The Refrain (The Bridge Series) (4 page)

August 15, 2003

T
HE FIREFIGHTER WAVES
to Chloe as she politely squeezes through a group of angry women. He’s not terrible looking and he’s definitely boyfriend material, but Chloe wants more. She smiles courteously as he approaches her with a single red rose and a lopsided grin.

This particular firefighter’s older brother died during the 9/11 attacks, and he selflessly changed careers to honor his family’s legacy of New York’s bravest. Last night, he carried six senior citizens down four flights of stairs during the Northeast Blackout. After the fireman safely transported the elderly individuals to a generator-powered waiting room, he volunteered for another four-hour shift in the darkness. He has spent hours in the gym, transforming his short frame into a muscular block of fire-fighting fury, and his honorable character surpasses his average appearance . . . but his story belongs somewhere else.

“You’re beautiful, Natalie. Would you like to get a table?” His enthusiasm is sincere, but Chloe’s is fading. She doesn’t like Natalie’s ill-contrived plan, and hearing her cousin’s name only escalates the guilt she carries for participating in such.

“I’m sorry, Timothy, but I’m actually Natalie’s cousin. I offered to stop by and let you know that she won’t be able to meet you tonight.” The firefighter appears confused, but there’s no sense in Chloe being the bad guy. She contemplates whether a quick drink with him would be fun, but Chloe thrives on emotional energy and this particular firefighter is a single-layer of vanilla cake.

The firefighter laughs humorlessly. “Oh, okay, well that’s messed up. But I guess it’s better than being stood up on a blind date my mom arranged.” The firefighter digs in the pocket of his tight jeans for his cell phone as Chloe returns a seductive glance to the handsome bartender, blatantly running his eyes up and down her body. Maybe she will stay to have a drink at the bar after all. “Do you want me to call you a cab?”

The firefighter jabs his large fingers at the tiny keys, waiting for her response, but Chloe is distracted by a flicker of light in her peripheral line of vision. She turns her head in the direction of the bartender . . . but it’s Adam’s concentrated gaze that captivates her indefinitely.

Adam is leaning confidently against the bar, his silver watch reflecting the large pendant from above. He’s classically handsome and mysteriously sexy, but it’s his intense eyes coupled with his casual confidence that make him irresistible. When he sees Chloe for the first time, he flinches ever so slightly from the onset of unfamiliar emotions. He feels something deep inside, possibly intrigue mixed with fear, but mostly, he’s surprised.

Their first shared moment is timeless, slow-motion and raw attraction, each searching for the appropriate gesture of declaration. The fascination, the impulsive desire – they share a smile. Their first smile – but not their last.

“Hello? Natalie’s cousin! Do you need a taxi?” Chloe returns her attention to the firefighter and Adam, feeling defeated, turns away to pay his tab.

“Oh, no. Thank you. And I’m Chloe, by the way.” Chloe smiles sweetly as the firefighter reaches in for an awkward hug. She telepathically sends a message to the back of Adam’s head, but he doesn’t turn around.

“Alrighty then, goodnight.” The firefighter lays the rose on the nearest table and disappears into the Manhattan melting pot of dating disasters.

Chloe takes a step.

Take another one, Chloe – Adam’s getting his jacket to leave.

She does it. Three more steps and then a pause. Chloe is standing behind Adam, breathing in his air and counting down the beats of her heart. 3-2-1 . . .

“You’re not leaving, eh?”

Yes, their attraction is electric, but their connection is still just an idea. Their story will be a journey.

Controlled. Explosive.

Light. Dark.

Magical. Real.

Like fireworks
!

C
HAPTER
F
IVE

Adam Ford
8/15/03
Re: Add it up

C
HLOE IS A
revelation.

The charming way the edge of her mouth curls into a smile just before she erupts in laughter is enough to screw with my emotions. She smiles with purpose, she laughs with pure joy, and she oozes sensuality – the supreme triumvirate.

I pin her against the wall but I don’t touch her. I wait. I wait until her eyes meet mine before I place my hand on her neck. Her blood is pumping, her chest is inflating and her heart is racing underneath my palm. I commit to her eyes, so green with life – I want to feel this girl.

I slide my hand down the front of her body as I lower to my knees and lift her dress. The muscles in her thighs tighten but then relax when I place my lips on her skin. I trail my tongue along her leg while running my hands upward to rest on her hips.

She shudders. I fight a smile.

Chloe quietly says, “Just one kiss,” and grabs my hair between her fingers. I stare up at her as I slam the front door with my arm and return my hands to her hips, rocking her toward my face. I can almost taste her.

I slip off her panties and position her leg over my shoulder, preparing to slide my tongue deep inside her. She’s unbelievably soft and tender and it takes every ounce of willpower not to consume her completely. She mumbles again, something that sounds like,
just one screw.
I suck on her clit, making her moan and twitch.

She tugs at my hair, inviting me to join her above the surface. I rise to meet Chloe’s fervent eyes, placing my hand around her waist and pressing against her so tightly her breathing becomes shallow. Chloe is actually panting. She stares at my wet mouth, so I teasingly lick my bottom lip.

I guide her toward my bedroom, crashing into the side table and laughing at my uncharacteristic hastiness. I sneak a quick glance at my stereo . . . where is that music coming from?

Into my room we stumble, my guard is down but my dick is up and the quicker I get her undressed the better. Thankfully, my room is clean and relatively normal because I know Chloe is checking out her surroundings. She’s nervous and I don’t blame her; it must be intimidating to be a single woman in Manhattan.

I bury my mouth in the contour of her gorgeous neck – every curve on her body is the essence of femininity. This is not a slow and methodical progression, this is an insatiable awakening.

“Just one kiss.” She breathes into me. I oblige by simply kissing her forehead. She searches blindly for my mouth, so I take her face in my hands and squeeze. Her eyes open and she smiles. The first kiss needs to be savored. The first kiss needs to be explosive.

Her lips part, but I don’t give in – not yet. I want to feel her bare skin against mine. I want to feel her body quiver beneath me. I want her to enjoy sexual foreplay.

We share a moment of frustration as I tug at the cuffs of my sleeves. Chloe impatiently yanks the middle of my shirt, buttons scattering across the floor. I like this. I remove my shirt and shove my hands in my pockets, waiting for her to undress. Surprisingly, I like her having the advantage and I really like the rhythmic movement of her body.

Goddamn it, where is that music coming from?

She turns her back to me like a sexy burlesque dancer and lowers her dress one strap at a time. Even in the minimal light of my bedroom, I can make out the shape of her round ass, tormenting me, begging for my cock. She glances over her shoulder with an adorable smirk – ah shit. The self-control that I often rely on has officially been transferred to full-throttle compulsion.

I unbuckle my pants and kick off my shoes, mindful of her thorough evaluation. This has become much more than a simple strip-down, I’m allowing her to seduce me. I approach her backside, inhaling her sweetness and teasing her with my erection. Every sensation is new to me, essential yet confusing, so I quickly turn her around to regain control. I need to see her tits, I need to have this be a normal sexual encounter, not sensual.

Fuck, she’s amazing. Her body is an erotic dream parading the tits of Aphrodite. I press against her tightly. We’re not just naked, we’re exposed.

“Just one screw,” she whispers. Her arms wrap around my neck while she strums and thumps my shoulder. The sensation is soft yet raw, relaxing yet extremely disruptive. Every feeling is a contradiction and a surprise. Chloe has seduced my emotions.

She runs her hands down my back and around to the edge of my boxers, never taking her eyes off my lips. But then, without any sort of warning, her head drops and her tongue suddenly meets my stomach, swirling in precise rhythm and lapping all the way to – oh fuck, that’s nice. She lowers to her knees and jerks at my briefs, introducing my cock to her mouth.
Mmm
, that mouth. She’s gives head like she kisses, with passionate hunger.

I pull her up to me and kiss her cheek, and then her neck. Chloe forcefully pushes me toward the bed, falling into me and thrusting her breasts in my face. Her nipple brushes my mouth as she taps my head like a drum. “Just one fuck,” she murmurs. Yes Chloe, I will give you your fuck.

I position Chloe on her back and move the untamed hair from her beautiful face. We kiss. A kiss of concession – the fundamental rule of giving yourself to someone. She bites my lip. I suck her lip. The best fucking kiss – ever.

I run my hand over her chest and place my palm over her heart to feel the rhythm of her heartbeat. My fingers walk down her stomach causing her to fidget restlessly. It’s so fucking sexy that she can’t control her impulses.

My hand brushes against her thigh, the warmth demanding my attention. Chloe parts her legs ever so slightly and smiles. I place two fingers on her lips, delicately stroking her velvety skin. I’m driving her insane – and she loves it. I hook one finger inside her, then two . . . then massage her clit. Her eyes close as she lifts her hips, allowing me to penetrate deeper and deeper. In and out – purposely coating my fingers. My fingers explore and tease as she moans softly, “My mo ma mum.” Gibberish? Nah, it’s music.

Chloe places her arms above her head and exhales. “Just one fuck,” she whispers.

I remove my fingers and swipe them across my lips. I want to taste her on my lips and I want to smell her on my body. I grab a condom from the table and rub my wet fingers on my shaft. As soon as I slide on the condom, she pulls me between her legs. There will be no more foreplay, no dirty talking, and nothing unauthentic. Sex with Chloe is going to be unscripted and very real.

I pummel her, placing my hand under the small of her back and arching her toward me. With each thrust, my speed increases. I can’t control it, I need more. Quicker, deeper – just more.

I roll to my back in hopes of slowing things down. Chloe climbs on top of me as I move my legs under her ass to give her extra support. She starts to rock, her hips swerving and her tits bouncing. She’s like a goddess of rhythm, unaware of the magical hold she has over me. We exchange a few intimate smiles as she leans down to kiss me, nipping my lip. I grab her ass and pump into her, faster and faster. Bracing herself on my chest, she moans, “My mo ma mum.”

And then, Chloe does something so inimitable it can only be described as a sex angel soaring through an orgasm. Her arms extend and her head snaps back, like a winged goddess floating through sexual discovery. Chloe’s body is tense but weightless. Her head drops to look at me – her commanding green eyes – watching me. Needing me. Fucking me . . .

And then it happens. With a woman on top and taking control – I come. And I feel it for the first time.