Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Zac
The moment her eyes focus on mine and I see the unshed tears, it feels like I’ve been kicked in the gut. Presley is a beautiful woman. She is strong and confident and so fucking stubborn she makes the rest of us seem weak.
Leaning in, she allows her body to sag forward against mine and I take the opportunity to hold her. It’s something I know will be short-lived because those walls she constantly has up around her will rebuild in an instant.
“I’m so tired, Zac,” she confesses, and I gently rub my hand over her back.
“I know, baby.” Brushing a kiss over her temple I hold her.
“Not just now, but always,” Presley whispers. “I don’t remember the last time I made it through one day without feeling like the world is out to get me and everything is crumbling around me.”
“That stops.” I’ll do whatever it takes to ensure that. “No more holding it all in.”
“It never stops, Zac.” Her body sags into mine further. “No matter how hard I try it never stops.”
Without another moment wasted I slide my arms around her and gather her up. She doesn’t even attempt to fight me, which is so unlike her.
Ensuring her car is locked and I have her bag, I carry her toward the front door. With her keys in hand I get her apartment key and let us inside. Taking her straight for her bathroom I lower her to the counter and turn on the bath water.
“You don’t have to?—”
“Stop.” I look back over my shoulder. “Let me do this, please.”
I can instantly see the need to argue in her eyes and they narrow and her lips part. Then she bites them and looks down. After ensuring the temperature of the water is good, I back away and turn around to face her.
“I know this isn’t gonna be easy, but I’m not going to let that scare me. I care about you Presley, and whether you want me to be or not I am in this with you, one hundred percent. I’m not here just when you need me because I think we both know that you’ll never admit you need me. I’m here when you fight me, I’m here when you hate me, and I’m here when you want to drag me along I-25 tied to your bumper.”
The corner of her mouth tips up in a smile.
“You fighting me at every turn doesn’t mean I’m going to finally give up. You should know something about me, the harder you fight, the more it makes me want to prove to you that not everyone in your life is worthless. I’m right here.” I lean over caging her in against the vanity. “I’m here for you, Grayson, and this baby, no matter what. I am right here.”
I press a soft kiss to her lips and push back, leaving her alone to relax in the tub.
Moving around her space, I gather toys, clothes, and any dirty dishes and put them in the rightful places.
By the time she’s out of the bathroom I’ve washed the few cups and silverware that were in the sink. I’ve gathered up Gray’s toys and put them in his room.
I hear the sound of her feet on the tiled floor and look back over my shoulder just as she emerges from the hallway. I see her look over the space and then finally she settles on me. “You cleaned too.” Her hair is wet, her face makeup free, and a worn out robe covers her body.
I turn, dry off my hands and fold the towel laying it on the counter. Crossing my arms over my chest I lean back. The pull I feel is new, like an unstoppable force to grab hold and comfort her even though she isn’t asking me to. Fuck she is incredible, beautiful, and I don’t even think she realizes it.
“The carpet could use a good shampooing if you’re feeling extra energetic.”
I hold her stare.
“What? Suddenly all the arrogance you had earlier is gone?”
“It wasn’t arrogance.” My pulse is racing. “It was irritation and determination.”
“Oh is that what you call it.” Her smile is making it hard to keep my thoughts clear. She starts walking toward me, toying with the belt around her waist that’s holding her robe together. “You really don’t like not having complete control do you?”
“That’s an interesting question coming from you.” My attention shifts as she continues to play with the front of her robe. The dip in the center parts a little more, giving me a peek of her chest, and instantly I remember kissing that exact spot, before going lower.
“This could get very messy, you know that right?”
“I’m okay with a little chaos,” I assure her and the smile tugs at the corner of her mouth a little more. “It doesn’t have to be messy though.” I shrug. “We don’t have to fight it, my opinion is that we stop worrying so much and just live it.”
“You make everything sound so easy.”
“It is.” I push off the counter and cover her hands at her waist with my own. Tugging on the tie, her robe loosens and her body is now on full display. Her nipples harden, and a shiver courses through her body as her breaths quicken. “You just have to give in to what you feel and stop waiting for the floor to fall out beneath you. I won’t let you fall, I promise.”
Cupping her face, I kiss her. I have several inches on her and to keep from slouching I grab her waist and lift her, placing her on the countertop.
“I want to believe you,” she tells me. “I want to trust you.”
“Then do it, please.” Gliding my hands up her thighs, she parts her legs and I step in closer. Presley’s eyes flutter shut, her lips part as my thumb skims over her clit. “Trust me to take care of you.”
“I don’t need someone to take care of me.” Her words are nothing more than a breathy whisper.
“So you don’t need me to fix this for you?” I ask as I push a finger inside of her and she shifts her hips forward. “Because your body is screaming something else.”
“I don’t need a white knight, Zac,” she whispers. “But you are pretty good at this part.” I chuckle.
“Here or the bedroom?” I never thought I’d be the guy that would give a girl anything she fucking asked and toss my own wants aside. I am not selfish, that’s not what I’m saying, but it’s never been more than a quick fix. Yet here I am ready to give up anything just for the chance to prove to Presley I’m in her corner.
She doesn’t answer, just shifts herself forward riding my finger.
“Presley.” I add another finger and she gasps. “Tell me what you want.”
Still no answer.
“Fuck it.” I drop to my knees, grip her waist pulling her forward and bury my face between her legs. She fists my hair, the pain driving me forward.
“Yes.” She shifts, riding my face and I hold her to me, taking everything she is giving me and taking more.
Standing I quickly unbutton my jeans. Pushing them down I grab her and lift her, pushing inside of her. She gasps, arching her back and thrusting her tits in my face. So hot and tight, she bounces, as I slide in and out of her with ease.
My legs tremble, and I know I need to sit down. Walking across the space, I sit on the couch, her now straddling my lap. I reach up, pull her face closer and kiss her and she begins to move her hips, taking me in deep.
“You feel so good.” Presley’s hot whisper fans over my cheek. “Always so damn good.”
Shifting up, I push in a little deeper and she moans, my own head spinning with pleasure.
“Use me,” I tell her, as I lean back so I can get a better view. I watch her ride me, taking me inside her perfect body over and over. “Fuck,” I growl, holding her hips. She is close, I can feel her getting tighter, the way she is grinding herself against me with each thrust. “You are perfect.” And I wasn’t just saying that. From the very first time everything just felt different with Presley. “Don’t stop,” I tell her, feeling myself build.
She throws her head back, her hips shifting, grinding and chasing her release. Her warmth tightens around me and I can’t hold back. She falls over the edge, screaming out as I too, lose control.
And right then, in that very moment I know without a doubt that Presley isn’t just the girl I knocked up after a one-night stand. She is so much more, and I was more than ready to make this work.