by Kaia Bennett
She quirked an eyebrow at him, trying to suppress a smile that he could see lifting the corners of her mouth.
"For real?" she asked.
"For real." He nodded with a sigh.
He couldn't help but grin when she sat down on the edge of the bed, biting down on her lip to keep a giddy smile at bay. "Oh."
"You thought I was bored with you?"
She shrugged, and seemed somewhat embarrassed at how accurately he read her. "Well, it's not like it hasn't happened before or anything. You know that."
He clenched his jaw as he remembered her talking about an old boyfriend who obviously hadn't known what he had.
"Look," she continued, "I'm not dim or anything. I know that the only reason you saw me differently was because of what went down in your room the other day, and that's okay. I'm not looking for a relationship and I'm not trying to hook you. I just like being with you."
He was surprised she had managed to be so honest about the way she felt. And surprised there was a strange twinge in his heart when she said she wasn't looking for a relationship. He wasn't either, so why should he care?
"You're wrong, you know. About me not noticing you. I always did."
Her eyes snapped up, searching his in the darkness for signs he was joking. "Come again?" she breathed.
He let out a quiet laugh. "I always noticed you. But I was with Marta, and even when we broke up it didn't change how much Jackie wouldn't approve. And I wouldn't blame her because...well, you're amazing. You deserve better."
He wasn’t exaggerating. Since Marta, he had kept things light with the opposite sex. A girl after a show, a chick from the bar, or some hottie from the coffee shop would do for a night or three and then he cut them loose. He wasn't purposefully trying to use them. He was always kind, and they always came to him. He just knew he wasn't boyfriend material right now, and he wasn't eager to jump into another relationship with some girl who would turn out to be more work than she was worth. So far he hadn't had to worry too much about it. Most of them didn't even stick around to cuddle these days. It was almost comical how jaded girls had gotten, how he barely had to work to get them out of their panties. Where the fuck were they when he was in high school?
Maybe that’s why he liked Nicole so much. She took him back in time, kind of reminded him of a tamer version of himself when he was her age and younger. Always restless, always searching for something just out of her grasp. She was sweet and a little bit of a klutz. She was funny and had a rebellious streak, as evidenced by her phone calls to Jackie complaining about their parents laying into her for getting another piercing, or taking an impromptu road trip with friends.
Still, he had always seen inklings of the woman she would become. He liked that she could hold a decent conversation with him and that she didn't try to sound too smart or dumb herself down the way some girls did. He could lend her a book and know she would read and appreciate it, or be honest and tell him if she thought it sucked. He loved playing riffs for her on his guitar and having her know the obscure band or song that was its source. But he rarely saw her, so it wasn't like he ever thought there was more to it, or them, than what met the eye.
The day he came home early had proven him wrong. She was hardly just a girl to him anymore, not when he couldn't get the look of her kneeling on his bed in nothing but that pleated skirt out of his head. But that didn’t mean he could be good to her any more than he could be good to Marta. He would just end up hurting her if she got too attached. He had proof of that. He had confirmation. Marta was out there somewhere now, another notch on his bad deed post.
Nicole snorted and then covered her mouth quickly, wincing at how loud the sound was in the quiet apartment. When she let her hand fall away she shook her head and rolled her eyes at him. "I think you sorely underestimate your allure, Gabriel Roberts. And to think, you noticed me. If I had known this over a year ago, dude..." she shook her head again with a sad laugh.
Now it was his turn to look at her as if she were joking. "A year ago?" he asked, his brow furrowing. "You've liked me since I first started living here?"
A small nod and a sheepish tilt of her head told him all he needed to know. “It might have been a little further back than that. Like maybe around the first time we met. Or whatever.”
She tried to bring some levity to the revelation by shrugging her shoulders and laughing softly. His shocked silence showed her she’d failed and her expression sobered. Gabriel felt like he couldn’t breathe.
"Shit," he hissed, running his hands over his face. He suddenly felt very tired.
"What?" She blinked, looking worried at his sudden change of mood. "Did I say something wrong?"
"Yeah. You've been feeling me all this time and I didn't have a clue. The entire time..."
Since that first touch, that first shockwave of recognition that coursed through her fingers into his. He’d shaken it off then. It wasn’t going to be so easy to shake it off now.
A wry smile curved her lips. "Well...yeah. I mean aren't you used to this kind of thing by now? You're hot, you're in a band. Crushes come with the territory, right?"
He leaned back against the headboard, and exhaled heavily through his nose. He didn't know what to say, what to think. She sure as hell didn't act like a girl with a die-hard crush on him. His mind rewound to all the times they had talked, all the times he had hugged her or joked around with her. He'd had enough crushes to know they were like torture. She had watched him with another girl, had thought she didn't stand a chance with him until he found her touching herself while thinking about him, and it made him feel a mix of emotions he couldn't quite pinpoint as anything other than sadness.
There was a reason he cut girls loose these days. It was to keep from feeling like he was feeling right now with Nicole. Like he had used them and then tossed them aside because he knew they wouldn't be anything more than a distraction to him. He wasn't looking to be anything more than that for them either. The irony was most of them didn't care anyway, and the one time he went against his gut when it came to a girl, it had to be with one who had always seen him as something more than just a potential fuck. He had ended up using the one girl he had never wanted to use in the first place.
"Gabriel...why are you so upset? Did I do something wrong?"
"No," he said after a moment, not looking at her. "You didn't do anything, sweetheart. I just…" He spread his hands open as if he didn't know what to say next. "Fuck, if I had known you felt this way for so long, I never would have started something. I never would have taken advantage of you like that."
She slid all the way up on to the bed until she was kneeling beside him. She shook her head and looked at him as if he were being completely ridiculous. "It was just a crush. It’s not…it’s not a big deal. We were always friends first, and I think as long as we’re honest with each other things can stay that way. You didn't use me, Gabriel. I'm a big girl and I wanted this to happen. I’m not just Jackie’s baby sister."
He couldn't help turning to look at her, tilting up the corners of his lips. "You mean you wanted to get caught masturbating in my room? You wanted things to turn out like this between us?"
She bit her lip against an embarrassed smile. "Well, not that first part, no. You know what I meant, dickhead." Her expression sobered. "I don't regret anything that happened after that, though. Yeah, it’s a little messy and complicated, but I wouldn’t change things even if I could. Contrary to what you may think you're actually a decent guy, a practically extinct breed even." She elbowed him in the ribs and his smile matched her own. "You've always been good to me. That doesn't change just because we fucked. I'm happy that we did."
His smile broadened as she moved in closer until her breasts were brushing against his arm. He moistened his lips, already preparing himself for her kisses.
"Didn't I look happy?" she asked. He could feel the sheets stirring and hear them rustle as she started to pull them away from his body. "Didn't I look like I enjoyed myself?"<
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"Yeah. You did."
"And you enjoyed yourself, too?"
His cock was slowly revealed and his legs automatically opened, his body moving closer to hers.
"Very much," he whispered.
"So, we can do what we want and not make everything complicated. Sound good?"
A slow nod was all he could muster. Her skin was warm as she leaned against him, her eyes twinkling as her gaze traveled over the hard ridges of his torso, over his twin tribal tattoos, and then lowered to the proof of his desire for her lying against his hip. Her fingers caressed the sparse hairs of his inner thigh and she smiled when the muscles tensed and his body shifted subtly towards her yet again. She pressed her lips against his cheek, teasing his skin. He was captured by the look in her eyes when she pulled away and lifted her palm to her mouth, licking it twice and then lowering it to his cock. He watched her hand, his eyes hooded at the sight of her touching him.
"I wish I could take you with me," she said wistfully, grasping the hot, hardening length he was almost positive was addicted to her now. "I don't suppose you could fit in my suitcase?"
He laughed absently, his body too absorbed in the way she was stroking him.
"I don't think Jackie or Ian would be too happy if...if I...mmm...if I skipped out on the rent..."
She gave a mock forlorn sigh and nodded. "This is true."
He inhaled deeply, swallowing as she began to twist her hand over him. Before he could stop himself he said, "You could always stay a little longer. Classes don't start for a few weeks, right?"
She shook her head, watching her hand move over him. "I have to move into my apartment next week, or I would totally stay."
He nodded, pumping his hips into her hand. It had been stupid to suggest it out loud. He sounded like such a kid to his own ears, asking a girl to stay and put her life on hold so he could fuck her just a little longer. It was so high school of him.
"Probably for the best," he groaned as quietly as possible. "I'm running really low on sick days."
She giggled softly and placed her mouth over his. Her tongue slid between his lips, teasing him into action while muffling the noises he was making.
Finally she pulled away and said, "Then I guess you better hurry up and enjoy me while you can."
A very real sadness snuck its way into his chest. During this crazy week his body had grown to crave this. He would miss it, and he knew she would, too. He heard her sadness despite the brave front she was putting up for him. He wanted to take it away, give her something sweet to remember him by. He wanted to console them both.
He finally touched her, placing his hand on her thigh and running it up the bare skin of her hip, and all other thoughts were forgotten. His other hand followed suit, and then he was lifting her up by her waist until she was straddling him. She abandoned her hold on his cock to place her warm hands on the flat planes of his chest.
They leaned towards each other, touching their lips to one another's with a tenderness and a ferocity that surprised them both. She pulled away just long enough for him to lift her night gown over her head, to let him undo the braid in her hair so he could run his fingers through its wavy, dark length. And then they devoured each other again, tasting the desire of the other as he lifted her hips and then slowly settled her on his cock. He swallowed down her moans and filled her mouth with his own as she started to rock her hips over him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, pulling her body closer to his as his arms wrapped around her back and stroked her soft skin.
Their movements against each other were quiet and soft. But there was more than just the need for discretion behind their gentle caresses. There was something to savor, something building under every touch, every kiss.
They rocked against each other into the quiet hours of the early morning, not separating until gray light peaked through his blinds. She tiptoed out just like always, giving him a lingering smile that he returned before closing the door softly behind her.
Gabriel was watching her gather up her clothes from the bathroom as he walked out of his room and Nicole was doing her best not to give in to what his stare was suggesting. He'd already showered and was almost dressed for work, and she'd just finished taking hers.
She was packing up, getting ready to hop on a plane and head home. The thought of leaving hit her with a pang of wistfulness. She’d miss him, miss sneaking out of his room in the early morning hours so her sister wouldn’t release Hell’s fury on both of them. She reached into the shower to grab her shampoo and pile it on top of the other toiletries in her arms and practically felt his gaze riveted over the curve of her ass in her shorts.
She turned and caught his gaze trailing over her body in a way that still made her. He gave her a small smile, as she eyed his body in return. He stopped buttoning up his dress shirt for work. His tie was hanging around his neck and it brushed against her arm as she walked past him. Or at least she tried to walk past him. He blocked her path with his arm, stopping her suddenly. She let out a hushed laugh as she ran into his arm, trying to rebalance all the stuff in her grasp.
"You need help?" he asked. She looked up to see his brown eyes twinkling with mischief, his body coming closer as she leaned back against the wall.
"No, I think I got it," she said softly with a little smile. "And Jackie will be waking up soon to make sure I get to the airport on time."
"You sure you don't need me?" he insisted, ignoring the very real threat of her older sister waking up in the next hour. “'Cause you looked like you needed some help."
"Did I?" He nodded, bracing his other hand on the wall as he continued to bend lower. She nodded back, her smile wide and her eyes on his approaching lips. "And what did I look like I needed you to help me with? Carrying my toothbrush?"
"No. Coming," he said simply, smiling as she moaned quietly at his words. "You look like you really need to come. And I'm more than willing to help you with that." He grinned before his lips touched hers.
His tongue slid into her mouth without resistance. She sucked on it eagerly, swirling her tongue around his as he moved his lips against hers and pressed her body to the wall. As usual, he left her breathless and panting, her eyes glazing over from the ache thumping between her legs and coursing over her body. She still felt his kiss, even after she pulled her lips away.
"Was I right?" He slipped his hand between her legs, sliding it up until he was cupping her hot sex through her shorts and slowly spreading her trembling legs.
She bit down on her lip and stared him in his eyes. Those melted chocolate orbs devoured the look of lust there on her face, as well as the slow nod that silently answered his question. He spared only the quickest of glances down the hallway towards Jackie's room as he grabbed Nicole behind the neck and walked her backwards until she was in his room.
The soft click of the door and a shuddery gasp were the only sounds in the quiet apartment.
She giggled against his mouth as the last of his shivers passed through him and his come flooded her body. He stood on unstable legs with hers wrapped around his waist. Moments before her arms were braced on the metal footboard of his bed while he grasped her naked hips and filled her with quick, steady strokes. He watched her breasts bob with each stroke under the t-shirt and bra he had lifted in his haste to see her body. When her slick palms slid against the cool metal bar, he’d just lifted her easily into his arms and continued to pound them into a speedy release.
Now she was kissing him in the hungry aftermath, clenching her legs tighter around his waist and feeling the shirt on his broad back scrunched under her trembling hands.
"Shhh," she whispered when he groaned loudly as he pumped into her one last time. He could feel his release succumbing to gravity, flowing down her trembling thighs as he pulled out. He kissed her once more and then set her down gently.
"Oh, God," she moaned, thoroughly spent and yet looking like she could go again. He considered giving her one last orgasm, maybe giving himself time to recover in
the process so he could fuck her from behind one last time. He reached between her legs, feeling her pussy opening and closing on air. She was ready to go again, her body flushed with heat and grasping at his fingers. He leaned in and kissed her, resting his hand on her, his moist cock rubbing against her stomach while he toyed with her plush, inviting lips.
"Uno mas?" he offered with a raised eyebrow, and she had to cover her mouth against the laugh sputtering out of her.
"Uh-uh, no more, babe. You need to put your dick away and go to work and I-I...need to finish pack—mmm! S-stop!" she hissed as loud as she dared. His mouth was suckling at her neck, his fingers stroking the come-covered lips of her sex mercilessly. "Ohh, p-please stop! I have no will power so you have to be the grown up now. Please, Gabe…"
He laughed quietly against the sweet spot under her ear. "That's right, I am older, aren't I?"
"Chronologically, anyway." She moaned when he gave the lips of her throbbing pussy a soft farewell pat.
"Okay, I'll be good," he said, pulling away before his jokes became reality.
Her expression was the cutest combination of relieved and disappointed, quite the ego boost to combat his own sadness. They cleaned themselves up as much as they could, stealing a few more kisses before she gathered her things and he opened the door to let her out. She turned to give him one more quick kiss before they headed out into the hallway.
Then they froze in their tracks.
Jackie was standing against the wall, arms folded and ankles crossed. Her hair was disheveled, her yellow tank top and pajama pants covered in yellow duckies, a vision of irony when coupled with her surly face.
"Good morning," she said around a yawn. Her eyes seemed completely devoid of light, bottomless and unblinking as she surveyed Nicole and Gabriel frozen in his doorway.
"Hey...Jackie..." Nicole offered. Gabriel guessed that she was unable to wrap her mouth or her head around much else.
He, on the other hand couldn’t seem to shut up. "This isn't what it looks...I mean this is what it looks like, but it's not, like, what you're thinking. Me and Nicole, we're just..." He looked at Nicole, whose eyes were darting over the floor and at Jackie who was staring at both of them like a lioness on the hunt. He almost expected her to lick her chops and pounce on him when he said, "It's all my fault."