Page 19 of Sunflowers and Surrender

“Well, not to respond on squad calls. Tuesday needed some help with an assignment due for class, and I need to give her a lift home since her car is now in the shop.”

A dejected pout crosses Allison’s face at his fictitious reply. Heck. I get it. I’m the poster child for dejected right now.

“You ready?” Alex directs toward me, and I almost forget the ruse he’s just created for being here. “Grab your backpack. Let’s get to work before another call steals you away.”

“Okay.” I follow him toward the bunk rooms. It’s getting late, and I’m irritated I didn’t think ahead to bring more than two granola bars with me. We normally stop to grab dinner but haven’t had a chance with all of the commotion.

Walking inside, I drop my backpack onto the twin bed along the wall as he plops down on the one opposite. Alex reaches into his heavy, oversized coat, retrieves a white paper bag, and tosses it to me.

“What’s this?”

“I figured you hadn’t had a chance to eat. It’s a turkey and cheese sub from Fancy Nosh.”

“Oh, I love that deli. I could kiss you right now.” My hand instantly flies to my mouth. I can’t believe I just said that.

“Ugh. You have no idea how much I want that. I’ve replayed that kiss over and over.”

He has?Suddenly, food is the last thing on my mind. “Do you find me attractive?”

“Jesus, Sunny. Of course I do. But your brother would kill me if I ever put my hands on you.”

Out of the blue, I’m feeling more brave than I ever have before. Any thoughts of food are tossed to the side. I want to be like the girls I’ve seen make their move on what they want here.Or who they want.Like the Ainsleys and Allisons of the world who take no prisoners.

Quickly I stand, kicking off my shoes, watching his curious eyes follow my every movement as I unzip my white squad coveralls and lower them down my body. I place them and my shoes at the foot of the bed to don at a moment’s notice if the tones of an incoming call should blare out. We were the last ambulance to take a call, so we should get a bit of a reprieve. I take a breath, trying to steady my nerves. I can’t believe I’m doing this.

Lying back on the bed, feeling the weight of his heavy stare upon me, I turn and look in his direction. “Who said anything aboutyouputting your hands on me?” I slide my hands into my top and massage my breasts.

“What the?” An audible gulp floats from his bed to mine.

I push forward, arching my back, deciding it’s all or nothing now. I slide my right hand seductively from my shirt down into my leggings.

“Jesus, Sunny. What are you doing?”

“I’m tired of waiting. I have needs too. If you won’t touch me, I’ll do it. Unless you’d rather I find someone-”

“No,” he blurts. “Fuck. This is dangerous.”

I make a show of fiddling with my panties so he’s fully aware I’m skin-to-skin and not touching myself through my underwear. Closing my eyes so I don’t die of mortification when he eventually stops me, I try to focus on my goal. I’m tired of the mixed signals. I want him to know I’m a red-blooded woman with needs. And that if he won’t step up and fulfill them, he needs a clear visual when he considers someone else might.

An audible click breaks through the silence, and my eyes fly open to find Alex locking the door to the bunk room. My pulse hastens, and I bite down on my lower lip as he towers above me.

“Do you think about me when you’re touching yourself?” he asks, his voice thick.

“Yes.”

A clear groan lilts above me, causing my back to arch in response.

“Is your pussy wet for me?”

“Yes.”

Another moan escapes his lips, and I notice his hands are balled into fists at his sides. “Slide your finger inside.”

I can’t help but pant at his request. I do as he asks and look up to find his normally chocolate orbs are almost black beneath his hooded lids.

“Are you a virgin, Sunny?”

“No.”

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