by Lea Coll
“Yes,” she hissed.
My lips crashed down on hers, harder, more insistent than before. I’d never experienced anything like this. I’d never felt anything for another woman except for my high school sweetheart, but we were young. We didn’t know how life could smack you down or lift you up. I didn’t know it could be this good.
Being near Callie, touching her was a rush, one I never wanted to end.
She whimpered, the sound doing something to my insides, squeezing them, making it hard to catch my breath. Leaning back on the couch, I was overcome with emotion. Something I’d never felt from merely kissing a woman before.
“Jonah, what’s wrong?” A hint of insecurity shot through her expression.
I reached for her, encouraging her to straddle my lap. “There’s nothing wrong.”
For a second, I wondered if I was merely an escape for her, a way to forget about her troubles with her grandfather. As soon as the idea entered my mind, I pushed it away. Her reasons shouldn’t matter.
I brushed her hair back from her face, my fingers trembling with my desire to slow down. “I don’t want to rush this. I want to savor you.”
She lifted a leg, straddling my hips.
I ignored my aching dick that wanted more contact, ignoring the impulse to lift my hips.
She was too good for me. As much as I wanted her, I’d let her make the next move.
Chapter Thirteen
CALLIE
My heart pounded under my ribs. I wanted to feel the bite of his grip, the softness of his lips, the scruff of his chin against my skin.
His blue eyes were fixed on my face, his tight grip on my hip anchoring me in place. The expression on his face was one of awe as if he couldn’t believe I was here with him. He’d said I was different than the other women he’d dated, but I wasn’t looking for anything serious. I wanted to forget about what the nurses were saying, what my grandfather was going through.
I leaned forward, kissing him.
He groaned, bucking his hips so I felt every inch of his hardening erection. The friction from the movement sent tendrils of desire curling through me.
His free hand drifted up my shirt, my abs spasming at the light touch on my stomach. When his hand inched upward, my nipples hardened; heat spread like wildfire through my body.
I wasn’t going to worry about what this meant for our working relationship. We’d kissed a couple of times, and it hadn’t changed anything. This wouldn’t either. I needed this too much to back out, to make excuses, to worry about the future. There was only the here and now, the sensations, his touch, his scent, and the emotions rolling through me, one after another.
His large hand settled over one lace-covered breast. I paused, my mouth hovering over his. This was the moment to back away, to say this was a mistake, to beg him not to hold this against me at work. But I didn’t want to stop.
He gently squeezed, his thumb strumming my pebbled nipple. I moved over him, chasing contact, something to ease this ache inside. The emptiness inside of me could only be filled by him.
“Jonah.” I need you. Inside me. Over me. Pressing me into the mattress.
The images flowed through my mind, one after the other. I wanted nothing between us, just the feel of slick skin.
He stood abruptly, his arm banded around my lower back, my legs wrapping around his waist. It was a rush to be picked up this way. Even with his injured knee, he didn’t miss a beat, striding down the hall to my bedroom, slowly lowering me onto the mattress.
I would have expected him to let me bounce a little, a cocky smirk on his lips. Instead, he’d followed me onto the mattress, hovering over me, his forearm braced next to my shoulder. His expression was serious, his eyes dark with desire for me.
I licked my lips, wanting to urge him on, yet wanting to see what he’d do next. Jonah was nothing like I expected.
He cupped my cheek, and a dam burst inside me, sending heat soaring through my body. My skin heated, my face flushed. I tugged his shirt up, my fingers spread over the taut skin of his back. His muscles flexed at the contact.
When had I ever reveled in each moment, the feel of someone’s skin under mine, the softness, the heat? The weight of his lower body pressing me down. I wanted to hold on to each sensation.
If I thought he would go hard and fast, I was wrong. He seemed in no rush as he pushed my shirt up, lowering his head to kiss my stomach. My muscles jerked in response. My fingers tangled in his sandy blond hair.
He was destroying me with his touch and the slow glide of his tongue over my skin. I wanted the friction of his cock between my legs, but he held himself away from me. He reached around my back to unsnap my bra.
My breasts were swollen, aching for his touch. The anticipation was killing me. Impatient, I lifted myself, pulling off my shirt and bra. Leaning on my hands, the air cooled my overheated skin.
“Gorgeous.” Jonah leaned forward, taking one nipple into his mouth; the slight scrape of his teeth zinged like lightning to my core.
That one word pierced my heart, causing my eyes to sting with unexpected tears. I closed my eyes, dropping down to my back on the cool sheets, my shaky arms unable to hold my weight any longer. I’d never felt so much with a guy before. Sensation after sensation flowed through my body, making me hyperaware of every move and shift of his body.
He turned his attention to my other nipple. He lowered his hips between my legs, slowly dragging his jean-clad cock over my pussy.
My breath caught, need building inside me. He licked my nipple, then scraped it with his teeth, soothing it with his tongue at the same time, setting a rhythm with his hips that drove me wild with desire.
“Jonah, please.” I’d been reduced to whimpers and pleas.
I was hot. I tugged hard at his shirt until he settled back on his knees, pulling it over his head with one hand.
“I want to feel you.” I wanted him naked, skin against skin, the prickle of his hair against my smooth legs. I didn’t want to miss any part of this.
He stood at the bottom of the bed, shucking his pants, pulling a condom from his wallet. I hooked my fingers at the waistband of my shorts.
“Wait.” That one word, spoken softly, made me pause.
He kneeled between my legs, his cock jutting out. “I want to do it.”
I wanted him in my mouth, but he kissed my stomach. Moving lower, he slowly slid my shorts over my hips and off my legs. Grabbing my ankles, he pulled me to the end of the bed. The air did nothing to cool my pussy.
I usually couldn’t relax enough to enjoy oral. I was too worried about what I tasted like and what noises I made. If anyone could make me lose any sense of control, it was Jonah. I wanted his mouth on me.
I lifted my hips in silent invitation. I felt wanton.
Jonah blew air over my throbbing clit.
My thighs trembled. I lifted onto my elbows, the sight of Jonah on his knees caused my heart to stutter. “Please, Jonah.”
With his eyes on mine, he licked my opening, circling my clit. It was light, too light to satisfy the burning need inside me.
His fingers gripped the skin of my inner thighs; his shoulders held my legs apart. His hair was mussed from my fingers. His eyes held a challenge as if there was nothing more important than giving me pleasure.
The feeling was heady. I was determined to enjoy each moment, to remember it for later.
When his tongue slipped inside, he increased his rhythm, my hips moving on their own accord. I needed more. I needed his cock inside me. Falling onto the mattress, his finger entered me, his mouth closing over my clit. Moans ripped from my throat as the orgasm built to a feverish pitch. My body bowed off the bed when I went over the cliff. I gasped as white light burst under my eyelids.
“Jonah, Jonah, Jonah.” His name fell from my lips. I needed more. I needed him filling me up.
With an arm banded around my back, he gently moved me farther up the bed, his cock teasing my entrance.
“Yes,” I his
sed, encouraging him to go deeper.
His muscles tensed, holding himself back. He lifted away to rip open the condom wrapper, sliding it down his cock.
When he positioned himself between my legs, I gripped his biceps. “I want you, Jonah.”
My words unleashed something inside him because his hips snapped forward, his cock surged inside, filling me to the hilt.
He felt so good. I felt every ridge of his cock even through the condom. Everything with him was so much bigger and brighter.
“You’re so beautiful.”
For a flash, I wondered if he said something similar to other women he’d been with, but his expression was so raw. He was sincere.
When had sex ever felt like this? I felt special, cherished even.
It was only one night, yet there was this weight in the air between us. Tingles erupted over my skin.
Then he moved, my thoughts drifting away with each thrust until I was mindless, the need building quicker and bigger than last time.
He leaned down, kissing my neck, my chin, my lips. “So good.”
Sweat glistened on his chest, his muscles flexing with each push and pull. My hips lifted to meet him. His pelvis grinding against my clit with each thrust until the orgasm rushed through me.
I was vaguely aware of him saying, “Fuck, yes.”
His movements were jerky as he thrust one last time, emptying himself into the condom. He lowered himself over my body. His weight grounded me, keeping me in this moment with him.
I closed my eyes, breathing in his scent, savoring the feel of skin against mine. I tried not to think about what came next, enjoying the aftermath.
Finally, he lifted up slightly, kissing me. “I need to clean up.”
He moved off the bed, closing the door to the bathroom.
Boneless, I stayed where I was. The slowly rotating ceiling fan cooled my skin.
I closed my eyes, listening to the water run.
Jonah opened the door, crossing the room. I braced myself for cool indifference, for him to lean down to pull on his jeans, to walk out of my apartment. Instead, he placed a knee on the bed, moving a strand of hair off my temple.
“You’re so beautiful.” His eyes were dazed as if he couldn’t believe I was here. That he was with me.
I nestled my face into his hand, then turned to kiss his palm.
Something like awe flashed in his eyes. “I don’t deserve you. I don’t deserve this.”
“Why—” my voice cracked. My throat was dry. “Why do you think that?”
He was the professional athlete, the superstar. I was the nobody in this scenario.
“You’re so sweet. Too sweet for me.” There was a haunted expression on his face.
I licked my lips, wondering what his past was like that he thought this way. I didn’t want anything from him, but it had to be more than that. Something had happened to him, making him think he didn’t deserve good things or good people in his life. “That’s not true.”
He laid down beside me, propped up on his elbow. “It is.”
I shifted, tucking my hand beneath my cheek, facing him. “Why do you think that?”
Indecision warred with longing on his face.
He wanted to confide in me.
I just wasn’t sure he would.
“I’ve done things. Things that I’m ashamed of.”
My forehead wrinkled in confusion. “What would you have to be ashamed of?”
Was he talking about treating women callously? Maybe having one-night stands? It was almost expected with athletes, but I’d never seen him treat anyone with anything other than respect.
He plopped onto his back, his forearm shielding his eyes. He was shutting down, blocking me out.
It was too soon to push. I’d be there for him like he was for me. I curled into his side, resting my head on his bicep. I kissed his chest. “You don’t have to tell me.”
I only wanted one night. Confessions weren’t required no matter how much his vulnerability tugged on my heartstrings.
His arm moved from his eyes to wrap around me, pulling me tighter to him. It was as if me being here was holding him together, preventing him from shattering. I wanted to be there for him. I wanted to be his person. The longing was acute; my breath came in short pants.
“Are you okay? I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
He was so sweet, so caring, so attentive. How could he think he wasn’t worthy of me?
“No. Of course not.” I kissed the underside of his jaw, enjoying being able to touch him when I wanted. I wasn’t sure I’d be as free tomorrow.
His fingers gripped my hair. It was a reassuring pressure.
In a few seconds, he relaxed, his breath evening out.
He wasn’t leaving. He’d fallen asleep.
I thought being with him would be an escape, a chance to block out what was going on with me, instead, it opened me up to him and whatever he was struggling with. I hope I’d soothed him like he had me. I hoped he’d be here when I woke up.
Chapter Fourteen
JONAH
I woke up with hair tickling my chin. My shoulder was stiff, and my back was sore from sleeping in the same position all night. Callie’s scent filled my senses. I wasn’t ready to wake up. I wasn’t ready for the morning after.
I never slept overnight with a woman. I usually left immediately after or woke up in the middle of the night. It must mean something that I was so comfortable with Callie I slept like a rock.
She shifted in my arms, snuggling closer to my side. Her hand drifted down to my stomach. My muscles clenched in response. Was she awake?
She kissed my chest. “You stayed.”
I stiffened. I wasn’t sure what to say. I had stayed, but it wasn’t exactly intentional. In the bathroom, I’d worried about what to do. Leaving didn’t feel right. Then when I came out to see her laying in the same spot I’d left her, I had to touch her. I felt compelled to climb back into bed with her. Then I’d said something I shouldn’t have, but she didn’t push me. It made me think I could be with her.
She lifted up on her elbow, her hair mussed from sleep.
My chest filled with something I hadn’t felt in a while—happiness. “I’m glad I did.”
Her lips tipped into a smile; her muscles relaxed. “I wasn’t sure what to expect.”
I ran my fingers through her hair, then down her bare back. “You’re beautiful.”
“You make me feel that way.” She leaned down to kiss me.
She felt right. This felt right. I was going to enjoy this time with her as long as I could. She wasn’t someone I’d fuck and walk away from. I had a good time with other women, but none of those relationships turned into anything serious.
I’d grabbed on to this little slice of happiness. I deepened the kiss, moving her knee across my hips so she straddled me. I groaned when her wet pussy rubbed against my erection. She ripped her lips from mine, throwing her head back as she slid back and forth, chasing her own pleasure. With each pass over my cock, I teased her entrance until I finally slid inside. Her wet walls surrounded my cock. It felt more intense than last night. She gasped when my fingers tightened on her hips, pulling her down.
She lifted up then slowly back down. Her lips slightly parted, her brown eyes glazed over with pleasure. I loved seeing her like this. Her blonde hair tumbling over her shoulders, her nipples playing peekaboo with the strands. I touched her flat stomach, kneading her breast as she moved up and down. She was so wet. She moved faster, biting her lip probably to hide her whimpers.
“Let me hear what I do to you.”
I pulled her head down to mine, swallowing her moans as she rode out her orgasm. Her pussy spasmed around me, tight as a vice. Why did it feel so much better than last night? Was it because we’d slept together or because I felt closer to her than anyone in a long time?
She lay on top of me, her limbs loose. I lifted my hips, chasing my release. Burying myself deep, I exploded into her. Coming down from th
e high, my skin still tingling, I felt wetter than usual.
“Jonah—” Callie lifted off of me. “Shit.”
She must have realized the same thing I had—we’d forgotten a condom. I never went bareback with anyone.
She ran for the bathroom, slamming the door.
The compulsion to flee was strong, but I couldn’t leave Callie.
Finally, she came out of the bathroom, her face stricken. She opened a drawer, pulling on panties and soft-looking pale pink pants, and a white tee.
Getting up, I touched her shoulder. She stiffened under my touch. I kissed the sensitive part of her neck. “I’m going to clean up. Then we can talk.”
I didn’t want her to worry even if I was freaking out inside. I couldn’t have a child. I was always so careful. What happened this morning to make me forget why protection was a necessity? Is this what an addiction was like—you lost sight of all reason?
I washed up, trying to calm my racing heart, to quell the panic.
I washed my face, then walked out to find her scrolling through her phone. Pulling on my jeans, she looked up.
She looked calmer. “I don’t think it’s possible.”
I knew without asking she meant pregnancy. “How do you know?”
“It’s not the right time. Plus, I’m on the pill.”
Relief flowed through my body. “Okay. That’s good. I’m clean, so you don’t need to worry about that.”
“I am too.”
I sat heavily on the bed next to her, relief making me light-headed. “I never lose control like that.”
I wasn’t sure what that said about me. Was it her?
“It’s okay. Neither of us was thinking clearly.” She offered me a small smile.
I nodded. Should I offer to pick up breakfast? I couldn’t exactly offer to cook. This was her place. “Do you want to go out for brunch?”
Morning-after brunch probably meant something. That what we were doing was serious or at least qualified as dating. But I didn’t want to think about rules or expectations. I was going to go with my gut. My gut was telling me to spend more time with her.
