“Oh, she liked it…a lot. She said she’d like some more sometime…soon.”
“Well, you tell her to come back to the shop and get another one anytime she likes.”
“I will.” Marigold looked Seanna up and down, and then glanced at her own dress. “Not too many people can pull off this color, you know.”
Seanna put her arm around Marigold, their royal blue outfits similar, but looking a hundred percent different on each woman’s body. “I think we both wore it best.”
Marigold eyed her, but Blake could see her softening to Seanna. She had that effect on people.
“So,” Seanna said, “would anyone like to introduce me to all my friends?” She glanced around. “Who are all these people?”
Sebastian swooped in. “You will love them all and they you before the night is over. Come on, and we’ll mingle.”
Seanna gave the guys a look. “Fabulous.”
Sebastian gave her ass a little spank, and they walked off. Blake would be an idiot to be jealous of a gay man, but he wanted his hand on her ass so badly he thought he might just be.
An hour and a half had gone by since Sebastian had stolen Seanna away from Blake, and he’d had about all he could take. She’d sneaked glances at him while she was talking to other people, winking at him, raising her eyebrow, and once wiggling her ass at him. He typically enjoyed hanging out with Chase, Bo, Marigold, Desiree, and Ashe, but with Seanna teasing him across the room, he was ready to ditch these jokers.
Marigold slid her arm inside his. “Okay, so I sort of see her fabulousness.”
He grunted in return.
“God, Blake, quit trying to be so coy. It’s cute for a while till it gets old, then it’s really tired.”
“I didn’t say anything.”
“Well say something…do something, please,” Marigold said. “You’re exhausting to watch.”
“You don’t have to look.”
“You know that’s impossible for me.” She let go of his arm and pushed him a little. “So what’s up with Kansas City?”
“Just a job.”
She put her hands on her hips. “Well, it better be a damn good one to leave all of us. Seriously, why Kansas when you live in one of the most desirable locations in the country, arguably?”
“Who’s doing the arguing?”
“I am. Seriously, Blake, we love you. We hate this…all of us do.” She pointed to all their friends scattered around the room. He’d spent a lot of fun evenings with those people, but none of them knew him—not really—except Bo, and Blake had told him too much. Marigold nudged him. “They’re all too kind and respectful to say anything to you, but you know I’m not. Are you sure this is the right thing? Leaving this special place? Leaving all of us?”
He wasn’t sure, not by a long shot. But he did know that he could never reveal his true self to these people. He couldn’t handle them being a part of that dark person he left behind…the guy who haunted him when he was alone.
“Just promise me you’ll reconsider. Can you do that?” she asked, looking up at him with such sincerity. She hardly ever showed this side of her, so when she did, he didn’t know what to do with it.
“Okay,” he said.
Her face widened in a grin, and then her expression dropped as she looked behind him. “Well, look who’s coming to say hello, now that I’ve finally got you to myself. But of course she is.”
He turned to find Seanna inching toward him, a mischievous look in her hazel eyes.
Marigold shoved him lightly. “Go on. Take him,” she said to Seanna. “He clearly doesn’t belong to me anymore.” Marigold gave just enough of a smile to let them know she was kidding…sort of…and then walked away.
“Did you ever belong to her?” Seanna asked.
Not like he belonged to Seanna. “Nah…unless you count as an employee. She’s a good customer.”
“Oh yeah? And what exactly do you do for her?”
He brushed her arm with his thumb. “Not nearly as much as I’ve done for you, and I haven’t even gotten started yet.” She gave him a closed-mouthed grin, and he tugged on her shirt where it fell over her hip. “How much longer do you need to stay at your own party?”
She glanced around. “Oh, I think I need to stay the duration. But I’ve put in an hour and a half and made my way around to most everyone. I think that earns me a quick break. What do you think?”
He glanced around the room to make sure no one was paying attention, and then took her hand. “Come with me.”
Seanna took two steps to Blake’s one as he hurried them across the highway toward the public beach access stairs. As their feet hit the planks of the wooden stairs, the booming noise echoed through the dark evening. They reached the other side of the bridge which dumped them out on the beach, the ocean roaring as it licked up to the shore.
“Wait!” She giggled, hopping as she pulled her strappy sandals off.
He pulled her to a line of cabanas and went straight to the third one in the row, letting go of her hand. “Wait right there.” He headed behind the green and white striped structure, and then emerged with a key.
She grinned a mile wide. “You are kidding me. What if the owner shows up?”
“He’s occupied right now, hosting your birthday party.”
Her hand flew to her mouth. “Oh, my God. Get in there.”
He opened the cabana and let her into the cramped space, but it was more than enough room for their needs. He grabbed a towel down from a shelf, spread it over the white-cushioned couch, and then turned back toward her. “Is this okay? I mean…we can always go back to my house.”
She collapsed down on it. “This is more than perfect.” She pulled him toward her by the waistband of his pants, unbuckling his belt. She undid the button to his jeans and tugged them down along with his boxers, his cock springing free.
He grabbed her shoulders, inhaling a sharp breath as she took him in her mouth. His expression contorted as his hand worked its way to the back of her head, lightly cupping it as she moved up and down on him, taking him in as far as she could. She eased up to the tip and focused her efforts there, her own core lighting up at the groan of pleasure he let out.
“You’ve got to stop,” he breathed, but she knew that was the last thing he wanted her to do. “I’m going to…” He trailed off as she squeezed his thighs, letting him know it was fine to let himself go…of course it was. He held her head, letting out a primal sound.
Dropping down to his knees, he closed his eyes and covered his face. “Fuck,” he breathed.
She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand, watching him curiously. His head fell into her lap as he pushed against her stomach, almost as if he was begging for something. He was facedown right at her core, and his breathing heated her up, making her nuts.
He finally lifted up to meet her gaze, his face beet red and damp. For a minute, she thought he was upset with her about something, until he tugged at the bottom of her shirt. She held up her arms, and he pulled it off of her.
He ran his hands over her silk bra, staring at her breasts like they were an unearthed treasure. She reached behind her back and undid her bra, letting the straps fall down her arms. He moved in close, taking one nipple into his mouth, gentle at first as he tongued it, and then finally covering it with his mouth and sucking hard. She wrapped her legs around his back in response, the sensations heating up her core. When had foreplay been this magnificent? Had it ever been?
He gave the other breast equal time, his hand on the outside of her thigh squeezing like he meant it. He worked his way down to her stomach, his hands moving up to the waistband of her pants. He undid her button and zipper, and she lifted for him to pull the pants off of her. Luckily for her, he took her underwear down with them.
He ran his hands over her knees and up her thighs appreciatively, spreading them wide as he inched closer to her core. He nibbled at her inner thighs, kissing and biting as he moved toward her. She eased down to the edge of
the couch, relaxing back on the puffy cushion, getting nice and comfortable.
He spread her apart, and when his tongue made contact with her, she closed her eyes, taking in the warmth on the most sensitive part of her body. It’d been so long she’d practically forgotten what it felt like, and now that she knew again, she vowed never to let her life get so fucked up again. This…a talented tongue…was entirely too precious a treasure not to experience often.
He found the sweet spot inside of her with his fingers that hadn’t been activated in years, and the sensations roared from more places in her body than she could count. As the heat built inside of her, she squeezed him with her thighs until the final wave of release settled inside of her.
He pulled away, resting his forehead against her thigh. She brushed the hair back from his face, catching her breath and bringing herself back down to earth.
“That was worth the wait,” he said.
As awesome as the orgasm had been, she wasn’t finished. She needed more. She needed him inside of her yesterday. “Any chance you have a condom on you?” she asked.
He exhaled a deep breath and gave her a look that clearly indicated he did not.
“Fuck,” she said, because no other word would suffice. What kind of guy didn’t have a condom on him? The kind who didn’t sleep around, she guessed. Now she just wanted him more.
He stood and walked around the cabana searching, still wearing his button-down shirt, but that was all. He opened the drawer of an end table, pushing the contents around until he finally closed it empty-handed. He looked in every crack and crevice of the place, including inside the small refrigerator and at the bottom of a basket of towels. She did her part by checking in the couch cushions, but no luck was to be had.
She finally turned to face him, and with his expression as hopeless as she imagined hers was, all she could do was break out with a smile. He dove for her, lining her out on the couch, burying his head in her neck. “Fuck!” came his muffled cry.
She giggled. “I think we’ll live.”
He pulled the couch cushions from behind him and tossed them onto the floor, and then fell off of her onto the couch.
“I can’t believe you didn’t have one in your wallet or whatever. I thought all guys did that.”
“Mmm,” he grunted.
She pinched him in the stomach. “You’re a man of few words, aren’t you Blake Evans?”
“Some things are more fun than talking,” he said, rounding his hand over her waist and cupping her breast.
She undid the buttons on his shirt and tugged it away so she could run her hand over his chest. “Do you think they’ve noticed we’re gone yet?”
“Definitely,” he said, his voice low and sexy as hell.
“Re-entry is not going to be pleasant.”
He toyed with her nipple. “Then let’s not go.”
“And stay here all night condom-less?”
“That’d be fine with me.”
She smiled, closing her eyes and letting him play with her breast.
“Your body is so beautiful.” His words were so matter of fact…not at all like he was saying them to get into her pants, but like he meant them with all his heart. She fought the urge to make a self-deprecating joke about her big butt and thighs.
“Thanks,” she whispered as he ran his hand over the curve of her hip and around to her ass. He cupped a cheek lightly and worked his way up the middle, grazing a finger down the center. “Are you a butt guy?” she asked.
He rolled her on top of him, cupping both of her ass cheeks and then pushing her upward on him, her center pressing against his erection. “I’m definitely into your ass.”
“We’re entering dangerous territory here, don’t you think?”
He closed his eyes as he ran his hands over the small of her back and then down to her ass again. “I know. I’m just not ready to leave here yet.”
“I’m not either.”
“You’re not on the pill?” he asked.
She’d gotten off it last January, more as a precautionary measure so she wouldn’t slip and give in to Jason. “Nope. I’ve not had a reason to be.” He gripped her thighs, pushing her against his erection. She closed her eyes and let out a little grunt of frustration. “You’ve got to stop doing that.”
To her disappointment, he rolled her off of him, depositing her on the couch next to him. “Yes, ma’am.”
She ran her hand down his side and around to his back, thinking of all the questions she had for him, but knowing not to ask a single one…not right now. She had him in a vulnerable position, and as much as she wanted to take advantage of that, she was afraid to lose this side of him she’d been begging to see for weeks now.
She kissed his chest with soft, light motions, running her hand down to his ass. His body was lean with just enough muscle and tone for her taste. She eased her hand down to his thigh and around to his front, taking hold of him. He closed his eyes and inhaled a sharp breath. Moving her hand up and down on him, she watched his brow furrow and his features tighten. God, she loved that she could do that to him.
She inched down his body, positioning herself on his thighs. She took him in, loving the sensation of him filling up her mouth. She went up and down on him, taking him as far back as she could at first, and then putting all her focus on the sensitive side of him. She glanced up at him and caught him watching her, which gave her a funny sense of empowerment and sexual goddess-ness. She went to work on him, hard, and it wasn’t long before he was coming apart, his whole body quaking with the sensations she gave him.
When he finished, he grabbed for her, summoning her back up to him. He drew her in close to him, flattening her chest against his. He rested into the back of the couch, pulling her against him. “It’s hard for me to believe you’re real sometimes.”
She huffed a laugh, making a figure eight on his shoulder with her finger. “You’re just in a post-blowjob haze.”
He stared at the ceiling, seeming a million miles away from her.
“What do you think about all the time?”
He looked down at her. “What do you mean?”
Resting her head on his chest, she said, “We should get back.”
“I know. We will.” But neither of them moved.
“I’ve never had anyone throw me a party before…well, except my mom, of course.” She winced after she said that. “I’m sorry.”
“Seanna, don’t say you’re sorry for having a mom who threw you parties.”
“I know. Okay.” She kissed his shoulder, and then said, “So I know you didn’t date much in high school, but what about after that? Who have been the great loves of your life?”
“Well, I’ve got one living at my house right now.”
She sat up, gauging him, knowing she was being set up, but still unable to not be a sucker.
“She’s a beautiful blonde. Loyal. Eats like a horse but she works out a lot. She’s a runner.”
She pinched his nipple. “You better be talking about an animal.”
He smiled. “Sadie. I got her when I first came here. I don’t know what I’d do without her.”
“What kind of dog?”
“Mutt, I guess. I imagine she’s got some golden retriever in her.”
“You rescued her?”
He huffed a laugh. “I didn’t rescue her. Some good folks at the Humane Society did that. I just paid for her and brought her home.”
She smiled against his chest. Of course he did. “You’re avoiding the question.”
“What question?”
She bit his shoulder in response.
“Oww!”
“That didn’t hurt you.”
“It did, too. You better kiss it.” She did, and he let out a satisfied moan. He rubbed her lower back. “I guess Jason was a big love of your life at some point, huh?”
“I thought so, but I can see now that what I felt for him wasn’t the real thing. He was marriage material. I know that sounds crazy now, bu
t at the time I met him, he really was. He was great at his job, kicked ass, actually. He was so tenacious. I believe he cared about me. It’s easy now though to see all the places where he was really selfish. But when you want something to work so badly, you rationalize a lot.”
He frowned, staring at the ceiling with great intent.
“Have you done that, Blake? Rationalized your way through a bad relationship?”
He looked at her, his eyes searching hers like they so often did. “Yeah. I’ve done that.”
Just a few words, but they told her so much about him. She had to admit, hearing confirmation that Blake had loved in some way before wasn’t fun for her. The silence and mystery surrounding him had its benefits. But she knew whatever he didn’t want to talk about in his past didn’t matter anymore anyway. They were here now. He was hers for this moment. He never showed interest in any other women. He seemed laser-focused on her…even though he made clear he was leaving for Kansas City soon.
That idea gave her a minor panic attack that she couldn’t handle. She sat up off him. “We should head back.” She stood up off the couch, and he took her hand. She turned around to him, forcing a smile. “What? You know we do. It’s a party for me.”
He stood and faced her, holding her in front of him with his hands cupped around her shoulders. “I was in a bad relationship, too, once. It was hard, and I failed her…a lot. I thought I loved her, but I didn’t understand love then.” He pushed her hair back from her face, and studied her features intently, as if he was memorizing them for a test.
His intensity struck chords inside of her that she never knew existed before. When he was like this with her, all she wanted to do was press herself close to him, fill all the gaps and holes inside of him with her warmth. She wanted to be the one to make everything in his life that’d been bad leave him so she could bring in the good, the positive…the love.
All of the sudden, all she wanted to do was shake sense into him. Why was he talking about leaving and going to Kansas City when she was right here in front of him, ready to love him? Ready to keep him smiling all the time and cook for him, she’d figure out how, and write silly little notes that she’d leave for him when she left for work, and take him down to the beach and go skinny dipping with him in the evenings and make love to him constantly. She’d never tire of making love to him as long as she lived. She was sure of that.
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