Out of the Dark

by Sundae Leighton

  I gave a brief nod because I needed to get myself together. “Of course,” I promised, and we both turned to look back up at the sky.

  I found myself snuggling closer to Hutch, my eyes drooping, my breath slowing, and before I knew it, I was fast asleep.

  ***

  I woke up confused and groggy. Staring up at the skylight, I instantly realized I wasn’t home. “Shit.” I sprang from the bed and dug my phone from my pocket. Sure enough, my mother had texted me as had Jo, and they were both curious where I was.

  Mom: You’d better have a good reason for not coming home last night, Jillian Claire!

  Jo: Mom is pissed. Where are you?

  Jo: Did you go home with Hutch last night? Knox said you kicked him in the balls. Bravo, by the way. You know he went home with Madison? God, I hate her skanky ass. We’re kicking her out of the club.

  Fuck, I was so screwed. I didn’t have a curfew, but I still tried to get home at a decent hour or at least give my mother a heads-up if I was planning on staying at a friends’ place. I was a decent kid like that.

  “Good morning.” I glanced up to find Hutch standing shirtless in the kitchen and holding out a cup of coffee. “Sleep okay?”

  I took a second to admire the contours of his abs, the muscles that defined his arms and chest, wondering when he had the time to work out because he was in a glorious shape. “Excellent.”

  “Everything alright?” Hutch jutted his chin at the phone in my hand.

  Not exactly, but I didn’t want him to worry. “Sure, perfect, amazing.” I stood up to slip my phone into my back pocket. “How did you sleep?” I tried to change the subject, but Hutch shook his head.

  “No, don’t try that with me.” He smirked. “Are you in trouble for staying the night? I thought you said your mother wouldn’t care?” He tugged on my elbow to bring me closer.

  “Uh, I didn’t exactly tell her that I wouldn’t be coming home.”

  “Jills.” Why was it so sexy when he said my name like that? “You need to tell her you’re okay before they think someone kidnapped you. Namely me.”

  I nodded, and fished out my phone again to text my mother back.

  Jillian: I’m fine, Mom. Sorry I didn’t text. Spent the night at a friend’s.

  I looked back up at Hutch. “See, all good.” My phone immediately dinged back.

  Mom: Would this friend happened to be named Hutch Kelly?

  My sister was dead to me. RIP, Josephine. I texted her next. I was now an only child.

  Jillian: You are dead to me, Jo!! *skull emoji*

  Jo: Whatever do you mean? Tell me he’s hung like a horse though.

  Jillian: Ew, gross. He’s your future brother-in-law.

  Jo: You didn’t see his dick. I thought I raised you better.

  I shoved my phone back into my pocket, blushing. “All good.” I grinned at Hutch as he watched me. “My sister asked if I saw your penis.”

  Hutch nearly spit coffee from his nose. “What?” He coughed, placing his cup on the counter. “That’s kind of awkward. You two talk about stuff like that? Does she talk about Pat’s, er, penis?” He blushed and ducked his head.

  I giggled. “When they first started dating, she did, but I finally told her I didn’t want to hear about it anymore because it was weird to me.” I moved to wrap my arms around Hutch’s waist. “If and when we ever have sex, I can assure you I won’t gossip about it.”

  Hutch yanked me against his chest. “Not even if I have a giant wang?” he teased. “Like ten inches or whatever?”

  “Do you?”

  “Maybe.”

  Hutch pressed his lips to mine. “You want some coffee?” His voice dripped with heat. “Or you want to stand here talking about my dick a little longer?”

  “It’s so hard to decide. Coffee, dick, coffee, dick. Can we do both?” I laughed when he tickled my ribs until I could hardly breathe, begging him to stop, but secretly praying he didn’t. It wasn’t until I saw the worried look on his face that I realized something was bothering him. “Hutch?”

  He cupped my face in his big hands. “You’re really here, Jills? I mean, this isn’t some dream that I’m having, only to wake up and find I’m alone?” His browns searched my face worriedly.

  “I’m here.” I gripped his wrists tightly, and felt him relax in my hold.

  He slowly broke into a smile that lighted his entire face. “Are you hungry? I could cook us some breakfast,” he offered, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “I’m sure the Egg is packed this morning unless you want to go there instead?”

  “Breakfast in sounds perfect.” I couldn’t imagine anything better.

  Chapter Seven

  Hutch

  Jillian spent the whole day at my apartment. We made breakfast together which was something I absolutely enjoyed doing. I had never had a girl sleep over, never mind cook breakfast with me, so I guess it was many firsts for me. After she went home for a shower and to change, she came back to my place so we watch murder documentaries on Netflix until dinnertime. It was probably the best day I ever had in my entire life. I wanted to ask her to stay, but she said Sunday dinner with her mom and sister was important to her, which meant she needed to be at her place, but she did promise that she would see me tomorrow.

  Pat showed up around six with a pizza so at least I didn’t have to spend too much time alone. Although I knew that meant he had questions. Ones I didn’t want to answer.

  “What are you doing?” he asked once I had placed a beer in front of him.

  I grunted as I took a bite of the pizza and chewed as slow as humanly possible. “Eating,” I answered.

  Pat popped his jaw. “You know that’s not what I meant, dick.” He reached for his beer. “I’m talking about with Jillian.” He watched me for a second, and when I didn’t answer, he sighed. “Seriously, she’s—”

  “Too good for me?”

  “That’s not what I was going to say, and you know it.”

  I cocked an eyebrow. “Spill it.” I leaned back against the chair to stare at my brother. I knew Pat was only trying to be nice. Looking out for me and for Jillian, but this wasn’t up to him.

  Pat wiped his hands. “Don’t get mad at me. I’m your brother, and I love you. She’s going to be leaving in a few weeks, and you’re only going to end up getting hurt. That doesn’t mean you can’t do long distance, but Hutch, man, think about it. Do you see yourself going to New York? Visiting her? Living there?” My throat felt like it might close up in shock. “I didn’t think so,” he said when I didn’t answer.

  “You’re just...you’re only saying this because you want me to push her away,” I hissed.

  Pat shook his head. “I would love nothing more than for you and Jill to fall in love, man. You, of all people, deserve that, but it’s not going to happen with her. You’ve got things locked up in your head that you need to deal with first. Things you won’t tell me or Mom or Dad about.”

  “Don’t.”

  “I’m just being honest!”

  I resisted the urge to throw the box of pizza across the room because I knew what a mess that would make. I didn’t want to spend all night cleaning the grease from the walls or floors. “Go.” I pointed at the door.

  “Hutch,” Pat objected, “instead of you pushing me away, let’s talk about this instead.”

  I jumped to my feet. “I don’t want to fucking talk about it!” I shouted. “I want you to fucking go!” This time, I grabbed my beer and smashed it against the sink. “You don’t shit about me or Jillian. She’s the only one. Now, just leave,” I said again and turned away. Once I heard the sound of the door shutting behind him, I sat back down. I pulled my phone from my pocket and sent a text off before I could stop myself.

  Hutch: You busy?

  Jillian: Not when it comes to you.

  Shit, what was I supposed to say to her? That Pat just shit all over any thoughts I had for our future. Did we even have a future?

  Jillian: Are you alright? *smiley face
emoji* Do you need me to come over when I’m done practicing for tomorrow? Or I could come over now and finish at your place.

  Was she serious?

  Hutch: Really? You don’t mind.

  Jillian: Let me just pack a bag in case I fall asleep again.

  Not even fifteen minutes later, there was a soft knock at my door. When I opened it, Jillian was standing there, dressed in a long-sleeved white shirt, black leggings, and white leg warmers, with her hair up in a tight bun. Just the sight of her, although fully clothed, made my cock stir in my pants. She wore no makeup, but was nonetheless stunning. I reached for the small bag Jillian held her hand as she stepped inside. Her eyes instantly went to the broken bottle and spilled beer on the floor that I hadn’t bothered to clean up yet.

  “What happened?” She looked concerned.

  I shook my head. “Nothing, I just...” I stopped so that I could run my hand down my face and when I met her searching gaze, she had her eyebrows raised. “Pat came over. We argued.” I suddenly felt ashamed and couldn’t look at her.

  “Hutch.” Jillian caressed my cheek. “Whatever you fought about doesn’t matter in the end. He’s your brother, and I’m sure he was just looking out for you.”

  “He’s afraid that I’m going to end up hurt when you leave,” I whispered.

  Jillian pressed her face into my chest. “What do you think is going to happen?”

  “I don’t want to think that far ahead.”

  “Why?”

  I pressed my lips together. “Because it hurts,” I admitted before I wrapped my arms around Jillian to pull her closer. The truth was I already felt myself falling too fast, too soon, for her, and what Pat said had hit closer to home than I realized. We stood like that for a few minutes, breaking in each other’s scents, not saying anything, just holding one another until she pulled back.

  “There’s this little thing called a cell phone.” A smile tugged at Jillian’s lips while a sparkle danced in her green eyes. “You can send messages on it or call someone if you miss them. And”—she untangled herself from my arms—“sometimes”—she unzipped her little bag, that I deposited on the floor when she walked in, to dig out her phone—“there’s this thing called FaceTime. See?” She winked at me. “Where you can call someone. Watch.” Jillian pressed the button that caused mine to start ringing. “You can talk to someone face-to-face if you miss them enough.”

  “You’re making fun of me,” I accused.

  Jillian shook her head as she hit end on her cell. “I’m not, Hutch, I’m just trying to be realistic.” She put her phone on top of her bag. “I’m not sure what’s happening between us right now, but what if we don’t last until I leave?” I watched her brows dip as her eyes told me a different story. Dared me to defy her.

  I took a step closer. “What if we do?” I asked.

  “Then we make it work.” Jillian’s voice caused heat and lust to consume my body and senses. I was seriously fucked.

  I was on her before I even realized it; my mouth on hers, telling her without words what I wanted. Jillian kissed away all my doubts and fears away whether she realized it or not, understanding me like no else ever did. Our tongues tangled together as she clutched at my shirt, little whimpers escaping her throat, and when she broke the kiss to nibble at my bottom lip, I knew what she wanted by the look in her eyes.

  “It’s okay,” she whispered. She pressed two fingers to my mouth.

  Was it? She had no idea how much I wanted her, how much I yearned to strip her naked, lick every single inch of her skin, and then spread her legs to eat her pussy until she screamed my name. It wasn’t just that I was unexperienced; it was that I was scared. Things went on inside my head that no one knew about. I cupped her head in my hands. “I’m sorry.”

  “You have nothing to be sorry about.”

  “You deserve to have someone pleasure you.”

  Jillian smiled. “I’m perfectly capable of pleasuring myself, Hutch.” Her words caused liquid fire blaze through me and my cock, which was already rock hard and felt like it might burst through my jeans.

  “Is...is that something you do often?” My voice sounded strained.

  “Why? Do you want to watch?” Jillian cupped my jaw between her fingers. “I wouldn’t mind.” Her husked, sultry voice sent my mind into a tailspin.

  I growled something that didn’t even sound human as I watched her begin to move toward my bed. Holy fuck, was this actually happening right now? I wasn’t sure I would be able to control myself. Jillian slowly began to peel her clothes off, first starting with her shirt, followed by her leg warmers, then her leggings, until she was standing naked in front of me.

  “Let me know if this is too much for you.”

  I shook my head.

  “Should I put a towel down?”

  Again, I just shook my head.

  “Are you okay?” Jillian asked.

  I swallowed. “Fine,” I assured her. Fine was probably not how I would describe myself, but it was the only thing I could think of right now.

  Jillian tilted her head and whispered, “Hutch, you can look at me.”

  “I...” Was I not looking at her? Shit, she was beautiful. Her tits—breasts—I corrected myself, were prefect little handfuls with pink little areolas, and her nipples, Jesus, they were hard as diamonds right now. I was pretty sure I groaned when I saw Jillian reach up to pinch them between her forefingers. Her body was a dancer’s paradise. Not an inch of fat to be seen, her stomach toned, her legs muscled and long. My eyes darted between her legs. Her pussy, fuck, it was bare of any hair and glistening with desire.

  “I really like nipple play,” Jillian murmured as she continued to roll and tug at them. “Feels so good and gets me going.”

  This was torture.

  “One time, I swear I nearly came from that alone,” she whimpered as she sat down on the bed and dropped her head back to arch her back. “Feels so good. The pleasure goes straight between my legs.”

  I watched with hooded eyes as Jillian slowly leaned back onto the mattress, her legs spreading further apart, and resisted the urge to adjust my hard-as-nails dick.

  “I can’t...fuck.” Jillian began to slide her right hand down her stomach. “That’s it,” she moaned when she made contact with her clit. “Fuck, yes,” she hissed as her legs spread wider.

  Fuck this.

  I hadn’t even realized I had walked over to the bed until I dropped to my knees. “Tell me what to do,” I growled and pushed her hand away.

  Jillian pushed herself up onto her elbows. “Hutch you don’t—”

  I put both hands on her hips. “Tell me,” I said again as I looked up at her. Her green eyes were dark with need. “Like this?” I dragged my tongue over her engorged clit, and she cried out. Jillian tasted like pure heaven.

  “Play with your nipples while I eat you,” I demanded and felt her lean back against the bed.

  I let my tongue do all the work. Rolling it repeatedly over her sweet, wet slit, while Jillian pulled on her nipples. Her moans and whimpers filled the room as I worked her over. My cock grew harder in my jeans. I lost myself in making her feel good until Jillian’s hands dug into my hair and she cried out my name, her body shaking and quivering as she reached her release. It was the most beautiful experience of my life.

  I climbed up onto the bed to pull her against me. “Was...was that okay?” I whispered as she peppered kisses against my mouth.

  “That was amazing,” she assured me, her eyes hazy. “Thank you.”

  I blushed. “You’re more than welcome.” We held one another for a few minutes until she pulled back to look at me again.

  “Do you want me to return the favor? I understand if you say no, but I feel like you deserve it after that.” Jillian’s hands reached for the button on my pants, causing my already painfully hard cock to jerk at the thought of her beautiful, pouty lips wrapping around my dick. Until the moment she popped my jeans open and fear licked at my brain.

  “I
can’t—” I jumped off the bed and shook my head, yanking my hands through my hair. “Trust me, Jills, you’re fucking stunning, and I want you, fuck, do I want you, but I just...I can’t.” I bit my lower lip so hard I tasted blood.

  “Hutch.” Jillian was suddenly next to me. “Honey, it’s okay.”

  I stared down into her bright eyes as she searched my face. There were so many things I wanted to tell her right now, but I couldn’t. I was afraid if I did, Jillian would run screaming from my apartment and never return.

  “Why don’t we”—Jillian bent down and began to put her clothes back on—“finish watching the documentary we were watching before.” I suddenly wished she had something of mine to put on instead. “What, you want to watch something else?” She tilted her head, her gaze searching.

  I felt my ear grows red. “That’s fine.”

  “Your mouth says yes, Hutch, but your eyes say something else. What are you thinking?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Hutch.” Jillian put her hands on her hips.

  I sighed, but didn’t say anything. I instead moved over to the dresser to pull out the second drawer and fished out one of my Kenny Chesney shirts. “Here.”

  “You want me to wear your shirt?” she asked, amusement shining in her features.

  I nodded.

  Without hesitation, Jillian took the shirt from me, and when I snuck a glance, she had it pulled on over her head before she slid into her leggings. “Good?” She flashed a smile up at me. It hung off her small frame and straight past her knees. “Now, about that documentary.” She danced over the sofa on her toes, twirling enough to make me dizzy in the head.

  I wasn’t sure if it was Jillian’s ballet moves or her in general that made me feel that way.

  Chapter Eight

  Jillian

  When I woke up alone in Hutch’s bed on Monday morning, I was a little confused at first. We had finished watching the Netflix documentary after he cleaned up the broken beer bottle in his kitchen, and started on another one before we both decided we should get to bed since we had an early morning. I just thought when my alarm went off at six, he would still be sleeping.