“The real secret is that even though I tell everyone I’m fine being single, and that I like my life – and I do – I’m lonely.I wouldn’t mind a partner, someone to lean on, or spend time with, you know?”
She chanced a glance up at him and found him staring into the distance.
“I do know.It’s hard to be single, sometimes.”
“It is.Even when it’s the better-for-right-now choice.I really do believe it’s better to be alone than with the wrong person.Sometimes it feels like I’ll never measure up or be good enough for someone to fall in love with.But that doesn’t mean it doesn’t get lonely.”Abbie sighed.
Derek snaked an arm around her waist, and she leaned into his touch.“You’re not alone right now, Abbie.”
His body was warm, and Abbie loved the feeling of his chest rising and falling under her fingers.She pushed her blanket aside, sat up to straddle his waist, and ran her fingers through his hair.He looked up at her, his blue eyes unreadable.“No, I’m certainly not.”
As she leaned down to kiss him, he wrapped his arms around her waist and lifted her, adjusting how she sat so that when she settled back down his hard length was against her core.
Derek kissed and nipped at her neck.She tugged at his shirt, a blue Henley that she loved, and lifted it over his head.Abbie didn’t have long to stare at his bare chest before he’d pressed up against her and reached again for that sensitive spot just above her shoulder.
Abbie rolled her hips a few times, and Derek growled.“That’s it, Abbie, ride me.”
“It’d be easier to do without all these clothes in the way.”She was breathless, need driving her movements instead of rational thought.
“That’s a problem we can fix.”Derek lifted her up, hands on her ass, and she wrapped her legs around his waist.He chuckled, low and rough, and laid her on the couch.
She arched her back and hissed as he lifted her shirt and trailed soft kisses down her belly.He undid the belt and buttons and slid her shorts off her legs.Desire darkened his eyes when he saw the pink lacy underwear she’d chosen after her shower.
“I’m wearing the matching bra; in case you’re interested.”She trailed her fingers along her collarbone and neckline.
Derek lifted her so she could pull off her shirt.She lay back down, rubbing one of her legs against his body, inviting him in.
“You’re exquisite in pink, but this is still too many clothes, don’t you think?”
“You’re wearing more clothes than I am, Derek.”She gave a pointed look at his jeans.He grinned at her and stood to shuck them off.He pulled the gold foil packet from the back pocket and left the clothes on the floor.
She laughed.“You’re prepared, carrying that around.”Abbie sat up and plucked the packet from his fingers.
“I do like to be prepared.”Derek climbed back on the couch and settled himself on his knees in front of her.
Abbie looked up at him, the packet in one hand, and grasped him with her other hand.She stroked the length of him, once, twice, and watched as the muscle in his jaw clenched.She teased her fingers up the underside and circled around his tip.
Derek hissed in a breath, eyes on her, mouth open.“Fuck.”
A rush of power and desire went through her.“Not quite yet.”Abbie positioned herself on her knees and took him into her mouth.She stroked with her hand as she sucked him deeper and deeper.
Derek’s hands were in her hair, his breathing heavy.He pulled her up for a kiss, his tongue against hers, one hand splayed across her lower back.
Abbie broke away long enough to open the packet and slide the condom down his cock.Derek watched, and Abbie did not break eye contact.
“That’s perfect, sweets.”He bent down to capture her mouth.
Abbie stopped him and nipped at his mouth.“Why do you call me sweets?”
Derek licked his lips and stroked her cheek with one hand.He trailed his other hand down to her slit and slid a finger inside.“Because”—he lifted that same finger to his mouth and sucked it— “you taste sweeter than sin.”
A thrill of desire sparked through her.Derek leaned forward, and Abbie followed the silent instruction to lie back.He hooked one arm under her leg and pressed himself against her opening.
Derek kissed her again, his tongue dancing with hers.Abbie moved her hips, trying desperately to get him inside her.“Please, Derek.”
Derek held her gaze as he slid himself into her.Abbie gasped at the fullness, still not quite used to the size of him.
He kissed her again as he moved his hips.The rhythm was slow but careful.Abbie reveled in the feeling of him on top of her, his strong body moving in time to their heartbeats, their lips pressing against whatever skin they could find.
