"I didn't see you sticking up for her. You were quite content to stay by my side."
"Fuck you, Revere. You're not good enough for her." Everything he's saying is hitting on my vulnerabilities, but I keep coming back at him.
"And you are?"
"Hell yes, I am. I've only shown her complete respect."
I'm about to open my mouth again, but Evie shoves herself between us. "Enough!" Her head whips back and forth between us as she places a palm on each of our chests. Instinctively, I reach up and cover her hand with my own. "Are you two done, or would you like to whip out your dicks and see whose is bigger?" she asks, her eyes full of irritation.
My free hand reaches out to her waist to draw her back to my chest. "There's no contest, baby. I'd win." I smile, but there's no friendliness in it.
Finn ignores me and focuses on Evie. "Are you okay? I won't leave if you don't want me to." I meant it when I said I'd never hurt her. There's no point in repeating myself, though. It won't do any good. He wants her; I have her, end of story.
She tries freeing herself, but I hold her tighter. "I'm fine,” she says, defeated, knowing I won’t let go of her. “Well, maybe some air would be good, so I can breathe." I relax slightly. "Cy wouldn't hurt me. Not anymore. He's not the same as he was back in high school."
Finn looks at me then back down to her. "He seems like the same possessive dick to me."
"Watch yourself," I warn through clenched teeth.
"I'm not afraid of you," Finn replies casually.
"You should be."
Evie spins in my arms. I look down and see the frustration in her eyes at being stuck between the two of us. Then they soften and there's no doubt in my mind who she wants to be with. "Will you please let me go so I can walk Finn out?" she asks. I open my mouth, but she places her finger over my parted lips. "You have to stay in here. Stop worrying and trust me." I nod, against my better judgment.
She eases out of my grip and motions for Finn to follow her. He does so, giving me a hard stare as he walks by. Then she shuts the door. It takes everything in me not to rip it open to make sure he's not trying to do something with her. Fuck. Me opening the door won't do any good. It will only piss Evie off more than she already is, and I don't want that. I could look through the tiny hole in the door to see what they’re doing, but I don't. Instead, I start fucking pacing the length of her small living room like a caged animal.
A minute later she comes back inside, shutting the door behind her. "Did you have to–"
I don't let her finish. I'm on her with my lips pressing down on hers. She melts in my arms, her body going lax against me. My arms are there to hold her up—to cradle her with a gentleness I never knew I possessed.
I'm the first to break the kiss. Her arms wind around my neck. "I'm sorry," I tell her sincerely. "The second I saw Finn’s car in the parking lot, it was like I only had one goal—to get you away from him."
She sighs. "That much was obvious." Her head is tipped back, her long hair tickling my arms where they press to her back. "You can't barge in here like a caveman because I’m talking to someone else."
"I told you I was territorial, and he had his hands on you."
"He was giving me a hug. A goodbye hug. Nothing more."
"Didn't seem like he wanted to leave."
She wiggles out of my arms. "He wanted me to give him another chance, but I told him no. That I was giving you a chance and couldn't be more than his friend."
"You didn't know he was coming over?"
"No." She shakes her head. "I texted him earlier and told him that, unfortunately, it wasn't going to work between us, and then he showed up. I didn't invite him over."
"I want you to stay with me tonight," I blurt out without thinking. I don't want to let her go. Now that she's become mine, I want to be with her all the time. I rush to continue. "We don't have to have sex or anything. I just want you to stay the night. I like having you in my arms."
Her lips tilt up. "Okay."
I'm unable to resist those lips and bend down to kiss her again. She's staying with me tonight. She wants to be with me, even after Finn made his declaration of still wanting to date her. She picked me. Yes, she did that earlier today, but telling another guy he's not who she wants is different. It means more to me.
Thirteen
Cy
I don't want to stop touching her. I held her hand down the stairs to my truck, the ride to the cabin, and walking inside.
Her eyes go wide when we enter the open living space. "This is gorgeous, Parker," she says as she walks over to give him a quick hug. Surprisingly, I don't want to rip his arms off for touching her, but then again, he made sure to give her the quickest hug possible and looked a little uncomfortable doing it.
"I'm glad you like it," he replies with a smile. "I've ordered the finest takeout in all of Arrow Falls. Fortunately, Cy knew what you liked, since he happened to notice you eating while you worked for his mom." I duck my head down to avoid their eyes. Why the fuck did he have to say that? I'm made out to be a total creeper now, when in reality, I just noticed a few times what food was on her desk when I stopped in to see my mom for something.
Evie's delicate hands touch either side of my face to lift it until I meet her eyes. She talks low enough so only I can hear her. "Thank you for paying attention to me. Every little thing I learn about you makes me care about you more." She places a quick kiss on my lips.
"Awww, aren't you two cute?" Parker asks, stopping next to us.
"Fuck off," I growl and shove at his shoulder. He laughs as he walks away. Evie's still watching me closely. "No going back,” I remind her.
"I don’t want to. Only forward. Only with you."
If Parker weren't here, I'd lift Evie onto the table and devour every inch of her. I'm not good with words. Actions are a different thing. My worry is I'll scare her away with the intensity of how badly I desire her. Instead of doing what I'd like with her, I press a slow, gentle kiss on her lips but pull back before it becomes more. We both go over to the table to eat.
"Enjoy." Parker's smile is still present.
"You're happy tonight," Evie observes.
"What's not to be happy about? My best friend finally found the balls to admit he has feelings for you. I like it when he smiles." He takes a bite of lasagna.
Evie looks over at me. "I like seeing him smile, too. Although, I haven't seen one since this morning." She frowns.
"He wasn't happy when he picked you up?"
"Nope, not in the least." Parker raises an eyebrow. "Finn was there."
"Well, no wonder our boy wasn't happy. I don't think Finn is one of his favorite people anymore."
Evie laughs. "No, not after tonight."
"You both know I'm sitting right here, correct?" I ask. "Because you're talking like I can't hear you."
"Oh, I know," Evie says. "There's no way for me to ignore you when we're in the same room." God, this woman is going to have me leaping over the table at her before dinner is over. Maybe I should have sat next to her instead of across from her. I wasn't thinking and just sat down in my usual spot.
"I love busting on you, dude," Parker adds. I break off a piece of the bread they included with our meal and throw it at him. "You like throwing food at me, don't you?"
"You like saying shit to piss me off, don't you?" I counter. He laughs then throws bread back at me.
We eat and talk. It's nice having Evie sit with us. It's like she's right where she belongs. Parker is very kind to her, and I have a feeling he'd have her back if need be. I like that.
True to his word, Parker is quick to exit once we eat, leaving the house to Evie and me. A cabin in the woods with floor-to-ceiling windows, a hot tub, and the big ass, king-sized bed I sleep in every night. How the fuck am I going to keep my hands to myself? Evie looks amazing in jeans, which hug her hips and ass, and a t-shirt that isn't anything special; however, it shows off her ample breasts and has me fighting back the urge to rip off her clot
hes.
We're both standing in the kitchen looking at one another, neither of us moving or saying a word. I'm not sure what to do. If she were anyone else, I'd be on her by now, having my way then kicking her out the front door. But she's not, and I don't want her to leave. She said she'd stay the night with me, and I want to savor every single moment I have with her. I want her to know just how much she means to me, even if I have a hard time saying it.
"We don't have to do anything," she says. "We can talk or watch a movie or sit outside and enjoy the sunset."
"What do you want to do?"
She shrugs. "No matter what we do tonight, I'll be happy. I don't want to put any pressure on you or ask you to do something you're not comfortable with." She's got to be the best person I know. Evie is thinking of me and not herself. She doesn't want to do anything to upset me, and she has no clue that only makes me want her more.
I close the distance between us but don't touch her, no matter how badly I want to. What should I do? Lead her outside to the chairs on the deck, where we can watch the sunset? Or do I drag her into my bedroom and spend the rest of the night cherishing her body?
She makes the decision for me by taking my hand in hers and walking us outside to the deck. I sit in a dark green Adirondack chair and bring her down to my lap. Her back to my chest; her head on my shoulder. The sun is lowering on the horizon. The mountain is at our back, and the dense forest is spread out before us. Pink and burnt orange hues light the sky, but all of it pales in comparison to the woman with me.
She turns her face toward mine and leans slightly away from me to allow room for my lips to press to hers. And they do. I have to grip the arms of the chair to keep my hands off her. Our tongues touch as a fire ignites in my veins, calling for me to take her—all of her—and make her mine. To claim her and let the world know she's off-limits.
She pulls back and stands, then turns around to face me. Her slender legs straddle my lap, slipping beneath the armrests as she settles on top of me. I can't resist touching her now. My hands glide up her thighs to rest on her ass, each hand palming her, pushing her into my hardening length.
Her hands find my shoulders as she tips her head back to rub her center against me.
"Fuck, baby. You have no idea what you do to me."
She leans forward, her lips hovering over mine. "I think I do," she says breathily. "When you're in front of me, it takes all my willpower not to touch you. Not to run my hands down your chest and stomach. There are so many parts of you I know nothing about. I want everything you have to give me. I want to know you on every level. I want to be the one you confide in. I want it all."
My hands work under her shirt to the soft skin of her back. "I'm yours." It's all I can say without revealing how deeply her words affect me. Everything she wants, I’ll give her. Maybe not all at once, but over time.
It's a constant struggle for me to confide in others, when for so many years, I was told I was lying. I quickly push those thoughts from my mind. Now isn't the time. Not when I have Evie like this.
My fingers make quick work of the clasp of her bra. Once it's unhooked, I skate my fingers from her back, over her ribs, to her breasts. She moans, then captures my lips with hers. I can't believe I'm finally going to have her. For years, I've thought about what it would be like. How she'd react to me. If she'd want me as badly as I want her. Her nipples pebble when my fingers gently pinch them. Our tongues are exploring one another. God, I want to sink so deep inside of her and never leave.
The feel of her fingers working open my jeans has me practically coming in anticipation of her touching me. Her hand slips inside my jeans, inside my boxers, and grips me. My hips jerk forward at her touch. She shifts back a little on my lap to make room to stroke me from base to tip. Fuck. My body tenses at her touch, trying hard not to end this before it begins. She’s my undoing. Every other woman took work for me to get off.
I need her naked. I need to taste her skin. Quickly, I break our kiss to lift her shirt and bra from her. Finding the taut peak of her breast with my lips, I suck on her, swirling my tongue along her skin. Her grip on my dick tightens, her movements faster now. I start unfastening her jeans. I can't wait anymore. I need to be inside of her.
Evie releases me and stands. "There's no one out here, right?" she asks.
"No. The closest house is a mile down the road, and there's nothing but trees between us. No one can see."
She steps out of her jeans and panties. I stand to do the same. My dick bobs free; then I remember I don't have a condom on me. Shit.
"I'll be right back," I tell her and turn toward the house.
Her hand grips my arm, stopping me. "I'm on the pill, and I haven't been with anyone in quite some time."
I struggle to hold back the moan rising in my throat. I step to her, her back pressing against the railing of the deck. "I've never been with anyone without a condom. I want you to be sure, Evie."
She nods. "I am. I'm done having barriers between us. No more walls; no more obstacles."
I'm on her again, my lips crushing hers, my dick pressed into her stomach. I'm so close to losing my shit, it's not even funny.
"Turn around, and bend over. I want to see that gorgeous ass of yours," I tell her.
She does so without question. Her hands grip the wooden railing. Her ass pushes backward as she spreads her legs.
"Fuck me," I mutter as I graze my hand along the curve of her ass.
She peers at me over her shoulder, a smile appearing on her lips. "No, fuck me."
I trail a finger down the center of her ass until I reach her wetness and dip it inside her. She's so fucking ready for me. With my dick in hand, I line us up perfectly then slowly sink into her. Every delicious inch I push in has my body trembling more and more. This is it. I finally get to be with her how I’ve always wanted. She's so tight. Her walls clamp around me when I'm fully seated. She moans and pushes back onto me.
Leaning forward, I wrap my arms around her to reach her breasts as I slowly slide in and out, my hips finding a steady pace. "God, you're beautiful. So fucking perfect, Evie."
"Faster," she pants.
I kiss a trail down her spine and stand upright; my hands on her hips as I pull out slowly, then slam into her hard. Each time my hips meet her ass, she moans. I smack her ass on one side, causing her to jump. Then I smack her on the other cheek. This time she cries out my name in pleasure.
Her head tips back, letting her long hair cascade down her back. I can't resist wrapping it around my fist and pulling her back toward me. Evie releases the railing, her hands reaching behind her to grip my hips as I roughly fuck her.
"More, Cy."
I pull harder on her hair, eliciting a cry from her. I'm powering into her now, my release only moments away, but I want us to come at the same time. I want her trembling on my dick while I empty inside her.
I find her clit and make small, fast circles over her until her body is shaking and she's screaming out. I pinch the small bud, causing her to reach forward and grip the railing again to hold herself upright. The sound of my name on her lips is the final straw. Pleasure like I’ve never felt rockets through me. I'm giving her everything I have, spilling inside her, claiming her as mine. Now that I've had her and know how fucking amazing she is, I'm never letting go.
Fourteen
Eve
Holy fuck! I've never had sex like that. Being with Cy is better than any fantasy I’ve had—better than any man I've ever been with. It is earth-shattering, soul deep, never-want-it-to-end, amazing.
I relax against him. One of his hands is still wrapped around my hair, while his other is drawing lazy circles over my stomach. He pulls my head to the side and trails kisses along the column of my neck. I squirm out of his hold, gripping my hair to shake him free. It's not that I didn't thoroughly enjoy the way he fucked me, but I want to kiss him and can't do that in my current position.
He lets go and takes a step back, his dick leaving me, causing an ins
tant, empty feeling. I turn and reach for him, but he's a few steps away now, his eyes cast down to the deck below. I walk toward him, but he holds out a hand to stop me.
"What's wrong?" I ask. Something happened that I missed, and it makes me uneasy.
"I'm sorry," he whispers. "I didn't mean to hurt you." Say what now?
"You didn't hurt me. I turned so I could kiss you."
He says nothing, so I approach hesitantly. First, I lay my hand on his arm. He doesn't move. Then I use the other to lift his face to mine. His eyes close.
"Talk to me," I plead. He shakes his head. My breath hitches as I fight the emotions tumbling through me. I hate seeing him upset. I want to ease all his worries. The gentle wind at my back makes goosebumps break out over my skin. "Cy, please." A single tear leaves the corner of his eye, causing my own to follow. He’s scaring me. Does he regret what we did? "Talk to me."
"I..." I wrap my arms around him, our naked bodies pressed together. I need to feel him against me. He returns my embrace, his strong arms encasing me in a tight hold as he trembles slightly. "I was too rough with you," he continues. "I didn't want to cause you pain." He thinks he hurt me.
"You didn't," I say against his skin. "I loved everything you did. You made me feel so good. Please, don't be upset. You did nothing wrong."
He leans down to bury his face in my hair and neck, his warm breath caressing my skin as he speaks. "I told you I was fucked up. I can't even do this right."
"You were perfect."
He shakes his head and moves us back to the chair, pulling me with him as he sits. I try to look him in the eyes, but he won't let me. He's back in the crook of my neck, hugging me tightly.
"I told you I like pleasure with pain. It's fucked up, Evie. I'm sorry. I was hurting you this time instead of myself."
I lightly rake my nails through his hair. "I loved every moment of it. I wouldn't lie about that. If you were truly hurting me, I would have told you."
"Are you sure I didn't hurt you?" His voice cracks while he talks. I'm getting angry but not at him. It's at Everett for doing this to him. Fucking asshole. But I rein it in. I don't want Cy to mistake my anger.
Where I End Page 10