Chapter Two
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Catori held thefolder underneath her arm as she walked up the porch stairs to the small beach house she and Red had always rented when they visited Ship Bottom. Well, the houseshenow rented the same week, the same month every year. Regardless if she chose to go forward with what Crest was suggesting, she would keep on doing so until her dying breath. Using her key, she opened the door with a little more force than necessary and stepped inside the cool air-conditioned living room, leaving behind the warm evening humidity. The lamp beside the couch had been turned on, lighting up the homey yet tattered furniture. It was quiet and though it sounded as if no one was inside, she felt another’s presence and knew yesterday’s company remained.
“I didn’t think you were coming back.”
Catori turned upon hearing Josh’s voice coming from the direction of the kitchen. Sure enough, the man she’d picked up at a bar last night stood in the doorframe wearing nothing more than a pair of cut-off denim jean shorts. One muscled arm was leaning against the wooden jamb while he held a bottle of water with his other hand. She suddenly felt a twinge of guilt at picking up a man at least twenty years her junior. It was his disheveled blond hair that had grabbed her attention, looking so close to that of Red’s, along with his build. The only thing missing were her husband’s red highlights.
“I needed some time to myself. You didn’t need to stay.”
“That’s what I figured,” Josh replied in a soft tone, relaying that he didn’t have any hard feelings. “For some reason, I couldn’t leave without making sure.”
Catori placed her keys on top of the folder and set both items on the side table, next to a glass vase with various shells that had been collected from the beach. She wasn’t used to being in this predicament; however she found that a part of her was glad Josh had stayed. Discussing the past with Crest had shifted something inside of her and she didn’t want to be alone—not yet.
“Do you have to go or can you stay for another hour?” Catori asked, closing the door behind her and then leaning up against the weathered wood. When she and Red had first started out, they hadn’t had a lot of money. This was the only place that would give them a decent rate and they’d stayed loyal to the owners. Why she would choose now to bring a man here she didn’t know. A psychologist would have a field day with her psyche, but one wasn’t here and Josh was. “And just to clarify, it would only be for an hour.”
Josh wasn’t the type to take offense at what she was offering. He probably had his own reasons for being here, and most likely he did this a lot more often than she did. They were both consenting adults regardless of the fact that she was a hell of a lot older than him. It didn’t matter. It was just a physical thing and they both wanted it.
“Yeah, I have an hour.” For a brief second, Catori thought she saw a glimmer of sympathy in his eyes and her stomach clenched. She refused to be anyone’s pity fuck, and if that’s how Josh saw her he was sorely mistaken. Before she could respond either verbally or physically, he’d already tossed his bottle of water onto the old plaid couch and had her up against the door. She soaked up his virility and ignored everything else. It wasn’tlike tomorrow wouldn’t bring back all the unwanted solitude. “Same rules apply?”
“Yes,” Catori whispered, turning her head to the side and offering her neck. She knew it was senseless, but she couldn’t find it in her to kiss another man. Sex was sex, nothing more than two people satisfying a basic desire. Kissing was an intimate expression of love and one that she refused to share with anyone other than Red. She couldn’t give that up to any other man. “The same rules apply.”
Josh’s soft lips brushed against Catori’s damp skin, the humidity high even with the AC in the drafty old home. She loved the sensation that his moist tongue added to her senses as it traveled to the curve in her neck. Shivers went through her and awakened what had been asleep for so long. He glided his hands underneath her sweater, causing goose bumps that followed the trail of his cool fingers. He let the material slide from her shoulders and onto the ground. She closed her eyes and pushed all thought out of her mind. She wouldn’t think of Red or she would ruin it.
“Rougher,” Catori murmured, leaning down and sinking her teeth into his bicep. His skin was taut and it felt so nice to have something to bite into, surrendering to her basic urges. Josh had rested his right arm onto the door and his large muscle had been an easy target. She inhaled his scent, loving the fresh ocean fragrance that seemed to adhere to his skin. She ran her tongue over the indentions and only afterward turned her head to meet his sensual green eyes. “You know how I like it after last night.”
Josh didn’t hesitate as he leaned down and hoisted her legs over his waist. She was wearing cut-off denim shorts as well, probably a little shorter than was appropriate for her age. She wore them out of necessity for the heat and no other reason. She didn’t care what people thought of her body, although she kept herself in excellent shape. She knew her figure was too muscularfor some, but being a Marine had taught her to keep healthy and stay fit more out of habit. It was a hard pattern to break. Josh didn’t seem to mind her physique if the bulge in his jean shorts was any indication.
Keeping his hands underneath her ass, Josh walked both of them over to the couch and sat down. She straddled him with her legs, placing her knees on either side of him. Seeing as her sweater lay on the floor by the door, the only thing left on her upper body was her faded gray T-shirt, which sported the Marines’ motto of Semper Fi in cracked black lettering. She quickly drew it over her head, freeing her congenitally bronzed breasts. She detested bras, and whenever she could get away without wearing one she did. Red preferred…she threw him out of her thoughts.
The palms of Josh’s hands circled her ample flesh, roughly massaging her globes and causing her copper nipples to harden. Catori soaked in the physical pleasure of his callused fingers. The way she was sitting on his lap, all he had to do was lean forward to take the darkened flesh into his mouth. The searing heat caused her head to lie back against her shoulders. When his bright white teeth bit down on the sensitive nub she cried out at the sheer intense pleasure.
“Yes,” Catori hissed, sliding her fingers through his hair and holding tight. She cradled him closer, wanting to feel something…anything other than what had been consuming her. “More.”
Josh pushed her off of him, tackling the button and zipper on her denim shorts. When they fell to her ankles along with her panties from his prying fingers’ insistence, he followed suit with his shorts and slid off of the couch and onto the floor. He made sure he was situated between her legs. A foot on either side of his thighs allowed him entry to her molten core.
Catori once again sank her fingers into his hair and held tight as his mouth sealed over her clit. A severe wave of pleasure washed over her and she had to lock her knees in place so that she didn’t collapse as she thrust herself against his mouth. His tongue swirled around her clitoris and flicked lightly, causing her arousal to spike even higher. She needed more and increased her grip on his hair, telling him so.
Josh ran his hands none too gently up her legs, leaving a tingling sensation in his wake. He cupped her ass cheeks and pulled her tighter to him, his tongue pressing harder on her swelling nub. Finally he brought his arm back around the front of her and using what she thought was his middle finger, slid it between her wet folds. His touch was too soft for what she needed.
“More,” Catori muttered, surging herself against his mouth. He added an additional finger to her core and forcefully stroked both of them inside of her, massaging her g-spot. It felt so good, that when he did it again, she encouraged him further. “Harder.”
Over and over, Josh thrust his arched fingers into her pussy until she was on the brink of an orgasm. The wet sounds of sex bounced off of the walls, the only noise entering through the roar of blood in her ears. He was now sucking on her clit, adding to the stimuli and keeping her hanging on the edge of that precipice. Reality was finally fading away as she concentrated on the pleasure her body was receiving. This was like a shot of adrenaline and she couldn’t get enough of it.
Josh stopped what he was doing, much to her annoyance, but it was to shed his straining briefs and take out a condom from the back pocket of his discarded shorts. Not wanting to delay their satisfaction any longer than was necessary, Catori rose to stand over him while he rolled on the latex. He’d situated himself once more with his back to the couch. The second he was protected, she took over and settled a knee on either side of him.He immediately tried to kiss her, but she pulled her head back just in time. She then grabbed the back of his head and pressed his face against her neck, needing some form of contact but just not the kind he wanted.
Catori reached between them with her other hand and held his cock so that she could sink down and take what she wanted. The fullness created was overwhelming and she held still so she could savor the feeling. When his hands reached between them, catching each nipple in between his thumb and finger, she relished at the slight sting. It felt so fucking good.
“That’s it,” Catori muttered, urging him on. The pain compelled her further and she used her knees to lift up. Her movement caused his cock to be pulled from her pussy, but she slammed back down onto him for the extra pressure. Pleasure engulfed her, spurring her into action. “Fuck.”
Josh didn’t let go of her nipples, but instead started rolling and pulling on them, giving her exactly what she needed. She continued to take him inside of her, almost a little too brutally, but it felt too damn good to stop. Her clit was striking his pubic bone with each collision, driving her back into that abyss she craved. The softness of his tongue on her neck was in direct contrast of every other awareness and muddled up her senses.
Catori slammed onto him over and over, holding onto his shoulders for leverage and greedily taking the gratification that he was giving her. It wasn’t like he wasn’t receiving any himself; therefore it was the perfect exchange. When his cock swelled, indicating his impending release, it triggered something inside of her. She dug her fingers into his solid muscles while she followed him over. The physical satisfaction tore through her, but unfortunately left her hollow on the inside. She rested her forehead against his right shoulder, attempting to catch her breath. He stroked her back, and although he had to know what was coming he didn’t make it awkward.
“Thank you,” Josh murmured, tenderly kissing her temple. It was so opposite of what they’d just participated in that Catori found his gentleness hard to endure. It did give her the energy to pull away. She lifted herself off of him as gracefully as she could, snatching up her shirt that was lying on the couch. His deep voice caught her off guard. “Here.”
Josh was holding up her panties with a small smile, indicating he knew when he’d overstayed his welcome. Catori felt herself softening toward his young charming grin and did her best to return it. She slipped on her Fox and Rose black silk French cut panties, covering herself. Widening the neck of her T-shirt, she drew it over her head while capturing her long black hair, pulling it from underneath the fabric.
