Feathers: A Novel

by Kylie Stewart

  “Charlotte.” The whisper tumbled from my lips as her hand began to stroke up and down in a slow, torturous glide. She batted her long lashes, leaning forward, and captured my mouth, silencing me. Her tongue foreshadowed what was to come, and my cock thickened in her grip.

  She smelled like lavender and vanilla, the perfect mix for a girl with a boho spirit. My girl decorated herself in feathers and beads, loved walking in the grass barefoot, and could be found reading on the porch during a thunderstorm.

  Charlotte’s mouth moved from my lips, peppering kisses along my neck, down my chest, and I sucked in air through gritted teeth. On my knees, sitting on my bed, she ruled me. Her tongue trailed down my stomach, sending a chill down my spine. The lower she went, the higher my need grew.

  She teased between my hip bones, just inches from my cock, and I moaned. I let my head fall back as she blew over the head and fought the urge to beg.

  She was too good at this.

  It was almost unfair.

  Charlotte’s hand settled at the base, and glancing up, she gave a gentle push on my chest. I did as instructed and lay back, helping her get rid of the briefs. When she settled between my legs, her fingers once again wrapped around my length, and I saw everything.

  Her long hair cascaded in waves over her shoulders, barely covering her nipples. Emerald eyes glittered in excitement as she watched me licking my lips in anticipation. The light golden hue from the summer still graced her skin, and if I saw her on a beach in Florida, I’d swear she was a mermaid come ashore.

  Beautiful, dangerous, and so seductive with her siren song just for me.

  Charlotte leaned down, her breasts swaying with the movement.

  You said no sex.

  You did this to yourself.

  Mentally, I scolded myself because once her mouth wrapped around my cock, pure basic male instinct would fight to take over. She paused over my tip, flicking her eyes up to meet mine.

  “Don’t tease me, Lottie.”

  Her tongue licked over the seam of her lips, and she tucked an errant lock of hair behind her ear. “I don’t intend to.”

  Charlotte hovered just inches above my straining cock, and I couldn’t look away. The moment she pressed a gentle kiss against the sensitive head, I shuddered.

  We were doing things backward. I should’ve taken her out on a date, and then after a few days of really connecting again, then maybe this could happen. But here we were, both stark naked on my bed and her tongue trailing along my shaft and over the crown.

  Hissing, my hand reached of its own accord and tangled in her hair. This wasn’t very considerate of me, based on her previous experience, but she didn’t protest. In fact, Charlotte chose then to take all of me to the back of her throat. A strangled sound caught in my throat as my hips jerked in response to her hot mouth.

  Come on, Hawk, get it together. This isn’t the first girl to suck your dick.

  I tried to reason with myself, but Charlotte’s talented tongue had other ideas.

  But it was her.

  A girl seven years younger than me, and one who I’d watched grow up, was now sucking my dick. Heat flamed up the back of my neck, and I dared to glance down.

  “Shit.”

  The image of Charlotte naked and blowing me seared itself to the forefront of my memory. With glazed eyes, she met my half-lidded gaze and smirked.

  Yup, I was fucked.

  My head fell back against the pillow, and my eyes shut, losing myself to the pleasure given freely. Every so often, my hips would rock into her mouth, and she’d match my rhythm. Her tiny hands roved over my stomach and chest as she bobbed up and down, driving me mad.

  I want to be inside her.

  I want to make her scream.

  One hand anchored me to the headboard while the other twisted in her long tresses. I couldn’t do that. Not yet anyway.

  A spark of molten heat shot down my length, and I groaned, “I’m close, Charlotte.”

  For a second, I thought she’d pop off and finish me with her hand, but she continued. A feral growl resonated in my chest, and I reminded her again. “If you don’t stop, I’m gonna come.”

  Emerald eyes glowered at me with a challenge.

  Fuck me.

  Before I opened my mouth to reply, the first wave of bliss washed over me, and I stifled a low moan. My cock pulsed and shot wave after wave into her mouth, sending a chill up my spine. Somehow, she managed to draw out my orgasm longer than I expected. Breathing heavily through my nostrils, she began to back off.

  A brief pause fell over me as I lay there, trying to come down off a high never before reached. Her face leaned over mine, a coy smile, and pink cheeks waiting for my approval. Reaching up, I cupped her face and couldn’t stop the broad smile from breaking out across my face.

  “What?” Her voice barely rose above a whisper.

  “Wow.” I chuckled and pulled her down into a deep kiss. “That was fantastic.”

  Charlotte carefully sprawled over my body, both of us fully aware that we were playing with fire.

  “I’m glad.” She twirled a strand of my hair in her finger. “I wanted to make you feel good.”

  My chest warmed as the tension began to climb back to fever pitch. Easily enough, I managed to roll us into a spooning position and pulled the covers that she’d kicked down in her writhing back over us.

  “You make me feel amazing.” I kissed behind her ear. “Now get some rest.”

  She gave a contented sigh and snuggled her body back into mine. There would be no question she’d wake with a boner for an alarm clock.

  “Good night, Hawk.”

  I wrapped my arms around her and found her smaller hands to cover in mine.

  “Sweet dreams, Lottie.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Charlotte

  Something hard and hot rubbed against the crack of my bare bottom, causing me to squirm in my sleep. Soft puffs of air tickled the back of my neck, and I nuzzled into the down pillow. Strong arms pulled me tighter, and my eyes flew open. For a few brief seconds, my heart stumbled in my chest. I froze.

  After a quick survey of the wall and chest of drawers I faced, I remembered I was in Hawk’s room. My cheeks flamed hot. I’m sure it spread down my neck and chest as the memories of last night came to life in my mind’s eye. Hawk and I basically made love last night, and now we’re naked in his bed.

  While my thoughts raced, and I tried to think of a way to do the walk of shame in my own house, Hawk’s calm, steady heartbeat picked up to a gallop.

  He’s awake now too.

  “Charlotte.” His whisper caressed my hair. The way his hand rested against the flat of my stomach caused familiar heat to pool low in my hips.

  Early morning made his voice husky and scratchy. I’d always found it sexy, though he usually slogged through the kitchen mumbling about coffee in the early hours with a terrifying expression of don’t talk to me on his face. No matter how much of a morning person he wasn’t, he’d always been appealing to me.

  “Umm, good morning.” I couldn’t hide the trembling in my voice.

  “How’d you sleep?” When he pressed a kiss to my bare shoulder tenderly, a small smile crept across my lips.

  “Really great, you?”

  “Best sleep I’ve had in years.”

  Hawk rolled away from me, falling onto his back and stretched out in his king-size bed. The sheets pulled off me, and I scrambled to keep myself covered. Slowly, I turned over and shyly gazed over his glorious body. Lean muscles rippled under his tanned skin glowing in the morning light. The feather tattoo on his left side came to life as he moved.

  “You’re really gorgeous.” The words left my mouth before my brain had a chance to process them.

  His blue-gray eyes lit up deviously, and he flopped over on his side, the sheet lowering to show off the muscles leading back down to his thick cock.

  The same cock that was in my mouth last night.

  “You are the most beauti
ful woman I’ve ever seen.” He reached out and ran his fingers along my neck. “Are you okay with what happened last night?”

  Nodding, I moved closer to him. His heat radiated off him, warming me. “I love what happened last night.”

  Hawk’s gaze softened, and he gently pulled the sheet down my shoulder, exposing me down to my waist. I didn’t move, not out of fear but in anticipation. His eyes widened in appreciation, glancing back and forth between my eyes and my body.

  “Charlotte …” he trailed off, scrubbing his palm over his face.

  “Yes?”

  My body screamed to be touched.

  My soul begged to be invaded.

  My heart needed him closer.

  “I want to take you out to dinner tonight.”

  He pulled the sheet back up over my shoulder.

  I blinked for a moment before a giggle erupted out of nowhere. “Okay.”

  Hawk grinned and got out of bed, not caring that his muscular ass faced me. My mouth dropped open, and I had to shut it quickly, blushing and looking away.

  “Oh, you can look, baby.” He pulled a clean pair of briefs from his dresser and turned back toward me. The feather tattoo on his rib cage danced on his skin as he leaned down and rested his knuckles on the mattress. “I want you to know you can look, touch, and take anytime you want from me.”

  How did we come so far in one night?

  From childish teasing, to secret kisses, and now this?

  Hawk wanted to take me to dinner.

  We’d stripped each other bare and showed our hands.

  I told him I loved him.

  My mind swam trying to remember if he said it in return, but nothing came up. A low sting of disappointment settled in my belly, but maybe he planned to tell me at a different time. Maybe the first time we have sex?

  “And I want you to feel the same.” I sat up on my knees, not caring if the sheet fell, to kiss the tip of his nose. “I’m yours, Hawk, for as long as you want me.”

  He let out a long sigh, stepping back and handing me my pile of clothes from last night.

  “Oh, thanks.” I took them and slipped my underwear on under the covers.

  Hawk arched a brow, and I glowered at him. “What?”

  He simply smirked and continued to dress in a pair of jeans and a black V-neck T-shirt. I did the same in my own clothes, balancing on one foot as I pulled my boots on one at a time. Hawk caught me as I fell forward; wrapping his arms around my waist and drawing me flush against him.

  “You go run back to your room and get all situated, and I’ll meet you in the kitchen.”

  “With coffee?” I cocked my head, giving him a playful expression.

  “Of course with coffee, woman.” He landed a firm swat on my rear, causing me to jerk my hips into his.

  Our eyes locked once again, and everything faded.

  Hawk licked his lips, studying my face. “We can’t get naked again, Lottie.”

  “Why not?” My pout was only half-fake.

  “Because if we do, one, they’ll hear us, and two, I won’t be able to stop from burying myself so deep inside you, you won’t know where I stop, and you begin.” His whispered promises sent shivers along my skin, and my core clenched, wanting him to fill me there.

  “I’ll meet you in the kitchen then.”

  Pulling away from Hawk wasn’t possible as he cupped the back of my head and locked our mouths together. I moaned into him and slid my palms up his chest. Silently pleading he’d do just what he threatened.

  But he broke us apart with a boyish grin. “You go to your room, and I’ll meet you …”

  I rolled my eyes. “In the kitchen. Right.”

  “Good girl.”

  Hawk left me standing in the middle of his room, his scent on my skin. The warmth of his lips lingered. After counting to twenty, I poked my head out and scampered down the hall, not running into Heather or Kelly. Once inside the safety of my lavender room with the door shut and locked behind me, I let out a small, triumphant squeal.

  The years of my own past holding me captive shattered under his touch last night. He’d set me free, and I didn’t want to forget this feeling. No matter what happened from here on out, Hawk wanted me at this moment. The past no longer existed, and I stood in the glorious present with a man who I’d loved for as long as I could remember, and he wanted me.

  I dropped down in front of my vanity and stared at my reflection in the mirror. The happy face that greeted me set off another set of giggles.

  He wants to take me to dinner.

  So maybe we went about things a little backward, but it was us.

  Our entire lives were flipped upside down and inside out.

  What happens when Mrs. Ames comes home?

  Do you tell her?

  What will you do when he leaves for Florida?

  Briefly, my mind played dirty tricks on me, and my smile slipped from my face. All the what-ifs weighed heavily on my shoulders and settled directly over my chest.

  No.

  I was not going to allow my thoughts to steal my joy. I refused. Hawk revolved in my present, the now. Whatever happened to us in the future had yet to be seen.

  My fingers brushed the feather ring resting on my ring finger. Its silver sheen glittered in the sunlight streaming in through my large window.

  He’s waiting for me.

  And that thought was enough to stop me from questioning anything more.

  Hawk met me in the bright white contemporary kitchen with a steaming cup of coffee. Compared to the rest of the house, the updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances made the rest of the house look like a museum.

  He snuck a quick kiss on my cheek before Kelly came bursting in and fussed over us both being home without letting her know.

  “I would’ve gotten a late brunch going if I’d known.” She planted her fists on her curvaceous hips and shook her head. “You two, always thick as thieves.”

  Hawk grinned wildly at me and threw a wink in my direction. I merely blushed and took a swig of coffee, nearly scalding my mouth in the process. Kelly continued to bustle around the kitchen while we stood in silence. I prayed she wouldn’t pick up on my nervousness.

  When she finally left us alone, Hawk clicked his tongue. “Could you look any more guilty?”

  My gaze narrowed on him. “Can you blame me? We basically did it with other people in the house.”

  Hawk’s sideways smirk made my stomach flip-flop. He pushed off the counter and stalked toward me, dripping with sex appeal. My breath caught in my throat as his dark hair fell over his eyes. This boy—no, this man—made me ache so badly.

  “I regret nothing,” he whispered, gently caressing my cheek. “Meet me at the front door at five.” His lips pressed against my forehead. “You’ve ruined me, Charlotte.”

  A wave of calm washed over me. I basked in the warmth radiating off his body and the hint of French vanilla coffee on his breath. For so long, I wondered if I’d ever be able to share a relationship with any man. The fear of shying away from any intimate touch haunted me, but Hawk managed to slowly chip away at all my nightmares over years and years of slow, unrelenting conversation.

  “Good,” I replied in a hushed whisper, “because you ruined me years ago.”

  Daring to glance up into his handsome face, our gazes locked. No remorse reflected in his gorgeous stare, only satisfaction. His thumb rubbed over my bottom lip, sparking need deep in my core as he spoke.

  “Then we’re even.”

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Hawk

  Five o’clock couldn’t come fast enough. Charlotte’s confession struck me so deeply, I just wanted to pick her up and take her on the kitchen counter. She made me mad with desire and sick with lust. Two things that should never go together, but I greeted like old friends. Forcing them away would only make the beast inside bang on his cage harder and louder.

  She came bounding down the stairs ten minutes early dressed in a long navy blue sweater dr
ess and tall brown boots. Her long blond hair fell in waves around her face. The fabric clung to every slender curve of her body. My mouth practically watered. I knew what hid beneath those clothes, and my fingers itched to strip her off them.

  “You look great, Lottie,” I managed to choke out.

  A knowing smile slid across her very kissable lips. “You don’t look too bad yourself.”

  I opened the front door, and we both slipped into the crisp air. My car had been running for a few minutes to warm up. Winter in Central New York was harsh, and my blood had thinned since moving to Florida permanently.

  We drove in relative silence, the radio playing softly in the background, but neither of us seemed to mind. I’d always loved that about Charlotte; we didn’t have to speak. Sometimes silence made the best conversation.

  A half hour later, I pulled into the restaurant’s parking lot. The large red and blue neon sign glowed like a beacon in the pitch-black night.

  Her head tilted curiously to the side. “I’ve heard people at college rave about this place, but I’ve never been.”

  “Well, that’s about to change, isn’t it?”

  She chuckled, nodding in agreement. I cut the engine and stepped out into the frosty night, quickly stepping around to the passenger’s side to help her out. We hurriedly walked into the restaurant to escape the chill. Warmth and the smell of fresh cut fries met us at the door.

  “Oh my gosh, it smells amazing.” Her blue gaze darted around, taking in the décor and bustling waitstaff going from table to table.

  “Wait till you taste it.” My hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer so I could inhale the sweet lavender scent of her hair. “It almost tastes as good as you.”

  She didn’t say anything, but her cheeks flushed a gorgeous shade of pink.

  “Just the two of you?” The hostess grabbed two menus from below the podium she stood behind.

  “Yes.” I gave Charlotte a squeeze.