by Tara Mills
“Did I hurt you?” she asked, painfully embarrassed.
“I’m fine. You?”
Her blush was so hot it burned. “I’m good.”
“I should think so.”
“Give me a break, it’s been awhile.”
“For me, too.”
Piper gave him a bashful smile. “Try again?”
Chad chuckled. “Do I dare?”
“If you know what’s good for you.”
His eyebrows rose along with the corners of his mouth. Without a word he dropped into a pushup position right over her and slowly, teasingly bent his arms to bring his face down to hers. Their kiss deepened and Piper wound her legs around him and pulled him against her.
Yes, oh god yes, she sighed to herself as he slowly entered her a second time. Then she realized to her horror that it was happening again.
“Now!” she screamed and immediately began to quake in his arms.
• • •
Astonished, Chad felt her body fighting feverishly to consume and expel him at the same time. Only a committed, determined drive got him completely sheathed and once there all he could do was hold on while Piper’s head rocked on the step from side to side as she wailed and laughed like a lunatic. Chad held her close, intimately fused, until her muscles relaxed.
Only when she was still did he lever himself up enough to comb the hair back from her face. “Two,” he said shaking his head and grinning. “You’re already ahead by two.”
“Sorry about that. I guess I’m a little sensitive.”
He tried to stop smiling but couldn’t. “Think there’s any hope for me here?”
She bit her lip and smiled. “I’ll be good, I promise. Honestly, this has never happened before.”
Chad chuckled, unable to take his eyes off of her. Piper was radiant, a wonder in his arms, soft and wild, absolutely responsive. He moved his hips to withdraw and right before his eyes another heated flush washed over her.
“I’m going,” she whimpered, succumbing to another round of spasms.
The speed of Piper’s orgasms, not to mention the intense, intimate massage Chad was getting from them was too much for him. Though it would have been nice to draw the act out longer Piper dragged him along fast. He could only manage three solid thrusts before he let out a primal cry of his own.
Chad collapsed onto his left elbow, taking care not to crush her, and tried to regulate his breathing. Piper’s arms came up around him and he gazed at her tenderly. She was gloriously naked, still mated to him and his heart took that final defining step and recognized her completely. Before this he only suspected that he loved her — now he knew it for certain.
Then reality elbowed the significant revelation aside and Chad swore. “Fuck fuck fuck!”
Piper, deliriously happy and still drugged with sex, was only mildly interested when she asked, “Anything wrong?”
“Are you on birth control?”
Piper laughed. “Yes. The pill.”
He sighed with relief. “Woman, you made me forget myself there.”
“Hey, I didn’t exactly plan this,” she said, pulling his head back by the hair so that he would look at her.
He sighed. “I know. Neither did I, but I’m not sorry.”
“Me neither. I guess I wasn’t being entirely honest with myself. This was going to happen. Deep down, I knew it and obviously you knew it. So there, it’s done. We’ve gotten that big when out of the way and now it’s not hanging over us anymore. Curiosity satisfied.”
He laughed at her naïveté. “You think it’s as simple as that? We have sex once and we’re not going to be thinking about it again?”
“I think it might be easier to control ourselves now. We eliminated the tension that was between us.”
He kissed her before withdrawing then stretched up. Always the gentleman, he extended a hand and pulled Piper to her feet.
She studied him seriously. “I’m not going to fall in love with you. I think you should know that.”
He gave up. “If that’s your choice, I don’t have a lot to say about it.”
She fought a little smile that had a will of its own. “But I want your body again, once more tonight.”
Chad considered his next move — briefly. It was something, anyway. “I’d be a fool to pass it up.”
“But this will be the last time and the kids will never find out about it. Tomorrow, we go back to being friends, nothing more. Got it?”
“You’re the boss.” He’d worry about the details later.
Piper reached between his legs and he grew, long and solid in her hand. “You’re yummy, Chad. Why don’t you show me that nice rug in the living room?”
She led him by the joystick away from the front door and they dropped to the carpet, embarking on a three-hour marathon of lovemaking that neither had ever attempted before.
• • •
It was her bladder, or rather a heavy weight pressing on it that woke Piper just before five A.M. Chad’s hand was resting on top of her and when she tried to slide it away without waking him it dropped between her legs instead as though it had a mind of its own. She grabbed his wrist and removed it and at the same time felt every sore and abused muscle in her body simultaneously. Chad stirred without opening his eyes and moved his hand back but Piper stopped him.
“Don’t. I have to go to the bathroom — now.”
His eyes remained closed but he pulled her close and nuzzled her neck.
“I’m serious.” She shoved herself away. “I’ll be right back.”
Chad gradually worked one eye open, followed by the other, and looked around. They’d spent the night on the floor, tumbling across the length of the room and it looked it. Pillows were scattered, magazines were on the floor in tatters after he and Piper rolled into the end table and almost knocked it over. One of the wing chairs was upended and he stared at it for a second until the explanation came back to him. Oh yeah, that one was good. Turning his head to the right he noticed the lamp on the floor. Where the hell was the shade? Shifting he spotted it in the far corner, a good eight feet away. He grinned at how they’d only paused long enough to be sure the bulb wasn’t broken before going back on the attack.
The sex last night was manic, furious, and at times they’d slammed together so hard that pain and pleasure mingled. He worried that he would hurt her in a couple of positions but she spurred him on and they collided like asteroids again until finally collapsing, utterly exhausted. Making love to Piper wasn’t what he imagined it would be, not even close.
He looked over at the sound of Piper’s feet padding over the wood floors. She walked through the archway carrying their clothes.
Chad threw her a lazy contented smile, his heart full of love. “You’re beautiful in the morning, all rumpled and sexy.”
She smiled and dropped to her knees beside him. Piper leaned down and kissed him. “And you’re awfully appealing, too, but I don’t have time. I’m already running late.”
“How about coming back later?” he asked, rising up on his scuffed elbows with a wince as she pulled her shirt on over her head, ignoring the bra. Chad fished his hand under her shirt and fondled her breast.
Piper wavered, giving his morning hard-on a long conflicted look. “When are the kids coming home?”
“I’m not sure, maybe three?”
She shook her head, her resolve looking shakier by the second. “I don’t think I should. We need to take a step back after last night and reestablish our boundaries.”
Right, he was going to let her boundaries stand. No way in hell. Chad wrapped his fingers around her ankle and squeezed gently. The suggestive touch made her smile and she looked down at him weakly.
“This is the last time,” she whispered, her eyes softening. She swung a leg
across his hips and lowered herself onto him.
Chad reached up and lifted her shirt, shoving it off over her head so that he could touch her breasts, her neck and face while she rocked in a more gentle rhythm, moving to the peaceful morning sounds of birds and the hum of insects against the screens.
As their tension built, so did their pace. Chad dug his heels into the rug and thrust upwards meeting Piper on her way down. She gasped and shuddered at the deep collision and rode him back to the floor. Gripping his chest hair Piper slid and ground on top of him until finally she sang out like a teakettle.
“Me too,” Chad cried, his hands tightening on her breasts as his eyes rolled back.
They climaxed together, connected in every way that two people can be but Chad was the only one who realized how momentous it was. He had no interest in denials as she stretched out on top of him and panted for air. The damp, contrasting curls around their sexes coiled together like vines, a silent testament to the truth she refused to acknowledge.
Chapter 17
“You’re late.” Joy called from behind the proofing racks.
Piper rammed her timecard into the machine at a run and almost missed slipping it back in its slot.
“I know.” She threw open her locker, hung up her purse, and pulled out her work shoes.
Joy was watching her with a growing sense of wonder.
“You didn’t?” she said with disbelief.
Piper stood up, wiggling her feet into her shoes. “Didn’t what?”
“Don’t play dumb with me. I can see it. You slept with him.”
Piper snorted. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Joy laughed, absolutely loving it. “Who’s your daddy?”
Piper glared. “Shut up, people can hear you.” She saw an older gentleman look up from the French bread display across the counter and she ducked behind the corner.
“Details, girl, I need details.”
“What’s on the agenda today?”
“Nothing special and you can’t put me off that easily.”
Piper groaned. “I wouldn’t even try but can you wait until our break?”
“I wouldn’t count on it.”
“Fine,” Piper snapped. “Yes, we had sex and it was — there’s no other word to describe it — incredible. I’m talking wow. I’m still wired. Right now I feel like I could scale Mount Everest or maybe win the Boston Marathon.”
“Ooo.” Joy quivered like an excited puppy. “He was good, huh?”
Piper looked at her, absolutely serious. “The best I’ve ever had.”
“Oh god.”
Piper laughed. “Like I didn’t scream that over and over last night.”
“Get out!”
Piper held up a solemn hand. “I swear.”
“You’re glowing.”
“Am I?”
“Like the sun. So, what now?”
Piper went to the sink to wash her hands. “Nothing now.”
Joy’s mouth fell open and she shook her head. “How can you say that?”
Piper threw her a look at the same time she tossed her paper towel into the garbage. “Because, we’re adults, we talked about it and agreed that there would be no repeat performance. We’re just friends. Why mess with a good thing?”
Joy rolled her eyes. “I don’t get you.”
Piper retrieved her mixing bowls and spatulas. “The sex was too hot, too intense.” She shook her spatula at Joy. “Some men should come with a warning. You know, like on those fruit pies. Caution: filling is hot. When you eat it you accept the risk. But personally, I’d rather not get burned, thank you very much.” Piper turned, unaware she just let her cowardice out of the bag.
• • •
It was two in the afternoon when Chad broke down and called her. He’d spent his morning cleaning the house and every minute since she left thinking about her.
Joy answered the phone. She was grinning when she covered the mouthpiece and said, “Piper, it’s Big Daddy.”
Piper made a face and snatched the phone away from her. “Chad?”
“Yeah, how’s it going?”
“Fine. Pretty slow here today.”
There was a long pause on the line before he said, “I was hoping you changed your mind. I’ll even cook or we can order in. I know the kids wouldn’t mind making it a pizza night.”
She squeezed her eyes together tight and threw her head back. She didn’t appreciate how fast her heart was racing. “I can’t and you know it. I think we both need time to cool off, step back. I’ll talk to you in a few days, okay?”
After a pause he said, “You know where to find me.”
Hearing the disappointment in his voice, Piper cringed.
“Thanks. Bye.” She hung up first.
Joy was shocked. “Are you insane?”
“Hey,” Piper warned. “I don’t need pressure from you, too.”
Joy turned away. “Yeah, you are.”
• • •
It wasn’t exactly the dinner Chad planned but it was better than cooking so when his mom brought Missy and Kenny home, Chad took them all out to eat. He wasn’t the best company.
Alice, ever perceptive, saw how he struggled to show interest in the kids’ chatter. Chad was distant, removed, not himself at all.
Alice grabbed the dessert menu and opened it, sliding it in front of the kids. “How about dessert? What looks good?”
Kenny took the menu and he and his sister put their heads together and started whispering excitedly.
With the kids temporarily distracted, Alice turned to Chad and squeezed his hand.
“You want to talk about it?”
He gave a harsh defeated laugh. “Yes and no. Now’s not a good time.”
“I’m here.”
“I know. Thanks, Mom.”
She gave him a quick sympathetic smile and released his hand.
• • •
For two days Chad was surly. Normally he didn’t have a problem coping with things, even big things, but suddenly even minor issues could set him off. Kenny and Missy did their best to stay out of his way, spending a lot of time playing with their neighborhood friends. Not once did they ask him to make lunch for extra kids. That was a big indicator that they knew he was on the edge. Still, Chad wasn’t aware of it until Wednesday morning.
“What’s wrong?” he asked the silent kids as they finished their cereal.
“Nothing,” they answered in unison.
He didn’t buy it. Setting the coffeepot down, he brought the cup to his lips, eyeing them thoughtfully over the rim.
“Are you up to something?” he asked.
“No,” they said instantly in two-part harmony, as if they’d rehearsed their lines ahead of time.
Chad excused them with a quick nod and went back to staring out the window and feeling miserable and suspicious. Less than two minutes later he turned at the unexpected sound of little feet coming back and found Missy standing in the doorway looking anxious and unhappy.
“Daddy, are you mad at us?”
The blood drained from his face. “What? Of course not.” He held open his arms. “Come here, I’m not mad at you.”
Missy ran to him and he picked her up, hugging her close, twisting back and forth and cradling her head against his shoulder.
“Baby, I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to be such a bear. Can you forgive me?”
She nodded, still clinging. Then slowly she leaned back against his arm to study his face. “So what’s wrong?”
He smiled sadly. “Someone hurt my feelings.”
“Piper?”
His eyebrows went up. “Yeah.”
“Doesn’t she want to be your friend anymore?”
>
“I don’t think she knows what she wants.”
“Do you?”
“Yes.”
“Piper?”
“How’d you get to be so smart?”
“Sex and the City.”
He laughed. “I forgot.”
“Can I help?”
“I don’t know how. Probably not, but thanks for asking.”
She kissed him. “You can put me down now.”
“Right.” He lowered her to the floor and Missy smiled as she scampered off.
• • •
Alice’s phone rang.
“Grandma?”
“Missy? What’s wrong?”
“You were right. Daddy said he wants Piper.”
“He told you that?”
“Uh huh.”
“Did he say what happened?”
“No. All he said is that she doesn’t know what she wants — something like that.”
Alice’s thoughts took her away from the conversation for a moment. Finally Missy broke in with a question.
“Can we help him?”
“I hope so, Missy. I’ll have to think about it.”
“I will too.”
“It can’t hurt. Why don’t you go play with your friends now okay?”
“Okay.”
• • •
Piper didn’t feel like analyzing precisely why her feet brought her back to the ballpark. Admitting that she wanted to see Chad, as a friend, was all the explanation she wanted. It was as simple as that, really. Not unusual at all to seek out your friends, long for their company, or feel an urge to share their lives.
Nevertheless, when she climbed into the stands with a hot pretzel and a waxed cup of nearly flat Coke she was sneaky about it. She even sat behind a tall man just to use him as an unwitting screen.
When the first team took the field Piper felt a flash of panic. There was nothing familiar about those uniforms. Then her anxiety fled as the first batter walked out of the dugout. Relaxing, she took a bite of her pretzel.
From where she was sitting she couldn’t pick Chad out from among his teammates on their bench. The gnawing need to see him again was both painful and unbearable.
