by Rae, Alicia
I massaged my hands back up his back once again, feeling his hard muscles beneath my fingers. Each curve radiated strength as I made my way across to his shoulders.
“Feel good?” I asked softly while my hands continued stroking each toned muscle.
“Oh yeah,” Kyle groaned into the pillow. He turned his head to the side and tucked his forearms under his cheek. “Whenever your hands are on me, it feels way better than good.”
I smiled fondly. “I know the feeling.” I switched to using the pads of my fingertips to gently caress his skin. “When you touch me, the rest of the world seems to slip away.”
He turned onto his back. As I started to slide off, he gripped my thighs and held me in place. I affectionately braced my hands on his warm chest and smiled.
“That only seems fair…considering you have changed my whole world.” His hands came up around my waist before gliding their way up my sides. He pulled me down until his lips were mere inches from mine. “You are my whole world.”
My heart warmed as blood pulsed in my veins with determined force. It felt so intimate to be sitting on a bed in only half our clothing. There was nowhere else I wanted to be.
“Ditto,” I breathed.
His smile was slow and genuine. My breathing sped up as I tried to take him all in. From his gorgeous grins to his pure heart, he was utterly beautiful.
Then, his grin turned naughty. “I will kiss you on one condition,” Kyle said in a small voice.
The beating in my chest was uncontrollable. “Wh-what’s that?” I stuttered, entirely too distracted with his mouth and his eyes.
“I want to take you on a date tomorrow,” he stated, his fingers stroking my cheek tenderly.
“I thought we were leaving tomorrow?” I asked, not understanding his intentions.
“We are.”
When his hands touched me, my mind seemed to malfunction. “Is this a trick question? Because I’m confused.”
“I want to drive to Colorado with you.” Kyle paused, running his fingertips across my collarbone, as he let an adorable boyish grin slip. “A road trip.”
“A road trip?” I raised my eyebrow while contemplating his offer. “Feeling spontaneous, are we?”
“Yup.” He smiled.
“Aren’t we supposed to be grown-ups and be responsible? Shouldn’t we finish what I need to do in Colorado and get back to the daily grind, like working?” I frowned. It sounded so boring.
Kyle let my words fester for a moment, realizing his plan was working. “I’m winning this debate, aren’t I?” He grinned again. “You did all the convincing for me. We can be responsible after our three-day drive.” He paused as if he could sense my reservations.
I craved normalcy, and nothing would be normal until I finished Colorado.
“You need this, Lily. I can tell you’re not ready to go back yet. You’ve had an extremely intense last few days. It will be good for you to regroup and go back with a clear mind.”
Picking my battles, I huffed exasperatedly. “You win.” I contemplated and then added my own stipulation. “On one condition,” I said, pinning him with my gaze.
Kyle let out a deep breath, once again reading my thoughts somehow. It was time. He needed to tell me what he knew. I wanted to know what had him walking on edge all evening.
“Okay,” he murmured. “I knew this was coming.”
“How bad is it?”
His jaw tightened along with every muscle beneath my touch. “Bad,” he answered so softly I almost didn’t hear him.
“Tell me,” I whispered even though I didn’t want to know.
“Luke was jet skiing with a pretty large group on the day of the accident. At some point, he lost control and had a rough fall. Luke only remembers a few parts, not really any details.”
He hesitated, and my mind started guessing his next words.
“The question is…whether it was an accident or if it was intentional.”
I gasped.
“Does that mean…” I stopped, unable to continue. “D-do you think…”
His hand brushed my hair that had fallen free behind my shoulder. “I don’t know for sure, but anything is possible if it was premeditated. The police will investigate it. Remember though, making the connection between different counties takes time, and it doesn’t mean that there is one.”
My eyes became unfocused, and I swayed forward. It couldn’t be…please don’t let it be connected…be my fault.
Kyle wrapped his arms tightly around my waist and sat up, balancing me. “Stop. This is not your fault.” He hugged me hard. “We’re going to figure this out.”
All I could do was nod.
Kyle wiped my tears with one hand while the other held me firmly in place. Closing the distance, he kissed me with intentions to comfort and soothe. Time stood still as he continued to hold me in the security of his arms. Pulling me tighter into his embrace, he lay back down as I snuggled my cheek into the warmness of his chest.
Tonight, I didn’t want to sleep in my familiar little nook in his side. I wanted to hear his strong, confident heartbeat beneath my ear—reassuring me, surrounding me, and protecting me.
Mondays were supposed to be the worst day of the week, but not today. I was going on my first actual road trip. The only other time I was in a car for a long period of time had been on my trip from Colorado to where I’d ended up in Florida. I wasn’t counting that as a road trip experience though. Even traveling with my family as a kid had been more of a family vacation.
Ready to start the day, I sat up in bed with a smile on my face, but then I noticed that I was completely tangled in covers. I glanced at Kyle and realized he had none. I giggled quietly, feeling like a blanket hog, and then I covered his lower body up to his chest.
Thinking back to all the times when he had woken me up far too early, I decided to snuggle up close and return the favor. I climbed over his sleeping body and laid my chest against his.
While kissing him softly, Kyle stirred and automatically wrapped his arms around my waist, tugging me closer.
“Morning, beautiful girl.” His tone was throaty and rough. “What has you up so early?”
That voice of his was definitely sexy.
“Someone promised me a road trip.” I leaned forward and kissed him. “My first road trip, I might add.” I tilted my head to kiss the base of his throat. “So, I have pretty high expectations.”
“Mmm,” Kyle moaned as I placed another kiss above the last. “I guess I’ll have to make it very memorable then,” he responded with a hooded stare.
His hands cupped the sides of my face and pulled me toward him to close the distance. My lips and tongue mingled with his, stirring me into a heated frenzy in seconds.
“Starting now,” Kyle added as he turned over, taking me with him until I was flat on my back.
My body hummed beneath him as he towered over me. My heart was beating faster from only the sight of him as his eyes bore into mine. A sensual tremor shot down my spine, pooling between my thighs.
Starting at the top, I slowly slid my hands down each of his shoulders with a soft, gentle touch. When I reached his firm pectoral muscles, I lightly used the tip of my nails to make my way down to his taut, toned stomach. Kyle quivered at the sensation as his eyes darkened with adoring lust. My name left his lips in a possessive hoarse tone.
I slowly ran my fingers along the line of his waistband once and then again, teasing him, as I lifted my pelvis off the bed to rub against his hard erection. His control snapped as he shuddered and leaned back to step off the bed.
After shucking his pants and briefs in record speed, he grabbed the back of my knees and pulled me to the edge of the bed. The fast movement made my T-shirt rise, exposing the lower part of my breasts. His eyes burned into my skin with a look of yearning as his hands grazed up my inner thighs.
My lips parted as he leaned forward and ran his mouth up the length of my thigh and then over my cotton panties before he stopped at the
hem. His breath was warm on my skin as he parted his lips and licked a trail across the width of the seam, teasing me, until I moaned. Kyle bit the material while using his hands to lift my bottom off the bed. With only his teeth, he pulled until my underwear hit the floor.
Damn, that was hot.
As I thought about reaching for him, he dropped to his knees and used his thumbs to spread me wide. I barely heard a growl leave his throat as I whimpered at the first touch of his warm mouth against my aching flesh.
Kyle’s movements were deliberate with measured, tender strokes along the length of my sex. Every nerve in my abdomen clenched while tingling, wanting more. I was entranced with every sensation and every touch as my lungs strenuously pumped air in and out while I silently begged for more.
His arms gripped around my legs and lifted them up and over his shoulders, allowing him deeper access to thrust his tongue. My back arched off the bed, pushing my sex into his greedy mouth, as I let out a pleasure-filled cry.
My fingers twisted in the bedsheets at my side as my body writhed. I could feel the edge of my release growing closer and closer. Kyle’s hands moved to each side of my waist and slipped beneath to grab my rear end in his firm grasp. He squeezed and kneaded while I rocked my hips into his mouth as his tongue swirled, lapped, and sucked on my clit relentlessly.
All the air left my lungs as my orgasm broke free, spiraling in outward motions from the center of my core. My body felt hot and cold at the same time. I was delirious with pleasure from my release.
Kyle stood to his feet with a look on his face that was absolutely delicious. Desire and need poured off of him in intense waves. His lips glistened with moisture from my sex.
My skin felt flushed and hypersensitive. I was ready for more as he crawled his way back over my body to straddle my waist. I instantly responded to his closeness, anxious to feel his hands on my skin and my hands on him.
Kyle quickly got rid of my shirt. He tossed it on the floor without a backward glance. His gaze dropped to my breasts, lingering and devouring them with his eyes.
“Only seeing half of these was such a tease.” He grinned.
Before I could respond, his lips sealed over my nipple, and I gasped. His tongue whirled around the outer edge before pulling back and sucking on it with enough force to make me groan out loud.
A deep tingle spread from my breast and shot straight to my groin. Needing to feel his mouth against mine, I tugged him up and kissed him feverishly. I could taste myself on his tongue as he deepened the kiss, lengthening his strokes and then sucking on my tongue.
He was powerful and dominant in his lovemaking. I felt the need to rise to the challenge and be his equally strong partner. As he released my tongue, I dipped it underneath and hollowed my cheeks to suck his tongue into my mouth. My fingers ran through the locks of his ruffled hair as I pulled him closer.
Kyle growled into my mouth, and his chest expanded for air. I let go of his tongue and bit his bottom lip with the tip of my teeth before drawing on it gently. With uneven and erratic breathing, our tongues continued an erotic dance together.
Never breaking our kiss, Kyle shifted his pelvis to rub his erection along my sex while his thumb ran small circles over my clit. My hips had a mind of their own as they swayed brazenly against his. He teased me over and over, penetrating one inch at a time before pulling back. My muscles contracted against him, and Kyle’s jaw clenched with each contraction that I had no control over. Wanting to take him deep within my body made me damn near delirious.
Without warning, he gripped my hips and seated himself fully inside me, stretching me wide, and I clenched around him in response. Our groans blended together in the quietness of the room.
A deep yearning inside my chest tightened as it did every time we made love. His eyes were filled with so much love and passion. It was as if he could see into the depths of my heart, healing it, giving it a sense of belonging and making me whole again.
We moved together, each pulling our bodies back only to unite again as one. I tightened my arms around his broad shoulders and let my feelings take over. My release climbed and climbed that invisible wall, and I turned my eyes to see Kyle gritting his teeth as he tried to keep his impending orgasm at bay.
I came first, letting out a soft cry. Kyle bent his head down to take my mouth against his. He swallowed each sound that escaped my lips as his body shuddered with release.
Lying there, we panted as we tried to steady our own breathing. My fingers stroked through his hair. It was getting much longer now, and it was starting to curl at the ends.
Kyle lifted his head, bracing most of his weight on his limbs, while we lay tangled in the sheets. He smiled, and I reciprocated, loving his soft, tender smile.
“You need to get a haircut while we’re on our road trip.” I ran my fingers in between the waves of his hair again, embracing the close, intimate contact.
“I’ll be right back.” He kissed me and rose to his feet.
I blinked, wondering what he could possibly be doing. He returned with his toiletry bag. A mischievous smile spread across his handsome features.
“Ever given a haircut?” Kyle asked.
“Uh…” My eyes widened. He can’t be serious. “No.”
“There’s always time to learn.” He gave me a carefree, live-in-the-moment type of grin.
Oh crap. He is serious. “What if I ruin it?” I asked, horrified. My pulse accelerated at the thought of messing up his hair that I loved so much.
“Not possible,” Kyle answered easily as he pulled me to my feet. “If you do, I’ll just shave it.” He shrugged as if it weren’t a big deal.
My mouth gaped open. I could not picture him with a buzz cut. I loved that damn hair.
“I used to shave it all the time when I was in the Army.”
“But I love running my fingers through it,” I protested.
Kyle got dressed and made his way to the bathroom. I tried to process why on earth he would let me cut his hair. I put on an old tank top and shorts and quickened my steps to follow him into the bathroom.
I would definitely be annoyed if I botched his gorgeous hair. That would mean a long few weeks of missing its silkiness while it grew back.
“Then, I guess you better not mess it up.” Kyle smirked at me in the mirror as he sat on a stool.
“Jeez…” I shakily picked up the scissors from his bag. “No pressure or anything.”
He chuckled. “Think of it as another memorable road trip memory.” His eyes met mine in the mirror. “But don’t cut me.”
My eyes bulged in fear, and he laughed.
“You’ll do fine,” he reassured way too comfortably.
“Um…” I tried to think of what to do first. “To the sink. Let’s get it wet.”
Kyle bent backward, maneuvering his head above the sink, as I turned on the faucet. I checked the water temperature as my heart hammered in my chest. I did not want to screw up his beautiful hair.
It was silly to be nervous about it. His hair would grow back, and men’s hair always seemed to grow quickly. I still had this image running through my mind of cutting it too short on one side or another. Then, Kyle would have no choice but to buzz it. Hmm, what would he look like with short hair?
I used my fingers to run the water through his hair. Kyle sat perfectly still with his eyes closed. Even sitting before me, his frame was so broad.
I grabbed a towel from the rack and went to hand it to him as he sat upright on his stool. Instead of taking the towel from me, he bent forward in my direction and shook his head from side to side, spraying me with water.
“Kyle!” I squealed. “What are you…” My voice carried off as I laughed hard.
I tried to dodge him by taking a step backward, but he was much faster than me. I shrieked as he pulled me into his arms. He rubbed his wet hair against my neck and chest, tickling my skin, before his lips moved to kiss the side of my neck playfully. As he lifted his head, tiny droplets were dripping
from his defined cheekbones all the way down to his chin. His big brownish-green eyes met mine, and my breath caught in my throat before he closed in for a sweet, passionate kiss.
Kyle tilted his head with a grin. “Alright, beautiful…” he said, wrapping the towel around his shoulders. “Let’s see how much damage you can do.”
“No distracting me.” I spread my palms wide on his chest and pushed. “I need to concentrate.”
He sat back down on the stool, and smirked. “I’ll try to behave.”
I began to run the comb through his hair while trying to think of how a stylist would do it. I was hoping I could make it straight and even. I was just going to have to wing it.
Through his reflection in the mirror, I could see Kyle’s eyes dancing with amusement. I bit my lip nervously and looked back at his hair. As I ran my fingers along his scalp, he closed his eyes and groaned his approval. He seemed to love when I massaged my fingers anywhere along his skin.
I lifted my fingers and decided to trim about three-quarters of an inch in length. I held the scissors in what I hoped was a straight line. Squinting, I cut it.
“Don’t close your eyes!” Kyle screeched, partly laughing. “You might cut yourself or me!”
I jumped and met his gaze. “Sorry!” Looking down at his hair, I beamed. It was damn near a straight line.
Growing more confident, I kept going all the way down the back of his head, making straight rows. I wet his hair here and there as needed while threading my fingers through it. Aiming for a less choppy look, I then made the same cuts from side to side.
Kyle stayed quiet while keeping his eyes closed. When needed, he leaned into my touch. A few times, he watched me, and I felt as though I was stripped naked before his eyes.
Cutting his hair was such a simple but intimate task.
Once I was finished, I stood back and admired my work. It looks pretty darn good. Hopefully, it will still look like that once it dries. Hair covered the counter, floor, and our clothes.