Gage Read online

I could easily put my finger to his lips to stop him, but I can’t bring myself to do it. His lips are soft and warm as they gently press to mine with this inviting aphrodisiac to do something out of character. My days of being fancy-free and sleeping around are supposed to be over. But...there’s nothing I can do about this overwhelming need for satisfaction bottled up inside of me.

  I lie back in the sand with the sun just peeking over his shoulder. We have a few hours before the corn boil and my body craves feeling him touch me. It’s yearning for a single moment of unrestrained passion. As he sensually kisses me again, his hand moves down into the waistband of my board shorts to find that I’m already soaking wet for him.

  “I can stop if that’s what you want...it’s not what I want. The only thing I have been thinking about all day is kissing you like that. Once was never going to be enough,” he stresses with one finger tracing the wetness of my slit.

  I grab his wrist, but it’s not to stop him. “This is my vacation and what happens at the beach house stays at the beach house. I got the idea to rent this place when I received photographs from the wedding on the beach. Shane and Amber looked really happy. I miss that kind of undying devotion in my life.”

  His hand is on the back of my neck and he gently releases my breast from the captivity of my bikini top. I’m at the mercy of his piercing blue eyes and I feel open to his raw, animalistic gaze. There’s something about the way he looks at me that turns me into someone I don’t recognize.

  She has always been there, but it takes someone like Gage to bring her back to life.

  The kiss is hot and fueled by the way that my libido is expressing itself. I’m able to trace his nipples with my fingernails before lightly flicking them to make him groan in protest. I’m not looking to make a grown man cry unless it’s a feral scream of approval.

  His finger returns to my lower lips and is moving back and forth at a steady pace until he plunges knuckle-deep inside of me. I’m facing my biggest temptation to date and I don’t want to be the good girl everybody is counting on. I grind against him with the palm of his hand rubbing my mound. He has reawakened my inner desires to those sensations crawling over my skin. I lie there, shaking, with my feet kicking against the sand.

  “You really shouldn’t have done that. I should have warned you, but it’s too late to go back.” I jump on top of him and straddle his waist with my hands firmly on his chest.

  The board shorts are soaking wet as a reminder of the orgasm that reached down deep inside of me. I’ve become the woman from the past. It’s easy to scratch him lightly before reaching into his black swim trunks to feel the heat of his masculine piece of dynamite getting ready to explode.

  “Is there anything I can do to change your mind?” he asks with no real conviction.

  I shake my head back and forth until I am tugging on the waistband with my teeth to reveal the periscope of his excitement.

  I grab it between my crimson lips to taste the indulgence of the first droplets. It’s sticky and sweet at the same time. This isn’t like me. I don’t do things like this back in the real world. It’s the reason why I have to cast aside any doubts. The pleasure of being with a man who knows how to touch me in the right way is too hard to resist.

  It would be that way for any woman.

  Inch by inch it comes into view, until I see the magnitude of what I’m getting myself into. It’s impressive and quite daunting to my eyes which are bugging out of my skull. I curl my digits, with my blood-red nails barely touching the other side. My mouth opens and I drool hotly down the length of his manhood until he is slippery wet.

  “I think you should just lie there and enjoy what’s going to happen.” My mouth takes him into the heated oven of my persuasion until only a couple of inches remain.

  I compensate for my lack of deep throat skills by using my hand around the base to encourage the seed in his boys to boil. I’m having fun seeing him squirm and thrust his fingers into the sand, with some of it flying into my hair.

  He grabs my head with both hands, getting a firm grip on those fake platinum locks. His inner reserve of strength comes into focus when he thrusts from the sand into my mouth. My throat opens up temporarily, but I manage to stifle my gag reflex. It’s only for a brief moment but it’s more than enough to seal his fate.

  That vein throbs like a heartbeat against my tongue and the head grows in diameter until he begins to pulse. I feel the sizzling touch of his essence over and over again. He paintbrushes my tongue and creates this abstract art. His vocal declaration is followed by these strong, uninhibited moans of denial. This soon leaves him breathless on the sand with my hands still wrapped around him.

  “I did try to warn you. I’m not sure what comes over me after an unbridled kiss. It awakens something inside of me. It doesn’t look like you’re any worse for wear. You might need to catch your second wind, but a certain part of you is ready for more,” I refer to the way that his member is still strong and virile, courtesy of my experienced hands keeping those home fires burning inside of him.

  I use my hands to climb his muscular legs until I’m once again sitting on top of him. Standing makes me feel a little unbalanced and dizzy and it’s not very graceful the way that I take off my board shorts.

  My legs give out, and I drop unceremoniously on top of the spire of his excitement. It’s with pinpoint accuracy. I let out a high-pitched squeal from being impaled on that mighty serpent that was spitting white-hot venom only a few seconds ago. It’s quite formidable and slides into me like a warm knife through butter.

  I’m well aware of how I got into this situation.

  I ride slowly on top of him and watch as those inches slip easily back and forth through those hot lips. My hands come down in a wild exclamation of pleasure. They slap against his chest, leaving the imprint of my hands temporarily tattooed on his skin.

  "I feel like we have known each other all of our lives. I’m not sure how that is possible,” he says through clenched teeth, with my body bouncing up and down in a rhythm that is pleasing to his eyes.

  “I think I would remember being with someone like you. This certainly makes up for all of the deadbeats knocking on my door. I’m a giver by nature. I like to please but sometimes it makes me a doormat for losers. My last relationship was four years ago. Getting drunk and doing something stupid is my inalienable right,” I moan in defiance while moving in a circle until that fire is no longer contained inside of me.

  I let go with a flurry of limbs and that orgasmic moment of truth pulls him along in the wake of my climax. I fall on top of him until I am asleep in his arms.

  Ch 4 – Gage

  Breathing after what transpired on the beach wasn’t easy; I have never been with a woman so passionate.

  She is right here in front of me; less than 2 hours ago, we were right in this very same spot that she is dancing to the music pumping through the speakers in.

  There’s no way that I can wipe away that image of her on top of me.

  Drinking my beer and watching her carefree and reckless, wearing that colorful summer dress, is making it hard to take my eyes off of her. She moves with such grace and freedom.

  Alex sits down with a plate of corn dripping in butter. He doesn’t even ask to join me before handing me a beer that he has behind his back.

  “She has always been the life of the party. I remember every single moment where she pushed me out of my comfort zone. The three of us were the three musketeers back in the day. April really knows how to have a good time. Oh, she told me about what happened here earlier today,” he reveals, barely beating around the bush before he got to the point of his visit.

  “I guess I shouldn’t be surprised. She was one of your dearest friends growing up. It would stand to reason she would share everything with you. I don’t mind, and it gives me a chance to talk to you about something important to me. We just met at the baptism and I’m wondering if we’re not going a little too fast.” I think out loud, still watching her danci
ng around the fire in her bare feet with two bottles of beer in her hand.

  “I can’t read her mind, but she did want to know my opinion about you. I told her the truth. You’ve never been married, and long-term relationships are hard for us in our line of work. I also referred to Jake being with Chloe and how they seem to make it work. Just be honest with her about your intentions. She will respect you more for it.” He reminds me of my past relationships, where things didn’t go exactly as planned.

  My next assignment is following around this rich arms dealer in Belize. It would be nice to take her to a tropical getaway, but also a little presumptuous after only having known her for one day. I like being with her; I’m positive she feels the same way, but we really didn’t talk after getting intimate on the beach. That moment sticks with me. I can’t forget it.

  Alex hands me the plate he’s carrying. It’s a nice gesture but I’m really not hungry for food. My appetite is for something more than what is on the menu. Alex and Jake are two people that I will lay down my life for without a second’s hesitation.

  Alex is a bumblebee, constantly moving from one flower to another. He can’t sit still.

  This is something that we had in common until I realized it was time to slow down. Things about my future are out of focus, but she makes me think about a future with her in it.

  I’m always the one to jump at the opportunity for some excitement in the field. Volunteering for those risky adventures makes me feel alive. It also reminds me that I’m fragile and not as invincible as I think I am. Bad things happen to good people all the time. My love life has been on life support, but I’m starting to feel my heartbeat again for the first time in a long time.

  Sitting there in the sand, trading stories with my best friend, isn’t what I want to be doing. April is this ray of sunshine in an otherwise cloudy day. Her presence is necessary to keep me sane and grounded on a solid foundation. It will mean making some compromises. I will have something else to think about other than myself.

  Retraining my brain to think before acting isn’t going to be easy, but she is worth taking a step back from the abyss for. Seeing things clearly is waking me from the fog of confusion surrounding me. I’ve had fleeting moments of pleasure before, but this feels vastly different.

  Those in attendance have no discernible connection to me. It makes me feel out of place and unwanted. She is too busy laughing and having a good time to even notice me. Jake and Alex are the only ones stopping by to chat before they are pulled away.

  I use my fork to pluck the kernels of corn from the cob, letting them soak in the butter combined with the salt and pepper. It’s the only way to eat it these days without getting pieces stuck in my teeth. I hate using floss.

  Alex is looking at me strangely out of the corner of his eye and decides to come back to my side.

  “I want you to talk to her. Don’t get distracted. Be clear about what you want before you go any further. It appears her dance card is open. This is a window of opportunity that you shouldn’t let slip through your fingers,” he advises with the glow of the fire making her look like a bohemian rebel doing what comes naturally with the music playing.

  I take a breath and force myself out of that tiny little box. It means being strong and confident. The bad boy inside is forgotten. There is nothing I want more than to keep her safe from harm. Hurting her is the last thing on my mind.

  I take her hand and she blinks, with this smile on the corners of her mouth. “I want to talk to you. It can’t wait.” I guide her away from the laughter and music playing in the background.

  “This is one hell of a party. I guess I needed this more than I’m willing to admit. I hope this isn’t where we talk about our ‘feelings’ for one another; don’t be a girl. I’m kidding. I was wondering how to broach the topic with you as well. We do need to talk. Where do you think this is going?” she asks. I don’t like where this conversation is going.

  “The future is uncertain; however, I can’t deny there is something here between us. I’ve never felt this way about any woman. I feel like I’m drowning and the only person that can save me is you. I’ve never been in love and I don’t even know how it feels, I just know that I do want you. I’m not sure what else you want me to say,” I falter with my words sounding hollow and unconvincing.

  “You mention the future being uncertain. I can agree with that in theory. I’m wondering if this is casual or something more. I don’t want you to commit to something that you’re not entirely invested in. I can’t see into the future, there is no crystal ball. I’m willing to give you a chance, but I need to know you’re going to be there,” she says with some seriousness in her tone, as if she is gauging my reaction and determining the best course of action by what I’m going to say next.

  “April, I’m used to being alone,” I reply with my heart in my throat.

  “What about children?” she asks a very out of the blue question.

  She mentions children less than 24 hours after we meet. Is she crazy to bring up that topic so soon? I’m willing to give her the benefit of the doubt. She probably comes from a close family.

  The very idea forces me to take stock of my life. Having a child scares the hell out of me.

  “My childhood was very traumatic and convinced me to steer clear of having a family. I come from a broken home and grew up without that stability in my life. My father ran out on us, and I can’t imagine continuing that cycle with a child of my own,” I confess in a moment of weakness.

  “I guess I have my answer,” she laments with her eyes welling up.

  “There’s still a lot of living to do before I’d consider having a child,” I state.

  She touches my shoulder and leans forward to whisper into my ear. “That’s going to be very difficult when I already have a child from another relationship. He’s four years old and I know what unconditional love is all about because of him. Nothing else matters,” she states.

  The awkward silence is something I’m never going to forget. There are no harsh words, but this discussion has revealed a little bit too much about me. I’m not sure I’m strong enough to be the man of a family. It doesn’t mean that I’m not willing to try for the right woman.

  We just met. I’m going to need some time to think about it.

  “If what you’re looking for is a good time, then maybe you should find somebody else. I hope I didn’t give you the wrong idea after what happened here a couple of hours ago. I lost a piece of myself and you helped me to find it. That is something I will always be grateful for.” She stands up and walks away from me without saying another word.

  I’m shocked by her and her admission. That was the last thing I thought she was going to say. It leaves me wondering about the future. I know I want her in it - this isn’t over.

  I don’t pursue her, and I want to believe that I dodged a bullet, but it doesn’t feel that way.

  That metaphorical bullet feels like it is in my stomach. She is important to me in a way that I can’t possibly understand without further evaluating my life. It makes me feel empty to see her walk away.

  A deep breath of regret exhales from my mouth. The world is different already without her in it. How can I possibly let her go?

  Ch 5 – April

  I didn’t mean to drop that bombshell in his lap last night, but there was no easy way to tell him. The rest is up to him. I have to think about my baby boy. My heart breaks thinking that it might be the deal-breaker between us, but maybe it is for the best.

  It doesn’t help that I have a competition this morning and sitting here on the board with thoughts of him running around in my head isn’t healthy. There is some stiff competition out here, but younger doesn’t always mean better. With age comes wisdom, and the ability to pull back when it’s necessary. That is my advantage over these wet behind the ears kids, who have no idea what life is about to throw at them.

  I have already weathered three different competitors with varying degrees of strengths
and weaknesses. It makes me remember the good old days. This competition is about serving them a good dose of reality. It’s also about proving that I still have it after all these years.

  I hit the waves hard, with my eyes looking directly at my competition. It feels good to dust off the old skills, finding a rhythm and moving seamlessly through the water with that certain something in the air. It’s magical and something I can’t find anywhere else.

  The wave goes over me and I come through on the other side with my hair dripping but still with a smile on my face. Waiting for the right moment is something that can only be taught through experience.

  It’s a timeless tradition and I’m grateful for my chance in the sun again. The numbers dwindle until there are only three of us left. The other two think they have my number, but I know certain tricks they haven’t even learned yet.

  I see Alex out in the water; he is waiting for the men’s competition to start after we are done.

  “Don’t go easy on those two. You need to teach these young bucks something about this sport. I do want to talk about Gage, though. He hasn’t been the same since you walked away from him on the beach.” Alex is trying to get through to me before I get back to the competition.

  “I give you credit for standing up for your friend, but...” I poke his chest with my feet dangling in the water when he motions for me to look over my shoulder.

  I see Gage. He still looks so damn good with his shirt wide open and wearing those khaki cargo shorts. I wasn’t expecting him to show up. It’s a surprise but a welcome one.

  “I just want you to be happy,” he says as we see a huge ten-foot wave coming in on the horizon.

  I’m temporarily blinded by seeing Gage again and I’m a few strokes behind the wave, but I catch up quickly with my strong arms pushing me beyond my boundaries. It’s exhausting but worth the effort to challenge myself again.

  I’m using Gage to push me past the pain. I can almost hear him cheering over the sound of the waves. I’m able to beat the sandy blond girl to the prize but I’m a few steps behind the young kid barely out of her teens. We fight to see who comes out on top, and we put on a show for those watching from the beach with high-powered binoculars.