The People’s Place #2
“What if we call it ‘The People’s Place?’” I ask, then explain what I’d discovered about the name of Lahoma.
“We could continue what Sasha started,” I continue.
“Make it a collective of businesses, plus a kind of hub for people passing through to learn more about our town. We could help promote the other businesses in a way, just by helping tourists and visitors find where they want to go.” I smile, even more when I see Ashton’s face light up in the dark. “What do you think?”
Ashton kisses the tip of my nose. “I think that’s a brilliant idea.” Then he kisses my lips, softly, sweetly. “My god, I’m crazy about you.” He grins against my mouth, then leans back to look at me. “Do you realize we get to see each other every single day of our lives.”
I squeal as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me into him.
“Keep doing that, Oregon, and I’ll give you a preview of what every night will look like with me as your roommate.”
His laugh is low and rumbling, and his hands wander over my body, finding the space between my legs.
“Roommate, huh?” He swipes a finger across my center, and I gasp out a breath. “I think I’m getting sweet end of this deal.” He dips one finger in, then another, biting his lip as he watches my expression.
“Fuck, Ashton.” I close my eyes, and he stills his hand.
“Eyes on me, roomie,” he murmurs and I laugh, which only makes me clench tighter around him.
I lock my gaze on him, my breath coming out in shallow pants as his thumb runs over my clit, his fingers picking up speed until I can’t hold back any longer.
I try to keep my eyes on him, but the pressure is too great.
My body completely on fire, his hand moves inside me until I finally explode.
He knows my body so well, he could play me like a piano. I’m lost in the intensity, but keenly aware how he tailors his movement to match my needs, slowing in a way that prolongs every sensation until it feels like a long strand of electricity.
“Welcome back,” he says, when I finally find his gaze again. “Don’t get too relaxed, because I’m not done with you yet.”
My hand wraps around the length of his cock, and he sucks in a sharp breath.
“Don’t I get a turn?” I ask, grinning at him as I maneuver my way on top. He grabs my hips, and I know all it will take is one movement and I’ll be on my back again. But he just grips me.
“What exactly do you have in mind?”
I don’t tell him. Instead, I kiss his mouth, feeling ravenous by the shape of his full lips against mine.
Then I drag my mouth down his neck to the closely cropped hair that sprays across his chest. I let my tongue travel along every curve of his abdomen, the hills and trenches of his smooth muscles, down to the dark trail that leads to his cock.
I lick him base to tip, then lower my mouth over his thick head, reveling in the way he groans at my touch—and my god, does he feel good.
I fuck him slowly with my mouth, sliding up and down and offering the tiniest tease of teeth just to keep him alert.
Every time I do, he bucks his hips, showing me how he likes a little bit of pain with his pleasure.
That’s good. I have plenty more of that to give him. Years worth.
I want to taste him, but he has other ideas.
His hands grip me under my arms, pulling me up until he lands on my mouth, my head against the pillow.
It’s so quick, even the way his hands secure my wrists, his body holding me down, every part of me is secure as he clenches his thighs to hold me in place.
“You’re mine,” he growls against me, and fuck, I believe him.
“I’m yours,” I whimper, feeling his cock nudging at my entrance. He stills, looking down at me. His eyes hold a mixture of defiance and vulnerability. I realize his statement wasn’t just a command, but a question. A need for reassurance.
I loosen one hand from his grip, and he doesn’t fight me. Then I place it on his cheek.
“I’m yours,” I repeat softly. I run my thumb over his lip, feeling the flick of his tongue against my skin. “I’m not going anywhere. This is it, this is all I want. If you’ll have me, I’m here to stay.”
He sighs out a breath, then he leans down to kiss me. Gently. Tenderly. He pauses just long enough to look me over, his eyes traveling all over me as if to confirm my words are true.
And they are. I’ve never felt as complete as I have these past few weeks with him. I’ve never known a place like Lahoma that felt so much like home. If I’m being honest, I’m already in love. With him. With Lottie. With this whole damn town.
I hesitate for a moment, the words pushing against my lips. The feelings inside me are so intense, especially now that I know I’m staying here in Lahoma. Staying with him.
But I’m scared to say them. I’ve had enough rejection to last a lifetime. Maybe I’ll just wait a few weeks more, maybe a few months.
“What are you thinking?” He slows, his hips still rocking against me. But he pushes up to see my face. “I can see your wheels turning. What’s going on?”
I shake my head, but the need to tell him is so great. “I love…” I slam my mouth shut, then my eyes, then my whole body.
He stops completely. His hand brushes over my cheek, then to my eyelashes where he catches my tears. I feel the warmth of his breath, and then the soft caress of his lips.
“I love you, Jordan Gallo. I think I loved you the moment you tripped into this town and fell into my heart. I love every part of you. The good. The complicated. The mess. I love all of it, and I love that you love me.”
I open my eyes, searching his. “I couldn’t even get the words out,” I say, feeling like a complete failure. He shakes his head, brushing my hair from my face.
“Then tell me, silly,” he says. His smile is so beautiful. His eyes the color of warm honey as he watches me. Everything about him…
“I love you,” I whisper.
And his mouth crashes onto mine, claiming me as he wraps his arms even tighter around me. I exhale as he pushes deeper inside me, and I match the rhythm of his hips, my hand memorizing the way his muscles ripple as he moves.
I love you.
He squeezes his arms against mine, caging me in as his movements increase.
Something about it makes me feel so secure, completely taken.
I feel the beginnings of the orgasms start at the top of my head, travel down my center, then hit my core like a damn eruption.
I cry out, clutching him at the sheer intensity of it all.
When we’re through, we collapse together, completely spent.
He remains inside me as he strokes my body.
“I love you, Jordy,” he whispers, feathering sweet kisses along my sweaty brow as I come down.
“I love you, Ashton,” I murmur, my eyes already growing heavy. I try to stay awake, try to count every one of his breaths as my heart expands within the embrace of the man I love. The man I want to be with forever.
But eventually, my body gives out to exhaustion and sleep finally takes me, safe in his arms.