Chapter Fourteen
Mateo
She said okay. She fucking said okay. This girl who’s got me aching to be balls-deep inside her said I could finger-fuck her outside on this hammock. Does she have any fucking idea how turned on this makes me? My cock is harder than it’s ever been, and it’s been hard a lot. But this is all about her. No matter how much I want to be buried deep inside her, tonight is strictly for her pleasure. Her “okay” is a gift I won’t take further until she’s absolutely positive she wants more.
“Keep as still as possible and the light won’t blink back on,” I say. I move my hand underneath the T-shirt I gave her and slowly lift the hem of her dress. Her skin is so fucking soft I can’t help but groan. She grinds her ass against me, and I think I may come in my pants if she keeps doing it.
Which is a hundred shades of messed up. I’m the Dating Guy. I do not get off this easily for a girl. I give an orgasm—or two—then get my own release. I remain always in control.
My fingers reach her panties, and, “Fuck, you’re so wet.”
“I know,” she practically pants.
This isn’t going to take long. I’m fucking great with my hands. Insanely talented with my fingers. And when my partner is as aroused as Teague is, it’s a done deal.
I’m cognizant of the fact that if someone comes around the corner they’ll have a straight shot of my hand between Teague’s legs. The idea of getting caught doesn’t bother me, but I’m betting it would her. Or maybe not. Because holy shit, she’s spreading her thighs like she couldn’t care less. Her surrender is hot as hell. Does she like the idea of possibly being seen?
I move her panties to the side, baring her to my touch. Her breath hitches.
“If you want me to stop, just say the word.” It would kill me not to see this through, but I don’t ever want her to doubt what goes on between us.
“I want you to go faster,” she purrs. “Please, Mateo, make me come already.”
She doesn’t have to ask twice. She’s more than ready for me to slip a finger inside. I spread her open with my fingers, then push one in, relishing how tight and slick she is. I work her inside and out until she grinds against my palm one last time and lets go. Fuck, that was fast.
Her mouth is tightly closed as she hums through her orgasm. I keep my hand in motion until her hips relax and her body calms down. Then I ease my fingers out of her, put her panties back in place, and cover her with her dress and my shirt.
She turns so we’re face-to-face, a move I wasn’t expecting. I thought she’d be too shy to face me so soon. Glad I’m wrong. The hammock swings, and the outside light clicks on. I’m grateful for the opportunity to see her more clearly. Her blue eyes are glazed over. Her cheeks are flushed. She’s fucking gorgeous.
Annnnddd she just put her hand on my crotch. My zipper is going to bust open from how hard I am underneath my jeans. “I want to return the favor,” she says with a voice all kinds of sexy, even if it’s a little unsure.
Didn’t see that coming, either. “It’s not necessary.”
“No?” Her smile is naughty. “Feels like it might be.” She releases the button on my pants, and the zipper slides halfway down all on its own. The truth is if she doesn’t help me out here, I’m going to have to excuse myself and rub one out.
“Yo, Captain!”
Teague whips her hand back so fast I hope she didn’t dislocate her shoulder. She buries her face in my neck.
“It’s How Do You Doo time,” Sullivan calls out.
Shit. “Now?”
“Yeah, now. So get your ass inside. I need you on my team.”
“What is he talking about?” Teague asks.
I hustle us out of the hammock with a steady arm around her waist so she doesn’t fall. She smooths down her clothing while I do my best to zip up with a hard-on. “Elliot won a bet last week, so he’s calling in his win now.”
“What exactly did he win?”
“We have to play a singing game. It’s his way of torturing us. You good to go ahead? I’m going to swing by the bathroom and wash my hands.”
“Sure.” She walks toward the patio. I walk toward the door to my bedroom.
“Teague?”
She turns. She’s so unbelievably pretty that it hurts. She deserves a guy who can commit to her, I know this, and yet I’m going to be selfish a little longer. “Next time, you’re going to ride my face.”
She palms her cheeks in a cute move designed to hide the effect my words have on her, and then wheels around without a reply. That she can be sweet and innocent one minute and brazen the next is a killer combination.
I take a little extra time in the bathroom. You know why. When I enter the family room, our group is clearly split into two teams. Levi isn’t in the mix, so he and his ex must still be making up. Or sleeping. The guy’s been keeping crazy hours.
Elliot motions for me to sit next to Harper. Teague is on the other team, sitting across the room next to Puck. I trust the guy with my life. Not sure I trust him with Teague.
On the coffee table is a sand timer, shot glasses, and vodka. This ought to get interesting.
“Could you state the rules one more time, please?” Teague asks. She’s adorable. And if I know Elliot, a shot or two into pregame drinking.
“One person looks at the top song card and then tries to get their team to guess the song by singing it using only the word ‘doo.’ Team members can make as many guesses as they want until they get the right song. Whoever guesses correctly becomes the new singer and looks at the next card. Teams continue guessing as many songs as they can for two minutes.”
“Got it,” she says.
“Whichever team gets to ten first wins. For every song a team doesn’t guess, they drink. They can skip to the next song, but they have to do a shot first.”
“What happens if we accidentally sing a different word?” Harper asks.
“The song is disqualified and you drink.”
“You know, Elliot, you don’t have to get me drunk to see what I’ve got on under this blue dress.”
“Duly noted, babe. House rules state ladies always go first, so why don’t you start your team off?”
Harper stands and moves to the front of the room where the stack of song cards is sitting. She picks one up and grins. “Go!” Elliot says, turning over the timer.
I haven’t a clue what song she’s singing, but Van guesses correctly after about a minute. He and Harper switch places and we play again.
An hour later, Teague’s team has got nine and we’ve got eight. We’re all shit-faced, so “doo” sounds like “foo,” “Jew,” “shoo,” and my personal favorite, “boo boo.” That’s from Teague. Pretty much everything she does is my favorite.
She’s up for her team. This is it. If they get this song, the game is over and I can take her to bed. There’s no way she or Harper can drive home, so both girls are crashing here.
Her face lights up when she reads the card. She starts singing and after only a few doos, Puck and Elliot shout out, “‘California Girls’ by the Beach Boys!”
Teague jumps up and down in celebration. High fives follow with her teammates. It makes me happy to see the smile on her face.
Our friends Matt, Clark, and Victoria call an Uber and head out. Van and Puck are all but passed out on the couches. I do the gentlemanly thing with the remaining sleeping arrangements even though I don’t want to. “You guys shouldn’t be driving either,” I say to Teague, “so how about you two take my bed and I’ll crash with Elliot.” Yeah, they could Uber, too, but it’s still not the safest thing, given they’re two pretty girls who have been drinking.
“Or,” Teague says, putting her hands on my chest and leaning into me, “I could sleep with you. Harp won’t mind.” She looks over her shoulder at her friend. “Will you, Harp?”
Elliot wraps his arms around Harper from behind. “I’m happy to keep you warm tonight.”
“Fine by me. You sure, TW?”
“Mmm-hmmm.” She lays her cheek over my heart and hugs me like I’m a giant pillow.
“No funny business,” Harper says. “None of us have all our facilities.”
“I think you mean faculties,” I correct. Even shit-faced I always have my wits about me.
“Yes, that.” She points at me, then grabs Elliot’s hand. “Now take me to bed so I can sleep this off.”
“You mean take the dress off, right?” Elliot says hopefully.
The dude is not getting lucky. And he wouldn’t ever take advantage. I’ve watched him and Harper, and she’s not that into him. She likes him well enough, and maybe she’d sleep with him once if she had the itch, but she’s not looking for a boyfriend, and my friend definitely gives off the looking-for-a-girlfriend vibe.
I glance down at Teague, her weight heavier against me, and find she’s fallen asleep on her feet. I’m not surprised, given the long day she’s probably had. I scoop her into my arms and carry her to my room.
I’m tired as hell, too, and can’t wait to get into bed. Teague murmurs something unintelligible as I tuck her in. She’s beautiful in sleep. I hit the bathroom to brush my teeth and undress down to my boxer briefs. When I walk back into the room, Teague is curled up on her side under the covers, but holy shit. On the floor beside her is my T-shirt and her little black dress. And fuck, a pink bra.
She told you she doesn’t sleep in anything. She must have stripped without thought, because if she had given even a second to thinking about this situation, she would have remembered where she was.
There is no fucking way I can get into bed with her now and remain a gentleman. I’ve imagined what she looks like naked, and what she’d feel like, countless times. So has my dick, which is currently pointing at her like an idiotic prick.
I snag my pillow and grab a blanket off the top shelf in my closet and try to get comfortable on the floor, but it’s not happening. The hammock. I throw on a shirt and sweatpants and take my pillow and blanket outside. I leave the door open in case Teague wakes up and is out of sorts or needs anything. She is out like a baby, so I doubt it, but this way I’ll be able to hear her just in case.
Now that I’m situated in the hammock, all I can think about is lying here with her. Having my fingers in her most intimate spot. Smelling her hair, holding her close. Feeling her come apart. I fall asleep with her taking up every spot in my head, knowing this thing between us isn’t close to done yet.
Even though I have to put a stop it.
…
“Tayo! Tayo! Look!”
I blink awake at the sound of Zoe’s voice. It’s bright as hell and I think I hear birds. Last night… I came outside to sleep so I wouldn’t— I quickly push up, swing my legs over the hammock, and sit with the blanket tossed to the side.
“Tayo, look!”
Zoe is standing in front of me with a huge grin on her little face. A big toothless grin.
“Can you see it?” she asks.
“The hole in your mouth? I sure can. It looks awesome.” I peek past her to the open door to my room. Seems quiet. I wonder what time it is.
“It felled out at dinner last night and then I put it under my pillow and guess what?”
“What?”
“The tooth fairy came!” She opens her hand to show me three gold dollar coins.
“Wow. When I lost my front tooth I only got one dollar.”
She climbs into my lap like it’s the most natural thing in the world. I gotta admit, I like it, too. “That’s sad,” she says apologetically. “Did your mommy put your tooth in a tooth pillow?”
I smile. This little girl is the best. “No, I don’t think she did.”
“That’s probly why, then. It’s the way the tooth fairy likes best.” She touches my face, rubbing over the stubble on my jaw. “You have fur today.”
“What do you think?”
“It’s scratchy.”
“Hey, how did you know to come find me out here?”
“Levi told me on his way to work.” She leans in close to my ear. “He’s soooo cute,” she whispers.
I bark out a laugh. My Zoe has got a crush. “You think so?”
She nods. “Mommy thinks so, too, but she says she’s too old for him. Is that true?”
“If your mom thinks so, then yes, it’s true.”
“She’s making me blueberry pancakes. Wanna come over and have some with us?”
I give a little tug to her ponytail. “That is a very nice invitation, but I can’t this morning.” I’m hoping to have breakfast with Teague.
“How ’bout this afternoon? I wanna take you for ice cream with my money.” She shakes the coins in her hand.
No way is she spending her money on me, but I won’t tell her that. “That sounds great. I was hoping a pretty girl would ask me to go for ice cream today.”
She giggles and climbs off my lap. “So, it’s a date?”
“It’s a date. Tell your mom I’ll be by to pick you up at two.”
She smiles from ear to ear. “Okay. See you later, Tayo!”
I watch her skip away until she’s gone from view. She knows to run directly home, do not talk to anyone, do not stop for any reason. She likes her independence, a quality I’m sure pains her mom, but one that will make her a force to be reckoned with when she’s older.
I swing my attention to my bedroom door and find Teague leaning against the doorframe, arms crossed, eyes on me. She’s wearing my UCLA shirt, and it looks like nothing else by the way it hangs on her body.
All I can do is stare. She’s in my fucking shirt with bed head, full lips, and legs that go on for miles. The thought of seeing her like this every morning hits me with unwelcome force. I don’t want these proprietary feelings, but fuck if I can stop them. The question that I’ve been shoving out of my head the past few days pops up again. What if she’s the one?
Then I guess I’m fucked, and she’ll be the one that got away.
“That was the sweetest thing ever,” she says.
Ah, she’s been standing there for a while. I get to my feet and walk closer. I want to pounce on her, but I keep myself in check. “She is pretty sweet.”
“She’s your neighbor?”
“Yes. She’s also my date this afternoon in case you missed that.” Am I trying to make Teague jealous with a six-year-old? I’ve officially lost my fucking mind.
“I caught it. She’s going to have the boys lining up when she’s older.”
“No doubt.” I reach out and play with a strand of hair hanging down her arm. “Good morning.”
“Morning.”
“Sleep okay?”
“Um, about that.” Her morning blush is seriously turning me on. Down, boy.
I slip by her into my room. I need a subzero shower. Stat. My eyes immediately go to the floor beside the bed. The black dress is still there, no bra. I’m relieved and not.
“What about it?” I turn around.
“Some of the details are a little hazy, so I was wondering if you could tell me…” Her gaze bounces around the room like she’s looking for clues. She chews on her bottom lip.
“Hey.” I take her hand and we sit on the edge of the bed. “Nothing happened. I put you in bed, went into the bathroom, and when I came out you had taken your clothes off.”
She looks away, giving me the back of her head.
“I didn’t see anything. You were under the covers. But I didn’t trust myself to sleep in the same bed as you, knowing you were all but naked, so I went and slept in the hammock.”
Her surprised eyes land back on mine. “You slept in the hammock all night?” she asks with regret.
I stretch my neck from side to side, then roll my shoulders back. “I did. And you know what? I feel great this morning.” Not really.
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.”
“At least I didn’t sleepwalk.”
“You sleepwalk?” Jesus, if I’d known that I would have set up a chair at the foot of the bed.
She scrunches up her nose. “Sometimes. Not so much anymore. One time I made brownies and didn’t remember doing it.”
Now I have an image of Teague baking in the kitchen in nothing but a pair of pink panties. “How’d they taste?”
“Delicious.”
“How are you feeling this morning? You hungry? I know a place that makes the best egg sandwiches you’ve ever had.”
“You like taking me to the best eating places, don’t you?”
“Someone’s got to show you the best of L.A. so you can write about it.” And I don’t want to think about why that someone has to be me. “We can see if Elliot and Harper want to join,” I add, because I have to stop keeping Teague to myself.
“Thanks,” she says, covering my hand with hers. “For being so great.”
“Great is the Eggslut sandwich I’m going to feed you.” I turn my hand, palm up, and rub my thumb over her knuckles. It’s a stupid, affectionate move, but I can’t help myself. I have no fucking willpower around her.
“Harper’s been wanting to take me there. It’s downtown, right?”
“Right.”
She jumps to her feet. “Okay, how about she and I go home so we can change and then meet up with you?”
“Sounds good. The line is always at least an hour deep on the weekends, so we’ll keep a spot for you.”
“Is it okay if I wear your T-shirt home?” She bends to pick up her dress. “I’ll wash it and get it back to you.”
I stand, and we walk into the hallway. I hear Elliot and Harper talking about breakfast in the kitchen. Perfect. “Keep it.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, it looks a lot better on you than it does me.”
She gives me a sidelong glance, and I can see the wheels turning. She wants to say the right thing back, something flirty and enticing.
What she doesn’t get is that everything she says to me is a turn-on.