My balls start to tighten as I continue to use her body. A small voice in the back of my mind tells me to be gentle, but she feels too fucking good and she doesn’t seem to mind. Her head is thrown back in pleasure, and her eyes are closed as she leans back against the side of her house. She’s bouncing eagerly on my cock and gripping the back of my neck tightly with one hand and clawing at my back with the other. I can tell she’s close to having another orgasm, and I want her to come with me. I shift my hand at her pussy and press my hand against it so it almost serves as another cradle for my cock. I press close and insert my middle and ring fingers, which are under my cock, inside of her and resume rubbing her clit with my thumb.
At the intrusion her eyes fly open but she’s so slick, so wet, that I know she’s only feeling intense pleasure at the added fullness. The force of my hips as I saw in and out of her tight body moves my fingers. She’s surprised, but once she gives in to the extra sensation I know she’ll be done for. I bend my knees and thrust in at a different angle, all while my fingers are rubbing her clit and her inner walls, and she comes apart like a bomb that’s been detonated.
I manage to press my lips against hers and swallow the scream that leaves her throat in a hoarse, overwhelmed cry. The combination of her twitching pussy milking my cock and her shuddering cries spilling into my mouth trigger my own orgasm. I remove my fingers and bury my face in her neck as I continue to bury myself in her body, my thrusts becoming progressively gentle as we both come down from our shared release. I pull my head back and look at her as I shallowly push into her pussy. She looks sated and happy. She has a smile pulling at the corners of her lips, and the light misting of sweat on her skin gives her a sexy glow.
I lean my forehead against hers and place a tender kiss on her lips while I unhook her legs from around my waist. I set her legs down and make sure she can stand before I step back and push myself back into my jeans. She’s still smiling and looks utterly relaxed as she supports her body weight against the wall. I feel a surge of affection hit me with the force of a wrecking ball and am confused by the rush of unfamiliar feelings.
We stare at one another as we try to regulate our breathing and while I try to analyze what I’m feeling. It can’t be anything serious. That’d be ridiculous. It must be the high from my orgasm. But you’ve had orgasms with other people and never felt this feeling, an insistent voice in the back of my mind says. She’s different. I push the voice further back in an effort to silence it. This must be a side effect of sleeping with someone who I see regularly, someone I’m not bored of. That’s it. This is a new experience for both of us, and I’ll enjoy it while it lasts, which will only be for the summer. It won’t ever turn into anything more. I can guarantee that.
I paste my trademark smirk on my face and can’t help stepping close to her once again. She glances up at me but doesn’t move to touch me.
“Thanks for dinner and dessert, Mac.” I can tell that it drives her a little crazy to hear her words repeated back to her. “Have a great night,” I teasingly say. “I’ll see you later.”
She’s shaking her head when I drop a quick kiss to her lips, wink, and walk away from her to my truck.
“Make sure you rest up. You’re gonna need it for next time,” I laughingly say.
“If there is a next time,” she tosses back my way with a smile as she starts to saunter toward the front of the house.
I laugh at her words and hop into my truck. I watch her enter the house with a small wave in my direction and feel a tightening in my chest as I watch her disappear.
15
It’s a gorgeous summer Sunday, and I’m working my family’s booth at the local farmers' market. I liked working the booth as a child but find myself enjoying it even more now that I’m an adult. It’s given me a chance to familiarize myself with everyone in town again. As I stand here waiting for customers, I think about all that has transpired with Lawson.
Over the past few weeks we’ve fallen into a routine: work, dinner, sex, repeat. Again and again and again. Even on the days when we aren’t painting the barn’s exterior or he isn’t working on the barn’s roof, he makes sure to stop by and take me to dinner before things get heated. I never tell him but I’m incredibly thankful that he doesn’t want to get together for just sex. I know our arrangement isn’t anything more than that, but it makes me feel like I’m more than just a good time.
Between working on the interior of the barn and spending long, sweaty nights with Lawson, my mind and body are sore, sated, and serene. Being back at my family’s orchard and getting involved with something that has been in my family for generations has helped instill the sense of purpose I’ve been missing. Working at my family’s booth has also validated my goal to get the barn fixed and cider made because there’s definitely a large, vested interest from everyone I’ve talked to. I smile to myself and don’t even realize I’ve zoned out until I see a hand waving in front of my face.
“Hey Mac, you home?” a teasing, amused voice says.
I shake myself free of my musings and focus on the lovely woman in front of me.
“Hey Langley! Sorry about that. I was just thinking about how nice it is to be back home. I didn’t realize I missed it so much.”
“Mmhmm, I’m sure that’s what gave you that goofy look on your face.”
“Goofy look?”
“Yes’m. You look like this.” She adopts an expression that looks like a cross between sappy and zoned out.
“Rude! I do not look like that.” I try to feign indignation, but it’s hard when my laughter is moments away from bubbling to the surface.
“I’m callin’ it like I see it, sugar. You so did, and to save you some embarrassment I won’t even go into why that look was on your face,” she says as she gives me a knowing look.
The laughter in my chest immediately disappears. I try and fight the blush I can feel suffusing my cheeks, but it’s no use. I choose to ignore her comment instead and change the subject.
“So how’s your booth today? Busy?”
The smug look she graces me with is not lost on me because the resemblance is uncanny. It looks too much like Lawson’s.
“Yeah, it’s been pretty steady, but I decided to take a little break. I almost feel bad because I think half the high school football team bought some baked goods. They’re sure going to regret it later this week when they’re running those extra calories off at practice,” she laughs.
“Half the team? Langley, I’m pretty sure the entire team bought something. You’re gorgeous and can bake, so I’m sure they’re not going to regret a thing.”
“Oh stop,” she says, looking embarrassed. “Anyway, there’s another reason I stopped by. What types of apples do you have left?”
“Let’s see,” I say, looking behind me at the large baskets filled with apples. “I still have at least three dozen each of Red and Golden Delicious, Jonagold, and Granny Smith. I also have about two dozen each of Winesap, Rome Beauty, and Gala.”
“All right, that’s a lot. Too bad that doesn’t mean a lot to me. What’s going to be good for baking?” she asks, curiosity coloring her tone.
“Hmm.” I grab a Red and Golden Delicious, Granny Smith, and Jonagold. “I’d probably recommend any one of these. They hold up really well when baked, have great coloring, and are sweet in flavor.”
I proceed to quickly cut the apples into wedges and hand her a sample of each. It’s slowed down so I eat some samples with her and enjoy the flavors dancing on my tongue. The only thing that could beat seeing the bright skin of an apple, feeling the smooth, waxy skin, or smelling the crisp, tart smell is tasting one. It’ll never get old for me.
“Mmm, oh goodness, these are all so good,” Langley groans around each bite. “Which one is this again?” She’s gesturing to her current sample, which has both a deep red and shiny golden color.
“Ah, that’s the Jonagold. That’s one of my favorites. It’s a newer apple and is nice and sweet.”
“It’s so juicy!” As if to prove her point, she takes another bite and the clear juice runs down her chin just a bit.
I burst out in laughter and feel satisfaction swell in my chest that she’s enjoying my family’s apples so much. “Definitely juicy. Here,” I say as I hand her a napkin.
“Thanks,” she says as she pats her chin and smiles. “I’ll take all of the Jonagolds, Golden Delicious, and Granny Smiths, please.”
I’m not sure I’ve heard her right. “I’m sorry, what? You need nine dozen apples? Nine?” I can’t keep the shock out of my voice or off my face.
“Don’t sound so shocked, Mac. I do a lot of baking and am actually donating an ungodly amount of pies to a charity event this weekend and another charity fundraising auction that takes place in September. I need to get to it. Also, now that I think about it, could I please also get two half pints of the Golden Delicious apple butter? That stuff is to die for.”
“You’re crazy,” I shake my head as I start to bag up her apples. I also grab the half pints of apple butter she requested, the mason jars smooth and heavy in my hands. “Is the apple butter for the auction, too?”
“Okay, you’re the crazy one. The apple butter is all for me,” she giggles. “I slather that stuff on some homemade biscuits and don’t regret that choice one bit. I’ll probably drop off one of the jars at Lawson’s though. He loves that stuff, too.”
A furious blush heats my cheeks at the mention of his name and only gets worse when Langley winks at me. The two are too much alike for my peace of mind.
“I have a better idea,” she drawls, mischief clear in her voice.
I dread the words that are about to escape her lips.
“How about you give him the jar? I’ll be much too busy making all these desserts to even stop by his place. Besides, you see him more than I do.”
I’m pretty sure my face is redder than some of the apples behind me. “I do not.” Does she know about our arrangement?
“But sugar, you do. He’s still working on the barn, right?”
Oh, thank goodness. “Yes, he’s still working on it. But seriously, I’m sure you’ll have a chance to deliver it before I do,” I say as I try and push the spare jar toward her. She doesn’t take it, so I just toss it into her purse and smile in triumph when she doesn’t take it out.
She completely ignores the jar and my expression when she changes the topic. “How much do I owe you, Mac?”
“Nothing. They’re on the house, Langley.”
Her bewildered expression makes me laugh. “That’s not right! I want to pay you! How much?”
“Seriously, they’re free. Consider the apple butter my thanks for the free pie when I came back to town. As far as the apples go, the day is almost over. I need to get rid of them, so you’re actually doing me a favor. If they don’t sell, I won’t know what to do with them. Besides, I know you’ll be using them for a good cause. It’s my good deed for the day. If you need more apples for the fundraising auction, just let me know. I’m happy to pitch in.”
That’s a tiny little lie because if they don’t sell I would’ve donated them anyway, but she doesn’t need to know that.
“Aw, Mac, thank you! I’ll make sure you get one of the pies I make,” she says as she gives me a dazzling smile filled with gratitude.
“Anytime, Langley!” I tell her as I start to bag up the apples. “Also, how are you getting these to your car? Do you need a hand?”
“I’ll help,” a deep voice to our left says.
The blush that just managed to escape my face comes back in full force. Seeing him in public and knowing what we do in private makes me more aware of him physically. My mind officially went from innocent to gutter in less than one second flat. It doesn’t help that he’s looking at me like he wants to devour me.
“Oh, Lawson, there you are! You’re such a dear. Thank you,” Langley gushes.
She leans in and gives him a hug. Seeing the two together is like looking at a painting; the Westbrook siblings are too attractive for their own good and for the sanity of Starwood.
“Anything for you,” Lawson says back to her, but his eyes haven’t left mine. I’m not sure if I should read more into his words or not. I can’t help but feel they’re meant for me and not Langley. I mentally slap myself and force my mind back to reality. Of course they’re for his sister. I’m not even sure what those words would mean for me. Lawson isn’t looking for anything long-term or committed. Neither am I, for that matter.
I hold my breath as Lawson comes behind my booth and stands too close for comfort, his body bumping against mine.
“Sorry, darlin’,” he mutters for my ears only. His words belie his tone and smirk because he’s obviously anything but sorry, the rogue.
I roll my eyes in response and he just chuckles as he lifts all of the apple bags. After throwing another heated glance my way and saying bye, he heads to the parking lot. I try and fail at not watching the play of his muscles in his tight shirt, but damn, the view sure is nice.
“I’m gonna get goin’, but it was great seeing you! We’ll have to get together soon.”
I tear my gaze away from Lawson and grin in embarrassment when I see the twinkle in Langley’s eyes. She knows I’ve got it bad, so I guess there’s no use in hiding it around her.
“Definitely, it’s always great seeing you. Let me know if you need help at the auction when it comes around. I’d be happy to help.”
“Oh, that’d be wonderful. I’ll text you, Mac!” She leans in and gives me a quick hug before she heads off after her brother.
I watch them for a moment and turn back to my booth. The day is just about over so I start to pack up. As I glance back down, I notice a lone jar of apple butter where Langley’s purse had been sitting. That little sneak. I pick up the jar and roll it between my hands. I have no choice now than to deliver the apple butter myself. A smile blooms on my face at the thought. I’ll never admit it, but I’m glad she left it behind. I can’t wait to give this to him myself.
Each day I spend in Starwood starts to feel more and more like home. Granted, this was my home growing up, but Chicago is starting to feel like a small blip on the radar that is my life. After the farmers' market, I went home and spent some quality time with my family. Now I’m upstairs and am browsing through my cell. The only things I really miss from the city are Cade and some deep-dish pizza, so I decide to text my friend and see how he’s doing.
Me: CC!! How are you?!
Cade: I’m sorry, who is this?
Me: Ha ha, very funny. How are you? I miss you.
Cade: Everything is good. I miss you, too. Ollie doesn’t share his food.
I laugh out loud at his text. Ollie is his business partner and other best friend. I’m not surprised he won’t share his food because he eats just as much as Cade does. It’s a miracle they look as good as they do with all the food they eat.
Me: LOL. I’d be down to share a pizza with you. I have a craving.
Cade: Mm, pizza. Giordano’s?
Me: Ugh, yes. You should bring me some.
Cade: Ha, it probably wouldn’t be very good.
Me: I don’t mind cold pizza. Or you can just bring yourself.
Cade: I guess I can do that.
Me: Wait, what?! Really?
Cade: Yeah, my assistant keeps telling me to take a vacation.
Me: You must be driving her crazy.
Cade: Maybe.
Me: But seriously, can you visit? I’d go but the barn isn’t done.
Cade: I can be there Saturday.
An unladylike screech leaves my lips when I read his text.
Me: YES!! Please!! I think you’ll like it here.
Cade: I’m sure I will. I just put it on my calendar. I’ll see you this weekend.
Me: You rock.
Cade: This I know. You tell me all the time.
Me: *rolls eyes* Yeah yeah. Oh, and CC? Don’t forget the pizza. I’m dead serious.
Cade: I know, weirdo.
>
Me: Thanks! See you Saturday, bestie face. :)
Cade: See you Saturday. :)
I drop my phone on my bed and smile at my ceiling. I’ll have the best of both worlds soon, and I can’t wait.
16
“You’re gonna be the death of me, darlin’,” Lawson pants.
“And what a death it’ll be, right?” I smile as I stretch my well-used muscles.
“You’ve got that right. No better way to go.”
We both laugh and try and slow our breathing. After texting Cade, I texted Lawson and told him about the apple butter Langley got him and left behind. I was excited and pleased when he said he’d stop by and then proceeded to offer to take me to dinner. It may as well be code for good food and even better sex. I couldn’t pass up the offer to see him, especially after seeing him at the farmers' market earlier today.
After another date in Fontaine, we went back to his place and had sex all over his living room. We can’t get enough of each other, and now we’re sprawled across his couch, naked and replete. I don’t want to overstay my welcome, so after a few moments I get up to try and find my clothes. I don’t make it off the couch before Lawson grabs my arm and pulls me into his warm embrace. I rest my head against his chest and am glad he doesn’t see my expression because if he could, he’d see shock and hope warring with one another. Up until this moment, pillow talk hasn’t been a thing. I really need to get it together.
He doesn’t make it better with his next words.
“So Mac, last time we had dinner there was an awful lot of talk about me…” he trails off.
Sin and Cider Page 12