“Hm?”
He paused. “Um, I should probably go.” He stood, taking another sip of his drink, and walked to the kitchen to leave the glass in the sink.
I followed, confused. “Is something wrong? It’s still early.”
He shoved his hands back in his jacket pockets and sighed. “No, I just…” he searched for words for a moment, then laughed. “I just feel ridiculous. I’m in this outfit with these tiny shorts and I don’t feel remotely manly right now. It seems like I should make a move, but then I don’t really know if you want me to, and I’m just thrown off by the whole thing. I think the best option is for me to go home, put my tiny shorts away, and try again by asking you out on a proper date-”
Before he could even finish his sentence, I’d set my glass down and marched straight up to him, determined. If he didn’t know what I wanted, I needed to show him.
Reaching up, I grasped the collar of the windbreaker and tugged him down to kiss me. The cold sweetness of his mouth was cool and refreshing on my tongue, and his arms circled around my body as he kissed me back with enthusiasm.
When I pulled back, his lips followed, searching for mine.
My voice was a low purr when I spoke. “This outfit is hilarious, and I love that you wore it. But if you’re uncomfortable, you know what you should do?”
“No,” he shook his head, confused.
“You should take it off.”
* * *
A mischievous grintook residence on his face as Jake turned us, pressing my back to the kitchen island while we continued kissing. I reached for the zipper and tugged it down, exposing a white tank top with a faded blue US Navy logo stretched across his wide chest. The zipper got stuck at the waistband, and after a moment, he stepped back to just pull the entire thing over his head.
It was my first chance to run my hands over his body with very little coverage, and it did not disappoint. My fingertips explored the mountains and valleys of the muscles on his arms and shoulders, his skin hot to the touch.
Our kisses grew more desperate, his teeth tugging at my lip and our tongues twirling madly in a seemingly pre-determined rhythm. Jake’s hands, solid and hot on my skin, slid up my body. One gripped me under my sweater and the other cupped my neck, pressing gently while his thumb stroked downward below my chin. The heat built between us, a myriad of sensations pinging my brain all at once, leaving me overwhelmed and drowning, yet desperate for more.
As if reading my thoughts, Jake gripped my hips with both hands and lifted me onto the island. His hands continue upward, dragging my sweater over my head and exposing more of my skin to his touch. He wasted no time settling himself between my thighs, and they locked around his body, squeezing him closer. Pressure was rapidly building below my belly button. It had been so long since I had a man’s body between my legs, and my nerves were alive with anticipation.
Repeating the move that had nearly sent me over the edge the first time we kissed, Jake laced his fingers into my hair and gripped it firmly, drawing my head back and forcing a startled gasp from my lips. His mouth, hot even against my now-scorching skin, trailed down my neck and across my exposed chest. His free hand rose to stroke a thumb over my nipple through the thin fabric of my dress while his tongue dipped into the crease between my breasts. My hands rested on the cool countertop, supporting my weight as I arched further to give him more access.
Tension coiled even tighter in my belly, and I used my legs to draw him in, tightening until I felt his body brush against me. A low moan poured from my lips, and Jake’s hand dropped from my breast to the back of my hips, tugging me forward to press even harder against him.
My moan turned to a gasp, and a rumbling growl rose from Jake’s throat. He held me in place, kissing every inch of my exposed skin, and I wriggled, enjoying the sensation but also trying to convey that I wanted to move on.
“Jake,” I whispered.
His head rose, and he cradled the back of my skull, bringing my face back to his to reclaim me with delicious kisses. My arms wrapped around his body, and I dragged my nails down the hard bulges of his back, all the way until I was gripping his ass through those tiny shorts, pulling him even tighter against me. I had no shame; I ground my body against him, reveling in the sensation of all of his hardness against all of my softness.
As much as I was enjoying myself, I was definitely ready to keep the show moving.
“Jake,” I tried again, pulling my lips from his and kissing down his neck. “Maybe we should move to the bedroom.”
And just like that, he froze. His entire body went rigid, and he might even have ceased breathing for all I could tell.
I straightened, trying to catch his eye. “Jake?”
Abruptly, he stepped back, out of the circle of my legs. “We… I should go. It’s late.” Conflicted, he leaned in to press a quick kiss to my lips, then bent down to grab his jacket.
“Jake, wait a minute. What’s going on?” I grabbed his arm, stopped him from retreating.
He pulled in a deep breath before he answered. “It shouldn’t be like this. You deserve better than this.”
“I… what do you mean? I was having a delightful time before you stopped suddenly.”
“No, I mean we should have a proper date, where I’m not in these stupid tiny shorts mauling you like an animal in your kitchen.”
I smiled coyly. “I happened to enjoy being mauled by an animal in my kitchen.” I tried to tug him back to me, but he remained firm. “Did I do something wrong?”