by London James
“Always,” she says.
The sun has set over the mountains, casting us in darkness. The only form of light is coming from the bathroom, casting a pale glow on the carpeted floor.
She’s so tight. Everly feels the same, just like the first time. Has she not had any more lovers? The thought of her with anyone else has my lip curling and my arms wrapping around her head to bring that sweet mouth to mine. It’s a sloppy kiss, all tongue and no precision from exertion.
But I’m far from being over.
“You feel so good, Everly, baby,” I croon into her ear. “Better than I remember,” which is true. Maybe it’s the longing I’ve felt for her over the years; I don’t know. But no one has ever compared, no sex has ever been as good or as earth-shattering, than it is with Everly.
Her red tongue flattens against my neck and licks a pathway up my neck to my jaw. “Don’t stop, don’t ever stop,” she pleads.
I pull back and lean up on one elbow, slowing the rolls of my hips as I stare into her eyes. They are shining with tears and emotion and desire and… maybe something more.
I can’t look. I place my head on her shoulder, holding her tight to my chest. I’m not able to look at her face, not right now. Or I’ll break.
This isn’t just any woman. This isn’t some woman I met at the bar. This is Everly.
My Everly.
Whatever she feels right now, if I look at her, I’ll feel it too and it will take us to a place we are not ready for. I’m not afraid to admit that. We shouldn’t even be having sex right now, but somewhere deep inside myself, I knew we would. It’s impossible to keep magnetic forces apart when they are close.
And every time we are close, we gravitate to each other. It’s natural. It’s a phenomenon I can’t explain. Even when I can’t stand her, when I don’t want anything to do with her because I’m so damn angry, my heart calls for hers.
The puffs of her breath dance over my earlobe, and it’s too much, knowing her lips, the ones that have so much to say but seal a secret, are close to me.
I flip her over onto her stomach and grab handfuls of that plump, thick ass. She cries out in this position as I drive my cock inside her channel.
“More, Rowan. Give me more. Harder,” she pants.
I push down in the middle of her back and straighten her legs until she is lying flat on the bed. Her pussy is even tighter this way. It makes my eyes cross. This position is going to milk the come from my cock in no time.
Remembering that she said she wants more; I grab her hips and slide in and out as hard and fast as I can. My balls slap against her lips, her moans carry throughout the entire penthouse, and I grunt with every thrust. I want to spill inside her, but I know that’s a conversation we haven’t had, and since this is probably a one-time thing, talking about it is pointless. But I really want to.
Right here.
Right now.
“Rowan! Oh, god, Rowan!” she snatches a pillow from the right and pushes it against her face as she screams.
Her pussy tightens around me, squeezing me like a vice. My balls pull up to my body, and blood rushes to my head, deafening me to the point I can no longer hear her cries as she orgasms. I couldn’t stop it even if I wanted to. Everly feels too good. So good. The fucking best I’ve ever felt.
So, it’s a nice surprise that my orgasm slams into me so hard and fast. The next time I thrust in, I’m shooting my seed deep inside her.
And then her pussy clenches me again, and her inner muscles quake and spasm with yet another orgasm. I know with every orgasm, her muscles are grabbing onto my come and pulling it up toward her womb.
I don’t think much of it, though because even though she is on birth control, the chance of getting pregnant is slim without trying.
With the thought comforting my worry, I plunge in deep, trying to get every drop inside. It feels so fucking good. I’ve never come inside someone before, and I see why men want to do it. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever felt. It’s still hot and wet, plus the constriction of her pussy around my hard shaft—fuck—nothing has felt better.
Everly giggles as I collapse beside her. Both of us are breathing hard, sweat is dripping down our bodies, and my cock is still hard. I can’t help how much I want her. It’s been too long. So, what do I do?
I climb back on top of her and slide in again because I’m not going to stop fucking her until my cock deflates, and Everly can’t function.
“What are you doing?” she asks, still trying to catch her breath.
Her brown hair is matted to her head from sweat and is sticking to her flushed skin. “I’m going to keep fucking you, and fucking you, and—” I thrust in, soft and slowly, into her swollen pussy. “— fucking you until my cock is tired and your pussy isn’t begging for me,” I gasp.
I sigh, thinking about how long I’ve wanted this. I remember being eighteen, full of hope, and planning out my dreams. Everly had always been a part of them, just like she had been my entire life.
For the first time tonight, she cups my face, running her hand over the high plains of my cheekbone. My skin feels incinerated from the touch. And this time, I can’t look away from her. I don’t move. I keep still, soaking in her touch.
Everly moves one hand to the center of my chest, right over my heart and leans her head against my chest.
“Everly,” I warn in a light, but still sharp, tone. We can’t afford to fall for each other. Not again.
“Shh, I know. I know. Just let me listen,” she says, keeping her ear against my chest to listen to my heart.
An array of emotions swirl through me. I want to stay like this forever, but the other part of me, the part that screams that this will never work, tells me to stop what she is doing. She used to do this after I climbed into her bedroom window at night, and we watched TV. She always laid her head on my chest, falling asleep. And when she woke up, she said the sound of my heart was her favorite lullaby.
I start to move again, keeping a steady pace. The moment is slow and sensual, and I’m not ready for that. She’s making me feel too vulnerable. She is making me want to forget the pain she has caused me over the years. But I can’t do that yet.
Sitting up, I wrap her legs around me and stand. When we get to the wall, I turn her around, so she is facing the wall. My hand falls between the middle of her slim shoulders and holds her down as I start another fast rhythm. My heavy sack swings back and forth, hitting her clit.
I glance down to see my cock sliding in and out of her hungry folds. I think about all the years wasted not having her. I could be fucking my wife right now, but instead, I’m in this situation.
Yeah, my wife. I thought Everly was going to be her. My one. But life has a funny way of changing.
The sheen against my cock shows her juice and my come from earlier. The view has my balls rolling again. The two dimples decorating her lower back are beautiful. My thumb settles right over them as I spread my palm over her ass as I plummet into her pussy.
I slam her against the wall and pull her hair back, getting ready to come again. Her back and my chest slide together from all the sweat, and when she reaches back, wrapping her arm around my neck and pulling me into another sloppy kiss, I come.
And it triggers her orgasm.
Best sex of my fucking life.
But the fantasy crashes down and gets replaced by reality very quick. Everything I tried not to think about during sex hits me like a freight train.
We stand there, trying to catch our breaths, and before I can stop them, the worst four words I could ever say come stumbling out of my mouth. Instead of saying how amazing it was, how good she felt, and how I want to feel her again—I say something else.
“This was a mistake.”
I pull my softening cock out of her pussy, and I want to groan from how sensitive and good it feels, but I hold it in. If I were to groan right now after saying those four words, I’d be a real asshole.
She doesn’t even turn around. She stays agai
nst the wall, legs spread, chest heaving, come dripping down her thighs, and nods. Everly doesn’t say anything, though. She bends over and grabs the towel off the floor and hits my shoulder with hers as she pushes by me and slams the door to the bathroom.
The part of me that holds on to that anger is happy she’s mad, but the better part of me regrets the four words that left my mouth. On top of hurting her, she probably feels used.
And that’s on me.
Chapter 18
Everly
I wake up the next morning with swollen eyes from crying all night. Rowan and I haven’t spoken a word since he pulled out of me last night and said it was just a mistake. So many thoughts ran through my mind after he did that.
Did he really even want me yesterday? Or was all that amazing sex just an opportunity for him to get back at me?
Because it worked. He has succeeded at breaking me. He got what he wanted. Payback is a bitch—I get it. It’s cruel. I’ve never considered him a cruel man, but what he did was cruel. I know what I did to him was wrong, and maybe I made him feel used and alone, but it was never to be vindictive.
I was scared. Afraid of ruining our friendship. And I ended up ruining it anyway. I never said it was smart, but I was just a kid. I didn’t know any better. Did I deserve what he did to me?
Yes. In hindsight it made sense, but how much longer do I have to deal with his anger and frustration? I can’t do it anymore. Tears spring to my eyes again, and an ache between my legs makes me sigh in pain as I roll out of bed. I’m not crying because it hurts, I’m crying because of why it hurts.
I press the palm of my hands to my eyes and take a few deep breaths. I can do this. I can make it through today, and after we find our parents, it’s official, I will never see or talk to Rowan again. We are history. It’s time I move on. This self-abuse, this torture of pining over someone I can never have, is not only getting pathetic, but it is sad. I have other things in my life to worry about than always fretting about Rowan.
I get out of bed and stretch and thank whoever for small favors, for giving the penthouse another bathroom. I don’t want to go anywhere near that master suite. I want to stay away, as far away as I can from Rowan Michaels.
Until I look out the window and see the snow-covered mountains with fresh flakes falling. I’ll have to be with him when we go with the search party today and look for our parents, but I’m still going to stay as far away as possible.
I stroll over to the shower and do my business. When I’m dressed, I make sure I lace up my boots nice and tight. They come all the way up to my knees. The perfect winter boot. They are a bitch to tie, but at least I’ll be warm.
Once that is done, I French braid two ponytails and tie them together in the back. I don’t bother with makeup. I’m not trying to impress anyone, and since we will be hiking today, there is no need for it. I’ll just sweat it off anyway.
I wrap a few scarves around my neck, my pink fluffy earmuffs that Blaire got me, and grab my big, puffy coat.
“Good morning,” he says.
“Are you ready?” I ask, not wanting to waste time. Last night only happened because it was so late, and they had started to close everything down. We weren’t allowed to leave the resort, or I would have been out there looking for our parents. Instead, I put myself into this situation.
Go fucking me.
“Yeah, just let me grab my coat.”
I don’t really care if he needs to grab his coat. I don’t need him to meet up with the search and rescue party. I grab my key card and walk out of the room, pressing the button to the elevator. And so help me god, if this metal deathtrap leaves me trapped with Rowan again, I’m going to write a letter to whoever owns this resort and give them a piece of my mind.
The doors slide open, and I step in. Peaking my head out between the doors, I don’t see Rowan, so I press the button to close them.
“Hey! Wait up,” he shouts.
Yeah, no.
The doors close right as he gets in front of them, and I smirk. I press the button to the lobby and hum as the elevator takes me down. It can shut down now for all I care. I’m alone. I should feel bad for leaving Rowan behind—this is a search for our parents after all—but I don’t. I don’t need him to hold my hand while we search.
A ding sounds, and the door parts, revealing the lobby of the resort. The thick red carpet cushions my heavy boots as I stride into the lobby. There are police everywhere, along with a few other people possibly volunteering their time for the search. It makes tears come to my eyes.
A team of search dogs sit next to their master, waiting for a command, ready to search and save a life. When I stand in the circle, one of the officers gives me a sad smile before walking over to me.
“You must be Everly?” he asks.
“I am,” I shuffle on my feet.
“I’m sorry you’re here for this and not vacation.”
“We would have come no matter what. Wouldn’t we, Everly?” Rowan’s angry voice interrupts my conversation with the handsome officer.
“Of course. Officer?” I hold out my hand to introduce myself formally.
“Officer Kendall, but you can call me Josh.”
“Josh, this is my stepbrother, Rowan Michaels. His father is also with my mother.” I make sure to emphasis the ‘step’, just to piss Rowan off.
“We will do our best to find them. I know this can’t be easy for you. Since you are both here, we will get the rescue started.” He whistles, gathering everyone’s attention with the loud, piercing whistle. Everyone’s conversations quiet down, and they stare at Josh.
“This is Everly and Rowan. The children of the couple we are looking for today. It’s going to be cold, windy, and the snowstorm is coming, so snow will start to fall from the outer bands of the storm. It’s going to be dangerous. You have to make sure you’re ready because anything can happen on these mountains. Safety first. We don’t want any more people lost out there. If you don’t want to search, it’s okay.” He stops speaking, waiting for anyone to leave the group.
Everyone stays put, though. And Rowan’s hand lands on my shoulder. I shrug it off, not wanting him to touch me. I want us to find our parents, and then I only want to see him if necessary, and there is no way to avoid it.
“Alright, everyone. Pair up and let’s roll out. Everly, you’re with me,” Josh says.
“I don’t think so,” Rowan interjects.
“Oh, I’ll be fine. Why don’t you pair up with someone else?” I give him a look that says I don’t want to be anywhere near him.
“Now is not the time for this shit, Everly,” he says through locked teeth.
“Then stop and go. I’m fine Rowan. I just want to find them already. Isn’t that why we’re here? Wouldn’t want to make any mistakes,” I spit, right before turning on my heel and following Josh out the doors.
A cold burst of wind hits me in the face, waking me up. I wouldn’t have been able to guess that it is morning because the thick, heavy clouds block the sun. The snow is already starting to fall, and the wind seems like it’s going to be monstrous and unforgiving, already chapping my lips.
Damn, and I don’t think I brought chapstick. I stare out into the menacing mountain in front of me. Since the clouds are so dark and grey, it casts an eerie feeling over the situation. I feel as though I’m staring at death. The darkness is laughing at me by howling in the wind as it whips around me. My breath freezes, but it doesn’t linger long from irate mother nature taking it from me.
“Are you ready?”
I turn my head over to Josh as he stares at me with worry. “I don’t think I’ll ever be ready to look for my mother. She’s lost on that mountain, probably cold, if not already dead.” The truth leaves my mouth so quick; I can’t stop it.
The severity of the situation hits me hard. The truth churns my gut as if I’m in a cauldron, and it’s spinning its poison. My hand flies to the twist in my stomach, and tears brim my eyes. The chances of my mother being
alive are slim. I probably won’t see her again. My mind has been preoccupied with Rowan, and an ember of a flame stayed lit for Mom and his father, but now that I’m here, staring at the maniacal mountain, standing tall, towering over me, showcasing its strength…
The sky is dark.
Thunder and snow rumble in the sky, flashing a bolt of lightning through the black clouds. Snow starts to fall. It’s the only thing bright against the sinister view in front of me. The cold flakes touch my heated cheeks, but it does nothing to cool me down.
“Everly?” Josh asks, placing his hand on my shoulder as I put my head between my knees to try and breathe.
I just need to breathe.
“Someone get me some oxygen!” he yells when he notices that my breathing has turned to something else.
I’m hyperventilating.
“I can’t do this,” I choke. Tears fall freely down my face, melting the snow at my feet. “I can’t lose my mom,” I cry. “I can’t lose her too.” Everything sways. My vision blurs. My head is weightless.
“Take a deep breath,” Josh instructs me. “Breathe.”
I nod and try to inhale the best I can. My lungs stutter, but with every breath, I feel better.
“Hey! What’s going on? Everly! Get away from her,” Rowan pushes through the crowd, almost knocking Josh over. He kneels on the icy ground and cradles my face with his hands. His thumb brushes the tear falling down my cheek as he stares directly in my eyes, like he cares.
Part of me knows he doesn’t because he’s an asshole. But part of me knows he does because he’s my Rowan.
“I know,” he whispers. His eyes well with salty fluid next, but nothing falls. “I know this is scary. It doesn’t look promising. I have faith. They are strong.”
The medics finally arrive with an oxygen mask, who help me put it on. I hold the mask to my face, trying to get as much of the free-flowing oxygen as I can. Once I’m calm, I take it off and hand it back to the EMT who gave it to me. “Thank you. I’m sorry. I feel so stupid.”