Chapter 11
11
Willow
I ’m staring at his words. Each one making another tear in my heart. He doesn’t want to be friends. He logged off and now he’s gone. That’s that. It’s over. I’ve lost him.
Deep down I knew this was coming, but I wasn’t prepared for this cratering feeling that’s taking me down. From the moment he sent me his picture, I knew this would happen. A guy like him deserves better. He deserves someone who isn’t flawed. This is why I didn’t want to meet in person. I wanted to live in the delusion for as long as I could.
There’s a knock on my door, and I quickly wipe my face, knowing I won’t be able to hide the truth from my mom. She’ll just say good riddance. She’ll tell me that time will heal my broken heart and that I’m young. There are plenty of boys at college. Plenty of boys who would love to date me. She’s wrong.
Besides…there’s only one Brennon. Only one boy who owns my heart, and I don’t know how I’ll ever get it back.
“Hey, sweetie.” She opens my door, probably coming to tell me dinner is ready. Her smile drops when she sees me. “Why are you crying again, sweetheart?”
I shake my head, not wanting to stutter the words. More tears fall down my cheeks.
“H-h-he t-t-told m-m-me h-h-he d-d-did-n’t w-w-want t-t-to b-b-be f-f-friends.”
She reaches out, cupping my cheeks, her lips tipping up into a smile. “Then why is he waiting downstairs for you?” He’s downstairs? “Why don’t you take a moment and get yourself cleaned up. Your dad and I will keep him occupied.”
I quickly stand and run downstairs, needing to see for myself. My feet stop as I round the corner to the living room. Brennon is deep in conversation with my dad, talking football. Go figure. He looks up as I enter and his face lights up when he sees me. But his smile quickly drops before he rushes towards me.
“Baby, what’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
Why am I crying? The last message he wrote me said he didn’t want to be friends. I thought it was over between us. But he’s here. In my house. Holding a beautiful bouquet of red roses.
“I thought you hated me. Your last message said you didn’t want to be friends.”
There’s a gasp of shock from behind me, and I realize we have an audience.
“Shit. Sorry, baby. That’s not what I meant. God, I could never hate you, Willow. I’m…” He stops and looks over my shoulder, realizing my parents are listening.
“Do you want to come to my room?” I ask, wanting privacy.
Another gasp has me turning to see my mom. She looks shocked and there are tears in her eyes. “Sweetie, you just… Your voice was so smooth.”
Oh my God. She’s right. I didn’t stutter. I spoke to him twice and my words came out clear. How is that possible? That’s never happened before. I’m almost afraid to open my mouth again, worried I’ve just jinxed myself.
“I d-d-did.” My shoulders slump, feeling defeated again. I wish she hadn’t said anything. It was like he’d cast a magic spell of calmness over me, but now the spell has been broken.
Brennon’s hand locks with mine as he steps up closer. “It’s okay, baby. I’ve got you.” His whisper sends a shiver through my shoulders. There’s a storm of butterflies going crazy in my stomach now. I can’t believe he’s here. “Mrs. Carber, would it be all right if I talk to Willow in private? I promise to be a gentleman. There’s just something I really want to ask her.”
My mom nods, smiling. And I hear my dad grunt in the background but thankfully he doesn’t say anything to embarrass me.
“Yes. You two run along. By the way, dinner is almost ready if you’d like to stay for chili and cornbread, Brennon.”
“I’d love that, Mrs. Carber. As long as it’s okay with Willow?”
“Please call me Annie. And Mr. C is Buck.”
I look up at Brennon’s handsome face, swallowing down my nerves. “I’d l-l-like you to s-s-stay for dinner.” I’d like him to stay for as long as he can.
“Here. Let me take those flowers from you,” my mom says. “I’ll go put them in some water.” She takes the beautiful bouquet from his hands and then bounces off, whispering to my dad. “Did you hear that, honey? Her voice was so much smoother…”
I ignore their whispers and lead Brennon up to my room, closing the door fully behind us so I don’t have my parents’ nosy ears eavesdropping on our conversation. I lean back against the wooden door, suddenly feeling more nervous than I ever have. I’ve never had a boy in my room before. And definitely not one who’s looking at me like he wants to kiss me.
“You are so beautiful, baby.”
He moves in closer, forcing me to tilt my head back. He really is tall. And so handsome. Easily the cutest boy I’ve ever seen.
“I really want to kiss you, Willow.”
Now I’m so nervous, my tongue is completely tied. No words will break past my lips. The only way for me to relay what I want is to show him. I reach up, wrapping my fingers around his neck, and tug him to me. He moves in slowly, gently pressing his lips to mine, and my heart skips a beat. There’s a sizzle under my skin, running down my spine, through my chest, and low in my belly.
His tongue teases its way inside, sliding along mine. Softly. Slowly. My grip tightens on his shoulders as my knees grow weak. I wasn’t expecting it to feel so good. I was worried that somehow my mouth wouldn’t work right when it came to kissing and I’d sputter my way through this too. But it’s easier than talking. And with each passing stroke of his tongue, I grow more confident.
His grip on me tightens and he groans as if he likes my tongue flicking against his. He pushes forward, deepening the kiss. Moving his lips faster. Swallowing me up into what feels like a hungered frenzy. My body is burning up. That sizzling feeling is now isolated to the spot between my legs. Aching deeper the longer we kiss.
“Tell me to stop, Willow.” His whisper hits my lips, but my mind is protesting his words. I don’t want him to stop. I cling to him tighter, trying to climb his body so he can’t escape. He hoists my legs up around his waist and carries me to my bed. Taking a seat with me wrapped around his lap. I let out a moan as I feel his rigid length press between my legs. He’s turned on. By me.
“Baby, what if your mom comes in?” He pulls back, cupping my cheeks, and my eyes are locked on his mouth, wanting him back on me. Needing more.
“She’ll knock.” I press my lips to his again, and he lets me take what I want, but not for long. He pulls away again. This time, bracing the front of my neck with his hand so I can’t push forward.
“You need to behave, baby. I really don’t want to break your parents’ trust and have them hating me out of the gate. I want them to like me so they’ll let me take you out after dinner.”
“But I like your kisses, Brennon.” My words are a breathless whisper, coming out shockingly smooth again. It’s like he’s distracting me from my nerves. My body’s desire is overriding everything.
“I like kissing you too, babe. But if we keep it up, I’m not going to be able to stop. I’m gonna want to kiss you between your legs, and I don’t think that’s a good idea with your parents right downstairs.”
I turn my head, looking toward my lock, debating if I should go turn it or not. If I lock my door, my mom will know that something’s going on in here. But if I keep it unlocked, the chances of her walking in are high. I’m eighteen—shouldn’t I be allowed to make out with my boyfriend if I want to?
“After dinner…” His voice draws my attention back. “I’ll give you what you need.” He tugs me back to his mouth, giving me one more chaste kiss before he releases his hold. “We need to talk anyway, babe. There’s something I need to tell you.”
Talking I’m not so good at. But kissing… I’ve quickly developed a talent for the sport. I try to move back in, but he holds me off. Shaking his head.
“You’re a naughty girl.” Those words send a burst of tingles through my shoulders. “I’ll give you more, but first, I want to talk about us. You and me. I’m done with you trying to push me away. I don’t want to be friends. You’re mine, Willow. Do you understand?”
My nerves latch themselves around the beating muscle inside my chest, pumping it faster with blood.
“I d-d-do.”
I shake my head. My stomach twisting right up again into that uncomfortable knot of embarrassment. It seems as though the spell has been broken. I cast my eyes down, not wanting to see the disappointment on his face.
“Hey, look at me, babe.” His fingers grip my chin, tipping it up. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed over. The fact that you have some difficulties isn’t something to be ashamed of. You’re safe with me, Willow. You don’t have to hide.”
There’s an overwhelming feeling expanding inside my chest. I’ve never felt secure around anyone, but he isn’t looking at me like I’m weird or stupid. He’s looking at me like…like I’m perfect.
“Just need to hear the words, babe.”
“What words?”
He smiles when my question comes out smooth.
“Tell me you’re mine.”
Oh. Those are some pretty heavy words. They make my stomach flutter with a different kind of nerves.
“I’ll b-b-be your g-g-girlfriend.”
He brushes the hair off my cheek and a smirk forms on his soft lips. “I’ll take it. For now.”
He pulls me back to him, kissing me slowly and sweetly again, but all these feelings are bottling up inside and I need more. I cling to his shoulders, trying to draw more from his tongue, wanting him to feed the need aching between my legs. The warmth is penetrating right in the place where his hard shaft is pressing into me.
I start to rub against him, the friction aiding in my quest for relief. His hands grip my waist, and he helps me on my mission. Pushing and pulling me back and forth. His hips raising to give me more. His tongue trying to swallow up all the little sounds that keep slipping from my mouth. It’s almost within grasp. That explosion of pleasure.
I rock faster, tightening my grip and grinding down harder. I’m desperate to grab onto it. The ache driving in deep. And then… I feel his fingers slip into my pants, seeking my most sensitive spot.
“Is this what my girl needs?” He rubs over my clit, and I nearly shatter. “Your little button is swollen, babe.” His fingers rub at the spot, and my head falls back on my shoulders. “If your parents weren’t downstairs, I’d have you straddling my head, riding my tongue.”
The vision floods in and the pleasure pummels me, overriding every single one of my systems. The orgasm grips me so hard I bite my tongue to keep myself from screaming. The waves roll through and my body gives out on the intensity, slumping on his shoulder. Brennon slips his hand out from my pants and rubs my back, easing me back to calm.
“You doing okay, babe?” My eyes flutter open, and I nod against him. “All better?”
I’m definitely feeling better. I’m sitting on the hottest guy’s lap and he just gave me the most amazing orgasm.
“For now,” I whisper, smiling against him. “But it feels like you could use a little help.” I reach between us, rubbing over his hard bulge, and he sucks in a gasp. It’s my turn now to return the favor. I start to stroke over his pants, struggling to grasp him through the material. I shift on his lap so I can get him free, but I’m stopped by the knock on my door. We startle apart and I quickly scramble off his lap, standing from my bed. Thankfully, my mom doesn’t barge right in—which is a first.
“Willow, sweetheart! Dinner is ready.”
“Okay, thanks. We’ll be out in just a few!”
I hear her squeal in delight again, before her footsteps start rushing down the hall, calling for my dad. My words came out clear. Loud and strong. And she’s beside herself with excitement.
I really don’t understand how it’s possible. I’d expect my nerves to be worse around him, but Brennon is having the opposite effect. He’s a calming presence, putting me at ease.
“Do you mind if I use your bathroom before we go eat?”
I turn my attention back, and my eyes land right between his legs. It’s impossible not to stare, too hard to miss. The tent it’s making in his jogging pants will make a complete scene in front of my parents. He can’t go to dinner like that—which I assume is why he wants to use the bathroom.
I step forward. My nerves are nearly strangling me, but I want to do this. I want to make him feel good. His nostrils flare as I step in front of him. His Adam’s apple bobs when I run my fingers along his waistband, slipping below the material. He looks back toward the door, but I shake my head. She won’t come back. She’s getting the table ready.
“Baby, your parents.”
I ignore his comment, continuing my pursuit. Sliding my hand lower, over his pelvis, running my fingers through his coarse curls. Dipping lower. And lower. Until…I rub over the length of his full shaft.
His body rocks forward as his eyes flutter closed on a groan. I squeeze around him, feeling his thickness pulse in my grip. I’ve never done anything like this before so I’m not exactly sure what I’m supposed to do. But his grunts are guiding my way. When I pump him up and down, his body grows weaker. When I tighten my grip, he lets out a low groan. And when I quicken my pace, he grabs me tighter, holding on for the pleasure.
“Fuck, baby. Shit, I’m about to come.”
I keep my pace, watching as the pleasure starts to spasm through him. His body nearly folding in half as he comes. His hands gripping my shoulders to hold himself up. I’m excited that I could make him come. And it happened kind of fast, which I think is a good thing. I’ve read that if it takes a long time, it means that it doesn’t feel good. By the way his body is convulsing, I think he feels really good.
“Is there anything about you that isn’t perfect?”
His gasped question catches me smack in the chest, and I tuck my head so he can’t see my red cheeks. I’ve never felt normal in my life. I’ve always felt flawed. But in this moment… I feel like I’m as perfect as the way he’s looking at me.