19. Easton
NINETEEN
Easton
I wake up with a terrible pain in my back and then remember I fell asleep next to Jade when I heard her having a bad dream.
This was a terrible spot to make camp for the night, and I don't think it's been very long, maybe just a few hours.
When I adjust and try to get more comfortable, I notice that Hazel is stirring, too. She looks over at me, a sleepy smile on her face, before she winces and grips her own back.
I look down at Jade, who is still completely asleep, and whisper, “Should we move things? I don't think I can lay here anymore.”
Hazel fights back a laugh and nods.
It takes some doing, like a game of Twister being played on this little bed alongside my niece, but we're able to extract ourselves from her bed and then make our way out of her bedroom before she wakes up.
When I look back at her as I'm closing the door, Jade just rolls over with her stuffed cat and gets more comfortable.
Outside in the hall, I offer Hazel a smile. “Oh, well, that was a better idea in theory than it was in practice.”
I stretch, the crick in my back slowly starting to fade.
“Yeah, that was less than comfortable. God, what time is it?”
Glancing down and realizing that I never took my phone out of my pocket, I pull it out and turn on the screen.
“It's only a little past ten. It's not even late.” Awkward energy churns, and I grip the back of my neck. “I'm kind of awake now. Do you want to go downstairs and grab a drink? We can stay up for a little while before we're tired again?”
I don't know what gets it in my head to ask her. I know it's not a good idea. I know that, in theory, we're supposed to be trying to maintain our distance from each other.
But after everything that happened the other day, all I want is another taste of Hazel, and I mean that literally and figuratively.
Hazel stares at me; the questions and concern lingering on her face are obvious, but after a moment, she sighs and releases a heavy breath.
“Yeah, yeah, sounds great. Let's go.”
We head downstairs to the kitchen, and I go for the beers in the fridge. I know a conversation about what went down in my office is required if we're going to be able to stand being around each other.
But I can't tell her if I do or do not want it to happen again because I'm not sure, and I think that, honestly, the best thing to do right now is to get a drink and relax.
Maybe we’ll just chat a little bit and then head our separate ways to bed. Though, if I’m honest with myself, I know the chances of me staying away from Hazel are slim to none.
Ugh, you’re such an ass.
I can’t seem to help it, however. Hazel is like a magnet, pulling me in and holding me tight.
“Beer, okay?” I hold up a bottle for her as I straighten, shutting the fridge behind me because I know she’ll say yes.
This is one of her favorite types.
“Yeah.” Hazel walks over, taking the bottle from me and twisting it open. I do the same, and we’re both taking a sip at the same time.
“Wanna go out on the porch and watch the storm? I bet it smells great out there.”
Grinning, Hazel nods. I remember how she once told me that she loves storms. I hadn’t thought about it before, but after all this time—together and apart—I love them, too.
As I slide open the patio door, Hazel walks to the side portion of the porch under the awning. There’s a swing on that end, and she takes a seat. I know I shouldn’t crowd her, so I lean on the wooden post directly across from it.
The air is cool as it rushes over my skin, and it has that particular smell. Petricore .
Someone once told me that’s what it’s called, and now that I stand here, I think that person was Hazel.
My heart beats heavily against my ribs. I can feel every single pulse of it. When I look up at her, trying to hide my discomfort with a sip of beer, Hazel's eyes are pinned down to the ground as she swings idly on the cushioned seat.
Her knees are pulled up to her chest, and she's not looking at anything in particular. I can tell she has a lot on her mind.
Suddenly, I remember all the things I've been protecting her from, namely Neil. In all of this chaos, I almost forgot why she was here in the first place, and now I feel like a royal ass for not helping her like I should.
I breathe out, letting my arm hang as I hold on to the cold beer, slick with condensation.
I glance over at her, keeping my voice level. “Are you okay? I know there's been a lot going on. And I'm sure that getting settled has been a lot more difficult than it would be if you were moving here for some nice reason, like being next to Jade.”
Hazel chuckles, taking a sip of her beer before setting it down on the wooden slats of my porch and meeting my eyes.
“I'm fine. I'm nervous. I'm really, really nervous.
Hell, I'm downright scared. Going to the hospital because of that attack took me by surprise. I can barely put into words how I feel about that experience, and I don’t know if it's going to happen again, or if Neil is going to send someone else after me. The idea that he has people watching me is terrifying, and I worry that should something happen, Jade will get caught in the crossfire.”
“Hazel,” I step forward, crouching in front of her and taking the hand she has resting on her knee, “that wouldn’t be your fault. None of this is. I asked you here, and I don’t regret that.”
Her eyes flare. Shit . I mean those words, though. I’m glad to have her here, and I guess I should start admitting that instead of wasting time denying it.
“If he sends someone, I’ll be right here. We’ll get more evidence, and then he’ll go to jail for good. Where he can’t hurt you.”
Unshed tears glisten in Hazel’s eyes. “It’s just a constant pressure that never leaves. I just want to feel normal. Hell, even good, for just a moment.”
Everything logical is telling me that I shouldn’t do this, that if I allow myself to fall in deeper with Hazel, it’ll just end with me getting hurt.
No one wants to stick around me for long, right?
But while my mind is practically screaming at me to pull up, to run, to get the hell out of here, my body and heart are telling me the opposite.
I want Hazel. I…I could make her feel good . Not so scared.
This nagging voice in the back of my head knows that if I go through with this, if we take our relationship to the next stage—one where we’re not just kissing and fooling around—that it will change everything.
There will be no going back from that.
We’ve been quiet for a moment, and when I look up into Hazel’s eyes again, I’m frozen there. Everything swirling through my head is reflected back at me through her stare, and while that should have been a reason this won’t work, it’s not.
Instead, that recognition just fills me with something I can’t name, a feeling of being seen, of shared anxiety and longing, of knowing that we’re in the same boat already.
We’re already here. We’re already getting wet. Might as well go for a swim.
“Hazel,” I squeeze her hands, kneeling in front of her on my porch, “there is nothing I’d like more than to help you feel good .
I’m not asking for anything. I’m not trying to put a label on this or start something…
bigger. I just want to help you. I want to do what I can to take your mind off all this. ”
Her eyes flare wide, and she straightens on the porch swing. “Easton, I…I’m not sure this is smart. We’ve already blurred the line between us so much. I…what if?—”
“I get you. I do.” I lean up toward her, reaching to cup her cheek as I hold her eyes.
“Like I said, this isn’t about tomorrow or what happens next.
It’s about right now. I…” A shaky breath leaves me, and I let go of all the stuff in my head that’s holding me back.
“…I need you, too. I need you right now , and I can’t hold back anymore. ”
Hazel searches my eyes, leaning into my hand. A low rumble of thunder drifts through the sky, distant lightning illuminating her face in sporadic patterns.
“You haven’t done a very good job holding back, now have you?” She smiles, a light chuckle leaving her as she drops her stare to the ground and then back up. “Not that I’m one to talk.”
“No. I haven’t. And you are certainly not one to talk.” Pushing up, I hover over her until Hazel is leaning back against the swing, which makes it sway as I grip the chain holding it up. “But that’s not an answer either. I need to hear you say it, Hazel.”
She looks up at me with her mouth slightly open, her bottom lip glistening softly as she licks it. Hazel’s breaths flutter her chest up and down, and dammit, I’m aching to be inside her.
“Easton…” She shuts her eyes, squeezing them tight, and then her hands come up to my face the moment she opens them again. “Yes.”
Before I can react, Hazel pulls me down to her lips. The heat between us is immediate, and I devour her mouth, tangling my tongue with hers. She tastes like heaven.
Always has.
Sliding my hand around to the back of her neck, I lift Hazel toward me. I keep our lips together as I pull her off the porch swing and get Hazel to stand in front of me.
I don’t want to stop kissing her, but I also know that I have plans. Plans that are going to be even better than this.
Breaking the kiss, I travel my hands down her sides to her waistband, undoing the button and zipper of her jean shorts.
Hazel mimics my actions, reaching for my belt buckle to get at the button beneath. She undoes everything, and we’re shoving each other’s pants down at the same time.
I lift her foot so that she steps out of the pile of fabric at our feet, and then drag my fingers up her thigh. I want to touch her. I want to feel Hazel come for me before I fuck her.
A moan slips free, and I smile as I kiss her again. Hazel grabs the two halves of my button-down shirt, hanging on for dear life.
Then, I slide my fingers home, feeling how very wet she is for me.
“Easton!” She gasps, and I light up from the sound, from the way she makes me feel.
Slick, slippery flesh is warm around my fingers, and I work her, pumping in and out so that Hazel’s good and ready to take me.
She grabs my face, swirling her tongue against mine as she tries to be quiet. The struggle is adorable, and I’m so damn hard that I could cut fucking diamonds at this point.
Hooking my fingers into her G-spot, I make Hazel buck against my hand. She whimpers, rocking her hips.
“Oh, shit. Easton…I’m…ugh, I’m so close already.” She whines, and I work harder, driving her to the edge so that I know she’ll be ready for my cock. “How are you so damn good at this?”
I can’t help but chuckle, and when she squeezes around my fingers, I know she’s going to fall apart for me.
“That’s it, gorgeous. I want you to come for me.” I brush my lips over hers, loving how she’s totally relying on me to keep standing. “Then you’re going to bend over this swing for me, aren’t you?”
Rubbing my thumb across her clit, I press that spot hard.
“Fuck!”
She comes for me, and I make sure not to stop until her legs are trembling. “That’s my good girl.”
Hazel is breathing hard, her eyes lust-lidded and unfocused. It’s so pretty to see her all blissed out for me.
“Turn around, baby. Lean on the swing.”
Grinning, Hazel spins, looking over her shoulder at me. “You’re going to make it impossible for me to stand after this, aren’t you?”
I beam, this addictive pride glowing from inside me at her words. “That’s the plan.”
Kissing her shoulder, I press Hazel forward so that she’s facing the house and gripping the back of the porch swing. She lifts a knee and plants it on the cushioned seat, using it to help her.
From there, I work my kisses lower and lower until I’m tasting her sweet pussy. I stroke myself as I indulge in this incredible treat, and then I stand and line my cock up with her entrance.
“Do you want me, baby?”
Hazel looks back at me, biting her lip and nodding. “Yes. Please .”
I slide into her, and goddamn, it’s better than I could have imagined. Part of me remembers having sex with Hazel, that it was damn incredible, but right now, it’s better than any memory does justice.
We start up a rhythm, her hips sinking back as I thrust forward. The swing dances, the chain creaking slightly as we lose ourselves in each other.
More lightning and thunder rumbles in the distance, and then the rain starts up again. It’s not a storm now, though. Just a gentle patter against the house as I make love to this incredible woman.
You never stopped loving her, Easton. Not for a second.
I know it’s true, but there isn’t time for that. This isn’t the time for that. Refocusing, I grip Hazel’s hips as I move in and out of her.
The sensations are mind-blowing, the way her pussy grips my cock too amazing for words. I’ve wanted this since the moment I saw her in that coffee shop.
Hell, I’ve wanted Hazel since I left. I never wanted to stay away from her, not really. But…but I was too chicken shit to stick around.
She’s too damn good for me, and I fuck her knowing that. I give her all I have because I want this to act as some sort of silent apology. Hazel deserves to feel fantastic , and I can do that for her.
I will do that for her.
“Easton, oh god…” She reaches back and grips my hip, egging me on. “Yes, please. That, oh god, that.”
Doing exactly as she says, I piston my hips, sinking as deep as I can before sliding back and starting all over again. It feels so good, and my head falls back as my own orgasm creeps ever closer.
“That’s my Hazel. Ugh, you feel incredible. You feel perfect .”
“Please, Easton. Harder. I need it harder.” She thrusts back against me. “Ugh, give me everything."
“Anything, baby. Anything you need.”
I move hard, digging my fingers into Hazel’s hips to anchor her against my thrusts. The energy swirls higher to the sound of the rain, and I don’t hold back.
The moment peaks, and I feel Hazel clench around me just as she cries out into the night air. The sensation, the pull, drags me along with it, and I come hard, emptying myself inside her.
It stretches on, both of us lost to the ecstasy, and right then, right there with her, I know that something has happened between us.
Something bigger than I could ever have guessed, and I was right.
There’s no going back.