Chapter Thirty-Nine
I let Dane drive the bike. My whole body was vibrating in disbelief as I pressed myself against him on the back, wrapping my arms around his ripped body. He was still sexy as fuck and all tan from summer. It made his green eyes and bright smile pop. And his scruff was still covering that little dent on his chin I had to fight to keep from kissing.
I couldn’t believe my plan had worked. I’d been half worried he’d say no or ask for my number to ghost me and make it awkward, but deep down inside, I knew Dane wasn’t really that kind of guy. It was worth the risk. I squeezed him tighter, promising myself I’d never let him go.
The sunset in my eyes made me squint and curl into him further, pressing my cheek against his back. After a few seconds, I could feel his heartbeat thump. His large hand went to where mine clasped his chest. He gave an affectionate squeeze and accelerated. We ended up at his place. He showed me his depressing apartment. He couldn’t decorate if his life depended on it. He had a single houseplant on his bar as décor.
“What kind is this?” I asked, turning the plant around to inspect it.
“I had no clue, but then this white lily sprouted up last week. It was so cool. When I Googled it, it turns out it’s a peace lily.”
A gentle knowing washed over me, recalling the white lilies Azalea had put next to my bedside when I’d recovered from the assault. She’d promised me I was still innocent and that people like Dane would still protect and care for me. This was the synchronicity I needed.
Testing my theory, I picked up the cheap plastic pot. The tag on the bottom had it marked at $4.44. My angel numbers.
“Is there something I’m missing?” Dane asked.
I shook my head. “No, sorry, just caught up in my thoughts.”
I wandered into his room that still consisted of his simple wooden bed and nightstand. Next to a stack of Westerns was the black 8-ball I’d stolen from the pool hall from our trip. I picked it up and inspected it in disbelief.
His voice came out thick. “I considered it a souvenir. From loving you. I looked at it every night and wondered how I could get you back, but I worried seeing me might make you think of what happened.”
I kissed it and put it down. “I’m glad you thought of me, but I want you to know I don’t associate you with Boyd.”
He gave me a half-hearted nod and went to the closet. “I made this for you. In hopes maybe I’d be able to give it to you.” Swinging a jean jacket out on a hanger, he held it against his body as he looked down at it. “I found this at a flea market in Pennsylvania. The lady swore it was a vintage Wrangler. I know yours got ruined when, you know, that night.”
“Yeah, yeah it did.” My voice got thick as I ran my fingers over the denim. “And you put patches on it?”
“From all the places I stopped along the way.”
“Oh, Dane.” I said, swallowing hard, unable to stop touching each patch. “You moved to Cody because it was my favorite patch, didn’t you?”
“It just stuck with me.” He flashed me a bashful smile, helping me into the jacket.
He smoothed out the shoulders then pressed his firm chest against my back. “I know it doesn’t replace your dad’s and all the memories, but I was hoping it would help prove that another guy in your life loves you.”
“This is so thoughtful. Thank you.” Something shiny on the breast pocket over my heart snagged my attention. Instead of a patch, it was a pin with a long silver encasement. I twisted the fabric of the jacket to inspect it.
“’Be bold and totally worth the chaos.’ Oh my god! it’s the fortune from the book of yours I bought, isn’t it?”
“Yes! I covered it with glass then electroformed the edges in metal to protect it.”
I looked over my shoulder at him. “The little old lady at the bookstore totally stole it from me, didn’t she? I was so bummed when I didn’t find it as a bookmark.”
“Viviane is very sneaky. She gave it back to me. I guess I needed the words more than you.” His kissable lips screwed to the side as he considered the papered fortune.
“Well, you’re certainly bold.”
He wrapped his arm around me, his hand possessively holding low on my tummy. “And you’re certainly worth the chaos.”
His eyes simmered on my lips. I tilted my chin up, giving him permission. His mouth covered mine as his hand boldly slid up and down my torso. I held the back of his head, keeping him in the kiss. His tongue traced the line of my lips. I opened to him with a relieved sigh as he kissed me deeper. Everything was alright in the world. I was back in his arms, covered in his adoration.
We pulled apart, fighting for air. His pupils were blown out, wide with love and hunger.
“We still got it, don’t we?” he said roguishly, hinting at our natural chemistry.
“I feel it. God, do I feel it.” I turned to face him, wrapping my arms around his neck, pushing my aching breasts against him.
He picked me up and walked us to bed. Before he could lay us flat, he cleared his throat and sat me down. “Wait, we should wait.”
I tried my best to ignore the warmth pooling between my legs. I was so ready for him already. We’d talked for hours this evening and covered all my questions, but I had to respect his decision. I was a flight risk. I got it.
“Right,” I lied in agreement. Feeling too hot, I took off my jean jacket. I knew I couldn’t be alone with him. We’d be too tempted. Scrambling for a plan, I went with my first idea. “Can I maybe get a ride in your car?”
His face broke into a boyish grin as he took my hand.
We rode the motorcycle back to the café, leaving it there to pick up the car. The late summer heat was no joke, so we drove around with the windows down. The night was dark, with sprinklings of stars and a paper-white crescent moon on the western horizon. I snapped a photo of it and sent it to my moon maiden.
Kaylee: OMG, did it work? Are you with him? Harley and I are dying over here.
Me: Yes. I’m riding shotgun in his car. He said yes. We worked it out.
Kaylee: That’s the best news ever!
Along with the text, she sent a photo of her and Harley mock screaming together on their couch.
Me: Hey, remember when you found some asshole cheating on you with your favorite barista, in the beloved coffee shop of all places?
Kaylee: Yes! And remember how I took off like a banshee and crashed my car in Maine and this super hunky forest ranger rescued me? It could’ve been so bad. What if I’d driven south and gotten stuck in New Jersey?
I giggled, staring at my phone, loving how Dane’s calloused hand floated over to hold my knee.
Me: Yeah, and isn’t it great how that ranger just so happened to have a gorgeous mechanic friend who looked at your wrecked car?
Kaylee: Luck was on our side!
Me: Thanks for inadvertently introducing me to my other soulmate.
Kaylee sent me a moon emoji, code for I love you so much I can’t stand it . I sent her a sun one right back.
“Take it that’s Kaylee?” Dane asked, his hand traveling under my sundress to clutch my inner thigh.
I was glad I wasn’t the only one fighting the attraction. In the dark with him, it was even harder.
“Yeah, just telling her and Harley.”
“I need to call and thank him.”
“It was way too easy to find your ass.”
“I’m a simple man.”
“That’s not true.”
His wide shoulders bounced. “If you say so.”
He pulled up to a grove of trees that had a river glimmering just beyond the leaves. Putting the car in park and killing the engine, he looked me up and down.
“You look so good sitting there in the passenger seat.”
I put my phone in my purse, letting it fall to the floor of the car. “Thank you.”
“I want to thank you for finding me. For understanding how I wasn’t in the right place to show up for you either.”
I reached out, skimming his scruff and strong jaw. “We just weren’t ready.”
“But we are now.” He kissed my palm.
“Mm-hmm.”
He pulled me closer to him. His fingers trailed the sensitive skin over my shoulder, up my neck, and over to the edge of my ear. Goose bumps erupted along my skin, my nipples stiffening under my sundress. “Are you ready for other things?”
“Mm-hmm.”
In a rush, we made our way to the back seat.
“You’ve always wanted to do this, haven’t you?” I asked, straddling him.
“You have no clue,” he said, squeezing my ass. A clouded look traveled over his eyes as he brought his hands up to cradle my face. “Wait, did you?”
“What?” I said, breathlessly undoing his pants.
“Did you—not that it matters.” His face twitched. “Have you been with anyone else since me?”
“No. Have you?”
“God no,” he spat. The information registered in his mind, softening his features. “Good.” He pulled me back in for a kiss as we started to grind. “By the way, Maisie,” he mumbled against my lips.
“Yeah?”
“The cowgirl boots stay on. It’s fucking hot.”
“Deal!” I wound my hips, all my thoughts and worries disappearing as I felt him stiffen against my core. “Dane,” I whispered. “I missed your big cock.”
I yelped as he plopped me on my back on the upholstered seat, shimming my panties down my legs. “Good because I missed the way this pussy tastes. I dream about it.”
“I know classic cars are supposed to be roomy, but you really fill this thing up.” I squeezed his shoulder, loving the solid muscle.
He murmured something about filling something else up as he knelt on the floor, kissing up my legs. Making his way to the straps of my sundress, he playfully tugged on one with his teeth. A giggle rippled through me. God, I missed how playful he was during sex. I loved that about him.
When he yanked off the other strap in a similar fashion, my breasts were exposed to the warm summer breeze coursing through the windows. He pulled the dress down even farther, causing me to slip my arms out of the straps.
“Wait!” he said. “Is that what I think it is?”
Realizing what he’d seen, I lifted my arms over my head. “Bright pink armpit hair? You bet it is!”
“Still fucking hot.” He nuzzled my neck.
“You make me feel alive,” I whispered.
“You’re worth living for,” he said, covering me with a kiss before he traveled lower. I held his head to my pussy, jerking my legs with how sensitive I was before I melted into a yummy, mindless fog of pleasure.
I loved the view of him between my legs, but he was wearing too much clothing.
“Take off your shirt,” I demanded, interrupting him.
He fisted the fabric behind his neck and tore it over himself, causing all his muscles to shift in the process. Butterflies erupted low in my belly at the sight as he returned his mouth to my center.
“Baby, I just need you in me.”
I couldn’t wait any longer. I wanted no frills, just hot, needy sex in the back of his car.
I straddled him once more, the flicker of the coursing river reflecting in his green eyes as he brushed the tip of his cock against me. Sliding down on his length, I fought a shudder. It felt so damn good being this close again.
“I love you,” he murmured.
“I love you, too.”
We nodded in unison and started to move together.
“Dane, I’ll love you until the day I die, do you hear me?”
“Yes. I’ll love you forever, Maisie baby.”