Chapter 12 #2
His words didn’t feel fake or insincere. He thought she was beautiful. She reached out and ran her fingers over his shoulder.
“I think you’re very good looking.”
His lips spread into a huge smile. “You think I’m sexy.”
She rolled her eyes. “Why else would I have sex with you?”
His laughter felt good. They continued walking, and he started talking after a moment.
“Guys are simple and dumb. They’d have sex with anything if they felt horny.
Women are much more discerning. I’ve always been discerning enough to have at least a small amount of standards, and I learned early on my hand was good enough. ”
“I worked in construction. I’ve heard so much crap from guys.”
“I bet you have.”
“So tonight, are you coming over?”
“Yes. I want to see you tonight. I want to feel you.”
Heat rose, and she knew she had a huge smile on her face. “Good. Because I want to feel all of you.”
“I’ll be over after dinner.”
“Good. I can’t wait.”
Griz kissed her goodbye, and she keyed open the door. She stepped in and headed over to the kitchen to clean up the last of the mess she’d made baking cookies. It wasn’t much, but she needed to load her dishwasher.
She picked up the baking sheets that she’d left out cooling and paused. Something felt wrong. She held the metal sheets and turned around slowly. Something felt off but she couldn’t put her finger on it.
She stored the cookie sheets in the drawer under the oven, still feeling like something was off. She moved to the sink and froze. What the hell? Had she washed out the bowl before she left to head to lunch?
No. There was no way she had. She moved to the cabinet where she stored the bowl and found it in the stack of bowls. She grabbed it, staring at the clean bowl.
She’d washed it. But she swore she hadn’t.
Could she trust her memory? She had a good memory for important things, but stuff like washing clothes, cleaning toilets, and washing dishes were done without thinking about them.
She didn’t have to consciously consider her need to clean dishes, she just did them.
She easily could have cleaned the bowl out and put it up then forgotten she’d washed it.
Maybe not easily, but it could have slipped her mind.
She grabbed her coffee mug and loaded that into the dishwasher, not liking that she’d forgotten about washing the bowl.
The thought of seeing Griz and meeting his friends must have thrown her off. She finished picking up stuff in the kitchen, which was much less than she’d thought she left out, and then gathered her sheets, wanting the bed to be clean now that she knew Griz would be in her bed again tonight.
After she started the sheets in the wash, she vacuumed the floor in the main rooms and bedroom. She probably needed to mop the kitchen and bathrooms but wasn’t sure if she wanted to take the time.
The washer’s buzzer sounded, and she stepped to the laundry and removed the sheets, placing them in the dryer. She started the dryer then turned to grab the electric mop in the corner, but something caught her eye.
What was that?
Elowen stepped closer to the window, squinting at the object. It looked like an animal figurine. What the hell?
A knock at her door drew her attention. She glanced back at the figurine. Who had put that there? Was that some kind of a joke object one of the guys who’d helped her build the place had left? How long had it been there?
The knock sounded again, and she grabbed the mop then hurried over to the door, pulling it open, finding Danika and Nichole on her porch.
“Sorry to bug you, but we were wondering if you wanted to do yoga with us in the morning.”
Laughter bubbled up. “Yoga. I don’t think I’ve ever done yoga before.”
Nichole shrugged. “It’s not so much about the yoga, it’s about getting together to bitch about how much the positions hurt and to make jokes and laugh together.”
She looked from Nichole to Danika. “Wow, you all are so nice. No women ever include me in stuff like that. I’m not sure how good I am at hanging out with other women.”
Danika snorted. “We’re all awkward. We’d love for you to join us in our awkward yoga.”
“Do you think Griz would be unhappy with me joining you?”
“They’re going fishing in the morning and it’s not his call what you do.”
She nodded. “I like you all. Sure, I’ll join you for yoga.”
“Cool. We plan on starting at nine. And trust me when I say we’re awkward. We aren’t smooth yoga babes.”
Nichole laughed. “We’re more like stumbling cows.”
Elowen chuckled. “I doubt anyone ever described any of you as cows.”
“You’d be surprised at how cruel women are. Maybe not. I’m sure you’ve heard some good or well, I guess bad ones.”
Elowen nodded. “Thank you so much. I’m looking forward to spending more time with you all.”
“Good. Because we like you a lot. We also like how Griz is with you.”
“Is he different?”
Danika nodded. “He seems peaceful and happier. He was whistling and humming after he came back from walking you home.”
She couldn’t help the smile that spread. “I like him.”
“Good. He needs this.”
The women said goodbye and Elowen turned, leaning against the door. She hadn’t ever felt giddy like this. Well, back in high school, right after Griz had kissed her the first time. Then his dad had beaten him and she’d never seen him again.
After cleaning the floor, she made the bed and checked her wine bottles, pulling out a good red from Spain. Maybe they wouldn’t open a bottle, but she wanted Griz to know she thought he was special.
After eating a simple dinner, she settled in front of the TV, knowing she had to take up time or she would go crazy with anticipation. She was in the middle of a show she honestly couldn’t describe when she heard whistling and then a knock.
She paused the show and jumped up, heading to the door. When she pulled it open, Griz greeted her with a smile.
“You’re here!” she squealed.
“I am. Are you excited to see me?”
“So excited. Get in here.”
He stepped in and closed the door, locking it as soon as he was inside. Then his lips were on hers, his hands on her body. She wished she’d opened the door naked, but she wasn’t in the habit of walking around naked.
Her clothes were off soon enough, and he was on his knees, eating her out. She was glad she’d showered. His mouth and hands felt so good on her she came fast. He stood and turned her around, unzipping his pants but not lowering them before he slid in after rolling a condom on.
The speed was a little shocking, but he was masterful with his movements. She loved how he filled her. His hands were on her breasts, squeezing her nipples, building her next orgasm. One hand reached down and found her clit.
Her eyes closed as the thrilling sensation of his hands on her body brought her closer to the edge.
She’d never had sex like this. It wasn’t just amazing, it was wild, but Griz seemed amazingly controlled.
He was holding her up and making sure she was enjoying every moment.
He was the best she’d ever had, and she hoped their relationship didn’t end when he went home.
“I’m close,” Griz growled.
“Come, babe.” She didn’t use cutesy terms for men, but with Griz, calling him babe felt normal. Having him in her life felt normal. How would they make this work? She didn’t have guests every week, so she could go to San Diego to see him.
His hips jerked hard then he stilled and held her close, his hands plastered on her body, holding on like he needed her for stability. His breath came in gasps that were punctuated by his hips pumping against her.
When he let go a heavy sigh, his hold loosened, but not enough for her to move away from him, or for his cock to slip out of her.
“Elowen, I know this sounds crazy, but I don’t want this to end when I leave. I know that was the plan, but I want this to last longer than a few days.”
His fingers grazed over her nipples, making her gasp as sparks slid through her. He slowly pumped his hips, like he was going to go at it again.
She couldn’t believe he wanted or was able to do this again. He teased her clit, taking her higher. Then his lips were on her neck and earlobe, teasing her with licks and little nips.
This time, he pulled out and spun her around, stripping off his clothes before he picked her up and pressed her back up against the wall, holding her there as he pushed in and fucked her so well that she thought she would pass out.
The base of his cock rubbing up against her clit made her whole body feel like it was on fire.
“So good,” Elowen groaned as he pumped in again.
“I want all of you,” Griz said through gritted teeth.
“Yes.”
She was amazed when Griz came again. He was an incredible lover. This was beyond anything she’d ever experienced before.
He pulled out and rolled the condom off, tossing it in the trash can. When he turned back to her, a shiver when through her. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her to him.
“You cold?”
She shook her head. “No. Just amazed at how good that was with you.”
His chuckle vibrated through her. “It was good.”
“So you want us to last more than just a few days?”
He nodded. “I do.”
“I’d like that.”
At some point her TV had turned off while they’d been having sex. She didn’t want to turn it back on, instead she wanted to sit and chat with him.
“I have a bottle of wine we can open if you like, or I have tea.”
“It’s late and though I’m on vacation, I don’t think I should have wine right now.”
She nodded. “Would you like some tea? It’s low caffeine and calming, so it would be great for before bed.”
“Sure. Though I don’t drink much tea.”
“Follow me.” She stepped into the kitchen and washed her hands before filling the electric kettle with water.
Griz opened her cabinets, finding the mugs, grabbing two. She appreciated him helping. Most of the guys she knew didn’t do anything in the kitchen once they found a woman to date. Actually, they weren’t really dating those women, just using them as free housekeepers.
After she started the kettle, she grabbed a few cookies and put them on a plate. She turned and caught Griz’s smile.
“Oh, nice. What kind of cookies?” he asked.
“Chocolate chip and shortbread.”
“Those look good.”
“Thank you. I like baking. I find it calming.”
“The cookies you brought over earlier were really good.”
“Thank you.”
The water heated fast, and they had their tea and cookies but were still naked. “We could go sit outside, but we’d need robes or something.”
“Do you have a robe big enough for me?”
She shrugged. “Not really.”
“I could put on my underwear.”
“Or we could grab towels and stay inside.”
His gaze swept over her. “I think sitting naked inside would be great.”
“Good.”
She grabbed two towels from the bathroom and they sat at the table. She liked the way his gaze lingered on her breasts. She took in his muscled chest and arms.
“You’re not in a relationship back home, right?”
“Nope, no relationship or situationship. I live in a two-bedroom condo. It’s not huge, but it does the trick.”
“I have to be here most of the time when I have guests. But I do have a few weekends where I’m free.”
“I haven’t discussed this with the guys, but they know it’s coming.”
Worry made her sit up more. “What is it?”
“I’m close to retirement age.”
“Really? But you’re young.”
He nodded. “Retirement happens at twenty years in. I’ve been in for twenty and I’m ready to do something else. Maybe it’s delusional to think I want to do something other than be in the Navy, but I think it’s time.”
She didn’t want to hope too much, but she held her breath as she waited for him to speak.
He raised his eyebrows. “Would that be okay?”
Was he asking her if he could move in with her? She set her mug down and reached across the table for his hand.
“What would that look like to you?”
“I don’t want to live in the city. Maybe it would be too much to live out here.”
She shook her head. “I don’t think you should jump to conclusions.”
“What conclusions?”
She bit her lower lip, wondering if it could really be this easy. “Maybe we’re jumping the gun. I mean we’ve just reconnected, and we don’t really know each other. I’ve lived alone for most of my life.”
“Same, except in barracks. But that’s different.”
“I like having my own time, but I think I’d like having time with you.”
“So are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“We could do a few trial runs. Like I could come to San Diego when I have time, and you could head up here if you get time.”
He set his mug down and leaned in. “I don’t want to live here rent free. Like I can pay some of the mortgage?”
She shook her head. “I got lucky.”
“What do you mean?”
“I bought a house that was owned by a hoarder early on. Everyone thought I was dumb, but it was one of those things where I paid almost nothing. It took a lot of hard work and about two years, and I flipped it. This was years ago, and it was my first one. I kept buying and working on the weekends, doing stuff at night. I saved, found a great investment person, and I had money. When I bought the cabin, it was in terrible condition so I got it for a steal. Like I said, I’ve been lucky. ”
“Wow, that’s amazing. I thought I was doing good just buying a house.”
“It is good. Not everyone can afford to buy a house. I’ve worked with a few groups who built homes for low-income families. It is always an emotional ceremony when we turn the homes over to the new owners.”
“That’s cool.” Griz squeezed her hand. “I know I’m here with my friends, but getting to know you better is my top priority.”
He tugged her hand, and she stood then moved to sit on his lap. She couldn’t believe that he was ready to go at it again. They were really going to need a lot more condoms.