by A. M. Myers
I wish she would look at me the way she used to.
Every part of me wants to close the distance between us, pull her into my arms, and tell her we’re done with the bullshit but instead, I scoff and turn back to the bar. “Yeah, I’m fine.”
“Clearly,” she whispers and I peek back at her as she walks across the room. She goes to step behind the bar and I jump up.
“Stop!” I yell, making her jump as she looks up at me with wide eyes. “You don’t have shoes on and I don’t want you to get hurt.”
She glances down at the broken glass on the floor before nodding and climbing onto one of the bar stools as I walk behind the bar and grab a broom. When I peek over at her again, she’s staring down at the bar top and picking at it, refusing to meet my eyes but I can’t look away from her and my mind wills her to glance up. Just one look from her – that’s all I need right now to know that there’s a little bit of hope for us but she refuses to meet my gaze and my throat feels tight as I turn and start sweeping up the glass.
“Did you say yes?” I hiss, clenching the broomstick as my stomach rolls at the thought.
Jesus Christ.
What the hell is wrong with me and what am I going to do with myself if she did agree to marry that fucker?
She sucks in a breath and I look up, unable to stop myself. Our eyes meet and the pain in her eyes shocks me to my core. I stumble back a few steps, glass crunching under my boots, but I still can’t pull my gaze from hers. God, I’ve missed those eyes and even when she looks like she’s about to cry, she’s still the prettiest girl I’ve ever fucking seen. Her brows furrow as she studies me before slowly shaking her head and glancing down at the bar top again.
“Do you even fucking care, Travis?”
“What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
She shakes her head and her breathing stutters, a sure sign that she is going to cry and I scowl as my grip on the broomstick tightens and it creaks under the strain.. “Nothing.”
None of this makes any goddamn sense and I have no idea what I can do to get her to open up to me but I know we can’t keep going like this. We’re both clearly miserable and one of us needs to put an end to it. She releases a heavy breath and slips off of the bar stool before turning and walking away from me. My heart jumps into my throat and I drop the broom, jumping over the bar before I even have time to register the move and closing the distance between us. She gets halfway across the room before I catch her, pulling her into my arms.
“What do you mean, Princess? Why would you ask me if I care?”
Silence descends over us but I wait, dead set on just holding her in my arms until she tells me what’s wrong or it fixes itself. Either way works for me and I’ll never say no when it comes to having her here, like this. She presses her hands and her forehead to my chest and I close my eyes as I pull her closer, feeling like myself again for the first time in four days.
“Come on, Row. Please talk to me,” I plead and she shakes her head, slipping out of my grasp before I can stop her.
“I can’t. I’m sorry.”
I watch her for a second as she takes off for her room before going after her. This, whatever it is, ends now and we’re not leaving a bedroom until she and I are back to normal. She gets all the way into her room before I’m able to grab her hand and spin her back to face me. Closing the door behind me, we stumble back into the wall and I cup her cheek in my hand, forcing her gaze to mine.
“No. Fuck that. I’m not letting you go. You’re mine, Rowan.”
Tears gather in her eyes and her bottom lip trembles as she tries to look away from me but I won’t let her. “Please don’t do this, Travis.”
“Why?” I whisper, pressing my forehead to hers and closing my eyes. “Why can’t I do this? Why can’t I kiss you anymore?”
“Please.”
I shake my head. “No, I’m not letting you go this time. Why have you been avoiding me? I miss you so much, baby, and I… I need you.”
“Travis,” she pleads, planting her hand on my chest and trying to push me away but I won’t budge. Instead, I lean in and let my lips brush against hers as she closes her hand into a fist, gripping my t-shirt. “You don’t understand.”
“What don’t I understand? Talk to me about it because I meant what I said, I’m not letting you go… unless you really did say yes to that asshole’s proposal today?”
She shakes her head. “I didn’t.”
“Then you’re mine. Say you’re mine, Princess,” I urge, desperate to hear her say the words but she shakes her head again as my throat tightens and I clench my teeth.
“I can’t.”
Come on, baby.
Give me what I want.
The last time we were this close pops into my mind and I remember how distant she was until I threw her over my shoulder and she got pissed off at me. I don’t particularly want to make her mad but at this point, I’ll do whatever it takes to get her to open up. Sucking in a breath, I grip her jaw in my hand and her eyes pop open like I just pressed the magic button. She stares up at me with wide eyes filled with surprise and there’s a little spark of something else, something I recognize and I can’t help but smile.
“There you are.”
She narrows her eyes and tries to jerk out of my hold but she’s not going anywhere. “Let me go.”
“Not until you say you’re mine.”
“Fuck you,” she seethes, gritting her teeth, but there is still an incredible amount of pain in her eyes that I just can’t make sense of no matter how hard I try. Leaning in closer, I press my body to hers as she leans back against the wall.
“Gladly, but first, tell me what happened between us. What am I missing, Rowan?”
She lifts her chin in an act of defiance and locks gazes with me as my heart stalls at the walls she’s built to keep me out. I can see them shining in her eyes, so strong but I don’t back down. I can’t. Our breaths tangle in the space between us and I shift my body, pressing into her as I demand her surrender with just a look. Little by little and brick by brick, I see her defenses start to crumble and I resist the urge to grin as I brush my thumb over her cheek to encourage her to open up to me. Just when I think she’s exactly where I want her, she drops her gaze to the floor.
“Look at me.”
She shakes her head. “No.”
“Look at me,” I urge, brushing my thumb over her cheek again and she tips her head back but her eyes are squeezed together, shutting me out. I stare down at her beautiful face for a moment, trying to think of something I can do to get her to open her eyes but when a tear slips down her cheek, I can’t take it anymore. I can’t stand to see her cry and she may hate me right now but I know this is what she needs. Blowing out a breath, I lean in and claim her lips, commanding her body to relent to me. It’s stiff at first and she pushes on my chest but not enough to make me think she actually wants me to stop so I flick my tongue against the seam, demanding entrance. She sighs as her lips part and she melts into me just like every other time and every cell in my body sings at the small victory. This is always where we’re meant to be, just like this in each other’s arms, and she knows it as much as I do. Gripping my t-shirt in her hands, she makes a pleading sound in the back of her throat as she pulls me closer like she can’t stand to be away from me anymore and I smile into her kiss.
Fucking finally.
Bending down, I pick her up and press her back against the wall again as she wraps her legs around my waist and throws her arms over my shoulders, her kiss growing hungry and desperate. I can’t fucking blame her though. These past four days have been hell and I’ve missed her so damn much that this feels like a dream.
“Say you’re mine, Rowan,” I command, pulling my torso away from her as she leans back into the wall with her shoulder and shakes her head. Reaching down, she tugs on my shirt before pulling it up over my head. As soon as it hits the floor behind me, I pull her back to me and seal her lips to mine again, pulling her away fro
m the wall and walking over to the couch. I sink into it with her straddling my thighs and she plants her hands on my chest, her hips rocking against me as she whimpers into the kiss. She drags her lips to my neck and kisses a line down to my shoulder as my head falls back and my hands slip under her shirt.
“Take my clothes off, Travis,” she whispers, working her way back up to my lips and I groan when we connect, dragging her shirt up her body before only pulling away long enough to rip it over her head. Her bra comes next, hitting the floor behind her, and I cup her tit in my hand before sucking her nipple into my mouth. Gasping, she arches her back, pushing her chest closer to me and I flick the sensitive little bud with my tongue, pulling a breathy moan out of her before I release her with a pop.
“Give me what I want, baby.”
She shakes her head, rocking her hips against my cock and I thrust up into her as I grit my teeth but it’s not enough. I fucking need her and I’m desperate to feel her skin on mine. With a growl, I grip a chunk of her hair and pull her lips back down to mine as I grab her hip with my other hand and help her grind on my lap. She pulls away and stumbles off my lap with ragged breaths. My heart jumps into my throat as I glance at the door, wondering if she’s going to make a run for it but when I turn back to her, she’s unbuttoning her jeans and nodding to mine.
“Off.”
I resist the urge to smile as I pop the button of my jeans. Fire lights up her eyes for the first time in days and like an addict, I can’t get enough. After shoving my jeans down my legs and kicking them off, I sit back down on the sofa and wrap my hand around my cock as I watch her slide her red lace panties down her legs. As she kicks them across the room, she looks up and her eyes lock with mine, all of that attitude and sass I love so much shining back at me and my chest feels like it’s going to explode. There she is. These little moments of the way things were between us before a few days ago keep giving me hope that this isn’t truly over and as soon as one ends, I’m impatiently waiting for the next one.
“Come here,” I tell her, holding out my hand and color stains her cheeks as she walks back to me and climbs onto my lap. Reaching up, I press my hand to her cheek and search her eyes as she stares down at me but she’s not giving anything away. Those fucking walls are back up in full force, completely blocking me from her thoughts.
I fucking hate it.
“Touch me, Travis,” she whispers, the look in her eyes shifting to a plea as she rocks her hips on my lap and I groan, pulling her down to kiss her as I drag my other hand up her thigh.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, baby.”
She moans and reaches between us, wrapping her fingers around my cock. “Please.”
“You want me to touch you?” I ask, peppering her lips with quick kisses that just tease and she nods frantically, pumping my length in her hand. Fuck, it feels so good that I just want to lose myself in her but I’m on a mission tonight. I go in for another kiss but this one is different, softer, lingering, and when she starts to melt into me, just when she thinks I’m going to give her what she wants, I pull back. “Tell me you’re mine.”
She blinks at me before narrowing her eyes into a glare. “Fuck you.”
“Just as soon as you give me what I want,” I tell her. She studies my face before releasing my cock and letting out a huff of annoyance as she tries to climb off of me. I don’t let her. Holding her hip firm in one hand, I reach between us with the other and just let my thumb graze her clit. Her eyes widen and her hips buck. Her expression changes, flashing me begging eyes as she rocks her hips, trying to get the sensation back but I keep it just out of reach
“Travis,” she whispers, the ache in her voice going straight to my balls and I fight the urge to give her exactly what she wants, only grazing her clit again. She moans.
“You want more?”
Nodding, she braces her hands on my shoulders and rocks her hips again. “Yes.”
“Tell me you’re mine.”
“Fuck me first,” she whispers, closing her eyes and letting her head fall back as I brush my thumb over her little bud again. “And I will. Please, Travis… please.”
Shit.
How am I supposed to deny her when she looks like a fucking goddess and she’s begging me for more? This doesn’t mean I’m giving up but I’ll just have to use something else. Rowan isn’t the only one with moves. Pressing my thumb to her clit, I begin circling it and her head snaps up, her eyes lock with mine, and her lips part as she gasps for air, her fingers digging into my shoulders. I slip my fingers down to her pussy and groan as I drag them back up, covered in her arousal. Her hips rock, getting herself off on my fingers as I watch and I hiss a curse as I stare down at her, enraptured.
How in the fuck did I lose the upper hand here?
“Tell me you’re mine,” I tell her, pulling my fingers away and she cries out, turning hate filled eyes on me as she shakes her head.
“No.” Before I can say anything else, she climbs out of my lap and drops to her knees in front of me, flashing me a devious smile as she wraps her fingers around my cock and closes her lips over the tip.
Fuck me.
“Rowan,” I breathe, threading my fingers through her hair as she takes my length into her mouth and sucks, her tongue massaging the underside of my shaft as it pulses with need. She slowly pulls back, dragging her lips over every inch of me and I struggle to catch my breath as my eyes roll back. When she drags her teeth gently over the head, I growl, reaching down and grabbing her arm before hauling her back onto my lap.
Fuck, I need inside her.
Nothing else matters.
“Oh,” she whispers as I rub my cock along her slit before pressing against her entrance. Looking up, I meet her eyes and she grabs my shoulders again, nodding for me to push inside her.
“Tell me,” I urge, gritting my teeth as every cell in my body screams at me to slip into her pussy. She shakes her head as she starts sinking down on me and I’m a fucking goner. Relief rushes through me as she takes me deep, her body gripping me and pleasure floods my body. Groaning, I grip her hips as she starts to move, slowly rising up on her knees before dropping down again in a torturous pace that sends a wave of painful bliss rushing through my body.
Damn it.
This is never going to get me what I want.
Eyeing the other end of the couch, I wrap my arms around her waist and pick her up as she clings to me and shrieks with surprise as I carry her over there and lay her down on her back. One leg gets thrown over my shoulder as I perch on the edge of couch and slip inside her again. This time I hold nothing back, slamming into her aggressively as she writhes and moans beneath me, gasping for air as her tits bounce with each thrust of my hips. Just when I’m about to lose control, I stop and pull out of her but keep her pinned beneath me.
“Tell me you’re mine, Rowan.” My voice is hard this time, commanding, but she still flashes me a look of defiance before shaking her head and lifting her hips off of the couch.
“Fuck me.”
Growling, I drive into her again and resume my pace, pounding her sweet little pussy as I reach up and wrap a hand around her throat. Her eyes widen but a smile tugs at her lips as she cups her tits in her hands, toying with her nipples.
Jesus Christ, she’s trying to kill me.
The pressure builds and one look at her tells me she’s just as close as I am so I slow down, keeping it just fast enough to keep her orgasm alive.
“You want to come, baby?”
She nods. “Yes.”
“Then tell me what I want to hear.”
She flashes me a look that screams “fuck off” as she reaches down between us and circles her clit with her fingers and I can’t help but smile as I pull her hand away and pin it over her head.
“I don’t think so, sweetheart. You want to come, you have to give me what I want.”
Growling, she tries to rock her hips in an attempt to urge me to give in to her but it’s not happening. Flashing her a g
rin, I increase my speed but not enough to get the job done and she groans loudly as she squirms beneath me.
“I fucking hate you.”
I shake my head. “No, you don’t.”
“Yes, I do. I fucking hate you, Travis,” she snaps but her eyes betray her as she stares up at me with what is supposed to be a glare. Even knowing that she’s lying her ass off, I hate hearing those words roll off her tongue and I grit my teeth for a moment before leaning down and slamming my lips against hers as I give her what she wants. My pace is merciless as I grip her jaw and kiss her with all of the anger I feel over her comment and she screams into the kiss as her pussy clenches around me with her release. It steals the breath from my lungs and I groan as I rip my mouth from hers and thrust into her three more times before my body lets go with such fierceness that I swear I see stars.
“Travis,” she whispers, clawing at my back and I groan again, my cock throbbing with my release as I bury my face in the crook of her neck and try to catch my breath. Rowan has other ideas. She pushes me off of her just enough that she can guide my lips to hers and clings to me as she kisses me like never before. My cock jerks inside her, ready to go again, and I groan as I pull back and meet her eyes.
“Say it, baby. Tell me you’re mine.”
She sighs, her eyes softening as she shakes her head. “Of course I’m yours, Travis. Always.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Rowan
“Incoming,” Travis whispers as the clubhouse door opens and I peek over my shoulder as my brother steps out into the setting sunlight, scanning the lot before his gaze lands on me. My belly flips. He hasn’t said a single word to me since throwing Ash out of the parking lot yesterday and I’ve barely even seen him as I’ve spent the day moping around the clubhouse, waiting for this moment. Travis drags his hand down my back and my body relaxes slightly as I turn back to him. He smiles and presses his lips to mine before standing up. “I’ll be at the bar. Come find me when you’re done.”
A smile tugs at my lips despite my shaking hands and I nod. “I will.”