Senior Year Bucket List

by Miller, J. M.

  Before her bucket moved again, she held up the daisy, cocked her arm back, and chucked it forward. It flipped petals over stem, over and over, disappearing into the darkness past the fair’s perimeter fence.

  23

  ______________

  Celia

  -now-

  “I know, Jerry,” I replied, raising my eyebrows at Caleb as he opened the door to his house. Our phones had been dead when we left, so I didn’t call work while still at the quarry. I also didn’t want to call in the truck because Jerry would listen to everything on my end, analyzing every sound. He’d done it before when I called in sick from my couch, asking if I was on a beach somewhere drinking a cocktail after hearing my TV in the background. Only now, he’d kinda be right, except that I’d just left a little wanna-be beach and the drink was a tall glass of Caleb.

  “And you’re still on watch.” Jerry’s snappy voice was loud enough for me to jerk the phone away from my ear.

  “I know, Jerry,” I repeated, looking around Caleb’s place. It was a basic layout. Single room. Much like my apartment in size, though more boxy than long. Living area up front. Kitchen along the side. Bathroom and bedroom at the back. And plenty of windows, all with gray curtains and white doily valances. I smiled, knowing that the wife of the Mennonite farmer had likely decorated and made it all herself. Except for the wooden dining set and a couple accent chairs. Those were Caleb. The kitchen had a small three-burner stove and a fridge that was also smaller than the norm.

  Caleb walked past, exaggerating his careful steps and lifting an eyebrow. I bit my lip with a smile. He disappeared into the bathroom and shut the door.

  “So this will be only one day without pay,” Jerry continued.

  “Yes. Could be something I ate.” There weren’t many pictures. The bookshelf beside the fireplace had a few of their family. One of him and Mer at his high school graduation.

  “All right then. We will see you tomorrow.”

  “Yes. Thanks, Jerry.”

  No “feel better soon” from him, no way. Jerk.

  Caleb walked out of the bathroom and started unloading the extra water and ice packs from the cooler. “Everything go all right?”

  “Hmm,” I replied with pressed lips, stepping beside him.

  “That bad, huh?”

  “Yeah, well, I can’t really be mad about it since I’m lying.”

  “You can if it’s been the same even when you haven’t lied.”

  “True,” I agreed, focusing on his veined hands and forearms, and also the flex in his biceps as he moved around. “Need help with anything?”

  He ran a palm over his head, brushing back the thick longer hair above that was just shy of reaching his eyes when wet. “Nope. I only need to send a message to Jay and Sam so they’re prepared for another possible video. Hey,” he added, the corner of his lips pulling into a cute smile. “You interested in sending them some of the shots you took too? They might consider using them.”

  “Yeah, sure. Let me grab my memory card.”

  “I’ll pull a few.” He disappeared into his room, and I followed after grabbing the camera.

  The space was simple like the rest of the house. Queen bed with tan pillowcases and covers and a rustic plank headboard. There was a dresser and chair to match, all carved intricately along the edging.

  “These are beautiful.” I ran a finger along the top of the dresser. There was no need to ask if he’d made them. Celtic knots were the designs along the edges, something he favored.

  “Thanks,” he replied, taking a seat at his desk and opening his email.

  I handed over the memory card, catching sight of a picture beside his monitor of Mer and me. It was the graduation picture from her room. I coughed a little, choked up by the memories and that he’d brought it home and kept it so close.

  He eyed me, noticing what I’d seen. Without a word, he stood again, palming my cheeks and kissing me, knowing I needed that contact. He pressed his forehead to mine. “I’ll make us some food after I get this sent. Do you need or want anything?”

  “A shower?” I tugged on the ends of my hair, which was stiff from all the swimming.

  “Of course. Soap, shampoo, and towels are in the bathroom.”

  “Thanks.”

  I wasted no time jumping into the claw-footed tub, drawing the translucent curtain around the circular rod suspended above the standing shower pipe. It was only after I was already wet that I realized all his soap was on the vanity sink.

  “Uhh,” I said out loud. A knock followed moments later. “Help, I forgot the soap.”

  His laughter came from behind the door before it opened and his blurry form appeared. “And here I was struggling to come up with any reason to get in here.”

  I peeked my face out of the curtain then thought better of it and pulled it open, leaving only a section closed to contain the water. “You don’t need a reason.”

  “So glad for that,” he replied, handing over the soap and shampoo as his eyes roamed down my body. He licked his lips.

  “You gonna help me?” I offered.

  “Yes.” He nodded with a grin. “Fuck yes, I will.”

  I giggled as he stripped and nearly tripped over his shorts climbing into the tub. Drawing the curtain closed again, I watched the water hit him and glide down the sexy lines and curves of his muscular body. I lifted my hands to his chest, rubbing gently.

  “Uh-uh. You first.” He brushed a quick kiss to my lips then turned me around and adjusted the water. His fingers pushed into my hair, soaping and massaging. A cloth was next, slathering suds on my shoulders and back then moving around my front, up my neck and down to my breasts. He was hard against the top of my ass, and I sighed, feeling every bit as turned on as him. He slid his hands around again, rubbing over my ass cheeks then to my thighs. He guided me into a turn and fell into a squat, washing the front of my legs and slipping a hand in between. His eyes peered up to mine as his fingers stroked against me.

  I sighed again, bit my lip, and tilted my face to the ceiling. The feeling was maddening, making me so hot. I needed more but wanted to take care of him first. “Your turn.” I rinsed my hair as he stood, then dumped some shampoo into my palm. “Your hair has darkened so much over the years. And when it’s wet like this, it’s practically brown.”

  His only reply was a contented hum as I massaged his wet strands as best as I could with his head tipped backward. I grabbed the washcloth from his hand, added more soap, and started over his broad shoulders and back, following the taper down his waist, over his round ass. I may have stayed there longer than needed because he started to laugh. After his thighs, I stood and let him turn so I could wash down his front. He was so solid, his muscles tightening even more as I moved my hands over them. I worked quickly down his thighs and calves then climbed back up, rubbing the cloth over his balls first, watching him as he had done to me, enjoying the soft breath he released as he tipped his head back. Sliding farther, I stroked up his length, gripping firmly.

  “I need you. Right now,” he said, grabbing the handheld part of the shower and rinsing my body of soap before spinning it on himself. I couldn’t pry my eyes away from him and what could only be described as the shower show of my dreams, the heat between my legs building.

  Instead of waiting, I fell to my knees, grabbed hold, and took him into my mouth.

  “Fuck,” he said with a grunt. His face tipped down as I looked up and continued to suck him. He dropped the showerhead, and it clanked against the tub beside me. Water dripped down the longer strands of his hair, falling down to meet my face, my eyes. I blinked, and within a few seconds, he pulled away from my hold, turned off the water, and helped me out of the tub.

  “We’re still wet!” I laughed as he hauled me into his arms. My hands locked into a death grip around his neck, trying my best to maintain some control as our slick bodies slid against each other.

  “I’m not waiting to dry off,” he said, slaloming the doorways to get into his b
edroom. His feet slipped on the hardwood, and I squeaked with fright as we toppled backward and slammed to the ground. “Oof.”

  “Oh my God.” My words were broken between giggles. My body vibrated on top of his, but I couldn’t move if I wanted to. His arms had me pinned against him securely.

  He thunked his head back against the floor and laughed. “Maybe I should have waited.”

  “Aw.” I wriggled out of his hold then leaned over and kissed his smiling mouth. “Anything broken?”

  He lifted his head and glanced downward at his still very hard dick. “Nope. I’m good.”

  I rolled my eyes with a smile. Before I could even reply, he hopped up onto his feet and yanked me with him, pinning my body close and slamming his mouth to mine. I wrapped my hands around the back of his neck and melted into him as he guided us the rest of the way into the bedroom.

  A loud tone beeped somewhere at the front of the house. My phone.

  He backed away from my lips. “You need to get that?”

  “No. Absolutely not.”

  “Good,” he replied, sliding his hands down to my ass, squeezing firmly, lifting me, and tossing me onto his bed.

  I was stunned by the disconnection of our mouths for a moment, my lips still parted as I fell back onto my elbows.

  He crawled up and leaned in to kiss me one more time before his mouth moved to my neck, licking a trail with his tongue to follow the prickly scratches from his scruffy chin. My breasts were next. His hand smoothed over the skin, stroking softly before rolling my pebbled nipple between his fingers. His mouth took the other in, his tongue swirling before he nipped a bite.

  “Ah.” I kicked my head back as delicious tingles rippled over my body.

  “I never thought I’d ever see you like this, taste you like this,” he whispered to my skin while traveling down, down, down. His hands parted my legs farther, spreading me wide, gripping my thighs as he propped them up. He hummed as he lowered his mouth to me, kissing chastely, and digging his fingers into my skin.

  As soon as his tongue licked a full stroke, my arms buckled and I fell onto my back, pinching my eyes closed and gripping the comforter.

  Heaven. It was heaven. And he made me feel like a goddess, worshiping me so reverently.

  “So good,” I murmured then exhaled his name in praise.

  He didn’t stop, only gripped me harder, kissing and flicking his tongue then pushing it inside. I moaned when I felt his finger enter, curling and stroking.

  His rhythm was magic, building me up, higher and higher. I gasped and panted, feeling every bit of the connection. And then I came apart at all seams, whimpering in short bursts as an orgasm rocked me.

  “I think I see stars,” I said, my eyes closed tightly, watching the flashes of light behind my lids. “You made me see stars.”

  His warm chuckle reached my ears. I wasn’t sure how since my focus had been entirely on feeling for several minutes.

  “That was beautiful,” he whispered, pressing his lips to my belly button. “You are beautiful and so damn sexy. I promise you’ll see those stars often enough to name them.”

  “I like that idea,” I admitted, slipping my fingers into his damp hair. “Right now, I want you to see them too.”

  24

  ______________

  Caleb

  -now-

  She was on my lips. In my nose. Under my skin. Everywhere I’d dreamed of having her. And she tasted as divine as I knew she would, and now, like a fiend, I only wanted more. I was prepared to give her everything, dine on her over and over again, content to ignore my own need for release if it meant I got to keep pleasuring her, loving her.

  She leaned up, captured my face with her hands, then my lips with her own. “I need you inside me.” Her hands pulled at my face, urging me farther up onto the bed before shoving my body over.

  I rolled onto my back with what was probably the most dumbstruck and goofiest grin on my face ever. Thank God I didn’t have a mirror on the ceiling. Actually … Right now, as she leaned over my body, kissing and licking my stomach, I was wishing I did have one to see her at every angle, to see our connection from another viewpoint. Thinking about it got me harder. Damn.

  “I have to grab a condom.”

  “Where?” she asked, grazing her teeth along my skin.

  “Desk. Side drawer.”

  She jumped off the bed, and I leaned up on my elbows, watching her bend over as she looked inside the drawer, her ass sticking out with a lovely glisten at the apex between her legs. I licked my lips.

  When she spun around and climbed back onto the bed, she tossed the condom onto my chest. “Open that, please.”

  I grabbed the wrapper, ready to obey, but she had other plans.

  She took hold of me again as she had in the shower, cupped my balls, then slid her mouth over me.

  My body jerked in response, overloaded by the sensation. “Ah. Damn.” The words were caught in my throat.

  She stroked me, twisting as she sucked. So hot. So wet. When her eyes peered up at me, looking through her lashes, I had to rein myself in. “Celia. Oh. This will bring the stars. But please,” I begged, not wanting to explode.

  She giggled and the vibration nearly pushed me too far. With one more lick and a kiss, she held out her hand for the condom, which I’d forgotten entirely about. She laughed again as I ripped that fucker open in record speed. Her fingers worked, rolling it down onto me. I sat up, ready to go, but she shoved me back down and climbed over my legs, straddling me.

  “And now you’ve fulfilled my wildest dream,” I said, reaching up to her breasts, massaging as she leaned forward and took hold.

  “Have I? What exactly did you dream about?” she asked, positioning me and sitting down slowly.

  I gritted my teeth and released a long breath, the feeling so good it hurt. “This. You. I used to lie in bed …” She pushed down more until she was fully seated, her big, glorious eyes watching me as I panted.

  “And?” she prompted.

  “I’d picture you sneaking out of Mer’s room at night and coming into mine.”

  “Oh, did you?” She rocked forward, sliding herself up.

  “Fuck yes, I did. My God. You’d crawl into my bed … we’d kiss …”

  “Did you touch yourself then? Thinking of me?” She sat down, painfully slow.

  My eyes rolled into the back of my head as my brain homed in on every single nerve receptor in my dick. “Yes.” I admitted, thinking of all the times. Innumerable. Uncountable times. Wanting her.

  She exhaled a sigh and was leaning up again for another stroke, arching her back, pushing her breasts harder into my hands. “I thought of coming to you, not long after the fair, still wanting you.”

  “Fuck,” I said with a groan, every muscle in my body tight with anticipation.

  “I touched myself for you, too. Thinking of your kisses. Your body against mine.” She pumped faster and rolled her hips.

  I almost lost my mind at her truth, at the feeling of it all. I dropped a hand and slipped my fingers over her, rubbing where my tongue had been.

  “Ahh.” She tipped her face back and bounced harder.

  I bucked my hips from below, finding her rhythm, gripping her waist to slam her back down onto me as her need grew.

  She released that wonderful breathy whimpering melody as she came.

  I waited only a moment before flipping her onto her back then kissing her as I entered her again. Her fingernails dug into my skin, and she moaned. “Oh yes. Wanna go again?”

  “I … Oh, that’s so good.”

  I quickened my pace and grabbed hold of the headboard for leverage. Her phone rang again out in the living room. “Not happening,” I murmured.

  She giggled until I thrust inside her, bringing out a louder moan. “Caleb.”

  “Yes, baby.” Sweat broke through my skin as my body sped up. Leaning down, I kissed her neck then bit down softly, anchoring myself.

  “Oh, oh, oh.” Her body shook,
her head tipped back, and her eyes clamped tight.

  The sight and sound of her orgasm was enough to make me lose what little control I had left. I moaned and closed my eyes as the pleasure pulsed from me. My body stilled and sagged against hers. It was too much. She was too much. “I’m thinking I might be seeing those stars too.”

  Her breathy laugh drew my eyes open. “So good.”

  “So good,” I echoed, staring at her, wanting to memorize how she looked. With flushed, glowing skin, and wet hair spread over my pillow. “This look. It’s even better than your morning look.” She smiled brightly, not a hint of shyness or doubt. I kissed those smiling lips and pulled away fully to tie and toss the condom before collapsing onto my back.

  She tucked in, draping her limbs over me. “I think this is my favorite look of yours too.”

  “Oh yeah? The ‘I just had the best sex of my life with the woman of my dreams’ look?”

  Her fingers roamed my chest, drawing circles. “No, the dreamy and sated and ‘I just gave her a few orgasms’ look.”

  “Hell yeah. Better get used to seeing it all the time.” My phone beeped a message from the desk. “No,” I protested. “I don’t want to leave this bed.”

  “I do,” she said, and I turned my face to see her, preparing to hold her captive if I needed to. “I’m starving.”

  “Oh, good point. You can stay. I’ll make some food.”

  “No, I should probably get up too. Check my phone.”

  I kissed her forehead then kicked my feet onto the floor. “I can grab you something clean to wear if you want.”

  “That sounds great, thanks.”

  She padded behind me to the dresser, and I grabbed a pair of sweat shorts for both of us and a T-shirt for her. As she started dressing, I checked my phone. “It’s a text from Jay and Sam. They need to talk. Mind if I call them?”