“I’m sorry, I can’t take it anymore.” Ignoring Brandon’s protests, Kevin made his way over to the karaoke player and replaced the CD in the player. Curiosity piqued as Kevin stood “centre stage”, face all serious, mic at the ready. You didn’t need to be music savvy to know what song he’d picked. The minute the first strains of the song started it was obvious. I hid my smile behind my glass, Kevin was bringing his A game. Brandon knew it too, because he threw his hands in the air.
“No fair, man, no fucking fair.”
Alison looked confused until Kevin started singing to her. At first, he swayed in one spot, his eyes seducing her, his voice like liquid sex reaching across the room to caress her. Her eyes shot briefly to mine and when she saw me stifling a smile she relaxed some, realising what was going down. Her wide smile did little to hide the pink blush creeping up her chest as the words of Zayn Malik’s “Pillow Talk” grew more intimate.
Kevin made his way across the room, dropping to one knee in a dramatic flair as he sang about wanting to hold her close and waking up next to her. He kissed her hand in between words and rose, tugging her gently off the couch and against him, running a hand down her cheek, tapping her nose with his finger, all the while singing about a bed made for fucking and fighting, a bed that was a warzone. He twirled her out as she squealed and brought her back in against his chest, dipping her low to the floor, her gorgeous red hair spilling onto the floor. I clapped and whistled as the song ended and Kevin brought her back up, winking at Brandon. “Now that’s how it’s done.”
Brandon grumbled good-naturedly as he changed the CD. “Fuck this shit, let’s get Claire to show you how it’s done.”
“Oh no you don’t, you two aren’t dragging me into this.” I raised a hand in the air in protest.
“You sing?” Alison asked.
“She doesn’t just sing, she puts everyone out there to shame,” Brandon bragged on my behalf.
“Don’t listen to him,” I disagreed and this time it was my turn to blush.
Alison snagged a beetroot chip and leaned back. “Now I have to hear you. Pretty please.”
Kevin handed me the mic and I reluctantly stood in front of the room. “Lower your expectations. Brandon’s full of it.”
Brandon took a pull from his beer. “We’ll see.”
I indicated to Kevin which track I wanted then waited for the intro. There were only three people in the room but by the way my palms were sweating you’d swear I was standing in Times Square on New Year’s Eve in my underwear.
My hands shook so hard as I waited for the intro that I gripped the mic with white-knuckled force, but as soon as I opened my mouth to sing my nerves dissipated. The song I’d chosen was new to the airwaves—a track by a South African girl, Filipa, titled “Chills.” I’d selected the song for no other reason than it was my weekly obsession, a song I had on repeat in my car, on my phone, everywhere. However, as I sang the notes the words tattooed themselves on my heart and I realised that I wasn’t merely singing one of my favourite songs from my playlist, I meant every single word. My eyes pricked with tears and I was grateful that the dull light of the lamps hid my emotions from my friends watching, especially Kevin. Could Alison be right? Was I falling in love with Kevin?
Words of life being better than dreaming streamed from my lips and it took every ounce of control to keep my voice from cracking with emotion. I closed my eyes as I sang, no longer able to hold Kevin’s gaze as the realisation sank in that my feelings had changed, that I no longer just loved Kevin as a friend, I was in love with him. Damn Alison and her intuition and damn this song and damn my heart to hell for betraying me this way. Panic threatened to overcome me as I sang the last verse. I didn’t even need to think of the words, they merely flowed from memory which was good considering how distracted I was. How could I be so stupid? This wasn’t part of the deal. This could change everything.
The song ended and I placed the mic on the table and grabbed my wine, downing it in one go. Everyone remained silent and I was too nervous to look at Kevin in case he could tell what I was thinking. It felt like minutes when realistically it must have been seconds until Kevin stood, pulling me into his warm embrace and touching me for the first time since Brandon and Alison arrived. He kissed the top of my head, murmuring, “Knocked it out of the park, Claire-Bear.” I blinked in surprise as Kevin hastily took a step back. “You’re shaking.”
I gave him a weak smile. “Nerves. I think I need a refill.”
“I’ll top you up.” He kissed me on the cheek then reached for my glass, leaving the room.
“Holy crap! You can sing. I mean…” She looked from me to Brandon. “She can really, really sing.”
Brandon leaned back and placed his arms behind his head. “Shit. Should’ve placed a bet.”
We both ignored him while Alison continued to gape at me. “Why the heck are you working charter when you could be making number one records, jet setting around the world, living the good life, basking in the glory?”
“That’s not really my thing.”
“Having people worship at your feet isn’t your thing? It’s everybody’s thing. Just think about it, Claire, you could be famous.”
Just the idea was enough to have me break out in hives. Brandon leaned forward and snagged his beer off the coaster and pointed it to me. “Don’t waste your breath, Allie, we’ve tried to talk her into this before. Claire would rather crawl over broken glass than be famous.”
“He’s right.” I started packing up the mic, winding the cord around the base. “I can’t think of anything worse. Living day in and day out in the spotlight, paparazzi following you everywhere, giving up your privacy.” I shuddered. “I’d never put myself through that. It would be like losing a part of me.” My tone was more vehement than I’d meant for it to be. I looked up to see Kevin standing in the doorway of the living room, a scowl I’d only seen reserved for Savannah etched on his face as he stared into the empty glass. It was obvious he’d never made it to the kitchen and more obvious that he’d heard everything I’d said.
I moved to him, placing my hand on his arm. “You okay?”
He looked up, schooling his face into a smile. “Yeah, I’m good.”
“Pretty boy probably forgot how to pour wine. Y’know, with having people to do everything for him now. Just another reason for you to shy away from fame, Claire.”
Kevin flipped Brandon the bird, and turned to get me my wine. Alison’s peal of laughter cut through the tension tethering me to the spot. I had a lot to think about and I imagined I’d be losing a lot of sleep, but for now I had to put my game face on, tomorrow was soon enough to allow the worries to creep in.
Chapter Seven
I wrapped my legs even tighter around his waist and squeezed my eyes shut, repeating in my mind over and over that the toad couldn’t hurt me, but the panic didn’t fade. I felt the tightness in the back of my throat, the raised hairs at the nape of my neck, and the tears sting my eyes as my heart crashed against my ribcage. I knew what was coming next: the sweaty palms, the dizziness and nausea that would claim me and I just hoped we could get inside before I lost my dinner all over the stepping stones.
“Don’t put me down,” I managed through my constricted throat.
“I won’t,” Kevin reassured me. “Still bad, huh?”
I nodded my head.
Kevin’s arms wrapped around my thighs and I tightened my legs once more. He hissed and I stilled. “What is it?” Oh God, it’s probably a whole family of toads.
“Nothing it’s just that…well, you keep rubbing against me.”
I felt it then, his erection pressed against my panties. I opened my eyes. “Oh!”
His eyes burned and his tongue came out to wet his lips. “I have an idea. Do you trust me?”
I didn’t even have to give the question any thought, the answer definite. “Yes!”
His eyes shifted to my mouth and then his lips were on mine, sweet tender kisses opposed to the hea
ted demanding ones I’d been expecting. He carried me up the three steps to the patio with ease and set me down on the picnic-style table in the middle of the patio, placing his hands on either side of me. The table was wet from the rain and the water soaked my layered skirt in no time but I wasn’t worried about a little bit of water. I scanned the area, looking for the slimy invaders. I couldn’t help it, now that he wasn’t touching me my fear came crawling back and I could feel the clammy sweat threatening to break out over my skin.
“Claire, look at me.”
I couldn’t stop myself from imagining every stray leaf as a toad.
Kevin’s warm fingers pressed against my chin and he forced my eyes to meet his. “I want to try something but if you’d rather go inside we can. Just say the word okay?”
I wanted to go inside, I really did, but I also wanted him to keep looking at me the way he was in that moment and I was afraid if we went inside the spell would be broken.
I exhaled a breath. “No, it’s okay. We can stay outside.”
He kissed me again, this time with the heat I’d been expecting earlier. His mouth hot and frantic against mine, his tongue plunging hard and fast into my mouth. My hands mashed in his hair. His hands worshiped my body, running along the inside of my thighs, then to my hips where he tugged on the thin cotton. I lifted my hips off the table so he could free me of my panties. Resting on my elbows, the hard wood digging into me was the last thing on my mind as I watched Kevin’s mouth curl at the corners in one of his smiles that turned me liquid. Lifting my leg from the bench he removed my sandal and kissed my ankle, then placed it on the table, repeating the process with my left leg. Dipping his head, he placed feather-light kisses from my knee to that sensitive spot right on the inside of my thigh. Maybe with another guy I’d be embarrassed about how wet I was, I mean my juices were dripping down my ass for God’s sake, but with Kevin I felt nothing but desire.
He rubbed me then, slow languid massages of my pussy, his fingers lightly skimming over my sensitive flesh, whispering over my clit and teasing my entrance. Every time his thumb slid over my opening I expected him to push inside me but he didn’t, only continuing the gentle, torturous massage. Sweat dotted my skin and I squirmed beneath his touch. I felt my skin heat, my body respond, my muscles clench.
He stopped.
My breaths were coming out in large gulps. “What? Why did you stop?”
“I’ll be right back. Don’t move.”
I was wound so tight in that moment, asking me not to move was like asking me not to breathe. He jogged inside while I lay on the table, panting and seriously considering finishing the job myself. A distant croak reminded me of the other reason my heart was beating so fast, but before I could give it more thought Kevin was leaning over me. He set the bottle of lube he’d retrieved from my bedside drawer next to me and pressed his mouth against mine. His teeth scraped over my lip and he tugged none too gently. The pain resonated in my clit, a deep dull throb that made me want to roll my hips. Kevin raised my top over my head, leaving me in my bra. He dipped his head, sucking my nipple through the lace, the feel of his warm wet tongue and the soft tickle of lace over my peaked buds a heady combination. Kevin knelt on the bench and ran his hand up my body. Goose bumps prickled where his palm brushed my skin and it had nothing to do with the cool breeze.
“Turn over and kneel on the cushions.”
He stepped back and placed two of the candy-striped cushions as far apart as he knew my legs could comfortably spread. I did as he asked, my chest heaving with my laboured breaths. His fingers skimmed my clit artfully in a tease that brought me to the brink but left me dangling on the precipice. I bit back a whimpering protest when Kevin stopped stroking me to reach for the lube. I was so close to coming that I was sure if the wind picked up even a little and blew over my wet flesh I’d come. I felt the cold lube moments before Kevin’s hard cock pressed against my most vulnerable area and although I’d known what he was going to do, I still gasped as he pressed inside me.
I don’t know what I’d been expecting but this wasn’t it. This was…so much more. I felt him everywhere, a pulling pressure, deep within me, the sensations overwhelming. He moved in and out of me slowly. I wanted…Oh God, I don’t know what I wanted. More. I pushed back against his hips. His fingers dug into me painfully and he stilled.
“Jesus, Claire, easy!” I stilled. A sliver of sweat ran down my spine and a moment later Kevin’s tongue drew a lazy line up my back. He kissed the soft spot behind my ear. “Slow, okay? I don’t want to hurt you.” He moved his hips slowly, his hands holding me still, making sure I couldn’t move to meet his thrusts. I felt the burn of each stroke, the border of pleasure and pain that pulsed in my clit. I felt the build, a slow burn that consumed me and lapped at me from the inside out. My teeth clamped down on my lower lip as I felt my orgasm tear through me.
“Fuck, Claire.” Kevin groaned and I turned my head to see the muscles in his neck straining with the effort it took for him not to ram inside me as he came. My arms shook and I could no longer hold my upper body up. My arms buckled but Kevin caught me and scooped me in his arms, carrying me to the bathroom where he set me on the ledge next to the tub.
With my eyes closed, I relaxed against Kevin’s chest while he sponged warm scented water over my breasts. “Are you okay?” His voice was amused by my semi-comatose state.
“Mmmm.”
“So, did you get over your fear of frogs?”
I opened my eyes with great effort. “I’m going to buy a pond tomorrow, what do you think?”
* * *
A gentle kiss to my temple woke me. “What time is it?” I mumbled, reaching for my phone and squinting my eyes at the screen.
“Just after seven.”
I couldn’t believe that a month was up already and Kevin was leaving. I sat up. “Why didn’t you wake me? Give me ten minutes and I’ll be ready.” I moved to get out of bed and Kevin gently pressed a hand to my shoulder, giving me a sly grin.
“If I give you ten minutes I won’t be able to do this.” He took my face in his hands and leaned in, pressing his lips to mine. I felt his tongue nudge at my lips, seeking entrance. Oh hell no! Scooting back, I bumped my head on the headboard. “Ouch!” Rubbing it with one hand, I placed the other hand over my mouth.
Kevin covered his quizzical smile with a scowl. “You’re cutting into my ten minutes with your self-sabotage here.”
“Morning breath,” I mumbled through my fingers.
Kevin leaned over me. “I don’t know when I’ll get to do this again. I’ll risk it.”
His tongue slipped into my mouth. I forgot about my potential morning breath and if the way his tongue claimed mine was any indication, he didn’t care about it either. His kiss went from fierce to sweet to fierce to something I couldn’t quite put my finger on and I was lost. My fingers threaded through his hair as I pulled his mouth harder to mine. I felt his groan against my lips and then he pulled away. “I’m gonna miss you, Claire-Bear.”
Tears stung the back of my throat but I refused to let them rob me of my last moments with Kevin. “I’ll miss you more.”
He kissed my nose. “I better go before I start bawling here and embarrass myself.”
A giggle dissolved the ball of tears building in my throat. “Get out of here.”
Kevin straightened and grabbed his bag from the foot of the bed. “You have no heart, Claire. No heart.” He winked and the gesture bought me more time. “I’ll call you when I land.”
“You better.”
In two steps he reached me and kissed my forehead. It took all I had to hold onto my tears until I heard the front door close.
Chapter Eight
I woke wet and swollen and wanted to launch my phone out the window as the persistent ringing broke into my very delicious dream. I was grateful I lived alone, the oversized t-shirt I wore to sleep in was bunched above my hips and there was a very obvious wet spot on the bed, making it blatantly apparent that I’d be
en grinding my hips against the sheets.
“You just interrupted a really nice dream,” I grumped into the phone.
“Nice! Do tell.” His voice, deep and smooth did little to ease the ache.
“There’s nothing to tell, you interrupted.” I clenched my legs together in the hopes that I could ease the pressure but I only succeeded in making it worse.
“That’s unforgivable. I’ll have to make it up to you.”
“Damn straight.”
A soft chuckle met my ears. “What are you wearing?”
I wanted the bed to swallow me up. “Um…”
“You’re wearing my Zoo York shirt, aren’t you?”
“Maybe.” I smiled into the phone.
“I wondered where it went.”
“We can talk about your lack of packing skills or we can get on with you making up for interrupting my sexy dream,” I teased.
“Alright. What do you want?”
I felt a blush spread over my cheeks which was silly considering I was never shy to ask him for anything in person. This was different somehow. More intimate than being in the same room as each other.
“I want you to finish what you interrupted.” I was proud my voice didn’t squeak over the words as my face flamed brighter red.
He paused for a beat and when his voice came back on the line it was husky as sin. “You’re so demanding. I like it. Put your phone on speaker and set it beside you. Then take the shirt off.”
I don’t know what I expected, after all I did ask for this, still, I was a little caught off guard that he jumped right in.
“Lie back against the pillows. Get good and comfortable. Spread your legs for me.”
I hesitated for a moment, feeling ridiculously self-conscious. Sensing my hesitation, I heard his chuckle come through the line. “Don’t tell me you’re getting shy on me now.”
I scowled at the phone. “I’m not shy.”
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