Chapter 44
Kade
Blue Hollow Lake isn’t far from Mayridge, just a few hours’ drive, and the early afternoon sun casts a warm glow over the water.
The place holds some of my best childhood memories, even though I haven’t been back in years.
When I was looking for somewhere me and Liv could hit reset, this was the first place that came to mind.
The events of the Fourth of July have been hanging over us both, heavy and unshakable.
For Liv, it’s different—it’s chipped away at the confidence she’s fought so hard to build these in the months since coming to Mayridge.
I saw it the second she opened her eyes in the hospital, no matter how hard she tried to hide it.
And it kills me, because all I want, desperately, is to help her get that part of herself back.
That’s why we’re here. Away from the noise, away from the questions. Just us.
I ease the truck into park, the gravel crunching beneath the tires as the Lake stretches out before us, calm and endless. Turning to her, I offer a small smile. “This is home for the night.”
She shoots me a look, brows lifting, a mix of surprise and doubt in her eyes. “You’re serious? We’re actually sleeping in the back of your truck?”
“Yeah,” I say with a grin. “But don’t worry, I’ll make it comfortable. You’re going to love it.”
Her brow furrowed slightly. “Will there be other people around?”
“Probably some in tents or cabins on the other side of the lake, but I doubt anyone will be near us. It’s safe, baby—I promise.”
I jump out of the truck and walk around to her side, opening the door and helping her out.
She pauses, eyes drifting over the lake, the trees, the cabins tucked into the woods. The afternoon light softens everything—the water, the leaves, the gentle haze hanging in the air.
She breathes it in, “It’s really nice here. So calm and quiet.”
I smile. “Yeah. It’s a favorite of mine.”
“Yeah?” She glances over at me, curiosity soft in her eyes. “You come here a lot?”
“Mom and Dad would bring us whenever they could. We’d swim in the lake, hike the trails, and try to fish.
This place holds some of my best memories.
” I pull her into my arms, cupping her face gently.
“I thought this place might help. I know things have been hard since the Fourth. I just want you to relax and enjoy a night away.”
“Thank you,” she whispers, resting her head against my chest as I hold her.
We spend the afternoon hiking the sun-dappled trails hand in hand as the birds sing overhead, mixed with the sound of the lake all around us. Liv smiles and laughs as we take our time enjoying the scenery, and my heart swells. This, this is exactly what she needed.
When the heat starts to fade, we head to the on-site café—a cozy wooden cabin with wide windows open to catch the evening breeze.
Inside, the smell of fresh coffee and homemade bread mingles with laughter and quiet chatter.
We settle into a small table by the window, sharing a wood-fired pizza and a side of their famous Mac and cheese as the sky shifts to soft pinks and purples outside.
The day feels slow and gentle, a chance to breathe and just be—together. I watched as Liv visibly relaxes throughout the day. She’s full of laughter and smiles, the same ones I saw prior to the fourth.
As the sun sets, I set up two camping chairs and start a fire in the pit, then turn my attention to the truck bed. I plug the electric air pump into the cigarette lighter and watch as the mattress quickly inflates.
I catch Liv chuckling as I seal the nozzle once it’s fully blown up.
“What’re you giggling at?” I ask, laying the mattress down.
“Isn’t that cheating?” she says, an amused smile playing on her lips.
“It’s not cheating. It’s genius. I used to watch my dad blowing these things up, turning all red in the face. Not a chance I’ll be doing that.” I laugh.
After I cover the mattress in blankets, I place the pillows on top along with the comforter.
“Wow.” Liv’s voice catches my attention as she eyes the truck bed. “That actually looks good. I’ve been trying to picture it all day, how we’d sleep up there. You did good Jenkins.”
I laugh. “Only the best for my girl.”
Liv offers me a soft smile, a slight blush ghosting her cheeks as my words register with her.
I join Liv by the fire, but not before pulling her out of her chair and into my lap. The sound of her giggle hits me right in the heart, and on instinct, I capture her lips with mine before pulling away and watching the giddy smile etch across her face.
We laze around the fire pit roasting marshmallows and enjoy the sounds of nature around us as the lake laps against the shore.
“You want to get comfy on the mattress?” I whisper, pressing slow kisses along Liv’s bare shoulder.
“Okay,” she breathes, her voice soft as she rises from my lap.
I take her hand and lead us over to the truck bed. With my hands on her waist, I lift her easily, setting her on the edge. She slips off her sneakers and crawls across the mattress, sliding under the comforter with a quiet smile.
I climb up after her and decide to take off my shirt, jeans, and shoes, leaving just my black boxer briefs before I climb in next to her. Liv’s eyes don’t leave mine as I stretch out beside her and pull her close, her back pressing against my chest as the night settles around us.
“The stars are so pretty tonight,” Liv whispers, shifting in my arms until she’s facing me, snuggling against my chest.
“I love nights like this,” I admit, my hand gliding slowly up and down her back as the soft sounds of the lake and the hush of the night wrap around us.
She hums, a soft, content sound against my chest. “Feels… peaceful. Like everything else is miles away.”
“Exactly why I brought you here,” I say quietly, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Just you, me, and the stars. No noise. No people. No… anything.”
She lets out a quiet breath, her body relaxing against mine for the first time in days.
But then her fingers move—subtle at first, tracing idle patterns across my chest, slow and featherlight, like she’s committing every line of me to memory.
But then drifts lower, skimming over my stomach, and I tense beneath her touch, every muscle in me pulls tight.
I stay perfectly still, letting her explore, my pulse hammering in my ears.
When her hand slides over the front of my boxers, brushing against my cock, I suck in a sharp breath. I’m already hard as hell beneath her touch, fighting the desperate urge to push into her hand.
“Your body’s incredible,” she whispers, her voice low and breathless, as her palm strokes slowly over me through the fabric, eyes locked on mine. “I’ve never seen anyone who looks this good.”
“It’s all for you, baby,” I rasp, my gaze pinned to her every move.
Her fingers toy with the waistband of my boxers, hesitant but determined. She glances up at me, searching my face, her breath catching.
“Can I…?” she whispers, voice soft, almost shy.
I nod once, heat curling tight in my chest. “Yeah, baby. Whatever you want.”
Her fingers slip under the waistband, tugging them down with unhurried care, her knuckles brushing my hips as she slides the fabric past my thighs. My cock springs free, and a low groan escapes me before I can stop it, my eyes locked on her every move—because right now, she has all the control.
Then her hand closes around me, tentative for half a second before stroking with slow, deliberate confidence.
When her fingers ghost lower, brushing over my balls, a rough groan tears from my chest. I’m hanging on by a damn thread, every muscle tight, but I don’t move.
I let her set the pace. Let her take whatever she wants.
She shifts onto her knees beside me, the air mattress dipping under her weight, and my breath catches at the sight of her like that—curious, focused, completely in control.
Her hand never leaves me as she moves, her fingers stroking slow and sure, heat surging through my veins until my eyes flutter closed and I lose myself in the feeling.
But then she stills, and when my eyes snap open, I see it—the heat burning in her gaze, the way her breath hitches as she presses her thighs together without even realizing it.
Realization hits me hard—touching me is turning her on.
“Come here,” I rasp, my voice low and rough. I shift back against the pillow, reaching for her. She hesitates for only a second before I guide her hips over mine.
Her breath catches as she settles onto me, her heat pressing against my cock through the thin barrier of her shorts. Every part of me aches to thrust upwards, desperate for friction, but I hold still, forcing control.
“Tell me what you want,” I rasp, leaning up to capture her lips in a slow, hungry kiss.
“You,” she whispers, voice trembling. “I want you so bad it aches.”
“Where does it ache, baby?” I whisper, sliding a hand down to guide her hips, urging her to grind against me.
She gasps, words caught, and I slip my hand beneath her shorts, fingers brushing over her slick folds. “Does this perfect pussy ache for me?”
“Yes,” she moans, soft and breathless, rocking into my touch.
“Let me take care of you.” My voice is rough as I lift her easily, laying her back on the mattress. I hook my fingers into her shorts and panties, dragging them slowly down her legs before tossing them aside.
My cock is already hard and aching, the tip glistening with pre-come as I wrap my hand around it, stroking slowly, deliberately. My eyes stay locked on hers, and she watches me, lips parted, chest rising fast.
“Fuck…” I groan, heat spiking through me. “I’m never going to get enough of you.”