Wake Me

by Jill Sanders

  “Making me feel…” She sighed and shook her head, wishing for another drink. Even though her head was spinning already, she felt off-kilter with him so close to her. “Out of control,” she finished.

  “It’s the same way you make me feel,” he admitted.

  With his words, she felt more in control and powerful.

  Shocking herself, she locked eyes with him and ran the palm of her hand over his chest. When a soft groan of pleasure escaped his lips, she smiled and moved a little lower.

  “You’re going to kill me,” he said softly, shifting in the seat so that his shoulders blocked the view for everyone on the dance floor.

  “Then I guess it’s a good thing I’m a nurse,” she whispered, causing him to chuckle. Smiling, she added, “I know all the best methods to… revive you.” She brushed the tips of her fingers over the outside of his shorts.

  She felt him tense, then Blaine and Jamie showed up and filled the other side of the booth. Jamie set a beer bottle in front of her and continued to drink from her own glass.

  The pair were laughing and joking while the silent fire between her and Rafe burned hotter.

  She wished more than anything for an hour alone with him. She’d never wanted—needed—more than she did right now.

  “I can see the draw…” Jamie was saying to Blaine. “I mean, what did you make for one song?”

  Blaine chuckled. “Bridal showers are always a sure way to make five big ones per song.” He shrugged.

  Emily’s attention was drawn away from Rafe. “You make five hundred dollars during one song?”

  Blaine laughed. “Not as much as that one did the song before.” Blaine nodded towards Rafe. “But yeah.” He shrugged. “It’s Friday night and summer break.” Blaine smiled. “Not to mention wedding season.”

  Jamie laughed. “I swear, I’m in the wrong business.”

  “Don’t be fooled, women don’t make as much,” Rafe said with a shake of his head. “Some of these ladies work seven days a week, eight hours a day shaking it—as you put it—and will only walk away with a hundred if they’re lucky.”

  “Yeah, we show up two nights a week, work a couple of songs, and walk away with a grand or two each night.”

  “That’s sexist,” Emily said.

  “No, not really. If you look around, there are ten women dancers to every one male dancer. Men make the women work for a dollar while women toss bills at us like they’re candy.” Blaine shook his head. “So, if you’re looking to change careers…” he said to Jamie, “I’d hold off. Not that you couldn’t… shake your stuff.” He wiggled his eyebrows at Jamie.

  “That’s too bad.” Jamie sighed and leaned on the table. “I think I need to look for something… different.”

  “What?” That statement woke Emily up. “You’re not going back to school in the fall?” she asked, sitting up a little.

  “I didn’t say that.” Jamie shook her head. “It’s just…” She shrugged. “I’ll have my PhD in less than five years. I’m just not sure I’m ready for… anything after that.”

  “Five years,” Emily said loudly and a little slower. “You can’t already be thinking of changing your degree.”

  Jamie made a face that Emily knew all too well. The face that proved that her friend was getting bored.

  Turning to Blaine, Emily begged, “Talk some sense into her.”

  Blaine just sighed. “Trust me, I’ve been trying.”

  Suddenly, the music changed, and Jamie jumped up from the booth. “Em, dance with me.” She nudged Rafe aside. Emily crawled out of the booth and allowed Jamie to tug her onto the dance floor.

  “Did you mean it?” Emily asked Jamie over the loud music.

  “What?” Jamie yelled back.

  “That you’re thinking of changing your degree? I thought you loved philosophy.”

  “I do, it’s just…” She glanced around and then shook her head. “I need something to take the edge off.” Jamie pulled Emily towards the bathroom.

  Emily knew that Jamie often used Molly. She’d persuaded Emily to try it once, but after a very bad trip, Emily had never touched the stuff again. She’d tried to talk Jamie out of it, but her friend only became more determined as she continued to gently nudge her away from the drug. Instead, Emily had vowed to watch after her friend as best as she could.

  After Jamie came out of the stall, the entire night changed. She went from carefree and flirting with Rafe to babysitting Jamie and blocking all the male and female hands that tried to nudge Jamie their way.

  Even Blaine stepped up his watch. After he’d confirmed he would take care of Jamie for the night, she allowed herself to have one more beer to loosen up.

  “Does she do that often?” Rafe asked.

  “Molly?” she asked in a low voice.

  “Is that what she took?”

  “Yeah,” she sighed. “She’s been using it for a while now.” She shook her head. “Nothing I say can convince her to stop.”

  “There are programs…” he started, then stopped when she gave him a look. “I take it you’ve given her the talk?” he asked. She nodded.

  “Plenty of talks. She didn’t use to be like this.” She thought back to when she’d noticed the change, about a year after they’d moved in together.

  “Has she told you what is driving her?” he asked, sounding concerned.

  “No.” She took another sip of the beer, wishing she could go back to flirting with him. He’d changed into a fireman uniform, the black eye still obvious. He hadn’t shaved earlier that day, and she realized just how sexy the look was on him. He was right, he looked dangerous and sexy as hell.

  Still, she missed him being shirtless so she could run her hands over him. The fireman jacket was open, but she’d liked seeing his legs and chest in the boxing outfit from earlier.

  But when he walked up on stage for his song, she realized just how wrong she was. The fireman uniform was the sexiest thing she’d ever seen.

  By the time he stepped off the stage with a wad of cash tucked into his pockets, she was back to wanting to jump him.

  It took a few minutes for him to make his way back to the booth, where he’d agreed to meet her after he changed into his own clothes, since he was done for the night.

  Jamie and Blaine were on the dance floor, grinding up against one another, making Emily wonder if there was more than just friendship between the two.

  “Hi,” a deep voice said from behind her. She glanced over with a smile, expecting Rafe, but instead a tall blond man stood next to her. He wasn’t bad looking, but he wasn’t Rafe.

  “Hi,” she said, glancing around for Rafe.

  “Expecting someone?” the man asked.

  “Yes,” she said easily.

  “Oh, well.” He slid smoothly into the booth across from her. “Maybe I can keep you company until she gets here.”

  “He,” she corrected and watched the man wince.

  The man leaned closer and placed his hands on hers. Instantly, she realized just how large the guy’s hands were. Most men had big hands compared to hers, but this guy’s… well, they were massive. She tensed and tried to pull her hands out of his.

  “Still,” he said, keeping her hands locked in his, “it won’t hurt to keep you company for a short while.”

  “Is everything all right here?” Rafe stepped up and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

  “Yes.” She jerked her hands-free and stood up next to Rafe. She didn’t even spare the man another glace as she tugged Rafe onto the dance floor.

  “Who was that?” Rafe asked, glancing over his shoulder.

  “Some creep who thought he was the cure for my boredom while I waited for you to change.” The man was already forgotten as she bumped up against Rafe’s chest as they made their way through the crowded club.

  “We’re heading out,” Emily called to Jamie and Blaine as they walked past them.

  “We are?” Rafe chuckled.

  “Yes.” She ran her hands ov
er his biceps, and he nodded in agreement quickly.

  “Yes, we are,” he said, taking her hand in his and pulling them towards the doorway. “Tell me you can hike that skirt up and ride on my bike. At least for a few blocks to my place.”

  She laughed. “I’m wearing boy shorts underneath.” She lifted her skirt, showing off the pair of black silk boy shorts she normally wore when wearing short dresses.

  “Damn.” He took a step back and just looked at her. When she released the hold on the skirt and had it covering her again, he sighed. “May I say…” He stepped closer, wrapped his arms around her, and leaned a breath away from her lips. “Damn.” He smiled.

  “You said that already,” she reminded him.

  Without another word, he pulled her out of the club. She had second thoughts when he stopped in front of a black Harley. Then he handed her a helmet and helped her put the thing on.

  “Have you ridden on a bike before?” he asked.

  “No.” She shook her head.

  “Just hold on to me.” He smiled and climbed on. “Your feet go here.” He flipped down a little bar and she stepped on it and climbed onto the seat. She wrapped her arms around his waist. “Just like this. Don’t let go.”

  The bike rumbled to life, scaring her half to death. It was extremely loud and caused her entire body to vibrate. Still, she held on to him and he pulled out of the parking lot slowly.

  “Okay?” he called out to her.

  “Yes,” she said directly into his ear, causing their helmets to clink together.

  Leaning slightly to keep them from banging together, she held on to him as they drove several blocks to his apartment.

  Her nerves were totally forgotten by the time he parked the bike in the parking lot and killed the motor.

  He helped her climb off the bike, pulled off his helmet, and then leaned in to remove hers. He set them both on the seat.

  Then he leaned in and slowly covered her lips with his own. She had thought that the motorcycle had caused her body to vibrate. It was nothing compared to what his kiss did to her.

  Her knees turned to jelly, and she was thankful he’d wrapped his arms around her. She might have slid to the ground without his help.

  “You’re sure about this?” he asked, resting his forehead against hers. “I can take you home.”

  She shook her head, took his hand in hers, and started walking towards the stairs while her heart raced.

  It wasn’t as if she was innocent, but the three guys she’d been with before had never made her feel the way Rafe made her feel by just being around him.

  Still, she tried to hide her nerves from him as they climbed the stairs. She stood back as he unlocked the door to his place and stepped in behind him into the dark.

  She didn’t know what to expect, but when he shut the door behind her and then pinned her body against it as his mouth covered hers, all expectations fled her mind. Her body took over.

  She’d never wanted this much. To feel his hands on her, his mouth covering her skin, his body against hers. She needed more.

  Reaching up, she tugged his shirt over his head and laughed when, finally, she felt his skin under her fingertips.

  “I need… more,” she demanded.

  “Take what you want,” he said between kisses. “Take it all.” He groaned when she scraped her nails down the skin over his ribs.

  His hands cupped her butt, moving over her skirt and hiking it up. Still, she was burning and desired speed. Pushing, she changed their positions until his back was against the door. Her mouth ran over his heated skin while she reached for the zipper of his jeans. When she freed him, she groaned with appreciation and felt him stiffen beside her.

  “Em,” he warned in a low tone, “slow…”

  “No.” She shook her head. “I don’t think I can.” She moved her fingers over him, wishing his hands would continue to explore her.

  “Fuck it,” he said, then reversed their positions and finally she felt his control slip. Laughing again, she relished the feeling of Rafe losing control with her.

  Chapter 8

  He knew the moment everything slipped out of his control. The moment when Emily wrapped her fingers around his cock. His eyes closed, and he realized that she was indeed very skilled.

  His fingers dug into her soft hips and he realized she was still fully dressed while he stood in front of her with nothing but his motorcycle boots keeping his jeans tight around his ankles.

  Kicking everything off, he pinned her between his body and the door as he worked to get her naked. Clothes were thrown, tossed, and even ripped away.

  Finally, when she was as naked as he was, he plunged his fingers into her, and she cried out his name as she threw her head back against the front door.

  Damn, he thought. Blaine would be home shortly. After all, his shift had ended at the same time.

  Hoisting Emily’s legs around his hips, he walked backwards down the hallway and kicked his door open and then shut again, once they were inside.

  “You’re still thinking too much,” she said against his ear just before she nibbled on his earlobe.

  “Damn right,” he sighed as he moved over to get a rubber from his nightstand. “Someone has to.”

  She giggled. “Okay, but no more after that.” She stilled as he slipped the rubber on. Since he didn’t want to put her down, he shifted and slid it on while her legs were still wrapped around his waist.

  “Good?” she asked with a giggle.

  “Perfect.” He lowered her to the bed, pinning her to the mattress.

  “Yes, you are.” She moaned and tightened her thighs around his hips. “I want you inside me.”

  “Soon,” he said, running his mouth down her neck until he could suck on one of her nipples. She tasted better than he’d imagined.

  Her pale skin was as sweet as sugar and he wondered why she didn’t just melt against his tongue. He had to have more and knew that she’d complain, but you only got one first time with someone and he was going to remember this one for the rest of his life.

  Holding himself up, he moved over her until he could look down at her. He hadn’t turned on any lights, but the low blue light from his fish tank was all he needed to enjoy the beauty of her body.

  “You’re beautiful,” he said as she tried to tug him back down to her.

  “Rafe, please,” she begged.

  Instead, he lowered his head and covered her other nipple, taking his time to savor the taste of her, before moving his mouth even lower. His fingers spread her pussy, and he smiled when she arched for him, giving him full access.

  “Yes.” He smiled. “Open for me.” He sighed as the tip of his tongue ran over her lips. “My god, you’re the sweetest sugar I’ve ever tasted,” he said against her skin.

  He felt her thighs tense against his shoulders as her fingers slid into his hair.

  “Rafe,” she sighed.

  “Just enjoy,” he said between deep kisses. “I need this.” He sighed and savored her as long as he could. When he felt his own needs close to the edge, he slid up onto her body and, meeting her eyes, slid into her slowly.

  “Take all of me,” he said, nudging her legs wider.

  “Yes.” She wrapped her legs around him again. “Please.”

  He leaned in and covered her mouth with his once more, absorbing the sexy little sounds she was making as he moved inside of her.

  When her nails dug into his ass, he groaned, on the edge.

  “Em,” he warned.

  “I’m there too. Please!” She moved her hips and he felt her tense and cry out just before he followed her into the abyss.

  When he finally came to, mentally and physically, he realized he’d flopped down on her and was probably crushing her. Rolling slightly, he tucked her lax body into the crook of his arm and held on to her.

  “You don’t have to be anywhere tomorrow do you?” he asked, wishing to stay just as they were for the night.

  “No,” she sighed. “Not unt
il nine tomorrow night.”

  “Good.” He smiled. Then suddenly he worried about his performance, something he hadn’t thought about since the first few times back in high school.

  “What?” she asked, shifting in his arms.

  “Nothing.” He forcibly relaxed his body.

  She surprised him by resting her fist on his chest and leaning her chin on it to look down at him.

  “You can tell when I’m thinking too much.” She ran her eyes over him. “Well, I can tell too.”

  His hands started moving over the lower curve of her back. “I feel like a high schooler,” he admitted.

  She smiled. “Worried I didn’t enjoy?”

  He nodded slightly. “Did you?”

  She sighed and leaned down to place her lips on his chest gently. “More than I ever have before.” Her eyes locked with his again. “Truly.”

  His smile grew. He couldn’t help it; he wrapped his arms around her. “Ditto.”

  Their lips connected, and he no longer wanted to just stay lying next to her all night.

  When he rolled her over again and slid on a new condom, her eyes went wide. “Wow, you really aren’t like any of the other men.”

  He slid into her again. “It’s all your fault. I doubt I’ll get enough of you anytime soon.” He kissed her and felt his passion take over.

  This time, he kept their movements slow as he enjoyed the soft touches in the darkness of the room.

  He felt her slide over the edge and come but only followed after he’d built her up once more and let her release again. They both drifted off to sleep, wrapped around one another.

  He woke to the smell and feel of her against him. In a heartbeat, he was hard again. He would have followed through with it if it hadn’t been for the pounding.

  “I know you’re in there.” He heard Karla almost scream it out somewhere in the apartment.

  “What the…” He sat up and nudged Emily’s arm away from him.

  “What time is it?” she asked groggily.

  He glanced over and realized it was only ten after six in the morning.

  “Go back to bed.” He nudged the blankets over her naked body.

  “Who is that?” she asked, shifting to further cover herself.