Page 35 of Capacity
After ten minutes working the bush completely from the ground, I sat on my behind and tossed it aside. Beads of perspiration coated my forehead and my heart was pounding. Who the hell knew gardening would get my blood moving like that? I liked the rush of energy that came with it.
It was soothing and calm but it exerted me. It showed me that digging deep and focusing on the root of things would reveal the truth. It showed me that removing dead things from around you would allow the sun to shine again.
I looked over at the little aster and was overcome with emotion now that it was bathed in sunlight. I knew it went deeper than being happy that a flower in my yard would be able to thrive.
My eyes stung and before I could do anything to stop it, tears bubbled up from inside me, streaming warm and salty down my flushed cheeks. What started as a stream turned into a raging ocean. Sobs shook my shoulders and warped my face into a painting of agony and self-realization.
My potent emotions were in direct contrast with the brisk sunny day. Golden rays fell on my face while the cold air nipped at the tip of my nose. I sat there and poured everything out of my soul. I left pain and heartbreak dripping in puddles at my feet. I knew I didn’t shed everything but it felt good to toss out some of the jagged debris cluttering the space beneath my ribs. I wiped my slick cheeks with the heels of my hands then stood up on shaky legs. I was too damn old to sit that low for that long. Evidently, I needed it more than I knew though.
…
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you this dressed down, Knight,” I said watching him lay out a drill and a few other things I didn’t recognize. He had on a black t-shirt and a pair of jeans. Something so simple looked so damn good on him though. His thick muscles were hard and unyielding beneath the cotton of his shirt. I stole glances at the way his back flexed every time he faced the TV.
I rubbed the back of my neck and cleared my throat a little. I needed something to distract myself with or else my hands would be all over him. Turned out clearing my throat wasn’t enough distraction so I started picking up his tools and asking what each one was.
“Did you think I’d come mount your TV in slacks and a button-down shirt?” He chuckled once he’d explained what the tools on my coffee table were.
“Of course not,” I laughed reluctantly, folding my arms. God, why did he have to look at me like that? Even without him saying a word he made me feel beautiful. I wore my hair down because he told me how much he liked it. It didn’t go unnoticed either.
He reached out and threaded his long fingers through my waves, pulling my mouth to his. I was always on edge so the way he possessed me should have given me pause but it didn’t. My gut told me to trust Knight. It told me he was who he said he was, insecurities and all.
It made my chest squeeze and flood with warmth. I had no idea what that feeling was or where it came from but I wanted more of it. It was delicious.
Knight’s lips slanted over mine and for a few quiet beats, we breathed each other’s air. It was so intimate and sacred that I almost didn’t want the moment to end. Then he kissed me and my body sang.
“I’ve wanted to do that since I walked in, I just didn’t want to catch you off guard,” he told me, his kiss-swollen lips brushing mine. Heat collected on my cheeks and slipped down to my neck.
“I thought we established that we’re friends who kiss. I expect my kisses now,” I told him. A smirk quirked my lips up and Knight leaned in to bite my jawline, making me laugh.
“You expect them, huh?” His fingers marched up and down my ribs and we fell to the couch while my laughter filled up the space around us. I wasn’t used to hearing myself laugh that way. I was a stranger when he was around. “I guess I should make up for the ten minutes I’ve been here without kissing you then.” When he stared at me with those piercing eyes, my stomach bottomed out and something stuttered in my chest.
The solid weight of his hard, muscled body on top of me made me so wet I was sure I’d need to change my panties. “You should,” I told him in a throaty voice. I speared my fingers through his golden silk strands and tipped my head up to meet his mouth.
Our lips were familiar now. The awkwardness of last night vanished beneath the sureness of his tongue against mine. I made soft noises urging him on when he pulled my bottom lip between his then dipped back inside my mouth, probing, exploring.
I knew my noises turned him on. The evidence was growing thick and hard pressing against my thigh. My needy body pushed into him, grinding against his stiff dick without my permission.
“Goddammit, Lumi.” His gruff voice vibrated deep in his chest making my body pulse. “If you don’t want me to fuck you right here on this couch, please stop moving like that.” He rested his forehead against mine and shut his eyes briefly.
“Sorry.” My breath-deprived voice was raw and hoarse. God, I needed to have an orgasm. The only thing that would satisfy me was solid and thick between my open legs though and I knew I wasn’t ready to have sex with Knight. Not now.
“Don’t be.” He nudged my chin up with his nose before drinking my scent in and burying his lips against my throat.
Oh my lord.
The way Knight kissed and sucked on my neck set my hips in motion, grinding and begging for his thrusts. He didn’t disappoint but I wasn’t ready for how hard he would buck against me. Jolts of shock and pleasure surged through me before melting into my blood.
He bit the curve of my neck, holding his teeth there until I stopped grinding against him. Once I stopped, his voice came out hungry and feral. “Good girl. Stay still for me. I can feel your hot pussy and I’m only a man, Lumi. I can’t stay polite for too long.”
“I’m only a woman,” I reasoned, nibbling on his earlobe and slipping my hand beneath his shirt. He was carved by angels. Hand sculpted. He had to be. What other explanation was there for such a perfect specimen of man?
Our lips collided again. Needy and hungry. Then he pulled back and I missed the pressure of his weight. With him not on top of me, the lusty fog cleared from my brain and I realized that we were moving way too fast too soon. He probably felt the same way.
“We have to talk,” he sighed, pushing to his feet. My stomach flopped at those words. I didn’t like them.
“You’re right,” I nodded, tucking chunks of wild hair behind my ear and tossing the rest over my shoulder.
“What’s happening between us, Lumi?” I really wanted to concentrate on what he was saying but the bulge in his jeans had my full attention.
