The colors of the sunset faded out as my thoughts became dark and heated.
I no longer heard the sound of waves whispering as they greeted the shore, nor seagulls screeching on their way home.
No.
The roar of lust in my ears was too loud.
If it could go on and on just like this, I would let it.
I gave no resistance when Declan tugged me half across his lap and deepened the kiss so much that I could taste him in the core of my senses. Hunger and desperation overcame me as I struggled closer still, this time demanding what I knew Declan could give, this time taking what I needed and doing what I wanted as my hands inched their way to what I wanted to touch most. But then Declan groaned and pulled away.
“Touch me there and I’m going to take you right here and now.”
“I’d welcome that.”
“That’s just the lust talking,” Declan said, his breath hot in my ear. “In a few minutes your common sense will return and you’ll be thanking me that I didn’t throw you on the sand and have my way with you. What kind of reputation would we have if we did that?”
I considered for a moment if my reputation was really worth being denied this gratification.
And then common sense finally did kick in, as Declan knew it would. I was a teacher, for crying out loud, and was expected to be on my best behavior both in my public and professional life. But my private life, however…
I think Declan had the same idea, because he stood and motioned I follow him back to his truck, where we could drive to my home and get some privacy.
Chapter 15
Declan
I had barely stepped through Ivan’s front enclosed porch before I heard Hamlet fling a string of profanities at me in greeting.
“Declan,” Hamlet began mockingly after cussing me out. “Want a peanut?” He stared at me from his cage in the corner of the porch, his posture that of a vulture’s.
I knew that he meant to say he wanted a peanut, but I turned his offer down regardless. “No, thank you, Hamlet.”
He responded by imitating a smoke detector alarm, which made Ivan groan.
Ivan hurriedly grabbed a thick blanket he had folded up on the porch bench and he covered Hamlet’s cage with it. “That’s enough of that! Goodnight Hamlet.”
“Go to bed,” the bird grumbled.
“Yes, that’s right. To bed.”
Ivan looked back at me with an exasperated expression. “Sorry, he gets particularly moody at night.”
“Does he cuss out all your other visitors too?”
Ivan smiled. “Nah. It’s just you. Perhaps he’s jealous of all the attention you get from me.”
Now with the bird put to bed, we entered Ivan’s home. He lived in a medium-sized craftsman house that was furnished with good taste. I wouldn’t expect any less from Ivan, considering how well-dressed he always was too.
The walls were painted a sleek gray color that contrasted with the bright cushions on the sofa and colorful art hanging throughout the place. Even the exposed wooden beams in the ceiling added a nice touch, and the hardwood floor looked comfy enough to lie on.
In fact, the entire package looked a bit pricey for an elementary school teacher, and my thoughts must have been printed on my face because Ivan gestured around and explained.
“My grandmother died a few years back and left her savings to me, which is why I could buy and renovate this place to suit my taste.”
Ah, that explained it. Ivan’s grandmother couldn’t have left an inheritance to a more deserving subject.
I noticed a picture on the wall of a younger Ivan sitting next to a doting old woman. She looked like the homely sort of grandmother who always had a fresh pie sitting on the windowsill. “That must be her,” I surmised, and Ivan nodded proudly. “I’m guessing you two were close?”
“Yes, very,” Ivan said. “Each time my mother got divorced, I was sent to live with my grandmother until my mother had re-established herself.”
“That must have been hell.”
I imagined Ivan as a child, probably tall and skinny for his age, being packed up and sent away with little notice. My heart grieved for him.
“It wasn’t that bad, really,” Ivan continued. “Actually, the best moments of my childhood had been when I got to live with Grandma May. I inherited my love for books from her, and I was blessed to have had her unconditional love and support throughout the years. So, yeah, in the end I still managed to turn out okay.”
I had to agree.
Ivan was a kind and compassionate man, and I felt sure his grandmother would have been proud of him. I let the topic drop as I didn’t want to kill the mood.
“I promised you a drink,” Ivan said after a while. “What would you like?”
“I’d like you to come here and let me undress you,” I replied.
Ivan froze before grinning. As far as I was concerned, getting to undress Ivan would’ve been the best sort of drink and I felt sure that I could get drunk on the pleasure therein.
“I’m a little nervous,” Ivan admitted shakily.
As if I could find him any more endearing. “Don’t be. I don’t plan on doing anything beyond exploring and experimenting tonight. I want to give you the time to be absolutely sure that I’m what you want. I’m a patient man, Ivan.”
Ivan snorted.
Trust Ivan to know when I was lying and to not believe a word of it.
“I’m a patient man up to a certain point,” I amended quickly. “But I have all the patience in the world for you, and I want you to be comfortable with everything.”
Ivan nodded and I realized then that I had somehow said the right words.
Walking over, I grabbed his chin and tilted his head back to kiss him.
Once had been nice, but twice was astounding.
A million sensations exploded in my mouth as I locked onto the essence of Ivan and drew it in. There was so much to do, so much to savor in the moment that comprised of us. I ignored the urge to rush and take, and instead coaxed and built upon what we had started on the beach until it had once again ignited.
Ivan didn’t resist when I pulled him closer and threw him on the sofa.
Ivan didn’t resist either when I settled on top of him and let my hands explore his clothes.
There was so much to taste and touch that for a second I felt overwhelmed with the need to bury myself in him and stay lost there. I wanted release, sure, but I struggled to hold myself in check as I knew what I wanted, even more, was for Ivan to be comfortable.
A kiss here and a kiss there.
It was extremely gratifying when Ivan matched my efforts stroke for stroke.
There was something heady about finally having within my grasp something that my thoughts had revolved around for the last few months. I wanted the moment to last.
This sensation was what I loved best, the feel of muscles bunched together under taut skin that I traced with my hands.
Ivan was smooth and excited.
I could feel the hard, hot flesh pressed against me and with a groan, I pulled away and struggled to sit up.
“I’m going home,” I muttered.
“Why?” Ivan taunted. “Are you afraid you can’t control yourself?”
My eyes narrowed and though I didn’t appreciate the insinuation one bit, I smiled as I recognized that Ivan was just baiting me. “Fine, I’ll stay, but we really ought to control ourselves.”
Ivan smirked and stretched out his hand for me to shake in finalization of the deal. “Agreed. How about I get you that drink I promised and we settle down to watch a movie? You already have a sitter tonight so you might as well stay until morning. I promise to behave.”
I nodded, though I wasn’t convinced either of us could hold off as Ivan went to get us drinks.
Yet come morning, I was still here. We had somehow fallen asleep on the couch tangled together. I awoke to the warmth and smell of Ivan’s hair against my face, and I couldn’t help but smile. What bet
ter way was there to wake up?
I had stayed the night and as promised, nothing had happened besides some heavy kissing. Still, I had a silly grin plastered on my face as I was greeted with the reality of dawn.
I nudged Ivan awake and kissed him, laughing as he pulled away and tried to return to his pleasant dreams.
But I was awake and I had to be leaving soon, so by God, the rest of the world should wake up too. Besides, Ivan laid in front me, so I needed him to move before I could get up and head home to get Katie ready for school.
“Wake up, sleepy head,” I whispered.
Ivan ignored me.
“Wake up or I’m going to strip you naked and bend you over this couch.”
That woke Ivan up. “I’m not a morning person, can’t you see that?” he grumbled. “Plus I was very much enjoying snuggling now that I have someone here for a change. Oh well… Do you want some breakfast before you go?”
I considered for a minute, realizing I had time for a quick bite since I didn’t live far away, just a couple of streets down. I followed Ivan to the kitchen and even volunteered to feed Hamlet while Ivan whipped up a quick omelet and some coffee.
We ate at the little table on the side of the front porch. It was a little past 5am, and the neighborhood was still mostly asleep.
“You know…” Ivan began after contemplatively sipping his coffee. “I’ve been meaning to ask something. You don’t have to always hire a sitter for Katie. I could watch her on your work days if you’d like, and bring her home from school in the evenings. What do you think?”
I smiled, surprised by his offer. “Very generous of you. But my only concern is that I wouldn’t want to impose on your personal time. You already do so much for us that—”
“That nothing,” Ivan cut me off. “I get enjoyment out of everything I do for you two. Though I would understand if you wanted to leave Katie’s sitting to a professional. I was just offering to take some of the pressure off you.”
I laughed. “I don’t doubt your professionalism, not when you can watch over a dozen kids at once in your classroom. Did I ever tell you that Katie thinks you have eyes in the back of your head or that there are cameras hidden throughout the classroom? Nothing gets past you, she swears by it. So I’ll definitely consider your offer. I just have to ask Katie first.”
Ivan nodded and gave me a long, slow, lingering kiss before I left.
A perfect kiss from a perfect man… My thoughts were still on Ivan when I arrived home.
I could already imagine how perfect a relationship with him would be. Just the two of us, and Katie. And, well… Hamlet, as ornery as that parrot was. I smirked to myself as I imagined it.
As Katie got ready for school I asked her how she felt about Ivan watching her when I had work days. I wasn’t surprised when she jumped up and down with excitement at the idea.
All the other kids would be so jealous that she got to spend time at their teacher’s house, she told me. Not to mention that it would mean extra time with Hamlet too.
So it was all settled and I called Ivan to inform him before I started the day. A day that for once didn’t revolve around just Katie and me, since now Ivan was officially a part of our lives.
I couldn’t ask for more.
Chapter 16
Ivan
The week that followed flew by as my head was in the clouds after my first night spent with Declan. Now that the weekend was here again, so was our second outing together.
Declan had teased me, telling me that whatever he had planned would top our previous dinner date, and I couldn’t begin to imagine how he’d pull that off.
I was the worst when it came to surprises. I wanted to know whatever he had in store for me—and I wanted to know it now! I checked the time: 10 in the morning. I figured he was awake by now, so I pulled up his contact details on my phone.
“Hey, teach,” Declan said, and I could hear Katie giggling in the background.
“Declan, I hope I didn’t wake you.”
“No, I’m just getting ready for our little adventure.”
I could hear the amusement in his voice. “Well, you really should just tell me the nature of this adventure already so that I can wear the appropriate clothes.”
Declan hummed thoughtfully before deciding, “I won’t give you too much of a hint. I’ll just say to dress for a bit of sun and ocean.”
I pondered his hint. The beach again? No, he had something more planned, if I were to take his smugness seriously. “Fine, I suppose I’ll know soon enough what you have planned.”
“Just one more hour. Be ready.”
I sighed wistfully as we hung up. Sure, I had been waiting a whole week, but this final hour made me feel like a child on Christmas morning. I just wanted to open up my present already.
*
11 o’clock finally arrived and Declan pulled up to my house right on time. I hopped in, giving him a kiss in greeting.
Physical contact was a major turn-on for Declan, I had learned, so I had made it a point to do some small thing every single time I saw him.
Yesterday I had pretended to be wiping a smudge of dirt off Declan’s shirt, which really had been just an excuse to pat him down.
Two days before that I had pretended that I couldn’t find my keys in my pocket and so I had requested a helping hand.
As far as Declan was concerned, I was a tease who had been sent by the devil to torture him. But today, I didn’t plan on teasing him. I wanted to get to the meat of the matter quickly so we could spend the entire evening repeating it…
I kept shifting impatiently in the passenger seat of Declan’s truck, trying to figure out where he was taking me.
We were heading toward the beach for sure, then toward the docks, where boats of many varieties were huddled together. I idly ran my eyes over all the sails and masts that peppered the horizon, and then it hit me.
“We’re going sailing?” I gasped.
Declan nodded and smiled at me. “You guessed it.”
“No way.” I stared out the window, wondering which boat we’d be sailing on. “So you own a boat?”
“Nah, but a buddy of mine from my Coast Guard days does, and he lets me charter it when the sailing mood strikes me.”
I scanned the docks as we pulled up into the parking lot. “Which boat is his?”
“You’ll see.”
We hopped out of the truck and Declan led the way down a dock. Each boat we passed was bigger than the last, until finally we stopped in front of a small yacht.
Declan winked at me. I shook my head, saying, “No way, a yacht?”
“A yacht,” he confirmed with a smirk. He then climbed the ladder on the side of the boat and held a hand out for me.
I took it all too eagerly.
*
The sailing was lovely. The yacht was modest but beautiful, with plenty of deck space and a small room below deck. Room for… well, I was getting ahead of myself, wasn’t I?
As always, Declan was good company, but I was mentally counting down the moments until the big finale. As we cruised along the shores, it was hard not to get aroused as I watched the way Declan moved across the vessel with a sure foot and grace that suggested he was an experienced sailor.
I had stripped down to my shorts and was surprised when Declan had remained coolly professional as he brought us drinks and snacks. My mouth watered as I looked over the tray of fancy cheeses and smoked salmon, and soon we had the whole plate polished off.
The sun was at its peak now, and I realized then that I ought to get some sunscreen on. Declan watched as I made sure not to miss an inch of my exposed arms or legs. I noticed his gaze and asked, “Want to help me with my back?”
Declan rose to the occasion, and much to my amazement he hadn’t taken it as an opportunity to touch me inappropriately.
I was nearly at my wit’s end about how to communicate to Declan what I wanted, until finally he anchored the boat and began stripping.
“I though
t I’d go for a swim,” he said as he removed his hat which was promptly followed by his shirt, both of which he dropped on the deck. Declan’s abs were rock solid and looked tempting to touch, but even more attractive was his confidence as he simply stood still and let my eyes take in their fill.
Declan’s hands lowered and hovered over the button of his pants.
I wondered if he would take that off too as I struggled to listen to whatever Declan was saying.
“It’s so hot out… How about we slip into the ocean to cool off?”
When I hesitated, he said, “You’re in good hands. I was a lifeguard as a teenager, and of course you know about my time in the Coast Guard as well.”
I didn’t hesitate because of that—I knew I couldn’t have been in more capable hands—but I hesitated because I worried the temptation to throw myself at him would be too much.
“After you,” I finally said, wanting to watch Declan from behind as he slipped into the calm waters.
Declan was so toned that he was just shy of being a bodybuilder. I found it hard to peel my eyes away from the strong legs out from which jutted obvious proof of the other man’s arousal.
It was borderline maddening the way I wanted Declan. Try as I might, I couldn’t shake off the image of our bodies joined together at the hips as our legs intertwined.
I shuddered and forced the image away.
When Declan dove into the ocean, I followed his example. Even if the chilly water didn’t cool me down, I figured that it would at least hide my own erection which had become embarrassingly obvious as it strained against my swimming trunks. Plus, the water hid everything but Declan’s head from view, so surely that was bound to cool down my excitement, right?
Wrong.
Declan’s hair was plastered to his head, making his sculpted jaw even more prominent. Droplets of water lingered on his thick brows and lashes and dripped slowly from his lips.
As he tread water slowly, Declan’s movements were effortless and I wasn’t surprised. I remembered the strong legs that I had seen on display just moments prior. When Declan swam toward me, I was almost tempted to retreat and find somewhere far removed from all my wild thoughts and feelings. But we were both in the water now and there was nowhere to hide when Declan cornered me and pressed me up against the side of the boat.
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