Spotlight: Chapter 21

“This is it,” I say as I step into my apartment. Olivia follows behind me. I flip on a light in the kitchen and drop my keys onto the island.

“It’s nice. When did you move in?” She bypasses the kitchen and walks into the living room, turning slowly to take in the main space. The kitchen, dining room, and living area are all one big open space. Although, I don’t have a table or chairs, so the dining area is empty. In the living room there’s a fireplace that I use quite often. Plus, I have a TV, couch, and coffee table, only the essentials. I also bought a couple barstools for the kitchen island.

“January.” I grin sheepishly. “I hate picking out stuff and I’m not here that often.”

She laughs softly and picks up the cactus she gave me off the coffee table. “You still have it.”

“That’s Dick.” I cross over to her and take the plant from her. “I’m trying not to kill him and he’s attempting not to take it personally when I forget to water him.”

“You named him?” Her blue eyes spark with amusement.

“Yeah, I talk to him sometimes.” I set Dick down on the coffee table and then wrap my arms around her. “It’s not as homey as your place, but for now it’s fine.”

“You just need a few more plants and then it’s basically my place only bigger and fancier.” She rests both palms against my chest as she grins up at me. “And a few dozen princess costumes strewn about.”

The image of Greer today in my shirt with a tiara on top of her head flashes through my mind. That kid is a riot.

“You haven’t seen my closet yet.”

She giggles and I dip my head and cover her mouth with mine. I’m having to hold myself back from mauling her. Weeks of hanging out but rarely being alone has me wanting to immediately capitalize on the moment. But I sense Olivia needs to take this slower. Confirmed when she pulls back, cheeks flushed, and a shy smile is splashed across her face. “It’s been a long time since I was at a guy’s apartment. I feel a little out of my depth.”

“I just introduced you to my plant, Dick. I think you can safely relax.” I step back, running my hands down her shoulders to her hands. “Are you hungry?”

“I could eat.”

Olivia sits on one of the stools, watching me as I move around the kitchen. She hasn’t stopped smiling since I told her I was going to cook instead of order takeout.

“I haven’t had pancakes for dinner in so long,” she says, propping her elbows on the countertop and leaning forward.

“It’s one of five things I can make and the only thing I have all the ingredients for,” I admit. I stop what I’m doing and lean over the counter to kiss her again.

“We could have gone out,” she says when I pull back.

“No way. I finally got you all to myself.”

Her smile grows wider. “What are the other four?”

“Scrambled eggs, omelets⁠—”

“Are those different?” she asks with a laugh.

“For the sake of my pride, let’s say yes.”

She laughs again. The sound makes my chest tighten and then release. I can’t remember having this much fun hanging out with anyone. It’s easy but somehow still thrilling. Every smile, every laugh, every haughty brow quirk. Every little thing she does is interesting.

“What else?”

“Uhh…” As I beat the batter for the pancakes, I think. “Grilled cheese and spaghetti. Does it count if I buy the marinara sauce?”

“I’d say that still counts.”

“Oh.” I point excitedly. “Mac and cheese. Six things!”

Her lips smush together like she’s fighting off a retort at my cooking abilities. “Greer loves macaroni and cheese.”

“And you?”

“I’m not big on pasta.”

“There goes two of my meals.” I toss a wink at her.

I make way too many pancakes, piling them up on a plate in front of her.

“They smell so good.” She leans forward and inhales.

From the fridge, I pull out butter and syrup, then grab forks and knives. Instead of divvying up the food, we eat off one plate. She giggles as I fit a huge bite into my mouth, then take a much smaller forkful.

“It’s good.” She holds a hand in front of her mouth as she talks.

“Were you afraid it wouldn’t be?”

“It did cross my mind after your whole ‘I can cook five things’ speech.”

“Six,” I remind her.

“What’s your favorite food?” she asks as she cuts another bite of pancakes.

“Pizza probably.”

“Greer and I make pizza almost every week.”

“Now you’re just showing off,” I say to her, then lean in for another syrup-y kiss. “I usually order mine.”

“I’ll make it for you sometime. Homemade is so much better.”

I have a mental image of the three of us cooking together that makes me smile. “I’d like that.”

After we eat, Olivia insists on helping me clean up. I play music on my phone and we hand-wash the dishes instead of putting them in the dishwasher, and wipe down the counters. It takes a lot longer than it should because I can’t stop kissing her. I can’t help it. It’s the most domestic thing I’ve ever done with a woman but somehow still the sexiest too.

She’s rinsing off a plate when I come up behind her. I wrap my arms around her waist and nuzzle into the crook of her neck.

“You smell like syrup.” She turns her head, and I kiss her.

Laughing, she hums as she pulls back. “Taste like it too.”

She sets the plate down and shuts off the water, then turns around to face me. Her wet hands come up to rest on the front of my shirt.

“Oops.” She giggles as she realizes what she’s done.

“Guess I’ll have to take that off.”

Her laughter grows, warm and airy. Reaching down, I pick her up and carry her to the island where I set her down in front of me.

Those stunning blue eyes spark with desire as I stand between her legs.

“I like having you in my apartment,” I admit.

“I like being here.”

“Next time we’ll have to bring Greer.”

She nods then reaches out and slides her hands under the hem of my T-shirt on either side. “Then we better enjoy having the place to ourselves tonight.”

They are the exact words I want to hear, but I still hesitate.

“We don’t have to rush things. Hanging out with you, talking and laughing, kissing… it’s already the best night I can remember.” To prove my point, I offer up the first ideas that don’t involve getting her naked that come to mind. “We could watch a movie or play cards. I think I have an old Monopoly game around here somewhere too.”

“I despise Monopoly.”

“Cards it is.” I take a step back and she grabs a hold of the front of my shirt, keeping me from getting any farther away.

“I don’t want to play cards.”

“Movie?”

She slowly shakes her head, and a saucy grin pulls at the corners of her mouth. Her fingers roam up my sides and over my stomach and chest. My dick twitches.

My next suggestions come out in a low, gruff tone. “Karaoke? Dancing? I think I have some marshmallows around; we could roast them by candlelight.”

“Stop talking and kiss me, Hotshot.”

“Yes, ma’am.” I crash my mouth down onto hers.

Her fingers continue to explore my bare skin under my shirt as I savor every taste of her. Sweet and heady and so fucking perfect.

Eventually, she grabs hold of my shirt on either side and tugs upward. I break the kiss and lift my arms until she can get it all the way off. Her stare moves to take in every inch of me. When her fingers return to my chest, goosebumps dot my skin.

“Your body is incredible,” she says, holding my shirt in her hands. “I think I changed my mind about letting you see me naked.”

“Gorgeous, there is literally nothing you could be hiding under there that’s going to change how badly I want you.”

“Always the charmer.”

“It’s true though.”

Her gaze bores into me as if she’s deciding whether or not she believes me. Then she sets my shirt down and removes hers.

Her pale skin is smooth and only covered by the lacy, black bra that dips low and pushes her tits up.

Whatever expression she sees on my face must reassure her because a playful smirk dances across her lips, and she hooks one finger under the waistband of my jeans to pull me back to her.

I wrap my arms around her back and crush her to me. Our tongues tangle and taste, only stopping for the occasional nip of a bottom lip or to catch our breaths.

When we’re both panting, I drop my forehead against hers.

“I like you.”

Her body shakes with a quiet laugh. “Oh yeah?”

“So fucking much.”

“I like you too in case that wasn’t obvious by the way I can’t stop touching you.” Her nails rake down my bare chest. “I can’t get over the muscles in your stomach. I didn’t even know we had that many.”

I want to touch her too, but I’m not sure I trust myself to keep taking this as slowly as she needs. Instead, my mouth finds hers again. Time seems to stand still, like nothing else matters right now but the two of us.

Her phone rings out from the end of the counter. We both freeze and turn to stare at it.

“I’m so sorry,” she says as she leans to grab it. “I have to check in case it’s Greer.”

“Yeah, of course.” I let out a slow breath and step away from her as she answers the phone.

“Hello?” She sounds a hell of a lot calmer than I feel.

I back up all the way to the other counter and lean against it as I try to pull myself together. I’m strung tight, muscles clenched, heart racing, brain foggy. This girl has me spinning.

“Sorry about that,” she says as she sets the phone back on the counter.

I blink away some of the haze. “Is everything okay?”

“Yeah.” A tight, quiet chuckle leaves her lips. “Gigi wanted to know if it was okay for Greer to go on a hike with Grandpa tomorrow morning.”

The corner of my mouth hitches up. I still can’t believe Earl is her grandfather. I can see the resemblance though.

“It sounds like they’re good with her.”

“Yeah. The best. I don’t know what I would have done without them. They help a lot. My sister too.” She places both hands on the counter, bracing herself, shoulders lifted. “Anyway.”

“I get the sense you don’t let people help you.”

“That obvious?”

I nod. “They love you. And Greer. You both deserve to have people like that. Who will jump in and lighten the load. It doesn’t say anything about your ability as a mom. Actually, no—it does, but not in the way you think.”

“What does it say?” she asks.

“That they think you’re doing an amazing job and think you could use a break occasionally. People don’t generally offer to help out someone they deem unworthy.”

“I guess that’s true.” She smiles then wrinkles her nose. “I still don’t like it.”

“Of course not.”

She wouldn’t be Olivia if she weren’t trying to tackle everything herself. It’s one of the many things I like about her. Doesn’t stop me from wanting to swoop in and do a lot for her though.

We fall quiet. Her smile falls and we stare across the kitchen at each other. Tension crackles in the air and I’m still just as keyed up as I was before the phone rang.

Her tongue darts out to wet her lips. She glances down as if only now realizing she isn’t wearing a shirt. Fuck, she’s stunning.

“Do you still want…” The question trails off and she looks anywhere but at me. “Of course you don’t. Answering a call mid-make-out sesh is about the least sexy thing. Can you hand me that?” She points to her shirt lying on the floor between us.

I feel one brow lift. Is she for real now? Can’t she see how badly I want her?

I push off the counter slowly and bend to pick up her shirt, then close the rest of the distance between us.

“Thank yo—” Her words cut off as I scoop her up and toss her over my shoulder.

She squeals as I head toward my bedroom. “What are you doing?”

“Showing you how unsexy I think you are.” I swat her ass, and she squeals again.

I cross the apartment and walk into my room, not bothering with the light. The window in my room faces a courtyard with just enough light that filters in and help me see where I’m going.

Carefully, I shift and place her on top of the navy comforter. She stares up at me, smiling but looking shy.

I toss her shirt to the floor.

“Better,” I say.

She laughs again, then pushes up to a sitting position. Her hands lift and rest on the waistband of my jeans. All the blood rushes to the bulge straining against the zipper of my pants.

“Can I?” she asks as her thumb swipes across the button.

“If you don’t, I might die.”

Her lips pull higher, smiling in that sassy, assured smile that I fell for all those months ago. She’s more layered than I expected, insecure and struggling with certain things in the same ways we all battle shit. But in this scenario, I never want her to feel anything but confident.

She undoes my jeans and pushes them down with my boxers. My dick springs free, happy to be uncontained and happier that she’s here.

There’s a long stretch of silence. Her eyes widen and her breaths come quicker as she stares slack-jawed at my cock. “Holy shit. You were serious.”

“I would never lie about something so important.” My tone is teasing and light, but she continues to look at me with shock. “We can still play Monopoly instead if you want.”

“No, I…” She swallows and then takes a breath. “You can’t dangle that giant thing in front of me and then suggest a board game. Give a girl a second.”

A silent chuckle shakes my body, and she smiles up at me.

“You’re stunning. All six foot five and nine inches of you.” Her smile pulls higher on one side. She reaches around and undoes her bra, then lets it fall around her shoulders.

My breath hitches as she tosses it to the floor with her shirt. I already knew she was going to be perfect, but she’s so far beyond.

“Come here.” I beckon her with one finger. She stands and I kiss her while removing her jeans and panties.

When we’re both naked, she drapes her arms over my shoulders. The movement presses those full, gorgeous tits against my chest.

We’ve kissed plenty of times, but with nothing between us and the rest of the night to ourselves, my patience wavers. Part of me wants to take my time, and the other part wants her so badly that it’s nearly impossible to hold back when she’s offering herself up to me.

“What am I going to do with you?” I ask, walking us slowly back to the bed.

“I don’t know,” she replies breathlessly. “I have a few ideas though.”

“Oh yeah?”

She sits on the edge of the bed, and I inch closer, forcing her onto her back.

“Do any of them include me being inside you?”

“All of them.”

My heart is beating so hard it feels like it might pound right out of my chest.

“I’m not going to lie. I’m a little intimidated.” She bites her bottom lip.

The corner of my mouth twitches with a smile. “Don’t worry. He’s gentle like me.”

“I don’t want gentle.”

“I need to make sure you’re ready for me.” I kiss a trail down her body.

She sucks in a breath as my lips graze over one hip bone, then the other. I hook one arm around her leg and slide down farther.

Her body trembles underneath me and she grabs hold of the sheets on either side of her. Keeping my eyes locked on hers, I swipe my tongue over her pussy.

She inhales sharply and lets her head fall back against the pillow.

“Was this one of your ideas?” I ask, then taste her again.

She answers in moans and unintelligible whimpers until I pause to readjust and push her legs farther apart.

“No, but it should have been. That feels…oh god, so good. I should have known you’d be good at this.”

I chuckle softly, then push one finger inside her before I reply. Her pussy tightens around my knuckle.

“And I should have known you’d taste like heaven.”

My finger pushes in and out of her as I flick my tongue over her clit. She writhes underneath me and keeps giving me those sexy little moans.

“Flynn,” she says my name on another breathy moan.

“Hmm?” I ask, not moving my mouth from her pussy. I add another finger and step up the pace.

“I’m so…” She leans up on her elbows and stares at me with those big, blue eyes. Her lips part and make a perfect “o.”

“Are you going to come for me?”

She nods rapidly and those stunning eyes widen seconds before her body tenses, and she cries out, “Flynn. Oh, god. Flynn.”

Her mouth hangs open and her face is flushed as she orgasms. It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen, and I decide on the spot I want to claim a thousand more. Whatever ideas she had, I’m going to see that we do them. Again and again.

As Olivia recovers, she starts laughing.

“Something funny?”

“That was the best orgasm of my life.” She laughs harder.

I reach into the nightstand and get a condom. While I’m covering myself with it, she doesn’t take her eyes off me.

“And you’re surprised by that?” I ask as I climb back up her body.

She lifts her arms and loops them around my neck. “No, Hotshot. I don’t think I am.”

She tugs me down to her and kisses me. She kisses me hard and wraps her legs around my back. My dick nudges her center, and a jolt of pleasure moves through me.

I wait until she’s lifting her hips up to create friction against me and giving me those sexy little moans before I guide the head of my dick to her pussy.

I meet her gaze. “I’ll go slow. Let me know if you want to stop.”

I push in a few inches and watch her lashes flutter closed. A lazy smile lifts the corners of her mouth.

“Don’t stop.”

“We have all night,” I say, but what I mean is I don’t want to hurt her. I’m not being cocky when I say I’m a lot to take.

Her eyes open and she drags her nails down my sides. “If you don’t start fucking me, I am going to die of anticipation.”

“So bossy.” I nip at her full bottom lip and then give her more.

Her brows pinch together, and her mouth stays in that perfect “o” shape as I work my way in and out, each time sinking farther into her pussy.

I’m strung so tight that I’m already in danger of coming. I do my best to memorize every detail of this moment because I know I’ll want to replay it later. She’s so damn sexy and everything about this feels perfect.

“I’m going to come again,” she warns as she bucks up into me, forcing me a little deeper.

“Me too,” I tell her, swiping my lips over hers and pressing our foreheads together.

Our ragged breaths mingle together as her second orgasm seizes her body. Her pussy locks onto me and sends me over the edge.

I’m panting her name and wishing on every possible entity for it to never end or for a million repeats as we both come down from that post-sex high.

“Fuck, gorgeous. Your pussy was made for me.” I pull out of her with a groan and fall onto the mattress beside her.

Olivia’s sweet laughter starts up again and I glance over at her with a mixture of amusement and concern.

“Everything okay?”

“Better than okay,” she says and flings an arm over my chest as she nuzzles into my side.

“I can’t think straight yet to come up with anything witty, but I’ll take better than okay.”

She lets out another short laugh. “Way, way better than okay.”