She jumped on it, though. "And what if we can't make it last, huh? What happens after it's over?"
"That is a hypothetical scenario that's useless in this situation," I declared.
"But if it happens … where are we then? Do we hate each other? Are we mortal enemies?"
"That's not going to happen ever," I said, because it wasn't.
"So you think."
"Sloane, if you didn't want my opinion, why bother to ask?"
"Right. Okay, then, for as long as it lasts, we're together. Which is a tautology, but whatever. It's good."
She muttered something else under her breath, but I didn't hear.
I knew I was getting ahead of her, ahead of myself even. I wasn't ready to marry her or anything. It's just that I'm an impatient person. People had told me to wait to take out my first patent. Wait to invest in it. Wait to buy a house. Wait, wait. Fuck waiting.
I'd had my say. I'd already gotten her to agree to more than I'd expected. She knew I was serious. She knew we weren't screwing around.
It was enough for now.
MY PHONE SIGNALED AN INCOMING text while Charis was groaning orgasmically around a bite of fried chicken, black-eyed peas stewed in bacon, mashed potato, and a green bean. And I say orgasmically knowing now exactly what that means as it pertains to her.
I fucking love to watch this woman eat.
After our intense conversation coming to terms with "this thing," we'd lapsed into our usual easy back-and-forth. But I didn't let her forget this wasn't a buddy-buddy deal. While we ate, I held her hand, or I played footsies with her, or I just looked at her mouth.
I didn't want her to forget where we were headed.
Unknown: Hi Asher. I'm a friend of Winnow's
Oh, hell, no. Not again. I stared at the phone. I started to put it away, but Charis said with her mouth full, "Who is it?"
"Hold up," I muttered, and texted back.
Asher: Winnow's news is out of date. I'm not single.
Unknown: Gee that's funny, I don't give a shit. WTF? My name is Megan Duphont BTW in case you wondered. Nice to meet you too.
I laughed.
Asher: Sorry I thought Winnow was hooking me up. It's a bad habit of hers. What can I do for you?
Megan: I want you to hook me up. Just joking!!!!! Well, kind of. Winnow says you're friends with Joel Marquette.
I chuckled.
"Who is it?" Charis demanded.
I shook my head. "Just another babe hot for Joel."
Asher: Yeah we're buddies
Megan: Your sister is having a party Friday.
Asher: So she is.
Megan: And she doesn't know Joel all that well.
Asher: You need to say the words. I'm not ambushing my bro for hints.
Megan: Pout. Will you invite him to the party?
Asher: Sure. I'm not going though so he probably won't. Should I mention your name?
Megan: He probably wouldn't recognize it. We've never been introduced.
Asher: Fine
Megan: Can you try to convince him to attend? Maybe make it sound like it's gonna be great? Maybe say someone has a telescope and we'll be looking at moon craters?
I grinned. At least this girl knew Joel wasn't just a pretty face.
Charis grabbed my phone before I could reply and pored over my texts the way I'd done hers. I smirked, stretched out my legs and rested my head back against my laced hands. We always stole each other's phones, but usually we waited for permission. I liked this new note of intimacy between us.
"I forgot about Winnow's party," she said and slid the phone back to me. "Why aren't you going?"
I opened my mouth to tell her about Elianna, then paused. Telling your bestie about a woman's unwanted interest in you is one thing. But your girlfriend?
Charis.
Girlfriend.
I'd made it so.
Rock on.
Anyway, mentioning any other woman around Aura used to be like marching into an active minefield, and I didn't know Charis's level of insecurity.
Intimacy's one thing. But at this stage, I thought it best not to go there.
"I'm gonna be busy."
"Uh, it's Friday of spring break. Is work piling on for you or something?"
"No."
"Let's go. Then Joel will come and this girl Megan can meet him. She sounds nice. Asher, this chicken is amazing. Next time can you make wild rice too?"
Shit.
I texted Megan back that I'd try to drag Joel's ass to Winona's party.
I guess we were going.
"I AM SO STUFFED."
"Not sexy," I said lazily.
Lie. My cock thought the act of sprawling out in the recliner with Charis slumped back against me, her legs drawn up and her long, stockinged feet planted on the seat, basically dripped with sex. I held her around her waist. She fit between my legs perfectly. I could see the slight bulge of her pinky toe ring through the sock. Even that was sexy. Now if only she were naked.
"I don't wanna move for a week," she sighed.
"What a lameass." I kissed her behind her ear.
"This is really nice."
I agreed. My fingers were spread out on her belly. They itched to venture lower and cup her where she was warm and soft.
"Any minute now I'm gonna get up and show you that good time I promised you," I said, biting her earlobe.
I could hear her smile. "As long as I'm not the one getting up."
We sat like that, me kissing her everywhere I could reach, while my hands roamed over her front. She chattered, I responded in monosyllables, and fuck, it was like we'd been cuddling like this for years.
Except one thing-she was freaked out. Though she acted relaxed, she shifted and blabbered and never once picked up her phone. Deliberately, I didn't go under her clothing. I just let my palms wander over her shirt, treating her like a frisky mare that needed soothing before it could be ridden.
After a bit, I cupped her crotch and pulled her back against me. I knew my cock digging into her back sent a clear message: I will fuck you.
As soon as I lightly started stroking her between her legs at the seam of her corduroys, her voice faltered. She shifted position uneasily.
With my other hand, I found her nipple and softly, repeatedly brushed it. And Charis's voice drifted off altogether.
Time to get real.
"You're wearing a bra," I accused into her ear.
"S-so?"
"It's a hindrance."
"Oh." Then: "Were you even listening to what I was saying?"
"Not for the last hour," I murmured. "Why, was it important?"
"Other than the part where I said do you solemnly swear to make me dinner every day for the next week and you said yes, Charis, I will … no."
"Excellent. You wearing undies, Sloane?"
I felt her shudder. "Of course, I always wear underwear."
"Do you? I thought you might have ditched them when you washed up."
"Asher, stop using your voice like that."
"Like what?"
"Like you're using your hand," she rasped.
My hand that was stroking her crotch seam, up and down and all around, tracing her and feeling the fabric grow damp.
"Getting turned on, dude?"
She squealed. I turned her face toward me to find it scrunched up. "Stop that!"
"Stop what?"
"Duding me. While you're … "
"While I'm petting your pussy? I'm not sure I should stop. This pussy seems pretty happy with the status quo. It's licking me," I added wickedly.
Confirmation that she was aroused came when she didn't acknowledge my pun, not even to groan. Her hips lifted reflexively.
I scratched the corduroy.
Now she did groan, but it wasn't about my lame wit. "I can't believe I'm already … after what you did before … "
"Mm, I guess that must make you insatiable. Hey, listen up, I have a question for you. You ready?"
"Yes." She sounded wary.
"Do you want something in that pussy? Something big and hard? Well? It's not a hypothetical question."
"I, uh … "
"Something big and hard could help you with all that wriggling around you're doing. A tight, empty pussy needs a cock to fill it up, Char. Fact."
"Oh, shit, you're talking like that to me!"
"Dirty words for a dirty girl," I murmured, canting my hips.
I heard her whimper at the moment of contact with my rigid cock. "You know I want in there, Sloane. I want in deep. I felt you fuck my fingers with that insatiable pussy. I can't wait to feel you crushing my cock with one of those cute little orgasms where you scream the place down."
"Fuck."
"Take off your bra. Show me how pretty you are."
Her hand flew up, but then came back down. "No, you take off your pants first."
I paused. "You want me to shuck my pants?"
She gave a choking cough. "And the sun keeps on shining. Yes, I want you to take your pants off, Mr. Sexy. What heterosexual woman in her right mind would not vote for your pants off if the option presented itself?"