Awakening Thrills

“Who’s caught your eye?” Omar playfully nudged me. Noting my eyes were stuck on Annie. Damn she’s changed.

Maybe she was a little heavy but damn those curves did something to my insides. “An old friend,” I said. Annie disappeared in the kitchen door.

“Are you talking about Anne Peters?”

I spared him a glance and picked up my wine. “That would be the one.”

Omar had been a friend of mine since college. There wasn’t much I could hide from him.

“I know Anne. In fact, she’s the lead counselor for the camp. We’ll be under her this summer.”

Yeah, I’d like to get under her. Shocking that I’d moved in that direction so quickly, but it was there. “I know, she mentioned it earlier.”

I looked at him and he asked, “what’s the story?”

Oh, that. Well there were many things I could say to fit that topic. Let’s go with the easy answer.

“We were hot and heavy at fourteen. We lost our virginity together. Man was she wild back then. She only had eyes for Kyle. God, I had no idea he was gay.”

Omar laughed, “I did. I thought Anne was his cover while he was banging Blake.” I cringed at the thought. “Turns out she was crushed. Still dealing with rumors and gossip. Poor thing.”

“I’m sure she’s moved on since. Annie was never one to dwell on shit.” I knew that much about her.

Omar looked apprehensive, “Nah, man. As far as I know, she’s been solo. Doesn’t even go out any more than she needs to. In fact, I’m surprised to see her here. Normally, she skips stuff like this.”

I guess twelve years would change a person. So, would divorce and a cheat. I knew all about getting my heart stomped on.

“Tread carefully, my friend. I saw the way you were looking at her. Her well is dry.”

I grunted, “Fuck, so’s mine.” Omar punched my arm, “Don’t go feeling sorry for yourself again. Get over it.”

Tough love, I guess. Jerk. “I’m over it.”

I looked around the room at my colleagues. My mother was speaking in hushed whispers to Rosie and Damn Oliver was about to jump a girl in the middle of the room.

“Get a load of that shit,” I said.

Omar’s gaze followed mine, “Oh that’s Reed. Anne’s best friend. Damn, they are going to town.”

I wasn’t a stranger to a little wager, “Twenty says they seal the deal in less than an hour.”

Omar cocked his eyebrow, “Deal. Wager says you strike out with Anne.”

I swallowed the rest of my wine and set the glass aside, “Who says I was going to attempt it?”

He laughed, “I know you too well, my man. Fifty says she turns you down flat.”

That only made me want to do it and I hadn’t decided before this ridiculous wager, “Fifty says I get some mouth action. I aint gonna fuck her.”

Omar raised a brow, “No?”

I had more class than that, “I’m not a dick. If she’s hard out for what happened to her, I know just how she god damn feels.”

“Deal. Good luck, buddy.”

I don’t need it. I know just how to push Annie’s buttons. It was never hard.

I pushed myself up and through the crowd, the kitchen door swung open and there she was. Barefoot and washing dishes at the sink.

Her green dress covered in a white apron with flowers on it. Her red curls bounding down her back.

“Can I help you?” An older woman was putting trays away and setting desert trays on a rolling shelf.

Annie turned towards me, “Beau, what are you doing in the kitchen? I thought this was for the help.”

I couldn’t help but smirk, “I’m not below helping out.” She smiled, that gorgeous damn face. Her cheeks widened, and her eyes twinkled.

“Gail, this is Beau Phillips. Beau, this is Gail.”

I extended my hand and took hers, “Nice to meet you. Hell, of a menu,” I complemented.

“We do what we can, you help out with that heap of dishes. I’m heading out for a smoke.”

I watched her put her apron and hat on hooks and disappear out the back door. I watched Annie continue with her task. Her hands were up to elbow in soap water.

“They don’t have a dish washer?” I hated washing by hand, but she looked good doing it.

“No, we all can’t be privileged. Grab a towel. You can dry.” I grunted out an obscenity but complied.

There was silence for a few moments, I wanted to talk to her. She smells amazing. Like spicy and sweet wrapped into one. A hint of jasmine had my dick twitching. Purely female.

“So, Annie Peters is a mom. Didn’t see that one coming.” I slanted her a smirk, she pressed her lips together. Was that something she felt uncomfortable about?

“I am. He’s the best. Though, he prefers to be at his dad’s more than with me. Typical boys, I guess.”

Her comment was breezy, but I could see the strain on her face. It was tough to be a single parent. Omar dealt with going back and forth with his parents. I saw the struggle.

“I’m sorry about your situation. That couldn’t’ve been easy on you.”

I watched her move dishes and hand them to me. For a full minute she didn’t say anything. I wondered if she would.

“I guess you don’t know someone as well as you think you do. I’ve come to terms with it, but you’re right. It wasn’t easy at all.”

“A cheat is a cheat. I know how you feel in that regard.” I clenched my jaw thinking about Amber. Damn woman didn’t have patience and moved on so quickly it deflated my ego.

“Amber didn’t know what a great guy she had.” I caught her blush just as she turned her head and her hair fell to shield her face.

I thought about the wager I had with Omar. Mouth action only. I reached up and put her hair behind her shoulder. “Thanks.”

When she dug into the dish water, I took the last plate and dried it. I put it on the rack and she pulled the plug. I handed her the towel to dry her hands.

Those eyes staring at me ate at my gut. Screw the wager, I missed her more than I should. I took her hand, “Come with me.”

With her hand tucked into mine, I led her to the utility closet and opened it. The tidy room left little room for us, but I wanted some privacy.

When I shut the door, she asked in an urgently nervous voice, “What are we doing?”

I reached up and tugged on her hair, “I’m gonna kiss your brains out.”

I crashed my mouth on hers, the action instantly made me hard. I dragged her body against me and wrapped around her. The pliancy of her body was like melted butter. My skin was hot.

She tasted sweet and female. I touched my tongue to hers and dove in. She let out a groan, I could tell she was enjoying it.

The feel of her soft body on mine, and her sense of urgency made me press her against the door and lift her legs around my waist.

My dick pressed into her and she shuddered. A god damn great feeling to leave a woman willing and tight for me.

She pushed against me, “Beau wait.” I tasted her jaw and moved to nibble on her neck. Her scent was driving me mad.

“God, I can’t believe I’m saying this. Stop.”

Struggling in my arms, I set her back on her feet. “You feel good, Annie. I want to gobble you up. Twelve years is too long to not have you like this.”

The swallow of her sigh and the sweetness of her voice tickled the hairs on my neck. “I haven’t done this in a while. I need a minute.”

I eased off, kept my hands on her waist. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m not gonna take you in this closet. When I slide inside you, you’ll be in a comfortable bed and well-tended.”

I heard her gasp, “Oh god.”

I kissed the side of her neck, “What is it? Not interested?” Her hands were against my chest, she pushed me back.

With the little glow of yellow coming from the ceiling I could see the desire in her eyes. “I’d be a fool not to be interested. I’ve been interested since I was fourteen.”

I grinned, “I remember but it was our first time after all. There wasn’t any fun involved and it was over too quickly.”

She blushed, “Eager boys.”

I laughed, “Yea, I didn’t get to tend to you but at fourteen I didn’t know a damn thing about pleasing a woman.”

I watched her put her hair behind her ears, relax her hands on my chest again. It felt good to have her like this.

“I would’ve been too young to handle that. Not that I’ve had much experience.”

I frowned, “Kyle didn’t…” No, I wouldn’t touch that.

“Didn’t what?” Damn, I didn’t want to pry into her sex life.

Those cat-like eyes were taunting me, “I chose you for a reason to be my first. I’m glad it was you.”

“Until you replaced me with Kyle.” I stopped her with a chaste kiss when she was going to deny it. “It’s alright. I didn’t fault you for it.”

“We were just kids back then. I made a lot of stupid mistakes. I can’t say I regret it or I wouldn’t have Mason.”

I nodded, “I guess that’s reasonable. I just wish he hadn’t hurt you.” She seemed to be relaxing and her breathing wasn’t frantic anymore.

“Yea, well. We all have shitty things happen to us. God, Beau. I wasn’t expecting this.”

I leaned a hand behind her for balance. My head was still spinning from that bruising kiss. Her taste still on my tongue.

“Neither was I, but you do something to me, Annie. Those curves, your voice, that soft skin.” I leaned in and kissed her neck inhaling her, “You’re scent, I want to taste you.”

I looked in her eyes that had gone wide, “This wasn’t enough?”

I smirked, “That’s not what I meant.” I tugged on her hair and kissed her lips once.

My free hand that wasn’t holding me up lowered to brush her knee and up to the inside of her thigh. She shivered.

“I bet you taste as sweet as your mouth,” I purred.

Her body went rigid and I watched panic rise in her face. “Stop it. You’re not funny, Beau.”

I leaned my forehead against hers, just what I’d thought. Kyle didn’t like pussy enough to tend to his woman. By my guess no man had ever touched her the way her body deserved.

“I’m dead serious, Annie.”

“I…I’ve never…” My hand slipped up her thigh and my fingers brushed her center.

She moaned, “I thought you weren’t going to do this here.” Her arms were around my neck, my face buried in her hair.

“I just want to feel you, just for a second.” I was hard and wanted to bury myself inside her. The curves I was holding urged me to press closer.

My fingers slipped beneath the fabric and I slicked my digits between her wet warmth. Another sweet-sounding moan slipped through her plump lips.

“Fuck, you’re so wet.” Her hold tightened, and I dragged my mouth to hers again. I felt drugged and I wanted to stay there.

Just when my fingers were about to dive in, a loud band came against the door. “Knock it off in there!”

I broke the kiss, pulled from her, and looked at Annie, she was flushed her eye were hazy. “Gail.”

She buried her face against my chest, “How embarrassing.”

I laughed, “No worries. It’s probably best she stopped us before it got out of hand.”

She looked up at me, “I think your hands were plenty busy.” My chuckle stopped in my throat. I took the back of her neck and pulled her in for one final long slow kiss.

I opened the door and came face to face with an angry Gail. I didn’t know the woman, but I could tell I didn’t want to be on her bad side.

“Gail, we were just…” She pointed a finger to stop Annie.

“I know what you were just. I was told to come in and get you two. Mr. Glover is asking about you.”

Annie nodded, and I stopped her, “Fix your lipstick, sweetheart.”

Touching her fingers to her lips, she said, “Thanks.”

I needed air and a stiff drink. Instead, I turned and washed my hands and face in the sink.

Annie came out of the bathroom a few minutes later with her face painted back on and no trace of flushness.

Gail glared daggers at our back as we went back into the main hall. Mr. Glover came up to Annie, “Dear, I’ve been looking for you. I wanted to tell you the great news.”

I watched the exchange. They were friendly almost like he was a father to her.

“What is it Dave?” He took her hand and kissed her fingers, a gesture I’d done earlier in the evening. Manners.

“You’ve just approved for 25 students instead of 15 for this summer. Our evening was a complete success.”

I smiled, “Congratulations.”

Annie had tears in her eyes, “I can’t believe it. That’s just the perfect way to end the evening. Rosie, I owe you.”

Rosie kissed her cheek, “Yes, you do. Drinks next Saturday at Tortuga’s. No excuses.”

Annie nodded, “Alright. Deal.” They hugged. I stood back and let them enjoy their moment. I didn’t want to spoil it.

My mother, Elizabeth, stopped next to me. “Are you going to tell her that you are the one that funded the rest of the students?”

Annie turned at my mother’s declaration, “What?”

I shrugged, “I figured if I’m gonna be a counselor for camp that I’d rather do it with as many kids as we can reach.”

Annie’s eyes filled again, “You’re spending the summer with us? Beau, that’s…”

I smiled, “Omar and myself that is. I’m happy to do it.”

“I don’t know how to repay you. You’ve already done so much this year.”

This could be the perfect opportunity to get more time with her. “Have dinner with me. That’ll be your way of making it up to me.”

I winked, I didn’t do much. Just gave some money nothing more than I’d been doing all along.

Wary, she fidgeted and brushed her hair back, “Deal.”

I gave her a short nod, “Great. That’s settled.”

Rosie took Annie off to the side and they were conversing. Mr. Glover turned to me and shook my hand, “Thanks, son. That’s a damn good thing your doing for these kids.”

“Don’t I know it? Camp Red Peak has been a good outlet for some of these kids. I’m glad to get to spend a summer helping them with interaction rather than just money.”

He patted me on the back, “You’re a godsend. I’ll be seeing you to the seminar on the fifteenth, then.”

I had it marked in my calendar already, “You will.”

My mother whispered, “I’m making my exit. Your father is dying to leave.”

I hadn’t noticed my father anywhere near the place. “I didn’t see him.” She pointed toward the back where he was dozing.

I chuckled, “Dear old dad. Alright, I’ll come by tomorrow.” I kissed her square on the mouth and watched her walk to my unconscious father.

A pair they made. I didn’t grow up in a family where parenting was second to work. They were very much apart of my upbringing. I’d gone to the best schools and had the very best of everything. Including their love.

I was the middle child of three. My older sister Dorothy was itching toward 40, myself an almost 35-year-old bachelor, and my pig-headed fiancé stealing brother Brandon was just 30. The group we made.

I smiled to think of all the trouble we caused my parents. Watching them now was a blessing. My father took my mother’s hand gingerly and kissed her knuckled.

I learned from the best how to treat a woman. He put an arm around her shoulders and strode out.

A sight they made, indeed.

Reed whispered something in Annie’s ear. I hadn’t met the woman, but Omar had described her to him.

Annie gasped, “Reed Marie Fisher!” That got my attention.

Reed grinned with an unmistaken sarcasm and said, “Don’t be jealous, darling. It looks awful on you.”

“I’m not jealous.”

I stepped up and said, “Hi, there. Reed is it?”

Her dark blue eyes looked at me suspiciously, “Yes, I’m Reed Fisher. It’s a pleasure to met you Mr. Phillips. Your mother is darling.”

I had to laugh, “Thanks, that’s what they all say.” Annie seemed to be flushing and Reed picked up on it.

“See you tomorrow,” she told her.

“Don’t bail one me again.”

Annie sighed, “We’ll see. I never make promises I don’t intent to keep.”

“Prude.”

Annie turned scarlet red, her cheeks were near the color of her hair. If Reed only knew what I’d been doing to her prude friend just a little bit ago…

Reed rolled her eyes and slipped into Oliver’s waiting arms.

“I’d hate to pry but explain.”

She sighed, “She’s been trying to get me to go out with her for months. Only with Reed it never ends well.”

“She seems lively and fun enough.”

“Uh huh. A little too fun.”

I guess I see why Reed thought of Annie as a prude. She wasn’t just hooking up with random guys for pleasure.

Should that worry me? “So, how about that dinner. When are you free?”

She smiled coyly, “How’s tomorrow?”

I laughed, “I’m your excuse to avoid an outing, am I?”

Annie laughed, her bright green eyes and temping lips made my chest tighten.

“Are you okay with that or does that intimidate you? She’s not that scary.”

I couldn’t help but reach up and place her stray hairs behind her ear, my thumb caressed her cheek, “I’m just fine with it. If you’ll give me your number, I’ll call you.”

Before she could, I leaned in and kissed her lips softly. Just for a moment and pulled away. I handed her my phone.

After inputting her number, she kissed my cheek, “I’ll see you tomorrow, Beau Phillips.”

I tugged her hair, “I’ll see you tomorrow, sweetheart.”

I watched her walk back into the kitchen. Damn I could fall into that woman’s green eyes too quickly.

Omar nudged me, “Damn, you work fast.”

I turned toward him and stuck my hand out, “Pay up, asshole.”

I felt slightly bad about gaining money out of the deal, but Annie and I had chemistry. Fuck that, it seemed more than that. We have history and a connection that I’ve wanted for a long time.

No bullshit, just an acceptance of who I am as a man. Annie wouldn’t be with me for money or status. That’s a rare thing to find with my family.

I was looking forward to having dinner with her. I just needed to figure out how I felt about her and what I intend to do about it.