“No. Don’t apologize, but let’s go settle in front of the TV before I get carried away.”
His TV was seventy inches and surrounded by actual movie seats and a sectional couch. It was on the top floor, and he had coverings that dropped over the windows to block out the sun during the day. It was extravagant and honestly a waste of money, but I didn’t say anything.
I settled onto the couch, unzipping my boots and pulling them off my feet. He sat beside me and removed his shoes as well. Leaning back on the couch, he put his arm on the back of the seat and picked up the remote control with his other hand.
That was how we sat for the next few hours. We ended up watching a movie on Netflix, and not once did he try to touch me or become inappropriate. It was nice, and I could honestly say I was having a wonderful time with him.
Soon, he began to doze off, allowing me time to sit and look at him without him knowing and having something sarcastic or sexual to say.
His dark hair fell over his brow, and his black lashes fluttered against his high cheekbones. His skin was naturally tanned, but he was also a bit dark from the sun. His nose was thin and symmetrical, and his lips were open as he breathed deep in his sleep; they were smooth and supple … thick and erotic with just the right amount of facial hair around them.
He hadn’t shaved lately. His face wasn’t as smooth as usual, and instead, a slight beard was growing. Just enough that when I reached out and ran my finger across his cheek, I could feel the prickles.
Getting away with touching him, I moved closer and ran my finger across his lips, feeling their softness and his warm breath against the tip of my finger. Then out of nowhere, his hand grabbed mine.
I gasped and tugged my hand back. His eyes popped open, and he grinned at me with sleepy eyes.
“Are you taking advantage of a sleeping man, Red?”
I went to answer no, but I hadn’t spoken in a while, and I had no idea how swollen my tongue was. I moaned in pain and reached up to cover my mouth.
My tongue was throbbing, the swelling filling my mouth. I didn’t regret it, but I wished I had some Tylenol or something for the pain.
“Is it hurting pretty badly?” he asked, leaning up and stretching.
His shirt pulled against his body letting me see the dips and cuts in his back muscles.
I nodded instead of answering.
“Want something cold to drink? Maybe some ice?” he asked, reaching out and rubbing my knee without thinking.
It was as if we spent time together all the time. He was comfortable with me, and I was becoming comfortable with him.
“Ice please,” I slurred.
“Come on.” He reached down and grabbed my hand, pulling me up from the couch.
He held my hand the entire way to his kitchen, and once we were there, he got a glass from the cabinet and filled it with ice for me.
“Really, a popsicle would be better. Do you want to run out and get some?
I shook my head. “This will do.”
I plucked a cube out of the glass and slid it into my mouth. Sucking a little, I felt the instant relief against my heated tongue. His eyes followed my movements, making me feel as if I was doing something naughty when I wasn’t. I was only trying to find relief.
“What?” I asked, disliking the fact he was staring at me
“You.”
“What about me?”
“The way you’re sucking that ice cube is getting me hard.”
My eyes dropped to his crotch, and sure enough, there was a tent popped up.
“I think everything turns you on.”
“No. It’s just …” He stopped.
“It’s just what?”
He moved closer, his finger skimming across my bottom lip and making me suck it into my cold mouth. His tongue peeked out, swiping at the corner of his mouth.
“I never wanted to be an ice cube so badly in all my life.”
He leaned in and pressed his lips to mine. With a swollen tongue, I wasn’t much for kissing, but he never pressed for me to open for him. Instead, his heated lips against my icy ones felt like something much more sexual.
He pulled away, his eyes tracing the line of my lips once more.
“You’re doing something to me.”
“What am I doing?”
“I don’t know. I just know I feel different with you.”
I had no idea what that meant and whether it was bad or good. I had no idea how to respond or if I should respond.
I opened my mouth to say something sweet, but before I could, he pulled away.
“Maybe I should take you home now. It’s getting late.”
I nodded, and he left the kitchen to go get our shoes from the TV room. While he was gone, I turned and looked out the large windows overlooking the beautiful Charleston coastline. The bridge lit up in the distance, illuminating a tiny bit of sky around it.
Matthew had an amazing life. One filled with riches and I was sure lots of family and friends. I didn’t fit in with him, and I never would. That realization was like dropping my glass of cold ice over my head.
We were friends.
At least, I thought we were.
And I was thinking maybe it was best if we stayed that way. No matter how badly my body begged for him. And no matter how quickly my mind was starting to understand my body’s sentiments.
THIRTEEN
MATTHEW
ICE HAD NEVER BEEN SO EROTIC.
Not ever.
The way she sucked it into her mouth and ran her tongue around it. I almost unloaded in my boxers just watching her.
I hadn’t had sex in a while, and it was taking its toll on me, but having Shannon around and not being able to touch her wasn’t making things any easier. Still, I couldn’t stay away from her. She was intoxicating and refreshing. She was witty and joyful, and most of all, she didn’t ask anything of me.
It was a nice change from the women who wanted everything.
I took my time collecting our shoes to take her home because I needed a minute to calm down and gather myself. I was completely out of my league with her. She was seducing me without even trying, and I had never been enticed so sweetly.
Melting into my sectional, I rested my face in my palms. My deep breaths burst through my fingers until I could focus. Taking her home was the smart thing to do. She wasn’t ready for what I was offering, yet here I was, upstairs coming apart at the seams.
By the time I got downstairs and went into the living room, she was asleep on the formal couch. She’d tucked her hand sweetly under her chin, and her mouth was slightly opened. She wasn’t snoring, but her breathing was deeper. I watched as her chest rose and fell with each breath.
Getting an extra blanket out of the linen closet, I covered her and turned off the lights. If I thought she would have gotten in my bed, I would have offered it to her, but knowing Shannon, I knew no matter how much I offered it to her, she wouldn’t take the bed. Honestly, I knew if I woke her for any reason, she would want to go home. Strangely, after seeing her sleeping so soundly on my couch, it was the last thing I wanted to do.
The first time a woman had stayed overnight, and she was sleeping untouched on my living room couch.