Chapter 17 #2
“Humor me,” he says, stepping forward to tie the black fabric behind my head. Once it’s secure, he tips my chin up and places a peck on my lips that I savor.
He grabs my hand, then leads me slowly up the last climb, stopping several times to guide me around a fallen tree or rock.
He positions me, turning my body to face a certain direction, then loops around to undo the blindfold.
When the black fabric drops, I see it. A vintage Airstream is parked in a now-clear area. I look at Alex with a smile.
“What’s this?”
“A birthday present.” He smirks. “A cozy little house in the forest.” And my heart melts.
“But how? How did you even get it here?” I ask with astonishment, my heart warming at the thought of how much trouble it would have been to even get it here.
“Magic…and also we cleared a makeshift road.” He points behind himself where the trees have been removed, just enough to form a narrow road.
“It’s only a 1/8th of a mile from the highway if you head west. But I plan to replant the trees, so it’ll be like a hidden hideaway.
Just for us.” It really is like a secret clubhouse.
Tiny, tucked away, with the exception of the gorgeous view.
I can imagine, after a full day of hiking, stopping here to retire for the night. With soft pillows and a fluffy comforter, nestled in warm and snug. It would be a dream.
“Go inside,” he nudges me.
I go up the trailer steps, but before I open the door, I ask, “You own this land, right?”
He laughs, “Yes. We do.”
I open the door to a modern, amenity-filled space. There’s an electric fireplace built in, a leather-covered sofa, and a small kitchen. There’s a shower and bath at one end and a large bed on the other. It’s perfect.
I turn around and throw my arms around him, hugging him tight.
“Do you like it?”
I nod as he wraps his arms around me. I do really like it, just…something feels off. I don’t know if it’s him or me. I want to rewind to this morning, in the shower, when I’d been head over heels in love. I want him telling me, “Happy birthday, baby,” as he fucks me against our shower wall.
“You okay?” He pulls back to ask. My tears well, and I shrug.
“This is…you’ve done the most, and I feel bad that I don’t have anything to give to you.” It’s not untrue; it’s just not the whole truth.
“Well, it’s not my birthday, Em,” he says, laughing at me. I smile. He’s so sweet to think of all this, to go through all the trouble. It’s beyond, and I’m a terrible person for standing here, still thinking about him. His eyes. His touch.
“I was thinking, if you want, we could cancel dinner with Brit and hang out here, maybe spend the night?” he asks, wrapping an arm around my waist.
The idea sounds amazing. I just don’t want to be alone with him right now. I want distractions and mind numbness. I don’t need solitude and silence.
“I feel bad, though. We’ve blown her off three times now, and what if she did something like make a cake for my birthday, and then we don’t show up?”
“Well, first of all, Carly would have been the one to make you a cake, and really? You want to go?” Who even has a chef in this economy? The Millars.
“I think I should try. Make an effort?” I scrunch my nose because the idea of going there is contradictory to my being.
“Okay,” he says it slowly. Skeptically.
“We have to pick up Delta anyways.” He isn’t ready for a ten-mile hike just yet.
His smile is slight. Fuck.
I bite my lip and go to my knees with a desperate need to let him know I’m grateful. He doesn’t have to do any of this. And I do love him. I love him a lot.
“What are you doing, Em?”
“Saying thank you,” I start on his belt buckle. His touch is warm and gentle as he threads a hand into my hair. I haven’t done this for him since telling him about my mom and everything that happened. He never asks or pressures me.
“I love you, Alex,” I say as I pull his briefs down enough to bring his length to my face.
“I love you too, Em.”
I lick my lips, then his tip, and then I swallow him to the back of my throat. I can feel him resisting the need to thrust. But I want him to. Today.
I release him and let him know, “You can do it. It’s okay.” He strokes my cheek appreciatively.
“You’re so good, Emma.” I nod, then let him thrust, his hips moving towards my face. He’s good too. A good man. Kind, giving, respectful, and gentle. So why the fuck do I still have this need for someone else?
I’m trying, I really am. I zip up the burgundy dress and slip on a pair of black kitten heels. But maybe this is too dressy? I haven’t really perfected the same laid-back, cool, ‘I’m rich’ vibe that the Millars and the Scalas seem to have down pat.
But I’m trying to fit in.
I’m trying too hard. I kick off the heels and unzip the dress. This isn’t me. I throw the outfit back towards the box it came in.
Jeans and a sweater will have to be enough.
“You look good.” Alex comes up behind me in my closet, gripping my hips. He looks good. His hair is longer now, nearly hitting his shoulders, and his beard is thick but trim. He has that rugged mountain man charm. Thick forearms, broad shoulders, and sun-tanned skin. He’s beautiful.
I turn, slipping my arms around his neck, and pull him in for a kiss. I’m already unbuckling his belt when he stops me.
“Really? We’ll be late.” Really. I need him to take the edge off. I want to walk in there feeling like I’m his. Like I belong. I want to carry his scent, his cum. Desperately, I want to be his only.
“I want you to fuck me, bare, babe,” I whisper in his ear, feeling his grip on me strengthen. “I want to feel full of you.”
“Are you sure?” His voice is hoarse, asking back. It wouldn’t be the worst thing. A little ahead of schedule, maybe. I don’t want to start actively trying, but I want this one thing — a final birthday wish.
“The only thing I really want for my birthday is to feel your cum running down my legs.” And then he’s backing me against my closet wall, ripping open my jeans.
His mouth is on my neck as he works my pants and panties down. He lifts me, pinning me to the wall with his thick thighs as he frees himself. Already pulsing with need.
“Tell me you need it.” His voice is thick with strain. “Tell me you’re sure.” I nod, but it’s not enough. “Coming out of your mouth, Emma, I need to hear it, damnit.”
“I want you to pump me full of your cum, Alexander. I fucking need it.”