My Hurricane (The Truth Series Book 0)

by Owenby, J. A.

  As I stood up, he reached for my hand and led me forward. I followed in silence and enjoyed watching him climb the hill in front of me. I wasn’t sure what sports he played, but he definitely played something. The tight muscles in his legs flexed as he moved with ease up the rocky path. A few minutes later he stopped and turned, helping me the rest of the way up the hill. He guided me over to a small clearing in the trees.

  I gasped. “My God, it’s beautiful,” I whispered.

  “I’ve never brought anyone here before.”

  “Really? Not even Brittany?” I asked, not taking my eyes from the lake.

  “No, she wouldn’t understand.”

  The sun cast a warm orange and pink across the tops of the trees as it began its slow descent. There were gentle ripples across the surface of the lake as the fish jumped and nipped at the bugs. I held my breath and absorbed the moment.

  “You get it, though. Your expression says it all,” he whispered.

  “It’s amazing watching the sunset from up here.”

  “It reminds me that no matter how crazy life gets, there’s something greater,” he said. “I’m not sure what it is, but it’s there and it helps.”

  We stood in silence as the sun continued its descent behind the trees. I realized then there was more to Walker than beautiful eyes and a hot body.

  “Walker.” My voice came out a hoarse whisper and betrayed my emotions.

  He turned to face me. “Lacey, there are a lot of things going on in my life and I’ll share them with you later. I promise I won’t hold out, but for tonight, I just wanted to look at you while the sun sets. I wanted to see the light on your hair, look into the most amazing green eyes I’ve ever seen, and let everything else go except us. I’m in trouble already. You’re going to kidnap my heart and make me fall in love with you. I knew it the minute I laid eyes on you at the party.”

  “What? Walker, you don’t know me.” The words tumbled out of my mouth, but they contradicted the emotions that churned inside me.

  “I realize it sounds crazy, but I want to be with you, Lacey. Go out with me—let’s talk until three in the morning and fall asleep on the phone together. I’d like you to meet my family and eat dinner with us. I want to learn everything about you. Please say yes, that you want the same thing.”

  “What exactly are you asking me, Walker?” My eyebrows furrowed as I tried to wrap my head around what he was saying.

  “I don’t want to share you with anyone else. I want to spend every possible moment with you.”

  “Walker, there’s so much we don’t know about each other. I told you last night I wasn’t good for you,” I said.

  “No, I’m not okay with that,” he said and shook his head. “Spend time with me and give me a chance.”

  I stared into the sunset as guilt gnawed at me. I knew I shouldn’t let this happen, but the pounding and ache in my chest told me I wanted differently. I’d experienced it too—when our eyes met at the party, we’d said so much more than hello.

  “Don’t break my heart, Walker. You’re too good to be real, and as much as I want you, you scare me. I would never forgive myself if I said no, and I might not forgive myself for saying yes.”

  He released my fingers and brought the back of my hand so close to his lips that his breath caressed my skin.

  “I’ll take care of you like no one ever has before, Lacey Beaumont,” he said, brushing his lips lightly across my hand. He brought my other hand up to his mouth and grazed it with a soft kiss.

  I bit my lip and struggled to still my shaking knees.

  “Lacey,” he whispered as another soft kiss landed on my left palm and then my right.

  Heat flooded my body and an ache swirled through me.

  He slipped his arm around my waist and pulled me within an inch of his body. His fingers brushed against my cheek as he feathered kisses across my forehead, nose, and cheeks. He paused, our lips almost touching as his hand slipped under my shirt and teased the small of my back. I gasped as I grabbed his arms to balance myself.

  “Lacey,” he whispered, still not kissing me as his fingertips played gently across my back and up my spine. My legs wobbled as I leaned into him, bringing our bodies against each other. He stepped backward into a tree to balance us. His breath quickened as his reaction grew and I released a soft sigh as I allowed my body to fully lean into him. His fingers continued a slow and steady caress on my back as he planted light kisses along my neck. I couldn’t handle much more. I wanted to kiss him; I needed his lips on mine.

  He pushed a wisp of hair from my cheek and gently ran his fingers down the side of my face. He tilted my chin up toward him until I met his eyes. An intense ache washed over me as his hand slid down my side and wrapped around my waist. He pulled me in tighter as his soft mouth brushed across my lips. He tugged at my bottom lip and brought his mouth down on mine. I parted my lips and welcomed him as I tentatively touched the tip of his tongue with mine. A groan rumbled in his chest as I brought my arms up around his neck. His salty and sweet taste filled me.

  Walker lifted me up and I instinctively wrapped my legs around him as he turned and leaned me against the tree. I could feel his desire as he leaned his hips into me. I tightened my grip on his arms as his lips moved from my mouth to my neck and then trailed down to my collarbone as he slipped my shirt buttons open. The hint of my bra peeked out of my shirt as his fingertips danced over the lace trim. I grabbed the back of his hair as his hot breath burned my skin. He gently pulled my bra back and lightly grazed my nipple with his tongue.

  “Shit! Walker, stop. Walker!” I said and pushed him away.

  He stepped back so fast he almost dropped me on the ground.

  “Lacey, oh my God, are you okay?” he asked.

  “Walker,” I said as I adjusted my bra and struggled to button my shirt. “Shit, shit.”

  “Did I hurt you?”

  I buried my face in my hands. I’d allowed my hormones to completely control my actions. Guilt flooded through me as Mama’s earlier words whispered through my thoughts.

  “No, I’m sorry. I’m so so sorry I did that. Listen, I’m—” my voice faltered. I stared at the ground trying to find the right words. He stepped toward me and placed his hands on my arms.

  I chanced a quick glance at him, but I couldn’t stand to watch the disappointment register on his face when I told him.

  “Tell me—what did I do? I’ll make it right,” he said as his concern deepened.

  “Walker, I’m a virgin,” I said, staring at the ground. “I didn’t think things would progress this far and a part of me was afraid that if I told you, after your relationship with Brittany . . . that you wouldn’t want to go out with me again.”

  Walker threw his head back and laughed.

  “It’s not funny! What the hell is wrong with you?” I said as I tried to pull my arms away.

  “I thought I hurt you. I’m sorry. Come here,” he said as he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me to him. He kissed the top of my head as he rubbed my back. “Lacey, I’ll take anything you’re comfortable giving me and no more. You set the rules and I’ll follow them. We can take a break, find something else to do, and I’ll stand under a shitload of cold showers. God, you are so beautiful.”

  I tilted my head up and searched his face. Was he serious?

  “Really? You’re okay with stopping?” I asked. I examined his face for any signs that he was lying but didn’t find any. The earlier tension slipped away from my shoulders.

  “Yes, I really am. I was telling you the truth when I said I just wanted to spend time with you. I don’t care what we do—watch movies, go hiking, hang out at home with my family—it’s fine. I just want to be with you.” He brushed a few strands of hair from my face.

  “And kiss me? You still want to kiss me right?”

  “I want to kiss you forever,” he whispered as he brought his mouth to mine.

  The Truth Series

  The Truth She Knew

 
; Echoes Beneath

  Whispers of Her

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