45. Charli
CHARLI
I have a love-hate relationship with Labor Day weekend. The weather is usually so perfect, warm and sunny in the daytime, but dry and cooler at night. It’s also the honorary end of summer.
My cousins arrive in force Friday night. Andi has the new service animal that she’s training with her. Koda is a big German Shepherd with a black coat, giving him a wolf-like appearance.
Sam is over her stress level and it’s possible that she’ll blow a gasket over work, if she doesn’t decompress this weekend.
She’s made a proposal on a project in Port City and was supposed to find out the results by today, but there was a glitch.
Maybe it’s time she went out on her own.
We’ll try to get her drunk or laid this weekend. Maybe that will help.
After a quick pizza dinner with my grandparents Friday evening, it’s time for The Rooftop Bar to let off some steam. We stroll in at around eight to our reserved sofa seat, get a round of drinks, and relax.
Sam lifts her drink. “To summer.”
“To us,” Andi adds.
“To being together,” I say, smiling at my cousins.
We clink our glasses and sip to our celebration.
“Charli, the universe is blessing you with everything you deserve. Your business with Oliver, your travel plans, and your new relationship,” Andi toasts.
Sam groans. “You sound like my mother.” She rolls her eyes at Andi. “Things are falling into place for her.”
I wave my hand at both of them. “I’m happy with my life right now.”
“You’re happy from that O glow too,” Sam remarks.
Andi scoffs at her. “You’re just jealous.”
“I am, sadly. But I’m happy for you, Char.” Sam stirs her drink.
They continue to banter about the plans for the weekend, but I keep my eye on the door for my man.
Harvey and Gage meet us there a little after eight when he’s done with work.
He looks so handsome, his blonde hair has lightened from all the summer sun.
It’s the smile that stretches across his face when he sees me that has my heart beating faster.
The sleeves of his plain white t-shirt are stretched across his biceps as he moves toward me.
Several women turn and watch him as he and Harvey cross the deck.
Andi leans into me. “Don’t worry, he’s only got eyes for you.”
I sip my drink. “I know.”
“You love him,” Andi whispers.
I stare at her and take a deep breath. “I told him and he didn’t say anything back.”
She blinks her green eyes at me and frowns while she reaches out to give my arm a squeeze.
Our conversation is cut short when I stand to hug him and he sweeps a kiss across my mouth. His hands run along my back making me shiver.
“You look so good tonight,” I say when he breaks the kiss.
He nuzzles my neck, kissing my collarbone. “You do too, Sweets. Isn’t this the dress you were wearing when we first met here.”
I furrow my brow at him. “You remember?”
“I remember everything about that night.” He holds my gaze, his dark eyes intense. The first few notes of “Lover” echo from the corner where the band is playing. He takes my hands in his as he draws me to the dance floor. “This was the song that was playing when I knew I wanted to make you mine.”
I wrap my arms around his neck, so we’re flush together. “I was scared by how much I was drawn to you when we first met. It made me second guess everything because my feelings were so strong.”
His hands slide around my waist, before he clasps them at my lower back. “Yeah, that feeling was mutual.”
“Now look at us. My heart is yours.”
“You have mine too.”
We stare at each other in the twinkling lights surrounding the deck. The voices and bodies of the people surrounding us fade into nothing. All that matters is the two of us, swaying to the music.
He lowers his mouth to mine and we kiss slowly, our tongues doing lazy dance as our bodies press together.
We dance, drink, and relax in the cool night air. The band plays requests and we finally retreat to our longer. The moonlight reflects off the inky water in the bay and it’s so clear we have a perfect view of the lights in Port City from here. I wish it were like this all the time.
Gage’s arm drapes across my shoulder as he laughs beside Harvey. Andi nudges me as we watch Sam retreat to the restroom.
Sam has been making eyes at this tall dark-haired guy all night sitting at a table in the corner. He’s definitely older, flecks of gray in his stubble. But he’s jacked. I wonder if he lives nearby because I don’t recognize him. He keeps looking at her and she’s noticed.
Andi and I wave our waitress over.
“Can I get your table something else, ladies?”
Andi points back to Sam. “We want to send that guy a drink from our friend here.”
She winks at us. “Not a problem.”
Gage and I head to the dance floor again with Andi and Harvey.
When Sam exits the hallway, Mr. Tall Dark and Mysterious is waiting for her and leans closer to speak to her.
The tops of her fingertips brush against his shoulder as his hand snakes around her side.
He pulls her out to the dance floor when the next slow song starts.
Gage holds me close to him, his thigh pressed at the juncture of my legs as he leans into me. He knows my body so well already. I grip his biceps and let out a hiss.
“Are you ready to leave?” he asks.
“A few more songs, okay?”
He shifts and I can feel him harden as his hips meet mine. “No, let’s go after this one. I want you.” He leans and nibbles at my neck and up to my ear.
“I need to see what happens.” I tilt my head in Sam’s direction. I know that she’s a little tipsy, but she cannot take her eyes off him. They sway to the music and gaze at each other while embracing.
He glances over before returning to my neck. A throb pulses inside me at his touch. “What did you and Andi do now?” he asks, his voice low in my ear. His scruff tickles my neck as he swipes his tongue over the hollow by my collarbone.
“We sent him a drink from her.”
“You’re naughty, and you know what naughty girls get.”
I run my hands into his hair and bring his lips to mine. “I also forgot to wear any panties.”
He stares at me, his mouth a tight line. “Are you kidding me?”
“No, and my bra didn’t fit under this low-back dress, so I only have nipple covers on top.” I chew my lip and look up at him.
He skims his hands up my sides and his fingertips graze my boobs.
He runs his hand through his hair and blinks at me.
Lowering down so that we’re eye to eye, he’s so close his breath flutters across my skin.
His jaw ticks and he scans my face in disbelief.
“You are . . . so . . .” he grunts and clears his throat.
“Is there somewhere here we can go, now? Like a bathroom in the hotel?” His grip on my side tightens.
I think for a second running my thumb along his bottom lip. An ache is building inside me that only he can quench. “Can’t you wait until we get home?”
He locks his hands around my waist. “No.”
“I’ll say goodbye and we can find somewhere on a lower floor.”
“What’s his problem?” Andi asks as I walk past her.
I giggle and whisper, “I told him that I wasn't wearing anything under my dress.”
She swats my ass and makes a face at him as we turn to leave.
We exit the bar together and go down two floors to a desolate hallway. I spy a bathroom and we both enter. It’s empty, thankfully. Gage locks the door and undoes his pants. “Up on the counter. Now.”
“No, I’m too heavy,” I pout.
I reach for him, but he’s quicker, as he places his hand loosely around my throat. He seals his mouth to mine while he pulls up my dress, slipping his fingers inside me.
My body shivers at his touch. “This is what I’ve been wanting all night.”
“Damn. You’re fucking soaked. Turn around.” He spins me and I lean over the counter. I brace my hands on either side of the sink. He looks down to lift my skirt higher, up to my waist. His hard length rubs against my ass and I press back into him.
“Do you want this cock?” He runs his fingers along my opening.
“I do, baby. Fuck me. Fuck me hard.” I watch him behind me in the mirror.
His breath is ragged. “I told you I didn’t like the teasing before.” He sinks his long fingers into me up to his knuckles.
“Gage.” My head falls back. “More, please.”
He pumps in and out of me, my arousal dripping down my inner thigh.
“Are you ready?”
I lick my lips. “Yes. I like teasing you. It makes me so wet for you. And I know it makes you harder for me.”
“Jesus, Charli.” He slips out of me and stares into my eyes in the mirror as he brings his fingers to his mouth to lick them clean.
“Good?” I ask.
“The best.” He grips my hips, squeezing into the soft flesh as he lines himself up to me, stroking himself along my pussy before he enters me slowly.
My hips buck, but he holds me in place, pressing me into the cold counter.
I look up into our reflections again and lock eyes with him as he thrusts in and out of me.
His eyes have an intensity I haven’t seen before. I know I told him he didn’t need to say he loved me back, but I still want him too.
Reaching forward, his fingertips find my clit while he’s deep in me and my walls contract. He presses down and the tension builds, ratcheting higher and higher with each thrust.
I push back into him and he shudders on a deep groan. “Faster, baby, fuck me faster,” I beg.
Both of his hands find my sides as our skin slaps together.
I fall over the edge and cry out as the ripples of my orgasm erupt.
He grunts as he releases inside of me before leaning his head against my upper back, his damp hair brushing my skin.
Straightening, he strokes my sides before pulling out of me.
“Damn, baby.” He moves a hair behind me, his face flushed..
“What?” I ask as I stay holding the counter on wobbly legs.
“I like how you look with my cum dripping out of you.”
I suck in a breath as he drags his fingers between my legs, rubbing the sticky moisture on my inner thighs.
“You want more, don’t you?” he asks as he peers at my reflection in the mirror.