Chapter 24 #2
When our eyes connect, I see desire, aged and different, its intensity unmatched by wisdom that could only be gained from the time we've spent apart.
Not only does she like the way I'm making her feel, she's letting herself feel it without reservation.
I suck again and watch her eyes darken with each swallow, and I grow harder.
White-hot desire deliciously shoots down my spine, and I'm fully erect and ready for her to feel what she's doing to me every time her heels press into my ass as she rocks against me.
I suck her hand hard one last time, certain I did my job and sucked the shallow splinter from her skin, before releasing it altogether.
I swiftly switch arms, relieving the one that's been holding the beam, and wrap the other securely around her waist, ensuring there's no mistaking what's happening between us.
"London," her voice hitches. "We shouldn't."
I lift and thrust against her. "Use your words," I say, bringing my mouth dangerously close to the lips I want to feel against mine again. "Tell me to stop."
Her eyes hold mine, and I can't be sure of all I see in their depths.
All I know is, at this moment, she isn't pushing me away.
For now, hidden away from the world, she's mine again.
I press into her again, and she sucks her plump bottom lip into her mouth.
It's sexy as fuck, and I want to chase it.
I want to suck it into my mouth, but I wait.
I'm currently getting more than I ever thought I'd have again.
I slide my hand down her back and grab her ass hard on the next thrust, and the sexy little whimper she tries to stifle has me going again, harder, creating waves in search of another.
Her eyes close, and I keep pace, grinding against her in long, hard strokes, watching the ecstasy flit across her face and reveling in the knowledge that I'm putting it there.
Instinctively, my head drops to the crook of her neck the way I know she likes, in search of the delicate skin beneath her ear that makes her break out in goosebumps every time my lips are near.
The way her body feels pressed against mine, the fire spreading through my veins, feeling her desire for me again… it's consuming.
My lips connect with her soft skin, and the trance is broken. "What about my splinter?" she pants.
"The splinter was out when I asked you to use your words.
" I pull back, needing to see her eyes, needing her to acknowledge what's happening between us.
Her gaze wavers and then meets mine with a vulnerability that takes my breath away.
Although we haven't spoken about everything that's happened and all the things that have changed, a soul-deep recognition passes between us—the same connection that has always existed, transcending the limits we put on our relationship.
What has happened and what is to come are insignificant because we are right where we are supposed to be.
Our mouths slowly inch together when thunder cracks overhead, and Trigg yells, "Dallas, come on. We need to ride out."
"Shit, I forgot about the storm. We need to get out of here." Her eyes widen, and she nods. "The bees should be gone, but do you have your Epi-pen?"
"Yes, it's in my saddlebag."
"I'll duck out first, and when you feel me squeeze your hand, follow me out.
" She nods, and I slip beneath the surface, mourning the loss of our sanctuary—that stolen pocket of peace where the world's chaos couldn't touch us.
But as I surface, hope flickers. If we can find moments like this, maybe we can find more.
Maybe what we once had is still alive. Maybe it's strong enough to weather the storm.
When we reach the bank, I raise my hands and wave the others on as the first heavy drops begin to fall.
We're already soaked, no one's hurt, and there's no sense in everyone getting caught in what's coming.
Fisher catches my signal and gives me a quick wave before spurring his horse away with the group.
Thunder bursts overhead with enough force to vibrate through my chest and into the ground beneath us. In the distance, Laney's horse rears and whinnies, spooked by the sound. He yanks against his tether, and the rope snaps before he bolts into the storm.
You've got to be kidding me. I know exactly what she's going to say.
"London, we have to go after him."
I don't bother saying, "No, we don't." We don't have time to argue, and I need to get her out of the storm. I'm not worried about a bit of rain. I am, however, concerned about lightning and hail if the conditions worsen.
"We will," I promise, catching her hand before she can run after the horse. "After the storm passes."
"Lon—"
"No." My grip tightens. "I get you safe first. Then the horse."
Something in my voice stops her protest. Her shoulders sag slightly. "Okay."
Baylor’s horse, Reinhold, rides into the barn seconds before we hear hail begin pelting the metal roof.
We are soaked to the bone after jumping into the lake and riding back in the rain, and I'm about to lose my mind.
The mix of adrenaline still coursing through my veins from jumping into the lake and then riding to beat the storm mixed with the lust is a mindfuck.
Riding back with her ass firmly pressed against my cock after the scene that unfolded under the dock has immensely distorted my better judgment, and I can't be held accountable for what happens next.
She's the only girl I've ever wanted. I should find my way back, regain my resolve to stay strong and say no before pursuing what I want.
I should give her every sordid truth first, but the second she puts her hands on my shoulders for me to lift her down, all my good intentions are gone, and my mouth is crashing to hers as I back her into a stall and against a wall.
I don't care where things stand between her and Noah.
She's supposed to be mine. Besides, if she doesn't want this, she could end all of it right now, and I'd let her go, but she's not.
The way her tongue is battling against mine and taking its fill tells me she wants this too, and fuck if I wish she didn't, because I can't stop, even though stopping is what I should do.
Letting this continue will only hurt worse when I have to let her go for the things I can't undo.
It's that thought that has me finding a mustard seed of willpower to pull away.
My lips leave hers, parting for less than a second, when a groan of disappointment escapes her sweet mouth, and I snap.
Instead of pulling away, I'm lifting her and pinning her to the wall so I can press my hard length right against her core.
Our tongues and teeth clash, hungrily fighting for more, for a closeness that can't come from stolen kisses and my strategically placed hardened length, but I push forward anyway, picking up right where we left off beneath the dock.
This time, when my lips trail across her jaw and down to the spot on her neck that I know drives her crazy, she doesn't get scared.
Instead, she turns her head, giving me better access—an invitation to keep doing exactly what we're doing.
Her hands glide down my sides, blazing a new trail, reacquainting herself with the same map but with different markers.
Those soft hands I swear I've felt ghost over my torso in my sleep the way they once did find the hem of my shirt, where they slowly test the waters, seeking permission to make this more.
I don't stop her. I couldn't if I wanted to, but the second my shirt is off, and her eyes scan over my bare flesh, I find the strength to say, "Heartbreaker, are you sure this is what you want?
Because if it's not, you need to tell me now.
If this goes any further, I won't be able to stop. "
"What gave you the impression I wanted to stop?"
The storm outside hammers against the metal roof with a savagery I've lived with every day since I left Willow Creek, but it's that cruelty that pushes me forward. My lips brush over hers. "We haven't talked."
She shakes her head. "Talking doesn't change that I want this."
That's all I need to hear to throw caution to the wind and abandon my willpower to stop.
Her hands on my body, my rough skin pressed against every soft curve as her mouth devours mine, the passion behind her kisses mirroring mine, and time ceases to exist. The storm outside is washing away every doubt that this can't be the start of something new, something better than what we had before.
The thunder shakes the earth, and we're a beautiful mess of skin and bones.
With every crack of lightning that illuminates the darkened barn, every vibration, something shifts between us, something wild and honest, something unafraid.
Everything is fast and slow all at once.
One moment, she's clothed, and the next, she's naked in my arms, and before I can overthink it, I dip my hand between us and free myself from my jeans.
Her legs wrap around me, and when my tip nudges her warm, wet entrance, my stance falters.
"God damn," I pant, bracing myself on the wall.
I'm not even inside of her, and she has me weak at the knees.
I push through the emotions that want to tether me to this moment and make it more than it is.
Until she knows everything, I have to guard her heart.
Making love to her will only make it all worse.
For that reason, I slam in. She whimpers, and I kiss her collarbone as I catch my breath. "Did I hurt you?"
"No," she answers through labored breaths. "Don't stop."
I grip her ass and lift, finding just the right angle to use the wall to help anchor her weight and find my pace. I pull back and repeat the move, savoring the long stroke of feeling her wrapped around me as I'm balls deep inside of her.