Whatever Happens

by Lyla Grace

  She moves from around the table and stands between Savannah and me. "Someone like me? Do you mean someone who supports him? Who loves him and satisfies him in ways you couldn't even dream? And let's not mention, someone who hasn't had sex with his brother."

  “You bitch,” Savannah says. Her arm rises as though she is going to slap Lexie. Shit.

  “Everything okay over here?” Tucker Ross asks as he steps between Savannah and Lexie.

  “It’s fine, Tucker. Go away,” Savannah orders.

  He shakes his head and extends his hand to me. “Long time no see, Wallace,” he says.

  “Tucker, how’s it going?” I ask as I shake his hand.

  Tucker and I go way back. Like kindergarten back. Best buds until we went our separate ways for college. We still keep in touch occasionally, I usually hook him up for a couple of games a year, but not much besides that.

  With Tucker and I conversing the ladies are on the back burner.

  “Not sure what I was thinking agreeing to go out with her,” Tucker says nodding in Savannah’s direction.

  “You too, huh?” I say.

  “Hey,” Savannah protests. She pokes me in the chest with her finger. “You left me.”

  I roll my eyes at her. “The whole town knows that’s not true. They witnessed every brutal moment of our breakup.”

  Tucker begins to laugh. “Oh my God, I almost forgot about that.”

  "I'm kind of sorry I missed it," Lexie says.

  “You do like watching me get my heart ripped out,” I tease her.

  “Only when I’m the one doing the ripping,” she retorts.

  Savannah is still standing there, but she hasn’t said a word.

  "What's wrong, Savannah? It's not like you to be so quiet," Tucker says.

  “Is Cody okay?” she asks.

  I'm surprised to hear what sounds like a genuine concern in her voice.

  I nod. “He’s doing good.”

  She gives me a slight smile. “Tell him that I said hi and that I’m glad he’s doing well.” She turns to leave but looks back at me. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

  That was an odd ending to an even stranger start to the evening. She sure piqued my curiosity with that last statement. Now, I want to know what happened between her and Cody.

  Tucker extends his hand to Lexie. “Good to see you man and it was nice to meet you, Lexie. Thanks for making my friends so happy.”

  “It’s my pleasure,” Lexie says with a smile.

  “What do you say we get out of here?” I ask Lexie as I snake my arm around her waist from behind.

  “But the night is still young,” she replies.

  “I didn’t say anything about the night ending. I just want out of here,” I tell her.

  I usher her to my truck, and as we reach it, she turns and smiles at me — memories of what we had shared against this very vehicle flooding both of our minds. I shake my head as I remove my sling because nothing is coming between us. I press my body against hers until her back hits my truck. With one hand cupping her face, the other grabbing her hip, I tell her in a husky voice, “I want you, Lexie.”

  She fists her hands in my shirt. Our lips meet, her tongue dances with mine. Our mutual need and desire pour into this kiss. We paw at each other, touching, groping, and kissing as though our lives depend on it. Her nails dig into my back. The slight pain causes me to growl into the kiss. If I don't stop this, there's a chance I may take her right here in this parking lot. Again. I need Lexie. I want every beautiful piece of her. Like a damn caveman, I want to stake my claim, make her mine, show her that I'm the only one for her. Because, hell if she isn't the only one for me.

  “Get in the truck,” I order before heading around to the driver's side.

  I need to take her someplace nice, someplace special. Not my parents' house where we could easily get walked in on, or some hotel because that makes this feel cheap. I feel the keys that Char gave me rub against my leg as I get in the truck. I know just where to go.

  “Fasten your seatbelt, Princess,” I tell her. There is no time to waste. I need this woman, and I need her now.

  Chapter 24 – Lexie

  Who has time for seatbelts when you have the hottest damn guy you have ever seen sitting next to you with a rock-hard erection that you caused? I can’t let him drive like that. It could be dangerous. I slide myself closer to him on the bench seat, my hand reaching for and caressing this thigh.

  “What are you doing?” he asks.

  "Nothing," I say innocently with a seductive smile that means it couldn't be further from the truth. My hand continues to move further until I graze over the fabric of his very impressive erection.

  “Oh, shit,” he says when he realizes what I intend on doing. “Lex—"

  “Shhh…just sit back and relax.”

  I work on his belt and zipper, freeing him from the restrictive fabric. I glide my hand up and down him. I am staring at his face and the pleasure that washes over it.

  “I want you, Lexie.” He relaxes his head on the headrest.

  My warm mouth hovers close to the head of his cock. “Mmm… I want to taste you.”

  My tongue darts out, making contact with his head. He grabs the hair of my ponytail and wraps it around his hand. I tease him, my tongue gliding up and down him torturously slow. I can feel him pulsating against my mouth. I look up at him, eyes hooded with desire before I cover him with my mouth. I take him deeper, further into my throat, sounds of pleasure escaping him in gasps. My mouth and hand are working him together in a punishing motion.

  “Christ, Princess, you’re going to make me cum if you don’t stop,” he pleads.

  I release him from my mouth, my tongue still exploring him. “Kind of the point, isn’t it?”

  “Not tonight, not like this,” he says. He pulls up on my ponytail, bringing my lips to his.

  He makes a sharp turn, and we make our way down a bumpy path until we stop in front of the barn on Char's property. It's as though it's become our little safe haven, a place where we can be alone without interruption.

  “Come on,” he says as he leads me to a stairway.

  “Oh, Carter,” I gasp when we reach the top.

  The loft has a soft glow from the lanterns, plush blankets and pillows adorn the makeshift bed, and a bouquet of flowers flanks both sides of the bed. It is the most romantic thing anyone has ever done for me. Tears well in my eyes, emotions overcoming me as take in the romantic ambiance.

  “You like it?” he asks.

  “Like it, I love it. Carter, you didn’t have to go to all this trouble.”

  “Technically, I didn’t. Charlotte did it for me,” he laughs.

  “Your sister must really like you,” I reply.

  His arms wrap around me from behind, his chin resting on my shoulder. "Believe me; she makes me pay dearly for any favors I ask. But this, seeing as it was for you, she did without hesitation. If you think she likes me, she adores you."

  “I’m pretty fond of her and Luke, too.”

  He turns me in his arms. “Now, onto the important stuff.”

  “Oh? What’s that?”

  “Me undressing you,” he tells me.

  The brush of his fingertips on my skin sends my body into overload. Each touch is exploring a new spot, each kiss another step in exploration he is taking down my body. With each movement he works on removing a piece of clothing, pleasuring, enticing me with each movement. Filling with desire, I move my hands to help him along. My need for him so great that I don't give a damn about this foreplay – I want him, buried deep in me – now.

  He grabs my wrists and stops me, a playful smile on his face. "Now, now, Princess. It's your turn to sit back, relax, and enjoy the show."

  “But Carter—” I purr. It’s a sound that usually gets me my way with him.

  He begins to ease the zipper down my dress. Softly he slides the fabric down my arms, allowing the material to fall and pool at my feet. The touch of his fingers on
my skin sends a chill through my body. Fully exposed to him, he takes me in. “Has anyone ever told you how absolutely stunning you are?” he asks.

  I moan in response. The feel of his touch mixed with the kisses he is trailing down my neck, my breasts, my stomach – has me unable to formulate a coherent sentence.

  “Lie down,” he tells me.

  I obey his order, centering myself on the bed. I’m propped up on my elbows, ready and waiting for him.

  “You’re the most beautiful thing I have ever laid eyes on. You make me want when I shouldn’t, you make me crave things I never knew I wanted.”

  He wets his lips as he looks at me, taking me in as he undresses. His eyes pierce me, a look so erotic that it alone has me on the brink. I slide my hand down my body, between my thighs. He inhales sharply as he watches me. I had hoped that the touch would help sate me until he buries himself inside me. But it doesn't. I work my hand faster, needing a release because he has me so on edge, I don't think I can play this torturous game he is playing.

  "Stop," he says. But I can't, I'm almost there. I disobey him, and when I do, he grunts out, "Stop." It's an order, not a suggestion. And to ensure that I obey this time, he grabs my wrists, pinning them above my head.

  “Carter, your arm,” I tell him as I notice that he’s propped up on his bad shoulder.

  He silences me with a searing kiss. One that when he ends, it begins a whole other form of torture that trails all the way down my body until his mouth hovers at my center. I can feel his warm breath on me, my body tingling with anticipation. His mouth covers me, his tongue flicking at my clit. The sensation has me bucking my hips into him. One palm is flat on my stomach, holding me down, the other…

  “Oh fuck,” I cry out as he slides in not one but two fingers inside me. I am so on edge that I am unable to control my body. I ride his fingers his tongue working my sensitive bud feverishly. I fist the sheets in my hands. “Oh God, Carter, Yes. Fuck, yes.”

  I collapse back onto the bed. Pleased with himself and the pleasure he gave me, he crawls up onto the bed and hoists up my naked body, my legs wrapping around his waist. “Tell me you’ll be mine, Lexie. Not just for tonight, but forever.”

  I swear my heart stops when he says those words to me. The emotion in his eyes matching what I feel in my heart. This undeniable attraction is so much more. It’s a connection, an understanding, a pathway to a new beginning – our future. And he wants it as much as I do. Nothing matters at this moment except us. “I’ve been yours since the moment you laid eyes on me.”

  He runs the length of him up and down me. The feel of him, knowing I am so close to what I want, leaves an ache inside me. An ache that dissipates as he slowly, excruciatingly slowly, pushes into me. We both moan at the satisfaction, finally being one brings us. He holds still inside me momentarily, as though he is savoring every moment, a satisfied grin on his face. He slides out, pushing back in deeper and with a little more force this time. I gasp.

  "You okay there, Princess?" he asks, his body rocking into mine in slow, purposeful thrusts. I lift my hips to meet his thrust. A guttural groan escapes him.

  “Are you?”

  His mouth crashes on mine, hungrily tasting, devouring me as one hand massages my breast. He pumps into me and stays there, grinding his hips into me. I am at the brink, about to fall over the edge and I need to take him with me. I writhe beneath him, the force, the friction.

  “Don’t stop,” I beg.

  Buried deep inside me, we keep our pace. A race to the end, to our mutual release of an unrelenting war we have been fighting for weeks. I cry out his name as my orgasm hits hard, his body tensing against mine as his crashes over him, hard and fast, leaving him gasping for air.

  We lay there, both unable to move, entirely sated by the satisfaction we found in each other. Soft kisses adorn my collarbone, and we both try to catch our breath. Sex is amazing. But this? Holy hell, Carter Wallace brings it to a whole new level. I don't know how he restrained, managed to turn something that we both so desperately wanted fast and hard into something slow and tender. The experience was all-consuming, unlike anything before. I smile up at him. How anything will ever compare to this night, to him giving himself to me and branding me as his, I don't know. But I am sure as hell willing to keep trying.

  He lies next to me, his strong arms around me, chin tucked into my shoulder.

  “Are you sure your arm is okay?” I ask him as I run my fingers up and down his arm.

  "It's fine. And even if it weren't, it would have been worth it," he says. He drops kisses onto my shoulder, and I relax into him. Carter goes quiet for a while. "Hey, Lex?"

  I turn in his arms and face him. “Yeah?”

  His hand brushes away a piece of hair from my face. “I meant what I said earlier.”

  I know he does. That’s why I ignore him, why I don’t respond.

  Because tonight was amazing, but it's forever that still has me on the fence.

  Cautiously, I make sure not to promise him anything, not to insinuate that this could be more when part of me is still unsure if it can. Or, if it should be. I roll into him and close my eyes, pretending to sleep.

  “I love you,” I hear him whisper into my hair.

  I love him, too. But sometimes, love isn't enough.

  ∆ ∆ ∆

  We wake up the next morning to Charlotte standing over us.

  “Well, isn’t this cozy,” she teases.

  “Jesus, sis,” Carter says as he sits up, careful to not move the covers to expose me.

  “Have you ever heard of knocking?”

  “Seriously?” She shakes her head. “I need help with the party.”

  “Mind if we get dressed first?” Carter says.

  “It would be preferable. Breakfast is on the table when you’re ready.” Char gives a wave before heading out.

  I pull my dress over my head. Last night seems so surreal. For the first time in my life, I feel important and loved.

  Carter looks at the door and back to me. “Ready to get out of here?”

  I look around the barn, our sanctuary. The memories of what happened here last night, the declarations we made to each other will forever be in my mind.

  I put my hand in his, “Ready.”

  We enter the kitchen where Luke and a man I have yet to meet are at the table coloring. Carter and the man fist bump.

  "Happy Birthday, Buddy," Carter says, rubbing his hand on top of Luke's head.

  “Happy Birthday, Luke,” I chime in.

  “Scott, you remember Lexie, Carter’s girlfriend,” Charlotte says.

  “Oh, I’m not his girlfriend…” I begin. Carter starts to laugh. “What?”

  “Just say hi, Lex,” Carter replies, between laughs.

  “Does this mean I can call you Aunt Lexie?” Luke says his voice full of delight.

  “Sure bud,” Carter answers for me. I glare at him.

  "Sit next to me, Aunt Lexie," Luke says.

  I shake hands with Scott as I join him and Luke in coloring. I can feel eyes on me, and when I look up, Carter is standing by Charlotte talking, eyes glued to me. I can't help but smile. These things right here, love and family, it's what I've always wanted.

  Chapter 25 – Carter

  Luke’s party was great. He loved his gifts, the cake, and that Lexie was a part of it. That last part was something I was pretty happy about too.

  The woman has been working me like crazy, though. Every chance she gets she's working my arm or massaging it. I love her dedication, but I wish she would get over it. I am.

  Our date, the moment Lexie kissed me, and us making love. Everything finally became right with the world. There was no denying it; we belonged together.

  Add in the fact that we got our dream location for the foundation, and I am the happiest I've ever been.

  Until we got a message from her dad, saying that he needed to see us. Both of us.

  The last time we were all together, things were uncertain. Lexie wa
s nervous, I was injured, and her dad was in control. Not this time.

  Unlike the first time we were both summoned to his office, we walk in together. My hand is gripping hers, letting her know that I’m here and I’m not going anywhere, no matter what he says.

  “You wanted to see us,” I say when we walk in.

  He doesn’t say anything, just gestures to the seats in front of him.

  I hold the chair for Lexie as she sits, then takes my place next to her. We sit, and we wait. Whenever he's done doing whatever it is that he's doing at his computer, he looks at us.

  “How’s your arm?” he asks.

  “Better,” I reply not giving him any details.

  “Funny, Doc tells me it’s worse,” he says. “Something about you getting in a fight?”

  I shake my head. “Nope, no fights.”

  “Quit being coy with me Carter, what the hell did you do?” Coach asks.

  “He…” Lexie begins.

  “I’m not talking to you,” Coach says.

  Lexie's mouth drops. She's told me that she and her father argue that he's tough on her. I don't think that she ever expected him to talk to her like that, though. Either did I and I am certainly not going to allow it.

  "Don't talk to her like that," I tell him. He can be pissed all he wants, but Lexie has done nothing wrong. She doesn't deserve to receive any disrespect.

  "She is my daughter, and I will talk to her any way I see fit," Coach replies.

  “Then we’re done here,” I say as I stand.

  “Sit your ass down, Wallace,” he demands.

  “Enough, both of you,” Lexie shouts. “Carter’s arm is worse, but we’re working on it. And for your information, it wasn’t a fight. He saved me from being attacked.”

  “You were attacked?” Coach asks. He is on his feet, heading to his daughter. “Are you okay? When? By who? What happened?”

  "I'm fine. Thanks to Carter." Lexie takes a deep breath. Talking about that day still gets to her. She exhales then says, "I was at work, and a player came into the therapy room and… he attacked me. Luckily, Carter showed up and pulled him off of me. But, in doing so, injured his arm further. As I said, we're working on it, and I'm hopeful."