What Lies Between Lovers. Sophia Shaw

he was still feeling out his current contract in civilian surveillance and security consulting. But everything had fallen into place soon after, and he was now pretty content with living in San Diego for the foreseeable future.

      “Yeah, I think so. It’s as good a place as any for now.”

      “You don’t have any family here?” she asked.

      “No. My mom lives in Bakersfield.”

      “No other family?”

      “Nope,” he replied. “I’m an only child, and I’m not sure where my father is. There are a few cousins floating around, but none that I’m particularly close to.”

      They were about to get off Interstate 8 on the south end of Mission Bay. Monique spent the next few minutes giving Tao more detailed directions to her house. He pulled the car into her driveway shortly afterward.

      “Thanks again for driving me home, Tao,” she told him before she opened the passenger door and stepped out.

      “No problem at all.”

      He exited the car also, and walked with her to the front door.

      “I don’t usually drink that much…. I don’t feel that drunk or anything…just a little fuzzy maybe.”

      Monique smiled up at him again, her eyes shining with a mix of embarrassment and self-consciousness. Tao smiled back and handed her the key ring. She fumbled in the dark, obviously trying to find the house keys. His smile widened with amusement, then he took them out of her hands and easily slid the door key into the lock.

      “Thanks,” she mumbled. “I’ll call a cab for you.”

      He stood in the front hall while she walked further into the house and stepped into what he assumed was the kitchen. Tao heard her on the phone for a few seconds then she was back.

      “Okay, they should be here in about ten minutes. Do you want something to drink? A glass of water or something?” she offered.

      Tao had not really thought past getting Monique home safely. Sure, he had immediately noticed how hot she looked that night, with her bare back exposed and the thrust of her uncovered breasts teasing the fabric of her top. He had even had the chance to admire the sexy length of her legs in her very high heels. But, it had only been a natural appreciation of a beautiful woman. Not once had he really thought about holding her or kissing her. But now, standing just inside her house while she looked up at him with eyes more open and honest than ever before, her lips slightly parted, it was all he could think about.

      “I wouldn’t mind a glass of water,” he told her.

      Monique didn’t move, and Tao didn’t hesitate to pull her close with a gentle hand behind her head. He placed his mouth on hers. It started out as a simple kiss, meant to test her interest in something more. But the second he brushed his lips across hers, it felt like pure electricity. Tao pulled back in surprise, hovering only an inch from her, trying to understand the jolt that hit him somewhere below his navel. Then, he kissed her again with no questions or hesitation.

      Everything around them faded away until all that was left was the taste and feel of her mouth. Tao swept his lips across hers, taking his time to travel from one corner to the other. Her lips were soft and silky, enticing him to continue nibbling and sucking on them. His tongue teased the inside edge of her mouth, sweeping across its plumb wetness.

      On and on the kiss went, with Tao’s hands cupping Monique’s face and his fingers teasing her cheeks. Then, she opened her mouth and swept her tongue along his. It was an incredibly erotic touch, and Tao sucked in a sharp breath. They both paused for a moment, as though acknowledging that the temperature between them was about to get hotter.

      When their mouths connected again, the kiss was open, deep, and wet. Tao pulled her closer until their bodies were fused. Their tongues brushed and stroked with growing hunger. One of his hands swept down her smooth, sculpted back to rest at the base of her spine. Monique reached her arms to drape them over his shoulders. A deep moan escaped her throat. His body reacted immediately.

      Tao had been so totally engrossed in the heat of their touch that he had forgotten everything else, including the fact that Monique was a friend and more than a little tipsy. But while her gasp of pleasure raised his blood pressure, it also forced him back to reality. Monique’s reaction to their kisses might not be so heated if she were completely sober. And she may not feel so good about things in the morning.

      As much as Tao was enjoying their kisses and wanting more, the idea of taking advantage of her current state did not sit well with him. He stole a couple more hot kisses, pulling her tongue into his mouth for one final brush. Then, he pulled away slowly. It took Monique a few seconds to realize what had happened. When she finally opened her eyes to look up at him, they were smoky and heavy-hooded. They said that she was still wrapped up in the arousal between them.

      It would have been so easy for Tao to kiss her again and lead them both to her bedroom, but he resisted. It took almost all his strength. A horn sounded outside at that moment, announcing the arrival of his cab. The timing was perfect.

      “I better get going,” he told her in a soft voice.

      Monique looked down at the floor but didn’t say anything.

      “Are you feeling okay?” he then asked.

      “I’m fine,” she replied while nodding.

      “Okay. Drink lots of water before you go to bed, okay?”

      She smiled, finally meeting his eyes.

      “I will.”

      Tao intended to just walk out the door, but he could not resist one last soft kiss. The same electricity shot through him again, leaving him a little dazed. He quickly left her house a few seconds later, the taste of her like a stain on his lips.