by Xavier Neal
“Then I'm not gambling in Vegas that spring,” he jokes, receiving a small laugh from around the table. His fingers slide over to link with mine. “Honestly, if the foundation were to raise that sort of money, I wouldn't hesitate to match it. It's a great cause. They've helped change thousands of lives. Saved hundreds. I'm honored to be a part of it.”
There's a small coo from the other women at the table.
“As much as I wish I could call bullshit on that, I can't,” Hugh mumbles and has a sip of his beer. “Kellan's been an active member in raising funds for years.”
“I became active when Hugh took a job with them.”
“Which was the best decision I ever made,” he states proudly. “It was in my field of interest. It kept me close to my best friend.” His attention drifts to the woman at his side. “And brought me the woman I love.”
She awes and leans over to kiss him.
After the chaste peck, Merrick says, “Well I'm not shitting cash or anything, but if you ever need a volunteer to paint something or help with paint related projects, I'm all yours.”
“Merrick currently paints elaborate murals indoors and outdoors at a private preschool. Outside changes with the seasons, but he also handles the painting of their booths for their carnivals and that sort of thing,” Jovi explains between sips.
“He's really good,” I insure.
“We were tossing around the idea of a summer carnival!” Dana's entire face illuminates. “Maybe at one of the children's hospitals. We might need your services for that.”
“Done,” Merrick states and grabs his water.
Yes. Responsible drinkers. Only one of them at a time is allowed to get wasted without a third person to drive. Unfortunately, more often than not that third person winds up being me.
“I'd love to be a part of that,” Kellan says, his eyes moving to mine. “I'd love any reason to return here...”
A hint of a smile arrives on my face, which prompts him to lift my hand to his lips for a brief kiss. The feint feeling of his mouth on my body forces my bottom lip between my teeth.
Kellan leans over and whispers in my ear. “You drive me mad when you make that face...”
It's involuntary. Kinda just happens when I'm turned on or start to get turned on or am about to come. Hm. That's really more of a dessert topic. You know, after we've all had a few too many beers....
“Are you going to start reading her poetry next?” Hugh immediately teases.
“Stop it,” Dana scolds. “I think it's sweet.”
“I think Hugh's just jealous,” Kellan sighs returning his attention to the entire table. “It's been quite a while since he's had to share my affections.”
He winks and we snicker at the banter that's beginning.
“Woe as me,” Hugh mocks, lifting a hand to his forehead. “Whatever will I do without you around to remind me why beer is better than whiskey and how a St. Valmonte suit should never be worn without Malencino shoes.”
“Drown in the ocean of mediocrity,” Kellan chortles.
“If it makes you feel any better Hugh, I turned one of those suits into a napkin on our first date.”
His jaw drops in shock. “Really?”
“We don't have to talk about that.” He squeezes my hand. “In fact we don't have to talk about our first date at all.”
I lift an eyebrow. “Embarrassed?”
He gives me a mischievous look. “For you....I mean you were the one who hired a male escort to go to a Monster Truck show.”
There's a collective gasp around the table followed by one loud, “What?!”
And this why I can't possibly be in love with him. No one in their right mind would love someone who they wanna nut punch this often.
Over the next few hours, the six of us exchange quirky embarrassing stories, laugh at date mishaps, and munch relentlessly on appetizers. Hugh and Dana put back several beers while Jovi, Kellan, and I quit after two. By the time our burgers are delivered, everyone is so comfortable around each other, it feels like we've been doing this for years. Like this is a weekly ritual.
I hate it. I hate how easily he fits into my life and vice versa. I hate how our friends get along. I hate that this can't last. Wait. No. Sh. I didn't say that last part.
“Try it.” Kellan turns to me with his burger held out. “It's delicious.”
Swallowing the bite I had in my mouth, I give his dinner a suspicious examination. “Anything unusual on it that doesn't belong there? Peppers? Sprouts? Corn sprinkles?”
He tilts his head at me curiously. “Like candy corn sprinkles or pieces of corn sprinkled on it?”
“Either.”
“Neither,” Kellan insists with a smirk. “It's got mushrooms and blue cheese.”
“What is with your hatred of normal food?”
“I enjoy watching you squirm more.” Jovi snickers and he pushes. “Come on. Don't be a pussy. Have a bite. You'll like it. Maybe you'll even love it.”
“You're like a food rapist.”
There's a brief sound of someone laughing then a choking cough. Our eyes cut over to see Merrick pounding his chest in a struggle to breathe.
Once it's clear he's all right, I point at him. “That's what you get for being an enabler.”
“It was funny!”
“Funny enough to die for?”
“Stop messing with Merrick to avoid tasting it,” Kellan scolds. “Taste it.”
I frown harder.
“It's either that or a cauliflower chip.”
“See. What is wrong with you? What's wrong with plain old fashion fries?”
“Chips,” Kellan corrects with a smirk.
I drop my mouth to argue when Hugh interrupts. “You might as well give up that victory now, because it's not going to happen. Trust me. We spent years arguing about what they're called. It was not a fun adjustment to call them that while we were in boarding school.”
My boyfriend smiles smugly again. “A bite or a chip?”
With a roll of the eyes, I cave. “Fine. I'll try it. But on record, they're fries.” I have a quick bite of the strange burger, surprised at the odd combination being less disgusting than I imagined.
Still doesn't beat the all American, bacon cheeseburger.
“Gonna die?” He teases, placing it down back on his plate.
Rather than make an immediate retort, I dip one of my fries in ketchup and smear a bit on his face. “Long live fries.”
“Yes!” Hugh lifts his fist in solidarity.
The table erupts into laughter while Kellan merely wipes away the mess. “First butter now ketchup.” Mischief appears in his bright blues. “Please, tell me whip cream is at least next.”
His sexual implication steals a breath from me.
Before our flirtation can continue, Dana questions, “Did you say butter?”
“Do you really wanna hear about their kinks?” Hugh interjects.
“Probably since you don't have any of your own,” Kellan counters. “Unless you count the mut shock collar you wear around your neck.”
“You guys are into that lifestyle?” Jovi sincerely asks as I push my plate away.
Dana giggles, which is when Hugh hits her with an inebriated grin. “Sadly not. At least not that aspect...”
My best friend shifts beside Merrick who tries to redirect the conversation. “Butter?”
“We melted some last night for the popcorn,” I explain. “Sorry to get everyone's hopes up on that one.”
“Buttered popcorn before running?” Hugh leans back as the waitress clears his plate. “You don't usually eat anything remotely bad for you before an athletic event of any kind.”
“Is that why you were wheezing out there?” I tease, loving the way his forehead wrinkles.
“I was not wheezing,” he quickly defends.
“You were like the little runner who could. By the fourth lap we thought you were gonna pass out.”
Laughter ensues and Kellan pushes his plate away. “Perh
aps if someone hadn't decided that 1 a.m. was a good time to take an interest in the hit television show Doctor Who, once again confusing two countries, I might not have been so tired. Nor needed the popcorn.”
“You're not British?” Merrick's question makes me smirk.
Kellan lets out a sigh and hangs his head in defeat. We laugh again while the waitress makes her way to grab our plates next. At that moment he looks up and says, “The tab, please. To me.”
“We can pay for our meal,” Merrick insists, sitting up a little straighter. “It's not a big deal.”
He hates letting anyone else pay for his girlfriend. Being over protective is just his nature. Jovi says his whole family is that way.
“It's quite all right,” Kellan argues kindly. “It's a pleasure to treat my friends and my....” The term almost falls from his lips yet he swallows it instead. He takes a beat before trying again. “My new friends.”
That was the best, worst save ever.
“Thank you all for supporting me today and making this trip the best one I've ever had.”
The start of his goodbye speech slowly begins to spill into my lungs making it hard for me to breathe.
I'll be fine. You can stop giving me that look. It's enough that Jovi is.
Hugh sneaks a subtle glance at me. “Early flight?”
He's reluctant to answer. “Earlier than I'd like...”
With the entire mood of the table shifted, the waitress bringing him the bill is a welcomed deflection. He thanks her and begins to sign for the receipt while Jovi thanks him again for the food. Another round of thanks escapes everyone else, eventually resulting in the decision for us to part ways for the evening. While Hugh, Kellan, and Dana hug and briefly mention seeing each other again, I assure Jovi and Merrick that I don't need a ride home. Merrick gets ready to further push the subject but is overruled by his girlfriend with a stern look. Outside the six of us part ways with Kellan and I heading for his hotel located to the right.
“Whenever you're ready, Swiss and I will escort you home,” he sweetly promises, folding his fingers with mine.
Trepidation collides into the shaky temperament I've been dealing with since I made the decision to enjoy our last night together to the fullest extent. “And if I would rather not go home?” His eyes meet mine as we stop at the corner. “Then what?”
For the first time Kellan appears to be rendered speechless.
Ha. I was hoping that would happen.
It takes a minute but he eventually guarantees, “Then I'll bring you your morning beverage in bed.”
The light changes to allow us to cross.
Upon entering the hotel lobby, he drops my hand, and instructs, “One moment.”
I watch him shuffle back to Swiss, explain something that receives several nods, and then sharply spin around to return to me. At my side, he locks our fingers once more before leading me the direction of the private elevators with his bodyguard nowhere in sight.
Playfully, I say, “No babysitter close by tonight?”
The doors ding open and he quips, “I know all the emergency numbers...”
For some unknown reason our ride up to the penthouse is eerily quiet.
Was the implication for sex enough? Do I have to spell it out? I'm not sure I can get much more forward without backing down. I know it shouldn't be this big of a deal to have sex, but it is to me. Not just because it's been a couple of years but because despite what Jovi said, I'm still slightly afraid of being inadequate in comparison to the others he's been with. Getting lost in a sea of open legs without faces. But I want to do this. I want to be with him in the only way I haven't yet. I want to experience every aspect of Kellan Kenningston before he vanishes like the walking dream come true he is.
Kellan shuts the penthouse door and leans his back against it. His mouth remains closed but his eyes are coated in caution. After much internal deliberation, he declares, “I'll be fine ending our last night together the same way we've spent all the others, Brie. We don't have to end up in bed together just because I'm leaving.”
I try to still my shaky voice. “I wanna ask my question now.”
He arches his eyebrows. “What?”
“The first time we had dinner together. You told me I could have one no bullshit, completely honest answer to any question I asked whenever I wanted it answered. I'm ready now.”
His voice drops to a softer tone. “Ask.”
“If we sleep together....will you remember my face when you leave?” I take a brave step closer to him. “And I don't mean for the five minutes after you drop me off in the morning or the first hour on the plane. Will you remember my face as if it really mattered to you once upon a time?”
To my surprise, he doesn't immediately answer. From where I'm standing he doesn't even appear to be breathing.
Well this is comforting.
Kellan's eyes take mine hostage at the same time he takes a step forward. “Yes.” Slowly, his hand lifts to stroke my cheek. “Your face.” His touch leisurely locates to my lips stealing a small gasp. “Your kiss.” The tour continues down the front of my thin black long sleeve shirt. “Your curves.” When his fingertips graze my nipples, I lightly moan. “Your sounds.” This time he uses his hand to press my body against his. “Your name...” With our mouths just a breath away he states, “I will never forget you, Brie Sanders.”
My mouth shamelessly slams against his. Almost instantly, our tongues mesh, melting away any minuscule of apprehension still lingering. Much like any time our bodies are within close proximity to one another, a ravenous hunger wreaks havoc, mutating light touches into greedy grabs and soft moans into savage snarls. Within minutes, our tangled limbs are hitting the bed, our clothes nothing more than a mere distant memory of the day's activities. For what feels like hours, we rotate turns of exploring every edge of each other we can get our eager mouths around. While he holds his own orgasms at bay, mine flow freely exploding with such intensity I'm beginning to doubt I'll even make it to the next part.
As I struggle to steady my breathing, I watch Kellan grab a box of condoms from his suitcase and toss it on the nightstand. Carelessly, he rips open the one he kept in his hand, swiftly covers himself, and crawls back between my shaky legs.
His fingers drag themselves up the outside of my thigh like a predator admiring his newly trapped prey.
I can't think of anyone else I would rather have devour me.
Suddenly, he rolls the two of us around positioning me on top. “It's your show, love.”
With my eyes connected to his, I drag myself up and wrap my hand around his covered shaft. The moment I do I relish the delicious way his eyes roll back into his head from the simple touch. In one slow, tantalizing motion, I slip him between my wet heat, moaning through every stretch his cock is commanding.
Kellan's fingers dig into my hips at the same time he whispers, “Bloody hell you're tight...”
I don't attempt to move. “It's been awhile.”
A groan rumbles through him causing my muscles to clench. “Months?”
Instead of facing possible humiliation, I begin to leisurely lift myself up and down, hoping the distraction entices him. Another groan escapes and his eyes threaten to close from pure incessant content.
“Brie,” he fights to say. “How long?” His hips thrust upward to echo the command for an answer. When I simply moan in return, he repeats the action harder. Nudges deeper. Caresses the need to come in a way I've never experienced before. Anxious to feel it again, I attempt to increase my speed yet he stops completely. He firmly questions. “How. Long?”
Sexually flustered, I snip, “Does it really matter?”
His head tilts to the side and the grin I've found a fondness for appears in a way I know I'm not going to like. “Do you really want to come?”
“Are you gonna hold my orgasms hostage?”
“Are you going to force me to?” His cock pleads inside of me with a twitch. “How long, Brie?”
; “Years.”
“How many?”
“Two,” I huff. “Happy? Now can we please-”
Kellan swiftly wraps a hand around the nape of my neck and tugs our mouths together. His free hand pins me in place while his dick begins to ebulliently deliver new depths of ecstasy. Every harsh heave causes my pussy to pulsate in a powerful plead for more. I attempt to pull my lips away to free my moans, but it only spurs him to kiss me rougher. His mouth aggressively refuses my request and swallows my moans as punishment. The intemperateness from the combination of being dominated yet worshiped, controlled but only for the sake of my appeasement, becomes too much to bear. A blinding bliss burst through my entire body and my passionate screams overpower his attempt at containment.