A Hope City Duet

by Kris Michaels

  She could barely contain her excitement as he unlocked the door and escorted her in. She was immediately met with rich, hardwood flooring that extended in all directions. A wooden staircase was in front of her, flanked by two wide, arched doorways. To the left was a dining room and to the right was the living room. The walls were painted a soft cream, but instead of appearing boring, they simply gave the perfect backdrop to the wood floors and furniture-filled rooms.

  He stepped behind her and helped slide her coat from her arms. Directly in front, next to the stairs, was a small coat closet where he hung her coat. Lifting his hand toward the dining room, he said, “It’s pretty obvious what room this is.”

  As she looked around, she noted the large dining room table in the middle surrounded by six chairs. A bay window overlooking the side yard was at one end and another window was in the front. An antique sideboard was against one wall. “Sean, this is beautiful,” she enthused. “Was it like this when you bought it, or did you remodel?”

  “The former owners had finished the floors, but I repainted since they believed in loud, bold colors. This room was deep red, the living room was blue, and the kitchen was green. I won’t even begin to tell you what the upstairs bedrooms were like.”

  Her eyes widened at the description. “I like color, but even that would be too much for me!”

  He turned and they made their way across the hall to the long living room. With a window at each end and a fireplace in the middle of the wall, he had anchored the room perfectly with a sofa and two chairs. A rug provided warmth and color in the middle of the floor, and she could envision curling up in front of the fire on a cold winter evening.

  They moved through the living room and entered the kitchen, which was also connected to the dining room with a wide, arching doorway. Granite countertops and stainless appliances graced the room that was painted a pale yellow. A door at the end led to the backyard, and he pointed to another door and said, “This goes to the finished basement. I haven’t done much down there, but it can easily be a den, office, whatever.” He glanced around the kitchen and added, “It needs more modernization in here, but I’m not a big cook, so it works for now.”

  She looked up at him and smiled, hearing the pride evident in his voice. “Sean, I’ll say it again, this is amazing. It’s not at all where I thought you’d be living, but now that I see it, it’s perfect.”

  He showed her where the powder room was on the first floor off the kitchen, and then, linking fingers again, led her upstairs. At the top was a narrow hallway, the doors leading to three large bedrooms, all with the same beautiful wooden floor and neutral colored walls. She was impressed with the size of the first two bedrooms and the hall bathroom they peeked into.

  When they entered the master bedroom, her breath caught in her throat and her feet stumbled to a halt. The room was huge, centered with a king-sized bed. A dresser and chest of drawers were made of the same oak wood that matched the bed headboard. A comforter in navy and grey adorned the bed, matching the navy curtains and a deep grey comfy chair in the corner.

  She had been exhausted when they began their drive to his house, relishing the idea of laying down in a bed after snoozing in his SUV. But now, the sight of the bed with his body standing so close to hers had her thinking of other things they could do besides sleep.

  Harper dragged her gaze from the king-sized bed back to Sean’s face, wondering if he could see where her thoughts had traveled. His eyes were darkened with what she hoped was lust, indicating he was pursuing the same line of thought. Turning, she placed her hands flat on his chest and lifted on her toes, kissing the underside of his jaw. He dropped her bag onto the floor and cupped her face and took her lips in a soft kiss.

  “This evening has not gone at all like I’d hoped or planned,” he admitted.

  “Life hardly ever goes as planned, Sean.” Her voice was soft. “We just have to adapt along with it. We’re here now. Right where I want us to be.”

  He kissed her again. “I know I smell like smoke, and I’m dying for a shower.” He glanced around, uncertainty filling his eyes, and said, “I’ll be quick.”

  “Do you want company?”

  A slow grin spread across his face. “I can’t think of anything I want more. I’ll get the towels, and you can get anything else you need.”

  Nodding, her heart raced, and she grabbed her bag as he stalked into the bathroom. Glancing inside, she wondered what she would need. She had brought a nightie but hoped it would not get worn. She had also brought clean underwear but decided to leave that in the bag as well. Grabbing her toothbrush, she stepped inside the bathroom, staring at the gorgeous man in front of her.

  He had started the water, steam now rising from above the glass wall. He had stripped off his shirt, shoes, socks, and pants. Bending to shuck his boxers, she watched the play of muscles in his back then focused her gaze on the sculpted ass presented to her.

  “Oh, my,” she breathed and was gifted as he turned around to face her. If she thought the back of him was magnificent, the front of him was even more stunning. Muscled pecs leading down to cut abs. A spattering of chest hair formed a line that led past his muscular V to his thick cock, standing at attention the longer he stared at her.

  “One of us is definitely overdressed.” Stepping forward, he glanced down at her hand and grinned. “A toothbrush?”

  Licking her dry lips, she nodded. “You said to get what I needed. I’m hoping this is the only thing I’m going to need.”

  He slid the toothbrush from her grip and tossed it to the counter near the sink. Grabbing the bottom of her sweater, he pulled it upward as she lifted her hands, and he gently removed her top, adding it to his pile of clothes. He unsnapped her bra, freeing her breasts, dragging his hands over her nipples, pinching them slightly.

  Sucking in a quick breath, she toed off her shoes and slid her pants and panties down her legs. Now, as naked as he, they stood and faced each other. He held her hand, then glanced at her splint. Concern knit his brow as he said, “You can’t get that wet.”

  “I can take it off. I only do so long enough for me to wash my hair, so it should be fine.” He opened his mouth to protest, but she cut in, “It’ll be fine. We’ll just be careful.” Not giving him a chance to change his mind, she unfastened the Velcro and slid the splint from her wrist. Wiggling her fingers, she said, “I promise… I’m fine.”

  “I’ll be careful,” he vowed, and she had no doubt that he meant more than just with her wrist.

  He held her steady as she stepped into the shower before he joined her. She had wanted this to be about him, her taking care of him, but as soon as the body wash was in her hands, he took it from her. Lathering his own hands, he quickly washed his body before turning toward her, his soapy fingers gliding over her skin.

  He massaged her shoulders and back, eliciting giggles as he washed her ass, murmuring in her ear that her body was perfect. He worked shampoo through her hair before rinsing it and adding conditioner. When they were both thoroughly clean, he wrapped his arms around her, turned so that the water was hitting him, and bent to take her lips.

  The kiss flamed hot, and he easily lifted her into the air, pressing her back against the now-warmed tile wall. Wrapping her legs around his waist, she felt his cock nudging her sex and the soft hairs on his chest tickle her breasts. She had read about shower sex but had never attempted it. In fact, she had never had a partner who suggested it. As he kissed along her jaw and neck, she suddenly wondered if this was something he did often with the women he brought to his home. As ridiculous as it was to feel jealousy over something that happened before her, she could not help but say, “I’ve never done this before.”

  He lifted his head from her neck and pierced her with his gaze. As he tilted his head slightly to the side in question, she continued, “Um... shower sex.” She was warm from the shower but now felt the heat of blush rising from her chest to her scalp.

  “Is this okay? I want you comfortable,
so if it’s not we can go to the bedroom.”

  Shaking her head quickly, she licked the water droplets from her lips. “No, that’s not it. I’m comfortable. I guess it’s just… oh, never mind.”

  Now it was his turn to shake his head, but he did it slowly, holding her gaze steadily. “Harper, I know we’re still new, but there’s nothing we shouldn’t be able to say to each other. I can’t guess what you’re thinking, but I need to know.”

  With her hands wrapped around his neck, she forced down her embarrassment. “It just hit me that I’ve never had shower sex before and wondered if it was something that you’ve done… um… here…”

  He closed the distance and placed a soft kiss on one side of her mouth, repeated on the other side, and then settled his lips over hers completely. She felt herself melt into him and realized that the answer to her wonderings was not important. About to tell him to forget she had said anything, she felt him separate, and her eyes jerked open to see a gentle smile on his face.

  “This is new for me, too, Harper. Both of us have experience, but shower sex isn’t part of my past. And just in case you’re wondering, I’ve never brought a woman to my home before.”

  Eyes wide, she sucked in a quick gasp. “Really? I’m the first?”

  “You sound surprised. With my job, it’s hard to have a relationship, and I’m not about to bring just any woman into my home. With you? It was easy.”

  Melting completely into him, her wide grin was interrupted by his kiss. No longer soft and gentle, their lips were fused as his cock continued to prod, seeking entrance. Her body tingled in anticipation, when he suddenly reared back, his hips pressing into hers, and growled, “Fuck! Condom.”

  “I’m clean.”

  He stared at her, blinking, saying nothing.

  Continuing, she blurted, “And I’m on the pill.”

  His arms tightened around her, and he asked, “Babe, are you sure? I’m clean too. We have to get tested for the Department, and I can show you—”

  Clutching his strong jaws in her hand, she held his face close. “I trust you.”

  “I trust you, too.”

  With nothing left to say and nothing between them, he fitted his eager cock at her entrance and lifted his hips, settling her down until he was fully seated. He felt her fingers squeeze the muscles of his shoulders and watched as her top teeth dug into her bottom lip. “Are you okay?”

  Opening her eyes, she stared deeply into his. “Yes. But please, for God's sake, just move!”

  He pistoned his hips up and down, her weight easily held in his arms and anchored with her back against the shower tiles. Her breasts bounced gently with each movement, the feel of his chest rubbing against her nipples as well as the friction of his ungloved cock sending jolts of electricity throughout her body.

  He lifted her higher, bent his lips and sucked a nipple deeply into his mouth. She felt her inner muscles tighten, and with only a few more thrusts leaned her head back against the hard surface of the wall and cried out through her orgasm as it pulsated through her.

  As though he was only waiting for her climax, he immediately roared out her name as his own orgasm had him pumping deep inside of her. Both panting, she clung to his shoulders, afraid that his legs would not hold them. He continued to press her back against the wall but now rested his forehead on the cooling tiles as well. After a moment, their breathing slowed and he gently pulled out, allowing her legs to lower. Holding her steady until her shaking legs could support her, they looked into each other’s eyes.

  “Wow,” she said.

  Pulling her in for a hug, he held her cheek close to his heartbeat and chuckled. “Yeah, babe. Wow.”

  26

  Sean woke the next morning, his senses on high alert. Soft, thick, silky hair was resting against his cheek. His arms were banded around a warm, curvy body. And his morning wood was nestled against a tight ass. Grinning, his arms gave an involuntary squeeze as he inhaled deeply. He was assaulted with the memory of the shower sex, followed by drying each other’s bodies and then more sex once they made it into his king-sized bed. Sleep had finally claimed them, and he could not remember having a more peaceful slumber.

  At the moment, however, his cock was eagerly searching for relief, and he was thrilled when she mumbled, “Morning,” while pressing her ass against him and lifting her leg slightly, providing him perfect access.

  Wanting to make sure she was ready, he slid his hand between her legs, thankful to find her folds slick with need. Placing his tip at her entrance, he shifted his hips forward, sliding his erection deep inside. The memory of their ungloved sex from the previous night had not diminished, but instead, each movement offered a new sense of delight. He pumped his hips forward as his hand palmed her breasts, tugging on her nipples. She arched her back, which gave him easier access to both her breasts and her sex. Her skin was smooth as silk, tantalizing his fingertips, but soon his attention was entirely focused on the friction between his cock and her core.

  “Want your mouth,” he begged, and she twisted her head so that he could take her lips, plunging his tongue deep inside, the action mimicking their sex. She moaned, and he swallowed the sound, sure that his own chest was rumbling in return satisfaction.

  Suddenly, she tensed, her breath coming out in pants as she cried out her orgasm, and he felt her inner muscles clenching him rhythmically. Unable to slow down, he continued to thrust until he joined her, his head thrown back, his face a mask of grimace as he cried out when his body emptied into hers.

  Dragging air into his lungs, his muscles burned. He continued to thrust slowly until he was completely drained before slipping from her body. She twisted around, facing him, and they lay, arms and legs tangled, heartbeats pounding together.

  He finally managed to kiss her forehead before climbing from the bed and walking to the bathroom. After a moment, he returned with a warm, wet washcloth and gently cleaned between her legs. They lay for several long moments in languid appreciation of the quiet morning.

  She finally leaned back and pierced him with her smile. “That was a good wakeup.”

  Laughing, he agreed. Leaving the bed, they dressed and made their way downstairs. In the light of day, she wandered around his house once again, commenting in delight. He had been pleased with his purchase, glad that most of the work had already been completed but proud of what he had done. But hearing Harper exclaim over and over with each room that she explored, he was thrilled.

  “Your yard! Oh, my God, last night I couldn’t even see your yard!”

  He watched as she stepped from the kitchen door onto the patio outside. The lot was large and well-tended. He had little time for landscaping but managed to keep the grass mowed and the bushes trimmed. Other than that, he allowed his mom to come over in the spring and plant flowers.

  In the back, slightly to the side, was a double garage, and the entire area was surrounded by a picket fence.

  “A play area?” She stared at the wooden playset complete with swings.

  He walked out behind her, one arm wrapping around her waist and the other around her chest. “It was there when I bought the house. I figured I might as well leave it, hoping that one day it would be used. I checked it out to make sure it was safe before Colleen came to visit.”

  “I can’t get over the size of your yard. It’s absolutely amazing!”

  They stepped off the patio and walked onto the grass, and he watched as she turned around slowly in a circle, her gaze seeming to take in everything.

  “Does your property go all the way back?”

  He nodded and waved his hand toward the back fence. “There’s a street behind us, but it’s more like a wide alley. It’s where I can put my garbage cans for the city to pick up.”

  They continued walking around the house, through the gate of the fence and into the front yard. She stood quietly, shaking her head slowly. Wondering what she was thinking, he waited, not wanting to interrupt her thoughts.

  She turned ar
ound and looked up at him, her eyes bright in the morning sunlight. “I absolutely love this place, Sean. I’m so curious, though. What made you go for it?”

  He sucked in a deep breath of fresh, clean air and let it out slowly. “When I got out of the military and came back to Hope City, I moved in with my parents for a couple of months until I could look for a place. I was busy getting hired by the Police Department and wanted to take plenty of time to find just the right location. I didn’t want a condo or a townhouse. There’s very little privacy in the military, and after years of constant sharing, I wanted space.”

  Laughing, she said, “Well, you certainly got it here!”

  He moved his gaze around the yard and then back to her face, claiming her attention. “I knew I wanted to live in an older, established neighborhood, much like what I grew up in. And while I can’t say that this is my forever home, especially since it only has three bedrooms, I can see myself being happy here for a long time.”

  Lifting an eyebrow, she asked, “Expecting a big family?”

  “Maybe.” He shrugged. “I don’t know. I just know I don’t want to keep moving, so I got a house that gave me a sense of privacy, and when I get married and have children, there’s plenty of room here.”

  They walked hand-in-hand back into the backyard, and she looked at the huge lot. “You know, as beautiful as this house is, if you ever decide to sell it, I think you’d get a good price. But if you decide you want to expand, you have so much room here that you could add on to the house if you have a large family. Then you wouldn’t have to move.”

  Grinning, he pulled her in tightly. “I like the way you think.” It crossed his mind that for the first time he knew he might have found a woman that he could envision a future with. As new as their relationship was, he was not about to say that to her. But having Harper at his house, loving it as much as she indicated, made that idea take hold firmly.

  “Hey, Sean? You back here?”