Zack

  Zack's eyebrows raise slightly. "Too big?"

  "Yeah...you got me a man's extra-large, and frankly, it almost comes down to my ankles," I say with a sympathetic smile.

  With a low chuckle, Zack shrugs. "Guess I didn't pay attention when I grabbed it. I'll switch it out for one your size. Now, let's talk about what you're wearing tonight...which fits you very, very well. Is it new?"

  Huh?

  I look down at myself. Same new jeans I bought at the mall with my black boots. Except this time I have a fitted black camisole on, paired with a long gray cardigan sweater over it. It was my attempt at wearing Cold Fury colors for the game, since I only have a ratty, oversized hoodie with the team logo.

  "Sutton actually gave me some clothes," I say distractedly.

  "She did?" he asks in surprise.

  I nod. "Yeah...um, she was going to donate them or something, and we're about the same size, so she brought me over a few things the other day."

  Sutton brought me more than a few things. The night she and Olivia came over for wine, the first thing they did after Ben went to bed was rave over my new appearance. I had indeed worn my nice outfit and left my hair down. They agreed the change was dramatic. They wanted to go shopping with me for more clothes, but I put a stop to that when I ended up informing them of my ultrapoor status and that I didn't have the money for something so extravagant.

  This, in turn, led into a discussion of my background. I learned about Sutton's and Olivia's families too, and we ended up talking for a few hours about shared experiences. What that did was start to form a true friendship among us. It was lovely, and by the time they left I was excitedly awaiting the time when we could get back together again. Both women were smart, funny, caring and completely interested in me as a woman. As a friend.

  What shocked me the most was when Sutton showed up the next morning with a large duffel bag over her shoulder. She quickly explained that she was on her way to work, that she was going to be donating some of her clothes because her closet space was limited in her old house and when Alex moved in, it meant she had to do some weeding out. She wanted to offer them to me first, and being as how I was never too proud to shop in thrift and consignment stores, I wasn't going to let pride stop me from accepting her gift.

  "Why are you, Sutton, and Olivia hanging out?" Zack asks me bluntly. His tone isn't harsh, but I sense something within his voice that warns me to tread carefully.

  "I guess we just like each other," I say...because I think that's all there is to it. Simple, really.

  He doesn't say anything in response, but I can see him considering my words. Finally, he nods, but I can tell there's still something about me having a friendship with these women that he doesn't like.

  "Do you have a problem with me hanging with them?" I ask with a pointed look.

  "I do," he answers me honestly.

  "Would you mind sharing with me your concerns?" I ask sarcastically. "Because last I heard, as my employer, you can't tell me who I can and who I cannot be friends with."

  Zack pushes up off the couch, rounds the small coffee table, and has one hand curled around my neck before I can even take in a breath. "Would you stop seeing them if I asked you to?"

  "Not without good reason," I say breathlessly, now torn between being pissed at his censorship and turned on by the way he's gripping me.

  "If I told you your job would be in jeopardy?"

  "Nope," I answer bravely, but I'm not so sure that's the truth. I really need this job. I just met Sutton and Olivia. I probably would have to sacrifice them so I could stay on track to support myself and my quest to get my master's degree.

  "Stubborn," he mutters, and then kisses me.

  Hard.

  And deep.

  And Sutton and Olivia are forgotten.

  Zack pulls his lips back from mine just marginally. "What time did Ben go to sleep?"

  "About five minutes after we got here," I tell him, leaning back in for some contact.

  "Think he's okay in there?" he asks, sliding his gaze over to the room they're sharing. I didn't close the door all the way, but left it cracked open slightly so I could hear him if he needed something.

  "Yeah...it's good," I tell him.

  Zack nods and his hand drops from my neck, only to slide down my arm and grab my hand. He turns and leads me back past the couch and toward my room, only to push me inside and close the door behind us softly, turning the lock. The room is plunged into near darkness, the only light coming from a small crack in the curtains that cover the window.

  "Get undressed," he orders me as he walks around the bed and opens the curtains all the way. Bluish light from the city filters in, casting an ambient glow over Zack as he starts to unbutton his shirt. My mouth goes dry as I watch him remove it, along with the soft white T-shirt underneath. He reaches into his back pocket, pulls out his wallet, and takes a condom out.

  Throwing the condom on the bed, he looks back over at me. "Kate...get undressed and get on the bed."

  A shudder runs through me. This is different, and I think I like it. Commanding Zack...telling me what to do.

  The last two times, he showed me...he led me.

  Zack removes his shoes and socks while he watches me, and when his hands hit his belt, he warns, "Kate...clothes...now."

  I startle, but my hands immediately start pulling at my clothes. Boots and socks first, then the rest. Zack is completely naked by the time I make it down to my bra and underwear, and I'm glad for the muted darkness of the room so he can't see how plain they truly are. I quickly strip out of them and crawl onto the bed. By the time I turn over onto my back, Zack is already there, climbing right up my body.

  He wastes no time, lying down on top of me so I can feel the hard length of him resting between my legs. Reaching a hand up, he gently pulls my glasses off and tosses them to the floor. His mouth comes to mine and his kiss causes my heart to race happily in anticipation. The kiss is thorough and consuming, and I squirm under him with need.

  Lifting his lips, Zack whispers, "I think I'm going to take my time with you tonight."

  I'm not sure if he can see my smile lit up from the lights of Broadway outside the window, so I make sure he knows how I feel about that. I raise my arms above my head in victory. "Yippee. Foreplay."

  Chuckling, Zack scoots down my body a little and kisses my collarbone. "Yup. Foreplay."

  My hands go into his hair as he moves lower down my body. He teases my breasts with his mouth, sucking and biting lightly. Moving farther down, he places a kiss in the center of my stomach. Oh, I like that a lot.

  As he tilts his head up to look at me, I can just make out a slight glitter in his eyes from the outside lights.

  "I'm thinking I need my mouth between your legs," he says as he lifts up off me, scoots back a little farther, and pushes my legs roughly apart.

  I go immediately hot all over with a combination of lust and embarrassment.

  "I've n-never--" I stutter out.

  "I don't care," he says gruffly, his eyes pinned to my sex. "You won't be able to say that after tonight."

  Oh, God. This is it. My first oral.

  I honestly don't know if I'm going to be able to handle it.

  Chapter 19

  Zack

  Christ...Kate says she's never had a man go down on her before and I about blow my load right then and there. The thought of being her first...of showing her just how good it feels to have a man fuck you with his mouth...I can't remember ever being this excited about the prospect of something.

  I slide backward off Kate's body, all the way off the bed, and I kneel at the end. Grabbing her legs, I drag her down the bed until her butt is perched on the edge. She gives the cutest little huff of surprise and I watch as her fingers curl into the blanket.

  Pushing my hands between her thighs, I nudge her legs apart. A quick glance up and I have to smile when I see Kate's head lifted up and her watching me with large, wary eyes.

  "Relax, Kate," I
tell her softly as I slide my arms under her legs, bringing my hands around to rest over the tops of her thighs. "I swear when I'm done with you, you'll want me to do it all over again."

  I swear I think I hear her mutter, "Cocky bastard," but her head flops back down to the mattress and she blows out a huge breath of anticipation. I dip my face and run my tongue right up her center, wanting to give her shock-and-awe versus easing her into this.

  Kate's legs slam inward, clapping solidly against my head, and fuck...she rings my bell almost as hard as if I was slammed up against the boards during a game. I dig my fingers into her thighs and practically wrench her legs apart.

  When I look up at her, she's got her head lifted again, staring down at me with a sheepish grin on her face. "Sorry...involuntary reaction and all."

  "Keep your legs spread, baby," I chastise her gruffly. "You give me a concussion before I can finish, you are going to be one frustrated woman."

  Kate snickers and flops her head back down. Her legs loosen and fall slightly open for me. Taking a deep breath, she says, "Okay...let's try this again. I'm ready."

  She can't see me, but my grin spreads wide. I never knew throwing her dorky humor and goofy ways into our sex would be such a turn-on, but fuck, I get off on it.

  Turning my gaze toward her sex, I consider if I should attack her hard or maybe go a little gentler, then ultimately decide to save myself a head injury and ease her into this. My hands flex upward and my fingers pull her apart tenderly, exposing what I really, really want to taste. I can hear Kate's breath hitch and when I close my mouth over her softly, I almost come undone when she whispers, "Oh, Zack."

  I hum low in my throat, approving of the reverence and gratitude in her voice, and then I start working her over.

  Kate's hands slide into my hair, lightly massaging my scalp at first, but when I start tonguing her harder, she starts pulling at it and undulating her hips to force more contact out of me. Not a problem for me there, and I alternate rough circles around her clit with soft sucking...causing her to ramp up and back down, bringing her close and then leaving her hanging.

  I love the intimacy of this...with Kate...and when she finally moans, "Please," I decide to give her what she wants. I flutter my tongue hard and fast against her. When I feel her body start to tense, I purse my lips and suck hard on her clit, and it's all fucking over for her.

  She cries out softly...in deference, I know, to our need to remain quiet...and her hands push down hard on the back of my head, even as her hips slam upward. Demanding and seeking more as she rides the crest of pleasure. I keep my mouth on her, lightly running my tongue over her sensitive flesh while she jerks and spasms underneath me.

  Finally, her body starts to quiet and she lets out a huge gust of air. I pull my mouth away and look up at her. Her head is lifted again, and in the semidarkness I can see her eyes glistening with unshed wetness. But for the soft smile on her face, I would be concerned about the near tears threatening, but I can tell by the satisfaction and warm desire in her look that she was moved by that experience.

  And fuck...that moves me.

  And I don't want to be moved in that way, so I hastily push up from the bed so I can look away from her.

  As I reach for the condom, Kate halts me when she says my name softly. "Zack?"

  I turn my head slowly, afraid of what I might see on her face, but I'm immensely relieved to see her eyes are dry of tears but filled instead with mischief. "Why have I not ever done that before? That was freakin' transcendental."

  It was amazing for me too. The entire time she was writhing underneath me, I was brimming with satisfaction of pure male dominance over the way I was possessing her...consuming her. I didn't have that with Gina, I suddenly realize. Ours was more of a mutual give and take...even when I was going down on her. I was giving her something that I knew she loved, and she took it gladly. It satisfied us both. It made me happy to do it.

  But right now...I am beyond satisfied. I almost feel mystically fulfilled, knowing how much Kate enjoyed that. Knowing that I was the first to do that to her.

  I turn to reach for the condom again, then hesitate, thinking maybe I want to pounce back on her and do that just one more time. See if it's as good for both of us the second time as the first. Maybe that was a onetime-only transcendence for her.

  "I want to do that to you," Kate blurts out, and my body jerks over the yearning in her voice, and my cock, which has been rock-hard the entire time I was eating Kate out, jumps in capitulation.

  Yes, please, my dick yells at me. Let her suck me off.

  My head swivels slowly to look at Kate through the gloom, my hand crushing the foil packet in my hand as lust sizzles through me. She's raises herself slightly, propping up on her elbows, which causes those gorgeous tits to push outward. "Have you ever given a blow job before?" I ask her in a thick voice, my eyes slowly moving from her breasts to her face.

  She shakes her head, her face tilting to the side as her eyes lower in uncharacteristic shyness. "No," she whispers, but then raises her face to me, tilting her chin up. "But I can learn."

  I almost choke in surprise over the stubborn resolution in her voice. Oh, man...I know Kate is one of those people who applies herself one hundred percent to the task and I bet she would give a fucking Grade-A blow job on her first attempt because she doesn't really know how to fail at anything.

  I envision Kate on her knees before me, her tiny hands wrapped around my cock and guiding me into her mouth. My eyes flutter closed as a bolt of sizzling desire pulses through me.

  Taking a deep breath, I open my eyes and try to figure out how to best alleviate what is almost becoming a frantic need for Kate and the release she can bring me.

  While I'd really, really love her mouth on my cock, I just haven't had my fill of her pussy yet.

  "I'm going to take you up on the blow job some other time," I tell her as I rip open the condom packet, "because I know you will be spectacular at it. But I just want to fuck you right now."

  "Okay," Kate says on a sigh of capitulation, a dreamy smile coming over her face.

  I pinch the tip and roll the rubber onto my shaft. When I raise one knee up onto the bed, Kate reaches her arms out to me. It's a welcoming gesture...almost as if she's saying, "You're home. I'm here."

  And that right there is a little too intimate for me. To see that look of warmth in her eyes.

  I expect my hard-on to fail as I let my walls start to build up around me, but looking down at it...nope, it still wants her. In fact, my hips seem drawn forward in need to get inside of her, regardless of all of the promise in her eyes.

  And here it comes again...guilt. It washes through me but still doesn't kill the hard-on. As I examine it, I realize...it's not guilt about Gina this time.

  No, it's guilt over taking everything that Kate offers me but not really being able to give something other than an orgasm back to her.

  It's guilt over what I'm getting ready to do at this very moment.

  Reaching down, I grab Kate by the hips and flip her over roughly to her stomach, so I can't see that gentle and understanding look on her face. She gasps and then gives a soft moan when I pull back on her, lifting her hips up. My other knee comes to the bed, right between her legs, and sweeps back and forth to kick her legs farther apart.

  Kate's head swings out and she peers at me over her shoulder, those long dark bangs framing her eyes. I see surprise but also desire.

  That I like.

  That is what I need.

  I drop a hand and sink a finger into her warmth from behind. Her head falls forward, her hair dropping to cover her face. Her spine arches and she pushes back against me...causing my finger to plunge in deeper. I groan because her need and softly demanding ways are so damn hot, especially given her obvious lack of experience.

  There's a part of me that wants to show her everything.

  To show her all about exploration and intimacy and all of the different ways I could make her come. I want to
learn her body and have her get to know mine. I want her wild with abandon, and every time I take her, I want it to be in a way that completely possesses her.

  And yet, I think to myself as I remove my hand from between her legs and push my hips inward to line my cock up, none of that is really attainable.

  All of that would do nothing but build a connection.

  A connection that I could never fully give credence to.

  Spreading my hands around Kate's hips, I give her a hard tug backward as I push forward, sinking deeply into her all at once.

  And oh, the bliss.

  Pure fucking white-hot, dazzling bliss.

  It surrounds me, invades me, and consumes me.

  Kate moans softly as I start to move within her. I stroke one hand up her back, around her ribs, and to her breast so I can softly cup it while I ride her. She keeps her head bowed, and this is good. It's good I can't see the depth of emotion in her eyes as she gets sucked into the maelstrom of lust and desire. Kate is a woman who is filled with emotion and I can't bear to see it reflected back at me right now.

  I close my eyes and give over to the feelings of her body squeezing me. I listen to her panting, my grunting on particularly deep thrusts. My skin slaps against hers, and the air goes hot and heavy as our passion vibrates all around.

  I have to grit my teeth hard, because something is swirling inside of my chest, wanting me to do stupid shit like tell her how good this feels and that I don't think I can get enough of her.

  Things I absolutely have no business saying to her.

  So I fuck her hard and fast, chasing that sweet goal of release.

  I skim my hand down from her breast, over her stomach, and push it in between her legs. The pads of my fingertips easily find her clit, aided by her slickness, and I start to play with her while we fuck.

  Kate groans...slams back against me...rotates her hips.

  And then that beautiful back arches deep again and she throws her head back, causing her hair to cascade past her shoulder blades, and tilts her hips in such a way that I go fucking deeper into her body. I feel her start to climax because her inner walls grip me hard and she whispers out on a harsh breath of air, "Yes...yes...yes."

  And that right there is what pushes me over.

  I hiss out my pleasure through my teeth while my balls contract and I start to unload inside her. I come hard...really hard...and the minute I'm completely empty, my entire body uncoils with contentment.