by K B Cinder
“Well, don’t you look comfy?” I shut the door, leaning back against the wood, eyeing the one woman that had always been able to bring me to my knees.
“Damn right. I’m tired.” She smirked, rolling to her stomach, her feet kicking up to lock in the air. “Are you going to stand there all night?”
“I can’t go into a lady’s bed without being invited.”
“You’re the vampire now?” she laughed, looking me over. “If that’s the case, come bite me, big guy.”
“I’ve never seen a vampire with a beard,” I replied, holding my ground. I wanted to flip her over and go to town, but after all these years, I didn’t want to ruin the moment.
“I’ve never seen a vampire, period.” She reached out, patting the bed next to her. “Why don’t you show me one?”
“You’re begging for trouble, Josie,” I warned. She had no idea how fast I could leave her thrashing, bringing her close again and again until she begged for release.
Her eyes narrowed, and she rolled off the bed, breasts bouncing as she turned to face me. “No, I’m begging to be fucked.”
At that, she pulled her shirt over her head, standing there in nothing but tiny black shorts and a bra. Plain, white, and not an ounce of lace, but it was the sexiest goddamn thing I’d ever seen.
She stalked towards me, untying her shorts, pulling them down with a quick tug to reveal a pink thong.
Goddamn.
It was happening.
I finally had my Josie again.
I flicked my eyes to her face, trying to get a grip, not knowing how I’d maintain control once my hands were on her. I’d waited eleven years to touch her, eleven years to taste her.
She didn’t wait for me to find out on my own, crashing against me and claiming my mouth as her hands snaking in my hair.
It was everything I was waiting for.
I’d been holding my breath for eleven years, and she finally gave me the air I needed.
My hands flew to her waist, hauling her against me, snaking those sexy legs around my waist and earning one hell of a squeal. Before I knew it, I had her spun against the door, my mouth pulled from hers to drag along her neck, tasting what was mine. What had always been mine.
“Touch me, baby!” She arched her back against the door, arms looped around my neck. “Please!”
All I could do was grunt.
It was raw.
It was real.
I needed her.
I had her bra off in a flash, freeing the beautiful breasts from its confines, the two nubs already hard for me.
“Fuck!” I ground out, just as she started rolling her hips against me.
I wouldn’t last long if she kept up her tricks, so I unhooked her legs, her feet sliding back down to the floor as I nudged her against the door. Before she tried another dirty trick, I dropped to my knees, snaking two fingers on either hip to pull her thong down, revealing paradise.
I glanced up, the only woman I’d ever loved staring down at me, her long locks falling to hide her chest, desire and love glowing in her eyes.
I palmed her gently, a husky moan escaping her lips, her eyes still locked with mine. They popped wide as I slid a finger in and even wider when I followed it up with another.
“Mmm, Luke…” She bit her lip, forcing down a moan, not that I blamed her. I didn’t want our time interrupted for anything, especially by waking Lincoln.
“You like that, baby?” I leaned forward to press a kiss to the silky skin of her hip.
She gave a quick nod, reaching out to place her hands on my shoulders, standing on her tippy toes to offer herself.
I blew a gentle breath across her most delicate flesh, her hips wiggling forward, desperate for contact.
“Don’t toy with me, Luke!” she warned, nails biting into my flesh, pulling me forward exactly where she wanted.
I chuckled, eyeing her before diving in, showering her with kisses. Moan after moan sounded as I worked her with my fingers, hooking them ever so slightly, all the while trying to keep myself in check, knowing I wouldn’t last long.
I leaned forward for a taste, flicking my tongue where she wanted, lapping at the tenderest places before sliding to her entrance, forcing it inside.
She arched her back, gripping my hair tight, thrashing her head side to side as I took her higher and higher.
Cigarettes.
Booze.
Gambling.
Everyone had their addictions.
But mine was, and would always be, Josie.
I’d never get enough of her. Her moans. Her sighs. The sweet mews that escaped when she was rolling in passion.
Each gasp was followed up with a shudder until I knew she was close, her body tensing under my lips, ready to rocket into the great beyond.
I knew what she wanted. What she craved. What made her eyes roll in the back of her head.
And I gave it all to her. Over and over.
With a final sweep of my tongue, she was finished, coming with a stifled cry, hands gripping my hair, hips bucking wildly.
“Fuck, Luke!” she choked out, struggling to stand as her knees quaked.
“I will soon,” I promised, grinning as I pulled myself up, hands skimming along her body, a delicious shiver rippling through her. “And I’m never going to stop.”
“Promise me.”
My lips found hers to kiss away the doubts, to leave behind nothing but absolute certainty. I gripped her waist, hauling her high, staggering to bed on knees just as shaky as hers.
As I eased her into the floral bedspread, her hands snaked to my belt, unhooking the buckle before her hips hit the bed. I finished the job for her, undoing the button and zipper in one swift motion, ripping the denim down my thighs, cock jutting out, barely contained by black boxer briefs.
“Do you want this?” I asked, needing to hear the words.
I knew what I wanted, but I had to hear it from her. I had to be sure it wasn’t all a dream, another nightmare, one of many that had haunted me over the years.
“I’ve never wanted anything more.” She gripped my shoulders, pulling me on top of her. “Make love to me.”
I already was, chains breaking with each embrace, each kiss. I’d fucked for years, foolishly thinking they were one and the same, but everything with Josie was different, precisely what making love was.
I slid my briefs off and made quick work of my shirt, tossing it to land in a forgotten heap at the door.
As I kneeled to grab my wallet from my discarded jeans, she caught my cock in her mouth. I gripped her hair as she worked me, eyes locked with mine as she took me over and over, her tongue swishing on the head at each pass.
My angel took me to the edge, torturing me with every slow slide of her lips on my cock. She moaned as she did, the vibration almost too much.
With a fistful of waves, I tugged her mouth off before she took me too far. She grinned up wickedly with swollen lips.
I released my hold on her as I fished a condom from my wallet, tearing it open and sheathing myself carefully.
She spread her legs as I did, leaning back with her hands on her breasts. I settled into my home, her legs smooth as they grazed mine, losing one another in kisses once I reached her.
Seconds from utopia, I positioned myself at her entrance. “Are you ready?” I asked, sliding my lips across her cheek to her jaw and finally, her neck, devouring the creamy skin.
She nodded, and I went home, sinking in with one slow, steady thrust, her sharp inhale of breath making me stiffen.
“Are you okay?” I pressed a quick kiss to her lips.
She answered by gripping my back, her legs wrapping around my waist as she claimed my mouth, my angel transforming into a wicked little minx.
I slowly found my rhythm, fighting the good fight, keeping passion in check. Lips muffled moans, the only sounds coming in pants as we loved one another.
Her fingers flexed in my skin, and I pumped harder. I caught a nipple as I worked, breast
s bouncing wildly with each thrust.
Muffled moans turned to strangled sobs, the gentle gripping transformed to raking nails. I took us both to new heights, trying to block out the delicious heat.
I gripped her hips, spreading her legs wide, pulling them from my waist to hike them high, pounding in as she met my gaze, skin flushed as she took everything I had and more.
As her legs shook, I knew she was holding out on me, so I slipped a hand between us to rub her clit, and just like that, she clenched down, coming hard and fast. Her hips pumped wildly when I let go, taking what she needed without apology.
I pressed a kiss to her forehead before pulling out, her body tensing.
“What are you doing? Come back!” She nudged her hips forward, but I shook my head.
“It’s time to ride.”
I gripped her, spinning to my back and pulling her atop. Pure perfection stared down at me as her hair flowed in a sea of golden waves. She hovered just above, a cruel smile on her face now that she had the power, the ability to bring me crashing down as I’d done to her.
“Correction: it’s time for me to fuck you.” She slammed down on me, taking every inch, throwing her head back as she did.
Her hands rested on my chest as she pumped her hips, the skin so clean against my inked flesh. I caught a nipple and suckled again as she rode, riding me like the beast I was.
“Oh fuck, Luke!” she moaned, sliding up and down my shaft, her nails biting into my chest.
“That’s right, baby!” I coaxed, watching the woman I loved take me over and over.
“I love you so fucking much!” she choked out, bouncing with each pump, the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen pleasuring herself with my cock.
“I love you, too.”
I was the luckiest man in the world, and I meant every word.
But with each slide of my cock inside her, something else grew.
Guilt.
Luke
With Josie, everything was right in the world.
I wasn’t hyper-focused on putting in hours at work or chasing the next adrenaline high, whether it was sex or speed. I had all the endorphins I needed, and nothing could piss on my parade.
Not waking up early.
Not thinking of Ed’s lies.
Nothing.
I woke up early to grab a shower at my place, not wanting Lincoln to see us together yet. He was her son, and we’d handle it how she saw fit. We hadn’t discussed it, so I erred on the side of caution.
Seeing Ma with another man for the first time after Dad left was more than traumatic, granted I walked in on them mid-fuck, but still. When she started bringing him around more and insisting I call him Dad, it felt like a betrayal.
Up yet, beautiful?
I sent off the warning text, wanting to be sure the coast was clear before heading over. I had plans for them, something neither would ever forget and hopefully, something that wore Lincoln out enough for a nap later. I knew Josie needed to get some work done, and a napping kid never hurt.
Josie: Yup. A little sleepy, though. I was up all night with someone ;)
I smiled at the text, surprised I wasn’t more exhausted after three rounds in the sheets with her. I’d fallen into a deep sleep, the kind of trance shit you only get after eating three plates of food at Thanksgiving.
Sounds fun. Want to have more fun? I’m thinking… you, me, and Lincoln cruising around in the boat later???
The water was calm, and if she took motion-sickness medication the right way, she’d be fine.
Josie: You’re a brave man, Luke Barrett.
I was also a lucky man.
* * *
In typical Josie fashion, she took too long to get ready, insisting she needed at least an hour for the meds to kick in. She spent all sixty minutes trying on boating outfits before finally settling on the original outfit she had on: a tank top, shorts, and flip-flops.
We headed out into the inlet with Lincoln as co-captain, Josie relaxing on the bench beside Tally, nervously eyeing her the whole way. In time, she’d realize she was psyching herself up over a house hippo, but she’d have to learn it on her own.
The water stayed calm, and Josie held up a thumb at each glance on the way out, and as expected, the first pod of pilot whales made their appearance as we slowed at the mouth of the inlet.
A dozen or so swam a few yards away, diving deep before popping up to spray into the air, the group feeding on the fish that went in and out of the shallows.
Before long, dolphins joined in the party, leaping from the water and leaving Lincoln in awe.
“Alright! Good job! Whoa!” He was like a record player of praise, cheering on the marine mammals.
It was fucking adorable, especially when he started clapping.
“They’re beautiful!” Josie beamed, snapping pictures, not a hint of motion sickness wearing her down.
They weren’t nearly as beautiful as she was, but I wouldn’t say it in front of Lincoln. I didn’t need to; one look told her everything I was thinking.
* * *
Lincoln put up a hell of a fight against sleep, but an afternoon being a one-man audience for every sea mammal in Anderson Inlet wore him out.
He went down for a nap once we docked, sleeping on my couch while Josie and I sat on the deck with Tally, watching the waves as the wind started to stir.
“Way to top my whale-watching failure,” she teased, twirling her ponytail in her fingers. “You could have at least threw up or pretended to fall asleep.”
I laughed, popping a mint in my mouth, a new obsession since I’d made a promise to Jason I intended to keep: quitting smoking.
“He likes you.”
I nodded, rolling the empty ashtray on its side across the tabletop. “I’m glad. He’s a cool kid.”
“He’s not always Prince Charming,” she warned with a grin, eyes flicking to the house. “Sometimes, he’s a real pain in the ass.”
“It’s okay. You are too.” I flicked a fallen helicopter seed her way, the maple pod spinning perfectly in the air to ping off her forehead.
She scowled, attempting to return the gesture, but hers flopping forward an inch at most. “I’m trying to be serious, you turd.”
“You’re trying to be serious, but you called me a turd,” I teased, launching another her way, this time bouncing off her shoulder. “I know kids have ups and downs. I don’t expect him to be pleasant 24/7. I’m not.”
I had a few crabby days ahead, at least, day one of no cigarettes harder than I remembered. Luckily I had plenty of mints and gum around to keep my mouth busy. Plus, I always had Josie if oral fixation became an issue.
Worry tugged at her mouth, the playfulness slipping away. “I don’t know the right way to handle all this, honestly. It’s new. He’s never been around anyone I’ve dated before.”
“We take it slow,” I replied with a shrug. “We can just be friends for now as far as he’s concerned. You aren’t on a time crunch. You do what feels right.”
Everything that felt wrong about her current living situation appeared in her driveway, Dan pulling in in his obnoxious red convertible.
“You’ve got company.”
She turned, rolling her eyes with a sigh. “He didn’t text or call.”
“Good thing you’re over here. Want to go inside?” I was more interested in going over to confront him about the creep-fest, but I knew she wouldn’t be down.
“Nah, I’m enjoying the view.” She grinned, watching the clueless Casanova stroll to her porch with flowers in hand, knocking and waiting in his polo and khakis.
I grinned, reaching across the table to squeeze her hand. “So, what are you doing July third?”
Josie
Willits Bend, Vermont was the last place on Earth I thought I’d be on a Thursday.
It was also the last place I thought Jason Barrett would end up living, the eldest brother more suited for the streets of New York City than a small mountain village.
I di
dn’t think I’d be attending his wedding either, but there I was, the guest of the best man, staying with the brothers in a cabin.
Well, what Luke called a cabin.
I pictured a the standard wooden hideaway with a fireplace and maybe a stuffed deer head on the wall like my family’s one upstate, but as we rolled in after the four-hour drive, I realized he’d meant mountain lodge, the sprawling castle in the woods anything but a cabin. It was at least five times the size of my parents’ house — a manor that was obnoxious in its own right.
We pulled in behind a Range Rover, a Mercedes-Benz parked in front. As Luke rolled to a stop, my stomach clenched.
The last time I’d seen the other Barretts, both were less than excited, though Ethan seemed particularly ready to go to war.
“Ready?” Luke smiled my way, grabbing my hand to press a kiss to my wrist, the gentle caress icing over worries.
The days since Liv’s wedding had been a dream, and if it were a taste of what was to come, I was ready to gorge myself on Luke Barrett.
I smiled, reaching out to stroke his cheek, the roughness of his beard scraping my knuckles. “Ready when you are.”
As we went to the back to get our bags, he caught my hand and pulled me in for a kiss, lingering a second too long to be deemed innocent.
“What do you think of it up here? Want to run away to the mountains?” he asked devilishly as he pulled away.
I glanced around, taking everything in, the rolling mounds of Earth dotted with trees as far as the eye could see. It was beautiful but had nothing on Briar, the seaside town forever home, especially our remote stretch of paradise.
I kissed his cheek, nose scrunching at the scruff. “I’ll stick to the inlet,” I replied, showering him with a dozen more pecks before hugging him close. “Though you do look at home up here, mountain man.”
He laughed, whistling for Tally, who happily hopped out of the truck, a lacy white collar replacing her usual pink one for the occasion. With a snap of his fingers, she sat and waited while he unloaded our rolling overnight bag. He whistled once, and we started toward the front door hand in hand, Tally leading the way with her tail in the air.
