by C. A. Harms
“Tell me to stop, Mad,” he whispered. “After all, I said we’d just cuddle.” He kissed along my neck and across my collarbone.
I shook my head as I ran my hands over his shoulders. “Don’t stop,” I begged. “Please don’t stop.”
As he lifted up on his hands and looked me directly in the eyes, I saw his unspoken questions in his face: Is this okay? Maybe we should wait? Is this too soon? After the night we had, should we just stop?
But I couldn’t stop, and I didn’t want to. I needed him to understand that the idea of sharing myself with him was consuming me.
“I want you,” I confessed, feeling absolutely no shame. “I have for so long, Luke. Don’t make me wait.”
Chapter 17
LUCAS
I shook with an uncontrollable hunger. I don’t remember ever feeling this nervous and crazed at the same time. But this was Madelyn, my Maddy. She deserved slow and gentle, only it was almost impossible to hold back. I wanted to touch every curve and taste every inch of her. I wanted to crawl inside her and stay there forever.
I had the need to take control. It was clawing at me from the inside, demanding I give in and take what I craved. Maybe it was insane, but I don’t remember wanting anything or needing anyone more than I did her. She’d always been a part of my heart, hidden deep for far too long. Those feelings may have been innocent and pure, but she was always mine in a sense. I’d claimed her long ago.
It took far too long for me to accept that my feelings for her were more than what I’d feel for a friend I’d grown up with. I’d already wasted so much time—time I could have been building a life with her. Now it was time she knew what I felt for her. It was time everyone knew.
This was our forever.
With trembling hands I lifted Madelyn’s shirt over her head, and her hair fell loose around her shoulders as it tumbled from the entanglement. As she lay back against the mattress, I took a moment to appreciate her beauty. The perfect curve of her neck as it swooped down toward her chest. The pink lacy bra still covering her breasts but doing nothing to hide their perfection. That sun-kissed tone of her skin only appearing darker against the lightness of her bedsheets.
I had never seen anything more beautiful.
“What?” she asked as she stared up at me, her brow raised in curiosity.
I offered her a smile as I lowered my body once again to cover hers. The way she melted against me was the most satisfying feeling. Madelyn was a hard shell to crack, but I’d managed. Knowing that I’m the one she wants and craves gave my ego a boost.
She watched me closely, desire pooling in her eyes as her pouty lips begged to be kissed. Arching her neck, she lifted her lips to mine, and when her hand curled around the back of my neck to pull me closer, I gave in to the hunger inside me. I stopped fighting the urge to hold back and gave her my all. Nipping and biting, caressing and exploring, I was crazed with the need to have all of her.
“Mmm,” she moaned when I tugged on her lip before moving along her jaw and down her neck. She arched off the bed, and her breasts pushed against my chest.
I trailed my tongue over her collarbone, and she shivered as she fisted my hair and tugged. The bite of pain felt good, only driving my hunger for more. Pushing my hips forward, I pressed my hardness against her, causing her to whimper.
“I love that sound,” I confessed as I thrust forward again, almost desperate for the moan I hoped she’d make. The moment it fell from her lips, I covered her mouth with my own and gently sucked the tip of her tongue.
When she rocked her hips against mine as if chasing her release, I cupped her breast through her bra, which only heightened her excitement.
“I need you, Lucas,” she confessed, and I had never heard Maddy’s voice sound so husky. She writhed beneath me more as she moved her hands to the waistband of my jeans. “I want you so much,” she added as her hurried fingers undid my jeans. “Please,” she begged, and I couldn’t possibly deny her. Her big blue eyes were my weakness. In them I could see so many possibilities. I always had; the only difference was that now she and I would be side by side, forever.
I’d never lose her again.
***
I was in heaven. That was the easiest way to describe it.
The only barrier separating us was a condom, but one day I hoped to feel her completely.
Madelyn’s legs were hooked around my waist, squeezing me and holding me to her tightly. Our bodies were slick with sweat as we moved together slowly, lengthening the pleasure. I had never felt anything like this connection. It wasn’t just from the intense gratification our bodies were giving one another, but something deeper. A consuming magnitude that left my heart aching in the best way.
Each kiss spoke the words we didn’t say. Each touch expressed the deep connection we both felt. Her warmth surrounding me and grounding me was almost like an out-of-body experience.
I could sense she was getting close as her body tightened around mine even more. Her heels dug into my lower back as her fingernails pressed deeper into the flesh of my shoulders.
“Luke,” she gasped when I shifted my hips and pushed deeper. Her mouth fell open as she arched her neck back. I leaned in and bit her exposed neck softly and swiveled my hips once more.
“Oh God,” she panted, thrusting upward, taking me inside her just a fraction more. “So close.” Her chest shook with pleasure as her legs trembled around me.
Another thrust and swivel, followed by slow pumps of my hips had her panting and clawing at my back.
“Look at me, baby.” The words came out in a growl. Her eyes shot open and locked with my own. “Don’t look away,” I said, slower and less aggressive. “I wanna see the look in your eyes when you lose control. I want to watch you come undone.”
Her deep cry of pleasure was euphoric as she pulsated around my cock and screamed my name, arching her body back. I wanted mine to be the only name ever to leave her lips again in the heat of passion.
She was mine forever. I’d make sure of it.
“Let go, Maddy,” I insisted as she shook. “Give in to it.”
“Lucas,” she gasped as I moved inside of her faster. “Oh my God, yes,” she squealed just before she quivered and shook, her fingernails biting into my skin.
Within seconds I lost the ability to hold out any longer, and together we ignited, lost in the delirium of the extreme pleasure we’d just given one another.
Chapter 18
MADELYN
I wasn’t supposed to be this sappy, head-over-heels-in-love, stuck-in-dreamland girl anymore. But after last night, how could I not be? I dreamed of a time like this often, and it was now a reality.
Only the reality of it all was so much better.
My body still hummed from his touch, as if I could still feel each place his hands had been. His caresses were forever embedded on my skin and etched in my memory, along with each second and every single breath.
I rolled to my side slowly, taking in the gloriously naked man beside me. The sheet had fallen low, exposing his perfect ass as he lay sprawled out on his stomach with one arm curled under his head and the other stretched out toward me. For now I would just let my mind believe he was actually searching for me and not simply sleeping soundly.
After last night, you’d think I wouldn’t still be hesitant about touching him, but I was. I’d spent so many years wishing for this, it was hard to believe it was true, that just a few inches away lay the man I’d wanted for as far back as I can remember. I was afraid to wake him, afraid that last night wouldn’t be as memorable for him as it was for me. I don’t think my heart could take that disappointment. So I refrained from touching him and instead just watched him sleep. His shoulders twitched, indicating he was completely lost someplace far off, and his back rose and fell gently with each breath. Just watching him like this made my heart feel as if someone was squeezing it tightly.
Some may think you can’t fall in love as a child, but I disagree. Yes, my love for Luke
had been innocent and pure then, but it was still very much love. Lucas was the one guy I dreamed of regularly, and no other compared. Not that I really gave any of them a chance, because in my heart I somehow knew I belonged to him.
“You gonna keep watching me sleep, or you gonna come closer so I can hold you?” His deep, sleep-filled voice made me jump in surprise. My eyes shifted toward him, but his remained closed. The only indication he was awake was his sexy smirk.
“Not that I don’t love you watching me so closely,” he added, “but I miss you next to me too.”
He rolled to his side and patted the space beside him, and I wasted no time sliding in closer. Burying my head against his chest, I lay there silently, just breathing in that scent I loved so much. I didn’t think it was possible to fall for him any deeper than I had, but I found I was wrong when his lips pressed to my temple.
“Last night was amazing,” he whispered.
My worries that he may have had regrets quickly faded.
“You’re amazing,” he added.
I took a deep breath and turned my head just enough for his face to come into view. His eyes were open and focused on me. “I understand why you were so hesitant with me. Why you were so hurt.”
I focused on breathing evenly because I couldn’t give in to the burning in my chest. Lucas always had a way of breaking down my defenses and restraints. I’d said I would never allow myself to be vulnerable in his presence again. Seeing him look back at me now with hope and a gentle smile, and those gorgeous eyes that got me every time only made the ache inside me more compelling.
“I can’t say how sorry I am that I was so blind,” he whispered, cupping the side of my face. “I won’t ever be that shortsighted again, not with you. I’ve missed out on so much with you.” I could hear the anguish in his tone. “I don’t want to miss out on any more,” he confessed as he leaned in and pressed a soft kiss to my lips. “I may just even glue myself to you so I’m always by your side.” He kissed me again before I could speak, and I felt his grin against my lips.
“You are so weird,” I said, my words sounding muffled as his lips pressed firmly to mine.
“But you like me,” he said as he pulled away from our kiss and smiled wider.
When I didn’t answer him, he arched his brow, which only made me laugh. He reached out, gripped my side, and began tickling me.
I tried to wiggle away, letting out a loud squeal. “Oh my God, okay, you big goof,” I practically yelled through my tiny apartment.
“Okay what?” he pushed.
“You are ridiculous,” I insisted, still trying to move away. He held me tightly, continuing to torture me.
“I’m ridiculous, and…?” He tilted his head, still flashing me that boyish grin.
“Stop.” I pushed at his hand and he chuckled. “Lucas Rivers,” I tried to scold, which only made him laugh harder. “Okay, I kinda like you,” I said.
Suddenly his body was over mine, pressing me to the mattress and lifting my arms above my head to pin them against the pillow. His hips parted my thighs as he stared back at me with those intense green eyes.
I froze, not because I was worried about the sudden shift, but because the look in his eyes excited me. Almost as if I couldn’t control it, my hips shifted upward and he groaned, pushing back.
The faint ringing of a phone caught our attention, but it didn’t stop him from moving his pelvis against mine. My breaths came faster as the friction awoke a need inside me.
“Are you gonna get that?” I asked, hoping he’d say no. When he shook his head and thrust forward once more, I gasped. “Oh!” I tried to breathe through the rush of desire that hit me. “Um….” I took another deep breath. “What are you gonna do, then?”
“I’m gonna shut out the outside world,” he said, “not answer the phone or the door.” He kissed my jaw and I arched my neck, giving him full access. “I plan to hold you captive as I show you over and over again just how much I want this.”
“You just want my body,” I whispered and he smiled against my neck. He knew I was teasing him—it was what he and I did. Falling into old habits was so easy when it came to Lucas.
“I want you for your body.” He pressed another kiss against the base of my throat. “For your mind.” He kissed me once more along my jaw, moving closer toward my mouth. “And for your heart.”
I shifted, looking back at him as he hovered only inches from my lips. I wasn’t sure I’d ever get used to hearing these things from him, at least not in reference to me.
“But just so we’re clear, I want you for food too.” And there he went with the goofiness again. “Because, baby, I can’t cook for shit, and I sure can’t have my momma making my meals and washing my clothes forever.”
“It’s gonna take a whole lot more than a few kisses and some sweet words to convince me to wash your clothes,” I assured him.
“Looks like I better get to work, then.”
He didn’t give me a chance to speak a word before he moved down my body and beneath the sheets. Slowly he left a trail of kisses along my chest and stomach before settling between my thighs.
And in that moment I was utterly lost in a state of bliss.
***
“Are you planning on sharing any of that happiness you have rolling around you?” Shannon asked as she took a seat across from Lisa in the booth. “And don’t say it’s nothing because we both know you’d be lying. You left the bar with Lucas and no one has seen either of you for close to forty-eight hours.”
I ignored their questioning stares as I carefully poured their coffee. I wouldn’t fall into their trap. These Lucas Rivers groupies looked so eager with their big smiles and wide, hopeful eyes that it was almost funny.
“From what Jeb says, Lucas has a little extra pep in his step today. Though he did indicate he may be limping a little more than usual, which clearly indicates that he used that leg for some extracurricular activities.” Shannon kept pushing. “Activities that my best friend needs to give me the exclusive on.”
“Not falling into your trap,” I said before moving away to place the pot of coffee back on the warmer. I couldn’t help the chuckle that rippled through me when I looked up to find them both glaring at me, attempting to be intimidating.
A few minutes passed before I moved back to their table, but neither of them gave up their efforts to break me.
“You should feel bad,” Lisa offered as she pretended to scan the menu. I knew she was full of shit because our breakfast menu had four options—the same four options it has offered since I think the beginning of time. “Poor Luke can barely walk; he’s more hobbling than anything.”
This caught my attention as I tried to remember what we could have done to irritate his injury. “Are you serious?” I asked, only she ignored my question.
“You could have at least offered to do the work, or split it up a bit,” Lisa added, still hiding behind the worn-out menu.
“For your information, he didn’t do all the work.” The words flew out of my mouth before I could stop them, and the girls lit up like Christmas trees.
“Oh really now.” Shannon slid forward, placing her elbows on the table. “Tell me how that was.”
“You are awful.” I tossed my pen at her and they both laughed. “Now order or I’m giving ya both your regular.”
“But I want something different and I can’t decide,” Lisa complained.
“Whatever, you just want to keep me here so the two of you can keep going on and on about my personal life. So the regular it is.” I started to walk away and Lisa hollered out my name.
“What?” I said, pausing.
“I want to change it up,” she insisted and I laughed.
“Okay, I’ll give you an extra slice of bacon.” I waved my hand over my shoulder in a dismissive manner. “You are a rebel, Miss Lisa.”
Shannon’s laughter mixed with that of a few of our regular dining guests as I moved through the swinging doors that led to the kitchen. Af
ter I dropped off their order with Reece, I walked to the back and dug through my bag for my phone. Although the girls had meant their comments about his leg as a joke, I couldn’t help but wonder if there wasn’t a bit of truth behind them.
I searched through my contacts for Lucas’s name and quickly typed out a message.
Me: Did we hurt your leg?
I waited impatiently for his response. After a few seconds, I’d started to type out a second one when my phone vibrated in my hand.
Luke: We?
And a second one almost immediately followed.
Luke: What are you talking about?
I could imagine him staring at his phone with that damn smile of his. He just loved to make me say things, or in this instance type things, I would normally avoid. Being the stubborn girl I was, I refused to give him what he wanted.
Me: Yes, we. And you know exactly what I’m talking about.
I tapped my foot impatiently, remembering Luke was almost as stubborn as I was.
Luke: Babe? I need clarification, please.
I growled and tapped out my frustrations.
Me: Lucas Austin Rivers! I asked you a question.
He was annoying and crazy, and damn it, he was cute in his attempt to outwit me. Why were people being so weird today?
“Order up, Madelyn,” Reece said as he placed Shannon and Lisa’s platters on the counter that separated us.
I tucked my phone in my back pocket and hurried off toward the dining area. As I pushed through the swinging doors, my phone vibrated, and it took all I had not to pause and read Luke’s message.
“Food,” Shannon said, rubbing her hands together, and I dropped the plates a little harder than I intended. The click of the ceramic against the tabletop echoed, but I ignored the curious stares of my friends.
“Someone looks a little worked up.” Shannon gave me a quizzical look before moving her gaze to Lisa. As they shared some type of silent message, I fought not to roll my eyes.
“Your cheeks are flushed,” Lisa added.
“Is this all you need?” I asked in a hurry as I backed away. I had a man to finish breaking down.