Don’t Think
Throughout the whole movie, Gabe sat on the couch observing Lauren. She laughed, smiled, knew each scene by heart, and even pointed out things to Sprout. A few times, she had Evan snickering and singing the songs with her. To anyone who didn’t know any better, it would look like she was watching the movie, but she wasn’t. Any other time, he would have found the whole thing amazing, but his attention wasn’t focused there. It was on the sadness in her eyes. How her smile never seemed to get very big and how at some points she seemed lost in thought.
His mind flooded with possible reasons. She had decided to get back together with her ex. She believed he killed Autumn. Gabe itched to pull her aside, hold her close and beg her to stay, but decided against it. If he was the reason for her sadness, the last thing he wanted was to make it worse.
Afterward, when they said their goodbyes, Evan asked if the dog could spend the night.
Lauren gave the beast’s head a rub. “I’m sure he’d love to.”
“Something’s not right. You need to go back in there and talk to her,” his mom said after Evan and Jack went upstairs.
Gabe grabbed his untouched beer from the fridge. “She probably needs to be alone.”
“I know what I’m talking about.” She pulled it out of his hand for the second time. “Space is not what she needs. Go talk to her before you both regret it.”
She went upstairs, leaving him confused and unsure of what to do. Gabe grabbed the damn bottle and this time gulped down every drop of the cold drink.
Liquid courage now swooshing in his gut, he found himself knocking on Lauren’s back door.
When she poked her head out, his mouth went dry and he considered going back for another beer.
“Gabe? Something you need?”
When he searched her face, he loved everything he saw there. The way her hair fell across her shoulders. How her head tilted to the side. Yes, there was something he needed. He took a breath and stepped closer.
With the back of his hand, he traced the side of her jaw. Lauren closed her eyes and he watched as her chest filled. When he outlined her lips, warm breath blew against his. The heat from it made his mouth water. Gabe leaned forward, his lips a thread away from hers. He looked for any signs indicating not to proceed. When her mouth parted, he closed the gap between them.
He let his hand graze across her skin as his lips pressed against hers. Long, slow, sweet, but hungry. It was a kind of hunger he’d never felt before. One he wanted to savor for as long as he possibly could. He pulled back, to make sure she felt the same.
With her eyes still closed, she leaned her head into his hand, which palmed her cheek. “Gabe, I’m not in a place where I can think clearly.”
“Then don’t think.” His lips pressed against hers for a brief moment before he pulled away and proceeded to do it again. “Just feel.”
She placed her hands on his stomach and moved them up. He closed his lids, savoring her touch. When she pulled back, he grabbed her wrists and brought them back. “Don’t stop. Please.”
Lauren pressed into the dips of his chest, up to his shoulders. With each part of his body the pads of her fingers traced, his hunger intensified and lengthened. By the time she had reached the sides of his neck, his pulse heightened and his breathing came out ragged. When her hands molded around his face, she pulled him forward.
“I don’t want to be alone,” she whispered. Her lips opened and neared. They brushed lightly against his before she pulled away and hesitated.
“You don’t have to be.” Gabe held back, letting her take the lead.
She stepped into his space and when her hips brushed against his hardness, he lost his capacity for self-control. No more erotic dreams. He wanted her. Her mouth. Her skin. Her body. Everything she was willing to give for as long as she’d allow.
Gabe kissed her hard and when he did, Lauren wrapped her arms around his neck, opening her mouth to him. He picked her up and carried her inside, kicking the door shut behind them. Pushing her against the wall, he pressed his ache against her, all the while deepening their kiss.
“Do you have any idea what you do to me?” he groaned as she rubbed her stomach into his erection.
Eyes closed, her chest rose a little faster, a little higher. Each time her clothed breasts brushed against him, he imagined tearing the fabric off of her, feeling her nipples on his skin.
“Tell me what I do to you,” she whispered and busied her mouth on his throat. The warmth of her breath, the way her lips and tongue traced a path along the side of his neck, and the way she ground her body into his arousal had him holding on to the wall for support.
“I’d rather show you.” He moved her hair out of the way and planted his lips on the side of her neck. Soft, sweet skin. She smelled of vanilla. “I want you.”
Lauren put her hand on the back of his head and pressed him closer. She shuddered. “Gabe.”
As he traced the side of her neck with his mouth the way she had done to him, he moved his hand under her shirt and cupped her breast. “I want to be inside you.”
Lauren arched her hips, creating friction in the right spot. He nipped her ear lobe while she ran her hand across his cheek and onto his head. When he pinched her nipple, she groaned and grabbed his hair, tugging his mouth to hers.
A hand still playing with her breast, Gabe slid the other to her leg and pulled up the fabric of her skirt.
Her breathing got heavier. Lauren kissed him harder and ran her tongue over his teeth. He dipped his finger into her panties and was welcomed with wet heat. They both moaned at the experience. She spread her legs as he played with her intimate parts. His dick throbbed to replace his fingers. “I need to be inside you, now. Yes or no?”
She panted out a yes before he silenced her with another kiss.