Chapter 21
RACHEL
“So, it’s settled, then? We’ll order the bounce house and a couple of carnival games for the back-to-school event?” Crystal asks Friday evening during our August PTA meeting.
“Yep,” I chime in. “I’ll call both vendors tomorrow and make reservations.”
“Perfect.” She jots it down in her notebook. “Anything else we need to discuss tonight?”
Bobbie Jean raises her hand from a stool by the barista station. “What about the book fair? Given the trouble we had getting the order in last year, I think we should start planning early this year.”
“Good call.” Reese holds up his pen. “Anything I can do to help with that, Bobbie?”
“At the moment, no,” she says with a smile. “But I’ll let you know.”
With a wink, he shoots a finger gun in her direction.
I bite back a laugh and busy myself looking over my own notes.
Reese could be best described as awkward single dad meets dorky fifth grade teacher—wild, mismatched wardrobe and all. Tonight, he’s wearing camouflage cargo shorts and a navy button-down… with yellow flip flops.
“All right, then.” Crystal picks up her phone. “We’ll work on back-to-school event prep in two weeks. Suggestions for that meeting location?”
I raise my hand. “Let’s stick with Books Beans.”
A round of suppressed laughter goes around the room, and I can’t help but join in. That night feels like a lifetime ago, and the embarrassment has long since faded.
“Okie dokie. I’ll send out a reminder text a few days beforehand.” Crys closes her notebook and adjourns the meeting.
“Hey, Rachel…” Reese strolls over with his notebook in one hand and a coffee cup in the other. “Funny thing happened the other day.”
“Oh yeah?” I ask, stuffing my laptop into my bag. “What’s that?”
“I’m enrolled in a couple of graduate classes this fall. There’s a Rachel Perry in both of them. For a second, I thought maybe it was you.”
A wave of dread washes over me, and instantly, the temperature in the coffee shop rises uncomfortably.
“Oh.” I laugh, quickly scanning the room to make sure no one is listening. “You’re taking classes, huh?”
He nods. “Educational administration through UW-Superior.”
Small world. And inconvenient, too, because there’s no way I can avoid telling him the truth.
“Any chance we can talk about this another time?” I say under my breath, hoping he takes the hint.
“Oh.” Realization lights on his face. “Got it. Yes. For sure.”
Relief hits me, instantly easing the tension in my shoulders. Thank god.
He turns his back to the crowd, bowing his head, and mutters, “It’ll be nice to have someone local to talk with.”
“Absolutely.” Now go away.
“Hey, Rach,” Crystal calls from across the room. “Can I catch a ride home with you? Tony dropped me off, but now he’s been sucked into something at the office.”
“Of course.” I glance back to Reese and give him a weak smile. “Duty calls.”
He grins. “Have a good night. And we’ll chat more soon.”
Right. Ugh.
“What the heck was that about?” Crystal asks as we hit the sidewalk outside Books Beans.
Ah. She must not have overheard. Thank goodness. She’s already going to be mad that I didn’t tell her about grad school. I don’t need her being upset that I told Reese first on top of that.
“He was just asking if Mason’s excited for sixth grade.”
“Oh.” She sighs, her shoulders sagging as we approach my SUV. “That’s disappointing. Even if he isn’t your type, anyway.”
I hit the fob on my key ring, and we both climb into my SUV.
“How do you know what my type is?” I ask as I start the car. “I don’t think I even know what it is anymore.”
With a soft snort, she buckles her seat belt. “You like ’em with a little more swagger and a lot more muscle.”
An image of Jinx immediately surfaces, and a smile spreads across my face unbidden. Yeah, he has both of those in spades. “You’re right,” I say as I pull out of the lot and start toward her house on the other side of town.
“See?” She swats at my arm.
“What about Jamie Stroud?” she asks out of nowhere, and I burst out laughing.
“Yeah, right.” While Jamie is very attractive in a big, bearded, badass sort of way, he’s a bit of a mess when it comes to women. He’s divorced, with a seventeen-year-old son—Jack, who works with Jinx—and he has a five-year-old son with a woman who’s closer to Jinx’s age. That kiddo will be in my class this fall, and I’m already nervous about dealing with his mom. She’s a lot, and I can only imagine how difficult she would be if I were dating her ex.
“Don’t let Miranda scare you off,” Crystal says, as if reading my mind. “Jamie’s a great guy. He’d be worth it.”
That may be true, but I have my sights set on someone else.
Someone who’s already proved he’s worth it.
Me: Hey you. You still awake?
Justin: Yep. Just crawled into bed to watch a movie.
Me: Anything good?
Justin: I don’t know. Mission Impossible, I think.
Me: Ah. Brushing up on your spy skills?
Justin: Heck yeah. I’ve gotten real good at watching movies like this with my eyes closed. Don’t tell anyone, but it’s kind of a superpower.
Me: Haha. If it’s any consolation, I’m in bed, too. Took the kids school shopping before they went to Craig’s, and then we had a PTA meeting. I’m exhausted.
Justin: Want me to come over and give you a back rub?
Me: God, I wish.
Justin: I can be there in five minutes.
My stomach flipsat just the thought, but is he being serious?
Me: Don’t tease me like that.
Justin: Not teasing. Just be warned that when I do it, I’ll be in my underwear.
With a giggle, I turn over onto my side and prop the phone up on the pillow beside me. I wish I could see his face.
Me: How about a video chat?
Justin: Say less, babe.
An instant later, the phone lights up with a request. I hit Accept and curl into my pillow with a smile. “Hi.”
“Hey, gorgeous.” He grins. There’s a flash of skin, and when the image clears, he’s got his phone on his lap, giving me an up close and personal view of his abs and the little trail of hair beneath his belly button.
“Damn. You just go right for it, huh?” I tease.
He laughs, making the phone shake. “Too much?”
“Not at all.” I wet my lips and let the image burn into my mind. “I like it.”
He quirks an eyebrow. “Tell me more.”
“Your ego is big enough,” I tease, filled with a lightness I only feel with him.
“It’s not the only thing that’s big.”
“Oh my god!” I burst out laughing. “You did not just say that.”
“What?” he asks with a smirk. “You’ve felt it. You know it’s true.”
Good lord, this man. Yes, I have felt it, but he was just pressed between my legs. It’s not like I put my hands on it.
“Anyway…” I settle against my pillow, getting more comfortable. “What did you do today?”
“Thought about you.”
Okay. This is going to be that kind of conversation, is it? Might as well play along.
“You did?” I tuck a hand under my cheek. “What about?”
“How sexy you are.” Those blue eyes, so full of longing, sweep over every inch of my face.
“Are you trying to get me to show some skin, too?”
“No.” He shifts onto his back and holds the phone above him. “I’m just telling you that I think you’re beautiful. And smart. And strong.”
Butterflies flutter low in my belly, but I keep up the teasing. “You said I was sexy.”
“All of the above.” He folds an arm behind his head against the pillows. “I also like your smart mouth and the way you give me shit all the time. You’re not afraid to tell me how you feel.”
Yeah, well, there are some things I haven’t shared.
“What’s that look for?” he asks, his expression sobering a little.
“Hmm? Oh. Nothing.”
“I just said you don’t hold back, and now you’re gonna do it?” He chuckles softly. “Don’t you go making a liar out of me, Sunny.”
Well, I can’t do that, now can I? “I was just thinking that there are some things you don’t actually know.”
“Like what?”
I wet my lips and swallow, pushing past my comfort zone. “Like how much I’ve thought about you, too.”
His gaze dips to my mouth. “What kind of thoughts?”
“The kind that require access to the top drawer of my nightstand.”
Holy shit. Did I just admit that?
The butterflies take flight, and tingles skitter down my arms and legs as he watches me, lips parted.
“Fuck, woman. Don’t stop there. Keep talking.”
I do one better. I roll over and grab my vibrator from the drawer.
“That’s fucking hot,” he growls, his irises igniting like blue flames. “What exactly do you do with your little friend? In detail, please.”
I laugh softly, even as my heart rate picks up. “That’s between me and Prince.”
“Prince?”
“He’s purple, so I named him Prince.”
“Jesus Christ.” He laughs, roughing a hand down his face. “That’s hilarious.”
I shrug lightly.
“If you don’t want to tell me, how about you show me?”
Oh shit.
A wave of heat hits me, from the tips of my ears to my toes. Just the thought of getting off with him watching lights a fire low in my core, making me ache. I squirm against the sensation, and a little moan rolls up in my chest.
“That turns you on, doesn’t it?” His voice is hungry again.
I bite my lip but nod.
“Don’t get shy on me, babe. I think you want to show me as badly as I want to see it.”
I do. God, I do, and this is a side of myself I haven’t fully explored. Partly because I never had the opportunity, and partly because I’ve never been with a man I’ve wanted to share it with. There’s only ever been Craig, but this…
“I want to watch you come, Sunny,” he husks. “I’d rather be there doing it myself with my fingers and my tongue—”
My hips pulse forward in response to his admission and the desire in his tone, and I squeeze my legs together to savor the ache.
“—but we’ll get there. For now, I want to see how you play when you think about me.”
Sweet god, my panties are soaked, and I haven’t even touched myself yet.
“Sit up against the headboard.” The command is firm but gentle. “Prop the phone up on the blankets.”
Hands trembling, I do as he says without hesitation.
“Take your tank top off.”
I obey that command, too.
“Fuck, you’re pretty.” His lashes lower over darkened eyes as he drinks me in. “The number of times I’ve gotten off thinking about your tits since that night…” He breaks with a muttered “fuck.”
Never taking my eyes off him, I skim my fingers over my breast until I find a nipple and toy gently as he watches. I want so badly to slide my hand into my shorts and panties, but that will come. He’ll get me there.
“My mouth is watering, Sunny.” He scrapes his teeth over his bottom lip. “I want to suck on you like I did that night, but I don’t want to stop this time. Not until you’re pulling my hair and screaming my name.”
“Oh god.” My hips flex off the mattress as a tug of pleasure zips through me, from my breast to my pussy, as if they’re tethered and his words are pulling on that string.
“Two hands,” he orders. “And don’t you dare be gentle about it. I know you like it harder than that, baby.”
My breath catches. How? How has he already figured me out?
“Pinch, Sunny. Tweak your tits until you can’t take it anymore. Pretend it’s my mouth and my teeth. Biting, teasing, tasting…”
“Oh shit…” I drop my head back against the headboard as I give into the pleasure. It feels good, but it’s not enough. “I need more.”
“Use your toy.”
A shaky breath escapes me. Thank god.
I stick my thumbs into my waistband and push down my shorts and panties, only to have him shake his head on the screen.
“Uh-uh. Don’t you even think about touching that sweet pussy yet.”
My heart stops, and I stare at him blankly. Wait, what?
“Use the vibrator on your nipples.”
Oh. Oh.
My face flushes, because again… how does he know?
A low, dark chuckle crackles in the air. “That’s what I thought.”
“How are you so good at this?” I kick my shorts aside and pick up the vibrator, not bothering to play coy. “Did you plant a camera in here?”
He flashes a crooked grin, and his phone shifts slightly. “No camera, babe. I just pay attention,” he says, his tone strained and his abs flexing.
That fire in my belly flashes at the sight of him, at the desire in his expression. “Are you touching yourself?” I whisper as I turn on the vibe and tease it over one pebbled, aching nipple.
“Fuck yes, I am.” He groans. “Do you have any idea how fucking hot you are?” His eyes flutter shut, and his phone slips until his fist appears. Just as quickly, it’s gone as he works himself over.
I can’t see more than the rhythmic pulse of his hand and the way his upper body tenses and twitches, but it’s enough. It’s enough to give me the courage to take the reins and return the torture.
“I’ve never watched before,” I admit, my breath quickening. “Is that how you like it? A little rough, too?”
His eyes dart open, and his nostrils flare, but he doesn’t stop. He squeezes and releases once, only to do it all over again. “No. What I’d like is to be buried between those tits right now. Fucking your mouth at the same time.”
Holy. Shit.
“Play with your pussy, Rachel. I’m not gonna last much longer, and I wanna hear you come first.”
Yes, please.
Emboldened by his genuine desire for me, I pull my knees up and then let them fall apart unabashedly. I’ve never done something so bold and brazen, but it feels so good. So right. Even in person, I’ve never felt empowered enough to let myself be seen like this. And I love it.
“Jesus Christ,” he groans. Then, “Fuck, Sunny, that’s pretty. Touch your clit for me. Show me how you like it.”
Gliding two fingers between my swollen lips, I give him what we both want, teasing and stroking my aching bead until I’m panting and writhing. Only then do I add the vibrator, holding it just where I like it until the coil of orgasm begins to wind tight.
Then I move it away and focus on him.
His jaw is clenched tight, and there’s a storm of arousal in his eyes. The muscles in his arms are bunched and tense, and a fine sheen of sweat glistens on his chest. He’s beautiful, and to know that I’m the one who’s turned him on like this…
“I’m going to come,” I rasp. My natural instinct is to close my eyes, to block out every possible distraction, so I can greedily enjoy every last pulse that racks my body, but I can’t look away from him.
“Oh fuck,” he growls, pumping himself faster as he gasps for breath.
And I’m gone.
The wave of orgasm crashes through me, sending goose bumps racing across my skin as every nerve in my body sings. My pussy pulses, and my toes curl, and then the sexiest, most feral groan I’ve ever heard vibrates through my phone.
The tendons in his neck strain as we both watch the ribbons of white paint his golden skin, the evidence that I drove him just as wild as he drove me right there for me to see.
It is easily the most erotic moment of my life. As much as I’d love to be there with him, touching him and tasting him, I wouldn’t change it for the world.
As he lifts those sated eyes to mine, a slow smile teases one corner of his mouth. Then he lets his head fall back against the pillows. His chest rises and falls as I fight to catch my own breath.
And then I laugh. “We really just did that.”
He swallows hard before clearing his throat. “Yeah. We did.”
“You should probably get a towel.”
He rubs a hand over his face, over that dark smirk. “I need a fucking shower.”
And I need sleep. Because for the first time in months, I feel like it’s possible.
“Thank you,” I say softly, bringing the phone closer.
He picks his up, too, and the gentleness in his expression has butterflies whirling in my stomach. “Thank you, Sunny. That was amazing.”
I blush, which is funny, all things considered. “You’re welcome. Sorry about the mess.”
His shoulders shake as he laughs again. “Never apologize for making me lose my shit, babe.”
Lip caught between my teeth, I sigh. “Okay. But only if you promise we can do that again sometime.”
His gaze flicks to mine, the fiery embers of desire still smoldering. “Oh, we will abso-fucking-lutely be doing that again.”
Thank god.