“Need you,” he answered.
Her mouth closed over his and he rolled her over, pushing her up the bed as he kissed down her neck, continuing down to tease one pearled bud, then the other.
Her fingers combed through his hair. “What are you doing?”
“Having dessert.” He continued down her body, lighting up her senses. It was hard to argue when he was so damned good at that.
Metcalf nibbled her navel before he dipped lower, spreading her lips with his thumbs and licking through her heat.
She covered her mouth while he circled her clit with steady pressure. He drove her up the climb to release and kept her on the edge of a cliff, teasing, taunting, driving her crazy.
She dragged one of the pillows over and muffled the sounds he drew from her as he brought her over the edge. He pushed two fingers into her, drawing out the pleasure until she rolled away, burying her face in his pillow. His scent overwhelmed her.
That was what she needed. Dave, just Dave. He washed away the doubt, made her feel whole, confident, sexy.
He climbed up beside her, lifting her face until she met his gaze. “What is it?”
She kissed him, rolling on top of him as she ground over his straining cock. Then she moved and he slid deep as if he were made for her. All these years and they fit like puzzle pieces.
He pushed his fingers into her hair, taking control of the kiss as she rocked over him. God, he felt better than anything she could ever remember.
She wanted to stake a claim, make it official, warn everyone else away from him. Not that anyone else was coming for him. Too many people still thought of him as broken.
He wasn’t. Dave was whole, and he was putting her back together again. Shit, when did she get so broken?
Rolling her over, he braced his elbows beside her shoulders and made love deep and slow. She felt him everywhere, mending her shattered exterior, filling up her damaged interior. His mouth covered hers, his tongue dancing with hers.
They traded breaths, the kiss deepening, swallowing each other’s sounds. She caressed his sides, wrapping her legs around him, wanting to be part of him.
Then they hit their peak together, pleasure washing through her as he pressed deep and held her tight.
Marissa didn’t want to let him go. Her heart thundered in her chest as he lifted his head to look down at her. So much emotion stared back and she didn’t know what to say or do.
“Tell me you want this.”
“I want you, Dave. I want us,” she admitted.
He took the sweetest kiss. “Stay a while. Doesn’t have to be all night, but I’m not ready to let you go.”
“Let me put something on and I will.”
He smiled. “You really don’t want to scare him, do you?”
“You’re a package deal. I want you, which means I want him to at least like me. I don’t ever want to hurt him.”
He kissed her again before rolling from the bed. She took his offered hand, and he pulled her against his body. “I like holding you,” he murmured, shredding her walls.
“Don’t want him to catch us like he caught Jeanette.”
His brow arched. “At least I’m not married to someone else.”
“Very true. Still, no kid needs to see their parents getting busy, even with each other.”
Letting her go, he grabbed her clothes. “Go on.”
* * * *
The only way Metcalf was going to keep from undressing her again was to take her back to the living room. And even then it might be a stretch. But he needed her in his arms as long as she’d let him hold her.
He threaded his fingers through hers. “Watch something with me. Anything.”
“You pick.” She started for the living room, and he joined her.
He caught up and pulled her down beside him on the couch. She curled against him, and he moved to stretch out with her. “This okay?” he whispered in her ear.
“Very.”
Flipping the TV on, he surfed the stations. Her back was to his chest. Her hand trailed over his thigh, drawing patterns. As soon as he settled on a show, he wrapped his arm around her and caressed her flat stomach. He couldn’t resist kissing her shoulder.
“Hmm, I could get used to this,” she murmured.
He smiled against her shoulder. “Me too.”
Turning her head, she found his gaze. Then she rolled to face him. “Why is this so easy?”
“What?” he whispered.
“I didn’t want to trust you. I can’t help it.”
“Why not?” he whispered, his fingers trailing circles on her waist.
“Scared it would all fall apart. Could still, but not so worried now. You’re stripping away my fear.”
He brushed his lips over hers. “Only thing I know, I don’t want to let you go.”
“Don’t promise too much.”
“I’m not letting you go without a fight.”
She rolled off the couch with a quiet gasp. “He’s awake,” she whispered.
Sitting up, he pulled her back down beside him. “I was only holding you.”
“Sorry,” she murmured, nodding to the door. “Make sure he’s okay. I’m not leaving yet.”
He took a quick kiss and went to the hall in time for Ashton to step out, rubbing his eyes. “Just need the bathroom.” He ducked into the other door, and Metcalf leaned against the wall with a smirk.
Marissa dropped her gaze and got comfortable on the couch. After a moment, Ashton came out, hugged Metcalf, waved at Marissa with a shy smile, and went back to his room.
Marissa laughed softly. “He’s sweet.”
Metcalf nodded. “He is. Not sure where he got that from.”
Her eyes sparkled. “From you. The way you touch me, hold me, kiss me…” She turned toward the empty space on the couch. “You make me feel things I never thought I would.”
“Good things?”
“Very.”
He sank onto the couch and she leaned toward him, delving her fingers into his hair, and she shifted her fingers into his hair before her lips brushed over his.
“I don’t want to go, but if I stay I can’t promise to behave,” she whispered against his lips.
Not wanting to let her go, he clutched her closer, deepening the kiss, grazing his hands up her back, under her shirt. He wanted her here, now, always.
Why is she pulling away again?
“Dad?” Ashton asked softly.
Taking a breath, he released Marissa and leaned back. “Yeah, buddy?”
“Good night.”
Marissa stood up. “Good night, Ashton. See you tomorrow for the barbeque.”
His face scrunched. “You don’t have to go.”
She smiled. “I should. You look like you could use your dad.”
He crossed the room and wrapped his arms around her waist. She squeezed him back and smiled at Metcalf. Then he looked up and smiled. “Good night, Marissa.”
“Good night, buddy. Take care of your dad.” She grabbed her purse and slipped through the door.
“Sorry,” Ashton whispered.
“It’s okay. What’s going on?”
“Can’t sleep. Worried about Mom.”
He nodded. “Me too. Want to talk about it?”
“Please.”
He patted the cushion. “Come here.”
Chapter 14
Marissa’s head floated in outer space. She sat in Isandro’s living room while Arianna rambled off a million and one wedding ideas. She was happy for her brother and her friend, but the planning left her in a sea of doubts.
The night before was a turning point. She told him not to make promises, then nearly made her own. She closed her eyes, rubbing at her head.
“Marissa?” Arianna asked.
“Hmm?”
“You okay?”
She shook her head.
“What’s wrong?”
“My head is a mess.” She rubbed her thighs leaned forward, meeting Arianna’s gaze.
“Ah hell. You know how Isandro knew what he wanted and went for it?”
Arianna nodded. “Yeah, when he wasn’t trying to walk away over miscommunications.”
Marissa half-laughed. “All it took was you coming to him, and he let you back in.” Isandro had read a couple situations wrong and tried to walk away, but the moment Arianna went to him, he crumbled.
A soft smile pulled at Arianna’s lips. “Yeah.”
“Well, things with Dave are getting deep and I want to run, but I’m not sure which way.”
Arianna frowned, her head cocking. “What do you mean which way?”
“To him, or away. Fear makes me want to get out now. But most of me wants to hang on tight. Why can’t that little voice shut the fuck up?”
“Does being with him feel right?”
“Better than.”
Arianna frowned. “Your parents really fucked with your head, huh?”
“I have shit luck with men. I already fucked up with Dave once.”
“Metcalf?”
One corner of Marissa’s mouth lifted. “Yeah, Dave Metcalf, or David, but Dave stuck with me.”
“No one calls him that. But your eyes light up when you say his name. Seems to me you’re falling.”
Yeah, she was. “Never felt like this before.”
“Not even Carson?”
“Oh no. We were doomed from the beginning, and I knew it. God, I feel stupid every time I think about Carson.”
“Then why get married?”
Marissa groaned. “Fuck if I know. We were both drunk. He was so sweet. Seemed right at the time. By the next morning, I questioned it all, but he convinced me we could work.”
“Metcalf isn’t Carson.”
“I know.” She managed a weak smile. “Dave chased me a long time. I should have listened. Things could have been so different.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“Fear.” Marissa shrugged. “He finally gave up once it became obvious Jeanette was pregnant. Now, I wish I hadn’t been so stubborn, but I can’t even imagine what it would have been like if we’d stuck it out.”
“What do you think would have happened?”
“We would have been happy.” She looked away and pushed her hair off her face.
“So, don’t run this time.”
“I’m not. That little voice is getting quieter.”
“You know...I’ve never seen him as happy as he is around you.”
Marissa smiled. She couldn’t remember being as happy as she was with him either. “I don’t want to mess this up, and I’m worried I will.”
“Stop stressing. I managed to hold onto Isandro. You and Metcalf will work things out.”
“Hope so.” She picked up a magazine, hoping to change the subject back to the upcoming wedding. “Enough about that. Where were we?”
Arianna touched her knee. “You know, if you need to talk, I’ll listen. You’ve done the same for me.”
Marissa squeezed her hand. “I’m here to help you. But I’ll take you up on talking if I need to.”
“All right. And thank you.”
“Anytime. I can finally claim I have a sister.” She nudged Arianna’s shoulder.
* * * *
Metcalf followed Ashton through the produce section. Their cart was full of fruit. Metcalf grabbed a bag of walnuts. If they were going all out, they may as well do it right.
Ashton grabbed a tub of strawberries with a grin.
Laughing, Metcalf shook his head. “We’re not going to have enough room in the dish if you keep adding stuff.”
“Last thing.” He grabbed some blueberries. “My favorite.”
“Perfect.” Metcalf ruffled Ashton’s hair and started for the front of the store.
Ashton unloaded everything and looked back with a slight frown. “Maybe we got carried away.”
“Nah, this will be the best fruit salad ever.”
Ashton’s face lit up.
Brad Cosgrove finished ringing up the customer before greeting them. “Hi, Metcalf, Ashton.”
Pausing, Metcalf briefly wondered if Ramirez’s suggestion had any merit. Could Brad have started the fires? Metcalf lifted his chin to Brad.
“How’s it going?” Metcalf asked.
He shrugged. “Good enough. Just got back from a vacation with my wife. It’s going to be the last one for a while.”
Metcalf’s brow arched. “Why?”
“We’re having a baby.” He grinned at Ashton. “Are you back in town for good?”
“Yup,” Ashton answered, leaning against his dad.
“I’m sure your dad is very happy.” Brad looked down at Ashton and pulled a sucker out of his drawer. “If it’s okay with your dad.”
“Very happy,” Metcalf answered, then patted Ashton’s shoulder. “And yes, it’s okay.”
“Thank you.”
Metcalf seriously doubted Brad could have started the fires.
Brad nodded to the conveyor belt. “Fruit and whip cream. Fruit salad?”
“An epic one.” Metcalf chuckled. “We’re going to a big barbeque. Figured this was a good choice.”
“Save some for me.” Brad winked, then told him the total.
* * * *
Marissa put the homemade bread in the oven and loaded the counter with food.
The door opened and she looked up in time for Isandro to walk in. “Arianna said you were questioning things with Metcalf. Why?”
Shit, exactly who I didn’t want to talk to.
“It’s not what you think. I’m not pushing him away, and I’m not running. Just trying to figure things out.”
“Look, forget our parents. I know, easier said than done. But do it. Faster you manage that, the faster you can get to the good stuff with Metcalf.”
She turned away, trying to find a polite way to tell him to fuck off.
His hand closed over her shoulder. “I get it, Marissa. You’re worried that things are moving fast, that you’re going to wind up needing him, and you’ll fall into Mom’s patterns. Guess what? If you did, I’d beat some sense into Metcalf for you, but he’s not Dad and you sure as hell aren’t Mom. So knock that shit off.”
Forget polite. “Fuck off, Isandro. Already said I’m not running. Let me work my shit out on my own.”
“Hey, I’m just looking out for you, like you’ve always done for us.”
She turned around and pinned him with a glare. “It’s not so simple as thinking I’ll wind up like them. Not now. He has a kid. One who’s already been hurt by his mother’s choices.”
“Jeanette?”
“She was fucking Brett before Metcalf was shot. Ashton caught the bitch in the act.”
Isandro’s expression softened, but he wasn’t backing off. “Right, he mentioned that. Look, he’s not going to choose someone else.”
“That’s not the issue.”
“Then what is? Why are you even questioning where you two stand?”
“I don’t want to push Ashton away. His mother is dying, and I don’t want him to hate me when she does die.”
“He won’t.”
“As long as Dave and I don’t push our relationship on him.”
“Does Metcalf make you happy?”
She nodded, looking away.
“So, here’s what you need to do. Make sure Ashton knows you care about him, because I know you, and you do care about that boy.”
“Which is why I invited both of them to come tonight. If this is going to work between Metcalf and me, it needs to work with Ashton too.”
Isandro nudged her shoulder. “You were always good with kids. This will be no different.”
“Of course it’s different. Now it matters if he likes me.”
“He does. Metcalf already told all of us he does. So relax.”
She groaned. “You’re the one forcing this conversation.”
His brow cocked. “Because I know how your head works.”
“T
hen back off.”
“First, tell me you’re giving this a real chance.”
“Promise, now back off.”
“All right.” He lifted his hands in surrender and grinned. “Hey, need any extra help?”
“I got this. You’re the one grilling. I’m just getting everything ready.”
“Okay, I’ll be back in an hour.”
“Yeah, yeah, go take care of your craving.” She shoved him toward the door.
He waggled his brows. “Don’t you wish you could?”
Groaning, she shoved him toward the door. “You are such a perv. We not discussing that. Now, go already.”
Laughing, he ducked outside.
And yeah, he was right. She wanted to be able to indulge whenever she desired. Didn’t matter. She had stuff to do before everyone arrived, like visit her neighbor to make sure he didn’t forget to turn off the outdoor speakers again.
Chapter 15
The bell rang while Marissa carried plates out to the porch. “Someone grab the door, please.” Metcalf and Ashton had arrived, but she didn’t have enough hands.
“Got it,” Estevan said. He hurried to the door and opened it.
Marissa came back in time to see Ashton say, “Mr. Cortez?”
“Hey, Ashton. How are you doing?”
“Good. What are you doing here?”
Metcalf looked over Estevan’s shoulder with a curious smile.
“I’m Marissa’s little brother.” He nodded to Metcalf. “I’m Ashton’s student teacher this year.”
“He’s really good too,” Ashton chimed in.
“Thanks, buddy. And you’re pretty awesome yourself. Come on in.” He took the dish of food and brought it to the porch while Marissa made her way to them.
Metcalf grinned. “Need a hand with anything?”
Scratching an itch. That would have to wait until after Ashton went to his grandparents’ for the rest of the night. “Nope, but you can come out back with everyone. You’re the last two here.”
He glanced at his watch. “Phew, we aren’t late.”
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