Johnny Loves Krissy (12 page)

“I've already put the salmon in the oven. So it's up to you. I can wait a few minutes until the salmon comes out. Then drive over. Or you could be here in ten minutes.”

“I could be there in ten, eat in three and then get you into bed. Or we can spend the next several hours with my parents. Hmm.”

“Hard choice.”

“That isn't what's hard. I'll be there in ten.”

Krissy laughed. “See you in a few.”

Johnny went into the kitchen. “I can't stay. Krissy has dinner on the table. Can we make it next week? Sorry Mom.” He leaned in and kissed her soft, warm cheek.

Wrinkles creased her eyes, full of understanding. “Of course, sweetheart.”

“And bring my pipsqueak,” his dad added.

“We'll be here.”

“When are the two of you going to quit playing and get serious?” Shift in roles, tonight it was his dad's turn to push.

“I'm working on it. Just don't tell Krissy.”

His dad slapped him on the shoulder. “See you Sunday.”

Johnny twirled his keys on his finger as he hurried to the truck. He ought to swing by his place and grab his textbooks, but the promise of what waited if he hurried had him driving straight to her apartment.

In significantly less than ten minutes, Johnny pulled into a parking spot. Krissy had opened the front room window blinds. He sat there a moment watching her flutter about picking up clothes. His mouth twitched into a grin. Her words might tell him their sexual relationship simply represented a means to conceive. However, her body and actions whispered so much more.

After locking his truck, he walked to the apartment. Any other day, he might let himself in. Tonight he used a knuckle to knock.

Krissy opened the door, and his heart hammered against his ribs. Beautiful smile, blonde hair soft and shimmering, and waiting for him.
She's mine.
He tightened his hand into a fist to keep from reaching out toward her. Then he took a breath and relaxed. How he handled tonight determined how they'd share— hopefully— the rest of their lives.

Then he gave up and his fingers brushed her cheek, barely a touch at all. Yet, she flushed with color. Slipping his hand under her hair and around the nape of her neck, he gently urged her closer. He didn't force her to move, just guided her to his lips. Not demanding but needing to reconnect.

“I missed you,” he whispered just before his lips applied the slightest pressure to hers. Not impulsive or desperate, just a simple kiss to reacquaint.

Her soft mouth opened under his. Johnny slanted his head and dipped his tongue in for a taste of her sweet and potent flavor. He sipped from her lips. Barely pulling away, shifting his angle, he sealed their mouths again. Her heartbeat raced against his palm where it lay on her neck. Their tongues twisted together. Krissy moaned and he reluctantly parted from her delicious, moist mouth. For now, he'd just taste, even though his blood pumped hotter than hell. He intended to savor the anticipation of what was to come.

He took her hand and stepped into the apartment.

“How are your parents?” she asked, backing up.

“You and I are having dinner with them on Sunday.”

“Sounds good. Just, um, have a seat, and I'll have our dinner ready in a minute.” She turned and fled the room. Johnny smiled. About time he set her world off kilter. She could run, not hide. He sat in the ratty recliner, popped up the footrest and marveled at the twist of fate that had him sharing dinner, not with just his best friend, but with the woman he loved.

Krissy entered the kitchen, leaned her head against the wall, and closed her eyes. Covering her heart with her hand, she willed the rapid pace to slow. What in the world was going on? Johnny, her best friend, chum, partner in crime— he was not the man who caused her cunt to clench with a kiss. Yet, he did. Repeatedly. Already wet, she considered what her condition would be after staring across the table at him through dinner.

Damn, the kiss started it. Johnny had no business making her fall totally in love. He should've stuck to the rules. Then they could've come through all this unscathed. She ought to forget dinner, jump his bones, and send him out the door. Then she could wallow in misery until the next time she saw him.

Her stomach growled reminding her that she was hungry and that she'd need her strength for the night to come. And come she would. Her body staged a revolution against her will. After she conceived, she'd lick her wounds alone, unwilling to lose their friendship. If she tried to foster a relationship built on more than just sex, she might destroy the best thing in her life. She needed Johnny and so would her baby.

Salmon scents filled the kitchen. Krissy put the food on plates and took two wine goblets from the cupboard. What was she doing? She didn't need any more special memories. Making a meal and presenting it as if Johnny were the king of, well, she didn't know what he was the king of. Actually, yes, she did.

He reigned as the supreme ruler of her body.

Pulling open the cupboard again, she took out disposable plates and transferred the salmon. She shouldn't have cooked at all. Fast food and a fast fuck. That was what she needed. But no, she had to get romantic. Well, forget that. She grabbed two cans of soda out of the fridge. After the kiss in the open doorway, she needed ice- cold refreshment to douse the flames of her libido. She glanced at the soda, hoping it was cold enough to cool the raging inferno of her desire.

“Need some help?”

Krissy jumped at his voice behind her. “No, I'm fine. Here.” She thrust the Styrofoam plate filled with salmon, peas with almond slivers and a flakey, buttery croissant. “Have a soda.” Her hand shook.

“Thank you.” He reached out and their fingers brushed. Electricity raced up her arm and her nipples responded.

“Let's eat,” she said, then stepped around him with her own plate. She wanted to be warm and inviting tonight. All she felt was nervous and apprehensive making her stomach swoop. Dinner smelled wonderful, although she wasn't sure she'd be able to eat.

The plan had been to sit at the kitchen table, light a candle, and create a mood to carry into the bedroom, but her imagination needed a timeout. What she needed was a bright neon sign flashing in the corner reminding her of the agenda.
Just sex. Just sex. Just sex.

Dinner progressed and Johnny smiled at the slight tremble in Krissy's hand as she held her fork. She picked at her food, refusing to look at him. Her unease fueled his determination. Her plan unraveled at the seams while his appeared to be sewing up nicely. Only days into the arrangement and he watched her walls crumble a little each time they touched, kissed, and made love.

It wasn't that Krissy couldn't commit to a relationship. She might not be willing to admit, and she needed more time to recognize, that her problem had never been about the men she'd dated in the past. He figured her inability to commit had everything to do with the two of them.

“Thank you,” he said, and then wiped his mouth on a napkin. “The food was great.” He pushed his plate way.

“I can hear by your tone that you're surprised.”

“I won't deny that you're culinary skills have improved.”

She met his stare and blood roared through his ears. He recognized the glint of smoldering passion. She hadn't been eating because it wasn't food she craved.

“Good thinking,” he said, standing. He went to her, reached down, and pulled her up by her hand.

“What did I do?”

He enjoyed the firm grip of her fingers. “Disposable dishes.”

“Huh?”

“The dishes can wait since they'll just be going into the garbage. I've been patient.” He pressed his lips to hers, sucking her upper lip into his mouth. “Let me make love to you.” He brushed the shell of her ear with his lips as he whispered. Gliding down, he gently nipped on the curve of her slender neck. The clean scent of lavender shampoo mixed with the alluring essence of the perfume she dabbed behind her ears.

Krissy rested her arms on the top of his shoulders, wrists dangling, as her head fell back and to the side. “We can't make love,” she said, pressing against him. Shoulders, chest, hips, and thighs connected.

Taking his lips from her throat, he swooped down on her mouth and plunged his tongue in an act of complete possession. Sliding against the velvet softness, his tongue curled around hers. He ate at her mouth until she moaned her submission. Her arms tightened and her hips ground against his swelling erection.

She trailed her fingers down his chest, plucking his nipple through his shirt. His smile broke the kiss. Her hands drifted lower and his breath hitched. Krissy's palm touched the plane of his stomach, and she slipped her fingers into his pants. Clenching his jaw, breath whistled through his teeth on a sharp inhale. Lower. “You're killing me.”

Delicate, yet firm, her grip encased his straining cock. Freeing the button and sliding down the zipper allowed her to pull his shaft upright. She bit his earlobe. “This is just sex.”

He stopped her from dropping to her knees. As much as he wanted to see his cock between her lush red blowjob lips, he wanted Krissy to understand what their involvement meant. He laid his hand on her cheek. “No, this isn't just sex.” He reached down and zipped up his fly. “Sit with me.”

Johnny led her to the couch. He sat against the armrest and spread his thighs. Pulling Krissy between his legs, she sat with her butt snuggled against his groin, her back to his chest. He wrapped his arms around her waist and held her close. “Haven't you ever wondered about us?”

Krissy's shoulders stiffened. He smiled. Of course, she had.

“Look at our history.” He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. Small hands, petite woman, but he'd never mistake her for weak.

“A history of friendship,” she countered. “It doesn't mean it'll transition into a relationship. I suck at commitment.”

“You just haven't been with the right man. I can prove to you that I'm right for you. Relationships are ninety percent friendship. The only unknown between us was sexual compatibility, and I think we've answered that question. You came during Regis. Which isn't half as disturbing as the fact that
I
came during Regis.”

Krissy laughed, threading her fingers with his. “Then what you're telling me is sex makes up ten percent of a relationship.”

Johnny shrugged. “Yeah, I suppose you could say it that way.”

She blew out a deep sigh and let her full weight rest against him. “I guess that's why I suck at relationships. I've managed the ten percent fairly well. It's the other ninety that I can't seem to get.”

Johnny kissed the back of her head. Hopefully his words were sinking in. They had one hundred percent of what made a great relationship.

“But I also think the ten percent sexual compatibility is what makes or breaks a relationship.” She didn't have to finish. That was what she feared.

“Okay, a little personal trivia. I guarantee there is nothing I don't know about you.” Johnny slid his legs out along the couch and adjusted, making himself more comfortable. “Ask me anything?”

“First kiss?” she asked.

“With me or
the
first kiss?” She slugged his leg. “Okay.” He chuckled. “Let's see. Fourth grade, after school, Eddie— ” Johnny snapped his fingers trying to remember the last name. “It'll come to me. He trapped you in the recessed entrance near the jungle gym after school. The only way he'd let you go was if you kissed him.” He kissed the side of Krissy's head. “I bet you thought I'd say that jerk from the roller rink. He was
your
first kiss. But I remember Eddie scared you.”

“I remember your dad grounded you after the school suspended you for three days for fighting in the school yard.”

“Eddie never tried to kiss you after that.”

She weaved her fingers with Johnny's again. “No one would kiss me after that. Why do you think I had to kiss the jerk at the roller rink? He was the only one stupid enough to risk getting beat up.”

“Ask me another one. I promise I'll know the answer. I remember who took you to school dances.” He paused. “Because I didn't. Once we were old enough to date, you only thought of me as a friend.”

She shifted and rolled onto her stomach. “Best friends. I don't want to lose you. What if you're wrong?”

“I'm not.” He cupped her cheeks in his palms. “Let me make love to you and prove it. No rules. No Regis.” He smiled and she returned it. “You and me with nothing between us.” He kissed her lips. Not with passion but full of promise. “Trust me.” He kissed her deeper, opening his mouth and taking the briefest taste of her sweetness. “Trust in us.”

Krissy hesitated. Making the decision for her, Johnny put one arm under her knees, the other around her back and lifted. Kissing her mouth, delving into the hot, moist recesses, he carried her to the bedroom.

Krissy trembled inside as she slid down his body until her toes touched the carpet. Oh, she was going to pay for this. It was time for her to beat herself with the truth stick. She'd been making love to Johnny since the first day. Not only did he satisfy her sexually, but he also touched her soul.

She let her arms hanging loosely at her sides as Johnny slipped the strap of shirt off her shoulder. The fabric teased her nipples. His knuckles grazed the abundant swell of her breast. She inhaled sharply as her nipple puckered into a hard point. Chills raced along her arms. Johnny tugged her straps until her breast were exposed. He bent, plucked her nipple with his lips, then rasped his tongue across the taut tip. Grasping the sides of his head, she anchored him to her quaking flesh.

“Mmm...”

Johnny sucked, pulling her nipple deep into his mouth. An answering tug traveled a tight line to her clit. She bit hard on her bottom lip. “More,” she whimpered, arching against him. Damn her body for obeying his decree. He wanted her writhing, breathless, and eager to have him braced between her thighs, filling her completely. His wish was her command.

Slowly, he lifted her shirt while staring into her eyes. The cool air from the air- conditioner blew from the vents. Gooseflesh broke where his mouth left her wet and tingling.

Spreading his fingers wide, he cupped one of her breasts in each hand. Then he lifted the full, heavy globes, bringing them together, stroking her hard nipples simultaneously sending hot, electric shocks straight into her core.