I sit on the rock by the river, with my phone in my hand. The battery is at two percent, but I can’t get myself to get up, go inside, and charge it. If the phone is dead, I can’t listen to Sierra’s messages.

I should have told her. Come clean. Confessed the truth and have this whole thing be behind us. I had the perfect opportunity when she asked why I didn’t call. I’ve replayed it in my mind a million times, though mostly because of how fucking hot Sierra looked wearing my T-shirt.

The conversation could have gone a hundred different ways, with the most likely being her running away as fast as she could. Then I’d stay here long enough to help Josh with the bar and be out of here. I haven’t been out west in a while. Texas was always good for business.

But I’m so damn tired of running. For the first time in my life, I want to stay where I am. And I know the only reason is because of Sierra.

I exit out of the voicemail and bring up a text instead, writing out a message to send to Sierra.

Me: I finished Unbroken. That ending came out of nowhere.

Sierra: You’re a fast reader. And I know!! So crazy, right? I’m glad I have someone to talk to about the book now.

Me: I think she set it up to write a spin-off.

Sierra: OMG I thought the same thing!

Me: I need a new book recommendation, by the way.

Sierra: I have a few ;-) I’ll bring you something tonight.

I start typing a reply, but my phone dies. “Dammit,” I mutter and get up. I’m tired, and should probably lie down for a few hours before work tonight. Though I was more comfortable than I’d been in my whole life lying in that hammock next to Sierra, I didn’t sleep much. Laying down like that—comfortable, content, completely at ease—doesn’t happen too often. I wanted to soak up as much as I could, remember every minute I can.

I’m so fucking lame. I know.

* * *

“Is the voicemail not set up on your phone?” Josh asks. We’re behind the bar, serving drinks.

Shit. It’s not. Because setting it up will make all the saved messages from Sierra disappear. I think. I’m not sure. But it’s not something I want to risk. “I haven’t gotten around to it yet.” I shrug. “My other phone should be back soon.”

“Right. I almost forgot about that.” He grabs a glass and goes to the tap, filling it up with beer. “Anyway, I called because Dakota wants you to see her sing in the church choir.”

I haven’t stepped foot in a church in years. And with all the shit I’ve done, there is a good chance a lightning bolt will come down from the sky, striking me down before I can go inside. But she’s my niece. She’s family.

“Yeah, I can go. When is it?”

“Tomorrow morning, at eight.”

“Fuck, that’s early.”

“It must be nice having eight be early.”

“Hey, you don’t open until the afternoon.”

“True. But I do have a four-year-old who gets up with the fucking sun.” He gives the beer to a patron. “Is it too early for you?”

“No, not at all. But tomorrow…never mind. I’ll be there.”

Josh wipes down spilled liquor from the bar. “What’s going on tomorrow?”

“Nothing.” Most likely nothing, at least. I’m seeing Sierra again tonight. Late. I don’t doubt that I’ll stay over at her place again. That’ll be three nights in a row we’ve been under the same roof. And three nights of not hooking up. I’d never push her, but there’s a good chance I’ll get carpal tunnel from all this.

“Really, because it seemed like something. Are you going to Sierra’s again?”

“How do you know?”

“You can’t take a piss in this town without someone finding out. I knew you were full of shit when you said you two didn’t hook up.”

I take a drink order and turn my back on the crowd, pulling a bottle of vodka from the shelf. There’s no point trying to convince Josh otherwise. Why disappoint him, anyway? Besides, if I keep going out with Sierra, I’m sure we’ll eventually hook up. Unless I die from fucking blue balls first.

I make a Dirty Shirley for a college-aged woman and move on to the next customer.

“You know that chick is eye-fucking you hard, right?” Josh whispers, motioning to the girl who ordered the Dirty Shirley. “If she bends over, her tits are going to spill out of her top. And you didn’t even notice.”

I look over, and the Dirty Shirley girl catches my eye. She smiles, and then slowly pulls her straw from her mouth.

“Sierra’s that good in bed, huh?” Josh heckles.

“Yeah,” I agree. I have no doubt that she is, but it’s so much more than that.

“You can leave early,” Josh says. “I have it covered tonight.”

“I can stay. I said I’d be here tonight.”

“You are meeting Sierra again tonight, right?”

“I’m going over once I’m done here.”

Josh smiles. “You’re done. Go.”

The whole people-doing-favors-for-me thing is still weird. Really fucking weird. “You don’t mind?”

“Not at all. Like I said, I want you to stay. And if Sierra’s got you so wrapped up you didn’t even notice Tits over there, she might be the one to convince you.”

“She just might be,” I echo. “I’ll do a round clearing tables then take off.”

“Chase, just go. And have fun,” he adds, raising his eyebrows.

“I can do that.” I fill one more drink order then head up to the apartment, needing to wash the smell of the bar off me before going to Sierra’s. It’s nine-thirty, and she wasn’t expecting to hear from me until at least after midnight.

Texting her throughout the day…starting our date hours before we planned…it goes against everything I’ve done. Breaks all the simple rules I’ve set up for myself.

Being eager to see her, to just spend time with her, is a new feeling for me. I fucking like it, though in the back of my mind, in the small area that I allow to process emotions, I’m terrified.

I don’t want to hurt her. I don’t want to be disappointed. Facing my fears comes naturally. I don’t let it hold me back, and I’m not stopping now.

Pausing in the kitchen, I pull my phone from my pocket and stare down at the screen. I lick my lips, heart thumping in my chest as I unlock the device. My finger hovers over the green phone icon. I shouldn’t do it. I need to stop.

But I can’t.

I need to hear her voice. Feel her pain.

“The therapist asked if I still call you.” Sierra’s voice is thready, void of any emotion. “She says it’s not healthy and that I won’t be able to move on if I keep doing this. I hate when people say that. Moving on isn’t going to make my life good again. Moving on isn’t a magical cure. What am I moving onto? What do I have to look forward to anymore?” She sighs and pauses for a few seconds. I press the phone closer to my ear. I think I hear the river in the background. “I remember being happy. I miss it. But I just don’t see how I can ever feel whole again.”

The message ends, and I pull the phone away from my face. The next message is from three months later. I guess she took her therapist’s advice for a while at least.

“I got into grad school. And my first thought was to tell you.”

The bad feeling is back in my stomach, and I curse myself—again—for listening to these messages. I lock my phone, set it on the table, and strip out of my clothes to shower. I’m about to turn the water on when someone knocks on the door.

I roll my eyes. I should have known better than to leave Josh tonight. I wrap a white towel around my waist and stride to the door, yanking it open. Josh isn’t standing in the threshold.

Sierra is.

Her mouth opens and her eyes widen. She runs her eyes over me then looks away, only to turn right back.

“Chase. Wow. I mean hi.”

“Hey. What are you doing here?” I ask. “Not that I’m not happy to see you or anything. I wasn’t expecting it.”

She blinks a few times in a row, following the line of hair that goes down my stomach to my cock, before looking me in the eye again. It’s turning me on to know she’s enjoying what she’s seeing, and now is not the time to get a hard-on. I’m only wearing a towel.

“Lisa wanted to go out for drinks, and I thought I’d come see you. Your brother said you just left and thought you were up here.”

I step back, letting Sierra come inside, and shut the door behind her. “Yeah, I was going to get in the shower then call you and say I got out early.” I hold the towel at my hip with one hand and reach for Sierra with the other. The moment my fingers sweep across the silky fabric of her dress, I’m a goner. My heart speeds up and my lips part. I need to feel her. All of her.

She hooks her arms around my shoulders, and her finger instantly goes to the scar on my back. I press my lips to hers, softly, knowing that if the kiss turns into anything more, I won’t be able to stop myself.

“You look beautiful,” I tell her. She’s wearing a red dress with white polka dots, a red bow in her hair, and yellow heels. “Your outfit looks familiar, which is weird to say, I know.”

She shakes her head, smiling. “It’s not weird, and it should be familiar.” She runs her hand along the dress. “Minnie Mouse.”

I use it as an excuse to slowly check her out again. Her large breasts are hidden away, which makes her outfit all the more sexy for some reason. I know what’s under there, but I can’t directly see it, like a present waiting to be unwrapped.

“Right. I see it now. It’s subtle, but I like it.”

“Thanks. I like to dress like characters but in normal clothing to see if anyone picks up on it. I have fun coming up with the concepts. Most people think it’s strange.”

I run my fingers through her hair. “I like strange.” I kiss her again. “I like you.”

She kisses me back, hands running up and down my back. I push my tongue into her mouth knowing I shouldn’t because once I get started, I won’t be able to stop. Sierra’s hands fall down my back, over my hips, and onto the towel. She slips her fingers inside, slowly, just half an inch, teasing me in the best and worst way possible.

I kiss her harder, dipping her back. Sierra moans when I run my hand down her back and onto her ass, giving it a squeeze.

The someone calls her name, voice muffled through the closed door.

“Sierra? Are you up here?”

I stop kissing her, but I don’t let go.

“It’s Lisa,” she sighs. “She didn’t like me going up here alone.”

“She’s smart.”

“I know,” she agrees but seems annoyed. Hell, I’m annoyed. But if Sierra is going to cut me off again, this is a good stopping point. I won’t push her to do anything she’s not ready for.

“You should let her know you’re fine.”

Sierra nods, sliding her hands back up to my shoulders. I stand her upright and look at the door, keeping one hand on Sierra’s waist. I know it’s crazy, but it feels like if I let go, if I stop touching her, she’ll slip away and disappear forever.

Or maybe I will.

I re-tuck the towel around my waist the best I can one-handed. Sierra turns, pulling out of my arm. She opens the door a foot and sticks her head out.

“Yeah, I’m here.”

“Did you find Chase?” Lisa stops by the door, eyebrows raised as she looks me up and down.

“Yeah. I found him.”

Lisa blinks, cocking her head to stare down Sierra. “And you stripped him naked?”

“I was already naked,” I quip, giving Lisa a smirk.

“Well then,” she replies. “I guess I’m not needed here. Have fun.”

Sierra makes a face. “I feel bad not getting a drink with you. That’s why we came, after all.”

Lisa shakes her head. “I’d feel worse knowing you left that for me. We can get drinks another time. Like tomorrow. When you give me details.”

“I don’t kiss and tell.” Sierra purses her lips and tries not to smile.

Lisa turns to me and puts her hand next to her mouth. “Yes, she does,” she whisper-talks. “So give her something to talk about.”

“Now two people have told you that,” I say to Sierra. “Maybe you’ll take her advice at least.”

“She better,” Lisa says. “Don’t disappoint me, Si.”

Sierra rolls her eyes. “Are you sure you don’t want me to get a drink with you?”

Lisa checks the time on her phone. “I’m gonna call Rob. He gets off in twenty minutes so he’ll be here in thirty. I can play a game of pool with Wyatt until then.”

“Let him win,” Sierra teases.

Lisa grimaces. “I physically can’t do anything bad on purpose. Wyatt can just grow a pair and deal with it.”

Sierra laughs, emerald eyes glimmering. “Then don’t complain to me when he stomps around work annoying the shit out of you for it.”

Lisa huffs. “Fine. Call me in the morning.”

“I will.” Sierra moves away to give Lisa a hug goodbye. Lisa eyes me up and down once more, then whispers, “not fair” to Sierra before leaving.

“So,” Sierra starts, closing the door.

“So,” I echo. “Are you hungry? We could get something to eat.”

“I am, actually. I was going to get something here with Lisa. You?”

“I’m always hungry.”

She bites her lip and I notice her eyes keep dropping down to the V-line of muscle above my hips.

“I’ll take a quick shower,” I go on. “And then you can tell me which of the two sit-down restaurants in this town to take you to.”

“I like that plan.”

“Do you want the TV on or something?”

She reaches into her yellow bag and pulls out her Kindle. “I’m good.”

* * *

“I’m sorry,” the waitress says, coming over to our table, bill in hand. “We’re closing in five minutes.”

I tear my eyes away from Sierra and look around. The tables around us are empty and cleared. We’re the only ones here.

“Oh, sorry,” Sierra says, looking just as shocked as I am. “I lost track of the time.”

The waitress gives her a warm smile. “It’s all right, honey.”

I take the bill before Sierra has a chance to even consider paying it. After dinner we ordered drinks, and then dessert, and then drinks again.

I always thought the whole ‘we can talk for hours’ thing was bullshit until today. Because the time went by too fast, and if Sierra and I sat and talked the rest of the night I’d be happy. And saying ‘she gets me’ is even more of a bullshit line, but she does.

“Every cat I’ve ever met has been an asshole,” I say, going back to our conversation. I pay the bill and leave the waitress a generous tip since we kept her here.

“Then you haven’t met the right cats. Mine are nice. Well, Tinkerbell is.” Sierra finishes her wine and laughs. “Dolly is an asshole. I’m trying to contradict you and I’m failing.”

“Dogs, on the other hand, like people. Even people who are shitty to them.”

I stand and go around the table, offering a hand to Sierra. “I know. I like dogs too. Maybe it’s the way you have to earn a cat’s affection that I like. You just said it: dogs love you no matter what. But cats—“ She holds up a finger, pointing at me. “You have to earn their affection.”

We step into the thick, summer air, emerging onto the main street that runs through the downtown of Summer Hill. The bookstore is a few blocks away, and while most shops are closed by this hour, people mill about the town.

“I’m not used to this heat yet.”

“The humidity is high,” Sierra comments. “It’s been a humid summer. And you never really get used to it.”

“I didn’t think so.”

“Want to go swimming?”

“You have a pool?” I ask, not remembering seeing one in her yard.

“Not technically, but my parents have one and they’re still out of town.”

“Then, yes,” I say, not caring that I don’t have swim trunks with me. I have a few pairs, actually, since I frequented the beach while living along the shore in New Jersey. Sierra says nothing about going to her house to get one either.

“Thanks,” she says as I open the passenger door of my Mustang for her. I hurry around and get in, and head toward her house. We park by her parents’ house and go around back, Sierra enters a passcode and opens a gate to the backyard. Crickets sing out as we dash along a cobblestone path to the pool.

My previous line of work permitted me inside a handful of upscale, luxury houses like this. I was there for a job, not as a guest, but I still stood in awe of people who lived that way. The Belmont’s historic estate isn’t as over-the-top as some of the new mansions I’ve been in, but they know how to live lavishly. The pool setup is no exception.

Sierra opens French doors to a pool house, revealing a built-in bar.

“Want anything?” she asks.

I close the space between us, standing behind Sierra. I wrap my arms around her, and she presses her ass into my cock. My lips meet the skin on her neck and Sierra melts against me.

I already feel drunk.

I’m struggling to stay in control.

“I want you,” I whisper. Sierra takes in a quick breath. I can feel her pulse rise, bounding through her body. “Whenever you’re ready.”

“Chase,” she moans, whirling around in my arms. Her eyes fall shut and she rests her head against my chest. “Thank you.”

“Stop thanking me, Sierra.”

She doesn’t say anything. She just takes my hand and leads me to the edge of the pool and takes her shoes off.

“Float with me?” she asks, reaching for a big, pink flamingo floaty. I take off my shoes, pull my phone and wallet from my pocket, and toss them all onto a lounge chair. It takes a bit of creativity, but we both get on the damn thing with minimal splashing. I let my bare feet dangle in the water and lay back. Sierra’s right next to me, head resting on my arm. We look up at the stars above, not talking. Time passes, minutes, then maybe an hour, and we’re still perfectly content and comfortable together.

“How did you get the scar on your back?” she asks quietly, slipping her hand onto my chest.

“I was in the right place at the wrong time,” I say after a moment’s consideration. There’s no good way to tell her I broke into someone’s house to take a piece of priceless art.

“Don’t give it all away,” she teases.

“It was from a piece of glass,” I go on. “From a broken window.” A window I broke as I snuck into a house that was supposed to be empty. I felt bad for the guy and went easy on him. I left him unconscious on the floor but alive at least, after I allowed him to get one good swing on me. I failed to see the broken glass in his hand, however.

“Ouch,” she says. “No wonder you knew to check for glass in my ankle.”

“Yeah, I learned from experience.” Carefully, I turn onto my side and face Sierra. She hooks her arm around me and closes her eyes, tipping her head up so her nose brushes against mine.

And now we’re kissing. Slow, soft kisses. I cup Sierra’s cheek with my hand and the kisses turn hard. Deep. Desperate. I move my hand down to Sierra’s waist. And then her hip. I gather her skirt in my hand, bunching up the fabric around her ass. Sierra moves closer, bringing her leg up and over mine. My fingers press into her skin, feeling the warmth between her legs as I urge her onto me. Sierra pushes up, fury in her kisses. I slide my hand up to her waist, pulling her close.

She’s over top of me now, and, fuck, she’s hot. Her breasts crush against me and she’s kissing me like her life depends on it. She widens her legs, straddling me, putting us off balance, but it’s so far in the back of my mind, I don’t realize it until the floaty flips over and Sierra and I both sink into the water.

In the shallow end, we both pop out of the water, Sierra flips her wet hair out of her face, green eyes wide. She looks at me for a beat and then we both start laughing. I reach for her, bringing her against me.

“You did say you wanted to go swimming,” I muse.

“True. And the water does feel good tonight.”

“It feels very good.”

Water laps against us, and I reach out to push Sierra’s wet hair away from her face. I’ve never been a cuddle-after-sex type of guy, but right now I want to hold Sierra to me, wrapped up in peaceful silence as much as I want to fuck her.

Sierra takes my arm, wiping beads of water off my tattoos so she can trace them with her finger.

“Do you want to dry off?” she asks.

“Only if you do.”

“I don’t mind being wet.”

I can’t help but smirk.

She flushes slightly but laughs. “Take that how you want.”

“Can’t I just take you?” I take her around the waist and bring her over.

“I think so,” she whispers softly as her long, wet lashes come together. She leans back in the water, spreading her arms and legs out in an attempt to float. “I always sink.”

“The wet dress isn’t helping,” I tell her. “It’s weighing you down.”

“Chase Henson, are you trying to get me out of my dress?” she asks with fake shock, standing upright. She backs up to the edge of the pool and hops up, keeping her feet in the water.

“Is it working?” I ask as I join her.

“There’s a good chance it will.”

Fuck. I can’t resist her any longer. I twist and wrap my arms around her, and we’re kissing like we never stopped. Water from her wet hair drips down her face, but I don’t care. I find the zipper on the back of her dress and pull it down, slipping my hand inside her dress and feeling her wet skin. We lay back on the concrete surrounding the pool, kissing and removing each other’s clothing.

“Chase,” Sierra breathes. “Hang on.”

It takes everything I have to move away. Her finger sweeps across my cheek and then she gets up.

“Come here,” she says, taking my hand. We go around the bar and into the pool house, emerging into a living room. It’s nicer and larger than probably half the houses in this town and sits empty in the Belmonts’ backyard most of the time. The air conditioner is on, bringing a chill to our wet skin.

“You were right about the dress. It is heavy.” She bites her lip and turns around, gathering her hand in her hair. “Can you unzip it all the way?”

Fuck yes, I can. “Sure.”

Slowly, I pull the zipper the rest of the way down, where it stops right above her ass. She’s wearing a bright purple bra and her lace underwear matches. If she were anyone else, I’d strip her out of the dress, pick her up over my shoulder, and throw her down on the couch. We’d fuck, get dressed again, and I’d leave with an empty promise of a phone call.

But she’s not anyone else.

She’s the only woman who’s succeeded at making me nervous about fucking this up. And she’s not even trying.

With her back turned, she lets the straps of her dress slide over her shoulders and into a fabric puddle around her feet and onto the floor.

“That’s better,” she says shyly and turns around, fighting herself to not be self-conscious. Though she has absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about.

“You are beautiful,” I tell her and step over, taking a firm grasp on her hips. “So fucking hot.” I kiss her neck, and Sierra softly moans, hands going to my chest. She drops them to my waist, popping the button on my jeans. Using her free hand, Sierra fumbles to push my jeans down, but the wet denim sticks to my skin. I help her get them off, then raise my hands above my head so she can remove my shirt.

She shivers as the air kicks on again, sending a blast of cold right at us. This time I do pick her up and take her to the couch, grabbing a blanket. I cover us both and put my arm around her shoulders, bringing her in so her head is resting on my shoulder.

“This place is nice.”

“It is,” she agrees. “I had sleepovers out here a lot when I was a kid.”

“I bet your friends loved it.”

“I think they loved it more than they liked me,” she says with a laugh. “That all seems so long ago. And so trivial.”

“It does.”

She relaxes against me, absentmindedly running her fingers up and down my arm. Then she turns and puts her hand to my chest, outlining a tattoo on my chest.

“What does it say?” she asks softly, mouthing the words spelled out in Latin.

“‘If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.’ Mark Twain said it.”

“I love that. It’s deep in a very simple way.”

“Yeah,” I agree, and that’s the reason I got it. To remind me to stay grounded despite the crazy shit I got myself into.

“Why is it in Latin?”

I shrug. “I thought it sounded cooler that way.”

Sierra laughs softly. “Does each one have significance?”

“Yeah, in a way at least. They’re significant because I like them,” I offer, making Sierra smile. “I get a new one every time I move.”

“You’ve moved a lot.” Nerves tingle under her fingers as she outlines another tattoo.

“I have.”

“Can I ask why?”

“You can,” I tell her. “And I’ll answer, though I don’t really have a good answer other than the concept of people staying in one place is weird to me. You work the same job, doing the same thing over and over again only to come home to the same house, surrounded by the same people every day for the rest of your life. It’s too easy to get stuck in an endless cycle of going through the motions that way. I wanted to experience life, not just survive because I had to.” The words leave my mouth a second before I recall one of Sierra’s voicemails, which said something similar.

“I like going home to the same place and seeing the same people every day.”

I shrug. “Maybe if I had people I liked to go home to, it’d be a different story.” The honesty in my statement sends a shock through me.

Sierra doesn’t speak, but instead tips her head to the side, inspecting me. “Were you looking for them?” she finally whispers.

“Who?”

“People you liked enough.”

“No. I didn’t think they could exist.”

“Didn’t? You do now?”

My heart speeds up. “I’m starting to think it’s possible.”

Her hands land on my shoulders, and I rest mine on the small of her back, gently bringing her in.

“You have no idea how fucking beautiful you are, do you?” I ask.

Sierra just shakes her head, looking a little shy.

“If only you knew what you are doing to me.”

The shyness goes away and Sierra flashes a coy smile. “Oh, I know.” She drops her gaze to my lap, staring for a few seconds before moving closer. She plunges her hand inside my boxers, feeling the full length of my hard cock. Her slender fingers wrap around it, starting at the base, and slowly pumping up. She circles her thumb over the tip, and it feels so damn good. My head falls back against the couch as she keeps working her hand. I widen my legs and Sierra moves closer, going onto her knees. She keeps jerking me off, and her soft skin is enough to make me come if she keeps this up.

I take her wrist and pull it from my boxers and kiss her hard. My tongue goes in her mouth and I pull her to me, crushing her large breasts against my chest. We lay back, and I cannot stop kissing her.

The glistening tip of my cock sticks out of my boxers, and Sierra reaches for it again, moaning with hunger for it when she feels the wetness.

“God, I want you,” I groan, and Sierra’s grasp tightens. Her hand on my cock feels fucking amazing. Her pussy is going to destroy me and I’m going to love every fucking minute of it.

“I want you too,” she pants and I advance, laying her down on the couch, dick pressing into her tender core. Sierra bends her knees and wraps a leg around me. I can feel the heat of her pussy through her panties. She inhales deep, pushing her tits up into my face.

She bucks her hips, rubbing herself against me, and moans. I brush her hair out of her face and kiss her, taking her bottom lip between my teeth before I move my mouth to her neck. Sierra gasps and a shiver runs through her. She curls her fingers, nails biting into my skin. The pain turns me on even more, and I’m rocking my hips against hers, feeling like I could come in seconds.

I’m so caught up in her. I want to come while at the same time I want to fuck her all night. I kiss her neck again and start to trail kisses down it. I pause at her collarbone and pull back to admire her breasts. Her bra has no padding—not that she needs it—and I can see the faint outline of her nipples through the wet fabric. It’s the kind that clasps in the front, and it’s so fucking hot when I undo it. I palm my hand over one of her tits while I kiss my way to the other. I flick my tongue over her pert nipple, and Sierra squirms.

She rakes her fingers through my hair, moaning softly. Keeping one breast in my mouth, continuing to tease her nipple with my tongue, I slide my other hand down and slip my fingers inside her underwear. With one finger, I circle the entrance to her sweet pussy, cock aching to push inside. She’s so fucking wet.

I rub my finger over her clit, spreading her wetness from inside. I want to taste her, to lick up every drop she gives and not stop until she’s coming so hard she screams my name.

In one sudden movement, I pull away and move down, head between her legs. I look up, smirking at Sierra who steals a glance down. She bites her bottom lip, eyes wide, and breasts heaving as she inhales. Keeping my eyes locked with hers, I take both sides of her panties and slowly roll them down her thighs. She lifts her ass so I can slide them off, leaving them in a pile on the floor.

Then I move back up, putting my lips to hers once more before kissing a trail down her stomach, not stopping until my mouth is hovering over her pussy. Her muscles twitch, and I know she’s waiting. Wanting.

I turn my head and take the soft skin on the inside of her thigh into my mouth. I suck it soft, then hard, and then nip at it with my teeth. Sierra groans and reaches down, taking a tangle of my hair in her fingers. I turn my head, warm breath hitting her clit. She’s squirming against me now, so fucking worked up she’s desperate for the release.

I lash my tongue out against her once, relishing in how good she tastes. Then I pull back again, running my fingertips up and down her thighs. Her grip on my head tightens, and she directs me to her pussy.

There is something so fucking hot about a woman who takes charge. She knows what she wants.

Me.

And I don’t disappoint. I move my hands under her thigh, lifting her legs over my shoulders. I spread her wide and go at her clit with my tongue, feeling her core tighten as she gets closer and closer to coming.

I slip a finger inside and moan against her pussy when I feel how hot and tight she is. I press against her inner wall, finding her g-spot.

“Ohhh,” she moans, twisting her fingers in my hair. “Faaa…faaa…fuck.” She pushes herself against my face as she comes. Her pussy contracts wildly around my finger and my dick aches to feel her tighten around it. I keep my mouth on her, not letting up until she’s writhing in pleasure.

Sierra’s chest rapidly rises and falls, and she lets her hands drop to her sides. The orgasm brought a flush to her face and it’s sexy as hell. I wipe my mouth on the back of my hand and then kiss her again, gently brushing her damp hair back, giving her a moment to catch her breath. Sierra wraps her arms around me, slowly running her fingers down my ass. She grips me tight and pushes me against her. I pull back just enough to look into her eyes. She’s so beautiful.

Sierra lifts her head off the couch and kisses me. She tugs down my boxers with her other hand. I want nothing more than to push my dick into her, but I want to make sure she’s okay with it too. She was hesitant only yesterday, after all.

I pull my mouth away from hers, feeling like I’m underwater and just ripped off my oxygen mask.

“We can stop,” I pant. “If you want to. Just tell me.”

She brings her hand up and cups my face. There’s so much emotion in her eyes, and it almost breaks my heart. “I want you.”

In a mad dash of desperation, she yanks my boxers off. My skin, cold from the wet fabric, burns against her warmth and I fucking love it. She widens her legs, welcoming me between. Her thighs are still wet and warm from her orgasm. She lifts her hips, aligning the tip of my cock against her tender core. I move my gaze down and she opens her eyes, and for a split second, it’s like I’m looking into some sort of mirror that reflects only my soul.

My lips find hers again and I kiss her as I push inside. She cries out, eyes falling shut. She’s tight and warm and feels so fucking good. I bury my cock in her pussy and kiss her hard. I pull out slowly, not stopping until only the tip is back at her entrance. Then I push in hard. Sierra moans and grips me tight, rocking herself right along with me. I thrust in and out of her hard and fast, then stop and move my hips in a circular motion that sets Sierra over the edge. Her breathing quickens and I feel her core tighten around my cock. Her fingers dig into my flesh and her legs shake as a second orgasm rolls through. I open my eyes and watch her face as she comes.

My breath hitches and I let my head fall forward, resting against hers. My heart is racing, and every nerve in my body is alive. I’m fucking Sierra hard, and it feels so damn good. But it’s more than a physical connection, and I’ve never felt that before.

“Chase,” she pants, shuddering from an overload of pleasure. A guttural groan leaves my throat and I come hard, pushing my cock in deep and holding it there, buried inside her. Panting, I rest my head against hers, holding myself up with my elbows. Sierra’s breasts rapidly rise and fall and she brings her hands up to my hair. I kiss her gently before I slide out, and then rest by her side on the couch, spooning my body around hers.

Sierra puts her hand over mine, and neither of us speak for a moment. I brush her hair aside and kiss her neck.

“Are you okay?” I ask, so remotely far from anything I’ve ever said after sex before. Physically, I know Sierra enjoyed it; she came multiple times. But emotionally…that’s a different story and a whole new world of concern for me. What the hell is happening? It’s strange, but I like it. I like her.

“Yes,” she whispers back, knowing what I’m asking about. “I’m better than okay.”