17. Astrid
seventeen
Astrid
Two Days Later
W e’ve left the den of debauchery.
For the time being.
Nearly five solid days of sex, food, and relaxation meant it was time to emerge and explore Palm Springs today.
Brennan pulls the car smoothly into a spot along the palm-lined street, the engine rumbles to a stop. When he glances over at me, I know what he’s thinking. I can tell by the familiar spark in his eyes. The man is insatiable.
If he weren’t such a rule-follower, I have no doubt he’d fuck me in the backseat in two seconds flat.
Good thing he has me to corrupt him.
“I haven’t been here since my brother played Coachella, it’s been five whole years. I can hardly believe how fast the time goes.” Brennan takes my hand as we begin our stroll down Palm Canyon Drive. Swoon. Absentminded signs of affection give me fanny flutters every time.
I’ve made a grave error. I’m wearing a slip dress and sandals and the breeze is chillier than I expected. Being from Seattle and all. I assumed it would be hot—even in December—and I’m freezing. My nipples are like bullets. “Well, this rookie traveler misjudged the weather.”
His eyes widen as he takes in my chest and the goosebumps erupting on my arms and turns his gaze to the storefronts.
“Should we get you something warmer?” Brennan nods toward a window display filled with brightly colored kaftans and oversized sunglasses. “You can see how hard your nips are from here. If we don’t cover your gorgeous tits, I’m gonna walk around with a hard-on all day.”
I glance at the mannequin and kick up my heel playfully. “Not my style, but it might be a nice change of pace for you from black t-shirts and jeans.”
“ Burn .” He smirks, raising an eyebrow. “You just wait. The next time you see me, I’ll have fully embraced the retro Palm Springs granny vibe.”
I nudge him with my elbow. “I dare you. It’ll fit your personality perfectly.”
“Seriously. You’re freezing, let’s get you a sweater or something.” He leans down and kisses me and I realize how much I love his public displays of affection.
Whatever this is between us, it’s big. I know it in my bones. I can tell by the way he watches me when he thinks I’m not looking. And the way his eyes soften whenever I say something. We’ve moved way past friends or friends with benefits or whatever the hell we’ve been for the past several months.
I wonder if either of us will have the courage to address it.
Our banter continues as we weave in and out of the shops looking for something I like. Brennan picks up random clothing items, teasingly asking if I think they’d suit him—a sequined jacket here, a ridiculous sunhat there. Each time, I laugh and swat his hand away, but there’s an undercurrent to our interactions.
We’re biding time until we can fuck each other to oblivion again.
I lead him into a quaint little woman’s designer boutique to hopefully find something suitable. Immediately Brennan fingers the edge of a stunning custom-made oversized scarf. It’s one-of-a-kind piece—luxurious silk blended with cashmere. It drapes like liquid and doubles as a wrap.
“Try this.” He arranges the impossibly soft fabric around my shoulders and spins me around to the mirror. “It’s made for you.”
The cream and soft gold tones shimmer under the boutique’s lights. He fluffs it around my body and the material unfurls like a delicate cloud. The price tag catches my eye—$6,000—but before I can protest, Brennan’s already signaled the clerk and pulled out his card.
He has a way of making quiet, thoughtful gestures which leave me speechless.
Next, he stops in front of a small jewelry store. His eyes flick over the delicate rings as I pretend to study a pair of earrings, giving him a sideways glance. “You know, for someone who claims he’s not into shopping, you’re surprisingly invested.”
“It’s fun doing anything with you.” His fingers graze the small of my back as we step closer to the window.
My heart melts at the casual way he says it, like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Like we’ve always been this connected.
I don’t know why it feels like a revelation—maybe it’s because with Brennan, I’ve never felt like I had to be anyone but myself. We’ve gotten to know each other without any stupid performative dating routine. None of the sexual pretense so many men have expected from me in the past.
It’s refreshing, but also terrifying. What happens when Brennan finally steps into the man he’s meant to be? When he fully realizes how successful and brilliant he is. Will he still want me around? Or will I become someone he used to know? It’s happened before, so I know it’s a possibility.
I shake the thought from my head. My own damage has no place here. Today is easy. Fun. The way it should be when you’re falling head over heels.
Shit .
We stop for lunch at a small bistro tucked between two art galleries, with outdoor seating and mismatched furniture. Brennan pulls out my chair for me and sits to my right, his fingers caress my nape as we wait for menus.
“This place is perfect.” I glance around at the diners who look equally relaxed, some with their dogs lounging at their feet. “I like it here.”
Brennan looks around. “Yeah, it’s nice.”
“So, tell me.” I lean toward him. “What else is on our agenda for today? You’ve got the car, I’ve got a warm scarf—where are you taking me next, Mr. Tour Guide?”
He quirks a brow. “You trust me?”
“Do I have a choice?” The truth is, I like letting him take the lead. It gives him a boost to his confidence, which is returning after our talk—and a lot of orgasms. He’s visibly sure of himself, which is nice to see. “Besides, you’re full of excellent surprises.”
He takes a sip of his water. “I try not to disappoint.”
We settle into our usual rhythm, light conversation filled with banter flowing easily between us, only interrupted by the arrival of simple, hearty salads.
“You know,” he sets his fork down when he’s finished, “I actually think you’re the one full of surprises.”
I’m intrigued. “Oh? How so?”
“You shut down the idea of us as a couple after we first had sex.” He shrugs one shoulder like it’s no big deal, but there’s something behind his words, something profound. Once again, he’s in tune with my thoughts. “You let me off the hook, I guess… Over these past months, well, I didn’t expect… Us . I feel like we’ve been together all this time.”
His words hang in the air. We’re definitely not a typical couple. We were classmates. Then business partners and friends. One night we fucked on my houseboat and I refused to allow us to put labels on things.
Yet, for the past several months on our regular video chats, whether we’re discussing Reuniverse or just checking in, we always end up masturbating together. Neither of us are dating any other people.
We’ve never defined what this is but he’s got a point. Brennan and I have evolved .
When he invited me here for the week, it was a given we’d have sex. I wasn’t sure if we’d continue dancing around defining our relationship. Our discussions always skirt the edges. Maybe now’s the time to have the talk.
“Well,” I take his hand, “we’re the epitome of slow burn. Maybe too slow. I have feelings for you and I want us to take the next step.”
Brennan’s thumb brushes over my knuckles. “Me too.”
“So, we’re together? Officially?” I whisper, blinking up at him.
“Did you think otherwise?” He furrows his brow, confused. “I’ll never want anyone but you.”
I’m so relieved. “Same.”
That was easy. We’re a couple.
After lunch, we walk back to the car. The second he takes his place beside me, I can’t help but kiss him because I’m so fucking smitten. Happy. As we drive out of town, Brennan’s hand finds mine and he pulls it to his thigh, creating a simple, quiet connection. His gestures say more than words ever could.
I’m his .
I watch him as he drives. The way his jaw tightens slightly when he’s deep in thought. The way his fingers drum against the steering wheel like they’re tapping out a code only he knows. He has so many layers, some which he’s yet to reveal.
As if reading my mind, he squeezes my hand. His eyes meet mine with a soft, steady gaze and I know I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be. “You make me better.”
Brennan parks the car at Coachella Valley Vista Point as the sun dips low, casting the entire area in hues of orange, purple, and pink. The desert below stretches out in a breathtaking expanse, with shadows creeping along the mountains, painting the landscape in gold.
We get out of the car and he wraps his arms around me from behind, watching the last rays of sunlight spill across the valley. Everything feels still—timeless, even—like the world has paused for us.
“I want to make you happy.” He rests his chin on my shoulder and tightens his hold. “You deserve it, A.”
I lean back against him. “I’ve never felt this happy. Really.”
“I’m not great boyfriend material. I worry you’re gonna get sick of my shit, at some point. When we were friends, it felt safe. But now?” He sucks in a huge breath.
“We have something to lose.” I turn in his arms and grip his face.
“Yeah.” He nods. “I don’t want you to go back to Seattle.”
We stare into each other’s eyes, searching. Waiting.
“I’m in love with you,” we say in unison.
At this point, the sightseers have all left and he and I are the only two people up here. It’s nearly pitch black, but we’re in love. Grinning like fools.
“I need to get your sexy ass back to the hotel so we can spend the next forty-eight hours naked.” He scoops me up and turns toward the car.
Giggling, I press my face into his neck, clinging to him. “Why wait?”
Brennan sets my on the hood of the car, which is still blessedly warm, and stands between my legs. He lifts my skirt up to my waist and stares down at my thighs, which I spread to show him a little secret.
“You’re not wearing underwear.” He sucks in a breath
I shake my head and lift the hem of his T-shirt. Groaning, he leans into me as my hands travel over his torso and back up to his face. Suddenly, Brennan squats before me and I lean back on my elbows to watch him lower his mouth to my pussy.
God, how does he do it? I’m gushing and he’s barely swiped his tongue through my lower lips, teasing me. I plunge one hand into his hair and urge him to lick harder. Suck harder.
“Patience.” He kisses up to my clit, toying with it on the tip of his tongue. “I love when she pokes out and says hello.” He sucks on it and my hips jerk.
His hands travel up my calves to my inner thighs. He presses them apart as he continues to devour me. It’s sensory overload. I’m heaving. Panting. Zings of electricity are shooting throughout my body. .
“Your cock. Put it in me,” I beg. “I want you to fuck me. Right here. Right now.”
He stands, grabs my ankles and yanks me down the hood. Works his cock out of his jeans and pumps it firmly, wiping a bead of pre-come with his thumb and drags it through my folds. “You’ve got it.”
“Hurry.” I lean up on my elbows and watch him nudge inside. So. Slow. Too slow.
I try to tilt my hips up to meet him, but he presses me down and resumes his pace of sliding in inch by inch. Torturing me with long, languid strokes. Filling me. Pulling out. Pushing back in. I squeeze around him and it’s like a dam bursts, I have to bite my fist to keep my screams from conjuring up every wild animal in the vicinity.
“I love you,” I cry out without thinking. It’s the truth though.
I plant my feet on his chest and grip his wrists as he thrusts into me, harder and deeper now. He moves my legs and pulls me up so I’m sitting on the edge of the hood, my arms and thighs wrapped around him as he rolls his hips to drive into me deeper. I’ve never felt so bonded to anyone in my life. “I love you too, A. For so long.”
Brennan’s hands skim down my back to my ass and we grind against each other, our mouths fused as we chase the next monumental release. He sets an impressive pace, increasing the tempo and pounding me harder, until I’m biting his shoulder in anticipation of what’s to come. He reaches between us, finds my clit and rubs it aggressively, knowing it’s what I need.
We fall apart at the same time, exploding into the desert night like the stars above us. He clings to me, speechless, his face slack with pleasure.
“Holy orgasm,” he wheezes. “I’ve never come so hard in my life.”
I know how he feels. “Do you think you can still walk?”
He pulls back to grin at me. “Can you?”
“I’ll manage.” I rest my hand lightly on his hip, looking down at our joined bodies. “Besides, we need to get back to the hotel. I want it to be just me and you without interruption until I go back to Seattle.”
“Me too, but I meant it. I want you to stay.” He gathers me tightly against his chest. “Another day. Week. Month. For as long as possible.”
The look on his face tells me he’s dead serious
I belong with him. He needs me.
And, I realize, I need him too.