Chapter 2
Matt
“Hey. What are you doing out here?”
I look up to see my sweet girl stretching her arms overhead as she looks up at the morning sun. Her glorious tits are squeezed tight inside her thin sleep shirt, the indentations from her firm nipples poking through hard to miss.
I can’t wait to spoil Ellie with sexy lingerie. Curl up with her wearing satiny soft night clothes that hug her curves versus these old T-shirts she wears to bed. But I’ll need to approach this gradually with her. She’s so proud. I’d never want my gifts to make her feel self-conscious. “I’m wondering that myself now.” I wait for her eyes to meet mine before licking my lips.
A beautiful blush stains her cheeks in response to my innuendo. “You always get up this early?” She asks over a yawn.
“It depends on the day. When I’m doing my rough week of on-one-off-one twenty-four-hour shifts, I crash when I get home for a few hours before trying to do something productive with my day. But when I have a few days off in a row, I like to sleep in.”
Ellie comes over to sit in the chair beside me, drawing her knees into her chest as she watches a small gray bird sitting on the other end of the deck attached to her mobile home. “There’s still so much I have to learn about you.”
Reaching for her hand, I pull it to my lips. “I’m excited to discover every delicious detail.” I nip at her knuckle.
“Ouch.” She laughs as she rubs the top of her hand along her cheek. “You got here a couple of days ago. And I thought we got in a good workout last night.” She giggles. The memory of our all-night fuckathon has the corner of my mouth curling. “Can’t sleep? Is there something on your mind?”
My eyes flick back to hers. Her expression appears more concerned now. “I’m afraid to tell you.” Ellie’s jaw tightens, and I worry I’ve frightened her. “Oh, baby, nothing like that. I just hate that it feels as if the clock starts ticking as soon as I arrive. I’m so focused on the fact I’m going home without you, it’s hard to relax.
My beautiful girl unfurls her legs and quickly comes to sit on my lap. Those big green eyes peer down at me as she runs her fingers through my disheveled hair. I need to stay focused on the woman in front of me. Enjoy these moments rather than mar them with thoughts of leaving.
Ellie’s come a long way in the last few months. Her grandfather’s death really hit her hard. I’d expected as much, given he’s the only real family she’s had for so long. Not to mention, he was more like a father than her grandfather. I need to give her as much time and space as she needs in order to manage her grief. Not greedily push her to move back home to Sycamore Mountain with me. “I’m sorry. It’s selfish to feel this way.”
She leans in, dropping chaste kisses along my Adam’s apple. “You being selfish is what I need right now. Before you came along, it was just me and Pops. I have a few friends here to lean on. But you loving me, whether here or hundreds of miles away, gives me the fuel to keep going.”
I pull her tightly to my chest and rest my chin on her head. “I wish I’d had the chance to get to know him better.” Rubbing my hand up and down the soft skin of Ellie’s arm, I look up to the clouds and pray he knows I’ve got her from here.
“He didn’t have enough energy to do more than eat and sleep the last year of his life.” Her voice always takes a soft, reverent tone when she speaks of him. “But whenever I mentioned you, he seemed to find solace in knowing you were in my life.” Ellie sits up, wrapping her arm around my neck. “He learned all he needed about your integrity the night of that storm.”
Hearing this makes me wince.
Ellie shifts in my lap. “What’s that look for?”
“I never told you. Pops came out of his room that night and found us in bed. I was wrapped around you like an octopus.”
Ellie’s eyes widen to saucers as her hand flies to her mouth.
“Hell, I almost shit myself when I saw him staring down at me.” I chuckle. “I tried to reassure him I’d never hurt you,” I say as I stroke her hair. “He looked like he believed me.” A single tear tumbles down her cheek, causing my heart to clench. “Baby.” Leaning closer, I kiss the path it took, hoping to bring her some comfort.
“Thank you for telling me that. I was worried he’d died thinking I was all alone. I mean, I have Salty Jo and Charlene, but…”
Pulling her back into me, I kiss her temple. “I think he can see you’re loved.”
Ellie abruptly stands. The absence of her warmth causing me to reach for her hand. “Where are you going?” I hope this conversation hasn’t upset her.
“I’m getting us some coffee. We’re going to need it.”
I tilt my head in confusion. I didn’t think we had any plans today. Is she hoping we head back to bed?
“It’s time to start packing up.”
I instantly sit taller in my chair, anxious anticipation causing me to hope for unrealistic things. “You thinking of returning with me for a visit, El?”
“No.” She walks out of view, and I scratch my head. I knew it was likely too good to be true. Her voice lilts from the kitchen window. Following the sound, my gaze connects with hers. “I think it’s time for me to start a new chapter.”
I immediately spring from my chair and bound into the kitchen as if the fire alarm has gone off. “Ellie?”
“Yeah?” She giggles. The sound gives me hope we’re both on the same page, but I need to hear the words.
“Are you coming home to Sycamore Mountain for good?”
“We have a lot to figure out before I can move in, but─”
I sweep her into my arms, spinning her around. I wish I could say this moment feels like the ending of a Rom-Com. This double-wide may be an improvement over the 8 Mile version she used to live in, but it’s a far cry from Hallmark-worthy.
Almost a month later I return to Ellie’s place with a new spring in my step. “Anybody home?” Dropping my overnight bag at the door, I head for her bedroom. God, I’ve missed her. It’s been the longest three weeks. I fling the door open excitedly, only to find the room empty.
Turning back toward the other end of the mobile home, I suddenly see things a little clearer. There are boxes pushed against the entire back wall of the double-wide. Holy hell, my girl’s been busy. Witnessing this makes the knowledge Ellie’s coming home with me feel real for the first time. It’s like I can finally exhale. Each time I’ve driven away from her has caused me to feel more and more hollow inside. This girl has infiltrated my heart.
My head spins toward the kitchen window as I hear giggling coming from the backyard. That sweet tinkle of laughter I’ve only ever heard her use with me. What the fuck? A feeling of nausea sets in. I mean, a long distance relationship is hard. Yet, she’s the most honest person I’ve ever known. It’s never crossed my mind that Ellie would cheat.
Bounding through the back door like the place is on fire, I stop in my tracks.
It’s him.
“Hey, babe. Jimmy must’ve known you were coming. He’s been hanging out here all afternoon instead of meandering about the back half of the farm where it’s shady.” She laughs.
I practically run down the steps to her and her companion. I’ve never been so glad to see a dirty, smelly pig in my life. Pulling her into my arms, I kiss her head. “God I’ve missed you.”
Snort.
“You too, Jimmy Dean.” I squeeze her again. Each time I return to Candy Cane Key, she puts up with my grabby hands. It’s not sexual. I just have to make up for weeks of not being able to touch her. “Have you figured out what we’re going to do with him?”
“Awe,” she croons, looking up at me all goo-goo-eyed.
“What?”
“You said we.”
I shake my head and lead her back to the deck.
“Not yet. The neighbors said they’d keep an eye out. But I hope we can come up with a long-term plan. The options don’t sound very appealing right now.” Ellie grimaces. Those options are what brought her and her Pops to acquire this pig in the first place. Mainly avoiding the possibility he’d be turned into breakfast meat.
I run my hands through my long hair. “Yeah. Not much of a calling for a pot belly pig in Candy Cane Key.”
Ellie’s plump bottom lip protrudes in a pout just before she reaches up to stroke my jaw. “You need a haircut, sir.”
“You’re right. I used to take care of that on my ten-day breaks from the station. But lately, I seem to be out of town enjoying the company of a tempting redhead instead.” I’d meant to get it trimmed over the last few weeks while we were apart, but I managed to squeeze in a trip to visit my mother, brother, Becca and the kids.
She lets out a short snicker before tugging on my arm. “Here. Have a seat. I haven’t been able to use it since you moved it here.”
I’m abruptly thrust into the old barber’s chair Charlene had given Ellie to use with her grandpa. She gives me a saucy smile before heading into the house. Moments later, she returns with a pitcher of water, shampoo, shaving cream, scissors, clippers, and a towel. I try to relax. While I love her, I’m not certain I’ll love her skills as a hairdresser. But hell. She’s trusting me enough to move states away to live with me. The least I can do is give her this. I mean, hair grows back. Right?
Ellie gets to work on my beard first. Given how thick the stubble is now, I can barely feel her fingertips caressing my jaw. My five o’clock shadow has turned into more of an eclipse. I tilt my head back, enjoying the sensation of her hands on me.
I must've nodded off between the summer sun, the long drive, and her soft touch. Warm water slowly trickles down my scalp as her hand brushes the hair back from my face. I contemplate whether she’s finished when I suddenly feel Ellie’s nimble fingers massaging my scalp. Holy shit. This girl. It’s the most relaxing thing I’ve experienced in ages.
Flashes of light dance against my closed lids as she moves to straddle my lap. My cock had already been responding to her talented touch after so many weeks away, but the feel of her core against my rock-hard dick has me arching into her. Dropping my hands down to the hem of her little green sundress, I lift it and slide my fingers along the seam of her panties.
“Ellie,” I groan. “Fuck.”
She’s soaked. Sure, it’s hot as hell in Florida. But this isn’t the effect of the summer sun. I push aside her cotton panties and slide my finger through her swollen flesh as she rocks back and forth against my hand.
“Is someone a little needy?
“For you? Always,” she purrs.
Ripping her panties, first one side, then the other, I glide my fingers back and forth over her as she moans into my ear. I unzip my shorts and pull out my aching cock. Quickly lining it up with her wet center, I grab her hips and thrust her down onto me.
“Matt,” she cries, sinking her nails into my shoulders.
“Holy fuck. You feel so good, El.” I bury my face in her throat, licking the hollow there. “I can’t wait until I can sink inside you whenever we want,” I groan. “It’ll be heaven, knowing that will be our life. Getting to love on you every day.”
Her pace picks up, rocking up and down on my shaft. I love it when she gets like this. As if she’s chasing her pleasure, and I’m the lucky bastard along for the ride. “Matt. Matt. Matt,” she murmurs. Her head is tossed back, eyes closed.
Cupping her ass with my hands, I help her glide up and down on me, knowing I’m mere moments away from crossing the finish line when my balls get the signal she’s close.
“Matt─”
“Take it, baby. Take what you need.”
And she does. Her body convulses around me, sending me spiraling. Black spots appear behind my lids as I shudder and shake, pulsing my release into her. My breathing starts to slow just as her soft lips connect with mine. The tender moment almost brings tears to my eyes.
It’s still more than a little shocked that we’ve found one another again. The chance to rewrite our stories and build a future together is akin to winning the lottery. My head lulls to the side, and my eyes land on her little painted gratitude rock on the window sill. I can’t help but smile.
From this day forward, I vow to start every day with just that.
Gratitude.