Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Sunlight pierced Brodie’s closed eyes and he cracked them open, noticing that his blinds were wide open instead of closed. Why had he forgotten to close them the night before? It was something he always did when he walked into his bedroom to get ready for bed.
The rustle of the sheets behind him and then the sensation of a warm body aligning with his back was all he needed to remember why he hadn’t gone through his usual ritual.
Cerise.
She was in bed with him and they’d spent a wonderful night together.
After their first bout of lovemaking, he’d suggested a shower which had led to more sex.
He didn’t think he’d be able to look at the shower again without remembering what they’d shared together.
An image of Cerise on her knees, his cock sliding in and out of her mouth was imprinted on his mind forever.
Rolling over he hugged her close as wave after wave of love for the woman crashed through him.
An unexpected desire to keep her safe, protect her, and keep her right by his side flared to life as well.
This feeling of possessiveness was new to him, and he needed a little time to process it.
Perhaps when he was riding his horse and it was just him and plains as far as the eye could see, he could dissect all these new feelings being with Cerise created inside him.
But not today. Today he was glad he had the day off so he could spend time with Cerise. He kissed her softly on the lips. “Good morning, Sparkles.”
“Is it?” she mumbled but snuggled into him. Considering the weird hours she worked, he would’ve thought she woke up cheerful, but it looked like she was a bit of grump.
“Don’t tell me you don’t like mornings?” He nudged his morning erection against her belly.
She groaned. “I could be persuaded to like them.”
He laughed and rolled so that she was on top of him, her dark hair cascading over her shoulders and brushing his chest. He pushed it back so that he could see her face. Her eyes were only half open and he found it incredibly sexy. “Let me see if I can help with that.”
Threading his fingers through the waterfall of her hair, he cupped her skull and nudged it lower until their lips touched in a featherlight brush.
She moaned and opened her mouth, allowing him to thrust his tongue in.
Their lips danced, their tongues dueled and, with every passing second, his body got harder and harder.
He couldn’t wait to sink into her. Releasing her he patted his hand around the top of his bedside table, looking for the condoms he’d placed there the previous evening.
Cerise pulled her mouth away from his. “Let me,” she whispered and leaned across him. Her breasts caressed his chest, and he reached up and took hold of one mound, gently massaging it. Her hips wiggled against his cock, and he controlled the urge to forget all about protection and thrust into her.
The crinkle of foil cooled his jets, until her clever fingers rolled it down over him, stroking his length as she went. “You’re killing me, Sparkles.”
“We can’t have that, can we?” she said impishly as she lowered herself down on him. For someone who wasn’t awake a few moments ago, she was more alert now.
Her movements were slow and measured, drawing out their combined pleasure.
He dug his fingers into her waist, unable to decide if he wanted to take over or let her continue.
She ground her hips against him, and he relinquished his desire for control.
This was all for her and Cerise could do what she wanted.
He reached up and tweaked her nipples, and her motions faltered before steadying out again.
This was a slow seduction, and he was all for it. The muscles in his back began to bunch, and his balls tingled, a sign his climax was imminent. But he didn’t want to come before her.
“Come with me, Sparkles,” Brodie reached down and found where they were connected. His thumb caressed her clit as she rolled her hips against him. Her head dropped back and her muscles clenched hard around him, pulsating out their release and it was all he needed to send him over the cliff.
Like he’d done the first time they’d made love, she collapsed on top of him. “If I get woken up like this every morning, I don’t think I’d mind too much.”
“I’ll see what I can do about that.” She stiffened in his arms, and he mentally berated himself for pushing too much. But then she relaxed and pressed a soft kiss over his heart.
He let his eyes drift shut as contentment at holding Cerise settled into his bones.
The next time he woke, he was by himself and could hear the shower running. The temptation to join Cerise was high, but he decided it was probably best if he didn’t; otherwise, they’d probably never leave his cabin.
He flopped back down on the pillows and thought about what he could do with Cerise today.
They’d have to go get Finn from his friend’s house.
He’d enjoyed showing the boy how to make s’mores and pointing out various constellations in the night sky.
Finn had loved every second of it and he’d loved it as well.
“Oh good, you’re awake. I got a message from Andy’s mom to say that Finn woke up not feeling well, so I need to go get him.”
Brodie shot up from the bed. “Why didn’t you wake me when you got the message?”
Cerise walked over to him fully dressed with a towel wrapped around her head.
The lemon scent from his body wash engulfed him and his body hardened, liking the smell of his soap on her.
“You were sleeping so soundly. Plus, you’d worked yesterday, and I know your day off is today. Besides, Finn is my responsibility.”
Not yours.
The words weren’t spoken out loud, but he heard them all the same and a shaft of pain settled low in his belly. Did she really think he wouldn’t care?
“Oh crap, Brodie, I’m sorry. That sounded so wrong. I didn’t mean that you don’t care about him. I know you do. It’s just”—she dropped the towel she’d been rubbing her hair with on the ground and sat beside him on the bed—“this is the first time he’s not feeling well and I’m not there with him.”
The pain dissipated at her words. He put an arm around her shoulders and gave her a one-arm hug.
He could say nothing about how her words hurt him, but he wanted honesty in his relationship with Cerise, and that started now.
“Look, I’m going to be truthful and say yeah, it cut a little, but I get it. ”
“Still doesn’t make it right.”
“I know, but it’s okay. I know you’re worried but I’m sure he’ll be fine. Do you want me to come with you?”
She gnawed on the corner of her bottom lip. “I do, but I want to leave now, plus I have my car here. If he’s sick, I won’t want to have to leave him to have you drive me back here later to get my car. I have to work tomorrow, so I’ll need it.”
“How about I meet you at your house in an hour? You can get Finn settled and I’ll stop somewhere and get some chicken noodle soup. That’s the cure for all ailments, isn’t it?”
Her body relaxed against him. “Thank you. That would be great. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m glad you’re in my life, Brodie.”
“Goes both ways, Sparkles.” He pressed a kiss to her cheek because, if he kissed her on the lips, he’d never let her go. “I’ll see you soon.”
She rose from the bed, took two steps before coming back toward him and placing her hand on his cheek. “Bye.” She leaned down and her hair caressed his arm as she pressed her lips again his.
Guess she wasn’t happy with the peck on the cheek, just like he wasn’t. She broke the connection and then was out the door.
He flopped back down on the bed and closed his eyes. Was this feeling of contentment and happiness what his college buddies felt every day with their wives? If so, he didn’t want to lose it.
Cerise rubbed Finn’s back as he wretched over the toilet. They’d just walked in the door when she noticed him turning green and rushed him to the bathroom in the nick of time.
“I’m never going to let Andy talk me into sneaking caramel popcorn, gummy bears and Dr. Pepper into his room, so we can eat it at four in the morning again,” he whimpered as he sat back after flushing the toilet.
“Yeah, buddy, not the best combination. How do you feel?”
“Better. My stomach has stopped hurting.”
“That’s good.” She got up and wet a washcloth with warm water before wiping it over his face. “Why don’t you rinse your mouth out and get into bed? I’ll bring you water with some electrolytes, as well as dry crackers you can nibble on.”
“Okay.” Tears welled in his eyes. “I’m sorry.”
Pulling him into a hug, she kissed the top of his head. “It’s okay. These things happen. You’ve got nothing to be sorry for. I’m just glad we made it home. It would’ve been gross to have to clean my car out.”
As she hoped he gave a little laugh. “Yeah, I guess.”
“Okay, well, get cleaned up and then get into bed.”
He trudged out of the bathroom and her heart wept for him. Had Poppy made him feel bad if he threw up? She hoped it was just because he felt awful for being sick in front of her and nothing else.
Sighing, she grabbed the toilet cleaner and gave it a scrub, then sprayed some disinfectant on all the surfaces.
Satisfied that she’d killed any germs, in case it was a bug and not the fact he’d eaten too much, she thoroughly washed her hands and smoothed hand sanitizer over them as she went into the kitchen to get the crackers and a drink.
The bell rang as she walked out with the items, and her heart did a little tattoo in anticipation of who she was going to see when she opened the door.
After taking a second to compose herself and place the glass and crackers on the hall table, she unlocked the door and opened it in a rush.
Yep, her handsome man stood there with a carryout bag.
Her heart back-flipped when he gave her a lopsided grin.
“I come bearing gifts,” he said, holding up the plastic bag.