In The Dark

by Monica Murphy

  “You’ll have to wait and see.”

  She pulls her phone out of her small purse she brought with her and checks it. “It’s getting kind of late.”

  I study her, trying my best to keep my expression serious. “You don’t look like you’re turning orange.”

  “What?” She frowns.

  “Do you turn into a pumpkin when it hits midnight? Come on, didn’t you ever watch Cinderella?” I start to laugh and thank God so does she.

  “It’s not even close to midnight but no, I don’t turn into a pumpkin.” She shakes her head, smiling at me. “So. Are you ready to go?”

  “I was born ready.” I leap to my feet and wait for her to do the same, settling my hand at the small of her back as I lead her back to my car. Her body is warm through the thin T-shirt she wears and I smooth my thumb back and forth, just once. Making her shiver.

  Making my entire body tighten.

  Like a fucking gentleman I open the passenger side door for her and she slides in, smiling tentatively up at me as I shut the door. I hurry around the front of the car to the driver’s side, trying to figure out exactly what’s stopping me from jumping her bones tonight.

  Because I want to jump her bones. The attraction is there. Like a magnetic pull between us, undeniable and getting stronger the longer we spend time together. I want to give in. But does she? I can’t quite read her. I may have figured out her life story somewhat but she still didn’t give any extra information. And she hasn’t asked much about me either. Like she doesn’t want to get too close.

  Is that the case? And why the hell am I so eager to figure her out? Worse, why do I want to spill some of my secrets to her? I never want to do that with a girl. Light and easy, that’s the way I like to keep everything. My life is heavy enough. I’d rather focus on the positives.

  Like getting a girl naked. Kissing her. Fucking her. Those are my goals.

  Simple but I never said I was a complex guy.

  He brought me back to the house, which I thought was weird considering he said he had a plan. But this doesn’t look like any sort of plan. This is Gabe bringing me home and dropping me off. End of date, end of story.

  Did he not have a good time? I thought we were getting along pretty well despite my uptightness over eating too much junk food. The guy is like a beast, shoving food down his throat like no big deal and with the body of a sex god.

  Life is so unfair.

  Gabe doesn’t pull up in front of his house though. He pulls into the driveway of my supposed house, cutting the lights and glancing in my direction after he cuts the engine. “Can I come inside?” His deep voice is pitched even lower than usual and I try to contain the shiver that steals over me.

  “Only if you promise not to fall asleep again in the hot tub,” I toss back at him, irritated at myself that I can’t let it go.

  He chuckles. “I don’t want to go in the hot tub. Not tonight. I was hoping to take you somewhere else.”

  If he says bed I’m going to tell him to stuff it. Seriously. I don’t put out on the second date. I’ve never put out at all. I don’t think Gabe has a clue that he’s dealing with a virgin here.

  Well guess what? He is. And I’m not going to give it up so easily to him either. If ever. I’ve held onto it for this long. I can wait for the right guy to come into my life. One who I’ll fall madly in love with and maybe even hope to have babies with someday. I’m all about commitment. I know what happened to Mama. Young and vulnerable, naïve and trusting, she’d given everything to the man who is my birth father and he ditched her before I was even born. Granted he was just a teenager but so was she. Not even his family supported her or helped her after I was born.

  Mama was on her own.

  “What did you have in mind?” I ask warily, not trusting him for a minute. I mean, I like the guy but he is a guy. And he’s made it plain that he’s sexually attracted to me. I see his appreciative looks. He keeps saying he approves of my curves and that’s refreshing. I figured guys like him would only be attracted to perfect stick figures not like me.

  “Let me show you and you’ll find out.”

  Telling myself to ignore his adorable smile, I let us into the house. He takes my hand the minute I shut the door and leads me up the stairs, glancing back when we we’re at the top. “Where’s the master bedroom?”

  Just what I was afraid of. I tug my hand out of his grip, glaring at him. “If you think I’m going to let you into my—dad’s bedroom, you’re sorely mistaken.” That’s another thing, his made up story for me. It was great because now I don’t have to come up with anything and I was at a complete loss in what to tell him, too. He solved that problem quick.

  But he also made me feel guilty for lying. I don’t like liars and here I am, playing at one. It sucks.

  Bad.

  Gabe rolls his eyes. “I’m not trying anything shady, I just want out on that balcony. It’s directly off the master, right?”

  Oh. The balcony. Even I haven’t been up there because…I don’t know, I don’t feel one hundred percent comfortable in this house considering it’s not mine. “It is,” I admit, feeling foolish for doubting him. He’s a charming flirt but he’s never pushed me or made me feel uncomfortable. I should give him a break. “Last door on the left.”

  He takes my hand once more and leads me down the quiet hall, opening the last door on the left and pulling me inside. The room is huge and I reach out to the wall switch and flick on the lights. Six recessed canned lights come on, bathing us in a flattering golden glow and Gabe flashes me a grin.

  “Nice. Mood lighting.” He raises his eyebrows in an exaggerated gesture and I laugh weakly.

  My palms are literally sweating. I hope he doesn’t notice.

  The double doors that take up nearly the entire wall are uncovered, offering us a perfect view of the private docks that are part of the perks of being in this gated community and the ocean lies just beyond like a shimmering, moving blanket of blue. I’m an inner city girl. I may live in Southern California but I rarely have time to go to the beach. Having this view spread out before me on a daily basis is still mind blowing.

  But I forget all about the view when I realize a certain someone is watching me, waiting for some sort of response. When I don’t give it, Gabe lets go of my hand and goes to the double doors, turning the lock and opening them both up while standing in the middle of them. He turns to smile at me, indicating with his arm that I should go outside. “Join me?”

  I walk toward him, nerves bouncing inside of my stomach and making me jittery. He doesn’t tear his gaze away from mine, continues watching me as I approach and when I reach him, he gently takes my arm and leads me out onto the balcony.

  The cool breeze brings with it the scent of the ocean and I breathe deep the salty smell, a little shiver moving through me. The view is spectacular. I can see the city lights to the south of us and the half full moon shines its silvery light on the water.

  “Let’s go sit,” Gabe says, his seductive voice sending another shiver down my spine. I go to the overstuffed couch and settle in, gasping in shock when Gabe sits right next to me, our thighs pressed together as he slips his arm around my shoulders.

  “Beautiful view,” he murmurs, his nose nuzzling my cheek for the briefest, sweetest second.

  I lean into him despite my earlier worry. When it comes to him, it’s like I can’t help the way I react. That’s incredibly scary. “It is.”

  “Sit up here much?”

  I shake my head, trying to ignore the way he draws circles on my bare shoulder with his finger. Wow, that feels good. “Not really.”

  “You’ve never brought any of your other boyfriends up here?” He raises his brows, waiting for my answer.

  “No.” I turn to look at him, surprised to find him already staring at me. “Truth? I haven’t had a lot of boyfriends.”

  He frowns, reaching out to trace his index finger down the side of my face, stopping at my earlobe so he can toy with my earring.
His simple touch makes me tingle everywhere and I breathe out slowly, trying to control my reaction. “Are you serious?” he asks.

  Slowly I nod, sucking in a sharp breath when he traces the line of my jaw. “I don’t have time to date. I’m always too busy with school.”

  “Well, you’re not in school now, so I’m guessing you have a lot of free time.” He shifts closer and I drop my gaze to his full, perfect mouth. Remembering how he kissed me last night sends a warm, languid sensation shooting through my veins and I want to experience that again.

  Despite all the warnings going off in my brain, the caution my mother has instilled in me ever since I was a young teen, I still want it. Want Gabe’s kiss, his touch. Just for a little while.

  Just for tonight.

  “You’re right. I do,” I say with a nod.

  “You know, that old saying is true. All work and no play makes Lucy a dull girl.” He grabs hold of a strand of hair and twirls it around his finger, letting it go and then doing it all over again.

  I huff out a laugh. “I didn’t realize it makes specifically Lucy a dull girl.”

  “Well, lucky for you it hasn’t yet. Because there is absolutely nothing dull about you.” His hand moves higher and he tugs the band from my bun so my hair falls in wild waves around my face, tickling my skin. “I love your hair.”

  His words, his reverent tone silences me. I don’t know what to say, how to react. Having him so close is unnerving. His body warmth seeps into mine, all those hard muscles pressed up against me, the way he touches me so easily. I close my eyes when he slips his fingers beneath my chin and tilts my face up and his mouth whispers over mine in the lightest of kisses.

  He hesitates and I hold my breath until he finally says something in that sexy, low rumbling voice of his.

  “Do you want this? Or are you still mad at me over what happened last night?”

  The last thing I’m feeling right now is anger. “I’m not mad.”

  “But do you want this?” He touches my lips again with his, so soft, a tease really and I lean into him when he pulls away. “Open your eyes, Lucy.”

  I slowly open them to find his face in mine. So close I can count the dark eyelashes that rim his brilliant blue eyes, notice the little white scar that runs across the bridge of his nose in a fine line. That glimpse of imperfection on his otherwise totally perfect face is comforting somehow.

  Silly, yes. But being with a man who’s so incredibly good looking, it’s flat out intimidating. Makes me wonder what he’s doing with plain ol’ me.

  “Luce?”

  His questioning tone reminds me that he asked me something and I tilt my head back farther, meeting his gaze. “Yes,” I whisper, knowing I should say no. He’s probably trouble. But he just might be worth it. “I want this.”

  The pleased smile that curves his lips is nothing short of breathtaking. “Right answer,” he murmurs his mouth a hair away from mine.

  Arrogant man.

  I can’t take it anymore. She’s so damn tempting, so expectant yet nervous, I’m tired of holding back. I’ve played this waiting game long enough. I’ve never been a patient person. More like I tend to go after what I want without hesitation. My treatment of Lucy for the past few hours is about the most prime example of me being patient you’ll ever see.

  She shifts against me, her hand coming up to rest on my shoulder, her touch burning me straight through, and that’s it. My patience snaps.

  Tilting my head, I cup the side of her face with one hand and kiss her. Consume her. She parts her lips beneath mine, her tongue tentatively darting out and I groan, my tongue sliding against hers. I slip my other arm around her waist and pull her in, as close as I can get her and she comes willingly.

  So perfectly willing. God, what she does to me. I can’t explain. Can’t begin to wrap my head around it so I just…let this happen. Fall into it, fall into Lucy, my need for her slowly but surely consuming me.

  Her scent surrounds me, as does her hair, which tickles my skin. It nags at me, this scent I’m familiar with but can’t quite place. She’s half sprawled across my lap as we continue to kiss and I pull her harder so she ends up on top of me, her legs on either side of my hips as she straddles me.

  Much like our position last night. Though at this moment, the last thing I’m feeling is drunk and sleepy.

  “Gabe,” she whispers against my lips after she breaks the kiss. I shift my head and race my mouth down her neck, kissing and licking and nipping her skin. She shivers and moans, her fingers bunching the fabric of my T-shirt and I want to feel her hands on my bare skin.

  She says my name again and I wonder if she’s trying to get out something else. My ego butts in at this precise moment. Am I that good? Do I obliterate her brain cells with only my mouth? I know she’s just about doing the same to me. “What Luce?”

  “Are you—do you think this chair will support our um, weight?” Her question is hesitant and she sounds so unsure, so fucking worried, that I get sort of pissed.

  Her lack of confidence when it comes to her weight is ridiculous.

  “Hey.” I pull away from her slightly, my hands cupping her face, my gaze on hers. She stares at me with a mixture of embarrassment and irritation and I lean forward, pressing my forehead to hers. “Quit with all the worry about your weight.”

  “But—”

  I silence her with my lips, kissing her so thoroughly that when I end it, she seems to rock a little. Like I spun her out or something. I like that. I like it a lot. “We’re not going to break this couch. You need to cut yourself some slack.”

  “It’s just that…”

  “Sshh.” I slide my hands down. Down, down, down. Along her waist, her hips, her outer thighs, the back of her knees then up again, over the same path, letting my hands linger on her ass. I squeeze her there, slow and easy and her eyes fall closed, her lips parting on a silent moan.

  “Fuck, you are perfect,” I tell her, my voice choked. I’m overcome with need for her but I can’t push her too far. I’m curious about her experience, though whatever she’s lacking she more than makes up for it with enthusiasm. She responds so easily, doesn’t hold back, seems just as in to this as I am.

  That’s all I ask for, all I want. I know how to have fun and let loose with women. I can’t deny it. I’ve been with plenty of girls, not a one of them seriously and they all understand that. I make sure they do up front. I don’t bullshit, I don’t feed them lines, I don’t want to give them hope. It’s pointless.

  When we started college, Shep, Tristan and I all made a vow to each other that we wouldn’t get involved with a woman. Big mistake, we knew this. Why tie ourselves down when there are so many girls available? It’s college. You’re supposed to mess around.

  But then Shep fell first, and fell fucking hard. For a real ball buster too, though Jade is the perfect woman to keep him in line. I like Jade. Their relationship seems solid. But I figured Shep was a total idiot for letting himself get trapped. We had one measly year left and he couldn’t even last that long.

  “I am far from perfect,” she whispers against my mouth as she sinks her hands in my hair, pulling me from my thoughts.

  Ah, Christ her touch feels good, her fingers tangling in the strands as she slowly strokes me, fingertips massaging my scalp. She’s good with her hands. And it’s like she knows just how to drive me fucking crazy, her tits pressed against my chest, all that lacy goodness that’s covering them making an appearance yet again since her tank top has somehow been yanked down. Offering me a spectacular view of her cleavage.

  And she has some mighty fine cleavage.

  “Have you really looked at yourself lately? Pretty hair.” I thread my fingers through it and push it behind her shoulder. “Beautiful dark eyes. Kissable lips.” I lean in and brush my mouth against hers, pulling away before we can turn it into something more. “You smell fucking amazing.” I brush my nose against her cheek, moving down to her neck. “And I really like this.” I touch the very to
ps of her breasts, teasing the lace trim of her exposed bra.

  She sucks in a harsh breath when I touch her there and I wonder again if I pushed too far. I trace my index finger along the lace, across one breast, then the other. Her head is bent, her hair falling around her face so I can’t see her reaction but I know she’s watching me touch her. Does she like watching?

  Ah hell, my dick just got even harder.

  “Gabe…” Her voice drifts off and a surge of triumph runs through me. I like it when she says my name. I like her, damn it. I want to find out more about her. I want to fill in all of those mysterious blanks. Yeah, she’s quiet. Yeah, she’s not my usual type but I don’t give a damn. I’m thinking this summer isn’t going to be a typical one for me. Instead of messing around with a variety of chicks, like usual, I think I want to stick with one and explore what’s happening between us further. Crazy but true.

  I want Lucy.

  But does she want me?

  Wrapping my hand around her nape, I pull her down for another kiss. This one is even deeper, our tongues tangling, our bodies subtly thrusting against each other. I can feel my control slipping, bit by bit and I want to explode. Just tear off Lucy’s clothes, pull my cock out and fuck her. Fuck her until she screams. Fuck her until I collapse.

  And I never feel like this. Control is the name of the game. It’s what keeps the girls coming back for more.

  “Gabe.” She breaks away from my lips, saying my name more firmly now, her hands planted on my chest and she gives me a not so subtle shove. Without warning she climbs off my lap and scurries over to the edge of the balcony, leaning against the metal railing with her back to me.

  I sit in stunned silence, amped up and turned on yet willing my erection down and breathing deep to calm my racing heart. What the fuck just happened? She’d been into it. I know she was. So what did I do? Where did we go wrong? Is she mad?

  Damn, I really hope she isn’t mad.