Third Base

by Author Stella

  “So you weren’t lying when you said you’ve only been with me those two times?”

  “What reason would I have to lie about that? I’ve never admitted it to anyone before. It’s embarrassing. Emasculating.”

  “Why?”

  I huffed a humorless laugh. “I was a professional baseball player who couldn’t make it past third base with anyone other than his best friend…twice. I’m twenty-two years old. How is that not humiliating?”

  Her lips split into an excited grin, further fueling my fire.

  “See? And now you’re laughing at me.”

  Her grin faltered, and when I finally paid attention to her eyes, I noticed the way they glistened with unshed tears. “I don’t care about your scorecard with other women, Coby. The only one that matters is the one you have with me. And considering you’re two for two, I’d say that’s a pretty good record.”

  She pushed off the couch and crossed the few feet to stand in front of me, eliminating every millimeter of space between us. She held my face and pulled my lips to hers, offering me the kind of comfort I so desperately needed but wasn’t sure I’d ever get from her again. At least, not that way.

  But it didn’t last long enough.

  “And I wasn’t laughing at you,” she whispered with our lips barely touching, our heated breaths mingling between us. “I was relieved.”

  “At what?”

  “That I’m not the only one with only two home runs under my belt.”

  I couldn’t move. My fingers flexed over her hips while I replayed her words in my head. I had to have heard her wrong—or misunderstood. “You mean…two guys? As in Ryan and me?”

  “No,” she breathed out. “Two times. One guy. You. Only you.”

  This time, I did move. I pulled her against me until our bodies were pressed together so tightly, not even air could move between us, and then I claimed her mouth with mine. This kiss was harsher, deeper, longer. But when she whimpered, I softened it until it ended.

  “Do you remember what you said to me before you fell asleep last night? After I took your shoes off? You hugged me and said…”

  “I love you.”

  She hesitated and slowly bit her bottom lip. “Yeah…that. You were drunk, so I—”

  “I’m not right now. So believe me when I say it.” I brushed my lips from the corner of her mouth to her ear, where I whispered, “I love you so much it hurts.”

  Chapter 16

  Ellie

  “I love you, too, Coby.” I’d said those exact words more times than I could count, but never had they felt the way they did today. The nervous flutter of uncontainable love flowed through me, pulsing in my veins. The high was exquisite, and somehow, I was certain it was one I’d never come down from.

  Coby and I had navigated this relationship for twenty-two years, and it had always just been. There were never any questions, and it was always flawlessly natural, but something about hearing those three words in the context of a lover versus my best friend had me floating. I had no idea how either of us had missed our souls connecting, but maybe it had happened so long ago that they’d never been lost without each other.

  My heart had always beat for Coby Kyler, and there was no doubt in my mind it always would. And as amazing as it would be to ride out this wave of nirvana, there were still some things we hadn’t dealt with. Which he guessed the moment I pulled my smiling face away from his.

  He eyed me suspiciously. “I knew this had gone too well. What’s still on your mind?” His tone was playful and teasing.

  “I need to make sure you believe me. You didn’t see what you thought you did last night, Coby.”

  “With Gage?”

  I nodded. “He leaned in to kiss my cheek just as you opened the door.”

  “It doesn’t matter, Ellie.”

  “But it matters to me. Gage is a great friend. He didn’t cross some invisible line you had drawn in the sand when you puffed your chest out and peed on my leg without telling anyone.”

  He shook his head just before he started to speak. “If he were such a great friend, he wouldn’t have taken that step with you, E.T. I understand I never told him how I felt about you, but that doesn’t matter. It’s guy code—you were off limits.”

  “Stop. Please. That’s what I’m trying to tell you. Gage took me to a really nice restaurant, but before we even got out of his truck, he told me there would never be another date. He didn’t touch me other than to escort me into the building. And after we left there, he took me to his Granny’s land to tell me what a mistake you and I were making by denying that there’s more between us. Gage convinced me to tell you how I feel.”

  His jaw dropped just slightly, and the bewilderment shone brightly on his face.

  “Gage Nix helped me see that never experiencing what we could be was risking far more than the chance we were taking with our friendship. He knows you love me. He fought for you—for us.”

  “Then why did he kiss you?” His brow furrowed, causing his eyes to narrow. The step he’d taken backward further illustrated his frustration and inability to understand.

  “Don’t pull away.” I tugged on his hands, keeping him close. “I know he tried to talk to you last night—he told me this morning that he sent you texts and left voicemails. Have you read any of those?”

  “I don’t owe him anything.”

  “No, but if you would’ve answered one message, or read one text, you would’ve known the truth then. And maybe you wouldn’t have felt the need to drink so much.”

  “I saw him kiss you, Ellie. My eyes may be messed up, but I know what I saw.”

  “It wasn’t intentional—I swear.”

  He gave me a look that said he wasn’t buying it, and I rolled my eyes.

  “At least not the way it happened. Gage leaned in to kiss my cheek when you jerked the door open. It startled me, and I turned toward you—that’s when it happened. But it was platonic. Please don’t think it was anything different. That misconception doesn’t need to linger in the back of your mind.”

  Coby didn’t bother responding with words; instead, he showed me with actions that he wouldn’t let whatever had or hadn’t happened with Gage stand in his way. He dropped my hands in favor of grabbing my hips to pull me closer to him, and sealed his lips to mine in a deep, passionate kiss that made my toes curl. I fisted one hand in his shirt, slid the other around his neck, and roamed my fingers through his overgrown hair.

  With each swipe of his tongue with mine, I lost a little more of my grip on reality, falling prey to the world where only the two of us existed.

  Before I knew what was going on, Coby lifted me, and my legs instinctively wrapped around his waist as he moved. Down the hall, his long legs strolled toward the master bedroom—his bedroom. And when he laid me down on the bed, he stopped just long enough to lose his clothing. Seeing Coby in nothing but the skin God gave him, my heart flipped and butterflies launched in my stomach that produced a smile so wide it made my cheeks hurt. Everything about him was perfectly flawless from the way his muscles flexed in his chest to the deep V etched in his waistline, all the way up to his soft-brown eyes that radiated with love. I took his extended hand and stood. He studied my face as his fingers found the hem of my shirt and lifted it over my head. And then he tucked his thumbs into the waistband of my shorts, removing them and my panties in one movement. He swept me back into his embrace, and I laughed when we bounced on the bed.

  My giggles silenced when Coby’s eyes met mine. I’d never seen him look at me the way he did at that moment. It was almost hungry, hedonistic, as though he’d waited his entire life to share this moment with me. Even though we’d shared it twice before, this time was different. His fingers swept my auburn hair from my face, and his eyes closed as he leaned down to touch my lips with his. It was tender and slow and it sent emotions through my entire body.

  He tipped his forehead to mine as he settled between my legs, keeping his weight off me by propping himself up on his
forearms. Without opening his eyes, he whispered, “I love you, Ellie.”

  I gasped when he entered me, unable to respond. My back arched, my chest thrusting upward, and my thighs fell open like the wings of a butterfly. Everything about this was different from the last two times. Coby made love to me, finally expressing what both of our souls had known for so long yet our minds had been unwilling to accept. There was nothing left separating us, no outside influence, no denial of what we were to each other, no refusal to embrace what nature had destined us to be…just Coby and Ellie.

  He peppered kisses along my neck as he rolled his hips in time with mine. Nipping at my skin, gently teasing me with his teeth. My pulse raced and my heart thumped. My insides burned with desire, longing to get as close to him as possible. I’d never felt anything more sublime. As I began to peak, I desperately tried to keep the rush at bay, not wanting the moment to end. But it dawned on me, this was just the beginning. This wasn’t a one-time thing where we were both exploring, this wasn’t a sleep-induced mishap…this was the start of an affair with Coby that would stand the test of time. And when this ended, we had our entire lives to keep doing it—to perfect the way we showed each other adoration and devotion.

  Coby could tell I was close. “Let go, E.T.”

  And just like I always had where Coby was concerned, I came home. Calling out his name, I gasped for breath as every cell in my body soared with pleasure, my mind going blank while Coby brought me the greatest pleasure I’d ever known.

  He followed shortly afterward, and watching the expression on his face as I saw him experience what I just had, filled me with love and pride. This man belonged to me, and I to him. He rolled to the side, taking my body with his as he pulled out. The sated glow in his eyes kept my high going. The tender way he kissed my lips left me never wanting to leave the comfort of this sanctuary.

  I stroked his jaw with my fingers and smiled subtly before admitting, “I’m so glad we never shared this with anyone else.” My cheeks flushed with heat when I realized what I’d said. But while my mind wanted to be embarrassed, my heart wouldn’t allow it.

  “Me too.”

  Unlike the times before, we didn’t fall asleep tangled in each other’s embrace, and there was nothing awkward about being exactly where we were—completely exposed, both literally and emotionally. We began to talk while our fingers caressed exposed skin and learned the details of our bodies. I allowed my eyes to close, not from exhaustion but just to enjoy his touch and the feel of Coby near me.

  “Ellie?”

  His voice was soft as though he was afraid he might wake someone. I loved how deep and almost scratchy his words became when he spoke in a hushed tone. It was raspy and husky…and likely the sexiest sound I’d ever heard.

  I opened my eyes to see his gorgeous browns staring back at me. “Yeah?”

  “You’re never sleeping anywhere but next to me again, understood?” It wasn’t so much a question as a statement he needed to make sure I understood.

  “I hadn’t really thought about it.”

  “Well, think about it.” He situated himself above me, forcing me to my back. “I don’t want you having your own room or going to bed alone. You should be by my side every night. I didn’t know what I was doing as it was happening, but I saved myself for you, and now that I have you, I refuse to let go.” His lips split into a teasing grin. “I realize my bed isn’t a board floating in the ocean, but there’s enough room on it for the both of us all the same. When I say I’ll never let go, I mean it. Unlike that bitch from your period movie.”

  I laughed and tried to shove him away, knowing he was making fun of me without being cruel. But he refused to budge, only wagging his brows before dipping to place a kiss on my nose.

  While I hadn’t thought about it, I certainly wasn’t opposed to the idea. But giving in without a little bit of a struggle just wouldn’t be me. “But your room is so masculine. We could be like those TV couples in the fifties and sixties who have separate beds. Although, I’m not sure how they ever had kids sleeping alone on twin mattresses with a nightstand between them.” I pretended to ponder that thought while Coby’s chest began to heave in frustration.

  “You can redecorate.”

  “What about the closet?”

  “What about it?”

  “Won’t your clothes get offended by the presence of my clearance-rack bargains?” I teased him with the same words he’d used so often to describe my wardrobe.

  His eyes dropped to my chest, and he spoke to my breasts instead of my face. “How about a no-clothing rule in this room?”

  “What are you staring at?” I was confused by the dazed and goofy grin on his face.

  “Your boobs are perfect. I love the color of your nipples and the way they feel in my hands.”

  “What?” I almost shrieked the word, but my surprise was stifled by the laughter that came with it. “What are you talking about?”

  “You. I’m just staring at you and thinking about how gorgeous you are and realizing nothing ever worked with other women because they weren’t you. Their eyes weren’t the right color, their nipples weren’t this sexy shade of pink, they didn’t have a butt and thighs to grab onto.”

  “You’re delusional, Coby.” I appreciated the sentiment, but I wasn’t blind. None of my assets were comparable to the women who flocked to the guys on Coby’s team.

  “Nope, just hopelessly in love with you. All the pieces are falling into place, and as they do, each one hits me like a bolt of lightning.”

  I shook my head in disbelief.

  “But back to the closet situation, we can have it customized with sliding doors to hide your basement bargains.”

  “That’s rude. My hangers take offense.”

  “It’s not the hangers that you got on sale.”

  I knew he was playing; Coby didn’t care about my clothing any more than I did. “There’s nothing wrong with saving money and living on a budget, Mr. Kyler.”

  He poked me playfully in the side and said, “Except there’s no reason for you to. We have more money than we could ever spend. You don’t have to shop in the clearance section of Dollar General.”

  I felt him harden between my legs, and the quirky grin he gave me as his erection teased my center made me want to drop the conversation in favor of intimacy, but Coby wasn’t giving up, and neither was I.

  “You may have more money than you can spend, but I, however, am a teacher at a private school where the benefits outweigh the salary. So, your clothes can either learn to mingle with the working class or live a life of solitude.”

  “Fine. I’ll clear out one side. What other bogus objection are you going to throw my way?”

  “Can we get a dog?”

  “Where do you come up with this stuff? You talk about me being random.”

  “Or maybe a cat?” I tapped my chin as though in deep thought.

  “We can get one of each if that resolves the issue.”

  He slid his length between my slit, caressing me, testing me, hoping my desire for him physically would override my objections. I moaned with desire, trying to maneuver my way to what I craved most.

  Coby was aware of what I was doing and played hard to get. “Uh-uh. Not until you agree.”

  “You want this, too.” Just as I positioned myself to be able to use my heels to push him in, he backed away.

  “I promise I can wait. How long can you hold out?”

  I was punishing us both unnecessarily, just because I could and toying with Coby was fun, but sex had never been at stake when I’d manipulated him to get my way in the past.

  My lips met his in one final attempt to silence his demands, and he allowed me to lead, but he held firm on keeping me at bay below the waist. Every time our tongues touched, I wanted more, until the point I finally relinquished my position.

  Breathlessly, I tore my mouth from his and settled my heels on his firm rear end. “Fine.” It was more of a moan than a word, but Coby heard it
loud and clear. And when I pulled him to me with my feet, he sank all the way in, once again taking away my breath in ecstasy.

  “God, you feel good.” The murmured words tickled my ear and riled my heart.

  I’d enjoyed sex with Coby the first two times it had happened, but it hadn’t been the earth-shattering experiences today’s encounters had brought. He hit every spot just right, took his time, and made sure this rendezvous was better than the last. The funny thing was, even though every sexual experience had been vastly different, they’d each been unique and special in their own way.

  “Coby…” I begged for the release only he could provide. “Please.” I moaned the word in his ear. And with one final thrust, he sent me over the edge. My teeth dug into his shoulder and my nails into the skin of his back, and I flew into sensual bliss as though I had wings.

  He collapsed on the bed next to me, both of us completely spent and virtually spread-eagle on his king-size bed. I watched his chest rise and fall until his breathing returned to normal and a goofy smile spread across my face. He then rolled out of bed and made his way to the bathroom. My eyes never left his butt—I admired the way it flexed with each step he took. When he disappeared behind the door, I took the time to sit up and pull my pajamas back on.

  “Why’d you get dressed?” He startled me with the abrupt question, and I giggled when I turned to see him staring at me with a confused look on his face and his penis dangling in front of him. I wasn’t accustomed to seeing him act so comfortable naked, but he’d settled into the role like he was born for it.

  “I’m starving. I didn’t think cooking nude would be such a great idea.”

  He wandered up to me, securing my hips in his hands when he reached me. “Let me take you out…on a date. I want to do all the things with you I’ve never been able to with a girlfriend.” He left out the part about having never had a girlfriend, but I didn’t mention that. “We can go anywhere your little heart desires. I’ll even go to the front door and ring the bell to make it more authentic.”