Chapter 26
I give Briar a wave, feeling like an intruder. The Calhouns are clearly having a family meeting, and knowing the situation, I can’t imagine her being here is a great sign.
It would be rude to leave after Sullivan invited me to stay, so I gingerly sit on the couch next to Juniper, far enough away that we’re not touching.
She looks one minute away from bursting into tears, and my fingers itch to hold her hand.
Her parents already know, but I’m not sure if her sister does.
For the next twenty minutes, I try to pay attention to what they’re talking about, but my focus is solely on the woman next to me. Juniper chews on her bottom lip with every new piece of information, her fingers tapping on her thigh the way they do when she’s anxious.
Things like taking shifts to watch Hudson, meal rotations, and Briar’s job are discussed, as well as a short explanation of what happened to his parents. This poor little boy has gone through more in his three years of life than anyone should experience in a lifetime. My heart aches for him.
“Why don’t we get you two settled and fed, then we can talk more about how this will all work,” Mrs. Calhoun says.
“Juniper and some of the staff are headed to The Mule, so it’s just us for dinner.
What does Hudson like to eat? I’ve got chicken breasts I can grill up, mashed potatoes, mac and cheese, or I can run into town and pick up whatever he likes. ”
“He’s not particular. Do you want some potatoes and chicken?”
“Tatos.”
“That’s a yes. We’ve been subsisting on fast food for the last two days, so a good, home-cooked meal would do wonders for us.
” Briar looks at Juniper and gives her a stern look.
“I know you’re going to insist on staying here to help, but Hudson and I will be here for a while.
There’s plenty of time for you to get to know him.
Go have fun with your friends. We’ll talk tomorrow, okay? ”
I can tell Juniper wants to protest, but she doesn’t.
“Just because you’re older doesn't mean you can tell me what to do,” Juniper grumbles, but it holds no heat.
“She’s right, June-bug, go have fun. Everything else can wait until tomorrow, or next week, even. We don’t have to have everything figured out tonight.”
“I know, Daddy.” She stands, and I follow suit.
“It was nice to meet you two,” I tell Briar.
“You too, Addison.”
We head out the door, but before we can make it off the porch, I pull Juniper into a hug.
Her body sags, and my heart pinches. She carries so much on her shoulders, and knowing she feels like she can relax with me is a gift.
My nose hovers above her hair, breathing in the subtle floral scent of her.
I already have a list of the hair products she uses, so I can smell like her when I leave.
Don’t think about leaving right now.
“We don’t have to go tonight if you’re not up for it. We can go back to your place, and you can talk me through everything going through that pretty head of yours instead. You tell me what you need.”
Juniper sighs, and I feel it more than I hear it. She pulls back enough to look me in the eye. “I think a distraction will be good. Bry and Daddy are right. I can’t do anything tonight, not until Hudson warms up to me a bit more.”
“If you’re sure.”
“I’m sure.”
I place a gentle kiss on her nose. “Let’s go then.”
Juniper is trying her best to stay upbeat, but the longer we’re here, the more her shoulders slump. She gave Oakley a brief rundown of the situation so she wouldn’t be shocked when she heard someone in the room next to her, and Oakley promised to be as quiet as a mouse so she wouldn’t wake them up.
After an hour of watching Juniper twirl her straw in her drink, barely taking a sip, I ask her if she wants to dance.
She tells me she’s not up for it, so we head out.
She needs to relax after the stress of the day.
I only wish there was something I could do to ease her worries, at least for one night.
On the drive home, I never let go of Juniper’s hand. I don’t know if rubbing my thumb along hers does anything to ease the anxiety radiating off of her, but it’s all I can do.
When we get inside, Juniper leans against the front door and sighs, her head tipping back against the wood. I kneel in front of her, lifting one foot out of her boot and setting it aside, repeating the action with the other one.
“What are you doing?” she whispers, looking down at me.
“I’m taking care of you. I know I can’t fix anything, but I want to help however I can. Tell me what you need.”
Juniper swallows, tugging me up gently by my shirt. “I need you.”
“You have me, but—”
“No,” she shakes her head. “I need you. Help me take my mind off of everything, just for tonight. I don’t want to think anymore.”
“Are you sure?”
“One hundred percent. Please, Addison.”
If this is what she needs, what I can give her, I’m not going to say no. Pinning her against the door, I grip her wrists in one hand and shove them above her head.
I make sure her sapphire eyes are locked on mine when I say, “Here’s what’s going to happen then, sunshine.
We’re going to get in the shower. I’m going to wash your hair and body, and you’re not going to lift a single finger.
Then, when you’re all clean, I’m going to lay you out on your bed and make you come so many times that the only thing going through that gorgeous head of yours will be my name. ”
Her eyes turn glassy as she nods. Keeping her pinned, I kiss her hard, nipping at her plush bottom lip and tangling our tongues together. She doesn’t fight me for dominance, just lets me do what I want. When she starts trying to buck against me, I pull away. She whines at the loss.
“Shower, then I’ll give you what you want.”
She pouts but lets me tug her along to the bathroom.
I twist the knob of the shower to warm, letting the water heat up while I strip her down, then undress myself.
As we step under the hot water, I trace my hands up and down the curves of her body.
By now, I’ve touched her enough that if someone asked me to draw it by memory, I could.
I take my time washing and conditioning her hair, teasing her with light touches as I soap her body.
When she’s clean, I rush through my own routine.
We step out of the shower, and I dry us off before gently running a brush through her hair.
I wasn’t planning on braiding her hair, but I don’t want her to end up with a bunch of tangles, so I twist it into a French braid before we leave the bathroom.
Guiding her to the edge of the bed, I wordlessly instruct her to lie down before I crawl over her body and press my lips to hers.
Knowing she needs a distraction, I deepen the kiss immediately, dominating her tongue with mine.
Her legs wrap around my waist until our bodies are flush, and she lets out whines of desperation.
I shove a hand between us and palm her pussy, groaning against her lips when I find her hot and wet and ready for me. Dipping a finger inside of her, I tease her hole to gather her wetness before dragging my fingertip up to circle her clit.
“More, please,” she moans against my lips.
“I’ve barely gotten started, and you’re already begging for more?” I slow down, barely putting any pressure on her clit. “I think you need to learn some patience, sunshine.”
Juniper makes a disgruntled noise of protest, shaking her head. “Please, Addison. Give me more. I need it. I need to come.”
“Shh, I’ll give you what you want. You just relax and take what I give you.”
I shuffle down her body, and she immediately spreads her thighs to make room for me. With my thumbs, I spread apart her pussy lips, revealing glistening pink folds that are begging to be licked. Her cute little clit is swollen and practically begging for me.
“I wish you could see how wet you are, Juniper. Wish you could see how swollen your clit is. I bet it’s throbbing, isn’t it? Don’t worry, I’ll take good care of it. You just keep making those pretty sounds I like, and I’ll give you everything you need.”
I push two fingers inside her and suction my lips around her clit.
There’s no time for light teasing anymore as I pump my fingers in a steady rhythm, hitting that sensitive spot inside her over and over as I lick at her clit.
Her legs tense, her fingers gripping the sheets as I work her closer and closer to an orgasm.
“Fuck, yes, there.” She pushes her pussy against my face harder.
I already know this is one of her favorite ways to come. Thigh riding and a hard and fast finger-fucking always have her coming hard and fast. I keep my eyes trained on the way her stomach rises and falls with each gasping breath she takes.
As she comes, her cunt clenches around my fingers as she moans my name over and over again. I didn’t have any alcohol tonight; who needs it when I’m drunk off Juniper Calhoun?
Usually this is where I’d slow down the pace of my fingers, but I keep going, hoping to roll one orgasm over into the next.
An idea strikes, and I keep my fingers inside her as I reach into her bedside drawer and pull out a small bullet vibrator.
We’ve used toys a few times, but I generally prefer to have her come on my tongue or fingers.
But tonight, I want her boneless, and a battery-operated friend is just the thing for that.
Juniper jolts and squeaks at the first press of the vibrator against her clit, but she quickly relaxes into the sensations the longer I hold it there. I work a third finger into her pussy, my own getting wetter at the obscenity of seeing her lips stretched thin.
“You’re so fucking gorgeous. I love watching your body respond to me. I love feeling you come, knowing it’s me who’s bringing you pleasure. Give me another one, sunshine.”
“Addison,” she gasps, gorgeous blue eyes rolling to the back of her head.
A rush of liquid saturates my hands and the sheets below, and I curse myself for forgetting a towel again.
I should know by now that when Juniper and I fuck, it gets messy.
“That’s it, that’s what I want. Love when you make a mess all over my hand.”
As soon as I pull my fingers and the vibrator from her, her body goes limp on the bed. She tosses an arm over her eyes, her chest rising and falling with her rapid breathing. Her chest and cheeks are flushed, and when she uncovers her eyes, she gives me a sleepy, satisfied smile.
The reality that I’m leaving soon and won’t be able to see this version of her again crashes down on me, and urgency floods my veins. I only have a few days left to make sure she’ll remember me long after I’m gone, and I intend to do everything in my power to make that happen.
Pushing all the sad thoughts away, I force my brain to focus on the here and now. Right now, I’ve got a gorgeous girl in front of me, waiting for more orgasms.
“Ready for another one, sunshine?”