Until Then (The Blue Collar Boys #1)

27. Greer

27

Greer

A s we make our way back to our vehicles, everyone is bursting with energy, all talking over each other to share their favorite part or favorite song.

Normally, I’d abandon my introverted ways and chime in, but, after a live show, I prefer to disappear into my thoughts and replay every song. I savor the way my body tingles, that sensation when my soul feels like it’s overflowing with happiness. For some, music is just music, but for me, it's transformative. I feel that shit deep in my soul.

“Shit, G,” Hunter says, leaning over Sutton, whose hand is clasped tightly in mine. “I’d have never pegged you as a headbanger type.”

I bite my lip. “You haven’t seen nothing yet, Hunter.”

Luke and Sutton hold my hands, like they know I need to be tethered to earth or else I’ll float away on a cloud of pure euphoria. There’s no chance for my heart. It’s already floating in the stratosphere. Those three little words, said by this man I love, fly free among the stars.

Crisp Colorado air cuts through my thin layers, so Luke wraps his arm around my shoulder and pulls me closer to him. Sutton squeezes my hand. I look at her, and she smiles before mouthing, “We love you too . ” Of course I tear up. I feel ripped open, my heart beating right out in the open for all my friends to see. It’s overwhelming realizing I’ve never before had friends like this—friends who love me for me, who make me feel safe, who see me at my worst and stay.

Darkness settles inside the SUV like a blanket from the world. When the doors shut and lock, it releases the pin on everyone’s energy, and there’s a collective exhalation as we float back down to earth.

Luke and I squeeze into the third row of Adam’s SUV. I’m pressed tightly against him with my hand resting on the center of his chest. I never thought I would fall in love again. I didn’t think it was possible. But now, here with Luke, my emotions threaten to bubble over.

He loves me.

And I love him.

Sliding my hand up his chest, I wrap mine around the side of his neck. He pulls me in closer. If I were under his skin, we still wouldn’t be close enough.

A year ago, if someone told me I was lucky to have Brian for as long as I did, I’d have raged and told them Life sucks. I’d have yelled that Life hates me because it took Brian from me. But I realize now, you can’t predict how Life will present your story to you.

If someone asked me right now if I felt lucky, I’d have no choice but to say yes. Where once I was lonely and lost, now I am surrounded by supportive family and friends. Not only did I get to love Brian and be loved by him but now I also get to love Luke and be loved by him.

I don’t even realize I’ve started crying until he whispers, “It’s okay, sweetheart. I’m right there with you.”

Traffic leaving the venue crawls at a snail’s pace, a constant flow of brake lights illuminating the interior of the vehicle. Eventually, we make it back to our hotel and pile into the lobby.

“There was a bar down the street. Anyone want to go?” Vinnie asks, pointing over his shoulder.

Adam and Grace are oblivious to the world and head straight toward the elevator.

Sutton yawns. “I’m down.”

To which Hunter says, “Nah, babe, you need sleep.”

“Don’t be a fun ruiner, Hunter,” Sutton says.

“Not trying to be,” Hunter says. “But I don’t want to have to carry your ass all the way back here after you fall asleep at the bar. Like you do every time we go out this late.”

“You act like you know me or something.”

“I do know you,” Hunter replies, wrapping his arm around her shoulder. Sutton nods in agreement and allows him to lead her to the elevator.

“Navy, you in?” Vinnie asks.

She only contemplates it for a minute. “Why not. Let’s go.” With his hand at the small of her back, they exit the lobby.

“You want to go?” Luke turns to face me.

He’s leaving the choice up to me, but there is no choice.

I just want him. I want us.

“No,” I say as he threads our hands together and guides me toward the elevator.

The doors open and close on a whisper. Interior lights bathe us in a warm glow. Luke pulls me into him and wraps his arms around my back. I slide my hands around his firm stomach, reaching up and up, gripping his back. He pulls back slightly. Our eyes lock before he drops his forehead to mine.

His lips kiss my temple—sweet and tentative.

The apple of my cheek—my eyes fall shut.

Just to the edge of my jaw—goosebumps pepper my skin.

The corner of my mouth—my breath stutters.

When we arrive at our floor, Luke pulls me behind him and guides me to our room. The key card lights up, and he opens the door, leading me inside. The door closes with a quiet snick at the same time he turns on the ambient room lights.

He’s quiet and unhurried as he toes off his sneakers before kneeling down to unlace mine. A warm hand slides around my ankle, lifts my foot, and slides my shoe off. He places it next to his. I thread my left hand through his hair as he leans forward, placing an open-mouth kiss on my thigh. Hands slide up the length of my other leg, cupping the back of my thigh. I can’t help my stuttering sigh. Luke’s eyes find mine as his hands coast down my leg and remove my other shoe.

He remains there, on his knees before me. Lowering myself down, we sit knee to knee. Neither of us moves or talks. We sit in this moment, knowing what comes next changes everything.

Leaning forward, I grasp his face, and his stubble tickles my palms. I wiggle forward and climb onto his lap. My knees rest on each side of his legs, my thighs on top of his.

I kiss him—he inhales sharply.

The corner of his mouth—a moan rumbles out of him.

Just to the edge of his jaw—his hands slide up my shirt, gripping bare skin.

The apple of his cheek—his hands drag down to brace me under my thighs.

My lips at his temple, sweet and tentative—he’s lifting me, crashing his mouth to mine.

Luke carries me into the bathroom and sits me on the counter. His hands skim my arms before bracing behind my neck. His mouth is hot, insistent as he coaxes mine open. Warmth invades every part of my body. My skin flushes from anticipation. With a tug of my lower lip, he pulls away, reaching over to turn the shower on.

As the water heats, he turns his attention back to me. His hands move up my thighs. My shirt bunches, caressing my skin as Luke continues pulling my shirt up my body. My nipples pebble as I lift my arms above my head, and he slips my shirt off. I grasp the hem of his T-shirt, and ever so slowly, peel it from his body.

Without breaking eye contact, I slide my hands down to the buttons of his jeans, popping the button in time with him unhooking my bra. The straps fall to my elbows as I slip my fingers beneath his waistband and push down. Luke steps back, dragging me off the counter. He nudges my bra off, exposing my breasts to the cool air.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispers, running the back of his fingers down my chest and over each sensitive peak.

My body is tight, expectant, both wanting him to go faster and slower. Farther down his hands go, his eyes searing my skin as they follow the path of his hands. My shorts unbutton easily, and he pushes them off my hips. I wiggle them down until I can kick them behind me. With an open-mouth kiss to the top of my chest, he steps back and slides his jeans off, kicking them to the side.

“Luke . . .” My breath stutters as I catch sight of his hard length beneath his briefs.

He smirks before stepping back into my space. Chest hairs tickle my bare skin when he bends to capture my mouth once again. This time he doesn’t hesitate.

With a few side steps, he brings us closer to the shower, and, with our mouths still fused, he slides my undies down. I shiver as they slip down my legs, stepping out of them. I grasp his waistband and wiggle them over his thick thighs. I can’t look anywhere else but his rigid cock, long and heavy between us.

“In,” he says, motioning to the shower. I smile. The man who constantly demands my words is one of few right now.

Steam creates a foggy haze in the small bathroom. He holds my hand as I step into the shower and under the spray. The water feels heavenly on my sore back muscles. Luke follows, his gaze tracking every bead of water as it slides down my body.

“Are you gonna come closer?” I ask then bite my bottom lip and tilt my head back under the spray. At first, I think he’ll answer with that filthy mouth of his, but he doesn't say a word.

“You okay?” I slide my hand over his pecs and up through the back of his hair. Again, he says nothing. I plant a kiss above his heart. Another at the base of his throat. A tiny bite to the edge of his jaw. My lips seal over his. His hands grip my waist and hold me to him. His hard length presses against my stomach, and I tremble with anticipation.

“Luke? Is everything okay?” I ask between kisses. “We can stop if you want.”

But still, he says nothing. Simply melds his mouth to mine, my body to his. He tugs at my lower lip with his teeth. My hips roll into his eliciting a groan.

“I’m just trying to go slow.” He sucks the skin at the curve of my neck. “I want you so goddamn bad.” He’s focused on my mouth now, his tongue pushing in, meeting mine, demanding more.

“You have me.” Our tongues dance as his hands trace over my bare skin, setting every nerve alight.

“And you have me.” His eyes are serious. “Can I?” he asks, gesturing to the bath products hanging on the wall. I can’t contain my smile at this sweet gesture.

We take our time shampooing each other’s hair, getting distracted often with fevered kisses. Our hands caress bare skin as we lather and clean each other’s bodies. Luke turns and grabs a washcloth from the towel rack close by. Wetting it, he begins to carefully wipe the remnants of glitter and makeup from my face.

He’s on his tenth pass or so when he says, “What the fuck is up with this glitter?”

“Well,” I say, “it’s meant to last throughout a full day festival, so maybe I should try.”

“Yeah, that might be good,” he says.

I turn and grab my face wash before placing my face under the spray. Luke brings his hands around my body and pulls me to him. We groan as his cock skims up my body.

“I love this,” he says, gripping the flesh of my ass with both hands. “I love you,” he whispers as he kisses my shoulder.

“Luke.” I press my hips back, bringing my backside more firmly against him. He pulls my hips and thrusts into me.

“Sweetheart, you gotta hurry up.”

Figuring the skin care gods will forgive me just this once, I abandon my routine, scrubbing and rinsing my face before turning my body back to him

“Fucking finally.” He shuts the water off, grips me behind my thighs, and lifts me to him. I wrap my thighs around his waist, which proves difficult when I’m dripping wet. I immediately lose traction and slip-slide down his body.

“Towel,” I pant as he licks and sucks the skin along my collar bone.

“Good idea.” He sets me back on my feet and reaches for two towels. He drapes one over my shoulders and quickly pats himself dry. Just as I’m about to wrap the towel around myself, he lifts me back to him, my legs now able to grip his dry skin. The towel is forgotten somewhere between us.

As I wrap my arms around his neck, he fuses his mouth to mine and walks us into the bedroom before dropping me onto the bed. The towel pools around me. He stands there, hands hanging limp at his sides, once again not saying anything.

“You’re so quiet tonight.” I lie there, letting him devour me with his searing gaze, the silence thick between us.

“I’ve searched my whole life for you,” he says. “I’d begun to think maybe there wasn’t someone out there for me. But there was—you. How did I get so lucky?” He kneels on the bed and pushes my thighs apart. They fall to each side, my body relaxing completely when he settles between them. I pull him to me, desperate to feel his body weight on mine. Our kisses are frantic now, more insistent. Hands grip flesh, hips rise and press into the other.

Luke pulls away from my mouth, kisses along my jaw, over my collarbone, and down my chest. He covers my nipple with his mouth and sucks gently. My hips rise off the bed, and the head of his cock brushes against my thigh.

“I need you,” I say.

“I need you,” he answers back as his mouth closes around my other nipple. His hands knead my breasts, pushing them together, so he can easily move back and forth more between my nipples. His teeth graze a turgid peak, and my hips thrust to meet his.

“Luke.” I’m desperate to have him.

“I know, love.” His kisses descend down my sternum and over my ribs, biting the skin there. I don’t know what else to do—I’m lost and numb. Closing my eyes, I allow myself to just feel. He caresses my scar and places another kiss there. Trembles wrack my body when he kisses my lower stomach. He bites the soft skin there, placing open-mouth kisses from one hip bone to the other. Luke’s hands skim down and bring my thighs over his shoulders. I shiver as he licks my inner thigh.

“Damn, baby, you’re so wet for me.”

With a firm tongue, Luke licks my pussy from its entrance up to my clit. My hands fall to the side as I suck in a deep breath. Nerves tingle up my legs, settling low in my stomach.

“Oh god. It’s-it’s so good.” Reaching out, I grip the sheets.

“Fuck, you taste good.” Luke takes another slow pass and gently sucks at the sensitive bud. My body is an inferno.

“Eyes open,” Luke says.

I force them open, and look down to find his locked on me. Light from the bathroom silhouettes his body. I stifle a giggle when I notice the mess I’ve made of his hair. With one hand pressed against my lower stomach, he takes his other and slips a finger inside me. My body responds immediately, my hips lifting to meet him. He presses down on my hips to keep me still.

“More. I need more.” More pressure, more force. Just more.

Inhale. Exhale.

“Not yet.” He lowers his mouth over my clit, licking it in time with his thrusting finger. “I need to get you ready,” he says as he adds a second finger. They coax a spot deep within me, and there’s a gush of fluid. “That’s it, sweetheart.” Luke continues his ministrations with his hand and mouth, my body twisting higher and higher.

“Luke,” I moan on an exhale. “I n-need . . .”

“I feel you, sweetheart. Just let go. Let me feel you come on my tongue.” He releases the pressure on my lower stomach, allowing me to push up and against his waiting mouth. His fingers slide in and out of me as he lashes and sucks at my clit. My thighs tremble and press against Luke’s head as my orgasm flares, rushing down my spine before flooding my body.

“Gorgeous.” He places a last gentle kiss on my pussy.

Luke crawls up my body until he’s kneeling between my legs. Threading our fingers together, he pulls me to sit. He lets my hands go and grips my ass and pulls me to him.

“Luke,” I say, but am interrupted with his mouth on mine. I moan when I taste myself on his lips. His hands grip me tight, and his cock slides along my inner thigh. So close to where I need him. Where I want him.

With a firm kiss, I cup his handsome face and hold him away from me. His chest heaves with quick, forced breaths. He’s looking at me. I’m looking at him.

“Just breathe,” I whisper. His eyes melt as he inhales and exhales. His hands slide up my back as I kiss each eyelid.

“I’m trying to go slow, baby. But I don’t know how to slow down anymore.”

“I don’t want you to slow down.”

Our gaze locks as he lays me back on the bed. The sheets are cool against my overheated body. Luke settles his weight over me, kisses me deeply, and pulls my legs around his waist. I reach between us to grab his hard cock. The skin is soft in my hand as I stroke him from root to tip. I drag the tip of him through my slit and back down. As I notch him at my entrance, he suddenly leans back, eyes molten, control slipping. He moves to grab a condom from the bedside table, but I stop him. We’ve already had this discussion.

“I just want you.” I reach for him.

“Are you sure?”

“I’m sure if you are.”

He leans forward, pressing his lips to mine. “I’m sure.”

He settles at my entrance. “Eyes on me,” he says. As if I could look anywhere else. He presses into me. “You feel like heaven.”

He stills, allowing me to adjust. I’ve never felt so full or stretched before. Pressure builds, but he doesn’t move.

“Luke?”

“Yeah, sweetheart?”

“Make love to me.”

And he does.

Those four words unleash whatever tether he had on himself. He pulls out before thrusting back in, each longer and deeper than the last. My hands drift over his shoulders now glistening with sweat. Without losing rhythm, he bends down and claims my mouth. His arms sneak under my body and wrap around my shoulders. With each thrust, he pulls me closer to him.

“You were made for me.”

Electricity races across my body, tempting my eyes to close. Instead, I kiss along his neck, sucking at his skin. My hands move under his arms to grip his lats. My hips meet his, thrust for thrust. I tuck my face against his biceps and place a kiss there. Then, I bite him. He groans in response.

“You like that?”

“I think you’ll find out I like a lot of things.” His thrusts become quicker, more forceful.

Another orgasm builds low in my stomach and spreads out. Each time my nipples rub against his chest, they become more and more sensitive. Leaning on his left elbow, Luke brings his other hand to my face—kissing me, licking into my mouth, pulling at my bottom lip. With each thrust, each kiss, I summit the mountain, the pressure building and building.

“Luke, I’m going to come.” His pelvis rubs my clit. I know I won’t last much longer.

“I’m right there with you.” He pulls back, not stopping his maddening pace even as his hand disappears between us to rub my overly sensitive clit.

“I love you, Luke. So much.” Soft amber eyes stare deeply into mine.

“I love you too.” His words echo into the deepest parts of my heart, mending more cracks that still linger.

“Are you close?” he asks as my pussy spasms, clenching around his cock. “Damn, you’re already there.” Luke pushes his entire length into me. Each time, his cock stretches and fills me, each rigid vein caresses my inner walls. I ride the wave of my orgasm, not sure if it’ll ever stop.

“Sweetheart, I’m close. Where do—”

“Inside me,” I pant. “I want to feel you come inside me.”

I barely get the words out before he buries his face in my neck, and I feel the first spurts of his orgasm. He continues to push in and out of me, pouring everything into me. As our breathing comes back to normal, Luke’s pace slows before stopping all together, leaving both of us breathless.

We remain connected, not moving for several minutes. He brings his head up and presses a kiss to the slope of my neck, the corner of my mouth, and finally seals his mouth over mine one final time.

He slips from me, and I whimper at the loss. Luke rolls over and lays his head on a pillow. He snakes his hand over my stomach, wraps it around my hip, and drags me to him. Splayed across his body, I feel his heart beat steadily beneath my ear. Our legs twine together, and he never once lets go of me even as he wiggles around to pull the blankets over us. Before I completely succumb to the exhaustion spreading through my body, he kisses me on my temple.

“I will spend every day of forever loving you,” he says, “no matter what Life has in store for us.”