Josh powers up the vibrator and a familiar buzzing sound fills the room. He kneels again, slowly dragging the vibrator up my thighs until it hovers just outside my lips. “Is this okay?” he asks, sincerely.
“Uh-huh,” I breathe, because I can’t make any other sound come out.
Before using it on me, Josh sinks his tongue into my center one more time. Nipping, tasting, and gently sucking until I’m begging for him. Then he does it—glides the vibrator to the little bud of nerves that will send me into oblivion. As soon as it touches my clit, I cry out, but that’s only amplified by Josh sliding two fingers into my core, swirling them around and making a come-hither motion. “Josh,” I cry out.
“You’re so wet, baby,” he murmurs, moving the vibrator aside and sinking his mouth into me again. The brashness of his teeth sends a shudder through me and my thighs tremble.
“I won’t make it,” I hiss. “I’m too close.”
“You have to hold on for me baby, not yet.” Josh moves away from my opening and brings the vibrator up to my nipples, dragging it across and following it with his mouth, sucking until I beg. Then he takes it back in his hand and cups it over my clit, while simultaneously sucking on each breast. I’m writhing beneath him, begging for release. “I like teasing you,” he whispers, moving his lips to mine and kissing me deeply. “Can you taste yourself?”
My response is unintelligible. My whole body is buzzing with desire, I’m dripping with wetness, and all I want to do is come. “Josh, please. Please let me come,” I whimper.
At my plea, he’s back between my thighs. His fingers find my opening and this time it’s three he shoves inside. Using his other hand, he holds the vibrator to my clit and watches as I squirm, my orgasm building. “So fucking beautiful,” he whispers.
That does it for me, I scream as a wave of pleasure crashes into me, vibrating every nerve ending in my body as ripples of orgasms send me over the edge.
“That’s my girl,” Josh says, when my legs stop trembling. Not a moment later, he steps out of his boxers and sinks his dick into me with ease. “So fucking wet for me.”
Josh doesn’t take long, but I don’t mind. My body is depleted, so I let him fuck me like a rag doll, flipping me over and taking me from behind. His thrusts are needy, urgent in a way they haven’t been before. He yanks at my hair, sending a jolt through me, only further igniting my pleasure. “Come for me again, baby,” Josh growls in my ear. “Come with me.”
That’s all it takes for my undoing—three more thrusts and we’re unraveling together, the sounds erupting from us in shared harmony. Josh collapses on top of me, remaining inside me and rolling on his side so we're spooning. I’m not sure how long we stay that way but neither of us is in a rush to move.
We have had sex many times since his return, but never like this. This was carnal—desperate, almost bordering on make-up sex, but we hadn’t fought. I try not to think about what that means because right now, I feel closer to him than ever.
30
JOSH
Isaw the letter in Melanie’s drawer when I was going for her vibrator last week. It looked old—a piece of our past that for some reason, she doesn’t want me to see. It’s nagging at me, but for the past few days, I’ve tried to put it out of my mind. If she wanted me to have it, she’d give it to me. But something about it doesn’t sit right with me. What the hell could be in that letter that she won’t share with me now, twenty-five years later?
But now we’re a week out from the concert, and I know I have to put it aside. Something has shifted with us since we recorded our song. Melanie, who’s usually hesitant about putting herself out there, has started to let a quiet hope slip through. Several times she’s asked me if I think the record company will like our song, if I think she’ll be good enough, but there’s a light behind her eyes when she asks. It’s cautious, like she’s afraid to hope too much.
Several times I’ve had to talk myself off the solo career ledge. The truth is, I’m terrified they will only want me with her. Or worse,onlyher. The viral TikTok video is still gaining traction, and I can’t believe the comments. It went from people discussing the song, to discussing my personal life, my accident, my breakup with Keira, and speculation on my relationship with Melanie. I am trying not to let it bother me. I want it to be about my music, and it mostly is, but there’s a part of me that wonders if this will all fizzle out. And if it does, if I would even care.
Melanie is on day shift today, so after a morning shower I decide to go visit Cara’s grave. I am looking for inspiration to finish my song for her. I’ve written most of the song with Mel, but I feel like the end of it must come from me. I hop in my car. Remembering how bare Cara’s grave looked the last time I was there, I quickly stop at Sunset Blooms for some flowers.
The bell jingles above the door when I walk in and a woman, who I assume is the owner, whirls around. When she sees me, a look of surprise flashes across her face. “Good morning!” she chirps.
I walk up to the counter, leaning on it and perusing her pre-made bouquets. “Hi, good morning,” I say, my voice thick. “I’m looking for a small bouquet to put on my sister’s headstone.”
“Of course, I can help you with that. I’m Tina.” She smiles genuinely, and I let my guard down some.
“Josh,” I say, returning her smile.
“I know who you are,” Tina says quietly. “I saw your TikTok. I knew who you were before, but, wow.” Tina appears momentarily starstruck but quickly recovers. “Anyway, I think it’s so great you’re back in town and singing with Melanie.”
I chuckle. “Thank you, it really has been awesome,” I say, scratching my jaw. Suddenly feeling undeserving of such praise, I’m desperate to escape the conversation. I point at a pale pink and white bouquet of carnations, roses, and baby’s breath. “How about this one?”
“That’s lovely,” Tina agrees.
“I’ll take it,” I say, opening my wallet.
Tina takes the bouquet from the case and hands it to me. “It’s on the house,” she says with a genuine smile.
“No way,” I say, waving my hand.
“Yes way.” Tina gives me a pointed look, as if to say don’t challenge me.
