“Oh, umm. I ran into him earlier, and he creeped me out.”
“Why? Did he say something to you?”
“No. Well, I mean, I bumped into him and apologized. He said it was okay.”
His brows now furrow, and he tilts his head so our eyesight is even. I can’t look anywhere but at his amazing blue eyes.
“Did he touch you?” The words come out slow, controlled.
“No, I don’t think so.” The ring around his eyes darkens, and I know I made a mistake.
“You don’t think so?”
“Umm…” He said honesty, right? “Well, maybe he held on a little longer than necessary when I ran into him, and maybe he touched my butt.”
“Fuck me,” he says as slow as before.
His eyes remain unblinking and locked on mine. I see his lips moving, counting down from ten. When he reaches one, he lifts my hand and kisses the center of my palm.
“Okay,” he states.
“Okay? What’s okay?”
“Nothing, I’ll take care of him later.”
“Travis, it’s fine. You don't need to do anything.” I laugh a little. “Anything more than you already did.”
“No, I didn't know he made you uncomfortable and put his hands on you. Don't worry about it.” He blows it off like it’s nothing, but there’s more meaning behind his actions. You don’t do that for someone you don’t care about.
“Why did you hit him anyway?”
He begins tracing a figure eight pattern from my wrist to the center of my hand. “He said something that pissed me off.”
“What did he say?” I ask, mesmerized by the softness of his bruised hands.
“Nothin’. You wanna watch a movie or something?”
“Not really.”
“What do you want to do then?” he whispers.
I look down and see him growing inside his boxers. I gasp because I’ve never actually seen one before. Sure, in movies and stuff, but in real life, no. All I’ve ever done is make out with a few boys, but I’ve never felt with them what I do with Travis. I know I shouldn’t be here.
I feel a tingling between my thighs and shift uncomfortably on the couch. This is not why I came here, but kissing him the other day felt so good and so right. I want to do it again but don’t know how to tell him.
When I don’t answer, he asks again in a husky voice, “What do you want to do, sweetheart?”
“I…” I stop and look at his mouth. He smirks.
“You what?”
“I want you to kiss me again.” I let out a breath I didn't know I was holding and shut my eyes. He tips my chin up at the same time telling me, “Open your eyes.” I look into his, and see the dark ring is back, but this time it’s not anger, only desire looking back at me.
“Don’t be embarrassed around me. All I ever want is honesty. If you want me to kiss you, all you have to do is ask. Okay?”
“’Kay,” I whisper. He pulls me on top of his lap so I’m straddling him. I feel his hardness and involuntarily grind my hips into him. I’ve never felt anything like it before so I do it again and again, gasping every time. He grabs my hip with one hand and the other goes to the back of my head, pulling my face down to his. Our tongues explore and our teeth nip and crash together in a kiss that consumes every part of my body. He releases my head and grabs my other hip, pressing me harder onto him.
“Oh, God.” I moan into his mouth. Is this normal? I begin to get dizzy and pull my head back, sucking in some much needed oxygen while my body experiences a new high.
I drop my head onto his shoulder. Words can’t describe how I feel right now. Light, dreamy, happy. My body lax and satisfied, I smile on his shoulder. Oh. My. God. That was better than I’d ever imagined. After the tremors fade away and I’m able to think straight again, I sit up and look at him. He’s breathing deep, as if he’s trying to calm down, and his handsome face is flushed. He smiles at me and kisses my shoulder.
I smile back and get off his lap to get some water. It’s better if I don’t say anything right now. I’ll probably end up putting my foot in my mouth. When I return with a bottle for him, he’s still hard and adjusting himself. I immediately feel guilty because even though I’m inexperienced, I know I need to do something for him.
“Hey, don’t look at me like that.”
“Like what?” I ask.
“Like you feel bad for me. I’m a big boy, I’ll be fine after a cold shower,” he chuckles. “I’d stay like this just to see the sated look on your face right now.” I touch my cheek and feel the heat even more. “Yeah, that’s hot, and you fucking know it.”
I throw a bottle of water at him out of embarrassment, and he gets up, determination on his face. I laugh and turn to run away, but he scoops me up and sets me back on the couch. His strong arms cage me in, and he gives me a chaste kiss. “You good?”
God, he’s so sweet. “Yeah, I’m good.”
He leans down to kiss me again, and I grab the back of his head, keeping him there. I’ve gained some confidence and want to make him feel good, too. I trail my hand down his body until it reaches the band of his boxers. He grabs my wrist and hauls me up.
“Nope. As much as I want your hands on me, that was all about you, baby.”
Disappointment registers and I hang my head. I knew he would never want me like that. I’m not good enough for that, I don’t know what to do. “Okay.” I try to sound strong, but he sees right through me.
He tilts my head up again, and when I look at him, he smiles. It’s not a huge smile, and all the other features on his face are tense. “Trust me, I’d like nothing more. The thought of it makes me…”
He’s doing this for me. I finally get it. I reach up and give him a hug but avoid touching anything below his chest. I’m not a guy, but that’s gotta hurt.
I really need to get home. My parents left the barbecue before me and think I’m still there. I’m a little mad at myself for how easy it’s been to lie to them in order to spend time with Travis. Plus, I need to get a handle on my emotions, and I can’t do that with him standing rock hard in front of me.
“I really need to go. Just so you know, I didn’t come over for that.” I wave my hand wildly at the couch. “I really wanted to see if you were alright after what happened.”
“And I told you, I’m fine. I don’t care what excuse you have to use. You can come over and do that,”—he mocks me and waves at the couch laughing—“any time you want.”
I chuckle under my breath. “What did he say that made you so mad? Whatever it is, you have to know it’s not worth it.”
His face becomes serious, and he comes close enough that when he talks, his lips brush mine. “Oh, trust me, sweetheart, it’s worth it.”
Chapter 5
Charlotte
I LAY IN BED all night tossing and turning. I can’t wipe the smile off my face. Being with Travis makes me feel… happy. The simple word doesn’t even begin to describe the magnitude of its meaning. He doesn’t treat me like a kid, and I appreciate that more than he knows. Granted, I can’t tell him that. He’s gotta think I’m older. I mean, what twenty-something-year-old messes around with a girl in high school? Oh well, I guess since he hasn’t asked how old I am, he already knows and is okay with it. I bet Pierce told him.