“Oh, I get to know what we’re doing now? You’re done surprising me?”
I laughed. “You know, Ger, I never get to surprise you. You show up whenever you’re in town, completely knock me off my routine, and I don’t get to do that to you.”
He smirked. “Who says you don’t surprise me? You’re one of the most incredible women I’ve ever met. You routinely knock me off my feet.”
“Oh, ha ha. I’m a teacher. I live in Nebraska. I’m not this glamorous woman who jet-sets all over the world and runs around beaches in barely-there bikinis.”
“Says the girl in the tiny bikini on a beach.” He shook his head. “Cora, when are you going to realize you’re so much more than just a teacher from Jubilee? You’re smart and funny, and I have no doubt those kids in your class are the luckiest kids in the whole damn school, because they’ve got you guiding them.” He reached over and squeezed my hand. “Red, you’ve got to quit second-guessing yourself, letting the things that you deserve slip through your fingers.”
I pursed my lips, watching him carefully. “I’m not letting things slip through my fingers. I’m living my life the best way I know how.” I didn’t understand what he was saying. Jubilee Falls, my class, even the shitty apartment I lived in was mine. They were my life. I made my choices, the same way he had.
He pulled back and settled on his towel again, leaning back. He ignored the lunch I’d packed, watching the waves come in against the shore.
I frowned. Had I said something wrong? He was never this quiet with me.
I finished my lunch, wondering if it was all in my head. Gerard had been in my life for so long, I hardly remembered life without him. And like an idiot, I threw myself at him. No wonder he’d been weird. No wonder he was being quiet.
“You know, one of the things in the brochure was ziplining. Do you want to go on another adventure with me?” I felt like I was grasping at straws, but I needed my friend back. I needed him to look at me like his best friend again.
“You hate heights.” He glanced over and smirked at me. “Why would you want to zipline?”
I stuck my tongue out. “I’ve never done it. It would be an adventure. And maybe it’ll make you smile at me again.”
Gerard turned and sat cross-legged on his towel. “I’m just enjoying the quiet day. That’s all.” He grinned at me, but it didn’t feel as natural or as warm as his smiles normally did. “But I definitely want to see you shriek all the way down the line.”
I got up and started cleaning up our picnic. “Okay, then let’s go. I promise to scream a lot.”
He laughed and grabbed me, pulling me into his lap. “Cora, you don’t have to do this.”
“I want to. I’ve been thinking about it all day.” I leaned against his chest, slipping my arm around his waist. “This is a trip I might never have had the guts to take on my own, and I’m not going to waste it by not going for the things I want, even if they’re a mistake.” If I were more brave, I would’ve brought up the kiss. But this was as close as I could get. Instead, I hugged him tight and then got up to slip on my dress and my shoes. “Are you coming with me or should I just pick you up here in a few hours?”
He got up and shook out the towel he’d been sitting on. “Oh, there’s no way in hell I’m missing this.”
We gathered up everything and got it loaded back onto the golf cart before heading back to the center of Isla Mujeres, to find a ziplining company.
13
Gerard
As Cora got strapped into her harness, she kept looking back at me, her nerves showing plainly in her eyes. “Okay, maybe I don’t want to do this.”
I reached over and grabbed her hand. “Red, you’ve got this. I’ll be right behind you. Or, if you’d prefer, I can go first, and then when you get to each stop, I’ll be right there waiting for you.” I smiled at her. “But I can’t do both. What do you need from me? A little push, or a friendly face on the other side?”
Cora took a deep breath as she squeezed my hand. “Be there waiting for me. Prove to me that it’s safe and be there to catch me.”
I nodded. “Okay. I’ll be there. You will be safe. I promise.”
She smiled and started double-checking her gear.
I followed suit, and soon we were climbing up to the first jumping off point. Part of me wished Cora had wanted to go first, so that I could watch her climb. But then again, if I had, I probably would’ve been way more uncomfortable in my harness.
The thrill of ziplining was nothing compared to being with Cora, to knowing that she needed me. As I flew down the line, I hardly noticed the greenery or the crystal-clear blue water not far from where I was. All I could think about was the fact that moments after I landed, Cora would be rushing toward me, either exhilarated or terrified.
Cora’s screams echoed over the trees, and a moment later she came into view. I stood in front of the tree, ready to catch her if she forgot how to stop.
But Cora had no trouble, and as she glided in like a goddess, I stepped back and let her handle unhooking herself. “That was amazing.”
“Good. You’ve got three more lines to go.” I grinned at her as she walked with me along the platform. “Do you want to go first this time?”
Cora shook her head frantically. “No. You have to wait for me. I need you down there at the end. Please.”
“You got it, Red.” I got hooked onto the next line and grinned at her before I pushed off. “See you on the other side.”
At each platform, Cora was a little more confident, more excited. But every time I suggested that she go first, the panic returned until I agreed to wait for her.
When we were back on solid ground, Cora threw her arms around me. “Gerard, that was incredible. How have I never done that before?”
I laughed. “You mean besides the fact that you’re scared of heights and you wouldn’t go unless I was waiting for you?” I hugged her tight. “I said it before, and I’ll say it again. You are incredible. And you can do anything you put your mind to.”
Cora smiled softly. “At the very least, I can survive ziplining with my best friend.”
There were those words again. They felt like daggers, twisting in my gut. I didn’t want to just be best friends. I wanted more. I thought she did too. Except she wasn’t acting like she did anymore. “What else do you have planned for us on this island adventure?”
Cora shrugged as she headed back to the golf cart. “I have to get this back to the rental place, and then I’m pretty much out of ideas. It was kind of a last-minute plan I threw together while you slept in.”
I grinned. “How about we find somewhere for dinner then? When do we have to be on the ferry back?”
“The last one leaves at nine. But the ticket was good all day, so as long as we make that one, we’re free to stay as long as we want.” She settled into the driver’s seat. “Dinner sounds great.”
I slid into the seat next to her and wrapped my arm around her shoulders as she drove back to the rental place. Part of me wanted to suggest we stay the night, not rush anything, but Cora had been determined to make this plan on her own, and I didn’t want to ruffle her feathers about money again, so I kept my mouth shut.
After dinner, Cora let me hold her hand on the way to the ferry. The boat was full of tourists by the time we boarded, so it was standing room only.
Cora found a place by the railing, and rather than stand next to her, I stood behind her, my hands on the rail next to hers.
She looked over her shoulder and smiled at me as the boat started to move. “Were you really surprised by today?”
“How could I have possibly expected that?” I wrapped my arms around her, moving in a little closer so that I could breathe in her scent. She was intoxicating, so much more so than the tequila or the wine we’d been drinking the whole trip, and I could’ve gotten so drunk on her. “It was a perfect last full day.” Okay, not entirely perfect. But at least I got to spend it with her.
She skimmed her finger
s over my forearms, a soft motion that almost tickled as she swayed with the motion of the boat.
Her ass just barely brushed against me with every motion, and it took every ounce of focus I had to not grind against her, to see how she’d react to something a little more obvious.
Of course, if she kept swaying so much, it’d be obvious, quickly.
I let my hands slide down her belly and then around over her hips, back up her sides, just enjoying the ability to touch her softly. I wanted more, and it was so easy to just let my fingers graze the sides of her breasts and slide over her hips. I took a step into her, making sure she could feel me this time. Words weren’t working. Maybe action would.
She didn’t move away from me; she didn’t say anything.
I cornered her against the railing, caging her in my arms. My frontside was sealed against her backside. Her hips shifted, testing the waters no doubt. That’s right, that’s my cock and it’s all for you, I thought to her.
She remained quiet but she didn’t pull away from me.
I leaned down and brushed my lips against her neck enjoying holding her the way I’d always wanted to.
The ferry docked back at Cancun, and Cora was slow to head for the shore. The rest of the boat was almost completely empty before she pulled away and picked up the basket from between her feet. “I guess we should head back, huh? Unless you want to get a drink or something?”
I smiled. “How about we do margaritas at the hotel? That way we don’t have to worry about driving afterwards?”
She nodded. “Yeah, that would be good.”
I took the basket from her, and then snagged the keys. “Then I’m driving.”
Cora rolled her eyes and strode down the gangway to the dock. Her hips swayed, and I couldn’t help but watch her walk.
I hurried to catch up, and I took her hand with a grin. “Why don’t we drive around for a while before heading for the hotel? It’s a beautiful night, way better than what we’re going to have tomorrow night in Nebraska, so let’s enjoy it.”
Cora nodded. “I’d like that.” She squeezed my hand and let go. “No music though. Just you, me, and Cancun tonight.”
I opened the car door and grinned. “You got it.”
The night was peaceful, even when the car went past a bar or a club pumping music, or we passed tourists laughing and enjoying their night out. Cora held my hand as we drove aimlessly, turning from one street to another, sometimes getting closer to the ocean and letting the salty sea air fill the car, sometimes getting closer to the city center full of spice and music.
Cora didn’t say anything, just kept her hand in mine, and she felt distant. But I couldn’t tell if it was my imagination, just the quiet, or if she really was as distant as she seemed.
14
Cora
I expected him to do something. Anything. Gerard held my hand. He ran his hands all over my torso on the ship, everywhere except my breasts. He grabbed my ass in the ocean. He kept looking at me like maybe he wanted another kiss, another touch, something more than just friendship. And the ferry ride, he was pressed against me, and I was pretty sure he was hard, but I didn’t understand why he wouldn’t just make a move. A real one. A clear and present move.
But as we drove for over an hour around Cancun, aimlessly making turns, he didn’t stop. He didn’t make a move.
And all I could do was stew.
Did he really not want me? Was it a terrible kiss? Or was I just completely the wrong woman for Gerard Davis?
We parked at the hotel, and I didn’t even wait for him to turn off the car before I was out and on my way into the lobby.
“Cora? Wait up.” He ran after me, and the damned elevator took too long, so he caught up.
I couldn’t look at him. I couldn’t speak. I could feel the tears threatening to well up in my eyes, a bubble of emotion sitting in my throat, and one look, one word, and it would all come tumbling out.
The elevator chimed.
The doors slid open.
I practically ran for our room, only to stop shy when I realized the keycard was in the basket, which he still had.
“Cora, what’s wrong? What’s gotten into you?” He held his keycard in his hand, and I snatched it.
It took three tries, pulling the card out too fast to get the green light, before I got into the room.
He followed me in, but it didn’t matter as I slammed the door to the bathroom and locked it.
I leaned against the door, hugging myself tightly as I tried to regain some composure. As I tried to quell the storm brewing inside me.
How could I have been so stupid? Of course, he didn’t see me as anything more than a friend. I was hardly the glamorous, jet-setting woman he deserved.
“Cora?” His voice was soft as he tapped on the door. “Cora, please, come out.”
I turned around, my hand on the door handle and my forehead pressed against the cool wood. It would’ve been so easy to just keep the door shut, to stay locked up in the bathroom all night.
But that wasn’t fair to him, and it wasn’t fair to me.
I opened the door slowly, intent on putting on a brave face and pretending like I just had to use the bathroom. Seeing him standing there, though, I couldn’t.
“What the fuck is wrong with you, Gerard? I get that I’m not some six-foot-tall model, or a world traveling fashionista, but I’m a good woman. You know me. You know everything about me. And you—”
As he reached out, I thought he was going to hug me, comfort me, but the grip on my upper arms was anything but tender as he pressed me up against the wall. He slanted his mouth over mine, kissing me hard. So hard, I forgot how to breathe as his tongue slicked over my bottom lip, demanding entrance into my mouth.
My lips parted, allowing him entrance and I moaned into his mouth as the kiss deepened. I gripped his upper arms trying to anchor myself to him before I slipped off the end of the world that felt tilted.
Gerard’s hands moved from my waist to my ass and then one of them ventured back up my torso until he was cupping my breast.
I was so glad I’d changed out of my swimsuit, so that there was nothing but my dress between his hand and my breasts.
“Fuck,” he cursed against my mouth. “I can feel everything through your top.” His thumb slid over my nipple and then he pinched it and tugged a little.
I cried out against his mouth but arched into his touch. I’d never been manhandled so roughly, but I liked it. His need felt great, like I’d somehow unleashed a monster who’d been starving for this, starving for me.
He dipped his hand down the front of my dress until my bare breast was in his bare hands. “You make it impossible to think,” he murmured as he kissed along my jaw, down my neck.
What was he talking about? I was the one who couldn’t think.
Gerard pulled back and stared down at me, his breath heavy and shallow all at the same time. “I need you to tell me what you want, Cora. This can’t just be all me.”
Words weren’t easy to find in my sex addled brain. I just turned around in his arms, facing the wall. His fingers found my zipper and he tugged it down. He kissed everywhere the zipper revealed. Once it was loose enough, I let it drop from my shoulders, down my body, until it pooled on the floor around my feet.
I was breathless, scared, unsure, but I turned around to face him.
Gerard’s gaze was on me. He was staring down my body.
“Cora, tell me what you want.”
I reached up and cupped his face. “I want to see where this is going.”
“Do you want me to touch you?”
“Yes,” I breathed.
His eyes finally traveled south and as he took in my naked torso, his hands reached up and cupped my breasts. And then he bent down and captured a nipple in his mouth. My fingers caressed his head as he suckled me. I clenched my thighs together trying to ease the ache there.
Did he really want this? Want me? It was so hard to reconcile. How long had he been
lusting after me? Or was it more than that?
Once he left one nipple, dragging his teeth along it, making it ache in the best way, he moved over to the other one. The word ravished came to mind. He moved to the valley between my breasts and then slowly moved south.
“I want to taste you, Cora. Are you wet for me?”
“Yes,” I said again, like it was the only word I knew.
He kissed me where my panty waistline and skin met. His fingers hooked into the elastic and he dragged them down. Excitement pooled in my stomach and I swear I got wetter just from him looking at me.
“Go lay down on the bed. I don’t want to worry about you falling over,” he growled.
“Someone thinks very highly of their skills,” I teased as I sauntered over.
I tried not to overthink whether I was being sexy enough or holding his attention, because when I turned around and scooted to the middle of the bed, he was there at the foot, staring at me like he was a jaguar and I was his prey.
He crawled up the bed and headed right for me. His hands plopped down on my knees and he slid down and spread my legs so I was completely exposed to him. I’d never been so on display for a man.
If a guy ate me out, which they didn’t do all that often, it wasn’t like this. It wasn’t like he wanted to look at me and enjoy the sight of a naked woman. He wanted to eat me out so he could get to the good stuff.
Gerard looked just as hungry to eat me out as his dick did to be inside me. And I wanted so badly for him to be inside me.
He yanked his shirt off and tossed it aside and then he got down between my legs. His big hands went to my thighs, pinning them to the bed. He kissed along my inner thigh, tickling and teasing the skin as he moved toward my core.
I just wanted to feel him there, between my legs, where I was desperate for him.
“Gerard, please,” I groaned.
I was rewarded with a flick of his tongue against my clit. And then another. He took his time devouring my pussy, licking, lapping, sucking until I was a writhing mess beneath him. He pushed me right to the brink and then latched his mouth around my clit and sucked and flicked his tongue against me.
Love Struck Page 11