More of everything with this small yet curvy woman.
“So, tell us a bit about yourselves?” Evan asks them, and I could hug the fucker. Words elude me as I stare at Mila. “What brings you to Myrtle Beach?”
“Summer break,” Crissy says and then turns to look at our waiter. Before he can start his memorized spiel, she holds a hand up. “Two iced teas with lemon wedges for us...” she points between herself and Mila “...I’m guessing they’ll have some kind of beer.”
Looking up at the twenty-something-looking surfer, I narrow my eyes when his linger on Mila. “Do you have a local IPA on tap?”
“Yes. We have a seasonal that just came in two weeks ago.” Still his eyes remain on her.
“We’ll take two,” I grit out, and it’s her hand suddenly in mine that calms me enough not to throttle the kid. How idiotic must you be to not realize that the attention isn’t wanted? How is her soft fingers intertwined with mine above the table not enough to deter you?
“Got it. I’ll be right back with—”
“And when you do, I suggest you quit staring at my girl.” Now his eyes meet mine, and the anger in them causes him to swallow hard and look down. “If you can’t handle that simple instruction, then get someone else to handle this table. Understood?”
“I apologize.” It’s all he says before turning away and rushing back inside the main dining floor.
For a few minutes the table remains silent, and I worry that maybe I overstepped when giggles ring out from the girls. Crystal is red in the face, choking on air, while Mila’s entire body vibrates beside me.
“Oh my God! Did you see his panic?” her friend exclaims, hand slapping the table.
“He looked ready to jump over the railing if it came to that.” Mimi looks up at me from beneath her lashes, her lips parting just a bit as another laugh slips through their plumpness. “Bad, bad, Nick.”
“I’m not sorry in the least.” Bringing her hand to my lips, I kiss each finger and then nip a knuckle. “Are you mad?”
“Nope.” There’s that blush I enjoy so much. It’s sweet—a delicate pink that sweeps across her skin and down to the two, larger-than-a-handful mounds I’m aching to touch, to hold their weight in my hands and squeeze. Flick each—
“You okay there, bro?” Evan asks suddenly, pulling me away from her breasts. He’s arching his brow, looking at me as if he himself hasn’t been eating Crystal alive each chance he gets.
“Perfect.” Sliding my eyes back to Mila, I notice her hand still in mine and react before my mind can halt me. With a quick tug, she’s leaning over and her sharp exhale sweeps across my lip. A lip I lick, and she follows the movement with interest. She’s not pulling away from me; if anything, she moves just a smidgen closer. Fuck.
Before I can give myself a single reason to slow down, to not rush us, I press my mouth to hers. Just a peck; an innocent touch that renders me mute and unequivocally cements what my heart already knew.
She was it. Is it.
My one. Everything.
“Nick.” My name on her lips is a sinful delight, and I reward her sigh with another sweet kiss. Her mouth is plump, soft and pillowy as I take her bottom lip between my own and nip. With difficulty I pull back, fighting every instinct within me that begs me to take more.
To kiss her properly. To say a big fuck you to the chaste moment I just stole.
Staring into her eyes, I ignore the world around us. “It had to be done, sweetheart. I was going insane—needed to have a small taste. I’m sorry for not asking—”
“I liked it.” Her whisper is low, but the laughter across from us is not. My buddy and hers are finding this more than entertaining, and once again Mila is embarrassed and sits back.
“You two are adorable.” Evan receives a quick kick under the table from me—lucky that’s all he got. He grunts but doesn’t get a chance to say anything as the waiter chooses that moment to return with our drinks. The girls get their teas first, and Mila takes a sip from hers at once.
Next, our beers are placed down, and he looks at me. “Are you ready to order? Perhaps an appetizer?”
“Not yet. We’ll need a few minutes.”
“Sure, sir.”
Once he walks away again, I look at Crystal. “You were explaining why you girls are here? Vacation?”
“Yeah, we’re done with school for a few weeks and decided to come be bums at the beach.” She takes the lemon wedge and squeezes, adding the flavor to her tea. “We’re from Charleston, actually. Not that far from here.”
“You work at or attend...?” I trail off, hoping for more information. I need to know it all. Every damn last bit about this beautiful woman beside me.
“We attend College of Charleston,” Mimi pipes in, leaning toward me a bit. “We’re studying early childhood education, with a minor in business management. Our dream is to open a daycare that holds preschool classes for children entering elementary the following year. It’s easier for kids to transition from one setting to the next when they know their surroundings. They’re growing and learning with the same kids they’ve been socializing with for years.”
“How old are you, beautiful?” Because the way she speaks about her goals and dreams comes across like someone who’s way past her twenties. Most people after graduating high school have no idea what to do with themselves, much less put this much thought into it.
“Twenty-one.” I knew she was young, but that’s more than I thought. “And you?”
I hear her, but my mind still lingers on her age. Mila is perfectly legal, and it’s not putting me off. The opposite, really.
I get to teach her things. Guide her. Love her.
Jesus, listen to me. I’m thinking about love already.
My pussy is showing, and I don’t find myself minding. The more I look into her eyes, I find myself wanting it all. Every. Fucking. Thing.
“I’m thirty-six. Will that be a problem?” And I’m being nice by asking, because after kissing those sweet lips, I’ll never accept her walking away. Even if I have to leave her soon.
That thought is sobering and reminds me of my pending trip. In a week, I leave for El Salvador—six months where I’ll be assisting with the aftermath of their latest volcano eruption. They need help, and I need to remind myself of this as the thought of leaving her behind causes my heart to clench hard inside my chest.
She notices the change in me and cups my jaw tenderly. “Not at all. I find it hot, to be honest.”
“Good.” Nuzzling her palm, I intertwine our fingers and bring them to rest on her thigh. “Because I’d just work a little harder to change your mind if it did.” Adding a wink, I turn back and notice that we are alone at the moment.
Evan and Crystal are standing at the bar talking with our waiter. He’s writing something down on his pad and nodding. As if sensing my eyes on them, he looks over and nods to the door signaling that they’ll be back in a bit.
Two seconds after they walk away, Mila’s phone rings and she laughs. “He’s literally walking her to the restroom. Thinks she might get lost in the process.”
“I’d do the same.”
“Would you, now?”
“Not would...more like will.”
Mila tilts her head to the side; she’s looking at me with an expression I can’t quite decipher. “You won’t always be with me, Nick. Your work takes you away, and I’m in Charleston all year.”
“I know.” Fuck, I hate this. Wish I could just take her with me, but how fair would that be? I work long and sometimes grueling hours in remote parts of the world; I’d abandon her for hours on end, leave her to fend for herself while away from everyone she knows. “You have no idea how much I’m dreading my next trip—”
“When do you leave again?” There’s a hint of sadness in her eyes. “How long do I have you for?”
“You have me forever.” At the truth behind my words she gasps, lips slightly parted, and I want to kiss her so badly. However, I don’t. This conversation
needs to happen, and while we just met and it’s fast, we feel right. We’re something I’m not going to question.
“How can any of this be, Nick? We just—”
“Are,” I finish for her, and she nods in understanding. Mila feels this. This electrical current that pulses between us, a need so palpable that it consumes. “As for the second part of your question; I leave in a week for El Salvador. My contract is for six months, and I can’t back out now, even though every part of me want to say fuck it and hide away with you.”
“I’d never ask you to do that,” she says low, her body heat closer now. With her unoccupied hand, she fists my shirt and pulls me so I hover over her lips. Her exhale is sweet agony, and at the same times give me life. “What you do is important, Nicholas. Beautiful, to be honest, and I’ll never keep you from helping others.”
“What are you saying, beautiful? Explain, please.” Yeah, I’m desperate and don’t give a fuck. Sometimes life presents you an opportunity that is life changing, and she is that for me. I know this. Meeting Mila today is fate, and I’ll do what I need to secure her in my life.
“It means that we will make this work.” Thank you, God. “That I will wait for you.” She pecks my lips and I groan, causing a smile to form on that luscious mouth. “We can get to know each other in the meantime.” A nip to my jaw. “Skype, emails, and even cheesy love letters can be exchanged while you’re there.”
“What about naughty pictures just for your boyfriend?” I ask her, letting her know that I leave here being hers as she is mine.
“That can be arranged, handsome.” Placing her forehead against mine, she releases a soft sound at the back of her throat. “Do you get any downtime in those six months?”
“A week at the middle, and I usually stay where I’m at.”
“What about your family?” Her fingers play with mine, running soothing circles over each digit. “Do you come back to visit them? Maybe I can meet you wherever they are?”
The hope in her voice does things to me. She wants this too.
“My parents live in California, and I’ll see them at Christmas. We’ll see them then.” I add at the end, so she knows that we are an item. She goes where I go, and vice versa. “And your parents?”
“They live in Europe. Dad works there, and I won’t see them again until graduation.”
“Why so long? Do you have any other family here?” I don’t want to leave her alone. For once, I wish my own family lived closer. Maybe I can talk Mom and Dad into leaving the Hollywood Hills for a few months and house sit? Being well off has advantages, and I’m not above cashing one in now.
I grew up with money. A family that has worked in Hollywood for decades, and I am the only one in this generation that skipped the tradition. Producing movies wasn’t in my blood; medicine is. I’m just lucky enough to have parents that encourage and let me live my life at my speed. My terms.
“Quit worrying, dork. I have Crissy and her family here.”
“Get used to it.” Moreover, because I can, I steal a quick kiss. “I’ll always worry about you.”
“Ditto,” she whispers almost too low for me to hear her, but I do, and before I can ask her what she means, she carries on. “To answer the second part of your question, I won’t see them because they just left. Literally three days ago, they flew out after spending two weeks with me.”
“Okay. I’ll take that.”
“Listen, Nick.” Gone is the wistfulness of her smile—Mila sits back and stares deep into my eyes. In silence, I watch her square her shoulders and face me with a determination that is sexy as fuck. “This thing between us won’t be easy...It’ll be hard, but can be done. Let’s enjoy this week—each other, and then focus on building something amazing while you save lives and I finish school.”
“Thank you. There’s something about you that just won’t let me walk away,” I whisper just as Evan and Crystal come back. Mila nods at my words and then faces our friends. They’re both a bit quiet, and I wonder if the two had their own conversation.
Evan’s leaving with me on this tour as one of the general practitioners and will be gone a tiny bit longer than me. Almost a year, and that’s hard on even the most stable relationships. He’s wary, as am I, but this spark between this girl and I can’t be denied.
I’d be an idiot to dismiss it.
“Everything okay?” my girl asks, and her best friend nods. The girls share a look, but don’t say anything else on the matter as plates of food arrive. “Ummm, we didn’t order any of this?”
“We did,” Crystal explains as Evan grabs her hand and gives it a squeeze. The hint of tightness around her eyes dissipates, and she looks at him with a smile. “Figured it’d be easier if we ordered what we knew you guys would eat.”
“Works for me.” Mila digs in, and we follow. There’s still so much to talk about, but for now I’m happy. Truly at peace.
Jesus, and I’ve only known her for less than twenty-four hours.
These six months—being away—will be the death of me.
five
“This isn’t going to be easy,” Evan says as he meets me in the hotel lobby the next evening. That isn’t exactly a greeting; his entire demeanor is that of a man wound tight and grumpy. “How the fuck am I supposed to leave for a year now? And to another continent?”
His words mimic my emotions. I’m unsettled. Out of my mind because she isn’t here.
Ever since Mila left my side yesterday to meet with old friends, I’ve been struggling with my responsibility. Something that brings me joy now feels like a giant, yet almost impossible hurdle.
How will I feel when I’m thousands of miles away? How do I leave her?
“Timing is shit,” I admit. Not that I would change a single second of meeting Mila. That sweet little morsel is my reward for all the good deeds I’ve done. She’s mine, and I like it.
More than like.
“Tell me about it.” Evan strains his neck looking for his own interest. We’ve yet to discuss them, but seeing his own desperation settles me. Can’t be that crazy if he’s been knocked on his proverbial ass, too.
Fate is a psychotic mistress, and she’s having fun at my expense. I wasn’t looking for Mimi, but here she is, and I’m not letting go.
Is this all too fast? Yes. Do I care? Not a single fuck is being given about timelines or rationality.
There’s something there, and I need to figure it out.
I spent the drive home yesterday lost inside my head, trying to work out the logistics of my leave and new relationship. All I’ve done is think:
While watching reruns of Married with Children, I tried to come up with a way to make this easier for her.
While trying to nap, I replayed our kiss while pushing down on my cock—failing at finding relief for the ache she creates.
While in the shower with her name on my tongue, I gave in to my urges and fucked my fist. Each stroke bordered on painful as I imagined her sweet lips stretching around my cock—humming at the back of her throat as her fingernails dug deep into my thighs.
Pleasure and pain. Motherfucking bliss.
“Come on my tongue, Nick. Let me taste you.” That was my undoing. Her whispered words around my girth broke me, and on my next stroke, I came. Spurt after spurt dribbled down the tile wall as I tried to regulate my breathing—to not fall on shaky legs.
That’s the fastest I’ve ever come. The hardest. And I’ve only kissed the girl.
“A week won’t be enough time,” Evan whispers harshly, and my eyes snap back to his; it’s easy to get lost inside my head when thinking about her. “None of this makes a lick of sense.”
Subtly, I adjust myself. Just thinking about the mouth on her has me throbbing. “I know.”
At that he looks at me, his face serious, more intense than in any emergency we’ve been through. “Where did they come from?”
“Not a clue, bro.” My eyes travel from his to the elevator bank. “Not a fucking clue.” There’s a din
g and the doors open, but it’s not the girls. An older couple steps off, and I swallow my curses. Instead, I try to make conversation. “Are you working at all this week? Have you already set yourself up for the leave at the clinic?”
“Yeah, I’m good. Everything is covered, except a follow-up consultation I’m handling on Thursday. Nothing major; an appendix removal that went well.” Bringing his hand up, he checks the time on his watch—purses his lips and then flicks his eyes back to the elevator. “Checking incisions for swelling or infection before I hand him over to my partner.”
“That’s it?” Again, the elevator reaches our floor and a family of four gets out this time. What is taking her so long?
Once more, I am stricken by my need for her, the yearning to have her close always.
Could I take her with me? Yes, but that wouldn’t be the responsible thing to do. A disaster-stricken country with an active volcano still threatening to erupt isn’t the place for her. She would be away from family and friends; months with little to no communication for days on end depending on where I’m at. Being alone most of the day while I work grueling shifts to supplement the country’s need for healthcare might make her bitter toward us.
I can’t have that. Decisions have to be made.
But then again, not going isn’t an option—Mila wouldn’t allow it—but after this contract, I’m done. Leaving her this soon after finding her is pure misery; I’d rather go back to working stateside in areas hit by natural catastrophes. Somewhere she can come with me, maybe even volunteer if she so desires.
My mother is going to love this. Love her.
“Yeah,” he says, and then grumbles something low while pulling out his phone. Three swipes of his finger, and the annoyance disappears. “They’re heading down now.”
Fucking finally. “Where are you taking Crystal?”
“That little Italian place on Kings, and that’s all I’ll share.” He smirks. “You?”
Back To You (Sweet, Safe, & Sexy AF Romances Book 2) Page 3