by C. A. Harms
“I want the couch right there,” I pointed toward the window, “kicked sideways, actually. Enough that you can see the television as well as overlook the lake too.”
“Dude,” Mickey said from my left. “Are you getting sappy on us?”
“AJ likes the view,” I said without looking at him. “And that exact spot holds some really great memories so far.”
Everyone pitched in, and first thing that morning we all started cleaning up my place. The windows were cleaned, the floor polished and vacuumed. Thanks to my mom and Aunt Maria, there were curtains, or drapes, whatever the hell they called them, covering each window.
Things were really starting to come together.
“When is your girl expected back?”
I stared ahead and watched as Dad and Uncle Gavin set the couch centered on the area rug, just before the large floor-to-ceiling window. I could actually picture AJ and me curled up watching a movie, or falling asleep while watching the sunset.
“Not sure,” I finally answered.
Last night after we ended our call, I lay awake thinking of her smile. It may have only been a little more than a month that she and I officially started dating, but the attachment I had to this girl was powerful. Hell, it even shocked me how reliant I had become on her and the support she offered. Everything just felt better with AJ around.
“You got it bad.” Mikey let out a low whistle, and I looked up just in time to see Dad and Gavin chuckle regarding his comment. Part of me wanted to shoot back at him with some smartass comment that would bring him down a few notches, but honestly what was the point? I did have it bad.
“Leave him alone.” My mother entered the living room with Aunt Maria hot on her tail. “I for one am happy to see him smiling and enjoying himself again. AJ is a sweet girl.”
“She keeps his ass in line too,” my father chimed in.
“Just like I do you,” Mom fired right back at him, and instantly the man became mushy as he sauntered over to her and hooked her around the waist. He pulled her close and she let out a loud squeal before he dipped her back and planted a big kiss on her lips.
“Gross.” Grace entered carrying a box. “Can you two spare the rest of us and make out on your own time?” Dad hassled Grace a little more by adding more kisses, only he added loud kissing noises to accentuate, but the only thing I could focus on was the pretty girl standing just behind Grace. AJ stood with her hands in the pockets of her jean shorts, also wearing a tight yellow tank top and flip-flops on her feet. Her hair was piled up on top her head, all messy like, but on her it looked perfect.
She was watching my father and my mother with a huge smile on her face. She had yet to look in my direction, but I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was gorgeous, and I wasn’t just referring to her looks. The person who lay beneath the beauty was one who managed to make me fall a little more each day.
Another loud squeal erupted, and I looked just in time to see Grace being lifted over dad’s shoulder and spun around in circles. “Daddy, I’m gonna puke.”
“It’s all right, it’s Rhett’s place, not mine.”
When I shifted my gaze back to AJ, I found she was looking at me, a sweet smile on her lips as she remained hovering by the door. Without a second thought, I began moving toward her and reached out to hook my finger through the belt loop of her shorts. I pulled her body to mine, and she moved without hesitation. “Hi,” I whispered as I dipped my head and pressed a soft kiss to her lips.
“Hi,” she said in return, her eyes still closed.
“I wanted to have as much furniture as I could moved in before you got here.”
“I could leave and come back later.” She looked up at me through those long lashes of hers. “I hate to put a damper on your plans.”
“Like hell you will, woman.” I clipped my other arm around her waist and pulled her body tightly to my own. “In fact, you aren’t getting out of my sight for at least the next twenty-four hours.” I leaned in and kissed her once more. “We’ve got some lost time to make up for.”
“I was only gone for one night.” AJ smiled up at me, and there was so much hidden in that smile. When she looked at me the way she was right then, it made me feel like a fucking kid because I knew that she felt how special she was to me. And in that, I was giving her exactly what she needed.
“One night that felt like ten,” I whispered. “Let’s not do that anymore.” She laughed, and I swear it hit me so deep. “Do you understand just how much I need you in my life?” She stopped laughing and once again gave me that look of hers that said so very much. It was full of hope and possibilities. “What do you say we kick all these fools out and spend the rest of the day and night together, just the two of us?”
“I’d like that.” Her arms snaked around my waist and she linked her hands together behind my back. “And just so you know, I missed you too.”
***
I woke to an empty bed and immediately tossed back the covers. I did my best to avoid the boxes sitting around and the bags of items my mother insisted I needed as I moved from my bedroom in search of AJ.
The moment I stepped out of the room I saw her, a silhouette of beauty standing near the large window overlooking the lake behind the barn. Instead of moving toward her, I stood in the darkness and just watched her. She stood with her back to me, a blanket wrapped around her body hanging off both shoulders and pooling on the floor at her feet. She held it securely at her front as she leaned one shoulder on the wall next to the window. She looked so breathtaking, just staring out into the distance, almost lost in her own thoughts.
“You are gorgeous,” I said into the darkness and watched as she looked back over her shoulder toward me, though her body remained in the very same position. “Every time I look at you, I see that sweet smile of yours or the way you look up at me with that awed look on your face, and I feel like the wind has been knocked out of me.”
Then she turned and rested her back against the wall, still holding the blanket to her body.
“I feel like all day, every day still isn’t enough time with you.”
I started moving across the room toward her, feeling as if my body grew more alert with each step. Closing the distance, I took one last step and paused, only a few inches remaining between the two of us. With the moonlight reflecting off the water, I could see her clearly, and that deep ache in my chest returned. I didn’t know how I ever managed to avoid this girl, how I didn’t see the beauty she held. Everything about her was amazing, perfect.
Reaching up, I moved away the stray strand of hair that had fallen from the mass still piled atop her head and tucked it behind her ear. There were so many things I wanted to say to her, so many things I wanted to assure her of, but instead I slid my hand around the back of her neck and leaned in to rest my forehead to hers.
I’d always thought there was absolutely no way I could ever feel even close to what I felt for Harley for another girl. In my mind, the possibility of loving another felt unattainable, but at that very moment, I understood that though I loved Harley, what I felt for her was young love, that crazed infatuation between a boy and girl. What I felt for AJ was something different. What I felt for her was hunger, and desire, pure and raw, an ache so deep that I understood nothing could touch it. This woman had managed to grab ahold of me and capture me with her smile alone.
“I adore you, AJ,” I whispered, feeling the tightness in my chest grow even tighter. “What I feel for you both excites me and terrifies me.”
“It scares me too,” she confessed. “Sometimes the fear makes it feel as if I can barely breathe.”
It was too early to confess love, I knew that, but fuck I wanted to. I wanted to tell her that she had woken me up, she had forced me to see that she was exactly who I needed.
“I keep telling myself that I need to move slow with you,” I whispered, pulling her body closer to mine. “But if I’m being honest with myself and with you, I don’t want to go slow. I want everything with yo
u, and I want it now. For the first time in longer than I can remember, I’m happy. I feel so alive when I’m with you.”
“I just want to let go of the fear I feel, and I want to take everything you’re offering me.”
“Then do it,” I pushed her. “Believe me when I tell you that you are all I want, and not just because it is you that is here.” I grabbed her hand and placed it against my bare chest on the space over my heart. “You are here, baby,” I confessed. It was a confession without saying the words. “Please understand that I’m exactly where I wanna be with the one I want to share it with.”
AJ closed her eyes for only a second before she rose up on her tiptoes and pressed her lips to mine. The blanket dropped to the floor, and suddenly her naked body was pressed firmly against my own.
“Show me,” she said against my lips.
I placed one hand behind each of her thighs and lifted her as she hooked her legs around my waist. With her lips still locked on mine, she reached between us and guided my cock to her wetness. The moment I felt her against me my, hips shifted and I slid inside her, hearing her gasp.
Quickly moving her backward, I pressed her to the wall and thrust forward even further, entering her completely. She gripped my shoulders and arched her back, pushing her breasts up and out, bringing them closer to my mouth. Taking full advantage, I trailed my tongue over one erect bud, and she whimpered as I felt her growing even wetter.
“Show me,” she repeated as she shifted her hips against mine. I knew what she was asking, and though I wanted to take things slow, I knew she was in need of something more.
“You want rough?” She nodded, and I felt a surge of excitement race through me. “Say it.” There were so many sides to AJ. Sweet and quiet, but when she got like this, so demanding and hungry, I’ll admit it was unbelievably hot. “Tell me what you need, Allison.”
“You,” she said shifting her hips again, but I still didn’t move. “I need you to take me, Rhett, use me and show me how badly you want me. I need you to take control.”
I pulled back my hips and slowly pushed forward, entering her once more. “Like that?”
She shook her head. “Harder, I need more.”
I pulled back again, only this time when I pushed my hips forward, I did it harder and faster. “Better?”
“Yes,” she panted, “again. More, Rhett.”
My pulse was racing, my legs shook from the rush of adrenaline pumping through me. AJ was more than I’d ever imagined, and it hit me at that moment that I was in love with this girl. I was in love with Allison Jo, and fuck if that didn’t feel amazing.
“Hold on, sweet girl,” I whispered as I gripped her hips and gave her just what she was in desperate need of. AJ owned me, and I knew she still didn’t have a fucking clue.
Chapter Fifteen
AJ
“What do you think of this one?” I asked as I turned around to face April, holding a light blue sweater against me. “The blue, or the pink?” I alternated between the two, holding one and then the other as she watched.
“Pink is your color, but the blue really brings out your eyes.”
And blue was Rhett’s favorite color too, only I didn’t say that out loud. “I think I’ll go blue, I have so much pink already.”
“Are we still on for tomorrow night?”
I placed the pink sweater back on the rack and toss her a look over my shoulder. “Yes, I’m looking forward to a night out.”
“Now that the weather is changing, I’m ready to get out and enjoy the change. I love this time of year, the warmth hitting. I’m going stir crazy already being cooped up all winter. I don’t know how I survived the cooler months.”
I knew how I would survive them—curled up with Rhett, cozy on the couch or in his bed. Suddenly the idea of the weather changing was something I was kinda looking forward to.
“You and the dreamy look in your eyes.” I looked at her and tilted my head to the side in confusion. “You get it every time you think of him.”
I couldn’t help but smile in that moment. “You told me to let go of the fear and jump in head first. So I did.”
“And the happy it inflicted looks real good on you.”
“Things are good,” I told her, feeling my cheeks ache just a bit from the big smile I wore. “He’s so sweet, and then there are times he’s not.” I bit my lip when she crinkled her brows up, almost like she was irritated at the idea of Rhett mistreating me. I quickly offered her some reassurance. “But those times are my favorite. He’s got a dirty side I can’t seem to get enough of.”
“Oh my gosh, you scared me for a minute.” April placed her hand on her chest and I could see her shoulders visibly relax. “For a second there I was wondering how I was gonna knock the shit out of a full-grown man and run away before he got the chance to defend himself.” She took a step toward me and lowered her voice a few notches. “So more about this naughty side, tell me all the details.” She bumped her shoulder to mine and I laughed.
I was happy, deliriously so. I’d finally been able to let go of my fear. Harley was his first love, and I had to admit, that was hard to think about. I didn’t like to imagine Rhett with anyone else, let alone someone he had strong feelings for at one time. But allowing myself to be overtaken by those worries would only hinder our relationship. I wouldn’t allow that, because being with Rhett was the best part of my days and nights.
Getting to know him had been an amazing journey, and we were still getting to know one another. Learning what made the other tick, or what pissed each other off. It was the greatest trip. It may have been only ten weeks, but it was the best ten weeks.
“Is he still meeting us at Lucky’s?”
“Yeah,” I said as I turned around and once again begin shuffling through the clothing. “Maddison and Raven are coming too.”
“I love those girls,” April said from behind me. Raven usually tried to get to Brooklet every other weekend to see our father. She worried about him, and frankly, so did I. I wish he’d meet a nice lady and get out more.
I spotted something a few racks over and beelined for it, letting the conversation drop quickly. Lifting the red sequin top out in front of me, I almost felt giddy. Imagining what Rhett would say seeing me show up tomorrow night wearing it. There was a plunging neckline, with only two little strips of material holding the center together. Sexy and provocative, it was perfect.
“Yes,” I heard April say behind me.
“You think?”
“I know,” she corrected me. “You can wear that black leather cropped jacket over it, but you’ll need to use the petals lift tape. Because there is no way you’re wearing a bra with that.”
It was definitely a little more risqué than what I normally wore, but seeing it, I knew I had to have it. Rhett made me feel beautiful; he made me want to stand out. “Okay,” I agreed as I turned around to face April. “I’m getting it.”
“That man is gonna be walking around shielding you all night.” She practically jumped around with joy. “I can’t wait.”
I walked away shaking my head as I laughed at her excitement. But on the inside, I felt it too. And I could barely wait.
***
“Hello, Allison Jo,” Maddison said as April and I walked across the parking lot of Lucky’s toward them. A loud whistle echoed around us and I tucked my chin toward my chest to hide my smile. My cheeks felt heated.
“I’d kill for boobs like hers,” I heard her tell my sister a little too loudly. “I don’t know where the hell these suckers came from,” I looked up just in time to see her cup her own breasts, “but they should have their own zip code. Never would I be able to get away with wearing a top like that without losing a tit.”
Maddison was loud and proud, which was one of the things I loved about her most. She didn’t give two shits about who was around; she said what she felt and stood behind her words with conviction.
“Has Rhett ever seen this on you?” she asked as I stopped in front o
f her and Raven.
“No,” I said, looking down at myself, and suddenly I wondered if this really was a safe choice. “Does it look bad?”
“No,” Raven said as she batted away my hand that was now attempting to reposition the top. “It looks amazing, and I can’t wait to see Rhett’s reaction.”
“Ten to one he’s offering his jacket to cover her up, five seconds after she enters the door.” April snickered beside me.
“I have a jacket,” I said, tugging on my leather.
“Oh yeah, that reminds me.” April held out her hand. “Pass it over.”
“It’s chilly,” I said, stepping back away from her.
“But in there it won’t be,” she assured me. “Now give it.”
I looked at both Raven and Maddison for help, but I could see neither of them were coming to my rescue. They both wore smiles as they waited for me to do as April asked.
“You’re ridiculous,” I said as I slipped one arm out and then the next. Suddenly, a loud whistle followed by a few catcalls rang out to my left. All four of us turned our heads in time to see a couple of guys walking out of the bar looking in our direction. My cheeks heated and I hung my head, once more questioning my choice in wardrobe.
“Oh, this is gonna be fun.” Maddison rubbed her hands together before she offered the two men an eager wave. “Let’s go.” She reached out and hooked my arm as she began to tug me along.
Just as we reached the door, I took in one last deep, calming breath before they pulled it open and the sound of country music spilled out.
Chapter Sixteen
Rhett
“Rhett.” Mikey slapped me on the shoulder and gave me a little shake. The beer I held in my hand sloshed from the top, and I stepped back to avoid a shower.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” I grabbed the towel Ross held out to me from behind the bar and started to clean up the mess we’d just made.