Summer Ever After

by M. C. Cerny

  “Not doing the gentleman thing today. Don’t wanna,” he says.

  “O-okay.” Trembling, I want this. I don’t know if I’m ready for all things Roman, but damn if it doesn’t feel right this time.

  With seriousness, Roman leans up on his forearms, looking down at me while holding back his full weight, but covering me gently. “Are you sure, Abby?” Feeling protected, I reach out to touch his arms. I like him over me, around me; it’s good.

  “Yeah, Mr. Winters, I’m sure.” He leans his forehead into mine, breathing deeply, and we smile against each other’s lips, unmoving.

  “Let me grab a condom.” Holding me, it’s reassuring knowing he’s constantly thinking of keeping me safe.

  “I’m on the pill.” It’s out of my mouth before I can take the words back. A split decision but if I ever didn’t use one, Roman would be it. “Uh, I never had sex without one before.” Before him is what I’m trying to tell him.

  “God, yes, Abby.” Roman kisses my temple and my cheek before taking my lips in his. “I’m good. I mean, I’m clean, never before you either. ”

  Nodding, I accept what he’s saying. I want our first time to be like this, just us, everything about us. He brushes my hair back and it feels good, this…whatever we have going. My heart doesn’t feel nearly as broken, and slowly parts of myself are being glued back together, all thanks to Roman.

  I’m quiet but a happy buzzing comes from my center as Roman continues to kiss down my neck. “You’re beautiful, Abby. I like you here, in my home, in my space.” Roman continues to say soft things to me and tears pool in my eyes. I don’t think anyone has ever said sweet things like this to me, and while I feel conflicted, I want so desperately to believe Roman is true.

  “Please, Roman, don’t stop.” Choking out the words, not knowing where this is going, but finally rolling with feelings I tried blocking out.

  “Never, Abigail. Just let me love you.” Roman peels my tank top off. I struggle to half sit up, and Roman takes my clothing off with painful slowness. The fabric against my sensitive skin feels like he’s laying me bare to every past hurt, kissing the ache of it away.

  Once I’m naked, he works to take off his T-shirt, peeling it over his head and showing me his toned, tanned body. He shucks his sweatpants off with his boxer briefs and he’s impressive. Not that I’m some girl who gets around, but damn, even I’m wondering how he’s going to fit as hard as he is right now.

  “Oh, Abby, I love when you look me over like that, but not right now,” Roman chuckles. The blush blooms over my skin madly, heating me from the inside out.

  “I’m just not sure…” I begin to protest and he puts a finger to my mouth, hushing me.

  “Don’t you dare finish that sentence. I’m about to get you so worked up you won’t care how I fit.” Roman gets back on the bed, pulling the sheet away from me, crawling over me. I don’t say anything, just wait for him to fulfill his promise.

  Roman kisses his way down my chest and over my soft belly. Deliberately, he licks the rim of my belly button in an agonizingly slow circle, driving me crazy. Our eyes meet and I watch each move he makes, biting my lip to keep myself from crying out for him to hurry up. He pads his fingertips from my collarbone down around my heavy, aching breasts. My nipples are flushed with dark color and painfully hard. He refuses to touch the places want him most. His finger trails to my center between my breasts past my ribcage, slowly counting each rib in a whisper. I want him to stop the sweet torture, but he stills at my hipbone and holds me as I squirm under his touch.

  Groaning, “R-Roman,” I am frustrated at being denied.

  “We do this my way,” he says to me, and while I’m sure he’s not into kink, his tone is dark and a bit bossy for my liking.

  “Are you still mad at me?”

  I wonder what exactly ‘his way’ entails.

  “Nah, you had me at the avocado, but I’m still going to make you work for this,” he chuckles, planting his head down and his mouth over my breast, sucking hard on my nipple and making me gasp from the mixture of slight pain and pleasure. His tongue circles the rim as his teeth graze my skin, pulling gently but with enough of a pinch my core clenches in response.

  He continues his path downward, licking and kissing as his fingers blaze a hot trail and part my legs wide so he’s kneeling between them, pulling them over his lap. His cock is pressing against my entrance, but he surprises me by grabbing a pillow and putting it underneath me so he has better access.

  “I could look at you like this all day long, Abby—spread wide and open to me, nothing between us. I can smell you like this, sweet tangy oranges with a mix of vanilla, so intoxicating. If softness had a scent it would be this right here. It would be you.”

  Leaning close, he kisses my core, his tongue darting out to lick my drenched center. I realize how aroused I am when he begins teasing and lapping up my honey. I’m a little embarrassed and try wiggling away because no one was ever this attentive before.

  “Nuh-uh, this is all mine, Abby.” Roman takes my hands and holds them over my head. He’s tall enough he can still lean down and lick me as his tongue is making fast darts around my clit and circling my hole, darting in and out.

  “Please, I want you.” I’ll beg if need be. I shut my eyes to the tension rising quicker now, pulsing for release. “Roman, now!” I try to grind against him, forcing him inside me, but he continues to deny me.

  “Keep those eyes open,” he commands, before returning to suck my clit in his mouth. I’m helpless to comply, and when I do, he pushes a single hooked finger inside of me, coaxing my release hard and fast. As he lets go of my hands, they fly to his hair, unsatisfied without his mouth on mine. The urgency blurs any other thought, but having Roman inside me.

  “A little rough, huh?” He smiles and meets my lips for a bruising kiss. Our tongues speak the language our bodies want and he continues to slide his finger in and out of me in a quick pace that has me coasting into a second orgasm quickly. He lets me ride this one out as long as possible until I’m tender and shuddering when he withdraws.

  “Roman…” My voice is a little hoarse from crying out my climax, and he looks far from done with me.

  “You can say my name as loud and as much as you want, Abby. In fact, I’m going to encourage it.” Smirking, he seems pleased with himself, and damn if I didn’t wish for another avocado to throw at his perfectly conceited smile.

  He lies down against me and we stare up at the ceiling, both panting, our breaths heavy. The humidity in the air combined with the smell of sex screams how crazy we are for each other. Yeah, nothing awkward here. The minutes pass by slowly and somewhere in Roman’s place a lone clock ticks each pass of the dial. I don’t know who is waiting for whom to recover until Roman rolls over me. His body is heavy in a delicious way and thick with muscles I definitely want to explore. Given the chance now, I let my hands freely roam over his body.

  “Tell me you want this, Abby. I want to be the one you’re thinking of, not him, never him. I won’t be second in your head,” Roman growls, roughly touching me, and I know as much as he wants to be gentle, he can’t this time—and I concede I don’t want gentle with Roman. He’s consuming my thoughts, and I’m only thinking of he-who-shall-not-be-named because Roman had to be all caveman and mention him.

  “Who? I’m here with you, Roman.” I know who he means and push his face from my mind, pulling on Roman’s hair until he’s looking me in the eyes. “You, Roman. Only you.” I want to reassure him anyway I can.

  He grunts in response, seemingly unconvinced, before taking my lips, roughly biting and plunging his tongue inside. He pushes my legs wide with his own, settling deep between them again but not yet entering me. Rubbing the tip of his shaft at my center sends pleasure shooting through me, down my legs like he’s somehow fired off a series of fireworks. His hand pushes my arms up, holding them above my head. I’ll give him anything he wants as long as he keeps this delicious torture going.

  �
��Abigail…” Roman shudders, pushing inside me. His entry is barely eased by how wet I am for him. Swollen tissue hugs his cock, squeezing with each pump of his hips. Despite the handful of stolen encounters with Lucas, working long hours put my physical sex life on hold for much of the last three years, but Roman re-awakened me. He pulls out slowly before pushing back in almost punishingly, but I welcome it. Our hips find a slow, building rhythm, leaving me speechless and panting for this man.

  “Please, Roman.” Begging, I meet him thrust for thrust. My climax is hard and both of us tumble over together. I feel a certain freedom I lack the words for and my mind settles into a blissful peace I never understood. It frightens me because now I’m sure all of our parry and volleying has been the burgeoning feelings of love. I’m nowhere near ready for that four-letter word. We barely know each other, and my life up until this point has been orderly and meticulously planned. The men in my life have been picked to fulfill certain expectations. I’m worried this one summer of reckless abandonment of my old life will have consequences to my heart I’m not ready for...

  ROMAN

  Abby is quiet and still. I should be nervous, but I’m taking this as her being deep in thought. I didn’t expect our sex to be so explosive, and before I’m hounded me for not calling it lovemaking, all I can say is this is too new to even know what this is between us. We fight like feral cats, and then when it’s good, we come together in the sweetest of ways. I like her a lot. I think I want to love her, but we need more time.

  There are only a few more weeks of her vacation. Summer is half over already and she’s planning to go back to LA right before Labor Day. She has a job and an apartment waiting for her. I have my boats and my company’s future here in Seattle. My friends and my past are in Gold Beach, a place I’m not sure Abby would consider staying even though her mother grew up there as a little girl. A part of me knows I’m taking an incredible risk here by what I’m about to ask her next, but life can be too short for what-ifs and the should-have-beens. All this time, I’ve been staying safe in a state of limbo, going back and forth as I please between the past and my future, ignoring the present.

  Impulsively, I go for it. “Abby, would you stay the rest of the summer? With me?” My voice is a little shaky and my brain filters out any other sound with exception to her.

  This is crazy. Its insanity, actually, and I’m almost sure she’s going to say no. Her breathing shallows and I swear I can hear her eyes blink. It feels like time slows down while waiting for her answer. I turn my head to look over at her and see her eyes staring into mine, wide and terrified. What will she say? The seconds seem to stretch longer and longer with every breath in and out she takes.

  Softly, she mouths a single word, “Yes.”

  “I know it probably sounds crazy, but—”

  Abby puts her finger over my mouth. Smiling, she repeats herself.

  “What?” I can’t be sure I heard her clearly, but already my mind is spinning with how this will work and what will happen. Will she leave the cottage for my house when we get back? I haven’t even told her the house next to Maddie’s is mine. There’s so much we haven’t shared yet.

  “Yes, Roman. Yes, I’ll stay with you.” Her lips curve into a smile, and warmth, relief—I’m not sure which—floods my body.

  “You will? You really will?” I’m dumbstruck. She said yes.

  “Isn’t that what I said, Roman Winters? Do we have to take you to get your ears checked, or am I speaking another language?” Abby raises herself up, looking a little annoyed. Her eyes squint at me, but there’s a smile behind them. There’s my girl, feisty as usual.

  “Nope, just checking, Abs.”

  “Ugh, really, Roman? Not. My. Name.” She enunciates, poking my chest. I kiss her nose as she pushes me back on the bed, being demanding now. I lov—like it. I’m definitively not ready for the other word yet, but I could get there with this girl. Looking her over, I smile, amazed. I nod my head, pretending to listen to what she’s saying. “You better get up and show me this boat downstairs, and while you’re at it, get me a coffee. I’m sure I counted at least seven Starbucks on the way in here.”

  My mouth drops at how demanding she’s being, and I see the LA brat is making an appearance. I want to grab her and remind her she’s in my house now. “Five Starbucks and two Seattle’s Best,” I correct her, and she grunts, annoyed that I’m obviously right. I do live here, so I should know.

  “Huh? Is that so?” Abby folds her arms over her chest, a stubborn glint to her eyes. I’m happy she said yes, and the fire of her attitude turns me on. She doesn’t know it yet, but I’ve decided our arguments should end with me being right, and to do that, I need to shut her up. I know better than to argue with a lawyer who distracts me with her body and sassy mouth. Bickering back and forth over who has better coffee, I roll her over making her squeal. She’s ticklish and I’m a bit of devil and a tease this morning.

  “Roman Winters! What the heck are you doing?” She eases out from under me.

  “Say it, Abby.”

  A look crosses her face, and she smiles with a shake of the head, telling me no. “I won’t say it and you can’t make me.” She’s determined and rolls to her side as if to get away.

  “I’ll catch you, Hollywood.” Abby darts left and feints to the right. I duck and follow her, grabbing her and tossing her gently back on the bed making her scream.

  “Roman!” She tries to scramble away, and I let her think she’s bested me for a second.

  “No way, Abby.” I lunge again, grabbing her kicking ankle before she’s able to plow me in the nose.

  “Shit! No!” Laughing and shrieking fills my home. The feeling opens something inside my chest and warmth follows.

  “Hell yeah, you’re mine, Abigail Holliday!” Grabbing ahold and pulling her back down the bed, I tickle her until she cries uncle in a series of gasping giggles. Together, we laugh until our sides hurt and tears brim the corners of our eyes. I don’t have a clue how this summer will end, but it’s going to get a hell of a lot better from here on out.

  Chapter Ten

  ABIGAIL

  Roman smiles and gives me one of those toe-curling kisses. His tongue slips past my lips, darting and playing with mine. A wave of heat crashes into me and my body flushes with desire. I love how he makes me feel even in the short time we’ve been… whatever we’ve been doing. Grabbing the back of his neck, I pull him closer to me. Laughing, he gently pries my lust-filled hands from his body, shaking his head no.

  “Food, Abby. This man needs food if you want more of that.” Roman’s eyes sparkle with mischief. Never has a man made me feel so happy and uncertain all at once. The sheet slips down, exposing a barely covered breast and he shakes his head no, slipping it back up to cover me, tucking it firmly under my arms.

  I’m pouting with need for my body to be next to Roman. “Don’t come back without my coffee,” I growl, displeased he’s leaving the bed and me.

  “Of course, Hollywood.” He kisses my lips, nipping at the bottom one. A zing of arousal begins anew. Ugh. I should not want this man so much, but I do. Hopelessly, I can’t stop myself.

  “Go. Now.” I push him away. Roman smirks as he knows exactly what he’s doing to my mind and body. He pulls up the drifting sheet a second time, tucking me in.

  “Go back to sleep, Hollywood. I’ll be back in a few.” Roman tugs my hair before turning around to pick up a discarded gray t-shirt from the floor.

  I watch the muscles in his back ripple. Holy hell, this man is mine right now! My bitchy sister can keep my ex-boyfriend. Who needs broken toys anyway? I roll over on the bed and chop the pillow, making an indentation perfect for my head. Roman slips into the elevator and leaves the loft, as I snuggle back into warm sheets and the smell of man, ocean, and wood. I let my eyes close and drift into content sleep, carelessly letting my apprehensions go.

  * * * * *

  Unfamiliar sounds outside the building jar me awake to look around the room. Quic
kly, I realize I’m in Roman’s loft. Looking at the nightstand, I find his digital clock pushed far to the back, probably from our shenanigans. It reads 8:02 a.m. I’ve slept for sixteen minutes. Roman must still be hunting for breakfast.

  What was I thinking saying yes to Roman to stay for the rest of the summer?

  Overwhelmed, much? I don’t even know what that means. Should I have Maddie clean out the cottage so she can use it for other renters the rest of the summer? My reckless impulses have taken me even further from LA, and yet it feels liberating. The further I am from the confines of my dad’s office, Leah’s coldness, and Lucas’ demands, the less pressure threatens to engulf my chest.

  Roman’s bed is like a safe haven. I relish the peace, thinking about how an hour earlier the man I wasn’t sure I even liked blew my mind with the most passionate sex I ever experienced. There is no doubt, when Roman is with me, he sees me, the real me. I don’t feel like I have to explain myself constantly. My body feels slick and my arousal jumpstarts, eager for his return to the loft. My actions seem selfish and irresponsible, and to some degree, they are exactly that. After a childhood of being forced to repress my nature, Roman lets me be who I am. He doesn’t make me feel like the daughter who cannot measure up or the sister who lacks in some way. Without the words, Roman gives me something close to the unconditionally love my mother gave me and a safe haven I think I’ve always been looking for.

  I decide to find out more about Mr. Winters, while I have the opportunity. Pulling the sheet from my body, The cool air touches me. Slipping from the bed, I’m surrounded by orderly and functional pieces of furniture amid nautical colors and décor. I twirl around the sea of blues and grays like a misty morning in the spacious bedroom. Padding over to the dresser, I fumble through drawers, and in the second one, I find folded T-shirts. I take a gray one, matching his from earlier, and pull it over my head. It’s oversized and smells like saltwater and man. It has a navy-colored boating logo on it I’m not familiar with; the lines are clean and sleek.