THIRTY-FIVE
Reilly
Ifound him on the beach. I went by the house and Claire said he’d be here, as he is every night at seven p.m. He was at the end of the rocky groynes, leaning against the railings on the platform, staring out at the horizons.
I study him as his hair blows in the wind. It’s unruly, which is so unlike him. Apart from his bed hair, I’ve always seen him so much more put together. I make my way up the rock pathway, the waves crashing against the sides. The temperature has dropped and I wrap my cardigan further around me.
Elton is standing there in a T-shirt and jeans.
How is he always so warm? I’m reminded of the feeling of his warm thighs, wrapped over my side as he encloses me from behind.
His breath warming my neck, as he drifts off to sleep.
I crave that warmth around me at night. The security I felt in his arms. I miss it.
His head slumps forward, and his shoulders drop. I want to run my hands over his back, loosen his muscles. Take his worries away. I want him to let me love him.
“Elton.” My voice is soft, but he hears me. He whips around, mouth gaping, eyes shining with surprise.
“Reilly?” He steps forward, arm outstretched, but he stops himself. “How did you know I would be here?”
“I went by the house after I closed up.” I pause, not sure where I’m taking this. “Thank you for my tart. It was delicious.”
“You’re lying.”
I scoff, crossing my arms over my chest. “Why ask me to lie if you’re going to call me out on it?”
He smiles at the lightness in my voice. “Did today go well?” He looks out across the horizon and puts his hands in his pockets.
“Amazing, everything I dreamed of.” I preen as he dips his head low, nodding. “There was something missing, though.”
“What was that?” he asks hopefully, looking up through his lashes.
“You.”
His mouth spreads slowly into the most radiant smile, making me want to grab hold of it and let it burn bright, but I’m still cautious.
“I’m making no promises, Elton, but we can talk.” I’ve already forgiven him but I need assurance it won’t happen again. That we can be open with each other, that when life throws us a tornado we’ll deal with it as a team.
“That’s all I’ll ask of you. For now. Actually” – he swallows and steps closer – “can I ask one thing from you before we talk? I need this one thing before you decide on the rest of our life.”
I slowly nod, feeling the pull of him. I’ve stepped closer to him unconsciously.
“Can I kiss you, Reilly?” he asks, desperately. He’s on the edge of breaking. The same feelings are pushing me forward. I step into his chest and wrap my arms around his neck, pulling his lips to mine.
The world stops. The sound of the waves ceases. The birdsong dies off.
The only thing I see, hear and feel is him. Elton. My Elton.
Elton
Her lips crash onto mine, warm and soft.
I part them with my tongue sweeping in, claiming her.
I should take it slow and soft, but I can’t.
I haven’t had her lips on me in so long.
I go in hard, gripping her face in my hands.
Pulling her body into me. One hand wraps around her back, gripping into her clothes, swearing I’ll never let go.
Praying she is holding on to me as much as I am to her.
She breaks away from me. Breathless. I rest my forehead against hers. My heart is beating in my throat as I desperately wait for what she will say next.
“Let’s go back to the house. We need to talk, Elton. I can’t be swayed by the way your kiss makes me feel.”
“Okay. But, Reilly … hold on to that feeling because I’m pouring everything into you.”
The walk is quick and quiet. Neither of us speak. I hold on to her hand and interlock her fingers, swiping my thumb over her knuckles. Her skin is soft beneath the calloused pads of my fingers.
We get to the front door, and I let both of us in. The house is dark: Claire has gone home for the evening, and Jeeves is nowhere to be found. There is a glow coming from the under lighting in the kitchen, and a bottle of red with two wine glasses sits on the counter.
I take Reilly’s bag and cardigan and hang it in the cloakroom.
Gripping her hand again, I pull her into the kitchen and set her on a stool.
I pass her a freshly poured glass of wine as I drop a kiss onto her forehead.
She takes a sip and looks around. Her shoulders relax.
She’s happy to be back in my home. Our home.
There is a silence between us, both waiting for the other to start talking.
“I’m sorry,” I start.
“For?” A short sharp question.
“Everything. Everything, Reilly. I was cold to you. Rude. It’s unforgivable behaviour.”
“So why should I forgive you?” She fingers the stem of the wine glass.
“Because I’ve learned. I know why I reacted the way I did to Neive being in hospital. I know what caused my downfall, and I will never allow you to be at the end of that again.”
“You can’t promise me that.” It’s barely a whisper.
“No,” I agree, “but I can promise to try.”
She turns her eyes from me down into her glass like it might hold all the answers. “You hurt me, Elton. All I wanted to do was be there for you and help you, but you threw me away. You turned your back on me and gave me zero opportunity to fight for me. To fight for us.”
“I know. I know, I know. I fucked up. Massively.” My hands slam into the counter.
I want to throw the glass across the room.
I hate that I made her feel like that. She gave me every part of herself and I locked her out of my heart.
“God dammit, Reilly. I love you.” My voice is raised, but she doesn’t falter.
She knows she has nothing to fear from me.
“If you can’t trust that I won’t hurt you again, then I will respect that and leave you alone to go on with your life.
But you’re it for me, Reilly. I won’t love again.
I won’t be able to. Because I’ll spend the rest of my days in love with you.
Nothing will compare. I beg you, let me prove to you that I’m over my stupid issues.
I’ve moved past them, and my main focus will be on you.
Let me love you, Reilly. It will be messy and chaotic, but it will be real. That I promise you.”
Her eyes haven’t left mine. The glass clinks on the marble surface as she puts it down and rests her hands on either side of my face.
“Don’t tell me, Elton. Show me.”
I grip her waist and lift her onto the kitchen counter, stepping between her legs, taking her lips in mine passionately.
My hands snake round to her arse, grabbing at her and pulling her to the edge, pressing her core against me.
I moan as she rocks herself against my abs.
She deepens the kiss and presses herself against me.
I can’t get close enough to her. I can’t show her everything I’m feeling.
I kiss her neck, nipping at her skin. She gasps at the sensation. I lift her, and she instinctively wraps her legs around me as I carry her up the stairs and into my room.
I don’t turn on the light, letting the glow from the bathroom illuminate her as I drop her onto my bed. I climb over her, my heart pumping. She stares into my eyes and twirls her fingers through my hair. It’s longer than the last time she was with me. In my bed, where she belongs.
“I’ve missed you,” I whisper into her ear as I slide my hands down her body, feeling the peaks and dips of her curves.
I want to ravish her, rip her clothes from her body and take every inch of her.
Show her she is mine. But tonight is about more than possession.
I need to show her how good our love can be.
I pull her up so she’s sitting on her haunches, unbuckling her stupidly sexy dungarees and lifting her top over her head.
She returns the favour, stripping me of mine and running her hands down my chest to my belt.
I find my hands making their way to her breasts.
Featherlight touches dance across her skin as I take her mouth in mine. Her lips are soft and sweet.
The taste of sugar sits on them from her day of baking. I need her. Every inch of her.
She unbuckles my belt, reaches inside my boxers and grabs my dick. I hiss at the contact, her hand heaven against my skin. I slip the cup of her bra down and suck hard on her nipple.
“Elton, god!” she moans through breathless whispers. “I need you, please.”
“I’ve got you, Sunshine, relax. Let me take care of you,” I tell her as I push her onto her back and relieve her of the rest of her clothing.
She’s lying in a pair of black lacy panties, resting on her elbows, her tits pushed forward, and her curly mane cascading over her shoulder.
I grab my cock in an attempt to calm myself down.
My hand gently trails up her leg, starting at her ankle, sweeping it along her calf and over her knee, delicately tracing it across her thigh.
“I love every inch of you, Reilly, your beautiful legs. The way you bounce from one foot to the other when you’re excited.”
I continue across her belly, swirling my fingertips around, making her gasp at the sensation.
“I love how when you laugh, like really laugh, you hunch over and grab your stomach. Like you’re a cartoon character.
” She chuckles at this one as I slip her panties down her legs and drop them to the floor.
Then run both fingers over her shoulders and down her arms, reaching her hands as I clasp both in mine, interlocking our fingers.
“I love your arms as you knead dough, your muscles strong. Putting the full force of Reilly into it. And I love how your delicate fingers create the most intricate designs.” I bring her hands to my mouth and kiss each knuckle.
I lean over her, bringing her hands above her head, and pepper kisses across her jawline.
“You’re smart. You’re kind. You’re strong-willed and a little stubborn.
” I’m kissing along her neck and collarbone.
“You don’t take shit from people. You would do anything for those you love.
” I cup her face and stare deeply into her eyes.
“You make me want to be a better person. I want to be the man you deserve.”
She pulls me close, kissing me with force.
Her legs wrap around me, digging her heels into my cheeks, pulling me into her.
The head of my cock brushes over her, and she lifts her hips to allow it to settle exactly where we want it.
I shift and grab hold of my cock, slowly pushing it inside her.
I have missed this so much. We fit perfectly.
She engulfs me as I slide all the way in, right to the hilt.
“Fuck, Reilly, you feel amazing!” I halt to allow her to adjust. As she controls her breathing I feel her move slightly, testing.
“Elton, please, baby. Move,” she husks out, clawing into my shoulders.
My thrusts are slow but hard and powerful. I want her to feel every inch of me. I want to feel her squeeze around me, wrapping her sweet pussy around my cock.
“That’s it, Reilly, you’re going to take every bit of me. You’re so wet and hot.” She feels amazing. A single tear drops down her face. I freeze.
“Am I hurting you?” I rush to ask. This isn’t how I imagined it. Why is she crying? What have I done? She shakes her head, her eyes closed tight. “What’s wrong, Reilly? Talk to me.”
“I love you.” She finally speaks out, and I feel her whole body tense.
“Fuck, Reilly, I love you too.” Her declaration spurs me on. I thrust deep inside her, setting a pace and angle that allows me to grind against her clit.
“Yes, right there. Don’t stop,” she rasps, gripping her hands into my shoulders.
The tingle starts in my body, and I won’t last much longer. She’s right there and she just needs pushing over the edge.
“Reilly, baby. I need to come. This feels too good.” I graze my teeth along her shoulder, and she shudders, sending ripple waves over my cock.
“Ah fuck, Elton, I’m so close.” I pick up speed a little. Her walls start to clamp down on me.
“Hold on to that, baby. I want to come with you.” My balls start to tighten, and I’m right there. “Come for me, Reilly.”
She lets out a long, loud moan as she grips me in a vice and pulses around me. The sensation is unreal, and she pushes me over the edge with her as I come deep and long inside her.
She is gripping my back, and she bites my shoulder as her orgasm starts to slow. I gently ease in and out of her.
“I love you so much, Reilly. I need you to stay.”
I drop beside her and pull her into me, brushing her hair, and I kiss her forehead, letting myself enjoy this moment. I’m still not sure if I’ll get another.
She shifts beside me, bringing herself onto her elbow, resting her head on her hand. Her eyes track my face, like she’s committing it to memory. Like it’s the last time she will see it.
“I should apologise as well,” she says, running her finger down the side of my face, leaving a light prickle in their wake. I grab her hand to stop her distracting me. I don’t understand what she’s saying to me and her hands on my skin aren’t making it any easier. “I’m sorry, Elton.”
“What? No, Reilly. You did nothing wrong,” I tell her, kissing along her knuckles.
Her hands resume their map of my face. “I did. I didn’t give you the opportunity to mess up.
I expected nothing but perfection. In the past, people have let me down, abandoned me.
Ignored me.” She brackets my face with her hands, staring directly into my eyes.
“You freaked out and had a momentary lapse in judgement and I cut you off because of it. I let my bruised heart stop me from allowing you to get it wrong. From allowing me to be forgiving.”
“Never let the fear of striking out keep you from playing the game.”
“Did you just quote A Cinderella Story?” she says, through a smirk.
“It’s a great film. I should thank you for showing it to Neive.
But you should know that’s actually a quote from a famous baseball player.
” She grins and playfully slaps my chest. I shift us so we are both sitting against the headboard and wrap my arms around her.
I don’t need her apology, but I’ll give her the space to talk without shutting her down.
“I was in a good place in my life,” she says.
“My plans for the bakery were working out. I had an amazing boyfriend, my loved ones were happy and healthy. Everything felt perfect. And because of that, the moment you disappointed me I rocketed straight to catastrophe. Things go wrong, people make mistakes. I need to accept that. I can forgive you and I can trust that we will work harder to support each other, instead of pushing each other away when things go bad.” She burrows into me, squeezing me tight.
I hold her back, placing a kiss into her hair.
“I’ll fight for you, Reilly. Always.”
“I’ll fight with you, Elton.”