Because Beards
Page 38
I’m not what my late Aunt Edith would call loose. I’m no virgin, but intimacy is usually something that’s earned. Normally, it takes months. Yet, tonight, as unprecedented as it may be—given that our first real conversation transpired only a couple of hours ago—I feel as though Ashley has earned my trust and stolen my heart in one fell swoop. I feel slightly ridiculous for justifying my desire in this way, but it’s the only thing that makes sense. I’ve been lusting over him for weeks; but tonight, it’s more than that.
I want as much of him as he’ll give me.
I want to give as much as he’ll take.
I swallow a pull from my beer, needing to shift the direction of my thoughts before I crawl into his lap and embarrass the crap out of myself. Needing a moment to calm down, I avoid his gaze and look about the room. When I spot a guitar, discarded on the couch kitty-corner to ours, I smile, pointing at it with my bottle.
“Do you play?”
He chuckles and then reaches up to run his fingers through his thick hair as he says, “Yeah. I play.”
“Okay,” I say teasingly, nudging his leg with my knee. “Let’s hear it.”
He studies me for a moment, unmoving, and then he shrugs before setting his beer aside. “Sure, why not?” he mutters, standing to grab the guitar.
I set my beer aside too, shifting to angle my body so that I’m facing his as he returns to his spot.
“Been workin’ on some new stuff. No judgin’, you hear?”
I can’t help but grin, positively giddy that he’s about to share this part of himself with me. I then nod enthusiastically as I reply, “I promise.”
Ashley
It only takes a second for me to decide which new song I want to play for her. I just laid down the track to it this morning, in Britton’s basement studio. As I strum my guitar, my fingers moving along the fret with hardly any effort, I sing the ballad that’s been on my heart for the past few weeks.
The tempo is slow, but the lyrics are far from gentle. I’ve had a rough go of it the last couple of months, and I needed an outlet. Writing songs has always been my go-to; but even after scribbling out an entire album worth of lyrics, it wasn’t until I pulled out my acoustic that I started to find peace.
I watch Corie closely as I play, and I’m surprised when her eyes start to fill with tears. This sure as hell isn’t a serenade, but maybe the words appeal to her in ways I don’t understand. I know I’m not the only one who feels trapped by the circumstances of life every now and again.
When I’m done playing, a single tear rushes down her cheek. I don’t hesitate to reach over and lightly run the back of my fingers down her face, drying her soft skin. Before I can pull away, she leans toward me, grabbing hold of my bearded cheeks as she presses a firm kiss against my lips. When I react, I don’t think before I do.
I open my mouth, sliding my tongue out to part her lips while I blindly set my guitar behind me. She opens up for me, and I pull her so close that she’s almost in my lap. I plunge my tongue into her mouth, unable to restrain myself, anxious to taste her, and she whimpers. The sound goes straight to my groin, and my dick hardens in an instant.
I kiss her long and hard, and she kisses me right back—wet and sweet. I pull her even closer, her tits pushing against my chest, and all I want is to have her under me. I want to be inside of her. I want all of her.
“Mmm,” she groans as I drag my lips away from hers, kissing my way along her jaw and down her neck. With a gasp, she arches her back and sticks out her chest as I lick the swell of her breasts just beneath the collar of her sweater. “Ashley,” she sighs.
She buries her fingers in my hair, and the feel of her nails against my scalp is my undoing.
“I want you, sugar,” I mutter, trailing kisses up the opposite side of her neck. When I reach the space just behind her jaw, I lick her again before pressing my lips against her ear as I whisper, “I swear to you, I didn’t demand you stay and then offer you enough booze to take away your choice. You want me to stop, there are plenty of guest rooms upstairs. But I won’t lie to you either, Corie—tried to be a gentleman, but I want you in my bed. Been dreamin’ of havin’ you there for weeks.”
She shivers in my arms, gripping my shoulders tightly as she moans in my ear.
I’ll be damned if that’s not the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard.
“I think I’ve had enough gentleman for tonight,” she murmurs ever so softly.
My face breaks out into a grin and I scoop her up in my arms, holding her against my chest as I stand and make my way to the stairs. She squeals and giggles—so stinkin’ cute—holding onto me around my neck as she protests, “Ashley, I’m too heavy. Put me down. I can walk; it’s okay.”
I offer her no more than a smirk and a quick kiss as I ignore her and carry her all the way to the master-suite on the second level, all the way at the end of the hall. It isn’t until I’ve reached the side of the bed that I set her on her feet. Looking up at me with those pretty eyes, she bites her bottom lip, as if she’s embarrassed. I reach up and cradle her cheek with my hand before easing her lip free with my thumb. I then dip my head down and seal my mouth around hers, unable to deny myself another taste.
“I’ll be right back, sugar. Don’t move.”
I’m gone just long enough to grab my wallet. When I find a couple condoms inside, I take that as a sign. Corie’s about to be mine.
Corie
He leaves me for just a moment, and I try to calm my racing heart. It’s no use. I’m too anxious, excited, and turned on. After the way he sang to me—the words so hauntingly perfect, the music so beautiful and captivating, his voice so dark and rumbly—I was sure that I could find the bravery to take what I want and offer all that I could give. He’s special; he makes me feel special, and I don’t want him to be the one I let slip away.
When he returns, I barely notice as he tosses two condoms on the nightstand beside me. In the next breath, I’m in his arms and his tongue is in my mouth.
I moan because I can’t help it.
The feel of his strong, hard body wrapped around me is too much, and yet I want more. I can think of nothing else as he kisses me hungrily. Engulfed in his taste, his touch, and his scent, I succumb to the reality that this will change everything. I can feel it in my heart, in my gut, in my core. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I’ll never be the same. Not after Ashley. I’m sure of it.
When he starts to pull off my sweater, I suck in a breath, disengaging my mouth from his as I look at him before frantically searching about the room.
“What? What’s wrong?” he gasps, his fingers now gripping my waist with delicious ferocity.
I shake my head, needing a second to clear my thoughts.
“Um, the lights,” I manage.
“What about them, sugar?” he asks, resting his forehead against mine.
His breathing is ragged, and I can feel each warm exhalation against my face. I stifle a whimper as I grip the fabric of his sweater at his broad shoulders.
“Aren’t you going to turn them off?”
He pulls away just enough for me to make out the scowl on his face as he shakes his head.
“Why in God’s name would I do that?”
My stomach clenches as my cheeks heat in a blush. “Uh—I—I’ve never had sex with the lights on.” His scowl grows deeper and words start tumbling from my mouth in an attempt to smooth out his features. “I just thought, you know, it was more about touch than sight. I mean, I think maybe you’d enjoy it more if—”
“Is that what you think?” he asks, moving one of his hands up to grip the back of my neck. He tilts my head a little more, so he can look straight down into my eyes. “Is that what some scumbag made you believe, that you weren’t worth lookin’ at?”
I open my mouth to respond, but no words come out. I never thought about it like that. Not really. The truth is, I know I’m not a particularly small girl. My curves are nothing to be ashamed of, and I know that, but I�
�ve never really considered myself sexy.
“Corie,” he groans softly, his fingers squeezing my neck as he runs his nose along the length of mine. “When I say I want you, I mean it, sugar. I want all of you—and I want to see all of you. Trust me, this body—” He pauses, his hand around my waist gripping me tighter as he pulls me closer. “It’s meant to be seen and savored.”
His declaration makes me dizzy with desire, and as I reach for the hem of my sweater, I realize I’m trembling. He lets go of me as I pull the fabric over my head, and my heart skips a beat when I see the lust in his eyes burn even hotter than before. Feeling vulnerable and exposed, I hesitantly slide my hands underneath his sweater, flatting my hands against his abs before I slide them up his chest, bringing his garment with me.
As soon as my palms graze over his nipples, he reaches behind his head and rips the fabric off of his body before he presses his bare skin against mine. He ducks his head down, his lips grazing my neck as his beard scratches my skin. It makes me shiver and squeeze my thighs together. My panties are soaked, and we’ve hardly done anything.
Ashley eases me back onto the bed, exploring every inch of me with his hands and his lips as he rids me of the rest of my clothing. When I’m naked, he stands up at the foot of the bed to finish removing his clothes, his eyes glued to mine the entire time. I feel silly and embarrassed, completely bare underneath his gaze, but then I catch sight of his erection. I watch as he reaches down and strokes his cock—which is magnificently proportional to the rest of him—and I realize that I’m turning him on.
Me, here, naked—I’m enough.
“Damn,” he groans as he gives his cock a squeeze.
“What?” I ask, suddenly worried something is wrong.
He grins at me as he takes a step forward, climbing over the footboard before kneeling at my feet. He hooks his hands underneath my knees, bending my legs as he spreads me open. I suck in a startled breath, watching as he shakes his head. Then he flattens himself on the bed until his face is right between my thighs.
“Those bastards were missin’ out, sugar. You’re gorgeous.”
Before I can respond, his tongue is making its way up my slit. It feels amazing. Then, as he reaches my clit, wrapping his lips around it, I feel his beard against the sensitive flesh of my center, and I immediately forget what words are.
Ashley
I lick her lazily, savoring the flavor of her sweet pussy. She tastes unlike anything I could have ever imagined. As I thrust my tongue inside of her, I don’t even bother silencing my groan. She gasps, bucking her hips, and I drag my tongue up, swirling it around her swollen nub before I suck it into my mouth again.
“Oh, Ashley!” She thrusts her hips up again, her fingers in my hair as she silently begs for me to stay close. “I think—I think—”
She sucks in a sharp breath and I shove two fingers inside of her, working her pussy as I flick my tongue across her clit. With an uninhibited cry, she comes, her core tightening around me. I can feel the pre-cum leaking from the head of my dick, my body well aware that the next time her pussy flutters, it’ll be around my cock.
Corie looks down at me as I suck my fingers clean. Her pretty brown eyes are smoldering, her lips parted as she tries to catch her breath. Somehow I know—we’re about to cross a line I’ve never crossed before.
If tonight has proven anything, it’s that the gorgeous girl behind the coffee bar is a risk I would take over and over again. This moment is ours, her ignorance my bliss. I’ve held her in my arms, I’ve tasted her mouth, I’ve savored her sweet desire, and I’m sure that when tomorrow dawns—I won’t be the same.
When tomorrow comes, I won’t be able to let her go.
How can I? She’s a ray of light shining through the dark cloud of my reality. All I want is to get lost in her warmth.
I kiss my way up her stomach and between her perfect tits, suckling her hardened nipples before I press my lips to hers. She wraps her arms around me, pulling me closer, and I fit my hips between her legs, coating my dick with her arousal as I gently glide back and forth over her clit. When she whimpers, thrusting up, seeking more, I break our kiss and reach for a condom. I’m sheathed without delay; and with not a word spoken, I slowly sink into her core.
I pause when I’m fully seated. Her mouth falls open in an adorable O shape as she arches her back, her beautiful eyes pleading with mine. I stare at her in return, silently promising her the world as I reach up and run my fingers through her hair.
After a moment, she pulls her bottom lip between her teeth, mewling softly as she reaches up to cup her hand around my cheek. When she grips hold of my beard and gives me a tug, I chuckle, smiling down at her before I press my forehead against hers.
“I’ll take care of you, sugar,” I murmur, pulling out slowly. Thrusting back inside of her, I graze my mouth over hers and whisper, “Always.”
I take my time, loving her slowly as I try and make the moment last. She feels so damn snug around me, it’s like she was made just for me. Every curve on her body, every dip and every plane, they’re simply irresistible. I slide my hand down the length of her side, grabbing her thick thigh and hoisting it up and around my hip. Without further instruction, she brings up the other, locking her ankles behind my back.
“That’s a good girl,” I grunt, palming one of her breasts, pounding into her a little harder.
“You feel incredible,” she moans, the delicate touch of her fingers sending tingles up my spine.
“You too, sugar. Can’t hold on much longer. Need you to come again.”
“Again?” she squeaks, her legs squeezing around me.
I groan, my restraint slipping and slipping fast. “Damn straight—again.”
I reach down between us, rubbing her clit as I plunge into her core faster and with more force. When she starts to tremble, I know she’s close.
“Ashley!” She gasps just as her pussy strangles my dick, pulling forth my release.
I manage one more thrust, burying myself until I’m balls deep as I fill the condom with my seed. When I’m spent, I roll onto my back, bringing her with me, needing the feel of her soft, plush body pressed against mine.
“Thank you,” she whispers, pulling me from my daze.
“For what, darlin’?”
She buries her face in my neck, and I barely hear her when she admits, “No one has ever made me come twice.”
With one hand, I sink my fingers into her soft hair. Holding her close against me with my other arm, I kiss the top of her head. “Sugar?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m not even close to bein’ done with you.”
She shivers and I chuckle, holding her even tighter.
“Ashley?”
“Yeah?”
“How old are you today?”
“Thirty.”
She lifts her head and presses a sweet kiss against my cheek.
“Happy birthday.”
She’s the best damn birthday gift I’ve ever had.
Corie
Ashley is still sound asleep when I wake. As quietly and gingerly as I can manage, I slip out from underneath his heavy arm and climb out of the gigantic bed. Tucking my hair behind my ears, I search the floor for my panties. When I’ve found them, I pull them up my legs and start to hunt for my bra. I find Ashley’s discarded sweater first and decide to wear it instead. I’m tugging it on as I make my way to the bathroom.
I do my business and then head to the sink to wash my hands. I freeze when I catch a glimpse of myself in the mirror. My wavy locks are a mess, and the small amount of makeup I had on yesterday is almost completely faded. Ashley’s sweater hangs off one of my shoulders, and I look like a woman who spent all night having sex with a man I barely know.
And yet I feel absolutely, positively beautiful.
I smile at my reflection as I dry my hands and then turn to head back to the bedroom. As I go, I lift the collar of Ashley’s sweater to my nose and breathe in deeply. My smile lingers,
the memories I now associate with his scent some of the best of my entire life.
I think about climbing back in bed, but I know I wouldn’t fall asleep. I also know that I could spend hours watching him sleep, and that is a level of creepy I don’t think I’m ready to reveal to him. Instead, I decide to wander back down to the kitchen and treat myself to a cupcake.
Because if birthdays should come with copious amounts of frosting, the morning after the best sex of your life should definitely come with copious amounts of frosting.
As I lean against the kitchen island, consuming my favorite cupcake, I look at the remaining seven cakes. My stomach tingles when I remember Ashley suggesting we refuel with a birthday treat between round two and round three. He brought up four cakes, two for me and two for him, and then he proceeded to eat three—even stealing a bite of mine. I pretended to be offended, but I was giddy knowing that he loved them so much. Besides, he more than made up for it afterward.
When I’m finished eating, I clean up my mess and then wander to the sitting room he took me into last night, wishing to check out the view in the light of day. I almost lose my footing at the sight that awaits me, the sun rising over the snowcapped peaks beyond the wooded yard, blanketed in white. I make my way closer to the window, now curious about his friend who has loaned him this house. It didn’t feel polite to ask last night, but the acres of land that seem to belong to this property look expansive.
I take a closer look around the room, wondering if there are any clues hiding in plain sight—hints that could potentially explain what his friend does for a living. When I see a few framed photos propped up on a bookshelf built into the back wall of the room, I go over to check them out. At first, I frown at the picture of a young girl smiling wide with her arms squeezing the neck of a man I’m guessing is her father. They’re dressed in their ski gear, posing in front of a sign that tells me they’re at the Breckenridge resort, just a fifteen-minute drive from here.