Feuds and reckless fury, p.22
Feuds and Reckless Fury, page 22
“They’ll kill us,” I say with a sigh. “Our dads will kill us.”
Canyon scoots up the bed, burying his face against the side of my neck and kissing me sweetly. His affectionate nature is addictive. Being wrapped up in his loving embrace is almost too much to bear. It makes me yearn for things I have no business feeling or wanting.
Hope. Happiness. Love.
“They won’t kill us,” he murmurs in a sleepy voice. “Promise.”
“They will.”
“Do you really think I’m going to let anyone hurt you?”
The sharp, serious blade to his tone has me calming. Whatever it is Canyon and I are doing together, it’s not a joke. He’s not playing with me or using me to pass the time. He wants and needs me like I want and need him. His protective nature blankets me and keeps me warm.
“Careful, Voss,” I tease. “Keep trying to be perfect, and one day I’m going to think you are.”
“One day?” He scoffs. “We both know you think that day is today.”
His hand finds mine, and he threads our fingers together. My heart skips a beat at his gentle, assuring touch. How can being with him feel so damn right when, if it got out to people, they’d see it as completely wrong?
“You keep tensing up.” He nips at my neck. “Relax. It’s too early for an anxiety attack. At least let me get some caffeine first.”
“What would you do…after?”
He sits up on his elbow, cocking a brow at me. Hooded blue eyes roam over my face as he studies me. Dark hair sticks up on one side, making him look stupidly hot for just waking up.
“After what?”
“After our imagined trek around the world,” I utter, my voice shaking slightly. “What is it you want to do?”
His brows crash together, and a dark look passes over his features. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It does to me.”
“I used to…” He lets out a harsh breath. “I used to want to work with my dad at his company. I’d be able to work and also go to college at the same time.”
“But?”
“But I don’t think I want that anymore.”
“Because of him leaving your mom for my dad?”
His jaw clenches, and he nods. “He fucked up everything. Even my future. Now, I don’t know what else I would do. For so long, I just wanted to work with Dad.”
An ache forms in my chest for him. The separation of his parents hit him hard. It turned his world upside down and spat him out. He’s disoriented and unsure where to go now. I grab the back of his neck and pull him to me for a quick kiss. Neither of us seems to care about morning breath because, within seconds, he’s trying to eat me alive, grinding his dick against mine.
“You can be my assistant,” I tease, grinning against his lips as he devours me.
“Mmmm.”
“Or my muse. Just stand there and look pretty while I sculpt you.”
“Who’s going to buy sculptures of my dick?”
“You’d be surprised.”
We both laugh. He pulls away to retrieve the bottle of lube. After coating his fingers with the slickness, he starts licking on my nipple as he teases at my still-sore hole. I gasp as a finger pushes into me. It burns, but I’m already eager for more. Each time he bites my hardened nipple, a whiney sound escapes me that has him grinning against my skin.
“More,” I croak out. “Please.”
Two fingers are inside me this time, twisting and stretching and scissoring. It stings since I’m still raw from the last time, but I desperately need him again. Once he deems me ready, he sits up on his knees, generously lubing up his bare cock. Sapphire eyes lock onto mine as the fat crown of his dick replaces where his fingers were only moments ago. I whimper with each inch of progress he makes inside my tight body.
“We could fool them,” Canyon says, a lazy grin on his beautiful face. “Become roommates after school. They don’t have to know we love to fuck.” He punctuates those words with a hard thrust of his hips that makes me cry out. “It’ll be so domestic.”
I laugh, pulling him back to me for a heated kiss. “You’re a dreamer, Canyon Voss. And here I thought I was the artsy one with his head in the clouds.”
He retreats, his full lips parted, pink, and slightly swollen from our kissing. Fuck, I could stare at him all day, especially when he’s inside me and watching me like I’m the most exquisite thing he’s ever seen. His large hands slide to my thighs, pushing them back and spreading me apart even farther. I’m mesmerized by the starved expression on his face. He fucks into me slowly, watching how his dick slides in and out of my heat.
“I like being inside you,” he rasps out. “It feels fucking amazing.”
He picks up the pace, bucking harder and harder. I’m overcome with pleasure, and the need to touch myself is intense. I grab at my dick, but he swats it away. His hand wraps around my length, squeezing and tugging in time with how he fucks me. It doesn’t take long before cum spurts out of me, hot and furious. He makes a ragged sound, his eyes fluttering closed, and then warmth floods deep inside me. All strength leaves him, and he crashes against me, pinning me to the bed with his weight. His dick remains inside me, and I love it. I don’t want him to pull out. The connection between us is one I desperately need.
“We could get a dog,” I murmur, stroking my fingers along his sweaty, naked skin. “A bad one to distract our dads from the fact we’re not really roommates but boyfriends instead.”
“Or a bird or a gerbil,” he teases.
At the mention of a gerbil, a shudder wracks through me. Anything that remotely looks like a mouse gives me the heebie-jeebies.
“Got a thing against gerbils?” He lifts up so he can look at me, his dark brow arched in question.
“Mostly mice.” I dart my gaze away, shuddering at the thought of those things that used to terrorize me when I was a boy.
Strong fingers clasp my jaw and turn me back toward his probing gaze. “What’s with the mice?”
Another terrified tremble quakes through me. His frown deepens as he studies me.
“When I lived with Mom, our trailer was infested with them. I was terrified.” I close my eyes but quickly reopen them when I think I hear a squeak. “To this day, I hate them.”
His expression softens, and a smile tugs at his lips. “Then we’ll get a cat, Wonderland. To keep the mice away.”
And just like that, Canyon makes everything better.
Am I stupid to hope and pray for this feeling to never go away?
A future with Canyon seems too good to be true. There’s so much stacked against us—we’ve only begun to see each other in a romantic capacity, we’ll be stepbrothers soon, and we’re still so young.
But…
There’s no denying the way he consumes me entirely.
It intensifies with each passing second at a reckless, furious pace.
Later, at breakfast, tension fills the air. I catch Carrie’s gaze lingering at my neck, and I begin to wonder if Canyon left any visible hickeys. Absently, I rub my fingers over the flesh, heat flooding to my cheeks. Canyon smirks before eating a bite of his cereal. I discreetly flip him the bird.
Ryan clears his throat, making both Canyon and I flinch. But, rather than glaring at us as though he’s caught on to what we’ve been up to, he sends Dad an imploring look. Dad sets his fork down and nods, forcing a grim smile.
“I spoke with my attorney this morning,” Dad says, voice tight with nerves. “I didn’t tell him all the details about Colin’s visit, but I asked his advice on how to keep him away.”
Carrie’s mask of confusion has Ryan briefly filling her in on his visit and admitting that he shot the guy who attacked me. Her face is ashen by the end.
“He doesn’t think,” Dad continues, “that there are many options for us to legally keep him away unless he specifically does something. The most we can do is hope he gets a clue and backs off.”
“And if he doesn’t?” Canyon practically growls.
I shudder at the thought of Colin visiting again.
“Alis is old enough,” Dad says, his voice hard. “An adult. Free to make his own decisions. If he doesn’t want to see Colin, he doesn’t have to. Ever.”
An adult.
Free to make my own decisions.
Canyon’s penetrating stare is on me, peeling me apart, stroking tender parts inside me, reminding me of our pillow talk last night and this morning. His promises. A future.
I don’t want to give up Dad to have Canyon.
I want to have them both.
Maybe it’s possible. Canyon makes me believe that it could be.
His foot brushes against mine beneath the table, sending electric currents rippling through my body. I’m momentarily transfixed by his hot stare, caught in a vacuum that’s nothing but him. His expensive, masculine scent that’s now marked all over my room and bed. The expressive, passionate glint in his powerful blue eyes. Full, sexy lips that quirk up on one side when he’s amused.
Soon, Dad and Ryan make it back to their favorite subject—the wedding. Carrie and Canyon remain quiet, both of them still stung by the idea of our parents marrying. For their sake, I wish it wasn’t happening, but I’ve never seen my dad so happy before. Selfishly, I want the Voss kids to soften to the idea of them getting married so the light, excited energy that radiates from my father these days continues.
Why can’t I have my cake and eat it too?
Leon watches me from across the table, a curious expression on his face. I try not to squirm under the intensity of it. He’s my closest friend, and yet I still haven’t told him about Canyon and me. But, because I know him so well, I can tell he suspects something. For one, a few weeks ago, Canyon wouldn’t be caught dead at my lunch table. Now, he’s sitting beside me, carrying on a lively conversation with Naomi, who’s seated across from him. Each time Canyon’s thigh brushes against mine, my dick twitches, and my face heats up.
“Motherfucker,” Canyon mutters under his breath. “I swear to God I’m going to put my fist through his teeth.”
I follow his gaze to where Damon, Gage, and Cain are sitting. Damon’s shoulders are hunched, like he’s a kicked puppy, while Gage laughs like an idiot. When Gage catches Canyon staring at him, he hooks a thumb in Damon’s direction and mouths something that looks a lot like, “He fucked your sister.”
Canyon starts to stand, but I grab the back of his shirt, yanking him back down. His head snaps my way, a murderous scowl twisting his features. For a second, my stomach does an uncomfortable flip, remembering that this look filled with animosity used to be pointed at me. A smile chases away his anger, and his eyes drop to my lips. I lick them, noticing how his nostrils flare in response.
“Are we going to talk about this?” Leon asks, humor in his tone.
“Nope,” Naomi says back, leaning her head against his shoulder. “We could talk about this weekend instead.”
Understanding washes over me as I take in how she smiles prettily up at him. Leon’s always been smitten with her, but something’s different. There’s a smugness about him that didn’t exist before.
“Are you two…” I trail off, unable to find the words.
“If we were, would that be a problem?” she asks, her brow lifting in the sassy manner she’s perfected.
Canyon is quiet beside me, which makes my nerves go haywire. Does he miss her? Is he jealous? I cast a quick glance at him, expecting to find him radiating with anger or jealousy, but instead, he’s smirking. That look on his face settles something deep inside me.
“Not a problem with me,” I assure her and turn my attention back to Leon. “Any problems with us?”
I don’t have to spell it out because Leon knows. His eyes dart back and forth. He makes a motion of zipping his lips. “Nope. I do wonder what your dad will think…”
I flinch at the reminder, but Canyon’s soothing touch on my thigh calms me.
“It doesn’t matter what our dads think,” Canyon says in a soft whisper. “And they’re not going to find out anyway.”
“Eventually, they’ll have to,” Leon warns. “It’s clear as day to anyone who looks at you two.”
Movement across the lunchroom catches my eye. Gage pretends to blow an imaginary dick, insinuating what I do with Canyon.
Canyon squeezes my leg with his reassuring grip. “Let’s just hope they’re not looking too hard.”
I didn’t realize we were that obvious, but maybe we really are. We’ll have to tone it down when around people so this whole thing doesn’t blow up in our faces.
“And when they finally see it?” Leon challenges, not letting the subject go.
“We’ll cross that bridge when we get there,” I mumble out.
I just hope we never have to.
Canyon
Three Months Later…
Watching Dad press a kiss to Quinn’s lips over dinner at the resort should have me feeling annoyed or angry. But, having spent so much time with them now that Carrie and I live at Quinn’s with Dad, I’m used to their disgustingly sweet public displays of affection. Now that they’re officially married as of two days ago, they’ve added on a whole new layer of giddy love. If Mom wasn’t doing so well, I’d probably be able to focus my animosity on Dad. As it stands, though, I’m happy.
I owe every ounce of my happiness to Alis. As if he can sense that he’s on my mind, his hand sneaks over to mine beneath the table, giving it a squeeze. After a full day on the slopes, we’re all exhausted and ready for a relaxing night in. I’m eager to pull Alis into his bed, strip him down, and fuck him like there’s no tomorrow. The image of him naked and shivering beneath me has a filthy grin quirking up one side of my lips.
Alis shoots me a warning glare, but then the bastard brushes his palm over my dick as he pulls his hand away. I grip his wrist, not letting him escape, and bring it back to my dick so he can feel the steel straining in my pants. He rubs at it, his dark eyes lingering at my mouth.
My phone buzzes, and I let go of his hand to retrieve it. Seeing Mom’s name on the screen never ceases to bring a smile to my face.
Mom: We have an offer on the house!
A pang of sadness punches me in the gut.
Me: Great news.
Mom: The house is too big for us, Canny. Too many memories. It’ll be better this way. Fresh start for everyone.
Mom’s fresh start began when she left rehab. She moved in with Uncle Adam in Orlando. Since he works from home running an online marketing company, he’s able to keep Mom company. Plus, he was about to hire someone to help him with bookkeeping and filing, so Mom’s going to do it instead. It’ll be better for her in the long run, but it still makes my chest ache at the thought of our house selling.
Me: Yeah, I know. Tell Uncle Adam I said hey.
I send her a selfie, and she sends one back with Uncle Adam giving her bunny ears. Seeing her smile and like her old self brings relief rushing into me.
Mom: You know I love you, baby, right?
Me: I know. Love you too, Mom.
A couple of weeks ago, after one of my track meets, Mom and I went to lunch to talk. I’d been secretly pleased she attended the event but was still upset with her. She apologized for everything again, but that time it actually hit home. I had my mom back, and things were going to be okay. She and Dad decided that until she was in a better place, Carrie and I would continue to live with him for the time being. Though I hate what he did to her, he’s been supportive and helpful when it comes to Mom. I know he still loves her in his own way, which I’m thankful for. Plus, it’s hard to remain bitter when I gained something out of their break-up.
Alis.
My Wonderland.
He leans in, brushing his lips along the shell of my ear. “You okay?”
Turning slightly, greedily seeking his nearness, I whisper back, “Am now.”
All too soon, Alis pulls away, severing our connection. It’s times like these that it’s hard for me to hold back. He’s mine, and sometimes I want to shout it to the world. But having him in secret is better than not having him at all.
After a filling meal, we all retreat back to the suite we’re sharing with Carrie. Dad and Quinn cuddle up on the couch together, much like I wish Alis and me could. I settle for sitting on the floor in front of the love seat he’s sprawled out on so I can be close. Carrie frowns from one of the armchairs, seemingly dazed.
Things are still strained with us.
She slept with my best friend. Ex-best friend. And it’s not even like they’re a couple. It’d been different if she actually loved Damon or he loved her. I might have forgiven him for it. It wasn’t like that, though. It was just a way for him to get his dick wet, uncaring of the consequences that forever ruined our friendship. I mean, she’s sixteen, for fuck’s sake. He’s eighteen. I still want to kill him for it to this day.
“Colin texted me again,” Alis grumbles.
I twist my body to scowl at him. “What’d he say this time?”
Colin Wheaton has been a thorn in our sides for three months straight. He didn’t just go away, but he also didn’t do anything to force our hand with the lawyers. It’s like…he actually wants to be in Alis’s life.
“Wants me to visit him in St. Louis. Sightsee or see a Cardinals game or some crap.” He lets out an annoyed huff. “Of course, I’m not going, and I told him as much.”
Quinn sighs. “Maybe—”
“No,” I bark out. “Did you forget the fact that he fucking killed someone on your porch?”
I’ll be goddamned if I let Alis go anywhere near that psychopath. Dad shoots me a stern look, but I ignore it. I know both he and Quinn question my newfound overprotectiveness over Alis, yet they never mention it. I’m not exactly ready to explain it because they’re not going to like the answer.
I love Alis.
I loved Naomi because she’s easy to love, but this feels different. Like there’s more substance and depth to it. Alis gets me like no one else can. When we’re alone, lost in our own little world, my guard drops, and I can just be.
