From One Night to Forever

by Synithia Williams

“Nothing wrong with that.” He slid the signed receipt across the bar, then turned to Kacey. “So, are you ready to go have a good time?”

  Her easy smile faltered. Bluntness normally worked easier than being sly.

  “Are you sure you don’t want to take the easy route?” she asked.

  “Positive.”

  She swallowed and he followed the movement of the muscles in her neck. Everything about her drew his attention. Crazy, he’d never been this into a woman he’d just met before.

  “Go on out and give me a second to wrap things up with my sister.”

  “Don’t want to be seen leaving the bar with a man you just met?”

  “Something like that.”

  He nodded and stood. “I’ll see you outside.” He ran a finger down her arm. Not to be seductive, but because he’d been dying to touch her all night. Her skin was soft, and the simple touch thrilled him more than he’d expected. Aaron knew that even if she didn’t meet him, he’d never forget his reaction to her.

  Chapter 4

  Kacey walked out onto the wooden deck of Momma’s Kitchen, her heart pounding in her chest. She hadn’t told Monique she was taking the hot guy from the bar home. Just said she was tired and would catch up with her later. Monique had caught the eye of another guy and waved Kacey off.

  What am I doing? The straitlaced side of her brain said to ignore the crazy rush going on inside of her body, go home, and get ready for her last semester in school. The long-neglected side argued that backing out meant going home to a bowl of popcorn and Netflix. Or, more likely, getting online to go over the course description for her final class and then doing some online research.

  Neither of which were what she really wanted to do. What she really wanted to do was live out the fantasy of being daring enough to go home with the hot guy at the bar. To forget all the lectures about not letting loose and actually do just that. So what if the last time had ended in heartbreak and disaster? She’d been seventeen and stupid. Now she was twenty-seven and smarter.

  Theoretically anyway.

  “Changing your mind?”

  Kacey blinked and turned to her left, where Casanova stood leaning against one of the beams in the porch. She still hadn’t asked him for his real name. She didn’t want to know his name. If she went through with this, it would be to have a little fun, a no-strings-attached kind of thing.

  His sexy gaze never left hers, and Kacey’s blood heated. She definitely was not going home to Netflix and Google.

  “Why would you say that?” She strolled down the steps toward the parking lot, trying to appear as if she was as sure of herself as she pretended to be.

  Casanova pushed away from the beam and followed. He got close enough for his arm to brush against hers as they walked, sending sparks across her skin. “The way you burst out of the door then stopped and chewed your lower lip screamed you were reconsidering.”

  Kacey chuckled and shook her head. The evening breeze was a welcome refresher to the heat in her body. “You’ve got lots of experience in this arena.”

  “What arena?”

  “This whole hookup thing.” Kacey stopped and faced him. He took a step back, giving her space but not enough to prevent the crisp smell of his cologne from toying with her hormones. “So tell me, how does this usually work?”

  Casanova’s brows drew together over dark eyes. “How does what work?”

  “You know, your mack routine. Do you sweep into town and panties drop as soon as you give that smile?”

  The smile in question lifted the corner of his mouth and he ran a hand across the bristly shadow of a beard. “You like my smile, huh?”

  She rolled her eyes though her heart did a little flip. “It’s all right. I’ll admit you’ve got the sexy lip lift mastered.” She grinned and pointed toward his absolutely kissable mouth. “Did you practice to get it so perfect?”

  “No practice. I guess I’m just a natural.”

  She bet he was. He chuckled and shook his head. “I’m just kidding. There are no expectations behind my smile.”

  Kacey raised a brow. “Oh, really? So, when you offered to show me a good time, you didn’t expect leaving meant let’s go have sex?”

  He brought a hand to his chest and his eyes widened. “Not at all. I just thought we could leave and get to know each other. Maybe see where the night takes us.”

  She raised a brow. “Really?”

  His brows drew together, and his head tilted to the side. The smile on his face slowly morphed into a look of surprise. “You really do have beautiful eyes.”

  He sounded like a hero from an epic romance. And like a love-struck heroine, her cheeks flushed and she returned his appreciative look with a grin. So what if he probably spouted that line a hundred times? Tonight, she wanted the flowery words, the buildup of anticipation, and—hopefully—an explosive ending. Her life of schoolbooks and work rarely afforded those moments. All the more reason to seize this one.

  “And you really do have a nice smile,” she said. With that his smile returned. “So, how do you propose we get to know each other?”

  He pointed across the street. “We’ll start over there.”

  Kacey turned in the direction he pointed. Lights flashed on a mini-windmill that slowly turned at the miniature golf course next to the Hampton Inn across the street. She frowned with her confusion. “Are you serious?”

  “Very.”

  “Miniature golf?”

  “Of course. It’s fun, and I get the feeling that you’re slightly competitive.”

  “Another observation?” she asked with a laugh.

  “Just a guess. Come on, let’s play.”

  He took her hand in his. His hand was surprisingly warm and his skin smooth. Long fingers entwined with hers, and a gentle tug had her right against the side of his body. He might be tall and slim, but there wasn’t anything lightweight or frail about the hard muscles pressed against her side. Nor were there any further doubts about leaving the bar with her fun fling.

  • • •

  Kacey held up the miniature golf club and twisted her lip. “Two things. I am competitive, but I’m terrible at miniature golf.”

  They stood before the first hole. Casanova had paid for the game and handed her a club with an enthusiastic look on his face. She hadn’t lied; she sucked at miniature golf. She knew customer service, singing, and running a business, but not hand-eye coordination.

  “Lucky for you, I’m an expert. I’ll help you out.” He held out his hand to indicate the starting point. “Ladies first.”

  She blew out a breath and pulled her lower lip between her teeth. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  By the fifth hole, Kacey was having fun, if not playing well. He, on the other hand, always handled the course easily. She would have been annoyed by how easy he made the game look, except he kept her laughing, mostly with his random questions to test her knowledge of wrestling. With every one she answered correctly, the admiration in his eyes grew.

  She approached the fifth hole and hit the ball directly into the course’s green lagoon. A muffled sound came from behind and she spun to face him. He placed his fist over his mouth and pretended to cough. Kacey lifted her chin and suppressed her own laughter. “Are you laughing at me?”

  He dropped his hand and grinned. “Yes. You’re terrible.”

  “I’m not terrible. I’m just not…good,” she said with a smile.

  “It’s your swing. You’re swinging too hard and you’re not looking at the ball.”

  “I am looking at the ball.” She looked down at the fake green grass.

  “No, you glance at the ball, then you look at the hole and swing as if you’re trying to hit a baseball.” Aaron dropped his club and came up behind her. “Here, let me help you out.”

  He turned her to the side and wrapped his long arms around her body. She let out a silent gasp and fought not to groan. His lean body didn’t quite press into hers, making her want to eradicate the distance and rub
her back against his front.

  His agile fingers wrapped around her wrists, the tips directly over her fluttering pulse. Easing his fingers past her wrist, he fully engulfed her hands around the thin club. Kacey’s body hummed. She shifted from foot to foot, but the vibrations of desire didn’t lessen.

  He stepped forward, their bodies touching. “Stop fidgeting,” he said close to her ear. His lips didn’t touch and that made her want to shift so they could.

  She sucked in a breath. Her body tightened, but she didn’t move away.

  “Relax,” he whispered into her ear and ran his hands up her bare arms. His palms were slightly calloused, but not enough to detract from the pleasure of having his hands on her body. She didn’t like men with soft hands; she worked hard and loved men who worked equally as hard.

  Even if he’s a trucker?

  She blinked and pushed away that thought. He was a trucker, but he wasn’t Dewayne. The older guy who’d taken advantage of her romantic teenage heart for his own pleasure. Since Dewayne had forced her to grow up the hard way, she’d avoided dating truckers who only came into Momma’s Kitchen to eat and hook up. But this time was different. She was older. Wiser. In control. This wasn’t dating. This was one night of fun, not the start of a lifetime of love.

  “You’re tense,” he said. “You can’t hit the ball if you’re stiff.”

  “I’m relaxed,” she said in a low and strained voice.

  Once again he clasped her hands on the club. “You’ve got the club in a stranglehold. It’s not a bat. Hold it gently. Caress it.” His fingers massaged her stiff fingers. “Stroke it.” His lips brushed her ear.

  A shiver went through her body before she let out a light chuckle. “Stroke the golf club?”

  His fingers continued the slow massage. “Yes.” He kept his mouth close to her ear.

  Kacey pushed her hips backward just slightly. He pressed forward and the hard rod of his erection met her backside. “Stroke it.”

  Another tremble went through her body and a vision of the hardness pressing into her filled her brain. She lowered her lids, blocking out the sights and sounds of the course, then slowly ran her fingers up and down the smooth silver pole. Her mind went there: imagining taking another long, hard object into her hands. Watching his body swell as the soft skin slid over the rigid flesh beneath. The pressure of his erection against her backside grew.

  Kacey pressed her hips back further. “Hmm, you must like the way I stroke it.”

  He cleared his throat. “How can you tell?”

  Her heart leapt at the low, grumbling sound of his voice. She’d never known she liked playing the seductress. She rubbed her backside against the lump in his pants. “Just a feeling.”

  His hands lifted to gently squeeze her biceps. “Yes, ma’am, I definitely like the way you stroke it.”

  If she didn’t stop, she’d be thinking of finding a dark spot out here on the mini golf course they could slip away to. “Good to know.”

  She stepped away. Cool air replaced his heated body, but the imprint of how great he felt lingered. She strolled, on wobbly legs, to the next hole.

  “You just gonna walk away like that?”

  “Don’t you want to finish the game?” She peeked at him over her shoulder and caught him rearranging his hard-on. Her breath got stuck somewhere in her chest and her breasts became heavy.

  He caught her looking and gave her a cocky grin. “Let’s finish the game.”

  The rest of the game was both pleasurable and agonizing. They still kept up the playful debate on wrestling, but Kacey made sure to stroke the club before every hit and added an extra swing to her hips. It was a poor imitation of her more-endowed female family members, but the way his eyes always popped when they landed on her small behind made her not care. She wouldn’t have been so daring if he hadn’t turned up the heat, getting her to stroke the club followed by the slight touches while they played. Brushing against her. Running his fingers down her arm. Whispering instructions in her ear, his lips gracing the outer shell a few times. By the last hole, Kacey’s breathing was shallow, her nipples hard and aching, and her panties wet.

  He watched her as she set up to hit the ball. This time she was determined, despite the heat running through her body, to try to get the ball in the hole. Too bad she’d have to get the darn thing through a waterfall cascading over plastic rocks. She leaned forward and her ponytail fell over her shoulder. He leaned in and ran his finger over the back of her neck. She knew what he touched—the small birthmark there.

  Kacey gasped, then spun to face him. His dark, hypnotizing eyes burned with desire. He took another step forward and gently cupped her face in his hands. She shifted toward him and lifted her chin. Slowly he lowered his mouth to hers. He didn’t kiss hard or clumsily. Instead his lips and tongue made a slow, detailed exploration of her mouth, getting bolder when she sighed or switching the pressure if she hesitated. This man knew how to kiss a woman. The golf club had long since fallen from her hand; she gripped his shirt and pulled him closer. His heart crashed against his ribs like the miniature waterfall.

  He pulled back. “Let’s get out of here.”

  “Dinner and a movie now?” she asked in a breathless voice.

  Casanova smiled, but shook his head. “My hotel room.”

  She bit her lower lip. Now or never. She had no uncertainty; she wanted tonight with this man. “Lead the way.”

  Chapter 5

  Casanova held her hand as they walked through the lobby, into the elevator, and down the hall to his room. Kacey almost wanted to know his name. But every time she started to ask she stopped herself. This was a one-night fling, not the start of forever. Still, walking hand in hand with him felt natural. His long, sure strides and the steady pressure of his hand against hers guided her exactly where she wanted to go.

  She appreciated the view of jeans against his long legs, and toned arms revealed by the short sleeves of his green T-shirt. Sleek and powerful were the two adjectives that jumped to mind when she looked at him.

  He didn’t hesitate when they got to the door of his room. No stopping to ask whether she was still sure. No need. She was sure. He crossed the threshold and led her inside, wrapping an arm around her shoulders and drawing her into his embrace. Kacey pushed the door closed with her foot and stared into the sexiest pair of eyes she’d ever seen.

  The corner of his mouth tilted up. Her heart did a crazy shiver. This was right.

  Digging her fingers into the springy curls on his head, Kacey pulled him down. His pliant lips touched hers and shivers of desire ignited through her body. He grasped her butt with one hand, pulling her tight against his firm body and the long, stiff rod growing between them. The other hand gently removed the band holding her hair back. The pressure of the ponytail gave way. Kacey sighed and pressed her tongue against his lips. His mouth opened and his firm tongue slid across hers while his long fingers gently pressed against her scalp.

  The kiss was slow, unhurried, as if he wasn’t just interested in getting into her pants, but actually wanted to savor and explore the time they had together. Kacey wasn’t as patient. She slid her leg between his until the wet ache between her thighs pressed tightly into his strong leg. A long, low moan rumbled through his chest and the hand on her behind drifted up and under her tank top. His palms, warm and eager against her back, caressed as he lifted the tank top.

  Kacey pulled back enough for him to remove the shirt, then grabbed his hair again for another kiss. His hand traveled across her back and then her bra loosened. The guy had obvious skills to unhook it with one hand. Breaking the kiss, his burning gaze locked with hers and he eased the straps off her shoulders and down her arms. The pads of his fingers made featherlight touches against her heated skin. Touches that left a trail of fire in their wake. His eyes lowered to her breasts and his lips parted before his tongue did a quick sweep across the swollen lower one. Her breasts were a decent B cup, not enough to garner envy or lustful looks. But he stare
d as if he’d just revealed perfection.

  He grasped her breasts, kneading the soft flesh and then pushing them up from beneath. A second later his warm lips closed over one hard tip.

  “Mmmm, yes,” Kacey moaned, her hand once again plunged into his hair.

  He sucked deep, then slowly ran his tongue across her aching nipple. Sure fingers gently massaged the other breast while his mouth did deep, slow sucks of the sensitive nub. Each pull created an answering twitch of the muscles of her sex. Desire soaked her panties, and Kacey pressed forward and twisted for more. Switching sides, he started the same delicious tug on her other breast.

  Both of Kacey’s hands were in his hair, and she held his head in place. She could stand here, let him do this to her forever, but she wanted more. She lifted his head away from her breasts. He released her swollen nipple with a long, slow pop that made the tips harden even more.

  He raised a brow. “I thought you were enjoying that?”

  “I am.” She opened the button of his jeans and jerked down the zipper. “But I’m impatient for more.” Her hand pushed into his underwear and wrapped around the stiff length of his erection.

  His lips curled into a sexy grin and her stomach trembled. “A woman who knows what she wants is always sexy.”

  “I know exactly what I want.” And for once she wasn’t afraid to go for what she wanted. Kacey pushed his jeans down his slim hips. She lowered to her knees and came face-to-face with his erection. Long and lean, like the rest of him, with a slight curve to the left. An organ that appeared designed with female pleasure in mind. She glanced up at him, saw the hopeful glow in his eyes. Her lips kissed the thick tip, and his body jumped. She slowly rose to her feet.

  Wrapping her hand around his erection again, with steady pressure she slid her hand up and down. She leaned in to kiss his ear. “I want this.” Her hand squeezed slightly, then her thumb ran across the wet tip.

  His hand grabbed the back of her head and he kissed her with more urgency than before. His body shifted from side to side as he kicked off his shoes and used his feet to pull his legs out of his pants. Kacey kicked off her heels, and with the same expert efficiency as before, he got her jeans unbuttoned and down her hips. His fingers extended into the wetness between her thighs. Kacey’s head fell back as pleasure radiated from where his fingers touched her most sensitive spot.