Further To Fall

by Catherine Cowles

  “It’s okay, I want you inside me.” I ran a hand up the side of his face and over his buzzed head, relishing the feel of his hair tickling my palm. I pulled him down to me and kissed him with everything I had.

  Austin pulled back slightly, and I felt his tip at my opening. “I love you, Carter.”

  “I love you, too,” I breathed.

  He pushed in. The burning and stretching were back, but Austin took my mouth in a slow kiss. “You’re so tight. God, you feel perfect.” I couldn’t speak, but soon, my muscles began to melt, and the burning turned into a different kind of fire. My hips rose of their own accord, and Austin took that as his cue to move.

  Slowly. So slowly it was a delicious torture, Austin moved in and out of me. Feeling him inside me gave me a sense of completion that I’d never know before. Prickles of pleasure danced throughout my body, jumping from one nerve ending to the next.

  My body jolted with a sharp spark of arousal as Austin rolled my nipple between his fingers. I didn’t know it was possible to feel this much in a single moment. He gave the bud a light pinch that had my walls clenching around him. “Fuck. I knew being inside you would be heaven.”

  Austin began to pick up his pace, the speed causing a delicious friction that added to the riot of sensations my body was experiencing. Sweat peppered my skin as we found a new rhythm. A rhythm that had every part of me trembling. A rhythm that was too much and not enough, in the best possible way.

  I fisted the sheets as Austin delved deeper and deeper, finally hitting that spot I thought was a fairy tale. He reached between our bodies and thumbed my clit, sending me shattering a second time but in a whole new way. A way that consumed my entire being. Austin cursed as he thrust one more time, throwing his head back as he emptied himself inside me.

  Panting, he brought his damp forehead to mine. He rolled us so that I was now on top of him, his dick still twitching inside of me, my own body wracked with aftershocks. I sucked in slow breaths as my heart rate slowed.

  I burrowed into his neck. “I had no idea something could feel that good, that intense.”

  Austin chuckled. “Me either.” We were silent for a few minutes as he trailed his fingertips up and down my spine. “You okay?” he finally asked.

  “Mm-hmm,” I answered.

  Austin rolled us again so that I was beneath him and slowly pulled out of me. I winced at the bite of pain. “Sorry, baby. I’m going to get a warm cloth to clean you.”

  I bit my lip and watched his tight butt saunter into the bathroom. Blue let out a whine as the door opened. Austin reemerged with a washcloth in hand and pressed it between my legs. A soft smile touched my lips at the tender gesture. “That feel okay?” I nodded, heat flooding my cheeks.

  “Nothing to be shy about. I love tending to this body.” He bent over, kissed each of my nipples and then my lips. When he removed the cloth, I saw a few dots of pink, but nothing like I’d imagined. The grin on Austin’s face told me there was indeed something about taking my virginity that stroked his male ego.

  I shook my head at him. “I’m hungry. I think you need to feed me.”

  “What sounds good?” he asked.

  “Hmm, I think I need ice cream.”

  “Ice cream it is.” Austin rose and tossed the cloth into the laundry basket. I bent and picked up the t-shirt he’d discarded on the floor. Austin emerged from the closet with a robe. Handing it to me, he said, “Just in case someone comes by.” It was probably a good idea. I handed Austin his shirt and slipped on the robe.

  I quickly popped into the bathroom, washing my hands and splashing some water on my face, when I heard, “BLUE!” bellowed from the bedroom. I darted back out to find Blue frozen on the bed, a yellow puddle beneath him.

  My hands flew to my mouth. “Did he just pee on the bed?”

  “Yes,” Austin gritted out.

  “I guess he didn’t like being locked in the bathroom.” I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing.

  Austin turned his blazing eyes to me. “I’m not letting him watch us fuck. I’m not into that voyeuristic shit.”

  I couldn’t hold my laughter in any longer, and once it started, I couldn’t stop it. “I’m sorry, I know I shouldn’t be laughing.”

  “He ruined the comforter!” But as soon as the words were out of his mouth, Austin started laughing, too. “That damn dog.”

  I wrapped my arms around Austin’s waist. “He’s a good dog.” Austin was silent. “Most of the time, he is,” I argued.

  Austin just shook his head. “We need a dog trainer.”

  “Oh, fine. Let’s go get some ice cream and throw out this bedding. Come on, Blue.” I rolled up the comforter, and Austin took it out to the trash. Well, I’d never forget my first time, that was for sure.

  38

  Carter

  The next morning, I was tender. But I liked the reminder my sore muscles gave me every time I moved a certain way. I smiled to myself as I tapped out a text to Taylor. Of course, I had to tell my bestie that I had finally crossed that barrier with Austin.

  She was thrilled for me and was peppering me for details I’d never give her. I hadn’t told Taylor about the new stalker developments other than glossing over a second break-in at the house. She knew I was staying with Austin now, but I didn’t want to worry her, since she was already dealing with so much stress, helping her mom recover from chemo treatments.

  Taylor: Just tell me how big his dick is, and I’ll leave you alone. Or better yet, snap a dick pic!

  I spit my coffee all over my placemat.

  “Jesus, Carter, are you okay?” Austin stood from his chair across from me and grabbed a handful of paper towels.

  “Sorry,” I coughed. “Taylor was being a perv.”

  Austin just shook his head and handed me the towels. He was used to Taylor’s and my antics. “Do you want to spend the day with me at the gym?” he asked. “We can bring Blue.”

  “Sure.” I took another sip of my coffee and succeeded in keeping it in my mouth this time.

  Austin sat back down. “I have something I want to run by you when we’re there.”

  “What?”

  “Patience, Firecracker. I’ll tell you when we get there.”

  “Oh, fine.”

  We finished up breakfast and then headed to the gym with John following behind us in another car. I hated that this was the new normal, but I was grateful to have someone at our back—just in case. I found myself looking everywhere for any sign of a shadowy figure, clearly up to no good. Austin reached over and took my hand. “Everything will be okay, I promise.”

  “I know, I’m just so sick of looking over my shoulder.”

  He squeezed my hand. “We’ll check in with Detective Massey when we get to my office, see if he’s come up with anything.”

  I leaned across the console and kissed Austin’s shoulder. “You’ve been amazing through all of this. I honestly don’t know what I’d do without you.”

  “Good thing you’ll never have to find out.”

  “I love it when you say that.”

  He smirked at me. “I know you do.”

  “Arrogant.”

  “You love me.”

  I scoffed, and he chuckled as he swung into a parking spot. I grabbed my purse from the floorboard and startled when my door opened. “Sorry about that.” It was John.

  “Not your fault. I’m a jumpy mess, apparently.” I eased out of the car, only to be surrounded, John at my back and Austin at my side. They were both on guard, and it had my own anxiety level climbing.

  We made our way inside to be greeted by Sofia. She was clearly concerned, but I was grateful when she kept things light. We chatted about Michael, and she fawned over Blue. Austin tugged on my arm. “Come on, let’s go back to my office.”

  “Okay. See you later, Sofia.”

  “See you, chica.”

  I patted the side of my leg, and Blue followed us down the hall. When we reached Austin’s office, Blue immediately launched
himself onto the couch, and I took a seat beside him, scratching behind his ears. Austin shut the door behind himself and eyed Blue. “Make yourself right at home, Blue.”

  I chuckled. “Oh, lighten up. Why don’t you sit down and tell me what you wanted to talk about.”

  Austin settled in the chair across from me. We were sitting in the same positions as when I saw him for the first time after our year of radio silence. I couldn’t believe how far we’d come. “What would you think about taking over as director for the youth program? I haven’t been able to find anyone who’s right for the position, and I think that’s because I’m subconsciously comparing all of them to you. You’re who I picture when I think about the ideal candidate. You’d have complete creative control.”

  I was stunned. Of all the things I’d thought he might want to ask me, I’d never expected him to offer me a job. In many ways, it was exactly what I was looking for, working with kids but with so much more freedom and autonomy than I had while working at a public school. But, working for my boyfriend? That could be a recipe for disaster. We did have our friendship as a foundation, though. I knew how he operated, probably better than anyone, and he knew me just as well. “There’s a huge part of me that wants to jump up and down and scream ‘yes,’ but I need to think about it. Can I have a little time?”

  His face gentled from businessman-serious. “Of course. Take all the time you need.”

  I jumped up and dumped myself on his lap, circling his neck with my arms and kissing him lightly. “Thank you for thinking of me.”

  “I’m always thinking about you.”

  “I like hearing that.” I kissed him again. “Promise me one thing.”

  “What?”

  “Promise that you’re not offering me this job just because I was forced to take a leave of absence.”

  Austin’s face got serious. “Carter, I wanted to offer you this job as soon as I started the program, but I knew you’d never take it then. I truly do think you’re the best person for the position.”

  I pushed my face into the crook of his neck. “Okay, I just had to be sure.” He squeezed me tighter against him, and I tipped my head back. “Since I’m here for the day, why don’t you put me to work.”

  “I can think of a few things you can work on…” He grinned down at me.

  “Quit it, you dirty bird. I mean office work.”

  He nuzzled the side of my neck. “You take all the fun out of working together.”

  “If you’re a good boy, I’ll let you cop a feel before we leave.”

  “Promises, promises.”

  I pinched Austin’s side as I lifted myself from his lap. “Come on, give me something to do.”

  “All right, all right,” he groused.

  I spent the rest of the day pouring over all the paperwork for each of the program kids that their parents had submitted. I created a file for each child and made notes in each about what programs or support might be helpful, already planning to have meetings with each one so I could get to know them better and see how we could best help them reach their dreams. Because, who was I kidding, one hour into reading about these kids, and I knew I was going to take the job. I set the last file down and stood to stretch, I was still just a little bit sore from last night and smiled at the reminder.

  At the sound of the door opening, I turned and saw Austin’s dark head appear. “Ready for me to cop a feel?” he asked.

  I let out a bark of laughter at his words and the truly hopeful expression on his face. “Come here.”

  He ambled over and pulled me into his arms, easing me into a warm and seductive kiss. His hands traveled lower and, before long, they were squeezing my backside. He pulled back, a soft look in his eyes. “You sore?”

  Heat rose to my cheeks. “A little,” I said with regret.

  “Bath for you tonight, and then I’ll kiss it all better,” he said with a devilish grin. “Come on, let’s get out of here.”

  “Okay, let me just grab my stuff.” He released me, giving my butt a pat as I turned away. I shot him a look over my shoulder as I picked up my purse.

  “What?” he asked. “You said I could cop a feel if I was good!”

  I shook my head at him and hooked Blue’s leash to his collar. “Let’s go. I’m starving.”

  Austin grabbed my hand and led me down the hall. John was sitting in the lobby, facing both possible points of entry. “I’m sorry you had to sit around here all day, John.”

  He smiled kindly at me. “Not a problem, it’s my job, and I’m happy to do it.”

  “Stop flirting with my girl.” Austin drilled a faux punch into John’s stomach.

  “Better keep on your toes,” John shot back.

  “Yeah, yeah. Let’s go, Firecracker’s hungry.” He grabbed my hand again, and we headed out to the parking lot, John leading the way this time and scanning the cars for anyone unfamiliar. He circled around the area as Austin went to open the back door for Blue. A flyer fluttered in the breeze but was held in place by the passenger-side windshield wiper. I stepped forward to grab it. Honestly, did that kind of marketing ever work?

  My hand froze as I brought the flyer up to read it. On the paper in blood-red marker read, “LYING LITTLE WHORE. IT’S TIME FOR SOMEONE TO DIE. MIGHT BE YOU. MIGHT BE YOUR BOYFRIEND. MIGHT BE YOUR STUPID FUCKING DOG.” My hands started shaking, but it wasn’t in fear, it was in fury. I’d had just about enough from this asshole.

  Austin came up behind me, and I knew he’d read over my shoulder when I heard, “Fuck! You have got to be kidding me!” He started to call out for John when I heard a crack and the windshield splintered.

  Austin’s body collided with mine as he took me down to the ground. The asphalt bit into my knees and cheek. I frantically reached out for Blue, who had started barking like crazy at the sound.

  “Shooter!” Austin yelled to John, who already had his weapon out. The only thing I could think was, I didn’t even realize John carried a gun. Where did he hide it?

  “Baby, are you okay?” Austin was still on top of me but was trying to pat me down, assessing for injuries.

  “I think so, are you?”

  “I’m fine.”

  John rushed over to us, positioning himself between us and where the shooter must have been standing. “I can’t see anyone, but that doesn’t mean anything. I want you to slowly get up and face the gym. Austin, you lead, take Blue’s leash in one hand, and Carter’s hand in the other. Carter, you hold onto Austin and then link a finger through my back belt loop. We are going to, very slowly, make our way towards the gym. Ready?”

  “Yes,” Austin and I both answered at the same time.

  “Move.” It was an awkward and slow process, but we finally reached the doors and pushed inside. “Lock these and move away from any windows,” John ordered. “Can you make an announcement over the loudspeakers and let people know to do the same?”

  “I’ll do that now.” Austin moved behind the empty reception desk to make an announcement, and John was on the phone with 911 and then Detective Massey. Within a minute, I heard sirens. Then, Austin was back at my side, examining my cheek. “Shit, I’m sorry, baby. Let me get some stuff to clean your scrapes.”

  He moved to walk away, but I held tight to his hand. He cupped the unmarred side of my face. “I’m just going to the desk. There’s a first-aid kit in there.” I forced my fingers to unlock from around his. The fear was just hitting me, the reality that one of us could have just died. My hands had started to shake, my palms were clammy, and I felt sick to my stomach. When Austin returned, he looked at me with concerned eyes. “I want you to sit down.”

  John walked over. “She’s as white as a sheet.”

  “I think she might be going into shock.”

  Swallowing my nausea, I forced myself to focus. “I’m okay.” Both Austin and John looked skeptical. “Really, I just felt a little lightheaded for a minute.”

  John squeezed my shoulder and then headed over to the front door where four
police officers had appeared. Austin set the first-aid kit down on the couch and removed a wipe of some sort. I hissed when the alcohol touched my broken skin. “Sorry.” He blew on my cheek, easing the sting. Then he knelt on the ground and lifted my yoga pants to above my knees and repeated his actions, covering all the scrapes with ointment and Band-Aids.

  “Thank you.” My voice was soft as police crowded the lobby. “Austin, this is insane.” He sat down next to me and pulled me into his lap. Blue took that as a sign, and he jumped up next to us. I scratched his ears. “I know, Blue, everything’s okay now.” He pushed his head into my hand.

  Before long, Detective Massey had arrived, looking harried and concerned. Austin, John, and I walked him through everything that had happened. Another officer had collected the note, which I had dropped in the chaos and handed it, sealed in an evidence bag, to the detective. Massey then took a few moments to peruse it, his eyes pinched as he analyzed the lettering. “The escalation is continuing.”

  I shuddered but lifted a hand and placed it on Austin’s back. His muscles were wound so tightly, it seemed as if they might snap. I started to knead them with my thumb, not that it could do much. “You should look into Lexi Perkins.”

  My hand stuttered at Austin’s words. “Lexi doesn’t know how to shoot.” At least I didn’t think she did. I knew Lexi disliked me, maybe even hated me, but would she really go that far? Would she kill Austin just because she couldn’t have him? Or me because I did?

  Austin’s eyes met mine. “You don’t know that. Or she could have hired someone. The only thing I know is that she’s crazy and has a grudge against you a mile long.”

  Massey jotted down a few words in his notepad. “I’ll look into her. We’re also pursuing the number that was calling you, Carter. It came back as a burner, but we’re trying to track it at the point of purchase.”

  “Do you think I should leave LA for a little while? My parents have a cabin in the mountains, I could go there…”

  My words trailed off when Austin’s spine snapped straight. He turned to me. “You’re not going anywhere. At least not without me and security.” I bit the corner of my mouth, but Austin reached out and eased my lip from between my teeth. “You’re not going anywhere alone, Firecracker.”