She closed her eyes and did as I said. I stroked my cock through my pants, lifting my hips off the couch and wishing I was buried inside her.
“Harder,” I said.
Her hand moved with more urgency and I’m pretty sure I growled. “Harder,” I repeated. “Because when I fuck you, I promise it won’t be gentle. When I fuck you, it’s going to be rough… and deep. So fucking deep. With your legs over my shoulders, sweat dripping, bodies slapping. When I fuck you, I will ruin you.”
She whimpered and I squeezed my dick to keep myself from coming.
“Pinch your nipple. Because that’s where my mouth will be. Right after I kiss your neck, I’m taking those perfect fucking nipples.”
Her hand slid up the side of her body and caressed her breast through her shirt. She arched into her own touch and gasped when she pinched the peak between her thumb and forefinger.
“Do you have any idea how fucking hard I am right now? How much I need you?” I asked her.
She turned to face the camera and opened her eyes. “Show me,” she whispered.
Gladly.
All I’d been waiting for was her permission.
I unfastened my pants and slid them off my hips. My erection pressed against the cotton of my boxer briefs.
“Show me more,” she said, her hands moving faster inside her pajama bottoms.
I pulled the elastic waistband down to reveal the thick crown and pulsing veins and she gasped. Tiny drops of pre-cum glistened on the tip. I stroked it once, and she moaned.
“If there weren’t hundreds of miles between us, I promise you I’d be fucking you right now.”
She threw her head back and came with a cry sweeter than the song of a thousand birds.
Fuck FaceTime. I wanted her here. Riding my dick. Making those sounds. Driving me insane.
I meant it when I said Korie was my new addiction. I would never get enough of watching her, hearing her, telling her all the filthy things I can’t wait to do to her.
My conversation with Jessica in Florida resurrected parts of our past that I’d kept safely buried for almost fifteen years. She had finally moved on with her life and insisted I do the same. I told her I had. She didn’t believe me. She’d said as long as I was angry, I hadn’t healed. She couldn’t understand that I wasn’t angry about what happened. I was angry that she kept wanting to talk about it.
Sycamore Park was a sweet little town. Jess even found a cute house for sale on the beach and fell in love with the locally owned ice cream shop on the boardwalk. The more time we spent there, the more I could see my little sister living in a place like that. There was a constant cheery vibe that resonated from the colorful cottages along the water to the rows of shops lining the boardwalk. There was even a Ferris wheel that looked out over the ocean. Jess was bubbly and bouncy and never met a stranger. She’d fit right in at a place like Sycamore Park.
By the time I’d gotten home, I was mentally exhausted. It had been days since I’d talked to Korie, and I didn’t realize how much I needed her voice until the second she answered her phone. It was a mother’s song to a crying infant. The first drink of water after running a 5K. She soothed me. She quieted my ghosts, exorcised my demons. She gave me peace I didn’t even know I was looking for. The best part was she didn’t even try.
Then she came. And every brick of every wall I’d ever built around myself crumbled to the ground. I’d walk through hell to hear her come like that every single day.
It turned out I didn’t have to. Every night after dinner, we FaceTimed until I caught her eyelids growing heavy. She even came for me two more times, once in a tub full of bubbles and again under the soft cotton of her fluffy white comforter. I never did anything more than watch because watching her was all the satisfaction I needed. My balls disagreed, though, so I waited until we hung up then jacked off in the shower.
Last night I let her doze off just so I could watch her sleep. I’d never wished for anything more in my life than I wished to be with her at that moment—to stroke the hair that had fallen onto her cheek, to crawl behind her and hold her in my arms and breathe in the scent of her.
Tonight we’d just finished watching an episode of Black Mirror together. She loved it, and I loved whatever she loved. Korie leaned against her headboard with her comforter pulled up to her waist. She looked like an angel in her light pink T-shirt and hair pulled into a messy pile on top of her head. I loved her like that, totally natural. Fucking perfect.
She popped a grape into her mouth and pressed a button on her remote. The background noise from the bedroom television went silent. “You never told me what you have against small towns anyway.”
I turned off my television and settled against my own headboard. “I have nothing against small towns. Just small minds.”
“And of course, they’re one in the same.” Her tone was sarcastic, but she didn’t seem offended.
“Not always.” I didn’t want to talk about this, not with her, not right now. My heart slowed to a whisper. We needed to tread carefully.
“And you have sooooo much experience with that since you live in one of the smallest towns in America.” She rolled her eyes and smiled.
My heart rate steadied again. Maybe we weren’t going there after all.
“I mean, I’d never even heard of Houston, Texas until I met you,” she continued, and her smile widened. God I loved that smile.
“Maybe you should come see it for yourself.”
Hearing her voice was a calm to my storm. Seeing her face was even better. But seeing her in person, touching her, holding her, kissing her… fucking her—that would be heaven on earth.
“You mean we could actually have the dinner that started this whole thing?” She cocked one eyebrow. Adorable.
That felt like ages ago. We’d come so far since those first emails.
“There’s a wedding this weekend. Be my date.”
Korie pursed her lips and narrowed her eyes like she was deep in thought. I scooted further up the bed and sat up straight. I wanted her to say yes. Please say yes.
“Is this your subtle way of proposing? Because we should at least have dinner first.” Her mouth spread into a smile that made my heart stop.
I reached behind my back and fluffed my pillow. “Well, there will be food, I’m sure.”
She grabbed a bottle of water from her nightstand and twisted the cap. “And dancing?” She brought the bottle to her mouth and took a drink.
“Tons of dancing. Fast. Slow. I’d probably even have to touch you at some point.”
Her lips glistened from the drink she just took and I almost reached out and ran my thumb across the screen. “And you’re not the groom?” she asked.
I laughed then raked my fingers through my hair and shook my head. “No.”
Just say yes.
She took a deep breath then opened her mouth. Then closed it again. And opened it. Then closed it. Then she closed her eyes and a sad expression fell over her beautiful face. “I can’t.” She opened her eyes and my heart sank to my stomach. “I want to. I swear I do. I just… I can’t take off on such short notice. I have no one to run the coffee shop if I leave. My parents are out of town and Alyssa—”
“It’s okay. I get it.”
“I’m sorry.”
I wanted to see her… to be with her… to feel her… more than anything. But if there was anything I’d learned about Korie Lawson over the past few weeks, it was that she was loyal. When she dedicated herself to something, she went all in, and she was determined to prove she deserved taking her parents’ place as owner of the coffee shop. I admired her for that, and there was no way I wanted to argue with it.
I’d never planned on asking Korie to Jayce and Claire’s wedding. It just came out. I forced a smile to hide my disappointment. “Then it looks like I better get used to visiting small towns.”
Her smile was contagious. She took another sip of water then set the bottle back down. I settled back down into my bed
and put one hand behind my head. Korie fluffed her pillow then scooted under the covers and laid her head down. This was always my favorite part of the night. It made me feel as though we were right beside each other, Korie on her pillow and me on mine.
“And Korie…”
She looked at the screen beneath long lashes and heavy eyelids. “Hmm?” Her voice fell quiet the way it always did when she was tired.
“When I propose… I promise it won’t be subtle.”
“So, there’s this guy…”
Alyssa slammed her mug on the top of the counter and coffee sloshed out over the top and onto the stainless-steel countertop. She nearly spit out the drink she just took. “I knew it,” she said as she choked on her words.
My cheeks warmed with the familiar flush that happened every time I thought about Bennett. I lifted her coffee mug and wiped the counter underneath then set it back down.
She leaned her hip against the counter and folded her arms. “I want all of it. Every detail. How did you meet? What’s his name? What does he look like?”
This was why I’d been so reluctant to say anything. I wanted to share my news, but still wanted some of Bennett for my eyes only. I drizzled some caramel over a shot of whipped cream then cooled my coffee before taking a sip. Alyssa tapped her fingers on the countertop and heaved a sigh.
“Okay, okaaayyyy.” I set the ceramic mug down and turned to face her. “His name is Bennett and he’s an author.”
She unfolded her arms and leaned in closer to me. “He already sounds perfect for you.”
I laughed then dipped my fingertip in the whipped cream. “He is,” I said as I stuck my finger in my mouth then pulled it out with a pop.
“So, when do I get to meet perfect Bennett?”
That seemed to be the question of the day. As soon as I meet him first…
The timer on the oven went off in the kitchen letting us know the chocolate croissants were ready. Mr. Jackson would be here any minute now expecting his usual Thursday morning batch.
I grabbed my coffee and headed to the back. “I don’t know. Soon?”
I hoped.
As if he’d read my mind, Bennett sent me a text—a picture of flight information with next Wednesday’s date on it.
Bennett: I believe you owe me a dinner.
Six days.
Panic hit me. My heart raced. I couldn’t breathe. I had no idea what to wear. In six days, we would be face-to-face. In person. Breathing the same air. Close.
The bell above the door rang, and Alyssa’s voice echoed a friendly good morning. Mr. Jackson. The croissants. I’d completely forgotten about them.
I grabbed the pan from the oven and set them on the counter to cool. Then I sent a quick reply to Bennett.
Me: If you’re lucky, I might even wear the black dress.
Bennett: Korie Lawson, are you flirting with me?
I stole a play from his book.
Me: When I flirt with you, I promise it won’t be subtle…
Bennett: Oh, I’m counting on it. See you in six days.
I stuffed my phone in my back pocket and grabbed a bag of chocolate drizzle. Stella was out of town for Claire’s wedding until Monday, which left me on my own with finding an outfit. My excitement had me ready to jump out of my skin and my nerves had me wishing I could hide under my covers. Alyssa peeked her head around the corner, reminding me I still had a business to run. And all I could think about was Bennett’s face, what he would smell like, how it would be when he kissed me… what it would feel like when he slid inside me.
I had a feeling this would be the longest six days of my life.
Every man should look at his girl the way my best friend looked at his bride. When Claire stepped to the end of the aisle and into view, Jayce’s eyes filled with tears. He took a step toward her, like he couldn’t wait another second to touch her. I placed my hand on his shoulder and held him back. He whispered “Oh my God” at least a dozen times. With every step she took, he inhaled a deep breath until I worried he would pass out. His reaction to simply seeing her was so raw, so real. It made me want to love someone the way Jayce loved Claire. Maybe one day I would. Maybe that someone could be Korie.
At the reception, the wedding party sat at the only rectangle table among a sea of round ones. The sound of chatter filled the beautiful barn. Happy voices outweighed the faint sound of background music. Claire and Jayce had built this barn for events just like this. It was perfect. Big enough to hold an entire small town, but small enough to keep everyone close. Classy enough for a beautiful wedding, but cozy enough to make the guests feel right at home.
The music stopped, and the wedding planner waved at me from across the room. My turn for the spotlight. I stood and cleared my throat. All eyes fell on me. I gave speeches and presentations for a living, but none of them had ever made my palms sweat the way standing up for my best friend at his wedding did. I’d known Jayce and Claire almost my whole life. I just hoped I did them justice. I hoped I did their love justice.
“Doesn’t Claire look absolutely stunning?” The guests responded with applause and Claire looked up at me and smiled. “But we all know she’s more than a pretty face. She’s kind, smart, caring… all the things a man could want in a wife, and she deserves an equally great husband.” Jayce took her hand in his and met her smile. “Unfortunately, I was unavailable, so she had to marry this guy.” I shot Jayce a wink and the whole room laughed. “I’m kidding. Kind of.” I grinned and patted Jayce on the shoulder. “For those who don’t know me, Jayce and Claire and I go all the way back to elementary school. These two actually met at my seventh birthday party. I knew the minute she crawled through his legs in Freeze Tag that she was the one for him. Nobody ever unfroze Jayce Sterling. Ever. He ended up being all-state quarterback for Pete’s sake. The dude was fast. But Claire didn’t care. He’d finally get tagged by someone, and she’d be right there to save him. Every single time. I guess that’s what love’s all about, right? Being there no matter what.” I looked down at the two of them as we all relived those childhood memories. Claire laid her head on Jayce’s shoulder and he kissed the top of her hair.
“He never stopped talking about her. For Jayce, it was always Claire. Even when they were apart. There’s something special about these two. They fit together without forcing it. They love each other without fighting it. And they always put each other first without even thinking about it. Their love is one of a kind. I think this whole town has always known that. Dante once said, ‘A great flame follows a little spark.’ Well, I’ve had the privilege of seeing that spark from the very beginning. And tonight we’re all here to witness the fire.” I grabbed my champagne glass and held it in front of me. “A toast to the happy couple. May the flame burn long and the sparks continue to fly.”
The crowd toasted with me. Jayce stood and wrapped me in a hug. Claire smiled with tears in her eyes. “Congratulations, man. You deserve this,” I whispered in his ear.
He patted my back and looked me in the eye. “You deserve this too.”
I didn’t. I didn’t deserve anything like this. But maybe, one day, with the help of a red-lipped beauty, I’d find something close.
“That was quite a speech,” a leggy brunette that I’d been introduced to earlier as Stella said as she walked up behind me.
The bride and groom had just taken the dance floor for their first dance as husband and wife. Everyone stood to admire the way Jayce and Claire seemed to make the rest of the room disappear. They didn’t look around the room for watchful eyes. The flashes of cameras didn’t distract them. No one existed to them but each other.
I lifted my glass. “Thanks.”
She stepped beside me and took a sip of her champagne. “You’ve known them a long time?”
I couldn’t tell if it was an observation or a question. I went with question. “Since we were kids. You?”
“Claire and I used to be roommates.”
That explained why she didn’t look familiar.
Stella met Claire after she’d left Clover Creek, some time in the thirteen years she’d spent running from her past.
You mean like you ran from your past?
My sister’s voice sounded loud in my head, so I focused on the music to drown it out. I didn’t run from my past. I buried it. Jessica was the one who brought out the shovel and threatened to dig it up.
“So, where’s your wife?”
Jayce warned me Stella was a firecracker, but I didn’t expect her to just jump right in with both feet. “My wife?”
“You said in your speech that you’re unavailable,” she clarified.
I chuckled then took a sip of my drink. “Right. That was for dramatic effect. Did it work?”
“Nailed it. So, no wife then?” she asked… again.
“No wife.”
She licked her lips and her brown eyes grew darker. She put her hand to her ear and looked around the room. “Sshh. You hear that?”
I lifted a brow. “Hear what?”
“That’s the sound of all the single ladies in America breathing a sigh of relief.” A wide smile spread across her lips.
Cute, but I wasn’t interested. Not that Stella wasn’t attractive. She was gorgeous, and her figure would put a supermodel to shame. A month ago, I’d have sent her back to wherever she came from walking with a limp. That was before Korie. These days, I wasn’t interested in one-night stands or breaking hearts. The only things I cared about lately were late-night video calls and red lips.
I took a step back to set my empty glass on a nearby table then stuffed my hands in my pockets. Before I could respond, the music faded, and the DJ summoned the wedding party to the dance floor. Stella grabbed my arm with both of her hands and tugged. This chick was relentless.
“That’s us. Come on, handsome. It’s showtime.”
The song started off slow. Stella wrapped her arms around my neck, and I held my hands at her waist. Jayce winked at me over his shoulder. I knew what he thought, and it wasn’t happening. My mind was eight-hundred miles away. I wanted Korie’s arms around my neck. I wanted my hands on her waist. I wanted to pull her close and breathe her in.
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