“Are you okay?” he asked, looking at me with brow furrowed in concern. “Do you hurt anywhere?”
I shook my head, giving him an uncomfortable smile. “No. I think I just need to sit down a bit.”
It would have been simpler if we’d just used a bed, or heck, the couch in the lobby, as awkward as that would have been for me. I thought that, but I didn’t say it.
His expression turned apologetic. “I’m sorry,” he murmured. “If I’d known it was your first time, I would have been more careful.”
He was frowning and it wasn’t too hard to guess he was thinking of useless things. I hid a wince as I turned to him, smiling instead.
“It’s fine. It’s not like you knew, I didn’t tell you.”
“But I just assumed…” His voice trailed off, but I didn’t need him to say it out loud to know.
For some reason, in the times we lived in, it was strange to be in your twenties and still be a virgin. Now, I called bullshit, but it was a stupid stereotype that all of my friends fit pretty well into. I was just the odd one out. Dan hadn't thought to ask, and I hadn't thought it was something important to say. I wasn’t a virgin anymore, so it was irrelevant, anyway.
“Give me the keys,” he said, holding out his hands.
I was startled by his sudden seriousness, but I did as he wanted, giving him the keys. I watched as he unlocked the hotel, then opened the door wide. He turned to me, and I yelped when he picked me up in his arms, princess style, and carried me inside.
“You really don’t have to do this,” I gasped, partly embarrassed, though mostly just shocked. I’d never had someone carry me like that before that wasn’t family, and then while I was still a kid.
“I want to,” he said, voice determined. “I’m going to take you to your room. You’ll probably want a shower. I’ll get cleaned up myself and come up and make you something to eat, okay?”
I opened my mouth to remind him of the snacks I’d packed for us that were still in the bag, but he threw me a look that brooked no argument, and my mouth snapped shut. He took me to my room and set me down, dropping the bag.
“Get washed up and get dressed. I’ll be back in thirty minutes. You can make food in your room, right?”
I shrugged. “I only have the small kitchenette merged with my tiny living room, though,” I said, waving my hands as if to show it off.
“It’ll be enough,” he declared, clamping his hands on my shoulders and planting a hard kiss on my lips. Then he turned and left the room.
I blinked at his back, then he was gone. I wasn’t sure why he was suddenly acting so strangely, but I didn’t care as long as he really did come back. I wanted a shower, so I headed for my bathroom. I set the shower to warm water, and it seemed to help a little as I washed off the mess all over me. The ache in my lower back, and between my thighs, even lessened, just a little. I stepped out and pulled on another dress, then sat back on the bed, thinking about how many outfits I’d already gone through for the day.
My room was separated between the bedroom and living room by a patch of wall. On the other side of that wall was the kitchenette, so when I heard sounds, I immediately knew Dan was back.
“Are you really making something?” I called out after a few minutes.
All I could hear was some suspicious sounds, none of which could possibly be cooking, because I didn’t hear any pots and pans.
“Sort of,” Dan called back.
I didn’t know what that mean, but I didn’t get out of bed to go find out. Five minutes later, I realized, anyway. Dan walked in, looking proud of himself as he held up a plate on three fingers like he was a waiter from some fancy restaurant.
“Bon appetite,” he said with what I thought was perfectly pronounced French, offering me the plate with a flourish.
It was a sandwich. Slices of rye bread with lettuce leaves, some tomatoes and pickles and a few layers of meat, just from what I could see. I slapped a hand over my face and giggled.
“You can't call this cooking,” I complained. “It’s just putting things together.”
He put on an offended air. “I’ll have you know, I spent time on this, and I got it right on my first try.”
I winced. “Please tell me you didn’t waste any food, Dan.”
He looked sheepish. “Don’t worry, I’ll eat my own disasters.” Then his expression turned serious, and he let the sandwich down on the nightstand. He kneeled on the edge of my bed. “Actually, I kinda wanted to apologize for earlier.”
I winced. “Dan, that really is not the thing I want you to say to me.”
“I don’t regret what happened between us. I do, however, regret how I went about it. I really should have been more careful with you. I mean, you got fucked on the ground for your first time, and just…”
He was frowning and probably blaming himself again. I chewed on my lip, reaching out for his hand. I tugged on it, and he looked up.
“You can make it up to me,” I whispered.
His eyebrows shot up, but he looked interested. “And how would you like me to do that?”
“Try again?” I suggested.
He blinked at me, then frowned. “Really, Scarlett? It’s not great the first time, so the second time has to be magic?”
I snorted. “No one said anything about magic, Dan,” I said humorously. Then, I sighed and gave him a genuine smile. “And, while there was a bit of an ache, I don’t remember actually saying it was terrible.”
“Mediocre, maybe?” he joked.
“Way better than mediocre,” I retorted. I bit my lip and tried to give him a sultry look. I didn’t know what I was doing, so I probably looked ridiculous, but Dan wasn’t laughing at me. “I’d really like it if you did it again,” I admitted. “I feel better after the shower and sitting down.”
I was anxious he would say no to me. His expression looked pensive, though, and after a moment of thought, he seemed to make up his mind. I braced myself for him leaning away from me. Instead, he ducked down and kissed me. I made a sound of surprise, before I was wrapping my arms around his neck and clinging onto him.
He pulled back with a last peck to my lips. “If we’re doing this again, I’m taking it slow this time.”
I offered up no objections. He tugged me lower in the bed so I was laying on my back. Slowly, he undressed me, dropping my clothes off the side of the bed. Then he stood up and got undressed himself. He crawled onto the bed and toward me, naked and half hard. I parted my knees readily for him, and when he fit his hips between my thighs, I reached between us to wrap my hand around his cock, stroking him.
“I’m going to need you to stay still,” Dan grumbled, tugging my hand off him. “I need to have some level of control here, Scarlett.”
I pouted, but I laid my hands on the bed and looked up at him.
He started from my lips, kissing me softly, slowly. Then he moved to my neck, and lower to my chest. He paused a bit in his descent to give lavish attention to both of my breasts. Then, he continued to make his way down my stomach.
I was doing my best to keep still and not react, but it was hard. I couldn’t stay still, but I did my best. When I felt him blow warm air over my pubes, my back arched as I gasped, my hips swiveling, because I wanted his attention just a little lower.
Dan was being a fucking tease, though, because his mouth moved to my right hip, scraping the skin with his teeth, then sucking hard.
“Please, Dan,” I whispered, reaching my hands to clench in his hair. I tugged a little, just enough to encourage, and he looked up to meet my eyes. I just bit my lip and squirmed.
Then I felt his mouth press against my sex, and I arched into the touch, letting out a low moan.
“Yes, just like that,” I sighed.
He licked a broad swipe over my sex, ending with the tip of his tongue pressed against my clit. He repeated the motion again and again, leaving me squirming and crying out. Then he was pressing his tongue inside, and I squeezed my thighs around his shoulders.
After a few thrusts that left me wanting, he pulled away, my hands sliding out of his hair as he did.
“We’re trying this again,” he said, voice hoarse. “Tell me if you feel uncomfortable and want me to stop.”
I just bit my lip, looking down between our bodies. I could have told him there was no way I would tell him to stop, but I didn’t bother. His hands held the backs of my thighs, holding my legs up and out. The head of his cock rubbed against my clit, then lowered to tease at my entrance.
I wanted to squirm, but Dan held me in place as he slowly pushed inside me. I watched his cock disappear into me, gasping and wondering why I found it so hot. I could feel his cock filling me, and my hands clenched the bed sheets, because Dan was a little far away.
He watched my face the entire time, and I only realized after he’d bottomed out and I looked up. He kept his eyes on my face as he pulled his hips back, then thrust into me, going slow. He picked up a rhythm. It was slow, but it had me breathing hard and squirming with every thrust, as much as he would allow me to do.
“Dammit, Scarlett,” he growled, his hands tightening around the back of my thighs. “You’re so fucking hot. Do you have any idea how hard it is to hold back like this?”
I moaned. “Then don’t,” I panted. “Please, Dan.”
Dan let out a groan as his hands released my thighs, and I wrapped my legs around his hips. He lowered his body on top of mine, one of his arms wrapping around my waist and arching my back slightly, his other hand clenching in my hair and keeping my head in place. He kissed me as he rolled his hips against mine. The position wasn’t unlike the one he’d had me in before, but it was different. He fucked me in slow, deep thrusts. I came before I was ready for it, no less intense than before, but it definitely lasted longer as he kept his rolling thrusts, hitting his own climax not long after I did.
Dan rolled off me, wrapping me in his arms and keeping me close as I slumped against his chest. I closed my eyes, and fell asleep.
Chapter Ten
Scarlett
I woke up the next morning feeling achy. It was different, but it felt better than how I’d been after he’d taken me for the first time. I could almost imagine I was still in the afterglow of that last orgasm.
I’d dreamt of yesterday, and as I woke up, I realized the difference between the first and the second time we’d had sex, a difference I very much hoped was real. While the first time had been pure, carnal fucking, something we’d both wanted, the second time had felt like making love, or what I thought it would feel like, anyway, in those nights I would lay awake fantasizing.
It had me just a little bit excited.
I stretched my body out, then blinked my eyes open. I frowned when I realized something I should have already. I rolled over just to make sure. I was alone.
“Hello?” I called. “Dan?”
There could have been plenty of reasons he’d left the bed. Maybe, he’d gone to the bathroom, or, he was trying his hand at cooking again in my kitchenette. Or, he’d gone back to his own room because he’d wanted something.
But I had a bad feeling.
Trying to push it away, I got up and went to get cleaned up. Then I got dressed, and went around to look for Dan. It wasn’t until I made it downstairs and to the counter when I accepted that he’d actually left. His key card was sitting right there on the counter, with some bills under it that I assumed covered the rest of his bills.
All he’d left was the card and the money. He’d disappeared, and not even a fucking note, or a forwarding address where I could get in contact with him. I’d never asked for his phone number, hadn't even thought about it, and I was suddenly berating myself for not thinking about it. There was no way I could find him. Besides his name and a few snippets of his life he’d given me, what did I know about him?
Nothing.
I didn’t even get enough time to mope, because I heard the door open. The little that Dan had told me about himself, would make it impossible for me to find him. Except he did give me one clue. The name of the company that he worked at. Then again, why should I try to find him? He left without even saying goodbye. It was clear that he'd had his fun and just as quickly as he'd come into my life, he left again. I didn’t want to deal with any guests, not when the man who took my virginity hadn't even give me the courtesy that I deserved.
I was such a fool!
I thought that I meant something to him, but as they say, 'Actions speak louder than words,' and all of the feelings were just to take the one thing that he wanted, what all men want, 'Sex!'
I turned around slowly only to find my dad.
Great!
I didn't know which one was worse, dealing with guests or him?
“Hey, Dad,” I grumbled. “Don’t you look happy,” I added with a touch of sarcasm. I shook my head, I was alone and Dad was the only one that could offer me comfort. I should have been happier to see him. Relieved even. He grinned at me in a way I hadn't seen in a long time, since before my brother left for the Navy.
“That’s because I feel happy, honey,” he practically boomed, his loud voice echoing in the lobby. “Arguably the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.”
At the moment, I was more interested in immersing myself in my own misery, but his over the top reaction had me curious. “What happened while you were away, anyway?” I asked.
He hummed. “Something exciting happen?”
He walked over the counter and leaned against it, looking at me and smiling. I didn’t know if he wanted me to fucking guess or what, but after a minute of him just standing there and smiling at me, I wrinkled my nose.
“Dad, seriously. Just tell me what it is and stop acting all weird, would you? I’ve never seen you act this…silly, even when you are happy.”
He chuckled, drumming his fingers on the counter.
“I’m moving.”
I blinked. “I’m sorry, Dad. Could you repeat that?”
“You heard me, Scarlett. Your old man is moving.”
“Moving to where?” I asked, frowning.
“I’m moving in with my girlfriend,” he declared.
My jaw dropped as Dan's prediction became my reality, and I watched as he whirled around, pretend dancing with an imaginary partner. I remembered how he used to do that with me when I was younger, and my jaw snapped closed.
I should have been expecting it. Part of me even had been, only I’d gotten distracted by Dan being around, so I hadn't thought much about it.
But it really was happening. My dad was going to leave me alone in the fucking mountains as he moved a town over just to live with his girlfriend. He still hadn't told me exactly how the two of them met when they didn’t even live in the same town. I’d met her all of once, and that was by accident because she happened to be in town and came to visit my dad. It was before I even knew the two of them were dating.
And now, they were moving in together.
Could things get any worse?
“What do you mean you’re moving, Dad,” I said, trying to act as the voice of reason. Sadly, my own voice trembled a little, though I ignored it. “What the hell are you going to do about the hotel? You’re the owner and manager, and there is no way I can look after it on my own…”
Dad just shrugged. “Oh, well. I never thought of dumping this place on you, Scarlett. You don’t even have to worry about it. If it comes to it, we can just close up, or sell. Whichever you’d prefer—”
“Whichever I’d prefer?” I repeated with incredulity.
“Yes, Scarlett,” he said patiently, like he wasn’t testing mine. “I’ll leave it all to you, and you can do with it all what you see fit. Closing would be the best choice, don’t you think?”
“And what happens if Ben comes back?” I asked, exasperation creeping into my tone. “You know he’s going to be upset if he comes back and finds there is no hotel.”
Dad only shrugged again. “He can be upset all he wants, it’s all his fault for leaving in the first place. Now!
I’m off to get some of my things in order. I don’t have to actually move anything for a few days, but I’m so excited I don’t think I can wait for a few more days…”
He headed up the stairs, probably to his own room, his voice growing quieter until he was too far for me to hear anything he was saying.
He’s actually going to leave me alone, I thought to myself. Just great, Dad.
Of all the times he could have come to me with the news, it had to be after I’d been abandoned by a guy I’d been starting to really care for.
**Present Day***
Chapter Eleven
Dan
I realized I’d been dreaming when Noah returned with the baby and I'd realized that what I'd said before about not being with anyone since Laila was a lie. The baby was quiet, but my friend definitely wasn’t.
“Dude, you better appreciate all the trouble we just went through for you and this kid. I know you’re down in the dumps now, so you can take this as a present for now, but the second you get back on your feet, you are going to hella owe me.”
I wrinkled my nose when he used the word ‘hella’ and didn’t use any other swear word. Fuck, was I going to have to be like that, too? But with my life going to shit, there was too fucking much to swear about…
I looked up as he dumped a bunch of baby stuff on the coffee table in front of me. My eyes, though, were all for the baby. Before, I didn’t even want to look at… well, him. But, after my little daydream, I felt like I was onto something.
“Are you sure you guys bought enough stuff?” Martin snorted, directing the question at Chad, who walked in behind Noah with more stuff in his arms.
Chad shrugged, completely serious as he said, “I don’t know, man. I mean, there’s more stuff in the car, but it’s not like I paid all that much attention when the wife was shopping for the new baby. I pretty much just went for the toys, and…” He looked down at the bags he’d just brought. “I’m pretty sure that’s all I contributed to this purchase, actually.”
Noah sighed. “Yeah, but we paid separately, just so you know. You still owe him for the stuff he bought for your kid, too. Well, whoever this kid belongs to, anyway.”
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