Page 54 of Strange Love

A playful smirk crosses my lips as I tease, “So, now that I’m officially your girlfriend, does that mean I have permission to kiss you whenever I please?”

He rolls over, his weight pressing down on me as he leans in. “You know the answer to that,” and then he’s kissing me. His lips move with masterful skill, seeking entrance that I won’t deny. The heated strength of his tongue sends my entire body into a frenzy, the pit of my stomach swirling with heat and desire. As fast as he takes control, he pulls away and whispers in my ear, sending shivers down my spine. “It’s so hard to control myself around you, Ivy.”

I can feel myself growing hotter, knowing that I’m the one who stole the air from his lungs. He plants gentle kisses along my cheek before finding my mouth again. When I finally open my eyes, he has pulled back slightly, a hint of excitement in his intense gaze. But there’s something else there, too, a raw vulnerability hidden beneath the passion and desire between us.

My voice is barely audible as I speak, my breath coming in short gasps. “It’s not easy for me either,” I whisper, the weight of his body pressing against mine. With trembling hands, I tug at the strings of his hoodie, yearning to pull him closer.

His lips meet mine with a fierce hunger, causing my body to tremble. I surrender myself to the pleasure, unable to resist the intense sensation that courses through me. He presses his weight fully on top of me, and I open my legs to make room for his hips. His lips curve against my neck, leaving trails of delicate kisses that turn firmer with each passing second. My thighs tighten around his waist as my head falls back, giving into the ecstasy of his soft caresses and licks on my sensitive skin.

He lavishes attention on my neck, and my lower body arches in response, urging him on. His hand slips under my sweater, teasingly tracing patterns across my stomach before returning to the passionate kiss that has me consumed. Our tongues tangle together in deep, full breaths that soon turn into short pants as our bodies begin to move in unison.

Corey groans and shifts his hips against mine, igniting a fire within me that threatens to consume every inch of my being. I push my tongue further into his mouth, eagerly exploring every inch as I swallow the rumbles of pleasure that escape his lips. My hands slip under his sweatshirt, absorbing the heat of his skin under my fingertips as they trail down his back, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake.

Corey pulls away for just a moment, his eyes never leaving mine as I lift my hips and silently plead for him to continue. As my legs part further, his hands grip my waist, and he pushes back into me, our bodies fitting together like puzzle pieces. My lips glide over his skin, tracing the contours of his muscular neck before pausing at his ear, unable to contain a moan as he presses against me with increasing intensity.

His hand returns to my stomach as I reach for it, guiding it up higher until it rests over my bra. I don’t say anything, simply breathing heavily against him, my touch daring him to continue.

My fingers dance along the curves of his back, memorizing every perfectly constructed slab of muscle. He’s hard in all the right places, including between my legs, and every touch sends electric shocks through my body.

Corey’s head lifts, and the heat in his eyes becomes almost unbearable. “Are you sure about this?” he asks, his nostrils flaring with desire.

“I’ve never been so sure about anything,” I reply without hesitation. He dips down to kiss me again, but this time there’s a newfound urgency in his movements. “You’re addicting,” he murmurs against my lips before pulling back slightly to look at me through heavy lids. “We should probably stop,” he says with a tight frown.

“Please don’t stop doing what you’re doing,” I urge, moving my hips against his. He quickly takes my mouth again as we move together with increasing fervor.

The heat of our bodies is almost suffocating as he continues to kiss my mouth, trailing down to my neck, where he nips and sucks with practiced precision. His hand squeezes and rubs my nipple, causing tension to knot inside me and creating an ache deep within.

A loud moan works its way up my throat as friction from his movements becomes almost too much to bear. My body is on fire, every inch of skin flushing with desire, and I can feel Cory’s gaze on me as he peeks at me through his dark lashes. My lips part in a silent plea just as my body explodes with overwhelming pleasure.

Corey’s hands come up to cup my face as he continues to kiss me, swallowing the sounds coming from my throat. I continue to cry into his mouth as my body twitches underneath him.

He stops and smiles down at me, rubbing his thumb along my lower lip as I begin to giggle almost controllably at the feeling of my body. I know I’m blushing like crazy, but he only smirks, a little chuckle slipping from his swollen lips and then he sits up and tugs me into a sitting position.

His eyes bore into mine, full of concern and tenderness. “How are you feeling?” he asks softly.

“Amazing,” I respond breathlessly. “And relaxed,” I add with a playful giggle.

Corey lets out a low laugh as he helps me stand up, his hands lingering on my waist for a moment longer than necessary. “Let me take you home,” he says, his voice filled with determination. “If I want to spend as much time as possible with you, I need your dad’s approval.”

I let out an exasperated sigh. “Ugh. Don’t mention my dad that close to our first sexual experience,” I joke.

The world around us fades into a blur as we sit in the car outside my house, caught up in each other’s embrace. Our kisses are wild and passionate, our breaths mingling in the confined space as the windows fog up. It’s as if time has stopped, and all that exists is this moment with him.

Eventually, I pull away, my mind filled with contentment and a newfound hope for the future. For the first time in maybe forever, I’m not haunted by thoughts of the past, but instead, my heart is filled with excitement for what lies ahead. As I drift off to sleep, his face is the last thing I see, filling me with warmth and joy.

Chapter 31

“Free Fallin’”

Corey - Age 18, 1989

I’m relieved I don’t have any away games this week, and I’m excited to spend some quality time with Ivy instead of traveling, yet a cloud of worry continues to hang over me because Taz has been distant and closed off. I haven’t gotten to the bottom of what’s going on, and during practice, when he’s usually cracking jokes and goofing around, he’s serious and quiet. That’s not a bad thing, but it’s just not Taz. I can’t figure out what was happening with him, but I know I’ll have to confront him if he doesn't start talking soon.

According to Ivy, who heard from Sascha, a physical altercation occurred at Taz’s house the night he missed the game, most likely with his brother. Brian Tazman has always been a screw-up, living in the past and throwing away his chance at greatness with a cocaine addiction. Now, he’s the one pretending to be a parent to Taz, though he’s doing a terrible job at it. College offer letters are expected any day now, and I refused to let Taz’s brother ruin his chances. If necessary, I’ll take matters into my own hands and visit Brian.

We’re deep into the school year, and our schedules are packed with sports games and student performances. Tonight, there’s a band concert that I wouldn’t normally attend, but Ivy is going since Sascha and Sarah are performing, so I decided to go. Mom and Alan will also be going, and they’re excited I’m finally doing something more “family-oriented.”

I’ve convinced a few friends to join me in the bleachers of the auditorium. We’re huddled together, dressed too warm for this cramped room. Also, being hockey players, we aren’t the smallest group, especially Landry. That dude is the biggest guy in our league at 6'5“, built perfectly for a goalie. Getting the puck past him is like shooting around a brick wall. If people only knew he’s also the nicest guy until you make him mad. But when he’s chill, he’s basically a marshmallow. Right now, that marshmallow is nearly sitting on my lap. We got here late, and Ivy is sitting down near the front with her new friend, Kerri.