Just a Little Fling (Landscape Lovers Book 1) Page 2

  Blake stands tall. He reaches up behind his neck and pulls the t-shirt over his head one handed, revealing his six pack and the delicious trail of hair leading to the button on his jeans. My mouth gapes open.

  Holy wow! How did I end up with this guy?

  He flexes for me—like he knows exactly how hot he is—and says, “You like what you see, babe?”

  I can only nod and giggle in response.

  Don’t be awkward Cate! Just. Be. Cool.

  He’s playing for me now. He kicks off his shoes and takes his time with the button on his jeans.

  “Here’s the moment of truth, boxers or briefs? You said boxer briefs. What’ll it be?” He raises one eyebrow and lowers the zipper.

  I make a weird whimpering sound.

  Smooth Cate, smooth.

  As a tease, he only reveals the thick elastic banding at the top before he stops to stare at me again. He enjoys watching me, watch him.

  I finally find words, “Stop torturing me! I want to see!” I whine.

  Show me! Show me! Show me! I chant in my head.

  “You’d like that wouldn’t you, babe?” he says, with a big grin. “Better give the lady what she wants.” He drops the denim to his ankles. A look of triumph is on his face as he reveals his boxer briefs that are very, very stretched over his—ahem—member.

  Oh! My brain wasn’t playing tricks when I felt that on my belly earlier!

  Whoa. I’ve definitely never been with someone this, er, well endowed.

  He does an exaggerated twirl, showing them off. Clearly making a point about how I chose this type of underwear as my preference, when we met at the party tonight.

  He whips them off and growls, “Move up the bed.”

  I’m naked, except for my bra, but I do a fish like motion to wiggle myself up towards the pillows without turning and putting my bum in his face. I’m not sure the flopping fish is better, but I need to keep my eyes on him. He growls impatiently and stalks towards me.

  He leans over, grabs me by the waist and launches me up the bed so my head lands in the middle of a soft pillow. I bounce on the super soft mattress. He crawls up the bed caging me in.

  “Sorry babe, I couldn’t wait,” he whispers in my ear, nipping at it playfully.

  I can only nod breathlessly.

  Oh God. Why am I mute?

  What must he think of me? Think of Bold Cate.

  I am Bold Cate. I think I can. I think I can.

  He doesn’t seem to notice my internal freak out as he returns to my bra and starts kissing my breasts, first over the lace, and then covering each mound in gentle kisses. Like he’s savouring every moment.

  I’m squirming again. I know I’m one up on the orgasm tally, but I need more.

  “Need more. Inside. Now. Please.” I beg.

  Those dark eyes look up at me from between my breasts and the smirk grows. He leans forward, nipping at my shoulder, whilst he expertly unlatches my bra at the back and pulls it off. Flinging it who-knows-where.

  He reaches over me to the nightstand on his left and grabs a condom out of the drawer.

  He settles himself on his knees in between my legs and makes a show of ripping the foil open with his teeth. He rolls the condom on and rubs his cock along my slit.

  I can’t help but groan and whine, “Blake. Inside. Now!”

  “Is this what you need, gorgeous?” He slips the tip in. I try to move to take more, but he holds back. Playing ‘just the tip’ as I squirm beneath him. He slips in another inch. He leans in and kisses my chest.

  “This blush. Just for me. So hot.”

  “More!” I whine.

  Blake has a wicked gleam in his eye, as he attacks my mouth with a fierce kiss and thrusts all the way in. I’m so full. He peppers my neck with kisses while he gives me a moment to adjust to his size.

  “So tight. You were made for my cock,” he whispers in my ear.

  “Blake, please! More!”

  He moves and finds a rhythm that’s making me lose my mind. I try to meet his thrusts. I moan as he picks up speed.

  “You like that? I’ve got you.”

  This guy could be a professional at this. So, so good.

  He pounds into me and my moans get louder and more out of control. I try to turn my head away, embarrassed, but he gently turns my head back to him with his hand, kissing my mouth as he swallows my noises like they’re giving him oxygen. I’m so nearly there.

  Blake must be too, because his movements are getting more erratic. He changes the angle so he can take one of my nipples into his mouth. He grazes it with his teeth and gives the underside of my breast a bite and I fall right off that edge.

  I scream his name for the second time tonight and for that he pounds with renewed effort, like he’s making sure he gets every last drop of my orgasm from me.

  As I’m coming down, he gives one last thrust and roars into my ear as he lets go. He’s face is gorgeous in this moment and I’m trying to take it in, as I think he might have ruined me for all future men.

  Forget think, I know it’s true!

  He gives me one final kiss as he pulls out and walks to a room just off his bedroom. I’m guessing it’s a bathroom. He returns moments later, with a warm wash cloth and proceeds to clean me up. Then he throws the cloth into the washing basket, in the corner of the room.

  He maneuverers my blissed out, orgasm-filled body under the covers and slides in behind me. Making himself the big spoon to my little spoon, flicking off the light as he goes.

  I really need to get up and go home, but I’m so loose and comfortable.

  I’ll just stay a bit longer and then make my way home.

  Promise.

  THREE

  CATE

  I’m awake.

  I open one eye and realise I have no idea where I am and something is pressed up against my back. This isn’t my room or my bed.

  What have you done, Cate?

  The something pressed against my back grumbles in my ear and instantly last night comes flooding back to me.

  Shit! I forgot to get up and go home.

  Blake is still asleep and snuggling into me and there’s definitely something thick and hard making its presence known. I need to get out of here without waking him.

  I survey the room without moving. Since it’s late spring, the early morning light is peeking through the windows, around the edges of the blind, well enough that I can see to find my clothes.

  Phew!

  I slowly wiggle my way out of Blake’s arms and he thankfully rolls the other way, with a sleepy grunt. Somehow, I’m nowhere near the edge of the bed so I decide to do a commando roll across the mattress, instead of a bouncy, butt shuffle.

  I’m pretending that I’m a ninja and I need to get out of here with stealth. Unfortunately for me, I am not a ninja and I forget to stop rolling before the mattress ends and I land on the floor with a thud.

  Oh shit, did I wake him?

  I pop my head up over the mattress and see that he still out to the world,—thank heavens for that!—so, I quietly crawl across the carpeted floor searching for my clothes.

  I’m thankful that he is some sort of neat freak because my clothes are folded, next to my shoes, at the end of the bed. I’m not entirely sure when he had the time to do this, but I’m grateful for it.

  Well, all my clothes except my lace undies and bra. I spot the bra across the floor, where he flung it last night, but I can’t see my favourite undies anywhere.

  Damn it! I loved those. But I have to get out of here. Like now!

  I hastily dress whilst still trying to stay low to hide, in case he wakes up. There’s a lot of flopping around on the floor trying to get my skinny jeans all the way up. No one would ever call me graceful, that’s for sure.

  I stand and fix my strappy tank top, I hang my shoes off my fingers and tip-toe out of the room, only tripping on the air once.

  As I reach the front door I spot my bag on the entry table. I stop and use the table for balan
ce and put on my shoes as fast as I can.

  I need to get this walk of shame over with, preferably without seeing my one night stand in the daylight.

  I don’t want to see regret on his face. It would ruin this.

  As quietly as I can, I open the front door and let myself out. Stupidly though, I let it slam behind me a second later. I panic and bolt down the front path and take a left to run down the road.

  My run is more of a shuffle, but needs must! When I find a cross road, I hide around the corner like some early morning thief, out in yesterday’s make up and her glittery sneakers.

  Leaning against a brick wall, I grab my phone out of my bag and bring up the maps app so I can see where on earth I am. Adelaide isn’t that big, but I wasn’t listening—at all—when Blake gave his address. I could be anywhere.

  I should really call a cab to make this end quicker, but I look at the maps app again and realise that I’m right near a tram stop that will get me home. I have my metro card in my wallet.

  So, I walk to the tram stop as fast as I can, trying hard not to look like I’m clearly heading home from a night out in this outfit. I mean, it was cute as shit for a party, but maybe not for 6am on a Thursday morning.

  Seriously Cate, who goes home with a one night stand on a school night? You’re 32!

  By some fate, the tram arrives within minutes and three stops later I’m walking back to my tiny apartment that’s perfect for one.

  It’s in a block of eight that were built in the 90s and mine is the furthest from the street. The front door faces west, so I’m shaded from the rising late-October sun.

  I climb the stairs, unlock my door, and toss my bag on the little entry table that’s covered in mail and other things I promise myself I’ll look at later.

  I shut the door, plug my phone into the charger and make a mad dash for the bathroom. I need to shower and get ready for another boring day at work.

  I work in the city for a marketing firm, but I don’t love it. Being on the social media team is just a lot of people sharing their displeasure with you, both online and in meetings.

  It’s become creating content for the sake of showing you have something to share, often without really sharing anything meaningful. Well, that’s how it is at my work anyway. It’s kind of depressing, but it pays the bills.

  In the shower, I start to wash my hair and the memories of last night start to flood back. I’m blushing even though no one can see. It’s like replaying a movie in my head, because I can’t believe that happened to me.

  Did I really go home with the hottest guy I’ve ever met and let him do all those dirty things to me?

  I’ve never, ever done that before!

  I feel myself getting turned on, but I quickly remember that I’m going to be late for work. So, I shove those memories to the side and promise myself I can revisit them tonight when I’m tucked up in bed.

  I need to get moving or my boss will yell and I just can’t deal with that today. He loves to shout, so I try not to hand him any more reasons to do so on a platter.

  I pull my hair into a loose, wet, top knot—thanking the universe that it’s warm enough that it will dry on the way to work—and get my make-up done and my clothes on in near record time. Dresses are amazing! Only one piece of clothing and you’re good to go!

  I grab my trusty cardigan to protect me from the office air conditioning, dump the contents of my party handbag into my work handbag, snatch up a fruit bar for breakfast-on-the-run, and grab my phone and keys on the way out the door.

  I rush back to the tram stop and manage to make it in time for the tram that’s only one after my normal one. Once I’ve found a seat, I finally take a proper look at my phone and see a bunch of missed texts from Lottie.

  Shit! I hope she’s okay!

  Lottie: OMG. You left with that hottie.

  Lottie: Tell me everything.

  Lottie: You’re holding out on me.

  Lottie: Whyyyy? I need to know. He looked good. Was he good?

  Lottie: Where are you?

  Lottie: Are you okay?

  Lottie: Shit, should I be worried?

  The last text was 10 minutes ago. I’m surprised she hasn’t started calling repeatedly yet or threatening to make a missing person’s report.

  Cate: I’m fine, just running slightly late for work

  Lottie: OMG. Did you do the walk of shame this morning? Tell me you didn’t??

  Cate: I’m not sure what you’re talking about? That is not something I would do.

  Lottie: But you did. Didn’t you?

  Cate: It is one of the many possibilities

  Lottie: OMG! CATE!! You ARE holding out on me!

  Cate: A lady never kisses and tells!

  Lottie: Excuse me! A lady certainly DOES tell her best friend in the whole wide world.

  Cate: I’ve just walked in to work. Talk later.

  Lottie: You can’t leave me hanging!! What kind of friend are you??

  Lottie: We better be meeting for drinks tonight! I need details!!

  When I check my phone a few hours later, I reply.

  Cate: Come over to my place tonight. Bring wine and I’ll order pizza. Maybe I’ll remember something then? xx

  Lottie: Fine. I’ll be there at 7. Do some memory exercises. I want all the details.

  Lottie: All of them. xx

  FOUR

  BLAKE

  I’m a cranky bastard today. The sun is beating down and this garden is taking forever.

  The owner keeps changing her mind on what she wants and where and it’s getting on the whole team’s nerves.

  This shit is meant to be sorted before it even gets to us. But apparently, she’s a ‘visual person’ so she’s changing her mind as we go to plant and the project manager is a pushover. So, we’re not making any actual progress.

  I mean, I’m pissed about this morning too. I went to sleep with a gorgeous girl in my bed and woke up to my front door slamming shut.

  Sure, it was meant to be a one night stand, but I would have at least made her breakfast or got her coffee or something. She didn’t have to run away. I’m not a monster.

  “What’s up your arse?” Matt, my English best friend and work mate calls out to me.

  “You are! Asking me questions like that!” He huffs out a laugh. He knows I’m joking.

  “Who was that chick you left with last night? She’s not usually your type.”

  “What do you mean not my type? She was hot, no?”

  He holds up his hands as though to ward off the harsh tone I just threw at him. “I just meant you’re not usually into curvy girls. Hot, yes. Thin, no.”

  I slam the shovel I’m holding into the ground, with more force than strictly necessary, and pin him with a glare, “Are you for fucking real?”

  I’m irrationally angry because he’s right. Cate isn’t my usual type. But I was drawn to her instantly. It was like there was a magnetic pull towards her.

  “Whoa, there buddy!” He shakes his head. “Apparently, I hit a nerve. Did she change her mind and leave you high and dry?”

  “Nah, mate.” I shake my head, reeling in my temper. “She was amazing. Best I’ve had in a long time. But she snuck out this morning before I woke up.”

  “Isn’t that a good thing though? No awkward morning after? It’s the best thing we can ask for, right?”

  “Yeah, I guess you’re right.” I shrug and change the subject. “I’m going to go find out if we’re allowed to plant anything. This job is getting to me today.”

  He nods and I walk away before I tell him that I didn’t want her gone. I really don’t know what to do with that thought right now.

  I take a big drink of water, under the shaded marquee we’ve set up to keep the plants out of the hot sun and finally get the all clear from the project manager to get this landscaping job done. I try to focus on it and not the amazing girl in my bed last night.

  The day drags on and I can’t stop thinking of Cate. Her dark hair. Those p
iercing green eyes. The way she blushed, just for me. I’ve been with more than my fair share of women, but last night was electric.

  Something was different about it and I don’t totally understand it. No matter how I try to push her from my thoughts, she creeps back in again.

  Once we’re done for the day, I head home to make dinner and do some study. I’m a landscape gardener now, but two years ago I decided to start studying to be a landscape architect. I love landscaping and I just know what makes or breaks a design.

  But without the qualifications, I’m just the one putting in the plants where they tell me to. My opinions aren’t requested or welcome.

  I don’t hate it, it keeps me fit, but I realised that I wanted something more. I wanted to be able to show people just how good their spaces could look and function, so I bit the bullet and signed up to study part-time at night.

  It will take almost twice as long as if I took the day course full time, but I wouldn’t be able to work, and that’s not an option for me. I’ve been taking one extra class per study period, so instead of it taking four years, it should only take three.

  The added time sucks, but my sister likes to remind me that it’s twice as fast as not doing the course at all.

  She’s right, of course. She’s almost always right. Not that I’d tell her that to her face.

  I heat up leftover low-fat turkey bolognese with some fresh wholemeal pasta and get down to work at the kitchen table.

  I have a spare room that’s officially my office, but I always find myself at the kitchen table instead. My course is mostly online learning, so I’m watching videos and taking notes.

  But tonight, I’m distracted as hell. Thoughts of Cate’s dark hair spread out over my comforter and her green eyes staring up at me, just keep flooding my mind.

  Fuck. I need to forget her.

  I’ve had one night stands before and they’re gone from my head almost as soon as they’re out my front door.

  What the hell is it about this girl?

  I slam the laptop shut. Clearly, I need a study break. I go to the fridge and grab a beer. I need to let her go.