Chapter 11 #2
I hook one of her legs over my shoulder, and the new angle makes her cry out. "Oh my god," she manages, clenching around me. "Right there. Don't stop."
Not a chance in hell. I watch her face as I thrust into her, the way her lips part, the flush spreading across her chest when I hit that perfect spot.
She's never looked more beautiful than right now, coming undone beneath me.
I reach between us, finding her swollen clit and circling it with my thumb in time with my thrusts.
"Come for me," I growl, feeling my own release building. "Let me feel you come on my cock."
She shatters with a cry, her inner walls spasming around me, milking me as her second orgasm crashes through her. That's it. That's what I needed. The sensation pushes me over the edge, and I come with a hoarse shout, my hips jerking as I empty myself.
We collapse together, hearts racing. Withdrawing carefully, I dispose of the condom before rolling to my side and pulling her with me, tucking her into my chest. I press a kiss to her temple, feeling her smile against my skin.
Merri Gallagher in my bed. I'm never letting her leave.
"Wow," she says eventually, her voice soft and satisfied.
"Yeah." I run my hand up and down her spine, tracing lazy patterns. "Wow."
She tilts her head to look at me, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "That was the best date ever."
I laugh, the sound rumbling through both of us. "Fuck yeah, it was, Gallagher."
I wake up to sunlight streaming through my bedroom windows and Merri sleeping in my arms. For a moment, I just lie there, watching her.
Her hair is spread across my pillow, her face peaceful in sleep, one hand resting on my chest. She looks younger like this, softer, without the defensive walls she usually maintains.
She's breathtaking, and I have absolutely no idea what happens now.
Her eyes flutter open, and when she realizes I'm watching her, a smile curves her lips even as pink creeps across her cheeks. "Good morning."
"Morning," I murmur, brushing hair back from her face.
She stretches like a cat, then freezes as awareness hits. Her blush deepens, but she doesn't look away.
I kiss her before either of us can overthink it.
"Are you hungry?" I ask when we break apart. "I make a mean omelet."
She blinks at me. "You cook?"
"Don't sound so surprised, Gallagher. Marines have skills."
That earns me a laugh. "Alright, Dalton. Show me what you've got."
Watching her wander around my room looking for her dress from last night does dangerous things to my self-control, but I manage to keep my hands to myself long enough for us both to get dressed.
Downstairs, she claims a barstool and props her chin on her hand, openly entertained as I move around the kitchen gathering ingredients.
"You really do keep everything organized," she observes, gesturing to my precisely arranged spice rack.
"What can I say? I like order."
"It's actually kind of hot."
I nearly drop the spatula. "Yeah?" Heat crawls up my neck, and I focus hard on making the omelets.
"Totally." She's grinning now, clearly enjoying making me flustered. "Who knew Wyatt Dalton would be the domestic type?"
"What can I say? I'm full of surprises."
After breakfast, I take her home so she can change for work. The drive is comfortable, with her hand in mine and soft music playing on the radio. When I pull up to her house, she leans over and plants a sweet kiss on my mouth. "Thanks for last night. All of it."
"Thank you." I kiss her again, not wanting to let her go. "See you at the brewery later?"
"Definitely."
I watch her walk inside, waiting until the door closes before leaving. As I drive, my mind won't let go of last night—the rightness of it, waking up with her in my arms, and the fact that I already want her back in my bed.
And then the guilt hits: I just slept with Danny's little sister. I broke the ultimate bro-code.
My gut’s churning by the time I pull into my driveway, and I know what I have to do. I dig out my phone and dial Danny's number, even though it's barely 7 AM Pacific Time.
He answers on the fourth ring, his voice groggy. "This better be fucking important, Wyatt. I was sleeping."
"I need to talk to you."
"It’s ten in the morning there, which means it's seven in the goddamn morning here."
"I may have betrayed our bro-code."
There's a pause. "Man, what are you talking about?"
"You know. Our rules of engagement."
"Wyatt, I swear to God, if you don't start making sense in the next five seconds, I'm hanging up and going back to sleep."
I take a deep breath. "I went on a date last night with Merri, and one thing led to another. I had sex with your sister, okay? THAT’s what I’m talking about."
The silence on the other end is deafening. Then, suddenly, Danny starts laughing. Not just laughing but howling so hard I have to hold the phone away from my ear.
"It's about damn time, dude!"
I blink. "What?"
"You two have been circling each other like dogs in heat for years. I was wondering when you'd finally pull your head out of your ass and do something about it."
"You're not mad at me?"
"Why would I be mad? Merri's a grown woman who can make her own decisions, and you're my best friend. If anything, I'm relieved you finally figured out you're into each other."
"But—"
"The bro-code says you don't hit on your friend's sister without being serious about it. Are you serious about her?"
Am I? I think about Merri in my kitchen this morning. About the way she laughed at my terrible jokes and how right it felt to have her in my space and in my bed.
"Yeah," I say. "I am."
"Then we're good. How's that beer coming along?"
"It’s fucking amazing. We’re gonna win this thing."
"That's awesome, man. I'm proud of you both." He yawns. "Now, can I go back to sleep, or do you have more confessions to make?"
"One more thing."
"What?"
"If I screw this up, you'll kick my ass, right?"
"Absolutely. If you break my little sister's heart, I will personally fly out there and end you. But I don't think you will." His voice softens slightly. "You're a good guy, Wyatt. Just don't be an idiot about this."
"I'll try."
"That's all I ask. Now seriously, I'm going back to sleep. Text me with updates." The call ends, and I stare at my phone, processing what just happened.
Danny knows and approves. Somehow, that makes this feel more real and so much easier.
Whatever happens with this competition, I'm all in with Merri.