Burned (New Adult Romance) Read online

  When the thong left my feet, he immediately moved back between my legs, going for my clit. Pleasure sang through my body. My mind flashed back to a time in high school when our group was hanging out.

  Andrew had been so excited, telling us that he had found the perfect way to please a girl orally on the Internet. We had all laughed at him, and for a few days, he had earned the nickname "Alphabet Andrew." Still, as he worked on my body, I wondered if he was writing out the alphabet with his tongue on my clit right then. I didn't care, I just knew that it was fantastic.

  With every lick, the ember of my desire burned brighter, threatening to catch into a full blown blaze at any moment. I felt my temperature rising, the heat consuming me from within. Tremors rocked my body as his tongue fanned the sparks that my body nursed. I felt the heat rising, felt the smoke, and where there's smoke, there's always fire.

  When the flame ignited, my eyes squeezed shut. Delicious licks of fire washed over my every nerve, intensifying every sensation that I felt. The red color of the flames was all I could see, and my ears roared with the intensity of the flame.

  When the fire had burned itself out, I looked down at Andrew. He had felt it too, the sheer power of the moment washing over him as well. I gasped for breath, and he knew that I was his at that moment. He still looked up at me, expectantly, waiting for a sign to proceed.

  "Oh, Andrew," I gasped. "I need you. Make love to me."

  He needed no further encouragement. With a smile on his face, he stood up and began to unbutton his pants. I watched the show with anticipation, knowing that I was about to recross a bridge that I had once crossed with a man I didn't love. I hoped that it would be a different experience this time.

  I watched as he got naked, and I marveled at his fit body. He reached into his nightstand, pulling out a square wrapper. I grinned, reached out, and grabbed it. He looked confused for a moment, before I unwrapped it. I beckoned to him, and he smiled and came closer, his cock hardening in front of me.

  I grabbed it in my hand, gently caressing it, watching as it grew to it's full length. I considered putting it in my mouth, giving him the same oral pleasure I had just received, but I felt the need to have him inside me. I put the condom against the tip of his now throbbing member, and slowly unwrapped it. He moaned softly as I touched the length of his shaft.

  He sat next to me on the bed, and we shared an intimate kiss. The kiss lasted just a moment too long, so I took charge. I pushed him down on the bed, grinning as I did so. As I straddled his body, I felt the fear and the thrill of consummating a relationship with someone I cared for. He put his hands on my hips, and I teased him, rubbing my pistil against his stamen.

  I watched his eyes go wide as I lowered myself onto him, then close as he relaxed back. As he filled me, I felt a sensation I had never felt before. It was one of fullness, both physically and emotionally. I wished I had never done this without love. With was so much better.

  Andrew seemed to regain his senses, and he moved his hips against me in tandem with my rhythm. We rocked against each other, and his eyes absorbed my body. I loved the way he looked at me, like I was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. When our eyes met, he moved his hands up to my back, pulling me down into him.

  Our bodies collided, every inch of my skin touching an inch of his skin. I felt as if we could merge into one person, as if our brains and bodies would soon be entwined forever. I never wanted the sensation to end, and as he began to thrust in and out of me, I knew that I would do anything to keep him, to keep this.

  His eyes were still locked on mine, and his hands ventured all over my back. His hands ventured upwards, moving to my hair, and the sensation was somehow even more intimate than when he had washed me. He continued to thrust within me, our passions rising. He was obviously feeling the same as I did, because suddenly he paused, and I knew he was trying to prolong the experience.

  A hand went to my face, brushing the hair that had fallen into it behind my ear. I kissed his palm, loving the feeling of closeness that this moment contained. He moved his lips to my ear, whispering softly. "Relax."

  I hadn't even noticed that I was so tense, my body aching for release. I smiled, and rolled to the side, trying to keep him within me. He followed, managing to maintain our connection. I smiled. I never wanted us to be apart.

  I lay beneath him, and again he rocked against me. The shaft of his cock rubbed against my clit, bringing me closer to orgasm. I reached up, grabbing his headboard, as he began to lick my nipple. The sensations combined, and I could feel the fire within me sparking up again. As I looked up, I saw lust in his eyes. His motions became more forceful, his need driving him now. I could feel my own fire spread to his body, and his own fire about to engulf him.

  I let go of the headboard, and then brought him in close, pushing my fingernails into his back. I wanted him, wanted him to feel the same pleasure I was about to feel. I felt him tense up, and as his rhythm changed, our eyes locked again. I could see the pleasure rush through him, and I had tunnel vision as my own pleasure sent a firestorm of pleasure thrashing through my veins. Meteors crashed against the surface of my Earth as I felt his body shudder with release. Our eyes remained locked during the entire experience, and I never felt closer to another person in my life.

  I could barely breathe, and I kept him locked in place, unwilling to let him leave my body. He lay against me, his face against the pillow, exhausted. We lay this way for what seemed like forever before he raised his head and kissed me. Our kiss was the kiss of lovers, separated by events beyond their control but finally reunited.

  He whispered in my ear those five words I had wanted to hear my entire life. "I love you, Holly Davenport."

  I beamed. "I love you too, Andrew Miller."

  He pulled out of me, kissing me. Then he stood, quickly heading to the bathroom. I heard the shower begin to run, and he looked at me in the doorway. "Are you coming, Lazybones?"

  I laughed. "Only if you promise to wash my hair again!"

  Chapter 12

  Flames devoured the trees as they imploded from the inside. Nests abandoned to the heat blazed in a short glory. Young green leaves wilted and browned before succumbing to the fire's will. The landscape shuddered with the heat, the trees groaning for mercy. But the fire showed no lenience.

  ***

  Andrew held my hand as we both stared out the window, watching the world zoom past. It was quiet in the car as Audrey maneuvered us toward the city. We were on our way to Elitch Gardens, an amusement park in Denver, courtesy of Ray and Audrey. The park had only been open for a week, but Ray had gotten discounted tickets from a customer and invited us all to go. Luke turned down the opportunity to come with us. He was still avoiding us, so it was just Andrew, Audrey, Ray, and me.

  Sprigs of green were starting to appear on the trees as we approached the city, the tiny leaves struggling to grow under a bright blue sky. It hadn't rained in weeks, but the grass was attempting to turn a pale yellow-green, the world full of growth and opportunity. We were all quiet as we drove, our minds busy with thoughts. I closed my eyes, feeling the car hum along the highway, remembering the past two weeks with Andrew. They were the happiest weeks I had experienced in years.

  There was our date night at the pizza place, the flirting at my work, watching movies cuddled on the couch, the hot tub. The hot tub made me smile. We snuck into Andrew's neighbor's hot tub at two in the morning and messed around. I loved the way his fingers felt under the water, the jets, and the splashing.

  Just thinking about it made my insides start melting. I had never felt so comfortable with anyone. With Andrew, I could just be myself. Best of all, I liked the person I was when I was with Andrew. When I was with him, I was the smart, sexy, and happy person I always wanted to be. The broken me didn't exist when he was with me.

  There were some dark spots the past two weeks, however. Luke refused to speak to me since catching Andrew and me at West Hardware, even leaving the grocery store when I was wo
rking. Andrew said Luke switched all his shifts so the two of them would never even cross paths.

  Luke wasn't the only one mad with the two of us; Britney and Eli both avoided Andrew and me like we had the plague. Britney spoke to me once when she bought groceries, and I was the only lane available. The anger and disappointment in her voice broke my heart. I had never felt so guilty in my life as when she reminded me how seriously Luke took his promises. The disapproving looks they shot us on the street told us all we needed to know. I wished I had a way to make them see how happy Andrew and I were, to find a way to make us all friends again.

  I felt the car slow as we turned onto the exit ramp. We quickly parked and headed into Eliche's. I could see the Ferris wheel slowly turning, surrounded by the giant colored tentacles of the roller-coaster tracks. My adrenaline started pumping just looking at the coasters, feeling my excitement grow with every step.

  Andrew bounced around the parking lot like a kid on sugar, excited to go on the rides with me. Audrey and Ray followed slightly behind us, a distance between the two of them. It only struck me as odd for a moment before the childlike excitement of entering the park overwhelmed me.

  Ray handed over our tickets at the entrance, and the four of us walked into the park. Carousel music floated on the spring air, the smell of cotton candy and popcorn permeating the street. I couldn't wait to get to the rides, but I stood patiently as Ray picked up a map.

  "We don't need a map, Ray. I can see the coaster we want from here, and besides we have all day to get to the rides," Audrey said with just a hint of anger in her voice. I wondered what was going on between them. I looked over at Andrew, but he wasn't paying any attention.

  "I'm using a map, because I like to have a plan. Seriously, this will take me five minutes and save us from wandering all over the park like idiots," he growled back at her. This time Andrew turned to look at the two of them, surprise flashing across his face.

  "I know where we should go for the first coaster. If you two want to follow me, then we can look at the map in line and come up with a plan there," he said, trying to break the tension. Audrey turned and smiled at Andrew. It was a fake smile that I knew meant trouble.

  "You know what, Andrew? You and Holly go on ahead. We'll catch up."

  "Thanks, Mrs. Miller. We'll save you two a spot in line." I jumped in, quickly grabbing Andrew's hand. He looked baffled for a second but let me lead him away. Just as they were almost out of sight, I could see Audrey round on Ray, anger contorting her face. Ray began to wave the map around, and I was glad we were out of earshot.

  "What was that about?" Andrew asked, glancing behind us as we walked.

  "I have no idea, but I didn't want to be there," I replied, still pulling on his hand. "They don't need us there to watch them argue." I could tell he wasn't happy about the situation, but we continued on.

  "What are they fighting about?" Andrew asked as we got close to the line for the ride.

  "I guess the honeymoon is over. They'll be all right. They couldn't stay lovey-dovey all the time. They'll argue a little, and then by the end of today they'll be better. Promise," I said, feeling confident in my relationship-reading. I knew Audrey and Ray were good together, and I wasn't worried about them. Andrew seemed to debate the concept in his head for a moment before coming to the same conclusion.

  "I guess you're right," he said grudgingly but then smiled and pulled me toward the end of line for the roller coaster. Since we had arrived early, we didn't have to wait long, and we were quickly to the turnstiles guarding the platform to the ride. I could feel my stomach rising in my throat, my heart starting to pound as I watched the people before me strap into the coaster cars.

  My hand was sweaty in Andrew's as our turn came and we pulled the safety bar down over our heads. The coaster lurched forward, and my heart threatened to pound out of my chest. I focused on breathing as we climbed the hill. Andrew laughed anxiously next to me as we teetered for a moment at the precipice before falling forward at an incredible speed. I screamed, my fear quickly turning into exhilaration as we spiraled and spun, defying gravity for a short moment in time.

  I stumbled out of my seat and onto the exit ramp, giggling as Andrew pulled me close for a kiss. I could taste his adrenaline, and his heart pounded against my hand on his chest. The ride operator gave us a dirty look to keep moving, and we hurried out to look at our picture. It only took a minute before the photograph of the two of us screaming like little girls came up on one of the screens. I elbowed Andrew in the ribs, and we both laughed at our silly expressions. The line was still short, so we decided to ride it again. We were half way back to the ride entrance when a deep voice called my name.

  "Holly Davenport? Holy shit, it is you!"

  I turned slowly, praying that I wasn't hearing that voice. I felt my blood begin to chill.

  "Hi, Bobby. What are you doing here?" I said slowly.

  "Not expecting to see you. Who's your friend?" Bobby's handsome face filled me with fear. I hadn't spoken to him since I told him I thought I was pregnant. I had hoped never to see him again.

  "Bobby, this is Andrew. Andrew, Bobby," I gestured to each person as I named them. Three of Bobby's friends stood behind him, silent and waiting. Anxiety built up in my chest. I didn't want him to be here.

  "Andrew? Like the one from high school?" Bobby asked, stepping closer. I nodded as Andrew smiled and reached out his hand.

  "So you're Bobby? Glad to finally have a face to the name," Andrew said, honestly excited to meet him. I realized that I had never told him what a jerk Bobby had turned out to be; to Andrew, Bobby was the boyfriend I had gushed about and then just stopped talking about. He had no idea the pain Bobby had inflicted upon me and other girls like me. I wanted to run away so badly.

  "Well, it was great to see you. Andrew and I have to go," I said quickly grabbing Andrew's hand. I pulled hard, trying to send the message we needed to get away. Andrew didn't resist me, but he didn't move quickly either.

  "You're looking good, Holly. I thought you would be waddling around by now. Glad to see you got the baby taken care of," Bobby called out. Andrew froze, confusion painting his face as he looked at me.

  The world spun like I was still on the roller coaster. Time slowed to show me every detail but still went too fast for me to stop the train wreck that was coming.

  I watched the roller coaster launch another train of willing participants into the sky. Blue and pink cotton candy hung in the window of a cart. I couldn't move; my feet were glued to the floor with my heart plummeting through them.

  "It's too bad you took off like you did, Holly. James here wanted to try you next after I told him how good a ride you were. He was excited that he didn't have to worry about knocking you up," Bobby sneered. He always did like to go for the pain. He never knew when to stop.

  Andrew glanced from him to me, from the taunting, perfect face to my bloodless, shameful one. Horror filled his face as Bobby continued. "Andrew, have you heard the cute little noise she makes when she cums? If you get her drunk, she'll kiss girls and then give you a blow job. I haven't found a girl that gives such good head since she decided she was too good for us."

  Andrew dropped my hand and took two steps, his fist whipping out like lightning. Bobby wasn't expecting a sucker punch, and he went down hard. His buddies stepped up like a wall, ready to beat the living shit out of Andrew, but Bobby waved them off. Bright red blood trickled out his nose, and he wiped it with the back of his hand as he stood. He looked at the smear of red and smirked at Andrew.

  "Holly, you got yourself a real prince. Keep her, Prince. I already used that whore up."

  Red fury filled my vision, but before I could move, Andrew grabbed my wrist. I struggled for a moment, Bobby's laughter filling my ears. I wanted to kill him, but Andrew held me in place as Bobby and his gang sauntered away. I could feel anger and revulsion flowing through his fingers as he clenched down on my wrist. His face was emotionless as he waited for Bobby to get out of his sigh
t.

  "What did he mean, Holly?" Andrew asked quietly, releasing my wrist and pushing it away from him.

  "Andrew, Bobby is a jerk, and-" I started. I could feel the tears growing behind my eyes. I wished so badly that we had come out of the ride just one minute later. Why did he have to ruin my life again?

  "That's not what I asked. What did he mean, 'glad to see you got the baby taken care of?'" Andrew faced me, staring me down. His blue eyes were cold. I held my wrist in my hand, unable to look him in the eye. He waited a moment, then said with a voice cold as ice, "That's what I thought."

  "No, Andrew! I was never pregnant! I mean, I thought I might have been, but the test came back negative," I tried to explain. "Please, can we just sit down and talk about this?"

  "So you thought you were pregnant. Would that scumbag have been the father?" His eyes blazed with a cold fury. I had never thought he would look at me like that.

  "I wasn't sure," I started, trying to be truthful.

  "You weren't sure? Just how many people did you fuck, Holly? Should I be getting tested?" He was practically screaming. I glanced around, my face growing hotter. People were starting to stare.

  "Can you please not yell? I made some poor choices, and I have some regrets," I said trying to keep my voice low. I didn't need people hearing about my bad decisions in the middle of an amusement park with their kids.

  "Some poor choices, Holly? I'm seeing some real poor choices. You thought you were pregnant and you weren't sure of the father. Tell me how that happens, Holly. Tell me how that happens and you don't at least mention it. Tell me how you do that to someone you claim to love." His voice had a low growl to it.

  "I was at a party and I got drunk, okay? I didn't tell you because I knew you would react this way. I didn't tell you because I am ashamed of it. I saw how you reacted to poor Louise, and I'm no better than she is." My voice cracked with a sob. He stared at me like I had just landed from space. "I didn't tell you because I thought you would hate me, and I couldn't bear the thought of that. You know me better than anyone, Andrew."