by Kacey Shea
The fireworks show the town puts on isn’t until tomorrow, so we decided on a bonfire tonight. We head down to the sandy beach in time to also catch the last rays of daylight. I help Chase lay out the blanket and while he works on straightening the wire hangers, I open the box of graham crackers.
It’s the perfect day. Not too warm and not freezing either. Chase digs out an area for the fire and drags over the wood. I take out the tray packed into the bag and line up the ingredients for our dessert.
“How long until we have a fire?” I say and pop a square of chocolate in my mouth with a grin.
“Hey.” He points a stick of firewood my way before assembling it with the rest. “You can’t rush perfection. Don’t eat all the chocolate.” I don’t know anything about building bonfires, but Chase is taking the task very seriously. I’d have just chucked all the wood into a pile and dowsed it with lighter fluid.
“There’s no competition. Your fellow firefighter posse isn’t here to judge you.” I grin and pick up another chocolate. “I’m all for short-cuts.”
“Alicia.” He stands straight, his hands going to his hips. “Seriously?”
“Whah?” I say through a mouth full of candy.
He shakes his head and comes over, sitting down on the edge of the blanket and sliding the tray of s’more supplies out of my reach.
“Fine!” I hold my hands up and laugh. “I’ll stop.”
He stares at my mouth.
A different kind of hunger blooms in my belly. Screw the chocolate, I want a taste of Chase. The sensual thoughts I have for this man are out of control. Today especially. Outside of work there’s no reminder to keep my mind free of such fantasies. The way I’ve caught him checking me out makes me wonder if he’s having the same trouble, too.
I drop my gaze, allowing my purple hair to slide forward like a shield. “Drink break.” It’s the only thing I can come up with to break the building tension between us. I move toward the ice chest, but he beats me to it.
“Water, lemonade, or soda?”
I should go with water but I’m feeling rather rebellious. “Soda.”
He pulls out two, handing one to me before popping the tab on his. The hiss it makes triggers a bead of pleasure—the sound too much like that of a beer can. “You know what this reminds me of? In kind of a messed up way?”
“Beer.”
My jaw falls open with my smile. There are benefits to hanging out with a fellow recovering addict. “I was thinking the same thing!”
“Yeah.” He smiles back, his gaze studying my face. “I really dig the purple on you.”
“Yeah?” I run my hands through the strands, a smile playing on my lips. “I like it, too. Thank you. I couldn’t have done it without your assistance.”
“Anytime.” He tilts his soda can up for a drink. I try not to notice his biceps and fail miserably. He leans back on one elbow and stares out toward the setting sun. “You’ll still come over sometime?” He glances up to meet my stare, his face as open and vulnerable as his request. “After you move back, we’ll still do this?”
That he doesn’t want to give up these moments, that he regards my presence so highly—melts away a little more of the guard I have secured around my heart. “Of course.” I swallow, the seriousness of the moment hitting me square in the chest. What he doesn’t know is that I would miss our conversations and time together just as much. Needing to lighten the mood, I reach for sarcasm. “Who else would I talk to? I have no friends.”
“I’m your default buddy.” His smirk grows and he presses a hand to his chest. “That stings a little.”
“What can I say? You’re easy.”
He chuckles at the innuendo and shakes his head. “And apparently I’m a sucker. Don’t think I haven’t noticed how I’ve ended up making dinner every night this week.”
“Sounds like you really love grilling.” I shrug and press my lips together to keep from laughing.
His eyes twinkle in the soft light. His gaze grows with intensity with every passing second. The air charges between us. My breath hitches, and gone is our playful banter. It’s almost too much but I refuse to be the one to look away first.
Caw-kaw!
“Fuck!” Chase jolts upright.
Jesus! Is that a bird? A giant seagull swoops low, its trajectory bound right between us as if that’s where it intends to land. Or attack.
I duck and scream. “Oh, shit!” I twist and hop to my feet, clutching my shoes and scampering away.
“Where are you going?” Chase’s laughter booms.
I glance over my shoulder. He’s laughing, still sitting on the blanket as if some sky devil didn’t attempt to take us out. “Where did it go?”
“It’s just a seagull. You’re fine.”
I scan the sky to find the fucker flapping in the distance, but it circles back along with a few friends. Fucking hell. “If you want to die by bird-demon, suit yourself.” I jog through the thick sand, determined to reach the steps back to the deck before the stupid winged creature gets another chance to take me out.
“Are you serious?” Chase laughs, but by the easy going sound, he’s in no rush to take cover.
I don’t stick around to find out. Hightailing it back to the house, I don’t stop running until I’m safe inside where there’s no chance of a feathered friend gauging my eyes. My pulse hammers in my chest. My body tenses with fear. As the minutes pass, my apprehension grows. I should check on Chase. At the very least, look out the window. Jesus, why hasn’t he returned? But I can’t get my feet to move. Nope, I am paralyzed and stuck in this kitchen. There’s no way in hell I’m going back outside though.
It’s several long minutes before Chase finally strolls through the door. He drops the cooler, bag, and blanket in a pile. “What happened back there?” His gaze travels down my body.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” I say, still out of breath.
“The seagull.”
I shiver.
“Alicia?” His lips curve up with his smile. “Are you scared of birds?”
“They’re the spawn of the devil.” I cringe. “All the fluttering.” A shiver tickles my spine and I shake off the feeling. “Flying.” I gag. “Eyes of death.”
His eyes are wide as if I’m the ridiculous one. “So you left me to fend it off alone.”
“Every man and woman for themselves.”
He chuckles, shaking his head. “You’d make a horrible firefighter.”
“I’m absolutely fine with that.”
He takes a few steps forward, the humor draining from his features. His hands run along my arms, his next words a whisper. “Next time, you don’t have to run.”
“Why?” I lick my lips, still not able to catch my breath. “You gonna protect me?”
“Yeah.”
There it is again, that magnetic energy, charging and sparking from one little look. I thought I could ignore it, that it would eventually go away, especially after spending all this time together. But instead it’s had the opposite effect. The more I learn about Chase, the more I genuinely like him, and that alone feels dangerous.
I should look away. Move. Something. But I can’t. Under his gaze I’m desirable, wanted. Something special to be adored. There’s a power that charges inside me, one that begs to take control. I want to kiss him. More than I ever have. Even if it’s wrong.
But I don’t have to ask because in one final step Chase’s mouth is on mine, his arms around my body, his tongue diving between my lips. My pulse races. My breath is ragged, so much it’d be embarrassing except he’s the same. It’s as if he can’t stop kissing me, and I’m not about to complain.
He walks us forward until my back hits the counter. “Alicia.” He groans my name. “Fuck. Tell me you want this.”
“I want you.” The words barely leave my lips before he hauls me into his arms, his hands palming my ass. I move my hips, grinding over his erection where it pushes against his shorts. Still. it’s not enough.
I need more. I want all of him. “Fuck me, Chase. Please.”
42
Chase
Alicia is kissing me. Touching me. Begging me to fuck her. Voluntarily. Fuck, this is happening.
I haul her into my arms, her legs wrapping tight around my waist, and walk us toward the stairs. I’ve waited so long for this moment. Ached to feel her naked body against mine all summer. I’m not wasting it with a quick fuck in the kitchen. I’m going to lay her out. Take my time. Make her come before I slide into her sweet pussy.
“I can walk.” She giggles as I climb the stairs.
“No way.” I claim her lips. There’s a desire to show off and prove I can carry her upstairs. Also, I can’t stop kissing her. Now that she’s given permission, there’s nothing I want more than to trace every inch of her body. My lips move down to her throat, pressing kisses onto her sun-kissed skin. She smells of ocean air, wild and free.
When I make it to the second floor, I set her on the top stair and kiss her more. There’s a frantic energy, a demanding desire to do this now, before she realizes I’m nowhere worthy of her love and changes her mind. “Your room or mine?”
“Mine. It’s closer.”
“I like the way you think.” I grin and dig my fingers into her waist, walking her backward. My cock aches as her body moves down mine. Wait. I realize too late that I don’t know which room she’s in. Blood rushes in my ears with the race of my pulse, this time not from lust. “Which room did you take?”
“The one at the end.”
My muscles tense, my libido stutters, and memories crash down like rain from the sky. Fucking hell, what are the chances she’d pick that room? I should’ve told her it was off-limits. I almost did, but I didn’t want to answer the questions she’d have. Fuck.
The past threatens to steal this perfect moment, but I refuse to let it. “Change of plans.” I pick her up, toss her over my shoulder like a firehose, and turn back toward the stairwell. “We’re going up.”
“Why?” She laughs. “Oh, my God! Chase. Put me down.”
I squeeze her ass and give it a playful slap. “Because after we fuck, we’re going to take full advantage of the big bathtub.”
“So thoughtful.” The smile in her voice is clear.
I take the rest of the stairs two at a time, anxious to leave the past where it belongs and excited for the night ahead. My chest heaves as I reach the landing, but I keep walking until I reach the bed. “That and the condoms are up here.” I bend to set her on the ground.
Her hands run up my chest, a hungry look in her eyes as she cups my jaw. “And such a gentleman.” She presses onto her toes and pulls my mouth to hers.
“You might take that back after we get naked,” I whisper.
“I’m looking forward to it.” She bites down on her lower lip.
My cock thickens at the hunger in her gaze. “Speaking of which . . .” I reach for the hem of her shirt. “I say we do that now.” I pull the fabric up along her body, revealing her skin inch by glorious inch. “Fuck,” I groan when I expose her bra. It’s made of simple cotton—no wires, no frills, but she doesn’t need it. She’s so damn sexy. I toss her shirt to the ground and reach for her breasts. Cupping them over the fabric, I brush my thumbs across her peaked nipples.
“You’re a boob guy?” she teases.
“I’m an everything guy, and we’re wearing too many clothes.”
She laughs at my joke and reaches for the button on my shorts. “Then maybe you should take these off.”
We both strip, trading soft smiles and laughter as we discard our outer layer of clothes.
My smile disappears the moment she tosses her bra in the pile. Round, full globes begging to be sucked steal my total attention. I crowd her body, stalking her as if she’s my prey. “Your tits are amazing.”
“What are you gonna do about it?” She falls back onto the mattress, but quickly scoots out of reach. Her eyes light with mischief and desire, the most alluring combination.
“I wanna touch them.” I crawl after her, pinning her with the weight of my body and brushing my fingers down her collarbone and through the valley of her breasts before I tease her nipple with my thumb. I squeeze the sensitive flesh, loving how it causes her to squirm beneath me.
“I’m gonna suck them.” I bend to take her nipple in my mouth, licking at the hard peak and groaning against her skin. Her fingers dig into my scalp, holding me close as she arches back. I suck her into my mouth, then release her with an audible pop.
My cock throbs almost painfully, demanding to get in on the action. “I want to fuck them,” I practically growl, but instead of shucking my boxer briefs, I kiss my way down her body. Hooking my fingers into the waistband of her thong, I sit back on the mattress and peel them off her legs. “Fuck.” I find something even more appetizing.
Pushing her knees apart I lower my body and spread her wide. She’s bare, but for a patch of trimmed curls. I graze my fingertip along her center. “I like this.”
“I’d like it if you’d stop teasing me,” she smarts, lifting her hips to meet my touch.
Well, then. Can’t argue with that. Ignoring my throbbing cock, I settle onto the mattress and hook my arms around her thighs, using my shoulders to spread her open. My mouth waters at her glistening folds. I think I’ve discovered my new favorite treat.
I get to work, eating her out like my only mission is to make her come. Which, right now, it is. I use all my go-to’s. Pretending her pussy is the sweetest fruit, I suck and press my tongue back and forth, over and around. The saliva from my mouth mixes with her arousal, and her hips push up off the bed as if she’s riding my face. When her pants turn to moans, I add a finger, then another, alternating by pumping them inside her and rubbing her clit.
Her body thrashes, her breath quickens, and soon she’s repeating my name and pulling my mouth closer like someone cheering me on to the finish line. Her body spasms when she falls apart, her thighs squeezing my face and holding me in place. As if I’ll back out now. Nothing in the world could drag me from this moment. I lap at her center, slowing my ministrations as she comes down from her orgasmic high.
“Fuck.” She drops her head back to the mattress and her purple hair splays out over the bed. She’s so fucking gorgeous like this, naked, a sheen of sweat glistening her skin, a satisfied smile painting her lips.
“How’d I do?” I lick my lips and push up from my place between her legs.
“Oh, my God.” She rolls her eyes, still grinning. “Like you don’t know?”
“Good.” I wink and point to her as I climb off the bed. “Now, don’t move. I’ll be right back.”
“Oh, I’m not going anywhere,” she says with a sigh. She probably doesn’t mean more by it, but the declaration does a funny thing to my heart. I wish she were promising more than this night, one weekend, or even the summer. It’s too much to hope, yet part of me does.
Leaving her on the bed, I go into the bathroom to hunt down the box of condoms I saw when I first moved in. Optimistic, I grab a handful and walk back to the bedroom.
Per her promise, Alicia hasn’t moved. She smiles at my return, eating me up with a hungry gaze.
My cock throbs painfully, excited he’s finally getting in on the action. “Don’t let me down,” I mutter under my breath.
“What?” Alicia says on a laugh.
“Just warning my dick to do his job.”
“Is that a problem?” She sits up, her brows rising.
I shuck my boxer briefs, loving the way her eyes light with desire as my dick bobs free. “It’s a lot of pressure to be a penis, Alicia. You don’t know the hardships he’s endured.”
Crawling toward me, she shakes her head. “Shut up and fuck me already.”
Not a problem. My knees sink into the mattress and I reach for the nape of her neck, pulling her to me for a searing kiss.
She reaches between us, stroking my hard member while I assault her lips. Soon, we’re both breathless. Touching. Lickin
g. Teasing until we can’t take it anymore.
“On your back.” I slap her ass, then sit back on my heels to reach for a foil packet. I rip it open and roll the latex onto my length. “Show me that pretty pussy. Play with your clit.” My demands are gruff, almost angry-sounding, but that’s because it’s taking all my strength to not blow my load. I want this to be good for her, but she’s so fucking sexy. I’ve imagined this scenario so many times, jacked off to it in this very bed. But the reality is crazy intense, the feelings pounding in my chest more powerful, and I’m more turned on than I’ve ever been.
She lays back, opening her legs wide, showing off her flexibility as she did this morning during yoga—only this time with no clothes. I love how confident she is. How she doesn’t hide her body or look away from my bold gaze. She rubs lazy circles around her center, her pussy still glistening with wetness from my mouth.
“Lift your hips,” I demand. I reach for one of the decorative pillows and shove it under her hips. Holding her ankles, I spread her wide and scoot closer, lining myself up at her entrance. “God, you’re sexy.” My dick bobs in agreement, aching to slide in but I tease us both by rubbing the head along her slit. “Fucking delicious.”
“Please,” she groans.
I love it when she begs. “Please what?”
“Feed me that cock.”
“This.” I rest one of her legs on my chest, hugging it to me. I spread the other wider and ease in, giving her just the tip. “You want this?” With my free hand, I find her swollen clit and tease her.
“Fuck. Yes.” Her head presses back into the mattress with her next moan.
I can’t take it anymore. I have to be inside her. Thrusting my hips forward, I slide all the way home. Fuck. It’s so good. I’m gonna come if I don’t go slow, yet I can’t help myself from moving inside her. Thrusting. My hips finding a rhythm. One that makes us both moan. My gaze finds hers and I get caught up in her stare. Her clear eyes sparkle with the same things I feel down to my core. Desire. Attraction. Vulnerability. She’s giving me the gift of herself, body and soul, a second chance I don’t deserve but gladly accept. She’s too perfect, too good. Even in the moment, sheathed in her heat, I ache for her. I could do this forever and it’d never be enough.
