Summer Indiscretions

by Tamara Mataya

  That’s all it takes. With one giant inhale, everything clamps down on me at once, squeezing my cock like a fist, seizing my thumb, the muscles trying to draw everything deeper inside. Two more pumps and the tightness makes it impossible for me to hold on any longer. I spill into the condom with hot spurts of pleasure that stab through my belly and balls.

  We collapse onto the bed together. Still inside her, I roll us to our sides so I don’t crush her, because I’m pretty sure my legs can’t take the way Mel’s pussy still milks my cock.

  Mel shifts beside me. “You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you? Admit it.”

  “I was going to ask you the same thing. I think my heart almost burst inside my chest.” Warmth overtakes me. “Not just from the sex, either.” I kiss her shoulder and give her a squeeze. “I meant what I said earlier. I love you.” This time I feel less vulnerable when I say it.

  “I meant it too.” Her voice is gentle. “And I love being in your arms like this, Blake.”

  My heart stutters in my chest. “But?”

  “I can’t relax until you wash your hands.”

  I burst out laughing, relieved I wasn’t getting the “It’s not you, it’s me” speech. “What, you’re saying you don’t want me to hand-feed you some fresh strawberries right now?” I pull out of her and sit up.

  She giggles and sits. “Definitely not. I can’t believe I did that.”

  “I was there too.”

  “Mmm, you were.” She grins and kisses my shoulder. “I’ve never done anything like that before. You make it easy to do whatever I want.”

  “Glad to hear it.” I stand. “I’m going to clean up. How about we get something to eat, and then do whatever you want again?”

  “That can be arranged.” She winks.

  “Do you want to join me in the shower?”

  Her pupils dilate. “Showers with you are probably one of my favorite things.” Her stomach growls and we laugh. “But food needs to be the next thing getting inside me. I’ll fix us a snack while you clean up.”

  She uses the washroom first, and then I hop into the shower, lathering and rinsing as quickly as I can to get back to her as fast as possible.

  What a weird trip.

  A weird, amazing, life-changing, fucking epic trip.

  I thought I was coming here to poke my nose in and check on her. Maybe I’d hook up with someone and then go back home. I never thought I’d find something lasting, never mind with Melanie.

  I stand and brace my hands on the tile, letting the water drip down my body. I turn so the spray pounds some of the tension from my back. The hotel’s nice, but their beds are too firm for me to sleep well, and when I’m not in them, I’m not getting sleep with Mel.

  You’re getting old, Blake. Next you’ll be monitoring your fiber intake and yelling at the kids to get off your lawn.

  If knowing a great thing when you see it means you’re getting older, then old age, I embrace you! I am older and smarter, and there’s no way I’m letting go of Mel. Florida’s been amazing, and I could stay here forever, but I want to get back to my real life in New York so Mel and I can move on together.

  I turn the shower off and grab a towel.

  It’s going to take some time to adjust to the shift between us—in more than a few ways.

  Her family is going to be the biggest shift. I hope her brother understands that I truly love her and want the best for her, because I can’t pass up this chance at happiness with her. I’ve been part of the family for so long that I hope they don’t think this is weird or that I somehow took advantage. Then again, when has Mel ever let someone take advantage of her?

  But I’ve been alone for so long that I’ve gotten used to it. Not that I’ve liked the prospect, but I hadn’t thought it would be fair to get serious with anyone with my tight schedule the last couple years.

  That’s almost finished, though, and with a little work, I’ll be opening my own practice in the next few years. I can’t think of anyone I’d rather have by my side as my partner in crime than Mel. She’s everything I’ve ever wanted and more, inside the bedroom and out of it. Just having her there by my side back in real life is going to be amazing.

  Dried off, I hang the towel over the rack and realize I don’t have any clothes in here.

  I head back to the empty bedroom, inhaling deeply to hold the mingled scents of our lovemaking in my lungs. We even smell good together. She’s probably still in the kitchen, or in the living room. I grin and step into my boxers, shaking my head at the way my dick’s already at half-mast thinking about her again.

  I can’t believe how unrestrained she was. We’ve only been together for a couple weeks. What will she be like in a year or two, when we’re completely comfortable with each other?

  I can’t wait to find out more about her. She’s wild, passionate, caring, strong. Fierce.

  No one could get tired of making love to Mel. I could never get tired of talking to her, listening to her thoughts. I’ve got it bad, but she’s analytical. I can’t rush her into anything or try to extract promises tonight. No, tonight’s about enjoying each other, wallowing in this amazing feeling of trust, lust, and love. Friendship turned to more.

  So much more.

  She’s bending over the oven when I walk into the kitchen.

  Hot damn.

  I don’t know if it’s better with her on top of me or the other way around, feeling her undulate beneath me. It doesn’t matter who’s where as long as it’s her and me. We’ll make this work because we’re perfect for each other. Nothing else matters.

  Mel and me.

  Chapter 25

  Melanie

  Blake left yesterday. That was easier than today. I had laundry and cleaning to do to keep me busy, keep my mind occupied. But waking up alone today was harder than it should have been. It reeked of neediness.

  For crying out loud, you’ve slept with him for a couple weeks, not a couple years. It’s ridiculous to miss him already.

  But I do. Bailey picks up on the first ring. “The blood’s gone back to your fingers enough to call me! Excellent.”

  “Shut up. Blake left yesterday.”

  “Awww, the debauchery has come to an end.”

  I bite my lip. “Yeah.”

  “I’m hearing a sad trombone tone. What’s wrong?” Her tone sharpens. “Did he turn into a jerk? Because if he did, so help me, I will stab him in the—”

  “No, he’s amazing. I’m just feeling a little blah, I guess.”

  “I feel like that when vacations end too, and I have to come back home to laundry and work. Is that all it is?”

  No, but it’s nothing I want to think about. “Yeah. I’m a little worried about meeting Shelby too. I’ve scoured her house, practically erasing my entire presence. I washed her sheets twice and flipped her mattress—though I still feel guilty—and I replaced some of the fresh produce that was in her fridge so she’s not coming home to an empty pantry.”

  “That would make me sad too. It’s like you’re erasing your vacation in a way.”

  “Yeah, that’s probably it.” More than she knows. “Anyway, I should probably get going. She’ll be here soon, and I’m dying to meet her.”

  “She’s probably just as nervous to meet you.”

  Somehow, I doubt it. “Love you, Bails.”

  “Love you too, and I will see you soon!”

  Shelby being nervous to meet me seems unlikely. I want to cultivate a sense of cool like she has—or at least, as I’ve heard through her friends. I’ve been texting Ariella and Andrew. They’re in Tampa today so I can’t say a proper good-bye, but they’ve promised to keep in touch.

  I intend to, so I hope they weren’t blowing smoke up my ass.

  I’ve been to the dry cleaners to pick up the dress I borrowed, and I’m pulling fresh cookies from the oven (fine, r
eheated store-bought cookies) when there’s a knock at the door, followed immediately by a woman’s deep voice. “Hello?”

  I startle but hold on to the tray. “Hi.”

  Shelby strides into the kitchen, pulling a wheeled suitcase almost as big as she is behind her. She shoves her shades onto the top of her head. “Holy crap, you made cookies? Are you sure you have to leave me?”

  I smile and set the tray on the top of the stove. “Don’t tempt me.” I hold my hand out. “I’m Mel.”

  “Nice to actually meet you.” She eschews my handshake and grabs me in a tight hug. “It’s been so strange living in your house—not that your house is strange, but it’s a different world in New York, you know?”

  “Definitely a different world.”

  She lets me go and snags a cookie, wincing and blowing on her fingers. “They’re better when you get burned just a little.”

  I grab one as well. “The meltiness is worth it.”

  “It is. So, how was your Switch? Did you like Florida?”

  “I really did. We went down to Marathon one day but mostly hung out here or at the beach.”

  “Did you go surfing? I should have said you could use my board!” She grins, huge and charming. It’s easy to see why Ariella said everyone wants to hang with Shel.

  “No, it’s cool. I’ve never been into surfing, but we tried flyboarding.”

  “Holy crap, that’s awesome! I’ve always wanted to, but it looks scary. I don’t think I have the coordination for that.”

  Is she serious or trying to make me feel better? “Hey, if I can do it, anyone can do it. You should try it.”

  She grins again. “Maybe I will. You up for some wine?”

  “Sure.”

  She pulls a bottle of sparkling white from her bag and gets us each a glass.

  I grab another cookie, hand her one, and we head into the living room.

  “Holy shit,” Shelby says.

  I follow her gaze to the shelves, cringing a little at how different it looks. My cheeks heat up as I blush. Maybe I overstepped my boundaries when I organized it the day I fled the nude beach. “Look, I have a little bit of a cleaning thing, but if I went too far, I’m sorry. I didn’t throw anything out. It’s just—”

  “No, it’s awesome. I’ve been meaning to get around to it, but organization’s not my strong suit. I get overwhelmed pretty easily with stuff like that. But you made a whole freaking system—I can find everything so easily!” She walks over and picks up a ring with a tiny tree frog on it. She holds it up and smiles at me. “I’ve been looking for this for two years.”

  “It was behind a stack of movies.”

  She tilts her head. “Are you sure you can’t stay? I’ve got an office that looks like a bomb hit it.”

  I laugh. “I noticed but didn’t touch it.”

  “Aww, nuts.” She snaps her fingers, and we sit on the couch. “I can’t believe how quickly the Switch flew by.”

  “Did you like New York?”

  She tips her head back, resting it against the cushion. “It was more than I thought it would be. Bigger, faster, bolder. Everything moves so fast there. It’s like the world’s trying to cram every exciting thing into one tiny area to bombard you with options. You’ll never have time to see it all, but damned if you’re not going to try your best.”

  Affection warms my heart. “That’s exactly it.”

  “I’m definitely going back. Did you like my stomping grounds?”

  “I did. I can’t believe how big your place is. Mine must have felt like a Hobbit hole in comparison. I can’t imagine being this close to the beach every day, though. I’d never feel like I was in real life. Every day would feel like a vacation.”

  “But isn’t that the point of life? Living like you’re free and always having fun?”

  I take a sip of wine, letting the bubbles pop against my palate. “I could use a little more of that philosophy in my life.”

  “Will you be coming down here again soon?”

  “Probably not as soon as I’d like.” I wrinkle my nose. “All this fresh air and space is bad for my constitution.”

  “You’re hilarious, just like Shawn.”

  My eyebrows fly up, and I almost spit out my mouthful of wine. “My Shawn? My big brother Shawn? How exactly do you know him?”

  Her hesitation says it all.

  I squeal. “Oh my God, spill! I mean, spill the situation, not the nitty-gritty details because he’s my brother and that’s gross and I’d have to bleach my brain. But what happened?”

  She nibbles her cookie and sighs. “He came over on my first night to read me the riot act and make sure I wasn’t some psycho taking up residence in his sister’s house. I managed to convince him I wasn’t a thief. He was also concerned that you’d been tricked into being sold into slavery, so that was charming.”

  “Shawn’s such a dick sometimes.”

  “He is. And after he ran out of steam and realized I wasn’t a criminal mastermind, we got to talking. He was intense, but he’s fun and funny too, and I know he only came in with guns blazing because he cares. He has a goofy sense of humor that you don’t see anywhere. It made me want to hang out with him. I asked if he’d point me to a good restaurant in the area, and he offered to be my date for the night. We talked for hours. He’s had some crazy adventures.”

  “Coming from you, that’s saying something.” I qualify my statement when she frowns. “I met a few of your friends. I came back from snorkeling, and they were in your living room playing a card game.”

  “Oh shit, that must have been weird.”

  “It was, but they’re pretty awesome.”

  “So, did you and any of them…”

  I shake my head. “I’ve, um…I’ve sort of been seeing someone while I’m down here.”

  She squints and then flaps her hand. “Oh my God, please tell me it’s your brother’s friend he sent down here.”

  I choke on my wine. “What the hell? How do you know about that? Yes, his name’s Blake.”

  “I’m right? Yes! Shawn was with me when Blake called to reassure him you were OK. I knew something was up. No guy is that thorough in seeing to a woman’s well-being unless he’s really interested in her.”

  “Wow.”

  “I love being right.” She smugly nestles into the couch. “So, you guys hooked up? Where is he? Can I meet him? Is he cute?”

  “He’s amazing.” I pull up a selfie I took of us at Marathon.

  “He is cute. Look at those dimples.”

  “And he’s great with his hands.” I waggle my eyebrows and laugh, telling her about our history, including the painful crush I had on him growing up. She makes all the right sympathetic sounds and winces along with me. She has refilled our glasses once by the time I get to the day on the nude beach, when he saw way more of me than even I would have wanted.

  “No wonder he suddenly didn’t see you like his best friend’s kid sister anymore. Not with those dangerous curves.”

  “You should talk. Victoria’s Secret called; you’re late for the runway.”

  “Please, I bought my boobs when I was twenty-three. Have you seen your eyes?”

  “Anyone could have them with contact lenses.” Mine are real, though. I roll them but glow from her compliments. Or the wine. Probably both. “Thank you. I really needed this girl time. I got a little of that with your Ariella, but it wasn’t the same as with my best friend, Bailey, at home—and even if Ari and I had had the time, the guys were right there most of the time. Plus we’d just met. I realize you and I just met too, but I’ve been living in your house. Somehow, it feels—”

  “Different.” She smiles. “It really does. You think your house was cramped, but to me it felt safe. Secure. Sleeping in your room was like sleeping in a warm hug.”

  “Thanks for saying that.
”

  “I mean it. So tell me.” She leans forward. “Do you think you’ll see Blake again?”

  “Oh, I know I’ll see him again. He and my brother have been best friends forever.”

  She quirks one perfectly arched brow. “You know that’s not what I’m talking about. You’re glowing in that picture with him, and you light up whenever you mention his name. You can’t glow like that and not be with the guy.”

  I sigh. “I’m worried that it’s all just a dream. That I’m making more of it than what it is. And we’re so not ourselves right now. Well, I’m not. Florida has made me a different person.”

  “And you can take those changes back to New York. Don’t put limits on things, and you won’t be limited.”

  “That sounds like an affirmation.”

  She shrugs. “One of the guys I work with is kind of a hippie. Sometimes he comes up with good things.”

  “All I know is that I love him and I don’t want what we had here to end.”

  “So keep it going.” Shelby clinks her glass against mine. “Do you think you’ll do a Switch again?”

  “Probably not. There’s no way it would be as positive as this. Will you?”

  She tucks her legs under her. “Probably not. I’m not about trying to chase a positive experience. It doesn’t usually work. That’s why I like trying new things. Anyway, I didn’t mean to pry about you and Blake. It’s just that I heard so much about both of you from your brother. He’s worried about you, you know.”

  “I know. To say this was outside my realm of personality is the biggest understatement ever.”

  “I wonder what his reaction will be when he finds out about you two.”

  Panic splashes through my stomach. “You can’t tell him! Please, promise me you won’t say a word to my brother. I don’t know what we’re going to say or when we’re going to say it. How we’re going to say it. I want to enjoy things with Blake as they are before we label things and tell my family.”