Waiting for a Girl Like You: (Kissables Duology Series, Book 1)

by Gina Conkle

  AJ’s crystalline blue eyes pierced her. “Sex.”

  The nicest shiver ran down her legs. “Yes.”

  Hot sun beat down on the rest of the world. It was August. Standing under the pepper tree, AJ was a tall, cool drink of water. Stained coveralls didn’t put her off nor did his tattoo and the rough cadence of his speech. Under the gruff exterior was a real man with a good heart. He visually devoured her every time they’d crossed paths around town, and last night was no exception. But, could she be content with a sex only fling?

  “Well, that’s a relief.” Faint sarcasm edged his last word.

  “What is?”

  His steady gaze never wavered. “I thought you might be going in a different direction.”

  She cocked her head. “Did you think I was about to give you the ‘let’s be friends’ talk?”

  “I thought you were about to give me the ‘let’s hook up for sex only’ talk.”

  “Oh AJ,” she said around hiccups of laughter. Her cheeks burned. She shook her head, a little dazed. “I…I don’t know what to say to that.”

  “It’s not the first time a woman like you propositioned me.”

  Eyes rounding, she laughed at the absurdity. “I’m not propositioning you.”

  “Good because my answer would be no.”

  She’d come for lunch and conversation of the talking variety. A kiss or two was more than welcome, but they needed to slow down, let things simmer. AJ’s forbidding frown told her some of Hidden Valley’s well-shod women had dallied with him, and he was having no more of it. The town was an eclectic mix of gated communities, small farm-to-table co-ops and wineries. A lot of working class people had lived here long before it was hip.

  Hurt bloomed in her chest at the idea of any woman taking advantage of AJ’s goodness. Or his body. His past was likely more colorful than hers, but his flat out refusal to hook up intrigued her. He’d messed around in the past. What made him change his mind?

  “At least we have that cleared up.” She hugged herself tighter. “I like you just the way you are, AJ,” she said quietly. “I want to get to know you.”

  His eyes narrowed a fraction.

  She brushed hair off her face more flustered. “You know, when I got up this morning, I thought this would be easier.”

  “I have it on good authority it’s never easy when you really like someone. Everything’s a risk. Exciting. Wonderful. A little bumpy now and then.”

  “Who gave you this sage advice?”

  “My mom.”

  How could he be so heart melting and real? AJ was street smarts and nice guy rolled into a six two package. He clearly enjoyed what he did for a living and he didn’t give a rat’s ass what any of her friends or neighbors might think, but he did care about her. The lightness of it shined from his keen eyes…when he wasn’t ticked off.

  She ran her fingers up and down the zippered flap of his coveralls. “You’ve surprised me twice in one hour. What else is tucked inside that rock hard body of yours?”

  “Only one way to find out.”

  “That’s why I’m here.” Her feet scraped the ground, taking her closer to him. “Besides picking up my car.”

  His arms loosened on his chest. “What else did you come for?”

  AJ’s voice resonated inside her, smooth and baritone, the sound like rich caramel dripping slowly everywhere. Skin between her legs throbbed as readily as her heart. This was her moment of truth —to say what she wanted. But crap. Her nerves frayed. She was sweating this.

  “I came for you,” she said to his chest, letting that sink in before her attention ventured to his Adam’s Apple. “I want both, AJ. I want to be with you…spend time together. Nothing difficult or uncomfortable.”

  Be. It was basic, a two letter word to be with someone. It carried a wealth of promises to live in the present. Of simplicity. Of breathing and laughing and living each day as it came. The future would take care of itself. Telling AJ what she wanted emboldened her. Waiting for his response was something else. It left her tenuous as if she balanced on her tip toes and the fall could go either way.

  “Sex and friendship,” he said evenly.

  Her gaze wandered up his square jaw higher to his mouth, discovering his upper lip was curvy and thin over a fuller lower lip before ending with his steely eyes.

  “Dating rules according to AJ. Rule number one: You make up your own rules. Rule number two? I haven’t worked out the details yet,” she murmured.

  “As long as there’s no fine print with rule number two, I’m good.” He cracked a smile. “We’ll figure it out.”

  Giddy with relief, she tipped her forehead against his chest. “That was easier and harder than I thought.”

  AJ was a hard male wall, unbending little by little. His body hummed with tension. Standing close to him, she could feel it bounce off his chest and arms. Maybe he was just as thrown for loop by last night as she was.

  She stepped back to give him some room. “I have an idea. A friend of mine owns a gallery in downtown San Diego, and she’s hosting an art show on Saturday night. I promised to help with the prep, so I’ll be there at noon,” she said in rush. “You could meet me there.”

  “An art show?”

  “You might like it. It starts at seven.” She nodded at the McMillan garage. “Saturdays, are they pretty busy?”

  “Busiest day of the week.”

  “Then it works coming to the gallery at your convenience.”

  “Would this be the Subtext Gallery?”

  “Yes.” Her phone call with Richard. She angled her head, eyeing him under her lashes. So he caught that last night. She shouldn’t be surprised. AJ was no Neanderthal. He was an attentive, thoughtful man who just happened to have a great body and a sex drive she wanted to test.

  “Is Richard going to be there?”

  She hesitated. “Probably.”

  It was a doomed effort, inviting AJ to an art show –not his comfort zone- and Richard would be there, a guy AJ didn’t like even though the two had never met.

  “Does this involve food and beer?” A ribbing note entered his voice.

  “Uhhh, they’ll serve wine and appetizers, but I can make sure there’s beer.”

  His smile was a slash of white. “Are you asking me out on a date?”

  “Not really. It’s a casual get together,” she said too fast. “You can come and go when you want.”

  “Sounds like a date to me.”

  “AJ,” she said, waggling his front zipper. “I’m already nervous.”

  He folded her hand in his. “Don’t be.” His touch was reassuring. “If you’re there, I’ll stare at art all you want.”

  They walked into the sunshine, heading slowly for the picnic table where Sean and another guy were eating. She could tell he wanted the table all to themselves. Company would be good. It’d make them keep their hands to themselves.

  “You’ll be okay with Richard there?”

  “Don’t worry. I can play nice. I look forward to meeting the man.”

  His confident smile warmed her. She’d glimpsed a little of AJ’s world today. He’d soon glimpse hers. Saturday night would be one more bead on the brand new string connecting them.

  What could possibly go wrong with that?

  CHAPTER FIVE

  Jennifer steadied herself under his touch, her eyes dark pools in her face. He brushed five fingers along her collarbone at the top of her black shirt.

  “You’ll have to tell me how you got so tan?” He pictured a skimpy bikini.

  “Gardening. That’s where I get my tan.”

  “Naked?”

  “No. But, I can cook naked for you.”

  His groin tightened.

  “This is the best idea. Who knew star gazing could be so much fun?” She stretched beside him oblivious to
the effect arching her back, pointing her tits at the sky did to him.

  He toyed with gold-brown hair slipping over her shoulder. “When you don’t have two dimes to rub together, you get creative.”

  He searched her. Would that get a reaction? Jennifer scooted closer. “I’m getting cold. Star gazing while lying beside you in the back of your truck. Ingenious.”

  He grinned at the heavens. Better than he thought. She cozied up to him, resting her head on his shoulder, petting his chest. They’d had lunch with Sean and Jennifer left when the hour was up. Sean and Jake, the other mechanic at the table, ribbed him all afternoon that he’d better not mess this one up. He’d spent two hours on a one hour oil change and he knew he was well and truly a goner. Out of his depth with Jennifer yet content. This was real and it hadn’t been twenty-four hours.

  “Does this work with the ladies?” She traced the inch scar under his chin she’d discovered two minutes ago.

  “You mean get me laid?”

  She giggled and kissed the scar. “Yes.”

  “I didn’t bring you out here for sex,” he said, kissing the top of his head. “I called you to save the embarrassment of asking me out twice.”

  “Keeping the score even. I see.” She nuzzled his neck, kissing her way up to his ear lobe. Jennifer sucked on the small drop of flesh.

  The gentle rooting sounds drove him crazy. The skin on his neck pebbled, the good feeling shooting down his ribs. She nibbled the lobe, her teeth clamping down ever so tenderly and pulling. He inhaled fast, one hand driving into the blanket covered foam they laid on. They were sandwiched between the foam and blanket on the bottom with a light blanket on top. She was beautiful in a dress last night, a hot woman in shorts today, and enticing in her jeans at near midnight. Jennifer released his earlobe with agonizing, dick-hardening slowness.

  He palmed her ass and gave it squeeze. “Keep that up and I’ll have to take you home soon.”

  “Why?” she whispered in his ear. “You could take my jeans off and have your way with me right here.”

  His dick roused against his button fly. Here. In the back of his truck on a quiet hilltop. The land belonged to Sean’s brother and was open for AJ to trespass, but this was a get to know you better night. He was going to do this right. The road to ruin was getting in Jennifer’s pants too early.

  “Sorry,” he rumbled into her hair. “Our clothes stay on tonight.”

  “What? Is this one of your dating rules?”

  “It’s my rule for you. We’re going take our time and get to know each other.”

  She growled against neck. “You lying beside me, looking better than a body has a right to, and you’re not going to touch me?”

  His head tipped back, low laughter rumbling out of him. Blondie got testier and testier with each passing minute. She pushed up on one elbow, her hair draping his arm. Crickets chirped. The sky was a million stars scattered on black.

  She peered into his face. “You’re serious.”

  “I am.”

  “Why?”

  “Balance.” He pushed up on his elbow, facing her. “As much as I love touching you, if that’s all I do, that’s all we’ll be. Two bodies getting it on. I want to know you here.” He traced one finger on her hairline above her forehead. “And here.” His finger trailed lightly over her cheek, her chin before dropping to her heart.

  He’d said the L word again. It slipped out. Jennifer was preoccupied with putting her hand over his and pressing his flesh against hers. The upper swell of her tit was a plush semi-circle.

  “Are you wearing a push-up bra?”

  “Yes.” She pushed his hand until he cupped her completely. “It’s black mesh.”

  “Sheer. Like a nineteen fifties pin up bra.”

  “You like that?”

  His fingers closed around her fullness. “Yeah.”

  “See, AJ. We’re getting to know each other. Our likes and what not.”

  Her nipple poked the center of his palm. “You are hungry for touch aren’t you?”

  The corners of her mouth wilted. Her head leaned on her own shoulder as if the weight of what was going on between them consumed her too.

  “I’m hungry for you, AJ.” Her voice was fragile and knowing all at once. “I’ve had a few men approach me with offers to relieve me from the loneliness of widowhood.”

  The crooked twist of her lips told him what she thought of those men. His heart swelled. By their ongoing track record, she’d chosen him above all others. Him. The man from the rough side of Hidden Valley’s tracks.

  He traced her bottom lip. “I’ll relieve you of whatever you want—” She groaned, her eyes pinching as if anticipation was painful. “—soon. Trust me.”

  “I do, AJ.” She flopped on her back beside him, staring at the skies. “That you aren’t rushing makes me want to rush even more.”

  “Sure. A contradiction that makes perfect sense.” He grinned. Testier and testier.

  “So, what’s your favorite movie?” she asked grudgingly.

  “Anything with Clint Eastwood.”

  Her eyes slanted a split second at him. “I really liked Bridges of Madison County. It’s one of my go to chick flick movies.” Jennifer’s profile relaxed. “Okay. How old are you?”

  “Twenty-eight.”

  “Great. I’m the older woman robbing the cradle.”

  “How old are you?”

  “I’ll be thirty-one in November.”

  He stayed up on one elbow, his other hand sliding onto her stomach. Her stomach muscles clenched under his palm. “Three years difference. Hardly robbing the cradle.”

  “It’s the first time I’ve been older…” She grimaced on the last word, not finishing her sentence.

  Jennifer had a history too. An acid burn hit his mid-section. He couldn’t change what had been, but he could work mighty hard to change what would be. She kept talking, asking questions of him and giving him answers to her own questions. His hand skimmed her ribs with agonizing slowness.

  “I’m being efficient,” she said, laughing when he touched a ticklish spot. “Asking the questions for both of us and giving my answers before you ask anything of me. It saves time…all in the name of balance.”

  He was in no hurry, tracing up and down her ribs under her left breast. His hand moved under her black cotton shirt as Jennifer peppered him with questions and answer time. He smiled down at her animated face. She acted as if this was a matter of getting a minimum amount of information out of the way, and once the quotient was met, fun and games would ensue. No dice. Not tonight. This was purely exploratory to get into her mind and her heart.

  But his Neanderthal wasn’t entirely shut out. Not with Jennifer’s little breathy quips and her sweet wiggles beside him. When his fingers ran into her underwire bra, her lips froze mid-word in a tender O.

  She swallowed delicately, her brown eyes searching him. Need and affection shined in her eyes. Her mouth stalled as if any words went away when she swallowed. He pushed her sweater up over her rack, and he was the one at a loss for words. The view was even better than what she said.

  A black mesh pin up bra hugged two full white tits. A black seam went up the center of each cup from the underwire, ending on her nipple. He traced the thin black seam.

  “A pin up girl bra. You’re killing me.” His head buzzed and his nostrils flared. He was on Jennifer overload, her flowering scent and perfect pin up girl tits killing him.

  “I remembered what you said last night bout my underwear. I figured you like mesh lingerie. So I wore this for you.”

  His balls hurt so good. It was a gift. He wouldn’t ask what she had on the bottom half.

  “If you want, I can take my bra off and—”

  “No.” The word about shot out of him.

  He took a deep breath and eased up. Tweaking her nipple
and seeing Jennifer squirm gratified him. His dick got no satisfaction, but he did. Control was the better part of him. It’d gotten him through years of scraping by at McMillan’s. It’d get him through this journey with Jennifer.

  She gathered up a handful of T-shirt and held fast. “Do we keep going with the questions and answers...to get this balance thing over with?” Her voice was breathy and humored.

  “We’ll work on balance for a long time to come.” When her face fell, he dropped a quick kiss on one nipple. “For starters, I kiss this side and the other.” And he kissed the other nipple.

  “Ohhhh.” Jennifer arched her tits up high.

  He leaned over and cupped the sides of her curves in both hands. He pushed her tits as close together as they’d go, kissing and sucking, kissing and sucking a lazy line back and forth between both nipples. Jennifer moaned beneath him. She clutched his head, her fingers pressing ten points into his scalp.

  He tongued a wet line, cresting one tit, dipping into the valley of her cleavage, and cresting the other tit. The mesh’s texture tickled his tongue. He dragged teeth and lips over every thread of her bra cup.

  “AJ,” she moaned. “My bra…take it off.”

  “No,” he mumbled against her cleavage and came up for air.

  Jennifer lazed in the back of his truck, well-teased and played with. Black lashes were crescents on cheeks pale in midnight’s colors. Lips slick with saliva shined from her busy tongue. She was desperate for his kisses. Together they were a hot mix of hyper hormones and erotic daze.

  He slid her shirt back down. “It’s past midnight,” he said gently. “Time to get you home.”

  The black crescents on her cheeks fluttered half over milk chocolate eyes. The sound she made was a grunt and a moan mashed together. She scowled at him…a lush pin up denied what she wanted.

  “I don’t want to.” She cupped her own cheeks. “You know what? As soon as I get home, I’m fingering myself.”

  Head to toe, his body jerked. Legs stiff, he let denied pleasure push through. It hurt. He couldn’t deny it. He pulled her into his arms and held on tight. He was falling for her. She was the one in need of a gentle, patient hand.