by MJ Carnal
“I won’t kiss your lips, but I want to taste every other inch of you.” Steve’s hooded eyes seemed to pierce her soul. He pulled her panties from her legs and threw them across the room.
His lips met her nipple and she shuddered. Pulling the hardened peak into his mouth, she moaned. His erection strained painfully against the fabric of his boxers. He wanted to be buried inside her more than he wanted anything in the world. But, he needed this to last. If this was the only time he would ever make love to her, he needed it to be something she would remember.
He licked down her stomach, his tongue circling her belly button. She arched off the bed in sweet torture. His tongue trailed lower, worshipping her bare skin. Just before he touched where she needed him most, he moved to the foot of the bed. She whimpered in protest. Steve kissed the bottom of her feet then sucked each toe into his mouth. The move so intimate, moisture pooled between her legs.
Steve kissed a trail of heat up each calf, branding her body with his lips. He was her personal heaven. He worshipped the back of her knees, her thighs and as his tongue reached her hardened clit, she screamed his name. He sucked hard and she exploded, bucking off the bed with the force of her orgasm. Spasm after spasm ripped through her body and she couldn’t control herself. Her body shook. He ran his tongue through her folds, licking up every bit of pleasure.
His tongue continued its journey backward, finding her puckered rim. She stiffened, unsure what he would do. As he circled it with his tongue, the pleasure intensified. “Fuck, your body is amazing. Roll over.”
Lily rolled onto her stomach and felt Steve crawl onto her back. He kissed up the length of her spine, paying special attention to her neck. His tongue licked the sensitive area behind her ear and she whimpered again. She turned her head to watch him. He was perfect. She could get lost in his eyes forever. “Steve, please.”
He reached into the nightstand and pulled a condom from the drawer. Lily watched as he rolled it down his hardened length. Still on her belly, she spread her legs wider, inviting him in. He pinned her hands above her head on the mattress. Easing his length into her, he was surrounded by instant heat.
He knew looking into her eyes would ruin him. His heart battled with his head. Would he be able to let her walk away if he saw the love in her eyes?
“Fuck, Lil. You’re so wet.” He moved his hips in a slow, easy rhythm. Each stroke was deeper than the last until he was fully engulfed in her core. Her walls clamped down on his erection and he almost came. “Shit, you feel like heaven.”
Steve put all his weight on her back. Reaching underneath them both, he flicked her clit as he pumped into her with hard, even strokes. Their bodies moved in perfect unison.
“Yes.” She hissed. “I’m close.”
“Turn over. I want to see your face when you come.” Steve pulled out just long enough for her to roll onto her back. “You’re so beautiful.” And with that, he shoved back inside of her.
Their bodies were in perfect unison, each of them trying out different rhythms, racing for climax. Steve kissed her neck, her shoulders. They were covered in sweat and out of breath. Steve circled his hips and Lily arched off the bed.
“Right there. Right there.” She trembled.
Steve could feel her body tightening. “Oh yeah. You like that. I can feel you ready to explode. Come for me, baby. Come all over me.”
“Don’t stop. Please God, don’t stop. Fuck!” Lily screamed as her orgasm hit so hard, she swore she would black out.
“I was made to fuck you.” Steve whispered in her ear, bringing her back down from climax. “Want another one just like that?”
“I don’t think I can.” She whimpered.
“I’m sure you can.” Steve picked up his pace, pulling her legs over his shoulders. The change in depth drove Steve insane. He needed to own her. He needed her to know that she meant the world to him and he’d do anything for her. Anything but ask her to stay. She needed to decide that for herself and he was going to give her one hell of a reason to.
The sound of him pounding into her wet core was enough to stir another orgasm deep in her belly. He was everything she’d imagined he would be in bed. His stamina was unmatched and the way that each stroke hit the place she needed him most amazed her. His thumb descended on her clit and that was it. Fireworks flashed behind her eyelids.
Her fingers dug into his ass as her orgasm poured from her body. Feeling the heat, Steve couldn’t hold back any longer. He slammed into her once more and stilled as his climax exploded into her. He collapsed on top of her, their bodies slick with sweat.
“Why didn’t we do that sooner?” Lily laughed as she felt Steve’s pleasure subsiding. “That was amazing.”
Steve locked eyes with her and smiled. “It’s still early. Sleep is overrated.”
Lily giggled as he pulled her into his arms. “I’m really going to miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too. More than you can even imagine.” Steve sighed as he kissed her hair. She had become his world without him even realizing it was happening. After tonight, he knew his life would never be the same.
Lily reached for Steve but found nothing but cold sheets. Panic took over her body and she bolted upright. She smiled when she saw the note on his pillow.
L - Went to get your favorite coffee. You look beautiful when you sleep. – S
She stretched. She wasn’t sure how she’d be able to get on the plane without him. It was the opportunity of a lifetime. Staying here was not only giving that up, but it was setting herself up for the heartbreak of Steve telling her he wasn’t ready for a relationship.
She walked to his dresser. Uncapping his cologne, Lily took a deep breath. She would miss his smell. She stopped when she noticed Amber’s ring was no longer open and on display. She looked around but didn’t see it. Smiling, she knew Steve was healing.
His black baseball cap caught her attention. It was the cap that he wore backwards almost every day. She hugged it to her chest. If anything would remind her of Steve, it would be this hat. She giggled as she tiptoed down to her bedroom and slid it into her suitcase. She tried to convince herself she was only borrowing it but she knew better. When she got lonely in Georgia, she’d be able to slip on the worn ball cap and feel an instant connection to the man that had grown to mean more to her than anyone.
Chapter 16
“Now boarding flight 3884 with nonstop service to Atlanta, Georgia. At this time we would like to board all first class passengers, families traveling with small children and Gold Mile members through gate 23A.”
The announcement made Steve’s stomach drop. This was it. The moment he had dreaded every second of the last week. He contemplated handcuffing her to his bed this morning so she couldn’t leave. The plea to stay had been on the tip of his tongue all morning. He wanted to drop to his knees and beg. He didn’t care if he had to embarrass himself in front of the entire LA airport. She was worth it. Then that nagging part of his brain that kept reminding him she was going to have everything she ever wanted if she just boarded the flight won out and he kept his feet planted firmly on the floor.
She had insisted on a small group saying goodbye at the gate. Kevin stood on Steve’s right, making jokes about their time together. Lily was laughing and it was a beautiful sound. He would thank Kevin someday for lightening a terrible moment in his life. Sophie stood quietly on his left. She was saying goodbye to her best friend and it reminded Steve he wasn’t the only one losing something special.
“We need to get going, Lil bit.” Damien shifted his bag onto his shoulder and leaned in to hug Sophie.
Steve smiled at Damien. His heart had been mended with his return. Watching him fall for Lily hadn’t been easy but his soul was at peace knowing he had his family back. Damien extended his hand to Steve but instead of shaking it, he pulled him in for a hug. “Good luck, man. Go out there and kick some ass. I’m proud of you, D.”
“Thank you for welcoming me back into your life. I’ll have some ticke
ts for you for the LA show. I better see you there.” Damien clapped him on the back and pulled away.
“Take care of our girl. Keep her safe.” Steve’s voice shook.
“I won’t let anything happen to her.” Damien smiled at Steve, shook Kevin’s hand and made his way to the passenger line.
Lily hugged Sophie, both of them teary and giggling. He made a mental note to lean on Sophie in the times that got hard. She would understand what he was going through and he wouldn’t lose his man card like he would if he turned to Kevin.
“You’re letting her walk away. Not even going to fight, huh?” Kevin’s voice jolted him from his daze.
“This is a good opportunity, Merck. I can’t stand in the way of that.”
“Dude, a good opportunity doesn’t keep you satisfied at night. If you don’t say something, you’ll regret it. Someone else will be keeping her warm every night. Don’t fuck this up.” Kevin’s voice was serious.
“I can’t tell her to stay. She’ll resent me someday. She’ll regret giving up this chance for me. I can’t live with that.” Steve watched Kevin walking away, shaking his head. He wasn’t sure he could convince Kevin if he was still having a hard time convincing himself. But she was worth the sacrifice. What she had to gain in Georgia was far greater than what she could have in California.
“I’m not going to say goodbye to you.” Lily wrapped her arms around Steve’s neck. “I’ll see you before we know it. You’ll be cussing me out about all my makeup on the counter and my hair in the drain in no time.”
He shook his head as he pulled her as close to him as possible. “I want to hear from you when you land and when you get to the car and when you get to the apartment. I want to know you made it and that you’re happy.”
“I promise.” She leaned back and kissed his cheek as tears fell down her face. “I love you, Steve. Maybe more than I ever should have but there isn’t anyone in the world I love more. Please take care of yourself. Don’t get lost again. Don’t shut people out. Make sure you go to game night at Moretti’s and workout with Ryan every once in a while. Go out on the boat with Caleb and keep Kevin out of trouble. Don’t pull away from them if you get sad. And for the love of God, start dating someone. Don’t be scared to get your heart broken. I promise, it will be worth it.”
“My heart’s breaking right now.” He couldn’t say another word without falling apart. He pulled her into him again, took a deep breath and filled his memory with the way she smelled and the way she felt. For as long as he lived, he would never forget this second. The second he realized she was his everything. The second he realized he was going to let her walk away.
“Are we already landing?” Lily rubbed her eyes and squinted out the window. “I’m sorry I was such bad company.”
Damien laughed. “You entertained the hell out of me. Drooled on my shoulder and did a little dirty talking. Not sure what happened last night but the words mmm and Steve were in the same sentence.”
She slapped his arm, laughing. “I did not.”
Damien reached over and tucked her hair behind her ear. There were so many things he needed to leave unsaid. He couldn’t compete with Steve. He had known that all along but that did little to ease his fragile heart.
Damien reached over and took her hand. “I think you’re gonna be happy that you took the leap. I know leaving wasn’t easy. If it’s meant to be, you and Steve will find your way back to each other. That makes me sound like a pussy but it’s true.”
She leaned into his shoulder. “Thank you for coming home with me. It means a lot.”
“It wasn’t completely selfless.” Damien winked at her. “Your sister is waiting up for me.”
Lily laughed as she switched her phone from airplane mode. Kidding or not, she hoped Mia was awake. The kiss she had walked in on a few months ago was full of heat. Damien deserved someone amazing and she couldn’t think of a better match than her sister.
Mia had dated her high school sweetheart on and off for years. Last time she spoke to her, they were on again and Lily had taken that opportunity to see where her feelings could go for Damien. She adored him but knew they could never be more than friends with her heart tied up in Steve. Maybe this was a chance for Mia to get to know Damien and realize spending time with him had more promise than her dead end relationship.
Her phone buzzed with a text. The way you walk. Even when you’re walking away from me, you’re beautiful.
Lily covered her mouth and let out one sob. Was leaving a mistake? Was he worth giving it all up for? “Yes.” She whispered.
“You ok?” Damien put his arm around her.
She nodded, typing a text back to Steve. The way you can make my day with a simple text.
Mia was sitting on the couch in sweatpants eating a bowl of ice cream with her boyfriend, Lewis, when Lily and Damien finally arrived. She jumped when the front door crashed open and Damien fell into the living room. Lily’s laugh echoed through the hallway.
“Smooth, Reynolds. Real smooth.” Lily winked at him as he untangled his legs from the mountain of suitcases he assured her he could carry by himself.
Lewis flew from the couch, pointing at the mountain of luggage and limbs. “Holy shit. That’s D Rey. Mia, that’s D Rey.”
Mia belly laughed. She had forgotten all about Damien coming home with Lil so she hadn’t warned Lewis. “Yep, that would be him.”
“No Mia, D Rey is standing in your living room.” Lewis clapped his hands and jumped. Mia’s eyes widened in embarrassment.
“D Rey is off duty tonight. Call me Damien.” Damien waited for Lewis to introduce himself. When he didn’t, Damien raised one eyebrow at Mia. “Is he ok?”
“He’s obviously lost his mind. Bless his heart. Damien, this is Lewis.” Mia smiled.
Damien shook his hand. He leaned into Mia and whispered in her ear. “Ditch lover boy. I need some Mia time.”
She shivered. “You guys must be exhausted. I’ll just clean up out here and head to my room. Lewis, I’ll walk you out.”
“I’ll be unpacking. Damien, come in whenever you’re ready. Or don’t.” Lily winked at him and left the living room.
“But the movie’s not over.” Lewis stuttered in confusion.
“It’s ok.” Mia pushed him toward the front door. “They’ve traveled all day. Let’s give them some space.”
Mia shut and locked the door. Her heart was pounding like crazy. Damien was even hotter than she remembered. When she turned around Damien charged.
His lips were on hers before she had a chance to protest. She moaned into his mouth, surrendering to him completely. His tongue swirled against hers like a sensual dance. He backed her up against the front door, pressing all his weight against her body. Her blood heated. She had never wanted anyone so much.
“I’ve never seen anything sexier than you in a pair of sweatpants. I didn’t expect to react this way when I saw you.” His voice was low and raspy. “Dump the dork.”
“I did this morning.” She was breathless, her body at his mercy. “He was here picking up his key.”
As Damien’s lips descended once more, Mia knew she would never be the same.
Chapter 17
The first few weeks in Georgia dragged along. Damien had left a few days after arriving and was a few cities into his summer touring schedule. Lily had loved seeing him get close to Mia. They had parted as friends with the promise of seeing each other if they were ever in the same part of the country.
The promise Damien had made Lily was a little more personal. He had given her six months to get her life together in Georgia. In his speech the night before he headed out on tour, he had told her that he didn’t want to see her throwing away what she could have had with Steve unless there was something special keeping her in Georgia. In true Damien fashion, it ended with the threat to kick Steve’s ass if he didn’t know what was right in front of him. Lily had laughed at his seriousness. She would miss him. His companionship had been something that helped
her get through her last few weeks in LA.
Lily missed Steve terribly. She had spent so many days moping around the apartment in his old baseball hat that Mia suggested she get a job for the summer. She had picked up three tutoring jobs and that forced her to get out of the house. But in the darkness of night, she couldn’t help but wonder what Steve was doing. Being in a different time zone was more difficult than she ever expected. She cried herself to sleep the first few nights after hanging up with him before bed.
As the weeks passed, it got easier. The warm June turned into the scorching hot July, full of humidity and mosquitoes. It was summer in the south and she found the song of the crickets every night calming. Her balcony was just big enough for two lounge chairs and a small table. She went out every night after dinner and sipped her wine while she listened to the sounds of nature surrounding her. She had reconnected with several friends from college and had forced herself to make lunch or dinner dates to keep her mind occupied.
A part of her had stayed behind in the little apartment in downtown Los Angeles. She missed Kevin and his terrible jokes. She missed her pedicures with Sophie and her concerts with Jena. Most of all, she missed everything about Steve. She closed her eyes and thought about the way his hair stood on end in the early morning or his chocolate eyes when they were full of sleep. She missed the scruffy jaw that appeared every night and was clean shaven in the morning. She missed the warmth that radiated from his body or the way his muscles filled out his long sleeved t-shirts. She missed his long tanned legs that were so strong she had a hard time looking away from them. His laugh was contagious, his smile was perfect and his voice was deep and sexy.
“Shit.” Lily threw back the last sip of her wine and stood to head inside. “Come on Lil. Time to move on.”