The Standby

by K. A Knight

  There are no rough touches, no spearing me with his fingers or cock. No, this is slow and gentle as he licks me. His tongue makes me cry out in no time, his fingers dipping inside me and curling as he continues his soft assault. My thighs quiver, my stomach clenches, and then I explode on his tongue. It’s so hard, so different than the last times we fucked, like he brought it out of me with his kindness and caring. My release moves through me slowly, almost sluggishly with a force that bows my back. My hands grip his shoulders, my nails digging in.

  When it’s over, I collapse, my eyes flying wide. What the hell was that? He moves up my body and kisses me again, and I can taste myself on him, the thought is so hot. Wrapping my legs around him, I urge him to fuck me, but he takes his time, ignoring me. He caresses my body, making me relax again, and only then does he line up with my pussy and slowly push inside, letting me grow accustomed to his cock before he starts to move.

  His slow, measured thrusts have me going wild beneath him, wanting more, but he doesn’t relent. Just pushes me towards another orgasm with the unyielding thrusts. My nails scratch down his back before I grasp his flexing ass and lift my hips to meet his.

  It’s not fucking, it’s not just sex...this is something else. It has meaning, the way he touches me, the way he holds me like I’m precious. The slow roll of his hips, his name on my lips, and the gasping of his breath...it all comes together. It’s something beautiful and oh so scary because I know what it means.

  I’m falling for Logan Hemsworth.

  I scream my release and he follows with a yell, collapsing on me slightly to the side as we both pant, his face buried in my shoulder so he doesn’t see me staring at the ceiling with wide, fear-filled eyes.

  How did I let this happen?

  How can I fight this between us?

  Cupid, if you’re there, I need your help...please don’t hurt me again.

  Fifteen

  I wake up alone in bed again, the covers pulled down to just above my ass, my naked chest pushed into the white sheets and face turned towards the bright windows where the sun is streaming in. I reach for where he was, but find him gone. Sitting upright, I drag the sheet over my body and tilt my head, listening for him.

  I hear sounds down the hallway, and then the delicious scent of food hits my nose, the distinct smell of something frying. I lean back, getting comfortable on the bed, and close my eyes for a moment, trying to build my barriers back up again after the sweet way he made love to me last night.

  Not two minutes later, Logan strides into the bedroom in just some black boxers, juggling two plates and two mugs. He grins when he sees me awake. “Hey, sorry, didn’t mean to wake you. I wanted to surprise you with breakfast in bed.” He puts the mugs down on my side and climbs onto the bed, setting the plates between us. “Okay, we have fruit, croissants, and toast, and chicken and cheese bagels.”

  “Yum, it all looks delicious,” I tell him, my mouth watering.

  He leans closer and kisses me. “Morning.”

  “Morning.” I grin and then dive in, picking at the fruit and sipping my tea, which he remembered. “Have you been up long?”

  “Not too long. Sorry, I write better in the morning, so it’s a habit to get up,” he admits as he drinks his coffee.

  “Did you get much written?” I inquire around a mouthful of kiwi.

  He scrubs the back of his head. “Not really, I was distracted.” Then he changes the subject. “Today I need to get some writing done, so I’ll probably stick around here…” My face must drop because he grins. “I figured you could stay with me? Sunbathe maybe and use the pool? I promise to make you dinner and drinks.”

  “Sounds good to me, I just need to go to my room and get my things.”

  He nods and leans closer, snatching some melon from the plate and biting into it with a smile. “It’s a plan.”

  After breakfast, I get dressed, and despite his grabbing hands, I make it out of the apartment. I head back to my room and take a shower there, shaving my legs quickly before slipping into my red bikini and floor-length, black cover up. I roll up my beach towel and add it, my headphones, and book to my beach bag, and with a quick look around, I head back over to Logan’s.

  He’s waiting when I arrive and passes me a non-alcoholic cocktail before leading me to the pool. He helps me get settled and then with a kiss, he’s gone back inside to write. For the first time since landing in Dubai, I’m alone.

  I notice his absence straightaway, but I force myself to relax, putting on my headphones and slipping off my cover up to sunbathe as I listen to music. I put on sun cream and lie down, the sun heating my skin.

  Hours pass like this, me turning every now and again and reading my book until I pull on my shades and close my eyes for a moment, my body lethargic from the sun.

  I’m lying on my sun lounger, headphones in and eyes closed when suddenly, I shiver. Opening my eyes, I spot Logan in swimming trunks standing over me. “Coming swimming, beautiful?”

  I just smile at him, so he bends over and plucks at my bikini bottoms. I gasp and yank out my headphones as he strokes his fingers under the material, touching my pussy. Groaning, I spread my legs wider, knowing no one can see us up here. We are on the top floor after all. He winks down at me as he strokes me, his nail catching on my clit, making me moan before he dips his long fingers into my pussy.

  Then he’s gone.

  Laughing, he licks his fingers, and with a wink dives into the pool. That asshole. I jump up and throw myself into the pool, making a splash. When I break the surface, I slick back my hair to see him grinning at me, leaning against the side almost like he didn’t just start finger fucking me only to pull away.

  Well, two can play this game.

  I swim towards him and he watches me approach with a smile until I’m pressed against him, my feet touching the bottom. Pushing him towards the side of the swimming pool, I kiss him and trace one of my hands down his abs, then dive under his trunks.

  Gripping his hard length, I stroke him as we kiss and he groans into my mouth as he thrusts into my hand. Then, I pull away and throw myself backwards in the water, laughing as I try to get away. I hear him swear and then the sound of a splash before his hand grasps my ankle and yanks me backwards. Sputtering, I land hard against him, my back to his chest as he licks my earlobe. “That wasn’t very nice, baby.”

  “Who said I was nice?” I gasp as his hand circles my throat, his thumb resting on my racing pulse.

  I slip from his arms and he swears again as I dive under the water, swimming to the glass edge and leaning against it to see everyone below. He’s behind me a moment later, his heat pressing against me, his hard cock against my ass.

  I feel him shift and then in one smooth move my bikini top falls, undone. “Logan!” I protest, grabbing at it, but he tosses it behind us.

  “No one can see us,” he murmurs against my ear, as he grabs my breasts, squeezing until I’m gasping. Laughing, he tweaks my nipples with both hands until I’m rubbing backwards against him.

  “Thought you were supposed to be writing?” I question, trying to distract him even though I’m wet as hell, my pussy aching for him already.

  “I am, you’re my dinner.”

  “Smooth,” I tease, even as I lean my head against his shoulder, my eyes still on the horizon, the sea, and the boats there.

  “Do you want to go on one of those?” he inquires, as he runs his hand down my stomach, past the barrier of my bottoms, and flicks my clit.

  “One of what?” I ask, breathless and distracted by his hands.

  He carries on talking like we’re having a polite conversation. “A boat, you can rent them. I was thinking of renting one for us tomorrow, what do you think?”

  Not much at this point, since his fingers slip into my pussy, stretching me, his thumb rubbing my clit in maddening circles until I’m limp in his arms, only his body holding me up as I fuck myself on his fingers.

  “Ryan, I’m waiting for an answer,” he scold
s playfully and stills his hand, making me whimper.

  “Yes, yes, yes, God, yes!” I almost scream, and he chuckles into my skin as he starts fucking me again. “You bastard,” I mutter, and he tuts.

  “That’s not very nice.” He pulls his fingers free and I gasp.

  “Sorry, you’re not, you’re an amazing person. Truly wonderful—” He pulls my bottoms down as I carry on blabbering. Grabbing my hips, he pushes my body forward and sinks into my pussy, his balls slapping against my clit, and my tirade finally cuts off with a moan.

  He grips my throat with one hand, my hip with the other, and holds me there as he starts to fuck me. Words tumble from my mouth as I press my chest against the cool glass, making me gasp. Leaning back, I wrap my arm around his neck to hold him to me.

  The water churns around us. He bites my shoulder, then licks the sting away as I clench around his cock. “Good girl, show them how well you let me fuck you,” he murmurs, and my eyes close at his dirty words as I shiver.

  The coolness of the water and the heat of his body sends me into overdrive. He has me how he wants me, almost unable to move, his hand tightening on my throat whenever I try to.

  “Logan,” I moan, and his hips jerk, his thrusts stuttering, so I do it again and again. With a groan, he starts to fuck me for real, slamming into me hard and fast until I have to hold on or be lost in the waves created by us.

  His hand disappears from my hip and he flicks my clit again and again until, with a scream, I come around him, clenching his cock and milking it. He bites down on my shoulder to muffle his yell as he jerks and fills me with his cum.

  Panting, I collapse against the glass barrier and relearn how to breathe as I stare out at the boats. “So, we are going on a boat?” I murmur, and he laughs behind me.

  Sixteen

  After our little swim, he went back to work and I cleaned up before sunbathing again. Late in the afternoon, I came inside to find him typing away. He seemed distracted and I remembered he had a deadline. So, with a kiss, I told him I thought he should spend the night writing and I would go and relax. He looked guilty, but I assured him I was fine. He walked me back to my hotel and kissed me goodbye.

  Once inside, I took a long bath and put on my creams and lotions. It was barely six, so I decided to get dressed up and go for a walk, maybe eat by myself. I was planning to before I met Logan after all. I put on a sparkly jumpsuit and smooth my hair down, even adding some lipstick and blocky sandals before grabbing my bag and heading out. The sun is set at this point, and I make my way down the front. It’s bustling with people and the restaurants are all busy.

  I check out each shop and stall, buying a few bits and bobs before stopping at a grill for tea. I sit out on the top floor balcony, looking out across the sea and the illuminated wheel out there. There’s a candle burning on the table, it’s nice.

  Would be better if Logan was here.

  I don’t know where that thought comes from, so I push it away just as my phone rings. I answer it without looking, desperate to escape my sappy thoughts.

  “Hello?”

  “Thank fuck, Ryan, God, babes, I’ve missed you.”

  Fuck. I cringe as my ex’s voice crawls down the line. Why the fuck didn’t I check the caller ID?

  “Nope, not Ryan. Wrong number.” I go to hang up, but I hear a sniffle—is he crying? Christ.

  “Ryan, please, just hear me out. I’m desperate here, I even thought about doing something stupid.”

  I go cold at that, it wouldn’t be the first time he’s made that threat and controlled me with it, made me stay or... it sends a shiver down my spine. Would he actually? I can’t risk it, even if it hurts me to talk to him, I can’t run the risk of him hurting himself because I wouldn’t listen to him talk. At least I’m not there in person, or I would never escape.

  “Chester, you have to stop doing this. I made myself clear, we are over. You betrayed my trust and hurt me. I can’t continue to be in a relationship with someone I don’t trust. Now, I’ll always be here for you if you’re in a dark place because unfortunately for me, I’m a nice person who still cares about you, but I can’t, I just can’t love you anymore.”

  I sip some more of my drink, looking out into the water.

  “Babe, I’m so sorry. I was an idiot, I never should have—” He sucks in a breath. “Please, can’t we just try again?” His breath hitches, and for a moment I feel bad until I remember the way I found him balls deep in my fifty-year-old neighbour while her husband and I were at work.

  Now, I could make a joke about old pussy, but I hold myself back. I’m trying to be the bigger person here. “No, we can’t,” I reply sternly. I’ve folded more times than I can count when it comes to this man, letting things slip, but I can’t do this. Logan has shown me how good it can feel when you truly care and respect someone, and despite the fact it’s only a holiday fling, I know I deserve more. Better than Chester and his old lady seeking cock.

  “Ryan!” he snaps, and I hear a smash. “Do you want me to do something stupid?”

  I sigh. “You know I don’t, but this threat is getting old. Tell me, Chester, would you actually? Because honestly, I think you love yourself too much to.”

  “You fucking bitch. I don’t know why I wasted my time on you. You’re a shit lay anyway, just something to fuck the time away with,” he rages, and I sip my drink casually as I lean back.

  “Lovely, truly. Are we done?” I deadpan.

  “Shit, babe, I didn’t mean that, you just make me so crazy,” he implores.

  “Yeah, no. Don’t go blaming me for your issues, you manipulative bastard. I tried to do this nicely, even when you hurt me more than anyone else has, but clearly you can’t even be civil, so I’m going to hang up. Do not do anything stupid, just man the fuck up and move on. You destroyed this, now live with it.”

  I hang up and drop the phone on the table like a mic drop, feeling pretty proud of myself. Just then, my food arrives, and I eat my fill, ordering a pudding as well. Screw boys, cake is all you need...and maybe orgasms.

  I bought a bottle of wine, went back to my room, and read a book and drank it before passing out. When my phone goes off the next morning, I grumble and burrow my head into the covers to ignore it, but it goes off again. Lifting my head, I glare at it and drop it again, pulling a pillow over my head to muffle the atrocious sound.

  I sigh when it doesn’t go off again, and I’m just falling back asleep when it starts to ring. Shit. Rolling from the bed, I yelp when I land on my ass on the floor. Scrambling up, I grab my phone from the table where I tossed it last night. I scroll through the notifications and see they are from Logan, so I open the messages only to find I sent him a dirty picture last night.

  Goddammit, Ryan, I chide myself, but I don’t think he minded if his response this morning is anything to go by.

  Hot Author: Wow, I wish you had stayed here last night.

  Hot Author: Seriously, I already had morning wood. Are you awake so I can take some of this frustration out? ;)

  Hot author: Beautiful?

  And the last one was not two minutes ago.

  Hot Author: Get up and get dressed, meet me in front of your hotel in ten minutes or I’m coming up and spanking that beautiful ass to get you moving.

  Crap. I know he’s serious, and now I only have...seven minutes! I rush to get ready, almost forgetting to put on underwear. I remember at the last minute he said we were going on a boat today, so I grab my beach bag and shove a bikini and towel in there before rushing on sandal-covered feet out the door.

  I sprint to the elevator and reach the lobby just as I see him coming inside for me. He grins when he sees me and takes the floral bag and puts it over his shoulder before linking my hand with his. “Morning, beautiful, late night?” he teases, a twinkle in his eyes.

  “There might have been wine,” I grumble, and he laughs as he pulls me outside where I cringe from the sun and quickly put on my shades.

  “Uh-huh, did you have a goo
d evening?” he asks.

  “I did actually. I finally told my ex to basically go fuck himself and then ate cake and got drunk. How was writing?”

  He stops, blinking at me. I told him about Chester the other night, but I think it was the order in which I said it that has him stumbling for words. “Uh, I mean, that’s good, I’m happy for you, baby. Did he take it well?”

  I tilt my head at his weird look. “No, but who cares.”

  He nods and pulls me to a waiting black car where he opens the door and helps me in before getting in on his own side. He seems lost in his thoughts, so I tap his hand. “Writing?” I nudge.

  “Oh, yeah, it went well. I got a good ten thousand words in, so a really good chunk of it,” he murmurs, and then seems to shake himself out of whatever funk he’s in. “Sorry, okay, you ready for today?”

  “Yes, what’s the boat like?” I query.

  “You’ll see.” He chuckles and I pout, making him grin.

  “That’s not a boat!” I gasp. “It’s a bloody...yacht or a mansion on water!” I exclaim.

  Laughing, he leads me along the jetty to where the boat is anchored. Four men are waiting there, all in white shirts and blue shorts. They grin and greet us before helping us onto the boat. At the back is a massive sofa where we sit and are instructed to remove our shoes, so we do, and they put them in a box before telling us to explore. We’ll be on the water most of the day, and if we need anything, apparently they are here to help us. Two head upstairs while the others wait nearby, and I lean closer to Logan.

  “Wait, it’s just us?” I whisper.

  “Of course.” He grins and helps me up, leading me through the sliding glass door into the interior of the boat. There is a dining room to the right, an open kitchen to the left, and beyond is a living room that would rival most mansions, with glass along the front to see out into the water, providing an unobstructed view. Behind the kitchen is a staircase to the right that goes down, and Logan lets me explore as I head down the stairs to find five bedrooms and three bathrooms. They are spacious and luxurious. I head back upstairs, speechless.