“That’s four hours from now,” he protested. “I can’t be by myself for that long.”
“Try.” I looked around when he parked the car in front of Logan’s Java. “Why are we stopping here?”
“We need fuel and coffee. Logan’s already working, I asked him to have something ready for us.”
“If I drink coffee I won’t be able to go back to sleep,” I protested, glaring at him.
“For our next road trip, I’ll remember that,” he said with that sexy smirk of his planted on those delicious lips that I hadn’t yet tasted.
“I don’t like you,” I pouted.
He unbuckled his seatbelt and cupped my face with his big, strong hands. Slowly, he pulled me to him and claimed my mouth. It was a tender, lazy kiss where our tongues swirled to the same rhythm.
“You look cute when you’re grumpy,” he said when he broke the kiss.
I moaned, missing him when he left the car. It didn’t take him long to come back. He handed me a warm paper bag and my coffee.
“So, what’s with the coconut milk.”
“Dad began drinking it when I was thirteen,” I said, sipping my coffee. “Honestly, I like it better than regular milk, plus I’m trying to consume fewer animal products.”
“You like hamburgers.”
“I said less. I’m not a vegetarian. Are you judging me?”
“Not at all. Is it too early to bring up the statistics about vegans versus vegetarians?”
“Way too early, Rodin.” I growled.
“I fear for my life,” he joked. “First your father, now this.”
“You woke us up too early. This better be worth it,” I said adjusting my seat before he began driving again.
“I’m making this trip count,” he said. I wasn’t sure what he meant.
The first hours were quiet. Neither one of us said much. We drank coffee, listened to classical music, ate cranberry scones, and watched the scenery. Well, I did the watching. Gage drove. We reached Salem and took a quick break before continuing on.
“Are you going to let me drive?” I asked when he merged onto I-5.
“Maybe after lunch,” he said.
A couple of hours later, we arrived in Eugene, Oregon, where we had lunch at my favorite place. He didn’t complain that it was vegetarian, and actually enjoyed the bean burgers. Afterwards, we walked around downtown, and he took me to a nearby park.
He seemed to know a lot about the place.
“Have you ever been in Eugene, Gage?”
He smirked. “I was born here and lived here until my parent’s divorced.”
“How old were you?”
“Eight,” he said. “Keane was nine, and the twins were almost eleven.”
“Does your biological mom still live here?” He nodded, lifted our hands and kissed my knuckles.
“Before you suggest we visit her, the answer is no. I’d rather spend time with you.”
“Wait, twins?” I frowned. “Camden and Easton are twins?”
“Yep,” he said. “They’re fraternal twins. Born on a different day. East was born on November 24th at 11:57 and Cam was born the next day at 12:02.”
“Huh,” I said trying to think about them. “I didn’t notice.”
“They don’t like to advertise it. Easton’s super smart and skipped first grade. So they were never in the same class.”
“That’s interesting,” I said, wondering if he’d share more family secrets.
“Twins run in our family,” he continued.
“You’re not a twin, are you?” I frowned.
“No. Keane and I are the oddballs. We look a lot alike, but we were born eleven months apart. Cody and Emmalee are the other set.”
“You have too many siblings,” I said staring at the candy store across the street.
“It’s fun, and we look out for each other,” he said, staring at me. “Wait until you’re all adults.”
“Can we go across the street?”
“That’s why I wanted to bring you here. They have the best truffles in the world,” he said. “You’re going to love them.”
This guy surprised me every two seconds. He knew me so well and yet, I felt like I barely knew him at all.
“Hannah and I are close,” I said as we crossed the street.
“You take care of her,” he said matter-of-factly.
“I try my best. It’s hard when I’m away.” Then, I had an idea. “Please, promise me that you’ll check on her when you’re in town.”
He winked at me. “I’ll do my best.”
Gage bought me a big box of truffles that he hoped would last me until he could come back to visit me. I loved that he planned his life around me, but hated that he only told me bits and pieces of it. He didn’t want to overpromise, because he’d never broke a promise. Ever.
Nineteen
Gage
Around six thirty, when the sun was about to set, we arrived at a Bed & Breakfast in Sonoma County. I shut down the engine and texted Kaden as I’d promised. I wasn’t used to updating my whereabouts, but I’d do anything he asked because I wanted him to trust me. Then, I feathered Tess’s face with kisses until she woke up.
“What happened to San Francisco?” she yawned, giving me a wide smile that warmed my heart.
“We can go there anytime,” I said. “I wanted you to enjoy the countryside.”
Slowly, I made my way out of the car and pulled her small carry-on from the back seat, along with my backpack.
“I won’t lie,” she said as we walked toward the building. “I was excited to watch the sea lions at Fisherman’s Wharf.”
“I’ll take you to La Jolla Cove when we’re in San Diego.”
She opened her mouth wide. “You know about them?”
“Of course,” I said, opening the door for her. “I’ve taken this road trip along I-5 several times. We usually visit family in Portland, drive down the coast to Disneyland, and then make our way to San Diego. If we had enough time, we’d go down to Baja too.”
“No wonder you brought the cooler and those drinks and even know where to stop.”
“That part was your mom, not me,” I said.
“But I know a little about this trip,” I continued while we waited for someone to come to the reception. “With a big family like ours, my parents had to find ways to take us on vacations without breaking the bank. We stayed with friends and relatives. How about you?”
Tess didn’t answer while the owner of the B&B checked us in. She scrunched her face when we were given two different rooms. I carried her bags to the bigger room. If I were lucky, she’d invite me to stay tonight. If not, I wanted her to be comfortable. The room faced east and had a veranda where, according to the website, we could watch the sunrise.
“We go out once a year to the beach with Dad,” she suddenly answered my question when I opened the room. “I loved it because I was able to be by the ocean for hours. Dad would take me snorkeling and to the aquariums.”
“You’ve always loved the ocean,” I said.
“Yes, I’ve always been an animal lover.” She walked around the room and stared outside at the veranda.
“You had lots of pets while growing up?” I guessed.
Her face saddened a little. “Dad bought us several pets, but Mom gave them away or killed them.”
“She killed your pets?” I gasped in horror.
“She’d say it was an accident,” Tess said, brushing her skirt, her gaze diverted toward the window.
“Some days I wonder if I’ll end up like her. Maybe I will,” she said with a pinched expression.
I pulled her to me and kissed her hard and fast trying to absorb the fear her mother instilled in her.
“I get it. She caused a lot of damage, but the first step in letting that go is accepting that you’re your own person. You should stop comparing yourself to your mother,” I said, pressing my forehead against hers. “Promise me you’ll stop.”
“I promise,” she whispe
red, her eyes staring into mine.
Tess’s posture made everyone think that she was cold, well put-together, and that nothing fazed her. When in reality, she was warm, loving, and sensitive. Tess had flaws like we all do, but was terrified to let anyone see them.
“We have two days,” I told her. “Let’s forget about the past and focus on the future, okay?”
* * *
Tess
“We have dinner reservations in an hour. Why don’t you change and we can meet in about thirty minutes?”
I nodded, giving him my best, carefree smile. It wasn’t like I was in love with him. Gage was just the first guy who cared about me enough to get to know me. I was going to work hard to stop myself from being an idiot.
My chest tightened, and I held back the tears. I was ready for him. I wanted us to be together finally, but I wasn’t good enough. This was precisely why I kept everyone at a distance.
“Hey,” he lifted my chin. “I think it’s best because the next time we share a bed, I won’t be able to stop. I don’t know if you’re ready to take that step.”
“I didn’t say anything,” I said.
“You didn’t have to, Tess,” he said. “Your eyes, your body, and your face tell me everything.”
I felt naked under his gaze. He was right. I was confused as fuck. I wanted him next to me. His body close, skin to skin. His hands sliding along my naked body. His heart beating as I rested my head on his muscular chest while he was inside me.
My eyes searched his. There it was, his soul ready to hold onto my heart—forever if it was possible. But what if everything went wrong and this amazing feeling destroyed me?
“It’s safe,” he said.
A chuckle sounded inside my head. This man had me figured me out since the fateful day I entered the bar where he worked. It’s as if at that moment we had finally found each other. He felt awfully familiar, like home.
His eyes roamed over me, almost devouring every cell of my body. The heat inside me intensified, I longed to finally have him.
Twenty
Gage
She pressed her lips together. Those beautiful amber eyes met mine straight on. That gorgeous face remained rigid. Tess was confused about my motives. I was confused about her hesitation. Though, I couldn’t stop staring at her plump mouth that I wanted to fuck hard. I wanted to spend all night with her, buried inside her, devouring her.
I raked my eyes over her and finally pulled her to me, pressing my lips on hers. I cupped the back of her neck, she tangled her fingers with mine. I kissed her with the need I felt inside my core. The room temperature rose as the intoxicating taste of her lips drove me crazy. I wanted to love her, to make her happy.
I kissed her more, sliding my tongue over hers as I lowered my hand to her back, skimming my fingers along her thin tank-top, raising it until I touched her searing skin. I ached to savor all of her, not just her mouth. Keeping my distance had been so fucking hard.
“Where do we stand, Tess?” I broke the kiss, barely holding onto a thread of self-control.
“I wish I had the words to describe these emotions you evoke,” she said. “But I don’t want to stay safe any longer because that means missing out on what you have to offer.”
“Are you ready for me?” I dared to ask. “Because I’m ready to love you.”
Her breath caught as our gazes locked. She wanted to play with fire, and I was willing to burst into flames with her. Our bodies, our hearts, and our souls would be on fire. A fire that I prayed to God would never be extinguished.
“Lo—love me?” She stuttered. “We agreed.”
“Agreed to what? You said we’re going too fast, to slow down. We didn’t stipulate anything.”
“Aren’t you afraid that this will end up bad? I live in another city. You’re about to start a new career,” she argued.
“I am aware of all of that, but I won’t keep these feelings inside my chest. I’m about to burst. It’s hard not to say ‘Goodnight, baby. I love you.’ when we text or when we’re on the phone,” I told her.
“Isn’t this too soon?”
“There’s no right answer for that. Life is too short. That’s something no one takes into account when it comes to love. You have to live out loud, be truthful to who you are, and stop being afraid of life. Controlling your emotions isn’t going to give you anything more than heartache.”
“With you I want to dream, to achieve,” she said passionately. “Maybe I need you to teach me how.”
“I’ll just hold your hand while you experience it.” I brushed strands of hair away from her face. “Let me love you tonight.”
I ran my fingers along the waistband of her shorts, feeling the smooth flesh of her flat stomach. She whimpered as I touched her and moaned when I snapped the buttons open and pulled the zipper. I lowered my mouth to hers, kissing her while taking her shorts down her thighs along with her panties. I moved my lips along her jawline, nibbling her sensitive skin and continuing to her collarbone.
“Gorgeous,” I said, tugging up her tank top and staring at her pink, lace bra.
“Touch me,” she suddenly ordered. “Fuck me.”
I stopped and stared at her. The bossy tone surprised me and turned me on so fucking much that I got even harder. The fear in her eyes was gone entirely.
“Are you in charge, Miss Hades?” I flicked my tongue against her laced covered nipple.
She gasped. Her eyes seemed to glow with hunger. I was willing to satisfy her with my mouth, my hands, and my hard as granite cock.
I knelt and finished tugging her shorts and her panties all the way down her shapely legs, which were slightly parted giving me just a glimpse of her sweet pussy.
“Sit on the bed,” I ordered.
When she did, I stared into her eyes and said, “It’ll never be just fucking between us, Tess. You can call it whatever you want. Sometimes it’ll be slow and tender while others it’s going to be raw, rough, and intense. But every time we’re together, I’ll be loving you.”
I spread her legs and buried my face at the apex of her thighs, pressing my tongue against her rosy pearl. She cried out and yanked my hair as I moved my mouth along her slit, nibbling her delicate flesh with my teeth. I drew the hard nub between my lips, getting harder with her every moan and throaty gasp.
Fuck, I had never been so turned on by a woman. I drove my tongue inside her, swirling it, then, pressing in deep which set off an intense growl that echoed throughout the room.
I returned my attention to her clit as I thrust two fingers inside her, crooking them and hitting the spot that would drive her fucking crazy and make her come hard for me. She rocked her hips against my mouth, seeking release by taking control of the situation. I fucking liked it. That was the Tess she hid. The one who was bold and wanted to take as much as she gave. I continued lapping at her precious pussy and pumping my fingers until her body was tensed, soaking wet, and about to come.
She screamed, shuddering against my mouth, her body trembling while I absorbed her pleasant orgasm—one wave crashing against the next. The moment was deliciously intense, just like her.
I moved my hands up her hips, and I looked at her glowing face. She radiated an energy that invited me to escape into another world just with her. I couldn’t help but kiss her like she was my oxygen, my lifeline—the only thing keeping me alive. She undid the zipper on my jeans, pulling them down along with my boxer briefs.
“I’m not sure how I want you, Rodin,” she said with a teasing tone, holding my throbbing cock in her palm.
“My options are to suck you.” She swirled her tongue around the tip of my engorged dick.
Then, she moved her hips and caressed her wet pussy with my cock. I almost came right there. I’d never felt so turned on by a woman. “Or … let you bury your long, thick cock inside me, filling me the way your fingers did.”
My breath hitched at the thought of burying myself deep inside her without protection. I hesitated for a second and reac
hed for the foil inside my jeans.
“Let me.” She ripped it open and rolled it along my length in a slow, controlled movement. She was killing me. I wanted to come in her hands. She guided me to her entrance while licking her lips. “One more chance, my mouth or …”
Instead of answering, I thrust my shaft deep inside her. Finally, I’d claimed her as mine.
Mine.
She gasped, and I froze. Fuck, I wasn’t thinking. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, I just wasn’t ready. You’re huge,” she purred, moving her hips slowly. “Let me get used to you.”
I watched her intently, waiting for her signal. She smiled when I moved to match her slow rhythm. I pulled out just enough before burying myself back inside. The intensity in her eyes blindsided me. She locked her legs around my waist, gripping me hard as I thrust in and out of her. I dipped my head to the crook of her neck, sucking her flesh while I continued slamming into her.
She said I was a dangerous man. And at that moment, when our bodies met, atoms rearranged, and we became one, I realized that our love was dangerous.
We shared the kind of love that awakens your every cell until you merge with the other person. Every part of me became aware of her as I rotated my hips and drove myself deeper inside her. That last thrust was all we needed to sky rocket to the moon and explode into a supernova.
We gasped for air, shuddering for several seconds while we both recovered. She stroked my back, while I kissed her slowly.
“I love you,” I said.
“Gage,” she gasped.
“You don’t have to say anything, just stay with me.”
“I don’t want to live in fear,” she said. “I want this. You. I trust you.”
Her words, her trust, and those amber eyes finally surrendering made me love her even more than I already did. My heart became hers, and my soul was branded with her name.
Twenty-One
Tess
My One Despair Page 10