by Emma Tharp
When Chance’s fingers curl up, stroking my G-spot, his tongue assaults my clit and I know it won’t be long before I go. He moves one of my legs over his shoulder and works me over with his mouth like no one has ever done before.
My head lolls back in pleasure and before I can think straight, my orgasm crashes through my body, all the way from my head to my feet. I writhe and moan, hoping this feeling will never end. And it doesn’t.
Just as I come down, Chance sucks my clit, hard. My pelvis leaps off the bed, and he digs his fingers into my hips, keeping me in place. It’s only seconds before electric shocks of pleasure surge through me again.
I’m breathless and panting when I finally let go of his hair and open my eyes. Chance moves up the bed to lie next to me. “You’re perfect,” he says.
I can’t help but giggle. “No. I’m not. Far from it.”
He stares into my eyes with an intensity that takes my breath away. “Okay. You don’t like the word perfect. That’s fine. I think you’re amazing. And I want more of that. More of you. Later.”
My eyes widen. “Why later?” I reach for the button of his shorts.
He covers my hand with his. “Because I want to please you tonight. And I can tell you aren’t ready for more yet. As soon as you are, I’ll be here waiting. Okay?”
I nod. Maybe he is right. I don’t think I am ready. “Okay.”
I know I’m not perfect, but maybe he is.
Ten
Chance
I yawn as I scoop coffee into the filter and start the coffee pot. It was a long night, but not because Grace and I had sex.
My dick gets hard remembering going down on Grace last night and pleasing her. The soft moans of pleasure that escaped her lips, and the way she writhed under me leave me wanting more. So much more with her, but I could see it in her eyes—fear and apprehension. She tells me it's because she’s so much older than I am and she's worried that it won't be good, but that's not a concern of mine at all. Our chemistry is off-the-charts hot. But I want her to be ready. I've never had to force a woman to have sex and I never will.
I woke up before Grace after tossing and turning all night, dreaming of finishing what we started. Now that the coffee is started, I need a shower. With my day off today, I plan to spend it all with Grace. I want to keep showing her how much I care and that she can trust me.
Walking back upstairs of her rental, I head toward the bathroom and turn the water on in the shower. I strip down and step inside, letting the warm water soak my body before I lather up and scrub my hair.
"Good morning," Grace purrs as she pulls back the shower curtain and steps inside.
My eyes slide up and down her body. It's the first time I've seen it in all its smooth, toned, and naked glory. I was right. She is perfect. Adrenaline spikes through me when her hands reach up to rest on my chest. I pull her close and palm her ass so she's flush against me.
"Good morning. Are you here to tease me?" I ask with a smirk on my face.
"No." Her blue eyes sparkle with mischief as she stares up at me. She licks her lips and grasps my length in her hand.
Her lips part as I take her mouth and claim it. I love the way her sweet mouth feels against mine. I squeeze her ass cheeks harder and she lets out a little gasp at the feel of my hard-on pressed into her stomach. Good. She should feel exactly what she does to me.
I pull back and she looks up at me with those beautiful sapphire eyes.
"I thought you wanted to wait," I rasp. This woman needs to make her intentions crystal clear before I go any further.
She shakes her head and puts her arms around my neck. "I don't want to tease you. We did wait last night. But I could barely sleep because I want you so much." Hearing those words from the most beautiful woman I've ever seen shreds my last bit of resolve.
Cranking the water off, I turn to her. "Let's get out of the shower." I like shower sex as much as the next guy, but I want our first time to be in bed.
We both step out and I grab a towel and start wiping the water off her body.
"Why are you drying me off? You’re going to ruin the moment." She gives me a playful smirk.
I run the towel over her legs. "You’ll lose your deposit on the rental if we ruin the hardwood floors."
She takes it from me and sets it on the sink. “We don’t have to worry about the fees since the place is mine.”
“Yours?”
“Mine. The previous owners haven’t lived in it for over a year. They took my cash offer and told me I could have the keys now.” She turns on her heel and walks toward the bedroom.
Her confidence is sexy as hell. I storm up behind her, lifting her up so I can carry her to the room. I playfully toss her onto the bed and jump on top of her.
She’s giggling and her cheeks are pink when I start kissing her. She doesn’t laugh long.
I breathe deeply, trying to calm the fuck down. I want to take my time with Grace. Make it special and show her she’s not a random fuck to me. Except my body is buzzing with a bone-deep need for her.
My fingers roam down her body to the swell of one perfect breast. She gasps and I squeeze her nipple between my fingers until it becomes a hard point. So fucking perfect.
Tracing a line from her chest down her stomach, my fingers stop at her sex. I didn’t think I could get any harder, but when I find her so wet and ready for me, arching her back, I think I might combust if I don’t have her soon.
“Grace.” I nearly growl her name as I press one finger inside her, then two.
She lets out a long, shuddering breath and reaches down to grab my cock. She strokes me as I fuck her with my fingers. It’s good, almost too good. When she positions me at her entrance and bucks her hips up, taking me inside her inch by inch, we both moan.
We don’t take our eyes off each other; our breaths mingle together. She’s fully open to me, vulnerable and I won’t take that for granted. I’m mesmerized by this woman and the way she’s giving herself to me. My heart squeezes at the connection between us. It’s next level—the feeling of being one with someone—and it’s something I’ve never experienced before.
Grace wraps her legs around my waist and I sink into her, all the way to the hilt.
“Oh my God,” she cries out.
Running my tongue along her neck, I nip and kiss and tease her soft skin as I pump in and out of her, slow and deep. “Does this feel good, Grace?”
“Yes,” she hisses. “So damn good.” Grace drags her nails down my back, not hard enough to leave marks, but just enough to have my balls tightening.
I grip her hips and squeeze tight as I glance down and watch myself disappear inside her. It takes all my determination and self-control not to come right now. Holding back is not my strong point, but I’m not going to go before Grace.
Forehead on hers, I watch with rapt attention when her hand slips down to her clit and she teases herself as I pound into her. “I’m going to come.” Her voice is strained, clipped.
I pump into her harder, faster, and stare as her eyelids squeeze shut and her body trembles under me. The way she clenches and tightens around me has me almost there with her.
Flexing my hips, I thrust into her in a crazed rhythm. My lips are frenzied as I suck one of her nipples deep into my mouth. She moans and arches her back. My spine starts to tingle, and a current builds inside me. I’m so close. “Fuck,” I groan.
“Yes.” Her body quakes, pulsing around me again.
Now, we’re coming together. My balls tighten and I let go, exploding deep inside her. I’ve never gone over the edge at the same time as a woman before. It shakes me.
We’re panting as I ease out of her and lie beside her. Grace puts her hand on my chest and I wrap my arms around her. She nestles her head under my arm and I kiss her hair.
I’m not sure if I’ve had sex with a woman I’ve cared this much about. If I had, I’m sure I would’ve felt the connection. But this is a first. The way our eyes locked, the way we kissed. Did
Grace feel it, too? I’ll be crushed if she didn’t.
We calm each other with tender strokes of our hands over our skin. I’m not sure how long it takes, but Grace’s breathing evens out and she falls asleep in my arms. Another first.
Damn. The way she feels in my arms makes me want to hold on and never let go.
What is she doing to me?
Eleven
Grace
Sitting in the kitchen chair across from Chance, I tuck my legs underneath me. I'm wearing his T-shirt and his spicy, masculine scent wraps around me like a big, warm blanket. I'm still buzzing from the two orgasms he gave me earlier.
"What are you thinking about?" Chance asks and takes a huge bite of his pepperoni and green pepper pizza.
About how mind-blowing the sex was with you. About how my skin can still feel your touch all over me. And it's mostly that I’m in awe that someone so young and gorgeous wants to be with a woman my age. "This all feels a little bit like a dream," I admit.
A huge smile lights up his face. "It does, doesn't it?" He takes my hand in his and presses a gentle kiss on it. "But this is all real, Grace."
I nod, still unsure. And if it is real, why is it so damn scary? I know what I felt wrapped up in his arms an hour ago. It wasn't just attraction and lust. It was so much more and I felt it deep inside my rib cage.
"Hey, look at me," Chance says and grabs my chin in his hand, making me look him in the eye. "What are you thinking?"
That you could really hurt me, and it scares the shit out of me. "Was this a one-time thing for you?"
Chance flinches as if I just slapped him. "No. Absolutely not. What have I done to give you any indication that that was the case?"
"I don't know. We’ve never talked about it."
He pulls his chair closer to mine so we're only inches apart. "Then let's talk about it. Was this a one-time thing for you?"
Was it? I don't really know. But the ache in my chest is so tight and constricting when I think about not seeing Chance again, I don't think I can bear it. I worry my lip between my teeth. "Nothing about this is expected. And I'm trying not to have any expectations about what we are or where this is going or any of it."
"I like spending time with you, and not just the sex. I like the way we talk to each other. It's like you really hear me. I want more. And I think you do, too." Chance gives me a hard stare and doesn't blink until I answer him.
"Chance…I don't know if this is a good idea." I get up and walk to the window and look out at the dark, moonless sky.
Chance follows me; he stands close but doesn't touch me. "Why are you dismissing this?"
I swallow hard and pinch my lips together. "My marriage ended badly. I knew that Henry was cheating on me, but I didn't want to disrupt the children's lives and didn't think I had any other options, so I sat back and let it happen. When he died and the lawyers told me that he left me with nothing but a pile of debt, I wasn’t sure how to move on. It was like I was paralyzed." I turn to look at him and stare up into his gorgeous gray eyes. "I'm so afraid to get hurt again."
Chance’s big solid hands come up to cup my face. "I can't imagine how painful that experience must have been. But I'm not Henry. Okay? Because you can't live the rest of your life like every man is the same. It's not fair."
I let out a harsh laugh. "When I met you, I judged you as a player who slept with a different woman every night."
It's his turn to laugh. "Maybe that was my life for a while, but that isn't me now. Living like that is a lonely life. It's not what I want anymore. I want to spend time with you and learn more about you." He runs his thumb along my bottom lip and it sets sparks off low in my belly. "Please tell me that's what you want, too."
God, this beautiful man is weakening my defenses. "I have to leave in the morning to go back to Boston. Will you be here when I get back?" I ask.
He points to the floor in my kitchen. "I'm not going to move a muscle."
I raise my eyebrows with an idea. It's impulsive, but right now, I don't care. "Stay here while I'm gone. Look out for the place. You can be my house sitter."
He nods and smirks. "You want me to be your houseboy?"
"Yes. Will you do it?"
"It sounds better than staying at my parents’ place. And I can be at your beck and call as soon as you arrive," he says seductively, before he leans down and pulls my bottom lip between his teeth, sucking it and making heat spread through my body.
"Good. It's settled. No parties while I’m gone, houseboy."
Chance reaches down and grabs me under my ass, lifting me up in his arms. "The only party I want to have is with you, in your bed, or the shower, or right here." He sets me down on the kitchen table and steps between my legs, stripping his T-shirt off, up and over my head.
I'm not wearing anything else; I'm completely bared to him. Closing my eyes, I let my mind rest and my body take over.
Twelve
Chance
A loud knock at the door wakes me from my afternoon nap. In a haze, I check my watch. Who could it be?
It's been a long, hot week and I haven't been getting enough sleep. I was hoping for some shut-eye today before this evening. I definitely don't plan on sleeping much tonight.
Easing off the couch, I rub my eyes and make my way to the front door. When I open it, Cam Larsen is standing there with a confused expression on his face.
"Hey, what's up?" I ask.
Cam looks over my shoulder at the cottage with one eyebrow raised. "Hey. I told Casey I’d swing by your place to pick up your set of keys for the bar. He misplaced his."
Swinging the door wider, I invite him in. "Sure, let me grab those for you."
"I didn't realize you were renting my old cottage this summer," Cam says, scanning the kitchen. "It doesn't look like much has changed since the last time I was here."
"Oh, really? I guess I didn't realize either," I lie. Telling him the truth would be way off limits. He can't know that his mother bought the place and I’m staying here.
"Weird. This should be our place. I grew up here," he says as he peers around the corner toward the bedrooms.
I grab the bar keys off the hook and hand them to Cam. "I bet it is strange to see the place again. I'm sure you have lots of memories here."
Cam takes the keys and slips them into his pocket. "Hey, I know this is an odd request, but do you mind if I go down the hall and check out my old bedroom?"
Scratching my head, I shrug, trying to remember if there’s anything in the bedrooms that might tip him off that Grace just bought the place. I don't think so. "Sure. I guess."
When Cam makes his way down the hall, I leave him to it. All of this is very awkward and gives me a sinking feeling in my gut. As soon as he steps out of his old room, I'm going to get him out of here.
"I’m here," Grace's singsong voice calls from the front door.
Oh, shit. I check my watch again. "You're early," I say, rushing toward the door.
She throws her arms around my neck and plants her lips on mine.
I shake my head and try to explain, but her lips feel so good pressed against mine and it's been a long week without her. A quick kiss won’t hurt anything.
"Nothing has changed," Cam's voice calls out from behind me.
I push Grace back and shake my head vigorously. "You're here early," I repeat.
"My last meeting got canceled. I thought I’d surprise you." Her eyes are wide with concern.
"What the hell?"
I turn to find Cam’s fists clenched at his sides and his nostrils flared.
Grace lets out a sharp gasp and both hands fly to her chest. "Cameron? What are you doing here?"
"I think the better question is what are you doing here? And why the fuck were you just kissing Chance?" His voice is full of daggers and hurt.
Grace walks toward Cam and places her hand on his shoulder. "Cameron."
Ripping his arm from her grasp, Cam takes a step back. "Seriously, Mom. Are you fucking him?"
Tears stream down Grace's face. I'm conflicted—torn between wanting to hold her and console her, or punching Cam in the face for speaking to Grace this way.
"Please, Cameron. Let's sit down and talk about this," Grace pleads with her son.
Cam’s face reddens as he shakes his head. He looks like he's coming unhinged. "No. I can't be late for work. I need this job. But if what's going on here is what I think it is, I'm completely disgusted!" Spit forms at the corners of his mouth. He storms toward the door, yanks it open, and slams it behind him.
Grace jumps at the noise and then she covers her face with her hands. She looks so small and vulnerable. Her son is acting like a grade-A prick.
I go to her, wrapping my arms around her shaking body. I don't let go until she starts to calm down.
"I need to clear my head," Grace says, walking away from me and storming toward the door like her son just did.
This is bad. Cam’s opinion of what’s going on between us is way off base. And I’m hoping what he thinks isn’t going to change Grace’s mind.
"No. Please wait, Grace."
Thirteen
Grace
Chance grips my shoulder and turns me toward him. The look of intense concern on his face stops me in my tracks.
"Why didn't you tell me that Cameron would be here?" My voice comes out in short sobs.
He shakes his head. "I didn't know he was coming. I swear to you. He had to stop by to grab keys for a coworker. Not to mention, I didn't realize you would be here so early."
"My last meeting got rescheduled. I guess I should have called to let you know I was on my way," I tell him as I pace the living room.
"It's no one's fault that this happened. At least now we don't have to sneak around."
I turn to him, giving him an incredulous stare. "Chance." My voice is so defeated. My heart breaks in my chest. "Maybe this isn't such a good idea."