Healing Hope

by C. A. Harms

  “Okay, enough.” I look at my burger, and then away from it quickly as my stomach sours. “I don’t want to hear that shit about her. Or you.”

  He shrugs as if it is no big deal, and goes back to chowing down on his own food.

  I wasn't quite sure Hope and I had reached that point yet, but I know after last night, things had changed. No longer did I feel like I had to hold back. If I wanted to kiss her, I would kiss her. I just wasn't sure what she would do or say if it went further.

  “I ate entirely too much.” Hope leans back in the booth and places her palm over her stomach. “But it was so good.”

  Between the two of us, we polished off almost as much as Tripp and I can together. “I’m impressed.” I was. A girl with a healthy appetite was sexy.

  “Walker used to snort while I ate, making fun of me.”

  I’d noticed lately she was talking more freely about him. I also noticed that when she did, that sadness on her face wasn’t so prominent. Part of me wanted to ask her if anything more than friendship consisted between them, but I kept that question to myself. I didn't want to push.

  “I’m just glad you eat more than a simple salad.” She arches her brow at me. “You know exactly what I’m talking about. Girls order a skimpy salad, and sit across from the guy practically salivating over their steak or whatever it is he’s eating. You know damn well the minute they get home and are alone, they’re raiding the fridge. Tub of ice cream in one hand, leftover Chinese in the other, and a cold piece of pizza hanging out of their mouth. It makes no sense to me.”

  “It’s not sexy or appealing for a woman to binge in front of a guy.”

  “Hell if it ain’t.” She give me that ‘oh really’ look. Her eyebrows crinkled and her mouth turned down slightly on each side. “Okay, fine, maybe not binging, but a woman should eat, not pretend tasteless salad is enough to curb their appetite.”

  I was prepared to argue this out, but I loved a woman with something to hold onto. I didn't want to feel ribs and hipbones when I explored her body. I wanted curves and, damn, I needed to stop picturing Hope naked.

  I reach beneath the table and apply pressure to my growing erection. Earlier when I said Tripp was a perv, I should have admitted I wasn’t much different. I love sex. What man doesn’t?

  But now was not the time.

  Once the bill was paid and we were outside safely tucked in my truck, she let me drive, and we drove toward her house.

  I didn't really talk much, instead I listened to her. I also noticed the more time we spent together, the more she opened up.

  I pulled in front of her house and turned off my truck, feeling relaxed. Whatever took place tonight, whether it be more kissing, more or nothing at all, I would be happy with that. Spending time with Hope was enough. We were getting to know one another, building a relationship. It felt right.

  Hand in hand we walked toward her front door, and I released her hand and stepped up behind her as she places the key in the lock. Together we walk inside once she opens the door, and when she closes it and locks it behind me, I grin.

  “You get the movie ready.” She points toward the living room and the stack of DVD’s below. “I’m gonna go get a little more comfortable.”

  I nod, but her in the skirt sitting next to me would have been fine with me.

  I watched her ass shift, making her skirt sway from side to side as she walks toward her room.

  When she is no longer in my view, I walk toward the television and begin looking through the movies, feeling very pleased to find that most of them were action movies and not girly shit that would make me cringe.

  Settling on San Andres, I hit the power button on both the television and DVD player, and placed the DVD inside.

  Just as I sit back on the couch, I hear her feet thumping against the hardwood floor, and look up to find myself momentarily speechless. Comfortable meant absolutely adorable, and sexy as fuck. Tiny little shorts that practically molded to her, and a tight t-shirt that was the same. On her feet were those fuzzy socks I’ve seen her wear a time or two, and that was the adorable part.

  “I’m a fan of the soft socks.” She wiggles her feet, and I realize I’m staring.

  “I’m a fan of the whole outfit.”

  I slowly look over her from her feet all the way up to her head, and find her smiling. Nudging my head toward the couch, I watch as she begins to walk toward me making my heart race with excitement. Why I suddenly felt like a child on Christmas morning being given the gift they’d had wanted more than anything else hit me.

  The moment the couch dipped at my side as she sat down, I watch with great interest. She curled her feet beneath her, grabbed a pillow from behind her, and held it to her chest. It was the same pillow she tossed at my head the first day I’d met her.

  I find myself smiling as I remember the exact event.

  “What’s wrong, Travis, having flashbacks?”

  I lift my gaze to meet the mischievous look that took over her face. “Why, you feel like having another pillow fight?” Before she can answer, I grab for the one she held, and her eyes grow wide with surprise. “This time it won’t just be you throwing the pillows at me.”

  “You wouldn’t.”

  “Oh, I would.” I dare her with my eyes to challenge me.

  There was this relaxed feeling I got when I was around Hope. I felt like a kid again, carefree. I couldn't remember ever feeling so relaxed in the presence of a woman before.

  A look passes between us, and I can almost feel the need for more pass between the two us. Which, of course, only incites the interest I’m already feeling behind the zipper of my jeans grow more intense. I was beginning to wonder if she could do anything that wouldn't make my pulse quicken, or in this case make me horny. Again I am a guy, a healthy guy, with sexual needs.

  It’s almost as if Hope can read my thoughts as she ever so carefully rises up on her knees and begins to move toward me. I remain frozen in place, though my heart is beating so fast I feel like it may beat right out of my chest.

  Lifting one leg she straddles my lap and places one hand on each of my shoulders. Instantly my palms come to rest on her bare thighs, and I fight the urge to glide them up further.

  Hope shifts her hips in an attempt to bring her body closer to mine, but the only thing she manages to do is shift her pelvis against my own. The way her eyes widen just a bit before she bites her lower lip indicates she feels me beneath her. At this rate there is no way to hide my arousal any further.

  An animalistic drive takes over, and before I know it, I have Hope beneath me on the couch, and I’m pressing my erection harder against her. She’s panting beneath me, and the lustful look in her eyes is all I need to unleash the hunger inside me.

  My mouth covers hers as her fingers comb through my hair. She is pulling at me, craving more, and I give it to her. Shifting my hips, I push myself against her harder and she whimpers.

  Hope lifts her leg, hooking it over my hip, and manages to open herself up to me more. I felt like a madman. An overwhelming need to have her now taking over, though I fought it.

  With her back arched, her neck becomes exposed to me, and I begin to kiss along her throat. At this point, she is the one grinding her pussy against me, and it truly takes everything I have inside me to maintain control.

  Clothes begin to disappear, beginning with my shirt, with her help, followed by her own.

  Her hands explore me, my chest, my side, before she wraps them around me and pulls my body closer to hers. Skin to skin, with the exception of her bra, we continue to feel one another. Cupping her breast in my hand, my cock throbs, and I rock against her to relieve the ache.

  “More,” she breathes, and again I concede.

  Very skillfully I reach around her back and unclasp her bra, and in a hurry she removes it the rest of the way.

  I look down at her and, for a moment, just etch the vision into memory. Hope is gorgeous, breathtaking really.

  “Touch me.” My
eyes lift and I meet her gaze. An equal hunger mirrors my own in her eyes. “Please, touch me.”

  I let go. I no longer think and just feel. My lips cover her nipples one after the other as I suck lightly on each, causing her to moan. Suddenly, the idea of her doing just that while I’m buried inside her takes over every other thought I have.

  I wrap my arm around Hope’s waist and begin to lift her. In return, she lifts her other leg and I feel her link her ankles behind my back. Standing, with nothing separating her chest from mine, we move toward her bedroom.

  Hope practically attacks my mouth with her own, which causes my legs to weaken, and I stop just shy of her room to press her back to the wall behind her. What was only intended to be the chance for me to reposition her in my arms, led us to a very heated makeout session instead.

  Fuck, I seriously feel like this was an out of body experience, like I was floating above us looking down. Her sweet tits pressed to my chest, her nipples beading. It felt amazing. I knew if I didn't get her to her bed and naked, I would only embarrass myself in the end.

  I stumble into her room and quickly lower her to the bed before unbuckling my jeans and grabbing my wallet just before lowering them to the floor. When I look up, I see Hope scrambling to remove her shorts, and she wastes no time removing her panties, too.

  I think I moan.

  In fact, I’m sure I did, because holy fucking hell, she was mouthwatering.

  There I stood at the side of her bed, wallet in hand, boxers still in place, staring. Feeling like the luckiest man in the world.

  “You are so gorgeous.” She blushes at my words and averts her eyes.

  I remove a condom from my wallet, toss the wallet to the floor, and begin to move toward the bed. Only I stop quickly when Hope points toward my waist.

  “What?”

  With a smile that again weakens me, she answers. “You should just remove those now, because once you crawl onto this bed, they’ll only be in our way.”

  Chapter 16

  Hope

  Watching Travis lower his boxer briefs to the floor and then standing once more had to be the sexiest things ever. His erection, and let me just say the guy was very well endowed, called out to me. I felt as if it was hard to breathe, my chest felt tight.

  I watch in awe as moves toward me. The way he looks at me makes me feel as if he wants to devour me and adore me at the same time.

  Sliding his body along mine, he curls his hands under the pillow beneath my head and brings his mouth to mine. A slow tantalizing kiss makes my body weak. A sound off in the distance catches my attention, however, it is almost so far away it can barely be heard, and suddenly I realize the sound is coming from me. A moan, a whimper like I’ve never heard before.

  “You are so beautiful.” His warm breath fans over my neck, followed by a kiss.

  The heat of his body pressed to mine slowly fades as he moves lower and lower. My legs part, and Travis settles between them. Looking down at him, I know I should feel embarrassed by the close proximity of his face to my most intimate body part, nervous of what we are about to share. But embarrassment isn't even close to what I feel. I’m elated, aroused more than I’ve ever been before.

  I watch him as he lowers his mouth to me, but just before his tongue touches me, he looks up at me. Such an erotic connection shared between two people through only a look.

  The contact of his tongue against my clit sends my body into a tailspin and my hips thrust upward. A deep moan comes from him this time as he sucks on me, tasting me. My head was spinning, my heart racing.

  “Oh my God,” I practically scream the words. “Feels so amazing.”

  I was practically humping his face shamelessly. My hand fisting his hair, as my hips move consistently with the swipes of his tongue.This combination mixed with his finger moving inside me has me riding that thin line between sane and insane. I wasn't sure I could take much more.

  “Travis.” His name echoes through the bedroom just before I lose all ability to think straight. “Yes, yes,” I chanted, my body igniting.

  I’m no prude. I’ve had sex. Though it may not be a lot of experience, I’ve had some. I’ve had partners, but nothing, and I do mean nothing has even compared to this moment.

  My body slowly begins to come back down from cloud nine, just as Travis hovers above me.

  He was sheathed and ready as he fisted his cock and paused, looking back at me. With our gazes locked, he ever so slowly begins to enter me and I’m lost. Lost in the way with each thrust I feel my body grow even more aroused. I didn't even know that was possible. I was lost in the way his body moves against mine so skillfully.

  His lips cover mine as he lifts my hands above my head and binds them together using just one of his own. With his free hand he explores me, my neck, my breasts--it only makes the moment more intimate.

  Hot kisses along my already-sensitized skin triggers chills to cover my body.

  That familiar building returns, and instantly my legs wrap around his waist pulling him in harder and faster. Travis doesn't miss a beat as his movements pick up, and the sounds of our bodies mixed with the moans that spill from both of us are the only sounds that fill my tiny house.

  Just as my body explodes around him, he slams into me once more, and his grip on my wrists tighten.

  We remain locked together, both attempting to slow our heavy breathing, and the only thing that kept running through my mind was one word.

  Incredible.

  I don’t even remember falling asleep. The last thing I can picture in my mind is Travis moving across the room toward me as he came back from cleaning himself up in the bathroom. It had taken my breath away for a moment. I curled into him as he crawled into the bed next to me.

  The way his arms wrapped around and pulled me tightly against him gave me that warm security I’ve missed for so long. Though Walker and I had never been intimate, he still had the ability to make me feel safe, untouchable, even. Travis gave me that.

  Waking up in his arms made me smile instantly.

  He held me tight, almost like I was his lifeline, like he needed me there, this close, to survive. I loved it.

  “Did you just sigh?”

  My body jumps at the sound of his deep sleep-filled voice, and he chuckles.

  Turning just slightly in his arms, I look up at him and my heart races. “I may have,” I admit this as I snuggle in closer to him. “But in my defense, you are very cozy.”

  “Cozy?”

  “Mmhm.” Leaning in, I place a kiss to his jawline just before I bury my face to his neck. Travis’ arms tightened around me and he rolled closer as he brought his body over my own.

  “Last night was amazing.” He looks into my eyes and I’m mesmerized by what I find there. A contentment, sincere appreciation as his gaze roams over my face before meeting my eyes once more. “You’re amazing.”

  Before I can say anything in return, I hear his phone ringing in the distance. An annoying groan escapes him.

  “I almost forgot about the outside world. Those annoying bastards.”

  It’s my turn to laugh. I knew the feeling. I think I could have been completely happy hiding out inside my tiny house with only Travis and myself. He made me forget about my shitty job, and all the things that reminded me of Walker.

  No, I didn’t want to forget the guy, but the uncontrollable guilt I had once felt was nice to let go of.

  “I guess that means we have to get up and face the world.” Even I heard the disappointment in my voice.

  “We could,” Travis brushes his lips over mine, “or we could hide away for another hour.” The two day stubble along his jawline felt prickly against mine. “Maybe more than an hour, how about three?”

  With a gentle shift of his hips, I feel his erection against me. My own arousal suddenly taking over my thoughts, I nod and link my hands together behind his head. With a gentle tug, I pull his upper body down against my own and his lips mesh with mine.

  There was som
ething I learned quickly about Travis, he didn't do anything half notched. He was one hundred and ten percent invested, and when he kissed it was no different.

  The way he explored as if he was etching every little detail in his mind. It was a beautiful experience each and every time his lips touched mine.

  Somehow everything around us fades, and the only things left are the two of us. Nothing else mattered.

  Chapter 17

  Travis

  “I’d like you to meet my daughter, Kenna.” I reach out my hand toward the very tall brunette in greeting. I watch as her eyes shift toward my hand and a smile stretches out over her lips. She then proceeds to bite her lip as she places her hand against mine. “She’ll be overseeing the projects here while I head back to New York.”

  My stomach drops when I try to pull back my hand after offering her a shake, and she squeezes it tighter. The way her eyes roam over me make the situation a bit uncomfortable.

  I look to my left to find Tripp had noticed my discomfort. What does the guy do to help out his little brother?

  Nothing.

  That’s right, absolutely nothing.

  “Nice to meet you,” I say, tugging a little harder this time and able to step back and create some distance. “I look forward to working with you.” The lie sours my stomach. Something tells me there would be nothing pleasurable about dealing with this woman. She is the female version of her father without a doubt. Arrogant, conceited, and devious, you can see it in her eyes. She was almost my height, close to six two, but the heels she wore gave her the extra inches. Red, pointy manicured nails, and enough goddamn makeup on her face for ten woman.

  She was trouble with a capital T.

  “At some point I will require you to travel to New York alongside Kenna, and meet with me and my board.” My stomach tenses, and again I look at Tripp as if he would actually volunteer to go in my place. Of course he is now leaned back against the edge of the desk, inspecting his fingernails. What the fuck?