Until July

by Aurora Rose Reynolds

  “I’m beating the shit out of you tomorrow,” Wes says, looking at Z, whose eyes are focused where Kayan just disappeared.

  “Brother.” Z shakes his head then looks at me. “You got any beer?”

  “Yeah.” I nod.

  “I’ll get it,” he says, walking off towards the kitchen.

  “She’s safe with him, right?” I ask Wes when Z is out of earshot.

  “I’ve been friends with him since we joined the Navy at eighteen. He’s one of the best guys I know.” He wraps his arms around me and places a lingering kiss on my forehead. “Now, go make me dinner, while I go do guy shit.” He tilts my head back with two fingers under my chin and I laugh into his mouth as he kisses me again before pushing me towards the kitchen.

  “How much trouble did I get you in with Wes?” Kayan asks as we start to cook dinner.

  “None. Well, he was pissed, but he got over it.”

  “I didn’t mean to open my mouth, but when I got home, Z was there and it just came out.”

  “I kinda got that.” I take the hamburger out of the package, put it in the pan, and begin to cook it. “What’s going on with you guys anyways?” I ask her, handing her two tomatoes to slice up.

  “Nothing.” She ducks her head.

  “Didn’t look like nothing when I opened my front door and his tongue was down your throat.”

  “That was an accident.”

  “He accidently kissed you? Or you accidently kissed him back?”

  “I don’t know.” She lets out a loud breath.

  “He seems to like you.”

  “I don’t know,” she whispers, and I take a can of refried beans and dump them on top of the taco meat, along with some cheese I grated the other day.

  “I just don’t want you to miss out on something great,” I tell her after a few minutes.

  “He makes me crazy.”

  “I think that if you don’t explore things with him, you’re going to end up regretting it.”

  She chews on her bottom lip then looks toward the living room, where the guys are watching TV. “I know you’re right,” she whispers then looks at the pan in front of me and frowns. “I thought we were making tacos.”

  “These are tacos. They’re ‘I don’t want to wash a million dishes’ tacos.”

  She shakes her head then goes back to chopping.

  It doesn’t take long for dinner to be done, and even less time for the guys to scarf down every last bite. By the time dinner’s done and Z and Kayan leave for the night, I’m asleep on my feet.

  *

  “What are you doing?” I ask sleepily, opening my eyes and coming face-to-face with Wes, who’s staring down at me. Turning my head, I look at the clock, seeing I still have an hour before I have to get up and ready for work.

  “You were whimpering in your sleep.”

  “Whimpering?” I ask, still half unconscious.

  “Whimpering,” he confirms.

  “That’s strange,” I say then notice his eyes have turned a darker shade of green, and my body begins to heat. I was so tired last night that the moment my head hit the pillow, I fell asleep.

  “You made that same whimpering noise when my fingers were deep inside you.”

  “Really?” I breathe as his hand slides down my stomach and cups me over my panties.

  “Oh, yeah, I’ll never forget that noise.” His fingers slide over the lips of my pussy through the material, making me whimper. “That’s the noise I’m talking about.”

  “Oh,” I breathe as he slides between my legs. His hands slide up my sides and he slips my tank top off over my head, tossing the shirt behind him. Then he lifts one of my legs and places it on his shoulder, doing the same with the other.

  My breath starts coming in rough pants as his hands slide over my breasts then down my sides.

  “Jesus, you’re fucking perfection,” he says roughly as his fingers slide around my waist and grip my panties. As he pulls them up, the material sliding over my ass and hips, he places both of my legs on one of his shoulders until the panties slide over my ankles and he drops them to the bed near my hip. Then he pulls my right leg back over to his other shoulder and looks down again.

  “I don’t think I’ll be able to make it through another day unless I know how you taste. Can I taste you, baby?” he asks as his hands slide from my ankles that are near his ears, down the front of my legs, then farther down as his fingers wrap around my inner thighs. I swallow hard, trying to get my voice to work, but all I can manage is a jerky nod.

  “Hmm,” he breathes, lowering my legs from his shoulders. He places my feet on the bed and leans over me, causing his necklace to hit me between my breasts as his mouth opens over mine.

  Sliding his tongue into my mouth, rocking his hips against me, I lift my legs, wanting to wrap them around him.

  “No.” He pulls my legs from around him with his hands wrapped around my ankles, then spreads them, holding my feet to the mattress, his arm muscles flexing as he spreads me wider and lowers his face, placing a kiss on my lower belly, making the muscles flex.

  His nose runs across my pubic bone as he inhales a deep breath. My thighs start to shake as his hands slide from my ankles, up over my kneecaps, and down my inner thighs.

  My breathing starts to feel rushed as I try to anticipate when his mouth will touch me. My fingers tangle in the sheets near my hips as his eyes meet mine. Even though I had been anticipating the touch of his tongue, my back arches, my head digs into the pillow, and my eyes close in bliss as his warm tongue runs over my clit then back down.

  “Give me your eyes,” he growls. My head tips down and my eyes meet his as his tongue spreads across my sex. This time he does this thing, flicking his tongue in quick bursts while his thumbs hold me open.

  My hands grab onto his hair and my heels dig into the mattress near his shoulders as I lift myself closer to his mouth, and his thumb slides inside me. He hums against my clit before pulling it into his mouth. My hips buck in response and my hands in his hair tug hard as he sucks mercilessly, pulling an orgasm from me that I didn’t even feel building.

  His name leaves my mouth on a loud moan. My nails scrape through his hair as I hold him to me, feeling the orgasm wash throughout my body.

  I relax into the bed and drop my hands to my sides as he crawls up between my legs. His tongue sweeps across mine, leaving my taste and his behind. I wrap my legs around him as he leans back, and run my fingers down his scruffy jaw.

  “You are seriously hot,” I blurt then close my eyes, feeling like a dork.

  He chuckles and kisses under my jaw then runs a hand over my head before rolling off me to his back and pulling me over to his chest. I press my legs together as I feel how hard he is against my arm, which is resting across his abs.

  I inhale a deep breath, letting the oxygen give me the courage I need, then move before he can stop me. I pull down the band of his boxers and stop dead as all the oxygen leaves my body.

  “Holy crap,” I whisper. I knew he felt big when I had him in my hand, but he is huge, long and thick, the veins pronounced, the head red and angry-looking. I swallow hard as my mouth fills with saliva. I look up and meet his eyes. His body is frozen in place. I pull my hair over one shoulder, wrap my hand around him, and pull up the heavy weight of him with my hand, causing me to have another surge of wetness. I lower my head and lick over the tip, moaning as his taste explodes on my tongue.

  “Fuck,” he growls as his hand fists into my hair at the side of my head. I lower my mouth completely over him, going down until he hits the back of my throat, making me gag. I lift up then down, keeping my cheeks hollow as I suck. When I reach the tip again, I release him from my mouth with a pop then use my hand, pulling up then down as I swirl my tongue around the tip.

  His hand leaves my hair and lifts above his head so he can grab onto the headboard. The visual of him, his muscles taught as I bring him closer to release, makes me moan loud and slide down, causing him to once again hit the b
ack of my throat. I move faster, working my hand along with my mouth.

  “I’m going to come,” he groans, placing a hand on the side of my hair. My eyes meet his. I know he’s giving me a chance to release him, but I just move faster, with my eyes locked on his as he comes hard. I swallow him down then swirl my tongue around the tip again before releasing him from my mouth. “I almost lifted you up and impaled you on my cock, baby,” he says, pulling me up his body with his hands under my arms. Once my mouth is near his, he places his hand on the back of my head and pulls my lips down to his, kissing me until my nails are digging into his chest.

  “Sorry,” I apologize breathlessly, not knowing what else to say.

  “Don’t apologize; that was hot. I just had to check myself,” he says, tucking some hair behind my ear then searching my face. “A friend of mine from the Navy is coming into town from California on Saturday and we’re having a party for him. I want you there with me,” he states, dragging his fingers through my hair, removing the knots he caused.

  “I have to go to my dad’s birthday party Saturday, so I won’t be able to,” I say, tracing the tattoos that start at his shoulder and travel down to his wrist.

  “That’s fine. We can go after his party,” he says, wrapping his hand around my neck to pull my face towards him.

  I pull back and search his face then remind him, “My dad’s going to be there.”

  “It’s his birthday, so I would expect him to be there.” He smiles, running a finger of his free hand down the center of my face.

  “You want to meet my dad?” I whisper in shock. Everyone is afraid of my dad, and I have never had any guy, even just friends, willing to meet him.

  “You’re mine. I can’t tell the future, but I don’t think that’s going to change, so I would like to meet him.”

  “My dad is very protective.”

  “I wouldn’t expect any man with all girls not to be,” he says softly, searching my face.

  “Will you let me talk to him about us first?” I ask. I’m not sure if I’m ready for the only man I have ever loved to meet the man I’m falling in love with. This thing between Wes and me is still so new, and I don’t want anything to ruin it.

  “I can do that,” he says gently.

  “Thank you.” I smile, kissing him once more before my alarm goes off and we’re forced to get up.

  Chapter 9

  “Happy Birthday, Dad,” I say, walking up to where my dad is manning the barbeque.

  “Thank you.” He smiles, wrapping an arm around my shoulders and kissing the side of my head. “Where have you been?”

  “Oh, you know, working.” I shrug then cringe, willing myself to tell him about Wes.

  “You need to take a break every once in awhile and come visit your old man.”

  “Sorry,” I tell him, and he kisses my head again.

  “Hey, honey.” My mom smiles then looks around, and I jerk my head side-to-side before she asks exactly what I know she’s going to.

  “You didn’t bring a date?” she asks, and I take a breath and shake my head.

  “You’re not dating, are you?” my dad asks.

  “Do you need any help inside, Mom?” I ask ignoring my dad’s question. Not giving her a chance to answer, I take her elbow and lead her past the pool and into the house.

  “Honey,” she laughs, looking at my dad, who is still in front of the grill, but his body is turned toward the house, “are you still seeing that nice guy Wes?”

  “Mom, really?” I ask, going into the kitchen and pulling out platters from the fridge.

  “What? I thought you would bring him, or that he would insist on coming today.”

  “He wanted to, but I asked him to let me tell Dad about him first.”

  “You didn’t tell your father about him, and right now, when you had the perfect opportunity to tell him, you pulled me away.”

  “I know.” I cover my face in frustration.

  “What’s wrong?” she asks, and I feel her hand on my back and uncover my face to look at her.

  “I’m worried Dad won’t like him,” I whisper, and her face goes soft.

  “Honey, what happens if he doesn’t like him?” she asks, searching my face.

  “I don’t know,” I say, feeling my chest constrict.

  “When I started dating your father, Grandpa was not exactly happy about it, but I knew your dad made me feel things I didn’t even think were possible, and I also knew my dad loved me enough to know I knew what I was doing.”

  “I want Dad to like him,” I whisper.

  “Then you need to give him a chance to get to know him.”

  “I don’t know if I’m ready, if our relationship is ready.”

  “My beautiful girl is falling in love,” she whispers, and I close my eyes, not wanting her to see how true that statement is. I’m falling in love with a guy I barely know.

  “I think I just need a little more time,” I tell her, finally opening my eyes.

  “Just don’t wait too long, honey.”

  “Promise I won’t,” I say as my insides twist.

  “He’s hot.” She smiles after a moment.

  “What?!” I shriek, looking at her.

  “He is, and that kiss he gave you when he walked into you house. “Very nice.”

  “Shut up.”

  “What? I’m old, but I’m not dead.” She smiles.

  “You better not let Dad hear you say that,” I warn, and the smile slides off her face.

  “Watch it, young lady,” she says, and I wrap my arms around her waist.

  “Love you, Mom.”

  “Love you too, honey.” She kisses my hair. “Now,” she pulls away, leaving her hands on my shoulders, “let’s get this stuff done, and get outside and enjoy your dad’s birthday.”

  “Right,” I agree, pulling the rest of the platters out of the fridge and heading back outside.

  “Bye, Mom. Bye, Dad!” I yell out my car window to my parents, who are standing on the front porch with their arms wrapped around each other.

  “Bye, honey,” my mom calls back as my dad lifts his chin as I back out.

  After dinner, we FaceTimed my sisters while we sang him happy birthday before cutting his cake. I missed my sisters, but with all of them going to college out of state, it was hard for all of us to get together like we used to when we were all home. The good thing is over the next few years, all of my sisters will be moving back to town one-by-one as they finish college. I pull out onto the main road and press send on Wes’ number when it pulls up on my call log.

  “Hey, babe,” he answers, and I hear music in the background then moving.

  “Hey,” I say when his side goes quiet.

  “You on your way?”

  “Yeah.” I smile.

  “Good, I miss you,” he says, lowering his tone—not like he’s trying to hide what he’s saying, but like he is really happy I will be there soon.

  “Me too.” I smile again, turning onto another road.

  “How did things go with your dad?”

  Shit. I don’t want to lie, but I don’t want to tell him I never even mentioned him to my dad, and that I actually tackled Jax to the ground when he was going to say something about Wes to his dad.

  “He had a great birthday,” I say, playing dumb while hoping he doesn’t ask anything else—at least, not yet, not until I’ve spoken to my dad, which I will do soon. Okay, maybe not soon, but sooner, rather than later. “I’m going to stop by my house and change really quick, and then I will be there.”

  “Why do you need to change?”

  “’Cause I wore a dress to the party.”

  “Come straight here,” he growls, and the space between my legs tingles.

  “Wes—”

  “Come straight here, July,” he demands, causing the tingle to become a shiver of excitement.

  “I’ll see you soon,” I say, and the phone goes dead. I drop it into my lap and attempt to focus on driving, not on the ache that the
tone of his voice caused.

  When I pull up outside of the compound, Wes is waiting out front. My mouth waters as I take him in. Wearing a white tank that shows off his tattoos, his cut over it, a pair of jeans, and his black boots, leaning against the building with a beer in his hand at his hip.

  I shut off my car and check my face in the mirror, noticing that my eyes are bright with excitement and happiness. They travel from my reflection to Wes, and his eyes hold me in a trance as I unlock my seatbelt and fumble until I get my door open.

  The moment my sandal-covered foot touches the ground, Wes steps away from the building. I clear the door and slam it behind me, and his eyes run over me from head to toe. I left my hair down after I got out of the shower this afternoon, so it dried with messy waves. The dress is the color of buttercups. It has wide straps, and the top of the dress is snug, with buttons down the front, the bottom flaring out at the hips, making it look like I have the perfect hourglass figure.

  I let out a long breath and wipe my hands down the front, trying to settle my nerves.

  “I don’t know if I’m going to be cool with my boys seeing you like this,” he places a hand on my waist and dragging my body close to his until we’re hip-to-hip. “You look beautiful,” he says as his eyes take me in.

  “Thank you.” I smile, placing my hand on the leather of his cut, sliding up to wrap around the back of his neck so I can pull him down to kiss me.

  “I should just take you back to your house,” he whispers as his mouth hovers just out of reach of mine.

  “Then I wouldn’t get to meet your friend,” I tell him, pressing up on my toes, trying to reach his mouth.

  “He’s not important.”

  I smile when I finally get the kiss I had been waiting for, and somehow end up with my legs wrapped around his hips and my arms wrapped around his neck, my back pressing into the door of my car. When we finally end our make-out session, he leads me inside and straight to the bar towards a group of guys who are talking.

  The moment we’re close, the conversation stops and one of the guys turns to look at us. His hair is low to his scalp, his face ruggedly handsome, almost so much so that it’s intimidating. His eyes sweep over me and heat slightly then drop to the hand Wes has wrapped around my hip. Then they travel up to meet mine again, and this time, the heat is gone and understanding is in its place.