Swing and a Kiss: Carolina Waves Series Book 4

by Tina Gallagher

  I lunged at him, stopping his words as I took his mouth in a fierce, possessive kiss. His surprise only lasted a second then he was kissing me back with just as much passion.

  Shifting my leg, I rose up and moved over to straddle his lap. His hands cupped my ass and pulled me down onto his erection as our mouths continued to consume each other. I pulsed my hips against him and groaned deep in my throat when he hit just the right spot sending zinging sensations throughout my entire body. My nipples tightened and tingled as they rubbed against his bare chest.

  I pulled my mouth off his and sucked in a deep breath, needing to tell him before this goes any further.

  “I love you,” I gasped. “I love you, too.”

  “Thank fuck.”

  His words had barely registered when he stood, gripping my ass to take me with him. I wrapped my arms around his neck and held on as he carried me across the deck and through the sliding glass door.

  “Your room is closer,” he muttered and walked through the living room to the bedroom I’ve been using, kicking the door closed behind him.

  After setting me down next to the bed, he had me naked in two seconds flat. He cupped one breast then the other, squeezing and molding them in his big hands before swiping his thumbs over my nipples again and again. I dropped my head back and let out a long, low groan when he placed his mouth over me and sucked, hard.

  When he pulled me farther into his mouth and feasted, I thought I was going to come right then and there. My hips moved against his and when that wasn’t enough, I slid my leg up and wrapped it around his thigh to pull him closer.

  Dale released my nipple then moved back and forth, licking and teasing one nipple then the other.

  “Mmmm,” he moaned, the vibration heightening the sensation. He pulled back, looking down to admire his handiwork. “Beautiful.”

  Placing his hands on my waist, he pushed me back until I was lying on the bed.

  “Prop yourself up on your elbows,” he said, his voice gravelly.

  When I did as he said, he knelt in front of me then rested my legs against his shoulders, opening me to his gaze. He looked his fill before meeting my eyes over the expanse of my body.

  “Watch.”

  I did as he commanded and he leaned forward, placing an open-mouthed kiss right at my core before licking me from bottom to top, circling my clit, before doing it again and again. Our eyes stayed locked on each other as he took me higher and higher, my inner muscles tightening. I thrust my hips up and he placed a restraining hand on my belly, holding me in place as he continued to tease and taste until an orgasm slammed through me.

  My arms collapsed and I fell back onto the bed. As soon as I caught my breath, I felt Dale slip a finger inside me and slowly pump in and out. He added a second finger then a third, plunging deep before curling them to stroke me.

  “You feel so good. So tight. So wet.” He kissed my inner thighs between each sentence. The feel of his lips on my skin and his fingers inside me combined with his sex-deep voice tantalized my senses, pushing me toward the edge again.

  “Dale.” I drew his name out on a long groan that echoed through the room. He leaned forward and teased my clit with the tip of his tongue then opened his mouth over me and sucked and I couldn’t hold back anymore. “Oh God.”

  He stayed with me, stroking and soothing, through the aftershocks until I got my breathing under control. I lay limp and exhausted, but despite that and after two mind-blowing orgasms, I still want him inside me. My inner muscles clenched and released as he removed his fingers and stood. I shifted my legs farther apart and held out my arms, offering an invitation. Which he immediately took me up on.

  His thick erection rested against my inner thigh as he settled on top of me.

  “Shit.” He rested his head against my shoulder. “The condoms are in my room. I’ll be right back.”

  I wrapped my arms around his shoulders, holding him in place.

  “Don’t go.”

  “But—”

  “I’m on the pill.”

  “Are you sure?”

  I nodded.

  He closed his eyes and I felt a shudder rack through his body. After taking in a deep breath, his dark blue gaze met mine.

  “I love you. So much.”

  Then he plunged inside me with one, long thrust. I wrapped my legs around his waist, pulling him in even deeper. He’s such a snug fit and without a condom, he feels even more amazing than usual.

  “Are you okay?”

  “God yes.”

  He moved, slowly at first, then faster and faster still. My inner walls gripped and released him as he settled into a rhythm, in and out, in and out, in and out.

  “You feel so fucking good,” he said through gritted teeth. “Too good,” he added on a

  groan.

  He lowered his head and licked my nipple before pulling it into his mouth and sucking on it in rhythm with his hips. My fingers and toes started to tingle and the sensation moved up my arms and legs and exploded through my core. I felt my inner muscles clamp down on him before clenching and releasing over and over again.

  “Karen,” Dale groaned and with one last hard thrust collapsed on top of me.

  Chapter 27

  Karen

  * * *

  My mother and I ordered lunch and the waitress was barely out of ear shot when she pounced.

  “So, Dale Montgomery?” She took a sip of sweet tea. “It must be serious since you went up to visit him in Myrtle Beach.”

  Actually I’m surprised it’s taken her this long to bring up the subject. Jeremy is playing golf with my dad and my mom and I spent the morning shopping.

  “It’s getting there,” I said.

  I love my parents and don’t know what I would have done without them after Jason died, but I’ve been reluctant to discuss Dale with them. And since they haven’t been in town at the same time, it really hasn’t been an issue. It’s not like I’m hiding him from them but as an adult, I didn’t feel the need to announce it when we started dating.

  “Are you sure he’s someone you should be getting involved with?”

  “Mom, you don’t even know him. Why are you saying it like that?”

  “Well, he’s a professional baseball player. They do have a certain reputation.”

  I can’t chastise her for saying that. I thought the same thing before I started dating Dale. It’s one of the reasons I was reluctant to go out with him in the beginning.

  “He’s a really great guy and Jeremy loves him.” I smiled thinking about our time together in Myrtle Beach. “And he loves Jeremy.”

  She stared at me, obviously reading the happiness and love on my face but still not looking convinced.

  “So when do we get to meet him?”

  “Actually, if you’re going to stick around, he’ll be back in town at the end of next month when the Waves play Tampa.”

  Dale has asked about meeting my parents a few times, so he’ll be happy when I tell him I have plans in place.

  It’s obvious I’ve surprised my mother because she’s quiet. She probably expected me to make up some lame excuse why they couldn’t meet and had a whole argument prepared.

  “We can go to his game and then to dinner.”

  “His game?” She wrinkled her nose.

  “I know you’re not a baseball fan, but dad and Jeremy are, and so am I. But if you don’t want to go to the game, we can just pick you up afterwards.”

  “No, I’ll go. That way I can see him in his natural element.”

  I’m not really sure what that means and don’t want to ask and ruin our day together. I love my mom, but she can be judgmental and opinionated. And it’s obvious her opinion is that Dale is all wrong for me.

  I’ll admit that’s what I thought two years ago when he first asked me out, but he’s managed to change my opinion. Hopefully he’ll work his magic on my mom, too.

  The waitress brought out entrees and we ate in silence for a while before she spoke.r />
  “You were so devastated when Jason died. I just want to make sure you’re not jumping into this relationship to escape your grief.”

  I carefully placed my fork on my plate and pushed it away. Taking a drink, I simultaneously tried to collect my thoughts and control my temper. Of all the things she could say, that’s probably the worst. She’s making it sound like I’m some fickle female who hops from one man to another to avoid facing her feelings.

  “Mom, I loved Jason and you probably know better than most how devastated I was when he died. I’m not sure how I would have survived if I didn’t have Jeremy to focus on. But Jason is gone and I’m still here. Dale asked me out more than once over the two years I’ve known him and I turned him down for a variety of reasons, mostly because I didn’t feel ready. But something just clicked this year and when he asked me out again, I decided to give him a chance.”

  I didn’t dare mention that Chloe and Hope kind of nudged me in Dale’s direction. She’s not a big fan of either of them for reasons I’ll never understand. For the most part she loved Jason but she never liked his sister, saying she didn’t trust her. Ditto for Hope.

  “And I’m really happy. So when you meet him, please set all your judgements and preconceived notions aside and give him a chance.”

  Dale

  * * *

  “Great game tonight.”

  Karen smiled at me through my computer.

  “Thanks.” I smiled back.

  I don’t think I’m being cocky when I admit that I’ve been playing great lately. There’s probably some logical explanation for it, but I’m chalking it up to the fact that I’m so happy.

  “But I don’t want to talk about my game or Jeremy’s right now. I want to discuss that text you sent me about meeting your parents.”

  “You brought it up and now so did my mom. Since they’ll be in town when you play Tampa, I figured I’d do my best to make it happen.”

  I settled onto my side and propped my computer on the pillow next to me.

  “Meeting the parents is a pretty big step,” I said.

  Her eyes widened. “Oh.”

  “I’m just teasing. Seriously, I’m thrilled. What do you have planned?”

  “I figured we’d go to your game then out to dinner if that works. Wednesday’s game is at four so I thought that’d be the best day.”

  “Did you talk to Hannah about tickets?”

  “No, I wanted to talk to you first.” That adorable crease formed between her eyes with her frown. “And I just figured I’d buy tickets.”

  I shook my head. “Talk to Hannah.”

  Since the game isn’t at our home field I’ll have to buy the tickets, but that’s not a big deal. Plus I’ll get better seats than she will.

  “Okay I’ll call her tomorrow,” she said. “Any ideas for dinner?”

  “Do you think your parents would like Gianni’s?”

  “Definitely. The food was so good there.”

  “It’s always been one of my favorite restaurants, but since I had an amazing first date

  there with an even more amazing woman, it’s bumped up to the top of my list.”

  “You are such a sweet-talker.”

  Her tone was light but her pink cheeks told me she liked what I’d said.

  “I just speak the truth.”

  “Then you’re incredibly sweet and I’m very lucky.”

  “I’m the lucky one,” I said. “And I’ll make reservations for eight o’clock. If the game goes into extra innings we may have to bump it back, but they’re very accommodating there.”

  “Sounds good.”

  “Since we’re talking about reservations, there’s something else I wanted to discuss with you.”

  “What’s that?”

  “I’m playing in New York in a couple weeks. It’s a three-day series, Friday through Sunday. I already checked Jeremy’s schedule and he doesn’t have a tournament so I was thinking maybe the two of you could fly up for the weekend and I’d get to see you, plus you could visit with your friend Hope. I haven’t met her yet and I’m looking forward to it. You can invite Aunt Chloe and bring the perfect storm to New York.”

  “Oh wow, that’s...wow, I wasn’t expecting that.”

  “What do you think?”

  She nibbled at her bottom lip for what seemed like forever before her face broke out into a big smile.

  “I think it’ll be fun. And I will invite Chloe...who loves that you call her Aunt Chloe by the way.”

  “Is there something special I should be calling Hope? I wouldn’t want her to feel left out.”

  “Nope, she’s just Hope,” she said. “And I’ll text her letting her know we’ll be invading her town.”

  “I’ll make sure to get a suite so you and Jeremy can stay with me.”

  We discussed more details before hanging up and she seemed really excited about the trip. I’m so happy she agreed. It puts us in the same city for a few days, plus I get to meet her good friend, Hope.

  Even though this whole relationship thing is new to me, Dan and Jack are right. Karen and I are figuring it out as we go along and so far, we’re making it work.

  Chapter 28

  Karen

  I’ve been to regular season games in Tampa and Myrtle Beach, but those didn’t prepare me for New York. It was so loud and the fans cheered and booed with equal intensity. Jeremy was fascinated with the legendary stadium and thrilled when Dale called him down onto the field before the game.

  This is his first time in the city and I’m afraid he’s getting a skewed view. Dale had once again booked us a first-class flight...Chloe too...then he had a limo pick us up at the airport and drop us off at our five-star hotel. The three-bedroom suite he booked is gorgeous. I don’t even want to know what he’s paying per night.

  We’ve also had door-to-door car service wherever we want to go and sat in the cushy seats right along the third-base line at the game. Definitely not the trip Jeremy would have had if I’d planned it.

  Unfortunately the Waves lost by one run, but I suppose they can’t win them all.

  After the game, we left the stadium and met my friends for dinner at a restaurant not far from Hope’s apartment. She and Dale were formally introduced and he bantered back and forth with both her and Chloe throughout the meal.

  “I’ve been living in the city for years now and have never been to any of the sporting events,” Hope said. “Tomorrow will be a whole new experience.”

  “The stadium is so awesome, Hope. If I lived here, I’d go to every game,” Jeremy said then let out a big yawn.

  Dale looked from Jeremy to me and said, “If you guys are done eating, would you mind if we headed back to the hotel. I’m bushed.”

  “I’m kind of tired, too,” I said. “It’s been a long day.”

  And while Dale might have said that so we can leave without making Jeremy feel like a child, I actually am tired. It has been a long day.

  Dale paid the check and we said our goodbyes. Chloe and Hope were moving on to the bar next door, probably to compare notes on Dale. I’ll get a full report at some point but right now, I just want to go relax.

  Jeremy went right to his room when we got back to the hotel and Dale and I settled onto the couch.

  “This day has been surreal,” I said. “You’re spoiling us.”

  He rested against the arm of the couch and pulled me farther into his embrace.

  “That’s my evil plan.” He kissed my temple. “To spoil you until you can’t live without me.”

  I wrapped my arm around his waist, snuggled my cheek against his chest, and closed my eyes. His fresh air and sandalwood scent filled my senses and I felt like I was floating on a cloud of happiness.

  “I already can’t live without you.”

  Dale

  * * *

  “I don’t think I’ve ever cheered so much at a game. I may not have a voice tomorrow,” Chloe said.

  “I believe it,” I said. “Fifty thousand peopl
e in the stadium and yours was the only voice I could hear.”

  Everyone at the table laughed at that. We’re eating at a little place Hope recommended. Jack and Dan came along and so did Hope’s boyfriend, Hanley. Our friends are meshing well and Jeremy is holding his own at a table full of rowdy adults.

  It was really nice having my own personal cheering section, especially at an away game. And it was great bringing Jeremy onto the field and even introducing him to some of my friends on the other team. Even though he’s a die-hard Waves fan, he respects and appreciates the tradition and history of New York.

  Hanley is a born and bred New Yorker but he’s been cool about the Waves’ victory and the skewed discussion of the game. Honestly, it could have gone either way. All of the pitchers were on fire and the game was tied at one through the eleventh inning. We got lucky when Jack hit a long shot over the right field fence putting us ahead and then we managed to hold them in the bottom of the inning. It was a sweet victory after last night’s loss.

  “I’ll be right back,” Hope said. “That DJ is a friend and I want to go say hello.”

  She walked to the corner of the room and hugged the stocky man who had been setting up equipment.

  “Just like at home,” I said to Chloe, then explained to the guys. “No matter where we go, we run into someone she knows. And it’s been that way as long as I’ve known her. She even ran into a friend at the stadium today.”

  Hope returned and leaned over and whispered something in Chloe’s ear. She nodded and then smiled when she caught me watching. Karen was talking to Jack so she missed the exchange, but I’m wondering what it’s all about. Instead of asking, I figure I’ll let it all play out.

  Hope’s DJ friend introduced himself then said he was starting things off “old school” and put on a song from the early nineties. The music was loud enough to be heard, but not so obnoxious to inhibit conversation.

  The waiter came over and cleared our empty dishes then rolled over the dessert cart. Karen and Hope groaned, saying they couldn’t eat another bite, but the rest of us took something. And Hope stole bits of Hanley’s strawberry-topped flan while Karen sampled my Baileys cheesecake.