Chapter 16
CHAPTER
SIXTEEN
Lizzie
I run my hand over his bare chest, loving the way his blond hair tickles my palm. I let my hand slowly trail down his abdomen to where his hard cock is resting. My fingers glide down that hard, yet soft, skin before I wrap my fingers around the appendage.
“Well, good morning to me,” he murmurs quietly, his voice so sexy when it’s full of sleep.
“Hi,” I reply, squeezing and stroking.
He grunts and bucks his hips. It feels quite powerful, as a woman, to have this much control over a man with the slightest touch.
I shift to my knees, keeping my hand on him and moving.
Lowering my mouth, I swipe my tongue over the tip, tasting his arousal.
He jerks in my hand, that simple little touch causing such a reaction.
Painstakingly slow, I suck him into my mouth, holding his gaze as I do.
There’s no hint of sleep in his blue eyes now.
He’s wide awake, those sapphire orbs burning with need.
Just as I start to bring him back out, an idea hits me.
Kissing the tip of his cock, I firmly state, “Grab on to the headboard.”
His eyebrows shoot up in question, humor suddenly dancing across his features. “Excuse me?”
I completely release my hold on him, letting his cock flop back onto his stomach. “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander. Grab the headboard. Now.”
He openly smiles, reaching behind him and grabbing the headboard. “Good boy,” I coo, mirroring much of what happened last night when he was in control.
He chuckles, holding on to the slats behind his head. “Do your worst.”
Taking him back in my hand, I stroke him from root to tip. “Oh, I plan to do my best.”
Then, I lower my mouth to him and get to work.
His entire body is tense as I twist my hand and bear down on him.
I bob my head, taking him as deep as I can without gagging.
It doesn’t take long before his entire body is shaking, his release looming.
I feel him swell even more in my hand. He’s close.
“If you don’t want me coming down your throat, pull back now.”
His statement only fuels my need to finish him off down my throat. Twisting my hand, I reach down to cup his balls, sending him over the edge. He comes hard, his body jolting and spasming as I swallow. Only when he stops moving and sags heavily against the bed do I stop.
Sitting up straight, I can’t help but feel pretty proud of myself.
“I know you’re smiling,” he mutters, taking a deep breath. Opening heavily hooded eyes he grins and says, “And you should be. That was pretty fucking amazing.”
“Happy to hear you enjoyed it,” I reply.
“Oh, I did,” he confirms before reaching out and grabbing my arms. As if I weigh nothing, I’m moving through the air and positioned over his head. “Grab on to the headboard.”
My eyes are wide as I glance down. His blue ones are full of determination as he watches me. “What are you doing?” I ask, even though I’m pretty sure I already know the answer.
He just grins wide and licks his lips. “I heard breakfast was the most important meal of the day, so I thought I’d go ahead and eat mine right now.”
And he does…
“What are your plans for today?” Collin asks, watching me over the rim of his coffee cup. When I jumped in the shower, he walked down to the coffee shop and grabbed us a couple of drinks and muffins. Now, we’re sitting at the dinette and finishing off our breakfast.
I shrug, popping the last bite of banana chocolate chip muffin into my mouth. “I’m not sure. Guy works today, so I’m not needed there until four. I really need to catch up on laundry.”
“What if you start a load of laundry, and then come with me?”
I look up into his piercing blue gaze. “Where?”
He lifts his shoulders. “Out. It’s supposed to be a gorgeous day, and you’re still fairly new here. I can give you the grand tour, and the best part is, since it’s a Monday, most everyone will be at work.”
Shifting in my seat, I ask, “Don’t you have stuff to do today? You work tomorrow.”
“Naw, I’m good. I have a little laundry to do and pack for work, but I can do that later.”
The thought of exploring Cooper Town does offer a little extra excitement to my day, especially with Collin as my tour guide.
I know where all the basics are—the grocery store, the bank, and other local retailers—but I’ve never really been able to just drive around and discover all the wonderful little things that make this a great small town.
You know, the parks, cute homes, and schools.
“Are you sure? I’m sure you have something better to do than chauffeur me around town,” I insist, even though I really want to join him.
“I’m sure. What do you want to see?”
My eyebrows shoot upward. “Everything?”
He chuckles and nods. “All right then. If we’re going to see everything, we should get ready to head out soon.
Unless you want to go back to the bedroom and let me have breakfast again.
” He waggles his eyebrows suggestively, making me giggle.
I’ve never seen this carefree and relaxed side to him, and frankly, I like it.
A lot. Broody Collin is sexy, but this playful version is downright sinful.
I finish getting ready for the day, which consists of a little makeup and splashing on some of my favorite perfume. I leave my hair down, the curls somewhat tame, and grab my crossbody bag and a pair of sunglasses.
“You don’t mind if we swing by my place so I can run through the shower quick and change, do you?”
I turn around and find Collin standing in the doorway of my bedroom, leaning against the jamb. He’s wearing yesterday’s clothes and manages to look positively delicious, despite them being wrinkled from being tossed on the floor. “Of course not. I assumed you would want to.”
He nods and pushes off, stalking toward me. When he reaches my side, he gently slaps me on the ass and says, “Let’s go, woman. I’m wearing yesterday’s socks, and I hate that.”
I giggle and open my top dresser drawer. “I have a pair you can borrow.” Holding up the white ankle socks, I flash him a cheesy grin.
“No thanks,” he replies, grabbing the socks and tossing them back in the drawer.
“Socks are the first thing I change when I get back to the firehouse after a call. I remember being at basic military training in Texas, and I felt like my feet were always wet from sweat. I can’t stand it now.
I walk around barefoot almost all year when I’m home. My toes like to breathe.”
I glance down, but he’s wearing his boots already. “Makes sense,” I agree, and together we head for my door.
We move down the stairs after making sure the door is locked and push out the back. The sun is shining high in the sky, the air warm and promising. “It’s going to be a beautiful day,” I note unnecessarily.
He takes my hand in his and smiles. “Agreed.”
I climb inside the cab of Collin’s truck and together, we make our way to his place.
He lives on Oak Street, several blocks from where the bar is.
I take in our surroundings: the streets, the houses, the people.
“I love small towns. I’ve only ever lived in a bigger city for college, and I couldn’t wait to get back to Stewart Grove when I was done. I can’t imagine living anywhere else.”
He glances my way for a brief moment before returning his eyes to the road. “I agree.”
“Where all did you live when you were in the Air Force?”
“I started in Texas, at Lackland Air Force Base. I went through training there before being sent to Goodfellow Air Force base then to Fairchild in Washington state. It was pretty cool, except I hated winters there. But I learned a lot. We did a lot of air refueling and supported the West Coast tanker fleet.”
I watch his facial features, and even from the side can see the emotions crossing over his face. Pride, fondness, and even stoicism. “Thank you for your service,” I find myself saying and meaning it wholeheartedly.
He flashes me the hint of a smile before focusing on the road ahead once more. “After Washington, I was lucky enough to spend my last year in the UK at Lakenheath.”
My eyes widen in surprise. “Seriously? That’s amazing,” I say, suddenly wanting to know more about his time overseas. “Tell me everything.”
He snorts and keeps his gaze locked straight ahead. “After my time in Washington, I was given the opportunity to go to Lakenheath in Suffolk, England. Largest base in the UK and cool as shit. We flew a lot of aircrafts in and out of that place.”
“Only a year?”
Something crosses his face once more, and it’s gone almost immediately.
If I hadn’t been staring straight at him, I would have missed it.
After a few seconds he finally nods. “Yeah, only a year. Overseas are usually shorter assignments. I got a year, and at the end of it, they asked me to stay.” He swallows hard.
“But you didn’t.”
“Nope,” he replies, turning into a driveway and parking in front of the garage.
When the truck is shut off, he turns to me and adds, “I just wanted to be home. I enjoyed my time in the military and got to experience things I never would have otherwise, but…stuff had happened back home, and my heart was heavy. I missed my family and all my focus was shifted.”
I nod, understanding what he’s saying, but at the same time, I feel like there’s a lot more he’s not saying. Reaching over, I place my hand on his and give it a gentle squeeze. “There’s a story there.”
He looks down at where we touch and keeps his gaze there for several seconds. When he meets my eyes, I have all the confirmation I need. “There is.”
“Let me guess, it involves a woman?” I flash him a grin, hoping to keep the mood light.
“Doesn’t it always?” He rewards me with his own small smile.
“Usually, yes. Or someone of the opposite sex, as I’ve come to learn. Being a bartender is the equivalent of an unpaid therapist, so I’m used to being an ear to bend when someone is going through something deep.”