Learning to Love (New Zealand Sailing #1)

Chapter 2

CHAPTER TWO

Sam

My car glides through the night past sleepy Shore streets lined with Pohutukawa trees, and thoughts circle and swirl in my head like a riptide in the ocean.

After I put my window down, I can instantly smell the fresh sea air, combined with something else. Is it the night-time? Is it anticipation?

I can't make head nor tail of why Ellie's driving us in my car to her house. I can't read physical, non-verbal cues very well at the best of times. Add that to the effect she has on my brain, and it's easy to see why I'm petrified of saying or doing something wrong, as always.

She looks so petite in the driver's seat, pulled forward as much as possible. Her dark hair is cascading over one tanned shoulder, her hands gripping the steering wheel a bit too hard. Imagining her hands on me, her tanned legs around me. I look away and try to think of something else before she notices the effect she has on me.

“Here we are”. She turns into a no-exit road with 50s style weatherboard Kiwi houses, and stops outside the last one.

As we climb up the steps to the front door, I'm reminded about visiting my nana in a similar house, when I was a child. All native timber wooden floors, small rooms, and a giant fireplace in the living area. It didn't have a grate on the roof, and birds got trapped in it often. I remember rescuing all of them.

“Tayla's not in, she's coming back tomorrow from her retreat, but there's someone else inside”. She smiles, and as soon as she turns the key in the lock, a bark erupts from the other side.

“Shhh, Daisy, it's late. This is Sam, he's a good guy”. Ellie pats and comforts a small gray Staffordshire Terrier dog. Daisy laps up all the attention then comes to sniff me. I'm not a dog person, or a cat person, to be frank. They require too much commitment for someone who's always gone. I give Daisy two pats on the back, and she leaves content, tail wagging.

“She likes you”. Ellie beams at me. Seems like I passed some sort of test. I follow her into the kitchen like some sort of shadow. In her proximity, I feel too big, too awkward, too surly. Like on many occasions, I wish I had Corey's charm.

“... your coffee?”

Assuming she asked how I like my coffee when I was in fact looking at her like she's dessert. What does she taste like? I shake my head to try and focus.

“Milk, no sugar, please. Can I help?”

Doesn't help that I can't really tell if she wants to move things further or not.

“Nah, you're alright. It'll be ready in a jiffy.” I watch as she puts coffee grounds in the small French press, then tops up with hot water, pushes the plunger and pours two coffees.

I scald my mouth trying to drink too fast.

“For fuck's sake!”. I put my cup down, and see her trying hard not to laugh.

In a couple of strides, I'm next to her. She looks at me wide eyed, full lips slightly open. I'm on the edge, barely holding on to whatever sanity I have left.

“You're a witch. I'm under a spell of some sort”. It's probably half true, as we stand close, neither of us daring to make a move.

“Maybe I'm a mermaid. Keep you coming back for more”.

Something shatters inside me, and the recklessness that makes me feel free on the water surfaces again.

My arms go around her, pulling her closer and I kiss her like I'm ravenous. She meets me all the way, so I lift her up on the counter. Her legs wrap around me, and her hands fist through my hair. A sense of urgency washes through me. This is more than want. This is need. At this point in time Ellie is at the centre of my universe, and the only thing I want to do is make her happy.

“Let's go to my room”. She breaks off the kiss and leads me to the end room in the house. I take it all in - a small double bed, some artwork on the walls, a ridiculously fuzzy plant, and Daisy snoozing on her dog bed. It's warm, cozy, and feels like home.

“You're too dressed”. Ellie takes my t-shirt off, then pulls my shorts and boxers down, exposing my hard-on. Her small gasp makes me feel a thousand feet tall. I help her ease out of her top and shorts, leaving her in nothing but lingerie.

I'm already too far gone to care what she's wearing at this point, she could have worn a mime outfit and I would have still found her sexy. I want to worship her from head to toe, and make every inch of her body tremble with desire for me and no one else.

I free her breasts, and I start sucking on her nipples, alternating between them. God, I'm so hungry for her. She takes my hand and puts it between her legs. I can feel how wet she is through her undies.

Her thong can't come off quickly enough, and my fingers rest on her clit. Her body grinds against me begging for release, so I dip one finger, then two fingers inside her. I start rubbing her clit with circular motions, until her body tenses, and with a moan she comes all over my fingers.

I'm so deep in desire that I'm dripping pre-cum. She touches my chest and helps me slip a condom on, holding the head of my dick in a firm grip. I'm dying to be inside her, by now. I kiss her swollen lips like my life depends on it. In a fast motion I slide inside her, giving her a moment to adjust to the feeling. I can feel her squeezing my dick, and I know I'm not going to last long this time. I try to think about something else, but I can’t help myself and I come deep inside her.

We lay in silence side by side, her dark hair fanned across my chest, but I’m still hard even after removing my condom. Her fingers gently stroke my chest, and I haven’t had my fill of her. Will it ever be enough?

I nuzzle her head, and feel her fingers make their way under the covers, and around my dick.

Ellie looks up at me, with a lazy smile. She slips another condom on my hard shaft, then climbs on top, and starts riding me. I hold on for dear life, and wonder if this is what heaven feels like. Her small breasts bouncing are begging to be kissed, so I lift myself up so I can feast on her, then I lie on my back again, letting her grind against me. She starts circling her clit and moaning, and I realise she is going to come before me. I grab her hips and push her down, so that I'm deep inside her, when I feel her come around me.

I put her down, and move on top again, knowing I’m very close to coming. She’s slick with wetness, and once I'm inside her, a wave rushes through me again, and I come undone.

I feel like I’ve ran a marathon, but strangely light. We fit together so well, that I don’t want to move an inch. Next to her, I fall into a deep sleep, dreaming of the ocean.

Ellie

Last night felt a bit like a dream. Not a man of many words, my Sam. He’s a man of action. Takes a while to get going, but when he does start, he doesn’t stop. Strange I've come to think of him as MY Sam. We haven't even been on a proper date together. Yesterday morning he was a stranger, someone I'd seen on TV a couple of times, and this morning he's asleep next to me in my bed. All surreal, like I'm living someone else's life.

Sam stirs in his sleep, spooning me closer, and I can feel his erection. This man's insatiable. He leaves a trail of small kisses on my neck, his fingers slow but persistent on the curve of my ass, caressing their way down my thighs and in between my legs. I feel myself getting wet again, craving his touch more and more. As the familiar sweet tension builds inside me, he moves his hand away, leaving me feeling bereft.

He slips on a condom from the nightstand, then spoons me again, and continues to stroke my clit. Holding onto my hips, he pushes inside me slowly, and I can’t stop a moan from escaping my lips. He’s going to make me lose my mind soon. His large hand is on my hip, then his fingers are rubbing my clit, his lips nuzzling my neck, as his thrusting becomes more urgent. I feel his dick stretch me even more, and I realise he’s going to come. I don’t think I can hold on any longer, and I surrender to the sensations engulfing me.

We lay in silence for a couple of moments, and I can’t help but feel a little bit of sadness at seeing the light breaking through the window pane. It’s tomorrow already, Sunday morning. He’ll be on his way soon, and who knows when I’ll see him again.

“Would you like some breakfast?” I realise he doesn’t want to say anything, so I break the ice, as usual. I get up and put on a short robe. He looks at me very seriously, perhaps with a hint of sadness. Maybe I’m imagining things.

“Nah, I’m alright, thanks. I’d better get going. I’ll shower at home”. He gets up, puts on yesterday’s clothes, and follows me to the front of the house, without making any move to touch me, or at least give me an inkling of what happened between us.

“Are you sure you don’t want some cereal at least? Or just coffee?” In the light of day, I suddenly feel shy. I don’t think I’ve ever brought home a guy I’d only just met, but there’s a first for everything.

Sam looks at me very conflicted, but he seems to have made a decision. “Ok, I’ll have some cereal, then I’m definitely heading off.”

“I bet you’re ravenous”. The words came out before I could stop them, so I try not to look at him while I prepare a bowl of Weetbix cereal with milk. Somehow he doesn’t seem the sugar add-on type.

He dwarfs our small kitchen table with his presence, and starts eating large spoonfuls. Daisy chooses that time to burst in through the doggy door, and comes to me for rubs.

“Have you been outside, Daisy-Boo? How’s the weather? Any good digging this morning?”. I sit down on the floor, and start one of my usual chats with Daisy, while Sam eats in silence, looking at us like we’re not all there.

“I don’t know anything about you”. Sam’s quiet voice makes me raise my head.

“What do you want to know?”. I leave Daisy on the floor, and sit next to him at the table.

“Everything”.

I laugh at that, but he seems quite serious. “OK. Ellie Tennyson, 25 years old. Grew up North, towards Matakana. I’m a preschool teacher at Cheeky Monkeys in Takapuna. I like roses and chocolate. My favourite color is yellow. Just an ordinary girl, really.”

He chuckles at that, and continues eating. In the morning light, his hair looks a bit darker than last night. I want to ask him back the same question, learn about his likes and dislikes, but the key turns into the lock, and Daisy bursts into action.

“Ellie, there’s an SUV outside blocking our driveway. I had to park right on the road. Feel like keying the motherfucker’s car. He probably has the smallest dick ever and feels the need to compensate”. Tayla, my flatmate, has chosen this right moment to come back home, and boy, she’s huffing and puffing. She sees Sam sitting at the table and her jaw drops.

“I didn’t know you had guests, I think I’ll come back later.” She mouths “I’m sorry”, gathers her duffel bags and tries to retreat.

Sam gets up swiftly. “Nah, you’re alright. It’s time I went home, busy day ahead.”

As he strides to the door, I realise I haven’t given him my mobile number. Would feel a bit awkward asking Gracie for his. I quickly scribble my number on a corner of an old grocery shopping list, and thrust it in his hand as he’s about to exit through the front door.

“Didn’t give you my number, here it is. Between the sausages and tomatoes”. I keep my tone light, though I’m dying a little inside, because I know deep in my soul he’s probably not going to call or message me.

“Thanks. See you”. He takes the scrap of paper, and goes to his car. No kiss, no hug, no acknowledgment of what went on last night. He gets in his car and drives away without a second glance.

“What. The. Fuck. Was. That?” Tayla’s sunglasses have fallen on her nose, her light pink hair looks wild, and her hands are on her hips.

I don’t know what to say. The truth is probably better out.

“We met at Gracie and Paddy’s yesterday evening. We hit it on, he came here. Stayed the night. Now he’s gone”. I take away his bowl and pack it into the dishwasher.

“Was it that sailor guy? Corey somebody? One of that team we saw on TV a few weeks ago?” Tayla won’t let go until she’s satisfied her curiosity.

“This was Sam Northcroft, the quiet one. Corey is the dark-haired outgoing one.” I busy myself through the kitchen, wiping down surfaces, as I feel tears gathering in the corner of my eyes.

Tayla and I have been friends for far too long, and she notices straight away. “Hey, hey. Are you crying? Did he hurt you?”. I can feel her tensing up. She’d probably find out where he lives, and bring back his balls in a bag if he’d hurt me physically.

“No, he was very good. VERY good”. I crack a joke through my tears, and she starts to laugh.

“So it’s like that, eh? Do you want to see him again?” She strokes my hair to soothe me. Daisy sits at my feet, sensing I need company.

“I do. I thought we had something special. I think he won’t call”. I blurt out my fears to Tayla, and tears threaten to come out again.

“You’ve been by my side through many fuck-ups. Now it’s my turn. I decree we have a do-nothing Sunday. Watch some Netflix. Actually follow through with a skincare regime. And more importantly, takeaways for dayyyyyyssss”. She blows me a kiss, while sashaying away.

“Let me put my pyjamas on, we’re in for the day, us three girls. And a big fuck you to fuckboys with ridiculous cars and small dicks.”

I clear my throat.

“Fine, big dicks too”. She rolls her eyes and we both laugh. For a while, it seems like everything’s alright with the world again.