36. Kristin
36
KRISTIN
“ W e can stall if you want,” Will joked. He reached over, tapping on the glovebox where I knew he had a strip of condoms hidden.
We had been sitting in Maddie and Luca’s driveway for a solid fifteen minutes. I didn’t have the nerve to go inside yet.
His voice softened as he reached over and held my hand. “Or we can turn around and go home if you’re not ready to make nice.”
Maddie and Luca's house was all lit up and ready for Christmas. Their place always looked so cozy during the holidays. I wondered what Will’s house looked like.
What did he do for Christmas without any family around? Was he the decorate anyway to get in the spirit type or did he go about the day like it was just another twenty-four hours?
“I’m ready,” I said quietly, unlatching my seatbelt. “Let’s get this over with.”
Will squeezed my hand. “Kris, you don’t have to go in.”
“I need to do this,” I said, sounding more resolved than I really was. With his hand in mine, I drew from his strength, preparing myself for what was about to happen .
I was embarrassed at my emotional outburst when I stormed into the bar. Embarrassed at how I had ghosted the people who had never been anything but gracious and accepting.
I lashed out because I was hurt and humiliated. It was the reason, but it was not an excuse. I still needed to make things right between all of us.
We didn’t bother with the front door. No one ever did. Instead, we walked around to the back of the house where double doors led straight to the man cave.
Well, it started as a man cave. Luca and the boys rarely used it. It was perfect for poker night, though.
The clouded panes of glass glowed with warm light from inside. I shivered in anticipation of the blast of heat as Will pushed on the handle. He gestured for me to go first and entered behind me.
Nine heads turned. Jaws dropped as we stepped inside.
I was actually grateful to see Steve and Chase. I wanted to know what was going to happen to Rich. The twists, turns, and revelations over the last day still had me in shock. I didn't fully understand everything that transpired earlier in Rich's office. All I knew is that I wanted that bastard to pay for what he had tried to pin on me.
I lifted my chin and ran my eyes over everyone.
Melissa, Hannah Jane and Bridget sat on the tufted circular couch. Luca, Isaac, and Chase were clumped up around the bar. Maddie, Steve, and Erica were seated at the poker table.
“I have some things to say,” I said, clearing my throat. “I hate that y’all felt like you had to hide who Will was to protect me. Like you thought I couldn’t handle that information or wasn’t able to make my own decisions. I hate that he lied to me, but I hate that I couldn’t come to any of you about it even more.”
Tears welled up in my eyes, but I blinked them back. “You guys have been everything to me for the last five years. Every single one of you. And we’ve been through a lot of shit together.”
I looked at Maddie. “You didn’t know it, but when you went off to L.A. to compete in Pastry Throwdown , we got together the day you actually competed and hung out at Jokers until it was over and talked about how awesome you are. It didn’t matter that it wouldn’t air for weeks. Friends who cheer you on behind your back are the real deal. We did it for you, and I know you do it for us.”
Turning to Steve and Erica, I said, “You were there for me when my life imploded. You told me that I could take care of four kids even though I was the least qualified person there that night. You checked on me the next day, then Heather came the day after that. And then you invited me over to Maddie’s houseboat for poker night.”
My lip quivered. Will slid his arm around my waist and gave me a reassuring squeeze. I choked down the lump in my throat. “Steve, you and Heather were better to me than my own parents. You took care of me so I could take care of Logan, Kylie, Hunter, and Zoey.”
I focused on Erica. “I didn’t think anyone could fill Heather’s shoes, but you came in and were exactly what Steve needed. What we all needed.”
One by one, I went down the line and told every single one of them what they meant to me. How much they had saved me. How much I couldn’t imagine doing life without them.
Will stood beside me with his arm wrapped around me. His thumb gently stroked my skin. Up and down, up and down…
“I love y’all,” I choked out. “After everything that happened with my family, I didn’t think I would fit anywhere. I didn’t think y’all looked at me as one of you—that I was just a pity plus one. For the last five years, you’ve been my family and I can’t imagine my life without all of you in it.” I let go of Will’s hand to wipe my damp eyes. “I just hope there’s still room at the table for me. ”
Luca approached me with a cocktail glass in his hand. It looked like the same apple butter bourbon concoction that had previously blown my mind. “If there’s anything we do right, it’s a potluck. There’s plenty of room for everyone, and it would be pretty boring if we all brought the same thing to the table.” He handed the glass to Will and wrapped his big, tattooed arms around me. “You have a place here. Always will.”
It was one of those poker nights where we never actually got around to playing poker. I didn’t mind, though. Those were the best ones, in my opinion.
For some reason, my monologue spurred a flurry of apologies between everyone else. I didn't understand why, so Will quietly filled me in on what had gone down at the bar.
Everyone seemed to have mended fences except for Bridget and Chase.
She sat on the far end of the room, talking quietly with Melissa. Chase sat at the poker table with Luna snuggled up against his feet. The looks they shared were anything but friendly. I was confused because, according to everyone else, they’d been inseparable since they were teenagers. I didn’t know what the hell was happening there.
I stood and stretched out the stiffness in my muscles, then turned to Will. “It’s about time for me to head home. I told the kids I wouldn’t be out late.”
Will shared a suspicious look with Hannah Jane.
“Yeah, you should get going,” she said before looking at Chase, who nodded.
What in the poker club conspiracy was happening?
“Don’t do that thing where you don’t tell me what’s going on,” I said, looking between them. “We just had a whole thing about that.”
“Let’s go home, Sunshine,” Will said with a knowing smile.
I dug my heels in. “Hannah Jane?—”
“You make it impossible to surprise you,” she said. “You know that, right?”
“I hate surprises.”
Chase clipped Luna’s leash to her collar and led her over. Much to his dismay, the dog immediately darted over to Bridget and lavished her in slobbery kisses.
Instead of acknowledging Bridget, he snapped his fingers once and Luna immediately returned to his side. He rewarded her loyalty with a scratch behind the ear.
“Kris, you’re going home with your man to work things out,” Hannah Jane began.
“Y’all need a good hate-fuck,” Maddie shouted from the other side of the room.
I turned Christmas red and buried my face in my hands. “Oh God…”
“Yep, you’ll probably be saying that a lot,” Mel giggled. "Well… moaning it."
I looked up at the ceiling. “Lord, take me now.”
Bridget grinned. “Make-up sex is even better than angry sex.”
Chase rolled his eyes.
I crossed my arms and looked at Will. “What did you do?”
“Not me, Sunshine,” he chuckled. “This was Kylie’s doing.”
“ What? ” I needed to have a serious conversation with Ky. I was not okay with meddling in my sex life.
“The kids are on break for the holidays,” Chase said. “So, Han, Isaac, and I are gonna have them over tonight for a Christmas movie marathon and sleepover."
Isaac joined the circle. “Figured between the three of us, we could handle four kids jacked up on sugar cookies and hot chocolate.”
“Besides,” Chase said. “Logan told me that Zoey’s been begging to see Luna. Ky and Logan are packing an overnight bag for everyone and I’m gonna go pick ‘em all up.”
“You’re not going to Layla’s going away party?” Mel asked.
Every head in the room turned. None of us were completely sure what Chase and Layla were, but we knew that they were something.
Bridget’s curiosity was piqued. I didn’t miss the way she leaned forward to hear the rest of the gossip.
Chase shook his head. “Nah, I didn’t wanna butt in. It’s just her work friends. I’ll see her before she moves.”
Maddie waved her arms. “Whoa, you can’t just drop something like that and not give us details.”
Chase shrugged. “No details to give.”
Mel rolled her eyes. “Layla got a job as a flight nurse at a base in Falls Creek. She’s moving next week before orientation and training. Her last shift at the hospital was today.” She looked at Chase. “And she told me that she invited you to the party.”
He offered a sheepish smile and shook his head. “It’s not like me and her were somethin’ serious. I’ve known she was leaving for a while now. We’re friends. That’s all.”
Yeah, you’re just biding your time, I thought.
I glanced at Bridget, who was suddenly fascinated with the state of her cuticles. She had been wearing her gaudy engagement ring ever since the debacle at the bar months ago.
Part of me wondered if Kyle was pissed that she didn’t have it on that night. He seemed just as surprised that she wasn’t wearing it as we were finding out she was engaged in the first place.
Will and I said our goodbyes and made our way out to his truck. As soon as he hopped behind the wheel and shut the door, he pulled me across the bench seat. We spent the forty-five minute drive to New Bern with his hand wrapped around the top of my thigh.
Will remained silent the entire way back, his face a hard mask of concentration. A deep groove formed between his eyebrows, and his hand slowly slid up to the apex of my thighs. The back of his finger grazed my sensitive center.
I wanted him so badly.
I squeezed my legs together, desperate to relieve the ache I felt inside. The emptiness. We fit together like puzzle pieces. Together, we completed a picture.
“Will,” I said softly as he turned onto his street. His grip on my thigh tightened. He was barely restrained. Barely holding on to control.
“Hmm?” he grunted.
I reached over and squeezed the thickness that was straining at his fly. “I want you. Us.”
His left hand choked the steering wheel as he careened into his driveway. “Good,” he clipped. “Because I’m not letting you go.”
Before I could blink, he was out of the truck. Will pulled me through the open driver side door and into his arms. His hands dug into my ass as he hoisted me up, wrapping my legs around his waist.
The truck door slammed shut and my back collided into the side of the cab. He had me elevated and pinned with his hips, hands sliding up my sweater. Frigid air bit at my skin, sending a shiver down my spine.
Will dug his fingers inside my bra, nails scraping against my pebbled nipples. He gripped one cup in each hand and, with a single harsh jerk, tore it in two.
I gasped, feeling the underwire dig into my ribs. Despite the weather, my skin flushed with heat as a wildfire blazed between us.
“Will,” I whimpered .
“I’ll buy you a new one,” he growled. “I want you naked and I want it right now.”
I moaned an incoherent string of yes, yes, yes , furiously grinding my hips against his, desperate for a little more friction.
Will dipped his head to the side, pulling one of my nipples into his mouth.
I wrapped my arms around his neck, dug my nails into his hair, and held on tight as he blindly carried me to the front door. I was vaguely aware of his key sliding into the lock and the door opening. All I could think about was him sinking deep inside me, filling the emptiness.
The longing.
He kicked the door shut with his boot and lowered me onto my feet. Before I could even think, he grabbed the hem of my sweater and pulled it over my head. Tossing the shirt aside, he shackled my wrists with his hand and pinned them high above my head.
My breasts bounced and strained for him to touch them, but he didn’t. I arched my back, desperate to be closer to him, but I couldn’t reach.
Will slid his free hand between my legs, cupping my pussy, rubbing his thumb across the seam in my jeans.
A whine escaped my lips. I couldn't help myself. Never in my life had I felt so needy. I was going to die if I didn't feel his skin on mine.
He pinned me to the wall with a dangerous gaze. Slowly, he slid his hand up, then deftly undid the button on my jeans and drew the zipper down. With deliberate leisure, he slipped his hand into my panties, never breaking his piercing stare.
I wondered what he was thinking as he gazed into my eyes.
Did he love me as much as I loved him? Did he want me as much as I wanted him? Did he need me as much as I needed him?
I didn’t need him for material things. No, I needed more than that .
I needed love. I needed someone to lean on and trust with the darkest parts of me. Someone to be protected by and to fight for.
“ Oh! ” I yelped as sudden pleasure took hold of me.
Will slid two fingers into my wet pussy. An approving groan rumbled out of his chest as he leaned forward and pressed his forehead to the space on the wall beside my ear. His jaw scraped against my cheek.
“Good girl,” he praised with a dirty satisfaction. “So wet for me. So ready .” His thumb stroked my clit once and I keened in pleasure. A devilish grin pulled at the corners of his mouth. “So responsive.”
Without warning, he released my wrists and spun me. He knocked the back of my knees with his foot, taking me down to the floor.
Air escaped my lungs as my palms hit the hardwood panels. I turned my head and saw Will grabbing the waist of my jeans.
He shoved them down my thighs until the fabric bunched around my knees, stopped by the top of my boots. With a growl, he smoothed his palm over my barely covered ass.
My dark purple thong left nothing to the imagination.
He hooked his finger in the thin strip of lace that dipped between my cheeks and tugged. Heat and desire blazed down my legs as the fabric pulled against my most sensitive parts.
Will did not relent.
He pulled harder, making the thong bite and pinch my skin. It was a delicious mix of pleasure and pain. My jeans strained as they bound my knees together.
A sharp and sudden snap echoed through the empty house as he tore my thong in half. He dragged it through my wetness before tossing it aside. I groaned in ecstasy, arching my back and pushing my ass higher in the air.
For a moment, the faint sound of his zipper lowering and the tear of foil were all I heard. Will sheathed himself, pressing the head of his cock against my entrance.
He held my hips and, in one quick thrust, I was whole.
I groaned, my hands biting into the wood floor as he fucked me fast and hard right there in the foyer of his house. It was dirty and depraved. Nothing but grunts and moans filled the silence.
He slowly pulled his cock out of my pussy before driving it back in.
I yelped as my knees buckled, my breasts swinging in the dead space, desperate to be touched.
Will reached between us, massaging my clit from side to side as he fucked me.
I had never been wanted like this. I had never been so desired that we didn’t even make it to a bed before he had his way with me. I never wanted to go back to the way things were before this moment in time.
“Are you ready to come, sweetheart?” he asked in a gravelly timbre.
I wasn’t quite there, but before I got the words out, he leaned back on his haunches and drove in hard and fast. My walls pulsed as he hit that magical spot, and I was ready to shatter.
“Yes,” I begged. “Please—please make me come.”
He pressed his fingers flat against my clit, forcing me to ride against them with each punishing thrust of his cock.
I cried out into the dark house as my vision tunneled. Every nerve ending in my body was on fire. I smacked the floor with my palm as my orgasm rushed in, breaking like rapids, over and over. Spinning my senses like a tilt-a-whirl.
Will’s release pulsed into the condom as he held himself deep inside of me. I collapsed onto the floor, my heart pounding.
I was spent. Used in all the best ways. My knees would have bruises in the morning from fucking on the floor, but I didn’t care in the slightest. I’d do it all again in a heartbeat .
I hoped we would do it again in a heartbeat.
He pulled out of my pussy and dealt with the condom, tying it off and tossing it in the little trash can under the entryway table.
I was still catching my breath when he flipped me onto my back and unzipped my boots. First the left, then the right. His cock hung out of his fly, still hard and ready for round two. He pulled my shoes off and set them beside the door.
In seconds, his hands were working my jeans down my legs and off my ankles. He slid his arms underneath me—one behind my back, the other under my knees—and stood.
Before he took a single step, Will kissed me. It was soft and tender, full of everything I had been missing.
It healed the cracks in my heart, fusing every broken piece together.