Always

by Sam Crescent

  “Of course there would be a big party, but trust me, okay?”

  “I’m trusting you. Can’t you see? Full of trust.”

  “Good. Wear the dress.” He tilted her head back, kissing her lips. “I love you.”

  She smiled, watching him leave her room. It was still crazy to her that he joined them all for breakfast, even after her father persistently gave him death stares. She knew without a doubt Tiny was plotting his death.

  After heading into the bathroom, she took a quick shower, brushed her teeth, and then blow-dried her hair before going back to the bedroom and stepping into the dress. There was a little catch at the back and she was able to reach it. Brushing her hands down her body, she stared at her reflection. The dress fell to her ankles, skimmed over her curves, and there were two slits along each side.

  “This is going to have to do,” she said.

  She headed downstairs to find her parents waiting. Her present was a car, which she loved instantly and decided to call Ned. It was her father’s old car that he rarely used, five seater, but she could tell it had been cleaned up nicely. Tiny demanded she take it out for a spin with him in the car. Simon stayed back, and as they got to the edge of town, they took a turn, and she came right on back. She’d been learning to drive for a few months and had finally passed her test, not long after Daisy had. Lash had told them all that they needed to learn to ride or drive. She liked being a passenger on a motorcycle but not riding one. There were way too many bends and curves.

  As she arrived back home, Simon stood next to his bike, waiting for her.

  “Tabitha, I want to say that I’m so proud of you.”

  “But?”

  “No buts. There were days when you were growing up that I didn’t think either of us would live to this moment.”

  She took her dad’s hand. “We got through it. All of us did. I love you.”

  “I love you too. Simon, he’s a good kid, and considering he’s related to Devil, well, that’s saying something.”

  She giggled. “Is that you giving my boyfriend a compliment?”

  “It is.”

  “I love you, Daddy.”

  “I love you too, sweetheart. I never wanted you to grow up but you’ve gone and done it anyway.”

  She hugged him tightly before climbing out of her car. “What do you think?”

  “I think you look sexy as hell. You want to come with me for a ride?” Simon asked.

  “I’d love to.”

  She rushed toward him, putting on a helmet since her father was watching. She worked the dress between her thighs so it wouldn’t blow up in her face, and wrapped her arms around Simon. This was how it was supposed to be.

  “Ride me anywhere,” she said.

  “You do realize how dirty that sounded.”

  She kissed his neck.

  Simon took off and she closed her eyes, giving herself up to the moment as well as the speed of the machine. It felt good, exhilarating. Every now and then, she opened her eyes and didn’t have a clue where they were going, but she didn’t care. She gave herself completely to Simon, knowing he’d never hurt her.

  They’d been doing this for so long. He was the only person in the world who loved her unconditionally. Her parents loved her, so did her friends, but they weren’t even close to Simon.

  He started to slow down and they came to a stop. She frowned as she caught sight of Miles, Anthony, and Daisy, but also another man, older, wearing priest robes.

  Simon stopped his bike and she climbed off.

  “What’s going on?”

  “I told you I was going to marry you. I got your brother and Anthony’s help to find a priest willing to do the ceremony, taking into account we’re eighteen and we’re legally adults.”

  “And you found someone.”

  “Yes. Of course. Don’t underestimate me.”

  “I don’t.”

  She put her hands on his chest.

  “What do you say, Tabby?” he asked. “Will you be my wife?”

  She never … it was all a little surreal. Daisy stood with some flowers in her hair, holding a bouquet of roses and a smile.

  Her best friend had known about this and hadn’t told her.

  She didn’t care.

  “Yes,” she said. “I’ll marry you.”

  Simon took her hand and stepped up to the priest.

  “I haven’t made any vows,” she said. “This is crazy.”

  “I’m just going to speak my heart.”

  The priest waited for her to nod her head for him to begin. She took a deep breath and listened as he read from his book. When it came time to do the vows, Simon started.

  “Tabby, I love you more than anything else in the world. From the moment you gave me shit, I knew you were the one for me. You don’t let me walk all over you. You give as good as you get. Above all else, every single day, you give me a reason to love you more. I can’t guarantee I’ll make you happy every single day, but I sure know I’m going to try. You’re the only person I want, all I’ve ever wanted. I don’t want to waste a single moment of my life where you’re not in it.”

  Tears filled her eyes.

  It was now her turn.

  “Er, I love you so much, Simon. I know there have been times that I haven’t been as forthcoming or open, but you own my heart. Always have. Whenever something good or bad happened, you were always and will always be the first person I turn to. You’re the love of my life. The man I want to spend all of my time with. It’s why after next summer, I’m going to follow you back to Piston County. I’ll be your old lady, and this is my choice. I want to be with you, ’til death takes us away.”

  “You know I won’t ever fucking allow that to happen. Even in death I’d find you.”

  She giggled. “See, my stubborn man.”

  They turned to the priest who said the magical words, and then Simon pulled her into his arms, kissing her. They were now married.

  Miles, Anthony, and Daisy all cheered for them.

  Breaking from the kiss, she looked at her friends. She wished their family could have been there, but there was no way they would’ve agreed to this, not so soon. She was married. Simon was now her husband.

  “So, we’re going to let you guys, you know,” Miles said. “We’re going to handle the parental front. You two do your bit and we’ll do ours.” Miles hugged her close. “I’m happy for you, sis. I don’t want you to leave, but I’m also not going to stop you. I know you and Simon have always been meant for each other.”

  “I love you too. Happy birthday.”

  “And to you.”

  She kissed his cheek. He stepped back and Daisy held her close. “I can’t wait to hear all the details.”

  Tabitha laughed and Anthony merely nodded at her before leaving. She watched as Daisy climbed on the back of Anthony’s bike and took off.

  “I … er, got us a room,” Simon said. “You know.”

  “To have sex?”

  “We don’t have to.”

  “Simon.” She stepped toward him so their bodies were flush against each other. “I’ve been trying to have sex with you for some time. Now I’m legal.” She kissed him. “I’m ready. Are you?”

  ****

  The hotel was nice.

  Simon closed the door and pulled the curtains so they were in complete privacy. He’d spared no expense in the room and if she didn’t want to leave, she didn’t have to.

  His cock was hard as fucking rock and as Tabby turned toward him, there was a glint in her eye no one could deny.

  “I watched a lot of porn,” he said. “And instruction videos.”

  Tabby giggled and was once again flush against him. “You have?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Me too. I mean, our first time, it’s not going to be great. There could be pain and it might not take that long either.” She put her hands on his chest.

  He kept his hands by his sides.

  “Simon, touch me. You’re not rushing me, I prom
ise.”

  He put his hands at her waist.

  She sighed, taking his hands and placing them over her breasts. “Touch me. I trust you.” She went onto her tiptoes and brushed her lips across his.

  Fuck, he didn’t want to rush and he certainly didn’t want to hurt her. Sex with a virgin was painful for a woman. At the thought of causing her any kind of pain, he didn’t want to do it.

  Just this first time.

  Deepening the kiss, he heard her moan as he cupped her tits, feeling the hard buds against his palm. She ran her hands down toward his stomach, and she stopped, her fingers grazing across the band of his pants. He was already hard but as she slid inside and touched him, he broke the kiss, resting his head against hers as he cried out.

  “Does it hurt?”

  “No, it feels good. So fucking good.”

  She suddenly stepped back and he watched as she reached behind her. Slowly, she wriggled out of the dress. He’d found it with the sole intention of marrying her in it and taking it off. The perfect disguise so her parents wouldn’t know what he had planned.

  White lace sat on her body beneath the dress, enhancing her red nipples and thatch of hair between her thighs.

  He pulled his shirt off, unbuttoned his jeans, and kicked off his boots. Tabby had already removed her shoes.

  When she went for the catch of her bra, he shook his head. “Let me.” He stepped up toward her and flicked the catch. Her bra opened and her tits spilled forward. Cupping them in his palm, he teased the nipple. As he stared into her eyes, he leaned down and flicked each bud with his tongue.

  She cried out, arching up.

  Her hand moved between his thighs as she cupped him. He let out a curse, especially as she moved his pants out of the way and stroked his rock-hard erection.

  Skimming his fingers down her body, he touched her pussy, stroking across her panties, sliding a finger between her slit, and using the friction of her panties to create some pleasure.

  “Simon, that feels so good.”

  He moved her toward the bed, sitting her down on the edge of it. Pulling her panties down, he spread her thighs.

  “Simon?”

  “Trust me?”

  “Of course. Always.”

  He leaned in close and flicked her clit, touching his tongue to her pussy. “Relax.”

  She lay back and he worked her pussy, teasing his tongue across her nub, then down to her entrance and back up again. Sucking her into his mouth, he heard her moans. She tasted so good and feeling her move her pussy over his face felt good.

  It didn’t take her long to come and as she screamed his name, he swallowed her down. Drawing her down to earth, he leaned back, wiping his face.

  “Wow,” she said. “Where did you learn that?”

  “I want to give you the world, baby,” he said.

  He reached into his jeans, grabbed his wallet, and removed the condom. After tearing into it, he slid it down his length and Tabby moved toward the center of the bed.

  “Tell me if you want me to stop?”

  “Are you crazy? Hell, no,” she said.

  “Good.” He took possession of her lips, pressing the tip of his cock to her entrance. He paused. Waiting. The seconds passed, and then, he slammed deep inside her, tearing through her virginity, finally claiming his girl all for himself.

  She cried out, tensing up, and he swallowed down her pain, staying perfectly still as she got accustomed to the length of his cock.

  “Simon,” she said.

  “I know. Please, don’t hate me.”

  She chuckled, the sound rushing through his body. He pulled back to see tears in her eyes, but he had some in his own as well. She cupped his cheek. “You have no reason to cry.”

  “I can’t stand the thought of hurting you.”

  “I’m the luckiest woman in the world,” she said. “I don’t know what I did to get you.”

  “You were yourself, and I will always be with you.”

  “Make love to me, Simon.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you.”

  “You won’t. I’m ready.”

  He pulled out of her, watching for any sign of discomfort. When there was none, he slowly began to rock inside her. She felt so good, and the pleasure, it was already building. She was tight, warm, and it was so good.

  She cried out as he went harder but she didn’t allow him to slow down. He tried to make it last, but it was too much. He came, hard, filling her as he wrapped his arms around her.

  “It will get better,” he said.

  “I don’t know, I thought that was pretty damn perfect.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Present Day

  They kept their marriage private. Only Miles, Anthony, and Daisy knew. She also confided in her sister Tate, who was also in agreement about keeping the marriage on the down-low. She believed their parents would pitch a fit, which would cause trouble. She wasn’t interested in causing trouble.

  “I’m going to miss you,” Tabitha said to Simon in the cafeteria. He’d already told her he was heading back to Piston County to see his parents and his friends. Simon had already started to prospect for the club. As he was only eighteen, there hadn’t been a big initiation yet, and he was testing the waters at home. He didn’t want to leave her for long periods of time. She knew he was nervous about her getting too comfortable being back in Fort Wills. She smiled when she thought of how he made a fuss whenever he returned home. Thinking about him, she touched her chest where her ring currently lay. They both wore their wedding rings around their necks. She had hers on the necklace he gave her when they were younger that she rarely took off, while Simon had placed his on the locket. So far, they’d been able to keep their marriage a secret. They’d also gotten better at sex. It had been a week and already Tabitha enjoyed it a lot more than the first time. Of course, there was nothing better than when Simon went down on her, and they’d even tried it the other way around, but he’d asked her to stop as he’d enjoyed it too much. Being with him was better than she could have imagined.

  After lunch, Simon headed out of the school while she went to English. Taking a seat in the back, she stared out of the window, ignoring her companion who’d been sitting next to her for months. Luke hadn’t tried to talk to her for a while now, which she was happy about. He was still the enemy, even if he did try to play nice.

  Holding on to the wedding band, she twirled it in her fingers, smiling as she recalled the moment Simon became hers.

  “What are your plans for the summer?” Luke asked.

  She turned to her right. “Huh?”

  “The summer. After graduation.”

  “Oh, wouldn’t you like to know?”

  “I would, actually.”

  “It’s good to want things.” She offered him a smile.

  “I don’t think that loser you’re dating is good for you.”

  She rolled her eyes. “You don’t know the first thing about Simon or me. Don’t even think you can talk to me about him.” She didn’t want to talk to this guy.

  “Look, I get that you’ve been together since you were kids—”

  “How did you know that?” she asked, glaring at him.

  “I asked around. People know shit as well, even about my club.”

  “They shouldn’t be telling you anything.” Her anger grew.

  “I’m not trying to cause an argument here, Tabs. I’m just letting you know there are guys here for you. Who want you.”

  This was the closest he’d come to even hinting at his attraction.

  “Don’t,” she said.

  “Tabs, please,” he said.

  She shook her head. “I know what you’re getting at, but stop. Okay? I’m Simon’s. I’ve always belonged to him. There is no way on earth I would ever pick you. You’re the enemy. I don’t want you at all.”

  “What seems to be the problem there?” the teacher asked.

  Tabitha looked up to see she and Luke had caught the attention of the entire
class. Grabbing her books, she got to her feet.

  “Tabitha, wait,” Luke said.

  She ignored him. Leaving the classroom, she ignored the teacher and told her she was heading to the library. Instead, she made her way outside and went to go and watch the football team play as she sat on the bleachers. Luke didn’t follow her.

  After opening up her notebook, she doodled as she waited for the time to pass so she could go to her next class.

  “You okay?” Daisy asked, coming out to her.

  “Let me guess, even you have people keeping an eye on me?” she asked.

  “You’re my best friend and it was pretty big news. You and Luke drawing the attention of the entire class.”

  “He tried to tell me I had options. Plenty of them open.” She shook her head, touching the ring. “He’s never done anything like that.”

  “Are you tempted?” Daisy asked.

  “Hell, no. I’m sorry, but Luke? Please. You know I only belong to Simon.”

  Daisy sat beside her. “I’m sorry, just making conversation.”

  “He waited until Simon wasn’t here today. You know that, don’t you?”

  “Simon’s going to beat the shit out of him when he finds out.”

  “He probably already knows,” Tabitha said, groaning.

  They sat until the football team headed inside. After going to her next class, she didn’t see Luke for the rest of the day, and she promised to meet up with Daisy after school. Everyone gave her a wide berth as she left the grounds that day. Daisy was already waiting by her car. As she climbed in, Tabitha looked through her bag and groaned.

  “Shit, I forgot something,” Tabitha said.

  “What do you mean you forgot something?” Daisy asked. “You keep that bag on you at all times.”

  “I know. I’ll be right back.”

  “Okay, fine.” Daisy opened her book. “I’ll be waiting.”

  Heading back into the eerily quiet school, she went to her locker and suddenly needed to pee as well. Groaning, she opened her locker, found the two books she’d forgotten, and shoved them in her bag. Before heading out, she took a quick detour to the bathroom.

  She’d finished and was washing her hands as Daniella and her posse of Dogs came into the bathroom. She was surprised to see Ryan there as well.