Where the Heart Is (Hearts Series Book 1)

by L. S. Pullen

  I’ve stirred awake to the biggest hard-on ever, and it’s dawning on me that it wasn’t only the dream that has me aroused. Flick is rubbing herself into my hard length, my hand over her stomach—heading down south of its own accord.

  I stop, ready to pull my hand away, when a soft moan escapes her in protest. I freeze, my palm flush against her stomach.

  “Please, don’t stop.”

  Her voice is groggy from sleep. I don’t know what to do.

  “Flick, I don’t think you’re awake,” I say, my throat hoarse and deep.

  “I’m awake enough to know I want you to touch me.”

  I suck in a deep breath, my hand trembling as I slide it down and over her shorts. Even through the material, I can tell she’s wet.

  She fidgets and wriggles out of them, moving them to her knees. I help slide them the rest of the way off.

  I place my hand back over her bare skin, stroking her before dipping my middle finger inside her, all the while my hard length continues to push hard into her lower back. She pushes into me, and I let out a strained grunt. As I kiss her neck, she angles her head to the side, so I have better access. I nip and suck on her earlobe like in my dream and am rewarded with a soft whimper.

  It’s almost dreamlike—the power she has over me, the way she makes me feel. I want to reward her with the same want, the same need.

  I move my thumb over her centre while my finger makes slow circles. I slip in another finger, working her as much as I can from this position, her breathing ragged. As if she reads my mind, she adjusts her hip, giving us more freedom to move. I kiss her shoulder. Her breathing grows heavier, her walls beginning to tighten around my fingers. I increase the pace, not easing off until she comes hard and fast, twisting her face into the pillow to stifle her moans. I feel pre-cum on the tip of my hard length, desperate to join her.

  Her body comes down as she begins to relax. She twists to face me, and I lean in, kissing her softly. She moves her hand, stroking my length. When her grip tightens around my girth, a moan vibrates through my chest, willing her to pump her hand harder, faster. Her other hand cups my balls. Fuck me.

  “Nate?” she breathes into my mouth.

  “Yes?”

  “I want you inside me.”

  My eyes pop open. I want that too…so damn bad.

  Her eyes pierce mine, the green deep and alive with want.

  “I can wait, Flick. There’s no rush…not with us, not with you.”

  “I don’t want to wait,” she says with certainty, her hand tightening around me, moving faster.

  If she carries on like this, I’ll lose it. I take hold of her hand and pull it up to my lips, planting a kiss on the inside of her wrist. Her eyes flutter closed.

  “Are you sure this is what you want?”

  “Yes, I need this. I want you.”

  I can’t hold back.

  I kiss her into a frenzy—teeth-knocking clumsy, haphazard. I pull away to catch my breath, and roll her, pushing her back, flush against the mattress. Taking the hem of her t-shirt, she lifts her upper-body so I can tease it off and over her head.

  I take in her silhouette.

  “You are so beautiful, Felicity.” I kiss her neck and work my way down to her breast where I take a nipple in my mouth and suck on it while playing with the other one between my finger and thumb. She pushes into my touch.

  “Oh, sweet Jesus,” she hisses.

  Hearing her voice—how I make her feel—turns me on even more.

  Her fingers work their way over my chest. I can feel the nervousness from her touch. I slip my fingers inside her again, and she bucks up, grabbing hold of my dick. I circle my fingers as deep as they’ll go.

  She tightens her hand, matching me touch for touch. She pulls me closer to her entrance, to where I want to be so badly.

  Her hand moves up and down me, expertly. My fingers continue to penetrate her—deep and fast.

  “I need you, please,” she begs in a whisper.

  I slowly pull my fingers out. She lets go of me when I lean over, pulling the drawer of the bedside table open. I rifle around until my fingers connect with a condom. I watch her before ripping open the foil packet. Taking myself in my hand, I slide it down my shaft, watching her watching me. Now my hands are the ones trembling. I stroke the length of myself, getting lost in the want that emanates from her.

  “You can tell me stop,” I say, wanting to reassure her.

  She grabs hold of my arse and pulls me closer.

  All my resolve melts away like hot butter. I enter her, slowly. Tipping my head back, I moan. Nothing has ever felt this good.

  I take my time as I fill her, pausing as she lets out a gasp.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yeah, just need to get used to it. You’re huge.”

  I laugh. Isn’t that what every guy wants to hear?

  She wiggles a little, causing me to harden even more, then surprises me, pulling me into her—deeper. Fuck.

  I don’t know how long I can last. This right here was worth waiting for. I kiss her—long, deep, hard—sucking her bottom lip before nipping it with my teeth.

  I pull almost all the way out in a slow, deliberate move, but then with one quick movement, I’m deep inside her.

  Each time I pull almost all the way out to tease her, I go in harder and faster. Her nails begin to dig into me.

  “Faster,” she pants.

  I never thought one word could be so damn sexy. I don’t want to hurt her, but I can’t get enough as I thrust myself inside her, her warm centre engulfing me as she tightens around me. She bites down on my shoulder, and it’s the beginning of the end—I can’t hold off much longer.

  “I’m sorry, Flick, this is too good. I think I’m going to come,” I say

  “Me too,” she says, pulling me even deeper, my thrusts causing her whole body to move up towards the headboard.

  Her legs spread wide, only gripping my thighs as her body succumbs to the orgasm.

  I grunt with my own release as I climax. She lets out a muffled groan as I fill the condom.

  After I let my body relax on top of her for a moment, I move to the side, holding onto her while I’m still inside, not ready to remove myself while her clenching channel twitches from the aftermath of the orgasm. Once it’s all but passed, I pull out, tie the condom, and wrap it in a tissue before tossing it in the bin.

  “Did I hurt you? I got a little carried away, I’m sorry.”

  “No, you didn’t… I was right there with you,” she replies, her eyes sated and satisfied.

  “Flick, you mesmerise me.” I kiss her forehead, too tired to move or even clean up. Her eyes flutter shut, and a contented sigh passes her lips as I pull her closer to me.

  I wake to find her wrapped around me. Her leg is slung over my thigh, head nestled under my chin, hair fanned across my chest, her arm around my waist. I smile to myself. I made love to the girl of my dreams. Thinking back to how she tightened around me as she came in pure ecstasy, is giving me morning wood.

  If I could freeze one moment in time, this would be it. This would be my perfect moment. I’d die a happy man if I got to wake to her every morning, wrapped in my arms. She’s my little piece of heaven—the sexiest angel if ever there was one.

  She begins to stir.

  “Well, if you’re not a sight for sore eyes—post coitus—I don’t know what is,” I say, my voice still gravely.

  She peers up at me through her long eyelashes, then rolls onto her back, pulling some of the cover up over her. Her face glows crimson. I lean onto my elbow to look down at her.

  “Did you sleep well?” she asks, stretching with a shy smile

  I laugh. “No, your snoring is terrible.”

  “Liar.” She pokes her tongue out.

  I gently push the loose hair from her cheek, tucking it behind her ear. I need to move away before I lose all self-restraint. I want her again so badly.

  “I’m going to go shower, long day ahead of u
s,” I say, reluctantly walking away.

  “I think I’ll join you.”

  I let out a choked sound—surely, I misheard her. “What?”

  She shuffles around and leans over to grab her shorts and t-shirt, pulling them on under the sheets before joining me in the middle of the room. Slowly, she begins to walk backward towards the bathroom. Raising her index finger, she signals for me to follow.

  Mouth agape, I comply like a loyal puppy.

  We make slow work of washing one another and exploring each other’s bodies. I have no idea what time it is when we finally remove ourselves from the shower, our skin pruned from the duration.

  Just as I cover her in a towel, a knock at my door causes us to freeze. I put my finger to her mouth.

  “Yeah?” I call out.

  “It’s me, mate, you up?” Charlie calls from the other side of my door.

  We both look down at my towel, where I am pitching a tent. She stifles a laugh.

  “’Course, just got out of the shower.”

  “Cool, but get a move on. Your Nan is already ordering us around. Oh, and they can’t find Flick.”

  She covers her face with her hands.

  “She probably went for a run.”

  “Whatever, mate, just hurry up.”

  I hear his footsteps as he walks away.

  “Here.” I pull out a t-shirt. “You better head back to your room before they send out a search party.”

  She nods as she pulls it over her head. She kisses me once on the lips before spying out of the door, then turns back to me and pulls me in for another kiss. Then she disappears down the hall.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  I can’t wipe the smile off my face. Being with Nate last night triggered something in me. He’s like a fix I can’t get enough of. I can still feel him when I move, and every time I think of his lips on me, or the way his fingers caressed me, my body fills with want and longing.

  I inhale the summer heat as I look over the fundraiser that’s now in full swing. A calm engulfs me—one that is so unfamiliar, I’m trying to fathom if it’s short-term bliss or a taste of what is yet to come.

  I agreed to take some photos, so I’ve been busy in the background, taking pictures when no one’s looking. There is something spectacular about an unprepared shot. When you catch the light, the pose, at just the right moment, it’s naturally beautiful.

  I zoom in on Nate. My smile dissipates when I see Rachel walk up to him and give him a chaste kiss…right on the lips. A surge of jealousy floods my reprieve—my body now tense, my heart pounding in my ears.

  “You know he doesn’t have feelings for her, right?” A soft Australian accent hums next to my ear.

  I flinch and turn to look at Charlie.

  He laughs, putting an arm over my shoulder.

  “I hope not,” I reply honestly.

  He looks to Nate. “Of course, not. Come on, you know you’re gorgeous, right? So…where were you this morning?”

  I try to school my features at his comment. He wriggles his eyebrows.

  “Running.”

  “Hmm, I think not. I sure as hell didn’t see that fine derrière of yours while I was out running.”

  Shit, busted. My ears heat, and it spreads to my face and neck as I struggle to think of a response. He shakes his head with a warm smile and winks.

  “Be still, my beating heart. Are you actually flirting with me, Charlie?” I say in mock horror.

  “Who, me? No never…and don’t worry, your secret’s safe with me.” He zips his lips and throws away an imaginary key. He kisses my cheek and places a protective hand on the small of my back.

  I watch him as his gaze drifts away, eyes locked on someone. Sophie.

  “Like what you see?” I elbow him in the ribs. Now whose turn is it to blush?

  “Of course, not…I mean, she’s feisty and gorgeous, but what I mean is…any friend of yours is a friend of mine.”

  “Which is exactly what I’m worried about,” I say, raising my eyebrows.

  He shakes his head. “I know she’s off limits. Besides, I’m sure there’s a saying…something about not shitting on your own doorstep?”

  I slap his arm, but he laughs it off and pulls me into his side. Nate looks over with a frown on his face. I smile. He returns it.

  Charlie takes me by the elbow over to the auction stall. I survey the prizes, watching him as he writes a price on a piece of paper. Maybe I should have looked away, but it’s too late now. I let out a slow whistle.

  “Don’t be like that, it’s only money. Besides, it’s for a good cause.”

  He tries to shake it off like he didn’t just bid on afternoon tea for two at the Ritz for two thousand pounds. He tears off the bottom of the slip and stuffs it into his pocket. I can’t help but marvel at his kindness. I put my arm around his waist and look up at him.

  “Charlie, hidden under your womanising, wayward ways, is a really decent guy. Your Mum would be proud of you.”

  I feel him tense.

  “I hope so,” he says, his voice laced with melancholy.

  “You’re one of the good guys. Come on, let’s go get us some cake.”

  He shakes his head with a laugh, dispelling the moment of sadness.

  I find a clear patch of grass and sit down with my glass of Pimms and Lemonade. Looking through the viewfinder of my camera, I find Sophie smiling as she talks to Charlie. He’s animated as he regales her with goodness knows what.

  It’s nice to see her so at ease with herself. She can come across to people who don’t know her as standoffish—snobbish, even. She’s anything but—it’s all a front. She builds barriers just like I do. We handle things differently, but truth is, she doesn’t want to hurt any more than I do.

  Simon sits down beside me as I snap a couple more shots. He gently elbows me, and I lower my camera.

  “She’s doing better, you know? Getting her away from her sorry excuse for parents has done her good. Can you see how she breathes a little deeper now? Like she isn’t having the life sucked right out of her?” he says.

  I let out a sigh—it infuriates me. “I just don’t understand how they could turn their backs on her so easily, especially being church people. I mean, who does that to their own daughter? Why go through all that trouble to adopt, then treat her like this? What kind of people are they?”

  Simon pulls at the grass. “I wish I knew, but she’ll always have us.” He winks.

  Her ears must have been burning because she’s heading our way. Smiling, she flops down beside us. Both Simon and I gawk at her carefree smile. It’s a good look on her.

  “What?” she asks.

  “So…where did Charlie go?”

  She raises an eyebrow before answering. “No idea. I’m not his mum. He probably went off to find the girl who was eyeing him up when he was talking to me.”

  I choke on my drink.

  “Just cough,” she says.

  My eyes fill with tears, and my nose runs. How very fetching. Simon hands me a serviette, which I take, gratefully, as people stop to stare.

  “Seriously, that’s all you had? To save my life, you tell me to cough,” I say, hoarsely.

  “Yeah, that’s what I was taught in that first-aid course.” She shrugs.

  Simon lets out a belly laugh.

  “Wow, thanks. Oh, and about Charlie and the mum note, I know you were only joking, but she passed away when he was younger.”

  I watch as sadness clouds her features as I take a sip of water. “Not the best analogy then, but noted for future reference.”

  Simon turns to her. “So, you like him?”

  He goes straight for the jugular; I hold back a laugh—mainly through fear of choking again, but he could be right. There’s…something there.

  “Who, Charlie? He seems nice enough. What’s not to like?”

  I roll my eyes.

  “Come on, don’t be all coy. He means, do you fancy him?”

  I don’t know why we suddenly fe
el the need to interrogate her. Maybe it’s from seeing how she looked all flustered just a moment ago.

  “What? No.” She snorts. “Besides, he’s way too much of a womaniser…even I know better than to go there.”

  “Aside from that?” Simon asks, not willing to let it go.

  She chews the inside of her cheek. “He’s nice to be around, and yes, he’s a little easy on the eye… I see what you’re both getting at. Do not even think about trying to set me up.”

  “Who said anything about setting you up?” Simon replies, wiggling his eyebrows.

  “Setting whom up?” Charlie asks, appearing from nowhere.

  “Nothing, no one is setting anyone up,” Sophie says, her eyes widening with a frustrated look—directed at me.

  I laugh as she shakes her head, her cheeks growing a shade darker. Charlie takes a seat next to us.

  “So, where’s Nate?” she asks.

  “Last I saw he was over there.” Charlie points outward. We all look over at the exact moment Rachel plants a kiss on his cheek.

  She really needs to keep her damn lips to herself and off him. I can see her rambling away—does she ever shut up? I watch as she takes hold of his hand. What the fuck? Unease settles in my stomach, I try to calm my racing heart.

  “You okay?” Sophie asks, sending evil daggers in Nate’s direction.

  Why would he want someone as messed up as me, when he can have someone like her? I look down at myself in silent resignation

  “I’m fine,” I stutter, which is complete and utter bullshit.

  Charlie elbows me gently to gain my attention. “Hey, come and get a refill with me?”

  I nod, feeling grateful for the distraction. He stands, holding his hand out, pulling me swiftly to my feet.

  “You guys want a drink?” he asks.

  “No thanks, I’m good,” Soph replies.

  “You sure you don’t want anything stronger than water?”

  “No, honestly, I’m on a detox, but thank you.”

  Simon holds up his practically full cup and shakes his head.

  Charlie turns and leads me away, his palm on the small of my back. A few weeks ago, this alone would have caused me to freak out, but I’m getting there. Slowly.