by Rye Hart
“Fuck yes, Michael!” I cried out.
The sound of his name on my lips changed Michael instantly. A dark need passed through his deep blue eyes. His forehead creased. His eyes rolled back in his head, and a growl ripped itself free from his lips.
He grabbed me around the waist and flung me upward. I wrapped my legs around his waist so that he stayed inside me while we moved.
Michael hurled us against the closest wall, his hands moving to my ass and his entire body dripping with sweat. He pressed me against the wall with all his strength, slamming his cock inside of me with so much force that it knocked the wind out of me.
“Oh god,” I whimpered and held on for dear life.
My second orgasm came on faster than the first. A rush of pleasure flooded my pussy and coated Michael’s cock. He groaned and buried his face in my neck. His body shook and trembled while he held onto me tightly.
His fingers dug into my ass as he took me even harder.
“You feel fucking amazing,” he growled again, and I knew he was close.
I pulled his face to mine. This kiss wasn’t like the others. It was hungry and full of lust and emotion. I buried my tongue in his mouth to keep myself from screaming his name out again.
He kissed me back, holding me tight.
His cock spasmed inside me, and the feeling of it pushed me over the edge again. Wave after wave of pleasure pulsed through me. My entire body clenched as we tangled together and our cries mingled in the air.
Michael thrust into me a few more times, letting the waves of pleasure wash over us both. I whimpered and wrapped my legs tighter around his waist, burying my face in his shoulder and biting down gently on his skin.
His arms were shaking as he slowly set me on my feet. My body immediately felt the loss of him as he slipped out of me.
“Come take a shower with me?” he asked. He tucked a stray strand of hair behind my ear. The look in his eyes was unlike anything I’d ever seen. His deep blue eyes were dark, full of emotion and need. It was more than desire. It was affection.
I nodded and let him lead me by the hand through the house. We walked naked down two flights of stairs until we reached Michael’s bedroom. He held open the door for me and left me alone while he turned on the shower. I listened to the water run and looked around his room.
Part of me thought I should feel awkward. I was standing alone in Michael’s bedroom, naked and dripping with sex. Still, I’d never felt more comfortable in my life. I didn’t know what it was about him, but I had now had sex twice with a man I’d only seen on three occasions. It was so uncharacteristic of me, but I just couldn’t help myself with him.
When Michael reappeared, there was a soft smile on his face that drew me to him. He pulled me against him and kissed my lips softly. We backed into the shower, still holding onto each other. Our kiss never broke as the steamy water cascaded over our aching and exhausted bodies.
We fell asleep in Michael’s bed that night. Neither of us bothered to get dressed after the shower. We curled up beside each other and drifted easily off to sleep.
CHAPTER 10
MICHAEL
Julie’s head was resting on my shoulder when the sun peeked through my bedroom window. I squinted and groaned, throwing my hand over my eyes. The movement woke Julie. She shifted slowly and moaned, sending shivers shooting down my spine.
“That moan is so unfair,” I said. My voice was rough from sleep.
“Why’s that?” Julie asked with her eyes still tightly closed.
“I have to go to work,” I said. “And when you moan like that…”
I growled softly and tightened my hold on her. She giggled and rolled into me, her naked tits pressing against my chest. I could feel that her nipples were already hard from my touch. I growled again and found her lips.
She kissed me back, wrapping her leg around my waist and pulling me closer to her. In seconds, my cock was fully erect.
“You’re killing me,” I said, pulling my lips free from hers.
“Just trying to brighten your morning,” she said innocently.
“You’ve certainly done that, Miss Black.” I laughed and kissed her again.
It took all my strength to break our kiss for a second time. It was already getting late, and I couldn’t afford to miss my morning meetings. The last thing I wanted to do was pull myself away from Julie, but I knew I didn’t have a choice.
“I’ll drive you home,” I said after we were both fully dressed. “We can swing by the café on the way.”
Julie smiled. “Sounds good.”
We got in my car and drove into town. Julie’s fingers were intertwined with mine the whole drive, but when we arrived at the café, she let go and hurried inside. I frowned and followed her. I wondered if she didn’t want to be seen holding my hand in public, but I knew better than to question it.
“Large cinnamon latte to go,” Julie ordered. “Please and thank you, Sarah.”
Sarah nodded and turned to me. “The usual, Michael?”
“Please.” I nodded and pulled my wallet out of my back pocket.
“I got it,” Julie said firmly. Her hand was already buried inside her purse.
“Julie…” I began, but she silenced me with a look.
“You’ve bought me two meals now,” she said. “Please. Let me treat.”
I shrugged. “If you insist.”
“I do.” She smiled and slid her debit card over to Sarah.
It was nice in a way. Most women were all too happy to use my wealth to their advantage. I already knew Julie was nothing like those women, but it was still a nice little reminder.
We got our coffees, and Julie let me drive her home. Her hand found mine again, and all my concerns melted away. The only thing I felt was dread because I had to say goodbye to her again.
“I’ll call you later,” I said as she slid out of the car.
She smiled back at me. “Bye.”
I watched her until she disappeared into her house, her hips swaying seductively from side to side.
“What the hell is wrong with me?” I asked myself, speaking to my now-empty car.
I shook my head and threw my car in drive. As I drove toward the office, I tried to pull myself together. I’d never felt this way about a woman before. Sure, I’d been in relationships—more than my fair share—but no one had been able to drive me insane like Julie. No one could occupy my mind as frequently as she did.
My head was still spinning as I stepped into my office. Marcy had my meetings all set up, and I was grateful for the distraction.
“Mr. Smart?” Marcy asked, poking her head into my office a little after noon. “Your brother’s on line one.”
“Thanks, Marcy.” I grabbed the phone and pressed the button for line one. “Josh. What’s up, man?”
“Just got back from that conference,” he said.
“How was it?” I asked.
“Fucking waste of time,” Josh said. “Nothing I didn’t already know.”
I laughed. “Why’d you go then?”
“It was mandatory for all residents,” he said with a sigh. “Anyway, are we meeting up this week?”
“Yeah,” I said. “I can do tonight.”
“Works for me,” Josh said. “When and where?”
“Why don’t you come to Ennis?” I asked. “You haven’t been down here in ages.”
“That’s because there are no good bars in Ennis,” Josh said. “There’s no good anything in Ennis.”
“Come on.” I laughed. “It’s not that bad.”
“It’s a tiny-ass town,” Josh argued.
“We have a great bar right in the square,” I said.
“Whatever,” Josh said. “What time?”
“Seven,” I said.
“I’ll meet you there.”
We said goodbye after I gave him the name of the bar, and I placed the phone back down. With a sigh, I leaned back in my chair and stared up at the ceiling.
I spent the e
ntire morning fighting the urge to text Julie. My meetings were a helpful distraction, but after a while, even they failed me. I found myself playing with my phone, typing out a message and then deleting it seconds later. I’d never felt more pathetic in my life.
Drinks with Josh was exactly what I needed to screw my head back on straight. If nothing else, it would keep me from calling Julie in a desperate haze that night. As much as I wanted to see her again, I knew I should distance myself before I got in too deep.
***
“Have a good night, Marcy,” I said as I pulled my office door closed behind me.
“You, too,” Marcy said.
It was a quarter after six, and I still had to go home before meeting Josh. I knew it didn’t matter if I showed up to the bar in my work clothes, but I hated the idea of drinking in a suit. It felt too uppity.
Just after seven, I stepped inside the only bar in Ennis. Josh was already there waiting for me, sitting at the bar when I walked inside. He fiddled with his pint glass as I slid onto the barstool next to him.
“You’re late,” Josh said.
“Five minutes,” I said. “Lighten up, man.”
“I’m just pissy about this weekend,” Josh said with a sigh. “That fucking conference.”
“It couldn’t have been that bad,” I said.
“It was worse,” he snapped. “You have no idea how cocky those doctors can be. Most of them have no idea what the hell they’re talking about half the time. And yet, they all think they’re geniuses.”
“Never would have guessed.”
I tried to keep the sarcasm out of my voice. Josh had just described himself, and he didn’t even realize it. Luckily, he was too deep in his own complaints to notice my tone.
“Anyway,” he said after he had finished ranting about the conference. “What’s new with you? Work’s been insane, huh?”
“You have no idea.” I sighed. “I finally closed the Harrington account, though.”
“No shit?” Josh asked. “That’s awesome!”
“Thanks.” I grinned and took a sip of my drink. “It’s been a long time coming.”
“I know,” Josh said. “You’ve been talking about the Harringtons for like two years now.”
“Longer than that,” I said. “I’m just glad it’s finally for real. Marcy got the signed contracts late on Friday night, so everything’s in place now.”
“Then this is a celebration!” Josh said. He waved down the bartender and ordered us another round.
I smiled and happily accepted the drink. Josh could grate on my last nerve, but he really was a decent brother. He wasn’t always the best at reading my moods, but he was supportive when it mattered.
We talked for a few more hours and continued drinking. Josh didn’t have to be back in Dallas until the next day, so he decided to just crash at my place. We took a cab home, leaving both our cars at the bar.
When we pulled up to my house, I remembered Julie’s reaction from the day before. I smiled to myself and pulled out my phone. I typed a quick text and sent it off before I could think better of it.
“Who’s that?” Josh asked.
I snapped my head up to see that he was staring down at my phone. He couldn’t see the name on the screen, but his interest was obviously piqued.
“Just some girl I met,” I said evasively.
“And you’re drunk texting her?” Josh laughed. “Bad move, man.”
“Nah,” I said. “It’s not like that. She’s…” I trailed off. I didn’t know how to talk to Josh about Julie. More than that, I didn’t really want to.
“What?” Josh pressed. “Different? Special?”
“Both,” I said firmly. “She’s both.”
“Damn,” Josh said, letting out a low whistle. “Never thought I’d hear you get defensive about a girl.”
“Yeah,” I said. “She’s really something. Honestly, I can’t stop thinking about her.”
“I want to meet her,” Josh said. He slapped my shoulder in a very older-brotherly way, but my insides froze solid. The last thing I wanted was for Josh and Julie to meet.
“Not yet,” I said. “I don’t know how serious things are yet.”
“Well,” Josh said. “Whenever you’re ready.”
CHAPTER 11
JULIE
My nerves were fried by the time I fell into bed on Monday night. The Skype interview went well. My potential boss, Meghan, asked all the right questions, and I gave my best answers. When we said goodbye, I felt confident. As the day dragged on, that confidence faded to nothing. I was left in a puddle of anxiety with no way to calm myself.
The job wasn’t perfect. It wasn’t my dream job by any standards, but it was exactly what I needed right now. The ability to write from home, to maintain an online presence even while living in Ennis, was the best I could possibly hope for. I hated the idea that I might not get the job. As I laid in bed on Monday night, I told myself to relax.
“Whatever happens, happens,” I whispered as I rolled onto my side and squeezed my eyes shut.
Not two minutes later, my phone buzzed beside me. I frowned and grabbed it. Who would be texting me so late at night?
Michael’s name flashed across the screen, accompanied by an unread message notification. I smiled and opened the text.
“Hey you,” it said. “Just thinking about you. Hope your interview went well.”
Warmth fluttered through my chest. I grinned and laid my phone back down. It was too late to respond. I knew if I did, I’d never get to sleep.
Still, Michael stayed in my thoughts as I drifted off. He occupied all my dreams that night, making me wake up the next morning in a much lighter mood. I was still smiling when the sun rose. I still couldn’t believe he’d had this effect on me. I hadn’t been single for that long and here I was, hooking up with someone new. No, it was more than hooking up, wasn’t it? I got out of bed and tried to keep myself busy before I drove myself nuts.
The morning seemed to never end. Meghan said she’d call today, but she didn’t say when. I dreaded the idea of waiting by the phone all day. Instead, I jumped in the shower, made myself some breakfast, got dressed, and went for a walk. I was halfway to the town square when my phone buzzed in my pocket.
My stomach dropped when I saw Meghan’s number on the screen.
“Holy shit,” I said to myself. I shook my head roughly before I answered. “Hello? This is Julie Black.”
“Julie!” Meghan said with enthusiasm. “I’m so glad I caught you this morning.”
“Meghan,” I said. “It’s great to hear from you.”
“Well,” Meghan said. “I have good news. The job is yours if you still want it.”
“Of course!” I said, excitement dripping from my voice. “That’s amazing!”
“I loved talking to you yesterday,” Meghan said. “And the team all really enjoyed your samples. You’re the perfect writer for us, and I can’t wait to see the stories you come up with!”
“Thank you so much,” I said. “I really appreciate this opportunity.”
“It’s our pleasure,” Meghan said. “So, I’ll send over your first assignment later today. We’ll need it emailed to our editors by next Monday at the latest, okay?”
“Perfect,” I said without hesitation.
“Great,” Meghan said. “Talk later.”
“Thanks again!”
We hung up, and I felt lighter than air. Not only did I get the job, but by the end of the day, I’d have my first assignment. Words couldn’t describe how happy I was.
Changing course, I headed back to my house. I suddenly had no desire to take a walk around town or grab a cup of coffee at the café. I just wanted to get home and wait for my assignment to come through. My fingers were practically itching to start typing.
On the way back, I called Andrea to tell her the good news.
She squealed into the phone. “You got it?”
“I freaking got it!” I screamed, not caring that there were
other people on the street. “I can’t believe it!”
“I’m on my way,” Andrea said.