9. Hope

The heat from the kiss travels all the way through my body, waking up parts of me that have lain dormant for the past year. My skin tingles everywhere that Dexter touches it, my body responding to him in ways I can’t control. I don’t want to control.

I should get back to Justin. In the last text, Grace said he was restless and fussing. I should get back to my baby, but right now, I need this more--to feel like a woman and not just a mother.

Dexter’s hand runs down my neck and over my breasts. My body twitches as he brushes my sensitive nipples, my too-full breasts that threaten to leak at any moment.

I take his hands in mine and guide them down my body to my hips. I can’t tell him how sensitive my breasts are right now, but he gets the hint.

His hands slide around my ass, and he draws me to him. As our bodies collide, a wave of heat and pleasure emanates from where his hardness presses into me. I push myself against him and grind my hips as a wave of desire takes control of my body.

Dexter opened up to me over dinner, and my heart aches for him. My feelings for him are undeniable. He’s a good man, and tomorrow I’ll tell him about Justin. Tomorrow everything will change one way or the other. But tonight…tonight it’s just the two of us, our bodies pressed together and his warm breath on my skin.

Dexter’s hand slides up my skirt and between my legs, and the hormones make me so sensitive that as soon as he touches my panties, there’s a rush of dampness.

I moan and bite down on his neck to keep from crying out.

My gaze glances up the alleyway where people are in the town square just a few yards away. Anyone might see us. But before I can pull away, his palm presses against my sensitive core and shoots of pleasure chase any other thoughts away.

I’m jelly under his touch. The rhythm of his hand sweeping over my panties is everything.

“Dexter…” My voice is a whining pant as his lips brush my earlobe.

“Let go, Hope. I got you.”

I tilt my hips forward, riding his hand as the pressure builds in my core. I’ve never felt such a rush before, such pure pleasure, and I’ve never felt so safe as I do knowing Dexter has me.

Then the pressure breaks and the orgasm shatters my body, sending waves and waves of bliss coursing through me.

I open my eyes, panting hard, but Dexter presses his palm against me again, and once more I’m swept away on a wave of pleasure and sweet release.

It’s a few moments later that Dexter straightens my dress and pulls me toward him. My cheeks are flushed, and my legs feel wobbly.

“I, um . . . I don’t usually do that.”

“I know.” He kisses the top of my head. “This isn’t something usual, Hope. What you and me got.”

His eyes are dark and hooded, and he’s about to say something else when there’s the sound of laughter at the top of the alley.

A group of young men walk towards us, laughing together.

Dexter grabs my hand. “Come on. Let’s get you to your car.”

I let him lead me away, still coming down from my orgasmic high. But it’s not just the release he gave me. It’s the feeling I have whenever I’m with Dexter, the feeling of safety and warmth and happiness.

I clasp his hand as we walk to the car clinging on to the feeling, because tomorrow I’ll tell him about Justin, and everything will change.