SchuylerI’m happy to see Dallas sunning herself on a lounge chair by the pool as we emerge from our afternoon nap. While Calvin quickly hops in the pool with the rest of his group, I signal for Dallas to follow me.“What’s up?” she whispers as we walk from the pool area to the beach. “And where have the two of you been?” She waggles her eyebrows suggestively.I cross the hot sand to the shade of a palm tree. When Dallas joins me, I whisper, “He kissed me.” I then wait for her wisdom and advice.“Oh. My. God.” she squeals, hopping up and down, clapping. “Give me all the details!” Hands together, her fingertips patter against each other maniacally.“Stop,” I demand. “This isn’t good.”Dallas places her hands on my shoulders, looking sternly into my eyes. “This is the best thing to happen to you.”I shake my head. I came to the wrong person for advice.“How?” I’m desperate to understand how this could be a good thing.“You promised to have fun this week. Calvin kissing you is fun,” she s
SchuylerI intentionally sit opposite Calvin at dinner. The pull towards each other grew exponentially today after our pool-side kiss. Besides, from this side, I can flirt and tease him from a distance. I’m careful not to go too far. I only playfully flirt with him. I’m not so cruel to lead him on or suggest I’m ready for something I’m not. Perhaps it’s the dress giving me confidence and a mojo boost.With eyes closed, I groan out loud at the first bite of my appetizer; the crisp calamari with Buckaroo sauce engulfs my mouth.“You’ve got to try this,” I inform Calvin, extending a bite on my fork across the table for him. When he hesitates, I urge him, “C’mon! Don’t be afraid.”Calvin leans forward in his chair and allows me to place my fork in his mouth. I melt into a pool of mush when his full lips close around the tines, pulling back to slide the bite with him.I hope no one notices the full-body shiver that his action causes. My mind wanders to his mouth, tasting my body in the same
CalvinClimbing back into Schuyler’s bed seems as natural as if I do it every night. Being near her is easy and comfortable. I feel like I’ve found the other half of me, my soul mate.With my head propped on two pillows, I watch Schuyler turn on the ceiling fan, her fan on the floor, close the blackout curtains tightly, turn the flashlight from her phone on, shut off the overhead light, then dart to the bed, hopping on the mattress with a giggle.I fight the laugh, trying to escape. In the faint light from her phone, she squints at me.“What?” Schuyler demands, shutting off her phone light and snuggling under the covers.“That’s quite a routine,” I chuckle. “I especially like the sprint after turning off the light and the hop onto the bed.” I turn onto my side, facing her in the dark. “It’s the monster under the bed, isn’t it?”“Maybe,” she murmurs sheepishly.“I can’t sleep with a closet door open,” I confess. I’m sure she thinks I’m teasing, but I’m not.“Who’s turn is it?” she asks,
SchuylerThe two drinks I consume on the patio calm my nerves as the ocean waves pound against the sandy beach. I’ve enjoyed our conversation along with the soft, featherlike motion of Calvin’s fingertips on my arms, shoulders, and the back of my neck.I look up after placing my empty bottle on the cement beside me to find Calvin’s hooded eyes and luscious lips moving toward mine. I stifle a moan at the contact. They caress gently, slowly at first. In his kiss, I feel his want, his need, and his desire for me. It’s gasoline on the flames low in my belly.His hot, wet tongue glides along my lower lip suggestively. He’s ready for me to open up for him, to let him in. Like him, I want more. I press myself closer to him, my breasts longing to be free from their confinement to find friction against his chest. One large hand cups the back of my neck as the other presses on my lower back. He guides me with him as he stretches out on his lounger. His hands nestle me tight against him from my h
SchuylerMyth busted.I lie lifeless on my mattress. I love the sensation of sated desire. Not only did I have an orgasm post-hysterectomy, but it was a long, magnificent one.It feels much better than the releases my vibrators give me.As I come down from my post-orgasmic high, fear floods me.Was it as good for Calvin?Did my body feel different to him?Could his tip feel that?Does he know I’m a 23-year-old freak?Reluctantly, I turn my head in his direction. He confirms my worries when I see the look on his face.Slowly, his face morphs into a smile. His tongue darts out to wet his lower lip. He rolls onto his side.“I failed,” he murmurs.My brow furrows.What does he mean he failed?Is he blaming himself for my faulty equipment?“I lost my focus and failed to show my foreplay skills,” Calvin apologizes.“I didn’t notice,” I confess. “You gave me a...”His fingers press against my lips, silencing me. “I felt it from the inside.” He smiles.“And for you...?” I let the question hang
SchuylerWe enjoy a couple hours relaxing in the pool, using the swim-up bar, and soaking up our last day in the tropical heat. I relish Calvin’s attention and his body, which seems to be constantly in contact with mine.While in the deeper section of the pool, he loads me onto his back as he walks about. I lean over his shoulders to clasp my hands in front of his chest, and my thighs grip his hips. The sun-warmed skin on his back starkly contrasts the cool water that surrounds me. He lowers me to stand near the pool's edge.“I saw that,” Calvin murmurs into my ear.“Saw what?”“Your yawn.” He moves to stand directly in front of me. “Let’s dry off and head in for a nap.”I open my mouth to protest, but thoughts of playing under the sheets before we nap flood my mind. I attempt to quell the smirk that forms upon my lips, but fail miserably. I nod, and we exit the cool waters of the pool.Our eyes remain on each other as we try to towel off as best we can. I smooth out a dry towel upon m
CalvinThough I try, the snow prevents me from taking in the front of the Dawes’s home. With luggage in hand, we scurry into the open garage to escape the cold. Schuyler hands my bag to her brother then guides me into the house. Warmth assails us as we pass through the laundry room into a large kitchen with a breakfast nook.“Oh, thank God! You made it home safely! Now, all my babies are safe and nearby,” the woman, I assume is Sky’s mom rejoices, her hands pressed together in front of her. She greets Schuyler and Dallas with a hug, commenting on their sun-kissed skin. “Hello, Calvin.” She looks at me then at Garret. “You must be Garret.” It takes me a moment to remember how she knows me. I spoke to her on one of Schuyler’s FaceTime calls.We take turns making introductions with Theo and her husband, Richard Dawes. They instruct Clint to carry our luggage up to the guest rooms, then guide us into the living room to sit. I strain, but I cannot make out what Clint mumbles under his breat
SchuylerThe weeks after our Mexico trip pass quickly. While my friends attend class, I busy myself with online applications and paperwork. My student-teaching successfully ended, so I apply for my teaching license and graduation. I spend many hours applying for teaching positions in Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas. I also post my resume and paperwork to many of the education sites that districts use to recruit new hires. It’s almost a full-time job, but I’m eager to secure a position.I fear the reason I’m not hearing back on jobs is the two-semester break in my college studies. It’s a giant red flag, bringing up questions about my work ethic and follow through. I refuse to explain my absence in my cover letter, though. I worry they will pity me for the accident, and I don’t want a pity hire. I want to earn a position based on my credentials.Calvin calls or texts me each day. We’ve met a couple of times on campus for lunch between his classes. His studies demand most of his time