Page 58 of Pants On Fire

He takes my hand and helps me slide into the heated, jetted water. A moan of pure pleasure rumbles from my throat as I lean back in the seat, my body instantly relaxing in bliss. I take another sip of my wine to help cool my throat, but the moment I see Rueben take off his glasses and get in the tub, all thoughts of keeping myself cool fly right out the window.

His hand wraps around my ankle as he gently pulls me in his direction. He takes my glass and sets it on the table beside his as I straddle his waist, my arms wrapping around his neck. The shirt I’m wearing is floating on the water, and frankly, getting in the way. So, I reach my arms up in invitation, one that Rueben quickly jumps at.

It’s difficult to take off a soaking wet shirt, but we manage, drenching my hair and face in the process. It doesn’t matter, though. Nothing matters. Only him. Us. My lips are eager as I start the kiss, my naked body wrapped around his like a spider monkey. I grind against his hard cock, wishing he hadn’t worn those boxers into the tub.

His hands are everywhere. My neck, my back, my breasts, and even my throbbing pussy. I’m on sensory overload right now, but I wouldn’t change it for anything, because tomorrow, these memories will be all I have left.

“I’ve never had hot tub sex,” I tell him, my hand sliding between our wet bodies and stroking his erection through his boxers.

He makes a choking sound, his head falling back in ecstasy. “Me either,” he confesses, lifting his head back up and locking his eyes on mine. There are a million emotions I see, but only one I latch on to: longing.

It’s the look I’m going to miss the most.

Our lips meet again, slow and leisurely, as we explore each other’s mouths, tasting and savoring this one perfect kiss. The tighter I hold his cock, the more urgent his lips become. He takes what he wants, devouring and controlling me with the simplest of actions. I’m not sure how long we sit there, my body wrapped around his, as we kiss. It feels like a lifetime, yet not long enough all the same.

Gasping for sweet oxygen, my eyes are glued to his as I slowly stroke his cock from root to tip, memorizing the way his jaw tightens and his gaze burns hot like lava. He pulls me against his chest and stands up, taking a seat on the edge of the hot tub. I start to tug at his wet boxers, sliding them down to his ass and freeing his cock.

Rueben reaches to the chair beside the hot tub and grabs his pants. While he fishes out a condom, I take a few moments to trail kisses down his neck, tasting the spiciness of his cologne and reveling in the burn of his stubble against my lips. When he sits back up, he rocks back on his ass and tugs his boxers down his legs. I take the opportunity to get the condom and rip it open.

Slowly, I caress the soft, velvety skin over his rock-hard shaft. A throaty moan rips from his mouth as I position the protection over the head and gently slide it down, taking my time and enjoying the feel. When I reach the root and glance up, I find his eyes on me, as if he’s doing the same thing I am.

Remembering every moment.

Rueben holds me by my hips as I guide myself to his cock and lower myself down. There’s the familiar stretch as I accommodate his size, my body tingling in all the right places, my blood rushing through my veins. With one hand, he cradles the back of my neck almost protectively, his thumb gently stroking circles on the nape of my neck. Every hair on my body stands on end, a sizzle of desire zaps me. My body has never felt so alive.

Our eyes meet once more as I lift my hips and slide back down, swirling my hips and grinding against his pelvis. My hands grip his shoulders, but the need to touch him everywhere is too great. I caress his arms, chest, back, and neck. I memorize his face with my fingers, outlining every line, every dimple, every blemish.

My nipples scrape against his chest, sending shockwaves of lust through my extremities. I start to feel that familiar tightening deep inside me, but I fight it off. I don’t want this to end. I want to stay right here, in this moment, for as long as possible. Unfortunately, with each thrust of his hips upward, the end draws near. My body craves release. The one Rueben is promising.

When I gaze into his eyes, he starts to blur. Words rush from my brain to my tongue but refuse to come out. Words like forever and home. Words that can bring the ultimate peace or rip me in two. I don’t even realize the first tear falls until I feel his thumb catch it on my cheek. He strokes so lightly, so gently that it makes my heart ache. He continues to caress my cheek, catching every tear and wiping them away.

The end draws near, my release racing for the surface and ready to break free. I cling to his shoulders and hold on tightly as I explode, crying out into the dark of night. Rueben takes my lips with his, breathing new life into me as he finds his own release. My world starts to fade, but he refuses to let go. He holds on tight, swiping his lips across mine and whispering, “My Cricket.”

This time, he’s unable to catch the tears before they fall. They come too quickly. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I draw him into me and breathe him in. I don’t ever want to forget this moment. The way the moon hangs high in the night sky. The coolness of the air as it kisses our overheated bodies. The scent of sex mixed with woodsy soap and fresh cotton fabric softener. The way we fit so perfectly together, it’s as if he were made just for me.

The way my heart cries out to stay right here.

With my head on his shoulder, he lifts me up and adjusts me in his arms. I could walk—and probably should walk—but it feels too right.

Rueben turns off the jets and grabs his wallet and glasses before heading back into the house. I hear him engage the lock and turn off the light. He ascends the stairs and heads up to his room, holding me tightly against him as he goes. We make a quick pitstop to the bathroom and grab a fresh towel, drying our bodies as best we can, considering he’s still holding me.

When we reach his bed, he tugs on the comforter before setting me down. “Be right back,” he whispers, running a hand over my wet hair and kissing my forehead.

I hear the water turn on the bathroom, and while I know I should get up and get ready for bed, I just can’t find the energy. So, I lie still, the moonlight filtering through the windows and listen to the now familiar sound of Rueben getting ready for bed.

Tomorrow night, there will be nothing but silence.

When he returns, he doesn’t set his alarm. He crawls into bed, his arms reaching for me and pulling me close. It’s warm nestled in his arms and pressed against his chest, but that’s okay. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be. Even as my skin starts to boil, I just lie there and feel.

I start to wonder if he’s fallen sleep. His breathing seems to even out, his warm breath fanning across my forehead. When I make the slightest movement to adjust my arm, he tightens and reaches for me, as if he’s afraid I’m going to disappear.

The night wears on, but neither of us sleep. We don’t speak either, we just hold each other tight and try not to let ourselves think about tomorrow. At least, that’s what I’m doing. I’m trying not to freak out by being overly emotional or too blasé. It’s a fine line between being too eager to stay and too eager to go. I hate it, actually. Life shouldn’t be this complicated.

Sometime in the night, my eyes finally draw closed. As much as I’d like to stay awake, my body is physically and emotionally too exhausted to comply. At least I have Rueben. His arms around me and his steady heartbeat against my cheek.

“I’m falling for you.” It’s those whispered words I hear as I drift off to sleep.

Chapter Eighteen

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