Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
Darryl
I woke up slowly, the morning sun creeping through the blinds, throwing soft stripes across the room.
My arm was heavy, draped over something warm and solid, and I blinked, realizing it was Ashley, tucked tight against me.
Her head rested on my chest, her breath steady and even, one leg hooked over mine under the tangled sheets.
We’d crashed like this after last night’s wedding talk and that hot kiss, her body pressed so close it felt natural now.
I shifted a bit, careful not to jostle her, and looked down.
Her face was right there, inches away, peaceful in sleep, her lips parted just enough to show a hint of teeth, her cheeks rosy from the warmth of the bed.
Her hair spilled over my arm in messy waves, catching the light, and I couldn’t stop staring, caught up in the little details, the curve of her jaw, the faint freckles on her nose, the way her lashes curled up.
She was pretty, more than I’d let myself notice before, and I leaned down, kissing her soft, my lips brushing hers, tasting the warmth of her breath.
She stirred, a quiet hum slipping out, and her eyes fluttered open, locking on mine. A sleepy smile spread across her face, slow and bright. “Hey,” she said, her voice rough with sleep, stretching a little but staying close. “Morning.”
“Hey,” I said, my voice still thick, my arm tightening around her waist. “Morning.”
“You’re kissing me awake now?” she said, her smile widening, her hand sliding up my chest, fingers splaying over my shirt. “That’s a new move.”
“Yeah,” I said, grinning a bit. “Couldn’t resist. You’re right there.”
“Sweet,” she said, snuggling in closer, her fingers tracing lazy lines across my collarbone. “I’m into it.”
“Good,” I said, brushing her hair back with my hand, my thumb grazing her cheek, feeling the soft heat of her skin. “What’s your schedule today?”
“Night,” she said, yawning big, her head tilting into my touch. “Late flight. You?”
“Night too,” I said, my grin growing. “Same shift.”
“Perfect,” she said, her eyes lighting up, her hand slipping higher to rest on my neck. “We’ve got all day then.”
“Yeah,” I said, leaning in to kiss her again, harder this time, my lips pressing firm against hers, hungry.
She kissed me back, just as eager, her mouth opening under mine, warm and inviting, her tongue brushing mine in a slow tease.
My hand slid down her back, pulling her tighter, her body molding to me, her soft curves pressing against my chest, waking me up fast. She let out a little sound, a mix of a sigh and a moan, and it sparked something hot in me, heat racing through my veins.
I rolled us over, pinning her under me, her legs parting easily to let me settle between them, her hands tugging at my shirt, fingers digging into the fabric.
“Darryl,” she said, breaking the kiss, her breath quick and shallow, her eyes dark with a playful glint. “You’re wide awake now, huh?”
“Very,” I said, my voice low, kissing along her jaw, slow and deliberate, then down her neck, feeling her pulse jump under my lips. “You?”
“Oh yeah,” she said, giggling softly, her hands sliding under my shirt, her nails grazing my back, sending a shiver down my spine. “Keep going.”
I did, kissing lower, my mouth brushing the dip at the base of her throat, her skin warm and smooth, tasting faintly of salt and her.
She arched up, pressing herself closer, her fingers digging into my shoulders, pulling me down with a quiet, “Mmm.” I nipped at her collarbone, light but firm, and she gasped, her hips shifting under me.
“You’re good at this,” she said, her voice catching as my hands slipped under her shirt, pushing it up slowly, my palms sliding over the soft, warm skin of her stomach, feeling her tense and relax under my touch.
“Glad you think so,” I said, lifting my head to kiss her again, deep and messy, my tongue sliding against hers, tasting her fully, coffee and sweetness lingering.
Her hands roamed higher, tugging my shirt up, and I pulled back just enough to yank it off, tossing it to the floor in a crumpled heap.
Her eyes raked over me, hungry and bright, and she grinned, sitting up to peel her shirt off, revealing a simple black bra, her skin flushing pink from her chest to her cheeks.
“Damn,” I said, my hands finding her waist, pulling her back to me, my mouth crashing onto hers again, hotter now, urgent.
She moaned into the kiss, her hands diving into my hair, tugging hard, her body rocking against mine, her thighs brushing my hips.
I slid a hand up her side, slow and deliberate, cupping her through the bra, my thumb brushing over the fabric, feeling her stiffen and gasp against my lips, her breath hitching sharply.
“More,” she said, her voice breathy, her hands fumbling with my jeans, popping the button open with a quick twist. “Come on.”
“Yeah,” I said, helping her, shoving the jeans down my legs, kicking them off the bed, leaving me in boxers, the heat building fast and heavy.
She wriggled out of her jeans, tossing them aside with a flick of her wrist, her legs bare and smooth, wrapping around my hips as I settled back over her, the sheet slipping down to her thighs.
My hands roamed, sliding up her legs, squeezing the soft flesh of her thighs, feeling her shiver under me, her skin prickling with goosebumps.
I kissed her neck again, sucking lightly, leaving a faint red mark just below her ear, her head tipping back with a soft, “Oh,” that hit me right in the gut.
“Darryl,” she said, her hands on my back, nails digging in, pulling me closer, her voice a mix of tease and need. “Don’t stop.”
“Not planning to,” I said, my voice rough, my hand slipping under her bra strap, tugging it down her shoulder slowly, watching the fabric slide off her skin.
I kissed the spot there, then lower, my mouth tracing the edge of the bra, teasing her with soft brushes of my lips until she squirmed, her hips bucking up against me, impatient.
I unhooked the bra with one hand, fumbling a second before it clicked free, sliding it off her arms, tossing it to join the growing pile on the floor.
She grinned, pulling me down, her bare chest pressing to mine, warm and soft, her skin electric against me.
“You’re trouble,” I said, kissing her hard, my hands cupping her, thumbs brushing over her skin, feeling her arch into me with a sharp gasp, her breath hot against my mouth.
She laughed, low and playful, her hands sliding down my sides, slipping into my boxers, tugging them down slowly, her fingers brushing me teasingly.
“Speak for yourself,” she said, her voice a tease, her hand wrapping around me, stroking firm and deliberate, making my breath catch hard. “You’re loving this.”
“Damn right,” I said, groaning soft, kissing her again, my tongue deep in her mouth, swallowing her little moans, my hands sliding to her hips, hooking into her panties.
I pulled them down, slow at first, teasing her back, then faster, her legs kicking free, leaving us both bare, tangled in the sheets, skin on skin.
She pulled me closer, her thighs pressing against my hips, guiding me, her breath hot and quick against my ear, whispering, “Now.”
“Please,” she said, her voice urgent, her hands on my shoulders, nails biting into my skin, pulling me down. “Now.”
“Yeah,” I said, shifting my weight, my hands gripping her hips, lifting her slightly as I pressed against her, slow and careful at first, feeling her tense, then relax, a soft moan slipping out, low and sweet.
I moved, steady and deep, her legs wrapping tighter around me, her heels digging into my back, her body rocking with mine, warm and slick and perfect.
“You good?” I said, my voice strained, kissing her neck again, tasting the sweat beading there, my lips brushing her pulse.
“So good,” she said, her voice breaking, her hands clutching my back, pulling me harder, her nails leaving faint trails. “Keep going.”
I did, picking up the pace, my hands sliding under her, lifting her hips higher, angling her just right, her gasps filling the room, sharp and needy.
She met every move, her hips rolling up to match me, her breath hitching with every thrust, her body trembling under me, sweat slicking her skin.
“Darryl,” she said, her voice a whine, her head tipping back, her chest heaving against mine, her hands sliding to my arms, gripping tight.
“Yeah,” I said, kissing her hard, my mouth swallowing her moans, my tongue tangling with hers, my hands gripping her thighs, spreading her wider, pushing deeper until she arched up sharp, a loud, “Oh,” bursting out, her body shaking hard, clenching around me.
I followed right after, the heat crashing over me, a low groan ripping out as I buried my face in her neck, riding it out with her, slow and shuddering, my hands still holding her close.
We stayed there, panting heavy, tangled up tight, her legs still locked around me, my arms wrapped around her, slick with sweat.
She laughed, soft and shaky, her hands sliding to my face, pulling me up for a slow, lazy kiss.
“Wow,” she said, grinning against my lips. “Morning’s off to one hell of a start.”
“Yeah,” I said, kissing her back, slow and deep, my hands still on her hips, tracing soft circles. “No complaints here.”
“Good,” she said, snuggling back into me, her head settling on my chest, her fingers tracing my collarbone again. “We’ve got all day till night shift.”
“Perfect,” I said, pulling the sheet up over us, my arm wrapping around her tightly. “Rest up. We’re not done.”
“Promise?” she said, her voice teasing, her eyes closing with that same warm smile.
“Promise,” I said, kissing her forehead, settling in close. The room went quiet, just our breathing, the day stretching out ahead. The night shift could wait. This was better.