Iris Johansen - Eve

She had to be safe.

She slowly turned away from the window and went to the bathroom. She opened the cabinet under the sink and took out her mother’s pretty pink patent box. There were four discs still in the box. Her mother usually got a six-month prescription for birth-control pills.

Eve stared down at the discs with the circle of tiny pills. She had never thought of birth control because she had been sure that she would not need it for a long time. When her life was on track, when it was convenient. But she knew that Sandra’s pills worked for her mother and let her be in control of the situation. Control. Nothing was more important than being able to be in control of this insanely volatile emotional roller-coaster ride. Yet it felt strange and a little frightening to realize what she was going to do.

But she had to be safe.

She took one of the discs and put the rest back into Sandra’s box.

Now she was in control. She didn’t have to rely on anyone but herself. She could take what she wanted.

And the excitement was already starting to build within her.

JOHN GALLO’S CHEVY HAD JUST pulled up across the street from the restaurant.

Her heart was pounding. He was there, soon she’d be with him.

Eve drew a deep breath and threw her towel on the counter. “I’m out of here, Teresa. Mr. Kimble said I could leave early.”

Teresa nodded as she saw the tan Chevy. “Maybe you’re not as serious as I thought. If anyone could jar you out of it, it would be him. Have a good time.” She slid a second glance at the car across the street. “And I think you will.”

Eve was barely hearing her as she headed for the door. John Gallo was getting out of the car. He stopped as he saw her crossing the street toward him.

His eyes narrowed. “This is… different. You didn’t call the cops on me for harassment. I think that might be a good sign.”

“Stop thinking.” She got in the passenger seat. “Just get me out of here.”

He smiled. “Right away.” He got back in the car and started the engine. “Home?”

“No.” Her hands were clenched tightly together on her lap. “I don’t want it to happen in the apartment. I don’t want to think of you there.”

“Happen?” His gaze was on her face, and he pursed his lips in a silent whistle. “Oh, yes, this is going to be very unusual. Why?”

“What difference does it make? Why are you surprised? You’ve been telling me all the reasons that I should let you screw me. Maybe you convinced me.”

“It makes a difference.”

“You’re right, I want it. I want you. I don’t know why I do or why it has to be you, but that’s the way it is.” She looked straight ahead. “Last night I… hurt when I thought about you. Why should I feel this way when I can do something about it?”

“No reason at all.” His hand reached out and rested on her thigh.

She could feel her muscles tense beneath his touch. His hand felt heavy, warm, through the thin denim of her jeans.

“You like this?” His hand was rubbing sensuously back and forth. “Yes, I can feel that you do.”

She couldn’t breathe. She reached out and put her hand above his knee.

His muscles became rock hard beneath her hand.

“No, you can’t play the same game.” He took her hand off him. “Not while I’m driving.”

“Then stop driving.”

“As soon as I can. Where?”

“Anywhere. I don’t care.”

“I do.” His hand was moving between her legs. “I’ve been thinking about it. No motel. There’s a reservoir off the highway. We can find a place.”

“You must have been sure that I’d end up giving in.”

“I’ve been hoping.” His fingers were closing, pulling, gently pinching. “And I thought my chances were good. Chemistry.”

Chemistry.

Her breasts were swelling, her body was tensing, burning, opening. She was leaning back, her head moving back and forth as his hand…

“Get there,” she said through her teeth. “Find that place.”

“We’re almost there.” He was going down a bumpy country road. “It won’t be long.” He muttered, “It had better not be. I’m going crazy.” He pulled down a side road, then they were suddenly off the road and completely surrounded by trees and brush. He jammed on the brakes. “Come on.” He grabbed a red plaid blanket from the backseat and opened the driver’s door. Then he was around the car and opening her door. “Quick.”

She was already out of the car. “Where?”

He was spreading the plaid blanket on the grass at the side of the road. “Is it okay? It’s clean and private. No one comes here…” He was pulling off his shirt, his movements frantic. “If you don’t like it, I’ll find another place later. I can’t-”

“It’s fine.” She was unbuttoning her shirt. “I don’t care.” She just wanted him to touch her again. In the way he had only minutes before, as he had last night. She unfastened her bra and threw it aside.

He was naked. She could see the gleam of his flesh in the moonlight. How had he been so quick?

“I’ll help, Eve. Lie down.”

She was on the soft wool blanket. He was pulling at her jeans. Then they were off, and he was with her on the blanket. She gasped as she felt the hardness of him against her.

“Shh, you’ll like it.” His hand was moving in and out.

She cried out, her back arching off the blanket.

“See, nothing but pleasure.” His mouth was on her breast, nibbling, sucking. “Sweet…”

Not sweet. Maddening. Insane…

His mouth on her breasts, his hand between her legs, probing.

He lifted his head, his breath coming in gasps. “I can’t take much more. I’ll take more time later. But could I-” He was over her, moving between her legs. “Don’t say no, Eve. Please, don’t-” He stopped, closing his eyes. “Wait. I knew I’d go crazy. It will be just a second. I’ve got to protect you.”

“No.” She was pulling herself up to meet him. “Do it!”

“The hell I will. I promised you that-”

“It’s okay. I’m safe. I took care of it.” She was glaring up at him. “Now do it!”

He plunged deep!

Pain. Only for a moment.

Fullness. Friction. Movement.

Yes.

She was moaning, meeting him thrust for thrust.

Deep. Deeper.

His hands were cupping her buttocks, lifting her to every thrust.

“That’s right,” his voice was ragged. “Give it to me. Burn me…”

She was the one who was burning. Every tactile surface of her body seemed hot and sensitized. Her nipples, the flesh of her stomach brushing against his, the soles of her feet that were pressed into the blanket.

Then he was moving harder, deeper. “Eve, I can’t hold off any…”

She couldn’t, either. Her lips bit into her lower lip as she felt the rising.

Madness. It was all madness…

It was only seconds later that her back arched off the blanket, her arms sliding around him to pull her to him.

He cried out and collapsed on top of her.

“You screamed.” He was gasping for breath as he lifted his head. “Did I hurt you?”

She’d screamed? She didn’t remember making a sound. But then she hadn’t been thinking, only feeling. “You didn’t hurt me.”

“You’re sure? I’ve never had a virgin. You were… tight.”

“Yes, I was.” She was gasping, too. “But it was okay. Did it bother you?”

“Hell, no.” He flexed within her at the memory. “It was fantastic.” Then he was getting off her and lying beside her. “But I should have been more careful. I thought about doing it, then it was gone, swept away.”

Everything had been swept away but the act itself, Eve thought.