Playing House

by Genevieve Ash

  Standing, Max pulled her body to the edge of the bed, lifted her legs to his shoulders and pushed his cock forcefully into her still pulsing cunt. The waves of her orgasm were taunting her, begging her to crash against the shore once more. She couldn’t stop coming. With each thrust it began all over again. She screamed out his name over and over again as the ebb and flow carried her along. He led her carefully, not allowing the true release before he drew back and paused, only to begin once more. Her need built to a frenzied pitch. She wanted to curse him, beat him, tell him to fuck off, but truth be told she liked the denial—it made the final moment all the sweeter. Max lifted her hips and thrust into her harder. So deeply, so fully, so completely it hurt her, but she wanted to feel it all. Feel what she had been missing, the fullness of him moving inside her.

  “Too deep, baby?” he asked softly.

  “A little, but don’t stop. I want it all.”

  She saw the look of wonder in his eyes. She knew he had trouble believing that she wanted him as much as she claimed. Bringing his face close to hers, she whispered, “Take it all, my darling. Everything, it is all yours.”

  A man of action, he withdrew from her and pushed her up towards the pillows. Glad for the respite, she had but a moment to catch her breath before he spoke, “Turn over on your tummy, love.”

  She could barely breathe, let alone speak, so she complied wordlessly. She knew what he wanted—what he needed—her complete surrender. Without a second thought, she was ready to give it to him.

  The crisp pop of a lid opening echoed in the stillness of the afternoon. The cool thick lube made her shiver as he dribbled it generously between the cheeks of her bottom. He slid the head of his cock into the slippery pool, all the while stroking her back soothingly. Max pulled roughly on the long shock of her auburn hair and Bel knew his patience was running out. He brought her arched torso towards him and pushed his thickness into the tight bud of her ass. As it passed through the snug entrance, she clenched at it tightly. He grazed her earlobe with his lips and whispered, “Relax,” just before he thrust his length fully into her.

  “Oh, fuck,” Bel cried.

  She heard Max groan as he pushed deeper.

  “So deep inside me. So full of you,” Bel murmured thickly.

  “You like it, don’t you, Bel? You don’t want to, but you do.”

  Bel pushed her hips back against him. Her body tingled and the gooseflesh rose on her skin. She told herself this was for him, but he was right, she wanted it too. She wanted to give him everything. He pumped harder, giving her all she could handle, and more.

  “Are you okay, love?” he managed between grunts, continuing to pound her.

  She knew he wanted to do right by her, but she also knew it was too late to stop him. He needed this. Needed to know she belonged to him.

  “Fuck me harder,” she cried while his body punished hers soundly.

  “I don’t want to hurt you, Bel. It’s just so good to be inside you.”

  “Hurt me, Max. Take everything you need. Everything you want. Make me feel it,” she cried between panting breaths. He pushed and thrust, slipping two fingers into her cunt. She heard the sounds of her wetness as he explored her. Dragging the moisture up, he slid his thumb over her clit and she felt the pressure starting to build. His fingers inside her, his thumb rubbing her swollen nub and his thick shaft pushing into her ass, Bel lifted her hips higher in frenzied passion. She would not give him the chance to hold back. If he wouldn’t take it, she would force him to accept it. Pushing him closer to the edge, she thrust her hips back against him over and over, fucking herself on his rigid cock. The sounds of his groans were all she could hear through the white noise of her rapid breaths.

  “Oh, Max, I’m going to come so hard for you. I want you to explode inside my ass. Fuck me back, baby. Come for me now!”

  And he did. Burying himself to the hilt, he cried out before his seed filled her ass. The warmth of his release coated her tender flesh and sent her over the edge with him. Groaning, screaming, bucking her hips she erupted like a fountain—the proof of her release flowing between the fingers of his hand.

  * * * *

  They showered together, soaping each other’s body lovingly, rediscovering all the places they had missed so desperately when they had been apart. Wrapped in a towel, she sat on the bed while Max combed out her tangled wet hair. These were the times she cherished most of all. The moments of true intimacy. She fixed the moment in her mental keepsake box to bring out on another day. Bel was grateful for all their time together. But, now she was tired and her emotions were threatening to overwhelm her, she didn’t want to ruin it with tears. They would come, they always did, but never when they were expected. He encouraged her, knowing it was difficult for her, and she knew he would say all the right things—he always did. But it was not time for sadness. Max pulled back the covers and Bel tossed the towel to the floor. Crawling into his arms, she then lay contentedly in the safety of his embrace and drifted off to sleep.

  She woke in the night, the heat of his body pressed against hers. She was afraid to open her eyes, fearing it might just be another dream. His gentle snoring told her he was there—and sleeping peacefully. Carefully, she turned so she could look at his face. It was shining and relaxed in the pale glow of the streetlight, the lines were smoothed, and a slight smile rested on his lips. She hoped he was dreaming of her. She was so tired, but she worked hard to stay awake. She didn’t want to waste time sleeping. She would sleep when she was alone once again. Gently, she stroked his cheek.

  “Why aren’t you sleeping, Bel? I know you’re exhausted,” he mumbled as his eyes slowly opened.

  “I don’t want to sleep. I want to be with you for every moment we have.” Bel crawled closer and he pulled her closer still.

  Stroking her skin, he whispered in her ear, “Good, because I can’t keep my hands off you.”

  As his lips found hers, Bel sighed softly. She couldn’t deny him. She didn’t want to. Her need for him was insatiable. Each time they made love made her want it even more. Not because she wasn’t satisfied, but because she was so completely satisfied, she wanted to feel that way always. Soft and gentle, in the safety of darkness, they took their time becoming reacquainted with one another. Bel ran her nails lightly up and down over the smooth, moist skin of his back. She felt his thickness stretching her. He filled her so completely—a perfect fit. The pure joy of his presence was enough to send her into the spiral of ecstasy that carried her to a place of utter bliss. As they rose higher and higher, Bel felt the emotions pushing for release. She couldn’t tell if she was going to come or cry—or both.

  “My Bel, my sweet beautiful Bel, it’s okay. Let it all go.”

  “No, no, no. I don’t want to spoil our time together.”

  “Yes, my love, give it all to me. Now, while you are here in my bed, is the time. ”

  Bel dug deep into her soul and opened the door. Everything she had clung to, all the lonely nights without him, the doubt, the anger, the jealousy—all came bubbling up from somewhere deep inside her and burst forth. The power of letting go filled her with so much pain and pleasure, she exploded into ecstasy. As the tears flowed from her eyes, the desire flowed from between her thighs. Fuck, I love him so much. How will I ever manage without him for another three months? Bel knew she shouldn’t be thinking about saying goodbye, she’d only just arrived. Max held her close, whispering all the right words into her ear, but it wasn’t enough this time. She knew that no matter what she wanted or what he said, there were not any words to make it right.

  “Please, love, it’s going to be all right. We are making it work. We just need to be happy with what we have.” Max pushed the damp strands of hair from her cheek.

  “How are we making it work? Don’t you see there is no way to make it right without someone paying the price? I don’t want either of us to be hurt.”

  “The worst of it is that you are hurting and I hate that.”

  “The
worst of it is there is nothing we can do about it. I will not walk away. Even if I did, it wouldn’t help. I tell myself that the pain would fade, but it would never end.”

  “You know that I love you, but I can’t help but feel I am taking huge advantage of your love for me. I am giving all I can, and I mean it all.”

  “The sad irony is I cannot be without you, yet I already am.” Bel sobbed into his shoulder, she tasted the saltiness of his skin mixed with her tears. She was glad her mottled face was hidden, but Max pulled back from her and she saw his eyes glistening in the darkness—she knew that he saw inside her heart. She believed he wanted to give her what she needed, but she also knew he wasn’t ready. A simple truth realised through complicated lies.

  Bel tried to relax and worked to slow her breathing. She waited for the gentle sigh and the exhalation of breath that signalled his sleep. The warm weight of his body was draped across hers like a favourite blanket and she allowed herself the comfort it offered. Lying in the darkness, her mind roiled with unsettling thoughts. So happy to be with him, yet so afraid to let go. She was afraid to give in and allow the pure pleasure because she feared the intensity of the pain that would come later after the closeness they would share now. An overnight here, a long weekend there—their brief interludes bringing intense memories transported by trains and planes and long empty pauses. How long did she think she could go on like this without the truth taking over? She wanted more than he was prepared to give. He, too, was damaged by the past and he refused to let love in. Risk management was his thing and the odds were not in her favour. He had been honest about it from the beginning. He was done with relationships. He would only give what the circumstances dictated and nothing more. Sometimes Bel could feel him slipping, but he always caught his wayward emotions in time. Reining in the fantasy, he would pull away for a while, until he had it under control. So they loved for moments at a time, giving all they could, then they stepped away until next time. But, for now, they had an entire week together in a home of their own, for them to enjoy the simple things—she needed to be grateful for that. Come on, Bel, put your big girl panties on and go for it. This is exactly what you asked for and once again you got it.

  Bel sighed softly and Max shifted in his sleep. Curling into the crook of his body, she snuggled her bottom into his lap. Max pulled her closer and cupped her small, soft breast. Bel covered his hand with hers and drifted off peacefully.

  Chapter Two

  The late morning sun finally roused them from their heavy sleep. Bel snuggled closer to Max’s back.

  “Mmnh. Good morning, Max.” She trailed her hand over his belly, but Max gripped it tightly and raised it to his mouth for a kiss.

  “Good morning, my love. Today you get to have a lie-in.”

  “I like the sound of that. We can stay in bed all day.” She pushed her sex against his bottom and wriggled her hips.

  “Bel, there is nothing I would rather do…”

  “But?” She was glad he couldn’t see her pout.

  “But I have some things to take care of.”

  Bel groaned. She knew she could work at changing his mind but then he would just be agitated later.

  “Rest up. You’ll be glad you did when I make it up to you later.” Max chuckled and slipped from the bed. Through sleepy eyes, Bel watched his delicious bottom as he walked down the hall.

  * * * *

  She dozed for a while, but woke to the sounds of clanging pots and pans coming from the kitchen. Smiling, she headed to the bathroom and stepped into the steamy shower. The hot water soothed her as she scrubbed herself from head to toe and washed her long thick hair. She stepped out of the shower onto the cool hardwood floor and shivered. The sun peeking through the frosted window didn’t help to warm her and she wished she was still under the covers with Max’s hot body pressed to hers. She pulled on her fleecy pyjamas and padded down the stairs to the kitchen.

  Max stood at the stove adding perfectly symmetrical pieces of smoked salmon to the scrambled eggs. She liked to watch him cook. He was very particular about everything he did—almost to a fault—and it made her chuckle sometimes. He was thorough and careful, when her slap-dash, devil-may-care attitude crept in. The only time they tipped the scales was when it came to sex. They couldn’t get enough of one another and, though their love gave them the foresight to put the other’s needs first, it always ended up as a win-win because they gave all they could without reserve.

  After breakfast they crawled into the warm, dry bed in the guest room and spent the day wrapped in bliss, sharing kisses and stories of their past. She smiled as he recalled traipsing through the graveyard behind his home, his old boxer dog digging in his heels and trembling when they had reached the oldest part of the cemetery. She envisioned the young boy flying his aeroplanes in the sunshine. She wanted—no, needed to know what had shaped the man he was today. Digging deeper, she encouraged him to open up about the not so perfect times too, and Bel realised his fear of commitment ran deeper than she had thought. She wanted to tell him it would be okay—that she loved him enough, that she wouldn’t abandon him—but she knew he would not believe it, so she just held him a little tighter. Suddenly the friends-with-benefits scenario was becoming a real challenge to maintain.

  His CEO position with a major financing company had brought him to the top rung of his career ladder, but the price he paid every day was wearing him thin emotionally. She worried. “I love to hear about times that made you happy. You have so much stress in your life. It helps to remember the good times,” Bel said. Kissing him warmly, she curled closer into his embrace.

  “Bah, what do I have to be stressed about? My job is a burden sometimes but I choose the level of stress. You, my love, are good for me.” Max stroked her hair tenderly.

  “Mmm, well I do have a few stress-busting tricks up my sleeve.”

  “Well, I don’t know about up your sleeve, but there are a few other places,” he said, pulling her closer.

  Bel wrapped her leg around his hip and pressed her damp curls into his thigh. She moved slowly against him. She wanted to give him rest from it all. Rest from the tension, rest from the decisions, rest from the burden she had caused his perfect little world by pushing her way in and making him love her. She hadn’t thought much about it before. They had what they had, and it was good. Now, as she lay beside him in his home, she realised how much effort it had taken for him to make this dream a reality and a sob rose in her throat. Oh sure, he wanted it too. After all, he was a man—would he really turn down an opportunity for a week of wild sex with a hot redhead no matter the emotions he would have to deal with?

  The smooth muscle of his thigh was taut against her swollen mound. She was so sensitive, the coarse hairs on his leg felt like barbed wired raking across her clit. She knew if she could just push past the pain, the pleasure would be waiting on the other side.

  “Remember, no coming in this bed, Bel,” he said half teasing. “It’s the only dry place we have to sleep.” Max’s laughter echoed off the walls of the small room.

  Bel groaned like a thirsty traveller in the desert. Had it not been only hours ago she had been practically begging for a break from his constant attention to her voracious pussy? How quickly I forget…

  Reaching down, she stroked his cock with her small warm hand. She smiled when it began to harden.

  “Maybe we should move to the other room?” she asked coyly.

  Taking her hand, he prised her fingers from his shaft, then kissed her lovingly.

  “Maybe we should move to the kitchen. Where is my dinner, woman?” he added with a playful swat to her bottom.

  As the sunshine faded into twilight, the rumble of Bel’s tummy announced it was indeed time for dinner. She had never had the chance to cook just for him before and she was nervous. She had cooked for thousands with few complaints, but a simple meal for the two of them and suddenly she was a basket case. She took a deep breath and tried to relax. Her body trembled like there was a m
otor purring inside her. I have to get a grip, she thought,. Mentally gathering the butterflies in her stomach, she exhaled and let them fly away.

  The sound of the shower from the floor above signalled she had time to get it together. Gathering her supplies to prepare her mise en place, she then worked quickly and efficiently. The more she accomplished before he came down and watched, the better. The galley-type kitchen was small, but well equipped, and Bel found her rhythm easily. She pounded the chicken breast into thin cutlets, and after dredging them in flour she dropped them into sizzling olive oil to brown. Turning them quickly, she then added the crushed garlic to the pan to flavour the oil and moved them to a warm pan in the oven.

  The clean scent of him wafted through the kitchen, cancelling out the smell of garlic. She turned to find him watching her. Bel knew he was trying to help keep her calm as he followed her around the kitchen wiping up her mess and checking the fire under the chicken, but it was making her crazy to have him underfoot. Years in a professional kitchen had enabled her to work well under pressure with all kinds of personalities, but his loving presence unsettled her. She wanted it to be perfect, but the harder she tried, the more mistakes she made.