GRUDGE MATCH (Love Challenge)

by Bouvier, Pamela

  “Yeah, because yours is always on my mind.” A caress to her backside proved his point.

  Her cheeks warmed.

  “Did you mean it about forgiving me?”

  No pressure there. Holly closed her eyes and felt a relieved breath leave her. “Yes. I did. My forgiveness is all inclusive.”

  “That’s what I love about you. You’re all or nothing.” Holly could clearly hear the relief in his tone. “I drank too much back then. Now I have a two beer limit and Justin helped me enforce the rule in the beginning.” He ran a hand down her back and she squirmed closer to him. The distraction didn’t take her attention away from his tone, not shame, but embarrassment, maybe even annoyance turned inward. She remembered the drinking, but since she wasn’t drinking age at the time, she had thought that’s what people did when they were in their twenties.

  “My memories of those days are vague at best. I’m sorry for how I treated you. You’re why I put limits on drinking. I couldn’t get you out of my thoughts and I knew I was too old for you then, but a visit from your dad and Sunny made me see it clearly.”

  Unease filled Holly, “Wait!” She jerked up to one elbow, looking down at him with brows drawn together and lips tight. “What did they do?”

  “They told me to walk away or they would take me out back and inflict bodily harm.”

  “I’m sorry. They should have stayed out of it.” Indignant and embarrassed her family would butt into her love life, what could she say? She was not flattered. Mad as hell maybe, but definitely not happy. “Wait until I get my hands on them. They’re going to pay in every excruciatingly horrible manner I can think up.”

  “No.” He pulled her back down to his chest stroking her face, neck and back. “They were right. They said to give you time. They were right to protect you. I gave you time. You are not a kid anymore and we are starting over.”

  “I’m not sure how I feel about that.” She sat up, raising the sheet and tucking the edge over her breasts, under her arms. “I was so in love with you, but it wasn’t real. You’re right, I was young. I don’t know how I feel about you now. Three days ago I’d have said I hated you, but that’s hurt talking and I’m woman enough to admit you hurt me. I think I need time to process. I accomplished what I set out to with you.” She shrugged, “more than that?” spreading her hands wide, “I don’t know.”

  She slid off the bed, stood up and headed to the shower. After showering, she dressed and raced out of her house in an attempt to outrun the war between her heart and her fears.

  Chapter Five

  “Knock. Knock,” Holly called out as she let herself into her parent’s home. The front door closed behind her as she headed to the kitchen. Her Mom was usually found there, she said it was her favorite room in the house. Holly had to agree. Butter and vanilla scented the house, a trail of invisible delight leading to her Mom’s territory. Nearly all the greatest memories she had were rooted in that kitchen.

  “Hey, Baby. How are you?” Karen Franklin embraced her daughter in a warm hug. A couple inches taller than Holly, Karen was at peace with her size fourteen figure and Holly admired her Mom’s ability to put others at ease. Because she accepted herself, her mom could accept others. Holly and worked hard in her adult life to adopt that attitude; which, come to think of it, was probably why she was able to proposition Mason the way she did.

  “Come on in, sit. Fresh pot of coffee just finished. Let me get you a cup.” Before Holly could say a word, she had a mug of steaming coffee in front of her and her mom sitting across from the kitchen table, pushed a plate of peanut butter cookies her way.

  Taking a sip, Holly drew in the wonderful aroma of French roast and home, her favorite combination.

  “What brings you here so early?”

  “Mason.”

  “I haven’t heard that name from you in quite a while.” Karen placed her own mug down on the table.

  “You don’t like him?” Holly asked.

  Looking her daughter in the eye, Karen said, “I didn’t like him ten years ago for you,” she held up a hand when Holly was about to interrupt, “but he’s seasoned nicely since then. As a matter of fact, so have you.” She reached out and patted Holly’s hand. She must have decided it wasn’t enough because a moment later, Holly was engulfed in her mom’s warm, soft embrace. The sweet bubble of love warmed Holly to her toes.

  “You’re the best, Mom.”

  Sniffing a suspicious wipe of her eyes, she said, “I know.” Turning her attention back to her mug, Karen began again. “Are you seeing Mason?”

  “I’m not sure.”

  Smiling wryly, her mom asked, “Are you looking for permission?”

  “Not really, your approval would be nice though.”

  “I don’t want you to get hurt again.”

  “Yeah. That is the kicker.”

  “Do you trust him?”

  Holly thought about that a minute, not rushing into a defensive answer. “I forgave him.”

  “That’s nice, but can you trust him?”

  She let him tie her up after what she’d done to him. “I think so. He seems sincere.”

  “Only you can know, Baby.”

  “My discernment hasn’t been the greatest.”

  “That was then. I think you do just fine now you’ve lived a little.”

  They chatted for a while and Holly felt peace settle over the turmoil of the last few days. Taking a deep breath and releasing it, Holly let some of the tension out of her body. “I love you.”

  “I love you so much, Baby, and I’m so proud of you.” A few minutes of hugging later, Holly stood to leave.

  “Thanks for the coffee and the talk. I have to get to work.”

  “Door’s always open, even when the world’s not on your shoulders.” Karen’s eyes crinkled in the corners with her smile as Holly kissed her goodbye.

  * * *

  Mason’s day went well as could be expected. He felt apprehension in seeing Holly today. She basically fled from his presence. He hoped today would be smoother for them. She felt deeply for him, he knew it as clearly as his own desire for her. One doesn’t run from someone year after year without deep feelings. Was she ready to hear he loved her? Intense emotions he frankly didn’t want to withhold anymore. He wanted everyone to know Holly Franklin was his woman, now and forever.

  After work, Mason drove over to Holly’s place to implement mission: Forever.

  A call to the pizzeria ensured Holly had taken the day off after a yelling match with her brother. Sunny always did have to make her take time off. Tonight he’d convince her he was for real. With her stubborn streak, ropes might be in order. Lots of ropes.

  * * *

  Holly opened the door after loud knocking pulled her away from cleaning her kitchen floor. Mason’s large frame stood waiting for her.

  “Hey there,” she gestured for him to come in and stood beside the door feeling awkward. “What brings you this way?”

  “You.” He bent down, pulled her to him and swept her into his arms, kicking the door closed with one foot behind him before he placed a lip lock on her she’d never dreamed of.

  Thought scattered much like fall leaves in a storm front. Want rushed through her body. She’d missed Mason’s touch over the last day and her body was eager to renew its acquaintance. He lowered her down his body until her feet touched the floor again. He pulled back.

  “Miss me?”

  “Just a little,” her voice sounded raspy in her tight throat. His cheesy grin made her smile back. She enjoyed knowing he missed her.

  “I hear you have the night off.”

  “Yes. Why? Do you have plans for tonight?” Her heart picked up its already frantic pace. He had that sexy glint in his eye, she didn’t remember seeing that particular expression before last week, but now she recognized trouble.

  “I thought we could have a few lessons tonight.”

  “On what?” She couldn’t wait to find out, anticipation had her nipples hardening, her
thighs pressing together to stem the flood of arousal. “Whips? Chains? Spankings?” she asked a touch of hope in her breath.

  “No, but I am making note of that for later.” He leaned down to her ear. “I’m real pleased to hear your interest in the area of BDSM.” He ran a hand over her ass and gave it a gentle tap. “But tonight’s about being cherished.”

  Holly took a step back. “You’re a guy. Do you even know what that means?” skepticism in every word.

  He barked a laugh and walked to the living room table where a vase of flowers sat. “It began here,” pointing to the flowers.

  “Those are from you?”

  “Who did you think sent them?”

  “My mom is the only one who buys me flowers.”

  Mason brought her hand up to brush his lips across the back and whispered, “Not this

  time. Do you like them?” Hope flared bright in Holly’s wounded heart.

  “I may not be able to give you a Webster’s definition of cherished, but I’d like to express it as much as I know how.”

  “Express it?” How would he express as delicate an emotion as cherishing someone? “Is this another superpower?”

  “A lesser known one and requires a demonstration.” He gently pulled her into his arms, tucked her head against his chest until her cheek lay flush against his shirt. He held her to him for a long time gently rubbing her back.

  Turning his head to her, he brushed his lips against hers. Opening her mouth for him to gain entrance, her tongue caressed his, challenged his for superiority, strengthening the kiss with pressure and a groan of pleasure. His kisses made her want him desperately in under a minute.

  Mason backed away, grasped her hand and led her to her bedroom. “I guess a demo is in order,” she managed to get out, her voice husky, leaving no doubt to her need.

  “Definitely.”

  Holly couldn’t believe he was working so hard to romance her. They had already slept together. What else did he have to prove? Secretly glad to have him to herself, she welcomed him with open arms and an open body. Clothes trailed the hall and left a path to the bed. Mason laid Holly’s naked body on the bed, skootching her to the top, her head lifted to kiss him. He reached under her and slid his arms behind her back to cup her shoulders in his palms. She felt her heart flutter both in passion and a love. She wasn’t ready to tell him how she felt, beyond the right now. Fear kept her quiet.

  Mason’s divine mouth moved down her neck to nuzzle her shoulder and inhale her scent. He laved and sucked a small portion of her skin into his mouth, biting gently before moving down to her chest, his tongue flicking out constantly to touch and taste.

  “What do you want, Holly?”

  Hips restless, breathless panting and a groan, she looked him in the eye, “You inside me. Now.”

  He kissed her hard and shifted his weight to enter her in one firm thrust. He paused, his body shaking. “You’re so hot and wet. It’s heaven being inside you.”

  “Move.” Her demand accompanied the bucking of her hips. She wanted him now, the ache in her pussy was too much to bear when he pulled most of the way out. The emptiness made her want to cry in anguish.

  Leaning down to tongue and then nip at a nipple, Mason sucked it into his mouth, pulling and tugging, strong and demanding. She cried out, the sensations swamping her nerves until she pushed over into orgasm.

  “Do you like your nipples sucked while I’m loving you?”

  Still clutching his cock hard in little spasms, she said, “yes.”

  “What else do you like?”

  “I like when you put your fingers inside me and lick my clit.”

  “Mmm. I like that too. You taste like honey roasted woman.” He rolled her over so she straddled him, his cock still inside her. “I spoke to your parents today.”

  Holly stiffened, unable to help herself, but the position above Mason made his hard member rub against her slick, hot walls. She groaned.

  “I asked for their permission to date you until you agree to marry me.” He moved his hips when she stilled completely.

  “What?” her head buzzed, “stop moving, I can’t think when your dick’s inside me.”

  “I’m counting on it.” He thrust in and out hard and fast, sliding his thumb into the heat of her to coat his thumb in her wetness before rubbing her clit in little demanding circles. She cried out as pleasure burned through her nerves. They screamed together as they came in a fast, furious fucking.

  Pulling her head to his shoulder, not moving away from her warm body, he quietly said, “I’ve waited long enough for you to mature and for me to grow up too. Your parents gave me their approval to convince you we are great together.

  “I don’t know what to say.”

  “Don’t say anything. We have all the time you need to know I’m not going anywhere.”

  Holly’s body trembled and tears leaked down her face. “It may take a lot of convincing.”

  Mason began to convince her by moving his hips again; his body recovered fully, its hard length filling her. He loved her slowly, until they found completion once more.

  “I’ll love you the way you need to be loved: fast and slow, fun and serious, chains and leather. I promise to take instruction any time you want to administer some.”

  “Wow. You’ve come a long ways.” Her gentle, teasing smile couldn’t hide the way she was feeling. She loved the brute, but she was going to make him work for every step until she said yes to his marriage proposal, which she was going to make sure was a bent-knee romantic one. Then she would make him work some more.

  She kissed him, snuggled to him and indeed felt cherished.