Crushing

by Kelly Kay

  Jims laughs freely. He’s kind of delightful. “Smart. I must return to the barbarians at that table, but my darling, I’ll see you later.” He kisses me on the cheek and heads away from us. Randy turns to me. Everyone at the table has looked over at me at some point while Jims was talking to me. I feel as if it was his job to point me out to the others. These must be the crew that are Josh’s chosen cousins he talked about on our first night.

  “And now I hate you again. Can you charm anyone? He’s the most eligible man in wine country. Well, aside from yours. But the difference is that Jims has run through every man in wine country and Josh hasn’t dated here since high school.” I laugh at Randy.

  Josh occasionally comes over and kisses me on the cheek or holds me for a moment if he notices Asher noticing him. Is this for show or does he really want me?

  “You’re playing an interesting game,” Randy says.

  “It’s his game, not mine.”

  “You don’t see the way he looks at you, Elle. Not a game.”

  I gulp my wine. It’s the kiss I can’t get over. Hopefully, Asher and Serena won’t stay to dance. She probably does that “stick figure sway” and then slowly lifts her arms in the air like they’re so “heavy pout dance.”

  I turn to Randy. “You have this handled, right?”

  “Go, make sure my dance floor is ready. I know you’ll have a couple of tweaks.”

  I roll my eyes and hit his arm. I head back down through the cave, leaving the glowing beach balls in the tunnel to light the path to the dance floor. Entrees will be over in about ten minutes. Josh needs to make a toast while they’re all still sitting, then on to dancing.

  I’m nearing the other side when the entrance is filled with his beautiful hard body. My breath catches, and not because I’m startled. With his eyes staring at me, I shiver in his gaze. His hair has a bit of curl to it, and its sun-kissed from all his time outside lately. Those blue eyes that mirror the colors in my dress are telegraphing his thoughts. I bite my bottom lip, and he covers the six feet between us very quickly.

  He grabs me around my waist. I grab his neck. There are no words as we quickly crash our lips into each other. His hands are splayed all over my back and ass. We’re a tangle of tongues and chorus of gasps. Every part of me is on fire. I can’t stop myself. I pull back, and he gives me that one-sided grin. We’re both struggling to catch our breath while our faces are still nose to nose.

  “You have to make a toast.”

  “Woman. Let it go. For one fucking second, you need to stop being in fucking control. Lean into the moment.” He lurches forward and takes my lips with an intense kiss that has more than my toes tingling. I gasp and grope at him. He possesses me with this kiss. He's commanding me to lose control. I can feel my shoulders relax and tension roll off of me. I want this man right here and now. His phone buzzes.

  He winks and says, “I have to go make a toast.”

  Chapter Fifty-One

  Josh

  She giggles, looking at me. “First, you might want to let that go down.”

  My dick is straight up and throbbing hard. My glorified bathing suit is hiding nothing. I could come right now if she brushed by it. So fucking turned on by this vixen. My shirt’s not long enough to cover my raging hard-on. She’s going to need to walk away from me. And take her lilac and orange blossom smell with her. And the feel of her silky hair and her skin. Holy hell, I need to be inside this woman. I need to be filling every inch of her.

  I smirk at her. “Then you’re going to need to stop touching me.”

  “Wait. Like this?” She puts her hands on my chest and then moves them slowly to my back, caressing with her nails.

  “Yeah, like that. Unless you can give the world’s fastest blow job and relieve me of this, take your sexy ass away from me. Stop torturing me.”

  She doesn’t stop. Her hands roam underneath my shirt. She’s rubbing my pecs and feeling her way down across my abs. This girl. Fuck. “I’m not that fast at it, to be honest. But I am really good at sucking cock. Remember? And I really like it.” She bites her full bottom pink lip and then traces the top of the waistband of my ridiculous shorts with her matching pink chiffon nail. I need her to get away from me before I bend her over a barrel. I adjust myself.

  “FUCK. Not helping. You’ll pay for teasing me.”

  She smiles, tilting her head and staring at the large bulge in my pants. “See, I’m just as turned on as you. As wet as you can remember. I guess I just hide it better.”

  “Don’t sit down and let it seep through your dress.”

  “Yes, then I’d have an awful mess with my thighs so slick.”

  I cover her mouth with my hand. She needs to stop talking, touching, and insinuating. “Stop this or I’m going to have to exact my revenge.” I roughly pull her lips to mine and lick inside of her mouth. I’m matched stroke for stroke until neither of us can get closer. “You’re dangerous. Walk away.” I put my hands on my hips and bend at the waist trying to regulate my breathing.

  She licks her lips and leaves. She calls back over her shoulder. “Okay. I guess I’ll save you a dance then.” Elle then drops her phone, bending over to let her dress flip up onto her back. I'm going to tear that thong off her later. She smiles at me.

  “Fuck me. That ass. That skin. Go. Or I’m never going to let you go.”

  I am insanely hot for her right now, but there are four hundred people here who know me. I grab a cold cup of water from the cave tasting room and douse my head. Both heads. I think of the time I accidentally saw Mrs. Dotson, my surrogate grandmother, changing in our kitchen. No bra, just swinging in the wind. That did it. I flip back my hair and slick it down. I douse the rest of my Jams so it’s not obvious. Okay. I’m ready. I look like I just went swimming so I’m going to use it as a gag in my toast.

  Just as I turn from the tasting area in the cave, I get a text from my dad telling me they’re back and he’ll make the toast. Thank fucking god. I head out of the tunnel in the opposite direction of my temptress, who I will make pay for teasing me. Everyone is wrapping up dinner, I sit with my friends while Randy and Mrs. Dotson sing a parody song to the tune of Margaritaville about our members. It’s all sweet and everything, but I can only think of the moment when I get to launch on her. Patience seems to be my test tonight.

  I exit toward the dining area and see Asher and Serena get up and begin to sidle their way to the exit. I forgot they were here. Asher salutes me, and Serena blows me a kiss. I turn away. They pause to hear the speeches. Both of them have no idea that they bear very little weight on my life right now. I look around the vineyard from this view. I’ve seen all the aspects of this place before. I inhale my home deeply, and it’s nostalgic but also new and exciting. I’m shocked by the thoughts and feelings I’m letting my brain process.

  My mom takes the microphone. I can tell she’s going to get misty. They’re going to tell the members about the sale. I was supposed to do it, but it should come from them.

  “You’re the very backbone and spirit that my father, grandfather, grandmother, mother, great-grands, and great-great-grands envisioned sharing this world with. I can never thank you enough for filling our lives with such joy. We’re so happy that you believe in the soul of this place the way that we do. It’s with an extremely measured and heavy heart that we tell you that within the year we’ll be transitioning out of the business. We’re looking for a buyer with the same integrity and love of our vineyards that we share with you. You will all be well taken care of.”

  There are audible gasps and lots of rumbling. A couple of the people look at me, and I redirect them back to my weepy mom. I’m focused on my mother’s lined and soft face. She seems so fragile but sure of herself. And again, I think about the artist or business tycoon she could have been. The path never opened to her because her father wouldn’t allow it. The way blocked by the weight of this winery legacy. The weight I thought was too great to carry. She’s finally lifting it off herself.

&
nbsp; I can never tell them exactly why I don’t want the winery because it would be too cruel to say to them that Lucien didn’t believe in them. I’m not sure if they know the extent he forced me to learn the business at such a young age. I can’t tell them I hated him for giving me no choice. I ended up hating the winery because of Lucien’s unstoppable force of will. But then I stepped away, and my parents gave me a choice. They let me go. I need to let them go as well. If their choice is to sell, then I need to let it be. But I’ll miss this place. I’m beginning to wonder about the path I didn’t take. What if I had done all of this on my own terms? Was this my sliding door moment? The one where I can clearly see what the other road would have given me? It’s doesn’t matter. It’s too late. I’m secure in that. I walk over towards where the staff is holding up the wall of the cave.

  Suddenly, as my father is blathering on about the terroir and overcoming root rot, my nose is filled with lilacs and orange blossoms. Like Pavlov’s dog, I begin to salivate and my dick twitches. She’s near me. She moves directly in front of me. I lean into her ear, nipping it, and she arches her back a bit. Randy squeezes my shoulder and disappears. The rest of the staff moves towards Dad on the other side of the crowd. I sink deeper into the alcove we’ve found ourselves in, pulling her with me. I whisper so low only she can hear me, “I want your perfect peach ass to back up into me and stay there.” I’m going to torture her, and this little flouncy skirt is going to help.

  Chapter Fifty-Two

  Elle

  I don’t know why Will and Sarah are back from dinner early, but I’m delighted Josh won’t have to glad-hand anymore. Everything is handled on the other side, and Randy is over there putting in his Black Eyed Peas requests. He’s a freak for Fergie.

  Josh’s hair looks like he slicked it back with water, but now it’s floppy, and his bangs are falling over one azure piercing eye. He’s back on my ear and my stomach flips. I cross my arms over my chest so no one can see my diamond hard nipples.

  His hands are firmly on my hips as I brush my ass against his tropical drawstring. He spread his legs to lower his center of gravity a bit. My wedges make up the height difference and our parts are in alignment.

  His thumb strokes my back on the top of my ass, and it’s strong and powerful. He’s not asking, he’s just doing it. My back arches a bit to give him better access to my ass. Then he whispers to me again.

  “Stop squirming.” I roll my hips back just a little, to help out. “Don’t help me, Cosmo. I’ve got this. You do what I say right now. You’ve been barking and cooing orders around here for months now, let’s see if you can follow some. Don’t move. I’m looking for something.”

  As he says it, he hooks his thumb into my thong’s waistband then removes the thin strip of material from my ass.

  “What are you doing?

  “I’m sorry, did someone say you could ask questions? Do as you’re told and you get rewarded. Let that Elle sassy attitude slip out, and I stop. Got it?”

  I say nothing. It’s the same tone Josh took with me the night of Steiner’s. It already has me over a cliff with desire.

  “Words. Tell me, you understand.”

  I turn my head to his at my ear, nip the lobe, and whisper. “Got it. I understand.”

  He’s feeling my ass, searching, and it’s so good. Then I figure out what he’s doing as he says, “There it is.” I gasp as he gently tugs it upward. “Spread your legs, just wide enough so I can find what I need.”

  I hesitate because there are people everywhere around us. This is so hot. He touches me, and no one seems to notice, but they could. His leg is between mine, nudging mine apart, just slightly. Tucked in a dark alcove, we're only partially hidden.

  Most of the glowing orbs have been moved out of this area. As I’m contemplating how visible we are, there’s a slight smack on my ass. One that’s not cute but something else. I jerk my body for a moment, and then he’s caressing the exact spot that stings and my juices run faster than I thought they could. There’s a heat bubbling in me that I’ve never experienced. I’m a ball of lust with one quick swat.

  “I told you to open your legs slightly." I grin as he begins to light me up. No one has ever spoken to me that way. He’s back at my ear. “Do you trust me?”

  I lean back to ask a question. “As long as the Farmhouse doesn’t have a Red Room."

  I hear him laugh, and then his lips kiss and peck my neck. He keeps making me feel this switched on, I might die. I reposition my legs, and suddenly, his hand is under my skirt. I suck in a sharp breath. His hand moves up my inner thigh. And then it’s on my ass and clasping my thong again, but this time it’s at the bottom of my ass. He tugs slightly. His nimble fingers tuck the lace panel into my folds, and I gasp somewhat. It’s on either side of my clit, and it’s the most erotic feeling. He moves his fingers back to my ass and hooks into the fabric. I’m his puppet right now. If I move away from him, it will dig deeper into me, and if I step back, this perfect pressure that he’s somehow found with this tiny piece of lace will go away. I suck in air and let it out slowly as he wraps the elastic around his finger. The pressure increases as does the friction.

  His hot breath is at my ear again. “Rock your hips back into me and then move slightly forward again.”

  I roll my pelvis as I’m told. The pleasure surges through me. Josh is pushing me, or pulling me in this case, towards an orgasm. He twists his fingers around the fabric again, and now the friction is directly on my clit. My thong soaked with the wetness he’s created. I involuntarily gasp. Then I suck it back in through my teeth. It’s starting to get to a point where I can’t take it.

  As the people pass us and the volume of muttering guests increases, so does his volume. His deep voice rumbling through every part of me, “Do it again. And let it out.”

  I rock back, and this time it’s into his hard dick. I release and stand up again, he tugs just a little harder.

  “Hope you’re not attached to this drenched piece of fabric because I’m going to tear this off you with my teeth later. Only talk when I tell you.” I just rock my hips back again as I moan slightly while nodding yes.

  “That’s not quite what I want to hear. Say my name. Let me hear you.”

  “Josh.” It’s as breathy as I can make it. The ‘J’ getting stuck in the gasp. I’m living so close to coming.

  “You’re so wet I can feel you coat yourself. I need you to coat my face. I’m going to lap up that sweet pussy. Let’s see if you live up to my memory of how fucking good you taste.”

  “I have to....” He puts his hand over my mouth. Fuck so hot. I suck his fingers. I'll tell him anything he wants if he lets me come right now. I have to. I’ve never been this on the verge without release. I’m so lost in lust that I do not care who sees me or hears me. There is only us. Everyone else fades from view as I stare straight ahead at the staff cleaning the tables. I don’t care. Fuck them. Josh, please just fuck me. I’m a tight ball of sexual tension. I need to release.

  “No, girl. You don’t get to come yet. Tell me how you think you taste, and then I’ll tell you the truth.”

  “Good. I taste good.” I manage to get out.

  “You taste fucking amazing. Like oranges and spice.” He pulls my strings again, and I squeak. “Tell me what this feels like.”

  “No. Can’t.”

  My breath catching as I attempt not to come. I have no language. I can’t speak, or I’ll scream. But Josh lets go of my panties, pulling them away from my body. Then they settle back where they usually are, and I’m desperate for him to pull my reins again. He pulls his hand from my skirt. I turn around and look at him. Most of the party has moved to the dance floor, and we’re surrounded by servers and bar staff. My mouth hangs open in an exaggerated O.

  “No. Why? Why did you stop?” I whine, and he raises his eyebrows at me.

  “I told you, you had to listen. Do as I say. You told me no. Denied a direct request. You do as I say, or I stop.”

  “I’
m so close.”

  “Then you’ll have to wait. Do as I say and you get to come. If you don’t, then I can’t help you. And don’t take care of things yourself. I didn’t, so you can’t.”

  “I understand you want me in as much pain as you were in an hour ago.”

  He grins insidiously at me and pushes his hair out of his eyes. When he does, his shirt pops up a bit and I see his abs, and I now know, I’ll do whatever he wants tonight. “Not so much pain, as I want you to know how badly I want to fuck you. I want you to join me in this frenzy of desire.”

  “I’m there.”

  “Not yet, you’re not. Not even fucking close to knowing how much I want you. I’ll decide when we’re on an equal level of lust. Let’s go dance.”

  He holds out his hand to me. He laces his fingers in mine, and it’s the most intimate we’ve ever been. This isn’t primal desire. It’s true affection.

  But even that benign touch sends shots of pleasure through me. Josh winks as he sees me try to regulate my breathing. We head through the cave together. Suddenly he pushes me into one of the barrel rooms and crashes his mouth to mine. We kiss as if our plane is going down. Gasps and moans from both of us. He gropes my ass and moves his hands to my thighs but is careful not to invade my skirt. The one place I want him. If he won’t give me his dick, at least a finger or two until we can be alone. He moves down my neck and licks my cleavage as I throw back my head and reach for his waistband. Perhaps I can convince him.

  He moves back a bit. “No. Not yet. Come on, we need to get out there.”

  “In a minute, Josh.” I pull his head back to mine and cover his lips while feeling the outline of him. He moans and responds in kind by swirling his tongue in this magnificent passionate dance in my mouth. Fuck he’s hot. Then he pulls away suddenly and chastises me.

  “Last time you do that without permission tonight, little Miss Bossypants.” I nod. No one has ever taken control of me in this way. As much as I want to fight, my body is reacting in such an unexpected way. I want to surrender to this man. Just before we exit, he lets go. I know exactly why, but I do feel the absence of his touch.