Chapter 19

CHAPTER 19

Mitch

I parked the car in the parking lot, glancing over at Penn as I contemplated just taking him home. It would have been the gentlemanly thing to do, since I already felt like I was pushing the envelope with him.

But truth was, I liked being around the guy and his golden aura. His sweet disposition, his blushing cheeks. He was fun to mess with, and fun to instigate, and...

He was a really good kisser.

A part of me couldn’t believe he’d agreed to a date in the first place—after all, I knew better than anyone as far as we were concerned, this whole thing was new for him.

I’d dated my share of men in Jasper Springs, so I understood wholeheartedly the caution of jumping into a relationship with some boy next door like Penn.

But I didn’t want to let him go.

Ever.

“Are you okay?” he asked, pulling me from my thoughts.

“What?”

“I mean, we’ve been parked for five minutes and you, like, zoned out,” he said, his eyebrows furrowing together with concern.

“Right, sorry,” I said as I looked at him. “You don’t have to come in, if you don’t want to. I can take you home, if you want.”

Penn’s lips pressed a thin line as he shook his head.

“No, I... want to. Come in. With... you.”

“Okay,” I said, not wanting to give him a chance to change his mind.

I opened my door and quickly made my way to open his, my heart in my throat. I knew whatever happened, it could still go south. There was a big difference between making out in the park and making out on my couch.

There was the possibility that he’d get scared and run off, and I’d ruin everything.

“I just want you to know that you’re still in charge. We don’t have to do anything you don’t want to do. We can just watch a movie or something.”

I needed him to understand I wasn’t pressuring him into anything, and his comfort was my top priority.

Penn nodded as he looked up at me. “I know.”

His soft smile tugged at my heart, making it thud so loudly I could hear it in my own ears.

“I just like spending time with you,” he admitted.

I nodded, sliding my hand into his. There was no hesitation when he squeezed mine back.

“I think a movie sounds nice.”

“All right then,” I said as I pulled him down the hill toward my apartment on the bottom floor .

As I stood in front of my door, sucking in a few breaths, I realized just how nervous I was.

I opened the door and waved him in, turning on the lights. Once he was in, I closed the door quietly.

“Wow, it’s...”

I’d never felt so on the spot before, showing a man my apartment.

Technically, most men didn’t make it to see anything past my couch or my bed, so this was new territory for me too.

“A disaster?” I said, running my hand through my hair as I headed toward the couch, turning on television and queuing up Netflix.

“I was going to say it’s pretty chill, actually,” he said as he walked around my kitchen, looking like a deer lost in the headlights.

My heart thumped away as I watched him, committing his image in my kitchen to memory.

He looked perfect, standing there, in the light.

I slowly slid my phone out of my pocket and snapped a picture.

“What was that?” he said, startling.

“Nothing, what, uh, what’s on your mind? Rom-com, drama? Cartoons?”

Penn chortled at my cartoon comment, and I couldn’t help but smile. He was so easy to tease, and I loved it.

My heart echoed as reality hit me like a punch to the gut.

I was falling in love with Penn Baker.

I knew it at that moment as he casually strolled toward me, the golden light of my kitchen lighting him up from behind like an angelic halo.

“Mmm... have you seen Home Again? With Reese Witherspoon?”

I shook my head, dispelling the weird sort of aura that had blanketed me, making me lose my damn mind.

“No, can’t say that I have,” I said as I sat down, letting the cushions break my fall. Penn sat softly next to me, gingerly.

Leaving a modicum of space between us. I started up the movie.

“Oh, it’s a hoot. Reese is a total gem. I used to love Legally Blonde growing up. It was one of my mom’s favorites.”

I shifted my weight, trying not to appear too desperate, when the truth was all I wanted was to wrap my arm around him, and...

Penn slid across the sliver of space, putting his body flush against mine. I looked down at him, at his perfect, kissable lips, then back to his pretty blue eyes.

“Penn...”

He settled into the open space of my arm, which was stretched along the back of my couch. He shifted his weight, making my body dip toward him, and I was acutely aware of my burgeoning stiffness coming to life.

He leaned in closer, resting his head on my arm as he looked at me with glassy, blue eyes.

“Yeah?” he asked, his eyebrows knitting together with worry.

“Do you have any idea how badly I want to kiss you right now?”

Penn’s cheeks flushed and his eyes sparkled with mischief.

“Maybe.”

So he wants to play.

I can play.

“I don’t think you do.”

“Well, what are you waiting for?” he asked, his gaze dipping to my lips.

I hooked my knuckle under his chin, forcing him to look at me. I needed him to hear my words, really hear them .

His body relaxed under my touch, and my cock twitched with anticipation.

“I want... I need to hear you say it,” I said, my voice coming out dark and husky. “I need to know what you want.” I licked my lips. “I need your permission.”

“I want...” I watched his pupils dilate, his lips part. Involuntarily, he leaned into me, threading his leg through mine, his hand resting on my knee. He swallowed nervously, but he didn’t break my gaze. “I want you to kiss me.”

“Is that so?” I asked, hanging on his every word.

He nodded.

So, I kissed him. Softly, my lips caressed his as I let my tongue slip in through the cracks, and he slid his hand around my waist. I could feel the tremble in his touch, but I could also feel the curiosity as he slowly traced his fingers along my hip.

I sucked at his bottom lip as he let out a groan, grabbing me, pulling me closer. I settled my hand on his hip and he leaned into me like a falling star.

His body pressed against mine was indescribable. My cock twitched as I recognized the similar feeling of his hardness against mine, and I knew I needed to slow down.

But I didn’t want to slow down. I wanted to make Penn feel as wild and untamed as he made me feel.

I broke apart from him, gazing down at his perfect mouth, lips still swollen from my kiss.

“Is that what you want, Cream Puff?” I asked, tracing my thumb over his bottom lip. “You want to play Netflix & Chill?” I teased.

Penn grinned. “I... I don’t know. I just know I want...” His eyebrows furrowed again, as his cheeks flushed.

“Use your words, Penn. I told you, you can be honest with me.”

“I just know that I’ve never felt this... hard from just kissing someone.”

Well, if that wasn’t a boost for my ego, I didn’t know what was.

I couldn’t help the smile on my face.

His hand on my hip slid down a fraction from our shifted weight, right over my solid erection.

Fuck.

Penn’s eyes widened as he yanked his hand back, like he’d just touched hot iron .

But he didn’t move away from me. Instead, his glassy eyes held mine as he let out a shaky breath.

“We can stick to kissing, if you want,” I said as I adjusted myself.

Which was when I noticed his legs were pressed together rather tightly, and his face was pink with...

Embarrassment.

Of course, this was all a new sensation for him, and he was probably confused as all hell.

Real smooth, Mitch.

I gently pulled his hand out of his lap, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“We don’t have to?—”

“No. I want to, I just...”

“Are you sure?” I asked, worried I’d somehow thrown a grenade into an otherwise perfect evening.

Penn nodded. “Usually this is like... third or fourth date material for me. And even then, it’s not... I don’t feel like... this.”

It was my turn to be confused.

“Like what?”

Penn sighed, his cheeks going red. “Like I’m going to fucking explode in my pants like a damn teenager.”

I let out a laugh, because it was funny, but also because as funny as it was, it was also maddening.

“Well, we can’t have that,” I teased, letting go of his hand.

Penn settled against me once more, curling into me like I was a teddy bear. He reached up, his fingertips trailing over my jaw as he bit his lip.

“And usually there’s a discussion about, you know... former partners and all first...”

I watched as he chewed his lip, waiting for my response.

“I can assure you as far as former partners go, I’m clean, Penn. If that’s what you’re worried about.”

His eyes widened as he let out a breath.

“I mean, that’s good. Uh... I’ve only ever been with, like, three people, and uh, I’m good. Nothing to worry about,” he said awkwardly.

I brought my lips to his, trying to reassure him this was okay.

Talking about things was normal. Communication was key when it came to relationships, new or old.

He relaxed in my hold, breaking my kiss for only a moment as he let out a breath.

“Good to know,” I breathed against his lips.

“Just... go slow, okay?” he said shakily.

I nodded, grasping his hand in mine. “Always,” I promised, and he kissed me once more.

I let him lead this time.

Penn’s mouth against mine was a torturous sort of desire. He pulled me closer, his hand sliding through my hair and soon, he was beneath me, his breath labored as his kiss transformed into something much more passionate, much more heated than before.

I straddled his hips with my legs, bringing my swollen cock flush against his abdomen. I could feel his erection below me, twitching with interest. I breathed deep as I broke our kiss.

Penn’s hands slid over my hip to my front, and he grazed his fingertips over my jean-clad erection.

It was a curious, light touch, and I fought the instinct to grind myself against his palm. I settled against him, my hands on his hips, holding on for dear life.

“Do you like this?” he asked, his voice curious as he looked up at me.

I nodded, kissing him once more. “Yes, Penn. I like making out with you. I like it when you touch me,” I said the words plainly, with as much levity as I could.

He needed to know this was okay. That I liked this as much as he did.

That I liked him.

Penn swallowed as he held my gaze, squeezing my sensitive cock in his hand.

“Fuck,” I cursed, trying to hold back.

“Yeah?” he breathed, his breath hot on my skin.

“Fuck, yes,” I said, my breath shaky as excitement laced through me.

Penn kissed me once more, letting his thumb rub over the fabric of my jeans where I could feel moisture already pebbling at my slit.

I groaned in defeat as he thrust himself against me, whimpering in my mouth with unrelenting truth.

Heat ransacked my body from his explorative touch.

“Tell me what you want, Cream Puff. Tell me and I’ll give you anything you want.” I could hear the desperation in my voice. I’d never begged anyone like this before.

The multitude of that was not lost on me, but I felt like I would truly expire if he stopped touching me.

Penn pulled away, letting out a deep breath as he spoke his desires. “I want to see it,” he said, his voice dark and full of curiosity.

A smile curved on my lips. “Are you sure?” I asked, grinding myself against his hardness, making my already weeping cock sob all the more.

Penn looked me dead in the eyes, and said, “Yes, I’m sure.”

I leaned back on the couch, unfastening my belt and shaking my jeans to the ground along with my boxers. My cock sprang free, precum bathing my tip and glinting in the light. I wrapped my hand around my cock, watching as his gaze dipped to my engorged dick.

Penn sucked in a breath, grabbing himself as he let out his own curse.

“Fucking cherries on top,” he murmured.

“What?” I asked, feeling like maybe I’d gone too far. Maybe this was a terrible idea.

“Archie was so right.”

Before I could ask what he meant, Penn rubbed himself through his pants, and all senses left me.

Because the sight of him touching himself because of me was like a balm to my soul, like a match to my flame.

I stroked myself, noting the way his breath hitched as I did so.

The way his pupils dilated, and his cheeks flushed.

The enormous tent in his pants.

I slid my thumb through my precum, coating my pink, swollen head, and Penn groaned in defeat. His gaze practically glued to my cock.

“Like what you see?” I asked, feeling a grin spread on my face.

Penn nodded slowly. “Better than the porn I watched, that’s for sure.”

I laughed, leaning back as I cocked my head to the side, giving a good thrust into my palm.

Penn cursed under his breath, but he didn’t break his gaze.

“Is that what you want, Cream Puff? You want to watch? ”

I wanted to go slow because I wanted him to feel comfortable, but I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want to explore every inch of Penn’s body just to see how he’d react.

Penn’s gaze flashed to mine.

“No... I mean, yes. I mean... Fuck, why is this so difficult,” he huffed. “Yes. I want to watch you.”

I thrust against my palm again, sliding my hand against my shaft.

“But what about you?” he asked, his eyes widening.

“What about me?” I asked, building a slow rhythm as I stroked and pulled my hardness.

“What do you want?”

I grinned wholeheartedly.

“I want whatever you are comfortable with, Penn. I told you, you’re running the show.”

I half-expected him to just sit there and to continue rubbing himself through his pants, and that would have been just fine for me.

Knowing I turned him on, just with my kiss, seeing his growth as he watched me would have been enough to get me off right there.

“Do you like what you see?” he asked, his voice taking on a more seductive tone. The curiousness behind it told me he’d likely never tried it before, which gave me another ego boost.

Because he sounded so damn sexy, it was a crime.

Somewhere in the background, the movie droned out and the music played, but it was white noise.

“God, yes, Penn. Can’t you see what you do to me? You are killing me,” I said as I watched him slide his hand over his giant, jean-clad erection, rubbing himself. “You’re the prettiest thing I’ve ever seen.”

Penn slowly slid his hand up and over his covered cock, his head hitting the back of my couch as his eyes closed.

“Fuck,” he said, his voice all screwed up. “I don’t know if I can do this.”

“You’re doing such a good job, baby,” I said reassuringly, watching as he squeezed his cock, the sound of another whimpering cry escaping his throat.

“Look how well you handle your cock. I bet you’d handle mine just as nice,” I purred, stroking myself.

The heat, the tension, my own dark and desperate voice mixing with Penn’s soft cries was like a firework all on its own.

“Mitch...” he whimpered, his voice all screwed up.

Hearing my name uttered from his lips like that was enough.

I couldn’t hold back any longer, my balls tightening and my cock pulsing as the words left me.

“Fuck, I’m coming,” my voice strained as I hurried to shift my shirt, giving myself enough of a space to unload on my abs, but I sorely missed, and rope after rope of my cum clung to the satin like Velcro.

I pulled at my buttons, shifting out of my shirt and crumpling it up. Using it to wipe up the last remains of my release, it wasn’t until Penn let out a strangled sound that I remembered exactly who I was with, and what had transpired.

I tossed my shirt to the floor, pulling up my jeans as I set my sight on Penn, who looked to be in pain.

I rushed over to him, noting his hand was still squeezing his cock tightly through his pants.

He breathed deeply. His gaze fixed on the ceiling .

“Are you okay?” I asked, concern flooding me.

“I’m so hard it hurts,” he muttered.

“Tell me what you need, Penn.” I swallowed nervously.

“There’s nothing to be embarrassed about here. If you want some privacy or?—”

He lifted his head from the couch, his glassy blue eyes full of awe and excitement, and... fear.

“No,” he shook his head, his gaze imploring mine.

I ran my hand across his collarbone, letting my fingers find the edges of his hair.

He licked his lips, his entire body relaxing under that one, small touch.

For Penn, this was it.

There was no going back after this.

“I want you to make me come.”