Forever & Always (Always & Forever Book 2)

by Crossley, Lauren

  Jake is breath-taking and his rugged masculinity accentuates the blazing desire which he is feeling. I still can’t quite believe what he sees in me, wondering how someone as remarkable as Jake could fall for someone as ordinary as myself.

  “Maybe I need to prove it to myself.” He growls, lowering his gaze towards my mouth. “Right here… right now.”

  “W-what do you mean?” I stammer nervously.

  “I need you, Bethany. I need you to convince me that there’s nothing to worry about, that you really are mine and belong to no one else other than me.”

  It takes me all of three seconds to nod my head in agreement. I’ve never been any good when it comes to denying Jake anything and I’m not about to start now. I’m also terrified that that he’s somehow found out about me meeting up with Callum. It’s the only explanation I can think of as to why he would say something like that.

  Jake finally closes the small amount of distance between us and kisses me. It’s a passionate, angry and desperate moment between us which I don’t want to end. He groans loudly, coaxing my tongue into submission as his fingers start to undress me.

  He places me on the bed, watching me for a few moments before he starts to remove my clothing. A part of me is extremely nervous because we haven’t been intimate with one another for such a long time.

  I couldn’t bear him to touch me right after the termination because I felt so terrible about myself. We were both still grieving and even though Jake did try to initiate things between us, I felt far too exposed and incredible vulnerable.

  Gazing up at him now, I feel differently. It’s almost as if this is what was needed for the two of us to reconnect and reaffirm our love for one another. Another positive is the fact that we don’t have to worry about another pregnancy. I decided to start taking the contraceptive pill as soon as I had the termination, absolutely horrified by the idea that it could happen to me again.

  Jake discards my last item of clothing, standing back so he can admire me for a few moments. The smouldering intensity from his eyes is scorching, heating my entire body with just one look. He doesn’t even have to touch me, I’m already alight with my uncontrollable desire for him.

  “How could I forget how perfect you are?” He murmurs softly, almost to himself. “How the hell did I manage to keep my distance for so long?”

  “It was my fault.” I respond, whispering quietly. “I wouldn’t let you in.”

  “Things are going to be different from now on, I promise.”

  His voice is clear and absolutely certain. I know he means every word and they provide me with so much comfort.

  “I believe you.”

  Jake removes his shirt, revealing his athletic arms and taut stomach. I trail my fingers down his six-pack, mesmerised by the exquisite physique of the man in front of me. It’s difficult to conceal my dismay when I notice the bruising on his ribcage. He also has a few grazes on his torso but none of them stand out as much as the bruises.

  “It’s ok, Bethany. They don’t hurt.” He assures me, interrupting my observation of him.

  I realise he must have caught me staring and is now intent on distracting me, taking a few moments to ignite my arousal once more.

  “I didn’t realise you were so badly hurt…”

  “I’m not.” He assures me. “I’m absolutely fine.”

  He smiles at me before grazing his lips across my neck, using his tongue on the most sensitive part of my skin. I moan loudly, struggling to remain still as his mouth makes its way down my body.

  His hands cup my breasts, squeezing them firmly as he growls in appreciation. I can feel how turned on he is and wrap my legs around his waist, encouraging the rhythm of his hips as he thrusts himself against me.

  “Jake, I… I need you.”

  “What do you need? Tell me.” He demands, watching me closely.

  “You… I just need you inside of me.”

  He moans, grabbing my hips roughly. His fingers sink into my skin, determined to leave their mark on my fair skin. Jake’s complexion is such a contrast to my own, it appeals to me even more.

  His tongue soon finds its way between my legs, desperate to make contact with the most intimate part of myself. I cry out as soon as I feel the warmth of Jake’s mouth pressed up against me, tasting me for the first time in so long.

  “God, you still taste so sweet.” He groans, relishing me with his mouth. “It’s the sweetest thing I ever tasted and it’s all mine.”

  His fingers are gentle as he uses them to massage my clit, plunging his tongue all the way inside of me. I scream his name, fighting between the intoxicating sensations which continue to build up inside of me.

  Part of me wants to beg for more and the other half of me is desperate to put some distance between us. My senses are so conflicting, I’m completely overwhelmed by them and consumed by my need to feel Jake inside of me once more.

  He spreads my legs apart, exposing my completely. His mouth latches onto my clit, sucking it gently before he goes back to thrusting his tongue inside of me. He carries on with this for several minutes, refusing to stop or even slow down when I beg him to do so.

  “Jake, I… I can’t take much more.”

  “Then come for me. I won’t stop until you do.”

  His voice is powerful and direct, almost threatening when he refuses to relinquish the control he is exerting over me.

  “Please…”

  “Do it, Bethany. Come for me.”

  I finally do as he asks, allowing my release to take over and give into his demands. I ride out my orgasm, curling my fingers through his hair as I continue to rock my hips back and forth against his tongue.

  Jake growls with recognition, understanding how phenomenal this feels for me. He doesn’t stop, persistent in his quest to fulfil me beyond my wildest dreams.

  “That was incredible.” I cry breathlessly.

  “It really was.” Jake agrees, making his way back up my body so he can kiss me on the lips.

  I taste my sweetness off his lips, savouring such a personal and sacred moment between us.

  “I now want to taste you.” I inform him, moistening my lips in a sensual manner.

  “God, I can’t take it when you talk to me like that.” Jake moans, closing his eyes when I push him back onto the bed.

  I smile at him flirtatiously, dropping to my knees on the floor. I’ve always been amazed by how much power I have over him when we’re positioned like this. Jake has always been the one to be in control, he’s always been the dominant one but now… now it’s my turn. It’s my turn to exert some power over him and it’s beyond exhilarating.

  I take my time, devouring every single moan from Jake. I wrap my lips around him and use my tongue to lick down the entire length of his arousal. Using my hand to stroke him, I continue to pleasure him, taking delight in the way his eyes burn so fiercely and his hand strokes my hair.

  “Fuck…” He whispers. “That feels amazing. Please… please don’t stop. More, I need more.” He begs, inciting my own stimulation even more.

  I give him exactly what he wants, circling my tongue around the tip of his length, moistening my lips before I take more of him in my mouth. I guess this must push him over the edge because the next thing I know, I’m flipped over onto my back.

  “What are you doing?” I ask him, wondering why Jake has put a stop to what I was doing.

  “I can’t take it anymore. I need to fuck you, baby.”

  He widens my legs once more, stroking his own length before he enters me for the first time in months.

  “So fuck me.” I challenge him, entranced by his animalistic need to have me.

  He lifts my legs up high, pushing them back so my knees meet my chest. I gasp when he presses himself against, flinching as he slowly starts to penetrate me. It’s been so long, it feels like an intrusion and it takes all of my strength and willpower to not ask him to stop.

  “Are you ok? Did I hurt you?” He asks, gazing down at me wit
h concern.

  He looks so alarmed and fearful, I almost don’t tell him. The last thing I want to do is put an end to our passionate encounter.

  “I’m fine, it just hurts a little.” I explain, trying my best to cover up how painful it was.

  “I’m so sorry.” He apologises, appearing guilty and dismayed. “I’ll try to be more gentle, I promise.”

  “I think it’s just cause it’s been a while… my body is not used to it.”

  I can’t believe that something so incredible can come to an end just like that. I’m furious with myself for spoiling such a perfect moment between us.

  “Shh, it’s ok.” He soothes me, stroking my brown hair back from my face. “Look at me.”

  I meet his gaze, struggling to conceal my embarrassment. I’ll be so humiliated if we’re unable to do this and want Jake to know that I need him just as badly as he needs me.

  Jake takes his time, positioning himself against my entrance while supporting the weight of his body above me. This must take a tremendous amount of strength and I can’t help myself from staring at the muscles in his arms.

  Years of professional fighting explain his incredible physique and the ridiculous amount of strength which Jake has. It still astonishes me even though I’ve observed it so many times. I’ve come to associate Jake’s strength with his rage and the fear of this is what keeps me away at night. I know that he would never hurt me but I’m not afraid for myself, I’m afraid for his next victim or the next person who will inadvertently unleash his fury.

  Our tongues meet as our breathing accelerates, Jake grabs my hair, forcing my neck right back so it’s exposed to him. He takes complete control over me, demanding each and every response which I surrender to him.

  “I have to feel you again, I can’t wait any longer.” He growls, readying himself to push through my barriers, determined to be sheathed by me once more.

  “So feel me.” I encourage him, guiding my hand between my legs so he can feel my body’s reaction to his touch.

  Jake groans, careful when he starts to guide himself inside of me. It still feels intrusive but I try to relax and enjoy the fact that we’re about to make love for the first time in months. This is exactly what our relationship needs, as well as what we both desire.

  My walls clench around him, squeezing him so tight. He growls possessively, holding me absolutely still as he moulds himself to me. His body is on top of mine but I take delight in the weight of him above me. I feel protected and safe which is remarkable considering I haven’t felt that way in months.

  We move together, keeping pace with one another as our rhythm intensifies and Jake’s fingers grab my hips. It’s as though he’s terrified I might disappear, sealing himself to me in every possible way.

  I do the same and beg for more, craving everything which Jake has to offer as I give myself to him. I hold nothing back, devouring his body with my own by meeting each of his thrusts with my hips.

  “You. Are. Mine.” He whispers, speaking directly into my ear.

  “Jake, please…”

  “What is it you want? What do you need?” He demands, tracing the length of my bottom lip with his thumb.

  “You.” I cry, tugging on his hair in frustration.

  “You want this?” He taunts me, slowly sinking himself all the way inside of me.

  I dragging my fingernails down his back as I seal him to me, clasping my inner walls around him. I don’t want to let him go, not even for a second.

  “Yes, yes I need it.” I wail, struggling to control my vexation and annoyance.

  “So what if I do this?” He torments me once more, removing himself from me so I feel barren and empty.

  “No!”

  “You want it?” He asks, teasing me with a mischievous smirk on his face and glint in his eyes.

  “Yes!” I yell, so close to losing my temper.

  “Are you sure about that?”

  “I’m sure!”

  “So beg me.” He commands, ordering me to do exactly what he says.

  “Please… I’m begging. I’m begging you to fuck me, Jake. Please!”

  He adheres to my pleading and plunges his entire length inside of me once again. There’s violence behind our desperate need for one another and I just know that my pale flesh will be covered in bruises by tomorrow.

  I can feel Jake inside of me as he becomes harder. He’s so close to his own release, I have to be quick if I want to reach my own orgasm before he does. Knowing this, I deliberately slow down the movement of my hips. I’m intent on tormenting Jake, seeking revenge for the way he teased me earlier.

  Jake growls in frustration, determined to regain the control which he has become familiar with. He pulls my hair, forcing my head back and my back to arch beneath him. I’m flipped over for the second time, struggling to maintain the position I’m now in on my hands and knees.

  This position is so wild and purely physical, neither one of us are able to see the other person’s face. I clench the quilt beneath me, holding onto it for dear life and Jake steals my breath away. He thrusts himself deep inside of my body, grabbing hold of my hips by using every ounce of strength he has.

  My face is pushed into the pillow beneath me, using it to muffle my screams of delight and pleasure. I cry out his name, allowing him to use me for his own pleasure. I can feel my orgasm building and tell him how close I am, begging him to increase the savage speed of his which is needed for me to come.

  “You have no idea how good you look right now.” “Naked and wet… bent right over for me. Mine.”

  We climax together, savouring the release of one another as we give into our animalistic desires. I can feel Jake’s warmth inside me and I cling to it, desperate and determined to keep every single drop of him. I don’t want a single part of him to go to waste and yearn for us to be sealed together like this for all eternity.

  At this point I have yet to find out that our little piece of happiness will not last…

  Chapter Five

  I know exactly what I have to do the following morning, waiting until I’m able to sneak into the bathroom so I can use my phone in private. Taking a seat on the edge of the bath, I stare at my phone for several minutes. The last thing I want to do is break off my friendship with Callum but now I know that Jake and I are on the right track… I just can’t risk it.

  I can’t risk Callum’s safety or jeopardise the trust which Jake has placed in me. I know he would see my secret meetings with Callum as a betrayal and I’m through with lying to him about it.

  All I can do now is hope that my old friend will understand…

  “Hello?” Callum answers, sounding pleased to hear from me.

  “Hi.” I respond lamely, struggling to find the right words.

  “Bethany, are you ok? What’s wrong?”

  “We… we can’t see each other anymore.” I blurt out, desperately wanting to take it all back again.

  “What are you talking about? Why can’t we?” He demands, raising his voice at me in accusation.

  “Because of Jake.”

  “He’s found out?”

  “No he hasn’t.” I answer truthfully. “And that’s how it’s going to stay.”

  “So… what’s the problem?”

  “The problem is that I can’t keep on lying to him. The guilt is just too much and I can’t do it anymore.”

  “Bethany…” He sighs impatiently. “We haven’t done anything wrong.”

  “I know we haven’t but I also know that you have feelings for me.”

  There’s an awkward silence between us and I realise how arrogant that sounded. I’m just about to apologise when Callum interjects, startling me with his startling question.

  “You don’t feel the same way about me, do you?”

  “Erm… no.” I murmur, closing my eyes in an attempt to stop my unshed tears from falling.

  “So what’s the problem?”

  “The problem is I can’t do this anymore. I can’t like to
him, Callum.”

  “Bethany, wait! At least meet me so we can talk this through before you make your final decision. You can’t just end things like this.”

  “Goodbye, Callum.”

  I hang up the phone and switch if off, fighting against the sadness which has been troubling me since I came to the decision to end my friendship with him.

  I take a look in the mirror, needing to make sure that I look alright before I go back out there and see Jake. I barely recognise the girl staring back at me, grappling to understand why I still look heartbroken when I’m supposed to have everything I ever wanted.

  It’s been eleven hours and I still can’t stop worrying about Callum. I’m sure Jake knows that’s something is troubling me because I’ve barely spoken to him all day.

  He did suggest that we do something tonight but I told him I wasn’t in the mood. He seemed to accept my decision and that’s why we’ve been watching a movie for the past half an hour. I can’t even focus on what it’s about or what’s happened so far, wondering how many times Callum has tried to phone me since I hung up on him earlier.

  A knock at the door causes Jake to pause the film, leaving the sofa so he can answer the door. I figure it must be Carla or another one of Jake’s sisters who come by occasionally and don’t give it another thought, still overwrought and distraction.

  An unknown voice filters through, capturing my attention when I hear Jake start to yell in retaliation to whatever it is that was said.

  “There’s no way in hell you’re coming in here.” He threatens, sounding menacing and angry.

  “Please… I need to talk to you.” A female voice replies, forcing me to jump off the sofa and join them.

  “It’s not going to happen.” Jake replies, folding his arms across his chest.

  “Jake, it’s important.” She pleads with him once more, locking eyes with me as I approach them.

  The girl must be in her early twenties and has dark skin and sleek black hair which touches her waist. She looks mixed race and has incredible brown eyes which are glistening with unshed tears. It’s not hard to see how frightened she is and I can’t help but feel sorry for her.