28. Foster
28
FOSTER
T he next morning, I woke up before Raina.
Rolling onto my side, I watched her face for a while and decided her color looked good today.
I mean, I d never thought it looked bad before, but her cheeks were more flushed, and her skin was healthier and brighter. She honestly looked better than ever.
I lifted my hand and experimented again to see if I could touch her yet, but the moment my fingers encountered those wavy, auburn locks, they just hit more air. I wasn t deterred, though. I drifted the backs of my knuckles across her cheek, or rather just above it.
I could only imagine how soft it was. Her skin looked as smooth and flawless as a doll s.
I wished I had agreed to meet her the first time Oaklynn had ever mentioned her to me. She wouldn t be here like this right now if I had. I d be able to touch her and smell her and love her freely.
I m so sorry, I whispered, regretting the consequences she d had to suffer through because of my decisions, even as I wondered if I would ve fallen this strongly for her if I hadn t been stuck with her constantly for two weeks straight.
Selfishly, I was glad I d gotten this time with her because I d never experienced anything like it before.
When her lashes fluttered, letting me know she was about to wake up, a giddy warmth flooded my chest. I couldn t wait for her to set eyes on me again, and maybe her hands or any other body part she was willing to press against mine.
Hey, she murmured sleepily when she found me watching her.
Good morning, I returned with a soft grin. You sleep okay?
Oh my God, she groaned and reached for my face. I slept so good.
I bloomed under the contact and let out a satisfied sigh. Yeah. Me too.
No hangover? she asked, her brow furrowing in concern.
I scoffed. I didn t drink that much.
I don t know, she countered, grinning mischievously. You were feeling pretty good there for a hot minute. And I was able to take complete advantage of you, so…
I laughed and reached for her face, only to pause at the last moment so she could take my wrist and move her cheek into my touch. When I felt her presence, I hissed out a breath of contentment and then teased, Or maybe I took advantage of you .
Or possibly, she countered. We just took advantage of each other.
Well, now this is a dilemma, I announced. I honestly don t know who suffered more and who gained more last night. I think we need a repeat so we can determine once and for all who the clear winner was.
Deal. Raina leaned in to press her mouth to mine.
I closed my eyes and murmured my delight, wishing I could press my forehead to hers and kiss her back.
When she broke away, I opened my lashes to find her grinning victoriously. Me, she decided with an assured nod. I was definitely the winner.
I laughed and then shook my head. Oh yeah? Well I remain unconvinced. Crooking my finger to coax her back to me, I demanded, Kiss.
She tsked. Bossy boy. But she kissed me, anyway.
Lifting my hand as our mouths were pressed together, I broke away only to say, I want this hand to cup your ass so I can pull you snug up against me.
Do you? she murmured, taking my wrist with a thoughtful arch of the eyebrows. So you want something a little like…this?
Flinging one of her thighs over my hips, she drew my hand back and managed to help me grip her bottom as she simultaneously bumped her hips forward and ground against the straining morning wood I had going on.
God, yes, I hissed, throwing my head back as she pressed us together tight.
Ooh, I just had the best idea! she started suddenly, sitting upright and taking away all the glorious pressure from my dick.
I swallowed and lifted my brows, waiting for her to talk as I tried to calm my body back down, until she announced, I want to see how well I could give you a blowjob.
And my cock swelled even harder.
Uh… I swallowed thickly and started to bob my head before I could even say, Okay.
Bet you never had one of those before, she challenged, as she ripped off the boxers I d slept in.
No, I confirmed with a shake of my head. Can t say that I have. I d gotten plenty of offers from groupies and girls who knew who Foster Union was, but I d never said yes to any of them before.
Instead of giving me a strip show this morning, she merely wished her clothes away, and they popped out of sight in an instant, leaving a spectacularly naked Raina in bed with me.
But she didn t go for my junk. Instead, she grabbed my hand. Let s go to the shower. It ll be easier to clean up, plus all the wetness will make it feel more authentic.
I wasn t about to disagree, so I followed her off the bed and into the bathroom, murmuring, Okay.
In the bathtub, she couldn t turn the water knob, so I started the process and waited until the temperature was just right before I stepped under the stream and glanced over at her. Is this warm enough for you? I asked before I remembered she couldn t feel it.
Cringing, I added, Sorry. Forgot.
It s okay, she assured, sliding up against me and running her hands over my chest. I forget sometimes too.
Kiss, I whispered, tipping my face down and letting her press our mouths together.
When she connected her lips to mine, I groaned instinctively and tried to press forward, only to lose contact with her and curse before rasping out another apology.
But Raina only laughed. Here. You relax, she suggested. I ll take care of everything.
And I damn-near swallowed my tongue as she knelt in front of me, her gaze keeping contact with mine all the way down.
When she took my length in her hand, I shuddered. Yeah, if you think I m going to be able to relax during any of this, you re delusional.
Her laugh was husky and all kinds of naughty as her gaze lowered to my jutting cock. Boy, oh boy, she murmured to it. This is going to be fun. Especially since there s no way this thing can gag me. Gaze lifting again, she added, Which means I m going to be able to take so…much…more.
Fuck me, I breathed in wonder as she wrapped her peach lips around the head.
I slapped the shower wall in front of me and gaped, open-mouthed, as she slowly sucked me in.
In the back of my mind, I was fully aware that none of this was real. I was getting wet, and water was hitting my chest and lap while Raina remained perfectly dry. But God, the pressure around my cock felt so damn good, I couldn t seem to care.
I m not going to last long at all, I warned her, as I bowed my head and gritted my teeth, watching her head bob as my vision went blurry and my scrotum tightened.
And then I jetted into her mouth, blinking as it all landed on the shower wall.
It didn t matter if she wasn t actually here, though. I d honestly never felt more present with anyone before in my life.
Raina made me feel one hundred percent alive.
While I leaned to the side to rest my shoulder against the shower wall, still a little lightheaded from coming so hard, Raina popped to her feet, grinning uncontrollably. Okay, that was kind of awesome, she announced, spreading her arms to congratulate herself. I didn t even hurt my knees.
I laughed, watching her smile light up the entire room. And without thought, I shook my head in awe, murmuring, God, I love you.
Aww. Tipping her head, she lurched forward and said, I love you too. Then, she threw her arms around me and hugged me hard before kissing my mouth.
My life changed right there. While standing naked in the shower of an apartment that I d broken into after stealing the key from a girl in a coma, everything that I was became hers. I just…gave myself over to her. Completely. And it was the most freeing sensation I d ever felt.
Pulling away with a delighted hum, Raina grinned at me happily and announced, I want to wash you. Are you okay if I soap you down?
Uh… Amused by her sudden whirlwind energy, I said, If you want to, it s fine by me.
Great. But the moment she reached for the bottle of soap, her hand went right through it. Damn.
Here, I offered, grabbing it for her. I ll put it on me. Maybe you could spread it around from there.
Okay, yeah. I bet that ll work. I mean, I can touch clothes when you re wearing them.
So I poured some soap onto my chest, and Raina plowed her fingers through the liquid, squealing in giddy delight when she was able to smear it across my pecs. Yes! Thank goodness.
I laughed and lifted my arms when she ordered me to, so she could get my pits. Damn, that tickles, I said, slapping my arms down when she got a little too vigorous.
With a gasp, she lit up eagerly. You re ticklish? Where else are you ticklish? When she attacked full-force, I shouted out my objection, only to ruin it with another laugh as I tried to squirm out of her grip. But she was determined to discover all my sensitive zones, and she disappeared only to pop up behind me.
What about your butt crack? she wondered as she glided her hands over the globes of my ass. Does Foster Union have a ticklish butt crack?
I glanced over my shoulder at her with a raised eyebrow. I d be very concerned if I did.
She laughed and tried the area, anyway, only making me suck in a breath because I kind of liked the attention.
Aw, man, she moaned. I m sorry to report, ladies and gentlemen, but he does not, in fact, have a ticklish ass.
With a laugh, I shook my head. You re crazy.
But the good crazy, she reminded me, leaning close to speak directly into my ear and then nip at the lobe with her teeth as she smoothed her hands down my back. Don t forget that part. I m the best kind of crazy there?—
She never finished the sentence. Her laugh cut off abruptly, and her hands left my body.
Raina? I asked, frowning in confusion as I glanced over my shoulder.
But she wasn t there.
My heart stopped solid in my chest. I spun around, unable to find her. Panic clawed its way up my throat, and my voice broke as I repeated, Raina ! with more urgency this time.
She didn t answer.
No. Slapping the water off, I chanted, Shit, shit, shit, as I grabbed the first towel available and half-dried myself. All the while, I streaked through her bathroom to explode into the bedroom.
Raina? I called, hoping she d merely popped into another part of the apartment for something. Raina !
When she didn t answer, I shoved my way back into my clothes, cursing when my still-wet body made it harder for me to pull my jeans on.
After I was fully dressed, I grabbed my wallet and keys as well as her keys, then I did another sweep through the rooms. I even checked her mini balcony. But Raina was gone.
Please don t be dead. Please don t be dead, I begged as I sprinted down the stairs and out to my truck.
Saturday mid-morning traffic was a pain in the ass, but I managed to make it to the hospital without killing myself.
And by the time I made it to her room on the fourth floor, I was flat out of breath.
But I hurried inside just as Darlene turned from her bed.
Well, there you are, she greeted, clearly not surprised to see me. I was expecting you any moment now since you always seem to know when she has a big change.
Is she…? I held my breath, afraid of the answer.
But the nurse smiled. She s coming out of it. Her brain waves were so steady and strong last night that we started to wean her off the ventilator, and… Stepping aside, she showed Raina to me completely.
Holy shit, I croaked. She s breathing on her own. There were no tubes connected to her mouth, just two little prongs resting in her nostrils. And she was just lying there peacefully as if she was merely taking a nap.
Has she woken up yet? I asked, stumbling forward on shaking legs.
Not yet. Darlene clasped my shoulder as I passed by. But I expect she will anytime now.
Oh God, I breathed. Oh, thank God. She was going to make it.
I ll give you two a minute, she told me. Maybe you can coax her into opening those precious eyes of hers, huh?
I nodded and smiled vaguely at her before she left. Then, I swallowed and took Raina s hand. It was so warm and solid and real. And I couldn t seem to contain all the excitement whirling around inside from knowing she could wake up at any moment. I squeezed her fingers as I sucked in a breath and tried not to cry.
But dammit… She was going to live.
Did you hear that? I asked her. All you need to do is open your eyes. I don t even care if you remember me or not; I just need you awake and alive, okay?
When she didn t answer, I begged again, Live, Raina. I leaned down and pressed my brows to hers. Please don t leave me.
Then I brushed my lips softly across hers. They were slightly chilled, and I could feel the air hiss from them as she exhaled.
So very glad that she was breathing on her own, I pulled away, only for her to suck in a sharp breath.
Wha—? I jerked the rest of the way back, blinking at her face as her eyelashes began to flutter.