Paradise Lodge

by Riina Y T

  “What about the time you walked into a streetlight, because a cute girl called out your name from the back seat of a car? It made a loud bong sound. I’d thought you might have gotten a concussion.” There was laughter but also a familiar fondness in Azariah’s voice.

  “Dude, what is this? ‘The retellings of Ky O’Sullivan’s most embarrassing moments’ or something?” I shoved him playfully, dislodging his head. When he looked at me, Azariah’s gaze was arresting, robbing me of breath. I pressed my suddenly dry lips together, my chest fluttering. It felt like a million invisible sparks went off whenever I was caught in his gaze, the intensity of it—and what it did to me—blew me away.

  I had no clue whether his deflection of my compliments earlier this morning was an attempt at shooting me down or if he still felt like he wasn’t good enough for anyone. I’d been positive he’d gotten over it! This dizzying back and forth was something I had no interest in, and he knew that about me, so I prayed it was the latter. I was sure this could be fixed with a little kick in the butt. Maybe it was time to show him properly I was seriously interested, because there was no denying it: I was digging the idea of there being an us.

  “Ky?” Azariah whispered, his voice carrying on the winter breeze that ruffled his long waves. I thought he looked absolutely stunning when he wore his hair down. Azariah’s gaze flicked to my nose, mouth, and then my chest.

  Fearing he’d pull back again, I took a chance. “I think I should kiss you right now.”

  Azariah’s head snapped back up and I watched his Adam’s apple bob as he swallowed, then licked those lips I ached to claim with my own. They were shiny and perfect, and I could imagine too clearly the slick slide of them against mine.

  “That would be kind of crazy, wouldn’t it?” Azariah sat up straight, and the sudden sparks between us wouldn’t stop flaring. If anything, they got even brighter. “You and I?”

  A coil of desire gripped me, and I was unable to look away. “I dare you to?” I beamed a smile at Azariah, and his eager expression told me he wouldn’t mind the kind of crazy I had in mind. I felt like I just won the lottery. Azariah locked gazes with me, then drew his lush bottom lip between his teeth and the move was sexier than it had any right to be.

  We looked at each other for a moment longer, and then moved to meet halfway. At the first touch of lips, a supernova exploded in my head, my heart tripping. I reached for Azariah’s neck and encircled it with my palm. I could feel the beginnings of stubble on the underside of his chin and near his lips. With closed eyes and my lungs full of Azariah’s scent, I lost myself in the sweetest of kisses. I felt the light pressure of his hand against my leg and on my shoulder. I pushed closer. Azariah seemed to be just as eager and I couldn’t get enough, needed more. Slow gentle kisses turned hotter, until the intensity of the moment made us both breathless.

  Reluctantly I drew back, searching Azariah’s face for a clue as to how we should proceed. Was that all right? Did he want to keep kissing me? I didn’t even know if that was his first kiss from a guy. Did I want to know? With a finger, I pushed my glasses back into place, thinking I should have put in my contacts instead.

  Reaching for Azariah’s hand, I wrapped my fingers around his palm and pulled it into my lap. I chewed my lip for a second, then said, “I don’t know if you… I mean, last night I realized how desperately I hoped there could be more between us, and now, well, I keep wondering if after the things you said, if maybe you could want me the way I want you.”

  I met Azariah’s gaze but couldn’t hold it. I felt like I was burning up from the inside, my throat tight. This was strange. I had never felt so confused and turned on and worried at the same time. What if I did, or said something to jeopardize our friendship, after all?

  “Because if you don’t feel that way about me, and this jealousy you mentioned isn’t on the same level as what I’m experiencing right now—which is incredibly confusing to be honest—then maybe we shouldn’t be doing this. I don’t want us to end up fighting again for real this time.”

  Azariah tugged at our clasped hands, and when I looked at him, he smiled, a dazed, dreamy expression perfected his pretty face. “Ky. Trust me. I’ve never, ever in my life wanted anyone as badly as I want you.”

  The elation hitting me was instant and dizzying like a rollercoaster ride. Why did it feel like winning a freaking Oscar every time Azariah opened up and let me see a side of him I doubted many ever had? With a fluttering chest and sweaty palms I said, “So, what you’re saying is, we definitely should be doing this?”

  “Yes, we most definitely should.”

  And then Azariah pulled, pushed, leaned closer, and crushed our mouths together in a desperate and most delicious kiss. His fingers in my hair and lips on mine were everything. I was still feeling floaty, chasing his lips when Azariah slowly untangled himself from me.

  “Ky?”

  “Yeah?”

  “I want to…”

  I felt my stomach sink. Had he changed his mind? No, he might tell me to back off, but his eyes were saying something different.

  As a rule, I didn’t pursue anyone who wasn’t in it for the real thing. I had no interest in playing games or chasing after someone who wasn’t completely into me. Seemed like a waste of time. Knowing Azariah the way I did, I figured he was either getting cold feet—he wasn’t one to jump into a relationship, and he spent too much time analyzing every little detail—or he was still questioning or doubting his self-worth. He probably needed another tiny push in the right direction.

  “I know what you want, Riah.” I leaned into him, whispering, “You want to have crazy,wild, dirty monkey sex with me, don’t cha?”

  “What?” Azariah laughed, his eyes growing huge. He paused, his mouth dropping open, then he leaned back at first but only to slap the front of my chest with the palm of his hand. I barely felt it through the leather of my jacket, but that didn’t mean I wasn’t turned on by the gesture. My dick twitched—yeah, someone was definitely taking notice of Azariah’s sex appeal.

  “You. Are. Unbelievable.”

  I raised my eyebrows, smirking. “So, you don’t want to have crazy, wild, dirty monkey sex with me?” My tongue felt heavy, my mouth dry.

  “Well…” Azariah’s cheeks reddened. Then he got up and once more locked his eyes with mine, causing my heart to skip a beat. “I, uh… Can we go inside then, for that crazy, wild, dirty—” He laughed and shook his head. “I don’t feel like freezing off anything I might end up missing if we stay out here.”

  Azariah held out his hand, and without a second thought, I placed my own in his, our damp palms touching. Was it weird that I liked how much he seemed affected by this as well?

  Standing, I huffed out a little laugh and bit back a grin, giving Azariah’s hand a firm squeeze. My mind was a jumble of thoughts and sensations. I felt floaty and hot all over.

  Something was going to happen between us, something phantasmagorical. I was pretty sure it was going to be the best thing in my life.

  Chapter Eight

  KY

  Back at the Honeymooner cabin, I stood with my back to the wooden door and Azariah’s hands on my neck and hair. A knee pushed against my inner thigh, and I moaned into the kiss, his nimble fingers tightening and tugging. I started to feel light-headed, holding onto Azariah’s shoulders like a drowning man.

  Having been dressed for a walk in the woods, I was beginning to get uncomfortably hot. I hoped we’d get to lose clothes soon. Azariah sucked in my bottom lip, biting on it when I let out a startled gasp. God, that felt amazing. I always had a thing for aggressive kisses, and it looked like Azariah might too.

  My hands fell to his chest and I pushed him back enough to break the kiss. Azariah’s eyebrows lifted in a silent question, his lips parting. His heavy breathing matched my own. I smirked and took over, leading Azariah toward the table in the center of the room. When the back of his legs collided with the wooden furniture, he let out a laugh. “The table, really?”


  I was such a sucker for his voice. The way it sounded when he was turned on did the strangest things to me. It took everything in me not to rip my clothes off and jump his bones.

  Holding back my raw desire, I leaned in and wrapped a hand around Azariah’s long hair. My fingers twisted in the thick mane, and I pulled him closer so I could press my mouth against the enticing arch of his throat. The moment my lips touched his warm, soft skin waves of pure heat flashed through me, head to toe. I groaned, heart thumping along with Azariah’s pulse beating against my parted lips. The sensation was so exquisite.

  My heart sped up, pounding against my ribcage like a wild thing with every lick and nibble. Azariah gripped me hard, his cry bouncing off the cabin walls. The only other sounds were the cracks and pops coming from the fireplace. I enjoyed being on the receiving end, but nothing beat the feeling of driving someone else crazy with touches, bites, and kisses. Every sob, every gasp, and every curse turned me on, making me want to give up everything if it meant I’d get to stay in that mind-numbing moment forever.

  Azariah tightened his grip around my bicep. My lips tingled, a salty flavor exploding across my taste buds. I straightened my head so our noses touched. My breath came heavy, like I’d run a marathon.

  Azariah sighed, his warm breath tickling my lips. I wanted to feel them against mine again, and, as if he could read my mind, he gave me what I desired. He mouthed at my lower lip, then slid sideways to my jaw. Between soft kisses and nips, he asked, “Can we get naked now?” I loved how breathless he sounded. My toes curled in my boots, my breath catching in my throat.

  “Agreed. Yeah. Too many clothes,” I murmured and nodded, breathing hollowly in Azariah’s ear. “Can I go first?” I wasn’t quite sure what exactly I was asking for, I only knew I wanted to see him undressed, touch his skin everywhere he’d let me.

  “Nuh-uh,” Azariah said. A low, throaty chuckle followed. He pulled back and I felt an ache in my chest at the sudden distance. “I called dibs before you even knew I wanted to see you naked.”

  “What if I’ll fight you for it?” I went after Azariah, reaching for his hand.

  “No way.” Azariah crossed his arms in front of his chest and glared. My stomach flipped in excitement. “You’ll surely lose. I’ve taken one too many self-defense classes if you remember. Kickboxing, tae kwon do, karate—you name it.” He sounded confident and determined, and it was insanely hot. The dark waves of his hair fell around his pale face, and his lips were darker and lusher than I’d ever seen before.

  I took a step closer. “All right, Hong Kong Phooey. I surrender.” I caught Azariah at the front of his coat and pulled him toward me. I kissed his enticing lips once, twice. “How do you want me?” I murmured against his pliant mouth, warm breath mingling with mine.

  “Stand up, sit down, whatever works. I’m not fussy as long as I can get my hands on you.” Azariah was breathless again, making me dizzy with need for him. “You can lie on the cold floor or stand in the kitchen sink for all I care.”

  While I toed off my boots, Azariah’s fingers struggled with the button on my jeans. The moment my socked feet touched the surprisingly soft carpet, I went to help Azariah, and together we got rid of every piece of clothing except my boxer shorts. Azariah’s dark gaze roamed all over me while he tugged on the zipper of his winter coat. He undressed with all the calm in the world, drinking me in while removing one piece of clothing after the other, and I let him go at his speed, even if it was pure torture. Patience never had been my friend.

  When Azariah was left in nothing but his mint-green and lemon-yellow checkered briefs, he took a step toward me, then another. His hands aimed for my pecs, mine reached for his waist. Azariah looked at me without focus, touching my chest with a hunger I had never seen him express.

  I held on as he kissed me hard. When he lowered his mouth to my shoulder, I cried out as his teeth connected with my flesh. My dick swelled, and his lips trailed down my neck, his tongue dancing in patterns along the hollow of my extremely sensitive collarbone. I gasped, murmured nonsense, and pushed against him. Feeling Azariah’s erect dick heavy against my own sent waves of hot want and need through me. I had no idea how long I could let him have his way with me before it would kill me.

  Azariah’s fingers trailed down my naked chest. He leaned in, our mouths meeting. A hand wrapped around my dick which struggled against the tightening fabric of my underwear. Swallowing a gasp, I sucked his lower lip in and held it fast to prolong the kiss. I touched my palm to his lower stomach, then brushed my fingers over his package. Azariah nipped my lips, his hand squeezing me. I kind of dug the delicious torment.

  Then he was gone. I watched him sink to his knees, trailing both hands down the back of my thighs. He wrapped one around the back of my leg and the other splayed across my belly. With an appreciative hum he looked up, and I gave a nod, the ability to form words lost. Azariah’s lips connected with my inner thigh, kissing, then sucking at the tender flesh.

  I took a deep breath, watching his palms touch my skin everywhere, raising goose bumps in their wake. I swallowed, our eyes met, and I let out a groan when he cupped me through my underwear, his fingers curling around my very interested dick. When Azariah brought his mouth to my balls, my knees buckled. I groaned as he pulled the waistband down and exposed the head of my dick. His lips were warm when they wrapped around me, his tongue even warmer and wet, oh-so wet.

  I had no idea if that was the first dick he’d touched besides his own, but I hoped he liked what he saw and tasted, either way, because I totally loved what he was doing to me.

  Azariah hooked four fingers into my waistband, and I watched him pull the washed-out and faded blue boxers down until they fell to the floor. I sought out his eyes and nearly came undone at the striking picture he painted, almost naked, kneeling on the carpet for me. For me. With his hands on his legs and his lips curved in a shy smile. But his eyes—they were so dark and intense.

  “Is this really happening?” I asked, feeling suddenly overwhelmed by the intensity of the moment. Azariah, the guy who was my best friend and had been starting dumb little fights for weeks, was about to give me a blowjob.

  Azariah’s smile grew, now sweet and sexy at the same time. “Do you want it to?” The confidence in his voice was enticing. I reached for his face and touched my palm to his cheek. He leaned into my hand and the sight sent a thrill through me.

  This right here had the potential to fuck things up, and neither of us could anticipate just how much. Did I still want it? More than anything!

  “Hell, yeah,” I said and curled my fingers around his hair, pulling him closer. Azariah went willingly. I made out the beginnings of a smirk before his lips collided with my balls, then his tongue swiped up along the underside of my dick. I groaned, tightening my grip in Azariah’s soft locks.

  Azariah drew curses from me when he suckled at the head before swallowing me down farther than I’d anticipated. “Damn,” I murmured, gazing down at his dark lashes, patchy cheeks, and glistening lips stretched around my rock-hard dick.

  After what felt like only a couple of minutes, he slid off and asked, “Is this good?”

  “Fucking fantastic.”

  “You want more?”

  “Always.”

  One side of Azariah’s mouth went up. “For a man who writes lyrics for a living, you’re not very wordy.”

  Why were we even talking?

  “If you wanted me to woo you with a sonnet, I think we’re far past that. So, how about, shut up and blow me?”

  Azariah chuckled. Hands gripped my hips, fingers digging in hard. I watched as he pulled back and then slid down my shaft again and again, moaning and choking on my dick. I wanted to stop him before he hurt himself, thinking he had to prove something to me, but my hands only tightened in his long hair. Azariah’s naturally pale neck and shoulders were flushed red, and his chest heaved as he worked.

  When I couldn’t take another second, my eyes fell shut and this blinding, amaz
ing warmth and unimaginable pressure gripped my dick. God, he was going all out. I cursed and told him, “I’m going to fuck your mouth until I come unless you tell me to stop right now.” My voice came out strained, and it was the strangest experience to hear myself speak so dirty, especially while Azariah—my Azariah!—was on his knees with my dick in his mouth.

  When Azariah neither complained nor slowed down, I reached for his face with both hands and dragged his head forward, driving my cock in farther. Azariah gagged, tears springing into his eyes. “Keep looking at me,” I said, and seeing him trying so hard to please me nearly did me in. Rolling my hips in a steady rhythm, I fed him my dick, pumping in and out of his tight, hot mouth as carefully as I could. Within moments, I was tumbling down that hill I knew I couldn’t manage to return from if I tried. I growled and shuddered, still pulsing in Azariah’s mouth as he sucked and licked me clean.

  Jesus. Fucking. Christ.

  Fighting the urge to drop to the floor and go to sleep right there, I held out my hand and said, “Come up and give me a kiss?” Feeling dazed and spent in more ways than one, I struggled to pull him to his feet. For a moment, he was deadweight in my arms, and then he easily fell into me, his hands finding their way around my neck. He held on, and I kissed him with all the passion and longing he stirred in me.

  Panting, Azariah curled his fingers around the hair at the back of my neck. I whispered against his lips, “Is it my turn yet?” I hoped he hadn’t sucked the energy out of me completely because I wanted to return the pleasure he’d just shown me.

  “Did you hate it?” he asked, and I wondered where the hell this was coming from.

  My stomach fluttered. I growled. My hand gripped his slender arm, and I pulled Azariah close. Our noses touched, then my lips touched his cheek, and I kissed up to his ear. I said, “Did it look like I hated it?”