by Kate Stewart
“Don’t you dare stop,” I rasped out before his lips again claimed mine. Our tongues dueled, ravenous and coaxing until he let my legs down and pinned me to the wall by my wrists, his breaths coming out heavy as he pressed his forehead to mine in an attempt at restraint. I wasn’t having it.
“Ian?” I whispered as I fought against his hold pushing out my middle to rub against the straining cock in his pants. “Don’t stop. Use me. I don’t give a damn. I can handle it. I want this and I’m damn sure going to use you right back.”
His eyes opened then, full of fire and heat and I sucked in a breath. It was as if something had awakened inside him and my fear of it matched my elation. He lifted me easily and pulled me into my bedroom ripping at my shorts until I was free of them. He sat on the edge of my bed and dragged me toward him. Palming my breasts, he watched my reaction to his every touch. My chest rose and fell with heavy breaths. Everything felt heavy and I succumbed under his potent gaze. What lay beneath was hellfire and I couldn’t wait to tango with his demons.
Rattling with arousal, I gripped his hair in my fingers as he showered my navel with his lips and tongue. “I want you so much,” I confessed as he groaned when his fingers dipped into my panties finding me soaked.
“This is for me, Koti, make no mistake.”
“Then take it.”
He explored until I was drunk on him, and then pulled his soaked fingers into his mouth, tasting me and by his reaction to my taste, I could only conclude the man was starving. I’d never been so turned on in my life.
“Ian,” I implored in an urgent whisper. Typically, my fear of pain overshadowed my arousal but, in that moment, consequence be damned. “Ian, please, I don’t get turned on like this often, so—”
Before I could get another word out, I was jerked off my feet and onto the mattress before he spread me wide. Ian’s mouth covered my entire sex. Darting his tongue between my lips, he worked me over my panties and then moved the cotton out of the way and wrecked me with his fingers and tongue. Arching my back, I gasped out my surprise and he flattened me back to the bed with his palm. He devoured, his thick digits moving in and out, stretching and coaxing while filthy words poured out of him between savage licks. The whole of my body coiled as he lifted my lower half so that my knees rested on his shoulders while he drove his tongue in deep. Inside I began to come apart as he lapped me up and groaned in reward when I detonated. I’d never had an orgasm that fast. Still shaking from my release, his cock was at my entrance before I had a second to recover and then I was full, so incredibly full. I screamed at the severity of the feel of him. He stretched me wide and I moaned with every stroke. Dark, cloud-filled eyes watched my every reaction as he fucked me like it was his last time. I shrieked as he drove in deep and he rewarded me by shoving his fingers into my mouth.
“Suck,” he commanded. I did what I was told, while he drove in, again and again, his fingers muting me, his body going rigid under my touch. Picking up speed, he pumped into me at a maddening pace as I held on for dear life. Biting down on his fingers, I bucked, meeting his thrusts, before I started to unravel. “Look at me,” he demanded as I leaned up and kissed his chest.
He wrapped my hair in his fist and twisted my head, demanding my eyes. Mouth parted, I spread my legs wider knowing the hell I’d pay for it the next morning. He sank in deeper, his body shaking, while he slammed into me one last time and exploded, his mouth capturing mine in a devastating kiss that lasted long after he’d spilled his last drop. Pulling away we stared at each other, wordless, eyes searching before he collapsed on me, his weight welcome as I wrapped around him without a second thought. We spent the next minutes quietly exploring with lazy fingertips before we drifted to sleep.
When I woke up, he was gone.
FRIDAY, I RUSHED THROUGH MY workday and raced through the store picking up ingredients for a new recipe I thought Ian might like, only to find the driveway empty when I arrived home. Discouraged, I unloaded my groceries in the fridge. In my hammock surrounded by my candles and the whisper of music, I watched the cabbie struggle with Mrs. Tartar’s luggage. When she was set to leave, she spotted me, walked over and thanked me. She looked refreshed and had a slight tan brewing. Though I didn’t feel like smiling, I returned hers. My island had done wonders for her. She would be returning to wherever she came from with a clear head, if only for a little while. In bed that night, I heard the door open and fought the urge to greet Ian, even when he lightly knocked on my bedroom door. I ignored it because of the happiness I felt. I was traveling down a rocky road with him and I didn’t have a single leg to stand on. He didn’t come back for me. He came back for his reprieve. And I needed to face facts. If I hadn’t spent so much time watching him, thinking about him, I wouldn’t have found myself in that situation. Taking the amazing sex out of the equation was a given. He told me that night was just for him. Instead of hanging on to the hope it could lead to more between us, I decided to believe him. Because the truth was, at that point, I wanted more, which was ridiculous. Despite his progress, the man was still a minefield. One wrong step and I knew I would never find all my pieces. He didn’t need to feel guilty or sorry about what happened between us. I told him I could handle it and I would… just as soon as I could stop fantasizing about him.
Perspective was everything. So I was a little fascinated with him, slightly infatuated and highly attracted, big deal. I felt that way about my first crush. Ian was in a no-fly zone. I wasn’t desperate, but the feelings that brewed beneath the small friendship we’d formed already spoke volumes. And I already had far too many thoughts of him. More than ever, I needed him to stay on his side of the fence, because that’s where he wanted to be. That’s where he needed to be. I was sure he regretted that night and I didn’t want to see it on his face. So, I would ignore the lingering soreness that I still felt from the stretch of him. I would ignore the beautiful feeling of being excited for the first time in years about a man. I would ignore the threatening feelings that were trying to make themselves known. I would ignore it all.
I could not have Ian Kemp, it didn’t matter if I wanted to love him or not.
The next morning, I was up at the crack of dawn. I slipped out of the house only to be met by Ian on the beach. Soaked with sweat, he was doing sit-ups as Disco ran between his legs. He saw me right away and flashed me a panty-soaking smile, “Morning.”
His spare tire was now a flat and his muscular arms glistened next to the sparkling water. He shined, God how he shined.
“Hey. Did you have a good trip?” I was already taking small steps toward my Jeep.
With furrowed brows, he watched me fail at a sneaky retreat. “Yeah, it was really good. Off to work so early?” He glanced at his sports watch. “It’s six thirty.”
“Yeah, busy day. So, you had a good trip, that’s good then. You can have your house back, she left last night. I’ll, uh, come back and make sure you get a schedule of the days we need the house. You are free to take the room when it’s booked, of course.”
“Okay.”
“Have a good day.” Disco was at my feet and even when Ian whistled for her, she refused to come.
“Go on, you little shit. I’m trying to make a clean getaway here.” The dunce refused to cooperate and instead growled at the tassels hanging off my sandals. Hesitantly, I picked her up as Ian met me halfway. “I’ll get her a leash,” I said without looking at him because my resolve had already slipped tenfold by the mere sight of him.
“Probably a good idea.” He plucked the puppy out of my arms. “Unless you want to finally take ownership of your dog.”
“No, no. She’s all yours.”
I didn’t bother to look for his reaction as I all but ran to my Jeep. Turning the ignition, I screamed out a little when The Beastie Boys blasted through my speakers. I turned it down and was out of breath as Ian approached, his forearms on my door. I buckled my seat belt. He looked me over before he spoke.
“Well I was hoping things wouldn�
��t be awkward after the night we had, but apparently that’s going to be impossible.”
I snorted. “Don’t get a big head, Ian. It was incredible, don’t get me wrong but I’m having an off morning.”
You are a total basket case.
“Okay, so if this isn’t about the other night, then what’s going on? Are you having a moment?”
I looked at him, crossly. “A moment? No, Ian, I’m not having a moment,” I grit out.
Well, not that kind of moment.
“This is not an attack, then?” I hated how proper he sounded with his distant tongue and exceptional manners.
“Yes, I’m in hysterics, can’t you tell?” I deadpanned.
“Well, you’re acting strangely.”
His face darkened slightly as he looked back at my house. “What’s with the blush? Did you entertain last night?”
His jaw ticked as he glanced my way with prodding eyes. I had to suppress the slight satisfaction I got from his question.
“No, why would you think that?”
“I’m at a loss here,” he said, resigned. “Have a good day.”
He was only feet away when I barked at his back. “Hey, you, you know what assuming makes you, right?”
He belted out a laugh as he turned back to stand in front of me. “An asshole?”
“Exactly. And for your information, I’ve only had a few attacks since I got here, and I don’t sleep around.”
He winced. “I’m sorry. That was horrible of me.”
“Yeah, well, I’m handling it.”
“I was just concerned. We are friends now. I think it’s safe to assume that, right?”
Feeling humiliated and remorse for my bite, I nodded. “Yes, we’re friends.”
I hated that he saw my weakness. I hated that was his first assumption. Even if it was an innocent question or asked out of concern, it stung.
More so, I hated that he would even think I could be intimate with anyone else.
“See you later?” he asked, pushing the hair off my forehead.
I met his gaze and saw nothing but warmth. “I’m sorry I’m on edge. Maybe I do feel a little weird about us sleeping together. It’s been a long time for me. And when I’ve done the casual hookup thing, I usually don’t see the person after.”
“No friends with benefits?” He grinned.
I grinned back. “You’re my first.”
He leaned in on a whisper. “You’re mine too. I was married forever, remember?”
“Really?”
“Really,” he said leaning in. “And I promise to make sure you benefit.”
Goosebumps trailed over my skin and I shrugged. “I don’t think I would hate it.”
He chuckled. “Are you free tonight? I’ll cook.”
I nodded, and he leaned in and pressed a promising kiss to my lips. “I look forward to it.”
I drove away cursing my stupidity.
Way to keep him on his side of the fence, Koti.
“YOU WHAT!?”
Glaring at her, I put my purse in my desk drawer. “This is exactly why I didn’t tell you. Are those tears?” I laughed. “You are such an idiot.”
“I’m just so happy. You finally got laid.” She pulled me into her, pressing her huge boobs against my neck.
“Would you stop! I can’t believe you’re getting emotional because I had sex.”
“Come on, I’m taking you to breakfast.”
“No way, we have a full load today.”
“And I’ll take care of it. You’re getting the day off.”
“Jasmine, it’s Saturday. We have a shitload of houses to flip.”
“I’ve got them. Believe it or not, I did this all by myself before you came into the picture. I’m still the boss. Now get your purse and come on.”
“God, you act like I graduated college or something monumental. This is not a special occasion.”
“Did you orgasm?”
My face flushed.
“Oh, God. The man gave you multiples, didn’t he?”
Grinning, I nodded.
“Oh, my God!”
“Would you chill out. The therapist down the hall is going to file another complaint.”
“If you ask me, she could use some multiples. She has resting bitch face. Not only that, she made her own reserved sign for her car. Like she actually went to Lowe’s and bought the shit and made a sign. That’s pathetic. Come on, we’re going to celebrate.”
“You’re nuts.”
“And you’re glowing.”
“You’ve seen me the last four days of work and haven’t said a word about my glow.” We piled into her convertible and buckled up.
“Better late than never. I’m hungry anyway, okay. Just stop being a killjoy and start from the beginning.”
Jasmine grinned from ear to ear as I got most of the details out of the way before we pulled up to Pungy’s Bistro. Their banana waffles with brown sugar syrup were my favorite and she knew it.
“I love you,” I sighed with a mouthful of waffle.
“So tonight, he’s cooking?”
“Yep.” Swallowing half a glass of orange juice, I hesitated while she studied me.
“You really are glowing. Not that you’ll believe me.”
“Can I ask you something without you getting offended?”
“Sure,” she said with a frown. “You can ask me anything.”
“When you are done with a man or dating one, how do you keep your feelings out of it? I mean you do date some of these guys.”
She sat back and grabbed her coffee cup. “You know I’m in love with someone else.”
“That’s the trick?”
“It is for me. I know that doesn’t help you.”
“I just… There’s so much about him that I like. Aside from his beastly entrance, the man is truly worth a damn. I just don’t know if I can separate the two.”
“You might not be able to with him.”
“I don’t want to analyze. I’m acting like I’ve never done this before, but with him, it feels like I haven’t. Does that make any sense?”
“Perfect.”
“It feels so different with him.”
“You may need to face the fact that you might already be in love with him.”
“No, I’m not, not yet, but if I spend more time with him, I will be. I know it. So, I guess the question is, do I go in and break my own heart or ax it now? He can’t stay. He has a daughter back in the States.”
“Then you know there’s a time limit and you work with what you have.”
“Even with the risk?”
“Is he worth it?”
“Yeah, yeah, he is.”
“I can’t tell you what to do, but I will tell you even though I hate Steven, I don’t regret falling in love with him. I never felt that way before or after. He’s probably ruined me, but I would do it all over again.”
“Why are we so damned stupid?”
She shrugged. “Built that way? But I look at it this way. Some people go their whole lives without that type of connection. Wouldn’t you rather have it? And with a man like him?”
“Hell yes.”
“Multiples.”
“Sign me up.”
“You can do this, Koti. Try to do what you said you were going to and use him right back.”
“You never told me the good stuff,” Jasmine scorned as I gathered my clipboard to turn one house I refused to compromise on. I’d been waiting to meet the renter for months.
“The good stuff?”
“Yeah, how did you orgasm?”
“First, it was his tongue and then from inside. I didn’t even know that was possible.”
“You poor thing, you got blasted.”
“What?”
“Blasted. You can come both ways. He rubs your G inside with his penis or stimulates the clit outside. You can have both at the same time too.”
Fire spread through my lower half as I imagined the possibilities.
&nbs
p; “And I see today we’re getting educational,” Toby chimed in from the door of our office before he chuckled and looked over at me. “And I guess congratulations are in order?”
“God,” I buried my head in my hands and muffled a “Hi, Toby.”
“Happy Saturday, ladies,” he said carrying his water bottle in and making the switch.
“See you later, Jasmine,” I said in an attempt to make a quick exit. “Call me if you need anything.”
She waved me off as she drank Toby in with a crocodile smile. God bless the poor man, it was only a matter of time.
Warm wind whipped through my hair as I blazed a trail through the roads I’d come to know. After a year in St. Thomas, I really had no choice but to take on the ‘Hakuna Matata’ attitude. Len sang “Steal My Sunshine” as I pulled up to the rental and parked my Jeep. I opened three sets of glass double doors from the living room to the patio and let the ocean air filter in while I laid out a bottle of wine and one of Banion’s bouquets on the countertop. Half an hour later, I greeted two pale-faced couples. As soon as they pulled up, the driver—a tall, thin, wiry man with thick brown hair—jumped out and held out the keys over the hood to the laughing passenger who I assumed was his wife.
“Oh, hell no, I’m not driving here,” she said with a guilty smile.
“Did you know it was left side versus right here!?” He exclaimed as she winked at me in greeting, mid-argument with her husband. She knew, all right, she knew because I told her. The U.S. Virgin Islands were formerly owned by the British. It’s kind of like renting a car in England, but… not. Same driver’s side but you drive on the opposite side of the road. With steep mountain cliffs and neck breaking turns—not to mention impatient natives—for those unprepared, it’s pretty much the scariest experience ever from the airport to their destination.
“I can arrange for a driver for the rest of your trip,” I piped in as all four of them looked my way. “Hi, I’m Koti.”
A woman close to my age came toward me and gripped me in a bear hug. “Oh, this place, Koti! It’s even more amazing than the pictures.”
