Wednesday, p.3
Wednesday, page 3
Soon I stepped out of the shower, towel-dried my skin, and applied a light layer of sesame lotion. Then I drew a pair of high-waisted white panties up my legs and dressed in an oversized T-shirt and my favorite yoga pants.
Lacy lingerie would have been wasted on Shaw. He generally made quick work of stripping me down, and unless I insisted, I doubted he’d even remove half of his own clothes.
Good thing I insisted. He had an incredible body. Plus, fucking the daylights out of someone still wearing a T-shirt and his jeans down to his knees just wasn’t intimate enough for me.
I freed my hair from its bun and was combing the tangles out when I heard his soft knock at my door. Three subtle taps—all in quick succession. He was early.
My heart kicked up speed. I rounded the bed and nearly skipped over to the front door. That was one positive of living in a tiny studio—everything from my bedroom to my living space to my kitchenette was within three steps.
Just as I made it to the door, it opened. Shaw knew I never kept it locked. The by-product of growing up on a tiny island was that you always felt safe and rarely locked your doors.
He stood before me looking sullen and intense. Handsome, chiseled features. Defined jaw. Pouty lips. His hair was the perfect cross between dark sandy blond in the sunlight and medium brown in the dark of night, and today his eyes were a brilliant green.
“It’s almost like you were waiting for me.” He treated me to a rare devilish grin.
The ass. Of course I was waiting for him. I gave his chest a playful shove, but rather than it pushing him away, he stepped closer, crossing the threshold to invade my space. And my heart kicked up speed again in anticipation.
He was my drug. Bold. Intoxicating. Addictive.
“How was your day?” I asked, trying to keep things light.
He gave me a panty-melting grin, and that was when I knew there wouldn’t be any pleasantries tonight. I guess I wasn’t surprised. He’d tried to fuck me in his office a couple of days ago, totally taking me by surprise. He must be particularly wound up.
“My day was fine, Sunshine. Now, come here.”
He offered me his hand, and I took it. Sliding his grasp around my wrist, he tugged me close so I was right up flush against his chest. I wondered if he could feel the pounding rhythm of my heart. His own heartbeat was steady and calm.
“You teased me the other day,” he said, trailing one fingertip down the side of my cheek. “Wearing that little sundress. I wanted to hike it up your thighs and watch you ride my face.”
I shivered in his arms. “If you expect me to say sorry, I’m not.”
He chuckled darkly. “As long as you understand I’m going to make up for it tonight.”
I nodded, keeping my eyes on his. I loved this part of my week. For these few hours, I mattered to someone. I was a desirable creature that drove an amazing man to near madness with his want for me. The feeling was potent, especially since the rest of my life was a dull, meaningless combination of work and family obligations. I lived for that dark, hungry look in his eyes.
He was looking at my lips, my breasts, my skin like he wanted to devour them. He was hungry—starved inside—for love and affection and sex. And he was looking at me like only I could give them to him. Gladly, my dear sweet, lost man.
“Then you’d better strip out of those tight little yoga pants so I can taste you,” he murmured, his lips brushing my neck.
I took a step back, and Shaw moved to sit down on the edge of my bed to watch the show.
First I drew my T-shirt up over my head and dropped it to the floor at my feet. His eyes followed my movements, zeroing in on my bare breasts, making me feel bold and desirable. Then I pushed my hands into the sides of my pants and shoved them down my hips.
“Slow,” he warned. “And turn around.”
I swallowed and turned so my back was to him. Then I bent forward at the hips and simultaneously shoved my pants and panties down to my ankles in an erotic strip tease. I heard a hiss of breath behind me.
“Fuck. Look at that pretty cunt shaved bare just for me,” he grunted.
A rush of heat raced over my skin. I sure as hell never knew this side to my childhood friend, Shaw, never knew he had an absolutely filthy mouth. But I fucking loved it. Yes, I had showered and shaved for him, making sure every inch of me was ready for his erotic appraisal.
“That’s a beautiful sight, right there.”
Feeling bold, I gave my backside a little wiggle and then began to rise slowly.
“Spread your ass apart for me, beautiful.”
Say what now? My face flamed, but he must have known by now that I’d never directly refuse a request. I placed my hands on either cheek and showed him what he wanted to see. My perverted bastard.
A low groan rang out behind me.
I turned finally and faced him. “See something that you liked?”
“You know I did. That tight pussy and ass are both begging to be filled by me tonight.”
A coil of delicious heat swirled low in my belly. That was something we’d never done before.
“But first,” he curled his finger and motioned for me to come near, “I’m ready for that taste.”
He stretched back on my bed and positioned me over him. Before I had a chance to process what was happening, I was sitting on top of his face. And that’s just how things worked with Shaw. No tender kisses on the mouth. No sweet words or longing glances. This man dived straight into the action.
He spread my thighs apart and positioned his face between my legs. And then his warm tongue was lapping at my center.
Holy fuck, this man was talented with his mouth. Sparks of white heat radiated from my center, and I knew this wouldn’t take long. My body throbbed with pleasure, and I reached up to massage my neglected breasts.
While I should have felt embarrassed, because dear God, I was literally riding his face, I didn’t. My hips gyrated in time with his tongue’s furious strokes, and still I wanted more. I heard a clanking sound and opened my eyes. Shaw had undone his belt, and his hand was on his thick cock, slowly stroking up and down.
Transfixed, I watched as a drop of fluid formed at the tip, and had the desperate urge to lick it off. Then he closed his lips over my clit and sucked—hard, and I cried out in bliss.
“Shaw . . .”
“That’s right. Take it, baby. I want you to come apart.”
I pinched my nipples and continued bucking against his face, so wet I was dripping. Shaw devoured me, his tongue lashing beautifully against my sensitive center, all while continuing to stroke himself. It was too much. I closed my eyes as the sensation crashed through me. White light stung my eyes and stole my breath, causing my inner muscles to clench as a powerful orgasm rocketed through me. I fell forward onto his torso, completely spent.
I heard the crinkle of a wrapper and knew Shaw was about to sheath himself in a condom. But first I wanted my own taste . . .
Untangling my limbs from his, I climbed down his body and turned until I was facing my target. Gripping his large cock in my right hand, I cupped his taut sack with the other. He raised up onto his elbows to watch with dark, hooded eyes.
Being with him, experiencing his brand of wicked intimacy, made me more daring than I’d ever been before. He made me brave and bold.
Keeping my eyes on his, I brought the tip of him to my waiting mouth. I rubbed his sensitive crown back and forth over my flattened tongue while massaging his balls, waiting for that sound he made whenever I pleased him. A small grunt, just a breath of air pushed from his lungs, but it was the best sound on the planet. That sound had come to mean everything to me. It meant he was fully present, here in this moment with me. Just me and him.
“Enough dicking around.” He growled, lifting me up so I was straddling his lap, with a smirk I wanted to kiss right off his full, sexy lips.
But I’d come to recognize that look in his eyes. He didn’t like the sweet, tender treatment I enjoyed showering him with. He wanted it hard and fast and furious. My theory was that was the only way to quiet all the discontent in his head. It made my heart hurt for him, but it also made me eager to please him and give him what he so desperately needed.
I waited for him to sheath himself with the condom, and then positioned myself over him.
“I need you hard tonight . . .” He paused, his throat bobbing. “That okay?”
He never asked. Never gave me any indication that he was even aware of how I might feel about our encounters. I was taken aback for a moment. He was giving me a choice, and I wanted to make the right decision.
“Whatever you need. I’m here,” I assured him, bringing my palm to his cheek and stroking lightly over the stubble.
After a steely look, he captured my wrist and restrained it behind me. “Good. Then ride my dick.”
I aligned myself with him, feeling the broad head of him flush up against my wet center.
“Perfect,” he growled.
I took a deep breath, preparing to impale myself with him—and then paused. Took one last look in his eyes and totally lost my nerve.
Chapter Four
Shaw
She hesitated.
We were right on the brink. Right on the brink of ecstasy.
And she fucking hesitated.
“Sunshine?” I croaked. I felt like I was going to burst if she didn’t wrap me in her warmth. Now. I was desperate in a way I hadn’t been before, but I ignored that new and emerging feeling lurking in the background.
“What are we doing, Shaw?” Her tone was as strained and desperate as I felt. “This is wrong . . . Isn’t this wrong?” Her delicate features were painted with confusion and anguish.
“We’re doing whatever the fuck we want. We’re two consenting adults, right?”
“Right,” she said, her voice small and unconvinced.
“You’ve always been there for me—all my life. How is this different?” God, I was a selfish prick. Giving her this little pep talk only made me hate myself more.
“Of course I have, Shaw. It’s just . . .”
“Just what? You don’t enjoy this?” My words were too quick, my tone too confident. I wasn’t sure if I was trying to convince her or myself.
She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She was still balanced over my lap, so close, damp and glistening, our bodies still ready despite the turn in mood.
“I do. Of course I do. And that’s what scares me,” she admitted.
Her words stung, but I couldn’t allow myself to process them. Couldn’t allow myself to absorb them too deeply. Otherwise, I might feel guilty about what I was doing. No . . . I was a man on a mission and I knew what I wanted. No, needed.
When I cupped her breasts in my palms, my thumbs stroking her pebbled nipples, she released a soft groan. “Then take me, baby. Take me like only you can.”
I met her eyes and saw everything I needed to know reflected back in them. Her raw desire radiated back at me, blinding and powerful. She needed this just as badly as I did, only I had no fucking idea why.
Chloe took me in her hand—I hadn’t softened even a little—and she positioned me right at that warm, soft spot I couldn’t wait to bury myself in.
I tried not to be greedy—I swear I did—but when she eased down one inch, then two, and then stopped, I almost fucking lost it. Her muscles clenched around me and she groaned, adjusting to my size. Biting my lower lip, I knew I was done holding back. She gave and gave, and I took. I gripped her hips and thrust up—hard—burying myself balls deep in one violent shove.
Chloe cried out and flattened both of her hands against my abs. “Jesus, Shaw.”
“You know you like it.” I thrust up again, letting her take every solid inch of me. I loved how she felt around me. She was warmth and perfection and sunshine all wrapped up in one sweet package.
“I love it,” she said, correcting me. “Do that again.”
I held her hips in place and pounded up into her again and again. Her tits bounced with the force and we both cried out. I knew she was close, and also knew that meant I needed to slow down my pace. But I wasn’t about to do that.
“You like riding that big cock.” I rubbed her exposed clit in slow circles and she moaned. “Just like you rode my face earlier.”
She moaned again and circled her hips over me.
“That’s right. Get it, baby. Just like that.”
Soon I felt her muscles clamp down around me. A few more thrusts and she was coming—coating me in her warm juices and trembling in my arms. I followed her over the brink, losing myself in her until my mind was blank and my body felt blissfully empty.
After disposing of the condom, I tugged on my jeans and T-shirt.
“You all right?” I asked, slipping my feet back into my shoes. My heart was still pounding and my skin slightly damp.
“Of course,” Chloe said, lifting her chin. “Why wouldn’t I be?”
“’Night, Sunshine.” I leaned down where she still sat naked on the center of her bed and pressed a quick kiss to her forehead.
“Good night,” she murmured and watched me leave with sad eyes.
Fuck.
This was why I let myself indulge only once a week—every Wednesday. It seemed like a decent compromise. I didn’t want to fuck up totally and monopolize all of Chloe’s free time. She didn’t sign up for this. She was a beautiful, young, single woman who needed to live her life. So I treated myself as infrequently as I could tolerate—which was once every seven days.
I left without another word, heading out into the dark of night. The last thing I needed was her brother seeing me. I was already getting tired of the judgmental glares he gave me when he noticed Chloe tending to me like a stray puppy.
As I crawled into my own bed that night, spent and satisfied, Chloe’s scent still clinging to my skin, I knew I was going to sleep like a baby.
I closed my eyes and replayed images of our erotic evening. The way her hair fell over one shoulder while she rode me. The way her tight, lithe body gripped mine when she came. Damn.
Briefly I wondered if I should feel guilty, if I should feel bad about using her body for the escape it provided. But I didn’t. Not even a little. If she wanted to be there for me in this way, I was content to let her. For as long as she was willing.
I only wished I could stop this fucking ache in my chest, especially because I didn’t know if it was for Samantha or Chloe.
Chapter Five
Chloe
“What’s going on with Shaw?” my friend Courtney asked over the rim of her third margarita.
“What do you mean?” I took a sip of my own icy concoction, feeling the innuendo behind her question burning deep in my gut.
“It’s been eight months. Is he dating anyone?”
There was no need for her to clarify that statement. It had been eight months since Samantha died. Eight months since everything changed. It had become the new passage of time by which everything was marked.
I shrugged. “I don’t think he’s ready.”
It was Saturday night and we were hanging out at Hank’s—a bar in town. It wasn’t one of the tourist-friendly places on the beach with chic decor and expensive drinks. It was just a hole-in-the-wall bar that all the locals knew. Dusty black-and-white photos of sunsets and palm trees on the walls, and rickety wooden bar stools scattered among the dozens of high-top tables.
“I heard he’s seeing someone,” our friend Lynne chimed in.
My temper rose to the surface. He’d better not be. “Where did you hear that?” I tried to keep the emotion from my voice, but I wasn’t sure I succeeded.
Lynne flicked her gaze out over the sea of bodies. The hour was late enough, or rather people were intoxicated enough, that the center of the room had turned in a makeshift dance floor, just like it did every Saturday night.
“From my hairstylist at my appointment last week. Rumor has it he has a new fuck buddy, but it’s no one serious.”
My gut twisted painfully.
“Speak of the devil.” Courtney snickered.
I followed her line of sight toward the far end of the room. Shaw stood at the bar, which was packed three-deep, waiting to order. He was tall enough, though, that he towered over almost everyone.
I forced my eyes away. I hadn’t heard from him since he left my place Wednesday night, not that I’d expected to.
“Whoever he’s fucking is his business,” I muttered, taking solace in my drink, which was now running dangerously low.
I’d never considered the possibility that he was sleeping with someone else. The thought of him seeking that level of intimate solace with another girl made my chest ache.
My gaze wandered toward the bar again. Shaw was dressed in a pair of dark jeans and a white T-shirt, which he managed to make look ridiculously sexy. The material stretched taut across his sculpted shoulders and chest, and the jeans hung low on his hips.
I met his eyes and quickly looked away. I hadn’t come here to see him, hadn’t even known he would be here. He rarely came out anymore. I let myself take one more quick peek just to see if he was still watching me. He wasn’t. Good. He dominated my thoughts ninety-nine percent of the time. I needed this downtime with my friends.
“Oh, shut it, Chloe,” Courtney said. “If he is ready to start seeing someone, you already know my stance on this. You guys would be perfect together.”
“Stop, please,” I begged her. I couldn’t stomach listening to another of her long speeches about how Shaw and I would make the perfect couple, or the cutest babies, or any of her other nonsense.
Even if I agreed with her, it wasn’t healthy to get my hopes up about something that could never be. He was my friend. And he was still grieving. And in twenty-plus years of knowing each other, he’d never expressed any romantic feelings for me.
