by K. Langston
“Grayson?” I whisper nervously.
My heart clenches as his eyes meet mine, a pained expression marring his handsome face.
I shake my head, not wanting this to ruin the moment. A moment I desperately need with him. “Take them away. Erase them with your touch.”
A heavy breath escapes him as he dips his head and gently places his lips to the faded black and blue blemishes. “Never again.” He softly trails his mouth over every mark I bear, erasing the hate with love. “Never again.”
My hand drifts into his soft hair as I stare up at the ceiling, my throat burning with emotion. We have this moment to ourselves and with each other, it’s raw, intimate, and somehow—healing. Like we’re laying all the demons to rest.
After he’s lovingly soothed every mark, his mouth moves to my center, placing a gentle kiss over my wet bottoms. Heat sparks inside of me, hot and fast. I bite my lip to keep from moaning, but my hips thrust up greedily toward his mouth, seeking more. His eyes find mine, and I know by that cocky smirk he’s heard my silent plea.
He dips his head, tugging at the strings of my bottoms with his teeth. The black material falls away, revealing my most intimate part. I swallow back a moan as the cool air from the room whispers over my swollen clit.
“Jesus, Liv, you’re so fucking pretty.” My breath stalls with anticipation. The way his gaze fixates on me leaves me feeling a little vulnerable, yet also beautiful. “I can’t wait another second. I’ve been dying to taste you.” His mouth settles on my core, his tongue immediately lavishing my throbbing bud.
I gasp, my back bowing off the bed as exquisite pleasure ignites inside me.
“So sweet.” He groans with appreciation against my sensitive flesh as he dives deeper, spearing me with the tip of his tongue.
Heat surges through my blood, spreading through my body like molten lava oozing from a volcano just before it erupts. I’m so close already, teetering on the edge of imminent destruction.
“Oh God, Grayson.” My fingers grip his silky hair, tugging gently, while my hips thrust greedily to meet his mouth.
“That’s my girl. Come in my mouth, baby. I want to taste every last drop of you.” He slips a single finger inside of me before drawing my clit into his mouth with a hard suck. White-hot shards of pleasure tear through my body, reducing me to a withering mess beneath his ruthless mouth. I cry out, unable to harness the unrelenting pleasure he’s giving me. Every lick and suck draws out another shudder, my blood humming with release beneath my skin.
As I float back down to reality Grayson trails kisses up my body, worshiping every bare inch of skin he passes. A moan slips through my lips as he closes his mouth around my sensitive nipple, bringing a newfound pleasure to flare inside of me.
I’m lost to his touch.
It not only grounds me, but sets me free in a way I never thought possible.
My arms wrap around his neck as he settles between my open thighs, his hard body blanketing me with warm contentment. He seals his mouth over mine, giving me a long, drawn-out kiss. The taste of us mixed together is so erotic, driving my need higher.
Pulling back, he rests his forehead on mine, lust and something else staring back at me, something that makes me feel cherished.
“Do we keep going? Or am I holding you for the rest of the night?”
Warmth invades my heart when he offers to stop here, but I’m ready. I want Grayson to heal these wounds, not only the ones on my body but also the many that mar my soul.
“Keep going,” I whisper. “I told you I want all of you. I want you to erase the ugliness and replace it with something beautiful.”
Rising up, he sheds his swim trunks then sheathes himself with a condom. My eyes explore his powerful body, taking in all its male beauty and my mouth turns dry. “Keep looking at me like that and this will be over before it even starts.”
My eyes snap to his, my face heating. He comes to settle on top of me again, situating himself between my legs. I moan at the feel of his hard length against me as he coats it with my arousal. My heart hammers in my chest, both in nervousness and anticipation. “If you want to stop at any time just say the word.”
I nod.
“Ready, baby?”
“Yes.” My answer is soft but assured.
Leaning down he presses his lips to my forehead, then enters me slowly with one smooth thrust. I gasp at the welcomed invasion, feeling fuller than I ever have in my life. It’s a little tender, more than I expected, but not enough to make him stop.
I never want him to stop.
“Ah, fuck.” He groans then stills, giving me all the time I need to adjust. “You okay, Liv?” he asks, his face only a breath from mine. “You still with me?”
“Yes, I’m with you. Completely.”
How can I not be when he looks at me like this—makes me feel the way I do.
Safe and beautiful.
I lift my hips to reassure him, earning myself another tortured groan.
Jaw clenched, he begins rocking back and forth with slow, gentle strokes. His hot gaze locks with mine, blue eyes so bright they light up the dark spots hidden inside of me. Tears blur my vision at how amazing he feels, my entire world shifting on its axis at the perfection we create. And for the first time in my life, I feel complete. That whatever I’ve gone through in the past has led me to this one person, to this moment.
To him.
A tortured groan erupts from him. “You feel so fucking incredible wrapped around me, so fucking tight.”
I whimper, my body arching to be closer to his.
My reaction has a sly grin tugging at his lips. “You like it when I talk dirty to you, baby?”
I clench around him, an incoherent sound falling past my lips. I can hardly breathe at the moment, much less speak.
He smiles with deep satisfaction, bringing a hand between us to stroke my clit. “You’re close, Liv. I can feel it. Your pussy is on fire. So hot. So fucking wet. Come for me.”
His dirty words do something to me, untie some invisible knot deep within, unleashing a need like I’ve never known, and flings me over the steep cliff of pleasure. I cry out, digging my fingers into his back as ecstasy soars through me with rapid speed.
He plunges into me again once, twice, before finding his own release on a strained groan.
Eyes closed, I bask in my euphoria, taking my time to find my breath after the tidal wave that just washed through me. When I open my eyes I find Grayson watching me, his expression soft.
“You’re fucking perfect,” he says, his handsome face hovering above mine.
I smile, my throat tight at the sincerity pouring from those words. I reach up and trace his lips. “We’re perfect together.”
His hand encircles my wrist, pressing a kiss to my fingertips. “Yeah, baby, we’re fucking explosive.” He cuts off my giggle with a long, deep kiss. “I’ll be back. You need anything?”
I shake my head. “No. Just you.”
That has another growl erupting from him. “Don’t you dare move,” he says, shifting to roll off the bed.
“Yes, sir!” I salute to his retreating back as he walks into the bathroom, his grunt cut off as he closes the door.
I pull the covers up with a smile on my face as I reflect on the monumental moment I just had. Being intimate with someone was a part of my life I thought I’d never get back. But Grayson was able to erase not only the screaming uncertainty but also the inevitable scars.
The sound of the bathroom door opening pulls me from my blissful thoughts. The bed dips with Grayson’s weight as he lies next to me. I turn to face him as he pulls my body flush against his.
“I still can’t believe I’m here. Everything has been so perfect,” I tell him with a soft smile. “Thank you for bringing me, Grayson. Thank you for sharing this place with me.”
His expression is somber as he stares back at me. “There’s no one else in the world I would share this place with, other than you.”
I tense in
surprise. “You’ve never brought anyone else here before?”
“No. Only you.”
“Well that certainly makes me feel special,” I say, smiling at him.
He doesn’t grin back like I expect him to, his expression remaining somber. “It should because you are, especially to me.”
Warmth invades my chest with his words. I lick my dry lips, my voice barely coming out above a whisper. “You better be careful, Grayson Taylor, or you’ll make me fall in love with you.”
Reaching up he cups my cheek, his eyes boring into mine with an intensity that steals my breath. “Good, because I’m already there. Just waiting for you.”
I inhale sharply, tears immediately blurring my eyes at his confession. I turn my face to the side and press a kiss to his warm palm. Just as my sob escapes he covers my mouth with his, inhaling the sound. I wrap my arms around his neck and lose myself in him, my tears mixing with our flavors.
“You feel it, too,” he says against my lips, thankfully not mistaking my tears for sadness. “Tell me.”
“Yes, I feel it, with every fiber of my being.”
CHAPTER 21
Grayson
The next morning I wake up in bed alone, which is not exactly how I planned on starting the day. I’d hoped to find myself buried deep inside my girl, but instead I inhale the fresh smell of bacon and coffee. I grin, thankful she’s not making me stick to the nutrition bar diet she has Walt on.
I get up from the bed to retrieve a pair of jeans from my luggage, thinking about last night. Even after taking her twice, I still can’t get enough. It took every ounce of restraint I had not to claim and possess her in a way she would never again question who her body belonged to. I know I need to take my time with her, the bruises between her thighs prove that. The rage that swept over me when I saw them was impossible to hide. Liv could see it all over my face. When she asked me to take them away, to erase them, all I could do was try to kiss away every insecurity she had, and I hope like hell I did that. Because the last thing she should ever feel is insecure.
She’s too perfect.
I don’t bother with a T-shirt, and head to the bathroom before walking downstairs to the kitchen. The radio mounted below the cabinet is tuned to an old country station, the same one my dad used to listen to.
She quietly sings along with Johnny Cash, standing in front of the stove. Her hair is still damp from a shower and she’s wearing one of my white undershirts that she obviously snagged from my bag. My cock hardens instantly at the sight. I watch as her hips sway back and forth in tune with the music, loving how relaxed she is here.
Stepping behind her, I wrap one arm around her waist and use the other to move her hair aside, pressing my lips to her soft neck. “Mornin’. Jesus, you smell good,” I tell her, kissing my way up to her ear. “Good enough to eat.” I growl.
She pushes that perfect ass of hers against the hard-on straining inside my jeans. “Mmmm, good morning.”
My hands move to her wiggling hips, holding her in place against me as she plates the eggs. She sets the pan down and cuts off the stove before spinning around. Her small arms circle my waist as she smiles up at me. Her face is free of makeup, the soft skin is silky smooth compared to the rough graze of my thumb across her cheek. She leans into my touch. “I sure hope you’re hungry, because I think I cooked enough to feed a small army.”
“I’m starving, but not for food,” I inform her before ravaging her lips. I spend an obscene amount of time worshiping her mouth like I did her pussy last night.
She smiles again. “Well as much as I would love to feed you me, I need you to eat the food I made first, before it gets cold. And you promised to take me fishing.” The smile lighting up her face quickly eliminates the pressing need in my jeans to take her here and now.
I’ll fucking do anything to make her smile like that.
“All right, baby. Eat first, fishing next, but then your ass is mine.”
She bites her plump lip to stifle a laugh, her cheeks turning pink. “Sounds like a plan to me.”
*
After filling ourselves up with biscuits, gravy, bacon, and eggs, we set out for a day of fishing. The boat my father bought back when I was a senior in high school is still in near-perfect condition, thanks to Jim. This will be the first time I’ve used it since my father died, my chest tightens at the thought, but seeing the excitement and smile on Liv’s face eases the blow.
The sight of her in tiny denim shorts, a pink tank top with her black swimsuit underneath, and that sexy braid resting on her shoulder is a great fucking distraction, too.
“I’m so excited for this,” she says with the enthusiasm of a kid in a candy store. She holds up a black tote she brought along. “I wasn’t sure what all to bring, but I got us both a towel, sunscreen, and some water. We don’t want to get dehydrated.”
“Good thinkin’, baby.”
She beams proudly at the praise and it makes me want to kiss the hell out of her. Taking her hand, I help her into the boat first.
As I step in and move into the driver’s seat, I turn back to see Liv grab one of the life jackets, trying to secure herself in it. The shit is a tangled mess and wrapped every which way around her. Before I can stop it, a laugh barrels out of me.
Her head snaps up. “I’m doing it wrong, aren’t I?” she asks with an embarrassed smile.
“Come here.” She walks over and stands between my legs. I reach up and untangle her, then remove the jacket. “You don’t need it. I won’t let you fall out of this boat.” I pull her in closer. “I’d never let anything happen to you, Liv.”
She stares down at me, placing her hand on the side of my face. “I know.”
After a kiss to her smooth palm, I grab her hips and bring her down on my lap. I bite back a groan when her ass connects with my aching hard-on.
Shit, not a good idea.
“Oh my gosh, you’re letting me drive?” she asks excitedly.
I rein in my need and pull myself together. “Yeah. I’ll help you.”
“Oh Lord, okay but let’s start off slow. I don’t want to make us crash.”
I shake my head with a chuckle. “Don’t worry, baby, it’s a boat, not a race car. You’ll be fine.”
Starting the engine, we coast a ways out before I hit the throttle and pick up speed. She lets out a squeal and starts laughing as the breeze whips past our faces. We’re approaching an embankment, so I take the wheel and gently pull it to the left.
Once I center her, I let go of the wheel, giving her control again, and point off into the distance. “See that shady cove over there?” She nods. “Head that way.”
“Okay, don’t worry. I got this.”
“I know you do,” I reply, amused, before I sit back and let her take us the rest of the way there.
Very. Fucking. Slowly.
Once we finally reach the cove, I kill the engine and Liv stands, moving to the seat next to me. I instantly miss her warmth.
“It’s so peaceful. I can see why you and your dad spent so much time out here.”
I look out over the water. The small ripples of our wake settling on the surface, as memories begin to filter through my mind. “We spent a lot of time in this very spot. It’s been years since I’ve been out here. Forgot how much I missed it.”
“I can’t thank you enough for sharing this with me,” she says softly, drawing my attention back to her.
“You don’t need to thank me. I’m glad you’re here.”
“Me, too.” She beams.
Grabbing the rod I brought for her, I quickly bait the hook. “All right, baby, let’s fish. Here.” She doesn’t take her wide eyes off me as I place the rod in her hand. “Just pull your arm back like this, hold down the button, and cast out.” I instruct, guiding her through the motions. “See that red and white bobber there? If you see it dip below the water you give it a yank, just like this.”
She nods in understanding, and I leave her to it so I can bait my own hook.
Finally, she tosses out the line. Or at least she tries to. The first time she tries the hook doesn’t even make it out of the boat, her second attempt is only about three feet in front of her, by the third cast I’m worried she’s about to throw her entire body into the water with the fucking pole. I reach over and grab the back of her shirt before she can fall in headfirst.
“Man, this is harder than it looks on TV,” she says, frustration evident in her voice.
“Here, I’ll help you.” Standing, I step in behind her and help grip the pole properly, her sweet scent smothering my good intentions. Ignoring the greedy bastard in my jeans, I bring her arm back before casting the hook far out in the distance.
“Oh, maybe it’s not so hard after all,” she remarks, her voice a little breathless.
“Liv.” My hands grip her hips in warning as she wiggles against me. “I’m trying my best to be good right now and focus on fishing, but you’re making it really fucking hard.”
“Oh…” I feel her shiver against me as my breath hits her hair. “O-okay. Sorry. Back to fishing.”
I force myself away from her and return to my seat. As bad as I want her, I want her to have this experience more.
Two hours later, we’re floating in the center of the lake. I removed my shirt about an hour ago, as the sun grew hotter. She finally caught on to casting after losing her first pole in the lake. It sank before we could make it over to save it. So I gave her mine. I bet she’s cast the damn thing a million times. Now if she could just pay attention to the bobber then she might actually catch a fish. She’s gotten several bites today, but she just can’t snag them quick enough.
Even though my rod is gone, and I’m not fishing, I’m enjoying the view. No matter how shitty she is at fishing, she looks damn good doing it—or trying to anyway.
I’m just about to tell her to reel it in and suggest heading back when she flies from her seat, jerking her pole back sharply. “Oh my God! Grayson, I got one. I got one!”
“Good girl, now reel it in nice and slow.”