by Rebecca Rose
“What?”
“You okay? Since we got here you seem really distracted.” She reached across the table to him.
“I am.” Bringing her hand to his lips, Dave first kissed her palm then, quick as a whip, touched the sensitive spot with his tongue. “I want to pay the bill and bring you home with me.”
She rose to her feet as fast as her heels would allow. “I really want that, too.”
Actually she wanted him to race that car down the streets, blow all the red lights they hit, and, caution be damned, not care if there were any cops. When they pulled into his drive and came to a sudden halt, both their bodies were pushed forward.
Kathy snickered. “We’re nuts.”
“Totally,” Dave announced while getting out of the car to race around to her side.
When she stepped out of his vehicle, Dave pulled her into his arms and gave her a peck on the lips. “Come on, I have some wine out breathing.”
“Really?” She stayed one step behind him as they walked to his door. Taking her by surprise, Dave welcomed Kathy into his home by sweeping her off her feet and walking her over the threshold.
“What would you like to do first?” he asked.
She wrapped her arms tight around his neck while her eyes fell on the many candles that lit up his home. “That’s a loaded question.” When he only grinned at her, she continued her inspection. “Weren’t you afraid those would burn down your home?”
“Yup, that’s why I have the battery ones.”
After being placed gently on her feet, Kathy walked to one of the lit pillars and picked it up. “Really? That’s neat.”
“You could use some at your place. Or you could come here and admire mine.”
Astonishment engulfed her as she looked from the candles to the floor where different colored petals were laid out like breadcrumbs down the hall and into a bedroom. “I don’t know what to say. No one has ever done something like this for me.”
“Shame on them.” With one finger he pushed the spiky bangs away from her eyes. “I want you to know you’re special.”
“You make me feel that way.” In her heels they were eye to eye. She could see the emotions swirling in his gaze and acknowledged that this moment was about more than candles, flowers, and wine. Dave wanted serious. Was that what she wanted? The answer was a simple “yes.” This man always seemed to be thinking of her and endlessly seeking ways to make her day better. Right now his expression told her she was the center of his world—a place she’d never been before with anyone else.
She touched her lips to his and let every passionate sensation he awakened in her out.
Forgetting the wine, Dave once again swept her into his arms. He carried her to his bedroom, a woman’s romantic fantasy come true. She’d always dreamt about it. Had even asked Todd to do it once, just so she could live it, but he had a “bad back.”
A moment of hesitation swept over her. Butterflies swarmed in her stomach and she tried fruitlessly to calm them. Things were about to change. This step, this moment, embedded a vital element in the rest of their lives.
Dave stood her on her heels and only stared—his surveying eyes taking all of her in. However, instead of feeling self-conscious, she felt liberated and brave. Without touching he leaned into her so they both would lie back on his bed together. Never having felt this kind of connection before, the marvel of experiencing it grew inside her as she felt the urge to bring not only their bodies together as one but also their minds.
Mouths leisurely feasted as Kathy’s trembling hands began unbuttoning his shirt. Yet it was not nerves that made her quake but excitement for the pleasures to come. This was what she had been missing. His smell engulfed her, an intoxicating scent of male strength and need. The strong, inked arms quietly massaged her thighs and breasts while he whispered to her.
“You’re so beautiful.” Dave pulled one of her shoulder straps down with his teeth then moved to the next to do the same.
“I’ve been waiting for you forever, Dave.” Kathy kissed him soundly, hoping he could feel not only her need for him but the emotions that pulled at her to be with him… always.
He straddled her then sat back on his haunches and ran one finger from her ear, down her neck, to the low dip of her cleavage. “Exquisite.”
Her mind drew a blank. This man seriously wanted her—all of her.
Leaning up to him, she parted his open shirt to run kisses over his chest. “I love seeing you in a suit and tie.” Hearing his sharp intake of breath, Kathy’s bravado became stronger. Her hands ran over the taut muscles until they found the snap of his pants. She wanted him all to herself. Craved the desire he stirred inside her, and sought to make him as dazzled as she.
Once the zipper came down she worked his pants lower on his hips until he sprang up, an invitation before her.
“Kathy, there’s so much I want to do to you.”
“I know.” She looked into his crazed eyes and knew he was with her. He would submit to whatever she wanted. “But right now I want to taste you.”
Once more she lay back on the bed but this time urged his body to move up as she scooted down. Straddled over her face, he carefully lowered himself into her mouth. With his hands braced on the bedrails above her, Kathy pushed to bring him to the edge of delirium. She worked her hands, tongue, and mouth in a torturous tirade of motion. He moaned, no growled, and pulled himself out only to replace the emptiness with his mouth.
“You win,” he told her, as his hands worked her dress off.
Kathy wondered what his reaction would be when he saw the black garter and stockings she wore beneath the silky fabric. She had hoped he would be shocked, maybe even speechless. Her answer came as an outburst of disbelief.
“I’m totally dreaming. There is no way a woman like you would be with a man like me.”
“Dave, there’s so much inside of me for you.”
His head darted between her thighs. Kisses and little nips. Strong hands gripping, then soft caresses. The tangled emotional ball that started to grow inside her the moment he brought her into his bedroom, now grew to an unbearable size. Hot fire—no that’s not right—blazing pleasure, that’s what she felt. When Dave moved her panties aside and covered her with his mouth, her body bowed back and she screamed. Her body had never known such pleasures.
Dave then took his time undoing every snap on the garter and rolling her stockings down. They locked eyes and she knew he could see the powerful desire she had for him. Kissing her foot, he slowly moved his way up her leg. She leaned back on her elbows enthralled in his journey.
“I love your legs,” he told her.
“I think that’s all you want from me,” she jested.
Dave winked at her then continued his path to her stomach. “Lie back.”
“Whatever you want, Mr. Sanders.”
On a moan he moved to one of her breasts then the other. “I don’t want to leave any part of you out.”
Her hands moved through his hair and then pulled his face down so his lips would come back to hers. “You’re very thorough, I doubt that’ll happen.”
Positioning himself between her legs, Dave teased, “Maybe I don’t want this part to end so fast.” He reared up and then flipped Kathy on her stomach before she could comprehend the change. Then he lay over her while his hands caressed her body beneath him. His hot breath in her ear told erotic tales that only made her more ready for him to end this torment. Her rear end bucked up and he slid his rigid shaft between her cheeks.
“What do you want me to do?”
“You know what I want.” Frustrated she worked again to line him up with her vibrating entrance, to slide him in and end the teasing. But each time she tried he out-maneuvered her.
“I don’t know unless you tell me,” he told her while reaching a hand between her and the mattress to roll a nipple between his fingers.
“Oh, my God! Please, David.”
“Please what?”
His hand searc
hed lower to where heat pumped out of her. When his fingers lightly teased her, she tried to push into them but to no avail. He was in command.
“Tell me.”
Her resolve snapped and she felt her mind release all control of her body. “Take me. Make mad passionate love to me. I want to feel you inside me.”
He flipped her back over and crushed his mouth to hers. “Tell me again. Right now as I’m entering you.”
“I want you, Dave. I need you.”
So slow, so agonizing. He didn’t seem to move fast enough so she wrapped her legs around his bottom and pushed him in. Bright lights went off behind her closed lids like fireworks. Once inside her he ceased movement. Every nerve seemed to be on high alert. Her muscles quivered with unexpected pleasure. Dave, braced above her, smiled then lowered his lips to hers.
There were no quick jolting moves. He took his time with her and together they became one. Mind, body, and soul.
* * *
It was after two when Dave rolled over to look at the clock. They had managed to drink the wine—even pour a little on each other and then sip it off. He laughed and Kathy joined him.
“What are we laughing about?” she asked.
“I was thinking about the wine. And the strawberries and the whipped cream.”
“Let’s not forget the Pixy Stix you found.”
“Mmmm.” He rolled over and onto her. “You’re beautiful.”
“Really? You can see me in the dark?”
“I can see you in my mind.” He rubbed his nose to hers. “How do you feel?”
“Wonderful.” Her hands moved up his naked body to rest on his shoulders. “I haven’t been this relaxed since… well, I don’t know.”
“Good. I plan on keeping you this way.” He hadn’t expected to make the kiss so passionate but now that he developed a taste for her, it sure seemed hard to stop.
“Again?” she asked on a laugh.
“Again.” Dave pulled the covers over their heads and had his way with her for a third time.
An hour later he was sated and began to drift off to sleep when he felt the bed move. He opened an eye when Kathy turned on the light. “Where are you going?”
“Home.” She told him while collecting her clothes.
“Excuse me?” Dave yawned.
“Home. Everyone knows that men prefer the woman to leave. I don’t want to overstay my welcome.”
“We’ve already proven, multiple times, that you’ve been with the wrong men. I’m not one of them.” He held out a hand. “Stay.” The contemplation in her face pleased him. This was what she wanted as well but was too afraid. “Stay,” he repeated.
Dave never dropped his hand until hers was in his. He stayed awake until he heard the sweet sounds of her slumber. He never knew what love truly was until the moment she turned her body into his and snuggled as close as two people could get.
Chapter Thirteen
Kathy had just gotten out of her car and was reminiscing about the previous night with Dave when she stopped dead in her tracks. Pain streaked through her psyche as apprehension froze her in place. This can’t be happening. Her parents had showed up in a spray-painted bright pink van. For as long as she lived Kathy would never understand why they did the things they did. Looking around her apartment parking lot she couldn’t help but wonder if she should make a run for it. Maybe she was wrong and that wasn’t her parents’ van? She hadn’t seen them yet, right? They hadn’t called to say they were coming for a visit if they even owned a phone. Things had ended badly on their last stopover when Evaan and Telia expressed that they needed the phones and expected Kathy to let them use her credit to get them. Not only did they want her to sign the cell plan, they wanted her to give her credit card number for payment and they would send her money every month. Yeah, right.
Kathy stood in the afternoon sun, the cheery light beams smiling upon her shoulders and the new warmth of spring made the air smell fresh and new. She closed her eyes and hoped when they opened the van would be gone. It wasn’t. And as she walked to it Kathy remembered the news report only a few days after her parents left last time. An old trailer in Rector County that was part of a traveling RV group had been seized. Contents: massive amounts of marijuana and drug paraphernalia; people responsible: unknown. Kathy laughed so hard her sides hurt. She knew it had been her parents’ place because the news showed the inside of the confiscated RV decorated with wild colors and crazy decor. Anyone who knew Evaan and Telia knew it was them.
Biting the bullet Kathy knocked on the van door and hoped she was wrong. But when it slid open, her father’s face split into a grin.
“Karma! Honey, come look! It’s Karma.”
“Oh, we missed you so much!” Telia leaped out of the bubble gum–colored vehicle and hugged her daughter. “I’d been afraid you moved because you didn’t come home last night.”
They smelled bad, like they hadn’t showered in a week. She cleared her throat before her gag reflex fully developed. “Why don’t you come inside and clean up,” she offered.
“Do you have any food?” Evaan looked hopeful.
“I’m sure there’s something. I have a few hours before work so that’ll give you enough time to clean up and do whatever it is you need to do.” As Kathy walked away from them, her heart pulled at her to be nicer, while her brain said not to let them stay at her place.
“Can I do some laundry?” her mother called out.
“You have enough time for one load.”
Kathy rushed into her residence then kicked off her high heels. They landed with a thump against the entryway wall. At least she had on a jacket to cover the back of her dress. Not that that would stop them from commenting on her attire. Her feet marched down the hall and into her room where she slammed the door with retaliation. Damn them for coming and ruining her day. Now instead of going to work and giving Dave seductive eyes, talking him into letting her come over for “dinner,” she would have to be home making sure nothing got stolen. With her mood ever souring, Kathy began undressing.
“Karma, dear!” her father called out. “Where are you?”
“I’m changing.” The doorknob jiggled, reminding Kathy why, even after years of living on her own, she still locked the door when she changed.
“I’d like to talk to you about something serious,” Evaan told her.
“I already know about Todd, Dad. And I’ll be out in a minute.”
“I know you do. We talked to him and—”
“Damn it! I’ll be out in a minute!” She sat on the bed with her face in her hands. Why did they never listen? His footsteps thumped away—heavy and disapproving of her outburst. Evaan and Telia didn’t like raised voices, it was a sign of uneasiness in the soul. As far as Kathy was concerned, it seemed to be the only way to get them to halfway listen.
The buzzing in her purse was a sweet distraction from the mess outside her door and she scurried to find her phone before it stopped ringing.
“Hello?”
“What’s wrong?” Dave’s voice demanded.
“My parents are here and I can’t get them to leave.”
“I’ll be over in five.”
“No, Dave. I don’t want you to come.” Yes I do, desperately. He’d be able to support her, tell her that she wasn’t the one who was wrong. But her parents were so embarrassing and subjecting Dave to that side of her life was something she couldn’t let him see.
“Five minutes, Muffin.” Then he hung up.
Relief washed over her. She would have backup. For the first time in her life there would be someone there for her.
Telia knocked on the door. “Kathy, honey. Where’s your detergent?”
Of course they didn’t bring their own. “Under the sink.” With an engorged lump lodged in her throat, she opened the door and faced her parents.
“Like I was saying,” her father announced, “we talked to Todd and he told us you were a little frantic and not yourself. It was hard for us to hear the news, too.”<
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“Yeah,” Kathy drew out. “I wouldn’t say I was ‘frantic.’ ”
“Oh, my dear.” Telia came over and wrapped her arms around her daughter. “He is such a gentleman. Would always think of his lovers before—”
“Gross, Ma. Very gross.” Kathy pulled away from Telia to lean against her empty counter with her arms crossed. “I can’t believe you would give Todd my information. I am not okay with that.”
Telia’s large breath brought her bony chest up and straightened her back. “I thought you were over that teenage crush, Karma.”
“Crush?” She opened her mouth to continue but the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it!” Evaan announced before Kathy could even move to greet her savior.
* * *
The door opened to a thin, grungy man with even grimier clothes. The smell that permeated from him made Dave take a step back. This is Kathy’s father? The realization would have been funny if he hadn’t been so horrified. The stringy hair, the off-grayish color of his skin, and the yellow nails he was now chewing on made Dave’s stomach sour.
“Is Kathy here?”
The man surveyed him while chewing. “Yeah.” But he didn’t move.
“Can I see her, please?”
“I’m her father and we’re having a family—”
“Dave.” Kathy appeared breathless and relieved.
“Hi, Muffin.” He leaned around her father to kiss her cheek. “Thought I’d stop in before work and see if you wanted to ride in together.”
“Oh, you work with Karma?” Telia asked. There was a slight slyness to her smile and Dave instantly knew that her mother didn’t think he knew Kathy’s former name.
“Actually I do work with Kathy.” He smiled at Telia while reaching out a hand. “I’m Dave.”
“Nice to meet ya, I’m Telia. My husband, Evaan.”
The two men only nodded at each other.
“Do you want some coffee, Dave?” Kathy pulled him in by the arm.
“I would love some. So how long are you folks in town?” He caught Kathy’s eye and winked, trying to ease her mind about her parents’ arrival.