Chapter 41
41
[Judd]
M y brother Ford is opening an overnight summer baseball camp for kids outside of Sterling Falls. The location used to be an old hunting lodge. A very rustic, minimalist lodge. Now, the small cabins have been converted into bunkhouses and a main building has been built, doubling as both the dining hall and a meeting place. Located on a lake, the acres of land also include two new baseball diamonds.
And enough extra space to host a carnival-themed soft opening for locals and their families. Ford credits Cadence with the idea. He also faults her for this event getting out of hand. The original intent was some traditional games like a three-legged race and water balloon toss. A few concession stands. Maybe some food trucks. And a local firefighter versus law enforcement baseball game. But Cadence, along with Halle who is a seasoned event planner, has turned Ford’s property into a mini fair, complete with a Ferris Wheel and Tilt-A-Whirl.
I was not too keen on helping staff simple lawn games, so I’ve been recruited to monitor the money. The event is also a fundraiser, building a reserve for scholarships for kids who can’t afford to attend the future camp but have the talent to be present.
Even though Ford is retired from the game, he isn’t abandoning the sport. He is looking to train future baseball hopefuls.
Genie, on the other hand, is all in for the festivities, working the sno-cone machine and handing out popcorn. From a distance, I eye her as she politely speaks to Tate Haven. Heather is nowhere in sight, but her father’s auto sales company has generously donated a pickup truck as a grand raffle item.
The day is a perfectly sunny mid-May afternoon. Summer is on the horizon, and I relish being outdoors, enjoying the community of those who have gathered to support Ford and his endeavor. The excitement is not only a testament to Ford as a hometown superstar but also the desire for something unique and special in the area.
Throughout the day, Genie and I pass like yellow ducks in the Yellow Duck River, a game for younger children. Eventually, Simon and Trudy find me, and I enter the three-legged race and the water balloon toss with my young charge. We lose the water balloon toss. I almost think Simon pitched it to me like he did on purpose.
The scent of peanuts and popcorn and Cracker Jacks seem to permeate the air. Cadence nearly force feeds me a hot dog with my name written in mustard on it. Knox and Stone playfully razz each other as members of opposing teams during the baseball game later in the evening.
By nightfall, the lights of the rides illuminate in the darkening sky.
And all this is to say, it’s been a great day.
Simon. My family. My girl.
Genie and I have breached a new level in our relationship, especially after last night. Internal wounds were tender. I’d been angry she told my family about my secret, but I also licked those wounds after their resounding support.
Then I licked Genie to show her how grateful I am that she pulled me from my shell.
I’d been keeping my boxing to myself, for myself, and yet sharing it with my brothers took the thrill of the sport to a higher level.
Speaking of heights, I finally get Genie alone on the Ferris Wheel, which starts and stops as the ride fills with enough new patrons to warrant a few trips around the metal spiral.
“Did you know that proposing on a Ferris Wheel did not make the list of top places to propose?” Genie blurts.
I love how she’s so full of random information.
“Interesting.” With my arm along the back of the seat, I twirl a piece of her short hair around my finger. Chocolate and strawberry blonde. She’s my favorite flavor of the day.
“Proposing near a waterfall made the list, though,” she continues. Her hand rests on my thigh as the ride jolts upward then comes to an abrupt stop to allow new riders to hop on. She isn’t looking at me but out at the crowd of people lining up for the ride.
“Really?” I turn my head and arch a brow, reminded of how I told her my parents got engaged near Sterling Falls. “Cliché, right?”
Genie doesn’t strike me as someone who’d do anything cliché, but rather something outside the norm. She told me how asking me to my prom with the unicorn paper was now called a promposal, and she claims she’s a trendsetter for unique ways to ask someone to the high school dance.
“I always thought it was cliché to get engaged on the standard days. Christmas. Valentine’s. And while Paris or Greece might be great locations, there are plenty of other amazing locations to pop the question.”
My brows pinch, curious where she’s going with all this information. The Ferris Wheel starts again but then pauses once more at the apex. The entire world looks like it’s before us in the vibrant glow of carnival lights and the dim landscape of mountains in the background.
“I’m not fishing for a question to be asked,” she states, suddenly embarrassed by the topic. “Of course.” She shifts, straightening up a bit and setting both her hands on the safety bar.
“Of course,” I repeat. “Says the woman who is adamant she’s never getting married, but, also, already wears my ring.”
Her eyes lower to her hands on the safety bar which she drags apart and then pulls back together. “I wouldn’t say never .”
“You wouldn’t?” She has my full attention now.
“I mean, I can have a change of heart, right?” Genie finally turns her head and looks at me. Her eyes dance in the glow of the Ferris Wheel lights.
Has she had a change of heart? “Don’t you mean, a change of mind?”
“Maybe it’s both.” She licks her lips, staring into my eyes.
“Firefly, what are you saying?” I need her to spell out what she means.
“I think, what I’m trying to say is . . .” She blows out a long breath. “I love you, Judd.”
There are few times I’ve heard that phrase said to me, but never spoken with the emphasis and fear in Genie’s voice. Afraid I won’t reciprocate. Scared I don’t feel the same.
But I have loved this girl since I was ten. Pined for her from afar for most of my life. And then made a bold decision to ask her to be mine, risking everything to make that moment special.
So, at first, I have no response. I’m too stunned to speak. Struck dumb myself by the possibility that she could love me.
Then my mouth is against hers and she’s falling back in the bucket seat as the Wheel begins to drop, the ride fully beginning. I’m quick to catch her by the back of her neck and dig my fingers into her hair. And just kiss her silly. Kiss her with all the love I feel for her, too.
“I love you, too, firefly,” I murmur against her mouth. “Always.”
Always have. Always will.
Suddenly, Genie is kissing me back just as fiercely as I kissed her.
And we spin round and round on the Ferris Wheel until I almost feel dizzy with love.
“What are you doing?” Genie gasps, as I hitch her over my shoulder and smack her ass when we enter the house. It’s been a long day, but I’m wound up, especially after she said she loved me.
And now I want to show her how much I love her in return.
I shift her on my shoulder, and she squeals again, gripping the back of my tee as I carry her to my room. Our room .
With a gentle drop, Genie falls to the bed, and I climb over her. “I want to worship you, firefly.”
“You already do,” she giggles as I nuzzle into her neck and pepper her with kisses before capturing her mouth, sweeping my tongue inside and swallowing her moans.
This woman. Sight and sound. Bright and vivacious. I never want to hear silence again.
Genie does not disappoint as she begins to squirm beneath me, working her body until we line up, but there are too many clothes in our way. Slowly, I pull away, standing to admire her a moment before tugging off my shirt.
“Your body.” She hums next and sits up, running her hands over my stomach.
“I love how you touch me.” Like she worships me as well.
Her smile is sweet, and I reach for the hem of her shirt, tugging it over her head before pressing her back again. My skin feels like it sizzles when we are chest to chest, and she isn’t even naked, but still wearing her bra. Quickly, I rectify that and move down her smooth flesh to bring one heavy swell into my mouth.
Genie’s hands dig into my hair as she purrs. I dangle my tongue around her pert nipple then nip.
She hisses at the sting but I’m quick to suck her breast once more to soften the bite.
Soon, we’re in a tug-of-war of pants, shorts and underwear until nothing is in our way, and I coast my hands over her body, memorizing every inch. Genie and I have had a lot of oral exploration. A lot of fingers and touching. Tonight, I need the final act.
“I wanted to wait,” I whisper as I watch my hand slip between her thighs. “Wanted to have you as my forever.” I want her to be my wife. “But I don’t think I can hold back any longer, Genie. I love you.”
I glance up to find her watching me. Her hand cups my cheek. “I love you, too, baby.”
With that, I’m over her, lining myself up, dragging my tip through her slick slit.
“We should talk about protection,” I say, kissing her neck and her chin.
“Is it weird that I’m turned on by you wanting to discuss this?” she says, smiling up at me.
“Not as weird as I’d really like to enter you with nothing between us.”
Genie continues to stare at me, knowing I haven’t been with anyone in over six months, not even she who should not be named.
“Not as weird as I’d really like that, too.” Her voice is quiet, breathless even. “And I’m on the pill.”
As I slip forward, her breath notches again.
I’ve heard this feeling described as warmth, comfort, home, and love, but none of those words are enough for what I feel as my body joins Genie’s.
It’s an explosion of my heart and an opening of my soul and a completeness I never expected to feel.
“Firefly.” My throat tightens as I slide to the hilt and pause, needing a moment.
Genie brushes back my hair and tips up to kiss me, tender and sweet until my hips thrust and Genie gasps. “Move, baby.”
That’s all the permission I need to slip back and then surge forward on repeat. I reach for her left hand and lift it over her head, clasping our fingers together as I fill her.
I meant what I said, I want to fulfill her. I want to be all her wishes come true, because she is my ultimate desire. Genie beneath me, me inside her, us as one.
As we rock together like we’re both new with each other yet familiar as an old couple, I relish every thrust, every gasp. Wanting Genie to come around me, I reach between us, using my thumb at her clit, teasing her with more sensation.
Her head tips back. Her mouth pops open, eyes close, but I want to see her fall apart around me.
“Look at me, firefly. Give me that light.”
Her lids flip open and the intensity in her gaze is almost too much. Specks of light in the darkness. So much love she’s practically glowing and I feel that mythical warmth.
“God, I love you,” I say, lowering for a kiss while rocking my hips and touching her. Then Genie’s legs wrap over my hips and clutch at me like I’m not close enough.
“I love you, too.”
Within seconds, we’re frantic movements and desperate grunts. Genie clings to me as I fill her until she moans my name. Home and comfort wrap around me as I feel her clench and fall apart. Still holding onto me like she’ll never let me go while slipping into the bliss of us being together.
“That’s my girl. Glow for me.”
Her fingers are in my hair, tugging at my head and I kiss her hard and fast before my own orgasm knocks, tightening my lower back and bringing up my balls. My dick is the stiffest I’ve ever been and then I’m pulsing inside her, making her truly mine
Couple goals . Make love to my girl.