Summer Break (Love Nibbles Book 4) Page 4

  Eric fell into a doze and dreamed he was with Brianne and Josh. They were all bodiless, and mingling together in some erotic way beyond the sensuality of touch. In the dream, he strove for something just beyond his grasp. It was unsettling and so hot he woke with a boner.

  It was morning and Carl was kicking the sofa-bed and asking where his bong had got to. “Hey, thumbs up on bagging Brianne. Way to go! Didn’t know you had it in you.”

  Eric sighed and stretched. Another day of laying carpet with his stoner brother stretched ahead of him—and probably many more after that. Brianne was right, he needed to figure out some other way to spend his life.

  Chapter Three

  Eric swore he’d steer clear of Brianne. He’d cut this thing off before it got any worse, before they dug themselves an even deeper pit, though, could they really put the horse back in the barn?

  But when he saw her name on his phone later that day his cock grew hard and swelled even more when he heard her voice message. “Hey. What are you doing? Getting all hot and sweaty at work, I bet. You should come over to my house for a swim after. And then we could go for dinner and a movie, or whatever. Call me.”

  Hot and sweaty, yes! He wanted to immediately call her back and ask where and how she wanted him, tell her he’d be there in a heartbeat, a slave to her command.

  But he didn’t return her call and promised himself he’d go straight home after work. He’d even hang out with Carl and his crew. Anything to keep his mind off Brianne. Blowing her off might hurt her feelings, but in the long run it would be better that way.

  So he told himself over and over as he stapled padding and wrestled carpet rolls.

  But when work was over and Carl asked if he wanted to stop for a beer, Eric said no.

  He cruised down streets in the opposite direction from the apartment, like someone else had taken control of his body in a sci fi movie. He decided to go with that idea, to think of this as a force beyond his control. He could no more disobey Brianne’s command than a dog could ignore his master’s whistle.

  He pulled up in front of her dad’s mansion in his rusted pickup truck, turned off the engine and listened to it rattle to a stop, while gazing the length of the white columns. He resisted the impulse to sniff himself to find out if he was as rank with sweat as he feared. Brianne had said, “Come over for a swim.” She’d have to accept him pool-clean rather than freshly showered.

  Climbing out of the truck, Eric felt like he should go around back to a servant’s entrance or something. Then the door opened and Brianne flew across the porch and launched herself at him, driving him back against the truck with the force of her leap. She wrapped her arms around his neck and dragged his head down for a kiss. The sweet, fruity flavor of her lips and the scent of coconut rising from her skin made him feel even more like a grubby slob, but she didn’t seem to care. She kissed him hard and deep. Her bright cherry-red bikini covered only the necessary parts, leaving plenty of naked flesh to grab at. His dick rose to full attention as she pressed her body against his, pinning him to the side of the truck.

  Then she took his hand in hers and pulled him toward the house. “Come on. I’ve got a surprise for you.”

  She led him through the front hall, the dining room and kitchen to a pair of sliding doors opening onto the patio. An umbrella-shaded table, a grill, hot tub and pool occupied a landscaped Garden of Eden. Eric had been to her house before a few times, but always with Josh, and usually just waiting inside for Brianne to be ready to go. The three of them had spent most of their time at Josh’s house—just as huge but not quite as beautifully landscaped.

  Now Eric was bowled over by her park-like backyard. Soft music played from hidden speakers, setting a seductive mood. Two places were set at the table, with crystal goblets and cloth napkins—a world away from the plastic Sip ‘n’ Go cups and paper plates he and Carl used.

  “A picnic.” Brianne folded her arms and gazing at her flower-decked table with satisfaction. “And I made it myself. From scratch. Without asking Maria for any help.”

  She raked her gaze up and down Eric’s body. “You should take a swim first and cool off. Did you bring trunks or anything to change into afterward?”

  He looked down at his rip-kneed jeans and sweat-stained T-shirt. “No. Actually, I didn’t plan on coming. I was on my way home, but...”

  “You came here instead. I knew you would.” She smiled smugly. “No problem. You can wear some of my dad’s clothes, if that’s not too weird.”

  This whole thing is weird, he wanted to protest. Remember Josh, your boyfriend, my best friend? We can’t keep doing this.

  “Besides, you don’t need swim trunks. We can skinny dip.” She peeled off her bikini in two swift moves and stood before him, naked, golden, glowing and shaped so perfectly it would make a plastic surgeon weep.

  Eric stared and swallowed any objections. He took off his shirt and unfastened his jeans.

  Brianne dove in, her tan body cutting cleanly into the water. She swam the length of the pool twice in the time it took him to strip and put a toe in the shallow end.

  She paddled in place, her breasts floating, her arms waving gently, and watched Eric ease his way down the steps. “It’s like a thousand degrees today and the water’s lukewarm. Just dive in the deep end.”

  “I don’t dive.” The truth was he didn’t swim very well and really didn’t like the weightless feeling of being suspended in water. He preferred to enter the pool with his feet on solid ground.

  “Eric, Eric, Eric.” She shook her head. “You’ll never take a plunge.”

  “Then I won’t drown.” He waded in until the water was halfway up his chest. Brianne bobbed in front of him like a buoy marking the drop off. He reached for her, but her wet body slipped from his hands as she swam backward into the deep end.

  “Come on. Play with me.” She smiled then disappeared under the surface.

  He sighed, took a deep breath and dove after her, arms and legs pumping like pistons. Opening his eyes underwater, he saw her blurry, nude form shoot away fast as a minnow, and he lumbered toward her. When he swam to the surface to gasp for air, she was by the ladder near the diving board, waiting for him.

  He swam toward her with choppy strokes, and when he reached her, she let him catch her. “There now, don’t you feel better, all cooled off?”

  “Not that cool. You make me pretty hot.” He pulled her wet body close.

  She laughed. “Cheesy line. No wonder you don’t date.”

  “Does everything you think come out your mouth?” He gripped the pool ladder on either side of her and pressed against her, feeling the length of her wet body, and her moving legs bumping against his.

  “Pretty much. But seriously, why didn’t you hook up with anybody after Amber? I know you weren’t all that wrecked when you guys broke up, and there were plenty of girls who’d go out if you showed any interest.”

  He stared at her from a couple of inches away, asking silently with his eyes Why do you think?

  Brianne’s eyes widened in comprehension. “Oh.”

  “This thing between us may be a whim for you,” he finally said. “But I’ve been thinking about you for a lot longer than just this summer.”

  It was the first time he’d ever seen her look uncomfortable, maybe even a little embarrassed. “I never guessed.”

  “Now you know.”

  “For how long?” Her hands rested on his shoulders.

  “Since the beginning.” As soon as he said it, he wished he hadn’t. Why had he confessed that?

  “Wow.” The exhalation of her breath tickled his wet face.

  “I tried not to feel it and I sure as hell never meant for this to happen.” He gripped the cold metal of the ladder harder and leaned in until his lips brushed hers. He kissed her slow and easy, tasting chlorine and a trace of strawberry that still clung to her lips.

  At last, he pulled away. “I know its wrong, but I wouldn’t take back these past couple of days. Not even f
or Josh.”

  Under the water, Brianne wrapped her legs around his hips, grappling him to her. She wrapped her arms around his neck, and pressed her cheek to his. “I really am a self-centered bitch,” she whispered. “But I don’t want you to think this is a whim for me either. This means something to me, too. You mean something to me. You’re not just a way to kill time.”

  Eric let go of the ladder with one hand and slipped it around her back, but it was awkward supporting two while floating in deep water. “Can we get out now? I want to do things to you I can’t do in here.”

  He followed her up the ladder. The moment his feet were back on hot pavement, Eric pulled her into his arms and kissed her urgently. His hands roamed up and down her slick back before cupping her ass to pull her even closer.

  After a few minutes, Brianne pulled away. “Over here.”

  Just off the patio tiles beneath a little tree she’d spread a blanket on the grass. Eric wondered if she’d ever done the same for Josh. He pictured them screwing and wondered how he measured up. But he was here and Josh was gone and such comparisons were stupid to think about.

  Brianne plunked down on the blanket and reached for him. He joined her in a tangle of limbs, kissing, touching, stroking everywhere. Being naked outdoors was exciting, even if there was little chance of being discovered. With fresh air caressing his skin and leaves rustling overhead, this was close to paradise. He’d never felt so alive. It was as if he’d been muffled, wrapped in a thick roll of carpet for months, maybe years, and was now wide awake and aware of the world around him.

  He wanted to give back to Brianne at least a fraction of the pleasure she’d given in him the previous night. Moving between her legs, he parted her pink folds and took his time, lapping the length and teasing around her clit, until she made a soft, needy sound. He kissed the insides of her thighs and nipped the soft flesh. He stroked her slippery wet sex with a finger then delved as deeply inside her as he could.

  Brianne lifted her hips and her head rolled against the blanket.

  He flicked his tongue over her clit at last, again and again while she wiggled beneath his restraining hands. He wouldn’t allow her to move. Not yet. But continued to apply feather light licks to drive her crazy.

  The trill of a bird called from the branches overhead, its song rising over the music playing from the speakers. But Brianne’s low moans were even more beautiful. For the rest of his life, whenever he heard that particular bird call it would bring back this moment, the taste of Brianne, her sounds of pleasure, the feel of her flesh in his hands, his throbbing erection pressed against the soft blanket, and the breeze cooling his hot skin.

  Brianne’s body tensed, and he released her, letting her rise under his lapping tongue. She bucked up hard and cried out so loud the bird flew up from the tree. She flung her arms wide and gripped the blanket.

  The sight of her climax nearly made him come too. He needed to fuck her. Now! And he realized he hadn’t come prepared.

  Eric cursed himself for forgetting protection just as Brianne gasped, “Condoms under the edge of the blanket.”

  Sure enough, a little pile of packets waited there. She’d thought of everything. He sheathed himself with shaking hands. He’d hoped last night would take the edge off his desperate need for her. Instead, he craved Brianne more than ever.

  She got up on hands and knees and glanced at him over her shoulder. “This way.”

  How could he resist that pert ass? He caressed the round curve, squeezed the toned flesh, admiring the view from behind. Moving in close, he found her wet entrance and pushed into heat more sweltering than the August day. He gripped her hips and pumped forcefully.

  Brianne lowered her upper body to the ground, cheek resting on folded arms, hair blazing in the late afternoon sunlight, with her ass angled upward. The sight of her, so sensual and relaxed, made him lose it. Too fast and hard, but he couldn’t stop driving into her. Another half dozen strokes and ecstasy exploded through him. He gave a guttural cry of release.

  After the last wave of pleasure receded, he slumped over Brianne’s back, kissing between her shoulder blades, reveling in being so close to her. Then he disengaged, pulled off the used condom and stretched beside her on the blanket.

  Brianne rolled to her side and propped her head on her hand. For a moment, neither of them had anything to say as they simply looked into each other’s eyes. Then Eric’s stomach rumbled loudly. He’d barely eaten lunch, too tied up in knots about the Brianne situation to feel hungry. Now he was ravenous.

  She smiled. “Ready for that picnic? I’m grilling steaks, so I hope you can stand to wait a little longer. I’ve got hors d’oeuvres to tide you over.”

  Eric put on a pair of her father’s shorts, but no shirt, and helped her get the food from the kitchen to the patio. By the time the steaks were seared, he’d single-handedly eaten most of a plate of spinach and goat cheese canapés and downed two bottles of beer.

  The sun was deep red on the horizon and the torch lights flickered to life around the garden by the time they sat down to the salad, steak and potatoes.

  Brianne lit a candle on the table, the glow illuminating her face. “I even made a dessert for later,” she told him proudly. “Cake from a box, but still.”

  He wolfed down a bite of steak. “What if I hadn’t come over?”

  She rolled her eyes and clicked her tongue. “I knew you’d come.”

  “Pretty sure of yourself, aren’t you?”

  “You know I usually am.” She leaned her elbows on the table, rested her chin on her folded hands, and regarded him. “The question is what do I know about you? Two years of being around you and I only know a few things.”

  “Like what?” He wanted to hear her take on him.

  “You’re about the only person on the planet who doesn’t like Chinese food. You hate cats. You never wear anything but jeans and T-shirts, and from your wardrobe, I’d guess your favorite color is black, gray or olive drab. You like running. You listen to rap and sometimes heavy metal. But that’s all surface stuff. What I don’t know about you could fill a book.”

  “I like red,” he said. “I just don’t wear it. And I don’t have a problem with cats, only when they scratch like yours does.” He’d never admit in a million years that in the privacy of headphones he listened to indie songs about thwarted love with a softly weeping guitar.

  “What do you know about me, besides I’m pretty?” Brianne asked.

  “You don’t worry about what people think. You express every opinion you have, and you have an opinion on everything. You throw yourself into everything you do. You’re not afraid of anything.” He paused. “Except maybe being alone.”

  She squinted. “So we’re going a little deeper? I’d say you have the opposite problem. You’d rather be alone than trust anybody. You don’t share anything about what you really think or feel, but go along with what other people want. I bet you have opinions, but you don’t think they’re worth anything so you keep them to yourself.”

  “Or maybe I’m just so boring I have nothing interesting to say.” He forked up the last bite of his potato, glanced at her plate and realized she hadn’t even started her meal.

  “I don’t believe you’re boring.” Brianne pushed her plate toward him. “Have mine too, if you’re still hungry. I’ve been snacking all day.”

  She sat back in her chair as Eric started in on her steak. “I know your mom left like mine did and that’s why you moved here to stay with your brother, but you’ve never said anything about your dad.”

  “It’s no secret. I never met the guy. His name was Steve. That’s all I know.”

  “And Carl’s your half-brother?”

  “Yeah.”

  “How could I hang around you for two years and not know something so basic? It’s because Josh and I both talk too much, that’s why. We never gave you a chance to say anything.”

  “Somebody’s got to be the audience.” He smiled, but was only partly teasing.r />
  “You’re a good listener,” she agreed. “But right now I want to know more about you. If you could do anything in the world, what would it be?”

  “Not the career questions again.” He focused on his food.

  “I’m not talking about a job necessarily, just anything. Sail around the world, be an astronaut, climb a mountain, or collect Barbie dolls.”

  He smiled. “I don’t know. All of the above?”

  “I’m serious. Close your eyes and see yourself where you want to be.”

  Eric closed his eyes. Nothing came to him except an image of the pair of them sitting at the umbrella-shaded table under the twilight sky.

  “Right here and now is pretty perfect,” he finally answered. “I guess I just want a house…a home. And I wouldn’t mind an outdoor job of some kind. I prefer being outside.” He looked at her. “What about you? What do you want?”

  She sipped from her glass of wine. “The same, except for the working outdoors part. I mean, a home and someone to share it with. Who doesn’t want that?”

  He grunted agreement.

  Brianne gestured around her. “This…It’s a house but it’s not a home, you know?”

  Eric considered his next words carefully. “I’ve got another question for you. I know why I’m in…why I want you. But what the hell are you doing with me, Brianne? Is this payback for Josh ignoring you? If you just wanted a summer fling with no agenda, there are more appropriate guys you could choose from.”

  She glared. “I’m not using you to hurt Josh. I told you this isn’t a whim. I’ve been aware of you like you’ve been of me, and this”—she gestured back and forth between them—“isn’t as sudden or random as it seems.”

  “Why me?” he asked again, unable to imagine why she’d bother.

  “Because you’re quiet. Because I think there’s a lot more going on behind your silence than you’ll ever let anyone know. And because I get hot and wet every time I think about you.”

  That last admission nearly made him choke on his potato and his cock began to stiffen once more. Nice to know he wasn’t the only one enthralled, but if anything it made him even more aware of the ghost of Josh hanging over what could have been a budding romance. How long had Brianne lusted after Eric, as he did for her, and what did it say about her relationship with Josh? What did it mean for the future?