Take It

by Francesca Penn

  Nick shifted under his mother’s perusal. He was never able to hide anything from his mother. Her cinnamon brown eyes caught everything, and she always made him feel as if she was looking at his soul.

  “I didn’t invite her.”

  Perplexed eyes studied him under thick lashes. “You’ve been checking your phone the whole time, and you haven’t touched any of your favorites. It’s obvious you miss her. You better have a good reason.”

  With her brows drawn and lips pinched, Nick felt as if she was seconds from reprimanding him.

  He stared at the drink that was becoming too cold for his hand. “I would like to think I have a good reason, but I’m not sure if I’m ready to talk about it.” He looked at his mom, pleading with his eyes for her to drop the subject.

  Amelia acquiesced, but not without giving her opinion. “Son, it’s your birthday, I want you to be happy. If you miss this girl, then I’d prefer for you to go be with her instead of here with us pouting.” She put her hand on his cheek and looked him in the eyes. “Also, if you are not embarrassed by her, then you should stop acting like you are.”

  Nick felt a pang of regret for not bringing Kalilah. He pulled his mom into a hug. The familiar scent and feel of his mother soothed his nerves.

  “I’m not ashamed, Mom.” She pulled out of his grasp and grabbed his shoulders.

  “I am not sure if you are aware, but your dad and I are not judgmental. If she happens to be of a different religion, race, or social status. We do not care if you two treat each other well.” She smiled. “If we can tolerate Meg, I’m sure your new lady should be a breeze.”

  Nick had his first genuine laugh since leaving Kalilah. “Sorry. She was terrible.”

  Amelia kissed his cheek. “Go, son. Don’t forget to apologize for not inviting her.”

  Nick crushed his mom in a bear hug and peppered her with kisses until she giggled and pushed him away.

  “I love you, Mom. Thank you for the wonderful party.”

  She waved him off. “I’ll make your apologies. Go.”

  Nick didn’t know what it was, but he was getting his mom the biggest gift he could find.

  Nick left before anyone could stop him and pulled up Snapchat hoping to find Kalilah. It was 9:30 and she could be anywhere. She may not have the iPhone, but social media should be able to guide him. No new stories. Damn. None of the three women had any updates in the last three hours. He had Natalia’s number, but he wasn’t the kind of guy that would call everyone a woman knew to hunt her down. Her house was still inhabitable, so he wouldn’t waste time looking there.

  Defeated, Nick headed to the house. At least he could sulk alone. The closer Nick got to his home, the more nervous he became. He didn’t want to consider how he’d feel if she and her things were gone. It would be a terrible end to his birthday. Nick’s pulse spiked the moment he pulled onto his street; relief and fear simultaneously flooded his system. Her vehicle was in the driveway.

  Carefully, he entered his house, partially afraid that he would catch her packing. He kicked off his shoes, a habit he’d acquired from going to her house, and strolled around until he found her. Contentment replaced all his previous feelings. She was out of the lanai staring at the pool. She was lounging on the outdoor sofa; her delicate feet were trapped between her body and the cushions. A glass of her favorite wine dangled from her hand.

  Crickets chirped in the distance, and a subtle gust of wind tousled the hair on his forehead bringing the scent of the chlorine from the pool. The aroma of food from a nearby restaurant flavored the air, but he didn’t want food. Instead, he wanted to pull her in his arms and ask her to never leave.

  She looked up slightly surprised when Nick came into her line of vision.

  “I thought you were still out,” Nick said before she could speak.

  She took a sip and nodded. “Ditto. That was a quick party.”

  “It’s still going on.” Nick leaned against the wall. “Why are you back so early?”

  Kalilah shrugged, the movement of her shoulders brought Nick’s eyes to her body. She was wearing a robe. Probably preparing to swim.

  “Well, Natalia has to train Cayla at six in the morning, and they both wanted to go to bed early. Plus, they were both mad at me for not giving you the birthday gift they’d picked out for you.”

  Nick tilted his head in confusion. “All of you gave me gifts this morning, which you ladies didn’t have to…”

  Kalilah put her glass down and stood up. “So, you’re not the least bit curious?”

  Nick’s curiosity instantly spiked, but they had unfinished business. “Kalilah, about earlier…” Kalilah put her finger to her lips, signaling for him to be quiet. “But…”

  Kalilah opened her robe and let it fall to the floor. Nick suddenly forgot how to breathe.

  Kalilah’s body glowed under the light. Her lingerie, or lack thereof, accented everything and covered nothing. The lace, black bra straps ran down the side of her breasts and met underneath them instead of covering them. Her nipples glistened, beckoning him to have a taste. His eyes travelled down the expanse of her toned, exposed belly and rested on what should have been underwear. Instead, it looked like a series of strategically placed strips of fabric that gave the outline of panties with none of the coverage.

  Nick was fixated on the area where a triangle of fabric would usually exist. Damn. She really knew how to melt his mind. His elevated temperature had nothing to do with the slight humidity of the night and everything to do with Kalilah.

  Her brown eyes studied him with pure lust. She didn’t need to say a word because her eyes told him exactly what she wanted in vivid detail. She eased down on the sofa and opened her legs, briefly giving him a view of paradise before crossing them. She leaned back and put her elbows on the head of the couch with her hands dangling near her perfect breasts.

  His dick planned to join her; the four feet that separated them felt like miles. Kalilah shook her head when he tried to get closer. Puzzled, he stared her for instructions. Kalilah’s eyes roamed his body, pausing longer than necessary on his erection.

  “Strip,” she ordered.

  “Strip?” Nick repeated, a raised eyebrow accented his question.

  Kalilah tilted her head slightly in challenge, but she said nothing. Instead, she shifted her position to rest on her side. Her head was propped up on the fist of her right arm at the top of the sofa. Her soft tendrils flowed down her shoulders and caressed her wrist and forearm. She tucked her legs behind her on the couch, the movement causing her breasts to jiggle enticingly.

  Nick took one more leisurely look at her body, taking in the silky skin covering her hips and how it tapered into her waist, stretched across her taut belly until it spilled out at her breasts.

  The quickened rise and fall of her chest along with the tight buds told him that she was aroused, but her face was the mask of neutrality while she waited. The soft lights bounced off her body leaving some parts in shadow while illuminating others, giving her a sexy glow. Although she didn’t need any help, Nick would have thought she was sexy if she was wearing sweats and eating Cheetos.

  Desire rode him hard, and his need for her made his clothes feel like lead. He ripped off his jacket and threw it on a nearby chair. Two of his smooth buttons had already popped out of the crisp linen of his shirt before Kalilah moved her hand up and down signaling him to slow down.

  “Slow,” she mouthed without making a sound.

  He slowed his ministrations, undoing each button with slightly shaky hands. He kept his eyes locked on her as he slid out of his shirt and tossed it on his jacket. He felt his body relax slightly when his undershirt joined the pile. Having the fresh air envelope his hot skin was soothing.

  His eyes never left her as he balanced on one leg to take off one sock, then the other. Nick made a mental note to give Natalia a raise. Once again, her decision to make yoga two of his workouts every week worked in his favor. Nick would not have the balance required to parti
cipate in Kalilah’s seduction game and not lose face.

  Now, the only thing that stood between them were his slacks and boxer briefs. Kalilah was sitting a little higher. She was still on her side, but her arm was pushing against the cushions to prop her up instead of acting like a headrest. She’d sucked her bottom lip between her teeth. She looked at him like he was the only man she’d ever seen. He loved how she looked at him, all desire and no judgment.

  Encouraged, he slowly unbuckled his belt; the leather squeaked in protest, and the metal clanked when it hit the concrete at his feet. The zipper of his pants echoed around them; the sexual tension between them hung in the air like a thick fog. They were like two prized fighters waiting for the bell to ring. She’d changed positions again – this one was his favorite. Kalilah had both feet on the ground. Her legs were open, but her hands rested between them one on top of the other palm down on the edge of the sofa. The position thrusted her breasts forward as if offering them to him.

  Her eyes moved to the only part of him still covered by the dark blue cotton of his boxer briefs. He hooked one thumb in his waist band, then the other. Kalilah licked her lips and watched as he slowly inched the fabric down. He suppressed a shudder when the fabric brushed his sensitive flesh on its way to the ground. Nick now stood before her completely naked and more vulnerable than she’d ever know. Within the last hour, he’d felt sorrow at the thought of losing her, hope when he’d found her, and now a strong combination of lust and love.

  She crooked her finger at him finally urging him to come closer. The moment felt important to Nick. He didn’t know why or how, but his gut told him something between them shifted. He made a mental note to get into her head and clear the air about his earlier fuck up. Her scent was different. It wasn’t crisp and clean like usual, and it wasn’t anything he owned either; it was a sweet, familiar scent that he couldn’t quite place. Vanilla? No. Cookies? No. Candy? Not really.

  He didn’t have much time to ponder her scent because her soft hand cloaked his dick at the base and slid slowly up towards the tip. The pad of her thumb rubbed the moisture that collected there. Desire simmered in her eyes, and Nick noticed for the first time that she was eye-level with his tip. He didn’t have time to consider the implications of the relativity of their positions because her pink tongue darted and licked his head like it was a tasty treat. Pleasure rocked his body. She sucked him into her wet, hot mouth until his tip hit the back of her throat.

  He opened his mouth but nothing came out; the pleasure was so intense he couldn’t make a sound. She began to suck and stroke him; her mouth and hand chased each other up and down his shaft. Nick took several mental pictures. He wanted to remember the image of Kalilah’s perfect lips wrapped around him forever.

  All of his blood rushed to the center of his body, and he knew he would cum if she continued to pleasure him with her mouth. She slid him further down her throat, and Nick was pretty sure the number of the stars in the sky multiplied.

  “Kalilah, please…”

  He begged. He didn’t want to cum like this, at least not tonight. His need to connect with her became so urgent that he found the strength to pull away enough to get her attention. She pouted softly and patted the space next to her.

  He sat next to her as requested and reached for her. She swatted his hand away and straddled his lap. Nick held his breath. They’d been in this position plenty of times even when they weren’t having sex. But that night, outside with suburban nature surrounding them, the silk of her inner thighs pressing against his, his hands gripping her hips, both of them looking into each other’s eyes while their hearts beat close to each other, felt like the perfect moment that he wanted to always remember.

  Their eyes still locked when she lowered herself on him slowly, her heat sheathed him inch by inch until he was in as far as he could go. They both sighed in pleasure and relief. His grip tightened as she began to rock her body against his, rolling her hips and driving him crazy. He was engulfed in her sweet scent…Cotton Candy? No…and the way she was nibbling on his neck, he knew that he would not last much longer.

  Nick shifted his position by slumping deeper into the couch and laying his head back against the headrest. Kalilah moved up a little; the small change pushed him deeper inside of her all the way to the hilt. They both moaned. Kalilah threw her head back and put her hands on his knees behind her and continued to ride him. Nick took advantage of the position and placed hot, open-mouthed kisses down her throat to the valley between her breasts. He grabbed both breasts and squeezed, loving the weight of them and how they felt under his thumbs. He sucked a nipple into his mouth and a burst of sweetness danced on his tongue. He’d found the source of the smell, now he just needed to identify the flavor, not that he was complaining.

  “Nick…”

  Kalilah moaned when he pulled her other nipple between his teeth and teased it with the tip of his tongue. He felt her body tighten around him; she was close. He slid his fingers up her back and gripped her shoulders to hold her in place.

  “You taste…sweet,” he said while trying to catch his breath. “What is it?”

  Kalilah smiled down at him. She kissed his forehead, his cheek, and then his nose. She hovered over his lips.

  “Care to guess?” She pecked his lips but didn’t retreat. Nick listed his previous guesses while she shook her head no. “Birthday cake.”

  Nick moaned. That was the sexiest thing anyone had ever done for him. He closed the distance between their mouths, kissing her with all the gratitude he felt. He savored the taste of her lips, loving the way the wine on her tongue mixed with the birthday cake flavoring on his. She tried to resume her movement, but he held her in place. She rebelled by squeezing him with her Kegel muscles.

  “That’s literally and figuratively the sweetest thing you could have done, but you forgot one thing.” She looked at him confused. “Baby, I’m greedy and you know how the saying goes...”

  He shifted their position and laid her on her back. He moved down her body placing errant kisses on his way. Kalilah tried to sit up when she realized his intentions. Nick held her in place.

  “I want to eat my cake, too.”

  Nick ran his tongue along her slit, loving how she shivered. Her scent comingled with his, and he loved how they merged together, making a unique aroma that belonged to them. Their scent.

  Nick delved deeper, sticking his tongue inside her as far as he could. He tasted her, swirling his tongue around inside of her and moving it in and out of her body. She moaned his name, and her thighs parted further. Impatient, Nick pushed her right leg over the top of the sofa and pushed the left one off. Her foot rested on the concrete. He parted her folds with his index and middle finger and licked her clit with broad strokes like he was licking an ice cream before pushing the two fingers inside of her.

  Her wet heat gripped him like a vice, and his dick throbbed. His heart was pounding, and his blood was roaring in his ears; she always made him feel like he was running a marathon. He teased her clit with the tip of his tongue, swiping up and down then left to right while he massaged her inner walls with his fingers.

  Kalilah’s skin was flushed with desire. Her eyes were closed, and her bottom lip was pulled between her perfect teeth. She arched her back and began teasing her nipples with her hands. Fuck. She was beautiful. Nick could watch her forever, but his body protested. Nick turned his fingers upward and rubbed her inside in a “come here” motion while continuing his assault on her clit with his tongue. He needed her to cum hard and soon. Kalilah’s entire body stiffened. Jackpot. Nick blew on her clit and sucked it into his mouth before releasing it with a popping sound; he rubbed the spot insider her again.

  “Oh fuuuck!” she yelled before her body started to shake violently in what looked to Nick like a very powerful orgasm.

  Her walls clenched his fingers, and his jealous dick ached to rejoin the party. Her yells were of a woman caught somewhere between pleasure and pain, and Nick was again thankful
that he didn’t have neighbors. In that moment, he decided to call his realtor first thing on Monday to purchase all the surrounding lots to ensure they remained empty. His need for her multiplied, and he thought he would die if he didn’t get back inside of her. Kalilah had other plans.

  She smiled mischievously. “Thanks, Nick. That was great.” She stretched and yawned dramatically. “I’m off to bed now.”

  She tried to roll off the couch, but Nick moved quicker. He had her bent over the couch and before she could process what he was doing, he’d gripped an ass cheek in each hand and thrust into her with one smooth stroke. White hot pleasure nearly buckled his knees. The sound she made, a mix of surprise and desire, made him harder. Nick pulled all the way out and thrust back in harder. He pushed her hair off her neck and kissed and nibbled at her nape. He licked the shell of her ear before whispering.

  “I’m. Not. Done.” He punctuated each word with a thrust.

  His body was on fire for her, and it almost burned him alive. He thrust into her over and over again desperately seeking the release that only she could give him. The sound of their skin slapping together urged him on. His cells celebrated every time they made contact.

  “Nick…” she sputtered. “This…is…my favorite,” she moaned helplessly. “Position.”

  Her orgasm caught him off guard; his body tensed, and his seed spilled inside of her. He rested his head on her back feeling boneless and sated. Wrapping his arms around her, he held her tight and never wanted to let her go. The only thing left was to make her believe it.

  Chapter 22

  K alilah looked around, taking in the picturesque streets of San Francisco. She used to binge watch Monk and always wanted to see the city for herself. Admittedly, she’d pictured herself being in San Francisco for a girl’s trip or on vacation with a love interest. Love interest. Her chest constricted. It had been four days since she’d seen Nick. She felt a pang of regret for sneaking out the next morning while Nick was in the shower.