by Kaylee Ryan
“Y-you’re good at that,” she says.
I chuckle. “It’s all you, Short Stack. You’re on fire.” As I kiss her neck, she rocks again, a slow glide of her hips. Her face is flushed, her breasts bouncing. I memorize her every feature. I never want to forget her like this. “Take what you need, Saylor,” I say, increasing the pressure on her clit with my thumb.
“Oh,” she breathes.
“Tell me what you need,” I whisper against her lips. She doesn’t answer because her orgasm tears through her. She grunts with her release, as if she’s unable to form words. I bite back a smile. I feel pretty damn smug I got her there. Gave her that. She slumps against me and buries her head in my neck. Dropping a kiss to her bare shoulder, I wrap my arms around her and hold her tight, still needing her closer.
Her phone rings, causing her to jump. Refusing to let her go, I stand, and she squeals, wrapping her legs around my waist and her arms around my neck. “Rhett.” She laughs, and I love the sound.
“Not ready to let you go,” I say, walking to the small kitchen table and handing her her phone. As soon as she puts it to her ear to say hello, I begin kissing down her neck. I saw that it was Jake calling when I handed it to her. I’m not worried about him knowing I’m taking care of her.
“Really?” she asks, tilting her head to the side, giving me full access. “Uh-huh.”
“What’s he want, baby?” I whisper in her ear. Goose bumps break out across her skin.
“Thanks, Jake,” she says and hangs up. “H-he said that the roads are getting bad. It’s pretty icy out.” She buries her hands in my hair.
Fuck. I don’t want to leave her. Slowly, I pull back and look at her. “Tell me what you want, Saylor. I can go, or I can—” She interrupts me.
“Stay,” she says so softly I barely hear her.
“Again,” I say, needing to make sure that’s what she wants.
“Stay. Stay here with me.”
I kiss her hard. “It’s time for bed,” I say, heading toward the door that I assume is her bedroom. She giggles, holding on tight. Once we’re in her room, I set her down on the bed. Placing my finger under her chin, I lift her face to look at me. “I don’t have any expectations—well, I have one. You in my arms all night, preferably naked.” She smiles, causing my heart to trip over in my chest. I place my hand there to ward off the rapid beat. “I want that, but I’ll take the couch. I just want to spend time with you.”
“You can sleep here,” she says, patting the bed next to her.
I lean down and kiss her. “That’s good enough for me. I’m going to go lock up. I’ll be right back.” One more chaste kiss and I head back to the living room to lock the door and turn off the lights. I grab my phone and call Gramps. “Hey,” I say when he answers.
“Rhett? You okay?”
“Yeah, the roads are bad, so I’m just going to stay here tonight.”
“Where is here?” he asks, sounding annoyed.
“With Saylor.” I cringe, prepared for his “have you not learned your lesson” speech, but it never comes.
“Good, she shouldn’t be alone if the weather is bad.”
“Jake is next door,” I remind him, even though I agree it should be me who comes to her rescue should she need it.
“Stay in and be safe,” he says, ignoring my statement. “Bye.” He hangs up.
I’m done trying to decipher his mood swings, and right now, my wife is waiting for me.
When I get back to her room, she’s under the covers; they’re pulled up to her chest. I kick off my boots and grab the neck of my long-sleeve T-shirt and pull it over my head, dropping it to the floor. Grabbing my wallet, I set it on the nightstand along with both of our phones that I picked up. Unbuckling my jeans, I let them fall to the floor. I move to climb into bed, but she stops me.
“You forgot something,” she says, pointing to my boxer briefs.
I didn’t want to assume, so I left them on. Grabbing the sides, I slide them down my legs and kick them off. Saylor lifts the quilt and offers me a glimpse of her naked body. I stand still, my eyes roaming over every inch of her that I can see. “Perfect,” I grit out.
“It’s cold,” she says with a nervous laugh.
Not needing more of an invitation than that, I climb into bed. I pull her tight, as close as I can get her. I can feel the hurried beat of her heart against my chest. Then again, I don’t know if it’s her heart or mine that echoes in my chest. I’d like to think it’s ours, it’s what happens when we come together.
“I’ll keep you warm,” I promise her.
“How?” she asks softly.
I run my hand up and down her back. “Like this.”
“You’re going to put me to sleep.”
“I’ll be here when you wake up,” I assure her.
“What are we doing, Rhett? What is this?”
The room is dark, not even the shadows of the moon. “What do you want it to be?” I counter.
“Not fair,” she says, poking me in the side. “I asked you first.”
“I don’t know if you’re ready to hear what I have to say.”
“Honesty. No matter what it is, I want honesty.”
“I want you. I think about you all the time—what it feels like to wake up with you, to be inside of you. How much I like just being with you, at the bar, ice skating, eating pizza, it doesn’t matter.” I pause, letting that sink in. “I think there’s something between us, but we complicated it with getting married.”
“You’re still wearing your ring.”
“So are you,” I counter.
“I don’t know why,” she admits.
“I know we’re married, not in the sense of being in love, but on paper, and I promised you regardless of the level of commitment that I would honor that. Wearing the ring is a reminder of my promise to you. It also helps to keep other woman at bay.”
“I’m sure you’re ready for the divorce to be final, huh? Get back to your harem? I see the way the ladies swarm to you when you’re at the Corner Pocket.”
“They do. But have you seen me leave or even engage any of them?”
She’s quiet for a while. I’m sure she’s thinking back. “No,” she whispers.
“You’re all I think about.”
“We’re married,” she says, like she can’t believe it.
“We are. It’s making whatever this is happening between us complicated. Regardless of the marriage, I want to see where this goes.”
“You don’t live here.”
I can hear the hesitation in her voice. “Not yet, but I will. Gramps isn’t getting any younger, and growing up, I always wanted to take over running the distillery. He would take me to work with him when I stayed here in the summers and show me the ropes. Said I would be in charge one day. I went to college and stopped visiting except for holidays, and those were just a day or two. I went to work for my parents after graduation and never looked back.”
“He misses you.”
“I know. I’ve missed him too. Dad asked me the other day if I was going to stay. At that time, I didn’t know for sure.”
“Now you do?”
I pull her a little closer. “Seems I have more than just Gramps and the distillery in this small town.”
“When Elaine died, Pete convinced me to sell her house. We were already living here. A few weeks later, after I signed the papers, he admitted Tabitha was pregnant. I could have gone back to Cincinnati, but Tara, my closest friend was pretty wrapped up in her fiancé. Turns out she moved to Oregon a few weeks later. She’s actually not talking to me because I wouldn’t move there with her. She said some hurtful things. Anyway, I liked this town. Jake and Molly have been amazing.”
“This is your home now.”
“Yeah, I guess it is. To be honest, I’m not real sure where I belong, if anywhere.”
“You’re right where you belong,” I say, kissing the top of her head.
“I don’t want you to make this decision based o
n us seeing where this goes, whatever it is between us.”
“I’m not, not entirely. I’ll admit the thought of not being able to see you whenever I want doesn’t sit well with me.”
“What does your gramps think?”
“I need to talk to him, see if me taking the reins permanently is something he’s okay with.”
She yawns. “I’m sure he’ll be excited.”
“I’m not so sure. He’s been cold since I’ve been here.”
“He’s protecting himself. He doesn’t want to get used to you and then you leave again.”
“Maybe you’re right.”
“Yeah,” she says, yawning again.
“Sleep, beautiful.” I kiss the top of her head.
“But you—” I cut her off.
“I’m right where I want to be. Get some rest.”
She doesn’t protest as exhaustion takes over. I continue to run my hand softly up and down her back, memorizing the feel of her skin beneath my fingertips. The past few months have been a whirlwind. I think about that first night that I met her. Never would I have imagined that this is where we would end up, but I wouldn’t change it for anything.
I wake to soft kisses on my shoulder and back. Rhett. Our conversation last night comes flooding back. We agreed to see where this goes. He’s right in saying the marriage complicates things. Once the divorce is final, if we’re still whatever it is that we are, we’ll be able to relax, not having our drunken mistake hanging over our heads and the knowledge that the quickie Vegas wedding isn’t why we’re together.
“What are you thinking about?” he asks, softly placing more tender kisses on my shoulder.
“Us.”
“Mmm, my favorite.”
Glancing at the clock, I see it’s a few minutes before six in the morning. “Sleep well?” I ask him.
“Very.”
Rolling over, I reach up and bury my hands in his hair. “You stayed.”
“I told you I would.”
“I wasn’t sure after I ran out on you in Vegas that first night.”
“I’m where I want to be, Saylor. Believe that.”
“We’re really doing this? We’re… dating?” I need clarification for my heart and my mind. I know we said it all last night, but often times things look different in the light of day. I just need to hear it again. One more time to make sure.
“Yeah.” He cups my face in his big hands. “We’re dating, exclusively,” he adds. “No one gets to do this but me,” he whispers as his lips connect with mine.
I keep my mouth shut; I’m sure my morning breath could knock him on his ass.
“Open for me, Say,” he murmurs against my lips.
I turn my head. “I need to brush my teeth.”
“Fuck that, you need to kiss me,” he says, trying again. This time he pushes his morning wood into my stomach, and I don’t fight him. If he wants the morning dragon lady and that’s what I get in return, he has a deal.
His hand roams over my thighs and up my spine, causing me to shiver. Just a simple touch from him, that’s all it takes to set my body on fire. “A girl could get used to this,” I say, pulling away from the kiss.
“Yeah?” he asks softly.
I nod, rolling over on my back. He doesn’t waste any time running his hands over my breasts, tweaking my nipples between his fingers. We’re still snuggled under the covers, hiding from the chilly morning air. He rests his weight on his elbow while his other hand explores my body. When he reaches my core, he curses under his breath. “You’re wet,” he says. “I need you, Saylor.” He slides his head under the covers and captures my nipple between his teeth.
My hands find their way to his hair; it’s one of my favorite things, to run my fingers through his silky strands. It short everywhere but on top, and I love it.
He lifts his head, causing the cold air to hit me. “Brrr.” I pull the covers around us.
“Roll over, baby,” he says. I start to turn to face him, but he stops me, kissing the corner of my mouth. “The other way.”
I do as he says and pull the covers up to my chin, fighting off the cold. It’s not normally this cold in here; then again, I don’t usually sleep naked either.
I feel him pull away, but he’s back in no time. It’s not until I hear the rip of a foil packet that I realize what he did. He slides close behind me and pulls me against his chest. His hand roams over my ass and between my legs. “Push that sweet ass into me,” he whispers. I do. He moans when my ass makes contact with his hard length. He kisses my shoulder, my back, and then his lips are next to my ear. “Open for me.” He taps my leg, and I lift a little, giving him room to slide inside me.
“Rhett,” I moan his name, the sensation of him being inside me like this overwhelming my senses.
He pulls out, then pushes back in. “So tight,” he whispers, kissing just below my ear. “So warm. Lift your head.” He slides his arm under, bringing us closer together. His other hand massages my breasts, then trails down my quivering stomach. “I need to get you there, Saylor. I’m too fucking close to losing my shit. You feel so damn good squeezing my cock.” I feel a rush of heat roll through me, and I know he feels it too from the groan deep in his throat. He softly traces his thumb over my clit, teasing me.
“You’re teasing me.”
“What? This?” He ghosts his thumb over my clit.
“That. I need more.” In a bold move, more so than I’ve ever been, I push his hand out of the way and replace it with mine. With my index and middle finger, I begin small circles. There is something about being with Rhett that makes me feel sexy and empowered to take what I want, to give into my desires.
“Fuck!” he says harshly, gripping my hip. His thrusts become harder, faster, more urgent than before. I stop moving my hand, enjoying the friction of the faster pace. “Don’t stop, Saylor, don’t you fucking dare stop.” Releasing my hip, he places his hand over mine and guides me back to my core. “Touch yourself. Take what you need,” he says, kissing my shoulder. He resumes his hold on my hip and thrusts hard. He doesn’t stop. He pistons his hips in and out over and over.
“Close.” I’m barely able to form the words.
“Together,” he says, his voice rough with desire.
A sound I’ve never made before in my life tears from my lungs as white-hot desire courses through me. “Rhett,” I mumble his name.
“That’s it, baby, squeeze my cock.” With one more deep thrust, his body stills as he releases inside of me. His arms wrap around me, holding me to him.
My phone rings, and he groans. Slowly, he removes himself from me then reaches back and grabs my phone. He slides his finger across the screen. “Why the fuck are you calling my girl so early in the morning?” he grumbles into the line.
My heart tips over in my chest hearing him calling me his girl. “No,” he says, “I don’t have to ask her. I can make a better offer.” I roll over to face him. Moving the phone away from his mouth, he leans over and kisses me. “Fine, here she is.” He hands me the phone. “Be right back,” he says, climbing out of bed.
I place the phone next to my ear. “Hello.”
“Saylor,” Molly says, surprising me.
“Hey, I thought you were Jake,” I tell her.
“Well, he called because I asked him too, but he wasn’t getting anywhere with Rhett. I made breakfast and wanted to see if you wanted to join us.”
“Did you look outside and see his truck here?”
“No, but I assumed he stayed. We went to bed early, hence the reason I’m up with the chickens.”
“So you thought we would be too?”
She laughs. “It is kind of early, huh? So you all coming over to eat?”
Rhett sits next to me on the side of the bed shaking his head no. “I think we’re going to pass this time. We’re still in bed.”
“I see. But yet you don’t sound like I just woke you up,” she muses.
“Next time,” I say, laughing.
“Be safe.” She ends the call.
“I have the shower running, let’s get you cleaned up,” he says, pulling back the covers and lifting me into his arms.
“You know I have two legs that carry me anywhere I want to go, right?” I wrap my arms around his neck.
“Yep, but I like you better in my arms. You’re tiny, Short Stack. I could carry you around all day.”
“Hey.” I lightly smack his chest, pretending to be offended. The truth is, I would let him carry me anywhere. The realization hits me hard. Somehow, when I wasn’t looking, I let him get close, closer than anyone, even Elaine. Only because of the intimacy between us. It took longer with Elaine, but once I realized she was in it for the long haul, I opened up to her. She gave me a chance. She gave me what little of my family history she had. I owe her everything. This feeling with Rhett is different. It’s all-consuming and scary, but I’m not letting the fear stop me. One day he might walk away, or I might lose him to circumstances beyond our control, but I know deep in my gut, a little bit of time with him surpasses never having him at all.
After a shower, where Rhett took his job of cleaning me very seriously, of course that was after he dirtied me up again, we find ourselves sitting on the couch under a blanket eating leftover pizza for breakfast. “I’ve never done this before,” I admit.
“What?” He chases his last bite of pizza with a big drink of milk.
“Had pizza for breakfast. Elaine loved to cook. She always made something for breakfast. I very rarely had cereal. We didn’t eat out a lot either. It was cheaper to cook at home and better. She was a really good cook.”
“She taught you to bake?” he asks, holding up a no-bake cookie before devouring most of it in one bite.
“Yeah.” I laugh at him.
“So what are we doing today?”
I shrug. “This.” I point to the couch. “The roads are still a mess according to the news, and I have nowhere to be.”
“You’re wrong,” he says, sitting back against the arm of the couch.
“About what?”
“You have somewhere to be.”
“And where is that?”
“Right here.” He tugs on my arm and pulls me onto his lap. Reaching over, he grabs the blanket and tosses it over us. “I say we take a nap,” he says, kissing my cheek.