He moved down between her legs, pushed her knees up and shot his tongue between the lips of her pussy and into the hot, wet opening. “Oh, yeah, oh yeah,” she moaned. His tongue laved and probed. She rose and fell, but it wasn’t enough. “Allen, please. I can’t take it anymore.” His tongue swirled and washed over the inner lips then clamped over her clit, sucking. “Oh, fuck, yes!” She held his head and pressed into him as waves of fluid fire swept through her. “Oh, yeah…yes…” Her hands relaxed, but she continued to ride the tide. “Oh wow!”
When she started to calm, his tongue moved down into the river of juices, drinking. With his fingers he caressed, massaging, and entered her, thrusting hard as his tongue washed over her clit. “Whoa!” She panted as her hips shot up into his face. Moans and whines escaped between hard intakes of air. She yanked at his hair, searching for the peak that would ease the tortuous need. The tip of his tongue flicked over her clit and she swooped over the top. Her legs wrapped around him and her thighs tightened around his head as she strained for the deep clitoral release necessary to regain balance. He pushed her thighs away and drew deeper on her clit. She cried out as she finally reached the plateau. He lapped around his fingers as they continued to thrust, but exhaustion pulled her into darkness.
Chapter 9
Cheri stretched, letting her eyes remain shut for a few minutes longer. The heat radiating along her side told her Allen lay next to her. “How long have I been asleep?”
“Long enough for the stars to put in an appearance.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
She took a peek and saw the darkness of the sky. “I’m sorry for falling asleep.”
“It’s a compliment to have a woman achieve such a deep, exhaustive orgasm.”
She snuggled up to him, welcoming his warm arm around her suddenly chilled flesh. “It’s cooling down.”
He pulled the blanket up around her “Are you hungry?”
“Some.” She looked up at the sky. “The sky is beautiful.”
“It’s a perfect night to make love under the stars.”
“Not when you’re fully dressed. Did you take a walk?”
“I took the fishing gear back to the car.”
She slipped her hand under his shirt, letting it inch up in her quest to run her hand through the dark hair of his chest. “You must have been bored.” Her palm found his nipple and circled over it. It hardened and she ran the tip of her tongue across it before closing her lips around the bud and sucking. She looked up at him when her hand found the fastener of his jeans. “I need you naked.”
He lifted his hips as she pushed his jeans down. “Is there any law that says we can’t stay and watch the sunrise?” he asked.
“Maybe the one that says I require sleep before work.” She let him kick the jeans off and slip under the blanket with her before tracing his bottom lip with her tongue.
“I’ll let you sleep after breakfast.”
“Have you eaten?” The subs weren’t exactly what she wanted, but—
His tongue ran around hers and she figured he wasn’t hungry for what Patty packed either. “Waiting for you.”
She grabbed his ass and pulled him closer and wrapped her leg over him, guiding his cock into her wet pussy. It felt like the peg in the hole thing. He belonged there. Don’t think Cheri, just fuck the hell out of him and send him packing. “Allen, I need you,’ she said, without meaning to.
“I can tell. The walls of your pussy are tightening around my cock, begging for action.” He ran a finger down the length of her nose. “How do you want it?” She swallowed when he nipped her upper lip. “Fast?” The tip of his tongue ran over the slight slit between her lips. “Slow?” Shivers ran through her and it wasn’t from the cool night. “Would you like it deep?” He moved closer, sending his cock in as far as it could go. “Or shallow?” Her muscles contracted when he pulled part way out. “I could stay like this, not move and let you struggle until the demand overwhelms you.” He sucked on her bottom lip and let it go.
“Oh, fuck!” Her body jerked and her forehead fell against his chest while her fingers dug into him. He drove her crazy. She wanted it hard and fast, slow and easy—any way she could have him worked for her right now. “You make me feel like an animal in heat.” His chest rumbled with the chuckle he let out.
He pulled out and pushed her on her stomach, moved behind her and pulled her hips up. “Come up on your knees, baby.” She did and felt him reenter and she pushed back, taking all of him.
“Oh, this feels so good. Fuck me hard, please.”
Allen drew out and back in, drawing groans from the depths of her chest. He pulled out and slammed into her. “Oh, yeah, faster.” He sped up and she thrust back using her hands to support her as he pounded her with his cock. “Oh, that’s it.” She rocked and found his rhythm easy to match. His fingers found her clit and he pulled and pulsed his fingers against it. “Oh, God, Allen!” She didn’t know what to do, press into his hand or his groin.
She wanted it all, wanted to come, but didn’t want him to stop. His gasps came between hers and she reached back and grabbed his balls. They were hard and full, but she didn’t want him to come yet. She wrapped her fingers around the base of his cock and squeezed. A trick she was glad he taught her in Tampa. He stopped moving and ran his tongue up her spine. It drove her crazy with an urge to continue fucking.
“Oh, baby, I need to fill your pussy.”
“Not yet, I don’t want you to stop fucking me.”
“I’m not going to stop fucking you—ever. Let me love you, Cheri.”
She squeezed his cock harder and pulled him free of her pussy and ran her hand along the wet shaft and over the head. He was so hard, so hot. She could feel the veins and wanted to run her tongue over them. To feel his cum shoot down her throat. He let out a guttural groan. “Damn it!” He shot into her hand and she rubbed it down his shaft as she turned and wrapped her mouth around him, swallowing as he thrust and spurted into her throat. His fingers ran through her damp hair, urging her to continue to suck. She ran her tongue under the head, down his shaft and slid off to lick him clean. He sank back on his heels and pulled her up and devoured her mouth with a hunger she craved. She moved over his cock and sat on it, letting him take her backwards as he pumped and ground into her. God, nothing could ever feel so good. She ran her hands over him, down his torso as the waves of the orgasm began to consume her. She wrapped her legs around him and rested her forehead against his chin as he took her over. Her breath swooshed out as she fell. “So good.” Spasms rocked her. “I feel so…” He moved against her clit and sent her through a spiraling slide. “Oh, God! How do you do this to me?”
He slid down her body and buried his face in her pussy, lapping her juices, and when he pushed her thighs up and moved his tongue lower, she stiffened. Unsure of his intentions, she waited and his tongue came back up and he nipped her thighs before lowering them and coming up her body.
“How about some wine and sustenance because, woman, I have plans for your body that will require energy.”
“Oh, yeah.”
He kissed her. “Most definitely.”
She watched him move and open up the basket, knowing damn well Sunday was going to be a rough day—trying to forget he came into her life and changed her view on sex.
* * * *
“Cheri, Allen’s here,” Emily told her as she came to stand beside her at the expo station.
Cheri set a plate on the tray and glanced up at her. “Ok, finish traying up this order. We’re at twenty-five minutes on the next ticket.” She removed the apron and left the kitchen. The noise of the dining room hit her, but when she entered the bar the decibels tripled. People took up every possible space the place had. She made a point to look down the bar and across the cocktail tables. Pagers lay everywhere and that didn’t count those who were out walking the shopping center. It meant at least an hour wait. She scanned the crowd near the entrance.
Allen stood near the host stand, handso
me, relaxed and his eyes on her. She smiled as she approached him. “Hi.” He kissed her. It caught her off guard and she looked around to see who saw it. An older man winked at her. Great! Embarrassed, she told Allen, “I’m sorry, it’s been crazy tonight. I can’t leave until we’re off the wait. I’m not sure how long that will be.”
“Anything I can do?”
“Add an extra dining room.”
He chuckled. “I would if I could. Go do what you have to. I’ll wait.”
“You’ll be more comfortable back at the apartment.”
“Don’t worry. Go on back to work.” She turned to go, but he grabbed her arm and kissed her again. “That’ll hold me.”
What’s the use? Her reputation couldn’t be more tainted. She pulled his head down and gave him a long, hungry kiss. “That will hold me.” She turned and avoided eye contact with everyone in her path on her way to the kitchen. “Where are we at?” she asked as she tied the apron.
“Thirty on the lead.”
“Thanks. Would you make sure the bar is all right?”
“Sure. Did Allen leave?”
“Em, not now.” She looked over the lead ticket. “Monty, what’s up with 126?”
“Coming up now.”
She pulled baked potatoes from the steam drawer and started to prepare them with butter and sour cream. “Ken, stay here,” she said when she noticed him looking at the tickets. She pulled the plates as fast as they came up in the window. “If they complain about the wait, offer free desserts and tell Emily the order came from me.”
“Thanks.” He hefted the tray and balanced it on his fingertips and left. She grabbed another tray and pulled pastas from the sauté window for the next ticket, called for the server or a runner and moved on to the next ticket. The ticket times were too long and she pushed to get them down. The sooner they were off the wait, the sooner she could be alone with Allen. When things seemed to be leveling to a more reasonable flow, she reached for her glass. “Great job, guys. I’m outta here.”
“Right behind you. See ya tomorrow,” Monty said.
Cheri removed her apron and washed her hands, wondering what Allen found to do since the last update. Last she’d heard, he made Patty’s night by bartending and selling top shelf liquor. She’d gone so far as to suggest no offer would be too high to keep him. Of course, the bar was her department and she’d love anyone who could smooth talk a customer into spending more money. Smooth talk. Have I fallen for it as well?
She sighed and pulled a towel from the dispenser to dry her hands. Patty came back into the kitchen. “Where will I find him?”
Patty grinned. “He’s sitting at 203 with your mother and sisters.”
“Why wasn’t I told they were here?” Panic rose up and she nearly broke into a run, but then stopped and turned around. “How long has the pow-wow been going on?”
“Maybe a half hour or so.”
Her heart fell. By now, he knew every secret and had heard every embarrassing childhood story. The women in her family knew exactly how to talk fast and fill in the blanks for each other. She entered the bar and rounded the booths in time to hear her mother say, “She’s stubborn, but don’t let up.”
Allen sat beside her mother with his hands in hers. Her mark of approval. Oh, no! Tears stung the back of her eyes, but she pasted on a smile.
She walked up to the group and kissed her mom on the cheek. “Hi, Mom.” She glared at her sisters. “I see you’ve met Allen.”
“We’ve been getting to know him.” The gleam in her baby sister’s eyes confirmed her fears.
Allen stood and held his chair for her to sit next to her mother. Without thinking, she took his hand. “Listen, I’d love to stay and chat, but I promised to fix a catfish dinner and it’s getting late.”
Her mother stood and cupped her cheeks. “Honey, it’s all right.” She looked away from her mother, hating how she knew her so well. This wasn’t the time or place for her to bring up matters she didn’t want Allen to know about. Her mother let her go. “Go feed this wonderful man and we’ll see you at dinner Sunday.”
She glared at her sisters. “I will see you later.”
Cheri nearly pulled Allen away from them and out the front door. He stopped her with a yank on her arm. “What?” she asked.
“You tell me.”
“Everyone thinks you’re so damn perfect. Everything you do—my mother was holding your hand.”
“Jealous?”
“No, I’m not jealous. She made you part of the family and…” She stepped away from him. Her chest hurt and the tightness threatened to turn off the air. “They told you things you have no right knowing. The reasons I can’t use someone I know; a sperm bank. The reason I don’t want you in my life. They had no right to gang—”
Allen leaned over and kissed her, putting a halt to her ranting, then scooped her up in his arms. “Put me down!” He walked past the full-length windows, in full view of the women. “You idiot. I have to put up with those hens after you leave tomorrow.”
“They seem harmless enough.”
“Oh, my God! They are the least harmless bunch of women when it comes to relationships of a sibling.”
He set her on her feet at the curb. “Cheri, they tried to tell me what you’re afraid of, but I stopped them. You need to be the one to tell me. I want to hear it from you.”
Pissed that they were so willing to tell him, she spit out, “There isn’t anything you need to know. You’re leaving tomorrow and that’s the end of the story.”
“Is it?”
“It has to be. And the reasons are mine. It was never part of the deal for you to come here, or meet my family.” She turned and stormed across the road to the parking lot, leaving him to follow or not. He caught up with her at the car and she whirled on him when he took hold of her arm. “Drop it!”
His hand fell. “Honey, the reasons don’t matter, but I’d like to know—”
“No. Allen.” How could she stand here and tell him what happened between them meant nothing and she couldn’t trust him with her secrets? She wasn’t so sure of that anymore.
He tipped her chin up, forcing her to look at him. “I’d like to hear them when you feel like telling me.” He brushed his lips across hers. “Let’s go have that catfish dinner.”
Her eyes closed in relief. “That’s the best idea I’ve heard in hours.”
He whispered in her ear, “I have a better idea for dessert that will take us until breakfast.”
Shivers ran down her spine and the hopes of surviving one more night with him wouldn’t completely destroy her wall. She slid into the car when he opened the door.
* * * *
A week after Allen returned home, Cheri sat in the office with a cup of chamomile and peppermint tea. The menu changes Corporate sent for her to look over lay on the desk ignored. She couldn’t concentrate. The click of the door barely registered, but she glanced up. She didn’t speak.
“Ok, I heard you had your claws out this morning. What gives?” Emily asked.
Cheri burst into tears.
“Hey, what’s up?” Emily ran her hand over her back.
After Cheri blew her nose, she confessed, “My period started this morning.”
“Oh, hell. I thought you didn’t want to have Allen’s baby.”
“I didn’t. At least I thought I didn’t.” She took a deep breath. “It’s worse than that. I don’t want to see this other guy.”
Emily laughed. “Love is grand, isn’t it?”
“Not when I continue to dream he’s killed on his way to meet me at Wrigley Field.”
“Oh, God! I’m so sorry.”
“I know it’s all psychosomatic. I haven’t been to a ballgame since dad died and have no intention of going now.
“Then that should eliminate the chance of it happening.”
“I can’t believe this is happening. It was supposed to be sex. Just sex. How could I let this happen?” She stood. “I need to get out of here and clear
my head. Would you mind holding the fort?”
“Go get some ice cream, have a good cry and I’ll see you a bit.”
“Thanks, Em.” She grabbed her purse and nearly ran out the back door. As soon as she got in the car, she knew where she had to go. Who she had to talk to.
* * * *
Twenty minutes later, Cheri wandered around the showroom of her mother’s florist shop while she put together an arrangement order for a waiting customer.
“Cheri.”
She looked up from her kneeling position, where she’d been straightening a shelf of novelty plant stakes.
Her mom handed her a cup of tea. “I’m sorry, baby.”
“How did—”
“Honey, I know all my girls.” She put her hair behind her ear, something her mother did when she was trying to soothe her.
“I don’t know what to do. I have an arrangement with this guy for next month, but…” Tears rolled down her cheeks.
A warm, gentle arm led her back to the office. “Cheri, honey, it’s been a long time since your father died. He wouldn’t want you to pass on something special because of the guilt you hold onto so tight that it’s been suffocating you.”
“I saw you holding his hand.” She took the tissues her mother handed her. “I feel like the universe is against me.”
Her mom grinned. “He’s a good man, with a big heart. Give him a chance and whatever unfolds, go with it.”
She looked at her with tear filled eyes. “What does that mean?”
“Life is full of surprises. It wouldn’t hurt for you to allow your plans to be altered by someone who loves you.”
“Been that route.”
They heard the bell and she had to return to the front. “I’m sorry, hon, I’m alone this morning.”
“It’s all right. I need to get back to work.” She hugged her. “I love you.”
“Love you, too, baby. If you want to talk later, come by.”
Cheri sat in her car, rubbing her fingers across her forehead. She had a headache now, but her mother’s words replayed through her mind reminding her of her sister’s psychic friend. A glance at her watch said she didn’t have time to see if the woman was free.
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