by Harlow James
“Yeah?”
“That was so fucking sexy,” he smiles. “But now you need to let me up before I come in my pants.” I can’t help the chuckle that leaves my lips before sitting up tall.
“Why don’t you let me take care of you?” Luke shakes his head as I place my hand on his rock-hard bulge. “Please. Let me make you feel good. You deserve a release just as much as I did.” I reach for the button on his pants, popping it open as he watches my hands while I push up his shirt to reveal his abs. A dark smatter of hair trails down from his belly button, disappearing beneath the band of his briefs.
“Are you sure?” He chokes out as I pull his jeans and underwear down while he lifts his hips.
“Absolutely, Luke. I want to so badly.” Dropping to my knees, I extract his length from his briefs and marvel at how thick and hard he is, how pink and soft his cock is, and how big he feels in my hands. I start to stroke, rubbing up and down as his breaths become short.
“Fuck, Rachel.”
“Can I put my mouth on you, Luke?” I ask, knowing he needs to be okay with this, that I don’t want to push him too far.
“I’m not gonna last if you do, Rachel. It’s been too long…” He replies, embarrassment flooding his face as he closes his eyes.
“Hey, I don’t care, okay?”
He nods and I don’t waste one more second before I take the tip in my mouth, swirling my tongue around the head.
“Oh, fuck!” He shouts as I release him from my mouth and remind him to keep it down. “Shit. Yeah, my bad.”
I chuckle quietly and then bring him back inside, deeper this time while licking the underside of him as I pull him in and out of my lips. I take my time, knowing he’s going to burst any moment as he grows harder and throbs in my mouth.
“Fuck, I’m gonna come, Rach,” he manages to grit out as he folds himself forward and I feel the first hot spurt hit my tongue. I keep stroking him and pulling him inside as he comes down my throat and I fight to swallow it all, his hand cradling my head as he grunts and moans and I get wet between my legs all over again. I’ve never swallowed during a blow job in my life, but I didn’t even think twice about it with Luke. All I cared about was making him feel good, as good as that orgasm made me feel.
“Holy shit,” he says, flinging his head back against the cushion as he slumps down further in his seat.
“Are you okay?” I giggle, proud of myself and happy for him.
“I need a minute.” I watch the rise and fall of his chest as he composes himself before finally lifting his head to look back at me. “You are incredible,” he murmurs, pulling me up from the floor and into his arms, kissing me with wild abandon as we hold each other and bask in taking a big step forward tonight.
“Thank you. You’re not so bad yourself,” I tease him as he plants kisses all over my face and lips.
“There is one thing though,” he says, which instantly makes me defensive, afraid of him criticizing what I just did.
“Okay…”
“We probably shouldn’t do that out here again. Because if Grayson were to walk in on that, I think I’d have a hard time explaining to him what he was seeing.”
I can’t help it, I snort, laughing behind my hand as Luke joins me. “Yeah, probably a good idea.”
“Thank you. I swear, I didn’t give you that explanation tonight to make you feel obligated to do that…”
I shake my head at him in reassurance. “I didn’t think that at all. I enjoyed it, and there are so many other things we can do along those same lines,” I suggest, bouncing my eyebrows up and down.
“I’d like that.”
Once we’ve gathered our wits and righted our clothes, we say goodnight and move to our own rooms, my body still humming with how right it felt to finally touch Luke like that. My hand travels down my pants as I take myself over the edge once more, reliving the feeling of grinding on him and taking him in my mouth. It’s thrilling to know we’ve crossed that line and can only continue exploring that part of our relationship, hoping that things will only get better with time.
Chapter 16
Luke
“Grayson! Your cousins are here!”
“What?”
“I said, Brooklyn and Carter are here!”
Grayson jumps up and down in the bounce house a few more times before the information finally registers. “What? Cousins!” He yells, sliding out of the hole in the inflatable structure and running for the sliding glass door off the back of the house.
“What? I don’t get a hug?” Tenley stands beside me with her arms out wide as Grayson races past her.
“Carter! Brooklyn!” He’s gone in a flash as Tenley turns to me and shakes her head.
“Wow. Guess I know where I stand.”
“Don’t worry, he’ll realize you’re here, eventually. But uh, I’ll give you a hug if you’re feeling left out.” I open up my arms to my little sister as she wraps hers around my waist and I squeeze her tight. We haven’t seen each other since Christmas, when her husband and kids travelled up here last, so it’s been almost six months.
“It’s so good to see you, Ten.”
“You too, Luke. And you look like you’ve only gained fifteen pounds.” Tenley loves to tease me about how physically fit I am.
“You sure know how to make me feel good,” I joke back as we break apart and survey the backyard which is quickly filling up with family and friends.
Today is my son’s fifth birthday party and I have so many emotions flowing through me, I’m not sure what to deal with first. His actual birthday was a few days ago, but we decided to throw the party on a Saturday so everyone could come. We—yeah, I said we—because there is no way this party would have turned out so spectacularly without Rachel. And as if right on cue, she emerges from the house with a platter of veggies and dip, looking so gorgeous in a knee-length light pink dress, her hair pulled up off her neck in her signature ponytail, and her smile so real and perfect that I decide right then and there that she’s one of the best decorations at the party.
Speaking of decorations, Rachel went all out making sure that everything fit the theme of the human body—Grayson’s idea, or course. We have scrambled brains pasta salad, mini pizzas in the shape of gingerbread men topped with cheese and pepperoni to look like bones, a veggie tray shaped like a skeleton, and cupcakes that have eyeballs on top of them and red icing to look like the veins in an eye. Skelton pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey is set up on the patio, a skeleton pinata is in my garage ready for later, and red streamers hang from every surface of my house, both inside and outside.
The woman has been working non-stop to make this party fun and full of details that made Grayson so excited that he barely slept last night. Now that the bounce house is here and his cousins and friends are arriving, he couldn't care less about the decorations. But the adults are eating it up, which just solidifies how grateful I am to Rachel for all of her effort.
“The yard looks great, the decorations are phenomenal, and you look super happy, Luke. This wouldn’t have something to do with the gorgeous brunette that’s speaking to that group of women on the patio now, would it?” Tenley directs my attention back to her because obviously I’ve been ogling Rachel for far too long.
“Yeah, she’s definitely making me happy, Ten. But look, Grayson doesn’t know about us, okay? Our friends do, for the most part, but we’re not exactly making it public right now, so I’d appreciate if you would respect that.” Rachel confessed that she told Pfeiffer, Jess, and Clara about us, which didn’t upset me. I understand needing to have her girlfriends to confide in. And I’d be lying if I didn’t say that Cash and Cooper already knew. Our last meet up was a hardcore inquisition on what happened after speed dating, and it lead to where we are now. However, we both agreed to keep things normal for Grayson. So my son is still oblivious… at least I hope.
“I’m offended you think so little of me. Of course, I understand, especially when it comes to Grayson. The last thing you nee
d to do is confuse him.”
“Exactly. I’m giving in to what I feel for her, Ten. Slowly of course. But she’s making me feel things I didn’t think I would ever feel again.”
“I’m so happy for you, Luke. You deserve this. Do you think you could see yourself marrying her?”
“Whoa. Now you’re getting ahead of yourself, sis. I like her, alright? But marriage? That’s a thought I can’t even fathom right now.” It pains me to say the words, but it’s something that I know I’ll have to face eventually. I know we promised to move on if we lost one another, but I don’t know that I’d ever want to get married again. There was one woman I ever saw myself vowing to love forever—and she died. As redundant and cliché as that sounds, that woman was everything to me, and the thought of saying those same vows to someone else just doesn’t sit right with me—at least not yet.
“We haven’t even had sex yet, Ten,” I whisper to her as more people start to arrive. Clara and Cooper came with their new daughter in tow, strapped comfortably to Cooper’s chest as they walk around. Cash and Piper arrived early to help set up, and my parents arrived just shortly after them. A few moms that Rachel has met at the park are walking in now with their similarly aged kids to Grayson, his little friends he’s made over the past few months. And Olivia and Kane should be here soon with their almost one-year-old, Evelyn.
“Really? Are you freaking out about it?”
I stare back at my sister, wondering if I’m really about to have this conversation with her at my son’s birthday party. Yup, I guess I am.
“A little. It’s been almost five years, and obviously the last person I was with was Hannah. I feel weird, a little guilty even, for wanting to go there with another woman. And until I feel one hundred percent ready, I told Rachel I needed to wait.”
“And what did she say to that?” She asks before taking a swig of her water.
“She understands. She’s actually been really great about the entire subject.”
“Then I think that says a lot, Luke. Don’t mess this up. It takes a strong woman to step into a situation like she did—becoming a nanny to a little boy she barely knew, moving into the home of a widower and his son, and now dating said widower while trying desperately not to replace a woman that you obviously have placed on a pedestal. Don’t forget to think about how she feels, what she might be thinking or questioning in this situation. She deserves patience and understanding too.”
Twisting to face my sister, I absorb her words as they rock my resolve. Tenley’s right. I hadn’t really thought about what Rachel might be battling in her own mind—the doubts and insecurities that she could be feeling. Fuck. Now I feel like an ass.
“Thanks. I will. Look, I’m so glad you’re here, but I need to mingle and make sure that everything is taken care of. We’ll catch up later, and of course this week.” Bending down, I place a kiss on her cheek and then squeeze her hand before taking off for the porch. Everyone is starting to eat, converse, and the kids begin to run amuck around my backyard as the party gets underway.
“Do you need any help?” I come up beside Rachel, whispering in her ear and startling her so badly that she jumps.
“Jesus, Luke. You scared me,” she grates back, placing a bowl of dip on the table.
“Sorry, not my intention. You okay? Need anything?”
Turning to face me head on, her bright green eyes burn brighter than normal in the vibrant sunlight coming underneath the patio. “No, I’m good. Are you okay?”
“I’d be better if I could touch you and kiss you right now. Instead, I’m watching you walk around in that dress, admiring your ass and the curve of your hips.” Rachel’s eyes widen and then she smirks.
“Luke!”
“What?”
“You can’t say things like that, Luke, around all of these people. You’re making me all hot and bothered,” she whispers, pretending like she’s fixing something on the table and avoiding my eyes.
“Well, you can’t say things like that either. Now I’ve got to prevent myself from thinking about how wet you are all day and try not to walk around with a hard-on.” I know how wet Rachel can get for me as we’ve explored touching each other more in the last week. But tonight, I have something else planned for her.
“You’d better behave.” She eyes me from the side, the devious glint in her eyes tells me she’d be willing to punish me if I keep pressing her.
“I will. Just know, later when we’re all alone, it’s on.”
“Looking forward to it.”
I walk around her, gently brushing my hand against hers before making my way around the yard, greeting my friends, and watching my son live his best life.
“Looks like you’re forgetting that everyone here has eyes,” Cash chides as I step up to him, Cooper, Kane, and my brother-in-law, Matthew.
“What do you mean?”
“He means, we all just saw you eye-fuck your nanny,” Cooper says, bouncing his daughter in her wrap on his chest. The dad role looks good on him.
“Well, can you blame me?” I snicker and then find Rachel again on the porch. She’s talking with Pfeiffer and Jess now and smiling from ear to ear.
“Seriously though, how’s it going between you two?” Cooper adds.
“Really well. It’s weird having someone else to think about again, besides Grayson. But on the other hand, it feels natural and right. She’s incredible. To think just a few months ago she was a stranger offering to watch my kid, and now she’s a part of our lives.”
“You seem happy, man. So when are you going to tell Grayson?” Cash asks as we watch a group of kids run past us for the bounce house.
“I don’t know. We’re taking things slow, and once I get a better feel for it, we’ll decide. I like her, don’t get me wrong. But there’s still guilt there, although it is starting to dwindle.”
The guys all nod. “That’s understandable. Hell, when I thought I lost Piper, the thought of even trying to live without her was unfathomable. I can’t imagine what this must feel like, Luke.”
“Yeah, it’s rough some days. But knowing it’s Rachel—how incredible, selfless, and genuine she is—it makes it easier because I know she’s a good person.”
“You definitely seem like you’re lighter, more at ease, not as surly anymore…”
“Surly? When have I been surly?”
All the men throw their heads back in laughter. “You’re joking, right? You’ve been a bear since I’ve known you, which don’t get me wrong… I get why. What you went through, what you witnessed…” Cash trails off and the vision of Hannah’s accident flashes through my mind. I’ll never forget that night, that image, the fear, and desperation I felt when I realized it was her car I drove up to.
“I know. It still haunts me. But I’m trying to move past it, you know? It’s gonna take some time, but if there’s anyone who’s worth it… I think it might be her.” I jut my chin in her direction, just as the women look down here and Rachel’s smile blinds me, making me yearn for her even more.
“Daddy! Is it time for cake and ice cream?” Grayson shouts when he lands in front of me, pulling my attention from the girl I’m crushing on hard, his face sweaty from bouncing non-stop for the past hour.
“Yeah, we can do that.”
“Yes! And then it’s time for presents! Guys! Time for cake!” He yells to the other kids in the bounce house as they speedily file out of the opening, running for the patio where Rachel set up a table with Grayson’s cake on display—a mockup of the inside of the human body, complete with all the main organs.
“This cake is awesome!” Carter, Tenley’s son shouts, while the little girls curl their lips up in disgust.
“I know! I love it!” Grayson yells as everyone gathers around him.
“Are you ready, sweetie?” Rachel glides up to him, placing the large candle in the shape of the number five on his cake and lighting the wick.
“Wait! We need a picture of you guys!” Tenley interrupts just before eve
ryone starts singing. She fetches her cell phone from her pocket and prompts for Grayson and me to smile as I bend down next to my son.
“No. Rachel! You get in there too!”
As I turn my head, I notice that Rachel has stepped away, her facial expression covering the apprehension she must feel.
“Yeah, Rach. You should be in here.” I wave her over as she freezes, clearly taken aback by my declaration.
“No, it’s okay. He’s your son.” She shakes her head.
“Rachel! Come be in the picture!” Grayson whines, which makes Rachel loosen up before she slowly joins us, wrapping her arm around my son’s shoulders and inadvertently touching my own. I cautiously rest my hand on her upper arm as we smile wide and Tenley takes the shot. I instantly want to see the picture, but there will be time for that later.
“Now let’s sing! I want cake, guys!” Grayson shouts, earning a chuckle from the crowd gathered around us. So we do. We sing as my son soaks up the attention. And then we cut the cake and watch him tear into presents, tissue paper and wrapping paper flying around the patio. Rachel and I do our best to collect it in trash bags as it lands, but it takes a while to gather every piece.
“What do you say to everyone, Grayson?” I shoot a look at my son as he rips open his last present.
“Thank you! This is the best birthday ever!” Everyone claps and says a collective ‘you’re welcome’ and the party resumes until people slowly start to leave a few hours later.
Once the house is vacant and most of the mess has been cleaned, I hop in the shower, cleaning off the sweat from being outside all day in the humid June weather. In the next few weeks, the temperature will be close to ninety every day and the humidity almost just as high, reminding me how grateful I am to be working inside now instead of outside in the elements like I was as a deputy.
I throw on some athletic shorts and a tank top and then make my way quietly down the hall to Rachel’s room, even though I know it would probably take a hurricane to wake up my son right now. He partied hard and will probably sleep in a bit tomorrow.