CHAPTER SEVENTEEN - KAMI

I woke up against the hard earth, and for a moment I didn’t know where I was. I felt Tate pressed against me, the sleeping bag he’d bought still spread out around us. We hadn’t even zipped the thing up, but somehow in the night, it ended up over us like a blanket.

“The bed deflated. I guess we were too rough on it.” His fingers rubbed against my elbow. “I think it was these rib breakers. They’re sharp enough.”

“Are not!” I pulled away and nudged him with it, causing him to chuckle.

“You’re brutal. I like it. How about you come over here and rough me up?”

I rolled over and pressed against his side, still not wanting to wake. “Once I find the energy I will.” I was still sore from the night before, and I felt a bit gritty and unattractive, my morning breath and hair keeping my face hidden under my hand.

“Fine. I guess I’ll have to take care of this massive hard on all on my own.”

“Mm, it is massive, isn’t it?” I slipped my hand down and gave it a feel, then wrapped my hand around it and pumped it slowly.

He moaned, “God, you’re amazing. Even when you’re half-asleep.” He rolled me over and braced himself above me. I wasn’t going to stop working him, and still had a grip on him when he took my hand and pinned it over my head with the other.

“I was going to have my fun.” I pouted.

“No, I’m going to have mine. You lay there and relax. I’ll see if I can wake you up.”

He smiled down at me and then wagged his brows before diving between my thighs.

All at once, pleasure and his mouth consumed me, I closed my eyes and rolled my hips up to force his tongue where I wanted it. His fingers darted in and out of my pussy and spread me open, stroking my walls. He used his thumb to circle my clit as his free hand held my hands tight against my stomach.

The slow ache built between my legs and he worked me into such a frenzy with his relentless teasing, that I started to squirm.

“Fuck me, please. With your fingers, with anything, please.” I needed to be filled, and he laughed as I lay there helpless to his ministrations.

He dipped his fingers back inside me, pressing upward and working my spongy button. My g-spot had always been the point of no control for me, and he found it easily.

He rose up, and I braced myself for his thick cock, which he rubbed over my clit.

Lost in the rapture of ecstasy, I bucked my hips toward him and reached down to grip his cock and center it to me. He thrust it inside me and pounded hard as he met my eyes with a smile.

He closed his mouth over mine, his tongue diving deep, the taste of my nectar filling my mouth as he brought me to orgasm.

He lifted my legs, and I rested them on his shoulders. He kissed my shins and continued to pump me hard until he tensed. The head of his cock swelled, and then he twitched inside me. I felt the spurt of his warmth deep inside me, and only then realized that he hadn’t been wearing a condom. It felt so absolutely intimate and incredible to be filled with his seed.

Finally, he pulled away. “We should get up and get dressed.”

I shook my head and smiled. “You’re something else. Sex and then back to business,” I said, to which he grinned in response. “I’d like us to be careful next time. This last time around we went in unprotected, and both of us forgot.”

“I know. But, hey, I wouldn’t mind a little me or you running around.”

“You crack me up. But please, let’s be more careful next time.”

“Sure, you got it.”

I let out a breath and sat up as he rolled off me to the other side of the bed. I found my clothes and passed him his pants. I didn’t want the trip to end.

“Listen to that, Tate. Do you hear it?” The sounds of nature were the only ones tickling my eardrums.

He narrowed his eyes. “Um, I don’t hear anything.”

“Exactly. It sure beats the sound of Rain’s band banging in my ears or the sound of my ex-downstairs cracking jokes for everyone to laugh at. Even the Loving Cup is noisy. I like it out here with nothing but the sound of your voice and the pleasant song of nature.”

“Why don’t you move out, like you’ve been talking about?”

“Aunt Helen rents it to me at a discount because she doesn’t owe anything on the place and it keeps it from getting too run down. I’d love to move, but that would mean dipping into my savings and I want to pay off my debt.”

“I could help if you wanted.”

He was sweet to offer, but I shook my head immediately. There was no way I was going to let him. His money was his own, and I wanted no part of him doing things for me on that level. Buying dinner was one thing, but helping me with an apartment was totally different.

“No, that’s sweet, but I think what I need to do is get another job. If I took on an extra income, I wouldn’t have to take anything out of my savings.”

“You already work so much at the coffee shop, how do expect to find the time? I don’t like the idea of you working yourself to death, and I want time to be with you. Let me help.”

“You help by supporting me; being with me. And don’t think for a minute that I’m going to let anything keep me from seeing you. I’ll make sure we have time.” He was so sweet to care, and as I helped his pack up the equipment, he was quiet.

I couldn’t take it anymore as we got into the jeep to head home. “What’s the matter? You’ve been quiet since I mentioned a second job.”

“I just want to help.”

“I don’t want your money.”

“I know you’re not like the other girls. I offered to help.”

“I know you did, and I really appreciate it. It was a really sweet gesture, but I just can’t take it.”

He nodded and started the car, looking a bit like a petulant child. I reached over and put my hand on his. “I don’t want you to be upset. I’m still wondering if I even want to move. Rain and Aunt Helen are like family to me, and I don’t know if I could move away from them. I think I’ll finish painting and hopefully, the new look and new locks will make me feel better.”

“If you decide to, before you go out and take another job, and divide our time, please consider my offer. That’s all I ask.”

“Ok, I promise to consider it.” I stroked his hand and brought it to my lips for a kiss. I was glad that we were together and as I watched him, staring at the road ahead, I wondered how I got so lucky to end up with a man like him. He was so sweet and devoted to me that I found myself relaxed and trusting in his word. He had been so focused on me, and it was so much different than how Devin treated me. I didn’t feel I needed to worry about Tate straying. He’d proven to me that his only interest was in me and no one else. I decided right then and there to stop letting my past with Devin determine how I treated Tate. He deserved my trust, and I was falling hard for him because of it.

“Instead of going home, how about you stay with me another night?”

“I could do that. But as soon as we get back I’m heading for the shower, so don’t get in my way.” I gave him a nudge, and he chuckled.

“I won’t get in your way, baby. I’ll join you.”