by K. Langston
Sweet mother of God.
He looked down with a cocky grin. “I think I need to cool down a bit.” With a devilish grin, he turned, sashaying his remarkably tight ass to the end of the dock. I held a breath tight in my chest as he took a sharp dive piercing the calm water like a human arrow. When Holden surfaced and began to swim back toward the dock, I released my captured breath.
Kicking my flip flops to the side, I peeled off my sundress and walked to the foot of the dock.
“You can’t get in ‘til your naked, babe. Rules of the lake.” he grinned.
Holden hoisted himself up on folded arms on the edge of the dock. Rivulets of water dripped from his handsome face and a smile that promised so much more than getting me out of my swimsuit was embedded firmly on his face. Shaking my head, I dove in behind him.
When I broke for air, he was right there. I wrapped my legs around his waist and my hands found his neck. Strong arms held me tight to his chest. He did all of the work to keep us above water, swimming towards the bank until he was able to stand us up. His strength was impressive.
Kissing my neck, he jerked the string loose from my back. “I love this bikini on you, babe. But it’s gotta go.” He pitched my top onto the bank then his fingers dug into my hips.
“I don’t wanna have sex in this dirty water.”
“Me neither, babe.” He kissed the corner of my mouth. “Later for that.”
He untied each side of my bottoms, tossing them onto the bank near my top. He clutched me tighter. Our slippery bodies glided up and down one another, fueling the simmering fire down below and inside my chest, a fire that seemed to burn only for him. I couldn’t help but wonder…how the hell was I going to leave here in a few days?
Without him.
CHAPTER fifteen
Don’t be afraid to give up the good for the great.
-Kenny Rogers
Holden
Maddie was like a bright ray of sunshine, comforting and warm. The glowing light in her eyes drew me in, laid me down, and pleaded for me to stay.
I bathed in it.
After our swim, we’d showered together. I took her slow and easy against the shower wall while her soft body was wrapped tight around mine. I swear, it was as if she were wrapping herself around my heart. Our eyes never wavered as I got lost in her under the steamy spray. With nothing but the sound of our merging hearts to guide me, I walked right into her arresting light without hesitation, without consequence. Passion and desire swirled all around us and I knew she could feel it too. It was scary as fuck, considering how long we’d known each other, but there was no way either one of us could walk away now.
I was down on my knees, head over heels in love with Maddie. I knew right then that I would do anything to be with her.
Anyfuckingthing.
I was still trying to figure out the right moment to tell her how I felt as we rode side by side in my truck. She’d wanted to take Elly. But Elly had a console, and I wanted her no further than right here next to me. I was taking my girl for a milk shake in town. I was just so damn happy, it was the only way I could think to celebrate. What I had really wanted to do was throw Maddie on my bed, bury myself balls deep, and profess my undying love for her.
Yeah, I’d settled for a shake.
My left hand dangled from the steering wheel, while my other rested on the Maddie’s upper thigh. She had this tiny little sun dress on. It was soft and pink like cotton candy and her legs looked fucking incredible in it. I couldn’t stop touching them.
Or her.
The Dip could be considered a local institution around here. They had lists upon lists, even some with colorful animated drawings, of every crazy kind of creamery concoction you could ever think of. It could take you literally half an hour just to read through all of the names they had for milk shakes alone. They had all kinds of good shit to eat too. Their burgers and fries were the best. I pulled into the drive thru from the side road.
“I freakin’ love the dip.” Maddie straightened in her seat, eyeing the tiny hole in the wall like a kid in a candy store. “Katy and I used to come here almost every day after school. I always ordered the same thing. Cheese sticks and a strawberry shake.” Excitement flashed in her eyes and her beautiful smile lined those luscious lips.
With my heart jackhammering in my chest, I threw the truck in park, taking quick note that we were next in line. “C’mere.”
Reaching for the side of her neck, I pulled her lips to mine. I kissed and sucked at her pink shimmering lips until every bit of that strawberry flavored lip gloss was completely gone. I withdrew, smacked and licked my lips in true appreciation, then dove back in for more. Maddie’s addicting taste flooded my mouth with its potent flavor. Still mixed with a hint of strawberry but laced with her intoxicating breath, she seeped right into my bloodstream…heavy and sweet.
I was in love with this woman.
“I could spend a lifetime kissing you.” I declared against her lips, moving my hand up her thigh.
“Holden,” she giggled, pulling away from my lips. While she pointed to the car in front of us moving, I stole a few more kisses before I put it in drive and eased up to place our order.
Maddie ended up with a strawberry cheesecake shake that was way too thick to suck through a straw.
And let’s all thank the good Lord above for that. Because all I could think about while she tried to suck the cream from that damn straw were those pretty little lips wrapped around my cock. Now she was eating it with a spoon, an improvement, but not much better. She kept slowly licking the back and front of it, her tongue swiping both sides in long focused strokes.
Fuck!
“I wanna taste?” I demanded, placing my shake in the holder beneath the dash. I had decided on a vanilla shake. I was a simple man after all. But I was craving strawberries. And I only wanted to taste them on Maddie’s sweet lips.
Smiling, she shrugged then offered me a generous spoon full of her frozen treat.
“Not what I had in mind, babe.” Stretching my arm out across the back of the seat, I smiled. “Climb on.”
She chewed the inside of her mouth, glancing behind us. There weren’t any cars in sight. This road had zero traffic this time of night.
God bless a back road.
She looked back at me with an impish smile. I grabbed her cup from her hand and placed it next to mine. Slowing my speed and adjusting the cruise control, I helped Maddie over to straddle my lap. Her soft giggle tickled my ear, causing my dick to swell thicker in my shorts. Tiny hands held on to the back of my neck as she buried her face there. “You always smell so good.” Maddie’s cold, wet lips kissed fire across my skin. With one hand on the wheel, and the other on her right thigh stroking up and down, I tried my best not to close my eyes and get lost in her. Her hips began to grind as her kisses turned into licks and nibbles, wetness seeping through my shorts.
Whipping into my driveway, I quickly threw the truck in park not wasting another second before I buried my tongue deep inside her sweet mouth. Pressed hard against the steering wheel, I ravaged her lips, her neck, and her breast. I couldn’t get enough of her.
Never enough.
“I need you now, Holden,” she pleaded.
Her eager hands tugged at the back of my shirt, yanking it over my head. I lifted her dress, baring her full breast and…no panties.
Sweet fucking hell.
I drew her beaded nipple inside my mouth. Her chest heaved up and down while I licked and sucked at the tight balls of puckered pink flesh. Fuck, she tasted so good. Her skin in my mouth sent a current to ripple through my bloodstream like lighting. Unbuttoning my shorts, she wrapped her silky hand around my cock, stroking up and down at an agonizing pace.
“Take me inside, baby,” Maddie slid down, engulfing me with her tight, splendid heat. My blood pumped with uncontrollable need as she moved up and down in long, delicious strokes. Pushing her silky, dark locks from her face, I found her panting mouth. Then I kissed her lon
g, hard, and deep…just like she was riding me. With her hair fisted in my hand, she rode me until we were both breathless with satisfaction and combusting in pleasure.
This woman was my every fantasy. She was everything I’d ever hoped for. Everything I’d ever dreamed of but never thought I could have. Our heavy breaths fogged up the windows. Foreheads pressed together, eyes locked, I’d found my moment. “I love you,”
Gasping, she pulled away. “Shh…you don’t have to say anything.”
Maddie leaned back against the steering wheel. My arms automatically circled her waist, pulling her closer. The yard light made it impossible for me to miss the uncertainty that flickered in her big blue eyes. My love for this woman surged fiercely through my chest and I knew in that moment that I would never be the same. Even if she didn’t want me, whether she wanted it or not, my heart would forever belong to her. I would kill for her, die for her, and swim the seven seas for her. All that fairy tale shit. They say you only give your heart away once. And my heart now belonged to her.
Forever.
Lost in my heart’s assessment, I’d loosened my hold. She was now slipping on her dress and swinging open the door. She hopped down from my pickup while I tucked myself back in and buttoned my shorts. Stepping down from my truck, I went to embrace her, but she jerked away. My breath froze in my chest and I had to swallow hard to find it again. “Maddie,” I would reassure her as many times as it took, just to make her see.
We were meant to be.
“I just need some space, Holden. Please. This is all just…too damn much.” She walked to the other side of the truck, grabbing her bag from the floor board.
Space?
I could give her space.
For now.
***
My hand resting behind my head, I was lying in bed waiting. I had given her the requested space. I’d been channel surfing for about forty-five minutes now. She’d had plenty of time to mull things. Still, I waited.
One way or another we were going to talk this shit out. To make sure she faced the situation head on, I’d snuck into the bathroom while she was showering, creeping her bag and clothes. I knew it was dirty, but I did what I had to do.
When she finally walked out of the bathroom, steam billowed out all around her and I swear to Christ, she looked just like a fucking angel floating towards me. But this angel was pissed.
Livid.
She had a white knuckle grip on the towel covering her damp body and a deep scowl engraved on her pretty face. “Where’re my goddamn clothes, Holden?”
I knew telling her that I loved her so soon would run the risk of freaking her out. And I was right. She was definitely freaking the fuck out. But it was a risk I had to take.
“Maddie, I didn’t tell you I love you just so you’d say it back. You say it when you’re ready. I just wanted you to know how I feel.”
“There’s no way you’re in love with me, Holden. It’s just not possible.” she reasoned.
“Don’t try to tell me how I feel, Maddie,” I shot to my feet. Ready to pounce, and remind her just how deeply I did feel about her. She held her hand up, halting me in place.
“No! You can’t love me. We’ve only known each other…I leave in few days, and…”
“And what? That’s it? You’re just gonna walk away?” I was pissed.
Hurt.
I didn’t expect her to profess her love for me right away, but I damn sure didn’t expect to walk away without a fight. The thought of losing her stabbed at my chest like an ice pick.
“What do you want from me, Holden? I live in Boston. You live here. My job is there. I graduate in a fuckin’ month!” She ran one hand through her wet hair. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. You weren’t supposed to happen.” Her hand covered her mouth to stifle a sob. “I wanna go home.” She turned back toward the bathroom.
“No!” I shouted, cutting her off at the door. “You’re not goin’ a damn place until you tell me the truth. Tell me you don’t want me, Maddie. Tell me you don’t feel that this is something special...something real.”
Her head fell forward. “I don’t want you,” she whispered to the floor.
Twisting her around, I pressed her against the wall and gripped her chin with my fingers as gently as I could. My blood boiled with anger. She was lying to me and herself. It was pissing me off. “Don’t be a fuckin’ coward, Maddie. Look me in my eyes and say it,” I growled.
“Holden, please.” Her bottom lip trembled.
“Tell me, goddamn it!” My hand slapped the wall hard beside her head.
“I love you.” she whispered.
My ears were pounding so hard with blood I almost didn’t hear it. “What?”
Looking straight into my eyes she said it again, louder this time. “I love you.”
Our lips crashed.
Desperate.
Needy.
Love.
MINE.
She released her grip on the towel, circling her arms around my neck.
“Say it again.” I pleaded against her mouth, lifting her to wrap around me.
“I love you.” Her mouth was all over me…my jaw…my neck…my lips. “I love you.”
My heart squeezed tight in my chest and my arms trembled around her. “Your mine. Do you understand me? Every single part of you now belongs to me.” I laid her down on the bed while I got rid of my jeans and underwear.
Crawling between her legs, I centered my cock. “Say it. Say your mine, Maddie. You own my heart now, baby. I gotta have yours too.” I brought my hand between us. She was hot, wet, and ready. Centering myself once more I drove into her hard, staking my final claim. I wanted her to know. Every last part of her belonged to me, her sweet fucking pussy, her beautiful heart, and her healing soul, it was all mine. “Tell me. Where does your heart belong?”
“I’m yours, Holden. Yours.” Her breathy moans in my face drove me harder. Digging her nails into the flesh of my back, I dove deeper, in and out, harder and harder, until the final detonating thrust. We exploded together, binding not only our hearts, but our bodies and souls into one.
Forever.
CHAPTER sixteen
Falling in love and having a relationship
are two different things.
-Keanu Reeves
Madison
Slivers of dawn sliced through the curtains. Holden’s warm hand rested on my thigh while I lay on my side facing away from him. I’d been awake for a while now, replaying the last few days over and over in my head. Wondering how in the hell this could’ve happened. How could I have fallen for him so hard? And so damn quick. All I could come up with was…it just was.
It was undeniable. I was head over hills in love with him. That sounded cheesy as hell, but it was cheesy and true. I was, walk through fire, deep shit in love with Holden Brooks. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. I didn’t know if I wanted to jump up and down and scream for joy or crawl up in a corner and cry.
I’d felt it since he kissed me at Archer’s, the irrefutable knowledge that this was something different. This was love.
Dread settled low in my gut, freezing me from within. I would have to let him go. I had to go back to Boston. I had graduation. I had the job of a lifetime waiting for me. We were riding on midnight train to nowhere. We fell in love fast and reckless, we were bound to crash.
I should have known better. I should have listened to my head instead of my heart. The cold chill of losing him swamped me, and I tried not to think about it. Rolling over to face him, I snuggled up to his side. I just wanted to think about now.
Feel now.
Be with him now.
His arm opened up, welcoming me. “How long you been awake, babe?” His deep voice was scratched with sleep.
“A while.” His fingers traced my arm, while mine traced the trench between his abs.
This place…right now… here in his arms, it was the only place in the world I wanted to be.
“What c
ha been thinking about?”
“Us.”
He tensed beneath my touch. “And?”
“Why does everything have to be so damn complicated?”
“It doesn’t have to be complicated.”
“And just how is this supposed to work, Holden?”
He lifted my chin with his finger, looking deep into my eyes. “I love you, Maddie. I’d never ask you to give up anything for me.” He paused for a moment, his eyes searching mine. Tucking my hair behind my ear, he cupped my cheek. “But I would give up everything for you.” He swallowed hard. “Marry me.”
My racing heart slammed hard against my heaving chest.
Crash.
I could hardly breathe. “What?”
Holden kissed my lips softly. “Marry me.” Pulling his hand from my cheek, I shoved myself upright. “My God, you really have lost your mind.” I was starting to feel lightheaded. I did my best to focus on slow, calming breaths.
Marry him?
I had barely processed being in love with him…much less marrying him.
His blue eyes held mine. “I can’t live without cha, Maddie. You’re mine. Might as well make it official.” Holden sat up, leaning forward to drape his arms over his knees.
Why was he being so fucking casual about this? We were talking about marriage!
Next would be…
“This is crazy. Completely fuckin’ nuts! We hardly know each other. You were makin’ it just fine without me a few days ago. We can certainly live without each other,” I scoffed.
Darting from the bed, I grabbed one of his T-shirts lying on the floor. I began pacing. He watched me carefully with that irritating grin plastered on his face. “You can’t live without me and you know it. I love you. You love me. A love like this…” Lacing his fingers behind his head, he relaxed back against the mountain of pillows. “It’s forever, babe.”