Release: New Adult Sport Romance (Fire and Ice) (12 page)

He growls softly. “Now it’s my turn to say whatever you want, it’s yours.”

Recovering from my shock I say, “Good. Come here.” My first orgasm that didn’t involve my own hand, and now I’m a brazen hussy? I think I’ll just go with it.

I reach for his thick length and stroke it. “Do you want me to…?” I look down at his lap.

“Oh, babe, no. I didn’t go down on you so you’d do it for me. You can learn how to do that some other time. When you want to.”

“But I do know how.” Oh shit. I sure know how to screw things up. I close my eyes and let out a sigh. I have to tell him about Lucas.

Kaleb cups my cheek with his hand. I smell my own musk. “I don’t think I want to know about the guy you were with before me. He sounds selfish.”

You have no idea, I think. I turn and kiss his palm. Rising up on my knees, I straddle his lap. His hardness is against my belly as I kiss him. His tongue thrusts into my mouth and I melt into him. I taste myself and the foreign hint of sweetness turns me on. Heat radiates to my core, and my body begs for him.

He flips me on to my back and looks down at me. “Talk to me.” His thumb rubs my nipple. “What do you like?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Okay, don’t be afraid to tell me anything. I want this to be good for you.” He moves his mouth to my breast and suckles my taut peak.

“It is.” I arch my back. He slides a finger into my sensitive folds, and my hips rise up.

“I love how wet you are.” He flicks his finger the way he did before, and I gasp. “I think you like that.”

I whimper. “Yes.”

“What else do you want? Do you like this?” He slips another finger inside and begins to slide both in and out.

“Uh-huh.” My pelvis thrusts into his hand. “I want you inside me.”

He removes his hand, and a tiny whimper comes out of my mouth. He walks over to his jeans. I hear the crinkle of a foil packet and then a tear. Moonlight plays on his skin as I watch him roll the condom on. Kaleb pads over and stops at the end of the bed. His low voice reverberates through my body. “You’re so beautiful.”

He places his hands on my ankles and moves them slowly up my legs as he climbs on the bed. Tiny hairs stand up on my skin. “These legs lead to the best ass ever.” His hands slide under my bottom and around my waist. “And your waist is so small and leads me up to these.” His hands squeeze my breasts. A low sound comes from the back of his throat, and I begin to tremble. His hands move up to my face, and he holds my chin in one. “And this mouth. I need to taste this mouth.” He kisses me.

I mold my body to his and lose myself. I spread my legs and grip his butt. I rub my sex against his hardness then break away and plead with him. “Please, Kaleb, now.”

He guides his length toward my slit. He pushes gently and enters. “Does this hurt?”

I feel my opening stretch further than it ever has, but I want the pain, knowing the pleasure it will bring. “No, go deeper.” I flex around him as if I can pull him in. He slides in slowly, and I hiss, “Yes.” He fills me to the brim, and the intensity makes my nerves pulse with desire.

Slowly he begins to pump. I tilt my hips, and he rubs against the sensitive spot. He’s right. I’m about to come again. This time, I let it sweep me away. As I near the edge, I begin to mewl. I welcome the release and call out as I fall. “Kaleb!”

He pants and tenses as he pounds into me. A throaty, growling noise escapes his lips as he shudders with release. I swear it brings me to the edge all over again. That has to be the sexiest sound I’ve ever heard. He collapses over me, and the smell of us fills the air. I breathe it in and sigh. “I like that.”

He grins and rolls us to our sides. He slides out of me and says, “Keep talking.”

I trace the definition of his triceps with my finger and say, “I like this.” I move down his forearm to his fingers. “I like what these can do.” My hand reaches around to his back. “I like the smoothness of your skin.” I cup his butt cheek. “I like holding on to this.” With both hands I remove the condom. “And I especially like what this part of you does.”

Kaleb snickers. “Don’t ever stop talking.”

Chapter 17

Kaleb hums Jingle Bells as I flip the eggs over like a pro and look at him. My skin tingles with the memory of last night. He’s in his boxers and puts two slices of bread in the toaster. I want to touch every sexy inch of that muscular body. He moves behind me and presses himself against my back. Warmth radiates through my thin, cotton T-shirt, and his sleepy musk envelops me. “What do you like on your toast?” The sensation of his breath in my ear zings through my body.

I croak out, “Butter.”

He plants a kiss on my neck and moves the plates over by the toaster. The eggs are done. I grab the handle of the cast-iron skillet and “Shit!” I flinch from the searing pain and drop it.

It lands on Kaleb’s foot. He yells, “Son of a bitch, mother-
fucker!”

Adrenaline slams my brain. Every nerve is alert, and something inside me takes action. No! I grab the meat cleaver from the knife block and hold it in front of me. Tensed, I’m ready. And then I realize what I’ve done. The knife trembles in my hand as I back into the corner and sink to the floor.

Kaleb is frozen with shock. Eggs are on the floor between us. The acrid odor of melting plastic is in the air as vinyl stick-on tiles melt under the pan. His eyes are wide with a hint of fear. He whispers, “Lori?”

I slowly put the knife down on the floor. I can’t speak. My hands quiver, and I stare at them. Oh God, what have I done?

A calm voice breaks through. “Babe. It’s okay.”

I look over at him. Why can’t I stop shaking?

“I’m sorry. It hurt. I…” He shakes his head and his brow furrows. His voice is a whisper. “I would never hurt you.” He gets down on the floor slowly, as if I’m a scared kitten. “Can I come closer?”

I nod my head, and he inches toward me. “Tell me if you need me to stop.” Egg sticks to his knee. I hold up my hand, and he stops. He sits up and says, “I’m right here. You come to me when you’re ready.”

I burst into tears and scramble over to him. He takes me in his arms and holds me like a fragile thing. I hang on to him like a woman drowning and let myself sob. He strokes my hair without a word.

When I’m done, Kaleb takes my hand and turns it over to reveal the burn. My palm is red with a big blister. It should hurt, but I’m too numb to notice. He talks to me like I’m a child. “C’mon, honey, let’s put that under water.” With a soft grip, he stands and pulls me up. He limps as he walks me over to the sink and turns on the faucet. I put my hand under it and look down at his toe.

“Do you think I broke it?” I peer up into his eyes.

“No. It’s fine.”

I suspect he’s lying. I watch him clean up the mess as I stand at the counter helplessly. Kaleb puts the pan on the stove and turns off the water. He moves slowly and doesn’t touch me. How does he know?

“Would you like me to get first-aid supplies from the bathroom for you?”

I shake my head and say, “You know, don’t you?”

“I don’t. I can guess. But I can never really know, can I?” Concern clouds his face, and the urge to cry grows in me.

No, you can’t. Not unless you’ve lived with the threat of wondering when someone will kill you. “I’ll go bandage this hand and get dressed for work. Sorry about the eggs. Help yourself to anything you want.” I escape to the bathroom.

* * *

The ride to the mountain takes forever. Kaleb offers to drive me, and I accept. If only to be near him a little longer before he decides I’m too damaged. I’m on the verge of tears, and know I’ve screwed up the best thing that has ever happened to me. He talks on and on about nothing to make me feel better.

I look over at him and force a smile. “Hey, I know you have to work tonight. I can get Casey to give me a ride home so you have time to go back to your place before going to The Bike Shop.”

“You sure? I don’t mind.”

“I’m sure.” Because by the end of today when you realize what just happened, you’ll be ready to run far away from me. I look out the window at the snow-covered world. Ski trails wind down Breckenridge like tinsel as we head up the access road to Peak 8.

We pull into the parking lot, and Kaleb parks his Subaru. It’s a beautiful blue-sky day, but I don’t feel it. He turns to me and reaches for my hands. I let him take them. “Are you all right?” he asks.

No, I’m not. I’ll never be all right. “Yes. I’m fine. Look at it outside. It should be a great day.” I put on a big smile, and he buys it.

He takes my face in his hands and kisses me on the top of the head. “You’ll always be safe with me. I would never let anyone hurt you, Lori.”

If only I could believe that. I want to. I reach up for Kaleb and kiss him with desperation. He thinks it’s passion, and I let him. For me, it’s so much more. It’s hanging on to the hope I can be happy for a little longer. Please don’t leave me, Kaleb, please.

“Wow, that’s a good way to start my day.” He has a silly grin on his face. Those dimples make my knees weak, and tears hover in my eyes. He grabs his bag and opens the door, and I get out with mine and start to walk. A beep sounds as he hits the remote lock. The cold air clears my head and soothes my puffy eyes. It’ll be busy, and I look forward to the distraction of children.

The locker room smell just about knocks me over when Kaleb opens the door. I thought I was used to it. Today the testosterone element seems high. It doesn’t make me gag, but it’s close. We turn right and go down the large aisle that has rows of lockers on our left. Kaleb turns down his row with a little wave. Casey and Jason are standing close when I walk down mine. No doubt they have sex on their minds. My heart aches a little, and I wish I did too instead of the fearfulness knocking on my conscience.

Casey steps away from Jason. “Merry Christmas, Lori. Jason and I are assigned to kids this week. Tell him it’s not so bad.” She hits his chest lightly with the back of her hand. She looks radiant with playful curls that frame her striking green eyes. Set against pale skin, today they seem to scrutinize me.

Jason mumbles, “Little monsters.” His eyes twinkle with laughter.

Casey says, “You’ll do just fine. Heather will pair up classes to keep adult instructors from being overwhelmed. You’ll be with someone who has a clue. Promise.” He’s perfect for Casey. With a wicked sense of humor, he teases her relentlessly. She gives it right back.

Casey hooks her arm into mine. “Come to the bathroom with me.” She’s a good friend and I think she senses something isn’t right.

We walk together to the ladies’ room, and we pass numerous male bodies in various states of undress, but I’m not fazed. This is my new normal. The moment we’re in the bathroom, Casey asks, “What gives? You’ve been crying.” She has concern on her face as she hands me some eye drops.

Let’s see. I pulled a knife on Kaleb because I thought he was about to beat me up. “Oh, it’s nothing. It’s my first Christmas away from home, and I’m feeling sorry for myself.” I do miss my mom, but I sure as hell am glad I’m not back in New Hampshire.

Casey touches my arm. “I know how you feel. I remember my first Christmas without my family, and it’s sad.” She gives me a hug. This girl is so awesome.

Desperate to avoid crying I change the subject. “Thanks. It looks like things with you and Jason are getting serious now. So?” I raise my eyebrows at her and she blushes.

“Yeah, it’s pretty great. I’m off to make sure he gets to the Kids’ Castle. See you there.” She practically skips off. That is one love-struck girl. It makes me smile, but it’s bittersweet.

I apply some thick cream to my face to protect it from the wind. It’s dry here, and even my naturally oily skin suffers. I am just about to leave when Heather bursts in the door. Breathless, she says, “Oh my God, I’ve got to pee. Don’t leave.” She races into a stall and calls out to me. “I know you’ve got another half hour before you have to be at the castle, but could you come now? It’ll be crazy today, and I need someone competent to be my wrangler.”

“Of course. I’ll be over as soon as I’m dressed.” Wrangling is kind of like emergency room triage. I will sort out classes and instructors based on the need for that day. As soon as a class fills, I’ll send them outside to keep the area from becoming too full. Crazy busy? That means I won’t have a moment to think about what happened this morning, and that’s just what I need. I’ve already spent way too much time in my head today.

* * *

Heather nods at me. “Nice job. You’re a natural at wrangling. Come take a run with me. I need to check up on the adult instructors’ groups.”

We click into our skis and skate over to the chair. I ask, “How’s Jason doing? He seemed a little nervous this morning.”

Heather smiles. “He’s having fun. I paired him with Casey because she’s awesome with kids, and I knew he’d be more comfortable. I looked over at their group, and I don’t know what she said, but I saw Jason look down his pants. All the kids were cracking up. He’ll be just fine.”

I smile and make a mental note to ask for that story later. We sit on the chair, and I pull the bar down. “Anyone you’re worried about?” I notice her cornflower-blue eyes squint in concentration.