Chapter 62 #2
My mom eyes Ellie with what looks like a little bit of hostility. I bite back my chuckle. Ellie forced them here. It’s clear they’re not thrilled about it. They’re not big on traveling, but they’re here.
“Thanks for coming,” I tell my parents.
“We’re proud of you, son.” That comes from my dad again, but my mom smiles up at me, too. My muscles tighten. Well, fuck. I never thought I’d hear him say that. And I don’t know how I feel about it. Good. Weird.
“T-thank you.”
Everyone continues talking for a minute, but I can’t focus. All I can think about is Ellie and what she did. For me. My chest aches with that familiar feeling I’ve been trying to ignore when it comes to her. Not anymore, it’s impossible. She’s everywhere. In my head, my blood, my veins.
I study my parents. My dad’s beard is thick and white.
Even more so than that last time I saw him, which, to be fair, was a while ago.
My mom’s once-shiny chocolate hair is completely gray.
They’re sitting up straight, awkwardly smiling, and listening to the conversation flow around the room, even though they’re clearly feeling out of place.
I love them for trying, even if Ellie had to threaten them, which is what I suspect happened.
I realize now I don’t need them here. I glance at my friends, then Ellie, swallowing thickly.
Maybe the realization came a little late, but this is all I need.
They are my family. My bandmates, Ellie, even Olivia and Pacey.
What the fuck did I think I was missing all those weeks?
When the venue starts to close up, my parents and Allison head to their hotel rooms. I promise my mom and dad I’ll take them to breakfast before they leave tomorrow, and as soon as they’re gone, I snatch Ellie’s wrist and drag her out of the room as our friends watch in confusion.
“Travis, wait.” Ellie tries to tug from my hold, but I tighten my grip and lead her the opposite way my parents just went on quick feet. Her heels clank against the floor, sounding like marbles spilling as she tries to keep up with my strides. I stop and scoop her up, tossing her over my shoulder.
“I’m sorry!”
I falter, then push inside one of the rooms labeled Private, thankful it’s not locked. It’s another greenroom. Set up similar to ours with two couches and a long vanity on the back wall. Perfect.
“Don’t you fucking dare apologize to me,” I growl, kicking the door closed and flipping the lock. How could she think I’m mad?
I ease her to her feet, staring down at her.
“I just—”
I cut her off by gripping her chin between my fingers. “Thank you,” I say, letting my words brush over her lips. “I don’t know how you did it, or why, but thank you.”
Her brows dive low. “You deserve to be celebrated, Travis. To know people care and are proud of you. I’m proud of you. So damn proud.”
She is. She wears it openly. When my parents said it, it didn’t feel like this. Because with Ellie, I believe it. And it’s all I need.
I tug her to my chest, wrapping my arms around her. I keep her tight against me, my mouth moving to her ear as my heart rate spikes. Panic grips my chest, but it’s not enough to stop me. Not anymore. “I love you, Ellie May.”
Her body tenses in my arms, and my heart shatters at my feet. Shit, I jumped the gun. Misread the signals.
She leans back, staring up at me. Her green eyes are bright with what looks like hope and maybe a little skepticism. I deserve that, but I’ll do whatever it takes to wipe it away. “Really?” she asks.
My forehead meets hers. “I love you so fucking much it actually makes me sick.”
She lets out a little laugh, and my hand slides to her throat.
On instinct, her neck arches into it, but I don’t squeeze.
I stroke her jaw with my thumb, taking a deep breath to keep from shaking in my goddamn shoes.
I’m about to lay myself raw for her like I should’ve done over a year ago.
She was giving me a limb, and I cut the whole damn tree down out of fear.
Now I’m going to give her the entire forest and hope she’s still willing to take it.
“I fought it. I know I did, and I’m sorry.
I’m so fucking sorry I made you wait—for all the hell I’ve put you through.
I was just so damn scared. The moment we met, I was enamored with you instantly.
The coolest chick I’ve ever met.” I sigh, heart beating in my throat, anxiety making sweat drench my brow.
“I knew you’d have the power to destroy me if I let you.
So I kept you at arm's length, and when I felt myself falling harder, I pulled back. I was a coward.”
She smiles, shaking her head and bringing her hand to the racing organ in my chest. It settles instantly. “I was scared, too. Our attraction is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. So strong and palpable.”
I nod. Fuck yeah it is.
“I’m not scared anymore, Ellie. I’m all in.
I’m so fucking addicted to you. Your presence, your sass, your laugh.
Everything that makes you you. I want it all.
” Both of my hands come up to cup her cheeks.
“You’re my perfect match. Every inch of you calls to every inch of me. Because we fit. We fit everywhere.”
Her arms circle my neck, and she stretches, kissing me softly and gently, showing me how she feels as her lips take their time tasting mine. As her tongue slides in slowly, it tangles with mine in sensual strokes that have my cock twitching.
It’s ok if she’s not there yet, if she doesn’t love me. I wouldn’t blame her. I haven’t given her a reason to think I’m not full of shit.
I break the kiss even though it’s the best kiss I’ve ever had. I’m not done with this conversation yet. I don’t want any more blurred lines. No more friends who work together, no more friends with benefits or fuck buddies.
“If you give me a chance, I promise to try my hardest to be the partner you deserve. I can’t promise I won’t piss you off or fuck up sometimes, but I won’t give up. I won’t run, and I won’t stop loving you. Won’t stop worshiping you. You deserve everything, Ellie, and I wanna give it to you.”
Her teeth dig into her bottom lip as I confess a whole bunch of sappy shit I never thought I’d say. But I mean every word. She’s got me.
My lips move to her neck, trailing up her throat. “Be all mine, May.” I lick a path to her ear, letting my words sweep across her skin. “And I’ll be your goodest fucking boy.”
Her breathing hitches, and her hands around me tighten. I nip her earlobe, then pull back enough to meet her eyes. I quit breathing, waiting for her reply. She doesn’t make me wait long. She leaps into me, and I catch her ass in my hands.
“I’m already yours, Travis.” She kisses my face. “All yours. I love you too.”
My brows raise high, heart hammering in my chest, and my smile is so wide it hurts. “Yeah?”
Sliding one hand up through my hair, she tugs, yanking my head back and kissing me again. “Hell yes.”
I walk her to the vanity and drop her on the edge, never once taking my mouth off hers. She fists my hair tighter, making a chill race down my spine. I flick my tongue ring across her tongue, and she moans, sucking it into her mouth.
This table is the perfect height for what I’m about to do.
I spread her knees apart, praising the fucking Lord that she wore a dress for me tonight, and slip my hand up her thigh.
My fingers dance around, searching for some type of material to shred, but there’s nothing.
I dip between her legs, and instead of being blocked by her underwear, I’m met with wet heat.
I groan, biting her lip. “Where are your panties, May?” I slip a finger inside, then come out to rub her clit.
She wraps an arm around my neck, leaning back slightly so her hips are tilted for me. “You ruined them,” she pants.
Adding another finger, I push both deep while I kiss her throat. “I ruined them?”
“Mhmm. I was soaked watching you. You’re so hot. So fucking incredible.”
Mother of God.
My cock thickens, needing more room to grow. This fucking suit is fitted so damn snug. I want to free him, but I’ve been sweating for hours, and I should shower before I fuck her.
I tangle my hand in her hair, yanking her back and kissing her deeper. Her hips slide across the vanity top, matching my pumps, and I add a third finger, feeling her pussy stretch around me.
She moans, her arm around my neck tightening and pulling me closer.
Our tongues battle for dominance—she knows I’ll let her have it.
And I do. She sucks my tongue into her mouth again, rubbing my ring, earning an approving grunt from my throat.
She pulls back, her breathing labored, and reaches for my dick. “Gimme.”
I curl my fingers inside her, and she pauses, her eyes rolling back. “No.”
“I want it,” she moans. Fuck.
“I’m all sweaty.”
Her eyes pop open and meet mine. A look of annoyance slashes across her face and my fingers immediately still inside her. “I want you to fuck me right now.”
“Ellie—”
She cuts me off by dragging her tongue up the side of my neck, licking the sweat clean off me.
“I’ve been thinking about you inside me for the last two hours.
It’s why I had to take my underwear off after the second song.
I was so turned-on watching you out there.
I want your skin on mine. I want your sweat. I want you in me. I want it all.”
My heart thuds at her admission. I groan, tearing my belt off and freeing my cock.
She settles back against the mirror, her eyes glued to my hand as I guide myself to her.
But I wait, dragging it out and rubbing the head over her clit as I stare at her, wanton and demanding my cock like the greedy slut she is.
“You want it?” I taunt, liking how desperate she looks right now, her face flushed, pouty lips red and swollen.
She doesn’t hesitate. “Yes.”
“How bad?”