by Ali Parker
I saw headlights flash in the window and knew his ride had arrived. As soon as he was out the front door, I rushed to the front window to peer outside. It was a little black car. I studied the car closer and determined it to be a new Beamer. I shook my head. I planned on buying Olin a car and surprising him, but it damn well wasn’t going to be anything more than twenty grand. I remembered my teenage driving skills. If he wanted a Beamer, he was going to have to earn it.
I watched him get in the car and felt a little nervous but knew it had to be done. It wasn’t the first time I had sent him out for a night with friends, but it was the first time in Texas. I just hoped the kids didn’t party too hard.
With Olin gone, it was my turn to head out. I put on a good pair of jeans and a light sweater. It was nice to dress casually, I thought as I grabbed a light jacket, stuffing my wallet and phone in the pocket before heading out the back.
There was a path that led around the lake that would take me right to the bar. It was very convenient and made for an easy night out without having to worry about getting home. I was liking Texas more and more every day.
It was relatively early for a New Year’s Eve party crowd. I wasn’t interested in partying. I wanted to have a drink or two and at least be able to say I had gotten out of the house for a couple of hours. I took a seat at the bar, where the single people congregated.
I ordered a whiskey and coke. While I waited, I looked around at the many couples in the bar. There was me and a couple of old guys, like actually old, sitting at the bar. I had a glimpse into my future and I had to admit it wasn’t all that appealing.
It made me feel very alone. I missed having a friend at home. There was something different about having a woman to talk to. Guys were great friends for some things, but nothing beat the perspective of a woman. They had a different way of thinking. I remembered being able to tell Carlie anything. Every night, we would lie in bed and talk. It had been better than any therapy session.
I missed those nights. I missed having a partner. I missed being the other half of a whole. Just when I thought I was headed into the familiar downward spiral of sadness mingled with loneliness, I saw her. She was scowling at her friend, who was gesturing wildly as the two of them walked through the door. They looked to be arguing.
I smiled as I watched her say something to her friend. I had missed seeing her. A man approached them, and Leila’s face turned from one of frustration to resignation. She turned her head and caught me looking. I offered a small wave, feeling a little foolish for having gotten caught watching her. I was only glad I had arrived at the bar first. I didn’t want her to think I was following her. She’d made it pretty clear she wanted nothing to do with me.
Her friend looked at her, grinned, and then walked away. Leila walked towards me, taking the barstool next to mine. “Hi.”
“Hi,” I greeted.
There was an awkward tension between us. I wasn’t sure what to say that hadn’t been said.
“How was your holiday?” she asked.
“Good. Yours?”
She smiled. “Good. I spent it with my traitorous friend,” she said with a pretty scowl.
“I take it the woman who came in with you is that friend?”
“Yep. We were supposed to come out together. She got a call from that guy on our way out. She told him she’d meet him here for a drink and the next thing I know she’s ditching me at the door.”
“Sorry to hear that,” I told her.
She shrugged a shoulder, putting her hand up to grab the bartender’s attention. “Me too, but I’m here and I may as well have a drink.”
“Can I buy it for you, or is that against the rules?” I asked playfully.
She grinned. “I’d be happy to let you buy me a drink. I think we’re safe here. This doesn’t exactly seem like a college kid hangout.”
I scanned the half-full bar and had to agree. It was mostly an older, more mature crowd. People like me, that had every intention of being home in bed by ten.
“Then that’s a good thing. What’ll you have?”
“Long Island,” she announced proudly.
“Stout drink,” I commented.
The bartender left to make the drink. “I don’t get out very often. I want to live it up.”
“All right then, I can get on board with that.”
After the bartender gave Leila her drink, we clinked our glasses together and both took long drinks. “What did you do for Christmas?” she asked.
“I went back to Minnesota.”
“What? Really?”
I nodded. “Yep. I wanted to see some snow. I saw it and then I hopped on a plane and came right back.”
“Do you have family there?”
I shook my head. “No. I have a house there.”
“Oh, wow.”
I ordered myself another drink. “You?”
“I stayed home and then went over to Kami’s mom’s house for dinner. She’s kind of adopted me. I wanted to give Kami and her some time alone before I crashed their party.”
I smiled, feeling a little sad that she didn’t have family of her own. When Olin grew up, moved out, and started his own family, I would likely be spending the holidays alone as well. I wasn’t looking forward to those days.
“When do you have to go back to work?” I asked her.
“Next week,” she answered.
“You sound excited about that. Most people would be dreading the end of their vacation.”
She grinned. “But I like my job.”
I nodded, biting back the sharp remark resting on my tongue. “That’s always a good thing.”
We polished off a couple more drinks, talking about nothing in particular and definitely not about what had, or hadn’t happened between us. In general, it was a nice evening and I was glad for the company.
“Dammit,” she hissed under her breath.
“Something wrong?” I asked.
Her head was turning left and right as she looked around the bar. “She left me.”
“Your friend?” I asked with surprise.
“Yes! She left me! I’m so going to kill her. She probably left with him. Not probably, I know she did. This is why I never go out with her.”
“I’m sorry,” I offered, not sure what else to say. “Would you like me to call you a ride?”
She sighed. “No, I’m fine. Do you have to leave soon?”
I shook my head. “I live just a little ways down. I can walk home whenever I’d like.”
Her eyes went wide. “You live here?”
I slowly nodded, drinking from my glass. “Yes.”
“Oh.”
I chuckled, glad she had no real idea about my wealth. That made me feel a little better. I liked that she’d been hanging out with me because of who I was and not because of my money. We finished our third drink.
“Would you like to see my house?” I blurted out without thinking twice about asking.
“Sure,” she answered quickly.
I slid off my stool, happy to find I wasn’t drunk. I hated the sneak attacks. We walked out of the bar and headed for the path that would lead us to my place.
“Are you cold?” I asked her.
She looked up and smiled. “Nope. Not at all. It is so pretty down here at night.”
“I love it. I love sitting on my dock and watching the stars.”
“You have your own dock?”
I pointed to where it was highlighted in the moonlight. “Right there. This is my place,” I said, opening the gate and taking her up through the backyard.
“Wow,” she whispered. “It’s beautiful.”
“Thank you.”
I opened the back door, then quickly deactivated the alarm and turned on the lights. “Here we are. You’re welcome to stay as long as you like.”
“Thank you.”
“Can I get you another drink?” I asked walking into the open kitchen.
She followed behind me. “Sure. Not wine though. I
don’t mean to be picky, but I’m too old to be mixing my alcohol.”
I smiled, nodding in understanding. “I understand. I’ve got more Jack or some Captain Morgan.”
“Jack works.”
I poured us two small glasses. “Would you like to enjoy your drink in the living room or outside?”
“Either works for me.”
I led her back to the patio, turned on the heater, and sipped my drink. “I love sitting out here,” I told her.
“It’s beautiful,” she commented.
Neither of us had taken a seat. We stood beside each other staring out at the calm lake. In the distance, I could hear revelers. Obviously one of my neighbors was throwing a house party. The sound of people laughing and enjoying themselves on a night that ushered in new beginnings made me smile.
“I’m up much later than I thought I would be,” I told her.
“You and me both,” she said with a small laugh.
“I think it’s close to midnight.”
She turned to look at me, her eyes had that hungry look I had seen that day in the library. I told myself to take a step back. She didn’t really want me. She’d been drinking and her inhibitions had been erased. I couldn’t do it.
But damn if she didn’t look beautiful in the moonlight.
I leaned down and brushed my lips over hers. The kiss was feather-light. I was testing the waters. I pulled back, looking into her eyes and waiting for the verdict.
“Oh, dammit,” she whispered, putting her drink on the table before taking mine from my hand.
I watched, making no move. If this was going to happen, it was happening on her terms. I would not allow myself to be made to feel guilty again. She turned back to me, looking into my eyes before she reached for me.
It was she who pulled my head down, her lips meeting mine in a kiss that was demanding and left no room for misunderstanding.
She wanted me.
Chapter 29
Leila
I gave in to the need. I needed him. I had needed him since the last time his lips had touched mine. The man was addictive. He was the worst kind of addiction. He could cost me everything and yet, I didn’t care.
My hands ran up his back and into his short hair, pulling him closer as I pressed my body against his. I rubbed myself against his firm body, groaning with pleasure as I felt him spring to life. Knowing a man as handsome as he was wanted me was intoxicating. I felt wrapped up in a spell of lust with no way to break it accept to ride through it. Riding him through it sounded very intriguing.
His hands dropped to my butt, squeezing and kneading as he rocked against me. If the man wasn’t careful, I was going to climb him on the spot. I felt ravenous, like I couldn’t get enough of him. I wanted more. I could practically feel my nails grow as I scoured them down his back. I felt like a cat in heat, rubbing against him.
His hands tangled in my hair before he pulled my head back. “You’re sure?” he asked in a gruff voice, his blue eyes probing mine.
I nodded as best I could with the grip he had on my hair. “I’m sure.”
“Thank God, because I want to fuck you so bad,” he growled, walking me backwards into his house.
He stopped, grabbed my hand and led me up a beautiful mahogany staircase. I barely had time to admire the fabulous architecture of the beautiful home. The man was on a mission and I was right there beside him, just as anxious as he was.
He threw open a set of double doors that opened into the biggest master bedroom I had ever seen. It looked like a studio apartment. I didn’t have time to take it all in before he was on me, shoving me up against the wall, his hands roaming my body and covering a lot of ground in very little time.
His mouth was on mine, devouring me with such gusto I could scarcely breathe. I found my hands in his hair once again, making a total mess of it as I held his mouth against mine. I could feel his desire, fueling my own.
It was electric. The room vibrated with our need for one another. In a flash, I decided to throw caution to the wind. Everything I had thought about myself was put away. I let the woman fighting to climb out of the shell I kept her in come out.
She came out with a roar.
“I want you,” I breathed, pushing my hand against his chest. “Now.”
“You’re sure?” he said his eyes staring into mine.
“Yes, dammit. I’m sure.”
His eyes flashed with something fierce a second before he reached for the hem of my sweater and jerked it upwards. I closed my eyes as the wool fabric scraped over my face on its way up and over my head. He tossed it in a heap on the floor before attacking the button on my jeans.
I lifted my arms out of the way, watching as the man stripped me down to my panties and bra. His eyes met mine. I felt like I was the meal in which he was about to feast upon. I wasn’t going to be left starving.
I lunged forward, attacking his clothing with the same furious jerking and tugging. When I finally had him in nothing but his underwear, I had to take a step back and admire my handy work.
“Damn,” I whispered.
He grinned. “Why don’t we try this in the bed?”
“That sounds like a very good idea.”
I walked with him to the bed and just when I was going to ask what he had in mind, he pushed me backwards. I fell onto the bed, his body coming over mine. His mouth slammed against mine. His hand worked under the black panties I had worn with the black satin bra.
All thoughts of anything vanished from my brain. I could only feel. His fingers worked inside me. I was already wet and ready for him and needed no more foreplay. He’d had me in a state of semi-arousal since I sat down next to him in the bar.
“I have to be inside you,” he whispered next to my ear before he pushed the panties down my body.
I lifted my ass, squirming to help. With the panties gone, his underwear magically out of the way, he was over the top of me, staring down into my eyes. With his stare holding mine, he reached under me, unhooked my bra, and carefully tugged. I helped him pull it away, lying completely naked under him.
He bent down, sucking my nipple into his mouth before moving to the other. It was a gentle suckling that was making me feel very warm and extra gooey inside. Supporting his weight on one arm, he reached between us, guiding himself between my legs and probing my entrance.
I spread my legs a little wider, giving him unfettered access. His eyes held mine as he pushed inside my body. I gasped, the feel of his heavy cock filling me took my breath away.
I groaned. “You feel so good inside me.”
His eyes were filled with passion as he fully seated himself inside my body. My sheath squeezed around him, clamping down on the throbbing dick buried inside.
“I’ve wanted this for so long,” he whispered.
I smiled, reaching up and cupping his cheek. “Here this is. Take it. Take it all.”
He jerked once, then again, thrusting so hard I slid across the bed several inches. I cried out, holding onto his shoulders as his body rocked hard and deep inside me. I felt uninhibited, giving in to my body’s demands. I groaned and shouted and completely lost myself in what he was doing to my body.
“Yes,” he shouted when my body erupted into flames around him.
I had closed my eyes, sailing away on the orgasm that washed me out to sea. “Yes,” I repeated, drawing out the word.
He kept moving, his stamina remarkable for a man of his age. I held on tight, ready to go along for the ride. I arched up, taking him in deeper. His jaw was set in a hard line as he chased the orgasm. I pushed against his chest hard, nearly throwing him off the bed.
He looked at me with shock. “Leila?”
“Roll onto your back,” I barked.
His surprise was replaced with obvious lust. He did as I ordered, dropping onto his back and holding his arms up as I got to my knees and crawled over the top of him. I carefully seated my body over his protruding shaft and lowered myself down one glorious inch at a time.
My breasts bounced as I rode the man beneath me. His hands reached up, cradling my boobs, squeezing and holding on as I took us both on a ride we wouldn’t soon forget. I felt the change in him and knew he was close. I rotated my hips, sucking every last inch of him inside my wet heat until I heard him shout out in extreme pleasure.
I cried out, joining him in the explosive release. I whimpered and moan and held nothing back. I gave him my all and wasn’t the least bit ashamed by how good he made me feel. I carefully laid beside him, almost afraid of what came next.
“Damn,” he said on a breath. “You good?”
I let out a small laugh. “I’m good. You?”
“Fuck yeah, pardon my French, but I’m so much more than good.”
I felt like he had just given me the best compliment a man could give.
I felt amazing.
I felt guilty.
“I’m sorry,” I blurted out.
He turned to look at me, reaching across his chest and pulling me against him. “For what?”
“For what happened last time and all those things I said.”
“It’s okay,” he assured me.
I shook my head. “No, it isn’t okay. That wasn’t cool. I totally came on to you and then I had the nerve to get all high and mighty when you took me up on what I was offering. I don’t regret what happened in the library. I mean, I did, and I regret the way it happened, but I don’t regret doing what we did.”
He looked at me, little lines on his forehead. “I’m not sure what you’re trying to say, but okay.”
I sighed. “I’m saying I take my job very seriously. I can’t lose my job. It’s everything I’ve ever wanted, and I don’t want to do anything that risks me losing that job.”
He nodded once. “Got it. No fraternization. Does this really count though? I’m not technically enrolled. You’re on break. We’re not on campus.”
I licked my lips. “No, I don’t think it does, it’s just, well, things are kind of complicated. The dean takes his job seriously. He prides himself on running a tight ship. There was another professor that got busted messing around with a student. The dean fired him.”
