Travis (Pelion Lake) by Mia Sheridan

I moved to the other nipple and was rewarded with more quickened gasps. I sucked and licked, my thumb continuing to circle as she rode my finger.

Her fingernails dug into my skin and I hoped she was marking me. I wanted to look at those red half-moons in the mirror tomorrow and be brought back to this moment. She was going to come, I could feel it in the vibrations of her body, hear it in the frenzied nature of her pants, and the clutch of her hands. I wanted to watch it as it happened. Needed to. I lifted my head from her breasts, nipples gleaming wet from my mouth, and the sight of that alone made my cock throb mercilessly. Her eyes were closed, cheeks flushed with arousal, mouth parted, and more beautiful than anything I’d ever looked upon in my entire life. Her body stiffened and she let out a strangled cry as she came, eyes flying open to meet my gaze right before her forehead touched mine, gasping as she attempted to catch her breath. We both breathed together, her heart slamming against my chest as she fought for breath.

I slipped my finger from her body, pulling her swimsuit bottoms up and wrapping my arm around her again, holding her in the water as our breathing evened, though my raging erection throbbed with both pleasure and pain.

I kissed her temple. She sighed sweetly as she reached up and retied her top. Her eyes met mine, expression open and vulnerable and there was something so incredibly hopeful in her gaze. She stared at me for a moment, blinking as though catching herself revealing what she had not meant to. A flash of fear raced across her face right before her features smoothed.

What did you hope for just now? I wondered. And why did it scare you?

She leaned back, her expression hesitant, slightly shy. I took a few steps back toward the shore, stepping up the drop-off and placing her on her feet. She teetered slightly, laughing at herself. The sun had set, leaving only a stripe of red far away on the horizon, but providing enough light that I could still see clearly. Overhead, the first stars were appearing in the deepening sky. “You must be tired,” I said.

She nodded uncertainly. “You must be . . .” She glanced downward.

I laughed shortly. “I’m fine.” I wasn’t fine, but I would live, at least until I made it to the privacy of my shower. Then I’d picture the way her face looked as she fell apart, the way her body squeezed and pulsated around my finger, the way her nipples had tasted on my tongue. One stroke and I’d be done.

She turned away and then turned back quickly. “It . . . I mean, I know we said no complications. But . . . that felt sort of complicated.”

Was she saying we shouldn’t do that again? Touch each other? My chest suddenly felt tight. Everything felt tight. I studied her for a moment. I wasn’t sure how to read her expression . . . confused, uneasy. It wasn’t how I wanted her to feel. I’d never seen confusion or any form of regret on a woman’s face after physical intimacy. I was in uncharted territory here. “I’ll leave it up to you, Haven. Whatever you feel comfortable with.”

Her gaze moved over my face, and then she nodded once, her lips pressing together momentarily before she nodded again as though confirming the first nod. “I . . . that was , , , I mean. You’re very skilled. Obviously, I enjoyed that. Very much.” Her cheeks colored the way they had right before she’d come. She laid her hand on my arm and then just as quickly removed it. “I don’t regret it at all. It was . . . wow. Very, very wow. I just . . . you know, it sort of muddies the water and all.”

“It does,” I agreed. “Muddy waters.” So why was I suddenly very willing to wade in muddy waters? To swim in them. Hell, I’d be willing to drink them right at the moment.

“And I . . . well, today was . . . special to me. I would hate to do anything to jeopardize more times like that. Me, you, the crew.” The words faded into a small, uncomfortable laugh. She gave me a smile, part hopeful, part puzzled.

The crew. I was part of the crew.

And though she was very obviously attracted to me, the friendly part of our relationship was more valuable to her. If I was reading the situation correctly.

I opened my mouth to say something and then closed it. Her eyes were tired. It had been a long day. And though I was incredibly attracted to her, I also wanted her to have other days like today. Uncomplicated. Easy. Friendly. I took her hand in mine and pulled her to the shore where we both picked up our towels and dried off, Haven sliding her shorts back over her swimsuit and slipping her flip-flops on once she was dry.

We walked in silence to the house, the quiet of the night and the gentle lapping of the water making it seem almost unreal, as if what had just happened had been nothing more than a fevered dream.

There were voices and laughter coming from the back porch of the house, but we didn’t move in that direction, instead walking silently to the bottom of the stairs and then climbing them together.

We both paused at the top landing. Haven’s expression was peaceful, though her eyes remained uncertain. Her hair was windblown and in complete disarray, and the corner of my lip tugged in a smile. She bit at her lip. Cleared her throat. “Goodnight,” she said. “Thank you again for . . . today.”

“My pleasure,” I said and her eyes flew to mine, widening slightly. I smiled, saying nothing. I hated that we were suddenly so awkward. It was strange. And sort of amusing in a disappointing way. And frustrating. And I was still semi hard. That shower was calling. Loudly. “Goodnight, Haven. Sleep well.”