by Shona Husk
‘Go to sleep before you pass out.’
‘I’m not that drunk.’ He didn’t want to hang up yet. ‘Tell me about your day.’
‘Your mum is fine. She asked me if you’d actually gone. I told her you had and she was happy.’
That wasn’t exactly what he wanted to hear—that people were happy when he was gone. ‘Are you happy I’m not there?’
‘I miss you, but this is your job.’
She was right. This was his job. He’d always be leaving. ‘You don’t care that I have to go away?’ He’d had a girlfriend in high school who’d split up with him when he’d gotten into ADFA, that year had all gone to hell shortly after.
‘No … but I’m glad you aren’t hooking up. Maybe when you get back …’
He was definitely not that drunk; blood rushed to his dick. He was so getting tested.
‘We could go on a date.’ Ava finished.
‘Um, like dinner?’
‘Yeah. Why not?’
He had absolutely no reason why they shouldn’t. ‘Okay.’
That would give him something to look forward to. An official date with Ava. Fuck. He hadn’t been on a proper date in ages.
‘How fancy do you want to get and I’ll book it?’ She sounded happy, as though she was already looking forward to it.
Steak and chips wasn’t going cut it. Nor was pizza and groping on the sofa semi-naked. Groping fully clothed would be great about now. He ran his hand over his hard-on. It would be nice to go somewhere nice. He was sick of bars and cheap places to eat.
‘Let’s get dressed up. Surprise me.’
Chapter 13
The flight home had taken forever. He stopped in to see his mother, and while she’d smiled and listened, she’d barely spoken. Being awake had seemed like an effort. In the ten days he’d been gone, she’d started the rapid slide down. This was no longer a gracefully controlled descent.
He’d imagined that it would be slow and peaceful, steady. While he knew the doctor had said weeks, maybe a couple of months, it was too fast. He still wasn’t ready, but it was becoming clear that his mother was. And he had to fly to Melbourne in a couple of days.
His mother still wanted to hear the new album. Was that all that was keeping her going? The need to make sure that he was following his dream?
After seeing his mother, he’d scraped in an appointment with the doctor. He knew he was being judged, even though the doctor simply handed over the form to get the blood taken. Whatever the result, at least that was done. He was sure he was fine. Pretty sure. This was why picking up drunk was not a good idea; the factor of error became higher.
The house was empty when he arrived. Kirsten was no doubt working. For the most part it looked the same, except for the bowl of fresh fruit on the kitchen counter and some books and magazines in the living room. He hadn’t shared a house with anyone except his mother. For the first few years his flat had been rented out because as an apprentice sparky he hadn’t been able to afford to pay the mortgage and eat.
Sharing a hotel room was not the same as sharing a house.
Out the back there were clothes were on the washing line, the lawn had been mowed and his mail was waiting on the dining table for him. It was a very surreal experience. It was different and yet the same.
He ignored the mail—that would be still waiting for him tomorrow. His date with Ava wouldn’t be. Going out somewhere nice had obviously seemed like a really good idea when he’d suggested it. And he knew he had. Apparently calling your almost-a-girlfriend when drunk wasn’t a great idea either.
He hated getting dressed up. A suit was not his preferred clothing. Regardless, he was going to do this right. He showered and peeled off the tape from the blood test, put on the suit and shirt, skipping the tie, then gathered his hair into bun so it looked neater. He should probably get a haircut and have a shave but it was just another thing on his to do list. Aside from Dan, no one had said anything.
Not even Ava.
After looking in the mirror he changed his mind and pulled off the jacket, rolled up his sleeves and put on a waistcoat that he left undone. That was better. More him and less like he was playing dress-ups.
Instead of taking his less than tidy 4WD to pick Ava up, he took what had been his mother’s sedan. They were going somewhere nice, he was going to play his part. He could remember how to be a gentleman.
At least, he hoped he did.
When he pulled into the driveway of Ava’s place his doubts melted away. She looked amazing. Her long dark hair was loose, her dress clung in all the right places and her toes peeked out from gold-heeled sandals. He swallowed hard. He was out of his depth with her.
She should’ve been out of his reach. Instead she was walking towards the car and they were heading off to a flash restaurant that was usually out of his price range. Right now, he didn’t care how much tonight cost as long as he was with Ava.
He was in trouble. He’d missed her while he was away, but he hadn’t realised how much until he’d seen her. He liked her, a lot. And not in a casual kind of way. She opened the car door and sat next to him, her perfume filling his lungs. He leaned over and kissed her. It was supposed to be a quick kiss, but it deepened, fast. Her hand cupped his jaw.
Maybe they could skip dinner.
A shiver of heat raced through him and settled in his dick. There would be no skipping dinner. He had to prove himself to her. With a last taste, he drew back. ‘Wouldn’t want to miss our reservation.’
‘That wouldn’t be good.’
***
Ava looked at the very attractive man opposite her. He’d drawn attention when he’d walked into the restaurant, and not just because of his height. Even in heels she was short next to him. He’d taken her hand as they’d walked from the car, his fingers wrapping around hers as he’d shortened his stride.
The contact had made her heart beat an unsteady rhythm. It had only been a couple of weeks but she’d missed being with him. And she’d missed riding with him.
She’d never seen him dressed to go out. He was either in work clothes, or casual. And while she’d known that he wasn’t going to pick her up in jeans, she hadn’t expected him to look so … polished, when he usually looked so rough.
As they ate the entrée he’d talked about the bands the festivals. She’d never been to one. She should make the effort next summer. Although being surrounded by sweaty half-drunk people wasn’t really her thing. Yet that was his world. From the sounds of it, he was one of the sweaty half-drunk people.
‘Do you drink on stage?’
He paused and lifted one eyebrow. ‘Not usually. It’s too damn hot so I drink water. Afterwards, though, a few beers are nice.’
‘I’m curious. You live in this alien world that most people never see.’
He laughed. ‘I’d never thought of it like that. It just is. At least you don’t think it’s all champagne and sleep-ins.’ He finished his scallops and placed his cutlery down neatly. ‘What have you been up to?’
‘Nothing really. Work …’ She didn’t want to go there. Not tonight.
Lines of tension formed around his eyes and he focussed on his wine. He took a drink as he battled with himself. His struggle was clear. He wanted to ask, but he didn’t want to bring death here. She knew whatever he decided she would honour.
Mike placed his glass down. ‘Did you go for any rides? I miss that when I’m on the road.’
She released the breath she’d been holding. She didn’t want ghosts hovering around them all the time. ‘I took a long one down the coast on Saturday and I thought of you. Didn’t think you’d make the distance,’ she teased.
‘You wait until I get some practise in. You’ll be chasing me.’
That was probably true. ‘I look forward to it.’
‘Me too.’ He was fiddling with the stem of his glass again. ‘It’s nice here, very sophisticated.’
She nodded. It was a little more than she’d been expecting. Most people wer
e older. She leaned closer. ‘I feel like they let us in by accident.’
He sighed and smiled, the spark reaching his eyes. ‘Thank God it wasn’t just me thinking that. You’re enjoying sneaking into the fancy restaurant under false pretences?’
‘Yes.’ She looked at him. He didn’t smile enough. Not at the moment anyway. While he wasn’t boyfriend material according to her family, when she was with him she didn’t care what they thought. ‘Are we … is there a we? Is it horribly uncool to even talk about it?’
Was it just assumed or discussed? At what point were they dating? And if they were dating, was he only seeing her?
Mike glanced around the room. ‘I’m pretty sure we’re dating. I don’t take just anyone to fancy restaurants.’
Had she backed him into that by booking this place? But he’d said somewhere fancy. ‘Too much?’
‘No.’ He reached across the table and took her hand. His fingers were cool from where he’d been toying with his glass. ‘I would very much like to date you … I don’t need your father’s permission, do I?’
‘I don’t think he’d give it even if you asked.’
Mike pressed his lips together. He hadn’t taken out the lip ring. Every so often it caught the light. ‘I don’t want to get you into trouble.’
‘Ha. It wouldn’t matter who I saw. Besides, you are worth getting into trouble for.’
By the time they left the restaurant and were in the car, Ava had made up her mind. ‘Don’t take me home.’
He glanced at her. ‘You want to stay over?’
‘Do you want me to?’ Or was she asking too much? ‘Not to, you know.’
He nodded. ‘I figured that … with any other woman I would know what I was doing.’
Ava winced.
‘I didn’t mean that in a bad way. I’m liking the change of pace.’
‘Really?’ She found that hard to believe. He was used to getting laid and she was keeping him back.
‘Yeah, really.’ He placed his hand on her thigh. ‘Last chance to change your mind before I have to turn.’
She drew in a breath. ‘To your place.’
What was she doing?
‘I’ll drop you home in the morning.’
And she’d be doing the walk of shame in last night’s clothes. She’d never done that before. His hand was still on her leg and she was sure it was creeping higher. Her stomach tightened, but her blood was hot from the wine and his touch. She wanted him so badly she ached.
But there were some bridges she wasn’t ready to cross and burn.
***
Mike unlocked the front door. There was a TV on but the house was dark. Kirsten must be watching TV in bed. He was glad that he didn’t have to do the whole introduction thing. He didn’t want to be sharing Ava with anyone else tonight.
She was staying over.
And they weren’t having sex. But there were plenty of other things they could do, and he planned on doing them. She followed him into his room and closed the door.
His stomach tightened. There were the clothes he’d discarded on the floor. The suit jacket on the bed. He hadn’t planned on having a visitor.
‘Give me a moment and I’ll clean up.’
She grabbed his hand. ‘I don’t care about the clothes on the floor. We’re just going to add to them, right?’
‘Yeah.’ All of them?
She pulled off the waistcoat. ‘It can go on the floor?’
She could hang it on the ceiling fan if she wanted. ‘Sure.’
It fell from her fingers, then she started on his shirt, undoing the buttons far too efficiently.
He covered her hand. ‘There’s no rush.’
It would be nice to take his time for a change. He drew her close for a kiss. Licking her lip, dipping into her mouth so their tongues tangled and breathing lost importance. His hand skated over her hip to grip her butt. She wiggled against him, grinding against his erection.
He groaned. She was entirely too tempting. He had to behave. There was only one way he knew how to distract himself. He’d wanted her up against the wall the first time he’d seen her. He took a step, forcing her to go backwards. One more and her back was on the wall.
‘What are you doing?’ She frowned as he pulled back.
His hands skimmed down her body, over her hips, then he dropped to his knees. This wasn’t what he’d originally imagined but it was going to be pretty damn good.
‘Mike?’ Her fingers were in his hair.
‘Trust me … hands and mouth?’
She swallowed and nodded.
He reached under her dress and drew her panties down.
She stepped out of them. ‘Shoes?’
‘Nah, leave them on.’ That would be as sexy as hell.
‘Okay … how about …’ She reached behind and undid her dress. It slithered down her body, leaving her only in her bra and shoes.
His dick twitched and his balls tightened as he looked up at her. ‘That is … um … inspiring.’
‘Now will you take your shirt off?’ Her fingers caressed his cheek.
He could take his shirt off, but he wouldn’t trust himself if he took his pants off. Still on his knees, her pussy only inches from his face, he pulled off his shirt, not caring where it ended up. ‘Happy?’
Her lips curved. ‘Yes.’
He ran his hands up her calves, then her thighs. He took the time to kiss her leg, all the way up to her hip. He tasted her skin and drew circles with his tongue. Her legs trembled and he hadn’t even gotten close to tasting the slickness of her pussy. But he could smell her … and he was going to embarrass himself and come in his pants but he didn’t care.
Slowly he nuzzled his way closer, licked the crease of her thigh.
She whimpered and her nails pressed into his scalp.
Ah fuck, he couldn’t wait any longer.
He buried his face between her legs. His tongue thrusting past her wet folds and over her clit. She squeaked, but edged her legs further apart and rolled her hips forward. He pushed his shoulder forward so she had to hook her leg over his shoulder. The spike of her heel pressed along his back.
She was spread for him. All pink and slick and ready. Carefully, he eased one finger in.
‘Mmm.’ She rolled her hips, the heel of her shoe pressing into his back. ‘Another.’
He glanced up at her. Her lips were parted and her eyes were wide. Was there really any difference between two fingers and a cock? But he knew that there was. This was just play. She could claim that she hadn’t had sex.
His tongue circled her clit and he sucked as he inserted a second finger into her core.
A tremor ran through him and his balls tightened. Pre-cum seeped from his dick.
She gasped again, her breathing nothing more than short pants.
He sucked and flicked her clit with his tongue, determined to get her off before he went off. Her hips bucked and she gripped his hair hard as she came. Her moan swelling in his ears and driving him crazy. He thrust his tongue into her, tasting her as she trembled.
When he released her and eased her leg off his shoulder, he was breathing hard. He bit back on the desire to shed his pants and sink into her. He needed to step back.
He had to step back.
Mike rocked onto his heels and then stood. He looked away, not even trusting himself to look, but he was aware that she was moving, taking off her shoes and bra … totally naked. Her hand slid over his back, around his ribs and then lower, over his belly.
‘Don’t,’ he said, but didn’t try to stop her as her hand slid lower still.
Her fingers brushed his cock. ‘Don’t you want to come?’
He blew out a breath. She had no idea how close that was to happening. She was pressed against his back. Her hard nipples brushing his skin, her lips on his spine.
‘Keep doing that and I will.’ Despite the two layers of fabric between her hand and his dick, it was too much. More arousing than just dropping his pants and going for
it.
This meant more, that was why.
He cared about her.
‘Where are the condoms?’
His heart almost stoped. ‘What?’
‘I can return the favour.’ She unzipped his fly.
Not sex … but she was offering a head job with a condom. Nope. ‘I’d rather feel your hand than rubber.’
‘That’s going to make a mess.’
He laughed. He couldn’t care less about that. She slid her hand into his briefs and wrapped her fingers around his length. His stomach tightened and all remaining blood rushed to his groin. Pre-cum slicked his skin. He closed his eyes; he was almost there.
‘Get the condom.’ She released him.
Fuck. He stepped away, and out of his pants, yanked open the bedside table drawer and pulled one out. If he hadn’t confessed to being such a slut then she wouldn’t be being so careful. Yeah, and he’d feel worse about lying and it would come out eventually and she’d never trust him again.
She pulled down his briefs, freeing his dick, but she didn’t touch it. He tore open the packet and rolled it on. He wanted her. His finger curled. Then he took a step and flopped onto the bed. He tucked his hands behind his head so he didn’t try anything. She stood there for a moment, looking at him.
Did he measure up?
After a moment she joined him on the bed. She straddled his thighs as though she were about to sink on to him. He was not going to start hoping … but it was too late, the thought was there. Then she touched herself, her fingers slipping between the lips of her pussy, then that hand gripped his shaft.
She made slick, sure strokes. Her body moving in time. His dick was completely tricked as her grip tightened.
Ava leaned forward to kiss him. Their lips had barely touched before his climax ripped through him, tearing away coherent thought. He thrust into her hand a few more times as the rush traced over his skin.
He’d never had not-sex like that.
It was better than most of the sex he’d had over the last year.
She kissed him now, and he threaded his fingers into her hair. He was going to have to get up in a minute and deal with the mess. But for the moment he just wanted to enjoy being with her, instead of zipping and leaving like he had so many times.