Chapter Thirty-Four

“It was really good to meet you.” Hazel wraps her arms around my shoulders and hugs me gently. I return the sentiment.

She turns to Arlie. “We’ll see you when you get home.”

“Give Aggy a kiss for me.” Arlie pulls Hazel against his chest and kisses her in the middle of her forehead.

“Take care of yourself, big brother.”

“Always.” His lips curl up in a smile.

“Well, we better go. They’re waiting for us to hop on the boat.” There’s a strain to Hazel’s tone. It matches the quivering lip she now sports. Hazel really cares very deeply for Arlie, as I can see he does for her. It’s sweet.

I try so hard not to cry when Chris bundles me up in his arms and holds me tightly. “You enjoy your last days here, and I’ll be waiting for you at the airport when you get back, okay?”

“Okay.” Tears leak from my eyes.

“You’re in good hands. I really like Mr Hon with the Buns.”

I hear Arlie’s subtle laugh.

“I know,” I whisper.

“Relax and keep enjoying your time here. This place is a great fit for you.”

“I know.” I wipe my nose against Chris’s shirt.

He sighs. “Really, Snot-a-lot-agus? You wiped your nose on my shirt.”

“I’m sad.” My voice quivers.

“Oh, sugar tits, you’ll forget about me soon enough. Go get your freak on and fall even more in love. You deserve it.”

“Sugar tits,” Arlie mumbles.

“I love you, bestie.” I hug Chris tighter.

“I love you more.” He kisses my cheek.

As the boat sails away, I’m left waving as if I’m flagging down a truck on a highway. Instantly, I feel Arlie’s hands clamp my shoulders. “Not long now and we’ll be home.”

I’m not sure if I’m sad because I miss home, life, normalcy, or if it’s because I’ll miss Chris.

“What do you want to do now? It’s almost sunset, so we can go for a quick dip or a walk. Your choice.” Arlie slides his hands from my shoulders to my waist.

I turn into him. “I have something in mind.”

“You do?”

“Uh-huh.” I trail my hand down his T-shirt, then tug the material up from the bottom before dragging it over his muscles and slipping it from his head.

“What do you have in mind?” He eyes me curiously when I skirt my fingers over his abdominal muscles, only stopping when I reach the top of the waistband of his pants. Arlie’s breath hitches in his throat. “I’m not sure if I know what you want.”

Wiggling my fingers below the material has Arlie’s eyes growing wider, and a cheeky-as-fuck smirk tugging at his lips.

“You’re beautiful,” he mouths, right before I fold my fingers around his very strained erection, causing his lips to slightly part. “Does this mean I’m going to meet Miss Priscilla and possibly eat some KFC for dinner?”

I try not to snicker, but I fail. “Uh-huh.”

Arlie runs his hand into the back of my hair as I move mine in an up-and-down motion, gripping him firmly. His pupils grow. His eyes become animalistic when he tugs my hair gently and lays his lips softly upon mine.

I’m sober, I’m scared, but I’m also excited.

We don’t get the entire distance from the beach to the bedroom. We only make it through the front door when Arlie pins my body against the wall. His hips move back and forward to the rhythm of his tongue swirling in my mouth. Arlie’s hungry, and he’s showing me how much with each movement he makes.

He groans when he rips my dress over my head. He curses when he slips his hand inside my panties, pressing his finger against my throbbing bud.

“Bedroom,” I moan into his neck.

Arlie doesn’t reply. His eyes seek mine as his finger slides over my clit and stills at my opening.

“Oh, fuck,” I call out when he lunges deep inside me.

“Are you okay?” His lips hover over mine.

“Uh-huh, uh-huh, uh-huh.” I press my mouth to his.

“I want to watch you,” he says, tipping his head back and moving another of his fingers deep inside me.

“Arlie.” I hold my breath and ride waves of an impending climax rolling through my stomach.

Arlie’s lips curl, and his eyes widen farther the more my release builds. I fight it. I’m mentally trapped in a moment of pure heaven and pure hell.

“It’s okay. You’re okay.” He kisses my lips, and it’s like Arlie senses my body’s resistance. He quickens the pace, and I close my eyes and throw my head back, moaning so loudly I can’t seem to stop.

Arlie’s free hand tangles in my hair. He gently moves my head forward.

“Oh, God. Oh God, uh, uh.” And with an explosion building uncontrollably, I throw my hand down between my legs and cup it on top of his. I instantly shudder. “Holy shit, holy shit,” I pant, trying to calm my breathing and my shaking legs.

“I’ve got you, babe,” he whispers right before his lips press to mine.

I’m breathless. I’m trembling, and my brain has left this atmosphere. Holy bananarama. So this is what sex feels like when not intoxicated.

Arlie places two fingers against his lips. His eyes darken in a devilish manner as he slides his fingers into his mouth, curling his lips around them. When he drops his arm by his side, he whispers, “KFC box. I get it now. Finger-licking fucking good.”

I bite down on my lip, terribly flushed, slightly uncomfortable, but completely turned on.

I squeal when Arlie scoops one arm around my legs and throws me over his shoulder. He practically runs up the staircase. The mattress catches my body when he rests me down.

Arlie strips away his pants faster than I can blink. He’s erect and pre-cum drips from the tip of his cock. “Babe,” he says, climbing between my legs and placing his fingers into the lacy panties I’m so glad Chris threw into my luggage. Arlie pulls them down. “This is going to be quick. It’s been two years … I’m pretty sure I’m going to be a two-pump chump, but I promise, in another ten minutes, I’ll start again and keep going until you’re completely satisfied.”

Arlie and his honesty—it never ceases to amaze me.

“Protection,” I say, as he slides his hand up my back and unclasps my bra, tugging it away.

“I’ve got some, don’t worry.” He’s moving so fast I can barely catch my breath.

The sound of a drawer opening, then closing has my heart rate increasing and my breathing rapid. Arlie stalks down the bed until his hands splay across the mattress on either side of my head. “Are you ready?”

I nod.

“Are you sure?”

I nod again.

Arlie’s weight shifts when he removes one of his hands and traces a line between my breasts and down my stomach. He reaches between my legs, readying himself at my entrance.

I jolt when he presses his hips forward slightly. His hand returns, and his eyes find mine.

“Take a deep breath.” His voice deepens to a semi-growl.

I do. Arlie kisses across my jawline, down my neck, and continues to do so until he’s kissed every part of my breast around my nipple.

When he flicks his tongue, I moan before he sucks my nipple between his lips and presses his hips forward a little more. I hiss air between my teeth, widening my legs farther.

Arlie jerks his head back. His eyes connect with mine.

I bite down on my lip as he slips his hand behind my neck. The expression in his eyes is one of torture. He’s not in pain physically, but I can tell he’s trying to refrain from thrusting hard into me even though it appears he wants to.

“I … I’m okay.”

Arlie slowly lifts my head from the bed. He stills, then throws back his head at the same time as he pushes his entire length so deeply inside me I curl my head into his neck and pant excessively.

“Fuck,” he roars as he rolls his hips and keeps my head supported. His speed builds much quicker than I thought it would. His movements are faster and harder with every second that passes, and the more he moves the more my insides quiver. Arlie’s groan vibrates in his throat, and I’m struggling to breathe.

“You’re okay, babe.” Arlie’s voice is distant but with me. “God, you’re beautiful,” he growls as I ride the differing sensations ploughing through me, and he suddenly jolts and roars at the same time.

He stills, then rests his forehead against mine. “Worth the wait.” His eyes soften, matching his smile and tone.

“Worth the wait.” I half laugh, completely and utterly exhausted.

I lie in his arms. He runs his fingers up and down my stomach below the sheets.

“Give me five more minutes, and I’m ready to show you what I can do.”

Five more minutes? I’m going to need at least another twenty so I can find my equilibrium and bring it back to Earth.