The Mile High Madness Read online

Oh, crap. I couldn’t lie about this. “A little?”

  He’d come up on a stoplight and turned to look at me. “How ’bout this. Ice Cream. Movie. And if you want to go home afterwards, that’s totally cool.”

  Both his eyes and his voice were serious. I nodded.

  With his hand on my thigh, and those blue eyes piercing my soul, I wasn’t sure ice cream would be enough.

  So, we headed back downtown.

  I was an adult. I wasn’t a virgin by any means. During my undergrad days at CU, I’d had a serious boyfriend. We’d gone our separate ways after graduation though. I’d dated a little in New York, but eventually sold out for my academics.

  There could be nothing wrong with me giving in to a little fling about now. In fact, I think Bernadette would even approve. I could only imagine what his body would feel like on mine. Skin against skin. My breathing got shallow the more I thought about it.

  I hardly realized that he’d parked at a grocery store. “I’ll be right back.” He hopped out, leaving the keys in the ignition and the car running. I pressed play on his stereo and some familiar classic jazz music wrapped around me.

  Duke Ellington.

  Just when I didn’t think Hunter could be any more attractive. I loved classic jazz.

  He wasn’t gone long. Before the first song came to an end he came running out of the store carrying a single bag. I loved watching him move. He made everything look effortless.

  He climbed in, raising his eyebrows at the music, and handed me the bag. “Strawberry.” And then he kissed me quickly, tugged his seatbelt on and put the car in gear again.

  This time he took my hand in his. All night long he seemed to touch me any chance he got. I brought my other hand over and laid it on top of his. He squeezed.

  It was as though we could talk to each other without saying a word.

  We had a long way to go but I knew I wouldn’t get anywhere if I didn’t take that first step.

  Being inside his apartment again already felt surreal. The same, but different. “My shoes.” The evergreen pumps I’d worn last night were carefully lined up by what was probably a coat closet.

  “I knew you’d be back.” He winked and pulled me inside. I swallowed hard. Now that we were here, I wished I could be more forward.

  I wanted him. Like I’d never wanted anyone before.

  When he released my hand, I strolled into the living room and studied his remotes. “Netflix?” I asked and then I reached down to my heel and pulled off one of my sandals. His eyes followed my motions as though he was hypnotized.

  He made me feel like a goddess, just watching me like that.

  I watched him over my shoulder as I removed my other shoe.

  He licked his lips.

  I could almost imagine stripping for him.

  Almost.

  “Uh. Yeah. The bigger remote turns it on and you can find a movie with the smaller one.” He was standing behind his kitchen island with the ice cream. Without looking down, he opened a drawer. “Do you feel like some of this now, or later?”

  “Later.” I couldn’t eat a bite.

  He put the ice cream in his freezer while I made myself comfortable on his couch. I’d slipped off his warm up jacket but clung to it for some reason.

  “What should we watch?” I wondered what he’d pick. Movie choices could reveal a lot about a person.

  “You pick.”

  “No, I got to pick the ice cream flavor. You pick the movie.” I insisted as he lowered himself beside me. He kicked his own shoes off and relaxed, resting his legs on a large ottoman.

  I slouched down and put my feet up too. When his arm dropped around me, I felt like all was right with the world.

  I started scrolling through his movie choices and was surprised at some of the Netflix suggestions for Hunter.

  Disney movies. All the three versions of Toy story.

  “My nephews come over sometimes.” He explained.

  “How old are they?”

  “Four and six.” He was playing with my hair now, making goosebumps pop up on my skin. He had to have noticed.

  Between the two of us we settled on an older movie with Hugh Jackman… The Prestige. I’d seen it before but he hadn’t. Hunter clicked off the lamp and I hit play and then set the remote aside.

  It was a good movie, but not good enough to distract either of us.

  And Hunter had some good moves. “You make me feel like I’m in high school,” he whispered to me. We’d somehow come to be laying together on his sofa, both our bodies sideways, facing each other. I knew he was aroused. So aroused! We were almost to that point. That point of no return.

  In that moment, I realized I’d made my decision while he was buying the ice cream.

  I wanted this. I didn’t know if I’d ever feel this way again and I didn’t want to deny myself experiencing this kind of passion to its conclusion.

  Nothing was a given.

  I slid my fingers under his shirt. He’d promised not to push.

  “Do you have a bedroom in this place?” I asked.

  His answer was to bury his face in my neck. His stubble scratched my skin, and I reveled in the sensation. I clung to his neck when he lifted me in his arms and carried me down the hallway. I’d enjoy every second of this.

  Hunter lowered my feet to the floor and met my gaze. “You’re sure?” I loved that he didn’t pushed me.

  He didn’t need to. This thing. This attraction between us – did all the pushing for both of us. I shivered. “Completely.”

  The room was dark. I expected Hunter to press me onto the bed and take me quickly. When he stepped away and clicked a lamp on, I twisted around to look at him questioningly.

  “The better to see you with.” Oh Lord, how that wicked grin of his. At his words I remembered the comment he’d made last night. The better to eat you with. He wouldn’t do that tonight. I’d only ever experienced it a few times and I remember coming away dissatisfied and embarrassed. But at the thought of Hunter down there thrilled me. Just thinking about it made me wet for him.

  “Do you realize how gorgeous you are?” He towered over me now. “This.” His fingers started gathering the material of my skirt. “has been driving me crazy all night.”

  I stood frozen. So Aroused. Before I could raise my hands to his chest, warm fingers explored under my skirt, skimming my hips, by ass. Without thinking, I moved one foot, opening my legs for him.

  He dropped to his knees in front of me and slid my panties down.

  Then my hands were on his shoulders.

  “So fucking gorgeous.” He wasn’t looking at my face anymore.

  I thanked god that I’d shaved that afternoon. My knees nearly buckled when his lips pressed against my center.

  “Holly.” His voice vibrated against me. Heat from his tongue stroked my need higher. “You’re so wet.” Long stroke. “Shiny.” Long slow stroke. “Pink.”

  My knees did buckle then. I dropped to the bed and he lifted my legs onto his shoulders. He’d pushed my skirt up around my waist and I watched the top of his head.

  All the while he said things so I knew he was with me. “Relax Andretti. So fucking sweet.” I think his words alone could have finished me off. His beard scratched the sensitive skin between my thighs as he increased the pressure of his tongue.

  I was lost. Arching my back, clutching at his hair. How could anything feel so good? This man was magic. When he slipped his fingers into me I went over the edge. And not just once. Wave upon wave rolled over me. It was as though he knew exactly what I wanted. What I needed. He pushed, he pulsed, he curled his fingers just the right amount. All the while sucking parts of me. I loved how his face felt, rough. Demanding.

  By the time he stopped my bones were the consistency of Jell-O.

  He peaked up at me, lips glistening, his hair standing up where I’d clasped his head and I wanted him in me. I’d just had an amazing orgasm and I wanted him in me. Him. All of him.

  “We’re not done,
are we?” I couldn’t help but tease. I didn’t feel embarrassed in the least. I felt sexy. Hot.

  Carefully moving my legs, Hunter Rose to his feet. He raised his arms, and in one motion, pulled his shirt over his head.

  He was perfect. I’d only ever seen pictures of men built like him. Sculpted, smooth, taut abdomen. A smattering of hair across his chest, trailing down to the perfect V. I swallowed. Without taking his eyes off me, he unbuttoned his pants and stepped out of them.

  His boxer briefs hugged perfect hips, but that wasn’t where I stared. I stared at the tip of his arousal, tucked against his groin, which those briefs couldn’t contain. He was hard and big.

  “You’ve gotten awful quiet. Does it look like we’re done?” He teased me and opened a drawer by the bed.

  A I watched him tear open the condom and then slide it on, I licked my lips. “Not by a Long shot.”

  CHAPTER THIRTEEN

  Hunter

  I gazed into her eyes, remembering that I’d thought before how I wanted to fuck the darkness out of this woman. And she’d had some darkness.

  Except now I’ve changed my mind. I want to fuck her into the light.

  I’d loved hearing her little moans and gasps, my head between her legs. She was pretty all over.

  People don’t talk about how pretty a woman is down there, but damn, My Holly could have won beauty contests. Perfect. And when my tongue grazed her those soft wet lips, arousal rained in and around my mouth.

  She’d shown me what she wanted with her hands and hips. When her muscles clamped around my tongue, I knew she wanted it harder.

  And after.

  All I could do was stare into those eyes.

  That was when I saw her light. I’d been with more women than I wanted to think about, but I’d never had this feeling before. Like I was the fucking king of the world.

  I liked how she looked, all relaxed and soft, hair splayed around her… on my bed.

  She still rocked that little black dress… She’d pulled the skirt down, covering herself, but I knew already.

  I knew she was ready for me.

  Now to get her naked. To get my mouth on the rest of her.

  “Now I know what it takes to get you relaxed.” I climbed onto the bed beside her. She turned her head and smiled.

  “What’s it take to get you relaxed?” Her words came out all throaty sounding, sexy. My cock jumped.

  We weren’t even touching. I trailed one hand down her bare arm and watched as goose bumps appeared. I moved closer. My face hovering over hers. “How bout I show you?”

  Dark eyes studied me. I moved my thumb to the corner of her mouth and then slipped it behind her lips. I knew she’d taste herself. When she moaned, I couldn’t help but taste her kiss again.

  I pulled her against me and spent the next few minutes exploring her mouth. Feeling her hands all over me though. Messes with a man’s patience. I was stupid hard now.

  Technically I hadn’t even got to second base yet.

  My hands searched the back of her dress. Triumph shot through me as I lowered the zipper.

  She arched her back, making it easier, and when I reached the end, I tugged at the material, anxious to slide it down her body.

  Best. Present. Ever. My little feast.

  Plump, pert, reaching for me. Who was I to ignore such an invitation. My mouth clamped down on one tit, and my hand the other.

  “Hunter.” She writhed beneath me, drawing her nails down my back. Her hips tilted up, pushing at my cock. I sucked her in and bit down softly. She jerked and cried out.

  I couldn’t remember being with anybody more responsive than her. I tucked my other hand between us. God, she was wet all over again. I teased her crease, her clit. She bucked into my hand. “Hold on Andretti.”

  Who was I kidding. I loved anticipation as much as the next guy but I was dying to get inside her. I held myself up a little and teased her with my cock.

  Her face and neck were red from my beard. Her nipples shiny from my mouth. Her hair tangled and her eyes hooded.

  I found her opening. My breathing ragged, my heart racing. I slid in an inch or two and then backed out.

  She whimpered.

  Again.

  She arched her back to meet me.

  I couldn’t resist a second longer. My hips pistoned into her. Two more times and I was balls deep. Tighter than I’d imagined. Warm. Buttery. Slick.

  Our gazes somehow locked. I pushed harder, deeper. Her lips trembled and her lashes fluttered.

  I had to kiss her. I had to connect with her as many ways as possible.

  I wanted to catch her sounds inside me.

  This was more than I’d bargained for. I was fucking her. That’s all this was. An amazing fuck.

  When she convulsed around me, her cries echoing in my ears. I shot off like a fucking rocket.

  I collapsed, not moving off her. Not moving out of her and sort of just reveled in what just happened. Normally about now I’d be thinking about getting dressed and heading home. Right now, I didn’t want to move. In fact, I wanted to catch my breath and take her from behind. And against the wall. Maybe in the shower.

  That was when it hit me.

  Since moving back, I’d never brought a girl up here.

  I was doing everything differently with Holly.

  “Are you relaxed now?” she asked.

  I lifted up on my elbows and kissed her, long and slow and lazy. “I’m getting there.” I whispered into her mouth.

  “Umm,” she hummed and wrapped her legs around my hips. Like a hug. When I trailed my fingertips down her bare skin, she giggled.

  Ticklish? I skimmed my breath around to her ear. “What are you thinking about right now?”

  She giggled again.

  I had her pinned. I dragged my mouth along her jaw, down her throat. At the same time, I fluttered my fingers along the sides of her ribcage. I’d never asked a girl what she was thinking before.

  “So, if I wanted some of that ice cream about now?” Her hands played with my hair. “Would I have to get it myself?”

  “Ice cream?” She’s trying to stop my tickling motions now. “You were thinking about ice cream?”

  She nodded. “Strawberry.” The minute the words left her lips, I was like. Oh, yeah. We can have all sort of fun with ice cream.

  “Your wish is my command.”

  Neither of us slept until a little before dawn. I wasn’t sure whether I ought to try to catch a few winks or get up and go for my run. I leaned forward so her hair would tickle my chin.

  Who was I kidding? I wasn’t going anywhere. I’d put in a good enough workout last night.

  I hadn’t had that much fun in a long time.

  Or talked.

  About real stuff. Not beaches, or clubs, or money. But about family and life. She told me a few more of the stories my gran had shared with her. I’d talked about growing up in Colorado. How I’d missed it.

  I’d even talked a little about my travesty of a marriage.

  I never talked that shit with anybody.

  I also had a new appreciation for strawberry ice cream. She smelled like strawberries this morning. Strawberries and sex.

  She moaned and pressed her sweet little ass into me. Holy, shit, I could go again.

  CHAPTER FOURTEEN

  Holly

  I woke up alone to the smell of coffee, smiling before I even opened my eyes. My dress had white sticky stuff on the skirt so I slid on my panties and then borrowed Hunter’s shirt.

  I would pretend to myself that the sticky stuff was ice cream.

  Unsure of how long I’d be staying, I scooped up my dress and carried it into the living room, bracing myself a little. Maybe he’d just call me an Uber again.

  Hunter had showered already and was fully dressed. Black hair slicked back, eyes twinkling. The man looked as though he’d slept eight hours. He hadn’t shaved yet though. Remembering the texture of his scruff against my skin had me flushing from head to toe. />
  I tried brushing my fingers through my hair a little. I’m sure I didn’t look nearly as perky.

  It didn’t matter though. This man pressed a hot cup of coffee into my hands, and his hard, chiseled body against my back. His lips grazed my neck and I suddenly didn’t care what I looked like.

  Cause he made me feel sexy as hell.

  I thought this might be awkward, the morning after thing. But just the opposite. It felt like we’d done it a million times before. I turned in his arm and enjoyed the new day.

  When we finally came up for air, I tipped my head back and tried to read his eyes.

  “Sleepy this morning?” His gruff voice teased my senses.

  “A little,” I confessed. “I might just go home and nap all day.” I’d have a rude awakening tomorrow. “Cause tomorrow I’ll have to face Star”. I grimaced. We’d talked about this a little last night. I told him it was probably the best thing that could have happened to me. I never would have quit. This way I was free.

  Except for the ten-thousand-dollar thing…

  “You can crash here if you want,” he offered. As much as I’d like to lounge around in his apartment all day, I wasn’t ready for that. We both needed to step away and regroup. Last night was amazing, and fun, and… just so fricking incredible. But it had been intense. I needed some time to myself. He probably did too, just wanted to be nice.

  I liked that about him. Him being nice.

  I also knew he spent Sundays with his family. I shook my head but kissed him again. “Too much to do. Thank you, though.” I reluctantly slid my hands from around his neck and picked up my coffee. He’d made it exactly like I had just a few nights ago.

  I glanced at my dress and frowned. My mom was gonna give me hell when I walked in today. I couldn’t wait to get set up in my own place. I’d put down a deposit yesterday on a small studio farther south but it wouldn’t be available until the end of the month. I’d use my savings to move in. I didn’t think I’d have too much trouble finding a serving job.

  And then I might take a look at my unfinished thesis. For the first time in ages, I felt like moving forward.