Legal (Legal #1)

Chapter Eleven

“W ow, you’ve sure been swearing a lot lately. That’s usually my department.”

“Just explain to me what the fuck is going on, Perry.”

I yanked her down with me onto the blanket, and now that it was just the two of us, I needed her to start explaining. I might have pulled her all the way over by her ear; I couldn’t remember. My head was swimming.

Perry looked guilty as hell. “Well….”

“You can start by telling me why the fuck Chase thought I was meeting him here.”

After colliding with all the chiseled ripples, I thought I was going to die right there. Chase, on the other hand, acted as if it was the most natural thing in the world. As if us being in the same frickin’ park together at the same frickin’ time was planned. He introduced me to his two roommates before they went to get a beer, and I took that chance to excuse us for a moment.

She pinched her thumb and index finger together. “I may have a teensy, weensy confession to make.”

I dropped my head in my hands. I was spinning, and it had nothing to do with the tequila. The tequila. I jerked up. “You were trying to get me drunk!”

“I was not. I was trying to lower your inhibitions. There’s a difference.” I watched Stephen shoot around the football with our friends. At least he was occupied. I couldn’t believe this was happening. “Besides, even if you were drunk, it wouldn’t matter. I’ve known you a long time, and you wouldn’t do anything you wouldn’t normally do and blame it on alcohol. Now, what you might do is loosen up enough to do something you reeeally want to do.” She waggled her finger at me. “Remember that tonight.”

I placed my palms over my eyes and rubbed hard. My head was growing murkier by the second. I felt something drop into my lap. I moved my hands away and saw my phone sitting there.

“Take a look.”

“Perry, what did you do?”

“Just look at your texts.”

Fuck. The first thing I noticed was a missed call at 4:32. Chase. I tabbed over to my texts and saw one from him shortly after that:

Can I see you tonight?

Immediately after: Not a date.

And then….

“Goddammit, Perry. How in the hell is there a reply from me when I didn’t reply?”

“Um….”

I took a deep breath and read: We’re going to Candle Park around 7. Meet you?

I’ll be there , he answered.

I opened my mouth, but nothing came out. Where did I even start? She pointed at the screen. “See, I even said ‘we’re going’ instead of ‘I’m going’ to make it a little ambiguous. I didn’t outright lie and say it was from you.”

“Why wouldn’t he think it was from me? It was sent from my fucking phone!” I fell back on the blanket and crossed my arms over my face.

I felt her beside me. “I’m sorry, Jills, but I thought this was one of those times where it was better to act first and explain later, so please let me explain.” She paused, and when I didn’t say anything, she continued. “Chase called while you were outside, and I was just going to ignore it. I swear. But then he texted, and it was right there for me to see… I was going to tell you, but then I knew how stubborn… er, adamant you were about never seeing him again. I didn’t want you to mess things up. I know you like him, and I want you to be happy, and I‘m sure that if you keep getting to know him better, you’ll start seeing past the age difference.”

I groaned. I wished I didn’t love her so much so I could hate her.

She twirled my hair around in her fingers. “Again, I’m so sorry, Jills. I was only doing it for you, but you’re really confusing. I don’t always know exactly what to do. You get pissed off when I bring you two together and pissed off when I break you two apart.”

I dropped my arms and turned toward her, my insides swirling. “I can tell you exactly what to do: Stop meddling. Please. I’m begging you here, Perry. Do. Not. Meddle. No more chance meetings. No more pretending to be me. No more anything having to do with Chase.”

She crossed her heart. “I won’t. I swear on our friendship. I’m done now. The rest is up to you.”

I believed her, but it was still fucked up. “The red dress? Seriously?” Well, at least everything made sense now.

She giggled. “Yeah, that was a little over-the-top, huh? It was probably good that you didn’t take my advice and change.”

“Right. Because I was really close to doing that.” I rolled my eyes, and she giggled again. After the adrenaline spike I just went through, I was coming down into a state of mellow. “Oh, Perry. What am I supposed to do now?” I said softly. I had to explain to Chase that it wasn’t me who wanted to see him tonight, and that made me feel like an idiot.

“I don’t think it was a coincidence he called today when you weren’t available to shoot him down. I think it was supposed to work this way.”

I raised my eyebrows. “You were meant to impersonate me? Come on, Perry. This isn’t some star-crossed lovers’ fate crap.”

She shrugged just as two tall bodies approached from either side. Chase on our right and Stephen on our left. Perfect.

We bolted up to a sitting position, and Chase smiled. “Hey,” he said.

“Hi.” I flicked over to Stephen. His jaw was set as he fired off glances to Chase. I couldn’t tell if he recognized him from the game or was just suspicious.

“Chase, this is my brother, Stephen. Stephen, this is Chase… uh, a friend of mine. And of course, you already know Perry.”

They shook hands, and Perry whispered in my ear, “I’ll take care of him.”

She jumped up and wrapped her arms around Stephen, hauling him away. Chase sat down beside me on the blanket, and I scooted over. Dulled senses were no protection; my body was already zinging to life. Hmm…. What shade were those irises today?

“You looked like you had a ‘deer in headlights’ moment when you saw me here.”

“Yeah, about that…” I told him about the mix-up but refrained from mentioning the ‘never seeing him again’ part. When he was next to me, my steadfastness wavered. Everything conflicted inside, seizing logic by the throat. What I wanted and what I should want was never more at odds.

In short, I was a mess.

“So, how would you have responded to me?”

“I don’t know.” That was the honest truth. I could make determinations before the fact, but would I have ended up caving? I didn’t know. “Where’s your roommates, ah… Trevor and…?” I couldn’t remember their names. I’d been a little distracted when Chase had mentioned it.

“Trevor and Connor. They’re in the beer tent. Look, Jillian. I can go; it’s no problem. I’m not here to fuck up your plans.”

I glanced around. Where were Tony and Val? I hoped they hadn’t left without saying goodbye, but if so, I didn’t blame them. They probably didn’t want to get in the middle of my drama session.

“No, don’t go,” I said. “I mean, if you have to get back to your friends, that’s one thing, but don’t make me be the reason you leave.”

I meant it too. I wanted him there on that blanket with me. Maybe Perry’s devious lowered inhibitions plan was working, but whatever. It felt good right now, and to all the passersby, there wouldn’t be anything usual about us sitting there in the middle of a festival waiting for the fireworks to start.

“All right,” he said.

We sat in silence, and it wasn’t awkward. He sipped beer from his plastic cup, and I watched all the kids running around making designs in the air with their sparklers.

Chase leaned over just a tad, but enough to send a fresh blast through me. Dynamic green. That’s the color I’d chosen for him today. “They’re going to have karaoke soon.” I nodded. They had it every year; a big hit with the kids and the wasted. “Do a duet with me.”

“What?” I turned and stared at him. The gold was hiding in there somewhere. “You sing too?”

“Not one of my strengths but no one would be paying any attention to me anyway.”

“I’ll pass.” Talk about bringing attention to ourselves.

“Then a private show it is.”

My heart somersaulted, and I was about to ask him what he meant by that when Perry waltzed over. She stuck out her bottom lip. “Stephen just got summoned. He’s on the phone now. Another stupid fucking work problem. And on a holiday too. Fucking slave drivers.”

“Well, technically it’s not a holiday, but it still sucks. I’m sorry,” I said. “Hopefully, it’ll get wrapped up soon.”

“No, that’s the problem. He has to go back home and log on. I’m just coming over to let you know. I’m going with him.”

“You’re leaving too? Why?” But as soon as I said it, I knew very well why. She wanted me and Chase to have this time. “Where’s Tony and Val?”

“Oh, they left a while ago. They said good-bye.” Ugh. I felt bad for not spending much time with them. “No big deal,” she said.

I fumbled for my stuff. “I’ll walk back with you guys.”

“Absolutely not.” Perry put her hands on her hips. “Stay for the fireworks. It’s not your fault that your brother has so many issues. Chase, can you make sure Jills gets home okay?”

What? I didn’t need a damned keeper. This was my neighborhood, it was a mere ten-minute walk, and I only had a couple blankets and bug spray to carry. “That won’t be necessary. Chase isn’t here to babysit me.” That actually made me chuckle a bit. Irony, anyone?

“No problem at all,” he said. “I’d be happy to.”

I squeezed my fists, then released. I didn’t have time to argue, not when I had a full bladder screaming at me. That took precedence. I stood up and swooned a little, and Perry steadied me. I didn’t think it was too noticeable, but still… Maybe it wouldn’t be the worst idea to have a little help. I didn’t want to miss the show but leaving now made the most sense.

I hugged Perry and said into her ear, “I’m coming with you guys, but I really need to pee first.”

“You know those lines, Jills. Stephen can’t wait that long. There’s only so much he can do on the phone; he needs to be in front of his laptop.”

I squeezed my thighs together and sucked in my abdomen. “There’s no way I can wait either. I’ll never be able to walk home like this.” I started to hop a bit. This was ridiculous. “I gotta go now.”

“I can drive all of you back,” Chase said, and I brightened. That sounded like a great idea.

“Thanks, but by the time we get to your car and get home, it’ll be that much time anyway. And you’ll never get back into the parking lot at this hour. They start blocking off the streets.” She kissed my cheek. “No, just go to the damn bathroom, Jills. We’re leaving. Talk to you tomorrow.” I’d already started to hobble away. I wasn’t going to stay and hash this out anymore. I heard her say, “Take care of her, Chase.”

I ground my teeth. Like I wasn’t plenty old enough to take care of myself. Chase came up beside me and handed me my purse. “Here, I didn’t think you’d want to leave this behind.”

Ugh. “Thanks,” I said. Okay, taking care of myself obviously didn’t extend to my personal items.

“While you’re in line, I’m just going to check in with Con and Trav.”

I waved, fine. My only concern was emptying my bladder. My eyeballs were starting to drown.

Chase left when I took my place in the line; it wrapped around the side of the building and made up the stuff of nightmares. How could this park only have one public restroom? I knew I wasn’t the only one in pain here, but it sure felt like it.

I spotted the porta-potties down a way to my right. The amount of people waiting there were much more manageable, and for good reason. I tried avoiding them like the plague, but desperate times….

I darted out and half-ran, half-twisted over, ending up getting in pretty quickly. I stepped inside, wishing I had a stuffed-up nose, and slid the lock to ‘occupied.’ God, it was disgusting. A faint light shined in through the grate on top and illuminated just enough to turn my stomach, but not enough to make me puke and add to the rest of the bodily fluids coating the seat and floor.

At that moment, I knew I wasn’t completely sloshed, and God help anyone who was, coming into that urine and shit box. I shuddered to think of someone falling in there. I was able to squat and keep myself steady without touching the walls or anything else. I reached into my purse for a tissue to use as toilet paper, then got myself the hell out of there feeling five pounds lighter.

As I used the mobile hand-washing station, a familiar voice forced me to turn my head. “Mrs. Hudson?”

“Ben?” I blinked hard a few times. Nothing like seeing your son’s friend to give you a big ole shot of sober. I finished up, then gave him a huge hug. The kid had probably spent more time at our house over the years than his own, and I hadn’t seen him since graduation. “How are you?”

“Doing good.” He shrugged. “Home for the summer, you know.”

I scanned my brain. “You’re going to Whitewater, right?” Ben nodded. “How’re your classes going?”

“Pretty good. Still deciding on a major. Dan around? Haven’t talked to him in a while.”

“No, he’s staying in Milan, doing a summer internship. Hoping to have him home for Christmas.”

“Well, tell him I say hi next time you talk to him.”

“Will do, Ben. It was nice seeing you again.”

“You too. Take it easy, Mrs. Hudson.”

I gave him another hug, spotting Chase coming up behind. Ben walked off, and Chase watched him leave but didn’t say anything.

“That was… never mind,” I said, glancing around. What if more of Daniel’s friends were around? I was a little weirded out at the moment. What if they noticed Chase and me together? He was only a few years older than them. Oh, God, what if I’d caved in? I couldn’t even imagine someone catching us looking a little too friendly together and reporting it back to Daniel.

“Are you okay?” That was up for debate, but I nodded. “I thought you ended up leaving without me. You weren’t where I left you.”

“Sorry about that. These lines were shorter. But you know”—I did another scan around me—“I would like to leave.”

“Now?”

“Yes, and I really don’t need an escort. I’m fine. You can stay. I’m a big girl; I’m perfectly capable of seeing myself home.”

“Like hell.”

“Like hell I’m a big girl, or like hell I’m capable?”

He sighed. I wasn’t trying to be difficult if that’s what he thought. I just didn’t want anyone to see us. Until I ran into Ben, the possibility of who could be lurking about hadn’t even occurred to me.

“I’m walking you home, and I don’t want you giving me shit about it, Jillian.” I saluted him, not in the mood to lock horns. As long as we left, I was good. The sky was growing darker by the minute. It had to be almost nine. “Let’s go grab your stuff and we’ll head out.”

“You don’t have to talk to your friends first?”

“I already did.”

We went back to the grassy area, navigating through chemical clouds and hopping over people. I relentlessly smacked at mosquitoes and wondered if I needed to spray myself down just to make it out alive.

I wrapped one of the blankets around me like a shawl and Chase carried the rest. He steered me out by my arm, and once we made it to the pavement, the little bloodsuckers left us alone.

The walk home left me somewhat in a zone, and by the time we entered my driveway, it was fully dark. I glanced down to see what had me feeling really, really good.

“Have we been doing that the whole time?” I asked, commenting on my hand encased in his.

He laughed. “Yeah, pretty much. I couldn’t have you stumbling and falling down on the sidewalk, could I?”

“Did we talk?”

I must have appeared a complete ditz asking those questions, but I really couldn’t remember much. It’d felt like the entire walk home was in a mind-numbing fog.

“Nothing I can repeat. I don’t want to get slapped.”

Holy shit. What did I say? He touched my mouth; I assumed to close it, but his touch had the opposite effect. It made me want to force it open wider. Better to swallow you up, my dear .

“I’m kidding, Jillian.” He stroked my cheek briefly before removing his fingers. “No, we didn’t talk much at all. You were lost in your own world.”

“What about the car?” It was something that just popped in my head. “I’m figuring you all drove together.”

“I gave Con my keys. He’s the responsible one of the two. Either I’ll walk back up there, or I’ll have him pick me up when they leave.” He smiled. “It all depends on how long I’m needed here.”

In the safety of my private driveway, in the dark of night, I could come up with plenty of ways he’d be needed. “They don’t mind that you took off on them?”

“Nah. They were in the process of hooking up with some women when I found them. They’re plenty occupied.”

“And you didn’t want to be part of that?” I wasn’t asking because of a weird jealousy thing; I was just curious. He saw me home, knowing that he might not get anything in return when he could have found a little something in the beer tent. I didn’t want to hold him back.

He gave me a strange look. “No, I came tonight for you.”

Maybe I should make it worth his while then? I might have giggled just a little thinking about it. I wasn’t even sure. He rubbed his eyebrows and shook his head a little. He probably thought I was a total whack-a-mole.

The wheels turned another crank. Hmm… Maybe he did count on getting lucky with me tonight. He did hand over his car keys before he knew I wanted to leave early. The little fucker was planning on being alone with me, even after the fireworks. I knew it. But whether or not he was betting on his dick joining the party remained undetermined. I could just ask him—he seemed honest enough. But when it came down to it, did I really care?

“Are you sure you’re okay?” he asked.

I yanked my attention away from the sky and back to his face. “Yeah, why?”

“I thought I was losing you again there.”

I studied his features, really absorbing myself in the shape of his eyes and the unique color of his irises. His lashes were dark and long, the kind that make women extremely envious. The kind that doesn’t exist in a tube of mascara, no matter what the ads try to sell you.

I didn’t turn away, didn’t try to lessen the intensity that whipped through my body. My gaze traveled down over his stubbled jaw and back up to his lips. I could taste them from here, could feel their warmth. I had a brief moment of utter disbelief. This guy in front of me was gorgeous. He was fucking gorgeous, and it defied all reason.

If I had a perfect physical type, this male specimen was it. And he wanted me. That was the piece that could knock me to my ass in a heartbeat. I could be having sex with my very own pin-up model, and I wasn’t jumping on it. Not just regular sex, but ‘pile-drive me into next week with blackout orgasms’ sex.

I shouldn’t care if he had some kooky fetish, and that’s why he was attracted to me. I definitely didn’t care about seeing him outside the bedroom. In fact, that wasn’t even an option. I resolved myself to the fact that he was young, but everyone looked the same age when the lights were out.

I brushed my fingertips over his lips while he continued to stare at me. I deserved this. I worked hard, so why shouldn’t I allow myself a treat every now and then? He was a man in his early twenties, in one of the horniest stages of his life. Of course, he wouldn’t turn down the chance to have meaningless, string-free sex.

And since I liked him, I could respect myself in the morning.

“Do you know what you’re doing to me right now?” he said.

I had some idea. I leaned in and kissed him, confirming exactly what I was doing to him. His hard cock pressed against me, and I needed it bad.

My new plan: Have as many casual one-nighters with Chase as possible.

“You want to come inside,” I said, breathing into his mouth. “Fact or bunk?”

I felt his lips curve as he fisted my hair tighter. His tongue stroked my bottom lip, eliciting a moan. It was so sensual, and I was not about to pretend he wasn’t affecting me. Turning me on and making my pussy sing. His kisses extended down to the front of my neck and more shivers danced through me. What was taking him so long to answer?

“Fact or bunk?” I asked again. If he said bunk, just shoot me now.

“You know it’s fact, Jillian. The answer to that question is always fact.” Good. So, what are we waiting for then? I tugged his hand, intending to lead him up the steps to my front door. “Wait. I want you to have that dinner with me. Soon. I want to pick you up and take you out. To an actual restaurant.”

What? No. That was not part of the plan.

Chase looked like he expected an answer, and I didn’t want to give him one. Unless that answer was no, and then what? Was he holding my vagina hostage until I gave him an affirmative? I wanted to pout and stomp my feet. If it were possible for a pushing-forty-year-old to have a temper tantrum, I’d soon be on the ground pounding my fists and kicking my legs.

A thunderous boom made me jump. It was fireworks time. Within seconds, there’d be giant bursts of light filling the sky. “Come on, let’s watch from the back,” he said.

“What?”

A display of red and white exploded above us, then fizzled down. He was already pulling me up the steps, but instead of going through the door, we went past it.

“Have you ever watched from your house? I bet we’re close enough to see them almost as well as being at the park.”

“Uh, no.” Even when Daniel was small, there’d never been a year we stayed home. I followed another stream of color shoot into the sky before expanding into silver snakes. They were very noticeable on my back patio, but that was beside the point. “You want to watch fireworks? Now?”

“Yeah, I do. With you.” Chase sat on my widest outdoor chair, more like a loveseat, and pulled me down onto his lap. My back faced him, and I could feel his erection still going strong, poking into my ass. So, what was the problem here?

He wrapped his arms around my waist and hauled me closer to his chest. I rested my head back on his shoulder and watched the show. A red spiral collided with a yellow star, casting off little orange crescents. I was in a box of Lucky Charms. I smiled when he squeezed me tighter. I could handle this for a while. At least he wasn’t bringing up the public dinner question again.

“What color is the next one?” he said. “I call purple.”

“Green.” It shot off, forming into a red heart. Aww… that was cute. I didn’t usually see that shape. “Both wrong,” I said.

He nuzzled his lips into the side of my neck. “What next? I say red.”

“They just did a full red one. I pick gold.” We both eyed the sky, waiting for the color to reveal itself. Red it was. What? I practically felt his gloat against my skin when a gold-spiked offshoot burst out.

“Both right,” he whispered, resuming where he’d left off, turning my skin into molten lava with his mouth. He was the one who wanted to watch the pretty, loud colors in the first place, so why was he taunting me like this?

Oh, it was so on. I could play this game too. Before this night was over, I was going to be the one exploding, dammit.

I shifted back and forth in his lap, wiggling around until he stilled me. I lifted my head. “If the next one is green, you’re going to let me turn around.”

“Oh, I am?”

“Yes, so I can kiss you, and you can kiss me back. And then we’ll see where it leads after that.” Please, please, please don’t ruin it by asking me out. “And I want your fajita recipe,” I said as an afterthought.

He laughed just as it fired into the sky, erupting into tendrils of green. Someone up there loved me. Loved me a lot. I laughed even harder as I swung my body around and straddled him before he could stop me. And before he could say a word, I planted my lips on his.

I raked my hands through his hair this time, urging him deeper. I wanted there to be no question how much I wanted this. I’d been soaked and ready just being in his presence in my driveway. Possibly even before that. I’d dazed off on the walk home, so the hand-holding could have primed me. Hell, who was I kidding? Chase had me aroused since the first night.

His tongue danced with mine as I lowered my hands down his chest, down his stomach, relishing every bit of strength and steel that belonged to me at that very moment. Even when Mike was that age, he never felt this hard.

I palmed his cock, stroking through his shorts. The booms sounded behind me, and I wondered what colors they were now. It was the perfect distraction from the outside world. It was loud, and even though it was bright, my huge trees shielded the yard enough to afford us privacy.

“Fuck, Jillian. You have to stop.”

“Why?” He didn’t want to take a breather that first time. He was all over me, giving us no chance to come up for air.

I caressed harder while tugging at his zipper. I needed to feel hot skin in my hand. This was unusual for me, getting so turned on touching another. He’d barely made contact with any part of me from the neck down, yet I knew I was swollen, that I’d burst with one little brush over my clit or a few glides up and down his cock. I was a ripe peach that needed to be plucked right the fuck now .

He grasped both my hands and held them aside. His mouth didn’t stop, however. My lips felt bruised and used. He sucked on my bottom lip, nipping it with his teeth before he let go and moved lower. I bared my neck for him, and he ran his tongue down. I quivered, trying to break free of my makeshift restraints.

“Are your fireworks always this long?”

Argh. Forget the damn fireworks already. “Let me touch you.” I tugged my hands, getting nowhere, but what did I expect? Did I think I’d outwrestle him? “Please. I know how much you want this too. I can feel it. Let me fuck you.”

He hissed through his teeth, and I knew I got to him. I took that opportunity to put my mouth to his neck to see how he liked it. I abraded my lips over his jawbone and moved my kisses down, tasting him along the way, inhaling his scent. He intoxicated me further; I couldn’t pinpoint why he smelled so good, but it was dizzying.

“Are you sure you’re not wearing any cologne?” The fragrance was reminiscent of the last time—pure rain mixed with fresh earth and spice. It was a bouquet of all my favorite songs tied together with a beautiful bow, and I wanted to bottle it and put it in my memory box.

“No.”

“Well, it works for you. A lot.” I ground my hips into him, gyrating with everything I had. “Please, Chase, just let me fuck you.” I wasn’t above begging right then. He craved it as much as me, of that I was certain.

A deep, throaty sound came from him, and he released my hands and slid his underneath my shirt. The front clasp of my bra popped open, and then he was touching my back, pushing me forward and into his inviting mouth. As he licked and sucked, I slipped down and freed his cock, causing a rush of cool on my breasts when he inhaled sharply.

Thick and powerful. I still couldn’t get over the sheer hardness of him. I teased with light finger strokes and vigorous caresses until he ripped my hands away.

“If I’m going to come, it’ll be while I’m buried deep inside you.”

I nodded. Yes, now. It’s about time. “Hurry,” I whispered. Oh, shit. No. No No. “Do you have a condom on you?” Please. He had one last time. I mentally crossed every finger and toe.

“In my wallet. Grab it.”

He palmed between my legs and massaged, a waterfall of heat and current rushing into me. I moaned, struggling to get his damned wallet out of his pocket. He wasn’t helping, and with each touch, I felt more and more frustrated.

His fingers skimmed across my upper thigh and slipped underneath my shorts. Teasing me through my panties and making my breath hitch. Where was I? Dammit, I needed that rubber.

“Do you think you could come like this? With your panties still on?”

“Yes,” I hissed. My insides were already vibrating. He rubbed over my clit, through the material, pinching it.

I arched my back, attempting to shift my body away. Yes, I could come, and it wouldn’t take long either. But I had a deep urge to come at the same time as him.

“If I’m going to come,” I told him, “I want it to be when you’re buried deep inside me.”

He growled, then grasped my hips and pulled me right on top of his bare cock. My shorts and panties were still on, but I freaked regardless. I was paranoid that way.

“We need that condom.” I tried lifting off him. “I’m super fertile right now.” I counted out the days in my head. Shit. I was probably ovulating right at that very second. I usually felt a twinge when it happened, but my entire body was twinging, so a hell of a lot of good that sign was right now. “And I’m not on anything, not since I was thirty, and I know my body so well and….”

What the fuck, Jillian? Stop talking . I was nervous, babbling away, and undoubtedly, annihilating the mood. Killing my chance of all those future hookups with him.

“That’s hot.”

Or not….

“Take it off,” he said in a raw voice. I shimmied off him and stood, dropping my soaked panties and shorts. “Everything, Jillian.”

He watched with hooded eyes as I pulled my shirt over my head, his fist wrapped around the muscle that amazed me so much. I wondered if I’d ever get used to it. If I’d feel giddy each time I saw and felt its strength. This was only the second time, but damn….

I shook my bra off my shoulders and kicked aside my insecurities. No, they were not perky twenty-year-old tits, but Chase didn’t seem to mind. I focused on the way he looked at them, not on the way I did.

He took out the condom himself and rolled it on. Then he crooked his finger. “Come here.” I felt a little off-balanced because he was still fully clothed while I was not. His cock was the only thing exposed, and even that was covered now. It may have been a necessity, but it was also a shame to mask something so magnificent.

God, Jillian, it’s just a penis. No need to worship it like it’s the cure for PMS and menopause all wrapped in one.

I straddled my knees over his lap, lowering myself until the tip penetrated me. He grasped hold of my hips and worked me down farther, inching me onto him slowly, controlling the movement until I wanted to scream.

I felt so full inside, but it wasn’t enough. I wanted to jack my body against him hard, experience him completely. He gave me just a bit of leeway to undulate my torso while he played with my breasts, twisting my nipples until they ached with pleasure.

Chase took the control back, tilting me backward just enough to feel exactly what I needed. He hit me in all the right places, making me rethink the whole just-a-penis thing. It wasn’t—it was a magic wand. Stroking and gliding and electrifying. Oh, God, Lord, Jesus….

“Fuck, Jillian.”

His grip lessened as I cried out, the grand finale blowing off behind me and wafting the smell of gunpowder into my nose. Boom, boom, boom . The last of the holiday’s pyrotechnics rapidly fired all at once, exploding along with us. How apropos.

I was fading fast, going down. I slumped forward, my forehead colliding with his shoulder. He stroked my hair as my thoughts coagulated into unintelligible clumps. I knew I had to get off of him, but why?

“Let me take you out, Jillian.”

“Out?’

“I’m going to pick you up, and we’re going out to dinner.”

My lids felt like elephants were hanging from the lashes. They were down to my cheeks, and I couldn’t lift them “No date,” I mumbled.

“How could it be? You don’t date younger men.”

“Right.”

“Is that a yes to dinner then?”

“Mmhmm.”