Page 49 of Awakened
After a round of hugs and kisses, we watched them drive away from the restaurant. Sarah grabbed my hand and squeezed it. She had committed to leaving the pack with me. I couldn’t find the words to thank her, so I just squeezed back.
“Welp, I could use a post-brunch nap. Who’s in?”
Sarah, Michael, and Zach raised their hands, and we piled into Zach’s car. Back at the duplex, Sarah and Michael flopped down on the long couch like a couple of beached whales. As they argued about what to watch, I headed to my room with Zach in tow. After closing and locking the door, Zach joined me under my oversized, fluffy duvet.
Laying on our sides facing each other, he said, “Hi there.”
“Hey.”
“How are you, Sunshine?”
I painfully smiled and said, “I’ve been better.”
Zach tucked a piece of hair behind my ear and cupped my cheek. He kissed my forehead, then the tip of my nose. “I’m sorry if this weekend wasn’t what you thought it would be. Is there anything I can do to help make you feel better?” He wiggled his dark eyebrows, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Before I answer that, I think we need to have a tiny talk. After all, this is the weekend for talks no one wants to have.”
He smiled. “I had no idea that was this weekend! I need to call my mom.” He made a move to get up.
I slapped his shoulder. “Be serious for three minutes, then you can go back to being a goofball. Okay?”
He settled back next to me. “Deal. Shoot.”
I blew out a breath. “I need to be 100% sure you’re okay with this. You’ve become a good friend, and I don’t want to use or hurt you. There’s a very real possibility that my ex will flitin and out of my mind when we’re together. I’m not sure if or when that will stop. I really like you, but I don’t think that this is more than friendship plus an insane desire to strip you naked. I understand if you don’t want to do this anymore.”
“Ah. Well, you’re an awesome woman. You’re smart, funny, and sexy as hell, but I also think we’re just friends with an appreciation of each other’s form.” He ran his thumb over my bottom lip, his eyes growing serious. “I have my own baggage that’s not going anywhere. I was honest with you when I said this can be just a fun, comforting thing. I’m not going to fall in love with you, and I know you won’t be falling for me.”
Feigning hurt, I put my hand over my heart. “Ouch. Am I so unlovable?”
He grabbed my waist and pulled me flush against him. “We good, Sunshine?”
“We’re good.”
That was all he needed to dive in for a kiss. One of his hands tangled in my long hair while he pressed his hips more firmly into mine. A groan sounded from the back of my throat at the hardness already there. Excitement curled in my belly, overwhelming any worries I had.
This is exactly what I need.
I pushed my fingers through his thick curls, anchoring his mouth to mine. Zach’s tongue gently caressed mine, the taste of maple syrup sweetening the moment.
His hand trailed up my legs, making me squirm as I tried to escape the tickling. He let me wiggle for a moment before roughly grabbing my ass and holding me firmly in place. Firm touches were critical. I sighed against his neck, glad he figured that out.
Rubbing his chest, I tugged at the soft cotton, letting him know it needed to go. He lifted his torso and removed the offensive item while I yanked my sundress over my head.
“Fuck. You’re gorgeous.” Zach’s gaze ate up my exposed skin, leaving no room to question the sincerity of his words as he feathered his fingertips over my soft belly.
I leanedback into his space and whispered against his lips, “Right back at you.”
“I don’t know that I’ve ever been called gorgeous before, but I’ll take it.” He grinned, and I pecked his lips.
Zach cupped my cheek, tilting my face to kiss down the side of my neck. He sucked and nipped his way down to my collarbone, my pulse racing under his teeth. With one final bite, he moved to the valley between my breasts, kissing and tracing my cleavage with his tongue. I sighed, enjoying the warmth of his mouth on my skin and the ease with which we fell into rhythm with each other.
His hands fanned out over my ribs and around to my back, unhooking my bra with one deft flick of his fingers. I tugged it off and flung it across the room, the strap catching on the door handle before flopping to the floor.
Zach looked at me with hooded eyes, a small smile playing on his lips. Bending down to my chest, he ran his tongue over my nipple before taking it into his mouth. Teeth gently grazed the sensitive tip while his fingers mimicked the attention on the other breast.
My back arched, pushing my chest further into his mouth and hand. My pussy clenched, and the rest of my body ached for his touch. I fisted the sheets, and my feet flexed against the bed. The guy was good with his mouth. When the sensation became too much, I grabbed him by the hair and pulled his mouth back to mine.
While our tongues tangled, I rolled him onto his back, straddling him. I kissed the corner of his mouth and then down to his chest, where I gave his nipple a playful lick and bite. Turnabout is fair play.
