On the Mend (Carolina Waves Series Book 1)

by Tina Gallagher

  I raised my head and looked down before meeting his gaze. His green eyes glowed, begging. How could I refuse? I leaned down and ran my tongue along the length of him before taking just the tip into my mouth and sucking on it like a lollypop.

  “Shit. Bri,” Dan moaned. “That feels…” He lost whatever he was going to say when I lowered my mouth, taking in as much of him as I could. I lifted my head, changing my angle, and lowered again, sucking and licking along the way and repeated the process over and over. I moaned deep in my throat, dragging a groan out of Dan. While I have done this particular act before, I can’t say I’ve ever enjoyed it so much. And Dan’s reactions spurred me on even more. I was just getting into it when Dan’s fingers tangled through my hair, stopping my movements.

  “Stop,” he gasped. “Fuck. Please stop.”

  I looked up. His face was twisted with what looked like anguish. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he was in pain.

  “Come here,” he said as he pulled me up the length of his body. “Do you have any idea what you do to me?” he asked. I assumed it was a rhetorical question, so I remained silent. “It was almost over for a second there,” he admitted around a wry smile.

  “We certainly don’t want that, do we?” I said, as I ripped the condom open. I rolled it down the length of him, caressing along the way. I was ready to play again, but Dan had other ideas. Before I knew what was happening, I was on my back with him leaning over me. His hands pinned mine to the mattress just beside my head.

  “I can’t have those clever hands on me, or I might embarrass myself.” He kissed me and settled between my legs. As his therapist, I should have been concerned about his leg, but I only had one thing on my mind and that was getting Dan inside me. I wrapped my right leg around his left, urging him closer. He complied.

  The tip of his penis teased me and I arched my back, wanting him closer still. Again he complied and slipped inside. I gasped at the same time Dan groaned. He moved his hips slightly, barely rubbing himself against me. I reached down and squeezed his rear end urging him on. He pulled back slightly, then pushed forward and went nowhere.

  “Bend your knees,” he panted. I did as he asked then proceeded to wrap my legs around his waist. This time when he flexed his hips, he slipped all the way inside. “Oh man, Bri, you’re so tight. So good.”

  He kissed me and started pumping. I nearly lost it at his first thrust, but figured if he could be strong, so could I.

  Dan pulled back and looked into my eyes and I thanked God I wasn’t dreaming this time. I’m not going to wake up in a pool of sweat, with the covers tangled around my legs, an unfulfilled longing throbbing between them. There may be heat and tangled covers, but I definitely won’t be left unfulfilled.

  Dan groaned and picked up the pace. “Sabrina, you drive me crazy,” he said, his voice a mere rasp in my ear.

  He pumped in and out in a fast rhythm and I lifted my hips to meet his every thrust. It didn’t take much of that before I got sucked into a vortex of sensation. I let out a long, hoarse moan as a fierce orgasm racked through my entire body, shaking me. Some part of my brain registered the fact that Dan had let out his own shout just before he collapsed on top of me.

  Dan’s weight should have felt oppressive, but I relished in its feel. When he tried to pull off me, I wrapped my arms around his back and wouldn’t let him.

  “I’m crushing you,” he said.

  “It feels wonderful. Don’t move just yet.”

  He rested his head on my shoulder for a moment before pulling back slightly and looking me in the eye. “Please tell me this isn’t a dream.”

  I smiled and kissed his chin. “It’s not a dream,” I reassured him.

  “Thank you,” he said and settled his head on my shoulder once again.

  I can’t say how much time passed before I had to allow Dan to move. He shifted onto his side, and after ridding himself of the condom, pulled me into the circle of his arms. I rested my head on his shoulder, trying not to think too much, because if I did, I’d probably regret what just happened. And I don’t want to do that…not yet, anyway.

  I snuck a quick peek at his face and my heart skipped a beat. His eyes were closed and his mouth curved into a soft, contented smile. My heart swelled. I swear I actually felt it swell in my chest.

  It wasn’t just good sex—okay, great sex—that put that look on his face, I knew. It was more than simple physical release that made him appear so satisfied. So many emotions were involved. The reason I’m so certain is because I’d bet anything that before the panic took over, I’d had the same exact expression on my face. And before the panic entered my heart, all those emotions had filled me too.

  Dan must have felt my gaze, because his eyes shifted my way. He squeezed me closer to him and placed a kiss on my forehead. “Please don’t, Bri,” he whispered. “It was too special to ever regret.”

  “I…” I started, but Dan placed his index finger on my mouth, stopping the words from spilling out.

  “Sabrina, I saw your face. You looked like a deer caught in a pair of quickly approaching headlights.” His sweet smile calmed me a bit. “Do you want to talk about it?”

  Now there’s a question. Do I want to talk about it?

  Yes. No. Maybe.

  Hell, I don’t know. I do know that I have to be honest with him if we’re going to have any kind of chance.

  I stiffened. Where the hell did that thought come from? A chance? A chance at what? Just because we had sex doesn’t mean we’ll live happily ever after, no matter how bright the afterglow.

  “Don’t shut me out,” Dan said. His fingers exerted pressure on my chin, bringing my eyes into contact with his. “Please talk to me.”

  Between his pleading tone and his even more pleading gaze, how could I refuse? I cleared my throat then pulled away from the safe harbor of his embrace. His eyes are distracting enough. I don’t need his touch muddling my mind.

  “I don’t regret this, Dan. I’m just…” I gestured vaguely. “Confused, I guess is as good a word as any.”

  “What about?”

  “You. My reaction to you.” I shrugged. “Everything.” I’m normally a very articulate person, but now I don’t have a clue how I can make him understand the turmoil I feel.

  “Dan, for two years I loved you. You were as essential to me as air. I didn’t think I could live without you. But I had to, and I did. And then I hated you for ten years.” I averted my gaze and focused on the blue sheet covering our bodies. Anything was better than seeing his reaction to my words. But hey, he asked.

  “In my mind, I recreated you as someone I could hate, someone horrible, someone I could never love. I blamed you for every bad experience and failed relationship I had, when in fact it was my own insecurities that were at fault.” I chuckled. “Though some of the guys were jerks.”

  “I’m sure they were,” Dan agreed, humor lacing his words.

  His voice relaxed me, and I wanted to open up to him. I wanted him to understand how I felt all these years, why I reacted to him like I did when I first arrived.

  I met his eyes again, knowing he’d be able to read my feelings even as he heard my words. “After I broke up with you, I was shattered. Thank God it was the end of the semester because I was an absolute mess. I went home and holed up in my room for a month. Kevin dragged me out and made me go places, but my heart wasn’t in it.”

  I took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “I pulled myself together in time to go back to school, but when I returned it was awful. Everything reminded me of you. That’s when I created mutant Dan in my mind. It helped me get through senior year, but did very little for my personal growth.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “I shut myself off. Not from my family or friends, but from men.” He probably didn’t want to hear this, but he was going to anyway. “I didn’t give them a chance. I mean, on the surface I did, but in the back of my mind, I was always waiting for them to screw up, or at the very least do so
mething I could turn into a major screw up.” My laugh sounded humorless. “The poor soul I dated right after you must still think I’m a psycho.”

  “Why’s that?”

  “Because I went from hot to cold and back again in the blink of an eye. I tried to convince myself I was going to be casual about relationships, but that’s just not me. So one minute I’d be telling him we didn’t have to spend every waking minute together and the next I’d be grilling him about his whereabouts. Do you know what happened when I decided to have sex with him?”

  Dan flinched at the question, but nodded anyway.

  “I practically jumped him, but once it was over, I cried like a baby. He tried to talk to me, find out what was wrong, but I tuned him out. He left and called me the next day and told me he thought it would be best if we took a break.” I snorted. “Of course, I twisted it into he got his and now he wants out.”

  “Why did you cry?”

  “What?”

  “Why did you cry? Did he hurt you?” The last question was asked through gritted teeth.

  “No, nothing like that.”

  “Then why?”

  “Because he wasn’t you.” My voice was a mere whisper.

  Dan remained silent and I looked up to see if he’d heard me. Oh yeah, he had. His eyes glowed with emotion. Before I could sort through them all, he pulled me to him and engulfed me in his embrace.

  “I am so sorry, Sabrina.” His voice sounded thick. “I never meant to hurt you like that. You have to believe me.” He pulled back just enough to look into my eyes. “Please say you believe me.”

  “I believe you.” And I honestly do. He looks too tortured to be lying.

  “Thank you,” he said against my lips.

  The kiss that followed was so sweet I nearly burst into tears. The loving that followed so languorous and tender, I actually did.

  Dan kissed each teardrop away and smiled. “You don’t have to cry Bri, it’s me. And I’ll never hurt you again. I promise.”

  Dan

  I listened to Sabrina’s slow, easy breathing and pulled her closer to my side. She let out a little snore and snuggled in closer.

  When I asked her out to dinner, I never dreamed our night would end like this. Making love to Sabrina was better than I’d ever imagined…and Lord knows I’ve imagined. In my dreams, I’ve kissed and touched her entire body, had her in every position humanly possible. But even the basics with Sabrina far surpassed any kinky fantasy I could dream up.

  She’s amazingly responsive and so goddamn tight, I nearly lost it with the first thrust. Thankfully I was able to hold on so I didn’t totally embarrass myself.

  Sabrina snuggled closer still, wrapping her arm further across my waist. Her contented sigh tugged at my heart. I pulled her in tighter and kissed her forehead. She started and looked up at me.

  “Sorry, I didn’t mean to wake you.”

  “It’s okay,” she said, rubbing her eyes then looking around. “I should probably get to my room anyway.”

  “Why?”

  She moved away from me, putting about an inch of space between us. In my opinion, that’s an inch too much, so I shifted toward her until our bodies touched again. I thought she was going to move away, and was happy when she settled her head down on her pillow. I willed her to look at me, but she stared at the wall across the room.

  “Because.”

  “That’s not really an answer.” I ran my index finger down her jawline and squeezed her chin, nudging her gaze up to mine. “Why do you think you should go to your room?”

  “I don’t know.” She blinked. “I don’t usually…I didn’t think you’d want…” She shrugged and her voice trailed off.

  I moved my hand back so it cupped her cheek.

  “Let’s get a couple things straight right from the start here. First, forget about whatever you usually do. This is us, and what’s between us is so special you can’t compare it to anything else.” I took a deep breath and cleared my throat. Brushing my thumb against her cheek, I continued, “And second, I always want you with me. Being here in my bed with you in my arms is like a dream come true and I’d like for it to last as long as possible. So please don’t go to your room. Spend the night here with me.”

  Her shy smile flashed before I heard her say, “Okay.”

  Cupping her face in my hands, I touched my lips to hers. I’d meant for it to be an undemanding kiss, but good Lord, the woman is delicious. I dipped my tongue inside for a better taste. The kiss went from zero to sixty in two seconds and I’m lost…in her, in the moment, just lost. Sabrina twisted her hands into my hair and moved closer, wrapping her leg around my waist.

  How can I turn down an invitation like that?

  Sliding my hand down her back, I cupped her ass, pulling her against my hardening cock. I nuzzled her neck, and she tipped her head, offering me better access. Finding the sweet spot behind her left ear, I nibbled and licked, and she squirmed against me, rubbing her soft core against my now raging erection.

  She’s already so wet, it wouldn’t take much to slip inside, but I resist the urge. As much as I’d love to feel Sabrina skin on skin, we haven’t had that discussion yet, and I won’t take advantage. Instead, I move my hand between us and slide it back and forth, stopping at her clit just long enough to give it a light pinch.

  She arched her back, rubbing her hard nipples against my chest. I licked my way down and sucked a hard nub into my mouth as I thrust my middle finger inside her.

  “Dan, please.”

  “Tell me, Bri,” I said, as I continued to lick and stroke her. “Tell me what you want.”

  “Dan.” The word was a mere gasp of air.

  I chuckled and bit down on her nipple, then soothed it with my tongue.

  “Do you want more of this?” I asked, then slid my finger up to circle her clit. “Or this?” Moving my hand, I slipped my middle finger inside, curling it slightly to hit her sweet spot.

  Her answering groan ended on a desperate plea. I’d planned to draw this out, to make her tell me what she wants in explicit detail, but her hot little noises and the way her inner muscles clamped my finger changed my plans. I slowly withdrew and plunged two fingers inside, their tips stroking, stroking, stroking, until Sabrina’s hips began to rock along with my movements. I shifted slightly so my thumb rubbed against her clit, and I latched onto her nipple, sucking in time with the thrusting of my hand.

  Sabrina panted my name, over and over again, until she screamed as her entire body stiffened and her walls clamped down on my fingers. I slowly withdrew, dragging her orgasm out as she sagged into the pillow, a contented smile on her face.

  I shifted onto my back, grabbed a condom off my bedside table, opened it, and rolled it on in record time. Taking me by surprise, Sabrina took advantage of my prone position and straddled my hips. With her hands splayed on my chest, she sat back and looked down at me, her tight nipples peeking through her hair.

  Grabbing her hips, I pulled her forward, dragging her wetness against my hard cock. She rose up on her knees just enough to allow me to slip into her tight, wet heat.

  “God Bri,” I moaned. “You feel amazing.”

  Just when I was getting used to the feel of her surrounding me, Sabrina rocked her hips back and forth, pulling me further inside. She leaned back, digging her fingertips into my thighs as she rode me. Her position thrust her breasts front and center, and I needed to get closer.

  Without breaking her rhythm, I sat up and wrapped my arm around her waist, pulling myself deeper into her, while I latched onto one nipple with my mouth and pinched the other between my thumb and forefinger. She whimpered and moved faster.

  “You are a fucking goddess,” I said before kissing my way across her chest and tasting her other nipple. I sucked her deeper into my mouth. “Mmmm. Delicious.”

  Sabrina arched and twisted her fingers into my hair. Her movements became more frantic and I tightened my grip on her waist.

  “Dan.”

  My
name turned into a throaty moan as she tightened around me.

  It was my turn to moan. “Come for me, Bri.”

  She pulled at my hair, tossed her head back, and let out a sexy-as-hell scream as she milked me to my own orgasm.

  Wrapping her arms around my shoulders, Sabrina collapsed against my chest, her heart pounding in time with mine. I scooted down until she was laying on top of me, her legs straddling my hips, my cock semi-soft, but still buried inside her.

  I stroked my hand from her shoulder to her ass and back again, catching my breath as our heartbeats slowed together. I kissed her forehead and sated blue eyes met mine. I’ll admit that a sense of male pride washed over me at the look of pure satisfaction on her face.

  “Hey,”

  “Hey yourself.”

  “You okay?” I asked, caressing her cheek.

  “Mmm, never been better.”

  “Me neither.” I kissed her forehead, then rolled to the side, resting Sabrina on her pillow. “I’ll be right back.”

  I walked to the bathroom to dispose of the condom. Sabrina’s sleepy gaze watched me walk back to the bed. I climbed back in, pulled her into my arms, and dragged the covers up over her shoulders. She rested her head on my chest, relaxed against me, and let out a sigh. Within minutes, her steady breathing let me know she’d drifted off to sleep.

  I kissed the top of her head and swallowed the lump that had formed in my throat. If I hadn’t been such an asshole, we could have been sleeping like this for the past ten years. Since I can’t change the past, I’ll just have to make sure things between us are perfect going forward from here.

  25

  Sabrina

  I can’t stop smiling. Two weeks have passed since Dan and I first made love and things have been wonderful, amazing even. So amazingly wonderful in fact, I’ve decided to call Jodi and have her schedule my vacation so I can stay longer. I’m not ready to move in, as he’s suggested many times, but I’m not ready to leave either.

  Dan’s progress has been incredible and I can’t justify staying on as his therapist much longer. He knows the routine well enough to do it on his own and now it’s only a matter of him building up his strength again, which the team trainers can supervise.