“I’m glad you think so too.” I brushed her hair back off her face as it tipped up to me. Her eyes glistened in the light, and the moment our lips touched it became the perfect kiss. We’ve shared a lot over the last year, but this kiss was raw. It was one that had been waiting for almost ten years to happen. It was in this moment that I knew I’d found the one. I think I knew when I was five, but this moment right here sealed it for me. This was my other half, my soulmate, the one my heart had been waiting for. This woman was everything to me, and I was going to prove to her that I was everything she needed.
Chapter 29
Hailey
“What about this one?” Max held a cute ladybug costume up, and smiled.
“That’s cute. Put that in the ‘maybe’ pile.” I nodded as I went back to my task. We were currently in the local Sav-A-Mart looking at Halloween stuff. It was Nora’s first Halloween, and it had to be perfect.
“Don’t you think this is a little much?” Max looped the hanger onto the shopping cart as he dove back into the racks to continue his search.
“Nope.” I grinned.
“Why are you even dressing her up? She can’t eat the candy,” he muttered.
“You’re such a buzzkill.” I sighed. “Don’t you remember Halloween when we were kids? We’d stay up all night eating candy, and then your mom would let me crash at your house.”
“I remember. I was hoping for something a little different this year.” He sighed.
“Oh, really?” I leaned back, and grinned at him. “Like what?”
“How about you come over after this and help me decorate for the trick or treaters, and I’ll show you?” He winked before holding up at bumble bee costume. “How’s this?”
“Maybe.” I nodded as I shook my head, and wandered down the aisle. Just when I was ready to give up, I found the cutest costume ever. “This is it!” I squealed as I held it up in front of me. “She’s going to be adorable.”
“You’re sure that’s the one you want?” Max looked unsure as he pushed the cart with Nora in it toward where I was standing.
“Yes, let’s go check out.” I began marching to the checkout lines.
“What’s the rush?” Max almost jogged as he pushed the cart to keep up with me.
“I wanna know what these plans are.” I laughed as I picked the shortest line. I grabbed some of those pumpkins that taste like candy corn while I was standing there.
“You never were good with being patient.” He laughed.
“Nope.” I tossed my purchases up on the register, but before I could I get my wallet, Max was handing over his debit card. “What are you doing?”
“I don’t mind.” He shrugged. “I like buying her stuff.” He pointed at Nora.
“But I can get this.” I pouted. Max had been doing this a lot lately— paying. I knew we were together, but I like having my independence and paying my own way. When Jared and I were married, he paid for everything, literally. I didn’t work, and I didn’t want to be that helpless again.
“I know you can.” He gave me a quick hug. “I’m sorry if I overstepped. I just like taking care of you two.”
“Thanks.” I offered a tight smile.
“You can buy lunch. Does that make you feel better?” Max grabbed the bag with our purchases, and then steered the cart over to the return to lift Nora out of the seat. I didn’t say anything at first; I just followed him out to the parking lot where we were parked.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to overreact. I appreciate you wanting to do things for us.” I leaned into his side and hugged him.
“No worries. Let’s get back to my place. She can take a nap, and you can help me decorate.” He laughed as he tossed the bag in the back of my car, and I buckled Nora in her seat.
ooooooooo
It wasn’t a long drive to Max’s house. He didn’t live far from me, and was right on the edge of town. Nora was fast asleep in her car seat, so I carefully lifted her out as Max got the bag.
Once inside, I laid her in the Pack ‘N Play that was in the spare bedroom, grabbed the monitor, and went to find Max. He was on a ladder in the garage.
“What are you doing?” I stood beside where his legs were visible, and looked up.
“Getting the boxes down. All the seasonal stuff is up here.” He took a few steps back down with a giant box over his shoulder.
“You haven’t even lived here two years yet. How do you have all this stuff?” I reached for the box to help him.
“Well you see, I have parents who live really close and they gave me most of their stuff since they don’t decorate anymore and I live in town.” He smirked.
“You’re such a smartass.” I smacked his arm as he began to climb up the ladder again.
“And you love it.” He chuckled as he disappeared into the attic space.
Once Max finished bringing everything down, we began to go through it. I reached in the first box, and lifted out a plastic skeleton. It was one of those 3D ones that looked real. “I can’t believe your parents kept this. Do you remember that time you scared the crap outta me with this?”
“Mmm hmm.” Max nodded as a grin spread across his lips. “I remember you not talking to me for over a week because of it too.”
“You deserved it,” I snapped. I was twelve at the time. Max and I had been back at the pond telling ghost stories with only a flashlight. His parents had planned to decorate that afternoon, and had put up some of the decorations while we were gone. When we came out of the woods, it was dark and I could barely see. I remember Max hiding off the path with the light. I was so scared because I thought he’d left me. When I reached the edge of the yard, he came running up behind me and screamed. I nearly jumped out of my skin. I took off running, not paying attention to where I was going, and I crashed right into this skeleton hanging from a set of gallows. I got tangled up in it, and Max teased me relentlessly. I shut him out for over a week, refusing to talk to him or come over.
“I don’t know if I deserved all of that,” he muttered. “I think you were just mad that I one upped you.” He chuckled. “You always were afraid of your own shadow.”
“Well, it’s not my fault that you were fearless.” I sighed as I laid the skeleton off to the side. “Are you going to hang this up too?”
“Yup. I’ve got the gallows in the shed back by the woods.” He winked.
Wonderful,” I groaned.
It took us most of the afternoon to put everything out. Max was serious about his decorating; all the Stantons were. Just as we placed the last light up pumpkin in the yard, Nora started to stir. “Guess that means it’s time to relax, huh?” Max laughed as he brushed off his shirt. We’d worked up quite a sweat over the last hour, and I’d be lying if I said that the way the long-sleeved tee clung to his chest didn’t turn me on.
“She’s gonna be ready for her afternoon snack too.” I laughed. My daughter was nothing if not reliable when it came to eating.
“Sounds good to me.” He turned to head for the door. “It looks great. Thanks for the help.” He swung his arm around my shoulders.
“Just promise me that you aren’t going to try and scare me this year,” I begged.
“Um,” he tapped his chin before grinning down at me, “not a chance.”
“Max,” I whined like a petulant child.
“That is not how I want my name to sound coming out of your mouth tonight.” He pecked my nose. “Let’s see if we can do better.”
“Guess you better do something about it then,” I flirted at I skipped up the front steps, and into the house. Nora was starting to fuss now, and I wanted to get to her before it turned into a full-blown cry.
ooooooooo
Max
Today had been pretty perfect. We found a costume for Nora; why she needed one I’ll never know. She’s only seven months old. Crawling should be her only goal in life right now. We got my yard decorated; the kids are going to love it when they come to trick or treat, and now Hailey and I ar
e vegging out on the couch. Nora went to bed about a half hour ago, and we’re just waiting to make sure that she really is asleep. I learned a few days ago that just because she’s quiet doesn’t necessarily mean she’s sleeping. Hailey and I were right in the middle of our adult time and Nora decided to start babbling over the baby com. It ruined the moment, and I had a stomach ache the rest of the night.
“I was thinking,” I murmured next to her ear. “How does a hot bath sound?”
“Mmm.” She stretched against me. “After working outside all afternoon, it sounds heavenly. I had a slave driver ordering me around today.”
I sat up from where we were relaxed on the couch, and reached for the remote. After clicking the TV off, I turned to her. “I thought you liked it when I bossed you around? You’ve never complained before.”
“You’ve never had me doing manual labor on my day off.” She rolled her eyes.
“Roll your eyes again, Hails.” I ground the words out, and watched as her eyes flared. She did what I asked, and I couldn’t help but want to throw her over my shoulder and drag her back to my bed caveman style. “Stand up.” I stood and held out my hand.
She grinned at me, and rose to her feet. She stood there waiting to see what I’d do next, and I did exactly what I’d been fantasizing. I lifted her up, tossed her over my shoulder, and began stalking toward the bathroom. She bounced on my shoulder as I made my way down the hall, her long hair tickling my legs. I’d changed into shorts when we came in. Hailey seemed to like them on me, and I was never one to turn her down.
When I reached the bathroom, I pulled her forward and let her slide down the front of me. Her hands trailed over my chest, and continued down my stomach to stop at my waistband. “Don’t stop on my account.” I smirked. I was getting hard, and she knew it. I watched with rapt attention as her coy smile disappeared and want filled her eyes. Her left hand slipped inside the waistband of my boxers and began to slide downward. When she reached my cock, her finger lightly trailed over me. It was almost tentative.
“You like that?” She blinked as she looked up at me.
“Yeah.” The words came out in a hiss as I quickly shoved my shorts and boxers over my hips while trying with all my might to stand still and let her have her fun. After a few light passes, her fingers wrapped around me with a little more pressure, her eyes went from watching my face, to watching her hand in fascination. “You’re killing me right now,” I gritted out. “Take your clothes off, Hails.” I reached for her shirttail. She stepped back, and let me lift the shirt over her head, before practically getting into a fight with her jeans. I’d never seen her strip so fast. “Come here.” I motioned with my finger.
When she stepped closer, I cupped her cheeks with both hands. Her body swayed into mine before I sealed my lips with hers. It started out slow and relaxing, a lazy kiss almost, but soon turned frantic. My hands abandoned her face, and began making their way to her breasts, kneading and pinching along the way. When I reached her waist, I spun us, and boosted her up on the counter. Her thighs parted and I stepped between them, not breaking our connection. She moaned as I ran my fingers between her legs to see if she was ready. “Max.” It was breathy, and pleading.
“Give me a sec.” I fumbled to get the medicine cabinet to open. After grabbing a condom, I quickly rolled it on before resuming my torture. I positioned myself, and then reached for her legs, wrapping them around my hips. “I love you,” I mumbled against her mouth before pushing forward.
As I sank deeper, Hailey’s head dropped back against the mirror behind us. Her chest was heaving, and she looked absolutely beautiful. “I love you too.” She sighed when I rocked my hips against hers. “Faster, Max. Go faster,” she begged.
That moment right there was when I snapped. My hips began to pound against her as she clawed at my back. She may have even broken the skin. She was close, and as I let my hips slam against her, all I could hear was the slapping of skin and our panting breath. I could feel my orgasm building. Normally I was trying to hold it off so she could get hers, but tonight was different. Tonight, I could tell that there would be no waiting on Hailey. She was running full force toward that cliff, and ready to jump. Tonight, she was waiting on me.
“Oh shit!” I grunted as I began to lose the ability to control my thrusts, my body convulsing as I chased that ultimate high.
“I’m gonna come.” Hailey leaned forward and bit down on my shoulder just as I lost it. My entire body shuddered against her as she sighed a contented sigh against my neck. “That was…” She panted against my sweaty skin.
My heart was thundering in my chest, as both of us attempted to catch our breath. “So, how about that bath?” I grinned as I leaned back so I could look into her eyes. “You’re kinda sweaty.”
She rolled her eyes as she smacked my shoulder, “And whose fault is that?”
“Eh, I’ll take the blame on that one.” I shrugged as I took a step back, and slipped out of her in the process. I turned to begin filling up the tub, before removing the condom, tying it off, and tossing it in the trash. “Let me help you.” I reached for her to lift her off the counter.
“Thanks.” She smiled and suddenly looked a little shy. We’d been naked numerous times, but this was the first time I’d asked her to bathe with me. In the past, Nora was always awake, so we would take turns.
I tested the water, and when the tub filled enough, I reached for her hand. “It feels nice,” I coaxed as she stepped in. “Sit. I’ll wash your back.” I motioned for her to sit in front of me, and when she sank down in the water, she sighed.
“This feels so good.” She moaned as I began to soap up a washcloth.
“Just wait. I haven’t even really started yet. I lowered myself behind her, placing one leg on each side and began dragging the soapy cloth across her back. After covering her shoulders and back, I pulled gently to get her to rest against my chest. “Relax. Close your eyes,” I murmured into her ear. She did as I asked, and I began soaping the rest of her body.
I was so mesmerized by the way she gave me complete control that I didn’t even realize that I’d dropped the washcloth at some point. I’d been rubbing only my soapy hands over her skin for the last several minutes, only she didn’t seem to mind. “Feels good,” she whispered. “Don’t stop.”
“I don’t plan to.” I chuckled as I let one hand slip below the water’s surface. As I made my way down her belly, I felt her suck in a breath. “This feel better?” I tried to keep the pride out of my voice as my fingertips reached her center.
“Mmm.” She nodded as her back started to arch against me.
“How about this?” I ran one lone finger over her clit. “You like that? Or do you like this more?” I pinched it lightly, causing her to jump against me. My cock was rock hard again, and shoved right against her ass. I knew she could feel him. “Hailey?” I chuckled when she didn’t answer. “What’s it gonna be?” I cupped her, and ran my fingers softly over her once again before plunging one into her core.
“Maaaaxxxx.” She moaned, and I bit down on her ear.
“Which do you want? The soft,” I flicked my fingers, “or the hard?” I pinched her again.
“Both.” She gasped as she ground her ass back against me. “I want both.” She quickly leaned forward and spun around to face me. “I want it all with you. I love you.” She pressed her lips to mine.
“Well, you got me.” I grinned against her mouth before meeting her lick for lick. I shifted in the tub, splashing water everywhere as I tried my best to get to the medicine cabinet without ruining the moment. I hadn’t had plans to go for a second round this soon.
“It’s ok.” She gripped my shoulders. “I’m on the pill. I trust you.” The look in her eyes was so innocent and vulnerable in that moment. I knew she meant what she was saying.
“Are you sure?” I relaxed back in the water.
She nodded. “I’m sure. I wanna do this.” She rose up on her knees, and lowered herself over me. As she sank do
wn, I watched my bare cock disappear inside her. I knew right then and there that I needed to marry this woman. I loved her, and I was kidding myself if I thought I could wait much longer. She was proving right then that she felt the same way.
Chapter 30
Max
I’ve been thinking about this more and more, and I think I’m finally ready to move forward. I’ve been sitting on the idea of owning this land for months now, just waiting for the right moment. As the days grow colder and shorter, I know that time is working against me if I plan to build this year.
I decided that once I got to work today, I’d wait for Hailey to go her separate way, and then I’d approach my father. He’d promised me the plot, but we’d never formally had anything drawn up.
“Have a good day.” I smiled as Hailey began walking toward her parents’ house. She was going to drop Nora off, and then head to the stand. Micha was bringing up the last of the pumpkins, and then it would be wreath season. Christmas was always my favorite time of year, but this year would be different. It was Nora’s first Christmas, and I planned to spoil her rotten.
“Same to you.” She smiled as she looked back over her shoulder. “Come see me for lunch.” She blushed after announcing her request.
“I could do that.” I winked as I watched her hips sway. She’d become much bolder over the last few weeks. It was something that I was enjoying more and more each time I experienced it.
When she disappeared through the front door, I turned and jogged toward my parents’ house. My dad was usually eating breakfast at this time. He’d been doing less and less since I moved back. I think he was finally starting to trust Micha now that I was around more. “Hey honey,” Mom called from her usual spot in front of the stove as I came through the door.
“Hey.” I kissed her cheek as I passed by. Bacon was sizzling, and a fresh plate of biscuits was sitting in the center of the table.
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