Happily Ever After: A Contemporary Romance Boxed Set

by Piper Rayne

  I look behind me, but only see bakery patrons enjoying their breakfast.

  “Sorry,” he says with a sigh.

  “Is it that girl, Del?” I ask, stirring my coffee again even though I don’t need to.

  “She keeps texting me,” he says. “Says she wants to talk.”

  I try to park my feelings in neutral. There’s no reason for me to get jealous. He’s told me he’s through with her and I believe him.

  “I tried a couple of days ago, but she wasn’t here. I guess I’m going to have to go out to her house.”

  “Is that bad?”

  A conflicted look takes over his face. “I used to spend time there as a kid. We built forts and climbed trees and rode bikes … that kind of thing.”

  I warm my hands around my coffee cup.

  “So, to go there to discuss whatever she needs to get off her chest, after what happened this spring … it just brings up weird feelings.”

  “It’s really good of you not to just blow her off,” I say.

  He rubs the back of his neck. “It’s not that I don’t care about her,” he says. “I mean, our families are friends. Have been forever.”

  “Do you think she still wants to be with you?”

  “Maybe?” he replies softly, staring into his coffee. “I never really know with her.”

  I raise my eyebrow. “Want me to talk some sense into her?”

  He looks up sharply, his eyes lighting up with mischief. “Very funny.”

  “Hey, you did it for me, it’s the least I can do.”

  He smiles.

  Our breakfast arrives, and we both dig in. I realize how hungry I am. The first buttery bite of bear claw melts on my tongue. I groan in ecstasy.

  He fires me a look. “You are going to have to keep that under control.”

  “You going to make me?” I say, licking frosting off the tip of my finger.

  His eyes lock on mine. “You are in such big trouble.”

  My mind goes to the many forms of trouble he’s referring to. He must be thinking of them too because he gives me a playful smirk.

  After breakfast, I climb on the back of his bike and we drive down the gravel road to the highway, then north to the turnoff to camp. I’m due back for our arrival of campers in a little less than an hour.

  “Can we keep going?” I ask him. “Just a little longer?” I’ll be cutting it close in terms of time, but right now, I don’t care. I’m not ready to see him drive off. I’m not ready to be apart from him for the next six days.

  Caleb doesn’t hesitate and accelerates past the turn. I close my eyes and savor the rush of wind on my legs and the warmth of his body. We drive north, cruising around bends in the road, accelerating on the straightaways. Below us, Penny Creek is a ribbon of whitewater, tumbling over pale boulders into sea-green pools.

  We stop at an overlook where an old concrete dam built for mining blocked the river but failed during a flood fifty years ago.

  I stare down the tight canyon walls to where the green current roars, my emotions surging with it.

  “You okay?” Caleb asks, coming up behind me. He caresses down my arms.

  “I wish we could just keep driving,” I say.

  He plants a soft kiss on the top of my head. “You mean like play hooky? Won’t you get in trouble for that?”

  My shoulders sag in defeat. Am I stupid to think he might feel the same way about me?

  Caleb spins me around. His troubled gaze searches mine for answers.

  “Claudia’s right, summer’s almost over,” I say.

  “I know,” he says, looking anxious.

  “But I don’t want it to end.”

  His jaw tightens. “Me neither.”

  “I wish…” I stop myself before I say something stupid. Something I’ll regret.

  He caresses my face with the edge of his thumb. “You wish what?”

  I inhale a steadying breath. “That this wasn’t just … a fling.”

  His face tightens, and immediately, I regret what I said. It’s like I’ve hurt him. “But that’s what you wanted, right?”

  “Maybe at first,” I say, trying to connect with his troubled eyes. “But not anymore.”

  He watches the current below. “What about when you go off to college?” His face scrunches in distaste. “Maybe you should … explore.”

  I laugh out loud. “How could I possibly want to explore with anyone but you?”

  His blue eyes tighten. “The thought of you with anyone else drives me fucking nuts.” He exhales hard. “I never thought I’d feel like this,” he says.

  Flutters erupt in my belly. “I tried hard not to,” I say. “This was supposed to be my summer of fun.”

  His eyebrows shoot up. “It hasn’t been fun?”

  I laugh again, then stroke the side of his handsome face. How can I say what’s in my heart? “It’s been better than anything I could have imagined.”

  “Then why do you look like that?”

  My emotions rise so fast my knees buckle. “Because,” I say, biting back the sting behind my eyes. I gulp a tight breath. “Because I love you.”

  His eyes soften. “Oh, baby,” he whispers. He leans in to kiss me, a hungry powerful kiss.

  “It’s crazy, right?” I say as my tears threaten to leak from my eyes.

  He lowers his head and inhales a long breath. “It’s actually not crazy,” he says, finally meeting my eyes. “I can’t stand the thought of losing you.”

  The tears spring free. “But it’s happening.”

  “Not if we don’t let it.” He gazes into my eyes. “I love you, too.”

  Joy blooms so fast inside me I gasp. “You do?”

  His lips curl into a soft smile. “Yeah, I do.” He takes my face in his hands. “I’m wild about you, Lori. I don’t want this to end.”

  I jump into his arms and close my eyes. “What are we going to do?”

  “I’ll move to California.”

  Conflicting thoughts tangle inside my mind. “But we’ll still be far apart.”

  “I’ll come see you on weekends.” He pulls me closer for a tender kiss. “It probably won’t be a lot different than it is now.”

  I should argue because it’ll be a lot different, but I’m getting too excited to stop him.

  “Are you sure we can do this?” I ask.

  “I want to try,” he says, his eyes fierce.

  I kiss him again, my heart filling with a powerful ache.

  “I wish I didn’t have to take you to camp right now,” he says.

  “For once I’m not excited about drop off day,” I say.

  He stares at me, his gray-blue eyes softening. “I will never be able to get enough of you.”

  My sex clenches. “Promise?”

  “I’ve created a monster, huh?”

  I laugh.

  He kisses me again. “Just you wait until Thursday night, when I get you all to myself again.”

  The colors of the canyon swirl around me. “I’m this close to quitting my job so I don’t have to wait.”

  He shakes his head, then steps back, tugging on my hand.

  “Let’s get you to camp,” he says, his eyes shining.

  He leads me to his bike, and we get on. The engine purrs to life and he coasts to the highway, then accelerates south.

  I hug him tight while all my emotions spin upside down, making me dizzy.

  My heart glows hot from all the passion Caleb brings out in me, yet there’s still so much uncertainty about where we’re headed. Will I be able to manage a long-distance relationship while studying my brains out at Stanford? What if Caleb changes his mind once he gets to San Diego?

  I squeeze him tighter, but the very real possibility I’m setting myself up for misery settles in.

  Everything feels so new and fragile.

  What if we’re not strong enough to stay together?

  24

  Caleb

  Every spare minute of my next three days, I spend making plans. Li
ning up a place to live in San Diego. Withdrawing from school. Figuring out how I’m going to get my stuff to California—not much room on the bike for a guitar and my kayak.

  I’ve been on a high since the overlook. I’m still blown away—me, in love? How is this possible? I feel like the luckiest man alive.

  I know she’s worried that long distance is going to be too hard, but I’m going to prove her wrong. This can work. It has to.

  I pick Lori up the evening her last session of camp ends. We go to Louie’s for pizza. I order a Lumberjack with extra Canadian bacon—our favorite, then listen to her describe all the crazy antics of her final days of being a camp counselor.

  Even though I’ve been hungry for her since the minute I dropped her off last Thursday, when we get back to my place, I force myself to slow everything down. We have only two nights left here, and then everything will change.

  Once inside my room I pull her to me and kiss her, slowly, tasing her soft, plush lips. I brush the stray hairs from her face and caress her slender neck. The space between us turns molten. Her hands slide under my t-shirt, her touch urging me on. I tug off her tank top and stroke down her back. She feathers her fingertips up my chest, brushing past my nipples. I release a low groan. Just her touch does this to me.

  I slide her shorts down her hips. They land on the floor and she steps to the side. I caress up the back of her thighs to her ass. I’ve been fantasizing about her ass all night. Maybe it’s the way her shorts hug her curves just right. Maybe it’s that I know how soft and perfect she feels.

  Lori releases a shuddering sigh. I unsnap her bra and slide it from her shoulders, then come back to stroke her. She hisses a breath through her teeth. I lower my mouth and wrap my lips around one, tugging gently before swirling her with my tongue.

  Her grip on my waist tightens. I lavish the other one with all the attention it deserves while caressing the first one with my fingertips, rolling and teasing. She arches to me, her breaths quickening. Her tits feel fantastic cupped in my hands—warm and lush—ripe, like a peach. I love making her feel this good—especially so now that I know her struggles. It makes pleasuring her more meaningful, like we’re sharing a secret. Has she ever been that vulnerable with anyone? Something tells me no. I know I haven’t. And we’re only just beginning. What other fears will she trust me with? I want them—all of them. I want to know every part of her.

  I sit her on the edge of the bed and peel her panties off, then settle on my knees.

  She gives me a questioning look, but I urge her thighs apart and kiss my way up slowly, savoring her warm, taut skin. I caress with little strokes from my thumb, moving closer and closer to her heat.

  “Finally,” I say, breathing a puff of hot air over her. “Dessert.”

  She gives a little laugh. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I am absolutely serious.” I give her a single, soft lick.

  Lori releases a little whimper, her body quivering.

  “I want to make you come,” I say.

  “Oh wow,” Lori says.

  “Could you be any more adorable?” I say, then lower my mouth to her for another tease.

  “Caleb,” she whispers.

  That word sends a pulse of heat to my dick. She doesn’t even know she’s doing it. That’s how fucking sexy she is.

  I shuffle closer and spread her thighs further. She’s so tense I have to coax them, but she lets me. Her hands are braced against the edge of the bed. I leave them there for now.

  I wrap my lips around her plush folds and suck gently, then glide my tongue up and down. Easy strokes at first, left side, then right, then circle her clit. From our many times together in this room, I’ve learned exactly what she needs. I could make her come in two minutes, but I want to make this last. I lick with the flat of my tongue, then the tip, teasing, swirling. She releases a shuddering breath. I play with her clit a little more, sucking gently.

  Her knees give a tiny quiver. I caress the smooth patch of skin on her inner thigh with my calloused thumb—that contrast between her silkiness and my roughness stoking my engine. Makes me want to flip her over and drive hard inside her.

  I grin to myself because the night is young. We have plenty of time for that.

  I caress her folds, coating my fingers with her arousal while gliding with my tongue. Slowly, I drive one finger inside her. Her tight heat clenches around me. Fuck I could come just from touching her like this.

  She sighs a soft moan.

  I thrust and caress until she’s ready, then add another finger. Even after everything I’ve done to her, she’s still so fucking tight.

  Her grip on the edge of the bed tightens and she arches her hips to me. I go slowly until she’s trembling and gasping.

  “You ready to come for me, baby?” I ask.

  Her face tightens and her eyes shine golden in the low light. “Yes,” she gasps.

  An intense need crashes through me. I curl my fingers in just the right place as I graze my teeth past her clit. She rocks with my thrusts. I suck harder, plunge deeper, moving with her, anticipating her sweet release.

  She comes in a series of soft cries as we move together in harmony. All my fears get blasted away. In this moment, everything is perfect and good.

  Little aftershocks shake her frame as I kiss up her body and wrap her in a tight embrace, my cheek against her warm belly. Our fast breaths fill my quiet room.

  I kiss my way up, pausing to gently lick each breast, enjoying the way she shudders, then stand and gaze down at her sweet face, so open and trusting. I comb back her hair, then lean down to kiss her lips.

  She surprises me by untying my board shorts. They fall to the floor.

  I raise my eyebrow.

  She gives me a sexy little smile. Her hands glide up my thighs to my cock, which right now might as well be made of steel.

  With no hesitation, she grips me and glides her lips around my tip.

  I suck in a breath. Fuck, it’s good.

  She takes me deeper. My head falls back. Her hot mouth feels like silk, and the way she’s gripping the base of me so tight makes it even more intense.

  I comb through her hair again and brace my fingers on the back of her head.

  She hums her desire. I bite my lip because, fuck, knowing she likes this is a major turn on.

  She glides up and down, tightening her mouth over my crown each time. Does she know this drives me fucking wild? Or is it because her mouth can barely take me?

  From that first time in the barn, I know not to thrust too hard. Though I’m encouraging her with my hand on her head.

  “Fuck, Lori,” I say as my balls start to tingle. “You want me to come in that pretty mouth of yours?”

  She hums her reply.

  I start to rock in little pulses in time with her thrusts. She starts to pump me in tandem with her mouth, making everything feel tight and hot. Her firm lips on my head feel like a dance with danger. Any harder would be painful, any softer and I’d go fucking insane.

  I can’t take it any longer, and slide from her lips. I grab a condom from my drawer and place it in her palm.

  She bites her lip and tears the package open. It’s crazy hot watching her concentrate, my pulsing dick an inch from her face. She can stay right where she is, and I could stroke myself till I come on her gorgeous tits. Maybe that’ll be next on our list.

  She carefully rolls the rubber down my shaft, then looks up at me with those innocent eyes.

  “You wanna try taking me from behind, doll?” I say, caressing her soft lower lip.

  Her cheeks flush. “Um, okay,” she says.

  I lean down to kiss her, then break away and help her roll to her knees. She lands on her hands with her legs slightly parted, her pussy pink and needy.

  “Fuck, this is hot,” I say with a groan, gliding my fingers down her spine, over the globes of her ass. Before climbing onto the bed, I lower my lips and taste this part of her, the smooth curve and delectable skin. My fingers caress up
her inner thigh to her folds. I suck on her flesh and stroke with my fingers, then kiss lower. I urge her shoulders down and she complies, exposing everything to me.

  From behind she’s just as perfect. I urge her thighs apart and take her into my mouth.

  Lori gasps, lowering her head to the sheets.

  I wrap my lips around her and suck gently at first, softly while my fingers glide and tease. I love how good I can make her feel, and that she trusts me to try this means the world to me. Like we’re walking through a secret door to a place only we share.

  I grip her ass and glide my tongue inside her. She arches to me, her core tensing. I fuck her with my tongue until I feel her quiver, then kiss up the back of her thighs and climb onto the bed.

  I grasp my shaft and glide against her hot folds while cradling her waist with my other hand. My cock pulses as I lock onto her opening. Her body gives a little quiver.

  “You okay?” I say, pausing in order to read her.

  She turns back, her eyes blazing yes.

  “We don’t have to,” I say. “This isn’t some test you have to pass.”

  The look she gives me melts through every layer of my heart right into its tender core, a place I’ve never shared with anyone.

  “Caleb,” she whispers.

  I lean over her, my body covering hers like a blanket. I kiss her while my cock throbs between her folds, eager to be inside her but only if this is what she wants.

  “I want to,” she says when I break away.

  A shiver zips over my skin. I kiss down her spine, then grasp the base of my shaft and lock onto her opening.

  “Deep breath, baby.”

  She complies.

  “Good girl,” I praise, and slowly drive inside.

  I clench my eyes shut as she takes me. Fucking hell, she feels good like this. Tighter. Plus, the incredible view is mainlining hot blood straight to my cock, making me even harder.

  Easy, cowboy, I tell myself. I’m not coming until she does.

  I stroke back and drive again, deeper this time. It’s more intense for her this way, especially because of my size.

  “Breathe, doll,” I whisper, stroking over her ass.

  She does, then releases a desperate sigh. Around my dick, she gives a little pulse.