Page 35 of In the Long Run

‘I’m going to get you back for that,’ she mutters, shooting me a scowl.

I swallow a laugh, because she’s got a wet kitten vibe happening right now, hair hanging longer past her collarbones, drops of water clinging to her eyelashes, lips so fucking red and puffy.

She’s the sexiest woman I’ve ever seen. I wink at her, desperate to make her smile.

‘I thought you wanted to get away from the water?’

‘I’m okay like this.’ Gen grabs the body wash and holds it up in between us. ‘Can I?’

What fool would say no to having her hands on them?

‘Of course.’

Gen stands, shakes her hair out of her face and drags the soapy cloth across my chest, down my sides, along my abs. She pauses, holding the wash cloth against my belly button. Her gaze is fixed on my dick.

‘I can take over, finish up,’ I offer, aware that we’ve gone from zero to one hundred quite quickly. That she’s sore and probably tired from the run. That there’s a soft bed and hours of nothing ahead of us. We’ve got time.

And it’s okay if she’s changed her mind and wants to pump the brakes.

But also, please don’t. Please want me.

She lifts her gaze to mine. ‘No. I’m okay. I was just thinking.’

‘About?’

‘How I want to take care of you.’

‘Gen—’

Her hand curls around my cock and all my thoughts evaporate.

Gen drags one hand up and down and uses the other to tug gently on my balls.

My eyes close. She’s the whole package. Smart and gorgeous and— Oh, Jesus fuck.

She pulls me forward – by the dick – and sits on the edge of the spa bath.

When she licks the crown of my dick, I have to brace my hands against the wall.

Gen smiles around my cock and I grit my teeth.

I’m supposed to be looking after her.

She pops off with a wet sound, hands never stopping. ‘Do you like it?’

A throaty ‘Yes’ escapes my mouth before transforming into a moan when she takes me all the way in, tongue swirling.

Her fingers dig into my thighs, and I slap a hand against the wall when I feel the back of her throat.

Fuck, she’s good at this. She changes the rhythm, her confidence growing, her touch more assertive.

My hips thrust forward and she splutters around my dick.

‘Sorry,’ I groan. You’re being too much , I remind myself but Gen’s eyes flare and she pulls back.

‘It’s okay.’

When she puts her mouth on me again, I freeze, determined not to ruin this. The fire builds inside me again but I tip my head back, mash my jaws together and breathe through my nose.

Then she pauses. ‘Did I do something wrong?’ Gen asks and my head snaps forward.

‘What?’ I blink away the water in my eyes. She’s shrunk back against the wall, cool air filling the gap between us.

‘You stopped moving,’ Gen whispers.

‘Oh, Gen, no. I didn’t want to hurt you. Or get too excited.’

Thank fuck my skin’s already pink from the water and the steam in here. I was wrong before, about there being no first-time-together sex awkwardness. It’s here, but it’s different, because we’ve gotten to know each other first, because we really care.

Gen bites her lip before her lips twist into a shy smile. ‘Well, I mean, I can’t believe I’m actually saying this out loud, but isn’t this how we learn? About what each other likes?’

My thumb strokes her cheek. ‘I don’t want to be too much.’

‘I promise to tell you if it is.’ Then she leans forward and licks the underside of my cock.

My hips shift forward and Gen sucks harder, heat and pleasure making her irises darken. I’m so gone.

So in trouble.

But also so safe.

‘I’m going to …’ I wrench myself free because I don’t know what she’s comfortable with, and even though my brain is melting, I refuse to take something that hasn’t been offered.

‘What do you want?’

You.

However I can have you.

For as long as you’ll let me.

But I can’t say any of that. That’s the opposite of living in the moment.

Gen decides for me and I spill down her throat, legs shaking, heart pounding. I smooth a hand across her cheek. ‘I’m supposed to be taking care of you.’

‘We can take care of each other, Knox.’

I sink to my knees, steal a kiss from her pillowy, post-blowjob lips, my tongue stroking hers lazily. ‘Thank you,’ I murmur, pressing the words into her cheeks, her neck, her shoulders, tasting the lingering salt on her skin. Christ. I did a terrible job of cleaning her up.

‘You’re welcome.’ She laughs softly, brushing my wet hair off my forehead before wrapping her arms around my shoulders, pressing our chests together.

‘Are you comfortable?’ I ask, pulling back just enough so that I can cup her tits, squeeze them together.

Her eyes go glassy and she nods.

‘Good.’

She shivers and I stand, redirecting the shower so the spray hits her chest. When she reaches for me, I go willingly, because this is all about her.

We make out for a few leisurely minutes, our movements unrushed but still full of promise.

When Gen tilts her head back, offering me her neck, I nip her softly.

Her contented sigh washes over me as I continue my descent to her chest, sucking on her perfect breasts, rolling the nipples between my fingers, testing the weight of her in my hands.

‘Knox,’ she breathes. Fuck. I love each and every way she says my name, but this one? All flustered and full of need? It might be my favourite.

‘Yeah, Halliday?’

Her teeth appear and the smile that follows can’t stop itself from becoming a grin. And it’s all mine.

I push her legs apart, watching as her stomach hollows in and out, water running between her thighs. ‘You gonna tell me you like me again?’ I ask hopefully before brushing my knuckles against her pussy. Spoiler alert: it’s perfect too and so damn pretty. I press my thumb against her clit.

Gen inhales sharply, tits bouncing with the motion. ‘Someone’s found their confidence,’ she murmurs. She gasps when I do it again.

‘Just with you.’

It’s the most honest thing I’ve ever said to a woman. Turns out I was waiting to find the right one to tell all the things I’ve been keeping inside.

My finger dips into Gen’s entrance, teasing, exploring, coaxing from her more of the noises I’m addicted to.

The next time she says my name, it’s like a prayer. I rub her clit, add another finger, move them faster. I want to hear all the ways she can say my name. Maybe even forever. I push that thought aside and focus on right now.

Fuck, I want to taste her.

I dip down further, curling my back, but she’s too low. Or I’m still too tall even on my knees. I can’t get close enough. I must look ridiculous.

Gen’s laughter floats all around me. It’s the best.

‘Think we’ll have to save that for another time,’ she whispers, pulling my mouth back up to hers.

I resume my ministrations, giving her everything I have, searching for the special place that’s going to send her over the edge.

I tell her how good it is, how long I’ve wanted this to happen.

That next time I’d like it to be my cock.

I can’t stop talking.

Gen’s eyes go hazy and her whole body flushes the most gorgeous pink. Some of her hair is stuck to the wall behind her, some is plastered across her face. She’s beautiful.

I want her to be mine.

Her back bows away from the tiles, thighs trembling, and I know she’s close.

The need to taste her orgasm has me improvising with a quick hand switch so I can suck on the fingers that were inside her. She blushes like crazy when I tell her that she’s the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted.

‘Yeah?’

‘Yeah.’

I fix my mouth over hers and groan into the kiss when I feel her tighten around my hand.

Gen cries out, hips rolling, her mouth falling open against mine. I pour everything I have into stringing out her orgasm, one hand pushing her higher, the other holding her steady, letting her know that I’ve got her.

And I won’t let go.

‘Holy shit,’ she breathes.

The water’s gone cold, but neither of us noticed when. I use my free hand to twist the taps off and ignore the protests from my legs and knees as I lean back, drinking in the sight of Gen. Loose-limbed, pleasure drunk, a lazy curl to her lips and hooded eyes.

She stands on wobbly legs and I press a kiss on her hip, loving the way she shivers.

‘Bed?’ she asks.

‘Bed,’ I agree, bracing my hands on the edge of the tub, and freeze. Small problem. I can’t move. My legs have seized up, muscles replaced with concrete. Probably serves me right for kneeling for so long after a long run, but I’ve got no regrets.

‘Um.’ I laugh because what else is there to do?

‘Are you okay?’

‘Uh-huh.’ But I’m not. Pins and needles race along my legs. It doesn’t even feel like I have feet anymore.

Gen wraps herself in one of the fluffy robes hanging on a hook near the shower. ‘Oh my God, are you stuck?’

That’s all it takes for us to both dissolve with laughter.

‘What a pair we make.’ Gen wipes her eyes with the sash of her robe. ‘Here.’ She extends her hands towards me. Cute how she thinks she can lift me.

I arch a brow at her.

‘Should I call the Army guys?’

That gets me on my feet and into a robe with Gen’s help. Then we shuffle towards the bed.

‘We need some recovery time,’ Gen muses before pushing me down and fussing with the sheets until I’m covered. She slides in next to me and curls into the nook between my neck and shoulder.

We sleep for hours, waking to the sounds of our phones going off with questions about whether or not we’re coming to the team dinner. All I want to do is stay in bed with Gen forever, finish what we started in the shower, but we drag ourselves out of the cocoon we’ve made with our bodies.

There’s teasing when we arrive at the same beer garden as yesterday, but it’s lighthearted and nice. It’s even more packed tonight, and Gen doesn’t hesitate before sitting on my lap.

I wouldn’t want her anywhere else.