Page 31 of Lost Summer
“Ithought I’d never see you again,” Ted murmured into my ear, his hands tracing the contours of my back. “Let alone kiss you again.”
The rain grew heavier, and the sound bouncing off the surrounding rooftops faded into the background. My laughter was light as I groped for the key in the dark. The cold metal bit into my fingertips as I fumbled, unable to line the jagged edge with the lock. My hands were shaking with a mix of anticipation and chill.
“Allow me,” Ted hummed in my ear, his fingers dancing along my soaked forearm until they reached mine. He took the key from my hand. The lock clicked open effortlessly, and we stumbled inside, laughter echoing around us.
My hand pressed against the cold glass of the door as I slammed it shut, cutting out the rain behind us. I turned to face Ted, his hair dripping water into his eyes, droplets of rain clinging to the stubble on his cheeks like dew on morning grass. His gaze was intense, boring into mine.
“That’s better, hmm?” I whispered, shivering beneath his heated gaze.
“I don’t know, I think I preferred getting wet.” Ted smirked, stepping closer.
“Why?” I breathed, my stomach doing somersaults as he closed the distance between us.
“Because I was kissing you,” Ted said, his lips inches from mine. His breath was warm and hinted at peppermint, making my head spin. “And let me tell you, there’s nothing better than kissing you, Adele.”
My knees almost buckled beneath me as I nodded, tears springing into my eyes when he tilted my head to meet his.
“Why are you crying?” Ted frowned, concern flashing in his eyes as he studied me. His fingers brushed away the tears, his touch gentle yet firm.
“Because ten years is a long time to miss someone. Ten years is a long time to avoid music,” I choked out, my voice barely above a whisper. “I still can’t believe you’re here.”
“I’m so sorry,” Ted mumbled against my lips, his fingers stroking my cheeks. The feel of his hands, rough and masculine against my soft skin, sent shivers through me.
Something about him holding my face in both of his hands was enough to send me into a sobbing fit, and Ted let out a groan, pulling me into his arms. His embrace was heaven, a warm blanket wrapping around me as he kissed my forehead.
“I’m here, Adele, and I’m not going anywhere.” His words were a promise, a vow that echoed in the room’s stillness.
“Ten years!” I shook my head, my hands lifting to hold his face in mine, too. His stubble was rough against my palms. It felt like a dream, albeit a drunken dream, but it was something else entirely. I’d dreamt of Ted so often, I thought I hadn’t forgotten what he looked like, but I had. His eyes were deeper, his jaw sharper, and his smile was still as intoxicating as ever.
I thought of saying something else, but Ted kissed me again, and all thoughts of logic and speech left me. His lips were fire,scorching my skin with every touch, every flick of his tongue. The taste of the rain still lingered on his lips, mingling with the minty freshness of his breath.
My fingers pushed his blazer away, the damp fabric dropping to the floor with a loud thud in the silence. Ted lifted me into his arms, walking me over to the sofa, never breaking our kiss. The only light in the room spilt in from the soft glow of the streetlamp outside, filtering in through the rain-streaked windows.
When we fell onto the sofa, his fingers grazed the zip on the back of my dress, his eyes meeting mine as he pulled away.
“Can I take this off?” He dragged the zip down slowly, his breath hitching in his throat as I nodded. The sound of the zip was the only sound I needed to hear after that.
He pulled the dress over my head, his eyes darkening at seeing me in my underwear. I gulped, wondering what he was thinking about.
His broad shoulders strained against his shirt, the material clinging to his muscles like a second skin. I threw caution to the wind, forgetting that this man was technically still with someone else. My mouth attacked his, my fingers unclasping my bra, his hands cupping my breasts as I moaned. The feel of his rough, calloused hands against my sensitive skin sent shivers coursing through my body, setting my nerves alight.
His head dipped to my throat, his fingers massaging my nipples as I fell back, tugging him on top of me. His full body weight slammed against mine, and I turned us over so I was astride him. His lips were swollen from kissing me, his hair dishevelled, and his shirt half-open. I sat up, allowing his gaze to drink in my half-naked form.
“Jesus fucking Christ,” he breathed, his eyes tracing every curve and line of my body.
I smiled, my cheeks flushing as I reached down, my fingers stroking his bare skin, still wet from the rain. I sank my teeth into my bottom lip, inhaling sharply when my fingers worked the rest of his shirt buttons, revealing his sculpted stomach. Without thinking, I dropped, my lips grazing his damp skin.
Ted groaned when my tongue flickered against him, my head moving naturally south as he watched me intently. The scent of him was intoxicating. It was wild and primal, and it made my pulse quicken.
Without asking for permission, I tugged at his belt buckle, my fingers pulling the stiff button away from the fabric of his trousers. Fuelled by alcohol and ten years of longing, I freed him from his boxers, licking my lips as I leaned down.
“No, don’t,” Ted interrupted me, his hands pulling me up to him. “I need to be inside of you, Adele.” His words were raw, desperate, like a man starved.
His fingers hooked my underwear down, and I lifted my leg to allow the thin fabric to slide off. Even though I was exposed, I didn’t feel vulnerable, not with Ted. The room was silent except for the soft patter of the rain outside and the occasional crackle of thunder in the distance.
I didn’t even think, lifting myself into position above him, our eyes locking as he laced his fingers through mine.
“Slowly. I want to feel every inch of you. I want to remember this moment forever,” Ted said huskily, tugging me to his mouth.
