Chapter 16

Sixteen

Gemma

L iquid courage definitely helped.

Once Everett came back with our refill—and the bottle of wine—our conversation moved from the heavy topic of his father to much lighter ones. We’ve spent the last half hour or so laughing and talking about everything and nothing all at once. It’s refreshing how easy it is to talk to Everett. Never do I feel an awkwardness to fill the lulls, nor do I feel like I’m forcing anything.

I would be lying if I said we haven’t had this intense chemistry since the minute we met.

And maybe that’s not a coincidence.

With that thought in mind, I take one more sip of my wine before I set it on the table and take a deep breath.

Now or never, Gemma.

Clearing my throat, I look over at Everett and say, “There’s something I wanted to talk to you about tonight. ”

His brows pinch together as a smile curls his lips. “Okay, sounds ominous. What’s up?”

A chuckle bubbles out of me. “It’s nothing bad. And I don’t mean to be so formal about it, but I’ve never done something like this, so I’m a little nervous.”

“Well, now you’ve freaked me out.” He laughs, shifting more to face me. “What’s got you nervous?”

A breathy laugh slips out, and I realize I’m doing this so wrong. He’s probably going to think I’m ridiculous, and turn me down, but I can’t stop now. I have to see it through.

“All right, I’m just gonna say it.”

“Yes, please.” His smirk makes my stomach flip, and the way his piercing blue eyes watch me gives me the confidence to keep going.

“Okay, so this may be presumptuous, but it has recently been brought to my attention how much you flirt with me and the way you’re always looking at me when we’re around each other.”

His grin is so wide, it deepens the wrinkles around his eyes. “Is that so?”

Laughter bubbles out of me, mostly from nerves, but also a little bit because of the way he’s looking at me right now. Like he’s been dying for me to call him out on this. And maybe he has.

I nod. “Yes, that’s so. And I’ve also noticed that I’ve been flirting with you too, even if I didn’t totally realize it at first.”

He breathes out a chuckle, eyes glinting with amusement. “I’d say that you have too. So, what are you getting at with this little realization of yours?” Holding up a finger, he adds, “Which, by the way, I’d love to find out who brought this to your attention, but I’m guessing now isn’t the time for that.”

Nerves swim in my gut, my heart pounding a mile a minute, but it’s the good kind of pounding. Adrenaline and something I haven’t felt in years… arousal.

“Well, I know how busy you are; getting settled somewhere new, in a brand-new school. I’m busy too, with work and being a mom to a very active child.

His smile grows, and I swear his eyes darken as they watch me. “Okay…”

“And we’re clearly attracted to one another, we get along great, and we can’t deny how convenient it is that we’re neighbors.”

Biting down on my bottom lip, I watch Everett’s cheeks turn an adorable shade of pink. “I’m listening,” he murmurs.

“Friends with benefits,” I blurt, deciding to just spit it out because I’m nervous enough that I feel nauseous.

“Friends with benefits,” he repeats, sitting forward with his elbows on his knees. “Really?”

Panic starts to rise in my chest, thinking I may have it all wrong.

“Yeah, I mean, if I’m reading the situation wrong and you’re not interested, that’s totally okay, and we can just pretend I nev?—”

“You’re not reading the situation wrong,” he cuts me off, his gaze locked on mine as if to make sure I really hear him. “And I am interested.”

I let out a breath, my shoulders relaxing. “You are?”

A zap of desire floods my system hearing him say that .

“Of course, I am, Gemma.” His smile warms my blood. “It’s not a secret that I’m extremely attracted to you… as someone pointed out to you.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, feeling my face flush. “I am too,” I reply, suddenly realizing that I’ve approached this entire situation in the most awkward way possible. Why couldn’t I just sit in his lap and make out with him first, and then proposition him? Way to fucking go, Gemma. “But I think we should lay down some ground rules before we do anything.”

His eyes crinkle again at the corners as his lips twist into a grin that would make my knees weak if I were standing. “I think that’s smart. I’m assuming you already have some in mind?”

I nod, swallowing roughly. “Yes.”

“I’m listening.”

“Well, for starters, Sutton can’t know,” I say.

“I agree.”

“I think it would be best if we remained just friends,” I go on. “No-strings fun. A way for us both to relieve stress and be a little selfish.”

Everett nods, tongue poking out to wet his lips. “I can certainly relieve your stress, Gemma.”

Fuck. The baritone of his voice sends heat straight to my pussy. “And there’s no staying the night. That goes hand in hand with the first rule. Sutton can’t know, and if you stayed the night, there’s a chance he could find out.”

“That’s fair,” he replies, nodding along. “Anything else?”

“Uh…” Truthfully, I just thought of these rules on the spot. “I don’t think so. Not to put a damper on this, but wa nting to have full transparency, I’ve never done something like this. I’ve never…”

Holding up a hand, Everett says, “We can go at your pace.” Eyes locked on mine, he adds, “And I think full transparency is a good idea. I haven’t had many friends with benefits in my day either, but I’m sure communication is key.”

“Yes, please,” I breathe out with a smile.

“Okay.”

My stomach flutters again. “So, what now?”

A crooked grin slides onto his face as Everett sits back in his chair and pats his thigh. “C’mere,” is all he says, but my thighs clench anyway.

On shaky legs, I stand and take the two steps it takes to reach him. Spreading his thighs to allow my legs to fit between them, he gazes up at me with a look of lust and something else entirely as I lower myself into his lap. One of his hands finds its way to my hip, the touch sending electricity through my veins and molten heat to my core. Bringing his other hand up to my cheek, he cradles it as our eyes meet. Just an inch away, we breathe each other in. Something sensual passes between us before he pulls my head down until our lips meet.

Holy shit.

We’re kissing.

Everett is kissing me.

His palm slides from my cheek to the back of my neck, nails grazing the flesh on my nape, sending a layer of goosebumps all over my body. Parting our lips, his tongue licks into my mouth, rolling with mine, the flavor of him exploding on my taste buds. Every inch of me is on fire as our lips move together, as we savor one another. My skin tingles, my head fuzzy, and I can feel myself getting wetter by the second, a reaction I haven’t had to another person in many, many years. I almost forgot how fucking good making out feels.

It doesn’t take long for us to lose ourselves to each other. I shift in his lap until I’m full-on straddling him, both of his hands coming down to grab ahold of my ass as my hips rock against him, feeling his hard length under me, the throb settling deep in my core becoming stronger by the moment. A thought pops into my mind, somehow pushing through the fog and lust floating around, that has me breaking the kiss.

“We should go to my room,” I breathe against his lips, forehead resting against his, chest rising and falling as my heart beats erratically. “In case Sutton wakes up, I don’t want him finding us like this on the porch.”

His lips curl. “Good call.”

Tightening his grip on my ass, he stands up, my legs wrapping around his waist easily, like it’s the most natural thing I’ve ever done. A giggle bubbles up my throat as he begins walking us into the house, carrying me like I weigh nothing. It’s hot as hell.

Walking into my room and kicking the door shut behind him, Everett doesn’t bother turning on the light as he strolls inside, dropping me onto the bed. Faint light spills in from out the window, but other than that, we’re blanketed in darkness. My clit throbs and my nipples tighten as he runs his gaze appreciatively down the length of my body before coming back up to my face again. I scoot up to the top of my bed as he crawls on after me, and there’s something so primal and sexy about the way he’s eyeing me. Like he wants to devour me.

And god, do I want him to do just that.

Everett positions himself between my legs, his large, wide frame boxing me in as his arms plant on either side of my head. Nerves still clutch at my chest, but that feeling is heavily overweighed by arousal and excitement.

“You okay?” he asks, his voice nothing more than a gravelly rasp, giving away just how turned on he is. And knowing he’s turned on, yet pausing to make sure I’m okay, does nothing but turn me on more.

I nod, reaching up and fisting his shirt, tugging him closer to me. “More than okay,” I whisper against his mouth before he crashes his lips into mine. His body comes down on mine, crowding me in the very best way as he licks into my mouth, sucking on my tongue as a moan escapes my throat.

My entire body is on fire, and I’m craving so much more. It’s like this part of me has been dormant for so long, and it’s finally been awoken. I feel out of control as my arms wrap around his neck and my back arches, seeking any sort of friction from Everett.

“Fuck, Gemma,” he gasps as he works his way across my jaw, down to my throat. He kisses a spot right under my ear, making me shiver. Working his way down my body, he gets to my chest, where he peppers it with kisses before grabbing the hem of my tank top and tugging it up, freeing my breasts.

The cool air from the room, paired with the heat in his gaze as he takes me in, sends goosebumps all over my flesh. A sexy half smile spreads on his face as his eyes lift to meet mine just as he dips his head down and takes one of my hard, sensitive nipples between his teeth. I gasp at the contact, the sound quickly morphing into a moan as he sucks the pebbled bud into his mouth, tongue swirling around.

He pops off, but not before tugging on it ever so gently with his teeth, moving quickly over to the other one. His hand comes up, replacing where his mouth was a moment before, tweaking it between his fingers. Everett pulls off far too soon, an actual whimper falling from my lips as his hot, wet tongue licks a trail down my abdomen, dipping quickly into my navel before he continues his descent.

My heart thrashes against my ribs as he peers up at me from beneath his dark lashes, hooking his fingers into the waistband of my shorts.

“Want me to keep going?” he rasps, and the sound heats my blood.

The answer is immediate, a nod of my head that says yesss . Because while the idea of him seeing me there makes me more nervous than I can even voice, it also makes me so goddamn hot seeing how much he wants me. Seeing how he can’t keep his hands and lips off me. I also can’t deny the deep ache that has settled between my thighs since the minute he dropped me on this bed.

“Don’t you dare stop,” I practically growl at him, the roughness in my voice foreign to my own ears.

Chuckling, he leans in, pressing another heated kiss to the skin right above my waist before he tugs the material down my thighs. I lift my hips, making it easier for him, and as soon as they’re off, my cheeks heat, and I appreciate his choice to not turn on the light because then he’d see how red they are.

It’s been years since I’ve been naked around a man.

I internally panic about what he may think about my stretch marks or the way my boobs aren’t as perky as they once were before having a kid or the way my vagina definitely doesn’t look the same as it did ten years ago before pushing out a child. But the thoughts are fleeting because even in the almost completely dark room, I can see the overflowing desire spilling out of Everett’s eyes, and the way he’s practically salivating at the idea of getting my pants off.

Leaving my panties on, he tosses my shorts to the side, pressing down on the insides of my thighs to spread them farther apart. “Fuck,” he hisses. “Look at you.” His eyes drink me in, and I’m feral for it. Running his finger down the center of me, he smirks up at me as he asks, “You’re so wet, your panties are soaked. Is this all for me?”

I bite my lip as I nod.

Shocking me, he leans down, nipping at the flesh right next to the crease on my thighs where my underwear sits. I gasp, my back arching, and Everett chuckles against my skin, his hot breath fanning the area, and doing nothing but making me hornier.

My pussy actually throbs I’m so turned on, and when he drags the tip of his nose along the center of me, inhaling deeply, I practically combust on the spot. An inferno grows deep in my core that I haven’t felt for so long. So long that I wondered if maybe I’d never feel it again.

Everett hooks a finger into my panties, pulling them to the side and exposing my most intimate area to him. Instead of the nerves I felt earlier, all I feel now is dripping lust and arousal. Even more so when he uses the flat of his tongue to lick a hot swipe along the seam of my lips. As he reaches the top, he flicks it against my swollen clit.

Moaning, I prop myself up on my elbows so I can watch him. The sight of a man like Everett between my thighs is intoxicating and more than a little powerful. Taking in the sight in front of him with his eyes before peering up at me, a smirk tugs on his lips that makes my core clench. “Such a sweet pussy,” he murmurs appreciatively.

He doesn’t give me a chance to answer or react before he’s dragging the flat of his tongue along the length of my slit again. Goosebumps bloom all over my body, and I throw my head back as a gasp falls from my lips, my legs trembling. Spreading me open with his fingers, Everett gives another long, slow lick as he hums with approval before he seems to lose all control. He feasts . It’s the only way I can think to describe it, and it’s maddening in the very best way. He eats like a starved man. Like he simply can’t get enough of me. Easing two fingers into me, he fucks me with them while sucking my clit into his mouth.

“Oh, fuck, Everett!” I moan, hands fisting the bedsheets.

Glancing up, a sexy smirk tugged on his slick lips, Everett asks in a low, raspy tone, “You like this, mama?”

I nod feverishly, whimpering, feeling like I’m about to burst when he hooks his fingers inside of me, stroking in a come-hither motion right over the sweet spot that has a desperate, raspy moan clawing from my throat.

The fact that he just called me what he did shouldn’t add fuel to the fire burning within me, but oh god, it does.

“You’re so tight, and so fucking sweet. So wet for me,” he mutters before swiping his tongue over my clit again, causing my body to vibrate with need. “I could come right now just thinking about how this tight little cunt will feel wrapped around my cock.”

“Oh my god…”

“Do you want to come?” he asks darkly, almost taunting. “Do you want me to make you come with my tongue and my fingers?”

“Yes,” I pant and grind up into him. “Please!”

Without another word, Everett’s mouth drops back onto my pussy, and he does just that. My body tightens, muscles coiled, and heat spreads low in my spine, sending shock waves of pleasure throughout my entire body. I climb higher and higher as his tongue ravages me. I feel like I’m floating until I can’t hold on any longer. Until it feels like I can’t breathe. Like my heart just might beat right out of my chest.

“Oh, fuck! Oh, fuck,” I cry out, slapping a hand over my mouth to stifle the sound, as the dam breaks and my release barrels through me. I clench and contract around his fingers, the throb felt deep in my core. Wave after wave of pleasure so strong I see stars and think I might pass out. He licks up every last drop, only sitting back on his haunches when I feel like I can’t take any more and I push him away.

Holy shit, that was… intense.

I don’t think I’ve had an orgasm like that in… maybe ever. My body feels boneless, and my mind is completely clear. Not an ounce of stress about any-damn-thing right now. Fuck, that’s nice.

Everett comes and lies beside me, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and pulling me into his chest. Cuddling. I look up at him and can’t help but smile at the way he’s staring back at me. Dipping his head down, he captures my lips for a soft, sweet kiss. I can taste myself on his tongue, and there’s something so hot about that.

“What about you?” I ask as nerves ricochet inside of me again.

“Not tonight,” he breathes against my lips, brushing a strand of hair out of my face. “Tonight was about you. We’ve got plenty of time to explore our newfound friends-with-benefits relationship.”

I don’t know if it’s because I just had the world’s strongest orgasm and the chemicals in my brain are going haywire, or if it’s because this is the first time I’ve hooked up with anybody since my late husband, but his gentleness and the way he so clearly cares about making sure I’m comfortable has a lump forming in my throat and pressure building behind my eyes.

After a while, I get dressed and walk him to the door. Everett presses a kiss to my forehead before he leaves. Climbing back in bed, I lie awake for much longer than I’d like, replaying the way he made my body feel with only his tongue and fingers.

And wondering how I’m going to feel about it in the morning.