Dating Delaney Read online

  “Let me put these in water before we go.”

  He follows me into the kitchen.

  “You look amazing,” he whispers in my ear and I almost drop the vase. “And I love that, by the way,” he says, still dangerously close to my neck. If I tilt my head just a little his lips would be on it.

  “What’s that?” I breathe.

  “The way you respond to me.” His voice is husky and deep. An electric current shoots straight between my legs. I suck in a deep breath and exhale slowly as he lingers behind me while I finish arranging the flowers in water. Super Panties Activate! Dammit, they don't make those, do they? If they did, mine wouldn't be drenched right now.

  “Ready?” he asks after I set the vase on the counter.

  “Yeah. Let’s go,” I tell him.

  Always the gentleman, he walks me out of the house, opening all the doors for me, including at the truck. He helps me in, closes the door, and quickly moves around to his side and starts it up.

  “So what are we doing tonight? You were pretty elusive with details,” I ask.

  “Dinner first…you like boats right?”

  “Yup. Love boats...why?” I answer.

  “Don't make me ruin the surprise,” he jests.

  “Fine,” I feign irritation but I really love surprises.

  He starts driving north on 295 and when he takes the Brunswick exit my mouth starts watering. I love almost all the restaurants on Maine Street, but he bypasses them all and heads out past the medical center.

  “Wait. Are we going to your house?” I start, putting the pieces together.

  “Damn, I was hoping you wouldn't remember where I lived.”

  “No such luck,” I tease. He drives almost all the way to the end of Mere Point before finally making a right into his driveway. As soon as he opens my door for me the smell of the ocean comes wafting in. It’s heaven.

  “Mmm, I love the ocean,” I murmur. I open my eyes to his on me. Admiring me. The air between us is thick with sexual tension. I take his hand and let him lead me inside. The house is small but clean and open on the inside. The entire back of the house is floor-to-ceiling windows and the view is astounding. The light plays off the ocean, glittering like jewels.

  “I can't believe you wake up to this every morning. It’s gorgeous,” I tell him.

  “I’m pretty lucky. The house needed major rehab when I bought it so the price was reduced,” he explains.

  “Still. Even reduced price waterfront property is expensive.”

  “I got lucky.” He shrugs. “Wine or beer?” he asks.

  “Do you have white?”

  “Yup,” he answers.

  “I'll have that then,” I state.

  He pours me a glass of wine and I sit at the kitchen table while he prepares dinner. He’s set the table for two and has candles and flowers at the center. I can tell he put a lot of effort into making it look just right and I love that he even bothered. Within the hour he sets our plates on the table. “Hope you like Italian,” he says as he puts a plate of fettuccine alfredo in front of me.

  “Love it. It smells good.”

  “It should, it’s the one thing I can make well,” he laughs.

  The sunset has started and from the kitchen table we have front row seats. The view is amazing and the colors washing over the ocean mesmerize me. The whole thing oozes romance and like the girly idiot I am, I’m eating it up. He even has soft music playing from somewhere in the house.

  “So, I don't really know a lot about you,” I venture.

  “There’s not a ton to tell, really. I’ve known Owen my whole life, which you know. My parents died when I was five in a car accident and I don't really remember them at all.”

  “That’s terrible. I’m so sorry, Jake.”

  “It’s okay, I was really too young to remember. My uncle raised me. He was a great guy.”

  “Was? He’s dead too?” I question.

  “He passed away two years ago, yeah.” He looks sad for a moment.

  “I’m really sorry, Jake.”

  “He was old. It was only a matter of time. But, I went to USC for architecture and then found out I was happier at being active and building rather than drawing the buildings,” he says, changing the subject.

  “Gotcha. Well at least you figured that out early and actually do something you love.”

  “You don't love writing?” His brows shoot up and somehow it’s sexy.

  “No…no…I do…I have a degree in marketing and had a ten-year career in it, too. I was good at it and I liked it mostly…but writing just makes me happier. I never actually thought I’d make a living at it but I’m happy to report that I do.”

  “What made you write Smashed?” he asks.

  “Well, that one was pretty close to my heart. I basically wrote about myself, my marriage, and my life, and just gave myself the dream happy ending. Of course my marriage didn’t end as well as the book’s did and obviously I wasn’t swept off my feet by some hunky cowboy,” I ramble. Wait...how did he know the title?

  “I have a confession,” he states, looking sheepish. “I read it.”

  “You WHAT?” I squeal.

  “Read your book. I liked it,” he says honestly. My cheeks flame red. Of all the books, that one was as close to my deepest darkest desires as anyone would ever get and he’d asked why I wrote it. For crap’s sake, why that one? I know I must look like a deer caught in headlights right now.

  “Laney, relax. I really enjoyed it. You write some seriously hot love scenes,” he winks.

  “Yeah, well, I’m seriously embarrassed right now knowing that you read them.”

  “Stop. Please. You should be proud of what you do. I think the book was good and that what you do is amazing.”

  Now I was blushing for another reason.

  “That’s really kind of you to say. Thanks,” I manage through my embarrassment.

  After dinner I help him clean up even though he insists that I not. I’m drying dishes while he puts some leftovers in the fridge. I hear the fridge door close and then two hands came around my middle.

  “Dance with me,” he quietly demands. I turn in his arms and look up into his handsome face.

  “Come on, you don't dance, do you?”

  “I definitely do,” he smiles.

  He pulls me into his torso and both of his hands slide to my lower back, keeping me tight against him. I reach up and put my arms around his neck and rest my head on his chest as he sways us around the kitchen to the soft music playing. It feels so good, so…comfortable.

  When he squeezes me a little tighter, my insides turn to mush. When the song finally ends, he leans back to look down at me without letting go. His eyes are warm and soft but hungry too. I stare up at him looking like a lovesick fool I’m sure, but everything feels perfect.

  “Will you come for a boat ride with me, Laney?” he asks.

  “You have a boat?” I whisper back. He nods.

  “Cool.” He chuckles a little then laces the fingers of one hand through mine and leads us outside. It’s dark now but he has solar lights illuminating a long path leading to the dock. It’s picturesque.

  “Holy crap. That’s a real boat!” I stammer at him.

  “What kind of boat were you picturing?” he asks.

  “I don't know, like a ten-foot motor boat or something, not a twenty-one foot.”

  “Twenty five,” he corrects me.

  “Oh so sorry...” I laugh. “Come on! Let’s go!” I climb excitedly on to the boat and he follows behind, admiring my ass.

  “I saw that! Quit being pervy,” I joke.

  “Since when is it pervy to check out your date’s butt?” he says, craning his neck around to get another look.

  “Since now?” I tease.

  “You’re beautiful, Laney, it’s hard not to look.” The sincerity in his voice makes me gasp.

  He brushes a flyaway hair from my face and then brushes his lips on mine. When he stands back up he fishes the key
out of his pocket and starts the boat. A few miles out he kills the engine and lets the boat bob and float with the tide. There’s a slight breeze and the moon makes the water sparkle. Jake comes over and sits down and wraps an arm around me. I snuggle into his side and get comfortable.

  “It’s so peaceful out here,” he says on an exhale.

  “And gorgeous,” I add. We sit for a spell in silence just taking in the smell of the ocean and listening to the rippling water lap the sides of the boat. His arms are tightly wrapped around me and it feels heavenly. I haven't felt this secure and comfortable in a man’s arms in years and currently I don't ever want it to end.

  “Are you enjoying yourself or did you want to get back?” he asks, breaking the silence.

  “Let’s stay a little longer.” I look up at him and as his eyes meet mine I swear they change from brown to black. I bite my lip and he runs a hand through his hair while his other hand traces a tiny circle on the outside of my arm. The sound of his breathing is warring with my own. His head comes down towards mine and his lips linger on my earlobe before slowly moving down my jaw to my lips. When his mouth finally takes mine, I’m breathless. His tongue dances with mine and his hands move me to his lap.

  My dress is hitched up where my thighs meet my hips and I can feel his erection pressing between my legs. He bites and nibbles a trail from my mouth, to my ear, and down my neck to my collarbone. A low moan forms in my throat and slips out. His dick twitches under me. His hands are holding my hands now behind my back, forcing me to arch my chest towards his mouth. “You taste so good,” he growls into the crook of my neck as he tugs my hands a little, making my breasts strain towards him. When his mouth comes to my left breast, he bites down gently through the fabric and my hips buck involuntarily on his lap inciting a strangled, rough moan from him.

  He brings his mouth back to mine and releases a hand. I wrap it around his neck and hold him to me, slowly rolling my hips back and forth across his lap. The friction from his jeans against my underwear has me so turned on I can feel the beginnings of my orgasm. Without warning, he pulls away from me, panting, and places his hands on my hips to still them. “If you keep doing that, Laney, I’ll be forced to take you right here.”

  “Okay,” I breathe. He chuckles at me.

  “I’d never take advantage of you on our first date,” he whispers. Why? He’s seriously thrown me for a loop. I groan as he stands me in front of him and smoothes down my dress. He stands too and pulls me into the most comforting yet frustrating hug I’ve ever encountered. “I like you, Laney,” he mumbles into the top of my head. “I want to do this right.” And with that any sense of composure I have flees the scene.

  “You have got to be shitting me!” I quip. “I finally find a guy who turns me on so much my underpants want to explode and he’s a bona fide gentleman!” I crow into his chest.

  “I make your underpants explode?” He laughs and I pull my head back to look up at him.

  “Want to explode. If you actually made them explode I think the fun would be over.”

  “Laney, I want you. I want to kiss every inch of your body. I want to torture you with my touch for hours, but I don't want to rush things,” he explains gently.

  “I know,” I sigh with irritation. “I know you’re right. It’s just so...frustrating!”

  “Been a while?” His response makes me burst out laughing like a maniac.

  “Awhile is an understatement.”

  His face gets soft as he thinks over what I’ve said. Then he gets a mischievous sparkle in his eye. He backs up a step away from me, considering something before grabbing me.

  Jake

  I grab Laney and lay her down on the bench seat. “I think I can help with the frustrated part,” I croak.

  “What?” she gasps as I push her dress up around her hips. I hook the waistband of her panties with my thumbs and pull them down over her hips and legs, dropping them somewhere beside me. I lean my head down and kiss her belly. Her skin is so smooth and warm and she smells delicious.

  “Jake?” she barely speaks.

  “No talking, Laney.”

  Her eyelids slam shut when I lick her clit once. She gasps again and starts to open her eyes but this time I suck hard and her head falls back to the bench. I work my fingers in and out of her at the same time I start licking. Every now and then I slow down to suck on her clit and roll the pad of my thumb over it. “You taste so fucking good, Laney,” I groan.

  I know she’s close when she starts to try and slide herself away but I grab her thighs and force her to stay put until her legs are trembling. Her hands clutch at the cushion of the bench as I move my arms over her thighs and under her hips, pulling her to me. I suck so hard on her clit that she begins to grind her hips against my face. Her body’s bucking and she is so fucking wet. She cries out as her orgasm crashes over her and her body shakes involuntarily. She’s so unbelievably responsive to me, it’s sexy as hell. As her body begins to calm, I lick her more gently and when she finally stops moving, I kiss the insides of each of her thighs before crawling up her body and claiming her mouth. She stares at me through hooded brown eyes and long black lashes as I hold myself over her, looking completely spent. I pat myself on the back mentally for a job well done as I kiss her again.

  “Jake?” she moans.

  “Mmmm?” I say into her mouth as I kiss her.

  “What about you?”

  I break the kiss and admire her for a moment. She’s stunning. If I could freeze time right now, I would.

  “Don't worry about me…tonight was for you,” I offer.

  “That doesn't seem fair...” her voice trails off.

  “I’ll get mine. I’ve got plans for you.”

  “Oh.” Her eyes get wide and small grin takes over her mouth.“Well, I can’t wait to return the favor or for your plans.” She giggles and looks at me with sated, half-mast brown eyes. I get lost in her eyes for a moment. I’d give her anything she wanted without worrying if I’m getting anything in return. The breeze picks up and she shivers a little.

  “Cold?”

  “Just a little chilly,” she says while I rub my hands up and down her arms.

  “I have a sweatshirt here if you want to wear it back.”

  She nods and I open the small cabin door to find it for her. I watch for a moment as she shimmies back into her underpants before handing her the sweatshirt. When she’s all bundled up in it--which she’s swimming in but manages to make look hot still--I start the boat and we head back to the house. She sits wedged between my legs the entire ride home. I haven't felt this giddy over a girl in the last decade.

  Delaney

  It takes all my effort to make the walk from the boat to the house. My legs feel like jelly from Jake’s seriously amazing, magic mouth. When we’re finally inside, I excuse myself to the bathroom.

  The woman in the mirror is almost unrecognizable to me. My hair is windblown, my cheeks are flushed, and my skin has a glow about it. My lips are still kiss-swollen. I run my fingers over my lips and smile. Did that really just happen? The memory of the feel of his mouth on me makes me squeeze my thighs together momentarily. I don't think I’ve ever had a more erotic experience and I definitely haven't had an orgasm like that in, well, years. Who am I kidding? I haven't had a non-self-induced orgasm in years. Not that I hadn't tried.

  The last few sexual encounters I had started out good enough but all ended with me faking it. And my marriage…well, the last two years of it, the sex was awful and I faked my orgasm every single time we ventured into the bedroom together. What Jake gave me was the kind of earth-shattering climax you read about, and that had only been given to me by one other person. I stop myself from thinking of John because I’m not interested in comparing them. I pee, wash my hands, and exit the bathroom in search of Magic Mouth Jake. Ohhh…that’s good, maybe a new nickname is in order.

  “Hey,” I say as he pulls me down onto the couch with him.

  “Hey,” he parrots. “Do
you have a little more time?” he asks.

  “I don't have a curfew if that’s what you’re getting at,” I laugh.

  “Good,” he mumbles into my mouth as he kisses me until I’m breathless. The things this man does to me should be illegal. I can’t even remember the last time I made out with someone. Seriously. High school? College? No one makes out anymore. The art of kissing is lost on singles over thirty. His kisses make my lower belly tingle and flutter and steal my breath away. He tastes sweet and salty. His lips are soft and his kisses that perfect balance between wet and sloppy. My breasts rise and fall against his hard chest, making my nipples pebble. My body screams at me, wanting more. I want to feel him. I want skin on skin. He takes it no further than the kisses, though his erection tells me he too wants more. By the time he’s ready to take me home I feel like the most beautiful woman on the planet.

  * * * * *

  I start a group text between Ellie, Becca, Ginny, and Molly.

  Need a girls’ night

  Def! How was your date?Ellie replies instantly.

  Amazing, Mr. Attractive’s been renamed.

  Uh oh. Becca’s message pops up just before Ginny’s and Molly’s.

  To what?

  Details! Dirty girl!

  Going forward Mr. Attractive will now be known as Magic Mouth

  OMG! You slut! :)

  Def. need details- Saturday?

  I’m game

  I’m in too.

  See you Saturday... my house?

  Great!... Must sleep now.

  My girls messages blow up my phone but bring a smile to my face nonetheless.

  G‘Night