For Keeps

by Karen Booth

  He settled his face in her neck and laughed quietly as she curled into him, gasping for breath. “Careful, Allie. What will the neighbors say?”

  Chapter Three

  Cooper watched Allie give in to the aftereffects of what had apparently been a pretty kick-ass orgasm. I can’t believe I kept it together through that. Exploring her body and watching her come was the best thing that had happened in weeks.

  She giggled as she caught her breath. The sound was welcome but unnecessary fuel for his already record-breaking hard-on. “The guy upstairs is always being noisy.”

  “Maybe there’s something you can do to shut him up.” He threaded his fingers through her silken hair and she signaled her readiness for round two by arching her back.

  The delicate skin of her thigh brushed against his cock and she settled her leg between his, grinding against him with her hip. She pushed his shoulder down onto the bed and straddled his waist. A grin spread across her face, her eyes dark in the soft light.

  Waves of her hair collapsed around her face as she leaned down to kiss him. Her mouth was craving and she squeezed his rib cage with her thighs. “If I do it right, he won’t be quiet at all,” she whispered in his ear.

  He was about to beg her to find the condom in his pocket when she moved and knelt between his legs. Her moist lips trailed along his midline, his abs twitching with each fading imprint she left. She spread her fingers across his inner thighs. Sharp fingernails raked the hair of his legs, driving him insane with desire. He struggled to quiet the urges of his hips, which only wanted to buck off the bed so he could finally find himself nestled between Allie’s unbelievable lips.

  She glanced at him before she lowered her head and dragged her tongue along the underside of his cock. The image made him feel as if he were about to rocket into space. When she reached the tip, she licked her lips and pressed them against it in a kiss. Her slender fingers toyed with his balls, sending waves of elation throughout his groin.

  He ached for more of her touch and she seemed to respond, sucking him into her mouth while swirling her tongue around him. She coiled her fingers around the base, managing to get the right amount of pressure from the beginning. It was obvious she knew not to worry about being gentle, setting a pace that caused his shoulders to rise around his ears. She rode his length with her mouth, pumping from the base with her hand, humming in a way that suggested she loved every minute of it. That sent his mind reeling, knowing that she took pleasure in one of the acts he’d fantasized about dozens of times.

  Cooper was so in awe of her talents, he hadn’t realized he’d nearly been holding his breath. A groan rushed from his lips when she took him in deep, the tip of his cock riding into the narrowest part of her throat. “Allie, come here. Let me make love to you.”

  She slid her lips from their mind-breaking grasp. “You’re so impatient.” The sensation she created as she continued to caress his inner thighs was enough to make him forget his request. “You’ll enjoy it more if I take you to the brink and stop right before you get there.”

  He furrowed his brow. “That sounds like torture.”

  “Trust me. It’s not.” She returned her attention to his cock as if she couldn’t stand to stay away. This time, she employed a painfully soft touch. Her lips skimmed his length and she huffed hot breath against his skin.

  Stopping a woman mid-blowjob one time, let alone a second time, seemed crazy. He’d never done it before and had no clue as to what she was talking about. The hitch was that this might be a one-time thing and he wanted to get as much of Allie as he could. He eased his fingers under her arms. “Allie, come on. Let me make love to you.”

  She relented but still took a final lick before sitting back on her knees. “Condom?” The silhouette of her curves lit from behind was another snapshot worth committing to memory.

  “My pocket. I can get it.”

  She hopped down off the bed and stuffed her hand into his jeans, quickly finding the foil packet. “Do you always walk around with one of these?”

  “Uh, no.” His mind scrambled as she climbed back onto the bed, realizing he’d just been busted.

  Allie tore open the package and set the wrapping on the bedside table. Taking full view of his long body and his stunning erection, she decided she might be the luckiest woman on the planet. Drawn by the alluring visual, she gave the head of his cock one more suck before rolling on the condom.

  Cooper took command and none too subtly flipped her on to her back. The wanton look on his face, dark eyes and open lips was a thrill in its own.

  She spread her legs for him and he stroked her entrance with the tip of his cock before he took his first enthusiastic thrust. Allie’s head bonked against the headboard just as she tried to wrap her mind around how completely he filled her.

  “Shit,” Cooper blurted, dropping to his elbows. He molded his hands around the top of her head. “Are you okay?”

  She grinned at the concern in his eyes, but also fought a snicker. So sweet. She also noticed how sweet it was to have more of his body weight on her. The pressure was perfect, hitting the ideal spot. “I’m great. You feel amazing,” she purred. Her lips were on his and she wrapped her legs around his hips.

  Sliding his hand under the small of her back, he pulled her closer and clear of the headboard. “You’re the one who feels amazing.” He pushed back up onto his hands and began to thrust, nearly pulling all the way out with every pass. The strength of his legs and abs was apparent, as he seemed to hold himself in the position with little effort.

  Her body quickly adapted to his hot flesh pushing and pulling. Every inch of his cock was worth celebrating and it all felt incredible—coming and going. Her hips rose to meet him and sank back to start again. Pressure quickly built in her belly, her clit now aching for attention.

  It normally took her a while to be truly uninhibited with a man, but something about Cooper had her at ease. Perhaps it was the fact that the first orgasm he’d given her might have been her best ever. She caressed her breasts, her thumbs riding over her nipples as he watched.

  He groaned as he thrust again, long and hard “That is so hot. I love seeing a woman touch herself.”

  “You do?”

  His breaths were becoming ragged and deep. “Yes, it’s a total turn-on.”

  She decided she might as well claim everything there was to take. When am I ever going to have sex with a twenty-something guy again? Allie slowly trailed a finger between her breasts, down her stomach, and zeroed in on her clit. She watched as his eyes lit up when she looped her fingers in small circles. “Like this?”

  “God, yes.” His thrusts became more forceful and she sensed the tension coiling in him. He glanced down between their bodies, apparently to watch his cock ride in and out of her as her fingers did the rest of the job. He adjusted the slant of his hips, hitting her at a very fulfilling angle.

  The change sent her barreling for the peak. She doubled the pace of her fingers and tensed her muscles around him, pulling him in again and again.

  Cooper began slamming into her hard enough for her head to create heat on the pillow. “Oh Allie,” he said, closing his eyes and biting his lip as if he couldn’t take it anymore.

  Her back arched as the waves tore through her, starting between her legs and making a thundering trip through her chest and limbs.

  He pulled her tight and, with a few masterful thrusts, prolonged her climax before he called out. “Oh God.” He pulsed inside her and she squeezed her muscles to give him every last bit of pleasure she could. His head dropped into the crook of her neck and he nearly collapsed on top of her. He rolled to his side, his chest heaving until his breaths grew longer and more even.

  Allie curled into him and smoothed her foot over the front of his calf. “Wow,” she said. “That was unbelievable.”

  Cooper felt as if his brain was nothing more than jelly. He couldn’t remember an orgasm like that. He couldn’t recall whatever was a distant second. “I’d say th
at was better than unbelievable.” He worked his hand into her now disheveled hair and tenderly kissed her.

  Her tongue playfully prodded his. “I’m far less stressed out about work now.”

  Cooper shook his head. “Work? What’s that?”

  “Exactly.”

  He got up and stepped into her spa-like bathroom, with its fluffy white towels and slate tile. He tossed the condom in the trash and washed his hands, a pleasant herby smell from the soap filling the air. Candles surrounded the large soaking tub, the perfect spot for next time. If there is a next time.

  He’d been so wrapped up in his desire for Allie that he hadn’t thought about things like repercussions. I wanted her and I guess she wanted me. Maybe that’s all there is. I guess I could be cool with that. As long as we get to do it a few more times.

  Allie wasn’t in bed when he returned, so he snatched his boxer briefs from the floor and traipsed into the kitchen to find her lighting the stove, wearing a short black nightie with lace trim and narrow straps. Stepping up behind her, he wrapped his arms around her tiny torso under her breasts and kissed the top of her head. The nightgown, made from a knit like a t-shirt, was soft against the bare skin of his stomach.

  “Are you cooking for me again?” he asked.

  She wiggled her hips, pressing her curvy ass into his crotch. “I thought we should make the crepes.”

  “We’re going to be making more than crepes if you keep rubbing against me like that.” He slid his hands to her hips and fought the urge to dip them lower and rake the nightgown up and away.

  She peered up at him with the back of her head against his chest. Her eyes were as crystal clear as the Caribbean Sea. “Food first. I’m actually hungry.”

  “You know what? You sit. I’ll make the crepes.”

  “You?” She turned in his arms and held her hand to his forehead. “Are you feeling all right?”

  He released his hold and pulled a barstool from the center island. “You sit. I will cook. You just need to tell me what to do.”

  Allie plopped down on the seat, the hem of her nightgown hiking to the middle of her creamy thighs. “The pan’s probably ready.” She nodded toward the stove. “Put a pat of butter in the pan and swirl it around until it’s melted and bubbly. Then add a ladleful of batter.”

  “Got it.” He did as she instructed but the batter sat in the middle of the pan after he poured it.

  “Oh sorry. You have to swirl it in the pan until the batter covers the bottom.”

  He shook his head. “I’m holding you responsible if this doesn’t work.”

  “Now wait until it looks like it’s mostly cooked through and flip it. I just use my fingers.”

  He reached into the skillet and the searing hot metal singed his hand. “Shit.” He shook his wrist, pain stinging his fingertips. “How do you do this?”

  “Here. Let me help.” The metal barstool scraped on the wood floor.

  “No, you sit. I can figure it out.”

  He reached into the pan again and managed to lift the crepe, but it tore and collapsed into the skillet.

  Allie took her perch. “You sure?” She watched as Cooper dumped the crepe onto a plate and started again. Even in profile, she could see he was intent on getting it right.

  Those few moments of silence set her mind on a course of overthinking. The evening clearly hadn’t played out as she’d thought it would. We slept together. He’s making dessert in my apartment in his underwear. What in the hell am I doing?

  He slipped the crepe on to the plate and brought it to her along with the Nutella. “Let’s try this one before I go any further.”

  The expanse of his bare chest was more than she could take and chocolate was no distraction. She didn’t want to launch into full-on Mrs. Robinson mode, but she had to touch him so she rubbed the top of her foot along the back of his calf.

  He waggled an eyebrow, holding a bite for her on a fork. “Try this.”

  She leaned closer, using the excuse to brace her hand on his waist, and wrapped her lips around the fork. The creamy chocolate and velvety crepe filled her mouth, but more than anything she loved watching the expectation in his eyes. “Mmm. Great job. You’re hired,” she said, wiping her bottom lip with her finger.

  “Good to know. I’ll make more.” He returned to the stove and turned the flame back up. “I had no idea you were in the market for a young stud to cook for you in his underwear.”

  A boulder took residence in Allie’s stomach. Oh God. He does think I’m Mrs. Robinson.

  It didn’t matter that she couldn’t think of a response because Cooper turned to her. “I’m sorry. Did that sound as bad as I think it did?”

  It still felt as if someone was holding on to her throat. He’d said that the age thing didn’t bother him, but there it was—the elephant in the room. Taking a deep breath, she forced a smile. “No. You’re fine. And of course I’m in the market for a guy to cook for me in his underwear. Every woman wants that,” she quipped. The floor seemed like a good spot on which to focus while she recovered from the minor sting of the truth.

  He laughed quietly and went back to cooking, eventually bringing four more crepes to the center island. Pulling out a second barstool, he sat next to her and they ate from the same plate.

  “What are you doing the rest of the weekend?” he asked.

  Allie finished her bite of food, feeling even more confused than earlier. Now that they had allowed their friendship to migrate into sex, she had no sense of what he wanted from her beyond one night, if anything. The notion of prodding for his thoughts on the matter seemed ridiculous and annoyingly clingy. “Working mostly. Why?” She wondered what he would ask, whether he’d ask her out for a real first date.

  “I need to buy some furniture for my place. I’ve been putting it off forever. Your apartment is so pulled together. I could use your guidance and taste.”

  Furniture shopping. That’s not a date. It’s something you do with your mom. “Um, sure, of course. I have a few places I like to go to. Tomorrow afternoon?”

  Chapter Four

  Allie put the finishing touches on her hair with the curling iron. Loose chestnut-brown ringlets cascaded around her face and over her shoulders. A mindless activity was exactly what she needed, her brain had been in overdrive since the awkward exchange with Cooper that morning before he’d left to play pickup basketball at the YMCA. He’d said, “See ya. Thanks for everything,” when he left in the previous night’s clothes. To make it worse, it came with a kiss on the top of her head. She didn’t know what to make of that.

  A cloud of hairspray formed as she misted her hair before carefully raking through the curls to loosen them. She turned in the mirror. She had to admit, forty looked better than she’d ever imagined.

  Her mother had been falling apart at that age, even though she’d been stunning when she was younger. Raising twin daughters had taken its toll. Their dad had always been a neurotic handful, the suspicious type, convinced their mother was lying about something—money or other men most often. In a move that Allie could only rationalize as a preemptive strike, he broke their mother’s heart and left when the girls were ten.

  Mom’s crutch after that was chain smoking. It was also her ultimate end. Not a day went by that she didn’t think about her mom, wonder if her dad ever thought about the three of them, even knew that the mother of his children had died. She knew that her twin Andrea was often plagued with the same thoughts, and like Allie, she didn’t care to talk about it.

  As much as she loved and adored her mother, Allie never wanted to be in the same position. She never wanted a man to have that much influence on her happiness. She’d never gone looking for a husband—if one came along, great. If not, that could be great too.

  She’d poured most of her energy into her career, clocking fifteen years at her old ad agency. They were a small operation when she started, a boutique agency, some might say rinky-dink. They did amazing work and had satisfied clients, but as thing
s grew, the creativity slid. Now that she had her own company, the years spent in the trenches seemed to finally be paying off. Money was tight and she wasn’t yet able to draw a salary, but new clients were coming on board every month. If she just stayed on course without any surprises, she could have some real success to call her own.

  There was a knock at her door and she wiggled her feet into a pair of dark-purple wedge pumps. She hurried across the apartment, and her heart stopped for an instant when she answered. He was thumbing the keyboard on his phone. His damp sandy-brown hair flopped forward. Again, he’d put far more effort into dressing than he normally would. She was used to seeing him in track pants and t-shirts but today he wore a black dress shirt and another pair of jeans with a devastating fit. He looked at her, unleashed his electric smile, and she could do nothing but take a cleansing breath and pray for strength.

  “Ready?” he asked.

  For what? She considered asking him to come in for a minute, somehow lure him into bed, but thought better of it. His physical presence clouded her judgment and her goal for the day, aside from finding him a decent couch, was reaching a conclusion about what he wanted. “Yep,” she answered, grabbing her bag and keys.

  “You look amazing.” He buried his face in her neck for a moment. “And you smell good too.”

  She smiled and the heat rose in her cheeks as they headed down the stairs. I smell good.

  They hopped in a cab for the ride from their apartment building in Bucktown to a furniture store in River North near Allie’s office. She wasn’t sure if Cooper would want to hold her hand in the car, but it didn’t matter. His phone rang the instant the driver pulled away from the curb.