by Lynn Rider
His fingers hook in my panties, pulling them down my hips so that they fall to my ankles, and lifts me up to the counter, the salad I was making rolling haphazardly across the surface. He pushes my legs open forcefully and his green eyes shimmer as he lowers himself between them. He doesn’t lick it gently or handle me with care—he’s all in, his entire mouth devouring me.
I’m on sensory overload.
His tongue flicks the pebble-like ball of flesh, sending me spiraling into ecstasy. I grab his hair, thrusting and rolling toward his face through the last quiver of my body as it grounds itself from flight.
“Fucking amazing,” he whispers, placing soft kisses on my inner thighs. My legs dangle languidly, unable to support themselves.
Austin lifts his body and pulls me closer to the edge of the countertop. His hands travel around my sensitive core, pinching the entire length of my pussy together softly. The soft folds work to shield my not yet recovered clit from direct contact until he begins rolling the flesh in a slow circular motion. My hips gyrate as the delicious sensation becomes my sole focus.
“That’s it, babe. I want to make sure you’re ready for me.”
Keeping with the same motion, his fingers gently insert into my body and graze across my G-spot, teasing it. I thrust my body toward his, willing his fingers to touch it again, but he retracts.
“Not yet. I’m enjoying the view too much.” I can hear the amusement laced over the lust in his voice.
“Austin, let me come,” I demand as I increase the roll of my hips. With a come-hither motion of his fingers inside me, I explode, screaming his name as I come. My orgasm isn’t over before I feel the slow slide of his cock entering me, filling me tighter with each inch as he deepens in my body. I hear his gentle hiss of air when his balls press against my entrance and he rotates his hips, deepening his reach.
His hands secure my hips and with long, rapid strokes he thrust in and out of me. I lift my legs, resting my feet on the counter as he continues pounding into me. The slapping of our bodies, the heavy breathing, and an occasional groan fill the otherwise silent room. He lifts my legs by the backs of my knees, pulling me closer and hitting that delicate spot inside with each forward thrust. I arch my back, pivoting my body to increase the blissful friction that has my insides stirring again.
Austin’s hand reaches between us and rubs circles over my clit with the pad of his thumb. I moan as another orgasm rips through my body. I feel Austin’s already thick shaft harden as he groans and stills deep in my body. With slow, deliberate strokes he milks the last of himself inside me.
“I love you, Amber,” he says, pulling me up against his chest while wrapping his arms around me.
“I love you too… I think you’re going to need to finish dinner though. I don’t think I can stand,” I say with a short laugh.
Austin…
“Are you ready to go back to reality tomorrow?”
She’s looking at her tablet, but I see the faint look of pain cross her features briefly before righting her expression. The smile plastered across her face is fake but it’s still beautiful. I snap a mental picture of the way she looks sitting in my bed—no, >our bed.
I want her to stay.
My mind is searching for any way to convince her that she wants that too. Maybe I should just beg. I’m not above that—at least not with her.
“What are you thinking?” she asks. I give her a shake of the head before I sigh lightly. “Austin, we’re going to be okay. I know it.” Her confidence and ability to read my mind put a smile on my face.
“Yeah, we’re gonna be fine. I just wish you two weren’t leaving tomorrow. I feel better knowing you’re here with me.”
She cuddles into my side when I slide between the sheets. “I love you, Austin,” she says with a soft kiss on my chest. I squeeze her tighter and press my lips to the top of her head.
“I love you too. I’ll take you to the airport tomorrow. James’s plane is going to take you to a municipal airport in Seattle, not Sea-Tac.”
“Why?”
“I’m not risking anyone knowing when you land and follow you to that shithole apartment you live in.”
“Shithole? It’s not a shithole, Austin. Maybe you’ve gotten too big for yourself and forgotten where you came from. Lots of hardworking people live in that complex. There’s nothing wrong with it,” she insists firmly as she cast an angry look my way.
“Amber, I hate that it doesn’t have security.”
“I don’t need security, Austin. I’m not you.” She flings the covers off, jumping from the bed.
I groan before grabbing her arm. “Amber, calm down. I didn’t mean anything by it. I’m just stressed the fuck out that come tomorrow my family will be living on the other side of the country.”
Her shoulders relax and I know I have her. I don’t dare tell her that I’ve been struggling with the idea of sending Dave with her. Or that she has one month to get her ass back here permanently or I’m calling a realtor in Seattle to find a more suitable place for them.
“Austin, my apartment is great. And for right now, Emma lives across the hall. They watch out for us.” She frames my face with her hands. “We’ll be fine. Now let’s go to bed. I need you to give me something to remember you by.”
I growl, throwing her on the bed before trapping her under my body.
The paper on the counter catches my attention when I flip on the kitchen light.
‘Austin Harris spotted with Unidentified Woman and Baby.’
I study the picture of Amber and me running through the airport with Sophia in her carrier seat. “Thank god Sophia was covered,” I mumble as I throw it in the trash.
“Hey.”
I turn to see Amber standing there in her short, silk robe. My eyes dart to her shiny painted toes and then follow the length of her toned, tan legs until they disappear under the silk.
“You can’t be serious?” she says wryly.
I laugh. “Come on, baby.”
“Aus, you’re lucky I’m even standing after all the orgasms I had last night.”
“That’s what I like to hear, baby,” I say proudly.
She rolls her eyes as she brushes by me on the way to the fridge. I see the smile hinting at her lips before she passes and know she’s not serious.
“Hey, who bought that tabloid?” I ask.
“What tab— Oh.” Recognition stops her mid-sentence. “My friend Rob brought it the day before yesterday.” I hear the apprehension in her voice.
“Who the hell is Rob and why was he here?” I demand curtly. I’m pissed off and know I need to calm the fuck down.
Deep breath. Deep breath.
Her posture straightens and I know she’s preparing to stand her ground. “Rob is my friend from Seattle and technically my boss—”
“Why was he here?” I interrupt.
“Austin, are you going to let me speak?” She places her hands on her hips.
I raise my hands in surrender playfully and realize I’m not angry anymore. She’s just disarmed me with a subtle slant of her head and an impatient look.
“Rob is the grandson of Jim Holt.”
“Who’s that?”
“Austin, shut up!” She smiles. I raise my hands in surrender again and she looks at me skeptically.
“Jim Holt is the founder of Holt Properties. They own The Stanford, which makes him my boss. Rob Ott is his grandson. We worked together in Seattle before he moved into corporate.”
“That’s a great story, but you haven’t answered why he was here with you.”
“Well, technically it was me, Sophia, and Meagan.”
“Amber, you’re testing my patience. I’m about to pick you up and haul your ass into the bedroom again.”
“Does my being here with another man excite you that much?”
A growl comes from my throat as I lunge for her. She’s quicker and races around the counter with a happy squeal.
“Rob is gay!”
“Wh
at?” I stop.
“He’s gay. Remember my friend Zach that you met?” I wince with the memory.
“Your attorney?”
“He’s Rob’s boyfriend.”
“So he’s a friend?”
“Yes, Rob and I worked together and became friends. I then met Zach. They’re really incredible friends to both me and Sophia.” She steps closer to me. “Rob’s been in Europe for two weeks. He flew to New York before going back to Seattle, and it was just by chance that we talked yesterday morning. I invited him here because it was just easier than putting Sophia in a taxi. I hope you don’t mind,” she says sweetly, brushing her chest against mine.
“Amber, I want this to be your home. Your friends are always welcome in our lives, especially gay men.” I grin.
Amber….
The plane lands softly on the wet runway of the small airport. It quickly slows, following the pavement to the small building sitting adjacent to the tall air traffic control tower. I laugh quietly as my eyes travel the height of the tower and then scan the sparsely populated airport. It’s made up mostly of green grass and paved runways, with only two buildings in sight.
As the small plane taxies nearer to the building, I hurriedly collect my scattered papers and Sophia’s toys, stuffing them into my bag.
The plane comes to a stop and the pilot comes out. “Welcome to Seattle, Miss West.”
“Thank you for the safe trip.”
James David’s office had arranged my flight. As I survey the interior of the plane one more time, I’m reminded of his wealth and power. The sound of the plane door opening has me grabbing my bag and Sophia.
“Thanks again.”
“You’re welcome.” He smiles.
“Are you flirting with the pilot?” Reeder’s deep voice questions as he walks toward us with a wide smile.
“What are you doing here?” I ask happily.
“I heard you were in need of a lift.” He takes my suitcase from the attendant.
“Austin said there would be someone here to get me. I never thought it would be you.”
“It wasn’t going to be, but when I called Austin earlier he said you were flying in and that he was sending a car service. Couldn’t hear of my second and third girls being welcomed back to Seattle by a stranger.” He grins as he pulls Sophia from my arms. “I missed you,” he says as he plants a kiss on her little pudgy cheek. “And you,” he follows in my direction with a wink.
“Uh-huh. I know where I stand,” I tease. He grabs the handle of the suitcase once more and directs us in the doors and through the small building to Emma’s car.
“Thank you so much for coming to get us,” I say once we’re settled in the car.
“Oh please, don’t mention it. I’m looking for any way possible to thank that boyfriend of yours.” My heart swells as the word boyfriend sinks in. “Plus, like I said, I didn’t want some stranger welcoming you home.”
I meet his smile with one of my own, but sadness flows through me. I’ve never felt further from home than I do after leaving Austin’s arms today.
“You okay?”
I smile wider in his direction and nod, trying to convince both of us.
“Can I ask you a favor?” he asks seriously with a glance alternating between the road and me.
“Of course. Anything.”
“Will you come with me this week to pick out a ring for Emma?”
I couldn’t contain the wide grin and excitement if I tried. “Hell yeah, I’ll help. I’m so excited for you!”
“I have it narrowed down to five, but I need help from there.”
“When do you want to go?” I ask anxiously.
“As soon as possible. I need to get that girl to marry me before she figures out she’s too good for me,” he says bashfully.
“Hardly,” I say incredulously. “Sounds like you want to get married right away though.”
“I do. I would have married her years ago, but the timing never seemed to be right.” A frown mars his perfect face and sadness dulls his vibrant blue eyes. “I’ve been hoping Edward would have cleaned up his shit by now. He’s the only family she has and I know she’d want him there. The clean and sober Edward anyway.” He sighs.
“That’s very thoughtful, Reeder. I know she’d like to have him there, but she’s smart enough to know that Edward has to want to clean himself up. That’s the first step in treatment.”
“Yeah, you’re right. I just hate it for her. When her dad died, Edward was her rock. Then he fell apart right in front of our eyes.”
“I know. She and Austin both told me.”
Reeder’s eyes snap from the road meeting mine. “Austin?”
“Yeah, when you were in New York he showed up to your apartment late one night. Austin talked to him for hours in the hallway. He really wanted to help him,” I say with a combination of sadness and pride. At the end of Austin’s four-hour attempt to steer Edward toward help, he’d stood up and walked away.
Reeder offers a subtle nod, but otherwise remains quiet.
‘What are you wearing?’
Austin’s text flashes across my locked screen, bringing a smile to my face.
“That must be a good text. Did you meet someone?” Katherine asks.
“Not exactly…”
“Oh, is this one of those anonymous relationships where you meet online and sext one another, but never meet?” she asks quietly.
I almost choke on my drink. “Katherine, what do you know about sexting?” I grin.
“Hey, Joe and I do our fair share of talking dirty. Just because I’m old doesn’t mean I’m dead. Wait until you’re my age. The sex just gets better.” She smiles before retreating back to her office.
I laugh, wondering what having Katherine as a mother would be like. Sadness hits me as I’m reminded of my own mother. I wish she were here.
Austin’s unanswered text flashes across the screen again, reminding me it’s there. I unlock the screen.
‘A suit. Our customers prefer me that way’
‘I think you’d be surprised’
‘What are you up to?’
‘Missing you. Ready to come home?’
Another pang of pain chips at my heart.
‘I miss you’
I respond, ignoring his question.
‘I guess that’s a no. I’m a patient man’
‘LOL! Yeah, right’
I look up to see an older gentleman walking across the lobby in my direction.
‘Gotta run. Customer coming’
“Good morning, sir. How can I help you?”
His eyes scan my face, taking time to study my features before he speaks. “I’m looking for your restaurant.”
His words stun me briefly. “Of course sir. If you go back toward the entrance it’s through the glass doors to your left,” I direct with my hand.
‘I love you!’
Illuminates across the screen of my phone with a ding catching both my and the stranger’s eyes. I slide the phone from the edge of the counter so that he can no longer see it. When my embarrassed eyes catch his, he looks at me with an eerie look of intrigue. An uneasy feeling roots in my gut as I hold his gaze.
Katherine comes from her office and steps behind the counter with me. Her arrival sends him turning on his heel and retreating through the lobby and out the front door.
“Katherine, do you know that man?” I ask, nodding toward the glass front door. He’s paused outside, preparing his coat to brave the pouring rain when she looks his way.
“No, I don’t think he’s a guest. What did he want?” she asks, watching him as he jogs out into the rain and out of sight.
“He asked for the restaurant.”
She looks at me with an expression that mirrors my confusion. “But he walked right by it…”
“Yeah,” I say quietly, wondering what that was about.
“Ready?” I ask when Reeder opens the door. His smile widens and I see the childlike excitement dancing in his b
lue eyes.
“I can’t wait for you to see the five I’ve picked. I’ve been thinking about these rings for days and have an idea of the one I want to see on her finger, but want a second opinion,” he says as we go down the stairs. I hand him my keys so that he can drive my car.
“So when do you think you’ll ask her?”
“Before we leave for New York. This is where it started for us so I kind of feel like I owe it to Seattle.” He laughs. “Do you think she’ll say yes?” His voice carries an uncertainty that surprises me.
“I do,” I say confidently. I hear a quiet exhale from his side of the car and I know he’s relieved by my answer. “You seem surprised.”
“Well, I thought she’d say yes, then I started thinking it may be too much too soon.”
“Reeder, she loves you. I know she’ll say yes.”
“Sometimes love isn’t enough, Amber. Look at you and Austin. Would you marry him if he asked today?”
I’m at a loss for words. My mouth involuntarily opens and closes as I search for the right way to answer him. If only I knew the answer.
“See!” He laughs, thinking he’s proving his point.
“It’s different. We have a lot of pain and regret wedged between us. That needs time to heal, Reeder. But to answer your question, I would probably say yes, but I wouldn’t rush the date.”
“See that would never work for me. The minute I put that ring on her finger she knows what I expect. I want to hear the official ‘I Do’ within days. Week tops,” he says confidently.
“Does she know that? She may have dreams of a big wedding.”
“Nah, she wants to be married in a quickie Las Vegas drive-thru chapel.” He laughs when my eyes shoot in his direction. “My girl is simple. Says she wants a great story to tell our kids and grandkids one day.” He shrugs with a proud smile. I laugh, imagining my beautiful friend saying I do to an Elvis impersonator sitting in the front seat of a convertible.
“What about you? You want a big wedding?”
“No, when we were younger, Austin and I used to talk about getting married in Hawaii just the two of us. I think if we do get married, I’m gonna hold him to it.”
