by Toni Aleo
“Stop,” I say, meeting her defiant gaze. “What did I say to Jayden? Those girls didn’t matter. You matter. I don’t want anyone looking at your body but me.”
She looks away as she shrugs. “I don’t know why it bothers me, I really don’t. I just don’t get it. Why did you think it was okay to have no respect for those girls?”
Leaning on my elbows, I let my weight fall on her as I meet her gaze again. “Because it was no challenge. They gave it to me like you give a kid candy. It was easy and fast and I didn’t have to put any emotion into it. You’re right that I had no respect for them, but it’s different with you.”
“Why, though? It doesn’t make sense to me.”
“You made me work for it the first time I met you. You didn’t just fall in bed with me, and then when you did, I wondered if I should. I actually questioned my motives with you, and I knew that it meant something, you know?”
She brings her lip between her teeth and then lets out a breath. “So what happens when it’s not a challenge anymore?”
“It isn’t a challenge now, Claire,” I say slowly.
“Yes, it is! I won’t give it up.”
I nod. “Maybe, but I don’t need it. I need you. I need this.”
She reaches up and cups my cheek, her thumb slowly moving through the scruff on my jaw. I need to shave but I have no real urge to. Looking deep in my eyes, she asks, “So you aren’t addicted to sex or anything?”
I laugh, breaking our intense stare-off, and shake my head. “I’m addicted to you, Claire. I don’t want anyone but you.”
Meeting her gaze again, I see hers is full of heat, and I swear I see her whole heart. My chest constricts while everything inside me goes hot. This girl is going to be the death of me with only a full-of-heart look. It’s intense. We are intense.
“This isn’t about sex, is it?”
“It isn’t for me,” I answer. “Is it for you?”
She shakes her head before I get the whole sentence out. “Not at all,” she says. Then she asks, “You like me, don’t you?”
I nod slowly, leaning down, my lips only a breath from hers. “Oh yeah, I do. A whole fucking lot, too.”
“I feel the same,” she whispers.
Getting lost in her eyes, feeling her heart bang against mine, feeling the heat between her legs… It’s too much to handle and soon the words are out of my mouth before I can even process them.
“I think I’m falling for you.”
Her thumb pauses on my cheek as her eyes go wide. “Seriously?”
My heart is in my throat. Fuck. She doesn’t feel the same. Looking down at her nose, I take in a deep breath, embarrassed, feeling so dumb. Why would I say something so fucking stupid? So soon?
Before I can even say anything, she brings her face down some so she can meet my gaze. “I feel the same, Jude. Don’t hide. I just thought that I was crazy for thinking that. I mean, it’s only been a week, and I’m convinced you are the guy I could fall completely for.”
My heart falls out of my throat and hits my stomach hard, leaving me breathless. “I know I can, with you and only you.”
“I’ve never trusted anyone, Jude. It took Reese and Phillip forever for me to fall for them and trust them. I don’t know why it’s so easy with you. This world is full of empty promises and false hope, but when I look at you, I don’t feel that. I feel all these crazy butterflies and shit. They scare the hell out of me because I’ve been hurt so many times, but I just have this urge to jump with you. To trust you, completely, no matter what.”
Cupping her face, I feel like I can’t breathe because that’s everything I feel. I feel like this is real. Like it’s forever-type shit, as insane as it is. “I know you’ve been hurt, and I know that people have not been the greatest to you, but I want to change that. I want to be good for you. Worthy of you. I want to make you proud.”
Closing her eyes, she brings me down, our lips touching ever so softly. Parting, I kiss her gently again, enjoying the sweet tenderness of our kisses. Pulling back, I look down at her, and she is just so beautiful. Her eyes are heavy-lidded, her lips parted and swollen from my kisses. Her breasts are pushed up against my chest, her hands at my sides holding me close while stray pieces of her hair fall from her braid.
“You’re so beautiful. So amazing, Claire.”
She cups me behind my neck and brings me down to her lips for a long heart-pounding kiss. My whole body catches on fire, moving against her, rubbing myself to the point that I’m sure I’m going to come in my boxers. Our limbs are tangled, our mouths moving together in such a perfect way. I’m humming with awareness of her, our breaths coming so harshly while we continue to tease and drive each other crazy. I know I should stop this. I already can’t see straight and I’m harder than a board, but I can’t seem to pull my mouth from hers.
Finally, she does and I thank the Lord above, but then she whispers, “Make love to me.”
Everything stops. I’m frozen, and oh God, how I want to. My dick jumps to life, pointing right to her heavenly center, but my brain is screaming that it isn’t time yet. We have to wait. No matter how much we both want it, it’s better this way. This way I know she’ll never doubt me, doubt us, because if I can hold out from being inside this beautiful woman, I have to love her. That’s all there is to it. Maybe I need it too. Maybe this is the real test to show me that I don’t need anything or anyone but her.
Shaking my head slowly, my lips dust against hers as her breath comes out in a whoosh. “We have eight days left.”
“Bending the rules, remember?”
I shake my head. “No rule bending, you naughty girl. We’re in this together.”
Moving her hands into my boxers, she cups my ass, pressing her center against my raging hard-on, and fuck, I go cross-eyed. Letting out a ragged breath, I take in another deep one as she says, “I want you, though.”
“Oh baby, you have no idea how much I want you,” I basically whimper. “But it’s better if we wait. Remember, guarantees and showing you you’re the one and all that jazz. Please, don’t make this any harder than it already is,” I say, pleading. “I don’t think I can keep saying no.”
A grin crosses her lips as her hands leave my body and come between us. I think she’s going to touch my dick and ignore my plea. If she does do that, fuck it, put a fork in me, I’m done. But to my surprise, her hand goes into her panties.
Meeting her gaze, I know my eyes are wide as she says, “I’m so fucking turned on, Jude. I have to get off, and if you won’t do it for me, I have to. I just do.”
She moans as her fingers touch her center, and I can’t speak. I can’t even think. Somehow, I push myself up, giving her room to touch herself. With her eyes locked on mine, she starts to finger herself and I can’t breathe. Falling back on my haunches, I reach for her thong and pull it off her, throwing it over my shoulder so I can watch her fingers slowly move in her wet pussy. I’ve never had a girl finger herself in front of me like this; my dick is rock hard. I can’t see straight but somehow I continue to watch her, my heart pounding in my chest as I watch her fingers glisten with her wetness, teasing me in the most unfair way. I want my mouth on her, I want to lick her pussy dry, but I know if I touch her, I’m going to lose it. I’m going to fuck her so hard that both of us won’t be moving for the next twelve hours.
Closing her eyes, her hand pulls her bra up, catching her nipple between her fingers as she slowly fucks herself with her beautiful fingers. The thought that she must do this often turns me on even more, and I’m not sure how I’m still sitting here without touching her.
I must fucking care. A whole hell of a lot because soon she’s panting, moaning sweetly as she plays with her clit, her eyes meeting mine again, and my body is so tight, I don’t dare move. I’m scared even the littlest move and I’ll fall dick-first inside her, intentionally. Holding my gaze in her hot, lusty, dirty one, she runs her tongue along her lip and then her whole body seizes up. She moans out loudly, hittin
g her climax, and fucking hell, my balls draw up and I’m fucking coming in my boxers.
Bracing my hands on my knees, I take in a deep breath and let it out in a whoosh. I don’t, can’t move for what seems like hours. I’ve never done that. I always have to touch my dick to come. I’ve never just come from just watching a girl get off. Fuck, that was hot. When her hands come up to my face and her mouth presses against mine, I melt against her, wrapping my arms around her.
Parting slowly, I kiss her bottom lip, then her chin before meeting her satisfied gaze. “I wish you would have done it for me. I was hoping you would take over.”
“Yeah, I wanted to, baby, but I couldn’t trust myself,” I admit.
A sneaky grin comes over her lips as her arms hang loosely around my neck. “So eight more days of this?”
“Yes, eight fucking days.”
She giggles as I unhook her arms before climbing down the ladder. When I throw my boxers off and into the hamper, she asks, “What are you doing?”
“Well, while you were getting off, I got off, in my boxers.”
“You came in your boxers?” she asks, her face red and laughter playing in her wide eyes.
“Yes, Claire, see what you do to me?”
“Sorry?”
I flash her a dark look. “Don’t be sorry, that was the hottest fucking thing I’ve ever seen.”
Her sneaky grin is back, and I try to ignore it as I pick up her thong, handing it back to her. Hitting the light, I climb the ladder and then get under the covers with her, pulling her body close against mine. After I kiss her temple, she nuzzles into my neck and soon sleep takes over.
The next morning, I feel her moving and I wake up reaching for her, but she’s already getting dressed. When I see Jayden in bed, I glare but then look back at Claire as she comes up to the side. Why the hell is he in here? Asshole.
“He’s asleep. Don’t worry, he didn’t see anything.”
“I’m still gonna kick his ass,” I say, glaring.
“Don’t, Jude, he just wants to sleep in his bed.”
Meeting her sweet gaze, I shrug, deciding I won’t kick my brother’s ass, or maybe I will and not tell her. Cupping her face, I ask, “Are you heading out?”
With a grin, she leans into my hand and says, “Yeah, I gotta meet Reese in five. I’m running late,” she says with a guilty grin. “I’ll call you when I’m done. Thanks for last night.”
Leaning over the rail, I kiss her lips and smile as she pulls away. “Anytime. Have fun.”
“I will,” she says with a little wave and then she’s gone. I thought it would be hard for me to go back to sleep but soon I knock back out. When the dinging of my phone wakes me up not even an hour later, I want to be mad, but when I open the text to find my girl in a floor-length, backless blue dress, I couldn’t be mad if I tried. She’s gorgeous, and I love the way the blue looks on her skin. The dress hugs every inch of her, and it’s a mouthwatering sight.
Then I see the text underneath, and as I read, there is no wiping the grin off my face.
Claire: Will you be my date to my uncle and aunt’s wedding if I wear this? And it’s in two weeks so you’ll more than likely get laid afterward.
As I quickly type back, I can’t help but wonder how does she not know that I’d do basically anything for her?
Chapter 22
Claire
I know I look dumb sitting in a floor-length gown with my phone glued to my hands waiting for a text from Jude, but I have to know if he will go. While I know it’s superearly to ask him to go to a wedding for my overprotective, crazy uncle and my beautiful aunt, he invited me to meet his mom, and also we basically declared that we’re falling in love with each other. And then I fingered myself in front of him. And he came in his boxers. So, I figure asking him to go to a wedding isn’t that weird. Right? Ah! I don’t know; he isn’t answering me!
Letting my arms fall on my legs against the silky fabric of the royal blue bridesmaid dress, I let out a frustrated breath. I do love this dress, though. I wasn’t sure when Reese pulled it out, but now that it’s on me, I love it. It’s very formfitting all the way to my knees then it goes out in beautiful layers of fabric in a mermaid style. The back goes down to right above my butt, but then the top has this beautiful lace that comes along my shoulders and chest, giving a peekaboo of my chest, but in a very classy and beautiful way. I thought when I came here today that I was going to be wearing some crap dress, but Reese had other plans. It’s a gorgeous dress and I know I should be admiring it, but I can’t help but wonder what the hell is taking so long to answer my text! He can’t be asleep! Or crap, maybe he is?
Ugh! I’m about to toss my damn phone and figure this is his way of saying no when a text comes through.
Hey Jude: I would go with u if all that wasn’t in play. All u have to do is ask. But btw, u look crazy hot in that dress.
Smiling like a complete dork, I type:
Me: Fine, will u, Jude Sinclair, be my date to my crazy uncle and aunt’s impromptu wedding? And btw, thanks. I thought u might like it.
Hey Jude: Yes. I would love to. Crazy uncle and all.
Before I can type back, another text comes through.
Hey Jude: And btw, I can’t wait to peel that dress off ur sexy body.
Feeling all hot, I type back: Thank u. We’ll talk details later.
Then I send another one. And btw, I can’t wait for u to do just that.
Hey Jude: btw…I miss u.
Me: btw… I miss u more.
A dreamy grin comes across my face as I lean on my hand, staring at his words. I’ve never been one to daydream, but staring at the simple words, I find myself imagining our life together in the future. Him playing in the NHL while I cheer him on after getting done at the studio that I’ll have, maybe being pregnant and being a big, happy family…
“What are you doing?”
I look up to find Reese coming toward me, and my mouth promptly drops to the ground.
“Oh, Reese,” I gasp, holding back the tears as she walks up on the little platform. She’s gorgeous. That’s all I can say. Simply stunning. When she told me her dress was amazing, she wasn’t lying. With a bright, happy grin on her face, she stands tall in a sheer lace dress with a silk underlay. It’s long-sleeved with the lace coming along her arms to her fingers in a royal, classy way. The front dips all the way down to the middle of her chest, showing a beautiful but elegant view of her breasts. I know that will be Phillip’s favorite part, but then I see the back. Breathtaking. Unlike my plain back, her gorgeous black tree tattoo covers her whole back and is on display since the dress is completely backless. The lace molds to her skin like it was meant to be there and then splays along the floor, making her look like a beautiful princess.
A lady walks behind her, laying the back of the dress out, and I take in every single, beautiful detail. The diamond studded belt, the birdcage veil, the sheer elegance of the dress. It’s stunning. She’s stunning.
“God, Reese, you’re gorgeous,” I breathe as tears well up in my eyes. “So gorgeous.”
Standing, I let my hand fall to my side and she grins at me, holding in her own tears. “Thank you, Claire. I was hoping you’d love it as much as I do.”
“I do.”
“Good, I love your dress too. We’re getting it.”
“Okay,” I say, knowing that she’s right, but I can’t take my eyes off her. I’ve seen her every way, from dolled up to the nines to looking like bear crap with the flu, and she’s always been gorgeous. But seeing her like this, a bride, is mind-blowing. She never wanted this. She never wanted to be tied down to a guy, but she is, and she loves him. And she loves me, the troubled teen who was hell-bent on ruining them all. She never stopped loving me too. I think it was always love at first sight for the both of us. She was my person and I am hers. I may tease her about this wedding, but I’m so excited I can’t contain it.
My two favorite people are becoming one. It gives me hope, really, that
not all people are shit. They show me the meaning of love, that people stick things out even when they don’t want to, and I’m so grateful to be there every step of the way. I’m scared shitless of doing this with Jude. Completely trusting him… But I don’t think there is another way. If he breaks my heart, cheats on me, and leaves me, then at least I’ll know I tried. Phillip and Reese tried, and look, now she’s in a wedding dress. You just have to try.
I look back at Reese and her hands come up to her stomach as she takes in a deep breath, meeting my gaze in the mirror. “Do you think Phillip will love it?”
I nod slowly. “He’s gonna be floored. That dress was made for you, Reese. It’s amazing.”
She smiles and my heart comes out of my chest when a tear slowly rolls down her cheek. Coming up on the platform with her, I wrap my arms around her and she hugs me back tightly, kissing my temple before I nuzzle my face in her neck. As I hold her, I can’t believe how much everything has changed. How did I go from having such a crappy life, where I basically didn’t care if I lived or died, to now having all this?
An uncle and aunt who love me.
And now a guy who’s falling for me.
I sorta want to pinch myself to make sure it’s all real.
After getting the dresses packaged up and carried to the car for Reese to take home, we head down the road to our favorite sushi place. Sitting in the booth, we order before settling into easy conversation that comes naturally to us. Everyone always assumes we’re sisters, and while I don’t mind that, I consider her more my mom than anything. She’s stern when she needs to be and loves me unconditionally. It’s a great balance, and I love her for it. My mom was never that way. All she cared about was the men, drugs, and the booze; I was always a ninth thought. It sucked, but I learned from it, and I feel like it’s made me stronger. I thought I didn’t need anyone back then, I thought I was fine on my own, but now I know I was so wrong.