I ran my hand down her arm, and remembered why I hadn’t called. I didn’t trust myself around her. Even here, with a hoard of little kids shouting and screaming around us, I wanted to grab Katie and pull her into a kiss. Instead, I gave her the card and walked away.
After two more presentations, Josh and I got back in the truck and drove to the station. “You think Captain Willis was trying to punish me?” I asked. “That was exhausting.”
“I know,” Josh agreed. “They do it once a year, and last time I participated, I slept like a log at the end of the day.”
“I’m gonna need a nap if I’m planning on meeting Katie tonight,” I said.
“And a shower.” He sniffed the air as if smelling something foul.
“I think I’m going to break it off with Nicole. It’s been over for a while, to be honest. I just couldn’t admit that to myself before.”
“Tonight? Before your date?” Josh pushed up his helmet and scratched his head underneath. “Man, that is the fastest rebound I’ve ever heard of. You don’t waste time, do you?”
“Not tonight. We’ve been together for so long, she doesn’t deserve a phone call breakup.”
“What about Skype?”
This guy was incorrigible. “Not Skype, either. I want to do things the right way. I’m done with the Academy just before the holidays. She’s coming home for Thanksgiving. I’ll have a talk with her then.”
“Bad idea.” Josh shook his head.
“How is doing the right thing and talking to her in person a bad idea?” I furrowed my forehead, perplexed.
“Because you are either going to have to sit through two awkward Thanksgiving dinners, knowing what’s coming, or you’re going to have to break up with her before the awkward Thanksgiving dinner, after you’ve spent hours with her family and she’s spent hours with yours. Believe me. It is a bad idea.”
“You speak from experience?” I asked.
“Yup. And not even a girl I dated for a long time like you. High school girlfriend. She insisted I come over for Thanksgiving dinner, and I didn’t want to hurt her feelings, even though I knew it was over.”
“And you broke up with her afterward?”
He winced. “I broke up with her during. Asked her to pass the pecan pie. She told me the chocolate was better and cut me a piece of that instead. I said, ‘Jamie, I can’t take this anymore,’ threw my napkin down, and left.”
“Harsh,” I said.
“Yeah. Not one of my prouder moments, but I learned my lesson. Haven’t spent the holidays with any girl since—not even a girl I dated for eighteen months. Jake and I have a pact. No girlfriends at the holidays unless they’ve already got a ring on their finger and are guaranteed to be there the next year.”
I considered this. The idea of breaking up with Nicole and having her whole family talk about the breakup all night after dinner… and probably every Thanksgiving for years to come was not exactly appealing.
“Maybe video chat would be best,” I hedged.
“And maybe, you keep them on the hook, like I said before.”
My brain felt fuzzy with worry all over again. Josh had some good advice, but maybe the advice Captain Willis had given me was better. Tell the girls to bug off until my training was over. And sort everything out after Thanksgiving. A month wouldn’t be that bad, right?
Except for two things. One, I had a date with Katie in less than four hours. Two, neither Nicole nor Katie were women who would tolerate being “on the hook” as Josh had implied. Even if either of them would put up with it, they didn’t deserve it.
I knew what I wanted to do, and I decided to explain everything to Katie as soon as I saw her.
Katie
Running out the door almost as soon as the school bell sounded, I hopped in my car and sped back to my apartment, hoping I could make myself look decent before my first date with Liam. Beyond that, I didn’t know where the night might take us, given how we started, and the place was a mess.
Emma had explained that her rent was going up in December. She loved her little apartment, but on a teacher’s salary, it was too much with the hike in price. Since I had two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and no boyfriend, she suggested moving in.
I needed her friendship and support just as much as I needed a roommate, so I agreed. Splitting the rent and utilities would take at least one burden off my shoulders. And we could carpool as well, which meant less gas money for both of us. It was a perfect solution.
The only problem was that we had decided she could move in slowly throughout November, then after Thanksgiving, she could hire movers to get the big stuff—her bed, dresser, and the kitchen table that would replace my wobbly one.
As a result, there were boxes scattered throughout the kitchen and living room, and I hustled them into what would be Emma’s bedroom before jumping in the shower. I quickly rubbed myself down with vanilla bodywash and used my “date” shampoo and conditioner on my hair—an expensive concoction of Madagascar vanilla, passionfruit, and coconut milk I only used on special occasions. I inhaled the relaxing scent and sighed, realizing I hadn’t used them in months.
Thoughts of Ben danced in and around thoughts of Liam. I wondered why I hadn’t left Ben sooner. Did I really have such bad self-esteem I was willing to put up with a guy who, let’s be honest, had neglected me and our relationship for at least a year?
And was I jumping into something with Liam just because he happened to look my way twice?
No. I decided. It wasn’t just that Liam looked my way twice. He was gorgeous, and what’s more, despite the sexual tension, our conversation had been easy.
I was kidding myself. At the Halloween party, I didn’t care as much about the easy conversation as much as I did the strong arms that wrapped around my neck when he kissed me.
I closed my eyes, letting the hot water run over me. I saw him so clearly. Liam— slipping his eager tongue into my willing mouth. Liam— grinding up against me, pushing his very large cock against my yearning mound.
Soaping up my breasts, I pinched my nipples the way Liam had, imagining that my hands were his, teasing my nipples into two hardened points. The sensation sent a jolt of electricity straight to my pussy. I gasped and nearly slipped on the shower floor.
Reluctantly, I pulled my right hand away from my heaving chest and steadied myself against the shower wall. I grabbed the metal bar as my left hand slithered down my thigh, reaching into my folds.
Liam—flicking his tongue over my clit. I rubbed it once, then again, harder this time. Liam—entering me. I put a finger inside myself and whimpered, wanting more. Wanting all of him.
My heart slammed in my chest and my breathing grew ragged. Liam—entering me from behind. Liam—taking me, savoring every inch of me. I rubbed my mound harder, flicking my sensitive clit as the steam rose around me.
“Liam,” I cried out loud as I came, hard, my juices spilling out all over my tired fingers.
I rested a moment, letting my breathing return to normal. At last, I withdrew my hand and opened my eyes. I couldn’t tell if the wetness between my legs was from my fantasy or the water, which was now beginning to turn cold.
What I did know was that I was glad I’d done it. I would feel satisfied going into our date, and might be able to restrain myself from mounting Liam as soon as I saw him. I didn’t want my strong, heroic fireman to think I was a slut. Horny or not, on the rebound or not, Liam had potential, and I didn’t want to blow it. I wasn’t necessarily against sleeping with him on the first date. I was against jumping his bones just because I couldn’t control myself.
I smiled and washed off the results of my play time. As I dried and curled my hair, did my makeup, and tried on at least four outfits, I wondered what Liam was doing to get ready for our date. Probably just throwing on some deodorant and a clean shirt, I decided.
Liam
I should have ignored Josh’s advice and skipped the shower. I should have just thrown on some deodorant, washed my face, th
rew on a clean shirt, and taken a nap before meeting up with Katie.
Because as soon as I got back to the apartment and stepped into the shower, all I could think of was how Katie was probably doing the same thing—standing under the hot water, her body naked and dripping wet, maybe even thinking of me.
Probably not, but a guy can dream, and the thought of Katie in the shower made me rock hard. I closed my eyes as the steam and moved my hand down to grasp my rigid cock. Picturing Katie in the shower made me picture all the dirty things I’d do to her in the shower.
All I wanted to do was push her up against the tiled wall, pin her there, and thrust my cock inside her. I promised Katie I’d savor her, but holy shit, that was a lie. If I got a hold of that girl, I’d ravage every inch of her body.
I’d run my tongue up and down her wet slit until she begged me to fuck her. And then, I’d wrap grab her, pull her up onto me, wrap her legs around my waist, and slam into her wet pussy.
I stroked my cock harder, dreaming of thrusting into Katie over and over, making her cry my name until she throbbed and came again and again.
Shit! I wanted to be inside her so badly, feel her walls tightening around me, slam my mouth against hers and kiss her hard until I spilled my seed inside her.
Stroking harder and faster, I imagined Katie calling my name “Liam! Liam!” I thought about her tight pussy, leaking juices onto my cock as she cried out in ecstasy.
In my mind, I flipped her around, entering her from behind, my balls slapping against her soft, creamy thighs, her pussy clenching around my cock as she came again.
“Katie!” I shouted.
With that one word escaping my lips, I came. Hard. Torrents of white erupted from the bulging head of my cock and washed away in the downpour of water coming from the showerhead.
My breathing slowed, and I shook myself back to reality. Slow down, man. I told myself. It’s just coffee. You haven’t even had a chance to talk to Nicole yet. Don’t blow this by cheating for the first time in your life.
Calming myself down, I reached for the soap. Ignoring the fact that my cock was both raw from my efforts and beginning to twitch back to life, I pushed thoughts of both women out of my mind, soaping up my armpits, the muscles at my waist that I was still proud of, and the arms that were nearly twice the size they were three or four years ago.
I stepped out of the shower a few minutes later and shook the excess water off before grabbing one of Oliver’s fluffy blue towels from the bar next to the shower. Thank goodness he wasn’t home. I didn’t need him smirking and asking who I was talking to in there… which he had done once when Nicole had left me high and dry after one of our video chats and I again got a little over-excited.
Was Katie just going to be a one-night stand? Sex was inevitable. Her relationship was over. Mine was nearly over. Unless she really had been drunk on Halloween and the chemistry between us some crazy fluke, sex was going to happen.
Whether I’d want to be with her or she’d even want to look at me again afterwards was an entirely different question. And in some ways, I didn’t want to meet up with her again until I answered it.
Katie
Tentatively, I opened the door to Brews & Brews, where Liam had asked to meet me. I was somewhat surprised to see a hostess standing by the front door. She must have noticed my confusion because she chirped, “Been here before, Hun?”
“No,” I said, searching the room for Liam.
“Part coffee house, part bar,” she explained. “Order coffee on the left, drinks on the right. Irish coffee at both, and sit anywhere you like.”
“I’m actually looking for someone?” I said this more like a question. “Tall guy, lots of muscles.” I bit my lip. I didn’t want to text him and seem desperate if he’d stood me up.
“Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome?” Her eyes lit up. “If he’s the guy I think he is, you are one lucky lady. My friend Izzie and I have been fighting over who gets to ask for his number for the past half hour, ever since he walked in.”
“He’s been here a half hour?” I checked the time on my phone. It was still five minutes to seven.
“Yep,” she chirped again. “He’s around the corner by the fireplace,” the girl paused, “on the love seat.”
I smiled, feeling my face flush. Was I going to have a permanent blush in my cheeks whenever I was around this guy? Even a romantic innuendo from a coffeehouse hostess was enough to send me reeling into Fantasyland.
Legs shaking, I walked in the direction she pointed. Liam’s soft, supple lips turned upward in a slow, dreamy smile as I approached.
“So, this is what you look like out of uniform,” I smiled back.
“Is the magic gone?” he asked.
“Yes,” I replied, trying to keep a straight face. “Everything I liked about you was apparently only connected to your sexy fireman uniform. Now, the fantasy has been ruined, and I know you’re just a regular guy who wears plaid shirts and jeans.” I tried not to look too closely and the tight fit of said jeans.
Liam’s face fell. “Really? Was the plaid a bad idea?”
A giggle escaped my mouth. “Liam, I’m teasing you. Gosh. First the diet, now you’re questioning your outfit? You really can be like a—”
I was going to say, “like a girl,” but Liam rose from his seat. Looking up the six feet of muscle and sinew, I couldn’t finish the thought, which now seemed not only cruel, but wrong and immoral somehow. Seeing him standing there, gazing at me made my palms sweat.
“You want to get a drink?” His deep voice rippled through me.
All I could do was nod. “Brews or brews?” I tried to laugh, but felt too nervous to joke with him again.
“Good question,” Liam looked over at the two sides of the long room. “It is Thursday, and that means it’s a school night.”
“It does indeed,” I grimaced. “Thanks for reminding me.”
“Ooh, does my Katie-Cat have a little sarcasm in her?” He draped an arm around my shoulder. “That’s okay. I like a little spicy mixed in with my sweet. Sorry for reminding you, but I am guessing that twenty screaming kindergartners are not the hangover recipe you’d be looking for tomorrow.”
His words made me relax, even if the weight of his arm against my trembling shoulder did not. “You are correct, sir,” I joked. “That would not be advisable. So, I say we stick to the coffee side of the house and share a hot beverage together.”
And then, maybe we can share eggs and bacon in the morning, I thought, biting my tongue to keep the words from spilling from my mouth.
Much as I wanted to keep myself from ripping open the buttons on Liam’s checkered shirt, I also wanted to keep myself from ordering a pumpkin spice latte. So cliché. So basic. What would this guy think of me?
“What would you like?” the bartender-barista asked.
“What do you recommend?” Liam countered. “We’ve never been here before.”
“Everyone is going crazy over the pumpkin spice drinks.” He turned behind the bar and held up a trashcan filled with empty bottles of pumpkin spice syrup, as if to prove his point.
Liam turned to me. “I think we’re going to have to go for it,” he said. “It’s November. We only have a month of this stuff before it’s replaced by the evil candy cane flavoring.”
“You have a beef going with candy canes?” I giggled.
“Hate them. Can’t stand peppermint. It makes my mouth burn. My doctor says I have a mild allergy. I always buy cherry candy canes at Christmas. Even my toothpaste is fruit flavored.”
“That would explain…” I drifted off. We were headed back into more sexual territory, and I didn’t want to ruin the easiness of conversation we were falling into.
“Two pumpkin spice lattes, please,” Liam ordered for us.
As soon as the man behind the bar moved to make our drinks, he turned to me, a mischievous sparkle playing in his eyes. “That would explain… what?”
I turned my head away, embarrassed. “You tast
ed like strawberries,” I mumbled. “The other night. I thought maybe it was one of Becca’s treats, but…”
Liam let out a loud, booming laugh that made every woman in the place turn to look at us. He ran a hand through his wavy, chestnut hair. “Yeah,” he said, awkwardly. “That would be the toothpaste. You’re not the first person to comment on it.”
My stomach clenched. I felt jealous of every other girl who had ever tasted him. We went silent for a moment as the barista brought us our drinks. Finally, Liam said something. “You want a snack to go with the coffee?”
“I don’t know.” I hesitated. On the one hand, I hadn’t had a lot of time to eat when I came home, and after my shower adventure, I was starving. On the other hand, I didn’t necessarily want to cram cookies into my mouth on a first date, even though he had seen me scarfing down cupcakes at Becca’s party.
More than once, Amber had told me, “Every guy says they want a girl who can eat like a guy and watch football like a guy and burp like a guy. But give them a chubby, burping, farting, football-loving girl and they will look right over her head, see a girl like me, and realize the idiocy of their tomboy fantasies.”
On the other hand, Amber had banged nearly every guy she met, and was rarely asked to stay the night. And, she tried to steal away a guy who had seen me stuffing my face with food plenty of times, and still tried to “work things out” with me at the end of the day, so who the hell was Amber to control what I—
“Too late,” Liam said, cutting my thoughts short. “You waited too long to answer, and I’m starving, so I answered for you.”
He proffered a tray. “Miss, if you would be so kind as to carry this back to our designated seats, I will take the drinks.”
Grabbing one scalding hot beverage in each hand, Liam led the way back to the loveseat. I looked down at the offerings. “What the heck?”
Hot & Heavy Halloween (Hot Holidays Book 1) Page 9
