Breath of Life (17 page)

“I’ll dance with you sugar,” a familiar voice came behind her. She turned around and saw Duke’s face. She smiled and hugged him.

He looked up at Jonathan. “If you want to go I can watch her. I will make sure she gets home,” Duke offered.

“Are you okay to drive?”

“No but I’m here with some buddies. We have a DD.” He staggered a bit as Paxton pulled on him trying to get him on the dance floor. She quickly gave up and stood there.

“You sure?”

“Yeah, we’re good.” Duke smiled and grabbed Paxton’s hand and led her to the middle.

He didn’t want to wait for Jonathan to agree. He just wanted Paxton to have some fun. He was thoroughly shocked when he saw her heading to the dance floor. She knew this was Ella’s favorite place and he figured it would be too much of a reminder for her.

“I can’t believe you’re here,” he leaned in to her as they got on the dance floor.

“I needed to get out.” She grabbed ahold of his shoulders trying to reach his ear to make sure he heard her.

The music overtook her and she just wanted to dance. She needed to fill a void. She pressed herself up against him. She didn’t care about boundaries any longer. She didn’t care that Ella wasn’t here and that Jack left her. Duke stilled for a fraction of a second as she rubbed against him.

“Let’s get some drinks,” he said a few moments later. They headed back to where she saw a few of his buddies hanging out. She hadn’t seen them in over a year.

They all greeted her with hugs and kisses on the cheeks. They were glad to see her. They ordered a few rounds.  Paxton took in their conversations. The boys were talking about the gym and what was going on in their lives. Paxton smiled and continued drinking. She knew she had to start drinking water soon otherwise she would regret it in the morning.

“Dance!” She finally had enough talking. He turned and gave her a look stating he knew how drunk she was considering she did not like to dance. Paxton didn’t care. The DJ was playing an array of music and she just wanted to move.

“Let’s go beautiful,” he said. She grabbed his shirt and led him back to the packed dance floor.

They went to the middle of the crowd. They danced wildly with each other somehow always maintaining some sort of physical contact with each other. They were enjoying each other’s company and it almost felt like old times when Jack and Ella were with them. Paxton was enjoying herself for the first time in what seemed like a long time. She turned and gave Duke a little booty shake and laughed as she turned back around. She found Duke laughing with her. She noticed that he was having a great time as well.

A slower Enrique Iglesias song came on, Paxton instantly recognized it. It was a breather song as Paxton saw it. The DJ had been playing dance-pop music for about twenty minutes.
On Top of You
slowed it down but still had a good beat to it. It was one of her favorite songs.

Duke pulled her in closer as they started to sway to the music. Paxton felt something change in that moment. She listened to the song as they danced and she felt the mood between them shift to something more serious, something almost primal and sex-driven.

It felt good to be close to someone who wanted her. One who didn’t say harsh words to her and leave her broken on the floor. Their bodies were melting together as one.

She noticed how well she fit against him. How much she needed someone to hold her. Her hands traveled down his back and she looked up at him. There was a longing in his eyes and she could see how badly he wanted her in that moment whether it was alcohol induced or not. Duke was the only thing she saw. Her heart skipped a beat. He pulled her in and grabbed her face as he hungrily kissed her. She returned his kiss with the same ferocity. The hunger and loneliness drove them. The kiss was all she needed to know that she wasn’t alone. That primal need rose in her and her hands skimmed under his shirt along his pant line. It was unknown territory to her. She felt his abs contract as he started to pull away. Their contact broke and they stood there breathlessly looking at each other. Paxton saw the need in his eyes as well.

She took a step closer pressing up against him and planted a soft kiss on the side of his neck. His head dropped to her hair and he took a deep breath.

“Let’s get out of here.” He grabbed her hand and headed off the dance floor.

As they reached the group, they were all staring. “Let’s go. We need to get out of here,” he said in a husky voice.

The guys stared at him then back at Paxton. She noticed the looks on their faces. They were in shock at what they saw. They all grabbed their jackets from the barstools. They headed out in silence but Duke kept a grip on her hand. Occasionally on the walk to the parking garage, he glanced down with a burning gaze. She knew what they started on the dance floor was not over.

The guys talked on the ride home. One by one they were dropped off until it was just Sage, Duke and Paxton. Paxton found herself nestled in the back with Duke. They didn’t face each other but their bodies were entwined with each other. His fingers ran up and down her arm. Sage kept looking in the rear-view mirror. She was sure that he and Duke were having a silent conversation as she found Duke staring back at Sage.

He pulled up to the house and parked it. Duke was out the same moment it was thrown in park. He held his hand out reaching to help Paxton out of the car. Paxton quickly went around him.

“Thanks,” she said to Sage through the window. He smiled but when Duke went to follow she heard him start talking to Duke.

She didn’t want to hear what they were saying. She rushed to the house and went inside. She felt off balance when she tried to make it up the stairs. The alcohol was definitely working against her. She struggled to get up the stairs. She paused when she made it to the top. She held on to the railing. She had to let herself adjust to the dark. She heard the front door shut. She turned to see Duke taking two stairs at the time. His hunger seemed to sober him. He reached her and kissed her again. His fists wrapped into her hair. She closed her eyes and let him lead the way to the bedroom without breaking the kiss.

They hit the closed door and he picked her up. Paxton wrapped her legs around him as he fumbled for the door knob.  The door finally let go of her back and swung open. He took a few big strides and laid her on the bed. He stopped for a moment catching his breath. She took in the sight of Duke.

She stood and grabbed the hem of his shirt.  She looked up at him as if she were waiting for his permission that they were really doing this. He gave a slight nod and she ripped the shirt up and over his head. He then took over and threw it on the ground. She gasped at the sight of him. He must have hit the gym hard since the last time she saw him half naked. Of course they were in a completely different setting but his abs were more cut than they had been back a couple summers ago. He stepped out of his shoes and took his socks off. It was the first time she noticed how sexy his feet were. She just knew Duke was looking like a poster boy for what sexy men looked like. The jeans hugged his quads and went into a boot cut down to his bare feet. 

Duke stepped forward and turned her around. He undid the chain that held the back of her dress together. He turned Paxton again, sliding the dress off her shoulders and to the floor. It was then his confirmation of no bra was confirmed. She wore a lacy, black thong and still had the leopard print heels on. She stepped out of it and he leaned in kissing her shoulder and wrapping an arm around her as he backed her up to the bed and laid her down.  He stood up still slightly leaning against the bed. Duke knew that Paxton was the most beautiful, sexy thing in his life right now.  Jack was a fool for letting her go. He undid the belt he had on and slid it out. He noticed Paxton enjoying the show. He slowly undid his jeans and let them fall to the floor. Paxton inhaled sharply as he was left with boxer briefs that didn’t leave much to the imagination.  He saw her bit her lip and wanted to be the one doing that.

He leaned himself down on the bed, holding himself up above her. He kissed her then slowly kissed her leaving a trail of kissed on her cheek, her neck. He went down her shoulder and along her clavicle. Paxton closed her eyes as she took in the slight tingling sensation his kisses left. He trailed down to her belly and anticipation grew within her. Her hands went to his hair. His planted a kiss on her hip across her panty line.  His hands reached and grabbed her thong and slowly pulled it down, trailing more kisses down her legs. As he pulled it off, he stood and looked at her again.

“You are so sexy,” his voice was rough, full of need.

It was something Paxton found herself wanting to fill. He needed this as much as she did.  She bit her lip again. She glanced down and saw the bulge that seemed to grow within the last few minutes. She instinctively rubbed her legs together again hoping to ease some of the need she felt. He grabbed her leg behind the knee and spread her legs, placing him between them. He leaned over her holding himself up. She saw him searching her face waiting for permission to take it further.

“Please Duke.” She ran her fingers through his hair.

She pulled herself up to kiss him and Paxton felt him slowly enter her. He grunted as he let himself slide all the way in her.  They were still for a few moments as if there was an adjustment period. Paxton knew there was no going back now. He slowly started moving, making sure he was gentle with her. Paxton let him take care of her. Her hands pulled him down closer. She loved the feeling of him against her. She kissed his shoulder. Her breathing quickened and the thrusting became faster. He took his time to get this point but now their primal needs were taking over. Their breathing became heavier. Her fingers dug into his back. She felt the sinewy muscles working below them.

He lifted himself up a bit and Paxton held on to him.  The blood was pulsating within her and she looked at Duke. His face was covered with passion and need. She never felt so wanted before.  As basic as the need was, it was controlling every muscle movement made. Her head drop back as her excitement built up within her. She was climbing high and she knew her sweet release would be coming soon. As if he sensed it, Duke’s movements quickened. She pulled herself closer as if it were even possible. Her breathing was erratic.  As her release came, she let out a scream.

“Oh Ell- Paxton!” Duke grunted as his own release came.

Paxton was floating away in her post-coital happiness and felt light as ever. Duke collapsed and rolled over onto his back. Paxton found herself lying on his chest. They never broke contact. She felt Duke run his fingertips along her back.  She smiled and closed her eyes.  A small giggle escaped her and she was pretty sure Duke smiled at that moment because he let out a short chuckle. The only sound in the room was their heavy breathing.

FIFTEEN

Paxton woke up with the sun shining through the windows. She wasn’t sure how she got home last night. She silently admitted that she had a little too much to drink. She attempted to move but found herself tangled up against someone. She looked over her shoulder and found Duke. Her heart raced a bit realizing what happened between them last night. She shouldn’t be sleeping with the love of her best friend’s life and Jack’s ex-best friend. It was just wrong but it felt so right last night.  Their needs vetoed the logical reasons why they shouldn’t be together. She turned to face the wall again. She laid there not wanting to move or wake up Duke.

How’s Jack going to feel about this?
Paxton’s conscience broke in.
Fuck Jack.
Her satiated side retorted. Paxton smiled siding with her satiated self.  She knew whatever Jack thought didn’t matter.
 Quit lying to yourself, you know you went out last night to forget about Jack. You still love him.
  Her conscience bit back.
Mission accomplished. Duke filled the void and thoughts of Jack were nowhere to be found. Beside Duke was beyond sexy without clothes.
  Paxton took a deep breath in a sighed. Her inner-war was going to go on and on unless she got up. She started to unwrap herself when Duke stirred. He tightened his gripped and pulled her back into him.

“Ella, baby come on, stay with me,” he murmured.

Paxton froze. She turned her head and saw he was still asleep. Tears stung her eyes. He slept with her last night and was dreaming of Ella. Would he regret what happened between them?
It was a mistake you know it
her conscience interrupted again.  Fear struck her. She quickly unwrapped herself and went to the bathroom. She heard him groan but flip over to his other side.

She closed the door behind her. She turned on the shower and let the water warm up. She looked in the mirror and chastised herself. Tears threatened looking at her reflection. She would not let them fall. Mistake or not, the sex was great and she would not regret it. He stopped a couple times waiting for her to give the go ahead. He was sober enough for that. So was she, although she didn’t quite remember it until she realized he was in bed with her. She stepped into the shower and the hot water stung her skin. She stood under the water and washed away the negative thoughts. She wouldn’t know anything until he woke up. Until then, she wasn’t going to think about it.

***

Jack awoke with a start. He wasn’t sure why until he reached for his phone. He then heard a reminder for unread text messages.  He opened the two unread messages from Jonathan.

Jonathan: If you still love her you better come back. She out at the bars again.

Jack grimaced reading that. Paxton and bars never went together. The next message failed to download. He hit the message bubble and it attempted to download again. This time it came through. Jack pulled it up. It was another message from Jonathan. A picture of Paxton and Duke filled his screen. Her fingertips were under his shirt and they were locked in a kiss.  Jack couldn’t believe that she’d go after Duke. He quickly flipped through his contacts.

“Hello?” A groggy voice came from the other end.