Chapter Eight
Emily
“You what?!” Cassie yelled at me over the phone. “I can’t believe you lied to him. Again .”
“I already feel guilty enough. Don’t make it worse.”
“No. Absolutely not. I’m your best friend, and I’m demanding you call and accept his invitation.”
“He probably already ate dinner.”
“He’s a guy. Even if he already ate, he’ll eat again. Especially if you’re making mac and cheese.”
“With lobster,” I added.
“I wouldn’t turn it down even if I ate at the buffet for dinner.”
My laugh came easily. But then I groaned, frustrated both emotionally and sexually.
“I don’t get why you’re trying to fight this. And don’t give me some lame ass excuse about not mixing business with pleasure. You obviously connected with him the first time you met. And everything you’ve told me since he arrived on your doorstep solidifies that fact. He sounds perfect.”
I snorted. “Except for his dog.”
“Who are you kidding? You’d probably date him just because of his dog.”
“Luke is ridiculously adorable. With more training, he’s going to be a wonderful dog.”
“I just hate to see you miss out on a wonderful man. He’s got a good job, a cute dog, and a really nice ass.”
“Cassie!”
“What? I made sure to check out the goods that night. And what kind of friend would I be if I pushed you into the arms of an ugly guy?”
“True,” I agreed.
“Lightning doesn’t strike twice, but it did for you. And you were struck hard, Em. You can’t deny it. At least not to me. It seems to me like fate intervened. You’re both in the right place at the right time. You can continue to fight it or just admit you’ve been hit and enjoy the ride.”
“It was one hell of a ride, too.”
“And the fact that he’s still single after all this time? That’s gotta be a sign. Right?”
“He could be shacked up with someone back in Florida. Men can be real dogs, you know?”
“He’s not that kind of guy.”
“How would you know that?” I asked.
“It’s all in the eyes. He’s got eyes like a golden retriever. Which maybe is why you are afraid to go out with him. You’re scared you’re going to fall in love. Who can resist a golden?” She sighed wistfully. “Anyway, call him up. Invite him to dinner.”
“And then what?”
“See where the night takes you.” We stayed silent for a moment—her vicariously living out the night for me before it even happened and me wondering what the hell I was doing. Aside from fighting my physical attraction to Chris, I was also projecting my past onto a relationship that wasn’t even real. Yet .
My grandma’s voice snapped me out of my thoughts. You are like your mother in the best of ways. All the bad stuff left with her. Your life will be wonderful because you have a huge heart and fierce loyalty. But what if it only was a matter of time before I turned out like her—an addict who cheated on her husband and splintered our family?
“Well?” Cassie’s voice came through like a foghorn.
“Okay, okay,” I said, finally mustering the courage to call Chris and invite him over.
“Why am I bothering with this stuff?” I asked Moose, who sat patiently next to me while I applied my lip gloss.
His tail thumped against the floor. I wished I was like him, happy and carefree. I didn’t know why my nerves were a wreck. I’d been around Chris enough that I shouldn’t be this jumpy.
“I know. You’re more excited about seeing Luke than you are for me finally going on a date.” I rubbed his ears the way he liked. “It’s not really a date, though. Right? It’s just dinner with a friendly man who happens to have a cute puppy. You and Rufus will keep him out of trouble, won’t you?”
Moose regarded me with puzzlement—cocking his head to the side.
“You guys will be fine. Chris and I will be fine. Dinner will be—” I rushed out of the room. “Shit!” I cried, running to the oven and ripping the door open. I breathed a sigh of relief. In my nervous state, I forgot to set my timer.
Rufus and Moose sniffed the air.
“Okay, guys. We’re okay here. I didn’t burn it.” The top covering of breadcrumbs was just beginning to brown but wasn’t quite toasted enough. I closed the door and set the timer for another fifteen minutes. Since Chris hadn’t shown up yet, I pulled the caprese salad and a bottle of wine out of the refrigerator. After checking that the table was perfect, I relaxed a little.
When the knock sounded on the door, my nerves jumped back into overdrive. I took a deep breath before I opened the door.
Then I lost my breath all over again. Chris, dressed in a pair of perfectly worn-in jeans and a casual button-down shirt with the sleeves rolled up to just below his elbows, awakened the butterflies. He looked amazing. And when I saw the dog bed tucked under his arm, my heart melted. He brought Luke’s dog bed so he’d be comfortable.
Chris’s eyes traveled over me. Simultaneously, my insides heated, and my legs wobbled.
Hunger filled both of our eyes as we stood two feet apart.
“Emily.” His deep and throaty voice saying my name reminded me of sugary sweet syrup drizzling over a hot stack of pancakes. “I’m so glad your friend had to cancel.”
“I lied!” I followed my blurt of omission with a groan.
“Are you going to invite us in?”
“Aren’t you going to chastise me for lying?”
“Maybe after you offer me a beer,” he said. “Plus, I don’t know how much longer Luke will behave out here when all he wants to do is be inside with Moose and Rufus.”
I extended my arm in invitation. “I’m sorry I lied,” I said, shutting the door behind me.
“I figured it was a lie.”
“You did?”
He shrugged. “I’m sure you have friends and family just like I do. But I’ve never known someone to be as busy as you.”
“Work does keep me busy.”
“So does mine,” he said. “But never too busy to not be able to make time for someone like you.”
My mouth opened to say, Wow , because I was so moved by his honesty and because his words made me like him even more than I thought I did. I knew my face relayed the message because he smiled. After swallowing the lump in my throat, I apologized again.
“As long as you don’t lie to me anymore, we’ll be fine. I like you, Emily, and I don’t want to feel like I have to second guess whether you’re telling me the truth or not. That’s not the kind of relationship I want.”
“Relationship?” I practically stuttered.
“Friendships are relationships, too, Emily. I expect anyone who is a part of my life to be honest.”
“I can be honest,” I said.
“Good. Speaking of which, I?—”
The beeping of my timer interrupted. “Hold that thought,” I said, lifting a finger before rushing to the oven.
“It smells delicious,” he said from right behind me. His words fluttered over me, his sexy voice arousing all of my senses. “Can I help with anything?”
The way he asked the question had my mind wandering to the bedroom. He was too close for me not to think of sex.
“I opened a bottle of wine. There’s beer in the fridge, too. I’m not sure what you like.”
“If you’re having wine, I’ll have a glass.”
I breathed a sigh of relief when he moved to pour two glasses I had for us on the table.
Trying my best to focus on the task at hand, I plated the caprese salads and handed them to Chris. “I’ll bring the mac and cheese over.”
Safeguarded with my potholders, I brought the dish to the table and set it on the hotplate.
Dinner was delicious, and the conversation flowed easily. My nervous energy evaporated, and soon, neither of us wanted the night to end. We talked about college, my work, how I got into training, his relocation, and how he was acclimating.
“I’d like to have you show me around a little if you have time,” Chris said as we cleared off the table. “I’ve driven around and found some promising places to shop and eat. But since you know Love Beach better than I do, if you’re willing, I’d be grateful.”
“Sure. There’s a farmer’s market on Sundays I love to go to. You might like it. It’s on the outskirts of town, but definitely worth the drive.”
“It’s a date,” he said, drying his hands.
My heart fluttered, then pounded at his tone. Speechless, I looked up into eyes that were solely focused on me.
Suddenly, he closed his mouth over mine. Frustration drove both of us as he ended the push-and-pull flirtation game we’d been playing the last several hours. If I was honest, it had been going on since the day he pulled up to my house.
It would have been a waste of time to resist him.
Chris circled his hands around me as I slid mine up his back.
Soft lips moved impatiently over me. His hands, hard and firm, held me to him, refusing to let me go. I was free-falling into the vortex. The ride would be fun and totally worth it.
I wished he didn’t have this effect on me.
When he eased back just enough to look into my eyes, I wished he hadn’t stopped.
My stomach flip-flopped. “Chris.” I sighed his name.
“I want you, Emily,” he said. “I can’t fight it. And I won’t deny it.” His eyes were hypnotic, pulling me in deeper and deeper. I was in a trance, leaning in closer to him. “Tell me you don’t feel anything, and I’ll walk out that door.”
“Chris, I?—”
“I mean, I’ll come back for Luke’s training because Lord knows he needs it.” His rumble of laughter had my mouth curving up. “But if you tell me no, I won’t bring it up ever again. I’ll keep things strictly professional.”
Shaking my head, I couldn’t find the words.
“I’m going to need a verbal, Emily.”
“Take me,” I said.
“Thank you?” he teased, cupping his ear. “I didn’t quite catch that.” The playful smirk on his mouth did me in.
“Take me to my bed and fuck me like you did before. Make me remember, Chris. Make me feel good.”
When he reached for my waist, I leaped into his arms, circling my arms around his neck and my legs around his waist.
“My room’s down the hall. Last door on the right.”
Carrying me like I weighed next to nothing, I remembered his strength and endurance.
He closed my bedroom door behind him, ignoring Luke’s whimpers as he was shut out.
“On second thought,” Chris said, setting me on the floor. My legs wobbled. He held up a finger. “Don’t move.” Poking his head out of the door, he said, “Look, buddy, you’re going to sleep with Moose and Rufus. Be good. Go to bed. Go on, go to bed.”
When he turned back to me, his eyes widened in excited amazement. “Damn.”
“I didn’t want to waste any time,” I said, standing before him, completely naked.
He tore off his shirt and kicked off his shoes before ripping off his pants, boxer briefs, and socks.
Seconds later, we were jostling for control on top of my bed.
“Stop fighting me,” he said against my mouth. “I’ve been dreaming of you, of tasting you. I want to lick your pussy until you give me every last drop.”
I was stunned, speechless. “O-Okay,” I stuttered.
He chuckled and kissed me long and hard before moving down my body.
I was already panting in anticipation when his tongue touched me. I arched up, an automatic reflex, when he licked slowly up and down, over and over. Unable to suppress my cries, I threaded my fingers through his hair for leverage. He flicked my clit, circled around, and flicked again.
“Chris, please,” I moaned.
He sank his fingers inside and started his delicious process again.
Within seconds, I cried out, “I’m close. So close. Oh, god.”
“Come on my tongue,” he said. He pulled his fingers out, plunging his tongue deep inside, moving his thumb to my clit.
“Oh, fuck!” My cries echoed off the walls as the orgasm of my life ripped through me.
When I opened my eyes, everything was hazy and spinning. My heart was beating so hard I knew if I tried to sit up, I’d topple over.
“God damn, Emily. You taste like fucking heaven.” He took two final licks and sucked any remaining juice off my clit. “I could stay buried between your legs for days.”
His mouth was on me as soon as he reached my face. “Taste yourself,” he said, swirling his tongue around mine. Our kiss went on and on. I loved tasting myself on him, feeling the silkiness of his tongue and the warmth of his lips on mine.
I moved my mouth down his neck, squirming my way out from beneath him. Straddling him, I kissed and nibbled on his shoulders and chest. I traveled down his torso, reveling in the marvels of his finely sculpted body.
I nipped at his hips, palming his dick in my hand. I stroked it as I moved closer and closer. Holding his massive girth in my hand, I sent him a wicked grin before stroking my tongue over him from root to tip. I swirled around, greedily licking the salty precum away.
I stroked, sucked, and licked up and down, taking him fully into my mouth until he hit the back of my throat. Wetness pooled between my legs all over again. The sounds of my slurping, coupled with his raspy breaths, were such a turn-on.
Chris’s guttural groan hit my ears as he pushed his hands through my hair. When I reached the tip of his cock again, a sexy popping sound flew from my mouth when he pulled me off. “I’m gonna come if you keep doing that.”
“Good,” I said.
“I want to feel you.” He sighed. “God, I need to feel you, Emily.”
I moved up when he tugged on my wrists. When he flipped us over, the breath rushed from my lungs. “Condom. Nightstand,” I said.
As soon as he rolled it on, he settled between my thighs again. I could feel the tip of his cock against me. He kissed me slowly, pulling on my bottom lip as he pressed and rubbed to slick his dick.
He stole my breath again as he slowly pushed his way inside.
“Oh, god,” I mumbled against his mouth.
He pulled out, then pushed in, repeating the movements until I groaned again.
Lifting his face, he stared into my eyes.
Slow circular thrusts and a tilt of his hips sent my eyes rolling backward. I gripped him with my legs as the crescendo rose.
There was no space between us, and the friction against my clit had me chasing another orgasm. “Keep doing that,” I whispered. “Yes. Oh, god. Don’t stop.”
I closed my eyes as the ecstasy rushed through me.
“Emily,” he groaned, “I’m gonna come. You feel so fucking good.”
Moans, groans, and a frenzy of cries reverberated off the walls as he picked up the pace, fucking me so hard I swore my head would explode.
Our bodies were slick with sweat, and the scent of our sex filled the air.
Chris moaned loudly before a shudder shook through him. His entire body tensed before he jerked his head back and closed his eyes, a look of pure bliss on his face.
He was breathing hard, pushing into the mattress, back arched, chest erect.
“Holy fuck,” he said, eyes still closed.
“I’ll say.”
When he laughed, I felt his dick pulsate inside.
He lowered down onto his forearms and looked at me. “You are so goddamn beautiful.”
I pushed his damp hair away from his face.
He gave me a tentative smile before kissing me again.
An unwelcome thought skittered into my mind as I lay in Chris’s arms. The problem wasn’t how much I wanted him or how the sex was amazing, mind-blowing, and off-the-charts. It was the realization that Chris was the kind of guy I just might fall for.
When the warmth of his lips hit my shoulder, and my sigh was one of complete happiness, it dawned on me that I was in a world of trouble.