by Shafer, Gina
“How far did we run?” I ask.
“Two miles.”
“I’m going to be sore tomorrow.” I groan, and he laughs at me.
“I’ll come rub you down.”
“Oh, I bet you would.” I smirk and then jump up, revived. Nick stays sitting, bringing his knees up to his chest. He watches me as I dance around a little. I haven’t felt this good in a long time.
“How’s your mom today?” he asks.
“She’s good. Slept for a while. Dad read her their old letters from when they were teens. It was pretty cool to hear actually. Their love was—is—so sweet and funny. It was interesting to hear her voice through her writing.”
“That’s really good.” Nick stands. We stroll along the shore, looking at shells. Nick finds a blue one that he gives to me, and I stuff it in my pocket.
“Do you do anything else for work, Nick? Besides the bar I know you own that. But what else occupies your day?” I’ve been meaning to ask this for a while.
“The bar pretty much runs itself. I inherited it, so I didn’t have to build the place up from scratch. It already had a really good reputation. I made a few changes to modernize when my parents died, and the place took off from there. Other than that, I own a real estate company.”
I’m shocked. I didn’t expect him to be so successful. He’s only a few years older than me and has his shit together, unlike me.
“How does that work?” I ask, growing more ashamed of myself as we walk. I cross my arms as a defense mechanism.
“That runs on its own also. My staff takes care of things for the most part. We buy and sell real estate in the area. My company sold your parents’ their home.”
“So you knew my mom before she got sick?”
“Not really. I didn’t move into the house next door until about three and a half years ago. Before then I met them maybe once or twice. What about you? Now that you’re here, what’s the plan?”
“That’s a good question, and I don’t have a good answer,” I say sheepishly.
“No?”
“I was working for an editor before I moved, and of course I went to college. But the longer I stay here, the more I realize how unhappy I was with my life. I had a boyfriend I didn’t care for, a job I didn’t really like, and an overpriced apartment full of things I didn’t want or need. The only person I care about is my best friend, Maggie. It just took stepping away to see it clearly.”
“So you don’t think you’ll go back to editing?”
“Honestly? I don’t know. I love reading. I have a passion for perfecting things. I just don’t know if it’s the right fit for me. Sometimes I think the world would be better off if kids weren’t forced to choose their college and careers straight out of high school.”
“And what do you think would be the right fit?”
“I love to cook,” I blurt. I hadn’t even been thinking that. Where did that come from?
“You’re damn good at it too. Seeing you in the kitchen… lets just say I’m not surprised you’d consider taking it further.”
My passion for cooking has been on my mind from time to time since I helped him out with the dinner for Rose the other night. “You really think so?”
“Yeah. If it’s something you’re excited about, go for it. You have your degree to fall back on, and editing will always be there.”
I feel validated, and it’s the best feeling. “I’ll cook for you again soon.”
“Oh Whitley, don’t tease me.” He steps behind me and hooks his arms around my middle, hoisting me. My shoes kick up sand. We giggle like kids.
As soon as puts me down, I try to wiggle away from him, except I wiggle too much, and he groans deeply in my ear. Oh, shit.
I just did a full-on grind against his cock. He releases me and I turn to face him.
“You know, you’re kinda pretty when you’re not frowning,” he says.
I try to laugh it off, uncomfortable under his scrutiny. “What’s that supposed to mean? I’m ugly when I’m not happy?” I smile, pushing my hair off my shoulders, feigning annoyance.
“You’re pretty then too. Matter of fact, I’m almost positive there isn’t a face you could pull that would distract from your beauty.”
“Even this one?” I pull the silliest face I can think of, crossing my eyes and sticking my tongue out.
“Even that one, though I’m going to guess you look prettiest when you look like this….”
“Like what?”
He crosses the distance between us and kisses me. It isn’t hard or crushing, but it’s surprising. My eyes screw shut. His lips dance to the beat of a well-known song, like he’s known my mouth for much longer than he has. He kisses me the way a man kisses his wife after they’ve been married ten years.
“I was right. You’re fucking beautiful when you’re kissed. Now I wonder how you’ll look when I make you come.”
My stomach flips and wetness pools between my legs that would rival the ocean. I let out a small moan when he brushes my bottom lip with his thumb, smearing the wetness of our kiss down my chin.
I can’t take it anymore. I throw myself on him, holding nothing back, and we misstep in the sand, tumbling. He holds me tight as we land on the dune. Our fall doesn’t stop me. Our tongues collide, and I feel like I’m home again. Like I’m where I’m supposed to be.
I spread my legs as he rolls me onto my back, planting me in the sand and digging himself into my center, making me moan and throw my head back, giving him access to my neck. My hands roam his hard body and just before I reach his waistband, a mammoth seagull from prehistoric times lands right by our heads and effectively screeches the loudest seagull call I think I’ve ever heard and douses this burning moment in cold, cold water.
“I didn’t come out here to seduce you in the sand,” he says, pulling back harshly.
“I know that.”
“I don’t want you to think I haven’t put a lot of thought into this though.” He says.
I swallow hard.
“I keep telling you I’ll try to control myself, and then I do the exact opposite. I have feelings for you, Whitley. Deep – no shit feelings.” I smirk and so does he, before he sobers completely.
We both stand, dusting off the sand that’s stuck to our overheated bodies.“I wasn’t ready for you to come walking into my life. And I don’t think you were ready for me either. But I can’t walk away from you after this.”
“We’re on the same page,” I say.
“And the ending to this chapter would be?”
“I want to keep kissing you.” I bite my lip as soon as the words roll off my tongue.
“Baby, you have no idea how much I want to keep kissing you right now.”
“Then I think we know how this chapter ends,” I say.
It’s a long walk back, and not because we’re making out like teenagers. It’s because we try not to make out like teenagers. Every look, every little touch, every time he sweeps the hair off my face, he stokes the fire burning in my belly. I’m dripping wet with need, and he knows it.
I know he knows it. He’s got it just as bad as I do.
When we finally see our houses in the distance, I ask the question I’ve been dying to know and kind of avoiding. “Is your sister home?”
He sighs, and just like that, a bucket about as big as the sea cools my fire.
“She is,” he confirms.
“So....”
“I’m sorry. It’s just a weird time for us lately. I promised to take her in, and I’m trying to show her how to be responsible.”
“Nick, you do not have to explain anything to me. I understand. And for what it’s worth, I think you’re doing amazing so far. You got her to help you set up the security system at my house, didn’t you?”
“Actually it was her idea. She asked what happened, and then came up with the whole idea after I explained everything to her.”
I’m going to have to soften up on Rose. I, of all people, know what it’s lik
e to lose yourself. Maybe Rose needs a chance to find herself again. A little nudge wouldn’t hurt.
“I think you’re making the right choice. If this…” I motion between us. “is actually going to happen, I want it to be more than a quickie on the beach,” I admit.
“I’m in for one lonely night,” he teases.
“Goodnight, then?” I ask. We’ve stopped at the side of Nick’s house behind a tree. I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to beg him to just take me. Right here. Behind the tree.
“Goodnight, Whitley.” He strokes my cheek, then cups my face. “I don’t want to say goodnight.”
“You already did.” I chuckle.
“I know, but I still don’t want to.”
“Me neither.”
“Okay.”
He kisses me softly, running his lips over mine and making my brain fog over. I can feel every little dip in his lips, almost like he’s marking me with a fingerprint.
I could stay right here all night.
But my dad could walk out anytime. His sister. Us in a compromising position. It’s not a good look. I break free and peck him once more.
“Goodnight. For real this time.” I breathe, trying my hand at a lusty sexy voice spoken directly in his ear. I think I succeed, because he looks like he’s two seconds away from ravishing me.
And when I lay my head on my pillow tonight, I make a pact with myself that I will not be having any romp in the sheet-filled fantasies starring Nick before I fall asleep. I won’t.
Okay fine, maybe just a tiny one.
You know that haze that’s in some dreams? When you look back on them, and it’s almost like looking into a mirror with a coat of Vaseline smeared on it?
This was not one of those dreams. This one was vivid. This one had me writhing, crying out.
I lied to myself. I lied hard. I won’t have any dirty dreams staring Nick? If I did, it would be tiny? Nothing could be further from the truth. I’m overheated and desperate. I lay there for a moment and try to center myself, but it’s no use.
I throw off my covers, trying to avoid Coconut sleeping next to me. He doesn’t move, so I slip on slippers and leave the house. The security cameras will wake Dad, so I use the app on my phone to disable them long enough to exit the back door. Once I’m out of camera range, I bring up the app and enable the cameras again.
I glance at Nick’s house, still feeling off kilter and emotional. I decide Nick’s bedroom window is the best place to go. I walk around back until I find the right one. I peer through the window, but I can’t see anything.
Before someone calls the cops on me for being a peeping tom, I rap on the glass. Then I do it a second and third time.
I’m clearly not thinking clearly.
The blinds move, and he’s there. He throws open the window and pops off the screen.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t want to wake your sister, but I couldn’t lie in bed missing you for a second longer,” I blurt out.
He kisses me. His lips are warm and soft, and it feels so good. Our lips stay connected as he lifts me inside, through the open window.
I let him lead, kissing me until my arousal takes precedence over my uncertainty being here. I’m not sure if it’s the release of pent-up energy or something else, but an uncontrollable hunger takes over, and I can’t get enough.
Nick senses this, because he kicks it up a notch. He slides his leg between mine and grinds against me. I moan into his mouth, and his kisses grow fevered and demanding. We’re all tongue and teeth clashing.
His hands skate up my abdomen, bringing my shirt with them. It comes off and is tossed. I’m not wearing a bra.
He groans as he takes me in. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Whitley. I can hardly look at you without losing control.” He takes my nipple between his teeth and pinches lightly. I almost shriek but then he tongues me, soothing the sting.
I writhe wantonly against him. He presses his hardness between my legs, exactly where I need him most. I run my palms down his chest as he kisses from my breasts to my neck.
And then he moves down.
He hooks his fingers under my pajama shorts and yanks them off. I’m completely bare and unashamed as he stares at my most intimate parts. I note the impressive bulge in his briefs and almost ask him to take them off, but I’m interrupted by the swipe of his finger down my center, and I throw my head back. He continues, delicately handling my wet sex like it’s his most prized possession. He slips a finger in, and I open my eyes, watching him as he enjoys playing with me.
He licks his lips and looks at me. “I want to taste you so bad.” My heart nearly stops. “Do you think you can be quiet?”
I have no idea, but I can try. I nod and he doesn’t waste any time. I expect him to lick me hard, bury his face between my legs, and never come up for air.
But he slows and lightly runs his tongue up my slit, circling the bud of nerves at the top. I pinch my lip between my teeth and grab his hair to ground myself.
He continues his gentle assault, and when he puts his finger inside me, I almost lose it. He furiously licks me like it’s what he was made for. He’s loud, eating me with fervor and enjoying every moment. I feel the scratch of his stubbly beard as he rocks my fucking world, and I can’t hold back any longer. He adds another finger, and I’m done for. I snatch the pillow next to me and bury my face in it, screaming as I come and come and come some more.
My body twitches as he rides every wave of pleasure. I feel him smile as he wipes his lips against the inside of my thigh.
He climbs up my body and removes the pillow. “You okay?”
I remember his massive hard-on. I don’t open my eyes yet, but I reach down and feel him.
Granite. Stone. Diamond. All things not as hard as Nick Adler.
He lets out a chuckle because My mind and body have still not caught up with each other.
I shove him over on his back and kiss my way down his body, stopping when I get to the waistband of his underwear.
“These have to come off,” I tease playfully.
“If the lady insists.”
He helps me shimmy them down and then kicks them aside. When I get the first glimpse of his cock, well, intimidated is a word I become familiar with quickly.
He caresses my cheeks. “Don’t cover that beautiful face next time. I want to see you when you come.”
I muster all my confidence and squeeze lightly at the base of his cock, leaning over and running my tongue along the tip.
He jerks in my hand and I feel his feet flexing. “Damn,” he mutters, and I smile. Then I lick and suck and take in all I can. My hand moves in sync with my mouth, and his breathing intensifies. He groans, loudly. I wonder for a brief moment if he could bring me over the edge with just that one noise. He runs his hands through my hair and his fingers shake. Everywhere he touches—my breasts, throat, head, pussy—he leaves an imprint.
“I’m gonna come, Whitley.” His voice is gruff and sexy. I know this is a warning: move away now if you don’t want me to come in your mouth. Except I do. I want him everywhere. Inside me and all over me.
I give him one last pump, and he explodes. I swallow as thick hot spurts splash down my throat. I moan as I take it all, and he growls as he gives it.
He pulls me up quickly and kisses me hard. “I didn’t expect that to happen.”
“Yeah, I’d like to say I didn’t come here for this, but that would be a lie.” I laugh.
He sighs, pulling me against him. “I don’t want to keep pretending I’m not completely infatuated with you.”
“I don’t want to either.”
“Good.”
“I want to be with you Nick. As selfish as that may be, I want this happiness and this feeling I have when I’m with you to stay,” I tell him.
“As soon as I wake up in the morning, I’m going to streak down the streets, letting everyone know I finally get to call the most beautiful and intelligent woman I know my girlfriend.”
I lau
gh. “I’m not bailing you out of jail.”
“Mm, it’d be worth it.” He sighs. I can tell he’s fading quickly, so I grab his hand and bring it to my lips, kissing the freckle below his first knuckle.
“I could love you, Whitley,” He says distantly before he drifts off.
My eyes shoot open.
I could love you, Whitley.
There’s only one thought running through my mind: I wish I could tell Mom about him.
My first thought when I wake is that it’s bright.
Like really bright. Almost like there’s no curtains in here. I reach for my pillow and cover my face, burrowing deeper into the bed. I breathe in deeply and catch a familiar scent of fresh cedar and vanilla.
Nick.
I pop my head up. The bed is empty, and the house is quiet. I was right about the curtains. None. The sun can see right through Nick’s large window, and it’s mocking me with its heat.
I scoot off the bed, carefully keeping myself as covered as possible with the sheet while trying to dress myself, because yes. I’m still naked from last night.
Once I’m decent, I poke my head out of Nick’s room and come face to face with his sister, Rose.
She freezes, and I couldn’t feel more like a deer caught in headlights if I tried. She crosses her arms and takes me in like she’s judging me, and for a second I almost give her a piece of my mind for standing there looking snotty first thing in the morning. Then I remember she helped Nick with the security cameras, and she’s had a rough time lately.
I smile and tell her she looks pretty. Because she does. Her dark hair is straightened into a silky layer down her back. She wears a skull and crossbones tank top, with a deep, olive-green vest over it, and some pretty awesome jewelry hangs around her neck. Black jeans and a pair of ankle boots tie it all together.
She’s cute. Not dressed for the beach, like everyone else in town, but I like it even more because of that.
“Rose, quit bugging Whitley and finish getting ready for school,” Nick says from the kitchen.
She rolls her eyes and disappears into the bathroom.
I slide up to Nick with shame plastered all over me. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t hear anyone, so I wasn’t sure if I should leave and then I noticed you put the screen back on, so I didn’t think I should go out the way I came in.”