and turned to meet my gaze. His hair was a mess, and he looked content and completely satisfied while lying on top of me.
“Hey, Killer,” he said, giving me his lopsided grin.
“You feel like driving me home?”
Shaun wrapped his arms around my waist and put his head back down on my chest. “Nope.”
I laughed. “Well, I guess I’ll sleep here then.”
“Yep.”
I woke up the next morning with Natalie next to me in my bed. When I’d invited her to join me, it hadn’t really occurred to me that she would be the first woman to sleep in it. It seemed Natalie had me trying new things as well. I couldn’t say that I minded. Everything I’d tried so far, I liked.
Natalie was facing me as she slept, and I looked at her. I really looked at her. Her long lashes were fanned over the top of her cheeks, her dark red hair seemed lighter in the sunlight, and the little hairs on her skin made her look so soft. She was beautiful. I loved her curves and the sexy way her side resembled an hourglass. Her skin was much lighter than mine, and there was something so arousing about the way we looked when we were together. We were so different, yet so much of us was the same.
Dude, what the fuck are you doing?
Rolling onto my back, I sighed as I stared up at my ceiling. I couldn’t get caught up in this shit. I liked her—I can admit that—but that was where things needed to end. I had to remember that I would have to let her go one day, if she didn’t leave me first. I just needed to live in the moment and not worry about the rest. Everything else would fall into place.
