Dark of Night

by T. F. Walsh

  Lu trailed her hand down his back to the waistband of his pants. She could feel his butt muscles tense up as her hand snuck down further. She moved her other hand to the front of his pants, but then was distracted when he pulled her leg up around his waist and stroked between her legs. She heard the low moan first before realizing it was coming from her mouth. His hand slid beneath her panties and she was embarrassed at the sudden flow of wetness drenching his fingers. His tongue teased at her ear while he reached deeper into her core, stroking, teasing her, until he finally thrust his fingers deep inside her.

  “Oh god, yes,” she moaned, rocking her hips against his hand as he slid in and out of her. His fingers paused within her while his thumb rubbed her clit, setting off even more sensations. Lu flung her head back as her entire body shuddered in massive explosions.

  She lunged forward to muffle her scream in his shoulder as his magical fingers plundered her and rode out her orgasm. Finally her body slowly stopped vibrating and she lowered her foot to the floor. He continued to hold her firmly against him as she tried to catch her breath. Lu felt like a limp rag doll.

  “I’m thinking a bed might not be a bad idea,” she said as she shakily found her feet.

  “You think?” he murmured into her ear.

  “Yup.” Lu stepped out of the dress still puddled around one ankle. God, I must look ridiculous in underwear and heels. From Byron’s intense expression and shallow breathing, she gathered he wasn’t thinking that. He fixated on first her legs and then her butt as she turned to lead the way to her bedroom.

  Inside her room she turned to him and, running her fingers through his hair, pulled him to her for a deep kiss. With her other hand she started again to undo his pants. She didn’t get past the button before he pushed her backward onto the bed. He swiftly removed her strappy sandals and replaced them with gentle kisses to her ankles.

  “But what about — ?”

  “Patience, love.” He removed his shoes, then pants, and retrieved a condom from his pocket. Lu arched her eyebrows in surprise.

  “Always be prepared,” he said, but his small smile showed a little embarrassment.

  He straddled her thighs and leaned down to kiss her, his erection straining against his boxers and pressing against her belly. She reached down between them to grasp him, aching to feel him between her legs.

  God, it has been too long.

  He groaned and rubbed himself against her as he bent his head to kiss along her collarbone. He slid her bra strap down and caught her breast. His tongue circled her nipple and then drew it into his mouth, sucking gently. Lu’s back arched as she strove to press harder against him. She whimpered in disappointment as he deserted her breast and then again in joy as he took her other breast into his mouth.

  Lu started to wiggle out of her underwear but Byron’s raspy chuckle stopped her. “Allow me,” he murmured, sliding down her body. His lips and tongue branded their way down her torso stopping at the top of her bikini underwear and slowly nipping beneath the elastic band.

  He slid her panties down and followed their descent down her legs with tender kisses that alternated between tickling and driving her crazy with desire. After dropping her panties on the floor he raised her foot and began slowly kissing his way up the underside of one leg pushing her knee higher upward with each kiss. Then he rested her upper thigh on his shoulder and pressed his lips between her legs, his tongue circling and then zeroing in on her clit. Lu gasped at the sweet suction as he pulled her into his mouth. He slid his finger inside her, building the rhythm, the anticipation. Her hips gyrated to his touch. She reached down and pulled his head up.

  “Hmm?” His smile seemed open to anything she might suggest.

  “I want you,” Lu whispered. “Now.”

  Byron sheathed and placed himself between her legs. She moaned as she felt the slick latex rub against her sensitized skin. He continued to tease her, sliding partway inside and then retreating. His fingers kept her teetering on the edge of her release. Lu cried out in frustration as he continued to stroke her until her body crunched up in ecstasy. Then he plunged inside, filling her deeper with each thrust until she cried out in another release, even stronger than the last.

  Byron groaned as he drove into her final shudders and then collapsed onto her, barely holding his weight on his elbows. After a few moments, he kissed her shoulder and rolled onto his back. He reached up and stroked her cheek.

  “I’ll be back in a moment, love.” He slid off the bed and disappeared into the hallway.

  Did he just call me love? Lu shook her head in confusion. Probably she imagined it. But holy shit! She’d never had such great sex. Her body was totally spent in every way. Even her eyes felt tired. Maybe she’d just close them for a second until Byron came back.

  CHAPTER 10

  Lu stretched in her bed, feeling deliciously achy in places that had been neglected for far too long. Then she opened her eyes.

  What the hell?

  She looked around her room in confusion. Moonlight trickled in through the curtains illuminating the empty bed beside her. Hadn’t she and Byron just made love? It couldn’t have been a dream. Could it?

  She saw her sandals and underwear scattered on the floor and smiled. It was real. But where was he? She vaguely remembered him saying something then going to the bathroom, but she didn’t think it was goodbye.

  Was he pissed off that she’d fallen asleep? No. He’d worked night shifts, he’d understand. She rubbed her eyes until they cleared enough to focus on the clock beside her bed. 3 A.M.. She’d been out for a few hours.

  Hey, she’d had sex with someone on their first official date. She’d made Paul jump through hoops to prove that he wasn’t just using her, as her grandmother had warned. Then again, who other than her would follow their grandmother’s advice? And she’d known Byron for over two weeks, so it wasn’t a one-night stand. Hopefully it was the start of a real relationship.

  Unless he hadn’t enjoyed it. Oh shit.

  Lu threw off her blankets in frustration. For three years she’d thought Paul had loved her when all the while he was screwing around. So how could she know? But then Byron had been so much better in bed than Paul, surely it must’ve been good for him, too. Lu tried to remember. Had she done anything in bed, or had she made him do all the work? Double shit!

  She threw on a T-shirt and underwear and walked down the hallway. The bathroom was dark and empty. No one was in the kitchen, either. Something was on the table, though. She flicked on the light and checked out the paper pinned under her salt shaker.

  Hey Lu,

  Gotta go. I’ll call you tomorrow from work. Or you can call my cell.

  Byron

  He’d left his business card beneath the note, presumably for his cell number. Or was he implying something else?

  Lu closed her eyes, leaned on the table and did some deep breathing exercises. Don’t panic. He’d seemed to enjoy himself, and next time, she’d be more sexually aggressive. Lu poured herself a glass of water and went back to bed. Lots of people don’t like to sleep at someone else’s house. There was no reason for her to freak out about him leaving.

  • • •

  Lu woke up smiling. It was amazing how much better things were in the daylight. Now she just had to wait for Byron to call her. Despite knowing that she could call him, that all the women’s mags said she should call him, Lu still needed him to take the initiative. What a wuss. Meanwhile she cleaned, drank coffee, and cleaned some more.

  Nine o’clock. He’s probably back at his desk after his first coffee break. He could call now.

  Nine-thirty. Maybe he just finished with the first twenty-five e-mails of the day. Please call.

  Ten-fifteen. He should —

  Her phone rang and Lu jumped at the sound. Her heart pounded loudly and she took a deep breath before answerin
g.

  “Lu speaking.”

  “Congratulations. You have been selected as the winner of a trip for — ”

  Lu hung up on the recorded voice with a muffled scream. Damn you, Byron. Call! She stared at the phone in frustration. She should go do her shopping. Then if he left a message when she was out, she wouldn’t seem so eager, and then she could call him back. God, when did I become such a wimpy female? I was never this way with Paul.

  As she dressed to shop, the answer hit her and she sat down in shock. It’s because Byron already means more to me than Paul ever did. She’d known early on that Paul was a self-centered jerk, but she’d justified being with him by imagining she loved him. She’d convinced herself that she was the only one who could see the sensitive artist behind the pompous jerk. Now she realized what a real relationship should be like. I really care about Byron. When did that happen?

  All her insecurities rushed in again and she hurried to get ready. When the phone rang, she considered not answering it for at least a second before snatching up the receiver.

  “Lu speaking.” Please be him. Please.

  “Hey, sleepyhead.” His voice was beautiful. “Hope I didn’t wake you.”

  “No. I’ve been up for a while.”

  “Oh.” There was a pause on the line. Was he silently wondering why she hadn’t called? He continued, “I’ve been thinking about you all morning. Can I see you tonight?”

  “Sure. I’d like that.” Talk about an understatement. She could finally understand Tom Cruise’s crazy couch jumping. Lu giggled.

  “What?” He sounded defensive.

  “Nothing. I’m just glad you called.” Couch-jumping happiness was definitely not something she could admit to.

  “Me too. I’ll pick you up at five-thirty.”

  “Great. I’ll see you then. Bye.”

  “Bye.”

  Lu waited until she heard his phone disconnect. She’d been stupidly hoping for even a casual “love,” but she should’ve known better. Guys went at their own pace.

  • • •

  Midafternoon the phone rang and Lu wondered if it was Byron again. Hopefully not cancelling. I really need to get call display.

  “Lu speaking.”

  “Hi. Lu Dawson?” The voice sounded too immature to be a telemarketer.

  “Yes.”

  “This is Kaitlynn Miller. Um, is this an okay time to call?”

  “Sure, Kaitlynn. What’s up?”

  “I need to borrow ten thousand dollars.”

  “What?” Lu hoped she’d misheard the kid.

  “The cops have Jason in jail and they’ve asked for that much money to let him go.” The girl hurried on before Lu could interrupt. “It’s okay. I mean, they say we get the money back when he goes to court. You’ve got to help me.”

  “But — ”

  “It’s not fair. They say if he doesn’t give them names, they’ll nail him for the whole thing. But you know he wasn’t growing the drugs. You were there.”

  Oh shit! “Look, Kaitlynn, he should just tell the cops everything he knows and I’m sure they’ll let him go.”

  “No! Then the drug guys’ll kill him. You have to tell them Jason was just there to buy. They’ll listen to you because you’re a fire fighter.”

  “I can’t — ”

  “Whaddya mean you can’t? You saw all those other people run out of the building. You have to tell the cops.”

  “It’s not that simple.”

  “Sure it is. Oh crap.” Kaitlynn’s voice lowered to a whisper. “I gotta go. My dad’s home. I’ll call you later.”

  Lu stared at her phone for a moment before replacing the receiver. Now what? Should she tell Byron that she’d been at the fire spying on Kaitlynn? But then he’d wonder why she hadn’t told him right away. And why she hadn’t phoned 911. Running from the scene of a crime could destroy her career, her reputation, and whatever scant hope she had for long-term love with Byron. But not telling him would only make her seem guiltier if he ever found out. And what if he figured out she started the fire?

  • • •

  Lu was applying lip gloss when the doorbell rang and she buzzed Byron in. After a quick glance to see that the apartment looked acceptable, she opened her door. He was just getting off the elevator and smiled broadly when he saw her. His long strides brought him swiftly to her.

  “Hey there.” His eyes slid from her face to her feet and back up again. “You look beautiful, as always.”

  “Thank you.” Lu pushed her bangs back from her face.

  “C’mere.” He put his hands on her shoulders and pulled her in for a kiss. “I’ve been thinking about you all day.”

  With a sigh, she melted into his embrace then snuck her hands under his jacket to hug him. “Me too,” she admitted.

  “How hungry are you?” His voice rumbled in her ear, his warm breath igniting nerve endings down her spine.

  “It depends.” Lu nipped the side of his neck. Mmm, his skin had a slightly salty taste, but still had that warm vanilla scent. She kissed up his neck to his smooth jaw line. He’d obviously just shaved. “What else do you have in mind?”

  She giggled as he pushed her backwards into the apartment and closed the door.

  “I thought maybe I’d ravish you a few times first, just to build up an appetite. You don’t mind, do you?” His hand had already worked its way through her buttons and was caressing her breast while he continued to kiss his way down her neck.

  “Well, since you asked nicely …” Lu was finding it difficult to think. She put her hand between his legs and cupped him. “You are ready to play.”

  “Oh yeah.” Byron bent over and scooped her up into his arms.

  “Aaghh! You can’t — I’m too — ” Lu protested as he started running with her to the bedroom.

  “It’s okay,” he reassured her. “I don’t have scissors.”

  “What?” Lu shook her head. “You’re crazy.”

  “Yeah.” Byron threw her on the bed and then pounced, just catching his own weight on his arms before he landed on top of her. “You make me crazy.” He kissed her nose and then brushed her hair off her face.

  “Hey. Wait a second.” Lu pushed him onto his back and climbed on top of him. “That’s not ravishing. I want an all-out, no-holds-barred ravishing, mister.” Lu looked down at him with a challenge in her eyes.

  “Are you saying you want it rough, baby?” His lips quirked up in a surprised smile.

  Lu paused a moment. Uh-oh, is that what I want? Ignoring the dangerous glint in his eyes, she nodded slowly. “Yup. Bring it on,” she whispered, wondering how far he’d take it.

  “If you insist. But first we need to take off your clothes so we don’t mess up your outfit.” Byron carefully undid the rest of the buttons on her dress and slid it off. Then he removed her bra. He placed a soft kiss on each breast.

  Lu watched him in surprise. It wasn’t quite what she’d been expecting. He half sat up and removed his shirt. Then he undid his pants and inched them down while she still hovered above him uncertainly. What he was playing at? He caressed from her breasts to her hips then suddenly his grip on her tightened. A lightening quick action — either something from judo or else a wrestling move — and she was flying through the air.

  She hadn’t even noticed his legs move until they’d flipped her feet from underneath her. He turned her body mid-air and then her back was bounced on the bed. He immediately pinned her beneath his body and one hand locked her wrists together above her head. His other hand dragged her underpants down and delved between her legs. She jerked up in surprise and he used her movement to slide in deeper, his finger rubbing a spot that she didn’t know about. An electric current shot through her body.

  “Oh God, yes,” she groaned.

  His mo
uth tugging on her breast was almost painful as he scraped his teeth against her hardened nipple. He was everywhere on her body, stroking, pulling, kissing and she was quickly losing control. She swung her leg up over his waist, needing more. Her hands were now free and she grabbed his erection, squeezing it in her hand. She sensed his urgency as he increased his own movements to match hers. Suddenly he broke free from her grasp and panting heavily grabbed a condom and slid it on. His fingers plunged back inside her and again she jumped.

  “Rough enough, baby?” he growled, his fingers invading her relentlessly. His other hand squeezed her nipple, turning it between his fingertips.

  “Yes! More!” Lu screamed, not even recognizing her own voice.

  He grabbed her ankles, swung them up over his shoulder and drove himself deep inside her. The intensity was overwhelming. The pressure built up inside her begged for release and yet it felt so incredible. Like a hurricane of excitement rampaging through her center, the only part of her body that still existed.

  Her fingers clutched the bed sheets, needing to clasp something to hold on to her sanity. She almost blacked out before she remembered to breathe. Her orgasm hit, then her body seemed to be flying in every direction in sheer ecstasy. Her scream caught her by surprise and she jammed her hand in her mouth to muffle it.

  “Oh, Lu,” Byron groaned as he ground his last thrusts deep inside her, his body shuddering with exertion. He lowered her legs from over his shoulders and lay his forehead on hers. She wrapped her legs tightly around his butt, still feeling the beating of his pulse, reverberating within her.

  “Holy fuck.” Lu panted. “That was incredible.”

  “Oh yeah,” he agreed. Then he slowly rolled off her. “But I may not be able to do it a few more times as I promised. You wore me out, woman.”