The XOXO New Adult Collection: 16 Full Length New Adult Stories (87 page)

“You can cook?” I asked, unable to hide my surprise.

“Yeah, well, after my mom died I had to learn to if I didn’t want to starve. My dad wasn’t really able to do it, so I usually cooked for the both of us,” Judd admitted.

I wished I hadn’t said anything. I should have realized after everything he’d told me that he had to grow up pretty quickly.

“I’d love that. I’ll call a few of the girls in my neighborhood and let you know.”

“Great.” Judd lifted our hands to his lips and kissed my fingers gently. “I look forward to it.”

Just then, Karrie came running back at breakneck speed, jumping into Judd’s lap and yelling, “Dudd!”

Looking at the two of them I realized...I was toast.

CHAPTER 22

JUDD

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I
ran through my place, trying to make it look as clean as possible. The torn and tattered furniture made that a little difficult, but at least all of the trash was in the can, the dishes were clean and put away, and I had clean sheets on the bed.

Sam had texted me to let me know that she was able to get a sitter for a few hours, so I had the food in the oven. I didn’t want to waste any of our time together by prepping our meal.

If I was being honest, I didn’t want to waste any of our time together eating food, but I
had
promised her a meal. So I would feed her, all the while laying the groundwork for dessert.

Mrs. P had given me some flowers as well as some candles that she couldn’t shelve due to imperfections. One had a crack in the bottom, and another’s wick was off-center.

I quickly arranged everything throughout my small bedroom, and then shut the door and placed some flowers in the center of my coffee/kitchen table.

Everything looked and smelled as good as it was going to.

I opened a bottle of wine and left it to breathe on the counter. I’d asked Mrs. P what I should get to go with the spaghetti casserole that I’d made, and she’s suggested a bottle of red wine. She’d said if I opened it before Sam arrived, it would be ready to pour when she did.

It would’ve been so much easier to buy a six-pack, but I figured Mrs. P knew what she was talking about. It was worth a shot.

Once everything was done I stood there for a minute, wondering if I’d forgotten anything. I flashed back to the picnic with Sam and Karrie in the park. That Karrie was a charmer. I could see a lot of Sam in her, and I had to admit, she sure was a cute kid. I’d had fun pushing her on the swings and showing her the squirrels. And the way she’d called me Dudd... That little girl was a trip.

I was chuckling to myself just thinking about it when I heard footsteps coming up the stairs and knew Sam was just in time.

I didn’t care if it made me look like a douche, but I opened the door before she had a chance to knock.

I was excited to see her again.

Her fist was raised to knock and her bright red hair was glowing in the fading sunlight. Her eyes brightened and she smiled when she looked into my face.

“Hi...” Sam started to say, but my mouth was on hers before she could finish her sentence. I had to have a taste.

By the time I pulled back we were both breathless.

“Come on in,” I said softly as I tried to catch my breath. I took her by the hand and led her inside before shutting the door behind her.

Sam put her purse on the chair and walked around, taking in the drab surroundings.

“Nice place,” Sam said sweetly.

“No, it’s not,” I replied. “But it’s a place to lay my head down without having to room with a group of guys, so I like it.”

Sam nodded, smiling when she saw the flowers on the table. “You’re lucky to live above a flower shop. It must be lovely to open your window and smell all of the flowers.”

“It’s okay,” I responded. Flowers didn’t really do it for me. “I was surprised when you said you didn’t need me to pick you up. I hope you didn’t walk all the way here.”

“No, Molly let me use her car. Since I only have a few hours I thought it would be easier. I didn’t want to waste any time walking.” Sam smiled sheepishly.

A shiver ran through me. I liked that she admitted she was as eager to spend time with me as I was with her.

“Tell Molly I said thanks,” I said, my voice lowering as I moved closer to her, my hand reaching out to caress her hair as I moved in for another kiss.

“What do you want to do while we wait for the food?” I asked, my mouth inches from hers.

“I’m sure we can think of something.”

When her warm breath hit my lips I moved closer, still not touching.

“You want a drink? I’ve got wine.”

“Hmmm,” Sam muttered, her eyes focused on my lips.

I stood there for a second, waiting, and then sighed in relief when Sam moved in and bridged the distance between us. Her soft lips covered mine, and I could taste the cherry-flavored gloss she had on her lips. It nearly pushed me over the edge.

Our mouths fused and our tongues tangled. Sam stepped closer, molding her body seductively against mine. I placed my hand on the small of her back and drew her tighter against me so she could feel the effect she was having on my body.

It seemed like ages since I’d tasted her.

I pulled back, my body screaming at my betrayal, and put some distance between us. The sight of her swollen lips and heavy-lidded eyes almost broke my resolve, but I wanted to give her an evening to remember, and not just take her quickly on the ratty old couch.

“How about that wine?” I asked, my voice a little shaky.

Sam just stood there for a moment before she nodded. She looked like she was in a daze, and I knew exactly how she felt.

I poured us each a glass of wine as she sat down on the couch. I grimaced at the sight of her delicate skin against the burnt orange of my uglier-than-hell sofa.

I don’t think I’d ever realized how ugly that thing was until I saw Sam sitting on it. I needed to get some new furniture.

Sam didn’t seem to mind though. She took a sip of her wine and smiled at me as I sat down next to her.

“It’s good,” she said.

“I wasn’t sure what to get,” I admitted. “This is the first bottle of wine I’ve ever bought.”

She grinned at my admission. “You did a good job. Reds are my favorite.” She reached up and rubbed her shoulder for a minute before dropping it back to her lap.

“You hurt yourself?” I asked, gesturing to her shoulder.

“Huh?” Sam looked confused for a moment. “Oh, I’m a little sore from picking up Karrie. She’s getting bigger, but she still wants to be carried whenever possible.”

“I can rub it for you.”

“You can?” Sam looked surprised by the offer.

I’d offer to lick her toes if it meant I got to put my hands on her.

“Sure,” I replied, trying to sound innocent. “Lay down and I’ll give you a little massage. I get them in the locker room all of the time. It helps a lot.”

“Okay.” She sounded a little unsure, but she set her glass on the coffee table and started to lie down.

“Wait,” I said, not wanting her to lie on the sofa. I was starting to think that I would throw it out as soon as she left that evening. “I don’t want you to lie down on the couch, so why don’t we go back to my room?”

Sam looked dubious at that.

I held my hands up. “Just a massage...scouts honor.”

I stood and held out my hand to help her up off the couch and then led her to my bedroom. I opened the door, forgetting about the setup I had ready until I heard Sam’s sharp intake of breath.

She walked in and looked at the flowers all around the room, then turned back to me, the surprise apparent on her face.

“Did you do all of this for me?”

Shit.

“Yeah. It’s no big deal. I just wanted the place to look nice.”

Sam walked over and into my arms, hugging me tightly.

“It looks beautiful,” she said, her eyes appearing suspiciously damp.

I really hoped she wasn’t going to cry.

“Go ahead and lay on the bed,” I said, trying to distract her from the possibility of crying. I picked up a lighter and walked around the room, lighting the candles.

When I was done I walked toward the bed, my hands itching to touch Sam again.

She was on her stomach, her head turned to the side and her hair fanned out across my pillow. Her eyes were closed and she had a small smile on her lips. She was beautiful.

I really liked the way she looked in my bed.

CHAPTER 23

SAMANTHA

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M
y eyes were closed. I could smell the flowers and the calming scent of the candles throughout the room. I had a smile on my face. To say I was shocked when he opened the door was an understatement. I was floored. The last thing I’d expected was to see flowers covering every available surface of his bedroom.

It was the sweetest thing anyone had ever done for me.

I could feel him moving around the room, and my body tingled in anticipation of his touch.

I heard him messing around in the corner, and then the music of
Staind
began to fill the room.

When his hands touched my shoulders I flinched, and then giggled.

“Okay?” Judd asked softly near my ear, causing goose bumps to break out over me.

“Mmmhm,” I murmured, wishing he would put his lips on that very spot.

With the music playing, the sweet scents surrounding me, and Judd’s strong hands kneading my shoulders, I began to relax.

It felt wonderful.

Judd’s hands traveled down my back, rubbing and putting pressure in all of the right areas. I moaned unintentionally and heard Judd breath in deeply, pausing his movements before continuing the massage.

I was starting to drift when I felt Judd’s fingertips brush the side of my breasts, and suddenly I was wide awake. It felt like every nerve was standing on end. I became aware of every spot on my body where Judd’s hands touched, and I began to feel the warmth spread.

I shifted and tried to get control of my raging hormones, but my movement caused Judd’s hands to graze the top of my ass, which seemed to trigger something in him.

The next thing I knew, Judd’s hands were focused on my ass. Rubbing, kneading, caressing. He seemed to be enjoying the fullness he’d found there.

Judd’s hands moved up my sides, tickling me briefly, but before my brain had a chance to register that, his hands were at my breasts. His palms covered me, and I elevated myself slightly to give him better access.

I began to feel hot and light-headed.

He laid his body on top of mine, his erection pressing against the cushion of my ass. I pushed up, rubbing against him and causing him to moan, the heat of his breath hitting me right below my ear. I moved my head to the side, hoping he would take the hint and put his mouth on my neck.

He did.

As he kissed his way down my neck, I swiveled my hips, pushing against him over and over, reveling anytime a grunt or groan was emitted from his lips.

I wanted to drive him crazy.

I arched my back and pushed even harder against him, trying to get the response I desired.

Judd removed his body from mine, but before I had a chance to protest he had me in his arms and was frantically pulling the clothes off my body. Caught in the frenzy, I worked to remove his clothes as well. Kissing and biting each other in between taking off each piece of clothing, I was fully turned on and eager to have him inside me.

When all of our clothes were in a heap on the floor, Judd fused his mouth to mine as his hands traveled lower, as if memorizing every inch of my body.

With a growl, Judd turned me, and I pressed my back up against the length of him. He moved my hair to the side and began nibbling up my neck, stopping to take my earlobe in his mouth and sucking it roughly.

He bent me over the bed and I put my hands out to hold me in place, moving my ass as I did, rubbing against his naked flesh as he reached for the condom. Once it was on, he ran his hands up and down my back, and then fisted his hands in my hair and pulling as he entered me from behind. I cried out at the conflicting yet equally enjoyable sensations of pleasure and pain.

Judd thrust in and out, pounding as he entered, again and again. I held on and concentrated on pushing back, loving the places inside of me that he was able to reach in this position.

He reached around and began to caress me quickly, helping me build toward my release. I came with a moan and Judd followed quickly behind me.

He pulled out and I collapsed unceremoniously on the bed, exhausted and satisfied. When Judd curled up next to me, I leaned into him and smiled, inhaling deeply. He smelled incredible. I kissed his chest gently and he ran his hands through my hair.

I moved my head so I was looking up at him; his green eyes were crinkled at the side as he smiled down at me. We stayed like that for a few minutes, not saying anything, just enjoying the after-glow.

I was going to say something about finishing my massage, but I remembered the babysitter and asked, “What time is it?”

Judd turned to look at his clock and said, “Almost six.”

“I have to go soon,” I responded with regret.

“I’d better feed you then,” Judd said, getting up off the bed and pulling on his jeans. He helped me up, and I tried not to be distracted by his muscular torso and the happy trail leading into his jeans.

I sighed and picked up my clothes. Damn, he was hot.
How did I ever end up here with him?
I couldn’t help but wonder. He could definitely get any girl he wanted.

I watched his naked retreating back and sighed again.

I was a lucky girl.

I put my clothes on and stopped in the bathroom to clean up before going back out to meet him in the kitchen. He was plating the spaghetti casserole.

“Do you want fresh parmesan cheese on top?” he asked, cheese grater in hand.

“Yes, please,” I answered. “It smells great.”

“Thanks,” Judd said with a smile, handing me a plate. “Sorry that I don’t have an actual dining room table. I usually just use the coffee table.”

“That’s fine.”

“I don’t usually have people over here, so it’s never been an issue.”