The Standby

by K. A Knight

  My pussy clenches at his words, and he shivers before thrusting into me harder, bottoming out and bumping my cervix.

  “I’m continually hard around you,” he whispers, as he places kisses along my chest. “Craving you, wanting you, needing you…” He nips at my nipple, and I gasp and bring my head up to hold his head to me as he slows, fucking me leisurely now as I roll my hips to match his pace. This is more than sex, more than fucking… He looks up at me with those flecked eyes I’m beginning to desire. “Loving you.”

  I lean down as he reaches up, and we seal our lips together, both of us lost in the wildness of each other’s longing. A force bigger than us pulls us together, I don’t know where I stop and he starts, our bodies fitting together so perfectly. It’s so slow and sensual that I come from his cock alone, screaming my orgasm into his mouth. He follows me with a grunt, and we collapse back against my bed, breathing heavily.

  My head is on his heaving chest, his heart racing in time with mine, our legs entwined and bodies slick with sweat. Holy fuck, what just happened?

  He drops a kiss on my head and I practically melt against him. I don’t want to speak, to break this peace...this thing that’s between us. Because I know now, this is more than just fucking. But what will be left of us once the week is through?

  That’s all we have, a week, but will we be able to walk away unhurt?

  I hope so, because I can already tell this man has the ability to wreck me more than anyone else ever has. So here, lying against his chest, I make myself a promise to guard my heart against him. A week, Ryan, that’s all you get. Make the most of it, enjoy it, but when it’s done, you let him go...

  “I need to shower, I bet I smell like plane,” he grumbles, making me laugh and lift my head.

  I pretend to sniff him and recoil, and he spanks me. “Behave,” he warns, and then kisses me, ever so softly, and slips from under me. “Be right back, okay?”

  “Sure.” I nod and watch him go. The flex of his peachy ass as he strides towards my bathroom is a beautiful sight to see, that’s for sure.

  When I hear the shower start up, I decide to climb from the bed. Shit, I should have gone in before him. I clean up with a wet wipe instead with a grimace, deciding I’ll pee when he’s out.

  While he’s showering, the steam curling from under the door, I slip into my dress and start to unpack, hanging up my dresses and lining up my shoes. I put on some music and dance as I’m doing it, singing along so I don’t hear the shower turn off.

  I jump when he wraps his arms around me from behind and places a scorching kiss on my neck. “You’re adorable and a terrible singer,” he teases, and I huff.

  Spinning in his arms, I open my mouth for a sassy retort but lose it at the view I get. Fuck, this man is so hot. He only has a white towel wrapped around his waist, which is low slung and showing me all his muscles. His hair is damp and stuck up at all angles, his golden skin shimmering with droplets of water.

  My mouth goes dry as I run my eyes down his body. “Did you want to take another shower...with me?” I almost purr, and he laughs until he realises I’m serious.

  Before I know it, I’m thrown over his shoulder, the dress I was hanging now on the floor forgotten as he heads back into the bathroom. Giggling, I slap his ass and pull the towel free as he kicks the door shut behind us.

  Twelve

  He wastes no time stripping me of my dress again. At this point, I should just walk around naked. He puts me down in the shower, my feet almost slipping on the porcelain, but he keeps me upright as he flicks on the water. I let out a squeal when it comes from the top and sides of the shower, not expecting it, and he laughs and ducks his head, pressing his forehead to mine.

  “Where did you come from, Ryan Shaw?” he asks, searching my eyes.

  Swallowing, I remember the promise I just made to myself, so I lean forward and kiss him, nipping his lower lip. “How about I show you where I’m going?” I whisper, and he pulls back slightly, brows furrowed in confusion. We had the talk earlier about sexual history and he even had proof of being clean and healthy, he took me at my word so now we don’t have to worry about condoms to much, I am on the pill after all.

  I kiss him once more and drop to my knees, steadying myself on his thighs and glance up at him. He gulps, his eyes wide and cock bobbing for my attention. He’s tasted me, fucked my pussy with his tongue and fingers...it’s my turn to taste him.

  “Ry—”

  “Logan, I want to taste you,” I tell him, wrapping my hand around his slick cock and bringing it to my mouth. I lick the mushroom tip as he watches.

  “Well, who am I to stop you,” he replies in a choked voice, as I suck on the head before pulling back and licking it again.

  Keeping my hand around the base, I suck him down all the way, his tip poking the back of my throat. I pull back and do it again and again, faster each time, but he’s almost too big, so I have to pull back. Using my hand, I stroke his length and suck him in as far down as I can go. Not that he minds, if his groans are anything to go by.

  He jerks in my mouth, thrusting himself deeper down my throat, and I still my movements, letting him fuck my mouth how he wants. He takes over then, his hand going to my hair to keep me still as he plunges in and out of my mouth, faster and faster until, with a yell, he fills my mouth with his cum. I swallow it down and lick his cock clean before sitting back on my heels and looking at him.

  His face is lax, eyes hazy, and he looks almost shocked. I have to admit it makes me feel good. He helps me to my feet and kisses me deeply. When we break apart, he turns me around so gently I almost crack and take back my decision to keep him at arm’s length.

  It’s even harder to do when he starts to wash my hair for me, kneading his hands into my scalp until I moan and he gets all the tangles out. While he washes it off, I lean against him and then he starts bathing me.

  I should protest, I should stop him, but it feels too good.

  He traces his soap-covered hands over every inch of me, missing nothing until I’ve never been cleaner. He even gets to his knees and gently massages my feet and calves before helping me rinse off.

  He washes himself and then helps me out, wrapping up my hair and drying my body for me. He’s so gentle, I have to turn away and just breathe for a moment. Never has anyone looked after me like this, but I know this is just Logan. He’s a nice guy...with a great ass.

  When we get back into the room, I can’t be bothered to put on clothes, so I slip under the covers naked, the room dark now. The sun must have set while we were in there. A yawn overtakes me, and suddenly the weight of the day and all the travelling hits me, and I can barely keep my eyes open.

  Logan turns off the lights and gets in next to me, pulling me into his arms. “You need to sleep, it’s been a long day,” he murmurs, and kisses my hair.

  I should deny him, tell him he doesn’t have to stay, but I can’t. “Goodnight,” I whisper, before snuggling deeper.

  That night we both fall asleep in each other’s arms, and I remind myself it’s natural. We are both tired, why shouldn’t I enjoy his touch and embrace...there is nothing more to it... right?

  Surely one night won’t make that much of a different.

  He wakes up before me. I can hear him moving around from my position on the bed. My face is buried in my pillow, my arm stretched across to his side, the spot still warm from him.

  The sheet is pulled from my body, and I shiver and flip over, cracking open my eyes to see him grinning at me. He leans down and kisses me. “Morning, beautiful, want to get up and dressed?”

  “Where are we going?” I question around a yawn, but I do feel better after a good sleep.

  “Breakfast of course, unless you want me to eat you instead?” He wiggles his eyebrows and slaps my hip lightly. “Get up, your stomach has been rumbling for over an hour, I need to feed you.”

  “I want pancakes,” I grumble as I get from the bed, yelping when he spanks me again. He laughs as I narrow m
y eyes and head to the bathroom. I wash, brush my teeth, and take care of business, and when I come back out I find him pulling out a dress and smiling at me.

  “Wear this, you will look amazing.” His eyes light up, so I nod as he leans closer and passes it over, stealing a kiss as he does. “I’ll nip to my apartment and get dressed, meet you outside in fifteen, okay?” he tells me, curling a lock of my hair around his finger.

  “Sure,” I agree eagerly, excited for food and just to be with him, but also for the time to pull myself together and push away these mushy feelings that are developing in my chest.

  “See you soon,” he says, and then slips out the door.

  The room is quiet without him, but I remind myself it’s for the best. Distance, Ryan, protect yourself, I snap at myself, and still get dressed in what he picked out, adding some strappy sandals and grabbing my smaller bag before shoving my money and phone inside. Locating my sunglasses, I take a deep breath and let it out.

  I can do this.

  It’s just breakfast, nothing else. That kiss didn’t mean anything, neither did the tight way he held me all night or waking up with him wrapped around me, nope. Nothing.

  Right?

  Goddamn it, Cupid, don’t hurt me again.

  Thirteen

  “Oh my God, pancakes!” I almost squeal, drawing a few people’s eyes my way, oops.

  Logan wouldn’t tell me where we were going when we met back up, just guided me to a Lexus that drove us around for twenty minutes. I had my face stuck to the window the entire time, watching everything until we pulled up here.

  IHOP.

  He laughs and twines our hands together, guiding me down the step into the restaurant. A server greets us with a friendly smile. “Morning, would you like to sit outside or in?” she asks, her heavily pregnant belly sticking out.

  “Outside,” I answer immediately, and she nods, waddling through the tables gathered outside with a clear view of the beach and sea. She stops at the table closest to the path with a great view. “Thank you,” I gush, and Logan pulls my seat out for me. I sit and he scoots it in before sitting next to me and taking my hand again, laying them both on his knee.

  “Here are our breakfast menus. Can I start you with a drink?” she queries, still smiling.

  “Tea please,” I reply, and she nods, scribbling it in her notepad and looking at Logan expectantly.

  “Coffee, strong please,” he tells her, and she dips her head and turns away.

  I split my glances between the menu and the view and he laughs. “Pick what you want, and then we can sit and watch everything. I figured we could walk back.”

  I scan the menu, and when I’ve decided, I shut it and observe the people coming and going, admiring the beauty surrounding us. It’s a stunning country, so warm and pretty and the people are so friendly. I’m glad I came.

  Our drinks come a couple of minutes later, and I have to take my hand back to add my sugar and milk as she waits for our order. Once we have told her, the waitress leaves us again and we drink in a comfortable silence, just people watching.

  Our food arrives just as quickly and the pancakes are amazing. I share some with Logan, who groans in appreciation and feeds me some of his. It’s a nice breakfast, just being with each other. When we’re done eating, he lets me pay, after a small debate, and takes my hand again as we walk down the ocean front path.

  “How many times have you been here?” I inquire curiously, looking out into the ocean.

  “A few, I like it here. It has such a rich culture and it’s filled with amazing stories and people. This trip is different though, more, just better overall.”

  “Why’s that?” I press, looking up at him as he grins down at me.

  “Because of you,” he answers, and my heart flips in my chest, butterflies taking flight in my stomach. “Oh look!”

  He carries on like he didn’t just nearly make me swoon, but I follow his eyeline and laugh when I spot the fairground right there on the front near the beach.

  There is hook-a-duck, what looks like a shooting game, a big spinning wheel, a football game, and in the middle is a carousel. Laughing, I drag him over and we play some of the games. We use the photobooth and pull faces until the last picture where he surprises me by kissing me just as the flash goes off.

  My cheeks heat when it prints from seeing us so close like that, but he winks and pockets it before dragging me over to the football game. “Okay, I’m going to win you a teddy. I am man,” he declares dramatically, making me smile as he hands over the money.

  I step back and watch as he fails with each kick, paying for another go and then looking at me in distress when he fails again. I can barely smother my laughter, he’s just so adorable.

  It’s nice to see him not good at something. He swears under his breath and pays for another go, adamant about winning me a teddy. He loses again and I step forward. “Can I have a try?” I ask, and he nods before paying. I line my foot up with the ball and kick like I was instructed throughout most of my childhood. It goes straight into the net and I whoop.

  Turning, I see Logan gaping at me, so I wink. “My dad used to teach football, don’t mess with a northern girl.”

  He laughs as the man hands over a smallish teddy shaped like an elephant, and I pass it to Logan. “Here, for you.”

  He takes it under his arm and clasps my fingers again, leading me over to the big wheel. We play a few more before Logan leads me away and signals for a taxi. I slip in next to him and look around, wondering where he’s taking me now. Not that I mind, I wouldn’t have a clue where to go and it’s taking a lot of stress away from me so I can just enjoy the place.

  “Where are we going now?” I snigger, knowing he won’t tell me.

  “It’s a surprise, but I think you will like it,” is all he tells me.

  “Ski Dubai?” I repeat, looking up at the sign. When we pulled up at the mall, I’d been speechless. It was massive and so...shiny. He led me past all the stores though, even as I itched to shop and look at everything, until we went by some restaurants with a glass wall looking into something with snow.

  He led me to a ski place? I can’t ski. Christ, I hope he isn’t going to try and teach me. Ice and I do not mix. I’m like Bambi.

  “Ever wanted to meet a penguin?” he inquires, and I blink at him in confusion. “Well, I thought we could. They are a sanctuary and work on saving them around the world. There is also a snow play zone I thought we could go in with bumper cars and bobsledding. Sound fun?” He looks so excited it’s contagious.

  “I love penguins!” I admit, not wanting to say just how much...I may or may not have penguin bedding at home. But come on, they are so cute, and those emperor ones look like they are wearing tuxedos!

  “Then let’s go, I booked us tickets last night,” he informs me, and leads me to a counter where he shows his phone to a worker. After a few minutes, wristbands are placed around our wrists and we are advised to collect our winter gear through the archway and get gloves from the shop, which is spread out before us with pictures, teddies, and snow gear.

  We receive our gloves, and Logan pays to upgrade so we can have the nicer ones that we get to keep, then we head through the archway into what looks like a ski lodge. It’s all wood, and to the right are benches and lockers with toilets between them. In front of them is the access door to the ski and snow area, and to the left all along the wall is where you collect your gear.

  It’s not that busy, since most people seem to be skiing, so we get through the line pretty quickly. After showing our bands, we get jackets, socks, trousers, and boots, then we head over to the benches and we start to change. I have to nip into the bathroom because I have a dress on. Luckily it all fits, and I pad out on bare feet, having left my socks and boots out here. Logan is ready and waiting, so he gets on his knees and helps me put on my socks and boots and grins up at me.

  “Ready?” he asks.

  “Yep!” I nod excitedly.

  He pulls me up a
nd takes my hand, leading me to the turnstiles. We have to scan our wristbands to get through, and then we are put into a little cubicle with another couple. I slip on my gloves and turn to Logan as we wait. “Have you been before?”

  “No, I’ve always wanted to, but it seemed weird to come alone,” he confesses, just as a man in thin snow gear and a hat peeks his head in.

  “Come on, explorers, let’s go meet our friends!”

  Meeting the penguins was amazing. They were so cute, and we learned a lot about them. We were also able to watch them eat and swim, and we were even allowed to stroke them. We had pictures taken, and then were allowed free rein in the snow zone.

  We start on the bobsled, then head to the bumper cars, and just generally have fun together. I lose myself, forgetting the promise I made as I tumble to the snow on top of Logan, both of us red-faced and laughing after our snowball fight. He sobers and looks up at me.

  “Thank you for bringing me here,” I whisper, and he smiles softly.

  “Anything for you, Ry,” he whispers back, and I finally get up, remembering people can see in here and it would be super inappropriate to lounge on top of a man.

  After two hours of playing and laughing so much my cheeks hurt, we head back to the outside area where we flick through the photographs. Logan buys some and we are instructed to pick them up on the way out.

  I get changed back into my dress in the toilet, my heart racing. He’s being so sweet and making it hard to keep my distance when he looks at me with those flecked eyes and smiles with those dimples in his cheeks. I was right, he’s so very dangerous.

  When I come out and turn in my clothes, he’s waiting with a bag. I nod at it and he holds it up. “The pictures, I’ll show you later.”

  I agree and he takes my hand, leading me past the shop until he suddenly stops. “Wait!” he exclaims, and then jogs away, leaving me standing there wondering what the hell just happened.