Page 9 of Van Cort

He strolls down to the small kiosk and orders, before setting off to walk along the shoreline of the small beach.

It is pretty. I’m so used to seeing the Sound but rarely get to enjoy the true nature that the state has to offer.

It wouldn’t take a long drive to reach some really wild and rugged wilderness from here, which I’d love. Blue skies. Vast spaces and mountains.

Keeping my mind focused on the view, I wait for him to do the talking. It was his gesture, after all - his apology, but it’s not forthcoming, and I can’t stand the gulf of silence. It needles me, wearing me down.

“So, are you going to ghost me again? Because if you are, I’d rather just call it quits now.”

“I’ve been distracted by an intense week. That shouldn’t have led to radio silence, though. Hopefully, this will make up for some of that.”

“It is unexpected, but I’ll admit I’m not unhappy to see you.”

He nods and sips his coffee. “So, I told you my week has been intense. Tell me about yours.”

“I’ve had better weeks.”

“Because of me? I can think of a few ways to give you an oxytocin high if you need it.” That smirk isn’t what I expected, and I can’t help but laugh at him.

“You were just a part of my bad week. Easy there, Mr. I wouldn’t want to inflame your already huge ego.”

“I’ve heard huge is particularly attractive.” He gestures with his palms, indicating a ten-inch gap between his hands, and I nearly spurt my coffee out, unsure if it’s the words or that they came from his mouth.

“Everett, jeez.” I laugh at him, trying to control the spluttering.

“Anyway, you were saying?”

“Well, it might come as a shock, but not all of my life revolves around you. My boss is a royal ass.”

“What did he do?”

“He played me at work. So, I have to figure out how I can work with him going forward. He’s got no integrity. And I can never trust him.”

“Leave.”

“Oh, yes. Says the man with generational wealth who doesn’t need to worry about bills. Great answer.”

“If he’s a fucking jerk, it’s an obvious next step. Or you could try taking him down. How important is your job to you?” Why is hearing him swear hot?

“Well, I have been looking for another position. And change is always good, right? Progressive. Trouble is, as I said, I have bills.”

“Hmm. Pesky things, bills.” I nod and shrug my shoulders at the same time. “If you only had a wealthy partner.” My head whips around to glare at him.

“Don’t you dare. I would never…” I trip over my words, frustrated that he’d even try that angle on me. “I’m perfectly capable of dealing with my own damn bills.” My voice grows, horrified. “And if you think-”

“Calm down. It was a joke.”

My finger points at him. “Really? Not funny. After the show you’ve made about keeping yourself closed off because of your money, and now… Don’t ever think—”

He holds his hands up in mock surrender, chuckling at my distress. “You’re really very pretty when you’re pissed.”

“And don’t do that either. I’m not a toy to be laughed at.” His laughter ebbs and finally slows. “It’s important to me that you know I wouldn’t use you for money, Everett.”

“You use me?”

“Well, that’s what you’re worried about, isn’t it?

The no phone number rule? The emotional forcefield?

Forcing me to tell you exactly what my expectation was the other night.

And why is this all on you? Are you suggesting a woman can’t use a man?

I assure you, she can.” He stares, still not giving an inch, regardless of the words streaming from me.

“Not that I am. But if I wanted to, I could.”

“Could you?” It’s more sarcasm than a question.

My arms fold. “Yes.”

“Go on then. Have at it.”

“What?”

“Use me. Here. Now.” He looks around. “We’re relatively alone, and you need to lose some of that sass.” My eyes widen. “Pent-up energy is something I know all too well. You could just fuck it out of yourself.”

“Not a chance.”

“Why not?” He licks his lips.

“And stop doing that, too.” I turn to look at the view again, refusing any idea of exhibitionism.

I must look like a picture of anger and shock.

I’m not surprised either because his quick words wound me up, and I wasn’t anywhere near ready for that type of offer from him.

In fact, everything about this side of him has me off balance.

The car, the clothes, hell, maybe just clean, fresh air gets him to relax and open his mouth and let whatever he really wants to say spill out.

The warmth of his body radiates from him as he leans in to whisper in my ear. “Are you going to sulk now because I won?”

My chin lifts. “You didn’t win. I’m just surprised. And you’re making fun of me.”

“A little, yes.” He takes my arm and threads it through his, walking us forward whether I like it or not. “I wasn’t joking about you being pretty when pissed, though. You are extremely beautiful.”

Hmm.

We walk a little longer, drinking our coffee and somehow chatting through casual conversation as if none of our previous words had happened.

He unravels me, calms me, and even makes me laugh out loud at a few things.

It even feels comfortable when we don’t speak at all.

We amble, as if we’ve ambled for years without the need for words.

It’s oddly comforting, considering the near argument earlier.

He’s solid next to me, and I can’t help but let my mind run over a myriad of possibilities, all with happiness at the centre. I just wish I could believe any of it.

The drive home is full of easy, casual chatter, but it feels good. It’s like we’ve overcome some previous barrier between us, and Everett is definitely more addictive in this guise. Not that the sexy, broody businessman isn’t hot as hell, either.

He walks me back to the door. “Would you like to come in?” I offer.

He doesn’t say anything, just smiles at me, and for a split second, I worry that this will be a repeat.

Sex. Leaves. I’m left wondering.

But I open the door for him anyway, despite the risk.

We’re barely inside before he pulls my hand and stops me going any further.

His eyes study mine, dropping to my lips as his finger tips my chin up to him.

It’s like he’s taking every inch of me in, and I can feel the tension between us, the growing build of need.

It’s in my laboured breath, the slightly light-headed feeling that’s fast overtaking me.

I want him.

And he’s not shy about pressing his body to mine, either. He backs me up against the hall wall, and I love the fact that he wants me so desperately.

“You were due a workout.” The words hum at my ear, as his hand comes around and grabs my braid, pulling gently so I tip my head back. “I think we should give you one.”

His lips brush my neck, down to the skin over my collarbone.

They send me dizzy with anticipation. His eyes come back to mine once more, looking darker than ever, as if warning me of what’s going to happen next.

And although he still hasn’t kissed me - not properly - I know what will happen when he does.

With his hand still holding my hair, his other hand slides up the side of my throat and to my jaw, covering the side of my face.

It’s possessive and makes me melt as he finally brings his lips to mine.

And as soon as we touch, all of the build-up explodes.

We’re all lips and tongues and hands as the kiss deepens in a second.

My hands are at his shirt, tearing at the buttons, but his fingers dig into the waistband of my leggings to pull them down, hard.

“Take your pants off, I want to be inside you.” I follow every command, stepping free of the leggings and then pulling his cock free to hoist my leg over his hip and line up with my slit.

He’s fast and sharp, pushing all the way inside of me in one surge of his hips.

“Urghh – mmm,” I moan out.

“That nice? Let’s see how quickly I can make you come.” He pulls my leg even higher so he can go even deeper and tilts his hips, giving just enough friction to touch my clit as well.

And then he pulls my body to meet his, ramming into me again, jolting me as our bodies continue to hit together.

He grunts and his jaw tightens, and I’m doing all I can to hold on, as he sends my body tensing for release.

“Hmm… Mmm, yes, yes.”

“Tell me you want more.” He stills, and my body freezes as the pleasure slips away and fades through my core.

“God, please. Don’t stop, Everett. Please.”

“I like it when you beg.” He kisses my lips. Hard. And then starts up his rhythm again, working me back to the point where I’m desperate for him to tip me over.

His lips run down my neck, and I can feel the graze of his teeth up to my ear before he thrusts, shoving me back against the wall, giving me nowhere to go.

All I can do is take everything, and all I can think is that he’s going to make me come. Right here, against the wall, and I’m desperate for it.

“Yes! Everett… Yes!” As I start to come, his palm plants against the wall, and he shoves himself in so deep and rotates his hips, pinning me with his whole body. It wrings out every last tremor, and I shudder as my climax peaks.

He doesn’t stop, pounding against me, chasing his own release, until he grunts and stills, my body still pinned against the wall.

“Fucking beautiful,” he whispers.

I pant, barely able to form words after that attack. “Oh, I don’t know about that.”

“Trust me. You are.” He pulls himself from me, and I set about stepping back into my leggings. “How’s that oxytocin?”

I laugh. “I certainly feel my heart rate’s picked up.”

“I’d offer to have a shower, but I’ve already stayed longer than I should.”

“Time for the fast exit. I should have known.” My voice is mocking, but I’m sure there’s an element of the vulnerability I’m feeling there, too. “Trying your luck with the fast fuck?”

Fingers grab at my cheek, pulling me back to him.

They’re stronger than I’ve felt before from him, and I tense under the grip.

“There’s nothing wrong with a fast fuck when it’s needed.

Tell me you didn’t enjoy it.” I stare, swallowing down a hint of trepidation, but there’s no recourse from me. He’s right. I wanted it as much as him.

The grip finally softens, and his hand slides from my skin into my hair to twirl the loose strands through his fingers. “I will call this time. You have my word.”

“But let me guess, still no number?”

He smiles and backs out towards the door.

God, what am I doing to myself?