Forty-Four
T he sky is dark with gray clouds by the time I reach the deserted parking lot. My hands are shaking as I turn off the ignition. My whole body is shaking, actually, at the thought that she might not show. That the face in the crowd I could’ve sworn was hers belonged to someone else, and I’ll end the day the same way I started it: alone. Not that I’m entirely against the prospect as much as I once was. Krystal is it for me. It’s her or no one.
I’m envisioning our reunion like the night she first brought me here—the sky awash in brilliant color, the air cool on my skin, Krystal pulling me into the trunk of her car and wrapping us in one of her many oversized blankets. It’s a perfect picture. At least, until thunder rumbles in the distance. I push myself out of the driver’s seat, my shoes hitting the pavement at a run. The fireworks should be starting any second now. With a storm on the way, we might only get a few minutes of fireworks before we’re rained out.
I check my phone for notifications, looking for her name. Come on, Krystal. I glance up at the darkening sky when the first drop of rain hits my cheek.
No. No no no—
Against the skyline, a red flurry launches into the air and pops, but fizzles out before it can make its grand showcase. The sound of popping fireworks is replaced with another roll of thunder that’s much louder than the first, and then the sky splits open above my head. In mere seconds my hair and clothes are soaked, but that’s not what I care about. I barely notice I’m soaked to the bone until I take my first steps, bogged down by my water-logged tennis shoes.
No fireworks. No Krystal. No first kiss.
It’s just about what I deserve for being so fickle. But despite how gigantic of a bust this whole scavenger hunt turned out to be, I don’t have any regrets. It wouldn’t have felt right to lose my first kiss to anyone else. There’s no one I’d rather kiss than Krystal. I won’t be satisfied with anyone else.
I tip my head back and let the rain hit my face. Take one deep breath in and hold it before letting it out in slow bursts between my teeth. I might have a towel in the back seat, or at the very least a jacket of some sort. Even then, there’s no way my seat survives the drive back. These are the thoughts occupying my brain when a flash of headlights break through the fog. My pulse races the closer they get, until I’m just able to make out the silhouette in the driver’s side. I’d recognize those curls anywhere.
Krystal’s car pulls in beside mine. She wastes no time jumping out despite the pouring rain. “What are you doing out here?” Even though she’s shouting, I have to strain my ears to hear her. “Angela, you’re gonna get sick!”
“You came.” She doesn’t hear me. I know because I can barely hear myself, and her stern expression doesn’t change. My face breaks into a ridiculous grin I can’t contain, that I don’t want to contain, because she actually came .
“Come on.” She grabs my arm and pulls me against her. “Get in the car.”
“I didn’t think the rain would reach this side of town,” I tell her. I shout it, really, so she can hear me. “There were supposed to be fireworks. I had all these plans. I was going to kiss you—”
A crack of lightning startles us both.
“Angela, get in the car,” she says again, but I’m shaking my head. I can’t stop staring at her. My jaw is aching from how hard I’m smiling. “What—”
I don’t overthink it this time. It’s hard to tell if I’m thinking at all, that’s how caught up I am in her. My hands cup Krystal’s cheeks, pulling her until our faces are centimeters apart. My lips press against hers, clumsy but sure. Her body tenses slightly with a shocked gasp before she melts into me, lips parting to return the kiss tenfold. I’m actually doing it. I’m kissing Krystal Ramirez, and it’s already the best thing I’ve ever done.
Her arms wrap around my back, pulling me into her body as her tongue sweeps inside my mouth. Despite the cold rain coming down hard on us, somehow she’s able to keep me warm. I let her lead the pace, and we find a steady rhythm as I repeat her motions back. A gentle suck on her bottom lip, a soft glide of my tongue against hers. It goes on and on and on until we remember to take a breath.
When we finally pull away from each other, she opens the door to the back seat of her car and practically pushes me inside. Once we’re tucked close together on the right and middle seats, she pulls down the left one, her body bending over to grab something from the back. She returns with the blanket we shared the first time she brought me here and wraps it around my shoulders. She uses the other end of it to pat my short hair dry.
“You don’t have to fuss over me,” I tell her, even as a sneeze chooses this exact moment to undermine me. She gives me a knowing look as she procures a small bottle of sanitizer from her purse, but there’s also something about her expression that’s familiar. Fond, even. She’s always taking care of me after I get myself into trouble.
“Thank you,” I say as she deposits a dime-sized amount of gel into my hands.
“No problem. I’m so sorry I’m late. I’d just made it to the McNay when I saw your last post. I wanted to surprise you by winning the scavenger hunt. Earn your first kiss the way you imagined back when you first came up with the idea.”
“Is that why you didn’t text me back?”
“It was a better idea in my head.” She looks away from me. “Instead, I made you wait out in the rain for me for who knows how long.”
“You still came. You showed up.”
She reaches out to push back the wet strands of hair stuck to my face, and then her hand is cupping my cheek, molding there perfectly like it’s right where it belongs, her skin surprisingly warm. “I knew you’d look hot with short hair.”
“Yeah?”
“Oh, yeah.” She sucks in a breath as I lean into her again. “I can’t believe you cut out early on your own scavenger hunt.”
“You’re more important,” I say. “You’re the woman I love, Krystal. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do to be with you.”
Her eyes soften at my admission. And then her smile is as wide as mine.
She lets out a sigh, so close I feel the heat of her breath on my lips. Her grip tightens on the blanket, cocooning me in warmth. As amazing as our first kiss was, I have a feeling it’s about to get even better now that we’re somewhere warm and dry. “This is what it’s going to be like with you, isn’t it? I’ll lose my mind over you every time I’m dragged into one of your harebrained schemes, and you’re going to relish every second, aren’t you?”
My grin comes full force.
“You have no idea.”
She kisses me, and fuck if it gets better every time. I pull her body in closer, wrapping my arms around her head until our chests crush together. I don’t know when I started straddling her lap, but she doesn’t seem to mind. Far from minding, an arm wraps around my back and settles me more securely against her.
“I love you too.” She smiles against my lips, setting my heart on fire. Her tongue runs along my bottom lip, coaxing my mouth open, demanding entrance. I let her in, let her take the lead, her hands holding my head in place. When her tongue touches mine for the second time, I forget how to think and breathe and be. Someone groans. I can’t tell if it’s her or me. It’s probably me.
I pull back slightly, not wanting to lose myself in her too fast. Her eyes flit open, as hazy and dreamy as I imagine mine are. Is this real? Is this really happening?
“It’s happening, Angel.” She answers my silent thoughts, or maybe I asked them out loud. I can’t tell anymore. She smiles against my lips. Then she kisses the side of my mouth, her lips trailing down my chin. “Was your first kiss everything you imagined?”
“I couldn’t have possibly imagined—” A gasp as her tongue slides against my jaw in a slow, indulgent lick. “ Krystal. ”
“Good, huh?” She’s so smug, I should hate her. She’s all gleaming eyes and taunting smile flashing white canines. Instead, all I want is for us to shut up so she can keep going.
“So this is what I’ve been missing out on, huh?” I muse on a sigh, running my fingernails gently down both her arms. She shivers from my touch the same way I’m shivering from hers.
“To think, we could’ve been doing this a lot sooner.”
She kisses me again, and it’s all I want to keep doing. It’s all I want to do for the rest of my life. Funny how I can already know this after the first time. Here with Krystal, in her car, rain pounding the metal above our heads, is the only place I’d rather be. That is, until Krystal asks:
“Do you wanna get out of here?”
“If by ‘get out of here’ you really mean…” I send her what I hope is my most suggestive look yet.
“If that’s what you want.” A hand dips beneath my damp, unbuttoned shirt to pull it off me. Once I’m just in my undershirt, she nips at my bare shoulder with her teeth. I hitch a breath, and her lips kiss away the sting. And then I remember—
“Shit.” I pull myself off her lap. “I’m late to my own party.”
Realization morphs the dazed expression from her face. I check the time. I’m about half an hour late. What’s another half hour? the dark part of my brain asks. The part that wants very much to stay with Krystal, in this bubble of bliss we’ve created for ourselves.
“We should probably go,” Krystal says, but she makes no move to leave. When I climb back into her lap instead of getting out of the car, she pulls me in with an arm wrapped around my lower back. Both hands cup her face as I crush her mouth to mine. Our movements are fervent this time, rushed.
She tugs on my undershirt to pull me closer, the damp fabric easily giving way beneath her touch. I let my hands explore, too, from the curve of her neck to the straps of her halter top, fingers dipping beneath the fabric. Her breathing turns erratic when our skin makes contact from one little touch of her collarbone.
She lets out a helpless gasp as my hands roam lower, underneath her top, and lord if I’ll get over the little sounds she makes. She bites down on her lip as my fingers trail the lace edge of her bralette. At her enthusiastic response, I gather the hem of her top in my fingers.
“Lift your arms for me.” She does, and the top is off her body in one fluid motion. “God, you’re beautiful.”
Her chest is pushed out, dark nipples visible through the sheer lace of her bra. When she reaches behind her back to unclasp it, the sight of her bare beneath me is more than I can take. I crush my lips to hers, hands already moving over her, cupping her breasts in my hands. She moans in my mouth as my fingers flick her nipples, working them with my fingers until she starts writhing beneath me.
“We don’t have time for this, do we?” she asks, temporarily breaking the spell. Only, I’m in no mood to dispel the moment.
“Sure we do.” An intake of breath as I unzip her shorts. They’re practically plastered to her skin from the rain. “We at least have time to figure out if I’m any good at this.”
She laughs softly, her hand curling around the back of my head as my hand slides down her body. I look into her face, gauging her permission. Her head nods so fast, I’d laugh if I wasn’t breathing so hard. My hand dips inside her panties, where she’s already wet for me. A moan in the shape of my name leaves her lips, the sound almost unintelligible.
“Help me get these off you.” She lifts her hips and I pull off her shorts and panties in one sweep. I used to think when this moment came, I’d be more intimidated than I am. I’ve given Krystal pleasure with verbal instructions and the help of a suction toy, but will I be able to please her without battery-powered assistance? Rather than shy away from the task, I’m more determined than ever to see this through. To have her writhing on my hand and calling out my name, because she just can’t help herself. Because I’m that good.
Which is why when I return to her lap, I’m savoring this moment with gentle strokes, building her up in a slow burn that has her squirming for more, circling her clit with the patience Krystal makes clear in no uncertain terms she doesn’t have.
“Angel, please ,” she moans, rocking her hips into my hand. I’m not hesitant with her this time. I use the upper hand this position on top of her gives me. With my other hand, I pin down her thigh to stop her from wriggling away, reveling in the frustrated cry she emits in my ear. Then I press against her a little harder, a little faster.
I know she’s close when her body tenses. I work her clit in tight circles with two fingers. Finally, she lets go with a moan, her legs shaking so hard, she’s in danger of launching me off the seat. Her breathing slows, body splayed out languidly as she comes down from her orgasm.
“Oh my god.” The words come out as a sigh. “That was…”
Words elude her. She’s far from alone in that.
“Yeah,” I finish dumbly. “For me too. And I’m not even done yet.”
“What—” She cuts herself off when my knees hit the floor of the car. A gasp chokes at the back of her throat when my arms hook beneath her thighs to pull her forward until she’s sitting at the edge of the seat. “Angel, what are you doing down there?”
“I want to be good at this,” I say as I open her up with two careful fingers, exposing her to me. “When you did this to me for the first time, fuck , Krystal. You have no idea how much I loved it. I want to make you feel as good as you made me feel.”
“Oh, Angel.” She sighs as I leave a trail of kisses up her inner thighs. “I have no doubt that you’ll be very good at this. But if it makes you feel better, I can guide you.”
“Deal,” I tell her as an idea sparks. “I wore a tie today.”
“Uh, what?” Her brows furrow as I pull a navy-blue tie from my pocket. When I tell her to hold out her wrists for me, her eyes sparkle with intrigue.
“I was wearing this at the bar,” I explain as I bind her wrists together, careful to make it snug enough without hurting her. “But I took it off when it got too uncomfortable from running around all day. Okay, good,” I say after ensuring the knot isn’t too tight or too loose. “Place your hands behind the headrest for me.”
“Fuck, Angel.” She does as I say, nearly panting. She’s even wetter when I return to her pussy. “You’re not living up to your nickname today, are you?”
“Would you be this wet if I were?”
A scream leaves her throat at my first taste of her. If we were somewhere a little more private without a ticking clock above our heads and this wasn’t my first time eating her out, I’d probably tease her more. Take my time, savor the taste of her. Instead, I zero in on her clit, focused on wringing out as much of her pleasure as possible.
“Fuck, right there, Angel.”
I alternate between long, sweeping licks and sucking her clit directly into my mouth. Right as she tenses, I replace my mouth with two fingers to keep her open as I glance up at her, and fuck if she isn’t the prettiest sight. Her arms are fighting against the silk tie restraining her, eyes shut tight as her body squirms and writhes for an orgasm so close, yet so far from reach.
I meant what I said about not teasing her, so once I’m done enjoying the view, I return to sucking her clit until she’s crying out around me. When her legs stop shaking, I climb back onto the seat beside her. Her lashes flutter as her eyes finally open, the picture of sated bliss. I kiss her sweaty forehead, and she smiles up at me. Then she straightens suddenly. “We should—”
“Oh shit.” I nod. “Let’s go, before we’re tempted to go for round two.”
She laughs when I climb to the front and stumble down into the passenger seat. But her laughter quickly turns to panic as she stares down at her shorts soaked from the rain and expresses no desire to ply herself back into them. After making a quick pit stop at her apartment so she can change her clothes and making plans to pick up my car tomorrow, we’re finally off.