Chapter 34
CHAPTER 34
HAYES
I couldn’t get enough of her. The feeling of Dixie beneath me, around me, was intoxicating. Her soft cries of pleasure spurred me on as I drove into her again and again.
My hand gripped her thigh, holding her leg up to deepen the angle. Every thrust sent sparks of pleasure through my body. I watched her face, mesmerized by the way her eyes fluttered closed and her lips parted with each moan.
“Hayes,” she gasped, her nails digging into my back. “Oh god, don’t stop.”
I had no intention of stopping. I slid out with just the tip inside her.
“Do you like that?” I asked huskily.
She groaned, her eyes rolling back into her head. “Please, Hayes.”
I pushed back in, slowly at first, then with more force. She was tight around me, gripping me like she never wanted to let go. I could feel her wet heat squeeze me like a glove as I pulled out and thrust back in again. Our bodies were made for each other.
We moved together for what felt like an eternity, lost in each other’s touches and moans. It wasn’t until I felt my body tense that I finally slowed down. I leaned down to capture her lips in a passionate kiss. I could feel her tightening around me, her body trembling on the edge of another orgasm. I wanted to push her over that edge, to watch her come undone beneath me once more.
I shifted slightly, changing the angle just enough to hit that spot inside her that I knew drove her wild. Her back arched off the couch, and she cried out my name as her body shuddered and convulsed around me. I followed her over the edge, feeling my own release wash over me as I buried myself inside.
Her walls clenched around me, milking every last drop of pleasure from my cock. Her breath hitched as I ground against her one last time before collapsing on top of her.
I held myself inside her for a moment, savoring the feeling of being so deeply connected with her. We held each other tight, our hearts pounding against each other’s chests. I kissed her forehead, her cheeks, her eyelids. I nibbled on her ear before pulling out and getting off her. I quickly went into the bathroom and disposed of the condom. Didn’t want to get careless and have any accidents.
I returned to her on the couch. She was still lying naked with her body flushed and covered with a sheen of perspiration. I smiled and pulled her close against me. I reached for the blanket draped over the back of the couch and covered our bodies.
The warmth of Dixie’s body next to mine was enough to make me forget the rest of the world existed. We were cocooned under the blanket on her couch, our legs tangled together, her head snug against my chest. The scent of her shampoo mingled with the faint citrus smell of the candle burning on her coffee table. I traced idle patterns along her arm, unable to stop touching her, still half in disbelief that we were here.
The moment was perfect. I didn’t want to change anything. Maybe if we were in bed with a little more leg room. No. Then we wouldn’t be forced together with the limited space. I liked this.
“I didn’t think I’d ever hear from you again,” I admitted, my voice low and rough. “I told myself I’d move on, but I couldn’t. Every time I closed my eyes, I saw you. Every time I thought about what I wanted in life, you were there. I wanted to call you a million times but stopped myself.”
Dixie shifted to look up at me, her fingers brushing against my chest. “I didn’t think you’d forgive me.”
“Forgive you?” I repeated, incredulously. “Dixie, I would’ve forgiven you for anything. I just didn’t think I was what you needed. I thought you and your sister had made the decision and that was that.”
“More like she made the decision, and I was expected to fall in line,” she murmured.
I brushed my thumb across her lips, feeling the softness against my skin. “And yet, here we are.” She shivered slightly at my touch. I leaned down to place a kiss on her forehead. “I want you to know that I’ll always be here for you, no matter what. I just want to be with you. I don’t want to get between you and your sister, but I want you.”
She turned her face into the crook of my neck, her breath warm against my skin. “I’ve never felt this way about anyone before,” she confessed quietly. “It scares me sometimes.”
I wrapped my arms around her tighter, nuzzling my nose against her hair. “Don’t be scared,” I said with a gentle smile. “I’m not going anywhere.”
“I’ve missed you,” she said simply.
“I’ve missed you too. And I’m all in, Dixie. Whatever this is, wherever it goes—I’m in. No hesitation.”
She smiled, that radiant smile that could stop my heart if I wasn’t careful. It erased every trace of sadness and regret that had lingered between us. “That sounds amazing,” she said. “But can we start with dinner? I’m starving.”
“Any cravings?” I asked, grinning as I reached for my pants, which were crumpled on the floor.
She froze, and her expression shifted just enough for me to notice. “What?” she asked, narrowing her eyes.
“For takeout,” I clarified, chuckling. “What do you feel like? Are you craving anything special?”
“Oh.” She relaxed, but her smile was faintly distracted. “Thai food sounds good.”
“Thai it is.” I fished my phone from my pocket and started scrolling for the restaurant’s number. Before I could press call, a sharp knock at the door echoed through the apartment.
Dixie groaned and blew a stray strand of hair out of her face, the aftermath of our earlier activities clearly evident in her messy bun and flushed cheeks. “Now isn’t a good time, Margaret,” she called, assuming it was her quirky neighbor.
I laughed and kissed her cheek. “She probably heard us,” I whispered. “She’s coming to see if I murdered you.”
She giggled softly.
“It’s your mother,” a clipped voice replied from the hall.
Dixie gasped, her eyes going big as saucers. We both jumped up and froze. I stared at the door like the woman might actually be able to see through it. “Who?” I hissed, my brain scrambling to process.
“Shit!” Dixie jerked the blanket off the couch just as I was grabbing it to cover myself. I felt awkwardly exposed standing there in the nude with her mother just on the other side of the door. I didn’t lock it when I came in. Did she?
“Mom, just give me a minute!” she called, darting toward the bedroom, leaving me in the living room in just my birthday suit. I grabbed my clothes in one hand and followed, trying to preserve what little dignity I had left by cupping my hand in front of myself as I rushed past the living room window. My clothes were held against my ass just in case she walked in. My hand was doing little to cover the dangling bits. Thank God, she wasn’t witnessing the humiliating dance. It wouldn’t be the best first impression.
Inside her room, we both hurriedly threw on clothes. She jerked a hoodie on without bothering with a bra. I yanked my shirt over my head while she wrestled her hair into something vaguely presentable. She turned to me, her cheeks flushed and her eyes wild.
“Your name is Paul,” she blurted out. “You’re?—”
“The blind date guy?” I guessed, buttoning my pants.
She leaned forward and kissed me quickly. “Yes. I’ll explain later. Whatever happens, just know I am not my mother, okay? And don’t let her interrogate you.”
“Got it.” I tucked my shirt in and smoothed my hair, trying to channel whatever “Paul” energy I was supposed to embody.
We emerged from the bedroom together. Dixie opened the door. Her mother stepped inside, her expression immediately sour as she glanced down the hall. “It smells like cat litter out there,” she remarked, her tone dripping with disapproval. “Dixie, you really should talk to the management about that.”
Her gaze swept around the apartment, lingering on the mismatched furniture and the cluttered surfaces. I could almost see her forming a mental list of complaints. Then her eyes landed on me.
Instantly, her demeanor changed. Her expression softened, and a polite smile replaced the frown. “Oh,” she said, as though she hadn’t been expecting to find me here. “I didn’t know you had company.”
“Mom,” Dixie said, subtly nudging her thong under the sofa with her foot. “This is my boyfriend. Paul.”
I stepped forward and extended my hand, hoping I looked more confident than I felt. “Nice to meet you, Mrs. Holland.”
Her gaze raked over me, her smile widening into something almost predatory. “It’s nice to meet you too, Paul. My goodness, Dixie, where did you find him?”
Dixie gave a tight-lipped smile, her cheeks burning. “We met through a mutual friend.”
“Well, aren’t you a catch,” her mother said, still eyeing me with a mix of approval and curiosity. “And so polite. A refreshing change.”
Dixie shot me a glance that screamed help me . I cleared my throat. “I try my best, ma’am.”
“Please, call me Sylvia,” she said, waving a hand. She turned back to Dixie, her tone brisk. “I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by.”
“Well, isn’t that thoughtful?” Dixie folded her arms. “What do you need, Mom?”
Sylvia’s smile faltered, just for a moment. “Do I need a reason to visit my daughter?”
Dixie opened her mouth, probably to argue, but I cut in. “It’s great that you stopped by. Family is important.”
Sylvia’s smile returned. “Exactly, Paul. I can see why Dixie likes you.”
I glanced at Dixie, who looked like she was two seconds away from spontaneously combusting. Whatever tension existed between her and her mother was thicker than the air before a storm. I reached for her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.
“Can I get you something to drink?” Dixie asked, her tone bordering on exasperated politeness.
“No, thank you,” Sylvia replied, already scanning the apartment again. “I was just checking in. You called earlier but I was busy. It’s the first time you’ve called me in forever.”
“I’ve been busy, too,” Dixie said, her voice clipped.
Sylvia’s gaze snapped back to her. “Too busy for your own mother?”
I squeezed Dixie’s hand again, but this time, she gently pulled away. “I’ll call you this week, Mom. I promise.”
Sylvia pursed her lips, clearly unsatisfied, but she nodded. “Fine. I’ll hold you to that. But I’m here now. I schlepped all the way over to this side of town. We may as well talk.”
I wanted to leave. Whatever was going on here was not something I wanted to be a part of. But I could see the look in Dixie’s eyes. She was begging me to stay. I was going to be the buffer. I knew a little about her relationship with her sister and had a feeling there was probably some tension with her parents as well. I couldn’t just leave her hanging.