1214 Bad Boy Ave (Cherry Falls)

She tossed her head back and closed her eyes, her lips parting as she moaned loudly and long. And holy fuck was it the most gorgeous, fucking hot thing I’d ever seen.

Her cheeks became even pinker, her lips redder. I groaned, on the verge of coming just from the sight of her, the knowledge of her orgasming right above me.

“Fuck, you’re gorgeous.”

She panted as she rode out her ecstasy, and the moment she came down from her high, I kissed her long and slowly.

“I want you,” she begged and kissed me harder, slipping her tongue in and out of my mouth. “I want you so much.”

Holy fuck, she was the hottest thing I’d ever seen in my life. And as turned on as I was, I also was with it enough that I had to keep my head on straight, either starting something permanent with Dolly, or possibly crossing lines and ruining what could be so fucking special.

“I want this,” I groaned and rested my forehead against hers. “God, I fucking want this, Dolly. But I don’t want to rush. I don’t want to be buzzed when I’m with you, not for the first time, and not any time after that.” I should have shut my damn mouth, kept my words to myself because I might be scaring the hell out of her because of my need for her.

“I’m not a virgin,” she said softly. “I mean, it was only once years ago, but if that’s a reason you don’t want to right now—”

I kissed her, stopping her from saying anything else. “I just want to make it special for you, especially when we are together.” I pulled back and looked into her full eyes. “And it’s been a long time since I was with anyone. Fifteen years, to be specific.” That truth could have been what ended all of this, words that would have her question what the hell was wrong with me that I’d stayed celibate for so long. “I just realized I didn’t need that in my life unless it was with someone special.” I smoothed my fingers along her cheeks. “So we can wait. We have all the time in the world. Okay, baby?”

“Okay,” she whispered and now was the one to cup my face, keeping our foreheads locked together, kissing me softly and sweetly.

“Okay,” I said in response and then wrapped my arms fully around her and just held her.

I just held her, and God it was one of the greatest fucking sensations I’d ever experienced in my life.

9

Dolly

One week.

Seven days.

That’s how much time had passed since I’d shared the most intimate experience of my life, and we hadn’t even had sex. And in those last seven days, Tristan hadn’t so much as touched my finger or brushed a stray strand of my hair behind my ear.

Although I saw him watching me constantly, I knew he was giving me time because he didn’t want to rush things. But didn’t he know I was more than willing, so ready, to be his in every imaginable way?

I didn’t want to dream or hope that things would be more than just one intimate night between Tristan and me, but I felt like he did want this as desperately as I did; he just didn’t want to screw things up by going too fast.

And I could see things getting awkward and tense if we just jumped in the sack.

But was I hoping too much that he wanted something special, something that was solid between us and that’s why he hadn’t moved things along then, or now?

I braced my hands on the bathroom counter and stared at myself in the mirror.

Over the last week I’d been increasingly antsy and anxious, desperate for more of his touches, more kisses. I’d even gone as far as almost taking matters into my own hands, but just last night over dinner he asked if he could take me somewhere tonight. A date. Just him and me, where we could talk and get to know each other more.

Of course I’d said yes, holding in my girlish excitement. Although I didn’t have anything new to tell him. I’d divulged every aspect of my life whenever he asked, and he was forthcoming with answers every time I asked a question.

I took a steadying breath and straightened. I gave myself one more look over, my makeup minimal, my outfit just a pair of form-fitted jeans and a baby doll style floral blouse. I wore a pair of Keds, and although I would have dressed up more for a date, Tristan had suggested I go a more relaxed route for tonight.

I turned off the light as I left the bathroom and headed out of the bedroom to meet Tristan in the foyer. My shoes made a soft sound along the hardwood flooring, and I rounded the corner before stopping when I caught sight of Tristan standing by the front door. He wore a pair of distressed jeans and a dark button-up shirt. The first few buttons were undone, showing the white T-shirt underneath, and his hands were tucked into the front pocket of his jeans. The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up, exposing his thickly muscled and veined forearms.