Chapter 20 - Jackson
Then
Two days full of wakeboarding, boating, beach volleyball, paddle boarding, singing by the bonfire, and fireworks with our friends means I haven’t had nearly enough alone time with Taevin as I’d like.
Thankfully that’s about to change. I pull my T-shirt on just as Tae walks out of the bathroom in a pair of cutoff jean shorts, a white tank top, and black vans.
The simplest of outfits does it for me every time, and she knows it.
Especially when she catches me checking her out with a heated stare I’m sure could sear her skin.
“Change of plans. We’re actually not leaving this room,” I tell her, wrapping my arms around her waist.
She giggles as I pepper kisses across her face. “Jax! You promised we could ride the ferris wheel here so I could check it off my list.”
“Did I? I mean, we don’t have to leave for you to ride something . . .”
Before she can even attempt to swat at me, I slide my hands under her butt and lift her up. She wraps her legs around me, and I take a moment to run my hands over the smooth skin of her thighs.
“I believe I already rode what you’re referring to this morning. Now it’s time for you to take me to this fair I’ve heard so much about.”
Throwing my head back, I let out a defeated groan. “Fine.”
She’s right, I can’t go back on my promise. Especially considering the surprise I have up my sleeve for her.
Last night was the Fourth of July, and before the fireworks, Taevin and I played around the bonfire for our friends.
I ate up every rightfully-deserved awestruck stare aimed my girl’s way.
After Kenna and Katie told Taevin about the nearby fair, I smiled at the plan I’d been formulating to help check off a few items off Tae’s list of things to do before college officially was set in motion.
Ever since she told me her dad agreed to let her come up here, I’d been working on a covert mission behind the scenes.
Thanks to Kenna and Katie’s help, I’m pretty sure Taevin has no clue what I’m up to.
I convinced her we had to go under the guise of checking off her riding the ferris wheel, but that won’t be the only thing she checks off her list . . . or at least I hope not.
It takes us about a half hour to drive to the fair and find parking for Bennett’s truck I borrowed. Part of the reason it took us longer was because I packed the truck bed full of pillows and blankets in case the stars are out tonight.
Hopefully she doesn’t think it’s all too much—I just want this to be special since it’s our last night here together before we get up early tomorrow to head home for my developmental camp.
The sun makes its descent into the horizon as we walk into the fairgrounds, and the colorful lights on the rides surrounding us have me feeling nostalgic to when my mom used to bring me and my siblings to this same fair growing up.
Tae’s hand shakes in mine standing in line for the ferris wheel after purchasing tickets. “You getting cold feet?” I ask, looking down and appreciating the way her eyes twinkle in the glow of the kaleidoscope of colors in front of us from the ride.
She worries her lip for a few moments before determination sets in and she replies, “No, I’m ready to check this one off. I might be a few more weeks out from getting my license, but this is the last one you can do with me.”
Holding her hand in mine, I bring it to my lips and place a quick kiss on the back of it. “I won’t let go of your hand the whole time. You’ve got this. If it makes it easier for you to get through the ride, I can always distract you.”
Arousal heats my veins, and I use all of my willpower not to let images of Tae falling apart on my fingers cloud my vision.
She nudges me with her elbow. “You wouldn’t.”
“Oh, I definitely would and will if you let me.”
Tae rolls her eyes, ignoring my proposition. “Just promise not to let go of my hand.”
“I won’t take my hands off you the entire time.” She huffs so I add a wink for good measure.
As we get situated inside the gondola of the ferris wheel, Taevin squeezes my hand so hard I’m actually impressed by her strength and somewhat fearful she’s going to break something.
Pulling my hand from hers, I wrap my arm around her shoulder and pull her against my chest. “Come here, Thorn.”
She takes a shaky breath and looks out the open side of the gondola just as the ride jolts us into motion before promptly stopping so the next group of riders can get on.
“Shit, shit, shit!”
I can’t help the chuckle that slips when she squeezes her eyes shut, shaking her head like she wants nothing more than to get the hell off this ride.
She just needs a little distraction.
Dropping my arm from her shoulders to her waist, I spread my legs and pull her into my lap. With one arm wrapped firmly around her torso, I drag my other hand up her thigh at a torturous rate.
“Relax, baby,” I whisper against the shell of her ear, eliciting a full-body shiver that has her writhing in my lap.
Her eyes are hooded as she looks over her shoulder to see if anyone can see us, but I already know they can’t. The gondola doesn’t have windows, but the walls are high enough to cut off the view from any possible spectators.
“No one can see us.”
She worries her lip between her teeth, likely contemplating whether or not the risk is worth the reward. I want to assure her it will be, but I’ll also never push her if this isn’t something she wants.
“I’ll have to be quiet,” she finally murmurs against my lips before leaning in for a kiss that gets my blood pumping and has me feeling like my heart will beat right out of my chest.
I take that as my permission to continue my trail up her thigh until my fingers brush just beneath the frayed hem of her denim shorts. When I drag my finger through her arousal, I’m not sure if it’s her moan or mine that escapes. But I make a shushing sound to remind us both to stay quiet.
“You’re so fucking wet,” I rasp against her neck.
“Please,” she pleads as I circle her clit, and the sound of her begging me to continue has me clenching my teeth to keep from getting too worked up.
“Tell me what you want, baby.”
Before she answers, she nudges my fingers away and then swivels her hips, grinding against me. The friction. The soft moan that leaves her lips. The smell of her arousal mixed with her perfume. The combination of it all is enough to drive me mad.
“Make me come, Jax. Please.”
I grab her hips, and she takes that as my cue for her stop; however, when I tighten my grip and move her hips forward, urging her to continue, she leans in and bites down on my bottom lip as she grinds up and down my length.
Holy hell.
“Is this okay?” she asks, and I can’t fight back the low chuckle that slips.
“Okay? Baby, I’m trying my very best not to bust in my shorts right now. Keep going. I wanna make you feel good—watch you fall apart.”
She grinds against me some more and her muscles tense as I lift my hips up and thrust up.
“Oh—” she gasps, throwing her head back. “That feels so good, J. Don’t stop.”
“I won’t.” And I don’t. I continue my ministrations until Taevin’s body convulses over me and I watch with rapt attention as she falls apart above me.
Pulling her down until her lips crash against mine, I swallow her moans.
I’ve never wanted to come so badly, but I refuse to ruin the surprise I have up my sleeve by coming in my shorts right now. After she’s finished riding out her release, I halt her hips but continue to kiss the everloving shit out of her.
This girl—fuck, how is she even mine?
I need more than just this moment.
More than just this summer or next year.
I need forever with her.
Every first and every last, I want to experience all the big milestones and mundane moments in between with her by my side.
The ride slows before coming to a stop when we’re at the very top, and it’s only then with her straddling me and her arms around my neck that we both turn our heads to the side and look out at the view.
From here, we have a view of the entire fair, including a stage on the far end of the fairgrounds where a small crowd is forming as a band begins performing.
It must be nine o’clock.
Perfect timing.
A smile lifts my lips when Tae points to the stage. “Oh, look. There’s a concert tonight. Did you know about that?”
I shrug, feigning nonchalance. “Yeah, there’s live music every year.”
“I wonder who’s performing.”
Pressing her closer against my chest, I hug her tight and murmur, “We can go check it out after we get off the ride if you want.”
Her cheeks brush against mine and I can feel the smile that takes over her face. “Yeah, I’d love that!”
I knew she would.
And it doesn’t hurt that this band is an up-and-coming one she recently discovered a few months into us dating. They quickly became one of her favorites, and when I saw they were performing at the fair this weekend, I couldn’t help but ensure that we’d be here.
As soon as our ride ends, we make our way over to the edge of the crowd and she squeals when she realizes who is performing.
I grab her hand in mine, dragging her toward the stage. “Come on, let’s get you closer to the front.”
“I’m fine right here,” she insists, but standing on the outskirts of the crowd doesn’t bode well for what I’ve got up my sleeve.
I turn and murmur in her ear. “The band has to see one of their biggest fans up close.”
Her cheeks flush as her eyes widen and she shakes her head.
Instead of listening, I tug her behind me as I weave a path through the crowd toward the front.
Once we’re a few rows back, just off the front edge of the stage, I pull Tae in front of me and press my chest flush against her back before wrapping my arms around her waist and lacing my fingers in hers.
The familiar song has to be the third or fourth song of their set, and I wrack my brain to try to remember if it was during this one or the next that my surprise would take place.