Like There's No Tomorrow

by Linnea Valle

  “Alrighty then, is everyone ready to go?” Zach asked as he pulled his car keys out of his pocket, jangling them in everyone’s face. Without a word, we all turned to the door and headed out, single file. Eddie first, then Sarah, myself, and finally Zach who reached around the corner turning out the light in the room. I saw the fluorescent light flicker, winking at us as it turned off.

  We dropped Eddie and Sarah off at the party and as Eddie got out of the back seat, Zach got out too. They had a hushed conversation which only lasted a minute or so and Eddie nodded his head in agreement. Then he gave Zach a single pat on the shoulder.

  They looked so somber. They were up to something for sure. I could never trust those two when they got too quiet. I shudder to think of how many pranks they pulled on me over the years. Most started with this sort of a signal to each other.

  Zach got back in the car and asked if I had anywhere special I wanted to go. He knew I hadn’t stepped off campus in two weeks.

  “No, I just didn’t want to go to the party, that’s all,” I told him honestly.

  “Well, if you wanted to go to the movies or bowling or something…” I couldn’t tell if Zach was stalling, nervous or if he wanted to go find something to do.

  You’d think I’d be better at reading him after all the years. But, things had changed so much from when we were kids, I never quite knew what to expect.

  “I’m actually quite happy doing anything you want Zach. We’re good,” I said. Just so he knew I meant it, I turned my head and looked at him. He started the car, but wasn’t driving yet when he swiveled his head to look at me. I saw the sparks in his eyes, or maybe it was my imagination.

  “So, for instance, if I took you back to the hotel so we could spend some quiet time, you’d be okay?” Zach asked a bit sheepishly.

  I inclined my head and thought about it for a few seconds. I didn’t want a complete repeat of two weeks before, but I did want some parts repeated from last time and I also wanted to have some quiet time with Zach so we could talk. I knew I had some things I needed to say before they left, I wasn’t sure how I was going to do it. Maybe if we were in the afterglow of an intimate moment, I’d be able to find the words.

  “Yes, I’m okay with that plan, Zach,” I told him honestly. And I saw the moment of recognition on his face. He understood my exact meaning, so he reached for the keys in the ignition to start the engine, and then realized the car was already running and he gave a little nervous laugh.

  He silently looked around, before pulling away from the curb and out into the light traffic. We headed away from frat row. I assumed we were headed for the hotel he and Eddie were sharing for the next two nights. Then I started to worry about what would happen when Eddie and Sarah were done at their party.

  I certainly didn’t want them walking in on me in Zach’s bed. Eddie and I were super close and talked about everything, but it didn’t mean I wanted him witnessing it in person. Even though we discussed that Zach and I needed to make up and would probably have sex, I didn’t want Eddie around.

  As if he read my thoughts, Zach spoke up, “Um, so Eddie said if he and Sarah end up leaving the frat house at all tonight, they’d probably crash in your dorm room, so we don’t have to worry about Eddie coming back to the hotel room. I didn’t want you to freak.”

  It was typical Eddie. He knew exactly what I’d be thinking and solved the problem. This was obviously a scenario the two of them had already discussed. I wasn’t sure if the idea made me feel comforted or not. “Okay…um, I don’t have any overnight stuff, so I’ll probably look crappy in the morning.”

  “First of all, you, Eddie, and I had plenty of sleepovers when we were young and you always looked great in the morning. And secondly, I doubt you ever look crappy, any time, day or night.”

  Zach was at a stop light and glanced over at me to show me he meant it. “Emma, you are a true natural beauty. You don’t need make up at all. You’re gorgeous and you don’t even realize it. Plus, over the years, I’ve seen you soaking wet from the lake, sweating like crazy from the heat, flushed from running cross country, and I watched you in the breathtaking green dress you wore to Senior Prom. You always look fantastic to me.”

  Zach’s admission shocked me. I never knew he had noticed me and how I looked or the fact he appreciated it. And the idea he even noticed me at Prom was crazy. He was there with one of the hottest cheerleaders in school and I was there with kind of a geek, he was a sweet guy though. Extremely into the choir. He sang the songs in my ear all night long. I thought I was going to bust a gut trying not to laugh every time he started. He wasn’t a bad singer, but… for real?

  We finished the drive to the hotel in silence and with each mile my palms got sweatier from my nerves. I thought Zach was nervous too because he kept tapping his fingers on the steering wheel even though the radio wasn’t on. We pulled into the parking lot of a mid-priced national chain hotel and I started to get shaky. Was this going to happen or were we going to end up tearing at each other’s throats like last time? I didn’t want to fight with Zach, I was tired of fighting him, I wanted to be able to love him like he deserved.

  Zach pulled me back from my thoughts when he reached out and tugged on my hand. I looked over at him and he had a worried look on his face. He looked like he was afraid he was going to break me. I supposed emotionally, he could do that, but I was willing to take the chance.

  I smiled brightly to show him I was fully in. “Which room?” I asked.

  Whenever I looked back at that night, it seemed like a dream. A dream I floated back to on occasion, wishing it was my reality. The memory was vivid as if it was happening all over again and my body always responded as though it were.

  “We’re in 343. We can go in the entrance there by the ice machine. I’m thirsty. Do you want a bottle of water or a soda? There’s a vending machine right inside the entrance,” Zach rambled.

  I gave Zach’s hand a squeeze. “Zach, are you sure about this?” I knew we were both thinking the same thing would happen at some point after we got up to the room. I didn’t want him to have any regrets this time. I wanted it to be different both physically and emotionally. “Because, I’m absolutely sure,” I reassured him.

  That seemed to bolster his confidence and gave him the extra push he needed. He smiled, and then yanked on my hand to pull me across the center console. He leaned over and brought his lips down hard against mine, showing me rather than telling me he was as sure as I was.

  The kiss was bruising with a fierce need. I twisted my hand out of his, wrapped my arms around his neck and kissed him with the same force, opening my mouth to his seeking tongue. The kiss lasted for several minutes and left us breathless. I was already feeling the tingles of anticipation knowing what Zach’s mouth and tongue did to me last time.

  “Do you want to go up now? There’s more room and it’ll be more comfortable,” Zach questioned.

  “Oh yeah.” I reached for the door handle to let myself out. I’d let my actions show him I was serious.

  Zach opened his door, locked it and I punched the button to lock the passenger side. Then he pocketed his keys and grabbed his wallet, removing the key card and some one-dollar bills. I walked toward the entrance Zach had pointed out. He easily beat me to the door, opened it for me, and stepped aside so I could enter.

  As promised, inside was a pop and snack machine. I was stuffed from dinner, but something to drink did sound good. Zach stopped before the machine and inclined his head, silently asking if I wanted anything.

  “Just a water, please,” my throat suddenly felt as parched as the dessert.

  We paused at the machine, Zach grabbed a couple of waters before we climbed the stairs in silence.

  We entered the room and Zach immediately headed to the heater/air conditioning unit located under the window and changed the settings. The room was a little stuffy and the air conditioner popped on at once.

  Doing a quick survey, I noted it was a typical room, two queen size
d beds, a small round table with a couple of chairs, nightstands and a dresser with a TV bolted onto it. Beside the dresser was a small fridge, like the one Sarah had in our dorm room. Beyond that was a sink/dressing area with an open closet and a bathroom across from there.

  It was the kind of room everyone has stayed in. The kind where the bedspreads are ugly and had matching drapes. Still, the room looked extremely clean, definitely a plus.

  Zach put a water in the fridge and excused himself to the bathroom. While he was in there, I made sure to grab the “Do Not Disturb” sign and hang it on the outer door handle. Then I bolted and chained the door.

  I started to make myself comfortable. I sat down on one of the beds and took off my shoes and socks. Zach returned, washed up and silently reached for the bottle of water he had left out. All the while he stood, watching me cautiously.

  I didn’t know if he was thinking of bolting or if he thought I was going to. It was awkward. Exactly how did you start to execute a hotel room seduction? I worried if I didn’t make a move, we might end up staring at each other for the entire night.

  “Are you thirsty?” Zach asked after he drained half the water and held the bottle out to me.

  Gone was the confident, heartbreaker I knew back in high school, and instead, I saw a shy, unsure version of the young man I’ve known my whole life. Even though I wasn’t thirsty, I needed to make a move and “get my man” as Eddie recommended.

  I stood and walked over to him, taking the water he offered. I took a single, delicate sip as I stood almost toe to toe with Zach’s much taller frame. I knew he’d been working out at least twice a day for the last couple of months in the hope boot camp wouldn’t kick his ass. Eddie had been too.

  I put the lid back on the water and set it aside while I continued to undress Zach with my eyes. It was so dim in the car, although I got a decent look, I wanted to see him without the shadow of darkness surrounding us.

  I reached out and grabbed the belt loops on his pants and pulled him up against me. I stretched up on my toes and slowly slid my arms from his waistband, up his taught, rippled torso. Curling my arms around his neck. I tugged to bring his head down so I could kiss him. As soon as our lips met, Zach’s body relaxed into me. His arms went around my waist, pulling me even closer.

  I closed my eyes, enjoying the kiss which started out slow, but evolved to tongues, a tip of the head, a moan, grinding against each other. Once we broke the first barrier down, Zach and I had no problem with our desire escalating. We went from zero to sixty in a few seconds flat.

  We continued kissing with Zach pulling back occasionally to nibble on my lip or move to suck on my earlobe, then back to my mouth for more. His hands joined the exploration and wandered from my waist, down to my ass, gripping and pulling me tighter against him to show me the proof of his desire.

  I was emboldened by my lust and started unbuttoning Zach’s shirt. With each button freed, I pushed his shirt open farther and let my own hands explore. I could feel Zach’s pec muscles pop and flex under my touch as he squeezed my butt.

  I moved on to the next button and leaned my torso back, to give my hands more room. I reached in and ran my hands down the washboard abs Zach had been working on. This gave him the perfect opportunity to move his own hands. He slid them from my ass, up the sides of my ribcage until both of his large hands covered my breasts, finding my nipples hard and taut.

  We broke the kiss and I took a small step back to look at the beautiful man before me.

  My mind screamed at me, “the shirt needs to go.” Hell, all his clothes needed to go. I remembered what a gorgeous body Zach had and I didn’t want to wait any longer to see it again.

  “Take your clothes off for me, Zach.” I surprised myself with the strength of my voice and the fact I ordered him to do my bidding.

  Normally, I would have been more polite and would have asked rather than demanded. Zach’s eyes widened and his nostrils flared at my command, a smirk on his serious face. He took a step away, then walked to the edge of the bed and sat.

  I turned to watch every move, his biceps flexing, stomach muscles contracting where the shirt hung open as he bent down to untie his shoes and then slip his socks off. Zach lifted his head and watched me watching him and I knew he was enjoying putting on a show for me.

  He stood, slowly finished unbuttoning his shirt and took it off. The sleeves pulled inside out as he removed it. He tossed it on the other bed and I swallowed hard at the sight of his chest and arms.

  There was a smattering of hair across his chest. His nipples were small dark circles with tight little buds in the center. His skin was smooth and tanned and completely unblemished. I’d seen Zach shirtless more times than I could count, but this felt like the first time.

  “Now your turn, Emma. My turn to see your beautiful breasts.” There was reverence in Zach’s voice.

  My hands immediately crossed, grabbing the hem of my tee shirt. I pulled my arms up, and my shirt inside out over my head, then tossed it onto the bed. It landed on top of Zach’s. Next, I reached around my back and unhooked my bra. I dropped my arms and let my bra slide off and fall to the floor.

  The air conditioning kicked on. Although, my skin felt scorched under Zach’s gaze, I felt the chill in the air and my nipples got a little tighter. I’m not sure if it was the result of Zach staring hungrily at me or the temperature in the air. Zach held out his hand, beckoning me.

  “Come here, I need to taste you.”

  I moved within Zach’s reach. He grabbed my arms with both hands and steadied me while he lowered himself to sit back down on the bed and pulled me closer between his open legs. His warm lips engulfed one of my nipples. He sucked and flicked his tongue against it and it was exactly like I remembered. I got wet for him and it sent little zings down to my private parts. I felt it pass through my stomach on the way down and it was absolutely amazing.

  Zach let go of my arms and one hand fondled my ass, while the other cupped my bare breast. I wrapped my arms around him, and held him tightly to my chest, hoping he would never stop. Completely enthralled, a moan escaped from my mouth. My head tipped back, sending my long curls cascading over where Zach was groping my ass. His large hand let go and grabbed a handful of my hair, pulling down ever so slightly. Surprisingly, it didn’t hurt, but felt good. I arched my back slightly and pushed my breasts even farther into him.

  After a few minutes of Zach moving from one breast to the other and tickling my stomach with little nibbling kisses, I couldn’t stand still. I broke free and took a step backwards, out of Zach’s reach. I unbuttoned and unzipped my jeans and started to shimmy out of them, leaving on the black thong I’d put on in the morning. I had chosen carefully, hoping this might happen.

  I was so amazed a guy as hot as Zach would even look twice at me, but what I saw in his eyes, wasn’t a passing appreciation. It was both pure and honest as well as adoring and lustful. It was everything I’d ever wanted to see in his eyes when he looked at me and it slayed me. Cut me to the core. I felt like jumping for joy and falling to my knees weeping all at the same time. I would have done anything for him in that moment.

  I kicked my jeans off and stood in front of Zach covered only by a thong and my mass of red curls that reached half way down my back. I had the urge to cover up for modesty sake, but I didn’t out of fear Zach would think I didn’t want him to see me. Because, I wanted to see all of him. I stepped forward and reached down to grab Zach’s hand. I wanted to have him stand and remove his jeans, but Zach had other plans.

  When I reached the bed he quickly grabbed me around the waist. Twisting, he tossed me onto the bed. I bounced, landing with a little laugh and squeal. In an instant, Zach’s body covered mine. He kissed me on my lips, cheek, temple, and nipped my earlobe all while rubbing and grinding into me with his jean clad hard-on.

  I didn’t know why, but feeling his hard-on through his jeans was sexy as hell to me, and I could feel myself get even more wet, stickiness beginning to coat my
thighs. The thong did little to soak up my desire as I writhed on the bed, underneath my torturer.

  “Zach, do you have a condom in your wallet?” I asked. I wanted him to know I was ready for this to progress.

  “No, not on me,” he spoke in staccato, as he nipped, nibbled, and kissed me from the neck up.

  I let out a sigh of frustration and tried to make a move to sit up, but Zach was too strong and held me in place. I was disappointed he wasn’t as prepared for this as I was this morning when I chose my lingerie. A trip to the store was going to be a real buzz kill.

  I must have been pouting, because Zach’s next move was to suck my lower lip into his mouth, running his tongue along it, letting it go with a pop.

  “But, I packed some in my suitcase.” He lifted his head and looked at me wolfishly. “I was hoping we could have some make-up sex.” The look on his face was priceless and I couldn’t help but laugh, while relief washed over me. He had thought about it too and was looking forward to being together again as well. The thought made me insanely happy.

  He rolled off me and made a dash for his overnight duffel. Shuffling around inside for what felt like eternity, Zach pulled out a box in triumph. He looked so young, I couldn’t help the swell of my heart. This was the person I fell head over heels for when we were growing up. The sight of him holding up the box of condoms with glee reminded me of when we were kids, He’d pull a crawdad out of the muddy water at the shallow end of the lake and wave it around like he’d found a gold nugget or something.

  Zach looked over at me laughing at him and his face morphed before my eyes. He wasn’t a young, carefree kid anymore. He was the full-grown man who was intent right now on making good use of those condoms. His face was chiseled and there was a slight five o’clock shadow. His brows furrowed almost imperceptibly and his eyes sharpen their gaze on me like a hawk who spotted its prey. Even his body language had changed, and he grew serious as he stalked me back to the bed. My throat went dry and I licked my lips in nervous anticipation as he approached.