Thanks for Coming Along

Chapter 40Eden

40

Eden

T he drive back to her house was long. She rode relentless currents of worries and fears, each one tugging at her with an insurmountable force. When she opened the front door of her bungalow, the house was bathed in the golden afternoon light. She could picture Ronan sitting on the fluffy white rug in the living room, a small smile tugging his lips. She walked into the kitchen, where he made countless meals for her. The apron that she had gotten as a housewarming present two years ago had somehow become Ronan's apron.

Moving through her house, she felt like she was walking through a gallery of memories from the past few weeks between them. Each room, each piece of furniture, held a moment, a fragment of their time together. The laughter they shared over breakfast, the quiet conversations late into the night, the spontaneous dance parties in the living room—all of it replayed in her mind like a film reel.

The air was still and silent. Usually, she would bask in that quietness, but now that silence was oppressive. The lack of his presence was so loud it was blaring in her ears. It made her pace her living room; she wanted him here. This feeling was something entirely new; she had never missed someone so terribly . She felt sick to her stomach, her stomach felt twisted, and her hands were fidgeting at her sides.

After pacing around for what felt like forever, she couldn't stand it anymore and decided to dive into her comfort zone—music. She reached for her guitar, set up an interface, and plugged in her microphone to start recording with her computer. She let her emotions pour out through her music, her fear and longing translating into the chords she played. Hours passed in a blur as she recorded nine new songs for her album, pushing herself until her eyes were too tired to stay open. Eventually, exhaustion caught up with her, and she ended up falling asleep right on the living room rug, still in her jeans. In her dreams, vivid images of moss-green eyes and a tender smile danced behind her eyelids.

The next day was her dress fitting with her stylist. They had picked out a stunning satin gown that hugged her curves perfectly, with a high slit and plenty of cleavage. The dress was topped off with sky-high heels, making her feel like she was about to break her neck with every step. But through it all, her mind kept drifting back to Ronan and the text he’d sent the night before. The two words she hadn't seen until that morning: Miss you.

If "Miss you" meant "I can barely function because I can only think about you," then yes, she missed him too. She had somehow become a woman pining for a man. How suburban of her. Her past self would be mortified.

She was settling into recording another song when she heard a knock on her front door, and her pitiful heart lifted at the sound. Without hesitation, she rushed to the front door and flung it open with an eagerness she couldn't contain. A squeal escaped her lips as she laid eyes on the moss-green eyes she had been dreaming about. Ronan stood before her, his lips curving into a smile, his eyebrows lifting in amusement at her involuntary noise.

Her body moved instinctively, driven by the powerful surge of emotion overtaking her. Her arms wrapped around Ronan's neck, and he leaned down, a deep chuckle escaping his lips as his arm wrapped around her waist, drawing her close.

"Miss me?" His velvety whisper caressed her nerve endings, sending goosebumps over her skin. It flowed like honey, a smooth cascade that warmed her at its sound.

"You have no clue," Eden breathed out in relief. Had she ever missed anyone this much before? When they were apart, her heart felt empty, a void that nothing could fill. Life had no color; her world was grayscale. Greens were muted when compared to the green of his eyes.

Ronan had somehow managed to dig deep into her soul, uncovering parts of her she'd buried long ago. All the layers she’d carefully built up lay scattered around her, and there he stood, as if wearing the remnants of her heart and soul, marked by the depth he’d uncovered. Yet, despite it all, she’d never felt so at ease or safe in someone’s arms.

Was she really ready to let this slip through her fingers? Her heart screamed no, a stark contrast to the emotions she was grappling with. She was undeniably falling for him, and the thought sent her stomach into a plummeting nosedive. Time taunted her. They only had one week left to film together. The end of October hung over her head, and panic gripped her throat like a vice.

It all felt like too much, too soon, and her mind spiraled, trapped in a whirlpool of conflicting thoughts, like waves relentlessly crashing against the shore.

She pulled away from Ronan's arms. He was devastating in his worn Levi's and white T-shirt. Her palms grew damp, and she hastily wiped them against the fabric of her dress, the friction failing to alleviate the nervous energy coursing through her. She saw he had a suit bag hanging over his shoulder and his usual backpack on the opposite side.

"A tad presumptuous to assume you're staying over," Eden remarked, her grin betraying the anticipation bubbling inside her. She eyed the suit bag with interest, all too happy to have him stay.

"I can go," he said, a hint of sarcasm coloring his words, gesturing over his shoulder as if preparing to leave.

"No!" The word escaped her lips louder than she had intended, and she could feel her cheeks warming. She cleared her throat and continued, her voice softer this time, "No, stay with me." Her gaze shifted upward to meet his. "What's in the bag, Murphy?"

"It's a tux for the award show tomorrow," Ronan explained, his tone tinged with a hint of enthusiasm. He carefully draped the suit bag over the arm of the couch. A zing of excitement hit her. He would be going to the award show with her. Well, not with her because she knew that BNN would forbid it.

"BNN wants me to go to promote the documentary. They loved my edit, by the way," he added, accompanied by a small, pleased smile. The fact that they had approved his edit filled her with a sense of validation and satisfaction. She wasn't surprised, though. Deep down, she knew that if anyone could make a documentary about her, it would be Ronan. He had the ability to understand her better than she understood herself at times.

"Of course they did. I knew they would." Eden bounced on her toes and gave him a tight hug, unable to stop the excitement coursing through her veins.

"You haven't even watched it,” he said with a huff of a laugh. She pulled away, her arms still circling his shoulders, and looked into his eyes.

"But I know you, and you're amazing," Eden said, her smile directed warmly at him. "You filmed it, so you know all the best bits to show."

"Well, not the best bits. I think those were reserved for my eyes only," he said, his gaze trailing down her body, lingering on her exposed legs in the white stretchy mini-dress. That look he gave her transported her mind back to the memory of his face between her legs, his fingers inside her. The memory sent a spike of a different kind of excitement through her body, and she ached for his hands on her again. Despite the looming project deadline, their brief time apart had made one thing painfully clear: she needed him. Badly . She had wanted him for weeks, and waiting any longer was unbearable.

"You haven't seen everything yet," Eden murmured, her gaze locked with his. Her hands traced a slow path from his shoulders down to his chest, her fingertips gliding over the contours of his muscular form. She gazed deeply into his eyes and asked, "Do you want to see everything?"

Ronan was silent for a few seconds, his breathing hitching slightly at her question. "Yes, I want to see everything. I want you so fucking bad. It's slowly killing me," he rasped. His voice was rough, the words scraping out of his throat. His hands tightened on the fabric of her dress, his fingers trembling as they held onto her hips.

She pushed him toward the couch, and as the back of his legs hit the cushions, he sat down, entranced by her movements. She moistened her bottom lip with the tip of her tongue and reached up to the cap sleeve of her dress. Ronan's eyes darkened as he watched her fingers play with the edge of the sleeves.

Slowly, she pulled the dress's sleeves down her shoulders, hesitating for a few beats. Then, she tugged the fabric down over her bare breasts, causing them to jolt from the motion. Beneath her pert breasts was a fine line tattoo of a flowering tree branch, delicate and intricate. The tattoo extended from the gentle curve of her breastbone, downward toward her flat abdomen. She watched as his eyes followed the movement with rapt attentiveness, his breathing growing heavier with each passing second.

"Fuck," he groaned, his voice an octave lower. His hands raked down his thighs, and she could see his bulge clearly straining against the zipper of his jeans. "Don't forget to show me the back, baby."

"Wouldn't dream of it," she whispered, turning her body so he could see the back of her. She pulled the dress down painfully slow over her ass, leaving her in only a white lace thong. The cool air pricked her skin, sending a shiver up her spine. She let the dress pool around her ankles before slowly turning the front of her body towards him. The way his eyes roamed her body, filled with raw desire, sent a thrill through her, making her feel both powerful and vulnerable.

"You're so fucking beautiful," he rasped, his eyes captivated by her every movement. His hungry gaze traced the contours of her body with an almost insatiable desire. "Come here, let me touch you," he urged, his voice tinged with deep frustration. "Let me feel you." His voice was low and rough, a testament to the restraint coursing through him.

"Say please," she teased, flashing a sly smile as she played with the side of her lace thong. Ronan's eyes, filled with desire, locked onto hers.

"You look like an angel, but you're the devil in disguise. Please, baby," he pleaded, his voice laced with need. His fingers tugged slightly at his hair. She walked over to him slowly and straddled his legs. She settled gently on his thighs, their bodies now tantalizingly close.

"Is this what you want?" Her voice was a sultry whisper as she sensually slid down his legs, moving ever closer to his lap. She rubbed the peaks of her aroused nipples over the fabric of his shirt, sending shivers of anticipation down her spine. His hands roamed down her smooth, bare back, his fingers dancing through the silky strands of her hair, causing a tremor to ripple through her body.

"Yes," he breathed, his eyes dark with desire. "It's exactly what I want." His hands tightened on her hips, pulling her closer. "I need you, Eden. Now," his voice rumbled like distant thunder against the delicate skin of her shoulder.

His lips found the spot between her neck and shoulder, leaving a lingering kiss. She eagerly reached for the back of the couch cushion, inching herself closer until her aching center met the hardness straining beneath his jeans. He let out a groan at the contact, and that sound that unleashed something in her and her mouth met him in a forceful collision.

A soft moan escaped her lips as their mouths melded together, his skillful tongue slipping into her mouth. Her hips began to sway and grind against the firmness in his jeans, and she reveled in the delicious friction that the rough fabric created against her thin panties. His hands ventured lower, gripping her ass, pulling her impossibly close, and rubbing his erection against her core.

He reluctantly withdrew his mouth from hers. His lips trailed down her neck, grazing his teeth over her pulse point before sucking on the sensitive skin. She writhed against his hips at the sensation, her body responding instinctively to his touch.

"I am going to taste every inch of you," he whispered huskily against her flushed skin. Her fingers dug into his broad shoulders, feeling the strength beneath his smooth skin. His lips and teeth traced a tortuous path to her right nipple, each delicate touch sending waves of pleasure through her. She arched her back and a low, sensual moan escaped her lips as he lavished attention on her sensitive bud.

His hands roamed freely over her body, exploring every curve and contour as if he were trying to memorize every inch of her. She felt his fingers tracing the line of her spine, leaving a trail of fire in their wake.

"God, Ronan," she murmured, her voice a breathless whisper as he shifted slightly, focusing his attention on her other breast. His tongue flicked over her nipple before sucking it gently, sending waves of pleasure coursing through her. His hand moved to touch her breast, his fingers teasing the stiff peak as he explored her curves.

His eyes, filled with desire, traced the lines of the tattoo on her sternum, his gaze lingering on the intricate design.

"This is beautiful," he murmured, his warm lips pressing a soft kiss on one of the flower's intricate centers. "Almost as beautiful as you." His tongue followed the lines of her tattoo, tracing the delicate petals of the flower and the branch that curved between her breasts.

As his hand slipped down the front of her panties, Eden's hips shifted, seeking more pressure from his touch. Ronan teased her, moving his hand back slightly, and she let out a whine of frustration. He was torturing her, and the mischievous grin on his face told her he was enjoying every moment of it. Prick .

"Is this what you dream about, Devil?" he asked, a smug smirk playing on his lips as his pupils dilated with desire. "I heard about your little sex dream about me at the motel. You were rubbing against me in your sleep."

Shock surged through her; she vividly remembered the dream from that night, but she had no idea her subconscious desires had been so evident.

"How did you know the dream was about you?" Eden's voice was a sultry murmur as she playfully nibbled his earlobe, teasing him. Like it could be anyone else, it was a laughable thought. Like anyone else had this type of control over her.

"You said my name, Eden," Her stomach dipped at the rough possessive note in his voice. That was humiliating. Her face felt engulfed with flames. His thumb brushed gently over her flushed cheek, and her eyelids fluttered in response to the intimate touch.

His voice, husky with desire, confessed, "I can guarantee I fantasize about being with you a lot more." Doubtful, she thought about being with him so much that it could be her full-time job, forget her music career.

"I dreamed about you wrapped around my cock," he whispered roughly in her ear, his filthy words sending a shiver down her spine. His fingers pressed against the center of her lace panties while his other hand teased and pinched her nipple. The delicate caress mixed with the rough tug sent electric waves of pleasure coursing through her body. Her brain misfired, and a moan escaped her lips, her hips involuntarily jolting against his touch.

"I dreamed about those sweet sounds I knew you would make," he said roughly against her mouth, and she whimpered at his roughness. His fingers slipped beneath the edge of her thong, the lace offering no resistance as he explored her. He dipped his fingers into her panties, running them over her core. A growl of approval escaped him as he felt her wetness. She felt out of control, her hips bucking against his fingers, begging for more. Her body sought to quell the ache, the emptiness, the lack of something solid inside of her, while her walls clenched in anticipation of his touch.

"Please," she begged, tugging on his hair, tempted to pull it out if he didn't give her what she needed. She wasn't above begging; she didn't have an ounce of shame at this moment. The need for him consumed every fiber of her being. She needed him now . Actually, she needed him inside of her a month and a half ago.

Her fingers reached down, popping the button of his jeans with a quick movement. Carefully, she pulled his zipper down and reached her hand into his jeans, pulling his cock out, her hands stroking his velvet length. She bit his bottom lip, a playful nip that was quickly soothed by the wet, sensual slide of her tongue. His hands moved to her hips as her touch sent a deep, guttural sound vibrating through him. Their mouths locked together, a desperate whimper escaping from her mouth.

"I need you inside me now," she panted against his lips, her breath erratic, her urgency unmistakable.

"Fuck, wait," Ronan grunted, trying to interject as she pressed on with her fervent kisses while her hand stroked him up and down. She couldn't bear to hear whatever he was about to say—no more waiting.

"I don't have a condom. I...I haven't had sex in over a year," his voice strained. Her stomach dropped at his confession, sending a flurry of possessiveness through her. It solidified how serious this was between them. She knew he wasn't the type for one-night flings, and she could only hope that meant he was serious about her.

"Shit... I bought some, but... I left them in Lake Tahoe," she growled in frustration. She had forgotten them in their rush to leave.

"What—" His eyes rolled back in his head as she bucked her center up and down on his shaft. Her body ached for him in a way she had never felt before. She was desperate for the sensation of being stretched around him, entirely consumed by him.

"Please, don't stop," Eden's breathy plea brushed over his lips, her every movement relentless as she created delicious friction with his shaft. "I'm on the shot, and I got tested recently."

Ronan's face became a canvas of emotions in that fleeting moment—tenderness, longing, and a fierce desire all painted across his features. She knew he couldn't resist any longer. These emotions passed in the blink of an eye, replaced by an unbridled hunger, and he responded with a rough, burning kiss on her lips.

"Okay. Okay.. I'm clean, too." He whispered against her lips as she gripped his impressive length firmly. She moved her hips with a purpose, her slick heat rubbing against the hard, throbbing heat of his cock, her underwear pushed to the side.

"Shit." Ronan grated through clenched teeth as his head fell back on the couch by the sensation of her wet heat meeting his bare cock.

Suddenly, she was lifted slightly into the air, one of his hands firmly gripping her waist. A gasp escaped her lips as the fabric of her thong was pulled down her legs in one swift, brutal motion by his other hand. The scrap of fabric landed somewhere across the room, forgotten. Ronan then lowered her back onto his lap, his jeans still in place. There was something so erotic about him being fully clothed, only his fly undone, while she was completely naked.

She hovered herself over his tip, her body trembling with anticipation. As she slowly sank down onto his length, his guiding hands on her hips ensured that every inch was claimed. A moan of sheer ecstasy escaped her lips as she was stretched to accommodate his size, her legs quivering in response.

"Fuck, you feel perfect, baby," Ronan whispered as he began to rock his hips, pushing deeper into her with each rough thrust. Eden moaned in response to the intense sensation. His eyes dipped to watch their strokes, then his eyes closed, and his head rolled on the back of the couch cushion at the sight, groaning.

Their mouths crashed together in a desperate, hungry kiss, his tongue sinking into her mouth as she rode him. His hands found her ass, gripping it firmly as he pulled her into his lap, guiding their movements. Her hips ground down while he lifted his hips to meet her, her body glistening with a sheen of perspiration.

Her pace quickened, and he hit a spot that caused her eyes to roll back in her head. Her breath hitched, her encroaching orgasm building. He slipped his hand between them, his fingers finding her sensitive clit. He began to rub it in small, circles, sending her into a frenzy of pleasure.

"That's it, baby," he said roughly, his eyes half-lidded as he watched her. "Take what's yours."

His words spurred her on, and her movements became faster and more urgent. Her muscles tightened as her orgasm built with a relentless intensity. As the wave of her orgasm crashed over her, her breath caught in her throat, and her body trembled with the force of her release. Their hips ground together, her slick flesh gripping him tightly. Ronan let out a primal groan as his movements sputtered, and he thrust deep inside her, finding his own release.

In the quiet aftermath, their bodies lay still; the only sound was their rapid breaths. Eden's arms, which had been tightly wound around Ronan's neck, softened. She leaned in and placed a feather-light kiss on his temple, tasting the subtle saltiness of his sweat.

He brushed aside the strands of hair that clung to her neck and back, allowing the cool air to hit her flushed skin. They lay there until their ragged breaths smoothed out. She kissed his lips softly before lifting off him, her bare feet making contact with the cool floor. She reached out her hand and pulled him up, his big body swaying as he stood. She led him into her primary bathroom and reached past the shower's glass door to flick on the warm water.

Turning from the shower, Eden looked at Ronan. His dark hair was tousled, his jeans still unbuttoned, and his white shirt wrinkled. He looked debauched, perfectly disheveled.

"I feel a little underdressed," Eden joked as she looked down at her naked body, her words punctuated by Ronan's appreciative gaze, which eagerly roved over her exposed body. She tugged at the hem of his shirt, and he raised his arms to allow her to peel the fabric away. Her lips met his bare shoulder, savoring the sensation of his smooth, warm skin beneath them. Her hands ran down the length of his arms, feeling the firm muscles of his biceps.

Slowly, her lips descended, planting soft kisses along his chest and tracing a path to his flat stomach. She shifted her body and fell to her knees in front of his legs; her eyes fixated on him as she grabbed the waistband of his jeans and underwear. With deliberate movements, she inched them down his legs, sliding the fabric until it puddled around his ankles. Then, she threw them across the bathroom floor, her focus solely on him.

She traced the lines of his body, finally able to see him fully. She had admired him for weeks, watching his toned arms flex as he held the camera upright, his strong legs shifting over a motorcycle. He was beautiful, his body looked powerful and fortress-like.

"You are a work of art, Ro," Eden whispered, her voice filled with appreciation as her eyes trailed his body. Her hands explored his solid, unyielding muscles, her touch gentle as if she were afraid to disturb the exquisite surface. She brushed his hip softly with the tips of her fingers, feeling the warmth of his skin beneath her touch, eliciting a soft breath from his lips at the feather-like caress. Her lips placed a faint kiss on his velvet head, then dragged her tongue across the underside of his shaft.

His strong hands fisted in her hair as she wrapped her lips around him, taking him deeply into her mouth. Her tongue danced along his shaft, tasting the remnants of their salty arousal mingled on his skin.

"Fuck," he rasped, his fingers tangling in her hair as he pulled her head back. "No," he growled, the urgency palpable in his voice. "I need to be back inside of you. I'm not done with your tight little pussy."

With a swift movement, he lifted her by her arms, her legs instinctively wrapping around his torso as their mouths crashed together in a hungry, feverish kiss.

He carried her under the warm shower spray, the water cascading over their intertwined bodies. Eden's hair instantly soaked under the spray, clinging to her skin in dark strands. Ronan pinned her against the tiled wall of the shower, his lips trailing over her glistening skin, leaving a trail of wet kisses in their wake. Her body arched in response as he boosted her higher against the cool tiles, her back pressing into the smooth surface.

His tongue traced a path from her shoulder to her erect nipple, sending shivers of pleasure coursing through her body while his hands squeezed her ass in a possessive grip. Just as his tongue brushed against her sensitive peak, Eden seized his shoulders, pulling herself impossibly closer, her legs wrapping tightly around his waist. He rubbed the head of his cock over her slick entrance, teasing her.

A loud moan escaped Eden's lips as she felt the heat of his cock against her, her body trembling with anticipation. Her head pushed back against the cool wall, her back arching against the slick surface. With a slow, deliberate motion, he began to slide the first few inches inside her, each inch sending waves of pleasure coursing through her body. Then, with a demanding thrust, he pushed into her, filling her completely as her walls fluttered around him.

"God, you feel better than I could have ever imagined," he growled against her neck, his voice dripping with desire. Her body shivered at his words, and she felt as if she could climax right then and there after just one stroke, her senses overwhelmed by the sheer intensity of their connection.

Within seconds, Eden found herself teetering on the edge, her entire being consumed by the fire coursing through her veins. Her fingernails digging into his shoulders as she desperately clung to him, lost in the whirlwind of sensation. He continued to drive into her with relentless intensity, each thrust pushing her closer to the brink of release.

Leaning forward, he captured her lips in a kiss, their mouths crashing together desperately. His tongue devoured hers as warm water slid off his shoulders against sensitive nipples. Oh, Lucifer .

Her body bucked involuntarily against his, her head sliding against the tiles as a loud moan escaped her lips. "Ronan," she groaned, her voice filled with longing and desire. He responded by pinning her hips firmly against the shower wall, his thumb pressing into the crest of her hip bone as his thrusts quickened, driving her closer to the edge of euphoria. Her legs trembled uncontrollably, her entire being straining for release.

"I feel that pretty pussy clamping down on me. I know you're close," he whispered roughly in her ear, his warm breath sending shivers down her spine as he gently bit her earlobe. His words ignited a fire within her, pushing her over the edge.

With a forceful arch of her body away from the wall, her inner walls clenched tightly around him as she reached her climax. Ronan leaned over, his deep groan vibrating against her sensitive skin as he buried his face in the crook of her neck. Pulling her closer, his pace stuttered as he approached his own peak.

His lips captured hers with a fervent hunger, a deep possessiveness that stole her breath. His fingers entwined in her damp hair.

"Eden," he whispered her name, the sound both demanding and desperate. When he said it, it was more than just her name. It was a confession, a declaration of the intimacy they now shared. Something had irreversibly shifted between them like they had crossed an unspoken line that could never be undone. He had left a permanent mark on her heart, branding it in a way that made it clear there could be no other. It was him, or no one at all.