Chapter 24
Elli
The only sounds as we walk are the cicadas, the birds, and the rustle of leaves as we walk down the trail. Sometimes Wes will break the silence to ask if I’m okay, but other than that, we walk in comfortable silence for about ten minutes.
“Where are you taking me?” I ask quietly, not wanting to disturb the peacefulness of the moment.
“This is my quiet place. My mom used to bring me here when I was really little, before she started dating the asshole she was with when I was nine. She taught me to skip rocks here, and she would tell me stories about magical beings in the trees.” Wes says wistfully.
“I remember one of the last times we came here, she told me a story about special water fairies that could tell you if someone was your fated match.”
“How could they tell?” I ask, intrigued.
“Well, according to my mom, they could tell by the person’s aura.
How they matched and whatnot. The fairies would only tell you the answer if you and your love skipped rocks at the same time.
The rocks have to skip exactly seven times and sink together.
If they do, then they’re your soulmate. If not, then they’re not.
I ate it up as a kid, already planning on bringing someone here to test that out.
” He frowns a little. “When she started dating Keith, the asshole, we stopped coming here. When I could drive, I figured out how to get here myself, but I’ve never brought anyone with me.
It’s just been a place to clear my head, you know? Reconnect with nature and whatnot.”
“That’s a beautiful story. I’m sorry you couldn’t come back for a while.
That sounds…” I trail off as Wes stops in front of a small pond surrounded by trees and rocks.
The land around the pond is packed dirt sprinkled with sparse grass and I can hear a stream nearby that probably brings water into the pond.
It’s breathtaking and I can see why Wes comes here. It’s almost like another world.
“Wow, Wes. This place is breathtaking. It’s almost magical.” I say, spinning to face him.
Wes has laid the blanket out, and from the backpack has set out a few water bottles for us. He looks up at me and smiles, “You being here makes it even more breathtaking.”
I’m glad my cheeks are red from walking in the heat, because they’re aflame with a blush from his compliment. I nod toward his guitar, “Are you going to sing me another song?”
“I thought I would. Run some of my lyrics by you and see what you think. If that’s okay?” He looks almost shy as he says it.
“I would love that. But you also have to teach me how to skip rocks later. I’ve never done that before.”
“Deal.” He pats the blanket next to him, and I sit cross-legged facing him while he tunes his guitar.
“Okay,” he says on an exhale, “this song is still a work in progress, because I was focused on fine tuning ‘Love Bug’ for Wednesday night, so bear with me.”
My stomach flutters thinking about Wednesday and all that’s happened in the last three days. It’s crazy to go from thinking he only saw me as a friend to being on a date with him in such a short time. I’m so happy that things worked the way they did.
Wes starts strumming his guitar in a rhythmic beat, a little peppier than the slow melody of “Love Bug,” and when he starts to sing, I get literal chills. He gets so lost in the lyrics, it’s like nothing else exists.
Then during the bridge, he looks up and stares directly into my soul, like I’m the only thing that exists in his world. It makes me nervous, but also makes me swoon.
Who am I kidding? It also makes me horny as hell because being the center of this man’s world? His chocolate brown eyes boring into mine like he owns me? It’s the hottest thing I’ve ever experienced. Not to mention his finger skills. The way they dance across the strings like it’s second nature?
So. Damn. Sexy.
When he’s done, he sets the guitar down and asks me, “So? What did you think?”
“I think… I think that was probably the hottest experience of my life.” The words just come out, no filter to be seen. But I don’t take the words back because it’s also the truth.
Wes gently sets his guitar down, leaning back on his hands and tilting his head to assess me. “The hottest experience of your life, eh? Well that bar is low, baby. I’m sure I can do better.”
Feeling a little bold, I retort, “Oh yeah? I’d love to see you try.”
In a flash of tattoos and dark hair, I’m covered by Wes’s body, his knee wedged between my open thighs, my wrists pulled above my head and held there by one of his large hands. He runs his nose along my jaw, and brings his lips close to my ear.
“Do you know how crazy you make me, Elli? Moaning at breakfast over food instead of me, watching your luscious ass in those little shorts, the way they hug your thighs?” Wes groans, “Do you know how many times I’ve stroked my cock to the thought of you in that tiny little dress I helped you out of? ”
“How many?” I whisper. This is a side of Wes that I haven’t seen. He’s so… commanding. His words are so filthy. It’s so hot.
“Too many to count, baby. Not to mention, the absolute rage I felt when I heard about that douchebag’s hands on you at the club. I had no right to be that jealous, but I was fuming. I don’t want anyone else’s hands near your body.”
“No one else, Wes. You already know I’m a…
I’ve never had sex. I only want you.” And that’s the truth.
I was only a virgin because my religion practically demanded it.
I was only waiting until marriage because that’s what I thought needed to happen, but when Packer ended things and I realized I could have sex with whoever I wanted, I just…
didn’t. I was still too scared to commit such a “sin.” Now that I’ve explored my body and have gotten comfortable “sinning” I’m ready to take the next step.
Ready to take the next step with Wes.
And apparently he’s ready for me too, if the hard thing poking into my thigh is any indication.
“I’m glad to hear that.” Wes kisses the tip of my nose and sits back on his heels, rubbing a hand down his face.
“I’m sorry I got carried away just now. I’m not going to do anything in the middle of nature, where anyone could come across us.
When we’re together for the first time, we’re going to take our time, Elli.
Not because I don’t think you can handle it, but because it’s what you deserve. ”
I have a bit of whiplash from the change in mood so suddenly, but I can tell Wes needs the space and the reassurance that I’m okay.
“Never apologize for being you, Wes. You’re never going to be too much for me. I appreciate that you want to take things slow.” I reach up to his face and pull him down for what’s supposed to be a quick peck, but turns into a slow, leisurely makeout session.
When we finally come up for air, Wes groans, then gives me another peck on the lips before standing and holding his hand out for me. “Come on, baby. Let’s skip some rocks.”
I grin as he helps me up. He guides me through the process of which rocks are the best for skipping, and which ones will just sink. He teaches me the right wrist flicking technique, and after a few practice rounds, I’m feeling pretty confident.
“How about we skip these last rocks together and see who makes it furthest?” I suggest.
“You’re on.” We stand side by side, and Wes counts down from three.
When he hits “one” we toss our rocks and watch them sync up and skip one, two, three, four, five, six, seven times.
And sink to the bottom together.
Wes’s breath hitches, and I know he’s thinking it too.
Maybe the fairies are real, after all.