Out of the Dark

by Sundae Leighton

  “Come to bed with me, bean.” He wiggled his index finger at me as he began to walk backward.

  “My mouth misses your pussy.” Hutch stuck his tongue out and wagged it like a dog.

  My brows shot up. “Wow, you are really fucking drunk.” I grabbed a mug from the cabinet, filled it with water, and placed the flowers he had illegally picked for me inside. “You’re going to pass out the minute your head hits the pillow,” I insisted.

  ‘Nope.” He popped the p. “I’m going make you come all over my tongue. Don’t you want that?” He moved so that he could cage me in against the wall. “God, you’re so fucking gorgeous.” Hutch tipped my head up with his finger. “Feel that? It’s all because of you,” he pressed his erection against my core causing us both to groan in unison.

  I reached up to run my hands through his hair. “Because of me?” I cooed as I combed my fingers through his blond strands.

  “Fuck, yes, baby.”

  “Go lie down, I’ll be right there.”

  I quickly rushed to the bathroom, peed, washed up, and removed my clothes before I moved to the bed, where I found Hutch passed out and snoring. Just like I told him he would be. I shook my head. He was going to be sorry in the morning with a terrible hangover. I grabbed the clothes he had been wearing, pulled on the shirt he had tossed on the couch, and threw his shorts in the hamper before I snuggled up to him on the mattress, wondering how I would ever be able to leave this man in a couple of weeks.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Hutch

  Why did my head hurt so much right now? The last thing I remember was Pat handing me that shot of...Oh no. No, no, no, I didn’t? I did, didn’t? I groaned softly and tried to bury myself under the pillow, but then felt the warm, soft skin next to me. My eyes flew open despite knowing I would regret it. My eyes focused in on the beautiful goddess lying next to me, her dark hair spread out on the pillow, her mouth slightly open, and fuck me, that was the shirt I had on last night.

  Why was I naked? Did we mess around? I wasn’t drunk enough to have sex with her, was I? I tried to remember.

  I picked her flowers.

  She brought me home.

  I told her that my mouth missed her pussy.

  My face flamed with embarrassment. Tequila and I were breaking up for good starting right this moment.

  “What?” Jillian rubbed her eyes as she stared up at me. “Did you say something about tequila because you should never touch that stuff again.” Her lips turned up into a smile, and I swear my heart was ready to combust.

  “Breaking up with it.” I grinned. “Did I say anything or do anything that was really stupid?” I dropped back onto my pillow as I felt like my stomach was ready to empty itself.

  Jillian wrapped her small hand around my bicep. “You did tell me that your mouth missed my pussy.” she giggled softly as she squeezed my muscle.

  “That actually happened?” I teased because I remembered that part.

  “You totally did, and then you wagged your tongue at me like a dog.”

  I sat up, not caring that the room was spinning. “Evil woman!” I lunged for her and yanked my shirt she had on up so her beautiful tits were exposed. They were already hard and ready for me. “Fuck,” I groaned as I leaned down to suck one into my mouth.

  Jillian moaned my name as her hands found their way into my hair, her hips bumping up against mine. “You’re a liar, Hutch Kelly,” she whimpered as I nipped and teased the hard bud with my teeth. “God, that feels amazing.”

  I slid my hands underneath Jillian’s ass. “I believe I owe you a little something, Jills,” I murmured as I kissed my way across her chest. “After I rudely passed out on you last night.”

  After we orally pleasured one another, showered, and ordered some takeout from Angry Egg, we talked about Jillian’s plans for next weekend. She told me that she and her mother were leaving on Friday afternoon for New York, but she would be home by Sunday.

  “I’m not going to class.” She laced her fingers through mine and brought our hands up to her mouth so she could kiss the top of mine. “You’re okay with that, right?”

  I nodded. “I’ll be fine,” I assured her, although my stomach knotted at the thought. We’d been spending every single free minute together lately. I wasn’t sure how ready I was to go back to an empty apartment even for a little while.

  Jillian twisted her body so that she was facing me. “Hey, maybe you can do something with Patrick. Just him, not Jo. You guys could hang out, watch a movie, or whatever.” She squeezed my knee. “We’ll text, FaceTime, of course, but do something with your brother.” She smiled at me, but I already knew I wouldn’t do that. I would watch a movie alone or a NASCAR race. It’s what I always did.

  “Maybe.” I placed my hand over hers.

  “Don’t do that.”

  “I’m not doing anything.”

  Jillian rolled her eyes. “You are, Hutch.” She stood up, but I grabbed her and yanked her onto my lap. “Let go,” she insisted.

  “Jills.” I pushed a piece of her hair behind her ear. “I’ll be okay, I promise. Pat and I don’t normally hang out like that very much. I’m not going to invade his time with his girlfriend. I want to be available for you.” She folded her arms across her chest, but when I pressed my face into her neck, she sighed and relaxed. “Don’t go falling for any hot ballet dancers on me.”

  Jillian spun around so that she was straddling me. “You’re the only one for me, Hutch.” She dragged her thumb across my bottom lip.

  ***

  Friday night

  Jillian: We’re here! This place is huge! So many buildings.

  Hutch: Pic or didn’t happen.

  Jillian: *sends picture of self with skyscraper in background*

  Hutch: I was only kidding, Jills. You looking beautiful. Thanks for the picture.

  Jillian: *blushing emoji*

  Hutch: Having fun?

  Jillian: Met my roommate. I am not kidding. Her name is Madison.

  Hutch: I know you said you were not kidding, but seriously?

  Jillian: Wish I were.

  Hutch: Besties for life.

  Jillian: Why do I find it so funny that you used the word bestie?

  Hutch: Because I’m so manly?

  Jillian: You’re adorable. You know that, right?

  Hutch: *blushing emoji*

  Jillian: Gotta go, but I’ll call you later.

  Saturday morning

  Jillian: Sorry about not being able to FaceTime last night. I thought my mom got us separate rooms.

  Hutch: I totally understand.

  Jillian: I miss you.

  Hutch: Yeah?

  Jillian: *incoming picture*

  Hutch: Are you sending me a naked picture? Please tell me that’s what you’re sending— Shit you look beautiful. Is that my shirt?

  Jillian: I wanted to have you with me while I was gone. Send me your picture. I don’t care if you have bed head or whatever. I just need to see your face.

  Hutch: *incoming picture*

  Jillian: How do you look so good lying on your bed like that?

  Jillian: Are you naked?

  Hutch: You’re too kind, m’lady. No, I’m not naked. I have on underpants.

  Jillian: Pic or it didn’t happen. *laughing emoji*

  Hutch: No way! I’m not sending you a picture of me in my boxers!

  Jillian: *incoming picture*

  Hutch: Did you send me a picture of your tits?

  Hutch: Are you trying to give me a heart attack?

  Jillian: Something to hold you over until tomorrow. *kissing emoji*

  Jillian: Talk to you later.

  Saturday night

  Jillian: I’m exhausted. I don’t think I ever want to move from this bed. We walked all over New York today after checking out the school. I’ve never seen anything so big.

  Jillian: Hutch? Are you sleeping? It’s not even eight o’clock.

  Hutch: *incoming picture*

  Hutch: Ne
ver seen anything so big?

  Jillian: I take that back.

  Jillian: I can’t believe you sent me a dick pick. That’s total boyfriend material.

  Jillian: Wait, I mean—

  Hutch: Did you just call me your boyfriend, Jillybean?

  Hutch: Because I’m totally digging it.

  Jillian: Really?

  Hutch: Really. Does that make you my girlfriend?

  Jillian: Absolutely.

  Hutch: Is it crazy how much I miss you?

  Jillian: Not as much as I miss you. Tomorrow is going to take forever to get here.

  Hutch: No joke.

  Jillian: Should I just come over when I get home?

  Hutch: You don’t even have to ask.

  ***

  Not having Jillian around all weekend was tough, but texting with her had really helped. It made me realize that even though she would be leaving and not coming back soon, I would be able to handle it. Texting wasn’t the same as seeing her beautiful face every single day, but maybe, just maybe we would be able to do the long-distance relationship thing after all.

  Jillian had called me her boyfriend. I had never had a serious relationship before, not even before everything that had happened, and just thinking about it made me happier than I had ever been in my life. I already knew I was in love with Jillian, but now I wondered if maybe, she felt the same way about me.

  I finished sweeping my apartment, emptied out the dustpan, and put the broom away before I took out the Swiffer to pick up any dust that might be on the floor. Since Jillian had entered my life, my OCD hadn’t been nearly as bad as it used to, so that meant I had been slacking with my cleaning. I used to do it every single night when I got home from work or therapy, but as I pushed the equipment around the room, I couldn’t remember the last time I had cleaned like this.

  Once I was done with that, I jumped into the shower to wash up and changed into a pair of clean jeans, along with a fresh button-up shirt just as I spotted Jillian walking up the driveway. My heart soared in my chest at the sight of her, and I somehow managed to resist the urge to run down to grab her. I casually walked over to my kitchen table, leaned against it, and waited for her to get to my door.

  “Knock...Hey.” Jillian’s voice filled my ears as she pulled the screen door open and placed the bag she had on the floor as she kicked off her shoes. Then she closed the gap between us, running straight into my arms, making sure to wrap her arms and legs around my body as she tried to get as close as possible to me.

  I cupped her head in my hands. “Missed you,” I whispered as I brought my lips down to hers. God, did I miss her more than I could even imagine. I had been stuck in my own head for so fucking long until she came along and saved me. Jillian saved me from the monster I had become. Her mouth opened for my tongue, her soft little moans making me want to carry her into the bedroom.

  “Hi.” Jillian broke into a smile when she came up for air. Her green eyes twinkled with happiness as she searched my browns. She leaned down to slide her mouth over mine again. “I got you a present.” She groaned as I nibbled on her bottom lip.

  I turned around to sit her on the kitchen table. “A present? For me?” I dragged my tongue down the soft curve of Jillian’s neck. “Is it your gorgeous body all night long?” I stopped to suck on her collarbone.

  Jillian swatted playfully at my arm. “I’m starting to think you only like me for my pussy, baby.” She let out a full-blown laugh when I lifted the skirt of her dress up to yank her panties down to drop them on the floor.

  “My secret has been discovered,” I teased before I kissed her again.

  Jillian pressed her head to my chest. “I missed you,” she murmured softly. “I didn’t...fuck.” She shook her head. “I need a minute.” She tried to get up, but I stopped her.

  “Hey.” I tucked a finger under Jillian’s chin to tip her face up. “Talk to me, Jills.” I saw the tears in her eyes. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?” I scooped her up into my arms and carried her over to the couch, making sure she stayed on my lap.

  Jillian ran her palms over her cheeks, brushing away her tears. “Nothing, I just...what if I don’t leave?” She dragged her teeth along her bottom lip. “I mean, what if I stayed here instead? With you?” Jillian reached up to touch my face, her soft hands gliding over my skin.

  “You...you want to stay here?”

  “It’s stupid, right?”

  I gripped Jillian’s hips tightly. “Jillybean, what happened while you were in New York?” I felt like I couldn’t breathe all of a sudden. If someone touched her or hurt in any way, I would never forgive myself.

  “Nothing happened, Hutch,” she assured me. “Being away from you was so fucking hard.” Hearing her swear was always weird for me. Jillian was well-mannered, feminine, and maybe that was what I liked the most about her. “I just thought we could stay together, but if you don’t want that—”

  “Fuck, I do, but you are meant for bigger things.” I dug my fingers into her skin so hard I knew I was probably leaving bruises. “Jillian, you are the best thing that has ever happened to me. I’m not going anywhere, baby, and you know that. But you...you are going to take the fucking dance world by storm. You’re scared?” When she nodded, relief flooded my system. “I don’t want you to regret not following your dreams.” Her eyes went wide as she opened her mouth. “Don’t tell me you won’t because ten years from now, you might look back on your life and realize you made the biggest mistake by not following your dreams. I want you to go there and try it out for a month. If you hate it?” I tilted my head. “Come back to me here. I’ll be waiting with open arms. Deal?”

  Jillian sighed. “Deal.” Her lips turned up into a small smile.

  I dropped my hands so that I could pull her into a tight hug. “Now, where’s that present,” I teased.

  Chapter Fifteen

  Jillian

  I panicked. There was no other way to explain what happened. The weekend I spent in New York with my mother, without Hutch, I was so lonely without him, and I panicked. I couldn’t imagine what it would be like to go months without seeing his face in person, talking to him, or touching him. I freaked out.

  Except Hutch was able to talk me down off the ledge. Like I did to him, Hutch calmed me down and convinced me that I was going to be fine. My plan, since I discovered my love for ballet at the age of six, was to become a professional ballerina. Why now would I change everything?

  Because I was in love with Hutch.

  Sunday night I couldn’t get enough of him, and he of me. I knew we were going to have sex soon. I could feel it deep in my bones by the way he touched me, the way he kissed me, and the way he looked at me. The want in his eyes was there. I wouldn’t push Hutch. I knew when he would be ready, he’d tell me. Only our time was running out since I was leaving for New York on Sunday and wouldn’t be back until Thanksgiving.

  “I have a big weekend planned for us.” Hutch winked at me as he grabbed his toothbrush the next morning before I was going to be leaving.

  All week, my stomach was in knots. I still wasn’t convinced I wanted to go. I had almost told Jo more than once, but realized if I did, she might tell Patrick—or even worse, our mother—and had decided against it. “Oh?” I gazed up at Hutch as he rinsed the toothpaste from his mouth. “What?” I twisted my hair up into a bun before I pinned in place.

  “Can’t tell you.” He grinned before he pinched my chin between two fingers. “Only that it’s really special. And you’re going to love it.” He pressed his mouth against mine, leaving a minty scent behind.

  I watched as he walked back into the other room. “Should I dress casually?” I called after him, trying to pry further.

  “Casual today, but maybe a dress for tonight.”

  “Wait, today?”

  Hutch was tugging his shirt over his head when I came up behind him. “Don’t you have work?” I reached for my leggings. I had considered blowing off class since it was my last one, but wanted to
say goodbye to everyone. Well, almost everyone. Maybe I should just stay here and wait for him.

  “Nope.” He grinned happily at me. “Took the day off to spend with my girl, and Megan let me cancel therapy because it’s a special occasion.” He was wearing the I ❤️ New York shirt I picked up for him while I was there. He swore it was his favorite and wore it once a week.

  I raised one brow. “Who are you and what have you done with my boyfriend?” I raised my hand to his forehead only to have him laugh.

  Hutch was not even close to being the man he was when we first met. He hardly ever avoided eye contact, kept his head up, and was more personable than ever. I only hoped when I left, he would continue to get better. “We need to get moving or we’re going to be late.” He tugged on my hand to pull me against him before he pressed his mouth against mine.

  “Not even a tiny little hint?” I asked as I decided on shorts instead of leggings since I wasn’t going to class. I slipped on a bra, followed by a tank top, and found Hutch watching me with a blank face. “You’re no fun, Kelly!” I tossed my leggings at him.

  He chuckled as he caught them and folded them up to place inside my designated drawer. “I’m loads of fun, baby, just want to surprise you today.” He pulled lightly on my bun. “You know how much of a turn-on it is when you wear your hair like this,” he rumbled from deep in his chest. “We should leave now or we’re going to be late.”

  ***

  The carnival was just opening when we walked up. My heart fluttered with happiness when I realized he was taking us back to our first date, and I squeezed his hand tightly in mine as we went inside. It was getting harder and harder thinking about leaving Hutch behind even though I was the one that had convinced him that we could make a long-distance relationship work.

  “You okay?” Hutch hooked his arm over my shoulder. “You’re quiet. Do you not want to be here, because we can go definitely somewhere else.” He looked like a little kid who just lost his balloon.