Falling Hard And Fast

by Rita Sawyer

  Falling Hard And Fast

  Chapter Three

  Tim looked down at her surprised to see her lips twitch. She could be trying not to laugh, which was what he hoped. Or she could be about to burst into tears. Her eyes sparkled and the little lines at the corners tipped up, so he went with the laughter instead of tears. He noticed her towel had come loose. It gaped between her breasts and with the slightest movement he could probably get it to fall even lower.

  It was a massive display of his will power to hold his body still and put the milk down. “It seems like fate is working overtime to get you into my arms.”

  Her cat must have agreed with fates plan, because he jumped onto Tim’s back. He laid down and let out a contented purr. Suzie’s hands tightened on Tim’s shoulders.

  “You can slap me later if you want to, but I have to do this.” He slowly lowered his mouth to hers giving her plenty of time to turn away.

  To his pleasure she didn’t. She lifted her head, meeting him halfway. Their lips met, gentle at first, then firmer. Her nip of his bottom lip sent his pulse racing. He lost control and took her mouth in a rough kiss.

  She surprised him yet again by slipping her tongue past his lips. With a moan, her body arched into his.

  The heat of their desire accentuated her sweet taste. It was like no other kiss he’d ever experienced. He tore his mouth from hers, desperate for air. The only thought that penetrated his mind was he wanted more. A woman who could kiss like that was a dangerous commodity.

  When he caught his breath, he managed a shaky smile. “I’ve wanted to do that a thousand times, but I thought it would be better if I waited until you stopped calling me Mr. Elknit.”

  She reached down and gave her towel a tug upwards. “How long were you going to wait?”

  “Not much longer. I have to admit I was beginning to think either you weren’t interested, or just hadn’t noticed I was trying to catch your attention.” Her eyebrows lifted, and he laughed at his own show of insecurity.

  “Oh please, don’t think I’m falling for that poor me act. I’ve seen grown woman giggle like school girls around you and Jared”

  “Honestly?” he asked, and when she nodded he smiled and said, “I almost said something when you had Jared’s sister, the little blonde one, who’s been hanging around the shop trying to catch my eye, scurrying away with just a look. Then you got a phone call, so I decided to wait for a better time for me to make the first move. I didn’t think you’d get tired of waiting and decide to run me down and fondle me in public.”

  ~* * *~

  “Okay, I knocked us down, but if anyone was fondled it was me.” Those hands of his had done their fair share of exploring, even if it was unintentional.

  “Baby, if you think that was being fondled I have a lot to teach you.” His cockiness was kind of hot.

  Would he be able to back it up? Suzie would love to give him the chance. There was a trick or two up her sleeve she’d love to show him too. Maybe they’d even come up with a few new moves together.

  “I think we’ve moved beyond fondling.” Suzie blushed when she realized how forward that sounded.

  “That sounds good to me,” he said with a wink, “because I can’t wait to get to know you better.” His cell phone rang saving her from having to answer.

  “You should get that.” His answering the phone would give her a chance to gather her racing thoughts.

  “Fine, but we’re not done here.” He got to his feet and even turned his back while she fixed her towel.

  She picked up the shopping bag and milk and walked over to the counter, watching as Tim walked over and took a seat at the table. His attention was on her too as he talked to whoever was on the other end.

  “No I’m busy. I have important plans for the weekend.” She turned away and wondered—no hoped—he might mean with her.

  Falling Hard And Fast

  Chapter Four

  Suzie tried not to listen to the rest of Tim’s conversation as she put the milk and cat food away. It wasn’t easy since the deep pitch of his voice had wanted to hang on every word. Cuddles wasn’t as inclined to give him some privacy so he jumped up into Tim’s lap. From Tim’s grunt and the way he leaned forward Cuddles may have landed on a vital part of his anatomy. The cat didn’t seem to care, as he lay down and curled up.

  Suzie poured a little milk into a bowl and made kissy noises and tried to coax the cat over to her. He looked up at her, but seemed content to stay right where he was. Tim snapped his phone closed and stuffed it into his pocket. Tim scratched between the cat’s ears.

  “See your pussy likes me,” he said with a smile and wink.

  You have no idea. “That’s my sister Mary’s cat. I’m just babysitting.”

  “I suppose you get to sleep in her bed. You’re a lucky boy aren’t you?” He said to the cat, whose purring could be heard across the room.

  “You play your cards right and you might get to sleep in my bed.” She had no problem being up front about where she wanted things between them to go.

  “Suzie there are a lot of things I’d like to do in your bed, but sleeping isn’t one of them.” Her mind conjured up some pretty hot scenarios she wouldn’t mind fulfilling.

  She bent over to put the milk on the floor and noticed the way Tim’s eyes widened as the edge of towel rose to the top of her thighs. Her embarrassment long gone, she smiled. She’d never felt this comfortable with a man before, and it was pretty amazing to her since she was naked except for the towel.

  Tim cleared his throat, and she thought she saw a faint blush on his cheeks. “So what’s your plan for the night?”

  “I guess to curl up on the couch with a good movie.” Man she needed to spice up her life, because it was either that or read a book.

  He didn’t say anything just nodded. She waited a few seconds to see if he made her a better offer. Maybe dinner and a real movie? Whether they stayed in or went out, she hoped he would stick around.

  “I was about to shower off our earlier meeting.” She explained as she tucked the edges that held the towel closed deeper.

  He shooed the cat off his lap, but instead of the floor, Cuddles hopped up on to the table.

  Tim got to his feet and held out his arms. “I’m pretty messy myself.”

  Was that his way of telling her he was going to leave? Or was it a hint for an invitation to join her? Would that be such a bad thing? Not in her book, but there was a few problems. It had nothing to do with the fact she didn’t know him as well as she’d like to before they took that step.

  She knew the basics. He didn’t smoke, drank moderately, and was thirty-six years old. Only two years older than her. As for the important stuff—he was single, hot, and interested in her. She didn’t know if she had the will power to deny herself something—or in this case someone—she really wanted.

  She must have taken too long to respond, because he walked over and took her hand in his. “If you have to think that hard, you’re not ready. Don’t worry it’ll happen soon. Because believe me now that we’ve come this far there’s no going back.”

  He let go of her hand and started for the door. She didn’t want him to go. She took a step to reach out and stop him, but Cuddles decided at that precise moment to reach out and stick his claws into the towel. She either had to stop or drag the cat off the table.

  “Wait.” She hated the desperation she heard in her voice, and prayed he didn’t pick up on it.

  The towel slid and she let out a little squeal as she grabbed it. “You naughty little kitty.”

  She closed her fist tightly around the edges of the towel and pressed it to her breasts. With her other hand she gave it a tug. The cat let out an evil hiss and tugged back. She heard Tim’s muffled chuckle from behind her. She yanked hard and the towel slipped further down her back. Tim’s chuckle turned into a loud cough. Always a good sign if you can take a man’s breath away she thought with a smile.

  She reached down intending to peel the c
at paw off, but Cuddles reached out and swatted at her. “Oww. You little beast.”

  The red marks stood out on her pale, white skin, but he hadn’t drawn blood. Still she’d never seen Cuddles act this way before. Had she done something to irritate him? It didn’t matter, she knew she shouldn’t let him get away with it. She had no idea how one went about disciplining a cat.

  “That’s the last time I give you a can of tuna.” She kept her voice firm as she waved her finger at him.

  She turned her head at Tim’s laughter. “You tell him, sweetheart.”

  “Are you just going to stand there and watch me get assaulted by this traitor?”

  He looked over his shoulder into the living room. He turned back to her and started to pat his pockets. Cuddles took advantage of the delay by rolling onto his back, which took a good part of the towel with him.

  She turned to Tim who had peeled the curtain back and was peeking outside. “What are you looking for?”

  “I seem to have lost my white horse.” The serious tone of his voice mixed with his asinine comment made her laugh.

  She couldn’t stop herself from looking at his groin. She wanted to rattle off a snappy comeback, along the lines of ‘I know where he’s hiding’, but the bulge behind his zipper stopped her. A flash of heat surged through her ending at her heart, which knew on an elemental level if he could make jokes at a time like this he might be the one.

  He hummed softly as he moved up behind her. Thick strong arms came around her and his hands latched onto the towel. He tugged, but the stubborn cat hissed and refused to let go. Still holding the towel against her breasts she put her other hand on his thigh and leaned into him.

  Suzie figured now was the perfect time to tell him why she had stalled. “You know I wasn’t worried it was too soon. I was wondering what you’d wear once we finished showering.”

  Both man and beast shook their heads and let the towel go. Tim grabbed her arms and took a step away. She laughed and stumbled as he turned her to face him. His eyes were wide and his mouth hung open in shock. Trying to loosen him up, she winked.

  His sudden frown was unexpected. “You shouldn’t tease. It isn’t nice.”

  Tease! Had she missed something?

  “If you think this is teasing, I have a lot to teach you.” She let the towel drop to the floor.

  Tim’s hands tightened as his gaze slowly roved over her body. His intense scrutiny was hell on her nerves. Her breasts weren’t as perky as they had been at twenty-five, but they were full. The small roundness of her stomach wasn’t too pronounced. She knew her hips were a tad wide, and she didn’t even want to consider what he might think about her ass. It couldn’t be that big though, because she thought she filled out a pair of jeans nicely.

  Finally, he swallowed and brought his gaze back to her face. “Don’t move.”

  She nodded, but he didn’t let go right away. When he did, she started to bend down to get the towel. He put his hand on her arm and stopped her.

  “Don’t move, means stand absolutely still.” Oh, he was so pushing this she thought, but nodded anyways.

  He let go and ran for the living room. She heard the front door open and close. Where the hell was he going, she wondered? It felt silly to stand naked in her kitchen alone. Sure she walked around naked, or almost naked, whenever she felt like it, but this was different. The door opened and slammed closed. He was back. Tim rushed into the kitchen and stopped right in front of her and held out a gorgeous bouquet of pink, white, and red roses with baby’s breath and some frilly green things. She waited for him to say something, but instead he bent down and hoisted her over his shoulder. Obviously he thought words were unnecessary at this point.

  He carried her into the living room and down the hall. From her topsy-turvy suspended position she noticed the small gym bag in his hand. The bathroom wasn’t hard to find since she’d left the door wide open. He kicked the door closed behind him and dropped the bag to the floor. He ran his free hand up her leg. Inch by inch over her calf to her thigh, and settling on her ass cheek. She wiggled, and he bent down to set her on her feet. Instead of standing back up, he used his hands and mouth to tease her. He stroked, kissed, and licked along her stomach.

  Suzie’s fingers dug into his shoulders as she squirmed. When his hands finally found her breasts, her knees threatened to buckle. His lips closed over one nipple and sucked hard, while he used his thumb to rub and flick the other one. Her moan filled the air as her climax rocked her body. She started to slide to the floor, but he caught her in his arms.

  She leaned back against the wall. “I think we’ve moved on to ravaged.”

  “Honey, I need to buy you a dictionary.” He pulled his t-shirt off and dropped it to the floor.

  She watched him toe off his sneakers and undo his belt. “Why?”

  “Because then we can look up these words you keep misinterpreting and make sure we both know their definitions, fully.” She couldn’t look away as he popped the button and lowered his zipper.

  He dropped his jeans and boxer briefs. There was only one word she would use to describe what she saw. Ready. It was stupid, but suddenly she was nervous. She turned away and busied herself with adjusting the spray to a nice hot temperature. Get it together she thought, giving herself a mental shake.

  She looked over her shoulder at him, glancing down at his erection, then back to his face and smiled. “I guess my vocabulary could stand to be brushed up a bit. Sounds like it might be a lengthy process. Are you sure you’re up for the challenge?”

  He moved up behind her and helped her into the shower. Her hand still enclosed in his, he joined her and shut the glass door behind them. The steam swirled around them as he backed her to the wall. He put his hands on either side of her head. Suzie put her hands onto his hips and slid them onto his ass. With a groan, his lips vibrated as they touched her shoulder. She let her head tip to the side, which gave him more access.

  Instead of taking her offering he put his lips next to her ear and said, “I’m always up for a challenge, and just so we are totally clear, I’m in this for the long haul. Deal?”

  All she could do was nod and smile. The long haul sounded good to her, really good. He smiled and turned them so they were both under the spray. The warm water ran over them, between them, he turned so his back took the brunt of it and reached for her bottle of body wash.

  He worked up a good lather and started to run his hands over her neck and shoulders. “Good. We shower first, and then play.”

  She grabbed the bottle and squeezed it until her palm was full. She didn’t see why they couldn’t play a little in the shower, too. “If we’re going for the long haul I should warn you I’m not one for waiting my turn.”

  His laughter bounced off the tiled walls making it sound more robust. “I was hoping you’d say that.”

  Suzie rubbed her hands together working the liquid soap into a thick foamy lather. Satisfied with the amount of slippery bubbles she pressed her hands to his chest. She used the smooth silkiness to slide them down over his firm pecs in a small circular motion. One of her fingers hit his nipple, with a little flick it slid over the hard little nub and he grasped onto her hips and moaned. Pleased that she got an instant reaction, she followed with the other pressing harder each time. As she moved her hands down his stomach his muscles tensed under her palms.

  His muscles may not be cut from hours in the gym, but he was built solid. “Feel good.”

  His response was a gravelly. “Mmm…”

  She laughed and continued her exploration. Her fingers brushed over the nest of curls at the base of his erection. She wrapped her soapy hand around his dick, which jerked at her touch. He groaned and his hips bucked as she stroked him. She kept her grip tight as she slid her hand to the tip and rubbed her thumb over the sensitive head a few times. Suddenly his hand wrapped around her wrist and pulled her hand away.

  Without a word he grabbed her other hand and spun her so she was fully under the spray
turning her from side to side. Once they were both bubble free, he moved her until her back was at the wall. Suzie closed her eyes and lifted her hands to push her hair back off her face. His hands cupped her breasts, his thumbs rasping across her sensitive nipples. The slight roughness of the calluses on his fingers enhanced his touch. Wanting more, she pressed harder into his palm. She thought she might have heard the cat let out a pitiful meow, but she it was so hard to tell over her own purring. She tipped her head back and grasped onto his shoulders for support.

  He kissed and nibbled his was way down her neck and across the swells of her breast. “I think it’s time for another vocabulary lesson. And the word is torture.”

  A dozen scenarios involving both of them naked flashed in her head like a picture show. Not one of them seemed like torture. Before she could ask what he had in mind, his lips closed over her nipple. A swirl of his tongue made her squeeze her thighs together and moan. It really was pitiful the way her body reacted. He tugged on her nipple letting it go with a pop sound that made her laugh. When he started to kiss his way down her stomach and got down on one knee, the laughter died.

  His hands coasted down her sides, the front of her thighs, before he took one of her calves in his hand and massaged it as he lifted it to his bent knee. She spread her arms out to the side, her palms flat on the tiled walls and braced herself. Her whole body trembled as he licked the inside of her leg from her knee to her nest of curls. She watched, holding her breath as his fingers parted her slit and exposed the tender inside of the pink folds. He lowered his head and blew a breath on the sensitive skin. The resulting shiver rocked her body and she felt her juices flow.