Rush

by Violet Vaughn

I tremble and let him take me to new heights. When I return to earth, he kisses his way back up to my face. “You taste good. Here.” He kisses me and I sample my nectar. I quiver with a post-orgasm spasm and snake my way out from under him.

  “Okay, I’m awake now. Your turn.” I wiggle my eyebrows at him, and he props himself up with his arms behind his head. I snort at the blatant alpha-male display. “You think you’re all that and a bag of chips, don’t you?”

  He glances down at his crotch. “I’ll let you tell me.”

  Knowing I excel at giving head, I smile, thinking about how I’m about to rock his world. Minutes later he’s semiconscious.

  I crawl over his body and lay on his flaccid cock. “You taste damn good too. Here.” I kiss him and make sure he samples the heady flavor. He twitches under me, and I think we may not be done yet.

  He grabs my hand and kisses the tattoo on my wrist. It’s a vine of small purple flowers. “Tell me about this.”

  “It’s myrtle and in honor of my grandmother. She was my biggest fan when I needed one.” I think back to my teenaged years when I was nothing but trouble for my parents. No matter what I had done, my grandmother managed to make me feel loved just the same.

  “I was a wild child, and when I would get grounded my grandmother would rescue me. We would make soap, garden, or can vegetables. She talked to me about travel and adventure, and encouraged me to follow my heart.”

  My throat gets thick thinking about her. I’m not a crier and I quickly force the emotion down. “She died two years ago, and I got this tattoo so I would always have her with me. She had myrtle planted by her front door, always welcoming me.”

  Derrick doesn’t say anything and rolls me over onto my back. He moves a finger slowly down my chest and flicks my nipple. With a low noise, he lowers himself and suckles my breast. I release a deep sigh and let myself focus on his breath on my skin as he moves slowly down my body.

  I inhale the scent of our combined lust and revel in the sensual delight of a tender touch. This is not what I usually like, but right now I do.

  I’m craving him inside me, but I’m not in a rush. The desire is a slow burn, increasing in intensity by tiny increments. We’re running a marathon, not a sprint.

  When he slides his finger lightly over my folds, I arch up and sigh. “Derrick.” He rolls on a condom and nestles himself between my legs. Gently parting them with his thighs, the hair on his loins tickles my tender skin and he enters me.

  I tremble from the slow, exquisite torture of his thick cock slipping in. Twitching around him, I raise my hips to take more until I’m full. My mind wants to take control and make this forceful, but my instinct is telling me to savor the sensations.

  Derrick kisses my neck and whispers, “You’re so beautiful, so warm and wet. I could stay here forever. I’m drinking in the intoxicating smell of you, the silky feel of your skin, and your delicious taste.”

  I’m so close to the edge, but I let him nudge me toward it instead of lunging. When I’m almost there, I cry out and an orgasm takes me in slow motion.

  “That’s it, darling, let it drown you.” Derrick’s voice is in my ear and I land softly. Tears spring to my eyes and I let them fall as Derrick tenses and comes as my name escapes in a low, throaty voice.

  Why am I crying? That has to have been the most all-encompassing orgasm I’ve ever had, and I’m weeping?

  “Hey, what’s wrong?” Derrick is up on an elbow, and his brow is furrowed.

  “I don’t know. That was incredible.” A dry laugh comes from me, and I reach to wipe the tears, but he grabs my wrist and holds it gently.

  “Don’t.” He leans down and licks the tears from my face. And that’s when I realize why I’m crying. This wasn’t sex. It was so much more.

  Chapter 17

  The familiar odor of dog breath wakes me, and I realize the soulful eyes I see are Cleo’s. “Hey, princess. Sleep well?”

  A heavy arm curls around my waist, and Derrick says, “I was about to ask you the same thing.”

  “When I was allowed to.” I turn and snuggle against his warm chest. God, this feels good. Since when did I like cuddling? Fu—dgesicles. Since I started crying after sex.

  I sigh. “I have a job, you know. It’s going to be a long day that requires a lot of coffee.”

  “Well then, I better get on that.” Derrick climbs out of the bed and claps his hands for the dogs.

  I watch his sexy, naked ass walk out of the room, and I roll over to look at the clock. Six seventeen? I could get another couple hours of sleep. I close my eyes and try to make it happen, but my mind immediately goes to the things we did last night.

  I push the tender stuff out of my head and imagine the bathtub instead. Damn if that doesn’t make me horny as hell and ruin any chance I had of sleeping. An evil smile forms on my face, and I decide what I need is a little morning romp. In the kitchen.

  Wood scrapes and thuds when I search Derrick’s drawers for T-shirts. Finding them, my fingers feel a super-soft tee and I pull it out. It’s white with Greek letters on it. Frat boy. I snort. No surprise there.

  I grab a condom from the nightstand and make my way to the bathroom. Water rushes over my hands as I notice my backpack. I had put my dirty clothes near it last night, but now they’re gone. Huh.

  The invigorating odor of dark roast coffee floats around me as I tromp down the stairs. Derrick is sitting in front of his laptop reading The Wall Street Journal. I flick the condom in the palm of my hand in time with my steps.

  When he glances up at me I throw the packet at him. “Saddle up, stallion. It’s time for a ride.”

  I hop up onto the counter and move the laptop out of my way. The granite is cold on my bare bottom, but I don’t plan on noticing that for long. Placing a foot on either side of his leather bar chair, I sink my toes into the padding and pull him to me by his shirt. Kissing him, I taste coffee and mint.

  I suppose I should have brushed my teeth too, but Derrick doesn’t seem to care. He reaches between my legs and immediately thrusts two fingers into me. “Fuck, you’re so ready.”

  I reach down his sport shorts and grab his cock. “Should I catch you up?” He’s almost there, and I feel his silky smooth length harden in my hand when I stroke. I let go and yank his pants down.

  He takes over and drops them to the floor. The tearing sound of the packet is quick, and he rolls the condom on in a smooth motion while I wiggle to the edge of the counter.

  Grabbing my hips, he’s in me in one quick movement. “Yes.” I hiss at the intrusion, and dig my fingers into his ass. “Fuck me hard, Derrick.”

  Not that I had to ask, because he’s slamming into me as grunts escape his lips. My orgasm builds quickly, and within moments I cry out.

  Derrick isn’t there yet, and I think about how he liked taking me from behind. I push him off me and slide to the floor. Bending myself over the granite, I grab the other edge and lay my chest down.

  Yanking me toward his groin he thrusts into me with force, and my hips slam against the granite. The pain confirms the bruises I suspect are there from last night as I arch back and give Derrick all I can.

  He likes this because a few more pumps and he yells my name as he comes. Collapsing on top of me, his arms hit the cold stone with a thunk of bone and he says, “That’s cold, and hard.”

  He stands, and I hear the elastic of his shorts snap. Turning to him I rub my sore hipbones. He lifts my shirt and says, “Jesus, did I do that to you?”

  “Yeah, but I liked it.” I smirk, but his frown tells me he doesn’t.

  “I don’t like that I hurt you, Gretchen.”

  “Hey, I don’t mind. I like it rough.” I reach up to scrape my finger with his stubble, and he grabs my wrist.

  “Rough shouldn’t leave marks on you.” He pulls me against his chest and whispers in my hair. “What am I going to do with you?”

  Keep fucking me senseless, if I have any say. Only, I’m not so sure I do.

  I pu
sh away and answer, “Give me coffee.”

  He squints his eyes at me as if to say the conversation isn’t over, but I ignore it and ask, “Where are my clothes?”

  Walking around the island to throw out the used condom, he says, “In the wash. I figured you might want them for work today.”

  “Wow, you do offer full service.” I take the mug of coffee he hands me. It’s steaming, and I welcome the odor floating up to my nose, knowing what caffeine can do for me. The cup scorches my fingers, and it’s halfway to my mouth before I remember to let it cool before I take a sip. “I’m going to go shower. Okay if I take this with me?”

  “Sure, don’t forget it’s really hot.”

  I lower my gaze to his crotch and then up again. “I like hot.”

  He chuckles as I walk up the stairs with a couple dogs in tow.

  ***

  The greasy smell of pork wafts toward me when I open the bathroom door. I’m in my work clothes and have my wet hair pulled back. The scent sends my stomach grumbling. I know I shouldn’t eat much considering the fries and lack of a serious workout yesterday, but I’m famished.

  When Derrick slides a large portion of eggs, bacon and toast my way, I dig in with reckless abandon. I can work out hard later.

  I almost finish before I’m full. “You’re spoiling me. I’m going to burst.”

  “You’ve got a long day ahead. You need the protein. You’re at the club and then the rec center, right?” Derrick takes a sip of his coffee and I watch his throat work.

  “Yeah, a ten-to-ten day.” I stand to clear our plates.

  “How close are you to being able to buy a car?”

  Flipping on the water to rinse our dishes, I answer, “About two more weeks and I should be good. It’ll be nice to work one job again.”

  Derrick sets his cup down with a thud. “Gretchen.”

  Glasses rattle when I pull open the dishwasher. I stop and give him my attention. “Yeah?”

  “Would you consider letting me upgrade your car for you?”

  “What? No.” Most definitely not. Money comes with strings, and no way do I want to go there.

  “I thought you would say that.” He sighs and then says, “I worry about what you can afford. I don’t like thinking of you driving around in an unsafe car.”

  Holy shingles. He’s so arrogant. I glare at him trying to find the right words. “You know what? I managed just fine before I met you. Most of the world doesn’t drive freaking Land Rovers, buddy. And just imagine how many of us are still alive.” I know my cheeks are flushed with anger, and I force myself to shut up before I say something I’ll regret.

  “Did it ever occur to you I didn’t ask for this fucking money? And that just maybe I want to share it with someone who matters? Someone who can benefit from it?” His eyes are blazing, and damn it; he looks so frigging hot right now.

  I matter? Okay, that was sweet even if he yelled it. What do I say now? “Um, no. I guess not.” I bend down to put the dishes in the dishwasher and let my anger fade.

  The plate twangs against the plastic tongs a few times before I get it right. I wonder just how much money he has, and what his parents must do. Are they famous? I rack my brain trying to think of any connections to go with the last name Hamilton. But that’s hard, considering how common it is.

  He’s come around the counter and pulls me into his arms. I say, “I’m sorry. I’m used to making my own way. It’s something I’m proud of, considering what my parents think of my lifestyle. I’m kind of touchy, I guess.”

  “And you work hard for your money. I don’t. Hell, you won’t even let me overtip you, Gretchen.”

  His eyes are a warm, dark brown, and I reach up and place my hand on his cheek. “I’m sorry. If you want, you can leave me ten extra dollars beyond the twenty percent, okay?” I grin and hope he’ll think I’m funny.

  He smiles back. “It’s a start, but don’t think I’m done with this.” He kisses me on the top of my head.

  “Got it.” But, holy hades, this has the makings of that horrible word, commitment. I swallow my relationship claustrophobia down and excuse myself to go brush my teeth.

  ***

  Derrick drops me at work and heads to the pro shop to arrange a tee time this afternoon. I’m hoping for a busy day because my head is reeling with all that’s happened since I left yesterday.

  I reach down and press my hipbone. It’s tender, and I think about how it bothered Derrick that he bruised me. One thing is for sure; the sex we had was mind-blowing. Damn, he was good at the rough and dirty. The gurgle of the coffee machine lets me know I can pour a cup. I take a break from setting up my bar rack and pour the dark liquid into a white ceramic mug. One sniff reminds me of the strong coffee Derrick made, and it makes me long for that instead.

  I nod at Lyndsey as she walks by with a tray full of condiments for the tables. Sweet citrus floats toward me, and I think how appropriate it is the bubbly girl would wear a sunny scent.

  I’ve had a few boyfriends, and I usually have to warm them up to the idea of what I like in the bedroom and on the counters. Some take to it better than others, and one actually took it a little too far. But Derrick is so already on board it’s scary.

  I make a trek to the walk-in cooler to retrieve my fruit tray and juices. Rick is cutting onions and chewing gum to keep the tears at bay. “Hey, how was your night?”

  I feel a ridiculous grin cover my face. “Great. Yours?”

  He shakes his head. “Probably not as good as yours.”

  “Yeah, probably not.” I flip my ponytail to my back, and saunter by as I hear him snort at my display.

  Frigid air blasts out in a fog of white when I open the cooler door. What I really need to figure out is why the normal sex Derrick and I had was the most mind-altering experience last night. My core twitches thinking about it.

  I carry my tray back to the bar, and Lyndsey is sitting on a stool rolling silverware. I guess she wants to talk, and I’m pretty sure what the topic will be.

  The mini fridge opens with a click, and I pull out the cut fruit buckets to restock. Lyndsey says, “I hear you had a date with the hunk last night.”

  “I did.”

  “So?”

  “So I was wrong. He is my type.” I wink at her.

  “Oh, my God. Does he have tattoos?” Lyndsey’s blue eyes are wide.

  “That’s not what I meant. I’m just saying I had a great time.”

  She squints her eyes at me. “You didn’t answer me.”

  “And I’m not going to.” I slide open the beer cooler to make sure I’m set for the shift.

  She sighs. “Guess I’ll have to cross that one of my list. I swear, it isn’t supposed to be that hard to get a boyfriend in this town.”

  I smile at her. “Stop trying then. Besides, what’s it been? A month?”

  She blushes. “Good point. I’m just kind of—”

  “Horny?”

  “Yeah.” She giggles.

  “They make hand-held machines for that.” I chuckle at her shocked look, and I squat down to check the kegs. But I get it. Especially when my mind returns to sex with Derrick.

  When I stand up my phone vibrates in my pocket. I pull it out to check the text and my heart skips hoping its Derrick. It’s from Dannika.

  “Did u do it?”

  Oh boy, doesn’t anyone think this kind of thing is personal? Like I’m going to talk about this with her.

  “My lips are sealed. Have you talked to Derrick?”

  “Yes, thx for tking care of dogs. <3”

  “You’re welcome.”

  I think about Cleo and wonder if she’s doing well. She was a little tired this morning but in good spirits.

  Nika texts back.”BTW, I’m in ur wedding I lk gd in blu”

  So not touching this. “You look good in anything. How’s the shoot?”

  “OK rdy 2 cm hm”

  I think about Derrick telling me about her fear of being one pound away from being fired, a
nd imagine how stressful that would be.

  “We miss you. The dogs do too.”

  “Thx luv u”

  Love? Why is it girlfriends have no trouble throwing that out to each other? Because I almost texted it back.

  Chapter 18

  I fan out my cards and arrange them by suit. Trying to void myself of one, the cards are slick in my hand as I pull out my three clubs and set them down to pass to Lori. Girl’s night this week is at Megan’s and we’re playing hearts. The plan is for all of us to gang up on Megan and break her winning streak.

  She and Nick live together in a one-bedroom apartment, and it’s tastefully decorated in thrift-store chic. The scent of cinnamon is in the air from a candle burning. “Okay, Gretch, spill it. How are things with Derrick?” Megan has patiently waited until I’ve had a martini before she asks. She knows I’m more likely to share with a little alcohol pumping through my veins.

  “Things are pretty awesome.” I pick up the three cards Casey handed me and hide my glee. She gave me the queen of spades and a couple hearts. Without any clubs, I can figure out a way to make sure Megan gets the thirteen points against her by laying down the queen on a trick she’ll win.

  “Uh-huh. So he’s not too vanilla for you?”

  I smile coyly at Megan, and Casey banters back. “He might be now, but our Gretchen will teach him her evil ways. The real question is—is he trainable?”

  She chuckles, and I give her a glare but I’m not mad. I’m willing to share a lot with these girls. Probably too much, but Lori keeps me from going too far. She’s a sweet little cupcake, and I love her enough to keep from making her uncomfortable.

  “No training needed.” I wink and know Megan has an idea what I mean while Lori might not. Casey, she’s my one confidant, and as my roommate she’s already seen my bruises. I throw a diamond on the club that was led for the first round.

  Lori lays the ace of clubs down and scoops up the cards. She says, “Trainable?”

  Megan and Casey look at me with curiosity about what I’ll say. I answer, “I like sex a little differently than most girls, and have no trouble asking for it.” I wink at her as she blushes and leads with a spade. The ace of spades swishes over it as I throw it down, making it clear to Megan I know she doesn’t have the queen.