I hadn’t seen Tanner at all yesterday. He claimed to be spending time with his buddies, but it ate at me just the same. I’d never cared to even ask a guy what he was doing. I would see him tonight at Barangas, but still, I couldn’t help feeling like a total chick and actually missing him.
“Speaking of boys, you seen that kid, Tanner, from the charity event?”
I whipped my head over to look at him, shocked that Joe would ask. God, I hoped he didn’t have cameras in here. Now that would’ve been embarrassing.
“I take that as a yes?”
“Yeah, I’ve seen him a couple times. Why do you ask?” I snapped.
He threw up his hands in surrender. “I was just asking, jeez. Why are you so defensive?”
“I’m not. I’m sorry. Promise not to make fun of me?” I didn’t talk much, but Joe was usually a good listener and the closest thing I had to a parent at this point in my life, so I trusted him to help me when I needed it.
He nodded, urging me to continue.
“Well, since you brought up Tanner…” I took a deep breath. “I really like him.”
Joe’s jaw dropped. “Wow.” He didn’t say anything else.
“Yeah, I’m as shocked as you are. I keep telling myself that it’s because he’s leaving. But every time I think about his leaving, I feel empty inside. Fuck.” I dropped my head into my hands. “What have I gotten myself into?”
Joe chuckled but came to stand in front of me. “I’m not sure what to tell you on this one. It’s a hard call. But if I were in your shoes, I’d enjoy every minute I could. The hurt you’ll feel when he leaves won’t outweigh the memories down the road.”
“I keep telling myself that. I’m trying; it’s just hard when I think about his not being around after this week.” My gut churned at the thought, but I pushed it away.
“You’re so young, East; just have fun and see what happens.” He was right.
I’d been telling myself the same thing. Shit, Tanner had been telling me that, too. “Thanks, Joe.”
“Any time, kiddo. Now get your ass back to work; we have customers, and I don’t pay you to stand around, talking about boys.”
Every time the door to Barangas opened, I looked up. I was jumpy, wondering if Tanner was actually going to show. Why did I even care? I knew the answer to that, but I wouldn’t be speaking that out loud again. Talking to Joe was enough girl talk for a year.
Rhian and Sadie had been surprisingly good and hadn’t asked me anything. I’d wondered more than a few times if maybe Tanner had told them something and they hadn’t broached the subject because they didn’t want to hurt my feelings.
Ugh, why was I being such a girl?
I looked up again when the door opened. My face fell when my girls walked in.
“Wow, what the fuck was that?” Rhian hugged me. “Are you all right?”
I glanced at the door opening again and wanted to slap myself.
“He’s coming, chill.” Fucking Sadie always cutting to the chase.
I shook my head. “I need to get a fucking grip. This is bullshit.”
“Now you know how Sade and I feel when we’re all high on a new guy. It kind of sucks for you since this is your first and you’re nearly nineteen. We both dealt with our first crushes in middle school.” Their war stories didn’t make me feel any better; I wanted to wring their necks.
Instead of strangling them, or continuing the conversation, I went back to my tables, even though I had just topped them all off less than sixty seconds ago. I needed the distraction.
It was already six, and he hadn’t come yet. I had probably checked my phone a million times, and I was surprised I hadn’t pulled a muscle in my neck from whipping it around every time the door opened. I sighed as I plopped down onto a seat at the table with my friends.
The door opened behind me, and I didn’t bother to look up this time. Tanner wasn’t coming, and I needed to come to terms with that.
“I’m so ready for my bed. This has been the longest day ever.” Working both jobs and wanting to see Tanner had me emotionally and physically exhausted.
“It’s still early. You’re not bailing on us, are you?” Tanner’s voice at my ear had my inner teeny bopper jumping up and down.
I knew the smile on my face was super big, and I looked like a complete dork, but I didn’t care. I craned my neck to look up at him. He gripped my face and kissed me hard and long. I melted. Everything was right in the world, even if it was just for now.
“I think Easton was about to go on a rampage, waiting for you to come.”
I turned back to glare daggers at Sadie.
“Ouch,” Sadie said as she turned to Rhian, who must have kicked her under the table.
“Do you have no filter at all, Sadie? What the fuck is wrong with you?” Rhian was squeezing her arm.
I could feel my face was five hundred shades of red; I didn’t want to look at him.
“Did you miss me, Easton?” he whispered in my ear.
I didn’t say anything. I was completely embarrassed, thanks to Sadie.
“Because I missed you.” His breath fanned across my neck, causing goose bumps down my spine.
That big smile returned to my face, and I slowly turned to look at him. “I did, and it sucked. It’s those damn Canadian magical powers.”
His face lit up, and a smile tugged at his lips until he pressed them against mine and kissed me again.
“Ugh, you guys are sickening,” Tanner’s friend piped in, and I wanted to punch him, but his other friend beat me to it.
“Shut the fuck up, Sean,” Tanner said with his mouth still hovering over mine. “Are you already off?”
I got out of my chair to give them a seat, and Tanner pulled me into him. “Nah, I was just taking a break. I still have a half-hour or so.”
“I really did miss you.”
I lifted up onto my tiptoes to whisper, “Me too. I think I might be losing my mind.”
He smiled down at me. “I’m glad I’m not the only one. Now get back to work.”
I kissed his cheek, and he slapped my ass as I turned to walk away. Although I wish I was off so I could spend time with them, I needed a minute, too. Tanner had my mind spinning like a Tilt-O-Whirl, and I felt like I was going crazy.
I waited on my tables, including my friends, going back to them as often as possible. Tanner couldn’t keep his hands off of me. Every time I came by, he ran his hand up my thigh. By the time my shift was over, I was beyond turned on.
I dropped my apron and name tag behind the bar and grabbed a drink before finally getting to hang out with the group. I set down my glass and turned around to grab a chair from another table, but Tanner had other plans as he pulled me into his lap.
I yelped but wasn’t about to complain. I wanted to be close to him. He nuzzled into my neck, kissing me softly. Someone cleared their throat, and I looked over to see the girls all dreamy-eyed.
“So, what’s the move tonight?” I wasn’t sure what everyone wanted to do, and I hadn’t thought much about it.
“A few drinks and then we could go back to our place?” Sadie said.
Everyone agreed, and Jessi came over to see about those drinks for us.
“Hey, I want to show you something,” I murmured in Tanner's ear before getting up, pulling him with me. I looked at the girls and met their questioning stares. “We’ll be right back.” I tugged him along behind me as we went up the back steps.
“Where are we going?”
“You’ll see.” I opened the door at the top of the stairs and let him lead the way.
“Wow,” he said as he slowly approached the railing to check out the view.
“We missed the sunset, unfortunately, but the view is stunning any time up here.”
He pulled me into his arms. “Why isn’t this open to customers?”
“It’s winter.”
He rolled his eyes. “Oh, right, it’s freezing.” He chuckled.
I smacked his arm. “Do
n’t hate; it’s cold for us.”
He leaned down and kissed me, and I instinctively draped my arms around his neck. His hands slowly trailed down my body before gripping my hips and lifting me. Instinctively, my legs wrapped around his waist, my body shamelessly grinding into him. A growl erupted from his throat, and I smiled against his lips.
I pulled away, panting. “I want you, Tanner.” I couldn’t wait; I needed him now.
He looked around and let me down. “Hold that thought.” Tanner went to block off the door with a chair before rushing back and picking me back up. “Now, where were we?”
I gripped his face and devoured his mouth as he walked us over to a chair and sat us down. I ground down on his cock and moaned. “Now,” I said before I started to unbuckle his belt and unzip his fly.
The moment I freed his cock, my mouth watered, desperate to taste him. I slid off his lap and kneeled before him. His dick was hard and ready for me, his eyes were hooded, and he watched as I ran my tongue along the underside. Without breaking eye contact, I slipped his head to the back of my throat slowly. His gaze was heated, and I couldn’t stop thinking about how hot it was too watch his expression change as I worked him in and out, rotating my hand in succession with my mouth.
“Fuck, Easton.” His hand gripping my hair spurred me on.
I opened my throat and took him all the way, gagging as I went. I undid my jean shorts and lifted my ass to take them down, just enough to reach my throbbing pussy. I was soaked and needed relief.
Tanner pulled back my head and smirked down at me. “Oh no, you don’t. That pussy is mine. Get over here.” His voice was strained by lust and an attempt to control it.
I stood and rid myself of my shorts completely before climbing back onto his lap and sinking down onto his cock, pausing when he bottomed out.
His hands held my neck as he stared into my eyes. I couldn’t quite read his expression, but when he spoke, he took the guesswork out of it.
“You’re perfect.” He kissed me before I could respond.
I moved above him, rocking back and forth. Taking my time, slowly working us both up. Our moans were soft and are breaths quick.
“I don’t want it to end,” he grunted.
I wasn’t sure if he meant the sex or us, but I wasn’t about to ask. I kept him from talking by sealing my lips over his. His hands gripped my hips tightly, fingertips digging into my skin as he lifted to meet me thrust for thrust. Our movements becoming more erratic as we neared the edge. I screamed out as the pleasure took hold, and Tanner followed suit shortly after.
I collapsed onto his chest as I tried to bring myself back down to earth.
“That was amazing.” He breathed out.
I could barely think, much less speak. “I agree.”
He lifted my head and peppered my mouth with affectionate pecks. “You’re amazing.”
I smiled. “You’re not so bad yourself.” I sighed. “I don’t think I can move to go back downstairs.”
I felt his dick twitch inside of me, and I looked down and raised a brow.
“He’s nice and warm in there, but not ready for round two just yet. Maybe later?”
“Works for me. My ass is starting to get cold.”
“Fucking Californians are weird.” He swatted my ass, and I gingerly lifted myself off his lap.
We both got dressed, and I tried to straighten my hair, but it was no use. “They’re going to know, and I’m not even sure why I care. I’ve never cared before.” I smoothed out my shirt and made sure my shorts were buttoned.
“I care because I don’t want my boys looking at you that way. Only I can look at you like that.”
I stared at him blankly.
“What?” His brows creased.
“I don’t want to punch you.”
“Umm…thanks?”
“Usually, if a guy made a comment like that, I’d slug him. But when you said it, I felt all warm inside.” She put her head in her hands. “Fuck, I just said that out loud. Oh. My. God.”
He gripped my chin with his thumb and forefinger and lifted it until I met his stare. “I want you to say whatever you’re thinking. What’s the point of holding?”
My stomach dropped at the thought of his leaving like it always did. “I don’t want you to leave.” The words left my mouth in a whisper, hoping he wouldn’t actually hear them.
He pulled me into his chest and wrapped his arms around me. “I don’t know how my feelings for you have become so real in such a short amount of time, but the thought of going home has my stomach in knots. I don’t want to think about it.”
Ten
Winning Prize
Tanner
I sat on Easton’s couch with everyone having a good time around me. With my arm, I had pulled Easton into my side, and I hadn’t let go. I laughed and smiled on cue, but I wasn’t into this. I wanted everyone else to disappear so I could spend time with her alone. I couldn’t stop thinking about what she’d said. She didn’t want me to leave. I never thought I’d hear anything even remotely close come out of her mouth.
I had finally found someone that felt like something special, that something that everyone talked about. The when you know, you know type of feeling, but the fact that I couldn’t have her really ate away at me. The universe was playing a cruel joke on us.
Easton kissed my cheek and whispered, “Are you okay?”
I forced a smile. “Yeah.” My voice cracked with that one word; I cleared my throat, trying to disguise it. I really needed to snap out of it.
“I was thinking maybe we could all go surfing tomorrow?” Sean piped in.
That snapped me out of it. I wasn’t sure if I was interested in going down that road again.
“Sounds good to me,” Easton said a little too enthusiastically for my liking.
“Awesome, I have no clue what I’m doing, but I hear you’re pretty amazing, Easton. Tanner, not so much.” Sean was such a dick sometimes.
I wanted to punch Sean, even though he was telling the truth, so I couldn’t fault him. That didn’t mean I was interested in being the butt of everyone’s jokes. “Fuck off,” I muttered under my breath, and Easton elbowed me gently and looked up at me in question. I just smiled.
Easton jumped up off the couch and reached for my hand, pulling me to my feet. “It’s been great fun, but I’m taking this guy on a walk.” And without another word, she pulled me out the back door, leaving behind the groans of our friends.
We walked along the beach in silence. I wanted to talk to her, but I was also content just being in her presence.
Easton must have had her own ideas since she stopped when we got to the water’s edge and spun to face me. “What’s wrong?” She looked up at me with worried eyes filled with questions I couldn’t answer because I didn’t know what to say.
I scrubbed my hands down my face and up through my hair on a sigh. “I don’t know.” I looked out over the moonlit ocean, focusing on the cascading waves as they crashed to the shore. I didn’t have to look down to know she wasn’t buying it, but she was kind enough to allow me time to think in silence.
I took a few deep breaths before I sat down, pulling her onto my lap. I wasn’t very good at this whole talking thing, but I figured what better way to learn than with Easton. If I fucked it all up, I’d never see her again anyway. My heart broke a little more each time I thought about leaving, so I thought I’d start there.
“I’m leaving…” I let that linger in the air for a moment as she stiffened in my arms. “I don’t even know how to process that. I feel like I’m on Punk’d or something. It seems cruel for us to meet and have this amazing chemistry to connection just to be ripped apart with no way back to each other. Sure, I can come back to visit, but that’s still a temporary Band-Aid that would have to be ripped off each time I left.”
“I know exactly how you’re feeling.” Her shoulders slumped, and I could feel her sadness matching my own. “The first night I met you all I wanted was to fuck your b
rains out to get you out of my system. That didn’t happen, obviously.” She sighed and tucked a strand of pink hair behind her ear. “But the next day, I still had you on my mind, and I kept telling myself it was because we hadn’t slept together. Little did I know that although the sex was amazing, it did nothing to change my feelings—it only made me want you more.” She reached out and cupped my face. “You know I’m not about relationships, and so this whole talking thing is beyond me. But I really wish you weren’t leaving. I thought keeping my feelings to myself was the easiest thing to do, but YOLO—” she laughed— “I can’t believe I just said that. Moving on… I really love spending time with you, and although I’m going to be devastated when you leave, I think the time we’ll spend together will be worth it.” I’d just regurgitated everything Joe had said, but he was right, and it was true. So, sharing it with Tanner seemed appropriate and maybe even a little fulfilling.
“I think so, too. I hope that one day I’ll be able to look back at the photos and memories and smile instead of my chest hurting.”
She kissed me before pulling back and adjusted herself in my lap to straddle me. “Less talking, more kissing.”
I laid back in the sand, pulling her with me and kissed my way down her neck and across her collarbone then back up again. “I can’t get enough of you, Easton,” I said between kisses.
Her hands were working their way down my body slowly, then she reached inside my shorts. I was never happier to have worn boardshorts than I was right now. Easy access. She gripped my cock, and it looked like she had the same thoughts as I did. She sat up and quickly shimmied out of her shorts and panties before positioning herself above me and sinking down achingly slow. Her head fell back as I bottomed out inside of her. I reached up, lifting her tank top to reveal her perfect tits so I could palm each one.
She rode me slow and steady, driving us both crazy. This chick was the perfect girl—like lock her down and never let her go. I was in a sex-induced fog, but my pull to her had nothing to do with the sex, although that was also amazing. I pulled myself out of my head to focus on Easton. I watched our connection as she rocked, my cock gliding in and out of her wet pussy.
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