by Lucia Jordan
He knew what she wanted. But he couldn't bring himself to say it. Instead, he replied, "You're all I've got."
"We both know that's not true," she said softly.
Jessica. He hung his head in defeat. The only way he could get Krista to stay was to tell her that he loved her. But, then, would that be the only reason she stayed? He wanted her to stay because she wanted to, not because he confessed his love for her. It dawned on him that he was in a no win situation. Defeat landed in his heart and his gut like ten tons of bricks.
Krista gave his lips a firm, lingering kiss. "I love you, Danny. I always will. And if you care about me at all, even as just a friend, then please let me go."
His heart constricted at the thought of releasing his hold on her, of letting go both literally and figuratively, because he knew once he did, she'd be gone from his life for good. "Krista..." he whimpered.
Her fingers slipped from his grasp. "Goodbye, Danny."
He watched helplessly, paralyzed and numb, as she walked away from him. Danny slumped down in one of those hard plastic chairs, dropped his head into his hands, and cried silently. Krista was leaving. She was actually leaving him. Christ, how could he survive without her? He stood, determined to chase after her and tell her that her loved her, but, instead, he turned on his heel and left, a broken shell of the man he'd been last night.
*****
Krista rested her head on the window and closed her eyes, trying to steady her shaking hands, and calm her racing heart. When she'd first heard his voice, she'd thought it was just a hallucination, wishful thinking. But then he'd really been there. Danny had chased her down at the airport, kissed the breath from her body, and then he'd asked her not to go. Again. He'd told her he couldn't live without her. Again. But, he still hadn't said those three words she needed to hear: I love you. Had he said that, she'd be with him right now, not sitting on an airplane with her boss. She was emotionally, mentally, and physically exhausted. It was a good thing she had a long flight ahead of her because she needed the sleep. Before she knew it, she was sound asleep and immersed in a dream like memory of last night.
"I'm sorry I don't have anywhere comfortable to sit," she said, looking around her scarcely furnished apartment. She'd donated most of her furniture to Goodwill because the apartment in New York was fully furnished, thanks to Max and the company. And what little she had decided to keep had been loaded onto a U-Haul truck a few hours earlier.
Danny shrugged and took another bite of his pizza. "Didn't we do this when you moved in here, too?"
She laughed. "You know, I think you're right." They both sat on the kitchen floor, their backs against the cabinets beneath the counter they'd just had sex on, eating pizza and sharing a two liter bottle of Pepsi. She didn't have any cups, so they took turns drinking straight from the bottle.
"I remember the day you moved in here. You refused to go to bed until your room, the bathroom, and the kitchen was completely unpacked." Danny smiled then laughed.
Krista watched with melancholy. She was really going to miss hearing his laugh and seeing his smile. "Well, they are the three most important rooms in the house."
"If you say so." He shook his head, but the smile never left his face.
"I'm pretty sure that's the exact same thing you said to me that night, too."
Danny shrugged. "What can I say? I'm a predictable kind of guy."
She simply nodded. They'd been friends for their entire lives, and predictable was not a word she'd use to describe Danny---especially when it came to what he was capable of doing in the bedroom. Her face warmed just thinking of it.
"What are you going to do in New York?" he asked, tossing what was left of his pizza crust into the box.
"Work mostly," she said. "Max has already lined up several interviews and we've booked two events for the end of summer. I'll be busy making new contacts in the area and training the new staff."
"And what about Max? Won't he be doing any of the work?"
Krista eyed him suspiciously. Was Danny jealous of Max? That couldn't be possible. Jealousy implied a certain level of love and possessiveness, and she knew damn well those were two things Danny did not have toward her. "Of course he'll be helping. Why else would he be going to New York for two months?"
Danny rolled his eyes. "You can't be that naïve, Krista, especially not around men. It's going to get you into trouble, and I won't be there to save you."
She flung her head back and laughed. "Me and Max? That's about as plausible as me and..." Her voice trailed off and she turned her face away from Danny's, unable to put herself out there like that to him again.
She felt him, his body close to hers, his hot breath on her neck, the smell of his cologne, before she actually heard him. "As you and me?" he whispered. "Is that what you were going to say?"
"Yeah." She licked her lips and swallowed the lump from her throat.
Danny clutched her chin between his fingers and turned her face back to him. The desire burning in his eyes stole her breath and sent her mind into a tailspin. His actions said one thing and his words, or rather, his lack of words, said something completely different.
"A month ago had someone told me I'd end up in bed with you, enjoying every moment of it, I would've had them committed," he said.
"That's not what I meant by you and me." Her reference hadn't been about sex, it had been about a relationship, a real relationship where they went out on dates and had the titles of boyfriend and girlfriend.
"I know what you meant," he said as he molded his mouth to hers, his tongue sliding between her lips, past her teeth, and over her tongue.
Her eyes fluttered closed, and she was lost in his kiss. Danny had that effect on her. The slightest touch from him could send her careening over the edge into pure physical bliss and plummeting in to an abyss of utter recklessness. Just like this moment. She knew what they were doing was wrong. She knew her heart would never recover from tonight. She knew it was unfair to give in to him, just like she knew that Danny had a girlfriend at home waiting for him. Yet here he was, with Krista, kissing her, caressing her, touching her and most delicious of all, fucking her. And the furthest thing from her mind was his girlfriend. It was wrong, but tonight she was being selfish. She wanted Danny all to herself, and damn it, that's exactly what she was going to have.
Danny speared his fingers into her hair, holding her head in place, dominating the kiss. His other hand found her bare breast, kneading it, cupping it, rolling and pinching her nipple with delicious intent. She moaned and arched into him, completely oblivious to the fact that they were naked on the kitchen floor, surrounded by half eaten pizza. Krista felt Danny's erection poking her leg. She reached down and wrapped her hand around his shaft, slowly stroking the length of it, squeezing ever so gently as she did. Danny moaned into her mouth and nipped at her lips. God, she loved it when he did that. It sent her already over active libido into a frenzy.
"I need you, Krista," he said as he eased her down onto the kitchen floor and bringing his body over hers.
"I need you too," she murmured, spreading her legs to accommodate him.
Danny put his weight into his arms and teased her aching pussy lips with the head of his cock. "So wet," he groaned, teasing her some more, "and I haven't even touched you yet."
"You don't have to," she panted, lifting her hips in a desperate attempt to get him to fill her with his cock. "Just thinking about you touching me makes me wet."
He stilled and gazed down at her with a look of fire in his eyes. "Do you think about me when you masturbate?"
She couldn't deny the masturbation because she'd told him once that she did it on a regular basis when she wasn't seeing anyone. And there was no reason to deny the other part of it. "Yes," she said, meeting his gaze straight on.
"What about when you're with other men? Do you think about me then, too?" His lips found hers again, and he gave her a short, heated kiss.
"Yes." His cockhead grazed along the length of h
er lips again, and she sucked in a breath. Good God, why wouldn't he just fuck her already?
Then he slid into her with an agonizingly slow push. Krista clung to him, her fingernails digging into the flesh of his shoulders. She knew right away that he wasn't wearing a condom, and she knew she should stop him, but the feel of Danny bare was a million times better than the feel of Danny through a condom. Besides, she was taking birth control pills. And despite Danny's numerous relationships and one night stands, she knew he was clean. It was something he took very seriously.
"Fuck, Krista," he groaned, putting all of his weight into his arms and looking down at her, his hips moving his cock in and out of her in a decadent rhythm that had her closing her eyes, arching her back, and screaming for more. "Yeah, you like my cock, don't you?"
"Yes!" she screamed. "God, yes!"
Danny withdrew until just the head of his cock remained inside of her. She groaned in protest. "Tell me." He leaned down and kissed her hard on the lips. "I want to hear you tell me how much you like my cock, how much you want it."
Krista forced her eyes open and tried to glare at him, but failed. All she managed to do was look at him with longing, with the irritating knowledge that he was completely in control and there was nothing she could do about it. Then he took both of her hands and pinned them above her head. His gaze was hot and burning with intensity she didn't know he possessed.
"You want this?" he asked, shoving his cock deep into her with a forceful thrust.
She screamed with pleasure. "Yeah, I want that," she panted.
He stilled and then withdrew again. She let out a frustrated sigh. If only she had her hands free, she could grab ahold of that fantastic ass of his and make him fuck her like she wanted. "Then tell me," he demanded in a sexy, commanding voice.
"I want your cock, Danny. God, I want it. I need it. Please," she begged.
A victorious smile of satisfaction pulled at the corners of his mouth. It was wrong just how damn sexy it was. She wanted to bask in that smile for a while, but when Danny rammed his cock into her, she was lost. Her body reacted instantly, her pussy tightening around him with each forward thrust of his body. God how she wanted to be able to touch him, and feel his smooth skin beneath her fingers, to be able to hear his moans of approval when she touched him in a way he liked.
Krista wiggled her hands, trying to free them from his grip. When she couldn't, she said, "I want to touch you."
He shook his head, keeping his pace steady. "I can't let you do that, sweetheart."
She pouted. "Why not?"
"Because the moment I feel these hands on me," he laced their fingers together above her head, "I'm going to lose it, and I can't let that happen. Not yet."
"Please?" Her voice was a mere whimper.
His answer was to take her nipple into his mouth. She moaned at the feel of him sucking it, of his tongue swirling around it, and then his teeth nipping at it, drawing it out before he moved on to the next one. Christ, she wasn't going to last much longer.
"Fuck, you feel so good, Krista." His thrusts became harder and faster. "It should be a god damned sin."
The huskiness of his voice combined with his words was her undoing. She didn't even try to fight it. Closing her eyes, she gave over to the pleasure. "Danny," she cried his name as her hips rocked up to meet his thrusts. "God, yeah, so good..."
"Son of a bitch," he whispered on an inhaled breath moments before he covered her lips with his, kissing her with a hungry passion. "Christ, I can't hold...it's too good...too fucking good. Come for me, baby. I need to feel your hot come on my cock."
She was already ahead of him, her orgasm tearing through her body and erupting from her with a debilitating force. If she was able to move after that, it would be a small miracle. Seconds later, the sound of his ragged moans, the feel of him swelling inside of her tipped her over the edge into another orgasm. This time, Danny was with her, coming hot and hard inside of her, marking her, branding her soul in a way no other man ever would.
*
"Hey, Krista, wake up. Are you okay?" The sound of Max's deep voice awoke her.
Krista sat up and looked around. That's right. She was on a plane headed to New York. With a yawn, she said, "Is something wrong?"
Max shrugged. "I don't know. You tell me." He smiled. "You were fidgeting and whimpering in your sleep."
She felt her face flush with warmth. How embarrassing! "Did I say anything?"
"You just kept repeating Danny's name."
"I'm sorry." She groaned and covered her face with her hands. That dream---that memory---was so vivid she felt as if it had just happened. Her body trembled and her body ached for Danny, for his touch and his kiss. Maybe it wasn't too late. Maybe she could hop a plane back home and go to him, tell him again how she felt, and beg him to be with her. No. She shook her head. She'd told him how she felt and he didn't reciprocate those feelings. Begging him to love her would just be pathetic. Things were what they were. It was time for her to accept it and move on.
"Do you want something to drink? I can get the flight attendant," Max offered.
Krista smiled weakly. "No, thank you. I'm okay."
They sat in silence for several moments, and then Max said, "I can't believe he let you get on this plane."
She jerked her head to look at him, her mouth hung open and her eyes widened with surprise. "What?"
"I saw how he kissed you. That wasn't a kiss goodbye between friends. It was so much more, and I just can't believe he let you get on this plane without a fight."
Her heart raced. Part of her wanted to jump to Danny's defense, to explain the complexity of their friendship, but she didn't because she wholeheartedly wanted to believe Max, to believe that to the outside world it appeared as though she and Danny were more than just friends. Not that it mattered though, because she was headed to New York and Danny was headed home to Jessica.
After a moment, she said, "Thanks for saying that."
"Are you sure you want to do this?" Max asked, twisting in his seat so that he could see her better.
"What do you mean?" Her body buzzed with uncertainty. Was Max going to take the promotion away from her? God, she hoped not. Right now, it was the only thing keeping her sane. A new job, a new city, new friends---it's exactly what she needed. Yes, she was terrified of the unknown, but it beat the thought of going back home and watching Danny and Jessica together.
"This promotion, moving to New York," he said, gesturing with his hands. "If you've changed your mind, I can find someone else and you can have your old job back."
Krista smiled with relief. "Thanks, Max, but I really need this job right now. It'll be good for me."
"That bad, huh?"
"You have no idea," she said with a soft laugh and a shake of her head.
"I know I'm your boss, but I'd like you to think of me as your friend, Krista. Neither of us know anyone in the city, so until we do, it's just going to be you and me." He smiled and winked.
Max really was a sexy man. God, why couldn't she just forget all about Danny and be attracted to Max, like all the other women who'd ever had the pleasure of meeting him. She knew why. Max was no Danny and he never would be. Plus, for as long as she could remember, Danny had been the only man in her heart. She loved him unconditionally and that hurt worse than anything else in the world.
"Thanks," she said for the third time in a short period of time. "But, if I've understood you correctly, we'll be too busy for any sort of socializing."
"Yes, that's true. However, I was thinking we should have a kick-off party once we've got things up and running, as a way to introduce ourselves to all the important people that you'll be doing business with."
Krista nodded. "I know this fantastic woman who is wonderful at planning parties." She laughed and Max joined her. It felt good to smile and laugh, even if it was only for a few moments, because in those moments, she was free from the pain of the gaping hole in her heart that was Danny.
****
*
Danny had driven back to Krista's apartment a hell of a lot slower than he'd driven to the airport earlier. In his rush to catch her, he'd left some of his cell phone, watch, and his wallet at her place. However the thought of going back there, knowing Krista would never be there again, was painful, like a rusty razor blade in the heart. He finished gathering his things and then plopped down on her bed. A sob escaped him as the memory of last night bombarded him. He hung his head and gave over to it.
"Again?" Krista giggled as Danny rolled on top of her, parting her thighs with his, and settling between them.
"Mmm hmm," he said, kissing her softly on the lips. "I'm insatiable." What he really meant was that he just couldn't get enough of her. It really had nothing at all to do with his libido, and everything to do with her.
"I guess so," she replied with a sultry smile that tugged at his heartstrings.
He swallowed hard and pushed into her, moaning and savoring the feel of her hot, wet pussy stretching for him, enveloping him. He'd had his fair share of women, but none of them felt as perfect as Krista did. From the very first time he'd sunk into her warmth, it had felt like home. Their bodies fit together perfectly, her pussy a glove on his cock.
"Oh, God," she said the words on an exhaled moan. "Yeah."
Beneath him, her hips lifted to meet his, her body pliant against his as they moved in pure synchronicity. He looked down at her, amazed at the rush of emotions that consumed him. As a man, he'd always appreciated Krista's beauty, but it wasn't until right now that he realized just how beautiful she really was. Her long, curly, auburn hair pooled around her heart shaped face, her hazel eyes were cloudy with lust, and her lips. God, he loved her lips. He loved how pink and plump they were, how soft they were every time he kissed them, and how they always parted to welcome him.
Danny smoothed the hair from her forehead and kissed her softly, first on the lips and then down her neck. "I can't imagine my life without you in it," he whispered.
"Danny, please don't---"
"Shh." He silenced her with a kiss, his pace steady and disastrous to his self-control. But he kept at it, determined to make her understand how serious he was about not wanting her to leave. "God, Krista, baby, please don't leave me." He knew he was being selfish. He couldn't give her what she wanted, he couldn't be the man she needed and deserved, but that didn't stop him from feeling the way he did. Krista was all he had. How would he survive without her?