by MJ Carnal
“I’m sorry.” He kissed her and she wrapped her legs around his waist. “I’m sorry it took me so long to realize how much I love you. I’m sorry it took me so long to tell you. You were my best friend and I was too afraid to let myself love you. I didn’t realize I was already there.”
“Don’t ever say you’re sorry for that. I knew you loved me. I was just waiting for you to figure it out.” Lily rested her head on his shoulder. His warm skin was slick from pool water. His muscles rippled as he held her. “I’ll tell the university I can’t take the job.”
“No. You want the job. I’ll resign from the station. I can work anywhere. Home is wherever you are, Lil.”
Her heart was full. She had the man of her dreams. Her family had spent the last twenty-four hours getting to know him and they had fallen in love with him. His smile had been plastered on his face the entire time. She knew what she was giving up if she didn’t take the teaching job. She also knew how much she had given up when she walked away from Los Angeles. She had taken her year there for granted. Looking back, she had almost everything there. And now that she had Steve, her life was complete. If spending a year with the crazy Moretti gang had meant that much to her, she couldn’t imagine him giving up what he had known for over thirty years.
“I don’t want you to do that. I want to be in Los Angeles. We can both do our jobs anywhere. My family can travel to see us. There’s only one Mark Moretti and Ryan West. I miss Kevin like crazy and I can’t wait to see what happens next for Caleb. I’m ready to go home.”
“I want to marry you.” Steve couldn’t help it. The words were out of his mouth before his brain knew what was happening.
“What?” Lily’s heart pounded.
“I want to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life wherever you are. I want you to be the first person I talk to every morning. I want to take you to pick out a ring and I’ll ask you the right way. But you should know that question’s coming very soon. Are you ready for that?”
Lily squealed. “Yes, I’m ready for that.”
“Good.” Steve dunked her under the water and took her lips in a passionate kiss. She molded her body to his and followed his lead.
When they broke the surface, she pushed the hair out of his face. “One problem though. You have to ask my dad.”
“Not a problem since I already asked him.” Steve laughed when Lily’s jaw dropped. “I love you. I thought your dad should know.”
Lily sealed the last box. She wiped the sweat from her brow and giggled as she watched Steve trying to make her sister feel better. Mia had taken the news hard. She’d been back six weeks and was leaving again. This time was permanent and Mia struggled to let her sister go. It would be difficult to walk away from Mia but Lily couldn’t imagine not leaving with Steve when he flew home.
Home. Their home. The same apartment that she had walked away from with her heart broken in two. Steve had called his realtor and told her exactly what they wanted to find in a house. A house they would make a home together. A house in the Hollywood Hills near Kevin and Mark. A house where they would start their future.
“So, you gonna knock my sister up and all that other nasty husband and wife stuff?” Mia laughed when Steve choked on his drink. “And how big is the ring gonna be? Let’s be honest here. Women love bling.”
“Mia!” Lily yelled from the bedroom.
“What? I know you. You want a rock.” Mia laughed.
“She can have whatever she wants.” Steve smiled.
“Do you have a brother? I need a Wainwright of my very own.”
“There’s a Reynolds. I believe you’ve met him?”
Mia’s face turned bright red. She hadn’t let the relationship develop into anything other than some steamy kisses. Damien was gone for a good portion of the year and she hoped she’d see him again. She stood up and headed toward her bedroom. “I’m not sure who you’re talking about.”
Steve’s laugh echoed behind her. Mia was going to love having him in the family. “Night night, red. See you in the morning.”
Lily collapsed onto the sofa. “I’m exhausted but I’m all packed.”
“You sure you want to leave tomorrow? There’s no hurry.” Steve kissed her gently.
“Caleb and Jena are getting married next weekend. It’s time to go home.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “I like the sound of that.”
“I’ve been afraid to ask. But what changed your mind?”
Steve shivered. “I promise I will tell you eventually. What’s most important is that I finally realized how much I need you.”
Chapter 22
Steve shifted in his seat. Lily was killing him. Her tanned legs went on for miles in her frayed denim shorts. Could they be any shorter? The plane felt too small with the reaction his body was having to being so close to her. He needed to touch her. He needed to taste her. The cross country flight would be close to five hours. He wouldn’t make it.
He glanced at her again. She had white knuckled her arm rest for takeoff and now she was sound asleep. Convinced he would just look out the window, he shifted in his seat again. One innocent touch. That’s what he needed. He ran his fingers from her knee to the hem of her shorts. She moaned in her sleep.
“Shit.” He groaned. He ran his finger under the edge of her shorts and she stirred. “I’m horny as fuck.”
Lily smiled but kept her eyes closed. “You’re insatiable.”
Steve’s fingers shifted higher and Lily stiffened. They were on a full flight. His broad shoulders blocked the view of the passengers to the side but there was no mistaking what was happening if someone was walking by. She glanced at his shorts. His erection strained against his zipper.
“I need to taste you.” Steve pushed her panties aside and ran his fingers through her heat. She was wet and ready. He slipped one finger into her core and twisted it, massaging her G spot. Her eyes rolled back in her head and he smiled. “You want to come, baby?”
Her eyes darted around the cabin. “I need to come.”
“So do I.” He whispered as he added another finger. Her excitement pooled around his fingers, hot and wet. “My girl likes that. I can feel you clenching. Close your eyes. Imagine it’s my cock filling you. Rubbing over that spot that drives you crazy. You’re close, baby. You just need one more little rub, right there.”
Lily’s legs shook. Her walls tightened around his fingers and she exploded with pleasure. Her body flushed with heat. She bit his shoulder to keep from screaming. Every orgasm he gave her was more intense than the last. He was a talker and there was nothing sexier than his deep voice whispering what he wanted.
When the last spasm subsided, Lily looked into his eyes. She watched as he lifted his fingers to his mouth and sucked. He moaned as her juices hit his tongue. “You’re so sweet.”
“That was so hot.” She whispered. “I need to go clean up. I’ll be right back.”
Steve stood up to let her out. Once she was halfway down the aisle, he followed. Consequences be damned. It had been five hours since he had made love to her. They had too much lost time to make up for. He scanned the passengers. Everyone was asleep, watching movies or working on laptops. The flight crew was passing out drinks, leaving the back lavatory area unattended.
As Lily was closing the folded door, Steve put his foot in to block it. Her eyes met his and she smiled.
He pushed his way into the bathroom, locking the door behind him. “Drop the shorts and face the mirror.”
She didn’t hesitate. As he stepped behind her in the cramped room, she felt his arousal through his shorts. “Same rules apply to you. Drop ‘em and let’s do this.” She wiggled her ass against him.
He fumbled in his back pocket looking for a condom. She was impatient and he was taking too long. She turned and unbuttoned his top button. Once the zipper was down, she shoved his shorts and boxers down to his ankles.
“Stop stalling. You’re clean and I’m on the pill. I want to feel you. No barriers.” Lily t
urned back around and spread her legs. Bracing her hands on the counter, she met his eyes in the mirror. “I dare you to make me come again.”
Steve shoved into her, both of them moaning at the connection. His eyes stayed locked with hers as he circled his hips. “You like this?” He picked up his pace. “Or this?”
“Hard.” Lily panted. “I like when we make love but right now I need you to fuck me.”
Steve pulled back and slammed his way back in. His pace was frantic as they raced toward orgasm. His body slapped against hers, her excitement apparent with each stroke. The sound was music to his ears.
“I’m so close.” Lily’s eyes were hooded as she continued to watch him in the mirror.
His fingers came around and stroked her clit. Tiny spasms begin in the hardened nub and he knew she wouldn’t last much longer. “You’re soaked. You hear that, baby? That’s sexy as fuck.”
She nodded her head. “Only for you. It’s never been like this.”
“Grab your nipples.” Steve pulled her hand up the front of her shirt. When she did, his cocked jumped. “I’ve never been this hard. I need to come, baby. I can’t do it without you.”
Steve ran his fingers through their connection, making them wet. Her ass was perfect and he needed to own it. He gently pushed against her rim and she moaned. She pushed back against his finger, urging him forward. “Yes.”
That was all he needed to hear. He eased his finger into her. Her tight muscles relaxed, allowing his to push in further. Her body began to quiver. “Your ass is so sexy.” He slowed his strokes to match the pace of his finger. She squirmed and whimpered.
“That feels so good.” She cried. “Oh my God.”
Her walls tightened around his cock, tremors vibrating between them. Her legs buckled as the force of her orgasm caused her to cry out his name. Her climax so powerful, it flowed down her legs. The spasms pulled at Steve, drawing his orgasm out at full force. Dark spots formed behind his eyes as the most powerful climax of his life surged from his body.
“Holy fuck.” He growled against her neck. His breath was coming in short spurts as he attempted to regain his footing. “Your body was made for me.”
She smiled, still looking at him in the mirror. “I’m not convinced. I think we need to try that a few more times before I’m certain.”
“I’ve got all the time in the world. I’m not going anywhere.” As Steve pulled out, he instantly missed her warmth. He would never be able to get enough of her.
“Thank you for coming back for me.” Lily kissed him. “I’ve never been this happy.”
“Thank you for having me even though I was a fucking idiot and didn’t see what I had right in front of me.”
“Are you ready to tell me what changed your mind?” Lily stroked his cheek.
Steve closed his eyes. The Memories of the accident were too raw to ignore. When he met her eyes again, his were full of tears. “I’m not ready to talk about it. Soon, baby.”
“I’ll be here when you are.” Lily kissed him once more before pushing her way out of the bathroom and back to row 18.
Chapter 23
“That’s blatant cheating, Moretti. Give me the cards.” Caleb laughed as Mark tried to bluff his way out of a terrible hand. “Sophie, I can’t believe you chose such a pain in the ass for a husband.”
Mark laughed as he threw his cards down on the table. “You’re one lucky son of a bitch at cards.”
Kevin snorted. “We’re out here at the pool with our half naked women parading around and you two idiots are playing cards. Please kill me if I ever turn into either one of you.” He pulled his sunglasses off his head and slid them onto his face. “Idiots.”
The early afternoon sun reflected off the crystal water in the pool. Kevin had hit the jackpot when he found the lot. The infinity pool overlooked the city and the wooded area surrounding the sides of the house gave them as much privacy as they needed. And they needed it. He and Andi spent almost every evening in the pool or on the back porch. The house had been exactly what he dreamed about. A large second story balcony overlooked the most amazing view in the hills and large windows covered the entire back of the house. They had turned the house into a home and he couldn’t wait to start a family.
Kevin smiled as he watched his wife. She was more gorgeous now than the day he had met her. She absently rubbed her belly, unaware that she was even doing it. They would need to announce their secret eventually. The mornings were getting easier as Andi’s second trimester approached but it wouldn’t be long before the little bump was more prominent.
Steve walked into the backyard and sat down next to Kevin with a huff. He put his head into his hands. Kevin looked at him with wide eyes. “No fucking way. She didn’t come back with you?”
Steve tried to hide his smile under his hands. He shook his head no.
“Did you tell her you loved her?” Kevin put his hand on Steve’s shoulder. “Man, I’m so sorry. That’s bullshit. I know she loves you. I’m calling her.”
Lily held his phone out to him. “You need this?”
Kevin jumped out of his seat and punched Steve in the arm. “You son of a bitch. I felt sorry for you.” He looked at Lily and smiled. “Welcome home, doll.”
She jumped into his arms. “Thank you, Kev. I’m happy to be back. Why are Moretti and Allen playing cards while Jena and Sophie are in bikinis?”
Kevin belly laughed. “Exactly.”
Steve chuckled as he got up. “I’m grabbing a beer. You want one, Lil?”
Lily shook her head as Steve left. “I’m so happy. You were right. You said all along that he’d realize he loved me. Thank you for being my rock.” She sat down across from him, noticing his arm for the first time. “Holy shit. What happened to your arm? How many stitches are in there?”
Kevin looked at his arm, memories of the accident rushed back. Andi could have been hurt, could have lost the baby. He had lost so much blood and had been in such shock that he didn’t realize how bad it had gotten. He felt the sadness fill his eyes. It had taken fifty stitches and ten staples to close the wound. He remembered the nurses running around his room, pumping him full of fluids before his blood transfusion. The smell of the antiseptic had filled his nose and the memories of waking up after the heart attack had sent pure fear through his body.
Mark had dropped his bike and he knew he’d need to do the same. He’d watched the edge of the cliff coming up faster than he could stop his body, his bike, or Andi. He’d thrown his arm out in an attempt to push her away. He’d felt the pain of the jagged slice that opened up his arm. Nothing mattered but stopping the momentum of Andi’s body and getting her away from the edge.
After his fourth night of waking up in a cold sweat, Andi had diagnosed him with post traumatic stress disorder. He was having a harder time bouncing back from the accident than he had when he had almost died earlier in the year. Seeing Steve helpless, hanging on by a simple rock, had caused pure panic and undeniable fear. Even when he knew Steve was safe, Kevin had been full of anxiety. The doctors had kept him an extra night to make sure he was alright. The accident had stirred a sense of loss that he had been unable to shake.
“I was terrified.” Kevin whispered. His voice was full of emotion. “Seeing Mark drop his bike and knowing I’d have to do the same. Just knowing Andi was on the back. Flying toward the edge thinking I was going over. Then seeing Steve and knowing we were going to lose him. I’m haunted by it.”
Lily’s eyes filled with tears. Panic was written all over Kevin’s face and it was emotion she had never seen from him. “What are you talking about?” Her voice was barely a whisper.
Kevin looked at Steve in panic. Their eyes met and Steve mouthed ‘it’s ok’. Looking back at Lily, his heart broke. “The day he flew to Georgia, there was an accident. Maybe he needs to be the one to tell you.”
“No.” Lily looked for Steve but noticed he was already making his way back to her. He sat next to her on the chaise and held her hand. “Tel
l me what happened.”
“I’m not sure I can talk about it yet. Every time I try to, I relive it.” Steve stared into the distance. “I’m not even sure what I remember is real.”
“Can Kevin tell me?” Lily’s eyes were full of love. There was no question in his mind that his feelings for her were the same thing she was feeling. He nodded at Kevin.
“We were heading up to the softball tryouts. This seventeen year old was driving too fast and lost control coming around the corner. We were up on the ridge, about two miles from the ball field. He was coming right at us. Steve had to swerve to miss him. Moretti and I had to lay our bikes down. Moretti got clipped by his bumper while he was trying to put it down and flew off the front of the bike. Andi and I headed right for the edge.” Kevin shivered. “Steve was in the car. His brakes were smoking. Rocks were flying everywhere. By the time he stopped, the car was hanging off the edge. One fucking rock blocking his tire. That’s what kept him up.”
Lily thought she would hyperventilate. “Baby, oh my God.” She climbed into his lap, her eyes full of tears and her face drained of all color.
“This dude came by in a truck. He had some chains and wrapped them around the back tire and pulled Steve up.” Mark put his hands on Steve’s shoulder. “I couldn’t describe him to you. I couldn’t even describe the truck. The EMTs said they never saw anyone. But he saved Steve. Kevin too. He was bleeding out and wouldn’t even sit down. He just wanted to get Steve out.”
Lily sobbed into Steve’s chest. “I love you so much. I don’t know what I would’ve done if something… I can’t even say it.”
“Here’s Steve in this car that could go over at any time and he’s telling us that it’s ok. We were frantic and he was so calm. He just kept telling me that I needed to tell you that he loved you and he was sorry.” Mark winked at Lily.
“You were what he was thinking about when he thought he wasn’t going to get out of there.” Andi hugged her. “So we’re very happy you’re back with us. You’re family now, Lil. And we all need you as much as Steve does.”