14. Gracelyn
CHAPTER 14
GRACELYN
M y nerves hum louder than summertime cicadas as I sashay out of Mustang’s. I’m trying to play it cool, but inside I’m a mess.
What am I doing?
Mack didn’t text me, he didn’t call. Now I’m going to go home with him and do the same thing all over again.
I’m pretty sure that’s the definition of insanity.
My head’s screaming no, but my pussy’s throbbing yes. And the pulsating yes gets louder and more insistent when I hit the parking lot. Mack’s leaning against his truck, acting all cool and casual, looking sexy as hell in his coach’s uniform and backward baseball cap.
God, I’m a sucker for a backward baseball cap. His sandy hair curls over his ears, muscular arms crossed over his chest. The man’s veins pop out when he’s standing still—I can’t imagine how hot he is when he’s working out.
And he’s standing here, waiting.
For me.
“Hey.” My voice comes out breathy in the relative quiet.
“Hey.” He tips his chin at me as I approach the truck, his pupils dark and wide.
I shouldn’t be doing this again.
But I know myself and there’s not a chance I’m turning back now. Not with this giant hunk of a man ready and willing to do dirty, nasty things to me.
“So—what is this?” I wave my hands in the shrinking space between us, moving closer to him. Close enough to smell his spicy cologne mixing with hoppy beer, see the light sprinkle of stubble peppering his jaw.
He swallows hard, locking eyes with me. “I know you gave me the brush off. But seeing you with that guy in there—” He glances away for a second, takes a shuddery breath before meeting my gaze again. “It didn’t feel good, Firecracker.”
My heart thunders at his words, breath hitching in my throat.
God, I want this man.
But I can’t go there again, blindly trust him. I need more from him before I put my heart on the line.
I shrug. “Sorry. But you didn’t even text me back. It’s pretty obvious what we had was a fling. Nothing serious.”
I huff out a breath, my hair feathering up, then down on my forehead as I try to work all this out in my mind. If Sloane were here, she’d tell me what to do.
But she’s not.
She’s down in Florida with Cam and I’m here on my own. Well, just me and Mack.
Digging deep, I find the courage to tell Mack exactly how I feel. “I don’t want to be your fuck buddy, someone you only call when you’re horny.”
“Is that what you think you are, Gracelyn?” Mack furrows his brow, his green eyes serious.
To my horror, hot tears spring to my eyes and I will them to stay put with everything I’ve got.
“Yeah, kinda.”
“Oh, baby, no.” He shakes his head, his gaze darkening. He trails his thumb over my cheek, then drops his mouth to mine. Lips moving fervently, he kisses away all my doubts, one by one. His hand wraps around the nape of my neck, the rough callouses of his fingers tracing light circles on my skin.
This is what I’ve been waiting for, hoping for, longing for.
Him.
“You’re so much more than that,” he murmurs. “Let’s give this a shot, for real.”
I pull away slightly, staring up at him. “You want to date? Me? Out in the open?”
“Yes, you. Out in the open, as you put it. I’m not going to hide someone as incredible as you away.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks and I’m positive I’m blushing. “You sure you can handle that? Even if there’s gossip?”
“I can. I’m a big boy, Firecracker. Promise.”
“Oh, I know you’re a big boy,” I tease, running my hand over his broad chest. “You’ve proven that a time or two.”
Mack laughs, a low, throaty rumble vibrating through the night, and my heart soars. I could get used to this.
“Now are you going to take me home and make good on that dirty text or what?” I ask, arching a brow.
“You better believe it, baby. Get in the truck.”
* * *
We don’t even make it home. Instead, Mack takes a detour down the nearest dirt road and we wind up in a field on the side of town.
“Pretty sure this took as much time as driving straight to my house,” I point out as he kills the ignition.
“Nah. Besides, this is more romantic. Wait till you see.” He hops out of the truck and jogs around to my door, wrenching it open for me. The creak of metal screeches, loud out here in the quiet of the night.
Stepping out and looking around, I realize just how right he is. The entire field is dark, except for a path of moonlight cutting through the grass, the green blades tipped in silver. Twinkly stars form a sparkly canvas above us and the cool fall breeze licks at my overheated skin. A symphony of wildlife sounds from the trees, an owl hooting somewhere in the distance.
The entire scene’s magical, way better than a boring old bedroom.
More than that, I’m touched that Mack thought to bring me out here, to show me this special spot.
He grabs my hand, pulling me around to the rear of his truck. Lowering the back, he lifts me up into the bed by the hips, tossing me around like I weigh nothing. Then he spreads out a quilt and pats the center of the blanket.
“Get comfy. I have a promise to make good on.”
With a grin, I undo my shorts and shimmy out of them as gracefully as possible.
“Lose the panties, too. I don’t want anything in my way now that I have you out here.”
“Yes, sir,” I tease, giving him a salute and I swear he growls, pupils dilating.
Tossing my clothes to the side, I lay back on my elbows and wait. Fizzy excitement bubbles through my veins, the night air cool on my hot, exposed center.
“Fucking gorgeous.” Mack’s eyes rake over me, lingering on my chest, my bare pussy. Then he pushes my legs apart gently and ducks between my thighs, licking all the way down.
“Fuck, that feels so good.” I lift the baseball cap from his head and chuck it next to my clothes, running my fingers through his soft curls as he kisses my most sensitive spot. Shimmery pleasure rolls through me, cascading from my shoulders all the way to my belly. He dips his tongue inside me and I throw my head back, biting my lip. The pressure builds as he eats me out beneath the glittering stars.
The breeze blows through the trees, kissing my heated skin, and I’m close to falling over the edge. Mack slides two fingers inside me and I roll my hips to get more friction.
“Mack—” I whimper and he lifts his head for a second, grinning.
“You taste so good, baby. I could do this all night.”
“I can’t…” My body trembles as he sucks at my clit, flicking his tongue at the swollen skin.
“Oh, you can. Come for me, baby girl.”
His words, the vibration on my pussy, send me careening over the edge. I shudder as he moves his tongue along my slit, kissing and sucking up my juices.
“Oh my god, Mack—” I cry out. He holds my hips and keeps me locked into place, trembling on his face.
Finally, the last waves of my release subside and I lay there, staring up at the sky, breathless.
“That was amazing.” My voice is strangled, barely above a whisper.
“You’re the best thing I’ve eaten all week.” He smirks up at me, his face breaking into a shit-eating grin. Like he just won a state championship or something.
My chest swells with happiness and I grab him by the collar, pulling him on top of me. Now we’re face to face, the musky scent of sex rolling off him.
“God, you’re sexy,” I purr, tracing the strong line of his jaw. His stubble’s prickly beneath my fingertips, his skin tanned from the sun.
“You have no idea what you do to me, Firecracker. I want to bury myself in you.” He unzips and slides his boxers down low enough to free his cock. Then he strokes himself, long and slow. My mouth waters watching him lengthen and harden.
“Do it then.” I spread my legs for him, wiggling my hips.
Mack wastes no time, kicking out of his pants and positioning himself above me. He glides his tip through my wetness and I arch up to meet him.
“Eager little pussy,” he teases, one hand sliding up my arm to my neck. Splaying his strong fingers around the delicate skin, slight pressure emanating from the rough pads. A pulse zips straight to my clit as his thumb strokes the divot in the center of my throat, breath hitching.
“Even after I just got you off. Here you are, wet and ready again.” He pushes in, just barely, giving me only the velvety crown.
My pussy throbs, wanting more. I grind on him, but he pulls back.
“We have all night, baby. Relax.”
I bite back a groan. At this rate, it’s going to be dawn before he’s all the way in.
“Fine.” I breathe out a sigh, leaning back. He tightens his grip on my neck and heat pools in my belly. I’m certain he can feel my rapid pulse racing beneath his fingers.
Pushing in further, I gasp as he releases the pressure on my neck. Light flashes in the corner of my eyes and I’m hot all over.
“Beautiful.” Easing back out, he kisses me on the lips. Slipping inside my mouth, swirling around, I taste myself on his tongue. Tequila and sex.
Thrusting, he buries himself inside me and I gasp in shock. My muscles tighten around his cock, instinctively gripping him.
“Such a good fucking girl.” His fingers wrap around my neck, squeezing lightly, cutting off my breath. All my senses focus on him and how he’s making me feel—like I’m floating, my core hot and tight.
He loosens his grip, sliding out, and I instantly miss him. Tension low in my belly, the heat from his body on mine, his spicy scent winding around me.
“More,” I pant, nails digging into the tight muscles in his shoulders.
He pistons back into me, harder this time, pressing against the sides of my neck and cutting off air. My eyes flutter closed as I milk his steel shaft, my hips moving of their own accord. Thrusting in and out, his fingers open and close, allowing me to get air, then cutting it off again. I’ve never had anyone take charge like this, commanding my body to his will.
It’s erotic as hell.
His hand releasing, I cry out. “Mack?—”
Voice high-pitched and shrieky, I shudder and tremble against his body as my orgasm crashes through me hard and fast. Grabbing my hips, he drives into me, over and over again.
Finally, he explodes. Hot cum shoots inside me as he chases his release. His face contorts as he pounds into me, then finally relaxes.
“Fuck me…” He slumps down on the blanket, chest heaving. “You’re tight as fuck, Gracelyn. You took me so good.”
He pulls me onto his chest, the cotton of his shirt soft on my cheek. Warm happiness trickles through me as he strokes slow, lazy circles on my back.
This is what I want.
A lump lodges in my throat and my chest tightens. I take a deep breath and relax into his strong body, trying not to worry about what comes next.
We’re not casual. I made myself clear on that.
I let my worries about the future float away on the wind and get lost in the moment with Mack.
This is good. We’re good.
“Gracelyn…”
Mack’s deep voice rumbles, his chest vibrating.
“Hmm…” I murmur, eyes still closed.
“I’m not a stay-the-night kind of guy.”
A surge of panic rushes through me, my muscles tensing.
I shouldn’t have trusted him.
“It’s been a long time since I dated anyone and I’m horribly out of practice. You’re going to have to be patient with me.”
I let the air out of my lungs, relief whooshing through me.
He’s not bailing.
His fingers slide up and down my back and I lift myself up on my elbows, gazing down at him.
“I’m not universally known for my patience, Mack. But I’ll try.” I drop my mouth to his, trying to kiss away all his doubts.
About us, our relationship, the future.
He kisses me back with a ferocity that takes my breath away. Off in the distance the owl hoots again, our very own aviary cheerleader. I take the sound as a good omen.
“And for the record, I don’t snore. I’ll prove it to you tonight.” He squeezes my ass and happiness surges through me, tingling all the way down to my toes.
“Whatever you need to tell yourself, Mack,” I tease, kissing him again.
This could be it.
I’m falling hard for this broody bachelor, the man whose been my mother’s next-door neighbor for years.
I just hope I don’t end up regretting it.