Her Unexpected Valentine

by Sherelle Green

  “Kendrick,” she said in between kisses, “I don’t know how much more I can take.”

  “Me neither.” He moved to her neck and collarbone, nipping her skin as he did. “Are you sure?” he asked, to make sure she wanted this just as much as he did.

  “Yes,” she said breathlessly. “I want this.” She brought her lips back up to his. With no further confirmation needed, he lifted her from the couch and walked over to the bed. Once there, he gently laid her on top of the sheets, only breaking the kiss so that he could remove her jeans.

  “In case I’ve never told you, I love how you look in high-waisted jeans,” he said as he began tugging them down her thick thighs.

  “I’m glad,” she said with a smile. “Because they’re my favorite.”

  “You know what I think my favorite will be?” He reached for the edge of her tank, pulling it slowly off her head.

  “What?”

  He stepped back to stare at her in her sexy teal lace bra and panty set. She has more tattoos. He counted two; each one was beautifully designed and looked perfect on her body. He forced himself not to bite his fist to keep from groaning. “Either you in a sexy bra and panty set.” His eyes made their way to hers. “Or nothing at all.”

  She arched her back off the bed at his words. “Then I guess you better get me in nothing at all and see.”

  Insert fist bite now. Kendrick touched her bra straps, anxious to free the beautiful globes that he’d been drooling over since he first saw them straining in her crop top. When her nipples popped free, he froze.

  “Are those...”

  “Nipple rings,” she said sheepishly. “Yeah, they are.”

  “Shit,” he said, leaning closer to her breasts. Sexiest. Shit. Ever. Kendrick was never one of those superstitious types who believed in not going on the wrong side of the pole, or bad luck if you broke a mirror, or never walking underneath a ladder. Yet, as he stood there staring at Nicole’s pierced nipples, he knew that it would be an absolutely cruelty if he didn’t give her breasts his undivided attention.

  He flicked his tongue over one nipple before flicking his tongue over the other. Once again, her back lifted off the bed, her sweet moans filling his ears as he sucked one nipple completely into his mouth.

  Unable to continue fondling her breasts without fondling something else too, he slid her panties off, his fingers finding her sex with expert precision.

  “Kendrick...” her voice trailed off.

  “I’m far from finished bringing you pleasure,” he said between licks.

  She grabbed a pillow and squeezed it so hard that a few feathers popped out from the side. Kendrick didn’t care what she did to handle the onslaught of pleasure he was bringing to her, as long as she knew that the beast in him was now unlocked and he wasn’t going back into his cage anytime soon.

  Her moans grew louder, proving that she was close to the edge of an orgasm. He switched to her other nipple to give it the same amount of attention as his fingers increased their pressure on her sweet spot.

  Nicole’s entire body erupted in an orgasm so strong, he had to grip her hips to keep her in place and make sure she didn’t fall. Is there anything that the woman does that isn’t sexy as hell? He had a feeling that answer was no. Once she started coming back down to reality, her eyes met his.

  “As much as I enjoyed that,” she said, her eyes running up and down his body, “I need you naked and inside me...now.”

  Kendrick didn’t have to be told twice. He removed his shirt first, pulling it over his head and tossing it to the side.

  “Oh, my,” she said as she sat upright in the bed. “Your tattoos are pure artwork...” She reached out a hand to touch one of his favorites. The lion on his bicep. “Why the lion?”

  Kendrick glanced at it. “Because a lion represents strength, pride, leadership... It was a reminder that I have all the qualities instilled in me needed to leave my mark in this world.”

  “I love it,” she said. “How many tattoos do you have?”

  “Nine,” he said as he unbuttoned his pants. “What about you? I love how intricate your designs are.”

  “I have five,” she said, her eyes focused on his shaft, straining against his boxers.”

  “Hmm, I only counted two,” Kendrick said. “I guess that means I have to do a thorough perusal of your body to find the others.”

  Nicole smiled slyly. “The others are on the other side of my body, so I guess you’re right. You need to explore more.”

  Kendrick dropped his boxers, glad to be completely rid of his clothes. Apparently, he wasn’t the only one glad that he was naked.

  Nicole rose on her knees, her breasts gaining his interest again. When he went to touch them, she backed away and turned on all fours, her backside in full display for him to see. Found the others, he thought as he outlined each one with the tip of his fingers.

  Once he was finished, Nicole turned her head over her shoulder. “Are you just going to admire me from behind or give me what I want?”

  Kendrick raised an eyebrow. “I figured you’d want to take it slow this first time,” he said as he protected them both and joined her on the bed.

  “When will you learn,” she teased. “I like to do everything fast.”

  “You don’t say,” he said as he slowly slid his tip into her. “Then just because I’m in a playful mood, how about we take this slow.”

  Her protest died on her lips as he slowly pushed every inch of himself into her core.

  “Ahh,” she moaned, meeting his slow strokes.

  Maybe going slow wasn’t such a good idea, he thought. Going slow meant he felt every single vaginal muscle wrap and clench his length. It meant he felt the joining of their bodies in every part of his. Going slow meant that no matter how much he tried to keep his emotions in check when it came to Nicole LeBlanc, he was losing on all counts.

  * * *

  I don’t know how much more I can take, she thought as Kendrick continued to stroke her painstakingly slowly. True, they weren’t in a rush, but she wasn’t sure her heart could handle how many feelings he was evoking within her right now.

  He rolled his hips, going even deeper inside her. How does he even have more to push in? She’d been with well-endowed men before, but there was something about the impressive size and length of Kendrick that had her panting loudly. She just hoped Kendrick’s room wasn’t near any members of the crew because she was sure her moans were waking the entire floor.

  When she’d first arrived at Kendrick’s room, she knew the night would result in sex. She’d been prepared mentally and physically for whatever the night would bring. However, she hadn’t known that he would take his time with her body the way that he was. While Nicole liked to live in the fast lane, she was noticing that Kendrick liked to do everything slow and precise. Just like he’s doing with these languid strokes right now.

  She wasn’t even sure it was possible, given how much she wanted him, but he’d somehow managed to get her even wetter than she was before.

  “I’m close,” she huffed, satisfied that he finally increased his movements. The slow buildup followed by the quickened pace was pushing her over the edge faster than she’d planned. Typically, it took a while for a man to make her orgasm through sexual intercourse. Not with Kendrick. He was single-handedly changing the way she viewed so many of the men she’d been with in the past.

  And even though she couldn’t see his body because he had her butt high in the air and her face was buried in the pillows, just imagining his scrumptious tattooed body only increased her pleasure.

  “I’m right there with you, baby,” he finally said. She breathed a sigh of relief that she wouldn’t have to hold out much longer.

  “Me too,” she repeated seconds before she released another strong orgasm.

  “Nicole,” Kendrick said as he followed her over th
e edge of the orgasmic cliff. Nicole couldn’t ever recall having an orgasm that close to a man before, but as hers was ending and his was beginning, the proximity of their orgasms caused the pleasurable relief to last even longer.

  Kendrick collapsed on the bed, pulling her to his side and into his embrace. “That was...” his voice trailed off.

  “I know,” she said, still convulsing from the aftereffects.

  Kendrick kissed her passionately before he curled his head into her neck. She smiled. He’s a cuddler... The one thing that Nicole always liked doing after sex was cuddling, but she’d been with people in her past who didn’t like to touch afterward. She was still smiling as she drifted off to sleep.

  Chapter 12

  The moonlight from the window caused Nicole to stir and awaken. For a few seconds, she wasn’t sure where she was. Then she felt the strong arm draped across her midsection and remembered. I slept with Kendrick last night. She glanced at the clock on the nightstand. I guess more like a few hours ago.

  Sex with Kendrick had been more than she’d ever expected and even with a few hours to sleep it off, she was still in awe of everything that had happened. Be careful, Nicole... You already know he’s the type of man who could break your heart. It wasn’t that she wanted to ignore the feelings she was beginning to have for Kendrick, but she did want to keep things in perspective. For starters, she couldn’t forget why she’d come to California in the first place. Taking this job and embarking on a new opportunity had been a scary move to make, but one that she’d made for the main purpose of continuing her soul-searching journey.

  But what if Kendrick fits into that journey? What if you were meant to meet him with the possibility of you both becoming more? After all, they were approaching the most romantic day of the year, and if love didn’t find you on Valentine’s Day, then, when would it?

  Love? Girl, have you lost your mind? Admitting she was starting to have strong feelings for Kendrick was one thing, but love was another entity, entirely. She’d heard stories about couples falling in love after only a few days or weeks of knowing one another, but was that real love? Was that the kind of love that could withstand all obstacles like the Saunderses had mentioned?

  Oh course it isn’t, she thought. And having this conversation with yourself is pointless since there is no way you’re falling in love with Kendrick. She glanced over her shoulder at the sleeping man next to her. Except, what if I am falling in love with him? What if we’re meant to be one of those stories for the ages that people repeat and tell others because they can’t believe that a couple fell in love that fast?

  What if this entire time, she’d only dated those jerks to prepare her for the love of a real man like Kendrick? What if? What if? What if?

  “Unless you’re trying to go for round two, you should be asleep, beautiful.”

  Nicole jumped at the sound of his voice. “You scared me.”

  “That’s because you were in deep thought.” Kendrick propped his head on his elbow. “What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?”

  Nicole turned to face him and mirrored his position. “I was thinking about the fact that we have to get up in a few hours and pack up to leave this beautiful place.”

  “I know. I’m not ready to leave either.” Kendrick studied her eyes. “Are you sure that’s all? What else is on your mind?”

  That’s another thing, she thought, laughing to herself. He actually cares about how I feel. “You’re different from any man I’ve met before,” she said. “In a good way.”

  Kendrick smiled. “That’s good to know, although, I get the feeling that you’ve dated some real jerks in the past.”

  “More than I wish to divulge,” she said. “But I guess the biggest jerk I’ve dated before is a guy who technically wouldn’t even be considered a jerk.”

  “What do you mean?” Kendrick asked. “Did he disguise his true colors in the beginning?”

  “Something like that,” Nicole said as she thought back. “I met Marcus when I was a teenager, and we immediately got along. Back then, I was a bit of a tomboy and involved with every sport imaginable, but for some reason, Marcus only saw the girlie sides of me. Unlike some of the other boys in our high school class, he made me feel beautiful... Wanted... Included.”

  “What every high school student desires,” Kendrick said.

  “Exactly, and back then, he made me feel loved and appreciated during a time when love and appreciation were scarce in my personal life.”

  “Your parents?”

  “Yeah. My mom is in the military, and my dad was an army husband. That’s the reason I’ve lived in so many places.”

  Kendrick nodded in understanding. “Was? Is your dad still living?”

  “Yeah, he is.” Nicole sat upright on the bed and pulled the sheet to her chest. “He walked out on us when I was thirteen and never looked back. From what I’ve found on social media, he has two kids now with his new wife.”

  “Damn,” Kendrick said. “He never kept in contact with you?”

  “Nope. Bottom line is that he couldn’t handle being married to someone in the military. So instead of taking me with him, he just left me at home by myself with a letter saying that he was sorry and needed more.”

  Kendrick lightly touched her hand. “I’m sorry to hear that. My dad was never around either, so I understand. But it still sucks.”

  “It does,” she said. “And at the time, I couldn’t even get in contact with my mom, so after a week on my own, I realized he wasn’t coming back and I called my grandparents. They picked me up, and I stayed with them until I was an adult.”

  “Your mom didn’t come back?”

  Nicole glanced out the window at the moon. “She claimed that she was too busy to deal with my dad, and me, for that matter. So she told me I was going to permanently live with my grandparents. She filed for divorce and went back to work with two less burdens to deal with... Her marriage and her daughter.” She could still see the look of relief on her mother’s face.

  “After that, I went on a reckless path of trying to find love wherever I could. Don’t get me wrong, my grandparents were amazing and loving, but I couldn’t get past the feeling of not being wanted. I mean, how could a parent—or in my case two parents—wake up one day and say, ‘Sorry, I don’t want any parenting responsibility anymore. Please proceed to option B.’”

  “Except there is no option B,” Kendrick said. “Some parents don’t realize the effect that their actions have on their children.”

  “Yup. And for me, option B came in the form of Marcus Hayes. I thought that as long as I had his love, I would be okay. The problem with putting all your love and faith into one person is that you deem the person worthy of such a gift.”

  “Judging by the look on your face, Marcus wasn’t worthy.”

  “He wasn’t,” she said. “But I didn’t see it at first. Like I said, he understood me and made me feel special. Everyone was friends with Marcus, and he had one of those infectious smiles and great personalities that meant that people always flocked to him.”

  “So from your perspective, being in love with someone who was so well liked by others validated that he was worth your love and affection too.”

  “Yeah, it was. Whenever he had a problem, I was right there by his side. It wasn’t until I started having even more issues with my mom that I realized he wasn’t offering the same advice and support I had given to him. It was almost like he had a Rolodex of ways he could pretend to be there for me without having to put forth the effort that I had exuded for him.

  “But Marcus wasn’t just my boyfriend. He was my best friend, so in turn, I latched on to everything about him. My opinions about certain things would change to what he thought. I liked the same things he liked. Did the same activities he did. Hell, I even entered college majoring in the same thing he majored in because I was convinced i
t was the type of career I wanted to pursue too.”

  Kendrick adjusted himself on the bed. “But you realized that it wasn’t.”

  “Not even a little. Do you remember when I said that everyone who rocks with you may not always be for you?”

  “Of course.”

  “Well, that was Marcus. He was a good guy. Still is. He was positive. Upbeat. Funny as hell and always made people laugh. I know that he cared about me and he valued our friendship, but I didn’t realize that in trying to be everything that I thought he wanted and needed, I’d completely lost sight of my individuality. I was no longer Nicole LeBlanc—the opinionated girl who walked to the beat of her own drum. I might as well have been a carbon copy of Marcus Hayes.

  “And I can’t really blame Marcus,” Nicole said as she scooted closer to Kendrick on the bed. “I was the one who had put Marcus on a pedestal and somehow convinced myself that he was the love that I desired. He was the love I lost when my father left. He was the love I’d always craved from my mother. He was the love I’d always had with my grandparents. But more importantly, I loved Marcus in a way that I had never loved myself, and that was the true tragedy.”

  It was then that Nicole noticed that Kendrick was rubbing his thumb in small circles on her thigh. The gesture made her calm and horny all at the same time.

  “When did you finally realize that you needed to end your relationship with Marcus?” Kendrick asked.

  “That’s the funny thing,” Nicole said with a forced laugh. “From thirteen to almost thirty, I had surrounded myself with people who represented someone I wanted to be. Friends, exes, coworkers, family members. You name it. My relationship with Marcus had ended when we were back in high school, but we maintained our friendship through college. It was my friendship with Marcus that caused the most damage. In some ways, a friendship was more sacred to me back then. Even after relationships ended, I tended to be friends with my exes.”

  She looked Kendrick in the eye. “It wasn’t until I was nearing my thirtieth birthday that I realized that although my life hadn’t been perfect, before my parents divorced, I had so many dreams and aspirations of what I wanted to do with my life. Things I wanted to accomplish. Places I wanted to visit. After their divorce—or maybe even before—I’d lost my way. My identity. The reason I was put on this earth.