Caught (9 page)

She pointed to the futon behind him. “Please have a seat.” While he didn’t want to, if it meant he was going to get his answer without further argument or stall tactics, he would do it.

Laurel walked to the desk and picked up the frame, dropping her gaze to the picture. “You have to promise you’ll hear me out without interrupting. It’s probably the only way I’ll get it all out there. You do have the right to know why your face seems to be plastered all over the computer and why I have a framed print of you.”

“It can’t be that bad.”

“Really? Everyone either called me
Lovesick Laurel
or
Camera Girl
after that day.” She wrinkled her nose before she shook the frame in her hands. “This kind of proves they were right about both.”

He studied her for a moment. Her shoulders looked tense, brow was furrowed. It really did bother her to relive it all. She still carried the humiliation that followed that fateful day; though, looking at her now you wouldn’t know it. At the thought, a sudden flash of guilt swept through him. It was because of him she had to endure those nicknames. “I’d really like to know, Laurel.”

She gave a quick nod of her head. “This was the very last picture I ever took of you, until recently. It was the only time you ever looked right at me. Something I waited all of high school to experience. I never imagined it would turn out so bad and yet feel so good.”

“What?” Quin stopped the rest of the words that wanted to tumble out. He didn’t want her to stop, but he wasn’t sure she had even heard him. She was so focused on her hands and yet lost in her own thoughts.

“I promise this is the only one I ever had, regardless of those silly rumors that circulated around school. I had a huge crush on you like the rest of the female population. This picture is the only evidence of giving into it. When I saw it, I knew I had to have it printed. I had to have it to remind me of the split second when I was the center of your attention. Those few precious seconds when the joy of being noticed coursed through me. But I also needed it to remind me that with the good comes the bad. The teasing and taunting from the popular kids, your indifference when you’d walk by me in the halls, and the hell of those last few months of school almost made those seconds not worth it.

At some point, after school ended, I was able to turn those negatives into a positive. I used those painful moments to see things differently through the lens and became a better photographer. I also decided I wouldn’t let them define me. I did my best to put myself out there more and start living on the other side of the camera. That experience, that one moment in time, shaped who I am today. At least that’s what I think. So I guess, in a way, I should say thank you.”

She looked up at him and he realized she was serious. “I’m not going to say you’re welcome.”

Her forehead scrunched in confusion. He raised his hand to stop any argument that might come out of her mouth. “Now wait, it’s my turn. You need to hear me out.”

Quin got up from his seat and walked over to Laurel. Grabbing up her hand, he looked back at the uncomfortable futon. No way was he getting back on that thing. He pulled her out into the living room where they could be more comfortable, he hoped. She may have turned that experience around and was pretty much over it, but guilt still weighed on him. He pushed her down to the couch, taking a seat next to her. Gathering her hands in his again, he kissed the backs before resting their hands on his thigh.

“I’m sorry all of that ever happened. I regretted what I said the second it was out of my mouth. I wanted to apologize but never had the nerve. The more time that went by, the harder it got. At some point I figured it would be better to ignore you and just move forward, but I never forgot the tears in your eyes as you rushed off. I never forgot the girl I hurt and it killed me in some way. My Momma raised her boys better than to treat a woman like that. My only excuse, and it’s a lame one, is that I was a teenager too full of myself.”

“I know that. Well, not about you being sorry, but I knew the teenage boy thing. We were all kinda young and dumb. It’s easy to look back now and say it wasn’t so bad. The whole point of the story wasn’t to get you to say you’re sorry, but I have to admit, it’s nice to hear. My point was that when I ran across the new picture of you from yesterday, it reminded me of the one from years ago. I dug it out and, I don’t know, was seeing how you’ve changed. In personality and….”

Her words ended abruptly as she chewed on her lip. Quin wanted to lean over and lave the abused area with his tongue but he sat as still as he could, only indulging in rubbing circles on the smooth skin of her hands with his thumbs. They needed to get everything out in the open. Have a clean slate in order to move forward, which he found he desperately wanted to do. When she didn’t go on he prompted her. “And?”

Laurel glanced up at him. He watched as heat built, deepening the green of her eyes. “And physically,” she whispered.

Well, damn!
“And what did you see that changed in me?” Not that he was fishing for compliments, but he wondered if she saw him for the man he turned into or if she was still thinking of the boy he used to be.

“Well, when it comes to physical, I can see you’re bigger and more defined than you were in high school. Your shoulders are broader, muscles much more defined.” She glanced away quickly before looking him in the face again. “I couldn’t help but notice when you had your shirt off that morning at the Shack.” Laurel pulled one of her hands free and he found he missed the contact. She lightly touched the bridge of his nose and ran her finger over it as she spoke. “You’ve also broken your nose. You’re face has thinned out and you have a more rugged, manly look.” Her fingers glanced over his forehead and cheekbones before caressing his jaw. The touch was so light it felt like butterflies were racing over his face.

She leaned forward, close enough he could feel her hot, sweet breath on his lips. He ached to close the distance but was curious to see what she would do next. So far she’d only talked about his physical appearance and, from the soft, husky sound of her voice, she liked how he looked. “You’re lips look to be the same—oh so tempting and kissable.” Exhaling the last word she bent forward, sucking his bottom lip into her mouth.

That was the end of his control. He gathered her up, pulling her over his body, arranging her legs on the outside of his. When he pulled her down onto his erection, the heat emanating from her pussy was almost too much to take. She wiggled on top of him, forcing him to grab her hips to keep her still.

He didn’t know why but something stopped him from taking it further. Breaking away from her lips, he dropped his head onto the back of the couch and counted to ten…twice.

While his body was primed for action, his brain, the one actually in his head, needed to know if she was interested in only the outside façade or if she was just living a teenage girl’s fantasy with the boy he used to be?

Lifting his head he opened his eyes zeroing in on her face. “Honey, we need to slow down.”

Laurel tilted her head to the side, her brows furrowed and lips thinned. “You don’t want me?”

“Now I didn’t say that. I said we needed to slow down. I am more than ready to make love to you while you’re wrapped around me but, for some damned reason, I want to know you’re doing it for the right reason.”

“And I’m going to guess you being hot and me being horny isn’t the right reason?”

Quin’s heart dropped, she only wanted him for his looks. He went to move her off his lap but she grabbed onto the back of the couch, squeezed her legs against his thighs and wouldn’t let go. “Laurel, please. I need to know you want the man and not the teenaged boy you had a crush on. It’s important to me.”

When she wouldn’t move, Quin dropped his head back again and shut his eyes. Eventually, she would have to get up and move; at least that’s what he was trying to convince himself of. It would help too if he could will away the painful erection pressing against his zipper and ignore the feel of her draped over him. The little voice that belonged to the horny guy inside his head told him he was crazy for stopping before things really got started.

The feel of soft lips touched first one cheek, then the other. “You want to know what kind of man I think you are now?”

Raising his head he looked at her warily. “Sure.”

“An honorable one. You work hard, you play hard and you make sure everyone around you is taken care of. You’re thoughtful and protective of your family and friends. You consider things before you speak and would never do anything that might cause hurt feelings. You’ve grown up, just like I have, and I like the man I see. Is there a part of me that still has a crush on that boy? Yes. Do I know I’m with the man he became? Definitely. You’ve shocked the hell out of me with all of the attention. It goes straight to my heart when you hold my hand just because you want to. You seem interested in my work and in my life. It makes me think you might be interested in more than just a quick fuck. That maybe you might be interested in more than just a one-night stand.”

“I am.” He was quick to affirm what she said because he
was
interested in more. Spending time with her outside the bedroom was fantastic. Granted, he was sure once they got to the bedroom things would explode, but this one-on-one quality time stuff…well, it blew his mind. The fact that earlier he suggested not having sex and just spending time with her made him think there really was something special about her. He knew, in his heart, he needed to cultivate the relationship.

The oddest revelation smacked him upside the head. He was finally ready for something that would last and he was sure that something would be with her. “And because I am interested in more, you my dear, are going to have to get off my lap. Let’s get to work on that book like we planned and I vaguely recall you offering up dinner.”

The brilliant smile that graced Laurel’s lips made the throbbing ache in his groin worth it. She started to shift off his lap but not before snagging one more kiss. He really hoped this was going to the place he thought it might.

Warm sunlight coming through her bedroom window pulled Laurel from the best night’s sleep she’d had to date. Stretching her limbs, it wasn’t until she tried to roll onto her back that she realized she wasn’t alone in bed. The arm around her waist tightened and she became fully aware of the erection pressing against her ass.

Oh no! What did I do?
Taking a peek over her shoulder, she wasn’t quite sure how to react. Quin Ferris was in bed with her. She wiggled a little and from the feel of things, neither of them was naked.

The night before rushed back to her. They had stayed up late into the evening eating pizza, drinking wine, talking and working on the book. When they finished with everything, she decided there was no way she was letting him drive home, not even when he said he was fine. No drinking and driving on her watch!

Since she insisted he stay, he insisted they share her queen-sized bed, stating he would never fit on the couch. Inside, she’d done a little dance at the hope that he had changed his mind from earlier about not having sex. Stripping down to her tank top and panties, she climbed in bed followed by Quin wearing only his boxers but, once their heads hit the pillows, they were both out like a light.

The hand snaking its way up to her breast pulled her from her musings.

“Morning honey. That’s some awfully loud thinking you’ve got going on.” Quin placed a kiss on her shoulder the same moment his nimble fingers grasped her tightening nipple. He plucked and pulled, alternating between breasts, before pulling a moan from her core.

“Hmm…not thinking anymore.”

“Good. That was the idea.”

More kisses landed on her exposed shoulder before he worked his wicked mouth up her neck. Rolling slightly she met his lips with her own and, like the night before, he was gentle, slowly increasing the pressure while bringing up her temperature.

“So, about that no sex thing,” he rumbled against her lips.

“Yeah?” It was the only coherent thing she could come up with just then. Lust and need were spiraling through her preventing any other thoughts.

“I’d like to change my mind.”

“Thank goodness!” When she went to roll onto her side, he quickly maneuvered her to the middle of the bed and underneath him, centering his erection on the mound between her open thighs. He pushed up her tank top, not waiting for it to be off completely before latching onto her breast. Licking and sucking her nipple to a hard point while his fingers plucked at the other. He bit down, sending pain and pleasure on a one-way path straight to her sex. She tilted her hips to grind her clit against the hard ridge of his penis. It was enough to fuel the fire burning inside but not enough to make her come.

“Damn honey, you feel good beneath me.”

“I think it would be even better if we got rid of the rest of our clothes?”

Quin grinned up at her. “Sounds like a great idea.”

Instead of letting her up, he shimmied down her body, kissing her ribs along the way to the spot just above her neatly trimmed pussy.

“I’d like a snack first.”

A snack? He was hungry?
Her thoughts were quickly washed away in a flood of sensation. Quin’s mouth settled on her pussy, the thin piece of cotton blocking him from her delicate skin. He didn’t seem to mind, though, when he ran his tongue the length of her pussy, pushing the material into her folds. A low hum of approval vibrated from him when arousal spilled from within, dampening the cloth even more.

“How much do you like these panties?”

Her mind was too numb with pleasure; surely she couldn’t have heard him correctly.

Before she could say anything to the contrary, he snapped the thin elastic band on one side followed by the other. “Never mind, I’ll get you new ones if they were your favorite.”

Pushing his nose into her mound he took a deep breath. “Damn honey, you smell delicious.” Swiping his tongue through her, she about bounced him off the bed. “Taste even better.”

Slowly he worked her over. First, fucking her with that devil’s tongue while rubbing small circles over her clit with his thumb. Her arousal spiked when he drew the tip of his tongue up to the sensitive nub while inserting two long fingers into her channel. Laving the tortured flesh, he sucked it between his lips, curved his fingers inside her and hit that magic spot she’d never been able to find on her own or with any other man.

A strangled cry escaped her lips as he pressed just enough to send shockwaves through her nerves. Her hand flew to his head grabbing his hair to keep him in place as she rode the orgasm out. Only letting up when tiny tremors were all that was left.

Quin lifted from between her legs, hands bracketing her hips, he placed a soft kiss on her belly. “Beautiful.”

Laurel grabbed him by the ears and pulled him to her until he was within kissing distance. She plunged her tongue into his mouth, shivering in delight when she tasted her essence.

“I need to be in you honey. Are you ready for that?”

“Definitely.” She hooked her legs around his back, guiding him to her center. Right before the tip of his shaft made contact, he pulled back.

“Condom.”

“Oh! I don’t have any.” She felt heat rise in her cheeks. “I don’t have men over so I don’t have any here.”

Dropping a kiss on her nose, he bounded out of bed. “Where are my pants? I wasn’t sure what was going to happen when I came over, but I wanted to be prepared.”

Tilting her head to the side she ogled his firm ass as he bent down to grab the garment off the floor. Digging into one of the cargo pockets, Quin pulled out a strip of condoms. Turning back toward her, he must have seen the surprise on her face when she saw what he was holding. The corner of his mouth curved up in that lady-killer smile that melted her panties every time.

“That’s more than being prepared. That’s hoping for a marathon sex session,” she said.

Quin chuckled, climbing back on the bed. He tore a condom off the pack, tossing the rest on the nightstand. Tearing open the foil, he rolled the latex over his erection, dragging his hand down the impressive length. Eyes locked onto the movement, her pussy quivered in anticipation.

“Honey?” Quin’s deep voice snagged her attention.

“Hmm?”

“If you don’t stop staring at me like that, I won’t be able to go slow and take my time like I want.”

Without thought she nibbled on her bottom lip, the action seeming to snap any restraint he had left in him.

Covering her body, Quin pressed forward until the blunt head of his cock notched in the entrance of her pussy. “I warned you,” he growled.

“I never told you to go slow. I want to see you come unleashed Quin.” She wasn’t sure why, but she wanted to taunt him with her words.

Slamming his mouth onto hers, their tongues tangled as they devoured each other. Quin tunneled inside her in one powerful thrust, knocking the air from her lungs.

“So fucking tight.” Quin grunted, pulling out before snapping his hips forward again, setting up a quick, hard rhythm. Her hips rolled forward creating more friction as the base of his shaft bumped into her clit. Ecstasy wound through her and all she cared about was reaching the orgasm building up inside.

Slipping her hand down between their bodies, she gathered the moisture from around Quin’s shaft. Placing her index finger on her clit added that extra bit of pressure she needed. In a blur her orgasm hit, her eyelids slammed shut as sparks exploded. Crying out Quin’s name, she was vaguely aware of him picking up speed, shuttling his hips back and forth, the rhythm uneven. Within seconds he joined her in the frenzy, shooting hot come into the tip of the condom.

Breathing heavily Quin collapsed on top of her before rolling them onto their sides, still intimately connected. It was when he started to soften that he pulled out, holding the base of the condom to keep anything from leaking out. He placed a kiss on her lips before making his way to the bathroom. A couple of minutes later, he was crawling back into bed with her. Turning her body so her back was to his chest, wrapping himself around her. She felt safe and protected in his arms. Like she was meant to be right where she was.

Neither said a word as the world starting revolving again, too content to want to break the spell around them.

Drifting in and out of sleep, Laurel jolted to awareness when her name escaped Quin’s lips as he dozed behind her.

A glance at the clock and she about had a heart attack. She had forty minutes to get showered and dressed before she needed to meet her parents for brunch.

“Quin!” He grumbled next to her but didn’t move. She glanced at him, at some point they had shifted apart. His tanned, defined chest was bare. Tempting her to trace the bumps and dips of his physique. She needed to snap out of it. “Quin! We have to get up.”

“I don’t think I can go again honey, but thanks for the ego boost.” He rolled onto his side and pulled her against him.

“Not that! I have to get cleaned up. I’m supposed to meet my parents for brunch, remember?”

“Your parents? Oh yeah. That’s why we couldn’t get together Sunday.”

“Today is Sunday. It’ll take me at least ten minutes to get to the other side of town where the restaurant is, so let’s go.” She peeled his arm away from her waist and shot out of bed, making a mad dash to the bathroom. Quin walked in a couple steps behind her chuckling.

“Babe, you need to slow down.” He grabbed her by the shoulders and stopped her from moving. “Give me a second and I’ll get the shower going. Why don’t you grab us some towels.”

“Us?”

“Yes, us. I need a shower too. I don’t want your parents smelling sex on me when I meet them. What kind of first impression would that make?”

“Meet them?” She sounded like a parrot, knew she was dumbly repeating him, but he had said it was too soon to meet her parents.

Quin pressed a kiss to her lips. “Yes. I want to meet them. I hate to tell you but you aren’t getting rid of me that easily. Besides, I’d rather they know now that I plan on marrying you when you’re ready.”

“Hold on there. Marry me? Isn’t it a bit soon to be talking about marriage?” She probed inward to see how she felt about that and decided she rather liked the idea. It was still too soon, but she felt lightness in her heart at the thought of being with him forever.

Quin was her dream guy. Always had been. While teenage Quin was a sight to behold, she much preferred the grown up version. She wasn’t lying to him the night before when she said she liked the man he had turned into. Along with everything else she told him, there was a funny, quirky side she adored as well as a romantic, sweet side you wouldn’t guess was there. She never would have pictured Quin, the football stud, content with sitting around watching silly horror movies or trading stories about his family just to get to know a woman better.

“Yeah, I know it’s soon but I feel it here.” He pulled her hand up to his bare chest, placing it over his heart. “I knew that first time I saw you, you were special.”

“You mean out at the jump that first day?”
Because he couldn’t mean back in high school.

“No, I mean the first time I really saw you. That day out on the field.”

Laurel was stunned into silence.

“Honey, you okay?” She looked at Quin, startled to find him looking at her with concern. “You aren’t freaking out on me are you?”

She couldn’t help but laugh or the prick of tears in her eyes. “I’m freaking out a little, but I’ll be fine. Let’s get cleaned up. I’d love for you to meet my parents.” Stepping into the shower she pulled Quin in behind her. Excitement coursed through her soul. Quin really and truly wanted to be with her. Forever.

THE END