by Kally Ash
Ding dong!
Vee's head snapped to the front of the house. "Are you expecting someone?"
"Expecting?" he asked, then said, "Fuck! The Realtor." Pulling out, he shoved his semi-erect cock back into his jeans and did them up. Vee straightened her clothing just in time as Alicia Rawlings walked through the back yard gate.
Her shrewd eyes darted between him and Evangeline, her eyes lingering for a moment too long on his naked chest. Fuck. Pulling his shirt from where he'd tucked it in his jeans, he put it on.
"Ms. Rawlings," he said. "Thank you so much for making the time to drop in."
She smiled. "I haven't caught you at a bad time, have I?"
"Oh no," he replied. "Not at all. I've just finished moving all the boxes out into the garage in case you want to start showing the place as soon as possible."
She gave him a condescending smile. "Ideally, that's what I'd like to do, but I need to have a proper look at the property before I can make that assessment."
"Of course," Beau said, clearing his throat. "Let me show you around." Turning to Vee, he said, "Can you wait for me? I'll be twenty minutes, max."
Vee eyed Alicia like she was competition. "I'll wait for you out front," she said, stalking away.
Beau turned to Alicia. "This way. Please."
Evangeline ignored Blake's smiling face as she stalked back to the hired car Natasha had so graciously forced upon her when she’d asked to borrow her car. Blake had shown up ten minutes later, his eager expression reminding her too much of a puppy welcoming home its new owner.
Opening up the rear door, she slid inside and pulled out her phone.
Tell me what's going on—a message from Natasha.
Vee hit the call button.
"What's going on?" Natasha demanded in lieu of a greeting. "Tell me everything."
She blew out a breath. "I needed to see Beau," she replied. "He had an emergency and asked me to come."
Lying to her best friend didn't sit well with her. The reality of it was Beau had said he wouldn't be able to see her tonight, and she hadn't liked that. Despite placing restrictions on their relationship, she wanted to see him, to slip back into the familiarity of it all. Their passion had burned hot and bright for over three years, and now that she had him back, she found it hard to separate the memories of the past and the desire to make new ones with him.
Beau was her equal. They'd talked about the future they'd wanted together, how it would all work out. He would become the architect he'd always wanted to be, and she would become a social worker specializing in working with disadvantaged and fostered kids. She'd only made it through the system because she had grown a thick skin and refused to be beaten by the shitty living environments she'd found herself in over and over again. Monetized incentives were not the way to keep kids safe.
"Oh my god, is he okay?"
"Yeah," she replied, glancing out the window. "He's okay."
"Well... good," Natasha said. "So are you guys like a thing now?"
Evangeline smiled. Trust Natasha to just ask. "We've come to an understanding."
"Oh, an understanding. Does it involve being naked with each other?"
Vee could just picture her friend kicking back in her seat, legs up on the desk. "It's complicated."
"Sex always complicates things."
"Truer words have not been spoken," Vee murmured.
"I know you’re probably spending the evening with Beau, but I'd be up for a drink later tonight if you're free? You can tell me all about the arrangement you guys came to."
"I don't know if I'll be back tonight," Vee said, looking back at the house. "I'll send Blake back to LA in case you need him."
Natasha snorted. "I'm sure I can find a few uses for him."
"I do not want to think about you fucking the kid."
"What?" Natasha said coquettishly. "He makes me feel young."
"We are young," she shot back. "Thanks again for loaning your boy toy to me. I'll call you when I get back into town."
"Wait! How are you going to get home?"
"Beau can drive me back." Evangeline hung up the phone, cutting off whatever smart-ass remark Natasha was about to make.
When she looked up again, she found Beau on the front porch with the Realtor. She got out of the car, shut the door, and turned to Blake.
"Thanks for driving me out here, but I'll be staying a while. You can return to Ms. Fraser."
The kid tipped an imaginary hat to her and opened up the driver's side door. "Are you sure?" he asked.
"Get out of here." She softened the words with a smile. "Thanks again."
Beau looked up at the sound of the car starting, relief washing over his features when he saw her still standing there. He turned his attention back to the Realtor, holding out his hand to her. A few more words were spoken before Ms. Rawlings walked back down the sidewalk, barely sparing a glance at Evangeline.
"You're still here," Beau said as she climbed the stairs up to the porch.
"Did you think I would run off?"
He rubbed the back of his neck, eyes downcast. "Would you hate me if I said yes?"
Ouch.
"Why did you come here?" he asked softly, tucking some of the stray hairs that had come loose from her ponytail behind her ear. He trailed his fingers down the side of her neck before resting them on the curve of her shoulder. His touch felt so right, and she found herself slipping into the past. Life had been so simple then. It was her and Beau against the world. He was her constant, her guiding light...
"I wanted to see you," she replied, deciding on honesty rather than bravado; she was so tired of being angry.
His brows rose, a small smile playing on his lips. "You did?"
She knew there was a scowl on her face when she groused, "Don't get cocky about it." She peered around the neighborhood. It really was like stepping back in time. Nearly nothing had changed. She'd spent every holiday here with Beau when they were dating in college because she didn’t have any family to go home to.
"It looks the same, huh?" he said, seemingly reading her mind.
"Yeah," she replied wistfully. "It's like nothing has changed at all."
"Hey, do you have to leave right away?"
She narrowed her eyes, slipping back into default bitch mode. "Why?"
The grin he gave her made her breath catch. "Feel like a trip down memory lane?"
"I don't follow."
He took her hand, hauling her to his car parked beside the house. "Come on. I'll take you back to John's place for a shower then we'll go out to dinner."
16
Beau couldn't help but glance over at Evangeline every few seconds. She'd come to see him, and more than anything, that gave him hope. Now all he had to do was make her see that her stupid no-strings-sex rule wasn't for them. He knew they could get back to what they were before; she just had to trust herself a little more.
He pulled up to John's apartment and shut off the engine. Vee was peering up at the imposing high-rise that seemed out of place now but wouldn't be once the rest of the area was developed.
"Do you live with John now?" she asked.
"Yeah. I've been staying here since..."
She reached over and touched his hand. "It looks nice."
"It is," he replied, clearing his throat. "I'm hoping to get a place of my own as soon as the sale of my mom's house goes through."
"Will you be staying in San Diego?"
He stared at her intently. "I'm not sure anymore."
He could've sworn a blush crept up her cheeks. "You said we could get cleaned up?"
"Yeah. Let's shower and then go get something to eat." He opened his door. "We can head over to Cherry's."
"That place is still open?" she asked, stepping from the car and walking around the front to meet him.
He nodded. "They still make the best apple pie."
Vee threw her head back and laughed. "You were always a sucker for apple pie."
He grinned like a
schoolboy at her, finding himself unable to stop. This is what he missed—this easy chatting and even easier comfort. He held out his hand to her. "Come on."
After a moment of hesitation, she slid her hand into his, her fingers threading with his, and he led her inside.
John still wasn't home, but Beau wasn't really expecting him to be home. The first thing he did was crank up the A/C; it was like standing on the sun in there.
"You can take the first shower," he told Vee, showing her into the bathroom and finding her a fresh towel. "Do you need anything else?"
She looked down at her dusty and sweaty clothes. "Do you have something I can change in to?"
"Yeah, of course. Get out of those clothes and I'll put them through the wash."
She raised an eyebrow in challenge but began pulling off her shirt. Instead of turning away to get her some clean clothes, he found himself leaning against the doorjamb, watching the show. She pulled the running shirt over her head and stopped. The air suddenly crackled with need—his, hers, theirs for one another. Without breaking eye contact, she stuck her thumbs into the waistband of her shorts and shimmied out of them. His cock jerked to attention, lengthening and hardening at the sight of her. Despite being sunk to the hilt less than an hour ago, he found himself wanting more.
He stepped inside the room and shut the bathroom door. "Lose the bra," he told her, watching as she seemed to shiver. His tone had changed, his dominant side coming out to play. If she was going to tease him, he was going to make her pay. "I'm waiting," he added when she only stared at him.
Reaching behind her, she unhooked her bra, sliding the straps from her shoulders, pulling the cups down to expose her beautiful breasts. They were heavy and ripe, and he found himself stepping toward her without conscious thought. He cupped one breast, then the other, running his thumb over the nipple. Vee moaned and arched into his touch like a kitten seeking affection. He leaned down, sucking one breast into his mouth, flicking his tongue over the taut peak in the center. She tasted faintly of sweat, sunshine, and roses. Her hands slivered into his hair, holding him to her.
"Yes," she moaned.
Taking her by the waist, he picked her up and placed her on the bathroom counter. He kissed her then, trailing his mouth down her neck, her shoulder, and to her breasts again. He feasted on her, greedily taking every little moan and gasp she'd give him. He ran his hands up her thighs, his fingers digging in when they reached the top. Fuck, he needed to taste her. He slid his hands under her legs and gave a little tug. She slid forward, her ass precariously placed on the edge. Getting down onto his knees, he spread her wide, then pushed aside her panties, exposing her pussy to him.
He licked his lips. "So sweet," he said, his voice low and hoarse. He slid a finger around her core before spreading her arousal over her clit. He looked up to find her watching him, her eyes heavy, her chest pumping up and down, up and down with increasing intensity.
"Tell me what you want," he said.
"I want you to taste me," she replied, her eyes burning hotter and hotter with a fire he had started—he had stoked.
With a wicked grin, he leaned forward and gave her exactly what she wanted.
It wasn't long before she came long and hard against his mouth. He drank her in, swallowing her down greedily. His cock was straining hard against his jeans now, almost to the point of pain, but he was determined to give her at least one more orgasm before he would get any relief. From experience, he knew she couldn't come again from clitoral stimulation, which meant he had to try something else.
Standing up, he kissed her on the mouth, making her purr when she tasted herself on his lips. He lifted her from the counter and turned her around, his arms winding across her stomach to hold her against him. His erection was persistent against his fly, and he found himself jerking his hips into her ass, trying to get some sort of relief. Vee tried to reach around him, but he stopped her.
"Not until you come again," he told her, stepping away and pushing against the small of her back, forcing her into a ninety-degree bend at the waist. He divested her of her underwear, taking a moment to enjoy the view. She was glistening for him. He slid one finger then two into her pussy, feeling the muscles clench around him.
"Fold your arms in front of you and rest your cheek on them," he said, waiting for her sweet submission. With his fingers still inside her, he leaned over her until his mouth was against her ear and then he started to move. He fucked her with his hand, whispering dirty things into her ear as he did.
"When you come, keep your eyes on me," he said, staring at her reflection. "Only on me. Do you understand?"
She nodded with a whimper, her beautiful eyes fixed on his face. Beau felt her orgasm coming—her muscles bunching up and tightening. With one final thrust, he curled his index and middle fingers, hitting her G-spot and setting off an orgasm he swore he could feel in his own cock. Vee screamed his name as she came, the word falling out of her mouth like a benediction. It made him feel pretty damn untouchable. When she finally stopped shaking, he helped her stand, rubbing her lower back. He kissed her neck, looking at the color in her cheeks and throat.
"Beautiful," he murmured. "Now, how about that shower?"
Evangeline knew she should leave—just call a taxi to take her to the train station or something, but being in Beau's arms had always been her haven. She watched him as he washed her, caressing her body and placing small kisses on her neck and shoulders as he moved down her torso. His fingers lingered on the underside of her breasts, sliding down, down, down until they reached the juncture between her thighs. She still couldn't believe he hadn't found his own release yet. He had given her two earth-shattering orgasms, and he was still waiting. His cock stood straight and hard, jutting out and brushing against her as he worked. She bit her lip then looked up when his hand wrapped around its base. He stroked himself a few times.
Reaching out, she traced her fingertips over the head, loving the way it jerked in response. Lowering herself onto her knees, she took over for him, wrapping her fingers around his cock. The spray of the shower was hitting her square at the top of her shoulders, the water running like a river down her back. Leaning forward, she wrapped her mouth around his head and swallowed him down.
"Fuck, Vee," he said on a growl, thrusting his hips forward, matching her pace. When she groaned, he pushed harder, farther, until his cock was touching the back of her throat. "I miss your lack of gag reflex," he said, placing a hand on either side of her head and working his hips faster. She opened her mouth wider, despite the pain it caused her jaw, and took him all. After a few seconds, he stopped and lifted her from the shower floor. He spun her around, then pressed her against the glass wall. Across from the shower was a floor-to-ceiling mirror, and she watched them in the reflection. Her breasts were straining against the shower door, her whole body flush—from the heat, from Beau. He towered behind her, his hands moving down her body, touching, caressing, loving her. She rolled her head back against his shoulder, getting lost in the feel of his hands.
He slid a finger into her pussy, rubbing her clit before positioning his cock there. He entered her in one, slow, agonizing movement, both of them groaning in unison. Vee couldn't take her eyes off them, watching the way he drove into her, how he peppered her with small kisses and whispered how good she felt in her ear. It wasn't too long before the next orgasm crested, and she fell over the edge moaning Beau's name. Two pumps later, he was chasing her, his hips finally slowing to a stop.
Wordlessly, he pulled out and picked up the body wash, proceeding to clean her once more. Stunned and a little dazed, she let him wash away the suds. Turning off the water, he bundled her into a towel first, then wrapped another around his hips before picking her up and taking her to his bedroom.
"Your clothes should be dry by now." Beau's low, sated voice made Evangeline’s eyes open slowly.
She smiled at him. Wrapped up in his arms, she had no desire to leave her cocoon of warmth. "When did you wash my clothes
?"
Reaching over, he picked up his phone and read the time. "About two hours ago," he said with a grin.
She snuggled more deeply into the crook of his arm and sighed.
"What are you thinking?" he asked, running his fingers up and down her arm.
She considered her answer before speaking. "I don't want to go home," she replied.
He stopped stroking her arm. "You don't have to."
She turned her head to look at him and shook her head. "You know I have to."
He pressed a kiss to her head. "I don't want to let you go again, even if it's only back to LA."
"You were never this affectionate at college."
"I've changed."
Clearly, he had changed, she realized. Vee sat up, bringing the sheet with her.
"Hey, where do you think you're going?" Beau asked.
Wrapping the sheet more tightly around her, she said, "I have to work tonight." Wandering from the bedroom, she stopped when she saw John sitting on the couch. She held the flimsy piece of fabric closer to her body.
"Good evening," he said with a sly smile.
Evangeline cleared her throat. "Good evening," she replied. "Where’s the dryer?"
He pointed down the hall. “Last door on the left.”
"Got it. Thanks."
John said, "Oh, hey, man."
She glanced over her shoulder to find Beau standing there wearing a pair of shorts and a concerned look on his face. "Hey."
Making a beeline for the dryer, she pulled out her clothes then walked quickly back into the bedroom, shutting the door behind her. She got dressed, checked her hair in the mirror, then went back out to find Beau dressed, swinging a set of keys around his finger.
"Going somewhere?"
"West Hollywood," he replied. "Come on."
She began to shake her head. "Oh no, I couldn't ask you to drive me back."