by Cait Jarrod
“Money?” Henry’s bottom lip stuck out. “When he held my hand, it didn’t feel right.”
She wouldn’t say Andrew used him as a tool to get to her.
“Not the way you and Grandma hold my hand. He felt…cold.” Henry straightened and faced her, sitting cross-legged on the bed. “Do you think he feels we don’t want him? Is that why he left?”
Maternal protectiveness clutched her chest and expanded into out-and-out fury. She wanted to take the baseball bat to Andrew again, but taking care of Henry’s tender heart was what mattered most. Once again, she shoved down her fury. Soon, her cup would runneth over, as the saying goes, and she’d explode. “No, sweetie, that’s not why. You showed him with every hug and smile you gave him.”
Henry’s gaze drifted to his wooden dresser on the other side of the room. The last gift Andrew gave him, a stuffed bear, sat in the middle of comic books. “You did, too, Mommy.”
She smiled at her son’s comforting, reassuring words. He was growing up fast.
His gaze snapped back to hers. “Do you still get scared?”
The question, asked with such a solid tone, surprised her.
“It’s okay if you do. You can say so.”
She drew Henry into her lap and smiled at him coaxing her into talking. “I think I’m better. Staying at Greenwood Manor helped. I haven’t been jumpy since.”
When she’d walked into the house earlier that day instinct had told her someone was there. From the earlier conversation she had with her mother, she learned that when Andrew arrived, he wasn’t surprised Charlene hadn’t been there. Now, knowing Andrew was in the area and obviously watching them supported why she’d been so jumpy.
“Why’d Daddy hit Uncle Jake’s car? It was really mean.”
“I agree. I don’t know why. I guess, he thought the car belonged to me.”
Henry glanced up at her and like the man he’d become at his young age, he nodded as if she made perfect sense, and yawned.
“Are you ready for a story?”
“If it’s okay with you I’d like to think a while before I go to sleep.”
“You never cease to amaze me.” She hugged him and kissed his forehead before sliding out of bed. “You’re a very, very, good boy. I’m proud of you.”
“You have to say that, you’re my mommy.”
“Nope, there’s nothing in the handbook that says I have to.”
He rose, pecked her cheek, and climbed under the covers. “I’m proud of you, too.”
Tears formed in her eyes as she turned on his bedside lamp. “I love you.” She flipped off the ceiling light switch. A glow flitted over Henry’s face.
“Love you more,” Henry said and closed his eyes. His steady breaths told her he’d already drifted into a slumber. They’d had a long day. Too bad she didn’t feel tired.
In hopes to quiet her active mind from Andrew’s atrocious behavior, she poured a glass of red wine in the kitchen and went back upstairs. She set her glass on the nightstand and changed into a nighty. . Thoughts of Larry swathed her as the cotton slid over her skin, bringing her girlier parts to life, and wishing Larry had stopped by.
Settling into bed, she lifted the glass and sipped the wine from Lake Anna Winery. The rich, robust taste soothed the tension in her muscles.
She couldn’t stop from thinking about the destruction she brought to the Band of Friends’ lives, from the kidnapping to Jake’s car. She’d do anything for each one of them and hated that indirectly she’d brought grief. A hollow sensation filled her.
Not liking the direction of her wayward musings, she swallowed more wine and snatched the remote from the nightstand, turned on the TV, and flipped through the channels. Reality shows, movies, comedies…nothing sounded appealing.
Everything led back to Larry or the chaos Andrew dumped on her family. She emptied the glass and slid out of bed.. She padded down the hardwood corridor, and peeked in at Henry. He slept soundly, the bear having found its way into his arms. She smiled, eased the door closed, and remembered having to bake new cookies to replace the ones that Andrew had touched after her mother had tossed them into the trashcan.
Her stomach growled. She zipped down the steps to the new batch of cookies they made this evening and rounded the corner toward the kitchen. If the food didn’t fill her belly and make her sleepy, she’d pour another glass of wine.
A knock sounded on the front door. A jolt of electricity shot through her veins, freezing her nerve endings a second before her hand hit her chest. Anxiety that Andrew returned induced her to grasp the bat.
“Charlene, open up.”
Larry’s smooth voice created a craving from within. Her girl parts reacted, boogying and chanting, ‘I’m gonna get some.’
She released her grip, letting the bat fall back into the umbrella holder, and flipped the porch light on and cracked open the door. His hair mussed, eyes heavy-lidded, and his five o’clock shadow teased her girl parts more. “I didn’t think you’d come,” she said, keeping her voice neutral, and moved back.
He stepped inside. Grim lines contoured the corners of his mouth. His eyes flashed with...worry...concern? “Sorry, I was detained.”
She debated on asking what kept him, then figured if he wanted to talk about it, he would. “Um, would you like a drink or something to eat? I’m heading to the kitchen. You’re welcome to join me.”
Eyes drifting over her, he closed and locked the door. “Where’s Henry?”
“Asleep. I tried to, too p, but couldn’t.”
“Why not, Charlene?” His voice was a seductive caressed and awoken each nerve cell.
She diverted her gaze from his alluring one to the stairs. Should she ask him to her room? “Do you want some milk and cookies?”
His chuckled was low and sensual. “That’s not what I want.”
Every erogenous zone in her body went on alert. “Oh?”
“I’m having a problem.”
Not what she expected. From what she knew, which wasn’t much, Larry didn’t discuss private matters. “What’s wrong?”
“You see—” He reached behind him, pulled something out of his back pocket, and presented a rose. It looked suspiciously like the one from the rosebush at the manor, like the one she believed he’d stroked over her body, her mind was still fuzzy about that night
“This flower—” He twirled the stem between his fingers before moving closer.
As much as she wanted to stay grounded, reflexes made her take a step back. Her butt hit the wall.
He followed. With the touch of a feather, Larry slid the flower over her forehead…nose. “—needs attention.” The soft petals touched her lips, chin, lowered to caress her neck. “It needs TLC.”
Her nipples tightened. Liquid heat tugged low in her belly.
His gaze lowering followed by his low masculine groan reminded her that she hadn’t put on her robe.
“You sure Henry’s asleep?”
“Yes,” she breathed, her body humming.
He tucked the stem into his shirt pocket. His hands flattened against the wall, caging her in. For whatever reason, her defensive armor didn’t come out when his body surrounded her. She liked this…feeling his heat…knowing she drove him crazy. “I want you. More than I want my next breath.”
She sucked her lips inward. Wanting this man and acting on it were two different things. Her focus needed to stay on motherhood, on removing Andrew from her life, but around Larry, an unnamed awareness ruled. A need so strong it took her away from the usual chaos her life had become and plunged her into the surreal fantasy of vacationing on an exotic island.
“The thing is—I’m in unfamiliar territory.” He paused, his face pinching. “I’d like to set ground rules.”
His comment stung. Going into a relationship with rules would hinder the chemistry flowing between them, not foster the feelings. She searched his eyes, wanting a glimpse into figuring out his comment. Nothing. “You’re giving me conditions?”
&nbs
p; “I am, just one.”
“Which is?”
“No expectations.”
A smile curled her lips. She couldn’t stop from giggling. Was he referring to their relationship or sex? “No worries.” She scooted away from the wall and headed upstairs. If he wanted to follow…fine; if not, she’d deal.
He cleared his throat and asked. “Am I supposed to tag along?”
Half way up the stairs she paused. Yes, please. “Suit yourself.”
Footfalls approached fast behind her. She raced up the stairs, into her bedroom, and closed the door, laughing.
He caught the door with his foot before it shut and eased inside. His heated gaze found hers.
“Do you still want to give me conditions?”
****
“Conditions? To hell with conditions,” Larry said, his out of control organ speaking for him.
Since this morning, he’d wrestled with a boner. As soon as he lassoed his dick’s urges, his mind’s eye would produce her image and put him in a fix, an uncomfortable one. Taking matters into his hands only worked momentarily. He’d already tried in the shower this afternoon after his plunge into the pit and made the issue worse. Thoughts had escalated of her warm flesh touching him, soothing him from his fall.
Either they’d take the lust shooting through their veins and manage their desires or end up hating each other from denying what they both craved. He wasn’t willing to risk the latter and removed his shirt.
Her eyes heated, the intense gaze giving him warmth he hadn’t experienced or wanted in a long time. With the thoughts running through his mind, he’d better speak up before he admitted feelings neither of them was ready to hear. “Nothing’s changing between us. No attachments. We’re friends with benefits.”
The intensity in her gaze didn’t waver. “Friends.” She pulled off her nightshirt.
He unbuttoned his jeans, shoved them down, and kicked them to the side.
The distance between them closed. They were on each other like white on rice. Hands grabbing and groping, mouths demanding and needy. Arms twined and legs twisted. They knotted together into a pretzel until they fell apart on the bed from lack of oxygen.
“Jeez,” he breathed, regrouping. He expected when he’d touched her the encounter would feel good, but the fact it was this fantastic stunned him. His blood hummed with pleasure.
Charlene lay on her back, studying him. Her chest rose and fell, beautiful rosy nipples rising ever so slightly with the action. She was perfection, a natural beauty. A woman he could do the unthinkable with by losing himself into her warmth, into her softness, forever. Warning bells sounded: pursue with caution.
“Larry.” Desire dripped off her words.
A freight train of lust roared into his brain, tossing the alarm aside, and imbedded a feverish arousal low in his belly. He wanted to devour the sight of her, take his time to spoil every inch of her, yet his hunger wouldn’t hear of it. More than a year had passed since his body had enjoyed the tight pleasure of a woman. Even then, he wanted them for a fix, not the same as what his body and soul wanted with Charlene. “I need to be in you…now.”
She lifted her hips and ground her sex against his arousal. The friction almost caused an instant explosion.
“Strip,” she said, mischief written all over her face. Her hair fanned out around her. Her breasts tilted to the sides from her position. Man, she was a sight.
He inched back, kissing her jaw, her throat, and latched onto a nipple, licking, sucking, and tugging on the erected bud.
She moaned, slid her hands into his hair, and gave a gentle tug.
He moved his hand downward, caressing her heated skin, and cupped her core. A thin piece of silk separated their skin. “Jesus.” He rested his head on her breasts and enjoyed the excitement spiraling through his body.
She mewed.
Her excited thrill tightened the already tight knot low in his belly, reminding him he’d better move before he embarrassed himself by behaving like an overzealous teen.
He backed up until his feet touched the floor and stood.
There was no turning back after he removed the barrier of clothing between them. Not that he wanted to, but he had a niggling the world as he knew it was about to change.
In one fluid action, he shoved his briefs down and kicked them to the side.
Charlene let out a needful whimper.
He met her gaze, slid his hands up her smooth, silky legs, and grasped the edges of her lacy panties.
With her arms above her head, Charlene’s eyes bore into him as he admired what he unveiled.
“Magnificent,” he breathed and wished he had more time to explore her crevices and curves with his hands, mouth.
A flush covered her body from her belly to her neck. “Come here.” She stretched out her arms to him and wiggled her fingers, motioning him to her.
Skin to skin, he blanketed her with his body, savored the feel of her warmth, and braced his elbows onto the mattress on either side of her. He consumed her mouth, pouring every bit of his desire into the mingling of their lips.
From his neck to below his knees, his body tingled. Tingled. Not a word he used, but it described what he experienced best. “You’re beautiful,” he murmured around the side of a kiss.
“You’re gorgeous,” she said, moving her head further into the mattress to look at him. Her face glowed.
He chuckled, cupped her face, and kissed her. Warm, soft lips stroked his, stirring up a freight train of lust. The last bit of his sanity waned. He’d go mad if he didn’t have more of her.
She tightened her hands behind his neck, holding him close and urging him on. The part of him that craved connection brushed her clit. She bucked. Their hips aligned perfectly. The next act came so naturally, he had no time to think. He thrust into her.
She clutched his butt and whimpered. Moments ticked where neither of them spoke, then she squirmed and lifted her legs higher, giving him better access.
He eased out and pushed in further, penetrating deeper.
“Oh my god, Larry!”
Oh shit!
He covered her mouth with his, absorbing her scream, and hammered his hips into her. Her body tightened around him. Dizziness tossed his consciousness out the window. He thrust, picked up momentum, ready to come when he realized what he’d forgotten. Putting a Herculean grip on his libido, he stopped.
Double shit!
With the strength of an elephant, he pulled out of her delicious body. “I don’t have a condom.” He shifted to move.
She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Where ya going?”
Spilling his seed on her skin wasn’t an option. Running out to his SUV to retrieve a condom from his wallet wouldn’t work either. “Ah.”
She brandished a condom packet from the nightstand and ripped it open with her teeth.
Holy, shit!
“I hoped you’d come by.”
As if she’d done this a million times before, she rolled the protection onto his shaft.
A skim of sweat covered his body.
“Get back in me.”
It wasn’t a request but an order. One he didn’t mind obeying. He pushed inside. She moaned and tightened the wonderful muscles women had to drive men crazy.
Rising onto his knees, he gripped the back of her thighs. He pulled out and surged forward, his tempo hard and fast. The movements of a man so far on the edge with want, he became frantic for her.
“Oh, God! Larry! I’m going to come!”
Another stroke, she released on a scream.
He wanted to quiet her with a kiss so as not to wake up Henry, but when the power of her orgasm freed, it rendered him unable to do anything but concentrate on his own all-consuming release. Her legs tightened around him. He collapsed on top of her and laid his head on her chest, their breaths heavy and winded.
They stayed in that position, her fingers running through his hair, him listening to her slowing heartbeat, for what seemed like hours
. The shock of what transpired between them rendered him speechless. Not only the explosion from their bodies connecting, but the one he feared would occurred between them did. Their souls joined.
Perhaps if they’d do it again, the sizzle would fade and he’d be able to reclaim the piece of his heart that slipped around the edge of his barrier.
Her hands dropped to the mattress.
He raised his head, moved a strand of hair off her face. Her eyes were closed, her breathing shallow. Was she asleep or avoiding eye contact? Had what passed between them thrown her off kilter as much as it had him?
They needed to keep the relationship as agreed, friends with benefits. He eased off her, disposed of his used condom in the adjoining bathroom, and picked up the forgotten rose. When he picked the flower from the bush at Greenwood Manor earlier, he planned to seduce her with the memory of what they didn’t get to pursue the other night.
The rose wasn’t the opening act, but it definitely would have its scene. He flipped off the ceiling light and slid the flower along her cheek, neck, breasts, letting the silky petals caress her supple flesh, the moonlight aiding in his ministrations.
Her eyes opened. “Larry?”
“Any more condoms?”
Her laughter washed over him, settling a blanket of comfort over him.
“You bet.”
Chapter Eleven
Charlene stretched and smiled. Larry had slipped away in the wee hours to avoid the accidental chance of Henry seeing him, leaving Charlene’s muscles loose as if under anesthesia. Their first connection had been so fast and so explosive, her feelings from deep inside rushed forward. Between wanting to cry, professing she had strong feelings, and the urge to flee she remained quiet with her eyes closed. Then, he’d done the unexpected, turned off the light, and caressed her body with the rose’s soft petals. She sighed, reliving the moment.
“Mommy,” Henry yelled. Her bedroom door thudded against the wall.
“Hi, sweetie. Ready for school?”
He jumped on the bed and curled beside her. She hugged him close. “There’s no school today. It’s another teacher work day.”