You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This

by Karenna Colcroft

  “Sounds good.” She paused. “What time does the thing start on Saturday?”

  “One in the afternoon. So maybe we can meet here again that morning.”

  That wasn’t exactly what she had in mind, though she didn’t know if she actually wanted to make the suggestion she had. Before she talked herself out of speaking her thoughts, she blurted, “Maybe I’ll just stay over Friday night. If that’s okay with you, I mean.”

  “Why wouldn’t it be okay with me?” He took her hand. “Are you sure?”

  “Nope.” She grinned. “We’ll figure it out for sure on Friday. Meanwhile, I think you mentioned having something to eat.” Her stomach growled again. “Like now?”

  “Yeah.” He closed the laptop and unplugged it. “Now is good.”

  ~***~

  As usual, Thursday they both arrived early for class and spent the extra time practicing. After class, they skipped the social dancing time and stayed upstairs to work. “We’re going to be fine,” Stefan assured Erin when they finally left. “If you still want to come over tomorrow night, just show up at my place when you’re finished work. If I’m not home, I keep a spare key under the rock at the corner of the back step.”

  “Because that isn’t an obvious place,” she teased. “And why wouldn’t I want to go to your place? We can practice or just hang out. We are, you know, like boyfriend-girlfriend or something, right?” She grinned. “How teeny-bopper do I sound?”

  “Way too much.” He pulled her to him and kissed her. “See you tomorrow.”

  That night, she dreamed about dancing. The routine she and Stefan had worked out for their competitive piece was good. The one in tribute to Louisa and Scott brought tears to her eyes. She just hoped it would do the same for the people who watched.

  Friday morning, Merit caught her on her way out the door to work. “Just tell me you aren’t moving out on me or anything.”

  “Huh?” She looked at him, unsure whether he was serious or joking, and set down the backpack she’d filled in case she actually went through with the idea of staying at Stefan’s over night. “Of course I’m not.”

  “I’ve barely seen you this week.” He smiled. “Plenty of time with the new man. That isn’t a bad thing. I just missed you.”

  “I’m sorry.” She hugged him. “I’m not ignoring you, really. Stefan and I’ve just been practicing a lot for this event of his tomorrow. In fact…” She trailed off, and her face heated. “I won’t be home at all tonight.”

  “Really? Oh, boy, party time!” He tightened his arms around her and lifted her from the floor. She squealed, and he laughed. “About time you let yourself find someone,” he said. “You’ve been ‘not serious’ about anyone as long as I’ve known you.”

  “I don’t know how serious things will be between me and Stefan. I kind of want to find out.” She pulled away from him. “So, yeah. He’s asked me before to spend the night, and since the competition’s tomorrow, tonight seemed like a good night to stay. You won’t be too lonely, will you?”

  “I think I’ll manage.” He touched her hand. “I’ll see you tomorrow, anyway. From the audience at your competition.”

  “You don’t have rehearsal?” On Saturdays, she rarely saw Merit since his troupe usually practiced all weekend.

  “I do. I’ve made arrangements to start later than usual.” He paused. “For everyone who wants to go, actually. If your event is to raise money for a good cause, I’m all about making sure the optimum amount of money is raised.”

  She stared at him and a grin slowly spread across her lips. The troupe he belonged to numbered nearly forty people, not counting behind-the-scenes workers. She didn’t know how much admission to the competition would be, but if Merit persuaded even half his troupe to go with him, it would definitely bring up the total raised. That would make Stefan very happy. “Thank you,” she said softly.

  “You’re welcome.” He winked. “Better go to work before they think you spent last night somewhere else. See you tomorrow.”

  “See you then.” She left, face still warm.

  That day at work, several people asked her whether she had any information about the charity competition. Although she hadn’t seen or heard any publicity for the event, apparently one of Louisa’s family members had mentioned it to someone from one of the local TV stations. The news had picked up the story and had aired it the night before.

  Erin didn’t have all the information people wanted, but she answered some questions and at lunch called Stefan, who told her to pass along his number to anyone who wanted to know more.

  He called her shortly before the end of her work day. “I’ve had at least a dozen people contact me,” he reported. “Word spreads fast, I guess. Some of them can’t even go to the competition. They wanted to find out where and how to donate.”

  “That’s wonderful,” Erin replied. “Merit and some of the other dancers in his company are planning to attend as well.”

  “I heard. I think this might turn into the best event we’ve had yet, at least in terms of money raised.” He paused. “Actually in general. I think Louisa and Emma would be happy.”

  “We’ll make sure they’d be proud,” Erin assured him. “I’m about to head over to your place. Are you home yet?”

  “No, I’ll be at work a little longer. Just let yourself in and I’ll bring food when I come home.” He chuckled. “You know, at the risk of rushing things again, coming home to you sounds really good.”

  “You’re rushing things. See you later.” She hung up, smiling.

  She finished her shift and drove to Stefan’s. She found the key under the mat and let herself in to be immediately mugged by Gorilla. “Okay, okay, I’ll take you out!” she said, laughing as the dog frantically licked her hands and ran back and forth between her and the door.

  By the time Stefan arrived, about an hour later, Erin had walked Gorilla and settled with the dog in the living room to watch the early news. Stefan set down a fragrant paper bag on the coffee table and sat beside Erin on the couch. “Anything interesting?” he asked, nodding toward the TV.

  “Not really. I hoped they’d repeat the story about the competition.” She leaned against him. “Food smells good.”

  “Chinese.” He put his arm around her. “It really is nice to have you here. As time goes on, we might want to think about having this happen every night.”

  “Don’t be pushy.” She stuck out her tongue, taking the sting from her words. “Besides, I have a roommate. I can’t just bail on Merit.”

  “I have a guest room,” Stefan pointed out. “Gorilla won’t mind sharing.”

  Erin laughed. “I think Merit might, especially if Gorilla’s fur got on his clothes.”

  “Should we eat first and then practice, or vice versa?” Stefan let go of her and leaned forward to tear open the bag. “This smells pretty good, and I don’t know if my stomach can wait. We have work to do, though.”

  “Eat first.” The smell of the food made her too hungry to think about dancing. “We have all night to practice.”

  “Does that mean you’ve decided to stay tonight?” he asked without looking at her.

  “Mostly. I’m still thinking.” She got up and went to the kitchen for plates and silverware. “Let’s eat.”

  “Just don’t drop any food on my couch,” he teased.

  “I won’t if you don’t.”

  While they ate, instead of continuing to watch the news Stefan changed the channel to a sitcom rerun. “I’m in too good a mood to deal with death and destruction,” he explained.

  “Same here.” She smiled. “I do like this. Just don’t ask me to make any decisions about it right now.”

  He held up a hand. “No more rushing, I promise. Except maybe rushing this meal so we have time to rehearse.”

  When they finished eating, he shut off the TV and turned on the music they’d agreed to for their competition routine. Erin took his hand and allowed him to pull her up off the couch, and they moved the coffee
table into the kitchen to allow enough room to move. The space was smaller than Erin was used to, but it would do.

  She readied herself for the steps of the routine. Instead, Stefan spun her into his arms and pressed his mouth against hers. His tongue tickled her lips, and without thinking she parted them. Their tongues touched and Stefan’s hand stole up her side to touch her breast.

  With a gasp, she broke the kiss. “This isn’t the routine we planned.”

  “No.” He kissed the side of her neck. “This is what I’d planned for tonight. We’ve practiced our routine plenty, and we haven’t had any non-dance time together in a week. We’ll be fine tomorrow.” He licked the tip of her nose, and she laughed. “Tonight’s for us,” he said firmly. “Come to my room and let me show you my moves.”

  “I’ve seen them,” she pointed out.

  “Then you know how fantastic I am.” Grabbing her hand, he tugged her toward the bedroom. “Worry later. I want you.”

  You Shouldn't Kiss Me Like This

  Chapter Eleven

  Tingles ran through her belly and lower, between her legs, as she followed him into the room. He kicked the door shut behind them and scooped her up into his arms. “There. We practiced a lift,” he murmured against her shoulder. He tossed her onto the bed. “And a jump.”

  “I didn’t jump. You threw me.” She rolled up onto her hands and knees and stuck out her tongue. “Now that you have me here, what do you plan to do? I don’t think we can dance on your bed.”

  “Not vertically, anyway.” He quickly stripped off his polo shirt and khaki pants, leaving only a pair of royal blue boxer briefs with a blatant bulge at the front. “I think you know what I plan to do. I told you I want you.” He ran a finger over his cock. “Do you see how much?”

  “I see.” She crawled to the edge of the bed and reached for him. “Come here and let me show you what I can do with that.”

  Lust shone in his eyes as he stepped forward. Grasping his waist, Erin pulled him closer and licked the skin beside his navel. He moaned softly. “Have your way with me, woman.”

  “Then take these off.” She snapped the waistband of the briefs. “I want to see you naked and begging me to suck you.”

  “Pretty demanding, huh?” He yanked off the briefs and cupped a hand over his cock. “Oh, dear, I’m nude and you aren’t. Whatever are you going to do with me?”

  She laughed and pulled his hand away. Without a word, she licked the tip of his cock, eliciting another low moan from him. As she lowered her mouth over his shaft, she lightly squeezed his balls with one hand.

  “Fuck!” He twined his fingers in her hair. “Oh, God, Erin!”

  She glanced up at him and smiled without releasing him. He gasped, and his eyes slipped closed. Small noises of pleasure escaped him, and the power rush from bringing him so much pleasure only heightened Erin’s arousal.

  Stroking his balls and the base of his shaft with one hand, she licked up and down the length of his cock. Her other hand stole between her legs. She pressed her fingers against her clit and moaned softly, then glanced up to see Stefan watching her.

  “That’s fucking hot,” he murmured. “Seeing you play with yourself while you suck me.”

  He smiled down at her with such longing her heart ached. I love him.

  The realization hit her with such force she wondered how she had ever doubted her feelings for him.

  “I love you,” he said, echoing her thoughts in a tone of wonder. “Erin—” He gasped again as her fingertips brushed his balls. “Now’s not the time to talk.”

  He tugged her hair until she released him. Glaring at him, she rocked back on her heels. “Sorry to take your toy away,” he said. “I want to play now.”

  “I was having fun,” she protested. Desire rushed through her, sending more moisture between her legs. Even though she’d enjoyed touching and sucking him, she wanted his touch now. She wanted him to make love to her, for the two of them to be completely joined now that they knew how they felt.

  He pushed her gently onto her back and yanked off her slacks and panties. She didn’t protest, just lay there and allowed him to strip her. The intensity in his eyes as he looked down at her tightened her pussy. Lying half-naked in front of him, she was completely vulnerable, and that turned her on more than she would have imagined.

  Grasping her ankles, he pulled her legs apart and looked down at her triumphantly. “Now you’re where I want you.” He dipped a finger into her wetness. She shivered. “Yeah, that’s what you want,” he said.

  “I want you.” She looked into his eyes. “I love you.”

  His eyes widened, then he smiled. “That works out well, then.”

  He knelt on the bed between her legs and ran his finger from her opening to her swollen clit. She sighed and closed her eyes to savor his touch. Pleasure built in her, a heaviness in her belly that she knew signaled an impending explosion if Stefan touched her just right.

  And he did, pressing a finger firmly against her clit while slipping another finger inside her to stroke her sweet spot. She writhed in delightful discomfort as he increased the pressure, sending jolts of pure arousal through her. She grew even wetter.

  “Very wet,” he murmured. Looking into her eyes, he withdrew his finger from her and stuck it in his mouth. “Tastes good.”

  She shuddered and closed her eyes for a moment. Watching him taste her brought her right to the edge. “Fuck me,” she whispered.

  “I’m sorry, I didn’t quite hear that.” He leaned over her, his breath warm against her face. “Say it again.”

  She opened her eyes and stared into his. “Fuck me.”

  “I hoped you’d say that.” He tugged at the hem of her shirt. “I’m naked. You’re not. If you want this inside you, take off the rest of your clothes.” He stroked himself. “And hurry, because I don’t really want to wait.”

  “Then fuck me like this,” she ordered, reaching for him. He dodged back, and she pretended to pout. “Why do I have to be naked?”

  “Because I said so.” He took hold of the bottom of her shirt in both hands. “I could just rip this off, but then you might not have anything to wear tomorrow.”

  “I brought clothes.” She sat up and quickly removed the shirt and her bra. “That shirt is my favorite. I’d rather have it in one piece.”

  “Ah, so you just wanted to save your shirt,” he teased.

  “I just want you.”

  Again she held out her arms to him, and this time he moved forward, straddling her outstretched legs. She ran a finger up his cock, grinning when his eyes rolled back. My man.

  The phrase startled her, but she liked the sound of it. Stefan was hers. He loved her, and she loved him. Dancing with him all those months had built something between them that neither had dared acknowledge. Now that they finally had admitted it, they had no reason to hold back. They knew each other, had touched each other as intimately as two people could with their clothes on and without clothing.

  She was ready now for what he’d wanted from her, yet she didn’t know how to tell him.

  After the competition, she promised herself. After tomorrow, we’ll talk about us.

  “You’re looking way too thoughtful.” Stefan lowered his head and blew a raspberry against her abdomen. She laughed and swatted the side of his head, and he leaned back again with a grin. “That’s better. We’re in bed together, naked, about to fuck. You shouldn’t look so serious.”

  “Then do something about it,” she challenged.

  Quickly, he took a condom from the nightstand and rolled it onto his shaft. He knee-walked forward, pushing her legs back toward her chest. With one hand, he kneaded her breast, his thumb stroking her hard nipple. She moaned and pushed against him, trying to maneuver herself onto his cock. Her pussy ached to have him inside her and tightened as if he’d already entered, and she let out another small noise.

  Looking down at her, he positioned himself at her opening. Slowly, exquisitely, he eased inside. She ga
sped and raised her hips to take him deeper, but he held back. “Patience,” he said softly. “I want this to last.”

  She didn’t argue, just lay still and let him enter her at his own pace, savoring the sensations within her as his cock filled her. The mounting pleasure shook her with small tremors, and her pussy clenched around him. He pressed his finger against her clit. “You’re so close,” he whispered. “Aren’t you?”

  Unable to speak, she just nodded. He rubbed her swollen nub and began a slow rhythm of thrusts in and out of her. “Come for me, Erin. Let me feel you come.”

  The friction of his finger and cock sent her spiraling upward. Her entire body tingled and shivered under his touch. The overwhelming pleasure Stefan brought her wiped all thoughts from her mind.

  The explosion hit hard. She bucked against him, trying to thrust harder but unable to in the position he held her in. Pleasure burst through her in waves, shaking her and rocking her against the mattress. Stefan pressed more firmly on her clit, and she cried out and yanked his hand away.

  The waves continued to hit her. Stefan held still now, looking down at her with a mixture of lust and pride. Her pussy contracted around his shaft, and feeling his cock within her brought another jolt of ecstasy.

  Her breathing grew heavier, and her arms fell to her sides. Gasping, she stared up at Stefan, who bent to kiss her. “I felt you,” he murmured.

  “You said you wanted to,” she panted. She swallowed hard and tried to take more even breaths. “Rest for a second, please?”

  “Sure.” He withdrew from her and lay beside her. “When you’re ready, climb on. I want you on top.”

  She nodded and snuggled against him. He put his arms around her. Contentment filled her, and she wanted to lay with him like that for the rest of the night.