“This house. I don’t want to remember…” I closed my eyes. Damn it. My entire life seemed to be wrapped up in that house. All the memories of my life there came flooding in, and they wouldn’t let go. The good and the bad, the joyful and the ones that hurt. Like an anchor, they dragged me down, slowly drowning me. Pressing against my chest until there was no room for anything else. And I just wanted to breathe.
Without a word, Easton threw the truck into gear and backed out of the driveway before heading toward town.
“Where are we going?”
“Someplace else.”
Oddly, that answer was enough for me, because Easton was holding my hand. I liked it, liked feeling so connected to him, liked the vibration of the engine transmitting through the bench seat and his hand. I liked everything about being in this truck with him. But when he turned into the lot at the ice rink, all that like turned into something closer to confusion. “What are we doing here?”
“You came here with Jace.”
“Yeah,” I replied, still not getting his point. “And you probably came here with girls you dated.”
He parked the truck all the way in the back, in one of the darkest spots, before turning in his seat to face me. “I did.”
“Okay.” I glanced around the near-empty lot, still not putting the pieces together. “So then why are we here now?”
“We’re taking your mind off everything and making new memories.”
Easton grabbed me and pulled me against him, pressing his lips to mine in a blistering kiss. I melted in his arms, so thankful to be touching him again. But Easton wasn’t going to let me be passive. He gripped me hard, sliding me underneath him as he angled his body across mine. And when his lips moved down my chin, his teeth finding sensitive spots along my neck to tease, I clutched him just as strong but with my knees around his hips.
“I’m not going to let you go,” he murmured, breaking my heart with the need in his voice. He didn’t mean right then, didn’t mean physically. He was looking for more…more time, more of me, more of us. More of things I had no idea if I could give him. But right then, as he lifted my shirt and pulled the cup of my bra down, as he whispered words against my skin and held me so strongly, I wanted to believe. Wanted to cling to him, to never let go. I wanted to stay.
“Don’t let go.” I worked my hands between us, under my skirt, quickly shoving my panties down one leg. “Easton, please.”
He dropped his head to my chest, his mouth finding my nipple and sucking. So hot and wet. An enticing little mix of pleasure and pain as he bit down. I arched into him, wanting his hands on me. Wanting so much more than we could get in that old truck. The seat burned my skin, the angle making my ribs ache a little. Too much.
I shifted toward the door, spreading my legs and placing a foot on the dash to inch myself back. Easton dropped one knee to the floorboard, and all those teenage fantasies of the things we could do in this truck suddenly spun through my head. Some were about to become more than just fantasies, and I couldn’t wait. God bless bench seats and the days before consoles were created.
Easton groaned as he took me in, his light eyes practically sparkling as he saw how I’d bared myself to him so blatantly.
“Is this a hint?” He gripped my ankle, holding my leg against the dash. Almost pinning me in place. He lifted my other leg, bringing my calf to his shoulder. “You feeling greedy, baby?”
I bit my lip and nodded, shivering as his fingers trailed down my inner thigh. Unable to speak past the haze of desire blanketing me. I wanted him. His hands, his lips, his tongue…just him. All of him. And I wanted him now.
“Keep your dress covering most of you, just in case. I only need that pretty pussy to work with.” Easton edged closer then sank between my legs, teasing me with his mouth on my hip bones. Lower still, biting his way along the seam of my hip. I fisted his hair as he inched lower yet, licking a trail down to where I was so hot and wet for him.
And, oh God, his mouth.
He didn’t tease or go slow, didn’t warm me up with something soft and easy. No, Easton wasn’t that type of guy. He dove right in, attacking me with his tongue. Going from zero to sixty in a single breath. The shiver of desire that ran through me made me shake all over. Easton gripped me harder, pulled me lower on the seat. Groaning. The vibrations sent me spinning, had me jerking and clenching even as he continued his torturous ways.
When he sucked my clit between his lips, when he made sparks appear behind my eyelids with his tongue, I arched right off the seat and practically screamed. So much sensation. So much wet and heat and pressure and everything. Easton gripped my hips, pulling me toward him as he grew more aggressive. As he licked and sucked and bit at me, each exquisite action driving me toward the moment we both knew was coming. Lips, tongue, teeth…he treated me to an experience I wouldn’t soon forget. Every brush had me seeing stars, every warm breath against my skin was something to treasure. And when he slid two fingers inside me, when he sat back on his knees to watch as he fucked me with his hand, I lost all control. Writhing, groaning, tweaking my own nipples through my dress, I chased that sensation of completeness I knew he could give me. I raced for it.
“That’s it,” he whispered, keeping his hand moving. “I feel you, baby. You’re so wet for me. I want to see you come like this. With my hand inside you, with my tongue on that pussy I can’t stop thinking about. Give it to me.”
He licked me again, all the way around his own fingers. So fucking filthy with his mouth. My legs shook as he came back to my clit, as he surrounded it with his lips once more. He gave it a flick of his tongue before sucking. Before knocking me right out of the race.
With a stuttered gasp of his name, I fell. Jerking, shaking, cursing, I came with an explosive power that took me completely by surprise. But not Easton. He was ready for me. Before I was over the aftershocks, he slid up my body, kissing me deeply as soon as he could. The taste of myself on his lips was sexier than I’d ever thought possible. Something to truly take note of, an intimacy I’d never shared with anyone else. And when he pulled back with a groan and a roll of his hips, I knew we weren’t quite done.
“God, I want to fuck you so bad right now.” He thrust forward, rubbing himself against me. “I’m so hard for you, Violet.”
“Do it, Easton.”
He shook his head, pulling my leg over his shoulder and sinking his teeth into my knee before coming back to me. “Not here. Not like this. I won’t let anyone see you so wild. Won’t risk you. I want your body all for me.”
I nodded, something inside me warming at the idea that he was looking out for me, for us. There were a few things we could do, though. A few tricks I had hidden up my sleeve. I pushed his shoulder and reached between us. Grabbing his dick and wrapping my fingers around it. Sliding them up and down in a rhythm he’d taught me well already. Pulling him against where I was so hot and wet for him. Where he’d just spent so much time.
“Violet, what—”
“Hush.” I tugged harder, inching down the seat to bring us even closer. “Let me see you come. I just want to see you.”
Easton could only nod, his eyes closed and his head hanging as he thrust into my hand and against my folds. Every few jerks, he’d open his eyes and look around outside, checking for privacy, making sure we were still alone, it seemed. Taking care of us. Each was a moment of sweetness in a debauched sort of situation. And they were perfect. Everything felt so darn perfect.
The way he held me down, controlling most of my body with the sheer mass of his, should have put him in the power position between us. And yet, my hand on him put me in the driver’s seat. He gave that to me, let me take him where I knew he needed to go. Let me lead him even as he played protector and guarded us. And that was so hot.
It didn’t take long before Easton began to shake, his eyebrows drawing together. “Close. Fuck, baby. A little harder. I want to be inside you so bad, so bad.”
I nodded, tightening my hold, biting my lip
as he ran his dick against my overstimulated clit over and over. Shit, he was going to make me come again if he didn’t stop soon. He felt so good right there, felt so hard. I wanted him inside me, wanted to pull him up on the seat and let him pound me right into the door. But we couldn’t…not here…not now. So I held him in my hand and against my pussy, and I made sure he got what he needed.
“Come on me,” I said, leaning forward to press my lips to his jaw. “Mark me as yours. I want it.”
His groan may as well have been that of a wild animal, deep and long and so very sexy. It fed my own desire, made my body shake with the feral quality behind it. A few thrusts, and Easton came all over my hand with a grunt, curving into my touch and locking down every muscle. Such a sexy image. Completely out of control, surrendering to what I could do for him. And it was exactly how I wanted him to be. Exactly what we both needed…almost.
“Want to be inside you,” Easton whispered as his body relaxed against mine, biting my collarbone while pushing me into the seat with his mass. “Let me take you home with me, Violet. I don’t want to leave you yet.”
I wrapped my legs around him and held him tight, knowing I should say no. That I should tell him I was heading home in a few days, go back to Grandma’s house, deal with what was coming, and pack for Chicago. I still hadn’t mentioned that I was leaving soon for a catering job, but I didn’t want to. Not right then. I gave in to the utter temptation that was Easton Cole, even though I knew how hard it would be to crawl away from him later.
“Yes.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
EASTON
The moonlight made the kitchen seem almost bright as I stood in the midnight shadows. Violet slept in my bed down the hall, peaceful and quiet. I couldn’t sleep, though. There were too many worries flying around my head, too much anxiety. With her grandma dying, Violet would have every reason to run again. If I couldn’t help her see how good we were together and how much this place could be home for her, she’d get spooked and disappear. Not because of something I’d done, but because of something she was. I’d given myself over to the “or” plan, knowing how it could go. Knowing how bad it would hurt when she left.
With Dolly purring at my feet, I poured a glass of water and grabbed my phone from the charger. Thirteen texts. Colton, Brogan, Gracie…all checking to see if everything was okay, if Violet was okay. If I needed backup in some way. And while I loved them for their concern, there was nothing they could do. Not for me, and especially not for Violet. They didn’t know her the way I did, didn’t understand how skittish she could be. How guarded. When I had her wrapped in my arms, she was so calm and sweet, so there. That was the Violet I was falling in love with. The one I was beginning to think about a future with. The one who could and probably would destroy me.
The sound of feet padding across the wood floor greeted my ears moments before her soft voice did.
“Hey.” She wrapped her sleep-warm body around mine, her arms coming across my chest. I grabbed her hand and brought it to my lips, kissing the back. Clinging to her the only way I could.
“What are you doing up?” I asked, knowing the answer might be leaving. Dreading it.
“I needed some water. Hey, Dolly.” She let me go only long enough to pet my cat, something I found endearing. Or maybe it was just the fact that I was so far gone over this girl and, for the moment, she wasn’t leaving.
I set my glass and phone on the counter and turned, wrapping myself around her. She was wearing one of my Second Gear T-shirts, a threadbare, black thing that barely covered her ass. Something that made the caveman in me quite happy. My clothes, my girl. Not that I could ever say that, but I could think it. I teased the edges of the shirt, lifting the back to slide my hands over her naked flesh. To squeeze her even closer.
She smiled up at me, her tousled hair making her look so much younger in the shadows. “Did I tire you out?”
“Definitely, but I’m not complaining.”
Her lips were warm and soft when I kissed her. A perfect combination I’d become addicted to. I flicked my tongue against hers, the heat that always flared between us growing brighter. Stronger. But I let it fade, let us go back to our comfortable snuggle. It was late, and I was already shocked she’d stayed this long. I had no doubt she’d leave before the sun came up. And I hated that thought.
“I need you here, Violet,” I said, more honest than I may have ever been. Knowing that made me more vulnerable.
She sighed as I placed my forehead against hers. “I know.”
“Stay,” I choked out, ready to fight for her. Ready for the disappointment when she told me no.
“I don’t think I can.”
“You can. I’ll be right beside you.” I squeezed her in tight, closing my eyes and wishing like I’ve never wished before. “We’ll figure it all out. I promise.”
She clung to me, shaking. Her voice weak as she said, “I wish I could go back and make different decisions.”
“I know, baby. But there’s no going back. We can only move forward. And I want to move forward with you beside me. Please.”
She shook her head but held me tighter, the two of us rocking back and forth in the middle of my dark kitchen. Dancing together, the only music the sound of our hearts beating in time.
As the moon lost its light, as clouds began to roll in from the west, she whispered one single, impactful sentence. “I want to be with you always.”
And fuck, didn’t those words sound good? I kissed her forehead and sighed, ready to take her back to bed so I could rest my weary mind. Those words were what I needed, were what I was desperate to hear from her. The start of a promise. The possibility of tomorrow.
“That’s all I can ask.”
I took her back to bed, spooning against her under the blankets. Holding her in my arms the way I was desperate to. But again, I couldn’t sleep. Reality refused to let me go. Words were good, they were a start, but Violet was a runner. Words wouldn’t pull her back if she bolted.
It was impossible to cage a wild animal set on running away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
VIOLET
“Five minutes,” I murmured, trying and failing to pull myself away from Easton’s lips.
He tilted his head, kissing me deeply for a moment before pulling back with a nip to my bottom lip. “Three, or I’m coming in to drag you out.”
I chuckled, kissing him again. “I need time to get dressed.”
His hands gripped my hips, almost lifting me over the console of the sports car he drove. “I prefer you naked.”
I finally sighed and edged back, leaving him looking all kiss-swollen and half-lidded. So fucking sexy. “Three minutes. Then I’ll be back.”
“You’d better.”
With a last blown kiss in his direction, I stumbled out of his car and hurried inside. I was still wearing my clothes from the day before when Easton had come to my rescue. We’d spent the entire night together at his place, me wrapped up in his arms. Him holding on to me as if I was something precious he didn’t want to lose. And it was everything I ever could have wanted, everything I’d needed in that moment. As was early-morning sex in his bed, though we’d apparently scandalized poor Dolly. She’d refused to come out from behind the couch after that.
But we’d grown hungry as the day had passed, and he wanted to take me somewhere for lunch, so I needed to get dressed. Which meant heading to Grandma’s house to grab some clothes.
Dahlia was in the dining room when I walked through the front door. “Well, aren’t you a little harlot.”
I rolled my eyes and brushed past her with a smile, heading toward my room. “Back off, cuz. I’m just here to change clothes.”
“Walk of shame extended? Nice. Where are you headed?”
“Lunch.” I tossed my suitcase onto the bed in my room. My hands shook as I dug for a skirt, knowing the bag was packed for a reason. For when I went back to Chicago.
Two days to go, and I still hadn’t told East
on. Still didn’t know when or if I’d be back.
When…it has to be when. Grandma is dying, and I need to be there with her.
“Lunch.” Dahlia leaned against the doorframe, watching me.
“Yes, lunch. As in food.”
“Food…with Easton.”
“Yeah.”
Her smile spread across her face, making every bit of her seem to light up. “I’m happy for you.”
I rolled my eyes again, my stomach knotting. “It’s just lunch.”
“After a slumber party.”
I switched my dress for a skirt, glaring at her as I pulled the cotton up my legs. “And your point is?”
She shrugged. “He showed up here like a knight in shining armor when you needed him. I told you, I’m happy for you. You deserve a good man.”
“It’s just lunch.” I pushed past her, stopping in the bathroom to apply a bit of deodorant and perfume. God, this was crazy. When Easton had casually said “let’s go for lunch,” I hadn’t realized how insane it would be. We’d showered at his place, which led to some amazing sex in the tiny bathroom. The man had arm strength to spare. But now…now it was settling in that we were about to go out again. To have a date in public. With me wearing one of his Second Gear T-shirts just as bold as anything. There would be no denying we were together if anyone saw us.
I shook my head and threw my hair into a messy ponytail. This was crazy, but right. It felt good. And even Dahlia’s mild-mannered teasing wasn’t going to make me think twice about it.
I grabbed my bag and headed for the door, ready to be back in Easton’s car with him.
“Hey, Violet?”
I spun, worry knotting itself around my heart at the concerned expression on my cousin’s face. “Yeah?”
“Don’t let them win.”
“Who?”
“Jace and his friends. Don’t let them and what they did run you off from your home or keep you from someone amazing. We don’t have nearly as much time as we always think we do, so don’t let them take a second from you.”
Pop The Clutch: A Second Gear Romance Page 19