Coming Home Duet

by Cameron Hart

  When we finally pull apart for air, Emma’s cheeks are flushed and her hair is a mess.

  “Wow,” she says after she’s caught her breath. “If that’s what I get for the shittiest breakfast on the face of the earth, I can’t wait to see what I get when I finally cook something good.”

  “We don’t have to wait, you know. I can pay you in advance.” I lean back in for another searing kiss with every intention of carrying her off to bed.

  “It’s Monday,” she says in between kisses.

  “So?” I ask before kissing down her neck.

  “I…oh!” She yelps as I nip her neck. “I uh, I have class,” she pants.

  “Skip,” I mumble into her skin.

  “You have work.”

  “Fuck work,” I say before diving back into her mouth.

  Emma moans, and I lift her off the counter, heading towards our room.

  “Wait, wait, Roman, I have a test.”

  I groan and rest my forehead against hers, still holding her hot little body against mine while standing in the middle of the living room.

  “I know. I know. School sucks. I’ll drop out and you can quit work and we can just fuck each other all day.”

  “Sounds good to me,” I grin, playfully biting her lips.

  She giggles and the sound winds itself around my heart, mending the aches and pains from the previous night.

  Emma sighs, and I know I have to let her go.

  “Okay, little one. In all seriousness, I value your goals and your education. So I’ll let you get to class. But first, let me feed you.”

  “Fiiiiine,” she sounds exasperated, but I know she’s being sarcastic. “Under one condition.”

  “Anything.”

  “You still take me out on Saturday?” She’s trying to be cute and confident, but I hear the insecurity laced in her voice. Like she thinks I changed my mind about dating her because of last night. It was intense, yeah, but it was still progress. I knew it would be painful.

  “Hell yeah, dandelion. There’s no way you’re getting out of that date.” I smirk and kiss her nose.

  She smiles in relief and I let her slide down my body. Emma turns towards the bedroom and I give her perky little ass a slap before she gets too far away.

  “Hey,” she squeals. Her face is pink, and I think she more than kind of liked it. I give her a devilish smirk and watch her sashay down the hall.

  Chapter 9

  Emma

  My heart already hurts knowing I’m going to have to leave soon. I shouldn’t have gone to Roman in the middle of the night. I knew he’d make me feel better and fill me up with his sweet words that pierce through my armor. I knew I’d feel safe in his arms and never want to leave. I knew I’d fall even deeper into the fantasy.

  I also shouldn’t have practically begged him to take me on a date tonight. What was I thinking? I was having so much fun with him that morning, which was a nice reprieve from the heavy shit we waded through the night before. I told him more than I thought I would, which is dangerous. I just needed to talk to someone, and I knew he’d be safe. I couldn’t tell him everything, but I could tell him about my mom.

  I gave myself this week. This one week to enjoy Roman, to soak up whatever he’s willing to give me. I’ll treasure my time with him and keep these memories stored up in my heart once I leave. I already know I’ll never find someone like him ever again. He’s ruined me for all other men. After our date, I’ll pack up, change my number, and take the next bus out of town.

  We’ve been texting and calling each other every day, and I’m both dreading and looking forward to our date tonight. I’m keeping a tight rein on my emotions, knowing it’s the last time I’ll be with him. I want to end things on a good note and leave us both with good memories.

  I swallow down the lump in my throat and look at myself in the mirror. Roman said to dress in clothes I don't mind getting dirty, which makes me wonder what the hell he has planned for us. I chose some skinny jeans – because, c'mon, a girl has to show off her assets on a date no matter what, right? I paired them with a clingy, long-sleeved shirt that shows off a modest amount of cleavage. Of course, in order to get that cleavage, I had to put on a ridiculous push-up bra.

  I slide on my Vans and head to the living room to wait anxiously until Roman shows up. We’ve had sex so many times I’ve lost track, but the idea of this date has me all sorts of twisted up inside.

  Good thing Roman doesn’t let me stew in my unease for very long. A few minutes after I sit down, there’s a knock at the door. I open it up to see Roman looking sexy as fuck in a pair of low-slung jeans and a Henley that stretches over his delicious muscles. He’s rubbing his hand over the back of his neck, almost in a nervous gesture. It makes me love him all the more.

  Yeah, I fucking love him.

  “See something you like, dandelion?”

  My eyes snap up to his and I practically fall right into those green irises, twinkling with mischief.

  “Definitely,” I grin up at him.

  Roman gets a hungry look in his eyes right before he bends down and kisses me till I’m out of breath.

  “Um, so, you haven’t been over to my place yet. Do you want a tour?”

  “I definitely do, but if you show me your bedroom, we’re never going to make it to our actual date, so can I take a raincheck?” He winks at me and gives me that panty-melting grin.

  I can’t stop the silly, girly giggle that comes out of my mouth. Roman doesn’t seem to mind though.

  “God, that’s my favorite sound, little one. Love knowing I can make you giggle.”

  I try to give him my biggest smile, but inside, my heart is already breaking, tearing at the edges of my resolve. He must notice the lingering sadness because his thumb traces my lips as he gives me a tender look that just about brings my tears to the surface.

  Changing up tactics, I nibble on his thumb and give him a playful grin.

  Roman groans and removes his thumb, giving me a quick kiss.

  “Come on, dandelion. I better get you out of here before I end up fucking you on every surface in your apartment.”

  With that, he takes my hand and laces our fingers together as he tugs me down the stairs and helps me into his car.

  “I can buckle my own seatbelt, you know. Been doing it for years.”

  “Oh, does your rusted tin can of a car have seatbelts?”

  “Hey! Don’t hate on Ramona! We’ve been through a lot together. She’s just getting a little finicky in her old age.”

  Roman chuckles and closes my door, making his way around the car and getting in the driver’s seat.

  “Ramona?”

  “Yeah, that’s her name.”

  “Sounds an awful lot like Roman,” he winks. “Did you name the old gal after me?”

  “Ramona is older than you, so if anything, you’d be the one named after her,” I say as I cross my arms over my chest and narrow my eyes at him.

  “I’m just teasing. I actually love your car.”

  “Oh?”

  “If she hadn’t broken down that day, we never would have met. And I can’t imagine not having you in my life.” He takes my hand again and twines our fingers together, bringing it up to his lips and kissing my knuckles.

  God, this man. He's going to break me apart before the night is over, I can already feel it. I dig my fingernails into the palm of my free hand. The pain reminds me to just be here in this moment and not worry about all of my messy emotions until our date is over.

  “Where are you taking me?” I ask in hopes of getting the attention away from all of this sappy stuff that’s totally getting to me despite my best efforts.

  He looks like he wants to say something but decides to let it go. Good thing too, because one more confession of emotions and I’d probably tell him I love him. That would be a disaster.

  “It’s a surprise,” he smiles over at me, looking rather pleased with himself.

  I sit back in my seat and pout a little bit. �
��I’m not a huge fan of surprises,” I grumble.

  He chuckles and squeezes my hand.

  A few minutes later, we pull into a wooded area that looks like it has an obstacle course of sorts.

  “Uh…what is this?”

  “Have you ever done paintball?”

  “What? Seriously?!”

  Roman looks a little nervous, but I throw my arms around his neck and kiss him all over his face.

  “I haven’t, but this is so awesome! I would way rather shoot something than watch a stupid movie.”

  He chuckles and pulls me in again for a deeper kiss.

  “Let’s get our gear then, dandelion. I can’t wait to shoot you,” he winks at me.

  “Roman, who knew you were such a romantic?”

  We’re sent out into the playing field after getting our guns, helmets, and a lesson in safety. Roman is on the blue team and I’m on the red team. This first round is a capture the flag style.

  I hide up in a makeshift treehouse and peek out through the slats of wood to get a good look at the flag on the other side. I also look for Roman, because let's be honest, I kind of want to shoot him.

  I carefully make my way down the tree and scurry over to the next shelter, which happens to be a large tree root that I can duck behind. I see Roman and take my shot. I don’t hit him, but I hide behind the root before he turns around. When I pop my head back up, I don’t see him.

  I army crawl my way over to the next tree, inching that much closer to the other team’s flag. When the coast is clear, I make a run for it, only to have a hand reach out and pull me behind a tree. Roman’s helmet is off, and he makes quick work of mine as he presses me up against the trunk of the tree. Seconds later, he slams his mouth on mine, grabbing my hips and grinding his hard cock against me.

  “You look so fucking sexy out here, army crawling around and being a badass,” he says between kisses. “Fuck, Emma.” I’m still reeling from his kiss, adrenaline spiking through my veins from the game. I feel Roman’s lips and teeth on my neck. When I reach down and palm his throbbing cock, he groans and bites down on my shoulder.

  “Shit, dandelion. I want you so fucking bad.” His palm rubs against my pussy, providing the perfect friction. I shamelessly grind down on his hand and continue stroking him through his jeans.

  A paintball whizzes by, snapping us out of our cloud of lust.

  Roman places my helmet over my head before putting his own on. “Sorry, little one. I got carried away, but we should keep our helmets on. Safety and all that.” I nod and watch him back away.

  When he’s about five feet away from me, I take my shot.

  Roman’s eyes go wide in shock when the paintball makes contact with his thigh. He puts his hand over his heart and dramatically falls to the ground. I walk up to him and stare down at his gorgeous face. He’s closed his eyes, pretending to be dead. I love his sweet and tender words, and I love when he fucks me hard and deep, but I’m learning that I really love his playful side. He’s kind of perfect.

  I feel the familiar tug in my chest and try to tamp down the swirl of emotions. Roman suddenly sits up and pulls me down so I’m straddling him.

  I squeal and then start laughing.

  “You’re gonna pay for that,” he growls.

  “Oh yeah?”

  “Yeah.” Then he starts tickling me mercilessly.

  “GAME!” Someone yells in the distance.

  “Thank fuck,” Roman mumbles before ripping off our helmets and crashing his lips on mine.

  “There’s plenty of time for that later,” I protest, half-heartedly.

  “One more for the road,” he grins. Roman sucks my tongue into his mouth, devouring me and leaving my head spinning.

  We stay and play two more games, somehow managing not to maul each other the whole time.

  “Did you have fun?” He asks as we make our way back to the car, hand in hand.

  “Yeah, that was incredible,” I answer honestly. “Thanks for taking me, this is nothing like I expected.”

  “Oh?”

  "So far, it's much better," I smile at him and he steals another quick kiss.

  Roman loads me up in the car, buckling my seatbelt for me. I don’t fight him on it; I know this is one of the last times he’ll be able to take care of me like this.

  “Let me feed you and then we can finish what we started out there on the field.”

  An hour later, we stumble into Roman’s house, our hands all over each other, seemingly unable to wait a second longer to strip down.

  “Fuck me, please Roman,” I beg. I want him to tear me up, enough so I feel him tomorrow. It might be the only proof that someone like him exists and wanted me for a short time.

  “Not a chance, little one. I’ve taken you hard and fast before, but I’m taking my time with you now.”

  I don’t want slow. I grab his shoulders and crash my lips into his and try climbing up his huge, muscular body. Maybe if I show him how desperate I am, he’ll cave.

  No such luck. Roman breaks our kiss and places his hands on my hips, guiding me back down and holding me out in front of him. My hands slide down his chest and rest on his well-defined pecs.

  “Slow down, Emma. Give me control.”

  I feel a little rejected, but overwhelmingly terrified. I close my eyes and try to get my shit together. If he makes love to me instead of fucking me, I might just break. It’s too much. I want to savor this, god, do I want to. But it hurts. It hurts so goddamn much.

  “What are you thinking about, dandelion? Talk to me.”

  “I’m broken. I can’t give you what you need,” I whisper. “I’m just going to hurt you.”

  He lifts my chin and rests his forehead on mine. "I can take whatever you dish out, little one. I'll collect all of your broken parts and put you back together one piece at a time if you'll let me. All I need is you. Let me show you that you're enough. Fuck, Emma. I want all of you, but I'll take whatever you can give me."

  Jesus, this man with his sweet words. They’ll be my undoing. I nod and he cradles my face in both of his hands before brushing his lips on mine. I open up for him and immediately wrestle him for control. I want to show him how much I want that; how much I want him.

  Roman caresses my cheeks with his thumbs in featherlight touches, causing me to slow down. His tongue moves in steady strokes, teaching me how to cherish what we have in this moment. He removes his hands from my face and places them on my hips, gently pulling me closer to him.

  I feel his fingers slowly creep up the hem of my shirt, following the curve of my waist and ghosting up my ribcage. Roman finally breaks the kiss to lift my shirt up over my head. My bra follows shortly after. His eyes never leave mine, even when I’m bared before him.

  I close my eyes, his gaze too intense. I feel his finger trace over my lips, along the side of my jaw, over my collar bone, and down the valley between my breasts. I don’t think he knows the depth of his sweet touch. How something barely there can have the power to heal. The power to break.

  His lips find mine and I get lost in his kiss, his exploration. I absorb his taste, his touch, the way he’s learning me, invading me, in more ways than one.

  When I come back to myself, I find that we’ve moved to the bed, both of us completely naked. Roman is on top of me, caging me in like he’s trying to protect me.

  “Are you with me, little one?” His eyes are full of depth and meaning and I know he’s not just talking about this moment.

  I nod, still unable to speak in the face of his sweet words and gentle touches. I’m anything but sweet, and my mind is all over the place. I know if I open my mouth, I’ll just ruin everything.

  I wrap my legs around his hips. He slowly sinks into me, inch by agonizing inch. I hold my breath and only exhale once he’s fully seated deep inside. We’re still for what feels like an eternity, holding on to the feeling of being connected like this.

  Roman pulls out and thrusts back in, his movements slow and deliberate. I can fee
l everything, every inch of him slowly filling me up, sliding against my walls, marking me, and claiming every part of me.

  There’s no dirty talk, no show of dominance, no desperation. This is passion in a way I’ve never experienced, and it demands reverence.

  When he angles his hips and hits that special spot deep inside of me, I let a soft whimper fall from my lips as my back arches off of the bed. He slips his hands under my back and lifts me up, sitting back on his heels so I’m straddling him.

  He brings me to his chest and our eyes lock, speaking without words.

  Finally, Roman breaks the silence, leaning in to touch the tip of his nose with mine.

  “You’ve never had this before, have you, Emma? You won’t ever have it with anyone but me. I’ll give it to you every damn day.”

  My gut wrenches at his words. Fuck, I want him like this every day, but I know I have to leave him after tonight. I feel more exposed in this moment than I ever have before. The look in Roman’s eyes reaches down into my very soul, rearranging me and making room for him. For us. He’s creating a hole inside me and I fucking feel it threatening to swallow me right up. Unwelcomed tears fill my eyes and spill down my cheeks.

  His thumbs gently brush my tears away. “Stay right here with me, dandelion. Don’t get caught up in your head. I’ll prove to you we’ll work. I won’t let you break us.”

  He seals his promise with a kiss. Our lips melt together as he guides my hips in a steady rhythm, up and down his huge shaft. Roman pulls me close to his chest, my aching nipples rubbing up and down his warm skin. He breaks our kiss to rest his head on my shoulder while his strong arms wrap around my back and hug me to his body. Roman rolls his hips to match my unhurried pace.

  I feel the slow, intense burn of my orgasm bubbling to the surface. I can’t help the moan that escapes my mouth. He takes over, guiding my hips. Roman turns his head and kisses up my neck until his lips graze the shell of my ear.