20. Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty
Carter
L ina’s playlist is streaming low on her Alexa device in the corner of the room. She tightly snuggles under my arm, resting her cheek against the skin on my chest. Her blonde hair fans out across me and the pillow, with a few loose pieces under my nose. It smells like coconut shampoo, which might be the best scent in the world.
Suddenly, she pops her head up. “This is my death song.”
Wait. What?
“Your what?” I ask, grazing her bare shoulder with the back of my knuckles.
With a more serious expression, she repeats herself. “My death song. You know the number one song that has to be played at your funeral?”
I have no idea what she’s talking about, but I’m curious because I’m not sure if this is a joke or not. “‘Don’t Stop Believing’ by Journey is your death song ?”
She nods her head, her lips set in a hard line. “Yeah, this is my favorite song of all time.”
“This song?” I point in the direction of the music.
“Yes.”
I rest my arm on the back of her headboard. “Out of all the songs in the world, how’s it even possible to pick a favorite one?”
“I have favorite songs from different genres and decades, but your death song is one that stands the test of time.” She lays her head back down. “One that awakens you. It stokes a fire in your soul and elicits every feeling and every emotion you’ve ever had and will ever have all at once.”
She’s perfect.
“And this is that song for you?” I clarify once again, a little more serious this time, now that I know this is something real for her.
Lina smiles sweetly, tipping her head to look up at me from upside down. “Yes.”
For the rest of the over four-minute song, she traces the outline of my compass tattoo, taking care to touch each cardinal direction. Is it possible to stop time where it is? I’ve never been entirely content in a moment. I’ve always been antsy, constantly on the move, and seeking a new adventure. And on the rare occasions I haven’t been, I get restless, feeling weighted down.
Lina makes me feel grounded. She makes me believe it’s okay to slow down, to stop—and to breathe. I’ve never experienced that feeling before. Even the mere thought of being tied down to a single person or place has made my skin crawl in a claustrophobic way.
My chest relaxes. It feels hollow and airy. My limbs melt into her mattress as if I’m subconsciously molding myself permanently into her space.
We both jump as Lina’s phone rings on the nightstand next to us. She lifts on one arm, reaching over me. Her creamy tit falls right in front of my face, and I can’t help myself but suck it into my mouth.
“Carter.” She giggles. “If we’re going to be friends, we can’t keep sleeping together. That had to be the last time.”
Sucking harder, I create a suction and lightly flick her nipple with my tongue. “But you taste so good.”
Lina slinks back into my arms, letting her phone continue to ring. “I should get it. It could be my sister.”
I release, making a loud popping sound as her tit drops from my mouth and bounces in front of me. It’s teasing me. “Okay. I know.”
“Hey, Zoe.”
While she’s bent over me, I let my hands roam all over her bare back and plump ass cheeks. I’m utterly obsessed with every one of her fucking curves.
“I thought you were with that backward hat guy?”
My ears perk up. I hope everything is alright.
“Okay, I’ll come and get you. Text me the address,” I hear her say before she ends the call. It sounds like our party is over.
“I have to pick up Zoe. She’s at a fraternity party and wants to leave, but her friends aren’t ready yet.” Lina crawls over me and off the bed. “It looks like it’s not too far from here.”
“Let me drive you.” I pull on my shirt and then a hoodie.
She quickly gets dressed on the other side of the bed. “You don’t have to.”
“I want to.”
“Are you sure? My partying little sister is my problem,” she replies, slipping on a pair of white running shoes.
Walking over to the other side of the bed, I pull her ponytail out from underneath the back of her sweater. “I’m not done with you yet.”
“What if I am done with you?” she remarks coyly.
I lean down and kiss her forehead. “You’re not,” I say, leaving the room and heading downstairs, confident that she’s right behind me.
“So sure of yourself, Captain Hernandez.” I hear her light footfalls.
Straightening my shoulders, I crowd her space as soon as she reaches the bottom step. “Do you want me to leave?”
Lina sucks in a tiny breath. “No.”
I knew she didn’t. Lina likes to play, and I love every bit of it. “Let’s go pick up your sister.” I grab my keys from the bowl in the entryway and lead her out the door.
Within no time, Lina and I are pulling up to an older neighborhood near campus. “I’ll text Zoe to tell her we’re outside,” she says, tapping out the message on her phone.
College-aged kids are hanging out on the front lawn while music booms from inside the house. We sit in the car for a few minutes, waiting for her sister to come out. But with no response, Lina opens the car door and is ready to barge inside the house.
“We’re going to have to go find her, goddamnit,” Lina complains.
I open my car door and follow her up the steps of the stoop. We reach the front door, which happens to be ajar— because that’s safe —we enter and immediately both start scanning the loud, crowded living room.
Lina stops. Her face quickly pales.
I wrap an arm around her. “Are you alright? ”
“Yeah.” Her eyes flutter a few times as she blinks.
Glancing over at the couple making out on an old, tattered couch that looks like it’s from the 1970s, I laugh, remembering what it was like to be this age. “Didn’t you used to party like this in college?” I tease, but Lina’s face remains blank.
“Let’s find my sister and get the hell out of here, okay?” she snaps, pushing herself between the crowds and heading into the kitchen. Her change in demeanor throws me off. I wonder if she’s scared for her sister. I’m sure Lina is no stranger to college parties. Did something happen to her?
Following her through the smoke-filled house with Greek letters written all over the walls, we finally make it to the pool area and spot Zoe.
“Zoe!” Lina calls out. “Come on.”
Lina’s sister awkwardly waves and then dumps the contents of her red solo cup into a bush before sprinting over to us. “Finally!” she says. “Hey, Brian’s friend.”
“Hello,” I return, grabbing her arm to stabilize her.
Lina’s lips purse together. “I texted you.”
“Oh, my phone must have been on silent—”
A brunette girl suddenly appears next to us. “Hey! Where are you going?” Her glossed-over eyes focus on Zoe.
“I’m going home. I’m tired.” She pouts, then runs her fingers through Lina’s hair. “This is my sister. Isn’t she the best?”
The brunette smiles and turns to me with the side of her lip quirked up. “And who is this tall, dark, handsome tree that looks good enough to climb?”
Lina’s mouth drops as she simultaneously steps closer to me. Her sister kindly answers for us .
“He’s a pilot, and he’s friends with her dad.” Her eyes grow wide, while she whispers in the brunette’s ear, but it’s more in a loud, calm tone. “And they’re fucking.”
The brunette licks her lips. “I have a dad who needs more friends.”
I don’t know who’s more uncomfortable at this moment, Lina or me. I laugh it off, but Lina looks visibly annoyed.
“Nice to meet you, but we’re leaving,” Lina sneers. She wraps her arm around Zoe and directs her sister back through the house toward the front door.
It does not go unnoticed that Lina became visibly jealous of her sister’s friend’s comment about me. Also, I still can’t get out of my mind how Lina reacted when we walked into the house. I’ve got to talk with her about it. Before we leave, I take one more look around the house, filled with drunk college students. I hope all these kids get home safely , I think to myself, then shut the front door behind us.
On the car ride back, Lina and I exchange a few glances while Zoe snores in the backseat.
“Why does it sometimes feel like I’m a parent already?” she whispers.
With one hand on the steering wheel, I flip my hat to face backward. “Nothing in life ever goes as planned. And if we ever try to plan it, then life says fuck your plans—mine are better.”
She laughs and gathers her hair up into a bun on top of her head. “Seriously.”
My eyes drink in the long, thin curves of her exposed neck. I can’t wait until we get back to her place so I can nibble on every inch of her skin. But then I remember her look when we stepped into that house.
“What happened back there?” I gently ask.
She shoots me a side-eye. “For one, she is way too young for you and two—”
I chuckle to myself. She’s still thinking about Zoe’s friend’s comment. Little does she know, she’s the only pussy that I think about. Twenty-four-fucking seven. “I meant when we first walked in. Were you worried about your sister?”
Lina chews on her bottom lip. “Yes—and no.”
“Do you want to talk about it?”
She shakes her head, her face plastered against the window. I take that as my cue not to press her further. I know the way Lina’s body moves—I’ve spent almost a year studying it—and then enjoying it in other ways in the last few weeks.
When we pull in, Zoe starts to stir. “Okay, sleeping beauty, get up,” Lina says, opening the back door.
“I’m fine,” Zoe slurs, making her way up the stairs and into the house.
I’m quick to follow, making sure the door is locked behind us and Zoe makes it to her room safely. Lina grabs two water bottles from the kitchen and brings them upstairs to her room.
While Lina tends to her sister, I head back downstairs and settle into the couch to wait for her. I’m not waiting long before I see that beautiful blonde stroll around the other side of the sofa.
“She’s changed and in bed sleeping soundly,” her voice is labored as she falls into the cushions.
I extend my arm, gesturing for her to slide over. “Come here.”
With a weak smile, she crawls over to my side, tucking herself into me and resting her cheek on my shoulder .
“You’re so good to her.” I tilt my head to kiss her temple.
She angles her face up, her lips barely grazing mine. “Thank you for coming with me tonight.”
“Of course.”
She darts her tongue out, tracing the outside of my mouth. My dick stiffens in my pants, and blood rushes to my ears. In one motion, I twist my body, clutching the sides of her hips, and bring her into my lap.
She lets out a soft yelp.
“Fuck, Lina. You drive me crazy,” I groan, rocking her back on forth while she straddles my growing cock.
Looping her arms around my neck, she giggles. “I don’t know if we should continue doing this.” It’s completely not convincing, but there is some truth behind it.
Bringing my hands to the sides of her face, I cup her cheeks as she lowers to kiss me. “It feels so good, though.”
Lina’s hips move back and forth in my lap, causing the friction I know she likes. Releasing her to move how she wants, I slip my hands under her shirt.
“Oh, Carter,” she purrs as I massage both soft peaks of her breasts.
I feel her nipples pebble under my fingertips, making my mouth water. With my forearms, I lift her shirt, exposing her perky, full tits. She continues to rub and grind over my jeans.
“Your skin is so sweet.” I nibble and suck—getting lost in the moment. My face buried between her breasts, I lick all over her chest, desperate to taste every part of her. But then I remember— we’re in the living room . I freeze.
“Alright, but this seriously has to be the last time.” She weaves her fingers through the hair on the back of my head.
There’s no conviction behind her voice, but I know she’s right. I lift and lock my eyes with hers—the only things I can see in this dark room. “I fly out early tomorrow.”
Her eyes lower as she tucks herself back into her shirt. “Okay.”
I want to stay the night—not because she’s sick or scared of a storm, but because it feels like I should be here. But I can’t bring up the possibility of staying over. She is too timid for that.
I’m quickly realizing that my feelings are significantly ahead of hers. I still have no idea how this would work, but I’m comfortable living in our little comfort fantasy for the time being. Whatever we’re doing, we’re not verbalizing it—we’re hooking up. But to reduce how I feel to those two words feels inaccurate.
Lina is my endgame. She is not a quick fuck or a hookup buddy. I will wait for as long or as short as I have to for both of us to come to terms with how my body pains for her and how deeply she wants mine.
Raising to a stand, I adjust myself before looking back at her. Her lips are puffy and swollen, and she has red marks all over her chest. My dick swells all over again.
I sense Lina’s eyes on me as I grab my coat and take the two steps from the sunken living room toward the front door.
I turn back one more time to see the side of her mouth lifted into a slight smile. “Happy landings, Captain Hernandez.”
Fuck. She’s perfect.