Page 30 of Rock Me
“Everything okay out here?”he asks.
I meet his gaze, his blue eyes zeroing in on me as he steps out into the fresh air.I drink him in, his white tee shirt lovingly clinging to muscles I held on to last night when he was deep inside my body.
No, we didn’t just sleep together one night.Now that we are alone in the apartment, defensive barriers gone, at least as far as a sexual relationship is concerned, we’ve made good use of our alone time.He switched from the pullout sofa into my bed, the move a natural transition we barely had to speak about or acknowledge.
Suddenly I can’t tear my gaze away from his handsome face, Ava’s question lingering in the back of my mind.Would I give up my dream for any reason?Including true love?
Not something I intended to think about.Not when my aspirations are finally within reach and the man in question isn’t interested in that kind of a relationship with me, anyway.
***
Ben
At first, Iworry that Ava has been her usual overprotective self when it comes to her friends and alienated Summer, because ever since I interrupted their talk outside, Summer has been pensive and quiet.Then again, she’s been quiet since we arrived.But my friends are welcoming, Ava included, and as the day goes on, Summer warms up to them.I’d have hated for her to feel like she didn’t belong and am glad she’s begun to come out of her shell.
What a contradiction she is, a vibrant star when it comes to performing and a typical shy girl when in an intimate group of people she doesn’t know.I am a contradiction as well.On the one hand, I want to keep her separated from my friends and my life in order to better protect my heart; on the other hand, as I watch her today, I silently cheer when she hits it off with the people who mean the most to me.
Dan grills burgers, hot dogs, and corn on the cob.Ava brought some sides, and the guys came with store-bought desserts, everyone contributing.I’m not surprised Ava picked up a cake with candles for me, although I really could have lived without a big to-do.Turning thirty is enough for me to deal with.The brat didn’t bring candles with the numbers three and zero, no, she lined the entire cake with individual candles and made a production of lighting each one.The upside to the traditional birthday celebration was Summer’s gorgeous voice in tune and sounding over the guys’ raspy attempts at singing.
Gifts come next, but I already know Summer feels bad she doesn’t have one for me, and I downplay the moment, glancing at my friends.
“How about I open them at home,” I say, then realize I won’t behome, I’ll be at Summer’s apartment.In her bed, a place I am already itching to get back to.
I love my friends and coworkers, but I am finished with the big group get-together and ready to get Summer naked and alone.
“He’s ready to escape already,” Dan says, chuckling.“Go ahead.I’m just glad you both came.”
Tate laughs as well.“Hell, I’d want to get that pretty girl home safely and be alone, too.”He winks at me, and Summer flushes a pretty pink.
Damned intrusive friends, I think, still grateful for all of them.I haven’t heard from my father yet, which has become standard operating procedure.If he isn’t lost in a bottle, he is wasting his life away binge-watching shows.Anything not to live and feel again by risking his heart on another woman.My mother hasn’t been in my life for years.
When nobody else gives me a hard time, Summer and I say our good-byes and manage to slip out fairly quickly.We don’t talk much on the car ride home, the Uber driver a chatty guy who keeps us occupied answering questions about things I can’t even remember by the time we exit the vehicle.
We walk into the apartment, Summer humming, a sure sign that she enjoyed her day, and that fact makes me too fucking happy.
She turns on the lights, then heads for the den, where I used to sleep, which isn’t too far a walk from her door.“Thank you for bringing me with you.It turned out to be fun,” she says, tossing her purse onto the sofa.
“I’m glad you enjoyed.See?What did I tell you?Nobody bites.”
She rolls her eyes at that, a cute smile lifting her lips.
“What about Ava?”I ask.“Did she overstep?”I place my gift bags on the floor, an obvious bottle of alcohol sticking out from the top, definitely a gift from one of the guys.I flip the lock, then the deadbolt, locking Summer in safely.
She runs her tongue over her bottom lip nervously and pauses before answering.“Let’s just say she was protective of you as her friend.But she didn’t threaten to slit my throat, so I think we’re good,” she says wryly.
From her hesitancy, I know she isn’t telling me everything, but her light way of handling it reassures me all really is fine with her and Ava’s talk.I am willing to let it go.“Okay then.Sounds like you were able to handle her.I was worried.”
“About me?”Summer asks, sounding surprised.
“Well, yeah.I didn’t want Ava to say something that might send you running.”
Summer makes her way back toward me, her hips swaying as she walks.All day, I’ve done my best not to focus on her body in that sexy dress, but it hasn’t been easy.The pull of fabric at her waist showcases her fit form, her cleavage pushed up, two soft swells of flesh tempting him.And the teasing demure braid with tendrils of hair falling out has my mouth watering, visions of pulling on her hair as I pound into her testing my restraint.
She kicks off her heels and aligns our bodies, my cock hard in my jeans, pressing against her stomach as she wraps her arms around my neck.“Now why would I do that?I finally have you where I want you,” she murmurs.“There’s no chance of me running anywhere but into your arms.”
Her hands slide to the waistband of my jeans.She flicks open the button, unzips my fly, and pushes the material down to the floor, taking my boxer briefs along with it.My cock springs free, eager for whatever she has in mind next.
She always amazes me.In the moment, this is the same bold woman who has no trouble performing on stage.One who isn’t worried what anyone thinks about her, only about what she wants, and she clearly wants me.
