Hard To Love

by Tina Rose

  Carter groaned. “Home Smoke,” he commanded.

  As Smoke took them home, Ella tightened her arms around his thick neck, showering him with kisses over and over, nibbling his skin between her teeth each wet kiss. Carter kept her in a tight embrace, replying to her with his own fervorous kisses. There was no doubt in his mind, she was his, and nothing was going to take this from him. He’d been living someone else’s dream, and now it was time for him listen to his heart, and follow his own dream.

  ********

  In what seemed like minutes, they were inside Carter’s cabin. How they got there was a complete blur, but it didn’t matter, they were there. Carter had her pinned against the front door, with her hands restrained over her head, the look in his eyes almost animalistic.

  “God, I want you,” he rasped hungrily, sliding a hand between her legs.

  Ella could feel his hot breath on her face as he leaned in, and her pulse began to skitter uncontrollably. Her breathing sped up until it was deep and quick.

  Before she had time to respond, Carter gripped her hips and pressed his lips to hers, desperate to kiss her. A surge of hot arousal snapped inside him as his tongue glided across her bottom lip, enticing her to open up to him. Once she did, he wasted no time darting his tongue inside, tasting the sweetness that he only found in her. Cater crushed his body against Ella’s, his hand sliding over her delicate curves and into her pony tail. With one tug, he loosened it, allowing her long hair to fall over her shoulders. His heart raced as his cock filled with desire for her. He wanted to take this slow, make love to her and show her how much she meant to him, but he was too aroused to stop. Releasing her hands above her head, he wrapped his hands around her thighs, lifting her as if she was a feather. Ella encircled his hips with her legs, making him grow a million times more aroused at the thought of her squeezing him tightly between those hot, creamy thighs of hers.

  Ella crushed her lips to his, plunging her tongue in between them, sucking his bottom lip into her mouth. She didn’t want to think right now. Now was not the time for the voice of reason. After basically professing her love to him, she hadn’t wanted their first time to be hard and fast, she wanted to savor him. But now, all she could think of was being bad, and all the naughty things she knew he could do to her.

  “You’re mine, kitten. And I’m going to make every inch of you mine,” he growled against her lips.

  All the air became trapped in Ella’s lungs, and her heart squeezed in her chest as her body trembled at all the suppressed anticipation of what she knew was to come. Suddenly, her heart was beating a mile a minute, palpitating in her throat.

  Expecting her reaction, Carter licked, then sucked the pounding vein on her neck. Feeling her excitement against his tongue excited him. And, as if trying to feed their hunger into this one kiss, they stroked their tongues together, almost ferally, rubbing their bodies against one another in hunger and lust. He moved against her, as if he was trying to punish her, groaning like he could get off right where they were.

  Still kissing feverishly, he aligned his erection to the junction between her legs, scraping his cock against her through their jeans. Pulling his mouth from hers, he looked in her eyes, then her swollen lips, his face flush with carnal desire, unapologetic and reverent.

  “Fuck me, Carter,” she moaned, between hurried breaths, staring into those intense blue eyes of his taking her in.

  “Oh, kitten. I’m gonna find something to do with that dirty mouth of yours tonight.”

  “What are you waiting on, then?”

  And he was lost. Hurriedly, he made his way to his bedroom, laying her down on his king sized bed, his body came down on top of hers.

  “I knew the first time I was with you, there was something different. Every other woman I’ve been able to fuck and forget, because I’ve been a selfish prick. But not you. Once was never going to be enough. I could watch you come over and over, while I come in you again and again,” he admitted.

  Moving his mouth skillfully over hers, he kissed her again. Ella’s emotions were all over the place. Her defensive walls had crumbled, and no matter how hard she had tried to secure them, they had toppled over.

  Rising up from her, he pulled her up, yanking her t-shirt over her head, and tossing it across the room. “These have got to go too, and quickly,” he breathed heavily, tugging Ella’s pants down her legs, taking her panties with them. Without warning, he easily shoved two fingers into her soaked entrance, finding her already wet for him.

  “I’m so hard for you right now,” he whisper-hissed, before losing control, biting her bottom lip hungrily.

  Ella couldn’t stop herself. She rode his fingers, circling her hips, and arching them off the mattress to take his digits deeper inside her greedy channel. Moaning loudly, she sunk her nails into his scalp, pulling his mouth closer to hers. It all felt so good. Hot, wet and delicious.

  All of a sudden, Carter was on his knees, grabbing something from his nightstand drawer. Then, flipping her over on her stomach, he pulled her hips up and pushed her head down onto the mattress.

  “Kitten, I need you to trust me now,” he commanded, before reentering her soaked opening. Dragging her own wetness to her other puckered opening, Ella gasped as she realized what was about to happen, her anus tightening involuntarily.

  “Carter,” she cried.

  “Just trust me, baby. I’m not going to hurt you,” he soothed.

  Ella closed her eyes and took deep breaths as he kneaded and massaged her buttocks, dragging his fingers in and out of her wet pussy, then over her tight opening.

  “Just breathe deep and relax, okay,” he whispered by her ear. She did as he said, breathing slowly, and tried to keep herself from tightening. She felt something long and metallic press against the tight ring of muscle, stretching her wider, until it slipped into her tight bud. That wasn’t what she expected, thank God! A low buzz and rapid vibration hit her there, sending through her a new sensation she’d never felt before. Her heart pounded when he grabbed her hands, and pulled them up behind her, holding them tightly in one large hand at the base of her back.

  So many sensations hit her all at once. The unfamiliar burn in her butt, along with the aching need she felt in her sex, took her breath.

  “You like that,” he stated, praying she did, because right now, he didn’t want to be gentle with her. And by her body’s response, he didn’t think she wanted him to. He could feel her twist with desire, while her body trembled around him. Greedy and hungry, like she was going to fall apart before he got inside her.

  Spreading her folds apart, his thumb caressed her clit, while his fingers pumped into her harder and deeper. Ella could feel his hot, hard unyielding muscles against her skin. Her body twitched as he penetrated her, inch by inch. His thickness filled her, making the vibrations inside her rear sheath more intense.

  “Sweet Jesus, El. Feeling those vibrations coming from inside your ass against my dick is driving me crazy!”

  Nothing but the low buzzing sound, grunts, groans and the noise of their thighs slapping together, filled the room. With the toy vibrating in her ass, and his cock buried to the hilt inside her, all she felt was raw sensation. She felt Carter taking possession of her body, thrusting his hips as he speared her with his hard as steel shaft, still holding her arms tightly behind her back. The blood rushed through her veins, as a climax overtook her, and fireworks exploded behind her closed lids. Every muscle from her ass to her pussy clenched, her body milking him as he continued to plunge into her, slamming his hips against her ass, grunting with each stroke.

  “Again, kitten. I need to feel you fall apart around me again. You’re so tight, and feel so damned good.”

  As another explosive climax approached, Carter pressed his fingers against her aching detonation button, and every nerve in Ella’s body lit up. Her muscles tightened around hi
s cock like a vise grip, as lightening bolts of pleasure shot through her, from her head to her toes.

  Carter froze after one last thrust, releasing her hands to hold her hips in a tight grip, so that they were locked together while his cock twitched inside her. He released his own climax, muttering curse words, and growling her name, while he tried to catch his breath. Slowly, he withdrew from her, and pulled the buzzing toy from her, before she collapsed beneath him.

  Ella’s body continued throbbing at every nerve ending, her mind and body so sated by sexual satisfaction that she was in a coma-like state. Every muscle relaxed, and she melted into the soft sheets, batting her eyes to fight off the sleep that was overtaking her. Dreamily, she thought she felt him clean her up, before he pulled her close to him to slip into a deep, happy, dreamless sleep.

  Chapter Eighteen

  They woke the next morning to the sound of Carter’s phone ringing. “Dammit,” he cursed, rolling over to answer the phone before opening his eyes to look at the screen. “Hello.”

  His body stiffened as he listened to the person on the other end of the call. Releasing a deep breath, he pulled Ella’s head to him, and kissed her temple before getting up from the bed, and walking out of the room. Instantly missing the warmth of his body next to her, Ella burrowed down deeper under the comforter, until she heard Carter’s voice speaking low into the phone, as if he didn’t want her to hear what he was saying. Although, she had gotten better with her suspicious outlook, his behavior got her attention quickly. Quickly, she jumped from the bed, grabbed his t-shirt from the floor, and tiptoed to the bedroom door to quietly listen to what was being said.

  “No ma’am, I’m sorry. Something has come up, and I won’t be able to come back any time soon. Yes ma’am, I’m sure I won’t change my mind.” Carter said quietly before saying goodbye and hanging up.

  Guilt poured through Ella, as she through the shirt back on the floor, and jumped back in the bed before he returned. Damn Derek for breaking her trust! She wondered once again if she’d ever be able to truly trust any man. Not just any man, this man.

  A few minutes passed before she heard his footsteps returning to the room, and she smelled the aroma of coffee wafting through the air. Gently, he climbed back in the bed beside her, and scooted up close, smelling her hair before kissing her on the back of the head.

  “Good mornin’ sweetness.”

  “Mornin’,” she said, in a rough sleepy voice. She rolled over to find him smiling at her like a goofball. “What are you smiling about? I look a mess, don’t I? Don’t look at me,” she whimpered, and tried to get out of the bed.

  “Come here,” he chuckled, pulling her back down. “You look beautiful, like always. I just love to see that I’ve-been-fucked-all-night sparkle in your eyes.” If she only knew what she did to him. Everything inside of him wanted her, needed her. He got lost in her eyes every time he looked into them. All he wanted to do was get lost in her.

  “Stop it. I know I look hideous,” she pouted.

  “Darlin’, on your worst day, rolled in mud and covered in dog shit, you could never look hideous.”

  “Oh, you smooth talker, you,” she teased.

  “What are your plans today?” he asked sincerely, lazily drawing circles on her arm.

  “I have a meeting with a new client, another bridezilla. Then, I’m meeting with the pastor and his wife at the bakery. That woman has serious control issues.” Ella rolled her eyes.

  Carter cocked an eyebrow at her. “Does she now?” he chuckled softly.

  “Oh stop! I’m not the control freak, Sir,” she smirked.

  “Someone wants to play this morning, huh kitten?” In a blink, he was on top of her, pinning her arms to her sides, staring in her eyes devilishly. “As I recall, I still need to find something to do with that dirty mouth of yours, don’t I?”

  “Oh, yes sir,” she smiled mischievously.

  ********

  Ella was sitting in Liv’s office, happily discussing their plans for the benefit. While in Nashville, Carter had made arrangements with the record company to send another up and coming artist to them for the benefit. Although, Ella didn’t particularly like Ms. Harmon, she was grateful when Carter surprised her with the news.

  Just as Ella stood to go to the mini fridge to grab a cold water, Gabe came bursting into Liv’s office, slamming the door behind him.

  “Do you know what you’ve done?” he roared.

  “Gabe, what the hell,” Liv quickly stood, glaring at Gabe.

  “That’s what I want to know. What the hell did you do to him, Ella?” he demanded.

  Ella turned, looking at Liv, then Gabe, shocked by his question to her. “What did I do to whom?” she asked.

  “You know damned well who. Carter!” he ground out.

  “Gabe, I’m sorry, but I have no idea what you’re talking about. I spoke to Carter a little bit ago, and he was fine,” Ella clarified.

  “No, honey. He ain’t fine,” Gabe spit. He was fuming mad, and Ella couldn’t for the life of her figure out why. “You’ve ruined everything he’s worked his ass off for.”

  Walking around the desk, Liv put her hands on her hips and stared menacingly at the angry man. “Gabe, stop being an ass and just tell us what the hell you’re talking about.”

  “I’m talking about the record deal with the recording company. Carter turned them down. Told them something came up, and he couldn’t make it back. I know exactly what came up. His goddamned dick. And it’s all because of you!” he yelled.

  “Dude, calm down,” Liv warned.

  “What do you mean, he turned it down? We went there Gabe. He recorded a few of his songs.” Ella was confused. What was Carter thinking?

  “That was just to record a demo. To see how his voice sounded. That cougar lady called him and told him they found some songs they wanted him to try out to add to the ones he wrote. But he told them no.”

  “Gabe, I had no clue. He hasn’t mentioned anything to me.” Ella was in shock. She knew Carter had told her becoming a big star wasn’t his dream, but never in a million years did she think he’d stop the pursuit. And certainly not because of her. “How did you find out?”

  “Ms. Harmon tracked me down. She said she was worried about him. Told me to try and talk some damn sense into him.”

  “Well, did you?” Ella asked. Now the conversation she overheard came crashing back in her memory. That’s who he had been talking to.

  “What the hell do you think? Hell yeah, I tried to talk to him. But his stubborn ass wouldn’t listen. Said that was never his dream. He was happy right where he was at, singing at honky tonks, and cleaning horse shit.” Gabe paced the small room, picking his ball cap up off his head, rubbing his hair and setting it back down. “She said, if I could get him back up there this week, he still had a chance. But he ain’t going nowhere now. Not with you fucking with his head.”

  “Shut up, Gabe. Carter’s a big boy. I don’t think my sister could change his mind about something that important, unless he was already having doubts as it was.” It was cute how Liv was standing up for her big sister.

  “No, Liv. He’s right. Carter can’t give up on his dreams. No matter what the reason is.” Ella sighed. She had known all along that her heart was going to be broken if she got involved with Carter. She just never thought it would be like this. Knowing what she had to do, she grabbed her purse. “I’ll call you in a little while. I’m going to need you to do something for me.”

  “Okay, whatever you need. Just call me.” Liv called after her sister as she left the office.

  Carter was the happiest he had ever been. He felt like a thousand pound weight had been lifted from his shoulders since he told Ms. Harmon he wasn’t going to take the record deal. If his momma were here, he knew she’d tell him to follow his heart. And that’s exactly what he
was doing. Because Ella Reid had his heart wrapped around her little finger, and he wasn’t going anywhere as long as she was his. After years of hearing he wasn’t going to find love, he’d found it. At least he hoped she felt the same way he did.

  With a smile on his face, and a semi stiff erection, he texted Ella. He wanted to see her tonight, couldn’t wait to see her actually.

  To Ella Hey sweetness. Would it sound corny if I told you I can’t get you outta my head?

  Putting his phone back in his pocket after he didn’t get an immediate reply, he finished packing up his tools, and loaded them in his truck. It wasn’t like Ella to not reply quickly. Maybe she was with a client? He decided to give her another thirty minutes before texting her again. But, when he texted her again, and still got no reply, he began to get worried. Not even Liv knew where she was, although she had acted vague when he called her.

  To Ella Okay. Now I’m starting to get worried. Call me back.

  “Ah, screw it,” he said to himself. Jumping in his truck, he drove to her office. When he saw no sign of her there, he decided to drive by her house. Whipping his truck around in the middle of the road, Carter drove in the direction of Ella’s house.

  Finally, his phone sounded with a text message. Looking at the screen, he saw Ella’s name displayed on the screen, and pulled over to read the message.

  From Ella Carter, I’m sorry to do this with a text, but I knew it would be easier on both of us. I don’t think we should see each other anymore. It’s not working out. We aren’t good together, Carter. But, your mother was right, God gave you a gift. Don’t waste it. Go to Nashville and knock them dead.

  Completely in shock, Carter re-read her words, and quickly answered back.

  To Ella What are you talking about? I’m on my way to your house!

  From Ella No. Don’t. I’m not there. I had to go out of town. I’m not sure how long I’ll be gone. Please Carter, follow your dreams.