by Rye Hart
“I would never have expected you to be in a place like this.”
“Why?” Grant asked as he took off his shirt.
Instead of answering, I ran my fingertips over the bright colors of the designs inked onto his body as his hands traveled up my legs. He hooked his fingers into my panties and slid them down, removing the soaked fabric from my body. He stood up, his eyes marveling at me as he removed the rest of his clothes and stood in all his glory in front of me.
His chiseled form was naked, and every muscle was teeming with heated intent.
He fell onto my body, and our lips crashed together. I raked my hands through his hair, gripping tightly to his tendrils. He yanked my dress over my head and tore my bra getting it off my body, and I giggled as he threw the fabric across the room. His arms wrapped around me and pulled me to him. My hips rolled into his as I felt his cock rise to the occasion. He was leaking against my skin. My hands ran down his back, gripping every muscle and feeling every part of him twitch with desire.
His lips rushed down my body, taking great care of my breasts. He lapped and sucked at my nipples until my arousal was dripping down my inner thigh. His bed was soft underneath my skin, and his hands were roaming along my curves. Gripping them and massaging them as my legs inched open farther for him, accommodating his thick body as my hands pushed him to where I needed him most.
He wasted no time in giving me what I wanted. His lips sucked at my clit until I was writhing in bed. Electricity shot through my veins and fire sparked in my toes as he pulled me closer to his face. He knelt on the floor, arms wrapped around my thighs, and his tongue buried deep inside my pussy.
I was bucking against his face, coating his cheeks with juices made only for him now.
“Grant. Oh shit. I’m going to—it’s coming. I’m coming!”
My back arched off the bed and my heels dug into his back. He growled into my dripping pussy as his tongue caught every drop I had to offer him. I could hear him swallowing. Drinking me down and lapping deeply at my clit. I shivered and shook, and he grinned into me.
Then he grabbed my hips and turned me over before raising my ass in the air.
He guided his pulsing cock into my folds, and I groaned. Every inch that sunk into me was another bolt of electricity that shot all the way through me. My eyes rolled into the back of my head as he set a relentless pace, pounding into my body and cracking his hand against my ass. I felt my skin reddening as he massaged my ass cheeks, his balls smacking against my sensitive clit. I hooked my feet around him and dug into the mattress, then began pushing back into his strong hips.
“Theresa. Fuck. You have no idea what you do to me.”
I pushed myself up, and he wrapped his arm around my waist. I gripped his hair and pulled his face into my neck. His hands palmed my tits, tugging at my nipples as I ground back into him. His massive cock grew against my walls, dripping with my juices and bulging with the need to release. I turned my head and captured his lips, tasting myself on him. My arousal and his sweat, intermingled upon his stubbled skin. There was no taste like it. No feeling like it. Everything felt new, and I was experiencing it with Grant.
Like I’d always wanted to.
I pulled away from his body and quickly turned around. I wrapped my arms around his neck and pulled him to the bed. He crawled up my body, stalking me like prey as his eyes connected with mine. He encompassed my lips, and I smiled, giggling into him. We fell to the bed, and he slid into me effortlessly as the moonlight draped our skin in an iridescent glow.
“I love you,” I said breathlessly.
His cock pulsed inside of me as our eyes connected with one another’s. I saw that animal rise within his gaze. That caged being begging to break free. I wrapped my legs around his waist and cupped his cheek, then I kissed the tip of his nose.
“Fuck me,” I said. “And do it right.”
With a growl, he slammed into my body. His entire bed frame moved across the floor, and my body was alight with pleasure. Thrust after thrust. Pound after pound. Until the only sound was my moaning and skin slapping skin. Juices coated my ass, and his balls smacked against my skin. He growled into my neck and nipped at my skin, leaving marks on my body I knew I would love.
Marks I’d want to see every morning for the rest of my life.
The bed lurched, and my tits jumped. His body thrust into mine and my pussy swallowed him down. I felt the sensation growing. I felt my body slipping over that edge. Our eyes never left each other, and my grip on him never ceased, and the moment my toes began to curl, he crashed his mouth on mine.
He swallowed my whimpers and my moans as I came around his cock, my pussy pulling him deeper and holding him in its grasp.
Our bodies collapsed to the bed, and he shook on top of me. His cock emptied into my body, filling me with threads of cum that shot from his tip. I held onto him. Clung to him. Bit into his shoulder and whimpered as another orgasm crashed back over my body. I couldn't get him close enough. Couldn’t have him deep enough. My pussy milked his dick until nothing was left but his brow dripping into the crook of my neck and my hands digging into his back.
“I love you,” I said in a whisper, pressing kisses into his shoulder.
“I love you too, Theresa.”
“I love you,” I said as I kissed his cheek. “I love you,” I said as I kissed his nose. “I love you,” I said as I kissed his lips.
I repeated the phrase until I’d filled every space of his body. Every divot of his sculpted muscles and every crevice of his chiseled form. I repeated the phrase until his body was quivering, his lip trembling with the need for me. I said it as I wrapped my lips around his cock and sucked him until he was throbbing against my teeth. I repeated it as he took me from behind, pressing me against the glass of his private balcony doors. I repeated it as I came around his dick two more times that night with nothing but the sound of his growl in my ear.
And I said it as I lay there in bed, tangled in the sheets, my cheek pressed to his heart. I knew that I was finally home.
CHAPTER 34
GRANT
As I drove Theresa around the next day to take in the sights of Boston, I kept a close eye on my phone. Every time it lit up with a text message, I tried to hide it from her. I held her hand and walked around the town that had embraced me when no one else would, and I showed her all my favorite spots. The bar I frequented. The corner I sat on with Matt whenever I needed to clear my head from work. I drove by a couple of our latest project and talked Theresa through some of the basics of what my company did. Mostly shit that made people want to snooze.
But not Theresa.
She was full of questions.
“Why is the corner of the house angled like that?”
“Why put up a support beam if you don’t need it?”
“What is shiplap?”
“Why not make it a double-car garage instead of doing two single-car ones?”
I enjoyed answering every single question, but I was ready to get back to the house. I had a massive surprise for her, and it was ready. Theresa wanted to pull over and slip into a boutique she thought was cute, and I ended up buying her a dress that looked fabulous on her. She complained it was too much money to spend on something like that, but a summer dress that looked that phenomenal over her curves would never be too expensive for my wallet. She changed into it right then and there, and I couldn’t believe how perfect it was for the moment we were about to walk into.
It was white and pale pink, with streaks of light yellow painted throughout the freeform design.
I drove us up to the house, and I was relieved when I saw no cars in the driveway. That meant everyone had listened to me. I threaded my fingers through Theresa’s and ushered her into the house, and we didn’t even get down the hallway before everyone jumped out.
“Surprise!”
Theresa screamed before she started laughing hysterically. Jane ran up and hugged her tightly before Hollis followed suit. Glen was there and ope
ned his arms to her as her eyes filled with tears. They were holding glasses of champagne I hoped everyone would toast after what I did. They kept Theresa occupied as I stuck my hand into my pocket, pulled out the small box, and got down on one knee.
And when she turned around, her joyful laughter turned into silent shock.
I opened the small ring box and revealed the dazzling ring I’d seen in the shop window the day I first traveled back to Boston without her. I passed by the shop window, and the colors of the ring caught my eye, but the moment I gazed upon it I was ripped back to our first encounter with one another. In her apartment. Against her wall. Rocking against her sweet body the way I’d wanted to feel for years. We fell asleep on the floor, and I woke up with her head on my chest, and I knew, then and there, that she was the only woman for me. The only woman I’d ever love, and the only woman I could ever dream of sharing my life with.
I held up the sparkling yellow diamond to her as pink gems lining the rose gold band glistened.
“Theresa, you are—without a shadow of a doubt—the most confusing woman I have ever met.”
The room trickled with laughter as a teary smile slid across her cheeks.
“You are spontaneous and reckless. You zag before you zig, and you leave me constantly guessing as to what you’re going to do next. One minute you’re upset, and the next minute you’re in my arms, and there’s never a moment where I’ve ever thought I had you all figured out. Except one.”
I plucked the ring from the box and stood up, taking her left hand in mine.
“When I walked into that apartment after talking to your landlord, I could feel your panic. Our hearts were connected, and I knew exactly what had happened. And even before I tracked you down, I had some sense of where to go. And when I barreled into that warehouse and saw him hovering over you—”
I took a deep breath as I watched a tear rush down Theresa’s cheek.
“I knew that if he took you from me, I would have nothing. This life I built? I built it on the memory of you. On the premise that, one day, I would have something to offer you that you could be proud to take. I built it on the idea that one day, I could offer it to you and you would gladly accept it. And I knew that if someone or something ripped you from me, none of it would matter. The business. The construction. This home. None of it would have meant anything because it would have always been missing you. I would’ve always been missing you.”
I reached up and wiped Theresa’s tears away with my thumb.
“I have always loved you, Theresa. And I’m nothing without you.”
I looked down at the ring in my hand, and I held it in front of her finger. My thumb traced circles on top of her skin as my mind swirled with things to say. But I had nothing else to say.
Only one question to ask.
“Theresa Peterson, love of my life—will you marry me?”
With one sweeping motion, she slipped her finger through the ring and wrapped her arm around my neck. She pulled my lips down to hers, and I embraced her, dipping her back as our tongues connected. Everyone erupted into applause, and I heard a bottle of champagne popping open in the background, and I could feel Theresa’s smile growing against my lips.
“A toast to the happy couple,” Glen said.
I helped steady Theresa on her feet as we each took a flute of champagne from his grasp.
“To a new and brighter future. Just to let you know, I’ll be visiting a lot.”
I chuckled and held my glass in the air, clinking it with Glen’s before pressing a kiss against Theresa’s head.
“To the happy couple!” Jane exclaimed. “I’m in charge of the bachelorette party.”
“Does that mean I get the bachelor party?” Hollis asked.
“No strippers,” Theresa said.
“Can we have strippers?” Jane asked.
“Is this a conversation I should be part of?” Glen asked.
“If you’re coming to the bachelor party, yes,” Hollis said.
The party got started, and everyone was talking away while sipping on their champagne. I looked over and saw Jim standing in the corner, the silent fisherman with his towering six-foot-eight form. Jane was leaning into him with that smile of hers on her face, and I could tell Jim was soaking up the moment. I figured I was wrong about Hollis. I guess he didn’t get his shit together with Jane after all.
But as I looked over at Theresa and watched her talk with her father, I knew the only thing that mattered was that I’d gotten it right.
I’d gotten my happy ending right.
We drank and ate and talked until night fell, then everyone began to trickle out. Jane left with Jim, and Hollis and Glen went to grab another drink in town. I tossed my champagne flute into the kitchen sink and listened to it dance around, but it wasn’t long before a body came catapulting into my vision.
“Catch!” Theresa exclaimed.
I caught her effortlessly in my arms, and I swung her around. Her hair billowed around her shoulders, and her smile was so big it shut her eyes. Alcohol’s warm glow flushed her skin, and her new dress fluttered around her body, and as I walked her into the living room, I held her close to my chest.
I sat us down on the couch and Theresa nuzzled underneath my chin as I gazed out the windows and into the yard.
I was damn glad I’d taken the time to get my shit together. To get my life in order. Glen kicking me out had been the worst thing that had ever happened to me, but later in my life it had turned out to be the best. Every moment, every misstep, and every argument had brought me to this point, with Theresa in my arms and my ring around her finger. I was glad I took the fucking time to be a better man for her because she was the best woman out there.
And she was all mine.
“I love you, Theresa Peterson Hooper.”
She sat up in my lap and straddled my legs, her hands tugging my shirt over my head. She ran her soft touch over my shoulders, gripping my arms before massaging her palms over my chest. Her eyes sparkled with the darkness of the sky and the innocence of the stars, and I gripped her chin so I could turn her gaze back up toward mine.
“I love you too, Grant Hooper.”
Then I guided her lips to mine for a kiss before I lifted her dress from her body.
EPILOGUE
THERESA
SIX MONTHS LATER
Aside from going back to Bar Harbor to testify at Ike’s trial, Grant and I had stayed in Boston. We celebrated our engagement and got me moved in. We redecorated a bit and spent time together. I helped Grant with the merger of the construction company he bought out and learned why it was so important to him. It showed me another side of him that cared deeper than I ever thought possible, which made me want to marry him that much more.
It had always been my dream to get married on the beaches of my home, and Grant was more than accepting of that plan. After six months of planning, we were back in Bar Harbor, and I was getting ready with Jane in the bridal suite. She was placing the veil in my hair and putting the last touches on my makeup, but there was a part of me that still couldn't believe it was happening.
I was marrying Grant Hooper.
“You look beautiful,” Jane said. “This dress is stunning.”
“You don’t think it’s too much lace?” I asked.
“Seriously? Have you seen yourself in this thing? Grant’s gonna have a damn boner through the entire wedding.”
“Jane!”
“Well, he will! I mean, look at it. The way it clings to your waist. The way the lacy sleeves fall off your shoulders. The way it swishes around your legs when you walk. And you’ve got that little push-up bra I bought you, so your cleavage is just right. Not too much, but enough to make him impatient through the reception. Do you have on the stockings?”
“Yes,” I said as I rolled my eyes.
“And they’re attached to the panties?”
“Jane, yes. I have on the lingerie you were hell-bent on buying me.”
“Good. Becaus
e it’s your damn wedding night. If there’s any night for Grant to not keep his hands off you, it’s tonight.”
I turned around and took stock of my friend, my eyes falling to her stomach. I still couldn't believe it. Her and Jim.
Who would’ve thought?”
“I’m fine,” Jane said. “Really.”
“You said you were nauseous this morning. You know I won’t be upset if you sit down during the ceremony.”
“I’m only nine weeks along. It isn’t a big deal,” she said.
“Nine weeks along with Jim’s baby is five months along for anyone else. The man’s practically seven-feet tall.”
“He’s my gentle giant,” she said, grinning.
“Are you happy with him?”
I watched Jane’s eyes well with tears, and I brought her in for a hug. I’d never seen my best friend this happy before. I rubbed her back and heard her sniffle, and it caused me to tighten my grasp around her neck.
“I’m so happy for you,” I said breathlessly.
“And I’m happy for you,” she said. “Now, we need to get you marching down the aisle. If we’re any later, Grant’s going to think you aren’t showing up.”
The two of us walked down to the beach, and I paused just before the shadows of the building broke. I watched Hollis escort Jane down the aisle, and I smiled at the two of them. That was another shocker that had come at the rehearsal dinner. All of us thought Hollis would end up with Jane. After all, my brother had the biggest crush on her as a child. Hollis was a serial dater of women, constantly taking them to bed but never settling down with any one of them.
But when he showed up to the rehearsal dinner with his boyfriend, everything slowly fell into place.
The shock on Grant’s face had been priceless, but I couldn't say I wasn’t the tiniest bit curious. Hollis always boasted about the women he slept with, but we had never met any of them. He boasted of the women he dated, but he’d never brought any of them home. And when Jane told me Hollis had her alone and didn’t act on anything, it did get my gears turning.