Diamond In The Rough: The Complete Series

by Hart, Rebel

  “Yeah?”

  I placed my hand on her knee. “Thank you for being here for me.”

  She eased herself to a stop in the middle of the road. The middle of the dark, dank, smelly road that led us all the way to Rae’s house. Lamp lights flickered in the distance, casting an eerie glow over the whole neighborhood. And as Cecilia’s hand fell against mine, she squeezed it softly.

  “You’re welcome, Clint.”

  I sighed. “I just… not having Dad around for any of this hurt. Knowing how much he blamed me for all this hurt. Probably more than the physical pain I was in.”

  “I’m so sorry, Clint.”

  I shook my head. “No reason for you to be sorry. It is what it is. But I’m lucky I had you. I’m lucky you were on my side. Thank you for that, Cecilia. I’m glad this has given us a chance to get to know one another.”

  She blinked back tears as she brought my hand to her lips. She kissed it softly, leaving behind traces of her chapstick. She sniffled and I reached over toward her, wrapping her up in the most awkward hug I’d ever experienced.

  It still felt wonderful, though. Feeling her hold me like that.

  “I’m glad, too, Clint. I’m glad we got to spend some time together.”

  I snickered. “And you make an awesome as hell milkshake.”

  She giggled softly. “I’ll make sure to make them more often for you.”

  I pulled back and watched her wipe at her tears. She settled into her seat, then I pointed out which house was Rae’s. She eased us up to the driveway, dropping me off at the curb. But, before I got out, I leaned over and gave her a quick peck on the cheek.

  “Thanks again.”

  She smiled. “Anytime, Clint. Now, go see your girl. I’m sure she’s excited to see you.”

  And the woman didn’t have to tell me twice.

  27

  Raelynn

  Shit. You look like a blown-up bobblehead, Rae.

  The knock at the door startled me, causing me to toss myself out of my mother’s bathroom. I scrambled for the steps, ready to throw myself into Clint’s arms and drag him inside. My heart leapt into my throat. I heard a car driving away from the house as high beams filtered through the windows. Shadows pivoted along the walls, beckoning me further toward the front door as I jumped down the steps.

  “Coming!”

  Me and my red face are, at least.

  With water droplets speckling the front of my shirt, I fluffed my hair back one last time, then unlocked the door. I threw it open, staring up into the eyes of the boy I’d come to adore. And the second his eyes laid themselves on me, he stepped forward.

  “Holy fuck, I’ve missed you.”

  He breathed the words against my lips before he wrapped me in his arms. He picked me up against him, pulling me to my tiptoes as I gasped in shock. My arms slid around his neck. He barreled into my house, cloaking my back and pulling me close to him. His tongue filled my mouth. His essence overcame me. The smell of his cologne wafted up my nostrils, curling my toes and making me tremble against him.

  He kept walking until my back was pinned against a wall. Any wall. I didn’t give a shit which wall it was. He kicked his leg out, shutting the door closed with a crash as the world fell away.

  And I took the time to melt into his kiss.

  “Oh,” I moaned down the back of his throat. He dipped down, gripping my thighs as he picked me clear up off my feet. My head fell off to the side as the kiss deepened, our tongues doing battle for the upper hand. I sucked on his lower lip and raked my teeth across his tongue. He fisted my hair, pulling my head off to the side as he dragged his warm, wet lips down my neck.

  I gasped with desire in my bones.

  Not once did he comment on how red my face was. Not once did he realize its puffiness. He kissed me. Devoured me. Ground his hips against me as he pinned me to the wall with his strength. I was taken aback by it all. By the way he effortlessly picked me up. I groaned as he pulled my shirt off to the side, sinking his teeth into my shoulder.

  And when his face came back to meet mine, he cupped my cheek, causing me to smile as I drank him all in.

  I giggled. “I take it things went well?”

  He kissed me softly. “Better than ‘well.’”

  “Well. I suppose that’s… good.”

  I grinned at him as he snickered. I laughed softly as he pressed a kiss to the tip of my nose. But when he captured my lips again, I sighed. Groaned. Rolled against him as I felt his cock pulse to life. The kiss was long. Sensual. His tongue lingered and his taste filled my mouth. My hands meandered into his hair, twirling up into its curls. He’d let it grow out a bit. Just enough for the ends to start flipping upward. Curling in on themselves and giving me just enough to hang on to.

  I adored it.

  “So are you going to tell me the good news, then?”

  Clint paused. “Oh. Yeah. I should do that.”

  I snickered. “You really should, handsome.”

  He pulled back, seating me against the wall with his hips as his hands found mine. He threaded our fingers together. I placed my hands above my head. He pinned me to the damn wall, his eyes falling to my breasts. The way he licked his lips made me cast out all desire for our movie night. Replacing it with another desire.

  “Clint?”

  He shook his head. “My God, you’re breathtaking.”

  I blushed. “You seem much better.”

  He smiled. “Because I am. They’ve cleared me, and expect me to make a full recovery.”

  “Wait, what?”

  He nodded. “My therapist even cancelled my appointment with the hospital tomorrow. I don’t have to see anyone for another three months.”

  “Wait, what!?”

  He chuckled. “I’m free as a bird, and stronger than I’ve been in weeks.”

  “Clint! Holy shit!”

  I bucked against him, freeing myself enough to wrap myself around his body. I hugged him close, burying my face into the crook of his neck. And as he held me tightly, our laughter filled the room. Tears of happiness rushed my eyes. Finally, this damn nightmare was over. Clint had been healed. He’d recuperated. And it seemed as if things were finally swaying back in our favor.

  I kissed his neck. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “Mm, keep doing that and I’ll show you just how happy you make me.”

  I kissed his skin again. “That a promise?”

  Softly, deftly, I planted kisses against his skin. He pulled me away from the wall, carrying me into the living room as he made his way for the couch. I kissed up his pulse point, nibbling against his earlobe as I let my hands wander underneath the collar of his shirt, feeling his muscles rolling underneath that taut skin of his. He held me closely, his hands cupping my thighs tightly. He was back. My Clint. The old Clint. The strong, dexterous, confident Clint.

  A new lease on life.

  “You’re mine.”

  The growl that left his lips made my eyes roll back. He dropped me to the couch, shedding his jacket and his shirt before falling to my body. I slid my hands down his back, memorizing the way his muscles rippled. My fingertips rumbled over their edges and fell into their divots. It was as if his body had been carved just for me. I molded to him, filling his empty spots as my legs spread for him. His tongue invaded my mouth. Pushed its way through as his hands shoved my shirt up. Ready, and waiting, to feel me.

  “I. Need. You. Rae.”

  His kisses punctuated his words as he helped me lean up. Off came my shirt. And with a snap of his fingers, off came my bra. He groaned as it slid down my arms, casting itself off to the side like magic. I heard him toe his boots off as he laid me back down, the cushions catching my soft descent as his hands roamed my body. I arched and rolled against him. His lips kissed down my neck, causing goosebumps along my arms. The valley of my breasts welcomed his lips. My nipples stood up and applauded him as he journeyed his way down. I moaned for him. Groaned out his name. Bucked against him as the heat between my
legs grew to searing temperatures.

  “Clint, please. Now.”

  Off came my pants. My panties. My socks. My body, bared for him. Ready for his carnal taking. I watched his eyes roam over me. He stood up, hovering over me as his lean, chiseled abs came into view. The rings around them called to my eyes. My fingertips burned with a need to touch them. Clint grabbed my ankles, pulling my legs around until my back sat against the couch cushions.

  Then he dropped to his knees.

  “Clint, you don’t—fuck!”

  He hummed between my legs as he nibbled my thighs. He bit down into them, tasting them and raking his teeth across my dollops of excess. I spread myself for him, wanting nothing more than for him to devour me. And as I ran my hands through his hair, he kissed closer to where I wanted him. Lapped his tongue over where I needed him. Teased me relentlessly. Until I was a panting, sweating mess.

  “I can’t. Clint, you have t—oh!”

  “Trust me, I’ll get there, gorgeous.”

  His tongue sank into me and my eyes screwed shut. With every lick, I bucked against him. With every massage of his hands against my thighs, I rocked steadily against his lips. I shook uncontrollably, my legs giving way over his shoulders. My heels pressed into his muscles. I felt the whole of his body pulsating for my pleasure, and mine alone. My body ebbed endlessly, surging with electricity as it short-circuited my mind. All I knew was Clint. All I felt was Clint. All I smelled—and all I wanted to taste—was Clint.

  “Yes. Yes. So clo—Cli—I—you—right there. Right there. Right there. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Don’t—stooo-ah!”

  My body contracted as he threw me over the edge. His tongue pressed deeply, releasing me to the wolves as I plummeted through the stars. The world around me tilted. I felt things shifting and twirling in on themselves. My body contorted, trying to get away from the pleasurable assault as Clint fixed his grip around my legs. He pulled me closer, even as I tried backing away. Sweat dripped down the nape of my neck as my hands curled tightly into his hair. Nails raked across his scalp. His growls rattled my ribcage. I bucked wildly, losing all control of my body as he catapulted me to the heavens.

  And as I crash-landed back against the couch, he rushed up my body.

  “Now, I can take what I want.”

  His words made me weak in my knees as his lips fell against mine. I tasted myself on him, and it shut the rest of my body down. I was his, forever. For as long as he wanted. I’d weather any issue. Any trial. Any tribulation, just to keep him at my side. I had to have him now. There was no stopping for a movie. The only thing that mattered was being with Clint, in this moment.

  “You’re perfect, you know that?”

  I whispered the words so softly I wasn’t sure he’d heard me. But when he pulled back and gazed into my eyes, I knew. I knew he’d heard. He grinned down at me with that insolent little smirk of his, but his eyes twinkled like wildfire. He looked happy. Proud. Content. Satisfied. All the things he deserved to be.

  And I wanted to make sure he experienced nothing else.

  I helped him get his pants off. His boxers. His socks. Then, when the two of us were bared for one another, he slipped between my legs. I felt him press into me, our eyes never wavering. My jaw unhinged as grunts fell from his lips. But he didn’t falter. He sank into me, my body swallowing him whole. I clung to him, my legs locking and my hands curling into the meat of his back. We fell to the couch cushions as he began pumping into me. In and out. With such a rhythmic pattern it left me breathless.

  “Clint. Oh, yes. I’ve missed this. I’ve missed you. I’m so—so happy for—”

  “Fucking hell, Rae. You’re marvelous.”

  Our kisses grew sloppy. Our movements grew desperate. The couch moved with our efforts, scraping along the carpet as our bodies collided. The world faded away. Time and space had no existence between us. There was only me, Clint, and the loving look in his eye as he plunged deeper into my body.

  Robbing both of us of our words.

  He hooked his arms behind my legs, folding me in half. My jaw unhinged in silent pleasure, and I felt that coil tightening in my gut. He drove faster. Harder. Imprinting my body into the couch as our tongues intertwined. I swallowed his growls, matching them with my whimpers. My moans. My sighs of ecstasy. My heart beat for him. My body shook for him. I needed him, more than I’d ever needed anyone in my entire life. Tears of happiness sprang to my eyes as that coil tightened. As his body raked against my swollen nub. As his girth pressed against the whole of me, muting my world with the fire he pushed through my veins.

  “Rae. Holy shit. Rae. I’m so close. I just—Rae. I need—”

  “Oh, yes!”

  My back arched and I fell over the edge. My back locked out and my jaw unhinged as unearthly sounds left my lips. He pounded relentlessly into me, snapping his hips against mine. The sounds of skin slapping skin filled my living room, drowning out the rest of the world around us. I felt him pulse once. Twice. Three times, before it happened.

  He collapsed against me, our bodies spent against one another as evidence of our debauchery pooled between my legs. And as I laid there, watching the ceiling twist and turn, it became official.

  Clint didn’t know it yet, but I’d officially made love to him.

  Because there was no other boy in this world for me, if not him.

  28

  Clinton

  I collapsed against her, completely spent as my body unleashed inside hers. I had no more strength left in me. After physical therapy. After recuperation. After fighting for weeks against my own body, it had finally worked in my favor. I promised myself that when I was finally strong again, I’d pick her up. Take her the way she deserved, and make love to her in ways she’d never experienced before.

  Because, unbeknownst to her, I was making love to her.

  I wonder if she feels the same way.

  My face fell to the crook of her neck. Her arms wrapped sloppily around me as her pulsing pushed me out of her body. I lay there between her legs, soaking her in and memorizing everything about her. From the way her breasts felt against my chest to the way her heat cloaked my pelvis. The way my back burned with her raking nail marks and the way that sensation made me smile.

  Even the way she clung to my hair. It made me want to keep growing it out. Because if that was something she liked, I sure as hell wasn’t taking it from her.

  She sighed. “Got a movie in mind you wanna watch?”

  I snickered. “Pretty sure we just created our own.”

  “This is the part where I’d swat at you if I wasn’t so drained.”

  “And that’s the part where I’d catch your hand if you actually had the energy.”

  “I blame you for taking that energy away.”

  I grinned. “I’ll gladly take that blame any day.”

  I kissed her skin as the two of us recuperated. Then, reluctantly, I peeled myself away from her body. I didn’t know how long her mother would be gone. And the last thing I wanted us to do was get caught butt-ass naked on her mother’s fucking couch. I chuckled as I slipped onto the floor, falling against my back. Rae giggled as she rolled off, softly falling into my arms.

  “Come here, beautiful.”

  She kissed my shoulder. “I love it when you call me that.”

  She fell off to my side, her leg tossed between mine. Her arm lazily sat around my waist and I felt her cheek pressed against my arm. Finally, for the first time in weeks, I could hold her like I wanted. Without pain. Without fear. And without needing to shift. I slid my fingers through her hair, working out the knots we’d already created. I stared at the ceiling, keeping an ear out for any cars coming down the road.

  And as Rae pulled a blanket over us, she gazed up into my face.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  Her voice snapped me from my trance. “What was that?”

  “You had something on your mind. What were you thinking about?”

  I paused. Mostly, becau
se I wasn't sure if I should tell her. I mean, it wasn’t really a good topic of conversation after what we’d just done. But, now that I didn’t have physical therapy and rehabilitation occupying my mind, I found other things occupying it.

  “You know you can tell me, Clint.”

  I nodded. “I know.”

  She kissed my jawline. “What’s got you so distracted?”

  I sighed, lowering my voice to a whisper. “I thought I was going to die, Rae.”

  She moved away from my side and I reached out for her. I didn’t want her to move. Hell, I didn’t even want to bring up the conversation. I didn’t want to lie to her, though, either. I shot up like lightning, swallowing back a small groan. While the pain in my ribcage was mostly gone, it had its moments. Just like my physical therapist said it would. Rae held the blanket against her body as she covered her beauty from me. I reached out for her, pulling her back into me as I re-situated us. My back was against the couch while we sat on the floor, facing a blank television screen. One that should have been playing a movie, had we taken the time to actually indulge that whim.

  Her cheek leaned against my shoulder. “You almost did.”

  I nodded. “You know, when I was bleeding out at the bottom of that hill, the only thing that kept me going was your voice.”

  “What?”

  “Yeah. I think, even before I heard your voice, my body knew you were there. My heart did. And had it not been for you, that river would’ve dragged me off and I would’ve been done for.”

  She pressed deeply into me. “I wasn’t going to let that happen. Not by a fucking long shot.”

  “I know. I wouldn't have pulled through had you not been there, Rae. Looking back on it now, I knew it was Mike calling out for you. I heard him. I heard him telling you to stop. And had you listened, I wouldn’t be here.”

  “Michael was just trying t—”

  I shook my head. “I’m not blaming him for anything. He was worried about you. And rightfully so. Just—thank you. For coming after me anyway.”