As my own eyes grow heavy, I know I need to get up and take her to the bedroom, but I’m really not looking forward to the idea of sleeping on this bumpy ass couch. I got it for a steal, but I didn’t realize until after that it’s a bitch to sleep on. And as I place Grace softly on my king-size four-poster bed, I find myself unable to turn around.

  I’ll just keep a space between us, stay on my side, and wake up before she even has to know I was here. I never sleep for more than five hours at a time, anyway.

  My plans must go up in smoke as I wake the next morning, holding a scared, shaking body tight against my chest.

  Oh shit, I fucked this all up. I wonder if she’ll stab me before she runs out screaming or go for my balls?

  CHAPTER TEN

  GRACE

  Iwake from the best sleep of my life, wrapped in the most comfortable, cozy blanket. I snuggle back further, letting out a sigh that quickly turns to a shriek as I wake up just enough to realize the blanket is hard and stiff…. All over. What the heck is happening?

  I hear a groan and memories of the night, the guy breaking into my hotel room, Loot and Finick coming out of nowhere and taking him down. Did I really get on the back of his bike and willingly let him take me to the middle of the woods and a secluded, witchy cabin where my screams couldn’t be heard for miles? That groan turns to a moan as he presses against my back, a steel pole in my butt. I inhale sharply.

  Shoot, shoot, shoot, how did I get myself in this situation, and how do I get myself out? But his groan reverberates through my body, and suddenly I’m warm in all the right places. Other parts of me have woken, and I close my eyes, pressing back into his grasp ever so slightly.

  “Mmmm,” I groan at the feel of his heated, hard body aligning with mine.

  Anddddd then I remember what the heck I’m doing. The man is asleep, and I’m rubbing against him like a cat in heat. Maybe it’s not me who should be worried about being out here all alone. Seems like I’m the one who can’t control myself. I take a deep breath and try my best to hold still.

  A few times, he pulls me tighter into his embrace and grinds his body against mine, his manhood placed perfectly between my thighs, nothing but the thinnest of materials separating the two of us. With every grind, every twist, every groan from his lips, I get closer and closer to the crest of a hill I can’t seem to fall over. I can feel my whole body shaking with the buildup and release he’s coaxing out of me. I'll try harder this time; I need to get out of bed before…

  “Hmmm, Grace..” is whispered in my ear, sexy, slow, and deep, and that does it. I bite my wrist as I come. My eyes roll to the back of my head, and my body shakes as I ride out the ecstasy. My breath finally evens out as I feel him go stiff… and not in the original way, and the panic sets in.

  “Shit! I’m so sorry, Star. I thought I’d wake before you and be long gone. Shit, please don’t run.” I hear the plea in his voice, but running is the last thing on my mind. Okay, maybe not the last thing. The mortification from this situation alone might be the death of me. Maybe if I close my eyes, I can pretend to be asleep.

  And that’s a no-go as I feel the arms around me twist until I’m lying on my back and a sexy movie star is looming over me.

  “I only meant to lay you in the bed. I was going to sleep on the couch, but it’s lumpy and…” he pauses his ramblings and squints his eyes.

  He takes in my face. I can feel his eyes on me, down my neck, over my racing pulse, down to my chest, nipples hard as the movement presses my hard, pebbled nipples through the thin sleep shirt. His eyes narrow as they rise to meet mine, then he looks down at the front of his boxers. The wet spot is clear to see, and this is the moment I wish the floor would open up and swallow me whole, because there is no way he doesn’t know what happened.

  “Fuckkkkkkk…” he groans, letting his forehead fall to my neck, right where my shoulder meets.

  He takes a deep breath, and I feel his lips press softly against the side of my neck. My hips almost give another involuntary grind, but before I can embarrass myself further, Loot flies from the bed, turning and heading straight out the door. I hear the bathroom door shut and the shower water turn on.

  I close my eyes for another minute, trying hard not to cry. I knew I would screw this up somehow; I just didn’t think it would be in the first twelve hours of my being here. Picking my head up and slamming it back down on the pillows a few times, I curse myself for being such a… freak. No wonder I’ve always been alone. That’s what I do best; it’s how I like it, and if I keep telling myself that enough, maybe I’ll start to believe it.

  Instead, I dry the two tears I wasn’t strong enough to keep inside off my cheek before pasting a smile on my face and hopping out of bed. I search for my bags, which are probably still locked in his saddlebags. I’ll have to ask him to get them for me unless he’s willing to drive me to the bus stop. I walk out of the bedroom, look down, and see my shoes in front of the dresser near the door. On the left side of the door is a matching dresser with a pair of men’s shoes. My eyebrows draw down in confusion when I see a familiar material peeking out of the dresser on the right.

  After further inspection, I’m stunned to find that he’s unpacked my clothes, adding them to his in the closet and giving me my own dresser. I’m stunned. What am I supposed to do now? Will he still want me to leave? Or will he try to play the nice guy until he can get rid of me? I will never stay somewhere I’m not wanted ever again, and I will never be a burden to another soul. I'd rather die. Still, something tells me Loot isn’t the kind of guy to play nice. He’s more of the straight-talking, what you see is what you get type when you get past the cockiness.

  I’m still contemplating and stressing as he comes strutting out of the bathroom, wearing nothing but that cocky smile and a white towel hanging low on his hips. My eyes shoot to the floor in front of me, and my hands tremble. Bows the time to find out my fate.

  “Umm.. so would you mind driving me to the bus stop? Or if it’s not too far, I can walk,” I say, lifting my head and holding my chin up high. I might not be able to meet his eyes, but I won’t cower. The next thing I know, though, he steps in front of my darting eyes. Still in nothing but that dang towel.

  “Where are you thinking about going, Star?” His voice is low, but his tone is deadly calm. My nipples pebble again, and it takes everything in me not to rub my thighs together.

  “Uh, I figured after this morning you’d be ready for me to move on. I have a bit saved up so I can start over…”

  “That’s not happening, doll. I didn’t jump and run out of bed this morning because I was freaking the hell out. I was close to either fucking you or taking out my cock and marking your whole body with my seed. I was worried about scaring you away or pushing you too hard, but let’s get one thing clear, little Star,” he says, getting even closer, dang near nose to nose with me now, before continuing. “This morning, when you rode my cock and leaked all down my shaft, you sealed your fate. You're mine now, Gracie, and I don’t think I can let you go.”

  And within the next breath, his lips are on mine, kissing me like he has seconds to live and I’m his only cure and somehow already… I’m addicted.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  LOOT

  Iwas a little worried that I might have been a bit too honest with my Star this morning, because after my confession, she scurried off to the bathroom in a mighty big hurry and took her time getting ready for the day. By the time she walks out, she’s dressed in a pair of long, baggy jeans, and a sweatshirt, I’m pulling the last waffle from the fryer and cutting off the bacon as she nervously walks over to me. I can’t help but look her up and down.

  She might hide that body under those baggy clothes now, but it wasn’t less than an hour ago I woke up to those sweet heavenly curves grinding and shaking against my body. Fuckkkk, I've got to get it together before I have to take another cold-ass shower.

  “So, what do you want to do today? Anything at all,” I ask, loading her plate up and handing it to her with the option of orange juice or milk.

  “Actually, I was going to see if you didn’t mind dropping me off back by the motel. I need to let Eddie know what happened last night and hope I still have a job,” she says, biting her lip nervously.

  “Already took care of it. Called to talk to Eddie this morning. Explained what I walked in on, and he agreed you needed some much-needed time off. Told me to tell you to get some rest and that he would see you in no less than a week.”

  “I…” she starts to argue, but I cut her off.

  “I promise you still have a job. Eddie was more worried about you than the door. Fucker wouldn’t even let me pay to fix it. Take the time you need, Star,” I tell her, and I can see she’s battling with it. “Let me ask you this. When was the last vacation you took?”

  Her eyes dart around, not meeting mine. “I don’t really get vacations. Do moves in between towns and jobs count?”

  “I wouldn’t exactly call that relaxing. I also took some time off. First time since coming home from the service.” That last part, I don’t really mean to add, but I realize it’s true.

  I’ve been going, going, going so much. Never taking time to stop, and the thought of it all has my breath picking up, my heart racing wildly, and my palms sweating. There’s a reason I haven't taken time off. The more time off, the more time secluded, the more my thoughts turn back to that day.

  I feel Finick run against the side of my leg, and it shakes those thoughts away. I take a deep breath, push against the back of my ear (the pain helps me come back into focus), then shake my head, hoping I can shake it entirely for the day.

  It’s not until I feel a small hand in mine, though, that the world comes back into focus. Looking down, I meet her soft, concerned gaze. She gives me a small smile and a squeeze when she realizes I’m fine now. That’s all it takes; a smile overcomes my face, and the excitement at the thought of the day returns. Fuck, this little lady has such a tight hold on me already. What the fuck have I gotten myself into?

  “So, um,” she looks down, clearing her throat before pulling back completely when all I want is to pull her closer. “What would you normally do on a day like today? I’d usually say knitting, but I’m feeling a bit too antsy for that today.”

  She twirls her hands together in front of her, and it makes me wonder if she’s amped up from last night's events or from this morning. Fuck, nothing has ever felt so damn good in my life. Coming back to her question, when I catch her staring at me, waiting for my answer.

  “Actually, all my free time is going into getting this place the way I want it. Think I’ve about accomplished that. Got a few small things here and there, but for the most part, it’s home,” I say, looking around the place and taking in every nick and scratch, knowing I had my hand in restoring its beauty.

  “Would you take me to see the pond? I caught a glimpse through the bathroom window, and it looks stunning,” she asks hopefully.

  “I can do that, Star. Want me to load up the fishing poles? I bet they're biting real good this early in the morning.” I glance out the window to see the fog still close to the ground. Oh yeah, perfect time to catch something. Maybe if I’m lucky, I can get my girl to catch some feelings. Lord knows I’m already fucking hooked.

  She gasps before turning and smiling widely, bouncing a bit, which causes those delicious tits to bounce, distracting me. “Can we really? Oh, I haven't been fishing since we lived out in the Smoky Mountains when I was a kid. We camped by this little river for four months before my tent was torn in a storm, and we had to move on. I remember fishing almost every single day; it was so peaceful.”

  “How about you pack us up some of that breakfast, and I’ll get everything loaded onto the four-wheeler,” I tell her before turning toward the door.

  I hear her giggling a bit as she rushes over to the counter and starts looking through the cabinets. I stop and watch her for a minute; she's opening each cabinet, taking out to-go containers, and a small cooler I didn't even know I had. She’s made herself at home, no longer holding back. Hell, if I'd known fishing was the way to her heart, we definitely would have been fishing in the dark weeks ago.

  I’m whistling a tune as I make my way over to the barn. When I open the door, I turn to the left, and there's a stall with all my fishing gear. I haven't been fishing in a few months, focusing on the house instead, but at the thought of getting out the gear, I can't help but put a little pep in my step. Fishing is so freeing for me, and as my Star said, it's peaceful. Being able to let go of everything, letting the rest of the world fall away, and surrounding yourself in nothing but water and silence, there's just nothing else like it.

  Grabbing my two best rods and turning to my tackle box, I hesitate, eyebrows drawing down in confusion. The snap on my tackle box is unlatched. Opening it up, I take inventory of every lure, bobber, anchor, and hook. Every knife, bait, and plier set. Nothing seems to be missing. Still, there's a nagging feeling that the latch is open; usually, I'm meticulous about my gear. Everything has its place, and everything is in its place. Still, it's just an open latch. Deciding keeping my Star waiting would be criminal, I turn and head back out of the barn.

  I’m on a mission to show my girl what a great vacation looks like and try to convince her to stay forever.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  GRACE

  ONE MONTH LATER:

  Ismile as I wake to the now-habitual feeling of Jarron wrapped around me. It's been this way every single day since the first time I spent the night, and I’ve not only come to expect the habit but I’ve also come to crave it. Since that very first day of fishing, it feels like we haven’t hit stop.

  We spent the whole day at the pond. I caught four big catfish, and Jarron caught two. Then again, it seemed like he spent more time staring at me than casting his reel. That night we had a fish fry, and I swear it brought me back to my childhood. The happiest memories from my childhood were when my mom could hide the fact that we were homeless and broke with magical stories of sleeping under the stars and endless summers of swimming in our own personal pool in the backyard.

  Ever since that first day, I swear he’s been finding new ways each day to make me smile. One was a bike ride across the state. My butt hurt by the time we made it home, but it was the most magical experience of my life. Being able to see the world in clear view, with no windows or glass blocking the beauty of the world. We did so many things that after a couple of weeks, I had to call uncle. I was tired and just wanted to sit on the front porch and relax.

  Jarron used that time to fix up the house. I helped here and there, but with a lot of the things he had left to do, he was worried I might get hurt. Instead, I sat in a rocker, with Finick at my feet, Jarron close by, and my knitting needles in my hand. That’s how my Finicky girl and I came out with matching knitted outfits and headbands. And yes, she loves hers as well. She brings me her outfit of choice each day. Jarron grumbles about her club vest, but I see the smile on his face when he catches us both matching.

  Even with all the amazing adventures and endless projects, there is nothing like waking up in the safety of his arms. In such a short time, it feels like I’ve grown so much emotionally. The worry is still there—what if he gets tired of being domesticated? Because that’s exactly what this feels like — domestication. What if he just asks me to leave one day?

  “I can hear you thinking from here, my Star. You're safe with me,” he whispers in a sexy, raspy morning voice. “I won't ever let you go.”

  I tear up at how well he already knows me. I hate that sometimes, okay, maybe more often than not, I need constant reassurance. I worry all the time he’s going to get tired of having to tell me he’s not going anywhere. I mean, that has to be annoying, right? The person you love above all else, not trusting you fully? But it's not that I don’t trust Jarron. I trust him more than I trust anyone else on this planet. The past just doesn’t want to let go of the hold it has on me, and I can’t help but feel defeated by that.

  “I know about the past, Star. Still struggle with it severely. Well, not so much since you’ve come into my life.” I smile at that as he squeezes my middle. “You’re my saving grace, baby. How could I ever let go of my salvation?”

  With that, I turn over so I’m facing him, and I can’t hold back anymore. I plant my mouth hard on his. I feel him jerk back and for a second, oh no, I’ve done this wrong. Shoot, shoot, shoot, just when I think about giving away my virginity, I’m rejected.

  “Fuccckkkkkk…” I hear him groan just before his mouth is on mine and he’s devouring me.

  “Oh!” I gasp as he explodes. With every movement, it’s like he’s everywhere all at once. He lights up every nerve ending like a glow-in-the-dark neon paint show; I swear I’m bursting with colors. It feels like his fingers are imprinting on my skin as he squeezes me through, then pulls my leg up over his hip. He holds back for only a second, then groans again before grinding hard onto my center. We’ve had make-out sessions, but anytime it gets too intense, he pulls back and heads to the bathroom. I’m not letting him leave today.

  Reaching under the covers, I feel the top elastic of his boxer shorts. It’s been torture sleeping next to all this drool-worthy golden skin, and now I don’t want to take my hands away. Or my tongue, I think as I lick from the top of his peck up to just under his throat, then, because I can’t help myself, I bite down there.

  “Mother fucker! Baby, that feels fucking amazing,” he moans once again, grinding against me. This time, though, I’ve pulled my panties to the side, and just as he grinds down, I pull down his boxers and feel his dick pop out. The next thing I feel is his skin on mine, and I swear my eyes nearly roll out of my head.

  “Fuck fuck fuck Star. Shit, baby, you better be ready for this. I swear I don’t want to rush you, but this is my breaking point.”

 

1 2 3 4 5 6 7