29. Gage
GAGE
Morning seems to come too early, I’m groggy but happy.
Last night was better than anything that I could have imagined.
The best fucking birthday ever. The whole day was, once I was with her.
I lost my damn mind at the beach when she took off her coverup to reveal that new bathing suit.
My dick was doing all the thinking for me.
After she said that she wanted me, it was fucking on.
Then when I finally had her. Fuck. I didn’t know it would be like that. It was more than just physical because I care about her so much. Replaying our time together last night gets me hard again. The way she clawed at me and screamed my name when I was between her legs was so intense.
I’ve never had sex that good. She’s gotten under my skin. It's a high for sure, but I’m also nervous. I haven’t felt like this about any woman before in my life.
It’s always been fun to kiss pretty girls, but kissing Charli was like breathing; after all these weeks wanting her, I could finally inhale.
She gets me like no one else has. I want to open up to her and share my real thoughts. I’m nervous about what it means. Being with her last night makes me want more, like relationship more.
Staring at the photographs from my life brings me back to my past. The summer my dad died, my girlfriend Emily was my rock right after it happened.
She paired down her hours working at day camp and stuck by my side.
I took time off my job and spent my days avoiding the wharf and spent my nights with Em.
It didn’t matter what we did, whether it was watching the waves rolling in at the beach, driving around in my truck, catching movies, or sitting next to her playing video games while she read a book, we were together.
I refused to go to therapy and reneged on my plan for school.
I wasn’t me anymore. But, I didn’t know who I was.
Everything at home reminded me of my dad and how things were supposed to be, but they weren’t.
I think Emily felt a lot of pressure to keep me from falling off the edge.
She took on my emotional baggage when I couldn't carry it myself.
At the end of the summer, my mom packed me up and forced me to go on the boat with Uncle Bill. Deep down, I knew it was the best choice for me. Avoiding going out on the water and sailing was going to eat away at me. It was what I had left of my dad. I couldn't throw that away and deny it forever.
It was rough, going through the physical motions of sailing. I made quite a few mistakes, but Bill let me get knocked on my ass, or overboard and didn't say a thing. He kept on being Bill.
Em and I decided to stay together in a long-distance relationship, but I was distraught at being away from her.
I needed her too much. But, being separated was difficult.
I was clawing my way back to claim what my dad and I loved doing together for my own.
Having to face my feelings alone, the grief took a hold of me and I became distant from Emily.
I wasn’t there for her in what she was going through being away at college.
The calls and texts got to be fewer and fewer.
And by the time the holidays rolled around, I couldn’t go back to visit Maine.
It was still too raw for me without my father.
She wanted to stay in our hometown and build a life there. I couldn’t do that anymore.
Soon after, she met someone else at college and broke up with me. Waiting for me was too hard for her. She sought out what I couldn't give her in another person. I don’t blame her now, but at the time I was crushed.
During the next few years, it was one long string of flings. We’d fuck for a while, then I would move on as things fizzled out. I couldn’t risk getting hurt again. The only thing there was mutual attraction. That was until I met Tori a few years ago. That relationship was one giant mistake.
My phone buzzes with a text alert from my calendar and the daily routine begins, but it’s hard to concentrate on anything but Charli.
I give in and realize that I have to see her tonight, and stay with her all night.
Despite my reservations and better judgement, I want to wake up with her in the morning.
I double check my charter schedule and I don’t have anything until tomorrow afternoon.
We could go for a sail tonight and anchor somewhere and spend the night together on the boat.
I can get us some food and a bottle of wine.
The excitement at the idea has my heart racing.
I’ll stop by the shop to ask her. But, maybe I should text her first. Yes, that’s a better plan.
I don’t want to overwhelm her or push her away. Shit, I’m a mess.
Me: Hey- good morning.
Charli:
Me: Are you off on Thursday or working later?
Charli: I’m off, what’s up? Plans?
Me: I want to take you for a sail tonight and stay overnight.
Charli: I’d love to. Come see me today at work.
Me:
Within the hour I’m whistling as I walk down the pier to make my way to The Sweet Spot.
I spy her working at the counter through the window and I know that I’m grinning like a fool already.
She’s so adorable, in pink sport shorts, a black Sweet Shop tank top and her hair in a ponytail.
Her green eyes spot me when I walk through the door and her face lights up.
I wait in line and when I get up to her at the counter we share a special look.
I order a breakfast sandwich and an iced coffee to go.
When my things are ready, she tells her staff that she’s taking five and we walk outside together to the front patio beside the doorway.
She links her arms around me, and we come together.
I can barely say, “I missed you,” before everything else fades away as we kiss in the morning light. Too quickly she pulls away, taking my face in her hands. She smells like cinnamon. “What time are we leaving tonight?”
I press my lips to her forehead. “I think that I’ll have everything ready by five, if that’s good for you?”
“Yes. I can’t wait. Okay, I’ve got to go.” She gives me a peck on the cheek and returns to the shop.
I want it to be nice for her tonight. Being so into someone is a new feeling for me, but I can’t help myself.
That means snacks from the market, fruit, cheese, crackers, nuts, and flowers.
Next is the hardware store for extra lanterns and some candles.
Lastly, I drop by the liquor store for some wine.
I need time to clean the cabin of the boat, and my bunk.
It’s hot out and my hair is getting long, so I pull it into a knot on the back of my head.
Keeping busy with these chores helps pass the time until five when she’ll be here.
I pick up Thai food for us and then take a quick shower before she arrives.
This evening is still warm when she strolls down the pier looking like a vision, in a pink skirt and a white top.
Her breasts bounce with each step. Shit, I don’t think she’s wearing a bra.
Her hair is down and she’s wearing a little bit of makeup.
A small overnight bag is slung over her shoulder while she balances a cardboard box in her hands.
I pull the lines and step up to the dock to greet her, then lean down to brush a soft kiss across her lips.
A soft giggle escapes her lips as she says, “I like your man bun,” before touching my knot of hair.
“I missed you. You look beautiful.” I could stare at her for hours and not get tired of it.
“Thanks, this is from my shopping trip too. Let’s go already so we can be alone.” She passes me the box and adds, “I brought some dessert for later. These should go in the fridge.”
We go aboard and head straight to the cabin.
As soon as I’m down the steps and we’re in private, she drops her bag and I put the box in the mini fridge and we’re a quick tangle of arms, touching each other fervently.
I back her up to the galley, grab a hold of her ass and hoist her up to the small counter.
My cock hardens as we kiss and I press myself to her core.
As I nibble and suck on her mouth she reaches around my back to pull me closer.
My hands run up her thighs along her bare skin.
I skim the back of my hand across the front of her underwear, and she shivers. I want her already.
As I kiss her neck, she tilts her head back to give me better access. I fiddle with the strap of her top, slipping it to her shoulder, then cup her breast. Her nipple hardens under my touch, igniting my desire for her. “No bra tonight?”
Shaking her head, she holds my eyes. She leans back, pushing her chest out as I continue to play with her.
“For me?” I ask as my pulse thrums in my throat.
She bites her lip. “Yes— for you.” She sighs and rocks her hips forward. “I’ve been thinking about you all day, recounting last night in my mind.”
I shift my hand to stroke her inner thighs under her skirt, my thumb drifting down lower to feel her wetness through her thin panties.
“Me too,” I say before bringing her in for another kiss.
This one is slower and smooth. We have all night and we’re just getting warmed up.
Her hands find my hair and the tie falls out as she runs her fingers through the strands.
“Do you want to go now, or wait a bit?” I ask as I breathe in the sweet scent of her hair.
She nibbles on my neck before responding to me. “This is very nice, but I guess we should go; then we’ll be by ourselves all night long.”
I lean back, to give us space to cool off, sliding my hands to her knees. “Yeah, you’re right.”
She braces herself on the counter and blows out a breath. Glancing around the cabin, she smiles. “You cleaned today? It looks nice.” She squeezes my hand. “Are those dahlia’s?”
I nod.
“And it smells good in here, like lemons.”
“I wanted it to be special for us tonight,” I admit.
Her chin quivers. “Thank you.”