Taking the Plunge (19 page)

“You’re going to make me come this way,” she said into his mouth.

He rubbed his nose against hers then continued kissing her, his body dominating hers with his size and strength. Nancy reached down and moved her fingers into her panties, rubbing her clitoris while he pleasured her mouth. She wasn’t embarrassed for doing it. She held onto his back while the feeling rocked through her, rubbing herself as she continued to kiss him.

“Thatcher…”

He pressed his forehead against hers and watched her come.

“Oh…god.”

She continued rubbing herself until the sensation faded into her body. Her clitoris was still tender from the explosion, and her underwear was soaked. She pulled her hand away and returned to touching him. It was the most intense orgasm she ever had. Thatcher hadn’t done anything, just kissed her, and she crumbled into pieces.

Thatcher kissed her passionately while he held himself over her. He placed one hand inside of his sweats then started to rub himself while he kissed her. Knowing what he was doing made her hot again.

“That’s so hot,” she said into his mouth.

He moaned and continued to
kiss her. He started to breathe into her mouth so she opened her eyes and watched him. His mouth gaped open and his hand moved faster in his sweats, coming into his boxers. “Nancy…”

He finished then pulled his hand out, still resting his forehead against hers.

She ran her fingers through his hair then kissed him on the forehead. “I’ve never had an orgasm like that.”

“Neither have I,” he whispered.

“You probably want to change, huh?”

He smiled. “I’m a little uncomfortable.” He left the bed then grabbed some clean briefs from his drawer. He turned around and pulled down his sweats and briefs. She got a good view of his ass, which was thick with muscles. Without thinking, she licked her lips. He pulled his new briefs on then returned to the bed. She was glad he left the sweats off.

He climbed back on top of her and leaned over her. “Can I keep kissing you?”

“I was hoping you would.”

Thatcher grabbed her face and kissed her again, making love to her with his lips. Hours went by but neither one of them stopped. Nancy hadn’t kissed someone for hours since she was in high school but she loved doing it with him. It wasn’t just affectionate or sexual. It was a connection they felt. When they finally stopped and went to sleep, it was some unearthly hour. Neither one complained about the lack of sleep. They wished they could keep going.

21

The alarm went off and made Nancy groan. Thatcher slammed his hand down and disabled it, cutting off the screeching sound. He rolled out of bed then got dressed.

Nancy looked at the time with squinted eyes. It was six in the morning. “What are you doing?”

He turned back to her then kissed her forehead. “Go back to sleep. I’ll be back before you wake up.”

She grabbed onto him, pulling him back. “Stay.”

He sighed while he looked at her, almost letting her pull him. “I need to surf. I’ve abandoned it lately.”

“You surf this early?”

“I have work to do.” He kissed her again. “Go back to sleep, Nancy.”

“Can I come?”

“You want to?”

“I want to watch.”

“You don’t have to.”

“I know.”

He stood then pulled his wetsuit on, keeping his briefs on. She was disappointed she didn’t get a peek. He brought a change of clothes then went downstairs while she followed behind him. Thatcher held the passenger door open for her, getting her inside before he walked to the driver’s seat.

Instead of sitting by the window, she moved to the center spot and leaned against him, her hand around his waist. He smiled at her then draped his arm over her shoulder. They didn’t speak on the drive, and she closed her eyes, her mind wandering in a semi-dream state. She felt his lips brush her forehead every few minutes and she sighed happily at the touch. She loved the way Thatcher made her feel, like she was important, that she was loved.

When he reached the beach, he grabbed his board from the back and walked across the sand, holding her hand. She found a spot close to the sea and sat down, wearing his sweatshirt.

“Do you normally surf alone?”
she asked.

“Other surfers are always around.”

“It’s still dangerous.”

“I’m not scared, Nancy.”

She dropped the conversation. “Have a good time.”

“I’ll see you soon.” He moved into the water and started to paddle out. He rode the waves of the sea, enjoying the surf and the water. He fell a few times but he was very good at it, almost as good as Derek. She realized he must have
been surfing his whole life. She wished he was shirtless so she could watch his body. He stayed on the water for an hour and she never grew tired of watching him. He had the same expression that he did when he painted. She listened to the sound of the waves as she watched him.

“Hey.”

She looked up. “What are you doing here?”

“I surf. Remember?” Derek asked with a smile.

“Oh yeah. Sorry.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Watching Thatcher.”

He looked into the waves. “He’s pretty good.”

“I know.”

“I’m glad he doesn’t want to go pro. I would have some competition.”

She smiled. “It’s a good thing he’s an artist, not an athlete.”

He sat down beside her and dropped his board on the sand. “So, how’s it going between you two?”

She avoided his gaze. “We don’t have to talk about this, Derek.”

“We’re friends, right?”

“But we can wait awhile.”

“Nancy, I sealed my fate when I treated you like shit. I admit it hurts me to see you with him,
but I want you to be happy. And the sooner we dive into the truth, the sooner I’ll accept it and move on.”

She nodded. “So, have you been with anyone?”

“No. I’m done with sleeping around.”

“Really?”

“Yeah. I liked being in a relationship with you, at least for the week when I was taking it seriously. I would like to have that again.”

“You’ll find someone.”

“I hope so.”

“Just
don’t be an idiot again,” she said with a laugh.

“Don’t worry. I learned my lesson.”

“I’m glad.”

They said nothing for a lon
g time. Nancy watched Thatcher move in the waves and Derek dug his toes in the sand.

“Do you love him?” Derek asked.

“Madly,” she blurted.

He nodded. “I thought you might.”

“Why?”

He shrugged. “I see the way you look at him. You never looked at me like that. Yo
ur wall was always up so you never had the chance.”

She looked down at the sand and stared at a seashell.

“So how did it happen?”

“Are you sure you want to know?”

He nodded. “I’m your friend. I won’t be mad.”

“The night I saw you—you know—I stormed off the beach. He caught up to me and asked me to help him find his keys. I blew him o
ff because I was so upset. Then I saw him at a party the next night and we started talking about art and other things I can’t recall. I was attracted to him but I never thought about pursuing it. I never thought I’d see him again. When I realized he and Mr. Adams were the same person I was shocked. He had this way of looking at me, making me feel beautiful and attractive. He would touch me innocently on the arm or the back, but it made my spine shiver. I don’t when the feelings started. They were just there.”

“What about when you went away together?”

“We spent a lot of time talking. He was honest about how he felt about me, that he loved me. He told me to leave you because I was too good for you. I deserved someone better. That’s when he told me what you did. The rest was history.”

“And you never cheated on me?”

“Not once.”

“Wow.”

“What?” she asked.

“I—I don’t know. You say you love this guy, right? You were alone with him for a whole weekend, he declared his love for you, and you still didn’t do anything? Now I feel even worse.”

She looked across the ocean and saw Thatcher riding the waves. She wasn’t really looking at him, but reflecting on her past. “Let’s just forget about it, Derek.”

“Does he hate me?”

“As my friend, no. As my boyfriend, he wants to kill you.”

He nodded.
“Sounds about right.”

When Nancy looked up, she saw Thatc
her approach them. He pulled his hair out of his face, leaving it messy on top. The water dripped down his face but he still looked handsome. He pulled the top of his wetsuit down, revealing the body Nancy fantasized about.

“Hey,” Derek said. “How are the waves?”

“Perfect. You should get moving before you miss them.”

“Yeah,” Derek said as he stood up. “I’ll see you guys later.”

“Bye,” Nancy said.

Derek walked across the sand with his board under his arm then ran into the sea.

Thatcher stripped off his wetsuit then tied the towel around his waist, removing his briefs and changing his clothes without revealing anything but his naked chest. Nancy had the urge to pull down the towel.

“Nancy?”

“Huh?”

He smiled at her. “Did you hear what I said?”

Her cheeks blushed. “No.”

“I was wondering what you wanted for breakfast.”

“Whatever you have at home is fine.”

“Actually, I need to go grocery shopping. I’ve been abandoning my responsibilities since you came into my life like a bolt of lightning.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize. By the way, I like it when you stare at me like that.”

“What are you talking about?” she asked as she looked away.

“I didn’t realize you were so shy.”

She smiled. “I’m not.”

He kneeled down in front of her then pushed her back on the towel. He lied on top of her and gave her a hard kiss. His erection pressed against her thigh. She wanted to reach under the towel and grab it. Thatcher rubbed his nose against hers before he pulled away. She stared up at him, her lips slightly parted, wanting more.

“You’re doing it again,” he said.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I like it.”

He sat up then finished his deck change.

They left the beach then went to the supermarket.

Thatcher grabbed a cart and steered down the
aisles. He threw bananas, oranges, mangos, and pineapples in the cart, then a few seedless grapes and strawberries. She noticed he only put unprocessed food in the cart. There was no cereal, granola bars, or packaged material. He only bought bread, dairy, meat, and fruit.

“Are you a health
freak?” she asked.

He laughed. “Let the teasing begin.”

“I’m not teasing you.”

“It sounds like it. My mom just raised me on real food. I never had processed junk for a meal and she packed my lunches with only healthy items. I just got used to it and never liked anything else.”

“You drink alcohol.”

“I like alcohol, mainly wine. I drink beer socially just so people will leave me be.”

She wrapped her arm through his as they moved through the store. “I’m going to lose so much weight dating you.”

“I hope not. I like your body.”

“You haven’t seen it.”

“Yet.”
He stared her down with a serious gaze then looked away. The look gave her shivers.

They paid for the food then loaded it in the back of the truck. She realized they accomplished so much before the day even started. Nancy sat next to Thatcher on the ride home, resting her hand on his thigh. He smelled li
ke the sea and she felt it tickle her nose.

“So, what were you discussing?” he asked.

“Derek and I?”

“Yes.”

“You.”

“And what was said?”

“I told him I loved you.”

“I like what I’m hearing,” he said with a sm
ile. “And what was his response?”

She shrugged. “He’s happy for me.”

Thatcher looked at the road ahead, gripping the steering will. “Now I understand why you gave him so many chances. He’s a good guy. He just made some mistakes.”

“He is. He says he isn’t going to sleep around anymore because he likes being in a relationship. He wants what I have with you.”

“I hope he finds it,” Thatcher said.

“Me too.”

“Now I feel guilty for stealing you away.”

“You didn’t steal me away.”

“I certainly pressured you.”

“You went after what you wanted, you seized it,” she said.

He glanced at her with a smile on his face. “Yes, but I never would have done that unless I knew you weren’t happy.”

“I wasn’t. Don’t feel bad.”

“You’re right. I’m too happy to feel remorse. I would have done it again in a heartbeat.”

“
Good. Because I got what I always wanted.”

“And deserved,” he said as he kissed her on the forehead.

“And all my friends think you’re hot.”

He laughed.
“Because I’m a mysterious, misunderstood artist. Chicks are always into that.”

“No, you’
re just hot.”

He laughed again. “Well, I’m glad you think that.”

“I really do.”

They came back to his house and unloaded the groceries before he made breakfast. Instead of sitting at the table, Nancy watched him so she could learn. He smiled at her while he worked the pans. She helped him when it was allowed.

They shared their breakfast together, eating in silence. She sipped her coffee while she looked out the windows, seeing the road in the distance. Thatcher ate his food slowly, not dropping a single crumb or even using his napkin. She stared at his mouth, remembering the way it kissed her the night before. He met her look with a heated gaze, sharing the same thought. He continued to stare at her while he sipped his coffee.

“It’ll have to wait until tonight,” he said. “We both have
work to do.”

She sighed, disappointed.

He put the dishes away, and she helped him load the washer.

“I’ll be in my office if you need me,” he said as he kissed her on the forehead.

“Okay.” She grabbed his face and kissed him on the lips, feeling her lips burn immediately.

He broke apart, his breathing deep and shallow. “I’m never going to get any work done with you around.”

She smiled. “I’m so sorry about that.”

“Could you be any more sarcastic?” he asked while he rubbed his nose against hers.

“No.”

“I’ll see you after work before I leave.”

“What? Where are you going?”

“Henry and I are getting tacos.”

“What?” Nancy asked. “
My Henry
?”

“Yeah,” Thatcher said. “He’s your best friend, isn’t he?”

“Well, yeah. But I didn’t expect you to hang out with him.”

“I like him. I would like to get to know him better. If he’s important to you, he’s important to me.”