Coraline #2
Sometimes, being alone to weather the storm is what other people need to survive and come out of it stronger.
It’s what we both needed. But now that I know without a single doubt this man is mine, I never want to survive any type of storm alone again.
I want to do it with him and only him. Together.
“I love you.” I sob. “I’ve been wanting to say it since I left. I’m in love with you, Gavin Ariksen.”
He smiles. God, I love it when he smiles.
“You owe me a dance,” he says against my lips. God, I’ve missed the way his beard tickles me. I listen to the song playing in the background, and I recognize it right away. “You Look Like You Love Me” by Ella Langley and Riley Green plays through the speakers.
“What are you talking about?” I ask, dazed and hot. That sizzling feeling between my thighs ignites, remembering just how well he stretches me.
“I dared you to dance with me, and you ran,” he points out, the tip of his nose brushing against mine. Still with his eyes closed, a deep hum reverberates through his chest. It feels so good to have him in my arms again.
“So, Coraline. Will you dance with me?”
Another sting hits my eyes.
“Don’t you run away from me this time.”
“Or what?” I tease, a high-pitched sound escapes me when he pulls me in tighter.
“You run, and I’ll make it hurt when I get you. You’ll regret it when my cock is so far down your throat, no one can hear you scream for God when I’m so deep, making you mine in all the ways you crave.”
“Don’t tempt me.” I press my lips, stealing his taste again. He makes me feel like the most beautiful girl in the world when he looks at me like this.
“Let’s dance, sweetheart.” He grabs his cowboy hat and places it on top of my head. Blushing, I let him lead the way to the middle of the dance floor. My phone vibrates in my pocket when we stop. I pull it out to set it to “Do Not Disturb” when the text message has me smirking.
Everly:
I may have played Cupid and found him after the rodeo while you were waiting in the car for me. I told him which bar we’d be at…I didn’t have to pee. ;)
Of course, she did.
Gavin grabs my phone from my hands before I can reply. He holds down the button on the side until my screen turns black. Then, he tucks it into his back pocket.
“No more interruptions. No more waiting. No more fear.”
Threading our fingers together, he pulls me into his chest. I feel all of his muscles around me, making me remember how good it feels to be pressed up against this sinful man. He smells like he always does. Radiating charming masculinity, with a dash of cigarettes and signature cologne.
“No more fear,” I parrot as we dance to the music.
We’re both smiling so hard it reaches our eyes.
And just like that, I’m back to square one, falling so hard for a man I met in a cabin in the middle of a snowstorm.
The instant connection we share grows stronger, and I feel like I can suddenly dance all night.
“Gavin, you made me realize a lot.”
He hums, egging me to tell him more. I love that about him. He listens to everything I have to say, even if it’s just about the weather or the smallest wins or losses of my day; he listens with a smile on his face.
“I want to dream, but only with you by my side. Art is my passion, but you are my soulmate. I am not hollow without art, I am empty if I lose you.”
I love him. He opened my eyes to the possibility of trusting again. He reminded me that even though the world is cruel, I must hold onto my light no matter how much darkness wants to wreck it.
As soon as the song ends, he grabs me, cups my face with both of his large hands, and pulls me in for another soul-altering kiss.
His tongue licks mine, and I let him in.
We move perfectly in sync. He turns his head to the side so he can get deeper.
I hold onto his back muscles as he continues to dominate my mouth.
“I choose you, Coraline Rosa, but now, you need to choose me.” He presses his forehead to mine.
Easy.
“I choose you. I choose us.”
He crashes his lips to mine. It’s a passionate kiss. His lips slowly move against mine. His tongue sweeps in between my lips, and I immediately react to his familiar, addictive taste. Cigarettes, beer, and just…Gavin.
“Does your leg hurt?” I ask softly, looking up at him. “From riding the bull?”
He shakes his head. “Nothing hurts anymore, sweetheart. Now that I have you, everything is painless.”
I smile as he twirls me around. Then, I’m resting my cheek on his chest again, listening to his heart beat.
“Nothing hurts anymore for me either,” I tell him.
I wish I could stay in this moment forever.
“By the way, sweetheart. If you want me to cut off that man’s lips for trying to kiss you, I will. Let another man hold what’s mine again, and I’ll deliver his arms to you with a bouquet of flowers.”
A shiver rolls down my spine, and I look around the bar, searching for a solution. I shake my head and glare at Gavin’s icy eyes. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Gavin during that snowstorm, it’s that he’s capable of anything and everything to keep himself tethered to me.
“Gavin Ariksen, are you jealous?” I tease.
“I’m murderous. You let him touch you,” he says, anger intertwined in his deep, possessive tone. “Now, let’s go to my truck, sweetheart.”
“Right now?” I squeak, already blushing hard.
“Yes, now. I have to remind you who you belong to.”