Craving Dragonflies

by Terri E. Laine

  * * *

  Those beautiful eyes of his drenched the inferno that threatened to consume me. Every muscle in my body had become liquid. Yet, I’d never felt more alive until that moment.

  As he stood above me, he reached back, grabbed a handful of his shirt, and whipped it off. I found myself studying the hills and troughs of his muscled chest. I reached out but held there, afraid to touch him. There was something about touching that affected him in a way I hadn’t discovered yet.

  When I felt his fingers circle my wrist, I watched as he placed my palm over his heart. I took advantage and explored the hardened plains. It contrasted with the soft kiss that came a second later as he urged me down onto the soft mattress.

  A moan left my lips when his mouth explored my neck, sending shivers to course through me. He tugged up fistfuls of my dress to get to my breasts. With newly acquired courage I’d used to knock on his door until now, I whipped the sundress over my head.

  He moved one side of my bra down and latched onto one nipple. His suckle soaked my core with need. As if he knew my body better than me, his fingers circled that area below until I threw my head back with a gasp. His probing fingers dipped inside my inner walls. My body trembled as he worked magic and his burning kiss found my mouth again, hungrily devouring me from the inside out.

  Though I thought I might die if he didn’t get inside me at that very moment, another need was stronger. I levered up and pushed him back so that he was standing again. There in front of me was the object of every need I had. I worked at his fly as he watched, freeing his cock, and pushed his jeans down his legs. His powerful thighs flexed as he kicked them to side. His cock stood long, thick, and proud, his skin burning in my hand as I circled it. I pumped down once then twice before dipping my head. I wet my lips before sucking the head in.

  His hand landed on my shoulder and gripped it tight. I took that to mean I was doing something right. I did more than the last time, taking a page out of some of the dirty novels I’d read. I kept my hand tight around the base of him as I took him as far as I could into my mouth. I worked a rhythm between my hand and mouth. Just as his panting worked into a crescendo of sorts, he shoved me back, parting my legs and guiding the head of his dick right where my desired was centered.

  When he pushed in, I fisted the sheets on either side of my waist. He leaned down and took my mouth in a bruising kiss. I let go of the sheets in favor of scoring his back to draw him as close as I needed him to be.

  His long, slow strokes were the most amazing torture. Every touch of that secret spot inside made my thighs quiver as I tried to hold it together. I bit my tongue so the entire house wouldn’t know what he was doing to me.

  As I drew near, I tensed up. His breaths came faster, and I realized tightening my inner walls had preformed magic. A small smile curled my lips. For all the pleasure he was doing to me, I had power too. I did it again making him lose control.

  His weight pressed onto me as his speed picked up. My breath hitched in my throat, and I let loose the moan I’d held back. My hands dropped from his back and he twined his fingers of his left hand into mine. His right found the swollen button between my legs. I squeezed my thighs, and my legs wound around him, digging in as I was so close to losing my mind.

  “Let go,” he said, his voice barely a gritted whisper.

  I hadn’t realized I’d been holding back. But his words did something to detonate my orgasm. I spasmed around him, his strokes only heightening the pleasure. Then he was spilling his pleasure inside me.

  When a cry burst from me, he covered his mouth over mine, the kiss stealing the last breath from my lungs until I lay in an exhausted heap.

  With one last grunt, he stilled, his body pinning me prisoner for only a few seconds. He rolled to his side, taking me with him. His cock softened but stayed buried in my heat.

  “Are you okay?” he asked, eyes soft on mine.

  I nodded, still trying to catch my breath. Yet, I leaned in and kissed him gently. It was my way of saying all the things I couldn’t put into words.

  My eyes opened, and his stare made me a little self-conscious. What was he thinking? Had I done everything right?

  “As much as I want to, I don’t think we should stay here.”

  My heart took a nosedive for my stomach. My head must have done the same thing, because his finger lifted my chin until I was staring into his unfathomable eyes.

  “I want to take you to my place.”

  I frowned. “You don’t live here?”

  “Not really.” As if that answered it. “Anyway, it’s only a matter of time before a party gets underway. You don’t mind, do you?”

  He was still inside me and I really didn’t want that to change. My gaze only had to drift to the door, reminding me of the girl and everything she’d said. Then there was Derek to consider. I may not want to be in a relationship with him, but I didn’t want to hurt him any more than I had. That only made me wonder if he’d heard me. I closed my eyes, holding in a curse.

  “Sure,” I answered.

  His stare made me feel like the fifth wonder of the world. Had he heard my disappointment? Or maybe his invitation had only been polite?

  “I don’t have to,” I blurted.

  I searched his eyes for some truth he might not say. Insecurity sucked.

  “I want you to, but you don’t have to.”

  I covered my face with my hand and shook it, embarrassed I couldn’t take his words at face value.

  “I’m messing this up, aren’t I?” I asked.

  When he pried my hand loose, I again caught him looking at me in that strange way like I was something new. His eyes only glanced at his hand holding mine, but I’d caught it.

  “You’re not,” he said, but it almost sounded like a question.

  I gave him a plaintive smile. He brushed tendrils of my hair from my face. His movements were slow, like he was unwrapping a gift. I felt special with every touch.

  “Let me get something to clean up. Then I want to take you home to meet everyone.”

  That was significant, watering my grin until it rooted and became full-blown. His soft kiss preceded him pulling out. I sighed and bit my tongue. He rolled off the bed and stood, giving me the most amazing view of his ass as he walked to what I thought was a closet. The muscles were just as defined from his back to the divots just above his glutes.

  Instead, the door opened to a tiny bathroom. He barely fit inside. I stifled a giggle when the thought one could probably pee, take a shower, and brush one’s teeth all at the same time if that was a thing.

  His front was even more impressive as he walked back over. Every line defining a wealth of muscles I couldn’t explain all the way to the long, think one that hung between his legs. Had that really been inside me?

  The bed dipped as he placed one knee and reached between my legs. He used a damp washcloth I hadn’t noticed to clean me up. It should have been embarrassing, but there was no judgment on his face. However, I was reminded that we once again hadn’t used a condom. Good thing I’d gotten on the pill.

  We got dressed. I popped into his bathroom to make sure I didn’t look too frightful. I did my own cleanup and finger-combed my hair. When I stepped out, he stood chest bare in jeans that hung low on his hips. Damn, my stuttering heart. He was more gorgeous than should be lawful.

  I’d never once seen Ashton smirk, but there it was. He watched me watching him, and one side of his perfect mouth lifted.

  “Now don’t you go getting an ego on me,” I said.

  He laughed. “That will never happen. I’m not Sawyer.” He caught himself and things got awkward for a second. “Besides, I like the way you look at me.”

  I didn’t want things to get weird by the mention of his best friend’s name. So I walked over and wrapped a hand around his waist and plastered my ear to the spot where his heart was.

  He wrapped a hand around me. I enjoyed the feel of him and how my stomach took flight like a swath of butterflies.
It was nothing like I felt when I’d been with Derek.

  I took his hand. “Are we staying or going?”

  He squeezed my hand before letting go. Then he pulled a shirt over his head.

  “Let’s go.”

  He held out his hand again. I took it, weaving our fingers together.

  We both stopped in the hallway, glancing at Derek’s closed door before moving swiftly down the stairs.

  He’d been right. There were certainly more people in the house than when I’d gone upstairs. Music was also playing though at a tolerable level. When two guys came through the door carrying a large keg between them, I knew that would change.

  Though that asshole and the guy who’d given me the invitation watched as we stepped into the living room, Ashton said nothing to either. I almost waved but feared the asshole would think I’d meant it for him. So I gave the nicer of the two a half-grin before we were out into the night.

  Good thing I hadn’t driven. We walked to Ashton’s car with its distinctive stripe down the middle. He let me in before getting in himself. The boy certainly had manners.

  The engine rumbled to life, the sound droning out any potential conversation. I wasn’t sure what to expect when we arrived at a street on the other side of campus. Each side was lined with brick townhouses.

  As he parallel parked, I wondered which one was his. I’d been lost in thought when my door opened, and he proffered his hand to me. I got out and he didn’t let go.

  I didn’t want to be nervous, but I was. It was like meeting your boyfriend’s parents. I had a feeling the judgment his friends placed on me would weigh heavy on our relationship, especially Sawyer’s.

  He led us to a brightly lit house about four doors down on the same side we parked. There was a large window in front on the lowest floor. I could see people moving inside. My stomach flipflopped, and I hid it behind a toothy grin when he glanced down at me.

  The door was unlocked, and we stepped inside. There were several people there.

  “Hey,” Ashton said, his voice deep and gravely.

  All eyes spotlighted on our joined hands, heating my cheeks to flame broil.

  A girl I recognized as Celeste’s nemesis stepped forward, hand out.

  “I’m Shelly.”

  Before I could introduce myself, Ashton spoke next.

  “This is Willow, my girlfriend.”

  Points for Shelly, there was only a moment of shock before she said, “Welcome, Willow.”

  I took her hand, and another girl stepped forward. “I’m Brie, Chance’s girlfriend.”

  She looked familiar. We shook as well until a tall handsome boy came forward.

  “I’m Chance.”

  Good God, was this where all the good-looking boys lived? Then it hit me. They were the couple that found me sprawled over Ashton at the pond months ago.

  After all the hellos, things went silent. I glanced up at Ashton who was looking past the three that stood before us. I followed his gaze to Sawyer, who hadn’t come forward. Just as the others started to look back, Sawyer hopped off the stool, famous grin plastered to his gorgeous face.

  I glanced between Ashton and Sawyer, unable to interpret the silent communication going on between them.

  Sawyer took my hand and brought my knuckles to his lips.

  “Willow, a pretty name for a pretty girl.”

  His eyes held mine, and I couldn’t make heads or tails over what he was thinking.

  “Let go, you flirt,” Shelly said, knocking a fist into his bicep.

  He flinched, but I could tell he wasn’t hurt, not physically at least. He let go and his gaze shifted back to Ashton.

  Sawyer pointed at him. “Ash, you sly devil. You’ve been keeping her from me.”

  Shelly’s eyebrow quirked, and I wondered if something was going on between them. She hadn’t introduced herself as his girlfriend like Brie had for Chance.

  “We were just about to eat,” Shelly announced.

  My brows shot up. It was late, like well past ten.

  Shelly shrugged. “These boys are always hungry.”

  I nodded and finally everyone moved, and Ashton drew me from the foyer to the kitchen only feet away. I glanced to the right and spotted the living room with its large couch, chairs, and massive TV. A stairwell split the open area to the dining room beyond. Straight ahead there was a short hallway with a door to the back. A porch light on gave me a sneak peek through the window to green that lay beyond. Clearly, they watered the backyard.

  Conversation started up, but I felt silent eyes on me. I glanced up and knew before I saw him that it was Sawyer. Chance was speaking to Ashton as were the other two girls, leaving my mind to scramble over what Ashton’s best friend was thinking. If Ashton hadn’t been holding my hand still, I might have found a shadow to hide in.

  “Are you hungry?”

  I shifted my gaze and found Brie standing next to me. Her face was open with a genuine offer.

  “A little.”

  She laughed. “No worries. We have plenty. Eat as little or as much as you want.”

  “Can I help?”

  I would have offered regardless, but I also wanted something to do besides worry about Sawyer.

  “There’s not a lot, but sure,” she said, seeming to understand my need as her gaze flitted over to Sawyer as well.

  Before I could follow her, Ashton drew on our clasped hands, pulling me over. He pressed a kiss to my temple before leaning and speaking softly into my ear.

  “I’ll be right back, okay. Unless you want me to stay.”

  I spotted Sawyer standing near the stairs and guessed they were going to talk. As much as I wanted him near so I didn’t feel like a fish out of water, I decided that conversation needed to happen sooner than later. If Sawyer was going to do something to break our relationship before it began, it was better before my heart was any more invested in Ashton.

  “I’ll be fine,” I said with a less enthusiastic smile than I was going for.

  Shelly concurred, “She’ll be fine.”

  Brie also chimed in, “We’ll keep her safe.”

  It was an interesting choice of words, but Ashton nodded. He gave me one last look, which I returned with a reassuring smile I didn’t feel. Then he disappeared up the stairs.

  “Now that they’re gone, you can tell us how you two met,” Shelly asked.

  Chance held up his hand. “Maybe I should go.”

  “No, stay. Besides, don’t you remember when we stumbled across the two of them at the pond?”

  Chance’s eyes widened as it was clear he remembered.

  “Wait? You never told me that,” Shelly chided.

  Brie shrugged, giving a stern side-eye to Shelly. “It wasn’t my business like how they met isn’t ours.”

  Shelly sighed and glanced at me. “She’s right. You don’t.” She shrugged. “I’m just curious. Ash doesn’t say much. You’ve obviously seen a side of him none of us have.”

  “Well, stop prying. Is the food ready?” Brie asked.

  Shelly blew out another exasperated breath and then pulled a steaming pizza from the oven. It smelled delicious and looked homemade.

  My stomach rumbled as much as my mouth watered.

  “I’ll resort to bribery. A slice for a story,” Shelly teased.

  “Leave her alone. Besides, I already offered her some.”

  Because there wasn’t any malice or jealousy in Shelly’s tone, I decided that there was nothing secret about the first time Ashton and I met. He’d only changed my tire. I didn’t think he would mind. And I needed a distraction from what was going on upstairs.

  “Okay, I’ll bite. My tire was flat in the parking lot behind the quad,” I began.

  As I spoke, my mind was still upstairs with Ashton and Sawyer, wishing I could sprout wings and be a fly on the wall.

  40

  Ashton

  * * *

  We’d barely walked into my room before he unleashed on me.

  “Girlfriend
? When the fuck did that happen?” he spit out the words like a lash.

  My knuckles popped as I fisted my hands, breaking the sudden silence.

  “I don’t tell you everything.”

  I was surprised I could speak the way I’d ground my teeth together.

  “Apparently,” he said.

  He crossed his arms like I was some spoiled child needing scolding.

  “It’s what you wanted.”

  I didn’t know why I said that, because no matter his response, I decided that it was Willow not Sawyer whom I wanted. Maybe I just wanted him to hurt a little, considering how angry he seemed. His jealousy was over me not needing him the way I used to.

  As we remained glaring at each other, the tension it created could be cut with a power saw.

  “How well do you know her? How long? Does she know?”

  The last of what he asked didn’t need more words to comprehend. My past. His accusing questions stung and bothered me more than I cared to admit.

  “I warned her,” I admitted.

  He nodded like that was acceptable.

  “I wondered what happened to you when Julie showed up spitting mad.”

  I could only imagine. She’d played like she was okay with how we’d left things, but I’d known better.

  “You’re welcome,” I said, noticing for the first time I’d used few words with Sawyer.

  Was it practice for the future? Once graduation happened, I doubted our paths would cross more than once or twice a year if that.

  “You’re welcome?” he repeated. His face screwed up like a lemon had taken residence in his mouth. “She stormed in like Hurricane Julie muttering but not speaking to anyone.” He meant him. “She grabbed her bag, which I hadn’t known she’d left here, and then disappeared.”

  “You’re welcome,” I parroted.

  “For what?” he spat.

  “She won’t be back.”

  His eyes widened, and he shook his head.

  “I don’t understand what’s going on with you anymore.”

  I blew out a breath, remembering his lecture to me what felt like so long ago about my feelings and how misguided they were. It was time I reciprocated.