Reeling in Love

by Gloria Herrmann

  “You’re not upset?” Mackenzie asked softly.

  “Why would I be?”

  “Because, if you recall, last time you and he came over, you quit talking to him and sort of freaked out, babe,” Mackenzie reminded her, not that she needed it.

  “It’s fine. I mean, it’s a little strange that he wants to spend our date with you guys. I guess it’s cool, right?” The thought was now starting to sink in.

  “See? There it is. I knew you weren’t going to be all right with this.”

  “I am okay with it, just a tad thrown off is all,” Molly lied and prayed that Mackenzie couldn’t see through her bullshit.

  “Moll, you do realize the purpose of each of these dates, right?”

  “Yes, Mackenzie, I’m not stupid. He’s trying to prove to me that he was right and we should be dating,” Molly said confidently.

  “Well, I think it’s a little more complex than that. Think about it. He has shown you several different types of dates so far, truly giving you a glimpse of what being in a relationship with him would be like. It’s kind of genius on his part.”

  “Yeah, that’s what I meant,” Molly replied. Actually, she had taken it more at face value, not really diving into some deep philosophical meaning behind each date. Sure, she realized he was showing her all the fun aspects of them spending time together, but had each date really had some hidden motive? Maybe she was sort of stupid, because Molly hadn’t seen it that way at all.

  Molly spent the next several hours after she’d hung up with Mackenzie, stewing about everything. Now she was doing exactly what she’d been so proud of not doing earlier. Her brain was fully engrossed in overthinking and playing up different scenarios and ridiculous reasons for why Owen had gone to all this trouble. Sometimes Molly wished there was an off switch she could use to just shut it all down for a while.

  With the combination of crappy sleep and having a female case of ‘blue balls’, Molly almost didn’t want to go to dinner at Mackenzie’s. But when Owen called, she’d caved and said yes. He had asked her what was wrong, being the perceptive little shit that he was. Couldn’t he just let things go and not ask? She had done what came naturally and lied. She had said everything was fine. That should get him off her back, right?

  Now he would be showing up soon and here she was in her bedroom, severely lacking motivation. She’d gotten partially dressed, slipping into a comfortable pair of jeans and wearing only her bra. Deciding which top to wear had been a half-hour-long struggle so far—one that she was not winning—and she ultimately surrendered by plopping on her bed and staring up at the stucco ceiling, contemplating canceling dinner. When the better half of Molly really got to thinking, though… In reality, why was she even upset? Owen just wanted to show her that they could maintain a relationship and a friendship with her friends. Somewhere in her mind, she’d never thought to really join the two. Her girls were an important part of her life and Owen was another new, important part. She’d accepted that it did make a little sense to merge those relationships, but now? Wasn’t it a little soon? She hadn’t even met any of his friends yet.

  Molly’s eyes fluttered open when she heard a noise, then realized it was a knock at her front door. She was confused and a little dazed. She must have fallen asleep. Her brain had finally shut down. Even if she had only slept for a little while, she was thankful.

  Still just in her jeans and bra, she slowly removed herself from the bed as the knocking increased. She looked at the piles of discarded shirts that were strewn all over. She considered just grabbing one and throwing it on. The rebel inside her begged to differ. Screw it.

  Answering the door in only her bra and jeans was probably one of the dumber things she’d done in a long time, but why not? She had been on a roll lately.

  She didn’t feel like herself at all. Who was this Molly? It was a bitchy, slightly horny, under-caffeinated and exhausted version of herself, that was who.

  Yanking the door open, she prayed for a split second that it was Owen and not the apartment building manager. Or maybe she’d get a reduction in rent if she flashed a little skin.

  It was Owen, wearing a shocked expression. “Um, wow.”

  “Just come inside.” Molly led the way in and continued toward her bedroom. She had to find a top to wear so they wouldn’t be late. Owen trailed after her.

  “You okay, Molly?”

  Why does he have to keep asking that? “I’m fine.”

  “Molly.” He grabbed her by the waist and she could feel his warm fingertips on her skin.

  She looked up at him and said, “What?”

  “Even when you’re upset, you’re beautiful. You know that? That’s one of the things I love about you.”

  “You love that I’m upset? Because I’m not,” Molly argued. She started to feel awkward standing there in her bra. She suddenly felt vulnerable. Where did that rebel attitude run away to?

  “Yes, you are. But you’re gorgeous, especially now,” Owen whispered, his voice rougher this time. “Want to just stay in?”

  “Oh, but remember, that’s not part of your master plan?” Molly shot back with more sass than she’d intended.

  “It’s not, but plans change.” He dragged his index finger up her spine, running it along her shoulder, then neck, and finally over the swell of the flesh that was bulging out of her hot pink bra.

  Her chest heaved, her feeble attempt at slowing her breathing as she tried to gain control of what was happening. A wave of heat flooded her. She was still on lust’s edge from the night before. On one hand, she wanted nothing more than to strip them both and finally explore this waiting passion. On the other she was angry—not really at him, but at herself again. She’d fallen into the same trap or rabbit hole, the one that always took her mind and filled it with doubt. She felt lost and needy but, most of all, upset with herself because she didn’t have a handle on this situation.

  And she was bitter, because why was Owen making all the calls in this relationship of sorts, and would this be another decision he would make for them? How was it fair for him to decide when they could finally sleep together? Was this how it would always be? Would she ever be the one calling the shots? Or was she resolved to ‘just go with it’ for however long this lasted?

  “Molly,” he whispered in her ear. He flicked his tongue against her earlobe, then again on the tender and ticklish part of her neck. He moved his hands from her back, slowly up her ribs then finally to her breasts. He cupped her mounds, applying gentle pressure with each squeeze. He traced his thumbs over her nipples, bringing them to life when he swiped against the fabric barrier.

  She moaned when his teeth grazed her skin, sending a sharp shiver through her. She could feel the dampness in her panties. She could feel the hardness in his jeans. Molly held on tightly to him and ran her hands under his shirt, roaming the flat, tight muscles of his stomach. Damn.

  “Owen, this isn’t part of that stupid challenge, is it?” Molly managed to get the words out.

  “No, babe, the challenge is over.”

  For a split second she was almost sad to hear that, but she was also thankful that they could now investigate the relationship’s physical side, and she had a lot of ideas as to how that exploration should go. Just to be sure, she asked, “So that means—”

  “You’re mine.” He removed her bra and stood looking at her. Molly saw the wave of emotions in his eyes—hunger, appreciation, happiness and…love? But she didn’t have time to dwell on that last one when he bent to take her erect nipple in his mouth, lavishing it with attention, pausing for only a moment to pull back, look at her and say, “And I’m yours.”

  Molly looped her arms around his neck and she kissed him, hard. She opened her mouth to invite him in, and they locked into the hottest, most passionate kiss that Molly had ever had.

  But she wanted more. She broke the kiss to quickly remove his shirt. Skin… I want to feel him. She found a tan chest with a spray of fine dark hair. A sexy trail led her eyes
past his sculpted pecs and dipped into the waist of his pants, teasing her with hidden promises. She spied his abs and almost died. She knew well-defined abs and that precious V all too well. She took pictures of nearly naked men all the time. But Owen was naturally a beautifully designed and sculpted man, and she wanted more than ever to have him naked on her bed. Now. She was on fire, and the heat was all for him.

  But she would only get to do this for the first time once. She took a deep breath to calm the raging lust inside her and decided to make it more of a show. Molly gave him her best sex-kitten look as she let her jeans fall from her hips. She stepped out of them and sashayed closer to him. Once her hands were on his belt, she decided to speed things up a bit. She was not going to have him change his mind now. When he said her name under his breath that only spurred her on, giving her the confidence to shuck his pants off his hips. She heard his sharp intake of breath. It thrilled her and made her even braver and more ready for their shared pleasure. She knelt in front of him. She looked up and smiled. His stormy gray eyes were darker, almost black, with anticipation of what would happen next. Molly couldn’t help but think, Now who’s calling the shots?

  Owen had his fingers knotted in her hair, and he moaned. She was delighted with the knowledge that it was all her doing. She was the one providing that pleasure to him, making him lose control. Besides, it gave her a first look at what she was going to be working with a little later. She considered it a test drive of sorts. It also turned her on more than anything. She pushed down his briefs and there it was…the most beautiful cock she’d ever seen. She nuzzled it lovingly. This was hers, and she was going to enjoy it. She wrapped her hand around it, pleased to see that her fingers didn’t completely meet. This man—her man—was very well endowed. She began to alternately lick and suck it, then took the velvety, leaking head into her mouth to finally taste the very essence of Owen. When she deep-throated him, Owen uttered a groan from somewhere very deep inside, then he pulled her off and lifted her away before he pushed her onto the bed.

  He quickly divested himself of his shoes, briefs and jeans to stand completely naked before her.

  Then he dove. It was the only way to describe the vehemence with which he spread her legs and thrust his face and hands between them. He began to ravage her dripping pussy and her clit with his teeth, tongue and fingers.

  Molly grabbed the sheets, bunching them tightly in her hands as a spasm rocked her body, but Owen wasn’t finished. He had just caused one of the most intense orgasms she’d ever experienced. The sinister smile on his face told her he was nowhere near done. He hid once again between her legs, doing things with his tongue that she didn’t know were possible.

  The tension within her began to grow once more. He sucked her fevered clit then rammed two fingers into her wet depths, pumping them fast.

  “Owen!” Molly screamed as another hard orgasm racked her body. She had been right. She had known that the first time they had sex it was going to be incredible, but maybe that was because they weren’t just screwing, but it actually meant something much deeper. Or maybe it was the explosive chemistry that had been brewing from the start? Either way, Molly knew that she was in for what would probably be the best experience of her life. And they hadn’t even gotten around to the making love part yet.

  Owen moved from between her legs, running his tongue up her stomach until he was only inches away from her face. He looked at her with a mix of desire and something else. It was genuine and almost shy. It would be the first time that they would be connected in such an intimate way and it was as though he wanted to savor each second.

  This was it. His velvety cockhead nudged at her pussy’s entrance. Molly opened her legs farther and pulled her knees up to give him welcome.

  “You’re beautiful, Molly,” Owen said as he sank into her.

  Molly took in a sharp breath as he filled her. The sensation was incredible when her body accommodated him. He entered her slowly, and each inch only made her yearn for more. Finally, he bottomed out and rested there. Molly had never felt so full, so complete, so in love.

  Then he began pumping his hips, thrusting into her, and she matched him. They moved in rhythm, each challenging the other—harder, deeper. Molly circled her legs around him to pull him closer. Molly could hear the sounds of Owen’s breathing, grunting as he worked to bring her to climax again. She whimpered. He grabbed her legs and rested them on his shoulders to find new depths when he plunged in again. Molly called out in ecstasy.

  Owen showed no signs of tiring and continued to drive Molly to the edge. She saw light splinter from behind her eyelids and felt another rippling spasm take her over. Then Owen rolled away from her to tug her on top of him. Molly grinned down and ground hard against him. She gripped the headboard as she rode the wave of yet another orgasm. Owen clutched her tightly to him and arched deep inside her until he came.

  Her heart was thumping a mile a minute as she collapsed on top of Owen. He rested his hands on her hips, still inside her. They were both too sensitive to move quickly. No gymnastic dismount points would be given for this performance.

  * * * *

  “God, that was amazing,” Molly finally said. Her skin was sticky with sweat. So was Owen’s. They hadn’t left her bedroom for several hours now. Her body tingled to the point of being almost numb.

  She had managed to text Mackenzie at one point when she’d slipped away to the restroom for more condoms. Mackenzie had replied with a thumbs-up icon and a smiley face. Tiffany had quickly messaged her with a ridiculous series of icons and a joke about cobwebs being cleaned out. Only her friends would cheer her on with a thumbs-up and tease her during a brief pause from the throes of passion.

  Good job on getting laid!

  Yay, you did it!

  Can you still walk?

  Take a picture for us!

  These had been among the messages they had kept sending to Molly. After laughing in the bathroom, she’d finally shut off her phone and returned to Owen. They’d gone right back at it, making up for all the lost time.

  “It was pretty damn incredible, but I’m starving.” Owen grabbed Molly’s hair in his hand, pulling it back and away from her face. He rose slightly and kissed her.

  “I thought you had enough,” Molly teased but felt her own body react once again to his kiss.

  “Sweetheart, I won’t ever be able to get enough of you.”

  Owen was apparently bound to prove it to her. Guess we’ll just eat a little later.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Breakfast in bed—she could live with this. But she didn’t remember there being any eggs, much less anything else edible in her fridge. Who cares? She had food and a delicious man in her bed. Life was good.

  Owen was shirtless, and Molly had spent all night trying to convince him that he didn’t need to own shirts anymore. He’d said only if she promised to do the same. Well, crap.

  “This is wonderful. Thank you,” Molly said around a mouthful of fluffy scrambled eggs.

  “You’re welcome.” Owen bent over from his side of the bed and kissed her on the head.

  Content, that was how she felt. Is this what it can be like? Lazy Sundays in bed, eating breakfast after our sexual appetites have been fed?

  “What do you feel like doing today?” Owen asked, stabbing several pieces of egg onto his fork.

  “This,” Molly answered.

  “I have an idea. How about a change of scenery?”

  “Sure, where?”

  “My place.” Owen smiled as her.

  She still hadn’t been to his home, and the idea of seeing where he lived appealed to her. She could really get a sense of someone by being in their personal space, to see their personality by their choice of décor. Molly was excited now.

  “That would be awesome. Dinner?”

  “Sure. I’ll take of everything.”

  “Oh, let me bring something or help you cook. It’ll be fun,” Molly begged.

  “You can be the entertai
nment and dessert.” He winked at her and she felt her body react instantly. God, what is it about this man?

  Molly touched her hair. She had the worst case of bed hair, a complete tangled mess. “I need to shower.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Owen gave her a sexy grin.

  Molly had a feeling that this shower wouldn’t be for the purpose of getting them clean, but she quickly scurried off to her bathroom with Owen hot on her trail.

  Molly thought of the song Jungle Love that had a line about things being better when wet. She couldn’t agree more. Suds covered both of them. The slick soap ran down their bodies. Molly rinsed the shampoo out of her hair, Owen helping her. Well, not really. He was busy cupping her breasts, tweaking her nipples and licking her neck. She needed a bigger shower, like the one back in Vegas. Hers was cramped. The tight space made it nearly impossible to move around much without touching, which Owen seemed quite happy about. He hadn’t taken his hands off her since they’d entered the steamy shower. Molly couldn’t deny it was incredibly erotic. ‘Wet and wild’ barely began to describe it.

  “Ouch. God, that burns,” Owen cried out.

  Molly saw him trying to flush his eyes with the water from the shower head.

  “Sorry,” she apologized and kissed his collarbone. The water beat down on her back and head. “Here… Let me make it better.” She kissed him again, running her tongue along the flat muscles of his chest as she traveled lower.

  He moaned loudly and braced himself against the tile wall. Molly crouched in front of him. They stared at each other, neither speaking. Then Molly leaned forward and reached his groin, using her tongue to lick up the water that was dripping off him. She gripped his thighs as she tried to balance. He was rock-hard again and his cock bounced in front of her, tempting her, asking for her attention. She tasted the warm water from the shower and Owen when she opened her mouth wider, taking in her new favorite plaything, all the way to the root. She was beyond turned on. She felt his body react when she licked up then back down his heavy shaft, when she nipped around the mushroom head and she hollowed out her cheeks, sucking him hard. Molly wanted to drive him crazy. Teasing him was part of the thrill. She wanted to see just how far she could push him before he could take no more.