“Yup, graduating next month.”
“That’s awesome. I’m graduating too. What college are you going to?”
I pause, not sure if I should tell her that I’m undecided. Would she even care? “Actually, I’m not sure yet.”
She leans in closer and teases. “Well, what do you want to be when you grow up?”
Her emerald green eyes captivate me as I try to concentrate on answering her question. “Honestly, I’d like to become a firefighter.”
“Wow, impressive. Any particular reason?”
I glance away, not ready to spill my life story, but as I return to look at her, her eyes shine with curiosity and wonder. Just as I’m about to speak, her cellphone rings, interrupting my heartfelt story.
She fumbles the phone in her hands as the ringing startles her then answers, “Hello. Oh, hey babe. Where are you? I’ve been texting you.”
Her face gives off a look of confusion. “You’re at the mall? I thought you had practice. You should have told me you were going there. I still need a few more things for the prom.”
I hear the deep voice from the receiver mumble the response as she looks outside at the pouring rain.
“No, that’s fine. Hey, I’m kind of stuck at the bakery. It’s a long story, but can you come pick me up and then we’ll head to my house?”
“Okay, thanks Duke. See you in a couple of minutes. Love you.”
A beaming smile radiates off her face as she hangs up the call. I take the empty mugs and plates and place them in the sink to be washed. I turn around to find her cleaning up her crumbs with the napkin.
Walking toward her, I take the napkin. “I’ll do that. It’s my job.”
She offers me a smile and gathers her things. Realizing she’s still wearing the towel, she unravels it and her dried hair falls along her shoulder blades.
“Here you go. Tell your aunt I said thank you.”
Taking the towel, I toss it into the sink and watch as she waits for her boyfriend. I head behind the counter, making sure I look busy; I don’t want her to think I’m staring at her. After a few minutes of pretend cleaning, I hear the loud exhaust of an engine roll up outside as a car horn blares.
Melanie stands up, looks at me, and waves. “Well that’s my ride. See you around.”
After she exits, I stand next to the window, watching as she climbs inside the Mustang and it races off into the busy streets.
Melanie
YOU KNOW THE times when you tell yourself not to do something, but you do it anyway? Yup, this was it for me.
At first, I avoid Easton like the plague, to the point where I won’t even make eye contact. Then after about of week of avoidance, he finally corners me and tells me how it is.
As I walk out of the nurses’ lounge, my arm is grabbed and I’m pulled into the east stairwell. My eyes focus on Easton’s, noticing the simmering blue of his eyes. “Why are you avoiding me? I see what you’re doing.”
I shrug out of his grasp, looking anywhere but his face. “I’d like to be cordial and professional Easton. This is my place of work. I don’t want to do anything that will jeopardize my career, and if that means staying away from you, then so be it.”
His body presses against mine, pushing me further into the door behind me. “I don’t want to make you uncomfortable, but I can’t get you out of my mind.” His eyes focus on mine and then trail south, stopping at my lips. His finger lightly brushes my bottom lip, sending all sorts of sensations throughout my body.
His rugged voice bellows, “You’ve consumed my every thought. Even after all this time apart, I can still taste you on my lips. Picturing you naked has driven me mad and I can’t take it any longer.”
Trying to clear my head and not succumb to his temptation, I slip out of his grasp and turn for the door. As I grab the handle to pry it open, a soft whisper echoes in my ear, “Don’t resist. You know where to find me.”
A shiver runs down my skin as a soft moan escapes my lips. Easton senses my wanting and licks the side of my neck. I breathe deep, trying to compose myself. In an instant, we are face to face and his lips press onto mine. I have to admit, I missed his lips.
Our kiss grows deeper as we press harder into each other. A moan escapes me as he bites my lower lip. His hands glide all over my body, igniting a heated lust. A frenzy of emotions stir down below as his fingers trail under my scrubs.
A finger grazes across my nub as he inserts another finger inside of me. His fingers work in clockwork motion, knowing exactly what the goal is. In a matter of minutes, my body can no longer handle the blissful pleasure and I beg for my release. His fingers push deeper, sending me over the edge, thrashing against the door.