Once More (Mercy Heart #1) (5 page)

Clem pressed his lips to hers, sealing their declarations with a kiss.  Katelyn began to move against him.  He thrust slowly at first, rolling his hips to rub against her in just the right spot as he plunged into her.  He knew she was tender, and it took every ounce of his control not to slam into her, again and again until he found his release.  He wanted this first time to be special for her.

The pressure she felt earlier with her first climax rose, and before she knew it, she was falling over the precipice again, only this time, she took Clem with her.  Once they both floated back down to earth, he went to her bathroom to discard the condom, and came back with a warm washcloth to soothe her.  Then he pulled the comforter on her bed back and they both crawled underneath, tangled in each other’s arms.  With the excitement of the night dying down, he caressed her, gently kissed her, and they drifted off to sleep.

Chapter 6

The next morning, Katelyn woke up, tangled in the arms and legs of a snoring Clem. 
He really should get that checked out.  He could have sleep apnea.
  She mentally rolled her eyes at herself, scolding her nurse brain for being the first thing that woke up instead of immediately recalling there was a hunky naked man in her bed.  He rolled away slightly onto his back, and Katelyn’s eyes zoomed in on the part of his body that was causing the comforter to rise towards the ceiling.  Cautiously, she slid the blanket and sheet down his legs, revealing his very impressive morning erection.  In just the light of the candles last night, she hadn’t gotten a very good look at his body.  Her eyes roamed freely now over the tan skin of his muscular arms, strong chest, and flat abs, and then lower still, where his skin was paler.  She made a note to ask him if he consistently wore sunscreen, and then admonished herself for even considering casting her fears onto him. 
Especially when he’s still naked! 
Checking to make sure he was still asleep, she carefully got up onto her knees and moved closer, inspecting his manhood as closely as she could without touching it.  She peeked back at Clem, who was no longer snoring but still breathing evenly, so she felt safe to continue her expedition of curiosity.  Tentatively, she licked her lips and then ran her tongue along the length of his shaft.  She tasted just a hint of latex, and a flavor that she determined could only be described as purely male.  She turned her head, and found Clem looking at her with just one eye and a tight smile on his face.  Shrieking, she jerked backwards and grabbed for the sheet, covering herself. 

Clem breathed out, as if he had been holding his breath, and reached for her.  “Oh, baby, please.  I am so sorry.  I wasn’t trying to frighten you.  I knew you were just checking everything out.  I didn’t want you to feel inhibited.”

“Geez, Clem!” She whacked him with her pillow, seemingly furious with him.  “I’m so – I’m so…I’m so embarrassed!”  She covered her face with her hands. 

He wrapped his arms around her, gently caressing her back.  “Hey now, there’s nothing to be embarrassed about.  Hours ago, we were joined together in the most intimate way two people can possibly be.  Please don’t be embarrassed.  I’m thrilled that you are curious.  Ecstatic, actually.  And I feel I must confess.  I am so hungry for a taste of you, angel.  I’ve been dying to put my mouth on you for weeks.”

His words spread like warmth throughout her entire body.  She leaned back and peaked up at him from behind her hands, a wide-eyed look on her face.  He bent down slightly to look straight at her, raising his eyebrows in a way that was equal parts adorable and seductive.  The humiliation subsided completely as she fully realized what he was offering. 

Quietly, she began, “I am curious about that as well.”  Before she could finish her sentence, he had her flat on her back, trailing kisses from her lips to her neck and lower still.  As his tongue dipped into her navel, she tensed, reality setting in. “Um, maybe I should take a shower first…,” but his body was already positioned between her legs, and then his mouth was on her.  Her fingers immediately went to his hair, his tongue dipping into her and moving to her sensitive nub, making circles while intermittently sucking, maintaining a steady rhythm that brought on a rush of warmth in her body, followed by a climax that left her practically shouting his name.  As she basked for a few seconds in euphoric bliss, Clem scrambled up and checked her bedside table for the protection.

“Baby,” he said as he turned around and headed for her bathroom like a man on a mission, “where are the condoms?”

He grabbed them from her bathroom counter, and went back into her bedroom with the entire box, shocked to find her standing at the side of her bed, too consumed with the thoughts in her head to be concerned about modesty.  He walked towards her, with a questioning look. 

“I’m still curious,” she said in a husky whisper, as she slipped to her knees in front of him, looking up at his face with a hint of hesitation only for a moment before she grabbed a hold and took him into her mouth. 

Dropping the condoms on the bed, he braced his hand on the wall and used his other to keep the hair out of her face.  At first, she tentatively sucked just the head into her mouth, but then she wrapped her hand around the base and soon she worked past the awkwardness and developed a rhythm, working her mouth and hand in tandem.  Clem hissed a breath out through his teeth.  “Oh, damn, baby.  That is so good.”  She moaned around him as the satisfaction she was feeling with being able to please him as he had pleased her ratcheted up her own arousal.  He felt a familiar tightening and knew he needed to stop her.  Stroking her cheek, Clem forced himself to speak, “Angel, this feels so amazing, but I don’t want to finish like this.  Let me love you.” 

She looked at him with eyes filled with desire as she lay on the bed and he covered her with his own body.  Snatching up a condom, he quickly put it on and entered her, gradually still to allow her to accommodate his size.  He felt himself holding back, unsure if she was still experiencing any pain from the previous night, but Katelyn sensed his apprehension and moved her legs up to circle his waist, taking him in deeper as a result.  Clem moaned his appreciation, and as they moved together, he quickly felt his own climax approaching.  Not wanting to finish before her, he moved his hand down between them, stroking her to orgasm.  As her climax rolled through her, her insides gripped Clem’s shaft, bringing forth his orgasm as well.  He collapsed onto her, unable to gather the strength to move even though he knew he was probably crushing her. 

For awhile, neither one of them spoke, until at last, Clem was able to muster up the power to move.  He rolled to the side, wrapping her in his arms as he went.  After a few more moments of content silence, Clem brushed his lips over her forehead.  “Tomorrow night after graduation, my fraternity is hosting a party for all the graduates.  I’d love it if you’d come as my date.  Unless you have other plans already,” he added quickly

“I would love to.  I have no other plans.  Do you have family coming in for the ceremony?” she asked, twirling her fingers in his chest hair, trying to sound nonchalant but wondering for a brief moment if he wanted her to meet them and if he would introduce her as his girlfriend. 

His family would find it very significant that he would bring someone to meet them. Meeting his family brought the knowledge that Clem was a trust fund baby, and that if he so desired, he’d never have to work a day in his life.  He hesitated to tell her they were even coming, but sensing that this was important to her, he tipped her head up to look her right in the eyes and said, “Why, yes they are.  My parents and my older brother and his wife are coming in from California.  Would you like to meet us for lunch tomorrow before graduation?  My dad made reservations for a table at a fancy restaurant here in town.  Perhaps I should have led with that first, though meeting my family is a little more intimidating than hanging out with my frat brothers,” he finished with a grin.

“I’m honored that you want me to meet your family, Clem, but the college of nursing has our pinning ceremony before graduation, so I don’t think I’ll be able to meet your family just yet.  Could we do brunch on Sunday?”

“I’m sure that can be arranged,” Clem answered, though he found it difficult to mask his disappointment.  In all the years he’d be in college, he’d never once felt close enough to anyone to bring them home for his family to meet.  However, he knew this was important to her.  “I can come to your pinning ceremony instead.”

“Oh, no, you don’t have to do that.  Your dad has already made reservations.  Don’t change your plans for me.”

I’m beginning to realize there probably isn’t much I wouldn’t do for you. 
He decided to keep that to himself, for now, afraid that she wasn’t quite ready to reciprocate his feelings.

“If you insist,” he replied quietly, with a kiss to her forehead. 

Chapter 7

On the way to Clem’s fraternity house, Katelyn felt a huge sense of relief knowing her college years were behind her.  She had already scheduled her nursing boards, and very soon she’d be fulfilling one of her biggest dreams.  Many of her professors had come up to her at her pinning and graduation ceremonies and praised her hard work and dedication, giving her even more reasons to be proud of her accomplishments.  The leadership at Mercy Heart attended as well, conveying their excitement that she’d be a real member of their team soon.

She smiled to herself as she dared to hope that perhaps more than one dream might come true for her in the near future.  Surely this was the way a couple’s love story started.  She hadn’t said it when he had, but now she was certain that what she felt for him really was love, and she couldn’t wait to find the right moment to tell him tonight.  Katelyn could see herself spending the rest of her life with Clem, and her only hope was that he felt the same way.   

Walking towards the house, there were many groups out on the lawn.  As she stepped up onto the first step, she felt his gaze on her.  She turned to her left, spotting him in a group by the end of the porch. 

As they walked towards each other, everyone else seemed to disappear.  Their eyes were locked on each, and sparks flew between them as they got closer, meeting with a passionate kiss, acting as though they hadn’t seen each other in days, when in actuality they had woken up together and made love to each other that very morning.

"Hey babe," he said quietly in her ear, brushing his lips across her cheek. "I missed you today."

"Hey," she said softly, closing her eyes briefly, relishing his affection as warmth spread through her body. "I missed you too. Did you enjoy the time with your family?"

A look that almost appeared to be laced with worry crossed his face for a moment, and then as quickly as it appeared it was gone. She studied him, but his smile returned, and he said, "I did. I told them all about you, and they hope to meet you soon." He briefly paused before he said the last word, and she wondered if his family was not happy that he was involved with someone. Before she could dwell on it much longer, he interrupted her thoughts. "Come on, I want you to meet someone." Clem took her by the hand and led her into the house. Music played loudly from a sound system, and as she walked behind Clem, she looked around the room and saw a man make eye contact with her as he leaned down to whisper to a woman next to him. The women briefly looked up at her and gave Katelyn a cool smile, bordering on antagonistic. Clem raised his chin at the man but didn't acknowledge the woman at all, though she tried intensely to garner his attention.

Alone once again, Katelyn asked him, "Who were those two?"

"Oh, that guy is one of my frat brothers, Sam. The girl just hangs out here trying to wind up with whoever will have her. Just ignore them." he said with an eye roll.

The next room was the kitchen area, and at the counter was a man that Katelyn recognized from her science courses.

"Katelyn, baby, I'd like you to meet my best friend --" Clem began, but Katelyn interrupted him.

"It's Jack, right?" she said, as she held out her hand. Clem's friend looked into her eyes and smiled brightly, taking her hand and placing a kiss on the top.

"That is me. I'm pleased you remember me. Nice to know I made a good impression," he said.

With a blush, Katelyn smiled and replied, "I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation on the fundamentals of metastasizing cells in our mechanisms of pathogenesis class."

"I'm surprised you remember. The only thing I can think to say to that is will you marry me?" Jack said, with a laugh.

Pulling Katelyn in closer, Clem glared playfully at his friend, "Hey, man, get your own woman. This one is mine."

Katelyn laughed at Clem's outrageous behavior, though she knew it was all in fun.  "You act like I'm some kind of prize to be won," she said while giggling.

Clem looked at her, his eyes darkening with arousal. "A prize you are, angel. And I claim you. All mine."

"And that's my cue to exit. It was nice to meet you, Katelyn. I look forward to seeing you again. If it doesn't work out with this guy, call me," Jack said, mouthing the last two words soundlessly and making a phone gesture with his thumb and pinky out.

Clem growled at him but smiled at his friend when Jack slapped him on the back as he walked out of the room. Turning back towards Katelyn, he stood motionless for a moment, staring into her eyes. "Come on up to my room. I have something else to tell you," he said as he held his hand out to her, which she accepted. They went back the way they came and then headed up the stairs.

In Clem’s room, Katelyn crossed the floor and sat on his bed, waiting for him to join her. To her surprise, he grabbed an envelope off his desk as well as his desk chair and sat in front of her. She looked up at his face, wondering what he had in store for her.

“Kate, my parents brought me some amazing news, and I’ve been dying to share it with you all day, but I wanted to do it in private. A very prestigious IT company in California heard about my application development experience, and they have offered me a position with their company. It’s a great job where I will learn more than I could anywhere else. And it’s near my parents’ house, so I’ll be close to my family,” he said, excitement dancing on his face that quickly vanished when he looked at Katelyn’s. Her cheerless eyes and blank expression spoke volumes to him, though she couldn’t seem to find any words at that moment. “Wait, baby, please. I—I want you to come with me,” he finished, an eager look on his face, anticipating her reaction.

“You—you what?” she replied, incredulous.

“I want you to come with me. We can get a place together, and –,“ he started, but he was stopped short.

“But my life is here. I have nursing boards coming up, and I already have a job at Mercy Heart,” Katelyn interrupted, staggered by his offer.

“You can take the boards in California, and get a job there. There are plenty of hospitals that need nurses. Or, you don’t have to work at all. I’ll have more than enough money to take care of you.” Clem reached for her, and took her hands in his, softly telling her, “Let me take care of you, baby.”

Katelyn felt her heart beating rapidly, along with so many thoughts bumping around in her mind. She stood up, and walked to the other side of the room, attempting to remain calm about the bomb he’d just dropped on her. How could she just pick up and move across the country?  This town was all she’d ever known, though she had to admit to herself that nothing was really holding her here. However, it immediately came rushing to the forefront that if things didn’t work out with Clem, nothing would be there for her in California either.

Why isn’t she saying anything? Clem watched her every move, shocked that she wasn’t as excited about this opportunity as he was. Wasn’t she happy for him, for what he could offer her? He got up and walked towards her, but she put a hand up, gesturing for him to stop.  “I just need to think about this before I give you an answer.”  Then she looked at him, and said, “Why didn’t you tell me about the possibility of this job? You never even mentioned that you applied for anything, or that you’ve had interviews.”

“It seemed like a long shot. It’s not really an entry level position.  I didn’t want to jinx it by talking about it. I initially interviewed over Christmas break and have had a few phone interviews since. I figured if it didn’t work out, I’d find something around here. This offer is just too good to pass up,” he said.  Feeling slightly irritated that she wasn’t reacting the way he had anticipated, he turned away from her and ran his fingers through his hair, then looked back at her, panic churning in his gut when he saw her reaching for the doorknob.

She spoke with her back to him.  “I need some distance to think about this. I know you think it is cut and dry, but for me, it’s anything but.” She turned to look at him, and asked quietly, “If it was reversed, and I was asking you to leave everything you know after just the short time we’ve been seeing each other, would you do it? If I move with you and things don’t work out, I’ll be in a strange place with nothing. It’s such a huge risk, and that’s a lot of trust to place in somebody else, especially when I haven’t depended on anyone but myself in a very long time. You make it sound so simple to just jump in and let someone else take care of me, but to me, it sounds terrifying.”

He stared at her, dumbfounded that she could be so willing to let everything they have go.  “These past few weeks have been the best time of my life. I – I love you. Don’t you trust me?” he said softly as he reached for her, wrapping her up in his arms. He tipped her head back and kissed her, tears rolling down her cheeks, colliding with a few of his own.

Breaking their kiss, she looked into his eyes, her heart melting under his gaze. The past few weeks had been amazing. And he hadn’t given her a reason not to trust him. He’d been a perfect gentleman since they moment they met. She smiled at him through her tears, cupping his cheek with her hand. He closed his eyes and leaned his face into her touch. “I haven’t said no. I just can’t jump into something without thinking it through. Give me some space to do that, okay?”

“Okay. I am flying home on Friday and I start my job the following Monday. Take all of the time you need. I will fly you out there at any time.” He hated to let her go, hated the unknown. But he knew he needed to give her the time to figure it out. He hugged her close one more time and she opened the door and started down the stairs. Clem followed to walk her to her car.

Jack and the couple from earlier, Sam and the woman, were standing by the front door as she reached it. The woman looked at Katelyn, and then at Clem and said, “Well, that was a quick visit. Not much time for anything but a smooch.” Stepping in front of him, she put her hand on his chest and said, “Maybe you should ditch the virgin and let me show you a good time.”

Katelyn stopped in her tracks, embarrassment rushing through her entire body. She couldn’t bear to turn and look at him. How could he have told everyone about her inexperience? Had he bragged to his buddies about deflowering a virgin? He had questioned why she didn’t trust him, but maybe she was right to not trust him all along.

Clem, with unmasked fury in his eyes, looked at Jack, who put his hands up in a wordless defense and shook his head, and then at Sam, whose inability to make eye contact screamed of his guilt. Clem moved the woman out of his way and reached for Katelyn, but by that time, she had mustered up the power to move and was out the door before he could get to her. She ran down the path and into her car, with Clem right behind her, shouting her name, begging her to stop. She reached her car, yanking the door open, but Clem was there, grabbing her arm and pulling her towards him.  She put her hands up and stepped away, tears streaming down her face, so humiliated she couldn’t even speak. 

“Katelyn, please. Stop, please. Baby, you’re killing me. Please!” Clem pleaded, but Katelyn just shook her head. She was so furious that he would share her secret. With tears rolling down her face, she ducked her head and squeezed her eyes shut, her anger and hurt making it impossible to make the words come out of her mouth.

Clem dropped to his knees in front of her, wrapping his arms around her legs and trying to look into her eyes, but when she finally made eye contact with him, the despair in her face was like a weight crushing his chest. She had waited so long to give her trust to someone, to open up her heart, and just like that, he knew she was closing herself off again.

“Katelyn – Kate, angel. Please, baby, talk to me.  Let me explain,” he begged.  He sat back, his hands still on her thighs, trying to keep in constant physical contact with her in hopes that she wouldn’t shut him out completely.

With great difficulty, she spoke, her voice strained.  “There is nothing you can say.  You can’t fix this.  It’s broken.  We’re broken.  You’ve — This.  It hurts.  So much.”  A sob wrestled free from her throat, so forcefully that she clasped both hands over her lips to prevent any others from escaping before she continued.  “Did you — Did you tell them that I was a virgin?  Did you brag about me as if I was some conquest?”

Furious, he stood up and started to walk away for just a moment before he said something he’d regret.  How could she assume the worst of him?  Couldn’t she see how crazy he was for her?  He turned back to her, wiping his mouth with his palm in an effort to calm himself down before he spoke to her again.  “I told Jack.  He’s my best friend and I just wanted some reaffirmation that I wasn’t …”

After he continued to leave his sentence unfinished, with impatience and anger in her voice, she spit out, “Wasn’t what?  Wasting your time?  Or were you talking strategy?  Was it all just a game?  Is there some kind of Fraternity Sex Bingo I don't know about?  Blow job in the library.  Threesome.  Bag a virgin.  Bingo!” 

Her rage shocked him, proving just how upset she was that she would speak to him this way.   Finally he found the words.  “Katelyn, I realize you have limited experience, but I think you’re overreacting.  I never once treated you like some virgin conquest I had to bed.  I asked you to move to California with me.  I love you! Do you hear me?  I. Love. You.  Before tonight, did I ever give you any reason at all to doubt my feelings for you?  I may have made a mistake by divulging your secret to my friend and letting it be overheard by someone else, and I am truly sorry for that, but I never had anything but the best of intentions with you.”